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!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'd REALLY encourage you all to take a listen to this chapter's song, as it is the main theme of the play. I heard it during the trailer for the new Romeo and Juliet movie, and I think it's pretty good.

Previous Chapter's Soundtrack: Lonely Day by Phantom Planet

Current Chapter's Soundtrack: Skin by Zola Jesus (Main Theme)

Chapter Six:

"...And though I am sold, not yet enjoy'd"

Rehearsal.

It was the beginning of the third week of rehearsals, and with the night of the play the following Friday night, most of the play was coming together.

Except for, that is, the main focus of the play.

That whole romance part.

Arnold had been putting in a valiant effort to at least try and seem attracted to Lila, but all that came through was a very flat performance.

Lila, while not a bad actress, did not appear able to seem as though she were interested in Arnold either. However, it was only so glaringly obvious because her counterpart was so completely bad at acting.

They were currently running through the balcony scene, with Arnold nervously clinging to the ladder as Lila ran her lines.

"'I will not fail. 'Tis twenty year till then.'" Lila paused and tilted her head endearingly, "'I have forgot why I did call thee back.'"

Arnold cleared his throat a little before replying unsure, "'Let me stand here till...' Uh- 'till thou remember it.'"

Lila sweetly clasped her hands together with a sigh and rested her elbows on the balcony railing, so that her and Arnold's faces were a few inches apart, "'I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, remembering how I love thy company.'"

Acutely uncomfortable at the close proximity, Arnold shifted his eyes to anywhere but hers as he recalled the next line, "Uh...'And I'll still stay to have thee still forget...,' Um-" Arnold glanced down at his script, and spouted off the next line quickly, "'Forgetting any other home but this.'"

"''Tis-

"Alright, now there..." Mr. Simmons spoke up as he jotted down a note on the script, "Right before that line would be the perfect place for a kiss. Arnold," the teacher looked up to where the lead role was, "Try hard to remember these lines need to be full of longing, alright?"

The blond sighed, "Right."

Later, Gerald caught a quick break and went in search of his best friend. He found Arnold off in a corner backstage, lying on the floor with his script covering his face.

"Mm-mm-mm! Arnold, my man...you look pathetic."

"Let me wallow in peace, Gerald."

The teen rolled his eyes at the monotone response, before bending down and swiping the script up. He looked down at his friend with a raised brow, "Sit up, bro. You're embarrassin' me."

With a sigh, the teen sat up, "I don't know how much more of this I can stand, Gerald."

"What's the big deal, man?" the African American asked with a shrug and sat down beside Arnold, "I mean, Lila is probably one of the most attractive girls in school. I don't understand why this is so hard for you?"

"Well, I don't either!" Arnold snapped in frustration. With a grunt, Arnold pushed himself up from the floor, "You think I want to be this uncomfortable all the time? Look, I know Lila is pretty but there is just nothing between us! I dread my scenes with her." Leaning his forehead against the wall, he sighed again, "What the hell is wrong with me, Gerald?"

"Man, nothing's wrong with you!" Gerald lept up and laid a reassuring hand on Arnold's shoulder, "I didn't mean to upset you. You were right, you can't just...force this sort of thing."

"Gerald...this isn't getting any better," Arnold looked over at him with exhaustion and worry, "The entire school play is going to be ruined all because of me. I'm going to embarrass myself in front of the entire student body in less than two weeks!"

Gerald was silent for a few moments before replying thoughtfully, "Well hey, look on the brightside, Arnold! In a couple of months, you probably won't ever see most of these guys ever again!"

The blond shot his friend a slanted look, "I think you ought to leave the 'looking on the brightside' thing to the professionals."

That night, Arnold was sprawled across his bed attempting to relax, when someone knocked on his door.

Arnold frowned, "Who is it?"

"Helga. Now, hurry up and open the door already before I bust it down!"

Arnold let out a lengthy groan as he got up and opened the door, "What are you doing here, Helga?"

Shoving past him, the blonde made her way over to the desk and pulled from her tote bag a laptop. Sitting in the chair, she powered it up, "Unfortunately, I need your opinion on what I've got for the main theme song for the play."

"Why should it matter what I think?" Arnold inquired while rubbing his eyes.

