It Wouldn't Be So Bad Chapter 10: Arnold, a hey arnold fanfic

"Well this day is getting more interesting man," Gerald chuckled as he knotted his hands in his red sweatshirt. It apparently was something that his mother had given him for the new-coming chilly weather that October always brings. And, best of all – it had his signature 33 on the front. Somehow Arnold couldn't really see his best friend without that number (except for their sleepovers and special occasions). But he shook his head from thinking about the trademark as they walked to the auditorium with the class.

"What do you mean?" The blonde was curious because he wasn't paying attention throughout the day already. All he could think about was the blue spiral notebook that he held in his hands that he refused to let go of. There was just this sudden, yet small, fear that he could lose it before English – which he really needed it. There were about five to six pages written on both the fronts and backs of each paper! Desperate as it seemed, he had to try and win the writing competition. This was truly a gift for this kind of opportunity. If he did win, he'd be happy for the chance. If he did go to San Lorenzo and find answers he'd be thankful.

If he found his parents and they were alive…Well he wasn't quite sure on how to take it. If this really did happen, he knew that he would have to go against his grandpa's wishes of keeping the journal at the boarding house. He needed it because it was the only way. But he put aside his thoughts for the time being.

Gerald shrugged with a smirk as he stared ahead like he really was Pop Daddy himself. "So far, you have this awesome essay that you've pretty much already written completely," his eyes shifted down at Arnold, "We only have the easy classes today, and now we get to watch Helga screw up at singing! Hmmm, hmmm, hmm!" His head leaned back laughing.

The funny thing was Arnold wanted to laugh too. It was very unlikely that Helga ever possessed any real talent in the arts. Yeah, Helga had some gifts, but they were mainly athletic in football and baseball. And there were moments that she was showed she was intelligent in class. Plus, he thought her new hairstyle (even though it was most likely temporary), was kind of nice. He only chortled quietly and looked away. "Haha, yeah." He didn't want to think about her badly, but that thought of her actually singing any words was entertaining.

Then, because he and Gerald were facing different directions, Harold's grunts surprised them. It sounded like it was around the right corner to the theater. "Wow," as they ran down the hall, "I guess we were that far behind huh?" His heart pounded and he had to breathe through his mouth a bit since it was a long hallway, but still. "Could it be any closer?" His hands wrapped the book around his chest. Gerald didn't respond. He only nodded as they could see their larger classmate push the door that wouldn't open.

The others were behind Harold. Well, all except Helga of course. She kept shaking her head side to side as she stood next to him. "Move it Pink Boy!" She shoved him to the right as he crashed landed into the wall and fell on the floor. Even with her hair practically down her back she still was menacing as usual. Arnold and Gerald slowed down a few feet away behind Eugene and Sid at the back. Gerald shouted, which kind of hurt the boy's ears. "Hey Helga, what are you? The hulk?"

"Ow! Come on Helga," he shoved the rubber snake into his pocket and glared at her, "What the heck did I do?" Harold continued to rub the back of his head with his other hand while Helga turned to him and Gerald. Arnold stared down for a second and gulped. Her fists were clenched. Sweat started to drip his face. She was not happy. Not good. He looked up at her. "First of all Hair Boy, the idiot over there needed to learn a lesson he should have known for the past few years," Helga glimpsed at the boy now standing beside her, "It's called Pull and Push." She emphasized her point. Arnold's eyes narrowed. The way she handled her problems….

He stepped forward in front of the rest. "Yeah Helga, why didn't you just tell Harold to pull the door open?" He crossed arms, waiting for an answer. He didn't really believe that he'd get much out of her, because he tried so many times before, and she never let up often. If she did, she'd cover up her ego the next day as if what happened between the two of them never occurred. Arnold never understood why she did that.

And honestly he didn't really care. This was a day by day thing, but the writing contest was still on his mind. That and helping Harold of course.

She crossed her arms too as the other students only cared to get inside. An argument between him and Helga was nothing new. But, obviously, seeing Helga perform was interesting. Curly, pulling the other door and running in wildly, "Come on! This is crazy! Let's just see Helga sing! We all have bets, so just shut up already!" His footsteps could be heard going down as he went for the stage.

