Author's Note: First half of this chapter came to me really easily, second half not so much, although part of that is that I was sick when I wrote the later half. Oh well. What matters is that I'm happy with it.

Author Responses

THE J.A.M. a.k.a. Numbah i: Bob certainly is messing up a lot right now, but Miriam also did something last chapter that's going to come back and haunt her (it isn't signing over custody of Helga. That was the right choice.)

Nadine's not so much out of the market, as she is not currently interested. She might change her mind later, in which case, I'm weighing both Peapod Kid and Sid as potential dates.

Well, all of the girls in her class know Helga's secret except Sheena and Rhonda. Sheena because she has stayed far enough away from Helga in the past not to pick up on it. Rhonda doesn't know because if Rhonda knew, EVERYBODY would know.

qwerpyblah: I don't want to stretch things out too long either. A couple getting together is just one milestone in a relationship. I think a lot of shows/stories forget that and make it the endgame goal that the characters get together, when if they got together earlier, you could tell a lot of interesting stories of them being a new couple over the rest of the story.

YaeliEz: Well, here is the next chapter. Hope I didn't make you wait too long.

Guest: (I hope you stick with the story long enough to see this response.) It definitely came as a shock for poor Helga, but her anger, and then Miriam's words, kept her going.

HumanDictionary: I partly came up with it as a realistic way to explain how these restaurants haven't cannibalized each other. I figured maybe Chez Pierre is more casual, as Helga won a coupon for a free meal, while Chez Paris seems a little fancy to be giving out coupons for free dinners.

The Dillinger joke is something I learned from Married... with Children. One of the characters thinks he's going to be arrested for a crime he didn't commit, when his wife comes home from a trip wearing a red dress. The character, Steve, takes one look at her and goes "She's wearing red. That's how they got Dillinger."

Previously: Miriam suffers living with Bob in the Beeper emporium, as it is ill-equiped to handle two people living within it. Helga enjoys her time with Nadine and Sheena, even as Nadine reveals that Rhonda has a crush on Arnold, and that Nadine also knows of Helga's feelings toward Arnold (although she promises not to tell.) Helga and Olga then go and meet Miriam at Chez Paris for dinner, where they happily chat with each other. Near the end of the meal, Miriam gives Olga papers that will transfer parental rights and custody of Helga from Bob and Miriam over to Olga. When Helga gets home, she finds Arnold waiting for her, red shoe in hand...

Previous Married... with Children Reference: Obviously, the waiter Jacques had an unfortunate encounter with the Bundys sometime in the past, which mainly draws from the episode "Eatin' Out." As seen in that episode, when the Bundys go out to eat, they are rude, they like to steal, they (mainly Al) will cause the toilet to overflow, and they aren't likely to pay the bill.

Chapter Eleven: Helga and Arnold

? ? ?

Arnold once again found himself wandering the fog-filled streets of Hillwood.

He once again found himself coming upon Chez Paris and Chez Pierre.

He once again saw the beautiful girl with the blonde hair and pink shirt waiting there.

And once again, she took off running.

This time, however, Arnold was determined to catch up to her. To talk with her. To find out who she really is.

As he ran after her a figure appeared in the fog. Seeing the shadow's football-shaped noggin, so similar to his own, Arnold adjusted his course so he would go around the annoyed Ruth McDougal.

Continuing to push himself as fast as he could, he saw another figure appearing out of the whiteness. Recognizing who it was from their posture alone, Arnold once again darted around an upset Lila Sawyer.

"Arnold, wait! Please!" The country girl cried out.

He didn't even look back.

Yet another figure appeared in the fog. Too tall, Arnold thought, and he hopped to the side to avoid whoever it was. However, as he went past her, he felt a hand grab the back of his shirt and pull him to the ground. Landing roughly, the person who had stopped him walked around so they were standing in front of him. It was Summer, with a sneer on her face and murder in her eyes.

Grabbing Arnold by the front of his shirt, she yanked him up, so he was at eye level. "It's payback time." Her voice was as cold as ice.

Just when Arnold thought things couldn't get any worse, two more figures started to emerge behind the preteen.

