Chapter Text
"You know what's frustrating Gerald?! Trying to wash my hands or rinse out a bowl over YOUR dirty dishes left in the sink! I had no idea you were such a slob!" Arnold scolded.
"I didn't even have time to wash them, Arnold! I've been busy!"
"I've been busy too, but I still pick up after myself!"
"Are YOU kidding?! No, you don't!" Gerald exclaimed running his hand through his hair in frustration. "You have clothes everywhere and every time I go and take a shower, your nasty ass stringy blonde hair is all on the shower floor! And when you brush it, it sheds!" He demonstrated pointing to the floor by Arnold's bedside showcasing the hair on the ground. "Hell, I even had a piece of your hair on my hoodie, Arnold!"
"Gerald! I stepped on a CHIP that was on the ground that stabbed me in the foot yesterday!"
"You sure it's not yours?"
"NO!" Arnold bent down under Gerald's bed to pick up the empty bag of chips. "This is YOURS! Your bag from under YOUR bed! I didn't plant it there!" He shook it in front of Gerald. "It was from that night I was TRYING to go to sleep, and you were snacking like a damn monster!" He made crunchy sound effects with his mouth before yelling again. "Then with you gaming clicking and clacking on the controller!" He grabbed a pen off his desk and clicked it several times. "THEN you were BOUNCING on the BED! WEEEEEE!" He exclaimed dramatically as he jumped backwards on his bed.
"Since you wanna be petty, I'MMA get petty too godammit!" He yelled getting close to Arnold's face. "First your stupid alarm constantly going off!" He went on shaking his head. "HeY aRnOlD! hEy ArNoLd! HEEY ARRNOOLLLD!" Gerald did a silly dance as he mocked the alarm.
"I had that made for me, you know."
"I don't care! I don't wanna hear it! I DON'T want you wakin me up for no breakfast! I DON'T wanna wake up early on DAYS I'M SUPPOSED to be SLEEPING IN! And I DON'T wanna hear you play your damn flute or hum or anything! Find a practice room or something, they exist!"
"Thanks for being a GREAT communicator, YOU never TOLD me that before!"
"You could've figured that out your damn self! Just like you can figure out how to bag Helga on your own without ANY help from me!"
"I never asked for your damn help with Helga!"
"You keep moaning to me about her! OOHHH Helga! WhY wOn'T sHe cRaWl BaCk To mE?!"
"I do NOT sound like that!!"
"It doesn't matter! This WHOLE bullshit with you two is messing up me and Phoebe's relationship having us tryin to fix shit for yall!"
"Well maybe you should've roomed with Phoebe since you love her so much! You're always spending so much time with her and flirting with her on the phone at night AGAIN when I'M trying to sleep as if you didn't get enough during the daytime!"
"I'm getting more than you..." Well damn...that was definitely a low blow. Gerald didn't even mean to say it, but he said it and he couldn't take it back. There was a pause before Arnold's expression hardened.
"After all these years, we've been so close, I can't believe you would say some shit like that to me." He spoke in a calm manner but was still very much pissed off which was evident in his tone. "I tried to let all the little things slide but you really pissed me clean off. Maybe rooming together was a bad idea."
"At least that's something we can agree on." Gerald said keeping up his attitude
"Maybe you should get in touch with Toby and the others because as of now, I don't even want to see or talk to you. I don't want to be woken up in the middle of the night anyways because you lost your damn key. We're done."
"Fine, I'm leaving."
With that, Gerald grabbed his stuff including his key and walked out the door. He didn't know exactly where he was going but he knew he needed some fresh air. He decided to call Phoebe now and let her know what transpired between him and Arnold. Gerald really did regret letting it get that bad, he should've been a better friend, but he let his frustrations get the best of him. This was not something they could resolve overnight but hopefully it doesn't take as long a time as Arnold and Helga because THEY haven't even resolved anything yet. Hell at this point, he might make up with Helga now given the fact he just lost his best friend and Arnold needed someone to confide in, or he may just contact his family and go home because he could tell he was a little homesick.
