I'm back! As usual, all characters in here, (except for Shayla) are property of Mr. Craig B. and Snee-oosh. I am just using them because, well, I hadn't written an actual story in a long time. Big warning. Towards the end, this story will become very mature. It this is not your cup of tea, or you are too young, click on another story. This story is rated M for sexual situations, language, and the word condom. (which apparently is now one of those words you can't use on TV) For those old enough and curious, enjoy.

I. Proposition

It was Friday afternoon and only one more class before the weekend. Arnold and Gerald walked to the locker they shared, talking as Gerald picked up the project for his last class.

"Any plans for this weekend?" Gerald asked. Arnold shook his head.

"Not much. I thought I'd try to catch a movie this weekend. You?"

"I have a date with the lovely Miss Shayla on Saturday."

Arnold smiled knowingly. "You two are getting pretty serious."

"Not too serious. It's just for grins."

"Gerald, you've been dating Shayla for almost the entire school year. You're going to tell me you feel nothing for her?"

Gerald grinned, slamming the locker and beginning the trek towards class.

"Oh, I feel something. In fact, I plan on feeling something on Saturday night."

Arnold shook his head as the two separated to go to their separate classes.

Arnold reached his college Algebra class when he heard his name being called. Turning around, he spotted Curly hurling towards him.

"Slow down Tad." He said as the dark haired young man reached him.

Unlike his old friends and most of the school, he knew the person in front of him was no longer fond of his childhood nickname. Therefore he didn't use it.

After taking a deep breath, Tad handed Arnold a folded piece of paper.

"I was told to give you this last period."

Arnold frowned taking the paper. Together they entered their class.

"Who's it from?"

Tad snorted. "I can't tell you that. It'll spoil the surprise."

Just because he didn't like the nickname anymore didn't mean he still wasn't mentally unstable. The two took their seats as the bell rang and their attractive math teacher came into class.

"Settle down y'all." She said.

"Say, that's a cute little number you've got on there Miss C." Tad announced.

Miss Clark inclined her head in his direction.

"Thank you Thaddeus. Now, today we're finishing up chapter five."

Correction. Mentally unstable and ridiculously brave.

Arnold waited until the middle of class to finally read the note. Opening the paper, he flattened it in his notebook.

I have a favor/proposition for you. If you're curious, meet me at the bench by the lake in the park at five.

-H

Arnold frowned. The letter was undeniably Helga but he wasn't sure why she wanted to see him. They were acquaintances and sometime friends on her good days but normally they left each other alone…kinda…okay, not really.

Folding the note up he resolved to grab Tad before he escaped and have him explain.

"Hold up Tad!" Arnold called out as the dark haired teen tried to escape class.

"Curses. Foiled by my own game plan." He said before turning his attention to Arnold.

"Why does Helga want to meet me at the park?"

Tad smirked. "Well, I'm ever so sure I have no idea." He said.

Arnold glared at Tad's mocking of Lila.

"Cut it out Thaddeus. What's going on?"

"You'll have to go and find out. I'm sorry Arnold but I'm sworn to secrecy. We even pinky swore."

"I can't see Helga pinky swearing to anything." He said dryly.

"Hey Curly! How's it hanging?" Gerald yelled across the hall as the two approached the lockers. Tad rolled his eyes.

"Just fine Geraldo. How's your piece?"

Gerald's eyes narrowed a bit, then he grinned. "Speaking of Helga, how is your homicidal girlfriend?"

Arnold sighed. "Gerald, knock it off."

"Well you're still here so I guess she's fine." Tad retorted. "I'll see you around Arnold."

Gerald waited until Tad left before he spoke.

"I don't like that psychotic freak. Why do you even still talk to him?"

"I still talk to you, don't I?"

Gerald shook his head. "Bright side Arnold, that's what you are. Hey, the guys are going over to Lefties after school." He said, changing the subject. "Wanna go?"

Arnold though about the note in his back pocket.

"Um, not today. I kind of already have plans."

"That's cool. I'll call you Sunday and tell you how my date went."

Arnold smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

He watched Gerald walk off and sighed. He had a little less than two hours to gather his courage for this meeting in the park.

It was almost five when he approached the bridge over the lake. On the opposite side sat a bench that had unofficially become his and Helga's bench.

