Chapter 5: Did It Mean Anything?

After walking his girlfriend home, Arnold made it back to his place. After a night spent of shopping and and dishwashing, he was ready to crawl in under the warm covers and pass out.

As badly as he wanted to sleep however, there was something remaining on his mind. In one way after another he noticed himself experiencing with Helga things his parents had mentioned when someone knows they've found the right person. Was he ready to tell Helga he loved her?

Dream

Arnold: What's going on? Why are we in this cage?

Stinky: Didn't ya read your invitation Arnold?

Gerald: Yeah man. Rhonda's about to match us up with her marriage predictor!

Rhonda: Okay, you're first Arnold!

After pulling the confused boy out of the cage, Arnold turned to look at his upset girlfriend who was being forced to marry someone against her will.

Arnold: But, I don't want to do this! None of us do!

Rhonda: My origami marriage predictor is never wrong Arnold!

Arnold: But, I want to be with Helga?

Rhonda: And what makes you think that would be a good idea?

Arnold: Because…

Rhonda: Because why?

Arnold: Because I'm not afraid to tell her things.

Rhonda: Why would you want to tell her ANYTHING?

Arnold: I'm happy to do things for her.

Rhonda: You do things for EVERYBODY Arnold! Seriously, what makes her so special?

Arnold: I guess it just hurts seeing her put in that position. She's a strong person. She doesn't need people making her feel vulnerable.

Rhonda: What has she done to deserve this from you? She treats you terribly!

Arnold: She saved my parents!

Rhonda: Oh please. Aren't we all getting sick of that excuse?

Arnold: I guess it just proved to me she has a sensitive side. I've always known deep down she was a good person. After that happened, it made me realize I had actual feelings for her.

Rhonda: And why would you care to let anyone else know that?

Arnold: Why wouldn't I? She's just as sensitive as she is aggressive. Not all girls are the same.

Rhonda: Wouldn't you rather be with someone who's flaws aren't as easily pointed out. Lila perhaps.

Arnold: You don't love someone because they're perfect.

Rhonda: So, you're just going to settle then?

Arnold: How am I settling when Helga's everything I could hope for?

Rhonda: Years down the line, you see yourself happy with her just as she is now?

Arnold: Why would you want to change someone you love?

Rhonda: So you admit it then? You love her…

HEY ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD!

Arnold awoke the next morning, curious of what his dream could have meant. WAS there a meaning behind it?

After taking a moment to process this, he got up to get dressed and ready for the day he'd be spending shopping for the night his friends had been dreading all weekend.

RING RING RING…

"Hello?"

"Hey Gerald."

"Hey man. What's up?"

"Helga said to meet her and Phoebe at the mall to shop for dinner tonight."

"Something tells me it won't be worth the trouble, but alright. Meet ya there." Gerald sighed.

The Walk

"Did Arnold happen to mention to you what his night with Rhonda was like?" Phoebe asked, while heading towards the mall with her friend.

Shrugging her shoulders, Helga replied "The thought didn't cross my mind. I think we were both just ready to get out of there."

"I must say, it was quite sweet for him to volunteer to clean everyone's mess on his own."

Thinking back to standing at the sink with her beloved, Helga's eyes fell half lidded as she thought to herself…

Oh Arnold! If only you knew how much I cherrish each second we spend together each day! Listening to you share your do gooder knowledge in a kind and caring way. Seeing you work your magic on those in need of your assistance. Feeling the warm touch of your open and honest presence. The way you…

"Helga? Helga? Helga!" Phoebe called, snapping her friend out of her daze.

"Huh? What?"

"We've arrived at our destination." Phoebe pointed out, while Helga looked to see Arnold and Gerald standing outside the mall.

Mall

The girls walked over to see their unamused boyfriends waiting outside the store for their arrival. "Well, ready to get this overwith football head?" Helga asked, seeing her boyfriend reach out a hand for hers.

"Yeah, let's go."

"So what exactly are we looking for? I'm not buying something expensive if it's not for someone I'm not actually married to. No offense Pataki." Gerald said, not sure of why they were wasting their time there.

"I'm sure Rhonda would appreciate it if we arrived in what appeared to be something implying we at least made an effort to show we cared about the evening." Phoebe explained, as her best friend rolled her eyes.

