Arnold leaned against his locker, glancing at his new schedule. Because of his class change, he lost his only class with Lila Sawyer… It was rumored he now had 3 more classes with Helga, as far as he knew... He hadn't seen her today, but he still had 5 classes left to go… He also lost a class with Phoebe, but gained another class with Phoebe and Gerald, so he wasn't too mad. Gerald and Phoebe approached their spot at the lockers with googley eyes and "I'm so in love with you, how do you not know?" written all over their posture and face.
"Hey Guys, sorry I missed the rest of class. Grandma must have put something in my breakfast. Did you get tonight's homework?"
"Of Course, Arnold." Phoebe smiled sweetly to her crush's best friend "I will text it to you after school."
"Okay, thank you Phoebe. Hey, have you seen Helga?"
"No I have not. She did text me and said she would be in 3rd, so we better get going!" Phoebe smiled and lead the way to their class, where there was still no sign of Helga, but they had a few more minutes until the bell rang.
The teacher walked in and closed the door, ready to start class with a fresh piece of chalk. Just as he greeted the class the door swung open to a skinny/curvy blonde girl with curly hair, panting. "Sorry… I'm… Late…" She gasped for breaths, holding out her late note. Because she was panting her face was not visible. Suddenly the bell rang.
"It seems you're not late miss…?"
"Pataki… Helga Pataki." She spoke, still gasping. "So I ran… all this way… for nothing?" she exasperated standing up. The world stopped and the class gasped to see Helga's face. She looked gorgeous… Her make up was natural but definitely put an emphasis on her face, which was now unibrow free, and her eyebrows were tweezed with doctor's precision. Her usual greasy ponytail was down in long beautiful blonde curls, and her frumpy/dingy clothes were exchanged for a pair of black high heels, long white skinny jeans, and a black tank top with a matching pink crop top that not only fit, but enhanced her curves. She also had a new pink bookbag, which was slung over one of her shoulders.
Helga suddenly looked highly uncomfortable, but everybody couldn't help but stare at her transformation. 'Was that REALLY Helga?' Arnold's jaw practically dislocated itself from how hard it hit the floor, and if he was being honest, he was sure he was drooling, just like every other guy in the class. Suddenly a cat-call was heard, and Helga's face visibly reddened… The world suddenly began to turn again "Quit staring at me you dimwitted-nimrods." She stormed over to her seat beside Arnold and buried her face in her arms, as if to fall asleep.
This was so uncomfortable for her. She did not like the attention she was receiving… it was nice to be noticed without having to be a bitch, but really? Cat-calls and staring? It wasn't that big of a fucking deal.
Her phone buzzed
Nice Outfit, Pataki. Glad to see you FINALLY joined the fashionably acceptable side of life. – R. Lloyd
Helga rolled her eyes before putting her phone in her pocket. Her phone buzzed again. She decided to ignore it, and placed her head down on the desk.
Suddenly, there was a note on her desk. She glanced around the room, and noticed Arnold smiling shyly at her and nudging towards the note on her desk. Helga opened it.
Hey… are you okay? - A
Yeah, I'm just not used to all the attention. Why do you ask? – H
Your new look is just random. I was just curious on what caused it. – A
Oh… I didn't like the way I looked… I never really liked my appearance… - H
I'm sorry): I thought you were perfect just the way you were. But im glad you're happy, and you still look pretty. What caused the change now? – A
Olga came home and she knew it was something I wanted so she's gonna be giving me random gifts all week. After school today I'm going to the mall… - H
That's cool. I'm going to the mall today because practice was cancelled. Maybe we could *SCRIBBLE SCRIBBLE* meet up? Unless you want to hangout with Olga? Either way it's cool. – A
Really? – H
Helga looked at Arnold with a curious stare. Arnold smiled at her and turned back to the note.
Of course(: And since you didn't say no, I'm gonna take that as a yes. Meet me at the fountain in the middle of the mall. –A
Uh, Okay football head. Wouldn't it be weird though, us hanging out? Like bully/bullied hanging out? – H
I don't care. I always thought we were friends. Besides, you're being really nice, and I wanted to talk to you about your ballet, if that's okay with you. - A
Suddenly the note was snatched out of Helga's hands. "AH! Miss Pataki! Mr. Shortman! Passing love notes I see? Don't let me catch you passing notes again or I will make you stand in front of the class while I read your notes out loud to the class. Have I made myself clear?"
The teen's nodded, with obvious blushes growing on their faces and decided texting would be better. They exchanged plans through text for the next few classes until 7th period, where they met their new OJT teacher.
Arnold noted that he now had:
2nd, 5th and 7th with Gerald.
2nd, 3rd and 7th with Phoebe.
