"No way, that's so BOSS!"
"Thanks!" Lyle grinned, sipping more of their milkshake. "Gosh Helga, I'm having ever so much fun today with you. I'm glad we decided to do this."
Helga beamed. "Well good, then so am I."
Indeed, she was. Lyle was an amazing guy, very giving, sweet, and above all, very very patient. Though he was a lot like Lila, he just didn't say "ever so" or "oh too" every two words. His family worked with charities, and had founded their own charity group known as Help & Save, and had traveled to different third-world countries to build schools, homes, hospitals, make wells, and of course donate food and other items.
"So where are your folks headed next?"
"Oh, San Lorenzo, I think. It's a country down in Central America." Lyle said thoughtfully.
"I know San Lorenzo." Helga nodded. "We studied it a lot in school."
That was true, and she had also pulled out information as well, to try to find out more about the elusive Green-Eyed people, it all came to a head when Arnold told her about his father's journal.
Arnold...
For the first time since their date, Helga thought of her true love, wondering deep down if she was making the right decision. While she really liked Lyle and was having fun, there was a tinge of her that felt this wasn't right. No wonder, she just simply crushed on Lyle while she was in love with Arnold. That had to be it.
So why, despite having a great time, did she feel she would rather not be here with him?
"It sounds so fascinating." Lyle went on. "I wish I could go, but I have school when they go. Oh well, maybe some other time."
"Mm-hmm." Helga murmured, sipping their shake again. "...Lyle...do you think your parents could do a little something else?"
"Huh? What do you mean, Helga?"
"Maybe, I don't know...keep an eye out for Arnold's parents? You know, in case maybe they turn up or something?"
Lyle raised a brow. "Arnold's parents are in San Lorenzo? Really? ...Wait, wait a minute. They wouldn't happen to be Miles and Stella Shortman, would they?"
Helga looked at him with surprise, and then nodded. "Yeah, yeah, they are."
"No way! My dad worked with his dad back in Borneo after they finished college! And then when my parents founded their organization, Stella came and offered to deliver items to San Lorenzo! Then his dad, Miles, helped him run things for a bit, before he too went down to San Lorenzo to continue his studies in Anthropology." Lyle explained. "When I met Arnold, I wasn't sure if he really was their son or if it was a coincidence! But his oblong-shaped head and those green eyes really reminded me of Stella. Well, from photos, I never met her personally."
This was certainly new. Helga couldn't believe what he was telling her. She knew the similarities between both boys were canny, but like this? Amazing. It was no wonder she was so drawn to Lyle!
Helga could feel herself soften considerably, looking down at the counter with a thoughtful gaze. "...That's...that's really neat, Lyle. ...So I guess since your parents know Arnold's parents...would it be too much trouble for them to, well, you know, just keep an eye out for them? No need for huge search parties, although that would be awesome, but just, you know... Arnold's parents have been missing in San Lorenzo for years now, and I guess maybe it would be time to look again."
"I understand, Helga." Lyle told her with a smile. "I'll tell mom and dad to do that and we'll see what happens. ...You know, that's really sweet of you to think of Arnold like that. ...You really care about him, don't you?"
Before she could stop herself, she gave a slow nod. "...I do."
Lyle smiled, nodding also in understanding. "Helga, can I ask you a personal question?"
"I guess."
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but I'm just curious. ...Are you in love with Arnold?"
A soft gasp escaped Helga and she looked at him with shock. How had he figured it out? Did he really just say that? Was her actions around Arnold THAT obvious, especially these days since they were friends? Was her flirting with him in class earlier the dead giveaway? Heck, was her love for him THAT obvious?
"H-How do you figure that?" Helga dared to ask.
Lyle smiled. "Well, call me crazy, but whenever you're around him, you always seem so happy and full of life. I've noticed you sending him these really soft and loving looks in class when he's not looking. When he makes physical contact with you, you seem to melt and your eyes sparkle with so much joy. And today in class, you seemed so comfortable and chummy with him, and you flirted with him, you looked so natural and really in love with him. I'm not sure Helga, but all of this and even more tells me that he's not just a friend to you."
