A/N:
Here's the epilogue for the story. Just a small, sweet ending to everything 3
April 2nd
Epilogue:
Those Summer Days
"All right, all right, everyone prepare for anything—a strike, a homerun, getting beaned? Football Head is up to bat!"
Arnold took his position at home plate, bat at the ready, and sighed as he glanced at the catcher though he couldn't help smiling as some of their classmates chuckled. "Very funny, Helga."
She smirked. "I know, my catcalling has really gotten sharper as we've gotten closer, and we're only two weeks into summer—go figure. Speaking of which, there's the pitch!"
Arnold had been eyeing her with some amusement, but at this announcement he blinked, turned, and swung wildly. The bat struck the ball with a loud crack, and the ball flew up high directly overhead. Everyone watched its ascent for a breath, then Arnold promptly took off around the bases.
As Arnold ran, Helga pulled back her mask and held up her glove. "I've got it! I've got it!" She tried to position herself beneath the ball. As Arnold passed second, it began to descend. And Arnold kept going with the sounds of his classmates cheering him on.
"Almost…"
Hearing that word from Helga, Arnold closed his eyes, rounded third, and barreled toward home.
"I've got it, I've got it—YES! WHOA!"
Just as the ball prepared to drop into Helga's glove, Arnold opened his eyes to dash over home plate—but instead plowed right into Helga, toppling them both to the ground.
As the dust settled, Arnold and Helga opened their eyes to find Arnold half on top of Helga, Arnold's hand on home plate and Helga's glove with the ball touching his shoulder. The two of them caught their breaths, smiling.
Meanwhile the kids all chattered then finally Harold called out to their umpire. "Hey Brainy! Was that in or out?"
Brainy stepped forward, smiling and wheezing. Then he shrugged. "Uh…I don't know."
The kids all groaned.
Helga scowled and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you were out, Football Head."
"I think there's a chance I was in, Helga," Arnold replied easily. "Maybe we could talk about it?"
"I'm not moving until we settle this because I know you were out."
"Then I guess I'm not moving either because I'm still pretty sure I was in."
"Okay, time out." Gerald stepped forward from the outfield. "How about we agree to disagree since this was only a practice and it's getting hot out and we've already been here for two hours? No one's in, no one's out, and you guys can debate it later—what do you say?"
Helga and Arnold glanced at him then back at each other and shrugged.
"Tall hair boy does make a point," Helga offered. "It's like ninety degrees and I'd rather not get sunstroke just to prove I'm right."
"And I guess this is just a friendly practice either way, Helga." Arnold smiled then got up and held out his hand. Helga took it with an eye roll and a mild smirk then dusted off her jumper once she was standing.
"Aww, Gerald," Harold groaned, "why did you have to remind us how hot it is?" He wiped some sweat from his forehead, his cheeks red.
"Harold, it's summer—heat is implicit," Rhonda replied, glancing at her nails. "That being said though, some shade would be good for my complexion. And this humidity is ruining my hair."
The other kids, all sweating slightly, began to murmur and groan about the heat too.
Phoebe stepped forward with a small smile. "Well, now that practice is over why don't all of us go to Slausens for some ice cream and air conditioning? We haven't all gone as a group since just after Arnold and Gerald saved the neighborhood."
The kids all perked up at this idea. Gerald slid up beside Phoebe. "Great idea, Babe." He hooked arms with her, making Phoebe smile more as both of them blushed slightly. "Shall we lead the way?"
"I'd enjoy that very much, Gerald," Phoebe replied.
While this conversation went on, Arnold and Helga had been standing together behind home plate, smiling and talking. As their friends prepared to depart though, Helga spoke up. "Arnold and I will see you guys later!"
The kids paused for a moment. Sheena piped up with a look of concern. "You're not coming?"
"Did we do something? Are you guys still mad at us?" Sid added, scratching his head.
"I reckon they don't seem mad though even if they don't want to go," Stinky added with an eyebrow raised.
"Arnold, Helga, you can tell us if something's not okay," Nadine added with a concerned smile.
Arnold and Helga glanced at each other. Then Helga gestured forward to him with her arm. "You're the one who's good at reasonably explaining things—take it away."
Arnold smiled a little then looked at their classmates. "We're not mad at you guys at all: we promise. Helga and I just…still want to get to know each other better. So sometimes we'll go off and do that from now on." He blushed slightly.
Seeing his blush, Helga swooped in with an easy but firm tone. "Look it's simple: when it comes to Football Head and me, our friendship works better when we have some time alone—we just never realized it until now. We'll still do stuff with the rest of you, like practice today. And seriously, if I'm ever not invited to another evening of shenanigans with the guys again I'll do far worse to you chuckleheads than the ghost bride thing. But having time alone together helps Arnold and me relax…and then we realize we make a pretty great team. Right, good buddy?" She nudged Arnold and grinned.
