Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold!

The Day You Will

By Moonlight

What's Best For You

The lunch bell resounded through the room as the lot of students began gathering their things and heading towards the cafeteria. The loud chatter and bustle seemed to be competing in loudness with the obnoxious, high-pitched chime. Talk of the day's menu carried through the room. Hot dogs and macaroni. Not that it mattered, she thought as she stared at the paper bag in her lap. Her attention had been focused on other things. More important things to her. Like the moment she had shared with Arnold just that morning. How their hands had interlaced. How she'd felt his warmth radiating through her cold soul for the few seconds in which she had allowed him to be near her.

That is, until she had stood up and walked away from him. Her senses had come back to her and she had let him go just as easily as she had let him in. Left him with a look of confusion and...was that sadness? Or concern? But she had to distance herself. She had to find comfort in her usual spot in the classroom. Her only regret was not asking him why he wanted to aid her so much. She had tried to ask, but only managed to sigh deeply, silencing her thoughts.

It was difficult.

Difficult to get closer to him, though it seemed so simple when he pretty much held his arms out to her.

And the way he'd said her name when he spoke to her. So softly. A hushed whisper among the screams that rattled her brain from the frustrations she'd been living. "It's okay, Helga." he'd said. "I'm not going anywhere, Helga." that soft, comforting voice echoed through her.

"Helga."

The name on the paper bag became blurry as she let herself become lost in thought.

"Helga."

It was so sweet. So clear. She closed her eyes slowly.

"Helga. Are you alright?"

Startled back to reality, she jumped in her seat and looked up at Phoebe who was leaning over her desk.

"Oh! Hi Phoebs…"

The dark-haired girl tilted her head curiously, "Helga, I stopped by to pick you up this morning, but you weren't there."

Helga tried to think up an excuse her friend would actually believe. Phoebe was, after all, one of the most perceptive people Helga had ever met. She, and Gerald too. No wonder they were perfect together. They had both figured out her longest kept secret so easily.

"The emporium sign was down, and there was a demolition crew out front…" Phoebe continued, "Did something happen to the business?"

Flustered and surprised by the news, Helga sprung out of her chair. Her head began to spin. It was actually happening. She knew it would, but so soon… The thought of watching the emporium crash down after having knowing it her entire life, after her father had dedicated so much to it, felt surreal. Almost like she were living in the twilight zone.

"Did...did you finally lose it?" Phoebe finally asked, a very concerned look taking over her small face.

"Uh-n-no! Of course not! What do you mean, anyway?! We're just...r-remodeling, is all!" she said, trying to sound confident. She really did NOT want to get Phoebe involved in the issue. Not when she'd been so happy lately.

But she had forgotten how perceptive her best friend really was. "Remodeling the entire building? Why knock it down?"

No one else seemed to be in the room with them anymore. Even the teacher had run off to make copies for the next class lesson. Phoebe's words echoed through the empty room. Bouncing off every wall and returning back to Helga's ears. She was silent for what seemed like an eternity. She could feel her body growing limp from the agony she felt over not being truthful with the person she had trusted so much to. The look in Phoebe's eyes seemed to scream "please!" And her heart wanted to spill everything. How Bob had failed them. How her family was homeless. How Arnold had so kindly helped her. How he'd been so wonderful with her. And how scared she was to accept that kindness.

Helga quickly shoved her things inside her bag and attempted to make a run for it.

"I… I don't believe you, Helga." she said, doing her best to be stern with the blonde.

Stopping in her tracks, Helga stared down at her feet. It just wasn't happening anymore, she thought. Phoebe was too smart, and it was no use hiding anything from her anymore. Her hands balled into fists and she inhaled strongly before turning back to face her friend.

"Phoebe…" she started.

The walk to the cafeteria was long. The two girls were silent, with only the sound of their footsteps on the hard floor indicating anyone of their presence.

She had told her everything. And Helga was in shock as to how easily it all came out. Just like with Mr. Leonel. It was as if someone turned the faucet on her mouth all the way on, and word vomit spewed from her. She didn't know what to think anymore. How to feel anymore.

Phoebe continued to reassure Helga by frequently glancing over to her and smiling genuinely.

Once at the double doors that lead to the large room, Helga paused to look at her friend.

"Please don't tell anyone about this…"

The small girl could only nod and placed a hand on Helga's shoulder. They each pushed a door open and headed to the table where Gerald and Arnold sat waiting for them.

Helga stopped herself from following her friend and tried to head to her usual spot in at the empty table by the vending machine. That table had an annoying broken leg which cause it to teeter with even a slight movement. This would certainly drive anyone crazy, but not her. That's what made the spot comfortable for her. She didn't have to sit with anyone. She didn't have to talk to anyone. She was just left to her own thoughts. Exactly the way she liked it.

However, she was redirected by Phoebe's gentle yanking on her jacket sleeve.

The look on Phoebe's face made it hard for Helga to say no. That little stare down of hers over her glasses was, not only adorable, but very effective.