Gerald and Phoebe decided to meet up for lunch at the same location they met before so they could talk about what happened in more detail. Phoebe did not look happy, and Gerald knew he was in for it now. He knew Arnold probably didn't want to sit in the same space as Helga right now, but he was hoping could get through to him instead of it leading to an argument.
"I tried to get through to him Phoebe, but it seemed like he was just ignoring me playing his damn flute until I mentioned that the off and on cycle between him and Helga is toxic accusing me of calling him toxic! I don't even know if he heard everything I said initially!" Gerald vented. "I tried to tell him that all him and Helga need to do is communicate and that their energy is messing with the vibe between all of us specifically our relationship and he blew up in my face started talking about all the shit I done left out like my dishes, waking him up, and how I don't pick up after myself as if he picks up after himself! He has shit he left out and his hair sheds like a cat Phoebe, I'm telling you-"
"Gerald, what happened?" Phoebe asked concerned.
"He started mentioning how I spend so much time with you and we should've been roommates because I flirt with you on the phone as if I don't get enough during the daytime and I might've hit below the belt saying I get more than him." Gerald explained looking somewhat guilty which made his girlfriend pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration. "He pissed me off saying all that shit and I guess I was fed up with him doing little things to annoy me like waking me up early and taking his frustration out on me."
"It seems I attract stubbornness somehow." Phoebe said taking off her glasses running the ends of them against her nose. This was something she did when she was stressed or just irritated which she very much was right now. "All I wanted for all of us was to hang out as friends, go on double dates, and create new memories enjoying our college experience but none of you can seem to just take a second and get your heads out of your own asses." Uh oh, Phoebe just cussed which meant Gerald really messed up. She only swore when she was really fed up and it seems she was always being put in the middle of drama that had nothing to do with her.
"I'm sorry baby, I know how you feel. It's the same reason I was getting on Arnold's ass earlier because I don't like this either."
"Maybe instead of reacting to him you should've heeded his feelings. You know what Arnold is dealing with better than any of us do, Gerald." Phoebe stated putting her glasses back on.
"I know, I guess we haven't communicated well enough being roommates with each other and thought it'd be a breeze living together but we let things slide under the radar and tried to push past it only for it to blow up in our faces." Gerald admitted. "Arnold's a nice guy and he'll do anything for others, even before himself but when he's in a mood, he can be just as bad as Helga. I think it's why he indulges in these screaming matches with her." Maybe it's why the two seemed to gravitate toward each other, only they could handle one another in certain emotional states. Arnold could be pretty difficult when he wants to be and it's a side of him not many get to see because it takes him being pushed to his limits to get to that point which is what Gerald just did.
"Gerald, you've been best friends as long as me and Helga have, I don't believe he can stay mad at you for too long." Phoebe said grasping her boyfriend's hand and caressing it.
"I don't know Phoebe, whenever Arnold gets really mad, it takes him a bit to get out of it; he literally said we're done."
"I'm sure he doesn't mean that, just like you didn't mean your comment, right?"
"No, I didn't, and you're right, I figured he was probably jealous and hurt but I didn't stop to consider how much was really bothering him. He's chill most times so you would never even know, but I should've known being his best friend and all. I saw little signs, but I also didn't want to push him to talk about anything he's uncomfortable with." Ever since they moved in, he could see a sadness an Arnold's eyes, and he knew that he was not adjusting as well as Gerald was being away from his family. "How do you do it with Helga? That girl seems to really trust you, though you are very trustworthy and loyal which I love about you." He gushed a little poking her nose making Phoebe giggle. "She just seems like a tough nut to crack, and I know it can't be easy." His girlfriend sighed before speaking.
"It's not easy, and it's honestly been really hard ever since we started this week; we got into our own tiffs while living together this semester specifically when I tried to talk to her about her behavior. I do know her better than anyone else being her best friend, so I believe that helps and I think it makes it easy for me not to react as much to her when she lashes out because I know how she really feels. It used to be a challenge to get her to take accountability for her actions for a while but as we've gotten older, Helga has embraced her vulnerability a little bit more and now when I reassure her and validate her feelings as well as holding her accountable, she doesn't fight back as much. Sometimes she'll pretend like what I'm saying is false, but I know she takes in what I say because she's processed it later when she has time to reflect and she'll try to do the right thing. Even when she tries to push me away, I just reassure her I'll be ready to listen anytime she wants to talk."
