Friday, September 29th 8:15 PM
"I don't know about this Helga," Arnold said to Helga. The pair were standing outside of a small club. The Enchanted Harmony was having a Jazz Bar night until 9PM, with a live band, dancing and dinner. "I feel under dressed," Arnold continued. "Come on Arnold, you're not under dressed. If anything I am," Helga said. "She couldn't look better if she tried," Arnold thought to himself. He noticed as they were leaving his house the skin tight jeans, her light blue mini dress with a ruffle at the neck, with the knee high boots she loved to wear. "She's like a dream," Arnold snapped out of his leering when Helga noticed him staring.
"You love Jazz music," Arnold heard her say finally. "I do, I'm just not a club guy I guess," Arnold said. "Well, will you come in for me? I need to blow off some steam and I think this is the place," she asked, looking up into his eyes. "I can't say no to anything those eyes ask me," Arnold thought. "O.K. let's go in I guess," Arnold said rubbing the back of his head. They were led into the cozy area where there were some tables open. In front of the tables was a small dance floor, and beyond that was the area where the full band was playing. Arnold loved the music they were playing. He would play smooth and hyper jazz when he was painting. Despite how uncomfortable he was being in this dark room and being expected to dance; The music and his companion helped to relax him.
"What can I get for you two?" The waitress came up to them asking. "I'll have a Sprite, please," Arnold said smiling at her. "For you dear?" She asked Helga. "A water, thanks," Helga answered. Arnold turned to Helga asking, "So how did you know about this place? I don't think I've ever heard of it." Helga replied, "me and some friends come here to dance for fun during the off season." Arnold paused a moment and said, "off season? Like you do dance in a troupe or club?" Helga replied, "yeah…" Arnold replied, "I didn't know you danced." Helga smirked and said, "Yeah I've been dancing since I was in fourth or fifth grade." Arnold raised his brows in surprise. "What?" Helga asked. "I just never pictured you dancing, you've always seemed not to be a joiner," Helga scowled at him for a second. "Well not like…, you've just always seemed to be independent is all. I just never thought you'd join a club or anything," Arnold attempted to recover. "Well you can be independent and still pursue stuff you enjoy," Helga said. "That's true, sorry," Arnold replied. Arnold squirmed in his seat, "dammit I made it awkward," he thought to himself.
"So what kind of dancing do you do?" Arnold asked. "Well I started with ballet," she started to say. "She did ballet? Helga did ballet?" Arnold asked himself. "Ballet wasn't my choice, trust me," Helga said. "I think my dad always wanted an Olga clone so he made me do it for a year," Helga continued. "I'm guessing your dad trying to make you into something he wanted rather than asking what you wanted didn't go over well?" Arnold said. Arnold saw her hold back for a second before she began talking. "No it didn't. I hated the other girls and I hated the class. Most of all I hated the outfits, they suck to dance in," Helga said. "So what kind of dance have you been doing since?" Arnold asked. "Mostly hip hop and reggaeton dancing, but I've branched out a bit some, tango dancing, sometimes I come here and do some swing or jazz dancing. That I've always loved. Dancing for fun and just let everything go," Helga finished. "How often do you dance?" Arnold asked. He suddenly felt fascinated by this side of Helga he never knew existed. "Most days, you have to keep it up or you get fat and start to suck," She said smiling. "Well you're full of surprises Helga," Arnold said smiling back at her.
The evening progressed with Arnold and Helga talking about a lot of different things. Helga hinted several times that she wanted to dance. Arnold felt uncomfortable as he was not a dancer. By hobby or even casually. Arnold saw Helga looking annoyed. She finally stood up when a particularly Latin jazz like song came on. Arnold watched her circle the table and come over to him grabbing his hand, "Come on Football Head. We're going to dance!" She yelled to him. "Helga, I don't know how to dance. I'm a spazz!" Arnold replied in a panic. "Come on Arnold, I can teach you how. It's easy," Helga pulled his arm again. "She's stronger than she looks," Arnold thought to himself. "Please Arnold? You wanted to make me feel better this will do it," She asked Arnold. "I'm gonna make a fool of myself, but if I do this she'll feel better. I'll also get to dance with her…." Arnold thought to himself feeling his heart beat speed up. "Alright, let's go." Arnold said, getting up from the table and following Helga to the dance floor. Helga smiled brightly up at him. "I would do anything to see that smile," Arnold thought to himself.
