It was quiet a lengthy break. Summer started so I'll probably have another chapter up soon.


Chapter 3: The Legendary Seduction
"Arnold, Gerald, and Arnie ran toward the direction of the screaming. They saw Lila and some girls running towards them, away from the screams. Arnold saw Harold chasing after them..."
HAROLD
Stop her!!! Don't let the wretch get away!
"With a dark look in his eye, Arnie grabbed Lila by the arm as she ran past him..."
LILA
Release me at once knave!!!
ARNIE
That I will not do till I find out what events are transpiring here...
HAROLD
It was Lila here...
GIRLS
You lie!!! It was not Lila, it was Manuelita!
"Behind Harold was another group of girls. They came forward and surrounded Arnie and Lila..."
OTHER GIRLS
Listen not to them good sir, it was Lila, she delivered the first blows!
GIRLS
Manuelita started the quarrel, she insulted our leader's taste in men...
OTHER GIRLS
You mean her taste in many men!!
GIRLS
But Lila ignored her, till Manuelita threw upon her a glass of blue, staining liquid!!!
ARNIE
Remove these women from me!!! Arnold, go see what is happening to Manuelita!!
"Arnold headed in the direction that Harold pointed. Sure enough, there was crowd surrounding someone on the ground. Sheena and Phoebe were tending to the girl..."
SHEENA
I cannot handle this wound any longer. There's too much blood, I will faint soon.
PHOEBE
The nurse, we will require the nurse's assistance... but we cannot tell her what happened unless Manuelita wants us to. I will not be a rat today...
ARNOLD
What transpired here?
PHOEBE
See for yourself...
"Arnold looked to see the young girl, with a huge gash in her arm..."
ARNOLD
*gasp* How did that happen?
SHEENA
The blow, of a knife, it came from Lila...
"He turned around and ran back to tell Arnie. When he got there, Gerald and Arnie were having problems keeping Lila from escaping."
ARNOLD
Sir!! There were blows from a knife, and Lila gave them...
ARNIE
Tie up her pretty hands with this cord!!
"After her hands were tied securely, Arnie lead her away from the crowd with Gerald and Arnold following."
LILA
So, this is how you will repay me for not loving you, pig!!!
ARNIE
Ha! Come on Gerald, let's go find the police, Arnold, you watch her!!
"Arnie and Gerald left, and Lila smiled at Arnold."
LILA
These cords, they are too tight...
ARNOLD
If you want, I will loosen them for you.
LILA
You must let me escape!!
ARNOLD
Why would I do such a thing, you caused much harm to that poor girl...
LILA
You will let me escape. I know you will, because you love me.
ARNOLD
What gave you that idea?
"She pointed at the flower she threw at him, it was in his hat."
LILA
You kept my flower, you could easily have thrown it away. My charm has worked.
ARNOLD
I am not like most of the men, I will not fall for you!!
LILA
And this is why I love you...
ARNOLD
Stop saying that!!
LILA
My love, it is not easy to come by. Many men love me, I only love you, does the thought not burn your heart...
"Arnold felt odd. He tried to think of Helga, she was so pretty... not very sweet though, not like Lila. He closed his eyes, trying to picture Helga instead, the thought of her brought warmth to his heart. But he then thought of Lila, and he felt his heart racing. He felt a soft hand touch him on the brow. He opened them to see Lila, standing very close to him. She placed her shoulder on his head..."
ARNOLD
Leave me be!!
LILA
You could just walk away, why don't you?
"Arnold's thoughts of Helga were fading. He tried to think of her face, but could not. All he could do was stare into Lila's deep blue eyes."
LILA
*sigh* In but a few days I will be at another of Rhonda's glorious parties. There, I shall drink the finest of wine, and dance with my lover until daylight breaks the night. Alas, my lover, he is no more... Perhaps I shall have another lover with me instead...
ARNOLD
LILA!!!!
LILA
Does such a thought make you jealous?
ARNOLD
Maybe.
LILA
Then it does. If you want to love me, I must warn you of my lifestyle.
ARNOLD
I care not of your business.
LILA
You should, it is something to be feared. Your comrades, Sid and Stinky, they are my brothers now, they showed courage. And now, you also show me courage similar to theirs, I know the lover I wish to take to Rhonda's party... He is kind, noble, and brave...
ARNOLD
Lila, you have done well. I am intoxicated by your beauty. I fear you though, you must promise to continue to love me if I love you.
LILA
That promise I can keep!! Free me, and we will stay at the house of Rhonda, drink plenty of wine, and dance till the sun rises.
"Arnold cut loose her bonds, and she fled. At that same moment, Arnie returned with some cops."
ARNIE
Where has she gone?
ARNOLD
I am sorry, but as my back was turned, she apparently fled.
ARNIE
I don't believe you!!!
OFFICER
Neither do I, but there is nothing I can do about it...
ARNIE
Ah, but there is something I can do about it!!!
"When Arnold and Arnie got home, all the boarders were eating dinner. Arnie told them about the events of the day, and how Arnold let Lila go..."
GRANDPA
You can't prove this...
ARNOLD
Grandpa, I admit it, I let her loose...
GRANDPA
How could you!! She might hurt someone else now...
ARNOLD
I don't think she will...
GRANDPA
*sigh* Arnold, I think I'm going to ground you...
"Everyone gasped..."
SUZIE
Don't you think that's a bit harsh, you've never grounded him before...
GRANDPA
Well, he's also never done something like this before, I don't know what else to do. Not for very long, just the rest of this week and the weekend.
"Arnold felt his heart drop. What about Rhonda's party?
OSCAR
Hey grandpa, I've thought of a good punishment, how about if he has to do my paper route for a few weeks...
GRANDPA
Shut up Oscar...
"Arnold was sitting up in his room, alone... He hated Arnie, and he loved Lila. Something in the back of his head was warning him, but he refused to listen. He took the rose out from his pocket and put it in some water."