First, was a red-eyed Lila. "How could you break my heart, Arnold?! I thought you liked me-liked me?!"

Second, was a scowling Ruth McDougal. "Hey busboy! I ordered my Yahoo Soda ages ago!"

Still holding Arnold, Summer looked back at the two. "Don't worry girls, you'll get your licks in... But I get first blood..." And with that she raised her fist, pulled back, and-

"LET GO OF HIM!"

As the shout rang out a pink and yellow blur slammed into the girl, releasing Arnold from her grip. Arnold looked at his rescuer: Helga G. Pataki.

The other two girls looked on in horror as one blonde beat the tar out of the other. As Helga stood up from the now unconscious Summer, she turned to Lila and Ruth. "Anyone else who wants to mess with Football Head here will have to answer to Ole Betsy and the Five Avengers." To emphasize her point, she held up her bloodied fists.

In response, the duo held up their hands and backed into the mist, disappearing as they turned and ran.

Arnold finally stood up from where he had once again landed on his keister. "Thanks, Helga!" He then looked at the unconscious girl sprawled out on the ground. "But did you have to be so, uh, brutal?"

Helga smirked. "Oh, come on, Arnoldo. She was going to do the same thing to you. A shrimp like you wouldn't stand a chance."

Arnold groaned. "Come on, Helga. I've grown in the last few months."

Helga snorted. "Yeah, maybe a quarter inch."

The boy then remembered why he had been running. "Hey. Have you seen a blonde girl in a pink shirt with red stripes run by."

"Yeah. She's right there." Helga pointed behind him.

Arnold whipped around only to be met with emptiness. "Come on, Helga. I'm serious. I need to talk with-"

His words died in his throat when he turned back around to find the very girl he was looking for standing where Helga had been. "Were you looking for me?" Cecile asked in her soft, beautiful voice.

Arnold felt his heart start to beat faster and his cheeks begin to warm up. "Y-yes. I'm so glad to have finally found you! I have so many questions I have to ask."

The girl smiled a small smile. "Like what, Arnold?"

"Why did you fake being my pen pal? Where have you been all this time? Who are you really?"

Humming the girl started twirling some of her hair in her hand. "Okay, I'll answer in the order they were asked. I pretended to be Cecile because I wanted to ask you on a date, but I was shy. As for where I've been I have been closer than you think."

Arnold was confused. "Huh? What does that mean?"

"As for who I am... Can't you figure it out yet, Football Head?" Having said that, Cecile- no, Helga brushed aside her hair, revealing her unibrow.

"H-Helga!?"

The girl's grin widened. "That's my name! Don't wear it out!"

Arnold started to feel dizzy. "You-you were Cecile this whole time?!"

"Uh-huh. Isn't that kind of obvious now?" Helga giggled at his reaction.

"I-I don't understand. How... How could I not have known?" Arnold's head was spinning.

Helga shrugged. "Well, you did figure it out in the end. We are in your dream, after all."

"WHAT!? A Dream!?" Arnold shouted as things started to fade into darkness.

Helga's voice sounded a world away. "Oh, by the way, could I have my shoe back. I've wanted it for..."

And that's when Arnold woke up.

Friday, August 22, 1997

Three Days Before the Start of Fifth Grade

Arnold groaned and rubbed his eyes as he sat up in his bed. Geez it's bright! I must have slept in. Not that he minded. After all, that is why he didn't plug in his alarm. He did take a look at it and saw that it was about nine-thirty. Man, the boarders are all at work by now. Even Helga must already be hanging with Nadine and Shee-

Suddenly, the dream he had just woken from rushed back into his mind, and he felt himself start to get angry. Helga was Cecile!? Is that the best my subconscious can come up with?! Sure, they do look a little simila-

The shirt. Cecile's shirt. He had held that very shirt earlier in the week. After unpacking it out of a box of Helga's things.

Suddenly, several other things came back to him. When Helga had first told him about her real father, he had asked where he was. She had replied (with disgust), "Probably back in France eating scrambled eggs and cow brains."

