You Don't Know Me, Arnold
Chapter 9: Serendipity
I want to make something clear before I continue xD Okay, so I know some of you feel like Arnold only wants to talk to Helga because of everything she's done for him and because of guilt. This is actually why Arnold hasn't really admitted anything to Helga yet. He ALSO feels like he just wants to make amends with her because of that so that's why he's kind of stalling. He's new to these feelings for Helga and he wants to confirm that they're legit.
BUT that's not the case, this story is called You Don't Know Me, Arnold for a reason. Arnold didn't know the real Helga and is only until now discovering who she really is, thus he is slowly falling for the REAL Helga. But he hasn't realized that yet. Just thought I'd put that out there ;)
WARNING: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GO BACK AND REWATCH THE ARNOLD'S CHRISTMAS EPISODE BEFORE READING THIS CHAPTER! Unless you guys remember clearly what happened throughout the ENTIRE episode of course. IT'LL MAKE EVERYTHING MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE TO READ! ;)
I was tremendously exhausted.
These past three weeks were a blur since all we focused on was that stupid project.
I didn't even get a chance to talk to Helga again since she, Phoebe and Eugene spent lunches and recesses in the computer lab.
But I think there's now a silent understanding between us and she doesn't seem AS tense as she used to be. Don't get me wrong though, the awkward atmosphere is still there, but I guess you could say I've peeled off the first layer of Helga's shell.
That's a step, right?
Gerald was amazed when I showed him the journal, he and I even spent an afternoon planning what we would do if we were to ever go to San Lorenzo.
All of which was planned in vain since my chances of ever going to San Lorenzo were slim.
But I will go... someday...
Anyway, Lila went out of town with her Dad and she had taken the eggs with her so that they can prepare for hatching.
Gerald and I on the other hand were in charge of making the volcano which would explain why we were currently in town buying supplies AND doing some Christmas Shopping.
"Alright, looks like we got all the supplies Arnold," Gerald said as he and I walked through the snowy streets.
"I guess so," I said as we took a break by sitting on the bench. "What now?"
"Well, there's a tie store just around the corner..."
"Gerald. You said you wouldn't get everyone ties again."
"Nah nah I never said that! I said they were a classic gift Arnold, a classic!"
I sighed and shook my head with a smile. "Well then, let's go."
After Gerald bought his ties for the five hundredth time, we decided to go to the toy store to buy Timberly a present.
"I'm tellin' ya Arnold," Gerald said as we walked in. "Little sisters are expensive! Timberly has been begging me to get her this detective kit."
"Yeah but isn't it going to feel nice when you get her what she wants," I said as I looked at the book section.
Gerald scoffed but continued staring at the detective kit.
I turned to look at him and smirked, "3... 2... 1..."
Gerald eventually gave up and bought the detective kit, causing me to chuckle.
"I knew he'd give in," I muttered as I turned back toward the books.
Books. Helga should like reading, right?
Nah... too predictable.
"What are you lookin' for Arnold?" Gerald asked as he approached me with his newly bought detective set in a bag.
"I..." I started as I blushed. "I'm looking for a gift for Helga."
Gerald blinked but I started talking before he said anything.
"Gerald, you promised you'd support me without questioning it," I said as I crossed my arms.
"I know, I didn't say anything..." he responded. "So... what are you thinking of getting Pataki?"
"Well I wanted to get her a book, but I figured that was too predictable."
"Just get her a tie."
I turned towards Gerald with a half-lidded glare, "Gerald, that's what you told me to get Mr. Hyunh last year, and what's Helga going to do with a tie?"
"I don't know, probably to shut someone's mouth up."
I sighed, "Gerald."
"Okay okay, I'm kiddin, c'mon let's go to another store."
I smiled as I followed him to a video store across the street.
"Hey look Gerald, a beat box! Maybe Helga would like this!"
"That sure is a keen beat box Arnold," Stinky said as he approached us. "I should know on acountta Helga got one just like it for her birthday!"
I groaned as I put the beat box back and started walking away.
"Bye Arnold, hope your Christmas doesn't bite," Stinky said as he waved.
"Yeah... Merry Christmas Stinky," I said as Gerald and I walked to the other side of the store.
"Hey Arnold, look," Gerald said as he pointed at the video game section. "This is that one video game Helga was getting last year. Frozen Tundra Death Warrior 7000. She seems to like flashy stuff."
"Yeah but you said so yourself last year, there is nothing meaningful about getting flashy presents for people."
Gerald nodded as he put the game back, "Yeah, and it's outdated anyway."
"This is hopeless..." I muttered as we walked out of the store.
Gerald was on the verge of responding but stopped when we both noticed a homeless man being thrown out of a store.
"And stay out!" the owner of the store said as the homeless man sat on the wall.
I frowned as I approached the man.
"Arnold..." Gerald warned but I didn't listen as I stood next to him.
"Um... good afternoon sir..."
The man turned to me with frightened eyes but they soothed once he saw me.
"H-Hello..."
"What's your name?" I asked as I sat next to him, with Gerald doing the same.
"Henry..."
"Hello Henry, this is Gerald and my name is..."