Helga turned and offered him a look that clearly stated she thought he was stupid, "You're the lead role in this play, Football Head. If you don't...feel the music, then everybody might as well just go home." She gave a slight lift of her shoulder as she turned back to the laptop, "However, I don't think there's anything that could save the play from the blandness between you and Lila, but at least the right music could distract from it a bit."

Annoyed, Arnold rolled his eyes and snapped, "Why don't you bother Lila about this then? She's the lead, too."

Helga snorted, "Oh, puh-leeze Arnold. Lila wouldn't get this. This music should evoke passion! Little Miss Perfect wouldn't know what that sort of passion is, unless it was shoved right up her-

"Oh, come on Helga! You're over exaggerating," Arnold huffed as his cheeks went bright red, "Lila would get the point of this just as well as I would."

The teen turned and gave him a skeptical look, "Even if that were true, Romeo...there's more to it than just knowing that sort of passion exists, and then having experienced it for yourself."

Arnold shifted uncomfortably, "Well, what makes you think I have any idea what that's like?"

Helga raised a brow, "When you and Savannah dated Junior year, while she never spilled any dirty details, she certainly...implied there were plenty of very dirty, satisfying details."

Arnold flushed a deeper shade of red as Helga smirked wickedly at him. When she turned back around, he glared and crossed his arms, "Alright, then if that's the case...how do you know so much about it?"

Helga's head whipped around, and though her cheeks were a deep pink she scowled, "None of your business, Football Head! Now, let's just get on with this so I can get out of here."

"Please," Arnold gestured with mock interest.

Helga rolled her eyes as she turned to the screen again, "I found a bunch of tracks that's from trailers and stuff for most of the play and I've already edited most of it to fit in with the timings of the scenes," she rattled off as she pulled up a folder, "But I found this one track that I think is perfect for the play. It's not...romantic per say, which is why I think it's very fitting. I mean, it's not exactly news to anyone that Romeo and Juliet is a romantic tragedy. The song is almost...painful, and it makes it rather beautifully ironic, if I do say so myself."

"I'll take your word for it," Arnold remarked a little flatly as he leaned his hands onto the desk.

"Right," Helga cleared her throat and faced the screen again. After a double click, chords played by a piano flowed through the speakers, "I'm picturing this part being played right before Romeo sees Juliet for the first time," she closed her eyes to see the vision clearer, "Right...there, that's when he looks across and sees her."

Arnold was about to retort, saying if she wants him to actually hear the song, she ought to be quiet, but he glanced down at her and the words died on his lips.

Her eyes were closed, and her face was slightly tilted up as she took in the music. His heart tripped in his chest, but he didn't really notice as Helga was still talking, painting pictures of the scenes with the music.

"Mmm, I'm think I'll loop the beginning with the chorus here for the balcony scene. It'll call for a couple pauses, but nothing will interfere with the dialogue." Helga continued to describe the various scenes, unaware Arnold really couldn't hear a word she was saying at this point. Had he ever seen her face so...unguarded? In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but notice that it was one of those rare times he got to see the real Helga. Although, lately, the sightings hadn't been all that rare. The music was coming to a close, and Helga gave a small hum, "I'm pretty sure I'd play the same segment from the first meeting for the crypt scene, and then loop it with the chorus. Mashing them together for the two deaths, I think will be good." Helga opened her eyes and looked up, "So, what do you...think."

Her voice had trailed off, and Arnold saw her eyes widened a little in surprise. He heard her small intake of breath at the same time he felt his stomach flip.

They were close. Too close.

Arnold's mind was screaming to back off, but his body was frozen. His eyes were stuck on Helga's, and her's were probably the bluest eyes he'd ever seen. Their color was deep like sapphires, and cloudy with something that made Arnold's muscles quiver. Her gaze quickly shot from his eyes, to his lips, and then back up again which only made Arnold do the same.

Were they even closer now? How could they possibly be closer, and not even be touching?

The whole encounter felt as though it had dragged on forever, but when the deafening sound of a car backfiring cut through the silence, Arnold had realized it had only been a few heavy moments.

The two jolted to their senses, and avoided any eye contact. Helga swiftly turned and powered down the laptop as Arnold took a generous step backwards.

"Um, I think it's good. You should definitely go with it."

"Great, thanks Arnold," Helga stammered in a rush as she shoved the laptop into her bag, "See ya later."

As the door shut behind her, Arnold let out an uneven breath.

Either Helga was right, and that song pulled every ounce of passion out of him...

Or, there was something seriously wrong with him.