"Baby, that is so sweet, you're gonna make me cry." Gerald said sniffling wiping a tear with his free hand. Phoebe smiled and kissed the hand she was holding. He could be so sentimental which she loved about him. "Guess me and Arnold should've filled out that roommate form huh?"
"You didn't fill out the roommate form?" Phoebe asked in disbelief but also not surprised. Gerald had a habit of overshooting his confidence. "That would've been the smart thing to do, pumpkin. It's no wonder you and Arnold are in conflict; that could've prevented 60% of what you described your argument was about-"
"I get it, Phoebe. It was a dumb idea on both of our parts, but it's too late now, Arnold threw it away and crumbled it." Gerald shrugged.
"That's why you would go to the front desk of the hall or request the RA for a new one, babe." She explained like he should've already known that.
"Right." He responded sheepishly. "That is if he'll take me back, he probably wants to go home for real now."
"He has to, there can't be anymore breakups in this group." Phoebe stated holding her finger up demandingly then put it down to clasp her boyfriend's hand on top of the one she was holding. "Though I recommend giving him some space first."
Arnold is currently lying in bed replaying the fight in his head between him and Gerald. He was curled up with his arms folded frowning at the wall he was facing; he doesn't remember the last time he was this pissed off, but he doesn't think he's ever been this pissed with Gerald. Arnold didn't know if he could even face him anytime soon and he was thinking about going home for the weekend, but he'd still have to see Gerald when he came back and for class. He heard his phone ring which only added to his irritation; he looked to see who it was hoping it wasn't his roommate but thankfully was his mom. He flipped it open and answered.
"Hey mom."
"Hey Arnold, how's my baby doing in college?" She asked.
"Truthfully, not good. I really miss you guys." His voice broke hearing the sound of his mom's voice. He was trying his best not to cry squeezing his eyes shut and paused to try to get himself together wiping tears from his eyes. "I'm sorry." He gasped.
"Don't be sorry honey, take your time." Stella said sweetly.
"I didn't think I would cry, but I guess it's just a lot of things on my mind lately and I'm just overwhelmed." Arnold sobbed sniffling a little bit.
"That's understandable, the first few weeks of college are usually tough, but you'll get through it." She assured knowing her boy was homesick. "How is Gerald doing?"
"Probably good since he's got himself some new buddies to hang with and a girlfriend he could chat up all night if he wanted to! After all he's getting more than me!" He remarked. "That's what to me he said earlier! I think I'm ready to come home."
"Aww Arnold, you and Gerald must've had a disagreement." She responded with sympathy.
"It was more than a disagreement, mom, it was a blow up. I really thought living with him would be a fun idea and I could have my best friend to help me through ups and downs, but it seems we're just bringing each other down. I told him we're done because he pissed me off."
"Ooh, sounds serious." Arnold's dad, Miles chimed in.
"It is, I mean we never had a fight like this, and all of this because we decided to share a room together! It was never like this when we had sleepovers at each other's houses."
"Your sleepovers probably weren't the same duration of you being your friend's roommate in college. When you live with somebody even for a short time and you know them well, you'll begin to see sides of that person you didn't know existed." Miles explained.
"Tell me about it, I had no idea Gerald was such a slob!"
"Arnold, did you guys fill out the roommate form?" Stella asked warningly.
"Don't tell me you threw it away." Miles said matching his wife's tone.
"Well, we thought we didn't need it since we knew each other so well and we thought we could be honest with each other without having much conflict, but then he had the nerve to tell me I have bad communication with Helga, and he couldn't even communicate to me either!"
