A/N: I thought I would give you folks another chapter early on. I won't do this very often, but I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the reviews. :)
On Monday she wasn't at work. Arnold was disappointed, but remained there to do his studies seeing it was far more quieter there then the boarding house. As he scanned the place he noticed far less males in there. No hot librarian, not as many men flanking the place.
On Tuesday at his job, Arnold was cleaning out the blender when he heard someone greet him on the other side of the counter. Glancing in that direction he spotted Helga standing there with her hair down, and curls cascading down past her shoulders. This was the first time he seen her hair down, and he loved it. Beside her was a petite asian girl with blue glasses on talking about a guy.
"Greetings and welcome to Java Hut. My name is Arnold, how can I help you?" He greeted them loving the look of amusement on Helga's face.
"You are the first person here to greet me like that. Trying to win a Boy Scout badge?" While she sounded sarcastic, her eyes, and smile told him differently. "I would love a caramel iced coffee and my friend here would like one too, but vanilla."
Reaching for a couple of cups, Arnold smiled at her as he also rung up her order. "Actually I was raised to be polite to others. My grandparents were always teaching me the value of that. Also that will be $5.25, please." Writing her name on the cups, Arnold told the person behind him what he needed.
Handing him the money, Helga smirked at him. "I thank them for that then. Thank you Arnold." Walking over to the pick up window with her friend, he caught some of their conversation as he went back to cleaning. "Seriously, Pheebs, dump him. The guy is taking you for granted. How many times has he stood you up and lied to you? You are so smart that I am sick of him doing this to you."
"I know, but not many guys seem to like me in that way." Phoebe complained back in a small voice.
"Ugh, please take those blinders off you and see for yourself. Men look at you all the time. Please open your eyes up." Helga pleaded as she took their drink order when the other barista handed it to them.
Out of the corner of his eye, Arnold watched them sit at the far corner of the place continuing their conversation. He wondered if this could be considered another portion of his foot being placed in that door.
Saturday he was hit in the leg by a small blonde girl while at Tina Park. Looking down at the girl on the ground giggling away, Arnold not only thought she was a cutie, but wondered where her mother was. "You all right, Sweetie?" The girl continued giggling as the bluest eyes met him.
"Hailie!" Cried a voice as a familiar blonde came running up to the girl. Helga got on her knees to take her by the arms gently as a look of worry crossed her features. "What did I tell you? I told you not to run away. What would happen to you if I didn't notice soon enough?"
The little girl looked upon her like an angel as her head went slightly down and those blue eyes looked at Helga. "Sorry, Mommy."
Arnold blinked. 'Mommy?' He thought as he looked between the young girl and Helga. Seeing Helga hug her daughter he thought it was such a serene scene before him.
Separating from her, Helga finally looked up at him as a look of embarrassment crossed her features. "Hailie, apologize to this gentleman for running into him like that."
"Sorry." Hailie smiled at him as she swayed a bit.
Arnold smiled back down to her. "Oh that's fine, but I'm sure my legs aren't that great of a cushion. Thank you for that sweet apology."
Standing up, Helga took her hand. "You look away for a second and it happens. Normally my friend or my sister is with me. If you have kids expect this."
"Butterfly!" Hailie extended her hand out to reach for it.
"Her favorite insect." She whispered to him.
"She's cute. I bet you and your husband are proud of her." Arnold complimented her as he watched the little girl hop up and down at the butterfly.
Helga's expression saddened. "Widow. Hailie never met her father." She whispered.
He turned his head wishing he could hug her. "I'm sorry for your loss." Seeing that the girl was six, it didn't happen too long ago. "She looks like a miniature version of you.
"Thank you and I hear that, but I didn't look at all like that at that age." Seeing the butterfly fly off, Helga smiled at her daughter. "She is my very intelligent sweetie with childish curiosity."
"Mom, I'm hungry." Hailie complained.
"Well why don't we go to that picnic we set up and chow down?"
"Yeah!"
Turning her attention back to him, she smiled. "I guess I'll see you at the library. Have a good weekend, Arnold."
"Have a good weekend, Helga." Looks to her daughter. "It was nice running into you, Hailie."
"Nice to meet you." Hailie waved at him.
Watching them both walk away, Arnold had a feeling she won't date just about anyone.
At night, Arnold was at Rhonda's party with Gerald, Sid, Curly, Stinky, Harold, Sheena, Nadine, Lila, Eugene, and anyone else Rhonda saw fit to invite. While Arnold dated Lila back in Middle School for a couple weeks, they found themselves bored together so they had a mutual beneficial agreement to break up, and remain friends. He held no such interest with the remaining girls in their party even if Rhonda expressed her interest in him from time to time.
"Arnold! Darling!" Rhonda approached him with her arms in the air with a wine in one hand. Arnold saw that tonight was her showing interest in him again.
"Hey Rhonda. Great party." He said back just to get a kiss on the lips. That was a definite sign of her showing interest.
Wrapping and arm around his left arm, she began to guide him towards the balcony area. "Oh Arnold, you are most kind."
Being brought outside, Arnold separated from her just to try to gain some distance. "Still not interested in, Curly?"
Her hand went to her chest as she let out her most delighted laugh. "Oh him? I could never be interested in him. You on the other hand, yes." Grabbing him in a display he had not idea she was capable of, Rhonda pressed her chest against him. "When shall the both of us become an item? You simply cannot do any better than me, Darling."
Taking a step away from her again, Arnold shook his head in hopes of not insulting her too much. "I'm flattered, but I will say the same thing as last time. I really am not interested in being that way with you. I'm sorry, Rhonda."
Her smile disappeared at hearing that once more. "Is there any other?"
"Yes." He held a strong interest in a librarian.
Swirling her liquid in her glass, Rhonda crushed herself to him to bring him in for a kiss. He felt nothing. While Rhonda was certainly beautiful, he felt nothing but friendship. Pulling away from her, Arnold could only shake his head telling her that he feels nothing but friendship with her. Needless to say, Rhonda left the balcony in a huff. She'll forgive him soon enough, but for now it was best to stay away from that line of fire.
Deep within her own apartment that Saturday night, Helga sat against her headboard in silent thought. There were most nights she remained awake just thinking of her life. She felt blessed to have a wonderful daughter. She was grateful of her sister helping to take care of her whenever she was at work. Being a widower at a young age was daunting knowing how it will be raising her daughter on her own. She felt instantly heartbroken all over again after she was born to realize all over again that her, Hailie's own father will never meet her.
Wiping a tear away from her eye, Helga looked over to the picture beside the bed she placed there. She would always bring it out when she was feeling extra lonely at night. She dated a couple of guys during the time, but nothing panned out after the second date. The second they heard her say she has a child, they would practically run.
"Maybe there is no one else like you." She said to his image. "You loved me even in my most ugly times. I'm not trying to replace you, I just get lonely." She wasn't trying to give up hope, but at times she did.
Placing the picture on her nightstand, Helga slid under the covers more ready for sleep to take over. She shut her eyes to see green eyes staring back at her. She didn't give it much thought to it as she went to slumber.
A/N 2: I'll let you know later about their ages since I was still figuring it out. They are the same age and I'll give you a hint that Helga did graduate early herself in college and is working full time as a Librarian. Also there will be NO Rhonda and Arnold pairing. Arnold did think how it felt like nothing. He is absolutely not interested in Rhonda. His interest lays in Helga and if anyone knows anything about single mothers they are usually very cautious about getting into a casual relationship. Please be patient campers. :)