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Helga did not know why she was doing this. Was it because she wanted to please Phoebe or was it because she just wanted to let out her feeling once again, but this time saying it not only to Arnold but to everyone else?
When the students at PS 118 High found out that there was going to be a talent show everyone was excited! Nadine was so excited to finally be able to show everyone her bug collection and say the many fascinating details that each insect is able to do! Rhonda was going to enter the talent shows by showing her power of being able to differentiate between authentic designer items compared to the fake ones. And Gerald was going to show off how long he is able to spring a basketball on the tip of his finger, which essentially it was a long time, but not really; it was only for a minute and half, but still, it was a long time.
As for Arnold, he was looking forward to the talent show, but only as a viewer not a participant. He felt like he really did not have a special talent to show off.
But when the whole class was told of the talent show, Phoebe took one look at Helga and Helga knew that she was screwed! Phoebe knew that this was the only way to stop bothering Helga about her opinions of letting Helga only confess her love for Arnold in secret. So secret, her love for Arnold will not be a secret in silence any more!
"Helga, please, please listen to me! This is the ONLY way to finally let your love for Arnold be free and not hold a burden on yourself anymore!" Said Phoebe.
"I don't know, Phebbs, I just don't feel like I can do this, it just.. It just scares me and then everyone will make fun of me for just singing the song and I will be mortified when he doesn't feel the same." -Helga said as she was laying face down on her bed.
" You don't know that, maybe he won't reject you! Maybe he has the same feelings for you but he doesn't know how to show them." Phoebe said with a tiny bit of a cautious tone. Because she too didn't know if the football head shape boy has any feelings for her best friend, even if sometimes she sees a look on his face. A look that shows that there might be something more.
"So.. are you going to do it?" Phoebe asked. "Because if you don't then that means you're a chicken and you don't want anyone to think that about you, do you Helga?"
"Come on Phebbs! I'm not a chicken and if anyone thinks about me that way, well then they get the good ol' treat of Olde Betsy and the Five Avengers!"
"So are you.." "Are you going to do it?" "Please, please PLEASE!" Her supposed 'best friend' continued to ask.
"YES! Yes I will, now get off my back Phoebs. You're so lucky that you're my best friend" grumbled Helga still laying face down on her bed.
It was finally the day of the talent show and Helga could not be any more nervous. She had practiced and practiced the song a bunch of times. Enough times that she could practically sing the song in her sleep. She still didn't know if she wanted to sing the song anymore. But like always, Phoebe was there to give her encouragement and also made sure she didn't back out. Which is something that she didn't mind at all, maybe it WAS time to let out all of her feelings and be done with it once and for all. So what if the stupid football head shaped boy didn't feel the same way? Who was he to think that his opinions mattered to her. It's not like he is the love of her life! Oh, wait he is. Damn Phoebe and her persuasive threats! I can't believe I am actually doing this! I'm actually going out there and sing a song for a stupid boy and everyone is going to know! Holy cow! Everyone is going to know! Ok. Ok Helga, take a deep breath and start getting ready or else Phoebe is going to come in and pressure you to get ready. It's ok. Everything is going to be ok. Just take a deep breath.
Arnold's POV
"So how do you think the show is going to come out?" Gerald asked. "Because I heard that Helga is going to be in it and I don't necessarily know how that's going to end up. What if her talent is showing off how many planks of wood she can break with her fist? Or what if it's how many teeth can she knock off someone! Man I really hope she doesn't ask for any volunteers because then they are going to be bold, a bold kid I tell you."
"I don't know if that's going to be her talent but maybe she'll show something more different. I have a feeling that there's more to her than just being a bully."
"What? Like actually having a soul? Or maybe not having any anger management issues?"
"Don't say that Gerald, you know she does have a good side. She's actually really nice, she just doesn't show it to anybody." Arnold retorted.
"Mmhmm you're a bold kid to think so Arnold, no one else thinks about her that way. Only you, Arnold, only you." And with that the lights were dimmed and the show was about to start.
After the many acts of her fellow peers, it was finally Helga's turn. She wasn't sure if the butterflies in her stomach were because of her being nervous or if she was just not ready to let out her feelings but it was too late to back out now. So she took a deep breath and so she thought Well, if it's going to happen better do it with my head held high. And Helga took another deep breath and walked behind the closed curtains in the middle of the stage. And then the curtains opened.
Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I've opened up, unsure I can trust
Now this was a lie, I haven't really opened up because I'm not sure I can even open up!
