Saturday, February 10th 8:15 PM
"Hey there Stella," Helga said as Stella answered the door.
"Hey there! How are you, Helga?" Stella asked as she wrapped Helga in a hug. Helga grimaced, not expecting the affection.
"I'm... Uh good," Helga answered.
"Relax honey, I like to hug people. Come on in," Stella answered stepping to the side to let Helga in.
"I'm actually just hoping meat head was ready. We're here to pick him up," Helga gestured to the car parked in front of the stoop. Gerald in the driver's seat, with Phoebe in riding shotgun.
"Oh right, the party," Stella said. Stella waived to Gerald and Phoebe in the car. "Hello Gerald, Phoebe!" Stella called from the door.
"Yeah, I texted him that we were on the way," Helga said.
"Well, he's been held up in his room all day. I have no idea what his current status is," Stella said. "Hey, Helga…" Stella started to say, pausing in the middle. "What is going on with him? He's been quiet for the last three days. You stop putting out or something?" Stella asked as she smirked and elbowed Helga.
Helga snickered and looked over her shoulder at the car. "God she's like the cool teacher who uses her blunt attitude to disarm you," Helga thought to herself. "No, I'm definitely still putting out," Helga said enthusiastically, earning a chuckle from Stella. "I don't think it's really my place to say what it might be, though," Helga started to say. Stella cut her off.
"So something is going on. What is it?" Stella asked. Stella flashed the same green eyes at Helga that Arnold always uses to get something out of her.
"Wow, those eyes do work," Helga said to herself. "Let's step inside," Helga said. She turned and put up a single finger to the car indicated she needed a moment. They both stepped into the house, to the annoyance of Gerald who lightly honked the horn. Phoebe responded with a swift shoulder punch to her boyfriend.
Helga and stood eye to eye with Stella. "This is a conversation Arnold should have with her," Helga thought to herself. "Stella, I can't talk about it. You're awesome, but this is a conversation between you and Arnold," Helga said.
Stella looked her in the eye for a moment, her face suddenly stoic. "You're not pregnant are you?" Stella asked with a subtle panic in her voice.
"No! I am definitely not pregnant," Helga immediately answered. Turning a slight pink. "I wonder if she'd be mad if I did have Arnold's kid?" Helga thought suddenly. Helga noticed the worry in Stella's eyes and snapped out of her thoughts. "Stella, I am not pregnant," Helga said once more.
Stella let out a large breath. "Thank god," she said holding her forehead. "Wait a tic. If you were pregnant, I'd be able to watch the little one while you two finished school! Oh my god! I'd get another chance to raise a child!" The worry disappeared from her eyes, replaced by anticipation. Like she was a child waiting to tear open a gift. "Please tell me you're pregnant!" Stella almost yelled.
"Stella, I am not pregnant. I promise," Helga said one last time.
"Fine!" Stella said, slightly defeated. Stella looked up once more, her worried eyes back in her head. "Helga, please. Talk to me. I can't get a word out of him. You don't even need to be specific. Just speak in generalities," Stella said.
Helga looked at her for a moment as she considered. "Well…" Helga started to say. Stella leaned in slightly, intently listening. "You know him and his dad have been fighting," Helga said.
"Ugh, boy do I. The whole neighborhood knows at this point. All they do is scream at each other these days. What happened now?" Stella asked.
"Well I can't really tell you, because he won't tell me," Helga said. "I know something is bothering him because he's been pretty quiet. He's been in one of his contemplative trances for two days now. He just won't tell me what it is. When I ask, he says he's fine, and then goes back to his normal mood," Helga said.
"Like he realized you noticed how quiet he was so he has to snap out of it so you don't keep asking questions?" Stella asked. Helga nodded. "Yeah… his father does the same thing," Stella said. "It drives me insane!" Stella said.
"Right? It's infuriating," Helga said.
"Yep," Stella said.
"Something happened, I'm just not sure what. I don't want him to just live in his head. I know how he worries," Helga said.
"I don't like it either," Stella said. "I'll have to have a talk with his father," Stella finished.
