A/N: This bears repeating from the last chapter.
I'll let you know later about their ages since I know people will think bad things against Helga even though she was in a committed relationship before. 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. :)
The following week, Arnold was surprised by Helga's voice near him as he worked on one of the many tables towards the back. "Hello, Helga. How are you and Hailie?"
"We're fine. You?"
Arnold loved how her glasses framed her face and how she looked so adorable with those few books against her chest. She looked more like a student than a librarian right now. "I'm fine. I just have so many tests coming up."
"Hmmm. Your laptop fully charged today?" Helga's eyes flitted up towards a few male students looking her way and grinning like idiots.
"I remembered before passing out last night." He told her almost too proudly. "Who takes care of Hailie during the day? I remember you saying something about your sister."
Helga thought it was nice that he seemed to be showing actual interest of her daughter instead of sputtering on about it. "My sister works at a teacher at a local school. While Hailie is in her class, Olga is nearby just in case. It is pretty convenient."
"I'm sure it is hard, but rewarding. I would love to be a parent one day." Hearing his computer chime, Arnold turned his attention back to it to find he had an alert from a teacher. As he looked at that he was unaware of the look she was giving him.
"Tell that to your girlfriend and you'll receive brownie points." Helga suggested as she erased some imagery out of her head.
Still distracted by what the professor wanted, Arnold answered her in a slower tone. "No girlfriend. Also I may say things like this to girls I've dated in the past, but not lately since I've been on a full schedule. I don't do it for points, I do it because I love to be honest."
"You alright? You are in another world." Helga wasn't one to look over peoples shoulders, but she could tell that email got to him some how.
Turning his attention back to her, Arnold pointed at the screen. "My Professor is wanting us to write a paper based on these books he has listed. Do you have any of them available here?"
Taking the chair next to him, Helga sat down to read the list. "I can tell you that those two books are unavailable as of today. This one and that one aren't here at the library at all. This one is one in my own personal collection so therefore it isn't here." Looks at him feeling a chill that she never felt before. The way his eyes met hers made her stumble on her words. She didn't realize how good he smelled. How green his eyes were. "He really wants to make it difficult for you."
"Yeah. I should email him to ask if there are any other books that I can base our writings on."
Seeing the Professors name and the due date, Helga shook her head. "I'll lend you my copy. Please don't ruin it. I'll give it to you tomorrow if that is fine."
His face lit up at his savior. "Oh that will be fantastic, Helga. Thank you. I appreciate it."
Getting up, Helga pushed the seat back to where it was before. "You are acting like I'm giving you my kidney." She said in good humor.
"It might as well be. I swear I won't ruin your book."
Nodding her head at him, Helga had to remove herself from that sweet handsome face. Leaving his side to resume her duties, she was unaware of the same guys that were ogling her were now at Arnold's table trying to get the scoop.
Arnold was surprised by their questions regarding their possible relationship. "Guys, she just helped me out. That's all."
"Oh man dude you don't get it. She is hot." The dirty blonde said with a wave of his hand. "Hot."
The brunette slapped his arm. "Everyone has been trying to get her to stick around to speak to her and you are the only one I've seen have her stick to you for longer. You have to tell us your secret."
Walking hard on's, that is what they are. Arnold leaned back to examine their faces while the last one who was silent was staring at Helga like a hawk. "She's a human being. You act like all you want to do with her is to bring her to your bed."
"What's the problem with that?" Asked the one standing up staring at her.
"Leave me alone guys. I have work to do." Arnold couldn't take them anymore especially after that last question.
The other two flanking him stood up glaring down at Arnold. "Fine, we'll get her another way then. Come on guys." The blonde bided.
Arnold had a feeling about them. A not so good one. Sighing he returned back to his homework when he heard a chime on his computer. Seeing the address he wondered who it was until he spotted where it was coming from.
Raging walking hormone's driving you crazy?
Helga.
Glancing up he saw her casually peering up at him above the rim of her glasses. Typing her back, Arnold sent his immediate reply.
I believe that their parents were cavemen teaching them that the best way of coming on to a woman is to knock her over a club and drag her by the hair.
Arnold.
He heard laughing from her making him take a casual glimpse of her face.
Cute. Anything I should know?
Helga
He sighed as he saw one of the guys flip him off. Mouth forming a tight thin line, he responded to her.
Yes. Please watch your back with them. They might cause you harm. In fact, don't walk to your car alone at night.
Arnold.
He spotted how she jerked her head back before whispering to the male librarian. Arnold almost felt jealous at their close proximity since the guy was tall and good looking.
