Helga couldn't believe she was doing this. It was all Phoebe's idea. Lila was practically dangling Arnold in her face and she was sick of it but she didn't think Phoebe would think of this. That was how she ended up at the school talent show with the whole PS118 gang there. It was their senior year so everyone had decided to go to their last talent show.

She and Phoebe had snuck away and were now with the other acts. This had all begun when she had seen Lila and Arnold kiss at Rhonda's party and now whenever she saw Arnold, she saw Lila. Lila had even warned Helga to stay away. Rhonda and Phoebe had both noticed a difference in Helga as she seemed more passive and emotionless. She still acted like she was happy but they knew that deep inside her heart was breaking. Rhonda had stumbled upon Helga's secret at a sleepover when she and Phoebe were playing truth and dare. She had asked Helga who her first kiss was and she answered "Arnold" but Rhonda just said that the Romeo and Juliet kiss didn't count. At that point, Helga knew she had been caught and so just told her everything as long as she promised not to tell a soul. She hadn't and instead Rhonda and Phoebe had devised a plan for revenge for Helga without anybody figuring out her secret. Arnold was too dense to figure it out anyway.

They knew the perfect song Helga could sing and they knew that Helga could sing from when she used to take lessons because Bob wanted her to be more like Olga. She didn't keep on with the lessons of course because it was too Olga but in reality she was a much better singer than her sister could ever. She even wrote songs occasionally as her poetry was sometimes expressed better in this way and that was how she had learnt to play the guitar. Of course no one else knew about how musical she actually was, she may have gotten a lot nicer but there were still some hidden secrets that she had to keep to herself.

There she was standing backstage. Rhonda fixing Helga's baby pink sleeveless dress that stuck out a little and her blonde curls and Phoebe reassuring Helga that she would be fine. All she could think about was Arnold and how he had broken her heart without even realising. She couldn't believe it when Lila admitted that she had intentionally asked Arnold out despite Helga's feelings. She should have known what Lila was actually capable of.

"Helga Pataki, You're on next".

It's funny how one phrase can make you freak out. Helga calmly walked over to the microphone with the guitar in her hand. She heard cheering from the PS 118 group but was unable to look over because she knew that they would be there. Her heart was racing 100 miles a minute and she quickly looked over at Phoebe and Rhonda who were giving her a reassuring smile. She turned away. She could do this.

She began to strum the guitar and then eventually looked up at the PS 118 group as she began to sing.

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene

It's funny how many times she had heard the song but not realised that it fitted her situation perfectly. Everyone loved Lila, she couldn't do anything wrong but Helga knew how manipulative she could be. She had been friends with her but Lila just couldn't wait to betray her. She didn't even want to have to compete with her ever again.

He talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene

And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene

The truth is Lila did know how much Arnold had meant to her. Heck, she even risked her secret so she could be Juliet. She gave her boots away. She still remembered how kind he had been and why she still wore her pink bow. She couldn't believe Princess had left the bow in her hair but she remembered she'd have to thank her for it.

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

She knew Lila didn't care about Arnold like she did and really she had just taken Arnold away from Helga just because she could. He had worshipped her since she first appeared in Hillwood but she was just leading him on.

You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene

I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene

Lila was worshipped by everyone and so she could pick anyone. Helga may have been popular but boys weren't throwing themselves at her like they did with Lila. If they did, Ol' Betsey and the five avengers would have to go out of retirement. She knew that Arnold was her soul mate and so was giving Lila an ultimatum.

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

There was nothing more Helga could do but to beg Lila to leave him alone.

Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene

The audience applauded and Helga was able to join the PS 118 gang again. They all congratulated her; Gerald had hugged her and told her how shocked he was that she had hidden that talent and Rhonda and Phoebe had dragged her into a huge hug. The boys had all commented on how surprised they were and the girls were all commenting on her dress. Then she heard from behind:

"Wow, that was amazing Helga" She turned and saw Arnold standing with Lila. She felt like her insides were about to melt.

"Thanks Football Head" He smiled at the old nickname. "We best be going Arnold, we have that restaurant to be going to" Lila cried desperately.

Helga just smiled. At least she had made an impact. Arnold smiled back before being dragged away by Lila.

She had to laugh, Arnold really was so dense.

Hope you liked it! Actually wasn't going to continue with the story!
I don't own the song or Hey Arnold!

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