Author Notes: I am not sure about the title yet so if anyone as any ideas let me know. Other then that it's my first fanfic please let me know what you think and if you want more. Also let me know if I have some spelling and grammar error, I checked but I am human. Oh last thing disclaimer, I don't own Hey Arnold xD

CHAPTER 1: Changes

He looked up at the sky. Feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin and the thick city smell in his lungs. He could not believe that it had been five years since he had been back in Hillwood.

"Do you need help with that?"

"Huh?" said Arnold. Then his gaze met his father's, who was clearly talking about the box in his arms.

"Oh, no thanks Dad I got it, this is the last one."

"Great, now come inside it is hot and besides your grandma made milkshakes." Miles said while closing the trunk of the Packard.

Arnold and Miles made there way inside the Sunset Arms boarding house. Arnold set the box on the floor and followed his father to the kitchen. His mother was taking ice cream out of the refrigerator. Well his grandma was standing by the blender. His grandpa was sitting down at the dinner table already enjoying his tasty treat.

"Hello sweetie do you want a milkshake?" Stella asked with a warm smile.

"Yes please." Arnold replied.

Arnold sat next to his grandfather on the dining room table. Then Stella placed a large glass of chocolate shake in front of him.

"Thanks mom." Arnold said with a smile.

"It is great to have you all back." His grandpa said.

"We are glad to be back". Miles said with a beaming smile while taking the empty seat next to his son.

"Yes, we are very happy to be back and fortunate that the museum was so willing to hire us. However, coming back to Hillwood will be the best for Arnold. That way he can finish high school here and go to college." Stella said with a warm smile.

"Yes Hillwood High is a great school and I am sure you will see your old friends.. isn't that right Shortman?"

"Yes, grandpa it will be great to see everyone again. Actually I am going to call Gerald right now."

"Before you head off Shortman you will need this." His grandfather took out a white box with a bow on it.

"A cell phone?" Arnold said.

"Yes everyone has one now. A lot has changed since you left Shortman. I have a feeling if you want to talk to your friends you will need this." replied grandpa.

"Thank you grandpa, I will be upstairs."

Once in his room Arnold turned on the phone, as he waited for the phone to load he looked around his childhood room. Grandpa was right a lot has changed. Once the phone was on he dialed Gerald's number since he still remembered it.

"Hello?" A deep voice said on the other line.

"Hey, is Gerald there?"

"Who is this?"

"Arnold."

"Arnold? This is . Gerald is not here right now."

"Oh sorry, could you give him a message from me?"

"Or I can give you his cell phone number and you can contact him from there. This is the landline and kids never use that any more."

"Oh sorry, I am still getting use to things. His cell phone number would be great!"

After gave Arnold Gerald's cell phone number he immediately called him.

"Hello?" A less deep but yet confused voice said on the other end of the line.

"Gerald? This is Arnold."

"Arnold, hey man. How is San Lorenzo?

"It was great, but I'm back in Hillwood."

"Your back!" Gerald replied with excitement. "He is back?" Arnold heard a small female voice on the other end say.

"Yes, I am sorry if I am interrupting something I just wanted to know if we could hang out?"

"Oh ya sure man. I am at Phoebe's place. I can be at your place in thirty minutes and we can shoot some hoops in the park."

"Sounds great."

When Arnold got off the phone with Gerald he looked around at the boxes in his room. There was still plenty of unpacking to do but he would save that for later. He went through a box and grabbed a white T-shirt, some black basketball shorts and his black tennis shoes. He quickly looked in the mirror. He was almost his father's height of six feet. His time working in the jungle turned his slim body more tone and muscular. He no longer wore the small blue hat however, his hair was still wild.

Arnold made his way downstairs just as there was a knock at the door. When he opened the door all the animals ran out. Gerald dodged all the animals well holding a basketball. Everything still seems the same Arnold thought with a smile on his face.

"Hey Arnold!"

"Hey Gerald." Then the two exchanged their signature handshake.

Gerald was only a little taller than Arnold, his hair was not as high as it was before and he looked like he was in shape from all the sports that he played at the Hillwood high. He was wearing black and red tennis shoes, black basketball shorts and a red jersey with the number thirty-three on it.

The two old friends started talking while walking towards the park.

"It is great to have you back man." Gerald said.

"It is great to be back."

"Will you be going to Hillwood High?"

"Yes, my parents wanted me to come back to finish high school here in the states and then get into a good college."

"Well according to Phoebe colleges always look at your grades from your junior year, so I guess you are right on time."

"I guess so. So how is Phoebe? It was hard to talk to you in San Lorenzo since it was hard to get a good signal."

