Here's another Hey Arnold story that I had in my mind for a little while. And before you ask, yes, indeed, this is another Arnold x Rhonda... sort of. It's more of a hint thing! Anyway, enjoy this first chapter!
Over at the new salon, Brooke Lloyd was waiting patiently for her nails to dry as she was waiting for her daughter to get her hair all done by her stylist. She was just catching up on a new magazine that just came in the shop when she heard her stylist call. "Your daughter is done, Mrs. Lloyd."
Brooke looked up and smiled as she saw Rhonda's new haircut. Rhonda giggled as she looked at it. "Perfect around every angle, isn't it, mother?"
"As always, my little angel." Brooke smiled as she patted her on the head, Rhonda gave a slight giggle.
"All I know is it'll certainly impress the girls at school tomorrow!" Rhonda smiled, being cocky as usual.
Brooke gave a warm smile as she paid the stylist and led her daughter back to the car as Rhonda buckled up. Rhonda sighed as she looked at her nails and started to drive along.
"You know, honey, I hear there's a fashion show going on tomorrow." Brooke smiled as Rhonda looked up and smiled.
"I heard from Nadine!" Rhonda smiled. "Of course, even if I'm not entering, who can blame the judges? I'd blow my way through the competition."
Brooke chuckled a bit as she said, "Careful, sweetheart. Lloyd pride comes with overconfidence. We all know that."
"Sorry, mother." I said. "But if I were to enter the contest, I'd at least try my best."
"How true, sweetheart... how tr-" Brooke started before looking towards something on the road. She yelped as she stepped on the brake, causing Rhonda to lurch from the car a bit.
"What the-" Rhonda yelped as she almost fell, but thanks to the seatbelt, she didn't. "Mother, what is with you? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? At age ten?"
"There's somebody injured on the sidewalk nearby!" Brooke said as she looked to the right. "Rhonda, tell me if you recognize that person. Isn't he one of your friends from school?"
Rhonda blinked in curiosity as she looked. "That looks like Arnold, bu-"
Rhonda's eyes widened as she looked yet again. "ARNOLD!"
Indeed, on the sidewalk, lying face down and unconscious was Arnold, one of Rhonda's classmates of PS 118. The shirt, red undershirt and blue jeans gave away the look... but alongside that was a black eye, and a bruise on his face.
"Oh God..." Rhonda said in worry as Brooke leaned towards him.
"He's still alive." Brooke said as she took him. "But he seems to be pretty out of it."
"What happened to him..." Rhonda said in concern.
"I don't know, but we should at least get him to a nearby hospital..." Brooke said, examining him. "Actually, looking at it, the bruises are black and blue, but they're not horrible. Rhonda, sweetheart, we're going to take him in our home since it's more nearby. When we get home, I'll call his grandparents and tell them what happened. You take him in the guest bedroom and put him in there until we figure out something."
Rhonda nodded. "Okay, mom..."
Brooke took Arnold and laid him in the backseat as Rhonda joined in as she clung on to him a bit, worried as Rhonda looked over at Arnold. "Who did this to you, Arnold?"
When they arrived back at the Lloyd residence, Rhonda obeyed her mother's orders as she carried the unconscious Arnold over to the bedroom, which she was surprised to find wasn't as heavy as she thought it was. Rhonda settled him down on the bed as she looked down at Arnold's unconscious form.
"Oh, Arnold..." Rhonda sighed. "Of all the times for you to fall unconscious, why this time? And how did nobody notice you until recently? Furthermore... what happened?"
Rhonda paused as she looked at Arnold, then, for a brief moment, stroked his hair a little bit. She heard his breathing as she sighed. A few moments later, her mother came in as Brooke took a deep breath. "I informed Arnold's grandparents what happened. They said they'll very busy at the boarding house at the moment... something... BIG... came up. But they said they'll try to pick up your friend when they can."
Rhonda sighed in relief. "Well, at least they let us know they're coming to get him."
Brooke nodded. "Sweetheart, I'm going to get a first-aid kit, okay? Stay with him. If he wakes up, make sure he stays in bed."
Rhonda nodded as Brooke went out of the door. Rhonda looked back at Arnold and sighed as she stroked his hair a bit. "His hair is so soft..."
It was then she became aware that he was waking up a bit. She stopped stroking his hair for a slight moment as Arnold tried to open his eyes and get up. "Arnold, don't move. You're hurt!"
Arnold groaned as he looked like he was adjusting his eyes. "Rhonda? I-is that you?"
Rhonda sighed. "Yes, it's me, Arnold. Just relax, okay?"
Arnold nodded as he laid his head down. "Rhonda... why do I feel pain all around me?"
"You've been bruised. My mom and I found you unconscious and we took you to our place." Rhonda explained. "Don't worry, we're going to fix you up the best we can, and your grandparents will come pick you up."
"Oh... that's great..." Arnold sighed in relief. "Thanks, Rhonda..."
"No problem, Arnold." Rhonda sighed as she looked at him, sighing. "It's a good thing we found you... who knows what would have happened?"
"You'd probably be devastated, I suppose..." Arnold said.
"Yeah, me and Gerald, Phoebe, Nadine, maybe Helga, and all the other PS 118 students... your grandparents too." Rhonda smiled. "They'll be glad that you're okay..."
Arnold then blinked in confusion. "I'm sure they will... but can I ask you a few questions, Rhonda?"
"Sure." Rhonda said.
"Who's Gerald?" Arnold asked.
Rhonda's eye widened. "Wait... you don't know who Gerald is?"
"Who is Phoebe, for that matter?" Arnold asked. "I don't know anybody named Helga... and I don't have the slightest clue on who my grandparents are." Arnold said.
Rhonda looked at Arnold. "You're totally serious, aren't you?"
Arnold sadly nodded.
"Uh-oh..." Rhonda said to herself. This was not a day she was expecting...
First chapter is done! How did you like it? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!