"I'll try to talk to him again tonight. I'm hoping we can go to this party and he can have some fun. Help him out of his funk. He… We both need it," Helga said.
Stella looked at her and her face morphed into the worried mother expression again. "Is everything alright Helga?" Helga was caught off guard once again by Stella.
"Is she asking about me?" Helga thought to herself.
"How's your mom?" Stella asked.
"She's…" Helga started. The words caught in her throat. Helga stood frozen, unable to answer questions, suddenly. "You heard, didn't you?" Helga asked.
"I did. How are you? How's your mom?" Stella asked again.
"She's… better," Helga said.
Stella leaned in again waiting for a better answer. Helga didn't know how to react. "I think the truth is probably the best policy with the Shortmans," Helga said to herself. "She's better. She's trying to stay sober, stay healthy. She started looking for a new job," Helga said. She smiled a bit at the last part.
"What about you?" Stella asked. She held her hand under Helga's chin and tilted Helga's face to the side. "Come on sweetie," Stella said. Stella lead her to the living room where she had her purse. Stella reached in and took out a small plastic case. "You really should do this in a mirror, you missed a small spot and I can see some blue," Stella said. Stella lightly dabbed the small sponge she pulled out across the mark on her face. "There, all blended," Stella said.
Helga smiled at Stella. "Thank you," Helga said softly.
"Anytime. So how are you?" Stella asked once more.
"I'm better. Still a little hazy about how I feel, but better," Helga said.
"That's good. It's a thousand mile journey which you've already taken the first steps," Stella said. Stella moved forward and pulled Helga into a loving hug. Helga smiled and hugged her back. "You always have a place here, anytime you need it," Stella said into Helga's ear.
"Thanks. To be honest, your son helps a lot. I know he's not Captain America. He won't come in and saver everyone, but," Helga paused. "Having someone there helps," Helga said bashfully.
"Well, you two seem to compliment each other. …I'm happy that you're happy," Stella said. Helga smiled at her. "Well, he's upstairs. You should go grab him since he's in hermit mode," Stella said.
"I will, thanks again," Helga said. Stella nodded, and Helga was off. She turned and made her way up the stairs and down the hall, to the attic stairs to Arnold's room. Helga made it to the top of the stairs and paused at the closed door. Helga looked down at the knob. She looked up and turned her head to the side. She pressed her ear against the door. The room emitted no sound. "Is he even in there?" Helga asked herself. She turned the knob and lightly pushed open the door.
The door slowly crept open. The room was disheveled. Strips of canvas on the floor. The desk full of computer and drawing equipment was half emptied onto the floor. Helga opened the door a little more. She steeped half in and looked from her left to her right. She saw a figure laid out on the bed. Arnold's body stretched almost completely over the mattress. Helga saw him blinking and staring through his skylight. Helga stood for a moment. Arnold had not noticed her standing there.
Helga looked around the room a bit more. A half destroyed easel was behind torn up canvas hastily put into a pile. Arnold's drawing tablet, which usually sat right in front of the chair on his desk, was thrown to the floor. Helga walked further into the room and noticed a small print that was hanging over what looked like a hole in the wall.
Helga closed the door softly and walked gingerly over to the bed. Arnold still stared into the clear blackened sky, completely oblivious to her presence. Helga craned her neck and saw his tee-shirt bunched up slightly exposing the muscles of his stomach. Helga bit her lip for a moment. "Bad time Pataki," Helga said to herself, shaking herself out of her leering.
She moved closer to the bed and climbed onto Arnold's body laying her head on his chest, unable to stop herself. Arnold was startled when Helga laid her body on top of his. She smiled slightly when he chuckled in recognition. "Couldn't just say hi, could you?" Arnold asked.
"What, and interrupt your staring into space? This way I get to feel your muscles and not put a stop to your ruminations," Helga said into his pectoral muscles.
Arnold wrapped his arm around her pulled her towards him. Helga raised her head and met his eyes. She saw a smile form on his face. "There's my Arnold," Helga said to him. She leaned in and kissed him. Arnold kissed her back tenderly. "What are you thinking about?" Helga asked.
