Escalating Love 3 1-4

"All right, which one is better? The Jaws theme or the Halloween theme music? Come on, I'm sure even you can pick one!"

"It's hard to, actually. The Jaws theme had build up and suspense, which was really part of the movie's charm, the hints of the approaching shark, I guess. Halloween on the other hand had the theme in a really creepy, eerie and bone-chilling kind of way. It's hard to choose since they're both pretty different and really awesome in their own rights."

"Huh, you make a good point there, I'll admit that. Darn it, why do you always have to counter me with logic and digging deeper?"

"You wouldn't learn anything interesting if I didn't do that."

Helga gave a playful scowl and poked his nose. "You're in for it now, hair boy."

"Really?" Arnold looked up at her innocently.

The two of them were walking to school together one morning, which was something they did every other day or so. But of course, they never showed up directly at school together. They would always stop a block away, where they would part ways and make it seem as if they were showing up separately. No one seemed to notice it, so it was probably safe.

It had been two weeks since Arnie's visit, and things had been considerably back to normal between them. Only their inner feelings were more intense, on the other hand. Arnold wanted to ask her out SO much, but the fear of rejection and ruining their friendship scared him, so he held back. Luckily, they did go out together as friends a few times over the past two weeks. They went to the baseball game together, loudly cheering the home team together, and the weekend after, they'd gone to a live Wrestlemania show. Arnold was never much into wrestling, but after going with Helga, he found himself actually finding it fun and interesting.

Between those "outings between friends", they also went for ice cream, walks in the park, the arcade, and sometimes just hanging out at his house. Whatever struck their fancy. They even went out with Gerald and Phoebe on a "double friends outing", as Gerald called it. Once more denying that he and Phoebe were a couple.

It was kind of like being a couple.

Oh well, at least they could be around each other and spending time together. That's what really mattered.

In fact, things between them were getting better. Helga even opened up about a couple of her family problems...by ranting about them for about fifteen minutes, while Arnold sat back and listened to her, not interrupting. When she'd finished, he had given her a hug and comforted her, letting her know she wasn't alone, and that he was there to for her if she ever needed it. She had to admit, it did feel good to talk about these problems. Especially to someone who was so caring and loving.

"Yep." She pulled her finger away and shifted her gaze up ahead. To her dismay, P.S. 118 came into view about a block and a half away. "...Well, guess it's time to part ways then."

"Huh?" Arnold followed her gaze and felt his good mood drop a bit. "...Oh, right. I'll, um, see you later, I guess. Can I still walk you home after school?"

Helga snickered. "You just can't get enough of me, can you? What have I done to you?"

Arnold laughed. "A lot. I guess I can't help it."

"That's an understatement! But yes, Arnold, you can walk me home after school if it means that much to you."

"Yes, Helga, you're just the highlight of my day." He smiled at her playfully, and though he was joking to her about it... he was being honest.

She rolled her eyes, and they then waved to eachother, and went their separate ways, both eagerly anticipating the end of school.

"Outta my way, geekbait! One side, morons! Move along!"

In the hallways of the school, things were in "normal" mode, which although did dismay them both, it was an understanding considering they both had to adjust to all of this. One step at a time, right?

Still, it didn't stop Arnold from casting a half-lidded, lovesick glance her way. She didn't see, and no one else seemed to notice. Holding it a couple of moments, he went back to getting things out of his locker.

"Mmmm mmmm mmmm. You my man, are falling harder and harder for her every day." Gerald remarked as he came up beside him.

Arnold blushed and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I can't help it Gerald, there's just so much about liking her that has me hooked." He shut his locker.

"No kiddin'." Gerald shook his head and walked with him to class. "And a little over a month ago, you were scared of being in the same room alone with her."

"I was not!" He protested. "I mean, even back then she wasn't so bad."

"Whatever you say, Arnold."

"If it hadn't been for whoever wrote 'Arnold Loves Helga' on the wall in chalk, I guess I never would've had the chance to realize just how amazing she really is. It's so funny, I never felt like this with any other girl before. Not so strongly, anyway."

Gerald knew that all too well. He'd had to live through his best friend's crushes before, as intense as they were, it was NOTHING like this. Granted, the lovesick stares, doodling the girl's name in his notebook with hearts, reciting romantic poetry in their name, talking for time on end about how wonderful they were, were all there of course. But this time, it was maxed up to the extreme. A crush turned the poor boy into a babbling lovesick fool, but love? Don't even go there. It was a crush times one million.

As creepy and sick as it was, Gerald couldn't deny that he was happy for his best buddy finding someone he really liked. It was funny too, since although Arnold did have a physical attraction to Helga, which was funny to hear since he even called her "beautiful" sometimes, but it was her personality that really caught him hook line and sinker. That was an interesting development since most of his crushes were based on how pretty the girl was. Ruth McDougal had been an example of that, being so pretty and not knowing a thing about her.

Yep. Gerald knew all too well that his buddy was in love. At such a young and tender age, but who was he to argue with love?

Even if he did want to go hug a thousand kitty cats and barf up his breakfast at the same time.

Then again, it did give him a chance to spend more time with Phoebe. That was a huge bonus.

"-really nice when she does that, letting her hair down like that. Don't get me wrong, I like her pigtails, they're really fun and all, but she looks really soft and pretty when she lets her hair down. Especially when she wears her bow along with it. It's cute, it really is."

"Arnold," Gerald said then, his hand on his shoulder. "Will you just ask her out already? Come on man, you're crazy in love with her and you've kissed her one time, ain't it about time you dated?"

Arnold sighed, shaking his head. "I do want to ask her out Gerald, I do want to be more than just friends. But, I really don't want to ruin our friendship or get rejected. She means a lot to me, and I'd hate to lose her. Besides, there's no way she could like me back. She'll just laugh in my face and call me a lovesick freak. And besides, it's not bad. At least we get to hang out and spend time together. I guess if I can't be with her, I can be around her."

