A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. With a lot of assignments and things to do, I really haven't had much time to kick back, unwrap, and write a story. But here I am, ready to rock and roll! Thanks to fanfiction user "Anonymous Latina" for correcting me on the restaurant name. "Chez Paris", not "Chef Paris". Anyway, on with the story!
Sleep dragged on for Helga. Beads of hot sweat formed at her forehead, counting the seconds left until the day they would find out who won the drawing. Minutes seemed like hours, and hours seemed like days. Helga glanced at her clock. 3:45am, only 3 more hours until school. She desperately tried to force her eyes to close and for her body to shut down. Eagerness overcame her sleepiness, and something was telling her - maybe her conscience – that Arnold would be in the same state as her…
But he wasn't. Arnold was fast asleep, enjoying every bit of warmth he could get. He was dreaming about Lila, and how perfect it would go at Chez Paris, from her proper etiquette skills to her swift personality and the way she handled situations.
3 hours later, Helga's instinct told her to wake up at exactly 6:45am, even without the alarm. She was in a very good mood. Nothing was going to ruin her perfect day at P.S. 118. Nothing except the results of the drawing raffle and Arnold's decision, if he did win. She got ready, ate her favorite cereal – Pebbles 'n Bits – then ventured off to the city bus, trying to avoid Big Bob's constant complaining and Miriam's dim-witted attitude. While she was walking, she saw Arnold over in the distance, talking to an unknown figure. As she tiptoed closer she saw that the unknown figure was Lila! She trotted quickly so she would be almost 3 feet away from them, trying to be unnoticed.
"… I don't know what I would do with the prize, honestly." Arnold said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Well I think it would be ever-so sweet if someone took me to Chez Paris."
"Oh, well I think so, too." Arnold agreed, feeling glad.
That was too much for Helga to bear. She shoved herself between Arnold and Lila, doing whatever she could to prevent the nightmare from becoming a reality.
"Out of my way, football head." Helga said.
When the bus arrived, Arnold, Helga, and Lila got on, paid their fares, and sat next to their best friends. Phoebe giggled and hid her blushing while Helga pretended she didn't care. Arnold blabbed about Lila while Gerald rolled his eyes and thought about Phoebe. Suddenly the city bus slid to a stop, and the presence of P.S. 118 welcomed them. The gang walked over to Mr. Simmons class, all excited and tense as to whether they would be picked or not.
Before recess, Mr. Simmons set up the suspense as he went to go announce the news.
"Now class, I know you all have been waiting for this special day to occur, and who wins the raffle. Drum roll please, Gerald."
Gerald formed fists with his hands and begun to beat to the desk in a rhythmic motion.
"And the winner… of the P.S. 118 drawing raffle is…"
"WAIT!" Harold shouted, interrupting Mr. Simmons and the suspense. "I have to use the bathroom."
"Oh ok, Harold." Mr. Simmons glumly replied, putting his palm to his forehead.
Minutes later, Harold was back and Mr. Simmons went back to proclaiming the winner.
"And the winner… of the P.S. 118 drawing raffle is…"
"WAIT!" Harold interrupted again, this time with his hands in the air.
"WHAT!" The whole class angrily hollered.
"I need my mommy," Harold whined.
"Oh for heaven's sake, pea brain, shut your trap or else…" Helga threatened, holding a fist to Harold.
"Ok Helga, calm down. The winner of the P.S. 118 drawing raffle is Arnold… the last name is a bit blurry." Mr. Simmons said.
The whole class cheered as Arnold rose to his seat to get the certificate. Helga's heart flushed with hope and fear. What if he chooses me? What if Arnold takes me to Chez Paris and he falls for me! Suddenly the bell rung for recess, and Arnold walked out of the classroom, ready to try to get Lila to go with him. Helga had to find a way to stop Arnold. Suddenly out of nowhere she saw Brainy, heaving and breathing behind her. The gears in her brain coughed and sputtered to life, and suddenly she came up with an idea.
