Chapter 6: "Capability"
Disclaimer:Don't own Hey Arnold! Thought I wish I could:)
He was busy talking to Gerald when he notices Harold grief-stricken in the bench. Gerald, as always, excused him to go forth to Harold and be the bold Arnold again. Once he cornered Harold, he immediate discovery was quiet sobbing.
"Harold? What's wrong?"
"Leave me alone Arnold!" Harold insisted between gasps and tears.
"I can help you. So tell me, what's wrong. I mean, you aren't like this and people will eventually know you're crying and they'll make different versions of why you are crying. You know the system of rumors. Com'n, I know you don't want that to happen, right?"
"Okay, okay! You remember my aptitude test? Well, it seems that my test has been switched with HELGA! You hear me? H-e-l-g-a! Of all people, it had to be her! She took my future away...the future that my parent's would love me to get! Now, it's all gone!!!"
After that surprising revelation, I went to Mr. Simmons and he clearly told me that Eugene confessed to have accidentally switched your tests. The truth Helga G. Pataki, you are supposed to have a future that can be overly successful but the problem is that you show others you aren't capable. Why is that?"
"My parents and everyone wouldn't give a hoot even if I achieve to my highest! Why must I stress myself out when I won't receive anything out of it!"
"That's where you're wrong, Helga. You will receive so many things of the achievements and talents you have. One thing of course, is the respect of other people---
"Quietly, she assured, "No, it isn't that easy. People wouldn't understand me...they never did."
"No," Arnold said with confidence. "I believe that the world needs to know who Helga G. Pataki 'truly' is. All these years, you've covered yourself in a mask. This is your chance Helga. This is your chance to show the world how intelligent Helga G. Pataki is," he paused and then whispered, "We really need people like you in this world."
"Why? Will the world care?" She questioned. However, inside she's melting by each and every single word spoken. It's as if---
"I care Helga and pretty soon, the world will care. Your future could be something worth wanting for. You can be anything you wanna be. Since this aptitude test has given you a prediction of your future, nothing is stopping you the path of success," he informed. Then, without haste, he held her hand and slowly said, "Listen Helga. I know it must be hard to start a 'new' life again but it's worth taking the chance. There are consequences for what wrong we've done and we just have to face it. We can't hide forever... you can't hide."
Speechless, she was agape. Melting is all she could do...
However, Arnold, with hope in his sea green eyes continued on, "I'll tell you something Helga." With her nod, he stood but both held each other's hand. She too, stood in front of him. Seconds left...
"What is it?" Helga asked warmly. Gazing at his eyes, she found him jumbling through his thoughts.
Arnold inhaled deeply, afterwards, exhaled. "What if I said I'm giving you a second chance?"
Confused, Helga inquired, "Second chance of what?"
"Of what I can think of you," Arnold managed to say gently, "If you will show me the truth Helga, then, maybe...just maybe I can change something of myself to you."
Helga, of course, couldn't believe her ears- that only made her speechless.
"Trust me. If you risk yourself to being whoever you should be, it's evident that something like this has a reward. Other than respect of the people among us, I'll be by your side and helping you through tough times...just like a friend," he whispered as if it was their little secret, "or maybe something more."
Helga found the strength to raise her finger and point out she would need to be excused. With his agreement, (which was a smile) he approved. She didn't even hear his response because she darted out of the room. A split second, Arnold heard screams out in her backyard. Running, once he reached, he had to rub his eyes to see...
"A cart-wheeling Helga," Arnold mused, "I've never thought I'd see a day." He leaned against the screen door and a smile immediately formed.
At Slaucen's Ice cream Parlor, Phoebe and Gerald were having a wonderful time than we expected. Phoebe had placed the certain issue aside and made a splendor of interesting conversations. Gerald, on the other hand, couldn't help the ache at the sides of his mouth because he'd shown many smiles to her.
"Well, well, well if it isn't two lovebirds," teased Harold, who had a huge smudge of chocolate syrup on his chin. "It's not everyday that your best friends are gone and you have a nice time together."
"And look at that! They have one of those special sundaes those happy couples ask for! I reckon they are---"
"LOVEBIRDS!!!" Sid, Stinky left the parlor with laughter.
Harold leaned against Phoebe's seat, scooped a mouthful of their sundae and whispered with malice, "So what'll happen next? You'll ask Arnold and Helga for some kind of double dating!" Instantly, he ran with boisterous laughter. "I'm tellin' ya...it wouldn't be a pleasant sight to see Arnold and Helga together."
"Please leave us alone," whispered Phoebe kindly. Fortunately, she was busy gazing the corner of her table.
