Halloween Howls
Part Two: Green Eyed Monsters and Ice Cream
Phoebe hustled out of P.S. 118 just as soon as the bell rang. She HAD to get out of there before Arnold-
"Hey Phoebe, wait up!" he called.
Phoebe froze in her tracks. "Oh--uh--Arnold."
"What's the rush? I could barely keep up with you." he grinned.
"Um yes, I have some homework assignments to work on and-"
"But Mr. Simmons didn't give us any homework Phoebe." Arnold reminded her.
Rats! "I know…I meant the assignment for the music act. You know, the one that Helga and I are finding?"
"Speaking of Helga-"
Oh no! Here it comes!!
"-you were gonna tell me who she likes, remember?"
"Yes---well, can I ask you something Arnold?"
"Sure Phoebe, what is it?"
"Why do you want to know so badly? I mean, it's not like it matters that much to you who Helga likes or dislikes, right?" maybe he'd give up now and go away…at least that's what Phoebe was hoping for.
Arnold blushed slightly. Truthfully, he didn't really know why he cared so much either. He just did. "I dunno, maybe I could help you get them together. The Halloween dance is coming up and it'd be the perfect chance for them to go out."
Phoebe laughed nervously, "I don't think Helga would appreciate me telling you this Arnold."
"C'mon Phoebe," Arnold was awfully persistent about this, "I won't tell anyone. I promise."
"Not even Helga?" Phoebe asked.
"Not even Helga." Arnold smiled.
"O-okay," Phoebe stuttered, "Helga does like Ice Cream."
"And he would be?" Arnold prompted.
Phoebe stared at the ground. "You."
Arnold's eyes bugged out, "ME?!"
Everyone within earshot spun around.
"Shh…" Phoebe begged. "If Helga finds out that I've told you her deepest, darkest secret she'll never forgive me."
Arnold stared at Phoebe in disbelief. It couldn't be true! It just couldn't!! Helga G. Pataki was his tormentor, his nemesis, his reason for looking over his shoulder during class and double checking his seat on the bus. She was anything but his secret admirer! But then again…Phoebe had such a look of shame on her face. He could tell that his prying had caused her to betray her best friend's trust. That could only mean one thing, Helga LOVED him!
"Phoebe, I-I--"
"Just please don't tell her Arnold. Please!" Phoebe was almost in tears.
"Don't worry Phoebe, I won't tell her." Arnold promised.
She didn't say anything for a few awkward seconds. "Uh Arnold…"
"Yes?"
"Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?" Phoebe knew Arnold's hands were tied, especially by the way he'd found out about Helga's feelings.
"I-I don't know." Arnold admitted. "I just don't get it. Helga's always bullying me and playing pranks on me and-"
"She does that so no one, especially not you, will find out that she likes you." Phoebe explained, "It's not entirely unheard of to hurt the one you love."
He thought about this, "How long?"
"Pardon?"
"How long has she liked me liked me?" Arnold asked.
Might as well tell him everything, I guess it doesn't matter now. When Helga finds out, I'm as good as dead anyway. "Six years."
"SIX YEARS?! SINCE PRESCHOOL?!"
Phoebe nodded.
Arnold staggered backwards, he needed to sit down. "Phoebe, how the heck did she hide it this long?"
"Helga's a very good actress." Phoebe pointed out, "And she's built up strong walls to prevent herself from getting hurt. How else do you explain how long she's lasted with her parents. She's used to being overlooked and coming off as harsh and unfeeling. But that's not the real Helga Pataki at all."
Arnold was speechless. Phoebe was making a lot of sense, as usual. "Wow Phoebe. Was Helga ever going to tell me about this?"
Phoebe shook her head, "I guess she was just waiting for you to like her like her too. But she knows about Lila and she doesn't feel she can compete." Phoebe wasn't about to tell Arnold about the many times she'd tried.
A smirk spread across Arnold's face, "That explains why she hates Lila so much. She's jealous."
Phoebe was silent. She was in deep enough without commenting on Helga's jealousy.
"Move it geek bait!" a voice shouted, causing both Arnold and Phoebe to jump out of their skin (figuratively speaking).
"Oh no! Arnold-" Phoebe looked at him pleadingly.
"Don't worry," Arnold assured her calmly, "I won't say a word about--well--Ice Cream."
Helga noticed her friend and Arnold talking, probably discussing school or some other stupid nonsense. "Hey Phoebs. What's up Arnoldo?"
"Hi Helga," Phoebe smiled. "Ready to work on finding a music act? We only have a week."
"Hey Helga."
Helga turned, Arnold had actually bothered to greet her. Eh, he did every so often so it wasn't THAT surprising. What was surprising was the bright shade of red that his cheeks had turned.
"What's wrong with you?" Helga questioned. Hair Boy must be sick.
Phoebe stared at Arnold, This is strange…
"Um…nothing. I'm just fine Helga. Thanks for asking." Arnold stammered.
Helga shrugged, "So where should we start looking for an act Phoebs?"
"Uh-" Phoebe couldn't help but snicker at Arnold. His cheeks were getting redder and he hadn't taken his eyes off Helga since she'd come over. Guess it's still sinking in.
She likes me likes me. Arnold's head was spinning and he had a strange pang in his chest. Who knew?!
Helga glanced over her shoulder at Arnold. Why's he just standing there? What's his deal? "Well Phoebs, the bus is here. We'd better get goin'."
Arnold snapped out of his thoughts and stumbled backwards over some playground equipment. "Whoa!!" he crashed to the ground, nervous laughter followed. Oh smooth Arnold, he scolded himself, Helga will never figure out there's something up now!
Sure enough, Helga was staring at him questioningly.
"Uh Helga," Phoebe started pulling her friend away, "We'd better be on our way or we'll miss the bus. Bye Arnold."
"I guess I'll see ya when I see ya Football Head." Helga turned and left with Phoebe.
"Bye Phoebe, see ya later Helga." Arnold was grinning from ear to ear. She's still calling me Football Head. For some reason, that wasn't bothering him anymore. Coming from Helga, it was a compliment.
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*Close one huh? Well, secrets have a way of revealing themselves. And Halloween is the perfect time of year to get the skeletons out of your closet. ^_~ We'll just see what else these fourth graders discover before the ghoulish holiday passes.*
