Author's note: Hi buddies!. For those who doesn't know it, I'm not a native English speaker, so, expect to see a few grammar errors here. AND, for those who doesn't know it, I don't own "Hey Arnold!", Nickelodeon, Viacom or Craig Bartlett. By the way, send Lord Craig a donut. He deserves it.

Chapter 1: Mondays of lost coins and many other things.

People only see things by their surface. They believe that, with only that, they are capable of knowing all the thruth. They don't even take the trouble of knowing what's behind of that masquerade that cover a world that deserves to be observed.
People doesn't hear everybody's voices, only the ones that are on the surface. People isn't interested in knowing what the ones inside say. They believe that they don't have anything else to add to what the ones on the surface say. They don't know that this is a big mistake, because they ignore people that really have something to say.

The city placidly gets up. Maybe too placid, taking in consideration that it's a big city. As in every metropolis, the diversity of people one can find is amazing. Men and woen, of different age, color and social class. Straight citizens, dishonest citizens. Materialistic people, people who preach the spiritual life. Visionaries, bohemians, madmans. Optimists and pessimists.

But their is a group that always stands out of the others: the kids. They, a mixture of mischief and innocence. Full of kindness, as well as of questions. Anxious souls, filled with vitality. They play, laugh, joke. The kids are the soul of humanity. The kids are the hope of a better future, and in their hands working for it will be, but for now, they should learn, and not only learn in a classroom, but also in the biggest school of all: life.

It was a cold autumn morning. And cruder it is to face it, since its Monday. Weekend's rest supposes to be a replacement of energies, but retaking rutine it's always arduous. Even more it is for a child.
Even so, two youngsters of short age are impatiently waiting for the school bus to arrive. One of them, with a peculiarly formed head, covered with blond hair that the cold wind of the North rocks incessantly. The other one, whose skin is brown, wears a showy hairdo, which can be recognisable from the distance. Arnold and Gerald are their names, they are 9 years old, and they assist to the Public School number 118. They aren't only companions in the classroom, but great friend of all the life.
To avoid the cold, they decide to talk, while waiting the bus to gather them.

Gerald (shivering of cold): Man, I'll repeat it: this cold will freeze us. They'll find ice creams of us.
Arnold: C'mon Gerald. Don't exaggerate.
Gerald: Bud, I'm not exaggerating. Do you believe this is Autumn?. I think they have skipped that season, because this looks like it's winter...now snow will fall, the coloured ligths, the Christmas tree, Santa, and...
Arnold: Gerald...
Gerald: Yeah?
Arnold: Chill out.
Gerald: Whatever you say, man.

Finally, the school bus parks, in the precise place where Arnold and Gerald were waiting for it. Inmediately, they get into the vehicle, which will transport them to P.S. number 118. Many well-known faces were already on board, although everybody was really silent. Ones, looking towards the outside, others, reading their notes. Evidently, mondays makes everybody to have less spirit than the normal.
The two boys decide to take a third row seat, which was empty. In front of them, two girls, who also are going to the same class than them. One of them, short, and with big glasses, tried a timid greeting.

Phoebe: Hi Arnold, hi Gerald.
Arnold: Hi Phoebe.
Gerald (smiling): Hi Pheebs!.

Phoebe timidly gave the smile back to Gerald, blushing slightly. Supposedly, there's something going on between these two, although timidity and the innocence proper of chilhood don't let see clearly what it is.

Next to Phoebe, a girl who was a bit taller than her, with blond hair and a particular pink bow was reading a comic book. Although it didn't seem to be of much fun to her, since she wasn't emmiting any kind of sound. Not even a single smile.

Gerald: And...Helga?
Arnold (behind Gerald's shoulder): A bad day, I suppose...
Phoebe (interrupting): Once again, an argument with her father. She asked him if she could go to...

And then, Helga poked her with her elbow. Obviously, she got the message: there wasn't anything else to add. Helga was still in silence, reading her comic book.

The final destination was still far away, and there were some more students to gather. Nobody was talking on the bus, with the exception of the occasional whispering.

Arnold, as well as Gerald, were reviewing their notes, when they hear a voice from behind. Who was talking to them was a short boy, who was wearing a green colored cap and white beetleskin boots. His name's Sidney, although everybody know him simply as Sid.