"Always lookin' at the bright side." Gerald smiled.

"Someone has to." Arnold smiled too. "Well, I guess I can't rule it out completely. I guess I just have to take baby steps."

"Whatever you say, Arnold."

They made it to class, with half the class already there. Helga and Phoebe were there already too, sitting next to each other and chatting about something. Their eyes met for a moment, and she lifted her finger in a motion of waving, which he did in return before sitting down.

The day had been going well so far, and it was lunch time, as Arnold stared down at a little dish filled with some kind of green, jiggly substance with a weary expression.

"Take a picture, Arnoldo. It'll last longer." Helga snarked at him, with a smirk.

Arnold looked over towards her, and then back at the dish. "I was just trying to figure out what this green stuff is."

Helga rolled her eyes a little. "Oh, who cares? It's green, it's in a dish, and since it's being served in a school cafeteria, I think it's safe to say that it's edible. Are you gonna eat it or not?" She leaned in a little, her hands on her hips.

He just blinked at her, and put it on his tray. "I guess." He looked around them cautiously, before offering her a secret smile. He lowered his voice slightly to her, "Well, I'll see ya later, Helga." He smiled, before walking off, tray in hand.

Helga watched him go, a lovesick expression painted across her face. She sighed dreamily before slapping herself and walking off.

It was later on after lunch time, and everyone was back in the classroom, chattering among themselves.

Mr. Simmons walked in then, bringing everyones' attention to him. "Class, I have an exciting and very special announcement!" He put his hands to his chest, smiling at all his students as he spoke, "I have been assigned to direct PS 118's annual school play. And I've chosen, one of the theater's great works for you all to perform." He held up a big red book from his desk, the words 'Romeo and Juliet' written on it in gold. "William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'! Isn't that just thrilling?"

They all stared at him with blank expressions, and a cricket could be heard in the backround.

He cleared his throat gruffly, and lifted a finger, looking over towards Gerald. "Lights."

Gerald flicked the lights off, and a projector came on, showing the name 'Romeo and Juliet' once again in gold, over top some purple stage curtains. Mr. Simmons spoke, "The play is a tragic and beautiful story of two star-crossed teenagers in love." The projector then showed two teens in fine clothes, holding hands. It then switched to a picture of two men fighting in the streets, as Mr. Simmons continued talking, "Although their families were sworn enemies," The screen switched to the two teens looking at eachother across a ball room. "when Romeo and Juliet's eyes met across a crowded room, the both fell head over heels in love."

Helga smiled at the screen with a half-lidded gaze, and then inconspicuously glanced over at Arnold, who was too lost in his daydreams to notice her. His eyes unconsciously met with hers, and her eyes went wide. She offered a shaky smile, before shifting her eyes away quick and scowling to herself for losing focus like that. Arnold just smiled at her, and then glanced back at the screen as Mr. Simmons continued talking, "Their parents and friends wanted to keep them apart but they vowed to be together no matter what."

Arnold couldn't help but find that a bit familiar for some reason, and he looked over towards Helga with a thoughtful expression.

Stinky raised his hand in the middle of his talking, and Mr. Simmons blinked, pointing to him. "Y-Yes, Stinky?"

Arnold was broken from his thoughts at this.

"That sounds like a mushy ol' love story. Why can't we do a play with some fightin' in it?" He asked, swinging his fists around slightly.

Mr. Simmons smiled, walking over to flip the lights back on. "Well, Stinky, although Romeo and Juliet is a love story, there's plenty of action in the plot." He walked back to the front of the room. "I-In fact, two of the characters, Romeo and Tybolt, become embroiled, in an exciting sword fight."

Stinky grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Now that's more like it."

Harold grinned also, banging his fists against his desk and hollering out, "I wanna be in the sword fight!"

Mr. Simmons smiled. "Maybe you can, Harold. Auditions will be this afternoon in the auditorium. And you're all welcome to come and try out."

The bell rang, and everyone broke into a chatter about it.

Helga humphed, her arms crossed over her chest. "Heh! Fourth graders doing Romeo and Juliet. What a dopey idea. Welp, I can tell you one thing, there's no way Helga G. Pataki's gonna be in any dumb Shakespeare play."

"Oh come on, Helga. You love Shakespeare."

Helga jumped in her seat, and her head snapped to her left to find Arnold looking at her with a small smile. She put a hand to her heart, feeling it beat rapidly beneath her hand. "Geez, Football Head! Don't scare me like that!" She took a few deep breaths, and then glanced around, seeing that everyone had left. She stood from her seat. "Yeah, so what? It doesn't mean I want to actually be in the play." She replied, walking out the door with him following after, as everyone had already run out of the school to the buses.

He shrugged, falling into step at her side. "I don't see why not. I thought you'd be excited over something like this." He smiled.

They walked out of the school, beginning to walk down the sidewalk towards her home as she spoke, "Look, Arnold, I love poetry, but that doesn't mean I want to be in some stupid old poet's play. I'd rather write my own play." She smiled at the mere thought of that.

Arnold smiled a little at that. "That'd definitely be an interesting play. I'd love to see that."

She snickered. "Maybe I could cast you as the lead." She blinked, feeling they were getting off track. She shook her head. "Anyway, even if I did write a play. It wouldn't matter. Point is, I don't want to be in some stupid romantic play." She shuddered for show.

He shrugged. "Yeah, I get it. I don't really want to be in the play either. But if it's any consellation, Helga." He glanced at her. "I think you'd make a wonderful Juliet."

Helga's mind blanked at that, feeling a slight heat beginning to creep onto her pale cheeks.

"You...really think so?" She dared to question.

"Well yeah, I definitely think you would be a pretty good actress. You're really passionate things and have a strong sense of character. You'd make a good Juliet, I bet you could learn to play her really well." He said honestly.