The fake Cecile, who apparently knew not a lick of French (just like Helga), had accidentally ordered that very dish on their date.

And her hair... If Helga's hair was styled just right it could look just like Cecile's had.

Jumping out of bed, Arnold ran to his closet and started digging through it. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled out the lone red shoe he had had for a year and a half. He had hoped he could return it to its owner one day. Now he could.

Rushing down the stairs, still in his pajamas and shoe in hand, Arnold looked through the first floor for his grandfather. Finding Phil sitting in the television room, Arnold ran up to the side of his chair. "Grandpa, I need to talk with you. Badly."

Phil didn't even take his eyes off the screen. "Can't, Shortman. The Classics Channel is doing an all-day marathon of Hedy Lamarr movies. I'll be busy until tonight."

Arnold groaned in frustration. The last time there was a Hedy Lamarr marathon his grandpa would only get up for bathroom breaks and snacks.

"Well, where's Grandma?" Arnold hadn't seen her when he came down, and although her advice would probably be... different, he needed whatever he could get.

However, even his hope for some eccentric advice was ruined when his grandfather spoke. "I don't know, Arnold. She dashed out the door this morning wearing her secret agent outfit. Said she'd be finished with her mission by nightfall. I just hope we don't have to bail her out of jail. Again. Now go out and play. Algiers is about to come back from a commercial break." He even made a literal shooing motion with his hand.

Defeated, Arnold started making his way back up to his bedroom so he could grab some clothes, shower, and start the day. There's no one I can talk to about this, and I need to discuss it NOW! Well, I could call up Gerald and talk with him... But I don't know if that would be a good idea, considering his attitude towards Helga.

As he showered, the dream kept coming back into his mind. By the time he got out, he decided that, even if it was a bad idea, Gerald was the best bet he had for figuring this whole mess out.

Going up to his room, he used the telephone next to the couch to call Gerald.

As the call connected, a voice spoke. "Heather?" It was Jamie O, Gerald's older brother.

"Uhhhh... No?" Arnold answered, confused. Who's Heather?

"Damn." Arnold then heard the teenager call out to his brother. "Gerald, it's your stupid friend!" Then Jamie O spoke to the preteen again, the irritation evident in his voice. "Make this quick, brat. I've got an important call I'm waiting for."

Arnold could hear the phone being handed over, and then Gerald's voice came through the speaker. "Sorry about Jamie O. Anyway, what's up man?"

"Gerald, I really need to talk with you about something. Do you mind if I come over?"

His friend hesitantly answered. "This topic wouldn't happen to be about this whole Cecile thing again, would it? Cause I told you I do not want to reopen that investigation."

Arnold panicked. "It's about Helga!"

"Let me guess, she did something?" Gerald sounded unsurprised.

"Yes." Arnold said, before wincing. I probably shouldn't have put it that way.

On the other side of the line, the African American boy pumped his fist in the air. Yes! Vindication! "Alright man. Anyway, let's meet somewhere else." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "Jamie O's is still being a butthole, as you heard."

"Who's Heather?" Arnold's curiosity got the better of his anxiousness.

"I'm a hundred and ten percent sure it's his girlfriend of several months. I have no idea why he hasn't introduced her to us yet. Maybe she's some kind of delinquent or something. I've overheard them talk on the phone now and then. I think she's why he's been so moody lately, as he's always upset after he finishes talking with her. Can't he meet someone who isn't trying to use him or bringing out the worst in him? Like come on, man!" Gerald vented.

Arnold didn't know what to say. "Uhhhhhh, anyway... Where do you want to meet?"

"How about Slausen's?"

Arnold nodded, even though his friend had no way of seeing it. "Works for me. See you soon, Gerald."

"Yeah, bro." As the two hung up, Arnold started for the door. Before he went out, he quickly grabbed the red shoe, although he wasn't really sure why.

Making a beeline for Slausen's, he ignored the people shooting him odd looks. After all, it isn't everyday people see a ten-year-old boy carrying a red shoe, sprinting down the sidewalk. As he reached the ice cream parlor, he wasn't surprised to see Gerald wasn't there yet. Normally, he would have waited outside for his friend, but his growling stomach led to him going in, grabbing a seat (setting the shoe down next to him), and ordering. After about five minutes, during which Arnold had scarfed down a banana split, Gerald finally arrived.