They took their seats at the table with the boys. Phoebe next to Gerald, of course. When were they NOT together? Helga, who had taken a seat across from none other than Arnold, silently proceeded to open her paper bag and pull out her sandwich.

"Wow. You actually decided to make yourself a decent meal today, Pataki?" Gerald teased only to feel Phoebe elbow him in the side.

Helga did her best to ignore his taunt and tried to eat her food in peace. He wasn't that far off though. Her lunches had usually consisted of cheesefiz and crackers, sometimes shaving cream, courtesy of Miriam. The woman could have poisoned her, if she were actually stupid enough to eat that. Besides that, food wasn't really a thing their family had a large supply of. Especially as of late.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Arnold had moved to sit next to her. He ninja'd his way into her bag to grab something. Startled by movement in her bag, Helga perked up.

"WHAT are you DO-?!"

She stopped as she watched Arnold pick out the ziplock bag of strawberries. He gave her a small smile and rubbed at the back of his neck.

"You're allergic to these, right?" he smiled shyly as he set the strawberries on his tray and swap them for another item he had.

Helga only watched as he held out his tapioca pudding. She looked down at it questioningly, then back at Arnold.

"Let's trade." He said. The look in his eyes sending shivers down Helga's spine.

Lost in a moment of pure bliss, the two exchanged nervous smiles and slight blushes. Helga felt herself melt at his touch when she accepted the small dessert cup. His fingers lightly brushed hers, and for a second, she could have sworn she saw sparks.

"Woah." A familiar, obnoxious voice startled the two.

The whole group looked up to see Rhonda Wellington Lloyd staring down at them. Her hands rested on her hips as she leaned in toward Arnold and Helga, curiously.

She cleared her throat in the most fake, diva fashion, before continuing, "Did I just imagine that? Or were you just making googly-eyes at Arnold?"

Helga cut her off instantly, knowing where she was going with her statement. "As IF! Mind your own business, PRINCESS." Her arms folded tightly across her chest and her brow furrowed.

Rhonda put her hands in front of herself, in defense. "I'm JUST saying. You two were kind of sharing a moment, so I thought, 'hey, maybe Helga actually does have feelings!'"

"WHAT?" Helga hissed through gritted teeth.

Just then, the rumbling laughter of the pink boy caught her ear, "Did I hear right? Helga has feelings?!" Harold laughed so loud that it started a wave of laughter at his table, where Sid and Stinky, among others, also sat. "Next you're going to tell me that my hotdog is walking off my tray!"

Helga's hands balled into fists as her blood began to boil.

"That's IT. I'm out of here!" she said, more for herself than anyone else. Taking a step passed Rhonda, towards the door, Helga felt a hand on her shoulder stop her.

She turned around to face Arnold, who tried to give her a reassuring look, however only succeeded in bringing a bright pink to her cheeks and angering her further. Shaking him off, she stomped out of the cafeteria and down the hallway.

"All I said was-" Rhonda started to defend herself, however was silenced by a slow shake of Gerald's head.

Helga made her way down the hall, towards a spot where she could be alone for a while. There was a nice, dimly-lit corner under the stairs in the furthest part of the longest hallway. She took a seat with her legs crossed and propped her head up with her hand. A most pensive pose.

She was irritated. Frustrated. Confused most of all. Why did she freak out like that? It was just a dumb comment from Rhonda. It's not like she had been put on display. Though, it had felt that way. She should have been used to Rhonda's teasing by now. It was a common occurrence, after all. She let out a quiet groan and began to reach into her pocket for her comfort item.

"Helga?"

Returning the locket to its place, she looked up at Arnold, who contemplated for a second, before deciding to take a seat next to her. She said nothing, but shifted uncomfortably to lean away from him. He was close. Too close. And her heart began to beat furiously in her chest. A heaviness filled her as she heard him speak again.

"Are you okay?"

She glanced in his direction, still keeping her head in her hand. "I'm fine."

"I don't think she meant to embarrass you-" he said, trying his best to pick the right words.

She shook her head in frustration and turned to face him, "What do you mean? Embarrass me?! As if!"

They sat in silence for a few moments before Arnold sighed heavily.

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Look. I really have been wanting to talk to you about what happened back in San Lo-"

A voice over the intercom interrupted him.

"Helga Pataki. Please report to the office. Helga Pataki, report to the office. That is all."

The two stared at each other for a moment, before Helga decided to jump to her feet. She muttered a barely audible, "I need to go" before heading in the direction of the office. Arnold stood and called out for her to wait, but she had already turned the corner that lead to the front of the school.

Her mind flooded with images of the night at the village of the Green-Eyes. How he had complimented her and whole-heartedly thanked her for everything she had done for him. Everything he had seen, anyway. There was too much that she had done without his knowledge, and she wasn't about to reveal it all, either. His hands, though. How they had found their way to hers and pulled her towards him so gently. Everything about that moment, the heat that flowed to her cheeks, the chemistry she had felt when they kissed, it all began to flood back to her. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach fluttering frantically.

Why did he have to bring that up…?

