You Don't Know Me, Arnold

Chapter 15: You Know Me, Arnold

The last... freaking... chapter...

Happy Early Thanksgiving everybody! Ready to stuff your faces with pie tomorrow cause I certainly am xD But most importantly, THE JUNGLE MOVIE COMES OUT THIS FRIDAY! AHHHHH!

Notice that this is the only chapter named with more than one word, hehe...

Well I won't keep you guys waiting enjoy the last chapter of You Don't Know Me, Arnold!

My palms were sweaty.

Why am I so nervous? It's not like I haven't asked Helga out to a dance before!

I can do this...

I was on the verge of knocking on her door but I stripped my hand back.

Nope, I can't do this. What if she says no?

Screw it! I'm doing it!

I knocked on the door and I waited a good 30 seconds before the door was opened by none other than Big Bob.

"We don't want your boy scout cookies."

"I'm not a boy scout Mr. Pataki, I'm here to see Helga."

"Who?" he asked and boy... the man looked legitimately confused.

"Um... your daughter..."

"Olga isn't here... OH you mean the other one!"

I gave him an unimpressed look, how annoying...

"Yes, and I recall her name being Helga..." I said through gritted teeth.

He actually had the decency to look ashamed as he nervously scratched his head, "Yeah I knew that. Sorry kid, things haven't been going well for me at the Beeper Emporium* and I've been forgetting things more easily than usual. I actually forgot when Olga's birthday was a few days ago."

Bob? Forgetting something about Olga!? This is new.

"HEY HELGA! YOUR LITTLE FRIEND ARNIE IS HERE TO SEE YOU!"

I cringed at his loud voice, did he have to be this loud?

I heard shuffling upstairs as Helga came downstairs while holding a video camera.

"Hey Dad how do you work this thing again? I..." she stopped as she looked over at me with her eyes widened, "ARNOLD!? I... I mean what are you doing here?"

"I'm going to go watch my soap operas," Bob said as he headed back to the living room.

"I need to ask you something Helga, can we step outside?"

Helga nodded slowly and set her video camera down. She followed me outside and we both sat down on her stoop.

"So..." I started. "How have you been?"

Helga seemed startled at the question, "Well... you could imagine... you?"

"Same here..."

We both sat in silence, the air was thick...

"Arnold..." she started.

"No," I held my hand up to stop her. "Not yet. We need to do this properly."

"Huh?"

"Helga, the Fifth Grade Dance is coming up... will you be willing to go with me?"

Her face changed to one of understanding as she smiled, "I'd love to but Arnold..."

"Yeah?"

"Nothin on the cheap, remember that," she said as I laughed, remembering that she had told me the same thing last year for the April Fools Dance.

"Just as long as you won't pretend you're blind again."

"You're not going to throw me into a pool again are you?"

We both laughed, the tension in the air easing.

As our laughs died down I looked over at her with a smile, "Well... I guess I'll see you then."

"Guess you will," she said as I stared into her blue eyes, have they always been that shade?

I snapped out of my trance and bid her farewell.

As she closed her door, I turned to head back to the boarding house, only to come face to face with Rhonda Wellington Lloyd herself.

"Oh, my gosh! OH. MY. GOSH!" Rhonda exclaimed as she turned towards Nadine, who was standing next to her. "Arnold just asked HELGA G. PATAKI to the school dance, the horror! The world is coming to an end people! ARE YOU WRITING THIS DOWN?" Rhonda yelled as Nadine swiftly took out her notepad and her pen.

"Rhonda please," I insisted as I rolled my eyes.

"Hush Arnold, let me concentrate. Nadine, we are about to note the juiciest piece of gossip PS 118 has ever heard of! Write this down: After years of being bullied and thrown spitballs to, Arnold, a kid who always seemed to have his life together has officially lost his sanity. Today, on this warm April day, a year after he was forced to take this same bully to the April Fools Dance for blinding her with an April Fools Prank... today, he willingly has decided to ask Helga G. Pataki to the school dance. The reason? Who knows, but I, Rhonda Wellington Lloyd will find out. Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen, stay tuned."

I narrowed my eyes at her. Why do people think I need a reason to ask Helga to the dance?

...

Okay so maybe I am taking her for a reason, to apologize and to clear the air with her. But that's only partially the reason! I legitimately cannot think of anyone else I would rather go to the dance with, Helga and I are going to have a blast and I know it!

"Why so silent Arnold? Did I catch you in your little secret?" Rhonda asked as she crossed her arms.

"You wouldn't understand," I said to her as I walked passed them.

"Maybe that's true Arnold," Rhonda said as she and Nadine followed me. "But I can assume. You did something to Helga didn't you? So you're taking her to the school dance to make it up to her, you know, out of guilt."

"No Rhonda, I'm taking her because I want to."

Rhonda blinked in surprise, "You can't be serious. I mean, why would anyone want to take Helga G. Pataki to a school dance?"

I clenched my fist and snapped my head towards Rhonda, "You don't know her Rhonda! She's actually a good person!"

