Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! or Romeo & Juliet, or anything that sounds like I could make some money off of it.

Summary: What If: Mr. Simmons had never done the play in Elementary school? What if he directed it when they were all in High School instead? This is an expanded take on Helga's schemes to kiss Arnold. AxH, slight AU.

Note: As much as I love the episode "The School Play" I have several beefs with it. The fact that they made such a big deal out of the final kiss is rather silly, considering there is more than one scripted kiss in the play. But yes, they were just kids so I let that one slide. But, during the episode, they don't even place the few scenes there are in order! Always drove me crazy.

So, after my most recent viewing of this episode, I was struck with inspiration. A wonderful 'What If' Scenario. This will detail the episode with the gang in High School now (with everything else in their childhood, i.e. FTi, finding Arnold's parents, etc still having happened) with a couple exceptions: Arnold and Helga had never become a couple and Arnold's parents remained in Hillwood.

I wanted to expand on Helga's quest to become Juliet, while also building something up between Arnold and her throughout the preparations for the play.

I hope you all enjoy this 'What If' story!

Previous Chapter's Soundtrack: Vagabond by Wolfmother

Current Chapter's Soundtrack: Highway to Hell by AC/DC

Chapter Two:

"O then I see Queen Mab hath been with you."

First Rehearsal.

The students had been collecting their scripts or had been assigned their tasks, when Simmons called for Arnold and Rhonda on stage. The two made their way towards center stage with their scripts, awaiting their instructions.

"Alright, now before we really proceed with anything else," Mr. Simmons began, "I want to find out how the chemistry between our two leads are." Arnold and Rhonda glanced at each other before looking back at their teacher curiously, "Arnold, Rhonda: I'd like for you to just run through the first dialogue you two have together...kisses and all."

Arnold's eyes widened, "Uh...is this going to be all the time, Mr. Simmons?"

"No, no Arnold just this first take. Just to get an idea of how much natural chemistry you two have.

Arnold, looking noticeably uncomfortable, flipped through the pages of his script to find the correct dialogue, while Rhonda looked more than alright with the situation.

The blond looked at the raven-haired beauty with slight unease before clearing his throat and read the lines in a broken, stumbling beat. Confident, Rhonda read off her lines and when the scripted kiss approached, the two met their lips briefly.

It was clear that there was indeed some good chemistry between the two, and Mr. Simmons clapped in praise, "Very good you two! That will do just perfectly! Now, I want to make sure you each know what's expected of you for this play..."

Helga, watching from off stage, balled her fists as she growled.

As the rehearsal went on, Arnold managed to have some down time and went to find a seat. When he found Helga out in one of the rows, he was surprised and made his way over to her.

"Hey Helga, are you in the play?"

She snorted, "No, I just like wasting my time watching you dweebs attempt Iambic Pentameter."

Arnold rolled his eyes, "Right. I guess I just didn't expect you to be involved in something like this, that's all."

"Yeah, well this shit looks good when you apply for scholarships, and I need all the help I can get."

"What role are you playing?"

"No one, I'm just...helping with the props and costumes and crap like that," Helga sneered up at him, "Now, are you through bugging me, Football Head?"

The young man sighed in aggravation before walking off.

Arnold arrived home feeling exhausted, and wanted nothing more than to go to sleep.

His father wandered down the stairs when he heard him come in, "Hey, son. What's got you home so late? Detention?"

Arnold rolled his eyes at the teasing remark, "No, dad. I had rehearsals."

"Oh," Miles paused to rub his chin thoughtfully, "I didn't realize you had any interest in acting."

"I don't," Arnold replied as he made his way into the kitchen for a glass of milk, "I got...guilted into doing it."

"I see. So, what part do you play?"

"Romeo."

Miles gave a low whistle, "That's...great, Arnold."

The teen shot his dad a slanted look, "Yeah right."

"Who plays Juliet?"

Wiping his mouth, Arnold replied, "Rhonda Wellington-Lloyd."

"How do you feel about that?"

Arnold shrugged, "I guess it could be worse. It's just...Mr. Simmons had us kiss today, and it was really...weird. There's like, four scripted kisses and he was saying we'll probably add a few more...and then there's this whole 'Morning After' scene and it's just...it's really uncomfortable."

"My son...not interested in kissing a pretty girl multiple times," Miles spoke, "You know, most fathers would be a little worried at the lack of interest but...then again, most father's don't have you for a son."

"Real funny, dad," Arnold shot back lightly. He leaned against the counter and sighed, "It's not a lack of interest, it's just...it's weird."

"Well, I wish I could help you out son, but I'm no better at giving advice then my dad."

After the second rehearsal, Helga headed over to Rhonda's with a garment bag. She smirked to herself as she knocked on the door. She had spent all night putting the...dress together, and couldn't wait to show Rhonda.

The door opened and the butler showed her up to Rhonda's obnoxiously large room, "Why, Helga! What can I possibly owe the pleasure of your company to?"

"Save it, Princess," Helga snapped before continuing on in a more casual tone, "I'm just here for your dress fitting."

"Oh! Already? How fabulous, let me see!"

Turning her head to hide the devious smirk, Helga zipped the bag down and revealed the gown.

Rhonda gave a horrified gasp, "What. On earth. Is that supposed to be?"

"Why, it's your dress."

Rhonda waved her hand at it, "No, no, no, no. There is no way I'm wearing that pathetic excuse for a frock in front of people," she crossed her arms as she turned her nose up at it.

"But this is Juliet's costume," Helga started, "and if you're going to play Juliet, you have to wear it."

Still refusing to look at the so called costume, Rhonda stated, "That's where you're wrong, Helga. I'm just going to have to tell Mr. Simmons that Juliet's costume has to be entirely redesigned from scratch."

Helga cringed, "Ooh, gee Rhonda...Mr. Simmons designed this dress himself. If you told him you didn't like it, it would just crush him."

Rhonda faltered a moment before turning away completely, "Well...I simply cannot wear that dress in public. It's. Hideous."

"Well, then I guess you'll just have to tell Mr. Simmons that you hate the dress that he loves and slaved over for weeks," Helga said with disappointment before continuing in a thoughtful tone, "Either that, or, well gee..."

When Helga didn't immediately go on, Rhonda turned to her desperately, "What, Helga?"

"Drop out of the play?" Helga innocently offered.

Hope this is interesting some of you guys! The next chapter should be up in a day or two.

LTWF247