His breath smelled of alcohol. It wasn't the first time Patty had smelt it on his breath since he began to get frustrated with his recovery. There were so many days where he had a hard time moving his own arms, while other times he moved it barely. His leg was fine considering it wasn't real bone anymore where his kneecap was. It was just a piece. Toby was falling deeper into a depression where she was having a hard time being around it constantly

His parents expressed worry stating he experiences nightmares of that day. He goes to therapy, but tells them it isn't working. Patty was wondering if they knew about their son drinking. It was something she walked in herself when his own friends were helping him out. They were enabling him. She had patience, but it slowly waned to the point she wondered if she would be insensitive for breaking up with him now. Normally she was tougher in her decisions, but this time became a hard choice.

As she wandered around to clear her mind, Patty didn't hear Harold calling out her name. Her thoughts were wrapped up in her relationship. She can still smell some alcohol in her hair from where Toby kissed her. Her stomach was churning to the point she was hardly startled when Harold came into view.

"Hey Patty. Didn't you hear me calling you?" Even as he questioned her, Harold knew it was stupid to say. Her eyes held nothing but grief inside of them. "What's wrong?"

Patty stepped forward needing a friend. She wrapped her arms around him as tears sprung out. "He keeps drinking."

Harold wrapped his arms around her. He let her cry the first wave away before he can speak to her. He knew that needed this from someone. "Tell me when you're ready."

She closed her eyes against the safety that he was offering her. She was glad to have run into him.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Arnold already informed his parents about the acceptance letters he received, just not Helga. As he wandered towards the pool after James pointed him where she was, Arnold went in there to find her doing laps. He smiled at her form as she effortlessly glided along. She hardly made a splash in her wake even as she flipped around to come back towards him.

When she finally landed where he currently was, Arnold got on his knees to give her a kiss. "Hi beautiful."

"Heya Football Head." Getting out of the pool she was highly tempted in hugging him like this. "Want to take a dip? I know your trunks are still here."

Staring at her body in that bikini, Arnold stepped closer to her. "Maybe in a bit. I have news to share with you."

"Oh?" She came closer to him. "Tell me."

"I was just accepted into UCLA."

Not his first choice, but Helga hugged him anyhow seeing she had news of her own. "Well that's great to hear because I was also accepted there." She was also accepted into five other schools too, but now it would be great not to be separated.

Picking her up, Arnold twirled her around. "My parents want to celebrate and I bet your parents do too."

"Yeah they do. They want to go out to eat. You want to make it a family type thing? I know they wouldn't mind."

"Sure." Kissing her again, Arnold hated it when she slipped out of his hands. "Hey!"

"Shut it. You can have more of me in a while. Let me call them up." Grabbing her phone, Helga had a conversation with her dad. Smiling at Arnold she gave him a thumbs up. "Thanks dad."

Picking up his phone, Arnold contacted home. Receiving his mom he spoke to her asking if his grandparents and them if they would like to head out with Helga, and her parents. "Well she got into the same college too." Hearing his normally mellow mother screaming for joy, Arnold brought the phone away from his ears. "Yeah so head up over here at..." He glanced to Helga for a time. Seeing her hold up six fingers, Arnold answered. "Six. We'll go from there." Issuing out a good bye, Arnold looked over to his girlfriend.

Wrapping the towel around her, Helga had him follow her upstair to her room. Stepping inside she automatically took her bikini off to face him. "Now let us celebrate without them around."

Ripping his clothes off, Arnold instantly went to cover her.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Harold sat beside Patty after listening to everything that has been happening since the shootings. It was like Toby gave up on himself. His hand shot out to take hers. She needed someone to talk to. Something she confessed herself that she wasn't able to given the fact it was hard to. She was so strong, and now she was falling.

"You could of said something sooner. I could of helped." He told her gently.

She looked to their joined hands. The comforting touch is what she needed right now. "True, but I couldn't do that to him."

Harold turned to her. "You have to stop this right now." His face was determined.

"Stop what?" She felt confused right now.

"I know how strong and smart you are, but Patty you are hurting yourself." He felt angry. "He's hurting you too. I'm sorry he went through what he did, but he should know better. Even though I've been knocked down plenty of times I got up. Arnold was there for me and so were you Patty."

Her mouth opened but no words made themselves known.

Harold had to say it. As much as he wanted her, he would never say this simply because of his own desperation. Patty was his friend first of all, and to him that was important. "You think that if you break up with him that you are no better than those guys who took him hostage." He stated firmly. With her head down he knew he got it right. "You are wrong, Patty. Even in my studies with the Rabbi, it is best to let someone go who is suffering from an addiction when they are bringing you down. You can talk to them. Try to get them help, but when they don't want it you have to give them tough love."

"What if it makes everything worse?"

Harold brought her head up gently by placing his finger under her chin. "That is his responsibility. I think that since you have been by his side since it happened, he feels unable to care right now. You have to do what is right for you right now. Look at you right now. I can see that your dying inside."

