Most of what I have to say about this chapter will be posted at the end. I will say that I began this one clueless about how it would go, and it just sort of happened. I thought it fit fairly well with the last chapter, so after my madness subsided and I actually read what I had written, I decided to keep it, and here it is.

I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters, Craig does, bless him. I only love it.

Chapter 4 Secret

Needless to say, Helga was mortified.

"What was I thinking, Pheebs? Have I lost my cotton-picking mind?" she ranted once again as her best friend secured the lock on her locker before class Friday morning. Phoebe sighed good naturedly from underneath the stack of books she felt obligated to bring to class that day, but said nothing.

"I mean, there I was spewing my heart out to..."

"Hey Helga."

"Arnold?" Helga shrieked, swirling around like a pink tornado and accidentally hit the boy in the head with her math book. She recovered quickly from her surprise, however. "Don't sneak up on me geek bait! And watch where you're going!" she spat.

Arnold smirked under hooded lids, "Whatever you say, Helga," he agreed, before walking away, Gerald whispering furiously at him until they entered the classroom.

"You're crazy, man! Lost your mind, screw loose, coo-coo!..."

Phoebe pushed her glasses further up her nose with a nearby finger. "It appears that Arnold may not be as repulsed as you are led to believe, Helga," she observed.

Helga huffed. "Yeah right, he's just rubbing it in my face!" she mumbled, turning red and rubbing her neck as the two girls walked toward the same classroom. It was just a matter of time before the stupid football head blabbed it all to the whole class...

That period, and the next, she was too anxious to pay attention or do much of anything except jump at every sound uttered by the blonde boy in front of her. She didn't even throw spit wads. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if she could have torn her eyes away from him.

Lunch wasn't much better. She was jittery and couldn't eat. The food made her nauseous. Like the best friend that she was, Phoebe successfully deflected any unwanted attention towards the blonde girl by her side, commenting on how she had never agreed to the thought of Helga and coffee. Deflected all but one, that is.

"Hey Helga...are you okay? You look a little...tense," Arnold inquired gently, causing Helga to spill some of her tapioca pudding down her dress. He immediately apologized and attempted to help her clean up, but was shoved away.

"You'd like me to go off my rocker wouldn't you football head? But I am fine!" Helga ground out, "And leave me alone! I'm not an invalid!"

No one bothered her at all after that. The only negative situation at all after lunch was the tense silence that was shared as Helga and Arnold worked on their science project together in class.

Ha! You work for a month to ensure a partnership with him and now look! Helga berated herself silently. Next time you'll know better to leave well enough alone! That is, if you can show your face around these dweebs next week...

When the final bell rang, Helga shot out of the classroom like her hair was on fire. She didn't even wait on Phoebe as she dumped her books carelessly into her locker and ran for the sweet freedom of the outside world. She made it to the door ahead of even the fifth graders, who had the classroom closest to the exit before she got outside into the sunshine and gained liberty from her troubles...

She strolled heedlessly down the sidewalk before her heart stopped.

"Hey Helga, wait up!" Arnold called out behind her.

Well, he didn't have to worry there because she was frozen to the spot in horror as she listened to his quick paced footsteps and deep breathes of labored gasps from his short run to catch up. So this was his plan then, wait until they were alone and demand some outrageous compensation for keeping his stupid football mouth shut. She felt cold because whatever it was that he demanded, she would give. She closed her eyes dejectedly and waited for the end to come.

"Can...can I walk you...home?" Arnold panted at her side.

Helga's eyes flew open and she turned to stare at him stupidly. He was hunched over with his hands propped on his bent knees, vying for a proper breath. While his face was down, his eyes were focused on her face for an answer and his cheeks were flushed from what she assumed was the run. No you can't walk me home! What do I look like? A blind old lady or nutcase not sane enough to find my own left shoe? What? Are you afraid I'll get lost or stalk you if you don't make sure I'm not at my own house? "Sure."

Both kids' faces lit up with different variations of surprise.

Arnold grinned sheepishly before waving once over Helga's shoulder. She turned to see Gerald give him a nod and a thumbs up, followed by a sad, clueless smile and a shake of his head.

Seeing enough, Helga turned back towards her love, narrowing her eyes accusingly. "What was that, football head?" she demanded.