Sid: Hey Arnold!...Gerald.
Arnold: Yes?
Sid: Did you already decided which team will you enter?.
Gerald (confused): Huh?. About what teams are you talking about?.
Sid: Oh, you didn't come last Friday...
Gerald: Yeah, yeah, yeah...I was recovering from a slight fever...but you haven't answered my question yet.
Sid: Oh, yeah!, the team. Well, you see, we have organized a sports competition between all the 4th, 5th and 6th graders. So, we are forming two teams.
Gerald: Two teams?. For what sports?.
Arnold: Basketball and soccer.
Gerald: Hey, that sounds great!. Which sport will I choose?.
Sid: Whatever. In the first recess we will gather and each one will say which team they want to play on.
Gerald: Oh...I see, thanks for the data, man.
Arnold: By the way Sid...did you choose a team already?.
Sid: He he, you know I stink at basketball. I'll sign up for the soccer team.
Arnold (surprised): But...do you know how to play soccer?.
Sid: Uh...nope, but I don't think it will be hard to learn, he he.
Arnold (rolling his eyes): Whatever you say...

While saying that, another figure, tall and thin, with an enourmous nose was coming near the group. It was the unmistakable silhouette of Stinky, who was hearing the conversation.

Stinky (doubtful): Gosh...I don't know which sport to choose...ya know, I'm not very good in any of 'em.
Arnold: But Stinky...you're very tall, even as tall as the 5th and 6th graders. Sign up for the basketball team...also, you already know how to play. Did you forgot that we played in the same team once?.
Sid (looking at Stinky): Arnold is right. It would be a waste that you didn't sign up for that team...
Stinky: Oh, geez. I think I'll do it that way. I suppose I've nuthin' to lose.

The bus stops once again. Maybe it'll be the last time it'll do it, since they aren't too far away from school. A single person gets on the bus. A tall and quite thin girl, with brown hair, who is firmly holding a red book between her arms. For her misfortune, she trips, falling on the bus' floor. All the kids who were watching her laughed with desire, although Arnold had the gentility of caring about her.

Arnold: Sheena, are you okay?.
Sheena: Oh...I think I am. Thanks, Arnold.

Sheena was still feeling a bit dizzy. She had a little bruise on her forehead, but luckily, nothing else happened. As she always does, she kept walking until arriving at the back seats, and there, at the bottom, she turned out of sight.

It was one of those apparently typical days, but that in its interior, it hid events that weren't common at all, although they didn't look like they were.
Here is when that phrase that says "People only see things by their surface", could be used. Apparently, the real action could be found not at the first rows of seats, the surface ones, but at the inner ones, those of the last rows.

In the last row of the vehicle, three boys were seated. One of them was making signs to Sheena, indicating to her that he reserved the seat, even if it wasn't neccesary at all, like if somebody else would want to sit at the bottom of the bus. The boy was of short stature, with short, red hair, who was always showing a wide smile.

Sheena (smiling): Thank you Eugene.
Eugene: You're welcome...by the way, look at this.

Eugene took a coin from his pocket, although it seemed to be a common 25 cents coin.

Eugene (excited): Don't you think I am lucky?. I'll conserve it, and I'll never use it. This is my lucky coin, and...

But the coin, by destiny's whim, slips off Eugene's hand, falling to the floor, and rolling forward. Crestfallen, Eugene lamented that accident.

Sheena (consoling Eugene): I'm sorry...
Eugene (raising his sight): No!. I must recover that coin. It's very special for me...it's my lucky coin, you know?.
Sheena: I understand you, but don't look for it while the bus is on movement. (smiling) Do you remember that time on where you lost your fake bunny foot charm right here?. The bus suddenly jammed on the brakes, and you struck your head really hard?.
Eugene: He he, that's right. Well, I suppose that I shouldn't worry so much. Luck doesn't reside in an object, but on oneself, right?.
Sheena: That's right...and maybe that luck will make you to recover your coin.
Eugene (a bit unsecure): Do you think so?.
Sheena (winking): Trust me.

Little time was left for finally arriving to destination, and everything was going on calmly, when suddenly, a short boy, with dark hair and glasses raised his voice. That boy was Thaddeus Gamelthorpe, although everybody calls him "Curly".

