A/N: To all those people who have been waiting patiently for some Helga and Arnold fluff, I'm throwing you a bone. There sort of is all that gooey stuff here, so I hope you are satisfied for now. Actually, the next four chapters should be very enjoyable, because they mostly deal with Helga and Arnold's relationship with each other. Anyways, you still need to be patient with me because this story has a long way to go, but hopefully it will be good.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold!, and I have learned to deal with that.
Where to Begin
Chapter 16 – My Funny Valentine
"Is potato soup supposed to have meat in it?" Helga asked, carefully examining her soup.
Brainy just shrugged, Arnold did not look up from his trig homework, and Alex continued making a log cabin with his ketchup and French fries. Helga pushed the bowl away and bit into her grilled cheese sandwich. "I hate Friday lunches."
"Me too," Alex murmured.
Helga returned to her sandwich since it was the only thing that seemed to be remotely interested in her, or anything else for that matter. Brainy looked like he was going to fall asleep and land in his green bean casserole, Arnold was looking extremely frustrated, and Alex was now building a barn to go with the cabin.
"Hey, Helga, Brainy, Arnold, Alex," a rather perky voice said beside her.
Helga looked up was surprised to see Alexis Manley standing beside her. Not necessarily that she was there, but that she knew who Brainy and Alex were. They were not exactly the most popular boys in school. Brainy and Alex had suddenly sprung to life and were smiling widely, obviously pleased at being greeted by name by such a pretty and popular senior girl. Arnold, however, had not seemed to notice Alexis was there. "Hey, what are you up to?" Helga asked, putting her sandwich down.
Alexis gestured to the small container in her hands. "I'm selling Valentine's Day suckers to raise money for the yearbook."
"Ah, another person making money off this wonderful holiday. But I suppose if it's for a good cause." She handed Alexis fifty cents.
"Boys, c'mon," she cooed, and Brainy and Ales each bought two. Arnold still had not acknowledged Alexis was even there. She smiled broadly. "Aw, Arnold, you got to support us. I took some amazing shots of you on Tuesday. You played awesome."
He looked up and stared at her for a few moments, not at all impressed by her ploy. Helga kicked him, and he finally muttered, "Thanks," and handed her two quarters before returning to his textbook.
The girls exchanged glances. "Oh, Helga, Jake left me a voice mail during last period. He wants you to call him."
Arnold looked up and was suddenly interested in the conversation.
"Oh, thanks. Do you know why he's not here today? I tried calling him last night but the line was busy the whole night."
Alexis shook her head, causing her raven curls to bounce. The other two boys were mesmerized, and Alex had actually started to droll. "Uh-uh, but he's at home. Anyways, I'll see you later. Thanks, guys."
Arnold and Helga locked eyes for a few seconds before Arnold stood. "I'm going to go dump my tray," he said simply, and she watched him leave. He neared a table of freshman girls who began whispering and giggling as he walked closer. He stopped, glared at them, and gave his sucker to one of the girls.
Helga watched in confusion. "Uh, I'm going to call Jake," she said, but Brainy and Alex's thoughts were elsewhere. She quickly walked over to Arnold, grabbed his shoulder, and pun him around to face her. "What was that?"
Arnold took one last bite of his sandwich before tossing it. "It was supposed to be a BLT, but I am questioning the bacon part of it. The meat reminded me of Grandma's corned beef."
"You know what I mean."
"Since when is it a crime to be annoyed while doing trig problems?"
"Why are you rushing through it now? You don't have trig until tomorrow."
"Since when do you have my entire schedule memorized?"
"Since the first day of school."
"I forgot to do it for yesterday, and then I forget I have to turn it in today."
"That's all that's bothering you?" she asked skeptically.
He sighed, clearly aggravated, and looker her square in the eye. "I hate Valentine's Day. You know that."
She looked disgusted. "So that's your excuse for being a dick?"
He glared at her. "Yes, that's why. I hate this holiday. I hate the over use of the colors red and pink. I hate the shit-tasting candy hearts with the dumbass sayings. I hate the couples at this school that suddenly think they are in love as it is February when they haven't the damnedest idea what it feels like. I hate how I always gain weight and break out from eating too much chocolate. And I have being alone on Valentine's since it has been beaten into my head that you should spend this God-forsaken holiday with someone you care about."
