"Think about it. When it all boils down to it, Helga is a jerk. Story over. Case closed."
"I'm not convinced."
"And have you noticed that she's been even MEANER since you started dating Andrea? She's lost it, man."
"I don't think she's LOST it, Gerald. I think that she is just..."
"Just what?" He asked while crossing his arms.
"Just... being mean for no reason. Like always."
"Alright, then. YOU have lost it."
"No, I haven't. I'm just not convinced that she's crazy. Whatever her reasoning for picking on me is, it is her reason, and none of my business to know."
"You only say that because you know she has a creepy weird crush on you."
"No, she doesn't."
"She told you."
"No she didn't."
He raised his eyebrow.
"Then remind me again what happened on the top of THE roof, hmm?"
"She said something in a moment when a lot of crazy things were happening."
"Mm mm MM. You are more in denial than SHE is."
"Gerald..."
"What? It's true."
I didn't think so.
I frowned as I saw her sit on the porch of her house.
"Helga?"
She turned her attention to me and frowned.
"What do you want."
"Just wanted to know what you're doing."
"Sitting, what is it to you, PAL?"
I took a few steps towards her and smirked.
"In the rain?"
"Yeah. What about it, bucko?"
I walked over to sit by her and put my umbrella over her head to share.
"You're going to get sick."
"So."
"So, once again, why are you out in the rain?"
"I'm thinking, okay?"
"About...?"
"Why do you give a rat's ass, hmm? Buzz off."
I frowned and remained in place.
"And get your stupid umbrella away from me." she pushed my hand away so I was only sheltering myself from the brutal rain that was pouring down. "I don't need your football-headed charity."
I glanced to her and sighed, soon taking my umbrella and closing it. Reaching over, I set it against the trash can nearby and folded my hands in my lap, letting the rain soak me to the bone.
"What are you doing?"
"If you won't use the umbrella... then I won't."
"That's stupid."
"Says who?" I turned to look at her, my tone turning a little sour.
"Says me. Put the umbrella back up and just leave me alone."
"Now who cares?"
"I don't care about you or your freaky shaped head."
"Then why are you so mad at me, hmm?"
She crossed her arms, shielding her chest from the sideways rain.
"I don't need a REASON to be mad at you, Hair Boy."
"Everyone needs a reason to be mad at someone."
"Not Helga G. Pataki." She was shivering now and I took off my jacket to gently set on her shoulders.
"Helga..."
"What? Criminy! Don't you know when to give it a rest?" She shouted, though accepting my jacket without hesitation.
"This wouldn't have to do... with my dating Andrea, would it?"
This made her stall for a moment.
"Wh-wh...what are you TALKING about Arnoldo? Where would you get some kind of sick idea like that?"
"Gerald."
"Should've known it was Tall Hair Boy's idea." Her teeth were chattering now and I was feeling pretty chilly, the breeze making the cold rain even colder.
"Helga, you really should go inside... you're getting sick."
"No I'm NOT. What is your DEAL? Shouldn't you be with Andrea or something already?"
"So it is about her..."
"No it isn't."
"Yes, it is, Helga. Is it because you still... you know."
"I know WHAT." She was practically spitting the words at me and while I knew that she was getting agitated, but I kept pushing.
"Like me."
This got her laughing.
"Like you? LIKE you? Why would I like someone like you? Someone as weird, as crazy shaped headed as YOU? Why would I waste my TIME?"
"You don't have to be so rude."
"But I DO because otherwise, you'll sit here all day thinking you're helping me when you're really not-"
"I'm not doing it because I want to help you. I'm doing this because I want to just because I want to."
"That's a hell of a lame reason."
I frowned and shrugged.
"I just thought maybe you wouldn't mind if I sat by you and talked."
"About WHAT."
"About... things."
She shot me a look and laughed quietly.
"Things? What could you possibly have to tell me about?"
"What do you wanna know?"
I watched as she tapped her chin in thought, shivering almost wildly now, her hair stringy from the rain as it didn't let up.
"I... I wanna k-know... wh-wh-wh..." she paused and took a deep breath. "I wanna know wh-why you ch-chose her..."
"Andrea?"
She nodded her head, her attention focused on the water as it traveled down the cracks in the street.
"Because I like her."
"Wh-why?"
I was starting to shiver pretty bad, and I shrugged through it all.
"Because... she's nice. She...she just... I don't know. I-I just like her."
"Are... are you happy?"
I nodded my head and smiled.
"Yes, I am Helga."
Just then, the door opened, Helga's mom staggering as she stood in the doorway.
"He...Helga? What... What are you doing here? It's raining."
she stood up and crossed her arms.
"D-doi, Mir...Miriam. Br-bright observation."
"Why are you outside, honey?"
"Because you forgot to unlock the door for me after school AGAIN."
That's why she was out here...
"Well... Well come on inside, Helga. You'll get sick."
I stood up and reached for my umbrella, it's shelter from the rain, something I hardly needed.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Helga" She pulled the jacket off of her shoulders and offered it to me, and I simply shook my head. "Keep it. I can pick it up another time when it's dry. I have plenty others." I smiled and started on my way home.
"Hey... Hey Arnold?" She called out after me.
"Yes, Helga?"
"I'm... I'm happy that you're happy."
Her facial expression, though slightly sad, feigned a smile and I sighed with a smile.
"Thank you, Helga."
"Yeah... yeah well don't get used to it, buck...bucko."
I chuckled crossed my arms to keep myself as warm as possible from the rain.
"What...Wh-whatever you s-say, Helga."