But as everyone else followed (even Gerald who seemed to not want to be a part of this and Arnold understood why of course), Arnold ran quickly to stop Helga from getting inside. He wanted an answered. Why was her normal behavior still a mystery after so long? He wasn't sure. However, his determination was strong as he held the sides of the door with his hands. Arnold frowned in her direction. And Helga's eyebrow creased when she turned and saw him standing there in shock. "She must have not noticed that the others moved, even myself. But how couldn't she?" It didn't make much sense.

Here she and he were. Arnold was actually stopping Helga G. Pataki! He could feel the sneer grow on his face the longer she stared at him for a minute or so. There seemed to be confusion…and fear. It was short lived, however with a slow grin forming, when her eyes looked beside him. Confused by her sudden attention, he too glanced to his left. His gaze too was wide. "Man, I forgot about the other door!"

"Oh, there you guys are!" Arnold instantly dropped his arms as both he and Helga saw Mr. Simmons with his briefcase and Phoebe walk to them. Their teacher was behind the girl, who seemed to have red eyes. She sniffled. It was clear that she was crying. The boy started to reach out with his hand, wondering what was wrong. But no words could come out. He'd never seen Phoebe cry before. She was either calm and collected…or as rash and defensive as Helga. Mr. Simmons patted her shoulder as he walked to the door.

"Come in with me Arnold," he spoke quietly as he went in leaving him more confused as his lowered his hand. He carelessly walked backwards into the room for the first few steps as the door slowly shut. The last thing he saw was Helga and Phoebe having some sort of moment. They really were best friends. "It seems rare that friends can talk without words."

Helga walked to her friend as the other shed a few more tears. Truthfully, Arnold was convinced that he should go out and help. But something held him back. "Wait a minute; Phoebe was upset when Helga didn't show up just yet," he thought as he turned to the stage, "I guess it couldn't hurt to stay out of this one." And to think a few minutes ago, he wanted to go all Bruce Lee on her (well almost). He smiled at the caring friendship those two had.

The auditorium was actually a lot darker than how it was normally during their other classes. It must have been set at its' performing lighting with there being a spotlight. He made his way up on the stage along with the others – who were all just as confused as he was even with Mr. Simmons in the room. The floor creaked and curtains were dusty. It almost reminded Arnold of the Circle Theater that was almost knocked down last year. Only there were rows of seats instead of tables and chairs. Their choir stands weren't there since it would be single performances. But the piano was now off to the right side instead of on the floor.

Everyone was talking in circles as they randomly walked across the stage, so nothing could really be heard but rambles. But that didn't stop Curly, as usual.

"Where are we supposed to sit? On the floor? I'd rather die! It's so disgusting!" Rhonda wailed with her eyes shut. Arnold chuckled as he saw Curly make his move on her, trying to guide her to the seats in front. He had his hands behind her back. "Come on my princess, let us sit down together as we watch Helga make a fool out of herself. At least, even if it is dark, that the school would keep the seats clean. And we'd get to sit next to each other."

She pulled and ran down the steps to a seat close to Gerald in the center section. "He must have been waiting for me." Arnold smiled as he went to sit next to him. His friend saw him and put his thumb out for Arnold. He gave the thumb back himself as they gave their secret handshake instead of talking. Hearing everyone else talk was more entertaining than any conversation Helga-related (since he stayed back to try and talk to her). Scooting around Gerald, he took a place to his left.

"Ewww… Get away from me Curly! You are so gross! Nadine!" The girl continued to shout for her friend. Luckily, Nadine had heard her and went to the seats as well to help her calm down from one of Rhonda's "Curly raids". As she ran passed their teacher, he frowned and looked to the stage. "Curly," he scolded, "I told you to stop bothering Rhonda. I'm sorry but I'll have to give you a detention." He set down his case on the desk in front of the stage.

Curly jumped off and almost landed in front of Eugene (who couldn't go and perform today with his injury with a sad face) and Sheena who was trying to console him. "Ah Eugene it's-" He almost flew back from the unexpected of their classmate. Sheena shrieked, "Curly! Don't do that to Eugene! He's too hurt to get hurt again!" He kept on trying to breathe evenly until he was able to wheeze out "I'm ok."

