I'm back! Bing back at school is really taking it out of me, but I've developed ways to get everything done, and still have time for my writing so no worries! Extra special thanks to everyone who reviews/favorites/follows! I check my account every morning when I wake up, and seeing even one follow or favorite or review makes my day brighter. You guys rock! Ok, ok, enough of my rambling. On to the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own the show, and the poem later in this chapter is thanks to and belongs to them. Or Helga G. Pataki, depending on how you look at it.

Chapter 11

Monday came and went, with both Arnold and Helga waiting rather impatiently for Tuesday come. When the sun finally rose on Tuesday morning, Helga Pataki shot out of bed and directly to her closet to get dressed. She took special care in making sure she looked alright...ok, perfect, before heading down to the kitchen to find something that counted as breakfast. Or at least that was the plan until Olga set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Helga, who looked at the plate in delight.

"Olga! This looks awesome!" Helga said no more as her mouth became very occupied with the food on her plate.

"Oh of course, Baby Sister! I knew you'd need a big breakfast before you're special trip today!" Helga almost choked on her eggs and had to cough for several seconds before questioning Olga.

"What did you just say?"

"Oh Helga, I know you have a special little shopping trip planned with Ar-"

"How do you know about that?" Helga almost screamed.

"I'm sorry, Helga. It's just that last night when you got home you were so happy, and so I was curious about what happened, but when I went up to your room you were already asleep in your bed. I was just about to leave when you started talking in your sleep about how excited you were for today. Oh, it was absolutely precious!" Olga finished happily.

"Olga," Helga tried to make her voice even, "Please, whatever you do, don't make a big deal out of this and do not embarrass me when Arnold comes to pick me up, or mention this to Bob or Miriam. Ok?" Helga practically pleaded with her sister to just leave everything alone for once.

"Oh Helga, of course I won't embarrass you! And don't you worry about Mummy and Daddy; I won't say a word!" Olga giggled.

"Thank you." Helga sighed in relief.

Helga waited by the front door impatiently; Arnold was supposed to be there in two minutes, and Helga was getting more and more nervous the more she waited. 'What if he doesn't come? What if I'm just left sitting here all day until I finally accept that he stood me up? No, Arnold wouldn't do that. I'm just completely crazy and I need to calm down. Seriously!'Helga though as she paced back and forth in front of the door. Suddenly she heard the distinct sound of a car door being shut and she jumped to the peephole in the door, standing on her toes to see out.

Just as she had hoped, Arnold was walking up her front steps. Helga watched until Arnold was right on her stoop and ringing the bell, then she waited a few seconds so that it didn't look like she had been standing there waiting for him to arrive.

Once Helga deemed it safe she opened the door to see Arnold smiling up at her.

"Hi, Helga! How are you?" he asked.

"Well I'm just dandy, Football Head! So, you ready to put up with me for a good hour or so?" she joked, though secretly she was still afraid he would get sick of her before the day was over.

"Helga, I don't "put up" with you; I like hanging out with you. don't you remember what I said on Sund-"

"Um, Arnold, can we not talk about Sunday right now. I'm still trying to process what even happened, and I'm not really ready to talk about it. Maybe later, ok?"

"Of course, Helga. So, are you ready?"

"Bye baby sister! Have fun with your friend, ok Helga, sweetie?" Olga called from the kitchen where she was doing dishes.

Helga grit her teeth and tried not to blush and/or attack Olga. She checked her pockets for her money, and the two walked over to the wonderful old Packard. The car ride was a happy one, full of stories and jokes, and Helga crossing her fingers that everything would be okay.

Once they were at the store, Phil told the kids that they were free to do their own shopping without "an old coot" like him hanging around, and that they could just meet him on the bench by the door when they were done. Agreeing to this plan, Arnold and Helga ran off to do their shopping (under cover of Helga's story if the need arose).

Each carrying a basket to hold their items, they stopped first at backpacks so Helga could replace her broken one.

"So, Helga, what sort of backpack are you looking for?" Arnold asked, scanning the racks for something she might like.

"Oh, I don't really know. Really just something to hold my books." Helga said as she too searched through the backpacks hanging on the display.

"Do you know what color you want?"

