Ugh, this week has been tough for me. I can't wait for my 2 week holiday to start.
The story so far, I have something big on my mind. I even have the ending in my head, but of course I'll wait a while.
In this chapter I want to show how pure the relationship is between Arnold and Helga and the uncertainties it entails.
Monday. One of the days in the week that you can either love or hate. For Arnold it was a day with too many topics on his mind.
The fact that Olga was pregnant meant that Helga was coming to live with him. Certainly he is happy and the boarders were also cheering except Oskar.
He started complaining that he would get less food. Ernie told Oskar that he could do without that. Mr. Hyunh told Oskar that he should stay away and go back on vacation.
Also meant that Arnold became an uncle. Uncle Arnold, that sounded old didn't it? In any case, Phil had the most fun with it and teased Arnold about it.
Gertie did no better and started knitting sweaters for him and Helga.
His parents certainly did better. They said they couldn't wait for Helga to move in.
Stella was already keen to do things together. Miles wondered who was better at baking pancakes and we wanted to have a competition.
And then the last topic was on his mind. How could Arnold and Helga keep this all a secret? That was still something that both wanted, to keep their relationship a secret.
Arnold walked over to his locker and put his books in it. It was now lunch break so he walked to the cafeteria. When he gets in line he has Harold, Sid and Joey standing in front of him.
"Hey Arnold, have you heard yet?" Sid asks and Arnold looked at him.
"What should I have heard?" Arnold asks as he grabs a tray with a plate and cutlery on it.
''About where we are going with the school trip. Harold heard where we can go with a lottery draw.'' said Joey who placed a sandwich on his plate.
"What places could that be?" Arnold asked.
"Arizona, Florida, Rio de Janeiro or here comes San Lorenzo..." Harold said, emphasizing the last place.
''Not San Lorenzo again... I still have nightmares about it.'' Sid said with goose bumps.
''My God, what an adventure that was. You can't say we were bored.'' Joey said.
Arnold was silent. San Lorenzo, he just got back! He hoped they weren't going there. Although he would like to see Eduardo again. On the other hand, another 2 months... he would have paid off the ring. He would Helg-... No, no, no. He had promised Bob as much.
'' Hey Arnold, San Lorenzo is safe now, right? And you know the jungle by heart.'' Sid said and Arnold laughed a little.
Suddenly there was a voice behind them, an annoying voice.
''Are you talking about San Lorenzo? Nobody wants to go there, do they?'' Hilton said.
"Did we ask for your opinion?" Joey asked irritated.
''No, but I heard you talking about San Lorenzo as if you had been there before. Oh yeah, you've been there too. From what I heard you guys were held hostage by a stupid move by a classmate.'' Hilton said with a wicked grin as he looked at Arnold.
Before Arnold and his friends could say anything, Gerald walked by and slipped a pudding into the back of Hilton's shirt. Hilton started swearing and acting crazy to get the pudding out, but it was already sticking to his back.
"Nowadays those trash cans are so cheap." Gerald said sarcastically and the cafeteria started laughing.
Arnold paid for his lunch and walked away from Hilton. He and Gerald went to Phoebe and Helga who were already sitting at the table.
'' Thanks Gerald.'' Arnold said.
"What did that bastard want?" Helga asked.
''He made a comment about our previous trip to San Lorenzo. He wanted to make me feel guilty about the events that took place there," Arnold said.
"I should have let that bowl of custard spill into his back," said Gerald.
"Do you still feel guilty about that?" Phoebe asked.
'' Of course not. We all talked it out and I came away with something beautiful from it. My parents and Helga.'' Arnold said.
''I beautiful? Sure, Football Head.'' Helga teased and Arnold stuck his tongue out at her.
''But what did you say Helga in the hallway? That we were all going to do homework at Arnold?'' asked Gerald.
"Yes, I have something to tell you and Arnold's room seems safest to me," Helga said.
Sid and Harold sat down at Stinky's table. Monday was the day that Lila always did an internship at the school daycare.
As soon as they were seated, Sid started talking.
"Isn't it strange?" he asked and Harold and Stinky looked at him.
"What's strange, Sid?" Stinky asked as he took a bite of his lasagna.
"Arnold has been back for months and we haven't been to him once. And I mean in his room like before where we played games and stuff." Sid said.
"I went by his house twice. And he wasn't home. That one time he was with Arnie and the other time he was out of town shopping." said Harold.
"Maybe he has other priorities. He would like to set up his own clinic." said Stinky.
Why did they have to delve into Arnold's private life?
Stinky did everything he could to make sure Arnold and Helga were safe. Until...
"Maybe he has a girlfriend!" Harold said suddenly.
Before neither Sid nor Stinky could respond, Helga walked past with her empty tray.
"Football head a girlfriend? Which fairytale are you living in? That's the last thing hairboy can have on his mind."
"How do you know that again?" Harold asked.
"Um, because I sit with him every day? Because of the fact that my best friend Phoebe is Gerald's girlfriend and Arnold is his best friend? He's busy with his part-time jobs and school." said Helga.
