Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews. I really appreciate it. Yes, I still do have a long way to go. But, I try to make this into something more like me. Anyways, I'll try to improve it with the best of my abilities. XD Enjoy this chapter. :)

Tuesday, April 7, 11:02 pm

I tossed and turned in bed. I couldn't sleep. Is it because of the sound of the rain hitting the roof? Or is it the sound of my beating heart? I stood up and sat on the window sill. After our little duet a while ago, mom called Helga saying that the room she'll be sleeping in is ready. Helga followed her out of my room not saying a single word to me. I was confused. I couldn't understand what she's trying to tell me. She won't look at me, when I ask her what's wrong. She just shrugs and says whatever. She keeps her distance. I keep asking myself why is she like that?

But the real question is… Why am I bothered? Why do I hate it when she does these things to me? When she smiles, I feel butterflies in my stomach. When I look at her, my heart goes crazy. Is it because…. Is it because I like her? I messed up my hair out of frustration. Why is this happening to me? I went downstairs to get a glass of water. I took a cup and put it under the tap. I drank it and went back up to my room. I walked past Helga's room and I noticed that it wasn't close. I peeped from the small crack from the slightly opened door. I saw Helga sitting in the middle of the bed, hugging her knees and looking at the window. I knocked. She opened the door and was surprised to see me.

"Oh Arnold. I thought you were asleep." She called me Arnold. I think this was the first time. I heard her call me by my name without a sly remark. There was an awkward silence between us.

"May I come in?" I asked. She nodded and let me in. She sat back on the bed and I sat next to her. Again, awkward silence fills the air. I cleared my throat. I was about to open my mouth when she spoke.

"Why are you still awake?" She asked. 'Its because I kept thinking about you and I think I like you.' Those were the words wanting to come out of my mouth but instead,

"I couldn't sleep. What about you?" She looked out the window, avoiding my gaze.

"I couldn't sleep either. My head hurts." I looked at her and touched her arm. She feels hot.

"Helga, are you okay? You feel hot." She removed my hand from her arm and said that she was fine.

"I'm fine. My head just hurts. That's all. You don't have to worry about anything." But I refused to listen to her.

"You're having a fever and that's not okay. Stay here, I'll go get some aspirin and water." I went downstairs and got the aspirin and a glass of water. I went back to her room and gave her the medicine. Without a single word, she took the medicine and drank it. She gave me back the glass. I put the glass on her bedside table. I advised her to lay down and she did what I said.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine." I held her hand.

"Helga, remember what I said about being honest? You should've told me that you were having a fever. I'm here to help you." She looked away.

"I'm feeling sleepy so if you could leave the room…"

"Okay. But the moment you feel something, don't be afraid to tell me. Goodnight Helga." I kissed her forehead and left the room. I lingered outside her room until I also felt sleepy. I went back to my room and laid in bed.

Wednesday, April 8

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. It was 6 am. I went to the bathroom and took a bath. After putting on something decent, I went downstairs for breakfast. I walked by Helga's room and I heard mom talking to Helga. I went inside to see what was going on. I saw mom taking Helga's temperature.

"What's going on mom?" She took the thermometer from Helga's mouth and read the results.

"39.5.. Oh dear. Arnold, could you watch Helga for a minute, I'll just run to the drugstore to buy some medicine." I agreed but Helga stopped her. Helga sat up.

"You don't have to that. I've already made too much trouble. I'll just go home. Someone could take care of me at home." Mom looked at me.

"But Helga, you're not causing any trouble. But if you're comfortable staying at your house, then I wouldn't argue with you. Arnold is gonna drive you home." I nodded and looked at Helga. I took my car keys from the key holder in the living room and I started my car. I went back to Helga's room and saw her having a hard time standing up.

"Do you need help?" She shook her head.

"No, I cam do it." But when she took one step forward, she almost fell. I caught her before she did. I carried her bridal style.

"W-what are you doing? I told you I can do it." I didn't listen. I carried her to my car. I strapped her in. I called out to mom and dad that I was leaving. I got in the driver's seat and drove off.

"Where do you live?" She didn't tell me the specific place, she just told me directions.

"Take a left here." We were entering Hillwood Acres. This is one of the richest neighborhoods in Hillwood. I was speechless. I just kept following Helga's direction. Then we arrived in a big mansion. This was where she said to stop. Their house was amazing. I turned the car engine off and I went the passenger's seat. I carried her. This time she didn't say anything. When we were in the front door, I tried to open it but it was locked.

"Its locked. Do you have the key?" She didn't say anything but she handed me the key. I opened the door and brought her inside.

"Where is everyone?" I asked. She was silent. She pointed towards the calendar near the door. On the date today, it was marked "Vacation in Seattle".

"They're in Seattle? But you're here. Didn't they know that you're not with them?" She smiled bitterly.

"To them, Helga doesn't exist. I'm more of Olga's shadow. I'm not surprised if they forgot about me. They always do." I felt bad for here. Is this what she deals with everyday? Being a shadow to her older sister? I didn't ask anymore questions. I feel that the more I ask, the more pain she feels. I carried her up to her room. I put her down gently on her bed. She looked at me.

"Helga, I'm asking this for the last time, please answer me honestly. Are you okay?" She looked away and shook her head. I went to the bathroom to look for medicine. I found some then I went downstairs to get her some water. I went back to her room. She was sitting upright and staring at her phone. I gave her the medicine and told her to rest. After drinking the medicine, she put her phone down. I sat at the edge of her bed. She was looking at her hands. I felt the urge to hug her and so I did. Maybe I am falling for her. I felt her hands moving up my back. She was hugging me back. We stayed like that for a few minutes. I don't want to let go. So I hugged her even tighter. A minute later she let go. I looked at her. In that brief moment, I knew that my feelings for her were certain. She looked at me and giggled.

"What?" I asked. She kept on giggling.

"I'm hungry." She said. I couldn't help but smile. She was starting to show me her soft side.

"I'll just go downstairs and cook something for you." I said but she refused. She wanted to come with me downstairs to the kitchen. So I carried her.

"I can walk. Really. You can put me down." She said but I ignored her. I wanted to carry her. I just smiled and shook my head. She rolled her eyes but had a smile on her face. When we reached the kitchen, I let her sit on the counter. I took out some ingredients in their fridge.

"What're you gonna cook?" She asked while I took out a pot.

"You seemed to have taken a liking to grandma's chicken soup." Her eyes widened. I also took out a chopping board. I sliced the chicken into bite-sized pieces. I prepared everything then I turned the stove on. As I was cooking, I felt Helga hugging me from the back.

"Thank you Arnold. Thank you for taking care of me." My heart was going crazy.

"You don't need to thank me. Its my fault why you got sick in the first place." She let go of me. She went back to the counter. After cooking, I took out a bowl and served her the soup. While she was eating, I could not help but stare. Even though she was pale and slightly disheveled, for me she still looked beautiful.