Hello again guys!
Well, I've gotten a lot of mixed reviews since my last chapter . . .some of you guys sound really angry, but I hope that's because I'm doing a good job of them arguing and not because you guys don't like where it's going! ):
Trust me, it's hard for me to write about them arguing too. I don't like it anymore than you guys do. But if you put yourself in Helga's position, given her childhood and what Arnold means to her, wouldn't you be slow to trust again?
Anyway, I'm glad you guys are still reading the story (: Hang in there!
As always, thank you for the reviews! They keep me wanting to write! And they make it so much fun to keep going (:
Enjoy!
After their fifth period bell Arnold met Gerald outside of his locker, wanting to talk to him about how his conversation with Helga went the night before. "She just won't believe me, Gerald. It's almost crazy!" Gerald shook his head, "Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. Well, you've done all you can do, Arnold. You told her the truth, and you've apologized. The ball is in Helga's court now!" Arnold sighed, opening the door to the cafeteria for him and Gerald. "I guess, but I can't give up Gerald. I know she will come around. She has to! I know the Helga that I know is in there somewhere . . ." Gerald shook his head at Arnold as they got in line for lunch, "Arnold, you're a bold kid, a bold kid. Have I ever told you that?" Arnold smiled as he grabbed a tray, "Once or twice."
Phoebe got in line behind them, grabbing her tray and catching up to both Gerald and Arnold. "Hey, Pheb's!" Gerald said as he winked at her. Phoebe waved before turning her attention to Arnold. "So, did it go okay yesterday?" Phoebe asked as they slid their trays along the counter, browsing at their usual lunch choices. "I guess it went okay . . .she agreed to be cordial, what ever that means." Arnold replied, shrugging. "That's what Helga reported as well, although she still seemed to be a little angry. Although, I am beginning to believe that is just part of her personality." They grabbed what they wanted for lunch, and then made their way over to the closest lunch table. Gerald pulled out Phoebe's chair, causing her to blush as she sat down. "God, sometimes you guys make me so sick."
Helga pulled up a chair next to Arnold, setting her lunch tray next to his. Phoebe gave Helga a dirty look and Helga instantly tried to make up for her comment. "I'm just kidding Phoebe, you know I think you guys are adorable!" Helga said, laughing awkwardly. Arnold rolled his eyes as he picked up his sandwich. "Hey, Helga." Arnold said as normal as possible, he didn't want to give Helga any reason to be rude. "Oh, hey football head." Helga said . . .nicely? She looked over at Phoebe and started talking about some kid in her English class that really annoyed her. Arnold blinked as he looked over at Gerald. Gerald shrugged, giving Arnold a thumbs up. So far so good, Arnold thought to himself.
Later that day after the group had gone to their lockers, they started to walk down the front of the steps, Helga and Phoebe leading the way. "Oh, Arnold! I almost forgot!" Arnold turned around to find Rhonda Lloyd walking up to him, holding a white envelope in her hand. "What's this?" Arnold asked as he started to tear open the envelope. "What else would it be? I'm having a get together this weekend. My parents are going to Aspen for the four day weekend and said I could have party, and I wanted to invite you. It's been far too long Arnold, and we need to catch up!" Rhonda pulled some more invitations out of her purse, handing them over to Gerald, Phoebe and Helga. "You guys can come too, if you want. It's going to be one of the bigger parties of the year, au revoir!" Rhonda waved before making her way back over to Nadine. They all looked at their invitations and then back at each other. "Well, I didn't have any specific plans this weekend, if you guys wanna go." Arnold said, stuffing his invitation in his back pocket. "Sure, why not." Gerald shrugged as he turned to look at Phoebe, who nodded. "Besides, I heard that Rhonda throws the best parties out of anyone at this school." Helga looked down at her invitation, sighing. "You really wanna go to this thing, Phoebe? I mean really? Rhonda Lloyd's party?" Phoebe looked at Helga and smiled shyly. "Why not, Helga? I've heard great things about her parties the entire time we have been in high school, and I have never had the opportunity to go. It'll be fun if we all go!" Arnold and Gerald nodded in agreeance with her. Helga just started at them, her face still showing distain at the whole idea. "Besides Helga, if it's lame, we'll all go do something else . . ." Arnold added. Arnold was still walking on egg shells with Helga, just because she had been pretty nice to him today didn't mean he still couldn't say something to tick her off. Helga looked over at Arnold, then down back at the invite. "Alright, whatever you say Arnoldo."
