Silent Night

Try Outs

"Wow! There are a lot of people!" Arnold shouted over the noise of the gym. I nodded and followed him to where Gerald was sitting. I was still holding his hand. I couldn't believe it. It was like a dream come true.
A few people were ahead of us. Finally, it was my turn. This being a musical I had to sing in front of all of these people. I walked on stage with an adrenaline rush running through me. The judges sat at a table in front of the stage. The only other person on the stage was Curly, who was sitting at the piano. I stood up nice and tall as the music began to play.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas

There's just one thing I need

I don't care about presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true. . .

All I want for Christmas

is you. . .

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don't care about presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don't need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won't make me happy

With a toy on Christmas day

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you...

You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas

I won't even wish for snow

I'm just gonna keep on waiting

Underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it

To the north pole for saint nick

I won't even stay awake to

Hear those magic reindeer click

'cause I just want you here tonight

Holding on to me so tight

What more can I do

Baby all I want for Christmas is you

All the lights are shining

So brightly everywhere

And the sound of children's

Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing

I hear those sleigh bells ringing

Santa won't you bring me the one I really need

Won't you please bring my baby to me

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas

This is all I'm asking for

I just want to see my baby

Standing right outside my door

Oh I just want him for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

Baby all I want for Christmas is you

All I want for Christmas is you" I sang loudly. I was looking at
Arnold the whole time. The best part was, he was staring at me just
the same. He had an awe struck look on his perfect football shaped
head. I was smiling more broadly than ever.
The Judges clapped and handed me a book. I didn't look at it
just yet. I wanted Arnold to be by my side. I walked off of the stage
and down to where Arnold and Gerald were sitting. Gerald stood and
walked onto the stage with a pair of sunglasses in his right hand.
"You were great. But it was hard to tell where you were looking.
I didn't want to block anyone's view of you so I stayed put. You're an
amazing singer! I hope you get the part of Lynn. What does that book
say?" He asked the second I sat down beside him.
"Cool it, Football Head! To many questions at once can cause a
girl brain damage. And besides, I haven't even opened it yet! I
wouldn't know what it said!" I snapped. Arnold took the book from my
hand and opened it. He looked sad. I almost wanted to cry. I looked at
him and he looked up. He was trying handed to book to me very slowly
and very cautiously.
"Arnold. If it says something I don't want to know it's okay.
You don't have to look so sad." I grabbed the book from his hand and
closed my eyes. When I opened them I read "Lynn". I looked back at
Arnold. Now he was smiling. I jumped up and screamed, "Yes!" Arnold
stood and hugged me tighter than I had ever been hugged in my life.
Principle Warts stepped onto the stage to make an announcement.
"All of those trying for Lynn you may return to class. We've found our
Lynn. A round of applause for Helga everyone!" A lot of screams and
cries were heard over the grumble of boys who had wished on a girl to
be in the lead with them and the clapping of people who didn't care.
Over half of the people returned to their class. Arnold and I sat down
and I felt him glance at me. My heart did a little leap as Arnold
smiled at me from the stage.
"I used to think it was for the presents
But now I know it's not the gift that counts.
I was hoping with every glance that your love would
Be more than it seems to amount.

I guess I couldn't help it I had to have you for my own.
I just can't live without you
You make the worst feel right at home.

It's Christmas, and I can't help but wonder.
While my mind ponders answer me this
If we stood under mistletoe would
I get a kiss?

It's Christmas, and I can't help but stare.
While I'm looking at you would you answer me this?
If I get caught in the moment
Would I be missed?

Oh, it's Christmas
And I'm in love.
Is it at all possible
You were sent from above?