Rhonda scrunched her eyebrows in legitimate confusion, "Good person? Arnold, the girl put gum in your hair, remember? She calls you football head, hair boy, and she pushes you around. She literally spent an entire day outside of your house to remind you that you had 24 hours to live when Harold challenged you to a fight. Not to mention her horrible sense of style."

"Maybe Arnold knows more about Helga than you do Rhonda," Nadine suggested as Rhonda turned toward her and back to me.

"Is that true Arnold? Because if it is, please do tell. Is there something a little extra going on between you and Helga that the rest of us don't know about? Actually, come to think of it, you two have been acting extra weird toward each other ever since you and Gerald saved the neighborhood. Did something happen?" Rhonda asked as she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Like at the April Fools Dance for example, it was CLEAR to everyone that you were flirting with her during the tango. Very out of character Arnold. And this entire year you two have been acting like you've never met one another and we all could sense the tension between you two. What's going on?"

Yikes... I was kind of hoping no one would notice the whole tango ordeal... I was kinda sorta using Helga's affection toward me to catch her off guard and throw her into the pool. It's embarrassing to remember, I'm not the kind of guy to use people's feelings to my advantage.

I gulped, which was a big mistake considering that it caused Rhonda to narrow her eyes even more. Boy is she observant.

I had to say SOMETHING, I had to!

It was one thing for Gerald to find out about FTi, but RHONDA LLOYD was a WHOLE different ball game.

"Okay you got me..." I started as I held my hands up in defense.

Rhonda said nothing and I took that as a signal to continue.

"Helga and I sorta got into a fight last September after she put that piece of gum in my hair. It was not a pretty fight, but overtime I realized that I was judging Helga too quickly without getting to know her. So I got to know her, and she's actually not that bad. So I..."

"Ohhhh I see," Rhonda said as she sighed in relief and put a hand on her chest. "Phew Arnold you scared me, for a second there I thought you and Helga like liked each other or something. This makes more sense now."

"Huh?" I asked, legitimately confused.

"You asked Helga to the dance to apologize for your fight in September right? Silly Arnold, always putting yourself in these predicaments. Jot this down Nadine, Case Arnold asks Helga to School Dance closed, nothing to worry about."

What? That wasn't true, I truly do want to go to the dance with Helga. Why is that so hard to believe?

"But Rhonda..."

"No Arnold you don't have to explain, I completely understand. It's quite sweet actually, you asking Helga to the dance that is, such charity should be acknowledged."

"Charity?"

"Yes, charity. I mean you're practically doing Helga a favor by asking her to the dance no? I applaud you and your bravery Arnold I truly do. Well I'm afraid I must go, these nails aren't going to do themselves, c'mon Nadine we got stuff to do," Rhonda said as she walked toward the opposite direction.

"Bye Arnold! See you at the dance!" Nadine said as she followed Rhonda.

Charity? They think this is CHARITY!?

Never have I ever felt so LIVID!

But what else would I expect from my judgmental classmates!?

This isn't charity! Rhonda is wrong!

She's wrong!

Right?

Wait.

You asked Helga to the dance to apologize for your fight in September right? Silly Arnold, always putting yourself in these predicaments.

Is she right? Did I really just ask Helga to the dance out of guilt?

Could I have been confusing guilt and sympathy with like liking her?

Have I been committing all these decisions out of the heat of the moment that was September?

Or am I doing this because I'm grateful for all that she's done for me and I simply want to return the favor...

Do I really have feelings for Helga?

Oh no...

I stopped as I looked up and realized that I was standing near Gerald's field.

- Flashback -

"Arnold! Hey Arnold! 21 hours, 58 minutes and 14 seconds until you die!"

...

"If I hit the lever, I think I can stop it!" I exclaimed as I threw the mug, causing it to crash on the machine.

"If I hit the lever, I think I can stop it," Helga mocked.

...

"But Helga what you wrote isn't accurate! You can't just stretch the truth when it's convenient. I want our newspaper to report just the facts."

"Facts schmacts. I think you're jealous because my stories grab people more than your stories. Maybe we should part ways copy boy, there's room in this school for more than one newspaper you know."

...

"YOU, Arnold!" she said as she removed her glasses.

"Actually it's YOU, Helga, April Fools!"

...

"You heard me pal I love you, LOVE YOU!"

...

"Sometimes the best gifts come from the most plainest box."

- End Flashback -

I smiled with determination and fiercely turned towards Helga's house.

No.

Rhonda WAS wrong!

I DO have feelings for Helga and although I am taking advantage of the dance to apologize and explain everything, that is only 10% of the reason why I'm taking her out to the dance.

To be perfectly honest, I just want to spend time with Helga.

Those memories that just flashed back to me reminded me of something VERY important.

Helga G. Pataki gives my life meaning, she gives my life pizzazz, she makes my life INTERESTING!

Why didn't I realize this before!?

