Monday, September 18th 6:47 PM

"This is gonna suck" Arnold thought to himself as he laid in his bed looking out of his skylight. Phoebe had pulled him aside as he was waiting for Gerald to leave with him. "Arnold, you mentioned earlier that you saw Helga upset about something. Did you happen to find out what it was about?" Phoebe asked. "No, she never mentioned it, told me to mind my business and walked away. Is she alright? She seems alright now, I hope it's nothing serious" Arnold kept letting his mind wander. Phoebe found it endearing that he would worry about someone he's not close to in such a way. "Well that's unfortunate, I'm sure she's alright though. This is actually a good transition actually. Would you do me a favor, Arnold?" He looked down at her, she had these innocent eyes looking at him. "Of course, what do you need?" Arnold said. "Ever since Gerald and I started seeing more of each other during the school year, I'm afraid Helga's taken it a little hard." Phoebe continued, "I'm sure she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. However, it would make me feel a lot better if I know she at least spent time with someone other than her family at home, when I am not available." Arnold braced himself for what he expected to ask of him. Phoebe continued "Would you just hang out with her this evening? Something casual, just so I'm not so worried about her?" Arnold didn't know what to say. "Are you serious? I never know what to say to her, also she hates me. I doubt you'd want her around someone like me," Arnold said. "I actually would feel better if it was you. She doesn't hate you, I can tell you that. Please Arnold, it would be a great boon to me. This way I don't have to spend this evening worrying about her. I know I am an imposition, however I want to make sure Gerald has a wonderful time tonight, and I don't want to ruin my evening with him by worrying the entire time," Phoebe said. "Fine… I'll do my best, I hope I can help," Arnold said to her doe eyes. Elated Phoebe thanked him, and went back to Helga to see her heading towards the parking lot.

He knew he had committed to it so had to do it. He also knew that anything could happen from now until I actually hear from her. Maybe he would fall down the stairs and break his leg. Maybe his grandpa would want him to rebuild the engine for the Packard again. Maybe he could lose his voice by screaming into my pillow for an hour. He knew he never would though. "I already told Phoebe that I would go, so I'm gonna go." The thought to himself.

He got home and put his bag down and laid on his bed. He decided a nice hot shower would be great right about now. He made his way towards the bathroom and turned on the water He had neglected his phone in his room because he was smart enough to know steam and electronics don't mix. As he left his room however he missed the message that popped up on his phone Be there in 10. The hot water dissipated some of the anxiety he was having over the evening plans. He closed his eyes and felt the heat. He picked up the soap and started washing. He thought to himself, "this might not be so bad. It's just a couple hours. Maybe we'll get food, I'm starving." He was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. "Hey there Short man! You in there?" Phil asked from outside the door. "Yeah Grandpa I am!" Arnold responded. "What? Oh, that is you. Are you having special time in there? I can wait." Phil asked. "What?! No grandpa I'm just showering!" Arnold responded. "Well your ugly little friend with the one eyebrow is hear looking for ya. Well she has two eyebrows now, and she's very pretty thing. Are you sure you and I are talking about the same person?" Phil asked. "I don't think I'm talking about any person. You are. Can you have her wait downstairs? I'll be done in a few minutes." Arnold yelled, he wondered why she had just shown up without notice. "What was that Short Man? These ears aren't too good." Phil asked pressing his ear to the door and adjusting his hearing aide. "Just have her wait!" Arnold yelled again. Exasperated, he thought to himself "time for another trip to the ear doctor. There's no way that hearing aid is still working." "Well alright, no need to wake the whole house!" Phil responded walking away.

Arnold finished his shower and got out wrapping his lower half in a towel. He made his way back to his room. He walked in and took a second look at his canvas, crossing his arms and putting his hand to his chin. He examined the mountains for a second. "I hate the way these mountains are drying," he wondered out loud. "They looked good to me." Arnold heard a voice from across his room. He looked over to see a wide-eyed Helga Pataki sitting on his bed. "Helga! What are you doing here?" He asked, holding his towel in shock. He was relieved he hadn't started changing. "Your grandpa told me to wait here!" She said nervous and shocked by the site. "I think he may have to get his hearing aid adjusted." She said trying to avoid the obvious. Arnold, turning red, grabbed a canvas sheet and threw it over his print. He turned back to Helga and said, "Well I need to get dressed so would you mind waiting down stairs please?" Arnold asked. "That I think I can do." She walked passed him to the door eyes fixed on the floor, closing the door behind her.