Helga bit her lip. His face was red and she could not recall the last time she heard him cuss so much. It was not right to see the usually mellow Arnold so upset and angry. That was her role in the partnership. "Uh, Arnold – "
He ran a hand through his messy blonde hair, causing it to become even more unruly. "Look, I'm sorry for . . . that. I'm, uh, just a little stressed out."
"That's understandable. I mean – "
"Look, I have to finish this." His eyes narrowed slightly and his voice caught an edge. "Shouldn't you go call Jake?"
"Don't tell me you are starting that again," she said defensively.
"Relax, Helga. I'm happy for you. I'm happy you have someone who cares for you as much as Jake does. I would hate for you to lose a great guy like him over something as trivial as a phone call." He walked away, leaving her feeling a mixture of hurt and anger.
She walked over to the pay phone after the sting wore off. She deposited her coins and dialed Jake's number.
"Hello?" he answered. His voice sounded very tired and stressed.
"Hey. It's me."
"Helga, hey."
"Un, I tried calling last night. I missed you at the game. Is everything okay? How come you're not at school?"
He sighed. "Um, no. My great-uncle died yesterday morning."
She felt awful. And I was worrying about Valentine's plans. "I'm sorry," was all she could say.
"It's okay. I didn't even know him that well cause he leaved across the country, and I hardly talk to him. Mom was really closed to him. She's a wreck. That's why I couldn't come last night or today."
"No, don't feel bad. I understand." She paused. "Is there anything I can do?"
"No. We are flying out tonight, so I won't be able to go out with you tonight. I'm sorry."
"Don't' be. Listen, don't worry about it. I'll be fine. Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be okay. So, what are you going to do instead?"
"Probably watch Molly Ringrold movies and stuff my face with chocolate."
"Sounds like fun."
The bell rang. "Listen, I have to go. Are you sure you are okay?"
"Yes, Helga, I'm okay," he said, and she could tell he was smiling. "I'm more worried about you. After all, now you can't stare lovingly at my face all night."
"Right," she replied smiling slightly herself.
"Hasta luego, Helga."
"Bye," she whispered, and she heard a small click in her ear. She walked to class slowly, lost in her thoughts.
¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤
"That's awful, Helga."
"Yeah."
Phoebe leaned up against the lockers as Helga got her stuff. A few down, Gerald was doing the same beside Arnold's locker. "So, what are you going to do tonight?"
Helga shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't given much thought to what I'll be doing tonight. I was thinking of other things."
"Why don't you come with us?"
Helga shot Phoebe a look. "Uh, Pheebs, I don't really feel like being a third wheel on Valentine's Day. Or any day for that matter."
"Well, Arnold could come as well."
Arnold groaned loudly and his head disappeared inside his messy locker.
"Why not? The plan was for Arnold to come along anyways," Gerald started. "But he didn't seem to really wanted to find a date to go with him."
"Shut up, Gerald," Arnold muttered. A nasty remark was on the tip of Helga's tongue to get Arnold back for his comments earlier, but something stopped her.
Gerald continued. "Man, I don't understand what is wrong with you. There are tons of girls in this school who would love to go out on a date with you."
"Shut up, Gerald," he hissed.
Gerald raised an eyebrow, but said nothing to him. "So what do you say, Helga?"
"If it is okay with Football Head," she said and glared at him coldly. She was still made for earlier.
He returned her icy gaze. "Fine." He slammed his locker shut.
"Fine," and she did the same.
"Great. We'll pick you up around seven thirty," Phoebe said excitedly.
"Fine."
"Fine."
The two stared at each other. Helga finally tossed her hair and headed for basketball practice. "See ya later."
Arnold mockingly did the same about five seconds later. Helga spun around on her heel and glared at him before disappearing around a corner in a huff. Arnold again mimicked her.
"Uh-oh," Gerald said as he put his arm around Phoebe.
"What?"
"I don't think we should have done that."
"Why?"
"Because they have a thing for each other."
