Chapter 2 "I know"
The next day in school Arnold saw Helga staring through the window in the hallway. Just as he was about to go up to her someone grabbed his shoulder from behind. As Arnold spun around he saw Gerald standing there. "What up man? You going to the Talent Show on Friday?" "Yeah, I'm singing a song. I've been doing lessons and well I didn't write the song so don't start thinking I'm a genius just yet. The song though does have a meaning and a purpose but it doesn't concern you, so you don't have to know." "That's cool man, I'm going to do an act with my saxophone. But I wrote my own song." Gerald said with a laugh. "Well we better get going or we'll be late for class." Gerald said as he grabbed Arnolds arm and walked away. Sara, helga's best friend since kindergarten, saw the way Arnold was looking and watching helga as he walked away and thought, "Hmm…I think Arn…hey helga, how are you today?" "Oh hey Sara, I'm fine, I'm just a little tired, oh yeah and I'm sorry I didn't call you last night something came up with my dad and well…" "Helga its fine, really, I just wanted to know if you were going to go to the Talent Show on Friday and maybe do an act?" Sara said curiously. "What the hell is with every one and that damn Talent Show, geez!!" "Well I just thought…umm… you would maybe read a poem for Arnold?" "What!!!" Helga turned every shade of red. "I don't umm…know what your…" helga stuttered. "Its okay helga, I know you like Arnold, but you can trust me, I'm not going to say anything, and besides he's going to be there Friday and he's going to be doing an act." Sara said with a devilish smile. "Yeah I'll be there but I'm not going to tell you what I'm doing okay?" "Okay helga." With that Helga and Sara walked to class.
At lunch Sara went up to Arnold and said, "Umm.. Arnold, I just wanted to let you know Helga is going to be there on Friday." With that she walked away. Arnold turned around in his seat; he was so happy and relieved to here that hula was going to be there. "All I have to do now is make sure the song is perfect for her." Arnold said staring at the back of Helga. "Hello, earth to Arnold, come in Arnold…" a voice said to Arnold. It was Arnold's oldest friend Chris. "What's up with you man, you've been day dreaming all day and staring at Helga, do you want to tell me something Arnold, something you've been keeping from me?" Arnold looked at Chris. "Chris, let me ask you a question, what do you think about Helga?" "Helga Pataki!" "What are you getting at Arnold?" "I'm just asking what do you think of her?" "Well I guess she's smart, I mean it's pretty impressive that someone that mean can write some really nice poems." "See that's what I mean, she can't be all mean, it's like I told Gerald, I think she is hiding the real person she is, the person who wants to be nice and friendly, do you understand a little bit of what I'm trying to say?" "I guess you have a point Arnold but, never mind, umm…I had a question to ask you, I want to sing a song for the talent show but I don't think I can" "Why can't you Chris, you have a good voice why not go for it" "But see Its not all about that, its for a girl I like and well…I wanted to sing for her" Chris said blushing. "Oh do I know this girl?" "Yeah but umm…never mind; I'm sorry Arnold I have to shake it, so I'll see you later okay?" "Hmm…Chris likes a girl and wants to sing for her, that should be entertaining to see."
With that Arnold walked away. As he was going home he ran right into Helga, again. "Sorry helga, we've got to stop running into each other this way don't you think," Arnold said with a cute smile and laugh. Helga looked up at Arnold and took his hand that he helped her up with, Arnold gazed into her eyes and she gazed into his and said, "Thank-you Arnold and I'm sorry I should be more careful," he looked at her and tears started to build In her eyes and she took off. Arnold didn't know what to do; he didn't know whether he should have gone after her or just stay where he is. He was shocked at how nice she was to him and how she didn't even push him aside and didn't even call him football. As he stood there he saw Chris and Gerald come around the corner. "Hey man, did you notice that Helga was acting a little strange today? She didn't insult anybody." Gerald said. "I told you, there is more to her than you think Gerald." "I guess so Arnold, do you and Chris want to come to the arcade with me?" "Yeah I'd love to, but I have to get home early to work on my song," "Me too I have to decide on what I'm going to do, I don't know yet." Chris said with a laugh. All of them left together for the arcade. Back at Helga's house Helga was up in her room, but she was happy because Big Bob was out of town on a meeting trip. So she had the run of the joint. She picked up the phone and called Sara. RINGRING"Hello?" "Hey" "Oh hey Helga how are you? What's the matter you seem upset?" "Sara I have to go to Ireland and I have to leave tomorrow," "Yeah but you'll be back right?" "No I have to stay there and live, my dad is making me go" "No you can't go Helga, you just can't leave me here," "I know that's why I'm not going" Helga said laughing hysterically. "Oooo…Helga, I can't stand when you play around with me like that, you know that frightens me!" "I know that's why I do it" Helga said with a laugh. "Hey Sara are you going to do something for that thing on Friday?" "Yeah I'm going to play Fur Elise on my piano. I'm nervous but hey it's my last year here and well why not do something that nobody would expect me to do. You know do something in front of an audience. You know I've never done anything for the school but I'm going to show them they didn't break me." "Sara that's wonderful, I've heard you play that a million times and I think your a pro at it" "Gee thanks Helga" "Hey that's why I'm your friend" "I know Helga, well I've got to go, but I'll see you tomorrow at school right?" "Yeah I'll be there, good night Sara," "Good night Helga"