They got to the floor and selected a spot with enough room for the two of them. "Alright Football Head, just listen to me and do what I say," Helga said to him. "Stand behind me," Arnold went to stand behind her. "Now, put your hands on the front of my stomach," She directed Arnold. "You have to get closer to me, stupid," Helga said while she pulled Arnold's arms so he would come closer. Arnold felt himself going red as he pushed his body against hers. "Now take my hand like this," She continued and grabbed his hand extending both their arms. "O.K. I'm going to swing my hips and my upper body will move a long with them. Just listen to the music and follow the directions of my hips and that will tell you where to go. The point is to move with the music," Helga said. Arnold felt her hips move to the side with his hand on her stomach. He started to sway in the same way that she was.
The swaying continued. She had started slow. Arnold tried his best to keep up with her and not ruin the flow. Feeling her dance felt natural to him. She was like a water spirit fluidly moving to the music. The music turned from Jazz to more Latin music. He felt Helga's smile from where he was standing. She moved her body accordingly. He knew he was in the presence of a master. "Arnold, don't be so stiff, you have to loosen up a little. You need to feel the music and my movement. Alright?" She said, as her back was to him she tilted her head back far enough so he could look down and they could lock eyes. "You got it Helga," he whispered in her ear.
With that she closed her eyes and started dancing full speed to the song. Arnold followed her every move. Arnold finally let go of his inhibitions. He moved with the same rhythm and fluidity as his partner. It was obvious to anyone watching whom the better dancer was, however seeing the two of them together dancing like this you could imagine a professional dance duo who had worked together for years. Her leading through her hips and him following effortlessly.
This dancing continued from one song, into the next. The two of them adjusting to each new song that came on. Arnold was amazed at his partner's ability to switch from one move to another depending on the beat and lead her partner at the same time. He was merely a witness to this incredible show in front of him. Arnold only ever had this feeling when he was mid inspiration and painting something he truly loved. He felt as if he could do anything, as long he had his partner there to guide him. Arnold felt truly alive.
Arnold lost track of when or where anything was. The only thing that kept his attention was his partner and the music they were dancing to. During their dance, Helga switched positions several times depending on the song. During one particularly sensual beat Helga faced Arnold, wrapped one leg around his mid section, looked into his eyes and said, "Follow my movements." At that they swayed and danced around the floor as if they were the only ones there. Helga and Arnold never broke eye contact as they danced to the music. Arnold placed his forehead on hers as they both closed their eyes and moved to the beat. When the song ended, Arnold considered going back to the table, one euphoric experience at a time was usually his speed. Helga grabbed his hands and wrapped them around her waist and continued to dance to the quickening Latin and club music that was blasting. "I don't think so Football Head. You're not getting away from me," she whispered in his ear. "I'm not going anywhere," Arnold whispered back.
The music began to slow down as Arnold and Helga began to slow. Arnold adjusted so that he was back behind her again. He wrapped his arms completely around her body and swayed as she was directing him to. The music slowed to a slower Latin song, Arnold's Spanish was poor. However he felt the music, and held Helga as a lover would. Helga reciprocated putting her hand over his and reaching her other arm to rest on the neck of the taller Arnold. They danced to the song, similar to all the other couples on the dance floor. The moment was perfect in Arnold's mind. "I don't think I want this to end," Arnold found himself whispering in Helga's ear. Helga without missing a beat whispered back up to him, "Hold me like this and it never will."
The D.J. who had long since replaced the live band interrupted "I've been told that it's almost last call. We're going to continue to wind down, as we get our last drinks." The music kept going, but Helga and Arnold snapped out of their trance. Arnold looked at his phone to see the time. He was shocked to see 1:45AM on his phone. "We've been dancing all night," Arnold thought to himself. He turned the phone around and showed Helga. She squinted her eyes and saw the time. "Criminy, I guess we lost track of time," she said. "I guess so. You're a hell of a dancer there Pataki," Arnold said. "You're not too bad yourself, after you got passed moving like the tin man," She punched his arm and smiled.
Arnold and Helga made their way out of the club seeing all the spill out from the club. Arnold put his hands on Helga's shoulder and pointed her towards the lot he parked in and they started walking. Arnold looked over seeing Helga without a jacket on in the chilly night air, and put his jacket over her. "You're so corny, Arnold," She said rolling her eyes, but pulling the coat tighter over her shoulders. "You left the house without a coat?" Arnold asked. "Yeah I did, I was in a rush and needed to get out as fast as possible," Helga said. A moment passed with just the two of them walking. "So I'm guessing you're going to ask me a bunch of questions about what happened that are none of your business, huh?" Helga asked. "Only if you want to talk about it, I hope you feel a little better now." Arnold replied. "I do, thank you for coming out and trying something with me. This was exactly what I needed," Helga responded. A few minutes passed by without speaking. "O.K. so here's what happened," Helga reiterated all the events from when she got home. "I guess it's just starting to get harder at home. It's always been hard but now that we're coming up on college, everything seems to be coming to the crescendo," Helga admitted to Arnold.
