Hey, guys.

To all still interested or have been waiting for an update to this fic, I apologize. I've overworked myself to a degree and I lost the spark. A lot of different projects are going on with my writing and of course real life gets in the way too.

Rest assured this is not an abandoned story nor will it ever be. We're close to the finish line now and the most important part is almost here.

Thank you to those who have stuck by me. Please enjoy this chapter and a nice hint of what's to come.

Also I threw in some more 90s references in there plus something extra for anyone who likes Marvel and DC xD

Chapter 19. Silver Tongues

As it turned out, convincing Rhonda to allow Helga to attend her party was a more difficult sell than Gerald or Phoebe anticipated. The waspy socialite was still quite cool towards Helga for her infamous outburst at Arnold in the lunchroom.

"I don't see why I should allow her to come. Her behavior towards that poor boy is still completely unacceptable. Plus, I already helped her out once. Why should I again?"

"You got a free magazine subscription out of it," Gerald countered as they sat on the bus ride home. "Come on Rhonda, this is important to both Arnold and Helga."

"Arnold is more than welcome to come, the wonderful doll he is. But you still haven't given me a specific reason why I should make an exception for little miss tomboy."

Gerald looked at Phoebe for any indication as to how much they should reveal to Rhonda, who would be sure to spread around whatever she heard among her clique. To give away their plans to try and get them together was unwise to say the least.

"We're trying to get them to resolve their situation once and for all," Phoebe responded. "They both agreed to sort out the issues at your party, away from everyone in private. Before the school year ends."

Rhonda pinched her nose and gave a haughty sigh.

"If I allow Helga to come just promise to keep her in line, Phoebe. One threat of Betsy and the Five Avengers and she's gone."

The bus rolled to a stop and Rhonda trotted off, leaving the couple behind to ponder their next move.

"Smooth move there, Pheebs," Gerald complimented. "Only one problem though, Arnold and Helga haven't actually agreed to go to this party at all."

"Well that's where we come into play," Phoebe replied with a small wink. "I'm sure the coolest kid at P.S. 118 can convince his best friend to attend a little get together." She punctuated this statement with a soft kiss on the cheek with made her boyfriend flush.

"You know, I think some of my natural smoothness has rubbed off on you," he teased.

"I'm just good at pushing the right buttons," Phoebe giggled. "But in reality, I think I have the more difficult job. Those two have never been close and going to one of Rhonda's high society parties won't be Helga's idea of a good time."

"It may be hard to believe but don't underestimate Arnold's stubbornness. When he digs in on something, he rarely ever changes his mind," Gerald warned.

"Surely he wouldn't turn down an opportunity to mingle with his friends? Especially when we're all about to graduate from sixth grade."

"Arnold hasn't been the bastion of sociability lately. Whether it's his parents or Helga….he's just had a hard time getting back to normal. I don't know what normal is for him anymore."

He briefly took a glance outside the window as they passed by the boarding house (Arnold had left early that day due to a doctor's appointment and thus decided to take the bus home). Fumes of the noisy bus hovered by the window as it hummed along. He would have to take a trip their sooner rather than later.

"We can do it, Gerald. For our best friends' sake. Even if they don't end up together, they can at least be amicable with each other," Phoebe tried to reassure him.

Gerald looked down and twiddled his thumbs.

"Was that ever possible with those two?"

Not even his girlfriend could answer that. Only the upcoming party could.

Gerald figured that an afternoon of comic books and snacks would be enough to put Arnold at ease and slowly lead him into the question of the party rather than popping it on him all at once.

Arnold lay on his bed, shoes off reading the latest DC edition of Batman while Gerald chilled on the remote controlled couch pretended to be invested in the latest storyline for Captain America.

"You ever think we'll get movies for these guys?" the blond asked aloud.

"Arnold there already was a movie for Superman and for Batman. Last one kinda sucked actually."

"I don't just mean stand alone movies," Arnold explained. "But an entire series with all the heroes: Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman…"

Gerald shrugged as he flipped a page.

"Who knows. Just as long as they don't put Val Kilmer as Batman again I'm good. Pass the chips."

His best friend tossed them over, which he grabbed without looking, taking a handful as he continued to pretend to read.

"Do you think DC or Marvel would have a better series?"

"Marvel."

Arnold raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you say that?"

"Trust me, brotha. DC's got the characters, but Marvel has the continuity. Less complicated, not everything is super overpowered. Sometimes less is more."

"Interesting."

Silence fell between the two boys and Gerald figure now was as good a time as any to pop the inevitable question. He played it casual, as though he had overheard it from someone walking down the street.

"By the way, have you heard about this party Rhonda's having at the end of the month?"

He didn't look up from his comic yet. No reason to make Arnold suspect he was too eager to hear the answer.

"Yeah, I heard something. Why what's up?"

"I got invited to it. Rhonda said you were invited too. Figured it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have one more get together before middle school. She isn't even making us dress fancy this time."

It was then he set the paper down and took a glance at his friend's reaction, which was neutral but held a hint of skepticism.

"Don't know if it sounds like my cup of tea. Especially considering the last party I went to at her house."

Gerald had been prepared for a response like that. Fortunately, he did have a few tricks up his sleeve.

"Like I said man, dress code is smart casual. No tuxedo or anything. Plus, she's hired a DJ, a whole array of food and everything. Even Harold won't be able to eat it all."