And
1st, 3rd, 6th and 7th with Helga.
They met their new OJT teacher and went over the rules of the class, followed by class scheduling and their hours sheets. The final bell rang and everyone headed for the bus, except for Helga and Arnold, who managed to have Olga agree to take them to the mall. Olga knew Helga was in love with Arnold, not that Helga had any idea.
The trio reached the mall, and Arnold went to shop while Olga and Helga did their nails. After the girls had their nails done, Olga left to grab Helga new outfits as gifts, and Helga met up with Arnold and they strolled casually around the mall before sitting down to eat.
"I love that they put a Slaucens in the mall." Helga smiled as she devoured her treat.
"You almost look deranged with your mouth covered in vanilla though. Did you get your rabies shot, Helga?" Arnold smiled, teasing her.
"Only every other month." Helga joked back as she wiped her mouth. To Arnold, her laugh sounded like a beautiful jazz song.
Arnold played with his ice-cream for a minute, pondering over how to ask her about ballet "So… "
"I was 3." Helga stated, she knew this conversation couldn't be avoided "My parents made me… Olga couldn't do it because she was the smart one… My parents wanted a boy, so I got stuck with physical activities."
"So you were forced into ballet?" Arnold inquired.
"Sorta… I hated it at first, and tried nearly everything to get out. Finally one day Madame and I had a serious talk. She said any issues I have, I should work out through dance… 12 years later, here I am. Every other girl either quit or moved. Only one other person takes dance with me, and we have a mutual agreement to not tell anybody."
"Oh. So you love dancing?" Arnold smiled.
"Why does it matter?" Helga glanced up with some hair covering her face… for a moment she reminded him of Cecile…
"Genuine curiosity." Arnold smiled at Helga.
"Yes… It's one of the only things that keep me sane… otherwise I would probably still be trying to kill Harold and all the other imbeciles we go to school with. Especially Sid." Helga rolled her eyes. Sid was constantly dogging Helga all day at school with cat-calls, and Helga almost punched him in his goofy face until he ran off down the hall… she would've chased him and reunited his face with Ol' Betsy, but Arnold showed up with his sweet smile and offered to walk her to class, like the gentleman he is. Helga couldn't refuse.
"I'm sorry. I have noticed you've been getting a lot of attention lately. Maybe it will go away soon?" Arnold encouraged her. 'Why do I feel so weird?' Arnold mentally noted he had an unusual feeling in his stomach… he couldn't be jealous of the attention Helga was receiving from other guys… although he had considered punching Sid a few times today. Maybe it was just his gentleman side showing?
Arnold brushed the annoying feeling aside. It was nice talking to Helga and getting to know her, especially since she was being nice. He wished that whatever transformation she had undergone and happened years ago… He liked this side to Helga, and he was grateful she was giving him the opportunity to show him what its like for her to be nice…
Helga continued to talk but Arnold began to mentally wander off into his own thoughts 'She's so beautiful when she talks… She's so alive and passionate… That's what makes her amazing, and that cute laugh!...' Suddenly Arnold was brought out of his thoughts
"Uh… Arnold? Are You Okay?" Helga looked confused 'Why is Arnold staring at me like he's daydreaming? I know that look… He's been giving that same look to Lila since 4th grade…' Helga glanced over her shoulder to see if Lila had appeared behind her or something of the sort… Helga didn't like the idea that Arnold was daydreaming about another girl while out with her… She didn't see Lila or any other beautifully captivating girls around so she decided to brush it off as Arnold just daydreaming, he looked so cute the way he was staring anyways… if she was being honest, the way he was staring at her made her feel like she may honestly have a chance to actually be with him… "No, Quit thinking like that Helga. You're being just as stupid as Harold is if you think that Arnold could ever love you." Helga dismissed her thought process and continued her conversation with Arnold (Now snapped out of his goofy trance and blushing for staring).
Olga finally came back and took them back to Arnold's boarding house to do some homework together.
"So… does this mean we are friends?" Helga said timidly sitting on Arnold's bed.
"Why wouldn't we be? We've known each other for years, Helga." Arnold smiled at her as he sat in his computer chair, finishing up their last homework assignment.
"It's just… I've never really been nice to you until today and I just…"
"Helga, I understand. We haven't had the most normal friendship, but I do consider you a really good friend. Its not like it should be a secret or anything."
"I know… Its just really complicated, and a bit strange. Everyone is going to flip their shit when they find out."
"Then let them. We're friends now." Arnold sat down next to her and smiled at her.
Helga smiled back "Okay, Football Head."
Sorry this chapter is sorta bleh, but I'm really tired. I will be updating soon though so until then much love. - XOXOX