Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story.
They all belong to their rightful owner: Craig Bartlett.
Title: "Blackmail toy"
In the last chapter of "Blackmail toy": To everyone's surprise Helga made an excellent performance and shocked Aaron enough to leave her alone for the rest of the night. This whole karaoke thing also got her a chance to sing with Arnold, which they both enjoyed to the max.
Later they danced again, though this time not as silly as before. Actually, it resulted in a quite intense situation. So intense, that when Arnold was on the verge of kissing her, Helga passed out. It was Arnold's cue to take her home.
Author's 1st note: So! I'm just about to start writing this chapter and yet again: I have no clue how it'll end up xD That's the funny thing about me, I just write. My fingers have their own life :P My creativity is unstoppable! *Epic music plays in the background, as I fist pump on a roof*
Chapter 16: "I can save my congratulations for later"
"Hey, guys?" Arnold asked as he approached Phoebe and Gerald, only just noticing now, that they were making out. Their lips moved apart and they turned to look at him. "What?" Gerald asked, before he noticed Helga in his arms.
"Oh, my goodness! Helga!" Phoebe stood up from the couch and walked over to Arnold. "Is she alright?" she asked. Arnold smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that she is. I think the dancing and the alcohol just got a little too much. I'll grab a taxi and get her home, ok?"
Phoebe smiled and nodded gratefully. "Here's her purse." She said, turned around to grab it and then put it on Helga's stomach. Arnold in a nutshell… He really is very caring. Oh, please, let this relationship develop soon. Let nothing stand in their way. Oh, speaking of standing in their way… "Anyone who knows where Aaron is?"
"Uh, no, but please don't tell him I'm taking Helga home, ok?" Arnold begged and looked at Gerald. "Of course, buddy, we won't tell. Just get her home safely." He answered and pulled Phoebe down next to him again. "Now, where were we?"
Arnold shook his head in amusement and left his friends to their own business. He sneaked through the horde of people and made it out into the hallway. As he was about to descend the stairs, he heard a door open behind him. "Oh!"
Arnold turned around, when he heard the familiar voice. "Oh, hey, Lila." He said with a friendly tone. "Gosh, Arnold. Is Helga ok?" she asked and approach them, eying Helga worriedly. "Yeah, she's fine. I think it's more due to her being tired than anything else." He answered. "Would you mind calling a cap for us? My, uh… hands are sorta tied."
"Oh, of course!" Lila answered and pulled out her cell phone from her dress. Her rather short, dark green dress, Arnold noticed with a cocked eyebrow. It almost looked like a more fancy version of the same dress she wore in fourth grade. And therefore it was even shorter than back then. Sheesh, it's true what they say: It's always the quiet ones. Wait, what does that make me?
"Thank you ever so much." Lila said as she finished the call and hung up. "The taxi will be here in ten minutes." Arnold smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Lila. Goodnight." he said and took the first step down the stairs. "Oh, Arnold. Can I ask you something?" Lila asked. Arnold turned around gently, making sure not to wake Helga or bang her head into the wall. "Yes?"
"… Is something going on between you and Helga?" Lila asked with slightly narrowed eyes. "Uh, wh-what makes you think that?" Arnold asked, but felt like slapping his forehead at the dumb question.
"Well, you two just seem to spend ever so much time together. Ever since that food fight, you've gotten… closer, it seems. Also, I sorta saw you two dancing earlier. It was ever so intense." Lila answered with an innocent and honest smile.
"Oh… Uh… Well, yeah, we… I don't know, I guess we… Look, Lila, I don't know what to answer, I'll admit that." Arnold said and it was true. He didn't mind Lila knowing he had feelings for Helga per se… It was more the fact the she might tell Rhonda and she would tell… well, everyone.
