Hello to all my readers! I almost died last night! We drove through like four tornadoes! I've always been deathly afraid of tornadoes ever since I was a little girl, and I've never seen one till last night! And then it flooded! The weather sure is crazy!

Anyway! I give you chapter 5! Woop woop!

Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett = Hey Arnold… Me = Hey Arnold fanfic.

Chapter 6: Making good.

Arnold lay in his bed, staring up at his skylight, day dreaming about him and Lila performing in the musical together. Although he had never seen or heard of it before he had an idea of how it would play through. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, shooting a text to Lila.

Arnold: Hey Lila, wanna get together and work on that dance?

Lila: Sure, Arnold. I'll be out of ballet in about an hour or so

Arnold: You do ballet?

Lila: LOL of course Arnold, gotta go now see you in a few

Arnold sighed dreamily to himself and began to fantasize about Lila dancing around in a pink tutu on stage beautiful and graceful like a swan. After about an hour and a half passed by Arnold heard his grandpa call to him "Arnold, your friend Lila is here!" Arnold jumped up and ran out his door and down the stairs to meet her. His jaw dropped at the sight of her in a black leotard, pink tights and a pair of black flats. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and she smiled brightly at him, melting his heart away. "Hello, Arnold… I talked to my ballet teacher and asked if we could use the studio to practice" she said with a smile "My dad offered to pick you up and give us a ride" she added "Oh, but you can't wear that…." She said referring to his jeans "The shirt is fine, but do you have sweat pants or something stretchy?" she asked and he nodded. "Okay, please go change, Arnold I'll be waiting for you right here" she said and turned her head to look at his parents strolling in from the kitchen.

"Oh, hello Mr. and Mrs. Shortman, its ever so nice to see you again" Lila said with a friendly smile and a wave. They looked her up and down "Hello, Lila, was it?" Miles asked. They remembered her from the school trip to the jungle. How could they forget such a sweet young woman? "Where are you kids headed off to?" Stella asked referring to her attire "Oh, Arnold and I are going to try out for our school's musical this year and I offered to help him with a song and dance" she said with a giggle. Both his parents snickered a little "Arnold is tryin' out for a musical?" Miles asked trying not to laugh "It's a wonderful production Mr. Shortman" Lila said confused by their laughter. "I'm sure it is, Lila" Stella said with a smile as Arnold came down the stairs dressed in a pair of sweat pants and his tight black t-shirt. "Well, you kids have fun" his parents waved them off and they left the house. They got into Lila's fathers car and he dropped them off at the Hillwood ballet studio "Thanks for the ride, daddy" Lila said and kissed her father on the cheek "I'll call you when we're ready" she said and they got out of the car. Lila carried her nude canvas ballet shoes and a bag with her IPod and a speaker to plug it in to. She opened the door to the studio and walked inside. There were several rooms, each one for a different type of dance, Modern, Ballet, and Jazz "Our room is over here" she said and led him down the hall. They could hear music coming from the other side of the door. "That's funny… I didn't think anyone would still be here" Lila said as she pushed the door open. She smiled, and Arnold blinked confused as a blonde haired figure spun around to face them abruptly; she fell on her behind upon being interrupted in the middle of a fouette.

"Helga…..?" Arnold asked utterly confused. "Hello, Helga I didn't know you would still be here" Lila said and placed her bag down in the corner of the room. Helga stood up, rubbing her bum she was at a loss of words. "What are you doing here football head?" she pressed angrily. "I should be asking you the same question…" he replied gesturing at her outfit. She was wearing the exact same thing as Lila, a black leotard, pink tights only her ballet shoes were black. Her hair unlike Lila's was let down from her bun, falling wavy at her waist. "Helga's in the same ballet class as me" Lila said with a smile "Lila! You said you wouldn't tell!" Helga screeched, her face burning with anger. "Well, I'm ever so sure Arnold would have found out anyway Helga, and I'm ever so certain that he won't tell anyone, right Arnold?" Lila said sweetly. Helga shot him a deathly gaze and he nodded "Um… Right" he said in agreement to this little secret. Lila began to set up her speakers and music "Would you like to join us in Arnold's dance lesson?" Lila asked and Helga began to laugh hysterically "Arnold…. Dance lessons….? Why!" she fell over, laughing and holding her stomach. Lila blinked and tilted her head at Helga's behavior "Well, he wanted to try out for the musical…. And I said I'd teach him a dance" she said. Helga shot up at this statement, excited that she might be interacting with her beloved.