The rest of the week came and went, with Saturday already here. Arnold spent the day hanging out with Gerald, Phoebe saying she needed to find something fantastic to wear to Rhonda's party. "Girls . . ." Gerald said as he shook his head, throwing the basketball from the back of the court and watching it swish through the hoop. "I mean, don't get me wrong Arnold, I love Phoebe! But ever since we were all invited to Rhonda's party, she's been freaking out about what to wear!" Arnold caught the ball, dribbling back up the court to where Gerald was standing. "Well, it is a party, and Rhonda has always been one for looks . . .aren't you gonna wear anything nice?" Arnold asked as he too threw the ball, watching it hit the back panel before falling through the hoop. "I guess, maybe just a button up shirt. What about you, man?" Arnold didn't answer right away as he ran to catch the ball. He was thinking about the party all week. He saw it as an opportunity to hang out with Helga and loosen her up some, maybe even get to spend some alone time with her. He wanted to look nice, but he didn't want Helga to feel like it was a date. "I guess . . .I don't know." He threw the ball all the way over to Gerald. He sighed, deciding to voice his thoughts out loud to Gerald. "I just don't want Helga to think this is a date, you know? I mean, I know we're all going as a group but you're technically going with Phoebe, and I just didn't wanna Helga to feel like I was trying to sneak her in to anything." Gerald brought his arms down, raising his eyebrows at Arnold. "Well, do you want it to be a date?" He asked. Arnold rubbed the back of his head. "Yes! Well, um . . .I mean, I guess . . ." his answer was all over the place. Of course he wanted it to be a date! But the last thing he wanted to do was to push Helga away again.
Gerald smiled as he walked over to Arnold, wrapping his arm around Arnold's shoulders. "Look man, I know you're nervous, but you should really take this time to hang out with Helga." Arnold nodded, "I know, that's what I've been thinking. You don't think that's a dumb idea?" "No man! It's the perfect opportunity without her not knowing what you're up to!" Gerald patted him on the back, moving over to shoot the basketball again. Arnold smiled, he was glad Gerald didn't think it was a bad plan either.
Arnold showed up at Gerald's house at 7:45. Gerald walked out of his door wearing jeans and his usual red shirt, which made Arnold feel better about his own jeans and usual plaid button up shirt. They gave each other their handshake, "Do you mind if we swing by and pick up Phoebe? Her and Helga wanted to walk over to Rhonda's with us." Gerald asked, jabbing Arnold softly with his elbow. "Uh, sure Gerald." Arnold started to get nervous, and he wasn't sure why. It's not like he was actually going on a date with Helga, so what was he so worried about? He was actually really excited about the party; the more he thought about it, the more he thought Gerald was right. Besides, a party was a perfect place to try and keep Helga's thoughts off the letters.
They showed up to Phoebe's house, both walking up the steps to ring the doorbell. They waited a few minutes before Phoebe opened the door, and Gerald's jaw dropped. She was wearing a strapless black dress, her shoulder length pulled into a side pony tail and softly curled. "Hey guys! You guys are right on time." Gerald blinked a few times, finally bringing himself back to her front porch. "Phoebe, you look . . .amazing." Phoebe blushed, walking out the front door and grabbing Gerald's hand. Arnold smiled at them, watching them walk down the steps. "Hey Arnold, you ready to go?"
Arnold turned around, and had to bite his lip to keep his own jaw from dropping. It was hard for some people to think Helga could pull off looking really pretty, but those people never saw Helga looking like this. She was wearing an off the shoulder pink top, with black skinny jeans and white flats. As if the outfit wasn't totally out of character, her hair was down, which was something Arnold only saw a couple times in his life. Her hair was also lightly curled and she wore her pink bow, tying half of it back.
"Hello, hair boy? I said, are you ready to go?" Arnold shook his head, I've gotta keep it together! "Um, y-yeah Helga, I am." He smiled softly, moving down the steps to make room for Helga. Helga eyed him for a moment, giving him a quizzical look. Arnold looked away, afraid he was already giving Helga a bad vibe. They walked behind Phoebe and Gerald on the sidewalk, almost to Rhonda's house. Arnold was so busy being impressed by Helga's beauty that he accidently ran into her as they stopped outside of Rhonda's house. "Ouch! Watch it, football head!" Helga said as she started to fix her bow. "Sorry Helga! I just forgot that Rhonda lived so close . . ." Gerald turned around and gave Arnold an all too knowing smile, which Arnold answered by rolling his eyes. "Are you guys okay or what?" Helga asked, moving up to the front of the group to walk up Rhonda's stairs. "I didn't get dressed up to get walked on and watch Geraldo and hair boy have a secret conversation. Come on Pheb's, you and I will go in and dance." Helga turned around to ring the doorbell.