"Well, I usually just get pink, since it's kind of my signature, but I think I'm going with something different this year." Helga said. Was that a smirk on her face? Indeed it was. In one quick motion Helga pulled a backpack from the rack that was the exact same shade of blue as Arnold's hat.

"What do you think, Arnold? Think I could pull off blue?"

"Helga," Arnold said slowly, "I think it's a wonderful color, especially on you," he blushed lightly, "But...don't you think the other kids will question that your bag matches my hat?"

"Well, I thought of that, but...maybe this can be a small step towards them finding out that I...don't hate you." Helga said quietly.

Arnold was a little surprised with this answer; he had expected that Helga would still want to keep things very secret, like always.

"Really, Helga? You're sure you want to?"

"Hey, has Helga Pataki ever done something she wasn't completely sure about?" Arnold just looked at her, thinking of their picnic. And various other events.

"Ok, so maybe sometimes I've done things without thinking. But this time I'm sure."

"Well I think it's really great, Helga."

They continued shopping, filling their baskets with pencils, erasers, notebooks, and other necessities, and before long they were both paying for their supplies.

"Helga," Arnold stopped her as she turned to go meet up with Phil, "I, um...well I got you something. If you want it, I mean. You don't have to keep it, and I don't expect you to actually use it. Unless you want to! But if you didn't, then-"

"Arnold, are you going to show me this thing or not?" Helga asked.

"Oh, right! Um, here...for you. Well, us." Arnold pulled a set of key chains out of his shopping bag. It was a pale blue circle that was cut down the center in a zigzag so that two people could each have a half. Printed on each half was the words "You Make Me Smile".

"Arnold...I love it! I really do...only..."

"I know you probably don't want to put it on your bag, but I just thought you might like to have it." Arnold said understandingly.

"Well, the truth is I really do want to put it on my bag, so...so what if I put it on the inside. Sort of like...our little secret?" Helga asked tentatively.

"Of course, Helga! Like I said, whatever you want to do with it...I'm glad you like it." he finished a bit shyly. He wasn't used to buying gifts for people when it wasn't a birthday or holiday, but he really liked seeing Helga smile as she clipped her half of the key chain to a small loop inside her bag. Once both were ready, they found Arnold's grandpa and headed home.

Arnold and Helga walked up to Helga's front door, stopping only when Helga found a note taped to the door.

"Helga,

I went to the store to get some things for dinner.

The door is open for you, and I'll be home soon.

P.S

Feel free to invite your friend to stay for dinner! We're having lasagna.

Kisses,

Olga"

"Well Football Head, would you like to stay for dinner?" Helga asked, more okay with asking since it was really Olga's idea, and she knew Arnold had seen the note.

"Well sure, Helga! It sounds like fun, but I'd better ask my Grandpa." Arnold ran to the car, then back a moment later as the Packard pulled away.

"He said it's fine, and he said to thank you for joining us shopping; he really likes you, Helga."

"Well thanks, and tell your grandpa thanks too. I like him too; he tells great stories!"

"Yeah, he does." Arnold agreed.

They went inside and Helga led them to the living room, unsure of what to say next. They sat for a while in silence until Arnold started the conversation with asking Helga about different favorites. Helga started asking Arnold's favorites, and soon it turned into a very silly game of "Would you rather..."

"So," Helga said, "If the world was being taken over by aliens, and the only way to stop them was to win a pie eating contest, what kind of pie would you prefer?" the end of her question was barely understandable due to her fit of laughter.

"Helga! Why didn't you just ask what my favorite kind of pie is?" Arnold laughed.

"Because, this was more fun!"

"Well ok, then I guess I'd have to say apple."

"Fair enough. Personally I prefer pecan, but apple's a close second." Helga's laughter subsided for the moment, and she fell into thought. 'We're having so much fun, but nothing can really happen unless I'm honest with Arnold, can it? I tell him the truth when he asks me stuff, but he would never ask about the shrines and stuff because he'd feel like he was prying. But if I don't tell him just how bad my obsession with him is, then it's just as bad as lying to him, right? Or maybe it's worse...'

"Arnold?" 'I'd better just do this now, or I'll never feel like I'm really telling him the truth. Besides, I can trust him.'

