Chapter Two

Helga heard her name somewhere behind her and she jerked around. "What?" She saw Arnold staring at her, mouth agape. "Arnold! I mean-what do you want Football Head?"

Arnold closed his mouth as a frown creased his features. "Nothing.I was just.never mind." He turned around and walked away from her.

Helga's frown disappeared and she bit her lip, tears slightly filling her eyes. She ran into the powder room (which much resembled the inside of a Pepto Bismol bottle) and pulled out her locket.

"Crimeny!" She screeched. "Oh Arnold! Why must I turn you away when I only desire to hold you in my arms! Why must I stuff my churning feelings inside of me until they threaten to erupt!" She fell dramatically into the pink furry toilet seat.

"Why must I torture myself day and night, filling every moment with a thought of you if my feelings are not to be returned! Why must I want you, hunt you with all of my very soul!"

Her ears pricked up and the hair on the nape of her neck prickled as shallow, screechy breathing filled the air. She set her jaw and rammed her fist into Brainy, who (as usual) had found some way in after her.

She heard the satisfying thud as he fell into the tub and she opened the door and rejoined the party.

A song had just ended and Phoebe spun out of Gerald's arms and had nearly banged into Helga. She was red-faced and tittering madly. "Hey Pheebs, what's shakin'?" Helga tried to adopt a casual attitude.

"Gerald," Phoebe spat out without thinking. She clapped a hand over her mouth and blushed almost purple. "So, Helga.how're you enjoying the party?"

Helga gulped slightly and shrugged. "Eh.it's just like every other one of Rhonda's parties, stuffy and boring and full of geeks who just wanna make out."

Phoebe danced around guiltily. "Well.I-"

"Phoebe! Let's shake, kitten!" Gerald grabbed her arm and twirled her around, and once again, Helga was alone.

She spotted Arnold in the corner by the refreshments table, also alone. She decided to suck it up and go over to talk to him. "C'mon Helga ole girl, you can do this." She clenched her fists and marched over.

Arnold looked over at her and his mouth tightened. Uh oh.

Helga smirked and tried to act naturally. "Yo Hair Boy, how's it goin'?" She poured herself a glass of punch and leaned against the table.

Arnold's mouth fell open and he mouthed soundlessly for a few moments before he found his voice. "It's goin' good Helga.how about you?"

"Well, same old, same old Football Head." She took a long drink of her punch and wiped her mouth with her arm.

Arnold was once again shocked. Helga had said two nice things to him.in a row! Well, maybe not nice, exactly, but certainly not mean. Something was up. "Are you feeling okay, Helga?" He put a hand o her arm and looked into her eyes.

Helga almost fainted. Am I feeling okay? Am I feeling okay!? I'm feeling GREAT! You're touching me, and looking at ME! Not Lila or Ruth, but ME! I'm gaga, over the edge, head over heels; shoot the moon, crazy in love! "I'm fine Arnoldo."

That was three! Arnold puzzled. He was confused, although relieved she hadn't said anything too damaging to his self-esteem. "Okay, Helga." An upbeat swing song lit up the speakers and Arnold put down his punch glass. "So.Helga." He nodded slightly.

"Mm?" She raised her eyebrows in a dreamy expression.

He grinned and motioned to the floor. "Care to dance?"

@@@

I know! It's a tiny chapter. But I'll be up with more soon. I'd like to thank all of my wonderful reviewers! *bubblegum kisses to you all* See you later!