Chapter Text
It continued on Saturday when Arnold thought he'd be the bold one after the basketball, the tête-à-tête, and the completely unhealthy meal he and Helga shared at the boardwalk district. There, Helga made good on her promise of treating him to lunch. They split a massive plate - 'tray', to be more accurate – of cheesy nachos with all the fixings. Between Helga's abnormally fast metabolism and Arnold's competitive eating nous, they made short work of the course. Then as they were walking each other home – having declared their time together a resounding success – he decided to venture further into the unknown.
"So Helga," he began uncertainly. "I had a really good time with you today."
"Yeah, it was nice," replied Helga, trying not to project too much joy over having had Arnold all to herself for the first of hopefully many protracted periods.
"Listen," Arnold continued, "I find you so fascinating in so many ways and I would like to know if we can meet again like this again."
"Oooh, that's a problem!" Helga answered in playfully pretend concern. "I have so many other suitors vying for my attention, I may have trouble finding a slot for you."
"That's OK," Arnold replied in a mock reassuring tone to counter her tone. "I'll wait if I have to."
They shared a good chuckle as they continued walking. As they walked, Helga took in her surroundings. Not so much Hillwood's architecture and its greenery, but its people. People who were going about their business, whether working, shopping, or engaging in fun activities. Whatever they were doing, they all shared one common trait.
They don't care!
That's what Helga realized. The fact that Helga Pataki and Arnold Shortman had somehow found a way to start a relationship meant nothing to these strangers. They knew naught of the obstacles she and he had overcome nor of those still to come. And even if they did, what detriment would come of it? Nothing long-term, if at all. That was her guess. And if the greater Hillwood would respond that way, what was the worst that P.S. 118 could do to them by comparison?
Those thoughts were still running through her mind when she felt the touch of his hand on hers. Is he trying to hold my hand? She stopped walking, forcing Arnold to stop as well. She looked first at their joined hands, then turned to him to see his hopeful expression. Oh my god, he is! She stared at him for a while so to give him a considered response.
"Wait, Arnold," she said as she slowly and gently pulled her hand free from him.
"Sorry!" Arnold blenched. "Was this too soon?"
"I'll say," Helga confirmed. "Looks like we both can't help being forward, can we?"
Arnold immediately caught her reference to the previous day when he had (very) mildly reprimanded her forwardness for kissing him. Fortunately, she seemed to be issuing her reprimand in the same good humor as he'd issued his.
He was about to issue his explanation when Helga denied him the opportunity with: "Besides…you're right. That was too soon."
"It was?"
"Oh yeah! I can think of a much better time and place for it…"
She explained her idea to Arnold, who after hearing it was left to wonder who the bold kid between them currently was. He voiced as much with: "Are you sure about that, Helga?"
"Oh, absolutely!" she confirmed. "And if anyone has a problem, I'll show them what a real problem is!"
For emphasis, she raised her clenched right fist for him to view. "Meet Old Betsy! Never once failed me in times of trouble!"
"I'm sure it won't come to that," Arnold politely countered. "In any case, I'm in!"
So with the mood not at all being adversely affected, they continued until The Sunset Arms still in good spirits. There, they exchanged reluctant, awkward, and lingering goodbyes before Helga suggested: "You realize, Arnold, that it's still rather early in the day…"
"Yeah?" he responded, eager for a favorable suggestion from her.
"…and I can think of many better things to do than go back home…"
She need have said no more!
"Give me a sec to put the ball and backpack away!" Arnold said hastily, almost tripping over his words. He made good on those words and was back at the front stoop within a minute. "Hey Helga?" he began. "What say we head for the park close by? There's this nice bench in the shade, near this ice-cream vendor…"
"If it's your treat then it's a deal, Footballhead!"
"Of course!" he replied as he started walking. He was at the bottom of the stoop when he heard her – "Heads up, Footballhead!" – and felt her. She came down on his back for a glomp of the ultimate order, having launched herself from one of the higher steps. The sudden movement almost caused the footballhead to topple over with his fair maiden. Almost, as he retained sufficient presence of mind to catch himself while securing Helga.
