Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! or Romeo & Juliet, or anything that sounds like I could make some money off of it.

Summary: What If: Mr. Simmons had never done the play in Elementary school? What if he directed it when they were all in High School instead? This is an expanded take on Helga's schemes to kiss Arnold. AxH, slight AU.

Note: As much as I love the episode "The School Play" I have several beefs with it. The fact that they made such a big deal out of the final kiss is rather silly, considering there is more than one scripted kiss in the play. But yes, they were just kids so I let that one slide. But, during the episode, they don't even place the few scenes there are in order! Always drove me crazy.

So, after my most recent viewing of this episode, I was struck with inspiration. A wonderful 'What If' Scenario. This will detail the episode with the gang in High School now (with everything else in their childhood, i.e. FTi, finding Arnold's parents, etc still having happened) with a couple exceptions: Arnold and Helga had never become a couple and Arnold's parents remained in Hillwood.

I wanted to expand on Helga's quest to become Juliet, while also building something up between Arnold and her throughout the preparations for the play.

I hope you all enjoy this 'What If' story!

Chapter's Soundtrack: Vagabond by Wolfmother

Chapter One:

"Here's much to do with hate, but more with love."

"Well, another day, another waste of time around these losers," Helga said to her best friend as they moved forward in the lunch line.

Arnold, who was the one in front of her, rolled his eyes as he paid for his food and went to sit down.

"I happen to think that-

"Yeah, yeah good story, Pheebs," Helga drawled as she handed her money to the lunch lady, "Let's just go sit down and eat our so called 'food'."

After they set their trays down, Phoebe glanced over to the other side of the cafeteria.

Helga snorted, "Can't stand being this far away from your little Honey Muffin, Phoebe?"

The petite teen blushed, "Oh, no this is perfectly fine."

"Good, now would you mind grabbing me a milk?"

"Of course not Helga," Phoebe replied as she got up.

"Chocolate, with a bendy straw!" Helga called after her, "And make it snappy!"

"Hurrying!"

After her friend had left, Helga snuck glances across the cafeteria, her gaze settling on blond, wild hair.

God was she ever still a sucker for that boy.

Not that she'd ever tell him that. Or anyone else for that matter. Not even Phoebe actually for sure knew just how deep Helga was in when it came to Arnold.

Oh no, she'd learned her lesson after that whole neighborhood incident. And luckily, Arnold was too dense for his own good to think too hard about the whole thing. As far as he was concerned, she hated his guts.

Helga had a hard time reminding herself why that was such a good thing sometimes. Especially when the memory of when she kissed him was as fresh to her as if it had happened yesterday.

Teenage hormones were definitely not her friends.

"Okay class!" Mr. Simmons began excitedly as he finished the lesson for the day, "I have very exciting, special news for you today."

"Oh please," Helga muttered.

Their once fourth grade teacher, now senior year English teacher continued with his announcement, "I will be directing this year's Spring School Play!"

A few groans filtered throughout the room as Mr. Simmons pulled down the projector screen. He went over to the projector and flipped it on, "Arnold, would you mind getting the lights for me?"

As the room went darker, the image filled the screen, "The play is: Romeo and Juliet!

"A tale of two star crossed lovers meet, only to end their romance in tragedy-

"But that sounds like a mushy love story!" Stinky remarked.

"Well Stinky, while the main plot of the story does revolve around love, there is plenty of action as well-"

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class period and the students began filing out.

"Uh, okay kids try outs will be today after school! I encourage all of you to try out for a role!"

"'Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift; Riddl-in' confession finds...but riddlin' shrift.'" Stinky drawled.

"Wonderful, Stinky! You'll make a very special Friar Laurence."

"Do I get to do any sword fightin'?" Stinky asked excitedly.

"Well, no I'm afraid not Stinky. Friar Laurence is a very peaceful, loving man of the cloth."

"Aw geeze!"

"'Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.'"

"'I am for you!'"

"'Tybalt, Mercutio! The Prince expressly hath forbid this bandying in Verona streets.'"

