*Arnold's POV*

"A-Arnold?!"
Her voice still sent shivers through me despite what I had decided in the car. I didn't want to get caught up with Helga G. Pataki. I didn't need heartbreak.
But now that I was here, in her presence, I started to doubt my decision. I can't believe I ever thought I didn't love her.
Because how could I not?
But then again, I can think of reasons. I don't think I can forgive her. So much for forgive and forget.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize that I was falling out the window until I hit the floor.
Ouch.
I got up, dusted myself off, and gave her a half smile despite myself. She just stared at me in disbelief.
Damn, she's beautiful.
I stared back, mesmerized. Until Harold came tumbling in and knocked me over.
"Harold! Are you okay?!" Pattie practically ran over me, trying to help him. Why don't they just hook up already?
I got up for the second this evening and walked to the window to pull Stinky in. Meanwhile, Rhonda was whispering, "Guys, shut up! My nanny will kill me if she hears us!"
Sid beamed, "So we can stay?"
Rhonda shot a quick glance at Curly and said, "Of course. But you have to be quiet or I'll shove my foot up your ass, Sid."
Sid sighed and sat down by Nadine, "Promises, promises."
Somehow, we all managed to sit in a circle on the floor. I tried my best to stay away from Helga and it seemed she was doing the same. We ended up a few people away from each other.
"So, what are we supposed to do now?" Phoebe asked.
Rhonda looked around and her gaze lingered on Helga, "Well, we can't really continue with what we were doing before with the guys here…"
"What were you doing?" Eugene spoke up.
"NOTHING!" Helga suddenly blurted out, causing everyone to look at her. She glanced around, not meeting my eyes and said, "I mean…girl stuff. You wouldn't wanna know."
"Oh, I bet." Sid laughed.
BANG, BANG!
"What the hell?" Gerald jumped up.
Rhonda shot up and went to look through the peephole in her door. Why the hell would you have a peephole in your bedroom?
She gasped and turned around, "Boys, hide! It's my nanny!"

*Rhonda's POV*

Please don't hear them. Please, God, don't let her hear them.
The guys were making way too much noise trying to shove themselves under my bed. I mean, it can't be that hard to get under there.
I reluctantly opened my door and faced Nanny. Oh Lord.
"Hey, Rhon. How's the sleepover going?"
The girls were sprawled on the floor, pretending to play a card game. I glanced back at them, "Pretty okay. What's up?"
Her gaze lingered on my bed and I started to sweat. SWEAT!
"I was just going out for a drink so I may be gone for a while, if you know what I mean."
A snicker came from somewhere in the room. Shut up, Sid.
Nan chose to ignore it and continued, "And you know that your parents are out of the town so be responsible, will you?"
I nodded, "You can trust me." Yeah, right.
"Okay." She took a look round the room again, "And no boys, right?"
I nodded swiftly, "Of course, love. Have fun."
She smiled slightly, "Oh, I will."
Then she walked out and I shut the door, sighing in relief.
"Thank God."

*Helga's POV*

Well, this is just great. The whole time Rhonda's nanny was at the door, I was silently praying that she would search the entire room and find the boys. Sure, we would probably be sent home and I would have to face Big Bob but I'm not sure which I'm scared of more.
Facing Big Bob's rage or spending a night with Arnold.
And now, we're alone! We have control of the whole house—or rather, mansion. And Rhonda immediately took that for granted. Soon, couples were split up, each in a different room.
And that left me and Arnold alone. Oh, and Stinky.
The only single people.
Except, I can't deny the fact that if I hadn't have slipped up then I possibly wouldn't be single and I would be a room with Arnold like all the other couples.
Criminy.
Rhonda had a radio in her room so Stinky turned it on to 'entertain us' but in reality, I was bored—and terrified—out of my mind. The only thing that I wanted to do was sitting across the room, fiddling with a crossword puzzle.
Oh my God, did I just say that I wanted to do Arnold?!
WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO ME?
I mean, I'm not saying I don't want to do Arnold but how can I want to do him when he obviously doesn't want anything to do with me at all? I can't just fantasize about him my whole life!
How can he be so attractive? With that stupid hair. That stupid blue hat. His stupid skirt that actually turned out to be an oversized shirt. His beautiful eyes and smile. His certain way of making you feel special without even trying. The way he talks and walks and—UGH.
"Uhm, Helga? You alright?"
I glanced up at Stinky and realized that I had been muttering to myself. Great, now Arnold thinks I'm crazy. That's one more thing to make him not like me.
Stinky went back to messing with the radio and Arnold got up and sat closer—if closer means ten feet away—to me. He looked at me, probably thinking of what to say.
Finally, he spoke up, "So, Helga. How's life?"
Suddenly, everything came rushing back. When I first saw him after moving back. How he had hugged me like he actually missed me. When he helped me up from that fight with Ruth. When he cleaned me up. How he kissed me and said that he loved me.
All that came back, but also something else came back. How he left me alone in his truck after the worst morning of my life. How he seemed to completely abandon me when everything was falling apart.
And now he's asking how's life?
"How's life?!" I yelled, "What do you mean 'How's life'?!
He scooted back, "H-Helga, what's wrong!?"
I threw my hands into the air, "Everything, Arnold! Everything's wrong in my life apparently!"
His mouth dropped open, "What do you mean?"
I glanced at him and saw his concern. Way to make me feel bad, Arnoldo. I sighed, "Do you wanna know why I was so cruel that morning, Arnold. Do you?" He nodded slightly, seeming confused. So I told him everything about my family and how we had gotten worse. I told him what Bob had said to me and how it hurt so damn much.
And he listened. Someone actually listened to me.
When I was finished, he just sat there. I guess he was a little shocked to say the least.
"Wow, Helga. I didn't know it was that bad."
I shrugged, holding back tears, "Yeah, well."
He moved closer to me and put an arm around my shoulders, "You can cry, Helga. It's okay if you cry."
And that just opened the floodgates wide open. Tears flew down my face like you couldn't believe. I guess it was all the tears that I had held in as a child. Every time I had wanted to cry, I would suck it up because I knew it would show weakness. And I couldn't take weakness. I hadn't realized until now what an affect holding all those tears back would have on me.
I was practically drowning.
And all the while, Arnold was comforting me, telling me everything would be alright. And for once in my life, I believed him.

Awww. c: Well, I have to tell you guys, you really surprised me. I hadn't updated for a few days because I was on vacation but when I came back to check up on my story I found 32 reviews and 15 followers! I seriously FREAKED OUT, I was so happy. :D I'm glad this is getting more popular, that really gives me a lot of confidence. So thanks a bunch. xoxo