A/N: Hey guys! Welcome to chapter five of Middle School Jealousy~ This time, I only took a day to complete the chapter, so it might not be the best... I hope you enjoy reading, anyways! Also, starting today, I'm going to answer reviews here.

Review Replies! [From Ch. 4]

pipp - Thank you very much! Here's more. :)

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Chapter 5:

Complications

Sitting across from each other at a white, round table in the restaurant called Slausen's, Bryan and Helga had hit it off quite well. They had begun to have more pleasant conversations and found several things they had in common. The two were both physically strong, were known for their badass reputations, but actually shy at heart. Their bickering had cut down to a minimum, but every once in a while, they would tease each other and simply laugh afterwards.

Helga hadn't ever experienced this feeling towards anyone else but her beloved Arnold. Since it was her first time with a different person, she was unsure of why her smile was slowly becoming more genuine, why her heart seemed to be more at ease, why she felt so relaxed around this certain boy. The blonde, having took note of this, looked down at the ground as she wondered about her feelings.

"Pinky," Helga heard Bryan say. She didn't bother to look at him and kept her gaze to the floor. "Is something up? If I said something to make you upset-"

"No." Shaking her head, Helga quickly interrupted him. "It's not like you did anything wrong, really." She lifted her head but stared off to the side. Since she didn't have the nerve to look at him, though, Helga wasn't able to see if Bryan was wearing his usual smirk or actually showing a sincere expression. "I'm fine," she continued. Before she could stop herself from spilling out what was on her mind, Helga added, "Just confused."

This immediately caught the other's attention, and the blonde regretted it as soon as she said it. Bryan's face lit up. He looked at Helga, a bit surprised at first, but an amused smile soon crept upon his face.

"Confused, huh?" Bryan rested his elbow on the table and stared at her, clearly interested. "About what? I'm pretty sure I'm not so much of a nerd that I'd confuse you with big words," he said, laughing softly.

"I know," Helga replied as she turned her head towards him, showing a hint of a smile. "It... It's nothing. You don't need to worry.

"You're sure?" The boy tiled his head slightly in concern.

"Yeah. I don't think I could lie to you even if I wanted to; you're so honest with me, it'd feel like hitting a puppy."

Bryan grinned happily at her response. It left almost as quickly as it came, though, as it was replaced by a smirk. "I think you're the one who resembles a puppy." He rested his head on his palm, looking into the girl's deep blue eyes. "I mean, you're just as cute as one," Bryan complimented while he waved his other hand in the air as a gesture.

"I-I am not!" Helga could feel her cheeks getting hotter, very aware that she was blushing furiously. "Stop saying things like that. They don't suit me," she said shyly. "So don't lie."

Helga looked at the other, waiting for his reaction. To her surprise, his eyes widened; it was like he had been caught off guard. He seemed worried all of a sudden and averted his gaze.

What's up with him? the blonde thought to herself. Oh God, don't tell me I said something that offended him. I wasn't actually implying that he was a liar...

"Who said I was lying?" Helga sat up with a jolt as soon as she heard Bryan's voice. "I know you haven't been told these kind of things a lot, but believe me when I say this. You really are beautiful." He looked down a bit, playing with a napkin that sat on the table.

"Ah, uh, thanks," she replied, not sure of what to say. "T-To tell the truth, hearing you praise me so much is kind of... Well, flattering."

When Helga finished saying the last word, their eyes met each other's. Something had definitely sparked between them. Bryan smiled softly, and Helga returned the favor. This continued for several seconds with just them enjoying each other's presence.

Unfortunately, it didn't last for too long. While this was happening, a certain other boy pushed open the door and entered the restaurant. Holding a small bouqet of multi-colored flowers in his hand, he began to walk around, searching for someone. He had invited a girl out for ice cream with him. The boy wandered for a few minutes, trying to find her. Then, suddenly, he stopped in his tracks in front of a white table. His jaw dropped in shock. The flowers fell helplessly to the ground.

"You - You're already here... With someone else?" he said, sounding almost broken-hearted.

"A-Arnold!" Helga cried, suddenly noticing him. She and Bryan had been holding hands from both sides of the table, and she quickly jerked them back. "What are you doing here, Football Head?" asked Helga, the words slipping right out of her mouth without caution.

"My, my. What perfect timing," Bryan muttered to himself quietly, in a sarcastic tone.

"What am I doing here? You told me to meet you for ice cream at 5:35. I'm only five minutes early." Arnold wasn't sure why he was getting upset over something so trivial, but he couldn't stop the feeling. Frowning, he crossed his arms.

"Oh, well, funny story- I actually had two outings planned for today! Bryan first, then you," Helga told him. After hearing just what she had said, she mentally facepalmed herself for such a stupid sounding explanation.

"... I see." His gaze was far off somewhere else. "Well, you two looked like you were enjoying yourselves a lot. Sorry if I interrupted anything," Arnold said. He had meant it to be sincere, but it came out more like a grumble.