Curly: Darn!, why we have to always sit here, at the back seats?. Can't we seat in other ones?...Why Brainy always has to sleep on the bus and fill my shoulder with his saliva?...and why...?

Eugene (interrupting Curly): Yeah, but, well...it's the tradition. We do it since the first grade, and even if after that incident with Rhonda anybody can seat anywhere, we prefer the back part. The back part is...
Curly (angry, interrupting Eugene): Damn, shut up now, or I'll leave YOUR back part with the same color as your hair!, haaaahahahahaaa.

And with that said Curly got up and sat down in one of the front seats.

Eugene (sighing): Oh, god...it's always the same...
Sheena: Even so, everyday he always sits back here. I wonder why...
Brainy (drowsy): Uh...he's crazy *wheeze*..I suppose...*wheeze*.

After saying this, Brainy fell asleep again. Eugene and Sheena looked at each other, a bit confused.

Finally, the bus arrived at P.S. 118. Everybody got out the bus quickly, with the exception of Eugene, who was crawling on the floor, looking for his "lucky coin". The bus driver was watching him on the rear view mirror, and with a hurried tone, he talked to him.

Driver: Kid, what are you looking for?. Hurry up, I have work to do and I'll be late.
Eugene (with a kind of desperate tone): One moment, please. I've lost a coin and I can't find it anywhere.
Driver: And so much uproar just for a coin?. Come on, get down of the bus, or I'll have to leave and you'll lose your class.

Eugene realized that his search was useless, so he gave up and stood up.

Eugene (crestfallen): It's true...it's only a silly coin. I'm sorry sir, I'm getting down right now...

The first class of the day was a boring History lesson, given by a sustitute teacher, as for some reason, the main teacher didn't arrive yet. And being Monday, it was even more dense. A relief it was for the kids to hear the recess bell. Everybody left quickly, as they were used to, but the boys gathered outside. Sid, sitting on a table, tried to take his friend's attention, which obtained after a pair of unsuccessful attempts.

Sid: All right, guys. We'll use this recess for organizing the teams. Our classroom now counts with: Arnold, Gerald, Stinky, Harold, Iggy, Eugene, Curly, Brainy, Park, Joey, Lorenzo, Robert, Peapod kid and me. We are fourteen, so we can fill both teams. As we designed last Friday, the teams' captains will be Park, of the soccer team, and Robert, of the basketball team. Now, each one will say which team you want to be part of.

Then, Sid took a piece of paper on which he drew a very improvised roster form.

Sid: Harold?.
Harold: Ow...basketball makes me to sweat like a pig. I'll sign up for the soccer team. And I'll be the goalkeeper, so I don't have to run at all!.
Sid: Okay...Stinky?.
Stinky: Basketball, 'course!.
Sid: Excellent. Joey?.
Joey: Basketball!.
Sid: Lorenzo?.
Lorenzo: Oh, heavens. I forgot to put this on my agenda, and I couldn't think about it, and...
Gerald (interrupting Lorenzo): C'mon, man, we don't have all the day...
Lorenzo (sighing): All right...I...I...choose Basketball.
Sid: Iggy?.
Iggy: Soccer!.
Sid: Peapod?.
Peapod kid (with his usual pedantic tone): Basketball is a very rude sport, and it doesn't go with my...style. Of course, I choose soccer.
Sid: Whatever...Curly?.
Curly: Hahaha...I must take care of my delicate hands, I prefer to sign up for the soccer team.
Sid: Uh...all right...Brainy?.
Brainy: *wheeze*...uh...soccer...uh...I suppose...*wheeze*.
Sid: Arnold?.
Arnold: Basketball.
Sid: Ok, I'm signing up for soccer...let's see who's next...Gerald?.
Gerald (paralyzed): Uh...I...well...
Arnold: What's going on Gerald?. I thought you preferred to play basketball. You have a great talent for that sport.
Gerald: Yeah, but I like soccer too, and I barely had time to thing about it...
Sid: See, I agree with Arnold. May I sign you up for the basketball team?.
Gerald: No!. Wait!. Give me a little more time for thinking about it, ok?.
Sid (sighing): All right, you have a good excuse. Eugene, you're the only one left.
Eugene: Well...I...
Sid: Yeah?.
Eugene (crestfallen): I don't want to participate.
Arnold: Why don't you want to, Eugene?.
Eugene: It's just...I'm not in the mood for playing anything.
Sid: Eugene...I must fill this roster form today. I can't leave it incomplete. You must choose, or basketball, or soccer!. You have until the next recess for coming up with a decision.
Arnold: Sid!.
Eugene: ...