As Gerald sat down next to him and ordered his own ice cream, the dark-skinned boy looked at his friend in amusement. "Dang, Arnold, you must have been starving."

Arnold blushed in embarrassment. "I, uh, might have rushed out of the house without breakfast... I just woke up within the last half hour."

Gerald laughed. "You ate ice cream for breakfast. Arnold you are the MAN!" Then started to get excited. "Come on, bro! Spill! What did Helga do?"

Arnold suddenly felt unhappy with his friend's giddiness to hear what he must have thought was something bad that Helga had done. "She, uh, she didn't do anything... Recently." And with that he picked up the shoe and set it on the tabletop.

Gerald loudly groaned as he saw the shoe. "COME ON MAN! You said it wasn't about Cecile, you said it was about... Wait. Waitwaitwait. You can't possibly mean... YOU THINK HELGA WAS CECILE!" Arnold winced at Gerald's volume.

He wasn't the only one who thought that the shouting was a bit much, as everyone else's eyes had turned towards them. A balding middle-aged man, the manager, even stalked over to the table. "Young man, I insist you lower your voice, or I will have to ask you to leave." He then turned to Arnold. "And get that dirty shoe off the table!" Arnold did so, causing the man to walk away. "Weirdo."

After a moment's silence, Gerald once more looked at Arnold. "You can't possibly tell me that you think that sweet girl you had a Valentine's Day date with could possibly be horrid Helga, could you? Are you nuts?!"

"Helga mentioned the very same meal Cecile ordered at Chez Paris, her hair could probably be styled to look like Cecile's, and I unpacked the exact same shirt that Cecile had worn from a box of her stuff. Gerald, I held it in my hands! I bet if I had helped unpack her shoes, I would have found this one's twin." He once again held up the red shoe, earning him the stink eye of the manager, who was keeping watch on the boys for any signs of trouble.

"Okay, let's say she was Cecile. What could she possibly have to gain from pretending to be your pen pal and asking you on a date?" Gerald asked, humoring his friend.

"W-well, near the end of the date, she told me she really liked me. Maybe... Maybe Helga likes me-likes me and has just been too shy to tell me as herself."

This caused Gerald to laugh in his face. "Are you kidding me dude? You may have deluded yourself into thinking that she's your friend now, but don't you remember how she was back in Third Grade? She hated your guts, man! She couldn't possibly have liked you enough that she'd set up a date. She even ruined your friendship with the real Cecile." He then snapped his fingers. "I know! She must have overheard you planning the date with Ruth McDougal and decided to screw up your chances with two girls at once!"

Arnold scowled at his friend. "Gerald, there is no way she knew the real Cecile was flying in from France. And the one who ruined my chance with Ruth McDougal was Ruth McDougal. And you didn't help with the real Cecile when you claimed to be the 'real' Arnold."

Gerald got defensive. "Hey, man! I was simply trying to get you out of the mess Helga put you in. I told you I explained what was going on as soon as I got her away from you and the imposter. It's not my fault she took it poorly."

Arnold sighed. "I know, Gerald. Sorry."

"S'alright, man. So... What are you planning on doing about this."

Arnold started moving the spoon around the empty bowl. What do I want to do... "I, I don't know, Gerald. Maybe... Maybe what I originally planned to do when we discovered her identity?"

Gerald sputtered. "Ask her on a date!? Arnold, you are crazy. There are dozens, if not hundreds of girls who would make a better date than Pataki. Please don't tell me you have a crush on her. If you do I recommend a making a date with a therapist."

Arnold was getting annoyed with his best friend. "I do not have a crush on her. I just want to repay her for the nice date we had together. After all, she paid for the first one."

Gerald rolled his eyes. "You already repaid her by putting up with all her BS over the years."

