Halloween Confessions:

AN: Yup, I'm back, for a second time. Hey, read my profile page if you wanna know what's going on with me. And I'm searching for a beta-reader if anyone's interested. I don't need one I suppose, but I'm sure the story would read a lot better with one. Anyway, here you go, a tale of Cafeteria Confessions. (I'd honestly recommend reading that story of mine before reading this one; it would help this make a lot more sense to you.) Enjoy it, and review and tell me if you want me to continue. Characters thoughts are in italics, headers and locations are in bold, pretty much how I wrote before. I know, it's short, and this Halloween story is gonna be short if you want me to continue, like 5 or 6 chapters, but I hope you still like it. :)

HALLOWEEN CONFESSIONS: THE SEQUEL TO CAFETERIA CONFESSIONS

Chapter 1: Former Best Friend

Arnold cared deeply for his private girlfriend, no doubt about it. Even before they were official two weeks ago, he knew there was something between them. The nights alone in deep conversations had proved that. Sure, their relationship stood out as strangely as the Cafeteria Confessions did, or the FTI incident that summer, but he knew it could be kept secret. Like his former best friend said, who would believe it? The bully and the victim? Private boyfriend and girlfriend? The idea was crazy! Then again, he was ascrazy as the idea. Arnold thought for sure he had nothing to worry about after a week. Helga had gone back to picking on him and everyone's suspicions about them seemed to die down. Everything was normal. All the drama was over after Mr. Lechleiter published his crazy paper, so why would they start thinking that Helga and him had something beyond friendship going on? Boy, was he wrong! He failed to think about how things looked from his classmates' point-of-view; how they must be wondering why Helga and him were buddies now or even why their personalities flipped around. And he definitely failed to explain to Gerald what was going on the night he recorded Helga G. Pataki on tape. It was an honest mistake, after all. Then again, maybe he was just trying to hide her secrets, like he always was…

Two Weeks Ago: Arnold's room

Arnold answered his bedroom door for his best friend with a genuine smile and led him to the couch. "Hey Gerald, how's your family doing? Are they still getting along?"

"Don't switch around the subject on me, Arnold; I came over because I want to know what's really going on with you. In the last week, you've been avoiding my calls, and according to Phil, you haven't been home either. I'm your best friend, we've been since Pre-K. You should be able to tell me anything." He sat down beside him.

Arnold rubbed the back of his neck, nervously. How could he explain everything to Gerald without revealing anything about Helga? "It―it's really nothing to worry about, Gerald. I've been going through a lot at home with Grandma and Grandpa, Oscar just got thrown out a couple days ago, and I've been stressed. I needed time by myself to solve my own problems."

Gerald put a reassuring hand behind him and grinned. "Oscar got thrown out? Well, I guess raising money for rent for him and his wife is out of the question now, huh?" he blinked. "Wait a minute, what's going on with your Grandma? Is she okay?"

Arnold sighed, burying his head in his hands. Might as well tell him since she's doing a bit better. "She's okay. She was struck with a bad case of pneumonia and hospitalized for a few weeks. She's back home now with the heart transplant that was given to her. Grandpa and I have to monitor her behavior closely though, to make sure that her body receives it. It's difficult seeing my Grandma like that; she was always the one to save the day, not the one that needed to be saved, you know?"

Gerald's eyes widened. "Are you serious? You mean your Grandma's been in the hospital close to death for two weeks and you haven't even told me about it?"

"I―I was going through a lot and then there was the project and the Confessions, I just didn't want to give up the problems, especially admit them to you to worry about for me."

"Mmm, mmm, mmm. Arnold, you know I'm here for you. I would've at least been a person to vent to. What's a best friend if you don't have them to lean on? The one thing I've learned what to do in the last few weeks is not to take on anyone's problems to solve, but I would've still been there for comfort."

He nodded. "I know, but I didn't want anybody to know what I was going through. In fact, if it weren't for Helga taking the problems for me and confronting me about my crazy behavior, I'd still think that I could solve everyone's―"

"―Hold up, now wait just a minute! Helga knew about your Grandma before I did? Helga talked to you about your problems before you admitted them to me? What's going on with you and her, anyway? I don't think I've ever heard confessions as crazy as the ones made in the classroom today." Are we losing our friendship or something, why all the secrets, buddy?

He blushed, rubbing his arm. "I've been spending time with Helga lately, and she's really an amazing person; she's shown me how to deal with life and taught me that some problems can't be solved―"

"―And why did you admit to being manipulative, aggressive and crazy? And what's with the karate bow before I left? I wondered if you were really gonna attack us. What's going on with you and Helga, anyway? Are you saying…what I think your saying?"

He nodded, a bit of a blush still on his cheeks, as he got up and walked over to his computer. Stay calm, stay calm. Don't tell him about Helga! He avoided the subject, changing it slightly. "Yes, but I'd rather not talk about who Helga and I really are right now. We made a deal that we would be open with each other and the class about our true selves, but I'm not sure I'm completely ready to accept it yet. The most difficult thing is not solving problems anymore. It's been my life and it's like giving up a part of myself: like an addict giving up a drug or a workaholic giving up their job. I'm not ready to be honest with myself just yet, and neither is she," he said, he had to continue to show Helga that he could be trusted again, especially right now when she wasn't around.

Gerald noticed a black mini tape sitting on Arnold's bed and looked at it curiously as his friend started typing on the computer and Arnold continued to talk.

"Any―anyway, thanks for your concern, but really, I'm doing fine. I've just had a lot to work through these last couple of weeks and even more to figure out." He turned around to look at Gerald, who was beside his bed, and who quickly put his hands being his back. Arnold was oblivious to him, just thinking about his new girlfriend and the upcoming holiday. "So Gerald, what are you gonna be for Halloween? Are we going around the neighborhood with the gang like we did last year?"

Gerald blinked, surprised that he didn't get caught taking the tape. "I don't know, man. Hey, how 'bout I call you tomorrow and we'll talk this out?"I don't know about me, but I've gotta know what's going on with you. Maybe this tape will give me a clue why you're being so private about everything. I think we even have one of them old VCR adapters somewhere in my house. I've got to watch this!

Arnold nodded, turning back to his math homework assignment. "Okay, Gerald. I'll see you tomorrow in school. Hey, don't worry about me, okay? I know that things will get better." he was silently hoping he sounded convincing, the last thing anyone needed to find out was about him and Helga's relationship, and the least suspicions he made, the better. The last thing he thought was that he could be coming across as ignorant to his best friend.

Gerald faked a smile as he backed out of the room. "Yeah…I'll see you tomorrow, Arnold."

He shut the door, and that was the last Arnold saw of him and Helga's tape…