Thanks for all of the great reviews they were all greatly appreciated

Thanks for all of the great reviews they were all greatly appreciated. Feedback and suggestions are encouraged, but don't be too harsh.

I own none of the characters (except for Sandrine Mortimer and Mr. Dale Bryan Dimmetry) – for they are all from the mind of the genius that is Craig Bartlett, his team, and nickelodeon. No copyright infringements intended.

As always, thoughts are emphasized through the use of italics.

…

The Summer Before Junior Year

…

"So let me get this straight," Gerald stressed as he waved the newspaper he was holding psychotically, "because of the sudden decrease in our town's population H.S. 117 and 119 students are going to have to attend the same high school?"

The boys were currently gathered near the old playground at Hilwood Park.

"And this is bad why?" Sid asked, "think of the more chances we have now when scoring dates."

Gerald huffed, "I don't mind the honey population! I mind the competition we need to go through all over again to get spots on the sports teams. I busted my butt at H.S. 119 to get where I was! And now I have to go through that hell again?"

"Come on Gerald," Arnold reasoned as he kicked a small pebble with his shoe, "the guys at H.S. 119 almost went state…we almost went state. Almost winning the state championship should stand for something!"

"I reckon that your forgettin'," Stinky intervened, "that H.S. 117 was also pretty close to winning the state championships also."

"Well then maybe this is a good thing," Arnold stated simply.

Gerald shot him a look which conveyed Arnold had officially flipped his lid.

"Arnold how could this possibly be a good thing?" Gerald practically screamed.

"Because – you and I both know that you, stinky, and I were some of the best guys on that team. I'm positive we'll make the team at the new high school. Just like the boys of H.S.117 that were good. So, logically wouldn't that make us a better team? We could stand a chance of winning state this time around. If we do that we'll be set for college – think of the scholarships that we could be offered."

"He does have a point," Sid pointed out.

"Must you always look on the bright side of things Arnold?" Gerald stated as the scowl he wore earlier began to disappear from his face, as he flashed Arnold a grin.

"Somebody has to?" Arnold replied with a smirk, as he and Gerald did their signature handshake.

"This is going to be an awesome year." Arnold gushed to the guys.

…

"This is going to be the worst year ever!" Helga yelled frantically at Rhonda.

"Look Helga just chill! You're freaking out about nothing!" Rhonda breathed as she tried to calm down Helga.

"Nothing," Helga laughed bitterly, "she thinks I'm worried about nothing!" Helga screamed at Phoebe who sat at the floor of Helga's bed.

Helga, Rhonda and Phoebe were in Helga's room waiting for the rest of the girls to arrive. They had made plans to go to Dolly's Donuts later.

"There is no way I'll be able to keep the same rep I had at H.S. 117 anymore, and Arnold is gonna be going to the same school as me again! I haven't seen the guy in two years – how am I …what am I …what if he still hates me?" Helga rambled on in one sentence.

Phoebe ran up to Helga and grabbed her with both hands and shook her violently, "Helga snap out of it and breath!"

Helga huffed, "what about you? You're so going to run into Gerald eventually! What are you gonna do when that happens?"

"I'll deal with it when it does?" Phoebe sighed exasperated.

"I can't keep up my random disappearing acts!" Helga continued to rant, "Teachers at H.S. 117 knew I was a good student; they never questioned me when I had to leave urgently or appear late…what's going to happen at our new school?" Helga whined as she ran her hands frantically through her golden blonde locks. "Someone's gonna find out I'm raising a baby," she yelled frantically, "and then the pieces will fall into place and Bob's secret's will be revealed and I'll lose Lily!"

Helga's bedroom door suddenly opened and in waltzed Nadine, Sheena, Patty, and Katrinka.

"You won't believe this," Nadine gossiped as she flopped onto Helga's bed, "Extension work was done to P.S. 118 earlier last year, and guess what – P.S. 118 is gonna be the new Hilwood High!"

