Author's Notes: Wow! There was a surge of reviews on the last chapter alone! Thank you so much (even to those who will review it, thanks in advance)! See now you understand how this Arnold/Helga story is turning out, you guys? You also now know guys why this is not a "drama" fic but a "drama / romance" fic. The last chapter had a huge impact on me too, you know? In fact, despite that I've been reading other people's Arnold/Helga fics, I can't stop myself from rereading the previous chapter alone. This is true even if I already knew exactly what would happen! I can't stop appreciating its dramatically romantic impact, and its romantically dramatic impact! Or is that the same thing?

You guys had just witnessed the beginning of the unleashing of the real power of this story. You see, the first 7 chapters were actually my intended setup chapters for chapters 8 and beyond.

To many of those who have reviewed, yeah, I agree that it is really a rough time for Arnold. There is a term associated in professional writing regarding this… now what was that… ah! Now I remember! It's "character development!" Nonetheless, I probably have to make my own apologies here that Arnold had become like this at this point, but be assured guys this is only temporary, as it is all part of the story. Take note! In real life, one single problem will not make it happen. But if one is faced with one problem after another, and if one is alone with no one else to talk to, it is surprisingly possible! Maybe some of you might not realize it yet, but as you guys get older, as you guys face the real world, you will meet people like them. That is actually one of my intended lessons for the readers of this story - "no matter how optimistic you are, ALWAYS have someone who would be there for you. This may be your family, friends, and/or your significant other. You'll never know what the future holds."

I should know. My real-life personality is actually like Arnold (with a dash of Phoebe in me). I am a very unusual optimist myself. In fact, at my current age, people around me are wondering why I am so freakin' optimistic. Take note that many around me, who are of similar age, are already so jaded in reality. But as for me, I believe that one should have some degree of idealism and niceness, no matter how much roughness the real world throws. You're never too old to dream.

Also, there will be rough times as problems can come in succession (the self-help book "Follow Your Heart"TM actually mentions that "Things can come in waves, whether they are good times, or bad times."). If they are strong enough, even my optimism can lessen, and it does at times. If it weren't for my family/friends, it could be worse. You would also notice this in the HA series, that whenever Arnold is down, he usually goes to his grandparents for emotional support and he becomes happier again.

Whew! That was long! Hope I didn't bore you guys there. But I hope you guys understand the underlying assumptions of this story, as I relate to personal experience and when I listen to the problems of other people around me. Do you guys agree / disagree? What do you think? If you may have any questions, comments, issues, etc., just let me know. Even if you simply need a friend to talk to because you're encountering a rough patch yourself, I'm here. You guys know how to contact me. :)

Okay, back to our tale. After that wonderful chapter 8, we move on. Arnold's darkest hour is over, and don't worry guys, as the healing process can now start. Helga's going to do a big part of it. Read on you guys as we begin chapter 9 of this wonderful story. :)

- tst :)

Chapter 9: A Helping Hand

"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."

- Hebrews 12:12-13

I opened my eyes as the shining sun welcomed me to a bright new day. The clock on the table beside my bed informed me it was Saturday morning. I jumped right out of bed to peek by my window. The street in front of the boarding house was already dry from the rain last night.

Right after breakfast, I didn't waste a second as I gathered my numerous books, pens, notebooks, and lunch for my studying at the park for the rest of the day. I remembered what Helga told me last night. Yes, these words came from Helga, the last person whom I would ever expect to actually help me.

"Look, Arnold. I know you wouldn't believe me even if I told you, but here… here's something for you. To let you know that in spite of everything, you still do have a friend…"

I picked up Helga's bow that was sitting on top of the study table. As for the rest, I inserted them all into a large leather bag. It filled to capacity. With one hand and one shoulder, I could barely lift it by its strap handles, as I marched off to the streets, towards my destination - the park.

Along the way, I examined Helga's pink bow on my hand, as my thoughts were on her. She's really a puzzle to me. Despite her constant teases before, I couldn't believe that she could ever become so nice. But then again, I couldn't deny that this girl was the same one last night, who gave me hope, who gave me strength, and who gave me the will to move on.

Let this bow I have, remind me of this mysterious girl.

