Hello my loyal readers! Your patience has not been in vain, for I have here the next chapter! Yes, it's time for school, plus some extra since this chapter is extra long for two reasons. 1) I really wanted to treat you guys 2) it's birthday time for Queen Kalana874! Happy Birthday! Ok, I'm not going to spoil anything about this chapter, but I do want to say that it's not over after this! There is more! But, for now I present to you probably my favorite chapter that I've written so far. Ok, ok, enough stalling. Here you go!

Disclaimer: We've covered this enough by now I think.

Chapter 13

As Arnold and Helga entered the schoolyard they were met with the shocked faces of their classmates, save Phoebe who Helga had informed of her plan. All was silent as Arnold and Helga climbed the front steps and walked to the door. Just when Arnold thought that no one was going to make a scene they heard Herald yell

"Hey Helga! Did you lose a bet or something? You look all giiiiirrrly!" he started laughing, but it didn't last long. Helga turned around and grabbed Herald by the collar with one hand, the other one still holding Arnold's hand.

"Listen Pink Boy, and listen good: what I do with my life is my business, and nobody else's. So if you know what's good for you, you won't say one more word about it. Do I make myself clear?"

"Um, yeah, sure. You got it, Helga!" Herald stuttered in fright.

"Good!" Helga released him and turned with Arnold to go into their new classroom.

After checking out their lockers, which happened to be right next to each other this year, Arnold and Helga joined their classmates in the mad crush to go meet their new teacher. Everyone had been sad to leave Mr. Simmons, but they were excited to meet the fifth grade teacher. Gathered in a group outside the door, Arnold (who was still holding Helga's hand) reached out and opened the teacher and classroom within.

"Hello boys and girl! I'm so glad to see my special class again!"

"MR. SIMMONS!" everyone exclaimed.

"I thought you taught fourth grade!"

"Are you going to be our teacher all year?"

"We missed you!" The voices all joined together into one big sound, and Mr. Simmons couldn't have been happier to have his "tribe" back.

"I missed you all, too! That's why I decided to teach you again! Let's take our seats and I'll explain everything before we start our extra special first day of school." once everyone was seated, Mr. Simmons began to tell them the story of how he had convinced Principal Wartz to let him teach fifth grade. All through his story, it didn't escape Mr. Simmons' that Arnold and Helga seemed to be getting along much better than they had the previous year. They were sitting next to each other, no longer holding hands, and Arnold kept giving Helga reassuring glances whenever she looked at him. He had a feeling that he would be getting many more extra special poems from Helga very soon.

Soon it was time for recess, which Helga knew would be the true test of the day. She and Arnold entered the schoolyard and she stopped, unable to move farther than the school wall.

"Helga?" Arnold asked, "Are you ok?"

"Arnold, they're going to eat me alive! I shouldn't have done this! I should have just left everything alone and never said anything! My life was alright before, but now what's going to happen? They're going to destroy me! I'll have to change schools! I'll have to change cities! I'll...I'll..." at this point Helga was more talking to herself than Arnold, but clearly she was upset, and Arnold couldn't stand the idea of her being this afraid of something as simple and wonderful as being herself.

Arnold had been doing a lot of thinking lately, and he had come to a realization that he knew he should have had a long time ago: he and Helga had something really special. She wasn't just his friend, she was...something more. But he knew one thing for sure. Helga G. Pataki was the reason he smiled everyday since he had known her.

That being said, he knew he had to do something to help her feel better. He gently took her arm and pulled her around the corner of the school and behind the dumpsters so they could be alone.

"Helga," he said as he took her other hand so that he could both of them, "Everything will be fine. You've come this far, and nothing all that bad has happened. You're the bravest girl I know, and I know you can do this." by this time Helga had calmed down a little, but she was still shaking. That changed, though, when to her surprise Arnold stretched up on his toes so that he was just tall enough to kiss her gently on her cheek.

She looked at him for several seconds before she could find her voice.

"Arnold...I...thank you." she smiled, and then leaned down just a little to kiss him on his cheek in return.

