****** ok, im gonna be sayin a lot of things no one cares about, so you might wanna jest scroll down to the story part. Jest a warning. Hmm. ok, now im telling ya, SCROLL DOWN. Thank you. ******

*****Ah, songs. perfect for helping you continue a story when you don know what should happen next. Jest pick a song that seems to fit the story, and write around it. Songs: the tool of the clueless.******

******It isn't fair, I tells ya. It isn't fair at all! I never get sick, but this week, im sick! Problem? It's exam week! I cant even get my sick day! Where's the justice in that? Hmm? Stoopid immune system...******

******Because of my being sick, my brain is all screwed up, and I went to sleep at 12:30am and woke up at 3am. And I suppose my brain thinks that it has had more than the 2 ½ hours of sleep it really got, cuz im not tired at all! Jest REEEEEALLY HYPER and annoyed (as well as annoying, im told).******

******I am a backwards person. I jest realized that. Unlike most girls, I prefer to wear big baggy "guy" clothes. Is that bad? It's a lot more comfortable than what these "people" are trying to get me to wear! Fine, you other females out there, go wear your tight pants and tank tops. Ill be nice and comfy in my big baggy pants with the millions of pockets to hold all my writing and drawing supplies. Yep.******

******Another backwards thing about me, not that any of you care, of course. When I'm tired, I run around like a maniac. When I'm awake, I fall asleep in the middle of algebra class. When I'm sad, I laugh and joke around. When I'm in a good mood, I pick fights for no reason, and whine a lot. Im so confuzzled. and the monkeys in my head aren't helping one bit. No siree, Phil.******

******Are you enjoying this? "Hearing" about what is wrong with me? I'll bet you are. Well if you aren't you can always jest scroll down, ya know. If not, stick around, I've got lots more to complain about. Lessee. oh here's something! I cant eat anything. Everything makes me sick. It's not that I'm anorexic or anything, I jest cant eat most things. I'm allergic to most fruits, vegetables... I mostly survive on sugar, Mexican and Chinese food. Oh yes, and Pasta Roni. My family and doctors are surprised (heck, even I am) that I've lasted this long. But I never get sick. Until today, oh joy!******

******Ok, now you know most of the things that are wrong with me. Hmm... I should probably put this in my profile, doncha think, instead of buggin you people with it... eh well, im too lazy. *spins around in her chair, WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!* ******

******Disclaimer: Eeny Meeny Miney Mo, Catcha Pickle by My Toe, If he Hollers his name'll be Joe, but I don't own nofin, so OUT YOU GO! And I think I shall tell a story!!!! This is the tale of 1 eyed Tony. There was a man named one eyed Tony. Which was odd, considering he had 2 eyes. Everyone loved one eyed Tony, cuz he gave them candy. One day Mr. Pishy came along and bit Tony's head off. The monkey laughed, and licked his sister. The moon fell into the lake and the dog ate the mean old lady. Moral: I am an idiot, and socks don't grow on trees, so quit wearing my boxers!!!!! *giggles like an idiot and falls over like one too* ******



Some things never change.

Some people never change.

Usually it's because they don't WANT to change.

Arnold didn't want to believe that. He couldn't believe that. And most of all, he wouldn't allow himself to. He KNEW that deep down Helga wanted to be different, wanted to stop being this mean hostile person, and be what she really was. But what was she? He couldn't be sure, but he knew she wasn't what she pretended to be. Helga was a great actress, and he was sure that her life was an act as well.

Some people don't want to change, some people don't know any better.

Helga only needed a push in the right direction, Arnold decided.

Ah, but there was a problem. Helga refused help from anyone. She had been unusually nice to him before, but as soon as she realized she was being human, she would switch back and start yelling and running from him once more. There had to be SOMEONE who knew how to get through to her. Someone who knew WHY she behaved the way she did. But who?

Arnold thought back to the days before Helga became a complete loner. Before she had stopped coming to the baseball games and stopped teasing him. Then it hit him. Phoebe! She was Helga's best friend since... around preschool or kindergarten, right? Surely SHE would know what Helga's problem was!

So, Arnold thought, where to find Phoebe. Lately she was always with Gerald. Where did they say they were going today? Hmm. oh yeah, they were going to just hang out at Gerald's for the afternoon.

