A better synopsis:: HELGA AND ARNOLD REUNITE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, SPARKS FLY…Arnold gets married…or does he?

A/N: Thanks for the reviews….KEEP READING! I PROMISE YOU IT WON'T BE BORING!

Chapter 2: Call Me

Arnold paced around his office, staring at the ceiling. "So, we've been together for a long time…no, no." He bit his lip. "Well, I love you – so let's get married." He stomped his foot down. "Damnit I'll never find the right thing to say will I?"

"Sir," said Connie from the speaker.

Arnold walked to his desk and pressed the red button. "Yeah Connie?"

"She's here."

"She is?! Okay, just send her in." Arnold adjusted his tie and pulled his hand through his hair a couple of times. "This is it," he murmured to himself.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Arnold shouted, standing by the desk.

In came his girlfriend. Kind of tall, red haired with freckles. Now who does she remind you of?

"Hi, Lila," said Arnold, smiling widely. He walked over to her and hugged her.

"Why Hello Arnold. You look extremely happy."

"I am. I am…" He drew in a deep breath. "Lila, we've been together for a long time, right?"

"Yes…I would think that three years is pretty long."

"We do love each other right?" He asked cautiously.

"Of course, Arnold." Lila smiled.

"Well, I have a question to ask you…" He suddenly got down on his knees as Lila gasped. "Lila, will you marry me?!" He opened the ring box.

Lila nearly fainted. "Why Arnold, I thought you would never ask!" She bent down and kissed him deeply.

"So is that a yes?"

"YES!" She exclaimed.

Arnold grinned and slipped the ring on her finger.

"Oh, Arnold. It's ever so beautiful." Tears dwelled in her eyes.

Arnold got up. "I know."

"How much did you spend on me?"

"More than you can imagine," he said, putting his arms around her waist.

"I love you, Arnold."

"I love you too…" Arnold sighed with relief. "Hey, after the High School reunion, let's go out to Vegas and get married there."

"Oh, about the High School reunion…" Lila began, stepping away from Arnold. "I can't go."

"What do you mean you can't go?"

"I mean my boss is making me go to London for two weeks to work on a project there." She pouted. "I'm ever so sorry. But I leave on the 20th and coming back on the 3rd of June."

"That's okay. I can go alone. But what about the wedding? Didn't you say you wanted to get married soon?"

"Well, yes, but I don't think we can. But you know what? Once I come back, we'll start planning the wedding, okay? And get married in a week!" She giggled.

Arnold hesitated. "Oh ok."

Lila jumped up and down and giggled hysterically. "Thank you, thank you!"

***

(The 24th)

In a way, Arnold was happy that Lila had left for London for two weeks. Now he could be free, and roam the reunion however he wanted without having the burden of her always wanting to do the "safe" things.

But over all, all he could think about was making a big impression.

On the plane back home, Helga couldn't stop thinking about Arnold. Arnold, Arnold, Arnold. Their lives together…ahem, I mean previous lives together. What would he think of her? Would she still be good enough for him? How she longed to see his big blue eyes, and cornflower hair.

Finally, Helga was home. Home sweet home. She got out of the yellow taxi with her small suitcase and paid the driver. She straightened up and moved her hands down her purple skirt and walked to the front door. She rang the doorbell.

When Mariam opened the door, her jaw fell on the floor. "Helga! You're home!" She grinned, hugging her youngest daughter. When she let go of her, she scanned Helga up and down. How her face brightened to see how drastically her daughter has changed since the last time they met when she was in college.

"Hi Mom," said Helga smiling. She knew that Mariam was impressed.

"Come on in. You look fantastic." They walked into the trophy room.

"Yeah, thanks…" Helga sat on the big couch and looked around. Everything was still the same ever since she left. Too many of Olga's trophies still stood on the shelves. But something different was there too. A shelf that was built just for Helga when she was in High School. Full of blue ribbons, trophies and other things. Usually looking at it made Helga feel at ease.

"Did you lose weight, Helga?" Mariam asked eagerly.

"Well, not really. It's just that I keep my body in good condition. You know, watch what I eat, exercise. The usual – oh and I'm more in touch with my...er...feminine side." Helga giggled a little.

Mariam smiled. "Just to tell you again: You look great! So you want something to drink?"

"No, that's all right." Helga put up her hand.

"Okay, then let me take you to your room." Mariam said happily.

"Sure." Together they walked upstairs to Helga's room. When Helga opened the door, she noticed that everything was exactly the same. Pink. Pink. Pink. "Looks like I've always remembered it would."

"Big Bob and I didn't touch a thing."

Helga walked in and touched the nightstand. Her fingers were dusty. "I can see that, Mom."

"If you need anything, Helga, just holler, and I'll be up in a flash, kay?" She asked in a perky voice she would normally use with Olga.

"Ookay Mom."

Mariam closed the door. Was it just Helga or was Mariam acting stranger? It was maybe because every since Helga won an award for her writing in High School, Mariam and Big Bob finally decided to appreciate her for the REAL person she is. And Olga was just old news in a sense. Just a teacher…an exceptionally smart teacher. Once Helga won those awards for her poetry book, Big Bob and Mariam finally got the thought: "Helga is making a lot of money – unlike Olga. We should treat her better!"