I passed through the park entrance and I could see families and friends running, playing, and enjoying themselves on the smooth, well-mowed grass. I searched around for a small, quiet enclave, surrounded by thick bushes, and trees. Like the rest of the park, this spot was covered with the greenest of grass. I sat on the lone wooden bench there. No one was nearby. I put my bag under the seat and started unloading it. I neatly laid my books, one at a time, on a pile next to me on the bench. I placed my other stuff on a pile next to that. I leaned on the sturdy backrest as I counted the books that I need to review for Monday. There were around a dozen of them.

Come on Arnold. How could you possibly start studying? Should you really start studying? You've got only two days left. What's the point? Will someone really care whether you make it or not on Monday? No one will care! Just go home, give up on this, and…

Wait! I almost forgot! Helga! I slap myself in my own doubts.

Yeah. In spite of everything, I almost forgot that there is still someone who actually believed in me. Someone whom I never thought would even do so…

I must get to study. I must! I won't disappoint the only one… the only girl who still believed in me. I should keep reminding myself of this somehow.

I got it! To help remind me, I'll tie Helga's pink bow to my wrist. Yeah, that's it! That'll keep my sprits up and get things moving. It's kind of weird that it'll work. But no one's around to say I'm crazy, so it's okay.

After tying it to my wrist, I took a deep breath. All set… ready…now let's go! I exhaled as I grabbed my first book from the pile. I leafed through the fresh pages to determine how much ground that I needed to cover. I realized that I have so much to learn in such a short time. Not to mention, that there were other books to read. But I started anyway.

While studying, I had those brief moments where I felt like stopping this madness, and accept my seemingly inevitable fate. But I just took a glimpse of Helga's bow. Somehow, it kept that fire alive within me and I breathed a lot easier every time I see it.

This went on for the next couple of hours. I smiled as the butterflies were fluttering about the blossoming flowers nearby. The small birds were singing their melodic tunes and the greenish leaves were rustling amongst the swaying trees and bushes all around, dancing with the winds as they go. Those were the sounds of peace… sounds that I haven't heard of for a long time.

At noon I took my packed lunch, and I soon noticed grayish clouds appearing, darkening the sky a bit. After lunch, I still continued on to my work. The people in the park were still amongst themselves, still too far to notice or disturb me.

I switched to another book. Using a pen, I thoroughly scribbled some review notes within my notebook so it would be easy to recall later. I also occasionally turned my arm to see the pink bow, remembering its owner, and it provided me with a sense of comforting relief.

As I read on my new book, I noticed that the sky was dimming, as darker clouds hovered, partially hiding the bright sun. Eventually they hid the sun completely. Lightning could then be seen jumping between them and thunderclaps could then be heard within them. I saw the people around. One by one, they began to leave the park. Maybe I should start doing so too? I haven't brought any umbrella along. I'm going to get wet. So will my books.

I was about to stand up. But for a moment, I saw someone that really caught my eye.

Outside the enclave, Lila stood beside one of the trees in the distance. She was too far for her to notice me. But I could observe her straightening out her twisted braids and examining her watch. I'm sure she studied well. She probably had been studying since classes were over last week. She had a pretty long head start. But what was she doing here? Just to relax, perhaps? Nah, it couldn't be. Maybe she was waiting for someone to have a study review session with?

I slumped hopelessly on the bench and I began to shed tears, because I realized that whatever it was, she surely wasn't waiting for me.

I continued to read my book to distract myself from Lila, but it was no use. I just stared down at my book and I couldn't continue on. The thought about Lila not 'liking me, liking me' was too much. It was really hard to get over her.

But the worst thing about it is that this time, seeing Helga's bow did not lift my spirits up either!

As my eyes were concentrated on the book, raindrops began to trickle down its thin pages. I was too sad to look up, stand up, and go home. I could feel some drops falling on my own head, as they also showed within the open pages of my book. Oh, Lila!

Drops, drops, and more raindrops appeared. Get up, Arnold! Get up!

I kept on mindlessly staring down the individual letters of the page with the newly formed wet spots on them as I heard a crack of thunder. I couldn't go on to read a word on the page at all.

Then all of a sudden the drops stopped trickling on my head and on the page. The page darkened as a large shadow had just been cast upon it.

It took all of my strength to lift my head up…

…and to my surprise, I saw Helga holding an umbrella over both of us, shielding us from the rain.