"Of course, Helga. I'll always be there for you, especially when you need me most; I promise." they stood in silence for a few minutes, absorbing what had just happened between them.

"Helga?" Arnold asked slowly, unsure as to how to pose the question he needed to ask.

"Yes, Arnold?"

"Would you...well, that is...sorry, I don't really know how to do this. Um, would you...maybe...like to get ice cream at Slauson's later...like as a...date?" he finally finished.

Helga was completely stunned; Arnold had just asked her on a date. Arnold had just asked her on a DATE!

"Arnold, I would love to, more than anything in the world!" she said so happily she almost sounded like Olga.

"Really?" Arnold asked.

"Of course, Arnold! This has been a dream of mine for years!"

"Well, I'm...I'm glad I could make your dream come true." Arnold blushed.

"Arnold, you did that the day I confessed and you didn't let me run away." Helga said shyly. Arnold noted in the back of his mind that a shy Helga was really cute.

"ARNOLD AND HELGA SITTING IN A TREE!" they suddenly heard from the playground. Pulled from her happy dream-like moment so rudely, Helga wasted no time in storming out into plain view with Arnold hurrying to keep up.

"OK, WHO WAS IT?" Helga yelled at the top of her voice. She looked around the playground until her eyes landed on Sid, who was standing with Herald and Stinky, trying to suppress his laughter; she walked over with murder her eyes.

"Say that one more time, Frog Boy. Really, try me!" she said in a deadly serious voice. Arnold wanted to step in so Helga didn't actually hurt anyone, but he knew that this was her battle, and that she needed to handle it her way.

Helga meanwhile was still glaring at Sid. He was still trying not to laugh, which didn't help his situation much, but he tried to apologize. Helga put him down and turned to walk away. "That's what I though!" she said under her breath. Just then she heard a not so quiet voice say "I guess having a boyfriend's made Helga G. Pataki go soft!" in an instant Helga was back on Sid, and for once it look very serious.

"You listen to me, Sidney. If you value your face, leave Arnold and I alone. I can pound you any day of the week and don't forget it!"

Sid was very pale, and clearly terrified; Arnold couldn't just stand by anymore.

"Helga, um, could you put Sid down?"

"Give me one good reason why I should." Arnold thought fast and whispered in her ear so that only she could hear.

"If you get detention for fighting then you'll miss our date. And I would miss you."

Helga turned pale pink, then set Sid down.

"Alright, Sid, you're lucky I've got better things to do than teach you a lesson. But know this: you do this again, and I won't let you off so easy."

Having prevented Helga from attacking Sid for the time being at least, Arnold turned his attention to the ready of their class, who had gather to watch the scene.

"Listen, everyone!" he began.

"What are you doing, Football Head?" Helga asked quietly.

"Don't worry, Helga. I've got this," Arnold turned back to their class, "Okay, you guys, I know this is all pretty different for you, but that doesn't give you the right to make jokes about Helga or I. So Helga's a little different from what you thought you knew; at least she's doing something that lots people don't do: she's being herself, and not backing down from her decision just because of a few hurtful comments," he looked at Herald and Sid, "She's doing what she thinks is right, and I think she's really brave for doing that."

While Arnold had been speaking, Helga had been standing next to him turning more and more pink. It had always been a fantasy of hers to have Arnold stand up and defend her honor, but now that it was actually happening she was more than a little embarrassed, though still touched. A few people in the crowd of fifth grades mumbled apologies, and slowly people went back to what they had been doing. Just as Helga was about to drag Arnold back behind the trash cans for another private talk, Sheena and Nadine walked up to her.

"That was really touching," Sheena said, smiling.

"Yeah, Arnold's really great. You're a lucky girl, Helga," Nadine added.

"Yeah, I am," Helga said wistfully as she looked at Arnold, who was waiting a short distance from her.

"And for what it's worth, I think what you're doing is really brave," Sheena added. Nadine nodded her agreement.

"Well thanks, guys. I'm glad not everyone has it out for me."

Sheena and Nadine departed, but before Helga could get to Arnold she was once again stopped, this time by Ronda.

