A:N/ Oh gawd. I forgot all about Arnold's cuffs. I was so tired. Anyway, let's just say Lila took them off when they arrived at Helga's house. I really hope you are enjoying the story so far! So this is just a cute fluffy chapter. Hehe.
I don't own Hey Arnold... Booo...
Friday.
Arnold turned in his bed. 'What am I supposed to do? I guess, I should go to school. Can't miss another day anyway.' Slowly getting out of bed, he dressed in his usual wear, walked down the stairs and through the door. It was surprisingly chilly this morning. Arnold shoved his hands in his pockets to keep warm. He noticed there was something occupying his pocket.
It was the poem that 'Cecile'…. I mean Helga had given him. Taking it out, he read it again and sighed. 'It's true.'
Arnold was the last to arrive to class, since he had not taken the bus. Also meaning that there was no empty desks in front. When he walked through the door, he noticed a blonde sitting in the back. She was slouched over. Her hair was down with her bow carefully laid on top of her head. She had dressed as Cecile again. Arnold walked to the back and sat beside Helga, the only seat left. 'Hmmm… Maybe, it's time to have some fun with this situation. Besides I am tired of all this drama she has caused me. Time to cause some havoc of my own.' Arnold started to laugh.
The whole class looked at him with concern, even Mr. Simmons was worried. "Arnold, do I need to send you to the nurse's office?"
"Heh, heh. Um… No, sorry Mr. Simmons."
"Good. Now let's continue on with the lesson."
Helga stared at Arnold with a puzzled look. That was weird. Maybe I really pushed Arnold off the edge this time. Well, I just have to get through this day and then goodbye Cecile. Helga quickly scrawled Arnold a note and passed it to him, using her master skills of ninja.
Arnold found the note on his notebook. He looked confused, one minute he was listening to Mr. Simmons and the next he saw a quick flash of white. He opened the note, it was from Helga.
Hey Arnold. You okay?
Arnold quickly wrote back, not knowing about the smile that crept onto his face.
Of course, Helga. Why wouldn't I be? Then he tossed the note onto Helga's desk, she quickly caught it and hid it under her desk.
Oh, okay. Good. Just curious is all.
Hmm… Sounds like someone is concerned about me. ;) Anyway, you still keeping up this 'Cecile' facade. I know who you are.
What? I wasn't concerned, Football Head. Oh, Arnold. I thought you liked 'Cecile?' Or you rather have a fist in your face? ;)
Uh-huh. Whatever you say, Helga. I do like the Cecile. I mean, she is kind, smart, witty and Beautiful. :D (Although a fist in the face wouldn't be so bad from you. I know you would never hit me or would you?) Oh and you look very pretty when you blush.
Helga blushed and blushed even more when she read the last line. Whatever, Football Head.
See, you DO look pretty when you blush. You know, I like this Helga. She is all Cecile but more.
Where are you going with this, Arnoldo?
I don't know, Helga G. Pataki. ;)
Helga was going to write back but the bell had already rung. Aweeh, I guess it's over. But a shadow loomed over her. "Arnold!"
"Hey, Cecile." He greeted, emphasizing her 'name.' "Let's go to lunch." Arnold grabbed her arm and walked her over to their table.
"Hello, Arnold, Cecile. Both you look very lovely today." Phoebe giggled. She knew of last night. Helga had called her and told her the news. Phoebe was so proud of her best friend, finally she confessed.
"Thank you, Phoebe." Arnold smiled, while he pulled Cecile's chair, allowing her to sit down. He was real gentleman. "Hey Gerald. Sitting beside Phoebe again are we?" Both Gerald and Phoebe blushed.
"Hey Arnold. Can I speak to you for a minute?" Gerald raised his eyebrow, smirking.
"Sure."
Both boys walked to the entrance of the cafeteria. "So, what's up?"
Gerald still smirking. "So, what was that in class?"
"What do you mean?"
"You what I mean. The note passing thing. Both of you may be the masters of passing notes from Mr. Simmons but not me."
"It was nothing. I swear."
"Sure, didn't look like nothing. Both of you were smiling like no tomorrow. I swear there wasn't enough room on your face for that big of a smile. I knew it, you really really like her like her. It might even be love." Gerald winked.
