***I am so sorry! I waited so long to write, and I know it is not Saturday, it's Wednesday! Again! I hope I made for it with update! I have a surprise, and I hope you like it! Tell me what you think of the songs, I'd love to know your opinions. More looking into the friendship of Helga and Arnold in my story :)
I don't own hey Arnold or...
Train- Drive By
Rock Mafia ft Miley Cyrus- The Big Bang (besides, anyone wanna tell me how she's featured in it? Does she whistle the chorus or is it because of the video?!)
Taylor Swift- Drops of Jupiter (cover obviously) AND I'd Lie (Changed a few words with that one;)
-Again, so sorry about being late! Enjoy, I hope!-
Chapter 6 I'd Lie through the Drops of Jupiter
She was smiling bright. What else is a person supposed to do when a room full of people are screaming their heads off with appreciation and eyes filled with awe? Helga Pataki isn't used to this type of reaction from a lot of people, although she did experience a few times with sports. It just wasn't in her nature to feel this emotion rising up in her body, she wasn't the type of person who goes looking for it or craves it, she wasn't Olga, she sure as hell wasn't Lila, she wasn't a perfect princess. 'I'm just Helga,' the young blonde girl thought to herself as she stared at the crowd, still applauded her with those looks on their faces; wanting more. This emotion was foreign to her, and she didn't know when she'll feel it again, so she decided to hold on to it for as long as possible before it slips away when she wakes up tomorrow morning.
"Thank you…" she said breathlessly, trying to catch her breath from the last song. A little under an hour has already passed and that only gives her a little over two hours to get everything out. She needs to move everything along, and there are going to be gaps where the crowd may not know what's going on, but she knows the people in her songs will know- and that is all that matters to her. "Let's get a move on, shall we?" The crowd cheered.
"Let's take a break from my music for a bit, and I can a do a song cover of an amazing band who has a fan who can play all of their songs on guitar… This band has been around since we were kids, so I'm sure you all know them" Helga laughed lightly when she glanced at Arnold and saw his slight blush. "You see, I caught my friend playing a few songs and I admit…" she smirked deviously. "I spied on him for a while." Helga laughed with the crowd, but in her mind, she thought, 'Oh, they don't know how true that statement is.
***Flashback***
It was a warm a day when Helga was walking the sidewalks and crossing the streets to Arnold's boarding house, the Sunset Arms. Well, as warm as a thursday in mid October can get in Hillwood, Washington. She had to stop by Phoebes' house to get her history text book for her sophomore American history class in order to work on the project Mr. Shelton assigned her and Arnold to work on together.
'Another project…' Helga sighed. It was weird, the only time she really got to see Arnold was either during class, or in between their off-season practice times. Arnold had convinced Helga to try out for at least one winter sport so she wouldn't be all alone while he played basketball, and there were only a few choices she could choose from. The swim team, the wrestling team, or the girl's basketball team. She could try following the footsteps of her Olympic gold medal winner of a mother and join the swim team, or go and manhandle a bunch of sweaty guys with Patty, her senior friend, and be possibly groped by said sweaty horny-teenaged guys, or travel to different towns, play against schools, and get to see Arnold after their games on a basketball court.
Basketball it was.
It wasn't like she never played before when she had tried out, she had of course played with her friends since they were young, and she can shoot decently. So when she walked through those gym doors and Arnold's wishes of luck still ringing through her ears, like any angel would, she surprised everyone who had been playing on teams far longer than she had with her aggressiveness, game smarts, and her ability to put the ball through the hoop. Coach Mike, who was also the baseball coach coincidentally, had his mouth dropping slowly when she said she never played for a team in her life. He asked why, and of course at the precise moment, a basketball had decided to come flying at her head from a missed shot.
The glare, scowls, and shouts of anger from the blonde girl immediately made the coaches mouth smirk and nodded with understanding, 'A temper, ah well, I can make a team player out of her.' Coach Mike decided to calm her down with, "You're on the team; Varsity." He was answered with a raised brow and disbelief shown all over Helga's face, then she chuckled and said, "You said it."
