Time for the next chapter of this story! Anyway, enjoy!
As soon as Gerald got comfortable on the bus, he immediately opened up the list and started reading it.
'Hey Gerald...
If you're reading this list, I finally got sick after so long... I just wish circumstances were different, but what can you do, huh? Normally, being sick wouldn't be a big deal, sure, I'll miss a day of school, but... well, you know how people always rely on me for advice or help...'
"Wouldn't you know it, man." Gerald laughed as he continued reading.
"...well, I fear that if I'm not at the school, things may fall apart. You remember how Helga tried to take over my job when everyone just... kicked me out because I was so 'preachy' or whatever Helga's exact words were. Yeah, didn't end well for the other kids when they tried to do their practical jokes. And Helga's advice didn't help. But... I'm fearing mass hysteria will come if they hear I'm sick. Sometimes, I worry that someone needs advice, and I'm not there to provide it... you know how easily agitated every student in PS 118 is."
Gerald looked around to see Harold, Stinky and Sid talking to each other and chuckling, Rhonda being freaked out by a spider that Nadine was carrying with her, Lila trying to smile when combing her hair, and still holding it in when she felt frustrated on the inside that her brush got stuck on her hair, and Helga piling book after book from her bookbag onto Phoebe. Gerald nodded as he continued reading.
"Therefore, I'm entrusting you to be me for the day. Like I said, this is a list of what I usually do after I get off the bus and before I prepare for class. I want you to take a look at the list and see if you can do some of them before the first school bell. I usually do all the time. I'll tell you when to get to Mr. Simmons' class when we get down along the list."
Gerald smiled. "Arnold, you have my trust man..."
Gerald then looked at the first item on the list. "'First item... find Edmund and tell him he's a great person, no matter how much anyone belittles him. He always seems to enjoy that. He's usually seen hanging out near the lockers, probably waiting for Wolfgang.' Wait... Edmund from the fifth grade?"
Gerald's eyes widened in shock as he held the list. "Arnold must be kidding."
Gerald then looked at the list. "'No, I'm not kidding.'"
Gerald groaned. "This is going to be a long morning."
Back in the boarding house, Arnold sighed as he blew his nose. Arnold groaned as he laid his head back. "Man, I wish I wasn't so sick today... I just hope Gerald is following that list..."
Arnold groaned as he rang the bell.
A couple of moments later, Arnold's grandfather arrived as he smiled. "Hey, Shortman. Need anything?"
"Could I have a refill on orange juice, please?" Arnold asked, holding his glass up.
"Sure thing, Shortman. You just lay down and rest..." Arnold's grandfather said as he took the glass. He then noticed the remote that controls Arnold's room as he picked it up. "How about a little fresh air, Shortman?"
"That would be really nice..." Arnold sighed as he laid his head down. "Fresh air is the 3 button."
"Er, thanks, Shortman, I would have figured it out." Phil said as he pushed the 3 button as one of the windows opened up. "There you go. I'll be back with that refill."
Arnold nodded as he watched his grandfather leave. He then laid his head down, trying to rest... but he just had a bad feeling in his stomach...
Meanwhile, upon arriving at PS 118, Gerald kept the list on him at all times as he looked around. "Okay, just where is that Edmund guy anyway..."
After a couple minutes of searching, he found the blonde haired fifth grader in the blue shirt and brown pants as Gerald groaned. "Okay, here we go..."
Gerald then started to walk up to Edmund as Edmund noticed the fourth grader coming up. Edmund gave a stupid laugh as he stood his ground, trying to look threatening. "Well, well, looks like a fourth grader wandered to the wrong side of the world..."
"Uh... listen, are you... Edmund?" Gerald said nervously.
"Yeah, I'm Edmund." Edmund smirked, giving a toothy grin, trying to look threatening, but really turning pathetic. "What's it to you?"
"Well... I wanted to give you a message." Gerald chuckled, sweating bullets.
"Yeah? What's the message?" Edmund glared.
"...I just wanted to tell you that... well... you're a really... great guy... no matter... what people say about you." Gerald yelped as he flinched.
