Helga woke up from her warm, cozy bed and reached over to turn off her alarm clock with a heavy sigh. Another day, she told herself as she pushed herself up from her laying position and sat up to look around her room that she'd somehow missed when she'd lived in the emporium. It was nice to be back in her old room; in familiar territory.

It'd been a few weeks since she had switched her schedule and things were going alright with Arnold. He'd forgiven her, as he always did, for switching teams in school, yet he never had explained why it was that it had made him so angry in the first place and for some reason, this bothered Helga relentlessly.

So Helga had devised a plan, not a very good one, but a plan nonetheless. Seeing as Arnold wouldn't talk to her in person about his emotions on the matter, she figured he might be willing to discuss such issues via notes they would pass in between classes because even though she was in his classes now, she was discovering that it wasn't helping all that much in their way of communication and seeing each other. Each day was still filled with school and assignments and partner projects they never seemed to be paired up for. It drove her mad. She was always forced to see him partnered with other pretty girls that she envied for various reasons and it only made her nervous that she was losing him slowly but surely. There was something she had to do and she found that note-passing had to be the solution to their problems.

After all, what did she have to lose?

Helga made it to school at her usual time, 7:15, just twenty minutes before first period began. This was the time of the day, other than lunch, that she was able to see the most of Arnold and a smile spread across her face when she met him in the foyer; his face lighting up when he met eyes with hers.

"Hey Helga," He greeted her as she approached him and she grinned at him as she made her way towards where he was standing with Phoebe and Gerald.

"Hey there football-head, what's shakin'?" she said and Arnold chuckled while shrugging his shoulders.

"We were just talking about Mr. Linders' assignment about the white book. Have you decided what you're going to put in yours?" He asked and Helga sighed.

The white book was an odd assignment but one that she had found fascinating in comparison to her last evil english teacher who had no imagination whatsoever. Mr. Linders had passed around plain white books to each of his students and instructed everyone to decorate them to their liking and put in them whatever they desired, but to be wary as some of the things they put in there would be presented to the class on random days. Helga just figured she'd use it as another poetry book, but that seemed to be such a waste as she had so many of those already. She wanted to do something different, something intriguing, something worth reading aloud to the class. Her ideas swarmed her head on what she could write, but for now she'd just doodled on the cover with various swirls and designs that came to her head in the middle of class when she should be paying attention.

Helga raised her shoulders and soon dropped them, exasperated. "I have no clue," she responded, "I thought maybe a story or something? I wanna be creative with it, something that will blow everyone away." She told her friends and they all smiled while Arnold reached over to take her hand in his.

"I'm sure whatever you write in there it will be amazing," He encouraged and Helga felt a heavy blush rise to her cheeks as he spoke.

"Yeah, yeah," she said with a roll of her eyes, "you HAVE to say that. You're my boyfriend."

"That I am," he said with a grin, "but believe me when I say I'm not just saying that. You're the best writer in the class. I'd be scared for anyone that tried to take you on when it comes to writing."

It was true. Helga had proved her skills on many occasions, the latest being the young writer's conference. She was known for her great writing and creative brain which mildly scared her because it was a lot to live up to. If she wasn't living in her sister's shadow, she was living in her own and it brought stress on her shoulders to know that no matter what she did, she'd never be out of the dark and in the light of a stress-free environment. Why couldn't she just be normal? Why couldn't she just blend in into the background? But then again, what kind of life would that be, to be 'normal?' Is that what she really wanted? A life free of her gifts that she'd been gratefully given?

"Ha," Helga laughed, "yeah I'd like to see somebody try," she said with false confidence. "I wonder who else around here has the writing skills that I have."

"Who knows," Gerald said while smirking to himself, "If it's one thing you've got going for ya, Pataki, it's those writing chops, I'll give you that."

