Chapter 3: GO Arnold!

"Alright, this is it." He sighed.

It's day 2 of Arnold's summer escapade in the beach. This is also the day that he will ask Helga to go with him to the party. He was practicing his lines the night before so that nothing could go wrong. He wants to make this as natural and as cool as possible. But as he was walking towards her, he can't help but feel nervous. He never felt anything like this before, especially to Helga.

'What if she says no?' the nervousness grew deeper as he approached nearer to her. 'This is it. Don't get scared now.'

"Hey Helga, how's it going?" he said casually.

"A-Arnold? I mean, what do you want football-head?" she was daydreaming about her beloved football-headed angel.

Arnold frowns with her scowling. He still can't help but wander why does she have to act like that. He immediately erased that thought in his mind, anyway, he still has faith in Helga and he's here to ask her, right?

"Um, I'm just wandering if you would like to go to the beach party with me tomorrow night?" he asked. He's glad that he said it just the way he has to.

Meanwhile, Helga was stunned. He can't believe that Arnold just asked her on a date. 'Pinch me, I must be dreaming.' She pinched herself and… "Ouch!"

"Are you ok, Helga?"

"Yeah, fine. What is it again?"

"I said if would you like to go to the beach party with me?" he asked again, hopeful. 'Please say yes, please say yes,' as if praying.

This time, she doesn't need to pinch herself. She's not dreaming. Arnold is asking her out for real! She still can't believe it. It's like a dream come true. Then, reality bites. She wanted to say yes but she remembers that Matt had already asked her about this on her first day in the beach, the day he met him. She just can't break her date with him. He will get hurt. And she can't afford to make that happen. He is somewhat special to her. She remembers the day she met Matt.

…Flashback…

Helga was sitting on the sand with her hair down but still with her pink bow on top of her head. She looked very beautiful but it was obvious that she's grieving. She was staring at the vast blue water before her.

"Why the heck is this happening to me?" she cried. "Torn in this beach with people who doesn't have a teeny bit of concern and care about me." She was talking about Big Bob and Miriam. "And worst of all, being away from you, my beloved football-head." She took her locket out from her shirt. She looked at Arnold's picture and recited a poem.

"Oh Arnold, my love, the most precious person in my life,

If only I could have you in my arms this summer

The season I've been dreaming to be with you

But instead, I'll be spending it away from you

Still you will always be a part of me

Wherever I may be

If only I could tell you how much I love you

If only I'm not too shy to tell you

My true and honest feelings about you

If only…"

(Sorry, I'm not really good in poetry.)

"Hello miss." This sudden greeting from a blonde boy interrupted Helga's grievances and shocked her to death.

"Ah…" she screamed. "Don't ever scare me like that again, ever!" She was pointing her index finger on his chest.

"Sorry, I just say hello. I didn't mean to scare you. Anyway, I'm Matt."

"I didn't asked for your name, bucko."

Matt just smiled at her. "I can't help but noticed you. Aside from the fact that you're good lookin', you look so sad and that stands you out from other people here on account that they were all having fun. I just wanna cheer you up."

"It's none in any business of yours, blonde boy. And what are you, some kind of a clown to cheer me up?"

"Ha ha… you're sad but you sure is funny, blonde girl." He giggled.

Helga just rolled her eyes and started to walk away. But before she could go far, Matt caught up with her.

"Hey I'm sorry. I was just trying to make you laugh."

"Would you quit buggin me or else you wanna meet up with my fist!"

"Look I'm really sorry. I just wanted to be your friend. I wanted to know you. And like what I said, I wanted to cheer you up. I won't be buggin' you bout your sadness if you want. And it seems that you know nobody in this beach. Anyway, I don't have my friends with me either so maybe we could hang around together. I would love to tour you around this beach. My family got a business here." He paused. "So what do you think? Don't worry, I'm not a bad person."

Helga can't help but noticed that she was somehow kinda seeing Arnold in him. "You won't quit tryin', are you?" He shook his head.

She sighed "Ok, the name's Helga."

From then on, they spent the whole afternoon together. They've done lots of stuffs. Helga realized that he wasn't that bad after all. She never felt this comfortable with a guy before. So is he. She somehow forgot about Arnold. She was glad she met him, at least, she will have a nice summer. And that very night, he asked her to go with him to the party and she accepted it.

…End of Flashback…

"I'm sorry but I already have someone to go with."

"Is it Matt?" Arnold asked. Helga nodded. She definitely would love to go with Arnold but she just can't let Matt down. He is her friend. He was the one who cheered her up when she was sad. She even likes him. Sure she loves Arnold but Matt asked her first and she never ever thought that she would see Arnold in the beach. If Arnold came a little bit early or if she hadn't met Matt, maybe she would go with him. But he's just too late.

"I see. Hope you two have a good time."

"Thanks." She said with a smile.

Arnold turned and walked away. 'Well, at least I've tried, but that hurts.'