"Oh, that's perfectly fine, Arnold, I was just a bit curious. It seems your lack of answer has given me a reply nevertheless though." Lila said with a slight smirk. "Huh? What do… you mean?" Arnold asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Hmm…" Lila lifted her hand to her chin thoughtfully. "Just that… it's been an ever so long time coming." She answered and turned on her heels. "Huh…?" Arnold murmured and looked at her, as she walked back to the party.
A long time coming…? Does that mean she knows about my feelings for Helga? B-But I never told her! I never told anyone until I told Gerald! Wait. Is it that obvious? Then maybe everyone else knows too… Oh, God, that would make Helga now too right?! Arnold felt a surge of panic run through him, until he realized something. No way. Gerald didn't even realize and he's my best friend. No way would anyone else figure it out then.
With the reassuring thought, Arnold continued his way down the stairs. He looked at Helga, as she snuggled closer to him in her sleep. A big smile spread across his face. But they will know some day… and so will she.
It was safe to say that the cabdriver was confused, when he saw Arnold carrying Helga around in his arms, but he didn't question it. As they approached Helga's house, Arnold rummaged through her purse to find her keys. It was easy. She had them in her wallet for some reason. Quite clever actually with all those other things that was in the purse.
"Thank you. Have a good night." Arnold said as he carried Helga out of the cab. "You too, son. Take care of your girlfriend now." The cab driver answered and turned on the car again. Arnold felt a heat wave run through him at the word 'girlfriend'. M-Maybe someday… Hopefully.
Arnold went up the stairs very carefully. He didn't wish to wake the rest of the Pataki household, nor did he wish to wake Helga. Not that he could, it definitely didn't seem likely at least. While still holding her in his arms, he pushed the key into the keyhole and managed to open it.
He snuck his way inside and noticed the light was still on. "Hello? Is anyone awake?" he asked and used Helga's legs to close the door behind him. He followed the hallway and looked into the kitchen. He almost gasped, when he saw a figure hunched over the kitchen desk.
"… Mrs. Pataki?" Arnold asked gently and walked a bit closer. He went around her and saw that she was either sleeping or passed out. She was snoring, so he guessed it was the first option. He wrinkled his nose, when he noticed the almost empty glass in her hand. The place smelled like martinis.
"That bad, huh…?" Arnold mumbled and looked at Helga. I had no idea it was this bad… Her father probably doesn't even realize his wife is down here. He sighed and walked out into the hallway again. He walked up the stairs and noticed a door at the far end being open.
Curious, Arnold walked to the door and looked inside. It was dark, but it was obvious it was a bedroom. With an empty bed. "Her father's not even home." He observed with a disapproving shook of his head.
Is he just working…? That could be it; he's a workaholic after all. He could also be… cheating. Arnold's thought became more and more clouded, so he just went into Helga's room instead. He laid her gently on the bed and looked around.
Arnold walked over to Helga's window and closed the curtains. He turned to look at her again. She was still sleeping peacefully, but this was the hard part. Should he put her pajamas on for her… or should he just leave her dressed in that expensive gown?
Arnold felt a familiar heat rise up in his cheeks and other places at the mere thought of undressing her. No! Definitely not! No undressing her. She doesn't even care that much about the dress. Who cares if it gets wrinkled? Not me. Not her. He sighed in relief.
Arnold did walk to the end of the bed to take Helga's stilettos off though. He snuck them off without much trouble and put them gently close to her closet. He heard her shift in her bed and when he turned to glance at her, the cut in her dress revealed much more of her thigh than before.
Arnold almost jumped three feet into the air at the sight. "Control yourself!" he begged himself and shook his head. He couldn't help walking over to her though. He looked at her for a bit and then took ahold of her blanket to cover her.
When Helga was completely covered, Arnold cocked his head to the side. "I remember seeing your peaceful sleeping face back when you had amnesia… How come I didn't realize I was in love with you there?" he wondered aloud and sat down on his knees. He laid his arms on the bed and gazed lovingly at her.
"How come I've been so slow…? Well, I have my theory, but… still…" Arnold muttered, feeling his eyelids grow heavy. "I just want you to… fell the same… about me… Is that… possible… Helga…?"
