Chapter Text
The morning sun rose, peeking brightly over the clouds and blanketing its light over the city of Hillwood. Sunset Arms, a large scarlet brick boarding house, bustled with sound that echoed through their neighborhood with the joy of a certain football headed kid and his unconventional family. In the recent month, Arnold and them were reunited with his parents and all felt right in the world.
"Bye everyone!" Arnold bid farewell as he pushed through the large verdant door of the building and happily leapt off the large concrete steps where at the bottom his best friend, Gerald, stood in wait on the sidewalk.
"Hey Arnold, ready for the worst day of school?" Gerald smirked, pocketing his phone.
"Don't you mean the first day of school?" Arnold chuckled. "Look at the bright side. We're in the 6th grade now. How bad could it be?"
"Always looking on the bright side," Gerald muttered playfully as they headed on their way.
It was a picture perfect morning. The scent of freshly baked bread floated from a nearby bakery. The song of birds carried like a harmony mixed with the relaxed idle chit chat of the two young pre-teens.
As they reached a street corner, Arnold and Gerald stopped abruptly. Helga and Phoebe stood ahead of them, waiting at the crosswalk. Arnold's heart stuttered in his chest as his gaze landed on Helga, her golden hair shining under the morning sun, pulled into a ponytail secured by her classic pink bow. She gently scuffed her red sneakers against the pavement looking somewhat impatient to cross. Beside her, Phoebe's black shoulder length hair swayed with the gentle morning breeze as she hugged her textbooks tightly.
"Let me help you with those," Gerald offered, walking up to the girls as he grinned. He reached over and grabbed her books, tucking them under his arm while extending a hand to her to hold.
Phoebe blushed as she gently held his hand in approval and they both crossed the street together. "Thank you," she smiled.
Helga stood behind. Her usual scowl had dropped and was replaced by an almost dumbfounded stare as she watched her best friend and Gerald being so brazenly affectionate out in the open. Arnold retrieved her out of her stupor by grabbing her hand and beaming at her.
For a second, Helga felt herself melting. But only for a second. Quickly snapping out of it, she snatched her hand out of his grip. "Who said you could touch me?!" she snarled, stomping away ahead of him without a word more.
Arnold watched her go for a long moment before walking forward with a slight smile. Perhaps, he thought, she needs more time.
Arnold recalled bumping into her a couple days ago. Literally. He had rounded the same corner, only to crash into Helga of course.
"Helga! Sorry about that," he apologized while helping her up. "I'd love to talk more but I've got to run back. I'll see you on the first day of school. See ya!"
And as fast as they had come tumbling into each other like magnets, Arnold was gone, leaving Helga to stand there to watch him moving on with his life.
Their recent development on their overseas class trip proved to be a tedious and sudden one. From an exciting adventure full of twists, turns, betrayal, and confessions, this budding romance was probably all too much on their young selves, especially Helga. While Arnold knew Helga had gone all throughout their childhood wearing a disguise to mask her pain in a way that was more than often difficult to be around, he also knew that underneath all those layers she was a good hearted person who he admired. Hell, he was all very grateful that she helped him find and save his parents.
Thinking back to their time since fourth grade, Helga seemed to bully others less, although she occasionally threw out her infamous clenched fist, Old Betsy, and colorful vocabulary for him and anyone else who bothered her with their presence. Not to mention, she kept her intense appearance, sporting her unibrow and grumpy scowl. While in that year he wouldn't categorize them as close, he considered her a friend by the end. As summer and their fifth grade school year dragged on, she surprised him by being someone who sat in silence and listened to him. She astonished him with her instances of thoughtfulness. Their friendship had evolved where in scarce instances, Helga's defenses seemed to fall. Being able to see even a glimpse of her vulnerability did things to him he simply didn't understand. Then San Lorenzo happened.
His mind took him back to his speech to her in the jungle. He remembered how in the sunset, the soft glow caught on her face and brightened her eyes as he spoke of how he viewed her as incredibly loyal and brave. How he clasped her soft hands in his and how sweet the kiss they shared was. He felt a rosiness creeping onto his cheeks.
It had been a little over a month since they returned. His parents had stayed back to wrap up on business but they had officially arrived as of a week ago. While it was a stressful and hectic time since, Arnold welcomed it with his iconic ear to ear smile every day, ecstatic that his parents were safe and sound and with him again.
