A/N: Sorry for the delay. It took a while before I became satisfied with the chapter, and now that I'm done and posting it up I really do hope you all like this one. (: I've decided that Arnold's jealousy with the picture Helga has of him would lead to more 'dark Arnold' moments, but slowly of course. I also think the stealing Helga's locket plot line is really interesting and I won't rule that out from ever happening, but it just feels too soon to have him do it now. I think he'd have to feel forced to steal it to even go that route, but I do like that idea a lot. Anyway, please do enjoy! ^^

"But Pheebs," Helga tried to refute the words her best friend just told her. They were out shopping at the mall. As she said this, Helga had lifted a green dress with yellow flowers up to herself. She wrinkled her nose and placed it back on the rack. "I just-"

"But nothing Helga," her best friend adjusted her glasses as she checked herself out in a mirror with a red turtleneck in hand. She shook her head slightly unhappy with the look, and walked to put it back on the rack she grabbed it from. "He said he likes you. I do not see any reason why the two of you shouldn't be going out on dates at this point."

Helga said nothing, as she shifted through clothes at a rapid pace until another article caught her eye. Once she spotted something she thought she might like, she pulled it out and went to look at herself in the mirror. "Look, Pheebs, I understand what you're saying, but shouldn't it be the guy to take the initiative?"

"While I would agree with you normally, the fact that there hasn't been much progress since his confession, I would have to say you might have to take matters into your own hands."

"That's what worries me. What if he realizes it was all one big fat old mistake? He most likely began to like me because of…well you know what I'm talking about. My 'monologing side'," she scowled, making air quotes. "That's not who I am all the time, and if he can't accept that…" She bit her lip, knowing that she didn't want to finish that sentence. She hoped with all her might that wasn't the problem.

"Helga," Phoebe started softly, something she did whenever she was about to say something that would most likely anger her friend. "You have been sort of mean to him as of late, even knowing his feelings. Perhaps you should show him that you really and truly care about him."

"Oh, yeah? How?"

"Be nicer to him for starters. I know that you're worried he likes you for the wrong reasons, but you'll never know for sure that if you don't try. That…side is a part of you after all, so shouldn't that make you happy?"

She paused and looked at herself in the mirror trying to see if it held the answers she was seeking. She wasn't really the bully she tried to be. That was a façade she used mostly to protect herself, but at the same time she wasn't the super softer side of herself either. That was for special occasions. At the same time they were both a part of her. They both worked to make her who she was. "I guess I'll try…" she said.

Phoebe smiled. "I'm sure it'll all work out. Anyway, I think we should try a different store. This one doesn't have the most…flattering of options available."

Helga smiled, relieved about the change of subject. "I was just thinking the same thing."

"Thanks Arnold you're the best!" Eugene said, smiling brightly.

"No problem Eugene. Just be careful next time." Eugene nodded, and hopped on his bike paddling off.

Arnold stood up, walked up his stoop and opened up his front door. A herd of animals raced out. Only one of the animals stayed after the flood ran off to who knows where, and sat by Arnold's feet. He recognized the animal immediately. "Oh, hey Abner," He bent down and petted his pig in between the ears where he knew he enjoyed it most. "It's been a while. Sorry buddy."

Abner smiled and oinked. Arnold smiled too feeling happy to see the little pig. "Fine…I'll walk you. Just wait right here for a moment okay?"

After grabbing his leash and collar Arnold went back outside and hooked the pieces to the pig, who wasn't pleased in the slightest. "Sorry, Abner. It's just a safety measure."

They had begun to walk, and Arnold immediately began to get lost in thought. He had no problem helping other people, but when it came to his own problems he could never solve them that easily. He found that a little bit unfair. While he did have his grandpa, most times the information he supplied just confused him more, especially whenever he told him to never eat raspberries. Arnold wished he had someone he could look up to amongst his peers, but it was just his luck that he was the one in that position.

"I wish you could talk Abner. I wonder what you'd say," he said, seriously curious.

"There's a reason pig's don't talk paste for brains, and that's because it'd make it harder to make bacon out of em."

Abner growled and Arnold shot an annoyed half lidded glance at the girl who said the words. "That wasn't very nice, Helga."

"Yeah, well I never claimed to be a nice person."

He was about to retort when he actually took in her appearance. She was wearing a pink sweater he had never seen her wear before, a white skirt, and of course her pink bow was still in her hair as always, which was styled into a ponytail. Basically, she looked good. He quickly averted his eyes away from her trying to remember what he was going to say, but coming up empty.

