Bleeding Hearts

Part Five: Captured Heart

Misery became Arnold's only companion over the next few days. He couldn't eat or sleep and had no interest in spending time with his friends. Depression consumed him and the pain in his heart became unbearable.

"Helga!" he cried for the third time one night, jolting out of a nightmare and up in his bed.

Rubbing his face with his sweaty hands Arnold tried once more to gain composure. Something had gone terribly wrong in his life. He knew now that he loved Helga, but he hadn't exactly dealt with his feelings in the best of ways. Okay, he'd completely blown it!

One thing was for sure. He couldn't go on living like this. He'd have to apologize to Helga at school the next morning. But how to make it up to her?

Then inspiration struck, "I've got it!" he cried aloud, waking up nearly all the borders.

******

"You're throwing a Halloween party? Tonight?!" Gerald asked Arnold before class began the next day.

"That's right. Tonight, instead of trick-or-treating like everyone else I'm throwing the biggest Halloween bash this neighborhood has ever seen!"

The class instantly stopped their chattering and cheered.

Arnold turned to find Helga slumped back in her desk. Taking a deep breath he got up and slipped into the seat next to her.

"Hey Helga," he whispered.

"What do you want?" she demanded.

Mustering up all his courage he reached out and gently took her hand. "Helga, would you like to come to my party tonight? As my date?"

Date?! The word presented itself over and over again in Helga's mind. The spell may have been off to a rocky start but maybe, just maybe, Arnold was sincere about liking her. "Okay Hair Boy, I'll take ya up on that."

"Great," Arnold gave her an ear to ear smile before letting go of her hand and returning to his seat.

Helga stared at him for a moment, wondering if she should ask Madame Blanch to reverse the spell. Maybe that was the only way to make this whole thing feel…right. Arnold shouldn't be forced to reveal feelings he wasn't ready to acknowledge. But then again, Helga didn't know how much more rejection she could take. It had half killed her to see how lightly Arnold had taken her confession of love before. And besides…she didn't have ten bucks to keep shelling out to that gypsy anyways.

******

Halloween music played as the fourth graders gathered up on the roof of the boarding house where Arnold lived. Arnold greeted the guests as they entered and handed him their Halloween goodies for the party.

Finally the guest that Arnold had been waiting for arrived. "Hi Helga, great costume."

Helga smiled and glanced down at her costume, a bright crimson red fabric that wound around her trim figure and gave off the essence of a brilliant flame when blown gently by the wind.

"What are you supposed to be?" Arnold asked.

"A sorceress."

"Well, I'd say you'd pulled it off." Arnold grinned, "You've got me spellbound."

Helga blushed but couldn't help but wonder if it was Arnold talking…or the spell.

"So what are you Football Head?"

Arnold bowed slightly, spreading his cape and winking behind his black mask, "Call me--The Masked Avenger. At your service my lady." he drew his plastic sword and whipped it around in the air a few times.

"Show off." Helga laughed.

Arnold's face turned bright red as Brainy (the DJ) played another upbeat song.

"Care to dance?" Arnold offered Helga his arm.

Spell or no spell, it was nice getting this much attention from Arnold, at least he wasn't putting his foot in his mouth again. "Okay."

Arnold and Helga danced the night away on the roof of the boarding house beneath the twinkling stars and full moon. Despite the enchanting time Helga was having, the knowledge of the spell that she'd placed on her beloved football headed muse wouldn't let her thoroughly enjoy herself.

Oh Arnold, she sighed, if only you knew how often I've longed for this moment. How many times I've fantasized about dancing here in your arms. And now that my lifelong dream has come true, my love, I'm haunted by the secret that I've bewitched you into prematurely confessing your love for me! As painful as it is to me I know what I must do.

With those final thoughts Helga resolved to do the unthinkable. Tomorrow morning, when the magic of Halloween had passed, she would throw herself upon the mercy of Madame Blanch and beg her to remove the spell from dear sweet Arnold's heart.

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*So how will Arnold feel about Helga once the spell's removed? IF it can be removed? And will Arnold ever discover that Helga cast the spell? In other words…this fic ain't over yet! ^_~*