He knocked on the door, and Gerald's dad answered it, "Hey, Arnold. Lookin for Gerald?" he asked.

"Actually, Mr. Johansson, I was looking for Phoebe. Is she here?"

The man shrugged, "Yeah, they're up in Gerald's room, doing homework, I hope." he grinned good humouredly at Arnold who smiled in response, not too sure what he was expected to say to that, "You can go on up, and Arnold, tell Gerald to turn off some of those lights! That boy wastes so much energy! Doesn't he know how much money that costs?"

"Sure thing, Mr. Johansson." Arnold said as he headed up to Gerald's room.

The door was closed, but it wasn't locked. He grinned somewhat evilly as he contemplated jumping into the room and scaring the crap out of them. But that would be wrong. Still... Arnold couldn't resist.

He slowly turned the knob and, with cry of, "BOO!" jumped into the room where Gerald and Phoebe had been making out on the bed.

HAD been. Now they were screaming bloody murder as Arnold fell to the floor, laughing insanely.

Gerald and Phoebe exchanged looks and stared at Arnold, whom had apparently lost his marbles sometime within the last 3 days or so.

"He needs a girlfriend." Gerald whispered to Phoebe, who nodded.

Arnold was still laughing.

"Arnold! Cut it out!" Gerald picked up a pair of rolled up socks that were on the bed and threw them at Arnold's head.

The socks bounced off and Arnold stopped laughing, and looked around to see what had hit him.

"Arnold, what are you doing here?" Gerald asked, one eyebrow raised.

Click. He remembered why he had come. "Oh yeah! I came to talk to Phoebe." he grinned innocently, "Do you mind?"

"Sure, whatever." Gerald sat and waited.

Arnold grinned, "Sorry Gerald, but I need to speak to Phoebe in PRIVATE, so do you think you could...?"

"But. this is my room!" Gerald whined.

"Grow up." Phoebe teased as she pushed Gerald out the door and into the hallway.

"But... My room! MY room!" Gerald protested, pointing at himself and waving his arms around like an idiot. The door slammed in his face and he sat in the hall mumbling obscenities to himself.

"So what did you want to talk about, Arnold?" Phoebe asked as she sat back down, legs crossed, on Gerald's bed. She smiled at him, her dark brown eyes wide with curiosity about what Arnold wanted to see her about.

"It's about Helga." Arnold replied, and Phoebe's expression changed drastically.

"Oh." she said quietly, "Well, what about her?"

"You were her best friend for a long time, right?"

"Well... I suppose that's correct..."

"Then you know a lot about her?"

"Perhaps."

"Then, do you think you could tell me why Helga hides herself from everyone?" Arnold finally asked.

Phoebe gave Arnold a look that said she really didn't want to talk about Helga but she would tell him anyway. She sighed, "Helga has a lot of issues. She's been the way she is for as long as I can remember."

"But, why?"

"Numerous reasons... her family, health issues, many psychological problems..."

"Like what?"

"Well, you know how her father is, he rarely calls her by her first name. Usually 'the girl' or, worse, 'Olga'. Her mother, as I'm sure she's told you, doesn't do anything but sleep in the kitchen drink "smoothies" and forget about her youngest daughter. Her older sister, well, Helga doesn't have to worry about her much any more, Olga is off somewhere in Africa or something and only comes to visit on Christmas and Thanksgiving. At least, that's what she was doing the last time I talked to Helga. Ever since she was old enough to speak, Helga has been in the shadow of her perfect older sister."

Arnold had heard Helga's complaints about her family before, but he had never been too sure that she wasn't just exaggerating. Apparently she wasn't.

Phoebe continued seeing that Arnold was interested, "Helga's childhood was a miserable one, she was ignored and unloved and I can only assume things are the same way today. She isn't used to being cared about, and therefore doesn't know how to show her true feelings to anyone. She's afraid to get close to anyone. She's constantly fighting herself. Should she be nice, should she be mean? The mean part usually wins. But you should know that more than anyone, Arnold."

Arnold nodded, and opened his mouth to ask a question, but Phoebe stopped him, "I'm afraid that's as far as I'm willing to explain it to you, you'll have to figure things out on your own." She stood up and walked to the door, "Goodbye Arnold, and good luck. Sorry to seem rude but Gerald and I have... homework to do." she grinned innocently at Arnold and opened the door.

