Disclaimer: Craig Barleet is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show
2. Boy trouble
- Helga! Hi! - The boy with football head ran to her.
- Hey Arnoldo! What's up?
- I was wondering… if you wanna watch a movie with me… tonight. Do you?- The boy was very nervous.
- Only us? - She opened her eyes with surprise.
- Yeah… you know… as a date…
- Really? Are you serious?
- Yes! I'm. - The blond boy saw how his friend started to laugh a lot.
- Oh stupid football head, are you sick? I'll never go on a date with you.
- What? But I thought that we…
- Ok… I'll explain it to you, maybe we kissed each other in the jungle… but that didn't mean anything.
- But you said…
- I know what I said… and was a Joke, a joke that only a football head can believe.
- Helga! Be honest… Both of us know what we are feeling… Helga… come back… I know what I feel now…
Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold!
The blond preadolescent opened his eyes and took a breath.
- Boy! What's gonna be the day that I'll wake up without a nightmare?
The guy with green eyes stanted up from his bed and went to dressing, moments before their parents knocked the door, ready to enjoy another morning with him.
- Hi champ! Are you ready?- Miles said.
- Yeah dad. Morning!
- Did you sleep well?
- Yes mom, everything it's ok!
- I don't know son, your voice sounds like something it's wrong.
- You know that you can tell us anything, right?
- Don't worry guys… I'm just hungry.
- If that is the problem… We've the solution, I cooked pancakes with your dad's oats flour.
- With some non-sugar chocolate chips and strawberries.- He smiled at his son and he smiled too in response.
- Thank you guys! Just I needed it! C'mon and we have breakfast! - He crossed the door and ran to the kitchen.
- Did you believe him?
- Of course not Miles, but if he doesn't want to tell us we'll have to… wait.
- This sucks! I mean, I thought that later of the camping he'll trust us.
- Honey, we just met him, you've to be patient. It's painful to me too, but is the price of our disappearance.
- A disappearance that we weren't looking for.
- But, it is still disappearing.
– Sunset Arms - Dinner room—
Arnold had entered the dinner room, the guests had just finished their breakfast and all said good-bye to their favorite child.
- Have a nice day at school Arnold!
- Thank you Mr Hyunh, but I'm still on vacation. There are 3 days left.
- Oh right! See you at dinner.
- Bye Arnold I've to go to work on my business!
- Have a nice day Mr. Kokoschka.
- Ha! "work" - The small man said. - Hopefully that your gambling was a work.
- It 's work to me Ernie!
- Silence! I'm trying to eat this thing. - The older man said and looked with curiosity at his fake pancake, missing the sugar that it should be on.
- Hi grandpa, hi grandma!
- Hi Kimba! It's time to fill your tank. You've to be ready for today's adventure.
- Thank you. - The blond kid took a pancake and some milk, later sat down with a sad expression that their grandparents could notice.
- What happened Shortman? To be a young man on vacation you don't look so happy.
- It's only that…
- Let me guess… preadolescent problems? Huh?
- Not totally, it is deeper than that.
- And it is about your little blonde angry friend with one eyebrow… right?
- How did you know?
- Cause I'm old Shortman, I know everything about anything. What 's the problem?
- Well… the fact is that I haven't seen her since San Lorenzo.
- What? You didn't talk with Princess Diana, Prince Charles.
- No grandma… My parents wanted to spend time with me and I couldn't say no.
- But Arnold, you have to be honest. If you want to do something, as clear your romantic life, you have the right.
- Yeah I know… but I don't want to hurt someone… including…
- Including you, right?
- I feel nervous, what if she says no, or if I press on her.
- Arnold, please! You've kissed each other in the jungle, you're on the same page.
- Wait a minute… How did you know it?
- Uh… I've my ways… But it doesn't matter, you've to be brave and face the situation, as I did with your grandma so many years ago.
- Oh, actually Phil… It was me who talked first about our feelings.
- Oh no Pookie, of course not, was me, as a brave man.
- Not really… - His wife said, making him angry. - I remember it pretty well, it was later that you returned from war. You were totally jealous of my ex-boyfriend and….
- That's not important, Arnold, you've to be brave, follow my example and now, go! - The oldman pushed out his grandson and closed the door.
- But grandpa I didn't have breakfast… - The green-eyed boy sighed and sat down in the stairs. His pig appeared and smiled at him. - Hey Abner! Do you think that I have to talk with her too? - The animal answered with a funny pig sound. - Yeah, it would be nice if she spends time around here with us. But where is she?
— Hillwood's Lake—
- So… let me try to understand… You've fallen in love with Arnold since you're 3. You spent all the last 8 years following the boy and creating a lot of plans to make him notice you and when he finally did, you are running away?