"Gee, thanks, Geraldo," She retorted with heavy sarcasm and he winked at her to let her know he was serious, which she knew. Gerald may sort of hate her, but they had an understanding that had taken until San Lorenzo to really understand the full potential of. Ever since he'd witnessed the first ever real kiss between her and Arnold, Gerald and Helga's relationship had grown in a way of understanding that they would have to put up with each other if it was ever going to work between Helga and Arnold. And Gerald wanted it to work, she knew that. He just wanted his best friend to be happy and if it was one thing that Helga did, it was just that- she made him happy.

That was one thing she had to remember. Especially with her growing jealousy as of late. She made Arnold happy in ways that nobody else did. Not pretty Courtney from Algebra or popular Jessica from English or the ever-threatening Lila from Wellness and English AND stupid Gym/Choir; not to mention the fact that she knew she also shared Social Studies and Science with Arnold- two places Helga couldn't keep her eye on the two of them and what they did or how they interacted with each other.

It seemed that no matter where she went or what she did, she couldn't shake Lila or the envy that she brought with her when it came to Arnold. She needed her out of her life, she WANTED her out of her life but there just wasn't getting around Miss Sawyer. Ever since that stupid party at Rhonda's, Helga couldn't get the kiss that her boyfriend and Lila shared in front of her very own eyes. It haunted her day and night and she couldn't help but wonder if Lila thought of it fondly in her waking moments.

But she had to shake it. The day was just starting and it was a fresh new start to the week- Monday. She'd spent all weekend with Arnold and his family, playing games and going out to the botanical gardens to look at various flowers and have a picnic. It was a great time and she cherished every moment she spent with the Shortmans, especially their wonderful son who she adored. It was a new day and a new week and Helga was determined for it to be good.

As Arnold and Helga made their way to the locker rooms for gym, Helga decided to bring up her plan in the note-passing department to test the waters and see what he thought of it. They held hands as they walked in silence, both content to be, and Helga chewing her lip before she decided to speak.

"So..." she began, "I've been thinking."

"Oh?" Arnold asked and Helga nodded her head.

"I just thought, since we don't get much time to talk to each other during class or in between class and stuff, and since there's classes we don't share..." she went on while swallowing hard, "I thought maybe we could give each other notes and stuff just updating each other on what goes on in class and whatnot."

Arnold turned his head to look at her and raised his brow. "You want to pass notes? In between classes?"

She shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head. "Well, yeah. I thought it could be, well, I don't know, fun."

Arnold thought about this for a while, mulling the words over in his head before deciding on his answer. "Yeah," he said, "We could do that. Especially during classes we don't share. That'd be kind of cool."

"Exactly! That's what I thought," Helga said and Arnold smiled at her while squeezing her hand as they approached the locker rooms on opposite ends of the hallway.

"Well, don't expect a note from this class," he said with a wink and Helga rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting one unless you plan to write while running laps." She joked and he laughed.

"That'd be a sight to see, that's for sure," he told her before squeezing her hand again and leaning over to peck her gently on the cheek. "I'll see you in there."

"See ya," she told him as he parted from her and they went their separate ways into the locker rooms where the world of changing into gym clothes began and girl talk ensued all around the four walls of the small locker room.

"And that's when I told her, no Clara, you're wrong," Rhonda chattered to Nadine who was pulling on her shirt and half-listening to her friend's tale, "Taylor Swift has changed and not for the good. I mean, did you see what she wore on the runway last week? Dreadful."

Helga wandered to her locker on the far end of the room and opened it up to reveal her set of squashed up, dirty clothes and began to pull off her outfit in lieu of the gym one that she had to wear for the class she was about to enter. They usually had 15 minutes to get ready before class began, so she took her time getting ready and listened in on the chatter around herself to see if anyone was talking about anything interesting. Usually they weren't, but today was a different story.

"Did you hear that Mr. Linders is talking about having people read from their white books today?" A girl named Shanna told her friend beside her a few lockers down from Helga and her ears perked up at the sound of her teacher's name and she glanced over to the two as they continued their conversation.

"Really? Do you know how he chooses who goes? I haven't even written anything yet..." The friend told Shanna and she nodded her head towards her.