Gerald fell into the room, and laughed nervously. That was what he got for trying to listen in. He glared up at Arnold, "You messing with my woman, Arnold?" he joked. And Phoebe kicked him in the head with her shoeless foot. "Ow, I was just kidding!" Gerald whined and Phoebe rolled her eyes.

Arnold laughed, "Bye you guys." he closed the door and headed back downstairs.

"Bye Mr. Johansson!"

"Bye- hey Arnold! Did you tell Gerald to turn off some of those lights?"

Arnold nodded, a silent little white lie.

"Good boy Arnold. And they WERE doing homework up there?"

Arnold nodded again, deciding that at some point Gerald and Phoebe would do homework, so it wouldn't be that much of a lie.

Martin Johansson smiled and bid a final goodbye to Arnold.

Alone, our favorite Footballheaded hero (*Ive always wanted to say that for some reason... ok, im a dork, WOOHOO!!!*) had nothing to do but think about what Phoebe had told him. He hadn't learned much more than what he already knew, but her little Helga lecture had helped a little.

What to do now. He checked his watch. 4:45, Friday afternoon. Time to do something before heading home. He couldn't think of anything to do, so he decided to go to the park.

As he turned the corner, something crashed into him. He grinned, immediately realizing who it was.

"Ack, watch where you're going. Arnold?" Helga squeaked the last word and then shook her head as if to clear her thoughts.

He stood up and dusted himself off. Then he offered Helga a hand. She hesitated a moment, and then let him help her up.

"Good afternoon, Helga." he said cheerfully.

"Yeah, whatever Footballhead, do you ever watch where you're going?" she snapped.

"Nice running into you too, Helga." he said the same words he had said so many times in the past when she had run into him, only this time he meant it, "Why is it you're the only person I crash into when I go somewhere?"

She shrugged, "I don't know." she said and started to walk again.

"Where're you going?" Arnold followed her, "You wanna do anything today?"

"Um... I can't." Helga said, refusing to look him in the eye, "Olga's coming over today and we have to... do stuff." she lied and continued to walk, he noticed, in the opposite direction of her house.

Hmm.

"Are you avoiding me?" he asked and caught up to her again.

"No..." she said in a voice that told him she was.

"Why are you running away again?" he grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"I'm not."

He pulled her over to a nearby bench and sat her down.

"Now." he said, "Haven't we had this conversation before? No more games, Helga. Why are you running away from me?"

She looked down at her shoes. She'd never noticed how dirty they were. She would get new shoes this weekend, she decided. Hmm, her shoelaces were untied. She started to tie them again, ignoring and "forgetting" Arnold's question.

He jumped down, moved her hands out of the way and tied her shoe for her, "There, all done, now answer my question." he remained on the sidewalk staring up at her, his eyes pleading for answers.

She avoided his eyes. She hated them. She hated what they could do to her.

"You don't understand, Arnold." she finally said, "You've never understood."

"What don't I understand? Could you tell me?"

No... don't say anything else, Helga. It'll only make things worse. You cant be weak. You can't let him see you weak.

"I'm not good enough." she said.

"Not good enough for what?"

Don't answer it. You don't have to tell him anything. You don't...

"I'm not good enough for anyone!" she blurted out, "Not for my family, not for friends, not good enough to be..." ah, stupid Helga, you said too much. But she couldn't stop, " I'm not good enough to be loved by anyone." That did it. She'd said WAY too much. Pataki, you idiot. She waited for Arnold to laugh, to tease her for being the idiot that she was. *songfic time, whee*



She said I don't know if I've ever been good enough

I'm a little bit rusty and I think my head is caving in

And I don't know if I've ever been really loved

By a hand that's touched me

And I feel like something's gonna give



Oh god, she was going to cry. No. She couldn't cry, she hadn't cried since the fourth grade. There was no way she would cry in front of Arnold. Ah, but tears began to fill her eyes. She was losing it again. Stupid Footballhead. He didn't have a clue what was going on. How could Arnold be so dense? She hated him for it.