"What the hell?" Arnold said to himself. He breathed finally, making his way over to the closet. He selected his black Strokes shirt, his blue pants, and black converses. "I really hope I don't look like that guy in Transformers that yells on the Internet now." Arnold paused for a moment and tussled his hair. "This is gonna suck" He thought to himself. "Maybe she'll be so shocked. I'll go downstairs and she'll have left." He could only hope.

He grabbed his hoodie, grabbed his phone and keys and made the slow march to the first floor. The hallway he had headed down his whole life felt twice as long to walk down tonight. He descended the stairs, and saw Helga leaning against the wall looking at her phone. He took a second to look at her. She dressed up a bit for this, to his surprise. She was dressed in tight black jeans and a white t shirt with a leather jacket. A step above casual Arnold decided to call it. "Maybe I should have worn a collar shirt." He thought to himself. She looked….. Great. Arnold caught himself before his thoughts took over.

She noticed he was walking down the stairs. She smiled slyly at him. "Well that's an improvement from the towel." Helga said. Arnold chuckled nervously, "Yeah, I thought leaving the house with just that. I don't think I'd get very far without my facing being pushing the ground by the police." Arnold felt a bit odd joking with her like that, not that he couldn't make jokes. He had always felt a little nervous around Helga as they got older. Maybe the embarrassing shock of Helga getting an eye full would help him to focus. She smiled back at him a little, before dropping it and glaring at him. "Listen here dummy, I just want to set the expectation for tonight." She said. "I think that's a good idea, we're just hanging out." Arnold responded. "Exactly, just us hanging out." Helga said. A silent moment passed between them. "What are we doing?" Helga asked. "That's a good question, are you hungry?" Arnold asked. "I might be, pizza?" Helga asked. "I think that's what will solve this awkwardness." Arnold smiled virtuously at her. Helga looked up at Arnold and said "Don't throw your good guy, boy scout BS smile at me, pal!"

Arnold smiled at her and started to laugh. He motioned his head towards the back door. "I'll drive, if you're alright with that. I have at least two places I can think of with great uncomfortable situations pizza." Arnold asked. "Whatever floats your boat Football Head." She said as she followed the motion of his nod. They got into his car and made their way into town.

Arnold followed, Helga holding the door for her, into the back driveway of the boarding house. There were a crowd of vehicles parked on the side road. Arnold walked forward opening the garage door to get to his car. "What the hell is that?" Helga asked suddenly. Arnold followed her eye line to the tarp that labeled with Arnold's name. "What are you working on there big head?" Helga asked. "It's nothing." Arnold said flatly. He looked over and saw Helga eying him "What?" He asked. "You seem to be hiding lots of things under tarps." Helga said. "I don't even own a tarp." He replied. "Are we eating, or what?" Asked Arnold. Helga, taken slightly aback by his changed of demeanor. "Yeah, let's go, which one is your car?" "This one" he responded, holding open the passenger door of the blue sedan parked in the driveway and smiling at her. "There's Arnold," she thought.

Arnold headed into town, Helga in the passenger seat. He looked over at her, wondering what she was thinking. Arnold realized the car ride had been too quiet, and opened his music application and chose a band to start playing. "Are you playing Hoodoo Gurus?" He heard Helga ask. "Wow… Uh-Yeah I am. I didn't think anybody knew who they were. They were really only big in the 80s." He said. "1980s" she said simultaneously. "Yeah, I love them. Good cool down music, you know?" She finished "Yeah I do, it's just one of those cool bands from the 1980s no one has ever heard about. You like 80s music too?" He asked her. "Yeah, well I kind of treat the 80s like my own decade. Especially with the music." She said. "Yes! I think I'd like to make it one of two of my favorite decades of music. Only one better would be the 70s." Arnold said. "Well, I guess you're not a complete loser after all." She raised her eye brows at him, and smirked. "Don't hurt yourself Helga, that was almost a compliment." He smiled back at her.