She brought her arms up around him to hug him. It felt like a weight was lifting off her from her admitting to this problem she had been dealing with.

"Who knows, maybe he'll get better and you both can be together again." That seemed to hurt him more than anything. Harold wanted her happy so if she did end up fully with Toby or another, he'll accept it.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Phoebe had stared at her acceptance letter. Her hand was to her mouth unable to contain her excitement. She applied to so many schools just in case and got acceptance in all of them, but this is the one she wanted to go to. She already showed it to her parents and they hugged her in congratulations saying they knew she could do it. They had plenty of money put away for college so she knew she was covered there. Now she'll need to tell Gerald and Helga. Hearing her mother tell her that Gerald is here, she ran out her bedroom door.

Gerald was having some small talk with her parents when he found a small bundle throw herself into his arms. Laughing at her enthusiasm, Gerald felt something brush against his neck. Placing her down she extended her hand out for him to read. Lifting the letter up, Gerald brought her back up into his arms.

"I knew you would be accepted." He grinned. "You are gonna wipe the floors clean of criminals."

Giggling at him, Phoebe separated from him just as he pulled out a letter of his own. Taking it she saw it was from UCLA. She cheered him while leaping into his arms once more. "I'm so happy for you."

"Guess what? Arnold is heading to the same college as me. Do you know where Helga is going?"

Shaking her head, Phoebe thought to call up Helga to tell her the news. While she was doing it, Gerald started to speak to Kyo and Reba when he heard Phoebe scream in joy.

"I can't believe it, Helga. Gerald told me that he has been accepted there too." Phoebe paused as she continued to listen. "All three of you will be in California. I wish I was going there." She couldn't stop hopping around with joy. "Alright. I'll talk to you later too." Hanging up she turned towards everyone. "Helga is heading to UCLA too. Isn't that great?"

"Actually it is. Maybe we can share an apartment instead of sleeping in a smelly dorm room." Gerald tapped his chin in thought. "I know those twos will want to have an apartment to live in so they can remain together."

"So Gerald, what are you planning on studying?" Kyo questioned as he turned to the young male.

"Architecture. I have been wanting to do that for a while now." Gerald answered confidently.

Phoebe had to chime in. "He has these wonderful drawings at home full of all these ideas. He keeps telling others what he wants to do just to throw them off, but I love that he wants to pursue this avenue." She was happy for her boyfriend. She could see him pouring over another idea he had.

"Well isn't that so darn exciting to imagine. I can't wait to see a building or house that you design, Gerald." Reba beamed at him. "Will your parents be celebrating this with you?"

"Yeah. It will be a home cooked meal tonight, but I thought I come here personally to tell Phoebe here the good news." Gerald took her hand.

So much great news so far to hear. Phoebe hugged him again pleased by this development.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Hearing the knock at his bedroom door, Curly let her in. Rhonda stepped in wearing a simple floral dress with ballet flats. Nothing couture about it. Everything he loved about it. He watched as she went over to his bed to see all the acceptance letters strewn out on his bed. All for different subjects that he was interested in, but still never pinpointed himself with.

He watched as her slim delicate hands flowed over the letters as if afraid of disturbing them. He could plainly see her eyes dancing over the words to each letter. There was business in there. Entertainment of each variety, and even something of the archeological type.

"What is the first thing you love to do?" She questioned knowing how he was mulling over all his choices. "I know you would have a sharp mind for business." Her eyes went to another. "I can kind of see you as an Indiana Jones type." She smiled a little there. "Though I do know you are a beautiful dancer. You aren't afraid to express emotions." She was fond of that one.

Curly went over to that acceptance letter. "I submitted a tape for that one." He smiled lovingly at it. "It is a beautiful career, but a poor one indeed."

Her eyes went up to him. His hair was covering his features prompting her to move some of his hair out of the way. "Do you care about that? You never have before."

Curly loved her gentle touch. "You wouldn't mind if I'm just a ballet dancer?"

"Mikhail Baryshnikov is a very famous dancer. Also you wouldn't be just that when you have such a beautiful singing voice." Rhonda couldn't help but touch his hair. "You can also conduct your own business in the meantime as you express yourself through music." She felt confident for him.

"We'll be in two separate parts of this. You in California while I'm in New York." He pointed out.

She kissed his nose. "Time for plenty of video chats than." She kissed him lightly on his lips. "Do you believe in us?"

He wrapped his arms around her. "I do." Kissing her, Curly started to slowly dance around the room to the tune of no music.

"I don't want to go to prom. I want to do something silly this year." Rhonda smiled at him. "Thing is I need to present this idea to everyone at the same time."

"Well can't you tell me first?"

Nodding her head, Rhonda snickered. "How about we have a party at my place. Just the PS118 group which can include our significant others who didn't attend the same school. We dress similar to how we dressed in 4th grade? I think it would be fun."