Could it be that Helga was feeling neglected in the past week? His blush was replaced with concern. Perhaps once they had some privacy, he could check in with her. He was feeling optimistic that it would go smoothly now, after all they've shared and been through.
"Hey Arnold!" He turned to see his parents walking up to him from behind. "Do you mind if we walk you to school? We miss you already."
Arnold grinned widely and chuckled. "Sure." As they approached the school steps, he waved to the other students passing by, greeting each other on their first day back. He said his goodbyes to his parents, and a warm feeling of content grew in his chest after missing them for all these years. As he passed the threshold of the school's front doors, he was full of hope.
For Helga, it was a completely different story.
Loud clamoring chatter mixed with the sounds of shuffling footwear squeaking against linoleum flooring echoed through the hallways of P.S. 118. Friends reunited and hugged. Wolfgang was holding up a student pinned against a locker and demanding lunch money. Lila was telling someone one of her heartfelt jokes. Harold was ravenously destroying a Mr. Fudgy bar. Meanwhile, Helga struggled as she shoved past the other students in her way. "Move bucko! I mean—ugh—excuse me... MOVE!" A paper airplane missed direct contact with her eye as she smacked it away. She growled as she finally pushed through the girls' restroom door. Scanning the area, she saw no trace of visible feet under the stalls, good. She entered one hastily, slamming the door shut. A loud groan escaped her as she sat down with a plop onto the cold toilet lid, rubbing her temples.
She should be happy. She should be ecstatic! This should be one of the best days of her life so far! She pulled out her heart locket and stared deeply at the photo of Arnold tucked safely inside.
"Oh Arnold! Why, oh why, why do I push you away?" She murmured. "We kissed... You finally returned my feelings. So why can't I at least hold your hand? What's stopping me from holding you in my arms? Enveloping ourselves together while I inhale the intoxicating scent of your shampoo?"
She knew she was being unfair. It was undeniable that she and Arnold were able to get closer since coming back from San Lorenzo. Albeit being awkward at times, they made what little time they had to go to the movies, arcade, and in general just hang out even if it was in his room or on his roof chatting the days away—even if most of it was bickering.
But once his parents finally flew in a week ago, it had been radio silent. She knew he was busy. She knew she was being irrational. But she also knew it was hard to push down these troubling thoughts of her growing insecurity.
She suddenly stiffened. Why did Arnold even return her feelings? Was a brute like herself even deserving? Surely, he was just temporarily infatuated by her just because of her involvement with locating and rescuing his parents.
After all, that was her big plan, right? She wanted to help him with his grand prize winning video entry into the contest that brought them to San Lorenzo in the first place. She had thought with her help, Arnold would fall for her and he did. So any affection he threw her way must only be for that reason. Right?
Her thoughts picked and prodded like barbs at her since his parents returned, but now seeing him in person again after his lack of presence in the past week, they were starting to strengthen.
"There's simply no other explanation, my sweet love," she whispered to her locket sadly. "I can't think of any other reason. Not a single one. For why else would you love a scowling, barbaric beast such as myself? Oh my emerald eyed muse, my head doth swoon at every instance when you smile at me, and yet... the doors to my heart remain shut."
She stood from the lid, pressing the locket to her chest with a swooning spin in the restroom stall. "I solemnly pray that one day, my flaxen-haired sweetheart, you will see I can be deserving of your gentle gaze and complete love! Once I get the undeniable approval that you feel the way I do, I will find the strength to express my deepest adoration for you."
Helga slumped back onto the now warm toilet seat lid in defeat. "But perhaps, not today." She wanted, more so, yearned to be with Arnold, but couldn't shake the feeling that this was too manipulated by the trip that brought them together.
Her head buzzed with conflict.
Arnold isn't a dishonest person, she thought to herself. He wouldn't possibly be with her only out of obligation because of her role in helping him and his parents. Would he? Of course not. Not Arnold. Not her Arnold.
Over and over, she kept picturing his face while he gave her his speech. His eyes were so kind and comforting as he spoke to her. Their kiss and the way he held her hand was heartfelt. She almost felt okay until her mind raced on. She also remembered her past bullying. The way he just tried to hold her hand this morning. The way she yelled at him about simply touching her hand. Why did she do that? Why can't she be normal? She angrily whined as started spiraling.
How would the whole school react to Helga G. Pataki arm in arm with Arnold, the boy she tormented all her life? Her, a ruthless fiend standing alongside the most annoyingly kind good doer anyone knew. They'd feel sorry for him or no longer trust his judgement or even both, that's for sure.
