Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold.

"I've been in love with you for 12 years. I've been hurt so many times. So please just stop what you're trying to do and leave me alone." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was speechless. I wanted to tell her so much but the words just wouldn't come out.

"Goodbye Arnold." Then she hung up. All she said was goodbye but it broke my heart. I put the phone on my desk and I noticed the picture that was taken when we were Romeo and Juliet. Ever since this play, I had fallen in love with her. But I was too stupid to notice my own feelings for her. I wanted to punch myself for being so stupid.

I immediately called Gerald.

"Can I have Phoebe's number?"

"Why?"

"I need to ask her something." He didn't ask anymore question. He hung up and a few seconds later, I received a text message from Gerald with Phoebe's number. I dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring.

"Who is this?"

"Phoebe, this is Arnold."

"Oh Arnold. Can I help you?"

"Phoebe, how long?"

"Huh?"

"How long has Helga…" She didn't let me finish the sentence.

"Ever since the day she first saw you."

"Please tell me everything. I need to know." She sighed.

"It was the first day of preschool. Her parents forgot that she existed so she walked to preschool all by herself. It started to rain and a car passed by and splashed mud on her. But you were the first person to show kindness to her. She never forgot what you said to her that day."

"I like your bow because its pink like your pants." I said remembering everything. Phoebe laughed.

"Yes. And for the following days, you were kind to her. But when everyone suspected that she liked you. Well, she didn't want anyone to know. So she covered up her soft side with the hard exterior she has now." I pulled my hair out of frustration. The more I knew, the more I want to strangle myself for being oblivious.

"I am the biggest idiot that ever existed. Please help me Phoebe." The other line was silent. I was starting to worry that she doesn't want to help me. I was relieved when she answered.

"After what you did to us. I'll gladly help. But I have to warn you Arnold. Helga tried so hard to forget about you. Please don't hurt her again."

"I promise." She told me to try and let Helga know how much I love her. She told me all Helga's favorites. She said that I should try to make her feel that I really do care. I agreed and she hung up. I walked down to the living room and I saw mom watching tv.

"Hey sweetie. Why the sad face?" I sat next to her.

"Mom, I completely messed up with this girl. I really like her but I was too afraid to say it. Now, she told me that she used to like me but because I was so oblivious, she stopped liking me. What should I do?" She looked at me and put her hand around my shoulder.

"Sweetie, all you have to do is make her realize why she liked you before. And when you're ready, tell her how you feel." I hugged her.

"Thanks mom."

"Don't mess this up sweetie. I really like Helga." Then she winked at me. Moms are awesome. They have mom senses that can detect whenever their child is troubled. I went up to my room to get my keys and my guitar. I put it in my car and drove to Helga's. When I was there, I took my guitar and went to the front door. I rang the doorbell. Nobody answered. I kept ringing the doorbell but still no one answered. I banged on the door.

"Helga. Please talk to me. Helga!" Still no answer. I took some pebbles on the ground and threw it at her window. She opened the front door.

"What part of leave me alone don't you understand football-head?"

"Please just hear me out." She sighed heavily but reluctantly agreed. I took my guitar and began to strum.

"I met the most beautiful girl. She loved me dearly. But I was too stupid to notice. Her love for me had faded just when mine just started." I just thought of all these lyrics. I was adlibbing. I looked at her and she had tears in her eyes. When I ended my song, I went near her and said.

"I like your bow because its pink like your pants." She was surprised. Now tears were running down her cheeks.

"Helga, ever since the Romeo and Juliet play, I was starting to fall for you but I was too stupid to realize that. But now, everything is so clear. You're everything I ever wanted. I hated myself for hurting you. I'm so sorry for hurting you." She was now sobbing. I hugged her and she hugged me back.

"You're just realizing that now?" She said. I chuckled.

"Helga, please don't ignore me. Hurt me physically or verbally just don't ignore me." She smiled. I looked into her eyes and saw everything I ever wanted. I wiped the tears on her cheeks. I slowly pulled her face closer to mine until our lips met. It has been forever since the last time I felt her lips on mine. She hugged me even tighter. I couldn't be happier than I was now. She pulled away and looked at me. Suddenly she slapped me.

"That's for hurting me." Then she punched my arm.

"And that's for being stupid." I held my arm and cheek. I thought she was gonna hit me again but she pulled me closer and kissed me.

"And that's for never giving up on me." I felt all the pain she gave me physically was worth it. I hugged her and carried her around.

"What are you doing?" She said. She still has a cast on her foot so I gently put her down. I kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheeks and her lips.