Phoebe squealed. "I'm glad somebody else finally said that! Ooh, perfect!"
"What are you planning?"
"I'm just going to speed up what should naturally happen."
"Phoebe, I'm not sure we should. I mean, there's Jake and – "
"Gerald, those two are meant to be together. I don't think anyone can argue that."
"If it is meant to be it will eventually happen."
"Well, I'm sick of waiting."
Gerald stared down at her, then smiled. "What are you planning for us to do?"
"Not much. Just get them on the right path."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
They both grinned and began swapping ideas. It was obvious they had a lot of work to do.
¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤
"So we are going to see a movie that was made over fifty years ago?" Arnold asked dryly from the back seat.
"Arnold, its Casablanca, the greatest romance movie of all time."
"And you agreed to go see it?" he asked Gerald. He merely shrugged and kept silent as he drove. Arnold had a feeling he remembered what the movie Whatever it Takes had taught him about Casablanca. Arnold glanced at Helga who looked lost in thought. Great, he thought. She'll be thinking about Jake all night. He groaned as Phoebe continued explaining the plot lines of Casablanca, and Arnold wished he was at home eating his grandma's Easter eggs (she had dressed up as the Easter bunny for the occasion) and watching a basketball or hockey game.
Gerald pulled into the Memory Lane Cinema, and the four walked in. Arnold tried to pay for Helga's ticket, but she would have none of that. Gerald and Phoebe shoe seats towards the front. Arnold started to follow tem, but Helga put her arm out and stopped him. He stared at her. "Don't you want to sit with Gerald and Phoebe?"
"Do you really want to sit with them? Phoebe's going to cry the whole time, and Gerald is going to try to get Phoebe to make out with him."
"Oh, I see your point." They sat down towards the back of the theater, which was now filled with couples.
Sure enough, halfway though the movie, Phoebe and just about every other girl was crying. Well, at least the one who weren't making out with their dates, and all the guys who were stuck watching the movie were cursing the other lucky bastards. Helga, on the other hand, was stuffing her face full of popcorn. She managed to stop inhaling her food long enough to watch Arnold pick fuzz balls off his sweater. "Aren't you interested in this at all?"
He snorted and received a few dirty looks from girls around him. "Are you kidding? Now I know that I am probably more sensitive than most sixteen year-old boys, but seriously, Helga, does anyone with a Y chromosome actually like this movie?"
She smiled. "Point made." She returned to her popcorn with an expression on her face that looked like she was about to do algebraic equations.
"Wait, don't you like this movie?"
She gave him a look as if he just said the secret to staying young forever was bathing in cheddar cheese every night. "What do you think? I've seen it before I can confidently tell you it isn't better the second time around." She received even more nasty looks because not only was she talking during a rather stirring moment between Humphry Bogart and Ingrid , but she was also bashing the movie.
"So if I don't like it, and you don't lie it, why are we still here?"
She paused as she was about to eat another handful. "That is a very good point." They made their way through the narrow isle and past many grumbling viewers and groping couples. Arnold heaved a sigh of relief. "Remind me never to see that movie again."
She threw a popcorn kernel at him. "It wasn't that bad."
"Was too."
She threw a fist full at him.
"Do you mind? Lord, I can't take you anywhere."
She spit of the popcorn that was in her mouth and it landed on the side of his face. Helga smiled sweetly at him as he glared at her. "A gift from me to you."
He wiped his face. "Yeah, nothing says 'I care' like spit covered popcorn."
She shrugged as he opened the door for her. "It's more intimate than just throwing it at you."
He ignored one word in that sentence and breathed in the air. It was oddly warm for mid-February. "Where to now?"
"Hmmm . . ." She bounced up and down on her toes. He could not help but notice how cute she looked. "Het's go get something to eat."
"You're still hungry after eating an entire bag of extra large bag of popcorn?"
"I didn't eat all of it. I threw about half of it on you and other various people in the theater."
He rolled his eyes. "What were you thinking of?"
She looked up at the starry sky for answers. "Ooh! Coney dogs!"
"Coney dogs?"
"Yeah! There's a Coney Island about a block form here."