The thought of them hurling judgements towards Arnold just made her want to punch their lights out. And that was the problem.
The school bell rang and brought her back to her senses. A five minute warning.
This was all too much. Too soon. As much as she wanted this, she was too unsure yet too frightened to confront him. While her heart continued to stir in discomfort, she walked with an air of confidence towards her classroom equipped with her signature scowl, head held up high.
After all, she had a reputation to maintain.
The sixth grade classroom was lively as its students chirped happily together in reunion. Helga scanned the room to locate her best friend, finding her sitting behind Arnold and Gerald towards the back by the windows. Phoebe's attention turned to Helga and she brightly welcomed her, "Come sit next to me, Helga, I saved you a seat."
Helga struggled to keep a smile on as she silently sat down beside her. Although sometimes strenuous, their unbalanced dynamic was a work in progress in Helga's eyes. Sometimes her selfishness took over and put Phoebe in tough positions, making Helga appreciate her even more for being capable of handling her at her worst. Growing up, she was the only one who knew of her deep longing for Arnold and helped her every step of the way from pulling her out of a sleepwalking confession on his fire escape to organizing the all-nighter that won them the grand prize for the San Lorenzo contest.
"While my observations conclude this isn't the ideal seating for our studies, it does have... other benefits," Phoebe said while staring at the back of Gerald's head. A blush rose on her cheeks once she realized her own words.
Helga snickered beside her. She was happy for her friend. For as long as she could remember, Phoebe always had a thing for Gerald. They flirted here and there but it seemed things were finally official now after their trip in the jungle.
However, she couldn't ignore the jealousy that was slowly festering in the bottom of her stomach. How nice it must be to be with the boy you like and show it, knowing no one will stare at you with judgmental eyes.
While the three of them chatted away, Helga's eyes observed the rest of their classmates. Rhonda donned a long blonde wig, bragging to whoever would listen. "Thanks to those absolute hooligans, my poor hair is no more. However, it does give me the chance to try new styles and I must say, I do look quite fabulous with this wig. It's a hundred percent virgin human hair, the highest of quality, and incredibly difficult to obtain at this length."
Helga would usually roll her eyes at her dramatic and fashionable classmate, but she did literally have her hair chopped off on their summer trip. She could be empathetic to that at the least.
She watched Rhonda settle down next to Nadine, the two best friends flipping through a magazine that Helga couldn't make out. Stinky, Harold, and Sid were in the opposite corner of the classroom, huddled in their seats. Harold filled the space with his booming obnoxious laugh, a response to something Stinky had said. Eugene and Sheena sat at front and Helga questioned if Sheena somehow got even taller over the summer as the girl towered over Eugene. Lila walked into the classroom, graceful as ever, joining Eugene and Sheena. The bell rang and Helga quickly took note of the rest of the class as everyone settled down. Brainy had grown a faint mustache and Iggy was engrossed with whatever he was listening to, earbuds in and head nodding in rhythm. Park seemed fully concentrated in the book he was reading. Curly seemed suspiciously quiet and poised after their summer which made Helga raise an eyebrow.
The door swung open, interrupting Helga's people watching. To her surprise, Mr. Simmons entered the classroom, waving at everyone with a widening grin on his face, "Good morning class!" he beckoned.
"Good morning, Mr. Simmons," the class responded.
"After our… special trip to San Lorenzo, our very own Principal Wartz recommended that I follow you all and be your 6th grade teacher." He then chuckled nervously. "I do apologize if any of you were concerned for me during that trip. All is fine and well now and we can have a nice relaxing and enjoyable year together. Let's all be mindful and kind to one another as always shall we?"
Mr. Simmons was sometimes annoyingly too positive, but Helga welcomed this familiarity in her rapidly changing life. He was the best teacher she ever had who also genuinely encouraged her, although she'd never admit to that. For now, at least.
She sat back in her chair as their teacher began his lecture. Although she was quiet and appeared to be focused, her heart and her thoughts ran wild, unable to be still.
The bell rang once again and the class roared to life as the students rushed out for their lunch break. Mr. Simmons' lecture on early hominids and the development of agriculture was a good stopping point to give Arnold's brain a break. He stood up and stretched when he caught Helga in the corner of his eye. She was slouched over in her chair with an expression of her usual careless demeanor. Her thoughts however, were clearly elsewhere as she scribbled absently in her notebook. Gerald and Phoebe looked back and forth between the two.