" But wait, the four of you do homework together. Have you ever been to Arnold's?" Sid asked.
Stinky became nervous, Helga had to give a good answer otherwise the two would have second thoughts.
" Yes, several times even. We always sit in the kitchen." Helga said.
"The kitchen? Why not his cool room?" Sid said and Harold nodded his head.
"Because my room is private right now. I'm working on a big project for school." said a voice.
Sid, Harold and Stinky turned around and saw Arnold standing there. Stinky relaxed with relief.
Harold and Sid looked at Arnold, who again showed he meant it.
''Arnold, you barely have time for your friends and I mean everyone. It's always Gerald and Stinky and sometimes the girls. Why not us?'' asked Harold.
"Um, I actually didn't think about it at all since we still all meet on Friday evenings," Arnold said honestly. "And Gerald and I are best friends and the others, we have a lot of the same subjects so it seems logical to sit together."
Before Sid could object, the school bell rang and Helga pulled Arnold's sleeve rather roughly.
"Come on, Arnoldo, we have drawing lessons." Helga said irritated as she pulled Arnold along.
''Geez, take it easy, Helga. Those pencils really don't run away.'' Arnold said back irritated as he walked behind Helga. A play that both enjoyed doing.
Sid and Harold started talking about Helga always being mean to Arnold. Stinky sighed with relief, but how long was this supposed to last?
After school, Arnold, Gerald, Helga and Phoebe went to Arnold's house. Once inside they were greeted by Gertie who for some reason was wearing a costume of a crazy professor. She started laughing devilishly when she found the four old teenagers in the doorway of the kitchen.
''Muahahahaha! My creation is almost ready and then everyone will be under the influence of my brew!'' Gertie laughed devilishly.
"Is she okay?" Gerald asked Phoebe softly but she shrugged her shoulders with a smile.
"Hello grandma, what are you making?" Arnold asked.
''Oh! Kimba and Eleanor! I'm making a sponge soaked in something that will make you think I'm the president!'' Gertie said and Gerald started to get a little worried.
''Ooh Pookie, don't scare the kids! Hey Arnold and everyone. Miles just makes a lemon cake, nothing special.'' said Phil. ''You guys are definitely coming to get something before you go back to studying? Are you staying to eat?''
The four nodded and Phil laughed. '' Nice. then Miles can start cooking extensively again instead of those easy recipes. MILES!'' Phil shouted as he grabbed some lemonade and some snacks.
Miles came up and looked around the corner. "Did you call, Dad?" he asked.
''That scum over there is staying for dinner. Make something to keep that brain working.'' Phil said laughing.
Miles rolled his eyes and looked at his son and friends.
"I'll call you when dinner is ready."
Arnold and his friends go to his room. Once inside, Gerald closes the door and the four of them sit on the bed with homework on their laps.
''Okay, Pataki. What do you want to say that no one else is allowed to know?'' Gerald said.
"My sister Olga is pregnant," Helga said.
Phoebe covered her mouth in shock and Gerald was taken aback for a moment.
''Olga is pregnant? Eric's I assume?'' Phoebe asked and Helga nodded.
''You are kidding me? What now?'' asked Gerald.
"Well, Helga's mother had the idea to let Helga live with me since we were planning on doing that anyway," Arnold said.
"So basically, Helga is being removed from her home because a baby needs her room?" Gerald said rather rudely and Phoebe nudged him.
'' What? Isn't that true or not?"
''It's more the fact that that first-class retard ignored my sister and I had difficulty keeping her job. I don't want the baby to end up in a difficult situation. No, I'm happy because now I can always be with Arnold.'' Helga said with a smile.
"But how are you going to keep it a secret?" Phoebe asked and Arnold and Helga looked at each other.
''I had the idea to free up the storage room under my room and transform it into Helga's ''rental room''. Everyone knows Helga, she doesn't need much.'' said Arnold.
''Okay, that's one thing but now here's the next thing... have you ever thought about covering up your skylight? What if you and Helga are making love and the boys decide to climb on the roof and visit you?'' Phoebe asked.
Arnold looked at his attic window, something had to be done with that too. Rather not, Arnold and Helga liked waking up in the daylight.
"We'll figure something out, it'll be fine." Arnold said.
"You probably already have an idea." Gerald said.
"Maybe. But we have to wait until Olga is past three months." Arnold said.
''How far along is she then?" Phoebe asked.
"I think about almost 2 months? She went to the obstetrics today." said Helga.
There was a moment of silence before Gerald started chuckling.
"What are you laughing about, Geraldo?" Helga asked.
"Auntie Helga and Uncle Arnold. That sounds like you're eighty already." laughed Gerald.
"Are you starting too?" Arnold said hopelessly.
Later that evening, when Gerald, Phoebe and Helga had returned home, Arnold sat alone on the roof.
He stared at the sky, wondering what will happen next. The feeling that sometimes made him insecure was back in his stomach, as if something was going to happen that would affect him and Helga.
Miles had gone to Arnold's room to ask if his son wanted some hot chocolate before bed, but saw that the window was open. Miles climbed the stairs and got to the roof and saw Arnold looking up at the sky.
