It may be a long chapter, but it's a good closing to the story. It also leaves a little room open for side stories. Thank you for reading : ) Enjoy!

Side by side with their backs on the top of the picnic table, they watched the stars become clearer in the sky as the city lights died. It must have been getting late.

"Look!" Helga gasped as she grabbed Arnold's hand, "A shooting star!"

It was a brief flicker, like someone dropping a flashlight into a dark well. She felt sheepish for acting like a kid.

"I'm sorry," She turned her head towards him, her hair catching on the grain of the wood, "I've just never seen one before."

"Don't be." He smiled as he interlaced her fingers with his. "You should be excited, you get to make a wish."

"I'm not the only one." She encouraged.

"What more could I possibly wish for..." He trailed off as he searched her eyes.

Both parties became shy and returned their gaze toward the vast expanse above. "What will you wish for?" He redirected.

"Now, if I told you that, it wouldn't come true." She teased.

"I wonder," He paused, "if it will come true if we wish for the same thing."

"I'm sure every wide-eyed little girl that sees a shooting star would wish for the same thing." She replied as she thought to herself, what a shame ladies, he's holding my hand.

In the moment of silence, their wishes echoed in their heads hoping that the somehow telepathic, balls of burning gas would answer their pleas. She was about to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all when she saw the concentration knit on his features. She had forgotten that there were so many serious things a parentless boy could wish for. It was amazing how muscles, tendons and bones worked together to wordlessly express a universal language carved into you since birth.

"You're sure concentrating hard enough." She joked. "Let me know when that wish of yours comes true."

"I'm sure you'll know." He grinned.

She blushed in spite of herself. What was she just saying about things being carved into you? She shivered in the night wind.

"Here." He spoke as he was taking off his suit coat.

"No, really, I'm fine..." She dissented.

He ignored her motions, "It'll keep you warm."

"I'm warm!" She deterred as she tried to hide her goose bumps.

"It'll help me feel better." He spoke.

"If it'll help you sleep at night." She relented as he shrouded her shoulders at her consent. She could smell him, not his cologne, but the pure goodness that was Arnold. She'd have to rename that perfume she dreamt of as a kid.

##

A car drove by on the street below, its echo sounding like a wave against the shore. She often heard the intermittent noise from her window at night, wondering how there were so many people each with a life of their own. And here she had spent hers wrapped up in one uniquely football-headed individual.

"It's getting colder out…" Arnold whispered.

An abrupt and illogical panic grew within her as she predicted his next words to be about walking her home. It really had been such a nice evening, and awakening to where she came from would be more frigid than any night air could offer. But this was about acceptance, if that was all the boy could offer her.

"Would you like to come inside?"

"Alright, alright, let's get moving before we disturb Mariam from her spot at the kitchen table..." Her eyes opened as she realized his train running on a different track than hers. Hers was more derailed, really. "Excuse me?" came her uneven voice.

Arnold rubbed his arm shyly, "I'll take the fold out couch, if you'd like."

No logical thoughts could fill her mind, and so she decided to search him. "Why?"

"I understand if you don't want to." He turned, thinking he was hiding his disappointment from her gaze.

"I... I would love too." Her voice quivered. "But I thought that you weren't the type to..."

"No, I don't intend to!..." His scarlet face turned back towards her.

The corners of her mouth curled at all of the thoughts that the boy must have come up with at the mere suggestion, all involving her.

"Right now, I'd just hate to see you go, Helga. I'm afraid that tomorrow you'll revert to the closed off girl that you were in elementary school and I'll never be able to talk to you again because you won't let me in." He placed his hand on hers. "We've worked so hard, I don't want to lose what we have... I don't want to lose you." He looked up from their entwined digits. "Can I at least keep you for tonight?"

Her heart was in the warmth of their palms, how could anyone say no? "Who knew the golden boy could be so needy?" She played. His lips thinned as he glanced down. She brought her fingers to his chin, moving his gaze toward hers. "Alright, just for tonight." She cooed. A smile spread on his face. She was drawn in by it. Her eyes trailed over his face before closing her eyes and deepening a kiss. As she broke it off, she reinforced, "I call dibs on the bed."

His smile grew wider. "Sure, Helga."