Edmund stopped as he looked down at Gerald. "You really think so? Gee, thanks. You know, Arnold usually says that to me every day. Makes me feel special."
Gerald paused as he noticed Edmund letting down his guard. "Wow, really? Well, this message is from Arnold specifically. He's sick today and..."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he gets better soon." Edmund said. "Well, hey, when you see Arnold next time, tell him I said, 'he's the best fourth grader and nothing else the fifth graders say matter'. He'll know what I'm talking about."
"Oh... all right. Thanks... Edmund." Gerald smiled as he and Edmund shook hands. "I'm Gerald."
"Nice to meet you, Gerald." Edmund said as Gerald went on his way.
As soon as Gerald walked off, he smiled. "Huh. That wasn't as bad as I thought. I can see why Arnold talks more to Edmund than the other fifth graders. Okay, what's next?"
Gerald then looked at the next item of the list and read it. 'Second item... I usually visit Harold and ask if he has a spare sandwich.'." Gerald blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Sure, Gerald. I just happened to have a spare one." Harold smiled as he dug into his lunch and handed him a plastic baggie and sandwich. "It's tuna this week. Why did you want the spare sandwich? Usually, Arnold is the one asking for it."
"That's just it. Arnold's sick today, and I'm doing his routine for him." Gerald said.
"Really, Arnold's sick?" Harold said in surprise. "Man, that must hurt for Arnold, not coming today... wait, if Arnold's sick, then... we can't get advice from him today!"
"Hey, Harold, you tell Stinky and Sid that until Arnold gets better, I'll be the advice giver. I know that I'm not Arnold qualified, but I hope I'm a suitable substitute until Arnold gets back." Gerald said.
"Well, I hope he gets better soon." Harold said. "I'm planning on something after school, and I need his opinion. Or, well, your opinion. I can't say what for now, but... it's going to be big."
Gerald nodded as he said, "Well, be sure to tell me. I don't want to be pressurized."
"I understand. See you later, Gerald." Harold said as Gerald went along the way.
"Okay, why did Arnold want me to get Harold's sandwich?" Gerald asked as he looked at the list. "'Third item... Helga usually has a packed lunch by her mother, but... I've once looked at Helga's 'lunches', and... well, I don't want to spare details, but let's just say that they aren't items for edible purposes. That's why, when she isn't looking, she'd usually talk with Phoebe while her backpack is still open, and her lunch bag is usually on top of her books. Sometimes, I slip one of my own sandwiches on there, but once I found out Harold always has two sandwiches with him, I ask for the spare one. In the event that Harold doesn't a spare or he doesn't want to give it away because he feels he could get really hungry later, then just slip one of your sandwiches in Helga's lunch bag'."
Gerald gulped. "Oh no..."
Gerald knew he had to be careful here as he saw Helga opening her locker. She was opening her book bag as he watched Phoebe approaching her. Gerald felt that Helga wasn't paying attention, so he took an opportunity to sneak right by Helga and Phoebe as they seemed deep in their conversation.
"I'm telling you, Pheebs, this weekend is going to be a blast!" Helga laughed. "Can you imagine it? Getting into the water, having fun... you have to seriously take a break from your hum-drum studying life..."
"You really think the community pool will be fun?" Phoebe asked as Gerald noticed the lunch bag on top. He slowly opened it and quickly put the sandwich inside... before quickly running off.
Helga's ears heard the sound and turned... only for no one to be around. Helga looked around and noticed the lunch bag opened up slightly. She raised an eyebrow in suspicion... but gave a shrug as she turned back to Phoebe. "I'm sorry, where were we?"
Gerald sighed in relief as he took a deep breath. He then pulled out the list and started reading it. "Fourth item... Nadine needs somebody to make sure he holds her pet tarantula while she uses the restroom. Go over to her and offer assistance with the tarantula."
Gerald blinked as he put the list. "He does ALL this before the first school bell?"
Gerald shook his head as he continued on, determined to continue Arnold's chores.
Second chapter is done! How did you guys like it? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!