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: Kiss With a Fist by Florence and the Machine

Current Chapter's Soundtrack: While We Were Dreaming by Pink Mountaintops

Chapter Nine

"And he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night..."

Saturday Night. City Lake.

Arnold once again glanced up at the sky, tracking the seemingly distant clouds before remarking to Gerald, "I still say its going to rain."

His friend waved him off, "Please, Arnold. Party will be over before your supposed storm gets here."

Arnold merely hummed in response as he tucked his hands into the pocket of his jeans.

"Hey man, I'll catch up with you in a bit. I'mma go talk with my girl."

The blond watched his friend walk off before scoping out the scene across the lake's shore. The Seniors had a party here every year, and it was in full swing. Arnold stopped to chat with a few friends from school, and as he broke off from them Rhonda approached him abruptly.

"Oh, hey Rhonda. Having fun?"

The raven beauty gave a casual, dainty shrug, "If you call trudging around in mud fun, then I'm having oodles of it."

"Uh, well-

"Actually, you're just the guy I wanted to see Arnold."

"I am?"

"Yes, I've been meaning to talk to you about what happened yesterday."

Arnold tensed, though tried to sound casual, "What happened yesterday?"

Rhonda rolled her eyes impolitely, "Oh please, Arnold. Stupidity doesn't become you."

Bristling a little, Arnold replied quickly, "Look, I don't know what-

"I'm talking about the overwhelming amount of sexual tension between you and Helga, Doll."

Arnold sputtered for a few moments before finally managing coherent words, "I think you're being a little over-

"Hardly, Arnold," Rhonda cut off confidently. Shifting on her hip, she gazed up at him through her lashes, "As if that kiss hadn't made it clear enough, certainly watching you two run through the Morning After scene made it glaringly so. My God, it was like watching the beginning to a very bad porno."

"Rhonda."

"What?" She shrugged prettily, "It was. I mean, even you and I didn't have that much chemistry, and I'd like to think we're on pretty good terms. Whereas you and Helga can't seem to stand each other. It certainly explains why the chemistry is so intense."

"I think you're over exaggerating," Arnold replied flatly, even as his face burned with embarrassment.

"You know you really ought to do something about the absurd amount of chemistry, or else it will just be too uncomfortable to watch," Rhonda went on as though she hadn't heard him, "Although, I don't personally recommend screwing each others brains out until after the play is finished. Otherwise all that chemistry could go 'poof'!"

Arnold's jaw had dropped in shock, and he quickly stammered a denial, "Rhonda, are you insane? There's absolutely nothing going on between Helga and I, and there certainly won't be anything like that happening either!" Composing himself a little, Arnold stood up straighter, "And in case you've forgotten this one tiny detail, Helga can't even stand me 98 percent of the time."

Rhonda tilted her head once as she looked up at him slyly, "Helga can hate you until the day she dies, Arnold. That doesn't change the fact that there's obviously some seriously unresolved sexual tension between you two. Speaking of which…" Rhonda trailed off before she brought her hands to his face and pulled his lips down to hers. Arnold's eyes widened in shock as the raven haired teen thoroughly kissed him for several seconds, to which he responded with out of pure surprise.

When she pulled back with a seemingly satisfied smirk, Arnold gaped down at her, "What the hell was that about?"

"If there's one thing I'm truly missing out on from backing out of the play, it's those lips of yours," She replied in that slow, sensual way of hers.

Unable to help that tug of desire, Arnold stuttered out, "What...why did-

"I recall on a few occasions Savannah mentioning just how...thorough you always were," She took a step towards him and lightly trailed her thumb across his bottom lip, "She was such of fan of these, as well. Can't say I blame her." With a final shrug, Rhonda turned around and headed off without another word, leaving Arnold a little stunned and light headed.

Oh yeah, they certainly had some chemistry. Arnold wouldn't deny that.

Turning around, Arnold happened to catch sight of said ex-girlfriend, and he shook his head lightly before heading over.

Savannah was a pretty, petite brunette who had the wonderful ability of making people smile. After being friends all of freshman year, and most of their sophomore year, she and Arnold had started to date. They stayed together until the very end of Junior year, when it was simply a matter of they weren't the right people for each other. They'd shared a lot together, including being each other's first time.

The brunette, currently walking with her current boyfriend Thomas, was someone Arnold cared about very much, despite no longer being together anymore. Although, it was not in any sort of romantic way, and as he approached the couple, he had a brief thought of how happy he was for her before waving to them in greeting.

"Hey Arnold!" Savannah greeted brightly.

"Hey Savannah, hey Thomas."

"How's it going, man?" The dark haired teen asked from beside his girlfriend, offering a genuine smile.

"Pretty good. You guys having fun?"

"Yeah, it's a blast!" the petite teen replied.

"Hey, Thomas, mind if I borrow your girlfriend for a minute?"

The teen shrugged, "Not at all. I'll be over with the guys, okay?" Thomas said to his girlfriend before parting after a quick peck. He clapped an amiable hand on Arnold's shoulder as he past by.

"So, what's up?" Savannah inquired perkily.

"Oh nothing, just wanted to ask a small request."

"Sure! Just name it."

The blonde smirked down into Savannah's wide, doe eyed gaze, "Quit talking about my...performance to everyone in the girls bathroom."