The blush increased on her cheeks and she looked away, swooning inwardly at his sweet compliment. Just about every word that came out of his mouth to her was adorably sweet! What did she do to deserve such a thing?

"Gosh, well...thanks, football head." Helga murmured. "I guess I couldn't be that bad."

Arnold smiled fondly. "You're welcome. I think you'd be great."

"Okay, I getcha now." She waved it off. "And ya know, you probably wouldn't be too shabby yourself. In the play, I mean. Not quite as Juliet! ...Although, that would be kind of ironic. Did you know way back in the day, the production of Romeo and Juliet was casted entirely of male actors?"

His eyes widened. "Really? It was?"

"You bet! It happened a lot back then. So if they had a boy be Juliet, which I doubt they'll do...it'd be almost going back to the old days."

"It would be kind of weird, unless it was an all-boy's school or an all-girl's school." Arnold shrugged.

"Ohhh, I see what you did there. Har har harty har har. Well then Arnoldo, looks like we'll have to sit back and see what happens, eh?" She nudged him in the side.

Arnold chuckled and nodded. "It should be interesting, all right."

"And you know, strictly hypothetically, if I ever DID, Heaven forbid, land the role of Juliet, you know I might just have you practice my lines with me, right? You know, you'd be my practice Romeo."

"Well sure Helga, I'd definitely help you out and prompt you."

"Of course you would, you wouldn't be Arnold if you didn't."

He laughed heartily, and unconsciously held her hand in assurance. "I guess you're right. But it's true, I would help you out if you needed it. You're my friend, and friends help each other."

'And that's all I'll ever be...' She thought bitterly. Still, they'd made a lot of progress over the past month and a half or so. "Well doi, and I know I can't argue with 'Arnold Logic'!"

"Come on, I'm not always right. There are times you can argue against what I say."

"Oh, so the Great Saint Football Head admits that he can be wrong?" Helga smirked and looked at him, not once noticing that they were holding hands, which she squeezed his. "There's a shocker!"

"Hey, I'm still human." Arnold smiled, hiding a laugh behind his free hand. "And no one's right all the time."

"I am." She jerked her thumb at herself.

"No way."

"Yes way."

"Helga..."

"Yes?" Helga batted her eyelashes flirtingly, looking down at him with innocence.

Arnold blushed and smiled. "Whatever you say, Helga."

"Darn straight, football head. Whatever I say." She looked up, and much to her dismay, her front stoop came into view. "...Well there we are. My house again."

Arnold looked too, and sighed. "Oh, already?"

"Looks like we lost track again. We need to pay more attention!"

"You're right, but I guess it's hard since we seem to have so much fun."

She blushed again, smiling at the thought. "Y-Yeah, I guess so. Um, so yeah! Tomorrow, same time, same place?"

He grinned and nodded. "Sure, Helga. I don't know about you, but I think now you can't seem to get enough of me."

"Arnold!" Helga tried to scold, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face or the laughter out of her voice. "Quit stealing my lines!"

"Okay, I'll stop."

"Good!"

"Okay."

"Oh no you don't! Don't pull an Arnie!" She yelled, laughing, and then put on a bored face. "Hey. I'm Arnie. I like plain flavoured gum. I have a lucky pile of dirt. Its name is...lucky pile of dirt. I collect lint balls. I'm as exciting as watching paint dry. Oh yes, I'm so exciting. I am ecstatic. Listen to my phleghmy snort." She gave a snort through one nostril for good measure.

Arnold laughed heartily, holding his stomach with his free hand. "That sounds like him!"

"Hey, he's easy." She shrugged, and looked down at their joined hands. "...Uh, when did this happen?"

"Huh?" He blinked at her. "What do you mean?"

Helga rolled her eyes and pointed down at their hands. "THAT."

"O-Oh! Oh. Sorry." Arnold pulled his hand away.

"Don't be sorry, guess it happens sometimes. Maybe our hands have magnets or something, which would explain why we hold them so much."

He blushed a bit. "I guess so. ...Well, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Right, yeah, tomorrow...and stuff."

On impulse, he took her hand back, raised it up his lips and kissed it. Her eyes widened considerably and she blushed in response as he waved to her and walked off down the street.

Helga stared at her hand for a couple of moments, a lovesick grin tracing her features.

Once she got over herself, she hurried inside, uttered a dismissive hello to Miriam as she walked by, and went upstairs to her room. She went into her closet, turning on the various Christmas lights, and pushing her clothing aside to get to her Arnold shrine.

"Well...so the football head thinks I'll make a good Juliet? What a sweetie! Amazing how he has such faith in my acting skills!" Helga produced her locket and sighed happily. "Arnold my love, your wondrous praise never ceases to make my heart fill with the warmth of your words and soothe my ears with the lyrical sound of your voice! If my Juliet will make you smile, then oh, if I had the power to do so..."

She paused for a moment, and she could swear that lightbulb went on above her head.

"Wait a minute, that's it! If I want to impress Arnold, then I'll have to go for Juliet! Yeah, I can do that... I bet I could play Juliet. No problem, it's just learning some lines, doing some acting, hey, a monkey could do it! I could be a great Juliet, and totally sweep my beloved football head off his feet!"

...

"Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend! Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn, or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue which she hath praised him with above compare so many thousand times? Go, counsellor; Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. I'll to the friar, to know his remedy: If all else fail, myself have power to die." She recited dramatically, breathing a bit heavily at the end.

Mr. Simmons sat, mouth agaped, watching as Helga just stood there and panted. After another moment, her pants having subsided, she began feeling a bit self-conscious that he hadn't said anything yet. She fidgeted a little, staring down at Mr. Simmons with bated breath.

After another moment, he snapped out of his seat, and began clapping enthusiastically, a huge grin spreading across his face. "Helga, that was remarkable!"

Helga smiled then, feeling anxious, she blurted out, "So does that mean I get the part of Juliet?"