"We'll save a table for us in the cafeteria. See you guys soon," Gerald said gently as he gave Arnold's shoulder a pat before departing with Phoebe hand in hand.
Arnold watched them leave, then looked towards Helga. Flabbergasted at her spaciness, he waved a hand in her face in an attempt to grab her attention.
Her eyes darted towards him as she snapped, "Hey! What's the big deal?!"
Arnold's face twisted in worry. "Well, you seemed kind of spaced out, Helga. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
"Of course I'm fine, Football Head. Why wouldn't I be?" She spat out. She inwardly cringed at her defensiveness. Stop being an idiot. She then shrugged, shying her eyes away from his. "I'm great..."
Arnold couldn't help but frown. Examining her face, he knew there was something wrong. Her eyes were usually full of fire but now they seemed snuffed out. He tried his best to put on an encouraging smile as he sat by her. "Hey Helga, it's okay. It's been a busy summer and well, I think we need to talk about what happened."
Helga braced herself. Here it is, she thought to herself. I knew it was too good to be true.
"I'm sorry for basically ditching you for a week when my parents came back," Arnold sighed. "It's just that it's been… a lot. But I should have kept in touch with you." Helga met his gaze but kept quiet. "I meant everything I said this summer. I don't know if I've done something to hurt you and now you're trying to push me away again. I guess what I'm trying to say is... I really like you." He reached over and placed his hand over hers so gently, almost as if she'd break if he weren't careful. "Sorry, this is all new to me—I mean us, I guess. If anything, I've been really enjoying spending time with you."
The clock's ticking filled the silence as Helga took in his words and the warmth of his hand. She didn't expect this. She didn't flinch or pull away from his touch either. She really had thought this would take a different turn, thinking he'd start spewing excuses about why they arguably shouldn't and couldn't be together. His earnest words chiseled away at her expectations, softening her mood. "Sorry Arnoldo," she stammered out while staring hard at his hand over hers. "I guess... I'm not used to this either. My family isn't the most stable right now either. I feel like my head's going a mile a minute! But I'm not ready to talk about it yet." Their eyes connected and she smirked at him. "So don't even think about trying. Okay, Bucko?"
Arnold's solemn expression pulled into a small but gentle smile. "Sure Helga. Whatever you say."
Lunch had been a blur with everyone chatting wildly about their summer breaks. Helga blended seamlessly in the background, making herself small while she quietly ate her lunch alongside her friends. As she stabbed at a carrot, Harold was recounting his return to Hillwood after their trip, boasting about his mother doting on him with another platter of deli sandwiches. "Roast beef," he clarified proudly, hands on his hips.
Nadine mentioned being disappointed that she wasn't able to bring the bugs she caught home.
Eugene made small of his allergic reactions on the trip, laughing them off with a wave of his hand.
When the bell signaled for their return, Helga slugged back to class, watching everyone pass her. She wished she was more focused for the rest of the day but as Mr. Simmons lectured with energetic gestures and a liveliness about plant cells and photosynthesis, she could feel herself slipping away into the corners of her mind. Flashes of her morning kept intruding. Why didn't I just hold his stupid freakin' hand? I wanted to. It's all I've ever wanted. What's wrong with me? In her peripheral vision, she could see Phoebe's lips moving to say something to her, then disappearing. Sounds of school supplies clattering, books slamming shut, and zippers being opened and closed seemed to echo, slowly flowing into static.
It was Arnold's voice that grounded her. "Helga."
"Huh?"
"Um... school's over."
She looked up at the clock. "Oh." Looking over the room, the other students were already walking out the door. Gerald and Phoebe were already gone. She quickly got out of her seat, hoisting her backpack over her shoulder.
The pair walked side by side without a word to exit the school. She could feel Arnold's eyes on her, burning where they made contact. He hovered his palm over her hand, a silent question. Helga shook her head. The boy next to her let out a dramatic sigh but playfully winked at her. "I'll get that yes one day, Helga!" he declared brightly as he skipped off the steps towards his parents on the sidewalk.
She smiled as wide as she could muster, seeing him run into their arms. They looked up at Helga, giving her a warm smile and wave before departing.
As she watched them fade from her vision, a breeze caught in her hair, giving her a chill that reminded her she was standing alone.