"An upperclassman told me that he draws names out of a fishbowl and chooses them that way. I guess he picks like 3 people a week to read." She explained to her friend. "But don't sweat it. If you haven't written anything, he just goes on to the next person for the first week, I guess. But after that, he'll dock you down points and stuff if you don't have anything to read."

Helga took note of this and swallowed hard. What if her name was chosen? She wanted to make a good impression on not only her teacher, but her fellow classmates. Sure, she was top writing dog back at PS118, but she hadn't proven herself yet in middle school. She wanted to make sure everyone knew who the best writer was which meant she had a lot of work to do to prove her point. She'd have to get on that.

But what about notes for Arnold? How would she manage to slip in time to write in her white book AND write notes to Arnold? If she didn't establish the note thing now, it would never work and she HAD to make it work because they hardly talked about REAL things anymore, DEEP things like emotions and all that junk. For some reason, this bothered Helga immensely and she knew that if they didn't get back to how they were, they were doomed. Middle school was proving harder than she had thought it would be and it was driving her nuts. Her thoughts were consumed of Arnold and how to keep him close to her the way they had been in sixth grade and over the summer. But what was she to do? The note-passing thing was all she had and she HAD to make it work.

Helga spent her next few periods toggling between writing a note for Arnold and writing in her white book for Mr. Linders class. She'd decided on writing a story, a deep story about that of none other than Medusa and the truth behind her tragic tale that many people didn't know. It was a story she had been thinking about a lot and never had the courage to actually write, but with the white book in possession, she decided it was high time to give it a chance and go for it, even if it sucked and lacked the depth she wanted. Meanwhile, her note to Arnold read as follows:

Hey Arnold,

So here's your first note. I hope it finds you well. I'm just sitting in Algebra and you're a few seats away from me watching Mrs. Higgins talk the way she usually talks; with her leg up on someone's desk and the person inhabiting that desk feeling very, very uncomfortable.

I guess I should talk to you about why I really wanted to do this note-passing dealio. I guess I just feel like you've been... distant lately. Middle school is proving to be a little... harder than I thought it would be and I'm kind of stressing about everything involving us. And I know, I KNOW you'll just tell me, "Helga, stop freaking out, you're only going to mess things up with your overthinking," but I'm not just overthinking, I'm being realistic. This middle school thing is HARD. Toggling assignment after assignment and project after project is a nightmare and leaves hardly any free-time for the two of us to bond like we used to. I just miss us... that's all.

Criminy, that sounds so corny.

Anyway. I should get back to listening to what Mrs. Higgins has to say before she catches on to the fact that I'm not actually doing the assignment.

Yours,

Helga

She folded the note carefully, then slipped it into her shirt where her locket usually resigned and sighed, knowing that she'd let out her emotions as best as she could on the small sheet of paper. She just hoped that Arnold would let out some of his emotions too in his note to her.

Helga,

Sitting in social class right now. We're watching a movie about slavery, it's a long series called 'Roots' and I'm sure you're watching it in your class too. I figured now was a good time to write you because nobody is paying any attention to what I'm doing and I could put my full attention to writing you and answering your note.

I understand your frustration when it comes to us not talking or spending time with each other like we used to. It's been hard, I definitely agree. Middle school has been tougher than either of us expected and it's been quite the experience so far, but I don't think it's anything we can't overcome together. And besides, we'll be stuck here for three years before high school and there's nothing we can do about it so we might as well find a way to combat it and find a way to spend time together and talk to each other which is why I really like this idea of passing notes to each other. It's a great way to keep in contact throughout the day in a personal way that we can't by just talking at lunch.

Just try to stay positive, Helga. I know it isn't your strong suit, but you're just going to have to trust me when I tell you that it will all be okay and that we can do this. Do you trust me?

-Arnold

Helga read through the note multiple times before English class started, then folded the note back up and put it back into her shirt. I'd better think about a wardrobe change if I'm gonna keep up this note-passing thing, she told herself before turning her attention to her teacher who walked in the classroom with his big staff that he usually carried around, an extravagance that set him apart from the other teachers.