Helga's memories were cut off when she heard the strumming of a guitar coming from the roof of the boarding house, she then recognized the tries of tuning. Curiosity got the best of her, as it always does, and she decided against taking the front door and instead went up the fire escape. When she made it to the top, she carefully leaned against the ledge and was suprised at what she saw. Arnold sitting against the water tower and he was strumming a catchy tune, trying to get the hang of it. Helga immediately placed the song from what she heard on the radio. She stayed quiet while her mind was trying to process this new information, 'Arnold can play the guitar…' She smiled excitedly. 'Just like-'
Helga was interrupted from her thoughts when Arnold started playing the hit song enthusiastically.
On the other side of a street I knew
Stood a girl that looked like you
I guess that's déjà vu
But I thought this can't be true
'Cause you moved to west LA
Or New York or Santa Fe
Or wherever to get away from me
'He's singing!' Helga was felt like she was falling in love with her football headed love god all over again. 'Steady yourself, Helga ol' girl.' She had a lovesick smile and she swooned to herself.
Oh but that one night
Was more than just right
I didn't leave you 'cause I was all through
Oh I was overwhelmed and frankly scared as hell
Because I really fell for you
Helga was enraptured by his voice and was cursing herself for not learning about this earlier, she was swaying her hips a bit to the music, careful not to make any noise.
Oh I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a two-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it sue me
Mmm the way you do me
Oh I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Arnold was really getting into the song he was working on since he got out of practice and let Helga go get her textbook from Phoebe's. He started to sing louder and tapping his foot to the beat.
On the upside of a downward spiral
My love for you went viral
And I loved you every mile you drove away
But now here you are again
So let's skip the "how you been"
And get down to the "more than friends" at last
Helga felt herself start to blush; unbeknownst to her, so did Arnold, as he continued singing.
Oh but that one night
Is still the highlight
I didn't need you until I came to
And I was overwhelmed and frankly scared as hell
Because I really fell for you
Helga whimpered softly again to herself as Arnold continued on to the chorus. 'Oh how I desperately wish those words were true, my love.' Helga thought with loving thoughts with a bittersweet taste lingering. 'Oh, how I wish.'
When you move me everything is groovy
They don't like it sue me
Mmm the way you do me
Oh I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Please believe that when I leave
There's nothing up my sleeve but love for you
And a little time to get my head together too-
Helga realized through her lovesick daze that the strumming had stopped abruptly and saw Arnold stand up. Helga gulped, he was looking right at her, and his face was beet red. Arnold took a step closer. "…Helga?" His voice was an octave higher than his cool, calm, and collected deep voice.
The young girl with the hot pink beanie and the pink bowed necklace chuckled nervously. Helga stood up quickly from the roofs ledge and as she did so her black denim, cut off jeans had caught onto something and she teetered over, away from the fire escape and safe haven. Arnold and his horrified expression was too shocked to run to her side and help her up, and instead voiced his thoughts. "Were you… spying on me?" His voice was still an octave too high for the norm.
Helga suddenly wished the ceiling would open up like it did in the fourth grade when she was taking refuge behind his couch. 'Oh God, what do I do?!' she thought as she was frantically trying to come up with an answer. "Um… no. I was just…" Helga was still lying on the ground, willing it to open and swallow her whole. "Sleeping. Yeah! I was just napping right here on the ledge, and then I woke up." Her answer was muffled since her face was buried in her arms. Helga knew she was getting rusty with her lying, that was just plain pathetic. 'I'm spending too much time with Arnold,' Helga smiled softly, despite the situation. 'Ah, but there is never enough time.'
Despite the predicatment, Arnold forgot his embarrassment, and chuckled at the lame excuse. "Wow, your getting soft." He walked over to her side and crouched down, her face was buried into her arm, trying to hide the blush he could plainly see. He nudged her, "Helga… look at me." She shook her head no, grinning. Arnold smiled mischievously, "Okay, than you know what that means…" his voice drifted off deviously. Her eyes went wide and before she could stand up and run, he flipped her over and started tickling her mercilessly.