What a sweetheart. He wasn't making fun of her, chastising her, or anything like that. He was merely stating some facts and telling the truth from what he saw, being honest with her about his assumption. Like Lila. Helga couldn't help but feel actually comfortable for a change regarding her feelings toward Arnold. He was dead-on, too. With all of that out on the table, she knew she couldn't lie.
"...Oh fine, you caught me." Helga said, looking away again. "...I-I...I like Arnold. A-A lot."
"Huh? Can you repeat that, I didn't hear you."
"I like Arnold."
"You're mumbling, can you say that again?"
Helga trembled, and keeping her voice low but loud enough for him to hear, she faced him. "I like Arnold! I'm head over heels in love with him! I love him so much! Okay!? Happy?!"
Taken aback, Lyle regained himself after a moment and gave a nod. "Okay, okay, Helga. Calm down. I had a feeling that you had strong feelings for him. Is that why you wanted to go out with me? To make him jealous?"
"N-No! No! I wasn't... Lyle, okay, listen. I grew to have a crush on you, okay? But I still love Arnold! I'll never stop loving him! It's just...he doesn't love me back. So when I got a crush on you, I just...took it, okay?!"
"I understand, calm down." Lyle said gently. "To be honest, I did the same."
"...You did?" Helga looked at him.
"Yes. I developed a crush on you, too." Lyle admitted sheepishly. "Thing is...I'm in love with someone else."
Helga felt both relieved, and yet, a little disappointed.
"Who?"
"Lila. You know, Lila Sawyer."
"...The irony of that is sickening!"
"Huh?"
"When Arnold and I were nine...he had a crush on Lila too." Helga said miserably, looking at the counter again. "It lasted a few months, I was so jealous."
Lyle regarded her with sympathy, patting her shoulder. "Gosh, you've been in love with Arnold for a long time?"
Helga nodded. "...Since I was three years old."
His eyes widened. "Oh! Wow. Gosh, Helga...you really have it bad for him."
"Yep." Helga nodded again. "So...you like Lila, huh?"
"Yeah." Lyle blushed. "I'm just...afraid she won't like me back."
"I don't know, she seemed really chummy with you. Then again, she's chummy with everyone within a mile radius...but hey, I think she might like you too. She doesn't stop talking about you." Helga gave a light smirk.
"R-Really?" Lyle asked hopefully.
"Pretty much. ...Okay, so now we're stuck. You love Lila, I love Arnold, you have a crush on me, I have a crush on you. ....What do we do now?"
Lyle smiled at her and patted her back. "I have a feeling you want to be with Arnold more than me."
"...Would you be offended I said yes?"
"Not at all. I mean, I'm in the same boat!"
Helga smiled in relief, and nodded. "Yes. I do. I want...no, I NEED Arnold."
Lyle chuckled. "That's cool, Helga."
"In fact, I have an idea. We're together, and we love Arnold and Lila...so, what say we use all that to our advantage?"
"Huh? I don't understand."
"We'll pretend to date...which won't be too much of a problem since we're friends and have light crushes on each other, and try to make Lila and Arnold jealous, while keeping for signs to see if they like us or not. And since this is a mutual thing, no one is using the other."
"Huh..." Lyle paused, thinking of that. "You know Helga, it might be worth a shot. I think we should try that out."
"So, partners?" Helga smirked, holding out her hand in a business-like manner.
Lyle nodded and took her hand. "Partners."
They shook on it.
"We'll start Operation: Make Arnold and Lila Jealous tomorrow then."
"Gotcha."
--
The next day, Arnold walked to school on his own, so as to be alone with his thoughts for a change. Yesterday's revelation had taken him by surprise, and yet somehow, it was something he had felt all along, but never really knew it. That much he realized. He hadn't told anyone yet, other than Gerald, of course. All night he could barely sleep. This entire thing took him by surprise.
He loved Helga. Helga! Of all people, he loved her. It was something he didn't expect in the least. And yet, here it all was, in plain black and white. He couldn't deny it if he tried.
Helga was the one who made his heart beat fast, Helga was the one who's touch sent him shivers up his spine, everything. He loved everything about her, inside and out. She was wonderful, in her own special way. They'd had some tough times, but over it all, his belief in how she was truly a good person never once wavered. And now look.
So lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Helga coming around the corner so he, once again, crashed into her.
"Oof!"
"Ahh!"
Arnold looked up, blinking as he saw it was Helga. "...Helga?" His gaze softened considerably and a lovesick smile came to his face. He couldn't help it. Since he found he loved her, it was hard not to let the feelings overtake his whole being.
"Arnold?!" Helga exclaimed in surprise. Though unknown to him, she was only faking it.
"Sorry, Helga..." He murmured, and stood up, holding a hand to help her up, which she took and he helped her to her feet.
"Yeah, well, still! Be careful!" Helga said, not letting go of his hand. "One of us could have been hurt!"
"Helga! Oh my love, are you all right?" Lyle's voice rang out as he came running to the two of them.
Arnold snapped out of his lovesick trance and realized what was going on, releasing Helga's hand. He watched with dismay, though he tried to hide it as best as he could, as Lyle came up and embraced Helga. She returned the embrace, burying her face into his shoulder.
"Oh Helga, are you okay? What happened?" Lyle asked in concern.
"I'm fine, Lyle." Helga said sweetly, pulling back to look up at him. "I just had a little accident, but I'm just fine." She looked at Arnold then and smirked. "Oh, did I forget to mention that Lyle and I are, ya know, dating now? Well, we are!"
"You...you are?" Arnold repeated, trying to sound as curious and casual as possible. But he knew it already, she didn't need to tell.
"We are. Helga is such a great girl, don't you think?" Lyle said, laying his head against Helga's.
Arnold's heart sank, feeling the heartbreak and jealousy rise within him more than ever before. He felt ten times more jealous and heartbroken than when Lila had turned out to like Arnie. This must have been how Helga felt all those times he liked someone, especially Lila. No wonder, it didn't feel good at all.
"Sure. Excuse me, I have to get to school." Arnold said, and walked past them, keeping a cool and brave front, despite that his inner self was shattering. And also, he completely agreed with what Lyle had just said.
Helga IS a great girl. ...And I didn't realize it until it was too late.
The couple watched him go, and waited until he was out of earshot before they separated from each other and laughed a little.
"I think it's working!" Lyle said. "I saw the look in his eyes, he looked like he was about to cry! He was hiding it well."
"Really?" Helga asked hopefully. "So you think he's really jealous?"
"I think so." Lyle nodded. "I don't know for sure, but I have noticed the past few days that he seems uncomfortable when I'm near you."
"Well! Then I guess we'll have to probe further and see how it goes down, eh?" Helga smirked. "And now, how shall we do this for Lila? Hmmm...oh, I think I know." She whispered into his ear...
--
"Whoa! What's wrong with you, man?" Gerald asked his best friend as he sat at his desk next to him.
"Nothing." Arnold replied sourly. "I'll get over it."
"Arnold, you look like you're ready to bash someone's head in and that you're about to have a crying fit all in one." Gerald said, shaking his head. "What's the problem?"
"...Helga's dating Lyle now." Arnold sighed. "And YES, like I told you the other day, I'm jealous, I love Helga."
Gerald gave his friend a sympathetic look and patted his shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that, man. I guess as the saying goes, you never know what ya got until it's gone."
"I know that big time." Arnold sighed, palming his face with both hands. "Gerald, I want Helga to be happy, I really do. I feel like such a jerk."
"Arnold, come on man, it's understandable to feel that way when someone you love is dating someone else." Gerald snorted. "I'd feel that way if Phoebe were with someone else. Point is, it's okay to feel upset."
Arnold cast him a sad smile.
"And Arnold...don't worry about it. There's always the chance they'll break up. It's not like they're getting married."
"...True." Arnold agreed.
Gerald nodded. "So there you go. Don't get all upset over it. Who knows, maybe Helga...heh heh...Helga G. Pataki of all people...will fall for you! I gotta say, it'd be crazy for her NOT to be in love with you!"
Arnold sighed a little. That was the problem. She did! Or at least...at one point she did. Now she moved on. He cursed himself for realizing his love for her too late, this was not going well at all.