"So what do you think will happen with your mother if you're not there," Arnold asked. "I don't know. Bob's starting to turn the corner to hitting. It's only a matter of time at this point. After that I don't know," Helga said. Arnold looked over at her, seeing her head down and holding onto the jacket tightly. "Helga I'm really sorry you have to deal with that," Arnold said. "No need to be sorry Arnold, it's always been like this," Helga responded. "Well it shouldn't be," Arnold said. "Don't you think I know that dummy?" Helga snapped. "I know I'm not supposed to see my mother kill herself slowly because she hates her home life," Helga continued. "I'm sorry Helga," Arnold replied. "Don't be," Helga said. "Sounds like when she's not drinking you and her have a pretty good relationship," Arnold observed. "We do, she'll ask me how I am. We'll talk about what's going on in my life and everything. When she hits the bottle she's just this useless mess that needs to be cleaned up after," Helga finished.
They finally got to Arnold's car. Arnold held the door for Helga, as he always did. He noticed she didn't roll her eyes this time. He ran over to the driver side and got in. "Sounds like you do a lot to take care of your mom," Arnold finally said in the silence. "You also sound like you want to protect her," Arnold said. "I do, I love my mother but sometimes I think she's not strong enough to take a crappy marriage all by herself. I also don't think she's strong enough to break free. So I guess I kind of have to protect her," Helga finally said. Arnold put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up. Arnold saw in her eyes sadness about the situation. He looked into her eyes trying to figure out what to say. "I want to make her feel better but this isn't really a situation where you say something magical and it's all better," Arnold thought to himself. Arnold reach for her and pulled her into a hug. He felt Helga bristle at this but settle into it. She held him back. "None of this is your fault by the way," Arnold said in her ear. "You're doing everything you can for the ones you love," Arnold finished.
Arnold pulled back, and he saw Helga wiping her eyes. He reached over to her and put his hand on her face. She looked up to him and smiled. They locked eyes for a moment and Helga closed her eyes and smiled and put her hand over his. "Thanks for that, Arnold," she said. "You can always talk to me if you need it Helga," Arnold said. "I know I can, Arnold," she replied. He started the car and made his way back to the Sunset Arms. As he pulled over to his block. "Where did you park?" Arnold asked. "I actually wondered over here aimlessly after the fight with my dad," Helga replied. "So you walked here after wandering around?" Arnold asked. "I was just walking and found myself here," Helga replied. "Weirdo," Arnold called her smiling at her. "Shut the fuck up and drive me home, you Football Headed assface," Helga said, punching his arm and smiling back at him.
Arnold pulled up in front of her house and stopped the car. "Thanks for the ride, and thanks for coming out and listening to me complain," Helga said as she went to open the door. Arnold got out and started to walk her to the door. "Well I hope you feel better. Let me know if you want to go dancing again, that was fun. A little intoxicating, if I'm being honest," Arnold said smiling at her as she looked for her keys. Their eyes met and they looked at each other for a moment. Arnold saw her starting to turn red in the face as he felt his own face started to heat up. "Well, have a goodnight," Helga said opening the door. "You too, Helga," Arnold said smiling. She walked into the house and closed the door. Arnold walked down the stairs and got into his car and headed back home. He parked his car and made it to the door. Trying to get to his room quietly.
He closed his room door, took off his shirt and laid on his bed. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He looked at the screen with sleepy eyes and saw Helga sent him an image. It was her pointing to her ear saying I lost an earing, did you happen to swallow it when you were whispering in my ear like a perv? Arnold laughed but didn't notice her ear but that she was covering the front of her body with her shirt, and in the background via her mirror he could see that there was no bra on her bare back. "Is she messing with me or is the fact she's was half naked an accident?" He thought to himself. He had no idea how to think of the intention of the message. "Maybe she just lost her earing and needed to show me. Although she didn't include a shot of the other one so I could look for it in my car or anything. He decided to mess with her in return. He took a shot of his ear but positioned the camera so that his shirtless upper body was in the shot. I solve that by not wearing earrings. He put in the message. A second later the phone buzzed, it was a message from Helga. Ugh, put a shirt on you fucking loser. No one's impressed. Arnold typed back, Whatever you say, Helga. And sent the message to her. "Crap, I think I might have feelings for her," Arnold thought to himself. "No, I just got caught up in tonight is all," He thought. He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.