Hey Arnold The Jungle Movie: Quest of the Heart
Chapter 1
"Aw man! I can't believe the sixth graders beat us again! This is the third time in a row!" Gerald complained as he picked up his bat.
Arnold dragged himself to the small bleachers to sit down. Helga stomped toward him.
"What happened out there Hair boy?! You could have easily caught the ball. Criminy! That was the second miss and it cost us the game!" She scowled with a menacing look.
"Yeah Arnold. How could you miss the ball? It landed RIGHT in front of you!" Sid yelled gesturing wildly at Arnold's spot on the field.
As the kids walked off huffing and complaining, Harold let out one last insult.
"Looooooser!"
Helga swung her bat over her shoulder and stomped out of Gerald Field with the rest of the gang with her own typical insult. Arnold, who really wasn't paying much attention to the kids' insults, just sat like a lump on an old log. Gerald stared at Arnold knowing something wasn't right. He slowly walked toward his best friend giving him a concerned look.
"Hey Arnold. You ok? I noticed for the past couple days you haven't been yourself." He said taking a seat beside him. Arnold didn't say a word. There was only a few seconds of silence from the two ten year olds, until Gerald decided to leave Arnold to ponder about whatever might be wrong.
"I understand if you don't want to talk about it." Gerald stood up again and managed to take a few steps before Arnold broke his silence.
"Oh…Ughh... Sorry Gerald.. I just have a lot on my mind right now. I'll be fine" the lamenting Arnold slowly stood up still rubbing where the ball hit him in the shoulder.
"I'll tell you later. It's getting late and I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa are wondering where I am."
"Are you sure Arnold?"
"I'm sure." He said giving a fake smile.
"Okay man." Arnold trailed beside Gerald. The boys proceeded to Arnold's house and continued to talk about various things about what happened at school.
When they arrived they heard the sound of Jolly Olly man approaching fast.
"Want to go get some ice cream real fast? I'm sure you'll feel a little better." Gerald suggested.
"No thanks. I'm going to head inside. Arnold's forlorn mood was more obvious than Stinky's love for Lemon pudding. The thoughts he had earlier during the game crept up on him again.
"If you ever feel like talking, just let me know." He encouraged Arnold. Arnold smiled a little. The two did their signature thumb shake and went their separate ways.
Gerald observed him slowly dragging his feet up the stairs. Gerald bought his ice cream and watched as his friend's mood saddened each step he took. His best friend couldn't help wondering why Arnold was acting strange, but turned around and head back toward his house. 'Maybe he's sick or something. Maybe leaving him alone is the best medicine. I'm sure he'll come around tomorrow' He thought as he slowly reached his street.
Arnold opened the door to the old brick boarding house. As usual, various cats and dogs poured out of the door. Arnold shut the door behind him and walked into the kitchen, only to be greeted by his eccentric, but lovable grandfather.
"Heyyy Shortman! How was schooool?" He said welcoming Arnold. The ten year old didn't make any eye contact with his paternal grandfather. "Sooo….how did the big game go with the fifth graders today?" Grandpa said generally happy. Arnold sighed and laid his large head on his palm.
"We lost."
"You lost? What the Sam Hill happened?" He sat down taking a bite of his herring sandwich.
"I didn't pay much attention in the last half. I was...just lost in my thoughts I guess…We were tied and…I missed the ball, but the side of my arm didn't." He grunted as he rubbed that small bruise on his upper arm.
"What were you thinking about? Did something bad happen?" Grandpa Phil suspicions grew in the last few weeks. He knew his grandson wasn't really himself.
Arnold rubbed his head.
Phil knew when Arnold stayed silent.
"Uh oh. Sounds like a like young Arnold's got another one of his complex labyrinthine conundrums of a boyhood problem. What is it this time Arnold?" He said waving his sandwich around.
"..It's nothing Grandpa…I'm just really not in the mood to talk about it right now." He yammered.
"Arnold I'm your grandpa, you can talk to me about anything. Don't leave me hangin'!" He spoke in a cheerful tone to lift up his grandson's attitude. Unfortunately, this time it didn't work.
"I just have these questions about something. They've been bothering me lately, but I know we've talked about it before already. Anyway I think I'll go to bed a little early tonight. Night Grandma. Night Grandpa." Arnold scooted his chair out and got off walking in the direction of the stairs.
"But your grandma's cooking fish tonight! It's not everyday Pookie whips up some good ol' fried catfish!" He yelled trying to get Arnold to come back.
"No thanks. I'm not hungry." His disheartened mood was almost infectious. Arnold dragged himself up the stairs. As he shuts the door, Arnold plopped onto his bed and rolled onto his back staring at the ceiling. So many thoughts ran through his head.
It was about an hour before Phil decided to try again and figure out what made his beloved grandson so depressed. Arnold didn't hear the echo of the footsteps that were creeping closer toward door. He was looking at a picture of his parents that resided in his drawer beside his bed.
"Is there something you want to talk about, Arnold?" Grandpa Phil spoke as he trudged through Arnold's door and then toward his bed.
"No. I just want to get some sleep." He placed the old picture back into its respectful place and out of others sights.
Arnold's Grandpa decided that maybe rest is the best thing for him right now and patted Arnold's shoulder.
"Alright . You need anything just let me or your grandma know, night Arnold!" Phil stood back up and approached the exit to Arnold's room and shut the door heading back down to eat his dinner. Arnold ran his fingers down his father's journal and tucked his hand under his head.
Phil had a gut feeling that Arnold was thinking about his parents, but didn't say anything as proceeded down the creaky stairs.
As the night progressed, he showered, brushed his teeth, and changed into his pajamas. The exhaustion of today's events took over and Arnold finally went to sleep.