She was already there, sporting her baggy black pants and her trademark pink cardigan with black trim. She was sitting cross-legged on the bench writing in a notebook.

She glanced briefly in his direction as he reached the bench and sat down beside her.

"You wanted to see me?" he asked. She nodded, still writing in her notebook.

"Hold on," she muttered, finishing her writing, then closing the book. She finally turned her attention to him. Taking a deep breath, she smiled.

"Thank you for meeting me here."
He shrugged. "No problem. Your note mentioned a favor or proposition?"

Putting her notebook in her book bag, she positioned herself so she was sitting cross-legged sideways on the bench facing him.

"We've known each other since what…three or four?"

He nodded.

"And we're kind of friends, right?"

"Yeah…"
"And we have some trust between us, right? I mean, I know I trust you and I would hope you trust me."

He smiled confused. "I trust you Helga. What's going on?"

She took another deep breath and plunged ahead.

"It's our senior year and in a few months we're all off to different places. We'll probably never see each other again."

He watched her, not quite sure where she was heading.

"Well, I heard people do some really stupid things in college and I don't want to make the biggest mistake of my life drunk at a frat party."

He snorted. "Come on Helga. You don't even drink. I doubt you'll even associate yourself with the frat boy type."

She shrugged. "I don't know, regardless, I don't want my first time to be a huge mistake I'll regret. I'd prefer to have it with someone I trust."

Arnold's eyes widened as he realized what she was saying.

"Before you ask, Tad and I discussed it. We even kissed, but it was like kissing a sibling. We love each other, just not in that way."

"Helga," he stammered. "Are…are you…"

"I'd like my first time to be with someone I trust. Someone who's going to be careful and gentle. I want you." She shrugged, her eyes looking over at the lake before fixing back to him "That's the favor. It isn't much of a proposition except you get the experience."

He made a face. "Helga…"
"I know. It's a reach. I'm the last person you even thought about fucking."

He made another face. "Stop that. I don't like that work." He reached over and took one of her hands. "I'm flattered, Helga, really I am…"

"But no way in hell, right?"

"I…" he stopped, trying to gather his thoughts. "We've been friends, but I don't even know you. I'm not going to jump into bed with anyone on the spur of the moment."

She smiled slightly. "If it helps, this was almost next to impossible for me. I almost didn't show up. It took a hell of a lot of convincing and a veiled threat from Tad to get me here."

He looked around. "He isn't here, is he?"

She shook her head. "No. In fact, he's having this same conversation with someone."

He frowned. "Who?'

She grinned. "Can't tell you. He made me pinky swear."

He laughed lightly for a moment, and then turned his full attention back to her.

"Helga, I can't make any guarantees, but how about this. Give me one week; one week with you to find out about you, to find out who you really are. After the week…" he shrugged. "Who knows?"

She eyed him skeptically. "One week. To bare my soul to you?"

"Well maybe not your complete soul but definitely part of it." He looked at her hard. "If you're willing to bare your body to me, it's only fair I get to see part of your soul too."

She looked at him thoughtfully. Finally she nodded.

"One week." She held out her hand. "Deal."

He grinned. "Um, if you expect us to be up close and personal by week's end, then…" He leaned forward, wrapping his hand around her arm and pulling her towards him. She gasped softly before her eyes closed.

He hesitated only a moment before his lips touched hers. She was softer than he expected and he could feel her shaking. He had this feeling as his lips brushed against hers, but he couldn't place it.

Releasing her arm, he broke the kiss and leaned back grinning at the small smile on her face. She opened her eyes and for the first time he was reminded how blue her eyes were. He'd forgotten that over the years.

"Well," she said, clearing her throat. "That was pleasant."

He laughed, standing up and offering her his hand. She took it and unfolded herself from the bench.

"So. Where do we go tomorrow?" He asked. She shrugged.
"It's Saturday. We could always catch a double feature?"

He nodded. "Sound like a plan. See you in front of the theater around two?"

"How about one thirty. Gives us time to get snacks."

"Makes sense." He gave her a smile. "Want me to walk you home?"

She shook her head. "Nah. I'm supposed to meet Tad later for dinner. Thanks though."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

With one last look, he walked off, wondering what he'd gotten himself into.