Eugene, with a sad countenance, slowly retired from the place, going to the school's interior.

Stinky (whispering at Harold's ear): Well, I think that it was the best. We know that Eugene doesn't know how to play a dang thing, not talkin' about his bad luck.
Harold (in low voice): Hehe, it's true. He's a clumsy boor and he's bewitched.
Sid (retaking the group's attention): Let's see, Park, Harold, Iggy, Peapod, Curly, Brainy and me signed up for the soccer team, and Robert, Stinky, Joey, Lorenzo and Arnold signed up for the basketball team. Gerald and Eugene still have to decide. At least the teams are complete, but we have agreed on handing the complete roster forms over by today...
Arnold: Something could happen in you don't hand it over by today?.
Sid: They will throw us out from the competition for sure...and they already wanted to do it...
Gerald: Yeah, always treating us like trash.
Harold: But this time we will kick their buttocks!. Yeah!!!.
Sid: You'd like to, Harold...
Harold (irate): What did you mean with that, sausage nose?. I'll crush you!.
Sid: Boy Howdy!...

Sid started to run, screaming for help while an enraged Harold was chasing him...

Gerald: We're a really unite group, man...
Arnold (rolling his eyes): Yeah.

At that moment, and fortunately for Sid, the bell rang once again, indicating the restart of classes. The kids ran towards the classroom, and entered the same way they left, totally disorganized. The teacher still hasn't arrived to the classroom, and several voices and whispers filled the place, waiting for the math class to start.

Gerald: Pheebs, do you have the solution for problem number 7?.
Phoebe: Yes, Gerald. Do you need it?.
Gerald: You would make a great favor to me. I wasn't able to solve it.
Phoebe: Here you are.
Gerald: Thanks, Pheebs. You're the best.
Phoebe (blushing): Oh, please, it was nothing.

At that instant, Gerald feels somebody tapping his shoulder.

Gerald (turning his head backwards): Park?.
Park: Gerald, could we talk about something important on next recess?.
Gerald: Yeah, sure, no problem, man.
Gerald (looking at Phoebe): I wonder about what he wants to talk... anyway, I better finish this before Simmons arrives.


At the same time, at the back of the classroom, another conversation was happening...

Eugene: ...And I registered the entire bus, but I couldn't find it. God, I feel like that luck isn't with me today.
Curly (sarcastically smiling): That means, you're feeling like everyday.
Sheena: Curly!.
Curly: Bah...don't tell me that you don't want to play because you don't have that lousy quarter. That's pathetic, even coming from you...hehehehe.
Sheena: That's enough, Curly, with that you aren't helping Eugene. Besides, we know things about you that could put you in a compromising situation.
Curly (gulping): Uh...you'd never say those things to the other, right?...hehehe.
Eugene (sighing): Do you think she would do it?. Neither me, nor Brainy would do it.
Brainy: That is...*wheeze*...true....
Sheena: I don't know about you, but we respect the codes...
Brainy: Yeah..."the codes"...*wheeze*.

Curly was feeling a bit uncomfortable about his friends' commentaries, although at that moment, the 4th grade teacher, Mr. Simmons, entered into classroom.

Simmons: Good morning, students.
All: Good morning, Mr. Simmons!.
Simmons: Sorry for not being able to come earlier, but I had to assist to a very important meeting. Well, as far as I remember, last week I assigned to you special math homework. Now I'll say who has to deliver the ten excercises correctly done.

At that moment, one could say that everybody swallowed at the same time, paralyzed by the nervousness.

Simmons (reading a list): Iggy, Helga, Rhonda, Arnold, Sheena, Joey, Brainy, Gerald and... Harold.
Gerald (looking at Phoebe): Phew!, thanks again, you saved me from a big one.
Harold (smashing his head): Damn it!.
Simmons: Something's wrong, Harold?.
Harold: Oh!, No, nothing, nothing's going on Mr. Simmons!.
Helga (looking at Harold, to herself): Blockhead...

The class passed with...relative...tranquility, knowing that these 4th graders aren't what we could say, very tranquil. At last, recess bell rang, and all the kids ran out of the classroom, totally disorganized, as usual...