"How do you know this?" Rhonda stated anxiously, "who are your sources?"

"I heard Mr. Pataki talking to Wartz about it in front of Mr. Green's," Nadine informed.

Helga scoffed despite herself at the mention of her father's name.

"Why would he be talking to Wartz?" Rhonda questioned.

Nadine grinned, "believe it or not - guess who our principal is next year?"

"Wartz," Phoebe whispered in shock.

Helga couldn't handle anymore drama, "I'm late for my shift at Ms.V's – I'll meet up with you guys later at Dolly's, Inga will see you out?" she announced.

"Helga," Katrinka called out causing the blonde to whirl around to face her, "did Inga make her special casserole?" she asked hopefully, as Sheena perked up in interest.

Helga grinned, "Yeah, go help yourselves," she said simply as she left.

"Coolness," Katrinka gushed as she sprinted out of the room closely followed by Sheena and Patty.

"Is Helga going to be alright?" Nadine asked the remaining two girls.

Lily's cries could be heard sobbing from the room beside Helga's, followed by frantic footsteps making their way up the stairs. Moments later Inga's soothing voice could be heard lulling the child back to sleep.

Phoebe smiled genuinely, "I think so."

"Well she's sure going to need us, because if Arnold ambushes her now – especially after everything that has happened…it's not going to be pretty!"

…

"Bye guys," Arnold and Gerald bided as they parted ways with the group.

"So you headed home man?" Gerald asked as he played around with the basketball in his hand.

"Not right now," Arnold stated, "I gotta make a pit stop on the way home. Mom's birthday is tomorrow and Dad asked me to pick up a dozen long stem roses to put in water for her surprise breakfast."

"That sounds cool."

Arnold nodded.

"So you pumped for our first day at Hilwood High in a few weeks," Arnold questioned.

Gerald smiled, "yeah…just think of all the honeys we're gonna meet."

Arnold punched him playfully, as they rounded the corner of the sidewalk. He pulled open the front door of the shop.

"I'll wait for you out here man, "Gerald stated as he began to dribble the basketball.

Arnold nodded as he proceeded in.

He looked around for a few moments before giving up and decided he needed help in locating the flowers that his father needed.

Leave it to Miles to be difficult. He specifically wanted 12 dozen dark green long stemmed roses. Why? Being predictable was to bland and he wanted a color to match Stella's eyes.

Arnold walked up to the front counter of the shop which was unattended. He could hear shuffling noises coming from the back room.

"Excuse me, Arnold called out, "Can I get some help."

"I'll be there in a second," a voice yelled back seemingly stressed.

Arnold spun around and leaned against the counter as he waited for help.

"How can I help you?" a voice rang out from behind him moments later.

Whirling around he found himself faced with the most gorgeous girl he had ever seen. She had the lushest blonde hair of anyone he had ever known which cascaded down to her waste like a golden waterfall. She had the bluest eyes he had ever witnessed up close; so blue that the most majestic ocean would be jealous of their beauty. Yet, there was something strangely familiar about her…

He could have sworn though that once she caught sight of him she seemingly tensed up; she remained frozen in her spot.

Arnold suddenly waved a hand in front of her causing her to seemingly snap out of whatever trance she was lost in.

"Have we met?" Arnold questioned. She mumbled something inaudible and quickly disappeared into the backroom again.

Arnold stood perplexed at his spot behind the counter.

Ms. Vitello suddenly emerged from the backroom to help him.

"Arnold dear," she greeted, "how can I help you?"

"Uh…can I get twelve green long stemmed roses," Arnold rambled as he peeked behind to catch a glimpse of the girl that had greeted him earlier.

Ms. Vitello scurried off within the aisles of the shop and returned with the flowers in hand.

"That's a curious color?" Ms Vitello questioned as she motioned to the roses, "why green?"

"It matches the eyes of the person who's to receive it," Arnold replied distracted.