Mr. Simmons' grin seemed to widen, if possible. "Of course, Helga. That was so very special! Perfect!"

Rhonda stomped onto the stage then, gripping her script in one hand, as they rested on her hips. "Hey, wait a minute. I haven't auditioned yet. You can't just give the part to her and be done with it. What about call backs?"

Mr. Simmons' grin dropped then, and he gasped. "Oh, you're absolutely right, Rhonda. I'm so sorry. It's just that, Helga played the part so beautfully. I couldn't help but-... I'd really just like for Helga to play Juliet, Rhonda." He told her apologetically. "But you can still try out for her understudy." He added.

Rhonda scowled, and Helga simply casted her a smug smile, her arms crossed over her chest. "Sorry to ruin your plans there, Princess." She quipped, before walking off the stage gracefully, her head held high in pride.

Rhonda humphed.

The noise only made Helga's grin widen, though.

This was going better than she thought.

...

Word had gotten around by the next day when the roles, except for Romeo, were announced, especially since Helga was now playing Juliet. Her plan to impress Arnold had definitely worked, despite that he didn't know of it yet.

At least, not until now.

It was recess, and Harold, Stinky, Sid, and Curly were talking about the play, and were also on callback.

"Well Willikers! Did ya hear? Helga of all people's playin' Juliet!" Said Stinky.

On the swings nearby at a distance, Arnold, along with Gerald, was swinging carelessly until he suddenly heard Helga mentioned. Immediately he perked up and listened in on their conversation, ceasing in his swinging.

"Heh, yeah! She's not so bad. She makes a good Juliet." Curly said with a mild shrug.

Harold hooted, laughing hard. "Least I'm not the sucker who's gotta be Romeo!"

Stinky nodded in agreement. "No kiddin', Ah sure feel bad for the poor fella who's gotta be Romeo, since he's gotta kiss Juliet."

"Yeggh! That's disgusting, even for me!" Curly gagged.

"And Helga of all people!" Harold grimaced at this. "Eww! C'mon, let's go play basketball!"

"Boy howdy, I feel bad for whoever has to be Romeo!" Sid proclaimed.

Walking away toward the basketball court, the boys were oblivious to the stunned, and amazed Arnold they had left behind in their wake.

"Helga's playing Juliet...? And she kisses whoever is playing Romeo?" Arnold finally said, blinking a few times as he continued to process the information.

"That's what they said, man." Gerald said, shaking his head before looking at his best friend knowingly, and yet blankly.

"If Helga's playing Juliet..." His hands suddenly gripped the chains of his swing a little too tightly. "Then that means-"

"Some other guy's gonna get a kiss from Helga G. Pataki and you're not too happy about that since you're in love with her." Gerald finished for him.

"...Yeah." Arnold slumped in misery. "What if she...likes it? What if she wants to date the boy then?"

"Oh come on, Arnold! Since when do you look away from the bright side! It ain't that simple! One kiss doesn't change your entire feeling of someone or anything! ...On second thought, never mind that." The African-American boy shook his head. "It's a one in a million chance."

"Yeah...that's true." Arnold murmured, swinging lightly. "But still, Gerald, I'm just not comfortable with that, seeing Helga kiss another boy."

"So let me guess." Gerald said, giving him a blank stare. "You wanna play Romeo so you can kiss her?"

"Well I..." He paused, thinking of that. "Wait a minute, that's a great idea! If I ended up playing Romeo, we'd get to kiss."

"Mmmmm mmmm mmmm. You're a bold kid, Arnold. I can't believe it, you kissed Helga one time, and you still want to?"

Arnold blushed heavily, stopping in his swinging. "Well..."

Now it was Gerald's turn to be surprised. "Whoa whoa whoa whoa! Back up! Do you mean to tell me-"

"Yes, Gerald. We've kissed more than once."

"Say WHAT? When did that happen!"

"Not so loud!" Arnold shushed him, looking around frantically to make sure no one was listening.

"Sorry, man." Gerald lowered his voice. "So you're serious? You kissed her more than ONCE?"

The blonde boy nodded, still blushing. "Yes."

"Explain." Gerald crossed his arms, staring at him accusingly. "How many times?"

"Not including our first kiss, five times."

"Five times?"

"Gerald!"

"You and Helga kissed FIVE times? Um, Arnold my man, ain't that indication enough that she likes you?"

"Gerald...they were just in the heat of the moment." Arnold said sadly. He sighed, stopping in his swinging again.

"And WHEN did they happen?"

"The first one happened at the Cheese Festival. We were on the Tunnel of Love, and we were talking. I guess it kind of got to us, because we kind of leaned in and kissed. We even..."

"No way man, you didn't..."

"...French Kissed."

"SAY WHAT?" Gerald yelled, causing the other students to look at them. "S-Sorry..." He lowered his voice. "Arnold, you're nine!"

"I know, I know! A-Anyway, the second time we kissed was after I walked her home that night. ...We pulled away and we kind of kissed again."

"Jeez, man! Three kisses in one night!"

"I know..." Arnold murmured dreamily.

"Er, anyway, the other two?"

"Oh, right. The fourth one happened when we went to the Reptile House together. It wasn't much, but it was an exhibit where a Hermotologist was demonstrating how he had two of his snakes seem as if they're kissing each other. He thought we were a couple since we were holding hands. Anyway, the idea was that he puts real-life people kissing under the kissing snakes, and he asked us to demonstrate. I didn't want Helga to feel uncomfortable, but she said since we kissed a few times before, it would be nothing. So we did, I guess. Last time it happened was when Arnie was here. It was after school, and Helga was begging me to help get Arnie off her back. I offered to help her out, and she was so grateful that she kissed me."

"'So grateful that she kissed you'?" Gerald questioned with an eyebrow raised. "I wonder if she KNOWS you like her or something, and that was like a reward for helping her."

"WHAT?" Arnold asked, alarmed at the idea.