One more thing before I go,
Could you be thinking of me
When you're standing out in the snow?" He sang like an angel!
But I hadn't heard that song before, I couldn't tell if he was singing
it right. When he finished he bowed and walked off of the stage. The
judge that gave me my booklet caught up with him. He handed him a
booklet and my heart jumped. He was going to get the part! But he
wasn't smiling.
"What is it, Arnold? Didn't you get a part?" I asked, nearly
crying.
"Here! You look at it. I can't believe this!" He said throwing
the booklet in my lap. I picked it up and flipped to the front page. I
wanted to cry right there.
"Wow. Wow. Wow. Arnold! That's amazing!" I said fanning my face
with my hands. "Why are you so mad? You got the-" He put his hand over
my mouth, took my hand in his other, and led me out of the gym to a
deserted hallway, or so we thought. "What was that all about?"
"Helga. I'm sorry. You looked sad. I just wanted to change your
mood. Last time I try to help you." He said looking at the ground
with puppy dog eyes.
"I had something in my eye." I lied.
"Helga. What's wrong? Really. Please, don't lie to me!" Arnold
told me looking me in the eye.
"Nothing! There's nothing wrong. It's just, something's right
for once!" I replied smiling from ear to ear because he cared. But it
could be that he cared about everyone.
"What do you mean?" He asked smiling.
"I got the part. That's what went right. I'm just happy. You're
changing my mood, all right! You're making me mad!" I said with my
tears stinging my eyes so bad that they suddenly fell from their place
and swam down my bright red cheeks. I was still smiling. I couldn't
help it. I was so happy!
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. You want to go back into the
gym?" Those eyes were going to kill me. I was falling for him all over
again. But than I do it every time I see him.
There was a loud 'clank' and the lights in the hall flickered.
Arnold and I looked up. Some how mistletoe had appeared. I looked back
at Arnold and saw him looking at me. I wanted to kiss his lips so
badly. I was going to, but I never got my chance. He was already
leaning in to kiss me. I backed away afraid someone was going to pop
out when he was two seconds from hitting my lips and shout "Holiday
Fools!"
Arnold looked really hurt. He knew I was in love with him. I
told him on the FTI building when we were trying to save our
neighborhood. We'd kissed then, but that was in the spur of the
moment. I hadn't actually meant for it to get out of hand. I just
wanted him to see that I was being sincere. After that we agreed that
we would go back to the way they were and forget it even happened.
Neither of us were ready for it.
I had thought that Arnold completely forgot about it sometimes.
It tore me up inside when I saw the look in his eyes. He looked very
disappointed. I wanted to start crying again. I didn't. I wanted to
prove that I was strong and could handle anything, even this.
"Helga. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to try. It is the moment." He
said confused wanting to just erase the last five minutes of his life.
I could tell. I thought he was going to be the one to cry this time. I
honestly didn't want him to.
"No, Arnold. It isn't your fault. It's mine. We said we would
forget about that. We weren't ready, remember? We agreed. Arnold, I
really um. . ." I tried.
"It's okay. I understand. You're right. I mean were only fourth
graders." He acknowledged my complaint.
"Wow. This is awkward. Want to go back into the gym? We can try
again, when we're ready."
"Hey Arnold! What happened? You up and left looking all mad and
stuff." Gerald called after Arnold. I looked at Arnold's hurt eyes and
nodded so he could make a lie.
"I was talking to Helga. Couldn't really hear in there." He
lied.
"I know! It was awful! But you were great man! You to Helga."
Gerald added thinking I was going to go off on him.
"Thanks." Arnold and I thanked him in unison. We both looked at
the ground to block any eye contact between us. I was very relieved
that Gerald showed up. But that all changed.
"You all don't notice that?" Gerald asked pointing to the
ceiling. We didn't have to look at Gerald or the ceiling to know what
he was talking about. He was pointing at the mistletoe that Arnold and
I had been under for at least ten minutes. "Are you two going to kiss
or what? Just get it over with. You cannot escape the wrath of the
mistletoe if you don't do it! You'll get caught under every one in
town!"
"Gerald. Don't." Arnold said warningly.
"Okay, it's your life buddy!" Gerald protested. To get him off
of his back Arnold kissed me on the cheek.
"Why'd you do that?" I asked narrowing my eyelids.
"Maybe because Gerald won't shut up. Maybe it was because it's
traditional. Maybe it was because it's Christmas and everyone needs a
little love in his or her life. Than maybe I did it because I wanted
to." Arnold said. Gerald just stood there shocked.