Arnold could barely keep his eyes open at this point. He was exhausted and didn't even know what time it was. Having his head this close to Helga's gave him a sense of peace, he didn't often feel. "Please," he muttered and put his hand on top of hers. "fall in love with me too… Fall in love with me quickly…"
And with those begging words, Arnold fell asleep.
As Helga's slumber became lighter and lighter, she slowly shifted in her bed a little. Her conscious woke up very slowly as it always did and she yawned a bit. "Ow…" she mumbled when she could feel a headache creep up her cranial edge. Drank too much… Oh, God. I don't even remember how I got home. I… am home… right?
Helga tried opening her eyes, but it proved to be difficult. Instead, she decided to try to feel around for something that could confirm her whereabouts. When she wriggled her lift hand though, she felt something holding it down.
"What the…?" Helga mumbled tiredly and fluttered her eyes open. Everything was blurry and in a haze, and slowly, but surely, she got them opened completely. In front of her, she saw big tuffs of blonde hair, much like the color of her own, only slightly darker. Very slightly.
Helga forced her head up from her pillow to take a look at the owner of the unruly hair. She saw a very familiar face and smiled automatically. As she looked at him, it didn't seem to make her realize the current situation. A mix of sleepiness and hangover made it impossible for the time being.
Helga lifted her free hand and used it as a pillow for her head. She kept looking at Arnold's head, still smiling. Then, provoked by absolutely nothing, her eyes went wide with realization. "Arnold!"
"Wha'?!" Arnold said and lifted his head from the shock. "Ow!" he quickly let his head fall back to the bed again though. He started holding his head as he whimpered at the pain. "Oh, my god… Please… Please, don't yell."
Helga couldn't even comprehend Arnold's words. Hung-over or not, she was very much aware now that Arnold was in her room. She looked at her window. In the morning, even! Had he been there the whole night? She looked down at her body. I'm still dressed. Oh, thank goodness.
Arnold now lifted his head to look at Helga, who looked back at him. They stared at each other, Helga just waiting for reality to dawn on him. It did. After about five seconds. "Helga!" he suddenly yelled and jumped back, unconsciously still holding on to her hand though. "What are you doing in my - "
Arnold now finally looked around at the pink and not blue room. "… your room." He corrected. "You're asking me what I'm doing in my room, football head?" Helga asked in incredulity. "Uh, no… I just, uh… I'm trying to remember what… happened last night." He answered and closed his eyes to think.
Helga just stayed in her half laying, half sitting up position with her stomach turned down. She looked to her hand and only just now saw that Arnold was holding it with his own. "Oh!" he said with realization. "You passed out at the party, so I carried you home."
Helga looked back at Arnold, forgetting their hands for the moment. "Huh? Uh, really…? Th-Thank you. Why did I… pass out?" she asked. Arnold narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "That… I can't remember." He answered and opened his eyes again.
"Oh… well, that's reassuring." Helga said with a sigh. "But, uh… and I'm really not trying to sound ungrateful here or anything… Why are you here…? On my floor…? Next to my bed…? H… H-Holding my hand…?"
Arnold frowned in confusion. "Holding your…?" he repeated and looked at his hand. "Oh!" he exclaimed and let go off her hand in embarrassment. "Uh, I, uh… I don't know. I must have… fallen asleep."
"Yeah, but to fall asleep, you'd have to sit down first. Why did you sit down next to my bed… holding my hand?" Helga asked. Usually, she wouldn't question him to this extend, but she wanted to know more than anything. She was hoping so badly right now.
"I… Uh…" Arnold on the other hand was desperately searching for an excuse. He was not in the mood to confess his love right now. Hung-over just like Helga in this odd situation. Heck no. "I was checking if you were breathing properly… a-and then I must have put my hand on yours in my sleep or something."
