Hello again. I've been working on some fan art from Chapter two. The line art is done and I must say that I'm pretty proud of myself. It should be photoshoped and ready by the time I get the entry up. I'll post a link to it in the next chapter for those who want to see it.

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting to mention that these characters are not my own. Their Craig Bartlett's.

"What have I agreed to?" Helga was pacing around her bedroom. Clothes were strewn around her floor and her bed. "I thought we decided that we would call things off. We agreed that being together wasn't for the best and Arnold only loved me because he felt obligated to do so. This date is only making things harder on the both of us. We need to move on. Why did I agree to go on a date with him tonight?"

"And yet," Helga retrieved a gold locket that held a recent picture of Arnold from her chest. She nearly danced around her room, "Oh how I've longed to be held in your loving arms once again. How time and the world seems to stop when your lips are pressed against mine. I would do anything to be yours again, walking hand in hand, whispering sweet nothings in one another's ear, sharing sweet kisses when ever an opportunity. I need your support and kindness. Especially now, I need your shoulder to cry on." Helga sighed, "But it's best to leave things how they are. You need someone who can support you. I'm too much of a mess to lift you up."

She slumped on her bed, gazing out the window. With her locket in her hands she bit her lip. "Maybe I can call this whole thing off. Perhaps I could make up some excuse. I could say that I have gotten the flu or that my dad actually grounded me." She recalled her recent punishment from her father. Because of her suspension she was supposedly grounded for a week. Helga knew he had forgotten this but she could pretend he still had some authority. "Naw, Arnold would never fall for that," Helga decided.

"I'll try it anyways." She dialed his cell. It went straight to voicemail.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"Operation: Win Helga's affections" was finished with its planning stages. Arnold and his best friend, Gerald, had spent a lot of effort in thinking of ways to get Arnold back together with his ex-girlfriend and that included the establishment of a cheesy code name.

Arnold knew there was a possibility of Helga trying to find an excuse to cancel their date. He had a few tricks up his sleeve, however. Stage one was made to prevent that. Driving his grandfather's car, he left for Helga's house two hours before he agreed to meet her. This would prevent her from running away at the last minute.

He was halfway there when his cell phone rang. He saw that it was Helga trying to call him. He ignored it as another precaution of stage one. She wouldn't weasel her way out of it that easy.

He parked his car down her street. He was confident that his careful planning would work. He was wearing a Red plaid button up shirt and jeans. His eye what surrounded by dark purple bruises. Though his eye looked worse the injury to his lip had almost completely healed. Like always, he was optimistic about the night. He reached her door and firmly gave it a knock.

He smiled has he heard the "THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD" of a person nearly running down the stairs come from the inside. He was sure she was excited and this made him blush. "Here goes nothing," he whispered to himself.

The door opened a crack and he met one beautiful blue eye scowling out from the crevasse. "You're here early. Don't you know a lady needs time to get ready?"

"I'm early? I thought for sure we agreed to meet at four," Arnold said with a half smile as he tried to open the door. "May I come in?"

"Sure thing, football head." She opened the door completely and invited him inside. It was obvious that she had spent a lot of time deciding what to wear. She sported a simple yet elegant pink silk blouse that exposed her shoulders because of its thin straps. It was layered with a white camisole underneath it. She wore the dark denim jeans that Arnold was especially fond of because they were tighter than what she usually wore (Arnold is allowed to have impure thoughts. He is a man after all). Her hair was down and her failed attempt to curl it was not a complete failure. Instead it gave it a subtle wavy affect that complemented her. She was also wearing light make up which took a lot of attention away from the bruise on her cheek. It was obvious she was feeling a little uncomfortable in this get-up. "I was actually trying to get a hold of you because I don't think my dad will let me-"

"You look beautiful, Helga!" Arnold interrupted.

Helga turned a deep shade of scarlet. Arnold's truthful distraction was successful.

"I'll just take a seat on your couch as I wait for you to get ready." Arnold took a seat and picked up one of her father's Sports Illustrated magazine from the coffee table.

"I, uh, think I'm set, actually. I just need to get a sweater," Helga stammered.

"Great! Let's go," Arnold made his way towards the door as Helga retrieved a black knit sweater from the closet in the entry way. They both exited the empty house and Helga locked the front door. Phase one, complete. Arnold thought to himself.

"I figured we could go to that new steak house because it's near the theater," said Arnold as the couple began to make their way to Hillwood theatres. "I've heard nothing but great things about it."

It was obvious Helga was full of hesitation and insecurities. Phase two of "Operation: Win Helga's affections" was made to ensure Helga could feel comfortable during their date. Over the last thirteen years he had spent with her he understood that when Helga felt embarrassed or insecure, she would try to hide behind negative behavior and attempt to push everyone away. She would do this by giving insults, rude remarks, and aggressive attention. It was vital to his mission that he get her mind off the last three months.

"Did you want to see that new Evil Twin vs. Slash IV movie? I guess it hasn't gotten the best reviews but I still can't help but want to see it. The original was so good." Arnold brushed his hand against Helga's. She blushed.

"Are you suggesting that little ol' me would want to see such a violent movie that includes bloodshed, decapitated corpses, and poor acting?" Helga asked playfully. "You know me well, Arnoldo."

Phase two complete. "I thought you would." Arnold was grinning ear to ear, "It's rated R but we should have no trouble getting in. Iggy said he would be working at the ticket counter tonight and he still owes me a big favor."

"Gasp. Are you really going to be breaking the rules?" Helga smiled.

"It's that or we are forced to watch that sappy new chick flick."

"I think my negative influences on you are for the best." Helga jabbed his arm with her elbow.

"I think so too." Arnold blushed.

The two were quiet for a moment. Arnold attempted to brush his hand against hers again but she drew it away once more. Being a little more assertive he grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers. It amazed him how well her hands felt in his. They were like two different puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. From the corner of his eye he could tell Helga was blushing too.

"Well, uh, here we are." Helga announced as they reached the restaurant. The intoxicating aromas of BBQ and cornbread were polluting the street. Much to both of their disappointment, Helga let go of Arnold's hand. He quickly swooped past her as he opened the restaurant's doors for Helga. Chivalry was always one of Arnold best traits.

"After you," he said with a smile.

Cute, right? It's weird to see Arnold making up crazy plans to win Helga's affections for a change. Pretty soon he'll have a monument made for her in his closet and dozens of novels full of poetry dedicated to her.

-Twelvepercent