I told my co-worker, John about that. We usually get off at the same time so he'll be walking all us girls to our cars. Thanks for the heads up, Football Head.
Sincerely,
Helga.
P.S. Do you know any single great gay guys out there for him?
P.S.S. I saw the way you looked when you saw me whispering in his ear.
Arnold's face flew up to find her grinning away like a Cheshire cat.
Well it is good that he'll do that. Also I do know someone available. He's a really good friend. Known him since pre-school. Ask if he likes red heads with a penchant of being positive twenty-four hours a day? He's also a head shorter than myself.
In Truth,
Arnold.
P.S. I couldn't help it. I apologize for that.
He looked up to see her whispering to John again before he saw him leave that area to come towards him. Arnold had a feeling that Eugene would swoon at him readily.
"Arnold, correct?" John inquired as he took a casual look to the group of guys at the other table.
Nodding his head, Arnold answered, "Yes."
John smiled. "Do you have a picture of him?"
Going to his photo album, Arnold pulled up a small group shot to point him out. "His name is Eugene."
Smiling at the photo, John jotted down his number. "Tell him to call me if he is interested."
"Sure thing. Nice to meet you and thanks for doing that for the girls here."
Releasing what seemed a full stream of air out of his lungs, John grimaced. "You have to do what you can to keep others safe. These girls are like family to me. I better go back and be a slave to the system. Catch you later, Arnold."
"Catch you later, John."
Helga waited till he returned back to her side. "Well?"
"His friend is cute. Those guys are douches. That guy you messaged is easy on the eyes. Maybe you should give him a chance if he knows you have a kid." He suggested.
"I can't just freely do these things. You try having a kid and doing this and you tell me how it goes." Helga gritted her teeth. Yes, Arnold is very attractive, but she needed to be always careful of her choices since she raised, Hailie alone.
John sputtered a little in thought. "I get a good feeling about him. Just try it out and see. What is the harm in that?"
"I'll think about it. No promises, but I'll think about it." Grabbing the books that were ready to be shelved away she placed them on a cart.
"That is all I ask." John watched her wheel the cart in the first aisle as the guys watched her steadily. "Idiots." He mumbled out.
He received the book the next day as promised so he began reading it instantly the moment he sat down at the far table. It was about adventure that almost was way too familiar sounding to his parents. Reading it through the eyes of the male narrator, Arnold couldn't help but imagine his father was speaking right now to him. It was already such a good book that he was into his tenth chapter when he was interrupted by a familiar voice calling his attention.
"Rhonda, what are you doing here?" He whispered in alarm as he delicately placed the book aside.
Rhonda was indignant in his tone while flipping her now long black hair back. "Darling, I'm simply here to change your mind about me."
"We are friends only. Why are you bothering to chase me when there are so many guys out there who would clamor for your attention?" Arnold could vaguely feel Helga's gaze locked on his table right now. "I did tell you that there is someone."
"Interest and you going out with them are two different animals, Arnold." Placing her well manicured hand on his she tried not to act offended when he snatched his hand away. "You can't get better than me."
Running one hand through his hair, Arnold felt close to banging his head against the table. "I'm not interested. You can't force this on me. If it was gonna happen it would of, but it won't. Please, I have a lot of work to do."
"Come to my place and I guarantee you that I can help out." Rhonda tried to reach for his hand again but huffed in annoyance when he moved it far from her. "Do you know who you are rejecting?"
"Yes, someone whom I see as a friend only. Rhonda, I like you as a friend. I have no desire to be that with you. Please stop." He informed her as he placed emphasis on the word, 'That.'
Helga approached the table with the persistent woman on the other side of him to sit down beside, Arnold. "I'm so sorry that I was held up, Sweetie."
Arnold smiled at her ploy as his heart hammered in his chest at her nearness. "Oh that's fine. I know how work can take over sometimes."
Helga smiled at Rhonda as she introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Helga. What's your name?"
Rhonda examined the blonde still feeling she was far better than a blonde with poorly done streaks in her hair, and poor attire. "My name is Rhonda Wellington-Lloyd." She announced with her nose in the air.
Helga kept her smile plastered on her face to hide her actual feelings for her. "Pleasure to meet you." Turning to Arnold she played her hand through his hair. "I really love how you always keep your hair."
Melting at the touch, Arnold enjoyed how she kept getting closer. "I'm really glad you are pleased. I love your hair too."