"Arnold, what are you doing?" She said in between giggles.

"I'm so happy!" I really am. I hugged her again.

"Stop that. You're gonna break my back." I laughed.

"Helga, I love you." She looked at me.

"What?"

"I love you."

"So now you love me?"

"Always have, always will." She smiled and said

"Well, I loved, love and will love you." Then we hugged. When we pulled apart, she asked me if I wanted to come in. I nodded. But before she could walk in to the house, I carried her.

"Well, aren't you sweet?" She said. I carried her all the way to the kitchen and set her down gently on the counter.

"Helga, would you like to go on a date with me?" She raised her eyebrow and laughed.

"Sure Arnold. I'd love to." I took out all the ingredients I needed to make Helga's favorite, Mac n' cheese. While the pasta was cooking, I asked Helga if they had any candles. She pointed towards the cabinet. I took some and put it on the candelabra on the table. I started to make the cheese for the pasta. After that, I set the table. I turned off the stove and served the meal. I carried Helga to the dining room and put her down gently on the chair.

"Hmmm.. It's smells so good." I sat down infront of her.

"I didn't know that you were this romantic football-head.. I mean, Arnold." I smiled and took a bite of the food. She also took a bite.

"How is it?" She made a silly face. I thought she didn't like it but she said,

"Why is everything you cook so delicious?" I chuckled. I stood up and transferred to the seat next to her. I took her spoon and scooped up some Mac n' cheese.

"What're you doing now?" She asked. I pointed the spoon at her.

"No. I can do that." But I refused. She had no choice but to open her mouth.

"You're spoiling me Arnold."

"I love you." I said. She smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Now go back to your seat and let's eat." I agreed and went back to my seat. After dinner, I cleaned the table, washed the dishes and carried Helga up to her room. She was sitting on the bed and I was sitting on the floor. Suddenly, it began to rain.

"Oh no, the rain seems to be pouring heavily." She said.

"How're you gonna get home now?" She asked.

"I guess I'll just drive safely."

"What? That's dangerous. You could spend the night here." She suggested. I refused.

"No, it won't be appropriate." But she was stubborn.

"I'm not letting you drive in this downpour." I tried to convince her otherwise but she wouldn't budge. I had no choice but to agree.

"Okay, but I'll stay on the sofa." She agreed.

"Okay, just let me fold up the sofa bed." We went downstairs and she folded the sofa and turning it into a bed. She went to the closet underneath the stairs and took out a blanket and some pillows. She handed them to me.

"Please make yourself comfortable." Then she sat down beside me.

"Helga, why didn't you tell me?" She looked confused.

"Didn't tell you what?"

"That you liked me ever since." She blushed.

"I was scared. I remember you talk about Lila every time. So I thought that you like those kinds of girls. And I know that I won't be that kind of girl." I held her hand.

"You know what, it doesn't matter anymore. The important thing is I know now. We're here together. And that's important." She blushed and hugged me. We stayed there for a while.

"Why do you have a picture of us in your desk?" She asked.

"I like that picture. It's when I first felt my love for you." She laughed.

"You're so cheesy."

"I can't help it. You're too damn cute when you blush." She punched me.

"Stop that." I laughed.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" She asked. I nodded and she went to the cabinet under the tv and took out some DVDs. She went back to the sofa and handed me the DVDs.

"What do you want to watch?" She asked. I looked over the DVDs she handed me. Evil dead, drag me to hell, cabin in the woods, the shining…. These are all horror movies.

"Do you have anything with less slash and more suspense?" She went back and took a DVD. She handed it to me. Paranormal Activity 3.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Oh nothing, it's just that the movie is about a house that's haunted and some paranormal activities happen to the couple in the house."

"So your point is?" I pitched her cheeks.

"My point is, we're alone in this house. Aren't you gonna get scared since I'll be sleeping here and you'll be sleeping upstairs?" She thought about it but quickly responded.

"Psssshhh… I'm not scared. Why? Are you scared?" I shook my head.

"No."

"Then there's no problem." She loaded the DVD in the player. But before she pressed play she went to the kitchen to cook some popcorn.

"Do you need help?"

"No. Just stay there." She disappeared in the kitchen and I was left there. I took my phone from my pocket and dialed Phoebe's number. She answered on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey Phoebe."

"Oh Arnold. How's everything going?"

"Everything is good. Helga finally forgave me."

"Yes! Finally, so are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend now?" She asked.

"No, not yet."