On instinct, I leaped back. I shut my eyes, bracing myself for the usual barrage of teases that I would get from her for sure. Here it comes…

…then… silence…

I didn't hear anything from her. But was I just seeing things? I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.

I popped my eyes, but nope it wasn't my imagination. It wasn't a dream. She's still there…

… and she… she… she's smiling at me!

I then looked over the distance, but Lila was gone. I turned my attention to Helga again.

Her blonde hair blew gently with the breeze. Her blue eyes were not the same pair of eyes that I would usually see when we were in class. They seemed so innocent, so peaceful, and so… caring...

I had never seen her like this before. I don't believe it.

I then felt a rush of a nice feeling from within me. It was a nice feeling… a warm feeling. But what is this that I could feel?

In fact, this feeling was so wonderful that I didn't even give any resistance as she carefully took my hand with her 'you know what' tied to my wrist.

As she did so, I could feel the touch of her warm hand holding mine with surprisingly great care. She viewed it as I could feel a gentle squeeze from her light, delicate fingers. Her lips spread a wide grin across her face, as my eyes were so fixed into hers, and I smiled for no apparent reason. Hey, wait! What's happening?

I snapped myself back to earth. Upon realizing what's going on, I suddenly gulped because how could I explain why I did something crazy like tying her 'you know what' to my wrist.

"Arnold…"

"H-Helga," I choked, "I-I can explain why I-I…"

"I like your bow," she cut me off. Then she faced me, still held my hand, and watched at me with that cheerful gaze.

Huh?

I… like… your… Wait a minute!

Those words… Those words… I remembered those words from somewhere!

Helga, the rains, the umbrella, the bow, and those words! I KNEW I did something like this to her before. Now when was that, again?

But that was a complement… a very nice one. I mean, no one had ever said anything so good to me for such a long time too. I felt more at ease in front of her…

… and she's still smiling at me…

"I was hoping you're going home. Right, Football-head?" she asked me seriously, but surprisingly, she wasn't teasing at all.

"Yeah, I-I guess," I heaved lightly, while giving her confused looks.

"Well, since the rain is pouring, I just thought that maybe, you might need an umbrella home?" she grinned.

"Okay," I nodded. Because of the rain, I had to agree.

Still holding my hand, she pulled me up to my feet. When I stood up, she had let go of my hand and I packed my things up. I quickly took off her bow and put it in my pocket.

Then we both left the park together and headed home to my place. I couldn't find Lila anywhere. The rain still held on. The sky was now covered with clouds so thick that it blanketed the whole sky with an endless shade of gray.

"Uh, Helga…"

"Yeah, Arnoldo?" she asked while still holding up her umbrella.

"Have you seen Lila today?" I wanted to know, while I was carrying my things.

"Nope," she shook her head, "I haven't seen your 'lovey-dovey' Lila."

I still thought about Lila as I tried to dry my newly formed tears up. But I could feel Helga's warm hand, sliding comfortably around my shoulder, while holding her umbrella for us. It really helped me feel better. We looked and smiled at each other, as Helga and I were alongside together, walking out of the park, and as the rain poured down steadily…

Author's Notes: … and cut! How was it guys so far? Have any questions at this point? Well, as to what happened between Arnold and Helga here, I actually call this the "reverse-umbrella" moment. As Arnold did it for Helga when they were at pre-school, it was her time to bring over her umbrella for him and returning the favor. What did you think of that one, guys?

Oh yeah, regarding Hellerick Ferlibay's review of the previous chapter: You know the "unforgettable chapter" that I was talking about at the beginning of my A/N in Chapter 7, you guys? Yes, it was actually the last chapter of "Understanding Helga." Even after years of reading it, I STILL cannot completely get over the shock I felt when I first read that chapter. But then, I rate "Changed" as my #1 overall favorite HA fic, because that still has a lot better plot and grammar, therefore it is easier to read than the other one, sorry guys! My final chapter for this fic will actually be somewhere along those lines, but I have a much more intricate setup planned for that final romantic scene between Arnold and Helga. To bring this story to that wonderful romantic conclusion is going to be my duty for all of you guys as this story unfolds. After all, after you guys saw what Arnold and Helga had been through in the previous chapters, you guys really deserve this one:)

Until the next update! (I'm already writing chapter 10 as we speak. It is entitled, "Opening Hearts.")

- tst :)