Helga frowned a little bit, thinking she was not completely buying his explanation. Mostly because she didn't want it to be the truth, but just sighed and nodded. Carefully, mind you. The headache was killing her.
"Well, thank you for taking care of me. I'm sorry you had to do that… and that you fell asleep in such an uncomfortable position. Doesn't your back hurt?" Helga asked while cocking an eyebrow. "Huh?" he mumbled and tried stretching his back a little.
Pain!
"Ow!" Arnold exclaimed and stopped straightening it immediately. He nodded. Helga finally sat up in her bed. "Sorry…" she said and sat down next to him on her knees. "It's not your fault." He said with a smile. "I'm the one who fell asleep like this. I'm sorry for doing something like that by the way."
"Ah, no… don't be sorry about that." Helga said and stood up. She looked down at herself. She noticed her dress was slightly turned to the side, but quickly fixed it. "Uh… c-can I, like, offer you something? Coffee? Breakfast? I wanna thank you for… taking me home last night. That… couldn't have been fun. I ruined the party for you."
"What? No! No, you didn't ruin the party. Not at all. I usually leave a bit earlier than the others do. Ask Gerald and Phoebe, they can confirm that." Arnold answered honestly and tried to stand up. "Ow!"
Helga snickered just a little bit and held out her hand. "Can I at least help you stand up?" she asked with a small smile. Arnold smiled back and nodded while taking her hand. His face cringed at the pain in his spine as he stood up.
"Is there anything I can do to help you with that?" Helga asked worriedly. "My grandma probably knows some amazing trick to heal it, so it's ok. But thanks." Arnold answered and forced his back to straighten out. Note to self: Never ever, sleep sitting up.
"You sure I can't offer you some breakfast? I'm gonna make something anyway, so…" Helga suggested with a shrug, as if she didn't care about his answer. She did though, boy, did she care. Arnold and I just woke up together! Oh, dear God, please don't let this morning end too soon!
Arnold couldn't help but smile at Helga's insistence. "Sure. I'd like that. Thanks, Helga." He answered and started walking towards her door. "Don't mention it." She followed him. "Seriously, don't. Other people might misunderstand." She added with a slight chuckle. He chuckled along with her.
"Whoa, Helga, this is really good." Arnold said as he took another bite. "It's just an omelet, Arnold, don't got all crazy because of something as simple as that." Helga replied, but honestly felt warmth in her whole body at being praised by him.
"That may be true, but… it's the best omelet I ever had, and my mom makes omelets all the time."
"Oh, really? So you're saying that I can outdo your own mother? That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"
"Well… she did spend a lot of years in San Lorenzo, so I guess her cooking skills might have gone down a lot in that time." Arnold said with a teasing smirk. "Jerk." Helga replied and smacked his shoulder gently.
"What is all that noise…?" a very tired sounding voice said. Helga and Arnold turned to look towards it and saw a blonde shorthaired woman, with a pair of glasses on her head, standing in the doorframe.
Helga frowned. "What are you doing up, Miriam?" she asked in a monotone voice. "Oh, is that you, dear…? I'm just trying to find my glasses." Miriam replied and looked lazily around. Helga gave an impatient sigh. "They're on the top of your head."
"Oh?" Miriam lifted her hand slowly and touched her head. "Oh! There they are." She said as she took them off her head and put them on her nose in front of her eyes. "How weird. Why were they up there?"
"I really couldn't tell you, Miriam, even if I wanted to." Helga replied and felt a wave of anger and embarrassment run through her. For crying out loud, Arnold's right here. She probably haven't even noticed him!
"Well, then I'll just make myself a smoothie, dear, and go into the living room, ok?" Miriam said and went towards her beloved blender. "Miriam, it's only 10am, could you at least wait 'till noon?" Helga asked with a slight scowl on her face.
Arnold just kept very quiet as he watched the conversation between Helga and her mother. Miriam turned around to look at her with the same dazed look on her face. "Dear, aren't you dressed a little too nicely for a Sunday morning?"