"Yes, Helga?"

"I...well, there's...there's something I want to show you. It's important."

Arnold nodded and followed Helga out of the living room and up the stairs. They arrived in front of Helga's room, and with a deep breath she opened the door and stepped inside. Arnold, however, didn't follow. He simply stood in the doorway and looked at Helga.

"Arnold," Helga began with a touch of annoyance in her voice, "would you mind explaining why you suddenly don't want to come near me?"

"It's not you, Helga, it's just...I don't think your parents would like it if I went in your room, especially since we're the only ones here." Arnold blushed lightly. Helga, however, was not going to put up with his chivalry when she had just decided to show him one of her biggest secrets. She gave a small huff and walked back into the hallway and in one quick movement grabbed Arnold by the wrist and dragged him into her room.

"Look Arnold," she began sarcastically, "you're in my room, we're here alone and, shocker, the world didn't end. Now can we please get back to me living out my nightmares?"

"Helga, if what you're about to show me is something you want to keep personal than you don't have to show it to me. I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything."

"No, I do have to do this. Arnold, I really like spending time with you, and today was one of the best days I've ever had. I would never want to jeopardize that, but I feel like what I'm about to show you is something you need to see, even...even if it means you never want to see me again."

"Helga, nothing could ever make me not want to see you again."

"Don't be so sure" Helga mumbled. She walked over to her closet and slowly opened the door.

"It...it's in here. Just go up the step-ladder in the back and through the trapdoor."

"You're not coming too?" Arnold asked.

"Arnold, what I'm showing you is probably my biggest secret ever, aside from what I told you before. Anyway, my point is that I really don't think I could be up there when you...when you see what you see."

"Ok, Helga, if that's what you want." Arnold walked over to the closet, then paused and turned to Helga, who was gripping the closet door with all her strength. He gave her a reassuring smile and hugged her tight, trying to convey that everything was going to be fine, no matter how worried she was. He released Helga and walked into the closet.

The moment he was out of her sight, Helga ran to her bed and flopped face down on her pillow. 'Why am I such a basket case? I just sent any relationship we might have had to the flaming pits of Hades! Ok, Helga, everything will be fine if you just think positive. Who am I kidding, this is going to be a freaking nightmare!' Helga continued her mental rant until a few minutes later she heard the closet door open and Arnold emerged.

Helga sat up and looked at Arnold from the corner of her eye for several seconds until he walked over and sat down next to her on her bed.

"Helga? Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'll be more ok once I know what's going on in that Football Head of yours right now." she responded in a slightly panicked tone.

"Helga, it's ok. What did you think was going to happen? I was going to run out of here and never come back?"

"Arnold, please just tell me straight, no embellishments or trying to soften it or anything, just the cold hard truth: what did you think of...my shrine?"

"I thought," Helga braced herself, "That it was...really nice." Helga looked at him in disbelief.

"Wait. Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I really like it, Helga. Really."

"Really?"

"Yes, Helga, really."

"Arnold..." Helga stared at him for a moment more, then she threw herself at him, knocking him over so she was laying on top of him hugging him tighter than she ever had.

"You are the sweetest, kindest, most incredibly understanding Football Head ever, aren't you?" Helga said softly, tickling Arnold's ear and making him turn pink.

"Um, thanks, Helga. Could...could you maybe let me up, though? You're kind of squishing me."

"Oops, sorry Arnoldo! Didn't mean to suffocate you."

"That's ok, Helga. I'm fine."

"So...you're really ok with my shrine? Even though only a crazy, obsessive, completely insane stalker would do something this weird?"

"Yes, I am. Helga, it's not crazy at all, and I won't let you say stuff like that about yourself. You're really great, and you're really creative; it only makes sense that you would express yourself in a really creative and artistic way that's as unique as you." Arnold explained. Helga looked at him, and then down at the bedspread, and then back at Arnold.

"Wow. I really didn't think that you'd be this ok with everything. So, um, since this is either a dream or the second luckiest day of my life (the first being Sunday), would you...maybe like to read one of those poems I mentioned?"

"Of course, Helga! That is, if you don't mind sharing one."

