Chapter 2: Something New and Something Old

A/N: First off I want to thank everyone that read my first chapter and left me a review. I didn't really think people would actually like it so I really appreciated it :) which is why I'm REALLY sorry it's taken me so long to update the story. I had the idea for how this chapter was going to go but I couldn't make up my mind on where to leave it off. Not to mention how stressed out I've been feeling, getting ready to transfer to university and getting ready to move out from home, but that's college life for you. But enough of the excuses and on to what's really important- reading this chapter. Hope you guys like it and reviews are greatly appreciated :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold! We owe that to the creative mind of Craig Bartlett.

The shriek of the bus as it began to break let Phoebe and I know our stop was here. Getting off the bus, I lost track of where Arnold went among the group of people bustling their way towards the doors of P.S. 120. Of course graduating from the sixth grade meant leaving behind P.S. 118 which was hard for everyone to do, even for me.

The night before graduation we had ourselves a little camp out in Gerald Field. And while everyone began to get mushy about leaving and thought back on the things everyone did, my memories of P.S. 118 consisted of the football-headed kid sitting across from me around the fire pit. I was afraid of leaving behind the school that held the memories I made throughout my time there and entering a school where I might not get the same results. However when Bob and Miriam missed the entire graduation ceremony because they got a call from Olga overseas, I couldn't wait to get the heck out of there. I stood firm and nonchalant, trying to hide the hurt and disappointment I felt as I watched all the parents walk towards their kids, hands loaded with balloons and graduation bears. You would think that after years of neglect and constant reminders of Olga's accomplishments, I would be used to Bob and Miriam's favoritism towards Olga over me. I just never thought they would actually miss something so important as my graduation. Phoebe took notice of my lack of parents but knew not to ask me questions I wouldn't be able to answer. Instead she invited me to celebrate with her and her family and I took up her offer. Mr. and Mrs. Heyerdahl were always like a family to me and Phoebe, a sister.

Suddenly I felt something tugging at my arm and noticed Phoebe pointing towards the school entrance. "Come on Helga. We said we'd wait for everyone by the entrance". Following her stretched arm, I saw Rhonda and Nadine already huddled near the bushes by the school's steps, and we began to walk towards them. Being caught up in their own conversation, they didn't notice Phoebe and I approaching them.

"Honestly Nadine, I even gave you the new issue of Pre Teen Miss were it showed off this season's must-have for the school year. And you decide to wear that on your first day?"

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing? The shade of blue of my shirt matches the wings of my Anna's blue butterfly".

"It's our first day of seventh grade. Our first day at P.S. 120. Don't you think a new outfit than the one you've worn since P.S. 118 would have been better?" Looking over her attire, Nadine slightly pulled at her shirt. "Well this shirt is new".

Shaking my head, I continue to watch Rhonda pester Nadine about her clothes, a displeasing look forming on Rhonda's face by the second. 'Oh criminy, this is gonna turn out just like the fight they had back in the fourth grade', I thought. Looking over at Phoebe, I knew she was thinking the exact same thing as a concerned look washed over her face. Finally tired of being ignored, I step in and act like a sort of mediator.

"Calm down princess. If Nadine wants to wear her usual clothes then-"

"Oh my word. Not you too Helga! This is just a fashion monstrosity! That's it, I'm calling an emergency sleepover this Friday to fix this, this...fashion fiasco". Before I could counter her insult to my clothes by insulting her matching red caprini blouse and shoes, Sid and Stinky came over.

"Boy howdy this year is gonna rock. A new place to try out our tricks on other people besides Principal Wartz."

"Ya know, now we can pull pranks on him and not get detention on a-count-a he's no longer our principal". Sid's eyes suddenly lit up like the fireworks he and Stink-o planted in Wartz's office back in the 5th grade. "You're right Stinky! I say we go teepee his house after school for all the detentions he gave us back in P.S. 118".

"Alright! I'll bring the toilet paper". Everyone turned to see Harold walking towards Sid and Stinky while eating a Mr. Fudgy bar.