"Don't mind it, Football Face," Bryan spoke up. His face was rather serious; Arnold didn't think the other boy was being sympathetic at all. "We've probably spent too much time in here anyways. I'll just be heading home now." With that, Bryan stood up from his seat and shoved a hand into the pocket of his black, unzipped jacket. "Catch you later, Helga." He threw a wink in her direction, along with his undying smirk, and started to walk out. Eventually, he left the place and was on his way back to his house.

Meanwhile, Arnold and Helga were still inside. The blonde-haired boy stole a glance at the girl in pink. She looked back at him, a little apologetically. The loud noises of chatter around the two were blocked out by their silence.

"Um. Hey, Arnoldo," Helga started, wanting to break the ice. "If you still want to eat together, I'm up to it. I mean, only since you took time out of your schedule just for me and all."

He shook his head slowly, and Helga's heart sank. "No... I'm sorry, but I'll have to refuse," Arnold said as he turned around. He didn't understand why seeing Bryan and Helga together so much hurt him inside, but it just did. He needed to clear his mind first and figure out what was happening, and why it was.

Helga stared in utter disbelief.

No! No, no, no! This wasn't supposed to happen! I totally blew my chance at being with Arnold... I can't believe this! How could I have screwed everything up...?

She clenched her fists, forcing herself to keep her composure, but inside, she was screaming. It was the happiest moment of her life (well, one of them) when Arnold asked her out for ice cream, but she took it for granted. Now she had to pay the price: seeing the poor boy's disappointed face. It felt like her heart was about to shatter into a million pieces.

"I... I'll see you around, Helga." Arnold began to walk away without another word. Helga wanted so badly to speak up, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. There was no more to say. She didn't get why Arnold's reaction was like this, though. It wasn't as if they were dating or anything... Why was he so down?

Maybe the guys just don't get along very well, Helga convinced herself. Football Head and I are kind-of, sort-of friends. If I saw one of my friends hanging out with someone I hate, I'd totally flip out. Yeah, that's probably why he's acting weird.

As Helga sat there with so many thoughts racing in her head, Arnold had already exited out the door. She unconciously looked down at the ground. There, Helga spotted a bouqet of colorful flowers. She got up from her seat and walked over to it, then bent down, snatching up the item. Taped onto the wrapping was a small card. The blonde curiously brought it up to her face for a better view as she opened the card up. There was some writing in blue ink.

"Dear Helga," she read out loud. "Hope you're hand gets better. Please accept these flowers. Love, Arnold." Helga's eyes widened in surprise, a lovesick grin spreading across her face. She happily pressed the flowers against her chest, smelling the lovely scent of roses that sat in the bunch. "Oh, Arnold, how kind and considerate you are~ Such a thoughtful young man, knowing the way to touch a girl's heart. It said, 'love, arnold'... Oh my stars, that means we're a step closer to a better relationship, doesn't it?" She spun around, not being able to contain her excitement.

Helga hugged the bouqet tightly. Her cheeriness didn't last for long as she remembered it dropping from Arnold's hand when he found her and Bryan together. Letting out a deep sigh, Helga simply grabbed her purse that was strapped onto the back of the chair. She re-adjusted it on her right shoulder and looked back to see if she had left anything behind. Nothing. Not only that, but she was alone; Helga had originally expected for Arnold to walk her home after their date, but of course, that wasn't going to happen anymore.

And now, it may never happen at all, she thought grimly. Helga decided that it was about time that she went back home, as well. Looking at her watch, it told her that the time was almost six. She made her way to the door, the click-clack sounds of her heels hitting against the floor filling her ears. Helga passed several people who seemed like they were having such a wonderful time, and she scoffed. The blonde got to the exit and grasped the doorknob, twisted it, and stepped outside.

Soon, Helga was walking the streets by herself. Even when she speed-walked, half thinking that Arnold might still be nearby, there was no one who came to keep her company. Phoebe was probably at her home again, working on homework or texting Gerald. Helga looked up and stared at the large clouds. They were beginning to become darker and more grey. She frowned at the sight.

Please, don't let it rain before I get home...

~MSJ~

Arnold had just stormed out of Slausen's. He headed off to the west, thinking about what he should do from then on out. The boy brought a finger up to his chin thoughtfully. His new emotions were filling up inside him, contrasting each other. There was one telling him how pretty Helga looked with her curled hair and pink dress; the other was awfully angry at her. He didn't know why, but for an unknown reason, he felt a bit of betrayal. No matter how hard Arnold racked his brain, there was no way to figure it out at the time. Confused and wanting to just go home and lie down on his bed, the boy looked up, only to see a green light.

He began to cross the street as he spotted a familiar figure walking only a small distance in front of him. A pair of dark blue jeans. His jacket with some fur around the hood and edges. Black hair. Yes, it was the last person Arnold wanted to see yet again.

Oh, jeez. It really is Bryan.

Coincidentally, they were going in the same direction. The two stepped back onto the sidewalk. They walked ahead on the grey pavement until the one in front stopped and took a left turn. Puzzled, Arnold looked over to his right. All of the houses and neighborhoods were over that way, he noticed. Even the Sunset Arms Boarding Apartments. He glanced to the left. Bryan had kept on walking, now with a phone held up to his ear. In the far distance, Arnold saw only large buildings. They looked somewhat like offices.

