Life is made up of little wonders, big events, and the unexpected twists and turns of fate. A series of song inspired oneshots. AxH

Disclaimer: I don't own Hey Arnold!, the songs, or anything else that sounds like I could make any money off of it.

As I am suffering from severe writer's block, I've decided to try and do something to hopefully jump start my motivation and inspiration.

This is, as of right now, going to be a series of 10 unrelated, song inspired oneshots of various ratings, though I'm sure a good portion will be on the higher end of the rating chart. It's based loosely on the old iPod shuffle challenge. However, I'm using my Hey Arnold themed playlist, and skipping any instrumental tracks.

Title: Accident

Song: Only Happy When it Rains

Artist: Garbage

Rating: PG

Timeframe: Early high school years.

Summary: Helga's slip up to Arnold causes her more confusion than him.

"I didn't accidentally tell you that/I'm only happy when it rains…"

"You what?"

Helga stood completely paralyzed, not daring to even try and turn around. To see Arnold's reaction.

"Uh, um...I, ah…" Helga stammered as her legs moved of their own accord, and she found herself facing him. However, she managed to avoid looking directly up at him as she continued to mentally scramble for some kind of excuse to cover up her stupid, stupid slip of the tongue.

"You...did you just say you love me?"

Helga was overcome by a strong wave of deja vu and felt sick, as she managed to reply, "No!"

Arnold's stunned expression finally melted away, and instead he now looked unconvinced. "Yes, you did," he replied firmly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well...what I meant was 'Thank You' for the Monster Truck Rally tickets," Helga insisted, holding up the clutched envelope as proof.

Arnold raised a brow at her desperate excuse, "Helga."

The blonde teen began to ramble more of a denial, "Look, I was...just...excited, okay? Tickets have been sold out for weeks, and the Big Bob went and dropped the ball on getting them, and so...I was just really, really excited! I mean, sheesh it was just a...heat of the moment! That's all," Helga finished confidently.

Arnold uncrossed his arms and replied adamantly, "Oh no you don't, Pataki! You can't go throwing that excuse out again. It doesn't work like that."

Helga's mouth dropped open, "What?" She fixed him with a glare as she took a step towards him, and poked him in the chest, "Hey, you're the one who offered it up last time!"

"We were nine! I needed to process it, and you obviously hadn't been ready to tell me yet."

"Well maybe I'm not ready now," Helga sneered up at him, crossing her arms once again.

"When will you be ready, Helga?" Arnold demanded, throwing her off balance.

"Huh?"

Giving an irritated shrug, Arnold replied, "How long will it be before you finally tell me. Again." Arnold added a little bitterly.

Helga's back went up and she scowled, "I don't have anything to tell you, Football Head."

Arnold shot her a hard stare, "Do you always have to be so difficult?"

"Yes."

Arnold turned away and released a tired sigh, "Alright, you know what? This isn't getting us anywhere."

Helga gave a mocking nod, "I agree, Shortman. So, why don't we just forget-" she was cut short as Arnold had cupped her face in his hands and brought his lips to hers. She gave a muffled squeak of surprise as his lips moved gently against hers, and before she had a chance to actually enjoy the kiss, he pulled back.

He gazed down into her wide eyes and offered a small grin, "You don't make it easy to ask you out, you know that?"

Helga jaw dropped, and she jumped out of Arnold's embrace in surprise, "Wh-what are you talking about?"

Arnold smiled as he raised a brow, "Do you have any idea how much begging and pleading I had to do to get those tickets from Mr. Potts? Not to mention all his souvenir blocks of cement I had to help him re-arrange in his room? And, by 'help' I mean, I did all of it will he watched a fight on pay-per-view," Arnold added a little begrudgingly.

"But...but, why would you…?" When she trailed off, he only raised his brows expectantly. Helga gave her head a clearing shake, "Why would you want to go out with me?"

Arnold shrugged as he continued to smile warmly at her, "All the usual reasons, I suppose."

"But, why? I'm nothing special." Helga argued bitterly.

"Helga, I'd need a lifetime to list all the reasons why you're special," Arnold countered easily, enjoying the way Helga's lips parted at his admission, before continuing, "but...I think a first date is as good a place as any to start."

As his words sunk in, Helga offered him a small, genuine smile. After a moment, it turned into a smirk as she tilted her chin up and brought her hands to her hips, "You can pick me up at six, Football Head."

And she turned on her heel and began to walk home. After a moment, she shouted over her shoulder, "You gonna walk me home, or what Arnoldo?"

Arnold shook his head in amusement, and followed after her.