His deep emerald green eyes stared back at her. Arnold remained quiet for a long moment. "That bad?" Helga asked, anticipating his response.
"I was just… just thinking. That's all," Arnold answered. Helga tilted her head waiting for a follow up which never came.
"That's it? 'Just thinking'," she mocked.
"Yeah, not a whole lot going on up here," Arnold said pointing to his head and taking his eyes away from hers.
"Yeah, that's bullshit. There's always something you're stressing about knocking around up there," Helga said. She sidled closer to him so that she was eye level laying down next to him. "Out with it Football Head. You've been quiet the last few days. Where did you go?" Helga asked.
Arnold looked at her. He was quiet as his eyes traveled away from hers. Almost as if he were trying to avoid looking at her. "I just…" Arnold started to say. The door to his room suddenly flew open and Gerald walked in followed closely by Phoebe.
"Man… You two are up here making out while you got me and Phoebe waiting in the car?" Gerald griped.
"Aw, jealous?" Helga said snidely. "Look Phoebes, your boyfriend is mad that I get to kiss Arnold," Helga said. Gerald rolled his eyes. Helga caught the gesture and jumped up, straddling Arnold. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a passionate kiss. She broke the kiss and turned to Gerald and Phoebe. "Does that piss you off Gerald?" Helga smiled with a wicked smile.
"Helga, I believe he was just annoyed at waiting," Phoebe said, smiling behind Gerald. Gerald gestured over to Phoebe. Gerald started looking around the room and turned around to the art supplies Arnold had piled up in the corner.
"Hey, Arnold! It's been a while since I've been up here, what is all this stuff?" Gerald asked noting the room.
"Yeah, it has been a couple years. We usually meet at school for stuff," Arnold said from under Helga. Arnold leaned on his elbows propping himself up. Arnold came to life in front of Gerald. He sat up and wrapped his arms around Helga's waist. "You look really beautiful, Helga," Arnold said putting his hand on her cheek. Helga felt herself heat up slightly. The butterflies were back. His eyes seemed brighter suddenly. Helga kissed him again and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hey man, since when do you draw?" Gerald asked. Helga turned her head following Arnold's eyes. Gerald was looking at the sketchbook on his desk.
"Gerald, why are you going through his things?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm not 'going through his things'," Gerald quoted with his fingers. "He's my best friend. I'm allowed," Gerald finished.
"It's fine, Phoebe," Arnold said. Arnold started to get up and Helga slid off his lap onto his bed. Arnold stood and walked across the room. "I've been drawing for years now," Arnold started to say.
Helga caught Phoebe's eyes and gestured her head to come over. "So did you get anything from him?" Phoebe asked.
"No, he's no Sphinx though. I can see right through it," Helga said. She eyed Arnold talking to Gerald and showing him his sketchbook.
"Baby!" Gerald called out. "Look at the stuff Arnold draws. This is crazy, I didn't know you did all this!" Gerald said.
"Yeah, art just… speaks to me," Arnold said. He looked over his shoulder at Helga smiling knowingly. Helga chuckled as Phoebe came over to admire his sketch work.
"My god, look at this. You continue to surprise me with your talent, Arnold," Phoebe said.
"Thank you, Phoebe," Arnold said with a smile
"When did he surprise you before?" Gerald asked, looking up from the sketchbook. Arnold and Phoebe locked eyes for a moment. Arnold's mouth fell agape as he looked over at Helga.
"The lifting thing, moron," Helga said from across the room interrupting the silence. "So, we gonna go to this party or are we all gonna stand around and stroke Arnold's ego?" Helga said.
"Wait, hold up," Gerald started to say.
"Yes, we must be on our way, Gerald," Phoebe said.
"Wait…" Gerald got out before Phoebe cut him off.
She pulled Gerald's arm and grabbed the book from his hands and put it on Arnold's desk. Phoebe pulled Gerald towards the door. "Come on, all!" Phoebe called when she made it to the stairs, Gerald in tow.
"Smooth," Helga called to Arnold. Arnold turned towards her and smiled sheepishly. She stood and made her way over to him. She stood on her toes and waited with her face inches from his. He leaned his head down and kissed her. She smiled against his lips. He returned the smile back to her. "I still want to talk about what's bothering you," Helga said.