"Arnold," the man responded as I stared at him in bewilderment.
"You know my name?" I asked as Henry nodded.
"I think everyone does, I mean, you're the kids who saved the neighborhood right?" Henry asked as Gerald and I nodded.
"Well it's nice to meet you Henry," Gerald responded as I nodded.
"We couldn't help but notice what just happened," I started. "Can you explain why it happened?"
Henry sighed as he looked over towards the store he got kicked out from.
"It's really cold outside and I walked into that store to stay warm... but I guess the manager wasn't happy with what I was wearing – so they kicked me out..." he responded as he motioned toward his clothes which were all ripped up, along with his shoes.
I frowned as I looked over at Gerald who was also frowning.
"I just wish I had enough for a blanket..." Henry muttered as my eyes lit up.
"We can get you enough money for a blanket!" I exclaimed as Gerald looked at me as if I was crazy.
Henry turned to look at us in confusion, "How?"
I pulled out my harmonica, "I can play the harmonica and Gerald can sing!"
Henry's eyes lit up as he grabbed a bucket from the bag he was carrying, "I used to drum! Maybe I can help!"
"I don't know Arnold," Gerald said hesitantly in my ear. "Are you sure this is going to work?"
"C'mon Gerald we can do it!"
"Mm mm mmm, always making me do stuff huh Arnold? Let's do it!" he exclaimed as I grabbed my hat and put it on the sidewalk.
I turned to Henry and asked, "Do you know Jingle Bells?"
Henry nodded, "You want to do that song?"
I turned to Gerald who gave me a thumbs up as I nodded.
As the music started and Gerald started singing, we immediately started getting people's attention.
Gerald's voice rang the streets as people started walking up to us.
Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
I honestly didn't think we'd be such a hit because once Gerald hit that last note, people around us were screaming for an encore.
"Frosty the Snowman?" Gerald asked as we nodded.
I turned to Henry from my harmonica and noticed that his eyes were gleaming with excitement.
He must really have a passion for music.
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day...
It was then time for my solo and I focused on the harmonica's melody as I closed my eyes.
This harmonica was my father's and I treasured it extremely for that reason.
Grandma had given it to me when I was three.
As the song came to an end, I opened my eyes and realized that practically the WHOLE TOWN was cheering for us and throwing money our way.
"Wow Arnold!" Henry said as he turned to me. "You really know how to work that harmonica!"
"Right!?" Gerald agreed as he patted me in the back.
"You did a great job too Henry," I said as Henry scratched the back of his head.
"I've always been a sucker for music, it's been my dream to one day open a music store," he responded.
As the crowd piled away Gerald collected the money and began counting it.
"Woah! Three hundred dollars!"
"Three hundred!?" Henry exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Yep," I said as I gave him the money. "And it's all yours..."
"I can't take all of that!" Henry exclaimed. "Let's split it."
I shook my head, "No, you can use this money to not only buy a blanket but warmer sets of clothes and maybe even a hotel, you deserve it Henry."
Henry had tears welled up in his eyes as I handed him the money, causing him to grab me and Gerald's hands.
"The rumors were true. You really are a saint Arnold, and you too Gerald."
Gerald and I smiled as we thanked Henry and bid our farewells. "Invite us to your music store when it opens, I'll be your first customer!" I exclaimed.
"And I'll be your second!" Gerald called out as Henry nodded.
"Oh, I will! I promise!" Henry called out.
As Gerald and I turned the corner, we both did our handshake.
"You did good Arnold," he said as I sighed.
"Yeah but I still haven't found the perfect gift for Helga," I said as I looked ahead and widened my eyes.
"That's it!" I exclaimed as I ran toward the shoe store.
"Arnold!" Gerald called as he chased me.
"That's it Gerald!" I said as I pointed to the display case.
Gerald took deep breaths as he caught up to me and raised an eyebrow, "Nancy Spumoni snow boots? Arnold, don't you think that's flashy too?"
"No Gerald it's perfect! Last year Helga gave up her Nancy Spumoni snow boots to get Mr. Hyunh and his daughter back, now it's time to return the favor!"
"Arnold are you crazy!? Remember what happened the last time we tried to get those snow boots? Nobody and I mean NOBODY had them! These snow boots look like they are a new edition, the chances of us getting them are zero!"
"We have to try Gerald, c'mon!" I exclaimed as I dragged him into the shoe store.
I groaned when I realized that the guys behind the cashier's desk were the same guys who had laughed at me and Gerald last year.
I cleared my throat, "Sir... do you happen to have Nancy Spumoni snow boots in stock?"
The guy looked at me and smirked, "Aren't you the same kid who requested those snow boots last year?"
"Um... yeah..."
"One moment please," he said as he went to the back door.
"Nuh uh!" Gerald exclaimed. "Let's go Arnold, I am NOT going to be the laughing stock of this store again!" he said as he dragged me out.
"What if he actually had the shoes this time Gerald?"
"See for yourself," he muttered as we looked into the window and indeed noticed the three guys from last year come out and confusedly look for us. "If he had the shoes, he would have them with him."