Helga was laughing and screaming profanities at him, "Arnold," giggle. "P.," sqeaul. "SHORTMAN!" She couldn't stop the tears started to forming, her stomach was starting to feel like it were going to bust, and all the while Arnold was laughing, reveling in his power. Helga took a deep breath and jumped on him, turning the tables. "Ah ha! Got you now, bucko."
Arnolds eyes widened and his mouth opened in mock fear. "Oh no…!" he exclaimed in that man from the show 'Family Guy' that he knew she cracked up at everytime, almost like how Gerald is when he hears the word 'booger'. Sure enough, even though she tried as hard as could to purse her lips and glare, she busted out laughing; rolling around side to side, laughing, and Arnold joined in. They both sighed after a few minutes and just laid there, trying to soak up the last of the summer heat.
"So, Train, huh?" Helga smirked. "Didn't know you could play, best friend." She said the last part sarcastically and sat up and wrapped her toned arms on her worn knees that had been over worked for sports, adventures as kids, and exploring jungles in fifth grade. She waited for his reply while gazing into his eyes.
Arnold smiled softly and returned her gaze, trying to look innocent. "If it helps… my dad and mom are the only ones who know besides you, now." She raised an eyebrow, not saying anything because it's not like she's innocent in the musical involvement. Arnold, taking her reaction as a question towards why, he went on. "I don't tell anyone because… well… I don't really care if people know. Besides, I'm not that good."
Helga scoffed, "Um, yeah, you are Football Head. You just played and sang a hit song perfectly, and you have an amazing voice that could compete against Patrick Monahan," she deadpanned with a serious look. "So get yourself a YouTube account and hurry up and become the next Justin Bieber already! Just don't forget me when your famous." She put her hand to her heart and rolled her eyes jokingly.
Arnold laughed and shook his head. "Oh, yeah, sure. So I could flip my hair and do the moonwalk?" Arnold grinned, "Don't think I can't hear you laughing at Harold when he makes fun of," Arnold stops and lowers his voice. "'the Biebs'." They both laughed out loud. "Besides, it's just a hobby I picked up on from my dad when we go to San Lorenzo. Nothing big."
Helga rolled her eyes, "Whatever you say, Arnoldo."
Arnold smirked and mimicked her, "Doi. That's right, what ever I say… bucko." He chuckled when she scrunched her nose and scoffed.
"So, why did you choose that song, Football Head?" Her eyebrows raised when he saw his eyes widen. "Or should I say, 'Who is she?' You should know by now that I can read you like the back of my hand." Helga really wanted to know who his knew infatuation was, even though it would kill her inside and lower her self esteem more to see the new object of his affections in the hallways or classes, and then start to compare herself to them. She was never anything like the stuck up princesses she would watch her prince fawn over, but she would take her anger and sadness out on her guitar and notebook so she could try and bear with it. Besides, his crushes would not even last long and Arnold would move onto another girl by the next month or so.
Arnold turned his head away from her inquiring gaze. He knew she could read him like a favorite old book, but he still has yet to figure out his feelings, so he decided to evade and change the subject. He smiled back at her, "Hey, just two days ago in class you said the same thing to me and then you yelled, 'When did that freckle get there, Mr. Tebow?!' I'm pretty sure you're still learning things about me," They both smiled, but then Helga rolled her eyes and raised her eyebrows when he continued with, "but I know everything. 'Cause that's how awesome I am."
"Oh cool it, Arnoldo. Your dark side has been showing a little bit everyday, ever since we've became friends." Helga shook her head in mock sadness.
He chuckled darkly, "I think your Helga ways have been rubbing off on me." Helga grinned mischievously.
"About time!" she exclaimed with her head towards the sky. "When we were younger I was thinking you were this goody-two-shoes who could only survive on helping others with their problems! …Even though you still do most of the time." They laughed again together.
Helga then came up with an idea. 'Since he doesn't exactly know I can play too…' She stared at him with a cunning closed mouth smile that Arnold had begun to recognized immediately, which made him raise a brow curiously, and a bit worriedly.
"Arnold?"
He squinted his eyes at her innocent voice, still worried about that smile. "…yes?"
