Author's Note: So I lied. It's much later than 2 AM here. The good news is that I finished the story this morning, though. I just went to sleep almost immediately after that and I had to go to practice this afternoon. I apologize for the delay in posting this, but I hope you enjoy! Last part up as soon as I finish proofreading it (not that doing so always catches mistakes, but I try). ^-^

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The world faded in again, with me finding that I had fallen sideways out of the chair and Helga was gently poking me. I groaned, realizing how stupid that had looked.

"Gee, I hope you don't always do that when you talk to a girl," Helga said as she stood up and returned to her own chair.

Yeah, I felt really stupid right then.

I got up and sat in my chair again. "So, heh heh, you really want hang out with me Saturday?"

"That's what I agreed to."

"C-cool. I'll, uh, pick you up around four? Is that good with you?"

"Sure."

"Then, I'll see you Saturday!" I chirped as I stood. I then walked away quickly, but not so fast as to look like I was in a hurry. I just wanted to get away from her before I did or said anything else stupid. It was far too late to continue trying to be smooth.

When I emerged from the library, Stinky was waiting for me, leaning against his locker. I must have still had embarrassment written all over my face. He stood up straight and held out a large hand. Boy howdy, he grew to be freakishly tall. At least I no longer went up only to his waist, but he was still big. He had to duck to get through some doorways.

"Where's mah money?" he asked.

"You don't get it. She said yes. It just … didn't go as well as I thought it would."

"Yeah, right, Sid. You's just don't want ta admit you's gone and lost a bet."

"No way, Stinky. She really agreed to go out with me! Look, if you don't believe me you can just see for yourself. I'm gonna pick her up around four on Saturday. You know where she lives, so you can go hide out around there and watch me pick her up and then you'll see that I'm not lying."

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So Saturday afternoon rolled around and all too soon I found myself getting ready to go pick up Helga. I spent half an hour alone just fiddling with my hair, wondering if I would look better with or without my hat, whether my hair should be gelled back or left natural. I had it cut a few years back so it no longer reached my shoulders, by the way. Finally I settled for the hat. I wanted to look cool, like this was just another day. I didn't want it to seem like I was dressed up too special for her, ya know? Because, as I understand, guys aren't supposed to be as concerned about that as girls. They fuss, and we look casual. So I shoved my hat on and ran downstairs to grab the keys to my car, not wanting to be late.

My car isn't exactly the greatest. It's all my part-time job and my parents could afford to get me. I'm not lucky like Lorenzo. He got this wicked awesome sports car deal for his sixteenth birthday during sophomore year, but that's because his parents are so rich. It's a crying shame though, because he almost never drives it. He prefers to ride in his family's limo. Can you believe that? He has such a beautiful car and he doesn't want to drive it? I'd sell my soul for the chance to even touch the thing.

But I had to settle for this little red sedan. I guess it's not totally awful. You should see the hunk of junk station wagon Harold's got. So I'm better off than some, but a guy can always dream of better wheels.

When I pulled up to the curb just in front of Helga's house, I looked around the street and soon noticed Stinky's hiding place. Except that he wasn't so hidden, since it was pretty easy to spot his huge head peeking out from behind a garbage can almost directly across the street from Helga's door. I glanced at her house to make sure she hadn't come out at the sound of my car, then turned to face Stinky. I pointed at him, then made a lowering motion. He looked puzzled, and peeked his head further out into the street. Again, I pointed at him and made a swiping motion to indicate him, well, hiding. After about three repetitions, he got the idea and darted behind a slightly bigger can. I sighed. Good enough. I just hoped Helga's eyesight wasn't too sharp.

I finally got out of my car and walked up Helga's stoop. After knocking on the door, I waited patiently for a few minutes, but no one answered. I knocked again, and waited a few more minutes. I started panicking after that. What if she finally realized just what she had agreed to? What if she had realized just who she had agreed to go on a date with? I turned back to see Stinky getting ready to stand up. I held up a finger to stop him, then turned back and knocked one more time. This time, the door opened, revealing Helga in her usual outfit of a pink shirt and jean shorts, her hair pulled back with a pink band.

"It took forever to get my stupid sister off the phone so I could answer the door," she said.

"It's okay," I said. I led her to my car, even opening the door for her, which she lifted an eyebrow and grunted at. On my way to the driver's side of the car, I spotted Stinky and the look of mingled surprise and disappointment on his face.

"So what would you like to do today?" I asked as I started the car.

"I thought you had a plan."

"Nope. I figured it'd be up to you. Whatever you want, my treat."

"Hmph. Well, there's that new horror movie out I kinda wanted to see."

"Okay, movie it is."

The drive to the movie theater was silent after that. I didn't know what to say to her, and Helga didn't seem to be about to become a conversation starter. Once upon a time, "quiet" would never have been a word used to describe this girl.

At the theater, she ordered popcorn and a soda. Like I promised, I paid for them as well as my own Yahoo and a Mr. Nutty Bar, on top of the two tickets. It was a good thing Stinky owed me twenty bucks.

Have I ever mentioned that I'm not so much a fan of horror movies? I should have known this date would turn out to be embarrassing for me in some way. In this case, when that alien popped out from behind the shower curtain and killed that one chick, I freaked. Okay, so my voice got deeper over the years, of course, but apparently I can still scream like a girl. Damn. What made it worse was the way I grabbed Helga's hand and held on for dear life through that whole scene. After the initial terror, I came to notice this and carefully released my hold, knowing my whole face was burning red. A lot of people turned around to try to see who was laughing so hysterically during a horror movie, as Helga nearly tumbled out of her seat in a fit of giggles. It didn't make matters better from me, considering the movie was only halfway through and I knew it was only going to get scarier. I slid down in my seat.

After another forty-five minutes of me trying to keep my terror as quiet as possible, the credits for the movie started rolling and we left the theater. Once outside, Helga asked, "Enjoy the movie, Sid?" and snickered.

I guess it's a good thing I don't literally kick myself, because I suppose I'd be nearly crippled by now and this had been only two encounters with Helga.

"Yeah. It was entertaining."

"You're telling me."

"So, uh, anyway. What do you want to do now? Go get something to eat maybe?"

"Nah, that popcorn made me pretty full. I guess I could go for some ice cream though."

I noticed a brief distant look in her eyes when she said that last part, but I didn't know what to make of it. "All right."

At Slausen's, I bought her a fudge sundae and a slice of key lime pie covered in vanilla ice cream for myself. Nothing happened there to embarrass me, thankfully.

When we finished, twilight had set in. I drove her home and walked her to her door. Another awkward silence.

"So, Sid … uh, thanks for a nice afternoon," she finally said.

"Really? Well, thanks for spending it with me. I'll see you Monday then?"

"Yeah. Later." With that, she disappeared inside her house.

I climbed back into my car and went home, wondering if that would be my only date with Helga. After all, she hadn't seem too interested in seeing me again. Then again, she hadn't said she didn't want to see me again. And knowing Helga tended to be blunt, even at this age, that seemed almost promising.