CHAPTER 6: THERE'S MORE TO IT

Author's Note: I was on a roll so I thought I would post Chapter 5 and Chapter 6! Enjoy! :)

The red high-heeled shoe looked like an average piece of women's footwear to Gerald, but not to Arnold. He was looking at it as if it was a piece of ancient history.

"What do you mean you have her shoe?"

Arnold didn't hear Gerald. Maybe this was what Helga was keeping from him. How did he not see it? They both had the same blonde hair, the same pink bow, and the same appearance. However, the Helga that he went on a date with was much different than the one that he knew so well in her endless tortures at school. Helga must've wrote a fake Cecile letter just to go on a date with him. Given the state of Helga's wacky list of deeds, Arnold could fill in the blanks to how she went about pretending to be Cecile.

"Arnold? Are you listening to me?"

"Don't you see Gerald? Helga was Cecile at the restaurant!"

It took a minute before Gerald registered what his best friend had just told him. Then his mouth hung open with astonishment.

"Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Helga G. Pataki went on a date with you!"

Gerald raised his eyebrows at Arnold.

"Man, she's one dedicated lady," Gerald said adding a purr at the end of the sentence.

Arnold, who was still holding the shoe, blushed.

"But why would she want to keep the whole Cecile thing a secret," Gerald asked.

Looking at the shoe, Arnold wasn't so sure that was all that Helga was keeping from him. Sure, she told him quite a bit for one afternoon, but he still felt like she wasn't being completely honest with him. Helga's a complicated book, and Arnold had just started reading the first chapter.

"There's more to it," Arnold said squinting at the shoe.

Gerald gave a long yawn.

"Well, I wish I had some advice for ya man, but it's getting late. Let's talk tomorrow," Gerald said heading for the bedroom door.

"Okay. See ya Gerald."

As the bedroom door closed, Arnold glared up at the sky. The night sky was still glaring down on him; much like a spotlight in a play. He still remembered that night he came home holding the shoe and looking up the same sky. Without saying another word, Arnold put the shoe back in the closet. It was interesting to him for why he held onto it for these many years. That must have meant it was important to him. A yawn from his mouth interrupted his thinking. Gerald was right. It was getting late. Tiredly, Arnold undressed himself and put on his blue PJs. He then got into bed and tucked himself in. The sheets were nice and cozy, and he was sure he would fall asleep in an instant...

The next thing Arnold knew he was in…Paris France? The Eiffel Tower stood out beautifully from the starry night. What was strange about being in this country? There weren't any people. Arnold looked around…he was alone. Another strange thing was that he was wearing a tuxedo. The same one he wore that fateful Valentine's Day. It was like he was all dressed up with nowhere to go.

"Arnold," a soft voice spoke out.

"Who's there," Arnold asked the strange voice from nowhere.

He looked straight ahead and saw the outline of a figure standing underneath the Eiffel Tower. The only thing he could make out was that the figure had a bow on top of its head. The closer Arnold got the more the outline of the figure came into focus. It was…

Helga.

"Helga?" Arnold said. She was wearing the outfit she wore as well on that day.

"Arnold, listen to me…I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? For what?"

"I feel bad that I kept all these secrets from you. I mean…I guess it's just who I am. To hide my feelings."

Arnold grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Helga, listen to me. I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked so much of you. I shouldn't have-"

"Au revoir Arnold," Helga said pushing him away.

Arnold then watched in horror as the girl he had grown to care so much about suddenly disappeared.

"No, wait!"

HEY ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD! HEY ARNOLD!