- Yeah… that is the short version of the story. - She threw a big rock into the lake.
- Helga! You've to react friend! That 's your moment.
- Or my ending.
- Don't be dramatic, I know that you can feel nervous and a little nervous, but girl, it's your time to enjoy it!
- Oh my little and naive friend! You can't trust men. They're very confused creatures, I can't only trust on a few fake signals.
- Helga… He kissed you in the jungle. What more proof do you need to face the truth? You fell in love with the boy.
- Maybe… but…
- Why are you so negative?
- I'm not negative… I'm realistic… Phoebe, I had turture the boy for years, I had manipulating his life in many situations in my own benefit and… think in the others stupid girls that the stupid football head had love before… they're pretty, funny and smart, with good families.
- Helga, you are being unfair with yourself.
- I'm only realistic… He needed around 2 years to think of me as girlfriend material.
- But…
- Thanks for the breakfast and walking with me, I see you later. - The blond girl seemed so sad.
- Oh Helga, if you only could see you as we do. - Her friend said.
Helga started walking around the city and visiting some special places that she had visited before with her heart's owner, places such as the port where they spent thanksgiving together, the Gerald's field, where they played together the last couple of years.
- Oh Arnold, my golden hair angel, If I had been less selfish, less stupid, less coward in the past... maybe the things could be different. I can understand why you don't want to see me now. I can' t resist another negative from you… - Why did I have to open my big mouth!
– Gerald's Field—
Several hours passed before she reached a corner. Without imagining that her boy was very close to her, behind to be exact, Helga kept walking and Arnold stopped there.
- Gerald's field… I thought that you could be here, but no. Where're you?
- Arnold?- A female voice appeared behind him.
- Lila… was you…
- Are you waiting for someone… a special someone?
- Not really. - He could feel how his face turned red. - What are you doing?
- I'm just walking around. I returned yesterday from my uncle's place.
- Oh true, you were on a trip. I just forgot it.
- Arnold, are you ok? You seem… well not ok.
- It is so obvious?
- I'm afraid so.
- Well… it is not a big deal… Well, actually it is an enormous deal…Is about… a girl… she is so special and I…
- Arnold, please stop. I've told you before, we're just friends.
- OMG, I'm not talking about you, it's… another girl… you don't meet her. - He lied.
- Oh, if that's the case, excellent!
- Not at all… I believe that I made her get angry and now she doesn't want to talk to me…
- Oh I see… don't worry Arnold, I'm pretty sure that if you explained to Helga what happened, she'll understand.
- Do you think so?... wait a minute… I never said who she is. Why do you think that is Helga?
- Arnold… I can't say you but I know from a reliable source. That's all I can say.
- Wait a minute… this is the stupid and unfaithful football head… Yeah he is… what's the big idea! - The blond and jealous girl could see them from the corner. - Criminy! Are they wanting to die today?
- Oh Arnold! I'm so happy for both of you! - The girl felt totally happy and made a big mistake… She hugged her friend. - Congratulations.
- Ok! That 's all. - Helga prepared Betsy and his 4 friends and ran in front of "the couple". - Hey you farmer! What're you doing there?
- Helga! - Arnold had mixed feelings, his loved one is there, finally! But… she doesn't seem so happy. - Where were you? I'm trying to…
- Silence bucko! It's the turn of miss sunshine. What are you doing sis?
- Helga, don't worry, I'm just congratulating Arnold about your relationship. I'm so happy for you! Finally you are with Arnold, later of so much time and a lot of things! Like the play of fourth grade… Do you remember when you asked me for…
- Yeah, thank you! I understand what happened here, so I'm very busy, see you at school!
- Hey Helga! Wait a minute! We need to talk.
- Talk?... we don't have to. Is nothing to talk about.
- Is a very important thing, do you remember…. "our thing"?- When he said the last part, the girl could feel electricity all over her body.
- Our… our… our thing?
- Yeah… it is necessary.
- Oh no… -His negative is coming-… I've got to go NOW! - Sorry Football head, I've to go, see you! - And the girl started running, as fast as she could.
- See you Lila! Helga, come back, please! OMG she 's so fast.
Helga was running faster and faster, she could feel her heart racing, she had no destination, but any place would be a better place.
- Stupid Football head, stupid I that I jumped in front of them, why I couldn't stay in the shadows like always do.
- Helga! We need to talk! C'mon!
But she didn't come back. Suddenly, the scared girl could hear familiar and relaxing sounds…
- The summer fair! All I needed was to lose that boy. And I'm almost there
- The summer fair? What is she planning for? Is it so bad to talk with me?