Suddenly it dawned on Arnold. "You think so? You know, I am starting to think that too." Then with a smile on his face he walked back to the table. Gerald following close behind.
Helga and Phoebe were talking when they heard the chairs slide across the floor.
"Hey! I have an excellent idea!" Helga exclaimed.
"You do?" Arnold asked.
"Yeah. Me and Phoebe were talking-"
"Phoebe and I." Phoebe corrected in a chirpy voice.
Helga sighed, frustrated. "Okay. Phoebe and I were discussing and we think that we should meet up somewhere and then go to the party all together. You know to prevent any awkward situations." It would be better for me anyway. Rhonda has been really grilling me on the first day. Last thing I need is Rhonda finding out my most sacred of secrets and then she'll blab to the whole school. I already know that Arnold doesn't like me back, I don't need to be publicly humiliated.
"Sounds like a good idea. Let's meet up at my house. The party starts at 5. So come around 4:30." Arnold got up to place his tray in the trash and as he walked by Helga he whispered in her ear. "Meet me at my place at 4 instead of 4:30."
Helga giggled and she was about to ask why but he had already started a conversation with Gerald. Phoebe smiled. She was glad to see Helga happy, not afraid to show her real side. She loved it when Helga showed her real side. It was amazing to see. Phoebe glanced around. Harold, Sid and Stinky were peeking into a lunch bag that contained a frog. They giggled amongst themselves. She also saw Nadine and Rhonda were discussing the party tomorrow. What surprised Phoebe the most was when she saw Lila and Brainy, both together laughing at some piece of paper… a letter or photo perhaps. Phoebe turned back to her friends.
"Okay class. I decided to something very special today. Instead of reading The Potluck, we will start a small on unit on a new language, Francais. " Mr. Simmons smiled. "So let's pair up into partners. I will let you, as the class decide your special partner."
"Hey Cecile. Be my partner?" Arnold gave her a smile.
Just my luck. Of course, my beloved. Fate always gives me my slice of Heaven Pie.
"Cecile?"
"Yes, of course Arnold." Helga winked, knocking Arnold off guard. He blushed a deep red.
So pushing their desks together, they got to work. Arnold chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Helga asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just your accent sounds so… american." Arnold chuckled again.
"Well, mercy, Arnold." Helga smiled hiding her blush behind her hair.
Helga and Arnold were having an amazing time. It was like they were in their own little world. Lila saw this and smiled.
"Hey Arnold. Let's have some fun. I have an idea." Helga brightened.
"Tell me!"
"Let's make a bet."
"A bet? What kind of bet?"
Helga raised her brow deviously and giggled. "I bet that you can't speak french for the rest of the day."
"Hmm… I bet that I can. You're On!" Arnold smiled.
"So… what do I get if I win?" Helga smirked.
"Don't get too confident. But if you win, I treat you to a day of ice cream and arcade games."
"I do love free ice cream."
"What about me. If I win…"
"Hmm… the slight chance of you winning, Arnold is very slim but if you win…" Helga trailed off… thinking.
"I would like to see that shrine and volumes of poems all about me." Arnold smirked.
"What?"
"Okay, so it's a bet."
"But…"
"Est-ce que tu as un problème Cecile?"
"Um… non, mon chéri." Helga giggled. Oh well. I will win anyway.
The contest had been going on for hours, they were just walking home. Both blondes having a blast. Time didn't exist to them anymore. To them, they had eternity together.
Wow. I never had this much fun with Arnold before. Amazing, I thought he hate my guts. But I guess not. Helga smiled even wider than before.
All of a sudden a devious smile crossed Arnold's features but then it was gone. He had a plan. 'Oh Helga… Helga. You will never know what hit you.
"Ohh… mon chéri, Cecile. Ton yeux est comme deux regroupements des diamantés et ton sourire…"
"Arnold! Arrêt!"
"Non! Ton sourire est très belle! Et votre ruban rose! Je l'ai toujours aime."
"Seriously, Arnold. Stop!" Her hands clasped her mouth, realizing what she had just said.
Arnold smirked. His plan had successfully worked. "So, should I come by on Sunday? Around 4?"