"So, are you kidnapping me? Where the hell are we going?" Helga asked. "Well Gionino's is close and they have great pizza." She nodded her head, and looked towards the window arms crossed. They pulled in the parking lot of the restaurant. As they headed in Arnold held the door for her, and followed her inside. "You know, you don't have to do that every time. I'm not someone who needs doors held for her. Go hangout with Rhonda, if you want someone to be impressed." She snipped at him. Arnold didn't know how to respond. "Sorry, Helga. I didn't mean to make you feel any certain way. I just do it out of habit." He said, as he pulled out a chair for her. He looked down realizing what he was doing. He grinned at her hoping she didn't start yelling at him. She didn't she just sat down. Arnold leaned in and asked, "What kind of pizza do you feel like eating?" Helga backed her head away from him, not expecting him to lean so close. "Sorry, didn't want to speak too loudly." Arnold said straightening back up, waiting for her response. "Well, I guess peppers and pepperoni would make up for it." She said. "You got it!" Arnold dashed towards the counter. "Arnold! What's up?" Sid took Arnold by surprise. Arnold's childhood friend looked back up at Arnold. Sid was sporting his Gionino's polo. He stood a solid five feet seven inches, his hair grew long as he got older. Sid had replaced his hat many times. Similar to Arnold he had decided a different look was in order when he hit high school. He had on his blue hat backwards. "Oh yeah Sid, I didn't know you worked here." He said. "Well yeah, I hate it. I need money. I hate needing money." Arnold laughed. Arnold gave Sid his order and took some cash out to pay. "So, who's the girl? I can't see her form here. How's the …." Arnold was confused, but saw his friend gesturing holding his hands palms up to his chest. "Come on Sid." Arnold said. "What? You're telling me you don't consider tits when going out with someone?" Sid asked. "I try to consider whether or not I want to spend time with them usually." Arnold responded. "Ahhh! Arnold you're such a nice guy. So straight edged. No wonder you don't get laid" Sid said. "When I go on a date, I just want to spend time with someone interesting and fun to talk to." Arnold said. "Ah, got you, so you don't make a move or anything? How does a woman know you're interested then?" Sid asked. "You're honest and straightforward with them?" Arnold said, sarcastically. "That's so grounded and adult of you, no wonder you don't get laid," Sid responded, still laughing. "Whatever you say, Sid," Arnold finished. "Whatever you say amigo." Sid said smiling as he got Arnold's food together. "The women just go crazy for nice guys." Sid continued his passive aggressive insults, giggling. "Thanks there Sid. I'm not actually on a date though. I'm just hanging out with Helga." Arnold said. "Helga!?" Sid practically yelled, getting Helga's attention. "Why would you hang out with her? She's terrifying." Sid said, coming down to a conversational level. "Actually Sid, we're just getting food. She's perfectly fine, she's not a monster." Arnold grabbed the trays and got his change back. "I don't know man." Sid said, shaking his head. Arnold turned away and headed back to the table. "You're bold, man." Sid called after him.

Arnold placed Helga's food in front of her, and sat down. "So, how's old Sid?" She asked. "Apparently he hates money." He responded. "Did you see him make this? He spits in food of people he doesn't like, and I may have punched him in the chest a couple weeks ago." Helga asked. "I didn't see him do that. Why'd you punch him in the chest?" Arnold asked. "Well he asked me if I was into women, and if so what their…" She mimicked Sid's earlier chest gesture. "..would be like if I were. So, I punched him in the chest, and down he went." She said. Arnold chuckled. "Not everything has to be hitting Helga." He took a big bite of his first slice. His face went white, the cheese burned the top of his mouth, and he lowered his jaw to let the piece fall back on the plate. "Ah! That was hot." He said. Helga started snickering. "Amateur." He couldn't respond as he had stuffed his mouth with napkins to quell the cheese burn. He looked at her, and she began laughing. "You look like an idiot Football Head." She said, finishing her laugh and starting to blow on her pizza and slowly eat it.

