HEY ARNOLD!
FAN-FICTION STORY
By Megawacky Max

Original found at - http://megadimension.freeservers.com/fanficing_beatles05.htm

Part 5: Helga's fear

It has been a month since the cinema incident with Gerald. Arnold is in his room... sleeping. It's 7:30 am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Arnold's clock goes off. He wakes up and turns it off. Then he yawns, gets out of bed, walks to his wardrobe and knocks on the door.

Arnold: (A bit sleepy) Helga ... Can you bring me my clothes, please?

Helga appears from inside the wardrobe. She gives Arnold's clothes to him.

Helga: How'd you know I was in the wardrobe?

Arnold: (Takes the clothes) Helga, you have been in my wardrobe every morning for the last week. Is something wrong?

Helga: Of course not! It's just I want to see your face in the morning, that's all!

Arnold: If you say so ... do you want to have breakfast here?

Helga: Now that you mention it ...

Arnold: Right! Then, go downstairs. I'll be there in a few minutes.

Helga: As you say, my love.

Helga leaves Arnold's room. He follows her with his eyes.

Arnold: (Sits on the bed when Helga is gone) I would like to know WHAT is wrong with her ...

After breakfast, Helga and Arnold come out the boarding house. He has a baseball bat.

Arnold: I'm going to the park. Gerald and I will be playing baseball. Do you want to come?

Helga: Er ... no, thanks. I'd better go home.

Helga starts walking back to her house.

Arnold: Yeah ... sure ...

Arnold goes to the park. On the way he meets Gerald. He has a baseball glove and a baseball ball with him.

Gerald: (Smiling) Hey, Arnold! Ready for some High-Speed throwing?

Arnold: (A bit bored) Yeah, I guess ...

Gerald notices that something is wrong with his friend.

Gerald: Is something wrong? Did I do something?

Arnold: No, Gerald ... it's not you, it's ... (thinks) let's go to the park. I'll tell you on the way.

Arnold and Gerald start walking to the park.

Arnold: You see ... its Helga.

Gerald: Oh! Sorry, man. What happened? She doesn't love you anymore? Or maybe you don't love her?

Arnold: Of course not! I love her! And I'm sure she loves me more than anything else in this world!

Gerald: So ... ?

Arnold: It's that ... well ... it's quite a weird story. For the last week she has been ... er ... following me day and night. And it's starting to annoy me!

Gerald: Following you?

Arnold: Day by day. Hour by hour. Minute by minute. Second by ...

Gerald: Alright! I got it! Don't go on! What, do you mean she follows you all the time? I don't think that could be SO annoying.

Arnold: (Sarcastic) Oh, YEAH?!

Arnold stops (Gerald too). Arnold looks all around him. A few metres ahead there are a couple of garbage cans. Arnold looks carefully at them.

Gerald: (Confused) Arnold, why'd you stop walking?

Arnold: Listen, Gerald. I bet you five bucks Helga is hidden in one of those garbage cans.

Gerald: (More confused) Say what?!

Arnold: Five bucks, Gerald.

Gerald: (Laughs) are you telling me Helga is inside one of those garbage cans? Oh, come on, man!

Arnold: (Smiles) I bet you ...

Gerald: (Stops laughing, smiles) Alright, pal. If you want to lose five dollars, I guess I can humor you.

Arnold: Go ahead ...

Gerald walks to the garbage cans. He looks in the inside of one of them.

Gerald: (Ironic) Ooh! Just look at this! There's NO ONE in this garbage can! What a surprise!

Gerald opens the other garbage can.

Gerald: And, of course, inside this other ...

Gerald looks inside the garbage can, and sees Helga squashed there.

Gerald: (Totally surprised) In this ... this other ... uh ... er ... (flatly) hi, Helga.

Helga jumps out the garbage can.

Helga: (Annoyed) Mind your own business, you tower-haired, spit-wad!

Arnold: Helga, why you are you hiding everywhere I go? Have I done something I should know about?

Helga: (Calms down) It's not you, my beloved.

Arnold: So ...?

Helga: So, WHAT? I wasn't hiding from anyone! If I was in a garbage can, it was because I wanted to be in a garbage can!

Arnold: If you say so, Helga.

Helga: Yeah, yeah! Oh, look at the time! Sorry, Arnold, but I must go back home!

