The first place Cecile took him was to PS 119- the town's high school.
"What are we doing-" "Shut up!" she hissed. Arnold quickly shut his trap. Cecile smirked, but soon faded. A look of sadness crossed her face. "Look…" She pointed around a corner in the school and Arnold was confronted with quite a sight.
It was HIM! As a teenager! With …LILA!
"Hey Sweetie. Guess who?" teen Arnold had his hands over Lila's eyes. She giggled. "Oh Arnold!" turning around, planting a kiss on his lips. 9 year old Arnold smiled. He liked this future.
"YO! EITHER GET A ROOM! OR MOVE OUT OF THE WAY SUGAR BAIT!" Arnold jumped at the voice of the girl. She was wearing a long sleeved leather jacket, white tee with a lot of necklaces and jeans. Her hair was up in two messy buns. She looked like a biker.
Teen Arnold remained unfazed "Hello Helga." He said monotone
"Arnold." replied Helga barely looking at him opening her locker
"Hello Helga! It's just ever so nice to see you!" exclaimed Lila.
"…"
"Helga?"
"Yeah, yeah, life's just a ray of sunshine. Look I've got to get to class. See you later sugar baby." Helga spat as she slammed her locker. She gave teen Arnold a hard shove with her shoulder as she passed him.
Lila sighed. "I just don't understand Arnold. Helga just seems to hate me. What have I ever done to her? I've always tried to be nice to her, but-"
"I know babe, I know…"
"Arnold! What did I ask you about calling me that!?"
"Sorry Lila."
"That's Ok, I'll see you at lunch, got to get to class." This time, though 9 year old Arnold didn't know it, Lila didn't kiss him goodbye like she always does.
Arnold stands alone in the hallway with his hand on his forehead. Shaking his head. "She really hates it when I call her that." Teen Arnold gave one last look around the school before walking to class.
Cecile looks at Arnold hopefully did he understand now?
"Ok…So….um…."replied Arnold awkwardly
"Did you learn anything?"
"Um…Helga's still a bully, Lila's still sweet and I'm still…me?" he replied with a shrug.
Cecile sighed. This was going to be a long, long, LONG night. But it would be worth it in the end. She was sure of it."Come on. We've got a LOT of palaces to be." She said dragging Arnold back into the darkness of night.
