Summary- Arnold's parents return with a surprise that will tilt his world on its axis. How will he cope with his family's secret? What will he do when he has some competition for Helga's heart?

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Helga Pataki walked down the deserted hallway with a spring in her step. The high school junior was ecstatic. She had been tutoring Arnold in English for weeks and they had been getting closer. She clutched her trusty purple notebook and sighed. This must be what it feels like when all of your dreams come true. Wearing an uncharacteristically bright smile she continued walking, ready to throw her books in her locker when she heard it—loud talking and laughter coming from the boys locker room.

She knew it was wrong, and she shouldn't do it but she couldn't resist. Besides if they wanted privacy they wouldn't be so damn loud. Leaning into the door she smirked when she heard Arnold's voice, but it turned to a frown when she heard how distressed he sounded.

"Give it back Harold." Arnold was trying to be patient but he was two seconds away from punching his friend in the face. "I'm serious."

"Dear Arnold." Harold read aloud dodging Arnold as he tried to swipe it back. 'I know you're worried about doing well but I believe in you.' The crowd of adolescent boys oohed and aahed chuckling at the words Helga wrote to her tutee.

"Man, Helga's in love with you," Sid added snickering at the embarrassed look on his face. The red from Arnold's cheeks had begun to shade his ears and neck.

Helga stood as still as a statue on the other side of the door. She wanted to hurt Harold but she couldn't do anything until she heard Arnold's reaction. Everything told her to run but she was rooted to the spot.

Continuing to read the note that was meant to be personal, Harold fought to keep it together. "Now all that's left is for you to believe in yourself." He couldn't do it. Harold began laughing loudly and holding his side. Catching Harold off guard Arnold snatched the note back, putting it in his shirt pocket.

"I'd go for it if I were you Arnold. She's a lot better looking since she got rid of that caterpillar eyebrow." Stinky stood beside him trying (and failing) to make the situation better.

"She's been obsessed with you for forever. Why do you think when we were kids she'd call you names and pick on you?" Harold was hiccuping now from laughing so hard.

"Dumb luck," he muttered making Helga press her ear to the door to hear their conversation better.

Gerald shook his head. He was the only one who knew how Arnold truly felt. He wondered why Arnold cared so much what the others thought. "Alright guys let's just leave it alone."

Arnold sighed. He was relieved and grateful to have a friend like Gerald. "Besides," Arnold added, "I wouldn't want Helga if she were the last woman on earth."

That quieted the boys as they continued getting dressed. He didn't bother looking at Gerald because he knew his friend would be shaking his head in disappointment.

Helga felt a pang in her heart. She let a lone tear slide from her eye before angrily wiping it away. She wasn't going to let him get the best of her. She was in love with someone who obviously was never there. It was time to face facts and move on. Holding her book closer she ran towards her locker, ready to go home and forget this day ever happened.

She was ready to close her locker when she felt someone grab her from behind and hug her tightly. One whiff of his cologne and she knew exactly who it was- Arnold. She stiffened in his embrace, her body going rigid as she remembered his words.

He was confused as to why he wasn't hugging him back, but he ignored it for the time being. Beaming he leaned forward and kissed her cheek, a slight blush accenting his features.

"Hey Arnold," she responded in a monotone voice.

Her response caught him off guard. Whenever they were alone she was different-sweet, playful, flirtatious even. This Helga wasn't any of those things. She wasn't even the same scowling girl everyone was used to. She seemed...lost, lost and sad. "I just wanted to thank you for your help with the test. Because of you, I'm sure I aced it." He frowned slightly when he realized her expression never changed. She didn't even offer him the secret smile she only used during their sessions.

"Congratulations." She turned back around and collected the rest of her things, slamming it shut.

"Hey Helga?" He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Is everything okay?"

Shrugging his hand off she responded. "Yeah. Everything's clear now."

Before he could ask what that meant she was already out the hallway headed towards the front doors.

Sighing he headed to his own locker. Maybe he'd call her later on tonight.

With thoughts of Helga on his mind he opened his front door. "Grandpa? Grandma, I'm home."

Walking into the kitchen he went to grab a water bottle but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw two people who he was sure were ghosts. "Mom, Dad?" Peering behind them he saw someone who he'd never seen before. "Who's he?"