Arnold: Yeah! See you later.

Helga: (While leaving) Bye, my sweet love!

Helga leaves them. Gerald is totally confused.

Gerald: Arnold, Helga was inside the garbage can!

Arnold: (Smiles and holds out his hand) five bucks, please!

Gerald: Dang!

Gerald puts his hand into his pocket and takes it out five dollars. He gives the money to Arnold.

Gerald: (Still confused) Here ... I still can't believe it! So, it's true! She's spying on you! Why?

Arnold: I wish I knew ... (he starts walking again) let's go! I want some practice before lunch.

Gerald: OK, buddy!

Once in the park, Arnold and Gerald are having some baseball practice. Gerald has the baseball and glove, Arnold has the bat.

Gerald: I don't get it. Why is she spying on you? (He throws the baseball)

Arnold: I don't know ... (he swings for the ball, and misses) the only thing I know is she was spying on me since last week. I've found her inside my wardrobe, the garbage cans, behind every single corner. (He picks up the baseball and throws it back) she's making me crazy!

Gerald: (Catches the baseball) Alright, Arnold. Start thinking. What happened a week ago between you and Helga? (Gerald throws the ball again)

Arnold: Well ... (he swings and misses again) I'm not sure at all. Let's see ... I remember we were at school's cafeteria. (He bends down to pick the ball up) then Helga saw an announcement on the wall. It was about the big school party.

Gerald: Oh, yeah! The big school party! A great event! All the students will be there!

Arnold: Right! So, she saw the announcement and ...

Flashback scene: School's cafeteria. Arnold and Helga are walking to a table. Both have a tray with food. Suddenly Helga sees the poster and stops. Arnold stops too and looks at her.

Arnold: What's up, Helga?

Helga: (Smiles) Hey, look at this! There will be a huge party in a month! Here, at school!

Arnold: Really? (Arnold looks at the poster) whoa, it's true! (Starts reading) "Don't miss the great school party. Food, pop soda, music, dance and FUN. Next month you will have the greatest time of your life! If you have a girlfriend or boyfriend, don't think twice! Come with him/her and try to win our fantastic dance challenge!"

Helga: Hey! WE could win that contest!

Arnold: Yeah, why not? It will be fun!

Helga: We're gonna sweep the floor with the other competitors (laughs evilly) ha, ha, ha! (To Arnold, sweetly) Arnold, would you like to be my partner at the party?

Arnold: Of course I will, Helga!

The flashback scene is over. Now, back to reality, Gerald approaches his friend.

Gerald: Nothing else?

Arnold: No, nothing. That was the only important thing that happened that day.

Gerald: Man, that's weird! If she was happy, why is she spying on you?

Arnold: Once again, I have no idea, Gerald.

Phoebe appears.

Phoebe: Hi, guys!

Arnold: Hello, Phoebe!

Gerald: Hi, Pheebs!

Phoebe: Do any of you know where Helga is? I've been looking for her for hours!

Gerald: Ask Arnold. He's the one who is being spied on by her.

Phoebe: (Confused) Huh?

Arnold: Helga is hidden behind those bushes over there (he points to the bushes).

Phoebe: (Confused) What? I'm serious! If you don't know were is she, just say so!

Arnold: (Insists) Helga is hidden behind those bushes ... (keeps pointing)

Phoebe: Arnold, why ...?

Gerald: believe him, Phoebe. He knows what he's saying.

Phoebe: But ...

Arnold: Just go ...

Phoebe hesitates for a few seconds, then finally walks over to the bushes. She looks inside them and finds Helga amongst one of them.

Phoebe: (Surprised) Helga, what are you doing here?

Helga: Me? What do you think I could be doing?

Phoebe: Well ... er ... could you wait here? I'll be back in a few minutes.

Helga: I don't care!

Phoebe approaches Arnold and Gerald.

Phoebe: Umm, guys ... er ... what is Helga doing?

Gerald: Basically, she's spying on Arnold.

Phoebe: WHAT?! But ... why?

Arnold: I wish I knew! Hey, wait a second ... Phoebe! You can help me!

Phoebe: Me? How?

Arnold: Please, try to keep Helga busy! And, if you can, try to find out WHY she's spying on me! Could you?

Phoebe: I'll do my best.

Arnold: (Relieved) Oh, thank you very, VERY much!

