A/N: Hello and welcome back to Horshack's Brightspot. My name is Bambi and I'm happy that you're here. This is one of my favorite chapters. I just find it so cute and sweet. Arnold and Vera are getting to know each other better in this chapter. As always, I do not/have not/probably nor will I ever own the rights to Welcome Back, Kotter or any of its characters, themes, settings and or plot points. Now, onto chapter seven. Happy Thanksgiving to all my followers in the US. Oh, and happy early chapter
Ch. 7 Movie Magic
Arnold's P.O.V
Arnold picked me up from my house, bought me beautiful flowers, let me wear his jacket, and he's opened every door I've walked through so far tonight. Chivalry is alive and well in the form of Arnold Horshack. "So, do you know what movie you want to see?" I asked him while were driving to the theatre. "Yeah I do. Do you?' He asks. "Mhm. Here, we'll say it on three. One" I start. "Two." He continued the countdown. "Three… Suspiria." I call out. "Smokey and the Bandit." Arnold called back. "Huh?" I asked confused.
"What's that?" He wonders. "A scary movie about a ballet dancer who gets accepted to a prestigious dance school that is being haunted by a demon." I explain. The look on his face during my explanation is nothing but fright and terror. "Smokey and the Bandit is a funny movie with Burt Reynolds." He explains to me. Were going to have to come to compromise. That's when I get the idea. "Wanna rock paper scissors for it?" I ask as Arnold pulls the car into the theatre's parking lot.
"Really?" He asks. "Yeah, why not? Whoever loses we can just see their movie next weekend." I suggested. "That seems fair." He nodded. "Okay then. Best two out of three." I remind. Arnold won the first round when his rock broke my scissors, I won the second round by covering his rock with my paper, and then Arnold secured his victory by cutting my paper with his scissors. Looks like I'm watching Smokey. We get our tickets, now were at the snack bar. "What do you wanna get?" Arnold asked me.
"Junior mints and a Sprite. If you get popcorn we can just share." I order. "You got it." He assured me. "What size popcorn and do you want a drink?" I asked. "Medium and a coke please." He replied. When our turn to order, Arnold wrapped his arm around my shoulder. It caught me off guard. "What can I get ya kids?" One of the girls working counter asks us. "Medium popcorn, junior mints, one sprite, and one coke please." I rattle off. "twenty-seven fifty please." The woman totals.
I start reaching into my coin purse, but Arnold's already got cash out and he's paying. "I could've gotten that." I chastise playfully in his ear with a slight giggle. He shivers a little bit at my response "Your money's no good here." Arnold says to me quietly. "Fine, but I'm paying for ice cream." I warn. "No. I got that too." He dismisses. We go watch the movie, and I can't lie. It was hilarious. Sally Fields had me in stitches the entire time. And at some point, during the movie, Arnold put his arm around my shoulder again.
I'm having a great time. "I'm goin! I'm goin! I got the metal to the petal and the thing on the floor," I quote Sally Fields as were leaving the theatre. Arnold laughs. "I picked a good movie?" He asks me. I put my hands on his shoulders, "Ya did great, Bandit." I teased. "I'm glad. We'll go see your scary movie next weekend." He promised me. "I'm holding you to that. And if you get too scared, you can just hold my hand." I suggest while moving one of my hands to his.
Arnold looks at me surprised. I can't believe I'm being this bold either. My turn to be surprised when he interlocks our fingers. We just stay like this for a few seconds. "Ice cream?" I ask softly. "Huh? Oh sure. Ice cream sounds great." He agrees while slowly letting go of my hand. We drive to the ice cream parlor. As I'm getting out, Arnold grabs my hand after he opened my door for me. I linger in it for as a long as I possibly can. "Thank you." I thanked. "You're welcome." He smiled at me. We walked inside.
"What kind do you like?" He asks. "Strawberry in a rainbow sprinkle cone." I tell him. I go grab us a small two-person table. Arnold comes back a few minutes later with two cones. One Rocky Road and of course, my Strawberry. I take it from him "Your ma is nice." He points. "Thanks. She's great. I love her a lot." I nod. "You're close?" He asks. "Very. We always have been. The divorce brought us even closer together." I elaborated. "That's how it is with ma and me." He notes.