And while he was inwardly reeling from that brief experience, he heard Helga comment: "Ha! Never doubted you for a moment!"
Arnold was too taken in by Helga's audacity to be anything but admiring of her. Enough to thank her for wanting to continue their time together.
"Admit it!" – her playfulness was obvious in her voice – "You were kinda disappointed that you didn't get to hold my hand today. Right?"
Arnold's voice suggested composure regained as he replied: "Well, kinda…"
"Looks like this will have to do for now," she teased as she continued hugging him. She broke from the hug to issue an order. "Now onward!" she archly proclaimed as she pointed a finger forward.
As Arnold piggybacked her to their new destination, he couldn't help but be reminded of her daintiness and how he'd love to continue experiencing it up close and personal like this. Helga, for all the joy she was experiencing with Arnold, remained focused on the Hillwood citizens on the street going about their business, paying the young blonde couple little heed – if indeed any.
She remained encouraged by what she saw: Nah, things will be just fine.
The time was Monday morning, the place P.S. 118. Arnold and Helga were standing outside the building, near the main entrance. The bell was minutes from ringing and most of the other students had already assembled inside.
"So…you ready to do this?" asked Arnold.
They'd met for the first time since that Saturday. Sunday had been spent facing their respective best friend's arduous debriefing. In the end, both Phoebe and Gerald were satisfied with the report each had received. Gerald in particular was most impressed with what Arnold had told him, citing surprise – and joy – that the two blondes hadn't killed each other.
Meanwhile, back in the here and now…
"Footballhead, we have to do this. We're making a statement!"
"And what exactly would that statement be?" Arnold queried.
"I told you on Saturday!" Helga almost scolded. "That you and I – after a brief, whirlwind courtship – are an item now and if anyone has a problem with it, tough! If a whole city can treat us being together like it's not an extinction-level event, then why can't a small school within said city?"
"Yeah, I knew that," confessed Arnold. "I just wanted to hear you say it again."
His small confession deflated Helga's annoyance, replacing it with fluster as she followed up with: "Oh shut up and take my hand, you lovestruck fool you!"
She grinned again as she offered her hand to him, which he eagerly accepted. And so they walked into the building.
xxXXXxx
A hypothetical passer-by within earshot might have been tempted to follow up on the planned activity of the two young blondes. And if said hypothetical passer-by was of truly keen, borderline supernatural hearing, then they'd be in for something of a treat.
They'd note a general lack of response as the two disappeared into the building, with maybe a conversation here and there coming to an abrupt halt. Nothing earth-shattering, until the first prominent voice – that of a female – would be heard.
"Oh my gawd! They're holding hands! They're actually holding h—"
The voice would stop, replaced by the sound of its owner collapsing. But the observer need not have feared, for the speaker was not alone.
"Rhonda? Rhonda?" another female voice would be heard chiming in. "Oh my gawd!" she'd proclaim. "Rhonda's fainted! Someone get Nurse Shelly!"
"Looks like she needs mouth-to-mouth!" – A male voice this time, sounding unhealthily enthusiastic – "Fear not, Rhonda, for Curly is on the job!"
The observer would then hear the still-unknown female voice take on sharp disapproval as she issued: "Curly, no! Don't even think about it! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT—"
"YAAIIIEEE!"
And as curious as the observer may have been about how the matter of Curly, Rhonda and other would play out, their attention would now be diverted to the source of a shrill, high-pitched scream. Fortunately, someone would be close by there as well to query the matter.
"Hey Peapod! Don't do that! You almost scared me to death, man!"
"Terribly sorry, Park," the now low-pitched boy – really? – designated Peapod would answer, having regained his composure. "I just saw Arnold and Helga hand-in-hand, and it was…terribly unsettling. Not to mention…unusual."
"Oh come off it, Peapod!" the other boy – definitely a boy – named Park would counter. That's hardly surprising! You saw my statistical models about these two getting together. It was inevitable!"