##

Sunlight streamed through the ceiling. Sheesh, didn't this boy have any blinds? She awoke slowly, recalling the events of the night before, talking and sharing stories until the birds began chirping. When was it now, sometime after noon? She was about to look over to check on the boy on the couch, when she noticed she could feel her right arm. Looking to her side, she noticed the cause. That was where her flaxen-haired, simultaneous friend and foe, was resting his head. She tried to speak, but the vision of his sleeping face was keeping any sound from escaping her closed throat.

She fought herself to produce a cough, "Ehm!"

His eyes opened as he noticed her indignant face and sat up straight. "I'm sorry, Helga!" He frantically apologized. "I must have come back to my bed after the bathroom last night! I didn't mean too..."

She shook the tingling sensation from her sleeping arm, "Yea, yea."

Helga could have pushed it further and wrapped herself around his impossibly innocent visage, she really longed to. How delightful it would be to twist his football headed conceptions of how a lady and a gentlemen should behave. And yet, the blaring beams of light and high white clouds made it indelibly clear that morning had come. And passed. This day was not yesterday. If she gave in to her desires after the magical excuse that was prom, the pain of loss would be amplified with each day of lingering hope until the swift excision known as college.

She could see him watching the sun set on the Pacific now; next to some nice girl with messy braids or pigtails, a phony copy of an old crush that could never bring fulfillment...

"It's alright, I believe you," She rustled his characteristic locks as she sat up in a borrowed t-shirt and flannel pants. The very realization of his fabric on her skin was giving her a claustrophobic euphoria. Time to pull off the band aid. "Pal."

"Pal?" He looked up at her confusedly, still wrapped in the sheets and sleep that clung to him.

"Buddy, ol' chum of mine." She stood up feeling that typical edge returning to her words.

"Not even an Arnold or Football Head?" He sat up, straightening his tussled hair.

Please understand, her heart leapt. "You know your name, you don't need me tellin' ya." She scoffed as he dropped a hand from his head onto the mattress.

"You know," He spoke with a smile, "my shirt looks really good on you, Pal."

He had seen her direction and steered her off course! She brought her hand up to her face, raking it over her reddened cheeks. "Thank you, friend." She mumbled through gritted teeth. "Now you need to leave so I can change out of it."

He tilted his head with that rare Arnold mischief, "We're all friends here."

"Out, OUT!" She squealed as she shoved him out the opening and down the stairwell from his doorway. She had never known the boy to be so difficult, well, thick-headed maybe. Now that she was on the opposite side of the fence, it might be difficult to shake him. But wouldn't it be better for the both of them in the long run?

She tried to picture herself riding the subway after class. Beside her was some tall, normal headed guy. Yea, that wasn't so bad. However, all of the other passengers were shifting to resemble her first love- even the old bum snoozing in the corner! She waved her hands in front of her face to excise the vision. The sooner she got out of this town, the better. That's it! She'd mention the old beach house to her parents that very night.

##

Once again in her own garb, Helga exited through the fire escape. That was just what she knew, how she felt comfortable. Anything else would feel like an undeserved walk of shame through the assortment of shifty tenants. Worst of all, Arnold's grandparents would have their faith in their perfect grandson shattered. Or, even worse, Phil would go in for a high five.

Then again, the only clothes she had with her were her dress and heels. So, she did kind of feel absurd roaming the streets of her hometown in such. She felt mismatched, like Cinderella stuck in her gown after the carriage turned back to a pumpkin. Approaching her cement steps, she walked up slowly and creaked open the door knowing no one would be waiting inside. "Mom!" Her voice carried in the empty rooms, "I'm home!"

##

Helga saw Arnold intermittently after that. At school, there were no more entries in the paper for him to pick apart. At the lockers, he'd try to start up a conversation and she'd make it awkward saying she had cramps or something like that, heading in a different direction before the bell rang. Of course she steered clear of the theater, the very thought of it did odd things to her insides.

Then came graduation. She could help but feel a sense of pride, watching him walk with their friends. His grandparents were there with all the boarders, banners waving. Bob and Mariam were there in person, but not in spirit. Her mom was slouching against the bleachers while her dad was trying to figure out how to use a smartphone.

