Hey well this is my very first fanfic. I don't really know what else to say except I hope you like it. I have come back and put chapter 2 on this chapter. It was supposed to be like that from the beginning, but I hust recently figured out how to add and remove chapters.

Disclaimer: The Hey Arnold TV show and characters all belong to Craig Bartlett. I don't own any of them.

Chapter 1: Early Love

Here she comes, Arnold thought. Maybe this time it will be different. Maybe this time she'll reach out to him with the loving hands he had longed for so long. Since the first day of preschool when Arnold had sheltered that innocent, little Helga from the pounding rain with his oversized umbrella he had loved her.

"Move it football head," Helga hissed at Arnold as she pushed her way through him and then the crowded hallways of P.S. 118. Nothing had changed. Everything had remained the same, Arnold sighed as he thought those miserable thoughts. Sadly, he walked to Mr. Simmon's fourth grade classroom saying a word to no one else.

Helga waited until she was safely secured in the girl's restroom, now empty, before she pulled out her most prized possession; the small, golden locket that inside held her beloved's picture.

"Oh Arnold, my love, my heart, my soul, how I love you, but why, why must I be so cruel." Helga pressed her body against the limestone wall and slowly moved her lips towards Arnold's paper ones. Before she could finish the kiss Rhonda Lloyd and her best sidekick, Nadine walked into the bathroom.

"What are you doing Helga?" Rhonda laughed obnoxiously, "Who are you practicing your puckering with?" Nadine snickered quietly, but stood behind Rhonda because she never knew when Helga's friend, Old Betsy, would make an unwelcome appearance.

"Shut up princess and go look at yourself in the mirror. We both know you need it," Helga shot back. Not wanting to fight or risk ruining her new manicure Rhonda huffed her way out of the bathroom with Nadine hurrying behind.

Nobody understood Helga, nobody except maybe Phoebe, her best friend since Helga could remember. Helga wanted to cry, but no, she was too tough, too bitter to cry. All her life she wished she could break down and sob. No one loved her, not her family, not her friends, not even herself. The only thing that made her life worth living was Arnold. He was her only reason to wake up in the morning. Helga loved every aspect about him; the way his little, blue hat fit too small on top of his football shaped head, his emerald eyes, the yellow hair that sprouted from his scalp, and his giving, unselfish personality most of all. Everything about him was impeccable.

~*~*~*

Arnold seated himself to the desk nearest to door in Mr. Simmons's classroom and waited for class to begin. Usually he arrived early in class, but not this early. Nobody else occupied the classroom, not even his teacher. Arnold stared blankly at the black chalkboard ready for the day to end. Only Helga made him fill this kind of sadness. He couldn't understand why he cared for Helga so much. Any other person would have given up on her a long time ago, but not Arnold. True to his nature, Arnold patiently held out hope that Helga would give in to him and open her heart, mind, body, and soul. Waiting seemed to be the only option for Arnold because he knew Helga cared nothing for him. All she wanted was to hurt him. It almost seemed to Arnold that he was Helga's personal toy that she felt she could do anything with, but deep in his mind he believed Helga held feelings for others, she just didn't know how to express them.

"Why do I have to do this to myself? Why can't I just accept she's never going to change? Gerald's right, I expect too much good out of people. I must be crazy for lov---." His thoughts ceased immediately as someone entered the still room.

"Well hello Arnold, what a wonderful surprise to have you here so early," Mr. Simmons announced cheerfully. "Did you need something? It's not like you to come in at this time." Mr. Simmons cared so much for all his students. He would do anything for them. They replaced the spot reserved in his heart, held for his own children that he had yet to have. He believed every child had their own unique, special gift to offer to the world. All they needed was a few encouraging words to point them in the right direction. Adhering to this, when Mr. Simmons noticed the look of sadness in Arnold's face worry struck his small eyes.

"Is there something wrong Arnold? Are you okay? Do you need someone to talk to, maybe an ear to listen?" Mr. Simmons asked revealing a helpful smile.

"Good morning Mr. Simmons," Arnold said wearily, "No, I'm fine, just a little tired, so I thought I'd come in here to rest before class." To make this more believable Arnold stifled a long yawn. Mr. Simmons rubbed his balding head thoughtfully. Arnold had lied to him, he knew that, but Mr. Simmons struggled to believe this prospect because most of the time Arnold was so truthful regarding his feelings. Something must be really bothering him, but what am I to do if he doesn't want to tell me, Mr. Simmons thought to himself. The thought of a student, especially Arnold, not wanting to confide in him troubled Mr. Simmons. He had always thought of himself as such an easy person to talk to.

Arnold caste his eyes down towards the floor, scared that they would reveal what he truly felt. Mr. Simmons could read peoples' feelings so easily. Arnold worried his teacher would push him to reveal what really bothered him. This time a stroke of luck passed his way because Mr. Simmons nodded his head showing he understood and patted Arnold's back encouragingly. When Arnold looked up he saw a mixed expression on his teacher's slightly wrinkled face. He doesn't believe me; he's going to say something. Arnold tried to suppress these thoughts to the back of his mind. Then, Mr. Simmons stood and retreated to his desk in the front of the room.

Arnold let out a grateful sigh. He looked at the clock hanging from the wall to see he still had ten minutes till the bell rang signaling students to go to class.

Arnold looked thoughtfully at Mr. Simmons, who was now making last minute preparations on the day's lesson plans. "You wouldn't be able to help me anyway," Arnold sighed. With nothing else to do, he laid his head on his desk and closed his weary eyes.

A/N: Okay tell me what you think of these two chapters put together. And if you're new to reading my fic please continue because it gets better than this, trust me. Please don't forget to review. I love the feedback.