You Don't Know Me, Arnold
Chapter 8: Thanksgiving
Dang! You guys really wanted this chapter!
Shout outs at the end of the chapter, since I don't want to keep you guys waiting xD
I wanted to look nice.
I don't know why, but I just felt like it was appropriate.
I combed my hair down and I wore khaki pants with a long-sleeved teal shirt. Nothing too eccentric but nice at the same time.
I then spent the rest of the afternoon helping Grandma decorate and set everything up.
We all agreed that that we would set everything up and the Pataki's would provide the food, because who knows what sort of creation Grandma would come up with if she provided the dinner.
I shivered at the thought of it.
Grandpa and the boarders LITERALLY called Olga personally to beg her and her family to provide the food, unless we all "wanted to die of some sort of disease."
Mr. Kokoschka also thought it would be a good idea to eat all the food Gerald and I had bought from the grocery store, so we really had nothing to contribute anyway.
You should have seen Grandpa, he was furious!
Speaking of my peculiar family, I'm really curious to see how we're going to get along with the Pataki's. Helga's family isn't known for being very functional either.
"We are back!" Mr. Potts and Mr. Hyunh exclaimed as they walked in with a few packs of apple cider.
I walked up to them and helped them with their bags.
"Where do I put these Grandpa?" I asked as Grandpa turned to me.
"Organize them on the table Shortman," he responded as I obliged.
"When are they going to get here? I'm hungry eh heh heh," Oskar said as he and Suzie stepped into the dining room.
Suddenly, a knock was heard at the door, and my heart skipped five beats.
"I'm coming!" Grandpa exclaimed as he headed for the door and opened it, revealing a smiling Olga, a strangely awake looking Miriam, a scowling Bob, and... no Helga...
"Come in!" Grandpa invited. "The dining room is ready."
The Pataki's walked in, all holding trays of food.
Grandpa closed the door, but paused once he heard another knock on the door.
He opened it - revealing Helga - wearing leggings and the most wonderful pink coat, struggling to carry many trays of food.
"Let me help you with that!" I automatically exclaimed as I ran up to her and removed a few trays from her hands.
When I removed the trays, I noticed that her hair was down, and it was like I was staring right at Cecile.
HOW DID I NOT NOTICE SOONER!?
I shook away the thought as she nodded at me in gratitude and led herself toward the dining room table.
Ugh, I forgot about her indifference.
Okay me, you think you love Helga, but tonight is going to be one of those nights where I confirm that it is indeed love rather than gratitude. I am going to get Helga to talk! No matter what!
With that decided I followed her, noticing that the Pataki's and my family were exchanging greetings.
"Hello Arnold!" Olga greeted as she hugged me. "Happy Thanksgiving!"
"Happy Thanksgiving Olga, and Happy Thanksgiving to you too Mr. and Mrs. Pataki," I said as I looked at Bob and Miriam.
"Why thank you young man," Miriam responded as Bob simply nodded.
"Hey Olga, is it time to chow yet?" Bob asked as Olga turned to him with a smile.
"One moment Daddy, Helga - baby sister - have you given your greetings?" Olga asked as Helga turned to her indifferently.
Helga looked at the boarders and my grandparents, "Hello everyone, Happy Thanksgiving."
Her voice sounded so dull... but everyone was so hungry that they didn't bother giving it much thought.
Grandpa turned to me and gave me a knowing look, I think that just meant that he now understands why I keep saying that she's acting weird.
I don't think the universe was quite working in Helga's favor, because the girl ended up sitting next to me for dinner.
Miriam and Suzie decided to sit next to each other to catch up. Olga sat with my Grandparents and Bob sat with the boarders.
Helga and I didn't speak while we were all eating.
And I noticed that she wasn't eating the turkey, the only thing on her plate was potato salad with a side of mashed potatoes.
I guess she really had become vegetarian... but why?
Just as I was about to ask, I heard Olga clinking on a glass cup.
"Okay everyone! It's time for everybody to say what they are thankful for! I'll go first, I'm thankful for having such a wonderful and supportive family. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
Olga then turned to Grandpa as he stood up, "I'm thankful that I didn't eat raspberries today."
"Uhhh, didn't you just eat that Raspberry Pie?" Mr. Potts asked as he pointed at the half eaten pie Olga had made.
Grandpa widened his eyes as he grasped his stomach and ran away, "I'll be in my office if anyone needs me!"
Grandma laughed and stood up, "I'm thankful for good ol' Tex, who helped me with all the decorations. I am also thankful that Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit us, good to have you here!"