Arnold watched her through wincing eyes. He took out all the napkins and decided to wait a minute for it to cool before he tried again. "So what other bands do you listen to?" Arnold asked Helga. He saw her squint, suspiciously. "Why you gonna make me a mix?" She responded. Arnold replied back "No, Helga. I just…. Want to know. I'm interested to hear what kind of music you're into." He smiled at her, hoping she didn't think he was trying to pry into her life. "Come on, tell me." He said again. "O.K. Bucko, let's see…." She looked to the side for a moment. Twiddling her fingers. "Well I love the Arctic Monkeys, they were a band I loved for a long time. I like The Smiths, Death Cab for Cutie floated in and out of my listening for a while. 311 takes up a few of my top spots." She said. Arnold's eyes widened. "I love the Arctic Monkeys, what's your favorite song from them?" He asked leaning forward. "Do I Wanna Know?" She answered. "That's my favorite song from them!" He said excitedly. "I wanted to ask you about it earlier actually because I saw the shirt you were wearing!" Arnold responded. Helga smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Well, I think we'll need to have a discussion about what we listen to when we ride back." Helga said. Arnold smiled at her. They continued to eat their food. They spoke about other bands they like. Helga began talking about the different concerts she had been to and how much fun they were. Arnold listened intently to every word. He had never experienced this side of Helga. It was nice to be able to site down and talk about the interests they shared.

"You know, it's funny." Arnold started to say. Their plates empty, and Arnold got back to their table with a third round of sodas. "I've known you for years, and I had no idea how you liked so many cool bands." He observed. "I know how you feel, I had no idea you were at least bearable." Helga said. Arnold smiled back at her. "I think I can get a compliment out of you if I tried." Arnold smiled slyly at her. "Yeah, good luck with that, moron." She started to get up and they made their way to the parking lot. Arnold went to open her door for her, and she scowled at him for a moment before letting him do it. "I swear you're like Jack Nicholson in As Good As it Gets." She said. "Sorry." He started to rub the back of his head. "I think it's even worse that you apologize for it. Jesus" She responded, she leaned her back against the car, folding her arms, setting her jaw, and started to look at him. He looked back at her, and then his eyes narrowed at her.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked. "I think you just did, I'll allow another though." She answered. He had been thinking about this for the last hour. "W-What was it that got you so upset earlier today?" He asked with trepidation knowing how she'd respond. As he expected, he saw her face melt into a scowl. Her eyes set ablaze, her eye brows scrunched, and she looked as if she was ready to attack. "I have no idea what you're talking about Football Head." She snapped at him. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to upset you, I just want to make sure you're alright." He said. "I'm fine, dumbass." She turned to open the car door. "Come on Helga. We just had a nice time." He leaned against the back door. He looked down at her, she glared back up at him. She took a deep breath. "Please, you can tell me…. Please." She looked back up at him, her eyes started started to soften. She took a deep breath.

"I just, messed up something is all." She said, playing with the door, pushing it and pulling it towards her. When she didn't continue, Arnold caught her eyes again. Arnold wore is best supportive smile, urging her to continue with his eyes. "I sent a story to an online fiction website that posts stories from contributing authors. I heard back from them today and they rejected it." She said averting her eyes. "So that's what's bothering you so much." He turned and leaned against the car next to her. "I just, didn't know what I was thinking." She said staring at the ground. "I'm sorry they rejected the story, Helga." Arnold said. "It's no big deal, I shouldn't have bothered." She said as she continued to stare. "I bet it was an interesting story. Enough for you to want to submit it." He said as he stood next to her. "I spent a couple weeks on it. Phoebe read it and thought it was great. I guess she's not much of a judge of fiction." She said finally. "Well, Phoebe liked it. She's your best friend, and she loves to read. If I remember correctly." Arnold said. "She does, she almost has as big a selection as I do." Her face went from dour to flat. "Well if she loved the story, it couldn't have been that bad. Since she reads as much as you, it sounds like" Arnold said. "She's my best friend, it doesn't really count." She said.