Rhonda answered the door, holding a red cup in her hand. She was wearing a red and short halter top dress, barefoot. She smiled as she looked Helga and Phoebe's outfits up and down. "I knew you girls always had it in you, I'm so glad you could make it!" Rhonda exclaimed, moving out of the doorway to allow them in. She gave Gerald and Arnold a disapproving look. "Boys . . ." She muttered under her breath and lead them to the foyer.
Arnold always knew that Rhonda was rich, but her parents had definitely expanded since the last time he was here. Their foyer was as big as the bottom floor of the boarding house, filled with weird looking white French sculptures and family photos that looked like they went back generations after generations. She lead them over to the bar, giving them red cups. "Now, I'm not saying you guys have to drink but this is a party after all." Rhonda winked, and Arnold could tell she had already had a few. "Anyway, the food is in the kitchen and only use the bathrooms on this floor. I don't want anyone going upstairs, got it?" They all nodded in unison as the doorbell rang again. "Oh, more people already! Anyway, have a good time!" She sang as she ran towards the front door. Her house was already packed with people, and the invite said it didn't start until 8:00.
Arnold looked over at his friends, hesitating. "So . . .you guys drink?" Gerald shrugged, the first to answer. "Nah, not really. I usually just fill the cup with Yahoo or somethin'. As the party goes on no one can tell anyway, we all have the same cups. I think it's more fun to watch people who are drunk." Phoebe nodded in agreeance. Helga rolled her eyes. "I don't really like to either, so I'm glad you guys don't really want to." Arnold filled smiled, filling their cups with Yahoo soda. "It's nice to have you back, man." Gerald said, slowly lifting his cup to Arnold and then bringing it back down. Phoebe did the same, "Yes, it's great that you will be able to graduate with us." Helga looked at the ground, her hair slightly falling in front of her face. "Um, yeah. What they said." She took a longer drink than the other two and then quickly walked away to get more. Arnold watched her leave and then turned back around to face Phoebe and Gerald. Gerald shrugged and Phoebe smiled at him weakly, both not making Arnold feel any better.
Helga kept her distance for most of the party, either talking to Phoebe or Nadine. Arnold even caught her whispering to Rhonda a couple of times. He mostly talked to Gerald and even Sid at one point, and also just watched people get intoxicated. Gerald was right, it was pretty funny to watch people you went to school with and knew since childhood become rather drunk.
Arnold kept glancing over at Helga, and he was pretty sure that Helga kept glancing over at him. He kept feeling like someone was watching him, and every time he looked around to see who it was, Helga was always in view. Arnold kept tossing ideas back and forth in his head, trying to come up with a good way to approach Helga. After he decided on what he would say, or how he would end up standing next to her, he quickly abandoned it. Even if this is a party, I really doubt she is going to want to talk to me. He went to take another drink, only to realize his cup was empty. He asked if Gerald wanted a refill and then took both of their cups over to the bar to get more.
On his way over he glanced at Helga. She was laughing hysterically at something Rhonda was saying. Even if we aren't hanging out, I'm glad she is still having a good time . . .Arnold thought to himself, setting their cups down on the table. As he grabbed the bottle of Yahoo, he felt someone lightly cover his eyes. "Guess who?" Said the soft and familiar voice. "Lila?" Arnold spun around, almost dropping the soda in the process. "Hello Arnold, I'm ever so glad you decided to come to Rhonda's party." She took her own cup and filled it with some kind of red juice mixture. "Are you having a good time?" It was an innocent question, so why was he so nervous? She was wearing a forest green strapless dress and her hair completely down. Was this really happening? Helga can't see me talking to her. He quickly poured drinks for both he and Gerald, "Um, yeah. It's going pretty good so far." He grabbed both cups and turned around, standing towards the direction of Gerald. "You didn't come with anyone, did you?" Lila asked, leaning against the bar. "Um, no, not really . . .well, kind of." He smiled shyly, taking a step backwards. He wanted to get away from Lila as soon as possible before Helga could see him, or Lila could get upset. "Oh, well do you want to come hang out for awhile?" She smiled, taking a sip of her drink. Arnold let out a nervous laugh, "Actually I have to take these drinks back to Gerald, and then we were thinking about leaving soon . . .so maybe now isn't a good time." He turned around, hoping to see Gerald so he could signal him to come bail him out of this. But whom he saw instead made his heart stop.
