"Oh baby sister, isn't it so wonderful?" Olga asked dreamily as she met her sister in the upstairs hallway. Both were moving downstairs to the kitchen, where Olga had offered to cook a breakfast for Helga. "Tonight's the night of your play. I really can't wait to see it! And with Louis coming tonight! Oh..." Olga trailed, clasping her hands together. "It'll be positively...fantastic!"

Helga growled as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

"Helga, what do you want for breakfast?" Olga asked sweetly as she poured through the refrigerator. "I want to make my baby sister a special meal for her big day!"

Helga was taken aback by this display of generosity.

"Thanks Olga..." She said shyly. "Umm...an omelet and pancakes might be nice..."

"Coming right up baby sister!" Olga answered excitedly with her eyes closed in a smile.

Helga's thoughts began to swirl as her ears were flooded with the sounds of food cooking in a skillet. Miriam and certainly not Bob would never do this sort of thing for her. Perhaps she should try doing what Dr. Bliss recommended for her to do when she told her therapist that Olga was coming back. Perhaps she should try to be more tolerant and not dismiss Olga's advances a priori. Perhaps she should try and get around her bubbly exterior and attempt a deeper connection.

"Uh, Olga...about tonight..." Helga began nervously.

"What is it baby sister?" Olga asked as she continued her cooking.

"I...just...do you think you can tone it down a bit...?" Helga asked, completely unsure of how to ask her sister what she wanted to.

"Whatever do you want me to tone down baby sister?" Olga asked as she brought back plates of hot food.

"Well...it's just that when you're around everyone focuses on you and well it's just...it's my play you know?"

"Don't worry pumpkin." Olga said soothingly. "I assure you that I am simply going to admire the work you've put into your production. I will do nothing out of the ordinary. For me, it'll just be another date with Louis."

"I'm serious Olga." Helga said sternly. "I worked very hard on this. It needs to be my night OK?"

"Of course it will baby sister! I know just how important this is to you. I couldn't imagine trying to do anything that would make you upset."

Olga got up to hug Helga. Helga was not so sure.

"Now, I'll drive you to school this morning if you wish. I'll probably be there tonight a bit late, after mom and dad. Louis' flight doesn't arrive until 6:30, and I'm going to pick him up."

Helga reluctantly decided to accept her sister's invitation.

"Wow Helga. You let your sister drive you to school? Maybe you're starting to get along with her after all." Arnold smiled.

Helga's eyes brightened with their usual split-second swoon at a sight of Arnold, but her defense grid immediately perked up as she put on her scowl.

"What business is it of yours, football head?" She gritted.

"I don't know, it just seemed nice..." Arnold raised his hands in a way to show that he was not trying to be hostile. "Anyway, I have my costume here, so I guess we'll all meet up for one last rehearsal before the play starts, right?"

"Yes. Be there." Helga ordered as Arnold walked away defensively.

"Arnold. What a nosy punk. How I despise him."

She darted her eyes to and fro, then ducked into an alleyway.

"And yet...I adore him. Those eyes, so full of concern and sensitivity. The dedication you've shown to me...even though I've been nothing but a pestilence to you...at best, is oh, so intoxicating! Oh Arnold, how I wish you and I could run away together and forge a world of our own, free of all the madness we see in our lives!"

Helga looked around again and ducked into P.S. 118.

"OK people." Helga addressed her cast backstage. "Remember that we are tasked with giving this play life. And you've all shown that you're capable of doing that. We've got to go the extra mile and take the road less traveled, and we will all put on a show to remember!"

Helga's peers were not quite as enthusiastic, but went along with it. They did, after all, want to put on a good performance for their parents.

Helga left the backstage area to go into the auditorium and greet guests as well as the school staff. Principal Wartz was the first person to meet her.

"Miss Pataki." He acknowledged.

"Principal Wartz." She stated in much the same manner.

"Let me just say that I applaud you for putting together such a production that is at once both educational and entertaining to a wide audience. You do your school a service, young lady."

Helga smiled lightly.

"Helga?"

She turned at the sound of the familiar voice to see that Miss Slovak was talking to her.

"Miss Slovak?"

"Oh hi dear!" Her old teacher greeted. "I was just coming through and you really seemed to have done a wonderful job on this!"

"Thanks." Helga said in return.

"Helga, there you are!"

She turned to see Mr. Simmons approaching with the usual goofy smile on his face.

"Hey Mr. Simmons." Helga greeted in a rather blunt and typical tone with her teacher of last year.

"Helga, I just want to say that you've done an admirable job in putting this into production and it's very...special."

Helga was tempted to roll her eyes, but inside, she appreciated the compliment. She peered to see that her parents had arrived, her mother giving her a light wave with a smile while making small talk with Phoebe's mother Reba. Bob simply looked in her direction. He tapped his foot, like he was waiting for something.

"Oh hi there girls!" Mr. Simmons greeted as Phoebe, Rhonda, Nadine, and Sheena joined Helga.

"Hello Mr. Simmons!" Phoebe returned the greeting. "Miss Slovak!" Phoebe greeted, followed by the rest.

"It's lovely to see you all again." Their old teacher said as she exchanged some pleasantries.

"Everything's about ready Helga." Phoebe then whispered as she waved to her parents.

"Hey, look!" Rhonda whispered and pointed.

Big Bob's sudden snap to attention confirmed it in Helga's eyes. Olga had arrived.

"OLGA!" Miss Slovak greeted excitedly and rushed over.

The congregation around Helga quickly dispersed. Even Mr. Simmons had left to see his once-student teacher.

Bob and Miriam shifted their attention entirely to Olga. Olga greeted everyone warmly and began to entertain.

"Your sister has always been such a great dresser!" Rhonda gushed, observing the stylish purple winter dress she was wearing with a matching hat, and black stockings and boots. "Helga, remind me to get some fashion tips from her after the play!"

"Sure..." Helga began to growl.

"Isn't she the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?" Rhonda continued. "I must know how she does it."

As Helga grumbled, Olga looked toward the door and smiled very brightly. Helga's eyebrow raised at how happy she looked. It went far beyond her normal bubbly smile.

"Wow..." Sheena involuntarily gasped.

"Isn't he the biggest hunk you've ever seen?!" Rhonda asked excitedly.

Helga began to tense up as she watched a man move forward. He was tall and very handsome, with dark hair and light skin. He wore a custom-made suit to match. He looked like he didn't belong here- he instead seemed like he should be seated on a throne with a crown on his head. She noticed that even the normally-reserved Phoebe had to fight to stifle a blush.

"Who is that guy...?" Rhonda asked dreamily.

Helga only grew more tense. All eyes in the room fixated on him as he strode forward powerfully. Helga saw the man move forward, a slight, masculine, powerful smile etched on his face. He enfolded Olga in an embrace, giving her a light kiss. Miriam gushed over him instantly. She seemed elated along with Olga, while Bob exchanged a few pleasant words with him. He obviously seemed pleased. It looked to be a real party over there, which riveted the attention of everyone in the building. Then Helga and Olga's eyes met.

"HI BABY SISTER!" She shouted gleefully with a wave.

Helga grimaced and waved back with a scowl that Olga did not notice.

"C'mon Phoebe." She ordered with a growl.

"Coming!" Phoebe chimed.

Rhonda, Sheena, and Nadine merely lingered there for a while.