Phoebe goes back to Helga.

Phoebe: Helga, can we talk?

Helga: About what?

Phoebe: Why are you spying on Arnold?

Helga: You wouldn't like to know that! It's a ... er ... stupid thing.

Phoebe: Helga, did you know the stupid thing you are talking about is annoying your Arnold?

Helga: Huh? What?

Phoebe: He asked me to keep occupied for as long as possible. You're driving him nuts!

Helga: (Surprised) Really?! Oh, man! I didn't expect that!

Phoebe: Look, let's go to walk and there you can tell me all about it. OK?

Helga: Yes, alright.

Helga gets out the bushes and waves to Arnold.

Helga: Bye, Arnold! See you later!

Arnold: (Waves too) Bye!

Helga and Phoebe start moving away. Arnold feels totally relieved.

Arnold: Oh, good! Now I can enjoy some peaceful time!

Meanwhile, Helga starts telling all to Phoebe.

Helga: Alright, Phoebe, I'm gonna tell you.

Phoebe: I'm waiting.

Helga: I'm spying on Arnold because ... I .... I am ... I am afraid.

Phoebe: (Confused) Afraid? You? What could you be afraid of?

Helga: It's hard to explain. I don't know how I can tell you.

Phoebe: Surely, from the beginning. When did you start to be afraid?

Helga: Ah ... let's see ... Oh, yeah! A week ago!

Phoebe: A week ago ... what happened? Do you remember?

Helga: Of course, I do! Arnold and I, were in the school's cafeteria. Then I saw a poster which was about the big school party.

Phoebe: I'm listening. So ... ?

Helga: So, I asked Arnold if he wanted to be my dance partner. He said "yes".

Phoebe: There's nothing bad with that.

Helga: Yeah, but ... I'm afraid since that day because ... I thought ... er ... I thought some other girl would ask him to be her dance partner!!

Phoebe: (Shocked) WHAT?!?

Helga: Hey, I told you it was a stupid thing.

Phoebe: Do you mean you don't trust Arnold?

Helga: Well ... not exactly.

Phoebe: Helga!! Listen to what you are saying!! Don't you LOVE Arnold?

Helga: Sure I love him!

Phoebe: So, you MUST trust him!

Helga: Hey, I trust Arnold! (Serious) I don't trust any of the other girls around him!

Phoebe: What?

Helga: You know! Rhonda, Lila, Nadine, Sheena, all the girls of our class! What if they try to convince Arnold to be their dance partner?

Phoebe: Helga, please, calm down. Did you analyze the chances? Think this: Arnold loves you, and I'm sure he will never betray you. Am I right, or what?

Silence. Helga thinks Phoebe's words carefully. Now she understands Phoebe is right: Arnold will never betray her.

Helga: (Slowly) you know, Pheebs ... You're right. It's only that ... I love him so much, that I'm afraid of losing him forever. (Grabs hold of Phoebe by the collar) Phoebe, I don't want to lose him!

Phoebe: I know it's hard for you, but if you don't stop spying on him, he probably will leave you! Try to understand, he's a person who needs space. Just let him have some space, and I'm sure he'll be glad.

Helga: But... How? (Releases Phoebe) I can't stop thinking he could be persuaded by any other girl, right now!

Phoebe: (Fixes her collar) Try not to think about it. Look, I'm gonna go to buy some clothes today. Come with me. Meanwhile, you could try to find a nice dress for the big party.

Helga: (Smiles) that sounds good. (Cheers up) yeah, you're right! My beloved Arnold needs peace! So, let's grab those clothes!

Phoebe: (Smiles) that's the spirit, Helga!

They start walking again. Now, back to the park, Arnold and Gerald are still playing baseball with each other. Arnold is still trying to hit the ball.

Arnold: (Throws the baseball to Gerald) Aahhh ... I really needed this peace.

Gerald: (Catches the baseball) It was good Phoebe appeared. (Throws the ball back).

Arnold: Sure. 

He swings and this time, it connects with a "CLAP" and it is sent soaring ...

Arnold: (Totally dumb-founded) Unbelievable ... I hit it, I actually hit it!!

Gerald: (Not so surprised) That's great, Arnold. Now we don't have a baseball!

Arnold: Oh, sorry, Gerald. (He stops, he hears something and turns his head.) Hey, did you hear that?