Sid (approaching Gerald): Tell me, did you already decided?.
Gerald: Oh, I'll tell you later...have a commitment right now...
Sid: Okay, but hurry up...I'll see if Mr. Bad Luck already decided what to do.

At that moment, Park, who was drinking a cola beverage, approached Gerald.

Park: Gerald, I've to talk to you...I suppose you know about what...
Gerald: Actually, nope, man. What's the problem?.
Park: Well, see, as you know, I was designated as the soccer team's captain, and I suppose you know that almost nobody know how to play this sport well...
Gerald: Except you...
Park: And you too, Gerald. And that's my point...
Gerald: Do you mean....
Park: Yes...please. With you in our team, we will have a chance to beat the other teams. Otherwise, I afraid they'll wipe us out from the field.
Gerald: Geez...I don't know what to say, man. It's not that I don't want to, but I haven't decided it yet. I need a little more time to think about it.
Park: Please, promise me you'll do it.
Gerald: Of couse, bud.

Park and Gerald high-fived each other and went to opposite directions. That meeting left Gerald thinking for a moment.

Gerald (thinking): God, he looked really worried. I think he's taking this much more seriously than most of us. Perhaps... should I accept his offer?. But...I'm not pretty sure...

In another sector of the building, Eugene was sitting, sighing, obviously a little discouraged for losing his new charm. Sheena, accompanied by Nadine and Rhonda, were walking around there, and they saw him.

Sheena: Eugene?.
Eugene (sighing): Oh..
Nadine: Is something wrong?.
Eugene: My lucky quarter...is missing.
Nadine: Oh, well...I'm sorry, I think.
Rhonda: Eugene, dear, I don't think that you should feel so sad just for losing a little coin. Here, I'm giving you one of my quarters...
Eugene: Thanks, but I can't accept it. No other coin will replace mine. (with a more desperate voice) It's isn't a common quarter, it's my quarter, my lucky quarter!.

Eugene quickly stood up and ran inside the boys restroom, not without tripping a few times. The girls continued on their way.

Nadine: Something's going on with you, Sheena?.
Sheena: I can't see him like this. I want to do something to recover the old Eugene, but I don't know what can cheer him up.
Rhonda: I suppose that recovering his...uh..."lucky coin" will cheer him up, but don't even think that I'll help you to look for it.
Sheena: I know that such thing is impossible, who knows where that coin landed.
Rhonda: Do you have an idea, Nadine, dear?.
Nadine: Well...no.
Sheena: What can we do?.
Rhonda: Hmm... I know somebody who can help us with this. Let's look for him...

And so, the three ran outside, where the other kids where playing...well, not everybody were...

Peapod kid: So...do you have the Special Edition Parthenon card?.
Lorenzo: Yes, it was really hard to obtain, as it was part of a very limited edition.
Peapod kid: That sounds...fascinating. You have a really good taste for you pastimes, friend.
Harold (approaching at them): Hehehe...what are you playing?.
Lorenzo: We are not playing, Harold. I was showing him my Ancient Greek card collecition, and...
Sid (appearing behind Harold): Hey...are you still with that?. Don't you ever get bored?.
Lorenzo: Get bored?. Not at all. This is my favorite pastime.
Harold: And what do you think if I...borrow them for a moment, huh?. Hahahahaaa.

Harold literally ripped the card deck off from Lorenzo's hand, and left shouting and laughing, making fun of the boy. Lorenzo and Peapod tried to chase Harold, asking him to return the card deck.

Rhonda: Oh heavens, Harold is so childish!. Will he ever become mature someday?.

Seated around a table, some 4th graders were talking. And there is where the girls went.

Rhonda: Arnold?.
Arnold (turning his head backwards): Rhonda?.
Rhonda: Well, you see...
Sheena (interrupting Rhonda): Eugene is very depressed, and we need some idea to cheer him up.
Arnold: I already noticed that he wasn't feeling like everyday. What happened?.

So, Sheena explained Arnold what had happened in the bus that morning...

Arnold: I see...
Sheena: What can we do, Arnold?.
Arnold: There's no way we can find that coin, right?. But what do you think if...?

Meanwhile, in one of the school's corridors...

Sid: Sheesh, Where the heck Eugene could be?...ow!.