'Why did I agree in going through the doors P.S. 120 together with these bozos', I thought. Placing a hand on my hip, I huff and roll my eyes as I watch the three chuckleheads in front of me plan their grand scheme to get back at Wartz.

"Oh pipe down ya pee brains. Now, since most of us are here can we go inside already?"

"Not yet Helga. We're still missing Lila, Eugene, and Sheena". Creeping up from behind us were Arnold and Gerald, sending my senses into a complete frenzy as I gazed upon those brilliant emerald eyes I often dreamt of and became the muse to many of my poems. Just the sound of his voice could always send my heart racing. Standing next to Nadine and Rhonda, I admired the sudden growth spurt he developed during our summer break. 'Guess that means I can't call him a shrimp anymore...yea right', I snickered internally. Then Stinky's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Miss Lila escorted Sheena to the girls' bathroom and told me to let y'all know they'd meet us inside".

"And here comes Eugene", Sid chipped in.

Looking over the spot Sid pointed to, we watched as Eugene walked happily along the school's lawn, waving at the people he passed by before sending a friendly wave at us. "What is he doing", said Rhonda as she and the others slightly waved back to him. Crossing my arms, I shake my head humorously. "Oh man, he's just calling for trouble". Before anyone could comment, we watched as Eugene walked past Wolfgang but not before Wolfgang lunged his foot forward, causing Eugene to trip over and fall flat in his face. "Oh didn't see you there. Hope you had a nice fall", Wolfgang said as he laughed away from the scene. Phoebe and Arnold ran towards Eugene and helped him up on to his feet. "I'm okay", we managed to hear Eugene say as he dusted himself off.

"Told you he was looking for trouble", I said as we watched the three of them walk to us. "Mmm-mmm-mmm, Eugene the jinx. Guess nothing changed with him during the summer", I heard Gerald say. "It is Eugene we're talking about. I mean the boy still tucks his shirt over his underwear", mocked Rhonda. Our fit of chuckles were quickly halted as Eugene's energetic voice was heard.

"Hi you guys! Isn't this exciting, our first day at P.S. 120. Oh I'm sure today will be great!". The bright smile casted upon Eugene's face, it's like he didn't even remember the dirt and grass that was plastered all over it not five minutes ago. But that's Eugene for you. Besides Arnold, he's always looking at the bright side of things, or what Eugene likes to say, "Keep your sunny side up".

"So has anyone heard news from Curly?", Eugene asked. "Well from what my parents informed me, Curly won't be due here till next week, after he finishes gathering the barn animals he let loose at his great uncle's ranch", noted Phoebe. "Good, with him gone I can establish myself as one of P.S. 120's fashion trend setters without having the little weirdo hovering over me", Rhonda said as she crossed her arms and held her nose high. Nadine had an unamused look. "Oh come on Rhonda, even you have to admit Curly is a pretty good guy. Like when he-". Before Nadine could even finish, Rhonda instantly flung her hand over Nadine's mouth to prevent her from spilling out any information Rhonda didn't want out. "Hush Nadine. I was merely stating what we know".

"Nadine is right Rhonda. Sure Curly can be a little odd sometimes but he's still our friend", Arnold added. Mumbles of "yes" and "I guess so" began to echo through the group, causing Rhonda to huff and look away. 'Great, now we're gonna be here for a while defending Curly's honor', I thought. Not like I had anything against the guy, I just wanted to go inside already before we made bigger fool of ourselves arguing in front of the school.

Just then Gerald turned to face Arnold. "Alright Arnold you've made your point. Let's just go inside already and get this over with". "That's the smartest thing you've ever said since I've known you tall hair boy", I said gladly. "Right, Helga. Let's just go in", said Gerald half amused, half annoyed, as he lead the way to the steps of P.S. 120. I watched as Arnold and Gerald walked up the stairs followed by Nadine, Rhonda, and the rest. With Phoebe tagging closely along by me, we passed through the wooden doors of our school for the next two years. 'Here's to things going better in here than how it was out there', I quickly thought.