Man, am I glad I remembered AFF.org exists! Ghost town that it is. What an absolute gem of a fic. So sad to see it was discontinued in 2018 (and only has 5 reviews?? Criminal! If you ever upload this to FF.net or A03 you'd get way more attention, no doubt about that) Well, don't care how old this is, good writing is good writing, and this? Is some good shit. And, it just doesn't seem fair to not leave a review, at least on the off chance that you still get notifications. (That, and what kinda dick would I be, as a fanfic writer obsessed with Hey Arnold myself, and not review when I dig something? Shit, man.) Anyway, I digress. Incoming essay, I got thoughts lol

I adore the characterization in this. I can absolutely hear Phil and Gertie talking, Sid and Gerald, Stinky, Harold, and of course, Arnold and Helga. I've always found the idea that, if Arnold and Helga are "meant" for each other, then even if/when Helga tames down her obsesssive stalker tendencies, he's gotta have at least some of his own kinda crazy coming up to meet hers? A veritable creep-off. And I adore how you extrapolate that sentiment from character clues that were already in the series.

Dammit, and honestly, Arnold is creepy. He obsessively latches on Lila and doesn't take "no" for an answer and instead of quietly crushing, he just pushes. Like just relentless. Even takes advantage of his best friend's little sister's crush on him to try and get Lila to finally like him. Gets way too fixated on fixing people and their problems. Forces his help on people even when they say no, like Eugene (even got weirdly threatening) That boy's got no parents, grandparents with expiration dates, and a hole in his heart. Like that shit becomes his life. Just like he's Helga's life, filling her own. 

And dude, so true--no other girl seems to have it bad for Arnold. I really dig that you kept that fact from the show in this fic, because on top of everything else mentioned, no wonder he's not put off by her shrine, despite its obsessive, stalker nature being incredibly clear to him. Feeling so "incredibly loved and adored", reveling in being wanted so much for once? Like, yeah dude. Even when kinda weirded out, that's compelling. I completely get Arnold being into it. Stealing her journal and running out! And wanting more! Thinking she's a creep, admitting he must be one, too. It not stopping him. So many people don't go that route, preferring to pretty it up ("you're not a creep!" etc) and I super dig how this story just leans into it for convincing reasons. 

Also, dude. Damn. The amount of sexual tension in this fic is stupid strong. My jaw dropped reading the journal entry Helga wrote watching Arnold getting off to her writings about him. "I'd tear that girl apart!" That scene fucking blew me away LOL. Incredibly well-described, and just like, well crafted, super potent, situationally driven smut. I can't get over Helga being a voyeur over Arnold while he's voyeuring over her private thoughts! Twice. Like it coming (lol) full circle when he reads about the whole encounter in her stolen journal. Just layers of want and violation of privacy and not being able to resist on both sides. Fuckin' *chefs kiss* That shit was so good.

And, yeah. I'd be lying if I said I didn't groan with disappointment when I reached the end of chapter 9 and realized that was the end of it LOL. Totally feeling that setup for what would have come next, but I get that the bite of inspiration goes weak sometimes. But hey, I hope it does again at some point! And hey, shameless plug, if you're ever in the mood to check out more Hey Arnold fics, there's some good shit over on A03, and I've been told my own Arnold/Helga fics aren't the worst out there, either. But, anyway! Hope this review kinda gave you a laugh if nothing else! Cheers 

Damn,  I had a bad feeling something was going to down, I just didn't know if it was going to be Helga, Arnold, or Gerald's fault. I know she's swinging,  but I hope she doesn't actually hit him...I feel funny because despite my hope that they'd cross some lines together now,  I'm not angry at Helga- it is their 1st date/her first date after all. Ideally, I see this going to ways and I hope it leads the way that eventually leads to a level of intimacy similar to his closet incident or higher

I've actually been creeping on AFF for years and occasionally leave a review when the account permits it, but I just had to officially register because leaving a review was a must! I love this,  I figured Helga would be more descriptive in her journal, and I admit to a sick satisfaction to read Arnold's reaction to the journals, both from the beginning and afterwards

I hope,you update again soon! I keep checking back just in case. I really love this story so I hope you'll finish it.

Really loving this story!! I like how you set everything up to be in high school instead of just skipping forward in time. The thing with Brainy was so creepy but worked so well. I'm dying over Arnold's reaction to Helga's journal! I hope you post more soon, I neeeeeed it!!

I very much enjoyed this story, everything is in-character and can be believably fit into the universe of the show. Very cute, excited for more <3