Helga was leaning against the wall eyeing them.
"Oh . . .well that's too bad, I was hoping we could finally catch up." Arnold turned back around to face Lila. "Sorry, it's just not a good time Lila. I have to go . . ." He turned around and walked back over to Gerald, his face towards the floor. He handed Gerald his drink as Gerald eyed him. "You okay, man?" Arnold shook his head. "The worst possible thing that could happen just happened." Gerald raised his eyebrows, "And that is . . .?" Arnold sighed, "Helga saw me talking to Lila." Gerald spit out some of his soda. "What?! Arnold! What are you doing talking to Lila?"
"I didn't mean to Gerald! She came out of nowhere, and ran into me at the bar!" Arnold sighed, setting his drink down. Gerald turned his head away from Arnold, and then looked back, pointing his thumb behind him. "I just saw Helga go outside! Waitin' times over man, you gotta go talk to her before this gets worse." Gerald pushed him towards the balcony. Arnold swallowed. Gerald's right . . .He took a deep breath and then made his way over to the balcony.
Arnold pushed aside the curtains, and saw Helga leaning against the banister. He stared at her a moment, having no idea what to say. I gotta say something, he thought to himself. He took a deep breath and then made his way over to Helga, leaning against the banister next to her. "What do you want, Arnold?" Arnold looked over at her; she continued to just look out over the city. "Look Helga, that's not what it looked like. I went to go get Gerald and I more drinks, and she surprised me." He could see Helga roll her eyes, scoffing as she did so. "Whatever Arnold. You can talk to whoever you want." Arnold kept starting at her. He expected her to be angry, furious even. But instead she seemed so . . .sad.
He looked at the city with her, a smile slowly creeping up on his face. "That's true, and by the looks of it, I'm out here talking to you." He saw Helga's head turn to look at him from the corner of his eye, so he looked at her as well, still smiling. "I guess." She replied, biting her lower lip. They went a few more moments without talking, but Arnold was just grateful for the closeness. At least she's still out here, and she's not screaming at me. At some point, he looked back over at her and noticed her pink bow again. "Is that the same bow from when we were kids?" Arnold asked. He saw her cheeks get slightly pink and she lifted her arm up to touch it. "Y-Yeah actually, it is. I can't seem to get rid of the thing." Helga said, clearing her throat as if trying to clear away the awkwardness. "Well, it still looks good on you." Arnold said, without even realizing what he was doing. He felt his cheeks get hot as Helga rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well what do you know, hair boy?" She smiled as she said it, making his insides turn over.
A memory suddenly popped into Arnold's head, making him chuckle. "Remember when we were in San Lorenzo, and I got that huge gash in my arm from when I almost fell from the waterfall?" Helga chuckled as well, "Yeah, and I used this bow for a band aid." They both laughed again, but Helga quickly regained her composure and tried to act like she was clearing her throat instead of laughing. Arnold looked away, leaning closer against the bannister. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that it wasn't what it looked like with Lila and I back there," Arnold said as he rubbed the back of his head. "and that I hope you are still having a good time." Helga tucked her hair behind her ears. "Like I said Arnoldo, you can talk to whoever you want. I just don't wanna fight about it, okay? Phoebe and Gerald want us to be cordial or whatever, and I really don't wanna lose Phoebe." Arnold stared at her, nodding.
Arnold thought their conversation was going pretty well, so he decided to take in one step farther. He could still hear the music coming from the living room. "Well, do you wanna go back inside?" He gulped before he said it, "and maybe dance?" Helga turned to look at him, sighing as she stared at him. "Arnold, I . . .I can't." She moved away from the banister, making her way back into the living room. "Helga, wait. I'm sorry, I just thought-" She turned back around sharply, "Look Arnold, I know what you're trying to do. And I just can't right now, okay?" Arnold stared at her, suddenly confused. "Can't what, Helga?" She scoffed, "Arnold, you really hurt me, more than I thought someone was capable of hurting me. We can't make this all go away just like that!" Arnold moved away from the banister as well. He walked toward her before continuing, "Well let's make this go away Helga, please." He held out his hand to her. She looked at it, and then back up at Arnold. She closed her eyes, turning away from him to start back inside. "Arnold, we're almost done with this year. I just wanna get through, and keep Phoebe by my side."
Arnold started at her, incredulous. "And then what, Helga?" He could hear the hurt in his own voice, and it was more than he wanted to let Helga know that he was feeling. "I . . .I don't know." She went back inside, leaving Arnold alone on the balcony to hear her last words echoing inside his head.