A/N: This is chapter eight. Enjoy!

Chapter Eight: Could something actually be nothing?

The next day, Helga walked to school with tears in her eyes. She'd been crying the whole night. So far only Pheboe knew what was wrong with her. And she planned to keep it that way. Maybe everything will go away. Maybe all that they would have to do is do a little surgical thing and take out a little tumor thing.

"Helga...are you going to be okay?" Pheboe asked quietly in the halls of the school.

Helga nodded. "Yeah...I mean it could be nothing – right?"

"Yeah," said Phoebe slowly. "Could be nothing."

"Well, today I'm going to the hospital," said Helga.

"Why?" interject Arnold from behind.

Helga turned around to see him. His kind and gentle face almost made her cry. She wanted to tell him – but then again, why burden him with something that could be nothing?

"Oh – um – because...I think I twisted my...uh..."

"Your..."

"Wrist. Yeah. Wrist. I think I twisted my wrist. So, I'm going to have to go to the doctor's and have it checked out."

"Oh...okay," said Arnold with an incomprehensive look on his face.

***

"So, Doc, I'm going to have to go through this big thing here?" asked Helga nervously – trying to sound strong.

"Yup. Just lay down and everything is going to be fine." He smiled warmly. So far, Helga had to do a urine sample and pressed on her flanks and abdomen to see about any weird solid masses. (Or so, that's what he told her)

Helga drew in a deep breath and layed down. She felt a minor rumbling as she was pulled through the long hole. (A/N:: I think it's a MRI or CT scan)

When she could see light again, the doctor was hmming and writing things down on his clipboard. "You can sit up now, Helga," said the doctor softly.

"So. What's going to happen?"

The Doctor drew in a deep breath. "I'm not sure yet – but I'll tell you as soon as possible. Okay, Helga?"

Helga nodded slowly and jumped off.

"And Helga," began the doctor.

"Yes?"

"Don't worry, okay?"

Helga nodded again.

***

"So are you going to find out today?" asked Phoebe (Yes, this is a week or so later).

"Yeah I guess," said Helga.

"Okay. Just remember not to worry..."

"I'll remember, don't worry." She giggled and tried opening her locker. "Arg! This still won't open. Don't you having feelings for a sick person you stupid locker?!" She growled, pounding her locker.

"Whoa, Helga," said Arnold, grabbing her fist. "Don't blame it all on your locker!" He chuckled.

Pheboe and Gerald glanced at each other and smiled. "Helga, I'm going to walk without you, okay?" asked Phoebe in a dazed tone.

"Yeah, me too, man," said Gerald. Together they held hands and walked away through the corridor.

"Is it just me, or did they just -,"

"Yeah. They just left together." Arnold looked at her locker. "Problems. I see. You combination is...23, 14, 5?"

Helga raised an eyebrow. "You remember?"

"Yup." He smiled. He turned the knob and opened the locker so easily it made Helga jealous.

"Thanks, Arnold."

"No problem." He grinned.

Helga put in a few books. "Why are you hanging around? Wouldn't you rather catch up with you basketball friends or something?"

"Oh because. Once you're done with the book thing, I gotta ask you something."

Helga closed her locker. "Okay. I'm all ears. What are you going to ask me?"

"Um, if you're not busy today after school...wanna go out for some ice cream? You know, as friends?"

"Oh. Um. Sure...as friends," her voice slurred. How she wished it was as more than friends.

"What would you like, Helga?" asked Arnold.

"Hmm...maybe a banana split. I'll split it with you because I don't think I can finish it all."

"Okay. A banana split please," said Arnold. "Strawberry icecream, chocolate and vanilla."

The waitress wrote it on her little notepad and walked away.

"It's very nice of you to bring me here," said Helga. "But it makes me wonder – what's the catch?" She giggled.

Arnold acted shocked. "I just thought that we should spend more time together. After all, we are friends. And this is what friends do."

Helga smiled.

"I see you're not wearing my varsity jacket. Is there something wrong with it?" Arnold asked jokingly.

