Helga's POV

Tonight's the big night. I know something big is going to happen, and I know Cody is somehow involved, but I have no clue what. I just wish I took the football head's offer for that date. Oh Arnold, how I wish I could open my doors, break down my barriers and let you into my heart...

Oh well. Maybe I-er, Cecelia might be able to talk to him. If I don't get killed by the mobs first.

Helga combed out her freshly cleansed golden locks, stopping every now and then as her hair dryer blew through.

"Are you OK, baby sister?" Olga asked as she held the dryer, stopping the warm air current, "You've been quiet all day."

Helga sighed, running her fingers through her damp wavy hair. She knew something was wrong, something involving Cody was going to happen, but she had no idea what. It was slowly driving her crazy, but she decided to roll with the punches and expect the unexpected. What else could she do?

"I'm fine, Olga. But can we run through the plan one more time?"

...

Arnold walked up to the boarding house, Gerald behind him. "Come on man, it'll be OK," Gerald tried to comfort his best friend. He stepped aside as Arnold opened the door, letting a wave of animals flood out.

Arnold just shook his head, not saying another word as they headed inside.

"Hey Shortman!" Grandpa stepped out of the kitchen as he wiped his hands on a dishtowel, a bright smile on his face. "Did you ask the girl with the pink bow..." He trailed off after glancing at Gerald's cut throat motion.

Arnold sighed miserably, "It's OK guys, I'm fine, really. I guess I got what I deserved. I guess I really shouldn't have sent that text out, huh?" He headed up the stairs. Gerald and Grandpa exchanged a look of defeat.

...

Cody fastened his tie in place, taking a good look in himself in his full length mirror. A tan blazer with a silk white interior and slacks, white dress shoes completing his semi-casual look. He sighed, looking at his nearly vacant room, save for a bed, a nightstand and a closet.

He had always been a lonely child, is parents being famous film producers and directors, and almost always away. He couldn't remember a time that he didn't have babysitters or guards watching his every moment. After nearly a year of trying to convince is parents to fire the babysitters, he succeeded and finally left the prying eyes of a caretaker, in hopes that he could finally make some friends.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Everywhere he went, he was judged for either being the child of billionaires, or shunned for being famous, and, in their minds, following all the 'famous people' stereotypes. Rich in dollars, poor in sense. Money and possessions over friends. Shallow beyond reason. And for a while, that was how he believed all rich and famous people should act. Any celebrity who did the opposite seemed fake.

Except Cecelia NightGale, that is.

With her infectious melodies, down to Earth charm and the fact she popped out of nowhere just made her impossible to ignore. She was just so darn irresistible, and Cody needed to find out who she was. Surely she couldn't hide in the shadows when not in the eyes of the adoring public.

He would find her.

No matter what.

**TSLOHP**

7:38 PM

"Why did I let you convince me to got to this party?" Arnold asked, sighing heavily. He shook his cup of lemonade (Because punch is way too overdone) and shook the remnants around before swallowing it.

Music pounded through the bass speakers and dancing was not sparse. Hundreds of broken glow sticks illuminated the entire mansion, making lights unnecessary as they shook to the beat of the music and movement of the bodies that held them. Gerald stood next to Arnold wearing a mostly black semi-formal attire. Dark brown loafers, black skinny jeans, a matching blazer and a white undershirt was what he settled on, with a white (non clip-on) tie. His hair, usually tall, was condensed to about half it's length with a circular basketball-like appearance.

Gerald put his arm around Arnold's shoulder. "Come on man, you need this party. After all that's happened these past few months, you could use some fun. Plus, Cecelia is gonna be here. Rhonda made sure of that."

Arnold looked down to his classic black suit with a red bow tie. He fingered his tie absentmindedly, dazing off into the distance.

"Yo man, snap out of it!" Gerald snapped his fingers, thus bringing Arnold back to reality. Arnold blinked, sighing in annoyance. "I didn't even want to come," He said, eyeing his empty glass in disdain. "I just want to go home-"

"Well you're not, OK?" Gerald interrupted. "We are here to party and enjoy ourselves. You can't lay in bed all day and mourn. You need to get on with your life. I'm not saying you shouldn't be sad, but come on! It's been four months, dammit, and I'm sick of your mopey attitude. Now what do you say we put the past where it belongs and move on?"

Arnold fixed a blank glare at Gerald, then at the cup in his hand. Empty. Just like my heart. "I say..." He trailed, looking at his friend's expectant look, "I'm going to get another drink. Don't wait up." With that he walked away. Gerald groaned in frustration. Pataki's got him all in a funk! What am I gonna do?

"I take that the conversation between you and Arnold did not go as expected?" Pheobe asked, walking into the lights toward Gerald with two glasses of lemonade in her hand. she wore a blue cocktail dress that stopped at the knee, hair curled to perfection, held back with a headband and beautiful gold heart necklace around her neck. She also wore black heels and small gold hoop earrings complete her look. She handed one over to him.

Gerald smiled, drinking half the container. "Thanks babe. But yeah, he's still in a funk. I just don't know what to do anymore. He's never been this strung over a girl before."

Pheobe nodded, sipping her drink. "Wounds of the heart take time to heal."

"But it's been four months already!" Gerald groaned, taking another gulp. "It's been forever."

"I agree, but we must give him time. He might not fully recover, but Arnold needs time to adjust."