Gerald whispered to Arnold. "Wow, I never thought Sheena would be that mad at anyone ever! She hates violence almost as much as you do man." Wow, Arnold never thought about that before. He's seen her in school helping out Eugene because it was obvious that she like-likes him so much. And she did seem to be that sort of person who likes to help and not hate. "I wonder why I don't talk to her more often. She pretty much just hangs out with Eugene. Even though she has the rest of us, how well do we really know her?" Arnold had to admit that it would be nice to have a better friendship with Sheena.

"Well, I'm sorry Sheena," as Curly bowed, "But I'd rather have my last leap before I'm pummeled into oblivion."

Mr. Simmons stared at Curly from the table. "Curly, I assure you that detention won't kill you." He shook his head as he turned back to the papers and switched on a small lamplight.

The boy walked up to him as the others slowly gathered back to the floor and to the other seats asking for a show. Curly vs. the Teacher. "That would be a good Wrestlmania episode. In speaking of which -" Arnold laughed a bit for no reason, especially wondering where Helga and Phoebe were. Harold, Stinky, and Sid tapped him on the shoulder in confusion. Even Gerald had to give the blonde an arm-nudge. "Hey, Arnold? Are you ok man?"

He started to calm down, a bit. Eyes half lidded, he turned to his best friend, and ignoring the other three boys, with a light blush on his face. He ran his fingers along the notebook spiral. "Oh, I'm sorry Gerald," Arnold smiled, "I'm fine. I was just wondering-"

"Well I don't care! I'm not doing it!"

"Please Helga! You were going to do it anyway! Even Mr. Simmons wants you do it!"

"Yes Helga. I'm ever so sure everyone else would love for you to perform." She and Phoebe sat in the back row, probably to help Helga when she left.

"Yeah! Only to make stupid bets on me. Please!" Helga turned her back (since she was walking backwards).

Everyone, including Arnold, turned to see Helga stomping down the aisle of the auditorium. But there was something different about her. Her hair was still in its ponytail, but…

"Wow Helga, what got you? The Rhonda bug? Hahaha!" Harold laughed as she scowled back. And it was true, as his dim blush stayed on. He could feel that his face was warm, but he dismissed it to being the fact that there wasn't any air conditioning.

But no one could stop staring at her. In a deep navy tank top with silver mini jewels, a pink leather jacket, and black dress pants, the Helga on the outside was no more – at least to Arnold. "I never knew that she could look that nice." The Helga on the inside was something else however.

His hand unconsciously grabbed the book tighter in his lap.

"Watch it Pink Boy! I have not nor will ever be like Rhonda-loid over there. " She rolled her eyes as she stood by the stairs tapping her foot at Mr. Simmons. He was sitting at the desk checking on some paper work. She knew that he would let them figure it out when they got out of his control this year. However, she still had to ask.

"Hey, Mr. Simmons?" Setting down his pen on the stack, he looked up and smiled. "Yes Helga?" He folded his hands. She sighed. "Well, before these idiots get really out of control with making their stupid pointless bets, I would like to get this over with." She pointed to the piano. Arnold, as he stared, everyone else was quiet all of a sudden.

All bets had been made and now the time had come to see who won and who lost. Arnold was just naturally curious, especially when he could see his teacher's posture change in a good way. He was just as excited as the rest of them. "Ah, yes you can go first. I think you would be a good example for the class."

"That's if she doesn't blow off our hearing!" shouted Sid.

None the less, no one talked. Even Harold hushed him from behind Arnold's head. Harold – Harold telling someone to be quiet? "He must have bet more money than I thought."

They all watched, he stared, as she walked to the table. The light reflected her actually soft features, playing with her pale skin and blonde hair. The boy was almost, almost half lidded. Mr. Simmons had simply handed over the sheet of music and a CD. "Now, Helga, you'll be doing a pop song. And I understand why you are allowed to use the piano. But you really made a CD of music as well? Wouldn't that be a problem?" He asked warily.

Helga stepped back and up the steps as she yelled, concealed by darkness as she set up the CD by the piano. "Yeah, yeah. It'll be fine! Hey Brainy! Move the lighting over here! I can't play if I don't have light!"