"Well, naturally I assumed that your methods were flawed," – Peapod was really channeling his inner Shatner – "particularly in the distribution model of—"
Ugh! Statistical analysis! Time to move along! The observer would decide that they'd allocated enough time with these two and that now would be a good time to return to Curly and company. To whom they'd return to hear the sound of frantic running, of a pursuit in progress, together with:
"Get back here, you little letch!" – Rhonda's voice, seething with rage – "Get back here so I can show you a real medical emergency!"
"But Rhonda!" – Curly's voice, clearly fearing for its owner's life – "It worked! You're back on your feet!"
"No thanks to you, you little worm!"
"Rhonda, no!" – the unknown girl companion – "And put down that fire extinguisher! We need to get you to Nurse Shelly first!"
"Can't hear you, Nadine!"
Ah, so her name is Nadine. This development was becoming most interesting. Unfortunately, the observer would be distracted once again. The pursuit would pass the sounds of an officious man talking feverishly, presumably into a phone as no other presence in his office (?) was discernible. So only his side of the conversation was audible.
"No, I'm not kidding!"
"Yes, I'm deadly serious!"
"As I said before, I've had five kids fall really badly over three days last week!"
"No, it wasn't a coincidence!"
"Yes, Superintendent! They all fell! Either on school premises or out on the sidewalks!"
"Damn right I want to book an expert to give a presentation on how to walk properly! What's so funny? Dammit, stop laughing! This is a serious matter! What if the next one to fall at school decides to file a lawsuit? We have to cover our asses!"
"Oh, not laughing now, are you? I told you this is serious!"
"Thank you, Superintendent, for your understanding."
"Yes, I think telling the mayor to fix the sidewalks will help too. Fewer lawsuits, hopefully a bigger budget for the schools."
Wow! Wonder how this development came about! This must be one crazy school. In any case, this one's run its course too. Time to return to Rhonda and friends. Another brief scan would momentarily pick up the following dialogue in progress.
"OK, Nadine," – Rhonda sounding out of breath – "Now you can call Nurse Shelly."
"I'm not so sure, Rhonda," Nadine, equally as out of breath but sounding infinitely more concerned – "I think he needs an ambulance."
"Don't worry, he'll be fine."
"No he won't! You just dented a fire extinguisher over his skull!"
"That's why he'll be fine. I only got him on the head, so what's the problem?"
At which point, the observer would decide that entertaining their curiosity any further was not worth the risk of becoming an accessory to a possible crime. They would then make a beeline for wherever they happened to be heading. And if they had nowhere else to be, they'd be sure to rectify the matter post-haste. This school's way too crazy for its own good!
xxXXXxx
A pity that the observer could only hear any exchanges and not see them. They'd have missed the mutual assuredness with which Arnold and Helga were walking hand-in-hand, not letting any reactions thereto affect them. Rhonda's fainting was cause for mild amusement in Helga, while Peapod had surprised all around him with his two-octave increase in pitch. But the big surprise to the two young blondes was how easy it was. And if it was leaving any amount of discord in its wake, so what? They wanted each other, they had each other, end of story. Their peers would just have to accept the new reality.
In retrospect, it should have been obvious why this walk was as easy for them as it was. The past few days had seen them overcome their harshest critics: themselves. But that was only to be the first of who knew how many challenges awaiting them, both as individuals and as a couple. Nobody could say what was to follow, least of all them. Arnold, for instance, wasn't yet fully aware of Helga's family situation and its deep-rooted effects on her. Helga on the other hand was to learn so much more of how affected Arnold was by his missing parents.
One certainty remained as they turned into their homeroom: come what may, they'd be in good hands.