Helga looked up at Arnold. His eyes softened, and he smiled. "Yeah, I think I want to talk about it too," Arnold finally said.
"Look," Helga started to say, taking his hand in hers. "I really want to make sure you're alright," Helga said.
"Come on, Y'all," Gerald could be heard from the bottom of the stairs.
"Gerald's calling us," Arnold said.
"I don't care. He can stand down there and scream all night if he wants to. I'm worried about you. Talk to me," Helga said. Helga looked up at him. His eyes looked pained. "Arnold, please. You don't have to be embarrassed that your knees are buckling under the world you're holding on your shoulders," Helga said. Arnold's eyes narrowed.
"Did you just quote one of your short stories at me?" Arnold asked.
"Yeah, I'm getting sick of people not quoting me. Now out with it!" Helga said.
"I had a fight with my dad," Arnold finally said.
"I can see that from the recently destroyed room, and the half-assed cover job for the fist-sized hole in the wall," Helga said
"Yeah, that probably wasn't the best idea at the time," Arnold said rubbing the back of his head.
"Putting a hole in the wall, or the crappy attempt to cover it?" Helga asked.
"So are we going to this party or not?" Gerald was back at the door. "We can hang out here. No cool people ever get to a party on time anyway," Gerald said.
Helga shot a look of menace towards Gerald. He grimaced seeing the face and quickly shuffled back down the stairs. "O.K. then…" he said closing the door. Helga turned back to look up again at Arnold.
Arnold took her hands in his and slowly exhaled. "I want to talk about this Helga, but my thoughts are all over the place right now. I just… I just need some time to put everything together. I just want a night where I don't have to keep thinking about this. I can just be with you and hang out with our friends and let my head clear," Arnold said.
Helga saw the angst in his eyes. She exhaled heavily, swallowing her impatience. "I guess a party might help," Helga said. "Can we please talk about this tomorrow though?" Helga asked.
"Yeah, definitely," Arnold said. Helga stood on her toes and captured his lips with hers. Helga felt Arnold's arms wrap around her. She moaned slightly into his mouth, and she got a moan from him in return. She felt his hand travel past her hip and come to rest on her backside. Eliciting a moan from Helga.
Helga pushed against Arnold's chest and they broke their kiss. "You can have some pussy later. If we're running too late for talking, then we're running too late for that," Helga said, smiling devilishly at him. Arnold laughed.
"We'll go to the party, have some fun, and tomorrow we can sit down and get everything out," Arnold said. Helga squinted up, suspiciously at him. Arnold's smiled was back, his real smile. Helga smiled back up at him.
"Fine, let's go then," Helga said.
Helga turned to leave the room. She grabbed Arnold's hand and pulled him along. "Let's go meathead," Helga said forcefully. Arnold grabbed his jacket as he was being lead out of the room. Helga saw Gerald and Phoebe waiting at the front door.
"Is everything alright, Helga?" Phoebe asked. Gerald looked at Helga and back to Phoebe in confusion.
"No, but that's all I'll get tonight. Let's just go and I can make myself feel better by telling Rhonda how tacky her house is," Helga said. Phoebe chuckled.
The group piled into Gerald's car and they were off. The ride to the richer part of town Rhonda's family had moved to was normal. Helga barely listened to what Phoebe was telling her. She was too distracted watching Arnold's reactions from the conversation he and Gerald were having. He was laughing, and joking with his best friend. He seemed like his normal self. "Something about that fight is bugging him. That hole in the wall was scary. I didn't know he got that angry. If he keeps everything to himself, how bad can he get?" Helga thought to herself. "I just want to hold him and make it all go away," Helga thought to herself.
"Helga, are you paying attention?" Phoebe asked, breaking through Helga's fog.
"What? No, I wasn't paying attention," Helga stated frankly. "You said something about Gerald having a micropenis?" Helga said. Arnold burst out laughing in the front seat.
"Helga!" Phoebe yelled.
