In the heart of Hillwood's P.S. 118, the news of Helga's secret crush on Arnold had begun to ripple through the student body. Gerald, Stinky, Rhonda, Harold, and Eugene, each holding pieces of the puzzle, found themselves gathered in the library after school, a place where secrets and revelations often found their way into the open.

Gerald, sitting cross-legged on the floor with a stack of books beside him, broke the silence. "So, it seems like everyone's noticing something about Helga and Arnold. What do you all think?"

Rhonda, perched on a table with her arms crossed, glanced around. "I mean, I saw her doodling hearts with Arnold's name. That's pretty blatant."

Harold, leaning back in his chair, nodded vigorously. "Yeah, and she's been sneaking glances at Arnold all week. I thought it was just me being nosy, but it's definitely a thing."

Eugene, flipping through a magazine, chimed in. "It's kinda weird seeing Helga like this. I always thought she just liked to pick on Arnold for fun. But now..."

Stinky shrugged, a thoughtful look on his face. "It's not that surprising. Helga's always been intense about everything. If she likes someone, she's probably going all out, even if she's hiding it under that tough exterior."

Gerald raised an eyebrow. "And what about the poem she wrote? She was practically glowing when she thought no one was watching."

Rhonda smirked. "Yeah, and her reactions when Arnold's around? It's like she's torn between being herself and being someone who actually cares."

The group fell silent for a moment, each absorbed in their thoughts. The realization that Helga's feelings were genuine and not just a part of her usual antics made the situation feel more complicated.

Harold broke the silence with a chuckle. "I guess we're all on the same page then. Helga's got it bad for Arnold. I mean, who knew?"

Eugene nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and considering how she's always acted around him, it's kind of sweet in a messed-up way. It's like she's got this huge soft spot for him, but she's too proud to admit it."

Gerald sighed, his gaze thoughtful. "We've all seen how Helga's been trying to hide her feelings. It's not easy to be that vulnerable, especially when you're someone like her."

Harold shook his head. "I don't think we should tell Arnold. It's Helga's thing to handle. If she wants to tell him, she will. We shouldn't meddle."

Stinky nodded in agreement but added, "Plus, Arnold's so clueless about Helga. It's like he's walking around with blinders on. How can someone be so oblivious?"

Rhonda snorted. "Seriously, Arnold's like a walking, talking example of 'density'. I mean, how many times does Helga have to practically throw herself at him before he notices?"

Eugene chuckled. "I saw Arnold the other day, completely missing how Helga was staring at him like he was the last cookie in the jar. It's like he's in his own little world."

Harold laughed. "It's kind of impressive, actually. You'd think with all the hints she's dropping, he'd pick up on at least one."

Gerald shook his head. "It's like he's got this filter that blocks out anything emotional or romantic. Helga's been trying so hard, and Arnold's just...not getting it."

Rhonda leaned back, shaking her head in disbelief. "I almost feel bad for her. It's like she's fighting a losing battle against Arnold's natural cluelessness."

The group shared a collective sigh, their sympathy for Helga growing as they discussed Arnold's complete lack of awareness. They agreed that while Helga's feelings were clear to everyone else, the situation was complicated by Arnold's seemingly impenetrable obliviousness.

As they left the library, their conversations shifted to lighter topics, but the unspoken understanding lingered. Helga's secret was safe, for now, but the tension and anticipation were palpable. The next steps would be up to her, and until then, her peers remained silent observers of a hidden love story unfolding in the halls of P.S. 118.

The group shared a collective sigh, their sympathy for Helga growing as they discussed Arnold's complete lack of awareness. They agreed that while Helga's feelings were clear to everyone else, the situation was complicated by Arnold's seemingly impenetrable obliviousness.

As the students began to disperse, Phoebe, who had been quietly working at a nearby table, overheard their conversation. She had been immersed in a book, but the snippets of dialogue about Helga and Arnold caught her attention. Her eyes widened slightly as she pieced together what she had heard.

Phoebe's gaze shifted towards the group as they packed up and left the library, her mind racing. The revelation that Helga's feelings for Arnold were common knowledge among some of her classmates was both surprising and intriguing. Phoebe had always been close to Helga, but she hadn't realized the depth of Helga's secret until now.

As the library grew quiet, Phoebe sat back in her chair, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and concern. She knew that Helga was fiercely private about her feelings and that the situation was delicate. With a sense of determination, Phoebe resolved to talk to Helga privately, to offer support and perhaps find a way to help her friend navigate this complicated emotional terrain.

For now, Phoebe remained in the library, her mind buzzing with the implications of what she had just learned. The next steps would require careful handling, and she was ready to step up and support Helga in whatever way she could.

The afternoon sun streamed through the library windows, casting long shadows on the polished wooden floor. Phoebe and Helga, having made plans to hang out after school, met up in their usual spot—a cozy corner in the park where they often found solace from the chaos of school life.

Helga was already sitting on a bench, her expression a mix of frustration and embarrassment. She was flipping through her phone, her fingers tapping furiously on the screen. Phoebe approached her, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Hey, Helga," Phoebe greeted, sliding onto the bench next to her. "You seem a bit...off. Everything okay?"

Helga glanced up, her eyes flashing with a mix of annoyance and worry. "Oh, hey, Phoebe. It's just...this whole thing with Arnold is driving me nuts."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to Helga's frustration than she was letting on. "What's going on? I heard a bit about it in the library today. People are talking."

Helga's face reddened as she let out an exasperated sigh. "Ugh, I knew it! I can't believe this! I was trying so hard to keep it quiet, but now it's all anyone's talking about!"

Phoebe leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Wait, what do you mean? What did you hear?"

Helga's voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes darting around as if to make sure no one else was listening. "Somehow, everyone's found out about my poem and my feelings for Arnold. I mean, I never wanted it to be public knowledge. It's just...everyone knows now."

Phoebe's eyes widened slightly. "I know. I overheard some of the guys talking in the library about how you're into Arnold. They were actually pretty sympathetic. They were saying how dense Arnold is about your feelings."

Helga's eyes widened in shock, and she looked away, her face turning a deeper shade of red. "Oh no. They were talking about it? That's just great. It feels like I'm the subject of everyone's gossip now."

Phoebe placed a reassuring hand on Helga's arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make things worse. I just thought you should know that they're actually not making fun of you. They're kind of rooting for you, even if they're surprised by how clueless Arnold is."

Helga shook her head, a mixture of relief and frustration in her eyes. "I guess that's something. But it still feels awful. I tried so hard to keep my feelings private, and now it's like I'm on display for everyone to see."

Phoebe nodded sympathetically. "I understand. It must be really tough. But maybe this could be a chance for you to be honest with Arnold, if you want to. It's clear he's completely oblivious, but it might be worth talking to him directly."

Helga looked at Phoebe, her expression softening. "You're right. Maybe it's time to stop hiding. But I just don't know how to approach him. It's so awkward."

Phoebe squeezed her friend's arm gently. "You don't have to do it alone. I'm here to help, whatever you need. We can figure out a way to make it less awkward and more...you know, manageable."

Helga let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing a bit. "Thanks, Phoebe. I appreciate it. I guess I'll have to figure out how to talk to Arnold without making it even more embarrassing."

The two friends sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling between them. Phoebe felt a renewed sense of determination to support Helga through this challenging time. The park was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze, providing a serene backdrop for their conversation.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the park, Helga felt a small spark of hope. With Phoebe's support and the knowledge that her feelings weren't being ridiculed, she started to think that maybe, just maybe, things could work out after all.