Truthfully, she felt most proud of herself not for graduating, but for becoming the selfless person that she was today. What with the role models she had to draw from. By far the best influence was Arnold. Watching him smile as he tossed his cap in the air, she knew that she would always love him. And the best way to show that was to let him experience life and not hold him back. She hated to be cliché, but, if you love someone, let 'em go. Just like the caps that were flying high before the moment before they hit the ground. She hoped that she wouldn't hit the ground.

When his family came to hug him on the floor of the gymnasium, she was surprised to see his broad hand reaching out in her direction. Maybe it was because Bob and Mariam were standing around ready to go that she was glad someone wanted to share the moment with her.

His grandmother set herself up to take a picture of the pair. "Blue forty-two, blue forty-two, hut, hut, hike!"

"She means Cheese." Arnold whispered as he wrapped an arm around Helga's waist. The flash went off, freezing a memory. It was the first time after prom that her cheeks hurt from actual smiling. Gerald and Phoebe joined in for a few more frames, as well as the assortment that shared their elementary years with Mr. Simmons.

"C'mon Girl," Bob piped up as he placed a hand on Helga's shoulder, "It's vacation time. We've got the old shack booked up, and we're going to do it right this time."

Arnold's hand remained firm on her waist, reminding her of what he was trying to convey through the dance.

"Wait just a minute, Pataki!" Phil wagged his wrinkled finger, "You're not talking about our old beach house? We had it booked this week!"

A variety of looks crossed her father's face. "Oh, brother. Another timeshare with this old fart?" Bob thumbed in grandpa's direction as he tried to speak to his wife; who was already distractedly excited over sharing smoothies with Suzy. Helga slowly turned to see the red face attached to arm that lingered on her midsection. Had he heard her plans about the beach?

Gerald slapped his friend on the back. "You kids, don't have too much now!" He laughed. And just like that, high school came to an end. The summer before college had begun.

##

The cars rolled over the gravel and sand driveway, making a sweet crackling noise. Helga leapt out of her cramped family car to breathe the sea air. Her feet drove ahead of her, by some inherent need to see the waves.

And there he was.

When Helga saw Arnold picking shells from the water, she let her guard down, slightly. Like prom, the set period of one week was a time to be herself and enjoy who he was with her. Having the boundary of a time period was what made her comfortable. She might as well be, it was her vacation after all!

Though she knew she had been cold and distant, the smile when he saw her was as if prom were only yesterday.

"Hi, Helga!" He called as he strolled toward her, up the beach.

Forget Hasselhoff, this was the way Baywatch was meant to be! She was taken aback by how much he seemed to shine. "How's it goin' football head?" Helga acted casual, but felt herself wobble inside. It must have been her resolve.

"It's summer, I can't complain."

She felt at ease without him seeking out her reasoning for their recent separation. When he asked her to build a sand castle, it was as if she had a chance to start again as the friend she tried to be several long years ago. As they were picking up shells, it was low tide under the boardwalk.

She joked, "Not gonna dump me for some sly older bimbo this time, are ya?"

"Never." He ensured. Then came the silence as he dug his hands into the pockets of his swimming trunks.

Uh-oh, was she coming off as possessive? She didn't really hold a grudge. Okay, maybe a little.

"If you trust me, close your eyes." His voice broke her inner monologue.

"Arnold, I..."

"Please, Helga. After the last summer we shared here, I learned to trust in you."

"Oh, alright." She huffed indignantly. As the world went black, she felt something cold and light slip around her neck.

"I fixed the chain." His breath warm on her ear, mingling with the sea air.

With that her eyes flickered open. "My locket..." She croaked as her fingers fumbled at the clasp.

"Don't." He urged as he cupped her hands in his. "It's not a yearbook photo anymore, but it is something I hope you'll learn to cherish."

She blushed feverishly. He peeked! When did he peek?! She felt mortified.

"I'm sorry." He held her hands tighter at the surprise on her face. "Here I go again, knowing that I looked, I'm asking you to not do the same."

"And why not?" She protested.

"Because by the time you do, I hope it will be worth so much more." He smiled. "I want you to open it when you arrive at your dorm."

Her lips moved to the side of her face as she mulled it over.

"I know that I can trust you." He encouraged.