"It's just that – you know – after I threw up after wearing it. I thought you didn't want me to wear it anymore..."

"I said to keep it. And that means that you should keep it. Forever." He smiled. "Because I -,"

Say it, say you love me, thought Helga.

He cleared his throat. "Because I think that we should use that as a symbol of our friendship."

"Oh," said Helga with disappointment.

"Here's your banana split with two spoons," said the waitress, putting the big bowl on the middle of the table. "Enjoy. And by the way, here's your check." She put the check next to them.

"Gee, that was nice of her," said Helga sarcastically. She took a spoon and took a bite of the banana split. "This tastes very good, huh, Arnold?"

Arnold didn't answer. Helga looked up towards him. He was staring out the window. Helga turned around and looked out the window. Across the street was Lila and Brainy walking together to the ice cream shop.

Helga put her hands on Arnold's face and made him face her. "Don't worry, Arnold. You've moved on. Okay?"

Arnold nodded, his eyes still pierced on Lila.

"You need to show her you're strong! Show her you're over her. You are the one who broke up with her! Not vice-versa," demanded Helga.

Arnold gave out a sigh. "You're right. I'm strong."

"Yup – and we also have to get her as jealous as you are right now."

"Me? Jealous? Ha!" He laughed.

Helga put her hands on her hips. "We're going to do a little acting. Just follow my lead." She winked as Lila and Brainy walked into the shop.

"Oh Arnold," giggled Helga. "Your jokes are always so funny!" She leaned close to Arnold, batting her eyes as she put her cheek on her hand.

Lila and Brainy sat in a booth across from them. Helga took Arnold's hands in hers and smiled. "Arnold, I could never stop thinking about you last night," said Helga softly. She leaned over next to his ear. "Just pretend you're whispering things in my ear and kiss my cheek and everything will be fine," she whispered in a soft tone.

Arnold blew things in Helga's ear and kissed her cheeks oh-so-softly. Helga was about to melt inside.

Helga glanced at Lila and Brainy. "I think they're jealous now," whispered Helga. "I think we should go," she giggled.

"Me too," he took out money from his pocket and put it on the table. Then he got out of the table and put out his arm. Helga linked her arm with his and they walked out.

"Did you see the way she was staring? I swear, her face was pea-green with envy," Helga laughed as they walked down the street.

Arnold nodded. "You're wonderful, Helga. Just wonderful." He grinned and hugged her tightly. "I never would've survived without you."

Helga blushed slightly. "Well, I am a professional after all," she said sarcastically.

They walked together to the front of Helga's door. "Thanks for the ice cream we didn't eat," said Helga.

"No, thank you for giving me strength to forget about Lila when she's in the same room as me." He grinned. Helga smiled. There was a moment of silence. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow," said Arnold leaning a little closer to Helga.

"Yeah, I guess so," said Helga, moving forward. Her eyes were just about to close until Jonathan opened the door.

"Hey Helga. I thought I heard something. Hey Arnold," said Jonathan.

Arnold and Helga straightened up. "Hey Jonathan. Well, I was just here to drop off Helga. So, I'll see you later. Bye!" He walked away.

Helga sighed and got inside the house. "So how was your day, Jonathan?"

"You know. Just usual. Fine I guess. How are you feeling?"

"You know. Just usual. Fine I guess." She grinned. "It seems quiet in here."

"Sure is. Olga's out buying clothes with your mom and Big Bob is in the store. I'm the man of the house." He grinned.

"Oh boy." Laughed Helga. "So, is Olga, like, three months pregnant now?"

"Sure is." He sighed. "Seems like just yesterday..." He smirked and shook his head. "Anyway, the doc called."

"And...?" Helga asked anxiously.

"He wants you to call him back."

Helga nodded. "Alright." She picked up the phone and dialed the doctor's number. "Hi, Doctor Michaels?..."

A/N: HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT! There are more chapters. Don't leave me hanging...keep reviewing and... yeah.