She didn't want to pass up and opportunity to dance with Arnold, and she definitely didn't want to leave him alone with Lila while they got close. Their bodies swaying together, touching sensually as they moved with the music. Helga gagged at the thought of it "Well, I suppose football head is going to need all the help he can get, and I have nothing better to do" she said, agreeing to help them. "But if either of you mention any of this to anyone EVER I will-" Arnold sighed "Pound us, I know Helga…" he said. He was a little disappointed that she would be staying, for he wanted to get close and comfy with Lila, but on the other hand he was excited to be able to get close to Helga too. This could be the first step of her letting him into her mind. And for Helga, could be the first step to her making Arnold fall madly in love with her. "Helga, would you mind helping Arnold stretch while I finish setting up?" Lila asked politely. Helga smirked "Why certainly, Lila" she mocked and grabbed Arnold's hand, leading him over to the barre. This was going to be amusing for Helga.

"Alright, football head… This is how we ballerinas warm up" she said with an evil grin and grabbed the barre with one hand. She did a few plies in first and second position, making Arnold follow in her footsteps. He blushed the entire time while Helga laughed at him. "This is stupid, Helga…." He said in a pleading voice. "Keep going football head" she demanded in laughter. Lila was soon finished setting up and walked over to join them "Alright, ready Arnold?" she asked with a smile and took his hand he nodded and laced his fingers with hers. Helga growled to herself. "Follow my steps, we'll start slow" she said moving from left to right, then back and forth in a few easy steps for him to follow. He did so with ease. She went over the basics before forming them all into one small dance. He did the dance, really well considering he had never done this before. Helga and Lila were both very impressed.

Eventually Helga's attitude softened and she became more into the dance lesson, forgetting the fact that her beloved knew one of her deepest secrets. "Pretty good, Arnold-o, you're a natural" Helga said with a smile "How about some freestyle guys?" she asked and changed the song. Lila nodded in excitement and began to dance to the up beat music. Helga joined her soon after, they twirled around each other, interacted with each other, dancing freely without a care in the world. Arnold wanted to join in with them but was too afraid to knock them over or something. They both motioned for him to join and before he could protest he was yanked into the festivities by both girls. They danced around, laughing and having a good time before Arnold tripped and fell, bringing Helga down with him. Helga grabbed Lila, bringing her down as well; the two girls fell on top of Arnold causing him to have a good bit of air knocked out of him. They all laughed for a long moment before getting back up on their feet, realizing that almost three hours had gone by.

"Oh, I had no idea it was already so late, I'd better have my dad pick me up" Lila said and grabbed her phone "Do you guys want a ride home?" she asked holding the phone up to her ear. "No thanks I think I'm going to stay behind for a little longer" Helga said and walked over to the barre. Arnold was curious and decided to stay behind as well "I'll probably stay and practice with Helga a little more" he said and smiled up at her apologetically. Lila didn't seem too happy about his answer, but what could she do? She couldn't force him to go with her "Well… Okay Arnold… I'll see you tomorrow then…" she said sadly and headed out to the front to wait for her dad. Helga looked over at Arnold "You know you could've gone with her" she said wondering why he had decided to stay. "I know, but I kind of wanted to learn a little more moves…." He said, lying through his teeth. He really just wanted to ask her a million questions as to why she never showed this artistic side of her before. "Well, I guess Arnold…" she said, a small smile forming on her face. She put on some music and walked over to him, the music was slow "Ever ballroom danced before, football head?" she asked with a smirk. He shook his head "No…. I've slow danced before though" he said nervously.

"That's completely different from ballroom dance, this has technique" she said and took his hand, placing it on her waist before sliding it up to his shoulder. She slid her other hand into his "Follow my lead" she said and they began to dance around the room, conversing as they did.

