*Arnold's POV*

It felt nice, holding Helga's hand while we walked into HS 118. Really nice. At first, she had refused, saying that it was 'stupid and too gushy' but then I reminded her that she had just confessed her love of almost 14 years to me and holding hands is just what boyfriends and girlfriends do.
She seemed unnerved by the word 'do' for some reason.
No one seemed surprised when they saw me kiss her goodbye when first period started and we had to split up. Helga had gotten a schedule change and now she didn't have English with me anymore.
I walked into Mr. Martin's class, happy as could be until I saw that someone else had gotten a schedule change also.
Lila.
She was sitting in front of Stinky, who seemed ecstatic that he could now hold her books again. But Stinky sat diagonally behind me which meant that I now had to sit by Lila.
Great. All the happiness blew out of me as I dropped my bag down with a big thump!
"Oh, hello, Arnold. I didn't know you had this class."
Oh, I bet.
I forced a smile, "Well, I do."
She stared at me hard and then said brightly, "I changed into this class so I could be with Stinky. We're becoming ever so close since you broke up with me."
"That's great, Lila." I muttered and shot a look at Stinky. Did he not learn anything about Lila these past few years?
"Miss Lila, I don't remember that bein' in the scri—Ow!" Stinky yelled out when she kicked him and my suspicions were confirmed. Lila was using Stinky to make me jealous. She probably bribed him or made up some pity story so he would help her. If he knew the truth, he wouldn't go along with it.
I've gotta help him.
I turned towards her, "Lila, stop it."
She flipped back her hair, "Stop what, Arnold?"
"Stop trying to make me jealous. It's never gonna work."
She snorted, "Why would I want to make you jealous?"
"I don't know. Why would you? Why would you use Stinky for your own selfish needs?" I willed Stinky to listen to what I was saying.
Stink stood up, "Miss Lila is that true?"
Before she could speak, I replied, "Yes, it's true, Stinky. Can't you see? Lila is a stupid bitch and she doesn't deserve someone like you!"
Lila stood up too, "That's not true!" she turned to Stinky, "I like you, Stinky. I really do."
But Stinky turned his head, "I can't believe you."
"Why ever not?!"
He suddenly slammed his book on the ground, causing everyone to look, "Because Arnold is my bud and I know he would never lie to me, unlike you, Miss Lila. Sid was right; I'm smart enough to not get caught up with you."
And that's when Lila lost it.
"'Smart enough'?! You forgot how to ride a bike, Stinky! You're not smart at all!"
I could the tears start to well up in Stinky's eyes so I jumped up, "Shut up, Lila. Just shut up!"
"Why should I, Arnold? Why should I ever listen to you? You broke my heart when you left me for that whore!"
Anger burned inside me like a fire, "Helga is not a fucking whore, Lila. You are."
She scoffs, "I am? After everything I've done for you? All Helga's done is make fun of you and put you down. I was there to bring you up. You took advantage of me."
"I broke up with you before I even fell in love with Helga! I left you because all you wanted was sex and I don't want that, Lila. At least not with you. I want Helga and only Helga."
"Oh trust me, Arnold. You don't love her. She's not right for you!"
"And you are? You don't choose who you fall in love with, Lila. I don't regret a single thing."
"Whatever." And then she walked out.
I sat down, feeling content with myself while everyone around me whispered. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to find Stinky.
"Thanks, Arnold." he whispered.
"No problem, Stinky."

*Helga's POV*

"What?!"
"I know you heard me, Helga Pataki." Rhonda put her hands on her hips.
I shook my head, "No, say it again."
She frowned, "Arnold cussed Lila out after she called you a whore."
I didn't even care that Lila had called me a whore. What mattered was the fact that Arnold had defended me!
Love welled up in my chest and I desperately wanted to see him. "Do you know where he is now, Rhon?"
"Curly said that he was really upset afterwards so he went home."
"Okay, thank you!"

I didn't want to go home. I would just go straight to Arnold's but I needed to go home. After all, I hadn't been home for the past two days. Olga was probably freaked out.
I quietly crept up the stoop and used my key to open the door. All the while, I was hoping and praying that no one was home.
I got lucky.
Relieved, I ran up the stairs to my room and dropped my stuff on the floor. I pulled on my jacket and quickly checked my hair in the mirror.
Decent enough.
Then I skipped down the stairs only to run straight into Big Bob, the last person I wanted to see.
"Where the hell have you been?"
Still shocked, I couldn't speak.
"Well? Speak up!" he grabbed my arm with such force, I winced.
Helga G. Pataki does not wince.
Fueled by the anger I felt at my weakness, I said, "I spent the night at Rhonda's."
"Were there boys there?"
I didn't answer. I didn't trust myself.
"Answer me NOW. I don't want my little girl turning into a slut."
Tears welled up in my eyes but I forced them back, "I'm not a slut, Bob. Don't talk to me like that."
"Then why have I been seeing you with that boy again? With the weird shaped head?"
I gritted my teeth, "Because he's my boyfriend."
He laughed, "Your boyfriend? No daughter of mine will be going out with an orphan. Get back up in your room before I beat your ass."
Orphan? ORPHAN?
"Bob, shut the fuck up! Just shut your mouth!" My anger was so hot, my head felt like it was going to explode.
"What did you say to me, girl?" He practically ripped my arm out of my socket. I cried out and kicked him in the shins.
"Shit!" he shouted as I made a break for the door. I stumbled down the stoop and ran in the direction of Arnold's.
"Don't you ever show your face in this house again! Do you hear me?! Never come back!"