And I'm a little bit angry

Well, this ain't over

No not here

Not while I still need you around



"You are good enough." Arnold said softly, "You deserve to be loved too."

"But I'm not. No one cares about me."

Arnold opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

"But how could I expect anyone to?" she continued, "The way I act?"

Arnold remained silent.

"Why are you even trying to be my friend?" she asked him, "You don't owe me anything Footballhead. I don't want your pity."



You don't owe me

We might change it

Yeah we just might feel good



"Just leave me alone, Arnold."



I wanna push you around

Well I will, well I will

I wanna push you down

Well I will, well I will

I wanna take you for granted

I wanna take you for granted

Yeah, yeah, well I will



"No." he said, "I'm not going anywhere." he stood up.

She blinked and the tears were gone. No?

"I'm you're friend, Helga, I'm not going to abandon you." he said slowly.

"Everyone else does." she muttered.

"I wont."

She looked at him. Was he lying? No, Arnold wouldn't lie to her, would he? Still...



She said I don't know why you ever would lie to me

Like Im a little untrusting when I think

The truth is gonna hurt ya



"I'm here for you, Helga."

"You're here for me?" Helga said, "Then where were you all those times when I needed someone to talk to? When I needed help, where were you? You were out helping everyone but me most of the time! The only time you ever noticed me was when I was pushing you around and picking on you."

"I'm sorry... you didn't make it very easy for me though." Arnold tried not to yell, "I didn't know what to do. I didn't know you even needed my help."

"Well, maybe I did."



And I don't know why you couldn't just stay with me

You couldn't stand to be near me

When my face don't seem to wanna shine

Cuz it's a little bit dirty



Helga sighed, "And I guess you're right. But I cant help it. I'm just a thoughtless bitch that nobody cares about or wants to be around."

"No you're not! You're smart and pretty and funny and nice when you want to be."

"Don't patronize me, Arnold. It's all lies anyway."



Well, don't just stand there

Say nice things to me

I've been cheated Ive been wronged

You don't know me

I can't change

I wont do anything at all



She didn't want to hear him talk. She wanted more from him. Why couldn't he see that? Well, if he couldn't see it, she certainly wasn't going to say it.

Helga stood up to walk away and Arnold hugged her leg like a 4 year old, "Don't go, I'm not done talking to you!" he said.

She tried to shake him off. This was ridiculous. "I'm done talking, Arnold. I have nothing else to say."

I wanna push you around

Well I will, well I will

I wanna push you down

Well I will, well I will

I wanna take you for granted

I wanna take you for granted

Yeah, yeah well I will



She managed to finally pry Arnold off of her leg, pushed him onto his back and took off running.

Arnold blinked. He'd done it again. Had he gone a little to far?



Oh but don't bowl me over

Just wait a minute

Well it kinda fell apart

Things get so crazy, crazy

Don't rush this baby

Don't rush this baby, baby



He sighed. He needed to come up with a plan.

Helga ran home, ran to be away from Arnold, away from the truth. Why did she run? He was only trying to be nice. He was only trying to be Arnold. Maybe he did want to fix things up between them. Stupid... stupid. Why was she always doing this? Why was she always going in circles, the same doomed cycle, nearly every day? Stupid.



I wanna push you around

Well I will, well I will

I wanna push you down

Well I will, well I will

I wanna take you for granted

Yeah yeah yeah

I wanna take you, take you

Yeah, well I will, I will, I will, I will

Well I will, I will I will, yeah

I wanna push you around

I wanna push you around

Well I will



******hehe, I made Arnold act crazy and evil, and Gerald act like a dork. But most 9th grade boys are dorks, I know, I'm surrounded by em nearly every day... poor me ^-^' ******

******Yay! That was long and stoopid and a complete waste of time!!! But that's what I get for being me! WHEE!!!******

******I did a Matchbox 20 song! It wasn't Avril Lavigne! OMG!!!!!!!!! *runs around, scared* well, I like that song, so there.******

******Well, gimme any more ideas for songs if you can. Even if they have nothing to do with anything, even if you just like the songs, I could prolly use em ^-^******

******Well, thankees for reading, please review, alas, Im out of threats! So JUST REVIEW PLEASE!!!!! Flames will be used to burn down the flamers' houses, thankees.******