"Brainy! I need you to do something for me. I need you to tell everyone that I am going with Arnold to Chez Paris. Don't ask, just do it! And if you say one word about this to Arnold, let's just say you will have an air tank for a backpack! You got all of that?" Helga spoke, with a grip on Brainy's collar.
"Uhh… ok." He replied.
"Ok. Move it, barf brain!" Helga said. When he was out of sight, Helga felt relief and reassurance that this day wasn't going to be ruined. When she stepped outside for recess, she was delighted to hear the menacing rumor spread throughout the whole class, like butter on bread…
Arnold, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to what was going on, and he approached Lila in a cool manner.
"Hey Lila. I have something to ask you."
"Yes Arnold? I'm oh-so certain it's of importance." Lila said, putting on a smile that put Arnold on a spell.
"Would you like to go to Chez Paris with..."
"Yo Arnold! Whatcha doing?" Sid said, slapping palms with Arnold.
"Well I was just about to ask Lila if she'd like to go with…"
"You can't do that, Arnold! You already said you would take Helga with you." Sid said.
"What!" Arnold cried, having a surprised look on his face. "Why would I take Helga? She doesn't even like me!"
"That's what you said. Everybody's talking about it. You're supposed to take her there at 8:00 sharp." Sid said, sounding calm and casual. Arnold was the one that was freaking out. Lila said, "Well Arnold, if you are going to take Helga, then I better go. That is ever-so sweet, what you are going to do."
Arnold sighed and contemplated the situation he was in. I like Lila, but now, all of a sudden, I have to take Helga with me on a date to Chez Paris. Arrgh! Well, I don't have to, but I don't want to hurt her feelings .Plus, there are times where she can be a nice girl. Man, I wonder what grandpa would say.
After school, Arnold spoke his situation to his grandpa. "So grandpa, what would you do in a situation like this?"
"Well Shortman, remember the story I told you about Gertie and I at the onion-picking contest?"Grandpa asked, scratching his head.
"Yes." Arnold answered firmly.
"Well I think you should give her a chance. You never know, it might turn out good."
"But grandpa, she hates me. She wouldn't even want to be in the same room with me." Arnold said.
"Well, it's your choice. Either go with her, or end up like this spoiled milk sitting in the refrigerator that I'm about to drink."
"Uhh, ok." Arnold skeptically said. After a few sips of the milk, grandpa clutched his stomach. "I think this milk is well past its due date. If you'll need me, I'll be in the bathroom." Grandpa said, sprinting to the nearest bathroom. Arnold walked over to the milk carton and examined the expiration date. Today was October 20th. The milk expired March 21st.
"Oh grandpa."Arnold mumbled.
Meanwhile after school, Helga entered the house in a hopeful mood. She couldn't wait until Arnold would take her to Chez Paris. Big Bob was also in a good mood. "Miriam, guess what? My beepers made a huge sale! We are up 40% more in sales now!"
"Oh… that's just… great." Miriam said in her boring personality. When Helga walked in the living room, Big Bob had a few words to say.
"Olga! Pass me my pork rinds!"
"Coming, Dad. And it's HELGA! H-E-L-G-A!" Helga said, wondering why she was even bothering to correct him. After she got the pork rinds, she went upstairs to try on outfits. Will Arnold like this one? No this one looks better. This one stands out the most. Helga had spent so much time trying on outfits that she didn't even notice the time. 7:43. 17 more minutes!
Arnold heaved a huge sigh and slipped on a tuxedo. He freshened up and got ready to pick up Helga. When he walked and arrived at Helga's house, he was amazed at how stunning she had looked from head to toe. From her glistening coconut white dress, shining in the moonlight to her pearl blue shoes, he was blown away.
"Well, football head, c'mon. Let's get this show on the road." Helga said, trying very hard to mask her happiness and excitement.
"Uhh, yeah." Arnold said.
A/N: Well, I hope you liked Chapter 2 of this story. In Chapter 3 we begin to see changes in behavior, as well as surprising events happening in the restaurant. Stay peeled, and an update will come soon!