"Um, you'll just hurt Abner's feelings," he said, finally coming up with something to say at least before he made a fool out of himself. "He's not going to be someone's dinner."

Helga chuckled darkly. "I hope you keep up with the little piggy then."

Abner growled again, and Arnold frowned. "It's okay Abner. You learned from the last time right?"

Abner looked at Arnold and smiled his agreement. Arnold let go of a breath that his pig buddy had calmed down. Then he glared at Helga. "Be nice. Abner's family."

She looked like she was going to say something else to spite him, but then closed her mouth and shrugged instead. "Yeah, sure, whatever."

It was quiet. Arnold wondered why she had decided to walk with him, but secretly enjoyed her company. He wondered if he voiced his feelings would she'd run away the way she seemed prone to doing whenever he said certain things to her. He looked at her and felt a blush heat his cheeks. Why did being with her always end up complicated? Even telling her his feelings didn't help. She didn't shrug his words off(thank goodness), in fact, in return, she said he'd always have her heart, but it definitely didn't feel like it. He wanted to be…closer to her, but the one thing she kept close to her was that locket. He scowled thinking about it, not even knowing that he did.

"What's eating at you?" Helga voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned and looked at her.

"Just thinking about a very annoying person," he replied.

"Oh, who? Harold? I tell you sometimes it's hard to share a room with that guy. I can't believe he still cries for his mommy at our age," she chuckled shaking her head. He felt a smile grow on his own lips though he knew it wasn't kind. She did have a bit of a point.

"No, not Harold," he said.

"Hmm, ah, then Rhonda," she placed one hand on her hip and held the other as if holding a purse. "I'm sure you're just dying to hear the latest piece of gossip," she mimicked their friend. This actually got a chuckle out of him.

"No not her either."

She went through a couple more names, actually acting like their friends to get a bit of a chuckle out of him. Then she frowned. "I went through all the names of the ones who'd annoy you. Everyone else is a goody two shoes like you."

"You didn't name everyone who annoys me," he said, his grin widening.

She thought hard then her eyes grew. She then turned to him with a scowl. "Football head, did you mean me?"

"Maybe."

She muttered something under her breath. Then she looked at him as if she was struggling with herself. He didn't have to wait long to know why. "I'm…Sorry."

He raised an eyebrow, trying to hide his shock, but that's exactly what he was. It was just so out of leftfield. "For what?"

"Just for being…well you know…mean and…just kinda hard to be around I guess." She rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortable.

"Oh," he thought about what he wanted to say. "Well, as odd as it is for me to say this, that's not why I'm annoyed at you, but I appreciate the apology."

"Then what did I do to annoy you?"

"…I don't wish to say."

She scowled. "Well, I'm sorry for whatever it is."

He chuckled. "I'm afraid I can't accept that apology. You don't even know why you're saying it. Plus, if you did you'd laugh and definitely retract it."

"…Now I'm curious."

"Don't be," he said quickly, beginning to panic a little. He didn't want her trying to figure it out. "It's…nothing really."

"Sure," she folded her arms. "I'll figure it out."

He bit his lip. He didn't want her figuring it out he was jealous over her picture of him. The truth was too odd and he was worried she'd laugh at him. Then he thought of something. "Hey, Helga?"

"Yup," she said.

"Do you…um, well want to do something with me this weekend?"

"Uh…"

"It's okay if you don't," he said in a rush before she could say no. "But…I would like to hang out with you…outside of school…alone." Okay he really needed to shut up now. He knew his face was burning and he avoided looking her way to avoid her noticing it.

"Wow…um, I mean…sure I guess…I think my weekend is open," she laughed nervously, and rubbed her arm avoiding eye contact too thanks to the blush growing on her own cheeks.

"Really?" He whipped his head around to look at her forgetting about hiding his blush, out of disbelief that she had said yes…kind of.

"Uh huh," she cleared her throat and continued to avoid looking at him. "Boy, is it really that time already? I forgot that Miriam was expecting me by now…I should be heading back." She pointed behind her as she already began to walk backwards. "See ya around." She turned fully and began walking back the way they had come. Arnold didn't have to question why. He knew why, and he could feel that pesky feeling he had been getting as of late grow in full force.

"Wait, Helga?"

She turned her head and looked at him. "Yeah, Arnoldo?"

"You look really beautiful today," he said, feeling bold. Plus, he had wanted to say that ever since he saw her. Abner looked at him as he said this, a look of confusion growing on the pigs face. Helga on the other hand had a huge blush growing on her own.