A lot of the interesting things that happen in my life are BECAUSE OF HELGA! Even the dreams I've had of her, whether they were positive or negative were interesting. Life without Helga would be dull. How do I know that? Because I've literally spent this entire year without engaging in conversation with her, and I almost went INSANE with desperation to talk to her! At some point it wasn't even about the guilt it was simply the fact that I MISSED having her around. I missed her calling me football head, I missed her spitballs, I missed HER!

Ever since I was born I was practically DESTINED for adventure, heck, I was born in a jungle for goodness sake! My parents are... or were... explorers!

My parents... that is an empty wound in my heart that I never thought anyone could slightly heal. I'm sure Helga understands the kind of wound I'm talking about, her parents don't even realize she exists.

But Helga, Helga doesn't necessarily fill that wound but she definitely does tend to it.

She gives my life the adventure I was destined to have since I was a baby.

She does this through her actions and through her words.

Her poems show me a side of myself I never knew I had. They make me feel proud of who I've become. They make me believe that my parents would've been proud of who I've become...

Ruth and Lila NEVER and I mean NEVER made me feel that way about myself.

So I've come to the conclusion that living the rest of my life with Helga doesn't sound so bad at all, in fact, my skin crawls with excitement with even the thought of it. No day will be a dull day with Helga G. Pataki, that's for sure. I know that I'm only 10 and I'm too young to be thinking so far into the future, but like my father I've always been a romantic for daydreaming.

My thoughts were interrupted as I felt myself stepping on something.

I looked down and lifted my foot off a newspaper about... LA SOMBRA!?*

I widened my eyes and swiftly picked up the paper.

"Bandit at Large..." I muttered as I read the title and the rest of the paper.

"What?" I asked myself as I looked at the lower left corner of the paper. It was... ripped.

This paper only explained the basics of La Sombra, nothing my dad hadn't explained in the journal, but... what was it doing here? And why was it ripped?

I immediately ran back home, hoping to get some answers quick.

"What is it Arnold? I don't remember it being rent day today, Suzie do you have the money for the rent?" Oskar asked as he looked in the room.

"No Oskar you wasted it on your card game yesterday remember?" Suzie scolded as Oskar snickered nervously.

"Oh yeah, heh heh heh, I forgot. Sorry Arnold, can we do an I-Owe-You?"

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not here to pick up the rent Mr. Kokoshka."

"Oh, then why are you here then?"

"You still work with the newspaper department right?" I asked him, hoping that he would say yes.

"Yes I do, why?" Oskar asked as I held up La Sombra's article.

"I was wondering if you could maybe give me a copy of this article," I said. "It's really important!"

Oskar narrowed his eyes as he read the headline of the article. "La... Sombra... hmm, I don't remember seeing that article in the paper. Let me ask Suzie," he said as he took the paper from me and walked into his room.

I followed him as he showed the paper to Suzie.

"I don't remember reading this in the paper at all," Suzie said as she looked at me. "Where did you find this Arnold?"

"It was on the floor near Gerald's Field," I responded.

"It's probably a headline from another city then," Suzie said. "Because Hillwood's newspaper didn't have this article at all."

I sighed in disappointment. Just my luck...

"Okay, thanks anyway," I said as I took back the paper and headed back into my room.

That's just great, I just retrieved a potential important piece to finding out about my parents and the lower left corner of the page is ripped!

I hung the newspaper on my wall and stared at it.

I really need to start doing more research.* If evidence like this is being produced in other cities then WHO KNOWS how much more information about La Sombra there exists out there!

And knowing more about La Sombra is key to knowing more about my parents...

"And you just found it on the floor?" Gerald asked as he and I walked towards our respective date's houses to take them to the dance.

"Yes! Right by Gerald's Field, I've spent all week doing more and more research about San Lorenzo and La Sombra. You should see my wall,* it's practically filled with pictures and potential evidence.

"I've said it once and I'll say it again, you're a bold kid Arnold."

I nodded as we neared the turnaround.

"Well I'll see you at the dance Arnold, can't keep Phoebe waiting," Gerald said as we bid our farewells and went our separate ways.

Hopefully tonight goes well, I already planned out what I was going to tell Helga. Heck, I spent ALL NIGHT thinking about it.

I neared her stoop and knocked on the door.

It automatically opened and I froze in my spot.

Helga looked beautiful.

She wore a nice pink dress and she let her hair down.

Simple. But dashing.

"You look really nice Helga."

She blushed and smiled, "Thanks Arnold, you look good yourself."

I had my hair slicked back and I was wearing a tuxedo, but the simplicity still didn't stop a light blush from forming in my cheeks.

"Thanks... shall we go?" I said as I extended my arm.

She rolled her eyes, "Can you be any more cheesy Aladdin?"

"Cut me some slack I'm trying!"

She laughed, and it wasn't one of her maniacal laughs, it was one of her nice laughs.

It was a giggle of pure happiness, very rare for Helga Pataki.

She took my arm and we were off.

One thing is for sure.

I don't know who coordinated this dance, but they definitely did a fantastic job.

The dance was set up as some high schoolers would call Prom style.

There was a disco on the ceiling, a DJ and lights everywhere. There was a snack table that Harold was already taking ownership of and a huge dance floor with many tables and seats by the walls. It was quite the sight.

