˗ˏˋ𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒆-𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒚

                 #SHCRTMAN ;         independent   ,  selective   ,   and   mutuals   only  ARNOLD  SHORTMAN  of  Nickelodeon’s  HEY  ARNOLD !  canon  divergent  &  headcanon  based  with  influences  from  other  media  .  low - medium  activity  .  protected  by  mari  (  she  /  her  25+  )    est. 02/2018  revamped. 04/2022

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Helga had worked hard on her appearance. Curling her hair to look glamorous and using money she’d taken from her parents to buy the most elegant beautiful dress. The fabric being this pink silk with ribbon detailing that complimented her bow. Not only did she want to fit in in such a fancy place but she wanted to make an impression. A good impression on the object of her affections. Tonight she had to appear outstanding. Nothing like plain old helga. She wanted to be noticed. 

The girl chuckled. Nervously twirling a curl around her finger. “Yeah I did. I’ve actually been writing poetry for awhile now. This is just the first time I’ve let you read it. Pretty much the only other person I’ve let see my writing is my teacher.” She admitted folding her hands across the table. Her nails having just been manicured were painted light pink. Sparkling slightly under the lighting. 

“I know it’s a little over the top and I was never confident about it. I know if the kids at school found out I wrote this kind of stuff I’d pretty much be a laughing stock but I’ve liked you for awhile now. So I figured I can’t just let this fear completely rule over me. It was now or never. So that’s why I started sending you those letters.”

The twinkle of her nails twisting in her curls captured the boys attention. Distracting him momentarily. The question of ‘why him’ popping into his mind once more. He and her teacher were the only two people she’d allowed to read that incredible poetry. Just two people. For a moment he allowed himself to feel special. And honored, of course.

“I won’t tell them about it… the kids at school.” Arnold spoke so earnestly. A promise he’d make sure to keep. He had only shared the letters with one other person, a person Arnold trusted his life with. He knew they wouldn’t say a word either. If he thought otherwise, he never would have said a word about any of this to him. But Arnold didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize…whatever this was. He wanted to keep getting the letters. He wanted to find about more about this girl. He wanted to feel as important as she thought he was.

@shining-stxrs

She wanted to come… on his errands for his grandpa? An eyebrow rose in confusion at the thought. Didn’t she have something— anything, better to do with her time? Or someone else to bug.

His eyes rolled at her reason for wanting to tag along. She had so little faith in him. He was fully capable of running a few errands and picking up a few things all by himself. Plus, he had a list.

A quick glance at the list in his hand. He was only about half-way through it. And he really didn’t feel like arguing with Helga right now. He was not about to add that to his to-do list. Shoulders shrugged in resignation.

“I don’t think I’m gonna mess anything up but if you don’t have anything better to do, I guess you can come with me.” He really wished she’d think of something better to do than follow him around.

Helga practically swooned at the boy’s blushing. She had a feeling she would spend the whole evening just being in awe of her beloved arnold. Though luckily for her so far he seemed flattered by her adoration rather than creeped out or overwhelmed like she suspected. If anything sending those letters and gifts. Really the whole secret admirer thing was proving to her being sentimental and confessing how she truly felt didn’t mean the end of the world. She had a tiny bit of hope that perhaps in the future she could reveal her true identity. 

“It is?” She asked clearly surprised. If anything with over the top romantic poems she really thought that it would’ve scared him away. Her love could be so understanding. She really had to give him the benefit of the doubt and not let her anxiety get in the way. “Oh thank you.” He liked her bow! Just like when they first met. There was a real chance here arnold could return her feelings. The girl reached forward to grasp his hand. Letting her lead them inside. Once they were seated at their table she brushed off her dress before gazing at the boy. “Okay I’m ready for your questions. Ask me anything.”

Making their way through the restaurant, Arnold immediately felt out of place. Sure, he’d wanted to make a good impression but it was at his own expense. The girl at his side, currently holding his hand, appeared to fit right in. Everything about her from her fancy hair and elegant dress to the way she expressed herself through her letters. She was utterly impressive.  

Dread began setting in. Again his thoughts focused on how just Arnold he was. There wasn’t anything special about him. He wasn’t elegant or classy or impressive. He didn’t write like a poet or lyricist. What if he didn’t live up to what this incredibly emotional and eloquent girl thought he was? He felt like a total imposter.

@pinkbcw

“Well it’s not like I meant to say it! It just slipped out.” Maybe it was her subconscious telling her that’s what she really wanted. To be his girlfriend. The embarrassment and nervousness she was feeling was practically unbearable at this point. Harold making jabs at her the background clearly wasn’t helping. “Whatever!” She exclaimed before grabbing arnold’s hand. “You like me and I like you! So you’re just gonna have to deal with me being your girlfriend.” Her way of admitting that’s what she wanted. “Now let’s get out of here. Harold’s really pissing me off and it’s making me wanna punch his face in. I don’t wanna get dentention. Again.”

It really was her nerves just getting to her. Helga knew in her heart and soul that her beloved football head wouldn’t have stood her up. Even if he didn’t wanna go on this date he would’ve told her. He was that damn considerate. Not to mention he had been the one to ask her out. Oh it filled her with so much joy when he did. She held the letter he went close to her heart. It was actually placed now under her pillow because his words meant that much to her. 

“Oh I would never do that to you arnold. I like you far too much to do something like that.” Lies when it came to the helga in his life but she was a different girl now. She had been showing him a different side of her in her letters. Confessing her deepest feelings. How much she adored and cared for him. As his secret admirer she’d show him nothing but love and kindess. Everything she wanted to show him as her true self but couldn’t just yet. 

“I’m surprised you liked me enough to meet me. I know my letters got a little intense.” She stated with a nervous chuckle. Running her fingers through her curled hair in unease. “I guess I just held everything in for so long that I kinda ended up puking out all my feelings at once. Sorry if it was a lot.” Her nervousness was cut once she looked him over. “You look really handsome by the way.”

A warm flush flooded his cheeks. Half flattered, half embarrassed. He couldn’t understand what this girl saw in him. Why she’d like him as much as she claimed she did. So intensely. What about him would make anyone go through the trouble of sending him anonymous letters. Not just letters and notes but gifts too. On special occasions and holidays and even just random Tuesdays. For someone they didn’t even know. His own parents didn’t love him enough to even stay with him. He wasn’t special. He didn’t deserve that kind of attention. He was just… Arnold.

@pinkbcw

@wheelofmuses

“Woah.” She said out loud without really meaning to. She was just blown away with everything he had to say about her. Usually if someone was describing her they never said anything nice. It was always how she was mean and nasty. No one had even pointed out her good qualities. What she was really good at. “You really think all that?” She asked. Her tone hopeful and a bright smile that could light up a room plastered on her face. Quite a rare sight to be seen with helga. “I mean you’re right. I may not be book smart I’m plenty street smart. Plus I’m great at all sorts of sports. Especially baseball and football. I have great aim. But you know it’s really nice that you’ve noticed all that about me. Not many people have you know?” She said playing with her hair. Staring longingly at the boy for what felt like a solid minute. 

Maybe this wasn’t so bad. She was actually having a good time. Being paid attention to and appreciated for what felt like the first time in forever. It was nice. Really nice. She could definitely get used to this. It was only then that she noticed they hadn’t eaten yet. “Um arnold we should probably order our ice cream now don’t you think?”

It took him a moment to realize she’d said something to him. He may have been distracted— he was definitely distracted by the smile on her face. He’d never seen her smile like that before. He nodded his head in response finally. She was all of those things he’d just said she was, but she was also really pretty. Especially when she smiled like that. “If other people don’t notice those things about you, they’re missing out.”