Hey Arnold:Searching Through San Lorenzo

Ch. 2-A Little Confession

Helga's POV
Arnold and I were seated on that flip out couch of his. We had finished our research and now we were making a draft while cracking jokes.

"Wait," I managed between laughs,"How did the skeleton know it would rain?"

He chuckled at the last joke before clearing his throat and responding,"He felt it in his bones?"

I gave him a weird look. "He read it in the weather forecast, Football Head," I replied, laughing at his groans of disappointment.

"Helga...You're looking pale..." he trailed off.

"Wha-," I was interrupted.

"I'm no docter, but I think you're lacking some Vitamin Me," he finished.

While he was laughing, I was inwardly screaming. He stopped and looked at me with worried eyes. He placed his hand on mine.

"I know you wouldn't date a perfect stranger, so my name is Helga," I blurted.

He stared at me before laughing. I gave a nervous chuckle so this wouldn't happen again.

"Anyways, since we have the basic structure, I can finish this at home," I suggested.

"But this is our project, Helga," he insisted,"I want to help."

I smiled at him, shaking my head. He had done most of the work to get this far, I didn't want to overwork my beloved. Eventually, I got him to agree to me finishing up.

Half way home, I had to stop. It had been hours since I monologued, being around Arnold and all. It was hard for me to not to explode, but I managed.

"Oh Arnold, my oblivious love.
Be thine mine at last?
One foul move can bruise thou heart
One luck isn't ment to last.
Be our souls finally in twined
Or be they mates
In love
In death
And in my dreams," I peotically made up on the spot. (No, seriously, I just did that. 2016 babah!!)

Shallow breathing was heard behind me. I turned and slammed the window on Brainy's fingers, causing his breath to quicken. He pulled them from under the window frame and passed out from the pain. I rolled my eyes and continued on.

"Hey, uh, Olga," my dad called as I walked in the house.

"It's Helga, Dad," I interrupted, stretching out my name.

"Yeah, yeah, Helga. Be a doll and go see what the neighbors are up to," he requested. I rolled my eyes, dropped my bags, and walked back outside.

My guess was that he was referring to the noise of doors and trucks. I grumbled, doing as I was told with a scowl deeply carved into my face.

As I turned the corner, a weight slammed into me, knocking me on my butt, dust getting on my dress.

"Hey, watch it," I yelled, even madder than before.

I looked up to see a person rubbing their hooded head. By the build of their body, it was a she. She glanced at me before looking at the sidewalk, mumbling an apology.

"Yeah, well you better be sorry," I snapped.

She stood and offered to help me up. I smacked her hand away and stood on my own.

"I don't need your petty help," I yelled.

She shrugged and continued down the sidewalk. I could've sworn I heard a growl coming from her, but the hood made a shadow over her face, blocking everything but her chin.

I walked until I saw a moving truck in front of the house on the corner. Thinking back on today's lunch conversation, it was presumably the new kid. I sighed, going back home with that information.

"It's the new kid," I yelled, entering my house.

"A numbskull, hahahah," I heard Bob laugh.

Curious, I peeked my head around the corner to see that same girl. Before I could interrupt her and Bob, he saw me.

"Olga," he waved me over,"Come meet a new business partner of mine!"

I nearly stomped over to the table, crossing my arms. The girl tilted her head once she saw me. Or, I guess she did.

"Her name's...Uh, what's your name," he half introduced.

Looking down, the girl spoke,"Call me (Maybe!) Leel."

(Ye, I'm putting myself in this. Don't worry, it's important.)

I held my hand out, a bit disgusted when she grabbed it with dirty biker gloves. Her head tilted upwards, allowing me to see her smile.

"I'm Helga," I properly introduced.

She let my hand go and looked over to Bob, he was reading a contract. He looked over at me and smiled his 'Getting money so you better play along' smile.

"See, I told you you'd get along! Olga here can lead you around school tomorrow," he proposed, looking at me.

My mouth gaped open slightly.

"You're the new girl," I questioned, earning a shrug.

On Arnold's side
Arnold's POV

I helped Grandma cook dinner. It was about 6:30, so I would be going to bed soon after dinner.

"Grandma, are you sure we should put glitter in the spaghetti. It seems ineditable," I questioned, stirring to sauce.

She cackled, replying,"It has to be presentable, Kimba!"

I sighed, turning the oven off.

Twelve meatballs and two Abners later, we were at the dinner table. It turns out that the glitter was actually pearl dust, which was edible.

"Mm, Pookie, this is sweet," Grandpa commented.

"Yeah," Mr. Kokoshka started,"Almost like those cupcakes that disappeared."

A few more opinions were shared, yet mine wasn't one of them. I was toying with my food, not hungry at the moment. My stomach had a knot in it, but I couldn't detect what it was.

"Kimba, you haven't eaten your share. There's no need to preserve it," Grandma told me.

I smiled at her, giving my plate to Mr. Kokoshka. I walked upstairs and crashed on my couch. Instantly, I thought of Helga and how cute she was earlier today. How her lips curled as she smiled. How that laugh sounded as graceful as church bells.

Wait, am I thinking this way about Helga Pataki?

My cheeks heated up once I came to the realization that my bully was on my mind. Even more so when I realized that I had basically flirted with her earlier.

Wait, is that why she stopped? But she flirted back. Still, that could've been offensive. But, did she like it? Would that mean she liked me back? Wait, back...Do I like her?!

More thoughts swarmed my head. They all pointed to a single one.

"The kiss. Those kisses," I muttered, thinking back on all those kisses in fourth grade.

And it finally clicked.