"Look, there's Phoebe and Gerald," I said as we walked toward our friends who were already saving seats for us.

"You guys arrived quick," I said as Gerald and I did our handshake.

"Nah, y'all are just slow," Gerald said as he stared at me in an attempt to silently communicate with me.

Did you talk to her?

I turned toward Helga who was already deeply engaged in a conversation with Phoebe.

I shook my head at Gerald as Gerald neared my ear, "What's takin you so long man!? I already fixed things with Phoebe, what gives?"

"Not yet," I whispered back.

Gerald rolled his eyes, "What are you waiting for man!? Do you want me to tell Mr. Simmons to put on a firework show so that you can tell her under the fireworks that you're sorry? It's just an apology Arnold no big deal!"

Oh but it wasn't JUST an apology Gerald. It just wasn't.

I still feel bad that Gerald still doesn't know about FTi or anything that's been going on between me and Helga emotionally but I can't bring myself to tell him. The boy would have a heart attack! And I feel like Helga has more of a right to hear about my feelings before anyone else does.

"Eugene and Sheena did a great job with the event don't you guys think?" Phoebe asked as Gerald widened his eyes.

"EUGENE took part in this!?" Gerald questioned in surprise. "Wow, I'm impressed. Props to him."

"I'm more impressed with the fact that Princess Wellington Lloyd didn't coordinate the event," Helga commented as the three of us nodded in agreement.

"I heard Rhonda wasn't allowed to, something about 'letting other people coordinate for a change.'" Phoebe said as we heard gasps coming from behind us.

The four of us turned to Sid and Stinky who were listening in on Rhonda whispering in their ear.

Sid and Stinky suddenly turned towards me with apologetic looks, causing me to raise an eyebrow at them.

What kind of secret was Rhonda telling them?

And it seemed like the whole room was in on this mysterious secret, because I found myself being the subject of stares and whispers amongst all the students.

"Helga, wanna dance?" I asked, hoping that dancing would make this uneasiness easier to tolerate.

Helga seemed relieved that I had asked her that and immediately agreed, and that's when I realized that Helga was also becoming the subject of everyone's attention. I wonder why.

The song was once again, coincidentally, a tango.

This song had a slower beat though, so it was easier for Helga to keep up with me. Well, then again, I was a bit rough last year so I can't blame her.

Helga was actually not a bad dancer, we were both in sync with each other and it even got to the point where we became the center of the spotlight.

Everyone stopped dancing to look at us but I was so focused in the moment that I didn't realize that we were in the middle of a huge circle.

Helga seemed to have missed it too, her face expression showed nothing but determination to dance like she never has before.

I smiled and looked over at Gerald, who had his eyes widened and was shaking his head dramatically and sliding a hand by his throat multiple times, signaling us to stop.

Huh?

That's when I decided to pay attention to the rest of our classmates.

Sid and Stinky had their eyes widened in horror.

Lila was smiling and sending me thumbs up.

Lorenzo was raising an eyebrow.

Sheena and Eugene looked concerned.

Nadine also looked concerned while Rhonda shook her head with a pitiful pout.

Phoebe was trying to communicate something to Helga.

"Helga... people are questioning why you chose that ice cream flavor!" I barely heard her whisper.

What the? What does that mean?

I don't know what Phoebe just told Helga, but that sure snapped Helga out of her stupor as she stopped abruptly and froze, realizing with widened eyes that the whole room was staring at us.

If the music weren't playing I swear the room would be silent. That's when I got it.

People aren't used to seeing me and Helga so close, so this must seem extremely odd to them!

OH NO!

Before I could open my mouth to explain, Harold beat me to it, "AWWWWW WIDDLE HELGA GOES SOFT WHENEVER SHE'S AROUND AWNOLD HA HA HA!"

"Quite pathetic if you ask me," Rhonda added. "You seemed a little too into that dance Helga, what's happened to you this year? One year ago you pretended that you were blind and dragged Arnold into the pool with you and this year you're being a little too nice to him. Are you hiding something?"

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

"I reckon their argument in November has a lot to do with this," Stinky added.

"Are you kidding? Do you not remember what Rhonda told us? Arnold totally snapped at her back in September!"

I froze and looked at Rhonda with widened eyes, who shrugged at me.

Lila and Brainy looked concerned as they turned to me with expectant looks.

"That explains why Arnold brought her to the dance then," Curly added. "I mean there's no way he would ever bring her voluntarily."

I noticed Helga wince and I began dramatically shaking my head, "That's not true!"

"It's okay Arnold, we understand your need to be nice. But it's not okay to lie to Helga by making her think you'd ever ask her out to a dance. We're doing you a favor," Rhonda retorted as she put a hand on her hip.

"Helga has been acting weird ever since you and Gerald saved the neighborhood Arnold, don't you see? I THINK SHE LIKEESSSSS YOUUUU!" Harold chanted as he laughed.

I noticed Helga's fists clench and I turned to her.

She had her eyes shut tightly, she looked like she was shaking but out of complete anger.