"Can you teach me your favorite song?" Helga was jumping around inside. 'This is just too perfect', Helga was visioning them playing duets on the beach, and a panoramic view of the sun setting behind a light house, wind blowing through their blonde hair. 'He can 'teach me' and we can bond, and then maybe he can forget about this mystery girl!'
Arnold shrugged, "I guess I can, but the guitar isn't an easy thing to teach. I can show you a few basic chords, but I don't know if you'll be able to pickup on it…" His voice trailed off as he noticed her scowl start to form, so he smirked and his eyes glimmered. "What? I don't think Helga G. Pataki can handle this." Arnold crossed his arms and waited for her response, 'I don't know why I like arguing with her, but it sure is fun fighting with her'.
"I sure as hell can handle strumming a few chords, Football head! Don't start acting so almighty just because I told you a few compliments, I can easily take them back!" Helga huffed and glared at him, 'I can play way better than that, I've been playing my guitar since I was 12!' She blinked and her curiosity tamed her anger a bit. "Besides, when have you started playing, hair boy?"
Arnold smiled brightly, quickly forgetting the about to breakout argument, "My dad started teaching me in the 7th grade, this is actually his guitar." He gestured to the worn acoustic, perched against the water tower. 'Darn,' Helga thought as she saw his faint smug expression like the one she remembered from the April Fools dance all those nights ago. She huffed again, 'he's been playing since he was thirteen! …How did I not know this sooner?'
She shrugged her shoulders and stood, ignoring Arnold's hand to help him up with a grin, and walked over to get a feel of her beloveds guitar. She brought the strap around her neck and strummed lightly, testing it. 'Hm… not as tuned as I would like, but the feel is kind of like Betsey. I'll tune it later'. "Okay, Football head," she said to Arnold as he sat in front of her. "Teach me what you know, and I know you know Drops of Jupiter."
Arnold blinked, taken back. "How do you know that?"
Helga scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you have the album, you play it every morning when you pick me, Pheebs, and Geraldo up for school, and it's on your mp3. Whenever you hear that song, you practically brighten up. How could I not know?" Helga never really tried to learn the chords, even though she knew it was one of his favorites, so she decided there is no time like the present to learn it. Especially by her Football headed love God, and best friend.
Arnold contemplated this and shrugged. "What ever you say, Helga, but what about our project? It's already almost five."
It was her turn to shrug, "It's due next week, we have Saturday and Sunday to worry about typing it up. I want to learn this song, and I want to learn it now." She knew she wasn't exactly lying about being able to handle the guitar easily, per se, she really didn't know the chords to this particular song. So she was in the clear, right?
"Alright Helga, I'll teach you." Arnold smiled, "Just try to keep up, it's a pretty difficult song to learn. It took me weeks!" He moved her fingers to the right positions on the fret.
She smirked, "Don't you worry, Football head. I think I can get the hang of it sooner or later."
**7:45 pm**
Arnold and Helga were walking down the steps from the roof that lead to the main hallway, the blonde was smiling triumphantly while Arnold had a confused look on his face. "I still don't get how you were able to practically master that song in just about two hours!" he exclaimed. "I mean, like I said before, it took me weeks to get every thing just right!" Poor Arnold had his thoughts jumbled and he was trying to process everything as quickly as possible.
Helga rolled her eyes but kept that triumphant smile spread across her face. "Oh please, Arnoldo. It's not like you're the only who can pick up an instrument and play a song. Always remember," Helga waited for him to look at her, and when he did, she had her smirk in full power. "Anything you can do, I can do better; I can do anything better than you." She laughed at him as they walked down the other set of stairs.
Arnold narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "I knew I shouldn't have let my mom choose that movie last week. You've been saying that constantly!"
Helga smiled brightly, "Oh, you know it's true. So just deal with it."
"Deal with what?"
They reached the living and saw some of the boarders and Miles, Stella, and Arnold's grandpa sitting talking and barely paying attention to the tv. Ernie was was looking at Helga, waiting for her answer. She smiled mockingly at Arnold as he went to sit on the ground beside his parents feet; he stuck his tongue out and the room had started chuckling.
