Author's Note: I saw the April Fool's episode on Tuesday. It was fantastic! ("Don't worry my poor… blind friend. You're in good hands." LOL! Best Hey Arnold line ever…) Anyway, I'm feeling a bit chatty tonight, but I'm probably boring you, so here's the next part…
Disclaimer: I'm getting really sick of this. I wrote it in the first part of the story, and every chapter since. And if anyone is going to try and sue me for passing off the characters used in this story as my own by now, well… I'm scared.
Part 7: Written in Destiny
From the perspective of Phoebe Hyerdahl
Many people wonder if fate actually exists- if things are destined to be before we ever realize it. Scientifically speaking, the occurrence is probably rather unlikely. I have never questioned science and scientific fact in my life, but I believe that this is a rare exception. I cannot think of another way to describe the situation at hand. I'm hardly a romantic, but neither scientific fact nor my usual feeling can sway me from the belief that Helga and Arnold are destined to be together.
I'm the one with glasses, but it seems that I am the only one that sees it. Except for perhaps Helga- but even with Helga, there is something within her that refuses to allow her to believe that Arnold might ever love or even like her, as much as she dreams of it happening.
I suspected that Helga loved Arnold long before I ever admitted it to her. I think that even Helga knew I realized. People see the type of friendship Helga and I appear to have, and they assume Helga doesn't know or care about what I think and feel. They couldn't be farther from the truth- Helga always notices how I feel, she always understands. She might ignore my feelings occasionally, but her conscience always pushes that aside and Helga has always been a very supportive friend, even if it might take her conscience awhile to kick in. I wish more people were willing or had the opportunity to get to know and understand Helga the way I do, but many people assume that there is nothing beyond the outer shell and never try to get to know the person within. This happens with everyone; even myself- my classmates always seem to assume that just because I win many awards and excel in my classes that I exist only to do homework. But I do believe I was talking about Helga and Arnold…
Arnold. I used to think that he could possibly be denying his true feelings for my best friend to himself, but I don't think that is the case anymore, unless it is happening subconsciously, which is quite probable and logical. Arnold does see past Helga's exterior, and that is evident both in his patience with her and in the way he is treating her now- he has been concerned about her well-being all day, has been trying ceaselessly to make her feel better. So am I, but I have decided to wait until Helga opens up to me as opposed to inquiring what is wrong- if Helga wants to talk, she knows I am here. Although I wish I understood people as well as I understand science or mathematics… or even Italian sauces. I honestly believe Arnold likes (I have always disliked the phrase like her-like her!) Helga just as much as Helga likes (loves) him, somewhere, deep down, but what is keeping him from this realization? I was not aware you could be feeling emotions and not realize them, but it must happen. Unless, of course, my thinking that Arnold really does feel something for Helga is simply the product of a lot of hope and an overactive imagination. Still, there is something in the way he looks at her, the way he treats her, the way he talks to her… I wish I could comprehend this and so much more.
I move to stand beside Gerald, who is watching Arnold and Helga with some curiousity. I left them alone; thinking their conversation would go more smoothly without my presence. I wonder what Gerald thinks about the two of them. I turn to see what is going on with our best friends, as well. Arnold has just sat beside Helga on the bench, and is looking at the ground, searching for words. Helga is rubbing her arm nervously, seemingly searching for something to say as well. It amazes me for a second that something as miniscule as a bad day can turn into something as large as this whole conflict had become- but for some reason, there is enough emotion within this to express the last six years' worth. I suppose this is the type of thing that happens when you don't acknowledge and express what you feel, and I am thankful Gerald and I do not seem to have that difficulty. I feel his eyes on me, and I turn to him- in them is a mixture of curiosity, confusement, interest, and a hint of amusement. I smile at him and he smiles back. Who knew a simple smile could make you feel as much as this one did? We turn our attention back to our best friends- Arnold had just begun to talk, looking Helga in the eye earnestly… And then the bell sounds. A sigh of annoyance passes through both Gerald and myself. Arnold and Helga look rather frustrated.
"We're all meeting at the arcade this afternoon instead of having baseball practice," Gerald says, gesturing at the gray sky, (which promised rain) by way of explanation. "I guess those two will talk then." I nod, and Helga comes up to me, Arnold joining Gerald. Gerald begins to converse with his best friend, and I wonder, yet again, what he thinks of this whole situation.