Gerald snickered. "Just messing with ya. I desperately needed a break from all this gooey-ooey stuff." He stated, sticking his tongue out a little in distaste.

Arnold just sighed lightly, and looked away.

Gerald smiled then, swinging a bit on his swing. "So... ya really gonna do it?"

Arnold blinked, looking over at him. "Do what?"

Gerald rolled his eyes a little, leaning his swing over toward him a little as he elaborated. "Try out for Romeo just so you can get Helga to lay one of ya."

Arnold nodded instantly, a smile coming to his face. "Of course. If I don't get the part, I'll have to see Helga kiss-" He stopped there, shaking his head at the thought. He didn't even want to think about that. He stood up then.

Gerald stopped swinging. "Where are you going, man?"

Arnold began walking away, answering him from over his shoulder. "I'm going to go over to Mr. Simmons to get a script so I can try out!"

Gerald watched him run off into the school, shaking his head slightly. "Of all the girls to get a crush on, why Helga?"

Arnold bursted through the doors of the classroom, running up to a very surprised Mr. Simmons at his desk. He grinned enthusiastically. "Hey, Mr. Simmons! I need a script for the play, please."

Mr. Simmons blinked. "Really, Arnold? You're going to try out?"

Arnold grinned a bit brighter, nodding his head in affirmation.

Mr. Simmons smiled then, and opened up a drawer, picking out a script and handing it to Arnold's eager hands from across his desk. "Well, that's great, Arnold. Who are you going to try out for?"

Arnold answered him, already looking through his script. "Romeo."

Mr. Simmons frowned at that lightly, laying his arms on the desk. "Now, Arnold, you know there's a kissing scene, right?"

Arnold seemed to smile even brighter at that, still looking through his script. "I heard."

Mr. Simmons blinked in surprise, and then smiled again. "Oh, and you're not disgusted by that?"

Arnold looked up from his script, pausing. "Well... Helga is playing Juliet, right?" He asked, leaning in slightly from across the desk and his script still open in his hands.

Mr. Simmons blinked again, now in bewilderment, though his small smile remained. "Yes."

Arnold's grin returned, slamming his script shut and adjusting it so it was under his arm. "Then I don't think it'll be a problem at all."

With that, he walked out the door, leaving a pleasantly surprised and slightly confused Mr. Simmons at his desk.

"We'll I'll be." He murmured to himself, smiling.

...

Later on, during the auditions, now with Romeo, Eugene was also trying out for Romeo, much to Arnold's dismay, since Eugene was a pretty good actor. But none the less, he kept his head high and ready to audition.

Since Helga was playing Juliet, Mr. Simmons brought her in to help in prompting them, to which she'd reluctantly agreed to.

That is, until she saw that Arnold was trying out for Romeo. It made her heart jump in joy that her beloved was trying for Romeo, since not only would she be able to impress him with her performance, but she would star alongside him AND be able to kiss him! She had realized she'd have to kiss whoever was Romeo, and she wasn't too fond of that one bit, but she knew she had to make a sacrifice. And it wouldn't change anything, she would still love Arnold always. Still, she wondered why he was auditioning. He had expressed he wasn't so interested in actually starring in the play, and now here he was, actually auditioning, and for the lead male role as Romeo no less! He DID know they'd have to kiss, right?

So...why?

A tiny part of her pertained the idea that it was because he secretly liked her, but she knew that was just wishful thinking. It was more likely that since they were friends, and had kissed quite a few times before, he wanted to help make it easier for her and not have to kiss some other boy. That made sense, right?

Either way, if Arnold played Romeo, it would make things EVEN BETTER!

Maybe I can even get us to rehearse together... Helga thought deviously.

Afte Eugene finished with his audition, Arnold then stepped forward, and both of them exchanged secretive but nervous glances.

"Soooo football head, what made you change your mind?" Helga asked with a light smirk, though curious.

"Oh, you know... I guess I just kind of changed my mind." Arnold admitted. "I mean, you don't mind, do you?"

"Nah, we're all friends here." She shrugged.

"Okay you two, we'll get started in...let's see, here we go! Act three, scene five, in the Capulet orchard. You first Arnold, start at line two." Mr. Simmons directed.

"All right." Arnold turned to the appropriate page, and took a deep breath as he began to recite Romeo's line. "It was the lark, the herald of the morn. No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks do lace the severing clouds in yonder east: Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die."

"Yon light is not day-light, I know it, I: It is some meteor that the sun exhales, to be to thee this night a torch-bearer, and light thee on thy way to Mantua: Therefore stay yet; thou need'st not to be gone." Helga responded as Juliet.

"Let me be ta'en, let me be put to death; I am content, so thou wilt have it so. I'll say yon grey is not the morning's eye,'tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia's brow; Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat the vaulty heaven so high above our heads: I have more care to stay than will to go: Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so. How is't, my soul? let's talk; it is not day."

"It is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away! It is the lark that sings so out of tune, straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps. Some say the lark makes sweet division; This doth not so, for she divideth us: Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes, O, now I would they had changed voices too! Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray, hunting thee hence with hunt's-up to the day, O, now be gone; more light and light it grows."

"More light and light; more dark and dark our woes!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Mr. Simmons clapped ecstatically. "You two are great! Arnold, though you do need a little more practice, you are a terrific Romeo! And overall, you two have an amazing set of chemistry going on that I just know would be great to present to the crowd! Now, I'll admit I'm not sure who to pick between you and Eugene. I'll evaluate your performances tonight and then you two can return for a callback audition on Monday after school!"

"Okay, Mr. Simmons." Said Arnold, closing his script. He looked at Helga and gave her a thumbs up, their little signal to say they were still good to walk home together after they got outside.

She winked at him and gave him one back, and retracted with enough time to revert to her "usual" persona she put on in school. She then walked off to go talk to Phoebe, who had been assigned to be stage manager, and he watched her walk off, with a soft, dreamy smile on his face.

