I made a small error in details referring to Helga's choice of ice cream. Some commenters were gracious enough to point out my error. A detail like that wouldn't usually bother me as it does not add anything to the character's personality. However it does add to her history. I think she may also be lactose intolerant, however I don't believe that was ever confirmed. It has been changed. I'm just enjoying writing this so much I rushed through this one without considering some of the details. Obviously it's not a cannon story, however I'd like to keep the details consistent. Thank you to those who pointed that out. Hope you enjoy the rest!
Monday, November 20th 6:07 PM
Are you sure you didn't dream this? Helga seems exactly the same to me. Gerald replied to Arnold's message. It had been three weeks since Arnold and Helga kissed and they were still talking back and forth all the time but never brought up the kiss they shared. "It was electric, it was so hot," Arnold kept thinking to himself. No Gerald, I didn't dream it. It happened. When I asked her about it she changes the subject, has been happening all month long. Arnold sent off to Gerald. Arnold was lying in his bed looking at the sky. He found himself doing that a lot in the last few weeks.
"That kiss was insane," He thought to himself. It had been mesmerizing. Her lips felt familiar, safe, and warm. Her sent was intoxicating. "I wonder if it's her lotion," Arnold thought. His phone buzzed, I don't know homie, that sounds like the behavior of someone who regrets her actions. Or she doesn't know why she did it and doesn't want to think about it. Arnold read the message, not knowing how to think. This is really confusing, Arnold sent back to Gerald. Love always is dude. Gerald replied. I'm not in love with her, Gerald. Arnold instinctively typed back. "I don't think I'm in love with her. What does love feel like? There is something there, as much as we both want to ignore it," He though to himself.
Arnold stood up and walked over to his drafting table. He looked at the blank page, and started sketching. His mind wondered and wondered until the sketch started to take shape. The body of a women started showing. She was sitting with her legs laid to the side. Arnold began sketching her arms. One arm holding her up, the other extended as if she were reaching something. "The eyes are the most important part, they're expressive. You can look at them and see an entire future with this women. They destroy you with a look, or they can make your life perfect. The body should draw up to the eyes," he thought to himself. "Her hair is long and over to the side. Just barely obscuring her eyes. Every line should come back to the eyes. Her eyes give away her feelings every time," Arnold thought to himself. Arnold never added color to sketch as they usually were the start to a painting. Arnold looked over at his paints. He grabbed a color to quickly fill in the pupils to his subject he was drawing from memory. He had imagined drawing her a million times before. He leaned in and filled in the color carefully. "Her eyes need to be as perfect on here as they are in real life," Arnold said to himself. Arnold stopped himself. He looked down at the sketch, the eyes he had colored sapphire. "This is a drawing this is just something I just started drawing," Arnold thought. He stood up and ran his hands through his hair. He stood back from sketch and realized he had subconsciously drew a picture of Helga. "Fuck….." He said to himself.
"Arnold!" Arnold was jolted back into reality when he heard his mother call for him at the stairs. "Dinner, sweetheart. Let's go!" Stella yelled up to the attic. Arnold felt a panic as he looked back at the sketch. "Crap," he said to himself. Then dropped his arms in defeat, as he turned and made his way to the table. "There you are kid, we thought you were never coming down," Arnold's dad miles piped up. Miles was a charming, tall, lean reflection of Arnold's genetics. They shared the same golden blond hair and similar height. He measured at six feet two inches. He had mostly blond hair with the exception of a conspicuous streaks of gray running along the sides of his head. "You weren't up there reading the nudey mags were you?" Phil asked. "What? No!" Arnold replied embarrassed. "Dad!" Miles said looking at his father. "What? Sometimes they have interesting articles, he could have been reading those," Phil said, gesturing towards Arnold. "I wasn't reading anything! I was sketching!," Arnold said trying to shut down the conversation. Turning pink in the process. "You've got paint in your hair, lemon head," Stella said tussling Arnold's hair.