That's the way Helga figured it. So whenever they talk to Olga on the phone, they would say, "Olga, your sister is so talented. She used her gift to her advantage! I think you can learn something from that." Then, of course, Olga would begin to cry. Her mascara would run, she would start talking in a squeaky tone (you know, the usual way).

But it didn't matter how they treated Olga anymore. The point was that Olga was the least of Helga's worries now.

The biggest problem was if Helga was going to act like a doofus in front of Arnold or not.

Arnold had no where to go. Grandpa and Grandma moved to Florida to spend their last years. They still kept in touch. No, they haven't gone to the deep sleep yet. The boarding house was torn down too. He didn't keep in touch with any of the boarders. I wonder what happened to them, he thought.

He checked in to the local Holiday Inn hotel. Once he settled in, he went for a walk around town. Everything seemed the same. All the streets, and stores. It made him feel happy again. It cleared his mind – and he had no care in the world other than the High School reunion the next day.

Then he approached a shop vaguely familiar with a big sign saying "Green's Meats". Arnold smiled and walked through the door as the little bell chimed.

"Mister Green?" Arnold asked, looking around. The place hadn't changed a bit. They tiles were still the same color, and everything was organized the same way.

Mr. Green walked out from the backroom, limping slightly. He got old – you could tell because his hair was gray. But his face still looked the same. "Yeah, what is it?"

"Mr. Green, do you remember me?" Arnold opened his arms. "It's Arnold."

Mr. Green adjusted his glasses and formed a smile. "Arnold!" He chuckled. "I haven't seen you in, what,"

"Nearly ten years," Arnold continued, nodding his head. "How is everything, Mr. Green?"

"Fine, fine. You sure look different Arnold. More…more…"

"Matured? Wise?"

"Better than before. You look like a million bucks."

"That's because I'm worth a million bucks." Arnold chuckled. "I own a basketball team, and I'm head of an advertising company."

"An advertising company, eh?"

"Yup. My company made that new commercial on TV about those new boom boxes."

"The one with the babies and the dogs?"

"Yeah." Arnold smiled.

"That's a great commercial!" He exclaimed. "Seems like you've got it made. Are you married?"

"Not quite yet. I'm engaged."

"Well, where is she?"

"In London. Business." Arnold shrugged. "She's a doll though."

"So what're you hear for?"

"The High School reunion." Arnold smiled. "Going to see old friends again."

The little jingle bell jingled. Arnold turned around and saw Harold. Good ol big Harold Burman in an apron. The same kind of apron he wore when he was Mr. Green's apprentice.

"Arnold?" Harold asked in disbelief.

"Harold?" Arnold replied. He grinned. "Harold, 'ol pal." Arnold walked closer to Harold.

Harold smiled and shook Arnold's hand. "Where've you been for so long?"

"College…work. You know. The usual, and yourself?"

"Been here. Workin'. And started myself a family." Harold said happily.

"A family? That's great, Harold. Got kids?"

"No. Well, not yet. My wife's pregnant though."

"Congrats, you lucky dog." He grinned. "That's all great to hear. Have you kept in touch with anyone else during the years?"

"No…not really. But I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again tomorrow night. Aren't you?"

"Yes. Definitely."

***

Helga looked at herself one last time in the mirror. She was wearing a black dress with a V-neck and spaghetti straps. It eased on her body very well. "You look good, Helga," she said to herself. She put up her hair and put on eyeshadow, eyeliner and red lipstick and was off to the reunion.

Helga's taxi drove up in front of the banquet hall. She could see that many people were already there. So with a deep breath, she got out of the taxi and walked inside.

There were balloons, streamers, and cheap posters. Helga looked around. It was 6:15 and the whole school was there.

"Helga? Is that you?" asked a patronizing voice.

Helga turned around to see Rhonda in a silky red dress, wearing white gloves. "Rhonda?"

"Tu shay, Helga. You look fabulous. I never expected you to look so clean!" Rhonda smiled and put an arm around Helga. "So, tell me, what's been going on?"

"Oh, you know…the usual…" Helga replied trying to sound as perky as Rhonda.

"Are you married?"

"No…" said Helga. Rhonda looked happy. She wanted attention. Helga decided to play along. "Are you?"

"Yes. In fact I am." Rhonda put out her left hand and showed Helga her big diamond ring. "See. It's all the rage." She moved her hand to make the diamond sparkle.

"That's one big stone," said Helga. "Who are you married to?"

"The one and only Lorenzo. You know, we rich people must keep in close connections. It all started when I was in the Gucci store at Beverly Hills, which is my current location – ," she began.

"That's nice Rhonda…" Helga said sarcastically. "What do you and Lorenzo do anyway?"

"Lorenzo is a business man…of some sort. And I am a fashion designer. See my dress? I made it myself." She grinned an turned around to show Helga.

"Oh, that's fabulous," Helga murmured. "But you know what? I really think I should go. Um, get some punch. Great to see you again though." Helga quickly walked away. Ugh, Rhonda is obviously still the same.