That was more than Arnold could take. "Gerald! She. Has. Changed! In the last half year she has proved to be a good friend. And for your information she would be a good date! She's smart, brave, clever, cute-" He stopped after he realized what he just said. Cute? Did I just say cute? Why would I say that? Helga is just a friend to me, right? I can't possibly like her-like her. Could I?

"Uh, Arnold, you okay?" Gerald asked as his friend sat there deep in thought.

Memories of his time with Helga flashed through his mind. Them spending time together this past week... Her helping save the neighborhood... The two kisses they shared... The blond's cheeks started to heat up.

Arnold suddenly stood up, making sure to grab the shoe. "S-sorry, Gerald. I, I have to go."

"What?! Why!?"

Arnold looked through his pockets and pulled out a five. "This, this should cover the bill. See... See you tomorrow." And with that he was out the door.

Arnold paced back and forth in his room. He had tried to get his mind busy, but everything he tried to do reminded him of Helga. Tried to read The Last Unicorn: I wonder what Helga thought of this part? Tried to watch his little TV: Has Helga seen Quantum Leap? Tried to write a story: Does Helga write often?

He stayed hidden up there even as his stomach started growling again. He just had to figure this all out before he faced Helga again.

The first thing he did was admit the truth to himself: I have a crush on Helga G. Pataki. Now what should I do about it?

He could test the waters, try to figure out how Helga felt about him. After all, she had, as Cecile, said that she really liked him.

But what if she didn't mean it like that. If I'm not straightforward about my feelings it could take me months to find out how she feels, and it could end up like with Ruth.

He had yearned to know Ruth McDougal better for months and had only approached her when he felt he had the perfect opportunity. It had hurt to have had those feelings so long only to find out they were for someone that was so shallow. If he had just approached her when he had started liking her, his crush would have lasted all of five minutes. Sure, he knew what Helga was truly like – he and the others had been seeing that Helga for months now – but how did she view him?

I have to face this head on, and I'm going to do it now! That's what Arnold had decided, until he looked at the clock. Dang it! She's at dinner with her mother and grandmother right now! Oh well, at least I can get myself something to eat...

After having a microwave dinner and putting up with Oskar complaining about how "all women claim they're size sevens," he decided to wait on the bottom step of the stairs leading to his room, giving him the perfect view of when Helga would eventually get back. Eventually, he saw her round the corner. She looks really pretty in that outfit... Focus, Arnold!

Hiding the shoe behind him, he closed the distance between them. As he did so he felt the urge to just go past, or turn around, or otherwise delay what he felt must be done. Breathe, Arnold, breathe. "H-hi, Helga. I, uh, can I talk with you for a minute?"

"Sure, Football Head. What's up?" She replied, obviously unaware of what was about to happen.

"I, uh, I think that, t-this belongs to you." And he showed her the shoe.

For almost a minute, silence reigned, until Olga came around the corner. "Oh, Helga! Get changed into your jammies so we can watch some of that show I told you-" She cut herself off when she saw the shoe Arnold was holding, recognizing it from Helga's story. "I'll, uh, I'll leave you two alone." And she headed for door seven.

As Arnold momentarily turned his head to watch the mother go into her room, the daughter made a dash for hers. As Arnold realized what was happening, he tried to stop her. "Helga, wait!" But the door closed before he reached her.

He knocked on the door, only for Helga to call out in a shaky voice. "G-go away, Football Head! I have no idea why you want to show me some, uh, dumb shoe that I've n-never seen before in my life!"

Arnold shook his head at the denial. "C'mon, Helga! I know you were the girl I met at Chez Paris on Valentine's Day last year! I helped you unpack the shirt you wore back then, for Pete's sake."

She still didn't open the door. "Maybe... Maybe I just happened to have the same shirt that girl wore. Doesn't mean I am her. M-Multiple girls can have the same outfit, Arnoldo." That was a lie. No other girl could have that shirt, considering Helga had mutilated an old dress to make it.

"Please, Helga! I know it was you that day! Open up! I just want to talk!" This time he got no reply, but he kept waiting at the door. Eventually, after about ten minutes, he turned around, fell back against the door, and slowly slid down.