"Right." Arnold's blushing finally subsided and he smiled a little more. "And you guys helped us realize that we make a pretty great team in the first place. Thank you."
The other kids started to smile a little…except for Rhonda who bit her lip. Then she finally sighed loudly. "So…are you two…what are you two to each other exactly?" she suddenly exclaimed. Then she cleared her throat and quickly regained her composure. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry. Everything's just been a little crazy since the neighborhood was saved, and I'm in need of some clarity. Can you at least explain to us what happened during that adventure exactly to make you two so close?"
"We just…cooperated for once."
"I confessed to Arnold that I'm madly in love with him."
It took Arnold a moment but then he blinked and looked at Helga with his jaw fallen open.
Helga held it together for a second and then threw her head back with laughter, holding her sides. All the kids looked on in confusion and with wide eyes. Helga finally caught her breath and wiped a tear away. "Wow, you chuckleheads should see your faces. But you had that coming for teasing us about 'dating' so much. Come on…" she put an arm around a very flushed Arnold's shoulders, dragging him close, "we're ten—even if football head and I were 'into each other'—talk about crazy—we wouldn't go that fast. We're just doing our own thing. Right, Football Head?"
Arnold had finally regained his composure enough to smile and roll his eyes. "Right, Helga, our own thing." He took her hand to remove her arm from his shoulders.
Helga smiled a little more but then realized they were holding hands in front of everyone and quickly pulled hers back with a smirk. She looked back to the other kids casually. "So, we're all good?"
The kids all took a moment to process but then smiled at each other then looked at Arnold and Helga and nodded.
"I think it's ever so nice you two are so happy spending time together." Lila came forward and started nudging Arnold and Helga away from the field with a smile. "Enjoy yourselves and have an oh too wonderful time!"
Helga just grinned and glanced at her over her shoulder. "Okay, okay, we get it—you're happy Arnold and I are speaking again. We're going, Miss Sunshine, sheesh."
"See you guys later!" Arnold called over his shoulder with a smile and a wave as Lila released them and they headed around the corner together.
"So…they're not dating," Harold broke the new silence, clearly seeking a final word on the matter to end his confusion.
"Technically I suppose no," Rhonda replied with a shrug. "But I'd say they're flirting quite a bit whether they know it or not."
"I just think it'd be ever so sweet if they did start dating," Lila replied with her hands clasped and a big smile. "I'm oh too certain they make a cute couple. And that they're very happy when they're together."
Some smiles and some good-natured chuckles went around the crowd.
Gerald stepped forward with a smooth grin. "Hey, as long as those two being on good terms means Helga tones down the bullying and Arnold learns to loosen up sometimes, I say let's just enjoy it. Now, Slausens?"
The kids all smiled and nodded then said in unison, "Slausens!"
Gerald and Phoebe led the way.
Phoebe smiled and whispered up to Gerald. "All of our classmates seem to be taking to Arnold and Helga's closeness very well now."
"Yeah, and it only took a month's worth of shenanigans and headaches to make it happen," Gerald replied with a smirk.
Phoebe giggled. "True, I suppose." She blushed slightly. "And perhaps this means that if you and I start spending more time together alone and not hiding it, our peers won't bother us about it as well." She moved a little closer to him.
Gerald's eyes widened and he blushed slightly but then smiled again. "Interesting theory. Let's test it out soon, babe." He moved closer to her too, linking their arms again. The couple shared a warm look.
The group of friends continued down the street, laughing and talking together.
Meanwhile, Arnold and Helga had resumed holding hands as they walked. "So, we finally get to spend time alone together without having to admit to dating or not dating—I knew everything would work out in the end." Helga held her head high with a grin.
Arnold just chuckled and sighed. "Okay, Helga, whatever you say."
She laughed at the familiar refrain. "So, want to hit up the Jolly Olly man? Our friends did make ice cream sound good on a day like today."
Arnold nodded. "Sure. Then maybe we could go to the pier—the breeze off the water might be nice."
"Sounds good." Helga's eyes hazed. "Then want to walk me home and kiss me good night? We've been really good about going slow all week ever since summer break started. I think we can progress to a little peck as long as you're up for it."
Arnold blushed, his eyes hazed and his voice lowered a little. "I'd like that." His gaze met hers. "I'm looking forward to our summer together a lot."
"Me too, Arnold. Me too." She blushed, her tone sweet and mellow.
As the couple walked onward, they stayed close, holding hands and smiling and staying close: happy to pause their usual banter for a peaceful moment together on a lovely day in their neighborhood.
A/N:
Read on for an optional little bonus ending I wrote based on TJM.
~Azure129
