"All right Lyle my man, listen up! If you're gonna attract Lila, you'll need an edge." Helga was saying.

"What do you mean?" Lyle asked.

"Lila apparently has a thing for freaks. Like Arnold's cousin." Helga said, and lowered her voice. "You must have strange tendencies. Do you hang around the kid?"

"All the time. He's one of my friends, believe it or not."

Helga was bewildered, and shook her head. "Right, sure. Well, what strange habits do you have?"

"I collect buttons?"

"Nope."

"Gardening?"

"Nada."

"I like plain-flavoured gum?"

"Close, but no cigar."

"Collecting posters?"

"Not cutting it."

".....I like to collect ear wax." Lyle admitted, looking away.

Helga recoiled. "Ewwwww!!! Well okay, okay, you're good there. That's a start."

"And fingernail and toenail clippings." Lyle added. "I'm really into math, so I count things and do mathematical equations sometimes."

"Err...okay...I-I guess all that can work in attracting Lila." Helga said, still grossed out. "Um, so! Here's what you're gonna do. Talk to Lila in class, all casual and stuff, tell her more about yourself. Trust me dude, she'll go ga-ga for you with this!"

"You think so? I always thought she'd be disgusted." Lyle admitted.

"Nah, she's from the country, I think she can handle it." Helga assured. "You just leave Arnold to me."

"Gotcha." Lyle nodded, and then smiled. "You know, Helga, for what it's worth, I think you and Arnold would make a nice couple."

Helga blushed considerably. "Um, thanks...I-I guess."

"I mean it. And I'll do everything I can to help you two get together."

"Well good! Quid pro quo, I'll help you and Lila, too."

They both shook hands again. From the swings a fair distance away, Arnold watched them in their exchange, and sighed sadly to himself.

This was going to be a long day.

--~~--

Two weeks had gone by.

Two weeks of the agony of seeing the one you love in the arms of another.

Two weeks of pure misery in the regards of love.

Two weeks of jealousy.

Two weeks of wondering what to do.

To try to get his mind off things, Arnold was at the park with a milkshake he had gotten at Slausen's. It was a Sunday afternoon, with clouds overhead promising rain. But he didn't care. It had been two weeks since Helga had been dating Lyle, and by the looks of things, she was positively ecstatic. She talked about him constantly, was glued to his side, turned down invitations to hang out since she had to "spend every waking moment with her beloved", everything a great relationship had to offer.

It was shocking, considering what had happened three years ago.

Had she really moved on? Was it really just a puppy crush?

He wasn't sure anymore. All he knew was that he loved Helga, and was in despair knowing she was taken. He was too late. He blamed himself for this whole situation, for not realizing his feelings sooner. He'd kept her waiting too long, and this was the consequence. He kicked himself, and wondered what he could do about it.

That's just it. I want Helga to be happy more than anything, she deserves it. If she's happy with Lyle, I should back off and let them be happy. But I also don't want to give her up. Man, what do I do? I love her so much, I realized it too late, and now I'm in a funk.

"Arnold?"

Arnold looked up as the voice addressed him, coming to see Lila standing near the bench. He gave a weak smile.

"Hey, Lila."

"Is something wrong, Arnold? You just look ever so sad." Lila mentioned, sitting next to him.

"No, I'm fine."

Lila shook her head. "Arnold, for the past two weeks, I've noticed that you look less bright and happy. What's wrong? Come on, you can tell me. I'd be ever so glad to lend you an ear."

Sighing, he decided to come out with it, tossing the empty cup into the trash can next to the bench. Maybe it was time he talked about this with another girl, to get a better perspective.

"It's Lyle and Helga. Ever since they started to date, I'd been feeling jealous. Heck, even before they started dating." Arnold admitted. "I'm..."

"You're...?"

"I'm in love with Helga, and I realized it too late."

"Oh..." Lila gave him a sympathetic look and placed her hand on his small shoulder. "Arnold, I'm just ever so sorry. It must be just terrible for you. But if it makes you feel better, I have an oh too familiar situation going on as well."

"Huh?" Arnold looked at her with surprise. "You do?"

"Yes, Arnold. I...I really like Lyle." Lila sighed, looking away. "I didn't at first, I just liked him, but over the past two weeks...I've come to realize that I like him like him. There's just so much about him that I cannot help but really like. When I realized it last week, I knew I was ever so late."

"Oh....wow. I guess we're both in the same boat."

"I guess so." Lila murmured. "You love Helga, and she's with Lyle. I really like Lyle and he's with Helga. Ironic, I suppose."

Arnold nodded. "Yeah, I guess. And thing is, I want to be happy for her, I really do. Since I met her, I've wanted her to be happy, even after all she put me through. She deserves to be happy. I guess I..."

"Just wish you could give her that happiness?"

"Not quite what I meant, but I guess I'll go with that."

The blonde boy looked up at the sky with a forlorn gaze, watching as the rain began to descend, not even caring about it. Lila took the umbrella and held it over herself, offering to share, but he politely refused it.

"I just wish I wasn't too late." He murmured, a tear going down his cheek.