She didn't think it could be possible for her anxiety to build but each dreaded step forward set the feeling deeper as Helga neared home. Home. She stood in front of the dark building towering over her. Formerly Big Bob's Beepers, Big Bob's sign illuminated the sidewalk, its flickering lights dimly glowed over her face in blinking bursts.
Early in her 5th grade year, business wasn't doing well. People strayed from beepers to cell phones to match the changing times and her father was too stubborn to make the switch quick enough. He'd stay painfully dedicated to beepers, saying they'd make a comeback. The irony was not lost on Helga, rolling her eyes at him being painfully missing at every play and parent teacher conference. Things had gotten to a dangerous level with Bob and Miriam almost foreclosing on their house. They managed to avoid that by renting out their home for the meantime and moving into the store while they got back on their feet. Although Helga could complain about not getting a home cooked meal, it wasn't as if that was a constant in her previous home life anyway.
Once the fiasco of the trip in San Lorenzo was over, her father had a sudden change of heart and decided to finally set the store into a new trajectory towards selling electronics of all kinds including cellphones, PC parts, and more.
It wouldn't have been so bad, but she hardly had any time to do anything else but help out her family's business. Any free time she had, she jumped straight into doing anything she could with Arnold. With the summer over, she wasn't sure how she'd juggle adding schoolwork to her diminishing schedule.
As she stood by the window and peered in, she saw Bob noticing her outside, wildly making gestures that indicated he needed her absolute attention immediately. She rolled her eyes at him and pushed through the entrance door, the bell chiming as it welcomed her back. "Alright little lady," Bob gruffed, "we managed to reorganize all the shelving and now we just need to restock with the merchandise that came this afternoon so hop to it!"
Helga scowled widely and gave him a sarcastic salute before trudging off to a corner to peel open a box of earbuds with a grumble.
While she absolutely hated this, nothing motivated her more than to get back to her home and her room and her closet and her pink journals hidden under the floorboards that contained all the feelings of her heart. Privacy here was seriously lacking. The sounds of Bob's snores or him and Miriam's fighting echoing through the store at night didn't help. The sooner her family returned home, the better. For everyone.
As she spilled the contents of the cardboard box onto the linoleum floor, a voice dripping in sweet candy brightly squealed.
"Welcome home, my sweet baby sister!"
Helga cringed.
Yup. It was truly a family effort to bring them back up and Helga couldn't wait for it to be over.
The backroom of the store was luckily large enough to accommodate the family and to consolidate space, Bob had planted two unfortunately small bunk beds on opposite ends of the room. It wasn't the best, not very spacious, and a hundred percent uncomfortable. Helga almost felt bad for her father, sprawled on the cramped bed. Almost. She listened to his bellowing snores bouncing off the four walls of the room as she scribbled away at her homework next to the dim light of a table lamp, nodding off slightly.
She was tired. Her family had been unboxing and restocking since she got back "home" up until late that night. She hardly had time for a dinner—none of them had. She'd inhaled a microwaved hotpocket before rushing back to help. Luckily there wasn't much homework given out on the first day but she hoped things wouldn't get worse.
Everyone else had quickly passed out on their respective bunks, leaving Helga with the only peace she got in her days. She was grateful that she at least had this time to just do her homework if anything, even at the cost of listening to Bob's snores. Her eyes drooped further as she fought the urge to doze off.
After shuffling her paperwork back into her backpack, she finally got to lay in bed. She scooped out her heart pendant and peered at the photo of Arnold inside. Too exhausted for even one thought, she curled her hand around it and to her chest as she shut her eyes.
The second day of school came and went. While completely distracted by her combative thoughts about the previous day, Helga managed to grab the tiniest bit of information needed to figure out her homework and off "home" she went. Her classmates had made plans to go skateboarding then down to the pier to hang out and get ice cream, but Helga quickly made an excuse to get out of it.
Olga needs me to peel her many, many pallets of potatoes, Helga had sneered.
She had her suspicions that some if not most of her peers knew about her housing situation, but she still felt the need to keep up a front. It was embarrassing to not be able to simply spend time with the gang whenever she wanted anymore. She reasoned to herself that the ones who weren't aware of her situation did not need to be. She'd keep whatever dignity she still had.
