Chapter 5: I'm Ready This Time

Arnold was walking to class with Gerald, concerned about what had happened the previous night. Also anxious to get a straight answer from Helga about her reason for being stressed all week.

"So buddy. How's bedtime with Pataki been?" Gerald joked while Arnold began to blush.

"It's not funny Gerald. I think she's stressed because she's worried I won't like her anymore if she doesn't start acting more sensitive." Arnold explained.

"Maybe she does know a thing or two about relationships then." Gerald said wittingly.

"If I just ask her to come out with it, I know she's not going to admit what's wrong. She's too secretive." Arnold sighed.

"Guess you better keep your late night dates then." Gerald winked as the two of them walked into class.

Arnold then sat in front of Helga as he noticed her doodling in her notebook. He was about to ask Helga if she was worried about their date when he heard…

"Alright class, I have your science worksheets for today's assignments. If everyone could take one and pass it back, that would be very helpful." Mr. Simmons said.

Helga looked up from her drawings as she thought to herself Crimity! I have to look at him! What if he asks me something? What if he says I was at his house again? What if…

"Helga? Helga!" Arnold snapped, until she heard her name being called.

"Huh? What! What do you wan...I mean, sorry Arnold." she corrected herself, while the class stared in awe.

After taking the papers, she quickly looked away from him and darted her eyes back to her desk. She wasn't looking to give Arnold the chance to speak with her again.

Once their assignments had been handed in, and the next few classes had passed, it was lunch time. Arnold saw Helga heading for the hallway without looking back at him "Helga! Wait up!"

"What is it?" she asked, hoping not to sound rude.

"I wanted to talk about last night." he replied.

Crimity! I did it again! Oh no! I'm trapped! Stupid football head!

"I can't talk right now Arnold. I have to be somewhere." she said gritting her teeth.

"Helga, we need to talk." he insisted, while following her down the hallway.

Feeling him coming closer, she whipped her head around to say "Why? Why do we need to talk?"

"Because I know why you're acting this way! You told me last night!" Arnold exclaimed with his hands on his hips.

Oh crimity! Me and my stupid sleepwalking mouth!

"I don't recall telling you anything footbal...Arnold." she said irritably.

"See. That right there. You're trying not to be aggressive." Arnold pointed out while Helga couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"So? I would think you would like that." she sighed.

"You obviously don't. You told me last night when you slept walked to my house...again. You apologized for not being sensitive." he explained while sweat began to form on her face.

"Uhhh so? It was probably just something I ate. If you paid attention to Simmons boring lecture, you might have heard the strange things food can do when you sleep." she laughed nervously.

"Helga. You can talk to me. I'm your boyfriend and you don't have to drive yourself crazy worrying about this." Arnold said, crossing his arms.

Helga simply rolled her eyes, pushing him out of her way; the meanest thing she had been to him all week.

Arnold watched her walk off, wondering if she would take his words into consideration.

When classes had started again, Helga was sitting quietly in her seat, trying to ignore the fact that her boyfriend, whom she had been sleep walking to see all week, was sitting in front of her.

As class was starting, Arnold saw he didn't have his calculator for the math test they were about to be given. Helga looked up to hear him mutter to himself Oh no, I must have left my calculator at home!

As she watched her boyfriend search his desk eagerly yet pointlessly for another, she thought to herself perhaps I could give him mine? It would follow well with the next suggestion… OFFER TO GET HIM SOMETHING IF HE NEEDS IT,

Before she could make up her mind, Mr. Simmons was passing out the tests. Arnold turned around to pass Helga back the papers, while she again grabbed them without wanting to make eye contact with him.

Rather than doing a great job focusing on the test, she thought to herself why didn't I give him my calculator...stupid!

Once class was over, everyone handed in their tests, and Helga quickly exited the classroom. Arnold wanted to speak with her again. He knew however it would be best to give her a day to think about what he had told her. It wasn't easy getting things to sink in with her.

Later on that night, Helga was laying on her bed, thinking to herself Oh Arnold, what have I done? What harsh behaviors have I thrust upon our delicate relationship? My need to turn the other cheek on my rage and cruelty has done nothing but lead to chaos and uncertainty.

After a while of self-loathing, Helga reviewed Phoebe's list with disappointment in herself. She once again had blown her chance to show Arnold kindness when he needed it.

Once she at last drifted off, Arnold was still awake in his room. He at that point knew what to expect from his girlfriend. Not long after watching tv in his pajamas with a bowl of popcorn by his side, he heard someone coming through his window.

By then, he knew there was no need to scream their name. As he watched his girlfriend climb down through the window to meet him on his bed, he watched her hand him something.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"It's my calculator. You didn't have one today." she reminded him.

Arnold smiled at the thought of how sweet she was in her sleep. Although he felt bad she was having this problem, and guilty for quite possibly being the cause of it, it was still nice seeing her in this sweet form.

"Uhh thanks. Why don't you sit with me awhile. Just try to get some rest." he offered, laying her head against his shoulder.

While the two sat on the bed together, Arnold continued to watch his movie, stroking her hair with his hand, while she rested her head against his shoulder. He could sense her heavy breathing after not having passed out long after laying against him. When the movie finally ended, he looked over and thought to himself I guess I have no choice but to wake her. My parents will wonder what she's doing here if she spends the night.

Arnold then gently nudged his girlfriend as he saw her immediately shake her head "Huh? What? Where am I?"

"It's okay Helga. You were sleepwalking again. I think you're okay now though." Arnold explained, while seeing Helga's eyes widen with embarrassment.

Without responding, she scurried out the window as Arnold yelled "Helga wait!"