"Buddy, I know you and Gerald have been best friends for a long time, but you are not always going to read each other's minds and understand what is going on. All the roommate form does is solidify your boundaries with each other; it's basically a contract to you communicating clearly you will not violate each other's boundaries and if it happens, to communicate about it, calmly that is."
"Yea I guess that would've been beneficial to do, but it seems like it's too late now, dad."
"It's never too late Arnold, sometimes all you and your friend need is space to reflect on what happened and when you're both thinking straight, you can revisit the topic and apologize for the misunderstanding." Stella advised. "You won't be able to change roommates any time soon now and even if you come home occasionally, you'll still have the rest of the semester sharing a space with Gerald."
"Yea, you're right. I should just face my issues instead of running away from them."
"I know it's hard right now, but you should stick it out and stay put because you probably will be glad you did. We hope it works out for you with Gerald." Stella said reassuringly. "And also, Helga." She said slightly teasing making her son blush.
"Mom..." He whined feeling his face heat up. “By the way, how’s Abner?”
"He’s doing good, still kicking.” Miles answered hearing his son sigh in relief. “We'll talk to you later short guy and let us know how it goes for Gerald and Helga." He added sounding too enthusiastic.
"Dad..." Arnold whined embarrassed again. "Love you, goodbye." He closed his phone.
He was happy to be able to confide in his parents and get real advice from them instead of just funny stories like his grandparents do, but sometimes they could be a lot; he supposed that's normal for most people having parents invested in their lives. Arnold was sad that Helga didn't have that which he knows plays a huge role on why her defense mechanisms are up on a constant basis; it seems so difficult for her to just be okay being vulnerable. He knew her reasoning for pushing him away had to be related to that somehow because the two of them are usually scared to even cross the line in exploring their feelings for each other and it just ends up the same cycle. He knew that's what Gerald was saying when he mentioned their toxic cycle, but it felt like he was calling him toxic which he didn't hear past the hurt he felt. Arnold does realize that he tends to hold on to things in fear of losing it and that includes people. Helga did make a comment about him being clingy before which also hurt his feelings but maybe there was some truth to it because he has not gotten over her nor will he ever, and he couldn't fathom the thought of possibly losing Gerald. He couldn't do their signature handshake with anyone else it would be a treason to their bond, even if they ever did fall out.
Arnold decided to finally get out of bed and go on a stroll around campus because he did not want to be cooped up in his room all day and it would help clear his head. He put on his headphones and plugged it in his mp3 player before walking out his door. He didn't know how long he would be out or if he was planning to go to a set destination before going back to his dorm which is why he took his backpack with him just in case he wanted to go to the library and get some work done. For now, he just wanted to walk around a little bit listening to music. It seemed like he was walking around for at least ten minutes before turning a corner and bumping into somebody yet again. For only a split second he thought it was Gerald given the tall figure though not as tall as his best friend which only meant it was the one and only, Helga G. Pataki.
"UGH! Not you again! We need to stop doing this!" Helga scolded. "Maybe you should INVEST in some GLASSES, football head!"
"Please Helga! I'm not in the mood for your attitude today!" Arnold responded brushing past her to walk away which was not the response she was satisfied with.
"Hey! Wait up! Where do you think you're going?!" She asked following him. "Who do YOU think you're TALKING to?!"
"I sure wish it wasn't you, and I'm continuing my walk!" He quipped as he continued walking. The short man realized after a few minutes of silence and walking, Helga was following him. He knew she couldn't ignore him forever. "Why are you following me, Helga?" He asked knowingly making her flinch.
"Because I CAN!" She snapped.
"No, you and I both know that's not a real reason." He sighed.
"It TOTALLY is!"
"Tell me why then." He knew he was starting to get under her skin. Once he became aware of her feelings years ago, he knew flustering her would do the trick in getting her to admit the truth which was basically challenging what she says.
"I'm TELLING you it's the real reason! Because I can! Is that NOT enough?!"
"No, because I know you can, just tell me why." Ugh, WHY did he HAVE to be so difficult? The football head always seemed to need an explanation for everything. Him and Phoebe have more in common then they realize...