Once she had pushed her way through the entrance doors of the store, she noticed her family working on the floor with a few customers. It seemed like business was picking up again and she couldn't help but put on a small smile. Quickly masking it with a scowl, she rushed to the backroom and got to her homework. Maybe if I finish quickly… Maybe since everything in the store is up and running again, I can go hang out with everyone…
The annoying peppy store music and the constant chattering between the customers and her family were luckily not too much of a distraction for this suddenly devoted student. Her desire to even just see Arnold for just one more minute was all the fuel she needed to get through it all in record time, only an hour had passed. She peered up at the clock and grinned, they were likely heading towards the pier by now and she'd be able to catch up to them.
Things seemed to have gotten slower in the store. Miriam was sweeping the floors while Bob was facing products in the aisles. Olga occupied herself by painting with her nails while she scrolled through her cell at the cashier counter. Helga walked by them towards the exit without a second thought only to be suddenly stopped by Bob's reverberant voice.
"Where do you think you're going missy?"
"Out," Helga grumbled as she turned to him and crossed her arms. "I'm done with my homework and I'm gonna meet my friends at the pier."
"We need your help here. We stick together."
"Criminy, it's deader than a cemetery here Bob."
"Hey, hey, hey! Listen here, we all have to do our part in getting out of this hell hole! Get to wor—"
"You're the reason we're even here in the first place! Nice investment Bob! No one's used beepers for the past year but you were too stubborn to just—"
"HEY. Don't you talk back—"
"Daddy, stop it!"
The two of them both whipped their heads towards Olga's outburst in surprise.
"Stop yelling at Helga, Daddy!" She demanded with glassy eyes. "She's just a kid! She's already helped us all summer, just let her go."
Geez is she about to cry? Helga thought, rolling her eyes. Shit. I almost feel bad about that.
Bob groaned at Olga's words and just waved her and Helga off. "Fine, get out of here. But I'm not giving you any cash."
"Eh, fine by me," Helga muttered with a shrug. She looked back at Olga who was beaming at her. "Look, I don't need you to fight my battles… but thank you," she said curtly, already on her way out the door.
Helga rode her bike, zipping by pedestrians, trying to get to the pier as quickly as possible. She was waiting at a stoplight when the reflection of someone's helmet gave her pause. She glanced over and noticed a group of her classmates seemingly huddled in the park. She could hear Sid squealing in terror all the way from where she stood. She rolled her eyes, already walking her bike over to see the commotion. What a drama queen.
"Willikers, did ya break your leg?!" Stinky yelled.
"There's so much blood!" Sid cried. He practically stumbled as Stinky and Harold propped him up.
"Arnold, darling, are you alright?! What on earth happened to you?" Rhonda panicked.
Arnold?!
Helga pushed through them, only to find her beloved, her Arnold, bent over himself on the ground holding onto his leg as if it was a life line. It looked like he had crashed hard, his skateboard was in two pieces. While his dirtied jeans were hiding what possible leg injuries he had, his face had a couple cuts and his nose was gushing like a firehose. Helga now understood Sid's screeching, the front of Arnold's shirt was completely stained with blood. Gerald was by his side, attempting to hold him up while Phoebe quietly stood by, clenching a small pack of tissues.
"Arnold!" Helga yelped as she rushed towards him.
"Madame Fortress Mommy! Help!" Harold cried.
"I'm okay," Arnold said in a nasally voice as he pressed a tissue to his nose. "I just lost control and crashed. My leg doesn't hurt as bad anymore. I should just go home now and get cleaned up"
"Well, thanks for not bleeding all over my wig," Rhonda muttered as she walked away from the scene. "Hope you feel better soon, doll."
"Oh my god," Gerald said deadpan, shaking his head as hoisted Arnold up. "We're out of here." The group dispersed, giving weak worded well wishes before leaving the four of them there. "That Rhonda is unbelievable, mmm-mm-mm."
"Here," Helga murmured softly as she grabbed Arnold's other arm. The sky was turning orange, clouds pink, as they walked through the park. The sound of playful laughter and the dribbling of a basketball drowned in the background. She grunted, shifting in a more comfortable position, giving Arnold a grin. "I'm gone for one minute and you're already out here killing yourself huh?"
Arnold chuckled, "Hey, you're the only one I want to be magnetized to."
Helga blushed. "Huh?"
"Y'know, how we're always crashing into each other." He shot her a smug look, the kind that always dissolved her into pudding while music played in the corners of her mind. It was somehow still charming, even with his nostrils stuffed with tissues.
Phoebe giggled at her best friend's bewildered expression as she handed another tissue towards Arnold's way.
