Homecoming was in a week and Sid still hadn't told Irene that he didn't want to go with her anymore. But it was already too late as she had already arranged what they were going to wear and decided the corsage that he was to give her and made reservations for pre-homecoming dinner and called for a limo to drive them around. All of which was going to be super expensive and probably use up all the money that Sid had been saving to buy a car. On the other hand, the planning was finally done so he wouldn't need to talk to Irene until the night of homecoming.

He had decided to spend his first free weekend with the guys. He felt like he never got to see them anymore and they all shared the same sentiments. They had all decided to meet up at the arcade for old time sake.

When Sid arrived, he saw that Harold and Stinky were already there. Harold was the only one with a car and license while everyone else only had their permit and had to take the bus.

"Hey Sid!" Stinky said while waving. "We missed you, buddy."

"Yeah hey Sid! Finally done planning your homecoming with your girlfriend?" teased Harold. His personality has not changed as much as his appearance. He was still larger than their classmates but he had gotten braces in middle school to fix his jaunting lower tooth and had decided to wear clothes that actually fit him.

"Shut up, Harold," Sid said, rolling his eyes. He was tired of Harold's 'girlfriend' joke.

It wasn't long until Arnold and Gerald had arrived so they were all there. After exchanging some greetings, they all headed inside the arcade to play some games.

Meanwhile the girls had gotten together to find dresses for the dance. They had met up at Rhonda's place so they could take her family's limo to the mall. "Alright girls, game time! There are a lot of other girls in the mall looking for the perfect dress and we will need to fight them to get it at the best price!" rallied Rhonda. "Has everyone read through the list of what everyone else is looking for in a dress?"

This was their agreed strategy during this stressful but fun time of dress shopping. Each girl had listed the colors, size, and type of dress that they were looking for, along with their budget. This allowed them to divide and conquer. They could hit up more stores and be able to know if another girl would be interested in a dress that they had found. Perhaps this was a bit overkill, but every girl knows that dress shopping for homecoming was a big deal only second to shopping for prom.

When they arrived, they all made a break for it. They hit the first store like a storm. After about thirty minutes, they had decided that there was nothing of interest and quickly made their way to the next store. This continued with an occasional "Hey Phoebe! I think I found a dress you'd like!" or a "Helga! Cute pink dress at 11 o' clock!"

Twenty seven stores and six hours later, everyone had found a dress. Except Rhonda. "Come on, princess," Helga groaned. "Just pick something already. It's not like you have anyone to impress."

"Excuse me? Because I am going stag, I have to impress everyone in the room," Rhonda scoffed. "I'll just custom-order one from Milan or something so don't worry about me."

Everyone else was satisfied with their choices. Phoebe had gotten a short, baby blue dress with an illusion neckline and open back. Helga had chosen a pastel pink high-low dress with sequins. Nadine had chosen a classy jade dress with gold sequins on the shoulders. Patty had chosen a navy chiffon dress with lace. And Lila had chosen a light green strapless dress with a silver sequins belt. One could imagine how beautiful they all looked.

They were all hungry after the long day of shopping so they decided to hit Big Al's. They happened to run into the boys who were there after hanging out at the arcade all day.

"Hey! The girls are here!" said Gerald with a smile. He walked up to his lovely Japanese girlfriend and gave her a hug. "What have you been up to, babe?"

"The girls and I were going dress shopping," Phoebe said, slightly blushing at their public display of affection.

"Man, I bet you'll look incredible in your dress," Gerald said before leaning in for a kiss.

"Howdy Miss Lila," said Stinky as he scooted over to leave his girlfriend some room to sit next to him. "I sure can't wait to see you at homecoming."

"Oh Stinky, that was an ever so nice thing to say," Lila giggled.

Arnold smiled as Helga also took a seat next to him. "Well? Aren't you gonna go on about how excited you are to see me in a stupid dress, Football-head?" she sneered.

"Of course, my love, of course. I am very excited," Arnold said, his smile never leaving his face.

Patty shyly walked up to Harold who was scratching his head. "Uh.. Hi Patty," he said awkwardly.

"Hi Harold," she returned. "Can... I sit with you?"

"Of course..."