"Very good, boys!" Mr. Simmons praised as he stood up from his seat, "Curly, you'll make a great Mercutio and Harold, you will be Tybalt! And, I believe we've found our Romeo in Eugene!"

"Gosh, Mr. Simmons I'm honored to play the role!" Eugene said earnestly.

"I'll have your scripts ready in a few days boys."

"'Romeo, Romeo, wherefore are thou Romeo?'" Lila read off.

"'Deny thy father and refuse thy name,'" Sheena recited.

"'Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love...'" Phoebe spoke evenly.

"'Romeo, doff thy name, and for thy name, which is no part of thee, take all myself.'" Rhonda finished passionately.

"Oh, Rhonda that was beautiful! You will make a marvelous Juliet, with Sheena, Phoebe and Lila as our first, second and third understudies. Well done, ladies."

"Mr. Simmons, Mr. Simmons!" Sid came running in, not long after he had been awarded the role of Paris.

"What? What is it, Sid?"

"Eugene...Eugene just got into an accident!"

"Oh my goodness!" Simmons jolted up, "Is he going to be alright?"

"Oh, he'll be okay," Sid replied almost casually, "He's just in a body cast."

Mr. Simmons visibly paled.

The next morning.

"Arnold! Arnold, I'm so glad I found you."

"Oh, hey Mr. Simmons. How are the try outs going?" Arnold asked as he shut his locker.

"Well, Arnold that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Really? What for?"

"I need you to play Romeo," Simmons said outright.

Arnold faltered, "What? Mr. Simmons why...I'm sure there is someone else more qualified than me."

"No, Arnold you don't understand. No one will play the part, you're my last hope," Simmons admitted.

"Wait," Arnold paused, "So, let me get this straight. I'm your last resort?"

Mr. Simmons shifted uncomfortably, "Yes, well that doesn't matter so much right now."

"Right," Arnold deadpanned, "Look, Mr. Simmons I-

"Please Arnold. Please, I...I am begging you. Please," Mr. Simmons begged desperately, " Please. Please, Arnold."

The blond cringed and sighed, "...Okay, I'll do it."

"Oh, thank you Arnold! Thank you! Rehearsals start today after school!"

"So, did you hear who was playing Romeo?" Rhonda started as she fixed her hair in the mirror.

"No, who?" Sheena asked.

"Arnold Shortman."

"Gosh, I'm oh so surprised he decided to take the role," Lila commented.

"I think he'll do great as Romeo," Phoebe spoke.

"Well, I certainly won't complain. If his ex-girlfriend Savannah Burke is to be believed, he's quite the kisser. A girl could do worse," Rhonda remarked as the girls left the bathroom.

Unbeknownst to them, Helga G. Pataki had been in one of the stalls and had heard everything.

"Wait, Arnold is playing Romeo? And there are kissing scenes? As in, multiple kisses? Oh. My. God, I've got to get that part!"

"Mr. Simmons!"

"Oh, hello Helga. What can I help you with?"

"I'd like to audition for the part of Juliet," Helga huffed out, hoping to do this quickly before everyone started filing in for rehearsal.

"Well, gosh Helga, while I'm surprised and happy at your interest in the play...unfortunately we already have the part of Juliet filled. However, I can have you as the fourth understudy."

"So, what as that mean?"

"It means that if for any reason none of the girls can perform the role, you would receive the role."

"Sounds great, Simmons!"

"Now, I don't want you to get your hopes up, as it's highly unlikely all four girls will drop out of the play."

"Oh, don't worry Mr. Simmons. I understand," Helga replied sweetly.

"Is...there something else you'd like to be involved with for the play then?"

Helga grinned mischievously, "Do you have a head costumer, yet?"

I know right now it doesn't seem so different from the episode, but I promise the next chapter will be. I hope some of my faithful readers will give this a chance, and that any new readers will at least give the second chapter a read before deciding if this is their thing or not.

Looking forward to hearing from you guys! I'm excited to start this new story, and hope you are excited to read it.

LTWF247