No... Helga has been doing so well with keeping her anger intact, I can't let this happen!

"Stop it guys! None of the things you're saying are true!"

"Enlighten us then Arnold," Rhonda started. "Because you apologizing to Helga for saying she's irritating, mean, and undeserving of having any friends by taking her out to a dance sounds pretty sensical to me. The only part confusing to us is why Helga accepted your offer to bring her, more so why she has changed so much throughout the year."

"We just want answers Arnold, and Helga is the only one who can do it," Sid added.

"Wait but why did Arnold take so long to apologize? Maybe HE is hiding something too!" Curly accused as he pointed at me.

"That answer is easy, Arnold must've tried to apologize, but Helga was avoiding him the whole year so she made it harder for him," Rhonda explained.

It absolutely DISGUSTS me that our classmates would care SO MUCH about my relationship with Helga! WHY CAN'T THEY JUST MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS!

"I still think Helga likes Arnold and she just doesn't want to admit it! ARNOLD MAKES HELGA SOFT!" Harold accused as he pointed at Helga.

It all happened so fast.

That seemed to cause Helga to snap. She approached Harold, pushed him up on a wall, and punched him in the stomach and in the face.

"IS THAT SOFT FOR YOU PIG BOY!? DIDN'T THINK SO!" Helga yelled, causing our entire class and even the music to stop.

With one last angry glance at me she stormed out of the gym.

Our whole class walked toward Harold to help him up.

"Helga wait!" Phoebe called but I grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"Wait Phoebe, let me talk to her," I said as Phoebe hesitated.

"I don't know Arnold..."

"Please!"

Phoebe smiled and nodded, "Please don't hesitate to come and get me if you need me."

With a nod I stormed out of the gym.

"HELGA!" I yelled as I ran through the streets.

Man, she's fast!

I stopped and took a break at the bridge by the park.

"Where is she?"

I stared into the water and took a deep breathe. Great, this is just great! This is the biggest misunderstanding I've ever been involved in. Now Helga thinks I only did this for charity!

My thoughts were interrupted by... sobbing?

I turned and walked toward a bench.

"H-Helga?"

She snapped her head towards me and stood up to leave but I stopped her by grabbing onto her hand.

"Helga wait."

"LET ME GO!" she exclaimed as she tried to snatch her hand away but I kept my grip on hard.

She seemed surprised that I was keeping such a strong grip and looked up at me.

"PLEASE Helga, hear me out. We've been stalling this conversation for far too long!" I said with a scolding look.

She stopped and sighed in defeat as she sat back down in the bench.

"Five minutes."

I rolled my eyes as I let go of her hand.

"Phew, so where do I begin?" I started. "I think the right thing to do first is to once again apologize for everything I've put you through, especially what happened back there. I'm sorry Helga, you have no idea how much I'm sorry!"

"Okay, good. I forgive you, you got what you wanted. Now if you excuse me," Helga replied as she began to stand up.

"Stop it right there CECILE, I'm not finished," I said warningly as Helga froze in her tracks and swiftly turned to me with wide eyes.

"What did you call me?" she asked nervously and I smiled.

Gotcha!

"I think this belongs to you," I said as I took out the red shoe from the back of my pocket and handed it to her.

She looked visibly shaken and confused as she received the shoe from me.

"H-How did... when did you find out?"

"Take a seat and I'll explain everything," I said as I motioned toward the bench.

She slowly took a seat, looking at me with utter shock.

"I've discovered a lot of things about you since our argument back in September Helga, pleasant but very surprising things," I said as I paced back and forth in front of the bench.

Did Helga just gulp?

"Like what?"

"Well this chain of discoveries started when I found out about what you went through just to get my hat back. That and Deep Voice were the first two pieces of evidence to me discovering how much you've been there for me this whole time."

Helga blinked and I took that as a signal to explain.

"You know... Grandpa showed me a photo album the day I found out about the hat and that's when I discovered that you've always been by my side throughout all the crazy ideas I've ever come up with. Like the float and saving the neighborhood. You were always standing next to me in all the photos, besides Gerald I think you were also in all the photos."

Helga slightly widened her eyes.

"I wanted to talk to you about what I had discovered but that was when you decided to move to a farther seat and talk to Brainy and Eugene. Oh, did I mention that Brainy* spent the first few months giving me a hard time about you? That boy is something."

"Hard time? In what sense?"

"He basically told me to get my life together, but that's besides the point. What was your deal with Brainy and Eugene anyway? Of all students at PS 118, why them?"

Helga sighed, "Eugene is optimistic, I knew he wouldn't say no to hanging out with me. I brought up that experiment because - well - I was mad. I wanted to prove to you that I COULD make friends, so I chose Eugene. Brainy on the other hand has been someone I've never really gotten the opportunity to get to know, he knew so much about me yet I didn't know anything about him. So I chose him."

"I see now... well you didn't have to prove anything to me y'know. I had already figured that out even before you chose Brainy to be in your group."

Helga said nothing and I continued.

"Hold on to the bench Helga because you might fall off of it after I tell you about my next discovery."

