It's crazy (that someone could change me)
A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. Getting this on FF has definitely been a challenge but I'm working through it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold!
"Helga, don't insult my intelligence. You haven't eaten lunch in almost a week."
Phoebe placed her hands on her hips, clearly tall hair boy was rubbing off on her.
"I have eaten. You just haven't seen it because it wasn't at school, duh."
"Again, don't insult me, Helga. I have known you too long and too well for you to make stories up about your eating habits."
"There's nothing to make up. Geez, what are you and Arnoldo on?"
"On? We're not on anything, Helga." Phoebe remarked clearly hurt.
"Well then stop bugging me! When I pass out then be concerned. As far as I know, I'm fine and don't need the extra babying. Or it at all."
"It's very important to eat 3 balanced meals a day, Helga. Gerald and I-"
"What does tall hair boy have to do with any of this?"
"Helga. His name is Gerald. Gerald, my boyfriend?"
"Yeah. Tall hair boy. The boy with the tall hair?"
Phoebe sighed. "We're all just worried about you. You're behavior in the last few days-"
"I never asked for you to monitor my behavior so knock it off. You're not my mother, got it?"
Phoebe sighed, "Got it." The girl closed her locker and followed after her best friend on their way to their class.
"You ready to go?" The bell had rung for the fifth period which meant lunch was next.
"Yeah," Helga muttered. She walked with the blonde boy out of the room. He
smiled and reached for her hand. She rolled her eyes lifting a palm sarcastically.
He intertwined their fingers as they walked down to the cafeteria.
"I was thinking last night Helga, about yesterday."
"Oh?"
"I think I haven't been the best boyfriend."
"What do you mean?"
"You clearly want to keep whatever is bugging you to yourself. And I should respect that."
"Finally football head. About dang time." She smirked, thinking she had won this round.
"So there is something bugging you?" Arnold said in a 'got you' voice'.
Helga slapped her hand against her forehead. "Fine. Yes. Criminy football head! That was a cheap trick."
"Well I hope you know no matter what it is, I would never judge you. Especially when it concerns your well-being."
Helga blushed.
"Yeah, got it. Okay, bucko? Anything else you want to add?"
"I love you."
"Yeah, I. * ahem* l-love you too. Okay, football head."
"Thank you, Helga. You don't have to be scared to show your softer side. I really like that side, even more than your fiery- take no prisoners attitude. It's nice."
"Yeah, well- uh fine."
Arnold smiled, squeezing her hand. "Will you please eat something for me today?"
"Haven't we already established that I'll eat when I'm hungry?"
"It doesn't have to be a lot. Maybe a couple of bites of something? We all are so worried about you." He took his other hand and placed Helga's hand, which felt so delicate, between his two palms. "Even if you did have breakfast, you need something to keep up your strength."
"Pfft, shows what you know. I have enough strength."
"You do and I love that about you. But it would make me feel better seeing you
have something."
"Yeah, okay."
"Thank you, sweetheart." Helga blushed deep red and swooned when Arnold kissed her fingertips.
"Okay, okay. No one likes a kiss-up, Arnoldo." She ripped her hand from the boy.
The two made their way to the lunch line and Helga watched as Arnold put tapioca on her tray - the last one as always. When the boy was going to give up was beyond Helga. Even though she outwardly was unappreciative, inside she was on cloud nine- like always around the boy. It was hard for her to not feel good around Arnold. It was a part of his charm.
When they exited the line, Arnold motioned to a secluded part of the cafeteria. One they rarely used. She was also having a hard time focusing with Arnold's warm hand on the middle of her back and her stomach practically churning with anticipation of food.
Helga cleared her throat, Arnold could tell she was embarrassed. "Why don't we sit over here, away from everyone?"
"Really laying it on thick, aren't ya?"
"Whatever you say, Helga."
"Thanks for caring about me Arnold." The girl let out a shy smile, "I'm not the easiest person to deal with."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Helga took a bite of the pudding and almost moaned.
It was clear to Arnold the girl for whatever reason was refusing food but seemed to have no problem actually eating it. That ruled out any gastrointestinal disorders he thought she was too embarrassed to bring up.
So why had Helga been starving herself at school when she was so clearly hungry?
"Helga, can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, football head?"
"Do you eat at home?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course, I eat at home when Miriam doesn't blow the food money on booze."
"Does it happen a lot?"
"What's with the 20 questions? Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. All depends on what mood Miriam is in."
"Well, you can always come to my house if there's no food at yours."
Helga sat her spoon down and sighed, "When are you going to get it through your thick skull? You don't need to save me or help me with my 'problem'. It's mine to bear, alright?"
"It doesn't mean I won't try, Helga."
"The day you stop helping others is the day I should be afraid, huh?"
"Oh yes, be very afraid," Arnold snickered.
"Doi! Of course, you'd say that. What am I going to do with you football head?"
Helga asked affectionately, having taken a few more bites of tapioca.
She reminded herself to stop eating. She's already eaten way too many bites and while they really didn't have much food at home—There was still enough to make sandwiches and there was that roast Miriam didn't mess up.
Arnold leaned over and kissed her cheek. Was it really a good idea to lie to Arnold? She argued to herself it wasn't so much of a lie but more of an omission. She didn't say they didn't have enough food. But that wasn't the reason why she stopped eating as much. That would be at least a plausible reason. Much better than Helga simply not thinking she was good enough. How silly.
It made the pain a little easier to bear.