Inside, Helga was panicking. He is angry, I just know it. I impersonated his pen pal, sabotaged his Valentine's Day date with his crush, and inadvertently ruined his friendship with said pen pal. He'll never love me, and he won't even want to be friends with me anymore. And I'll have no one to blame but my past self. Why must I have been so cruel? Why didn't I do enough to make up for my past transgressions, so the universe didn't feel the nee-

Her poetic catastrophizing was cut short by Arnold doing a little of his own. "Great job, Arnold. You blew it. Another one to add to the list of failures. First with Lila, now with Helga. At this rate I'll probably end up alone like Aunt Mitzi."

W-what?! What is he talking about.

On the other side of the door, Arnold suddenly felt himself falling backwards, hitting his head against the floor. Helga appeared from the top of his vision, looking sheepish. "Sorry." Helping him up, they avoided eye contact. "Uhhhhh... Would you like to come in?"

Arnold nodded and headed in. There was no hesitation or embarrassment at being invited into a girl's room, as Arnold lacked the knowledge that he would learn in less than a week's time.

As he walked in, he saw the other shoe sitting on her bed. She had dug it out sometime during her panicking. He placed its twin down next to it, finally reuniting the pair for the first time in over a year.

Helga then spoke, still not looking at him. "You're... You're not mad at me?"

"No, of course not. Thanks to you, I had the best date I've ever had on the same day I had my worst."

Helga blushed. This, this was too good to be true. "Your best? Y-you had several dates with Lila, right? What about those?"

Arnold sighed. "They were nice, but it kind of ruins a date to have the girl constantly remind you that you're just her friend and nothing more... You, you did say you really liked me back during our date, right? Do still feel that way?" Although she still hadn't looked at him, he was looking at her with hope in his eyes.

Helga felt her heart start to race. This is the chance you've been waiting for since you were three! Tell him how you feel! "W-well, I... I did say that..." Suddenly, she found herself too nervous to continue. You can't just leave it there! Tell him you love him. No, the wordings too strong! Say you like him-like him! WAIT! What if he asks why you continued to act like a complete bully for about a year afterward. How will you answer that? 'Oh, it was to cover up the fact that I couldn't control my obsession with you?' If he finds out about the stalking or the shrines you'll lose him forever. "I meant I liked you as a friend!" Helga stated right before Arnold himself spoke. She hated herself the moment it was out of her mouth.

"Oh." Was all Arnold said. Just like with Lila...

That self-loathing only intensified when she finally looked at Arnold and saw the disappointment there. HOW COULD YOU! YOU STUPID, COWARDLY FOOL! Quick, say something, anything to salvage this. "Arnold. I... I have really enjoyed spending time with you these last few days. Maybe I do like you more than as just a friend... I-if you're willing, I..." She gulped. GO ON! "I think we could maybe give dating a try?"

She felt a heavy feeling of dread waiting for the answer, as it would decide whether the dream she had had since she was three would come true. However, after only a few seconds he grinned at her. "I would like that Helga."

Helga felt a warmth in her chest and a grin crossed her face. "Hey, Mom and I were going to watch this tv show where each episode has the hosts making fun of some old, crappy horror movie. Interested in joining us?"

"Uh, yeah. That sounds like a lot of fun." He answered with a goofy grin on his face. Then his stomach growled for the third time that day. "Let me grab another bite to eat first. I've only had two meals today."

"Okay. Just come to Olga's room when you're ready. She has some of her favorite episodes on VHS tape, so you won't miss anything." She gave him a moment to leave, and then started jumping and thrusting her arms in the air. "Yes! Yes! I can't believe it! This is the best day of my life!" And then she let herself fall onto her bed.

After changing into her pajamas, she headed over to Olga's room. As her mother saw her enter, she motioned her to sit with her at the table.

Helga spotted the tapes, labeled Mystery Science Theater 3000, spread out on the tabletop. "Oh, cool!"

As she reached for them, hoping to look them over, Olga put a hand over them. "In a few minutes, honey. Can I talk with you about something first?"

Helga looked at her, and hesitantly answered "Sure?"