Helga sighed in exasperation and stood up from her seat. "I didn't put it on this morning. I went to a party last night. I told you already." She said and walked towards her mother. "Oh, really? You sure, you told me that, honey? I don't remember." Miriam asked and plugged the blender in.
"Of course you don't, since you drink all of your memories away." Helga answered and stopped next to Miriam. "Now, don't talk to me that way, Helga, i-it'll hurt my feelings." She answered in the same monotone voice and stumbled a bit towards a cabinet.
"Since when do I have to care about your feelings, when you don't care about mine? Now, please, I have a guest right now, so could you go into the living room already?" Helga asked as patiently as she could.
"A guest?" Miriam repeated and spun slowly around and noticed Arnold. "Oh! It's your little friend. Alfred, isn't it? Good morning." She said with a lazy smile. Arnold's eyes went wide. She only just noticed me now? "Uh, g-good morning, Mrs. Pataki. And it's Arnold."
"Now, where did I put it…?" Miriam wondered aloud and tried to reach something in the cabinet. "Miriam, I'll only say this one more time. Please, go into the living room." Helga begged yet again. "In a second, dear." She answered and pulled out a bottle from the cabinet. "There we go."
"No, Miriam, not in a second," Helga reached out and took ahold of the bottle. "now." She corrected and pulled a bit at it. Despite Miriam's weak arms, she was able to hold onto the bottle. "Helga, let go of the bottle."
"No!" Helga answered and pulled it roughly out of her mother's hands. She put it down on the desk next to her. "Why must you be like this? Why must you do this, even when I have my friends around? You just said hello to him, after noticing him for the first time since getting in! What is the matter with you? A drink now? It's not even fucking noon!"
A smack suddenly rang in the room. Arnold jolted back in shock at the sight of Miriam slapping Helga. In a very lazy way though. Helga's eyes were wide as she held her cheek and stared at her mother in disbelief. Miriam, suddenly realizing that she had just slapped her own daughter, looked sadly back at her. "Oh, Helga," she said in an apologetic voice. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to - "
Helga held a hand in front of her, silencing her mother with it. "It's ok." She interrupted with her eyes closed and her lips in two thin lines. "Just… please… go into the living room. Make your smoothie… later."
"A… All right, dear, I will wait. Are you sure that you're alright?" Miriam asked unsurely and held out her hand to touch Helga's cheek. She stepped back though and gave a tense smile. "It's fine. Go into the living room."
Miriam nodded and went to walk into the living room, with tension in the air as her wake. When the two teens could hear her plump down to the couch and some light snoring, Helga gasped a little in shock and caressed her cheek a bit.
Arnold didn't dare speaking. He didn't know what to say. Is that… a regular thing? If her mother is like this… Her actually friendly mother… I don't dare imagine what her father is like. He's so brutal with his words. What if this slap really is nothing?
"Sorry you had to see that." Helga said and turned to look at Arnold. She let her hand fall down to the kitchen desk. He couldn't help but notice the sadness, anger and embarrassment in her facial expression, despite the emptiness in her eyes.
"I'm not lying right now: She's never slapped me before. Ever. Big Bob isn't violent either. He's not afraid at telling me how much of a disappointment I am though. That's the honest truth, and if you ever tell anyone, I - "
"I won't." Arnold interrupted with a serious tone in his voice. Helga looked back at him, feeling the tension in the room lift just a tiny bit. She still felt the vulnerability soaring through her though, and that feeling wasn't welcome. "And if you don't know that by now, Helga, then - "
"I know." Helga interrupted with a serious tone in her voice as well. The tension rose a bit again, and so did Arnold. He walked slowly towards her as they kept eye contact with each other. He bit at his lower lip for a second before lifting his hand to touch her cheek gently. "Does it hurt?"
Helga shook her head slowly. "Naw, she's too drunk to use proper strength. It was more like a rough pat than anything else." She answered with empty eyes. "I'm sorry, Helga." Arnold said, starting to feel really sad at seeing her like that.
