Chapter 6

When I got to the arcade, there was a lot of new games that I wasn't familiar with. Eventually, I decided to try this shooter game that caught my eye. The graphics were so much better than what I remember. Suddenely, I hear someone say my name, but I didn't want to take my eyes off the game, so I continued shooting zombies. Then I heard my name being called again, so I turn my head around and see Stinky, Sid and Harold. I left the game and ran right up to them.

"Hey, I can't believe you're back. We thought it was you, but we weren't sure, so we just kept saying your name to see if you'd turn around" said Sid, who was still wearing his backwards green hat and leather jacket.

"Gee willikers Arnold, it really is you." Stinky still had his accent and he was really tall, like 7 feet tall.

"Hey guys, it's nice to see you. I'm so happy to be back, you have no idea." I told them.

"Yeah, dude a lot has changed since you have been gone, especially the girls" Sid said, he always was kind of girl crazy anyways. If he's right, I wonder what Lila looks like and Helga.

"Oh really? Like who?" I asked.

"Well, I reckon they all look a little older, but Lila, Nadine and Helga sure have changed." Stinky answered.

"Especially Helga" Sid replied with a snicker.

"Guys, I'm getting hungry, can we go get pizza now? You can come too if you want to Awnold." Harold said, he certainely hasn't changed.

"No thank you, I already ate and I got some things to do anyways. I'll see you guys later." I said back to them

"Okay, see you later Arnold."

I watched the guys leave out the door, smiling to them as they walked around the corner. I wonder why Sid was laughing when he mentioned Helga. Does that mean she's changed? Or was he laughing because she hasn't changed at all? Either way, I did not like that Sid was laughing at Helga. I knew Helga was a really nice girl, deep down, she just never showed anyone her true colors. I really liked it on rare occasions when she would act kind. I asked her if she could be a nicer person when I left, I wonder if she actually did that. When I left, she seemed genuinely happy that I was going to find my parents and she also seemed kind of sad. I doubt she still has feelings for me though, which will be good because hopefully that means we can be friends. I remember on that Valentine's day, when she dressed up as Cecile and we went out to dinner. At first, I didn't recognize her, she was so feminine compared to her usual attitude. Then I figured out it was her when the real Cecile showed up, I didn't ever tell her I knew though. I didn't want to ruin the moment back then and I also didn't want her to make up some lame excuse as to why she did it. I liked thinking that a girl liked me, even if I was too scared to ever ask her directly if she did. She was the only girl I've ever kissed too, not like they were real kisses though. Except that time, when she confessed her love to me on top of that building. I still can't believe that really happened, neither one of us ever mentioned that again. I always just passed it off as it being "in the heat of the moment" type thing, I think that made her feel better about it too. Maybe I'll go see Helga tonight, after I walk around the park for a little bit.

When I got to the park, all the trees were almost bare and the ground was covered in leaves. The playground we used to play on was replaced with a much newer model. There weren't too many people here, from what I could see, mostly it was kids. I decided to walk to this particular bench, one that Helga and me talked on once. The day that Lila told me she didn't like me like me, after that Helga fell down from a tree (not sure why exactly) and she tried to comfort me. I liked that memory, not because of Lila, but because of Helga, she was being really sweet that day. When the bench came into view, I could see someone was already sitting on it. She was a beautiful, young lady and she looked about my age. Her hair was long, straight and blonde, she had long legs stretched out in front of her. She seemed totally relaxed staring out at the pond in front of her. I had an urge to sit at the bench still, even though this girl was there, so I started to make my way over. I was almost at the bench, when she looked over and noticed me. At first, she stared at me like a deer caught in headlights, then a small smile formed on the corner of her mouth and I could feel my stomach start to churn out of nervousness.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" I asked her.

"No-not at all" she replied, shakily.

So I sat down next to her, contemplating what to say next.