The whole room went dead silent and I could have sworn Bob muttered 'Yeesh, what a nut job,' to Miriam. Oh well.
Mr. Potts cleared his throat as he stood up, "Well, I'm thankful for my job, I'm glad that I found something I'm passionate in."
Grandpa then walked back into the room and sat in his seat, sighing in relief.
Mr. Hyunh then stood up, "Well I'm thankful for Arnold and whoever else helped find Mai last year, I never got to properly express gratitude."
I smirked knowingly as I flicked my eyes toward Helga, who was slightly blushing and was playing with her potato salad.
"You're next Miriam," Bob said as Miriam stood up.
"I'm thankful that Olga was able to come join us for Thanksgiving for yet another year, it's such a joy having you around."
"Aww thank you mommy!" Olga squealed as I frowned.
No appreciation toward Helga?
You would think that Miriam would show SOME appreciation.
Suzie then stood up, "I'm thankful that we were all able to come together for this meal, may more years be like this one."
"Suzie that's boring," Oskar complained as Suzie scowled at him.
"Well Oskar, got anything better?"
"I do actually eh heh heh," Oskar said as he stood up, causing the boarders and my Grandpa to groan.
"I'm thankful that you're all thankful that I am here, can I drink the apple cider now?"
"Oskar you scoundrel!" Grandpa said as he stood up and glared at him. "That's not something to be thankful for!"
"It is for me eh heh heh."
"Sheesh, and I thought I was bad," Bob muttered.
"Well Pataki, it's your turn," Grandpa said as Bob stood up.
"I'm also thankful for Olga and this wonderful meal she made for us. I also want to thank Alfred for saving Big Bob's Beepers from ending in that no-good lying Scheck's hands," he said as he looked at me.
I blinked, surprised he even acknowledged me, "Helga helped too..." I said as I motioned toward Helga.
Bob turned and blinked when he saw Helga, "There you are little lady, I was wondering where you were."
You have GOT to be kidding me!
Helga didn't seem phased though and simply nodded toward Bob.
"Arnold, you're next," Mr. Potts said as I nodded and stood up.
"I'm thankful for Gerald - my best bud - who's been there for me every step of the way. For Mr. Simmons, who truly has been an amazing teacher and good friend. To my family, for always putting a smile on my face, no matter how dysfunctional we may be. And last but not least, to Helga..." I said as Helga turned to me with her eyes widened, completely surprised. "For always being there for me... even if it has been behind the curtains," I said as I winked at her, causing her to completely look at me in confusion.
"You're next baby sister," Olga said as Helga snapped out of her trance and slowly stood up.
"Um... I'm thankful for Phoebe who has been a great friend. To Dr. Bliss who has been a great source of comfort, especially for these last couple of weeks..." she said as she sat down.
I frowned, slightly disappointed that she didn't mention me. But I don't blame her.
"A toast everybody!" Olga exclaimed as we all held up our cups.
"A toast!" we all repeated as we drank our apple cider.
After that, the adults resorted to chatter.
Bob, Ernie and Mr. Hyunh were talking about their jobs while Suzie and Miriam caught up on the latest gossip, with Oskar desperately trying to get Suzie's attention.
Olga was sharing recipes with Grandma and Grandpa had ran back into his 'office' right after the toast.
Which left me and Helga.
Both of us kind of played with our food, and I desperately tried to strike up a conversation.
"Thanks Arnold..." she said as I turned to her, surprised that she had spoken. "For what you said..."
"Oh, well you're welcome Helga, I meant what I said."
"What did you mean by that?" she asked. "What did you mean by behind the curtains?"
I suddenly got nervous, I couldn't necessarily tell her that I knew about a lot of the things she's done for me behind the scenes. Not now at least. It wasn't the time.
"Well y'know... with the whole Deep Voice thing, my hat and you helping Gerald, Lila and I get our eggs back. All of it was behind the curtains," I said as I smiled.
She nodded but still didn't make eye contact with me.
I sighed, but then I decided to ask a question that I've been urging to ask.
"Helga, with all due respect, why did you decide to become vegetarian?"
This question seemed to stun her as I noticed her fork clink to her plate.
"It's healthier," she simply said and I decided not to push her any further.
"Okay, well, good for you," I said as I turned to look at Bob and Miriam. "Y'know, the way they treat you isn't fair..."
Helga turned to me for the first time that night and noticed that I was talking about her parents.
"Oh," she said as she turned back to her plate. "I'm used to it."