Arnold ignored her and turned towards the park, motioning Helga to follow him. So it begins she thought darkly, following him in the opposite direction of her house. They walked in silence for a while, Arnold easily strolling and Helga trying hard not to bite her nails. "You know we're going the wrong way, don't you?" she finally mentioned.

The boy shrugged, "This way's nicer," he decided, ending the discussion. The silence thickened.

When no demands were made of her or jokes or ridicule directed her way, Helga began to feel confused. Was she required to begin the negotiations? Was he stringing her along for the optimal amount of damage? What was going on?

She was ready to just give in and beg for mercy when Arnold finally balled his fist and turned towards her, stopping them both on the park path. "Look Helga," he began with a breath, "I know you have this weird reputation to keep up at school..." So it begins... "And I know you lo...love me..." Oh Arnold! So uncharacteristically cruel, yet so beautiful... "So I thought you would prefer we keep this a secret...if you want..." I feel faint...

"Do you wanna be my girlfriend?"

The world exploded. Nothing existed anymore. The only visible aspect of the universe were two wide green orbs surrounded by the golden sun. "It's so beautiful..." Helga murmured, faintly.

"What? Helga...?"

The girl slapped herself and winced. Bad cheek. "What's the catch?" she asked dubiously.

Arnold gave a confused look. "I don't understand. What do you mean, catch?" he asked innocently. "Like I said, I won't tell if you don't want...only if you wanna..." He blushed.

"Yes!" Helga squealed. It was without a doubt the most girly thing she had ever done in her life, topping even her makeover attempt to get into Rhonda's sleepover. She had to compensate. "I mean...sure, Arnoldo. I guess I could give you a chance. But let's just keep this between us," she replied smoothly, looking at her rough nails.

Her heart nearly melted when he gave her a bright smile and they began walking again.

"Um, would it be okay if I told Gerald?"

Helga thought about refusing, but knew she would tell Phoebe the first chance she could. "Why not. Just don't let him blab. I'm sure he'll be enthused, seeing at how he just adores me and all..." she commented sarcastically.

Satisfied with her answer, Arnold grinned with more certainty. "He doesn't hate you. He just doesn't want you to hurt my feelings, " he said before lapsing into a momentary, contemplative silence. "Uh, Helga...?" he finally asked.

Attempting to keep her heart under control, Helga spared only a brief glance to her side and at her new secret boyfriend. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Since nobody's around...could I...hold your hand?" he asked.

Helga G. Pataki could not trust herself to speak. She was afraid she would barf. Instead, she jabbed her hand out and let him take hold.

They walked all the way to her house that way. Once they got to her stoop they stopped and let go, blushing furiously. "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow or something?" Helga finally asked, rubbing her neck and trying to get rid of her darn blush.

Arnold's brows furrowed. "You can't come play baseball with us this afternoon?" he asked, disappointment painting his features.

"Nah, I'm still in trouble for yesterday..." Helga muttered gloomily, "But I can come out tomorrow. Maybe we could grab Phoebe and Gerald and go to the new horror movie."

Arnold smiled, "Yeah, sounds fun. And I know Gerald would like to go to a movie with Phoebe," he added knowingly.

Plans set and goodbyes made, Arnold walked back down the street towards Gerald Field and Helga let herself inside. It was probably for the best that she was momentarily grounded. She had an absolute spastic attack as soon as her bedroom door was shut.

It lasted hours.

I hope no one feels that this came way out from left field. I think it fits, anyway, and I'm writing this outfit, right? And you know, this never happened in the series so I guess i get my own poetic license...If Craig doesn't like my version he can write his own and show us in...oh I don't know, TJM. lol Yes Craig, that is a subtle plea.

I think Arnold is a complete gentleman and throughout the series he shows interest in Helga. (Patty has the most sense out of them all) If he was given a gentle nudge in the right direction things would turn out wonderfully. Too bad Helga isn't really a gentle nudge type of girl. lol

Helga was so normal to Arnold at the end because she was still going through the initial stages of shock. I know this because this is what I did when in this situation. Only I wasn't nearly so articulate. Oh childhood, how I am glad you are over...

And I don't know about any of you, but holding hands with my first boyfriend was the sh*t. And have you ever noticed there's always that one friend of your guy's that totally doesn't trust you for one living second? This show totally kept it real, I'm telling you. Again, love you Craig and your brilliance!

Reviews are most welcome and critiques are great! I want to know how to improve.