"There's a Coney Island in Hillwood?"
"Yep." She grabbed his hand and began pulling him down the sidewalk. Arnold felt himself blush, and he noticed Helga's cheeks were also red, but it could have been from the cold.
Fifteen minutes later Helga was practically drooling as she eyed her prey in front of her. "Now this is what Valentine's Day is really about."
Arnold ate a French fry. "Pig intestines?"
"No," she snapped. "It's not about the pricey, fancy restaurants or the old romantic movies." She rubbed her hands together and placed a few napkins on her lap. "It's about clogging your arteries as fast as possible."
He grabbed another French fry. "Isn't that the opposite of Valentine's Day?"
"How so?"
"Well, clogging your arteries is bad for your heart, and this holiday is all about the heart."
She stared blankly at him. "Seriously, Football Head, do you want to borrow one of my skirts?"
He glared at her. "Why not, since you'll be needing to borrow my pants." He pointed at her pile of food.
"It wouldn't help too much. You are too skinny."
"So are you."
` "Not for long," she said as she gazed lovingly at her dinner of three Coney dogs and a large order of chili cheese fries. "This is almost too beautiful to eat."
Arnold bit into his only Coney dog. "You are never going to be able to finish that."
"Will too."
"I bet you five dollars you can't"
She eyed him carefully. "Cheapskate," she said as she ate a fry. "Ten dollars."
"Fine. Seven."
"Twenty."
"Ten."
"Forty."
"Ten."
"If you are so sure you'll win, what's the big deal?"
He growled. "Fine. Twenty dollars you can't eat all that."
She shook his hand. "You're on."
As he watched her stuff down her food and yell at the hockey game on television, be could not help but be amazed at how beautiful she looked. She was so comfortable with him. She did not care if she looked like a pig in front of him.
"Are you listening to me?"
Arnold broke free of his thoughts. "Huh?"
She sighed. "I just wanted to say that I'm glad you came along."
"No problem."
"No, it means a lot. If it weren't for you I would be sitting on my couch in my pajamas watching Sixteen Candles. He shot her a look. "I know I am still stuffing my face, but this isn't so pathetic."
"Thanks, Helga," he said flatly.
"I didn't mean it like that." She patted her stomach. "All done."
"WHAT?"
"All done." She smiled. "That'll be twenty dollars."
His jaw dropped as the waitress handed him the check.
"I'll pay since you so stupidly bet against me," she said, grabbing the bill. Arnold would have snatched it back, but he was now low on cash.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Would you be interested in a triple fudge brownie sundae?" the waitress asked. "It's half off for couples."
"Uh, we're not a couple," Helga said. "And no thank you. We're fine."
"Really? I could have sworn . . . . Well, I wouldn't rule the option out. You two look really cute together." She took their plates. "Have a nice night." She left the two madly blushing.
"We should probably get back to the theater. The movie's probably about over," Arnold said after Helga paid.
She nodded, and they walked in silence, still feeling a little awkward after the waitress's comment. However, by the time Phoebe and Gerald emerged from the theater, Helga and Arnold were laughing hysterically. "Hey, guys," Helga said, still laughing. "How was the movie?"
"Wonderful," Phoebe said as she wiped her eyes.
Gerald yawned. "Yeah, great." He sat down beside Arnold. "Didn't you stay for the whole thing?"
He shook his head. "No, we left about an hour in."
Phoebe looked appalled, and Gerald whispered, "Lucky bastard."
Arnold smirked. "Yeah, we went and ate at Coney Island," he said as Phoebe asked Helga how they could leave Casablanca early.
"That sounds good," Gerald said. "Wanna get something to eat?" he asked Phoebe.
"Sure." She turned to Helga and Arnold. "Do you want to go with us?"
"Uh, no," they said together. "We'll just walk around," Helga finished.
Arnold was surprised, and so was Phoebe. "Are you sure that's safe."
"Arnoldo's a black belt. He can protect me." Arnold felt his cheeks burn again.
"Or your face could scare everyone away," Gerald said teasingly to Helga.
"Real funny, Hair Boy. If you are going to insult me, at least make it original," she snapped, but she was smiling.
