Hey Arnold: Is it true?

Chapter 2 - Confrontations and Confessions

The bell rang for lunch.
"Class dismissed." Mr. Simmons said.
Helga and Phoebe were in the lunch line together.
"You made us get an F." Phoebe said as she picked up a bowl of tapioca pudding.
"It's just one F." Said Helga.
"I think I'm gonna sit with Gerald today."
"Why?"
"Because that's what we arranged. Just the two of us."
"Okay Phoebe, I get it if you don't wanna sit with me! I honestly feel bad about it..."
"Well, I am a little flustered.."
"Bye for now."
Helga went to sit down and people in Mr. Simmons' class glared at her. It was like they were actually about to confront her about her behavior.
Twenty minutes later, the bell rang to go back to Mr. Simmons' class.
Arnold was late for class.
Helga had walked into the classroom and set her books down on her desk.
"Why do you have to be a jerk to Arnold, sissy?!" Harold said.
"Sometimes you can be." Helga said.
"Helga, why'd you do this?!" Sid said.
"Just because he started the presentation." Rhonda said.
I can't take this anymore. I feel too guilty. But why are they cracking and confronting me now? Helga thought.
"T-that's not the reason at all!" Helga said.
"Well what is the reason?!" Sid said.
Helga just stood there like a mannequin. The class glared at her like she was crazy.
Helga took a deep breath.
"I'minlovewithArnold." Helga mumbled under her breath.
"Excuse me? I reckon we can't hear a word you're saying, on accounta you're mumbling." Stinky said.
"I'm... I'm.." Helga took another deep breath.
"Okay, I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but even though I bully Arnold, I truly love him! I'm. In. Love. With. Arnold." Helga blurted out.
"Oh. My. Gosh." Rhonda said.
Everyone in the class had their mouth drop open.
Meanwhile, Arnold was standing outside the door since they started talking about him.
He was speechless. He had just heard about Helga's love for him. Does she really love me? Is that why she's awful to me? Ugh, I'm so confused! Arnold thought.
Arnold walked in the classroom.
"Why are you late for class, football head?" Helga scowled.
"Now that we know your secret, we're not gonna tolerate this anymore." Rhonda said.
I'm not going to tell Helga what I heard yet. Even though I am all about the truth, I need to test her a little bit.
Arnold thought. He was pretty mad to be honest. He was also stunned and surprised. He had a lot of conflicting emotions. Of course it was surprising to hear about.
I'm kinda mad. Does she really think I would make fun of her for liking me? Does she really think I'm that kind of person? But at the same time I understand her actions. Ugh! It's so freaking complicated! She probably is too! Arnold thought.
"What secret?" Arnold pried.
"Helga loves-" Harold started saying.
Helga found a candy bar on a desk before Harold could finish.
"Here you go, Harold!" Helga said as she held up the candy bar.
"OH, GOODY!" Harold said.
"I love tapioca pudding!" Helga said.
"That's not a secret. Everyone loves it." Arnold said.
"I don't! I love lemon pudding!" Stinky called out.
"Not a good time Stinky!" Helga hollered.
"Y'know, I'll let it slide. I'm sorry that I pried." Arnold said.
"You'd hate hearing the real secret..." Helga said.
There was an awkward silence for about five seconds.
"But YOU WON'T! Because it's none of your business Football Face! Okay?!" Helga shot back.
This is the first time Arnold wasn't being honest. He should've told Helga what he heard, but he didn't want her to yell at him for it or be frightened.