"Harold, what ever happened to Patty and the parlor dates that you've had together, huh? Are you telling me that you and Patty are what-I-think- you're-doing?" No one should mess with Gerald- the boy who knew urban legends and...some spicy secrets.
"W-what! N-NO! We're just friends!"
Cleverly Gerald said, "So what'dya think we're doing? We're just hanging out. Just like what you and Patty usually do most of the time. Right bubba?"
Carefully, Harold stood straight and fearfully agreed, "Y-yeah...sure." He walked a couple of steps to the door but before he stepped outside, he returned to his usual spot and asked, "You won't tell anyone about us right? I mean you seem like the only one who 'really' knows."
"Only if you will stop the rumors about us- then, we'll keep a promise," Gerald murmured. With an instant agreement, Harold left with sweat at the sides of his face. He vowed to think before he speaks. Who knows where his mouth will come across? Especially when it comes to Patty...
"I'm really sorry about that," Gerald started, "I didn't know they'll be here too."
"No, no, no. It really isn't anyone's fault. We came at an inopportune timing," Phoebe assured.
"You know ordered this...this sundae special cuz' I thought you wanted it. Not because... you know," Gerald bragged.
A sweet yet sad smile came from her face, and assured as normal as possible, "Of course...of course." She sighed inside and her heart remained still instead of beating out of her chest. "I thought being with Gerald was worth it. Well, it just stands the same," she thought sadly.
"Phoebe, are you okay?"
"Never better," she said lying. "I think I should go. My father planned a fencing match tonight and I'm a little bit late."
"Well then, let me bring ya there."
"No...I'm---"
Kindly, "Phoebe, I see no problem. Anyways, I have to take that route cuz' I've gotta see what's up with Arnold."
"Okay."
Passing the first block, Phoebe bravely asked, "Gerald, can you define being in love and having a crush?"
With that he stopped, scrutinized her quickly, and then thought for a professional type of definition. "Well, having a crush is a feeling of warmth inside for another person. People would think of it as a liking- that's a possibility. Then, if it can, this feeling grows stronger and all you ask for this special person is...well, attention. You melt whenever you see him or her. And Jamie told me that the world crumbles and he sees himself with this girl. That, Phoebe is an example of falling in love."
If only she knew that Jamie was m...
She silently gulped, "H-have you ever been- you know- in love?"
She's pinning me, she's pinning me! "To be honest, I think what I have now is a crush." Why??? WHY DO I HAVE TO LIE???? "How bout you? Is there any special guy? Who warms that heart of yours?" It was so easy to tease her but it was so hard to tell the truth. If Arnold were to say one thing about this, it would just be- which we all know of- fear of rejection. "This happens all the time," he'll assure me.
"NO...this only happened once in my life. One move can mess things up with me... mess me up BIG time." Yes, Gerald. You are one complicated boy living a life of theories. WHY can't you ever try these theories? Who knows, it may actually work...
Having that moment with himself made Phoebe the courage (which she learned from Helga) to say, "I probably would say the same. Nothing serious, it's just a foolish infatuation of mines."
"You should tell the guy about this. He'll be one lucky guy to have one of the most brilliant girl I've ever knew. Or at least get to know him more- as a friend," suggested Gerald with a gleam in his eyes. However, within that gleam would be the teardrop flowing down his cheek. Behind those eyes that were burnt; burnt right down to the heart; where it aches more and more just by every single heartbeat for her. The emotions were an endless flow of tears.
Shyly smiling, "I wish I can but I can't."
Catching the attention for the second, "Why?"
"You may find this silly and quite dull. I prefer to stand my ground. Frankly, it really isn't as important." For a pretty smart girl like me, I'd lie to the last person I want to lie with. Is there any better excuse than this not being important? This has been important since what? A couple of years ago...sure Phoebe, it's just a CRUSH. Aren't I so smart to define that myself?
"Isn't as important? Whad'dya mean?"
Biting her lip, she sat at the nearby bench. Phoebe, you are an idiot. Look what you've gone yourself into...
. . .
Every so often, Helga would scream as if she won a million dollars. In reality, the million dollars was hope...hope that Arnold was giving her a CHANCE. A C-H-A-N-C-E to know her!!! The chance of a childhood wish to finally come true! The only thing that is holding her back is:
"So we've got a deal right?"
She immediately stopped those cartwheels, "Deal?"
"Didn't you know I mean? About chance---"
"Oh! That..." she trailed off with doubts again.
He chuckled, "Don't tell you forgot! Must I repeat myself again?"
To be continued...