"You working on an art project for school son?" Miles asked. "No, I was just sketching is all," Arnold said, playing with his hair setting it the way he liked. "What the hell were you sketching? Since when do you draw Arnold?" Miles asked scooping some food into his son's plate. "Since he was twelve, Miles," Stella answered for Arnold. "Ah, well that's great. It's good hobby, you're mother used to draw plants in notebooks when we went on expeditions. We would have to stop our day long trek for her to draw out a plant she was studying or had never seen before," Miles said. "It's was a great way to make sure you observed all the traits of the plant," Stella defended. "You could just take a picture of it, then you have all the details right in the picture," Miles said. "You have no romance in your work do you?" Stella said smiling at him. "My last paper was great, I had plenty of romance in that," Miles laughed with his wife. Arnold grateful that the art discussion was tabled. "Point is son, drawing those little pictures you do is great, as long as you're not spending all your time with your head in a table drawing something. Art isn't really a career, it's not like you can make a living off that crap," Miles said casually. "And there it is," Arnold thought to himself. Phil snorted from down the other side of the table. "Excuse me," he said when he saw everyone looking at him. Arnold with panic in his eyes.
"Arnold? You hear what I said?" Miles asked. "Yeah dad, I did," Arnold mumbled looking at his food. "Who cooked tonight?" Phil asked hoping to change the subject and also looking at the suspiciously running sauce the pasta was swimming in. "I did you old fogie!" Phil's wife Gertie crashed into the dining room wearing a Knight's suit jabbing her husband with a plastic lance. "Pookie, dammit! Sit down before you break something again," Phil shouted back to her as he wrestled her into a chair. "Where is everyone?" Arnold asked, noticing none of the other boarders were present. "This is a Shortman only dinner, those freeloaders are currently banned from the kitchen and dining room," Phil said. "Why?" Stella asked. "They know what they did, try using that toaster without causing an electrical fire. Bunch of morons," Phil finished. "Dad, I think we need to go over some of their rental agreements again," Miles said. "Rent? Arnold have you ever seen one of these moochers pay a dime in rent?" Phil asked Arnold.
"I was under the impression that they paid you directly," Arnold said going back to his food. "Well I, I think so," Phil was scratching his head. "This is what I'm talking about dad. We gotta start shoring up some of the costs and incomes around this place. Maybe get rid of some of the boarders who aren't actually paying," Miles said. Arnold looked up from his food, mortified. "Dad, you can't just kick them out. They're like family," Arnold said in between bites. "Well son, here's the thing. They're not, they are supposedly renting a room from your grandpa. I realize the rent policy has always been a little loose around here, but it's time we bring a little order in this place," Miles said. "Dad, I grew up with some of these people around. You can't just throw people out," Arnold said again. "Arnold, don't worry about this, it's not something you have to worry about. You just worry about which school you want to go to next year. Oh! Did you get a chance to…" Miles started when Phil interrupted. "Hey what's with your little ugly friend with the one eye brow? She's note quite so ugly anymore and it looks like she started trimming the eye brow. She's a pretty thing, she's been hanging around here more these days. You two finally dating again?" Phil asked.
"Eleanor Roosevelt is her name!" Pookie interjected. "I've always liked her," Pookie finished. "I like her too Arnold, what's going on with you two?" Stella joined in. The whole table turned towards Arnold. "She's just a friend that's all," he announced to the table. "Are you sure Arnold? You two seem to be spending a lot of time together. Weren't sneaking back in the house at 2AM one night after being with her?" Stella said. "I didn't sneak in. You told me I didn't have a curfew on the weekends since I turned eighteen. How do you know about that?" Arnold asked. "Magic sweetheart, I'm fucking magic," Stella said smiling at him. "Jeeze, mom. No, I'm not dating her. We just hangout sometimes is all," Arnold said going back to his food. "So what did you do until 2AM?" His mother asked again. Arnold sensing she wasn't going to let this go answered, "we went out dancing at this club. They had a Jazz night and we ended up there most of the night." Stella's eyes beamed at him and a large smile grew on her face. "That's so cute honey! You don't dance though, so how did that work out?" Stella asked. "Helga has been dancing for years so she taught me," Arnold answered still working on his meal. "That is perfect! Your dad is a huge yutz too! I had to teach him," Stella said putting her hand over her husband's. "I was fine when we first danced," Miles defended. "You were not, he was all over the place and he danced like the tin man without oil," Stella said starting to laugh. "That's what Helga said about me," Arnold thought to himself smiling. "It's good you're dating son, it's about time. I thought you would be single forever," Miles said. "We're not dating," Arnold said realizing he wasn't being listened to. "I liked her too, she has moxy. Her father's a big dumb moron, but I won't hold that against her," Phil said. "We're not dating…" Arnold was interrupted by his father. "Her father is Big Bob Pataki right? He owns all the cell phone stores around town?" Miles asked. "That's the one," Phil said. "His commercials are so obnoxious," Stella added. Arnold shook his head and started eating again.
