HELGA'S POV
"C'mon, Helga! It's a Friday night! Let's go to the festival!" Phoebe said as she sat on my bed.
I was laying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. The week had went by and ever since the incident at the library, I tried to avoid Arnold as much as I could and it seemed like he was thinking the same thing because we haven't spoken at all. Sure, there were a few glances here and there but nothing serious.
"Why don't you go, Phoebe? Gerald invited you anyways." I said.
"But it'll be fun if we BOTH go."
"What if Arnold is there? You know that wherever Gerald is, Arnold is there too." I sighed sadly. "And then wherever Arnold is...Marley is there...She was there at Ronda's party when it was only supposed to be for OUR class."
"Are you going to go if Marley doesn't go? Because I can call Gerald right now and ask him." Phoebe suggested.
I shrugged. "To be honest, I've been trying to avoid not only Marley and Arnold together but mostly Arnold so...I dunno. You can ask Gerald if you want."
Phoebe nodded then got up and left my room to make a phone call. Once she left, I got out of bed and moved over to my closet. I opened the door and pulled back my clothes to reveal my Arnold shrine. I still have my same old Arnold shrine since I was in elementary school. I've tried to throw it out countless times as I got older. Even this past summer but I can't. It took me a long time to create it and I just feel like it'll be a waste to throw it all away. Especially my heart shaped locket.
I started to hear Phoebe make her way back upstairs so I quickly pulled my clothes back over and closed the closet door then went over to my bed and laid back down. Phoebe eventually walked into my bedroom.
"Gerald said he's not sure. Marley might have something planned tonight but nothing has been decided yet. He says that he knows he's still going and Arnold is possibly going. Are you going to come now?" She asked.
I gave it some thought then shrugged and sat up. "Sure. Why not? It beats laying here, thinking about....you know." I said then hopped out of bed. I went over to my closet and grabbed my pink jacket then put it on.
"Great! I'll make sure to distract you from Arnold." Phoebe said as we started to head out of my room.
"What's going on with you and Gerald by the way? You two have been spending a lot of time together." I pointed out.
Phoebe blushed. "I guess I can finally admit that I like him and I think he likes me but i'm not sure what to do about it. I'm worried more about you and your feelings."
I shook my head. "Phoebe, go and have fun with Gerald. I'll be okay by myself. Maybe I can distract myself by playing a game or two."
Phoebe smiled at the idea and nodded. "Okay."
***
I've been at the festival for twenty minutes and so far, I haven't ran into Arnold. Me and Phoebe ran into Gerald, though. He didn't mention about Arnold coming which was fine with me. I allowed the two soon-to-be love birds to leave while I walked around the festival. I eventually came upon a dart game. I looked at the prizes and a brown spider monkey with a Mohawk stood out. I smiled then paid for the game and tried to hit the balloons with the darts. I missed a couple times and only got one shot in. Since the owner only gives you three darts to use, I had to pay for another game.
I reached into my jacket pocket to find another dollar when I realized I quickly ran out of money. I sighed.
"Shoot."
"Need money?"
I looked over to see Arnold standing next to me. He grabbed out a dollar from his pocket and handed it to the man then took the darts from him and started to play the game himself. I appreciated the dollar but I didn't need him to play the game for me.
"You don't need to do this. I can do it myself."
But Arnold ignored me and made all three shots on three balloons.
"Pick your prize." The man said.
Arnold looked at me with a smile. "Go ahead."
I looked at the prizes ahead and pointed out the Mohawk monkey. The man took it down and handed it to me. That's when I noticed that the monkey has a white t-shirt on that said I Love You in red letters. I looked at Arnold to see him still smiling at me.
"Thanks...You didn't-"
"I don't mind." He cut me off. "Hey, do you want some funnel cake?"
I nodded with a smile. "Sure."
***
Arnold bought me and him some delicious funnel cake. We found a picnic table to sit at and eat. I had my stuffed monkey sitting in my lap while I ate.
"So, Marley isn't here?" I asked.