Helga sat on the arm rest of Grandpas chair and said sweetly, "That I can do anything better than him. It's been like that since forever."
Grandpa was laughing, "Yeah, Shortman. Shortgal, here, has one upped you on a lot of things. Basketball, writing essays, cooking… Why just yesterday that raspberry pie she helped Pookie make was delicious! …That reminds, gotta go!" He stood up abruptly and ran to his private bathroom down stairs. Helga slid down from the arm rest to capture the now vacant seat.
Arnold rolled his eyes, "You're not better than me at everything. I thought we already went over this," Arnold smiled and squinted his eyes a bit at her from where he sat. "I know everything. Just because you can play a song that took me a long time to learn, doesn't mean it makes you any better. So what if it was pretty amazing?"
Helga smirked, "Well, I'm a pretty amazing person, Arnoldo. I thought after all these years you would catch on." She shook her head in mock disappointment and looked at Stella. "He's still dense as ever, huh?"
Stella giggled and patted her sons hair unruly hair, "Oh, he's just like his father in that department sweetie," Miles and Arnold turned to look at Stella with shock and said simulataniously, 'Hey!'. Stella giggled lightly again and said, "Well, on that note, since you two missed dinner, you have to get some food in you. There was no left overs, so why don't you go to Slausen's and get a burger and a shake? On me."
Miles raised an eyebrow at his wife, knowing what she doing and can see passed her innocent smile.
Arnold jumped up, "Okay, come on Helga!" He took the twenty from his mothers waiting hand, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and grabbed Helga's hand, leading her out the door with her 'Thank you' echoing through the boarding house.
Miles chuckled and turned towards his light brown haired wife. "Just what do you think your doing, honey? You can't force them to go out on a date, and besides, they just think its… 'hanging out'. Setting Arnold and Helga up on these playdates won't make them suddenly want to get married."
Stella stuck her tongue out at him, just like her son did, and the boarders laughed. "Oh, Miles. I'm getting impatient and I want to see them together. Helga is perfect for our Arnold!" Miles shrugged his shoulders, and gave her forehead a sweet kiss.
"Only time will tell, honey. Sooner or later, they'll fall for eachother."
Meanwhile, outside in front of the boarding house, Arnold was trying to get his truck to start, searching through the engine to find what was wrong. Helga was sitting behind the wheel, and decided to plug in her iPod to the old radio. Rock Mafias The Big Bang was thumping through Arnold's old truck and Helga was nodding her head to the beat and started singing softly to herself. While she was whistling to the chorus, she heard Arnold call out from under the hood.
"Okay, turn the key now, I think I got it!" Arnold yelled over the music. Helga did and it just sputtered, she rolled her eyes and turned her music down.
She poked her head out the window and yelled, "Football head, I'm getting hungry right now! Think you can hurry it up? Slausen's is going to close in a few hours!"
Arnold narrowed his eyes at her, "Gee, Pigtails, I'm trying over here." Arnold grinned mischievously as he watched her scowl at one of the nicknames he's given her. He tweaked a wire again and yelled, "Try it again!"
Helga rolled her eyes, but smiled and shook her head as it started up again. She moved over across the joined front seat as Arnold shut the hood and took his seat behind the wheel. "I still don't understand why you wouldn't take the Packard." She knew of course, the reason why, but she loved hearing his reasoning behind owning the vintage, 1950 classic Chevy truck.
Arnold smiled wistfully, "You know my dad had bought this in some old car yard when we visited Arnie 8th grade year. We worked on this thing together for hours and you would come by and just go hang out with mom and grandma while dad and I bonded." They both laughed softly. "He told me I could have it when I could drive."
Helga smiled as Arnold pulled out of his space in front of the Sunset Arms. She said, "I guess it also helped it's your favorite shade of blue, huh?"
Arnold blinked and glanced her, "How do you know my favorite shade of blue?"
Helga rolled her eyes, "Arnold, we've known each other since we were three. It would be crazy if I didn't know you like any kind of blue that reminds you of your hat." She playfully reached over and flicked his hat and he smiled.
