Helga slowly pulls out the giant box. When it is finally revealed from under the bed, Helga sees in bright green fancy letters the word: special dresses. Helga's grin extends as she opens the box. Sure enough it is filled with tons of dresses. Every dress that is pulled out of the box is in Olga's signature green and black. The first six or seven are all prom dresses. Geez how many proms did she go to. There are sundresses and semi-formal dresses and dresses that people go clubbing in (what has Olga been up to) and then at the very bottom is the dress that Helga had been searching for: strapless mini-dress with a black bow in the middle. The bottoms of the dress rise ever so slightly into the bow creating the perfect touch for Helga's well waited date with Blythe. Although she does not believe that this dress (color) is really her style, she knows that-combined with the hairstyle she has in mind- it is sure to catch him off guard. And what other hairstyle could she possibly use besides the one that first caught Arnold's attention?
Helga puts the dresses back and closes the box, keeping out what she believes to be her secret weapon. She takes the dress and folds the silky fabric under her arm. She peeks below the door making sure that no shadows could be seen. She slowly opens the door, hoping that no one could hear the feint creaking sound that it made. She tiptoes back to her room but the stomping of feet begins to come from the stairway. Helga leaps towards her door and throws the dress inside.
"Baby sister!" A shrill overly pleasant voice calls out. Helga sighs in frustration. Olga is the last person that she wants right now. Or is she? Olga had been staying with her family for a bit of a while, Helga could not pinpoint the exact date; all she knew was that it was way too long.
"What?" Helga answers rudely (although who could blame her).
"It's time for dinner, silly." Olga says. Helga could honestly picture the two of them having a nice sisterly friendship, the only problem was that Olga still treated her like she was six years old. Helga brushes past Olga on her way down the steps. "You know, Helga, I really wish we had a good sisterly friendship. We should share stories, go shopping, do makeup and hair…"
All of a sudden, Helga's eyes light up and she stops walking three steps above the ground. "You know, Olga that might not be such a bad idea, in fact how about we start right after dinner. You can do my hair and makeup. Make me look 'pretty' or whatever."
"Oh Helga that sounds wonderful. I have the perfect styles in mind. Baby sister, you are going to look gorgeous." Olga practically skips down the rest of stairs, leaving a smirking Helga to marvel at her own brilliant plan.
Dinner, of course, is nothing special, just some unrecognizable food that Miriam had cooked up. Even though she did not want to admit it, Helga actually missed it when Olga made dinner. Lately Olga had run out of new recipes. She decided to let her mother cook until she was able to research more meals to make for them. Unfortunately for the Patakis, their digestive systems were not exactly going to thank Olga for her decision.
After dinner at about five o' clock, Helga and Olga walk into Olga's room where out from the top shelf of her closet, Olga takes out a giant glimmering purple box. She opens it up to reveal three different layers of makeup coming out from both sides. Helga cannot remember a time when she saw so much makeup anywhere not even in Sephora (Rhonda had taken her there once). Instead of boring you with the details, here is the short story: Olga had Helga pick out colors. Olga applied the makeup and put Helga's hair into two French braids. You know, fun stuff. Olga keeps trying to figure out why Helga wants her to do all of this, but Helga refuses to answer. Then she starts trying to talk about school and how Helga and her "little friends" are doing, but still Helga does not really try hard to respond. FINALLY at around 6:30 they are done and Helga goes to her room. "Who knew that makeup could take so long to apply." Helga says as she sits by her door.
Now there is only one more obstacle in her way of a perfect date. How to get the dress out the door. It was easy enough. She would just do the backpack trick. She grabs her bag from the corner of her room and gently folds the dress into it (after taking the books out of course). She walks down the stairs and calls out to her dad "I'm going to study at Phoebe's!" And then in a much quieter voice she adds: "As if you guys really care."
She walks out with the door slamming behind her. Out of nowhere Olga comes up to Helga. "Baby sister where are you going?"
"I'm going to Phoebe's to study. Lay off."
"Those don't look like books in your bag. Are you sure, Helga? I just want us to share a bond. I wanna know what's going on in your little life. Please Baby sister."
"We have a project to do… about New York… and their clothes." Helga makes up.
"Ooooo let me see. I just love New York. I went there last year to study the life of Manhattan. It was just beautiful…"
"As much as I would love to sit here and listen to you, I have to go. I'm already late."
"Why don't I give you a ride?"
"I don't need a ride. I have been walking to Phoebe's house since Kindergarten. I do not need you to drive me. Seriously Olga. Back off."
"I just want us to be closer." Olga starts crying.
"We will be closer. When you give me SOME SPACE."
Olga stops crying automatically and takes on a meaner tone. "Fine, Baby Sister, but when you get home I want to hear about this little project of yours."
"Fine." Helga snaps. As if she would tell Olga anything about her life.
"Oh I wish you were going on a date instead. I have the perfect dress for you. Its green and it has a bow…" Olga fantasizes. She wants the best for her sister but sometimes it is just too much.
"Cool. I have to go." Helga takes off down the street with the exact dress that her sister had recommended. She quickly calls Blythe.
"Hey I'm not going to be at my house. Do you know where Phoebe lives?"
"I'm sure I can figure it out. Is everything okay?" Blythe answers, slightly worried.
"Everything is fine. My sister is just being annoying and it's none of your business. Just drive to Phoebe's house. Got it?"
"Sure. I'll be there in five minutes. I was already on my way. Anyway, see you soon." Blythe laughs.
When Helga gets there she realizes that Gerald's car is in the driveway. Great. Helga walks right in. After all, this was sort of like her second home and Mr. and Mrs. Hyerdahl did not care if she walked right in. "Hey Phoebe. Is it okay if I use your bathroom?"
"HELGA?" A petite voice calls from upstairs. "HANG ON."
Phoebe runs down the stairs, her glasses sliding down her nose. "What are you doing here? I thought you had a date."
"I do. I just need a place to change. I stole one of Olga's dresses and she kept following me so I couldn't change over there." Helga says. "So I decided to come over here instead."
"Okay. Gerald is upstairs." Phoebe comments as she points to the stairway.
"I saw his car."
"I mean…"
"OH. I'll be right here just using the bathroom to change."
Phoebe goes upstairs and Helga indeed changes into Olga's dress. She undoes her hair, which thanks to the gallons of hairspray that Olga put in her hair is still curly as if it had been in a braid overnight. She puts a small black bow in her hair as she looks in her mirror. She smiles knowing that for probably the first time no one could possibly call her ugly. She can't believe that the beautiful girl in the mirror is herself. Even though she is going out with Blythe tonight, a part of her genuinely wishes that Arnold could see her.
She walks out to see Phoebe and Gerald staring in awe at her ensemble. "Wow, Helga, you look exquisite." Phoebe says. Helga's smile widens. Then Gerald adds, "Yeah, Helga, you're looking cool."
Helga looks at her phone and it's been fifteen minutes since she called Blythe. If he stood her up, she would make him sorry.