"Er, really?" She said, breathlessly. "Um, I mean thanks…heh," Her blush was now definitely in full bloom.

"And I'm sure, you'll look even more beautiful on our date," he added.

"Date?" She squeaked. He smiled, and slowly walked closer to her, Abner reluctantly following.

"Yeah, you know the thing people go on when they have feelings for each other," he knew he should probably stop talking, but he didn't want to. It actually felt, well nice to say stuff like this to her.

"Oh, wow Arnold. That's very, um, kind of you to say…" she struggled to come up with the right words. Inside she was swooning.

"And do you remember how I told you I feel whenever you say my name?" He whispered, standing right in front of her. She shivered noticeably, and Arnold smiled, leaning forward just a little...

"Hey Arnold!" Gerald called, waving his arm in the air. "There you, oh…"

Arnold and Helga had stepped a bit away from each other huge blushes on their faces. Gerald continued to walk closer, and as he did, his grin grew.

"So am I interrupting something?" He asked, sounding too happy about it.

"No, Helga was just leaving right?" Arnold said, knowing regardless Gerald would question him.

"Um," she now looked unsure, as if she actually wanted to stay. She then shook herself out of the spell she was in and scowled. "Doi, Arnoldo. I really must be off. I'll see you later Geraldo."

"Uh, huh," He watched her leave, a bemused smile on his face. "You guys have got to stop near kissing in public," he said, once she was out of ear shot, bending down to pet Abner on the head.

"I know. I don't know what got into me."

Gerald grinned. "The love bug." Arnold rolled his eyes causing Gerald to laugh. "No, seriously because I can't see anyone wanting to kiss Helga Pataki unless maybe they've been brainwashed or something."

"Well, I'm not brainwashed."

"And that's what worries me man."

"Weren't you looking for me for another reason?" Arnold asked, leading Abner home. Gerald followed.

"Oh right. I got two tickets to Pop Daddy on Ice!"

"That was real?" Arnold asked, remembering that Gerald had mentioned it to him before.

"Of course it was! I'd never make up a story about Pop Daddy. I've been waiting for this show forever, and I finally scored the tickets thanks to a few of Fuzzy Slippers connections."

"That's great Gerald. When is the show?"

"This Saturday! Want to go with?" He asked him eagerly.

"Um, I don't know if I can."

"Why not?"

"I asked Helga out, which will most likely be on Saturday since my grandma wants me to help her with a 'mission' on Sunday."

Gerald chuckled. "Gotta love your grandma, but can't you reschedule or something? It'd mean a lot to me if you could go. I don't know anyone else."

Arnold thought about it. He had nothing against Pop Daddy though it wasn't exactly his favorite show like it was Gerald's. He eventually shook his head no. "It'll be our first official date. I'd hate to mess it all up by canceling."

Gerald sighed. "Man, I hear that. Helga isn't the chick you want to tick off on a first date," he then brightened. "So you asked her out I see. Or did she do the honors?" He laughed at the thought.

"I asked her," Arnold said blushing at the memory. "She sort of…forced it out of me though."

"Hmm, I can see that. Is that where the almost kiss came from?"

"Kind of," Arnold blushed harder.

"Well, man I guess I'm going to start hunting for someone to go with."

"Why not Phoebe?" Arnold asked casually, studying his best friends reaction. Gerald started off looking surprised, then blushed slightly.

"Phoebe? What about Phoebe?"

"Ask her to go with you to see Pop Daddy on Ice," Arnold said smiling. Gerald frowned.

"I couldn't…could I?"

"I dunno, you're more of a 'ladies man' than I am right? Should be pretty easy for someone like you."

"Why do I get the feeling you're teasing me about this?"

Arnold laughed. "Like you haven't gotten off a few rounds of jokes about me and Helga."

"Because that is all sorts of weird Arnold! She's the school bully. Phoebe is…she is…"

"Helga's best friend for starters?" Arnold supplied.

"Oh, stop thinking about Helga for a second." Gerald said, still thinking of how he wanted to describe Phoebe.

Arnold chuckled. "It seems like I can't help it lately."

"We're going to have to do something about that." Gerald said, with a slight eye roll.

Arnold stopped in front of the boarding house. "This is my stop. I'll catch you later Gerald."

"Alright man, see ya later." They did their secret handshake and Arnold went inside happy to have made a little progress with Helga, but knowing that one step forward could always so easily become one step back.