"Hey, I offered, didn't I?" Helga joked. She reached under her mattress to retrieve her current little pink book, and flipped to a page. She handed it to Arnold, but he didn't take it immediately.

"Helga? Would it be too much if I asked you to read it? I mean, it is your poem, so you know how it should sound."

"Oh, um, ok. Sure." Helga turned her attention to the poem in her hands and took a deep breath, then began:

"Cowlicks like fields of yellow corn

All the days of the week,

I write the name I dare not speak

The boy with the cornflower hair,

my beloved, and my despair."

Helga closed the book and glanced at Arnold, who just looked at her with a smile as wide as his head.

"Helga..." she immediately braced for the worst, "Helga, calm down; why do you always assume the worst?"

"Because it seems most likely." she stated simply.

"Helga," Arnold began again, "I loved it." Helga blinked at him and then placed her hand on his forehead.

"Arnold, are you feeling ok? Really? Because I could have sworn you just said you loved my poem."

"I'm fine, Helga." Arnold chuckled, "And yes, I loved it; I think it's beautiful. You're so talented, is there anything you can't do?"

"play an instrument." she answered his rhetorical question.

"Really?" Arnold asked in surprise.

"Yeah. See, when I was younger my parents tried to make me learn piano like Olga, but I just refused since it wasn't my choice, and since Olga was always miss Sally Sunshine while she tried to teach me. Actually, now that I think about it, it might be kind of cool to be able to play something."

"Well, if you want, I could teach you some piano. I don't know a lot, but I know the basics." Arnold offered.

"You'd really do that, Arnold?" she asked.

"Of course, Helga. Come on, you have a piano downstairs, right? We can start now if you want."

"Sure! Let's go, Hair Boy!"

"Oh, and Helga?"

"Yes, Arnoldo?"

"I...I really liked the, um...the way you referred to me at the end of the poem. Thanks."

Helga thought back to that line (my beloved...), and with a blushing smile she grabbed Arnold's arm and practically pulled him off his feet as she ran down stairs to the piano. They sat on the bench and Arnold explained the basic idea to Helga, who had her eyes glued to Arnold.

After Helga finally got the basic hand position right, Arnold showed her the first few notes of a song. Helga tried to copy what Arnold had done, but her notes came out mixed up and out-of-place.

"Oh man, Arnold this is way harder than I though. How did you get so good?"

"The same thing that will make you better: practice. No one can be great at something when they first start out, after all. Here, I'll show you..." Arnold reached over and placed his hands on Helga's. They both blushed, but Arnold tried to pretend like it was no big deal.

"So, i-it goes like this..." slowly, together, they played the first line of the song.

"See, Helga?" Arnold said, returning to his place on the bench, "You can do it!"

"Only with you practically doing it for me." she pointed out.

"You did that by yourself, Helga. I just put my hands...there." Arnold said.

"Hello hello!" chirped Olga, dancing and twirling into the house. She looked in the living room where Arnold and Helga sat at the piano, and smiled widely.

"Oopsy, I'm not...interrupting anything, am I?" she asked, looking at Helga pointedly.

"No, Olga, you're not. Arnold and I were just playing piano, that's all." Helga willed her sister to just leave and start dinner so she and Arnold could be alone again.

"Ok, well you two have fun! I'm just going to start dinner. Oh, by the way Helga I hope you don't mind, but Mummy and Daddy are eating out tonight, so they won't be joining us. You aren't too upset, are you? Because I'm sure I could call them..."

"No, don't bother them. If they want to eat out then that's fine." Helga said, secretly relieved that she wouldn't have to worry about her parents ruining her dinner with Arnold.

"Ok, then I'll just be in the kitchen if you need anything. It's nice to meet you, Arnold!"

"It's nice to meet you too, Olga." Arnold said warmly.

Arnold and Helga continued practicing piano until Olga called them for dinner, by which time Helga really could play the first part of the song by herself. Much to Helga's relief, dinner went smoothly, and Olga even surprised them with chocolate pudding for dessert.

When Arnold decided that he should head home, Helga walked with him to the door to wish him good night, as he did her, and the two parted ways for the day both thinking that today had been a wonderful day.