"So why'd you decide to try out for the musical football head?" she asked. He blinked a moment, remembering back on his conversation with Lila. "Well, honestly its because Lila said she was trying out… And I wanted to be in the lead with her…" he said blushing furiously. This hurt Helga's heart deeply and she looked down, Arnold quickly changed the topic of Lila with questions of his own. "Are you going to try out, Helga?" he asked. She met his gaze and nodded "Mr. Harvey said he would fail me if I didn't try out…. So I'm going to try out for the chorus line…" she said as he twirled her, catching her back in his arms. "Why not for a lead? Your voice is fantastic… And you're a really good dancer" he said matter of factly. She blushed a deep crimson red, she wanted to come back with something sarcastic but she was caught. He had seen her dance, he had heard her sing, and now she was in his arms being interrogated as to why she refused to try out for a leading role. "Because… Well… Because, Arnold-o! I just can't!" she snapped, letting go of him and stopping the dance abruptly.

They stood looking at each other for a long moment before he reached out and grabbed her hand, spinning her back into him. Her back was pressed tightly against his chest, and her arms were crossed over her breasts as he held her hands, keeping her in place. "There you go again, Helga… why can't you just open up?" he demanded in her ear and then met her blue gaze. She was trembling, her face was red and hot, she was pressed up against the love of her life and he was demanding her to tell him things about her that she never wanted anyone to know. She struggled a little trying to get out of his grasp but he held her there firmly, she finally gave up and began to sway back and forth. "Come on, Helga! Tell me why!" he started getting frustrated.

"Oh alright, Arnold-o! I'll tell you why!" she barked, he spun her back out and back to him again, placing his hand back on her waist and moving about the room once more. "Well?" he pressed as he twirled her again; he had most definitely taken the lead of this dance, moving Helga around with ease. She was surprised at how quickly he had caught on. She sighed "Because… I have a rep to uphold…" she said trying to weasel her way out of this. "That's not the real reason why….." he pressed further. She chewed on her lower lip, never once meeting his green gaze, she was trying to think up a lie and fast. She couldn't. She was stumped. "Because Arnold-o….. They'll all laugh…" she said almost sadly "I love doing this kind of stuff… But they would make fun of me till the day I die…." She said and looked up at his green orbs, he was sympathetic. "That's not true, Helga… Look at Lila… She loves this stuff too and no one makes fun of her" he said, twirling her again.

"Yeah, that's because people actually like her… The only thing anyone thinks of me is… how much they wish I were dead…" she looked down. "What? Helga… If everyone could see this side of you, I'm sure they would love you!" he said and dipped her. This caused her to blush furiously, her hair was almost touching the ground and she stared up into his eyes nervously. He held her there for a moment, studying her features, she really was beautiful, her white skin, yellow hair, pouty lips… He leaned down slightly, his face just inches from hers "Helga…" he said, his eyelids falling to half mass. She swallowed hard, her cheeks almost burning off, her lips quivering; she leaned up, her eyes starting to close slightly.

Before Arnold did anything drastic he pulled her back up quickly "You really should try out" he said with a small smile, a blush tinting his cheeks. They quickly stopped dancing and both looked down at the ground. Helga rubbed her arm idly and Arnold rubbed the back of his neck. "I have to try out anyway, remember?" she said, trying not to make this moment any more awkward. Was he going to kiss her? No, of course not, that was absurd of her to even think that. Arnold nodded "Um, yeah…" he said softly.

"Helga…?"

"Yes?"

"Do…. Do you think that I could um…"

"Yes, Arnold?"

"Promise not to get mad… But do you think I can hear the song you're thinking of trying out with?"

Helga blushed deeply and played with a lock of hair. She wanted to scowl at him and knock him to the ground, screaming and mumbling on about how stupid it was of him to even ask such a question. But she couldn't… She couldn't bring herself to yell at such pleading eyes "I-I don't have a song picked out…" she lied, she had thought about what song she was going to sing all day and she practiced her heart out for two hours after school before ballet. Arnold reached out and grabbed her hand "I think you do, Helga…" he said with a sweet smile that melted away her cold heart. "Oh, alright football head… But you can't tell anyone about this or I'll beat your face in, clear?" she scowled and ripped her hand away from him.

"I promise, Helga. If I utter so much as a word you can send me straight to my grave" he said and crossed his hand over his heart. "Yeah, I'll hold you too it football head" Helga said and walked over to her IPod, putting on the instrumental track of her song of choice. The music played through the beginning, Helga blushed a deep shade of red before clearing her throat. Arnold watched intently.