Without noticing it, he ran into the most important person in the whole school, Mr. Wartz.

Wartz: Hey, boy, watch your step...
Sid: I'm sorry sir but it's just that...
Wartz (interrupting Sid): I hope that from now you'll pay more attention, youngster.
Sid: As you say, sir...
Wartz (moving away from Sid): And remember that you have a commitment, and that you must fulfill it...
Sid (enraged): Argh, I really hate that man. He'll pay for it!.
Sid (after a moment of silcence): Uhh...what was I about to do?...oh, yeah, buy a soda. I'm thirsty.

Meanwhile, Eugene was at the classroom, doodling in a notebook. He looked really gloomy, and his eyes were red. Arnold and Sheena stopped near the classroom's door.

Arnold: Ok, nobody's on sight. Go and talk to him.
Sheena: All right, Arnold.
Eugene (singing): My coin, my little coin, where are you...
Sheena: Eugene?.
Eugene: Oh...
Sheena: Come on, I can't see you like this. Change that face...
Eugene: It's just that...I'm not the same without my lucky coin.
Sheena: Seems that what I told you at the bus wasn't very convincing.
Eugene: It was a nice try, but that quarter is really a lucky quarter.
Sheena: Perhaps the reason I can't understand you is that you didn't tell me how did you get that coin. I would like to know that.
Eugene (sighing): Okay...everything started last week...

(flashback)

It was lunch time. Eugene was walking towards the yogurth machine, when somebody called him.

Iggy: Eugene!.
Eugene: Who me?.
Iggy: Can you do me a favor?. Buy me a lemon soda.
Eugene (counting the cash he had left): But I'm 25 cents short...
Iggy: Okay, here you are. I owe you the rest.
Eugene: All right.
Iggy: And I'd like it intact, if possible.
Eugene: Hehe, of course!

Then, Eugene walked towards the soda machine. And just when he was about to introduce the coin Iggy gave to him, it slips from his hands and falls on the floor. While trying to pick it up, he puts his hand on the machine's buttons. At that moment, Eugene hears a wee sound coming from the machine.

Eugene (very surprised): How Lucky I am!. A free soda can!.

Eugene went to where Iggy was waiting for him running very fast...

Iggy: Incredible, you brought it intact!, thanks friend.
Eugene: You're welcome. Oh, yeah... take this quarter. I was very lucky for having that soda for free, so I didn't used it.
Iggy: Uh...you can keep it. Take is as part of my debt.
Eugene (very happy): Great!.

Iggy's face showed a confusing expression, not understanding Eugene's reaction, who moved away jumping of happiness...

Eugene (to himself): This explains it all!. The free soda can, not falling while running with it...this coin gives me good luck!. It's fabulous, oh yeah!.

(end of flashback)

Eugene: And that's how I obtained it. I was so excited that I didn't tell anybody about it, until today. Although I must admit that I was afraid because the boys could stole it from me. You know how they are...
Sheena: So, only because that do you believe that that coin gave you luck?.
Eugene: No, not only that!. Way home, I found 5 dollars, a baseball stamps deck, and in my bedroom, my collection of marbles which I lost some time ago.
Sheena: But don't you think all that happened by chance?.
Eugene (raising an eyebrow): You know me. Do you think all that happened by chance?.
Sheena: Oh...I suppose you're right.
Eugene (sighing): Oh, well... once again, I'll become that bad luck guy who nobody wants to be too close.

Sheena, without saying anything else, slowly walked outside the classroom, where Arnold was waiting. She was walking backwards, always looking at the desolate Eugene. She wanted to cheer him up, but she didn't know what to say. But luckily, the little football head already had a plan.

Arnold: So that's how he got that lucky coin.
Sheena: Do you have a plan, Arnold?.
Arnold (winking): Sure!. Listen, we will do this...

Meanwhile, at the library...

Phoebe: So, do you want to go to the park?.
Helga: No.
Phoebe: To the shopping centre?.
Helga: No.
Phoebe: To the arcade?.
Helga: No.
Phoebe: Oh, Helga, Don't you want to do something?.
Helga: No...but you can do something for me.
Phoebe (smiling): Yes, Helga?.
Helga (frowning): Leave me alone.