Savannah blushed prettily as she giggled, "Oh, but I haven't! Er...well, not since we broke up anyway."

"Well, whatever you said left...a lasting impression, apparently. I keep getting all these girls talking about my skills as a kisser," Arnold teased.

Savannah laughed, "Whoops! At least I was always nice though, huh?"

Arnold gave the brunette a warm, side hug as he chuckled, "Yeah, thanks."

The party would have gone on for far longer if the skies hadn't decided to open up. Since Gerald had bailed on him earlier with Phoebe, he wasn't around for Arnold to tell him 'I told you so!', which was irritating to no end right about now.

"Ugh, of course I get stuck with the Football Head as my ride home!"

Or, he could be irritated for a completely different reason.

Arnold balled his fists tightly, though he didn't reply to Helga's whining as they both made their way through the downpour towards his single bench pick-up truck. He had somehow gotten stuck with the task of driving Helga home, since a bunch of people had carpooled here, and now he and Helga were basically the only ones still left.

As headlights flashed, and tail lights brightened from the various cars making their way out, the two blondes made their way across the slick ground.

Finally, the two made to the light blue, old pick-up and Arnold quickly unlocked Helga's side before getting in on his. As water dripped down from his blond tendrils of matted hair, Arnold got the keys in the ignition and started the truck up. Arnold fastened his seatbelt and quickly glanced to make sure Helga had done the same, noting that she sat crossly with her arms folded across her chest, before moving the car forward.

"Can't you go any faster, pal?" Helga snapped, pulling the light jacket tighter over the simple tank she wore.

Arnold gritted his teeth, "Only if you want to end up in a ditch, Helga."

Helga rolled her eyes, "Excuse me for wanting to be out of your company as soon as possible."

"Maybe you should've tried a little harder to hitch a ride with someone else then," Arnold snarled as his hands tightened around the wheel in frustration.

"You think I'd still be stuck in here with you if I hadn't?" Helga sneered.

Arnold, thoroughly pissed up, growled in aggravation before pulling off to the side of the rode.

"What the hell are you doing, Football Head?" Helga demanded.

As Arnold unclicked his seatbelt, he muttered, "Dealing with this."

He reached over and unclicked Helga's seatbelt, and she gaped furiously at him, "Oh, hell no! You're crazy if you think I'm getting out of this-

Arnold cupped his hand behind her neck and tugged her forward, covering her lips with his own. His mouth moved heatedly against hers, and after a moment of shock Helga's own returned the action with great fervor. Her hands reached over and gripped his soaking shirt as her other hand could only grasped the arm that was now laced in her wet hair.

Arnold's other hand gripped at her waist and dragged her onto his lap as he continued to kiss her deeply and desperately. Helga wrapped her arms around his neck as she shifted herself to straddle him, moaning as his hands burned the wet skin of her thighs that her shorts didn't cover. In trying to get closer, her backside bumped against the wheel, yet even as the car horn blared, the two didn't cease their actions. Arnold simply reached a hand below his seat, and Helga released a quick gasp as the bench jolted backwards a bit, allowing her better access to press against him.

Settling fully onto his lap, and grinding against him as she wound her fingers through his hair caused Helga to moan appreciatively at the contact. She brought her hands to his face to change the angle of the kiss as she rolled her hips again, catching the low groan from Arnold against her lips.

Arnold brought his hands up to the jacket she wore and tugged it past her shoulders, dropping his lips to the revealed soft skin. Helga bent her arms back a bit, allowing Arnold to pull the article of clothing completely off, before dragging his lips back to hers.

Arnold's hands wrapped around the backs of her thighs, pulling her harder against his growing need. As his hips jerked against her, they both moaned in satisfaction. Arnold dragged a hand up to cup the back of her neck while the other tugged her leg up higher and he lower her down onto the bench.

Helga pulled at the unbuttoned overshirt he wore, the soaking cloth sticking to his slick skin made the task more difficult than it had to be, and Arnold sat up long enough to pull it off himself before lowering himself back over her and kissing her deeply. Helga trailed her hands down his body to his hips, rolling her own against his as she dug her fingers against him, desperate to be as close as possible.

With a groan, Arnold cupped the back of her thigh and dragged it up against his hip as they moved against each other. Her leg wound around his waist and his hand trailed up to slip beneath the fabric of her tank the feel the smooth skin of her midriff dance beneath his fingers.

Arnold's lips trailed from her lips to her jaw, all the way down her neck as his hand trailed up to cup her breast over the fabric of the tank top, to which Helga gave a low, long moan that drove Arnold crazy. He brought his lips back to hers, and kissed her hungrily as her hand tangled and tugged at his hair and the other began to pull on his shirt.

The loud clap of thunder was as effective as a bucket of cold water, and the two immediately ceased.

Arnold and Helga could only stare at each other wide eyed for several long moments, before either of them moved. The two wordlessly righted themselves, and while Helga shrugged the discarded jacket back on, Arnold didn't even bother with his as he started up the truck and began to drive.

The two didn't say a single word to one another the entire trip, and after Arnold had dropped Helga off, he continued home as though in a daze.

When he finally arrived home, he went upstairs and changed into something dry before laying on his bed. As he stared up through his skylight, everything started to click into place.

And as it did, he muttered, "Shit, I'm in trouble."