Chapter 2: Arnold's Jealous

"Is he your friend?"

"Yeah, he's a boy from my class." Helga and Matt were riding on a jet ski. She was behind Matt with her arms looped around his waist.

"I think he likes you."

"You think so? Well, he said he do."

"No, what I mean is…he like you like you."

"Arnold? That football-head? Like me like me? Are you kidding me? How could you say a crazy thing like that?"

"Haven't you seen his face? With that goofy face staring right at you and that smile…what do you think it means? It was definitely obvious."

"I doubt it. He's too busy liking Lila to even notice me." She scowled upon saying the name Lila.

"Look who's kidding now? No guy would ever notice you unless he's blind." He mocked as he turned his head around to face her. "Yeah right." She poked his forehead slightly.

The jet ski they were riding on was moving all over the blue water. They were talking and laughing and were obviously having a great time. They look cute together and anyone who would see them would definitely think that they were a couple. Without their awareness, a certain football-headed boy was watching them the whole time. A trace of jealousy could be seen to his face.

"Yup, she sure is having fun." He sighed. 'She likes him. It's obvious. I've never seen her anything like that before. She looked so…so relax.'

Her soft feature is very delightful. Unlike that tough bully he sees in school everyday. Very different from the Helga he knew back home.

'I guess he's the only one who could bring out the best out of Helga. I wish she could show me that side of her too. That gentle side of her.'

He was looking at Helga's beautiful face. She was smiling, seems pretty happy. He had never seen her smile that much before. He had never seen her that happy. It's like she's having the time of her life. He just wishes she were spending it with him. He can feel the jealousy overflowing to his body. He always thought that Helga's pretty. He even likes her toughness. He just doesn't like that mean attitude of her. But seeing her today looking very pretty and very girly, not scowling and all, it seems that…

"I like her like her." He finally said.

'So that's why I'm feeling like this. Well, I already like Helga. I liked her even before. She's different from any other girl I know. She's as tough-as-nail. The toughest girl I've ever known, or even the toughest person. No guy would ever want to mess up with her. And even if she won't admit it, she will do anything for those she cares about.' He was thinking of that day they saved the neighborhood.

'I always knew that deep down, she's such a nice person. But why does she have to act that way? It's like she's not showing her real self. Or maybe she's just showing it to the person she likes. I just hope I'm that person, now that I finally admit to myself that I like her like her. I can't believe I'm falling for her. This sure is different from what I felt for Lila.'

He was thinking about all these while still watching Matt & Helga, when suddenly the wind blew so hard and a flyer hit him right on the face and stick to it.

"What the…" he took the flyer off his face. He's attention got caught with the big writings written on it saying "THE BIGGEST SUMMER BEACH PARTY OF THE YEAR" Then an idea popped into his head.

'But what if he already asked her? Or if he hasn't yet, for sure she would rather go with Matt than with me. But then again there's nothing wrong with trying. Who knows, she may realized that I'm a more worthy date.'

Seeing them together was making Arnold's hope to subside. But being the optimistic person that he always been, it's enough to keep him going. He will ask Helga to go with him to the party. This is his big chance and he's not gonna let this slip. It is now or never.