Gerald laughed. "Ya man sometimes I didn't know if it was you talking or the monkeys on the trees."

Arnold laughed. "Yes reception was awful."

"Phoebe is doing well, we are still going strong since freshman year." Gerald said with a smile.

"That's great man, how is everyone else? Does the whole gang still hang out together?"

Gerald laughed. "Ya Simmon's fourth grade class does hang out together sometimes. But only because we are forced because of tradition."

Arnold looked confused "What do you mean?"

Well some of us are still close and hang out together. But a few years ago...umm something happened and we started this tradition of the whole fourth grade class hanging out one day together."

"What happen?" Arnold asked.

"Ummm well… 's was murdered."

"What?!" "How? "Why" Arnold said in amazement.

Gerald let out a large sigh "Well he was already out of the closet by then…and he was protesting for marriage equality." Gerald stopped, Arnold could tell that the situation affected him however, Gerald he continued with the story." One of those right wing people I guess we're not okay with the protest and started shooting at the crowd. He died in the hospital two days later." Gerald said softly.

"Wow, I had no idea."

"Ya it was hard for everyone. He was strange but he was a good teacher and he made everyone feel like they can do anything."

The two friends had a moment of silence. Arnold was deep in thought he could not believe that was gone or the traumatic event that took place. Gerald was right was a great teacher. But why was it that Gerald said that everyone was forced to hang out? Arnold thought to himself.

Arnold quickly asked, "Then why do you say everyone is forced to hang out, wouldn't you want to see everyone again?"

"I mean because it makes it hard for us to move on. But we have all grown up and matured from that situation. So when Eugene came out we all accepted him and were very happy. That made things easier for him at school."

Arnold smiled. "How is everyone else." Arnold really wanted to hear how a certain blonde was doing.

"Lila and Stinky are still together."

"Lila and Stinky?" Arnold said with a puzzled look.

Gerald laughed. "Ya, they have been together all most as long as Phoebe and I have. Harold is with Patty now since things didn't work out with him and Rhonda. After dating Harold and Sid I think Rhonda wanted something less complicated because last thing I heard she has been hanging out with Curly all summer."

"Rhonda and Curly?" Arnold said with a confused look.

Gerald laughed. "Ya thats what I thought to, but my man Fuzzy Slippers said that they have gotten really close this summer." Gerald said with a chuckle.

"Nadine does the morning announcements and..." Gerald was interrupted by someone calling his name. Both friends looked at the young man that was walking towards them.

"Hey Gerald." Ar..Arnold is that you?

"Hey Sid." Gerald replied.

Arnold looked at Sid. He was around 5'7 and slim. He still wore his backwards hat and his hair looked longer but still greasy. He was dressed nice and holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey Sid, ya its me Arnold."

"Wow, it's great to see you man, can't wait to catch up with you." He then turned his attention to Gerald. "Don't forget we are meeting at the usual spot in the morning before school…bye" He said quietly before dashing past them.

"All right bye man" Gerald said loud enough so he could hear him.

The two young men were now walking into the park when Arnold asked.

"What was that about?"

"It is just a spot where we meet up in the morning."

"No I mean Sid and the flowers he looks.."

Gerald interrupted "In love?"

"Umm...I guess, you can say that."

"I am just playing...I don't think he is in love. He has just been chasing that girl for months." Gerald said well rolling his eyes.

"Who" Arnold asked.

"Helga"

"Hel..Helga! Sid is trying to date Helga?!" Arnold froze.

"Ya. Are we going to play?' Gerald said will motioning towards the ball in Arnold's hands.

"Oh sorry." Arnold started dribbling the ball.

The two friends continued talking as they played.

"So does Helga like him." Arnold said while missing his shot.

"Doesn't seem like it, but he does seem to be wearing her down. Sid can be very persistent." Gerald replied as his basket went in.

Arnold couldn't picture Helga with Sid. He could not imagine that Sid could put up with Helga's mood swings.

"Do you still like her?" Gerald said well taking the ball away breaking his best friend from his thoughts.

"I don't know, I still care about her and we were dating before I left even if it was in secret. But, I think I really hurt her when I left." Gerald's facial expression changed as Arnold said that.

"Gerald you okay, you look like you just saw a ghost." Arnold said.

Gerald shook his head "Oh nothing man sorry."

"Are you sure?"

"Ya lets just play."

After the park the two friends decided to go to Slausen's for some ice cream. They sat down at the booth and were looking at the menu when a cheerful voice caught their attention.

"Hey Gerald."

