Chapter 4

Look at that another chapter. It just keeps coming I have a few ideas on how this story is going to turn out.

: Thank you. I will hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I still own nothing but the idea of this story

Arnold came home with still pink ears when he walked in.

"I'm home" he said as he heard Abner run up to and tackle him. Arnold was petting Abner when his dad came in.

"Now I don't think Abner is the one to make you blush. So, who is she?" asked his dad in a snickering wat as he was drying a dish. This made Arnold blush even more

"Daaad. It's not like that.

"uh huh. I know that look." He said with amusement in his eyes.

"No really. I'm playing Romeo in the play this quarter." Said Arnold trying to regain control of his blushing. But he would just turn redder when he thought about Helga's soft plump lips on his.

"Romeo and Juliet huh? Who's playing Juliet?" he asked already knowing the answer.

"H. Helga is" Miles chuckled at that.

"Hey Stel. Guess what. Arnold and Helga are playing Romeo and Juliet together in the play." He yelled Arnold put his oblong head in his hands and shaking his head

"Daaaaad." Said Arnold on a whine. Just then Stella comes out of the kitchen with a spatula in her hand

"Oh Arnold. You're in the play? This is marvelous. now tell us all about it dear but first wash up dinner will be done soon. Arnold ran into his room and closed his door. He leaned against it. And let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. As he slumped down he took out his notes and moved to his desk turned on his laptop put some jazz on and started typing up his paper on Helga. He realized he didn't have much on Helga. So, he grabbed his coat and told his parents he would be back later. He waved good bye and headed towards Helga's. He had this sinking feeling about Helga a few things didn't add up. He was pondering when he heard a glass break and Bob yelling. Arnold got worried as he quickly went up the stairs and rang the bell. It went quiet and Arnold held his breathe.

"Ya, ya what do you want?" demanded an angry Bob.

"Hi Mr. Pataki, I'm. "Arnold started

"let me stop you there we don't want any." He said about to slam the door.

"Is Helga home? I need to finish up some homework." Arnold rushed out.

"Oh, you're here for the girl." Said bob in a questing tone as he had his one side of his unibrow lifted in irritation.

"Look kid now's not a good time."

"Dad, the assignments due soon we need to finish it." Whispered Helga. Arnold was just quiet when bob barked at Helga and she went upstairs. She looked at him and Arnold held his breath she had a black eye. Arnold nodded and started to head home.

The next few days went by normally. Finally, it was time to turn in the paper tomorrow. Arnold still didn't have any new information for him. He didn't know what to do. she brushed him off anytime he asked about it. She said she was playing baseball and the ball hit her in the face. It would make since, but he hasn't seen her at the field or anything. Then Helga would tell him. To leave it alone its nothing. The whole school bought her "story" but Arnold still wanted to help her.

"Helga the papers due tomorrow. I really need more info about you." Arnold begged during lunch. Helga shrugged

"Ok, well go over to your place after school. We should rehearse while we are there anyways." She said as she took a bite of Phoebes salad.

After school Helga was walking with Arnold neither not really saying much.

"So, plays going to be good. If we remember all those lines." Says Arnold. Helga nods

"Yeah, but its easier since we already played. Its more of a refresh and a little more adult. With the kissing and two semi sex scenes" said Helga with a blush. Arnold was staring at her blush wanting to trace it with his tongue. He looked at her chest wondering if it started there.

"My eyes are up here bucko. You know were not actually going to be having sex, right?" said Helga with a deeper blush Arnold looked up at her with just as much of a blush. Keep it together Arnold its just Helga. He was saying to himself as they got to the house. Arnold was going to walk up the stair, but Helga was just staring at it.

Flashback sixth grade.

Helga found herself in front of the sunset arms building. She stood there staring thinking of Arnold.

"Oh, Arnold I bet your loving Florida. I bet you found a nice girl there. I wish I can let you go. But if I did I would succumb to the darkness that is my life." Said Helga to the empty building. She climbed up the fire escape and snuck into what was once Arnolds room. She sat on the floor and thought about that night.