"Helga, that was absolutely the sweetest thing ever!" she gushed, then lowered her voice so only Helga could hear, "So tell me...are you and Arnold, like, and thing now?!"

"What?!" Helga asked in shock.

"Are you and Arnold dating! Duh!" Ronda rolled her eyes, but then continued looking intently at Helga for her answer.

"Look Princess, what goes on between Football Head and I is between us unless otherwise noted. So why don't you take your gossip-loving nose and stick it in someone else's business, okay?" and with that Helga left a dumbstruck Ronda standing alone on the four square court.

Finally making her way back to Arnold, Helga grabbed his hand and pulled him back behind the dumpsters. Arnold was about to speak when Helga leaned in a planted the sweetest kiss she could right on his forehead.

"Helga...thanks," he blushed darkly, but he was smiling, "what was that for?"

"For being the sweetest boy on the planet who would risk public humiliation just to defend me from a couple of knuckleheads."

"Well I couldn't let you take all of that by yourself. I said I would be there for you, and I meant it. But..." Arnold stood on the very tips of his toes, but he was only tall enough to kiss Helga's nose, which he did, "I still think you're the bravest girl I know."

Helga blushed darkly and began stuttering, "Oh, well...I mean it's not like...well...thanks Arnold." she finally managed. She gave him a hug that he happily returned, and then they walked back to the school just as the bell was ringing.

The bell for lunch had just rung, and Helga was slightly less nervous than she had been for recess. Still, she didn't let go of Arnold's hand as they approached the cafeteria doors.

"Arnold, are you sure this is going to be okay?" Helga asked for the hundredth time.

"Yes, Helga, everything will be fine. I promise I won't leave you alone. Unless you want me to, that is." Arnold grinned.

"Not likely, Football Head. My heart feels like it's going to break my ribs!"

"Well...maybe this will help..." Arnold glanced around to make sure no one was watching them (this was something meant for he and Helga only), and lifted her hand to place a light kiss on it.

"Better?" he whispered.

"Um, y-yeah." Helga mumbled, turning pink. Arnold chuckled at her cute reaction and opened the door before them.

The cafeteria was as it always had been, with students either sitting with friends or standing in line to buy their lunch. But as soon as Arnold and Helga stepped in, every head in the room turned to look at them.

"Everyone's looking at us..." Helga said under her breath.

"It's okay, Helga," Arnold murmured, "let's just get our lunch and sit with Gerald and Phoebe."

They walked over to the lunch line and each picked up a tray, managing this while still holding hands. They each got a sandwich, milk, and carrot sticks, but when they came to the end there was only one chocolate pudding left.

"You can have it" they said in unison. They looked at each other and smiled.

"How about we share it?" Arnold suggested.

"Sounds good to me!" Helga said, grabbing two spoons.

They walked over to the table at which their best friends sat and took their own seats, only now releasing hands in order to eat.

"So, Pataki," Gerald started, "This is the new you?"

"Eh, the hair isn't going to be a regular thing, but for the most part yeah, pretty much. But don't forget I can still kick you butt!"

"Hey, don't worry about me! Scouts honor! Actually, for what it's worth I agree with Arnold; what you're doing is really brave, and I respect that."

Helga looked at Gerald for a moment, then shrugged and smiled and continued eating her lunch.

The four friends talked for the rest of lunch, and Helga couldn't help but be filled with joy at being able to openly enjoy sitting next to the most perfect little football-headed boy in the world.

"Ready Helga?" Arnold asked, closing his locker. The first day of school was over, and Arnold and Helga were ready to go out on their ice cream date.

"Almost, I just, um, well I'll be right back, ok?"

"Of course, Helga. I'll wait right here for you."

"Thanks, Arnold. I won't be long." Helga headed around the corner of the hallway, then broke into a sprint until she reached the nearest girls bathroom. Helga had been hoping that Arnold would ask her on a real date ever since their picnic, and in the event it happened at a time when she wouldn't be able to go home first, she had put together an emergency kit so she would be ready.

Helga looked intently in the mirror, then pulled a small hairbrush from the bag and brushed out the few tangles that had formed throughout the day. She applied some of the pomegranate lip gloss she still had from the night she went to Arnold's house for dinner, and straightened her bow. 'Not too bad if I do say so!' she thought with a grin.