"Don't." Helga begged gently and stepped back a bit. She shook her head a bit and dared to look into Arnold's eyes again. "I don't want your pity, Arnold. I don't need it. It won't help to know that you've seen me like this."
"I don't pity you, Helga." Arnold said and stepped forward again, forcing Helga against the kitchen desk. Before she could protest, he wrapped his arms gently around her, locking her arms into her sides.
"Let go!" Helga yelped halfheartedly and tried to lift her arms a bit, but to no vain. "No, Helga. I'm not letting go." Arnold answered. Not ever. He added in his head and made his grip on her tighter. "It's not as bad as it seems!" she insisted and lifted her arms above his. She tried pushing him off her by thrusting him at his shoulders, but he was stronger than he looked. Alternatively, perhaps she had grown weak in his arms already.
"Please don't push me away, Helga." Arnold begged and pulled away just a little bit to look into her eyes. She stared back at him, her blue eyes big and moist. She was fighting back her tears so badly. "I want to be the one who… you can trust. The one you don't mind seeing you like this. I-I know that may seem cocky or… or that I'm trying to butt into your business, but… it's because I… I worry about you… So please… don't push me away."
That did it. Before Arnold could see the tears fall down her cheeks, Helga pulled him close to her by the neck. She wrapped her arms so tightly around him, that he almost felt like he was being strangled. He just held her more tightly by the waist though, refusing to let anything stop him from trying to comfort her.
"She's never hit me before. I was so shocked." Helga admitted in a dry voice and let her warm tears flow down from her cheeks to Arnold's shoulder and neck. He could feel them trickling down and opened his eyes in surprise. She's crying! Oh, God, no. Please, Helga, don't cry.
Arnold held Helga more tightly. He wanted to beg her not to cry. He'd never seen her so vulnerable and sad before, and it hurt more than he could have ever imagined. She was scared and felt alone, and he wanted to do everything in his power to make it better. However, he didn't know how else to do that but to just hold her.
To Helga that was more than enough. What she needed, and she didn't even know that a minute ago, was the embrace of the guy she loved. The one guy she's ever loved and ever would love. She started feeling weak and let her knees give in. He followed her down to the floor, both landing gently on their knees.
After some time, Helga went quiet. Arnold didn't let go of her, but dared to turn his face closer to her cheek. "Are you alright?" he asked. She took a deep breath and nodded. She slowly let go of him and let her hands land on her lap, as she looked down to the ground.
Arnold sat in the same way in front of Helga. He didn't know what to say or if he was supposed to say anything at all, so he just waited for her to say something. Do something. Anything. He saw her lift a hand and wipe some mascara from the night before away from her cheek.
"I should take this makeup off… I must look like a train wreck or something." Helga suggested to herself with a weak smile. Arnold smiled a bit and shook his head. "You don't look like a train wreck."
"Thanks, but I should take it off anyway." Helga said and stood up. She walked slowly towards the hallway and then stopped. Without really look at him, but just having her head half turned at him, she spoke. "If you want to leave, that's ok… If you want to stay, that's ok too…"
Arnold had no doubt in his mind what he wanted to do. Though he wasn't sure what he should do, he decided to go with his gut. "Then I'd like to stay." He answered. He observed Helga for a reaction. She gave a very small smile and lifted her head to look at him completely. "Then please stay."
Arnold gave a big smile and nodded slowly. "I'll wait down here." He announced and sat back down in front of his plate. "Where else would you go, if you want to stay? Doi." Helga muttered playfully and went out of the room.
10 to 15 minutes later, Helga came back down. Not only with her makeup off, but also dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and a pink top. It was typical home-sweet-home clothes, but on Helga, it actually looked sexy.
Damn it. Beautiful dress or not, is there anything that looks bad on her? Arnold thought to himself and sighed a little bit. "Hi." He said carefully. Helga gave him an earnest smile and sat next to him. "Hi yourself."