"You know I've wanted you to talk with Arnold about how you feel, and I'm wondering... How could you have lied to him like that?" Olga shot her daughter a look of disappointment.

The girl's mouth dropped open as she glared at the woman. "You listened in on us! Don't you know anything about privacy?!"

"I do, but I also know my ten-year-old daughter was alone, in her bedroom, with the boy she's been in love with most of her life. Excuse me for making sure nothing untoward happened."

Helga blushed. "Olga! You know Arnold would never do anything inappropriate."

Olga pinched her nose. "I know he wouldn't, but I don't know about you, at least from some of the stories you've mentioned so far." Helga's cheeks darkened.

"I-I would never take advantage of Arnold or make him do anything... You don't trust me!"

Olga replied with no hesitation. "I do trust you Helga!"

"You just said-"

"I know! I just... I'm afraid what happened to me might happen to you. I wouldn't give you up for the world, but I was still so young."

Helga face was now as deep as a tomato. "Olga, that... That's not going to happen anytime soon. For one thing, I'm still years away from doing that with Arnold, and for another, Arnold is still ignorant on the whole subject matter. Even if I did... that... I'm still too young to suffer the consequences you did. I think you're forgetting I'm ten, not thirteen. Now, since I'd rather die a thousand deaths than continue this discussion, what was it you wanted to talk about originally."

"Why didn't you tell Arnold you loved him?" Olga asked, glad for the change of topic as well.

"I don't want to talk about this either."

"Helga..."

The girl sighed. "Fine. It's simple really. I didn't tell him because I was scared, okay? That's why I hid it for years, that's why I bullied him, that's why I've been in this building multiple times before I moved in. I was scared he wouldn't like me back, that he would think I was a kook, and that he would never want to see me again."

"But when you realized he did like you, why didn't you come clean? Instead, you're like, 'I meant I liked you as a friend.'"

"Because what if knowing I'm so deeply in love with him scares him off!? How would you have felt about Cecil if he revealed he had written not a poem or two about you, but books worth? That he kept shrines of you? That he stalked you and stole your trash?"

Olga flinched. "I, uh, well... Helga that's not what I mean when I say tell him the truth. I just want you to tell him you really like him too, and not be wishy-washy about your feelings. You may need to admit the other stuff eventually, but you can take your time with that... And make clear that, besides the poetry, you don't do it anymore."

Helga nodded. "I do want to tell him how I really feel. Just... Just give me time, okay? I just want some time..."

Olga nodded. "Okay, baby girl." Then a big grin came on her face. "Now, which one of these do you think your new boyfriend would like?" She grabbed the VHS tapes and started to show them to her daughter.

Helga blushed. "Olga!" But her verbal objection didn't stop her from looking through the tapes with a smile on her face.

Helga sat between her mother and the boy she guessed she might now be able to call her boyfriend, as they watched the hosts of MST3K make fun of I Was a Teenage Werewolf.

Truth be told, she hadn't been paying much attention to the movie. Instead, it was all on what the future might hold for her and her football-headed love. What should our first date be? Do I dare go out in public? I would prefer to keep it on the down low for now. How will Phoebe react? Oh, lord, she doesn't even know about all the stuff with Olga yet! Oh, no... How will Gerald react? I wonder if Arnold and I will one day have kids? Do I want kids? Maybe one or two wouldn't be so- She decided she was thinking too far ahead and decided to just enjoy the present.

As they sat there, his hand accidentally touched hers. She started to move her hand away in instinct, but he gently grabbed it. The new couple continued to watch the movie, hand-in-hand, with both of them thinking that this was one of the best days of their lives.

So Arnold and Helga are together! ...Sort of. In my mind, they won't truly be together until Helga admits just how much she likes Arnold, and it will be a little while still before that happens. I wasn't originally planning on having them get together so early, instead just having Arnold develop a crush on Helga that he keeps to himself until they both eventually confess to each other, but I thought it would be best having him straight up admit to Helga that he likes her-likes her now, as a way of showing how he's matured in handling his new crush compared to his ones on Ruth and Lila.

Next: Strike Out