--

At lunch the following Wednesday, Gerald and Phoebe were sitting together as they ate their lunch, and often observing Lyle and Helga as they sat together, looking in pure bliss as they shared each other's lunch, as well as sharing the chocolate milk they had in front of them. Lyle then kissed Helga on the cheek, and she giggled, kissing his nose.

"Man...Helga looks really happy." Gerald mentioned.

"She does." Phoebe agreed. "Lyle has been such a wonderful boyfriend to her."

Gerald nodded, and then looked off in another direction, at Arnold, sitting with the gang. He wasn't eating, he was reading a book. Or rather, pretending to. He kept looking toward Helga and Lyle, looking like he was either about to cry or bash someone's head in. He felt bad for his best friend, he'd never seen him so torn up over a girl like this before. It was worse than his other crushes, especially Lila. He looked at the couple again, and back at the blonde boy.

"Gerald?" Phoebe said, and followed his gaze. She studied Arnold, followed his line of vision as well, and her eyes widened. "Oh goodness."

"Pheebs?" Gerald looked at her, puzzled. "What is it, babe?"

"Gerald... It looks to me that Arnold is disturbed." Phoebe murmured. "Do you know why?"

Gerald shifted in his seat, wondering if whether or not he should tell her. She WAS his girlfriend, he told her almost everything. Then again, Arnold HAD made him swear not to tell anyone he loved Helga, although he might have assumed Gerald would tell Phoebe. Would he care? She was good at keeping secrets.

"Well babe, I guess I can tell you." Gerald said. "He loves Helga, and ever since... well, Mr. Perfect came into the picture and swept her off her feet, he's been pretty darn jealous."

"Oh!" Phoebe gasped in surprise, and yet somehow, she expected it. "Arnold really does love Helga...I assumed that, but I was unsure. The past two weeks, he seemed so sad. Oh goodness. If Helga knew that...she would..."

"Dump Lyle in a second?" Gerald said.

"...Yes." Phoebe admitted. "Oh, Gerald, please don't tell anyone."

Gerald smiled and brought an arm around her waist, kissing her on the cheek. "I won't, Phoebe. I'll keep it a secret, if you do too."

Phoebe smiled back and blushed. "Thank you, Gerald. I will do the same."

--

"Thanks but no thanks, football head. I'm going with Lyle."

"Sorry, but I need to spend time with Lyle."

"Nope! I'm gonna work with Lyle, he IS my boyfriend, after all."

"Forget it, I want to go with Lyle."

"Would you quit it?! I. Want. To. Be. With. Lyle. Now leave me alone!"

"Will you get it through your thick skull?! Lyle is my boyfriend! I have to spend every moment with him!"

"Football head...shove off! I want to be with Lyle! I miss him!"

Rejection after rejection. All he'd tried to do was hang out or do something with her as a friend, just to be near her, since he couldn't be WITH her. But she was growing more adamant and hostile about being with Lyle and no one else. Except for Phoebe.

"How long has this been going on, Arnold?" Dr. Bliss asked gently.

"Ever since she started dating him nearly a month ago." Arnold said with a sigh. "Now she doesn't do anything else except hang out with him. I don't even get a moment alone with her anymore."

Dr. Bliss nodded, noting this down. Deep down, she couldn't believe this turn of events, seeing that Arnold did actually love Helga now, and was jealous of her relationship with Lyle. He'd come to see her today, to talk about this whole thing with a professional and get some answers and guidance. It was working, being able to talk about all this.

"It seems as if she really does love him." Dr. Bliss noted, though unsure of that. "Does it really bother you, Arnold?"

"It does. I mean, I want her to be happy, I really do. But seeing them together, it just makes me go crazy inside. It's not just them dating, it's that now she refuses to even TALK to me. The only person she's with now is either Lyle or Phoebe, and just pushes away anyone else, because she has to be with him."

"Hmmm....I suppose she's been waiting for this a long time, and is latching on to it as much as she can."

Arnold sighed, laying back on the couch, his legs dangling over the side. "I know, I know that for sure now. But it seems kind of unhealthy. It's as if she has no life of her own beyond him. She won't stop rubbing it in my or anyone else's faces, even when someone tries to hang out with her or sit with her or talk with her. I'm worried about that, Dr. Bliss."

"I understand that, Arnold." Dr. Bliss said gently. "You love her, and you're concerned about her."

"That's for sure. ...Dr. Bliss, what do I do? I have no idea how to go about this. I want to back off and be happy for her, but I really love her a lot, and I want to be with her, but it's too late for that. I don't want to give up, but I know I should."

"There's no reason for you to give up, Arnold. It's not as if they're getting married or anything, there is still a chance they could break up."

"Please, she's practically planning their wedding." He muttered under his breath.

Dr. Bliss chuckled lightly, and retained her professional front. "The best you can do, Arnold, is to just stay back, and continue to be her friend. Maybe one day you'll get together with her. If not, don't worry, there are plenty of other girls out there."

"That's true." Arnold agreed. "But I'll never find another girl like Helga. She's one in a million."

She gave a soft smile. "I understand, Arnold."

"But you're right. I should just stay back and try being her friend. ...But she IS my friend. I don't seem to be hers."