"But it's not fair - I mean – I more than anyone should know how it feels to not have parents with me, but actually having parents and have them neglect you like that is horrible."
"It's nothing, really. But you can't compare my situation to yours, I have nothing to complain about."
I turned to look straight ahead when suddenly something clicked and I excitedly turned to Helga.
"Speaking of my parents, Helga! Follow me! I have something to show you," I said as I grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the dining room.
She looked stunned but followed me as I led her toward the living room.
I let go of her hand as I reached up and grabbed a certain Journal from the bookshelf.
"I think my parents could be alive Helga!" I said as I excitedly showed her the Journal.
And for a moment, a split moment, Helga's mask fell.
She smiled, she actually SMILED!
"Really!?" she asked excitedly, it was like she had thrown her indifference out the window.
"Yes! My Grandpa and I found this Journal in the attic a few months ago! My dad wrote it, it confirms that my parents truly didn't want to leave me, they loved me Helga, they really did!"
She grabbed the journal and took a seat on the couch, reading it.
I sat next to her and read it over her shoulder.
When she had gotten past the part where I was born, she turned to me and softly smiled, "Wow football head, this is amazing."
I slightly widened my eyes and smiled widely, never in my life have I felt SO grateful to hear her call me that.
"That's not the best part!" I exclaimed as I turned to the page with the map.
She gazed over it in curiosity, "Is that San Lorenzo?"
"Yes! My parents are in there somewhere Helga! I know they are!"
Helga smiled but didn't respond as she looked at me and back at the book.
"The only problem is..." I said as my voice fell. "That I don't know how I could get to San Lorenzo to find them..."
Helga frowned and glanced over at me, "You'll find them Arnold."
I sighed, "I hope so... *sigh* thanks for hearing me out Helga, I haven't shown anyone this journal besides my grandparents, not even Gerald," I said as I looked away.
Helga seemed surprised when I told her that and narrowed her eyes as if she was trying to read me.
"Arnold... why me?" she nervously asked.
I turned back to her and smiled, "Because I know you're someone I can trust Helga..."
She looked at me with a tint of nervousness but then slightly smiled.
Yes! That's a step forward!
And that smile, that nervous smile made me realize one thing.
Helga G. Pataki has a beautiful smile.
"Time to go Helga," Bob said as he looked into the living room, not bothering to acknowledge my presence.
Helga nodded and headed toward the doorway.
"Hey Helga..."
Helga turned to look at me.
"You look really nice."
I felt like I had broken the ice with Helga – now - I just need her to trust me. I need her to bring her walls down so that we can talk about why she's been acting this way.
I did not waste time to tell Gerald about everything that happened.
"Journal? You never showed me no journal," Gerald said as I scratched the back of my neck.
"Come over tomorrow and I'll show you, I just haven't been ready to show anyone yet."
"And you showed Helga G. Pataki before me? Wow Arnold, thanks a lot."
"It's not like that Gerald..."
"Arnold, what is going on? One moment you and Helga are set and ready to crucify each other and the next you two are acting like best buds."
I sighed, figuring that I couldn't hide it from Gerald anymore, "Helga means a lot to me Gerald. I'm not quite set and stone to what I exactly feel yet but I feel something for her."
Gerald was silent, probably taking in what I said.
"Arnold my man, you are a goner. HELGA – man - HELGA!?"
"Yes Gerald, please just try to understand, I can't quite go into detail. Not yet at least..."
"Okay Arnold, whatever you say... you know that you, me and Lila need to start completing our science fair project, right? December is right around the corner and it's due when we come back from Christmas Break."
Ugh, I had forgotten about that.
"Lila has the eggs right?" I asked as Gerald nodded.
"Mhmm, you and I need to meet up to buy the stuff for the volcano. That, and I also wanted to go Christmas Shopping with you again."
"You aren't going to buy everyone ties again are you?" I asked as I rolled my eyes.
"It's a classic gift Arnold! A classic!" Gerald argued as he held his hands up defensively.
"Whatever you say Gerald," I said in my best Gerald impression, receiving a playful punch from him.
I was looking forward to the holidays. This year, instead of Secret Santa the boarding house was going to do White Elephant, which was definitely easier for me. I already knew what I was going to get Gerald...
A thought then struck me.
Maybe... maybe I could get something for Helga...
Ahhhh the irony xD
You see what I did there? No? Well you'll find out in the next chapter.
Shoutout to for their wonderful consistent reviews! I appreciate you!
Dear Relaxing Pikachu,
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Dear Flornoir,
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