"Good morning class!" He greeted everyone with a smile before setting his staff against the wall and approaching the podium at the front of the room. "Today we will start out the day with fishbowl, something you'll get used to by the end of the semester."

The group of students turned to look at one another in question though Helga remained seated in place knowing exactly where this was headed based on the knowledge she'd gained that morning in the locker room during her eavesdropping session.

"Now I'm sure you're all wondering just what a 'fishbowl session' is, aren't you?" he asked everyone before pulling out the fishbowl in question filled with slips of paper and he shook it up before continuing. "Basically, those white books I gave you are the key to the fishbowl. What will happen is this fishbowl is filled with tiny slips of paper with each of your names on them. Once a week, on any day I choose, I'll pull three names out of this fishbowl and you'll read or share anything you desire from your white book to the class and I'll give you points for sharing. If you have nothing, you will lose points. For this first week though, I'll cut you a break and if you have nothing, just focus on getting something in your book for next week. Sound good?" He addressed the class and everyone nodded their heads, mildly frightened by the idea as Mr. Linders shook up the bowl once more and drew a name from it.

"To start things off, let's have Mr. Arnold Shortman show us what he's got." He said and Helga sighed, feeling bad for Arnold. Tough break, she thought as he stood up, white book in hand and approached the front of the class.

"What have you got to share with us today, Arnold?" Mr. Linders pressed and Arnold showed the front of his book to the class.

"I haven't got anything written or drawn inside, but I've been working on the cover, is that okay?" He asked and Mr. Linders nodded his head.

"Sure, why not?" He said before gesturing that Arnold go on.

"Basically, I've been drawing a space scene on the cover of my book. Nothing too extravagant, but it's representative of where my brain usually daydreams. It starts at the bottom of the book where I have clouds and a blue sky and a plane, and then it goes up into space where I put stars and the moon and Saturn because it's my favorite planet." He explained and Helga sat back in her chair, impressed.

Dang, she thought to herself, the kid's doing great for the first go around. I'll have to give him props in my next note.

"Well thank you for sharing with us today, Arnold. Ten points for Griffindor!" Mr. Linders shouted while jotting down the points in his book before pulling another name from the fishbowl.

"Next we have Artie Bringham. Artie?" He called, and Artie walked up to the front of the class to share a few four word stories he'd been working on, a hobby of his since he'd read a few online. We all listened and talked a bit about each one before he took his seat and Mr. Linders called the next name.

"Lila Sawyer," he called as Lila stood up nervously and walked to the front of the class, Helga sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest. Great.

Lila cleared her throat before opening her book and speaking softly. "I've written a poem. Nothing special, but just something that came to me that I thought worth writing down."

Oh criminy. I have to sit through some flowery poem about loving life? Somebody just put me out of my misery now, Helga thought as she waited for Lila to begin reading whatever she'd written.

"Go ahead, Lila. We're listening." Mr. Linders encouraged and Lila cleared her throat again before beginning her poem.

"Through daylight I think of you

At night time I think so too

Of where you might be

If only I could see

Through the den of life's mystery

and when you'll finally find me

but how long will I have to wait

until you finally alleviate

this pain that I harbor inside

all the while I hide

waiting for you to see me near

to see that I'm sitting, patiently right here."

Helga's jaw dropped, but not at the quality of the poem as to her, it was quite horrendous and nothing up to par with her own writing. No, it was the content of the poem that made Helga's jaw drop as she read between the lines and felt that she knew exactly what the poem was about, or rather, who.

Arnold. It HAD to be about Arnold. Who else would it be about? The longing, the lust, the desire for someone that wasn't hers. How could she be so blind?

Helga began writing ferociously in her white book, words pouring from her soul as she scribbled content down as quickly as she could while Mr. Linders continued talking ahead of her.

"That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Ten points to Ravenclaw!" He announced before setting the fishbowl down and walking back to the podium. "Now, after fishbowl is done, I always open the floor up to anyone else who wants to share. So, is there anyone else out there who wants to share today from your white book?"