"What did you find out?" she said nervously, I swear she'd be sweating if it wasn't cool out.

"Well first of all I wanted to thank you Christmas Angel, for making mine and Mr. Hyunh's Christmas last year the best one we've ever had in our lives. Giving up your Nancy Spumoni snow boots for Mr. Hyunh and his daughter to reunite really says a lot about you as a person Helga."

Helga's breathe caught in her throat and she started coughing, "WHO TOLD YOU!? YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THAT!"

"Mr. Bailey told me, Gerald and I visited him because we needed to pick up a document under Mrs. Johanssen's name and that's when he told us. Mai confirmed it when I went to go ask her."

"SO THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU GAVE UP YOUR HARMONICA TO GET ME THOSE NANCY SPUMONI SNOW BOOTS THIS PAST CHRISTMAS!"

Now it was my turn to widen my eyes, "WHAT!? How did you find out!?"

"Gerald-o told me. He didn't tell me why you did it though. He told me that he wanted YOU to tell me why you did it. But now I understand... Arnold... you REALLY didn't have to do that! That harmonica was YOUR FATHER'S! I mean don't get me wrong I really do appreciate the gesture but we need to get you that harmonica back! I'll return the snow boots to the man you made the trade with, maybe it's not too la..."

"Helga, shut up."

Helga stopped and blinked at me.

I shook my head with a smile, "I was happy to do it Helga. You sacrificed something for me and I felt like it was my duty to return the favor."

"BUT ALL I DID WAS GIVE UP SNOW BOOTS ARNOLD! SNOW BOOTS! They held no personal significance to me! Your harmonica on the other hand..."

"Helga! I was happy to do it and I still am. Please just leave it as it is."

Helga stopped and sighed, "Okay, anything else."

"Then I found out about Hilda and then I gave you back your bow, but we already talked about that. So after that I found out that this belonged to you," I said as I pulled out The Little Pink Book.

Her eyes widened, "A-Arnold... I can explain!"

"No need," I said as I set the book on the bench. "You already did that."

She and I both blushed, not needing to address the fact that I was alluding to the rooftop confession.

"That's when I found out about Cecile. Olga let me into your room so that I can drop off your homework that one time after our argument in November - that's when I found your other shoe," I said as I pointed at the shoe. "Props though, I totally thought you were somebody else."

Helga sighed but then smirked evilly, "Can't the same for you Arnold-o, or should I say, Alberto!"

WHAT!?

"Huh!? Did Gerald tell you that too!?"

"Nope, it was ALLLL me. C'MON Arnold, I'm HELGA G. PATAKI! You can't fool me that easily. There's only one person in this entire world who has a football head as wide as yours. Phoebe fell for it though, so I'll give you some credit."

I pouted, Helga knew the whole time! Wait.

I suddenly felt extremely embarrassed, all those things I said! How embarrassing!

"This is about Cecile Helga, why didn't you just ask to hang out on Valentine's Day instead of going through all that trouble."

Helga laughed bitterly, "Yeah right! Like YOU would've ever been caught dead going to Chez Paris with Helga G. Pataki knowing Ruth McDougal had agreed to go on a date with you."

I winced, it was true... and I hated that it was true.

Back then I didn't know Helga well enough to say yes to her. And Ruth hadn't even accepted to go out with ME, she accepted to go out with Anonymous and they weren't even a real person!

I decided to shake my head and change the subject.

"I also found out you turned vegetarian, may I ask why?"

Helga winced as she clenched her eyes shut, "Because I wanted to..."

"Not even YOU believe that one Helga."

She stayed silent and stared at her hands.

"I think it's now my turn to explain my side of the story Arnold," she said softly. "Take a seat."

I sat down and she stood up.

"What you said really hurt me Arnold, more than you would think. The day you said what you said I remember walking in front of a mirror and staring at myself. That's when I realized that you were right, I came to the conclusion that I hated who I was. Heck, not even my parents know I exist. It's always about Olga and never about Helga. I don't think you understand how much your opinion of me matters Arnold."

A tear rolled down her cheek, and I resisted the urge to walk up to her, caress her cheek and wipe it off.

I was too stunned for words or actions.

"My entire life I've been neglected, pushed to the side and spit at. But that one day in preschool when you put that umbrella over my head and NOTICED me. I felt... I felt better about myself. And you never, ever questioned me or the person I was - until that day - so I took it to heart. I wanted to break away from any of Old Helga's habits. I gave up on meat, I gave up on Halloween, I gave up on talking, I gave up on teasing, on anything I used to be or like..."

I was speechless.

I never thought I meant that much to Helga.

"Helga..." I said as she held a hand up.

"I don't want your pity Arnold, I'll be fine. But when you started doing all those things for me... I... I grew confused. And the poem, the poem you wrote to me. I still don't understand why you wrote it and... I guess I just want to know WHY Arnold. Why? Why do you bother? Is it because you felt guilty?"

"NO!" I yelled, causing her to jump. "That's not it at all! Helga I didn't mean anything I said back in September! All those words I said... I said them in..."