She came home a little late from her dance class and bib was in a terrible mood. He beat her. Yelled ay her. Blamed her for losing customers. She's used to be called a waste. And invoking his anger. She sobbed as she looked at her sprained wrist. Wondering what she ever did to make bob hate her so much. No matter what she does he still gets angry with her. At first, he would apologize now he nothing. She fell asleep in the fetal position on his floor. She heard shouting and she jumped up. She looked around and heard footsteps coming up there. And she ran out of the sky light just as the door opened.

End of flashback

Helga shook her head as she walked into the building after Arnold.

"Son is that you." Asked miles

"Yeah it's me but."

"Ok good. Look the people here are offering us to rebuy this place isn't that great1" exclaimed miles Arnold perked up knowing that meant they would stay here.

"That's greater dad." He said as he walked into the kitchen. Helga following him.

"Oh, Helga dear are you staying for dinner?" asks Stella in a kind voice. Helga frozen at the memories of drinking tea in here with Gertie when Arnold would go away or didn't know she would come bye/ Helga felt the tears in her eyes knowing shell never be called Elenore again. She sniffed and nodded.

"Helga are you ok?" ask Stella as she got up and hugged ger.

"Yeah I'm fine Mrs. Shortman." Said Helga

"Helga, I told you to call me Stella." Said Stella.

"Are you hungry?" asked miles as he went to the kitchen to get a snack.

"Ni thank you." Said Helga

"so were going to be in my room doing homework." Said Arnold as he grabbed Helga's hand to lead her out.

"Oh, is that what they're calling it now?" said miles

"DAD!" said Arnold with a blush on his cheeks.

"Now don't "practice" the sex scenes up there" he said again. Helga was trying to hide her laugh but also her blush.

"Its not like that Mr. Shortman. We have a paper to finish." Said Helga trying to regain her reputation.

"Oh ok. I understand." Said miles as the kids walked away miles said a little loud so they would here

"Hey Stel, do you want to help me "write an essay"" he said

"Oh, Miles" said Stella on a giggle as she smacked him with a towel.

In Arnolds room Arnold was mortified this is the second time they have done this. He quickly closed his door and turned to a chuckling Helga.

"I love your parents." She says as she wipes a tear away.

"Glad one of us does" he grumbled. Helga went and sat on his bed as she started taking out the script. He was staring at her. It looked like she had a slight bruise on her cheek. She had her hair in braids today. She looked beautiful. She looked perfect sitting on his bed. Like she belonged there. Arnold didn't realize he was giving her the half-lidded love-sick grin that makes the hair stand on her skin.

"Wh... what?" she stumbled.

"Nothing. So, the papers due tomorrow. I know you said you were only going to tell me about you on what you felt comfortable with. But I need some more information." Said Arnold trying to hide his blush. Is that all id do around her is blush? What the hell Shortman? He yelled at himself.

"Umm. Ok what do you want to know." Asks Helga shyly

"Well, umm, you and phoebe are best friends, still right?" he asks Helga nods yes.

"So, we got that. What about a boyfriend?" he asks sheepishly. He looked down trying to hide the red again. What is wrong with me.

"um. No. I mean I dated sis back in tenth grade but there was no spark." Said Helga Arnolds head popped up she dated Sid! Arnold said to himself.

"Um. Ok. Um. Your allergic to strawberries, right?" he asked not knowing what to say.

"Yeah, I'm allergic. Look Arnold I don't want this to be awkward. Just ask whatever you want. Ill tell you if its to personal." Said Helga as she played with her sweatshirt sleeve.

"Why do you wear sweatshirts? Its September its still hot out?" asked Arnold

"…" she looked away.

"Next question" she said

"What happened to your bow." He asks he missed it. He always loved her bow

"I grew up Arnold." She said

"look, I'm not the bully I used to be, but I'm still me. I'm still sarcastic, rude and mean when needed. I still have the iron fists I just don't use them unless I must. I'm still me" she said Arnold nodded and wrote that down. He knew what he was going to write he took a note to remind himself to write about her in the fourth grade.

"SO what part do you want to rehearse?" he asked Helga looked at the play?" lets start at the beginning and work our way through." He nodded

"Oh, you coming to Rhonda's party tomorrow night?" Arnold asked. Helga put her finger to her lip as she was thinking looking up at the skylight. Arnold was staring at that finger and all the sudden felt very jealous of the finger.

"Yeah I'll be there" she said