Feeling that it was best to make the other woman leave seeing at how uncomfortable Arnold was being, Helga leaned forward pressing her lips against him. She fully intended on a chaste kiss, but soon found herself enjoying it far too much even as he kissed her back. She felt weakened and energized at the same time. She swore she saw something she never saw before even as his tongue brushed against her lips. Releasing a stuttering breath, Helga opened her own mouth to touch his tongue with hers. Hearing Rhonda exclaim something about animals before the rush of her footsteps left, Helga separated from Arnold finding how cute he looked with his eyes still closed, and a smile on his face.
Leaning back, Helga couldn't believe she did that. "I'm going to get in so much trouble for that." She exclaimed as she brought herself up on her shaky limbs to walk back behind the counter. John and Natalie had their mouths dropped open. "I know. I know."
Lifting a chip to her mouth, Natalie felt like she just witnessed the softest porn in her life. "Wow."
"That was hot." John whispered.
"Uh huh." Natalie agreed. "When Ruby sees that footage she is going to flip though."
Closing her eyes, Helga hoped it will be a slap to the wrist if that happens. "I know, but all I was doing was helping out."
"You show them a book or other librarian duties, you don't make out with them." John told her as he watched Arnold get up. "Romeo is coming over."
"Then give me poison or a dagger to help me plunge it through my heart." Even if she didn't mean what she just said, Helga always did become bashful when too much attention was called upon her. Leaving the counter she took him by the wrist to drag him outside with her. "John watch his stuff. I'm taking my break."
Being brought over to the side of the building with an out of the way fountain, Helga turned to face him, but couldn't say a word.
"You'll get in trouble for that." She nodded at his statement. "They why did you kiss me?" Arnold asked.
Waving her hands out to the side, Helga was at a loss. "I don't know. I really don't. I just saw her harassing you and you looking unhappy so I thought to save you. I didn't think I'd do that. I have a child to think about. I can't afford this."
"What will happen to you?"
Putting her hands down, Helga shrugged. "She might slap me on the wrist or have me not come in for a day. I don't know until I know."
"Helga, may I say something in total honesty?" Her head nodded for him to continue. "What I felt in there is the most amazing kiss of my life. I have been harboring feelings for you for a while. I don't mind that you are a single parent. You are intelligent and beautiful with the cutest pixie daughter I have ever seen. I won't rush you at all, but I would really like to be your friend."
"Thatwasthemostamazingkissofmylifetoo." Helga rushed out before deflating. "You aren't expecting kissing friends are you? I can't do that. I absolutely will not do friends and lovers." Even if she had last made love to her husband before his deployment.
"No, Helga. We can be friends and take it from there. I'm not into rushing girls into things they aren't comfortable with. I could never do that. I just want to be friends before we decide to become something more." He let it sink in.
Helga looked around them. "Who was that girl anyhow?" She had to delay before answering him. She always had to be cautious since she was a single mother.
He rolled his eyes as his mind went back to Rhonda. "A friend for a long time. She comes and goes in being interested in me and I keep turning her down. It would be like going out with a family member. I can't do it."
Looking down to the ground, she had to determine her answer. "I would like to start off as friends. Are you just hoping to see me here?"
"No. I would like to go to the movies with you. Have an enjoyable day when you are available. Can I have your phone?" Having her give it to him, Arnold programmed his number in her contacts. Handing it back he watched as she texted him. "I appreciate this."
Smiling at him, Helga felt like she was in grade school crushing on the first boy she held interest for. "Same here. At least you don't seem like scum."
"I'm not. I like to treat many with respect."
"We should get back inside so you can do your studies and I have to work." Helga began to walk back towards the entrance. "Come on, friend."
He's in the threshold with her. He'll celebrate later once he is home. He knew that kiss meant far more to his future with her. Smart, beautiful, kind, a mother, friend, and fantastic kisser. He almost hopped next to her as they entered back into the building. Oh he hoped she'll remain in his future.
A/N: Arnold sees Rhonda something of a family member. He's known her as long as Gerald, Sid, Nadine, Sheena, Eugene, Stinky so basically since they were in pre-school. You'll find out their ages soon enough. Also in this Hillwood it is much larger than it was depicted in the cartoon so Helga attended a much different school far from the their own school. Also her childhood home was far from the neighborhood Arnold grew up in. Remember that this is an AU story. When Helga messaged Arnold from the libraries user frame she remembered his email address.
Arnold's parents are alive in this. His grandparents passed away. Arnold owns the Sunset Arms while his parents go out on digs and stuff so he doesn't see his parents too often. It just bared repeating.
You'll find out who the father is in Chapter 5. Also their ages. I don't want to give the entire farm away except to let you know it seems no one reads the author notes. I know no one will read this one tiny paragraph. :P
I hope people think I'm not being rude here but it does bear that certain things need to be said. Cookies are on the counter to your right to appease your palates.