What? What is happening? She's so beautiful.
Who's that? Is that Helga?
No way! Is she really singing?
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, Free us
You're all I need when I'm holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight
I wish I can hold you tight Arnold, only if you let me.
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
It has been you Arnold and it will always be you. You're my first love and maybe the only one.
Can't you see I'm bound in chains?
I finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to you
So much, so young, I've faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I'm strong and I'm sure there's a fire in us
Sweet love, so pure
Ever since I met you, you were the only one to really see me Arnold. Ever since that fateful day when you told me that you liked my pink bow.
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I embrace myself, please don't tear this apart
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
It was destiny that you found me and I found you. But I really do believe in us, but only if you let me. Give us a chance Arnold. Believe in us.
Can't you see that I'm bound in chains
I finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to you
Suddenly the moment's here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all? Come this far to fall?
Fall
The moments here and I AM risking it all Arnold .Will you let me fall or will you take a leap of faith with me?
I can trust and boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can't you see that I am bound in chains?
And finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am, ooh I am
I am bound to you
Helga was backstage and she could hear pretty much everything that the audience was saying. She kept hearing things like, "Was that really Helga?" "She did not just sing a song for the talent show!" and one more that stood out was "What is she hearing? That's a pretty good dress, especially for her figure," that came from the one and only Rhonda.
Still, backstage Helga was having a complete meltdown after having finished her song and she still could not believe that she had done that. She had just sang her heart for everyone to hear and she did it for him to finally see that she loved him.
"You did amazing! And you completely nailed it Helga! I can't believe you did it, and I'm so glad that you did it!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"What.. Oh yes, I did. I- I just sang a song out there. I just sang a song." Helga said. She still couldn't believe that she did go out there and sing a song for everyone to hear. She still couldn't wrap her mind around that.
"You did! You sang a song to the boy you love! If this doesn't show him that you are in love with him, then I don't know what will!"
"Phoebe.. Phoebe stop, I can't think about that right now. I am having a complete breakdown and you'll make me question myself and… and, I can't right now." Helga murmured in a voice that was so low and teary. She was so close to crying because she didn't know if the guy who she loved, felt the same way. She really did risk it all and now she doesn't know if she will sink or float with the boy she loved. What she wouldn't give to know what he is thinking right now. Did he like it? Did he love it? Did she just embarrass herself in front of everybody only for him to reject her? Did he even know that the song that she sang was for him?" She couldn't think straight anymore. She felt like she was underwater and was so close to drowning in her thoughts.
"Well you better think about this and fast because I see him standing outside and just waiting to talk to you." Phoebe said looking over Helga's shoulder and seeing that the blond boy was standing with one leg crossed and a hand rubbing his neck. He had a complex look on his face. Helga couldn't quite make out what he was feeling.
God Arnold! Just tell me! Tell me yes or no! I need an answer! Why are you so easy to read but at the same time so hard to!
"Helga, I can't believe you did that." And with those words, Helga's heart broke. She didn't think that he would be so upset about this. Tears accumulating in her eyes. Why was he so upset? Why? Helga couldn't do anything but look down. She couldn't bear to see his face, she could not handle the rejection after everything that she has felt for a long time. It felt like she was in a different world, a world that she was hearing only white noise. She felt so lost and had no idea where she could go, where she could be. Just feeling lost.
But, then she heard the noise of shoes moving. Moving towards her. The sound of hope.
" Helga," She felt his fingers lifting her head, so she could see him. And all she could see was his beautiful green eyes. Eyes that can make her forget everything and anything. Green eyes meeting blue eyes. Jade meeting Aquamarine.
" Helga, I knew since we were young that you had feelings for me, and what you did, just makes me adore you even more."
"Re-really? Arnold.. I-I didn't know what to do, I had no other way to show you even more how I feel about you."
"Arnold it has always been you, and will forever be you."
"Oh, you sweet, stubborn, kind, amazing woman. I know everyone thinks you are mean and a bully, but the way it really is that you are protective and passionate."
"From the time we were kids, I sometimes also knew that you were going to be the one for me." Arnold said, pulling Helga in his arms, and holding her in a tight hug that would make it seem like he would never leave her alone.
" Helga, God damn it, I love you and I will always love you." He stated. "Helga, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend ?"
"Yes Arnold," she said with a watery laugh. "I would love to be your girlfriend."
And just like that Helga would never be alone by herself ever again. Arnold would make sure of that.