"So, son. Did you get a chance to read through the email I sent you? A couple months ago?" Miles asked Arnold suddenly. Arnold had feared this question since he got the blueprints to his next four years in September. "Um yeah I read a little of it," Arnold said. His father waited for him to elaborate. "Well, what did you think?" his father finally said. "I thought it was interesting. I'm still deciding is all," Arnold answered. Phil and Stella were both looking back and forth at Miles and Arnold. "Still deciding? Son it's November, now is the time to start narrowing down your options. You need to decide your major, and then we can pick from the schools. That's one reason we need to start shoring up the expenses in this house," Miles looked at his dad. "Any of those big ten schools you choose from are not going to be cheap. You're mother and I have enough resources to get you through at least a couple years, but it's gonna be tight," Miles said. Phil snickered at this, Arnold shot him a dark look and Phil focused on his food.
"Come on son talk to me, what are you thinking?" Miles said. "I'm not sure what I want to major in, I guess," Arnold didn't make eye contact with his dad and started playing with his food. "Well, I know you've always been interested in engineering, or physics," Miles suggested. "I've never been really interested in physics," Arnold admitted to his dad. "Oh, I thought you were. Didn't we have a conversation where you told me you were interested in studying physics? I think it's a great idea son. My son the physicist," Miles gestured with his arms as if that were a billboard. "I remember that conversation, you suggested that I look into physics. I said I liked physics but never really wanted to pursue it into college. Then you told a long story about how one of your friends was a physicist and he was doing amazing things at the Jet Propulsion Lab," Arnold said. Stella looked at her son hearing the tension in his tone. Miles heard the tension in Arnold's tone. Miles not keen to being challenged folded his arms and asked "Is there something you want to say to me son?"
Arnold looked at his dad. "I don't want to disappoint him, but god do I want to yell at him right now. Who the hell is he to tell me what I should be doing?" Arnold thought to himself. "It's just that," Arnold started to say and he paused. "I don't think I want to study physics, is all," Arnold said. "You sure that's all you want to say, I'd appreciate it if you were honest with me," Miles said raising his tone slightly. Stella sensed a fight coming. "God dad you suck so much," Arnold thought to himself. "Maybe we can talk about this a little later after we've eaten," Stella said, trying to deflate the situation. "I don't know what I want to do dad," Arnold started. "I think about it and I have no idea. I try looking at all the brochures you send, the emails and all of it is just a little much for me. I have no idea what I want to do in college," Arnold finished. Miles set his jaw and exhaled. "Arnold you've had all this time to think about this and your best answer is that you don't have one? I brought this up starting last year when you had the chance for early admission to some of these schools and you just let that deadline go right by you. What the hell are you doing all day son?" Miles asked, showing his anger. "Miles why don't we talk about this a little later?" Stella attempted to calm the room. "No we're talking about this now. Arnold you're so smart. I don't want to see you wasting you times doodling or chasing girls," Miles said.