Coming back to reality, Arnold headed into the dressing room to retrieve his bag, and found Eugene in there, practising his lines and poses in front of the mirror.

"Wow, Arnold, can you believe that we're actually tied to be Romeo?" He said brightly.

"Um, it is pretty exciting, I guess." Arnold shrugged.

Eugene turned to him, scratching his head. "You know Arnold, there's something I don't quite get, though. A few days ago, you said that you really weren't interesting in being in the play at all."

Arnold fidgeted nervously. "Oh, yeah, well... I guess I just... had a change of heart." He looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

Blinking, Eugene then smiled. "Oh, well okay then. So, can you believe that HELGA was actually cast as the role of Juliet? I didn't even know she could act, but she's pretty good."

"Oh, yeah, I guess it would seem surprising."

"Mmm-hm."

Hesitating for a moment, Arnold gave a small smile and looked away. "But she's not really a bad choice. I mean, she's really..."

Eugene blinked. "What do you mean?"

Coming back to reality, he shook his head. "Oh, um, I just mean, that the kiss scene really won't be so bad with her." Smiling, Arnold silently added. "In fact it might even be nice..."

Suddenly turning to him, Eugene blinked and looked surprised. "Kiss? What kiss?"

"What?" Arnold also blinked in surprise.

"What kiss, Arnold?" Eugene corrected himself, looking uncomfortable.

"You mean, you don't know about the kissing scene?" Asked Arnold, looking genuinely surprised at this. He hadn't known that Eugene didn't know about the kiss.

"What kissing scene, Arnold?" The redhead repeated again.

"Um... the final scene... you know, where Juliet kisses Romeo while he's laying on the floor dead?"

"Whoa whoa, wait a minute... so Romeo dies, and then Juliet... as in Helga... actually kisses Romeo, as in me?"

"Um... yeah?"

Eugene looked unsure then.

"Well, it's not exactly a life shattering kiss or anything. It's just a little peck, and then it's over." Arnold reasoned, trying to make him feel better. Eugene WAS his friend, after all. What are you doing?

Eugene blinked again, looking at his copy of the script. "Oh... well, a little peck doesn't sound so bad... and it is Helga. She tends to get pretty into her role, so she'll be gentle I know. Just like Juliet would be with her Romeo."

"Very gentle..." Arnold murmured.

"And I overheard some girls saying that they were going to be 'making her up', or something. They even said that she'd be wearing some kind of flavored lip balm. Like, cherry or lemons or something." Eugene went on, shrugging.

"Cherries and lemons..."

"And she'll be in costume, so she'll probably look a lot better than she usually does. Maybe even pretty. You know, hair in a braid, flowing dress, pretty flowers."
"Very, very pretty..."

"And you're right. It could be a lot worse. I mean, at least Helga looks like she's a pretty good kisser. Not that I really care. You said it was just going to be a peck..." Eugene turned to him then, looking serious. "It is just going to be a peck right?

Arnold nodded, still in a daze. "Yeah, a peck... a mere second in the fabric of reality... one blissful second..." A goofy smile crossed his face.

Eugene looked at him, puzzled. "Uh... Arnold, are you okay?"

"Hm?" Arnold said dreamily, and then shook his head. "Uh... yeah, Eugene, I'm fine." He blushed a bit.

"Oh, okay... Uh, Arnold?"

"Yeah?"

"The reason why you suddenly wanted to be Romeo, wouldn't be because you sorta liked... Helga, would it?"

Arnold's eyes widened and he tensed, blushing. "What?"

"It's okay, Arnold. I mean, if you liked Helga, I wouldn't mind giving up the part of Romeo so you could play it. Plus, I'm not too into the kissing thing..." Eugene admitted uncomfortably.

"Well, I-I...um...I... I..." The blonde boy shifted his eyes nervously.

"Look, Arnold, if it's some sort of secret, I won't tell anyone."

"I never said I liked Helga!" More blush.

"Well, by the way you're acting, I just thought-"

"Wait a minute... you said that if I liked Helga, then you'd let me play Romeo?" Arnold questioned.

"Sure, I don't see why not." Eugene smiled.

Hesitating, Arnold tensed a little more as he now was about to reveal his little secret. He then said very quietly, "I like Helga."

"Huh?" Eugene said, not hearing him.

"I like Helga." Arnold repeated a little louder.

Eugene blinked. "I'm sorry, Arnold, but I just can't hear-"

"I like Helga, okay? I like her a lot! A WHOLE lot!" Arnold burst, blushing. He then composed himself. "I just want to be Romeo so I can kiss her, okay?" He blushed more and looked away.

Taken aback, Eugene looked at him before he responded to his rather passionate confession. "Well, gosh... um, okay, Arnold."

Arnold looked at him hopefully, surprised. "Really?"

"Sure. I wasn't too crazy about the whole kissing thing anyway. It's all yours." Eugene then began to walk out the door. "And don't worry, Arnold. Your secret is safe with me." Eugene smiled.

Arnold sighed in relief and smiled back. "Thanks, Eugene."

"Anytime, Arnold!"

XXX

"So hey, you landed the part of Romeo, huh? Eugene dropped out?" Helga questioned curiously.

"Yeah, he wasn't too comfortable with the fact that there was a kissing scene." Arnold explained, leaving out the rest of the reason.

"Figured as much. Oh well, look who's going to get stuck getting a kiss planted on him!"

"I don't mind Helga, I mean we...we're friends, right?"

"Well doi, of course we are. Last time I checked."

"And we did kiss a few times...right?"

"Y-Yeah, we did, I guess."

"So, I guess in a way it'll be easier to handle than if it were another boy."

"You're smart, hair boy, looks like you DO have a brain in that strange-shaped head of yours!" Helga teased, lightly tapping his head with her fist.

"Very funny." Arnold chuckled and smiled. "So, do you want to come over to my house to rehearse for a while?"