Gerald reluctantly nodded. "You're right, as always Pheobe."

She giggled. "I do put my best efforts into everything I attempt."

"Well," He asked, putting his drink down on a nearby coaster, "How about we put our best efforts into this kiss?"

Pheobe slid her hands into his. "It will be my pleasure." The two leaned closer and closer until-

"Eww, gross. Loser love." A voice said as footsteps drew closer. "I can't believe you two are still together."

Pheobe and Gerald pulled apart, Gerald in anger and Pheobe in slight embarrassment, cheeks reddening. They turned to see Rosemary Williams walking towards them, a strut in her step and a smirk on her face. Her hair was styled into a bun, with small sections of black curly hair falling into her face and covering one of her violet eyes. Her outfit consisted of a black halter top and red miniskirt, with plastic bangles and black flats.

Gerald growled, crossing his arms. "What do you want?"

Rosemary put a hand on her chest in false shock. "What, I can't visit my good old pals without being scorned?"

"That would be the case if we were friends," Pheobe commented, "Which of course, we aren't."

Rosemary sighed, just shaking her head. "You know that just breaks my heart, you know."

Gerald smirked, "What heart?"

"Oh, you think you're so funny, don't you?" She scowled in response to Phoebe's laughter.

"I don't think I'm funny," Gerald sipped his near-forgotten drink, "I know I'm funny. Don't ever forget it."

"Speaking of forgetting..." She trailed off, picking up a vanilla cupcake, licking the chocolate frosting off of it, "What happened to Big Bad Pataki? It seems she's fallen off the face of the Earth."

At the silence, Rosemary smirked and continued. "I knew she was lovesick with my boyfriend-"

"EX-BOYFRIEND!" Both piped up.

She rolled her eyes, taking another lick of frosting. "Whatever. The point is, she deserved whatever she got. And I'm glad Arnold's finally seeing what happens when you choose the wrong girl."

"Excuse me?" Arnold asked through gritted teeth as he held the lemonade glass, "What did you just say about Helga?"

Rosemary smiled sweetly, putting the half eaten cupcake back on the serving tray. "Nothing that wasn't true."

"Bullshit!" Arnold shouted, dropping his drink. "You quit saying shit about her!"

Rosemary jumped back in shock. She didn't expect Arnold to lose his temper so quickly. She started in fear, "Arnold-"

"No, don't 'Arnold' me! Don't insult my friends, don't insult me and don't insult Helga!"

Pheobe and Gerald looked around them to see a small crowd had formed. "Hey man," Gerald said, walking over to him, "Just cool down."

Arnold took a deep breath before looking to Rosemary, anger still coursing through him. He could see a pool of unshed tears and internally scoffed.

"Leave. Now!"

Not wanted to be told twice, she quickly left the scene. The crowd groaned at the lack of action and slowly went back to their various activities.

"I'm going home," Arnold announced, putting his hands in his pockets, "This has done nothing but remind me of Helga."

Gerald nodded, and watched him take his leave. He looked over to see Phoebe by his side, holding his hand.

"We tried. You tried."

A small smile came to his face as Pheobe leaned into his side, but did little to quell the worry.

...

7:52 PM

Arnold walked all over the Llyod's house hoping to find a way out, with nothing to accompany him but his thoughts.

How could she say that her? He stewed. Helga is one hundred times better than Rosemary will ever be and she's jealous, that's all! But still, to have the balls to say that in front of Pheobe and Gerald? In front of me? Her friends and... Arnold sighed, anger turning into sadness as he stopped walking. Her ex-friend. Would we still be friends if I didn't let 'Cody and Helga' thoughts overtake my thoughts? Or something more? Why didn't I just trust her? He blinked away the inevitable tears of his heartbreak, forcing them away as he continued walking. He squashed down all Helga related thoughts and focused on finding his way out of the house and back home.

Gee, Arnold thought as he turned a corner, sometimes I forget how big this house really is-

"OOF!"

Arnold shook his head, stood up and went to help the other unfortunate victim. He held his hand out. "I'm sorry, I-"

"It's fine. It's my fault too, you know." The person (which was a girl, he now realized) stood up as she pulled his hand, brushing out her skirt. Her luminescent green eyes lit up even more when she saw who she bumped into.

Arnold?

Helga's POV

Arnold came? Arnold came! Oh joy, he came to see me! Well, not me me, Cecelia me. But that's not the point. He came!

Wait a second... ARNOLD CAME! Now I have to be extra careful here! Criminy!

Hold, ye of little faith, for I have delivered! Man, me and cliffhangers, huh.

(What's with my obsession with food, BTW? And clothing styles/choices? Forget about it.)

Oh well. Don't forget to Review! ;)

Answers for Reviews!

Princess Hinata Bug - Thanks for reading! I don't know, it's kind of a plot device. Maybe it will be covered later on, but I'm not sure.

Mm151 - Thank you. I've made it a point to always finish what I start. It's only a matter of time before it all gets finished.

Hads521 -Arnold and Helga WILL end up together. Arnold is just dense though. Thanks for your support!

FFWorm2001 - Yah, many wouldn't have figured it out. I was very subtle (not!) But it was only a matter of time before everything unraveled.

Hanna Cabrodi - Hell yes! Stay tuned!

Arabrab83- Thank you, I try.