It's About Us

A Girls' Thing

Today will be the day. Arnold was positive that he would get a chance to talk to his woman about what's bothering her. He didn't like feeling as if he was unable help to help her of all people. Which might be part of the problem. He just needed to talk to her.

"Yo, Arnold." Gerald startled Arnold out of his thoughts.

"Hey Gerald." Arnold couldn't bring himself to sound happy to see his friend.

"Dude, what's going on?" Gerald was concerned.

"It's Helga." Arnold sighed.

"What? She can't still be mad at you. Didn't you apologize to her?" Gerald laughed at how those two were.

"I did. I called her last night to apologize for a second time and she told me that I didn't mean it. That I only said sorry because it would make her happy. That I don't think I did anything wrong. And what's worst is I feel like she's right. I just want to help as many people as I can." Arnold let loose his inner thoughts to the only ear he could bend.

"Wow. I mean I get where she's coming from. You're so concerned with helping everyone that you get tunnel vision. Even going so far that you won't ask if the person wants your help. Sometimes dragging an innocent bystander along for the ride. You assume everyone is like you. Eager to help anyone who is in need." Gerald made a valid point. "However, she's well aware of that. Helping people is who you are. If she wants to be with you, she'll have to deal with it."

Arnold just stared. Listening carefully to every word Gerald was saying. His friend was making valid points and it was unsettling. He had no idea that he could get that bad.

"Though..." Gerald paused, making sure that Arnold was still paying attention. "The other night it wasn't you that was helping everyone. It was Helga and Helga alone. You can help all the people you want, but you can't promise someone else will help without asking if it's okay with them first. If you want to be with her, you need to respect who she is too."

Arnold let what Gerald said, sink in. Relationships are all about compromises. Which isn't foreign in their relationship already. He helps people with no reservation while Helga complains as she reluctantly goes along. She wants their relationship a secret, so he never says anything. Maybe, he's been asking a lot out of her. Expecting her to compromise to his side more. It explains why she's so weird lately.

By the time lunch rolled around, Arnold was getting worried. He still hadn't seen Helga all day, which wasn't normal. He needed to talk to her, now. Clear the air. Lunch trays being placed on his table caused him to pause looking for Helga to see who was joining him. Luckily it was Gerald and Phoebe.

Phoebe had noticed that Arnold was scanning the room and didn't need to ask who he was looking for. "She's not here."

Arnold laughed, awkwardly. "Am I that obvious? Do you know where she is?"

"Since she has completed all her schoolwork to graduate, she's probably in the library. There's no reason for her to go to class anymore so the teachers allow her to spend her days there." Phoebe answered.

Arnold quickly scarfed down his lunch. He needed as much time with Helga as he could get. He was about to head to the library when Phoebe stop him. She handed him a sandwich.

"What is this for?" Arnold looked at the sandwich, confused.

"Helga." Phoebe went back to eating.

*****

Helga was in the school's library, sitting in the back corner. Her journal was out as she was jotting down more poetry. All of the sudden, she felt a presence. Someone was standing over her. Slowly, she looked up, only to see someone unexpected.