A/N: Hello and welcome back to, Horshack's Brightspot. My name is Bambi and I'm happy that you're here. Absolutely. Brace yourself folks, Arnold and Vera get together! Not giving any specifics, just read the 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, plot points or settings. I do own Vera. Now, onto chapter ten
Ch. 10 Planet Bliss
Vera's P.O.V
Arnold's got me on the subway. I'm so terrified right now. This is nothing like trolley. Trollies are colorful, fun, inviting, open, and come with a slide whimsical charm. Just hop on and go. Subways are just long silver bullets speeding in and out of tunnels at hyper speed. Arnold says he has a surprise for me, but I'm contemplating if it's worth it. The tube makes an abrupt and unexpected on my part, stop. "Arnold, where are we?" I asked him worriedly. "We're in Manhattan." He replied. Manhattan? I have been wanting to come here, but why? "Why?" I asked. "You'll see. Come on." He waves me off the subway. I must admit, Manhattan's part of the subway system is cool. People dancing, drumming, the graffiti, people from all walks of life in a rush, neon fliers everywhere. It leaves me intrigued to say the least. When we walk up to the street from the subway, I'm enamored. It's bright full lights, bustling businesses, and glossy billboard advertisements. We don't have anything like this in San Francisco.
"Were almost there." Arnold informed as I take it all in. We started walking, we walked past green and lush Central Park. It's the true standout amongst the light filled sleepless city. A few more blocks before Arnold tells me, "Get in front of me." I look at him as if he's got ten heads. "Isn't that dangerous?" I asked. "No. We only got a few more steps." He assured. I hope he's right. I move in front of him like he told me to. He places his hand on the small of my back and the other on my eyes. "No peaking." He warned. "I'm not." I giggle. We walk a few more feet and I feel Arnold move his hands from my eyes. "Open your eyes." He finally tells me. I open my eyes, seeing a large sign. The sign read, "Hayden Planetarium." I gasped excitedly. "How did you know?" I asked. "You're always talking about coming here. Remember? I know you're scared of the subway. So, I decided to go with ya." Arnold explained shyly. He really listened to me. "Oh Arnold!" I cried throwing my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. This is the best thing to happen to me since I moved. Arnold hugs me back just as tight. "You're welcome. Let's go inside. They close in an hour." Arnold cautioned.
"An hour's not enough time." I sigh. "We can always come back." He reminded me. It's sensory overload. All the exhibits and telescopes. It's everything I ever could've asked for. "Let's go look at the telescopes, the astronauts, the dwarf planets, and we can finish up at the solar system." I rattle off while staring at the map. "Okay." Arnold replies. I know this isn't his kind of thing, but it means a lot to me that he's here and I can share my interest with him. What follows is thirty minutes of me pulling Arnold exhibit through exhibit. Granted, Arnold's been acting kind of strange. We got to the exhibit about the solar system. About the solar system, the exhibit is backwards or maybe we just came in through the other side. Either way, we go through Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Earth, and Venus to get to my favorite planet, Mercury. I like Mercury because it's small, it's a true marvel when looked t up close, and it's the setting of for a book my parents use to read to me little called, Lucky Star and the Big Sun of Mercury by Isaac Asimov. Saturn might have its rings, mars may have its life, but they've got nothing on Mercury.
"Did you know it's takes Mercury eighty-eight days to orbit the sun because it's closer. Earth takes a full year. It's all the smallest planet." I broadcasted. "No. V, I gotta tell ya something." Arnold jumps in. "Is everything okay?" I asked. "I'm fine. Ya know, we've been hanging out a lot lately and I really like hanging out with you." He starts. "I like hanging out with you too, Arnold." I smile at him. "Thanks. You're also really smart." He complimented. "And you're very sweet and nice looking" I replied. Arnold steps closer to me, grabbing both of my hands. I look up into his big brown eyes, unsure of what's coming next. "Really? So, you don't mind if I ask ya to go steady?" He asks. "Depends, do you mind if I say yes?" I ask. "No. So you will?" He shook his head. "Yes." I respond. Arnold pulls me in once again and holds me. What comes next nearly knocks me off my feet, Arnold kisses me again. Except, it wasn't like when he dropped me off the night of Cassie's Halloween party.