"Hey, don't get all chummy or I'm gonna drop you, Bucko," Helga taunted.
Gerald looked up at her, giving a defeated look. "Please don't. I don't want to carry this dude all by myself."
Helga sported a cocky smile. "Sure thing, Geraldo."
The four of them reached Sunset Arms and helped Arnold up the stairs and into the foyer of the building. Stella happened to just be getting off the phone beside them, her smile quickly fading upon looking at her boy with shock.
"My baby!" she screamed. "What on earth happened to you, love?! Who," her eyes got darker, eyeing the other three kids, "who did this to him?"
The three gave each other confused looks as Stella stared them down.
"It was me!" Arnold blurted out. "I was racing Sid in the park and lost control and flew off. No one did this to me but myself."
The concerned mother's eyes softened. "Oh." She scooped Arnold into her arms and hugged him tightly. "Are you okay sweetie?"
"Yeah mom. I think my nosebleed stopped. I've only got a limp too. I guess my leg's okay," Arnold said as he evaluated himself once out of Stella's grasp.
Miles practically stumbled down the stairs at Stella's scream, with Phil and Gertrude not too far behind. "Oh my God, Arnold!" his father yelled. The four of them practically hurled themselves at Arnold, doting on the hurt kid who looked slightly uncomfortable underneath.
"Sheesh. Had this been me, I think Bob and Miriam would have just handed me a band-aid and waved me off," Helga said with a crassness, crossing her arms. "Glad you have them, Football Head."
Stella turned to Helga and awkwardly laughed, "Oh dear…"
Arnold's friends smiled at each other. It was the first time they'd seen him with his parents since San Lorenzo. Although he was complaining about his parental figures being all over him, he looked happy and well loved.
His friends had headed home and Arnold sat in the boarding house den, soothing his knee with an ice pack, watching TV. His parents both peeked around the corner with looks of concern plastered on their faces. Arnold turned to them and smiled ear to ear, his face speckled with small band-aids that covered the cuts on his face. "Hey mom, hey dad."
"Hey Arnold."
Both of them sat on opposite sides of their son. Miles put a hand on Arnold's shoulder. "So you had a lot of fun today, I guess."
Arnold returned a lopsided grin. "Yeah, I'd say so."
"We hope we're not being too cautious, but riding your skateboard without a helmet is obviously not happening anymore," Miles sternly said, waving his index finger at his son.
Arnold nodded. "My board snapped in half anyway, but I understand."
Stella's face grew more worried. "And your friends…? I mean, Football Head? Are those really your friends? I'm glad they brought you back safe and sound but if there's a bad influence here—"
It took Arnold a beat to process how hard her words hit him. "...You've got it all wrong."
His parents frowned disapprovingly at him. "Maybe you need to spend time with friends who aren't going on dangerous adventures or calling you names. You could get seriously hurt son," Miles explained.
Arnold shook his head probably harder than he should have, furrowing his brows. "Look, the guy is my best friend Gerald. The shorter girl with black hair is Phoebe, his girlfriend. Helga, the other girl, is…" and then it dawned on him. He and Helga never specified what they were. They'd never made it official. He blushed when he turned to his parents. "Well, you saw us back in San Lorenzo. But the point is, they're really good friends. I've known them all my life."
"But that's what she calls you? If I remember, you two were awfully close," his mother questioned.
"I mean, it's basically a cute nickname at this point," Arnold casually said. "I'm used to it by now."
"I don't think you realize how awful that is!" Miles snapped. His reaction stunned Arnold, who looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Hey, what's all the racket?" Phil interrupted, turning the corner into the room. He winked at Arnold who seemed to start relaxing in his presence.
"We're just concerned with what Arnold's life has been like while we've been gone." Miles turned to his father. "Have you been paying attention to who he's been spending time with? What he's been doing?"
"He's a kid," Phil retorted. "You were once one too. This is normal kid behavior. Besides, Arnold's a good kid. You're lucky."
"Lucky?! He could have gotten seriously hurt," Miles barked back.
"Look, in all the years we've been raising your boy, he's never given us a reason to doubt him. I'm sorry he got hurt but kids are resilient and so is he. He'll get back up just like he always does. The kids he hangs around with are... peculiar, but they all seem to get along well for the most part."
Gertrude yelled from the other room, "Eleanor's my favorite!" Phil and Arnold smirked at each other.