I groaned, "C'mon, let's go to a different store."
I honestly did not think Gerald and I would be put in this same situation again, running around the streets of Hillwood looking for Nancy Spumoni snow boots. But I guess it's true when they say history repeats itself.
"It's hopeless Arnold!" Gerald exclaimed as we walked through our last shoe store. "We'll never find those snow boots!"
I sighed as I asked the woman, "Nancy Spumoni snow boots please?"
"I'm so sorry! But that man over there took the last pair," she said as she pointed to a man walking out the store.
"Let's go Gerald!" I exclaimed as we ran in front of the man with big smiles.
The man raised his eyebrow, "May I help you?"
"Hello sir, um, we've been looking around the whole city for those snow boots." I started. "It's really important. Do you think I can buy them off of you?"
"No way kid! My daughter has been begging me for these for months!" he said as he began walking away.
"Please sir, you have no idea how important it is!" I exclaimed as the man turned.
"Alright then, enlighten me."
I then went off and explained what Helga had done last year.
"Kid, your story touches me, but no deal!" he said as he prepared to cross the street.
I sighed in defeat and slid my back on the wall of the store.
"You tried Arnold," Gerald said as I nodded and pulled out my harmonica to start playing it.
The man turned and widened his eyes as I played my harmonica.
He approached us, "Where did you get that?"
"Huh?"
"Your harmonica, it has a really fine texture, where did you get it?"
"Oh... um, it was my dad's..."
The man pursed his lips and clicked his tongue, "Tell you what, I'll crack a bargain with you."
I raised an eyebrow as the man started, "My daughter is a musician and I believe she would love getting a harmonica instead of these stupid snow boots. Your harmonica is rare, it's impossible to find. So I'll give you the snow boots, but ONLY if you trade them for your harmonica."
Gerald widened his eyes as he whispered in my ear, "You DON'T have to do this Arnold, we'll buy Helga something else."
Gerald knew how much this harmonica meant to me...
But... Helga deserved it...
I sighed as I nodded and handed him the harmonica, "Deal."
Gerald smacked his hand on his forehead as the man smiled and traded it for the snow boots.
"Pleasure to do business with you kid," he said as he shook my hand and left.
"Arnold..." Gerald muttered as I turned to him.
"You just traded your harmonica, something near and dear to you, for Nancy Spumoni snow boots..."
"And I don't regret it," I said. "Helga deserves it and SO much more!"
Gerald shook his head, "You are a BOLD kid Arnold, a BOLD kid."
After Gerald and I finished our project, he left and I was left alone in my room.
I stared at the snow boots, excited to give them to Helga.
But I felt like there needed to be more.
I turned over to the pink book on the shelf and smiled, I'll write her a poem!
I mean, I'm not the best at poetry but I could try. How hard can it be?
.
.
.
This was harder than I thought.
My waste can was filled with crumbled papers.
How does Helga do this?
I banged my head on my desk, causing my vocab list to fall on the floor.
I looked down and looked at a word that suddenly created fluid inspiration.
I wrote my poem and glanced at it - satisfied - it wasn't as good as I'm assuming Helga could have done but I liked it.
I pasted it on the gift box and was about to sign it until I realized something.
No... I can't put my name.
I can't let Helga know it was from me... I can't let her know that I knew about what she did for Mr. Hyunh.
Besides, I wanted it to be kind of like a Christmas miracle.
I was her Christmas Angel this year.
I walked toward the Pataki household and set the gift on the doorstep.
I looked down at the tag, To Helga, from Anonymous.
I knocked on the door and booked it towards the alley next to her house.
Miriam opened the door and looked at the gift, "Helga honey! It looks like a package arrived for you!"
Helga approached the doorway and my heart skipped a beat.
Miriam left back inside as Helga picked up the package and squinted her eyes as she read the tag.
"Anonymous?" she asked herself as she looked at my poem.
Serendipity
By: Anonymous
I once asked for a miracle
Nothing mythical
Or mystical
Just for two people
To come close
Like thread and needle
A sacrifice was made
By one who shines
Without her masquerade
Here I give thee
Thy sacrifice
To give thanks for a deed
That created serendipity...
She widened her eyes and quickly looked around, I'm assuming she was looking for whoever had given it to her.
The snow was falling lightly, making the atmosphere even more miraculous.
She raised an eyebrow in confusion as she opened the box and gasped as she pulled out the snow boots.
I noticed her eyes get teary and she once again looked around to see if she could find who had given it to her.
She then sat down on her stoop and took off her regular shoes to put on the Nancy Spumoni snow boots, tears falling down her face.
Tears started welling up in my eyes as I noticed how happy she looked.
"Oh my..." she started. "Mom! Dad!" she exclaimed as she ran into the house with her gift and closed the door.
I then took that opportunity to walk in front of her house with my hands in my pockets and smiled.
"Merry Christmas Helga..." I whispered as I heard her exclaim her excitement to her parents.
AWWWW I'VE BEEN WAITING TO TYPE UP THIS CHAPTER! I HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH IT!
WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK!?
Definition:
Serendipity: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for
Thank you all for your support!