While Arnold waited for Helga, Gerald appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Hey man, so what's really the deal with Helga? Did she lose a bet?"

"No, Gerald, this is really how she is. Haven't I always told you she was really a nice person?" Arnold asked.

"Yeah, but I never actually believed you. So what's up with you and her? Are you two, you know, together?"

"Gerald!" Arnold exclaimed, "I don't think that's something Helga would like me to talk about, at least for now. But, honestly...I really like her, Gerald. Like, I really really like her. She's nice, and funny, and creative, and-"

"Arnold, I hate to interrupt, but please spare me the details. I really don't need the mental image!" Gerald said.

"Right, sorry Gerald."

"Hey Arnold, sorry to keep you waiting." Helga said, returning from the bathroom.

"Oh, it's fine, Helga. Are you ready?"

"Mhm, ready when you are! See you later Geraldo." she chuckled.

"Same to you, Pataki." Gerald smiled. He still couldn't believe that Helga was really this nice person, or that Arnold had apparently fallen for her, but as long as Arnold was happy Gerald couldn't really complain. And who knew? Maybe one day he and Helga could learn to get along.

After saying goodbye to Gerald and leaving the school, Helga and Arnold arrived at Slauson's in record time. They sat in the back so they could have some privacy, and each ordered their favorite; Arnold mint chip, Helga fudge swirl.

"So, Helga," Arnold began, taking another bite of his ice cream, "You made it through your first full day of school being yourself; how do you feel?"

"Honestly? Like I'm on top of the world! I mean, what can I really complain about? I started acting a little more like myself, and now I'm on a real date with the sweetest guy in the world who fully believed in me from the beginning! My life is pretty sweet." Helga smiled and took another bite of her own ice cream.

"Well you know, Helga, I think being a little bit...assertive, is also a part of who you are. I mean, you definitely showed that there's more to you than that today, but I don't think you should completely disregard that part of you. Besides, you wouldn't be Helga if you didn't boss us all around a little; you're often the only thing that keeps us focused when we really need it, like during baseball games; I have a tendency to space out sometimes."

"Sometimes? Arnold, you spend more time cloud watching than a weatherman!" Helga laughed.

"Yeah, but you always bring me back to down to earth, don't you Helga?"

"Well, someone has to."

As they ate the rest of their ice cream, Helga remembered a certain code name that she had been known to use in the past, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

"What's so funny, Helga?" Arnold asked, noting how cute her laugh was.

"Oh, Arnold you're going to love this! You see, when I first starting going to Phoebe for advice about my...obsession-"

"Touching love that went unrequited for far too long due to my denseness, but just once again demonstrates your amazing ability to never give up one something or someone you care about." Arnold corrected.

"Whatever, Hair Boy, call it what you like. Anyway, I wasn't really comfortable flat out telling Phoebe who I was..."touchingly in love" with, even though I think she already knew, so I used "ice cream" as your code name. Kinda crazy, huh?"

"No, it's not crazy at all. Actually, I think it's kind of cute that you gave me a special nickname, even if it was just because you hadn't yet found the courage to admit your love to anyone." Helga blushed a light pink, trying to grasp the concept of Arnold liking her code name for him.

"Actually," Arnold continued, "I kind of like all of the nicknames you've given me over the years. Let's see, there was Arnoldo, Hair Boy, Head Boy, and my personal favorite, Football Head"

"Wait wait wait...are you actually saying that over the seven years that I called you names every day, you just found them..."

"Kind of special." Arnold supplied, "You've got it, Helga!"

"Wow...Arnold, I think you might be even crazier than me!" Helga joked.

"You're not crazy, Helga, you're unique, and you couldn't be better."

"Arnold, I swear if you keep making me blush with all of these compliments my face is going to be stuck this color!" Helga exclaimed.

"Well, you...you look really pretty when you blush, so I don't think it would be that bad..." he grinned.

Helga just blushed more and gave Arnold a light sock on the arm.

