Chapter 6: I Can't Take Mu Eyes Off Of You

Arnold's Kitchen

The next morning, when Phil was sitting at the table with his newspaper, he watched his grandson walk into the room. "Hey there short man! Ready for whatever breakfast your lunatic grandma has waiting for you?"

Rather than taking a seat to join him, Arnold replied "Thanks, but I think I'm just going to go for a walk around the park."

Phil watched his grandson head out the door as he shrugged his shoulders thinking…

Suit yourself

Then Pookie placed an eccentric meal in front of her husband as he asked "What the heck is that?"

"A tribute to all I have killed in this fine yet humble area."

Phil raised an eyebrow, then looked down as he watched Pookie point to the chocolate chips on the pancakes she made, while describing them as the tiger-flies she had killed. Then watched her describe the watermelon pyramid she had made as a tribute to her karate class. Finally, the whipped cream perimeter symbolizing the Titanic, and a cherry on top for her cowboy breakfast making hat.

Kid knew what he was doing when he left

Phil thought to himself.

The Park

Arnold continued his walk until he came across the park. There he saw Lila making her usual funny farm jokes with the boys from their class.

"That sure is a mighty fine joke Ms. Lila!" Stinky exclaimed.

"Yeah, tell another one!" Sid insisted.

Lila began to blush as she watched the anxious eyes around her and said "You boys are just oh too kind."

Seeing this made Arnold think back to the night at the Cheese Festival when he told Gerald the challenge just made him like Ruth even more. Not only had Lila's affections been a challenge to win over, he was honest with her about them. The more he heard her say "I don't like you-like you...I just like you." It felt like failure.

Perhaps that was the reason Helga had never said anything to him before. The thought of rejection meant a very slim chance of fixing things if they didn't go the way you were hoping for to begin with.

He then saw Helga sitting on the bench by the fountain, where Lila had dumped him. There she sat, staring sadly at the ground, as if something was on her mind as well…

Bench

"Stupid Lila and her stupid jokes! Like you couldn't just grab a computer to look up something to make yourself laugh? Just the IDEA of her thinking she's that special is a joke! What kind of idiot would….CRASH

Helga looked behind herself to see Arnold laying on a branch that had fallen out of the tree he was spying on Helga from.

"Arnold? What are you doing here football head? Why aren't you over there getting a humor lesson from Ms. Perfect?"

Arnold stood to dust himself off and take a seat beside Helga. "I think she's got enough attention; you seem kind of lonely."

Helga began to blush, then crossed her arms and grunted "Pttss...is that supposed to be a shocker to you? I told you my family doesn't even notice me. Why should I expect anyone else to?"

Arnold smiled at 'what seemed to be' the angry girl and replied "I think we both know this bad girl thing is an act, which has to be exhausting for you. If I'm being completely honest with myself, the hopes of getting Lila to change her mind about me was exhausting. I never felt the need to be anything BUT myself around you though, and that's how I want you to feel about me."

Helga's eyes widened as she turned towards her friend and said "You...you really mean that?"

Arnold nodded as he stood from the bench, held out his hand and said "Let's go for a walk."

Helga began to tug at her collar and said "Uhhh with everyone watching?"

"Do you want to see if things will work between us or not?" Arnold sighed almost impatiently.

"Alright, alright, keep your shirt on! Sheesh!" Helga snapped.

The two began walking around the park, side by side until the boys noticed Arnold passing them. "Hey Arnold. Watcha doin' over there?" Stinky asked as Sid added "Yeah, and with HELGA!"

Arnold could feel Helga clenching her fist as they listened to the teasing of their classmates. Gerald was about to jump in and defend his friend when Arnold said "We're just taking a walk. You guys want to join us?"

The boys all looked at each other, never having expected such a response. "Uhhh thanks anyway." Sid said quietly.

Lila then went back to telling her entertaining jokes, while Gerald watched his friend walk around with what could someday become his new lover. They may have more in common that they knew,

"Mm, mm, mmm! My man is full of surprises."

Later That Evening

Arnold and Helga had spent the day walking until they were the only ones at the park. As Helga walked, trying to remind herself this was all true, Arnold began thinking about everything they had talked about…

Helga's pink book

The festivals

All the parties they had attended together

He was beginning to become more sure of himself. Moments later, Helga turned her head and asked "What's with the goofy smile, Romeo?"

Arnold realized he never cared how crazy his friends thought he was in the past for whatever he may be planning, so why should he care about this?

"Just wishing I was tall enough to kiss you."

Helga gulped and thought to herself…

Did he just say what I've been waiting whole life to hear him say?

The tomboyish girl blushed girl get dusted herself off, as she said "Well, I guess I could help you out this once. But don't say I never did you any favors Arnoldo."

The two of them stopped walking as a nervous look formed on Helga's face, knowing Arnold was waiting for her to make the next move.

Okay Helga ol' girl this is it. You've kissed him once before, you can do it again!

While the thought of embarrassment meant circled her mind, she felt the anxiousness of Arnold's grip on her hands, implying he could not be more ready.

Helga then leaned over to kiss him. It wasn't like in their school play however. She could actually feel him kissing her back. The moment felt priceless.

"So now that they've seen us together, I guess there's no reason to hide our feelings." Arnold pointed out.

Helga lifted an eyebrow after hearing this and replied "One small step at a time."

THE END

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