This follows in the footsteps of my previous stories, but with less focus on Arnold and Helga. It's been awhile since I've written anything, so I don't know how great this one will be. I don't know exactly where it's going. I think it's going to be similar to Mad Dash in the fact that I'm doing a character per chapter. I don't think this one will be quite as long though.

I own nothing except my laptop. And the bed I'm sitting on. I did manage to get a real job after I graduated, so I finally moved out.

Nadine sat down at the usual lunch table to wait for her friends. It was their final year of high school and, in a great stroke of fortune, the core of their group of friends all shared lunch on B days. Nadine brought her lunch, so she always saved the table. Helga and Rhonda had math right before lunch and the math wing was closest to the cafeteria, so they'd show up next. Phoebe, Arnold, and Gerald had history classes and would arrive together. Sid, Stinky, and Harold brought up the rear from the English wing.

Today, however, it appeared that they would have another join their table. An extremely gorgeous guy was walking with Helga and Rhonda.

"Hey Nadine, this is Thad. He's in our math class and Rhonda though, since he's new and all, that maybe we should invite him to eat with us. You mind?" It was no surprise that, even though it seemed that Rhonda was the one who wanted him here the most, Helga had taken charge for her friend.

"Of course not, the table is big enough that we can scoot around and pull up another chair. Where are you from Thad?" Nadine smiled to herself. She knew exactly where Thad was from. This was the boy Helga was teasing Rhonda over last weekend at Frosty's. Apparently Rhonda didn't know that "Thad" was "Curly" from P.S. 118. Thad had been totally obsessed over Rhonda, but back then, when he was awkward and strange, Rhonda hadn't given him the time of day. Now that he was older and extremely attractive, things might be different.

"I'm originally from the area, but my father sent me to a private school. We didn't get along well. He died this past summer and my aunt became my guardian. She thought it was time I returned home and started learning the family business. She's been put in charge until I graduate from college, but she doesn't really want the responsibility."

"Oh Thad, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I'm sure you must be distraught." Rhonda was being slightly melodramatic. She really was interested in this guy. Nadine might have to start up a new betting pool for how long it took her to figure out who he was. And maybe one for her reaction when it happened.

"It's not really a big deal. Like I said, we didn't get along well. I loved him and he loved me, but we hardly ever interacted. Plus, my views on death are such that it doesn't bother me too much when people die. The worst that could happen is I'll miss them, but since I never spoke to him anyway, it's doubtful that will be much of a problem."

Nadine mulled over the information Thad had bestowed upon them while the others chatted. It was an interesting point of view, especially for a teenager. Before she could get too carried away a kiss was placed on her cheek.

"Hey beautiful," Nadine smiled up at her boyfriend. "Any more couple attending Sadie Hawkins with us yet?" He said this quietly so as not to embarrass any of their friends who might potentially get together.

"Phoebe said she's going to ask Gerald this afternoon, so there's a sure couple." Nadine and Sid looked across the table to their most studious friend who was flirting with their most athletic friend. They made an interesting pair, but they also made a very solid pair. While they might have very different interests, they worked well together and balanced each other out splendidly.

"Helga is encouraging Rhonda to ask Thad. I think that's why he's sitting with us. I was thinking about opening up a bet on how long it will take her to figure out who he is." Sid looked thoughtful at that.

"And if one of us were to tell her?"

"Disqualified. It's the only fair way to do it. Unless she thinks she knows and she wants affirmation. I hadn't really considered all of the logistics just yet."

Sid looked thoughtful at that, but before they had much more time to discuss anything, the bell rang.

"Talk to the guys at practice and see if they want to place any bets. Also, see if they want to bet on her reaction." Sid laughed at his girlfriend and kissed her lightly before heading off to his next class. Nadine smiled. It never failed to impress Sid that she was their resident bookie. Sometimes it even surprised her.

"Where are you heading next, Thad?" Rhonda was very obviously into this guy.

"I have AP chemistry next." Rhonda was clearly disappointed that he'd be walking in the opposite direction.

"Why don't you walk with Phoebe and me? We're heading to the science wing as well." Nadine grabbed her bag and beckoned to Thad and Phoebe. "We'll have to get a move on, the science teachers are super strict about being on time."

Nadine glanced at Phoebe. "I have something to run by you in class today. Don't let me forget. It's sort of related to the Helga/Arnold situation." Before Phoebe could respond to that, Thad spoke up.

"Are they dating?" Nadine turned to him.

"Why, are you interested?" Thad blushed and started to deny interest. "It's ok, Thad. Even if Rhonda is kind of thick, Helga is not. She told us who you are and that you appeared to still harbor feelings for Rhonda."

Thad smiled tentatively at the girls. "I didn't want to mention it. I know I was an oddball when we were little. I still am a bit inside, but I have grown up quite a bit since father sent me away."

"You're a lot like Helga, only you dealt with your hand in life differently." Both conversants turned to Phoebe, who had barely spoken at all since they left the cafeteria. "Your feelings toward Rhonda were very similar to Helga's for Arnold. She bullied him for his attention whereas you got in Rhonda's face. She hid away her feeling from the rest of us for fear of getting hurt. You put yours out there in such a way that we didn't dare think of teasing you for fear we might get hurt. Neither of you has ideal backgrounds in the family department, but you found ways to cope. You're very like Helga, just in very different ways."

Nadine smiled at her friend. It was probably just what Thad needed to hear. He was obviously worried about Rhonda finding out who he was, but if the group could embrace Helga, they could embrace him as well. Both he and Helga had changed quite a bit. The biggest difference was they watched Helga's transformation, but Thad's was just as apparent.

With under a minute left until the bell, the girls waved goodbye to their escort and entered their classroom.

Who should be next? Rhonda and Thad need to wait until later, but I'm open to suggestions for the next chapter or two.