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“There must be balance in all things,” said Professor Simmons. “As above, so below. Just as, in the sky above us, the sun must have his moon. Under the soil, as there are fiery chambers of magma, so must there be aquifers and rivers that carve caverns beneath mountains. Within and between alchemists must also be balance. One working alone must be centered, meditative, analytical. Several working together must represent a balance of elements. Two hot-headed individuals will find it very difficult to–”
Helga, who had already read well ahead in her texts, zoned out from the lecture and found her attention wandering. As usual, it settled on one teenaged boy in particular. Her mind wandered as well, but the boy, in a way, went with it. Arnold was dressed like a prince, in a silk coat with tails and epaulets, and he extended his hand to Helga, who was in a floor-length gown shimmering with gold threads as her hair cascaded down her back. They waltzed across the floor of a ruined castle, losing themselves in each other’s eyes.
Helga suddenly felt a real set of eyes on her, and looked over to see Gerald staring at her with a raised eyebrow. As he followed her gaze to the back of Arnold's head, Helga realized with dread that she'd had a dazedly happy expression on her face for the past several minutes. In a split second, she replaced it with a scorching sneer. When Gerald's eyes traced back to her, he was slightly startled but not especially surprised to see her teeth bared and clenched fists barely resting on her desktop. He shrugged and looked away, and she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Simmons was still lecturing as Helga tried her best to focus on him. “As transmutation by a solo worker is typically only achieved by masters, you will be working in pairs next class.” Several pupils groaned. “Now, class, this is VERY important. As I said, multiple people must strike a balance in their personalities, but there must also be CONNECTION. Before next class, I want you to spend time with your partner, getting to know them deeply, and finding that very special something about them that you relate to and share or admire. I don't expect you to succeed completely, but I will be able to analyze your samples and see how well you've progressed in your attempt. The more balanced and connected you and your partner are, as long as you follow the directions correctly, the better your results will be.” As he began reading off the pairings, there were many groans from throughout the room. No one seemed pleased with their counterparts, Arnold being perhaps the least so. Helga? Really? He searched his memory for any occasion where he might have angered or offended Professor Simmons in some way.
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“Look, if you can’t handle this assignment, maybe you should just let me do it myself, Short Stuff. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about balance and connection and all that nonsense.” Helga dropped a chunk of sulphur into the mortar and began grinding it with almost frightening force.
“Yeah, I guess not. Not that you even gave it a chance, Helga.” Arnold had been trying to get her to meet up with him outside of classes throughout the week but she had been ducking him and brushing him off and now it seemed they were out of hope.
“Oh, were you hoping for some quality one-on-one time with me?” Helga batted her eyelashes theatrically, but then grimaced. "Fat chance, Romeo. We’ve been in school and running around the village together for ages. If we haven’t figured each other out by now, it ain’t happening. Capische?”
“No!” Helga darted her eyes at Arnold in surprise. “What I mean is, I don’t have you figured out at all.”
She shrugged. “Don’t blame me if you’ve had your head in the clouds all this time.” The young blond man gritted his teeth and reached for the jar of mercury and an eyedropper instead of responding.
When the process reached a point where their ingredients needed time to react, the two were free to leave the room for a short break and mingle with other students who were also waiting. Arnold found his best friend in the hall and couldn’t help venting his frustrations. Gerald listened attentively before offering counsel. “Arnold, look how Simmons paired us off. Fussy Rhonda with slovenly Harold? Studious Phoebe with simple Stinky? High-strung Sid with yours cool, calm and collected, truly?” He waggled his eyebrows and Arnold chuckled. “Lotta opposites. Balance. But we all have something in common with each other, something that can bond us if we bridge the gap. This isn't just a test to see how well we can follow instructions and mix the right concoction; it's an exercise in relationships and cooperation. Helga's right, in a way. You two have known each other for years and on a deeper level than you probably realize. Put some thought into it and I think you'll find what you need. Helga's sharp; I’m thinkin’ she already has.”
Arnold was about to press him for his meaning, but just then, Simmons called for the boys’ attention, as it was time to return to both of their work stations. As he studied the glass vessel in front of him, Arnold’s mind began to simmer like the fluid it held.
What could Gerald mean? How am I supposed to bond with this harpy? She's brash and rude!
A second internal voice piped up, pushing back: Well, look at her family. They're not exactly loving and supportive. She's got a lot to compensate for. Not to mention, it’s not like anyone else in that house ever shows restraint.
Or kindness. She apparently hasn’t learned that ability either.
Come on, now. You know that’s not true. You’ve seen her trying. It's obvious she wants to be a kind and caring person, which makes it all the more meaningful when she succeeds.
Her sharp tongue seems to win out all too often.
She refuses to suffer fools. Pretty admirable, really. And her sharp wit has made us laugh countless times.
She's so pushy!
She knows what she wants and does what's necessary to get it. Occasionally, that includes getting the best out of her peers, even if it's just while playing games.
She always acts so tough, but I’m pretty sure it’s an act.
Gee, what could she be afraid of revealing?
How should I know? Ugh, she drives me crazy! Oh wow, she drives me crazy.
“Hello? Arnoldo? Come back from the firmament and help me out here. We need to add an eighth ounce of salt and I kinda have my hands full.” Arnold snapped his attention back to their task and measured out the requested ingredient. As Helga took the small dish from him, her fingers lightly brushed his, and a shiver ran up Arnold's arm and down his back. Watching her carefully tip the salt into the vial while stirring and keeping an eye on the flame below, he found himself entranced. His thoughts of her continued: she's so talented. And she is sharp-minded. Nobody makes a big deal about it but it's no secret that she's very smart and puts a lot of effort into her grades. She doesn't seem like a serious person but she is, where it counts. “Alright, the last step is to add the fragment. Then in a few moments, we should see how well we did.” She looked Arnold in the eye as she said the last few words and he was struck, as if seeing hers for the first time, by how beautiful and blue they were beneath her dark brow. She held out the small piece of Philosopher’s Stone and he took her hand.
Helga almost froze. Is he trembling? Heh. Am I scaring him that badly? Together, they brought it over the bubbling flask and dropped it in.
As if possessed, Arnold placed his free hand on her neck, tilting her face toward his. Before she could react, he pressed his lips softly to hers. Her eyes rolled back and fluttered shut as her thoughts turned to white noise, blocking out the soft gasp that came from Phoebe's and Stinky's table. Neither did she hear Gerald say approvingly, “Arnold, my man!” or Rhonda scolding Harold for some flub, too distracted to notice what was going on behind them. Her own unoccupied hand, without input from her staticky brain, gently but firmly grasped Arnold’s wrist. Emboldened by this response, Arnold wrapped his other arm around her shoulders and held her tighter, deepening their kiss.
The contents of the vial suddenly began fizzing noisily, which drew the pair’s attention. As they broke apart, the liquid inside turned a silvery white with just a touch of peachy pink. The tiny lump of lead within began rising and falling rapidly as they watched and then landed in the bottom with a faint “plink.” Gold. It was gold! They had exceeded expectations and actually done it! Other students around them began to notice and fell quiet. Professor Simmons rushed over, nearly stumbling in his excitement. “Arnold! Helga! This is wonderful! You must have found something truly precious in one another!” Helga, still reeling, couldn't have said it better herself. Arnold just gazed in awe at her, this formerly dull, unshining creature who had always weighed him down and seeped unwelcome into his system, but had now transformed before his eyes into brilliant, invaluable gold.