Helga is sitting near where Arnold is laying down.
He opens his eyes and feels his forehead.
He turns and sees Helga by his side.
Arnold:
What happened?
Arnold rises alertly.
Where's Gerald?
Helga:
Arnold, did you forget? Gerald won't be coming back to school anymore.
He's in deep trouble, remember ?
Arnold lays back down and sighs.
Arnold:
And you...
Did you really have to fight Rhonda and Patty?
Helga:
They were asking for it, football head.
I only regret it now because you got hurt, but don't turn all mushy on me!
I-I just...
Arnold smiles at Helga.
Don't look at me like that, criminy!
I could've taken Patty's hit.
You didn't have to shield me.
Arnold:
I wanna shield you from anything that may cause you pain, Helga.
Helga blushes, but doesn't show it.
Arnold slowly reaches for Helga's hand, but Helga moves her hand away.
Helga:
Who said you could touch me?
You're supposed to be resting, anyways!
Arnold smirks at Helga.
How are you feeling? That punch really knocked you out.
Arnold:
I'm feeling okay. Thanks, Helga.
Did you check on how Phoebe is doing?
Helga:
(Sighs)
Yeah. She's not doing so good.
You know her and Gerald been together for a few years. They were really in love...
Arnold:
Yeah...
Helga and Arnold didn't make eye contact and were silent with each other until Helga spoke again.
Helga:
But man... seeing Phoebe single again would suck.
Maybe... Rhonda is right. You should try going out with her. Phoebe is a nice girl and you two would fit perfectly.
Helga looks away from Arnold again.
Arnold:
Me?? That wouldn't sit right with Gerald.
Helga:
Gerald wouldn't want Phoebe with anyone else.
Arnold:
I don't think Phoebe wants anyone else.
Besides, friends don't date each other's interests.
I know you're just looking out for Phoebe, but I don't like her like that.
We're just friends.
Helga:
Like me and you...
gotcha.
Nurse Shelley walks to Arnold and Helga.
Nurse Shelley:
Okay, Mr. Shortman. You're fine to head back to your class, but Helga I really recommend you stay here and let me treat your wounds.
You're a whole mess.
Helga:
Nah, I'll pass. This makes others intimidated by me.
Get what I'm saying?
Nurse Shelley:
Oh, okay, Helga.
Helga and Arnold exit the room and head to their next class.
————————————————————
School ends quickly and Phoebe joins Arnold and Helga in walking back to the boarding house.
It was a quiet walk home until gunshots were heard.
Arnold takes Helga's and Pheobe's hand and starts running towards his home.
The kids arrive to the boarding house.
Arnold knocks on the door and Miles opens the door almost immediately.
Miles:
Come on in. Come on in.
Miles pushes the kids inside and looks around outside before closing the door.
Helga and Phoebe rush upstairs to Arnold's room.
How was school today, little man?
Arnold:
Horrible.
Arnold swiftly turns around and goes upstairs. He leaves Miles wondering what may have happened.
Arnold enters his room with Helga sitting on his bed and Phoebe doing her homework.
Tears fall down on her work.
Helga:
Maybe I should do my homework myself today.
Helga sees Arnold frowning.
Arnold:
Hillwood doesn't seem like how it was before and everyone else...
Gerald... I would've never thought he'd—
Helga:
No one was expecting that of him, Arnold.
Arnold:
What even made him resort to drugs?
Was he depressed about something or needed money for something?
Phoebe drops her pencil out of losing focus.
Phoebe:
Please.
Let's not talk about him.
Let's just...do our homework and...and...
Phoebe breaks out in many tears.
She cries loudly.
Arnold and Helga rush over to her and together they hug her.
Helga:
Let it out, Pheebs.
You are the most hurt out of all of us.
Arnold stands up and walks over to his computer desk.
He rubs his head in distress.
Helga looks up at him.
I think it's time for us to tell you what happened last year, Arnold.
Arnold turns around and walks back to Helga and Phoebe.
I mean, I did get beat up today because I admitted to Patty that I would tell you.
You need to know since maybe Gerald started his interest in drugs because he's trying to forget about last year a-and maybe Lila is eating the way she is and claiming it's a modeling diet to cover up how she's just trying to cope with what happened last year. Eugene is badly injured because of what happened last year and maybe Patty cuts because—
Arnold:
Helga, please, just tell me.
Where is Harold and Curly?
Where is Stinky and Sid?
Phoebe covers her ears with tears still coming down her face.
Phoebe:
I don't want to hear it.
She stands up and runs out of Arnold's room.
Arnold and Helga sits on the bed.
Helga:
Last year was traumatic to all of us.
It was just like some regular school day, but the only difference was our graduation was on this day. We were finally done with all the years with Mr. Simmons and 8th grade.
We felt like we accomplished so much.
Everyone was there except for Curly.
