CHAPTER 2

ARNOLD

Disclaimer: I still don't own Hey Arnold. Schuks.

Sid, Phoebe and I got off the bus to camp Nasusmot. Finally. It's a long ride from New York to the Midwest, geez. We were all weary from the ride, stumbling out of the bus to get our bags. I hurried and dug through the piles of luggage to find my suitcase. We then walked zombified to our cabins. I was rooming with Sid because Gerald couldn't come. . . his parents signed him up for science camp. At least he promised to send me letters. I don't know what I'm going to do here without him. . . I guess spend more time with Sid. But there is no substitute for your best friend.

Sid and I trudged up the dirt path to find our cabin. Plath. What kind of a name is Plath anyway? What am I going to do, die of boredom from a Bell Jar? I just hope that Helga is having a good time at her camp, too. She forgot to tell me why she went to a different camp this year. I don't even know what camp she went to. Note to self: ask Helga what camp she's at.

We walked into our cabin and I threw my duffel bag on the top of a bunk bed, while Sid put his on the bottom. We then made the long trek to main camp to meet Phoebe. If I thought I would be lonely not having Gerald, I can only imagine how Phoebe must feel. She doesn't have anyone to room with, so she doesn't knows anybody in her cabin. At least I have Sid. We gave her our word that we would spend as much time as possible at main camp. We walked to the picnic tables in front of the snack bar and waited until we saw a familiar face in blue-framed glasses.

"Hey, Phoebe. How's your cabin?" I asked her.

"Oh, it's okay I guess," she replied. "I haven't met any of the other kids. . . when Helga was here we usually made fun of them and did our own thing."

"Well," Sid said, "You can always make a new friend."

"Unlikely," Phoebe replied matter-of-factly. "Helga and I have been going here since the 4th grade, and we have only met one girl who was actually worth talking to. All the rest of them are either too introverted, think too much on how they look, or are dissing the cheerleader camp because they stole all the boys at the combined dance."

"Wait, Helga never made fun of the cheerleading camp?" Sid asked, amazed. "No way."

"Oh, yes Helga made fun of them a lot, too. Just not because they took a lot of the guys from this camp as their dates."

"Phew. I actually had a thought across my mind there for a second that Helga didn't hate cheerleaders. I thought I was going crazy."

"Yeah. Well what do you want to do?" I asked everyone.

"Hey, Arnold." Someone said from behind me. I turned around to see my old buddy from camp, Anton.

"Hey to you too, Anton. I thought you weren't coming this session."

"Me, too," was all he said. He doesn't like to get too personal about things. "So. . . who are they?" He asked, straight to the point.

"These are my friends, Phoebe and Sid."

"Where's Gerald?" He said.

"He couldn't make it."

"That sucks. Well, I'm going to meet someone at the ice cream station. Feel free to join me. " With that he left for the snack bar. Anton was a mysterious fellow…there was something I just couldn't put my finger on.

"So. . . what do you want to do? Swim? Eat ice cream? Do nothing all day?"

"I'm for the eating," Sid replied, eagerly patting his stomach in anticipation.

"Well, I thought that we might like to take a walk in the woods. It is a very nice day, after all." Phoebe, said.

"That sounds nice," I answered. "Maybe after we can eat, Sid." He looked saddened, but came on our hike through the woods.

"Hey, isn't this the way to the girls cabins?" Sid asked. "What if someone sees us? I can't risk getting in trouble this early in the year. I need to save up my bad habits so I don't get kicked out."

"You can't get in trouble. If we take this way I can just say we are going to the gym," she looked into the woods, squinted and stopped, deer in the headlights.

"What's the matter, Phoebe," I asked her. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," she answered. "Let's just go."

We walked through the woods, which I had to admit, was pretty beautiful. It was peaceful. So quiet. So tranqui-

Phoebe dove into the bushes next to us.

"What are you doing?" Sid asked her.

"Shh!" Was all she had time to say. A guy walked up to us.

"So. . . do you guys have some sort of thing with talking to bushes or something? Are you like the bush whisperer?" He asked, puzzled.

"No, well, you see-"

"I SAW A SQUIRREL!" Sid blurted.

"Uh-huh. A squirrel. Well, whatever your up to, I'll let it go now. The name's Brek. Brek Anderson. And you are. . . ?" He looked at us for a response.

"Oh, well. . .I'm Rob Smith and this is Jon. . . uh, Jon Mc. . . Patterson. Jon McPatterson." Sid lied.

"Whatever, see you Rob. Jon." He left with a wave. Phoebe poked out of the bushes.

"Is he gone?" She asked. We nodded and she came out, covered with leaves.

"Why did you hide from him? He seemed like a nice guy," I said.

"Oh, uh. . . he was mean to me last year. I just didn't want to talk to him. And you shouldn't either!," She quickly changed subjects. I cut her some slack and let it go, "Well, shall we continue our walk?"

"Let's just go get some ice cream," I said.

"Actually, Arnold, I'm feeling sort of drowsy. I'm going to take a nap in my cabin. Maybe we can eat after dinner?"

Phoebe looked like she could use a nap, so Sid and I left for our cabin. When we got there, we were both so tired from the long trek, that we just laid down on our beds, and didn't move until we heard my name.

"Arnold? Is Arnold here?" A guy, probably mid-twentys came up with a letter in hand.

"I'm Arnold," I said, too tired to get up.

"Oh. I've got a letter for you. From a Helga Patacki. Here you are," he handed me the letter.

"Thanks," I said, and he left. I opened the letter, and was happy to hear things were going so well for Helga at her new camp. I finished the letter, and wrote her one.

Dear Helga,

Great to hear that camp's going so well. Well, Gerald couldn't make it, but Anton came again, and Sid and I already made a new friend. His name is Brek. I'll send you more in my next letter, but I have to get ready to leave for camp. Dinner is soon. Well, tell me all about your camp and what you do there. I'm really interested. Well, can't wait to see you when we both get back!

From, ARNOLD

I folded the letter, sealed the envelope, and sent it off to Helga's return address. Hmm, her camp must be somewhere close, it's in the same area code. I was just finished putting Helga's letter in the mailbox when I heard a familiar voice cry, "Arnold!"

I spun around and realized just how problematic this summer would become.