"I guess you're right, Pinkie," he replied sarcastically. "You always have to have something pink to match your bow." He looked at her fully when they came to a stop at the red light. She was wearing her black cut off denim shorts with her white Hillwood Varsity Girls Basketball hoodie with black and yellow lettering. Her bow was peeking out from around her neck and her worn out hot pink beanie was on top of her head, her low pigtails falling past her shoulders. Her eyeliner and mascara was the only type of makeup she would ever wear, besides the raspberry chap stick Phil had given her when he came back from the store one day. He pointed at her feet and chuckled when he saw her laces and ankle socks were same shade as her bow.
She raised an eyebrow in response. "Oh, shove it, Mr. Head-too-wide to fit his favorite hat." Arnold rolled his eyes and made the left turn to take them to Slausen's. Helga continued as he tried to parallel park in front. "Besides, bucko, who cares if we try to hold onto childhood mementos? I certainly don't." They sat there together, in a comfortable silence with his truck turned off, until she spoke again. This time, a bit tiredly. "So tell me about this girl, Arnold. You know you can't hide your Arnold crush faze from me." Helga sat cross legged on the joined seat and turned her body to look at him fully, leaning against the passenger door. 'He's not getting a chance to avoid it this time,' she thought to herself, determinedly.
Arnold felt trapped. He couldn't tell her the truth, but he also couldn't lie to her. He couldn't tell her what's really going on with his emotions because that would ruin their friendship, but he also couldn't lie because, well, he sucks at lying and he knows it. So he decided to take a different turn with his thoughts.
He sighed, "Well, let's say it doesn't really have to deal with a girl… entirely." Helga raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to enlighten. He ran his hands through his hair nervously. "I was just thinking, you know all the girls I have crushes on, and well, they all had never worked out in the end. You always tell me I fall for the good looks and the sophisticated charm, and I guess I'm admitting it's true, because in the end, all of it just dims away. And I'm afraid I'll never actually… fall in love with someone because I'm so picky about the girls. They all just don't add up to what I actually want…" Arnold trailed off, not quite knowing where he was getting at, and was staring at the dash the whole time.
Helga didn't know what to do, so she just forced a light hearted laugh. "Well, gee, Arnold. If I would have known you were feeling so melancholy about your love life, I would have talked to you about this sooner." Arnold looked at her, annoyed she laughed at him, but decided to let her continue. "Listen, you're a great guy, and I know you. You have a kind heart, a way with words, you help old ladies across the street," they both laughed. "and you don't have it so bad in the looks department; even though you have that football head." She blushed and tried to hide it with a roll of her eyes ad a chuckle. "Even though Stella, Pookie, and I don't think any girl could ever be good enough for you, you're still gonna find someone."
Arnold smiled, "Thanks, Helga."
She smirked, "Now can we go eat now, since your girlish problems are handled for now? I'm dying to get something sweet in me after today's practice."
They both hopped out of the car and went inside, taken two seats at the counter in the corner. They order two cheese burgers and one chocolate-vanilla sundae, in order to save as much of Stella's money of course.
They sat in respectable silence for a while, eating, until Arnold spoke up. "So how is basketball going? Is the team treating you okay?" Arnold knew starting a new sport later than everyone is difficult, he didn't know how Helga would cope with her new teammates.
She scoffed, "I have them handled. They were a little put off by me being placed on Varsity and getting more playing time than some of the upperclassmen, but hey, we all want to win, so we came to a silent agreement I guess."
Arnold looked her and smiled, "Which was?"
She laughed, and took a spoon full of his half of the sundae. "That they keep their comments to themselves and I'll try not to yell at them in practice and make them look stupid."
Arnold rolled his eyes, laughed, and took a bigger spoon full of her half which earned him a playful glare. "Well, our practices are going okay. Coach Wittenberg is still making us run harder than ever, and it seems like we're running more than shooting, but I know it's only preseason…" Helga was getting lost in his green eyes as he continued on with how his team is coming together, now that Wolfgang had quit. Arnold's eyes now were now the darkest green, almost like wet grass, underneath the hanging dim light fixture. She noticed a long time ago, when she started to become closer to Arnold, that his eyes changes its shade in different environments, and specks of colors would make there appearance. Right then, red, oranges, and a dull yellows were almost lost in the grassy green oasis. 'I'll have to right about them when I get back home,' she thought to herself. Before she could swoon, she stabbed her spoon in the sundae and took half and half of chocolate and vanilla.