We just thought he didn't want to show up.
It was weird to not show up to his own graduation with us, but no one really cared about his absence.
After each of our names been called to receive our diploma, the back doors of the auditorium suddenly open and there was Curly with a bunch of unknown guys.
They looked straight at us while we were on stage getting our pictures taken.
They all had two guns in their hands and immediately started shooting at everyone.
I remember the screams and hearing everything breaking.
Everyone was hiding in their seats and some of us like me ran to the school building.
Some of the guys followed.
I remember a bullet went passed my ear.
Me and Phoebe hid in the girl's bathroom, but then we escaped through the window when we felt like they were going to find us.
Eugene is in the wheelchair right now with an eye going blind because he was shot twice.
I don't know where on his body did the bullet go , but I know he was shot in the eye.
And the answer you'd been waiting for...
Curly shot and killed Harold, Sid, and Stinky, then he shot himself.
Arnold's eyes become filled with tears.
He squeezes his pillow and bites his lip to the point a little blood comes out.
Mr. Simmons quit being a teacher after that event and there's a rumor going around that Patty was the reason Curly did what he did.
Arnold:
How come?
Helga:
I don't know exactly what Curly had done to Patty, but he offended her. He offended her so much that she beat him up badly and everyone teased him for it...including me.
I remember seeing him cry after getting beat up and I told him to shut it.
I should've comforted him instead of being a total bitch.
I'm sure he was looking to kill me and Patty, too, but he couldn't find us.
Patty felt guilty about beating him up. She felt that she was responsible for the shooting and deaths.
Arnold:
That explains her cutting.
Helga:
And that day was the first time I felt unsafe at school.
I just wanted to disappear.
I took enjoyment going to school to get away from Bob, but that day just...
When I thought I was going to die, I took out my locket...you know, the same one we used to save the green eyed people back in San Lorenzo? And well...
Helga turns her head and giggles a bit.
Arnold notices.
I kissed it.
Arnold blushes.
Arnold:
Helga...
Helga:
What is it, football head?
Arnold:
May I hug you?
Helga smiles slightly and slowly moves closer to Arnold. They both hug each other for a second and then Helga quickly pulls away from him.
They look away from one another.
Arnold:
I wish I could just take everybody's pain away. I feel so useless.
Helga:
You can't save everyone, Arnoldo. You will exhaust yourself and you might even forget about taking care of yourself, too.
Arnold and Helga look at each other, but then they look away again.
Arnold...I know it's a bad time bringing this up, but...I was wondering i-if...
Arnold looks at Helga, eagerly.
He awaits for her question.
(In her mind)
Come on, Helga.
Just spit it out!
(To Arnold)
If you'd like to go to the movies together?
And Phoebe is a baby when it comes to the movies I watch, so she's out annnnnd you just came back so why not, heh heh...
It's been too depressing for us recently.
Any movie is fine just don't pick something like my little pony or I'll barf.
Arnold slowly forms a big smile on his face.
Arnold:
I would love to go with you, Helga.
Helga:
Really?
Arnold:
Yeah. We could go see some zombie movie. I know they're your favorite considering the games you play.
Helga:
Doi! Zombies will never go out of style.
If a zombie apocalypse were to happen right now, I'd be well off prepared!
Also, you're paying, football head.
Arnold:
Whatever you say, Helga, but before we go to the movies tomorrow...there is something important I must do.
Night soon arrives with Phoebe back in Arnold's room.
The kids finish their homework and already took their showers.
They were in their pajamas.
Phoebe is sleeping on the floor with Helga and Arnold still awake.
They glare at each other without saying anything to one another until Helga decided to speak.
Helga:
What?! Quit looking at me like I just committed a massive sin!
Are you not going to bed?
Arnold:
I should be asking you that question.
Helga:
So we're doing this every night, huh? You're just going to sleep when I go to sleep.
You could be so annoying sometimes.
Arnold:
Not annoying. Just protective.
Do you want to sleep with me?
Helga blushes and forms a wide grin on her face, but she shakes her head and brings herself back to reality.
Helga:
Excuse me??
Arnold:
J-Just sleep at the bottom.
That's if you're comfortable with us sharing the same bed.
Helga:
Okay, but this is one night only!
If you hog the covers, I'm going straight to your roof and will stay awake until I die.
Got it?
And your body better not even touch me!
Not even your toes.
I want you far, far, far, away from me.
(In her mind)
OH ARNOLD I WANNA FEEL YOUR WARM BODY. TAKE ME NOW.
Arnold:
I understand, Helga.
Arnold lays down on his bed without hesitation, but Helga, who watches him remains sitting.
Helga:
I-I don't think I am comfortable about this, Arnold.
I was at first, but ...
Helga tries to hide her fears, but Arnold sees right through her.
He gets out of his bed, when he realizes that Helga is about to have a panic attack.