A/N: Another day, another chapter . . . not much, but I am working hard on this story and another one that I hope to be posting soon.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold!

Where to Begin

Chapter 2 – Disturbing Revelations

                "Arnold? Arnold. HEY ARNOLD!"

                Arnold snapped out of his reverie. He had been picturing the Concordia game, and he had made the winning shot for a change. He sighed. He never seemed to get to be the hero in a game. "Yeah?" Arnold looked into a pair of crystal blue eyes. "What is it, Lila?"

                She tossed her hair. "What did you get for number three?"

                Arnold rolled his eyes. What did I ever see in her? he thought. As much as he hated to admit it, he had spent most of the years from fourth grade to his sophomore year chasing after Lila, trying to get her to "like like" him. (he shuddered at the thought of that phrase). Helga was not the only one who had changed. Lila was now one of the most popular girls in school, and though she was in most of the same AP classes as him, she was an airhead. She was also an egotistical bitch who only cared about herself. Arnold had finally realized she was not the same innocent girl he had liked in grade school last year when she had her second pregnancy scare. She had turned to Arnold in her time of need, but as soon as she knew it was a false alarm, she was back to sleeping with the captain of the football team. She did not really care if the guy liked her or not (or if she liked him for that matter; she usually cheated on her boyfriends), just as long as she looked good she was happy. Yes, the only time Lila gave Arnold the time of day was when she needed something, such as the answer to a question on an English assignment. "I don't know," he said, not really in the mood to spoon-feed her.

                "C'mon, Arnold. I would appreciate it ever so much," she said, tilting her head slightly to give the impression that he was the only one in the world.

                Arnold's eyes narrowed slightly. Sorry Lila, that does not work anymore. And why does she always have to put "ever" in every sentence! He groaned inwardly. She won't stop bothering me until I help her. He sighed. "Caesar didn't like Cassius because he though too much. These feelings are merited, or justified," he explained, since she did not understand the question, "because Cassius is plotting to assassinate Caesar."

                She nodded. "I see. Thank you ever so much." Arnold groaned, this time audible, but Lila was busy talking to Mandy, her best friend who was a carbon copy of her. Not only was he stuck reading The Tragedy of Julius Caesar in his English class, he was stick sitting in the back against the wall, Brainy in front of him and Lila to his right. Brainy really was not that bad, but he never talked, he just breathed. Arnold was a man alone on an island. Helga, Phoebe, and Gerald were on the other side of the room. He sighed and looked at his watch. Only a couple of minutes left, then I'll be free. He smiled. His coach was out of town so they had a day off from practice, and he was going to enjoy his free afternoon. Arnold began planning his spare time when the end of the day announcements came on the P.A. system. After the general crap that was mentioned everyday, the vice principal began talking about the Miss Hillwood Pageant.

                "As you all have heard by now, the annual Miss Hillwood Pageant is quickly approaching, and we are honored this year because not just one, but two of our students have been invited to represent our school in this prestigious event—"a snort escaped from the other side of the room; Arnold guessed it was Helga because she had never cared for the pageant, since Olga had won it twelve years ago. "The students are juniors Lila Sawyer." Arnold rolled his eyes as Lila actually stood up and bowed as her name was announced. "No need to be modest," he mumbled as the group of students around her burst into applause.  "And Helga Pataki," the vice principal finished. Twenty-one pairs of eyes turned towards Helga, who looked like she was about to faint. "Would Lila, Helga, and fellow junior Arnold static please report to the main office after school. Have a good day."

                No one noticed that Arnold's name was read aloud with the names of the contestants, which he was thankful for. Everyone's attention was on Helga. "Congratulations, Helga," Phoebe finally said. Helga remained speechless. Arnold walked across the room in an effort to catch Helga's attention, but she continued to stare off into space.

                The bell rang and everyone filed out of the classroom, including the teacher, and only Lila, Arnold, Gerald, Phoebe, and Helga remained. "You! How can you be in this?" Lila cried as she ran out of the room. The other four ignored her and stared at Helga. After a moment of awkward silence, Phoebe whispered, "I think you need to go to the office. It's probably best to get it over with as quickly as possible."

                "Uh-huh," Helga managed to say. Phoebe hugged Helga quickly and pulled Gerald's arm. "I'll see you later, Helga. Bye, Arnold."

                "I can't believe it. Helga, in that pageant. HELGA!" Gerald said shaking his head as his left.

                "Shut up, Gerald." Phoebe said, pulling Gerald harder. Arnold turned to Helga. "I think we have to go to the office."

                She looked up at him, her brown eyes spacey with disbelief. "Uh-huh." The two walked to the office in silence, but other students came up and congratulated Helga, who smiled slightly at them in her dazed state. Arnold quickly led her to the office to try to spare her from her peers. She was still out of it.