"Ar..Arnold is that you?"

At first Arnold did not know who this girl was. Her curly hair was a little passed her shoulders, it was a dark red like the color of wine. She was slim but athletic looking. She was wearing red Vans with dark skinny jeans and a red crop top with a large butterfly on it.

"Hey Nadine." Gerald said. Clearly trying to help his friend out.

"Nadine, wow I did not recognize you." Arnold said.

Nadine laughed. "Yes its the hair, but Patrick loves it."

"Nadine here is our table." A young man with brown hair and glasses waved over to her.

"Well it was nice to see you again Arnold. I am sure I will see you in school."

"Ya bye Nadine." With that the red head was gone sitting in her appropriate table.

"Who is Patrick?"

Gerald laughed. "You knew him as Peapod kid"

Arnold looked stunned "Thats Peapod kid?" Arnold looked again at the table where Patrick had his arm around Nadine. Wow so much has changed around here Arnold thought.

Then the waitress came and got there order. Gerald ordered a Banana split and Arnold ordered and Ice cream sundae.

"Gerald I feel like so much has changed around here." Arnold stated.

Gerald chuckled "Well man you have been gone for five years."

"Yes, but I did not know that so much could change in such a short period of time." Arnold replied.

"Wait till you go to school tomorrow, you still have to see everyone else." Gerald said.

With that the waitress brought their desserts. Gerald started eating his right away. Arnold however, was deep in thought. Everyone else… I wonder if Helga had changed so much. He wanted to mention her again to Gerald but did not know if he should. From the way Gerald looked at him when he mention her earlier and then changed the conversation he was afraid he did something wrong.

"Hey Arnold is something wrong with your sundae?" Gerald asked.

"Uh..oh no.. It's just." With that Arnold was interrupted.

"Hey Gerald."

"Hey Michael"

"Thanks again for helping out this summer. If you ever need a part-time during the school year, you have my number."

"Thanks Man, this is my best friend Arnold." Gerald said well motioning towards Arnold.

"Arnold?" Michael said well shaking Arnold's hand.

"Why does that name sound familiar?" Michael asked to no one in particular.

"I am not sure, I do not believe we met." said Arnold.

Michael studied him one more time, his eyes widening as if he realized who he was. Then he quickly shook off the shocked expression and and smiled.

"Well it was very nice to meet you Arnold, hope you boys enjoy your desserts." Then he turned to Gerald. "Remember my offer Gerald, have a great night guys."

"Goodnight Michael." Gerald said as Michael walked away.

"Who is that." asked Arnold.

"That's Michael. I worked at his restaurant this summer, they sell some great food there."

"Oh he seem like he knew me."

"Maybe because he is Olga Pataki's fiancé."

Arnold chuckled remembering how Helga never got along with her sister. "Well I bet Helga is trying to make sure this one is not a scam artist like the last one." Gerald gave him a questioning look.

Arnold stopped laughing and said, "I just remember how Helga's relationship is with her sister, that's all." Arnold said well taking a bite out of his sundae.

"Well she lives with her sister and Michael now and they really get along."

"What? I mean that's great. When did that happen?"

"A few years ago, well anyways man the wedding is the first week of December. Phoebe and I are going."

Arnold knew that the situation between Helga and her parents was difficult to say the least. But he wondered what happen to make her move out.

"That sounds great man."

"Ya I am sure you will be..." Gerald was interrupted by a buzzing sound.

Gerald took out his phone. "Aw man it's getting late, I told my mom I would be back before dinner and I am late."

"No problem I will see you tomorrow." said Arnold.

Gerald left some cash on the table and said. "I can't take the bus with you tomorrow so I will just meet you at the school."

"Okay see you tomorrow Gerald." They did there hand shake and Gerald left.

Once Arnold was done he paid the tab and started walking home. He could not believe how much had changed. His fourth grade teacher was murdered, his friends seem to be either together or different. Even Gerald seemed different like he was keeping something from him. From all the thoughts he had that day there was one that really stuck out to him.. Helga. She was talking to Sid now and could possibly date him. She moved out of her parents house and lives with her sister..what happen Arnold thought. However, out of all the questions he was dying to ask Helga he really wanted to ask her why she never wrote to him.

Arnold laid on his bed before going to sleep. His thoughts were consumed with the blonde that he had his first kiss with. That kiss still lingered in his mind. No matter how much time had past Arnold always thought of Helga. Could she still look the same, he wondered. Her pink bow, beautiful blue eyes and that scowl that she had to hide her soft and kind nature. With those thoughts Arnold drifted off to sleep.

Author Notes: Please review!