Words I Couldn't Say
Chapter Ten: "Race to the Finish Line"
(Arnold's POV)
A couple days after the dinner with Sandy and her family I had my plan in place for asking her to homecoming. It wasn't going to be anything fancy—basically I was just going to ask her. Yah…that was my brilliant plan. Pretty original right? I found that when I went to think of something more amazing, my brain would go blank and I'd start to panic instead. So I just decided to keep it simple instead so that it would at least actually happen.
Maybe.
"So, man, when are you asking Sandy? I'm going to ask Helga today," Ben was saying as he dug through his disorganized locker looking for his Calculus book.
"Oh, in a couple days. When it feels right," I responded watching Sandy from across the room as she giggled with some of her girl friends.
"I'm not sure if that is such a good idea, Arnold," our friend Chris stated. "Cash was telling me yesterday that he's planning on asking her…like today." He nodded across the room at Cash who was casually leaning against the wall staring at something. I followed his gaze and was not happy to see that he was also watching Sandy intently.
"Crap!" I exclaimed, leaning my forehead on the wall. "I'm not really ready yet. My brain's mush, I can't think! How am I supposed to ask her?"
Chris and Ben both rolled their eyes.
"What's there to be ready for. Like she'd say no," Chris laughed mockingly.
Everyone one seemed so sure that Sandy would say yes. How could they say yes? Maybe she wanted to go with someone else! Maybe she only thought of me as a friend not boyfriend material. I wanted to boyfriend material. Sandy's boyfriend material.
"Yah, you two are best friends, remember?" Ben stated, insultingly. "I doubt she'd say no…unless she already had a date." He nodded again in Cash's direction.
"Crap!" I smacked my forehead loudly.
"Like I said, you might not want to wait too much longer. Like maybe you should ask her now," Chris stated in a serious tone.
"Now?" I gulped, butterflies in my stomach and my feelings for Sandy clouding my mind. "When she's surrounded by about a million other girls?" I stared at her friends fluttering around her like her own little band of ladies-in-waiting.
"Well, it doesn't seem to be bothering Cash at all," Ben stated, pointing in their direction again.
I turned to see Cash moving in Sandy's direction, his eyes still looking directly at Sandy. There was no mistaking his destination.
"Crap! I'm going to miss my chance with Sandy!" This time I smacked my head into the locker. "Ow!"
Ben shook his head, unimpressed. He looked a little annoyed by my actions.
"You're closer, Arnold. Go!" Chris gave me a shove in the right direction. I quickly sprang forward towards Sandy knocking into one of her friends on the way.
"Geez, Arnold," Rachel laughed, throwing her short strawberry blond hair.
"What's up?" Sandy asked him with one of her dazzling smiles. Her forest of deep green eyes stared into my very soul and I felt drops of sweat beginning to form on my forehead.
Instead of answering her I watched as Cash kept walking right past Sandy up to the office window. Crap!
"Arnold?" Sandy was tugging gently on my arm to get my attention. "What's up? Are you ok?" She looked at me with big, worried eyes. Eyes that were pretty much melting my mind into a puddle of love and adoration for her, making it really hard to think straight.
"Uh…" I looked at Sandy and then at her friends staring impatiently at me. "Um…"
Kelsi raised her eyebrows, clearly annoyed and elbowed Carly in the arm, who was obviously trying to stifle a giggle.
I suddenly felt my cheeks glow red and gulped, lamely stating, "um…I forgot." Turning I walked quickly and awkwardly back to a gawking Ben and Chris and heard the quiet giggles behind me. I didn't dare look to see if Sandy was joining in.
"Um…Arnold?" Ben said quietly staring behind me at the girls. He raised any eyebrow at me. "What just happened?"
I just frowned and pretended to open my locker. I already felt awkward enough without Ben or Chris saying anything to me about what had just happened. Ugh.
"Hmm…I think he would prefer not to respond to that question," Chris chuckled, patting me on the back. "And as for Sandy, she's staring at you completely confused. Just so you know."
I shuttered slightly. "Wow, thanks, Chris. Now I feel immensely better." I rolled my eyes at him.
"Why didn't you just ask her?" Ben asked as we headed down the halls towards our classrooms. "You know instead of acting like some goofy nerd from 'The Big Bang Theory'?"
"I don't know. I chickened out." I wished we could just stop talking about it already. I felt like smacking my head into another locker. You'd think when you loved someone it would be easy just to tell them how you felt...but apparently the fear of rejection was a powerful thing.
"You do realize that Cash has choir with Sandy before lunch…" Ben began, pulling me aside so my dazed self didn't run into a pole-purposely or accidentally. When I didn't respond he added, "which is before you see her again."
I shrugged glumly. Ben shook his head in disbelief. "You better ask her, Arnold." His voice held a very frustrated tone.
"I will. I will." I'd figure it out, before it was too late. Before I missed my chance at taking the love of my life to homecoming.
