The October wind whistled through Hillwood's streets, rustling fallen leaves and carrying the excited chatter of kids planning their Halloween adventures. Helga stood at her locker, stuffing books into her bag, when a note fluttered to the floor. Her name was written in familiar handwriting that made her heart skip.

Meet me at the community garden tonight at 8. Wear something Halloween-ish. - A

"What are you up to, Football Head?" she muttered but couldn't suppress her smile. After four months of casual dating, Arnold still found ways to surprise her.

That evening, Helga stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the cat ears on her black hoodie—a creation Phoebe had insisted she'd love. Her phone buzzed with a text from Arnold: "I can't wait to see you tonight. Don't be late."

Something about his message seemed off, but she couldn't place why. Arnold usually used more emojis, and his texts were typically warmer. She shook off the feeling - she was being paranoid.

As dusk settled, Helga approached the garden. The familiar space looked alien in the darkness—its vegetables casting long, grotesque shadows, the wind making leaves dance eerily. The metallic screech of the gate opening made her jump.

"Arnold?" she called out, her voice carrying a slight tremor. "If this is some kind of prank..."

No response, just the rustle of leaves and distant traffic. A branch snapped somewhere in the darkness.

The security light they'd installed was out, which was strange - Arnold always made sure it was working. The darkness felt thick, almost alive. A flicker of movement caught her eye - was that a shadow by the tomato plants? Her heart raced as she moved closer, remembering all those childhood ghost stories about the garden being built on an old cemetery.

"Real funny, Arnoldo. You know I hate..." Her voice caught in her throat as she heard footsteps behind her. She spun around - nothing.

"Arnold?" Her voice was smaller now. The wind picked up, carrying what sounded like whispers. She pulled out her phone, fingers trembling as she tried to call him. There was no signal.

Another movement, closer this time. A figure darted between the rows of vegetables. Helga's breath came in short gasps. This didn't feel like Arnold anymore - it felt wrong. She backed up slowly, ready to bolt.

Something brushed against her shoulder. Helga let out a yelp, spinning around to find... a strand of decorative cobweb caught on a stake. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it.

"Okay, that's it. I'm out of here!" She turned to leave but stopped short. There, barely visible in the darkness, was a tiny light. Despite her better judgment, she moved closer.

It was a small jack-o'-lantern, casting a warm glow. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed another one a few feet away. And another. They created a path through the garden, each one carved with a different image: a baseball diamond, a garden trowel, a bowling pin, and even a tiny football-shaped head.

Her fear began to mingle with curiosity as she recognized each carved memory. These weren't random images—they told their story. Each pumpkin represented a moment in their journey together, leading her deeper into the garden where they'd first started to truly know each other.

The path ended at their favorite bench, now decorated with twinkling lights and surrounded by more jack-o'-lanterns. A larger pumpkin sat in the center, unlit. But now she hesitated - what if this wasn't Arnold's doing? What if...

"Look inside," came Arnold's voice from somewhere in the shadows. The familiar tone should have been reassuring, but in the darkness, it sounded different.

Helga approached cautiously, her heart still racing as she peered into the dark pumpkin. Inside was a small pink book - similar to the one that had started it all. Her hands trembled slightly as she opened it.

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Four months of dating, And I'm sure about you. Will you officially be my girlfriend?

Before she could respond, Arnold emerged from behind the bench, wearing his own Halloween costume - a black cape and what appeared to be vampire fangs. He'd been planning this for weeks, maybe even months, if he was honest with himself. Ever since their first date, when they'd abandoned the fancy restaurant for hot dogs in the park, he'd known he wanted Helga to be his girlfriend. But he remembered their conversation in the park about taking things slow, about not rushing what was building between them.

For four months, he'd watched her gradually lower her walls, cherishing each moment she let him see the real her. Every shared laugh in the garden, every subtle touch, every time she dropped her tough exterior—even for just a moment—made him more certain. But he'd waited, respecting her need for time and understanding that for Helga, trust came slowly.

"So," he said, trying to sound smooth but lisping slightly through the fake teeth, "what do you say?"

Helga burst out laughing, relief and joy flooding through her. "You had me actually scared, you big goof!" She punched his arm lightly. "And what's with the vampire get-up?"

Arnold removed the fake teeth, grinning sheepishly. "Well, I figured since it's Halloween, I should try to be romantic AND spooky. Did it work?" His heart was racing - he'd been carrying this question for months, waiting for the right moment, waiting until he was sure she was ready.

Helga rolled her eyes but stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. "The pumpkins were a nice touch, Football Head. But next time, maybe skip the whole 'creepy abandoned garden at night' thing?" Her voice softened. "Though I have to admit, all this waiting and planning... it's pretty sweet."

"I wanted to make sure you were ready," Arnold admitted, pulling her closer. "After our talk about taking things slow, I didn't want to rush you. But I've known since our first real date that I wanted this - wanted us."

Helga's expression softened, understanding washing over her features. "You've been waiting all this time?"

Arnold nodded. "I figured you were worth waiting for."

"So... is that a yes?" His voice carried four months of patience and hope.

"Of course, it's a yes, you dork." She kissed him softly. "Though I have to admit, seeing you try to be scary was pretty entertaining."

Arnold pulled her closer, the garden lights twinkling around them like stars. "I'll take it. Happy Halloween, Helga."

"Happy Halloween, Arnold." She paused, then added with a smirk, "But if you ever scare me like that again, you'll find out what real terror looks like."

Arnold laughed, knowing she meant it and loving her all the more for it. As they sat together on the bench, surrounded by the warm glow of jack-o'-lanterns and the cool October breeze, both felt that familiar certainty - this was exactly where they were meant to be. The waiting, the careful steps forward, the gradual building of trust - it had all led to this perfect moment.

The End