"That little girl in the pink dress with the one eyebrow?" Phil questioned.
"Helga, grandpa," Arnold corrected.
"Right. Helga. Eleanor." Phil shrugged. "Anyway, your kid's a good egg. I know you both just got back but you'll see in time. There's no reason to be overbearing yet."
Miles and Stella looked at each other concerned. They turned back to Arnold with a smile, albeit with worry. "We're sorry Arnold. We missed out on a lot over the years," Stella meekly said. "We'll be patient and trust you. Can you be patient with us as well? While we navigate this parenting thing?"
Arnold gave a weak smile. "Thanks mom and dad. I'll be more careful, I promise." He turned to hug each of them.
"Alright dear," his mom pipped, "let's go help prepare dinner, Miles." The couple gave their son's head a pat and left the room.
Phil smirked and shot Arnold another wink. "You better protect that noggin of yours kid. From the pavement and your parents."
Arnold thanked his grandpa for having his back. However, he couldn't help the nagging disappointment from his conversation with his parents. His face pulled into a slant frown as he walked up the creaky stairs towards his bedroom.
At times like these, Arnold wished Helga had a cellphone. He laid in bed, longing to speak to her. Over the past year, he noticed that whenever he was truly upset and bothered, it seemed like he could always turn to Helga. She was always willing to hear his thoughts out. Other than Gerald anyway. She never judged him in those times, despite constantly picking on him any other old day. He didn't think she knew that he noticed her kindness. It was always so easy to spill his feelings and she'd drink it in, accepting every word, worry, or spark of anger. She didn't always do it with grace or respond with kind words, but that just made it all the more meaningful. She was just doing her best to be there for him, always.
The glow of his cell's screen illuminated his worried face as he navigated to his messages to his thread with Gerald. He hurriedly texted him.
Arnold: Sorry if my parents bothered you. They're just worried about me. But they promised to trust me.
Gerald: Hey man, don't worry about it. They're kinda new at being parents. We're cool. Are you doing okay?
Arnold: I'm not sure. It kind of bugged me that they didn't trust me. They kind of went off about how maybe you guys aren't the best influence. All because I got a little hurt.
Gerald: Really? Didn't they live in a jungle and go on crazy adventures? That really surprises me… But I guess it's different when it's their kid doing it.
Arnold read Gerald's words twice carefully and couldn't help but grin.
Arnold: That makes the most sense. Hopefully they see I'm just being a kid.
Gerald: Yeah, I hope they chill out too. Glad you're okay man.
Arnold: Thanks Gerald. See ya tomorrow.
Gerald: Night
Arnold plugged his phone to charge and placed it on his nightstand. He shut his eyes when his head collided with his pillow with a soft thud. As the sounds of the city seeped into his room, he thought back to his fourth grade Parents Day. His grandparents were so excited to participate and he had shut them out. He remembered being in competition with Helga, her dad calling him Orphan Boy, and her trying to apologize on her father's behalf.
Her words had only made him more frustrated, wanting to push down the feelings of abandonment, wanting to give up. Then his grandfather had talked to him gently as always. Helped him feel better like always. Said all the right things as always.
It was the first time Phil told him the truth about his parents. That they had left to help cure a deadly disease but their plane was never found. Arnold at the time hoped that they were just missing. In that same night, what had started as a frightening dream of his parents leaving ended with him realizing that even though his parents weren't around, his grandparents were always there for him when his parents couldn't. They were the ones who truly raised him, inspiring him with stories and motivating him to always be kind. He never felt unloved with the two of them by his side.
His dream fulfilled him with the determination needed to finish the competition together and while they didn't win the entire event, they still had fun, and they got to beat the Patakis. Phil had even told him later on, that it was Helga who helped him beat Bob.
He slept well that night after the competition, with a dream of him overcoming his feelings, flying off into the big blue sky in his parents' plane. He learned to appreciate his grandparents in a new way and knew he'd never take them for granted again.
And now his parents were here. His whole life, he had dreamt about being reunited with them, no matter what anyone else said. Even his grandparents had given up on them returning, but Arnold never did.
He had hoped that once they were here again, he'd feel complete. His life was in no way bad, he was usually content in his day to day, but growing up, there was always a lingering feeling of something missing with his parents' whereabouts unknown. Here they were now, ready to be the parents he'd always wanted.
Laying in bed now, he realized the hollowed out feeling in his chest was still there.