Once lunchtime rolled around, all the kids rushed outside to discuss the essay contest.

"What are you going to write about, Helga?" Phoebe asked her best friend, after explaining why she would go to China.

"Are you kidding me? D'hoy, Paris of course! It's the most romantic place on this entire planet!" she exclaimed, glancing at Arnold when she came to the 'romantic' part.

"I'm going to write about Africa. Do you KNOW how many insects there are there?" Nadine asked Rhonda.

"No, Nadine, how many?"

"Over 9,000!" Nadine whispered excitedly. "Where do you want to go, Rhonda?"

"England! I want to meet the Queen," Rhonda said importantly.

"Hey, she might hire you as a fashion consultant!" Nadine added.

"Probably," Rhonda replied.

"Well, I'M going to write about the SEA!" Curly screeched, jumping in front of everybody. "Just think! We could explore the depths of the ocean, learn about creatures we never even knew EXISTED! And, the boys could save the girls from sharks! It's perfect!" Curly finished, looking proud of himself.

Everyone shared a glance, then Helga spoke up. "Just one question, moron, how will we BREATHE?"

Curly opened his mouth to answer, then scowled and stepped back.

Everyone talked over each other, telling their friends where they wanted go and how they would write their essay, until Harold noticed something.

"Hey, Arnold hasn't said what he would write about! Tell us Arnold!" he yelled at Arnold.

Everyone gathered around Arnold, burying him with questions, when Arnold put his hand up. "Well, my answer also ties in with the reason I didn't go to DinoLand yesterday. You see, my parents were explorers, and they went to San Lorenzo when I was a baby to help their friends, these mysterious people, The Green Eyes. They said they would only be gone for a month or so, but instead, they just went missing and I haven't seen them since they left when I was almost 2. Yesterday was October 5th, the 8 year anniversary since they left, so I wasn't really feeling up to DinoLand. Anyway, I went up to the attic and found an old journal of my dad's. My grandpa read it to me, and I found an old map at the end of the book. It was a map of San Lorenzo! So, I'm going to write about San Lorenzo and why I want to go there," Arnold finished, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, you're pretty stupid if you even think you have a CHANCE of finding them," Helga sneered. "They're probably long dead. At the most, you might find a pile of bones."

Arnold sighed, knowing Helga wouldn't understand. "I just want to know what happened. It's my only chance," he tried to explain.

Helga rolled her eyes, and the talk turned to other things. When she was sure nobody was watching, she raced at the speed of light to the other side of the building.

"Oh, Arnold!" she exclaimed, starting one of her many poetic monologues and taking out her locket. "How heroic you are for searching for your parents! How kind and caring you are for never giving up hope that you will find them! How I wish I could support you in this time of need, but alas, I do not have enough strength to be nice. Oh, Arnold, why can't you see past my mean, blustery exterior and into my good-hearted center? I love you, but I cannot show it." She sighed, put the locket away, and joined the other kids.