As she hung up the phone with Sara, Helga pulled out her little pink book and wrote:
Dear Diary, oh my Arnold, the love of my life, how I love thee. I love everything about you, right down to your tiny feet and right up to your sunny blonde hair. How I wish you were mine. I hate myself for hurting you and mistreating you, you never turned your back in me and I never showed you the respect you deserved, I am truly sorry for I know not what I do, and It grieves me to see you in pain, the pain I give to you, how I long to say I am sorry, but for now my love only know that I live only for you and I would die for you just to be happy for eternity. I love you my sweet Arnold, good night to thee.
Helga.*
With that Helga went off to sleep. When Arnold got home he was so excited out Friday he pulled out the song he was going to sing and checked it a few more times, just to make sure it's the right one to sing to her. It was perfect.
The next day was the big day, The NHS Senior Class Talent Show of 2003, everybody so nervous and anxious including Arnold, Chris and Gerald. As Arnold took his seat in 212, he noticed that Helga wasn't in there. "Where is she, God I hope she's okay, where is she?" Arnold thought to himself. After class he went up to Sara. "Umm…hey Sara, umm have you seen Helga today?" Sara studied the look on Arnolds face, he cared so much about her and he didn't even realize it, but Sara did. "Arnold she's fine and don't worry she'll be here tonight trust me" Sara said with a big smile. "But I…" Arnold said to Sara as she walked away, "Hmm…I wonder what that was all about, I hope she doesn't know something I don't" Arnold said scratching his head. 6:oo o'clock came very quickly and Arnold still didn't see Helga but he trusted Sara. As everybody took their seats in the auditorium, the lights turned out and there was only a 1 spot light gleaming on the stage where the principle stood. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I am very pleased on how many participants we have in the show this year and I would like to also thank the members of the staff and the family and friends of our fellow classmates for joining us in our special event. Well let's waste no more time and get this show started shall we, okay first let us hear from Gerald Johansen." Everybody applauded as Gerald stepped on stage. Let me tell you something he put on a terrific performance, oh and the name of the song he wrote was "I Got The Funk", cute. "Very wonderful Gerald, okay let's see who's next, umm…Sara, your next." Everybody was very quite, as Sara walked to the stage, she was wondering "Why the hell am I up here? I don't belong up here, God help me." She took her place at the piano and looked over at Arnold who was giving her the thumbs up. She took a deep breath and began playing. Not one mistake. When she stopped she turned around in the seat and looked at the audience, it was quite at first, then all of a sudden a roar of cheers and hollers flooded the auditorium. Sara with a big smile walked quickly back to her seat. Arnold took a glance at Chris who was watching Sara, he saw and understood the look and expression on his face he had while looking at her. "She's a sweet girl, don't you think?" "Yeah she is" "I think she'll love what ever you wrote for her, Chris" "So do I, Arnold…" "It's okay, nothing to be ashamed about, I saw the way that you were looking at her and I kind of figured out that she's the girl you were talking about" "I know it's just that…" "Arnold, is there an Arnold in the audience, yes it's your turn honey" "Good luck" Chris said in a whisper.
Arnold took a deep breath and walked on to the stage. He took the mike in his hand and he scanned the audience to see if he could see Helga, just when he taught all hope was lost he saw Helga sneak through the doors and take a seat. Boy was he relieved. He cleared his throat and began. "I want to dedicate this song for someone who I have known for a long time, I never understood that person but I'm beginning to see why that person has chosen the path of secrecy and loneliness, I want them to know that I do care about them and that they are not alone and that I'm there for them, no matter what." Arnold thought to himself, (ok what just happened? Do I like her, nah I just want her to know I'm there for her, no It can't be, oh shit I have to begin…)
I hope u guys have your cds out because next chapter you'll need em'