Chapter 2….

"Helga?". Helga spun around, her heart jumped. It had been so long, it seemed, since she had heard her name in that voice. "A-arnold, what are you doing here?" Helga asked. "Going to the grocery store" replied Arnold literally, helping Helga up. Helga took his hand. Her heart jumped again, that moment lasted an hour in Helga's mind. They stood looking at each other… Arnold decided to break the ice. "uh… so what do you think 7th grade will be like? I mean we've only got about 3 months till school starts again", Arnold rubbed his neck nervously as he spoke. Helga's tongue would not move. She finally got words to come out, surprisingly they came just as she wanted them to. "I dunno, I don't think it'll be much different than 6th, we'll probably just have more homework. But I have a feeling Mr. Simmons is gonna be in 7th grade with us also, he'll probably be out English teacher or something". Arnold was surprised by the calmness in Helga's voice, and that fact that it was void of anger and sarcasm. "Hey what's in the case?" Arnold asked, noticing the guitar case on the concrete. "Oh! That's my guitar" Helga replied with pride.

"You, Helga G. Pataki, play guitar? I thought you had no interest in anything besides spitballs and chasing Harold" said Arnold, with a sarcastic look on his face.

"You don't know? I thought everyone knew I was into poetry and music" Helga was somewhat shocked. Wow, Helga thought, I must have really been spending to much time by my-self.

"No, maybe Phoebe knew but we all thought you had no hobbies" Arnold said solemnly. This hurt Helga a little.

"Oh I guess I always thought you'd make fun of me if you knew" Helga was looking away from him. Arnold noticed how she said "you", she didn't mean it towards their classmates; she meant it toward him. This hit Arnold like a slush ball during a snowball fight.

"Hey if you're any good at guitar you know we're holding a talent show at the Coco-Hut, you could play there." Arnold gave Helga an encouraging look. It made Helga's stomach squirm with joy.

"Oh I dunno, I'm probably not that good", replied Helga blushing deeply.

"Play me a song"

" What?" asked Helga confused.

"Play me a song, I'll tell you if you any good".

"O-ok"…