Arnold's voice came back to her, "Well, it's almost nine. I think we should head back. I'll drop you off at your place, unless you want to come back and hangout?" He gave her his winning smile and tossed his tip on the counter and the change from his moms twenty in his pocket.
Helga smiled, "Sure, Football Head. Why not?"
They walked towards the door and Arnold held it open for her, and followed Helga back to his Chevy.
***End of Flashback***
Helga laughed softly to herself and started strumming as the lights dimmed again around her and the walls surrounding everyone in the room had projected a showing as if they were actually in space. Every constellation, every planet was seen throughout the open room. Wide eyes from the crowd were pointing, looking at the stars.
"This goes out to the guy who can be a little slow at certain topics, like love, but he's a damn good person and is just trying to find that someone. Just like the rest of us." she smiled as the crowd cheered and then started strumming to start it all.
Well now he's back in the atmosphere
With Drops of Jupiter in his hair, hey, hey
He walks like summer and talks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change, hey, hey
Since his return from the stay on the moon
He listens like spring and he talks like June, hey, hey
Arnold was smiling softly, getting lost in Helga's voice. 'You truly are an amazing person Helga.' He started to sing along, as did the crowd around him.
Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
That heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
Helga was wanting Arnold to truly grasp the meaning of this song right now, even though he listens to it everyday. Helga wants Arnold to know that she still loves him, and even though he's with Lila, a shooting star, Helga will be forever on the ground waiting for him. No matter how crazy or messed up or difficult it seems right now. 'Just listen to your heart, Arnold,' Helga thought somberly. 'Not your mind.'
Well now he's back from that soul vacation
Chasing his way through the constellation, hey, hey
He checks out Mozart while he does tae-bo
Reminds me that there's room to grow, hey, hey
Well now he's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that he might think of me as plain ol' Jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land
The crowd cheered her on and she was swaying her hips as she was singing; feeling the song go through her bones.
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along in the light of day
Head back to the Milky Way?
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
Arnold was seriously having conflicted thoughts right now, since we all know his thought process about love is usually slow. He kept his eyes on Helga, his best friend since they were young, and looked at his girl friend of three months. He doesn't know anything about Lila, as he's watching her picking at her nails and whispering to Rhonda with a harsh look on her face. He turned back to Helga, signing the next verse softly with her.
Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you, even when I know you're wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had. . .and me?
The crowd cheered loudly. 'I don't know everything about Helga either, but I know enough. She just keeps surprising me.' Arnold shook his head. He managed to block his romantic thoughts towards Helga since last summer, and he wasn't about to mess it all up again. Their silence during that time was difficult to handle.
Tell me, did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along in the light of day
Head back toward the Milky Way
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself?
Helga made sure to maintain eye contact with Arnold from where he sat beside Phoebe as she sung the interlude, trying to make him understand. Sitting in the corner, on a white piano, with the constellations surrounding him; Helga thought he looked like an angel. A naive, beautiful, football headed angel. They sung out the ending together, even though she could only see his lips moving.
Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you, even when I know you're wrong.
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had. . .and me.
The two blondes stared at each other as the applause had ruptured around them. The attenders had enjoyed the cover of a timeless song that has been around since they were growing up into middle school. Helga took a deep breath and let the air out, she moved her head away from his hypnotizing gaze and stared into the faces she didn't know so well. "Thank you so much!"
Helga smiled wickedly, "Now, back to this crush… you all wanna hear some hints?" She turned to Alicia as shouts of yes and pleading applause hit the air around the young blonde. They both nodded and began to play. She laughed and began to sing.