"How did you feel? When you found out?" He asked, looking down at the top of her golden head. She looked up at him and he saw her eyes. The tears welling up turned her eyes into pools of blurry blue crystals, Arnold, resisted the need to pull her close to him. He figured she may not want to be touched. "You can tell me," he said to her. To Arnold's surprise she didn't retreat. "It felt like shit, I don't know what else to say." She said up to him. "I just don't know why this got to me so much." She said as she looked away, trying to come up with an explanation. "It sounds like you're a little disappointed in yourself. Like your writing isn't worth being submitting." He responded. "Yeah, that's exactly how I feel." She looked back up into his eyes. "Well I can't really speak for the quality of the particular piece of writing since I haven't read it. However, If I remember correctly you've been writing poems and stories for years. In fact, I've read some of it." He said. She looked at him in confusion. "Remember when we were in fourth grade and I picked up one of your notebooks by accident?" She remembered that awful week. She was terrified Arnold would find that it was her who filled up an entire book full of love poetry about him. "Wait.." She said. "How did you know it was mine? I remember, I ripped out the last page before you got to see who wrote it. On the bus, I remember. How did you figure it out?" She bore into his eyes looking for answers. "Come on, Helga. You showed up to school two days later with a fresh notebook, same color, same size. Of course I noticed." She felt a little embarrassed even now, all these years later.

"You don't have to be embarrassed, Helga. That journal floored me. I was obsessed with reading it for that whole week. I created this image of this perfect girl, who articulated so well exactly how I made her feel. I couldn't believe it was you when I found out. However, it kind of made sense. Only someone as passionate as you could put that into words the way you did. When you care about something you're writing you pour your entire soul into it." Arnold continued, as she looked up at him with her mouth slightly open, unable to respond. "Helga, I know you're a great writer and I'm sure it really sucks to put yourself out there like you did and have it be rejected. I also know how brave it is for you to put something out in the world that you created. I envy you a little bit. I don't know if I could ever do that." Arnold stopped speaking and let the words settle into the chilly night air. Helga, was still looking at him speechless. Until she looked down again. "Thank you, Arnold." She said quietly. She almost whispered it.

He looked back at her, and she looked up at him. They stood there for a long time. Arnold was determined to get her to speak first. To give him some kind of sign she had heard what he said. "Well Football Head if only you worked at a literary magazine. I could get in from the inside." She smiled at him. "Do you think you'll try again?" Arnold asked. "Oh…. No, I don't think so. I was working on a piece for another magazine. Now, I…. I don't know. I might rethink it." She exhaled, not making eye contact again. She pushed her hair behind her ear and crossed her arms.

"Well, one other thing I know for a fact Helga, is that you never give up. You fight for what you want and you don't let other people tell you what you should or shouldn't do. I hope this doesn't discourage you from trying again." Arnold started again. "Don't let one setback stop you from doing something you love." He looked back at her, and raised her chin with his finger so that their eyes met. "I know you'll knock it out of the park someday. You never give up." He said again, in a softer voice. Helga's eyes darted down seeing his finger under her chin. He noticed her looking, and put his arms down. "Sorry, " he said. Smiling slightly

They had their eyes locked for a moment. Then she looked away. "Maybe, I don't know." She said again. "I think you do." Arnold responded. "Come on I'll take you home." He smiled brightly at her, and she smiled back. "Alright." They got into the car and headed towards the boarding house.

Arnold started to drive, when Helga said "I actually walked to your place. Could you just drop me off at home?" She asked. "You got it." He responded. They drove for a few minutes. The drive was a quiet one, both teens thinking about the evening. "Here we are." Arnold parked the car outside Helga's house. He remembered this old place. It hadn't changed much as far as he could tell. "You don't need to get the door for me, Football Head." She said as she opened the door and climbed out. She waved at him and went to the door. He waited until she got inside and then started to make his way back to the Sunset Arms.

Arnold couldn't help but think to himself. "I hope she feels better about this soon. If it's something she wants she should definitely do it." He thought to himself. The truth was that he did envy her. She could put her work out for public consumption. He was terrified of someone judging his work. Or judging him for how bad it was. "I just hope she's alright." He said out loud.