"You know Helga, I keep hearing about how much you've mellowed over the last couple months. I don't see it," Gerald said. "What are you laughing at?" Gerald sneered at Arnold.
"Phoebe said you have a micropenis," Arnold answered in between bouts of trying to catch his breath.
"I said no such thing," Phoebe said.
"Don't worry Gerald, we'll keep your secret," Helga said patting Gerald's shoulder.
"We're here," Gerald said. Helga looked up seeing the buildings had turned from the bunched together city buildings to the spread out suburbs.
"Jesus, would you look at this place," Helga said.
"The houses are quite nice," Phoebe said.
"So this is where the snobby, entitled, rich but not rich enough to do four years of private high school escape the city," Helga said.
The line of cars stretched down from the source, a larger mini-mansion, where people floated in and out of the house. Some sitting on the deck talking, some playing games, while the music pulsed from the inside. Gerald found a spot a few houses down. He parked the car and they made their way to the what they presumed to be Rhonda's house.
The house music played loudly, as the group made it to the front door. The night was chilly, but that had not stopped a group of guys Helga did not recognize from forming a beer pong table on the deck. The group made it into the house. Helga looked around to see it packed from wall to wall with people. Helga looked around trying to find someone she recognized. "Do you guys recognize anyone here?" Helga asked.
"No I don't," Arnold answered. "She must have invited a ton of people from other schools," Arnold said.
"Arnold!" Helga heard someone call. She recognized this voice. Rhonda emerged from a crowded living room entrance and walked towards them. She was wearing a black skirt with knee-high boots and a tight red sweater. Rhonda sported a red cup full of what Helga could only assume to be beer. She threw her arms around Arnold in a large hug, spilling some of her drink. Arnold accepted the hug but moved his midsection to avoid the spilled alcohol. "I'm so happy you all made it," Rhonda says. "Hello, Helga," Rhonda said catching the annoyed look Helga wore on her face.
"Hey there princess, who the hell are all these people?" Helga asked.
"Well, I didn't just invite people from our school. There are people from a couple of the public schools in the city. Plus I have some of the academy people from up the road. My cousin also spread the word around her campus so we have some university people here," Rhonda said. "Hello, Gerald! Phoebe!" Rhonda exclaimed before hugging Gerald. "Well there's beer on tap, I also have a water, soda, whatever you'd like. Please help yourself. The dance floor is that way," Rhonda pointed to where the music was coming from. "Please have fun. You guys are my friends, and that makes you royalty. Hey Mary!" Rhonda said before turning around and waving towards someone else, and walking away.
"Princess has definitely been drinking," Helga said chuckling.
"I've never seen her drunk," Arnold said.
"Alright, you," Helga turned and pointed to Arnold. "I love you, and I'd do anything for you. However, I am not physically capable of dragging your giant ass back to your house. So keep the drinking to a minimum," Helga said.
"Don't worry, Helga. I can be good," Arnold said. Helga looked up and Arnold smiled at her. "Let me get something for you to drink," Arnold said. "Phoebe? Gerald? You guys want something?" Arnold asked.
"I'll take a water, cutie," Helga said.
"Nothing for me, thanks," Phoebe said.
"I'm good, man. I'm gonna try and track down Stinky and Sid," Gerald said, removing his jacket.
Arnold turned in excitement, too quickly to see the three teenagers that were walking past the group. Arnold crashed into the lead of the three, spilling his beer all over his shirt. "What the fuck!" the teen yelled. He was about Helga's height with dark brown hair. He was lean, in shape but paled in comparison to Arnold's size.
The height deficit did not seem to bother him. He pushed at Arnold's chest, but ended up eating his momentum and stepping backward as Arnold was harder to knock over and most oak trees. "What the hell is your problem, Jolly Green. Are you stupid?" he yelled.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Arnold started to say. He could not get a word out as the teen was yelling.
Helga instinctively moved forward and got in between Arnold and the brown-haired teenager. "Hey, asshole! You walked into him, who do you think you're pushing?" Helga yelled at the boy.
"No one's talking to you," the guy yelled back.
