A/N: Hello and welcome back to Horshack's Brightspot. My name is Bambi, and I am happy that you're here. Today's chapter is going to be an interesting one. I'm not going to spoil anything, just wait and see. 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, and settings. I do own Vera, Cassie, Raquel, and Zoey. Now, onto chapter eleven. Also, happy holidays from my family to yours.
Ch. 11 Sweathogs Just Don't Care
Vera's P.O.V
I'm nervous. This morning at school, Arnold and I are going to tell his friends that we are dating. I don't know a lot about Freddie, Juan, and Vinnie, but I do know. 1. They think I'm weird and 2. They don't like, nor do they want Arnold pursuing me. It's completely absurd. They need to knock it off because it's only hurting Arnold. He's a great friend to them. The very least they could do is be happy that he found somebody to care for him. It's Monday and Arnold is walking me to school. I'm excited to see him. Even though I saw him every day this weekend. "You need a ride to school?" Mom asks. "No. Arnold's walking me." I replied. "Aw okay. Be safe and have a good day. I love you." Mom chirps. "I love you too." I smiled before turning back to my mirror to make sure I was ready. I had on a long sleeved light green shirt with frilly flared cuffs, a black mini skirt, tight, and light green Mary Janes with a block heel that Cassie gave me.
I grab my backpack and lunch box, then walk outside where Arnold was standing. "Morning, Bandit." I greeted while stepping closer to him. "Hiya, Brightspot." Arnold greets back pulling me in for a hug and a peck on my lips. I still gotta get use to this kissing thing. "Want me to carry your book bag?" Arnold asked. "No, it's okay. It's a little heavy." I warned him. "If its heavy how can you carry it?" He asks. "I'm used to heavy backpacks." I shrug. "Vera, please. It can't be that bad. Just lemme try it?" He begged. "Okay. If you insist." I shrug handing my backpack over to him. When he takes it, he instantly drops it. "What's in that thing?" Arnold groaned. "Textbooks." I replied innocently. He hands it back to me. "Here, you can carry my lunch box." I suggest. "Ya ain't got a book in there?" He asks. "No." I shook my head. "Give it here." He motions. I hand him my lunch box and we begin our trek to school. "So, are you ready?" I asked while we walked. "Yeah, I just hope they're nice to you." He sighs.
All this has been troubling to him. I hate that. I would make him pick or his friends. Just like how I know he wouldn't make me choose between him and my friends. It wouldn't be fair. "If they aren't, we'll figure something out. I'm not breaking up with you no matter what they say. I'm with you not them." I explained as we get to school. "I know." He sighed. I turn to him as we get to school. "Bandit just relax. Everything will work out." I try to calm him down. "You're right." He nods in agreement. "Come on." I urged him into school. We get surprised and confused glances as were walking down the hallway. I just smirk and keep walking. "Where are your friends?" I ask Arnold. I have no idea where I'm going. "That way." Arnold points. We walk up to his friends. "Hi fellas." Arnold greeted them. They look over at us in mixed reactions. "Horshack, what's this?" I think Vinnie asks him. "Me and Vera." He replies like it's nothing special. "Why are you holding hands?" I know Freddie questions. "She's my girlfriend." Arnold tells him earning him a big, satisfied smile from me. "What?" I know Juan shouts. "Huh?" Freddie sounds off.
"Horshack, could we talk to you?" Vinnie asks reaching out to grab Arnold's shoulder. I hold onto Arnold's hand tightly. "No. Whatever you say to him, you can say to me." I protested. Vinnie's glaring at me. "Horshack, take care of that." Vinnie demanded. "My name is Vera." I spat back at him. "Yeah? Well I don't care enough to remember that." Vinnie howled in laughter. Arnold now looks at me pleadingly. "Calm down. I can handle this." He tries to assure me. "Arnold, I'm not going to let them talk to me like that." I fought back. Once again, my pride is in the way. "Let me talk to them." Arnold begs me. I know they won't listen. The bell rings and they come to move Arnold away from me. "'Cuse us, Morticia. We got better places to be." Juan glowers at me. Cassie and Raquel walk up looking concerned. "Give me a minute." I told them as I watch the guys walk away. "What's going on?" Raquel asks. "V? What are you gonna do?" Cassie asks. I ignore my friends and keep on walking. I walk defiantly in front of the boys. "Move," Vinnie yelled at me. "In a second." I giggle before wrapping my arms around Arnold's neck. Here goes nothing. I move in and try to give him one of those rough kisses, like in the movies. Arnold is kissing me back, rougher than expected. His hands feel as if they've been glued to my sides and I think he put his tongue in my mouth?
I must pull away. The guys look so disgusted at my assertion of dominance. Meanwhile, Arnold is in a happy daze. "Bye, baby." I try to say in a seductive tone. I don't do seductive well. And baby? What a cliché. Way to go, V. I leave the classroom. seeing an incredibly surprised Raquel and Cassie chatting up a statuesque dark skin black girl with afro puffs. She was wearing a ribbed champagne colored sweater and jeans. She looks at me smirking. "That was intense." She commented. "Yeah, that was my boyfriend and his boneheaded friends who want us to break up." I explained. "Yeah I know. Cassie told me." She points to Cassie. "This is Zoey Baker. She's my next-door neighbor." Cassie explains. "I'm a senior." She explained. "Cool." I replied. "Are you okay?" Zoey asks. "I will be. Right after I die of embarrassment." I tell her. "What are you talking about? I don't think your boyfriend minded it." She reminds. "Yeah, but I just did what I saw in movies." I shrug. "Its fine. Now come on, we gotta go. Zoey are you coming?" Cassie asks. "Sure. Why not?" She shrugs. We start walking. I can't get the exchange between myself and Arnold's friends out of my mind. Arnold and I need to talk. I hated this morning. It's not that I'm mad at him, I'm mad at his friends. They need to stop this. All I want is to be with Arnold.
A/N: And that's it for chapter eleven. Thank you all so much for reading, I really appreciate it. Next couple chapters are about to be a doozy. Then we fix it with Thanksgiving. Anyway, thank you again and I'll you guys next Tuesday. Bye guys!