"Baby sister!" Olga stepped out of the office towards her with her arms outstretched. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you're safe, Helga."

Helga rolled her eyes and did her best to push away from her sister's tight embrace. "I'm just FINE. Why are you here?" she said while looking around Olga at a pink suitcase that she recognized as her own.

"I have the most horrible news…" Olga started as she glanced around her at the same suitcase, "You see, Helga… Since we were asked to vacate the store, we called around to see who could house us. So, we're moving in with aunt Mel for a while, until daddy finds a stable income…" she fought tears and sniffled.

"To ASHLAND?" Helga asked, her eyes wide and full of horror. Leaving Hillwood? Leaving Shoreline, Washington entirely and moving to...the furthest southern part of Oregon? No. She couldn't leave. Not with the way things were with…"I can't move to Oregon..." she said through gritted teeth.

"I know, baby sister." Olga responded as she looked past Helga at Arnold, who had followed her. "I know, so-"

The boy pushed past Helga and stood between her and Olga. A determined look in his eyes as he spoke. "Could she keep staying at the boarding house?" he said, trying to convince the older girl. "She can finish school here while your family gets back on its feet...She'll be safe."

Olga reached over for the suitcase and helded it up, "I heard from the school, this morning, that you had taken her in. I was so relieved to hear this, because i know she's safe with you." she handed him the suitcase, "That's why I brought her this…"

Arnold took the item, which felt oddly light, and glanced over at Helga, who now stood with her arms at her sides and a surprised, yet confused look on her face.

"Helga is very fond of you, Arnold."

"Olga. Shut UP." Helga growled.

"And I know you care for her, which I'm eternally grateful for."

"OLGA!"

"So, if it's not too much trouble, please take care of her?" she finished, looking down at Arnold who had been exchanging glances with a blushing, and aggravated Helga as she spoke.

Helga stepped towards her sister. "Why? Is Bob happy that I'm not around? Is he trying to get rid of me for good, now?" The bitterness in her tone stung at Olga.

"...Quite the opposite." she responded to Helga's surprise. "He wanted to take you with us, but I asked him to let you stay."

"But why? I thought you would want the family to stick together or some crap like that." She crossed her arms.

Olga sighed and shook her head. "Not this time, baby sister. I know now what is most important to you. And you won't have that in Ashland."

Helga could only stare at her sister. The girl's words sinking in.

"I need to go now, Helga… They're waiting outside." She turned to leave, but Helga called out behind her.

"You're going with them? What about your job?"

Olga shook her head once more, "I'm going to transfer to a school down there. I can still teach, so it doesn't matter where I go." She gave Helga a small smile.

Helga followed her out the door, her eyes avoiding her father.

"Olga. I said you didn't understand me, but now I'm extremely confused… what happened?"

"You know," she started, "I spent all night thinking about what you said, and I realized it was true… so when daddy said we needed to pack, I started going through your things and-"

"You WENT through my STUFF?!"

"Yes. I had to in order to pack." Olga defended herself, "but...I came across one of your journals and… I realized what you needed and wanted… what made you happy, was not something I, or mommy and daddy, could give you. And I just couldn't allow myself to pull you away from-"

Helga's eyes were brimming with tears. She tried desperately to hold them back. "Stop! Just…stop."

Olga leaned in to embrace her sister. Helga tried to push her away, but gave in as she realized her strength had gone from her.

"I think… This is a great opportunity for you, Helga."

The girl only sniffled in response.

"You should bond with him."

"I'm scared…" she finally spoke.

Olga pulled away and took an item out of her purse. "Whatever it is that you're scared of, baby sister, you can tell me when you're ready. I'll do my best to help you through it." She handed her the item.

It was a cellphone. Rose gold and adorned with a pink ribbon charm. Helga examined it closely before looking back up at her sister, who she was sure had gotten hit on the head with some blunt object. There's no other reason why she would be THIS understanding.

"I want to make it up to you. You really...opened up my eyes the other day… I knew nothing about you. But I want to know you. The real Helga. Please let me try?" Her words were sincere and filled with emotion Helga had seen Olga convey time and time again. Only this time, it felt different.

Helga nodded and tried her best to smile. "Okay…"

HONK!

"I think daddy wants to go now. I'll miss you, Helga." She said finally and ran down to the car where Bob and Miriam waited impatiently.

Helga watched as they drove away, feeling relieved, and oddly sad. She didn't know how Olga could have understood her so well, just from reading one of her journals. Though, it made her a bit happy to see that she really wanted to try.

The bell rang to signal the end of lunch period, and Helga returned through the doors to accept the suitcase from Arnold, who stood waiting for her.

"Let's walk to class together..?" He asked nervously, not wanting to ask about what happened with Olga.

"Sure, football-head." She replied just as nervous as he was.

As they walked down the hall together, Helga gently slid the phone into her pocket. The charm dangling out the side. She wanted to try. She wanted to let Arnold in. And she hoped Olga was right for believing in her.

Moonlight: I hope this answered some questions. Please let me know your thoughts! I'll try to update sooner this time!