Thinking about it, Curly brought his hand up to his hair. "I am not getting a bowl cut though."

"No please don't. I'm fine with the shorts with that striped shirt. Just no biting the heads off a chicken." She mentally cringed there.

"Deal." As if he would try to do that again. It was disgusting the first time.

Now that was settled, Rhonda stopped their movement to lay on his bed. She didn't care about the letters underneath as she pulled him on top of her. "Now that is finished off why don't we make-out."

Kissing his girlfriend, Curly was very much up for that plan.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

On monday, Arnold waited till lunch to brooch the subject with Helga and Gerald. "Well since all three of us are heading to UCLA why don't we share an apartment there? I'm sure we'll want that as opposed to trying to study in a dorm room."

"That and the fact that most dorm rooms are infested with rancid smells." Helga mentally vomited in her head.

Gerald thought about it all sunday with Phoebe helping him out. Pulling out some listings as near to UCLA as possible, he handed it to the couple. "Two bedroom apartments. Not the closest, but the most affordable I can locate."

Helga nodded at them. "Actually I was hoping you would head on over to my place some time this week." The thought of being too far away from the college annoyed her. "Your parents can join in since they also have a say in the matter."

He looked towards his girlfriend for any answers, but Phoebe shrugged her shoulders signaling she had no clue what was happening. "Why?"

Arnold smirked at him. "A future architecture designer has had some of his designs shown without his permission." At the unhappy expression crossing Gerald's face, Arnold lifted his hands up in surrender. "Sorry but her parents expressed interest in having a architecture designer under their belt so I went to your house and talked to your dad. He gave me some of your drawings and I showed it to her parents and they loved them."

Helga passed back the listings. "Even our programs need someone like you. You have a sharp mind and an imagination." She winked at Phoebe. "My parents are very willing to get us a two bedroom apartment near campus. An apartment you get to live in too."

"What is the catch?" Gerald wondered.

"Keep up your studies and help us out when need be. You become employed under the company name. It is a win-win. If you don't want to keep working for the company than we will give you the highest recommendation to any place you want to go. If you chose to stay on than you are not only working in the company for what you want to be, but you might be one of our chairmen." Helga smiled at him in assurance even as she noticed the shock in his face. "I bet you still think that I hate you. I fooled you there then."

Gerald looked between Arnold and her. He was shocked. "Seriously?" His eyes remained on Helga's. "No I didn't think you did, I'm just surprised."

She shrugged. "Don't be. He has faith in you. You treat her good." Points to Phoebe. "I know you won't be annoying, but we'll make sure that the bedrooms aren't sharing a common wall."

"I bet you'll make him take a sexual harassment seminar too." Sid groused from where he sat.

Helga chuckled. "Actually that was a bit of my bad there seeing that every employee is required to take that course. Nothing new. I should of told you that in the beginning."

Gerald almost threw something at him. "Also I don't see her telling you every moment she has, she is pointing out how she got you this job. She only mentions it when you are down right annoying."

"Thanks, Gerald." Helga appreciated that. "As for the offer Gerald, it is very guaranteed."

"I'll talk to my parents when I get home. Thanks, Pataki."

Helga went back to enjoying her body resting against, Arnold.

As for Rhonda she finally thought this would be a fun time to bring up her idea. "I have an idea that I want to share with everyone right now." Seeing all eyes on her, she continued. "Instead of us going to prom. How about we have a party at my place. I want the PS118 crew together with of course their significant others with them, but the catch is this..." She paused for dramatic effect. "We all dress similar to how we dressed in the 4th grade. What do you guys say?"

Lila clapped her hands. "Oh that sounds like an ever so delightful idea, Rhonda. What do you think, Joey?"

"That sounds like a fun idea." He agreed happily.

Adjusting her glasses, Phoebe smiled. "I for one find that a most fun and delightful idea myself, Rhonda. I can do that."

"Same here."

"Here comes the tall hair again." Helga mocked playfully.

"Here comes the unibrow." Gerald mocked back.

Extending her hand out, Helga smirked. "I made that look good, Geraldo."

"In your dreams, Pataki."

Arnold didn't bother to interfere with the playful bantering between them. "I guess I'm back to wearing the skirt you guys thought was a kilt."

"It wasn't?" Stinky, Sid, and Harold questioned at the same time.

"Nope. It was just a very long plaid shirt."

Gerald pointed at him. "Don't forget that baseball hat you always wore before."

"Never will."

Helga couldn't wait for all of that. "I guess it sounds like a yes from all of us." She said to Rhonda as she heard everyone else chime in on what they use to wear back then. "It will be more fun than getting all dolled up."

"Told you." Curly said as he kissed Rhonda.

Arnold listened to everyone speak of the party knowing that this will be the last party for a long time. They were all entering a new phase of their lives. A phase that he hoped brought good fortune to all of his friends. Not to only a few.


Helga isn't settling for UCLA simply because Arnold is going. It is a pretty decent school actually for the things she is interested in.