"You okay, boy?" Miles asked as he sat down next to Arnold.
"Yes, just a lot on my mind," Arnold replied.
'' Do you want to talk about it?''
''Dad, how much I love being with Helga, it's becoming increasingly difficult to hide. Especially with the school trip that is coming.'' said Arnold.
''I know the reason but I don't fully understand it yet. You two are so happy together.'' Miles said.
''That's exactly it. Me and Helga, we can make love without penetration. And that is something that many do not want and cannot understand. Dad, you know how young people are, they like to brag about what they can do. Helga and I are not like that.'' Arnold said with a deep sigh.
Miles smiled and put an arm around his son.
''Arnold, you are doing well with Helga, but understand very well, the two of you have a relationship that most can only dream about. Talk to Helga about it again.'' Miles said.
''Yes, I will do that. Thank you.'' Arnold said with a small smile.
'' It is okay. Question, when should your mother and I put in earplugs?'' Miles suddenly asked very seriously.
Arnold looked at his father strangely, what did his father mean? Miles saw Arnold looking and he started laughing.
''There has been a pack of special condoms on the highest shelf for weeks. Still tight.'' Miles laughed. By now he was used to his son making love.
''Dad, when do I use something like that? Have you ever used something like that?'' Arnold muttered shyly.
"Oh yeah and believe me, you're going to see a side of your loved one that you've never seen before." Miles said with a little red cheeks.
Arnold sighed again, he was lost for a moment.
''Arnold, you're starting to grow up and worrying about things is normal. But some things you also have to let go and just do it or not do it.'' Miles said.
''Dad, I'm scared. Everything seems to be going quickly."
''Son, even now, I'm afraid. But you know, I'm not alone. I have my family and friends. And if I were alone, I believe in myself. And then I will definitely make it.'' Miles said. '' Believe in yourself.''
Arnold hugged his father.
"Thank you, Dad."
Helga was reading a book in bed when Olga comes in with a package.
"Little sister, I have something for you." Olga said as she sat down next to Helga on the bed.
Helga looked at Olga as she took the package and opened it. There was a very nice notebook inside.
The cover was pink with dark pink roses depicted and decorated with gold foil here and there. And her name in gold on the front. Helga looked at Olga, a little confused.
"As a thank you for giving me my job back," Olga said with a small smile.
'' Thank you. How was the obstetrics by the way?'' Helga asked.
Olga placed her hand on her stomach.
''The baby is healthy, I am 7 weeks pregnant. Here is the ultrasound.'' Olga said and showed a photo.
Helga picked up the photo and looked at the black and white image. She saw a small bean on it.
"Do you already know what the gender is?" Helga asked. This was completely new for Helga.
'' Only after 20 weeks can you tell what the gender will be. It doesn't matter to me as long as it's healthy."
Helga looked at Olga and saw her older sister looking happily at her stomach. Suddenly a bit of panic struck Helga and she sighed deeply. Olga looked at her little sister.
''Are you okay Helga? You look a little pale."
''Olga, everything is going so fast. One day I will leave home and become an aunt. Arnold and I... our relationship is getting closer and closer... keeping the secret is so difficult for us. We long to touch each other in public and have fun but I'm so afraid of other people's reactions."
While the sisters were talking, Bob and Miriam stood quietly in the hallway listening to their daughters.
"Helga, what makes it difficult for you?" Olga asked.
Helga swallowed a few times. She had never told this except to Dr. Bliss and Arnold.
''When I was... three years old and had to go to preschool, Bob and Miriam were too busy with you and your piano playing. Eventually I went to preschool myself. It was raining so hard and I arrived wet and covered in mud. But there was Arnold, holding the umbrella over my head. "I like your bow tie, it's the same color as your pants."
That's what he said to me. He led me to the door of the school and we went inside together. He saw me and helped me. At snack time we all had crackers.
Someone ate mine and laughed at me, tears welled up in my eyes, but there Arnold was again, giving me his crackers. At that moment I started having feelings for him.
But my classmates noticed that and bullied me. That made me mean to my classmates. I have always worn that character, that mask, I did not want to be seen as weak.'' Helga said.
Helga didn't get any feedback from Olga so she looked at her big sister and was surprised to see Olga crying.
''Olga?''
''What a sweet story of you two! And I'm so sorry...That I didn't see that you were having a hard time.''
''I have cursed you, mom and dad for so long with your actions. It was Arnold that kept me going."
"Helga, you never know how people might react, but I think the relationship you have with Arnold has made you blossom into a beautiful woman," said Olga.
''Believe in yourself.''
Helga's eyes widened for a moment before she smiled and lay down with her head on Olga's legs.
''Thank you, sister. I will do my best to be a good aunt."
''I'm counting on you, little sister.''
In the hallway, Miriam cried softly into Bob's shoulder as tears also streamed down Bob's cheeks.
What wonderful daughters they had, despite having made many mistakes as parents.
Life lessons? Who knows. But I'm still afraid to eat that cake... who knows what Pookie did to it 0_o