Where would he be going at this hour? I thought he was supposed to be going home...

Letting curiosity get the better of him, Arnold shrugged and turned west, following the other boy who was now far ahead. The blonde decided that his grandparents probably wouldn't scold him if he came home a little late, since he had told them that he and Helga would be out together. Soon, he was starting to see a sky-blue building getting closer. It was about the size of a huge mansion. Bryan pushed open the doors and went inside.

Arnold gazed up at the clouds, which looked heavy and full of rain. It was probably too late to turn around go home right then, so he chose to make his way over to the building. Standing in front of it, the place looked even bigger.

Seriously, what kind of business would Bryan have in a place like this?

He pushed open the double doors and entered. Every wall and carpet was colored a deep shade of blue, making it feel like he was in the ocean. Arnold found the front desk up ahead, but there was no one managing it. He then saw some chairs and a table with magazines on top off to the sides, which were most likely waiting areas.

Ding!

Arnold suddenly heard a noise. His green eyes shifted over to a silver elevator that stood next to the unguarded front desk. Before the doors could close completely, he caught a quick glimpse of black hair, then it was gone. Above the doors a red number flashed on a small screen. It said 7.

Up to floor seven I go, then.

The blonde walked over to the elevator and waited as he watched it ride upwards, stopping at the seventh floor. Bryan stepped out and began heading across the empty hall.

Soon, the elevator was back on the ground. Arnold pressed the top button and let the doors open as he marched inside. He chose the button with a "7" marked on it just as the doors closed, leaving him by himself in the small space. The ground seemed to be lifting as it went north. Then, eventually, it was pulled up to a halt. The entrance slid open, allowing the blonde to get out.

He took a few steps on the ground, noticing that it was carpeted with velvet red colors. Arnold found the other boy entering another room, just little ways ahead. He curiously followed suit and walked up to the door. It was chocolate brown with a shining, golden doorknob. Also, it had been (accidentally?) left half open. Arnold stayed just to the left side of the enterance, pressing his back against the wall.

Some shuffling of papers and muffled footsteps could be heard. There was definitely not just one person in there. Arnold didn't dare take a peek, as he would've been risking the chance of getting caught.

"...All right," a voice spoke. Arnold assumed it was Bryan, as it sounded very familiar. It sounded like he was in the middle of a conversation. "-er. I'll keep pretending to like her. Just make sure... -'s... oud..." Unfortunately, Arnold couldn't make out everything that was being said. Some parts only seemed like gibberish from where he was.

"Okay. You absolutely have to make sure that she believes you." This time, it was a young woman talking. "Fool her into thinking that you love her more than anything else in the world..." There was a pause, and some footsteps were heard. "...Okay, Bryan?"

What the hell are they talking about? Arnold thought, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Ms. Trucy, please don't call me that," said Bryan, his voice raising into an irritated tone. "Not in here, at least."

"...Hmph. Don't get too cocky, now... Whatever. Just remember that you need to make that Pataki girl fall in love with you, understood? Do it for... -'s sake. But there's one thing I want to make clear. You will not have the same feelings for her."

"Fine. It's a deal. Now leave me alone; I'm going to finish up some homework."

"Oh, you're staying here for the night?"

"Yeah, I'm tired. I don't feel like going home right now."

Arnold's eyes widened in shock, both his heart and mind racing. His palms were beginning to sweat in anxiousness.

Bryan... He's only pretending to like Helga! I can't believe this! I - I've got to tell someone! Helga - Phoebe - Gerald - Anyone! I need to tell someone right now!

Arnold whipped around, stumbling a little as he started, and ran at top speed to the elevator, anxious to inform his friends about what was happening. He showed little hesitation about going through with his plan while speeding out of the building.

~MSJ~

Helga sat on top of her bed with her legs crossed. She stared at the round clock that was stuck high up on the wall, facing her. It was half past eight.

Triiiiiing!

The blonde sat up with a jolt as she heard a ringing noise. It was her phone. She picked it up from her bedside table and brought the phone up to her ear.

"Yeah? Need something?" she spat.

"Oh, did I interrupt you? Sorry," Bryan said over the line.

Helga's face lit up. "No, not at all! Go ahead," she urged.

"Haha, all right. Thanks," he spoke, happy that Helga was willing to listen. "So... There's something important I need to ask you."

The girl's heart fluttered hearing his low, serious tone. "Y-Yeah? What is it?"

"Ah... It's about our little 'date' earlier. Listen. I had a really great time, and honestly, I've never had so much fun with another girl... I enjoy being around you so much, that... I..." Bryan stuttered a little, unsure of how to phrase it. "I'm just trying to say that I want us to, well, get even closer. So... Will you go out with me, Helga...?"

Helga gulped. Her heart thumped loudly against her chest, a mixture of nervousness and joyfulness spreading throughout her body. She grinned widely, and before she could go about having second thoughts, Helga spoke into the phone, "Yes."

A/N: And that wraps up the end of the fifth chapter. Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you can, they're greatly appreciated. Grazie! :)