A Second Chance

Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! or its "ever-so wonderful" characters. LOL.

SUMMARY: A week after the FTi incident, and Arnold and Helga have been trying to ignore each other. Arnold, in a state of confusion and humor, battles within his inner-mind and heart to find out just exactly how he feels for his pink-wearing bully/friend. Along the way, Gerald and Phoebe use their wits, cunning, and anything else they have to get their two best friends together. But, along the way, will THEY fall in love, too..? By the way, this is strictly a one-shot, so I'll try to put as much as I can into it; Humor, Suspense, and my favorite.. Romance!!

And now...let the story begin!

Arnold tossed and turned. He was in bed and it was ten at night. He had been trying to get to sleep for over two hours now, but he just couldn't. He kept dreaming about what Helga said to him atop the FTi building.

"..Well, what else are you supposed to do when someone you love is in trouble?!"

"Who else do you think has been stalking you night and day, building shrines for you, filling volumes upon books about you?!"

"I'm full over the moon, I'm totally ga-ga over you! I'm in love with you, Arnold!"

Arnoold tossed and turned some more, until finally, he just couldn't take it anymore. He got up and walked towards the bathroom in the hallway. Why would she say all tat stuff then say that she really hates me?

Oh, gee, I dunno, Arnold, his consience answered back sarcastically. Maybe she's just afraid of everyone laughing and ridiculing her if they found out. But she's mostly scared that you'd reject her and never feel the same.

But, he argued back. That just doesn't make any sense! I mean, sure, Helga's a nice, sweet, caring person deep down, but since when did she care about what people thought of her?

She cares, Arnold, his consience answered again. She just has a hard time showing because of her family. Think about it, Arnold. Her father has always been about showing everyone that Pataki's are tough and don't show their real feelings just to anyone. Her sister has always been about perfecting her, her life, and everyone and everything around her. And her mother? Well, it's like her mother's barely there half the time. One minute she's bored and tired, the next she's energetic and happy! And because of all this, they haven't had time to give Helga love and attention, or even never had the ability to. So, think about it. Alone, tired, sad, and cold on the first day of pre-school. And who saves her from that? You. Who still does? You. I mean, sure, Phoebe's there to make Helga feel better, but then, there's you. Ever since you gave Helga the attention she deserves, she's been on a little thing called "Obsessed Love" and "Cloud Nine." Think, Arnold. Think. If you were in Helga's position, and she were the one to save you from your depression and unhappiness, how would you feel? Happy? Grateful?

Arnold thought for a minute, then blinked in realization. You're right. I would feel the same if I were in her position. But, what do I do now? What do I do now that I know how she feels about me? Will things go back to being the same? Will Helga ever gain her family's attention and love?

His consience sighed. I don't know. It's all up to you now on what to do, Arnold. She made the move. Now, it's your turn. You may not know much about love, but the least you can do is try. Let her teach you what you don't know. And, you do the same for her.

Arnold nodded. Yeah. You're right. But, there's not much I can do right now. She's probably still sleeping. I shouldn't bother her right now.

Now, his consience nodded. Right. So, just get some sleep right now and rest. You can think more about what to do later.

And with that, he fell asleep, unconsiously thinking about Helga.

NOTE: Hmm...I'm not sure what to do at this point. Shall I just continue this as a one-shot or shall I make this into a chapter story? I'll let you decide. If I get at least 5 reviews telling me what yiou think, then I PROMISE that I'll continue.