A/N: Thoughts are italicized…
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize
Chapter 5
"I know you hate me Helga and I'm sorry for whatever it is that I did. I really am."
Arnold faced Helga, waiting for any indication that what he said had not gone unheard. The blank look upon her face wasn't very promising in his opinion. He stared at her, scrutinizing for any sign of response, for what felt like an eternity.
Sighing, he turned his vision straight ahead. They were currently sitting on the floor with their back on his bed. They were supposed to make a project but they got a little side-tracked. Okay, so maybe it was him that got them side tracked.
He just couldn't stand it though. The silence was unnerving. So he attempted some kind, actually, any kind of conversation with her. But still, she wouldn't budge. There was no reply on her part. Nothing.
He even thought that if he just walked out of his room, Helga wouldn't even notice. He was a bit tempted to that said task… just so he could get a reaction from her.
See? He was that desperate.
But he restrained himself. He wasn't like that. He wouldn't just leave Helga to complete their projects by herself… not that she would at any circumstance.
Another sigh escaped his mouth as he began contemplating another way to put a stop to this "Silent Helga" as he dubbed her during the past two weeks.
"I don't hate you." a gruff mumbled reply came.
At first, he wasn't sure if it was him that said that. He didn't remember saying that or even thinking anything close to that. And why would he answer his own question. He wouldn't. So that means…
He turned his face looking at Helga like she had grown a third head or something.
It couldn't be Helga, could it?
"Stop looking at me like that, football head." Scowled Helga.
He closed his mouth and tried to avert his gaze, but the effort was futile. He couldn't believe it! Helga just talked to him… twice for that matter.
He had never felt so happy to hear her voice. It was the first time in two weeks that Helga actually acknowledged him willingly. He's got to hand it to himself, for a second he was starting to doubt himself. But, now, he feels as optimistic as ever.
He wasn't aware that a grin had formed upon his face.
"Stop it, Arnoldo." she snapped, a frown slowly settling on her face.
"Er… sorry…" he trailed off.
His hand subconsciously rubbed the back of his neck that was a definite sign of his nervousness. He wasn't sure what to say next. He didn't know if he should say anything at all. However, curiosity won.
"What do you mean 'you don't hate me'?" he inquired.
Rolling her eyes, she replied "It means I don't hate you. It's plain English, Arnoldo. It's really not that hard."
He let the last part slide.
"It's just… well, you know… er…" he said struggling for the right words.
"Crimeney! Just spit it out, Football head. I don't have all day." She said irritated.
He was really at a loss for words. How could he ask why she acts mean, without offending her? How could he tell her that she comes off as cruel and heartless? She just started talking to him; he really doesn't want her to stop.
"Well, then, why do you act like you do?" he asked apprehensively.
"Like what?"
"Like you hate me."
It took Helga a moment to respond.
"I don't know. Could you just drop it?" She said indifferently.
"No, Helga. I can't just drop it. I'm tired of fighting with you. We're not children, anymore. I don't want us to act like we're mortal enemies all the time. It's stupid and childish." He said in a firm voice that surprised even him.
"If it's so stupid, then why don't you just drop it?" she scoffed stubbornly.
"Because I just can't. I want us to be friends. I want us to start on a clean slate." He said.
"You just don't get it, do you? We can't be friends because you want to start over or such. It doesn't work like that." Helga said aggravated.
"Why not?"
"Because… it just doesn't, all right?" she sighed.
Silence dragged on, but neither of them said anything. He just didn't understand why Helga has to be so hard headed about this.
"What can we be then?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"You said we couldn't be friends, what can we be then?"
A thoughtful look made it's way on Helga's face. Then with a shrug she replied " I don't know."
"How does it work then?" he asked.
"How does what work?"
"How do we become friends?"
"Why do you keep pushing this? You have tons of friends. Aren't you satisfied with that?" she said throwing her hands in the air as a sign of frustration.
"Why don't you just give it a chance? We don't have to be best friends or anything. We can just hang out and stuff. Please? Just try it for half the year or something." he begged.
"You're not going to let this go are you?" she asked.
He shook his head with the begging look still pasted on his face.
"Fine." she agreed in a defeated tone. "I'll try it for half the year and if I hate it you have to be my slave, meaning you have to do everything I say for the remainder of the year, deal?"
"Deal." He shook her hand to seal the contract.
He wasn't really sure what he just agreed to. But for him it was better than nothing. He could hear Gerald's favorite phrase ringing in his ears 'you're a bold, guy, Arnold'.
He shook all uncertainty from his head.
He's got half a year to make Helga like him.
Wait a minute, that may have sounded different than what he intended.
But as confusing as it is…
He's not sure which gist he meant.
A/N: Finally, that's chapter 5. I'm not going to name the chapters anymore because for me it's too time consuming.
Anyway, if you want me to continue tell me you thoughts and feedbacks, and review.
Thanks for the reviews and sorry for the wait.