Chapter 5: "Rekindled Romance"

When Arnold got to the park he saw Helga sitting on the bench with her arms cross in an annoyed way, with the same exact scowl she always wears, she honestly looked like she wanted to be anywhere in the world, but there.

"Great she probably doesn't even care what I say to her, she'll just drown me out like she always does. Maybe I should just leave now, and stand her up" Arnold thought. As he tried to walk away he looked back at her, and was shocked at the what he was seeing. Helga was holding out something, something heart shaped and golden. It looked like she was saying something to it. If most people saw the site they would probably laugh at her and call her crazy, but Arnold didn't, he didn't think it was weird, crazy, or creepy, he thought it was, oh what was the word for it? Nice, deep, maybe even beautiful.

Helga put the golden heart in her shirt, and went back to her regular routine. When she spotted Arnold standing next to the park entrance she waves over for him to come over there. As he awkwardly walked over with his arms deep in his pockets trying to keep his eyes away from Helga's, he didn't know why he felt so nervous around her all of a sudden. When he got there Helga glared at him as usual.

"Man Football Head your almost half an hour late" Helga shot at him.

"Sorry Helga I got here as soon as I could" Arnold said.

"I guess it's fine, what did you really need to tell that was absolutely important" Helga asked said in a mocked voice.

"Well, it's been a while since I've had a real conversation with you" Arnold said sitting on the bench next to Helga. "Lets just talk for a while.

"Uh ok" Helga asked raising one side of her eyebrow. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, what have you been doing since the last time we've really, you know, talked?" Arnold asked.

"You mean since we were nine? Well, nothing much. Except instead of my little pink dress I wear this light green shirt and jean, and instead of my old raggedy bow I wear this baseball cap if you haven't noticed" Helga said not very eager about getting deep in conversation.

"How come you don't wear your little pink bow anymore? I always thought it suited you" Arnold said finally making eye contact with her, to show he was telling the truth.

Helga turned a bright pink, but tried hard not to show it. "Thanks Footb… Arnold" Helga said smiling really big. Not a crooked smile or a I really hate this smile like usual, it was a genuine smile.

"You're welcome" Arnold said rubbing his neck and feeling his own face turning bright.

Helga smiled even bigger at his sign of shyness. "Maybe I'm starting to grow on him" she thought. "So what's been going on with you, you know, besides dating the most popular girl in the whole school?"

"Uh nothing really, besides me meeting my little sister for the first time" Arnold said smiling.

"Your little sisters really sweet. I think she's just like you" Helga said smiling.

"Thanks she really likes you" Arnold said laughing nervously.

"So, what's the story? Did she tell you anything about your parents?" Helga asked.

Suddenly Arnold's face fell and it turned pale with sadness again. "Uh yeah, they're…" Arnold took a deep breath "They're gone Helga"

Helga made a sad pitiful face and put her arm Arnold's shoulder. "Arnold I'm so sorry" she said.

As tears fell from Arnold's face. Helga held him even tighter. Putting her head on his shoulder. She felt some tears roll of her eyes as well.

"Why are you crying" Arnold asked curiously.

"Well call me corny, but you're my friend, and I start to cry when one of my best friends cry" Helga said.

Arnold looked up at her, and tried to smile. "Lila would never do for me" he thought. But suddenly he's mine snapped back. "Helga, I'm one of you're best friends?" Arnold asked shocked.

Helga looked at him with her eyebrow raised. "Well yeah of course. I least I've always thought you were you have always been. You've probably have never said anything mean to me, you stood up for a lot when I really didn't deserve it, and I'm sorry for all those times I was mean to you, and you were always so sweet to me and don't know what to say" Helga said.

"Helga you just…. You just reached out to me" Arnold said smiling.

"Yeah… I guess I did" Helga said smiling.

"Helga I need you to promise me something" Arnold said holding her hand.

"Um ok. What is it Arnold ?" Helga asked.

"Promise we'll never drift apart like this again" Arnold said looking at her.

"I promise?" Helga said unsure.

"No Helga say it like you mean it" Arnold said serious.

"I Helga G. Pataki, promise not to drift apart from Arnold" Helga said raising her right hand. "Ok Arnold your turn"

Arnold cleared his throat. "I Arnold P. Shortman, will never drift apart from Helga again" Arnold said also raising his right hand and smiling.

"Ok Arnold if that's all you needed to talk about I guess I'll be going home" Helga said standing up.

"May I walk you home?" Arnold asked eagerly jumping up from his seat.

Helga laughed "Sure Arnold"

As they walked home they laughed and talked to each other. It was so funny how they had so many things in common. When they finally reached Helga's stoop. Arnold stood in front of her and said something he probably thought he'd never say. "Helga, will you go on a date with me?" he asked nervously.

Helga stood at the door for a moment clearly shocked. Finally she jumped up and hugged Arnold around the neck. "YES!" she screamed, making them fall over on the side of the stoop. The good news is the leaves were nice and soft at the bottom and when they hit the ground, but all they could do was laugh.

NEXT Chapter is the date