"You sure?" Helga raised one side of her eyebrow. "Don't you have better things to do?"

Arnold shook his head a little, with a smile. "I never have anything better to do than hang out with you." He blushed slightly, but kept his smile.

Helga blushed then too, but smiled greatly. "Awww, that's sweet. But seriously, is that okay? I mean, you're sure you don't have something much better to do?" She put her hands on her hips.

Arnold blinked in surprise. "No, Helga. I really don't have any plans." He offered a smile again.

Helga softened then, and smiled. "Okay... Whatever blows your kilt up, Football Head." She added with a slight smirk.

"It's a shirt, Helga."

"What is?"

"My so called 'kilt'."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes."

"Are you really sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure, Helga."

"Are you really, really sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you absolutely, positively, one-hundred percent sure that that plaid skirt looking thing you're wearing is not a kilt?"

"I'm not Scottish, Helga." He smiled in amusement.

"That's interesting, Arnold, but don't change the subject. Face it. It's a kilt."

"Shirt."

"Kilt."

"Shirt."

"Kilt."

"Shirt."

"Kilt."

Arnold leaned into her face then as they walked with half-lidded eyes and his arms crossed over his chest. "Are you sure about that, Helga?"

"Uh... doi." She answered back, leaning forward slightly into his face too, challenging.

Arnold smirked. "Are you really sure?"

"Yeah."

"Are you really, really sure?"

"I'm as sure as your hat is blue, the sun is hot, and the concrete is an ugly gray."

"Are you really, really, really sure?" He asked, leaning so close that their noses were touching, and not even realizing that they'd stopped walking.

Helga squinted her eyes at him, pressing her nose harder into his. "Well... I guess I'll never actually know for sure unless you show me..." She smirked.

Arnold squinted his eyes at her again, before leaning out of her personal space completely and throwing his script onto the ground. "Fine." He stated firmly, already beginning to take his sweater off.

Helga smirked, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back on the building behind her, and watching in amusement as he lifted his sweater off completely. He held it in one hand then, spreading his arms out to her to show that he was indeed wearing a long sleeved, button up, plaid shirt. "Is this enough proof for you, Helga?"

Helga observed him in his shirt, the smirk still plastered onto her face. "I had no idea it would be this easy to get a guy to strip for me for free." She shook her head in mock-amazement.

Arnold blushed heavily then, mouth slightly agape in shock.

"You're too much, Arnold. Of COURSE I knew it was just a plaid shirt that's too long for you!" Helga laughed then, holding her stomach. "Okay, maybe the first time you started wearing it way back when, I was thrown off, but you know me, just teasing you about almost everything! But still, thank you for stripping for me. But you're not going to take off THAT shirt, are you?"

"N-No!" Arnold blushed, and put his sweater back on and picked up his script. "Besides, I was just playing along with you, making sure that you were paying attention, that's all."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you are a lousy liar who lies?"

"Well...yeah..." Arnold looked down at his shoes sheepishly.

Helga giggled and then went back over to him, throwing her arm around his shoulders as they started walking again. "Well Arnold my man, you are."

With a soft blush, he just looked at her and gave a smile. "I guess I had that coming, didn't I?"

"Darn tooting you did. So, we going to head back and rehearse this son of a chimp?"

"Yeah, sure. You can even stay for dinner if you want to."

"Stay for dinner? Ooh, and next you'll be asking me to sleep over, to sleep on your comfy couch that Geraldo likes to sleep on when he's over. Well Arnold, aren't we daring!"

Arnold's cheeks pinkened at the idea of her staying over the night. It wasn't very heard of to have a boy and a girl, especially at their young age, to have sleepovers. It happened of course, but it was just a different concept than the usual sleepovers to take place between two boys and two girls. It was a shocking idea, and his stomach filled with butterflies, it was nerve-wracking.

At the same time, it did sound like a lot of fun. An entire night of them having fun together just the two of them. Watching movies, playing games, eating junk food until they wanted to throw up, talking about random things, playing video games, chatting it up with his grandparents and the boarders, and then exchanging light conversation while they lay in their respective sleeping spots, maybe telling scary stories before going to sleep.

He enjoyed spending time with her immensely, so who was to say that a sleepover would be no different than what they did together, aside from going to sleep and waking up in each other's presence?

"Well Helga, if you ever wanted to spend the night, why not? I mean... you know, I know that boys and girls don't often have sleepovers, especially at our age, but if we ever wanted to, I don't see why we can't."

She stared down at him, wide-eyed. She'd just been joking about them having sleepovers, despite that deep down she would have loved nothing more than to spend an entire night with her beloved, but to actually go through with it? He wasn't serious. And yet he was. He'd never joke about that kind of thing.

"So, let me get this straight, you actually wouldn't mind if we actually had a sleepover? You and I? Just us? Your place?" Helga pointed to him, then herself, then toward the direction of his home.

"No, it'd be pretty fun. But if you're not comfortable with that, it's no problem, we don't have to-"

"When do we initiate operation sleep away?"

"W-Wait, what?"

"I said, when do we have our own little sleepover?" Helga reiterated and rolled her eyes playfully. "Like you said football head, who says a boy and a gal, two buddies like you and I, can't have a sleepover if they wanted to? Thing is, I'd kinda have to tell Bob and Miriam I'm sleeping at Phoebe's, but eh, no problem there. Bob would flip if he knew I was sleeping at a boy's house. Other than that, I'm all good. Besides, I always carry some spare stuff in my bag in case I end up going to Pheebs' place. So, if we were to have a sleepover like, right tonight, we'd be ready and prepared. You'd just have to lend me something to sleep in."

"Well, um...sure Helga, we could have a sleepover tonight if you want." Arnold managed and smiled. "It's Friday, we wouldn't have to worry about getting up so early tomorrow for school, and we could stay up late, and we'd have more time to rehearse. So, sure. If you want to sleep over tonight, it sounds good. We don't have any plans, so my grandparents won't mind."