"That will be 5.95 dear," Ms. Vitello replied sweetly as she looked cautiously behind her, "is something wrong dear?" Ms. Vitello questioned as she followed Arnold's gaze.

Arnold cleared his throat uncomfortably, "um…no," he stammered, "thanks Ms. V."

"Any time dear," Ms. Vitello waved gingerly as Arnold exited the store.

Arnold exited the shopped dazed and continued to glance into the store for a glimpse of the beauty he had seen earlier.

Gerald's booming voice snapped him back to reality.

"What are you doing?" Gerald asked as he peered into the shop.

"I just saw the most gorgeous girl," Arnold gushed.

"All I can see is Ms. V waving our way?" Gerald responded uncomfortably as he waved back at the elderly woman still perched behind the counter. They waited outside of the shop for about thirty minutes, but the girl that had captured Arnold's interest never emerged from the backroom.

"Arnold," Gerald began impatiently, "there is no beautiful girl in there! I only see Ms. Vitello…please tell me you're not gaining a fetish towards older chic's!"

Arnold looked back at him horrified, "what! No! Hell no!" Arnold yelled in disgust.

Gerald smirked, "sure man," he toyed, "whatever you say."

"I am not into older women," Arnold argued back as Gerald continued to play his dirty game.

"Yeah," he stated sarcastically, "sure."

Arnold threw his hands up in the air and turned around and stalked off towards his house. Gerald ran after him, "oh come on Arnold! You know I'm just playin'! Arnold!"

…

Ms. Vitello hummed to herself happily as she watched the boys wander away from the front of her shop.

"Helga dear," she called out towards the backroom, "you can come out now."

Helga cautiously approached the counter, "I thought they'd never leave."

Ms. Vitello smiled warmly and handed her, her check.

Helga accepted it and bided her goodbye.

She carefully exited the store and took off in the other direction than the boys had taken.

She glanced at her watch, and realized that she had enough time left until it was time to meet up with the girls.

She decided that she would just take her sweet time on the walk there and clear her head.

Arnold sure grew into quite the guy.

He was freakin' gorgeous was what he is, Helga thought to herself, all chiselled and toned…

When Arnold had turned around at the counter to greet her she was sure she was about to faint.

He had become more fit since the last time she saw him, and had grown considerably. He may have looked somewhat different from what she last remembered, but there was no mistaking those eyes. Helga had wrote, dreamed and dedicated endless sonnets to those eyes – there was no way she could ever forget them.

Her brain had caused her to freeze at the sight of him, and as hard as she tried she couldn't command herself to move. The familiar feeling of her stomach doing flip-flop's in his presence had returned.

He hadn't seemed to recognize me though or he probably would have run out as soon as he had came, Helga thought glumly, he probably has another girlfriend already.

"Green flowers for a green-eyed girl," Helga whispered skyward, who could he possibly be dating…

Helga smiled sadly, "well who ever she is, I hope she treats you right Arnoldo," she stated quietly to herself as she entered Dolly's to meet up with the girls.

…

"Oh come on Arnold," Gerald whined as he watched Arnold jog up the steps of his stoop, "I was joking! You know I know you don't dig older honeys."

Arnold arched an eyebrow and grinned s he pulled out his keys from his pocket, "You'd qualify Ms. V as a honey?"

"Hey! No fair," Gerald stated quickly as all the color seemed to drain from his face, "you're twisting my words."

Arnold smiled weakly, "look man let's be serious okay."

"Okay," Gerald agreed as he straightened up his posture and joined his friend who was now sitting on the stoop.

"That girl was real…and I intend to talk to her again."

"What are you going to do? Stalk her! Camp out in front of Ms. V's all day?"

"I'll claim Mom's got a green thumb and has taken up potting!"

"Arnold you just met this girl…she's got to be one fine piece of work to get you this riled up."

"There was just something about her Gerald. I felt like I knew her, there was something so familiar about her…she had this quality about her man."