Brainy, having no desire to say anything let alone wanting to sing, had opted to choose controlling the lights instead. Without warning, the lights all were off with the exception of the spotlight and Mr. Simmons desk.

They were all in the attendance of a Helga G. Pataki concert.

He gulped as she sat down, the hand almost crushing the notebook as the jewels from her shirt sparkled. He whispered to Gerald. "Any bets?" His friend smiled and whispered back. "All bets with Harold are made with five dollars. Unless you wanna?" He smirked.

Arnold shook his head. "I'd rather stay out thanks."

Helga pulled the sheet from the top of the piano and set in front of her. After pulling out the attached microphone so her voice could be heard, her left hand reached down and pressed the play button on the CD player. It stayed silent for a moment as she let her fingers gracefully touch the keys.

Little ticks could be heard from the player.

"You gave my back shirt back, I don't really get the meaning
It's like you're givin' up before it all goes wrong
I've been told, I don't really like the feeling
I've been away, I've been away too long
I wanna go wherever you are, I wanna be wherever you
I wanna sleep wherever you are"

Her voice was so soft, so incredibly soft that his jaw dropped a bit. Not as much as everyone else though. Helga could actually sing like this?

"You said love, is a fragile thing, made of glass
But I think you're heart is a muscle
You're heart is a muscle
You gotta work it out
Make it stronger
Try for me, just a little longer
Your heart is a muscle, your heart is a muscle"

She put so much strength in her voice, so much beauty. It was almost as if she was speaking these words from the heart – even though the song was assigned. Even the CD seemed to have recorded by her.

"Your heart is a muscle
Your heart is a muscle"

She leaned in closer to the piano, almost hesitantly as she looked at everyone - but him. He could tell somehow that she wasn't feeling alright up there.

"If I can turn this plane around
I'd fly to where you are right now
Write your name into the sky
Hope that it'll light up your eyes"

"She really sounds like she means something more." He thought. Although nothing came to mind.

"We can move, or spend the night alone together
You're real good listening, but you don't have much to say
Wake up you you won't pick up the phone whatever
You're probably sleeping, I hope you're still ok"

She hid her face, not facing everyone all together.

"I wanna go wherever you are, I wanna be wherever you
I wanna sleep wherever you are"

She was gentle and he just let her sing. "She's really being herself right now. Why can't she show this side to her?" He smiled.

"You said love is a fragile thing, made of glass
But I think your heart is a muscle
Your heart is a muscle
You gotta work it out
Make it stronger
Try for me, just a little longer
Your heart is a muscle, you're heart is a muscle"

"Your heart is a muscle
Your heart is a muscle"

"If I can turn this plane around
I'd fly to where you are right now
Write your name into the sky
Hope that it'll light up your eyes"

It took a strong turn, and her beautiful voice slowed down.

"Your heart is a muscle
Your heart is a muscle"

"If I can turn this plane around
I'd fly to where you are right now
Write your name into the sky
Hope that it'll light up your eyes"

He, Mr. Simmons, Lila, and Phoebe were the only ones who clapped. And even though everyone was in shock by what she had done, he wasn't. She had talent.

Helga pushed herself out of the bench and stood up with a blush. "Uh, thanks I guess." She actually smiled a little at them, making Arnold happier.

But unexpectedly, as she faced him, she panicked. Stepping back, she gathered the sheets of music and brought it down to the front desk. "Here you go Mr. Simmons. Can," she stuttered, "can I go to the nurse's office? All of that singing in, in the spotlight made me a little dizzy and dehydrated." She laughed a bit.

He was suspicious, but let it slide in understanding. Even Arnold knew Helga went beyond her comfort zone for now. "Um sure Helga. Go ahead. "

She didn't say anything as she went up the aisle with Lila and Phoebe behind her. And no one said anything else. That was until…

"Hey you chuckleheads! Give each other the money you bet to each other already! Sheesh! This silence is driving me crazy!" And then she left with the other two.

Arnold shook his head. "Whatever you say Helga."

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SONG. "YOU'RE HEART IS A MUSCLE" GOES TO CARLY RAE JEPSEN. AND IN CASE IF I HADN'T SAID IT YET – I DON'T OWN HEY ARNOLD!