"Uh, we'll see you later," Phoebe said as she pulled Gerald away from Helga. "Just meet us there in a half hour."
Arnold offered Helga his arm. "Shall we?"
"We shall," she replied, grinning from ear to ear. They walked underneath the starry sky, talking aimlessly about anything. Arnold was as happy as he had been in weeks. They walked by a line for a carriage ride. "Want to go for a round around the park?"
She wrinkled her nose. "No. A certain Seinfeld episode comes to mind."
He laughed, and they walked into the park, and Helga sat down on a fountain that was half frozen. "It is beautiful outside."
"I completely agree," he said, not taking his eyes off her as he sat down beside her. She smiled slightly and blushed. She leaned closer to him. "So, how's the pageant coming?" he asked softly. For some reason he felt it would have been wrong to talk any louder than he was right now.
She groaned. "I can't believe I still have a week left of practice."
"You'll be wishing for more come this time next Friday."
"Yeah. Things will be crazy then. What about you? Will you be nervous and blushing and about ready to throw up?"
He laughed. "Naw, I work well under pressure."
"Right," she said, rolling her eyes.
"So, how are things at home?"
"Fine. Miriam and I actually had a mother-daughter moment last night," her voice died towards the end. She moved away from him a little.
"What's wrong?" he asked, fully aware of her sudden mood change.
"It's nothing. I just remembered what we talked about." She looked into his bright green eyes. "It's no big deal." Again her words trailed off. She leaned closer to him, her head tilted slightly upward. Arnold leaned in as well, and she closed her eyes. He then realized what he was about to do, and pulled away. He could not do this to her. Not now. "I think we better head back."
Her eyes opened slowly. "Right," she managed to say. She got up, her face emotionless as it had been earlier in the week. He grabbed some of the ice and dropped it down the back of her shirt, and they forgo what had just happened . . . at least for now.
¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤
The drive home should not have taken more than a half-hour, but it seemed a lot longer with Phoebe analyzing the movie and comparing it to Bogart's other films. Gerald, Arnold, and Helga were listening to a basketball game on the radio. Arnold was drumming his fingers on the window when Helga suddenly leaned her had on his shoulder. He looked down at her and smiled. She was fast asleep. He cautiously put his arm around her, and in the front seats Gerald and Phoebe could not help but smile.
They pulled into Phoebe's driveway. Helga's head popped up as they stopped. Arnold unbuckled his seat belt, confusing everyone else in the car.
"What are you doing?" Gerald asked. He did not really want Arnold around as he said good night to his girlfriend.
"I figured I'd walk Helga home so you and Phoebe could be alone." He turned to Helga. "If that's all right with you?"
She nodded sleepily and got out of the car. They said good-bye to Gerald and Phoebe and headed towards Helga's house. She was leaning on Arnold for support as they walked, and Arnold did not mind at all. They talked about everything as they walked (Helga was going on and on about tomatoes) and reached house laughing heartily.
She smiled at him. "I'm glad you came tonight. This is most fun I've had in a while."
"Me too."
Her smile beamed brighter and her eyes lit up. "I almost forgot. I got you a gift."
He nodded and pulled out a small box and handed it to her. She laughed. "Assorted chocolates. How original."
"Hey, why mess with perfection?"
"Good point. Thank you." She pulled a small, red gift bag out of her purse. "For you."
He opened the bag and grinned. It was filled with little candy hearts with the messages on them. "Helga, you shouldn't have." He ate one. "Thanks."
"Well, I knew they were your favorites. And you're welcome." She did not know what else to say. Al she knew was that she did not wanted the night to end, and as she looked into Arnold's eyes she could tell he did not want it to either. But it had to. As much as she wanted it to last a lifetime, she knew it had to end, and he knew it too. "Good night, Arnold," she whispered, and she kissed him lightly on the cheek before disappearing inside her house.
Arnold walked home feeling lighter than air.
A/N: Does anyone else refer to a grilled cheese sandwich as a cheese toasty? For the longest time I only knew this wonderful sandwich by the latter name. Oh well. Next chapter is "Up Close and Personal." Later days.