(Helga's Point of View)
I sat in A.P. English chatting with Sandy when Ben walked in whistling happily and smiled hugely. Hmm…something is definitely up, I thought to myself. I mean Ben is a jolly guy...but not this jolly.
"Well, hello, Helga," he grinned at me as he took the seat next to Sandy. "And how are we this lovely morning?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Just dandy. You seem very chipper today." I pulled my sweatshirt off over my head and saw he was still grinning at me.
"I'm good too," Sandy teased, waving her hand in front of his face, and winking at him knowingly.
Ben winked at her and then looked back at me. "I have a question for you, Helga…"
"Well, Ben, as long as it doesn't involve diapers or sitting, I am all yours," I responded smiling wickedly at him.
Sandy giggled into her hand and pulled out her book from her backpack.
"You know how Homecoming is almost here," Ben began smoothly, his baritone voice tickling my senses.
Sandy leaned in closer to listen and he raised his eyebrows at her. She shrugged and moved back again just a hair, still intently watching us.
"Mmm-hmmm," I said, trying to sound exuberant, but feeling slightly bummed out. I had hoped, deep in my deepest hopes that Arnold would be the one asking this question. But of course that was a ridiculous hope. He would no doubt be asking Sandy—his looove.
"Well, would you like to be my date for the dance?" he asked about as smoothly and casually as any handsome lead in a romantic comedy. How could any girl could resist this guy? How could I? Oh, yah...Arnold.
"Ben, I would love that," I smiled at him, genuinely. "Even more then if you had asked me to Wrestle Mania." I may have been disappointed, but I was positive that going with Ben would be way too much fun. He did have a way of making me laugh. And heck, he was pretty darn good-looking too!
"Fantastic!" he exclaimed clapping his hands together. "And as long as it's all right with you, I was thinking we could go with Arnold and who ever he invites."
My heart plunged. Arnold? With Arnold around how would I be able to find a way to enjoy myself. Instead I'd be dreaming of what it must be like to be Arnold's date—who of course would probably be Sandy. I tried to hide my disappointment.
"And me, Ben! You can go with me and whoever asks me—assuming I get asked. It would be a fun group date, don't you think?" Sandy exclaimed before I could even respond. "You won't leave your musical buddy out of the fun, right?"
He turned his attention to her. "Of course you'll be asked Sandy. I know of two guys already who want to ask you." His voice had an odd tone to it-a tone I couldn't quite place and that was very out of character for him. "Guess, it will just be which ever asks you first, huh?"
I held back the urge to roll my eyes. Of course two guys wanted to ask Sandy—probably five guys…probably the entire male population…probably Arnold. Oh, wait…no, definitely Arnold. I gagged to myself in frustration.
"You okay, Helga?" Sandy asked, noticing this display of distaste. She put a hand on my shoulder. "Are you sick?"
"Yah, just a hairball or something," I gave her a crazy smile to cover up my annoyance..
She just stared at me curiously for a moment.
"Someone will ask you, Sand," Ben said again, drawing her attention away from. "No worries."
"Maybe, Ben. But remember last year's homecoming? Nobody asked me to that one," she said sadly, looking down at her desk dejectedly and twisting a strand of hair.
I looked to her, startled. Really? No one asked her? Not even her best friend Arnold? That's surprised me.
"Stop worrying. You'll get asked," he said putting a comforting hand on her hand. "Just wait. And of course you and your date can group with us too."
Switching gears as quick as only Sandy could she turned to me and practically pounced. "Can I go dress shopping with you? I know this cute little shop that has so many beautiful dresses and I know you would look so gorgeous in this one I saw in the window a couple weeks ago! Please, can I go with you?" Her excitement fairly exploded from the tiny freckles on her face.
"Sure," I said, but immediately regretted it as I was enveloped in a gigantic hug and a squeal in my ear.
With a child-like expression, and little hands clapping together, she exclaimed, "Yay!" and was immediately shushed by our teacher, Mr. Merrill. Still smiling she sunk down shyly into her desk. I was sure she was going to implode from excitement. How one girl could be so happy about going dress shopping for another girl's dress, I'll never know.
English went by at its usual entertaining pace. Mr. Merrill cracked many of his hilarious one-liners, and I was excited to hear that we were moving to our poetry unit. Sandy, however, was apparently going to fall over dead from complete despair at the news.
Leaving class I waved bye to Sandy and Ben and headed to my Chemistry class. Did I ever mention that I had a class with Arnold? Guess it's not that exciting—it's just chemistry, and we don't even sit near each other. But today was group changes to I was hoping to be put into Arnold's group this time. At least I could look at his beautiful face, and deep green eyes close up, right? And hear his melodious voice? Yes, I was hoping.
"Hey, Helga!" Arnold smiled catching up with me and matching my stride.
"Hey, football head," I smiled at him pleasantly.
He grinned ridiculously at me and I had to stop to look at him. "What is with the outrageous smile, Arnoldo?" I adjusted the strap to my pink backpack and stared at him.
"Anything…oh, I don't know, exciting…happen in class?" he asked me still grinning stupidly.