Arnold shook his head. "She had something to do."
I nodded. I wasn't sure if I was happy to hear that Marley isn't coming or sad. If Marley was here, she'll be able to keep Arnold away from me but with her not being here, it just makes things harder for me and Arnold.
"I know we haven't talked much all week. I don't want us to stop being friends. It's just...with Marley knowing that you and me are childhood friends, she just thinks that there is a chance that we would fall for each other. I don't want to stop being friends with you because of her but it's really hard. You understand?" He said.
I nodded and started to play with my funnel cake. "I get it. It happens. It just sucks that a guy and a girl can't be just friends without everybody thinking that something is up. We never had to worry about that when we were younger but now that we're in high school, it's all about dating and romance. I'm sick of it."
Arnold nodded. "I'm sorry things turned out this way. I wish it hadn't."
I shrugged. "Whatever."
"Arnold!" I heard Marley's voice.
"Marley? What are you doing here? I thought you had a thing with your dad?" He asked.
"I did but he allowed me to come and hang out with you. Let's go play some games while the night is still young." She said then looked at me. Her smile faded. "Hey..."
"Hi." I greeted.
I watched as Arnold stood up. "You'll be okay by yourself?" He asked.
I nodded. "Go have fun."
Marley smiled then dragged Arnold away. I sighed, watching the only boy I have ever loved leave with someone who wasn't me.
Throughout the night, I couldn't help but watch Arnold and Marley go gaga over each other. It was sickening but I couldn't stop watching. I wish it was ME that was feeding Arnold food and holding his hand while we walked around the park.
By the end of the night, I met up with Phoebe and Gerald. The two of them decided to go through the Tunnel Of Love. So I stood there, waiting for them to get back.
"You're alone?"
I glanced over to see Arnold.
"What are you doing here? Where's Marley?" I asked.
"She got sick so she's in the bathroom right now."
I nodded.
"You want to go on this ride?"
"With you?" I asked.
Arnold nodded. "Yeah. Why not?"
"But...this ride is for couples."
Arnold smiled. "It doesn't have to be."
I shrugged. "Why not?"
The both of us got into the swan boat and started to gently drift through the Tunnel Of Love together. There were lights everywhere and hearts. I wasn't sure why Arnold wanted to go through the Tunnel Of Love with someone who he's not dating.
"You know, Helga, no matter how much I try, I can't get these thoughts out of my head." Arnold eventually said.
"What thoughts?" I asked as I looked at him.
He sighed. "I...I just...I dunno. I'm so confused right now."
I really didn't want to have this conversation with Arnold. I stood right up.
"Arnold, we can't do this. I appreciate you buying me gifts and food but leave that to your girlfriend. We're just friends."
"Helga, be careful!" He reached to grab me but I pulled away a little too far and I ended up landing into the water, pulling Arnold along with me. We both stood up in the water. I glared as I got out of the water and stood in the cold.
"I wish I can give you my jacket to wear but it's wet."
I shook my head as I shivered. "Forget it."
That's when Arnold walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I started to blush.
"W-what are you doing?" I asked.
"Body heat. We need to keep each other warm."
"B-but what about your girlfriend?" I asked.
Soon, Phoebe and Gerald came running up. "You guys okay?" Gerald asked.
Arnold slowly pulled away from me.
"Where's Marley?" I asked.
"She called me and told me to tell Arnold to go home. She had her dad pick her up because she was feeling really sick." Gerald explained.
"It's getting late and you two look cold." Phoebe said.
The four of us made our way out of the empty park.
"Hey, Helga?" Arnold said.
I looked at him. "What?"
"I had fun tonight. Minus falling into the water." He smiled.
I found myself blushing again. "Whatever you say, football head."
Arnold chuckled. "Football head. I kinda missed that." He admitted.
I glanced at him but he started to walk away with Gerald. I gently smiled as I glanced down at my monkey that Arnold won for me. This was the best night of my life. So far.
ns 15.158.61.19da2