"Because we need to talk!" Helga admitted.
"Now we're getting somewhere."
"There you go with that weaponized sarcasm!" How come Helga was the only one who seemed to notice when Arnold did that? Then again, maybe he only acts like this towards her.
"I was being sincere!" He defended though maybe part of him did say it in jest. "Is that a term that you learned from one of your classes or something?!"
"Nope, just something I noticed you do whenever you get in a pissy mood! You have become SNARKIER with time it seems like! Can't say I don't find it cute on you though!" Helga teased with a little smirk.
"Well maybe you've been a bad influence on me!" Arnold remarked. He has started to match her energy over time letting her get under his skin and fighting fire with fire occasionally though exchanging banter with her just felt natural.
"Oh, baby boy, you know that's not true. That's why you and Gerald aren't on speaking terms." She stated knowingly.
"How do you know that?!" He asked taken aback.
"Well, I overheard Phoebe's convo on the phone, and I noticed something was off between you two in class today, I could SENSE it!" Helga declared.
"Wow, you really like watching me don't you, Helga?" Arnold declared making her blush.
"Don't think I didn't see the way YOU looked at ME in class today! I know you were checking me out! You must think I'm cute or something!" Helga shot back getting closer to him knowing she had him now; he couldn't deny it even if he tried.
"You're cute when you blush." He winked at her blushing a little himself. As if on cue, the moment her face turned red, rain began to fall. Arnold wondered if the universe was trying to tell him something with that particular timing.
"S-shut up!" She whined all flustered failing to keep her guard up averting her gaze.
"Make me." He teased confidently. Arnold was starting to feel a familiar tension in the air and apparently it wasn't just him because Helga leaped toward him, grabbed the sides of his face and kissed him. There seemed to be a pattern with them sharing intimate moments together particularly when it rained including the day they first met when Arnold offered his umbrella to Helga and told her he liked her bow because it matched her pink pants on their way into pre-school.
He couldn't help but pull her closer into him wrapping his arms around her as their lips lingered for a minute before becoming more passionate. Somehow the rain made everything more electrifying with them getting soaked and pressing their bodies into each other as they kissed; both of them felt a little weak in the knees and felt something surge inside them. They exchanged small moans as their kiss got deeper opening their mouths more to breathe each other in and holding on for dear life to each other. Sometimes they just let their hormones do the talking for them even though there were other things that needed to be said or addressed eventually; it was something neither of them could help at times because it just felt so good to do in the moment. This was Helga's dream to make out with Arnold and ever since the first time she did when they were younger, it was like heaven having him melt against her touch getting lost in kissing her and hold her around her waist; he's even gotten to be a better kisser with time. They pulled apart just to breathe and also becoming more aware that they were out in public and they could very well gain an audience; little did they know, Kay saw them from afar.
Arnold looked at Helga knowingly no longer confused as to why she kissed him like he would be in the past. All those times when they were kids, started to make a whole lot more sense, especially on the trip getting his parents back. He could see how badly she wanted him by the look in her eyes, but he knew they still have some unresolved issues.
"You're a good kisser, Helga." He told her with a serious expression not being able to hide his need to continue.
"I know, it's the perfect way to get you to shut up." She teased trying to fight how big her smile was getting.
"Well, we can find somewhere more private and you can be as loud as you want." He teased back in a husky voice making her blush more.
"Arnold!" Helga yelped in surprise laughing a little. He's gotten bolder with time teasing her and making innuendos; it was so unexpected from him, but it turned her on which he probably suspected. "You must be REALLY happy to see me." She smirked biting her lip causing his whole face to turn beet red and he chuckled nervously rubbing the back of his head; he definitely caught her drift and her expression sold what she meant.
"We'll talk later, ok?" He said sincerely before kissing her on the cheek chastely.
"Um, ok, I'll see you around." She responded a little flustered.
As they both walked in opposite directions and got further away from each other, they both looked back and smiled. It was a sign that they both haven't given up on each other despite the chaotic beginning of the semester. Neither of them expected to run into each other despite it happening often nor did they expect to make out in the rain repeating their make-up kiss on prom night in the rain though this time hopefully things will be resolved for good despite how much their adrenaline and hormones may take over.