"Is everyone being invited? Not just the 'cool kids'? I don't want it to be a repeat of Rhonda holding court while everyone else listens."

"Arnold if I was invited you know she's inviting everyone else. I was on the geek list remember?" he said laughing at the memory.

Sitting up, Arnold did seem to consider that point.

"We could check it out, I guess. The buzz from what happened with Frankie G is pretty much over with."

He then put a hand on the back of his neck, a sure tale sign he was nervous about something.

"Is uh…Helga going to be there?"

Gerald desperately hoped that wouldn't come up, but he had to answer all the same.

Time to go full politician mode

"No idea, man. Phoebe's not sure if she's going to go and if she's not Helga probably won't either. It depends on what they want to do."

Arnold appeared conflicted but seemed to detect no ulterior motives. On the contrary, the idea of seeing or interacting with Helga was a prospect he feared and relished simultaneously.

"You don't have to talk to her if you don't want to," Gerald suggested. "She might not even show up."

"It's not that…it's just….I wouldn't know what to say really. Maybe it's best if I don't risk it."

Gerald got up and put a friendly arm around his best friend, ready to play his trump card.

"Everyone needs to take a little risk sometimes, buddy. Compared to what you've been through the past couple weeks, this is a piece of cake. Nothing's going to happen. Just a few sodas and some music one last time with the boys."

Arnold cracked a sheepish grin.

"Just like old times."

"Exactly."

"I can get behind that. Pass me the chips."

It was then that Gerald knew he had convinced his best friend and the thought brought a big grin to his face as he threw the bag over to Arnold's bed. It was all coming together now.

"By the way, I have no idea what smart casual means."

"Me neither."

Both boys continued to laugh as their afternoon of comic book reading and junk food resumed. Gerald could only wonder how his girlfriend was holding up on her end.

As it turned out Phoebe's prediction turned out to be correct. The second she brought up Rhonda's party, Helga became combative and defiant.

"No stinkin way am I going to Miss Princess Perfect's party, Pheebs! Not a chance!"

They were standing outside of a dumpster a few blocks away from the baseball field where Helga chucked rocks at the trash container with her usual aggressive gusto.

"Helga won't you at least consider it? It will be quite possibly the last time we're under one roof outside of school at P.S. 118."

"Whoop de doo," the blonde spoke with a noticeable lack of sentiment in her tone. "My heart is just bursting with emotion. Please, the day can't come soon enough where I never see some of those chuckleheads again."

"You do realize that most of us are going to the same middle school."

"Whatever." Helga chucked another rock which hit graffiti sign which read 'Monkey Man Rulez' and bounced off with a loud clang. "The point is, if you're trying to get me to come out of nostalgia don't even bother."

"Free food and drink?" Phoebe suggested.

"Nice perk but not good enough."

"A DJ?"

"Negative."

The half Japanese girl was afraid of this. Given everything that had happened in the previous months there was little social incentive for Helga to show up to a party who's host she did not eye to eye with. That left only one last option.

"Well….Arnold might be there."

Helga ceased her rock chucking for one second to turn around and look her best friend directly in the eye.

"A-Arnold? How do you know?"

"I am the girlfriend of his most tenured acquaintance, Helga. Gerald was invited and he's going. It stands to reason Arnold will be attending as well."

The blonde cast a downward glance, allowing her last rock to drop to the pavement.

"I can't speak to Arnold right now. I already told you that."

"You're telling me you don't want to see him?"

"Phoebe, I always want to see him. That hasn't changed. But I'm better off staring from afar than risk breaking his heart again. I just can't believe he'd change his mind even after all that…stuff happened."

"You mean saving his life?" Phoebe rightfully pointed out.

"Try humiliating him in front of the whole school!" Helga practically shrieked. "Or have you forgotten that little tidbit?"

Phoebe regarded her best friend coolly.

"I haven't forgotten but there's an opportunity here you don't want to miss."

"What am I going to say? I don't think sorry is going to cut it anymore."

"Helga don't stress over it. There's no need to panic over 'what if' just yet. Just come to the party with me and have a good time. The rest can come later and if you don't end up talking to Arnold then I nor anyone else will force you to."

She held out a hand in display of affection and smiled.

"We've been friends all this time. Let's enjoy ourselves one last time before we turn thirteen. Arnold or no Arnold."

Helga rolled her eyes but allowed a small smile to cross her face, taking Phoebe's hand in hers.

"I must be the world's biggest sap for agreeing to this. I'll indulge you. But the minute I get bored or get some snooty remark from the future cheerleader I'm checking out."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

They reentered the street, hand in hand, heading back to Helga's home to see if Miriam had made anything for dinner.

"By the way, Rhonda did mention that any threat of Betsy and the Five Avengers would result in an automatic ejection from her home."

"She said that, eh?" the blonde girl mused, rubbing her chin.

"Yup."

"Can't make any promises on that one."

Phoebe smiled to herself.

"I know. Should be fun."

The girls laughed and as the afternoon turned to a golden-red sunset Phoebe couldn't help but notice that Helga's step was considerably lighter, and her mood improved as they finished their last bit of homework and watched TV while Big Bob snored.

There was no way to predict the reaction once Helga and Arnold found out about her and Gerald's masterplan but for the first time in weeks there was hope in the idea that maybe, just maybe this might work out after all.

It would be a spring to remember.

Coming up next- Chapter 20 and Rhonda's Party. No timetable but it won't be as long as the last period between updates. The groove is back.

~The Wasp