"We just spent an evening busting our butts in her kitchen against our wills. I don't think Princess deserves to have anymore appreciation shown to her." Helga scoffed.

Not caring about her anger, Phoebe lead Helga towards what appeared to be approapriate dinner dresses.

As Arnold walked towards the suits, Gerald took notice of the puzzled look on his friend's face and asked "What's up man?"

"I had kind of a strange dream last night?" Arnold didn't hesitate to admit. Gerald already knew Arnold had feelings for Helga. Revealing the dream didn't seem like such a big deal.

"What was it about?"

"Well, we were all being paired up with Rhonda's marriage predictor…"

"So, you were just reliving a nightmare." Gerald said wittingly, seeing his best friend roll his eyes.

"Basically. Anyways, Rhonda tried convincing me it was pointless to stay with Helga. In my dream, I kept coming up with reasons why I needed her until finally I said I loved her." Arnold said softly, as Gerald's eyes widened.

"Love? You sure about that buddy?"

"I know it's a big thing to say…"

"No kidding."

"My parents told me everything that lets you know when you've found the right person. Lately, one thing after another keeps happening when I'm with Helga. Plus I can't stand the idea of her being married to someone else."

"Hey man. I think we both know I have no desires to be with her whatsoever." Gerald reminded him.

After letting out a deep sigh, Arnold glanced across the room at his girlfriend, while feeling a hand placed on his back. Gerald could see a new look in his friend's eyes. Not the same one he had seen when Arnold looked at Ruth or even Lila. It appeared as though Arnold was anxious to tell Helga his feelings, but didn't want to mess things up. He wasn't concerned about how badly things could end with his other crushes. He had just been anxious to wn them over. With Helga, the thought of doing anything to ruin what they already had was absolutely petrifying.

"So, what are you going to do man?"

Rhonda's House

"I think the practice went quite well last night. While everything is reheated, I'll get the tablecloths laid out and the candles properly placed." Rhonda said to Nadine.

"So, is dinner all you have planned for tonight, or is there something else you have planned?" Nadine asked.

"I'm glad you asked!" Rhonda said excitedly, not caring about Nadine's reaction.

"As I said, the whole purpose of the weekend was to test out the accuracy of the marriage predictor. At dinner tonight, we shall see who follows this list best. Whoever follows them all is best couple….

No hostile behavior

No over-eating

No insect related discussions

No tripping

No over-reacting

Nadine shook her head at the list knowing these traits weren't the key to figuring out how successful marriages worked.

"What does the winning couple get?"

"Why would they need anything? Just the idea of being the best should be more than enough for them." Rhonda smirked.

The mall

"This dress would look lovely on you Helga!" Phoebe held up a white, strapless, knee length dress. As Helga held it in front of herself, standing beside a mirror, she pictured herself standing beside her beloved at the alter one day.

Oh my beloved! One day I shall hear you speak the words I've always dreamed you would say to me! Those three haunting words that my soul has longed to hear you say since the moment we met on that dark, rainy day! Oh Arnold I…

"Helga? Helga!" A voice called, snapping her out of her daze.

Helga viciously shook her head and turned to see her boyfriend standing beside her. "Huh? What?"

"Did you find something you like?" Arnold asked, having found a decent suit for himself.

"Eh, I guess this will do." she said, anxious to leave.

After checking out at the register, Phoebe turned to the boys and said "I suppose we'll be meeting you at the party tonight."

"Guess so. See ya later Helga." Arnold waved, not expecting to have fun that night.

"See ya football head."

As the boys watched the girls head off, Gerald turned to his best friend and said "Man! I can't believe how much money you spent on that thing!"

Shrugging his shoulders, Arnold said "What? We're supposed to look nice aren't we?"

"This was also supposed to be a fun weekend, which we spent cooking and cleaning." Gerald pointed out.

"Even so, I want to look nice."

"Why do you care about impressing Rhonda?"

"I don't. I just wanted to look nice for Helga." Arnold blushed, seeing Gerald lift an eyebrow.

"You do realize she's my date?"

After rolling his eyes, Arnold took into consideration he once again had acted on how strong his feelings for his girlfriend were becoming. Working on himself to become a better person.