Helga blinked, unable to believe her luck today. First Arnold getting the role of Romeo, getting invited over to his house to rehearse and even stay for dinner, and now a SLEEPOVER?

Whatever I did to deserve this...I must have done something right. She marvelled inwardly.

"Well, sure, okay. I mean, you know, whatever floats your boat."

"Don't you mean whatever blows my kilt up?" Arnold asked in dry amusement.

Helga smirked at him then, the arm still around his shoulders tightening slightly as she pointed at him in triumph. "So you admit it's a kilt!"

Arnold shook his head then. "No!" He composed himself then. "...Haven't we already gone through this?" He rubbed his eye, looking at her.

She looked off into the distance in mock-thought, before looking back at him with her unibrow up. "I think you may be right, Sunny."

Arnold snickered a little, as they continued walking down the sidewalk towards his home. After a few more moments, Arnold blinked and looked over at her with an eyebrow raised. "Helga, you know you still have your arm around my shoulders."

"Huh?" Helga looked over at him, before blinking in comprehension and instantly bringing her arm back to her side with a soft blush on her cheeks. "Oh... Sorry..."

Arnold blushed a little too, locking his hands behind his back. "I-It's okay, Helga." He mentally cursed himself for even bringing it up. He liked having her arm around him quite a bit, but had just been making an observation more than anything. He was surprised, but he didn't want to read too into it. He cleared his throat then. "So..." He stopped walking then, smiling. "We're here."

Helga stopped also, looking up at the boarding house before hesitantly following him as he walked up the steps to the door. She gulped at seeing his hand settle on the doorknob, feeling herself unworthy to be in his sanctary.

He opened the door then, Helga right behind him with wide, unsure eyes, but as soon as a flurry of cats and dogs and who knew what else (She could've sworn she saw a squirrel) stampeded out of the house, she screamed a little as she felt herself tripping backwards. Arnold's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him, as the stampede of animals continued. Once they were all out, Arnold breathed out a sigh of relief, but his breath soon returned sharply, and caught in his throat when he realized he was holding Helga very close, and she had her arms around his neck. He shifted his eyes to look straight at her, and found two, wide blue ones staring back, equally shocked. His hand that was still gripping the door handle tightened, and he stiffened in his spot, feeling her tense up too. She quickly flew backward then, away from him, as she dusted off imaginary dirt from her dress with all her focus. "G-Geez, Football Head, what w-was that?"

Arnold let out the breath he'd been holding, a strong blush on his cheeks as he opened the door a bit further so they could enter. "O-Oh, that was just-"

"Eleanor!"

The two kids jumped at the unexpected exclamation then, their eyes snapping to the direction they'd heard it come, as their eyes came to rest on Gertie standing there with a large grin on her wrinkled face. She ran forward, and grabbed up Helga in a hug. "Oh, Eleanor Roosevelt! It's been TOO long!"

Helga gasped at being picked up, and looked over at an equally surprised Arnold still standing at the door with his eyes wide, looking back at her. Once she felt her shock finally dissolve, she instantly shoved the old woman off of her and gawked at her, her hand still extended outward to keep her at bay. "Okay, what the-"

"Pookie! Let that poor girl go!" Phil stepped out onto the porch, his hands resting on his bony hips.

"Duly noted, General!" Gertie gave a salute. "Come in, come in, Eleanor, how rude of me!" She took Helga's hand and pulled her inside. "Everyone, inside now! Lady Roosevelt herself as come! We must be presentable! Oh, I know! I'd better prepare dinner! Tonight we feast!" She skipped off to the kitchen, singing a tune to herself.

"Crazy old bird..." Phil said, shaking his head with a loving smile. "So short man, can't get enough of your little friend here, huh?"

Arnold's eyes widened and his cheeks turned bright red. "Grandpa!"

"That's exactly what I keep telling him!" Helga informed the older man, laughing. "I'm starting think he likes me or something! So anyway Gramps, you're gonna have to put up with me tonight, your dear little grandson invited me to sleep over, so yeah, just thought I'd tell you."

"Hey, the more the merrier!" Phil laughed, jerking his thumb toward Helga as he looked at Arnold with a grin. "Ah yeah, I sure like this one, short man! Don't you let her get away now!"

"Grandpa! We...we're going to...rehearse for the school play in my room."

"Oooh! A school play! Well why didn't you say so?"

"Eh, you know, it's a play. We're doing Romeo and Juliet, and Arnold's Romeo, I'm Juliet."

"Ha ha, sounds like fun! Well you two go get your lines going, we'll call you when dinner's ready!" Phil said, and winked at them.

"Lead the way, football head." Helga smirked lightly at how her poor friend was pretty embarrassed now.

"Sure Helga." He managed, and led them upstairs.

They went up to his room, shutting the door behind them, and Arnold took his remote and flipped the couch out from the wall. Helga put her bag down and sat on the couch, stretching out on it happily.

"Aaahh...nothing beats comfort! So then Arnoldo, what say we get started with rehearsing, we've got a lot of lines, considering we're the lead roles. Don't want to let everyone down, do you?"

"No, I wouldn't want to do that." Arnold said, taking his script. "Okay, where do you want to start?"

"Hmmm..." Helga took her script out of her bag. "I say we try to the death scene. Start off on your cue after Romeo killed Paris." She lay on the couch on her back, playing dead.

"Okay." Arnold turned to the appropriate page and cleared his throat. "I'll burythee in a triumphant grave; A grave? O no! A lantern, slaughter'd youth, for here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light. A lightning before death: O, how may I call this a lightning? O my love! My wife!Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty. And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars from this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, O you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss. A dateless bargain to engrossing death! Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! Here's to my love!"

He pantomimed drinking out of a goblet to serve as Romeo drinking the poison.

"O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die." Arnold frowned then, staring at the script. "Wait."