As she worked her way to the punch bowl, she bumped into good ol' Phoebe. "Phoebe?" Helga asked curiously.

"Helga!" Phoebe squeaked. She wrapped her arms around Helga. "I can't believe it's you!"

Helga laughed slightly and patted Phoebe's back. When she let go of Helga, she gawked at Helga's appearance. "Boy, Helga. You sure have blossomed."

Phoebe didn't change as much as Helga. She still had her cute, sweet, sensitive charm and short black hair.

Helga laughed. "Thanks Phoebe." She smiled. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Yes, a very long time. How have you been?"

"Oh, I've been good. Really good."

"I read your poetry book. It's wonderfully written and it certainly deserved all that recognition." Phoebe smiled.

"Thanks, Phebes." Helga replied. "How are you doing? I mean, like, what've you been doing after Johns Hopkins?"

"I'm a psychologist now. Working full time. All the time." Phoebe said. "You would think it's boring, but really, it's not. It's actually quite stimulating. Plus I make quite a deal of money."

"Cool," said Helga. "So, I heard you got married."

"Yes."

"Was it a nice wedding?"

"A small wedding. With only family."

"Sounds like your kind of wedding. So how are you and Gerald doing?"

"Oh we're perfectly in love. No children though. We don't plan on having any until we're thirty."

"What does Gerald do anyway?"

"He's coach of the college basketball team. Being paid quite a bit of money." 

"Sounds like you two are living a near perfect life."

"Have you seen Arnold tonight?"

Helga shook her head. "Nope. Not yet…"

"Well, good luck. I hope you find him. You two need to work things out."

"Work things out? I think the fact that we haven't communicated in ten years worked everything out." Helga crossed her arms across her chest.

"You know you still care."

"About him? Pshaw." Helga grumbled. "If we had even remotely been interested in each other, we would've still been together."

"But you two broke up only because -,"

"Only because we were fed up with each other." Helga sighed. "I'm going to look around some more. I'll talk to you later, Phebes."

Helga walked away into the crowd for the next half hour, chatting with people, getting reacquainted with teachers…and then the time came. She ran into Arnold.

"Oof!" Helga and Arnold exclaimed as they ran into each other.

"Um, Hi Arnold," said Helga, trying to act as normal as possible.

Arnold's eyes widened. "Helga, Hi. You sure have changed." He smiled politely.

"Yeah, so tell me something I don't know." She chuckled slightly and looked down.

"No, really, Helga. You look great."

"You don't look too bad yourself, Foo – er – Arnold." She blushed. "Is that an Armani suit you have on?"

"Sure is."

"So what do you do for a living?"

"I'm head of an advertising company. Marcus and Bradely advertising." He grinned.

"Wow, that's a really good company. You guys make good commercials and stuff," said Helga.

"Yeah. Yeah. And um, what about you? How's life treating you?"

"Fine. I'm a writer. Not a poor one or anything, but I live a comfortable life in New York City."

"You live in New York? I do too." Arnold said, trying to be enthusiastic. The point is that they couldn't be ol' chummy with each other anymore. Not like before.

"Yeah, I live in a loft apartment thing."

"Married?"

"No…I haven't found anyone special yet." She looked into his eyes. "What about you?"

Arnold's throat dried up. I hope I don't hurt her… "Yes. Actually I'm engaged."

Helga couldn't believe it. She just stared at him for a second and then gave a short chuckle. "Congrats. Who's the lucky girl?"

Arnold coughed a little. "Er, Lila."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Lila. The same Lila I date before and after you. The same Lila who you claimed ripped us apart," Arnold snapped.

"Arg…" Helga mumbled. "Lila?" She shook her head slightly in disbelief. "Well, I hope you guys are happy together. You seem so perfect for each other!"

"Gee thanks Helga."

"So, tell me, how is she doing anyway? Is she still a little…" Helga tapped the side of her head with her index finger.

"Helga!"

"Sorry…sorry." She let out a deep breath. "I couldn't help it. It's just that. You know…"

"Remember Helga? We said we wouldn't let what happened ruin our friendship," said Arnold softly.

"But it did, Arnold. It did! Then we went off to college…and look what happened. We never talked to each other. Nothing. And we even live in the same city! And now you're engaged."

"We have a lot of catching up to do then, don't we?" Arnold smiled.

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"Helga, please. Don't be sad…" Arnold pleaded. "I hate seeing you like this…even after all the tough times, I still hate seeing you like this."

Helga turned away.

"We have to stop hating each other. What happened between us is the past now. We have to stop dwelling on it. Okay?" He moved around to face her again. "This is supposed to be fun. And you're here being sad."

"Okay…" Helga forced herself to smile.

"Here," said Arnold, taking something out from inside his suit pocket. "This is my card. When you get back to New York, call me. And we'll set up a date to meet."

Helga took his card and put it in her purse. "What about Lila? I think she'll be jealous."

"She's out of town…we'll have a good opportunity to catch up."

"Your fiancee ran away from you?"

"No, she's just out of town for business."

"You sure?"

Arnold nodded. "So, just call me, okay?"