Hey Arnold – Back at home

Fanfiction written by djddt

All rights by Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett

It was the first day after the holidays.

Arnold and Helga entered the school.

Helga: „Speed up! I don't want to be late at the first day in 6th grade!"

Arnold: „Look who's talking with me again!"

Helga: „Okay, listen up Footb...Arnold. You cannot imagine how much i would like to hold hands with you, but i cannot do it for now. Please let's get this on slowly, okay!?"

Arnold: „Whatever you say, Helga!"

Helga: „Right!"

They both did not talk anything in the class. Even less than before, noted Arnold.

Helga even was not happy about it. But what should she do? Going from 0 to 100? What would the other students think? Or worse, what would they say?

At lunch both sat at different tables. Alone. Phoebe and Gerald were not hiding their relationship ans where sharing their lunch.

But Arnold and Helga sat the way they could see eachother.

They looked sad at eachother.

Finally they found eachother and now they are so lonely, despite sitting in the same room.

Rhonda and Lila noticed their looks.

Rhonda was confused, but Lila felt sad for them, because she knew Helga loved Arnold.

And even despite Lila and Helga are not really friends, they both are on good terms with eachother.

After School, Arnolds Parents were catching him up.

Stella: „How was your first day at 6th grade?"

Arnold: „Meh…"

Miles: „What's up, son?"

Arnold: „Helga avoided me the whole morning.

Suddenly in this moment Helga came down the stairs.

Helga: „Uhm...hi, Arnolds Parents!"

Stella: „Hello Helga, nice to see you!"

Miles: „How was your day?"

Helga: „Uhm...yes...it was okay...i think."

Stella: „Arnold told us, you avoided him all morning. What happend?"

Helga almost fainted.

Helga: „Please, do not missunderstand it!"

Miles: „Then explain it to us, please!"

Helga: „I'm...ugh...i'm afraid of the reaction from the other students."

Stalla: „Okay, i think i understand it. But do you really think, it's fair to Arnold?"

Helga: „No, probably not! I'm sorry, Arnold!"

Arnold sighed.

Arnold: „No, I am sorry! I'm expecting too much from you. See you tomorrow."

Helga: „Arnold, please wait!"

He stopped and turned around.

She approached him and looked, if the air was clear.

Nobody seemed to be there.

She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

His parents saw it and smiled together.

Helga: „Thank you for accepting me the way i am!"

Arnold: „You're welcome!"

All were going their ways home.

As if you could speak of a home, concerning Helga.

Because her father is extremly stubborn, and do not want to change from beepers to cell phones, she has to live in the store, together with her parents.

There are some small rooms in the back, but it's not made for living in it.

At home she wanted to do her homework, but her parents were contending.

Miriam: „Why have i been so stupid and married you?!"

Bob: „You should be glad! Without me you would sit on the street!"

Miriam: „What? You are not only an idiot, but are also a complete and utter pig!"

Bob: „Pigs are clean animals!"

Miriam has heared enough! He just does not want to take her serous.

Then she threw beepers at him

Bob: „Hey! My precious beepers!"

Miriam: „THAT'S GARBAGE! Nobody want's to have this trash anymore!"

Bob: „As if you of all people know about tech-stuff. They are coming back! Cell Phones will never establish!"

Miriam: „ENOUGH! I want a divorse!"

Bob: „HAHAHA! You don't dare!"

Helga has heared it long enough. She cannot stand it anymore.

Helga: „STOP IT!"

Bob: „How dare you, Olga?"

Helga: „HELGA! DAMN IT! MY NAME IS HELGA!"

Bob: „Yeah, right. Your sister would not yell at me! Go to your room and keep quiet!"

Helga: „WHAT ROOM? THANKS TO YOU BEING SUCH A STUBBORN LOSER, I DON'T HAVE A ROOM ANYMORE!"

She ran to the entrance, opend it and yelled: „I'm so sick of you two!"

Bob: „Hey, where are you going? You know what? I don't care!"

Miriam: „You're such a prick!"

The both continued their fight, while Helga was going away.

Arnolds Parents were preparing the table for coffee and cake, when the bell rang.

Miles: „Arnold? Please open the door!"

Arnold: „On my way!"

He opened the door and was shocked.