The guys were still running around the entire fair, Helga skipped all the people and the salesmen successfully, Arnold was falling further and further behind, she finally breathed with calm when she lost him.
- That's all girl! You won! I'm saved
But unnoticed by her, Eugene was walking with his cotton candy.
- Oh no... not again. - He said and closed his eyes, waiting for the crash.
Helga started seeing everything in slow motion... she tried to stop, but she couldn't. They crashed into each other.
- I'm ok. - Said the guy with a little voice.
Helga opened her eyes just to see that she was about to fall into a ferris wheel seat.
- OMG! I'm alive and safe… I lost that football head.
- Not at all. - Arnold appeared at her side.
- Criminy! What're you doing here?
- That's a pretty good question, I was about to ask you the same thing.
- I've to go. - The girl tried to stand up but Arnold took her arm and made her sit down again.
- Stop running! You know and I know that WE HAVE to talk… KNOW!
- Try to force me!
She got up, but the Ferris wheel began to turn, forcing her to sit down.
- Ok, maybe I'll take a moment.
- Helga, what's wrong? Why are you trying to run for me?
- I'm not running from you I just… trying to enjoy my last summer vacation days, doi! You aren't so important!
- Well, it seems that finally you are talking with the truth, I'm not important to you.
- What? Oh no… you can't say that.
- Why not? You're the one that's trying to stay away from me when I'm only…
- Yeah Football head I know what're you trying to do… and it's not necessary.
- Do you know it?
- Yeah… again… You didn't want to kiss me at San Lorenzo, you were only happy and grateful because I helped you to save your parents… ok, I got it.
- Is that what are you thinking? OMG Helga, you're so wrong!
- Huh?
- Yeah… I was looking for you because… I missed you so much.
- You?... You missed me?
- Yeah. - His cheeks turned red. - I couldn't stop thinking about you while I was with my parents in the forest.
- Were you in the forest?
- Yes, my parents wanted a time to reconnect, you know, for the last lost 10 years.
- But why did you not tell me? Well, Is not that you have to…
- But I did it! I called your house and left a message. You never answered me.
- Oh... You called me... huh... I understand what happened...
- It doesn't matter… We need to clarify what happened in the jungle. He sighed to clear his thoughts. - You're right, I thank you and...
- I knew it!
- Please wait! As I was saying, I am grateful and impressed by all the things you did for me in San Lorenzo… but it is not the only thing that made me notice my feelings for you.
- "Feelings?" She listened to her heart again.
- Yes… to be honest with you… I was very selfish, I started to notice you in 5th grade, then you told me about your own feelings. It's just that I wasn't ready to answer yet. The issue of my missing parents was always on my mind... But in the last year I could see how bright, generous, funny, creative and beautiful you are, San Lorenzo was just the confirmation... but I knew it before. You're an amazing girl and I'm sorry for having this conversation so late... I'll understand if you turn me down.
Helga could feel a growing happiness inside her, time stopped for both of them, she took her lover and closed the distance with a sweet kiss. Arnold was very surprised, but after a few seconds, he was able to enjoy the moment with the girl he really likes.
At this moment all the bad moments of the past made sense... All the rejections of others, all the moments they have shared, as fate always brought them together...
- I'm so happy to finally see you, Helga.
- Yes... I'm happy too...
- So… Are we okay now?
- I suppose it…. - The girl couldn't believe that what she was living was true, so she pinched herself, startling the boy next to her.
- Are you ok?
- Yeah don't worry, It's only… I can't understand how a sensible and good boy as you can be interested in me… Just look at me… I ruined your childhood!
- Not really Helga, you always were special to me… I didn't understand you but now… now that finally I met the real you… well, I'm impressed.
- You're a football head… Did you know it?
- Yes… but now I'm your football head.
- Oh… - She almost lost her awareness but Arnold took her hand.
- Don't worry… now I'm with you, and you don't need to hide you anymore.
- I think so… Thanks Arnoldo!
- It is my pleasure, madam.
They were totally happy while the Wheel of Fortune stopped, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the city.
- Arnold… Can I ask you a favor?
- Of course, what is?
- Our relationship can be a secret for the others, except Phoebe and Gerald?
- What? Why?
- It is not for you, of course… it is for me… I'm not ready to show "the real me" to others. Can you understand it?
- I'll do everything to make you happy. I can wait for you.
- Thank you Arnold.
- Thank you, you know… for bringing me in on our first official date.
- Oh… silence Football head.
The sun was totally hidden, the new couple took their hands and enjoyed the view. Anyway, no one could recognize them so high.
THE END
Well Guys here is the new episode of this little "spin off", for name it in some way. The next chapter will be my favorite for now! See you in reviews!