"That might be a problem." Dr. Bliss said. "Give her some time and space, maybe she will come to you. Or as an alternative, you can even approach her and gently remind her that you are still her friend and will be there for her when she needs it. Perhaps she'll come around."

"I could try." Arnold said, nodding. "I hope this all works out, Dr. Bliss. I want Helga to be happy, I really do. I just hope I can get over it soon." His eyes began to moisten and he looked down at his lap. "...I love her so much."

Dr. Bliss looked at him with sympathy and went over to sit beside him, patting his shoulder. "I know, Arnold. But don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out in the end. For both of you. You just have to do what you can, to overcome the obstacles."

He nodded again. "You're right. I shouldn't let that stop me."

She smiled again. "You can do it, Arnold. It may not be easy, especially at this stage of the game, with things the way they are, but I promise you that you will be surprised along the way."

Looking at her with a grateful smile, he gave her a little hug. "Thanks a lot, Dr. Bliss. I needed this."

"No problem, Arnold." Dr. Bliss patted his back. "It's my job. Is there anything else you want to discuss? We still have about twenty minutes."

"Yeah, I think that'd be a good idea."

Dr. Bliss smiled and returned to her chair, readying her clipboard as Arnold gathered his thoughts and began to speak some more.

--

"No, I want to go myself." Helga said curtly.

Lyle looked at her with surprise. "But Helga...I want to walk you home."

"No. Please, not today." Helga walked away from him again.

"Helga, wait, please!" Lyle went after her. "I can't take it, I'm in love with you!"

"WHAT?!" Helga screeched, turning around in shock. "But...but how?! You're supposed to be in love with Lila!"

"I-I am...but I love you, too!" Lyle cried, grabbing her shoulders. "Over the past month, I've just enjoyed being with you so much, my crush intensified. Helga, please, let's make it official."

Helga pulled away from him, shocked, angry, confused, and surprised. "Lyle, no! I can't do that! I don't...I don't feel that way!"

"You have a crush on me, right? Well, can't you give it a chance?"

"I have been, Lyle! But, I just don't love you. I love Arnold!"

"Helga...I understand, but, please, you have to forget about him. He obviously doesn't see what a wonderful, beautiful girl you are. You poured your heart out to him and he didn't even reciprocate. Helga...I love you so much, you're a wonderful girl, you really are. Please, forget about him. He doesn't deserve you. You deserve so much better." Lyle begged. "I love you Helga, please, be my girlfriend."

Before Helga could move away, his lips were on hers in an instant, enveloping her. She was unable to believe this was happening, some other guy confessed he loved her, and was now kissing her. Was he right? Could Arnold, her beloved, really not love her back? It would explain why three years went by and nothing changed. At least, not romantically, since they were friends. ...Or at least, WERE friends. She blew him off every time he approached her, and now he didn't even look at her.

She did deserve better.

Helga threw her arms around him and kissed back, feeling so much better than before. Lyle was the one who loved her, and was there for her, and treated her like a Queen. This was what she wanted, deserved. And he was just like Arnold, right? So it was perfect. He was perfect.

Mr. Perfect.

The two parted, and smiled at each other.

"So will you, Helga?"

"...Yes. I'll be your girlfriend, Lyle...I think I can really grow to love you."

"Oh Helga!!!!" Lyle cried happily, hugging her to him tightly.

Over Lyle's shoulder, Helga felt her blood run cold.

Standing at the end of the sidewalk, was Arnold. He looked shocked, frozen in place, his jaw dropped. Their eyes met, and she saw the look of pure sadness, sorrow, longing, and above all, heartbreak. Before she could take this in, his head drooped, his shoulders shook, and then he disappeared around the corner. Helga frowned. What had just happened?

"Helga? Are you okay?" Lyle asked, releasing her.

"H-Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine. ...Walk me home." Helga said under her breath.

Lyle grinned in pure bliss and put his arm around her, leading her home.

--

Sorry guys, but I love LylexHelga way too much now. ArnoldxHelga is still cute, but...Lyle and Helga are just perfect for each other. Don't you think? Oh GOD, they are just so hot together! Please, everyone who reads this, make more LylexHelga fanart! Make LylexHelga fanfics! Hell, can you contact Craig Bartlett and have them change Arnold into Lyle? PLEASE! I am desperate for this pairing!

OH WHO THE HELL AM I KIDDING?!

SHOVE OFF, LYLE! YOU SUCK!!!! HELGA BELONGS WITH ARNOLD! HELGAXANYONE THAT ISN'T ARNOLD IS NOT GOING TO WORK IN MY BOOK! SHOVE OFF!

Lyle: B-B-B-B-B-B-B-but!!!

You guys didn't actually believe that, do you? XD I totally had to do that. FEAR NOT!

Nothing, and I mean nothing, could EVER replace ArnoldxHelga. NEVER! They're meant for each other, and I am quite adamant about the pairing. Lila, Timberly, TAKE A HIKE! Sorry folks, but it is always going to be AxH for me.

ANYWAY, so at the last minute, I put in a plot twist. To make the story more intense.

And don't worry, there WILL be the happy ending. :D