Gerald figured out where Toby stayed and decided to go visit him. He had the other guys over at his place as well who noticed he wasn't in a good mood and asked him what was wrong. Gerald confided in them telling them about the situation with Arnold and how he's concerned about the state of their friendship having decided to room together. The guys actually offered some solid advice to him mentioning they could tell how close the two were upon meeting them and how even between the three of them, they've had their moments but were able to patch things up so they knew Arnold and Gerald could do the same. They even recalled the night they all hung together and how much fun it was mentioning they really liked Arnold and would like to get a chance to know him better in future hangouts which Gerald was pleased to hear. He didn't know what his friend was up to but if he figured whether he was still in the dorm or away, he wouldn't want to see him either way.
That night they ended up getting on the same bus without noticing each other since they got on at different stops. Gerald got on first then Arnold on the next stop after him and when he saw the blonde get on, their eyes met but they didn't wave or say anything to each other, only blank looks as the short man sat in a different seat away from him. Once, they got off the bus, they walked off at the same time to their dorm and this time it was Arnold who forgot his key, so Gerald opened the door using his own. They walked into their rooms quietly doing their own things not speaking a word to each other and it stayed like that for the rest of the night. There was a noticeable awkward tension the two refused to do anything about holding on to their pride.
As the morning came, it was the usual with Arnold waking up early first and he decided to eat his breakfast inside knowing Gerald wouldn't wake up until later and because the downstairs breakfast wasn't available on the weekends. He then left the room making plans to go to the nearest library and do some homework then going to the music practice room to practice his flute. Gerald also ate breakfast in his room when he woke up and left afterwards hoping to avoid Arnold. They both went about their Saturday making sure they were busy so they would barely have to see each other though it was harder to stay out as much as they wanted with the cafeterias being closed. What was the point of that when there were students who stayed on campus on weekends? What if they ran out of food? Even in their time away, they spent a lot of time thinking about each other and how to go about approaching each other. Later that night, when they saw each other, it was pretty much the same as the previous night with them not speaking to each other; they shared looks occasionally but that was it.
The next day when they were both up in the afternoon, they tried not to speak to each other like before as they were organizing their side of the rooms but couldn't take it anymore. They looked at each other in a guilty manner before speaking. They both said each other's names at the same time trying to break the awkward tension laughing awkwardly afterwards.
"You go ahead." Gerald said.
"No, you first." Arnold responded.
"I'm serious, Arnold."
"Gerald, please."
"Ok, I'm sorry for acting like an ass and rubbing in my social life in your face. That was wrong of me, and I really didn't mean what I said, I just reacted to you instead of really listening to what you were expressing." He explained sincerely.
"I'm sorry too, you were right about me being a bad communicator, with you and Helga. I should've handled more things maturely instead of being an ass and letting my frustrations get the best of me."
"I understand, you're trying get used to things as well as coping with what you've been through recently. I also could've communicated better by being up front with you, but for some reason, I was hesitant with us living together for the first time, I really wanted things to work."
"It still can if we ask our RA if there's any more roommate forms available for us to fill out as a treaty to us being better roommates as well as the best of friends who will be honest with each other like we always have, no matter how uncomfortable it may be."
"Yea, we should've done that sooner." Gerald agreed.
"Friends?" Arnold held his thumbs up out.
"Best friends." He reciprocated the thumbs up initiating their handshake. The two then clasped their hand together and pulled each other in for a hug.
"The first rule of us living in Hickory Hall for the remainder of our freshman year is we should never fight like that again." Arnold stated.
"Yea, never ever." Gerald agreed.
After the two made-up, they agreed to go to the front desk realizing their RA wasn't there currently, then headed back to their room to read each question thoroughly and set clear boundaries which they both agreed to abide by and if the rules are broken or someone is bothered by something, let the other person know. Now they were feeling just as excited as the first day to live with each other feeling weights lifted off of them.