Honestly I have no idea where this is going, and I guess frankly I don't care; as long as it gets me and Arnold together, though my stupid conscience tells me otherwise. For the next few days Helga and I have been meeting up to discuss every detail of our devious plan. We plan to make Lila feel bad about going to the dance Arnold, that was phase one, and really that's all me we have. Its only because every time we start talking it's about how wonderful Arnold is. I mean, he's so nice, and caring about others. And he has this 'look on the bright side' attitude that just makes him so much more wonderful.

I was sitting on my bed just daydreaming about how great the world would be if Arnold and I got together, when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Victoria, it's Lila, I was wondering if you were going to the mall with me today?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it."

"Great! Though I have to warn you Helga's coming."

"Is that supposed to be a problem?"

"No, it's just that, we shouldn't talk about Arnold in front of her."
"Why?"

"Well, I'm really not suppose to tell people this, but she is in love with him."
"Did you invite her to the mall?"

"Well yes, I had to. I told her that Arnold asked to the dance."
"Look Lila, if you knew that Helga likes Arnold then why did you tell her? Honestly that's the meanest thing I have ever heard. I don't want to go to the mall with you anymore." Then I hung up. Phase one complete; after that I called Helga to tell her that we need to come up with something soon.

Later that day Helga had called me, to tell me that she heard from Phoebe who heard from Nadine who heard from Rhonda that Lila wasn't going to the dance with Arnold. And there it was my chance to go to the dance with Arnold. But I felt by that I was going to just betray Helga like that but it's not like we were friends to begin with.

*******THE NEXT DAY*******

The dance was that weekend, and it was only Thursday. I knew that Arnold always walked home on Thursdays. So that day afterschool I walked by Arnold on my way out.

"Hey Arnold."
"Hey Victoria, how's it going?"

"Could be better." I looked down.

"Oh how come?"

"It's nothing."

"No, it'll take too long; you'll miss your bus."

"No, I walk home on Thursdays, because my grandma wants me to pass by and pick up her meat. I'll walk you home."

'oh my goodness, he's going to walk me home!!!!!'

"Yeah sure."

We passed by Mr. Green's market and sat down. "So tell me, what exactly is going on?"
"Well it's just that I can't find a date for the dance, and the dance is this Saturday."
"Oh, that's your problem!?" Arnold was shocked.

"Yeah, it's really hard to find a date this late in the game."

"Well I'll take you."
"I thought you and Lila were going to the dance?" I said; I felt evil saying too.

"Not anymore, she called me and told me she didn't want to go with me anymore."
"Did she give you a good reason?"

"No, just that she couldn't bare the guilt."
"Guilt of what?"
"I don't know, and honestly I don't care. I really did care for Lila, and if she just is backing out on me now then I don't think I can feel the same about her anymore."

I just sat there, feeling guilty, knowing that the reason Arnold's feeling this way is my fault. I couldn't bare the guilt; and if I were to go with Arnold I'd feel even worse knowing that Helga was at home probably dreaming about him. As much as I dislike Helga, I can't bare thinking about it.

"Look, Arnold, as much as I would love going to the dance with you, and you have no idea how much I do, but I can't." His facial expression was just heartbreaking. I could not believe I had just done that, it was like all my time planning was all just a waste of time.

"Why?"
"Look, I think " I can't believe I was going to do this. " I think you should go with Helga."

"Helga?" He was completely confused.

"Yeah, I think she would enjoy it more than I would. Please."
"Yeah, tell I'll pick her up at seven."
I smiled, and for once I actually meant it. After that I went home and called Helga.

"Hey, Helga, I got exciting news."
"What"
"You're going to the dance with Arnold!"

All I heard was silence.

"Helga?"

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, and I'm coming over to help you out." Then I hung up. So it was off to Helga's house it was that weekend, I can only imagine how it will turn out.