Gerald: Nope.

Arnold: There's something behind those bushes.

Gerald: (Looks at the bushes) Helga, maybe?

Arnold: No, I'm sure she's not there. C'mon, let's check it out!

Arnold and Gerald walk slowly to the bushes. Once they are there, they can hear a very familiar voice, who says something like this ...

Voice: ... I only hope, maybe one day, you'll look down and see me, waiting for you. If I only could say "Would you like to be my dance partner?". That will make me go to the clouds.

Gerald: (Surprised) Arnold ... is it my imagination or is that ... ?

Arnold and Gerald look above the bushes and see Eugene, talking to himself.

Arnold: (Surprised) it's not your imagination, Gerald! It's Eugene.

Gerald: Man, what's he doing?

Arnold: Shhh! Let's see ...

Arnold and Gerald watch Eugene. He keeps talking to himself.

Eugene: (Moved) Oh, my beloved! How much I love you! Each day of the week I give you all of my loving ... (now sad) but ... It's all a dream. You don't know I am here, waiting for you. Oooh, if I only had enough courage to talk to you ... but that's impossible. There's no way you could love me ... Rhonda ...

Arnold and Gerald: (Surprised and shocked) RHONDA WELLINGTON???

Eugene: (Looks at the bushes, a bit afraid) Arrrr!! Who's there?

Arnold walks around to Eugene.

Arnold: Don't worry, Eugene. It's just Gerald and me.

Eugene: (A bit sad) I guess you want to know what that was all about?

Gerald: (Joins Arnold) There's no need. You're in love with Rhonda.

Eugene: A-ha, that's the problem.

Arnold: Problem?

Eugene: Since a couple of months, each time I saw her I feel myself in mid-air. But each time I tried to say "Hello" to her, my tongue got stuck inside my mouth.

Arnold: That's normal.

Eugene: But I need to talk to her! I want to ask her to be my dance partner at the big school party.

Gerald: Whoa! Looks like everyone is crazed with that party!

Arnold: That sounds pretty bad, Eugene.

Eugene: I don't know HOW could I ask her to be my partner! I can't do this on my own! Arnold, I need your help, PLEASE!

Arnold: Ahhhh ... er ... umm ... I think I can help you.

Eugene: (Smiles) Oh, thanks a lot! I really need a lot of help!

Gerald: Looks like it. But, what can we do?

Eugene: I need a way to talk to Rhonda without been paralyzed!

Gerald: Hmmm ... The only way I see possible, is that you write a love poem to her.

Arnold: Yes! That would be perfect! So, once she knows your feelings about her, you will be able to talk without any paralyzing effect!

Eugene: (Smiles) it's a perfect plan! And I've got the poem right here!

Eugene takes a piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to Gerald.

Eugene: Here!

Gerald: Let me see ...

Gerald takes the poem and tries to read it, but it's impossible, Eugene's hand writing is awful.

Gerald: (Confused) What? I can't read this!

Arnold: Maybe I can. Give it here.

Arnold takes the poem and tries to read it.

Gerald: Can you understand that?

Arnold: Sure! Listen to this:
"Each time I see your face,
the clouds move away to let the sun pass through them.

Each time I see your smile,
my soul fills up with a nice, warm shine.

Each time I hear your name,
I feel like I'm winning at the Candy Crane.

And each time you're close to me,
I think I am the luckiest geek in the earth surface."

Gerald: (Surprised) Whoa! I've got a title for it: "Geek in Love".

Eugene: (Sighs) Rhonda! I don't know why, but I love her so much ... !

Gerald: (To Arnold) how could you read that? It was impossible for me!

Arnold: It's easy. Grandpa has got the same handwriting. Look!

Arnold takes a paper out of his pocket. Gerald takes it and tries to read it.

Gerald: Yup, that's the same handwriting, all right! What does it say?

Arnold: "A dozen eggs, 1 box of Sugar Flakes, 3 loaves of bread and a bottle of juice."

Gerald: Oh, I get it. (Thinks) but Rhonda will never understand any of the poem!

Eugene: Wait a second! That's it! Arnold, you can translate my poems so I can get them inside Rhonda's locker!

Gerald: That's a great idea! Your handwriting is quite good!

Arnold: (Smiles) Alright, Eugene! I'll help you!

- End of part 5 -