"So… what's on the agenda today?" Arnold asked with a crooked smile. Helga smiled back and gave a thoughtful look. "Well, I did plan this day ahead a little, since I was going to a party the night before." She answered.
"And what did you plan?"
"Hangover day."
Arnold laughed at that. Sure, they were both hung-over, but not a lot. It was more like a headache, but it wasn't excruciating or anything. "And what does that mean in the Helga Pataki world?" he asked. "Hmm…" she mumbled and laid her chin in her hand. "It means being lazy… staying in my room… and maybe watch some movies or something."
"That all sounds good."
"You, uh… wanna join me?" Helga dared to ask. Arnold blinked a couple of times, before deciding to try and stop that very big smile that was threatening to appear on his face. "I'd really like that… since we're both hung-over and everything." He answered.
Helga giggled a little and stood up. "Great! But, uh, you should probably call your parents first. They're most likely worried sick." She suggested. Arnold's eyes went big. "Oh, crap!" he exclaimed and pulled out his phone from his pants.
"Don't tell me you forgot about them?"
"I did! I completely did! Oh, man, and not even Aaron knows where I went. I just left him like that. My parents are gonna kill me."
"Ha! You left your cousin behind without a word? Why, Arnold, I think I'm starting to have a bad influence on you." Helga observed and grabbed their plates. Arnold snickered and pulled the phone close to his ear. "Then you gotta make it up to me today."
"Oh, do I now? And how do I do that?" Helga asked as she opened the dishwasher. "By spending this hangover day with me." Arnold answered as he waited for an answer on the other side of the phone.
"Oh, brother, I have to spend all day with you?" Helga asked playfully and put the plates into the dishwasher. "That's the prize. Take it or leave it." Arnold answered with a teasing smirk, as she closed the dishwasher. "Sold." She answered and hopped onto the kitchen desk.
"Arnold!" the phone suddenly screamed so loudly into Arnold's ear that even Helga heard it. "Ow!" he exclaimed and pulled the phone away for a bit. "Mom, please don't scream like that. I have a hangover."
"I will scream however I please, young man! Where are you? We've been so worried about you! Aaron didn't even know where you went! What did you do last night?" Stella asked with slight panic in her voice.
Arnold kept the phone away from his ear and turned to look at Helga, who had a hard time not laughing. In a way, she was also envious. No way would her own parents worry that much about her, if she suddenly disappeared. Hell, they probably wouldn't even notice.
"Mom, don't worry. I just took Helga home last night." Arnold answered into the phone, making sure to keep his ear away from it. He was met with silence on the other side. "Uh… mom, you still there?"
"… Hold on." Stella answered and the sound of footsteps could be heard. Arnold frowned and looked at Helga. She shrugged. "How am I supposed to know?" she gave as a reply to his unsaid question.
"Arnold?" a male voice asked on the other end. "Oh, good morning, dad. What happened to mom?" Arnold asked. "She told me: 'Go ask your son what he did last night'… So, what did you do last night?" Miles asked.
"Uh…" Arnold looked at Helga unsurely. What's with the big fuss? He wondered. "I took Helga home last night after the party." He answered. Helga was also frowning a bit. What the heck is his parents thinking?
"… You took Helga home? After a party? And you… stayed over?" Miles asked very slowly. "Yeah… I did." Arnold answered, also very slowly. He kept looking at Helga, who was just as much in the dark as him.
"Well!" Miles finally announced on the phone with a big happy voice. Arnold looked at his phone in confusion. "Well what?" he asked. "Congratulations, my boy! You finally became a man last night. Kudos!" Miles answered.
"Huh?" Arnold muttered, trying to figure out what his father was talking about. It wasn't until he noticed that Helga was now holding her mouth with both her hands, trying very hard not to laugh too loudly, that it dawned on him.
