Was Gerald right? Was I being selfish? Arnold thought to himself.
He'd be lying to himself if he said he wasn't trying to get her attention. Everyone was right, she had changed.
She was no longer that tomboy girl with the one eye brow. She has that girl next door beauty about her.
You can tell she's not the type of girl to spend hours doing her hair and makeup. She was happy and comfortable with who she is.
Which honestly she doesn't need make up. Everything about her seemed so perfect to him.
Why won't she talk to me? Is she really still mad at me after all this time?
Arnold decided he wasn't going to give up. He was going to talk to Helga G. Pataki, if it's the last thing he does.
"Where's Helga?" Arnold asked Phoebe as she sat at the lunch table with him and Gerald.
"Oh, she must have left for lunch." Phoebe replied quietly.
"How's your first day back going? It must be very different from what you're used to." Phoebe said slyly changing the subject.
"It is but in a good way. I loved San Lorenzo but Hillwood will always be my home. " he replied still looking all over the cafeteria hoping Helga would be there anyway.
"ARNOLD!"
Arnold turned around to see a very tall bulky teen running towards him.
"It's me Herald!"He yelled as he grabbed him in for a hug.
"Wow, Herald. You look great. You play football?" he asked noticing the bulky boy sporting a letterman jacket.
"What else would I do, Let these guns go to waste?"he asked as he kissed his muscles on both arms.
Arnold couldn't help but laugh. It seems as if everyone has changed. Everyone but him at least that's what it felt like to him.
"You got taller Arnold. I thought you were going to be a shrimp forever. " Herald laughed.
"Wait , tell me all about the jungle babes you got to date while you were out there." Herald demanded staring intently back at Arnold.
Arnold gave a nervous chuckle, "Actually I haven't dated anyone since I left." he said quietly.
"Wait, you mean to tell me HELGA was your only girlfriend? So, no jungle babes? Are you crazy?!"he questioned.
"Honestly. I just haven't met anyone like her." Arnold smiled back.
"You are nuts. I saw all those pictures you posted on facebook. Those girls were hot!" Herald replied drool sliding down his chin remembering the pictures.
"Herald,honey. Give Arnold his space. It's only his first day back." Rhonda said as she leaned in to give Herald a kiss on the chek.
" I know, I know. I just had to know what it was like to be a lumber jack babe." Herald said sweetly to Rhonda.
Arnold looked over at them with a confused look. "Lumberjack?"
"Oh yeah,sorry. Herald thinks anyone who doesn't live in the city are lumberjacks." Rhonda replied nodding her head.
"Any who, we're all getting together after school for a cup of coffee at the Java Joint. You guys in?" Rhonda asked the trio.
"I don't think that's a good idea Rhonda." Phoebe replied eyeing Rhonda suspiciously.
"I think Phoebe's right." Gerald agreed.
"Oh I'm sorry Arnold. Do you not like coffee?" Rhonda asked.
Arnold gave Phoebe and Gerald a strange look.
"I do..." Arnold replied still staring at the two.
"Then it's settled. We can all ride together in my car. We'll meet in the parking lot after school. Au Revoir." Rhonda said as she waved bye.