"Aww, why not?" She sounded disappointed.

"Because I want to court her first." A squeal could be heard from the other line.

"You better do a good job. Well, I have to go. I still have to finish my project. I've missed a lot here." After we said our goodbyes, I hung up. Suddenly, I heard Helga dragging chairs in the kitchen. I got suspicious so I checked up on her. I saw her on a chair trying to reach something on high shelf.

"Helga!" She was surprised and got out-of-balance. I ran towards her because she was about to fall. I caught her just in the nick of time.

"What were you doing? You could've fell and broken your leg." She slapped my arm.

"I wouldn't have fallen if you didn't scared the sh*t out of me." We stood up.

"What were you trying to reach up there?"

"I was trying to reach the popcorn."

"Well, why didn't you call me to help?" She blushed.

"You were already going through too much trouble. You're my guest." I sighed.

"I know I'm your guest but I couldn't handle if you get hurt again."

"As long as you're there, I won't get hurt." She kissed my cheek. I stood up on the chair and reached for the popcorn. I grabbed 2 bags. I went down and handed it to her. She loaded it on the microwave and we waited.

"Hey Helga.." She looked at me.

"Can I court you?" Her eyes widened and she blushed.

"Yes." Then I hugged her. After a few minutes, the popcorn was done. We went to the living room and sat on the sofa. It was still 8 pm. She pressed play and we watched the movie. Half way through the movie, I looked at her. She was watching intently. I couldn't concentrate on watching the movie because my mind was still processing the fact that the girl of my dreams is here with me. I have so many plans for the both of us. Helga kept jumping from getting scared. And she said that she's not scared. At one point, she grabbed my arm and held onto it really tight. I smiled. She's showing me her true self. The soft and sensitive Helga. About 15 minutes left before the movie would end, I looked at Helga and found that she fell asleep. The movie ended around 9 pm. I carried her up to her room and put her on the bed. But before I could let go, she wrapped her hand around my neck. Our faces were only inches apart.

"Arnold…" She mumbled. She was asleep but maybe she's dreaming. I kissed her nose and took her arms from my neck. I tucked her in and went back downstairs. I called mom and told her that I was staying the night here. She agreed but told me to don't do anything stupid. I told her I won't think of it. She hung up. Now that I was alone, I wanted to squeal like a girl. I'm just so happy. I couldn't explain how happy I was. But I could say that I'm the happiest guy in the world. I laid on the bed thinking…. How should I court her? I thought of all the ways I could court her and when I felt I tired. I went to sleep.

Sunday, April 19

I woke up early to fix Helga some breakfast. I made orange juice, I fried up some bacon and eggs and I set the table. When I heard the door to her room opened, I knew she was awake. I looked at the table to see if there are any mess. The table was clean and all prepped up. She entered the dining room and was surprised to see the table all set.

"Did you do this?" I nodded. She smiled. I led her to her chair and I sat on my own chair.

"This is delicious. Thank you for preparing this."

"You're welcome."

"Wait, why are you still here? Don't you have to go to school?" I shook my head.

"I can't just leave you here." She looked worried.

"Are you sure?" I nodded. She smiled and continued to eat. After breakfast, she volunteered to do the dishes but I refused. I cleaned up the table and washed the dishes.

"Helga, I'll just go home and shower and I promise I'll be back." She agreed and I left the house. When I arrived home, I quickly went to my room and showered. I changed and went down. Dad noticed that I was running around.

"What's the hurry short-man?"

"I have to get back to Helga. She's home alone and she broke her ankle. I'm taking care of her." Dad smiled and whispered,

"Be sure to bring some condoms." I felt my face turned a bright red.

"Dad!" He laughed.

"I'm just joking. Well, you better get going." I nodded and went out the door. I drove to the nearest flower shop and bought her favorite flowers, tulips. I drove to her house and rang the doorbell. She opened the door and I went inside. I handed her the flowers.

"Aww, my favorite. Tulips. Thank you Arnold."

"You're welcome." We went inside. She put the tulips on a vase and brought it up to her room.

"So, what do you want to do today?" I asked her.

"I want to go toooooooooooo a zoo." She said.

"Okay, the let's go." She looked at me.

"For real?" I nodded. Then she smiled.

"Woohoo… Then let's go. Wait, let me get my stuff first." She went to her room and got her stuff. I opened the door to the passenger's seat and let her in. I got in the driver's seat and started the car.

A/N: What's gonna happen to Arnold and Helga's zoo date? Find out on the next chapter. Thank you for reading :)