A/N Sorry it took so long to update. Thanks for all the reviews, and all the new readers. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of these wonderful characters... :(


I dreaded going to school the next day. My body felt tired and lethargic, and I just didn't have the energy to deal with the crap at school. Without Sheena, I felt so alone. But I kept reminding myself she was better off doing what she loved. I slung my book bag over my shoulder and called out, "Bye Mom, Bye Dad!" as I shut the door behind me. I often considered just ditching school and just staying home after my parents left for work, but that just wasn't me. I didn't have a bad bone in my body. Well—at least not after stint in fourth grade with the Abdicator.

I shoved my hands into the pocket of my jacket as I walked to school. Normally, I would have taken the bus, but that meant running into Wolfgang or Ludwig. Without Sheena, I didn't have the strength to put up with them, so I did what I do best, I copped out. 'At least I still have drama club and a few friends there' I thought wearily. 'High School sure is a lonely place when you're an outcast. But then again, I was never a part of the "in" crowd. I always get teased, and it's getting real old real fast.' I thought bitterly.

As I walked up the stairs I was attacked on just last week, I absent mindedly hummed a show tune. Humming songs always made me happy, because even in a place as dreadful as Hillwood High I could bring something I loved along with me, and nobody could take that away from me. Walking down the hall to my locker, I avoided making eye contact with anybody. Being unnoticed was a hundred times better than being noticed, and being picked on. So far, my day was starting off pretty good.

Familiar faces swam passed me as I walked on. Old friends, former bullies, and current bullies piled into the building as the first bell sounded. It became increasingly harder and harder to walk without bumping into someone here or there. I never knew I could feel so alone in such a crowded area. Quietly, I rounded the corner to my locker and with my good arm I began putting my books into my locker.

"Well lookie what we have here boys," said a husky voice from behing me

At the sound of the voice, the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. 'Oh great, it's Wolfgang and his cronies. I should've known. When you're Eugene, good days are hard to come by.' I thought. I shut my eyes tightly and let out a sharp breathe.

"What do you want Wolfgang?" I questioned.

Wolfgang chuckled darkly, "What do I want No Nuts? I wanted to see how Hillwood High's biggest loser is doing."

Edmund and Wolfgang's other Varsity football cronies laughed. My back stilled turned to them, I rolled my eyes. These guys would never let up. They acted as if my very being was challenging their masculinity. It wasn't like I was parading down the school dressed in pink with a rainbow flag on my back. All I wanted was to go to school and get through the day, same as everyone else. Suddenly, a felt a rough hand on my shoulder, and I was spun around.

"Hellooooo," Wolfgang demanded, waving a hand in my face, "Earth to fag boy, come in fag boy! I said what happened to your arm? Your boyfriend to rough on you? Hahaha!"

"Don't touch me," I said, shrugging his hand off my shoulder.

I was done taking their crap. I felt a fire inside me ignite. If I kept letting goons like him bother me, they'd take me as an easy target. Well no more. Today, I was going to fight back.

"What did you just say gay boy?" Wolfgang spat menacingly.

I looked him square in the eye and clenched my fists, "Takes one to know one." I said through gritted teeth.

"OOOOOHHH!" cooed his cronies, "he just insulted you, pummel him!"

"Yeah! Get him!" Edmund yelled.

Wolfgang growled and locked eyes with me. My eyes were blazing as I stared back at him, refusing to back down. 'If I get beat up today, at least I did it fighting. I'll teach those jerks that Eugene Horowitz is no easy target It's about damn time I stood up for myself!' I thought.

BRRRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNGGGG!

We all looked up as the second bell sounded, announcing the start of class.

"Looks like you caught a break today twinkle toes," Wolfgang said, "let's go to class, I can't be late, or I'll fail and get kicked off the team. But first…."

"Oooff!" I cried as Wolfgang shoved me into my own locker and closed the door behind him.

"Have a good day loser!" he called as him and his lackeys walked off.

'What the hell? That asshole couldn't just let me go?' I thought as I struggled to find my footing in the locker. Angrily, I banged my good hand against my door and kicked my feet. However, I knew it was to no avail. I had been trapped in lockers many a time, and I knew the only way out was if someone from the outside opened the door.

"HELLO? Is there anyone out there? Can someone please let me out?" I called out.

"Eugene?" a voice called from the distance.

"Wait…Curly?" I questioned.

"Yeah, it's me. I'm in locker 225, just across from you, hahahaha," he answered in a maniacal tone.

"Uh…isn't that Rhonda's locker? How did you end up in there?" I asked, kind of afraid to find out the answer.

"I locked myself in here, so that when my sweet Rhonda opens her locker, I'll fall straight into her loving arms, ahaha! It's ingenious!"

"Oh...uh, okay," I replied, not knowing what else to say.

A silent moment fell between us. Curly had never been one of my "friends", but he and I had a lot in common. We were both in the drama club, and we both took ballet. We were both victims of the social hierarchy and we frequent bullying victims. But somehow, we managed to keep our distance and we never became friends. After trying to frame me for pulling the fire alarm in fourth grade the two of us hadn't really interacted that much. It was safe to say the guy was a loon, and I had no idea what to say to him. But after a while, Curly spoke up.

"Hey Eugene?"

"Yes Curly?"

"I'm sorry about what happened," he said seriously, "You know, your arm, Sheena, and being trapped your own locker."

It was fair to say that I was thoroughly surprised by his words, "T-thanks Curly," I sputtered.

"You're a really nice guy you know? And, well I know what it feels like to be an outcast too. I think we slaves to the social system should stick together, ya know?"

'Stick together?' I thought, 'Like a geek union? Friendship? I had to admit, the idea sounded nice. Since I came out, friends were a hard thing to come by now a days, and having a friend would definitely be nice, even if Curly was a bit demented. But why the sudden revelation? Why the change of heart? Curly and I had known each other since preschool. Why did he want to be friends now?

"Yeah…but why the sudden change of heart?" I asked.

"Well you've lost your best friend, and I am losing my sweet Rhonda too. She's been showing interest in other guys and I feel like dirt. Not many people want to be friends with the crazy guy, you know? I just thought you might be one of them," he admitted.

"I'm sorry Curly," I said, not really knowing why I was apologizing, "But I understand, not many people want to be friends with the gay guy. I guess I thought that you were one of them."

""That's okay Eugene. I guess we both thought wrong. Man I wish I could stand up for myself the way you did. After the way you stood up to Wolfgang, I was thinking maybe I should try it. If us losers ignite, just think about! We would be way stronger. We could rely on each other and maybe even take down our bullies. Muahahaha! Down with the social monarchy! While we're at it, let's free all the animals at the zoo! FREEDOM FOR ALL!" he screeched.

"Ha ha…yeah," I said nervously.

"But anyways," Curly began, regaining his sanity, "friends?"

Without a second thought I replied, "Friends."