Arnold became incensed by this. "I'm not chasing girls dad, in fact that's the last thing on my mind. As far as my doodles go, art is the only thing that does speak to me. More than anything in fact. You may not think about it as something important but I do!" Arnold yelled back at his father. "Son, that's great. A hobby is good, but you can't make any money off of that crap. Besides do you really want to be some hippie who draws pictures all day? Come on, you're way better than that. You should be doing premedical school or something. Not wasting your time doing that stuff. Further more you've never been one to chase girls but that's clearly not the last thing on your mind. Is seeing this girl distracting you? You spend a good amount of time together it seems." Miles rebutted. Arnold feeling a familiar rush of fury stood up and yelled to his dad, "her name is Helga, not this girl. I spend time with her because I like to. She doesn't interrogate me like you do." Arnold's father stood up with him. They stared at each other from across the table. "Dad, I don't think I want to do any of that. When I look at what my life will look like in ten years I can't even imagine being any of that," Arnold finished.
"Well maybe son if you took your head out of the clouds for two seconds and put some effort into figuring out what you want then we wouldn't be having this discussion. When are you going to grow up and start taking this seriously?" Miles asked. Arnold swallowed his need to yell at his father and slumped in his chair in defeat. "I don't know," Arnold mumbled. "You seem to have a lot of I don't knows, rather than answers. Here's what I'm going to do, I'm gonna call a colleague of mine. He helps run three separate departments at Duke. I'm going to arrange for the three of us to sit down and talk over some of your options. He helps kids like you who won't buckle down and figure out how to get their lives on track," Miles said.
Arnold's breathing and heart rate had shot through the ceiling. He was looking away at his dad. Too angry to say anything, afraid he would say something he shouldn't. Arnold got up from the table. "And where do you think you're going?" Miles asked. "To my room," Arnold replied curtly without break his gait. Miles started rubbing his temples, leaning back in his chair. "What a nice family dinner," Pookie piped up from down on the other side of the table. "You know, honey. You could try talking with him rather than yelling at him. He's usually far more diplomatic, but he gets angry when you talk at him rather than with him," Stella said. "What the hell am I gonna do with that kid?" Miles said exasperated. "I don't want him to float through ten years of college without knowing what to do with his life. I'm trying to get him to see, but he's just so set on goofing off, working out or drawing his idiotic little pictures," Miles said. "You might want to listen to your wife on this one, son. Your son's world is a lot bigger than he lets on. You may want to consider what he wants," Phil said. "He just said he has no idea what he wants dad!" Miles said. "No, I'm gonna get on the horn. I know exactly who to call to help straighten him out," Miles said.
Arnold was livid with his dad. He started up the stairs and felt that same feeling he got before an anxiety attack. He stopped at the top of the stairs and crouched down so that the hallway stopped spinning. He remembered what the school nurse had told him if he another one of these attacks. He started to breath deeply. "I'm in the hallway of the house I grew up in. I'm alright, I'm not physically hurt," Arnold said out loud. His shaking hands went into his pocket searching for the small bag he always had on him. He pulled out the small bag with a single white pill in it. Arnold suddenly felt sick. He dashed to the bathroom, vomiting up his undigested meal. He felt another wave coming and he buried his head in the toilet bowl. Arnold pulled his hair back to make sure he didn't get any in it. He went back up to the mirror and turned on the water. He looked up into the mirror. Staring at the reflection in front of him. He never recognized himself during these attacks. "I'm starting not to recognize myself at all when I look into this thing," Arnold thought to himself. Washed his face and took a couple handfuls of water to wash out his mouth. He heard a knock at the door.
"Arnold, are you alright in there?" Stella was on the other side asking. "I-I-I'm alright mom," he lied. "I saw you crouching on the stairs, honey. It's alright, it's just me. Do you have your pill?" Stella asked. "Yeah I do, mom. Thanks," Arnold said not trying to worry his mother. "Please make sure you take it. Are you breathing?" Stella asked. "Yeah, I am, mom," Arnold was breathing deeply trying to slow his heart rate. He swallowed his Xanax and took a drink from the sink. Arnold looked up one more time at himself in the mirror. He made his way to the door.