Helga was standing there, with tears in her eyes.

Arnold: „Helga? What happened?"

She could barely talk.

Helga: „My parents are fighting all the time! I cannot stand it any longer!"

Arnold: „Come in!"

He took her hand and led her to the table in the kitchen.

Stella: „Helga, you're crying! What's up?"

Arnold: „She has problems with her parents!"

Miles: „It will soon get better, i'm sure!"

Helga: „No, it won't!"

Arnolds parents were looking helpless.

Helga: „My mom wants a divorse! She was never the best mother, but when she's gone, i'm alone with my father!"

Arnold: „That's terrible! You don't know him, he is a jerk!"

Stella: „Did you not tell us, he came to help to San Lorenzo?!"

Arnold: „Yeah, but not for Helga, only for Olga, her sister!"

Stella: „OMG, that's absolutly heartless!"

She hugged Helga.

Helga winced, because she was not used to such affection.

Helga: „Uhm...thanks, Arnolds Mom!"

Stella: „Please call me Stalla, okay!?"

Helga: „Sure, my pleasure."

Miles: „And i'm Miles."

Helga: „Thanks. Can i ask a question?"

Miles: „Of course, everytime!

Helga: „I...i don't want to take precious time from you and your son, but...may i stay overnight here? I am afraid to go back to home today."

Stalla: „Of course, sweety! I prepair the guestroom for you. And you do not perturb us. You saved us and you are family to us now!"

Helga: „Thank you very much!"

Arnold: „Helga does not have a real home. Because of her stupid father, she has to live in the store!"

Stella and Miles: „WHAT?"

Miles: „Tell me that's not true! That's not appropriate for children! We need to get you out of there!"

Helga: „You really would do that for me? Even after all i've done to your son?!"

Stella: „Like i said before, you saved us!"

Helga: „Arnold seemingly did not tell you, what a jerk i was to him the last years. I do not deserve it, that you are so nice to me!"

Miles and Stella looked confuced to Arnold.

Stella: „Your girlfriend seems to have more problems than just her family."

Arnold: „Yes, i will explain it later. Or we explain it together. It's somewhat complicated."

Stella: „Okay, we do that. But i still prepare the room. We don't let you down, listen Helga!?"

Helga smiled.

Helga: „Thank you, Stella!"

In the afternoon they came together in Arnolds room to talk about his and hers relationship.

Stella: „I thought you like each other. You kissed in San Lorenzo!"

Helga: „Yes, i love your son unconditionally, you can believe me!"

Miles: „But why do you said, you don't deserve our treatment, because you were bad to him? Because you avoided him at school?"

Helga: „Yes...indirectly."

Stella: „I'm confused now!"

Arnold: „Before San Lorenzo happened, she pranked and offended me on a regular basis. But that was only out of insecurity, right!?"

Helga: „Yes, i'm afraid of rejection. Arnold was the first person, which was nice to me. And yes, i'm aware that it's wrong to answer that with sarcasm and anger. And than all the pranks. Even he is not aware of the dimension of my insane actions, i think."

Arnold: „But there also have been moments, where she was really nice and helped me. And today i know, that's the real Helga. I hope she can shed her mean facade in the future."

Helga: „Don't fear, Footb...Arnold, i cannot show my feelings for you in the public yet, but i promise i will not bully you anymore!"

Arnold: „But then they will notice it, too!"

Helga: „I cannot hide it for all eternity. It would hurt us both. But i cannot change instantly. Give me some time. Please trust me! I love you, Arnold!"

Arnold: „I just can't help it, but even back then i already assumed you as a friend. Of course i often was bugged off because of your behavior, but most the time i was just disapointed. If just i had knew your feelings sooner."

Stella: „You are both so sweet!"

Helga: „Does that mean, you're not mad at me?"

Stella: „No! We see and feel your good will. And i think your parents have left marks behind in your soul. Thought about a therapy yet?"

Helga: „I have one already for a while."

Arnold: „That explains, why you have been so nice to me the last months. And i'm so glas about it! For long it was my wish to become friends with you!"

Arnold kissed Helga on the forehead and said: „You're not alone! I will always stand on your side, no matter what happens!"

Helga was happy for the first time today. The nice words of Arnold and his parents made her slepp very well this night.