"D-did that really just happen…?" she stuttered a little in the beginning but Arnold motioned for her to keep going excitedly. "H-have I actually understood…" she continued to stutter for a while before starting to get into it. "This weird quirk I've tried to suppress or hide is a talent that could help me meet the wizard… If I make good… So I'll make good!" her eyes fluttered closed and she continued with passion. "Once I meet the wizard, once I've proved my worth… Then I meet the wizard what I've waited for since… Well, since birth. And with all his wizard wisdom, by my looks he won't be blinded! Do you think the wizard is dumb? Or like munchkins so small minded, no! He'll say to me I know who you truly are, a girl unto whom I can rely! And that's how we'll begin the wizard and I!" She continued to sing, growing extremely into it, getting lost in the song. She began to act out the words and dance around the room. Arnold watched in amazement at the blonde girl singing and dancing before him. He couldn't believe that Helga had such a 'sophisticated' side to her, Helga… Helga G. Pataki… The girl who had ridiculed and bullied him all throughout their childhood years. He wondered why she had never shown this side of her before, and he was determined to find out. When the song came to its end, Arnold clapped his hands with a toothy grin on his face, he was awestruck "That… was… FANTASTIC Helga! You're definitely going to get a leading role!" Arnold ran over to her. She shook her head vigorously and scowled "No! I told you football head! I'm only trying out for the chorus!" she shouted, her eyebrows furrowed. Arnold wouldn't have this "Helga, you HAVE to try out for a main role, this could be a big opportunity for you!" he held his ground; he wouldn't give up until he saw Helga shine on that stage.

"Criminey, Arnold-o! what're you, my teacher or something? If I had a quarter for everyone who talked about opportunity and junk like that, I'd have fifty cents!" she crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to back down. Arnold finally gave up and just shook his head "Whatever you say, Helga…." He said and grabbed his shoes, putting them back on his feet. "It's getting late, can I walk you home?" he asked. Helga nodded and grabbed her bag, and with that they headed out the door.

They walked down the dark street in silence, neither one of them knowing what to say, both deep in thought. Helga was desperately trying to figure out a way to hook her beloved beneath her poisonous claws, and Arnold was trying to figure out why this amazing girl tried to hide herself away from the world. Why was he trying so hard? It's not like it mattered, she was going to do what she wanted to do no matter what, and it wasn't his life. Sure they were friends… Well, sort of… Sometimes he questioned their friendship. There were times where he just wanted to completely push her out of his life, and right when he was about to she would go and do something amazing only to reel him back in. He so desperately wanted to understand the mind that was Helga G. Pataki.

When they had reached the stoop of Helga's house, he handed her the bag that he had so politely offered to carry for her. "Thanks, Arnold… And remember… To your grave" she reminded with a stern look. He chuckled slightly and nodded "Right, to my grave" he said with a smile and bid her farewell. With that he was walking off into the darkened streets. Helga ran upstairs to her bedroom and flopped down onto her bed "Helga, you're so stupid!" she scolded herself "How could you let your guard down like that? Now he's going to think you're some weirdo freak!" she growled and pushed her nose into her pillow, letting out a loud, frustrated scream. After her evening ramblings, and emotional roller coaster ride, Helga jumped in the shower and started her evening ritual, getting everything prepared for school in the morning. She walked back to her bed and flopped down, day dreaming about her beloved before her eyes began to get heavy and she slowly drifted off into a deep sleep. Dreaming of her and Arnold...

Okay, I know this chapter was extremely short, and I meant to make it longer, but I only have a few more minutes of internet service before it cuts out on me and I have to pay for another hour! But I promise next chapter will be longer! I really hope you guys enjoy, please rate and review and I promise the drama is coming!

Also, I realize that they only have a few classes each, they should have seven. But when I was a young whipper snapper in high school I had blocked schedule. We'd have 4 classes one day and the other 4 the next day. I'm not sure if thats what I'm deciding to do, or if I'm just too lazy to add the other classes... But remember, its just a fanfic so I don't think every last detail needs to be perfect...

Till next chapter!

Gut Nacht!