                "Helga, dear," Ms. Stanely, one of the schools guidance councilors said as she hugged the girl. "Congratulations!" Mr. Isaac, the vice principal, exclaimed as he shook her hand. "Miss Pataki, we are proud to have such a talented student as yourself representing our school." Arnold noticed that Lila was standing behind the two, glaring at Helga. If looks could kill, Helga would be six feet under in a second. She finally managed to form words. "Thank you."

                Mr. Isaac went into long and boring detail about the pageant and what a great honor this was for the two of them. After giving the two girls information about the pageant, he left on more important business, which was watching the detentionees like a hawk. Mrs. Stanely continued on, and after a total of fifteen minutes, dismissed the girls. Lila bolted to the door, but Helga waited for Arnold. "Uh, Ms. Stanely, why did you call me down here?" he asked.

                She turned to him. "Oh, Arnold, I forgot you were here." He rolled his eyes. What else did he expect from a loony like her?  "I wanted to tell you that I volunteered you to help with the pageant."

                "WHAT?"

                "Well, it is tradition that students from the involved high schools help design the set and various other things. It would look really good on college applications, and we could really use a creative and artistic person like yourself on board for the planning process."

                "But, Ms. Stanely, I hardly have enough time in the day for basketball and school work. How am I supposed to do this too?"

            She smiled at him. "I'm sure you will find a way. At least think about it. We are counting on you."

            "Uh, Ms. Stanely?"

            "Yes, Helga, dear," Ms. Stanely said sweetly. Arnold knew why. For the past three years, Ms. Stanely had been trying to get Helga to open up about her family life, especially since last year Big Bob Pataki had been investigated for neglecting to pay taxes. Helga had repeatedly told her that she had her own real psychiatrist, but Ms. Stanely still had not given up.

            "Do I have to be in the pageant?" she asked. Ms. Stanely looked as if Helga suggested that the three of them should abandon everything and become fisherman in the Red Sea. "I mean, I have a lot to do, with my job and basketball and school and everything else. It is just too much," she stammered. No, Arnold thought, you just don't want to be in the stupid thing.

                "Miss Pataki, it is an honor to be invited to compete in such an esteemed event. Most girls would kill to be involved in the Miss Hillwood Pageant," she said, as if Helga should be crying hysterically for being chosen.

                "Well, they can come and kill me," Helga mumbled. Ms. Stanely continued on as if she didn't hear Helga, but Arnold had a feeling that she did. "Now Miss Pataki, I think that you will be a fine representative of this school and that you will make yourself, your school, and your parents very proud."

                Helga snorted at the last part. Miriam and Bob Pataki had not paid much attention to Helga in recent years, never mind being proud of her. That was for the elder Pataki daughter only. "Right. Bob and Miriam will be ready and waiting to throw me my own parade."

                Ms. Stanely's face lit up and she grasped Helga's hands, much to Helga's disgust, which was plainly displayed on her face. "Oh, I am so glad you are starting to look forward to this, Helga. I just know you will do a wonderful job." She glanced at her watch. "Oops, I got to go. I'll see you two tomorrow. Especially you, Helga." She rushed off.

                Helga shook her head. "Some guidance councilor. She didn't even listen to us. And just what has that lady been smoking?"

                Arnold leaned against the wall and groaned. "Whatever it is, I don't want any of it. And she's counting on me? What a loud of crap. Now I have to go back and tell her I want out, and she's going to be all upset because for some odd reason this means a lot to her."

                Helga stared at him, her mouth hanging open. "You! What about me! I have to be in the damn pageant! Me! In a beauty pageant! And I can't back out of it!"

                Arnold crossed his arms. "Well, I am. There is no way I am doing for that nutcase."

                Helga looked at him, her eyes pleading. "Well, if you won't do it for her, do it for me. Please, Arnold, I'll die if I am with all those girls constantly. I'll be surrounded by a bunch of Lila clones!" She put her head in her hands. "I can't believe I am in this stupid thing," she said, her words muffled by her hands. She ran her hands through her hair and looked up at him. "Please, Arnold, I'm begging you."

                He stared into her dark eyes. He felt bad for her. After all, this was her worst nightmare, and she could not back out of it. He sighed. Helga had been there for him before, and he would be here for her now. "Fine, I'll do it for you. But you owe me big time."

                "I know." She smiled. "You will be getting a really nice birthday gift this year. I promise," she said as they finally walked to their lockers. Helga's was two down from his. "Shit! I'm late for practice! That damn airhead kept us for nearly a half hour, and I still have to change!" She grabbed her practice bag and waved good-bye to him. "Thank you so much, Arnold. I'll call you tonight," she said as she ran to the gym.

                "Bye, Helga." He sighed dejectedly. And to think this day had held so much promise.

A/N: That's all for now. Chapter Three will be up soon (my fingers are crossed). Go Notre Dame and Butler! Later Days.