Let's get this underway!
The bell had rung, indicating that the school day had ended. Kids were gathering up books for homework and preparing for Friday, which they knew was a weekday before the weekend. And nearby the locker, Arnold Shortman was basically doing the same thing, collecting the books he needed.
"Hello, Arnold!"
Arnold's heart fluttered for a brief second when he heard the sweet melodious sound of the girl he happened to like-like. He turned around fast as he noticed Lila, along with the new girl that had been with Lila coming up with her. Arnold had heard about the new girl that was with Lila, and was surprised himself when he heard she was Lila's twin sister from the country. Arnold paused as he thought to himself, "She's probably just introducing her sister to me, nothing too big. Don't get excited."
Regardless, Arnold smiled as he said, "Hi, Lila. How have you been?"
"Oh, I've been ever so wonderful, Arnold." Lila gave her usual warm smile. "Anyway, I haven't seen you all day and I realize that I haven't introduced you to my twin sister, Lulu."
"That's all right, Lila. I know you've been busy." Arnold smiled before turning to Lulu. "Hello, Lulu."
"Hello, Arnold." Lulu smiled as she fluttered her eyes.
Arnold looked between both Lila and Lulu as he said, "I can tell you girls are twins, because there's no way I'll be able to tell you apart!"
Lulu gave a slight giggle as she thought to herself, "Oh, he's a bold boy... I like that!"
Lila gave a similar laugh, though it was more of a friendly laugh. "Arnold, you sure are funny."
Arnold brightened up as he felt like he was on a roll with this. He then continued, "Well, it's not every day that you come across twins. So, Lulu, you're from the country, you say?"
Lulu smiled. "Why, of course, Arnold. I live in a little farm out in Spireville, Texas."
"Spireville... hey, I have a cousin who lives out in the neighborhood." Arnold smiled.
"Oh, do you?" Lulu raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Maybe I've seen him around."
"Well... maybe you have. Do you know somebody named Arnie?" Arnold asked.
Lulu's eyes went wide as if her life flashed back before her eyes.
"I like... counting."
"I have some plain flavor gum in my pocket. Want to share?"
*snort*
*snort*
*snort*
Lulu stood in place for a moment... before shaking her head. "No, actually, that name doesn't sound familiar to me."
"Really? What a shame." Arnold said. "Actually, he was supposed to visit me for a couple of weeks, but he somehow lost his plane ticket."
"Oh, he did, huh? Gee, that's a shame." Lulu said as she looked at Arnold, sympathetically.
"I guess so. I was really looking forward to introducing him to everyone... I know he wasn't exactly normal, but I'm sure once one got to know him, he'd be good to hang out with." Arnold said.
"Hmmm..." Lulu rolled her eyes, but still kept the smile.
"Wow, so I would have been introduced to this... Arnie?" Lila asked.
"I don't know if you would have been interested in him, Lila." Arnold said. "All I know is that he lost his plane ticket and missed the plane ride. It could take him at least another year before he and my maternal grandparents can afford another ticket... though at the rate they're going, it's not so bad. Actually, I'm thinking about visiting my cousin myself in the summer holidays..."
"Well, if you DO visit your cousin, know that you're always welcome to visit me." Lulu gave a smirk. "That is, if you prefer to talk..."
"I'll... keep that in mind, Lulu. Thanks." Arnold said as he looked at the clock. "Oh, I better get down to the bus... oh, Lila, I know I just asked you out and you rejected me, but... well, hear me out. I know you don't want to go Saturday to the movies, BUT... well, if it's not too much to ask, would you maybe like to go for a walk in the park."
Lila could only give a slight groan as Lulu raised an eyebrow as an idea formulated in her head. "Arnold, I don't know how ma-"
"She'd love to!" Lulu smiled.
"I'd what?" Lila stopped, turning to Lulu, stunned.
Arnold raised an eyebrow as he said, "Uh, Lulu?"
"Hey, hey, listen Arnold, I've still got a whole town to explore, and Lila said she was going to take me exploring Saturday if the weather's right. And I know my weather, and Saturday in Hillwood is going to be sunny skies, with a ten percent chance of showers!" Lulu smiled.
"Wait a min-" Lila started.
"But... I could use somebody who knows more about Hillwood than Lila ever does, because... well, let's face it, Lila is still the new person walking around. She doesn't know ALL the nooks and crannies of Hillwood." Lulu continued. "But you, Arnold, you look like you know PLENTY about the city. So how about it? Would you like to take both me and Lila here on a tour of Hillwood this Saturday?"
Arnold couldn't even believe what he was hearing. He would be helping out somebody new to Hillwood, and he would get a date with Lila? It seemed like the perfect opportunity! How could he say no?
"Of course, Lulu. I'll be glad to help Lila escort you around the town." Arnold gave a smile.
"Oh, that sounds ever so wonderful, Arnold." Lulu gave a smirk as she fluttered her eyebrows at him. "Lila and I will be looking forward to it."
"We will?" Lila said in a very deadpan voice.
Arnold, not taking a hint on Lila's deadpan voice, smiled. "Oh that's great! I promise, you won't regret it, Lila! And Lulu, I'm just happy to help out anybody!"
"No, no, Arnold, I'm happy to be helped." Lulu giggled. "Anyway, I believe you have a bus to catch."
"Oh, of course, of course! See you later, girls!" Arnold said as he started to run off... and if one looked closer, they could swear they saw Arnold leap up in the air and click his heels.
Lulu gave a warm smile as she said, "Oh, that sounds ever so lovely. Isn't that good, Lila?"
Lila stared speechless for a moment... before turning to Lulu with an angry face. "Forgive me for ever so breaking my syntax, but... what the heck was that?"
Lulu sighed. "Okay, look, Lila, I know you said that you didn't want to hang out with Arnold, but... gosh darn it, I do! He looks ever so interesting, doesn't he?"
Lila paused as she gave a sigh. Maybe this would work out for the best, anyway. Maybe, just maybe Arnold will pay more attention to Lulu during the trip. After all, if her plan to hook them up together works, she could finally be relieved of it all.
Lulu, on the other hand, gave a smirk. "Phase One, complete. Phase Two... make sure there are no loose ends. I wonder when she's going to be arriving..."
We'll stop for the time being! Stay tuned, though! We'll be right back!