"Yea, we'll see, won't we?" She teased.

Trust him? For what, a lifelong friendship? There was a tangible moment where without a word the happiness seemed to pass through their fingers. She held the locket that seemed to capture some of his warmth inside, as if the shape were a real beating heart.

"I'm sure you know by now, but you had my trust a long time ago." She spoke, as if to the jewelry.

He beamed as they could hear foot traffic on the planks above. "I'm sorry I couldn't see through your tough, blustery exterior sooner, Helga. You're a great girl."

"Yea, well..." She kicked some water onto his leg. "Are we going to build this castle or what?"

##

As the week of family vacation passed, the distance between the two grew shorter. After all, summer is a time when all adolescents forget the existence of education, being as far away from the woes of adulthood as they are so inclined to stretch. Even though they were of legal age, they reveled in the remainder of their childhood with months' worth of baseball in the vacant lot, choco-freezes from the ice cream man, late night scary movies, storytelling by the fire, and lounging around by the public pool.

Arnold noticed they were no longer in elementary school when Helga stepped out of the changing room, aside Phoebe on the crowded concrete. Even with all the kids with squirt guns whizzing by, she stood out. She'd stand out anywhere, he mused, just standing still. He was amazed at what a layered pink t-shirt and jeans could hide.

Then came a sudden moral guilt. What was with his head these days? That line of thought wasn't respectful…

Gerald caught Arnold's expression of admiration and slapped him on the back with laughter. "You're a bit late, my man, but welcome to the world of a teenage boy."

"Gerald! It-it's not like I feel that way about every girl!" Arnold justified.

Gerald shrugged as he laid back in his plastic poolside chair. "Ain't nothing wrong with that. I'm just glad to know you're not a robot." He joked as Helga and Phoebe snuck up, taking their fellow friend by the hands and tossing him into the cool water. Helga gave Arnold a wink of retribution and he felt his heart tighten. He wondered if he had made her feel that way when he did the same.

##

Somehow, despite her efforts to live each summer day to the fullest, it was the first day of the last week in August. Temperatures weren't as sweltering in the city; while the trees in the park maintained their lush green. It was a transitional time between seasons, and in the life of a once pigtailed girl. She held true to her promise of a flaxen-haired boy, leaving the locket untouched on her bedside table. Standing in her room, now emptied of the luggage she had accumulated, the air was still. Dust danced in the sunlight from the window, light reflecting from her necklace. She reached slowly for the remaining metal object when a voice grumped from downstairs,

"Are we leaving yet or what?" Her hand jerked back as she looked out her doorway. "I'm sure they'll let someone else take your place in the dorm if that's the pace you're moving at." Bob drawled on.

"Criminey, don't get your pants in a knot, Bob." She mumbled to herself wrapping her fingers around the locket and taking her leisurely time to lock the clasp around her neck. "I'm comin', I'm comin'."

"My little girl's all grown up." Mariam patted the bags under her eyes as gave Helga a brief hug. The vodka always made her tear up. Hey, it would always be her mom, but good riddance to that mess.

She had never truly acknowledged until this moment how much she craved freedom from the structure that she was raised in. In fact, she'd sent her sister away before she sent herself. Perhaps because with that freedom came the absence of the very air that she breathed during her adolescent years; a flannel, gold and blue colored air, with hints of green. Arnold's face flickered in her mind as she held the locket, looking out the window of her dad's truck at the blurry buildings. Nah, it couldn't be that she was crying, it was just that they were moving fast. That's why the buildings were hard to see. Her own voice echoed inside her head, Farewell, my only love.

##

After crossing several miles, the Pataki's arrived in the big apple. Helga had lived in a city before, but not the one that never slept. She noted how the turmoil of pedestrians, cabs and street vendors could result in insomnia. The city she lived in had an old fashioned feel, looking up at the building that would be her dorm, she knew the difference. It was taller than any structure on her block. It would be a new life after all. But what kind of life? She wondered as she hauled her bags out of the car and into the elevator.

"Greetings, Helga!" Came the calm and cheerful voice of her roommate.