"You're yelling and pushing him. Who do you think you are?" Helga pushed him and he stumbled back. He stepped forward menacingly. Helga felt a familiar adrenaline welling up in her.
"You fucking bitch!" the guy yelled
At the last second before the teen reached Helga. Arnold stepped in between them. "Guys hold on!" Arnold yelled. The teen stopped at Arnold and clenched his fists. Helga expected a fight. "Guys it's alright. We don't need to push anyone" Arnold looked at the teen and flashed an eye at Helga.
"You ruined his shirt! If anyone's getting pushed it's going to be you," The brown hair's friend yelled from behind him. He was shorter and had dirty blond hair.
"Guys it's alright, we don't need to start a fight over this," Arnold had his arms stretched out to trying to create space and separate their group from his.
The surrounding partygoers had started to stop to see the commotion. Helga was angry but wasn't surprised Arnold had jumped in. "God forbid anyone gets into a confrontation," Helga thought to herself.
"I'm sorry I ruined your shirt. It was an accident. Alright? There's no need to angry, and there's definitely no need to speak to her like that," Arnold said in his calming voice.
"Hey man, fuck you! I don't need you to tell me how to speak," the brown haired teen stepped only inches from Arnold. Arnold did not seem at all phased at the other teenagers threatening stance. "If you want to be some knight and shining armor to some cunt, then that's your business. You're not going to tell me what to…" the brown haired teen was cut off when Arnold, in an instant, had grabbed the teen by the shirt and lifted him off his feet. His face filled with rage, that had suddenly taken over his body.
"Do not talk to her like that!" Arnold screamed in the wriggling teens face. The look of fear had replaced the anger.
"Arnold don't!" Helga had yelled from behind him. Arnold's jacket had been taken off at the door. His outfit, which continued to consist of esoteric pop culture tee-shirts, held tight against his skin. His large biceps exploded with veins as he held the full weight of the brown-haired teenager in the air.
"Woah! Woah! Woah!" Gerald could be heard yelling as he ran in to help. Gerald got in between Arnold and the three teenagers. "Everybody calm down, there's no need for any of that!" Gerald yelled over the commotion. The partygoers had continued to gather to see the situation unfold. "Arnold, let go of him! What are you doing man?" Gerald pleaded. Arnold dropped the teen after a moment. Helga saw a look of realization come over his face.
"Guys, I'm really sorry I did that," Arnold said. Arnold stood frozen for a moment before backing away slightly. He held his forehead and looked at the floor almost in shock. "I-I-I just… I just got a little angry, I'm sorry," Arnold said running his fingers through his hair.
"Arnold, this guy is being an ass you don't have to apologize to him!" Helga yelled over her boyfriend's shoulder without thinking. "Dammit, this is not what he needs. Shut up Pataki," Helga said to herself.
Arnold turned to her. "Helga, it's alright," Helga could see him trying to lower his heart rate. "We don't need to cause an issue here," Arnold, told her. Helga and Arnold locked eyes. She started to feel calm.
"Hey dumbass, you need to check your girl and explain yourself!" the guy yelled seeming to regain some of his confidence.
"Check me? You mother fucker!" Helga yelled an stormed toward the three men with her fists ready to fly. Helga only saw him and all the sound in the room left her head. She felt her feet leave the ground. She fought and struggled against whatever it was that was pulling her away from the situation. She looked over and saw Arnold locking eyes with her she stopped when she realized Arnold had pulled her away.
"Helga, it's alright! You don't need to defend me, we don't need to fight," Arnold was saying. Helga snapped from her would be blackout after seeing him. She started to breathe again, and her fight response started to slow. Helga planted herself where Arnold had put her down. She saw him turn back to the three men.
"Listen, I'm really sorry about your shirt. I'm really sorry that I got angry like that. I can pay for a new one," Arnold said. Helga threw up her arms in protest. She chose not to drag that point out. "Really, I'm sorry. Can we just enjoy the party?" Arnold pleaded with the trio.
The apparent leader wearing the ruined shirt exhaled after a long moment of analyzing his options. In the face of Gerald joining the fray and the brewing anger in the overly muscled Arnold, he seemed to decide in favor of peace. "Fine, whatever," the brown-haired leader said. He and his friends walked away from Arnold and Gerald. Arnold let out a sigh. And turned towards Helga.