Some time later Arnold and Helga had finished their ice cream and were walking to the park. Arnold had invited Helga, saying there was something he wanted to tell her. Helga was more than nervous to say the least. 'What does he want to tell me? Is it good? What if it's bad? Oh, why does he have to keep it a surprise?'

"Arnold, whatever it is, can't you just tell me here?" Helga asked for the fifth time as they approached the park gate.

"No, Helga, I can't. I'm sorry, but it has to be here, and you'll understand when we get there. Until then you'll just have to be patient." he said with a little smile playing on his lips. 'Those perfect little lips that just...no, stop it Helga! You're supposed to be trying to get Arnold to tell you what's going on! But he's just so cute when he's got a little scheme in the works...' Helga was pulled from her thoughts at the sound of Arnold's voice.

"Ok, Helga, we're here. Do you know why?" he asked. Helga looked around; they were standing in front of the lake in the middle of the park with no one in sight.

"Honestly, Arnold, I really don't know why we're here. Will you just tell me?" Arnold smiled and squeezed her hand that he had been holding all the way from Slauson's.

"We're here," he began, "Because, well, I wanted us to be at the beach, but since I can't drive I thought this would be an okay substitute. Besides, I wanted to make this as special as possible, since I only get one chance to do this right."

"Arnold, what are you talking about?" Helga asked, completely perplexed.

"Helga," Arnold smiled sweetly, "These past few weeks have been the best ever. I can't believe it took me seven years to see how wonderful you are, but you really are very special. You're kind, and smart, and beautiful, and talented, and I can't imagine anyone more amazing than you. Helga...I love you. Will...will you be my girlfriend?"

This whole time Helga had been standing with her hand over her mouth in shock. She had never in a million years expected Arnold to actually...say that he...loved her. And in such a romantic spot! The water sparkled in the late afternoon sun and created the perfect backdrop, almost like a movie. 'But this is better...this is real! He...he really...oh my gosh! He...l-l-loves m-me?'

"Arnold...I...I..." Helga could think of think of nothing to say. Arnold had completely stolen her ability to speak. She settled for nodding, feeling her cheeks turn very pink, but not caring in the slightest.

Arnold's smile stretched all the way from one side of his wide head to the other. Standing on his toes to even out their height, he wrapped his arms around Helga and leaned in to kiss her gently on the cheek. But Helga was having none of that; at the very last second she turned her head to the side just slightly so that their lips met.

Arnold felt like he was going to explode, only in the best way possible. He hadn't wanted to rush Helga with the kiss, but she clearly wasn't shy about it! Not that he was complaining in the slightest! She was so soft, and warm, and her hair was soft under his fingers as he slowly stroked his hands through it; he could feel her hands in his hair as well, twirling a small piece around one of her delicate fingers.

Helga was in pure ecstasy! Life could not get more perfect than this. Heaven couldn't be more perfect than this! She could feel his hands playing with her hair and she knew that if it wasn't for his arms around her to keep her up she would be melted into a puddle of love on the ground right then and there.

Arnold gently broke their kiss, mostly because he needed to breathe. He looked at Helga, and immediately became concerned; she looked like she was going to cry!

"Helga, what's wrong? Did...I do something wrong?"

"No, not at all! Arnold...I've been dreaming of something like this happening for years! You just made today the best day of my life! How could anything be wrong with that?"

"Then why are you crying?" Arnold released on of her hands just long enough to dry her face with his shirt sleeve.

"Arnold, these are tears of joy!" she smiled, trying to stop her tears nonetheless just so Arnold would stop worrying.

"Oh Helga..." was all Arnold could say before pulling her into a tight hug, and Helga hugged Arnold right back. Without either having to say anything, they both knew; everything was right in the world.

A/N

Hey guys! I just wanted to say I hope you liked this chapter! (And I hope it makes an ok gift, Queen Kalana874! Happy B-day again!) Sorry if it get's a little hard to follow at times; I went through and added little bits and rewrote stuff so many times I got a little dizzy! I just hope it makes you all smile! Hugs! And thanks in advance for any reviews/follows/favorites/etc. You guys rock hard!