Helga's Letters
Part Three: A Date With Boredom
The next day at school Arnold had set his mind to avoiding Helga as much as possible. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Simmons had other plans…
"Alright class, today we're all going to do something very special." he held up his hands and symbolized quotations as he said 'special'.
"There he goes again." Helga muttered to no one in particular.
"Today we're all going to break up into partners and start working on some very special poems." he beamed. "And don't forget to keep working on your own personal poems about something you're passionate about. We'll be presenting them Friday morning in class."
Helga felt a knot form in the pit of her stomach. She'd been excited at first mention of the assignment, knowing that her poem would be read aloud. But now she wasn't so sure she wanted her poem read. What if someone found out it was hers? What if Arnold found out it was about him?!
"Gee Helga," Stinky whispered, "you look like you've just seen a ghost."
"What's it to you Smelly?!" she spat.
"Dang," Stinky mumbled to himself, "she sure is ornery today."
"Now let's see, I think I'll pair Sid up with Stinky. Nadine with Rhonda. Gerald you'll be with Phoebe…"
Helga noticed the slight blush on Phoebe's face at the mention of Gerald. Oh please! Like it's even worth getting all worked up about just because you've been paired with Tall Hair Boy. I mean it's not like you've just been paired with the perfect guy or something. It's not like you've just been paired up with-
"Arnold…you'll be working with Helga." Mr. Simmons finished.
Two sets of eyes immediately bugged out. "Hey, sorry man." Gerald whispered to Arnold.
Oh great. Arnold panicked, Why is Fate always against me?!
Helga tried to seem disappointed by this, crossing her arms she huffed, "Crimeny! This is just what I need! To get stuck writing poems with Football Head."
Arnold groaned, nine times out of ten Helga would NEVER use his name. "I guess we're partners then." he sighed sitting at the desk in front of Helga.
"Yeah so?"
"So, let's get started." Arnold replied after taking two sheets from Mr. Simmons. After handing Helga one he read aloud…"Poetry is a way of expressing one's soul through rhyme, word play, set forms, and free verse. In this assignment you will explore how two people can write a poem with feeling and style that will express their opinions about each other."
Helga gulped.
"What's wrong Helga?" Arnold asked innocently.
"N-nothing." Helga choked out, "Y-you can go first."
Now it was Arnold's turn to gulp. ME?! What am I going to say about Helga? "Uh---that's okay Helga, you go first. I don't mind."
No way am I going first! I can't let Arnold know what I really think of him! "No---you go first. I insist."
"No, you."
"Uh uh, you."
"You."
"You!"
"Look," Arnold sighed, "if we don't hurry and get started we'll never finish with this assignment before the bell rings."
"Fine," Helga agreed, "so go first."
Arnold groaned, they didn't seem to be making any progress. "Okay, I'll go first." He took out a piece of paper from his binder and started writing something down.
"What are you doing?"
"The worksheet says we're supposed to list each other's qualities first." Arnold informed her.
"Oh." Helga took out a sheet of paper and started doing just that. Out of Arnold's line of sight of course.
By the time they both were through it was time to share what they'd written. "Okay Helga," Arnold said sternly, "I started writing first, so you have to read yours first."
Helga glared at him a moment before conceding.
"Arnold:
Trustworthy
Amiable
Loyal
Kind
Smart
Cheerful
Optimistic
Football Shaped Head"
Arnold shot Helga a questioning look. "So sue me," she shrugged, "I couldn't resist putting that last one in."
With a smile Arnold read his list.
"Helga:
Brave
Strong
Creative
Talented
Determined
Funny
Intelligent
Pink Bow"
Helga laughed and shot Arnold a glance. "Yeah," he grinned, "I kinda remember your bow the most."
"Well, you were the first one to compliment me on it. Back in preschool. Remember?"
Arnold blushed and nodded. Helga couldn't believe that he had actually blushed! Maybe her eyes were playing tricks on her? Yeah…that HAD to be it. Get a grip Helga ol' girl, she told herself, it's just wishful thinking.
They worked diligently until the end of class. Taking what they had written down about each other and transforming it into a poem.
After handing what they'd written into Mr. Simmons Arnold smiled to Helga. "You know Helga, this was actually pretty fun."
"Yeah, it was kind of fun wasn't it Footb---I mean Arnold." she admitted.
Arnold was surprised, Helga had just said something nice to him. Hadn't she? Nahh…he lied to himself.
******
Helga found herself bored to tears in class the next day, Thursday. So she decided to start working on her poem. The one she knew would be all about her passion for Arnold. Sigh, if he only knew.
She was awakened from her daydream by an announcement from Mr. Simmons. That guy was a real mood killer.
"Alright class, I've got something very special to tell you all today."
"Oh, is he going to special ed?" Helga teased.
Her voice had carried all the way up to the first row and Arnold found himself laughing at her remark.
"Is there something you'd like to share with the class Arnold?" Mr. Simmons asked.
"Um…no." Arnold sank down in his seat.
Helga saw this and smirked, "Special ed." she whispered.
Arnold turned with a smile, as if asking her to stop already. Helga could tell she was on a roll today.
"Now, as I was saying. We've got a very special guest today. He's come to visit his cousin again from the country."
Helga's pupils shrank.
"Everyone please give a warm P.S. 118 welcome to Arnold's cousin Arnie!"
Helga choked on the spit wad she'd been making.
The door to the classroom opened and Arnie stepped in. His pale complexion and gross snort disgusted everyone but Lila.
"Oh Arnie!" she smiled, "It's just oh so nice to see you again!"
"Yeah," Arnie replied, "it took me forty-six minutes and thirty-three seconds to get here. I counted."
Helga felt like slamming her head into her desk. But that would only dull the dull experience for so long.
"Now where should we seat you this time…" Mr. Simmons glanced around the room.
Helga was secretly praying that he wouldn't put Arnie anywhere near her.
"Ah, I see there's a seat right in front of Helga Pataki. Why don't you sit there Arnie?"
"Kay."
Ugh! Fate is against me! Helga winced.
Arnie strolled up to Helga and pulled out a pack of plain flavored gum. "Here. I got this for you. Ten pieces. I-"
"I know I know." Helga murmured, snatching the gum. "You counted."
"Right." Arnie took his seat and Mr. Simmons went back to his lecture.
It wasn't long before Arnie turned back around in his desk, "Helga. Would you like to go and do something this Saturday?"
"Like what?" Helga moaned.
"Like maybe take a trip to the zoo? We could walk around and talk. Maybe visit my favorite area, the sloth cages?"
Helga was two seconds away from shoving her pencil in her eye when she caught sight of Arnold. He was staring at her and Arnie with a questioning look on his face. Why's he staring at us? Hmph. You'd think he was jealous or something. A light bulb went off in Helga's head. THAT'S IT! HE'S JEALOUS!!
"Okay Arnie." she leaned forward in her desk so that she was just inches away from his beady eyes, which he blinked one at a time.
Arnold turned back around in his seat. There was a pain in his chest that he just couldn't explain. Oh no. he cried out inside, I can't believe this. It isn't fair! I-I like her like her. I-I'm in LOVE with Helga Pataki!
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