EPILOGUE
Three months later and the world is no better or worse off for Arnold and Helga being together. But that's fine by Gerald, who at least is grateful that there's still a world in the first place. Three months later and he's now forced to admit that he was wrong about Arnold and Helga. Not that he minds since he's been able to draw inspiration from how those two have made matters work and apply it to his existing relationship with Phoebe. Over time Phoebe has noted how much more tenderly and affectionately he's been holding her, not to mention how he's been engaging with her more meaningfully. But it hasn't been one-way traffic with them. Phoebe too has been taking notes after studying her best friend's conduct, then applying them to bolster her relationship with Gerald, at least on a physical level. A stolen kiss here, a sly peck on the cheek there, exchanging regular sweet nothings, all to a most appreciative Gerald who now more than ever looks forward to school in the morning.
Wolfgang hasn't changed much. His relationship with Arnold remains as antagonistic as ever, but at least he heeded Patty's warning not to go after the footballhead following the fight in the alley. Nowadays his urges for payback are confined to the football and baseball fields where anything is fair game. And though his tackles and checks on Arnold have become harder, Wolfgang is constantly reminded that the little runt can give as good as he takes. Wolfgang fouls Arnold in football, Arnold beans him in baseball: their version of give and take. Unfortunately for Wolfgang, he can no longer depend on Edmund's support against Arnold as heavily as before. As it happens, Edmund – after making a full recovery from Arnold's attack – has become much more circumspect in his dealings with the smaller boy. Off the field and away from Arnold…well, there appear to have been some changes there too for Wolfgang. He has been observed visiting the school library a lot more frequently and the observers have noted how those visits always occur when Patty happens to be on duty. People are left to draw their own conclusions therefrom, based mainly on how much more familiar Wolfgang and Patty seem to have become over time. There have also been a few unconfirmed sightings of the two of them together at the movies and even at the occasional matinee dance. 'Unconfirmed' being the operative word because nobody wants to be known as the one who broke that particular story for fear of any reprisals.
As for Arnold and Helga. One might ask if the three months have been nothing but love and understanding as they pave their way to a lifetime of romantic bliss.
Hell no!
OK, it may not be a happily ever after (yet…), but neither is their relationship a toxic exercise in futility. If nothing else, it's been a learning curve. New understandings had to be reached, new compromises made: all in all, a new normal. New people with whom to be accustomed. It's been easier for Helga to warm up to Arnold's family than vice versa, much easier. Helga quickly discovered that she'd always have a place at The Sunset Arms and that any objections thereto were to be forwarded to Gertie Shortman. Thus far, there haven't been any.
Meanwhile, over at the Patakis…
Actually, it's not going as badly as expected. The young couple has found an unlikely ally in Miriam, who for all her faults remembers Arnold as the "sweet young man looking out for my daughter!"
Apparently, she still poignantly recalls the time Arnold came knocking to enquire about Helga's wellbeing. That one act has earned him many a brownie point from the matriarch, as well as a willingness from her to bat for him against Bob. At least now Arnold isn't too afraid to visit Helga at her home anymore.
Arnold and Helga's relationship has its ups and downs. The downs comprising mostly differences in opinion and philosophy, general moodiness, and the resulting arguments. And yet…these occasional spats seem to have been a blessing in disguise. If Arnold is proven to be in the wrong – it's been known to happen – he'll be the first to apologize for his misdeed. Helga, however, has never been one to vocalize her contrition. Thus, her apologies will never be spoken. Instead, Arnold will find a beautifully worded note in his locker conveying his girlfriend's sincerest penitence.
Arnold considers these notes as more than merely an act of a guilty conscience. He has conveyed to Helga how they offer an insight into the beautiful heart and soul that dwells inside her. In fact, he considers it an honor that she trusts him enough to show him this side of her. Since then, he has also been on the receiving end of the occasional, eloquently expressed love note from her. And not just in his locker; he's come home from school more than once to find a (sometimes perfumed) note nestled on his pillow. The ones at home tend to be the source of much reddening of his cheeks due to their bolder nature.
So yes, a relationship with Helga.
It's been a rollercoaster so far, with the good times far outnumbering the bad. Will their futures be any better for it? Will future hurts be lessened by them being together? Will their intertwined course run smoothly?
Who knows? All they can do is give it their best shot. And from each other and themselves, that's all they ask.
THE END