"The Heat of the Moment?" she asked solemnly. "Because as I've told you before, The Heat of the Moment seems to be your favorite catchphrase whenever you want to avoid any problems. Admit it Arnold, you MEANT what you said."

"I said those things out of assumption Helga. I was assuming you were a person you aren't. I didn't know you Helga, heck, I still think there are things about you that I don't know! You aren't any of those things I said. You are Helga G. Pataki: A strong girl with a tough exterior but only uses that exterior to gain respect. On the inside you're as much of a romantic as I am and you express that through your writing. You have a big heart, you just don't like showing it because you think it'll make you look weak. You love Wrestlemania, Halloween, MEAT and that is totally okay! You're hilarious when you aren't threatening to harm anyone. Your stand up show was comedy gold! I've grown to admire your REAL personality Helga, not this front you've been putting up with everyone."

Helga blinked, and for a second I thought I broke her... until she smiled, "You Know Me, Arnold. I think you know me more than what you give yourself credit for..."

I smiled until I noticed her shivering.

"Let me walk you home," I said as I put my jacket over her.

We walked in silence, taking in everything we had told each other.

Welp, I wasn't planning on sleeping tonight anyway.

"Here we are," I said as we neared her stoop. "Oh and by the way Helga, you're a really good dancer."

"Thanks... sorry for ruining the dance for you."

"It's just a dance, there's tons of those in 6th grade."

She smiled and was about to head in until she turned.

"Arnold..." Helga said with a soft voice, causing me to stop dead in my tracks from heading back to the boarding house.

"Yes Helga?" I asked, noticing that she started getting nervous, she bit her lip and shifted on one leg.

"I-I was just wondering..." she started. "I just wanted to... well I just felt that you should... well you see..." she stopped and took a deep breathe, probably to collect her thoughts.

"I just wanted to know how you felt..." she stopped and her troubled expression converted into a soft smile. "You know what... never mind."

I couldn't smile back at her, I knew EXACTLY what she wanted me to address.

How do I feel about Helga G. Pataki?

But I couldn't... I just couldn't. It wasn't the time. If I'm going to confess my feelings for Helga it has to be in a better place and her stoop just wasn't that place.

But I knew I couldn't just leave her stalled like that. To continue to make her wait until I was ready to talk about it. I made that same mistake once with the "Heat of the Moment" thing... and I certainly can't make that same mistake again.

I used that thought to gather the confidence to approach her...

And plant a kiss on her cheek.

Her face automatically turned red as she stared into my eyes, desperately searching for an answer, just SOMETHING to hint to where I stand.

But all I did was smile, thank Helga for a wonderful night, and bid her farewell.

She disappointedly returned my goodbye, but said nothing on the matter, probably acknowledging that now was not the time.

I know I may seem like a jerk for doing this to her, but it's quite the contrary. This past year has helped me discover that Helga is one of a kind and the kind of girl who deserves to be treated in a unique sense. Unlike Lila, whom I merely confessed to without a care in the setting or in the atmosphere, I want to confess to Helga in a more authentic environment. Sounds cheesy but it's what Helga deserves after YEARS of dealing with my denseness.

So yes, she will have to wait longer, but it'll be worth the wait. I PROMISE you.

"The rest of the dance was boring Arnold, you didn't miss anything," Gerald said as he and I headed towards the grocery store.

Two days had passed since Helga and I cleared the air, and it gave me tons of time to reflect.

In a good way that is.

"It's been a crazy year Gerald," I said as Gerald nodded in agreement.

"Indeed it has."

Gerald didn't ever question what happened within my conversation with Helga and I appreciated it, I want to tell him when I'm ready.

BAM

I fell on the floor and rubbed my head as I looked up and noticed Helga doing the same.

Of course I would bump into Helga.

I noticed that her shopping had fallen on the floor. She had bought a huge watermelon, a blue pot, yellow flippers?*

Gerald seemed equally as confused with the choice of things Helga decided to buy and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Watch where you're going football head!" she yelled at me and I jumped.

Wait what?

She looked up at Gerald and narrowed her eyes.

"Take a picture Gerald-o! It'll last longer!" Helga spat out as Gerald crossed his arms and sighed.

"Some things never change," he said as he left the scene.

As I watched him go I turned back towards Helga and gave her a "what gives, I thought we were cool" look which she only merely responded with a soft smile.

Just a smile.

And with that, she walked away towards the opposite direction from Gerald. I also noticed that Brainy popped out of no-where, causing her to punch him in the face.

Seems like everything is back to normal I guess...

Wait a minute!

No it wasn't!

That's when it all made sense. Both Helga and I have come to a silent agreement that now was not the time to conclude where exactly we stood on our... friendship? Relationship? I don't know. But now was most definitely not the time to find out.

We weren't ready to confront the situation and neither were our classmates, so in the meantime we have to ACT like everything is back to normal. Even though it isn't. But unlike after what happened on the roof of FTi, this time Helga and I are ACKNOWLEDGING that things between us aren't the same anymore. In a good way of course.