Sid couldn't wait to tease Harold later to get back at him for all the teasing that he had done to him. But he'd have to wait when Big Patty wasn't there. He didn't want to get beat up by a girl in front of everyone. He was so busy being amused by Harold's awkwardness that he failed to notice that Rhonda had taken a seat next to him.

"Hey Sid," she said with a smile. Nadine was sitting next to Rhonda and gave the boy a friendly wave as well.

"Oh hey girls," Sid said. "Did you also find a dress?"

"Well, I did but Rhonda didn't," admitted Nadine.

"Why not?" asked Sid curiously though he probably already knew the answer.

"I guess nothing caught my eye," Rhonda answered.

"I keep telling her not to be so picky! It's already enough that she doesn't have a date, but what if she doesn't have a dress either?" Nadine sighed.

"I'll be fine, Nadine," Rhonda assured her best friend. "I would look good wearing a potato sack. But please, don't dare me to do that."

"So do you know what Irene is wearing to the dance?" Rhonda asked, changing the subject.

"Uh... it's red... and tight..." said Sid, who was clearly not very good with describing women's clothing.

"Probably a body con dress," Rhonda mused. "Sounds sexy. You'll be sure to have a good time."

"If I don't kill myself before then," Sid rolled his eyes.

"Irene isn't that bad, is she?" asked Nadine.

"Let's just say that after homecoming, I never want anything to do with her ever again," said Sid.

The subject was soon dropped entirely as everyone stopped their private conversations among each other. They somehow managed to fit eleven people on one table and began to order food. It was rare for all of them to be in the same place since high school started but it was nice.

Once they were done chatting and eating, the girls had gone home with their boyfriends and Nadine had already gotten a ride home from her mom, so that left Sid and Rhonda alone.

"I really don't feel like going home yet," Rhonda sighed. She looked up at the moonlit sky and let the breeze flow through her hair. "Everyone looks so happy, Sid. I just wish I had something like that. Do you think I just attract bad guys? Maybe there is something wrong with me."

Shocked by the Rhonda's sudden confession, it took him a moment too long to reply.

"It's okay, Sid. You don't have to come up with a lie just to comfort me... I just feel so alone... I don't even know why I'm telling you this." She tried to laugh it off, but Sid could tell that she was really upset.

"N-no! I want you to be able to talk to me if you're feeling like this. I want to be there for you," said Sid, finally finding his words. "And you're amazing, Rhonda, don't think otherwise. Sure, there'll be a lot of crappy guys along the way, but I know you'll find someone that deserves you! Because you're beautiful and smart and funny and caring! Because even though you could have gone to some fancy private high school, you chose to stay with your friends. Because even though all the other kids are jealous of you and try to bring you down, you continue to shine without losing your confidence. Because you have changed so much since you were that bratty princess who made fun of geeks like me. Because there is no one in this fucking world who is quite like you!"

There was a deafening silence. Sid could hear his own heart racing after his proclamation. Why did he say that? No, it had to be said. She had to know that it wasn't her fault and that she was amazing. But this was the worst part, the silence. What was she thinking? Had she finally realized his feelings for her? Would she shun him for it?

"Sid..." said Rhonda, finally breaking the silence. Without saying another word, she leaned over towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was so close to him that he could hear her heart pounding. "No one had ever said anything like that to me before..."

Sid hugged her back, wrapping his arms around her waist. He wanted to stay like this forever. If a meteor came down to earth and struck him right now, he would be fine with it. This moment with her was enough.

"Did you mean it?" she asked into his chest. It was the first time he had heard her speak in a voice that was so gentle and vulnerable. It made him fall in love with her all over again.

"Every. Last. Word," he whispered, holding her tighter.

"Even the part about me being a bratty princess?" she asked playfully.

"Well, you kind of were," Sid admitted, unsure of whether it was the right thing to say.

Much to his relief, she only laughed. "True."

She soon let go of him and he reluctantly did the same. "Thanks," she said. "I really needed that. Now back to being my normal self!"

"Good, I wouldn't have it any other way." Sid could not help but smile.

Rhonda's phone went off and she saw a text that said that her ride was here. "I guess I'm going home now. Good night, Sid," she said with a small smile.

"Good night, Rhonda," Sid said, smiling back at the dark-haired beauty.

As she got into the limo, she gave him one final wave. He watched as she drove off into the night and sighed. "I love you..."