The darkest blush imaginable appeared on Arnold's face and he practically stuttered into the phone. "D-Dad! No! Th-That's not what… That's not what ha-happened!" he exclaimed in a wave of panic. "Yeah, right! Don't try to lie to your old man, Arnold, I was 16 years old once too, you know!" Miles answered, followed by a laugh.
"Oh, my God!" Helga shrieked and finally had to laugh. She was laughing in amusement and embarrassment, all at the same time. She didn't feel bad for Arnold, not the slightest. She couldn't muster pity at this point. It was too hilarious.
"Oh, Helga's right next to you? I'm sorry. I didn't realize! No wonder you tried to cover it up." Miles said on the other end of the phone, which just made Helga laugh even louder. Arnold could have sworn he could also hear his own mother laugh at the other end.
"No, dad, I swear, nothing happened! A-Ask Helga! We didn't do anything! I just fell asleep by accident. H-Helga, tell him, please!" Arnold begged and held out his phone to Helga. Laughing just a little bit more, she took the phone up to her ear. "Good morning, Miles."
"Good morning, Helga! So, how are you on this fine morning?"
"Oh, I'm just fine. Your conversation with your son gave me the biggest laugh ever. Thank you for that."
"Helga!" Arnold interrupted. "Please!" he begged. "Oh, fine." Helga said and straightened her back a little. "Well, Miles, as amusing your assumption was, I have to inform you that it's false. Nothing happened between Arnold and me last night."
"Oh, really?" Miles asked in a slightly disappointed voice. "Well… if anything did happen… then I'm sorry to tell you that your son is a necrophiliac, since I was passed out through the whole thing."
"Helga!" Arnold exclaimed in a serious panic. He tried to take the phone away from Helga, but she held him back by her free hand. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Your son is far too much of a gentleman to do that. I'm sorry. That was a mean joke." She explained.
When Arnold seemed to calm down, Helga let go of his chest. "Why, thank you, Helga dear." Stella said on the phone. Helga could imagine that Arnold's parents were now sharing the phone. "Of course we knew it was a joke though. Arnold cares too much about you to do such a thing."
Helga felt heat rise to her cheeks and around her heart at that comment. "Uh, th-thanks. I… know." She answered and glanced at Arnold, who looked like he could die from embarrassment, but still had a small smile on his lips. So she does know that I care. That's good.
"So, Helga. Is Arnold going to be home soon or will we even be seeing him today?" Miles asked teasingly. Arnold rolled his eyes heavily and pulled his hand through his hair. "I don't know when he'll be home. We just made plans about having a hung-over day together." Helga answered honestly, truly hoping for another embarrassing episode for Arnold.
She got it. "Oh!" both parents exclaimed together and started laughing. Arnold held his hand out to Helga, asking for his phone. His parents started talking while she gave it to him. "Well, looks like I can save my congratulations for later, Arnold!" Miles said.
Arnold and Helga stared at each other in huge embarrassment. Crap! That was bad for me too! Helga thought to herself, but couldn't help laughing. Arnold on the other hand, was now growling at the very back of his throat, as he lifted the phone to his mouth. "I wish I didn't find you guys in San Lorenzo!" he yelled in embarrassment and hung up.
Author's 2nd note: First of all: Of course Arnold didn't mean that last comment, his parents knows that too. He was just embarrassed to his very core, and can you blame him? :P If you want to imagine how he said that last line, then search hey Arnold lockjaw on YouTube. When Arnold exclaims: "Grandma!" Yeah, that's the voice he used here XD
Secondly: As I said in the beginning of this chapter, I didn't plan any of this xD When I started writing, I didn't see this ending coming! So, Arnold's gonna spend the day with Helga? Who knows what will happen? I don't even know! xD
Oh, and a small personal thing: Congratulate me! I passed my… uh… what would such a thing be called in English? My written driving test? I passed it just today! :D Do you guys even have such a thing? O.o I truly don't know! Tell me! I don't know how driving lessons work anywhere else but in Denmark! XD