OK, so next up...just a warning, this fic doesn't have much longer to go. Thanks for reviewing, xxLetItGoxx, The J.A.M a.k.a Numbuh I, Lydia the tygeropean and Beth.

After school the next day, Lila and I hung out together, just the two of us. She'd asked me to wait for her after school at the end of the afternoon break, and she'd looked really nervous, so I'd taken it seriously. If there was one thing I was sure of, Lila Sawyer was never nervous or worried.

We were sitting on the steps of PS118, watching the stragglers leave. "So," I said, "What's the story?"

"What story?" Lila said innocently. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"'What story'?" I repeated. "You look like you have something mind-shattering to tell me!"

Lila stared at the ground and muttered "Wait until everyone's gone."

I frowned at her. "Lila Sawyer, just tell me. It's not like anyone leaving will hear you at the volume you're talking. And who would I tell? Everyone I know who can keep a secret wouldn't be interested, and I'm not stupid enough to tell anyone else."

"Nicole, please." Lila actually looked irritated, for the first time since I'd seen her. "I'm ever so anxious about this already, you're making it worse."

Finally, the last student was out, and Lila let a breath out. "Well...I have a...confession to make."

I raised an eyebrow. "Confession?"

"I'm oh too certain I didn't mean for it to happen." Lila said, looking anxious. "But I did. You see, I've known for months that there's something different about me. It just seems that I'm ever so lucky. Everyone tells me that I'm pretty, funny, kind, smart and I'm popular. At home, things were bad when we first moved, but once my dad got the job, we were doing oh so well. Everything just went my way, if I believed hard enough."

I giggled saying "So you're a Disney princess or something. To quote Cinderella: 'No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true.' But what's the confession?"

Lila directed her gaze somewhere away from me. "I've been watching Helga for ages, since the school play. I thought that her confession then was just a little crush. But I can see differences to a crush. She's shy, rather than trying to spend time with Arnold. She looks at him like he's the only one who exists when she thinks no one's looking. And...well..." she looked even more uneasy. "I wished one day that they would find a way to be together, or that someone would help. I wanted to play matchmaker, but I needed help." She finally turned to look at me. "It was only a week after that when you turned up. I think...I think I might be the reason you were brought here!" At that moment, a few tears delicately slid down past Lila's freckles.

I felt a rush of sympathy, for a moment. Maybe I'd been spending too much time around her, but I felt like I couldn't be mean, even though I did feel a bit betrayed. "Don't cry, Lila." I said. "You didn't mean to do it, did you? In fact, I wanted Arnold and Helga together too. It's been amazing, hanging out with everyone. Way better than cramming for my exams at home." I laughed.

"But...but I feel responsible." Lila said tearfully. "You have to live in a house full of boarders, with no parents. You helped my wish come true and let me in on all kinds of secrets simply because I wanted to know, and how do I repay you? By pulling you away from everything you know, having no idea how to get you back. Once one wish is done, it's done, Nicole. Bringing you here was the most I could do – there's no way a wish could take you back."

I turned that thought over in my mind, trying to come to a decision.

"I don't want to go back." I said finally. "I've worked so hard to create a life while staying here, but these last couple of months have made me feel as if I'd been living in Hillwood my whole life. Sure, I'll have to relive a few years of school, but truthfully, I've started feeling closer to the whole class. I mean, I even live in the same house as Arnold, that it's sort of like having the coolest brother – wise and moral, but easy to talk to and fun. And just because Helga and I do irritate each other, I kind of like having someone like me around, and Phoebe's just sweet. Rhonda does get on my nerves at times, but I like her, and Nadine's really nice. Plus I can't wait to see if Curly tries out my suggestion for how to get Rhonda's attention. And although it came straight out of left field, I think I might actually see if this little thing with Sid goes any further." I giggled. "Then there's you, Lila."

Lila finally looked straight into my eyes. I stared back at her for a moment, then I spoke.

"Lila, I'll be honest here. I didn't really like you on the show. You were OK, but not a favourite. But now I've gotten to know you, I do like you. A lot. Even if it was all you that brought me here and tore me away from my old life, maybe I wanted to be torn away. You did me a favour, Lila, so there's no need to cry over it."

The redhead stopped crying. Then she reached out and pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you, Nicole!" she exclaimed. "I was ever so scared how you'd take my confession, but you were magic about it." She pulled back and said "So...does that mean..."

"Yes." I grinned. "Hillwood has itself a permanent resident!" I yelled out to the world. Then I added with a sheepish smile, "Although, I think that means I better get more stuff sorted at the boarding house. And furnish my room better – although I suppose I'll never be able to compete with Arnold."

We talked a little longer, and then I ran back to the boarding house, ready to turn my life into a real life.

There's only an epilogue left now! Please please please review!