I don't think that passenger seat
Has ever looked this good to me
He tells me about his night
And I count the colors in his eyes
He'll never fall in love he swears
As he runs his fingers through his hair
I'm laughing cause I hope he's wrong
And I don't think it ever crossed his mind
He tells a joke I fake a smile
But I know all his favorite songs
'Okay,' Arnold thought himself, remembering their talk in front of Slausen's. 'I can confirm this song is about me.
And I could tell you his eyes are emerald green
He loves to argue, but only with me
His mother's beautiful, he has his father's eyes
And if you asked me if I love him,
Helga smirked at the crowd.
I'd lie
Arnold widened his eyes. 'I already knew she loved me. Don't freak out, we talked it all out already after what happened in August.'
He looks around the room
Innocently overlooks the truth
Shouldn't a light go on?
Doesn't he know that I've had him memorized for so long?
He sees everything black and white
Never let nobody see him cry
I don't let nobody see me wishing he was mine
I could tell you his eyes are emerald green
He loves to argue, but only with me
His mother's beautiful, he has his father's eyes
And if you asked me if I love him…
I'd lie
Gertie, from where she sat with her table companions, leaned forward and squinted with her eyes. She whispered to Miles, Stella, and Phil, "I think I know who she's lying about loving…" Miles and Stella suppressed their smiles and raised their brows.
Just to humor his wife, Phil asked, "Why, who could that be, Pookie?"
Gertie said cunningly, "I think it's that nice little blonde boy who stays up in that old attic and eats our food." The three laughed.
He stands there then walks away
My god if I could only say
I'm holding every breath for you...
Helga took a deep breath and walked to the side of the stage singing to Arnold. She heard the whispers of her classmates, finally realizing who their once class bully pined for. She didn't care though. Helga was throwing everything out on the table on the table in order to save her sanity. 'I need to do this.' She played and sang to him; looking him in the eye. Blue sky meets dewy grass.
He'd never tell you, but he can play guitar
I think he can see through everything
But my heart
First thought when I wake up is
My god he's beautiful
So I put on my make up
And pray for a miracle
They smiled softly at eachother. They both knew eachother's secrets already, so it wasn't quite a surpise.
Yes I could tell you his eyes are emerald green
He loves to argue oh and it kills me
His mothers beautiful he has his father's eyes
And if you asked me if I love him
If you asked me if I love him
Helga shrugged her shoulders softly as Phoebe gave her a kind smile. She remembered when she heard this song, it was over the phone when Helga went home to write it out that very night.
I'd lie.
As the music came to an end, all was quiet through out the café. Helga dropped her comforting gaze with Arnold and turned to face the crowd, she felt as vulnerable and weak as she did when they were laughing at her in preschool. Well, they're in High School now, everyone's changed, and she didn't know what to expect.
Rhonda was the first speak, in sincere curiosity, "What about Brett?" and murmurers of agreed wonder filled the room. Brett was blushing but gave her thumbs up, saying he was still going with the plan. After all, he knew about her infatuation, he was just doing what he was told because that's who he is.
Helga dropped her gaze and sighed. When she looked back up though, her mischievous demeanor was back, and she replied in a playful voice, "Oh, Princess, didn't I say at the beginning this is a story? We aren't even close to reaching the climax." She gave her secret smile and walked beside Alicia, said "Do your thing," and the spot light switched off of Helga to Alicia, playing her violin happily. The constellations and planets still moving gently on the walls, and there sat a conflicted boy on a white piano, next to his blonde best friends' other best friend.
He turned to her. "Okay, I need some answer before she gets back."
***AN
I am still very sorry I hadn't update last Saturday like I promised! :( but hey, at least it's 7,310 words this time! :D I hope it'll hold you over until I update again. I start my senior year tomorrow! Errr… Today. Since its 1:24 am. Well… Good Morning! 'Does happy dance' I'm thinking about just updating every Wednesday, what do y'all think about that?
Oh! And please tell me what you think of this chapter, it took me a few days, and I had to put it down for a while before trying to continue. I think I was desperately trying to over come that dreaded writers block! Good thing I did! :) so feel free to pm me about any ideas you were thinking about for the story, I'm open to anything and I'll try to fit it in. Well… until next time! (and I'll try to make it soon!)