"Helga, are you alright?" Arnold asked.
"I'm fine!" Helga said instinctively.
"I'm sorry I pulled you away like that, I didn't want to see you get into a fight over something I did. I'm really sorry I got you into that. He shouldn't have called you those words," Arnold said. Helga was looking up at him and his earnest eyes.
"Arnold, stop apologizing. You didn't do anything wrong," Helga said, she turned her head and exhaled again. "I can't believe that guy," Helga said.
"I can't believe you, Arnold!" Gerald interrupted. "What the hell was that? Since when are you so eager to get in a fight?" Gerald asked.
"I don't know, Gerald. He said something and I just… kinda snapped," Arnold said.
"That was quite scary to see you that way Arnold," Phoebe chimed in.
"I'm sorry everyone," Arnold began saying.
Helga looked around at the shocked faces of the partygoers, expecting a show. "Alright, shows over morons, keep it movin," Helga yelled to the crowd.
"You're fine, Football Head," Helga said turning to her boyfriend and crossing her arms, scowling towards Gerald and Phoebe. "You just got a little angry, we all do sometimes," Helga said.
"Like Helga just did," Phoebe said brightly.
Helga, slightly irked said "Yes, like I just did. You didn't need to pull me away. I could have taken them."
Arnold smiled at her. "Well, it's over now. Maybe now we can have some fun," Arnold said wearing his big grin once again.
Helga rolled her eyes and smirked at him.
"Hey man, let's go find the guys," Gerald said.
"Yeah, lead the way Geraldo," Helga said. Gerald rolled his eyes and started to look around and head deeper into the house. Phoebe held his hand and followed. Helga quickly grabbed Arnold's hand and held it in hers. She smiled up at him. "I gotta keep an eye on you, make sure you don't kill anyone," Helga said.
"That'd be great," Arnold said. He smiled and turned to follow Gerald into the crowd.
The house was packed. Pockets of dancing surrounded the main dance area. The party attendees spread themselves towards different sections of the home. The second floor seemed full of people as well. Casually drinking and having conversations. As they two couples tried finding their friends the smell of alcohol became stronger and stronger. "This is way to much party for a February," Helga said to herself.
Helga held Arnold's hand tightly. Too afraid to let him go. His flash of anger was only a flash, but Helga felt scared for Arnold. She had never seen his anger manifest that way. "I guess he's capable of a lot. Would he ever hurt me like that? No, he wouldn't. He's having a bad week and it's starting to get to him," Helga thought to herself. Arnold was leading her through the halls, finally opening to a large living area with double doors opening to the main sitting area. Helga looked over the gaggle of teenagers occupying the sofas. Her eyes found Pattie, sitting with Sid and Stinky. She pulled Arnold and Arnold turned. She gestured towards their friends and Arnold smiled.
"Hey, guys!" Arnold yelled to the P.S. 118 group.
"Arnold!" The group exclaimed in unison. Arnold, with Helga behind him and Gerald along with Phoebe nestled into a spot joining the group.
"Hey Arnold, you got something really angry on your hand," Sid proclaimed over the surrounding noise. The group laughed and Helga scowled at Sid.
"Am I angry because I don't find you even remotely interesting?" Helga asked.
"No, it just makes you weird. Ladies love me," Sid said. Sid was sitting on the couch, Herald sitting next to him, with Stinky occupying a spot on the floor. There was seating around the group allowing for the four newcomers to the party to join in.
"They really don't, Sid," Stinky piped up between sips from his beer.
"I know they don't," Sid said. He put his hand on Arnold's shoulder and said, "that's why I use the chum boat strategy!" The group laughed at Sid.
"That doesn't work when you're a parasite with no personality," Pattie had interjected from the recliner across from Sid. The girls of the group laughed along with Pattie and Helga. The boys had joined in when Sid had no comeback.
"It's alright, Sid. You just need to change everything about yourself and the ladies will come begging for you," Helga said.