I kind of wanted to smack the weird smile off is face but ignored the impulse. I thought for a second. "Oh!" I exclaimed, "yah, Ben asked me to homecoming. Is that the reason for that bizarre expression you're still wearing?" I asked him as I began walking again towards the end of the hall.
He nodded dopily. "Uh-huh."
I looked at him again as we walked into the classroom. "Ugh! Well, wipe it off your face already, football head!" I yelled. Practically the entire class turned to stare, and Mr. Pringle's chalk broke in his hand and crumbled to the floor.
"Go back to your work, buckos!" I exclaimed going to my seat and plopping myself and my heavy backpack down into it.
Arnold followed me like a little overly excited puppy or something. "So…are you excited?" he asked, almost hopping up and down. I think some of Sandy's insane energy might have leaked out into this poor fellow.
"Yes."
"Really excited?"
He was still grinning like the Cheshire cat and it was all I could do not to bring out Ol' Betsy. I nodded and patted him on the head patronizingly instead. "Yes. Very, Arnold."
"Class, get to your seats please," Mr. Pringle interrupted going to the front of the class.
Arnold was still grinning at me and Rachel was standing there waiting for him to move so she could get into her seat.
"That means you too, Arnold," Mr. Pringle added. When Arnold didn't respond, Mr. Pringle raised his voice. "Arnold?"
Arnold jumped out of the chair and jogged over to his seat. Rachel stifled a giggle and sat next to me. "He is acting so weird today," she laughed.
"Tell me about it," I replied, rolling my eyes.
Rachel found this completely hilarious and had to put her head cradled in her arms to quiet her giggles.
"Class, today we will be learning about velocity by doing an experiment…" Mr. Pringle began.
My eyes immediately went to Arnold, whom, for once, I found staring at me. Except he was staring at me with that same stupid grin on his face. I wiggled my fist at him and he just winked at me and turned his attention back to Mr. Pringle. It may be weird attention based off another guy asking me to homecoming but at least Arnold was paying attention to me for once and talking with me. Shaking my head I listened to the new group assignments.
"Arnold, Rachel, Paul, and Helga will be over here," he stated.
I gasped slightly, but apparently loudly enough that the entire class looked at me again questioningly.
"Are you alright today, Helga?" Mr. Pringle asked.
"Fine as candy, Mr. P," I told him with a slight salute of my hand.
"She most definitely is!" Arnold piped up suddenly.
Everyone stared at him now and he just continued with the ridiculous grin. What the heck is up with him today?
(Arnolds POV)
I waited nervously for Sandy after my Government class, hoping I wasn't too late. She would be coming out of the choir room at any minute and I'd know soon whether or not Cash had beaten me to asking her to homecoming.
After enough time for The Doctor to save the universe once again, she appeared, trailing behind the rest of the choir. Cash nodded at Ben and me as he passed.
"Do you think I am too late?" I asked Ben, noticing Cash looked awfully smug.
"Well, for your sanity, Arnold, I certainly hope not," Ben chuckled, and patted me roughly on the back.
Sandy was talking excitedly to Carly and looked extremely animated.
"Crap, she looks really happy," I sighed, and smacked my forehead with my hand.
Ben turned and stared at me for a moment. "Are you serious?" When I didn't respond he added, "it's Sandy we are talking about. Sandy," he repeated, emphasizing her name again.
I continued to remain silent and just stared at him not able to even comprehend his words.
"Sandy," he repeated. "She's always really happy. Like really, really happy." Ben shook his head again and muttered something under his breath.
"Hey, guys," Sandy greeted us as she came to stand with us. "Bye, Carly!" She waved to her friend before turning her full attention on us. "Ben," she said, sang, "look at you!"
Ben laughed. "Ya."
"Ben," she sang again, only higher this time.
"Uh-huh," Ben nodded, no longer able to keep a smile off his face.
She gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder. "Helga," she sang again with a dorky grin and danced around him slightly.
Ben patted her head like she was a child, "yes, Sandy, Helga."
Sandy giggled to herself then turned to me. "So, Arnold, what about you?"
I was still kind of in a daze and trying to figure out whether or not Cash had already asked her to homecoming. "What about me?"
"You ask anyone to homecoming yet?" She smiled, slightly less largely than usual.
"Um…no, not yet." I gave her a half smile.
Ben elbowed me. She looked at him curiously, her green eyes blinking long lashes at him as she raised an eyebrow. Then her mesmerizing green eyes were back on me, pulling at my heartstrings like a shoelace being untied.
"Actually…" I said finally, sounding far louder than usual. She didn't seem to notice. But it sounded as loud as a barge to me.
"Actually, what?" She giggled. "You are too funny today. Rachel and Helga told me all about chemistry. Silly." She shook her head, her hair glimmering in the sunshine. "Actually, what?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you would go to homecoming with me?" I asked her, finally looking into her eyes. Why was I so nervous?
She looked surprised. "Well…"
Oh, crap! I thought. She paused.
Posted: March 2008
Updated: March 2016
-Arnold's Love