HELGA'S POV
The next day, I sat in class, trying to work on my class assignment but it was hard because I couldn't stop thinking about what happened yesterday at Ronda's party. I heard Arnold say that he didn't like me and I kinda believe it. We weren't really friends but we've known each other for so long that it's kinda hard to picture us together in a romantic way anyways. Especially since up until now, I've been bullying him and calling him football head instead of his actual name.
I started to touch my stomach. I remember when Arnold was helping me get the stain out of my shirt and he lifted my shirt up. I think that was the first physical contact we ever made and then when he leaned in, I think he was trying to kiss me. I want to believe that maybe Phoebe is right about Arnold liking me but...I dunno. The dream seems pretty farfetched to me. I sighed as I grabbed out my treasure. It's a locket in a shape of a heart with a picture of Arnold in it. The picture is really old, though. I think it's from forth grade or something. I should probably update it to a current picture of Arnold.
"Hey, Helga. This is from Arnold." Sid whispered to me.
I looked up to see a small folded note in Sid's hand. I slowly took it then glanced over at Arnold. He currently wasn't looking my way. I put my locket away then opened up the letter and read it.
I'M SORRY ABOUT YESTERDAY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO UPSET YOU.
I smiled at the note. So Arnold has been worried about me huh? How thoughtful of him. I grabbed my pencil and started to write him back.
IT'S OKAY. I'M SORRY ABOUT MARLEY, THOUGH. ARE YOU TWO SPEAKING?
I folded the note back up then gave it to Sid so he can pass it down to Arnold. I watched Arnold as he took the note then read it. He started to write something then handed the note back my way. I took it from Sid and read it.
NOT REALLY. I THINK SHE'S REALLY MAD AT ME. I'M GOING TO TRY TO TALK TO HER TODAY AT LUNCH.
I wasn't sure if I was happy or sad. I didn't want to come in between Arnold and Marley but I still like him and want him for myself. Even though Arnold doesn't feel the same way as me. I sighed and wrote back.
THAT'S GREAT. I HOPE THINGS WORK OUT BETWEEN YOU TWO.
I gave the note to Sid and watched it being passed down to Arnold. He started to read it then wrote something and sent the note back.
I HOPE SO TOO. AND I HOPE WE'RE STILL FRIENDS.
"Friends," I thought. All he wants to be is just...friends. I looked up to see Arnold smiling at me. I couldn't help but smile back then I quickly wrote something and sent the note back to him.
WE'RE DEFINITELY STILL FRIENDS.
***
"I heard from Gerald that Arnold and Marley got back together." Phoebe said as we walked down the aisles in the school's library.
"That's good for them." I said as I was trying to look for a book.
"You're not upset?" She asked.
"No. Why would I be?"
"Because...."
I sighed. "Yeah. To be honest, I AM sad."
"I'm sorry, Helga. I know you really like Arnold." She said.
"You know what sucks is that...Arnold acted like he liked me. At Ronda's party, he touched my hand and then when we were in the bathroom together..." I trailed off.
"What happened in the bathroom?"
"Arnold...He lifted up my shirt and he was about to kiss me when Marley walked in."
"It sounds like Arnold is confused." She commented.
"It does?" I asked as I picked up a book from the shelf.
"Yup. He likes Marley and wants to stay with her but he also wants to be around you. Sounds like a confused boy to me."
I nodded. "Makes sense I guess. I just...I wish he would make up his mind. Well, he kinda did when he asked me if we were still friends.."
"Wow. That's got to hurt, Helga."
I grabbed a few more books then me and Phoebe walked over to an empty table in the library and sat down. I was trying to take my mind off of Arnold by doing homework.
***
ARNOLD'S POV
"Are you happy that you and Marley got back together?" Gerald asked me as we were walking to the library.
"Yeah. I'm really glad."
"You don't seem like it. It seems like there's something else on your mind." He pointed out.
I shrugged as I shoved my hands into my pants pockets. To be honest, Gerald is right. I DO have something else on my mind and that something else is Helga. I don't know why but I can't stop thinking about her. I like Marley and I want to be with her. I want me and Helga to remain as friends but...it's beginning to get harder and harder every time I think about her or see her.
"Well, at least we have a free period right now to do nothing." Gerald said as he opened up the library door.
"Yeah. I would hate to run into Helga." I said as I stepped into the library and the first thing I saw was the back of Helga's head.
"Looks like your wish didn't come true." Gerald pointed out.
I shook my head. "No. I'm not going to focus on Helga. It's just me and books."
Me and Gerald walked into the library and started to look through the hook shelves. Even when I try not to, I keep finding myself looking at Helga. It's like, her presence is drawing me in. That's when Helga looked over at me. I felt myself blushing so I quickly looked away to hide my red face.
"Looks like it's not working, Romeo." Gerald piped up as he stared at my red face.
I sighed. "What am I going to do?"
"Do what your heart tells you to do."
"My heart is telling me to not look at Helga."
"Are you sure that's not just your brain?"
I rolled my eyes then playfully punched Gerald in the arm. "Shut up."
"Hey, just trying to help." He said as he rubbed his arm. "Well, i'm going to go see what Phoebe is up to." He said then walked over to Phoebe and Helga's table then sat down next to Phoebe. I envy Gerald. He's free to like Phoebe or whoever without worrying about a girlfriend seeing. Not saying I like Helga but..I sighed and continued to look around the bookshelf's.
"Hey. Need help?"
I looked up to see Helga standing next to me.
"Uh...no. I'm okay. How are you doing?" I asked.
She shrugged. "I'm okay. I've been better."
I nodded then couldn't help but look her up and down. Today, she was wearing a white Hello Kitty t-shirt with pink pants. She seems to look adorable everyday. Even her hair is straighten and she's wearing a pink headband.
"Wait, what am I saying?" I thought.
Helga cleared her throat. "Um...you look nice today."
I looked at her and smiled. "T-thanks. You too. Sorry I didn't say that yesterday."
She shrugged. "It's okay."
I looked back at the books, feeling nervous. I wasn't sure why I was feeling nervous all of a sudden. This is Helga we're talking about. My old childhood bully. The bully who used to throw spitballs at me and call me football head. But now, she's a different Helga. The Helga with a cool personality and cute appearance. I sighed.
I didn't pay attention to Helga when she walked around me.
"Arnold!" I heard her scream. I tried to see what was wrong when I felt Helga pulling on the back of my shirt which causes me to fall backwards and on top of her. We both landed on the floor with a thud. I was on top of Helga.
"S-sorry...." She apologized.
I shook my head as I felt my face turn red. "N-no...It's okay." I watched as Helga's face start to turn red also. My heart started to thump in my chest. I gulped and licked my lips. It was just too tempting to not kiss Helga. I slowly leaned down, closing the gap between our face.
"A-Arnold..." She whispered.
"What are you guys doing?" Gerald asked.
I quickly stood up and faced him then I started to help Helga up to her feet.
"We were..."
"I don't want to know." Gerald smirked then went back to sit down at the table.
I sighed then looked at Helga. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine." She then started to head back to the table also. I rubbed the back of my neck as I sighed in relief. I'm really glad that Gerald stopped me from kissing Helga. That would've been a disaster.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