"Quality?" Gerald grinned, "Arnold my man! I think you've been struck by cupid's arrow."

…

"You saw Arnold?" Phoebe repeated in a state of shock, "What did he do? What did he say?"

Phoebe was the only one that had arrived at Dolly's. The pair had gotten a booth and were currently awaiting the arrival of the rest of their crew.

"Relax Pheebs," Helga assured, "He didn't know it was me…well for the time being. He thought I looked familiar so I bolted before he could put two and two together."

"Are you okay Helga," Phoebe stated meekly from her spot on the other side at the table. She extended a comforting hand towards Helga's.

Helga smiled weakly, "I'm fine Pheebs."

"You sure," Phoebe smirked, "sure you don't want to talk about 'ice cream'."

Helga laughed, "Not unless you wanna talk about 'chocolate'. Phoebe joined in on the laughter.

"God we were so lame!" Helga cried, "What kind of code names were that? Were we high?"

"I believe we were nine," Phoebe chuckled, "ice cream and chocolate – can you just imagine what someone might have thought if they had eavesdropped on our conversation."

"They would have thought we had serious issues…" Helga trailed off as she burst out laughing.

"What?" Phoebe grinned as she questioned the blonde curiously.

"Why won't ice cream notice me Pheebs!" Helga mocked her nine year old self, "I mean - sure I'm mean to ice cream, but deep down ice cream should know that I like like ice cream."

Phoebe laughed, "I remember that!" she hooted, "The look on Mr. Simmon's face was priceless."

"He was probably filling out the paper work for my admittance to the Hilwood Wellness Center in his mind," Helga joked, "And you didn't help matters either with your chocolate rant."

Phoebe smiled, "I was nine - I didn't know any better!"

"Don't worry Helga," Helga mocked, "chocolate refuses to acknowledge that we have a spark. Why does chocolate have to be so shy?"

Phoebe laughed, "We probably shouldn't be saying this out loud, Remember what our little conversation caused? Simmons told principal Wartz about our unhealthy appetites and had junk food banned from the cafeteria!"

Helga laughed, "You know, I really had missed this."

"Me too," Phoebe gushed, "and with school starting in just two weeks..."

"We're gonna need each other's support more than ever." Helga stated as she looked up to see the faces of Rhonda, Nadine, Sheena, Patty, and Katrinka.

"What are we talking about?" Katrinka asked as the girls slid into the booth.

"We were talking about how much we're gonna need our girls next year," Phoebe informed.

Rhonda waved her hand dismissively, "are you kidding me, I was born to rule. Look around the table girls, because you are looking at the most popular girls in the junior class."

"Can you be any less sure of yourself," Nadine joked.

Rhonda smirked, "I'm a Lloyd and Lloyd's always come out on top. I can't wait to see the look on Sandrine's face when I demolish her rep."

"Come on princess," Helga stated, "just leave the girl alone."

"Yeah," Phoebe chimed in, "Rhonda if she plays dirty first, then go in for the kill, but if she's harmless and means no harm, leave her alone."

"Whatever," Rhonda said airily, "I know that girl is bad news. And I warned her – our paths will cross again; she's hiding something I know it."

"Whatever you say Rhonda," Patty grinned as she motioned for a server to take their order.

"That's right," Rhonda beamed, "whatever I say! Come two weeks you'll be looking at the new queen bee."

The girls laughed.

"And remember – like Pheebs was just sayin', we're gonna hafta stick together," Nadine instructed, "You choose some random boy over your girls and there will be trouble in river city."

"Hilwood city," Katrinka corrected with a grin.

"you get my point though?" Nadine stressed.

"You're my sista from another motha," Katrinka preached causing the girls to erupt into laughter.

Phoebe laughed, "Buds over studs!"

"Hoes over Bro's!" Rhonda and Helga stated devilishly as they prawpsed, "Sister's for life!"

…

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