Helga left the library really annoyed. Phoebe was preoccupied since she wasn't able to change her best friend's mood. At that precise moment the bell rang, indicating the re-start of classes. The kids, as usual, entered in a rushy way, but in this occasion Simmons was waiting for them.

Simmons: All right kids, now that everybody is seated in their respective place, we can start. Now we will have...literature.

All the kids let Simmons know their displeasure with a big moan. It's not that the kids excessively like the subject their teacher dictates each day, but literature was one of the less popular. Anyway, and showing that wide smile he always wears, Mr. Simmons tries to make each subject as much pleasant as possible.

Simmons: Today we will see a very special topic: poetry...come one, kids, I insist that inside of you lies a very special poet, waiting to see the light of the day. I'll do it simple: we'll do free poetry, you can use the style you prefer, and the theme is free. It doesn't even have to rhyme!. I'll give you 10 minutes for thinking about something special so you will be able to write about what you want, the way you want.

When Simmons finished talking, the whispers seized the place. While some kids were putting a lot of effort on their works, some others used that time for talking about other stuff.

Rhonda: Girls...I was thinking, what if we organize a slumber party in my house?. The boys already have something to worry about, and why we not?.
Nadine: That sounds great!.
Lila: Oh, I'd like to assist!. That sounds ever-so fascinating.
Rhonda: So, what do you think if...?.
Simmons (interrupting the whispering): Girls, finished already?.
Rhonda (nervous): Oh!, I'm sorry Mr. Simmons.
Lila: I'm sorry, teacher...I'm oh-so embarrased...
Simmons: Don't worry about that too much. I find very positive that you socialize, but I think that there's a moment for each thing, don't you agree?.

The girls only nodded. The 10 minutes were eternal for those who couldn't write a thing, but finally, the time was up.

Simmons (looking at the classroom's clock): All right kids, let's see your special compositions. Harold?.
Harold (nervous): I...I...ARGH!.
Simmons: Something's wrong, Harold?.
Harold (sobbing): Oh...It's just that I'm starving and I couldn't think on anything else. I'm sorry Mr. Simmons!.
Stinky (in a joking tone): Gosh, Harold!, you're really mindless...
Simmons (interrupting): Could you share your composition with the rest of the class, Stinky?.
Stinky: Uh...well...I'd love to, but...you see...
Simmons (with a dry tone): Don't tell me. You didn't do it.
Stinky (crestfallen): That's right, mister...
Helga (in low voice): Pathetic buckos...
Simmons: I'm really dissapointed with you two. You know that your grades are not very encouraging, and still, you don't make the effort to raise them. We will talk about that by tomorrow. Now...somebody else wants to read his or her composition?.

But nobody raised a hand, neither Helga nor Phoebe, who were two of the best students at literature. But a few seconds after, Simmons saw a little, thin hand raising from the back of the classroom.

Simmons: Brainy?. Do you want to read your composition?.
Brainy: Yes...*wheeze*...teacher.
Simmons: All right, we're hearing you.
Gerald (to Arnold, in low voice): I'll not miss this for anything else in the World, hehe.
Brainy (standing up): My poem...*wheeze*...is titled...*wheeze*..."I suppose":

" When I see...*wheeze*...your...rebellious hairdo,
my being...*wheeze*...starts to shake...I suppose...*wheeze*.
When I hear...your...*wheeze*...voice,
my ears...*wheeze*...sweetens with it...I suppose...*wheeze*.
When I smell...*wheeze*...your fragance...*wheeze*,
my senses...turn...*wheeze*...mad...I suppose...*wheeze*.
When I feel...your...hand...*wheeze*...touching my...face...*wheeze*,
my world...*wheeze*...is all...yours...I suppose...*wheeze*.
I would...lower for...you...*wheeze*...thousand of...stars...*wheeze*...from the...sky,
for a...second...*wheeze*...of your...attention...I suppose...*wheeze*.
No, I...don't...*wheeze*... suppose it,
I would...do it...*wheeze*...just for...having...*wheeze*...you".

Everybody in the classroom, including Mr. Simmons, felt totally astonished after hearing Brainy's composition. Without saying anything else, Brainy sat down again. Finally, the teacher broke the silence...