"Fine." Helga glared but then smiled. "Race ya, the rest of the way." Helga sped off before Arnold had a chance to respond.
"Hey! No fair!" Arnold called with a grin. Helga was waiting for Arnold on her stoop. She looked like she had been there, waiting for a long time.
"What took you so long, Football Head?" Helga smiled triumphantly.
"Well a certain blonde got a head start." He winked. "Calling me names now?"
"Well, nobody is around and I am still Helga G. Pataki."
"I know." Arnold smiled and his eyelids dropped to that half lidded gaze.
"Anyway, I will see you tomorrow?" Helga asked nervously, worried that Arnold would back out. She was opening the door, her back to him and biting her lip. Arnold climbed up the steps and turned Helga around, grabbing her hand.
"Of course." Then he kissed her trembling hand, his lips grazing her delicate and soft skin. Worry flashed on his face for a moment but realized his power over her. She was trembling because of him, because of his touch. 'Wow, and to think all the times I have hugged her, I didn't notice.' He smiled, flattered. Helga really did love him.
"Okay. See you then." She whispered softly. Helga watched as Arnold walked away but then he stopped and turned around.
"Don't forget! Come to my place at 4 o' clock." Arnold shouted over to her.
Helga smiled and nodded, then went inside. She sighed as she slid down to the floor. She walked over to the kitchen to grab some juice but stopped when she noticed the red light flashing on the phone. Two messages were left on the machine. Helga grabbed her juice then went back to press play. Sipping her juice she listened to the messages. One was from an angry customer and the other from Bob. She deleted the first and sat in her chair to listen to the second.
"Hey Olga." Moans were heard in the background. "Just wanted to make sure you picked up the ingredients for next week. REMEMBER! Steak, beans and potatoes. It must be perfection! Bye." The machine beeped indicating the message was over.
"Great. Thanks, Dad." Helga rolled her eyes but she was still too happy about her day. She check the cash on the counter, Miriam had left her. There wasn't enough to last her through the week and pay for Big Bob's dinner. She sighed. Guess this means I won't be able to get to go to that wrestling match I wanted to see. I will have to use the money I saved for the tickets for Bob's dinner. Oh well. This week has been a slice of heaven. Helga skipped up the stairs to her room.
Meanwhile. On the walk home, Arnold had a huge smile plastered to his face. He could not wipe it off, no matter how hard he tried. He too, thought that this week had been a slice of heaven but Arnold couldn't fully wrap his head around the idea of Helga being Cecile… He couldn't believe it. Much less requite the same strong feelings… right? Gerald had told him earlier that he could have liked her liked her…and Arnold agreed that maybe that's possible but then again… It could have been the heat of the moment. And with that he opened the door to his house, with that same smile stuck onto his face.
"Hey Grandpa." Arnold greeted in a cheery voice.
"Well, well. Someone is in a good mood." Grandpa nudged him. "You must have a lady friend."
Arnold blushed. "N-no, Grandpa." Both walked into the living room and sat down on the green couch.
"Heh, heh. So what's got your eggs sunny side up?" Grandpa chuckled.
"Well, there is this girl-"
"HA! Knew it! Ahem, sorry Arnold. Go on." Grandpa smiled encouragingly.
"There is this girl… well she disguised herself as my french pen pal two years ago, then this week she became that pen pal again. We have been hanging out and having a blast for a few days but…"
"You found out who she really was and you got really upset because you thought it was a sick joke."
"Yeah!"
"So you and a friend went to confront her about it the next day and you found out she had loved you for 9 years?" Grandpa smiled, catching on.
"Yeah…wait 9 years?"
"Erm… never mind….it was…. Miscalculation."
"Mmmkay."
"Anyway, then somehow things mended itself through note passing and you were having a great time with her again."
"Nailed it. But there's a problem. I only know that she loves me, I don't even know if I like her like her."
"Trust me, Arnold when the time is right, you'll just know. And one more thing…"
"What is that, Grandpa?" Arnold asked eagerly.
"Never eat raspberries." And with that he ran to the toilet.
'Hmm… I will just know?' Arnold sighed a puzzled sigh and leaned into the couch.
A/N: Sooo... What did you think? I hope it wasn't too much OOC. Not to cheesy either? Review?