Helga and I have accepted that what we told each other the night of the dance was NOT a product of the "Heat of the Moment." And I don't know about you, but knowing me and Helga, that is already a HUGE improvement in itself.

It took me a whole year to come into terms with my feelings for Helga and I need time to wrap my head around it so that I can appropriately confess to her without having to pour out all my dysfunctional feelings for her on a roof and kiss her out of the blue. That bluntness damaged our relationship because it was so random and unexpected, there was no context built around it. She didn't give me time to think of a reaction and thus I didn't give her the reaction she wanted. We're not going to make that mistake twice. So this time we're going to take things slow and when the time is right, we will confess. I don't necessarily know when that time will be, but it's soon, I can feel it.

But one thing is for sure. Although it may seem like everything is back to normal on the outside, it really isn't. This year has allowed Helga and I to acquire a silent respect towards one another. She's diminished her bullying to merely teasing and light pranks and I've stopped misunderstanding her and judging her for someone she's not. Sure on occasion in the future she'll get irritated with me and vise versa but doesn't that happen within any friendship? I get frustrated with Gerald sometimes and that doesn't mean I dislike him.

What I'm trying to say is that things will definitely not be the same anymore, and that is a good thing, it's something to embrace. Last time Helga and I tried to go back to the way we were KNOWING that nothing COULD EVER be the same again, it didn't go well AT ALL.

This isn't the end for Arnold and Helga, I promise you!

With a sigh and a smile I ran passed PS 118* towards Gerald's direction in hopes of catching up to him.

But what I didn't know...

Was that my running caused a flyer by the Helpers for Humanity hung up on the school window to fall to the ground.

.

A strange flyer.

.

A flyer about a writing contest...

.

The prize?

.

A trip to San Lorenzo...

.

TO BE CONTINUED IN HEY ARNOLD: THE JUNGLE MOVIE!

NOVEMBER 24TH, NICKELODEON 7 PM

PLEASE READ!

AHHHHHHH I FINISHED!

HOLY FLAB I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

TJM References/Foreshadows:

*Beeper Emporium: Bob mentions in this chapter that the Beeper Emporium is going through tough times. This is actually going to be elaborated in the movie.

*La Sombra Article: If you guys look closely in the trailer, you can see this article pasted on Arnold's bulletin board. ;) This chapter just gave it background.

*Wall/Research: In that same clip in the trailer you notice that Arnold's entire wall is filled with research about San Lorenzo. This chapter gives that background too.

*Brainy: Brainy is going to have a significant role in The Jungle Movie. I wanted to use this story to give Brainy a little background before his cinematic moment. He knows about Helga and Arnold and I feel like he's gonna do something for them in the movie.

*Helga's Shopping: These materials are the SAME materials used to make Helga's NEW shrine! Check out the photos! Notice how she's making a new one because in one of the earlier chapters she threw away the old one.

*PS 118: The writing contest is a school contest by the Helpers for Humanity that Arnold is going to find out about in The Jungle Movie. I ended it the way that I did because I don't necessarily want Arnold to find out about it just yet... that's Craig's job to portray ;)

Thank you all so much for giving this story so much love and support! But it's not over yet! I'ma go buy my snacks, grab a little notepad and jot down all the inconsistencies between this and the movie.

I was really hesitant to have Arnold tell Helga about Cecile and the Christmas gift tbh. But I had to make a choice. Either not mention it and risk it not getting addressed in the movie, ultimately being a failure on my part for not providing it with closure. Or mention it and risk Craig addressing it, causing a harmless inconsistency. I figured the latter was a better choice. I feel like he is gonna talk about it, but I don't want to risk it. If it's addressed just pretend that Helga and Arnold feel the need to bring it up again xD

One thing I didn't provide closure for was the FTi incident. THAT I know for A FACT that Craig is going to address, which is why I ended it the way that I did. The sole purpose of this story was for you guys to get an insight to how ARNOLD started gaining feelings for Helga.

Craig Bartlett, closure between Arnold and Helga now lies on YOUR hands, please do not disappoint us.

As for my audience, I have a mission for you guys. I have three questions that I was wondering you guys could answer in the reviews. I know there are some of you who are reading this and haven't reviewed at all and I am CRAVING to know what you guys think heh...

1) Are y'all going to consider this somewhat canon while watching the movie? Please be honest. It's okay if you won't cx

2) What did you guys think of the story overall? On a scale of 1-10 what would you rate it? I'm really curious!

3) ANSWER THIS QUESTION AFTER WATCHING THE MOVIE! What did you guys think of the movie? What cool things about this story and the movie correlated with one another?

MY PM'S WILL BE OPEN DURING THE MOVIE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANNA FANGIRL/BOY WITH ME! I'LL PROBABLY BE SQUEALING TOO TRUST ME!

Thank you all so much and please review! It would be cool if this made it to 200 but if not that's okay. I'm already grateful that you all liked this story so much. I did NOT expect it to be this successful xD Well I'ma go back to updating my Sonic fanfictions because my readers are getting impatient XD REVIEW AND THANK YOU!