"Are you an only child too?" I asked. "Nah. I two little sisters and a brother." He shook his head, "Lucky. I begged my parents for a little sibling. Now, with the divorce I'm glad they didn't. I'm still a little bit upset. I couldn't imagine how someone younger than me would feel." I admit. "With your parents?" He asks. "Just my dad." I replied. "If you don't mind, what did he do?" Arnold questions. "Cheated on my mom, got his secretary pregnant, left my mom and I, married her, and had their kid." I explained sadly.
The wound, to me at least, is still very fresh even though its been a year. "Mine left too." Arnold admits to me. "I'm sorry. That's not fair to you" I apologized "Don't worry about it. I've had five stepfathers since then." He brushed off. "Oh." I nod trying not to laugh at his bluntness. "Forget the sad stuff. Do you like Brooklyn?" He asks.
"It's grey. I have met great people though." I tell him. "Yeah, I've seen you with you your friends. You three seem to have fun together." He mentions. "We do. Cassie and Raquel are really cool." I nod. "Ya know I've lived here since I was a baby." He tells me. "Really?" I came here once when I was little. It was to see my grandparents. I don't remember much." I explained. "Ah." He nods. "My dad's family is all in San Francisco. Like I said, my grandparents and obviously my mom, are here. Her sisters aka my aunts, live in New Orleans and Seattle.
The rest of my mom's family is in Japan. We used to visit them during Christmas." I explained. "Can ya speak Japanese?" He asks. "I know enough to get by and not be disrespectful." I shrug. "Ya know more than I do." He laughs. "I guess. Oh, before I forget, Cassie is having a Halloween party. You and your friends should come. Its supposed to be a raging kegger. I'm just going to hang out with them. I'm dressing up like Alice from Alice in Wonderland." I told him. "I'd have to talk to the fellas, but that sounds like a lot of fun. Count me in anyway." He chirped. "Really? That's great!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah." He nods. "Awesome. You ready to go?" I ask. "Let's go." He agreed. When we get out to his mother's car I ask, "You mind if I turn on the radio?" "Go ahead." He agreed. Soon as I'm in, my fingers are all over the dial searching for a rock station to listen to. I find one, but its playing Peter Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way. Its such an old and corny song. I attempt to change it. "No, we should listen to it." Arnold tries to stop me.
"You actually like this song?" I asked surprised. "You don't? Its good. Here give it a listen." He suggests. "It's corny." I tease. "Come just a few minutes?" He asks. It is his car. I keep it on and listen to the lyrics as he hums.
"Moon appears to shine and light the sky
With the help of some fireflies
I wonder how they have the power shine shine shine
I can see them under the pines
But don't hesitate 'cause your love won't wait hey
Ooh baby I love your way every day
I just stare at Arnold. You know, I don't hate this song when he hums it. In my head, I establish it as our song. Even though there is no us. When we get to my place, he walks me to my front door. There's a heavy word filled silence as we just stand there. "I had a lot of fun tonight." I speak up first. "So did I. You're a lot of fun to be around." I thanked him. We get quiet again. "When is Cassie's party?" He asks me. "Next Friday." I reply.
"Okay. Were still on for the movies next Sunday?" He questions. "If we make it." I tease remembering I'm still wearing his jacket. I start to take it off, but he stops me. "Give it to me on Monday." He brushed off. "Are you sure?' I ask. "Yeah." He nodded. "Thank you. Goodnight Arnold. I say before hugging him. "Go- "He's interrupted by me kissing his cheek. "You were saying?" I giggled softly while he stutters and stammers. "Night, V." He finally wishes me. I watch him walk to his car and drive away.
That night I learned three things. 1. Sally Fields is funny 2. Maybe Frampton isn't so bad. 3. I'm sure I like Arnold.
A/N: And that's it for Chapter Seven. Thank you all so much for giving it a read. I hoped enjoyed it. Color note of the chapter, Pink like our beloved Vera's ice cream. Pink represents new love. Vera's feelings for Arnold is fully realized. Okay folks, that's all for me. Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate it. I'll see guys next Tuesday. Bye guys!