Opening the door Arnold looked down at his mother with a worried look on her face. "Arnold…" She said looking up at her son and putting her hand on his cheek. "I'm alright mom, you don't have to worry," Arnold said. "I'm gonna worry regardless. Did you take the pill?" Stella asked. "Yeah mom, I did. I did my breathing and I'm better," he said. His mother not looking convinced, Arnold added, "really, it was just a small one. Nothing more." Stella still looked at him with a worried look. "Sweetie, I'm worried that this tension between you and your father is only making this worse," Stella said. "I'm alright mom, really. Please don't worry about me," Arnold said. "I'm still going to no matter how many times you say that. You know how your father is. He wants the best for you and so do I," Stella said. "I know, mom. I'll meet with his friend maybe it will help," Arnold conceded. "Honey, I want the best for you but I'd rather you'd be happy. Your father is going to do what he's going to do," Stella said. Arnold looked down at the ground. "I am a little proud of you though," Stella said. Arnold's looked at his mother again in confusion. "I'm glad you stood up for yourself for once. Your father isn't a monster, but I do know how controlling he can be. You should do that more," Stella said. Arnold exhaled and made his way towards his room. "I'm gonna head to bed mom, thanks," Arnold said. "Well you look better, make sure you put another pill in that bag. I want you to always have one available, in an emergency. Got it?" Stella said smiling. Arnold smiled back at her. "Yeah mom, I will. Good night," Arnold said. "Good night son," Stella said. Arnold made it to the bottom of his attic stairs when he felt a sudden weight on his back. Stella had jumped on his back, piggy back style, kissing his cheek. "I love you sweetheart!" She yelled. "Mom! Come on, get off!" Arnold said laughing at his mother. She complied and let him climb the stairs.
Arnold closed the door to his room. He walked over to his desk and grabbed the bottle of Xanax with his name labeled on the front. The directions read "To be taken in the event of panic attack." He opened the bottle and took one pill and put it in the bag he had. He stashed the bag next to his keys and wallet. Arnold looked once more over at the picture he sketched earlier. A small smile appeared on his face. He grabbed his binder which he kept his sketches and put it in one of the pockets. He laid on his bed look up at the stars.
Arnold laid on his bed for a long time. "I really wish I had the guts to tell my dad I'm gonna paint for the rest of my life," He thought to himself. Arnold wanted to please his parents, however it was getting harder to suppress his desire to do what he loved. He was shaken into consciousness by his phone buzzing. He looked at his screen and saw Helga's text. He opened the application and read what she had sent. What the fuck football head? You didn't say this show was so fucked up! Arnold assumed she meant Black Mirror, the show Arnold had been telling her about for the last month. Arnold smiled. I told you. It's a modern twilight zone. It's creepy, Arnold texted back. The phone buzzed again, Twilight zone was not this fucked up, this dude really just had sex with a pig! Arnold laughed and typed back, It's supposed to be a comment on social paradigms we're all used to. Helga replied, You better hide Abner then, apparently the near future dictates a high level government employee stick his dick in the poor thing. Arnold laughed out loud at that "How can she leave me completely confused and questioning every decision in my life, but as soon as I talk to her again, I feel better?
Arnold's phone buzzed again, Alright I need a pallet cleanser after that I'm dying for some ice cream. Join me for a late snack? Arnold looked at his clock, 9:15PM. Arnold thought about telling her no. Just having an attack and it being a school night. He knew the responsible thing would be to reschedule. "I could really use some ice cream after tonight, and I really want to see her," Arnold thought to himself. He started typing back, I'm on my way. Arnold shot up, grabbing his jacket, keys wallet, and small bag. He made his way to the door, and stopped. Not wanting another run in with his dad, Arnold elected to go back to his old habit of sneaking out through the skylight.
Arnold pulled up in front of the dark Pataki house. He grabbed his phone and started texting Helga, when a knock on the window came. Arnold unlocked the door, so Helga could get in. "Fuck, it's cold!" Helga said getting in Arnold's car. "At least you remembered your jacket this time," Arnold replied. "This time I wasn't being chased out by my insane parents," Helga replied. Arnold smiled. "Well I'm glad you let me join you, I could really use some ice cream right now," Arnold said. "You feel like you can't write anything after being traumatized by a Netflix show so you're just going to eat sugar too?" Helga asked. "No, I…" Arnold started. "Never mind," Arnold said starting to put the car in drive. "Woah there, buster brown," Helga grabbed his arm. "You what? Finish your thought," Helga demanded. Arnold wanted to spare her the details but decided Helga was someone who didn't like taking no for an answer.