Helga's hand shot straight up as she breathed heavily and Mr. Linders smiled her way while calling her out. "Miss Pataki, I see you are volunteering as tribute. Come on up and give it a whirl." He encouraged and she stalked her way up to the front of the class.

"Go on and-" But before Mr. Linders could continue his sentence, Helga began with her pointed poem directed straight to Lila who sat calmly in her desk.

"Your words may shatter

Your words may destroy

but keep in mind

you'll never get the boy

You may shine so brightly

that the world seems to spin for you

but no matter what you appear to be

I'll always see right through

So let the world love you

Soak in every little bit

but know in your big heart of hearts

that this, my friend, is it."

And with that, Helga stomped back to her seat leaving the class silent to take in her poem as Helga began to write her elusive note to Arnold, anger still flowing through her system as she wrote.

Arnold,

Look, I am asking and I'm asking rather bluntly because that's just how I roll. Why on earth were you so mad that I switched teams? Was it because you were afraid I'd find out? Was it because you were afraid I'd discover the dirty truth? What was your deal anyway?

You better be honest with me,

Helga

Arnold read Helga's note with confusion, but responded as honestly as he could, despite his complete befuddlement at what Helga had written him.

Helga,

Honestly, I have no idea what you're talking about when you say discovering the truth. There's nothing going on with me that you don't know. I've told you everything. You know everything about me. I've made my best efforts to show you that and if you can't see that... then you must be blind. I hope you don't take that the wrong way.

As for why I was mad you switched teams, I wasn't mad exactly, I was more just disappointed. I was disappointed that you didn't trust me or trust our relationship because you up and switched teams all to be in my classes but I see now that it was out of a place of love and I can't be angry at you for that. That's why I'm over it. I'd hoped that you would be too.

I really hope you're okay... your poem in English, well, frightened me a little. It was so angry. What was it about?

-Arnold

Helga frowned while reading the note and sat in her science class, fresh out of lunch with Arnold and fresh out of sitting quietly with him during the period where they should be talking the most. It seemed that her poem had disturbed him which only made her more nervous of what he was up to with her. Did he see it too? Did he see that Lila was hopelessly in love with him? Was Helga crazy or was she not right about what she'd heard in between the words of Lila's poem?

The bell rang, signaling for Helga to go to her next class, Wellness, which she shared with Arnold and Lila. She couldn't bare to think of seeing Lila again after the whole debacle of fourth period, but there was no getting out of it and she knew she had to do it and give Arnold her response to his note.

"Hey," She greeted him as she took her seat beside him in the classroom and he offered her a small smile.

"Hey Helga. How was Science?" He asked and Helga shrugged her shoulders.

"Fine I guess. Got a note for ya," she said while slipping him the folded piece of paper and he took it from her and held it up with a thank you nod.

"I look forward to reading it." He said as the bell rang and the teacher walked to the front of the class as Arnold unraveled the note to read what Helga had written him.

Arnold,

Science is boring as all heck. I hate science. Have I ever mentioned that? I suck at it, I don't understand it and my brain just doesn't compute it.

Anyway, sorry about freaking out at you in my last note. I was still reeling from english I guess. I think a certain someone's poem kind of got to me and that's why I wrote what I wrote. I can't tell you why because if you don't get it than it isn't worth bringing up. Maybe I'm crazy. I'm still trying to figure that out.

Anyway, I'm sorry I disappointed you. That really isn't what I was trying to do. I was just trying to see you more... it's so hard in this school. I feel like we're so close but so far away. Do you feel that too? Do you feel worlds away?

Lost,

Helga

And that's how Helga felt; lost. She wasn't sure where she stood with Arnold anymore and she hoped that he'd have a response to her and fast. Maybe he felt worlds away from her too or maybe she was just imagining everything. Maybe she already had her answer and she just wasn't seeing it. Maybe. There were too many maybe's. And everything was meshing together into too many worries inside her already confused brain.

She'd have to go home and journal about it. If it was one thing Miles was right about, he was right about journaling and it helping one discover things about themselves. It was therapeutic and that was exactly what Helga needed. Especially after today.