Simmons (wiping a tear): Brainy...that was...wonderful. I didn't know that your poetry was so...special. You have a great talent.
Eugene: That was very good, Brainy.
Sheena: Well done, Brainy!. I knew you'd do it. You have a lot of talent.
Brainy: Thanks...*wheeze*...it was...*wheeze*...nothing.
Curly: Not bad...not bad. Of course that I doubt you can surpass the master of the pen, the master of prose and verse. Me!, hahahaaa...(looking forward, raising his hand) Teacher!, I want to be the next one.
Simmons: All right, Curly, start when you want.
Curly (standing up): My marvelous composition is titled "At the field":

"At my uncle Walter's field,
I planted an enormous watermelon.
At my uncle Richard's field,
I planted an enormous potato.
At my uncle's Gregory field,
I planted a small onion.
I returned at home and I tied the dog,
I threw him a bone, and a stick on his head.
He bit me and shredded my pants,
filled with rage I was.
Then I ate the onion,
and threw him my tearing breath.
Then I ate the watermelon,
and with seeds its face I filled.
And then I took the big potato.
burying it on its head.
I grabbed the defeated dog's tail,
running by the house, laughing, enjoying my noble victory".

Once again, the classroom was filled with silence, but this time the faces of the kids and the teacher showed a quite different expression than before.

Simmons: Well...that was a very...uhmm...special work, Curly.
Curly (rising an eyebrow): Did you mean that my poetry is...bad?.
Sid (in low voice, to Lorenzo): Boy howdy...I'm not liking this at all...
Simmons: No...no, what I wanted to say is that your work represents yourself in a very adequate manner, and that makes it special.
Stinky (showing his idiotic smile): In other words, he said that yer poetry is a disaster.
Curly (grabbing his head, desperate): No...no...NO!. I refuse to hear that!. NOOOOOOO!.
Rhonda: And finally, Curly lost his sanity...
Helga: Once again...
Simmons: Curly, please, this is not a reason for reacting like that, what I...
Curly (interrupting Simmons): And how could you know if this is a reason to react like this or not!. You don't know the physical and emmotional effort I made for creating this piece of artwork!. I put all my effort for creating a composition that could cause a revolution in the world of literature!. And you, a decadent teacher who's becoming bald, has the guts to say such blasphemy!. How could you dare!.

Curly was totally in a panic state, for not saying another thing. He took some of his pencils and threw them by all the classroom. Then he took some pieces of paper from his notebook and shredded them. Finally, he collapsed, falling on his chair, and breaking in tears. Simmons was astonished after seeing such reaction, even if Curly already had bad reactions before, this one surpassed the other ones. At that moment the classroom entered in a chaos state, and several kids approached to where Curly was. Sheena and Eugene tried to console him.

Sheena: Curly, don't feel so sad. We believe you, and I think that the effort you made is what counts.
Eugene: Sheena is right. We know that you wrote it with your heart.
Sid: That was the worst argument I've ever heard...
Iggy: Yeah, and even you two know that that poem was horrible.
Harold: Hahaha!. Your poetry stinks, Curly...
Curly (suddently standing up): Leave me alone!. ALONE!.

After saying that, Curly left the classroom running, sobbing. Sheena and Eugene looked at their companions really dissapointed, after the treating they gave to the poor boy. The teacher left the classroom trying to catch Curly, but just in that moment, the bell rang, indicating the class' end. All the kids dispersed from that sector.

Harold: Great!. Lunch time. I'm really hungry!.
Gerald: Okay, let's rush to the cafeteria, so we'll be the firsts in the queue.
Stinky: Let's go!.

And so, almost all the kids already left the place. One of the ones who stayed there was Arnold...

Gerald: Arnold?, what are you waiting for, man?. C' mon!.
Arnold: Oh...I'll catch you in a moment. I've something to do.
Gerald: Whatever you say...are you coming, Eugene?.
Eugene: Oh, I'm going...Aaaaahhh!.

Eugene tripped and ended with his face smashed on the blackboard. Gerald laughed, but helped him to get out of there. There were only two persons left...

Arnold: Okay, Sheena, take this money, and buy what I told you. I'll care about step 2.
Sheena: All right, Arnold.

What could be Arnold's plan?. Will Eugene manage to return to his old self?. Will Sid be able to complete the teams to prevent the 4th grade to be ejected from the competition?...you have to wait, until next chapter. You can write me at wenstrom@interlap.com.ar for any question or commentary you could have.

See you!