This was sweet and urgent. Like he's wanted this for so long. I still don't know what I'm doing on the whole kissing front. This all feels like a movie to me. When we pull away, were just standing there holding onto each other. When the air returns to my chest all I can say is, "Wow." We might be standing next to Mercury, but right now I feel like I'm on planet bliss and I don't want to leave. "Yeah." Arnold nods grinning at me. "Should we leave?" I ask. "Yeah." He replies. He seems dizzy, I feel high, it was getting late, and we needed to get back to Brooklyn. Arnold grabs my hand. He seems triumphant as he's walks me to the front of the museum. Our walk to the subway is a quiet one filled with little giggles, nervous energy, and a whole lot of looks. I have a boyfriend. My very first boyfriend. I'm happy that it's Arnold. I'm the first one to speak when we get on the subway. "So, Thanksgiving is coming up. What are you and your family doing?" I asked. "Eating at my grandmas. Why?" He asks. "I'm eating with my mom, grandparents, and aunties. You should come with me. We could do your grandparents house first and then mine?" I suggest. "That's a great idea, Brightspot." Arnold agrees as he's wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in closer.
Arnold's P.O.V
She's mine! I got the girl! After the subway ride, I dropped my Brightspot off at her house. I wanted to tell the whole wide world that Vera Kimura was my girl. But it's late. I'm not in the moods for the fellas. And I don't want to go home yet. Wait a second, I know where I can go! "Horshack, it's 10:30. What are you doing here so late?" Mr. Kotter asked. "Sorry, Mr. Kotter. I got great news and I needed to tell somebody. I apologized. "What?" Mr. Kotter wondered. "I asked Vera to go steady with me." I told him. "That's great to hear, Horshack. Congratulations." Mr. Kotter congratulated me. "How did you ask her, Arnold?" Mrs. Kotter asked. "Well, I had dinner with her and her ma and then I took her to the Hayden Planetarium in Manhattan. She's been wanting to go there, but she's scared to go on the subway by herself. I asked her to go steady with me by her favorite planet." I told her. "Aww. Arnold that is sweet and very romantic of you. Good for you." Mrs. Kotter cheered.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kotter." I nodded. "You told the guys yet?" Mr. Kotter asked. "No. I'm scared to." I admit. "Do I want to know why?" Mr. Kotter sighed. "They don't like Vera. They call her weird. They say if I date her then it makes them weird too." I shook my head. "That's ridiculous. They're your friends. If they do care, they'll let it go." Mr. Kotter promised. "I don't know about that. You know how they can be." I disagreed. "Give it a chance. And honestly if you have her do you really care what everybody else thinks?" Mr. Kotter noted. "No, but I do want everybody to be nice to each other and get along." I sigh. "Don't worry about it. Everything's gonna be fine." He says. "We'll see." I shrug. I leave Mr. Kotter's place and go home. "Well?" Mom asks as soon as I walk in. I turn to her smiling, "She said yes!" I shouted. "That's phenomenal!" She hugs me tightly. "Ma, I'm real happy." I tell her. "You should be. You got a loving family, good friends, a nice job, and now ya got sweet little Vera." Ma reminds me.
"You're right. I'm just worried about my friends." I admit. "Still not keen on Vera?" Ma asked. "Yeah." I nodded. "Ya gotta give it time. They'll come around. They just gotta get use to it. You can't let everybody ruin what makes ya happy." Ma warns. I know she's right. I just want peace. "Thanks ma." I thanked her, "Welcome, now get some sleep." She commands. I start fixing the couch to go to sleep. On Monday, I'll tell the fellas. Maybe things will be better. I just hope Vera will be okay.
A/N: And that's all for chapter ten. Thank you so much for reading. I really hoped you guys enjoyed that. I know I did. Next chapter is about to be interesting to say the least. That's all for me. I'll see you guys next Tuesday. Bye guys!