Author's Note: Well, here we are folks, the last chapter! Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I'm warning you now, this gets pretty sappy…(Maybe even corny and cheesy, but I'm no authority on that… I cried at the end of the second Harry Potter movie, so…) Anyway, I hope you guys like the ending!

Disclaimer: See the past 10 parts. Then ask yourself why it took you so long to pick up on the fact that I don't own this show.

Part 11: Hidden in the Raindrops

Helga walked down the road, alone, her hair and clothes beginning to get wet and drip. Walking the opposite direction were her classmates, led by Arnold. She saw them open the door to the arcade and all push and shove to get inside, where it was dry. All except for Arnold. He stood outside the door, blue umbrella above him, waiting for her patiently and watching her every move. Helga ignored every voice or whisper in her brain that expressed any kind of doubt, any fear, anything that might cause her to turn away from Arnold, and run away from her feelings, from the things that could be... She slowly walked toward Arnold, her water-filled shoes making a squishing sound with every step.

She stopped about five paces away from him, looking into his bright green eyes, which met hers, calm and clear, but searching- his eyes were boring into hers, searching her very soul, trying to find without words who she was and who she wanted to become. But maybe he already knew. Small rivers of water poured from her hair and the ends of her dress. Arnold stepped forward and then beside her, shielding her from the rain with his umbrella.
"I like your bow," He whispered softly. "It's pink, like your dress."

Helga just stood for a moment, listening the rain patter against the umbrella, feeling Arnold's eyes on her. He remembered. He remembered that day, that rainy day six years ago. She was certain he would have forgotten- did it mean something to him?

"Why, Arnold?"

"Why what?"

"All I've ever done to you is make fun of you and throw spitballs. I've bugged you day in and day out, for six years now. But as soon as I look even a little unhappy, you run to help me. Why?"

"You have done so many nice things for me, Helga. And I care about you, no matter how mean you might be to me. I want to know you're okay."

"I'm fine, now, Arnold." she whispered.

She met his gaze, and time froze. The stare continued, and slowly, both began to smile, never breaking eye contact.

From the inside of the arcade, Phoebe and Gerald smiled a victorious smile at each other. Rhonda and Sid looked on, both surprised and very curious. A certain childhood psychologist did a victory dance in front of her window.

Arnold whispered to Helga, "What do you say we go inside, now?"

"All right, football head. I need to cream you at air hockey."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that!"

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe…"

"You're on! Oh, and Arnold?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"Anytime." Arnold held the door open for Helga. She stepped inside and Arnold folded up his umbrella and followed her in, where he went on to lose at air hockey- but only just.

Every moment counts, because some can change the entire course of your life. And on that one rainy day, Helga found the hope and understanding she had been dreaming of since another rainy day, so long ago. Arnold hadn't yet realized his love for Helga, and Helga hadn't yet truly confessed hers, but from that day on, there was something unspoken and understood between them- they had a rare and incredible bond that would their whole lives and would make their lives whole.