"I had a fight with my dad earlier, it's no big deal," Arnold said. Arnold relayed the events of the evening back to Helga leaving out the panic attack. "Then after I threw up, I went back upstairs," Arnold said. "Hold on, are you sick. Why did an argument make you throw up?" Helga caught. "Big mouth," Arnold thought to himself. "I…" Arnold started. "I had an anxiety attack as I was storming away from dinner," Arnold said. He saw the concerned look on Helga's face. "I'm fine, I just get panic attacks from time to time," Arnold started and was interrupted by Helga. "From time to time? Arnold…." Helga said, looking as worried than he'd ever seen her. "It's not a big deal, I get a little sick and I just have to take some time to breath. Earlier I did that, took my Xanax and I was fine," Arnold said. "You idiot," Arnold thought to himself. "You take pills, how serious is this?" Helga asked. "Not that serious, I have to have one with me wherever I go. Just on case," Arnold said. "Like an inhaler?" Helga asked. "A little bit yeah," Arnold answered. "That sounds pretty serious, Football Head," Helga said. The car was quiet. Arnold was rubbing his elbow unsure of what to say. "How long have you been having these attacks?" Helga asked. " A few years now," Arnold said. Helga's eyes widened. "A few years?" She asked. "Yeah, they really only come on when I'm stressed. Or sometimes it's random," Arnold said. "Stop talking, you're worrying her," Arnold said to himself.
Helga looked at him for a long time. Arnold had issues figuring out if the look was concern or pity. "Alright Football Head lets get going," Helga said putting her seatbelt on. "Head to Tories near the hill," Helga said. Arnold knew the place, he went there all the time, it was right next to the park with the huge hill that overlooked all of Hillwood. Arnold complied and drove there. The ride was silent. "I wonder what she's thinking about, she keeps looking over at me," Arnold thought to himself.
They arrived at Tories, the parking lot half empty. It was a fall evening, a slight chill in the air but perfectly walkable. "Wait," Arnold heard Helga say. "I'm sorry you have to go through that, the attacks I mean. I think your dad has you all wrong too," Helga said. "How so?" Arnold asked. "I think that you think a lot about your future. You just think about the future you want. You focus on the things you love and it scares you that you might not make everyone happy," Helga said. "I don't want to let my parents down, I just don't know what I want and they want this big future from me," Arnold admitted. "What were you doing before you went down and had dinner?" Helga asked. Arnold not wanting to reveal the subject of his sketch tried keeping it vague. "I was sketching, trying to think of another painting to try out," Arnold answered. "See that's my point, you don't waste your time doing things you don't want to do. Even watching a T.V. show or a movie you do it deliberately, you want to analyze it and talk about it," Helga said. "Well that's just what people do Helga, the path of least resistance. You do what you want, that doesn't make me special," Arnold said. "No, it does. You go out of your way to do the things you want. You fix cars yourself despite having a garage you can probably go to, because you love it. You drive across the city to take martial arts classes because you love it. You've never been someone who just did whatever was in front of him. You've always worked at what you were doing because you loved it. I don't believe that you're capable of wasting time. Just because you may not believe in yourself or what you do doesn't mean it's any less special. And just because your dad belittles what you love doesn't mean it's not worth it. I think you know what you want. I just wish you believed in yourself enough to see it and fight for it," Helga finished. Arnold sat there staring at the steering wheel. His head was swirling. "She makes sense," Arnold thought to himself. Arnold didn't realize Helga had gotten out of the car. Helga opened his door and pulled his arm. "Come on Football Head. You're gonna buy me some ice cream," Helga said. Arnold got out of the car and followed Helga. Helga still holding his hand as she pulled him.