"Helga!" Phoebe said. "There's no need to be so mean," she finished.
"Oh perfect!" Helga said. "I got it, you can be pathetic and make them feel bad for you. It's already working on Phoebe," Helga said and started to cackle along with the others. Phoebe had a look on her face that Helga knew was the closest thing Phoebe got to being angry. "Sorry Phoebes," Helga said, winking at Phoebe. Phoebe returned the wink and laughed along with her friends.
The group shared laugh after laugh as the night continued. The party starting to turn around, they reminisced about their time together growing up and swapped stories. As the party continued people cycled in and out of their group. Some new faces, and faces of people still missing from the group. Helga managed to get her water when Arnold jumped to get the group another round of drinks. Helga after sitting so long started to become restless. She stood up and looked around. She looked over at the dance floor. The music was playing Helga's favorite Spanish funk genre of music.
"Arnold!" She yelled. Arnold looked up from his spot. Helga grabbed his arm and started to pull him up. "Let's go dance!" Helga said. Helga felt the excitement in her stomach. She hadn't had the opportunity to dance with Arnold since their unofficial date some months before.
"Alright, I'm coming," Arnold acquiesced.
"Arnold can't dance," Gerald said, earning a small laugh from the group.
"He's a dummy, I'll admit. But if you show him what to do, he's somewhat competent," Helga said. She looked at Arnold and saw the hurt from her revelation. "I'm helping darling, you're a great dancer when you're with me," Helga said.
"Uh huh," Arnold let out as Helga pulled him towards the music. Helga lead him to the heart of the dance floor.
Helga waited for Arnold to grab her hips and feel the music. She looked up and saw Arnold thinking, almost as if he were trying to remember the answer to a quiz question. "Oh my god, you moron," Helga let out.
"I'm just trying to remember how to start," Arnold yelled so that she could hear over the music.
Helga began laughing at him. "You're so hopeless," Helga said in between her laughing. Helga began swaying her hips to the music. She grabbed Arnold's hands and pulled him towards her. "Like last time, just follow me," Helga said.
"Alright, I'll follow you forever," Arnold said, smiling down at her.
"Good," Helga said as she smiled deeply at him. Arnold started to slowly get the rhythm down. He put his hands on her hips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She lead with her hips. The dancing was awkward as Arnold would randomly swing a different direction, earning an annoyed grunt from Helga. The music sped up. Arnold eventually started listening to the beat and listening to Helga's body. They danced fluidly together as the music continued. Helga felt the music pulse through her body as she moved. Arnold was behind her now with his hand on her stomach as it was at the club they had spent the night in the last time they danced. This time was different somehow.
Helga felt Arnold behind her. She felt more confident with him behind her. She never questioned her dancing ability. She knew she was one of the best. Helga could keep up with anyone competing with her. When she danced she felt like her body could express every note played for her. She made music with her body. Somehow having Arnold dancing with her made it better, almost ethereal. Helga never subscribed to the destiny, but having Arnold there with her felt right. All her problems melted away when they could be together on the dance floor. It was only made better knowing that he would be there when the real life took over and the problems came back. She reached towards Arnold and whispered in his ear "I never want to stop, I love you." Arnold kissed her deeply as they continued their physical expression of the music.
"I'll never stop as long as you're there, I love you too," Arnold said into her ear. Helga felt herself tremble at his gravelly voice.
The night went on like that. One song after another Arnold and Helga held each other on the dance floor. Helga noticed the looks they got from their friends who came and went from the dance floor as their bodies continued to entangle on the dance floor. Helga became entranced with her partner. She did not realize they were still at a party until the music began to slow. She suddenly realized how sweaty and thirsty she was. "Are you thirsty?" She heard Arnold say.
"You read my mind, my legs hurt!" Helga chuckled.
Arnold grabbed her hand and led her back over to the clearing living room are. He grabbed a couple of cups and filled them with water from the pitcher on the bar. Helga grabbed the cup her offered as they looked at each other. Arnold held his glass up. "To you," Arnold toasted.
Helga laughed and clanged her plastic cup against his, and swallowed all of the water in one gulp.