"What's up, Phebs." Helga responded casually as she examined the two twin beds that seemed to be crammed into a closet. Was this freedom? It looked more like a jail cell with the tiny window. Then again, that's luxury in Manhattan. The raven-haired girl was already installing a rock garden to bring some zen to the place. "I guess I'll dump these here." Bob exhaled as he flopped the luggage onto his daughter's twin bed. They looked at each other in silence before he clasped her on the back.

"Good luck." He struggled. She replied with a slanted smile. "Whelp," He breathed as he headed for the door, "see you in four years."

"Dad, I'll be home for-" Helga retorted.

"And don't expect me to shoulder any of your debt!" His voice faded down the hallway. She gave a frustrated sigh before exchanging a laugh with her best friend.

##

"You're sure you don't want to go out with us?" Phoebe asked with tender concern, as she spoke to Helga of a dinner date with Gerald. "I know with it being a new place and all…"

"I'll be fine, Mom." Helga smiled. "Besides. I haven't quite gotten a chance to see the sights. I think I'll go for a walk."

Her friend was hesitant. "Well, alright, but take one of the other students with you. Despite how nice it looks around here, it can be dangerous on the street."

"Yea, yea, will do." Helga nodded as she laid back on her bed.

"Call me if you need me." Phoebe urged as she lightly closed the door.

Everything was different. Everything, now that her life raft of resemblance had left her in the ocean of New York City. Her lips began to tremble as she recalled the life vest at her throat. She clutched at her necklace as she rolled onto her stomach.

Was now the time? She breathed in and out, a shaky breath, as she fumbled with the latch. Butterflies flew in her stomach as it creaked open. Behind a piece of paper that fell was the image of her and Arnold from their graduation. The color in her cheeks resembled that in the photo. She brought her hand to feel their warmth as she examined their once and forever happy faces. At least he was no longer alone in the heart shaped prison. But did she really want to wear such a reminder? Her eyes moved over the image as she remembered the scrap of paper that fell on her bedspread. She hesitantly picked it up.

"Washington Square Park…" She read the words out loud that were written in his boyishly manicured script. That was all it said. "Wait, I think I passed that one on the way in." She looked at the campus map. "Well," her heart raced, "I was going to go for a stroll anyway."

##

The sun was getting lower in the sky as she approached the nearest green oasis in the city. She sat on the circular cement surrounding the fountain. Was Arnold trying to give her some refuge? She didn't get it. That was until she felt a familiar sensation of a hand on her back, coming from the stranger beside her.

"Arnold!" Helga was breathless. "Are you really here?" She asked as her fingers searched his characteristic head, combing through masses of hair.

"I'm here, Helga." He assured as he placed his hand atop of hers on his face.

"But… How?" She squeaked.

He brought their hands down to rest on his thighs. "I was on the waiting list for Fordham. So when I heard you got into NYU, I was really hoping to get in. And, well, it looks like things worked out." His smile spread ear to ear.

"You mean, you did all this, for me?" She gulped.

"What else are you supposed to do for the one you love?" He smiled.

"You…" Her eyes were shaking with forming tears. "You dummy!" She whapped his shirt lightly as the fountain continued in the background. "Why didn't you just tell me over the summer?!"

"Your mind was set, and I never wanted to rush you." He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I knew you wanted to be with someone for the long run. So I had to do some thinking of my own."

"A-and?" She searched his green eyes.

"I don't want you to just be with someone, I want you to be with me." He held her hand tightly. "I want to be the one that makes you happier than anyone else ever could. And I knew it from the moment I gave you that locket. Maybe I even knew it my whole life through." He took in a breath as she watched his flushed face, "Helga Geraldine Pataki, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend? I know it will lead to so much more…"

She silenced his plea with a long, deep kiss. There was nothing holding her back, not any more.

"Wow." He looked at her from under lowered lids, "Is that a yes?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"So, you're saying that you like me the way that I like you?"

"Heck, I like you so much you could even say that I love you." She laughed, "I love you, Arnold. There's no like-like here."

He laughed and kissed her back, "I love you, Helga. More than you know."

She relaxed into his chest. "Don't worry about the 'so much more' part," She smiled, "This is all I need, right here."

"Whatever you say, Helga." Arnold grinned contentedly as he watched the first of many sunsets with the only girl he could ever want or need, safely secured in his arms.