The entered the shop, Helga holding on tight to Arnold's hand. Helga led him to the counter. "Hello there, how are the two of you this fine evening?" the woman at the counter asked. "We're well thank you," Arnold said smiling at her. "What can I get the lovely couple this evening?" the woman asked. "We're not actually..." Arnold started to say when Helga cut him off. "I'll have a small chocolate cone please," Helga said. "What about you, dear?" Helga asked Arnold. Arnold noticed she was still holding his hand. She blinked her eyes at him and smiled. "My god her eyes are beautiful," Arnold thought to himself. "Um, I'll have a small vanilla cone please," Arnold finally said to the woman at the counter. "What a shock Football Head, plain vanilla. Just like you," Helga said smiling at him. Arnold chuckled. They got their ice cream, and Arnold handed the women the money. He put the change in the tip jar as they walked away from the counter. Helga still pulling him, led him out of the shop. "Come on let's go on a little moonlight walk to the top," Helga said. Arnold obliged, not wanting her to let go of his hand.
"So we never got to talk about what happened after you visited my gym," Arnold said as they continued their moonlight stroll, Helga and Arnold still holding hands. "No we didn't. I was kinda hoping we wouldn't bring it up again," Helga said. "Well you are holding my hand pretty tight," Arnold said. "I could let go," Helga said, when Arnold cut her off. "You don't have to do that," Arnold said. Arnold smiled at her and she smiled back. They continued their hike to the top of the hill, eating their ice cream. "I guess, I just wanted to do it impulsively. So I did, you don't have to hire a team to figure that out," Helga said. Arnold held her hand a little tighter. She looked up at him and smiled at her. "You know what I've noticed?" Arnold asked. "Must be a doozy since you don't notice much, dummy," Helga said. "You're eyes always give you away," Arnold said. "What the hell are you talking about?" Helga asked. They had made it to the top of the hill. Arnold felt a great deal better making it to the top of the hill. The moon was full, the sky was clear giving them the full view of the moon and entire city. "Come on, join me and you can explain your idiotic theory," Helga said pulling Arnold towards the picnic table that Helga sat on top of. Arnold sat next to her, finishing up his ice cream. "Well you say tons of really snarky stuff but your eyes usually give away what you're actually feeling," Arnold said turning to her. "Snarky stuff? Could you stop talking like someone who lived in the 1920s. Just because you look like Captain America, doesn't mean you need to talk like him," Helga said. Arnold chuckled, and smiled at her. "See right there, you said something snotty. Your eyes though, tell a story of someone who's a little unsure about how she feels," Arnold said. Helga was quiet, as she looked away from Arnold. "I guess I'm pretty close, huh?" Arnold asked. She turned her head and scowled at him. "See now you're mad because I'm right, right?" Arnold pushed. "Shut up moron," is all Helga said.
A few minutes passed, the pair still had their hands intertwined. "Arnold?" Helga asked. "Yeah?" Arnold answered. "What do you feel about us?" Helga asked, taking her big blue eyes and pointing them right at his green eyes. "I don't know," Arnold said. "Oh… alright," Helga said dejectedly. "You know what I do know?" Arnold asked. "What?" Helga said, looking back up at him. "I do know that I'm really glad I got the opportunity to know you. You're a definitively incredible person, and I'm not really sure what I'd do without you in my life," Arnold said. Helga looked up at him, she looked like she was on the verge of tears. Arnold wanted to hold her tight to him. "I guess, I don't know what I'd do without you either," Helga said. She slid over close to him. Taking the hand she was holding and putting it around her shoulder. She leaned in, laying her head down on his shoulder. Arnold wrapped his arms around Helga pulling her close to him. "I think I needed her more than the ice cream," Arnold thought to himself. Arnold pulled Helga even closer to him. He put his hand on her cheek and lifted her face so she was facing him. They looked into each other's eyes, as their breathing quickened. Arnold leaned in and kissed Helga. Helga froze for a second but wrapped her arms around his neck kissing Arnold back. This kiss lasted far longer than the one a few weeks prior. Arnold could not stop himself from moaning. Helga reciprocated as they continued. They broke the kiss softly. Arnold looking into Helga's eyes smiled at her. She smiled back. "It's starting to get cold, can you take me home?" Helga asked. "Of course, Helga," Arnold said. Arnold smiled down at Helga as they walked down the hill. Helga holding on to his arm.