Disclaimer: Craig Barleett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.


7. And She came back again!

— Sunset Arms-Family room- Friday afternoon–

Was a rainy evening at Hillwood City. The wind was very strong. Despite it being Saturday, the majority of the people stayed at home. Including two best friends, one with Football head and the other with tall hair.

- C'mon Arnie! Let's do another thing… This movie is so… boring!

- Sorry Gerald, the TV doesn't work, it is the only channel.

- Seriously? OMG I prefer to turn it off.

- So, what do we do now? Some video games?

- Sounds so much better! Let 's do it!

The boys stood up very quickly trying to go to Arnold's place, but a light ray and a knock on the door stopped their walking.

- Wait Gerald, let me attend the door.

- Gosh pal, it's like a horror movie.

- It's just the storm. - Arnold opened the door and a female silhouette appeared.

- Hey Arnold! You're so tall!

- Suzie! Are really you!

- I'm happy to see you again! – They shared a long hug. - How old are you now? Around 11 years, right?

- Yes and I'm almost turning 12 in a month.

- Time runs so fast.

- What are you doing here? To be honest… I thought that I'll never see you again.

- Why in the world did you have that idea?

- Because the day you left you screamed that you will never put a foot here again.

- Oh yes… sometimes we say very strong words that we don't really mean…. Anyway, is your grandpa here?

- No sorry, I've very good news… My parents came back!

- Really? Oh Arnold, I'm so happy for you!

- Oh my old friend, are you being too modest, they didn't come back, you found them! - Gerald put his hand on his shoulder to present him as a hero.

- I only looked for them in San Lorenzo. I won a scholar trip there and there they were them, they were sick with the sleeping sickness.

- Oh my! and then?

- Do you remember Helga? Well, she and Gerald helped me to find a way to wake them and around 2 months ago they returned to Hillwood… with me.

- Unbelievable! A story worthy of a movie!

- Yes I know… a dream come true.

- Oh and so sweet that your little girlfriend helped you!

- What? Oh no Suzie, you're confused, Helga is just my friend… - He was fighting with the blush in his face.

- Oh… I see, it's so strange, she was in love with you for years, I imagined that some day, you will be together.

- You knew… what?

- Yes, sometimes we saw her around here for no reason, but your grandfather told us to please never tell you.

- I told you friend, everyone but you noticed!

- Anyway… - He cleared his throat, hoping to change the subject. - My parents and my grandparents went out some time ago, maybe they'll come back soon.

- I see, maybe I'll come tomorrow and finally meet the famous Miles and Stella.

- You can wait for them here on the couch with us.

- Thank you Arnold, but… - She she sighed and surrendered.- Is Oskar around here?

- No, he left for a meeting with his friends, maybe he'll return at midnight.

- Oh in this case, I'll be happy to stay a little with you. - She finally smiled and relaxed.

- And what have you done?

- After I went a year ago, I got hired for a bigger company as a secretary.

- Sounds nice!

- Yes, it was…

- Shortman! We're home, you missed it... Suzie Kokoschka... What are you doing here?

- Hi Mr Shortman, it's nice to see you again!

- Suzie! You're here… - Pookie took her hands with true happiness.

- It's nice to see you too.

- Please, tell us that you don't come back with the dork of Oskar.

- Of course not grandpa, don't worry, I'm here to…. talk with you, actually…

- Ok young lady, come with me to the kitchen.

- Arnold, son, who's she? - Miles asked when the three people had left.

- It's Suzie, Mr Kokoshka's wife.

- Oh this poor woman. - Stella said. - Seems like a good woman.

- And she is mom, she was like an auntie to me.

- I really hope that she is ok. - The blond man said, then smiled at his son and his best friend.

- Arnold, did you finish the poster and the centerpieces for the school dance?

- Mom you're right! Phoebe, Rhonda and Helga will kill us!
- C'mon Arnie, let's work on it.


– Sunset Arms - Kitchen -

The blond woman was sitting at the table with the old man, who was her last hope. Gertie put a tea cup in her hands. Despite having a year without news of her, they had a special caring for her. The old couple always felt bad about her suffering in her marriage.

- Thank you Gertie… it's delicious.

- It's my special recipe, a little cinnamon, lemon, fish and…

- Pookie please, the girl will demand us. Shut up. So, why are you here Suzie? Is not a simple visit, right?

- I can't lie to you, to be honest… I come back to ask you for a favor.

- What happened?

- Last year, when I left after Oskar lost me in a game, I tried to ask for help with my mom, but she was very angry, she said her classic "I told you".

- How terrible! I would never have said something like that to Arnold or Miles.

- Yes Gertie, but you're awesome, my mom is different. Whatever, I was hired as a secretary in a bank, and I was promoted so fast. I was earning a lot of money, so I decided to come back to college.

- Sounds nice daughter, but…

- But I had some… problems at my office and I was fired… so I have to pay the school, and my landlord said that I've to leave the apartment… and…. I really don't know what I can do! - She started crying a little.

- I told you Suzie, you had to throw out Oskar, not leave us…

- Phil! Don't tell her "I told you"!

- Sure… sorry.

- I know that was horrible on my part to have gone without saying goodbye.

- It was pretty clear. - Phil murmured to his wife who was sitting next to him.

- To be honest… I don't have a place to go… I'm desperate… If you give me a chance to find another job, and some time to pay you I…

- Suzie, please, don't worry, you can move here when you decide, we have an empty room.

- Really I can?

- Sure girl, since today if you want it.

- Thank you Mr and Ms Shortman… I'll pay you in my first pay.

- Don't worry, we know that you have honor, unlike your ex.

- Actually… I've to ask you for another favor… It's about Oskar…


– Dr. Bliss's Office –

- "Codependency". - The doctor said and drank her coffee.

- Doi! That's pretty obvious! But I'm trying to give her another way, a better one.

- Yes Helga, but your mother's situation it's… complicated. She lost all her confidence, her self esteem, she really feels that she doesn't deserve anything good in her life… is something sad.

- So, maybe, my mom doesn't accept any help because she thinks that she needs to suffer.

- More or less. When a person spends so much time in a violent and abusive environment, it's so difficult to get out of it. Difficult, but not impossible, sometimes just needs a little correct help and a guide to recover her love for herself.

- Like Arnold with me… right?

- Yes.

- I was very lucky.

- Oh Helga, you two were, you're also an amazing person. Well, it's time to end our meeting. Do you remember your homework?

- Yes, I've to tell myself "10 sentences of self love in front of the mirror every day". I got it.

though It's a lost time.

- You will be surprised, so many times you have heard a lot of wrong ideas about yourself that created a mask of your true personality that you finally took as real, you will see the difference when you change the negative for positive. - He put a hand on his patient's shoulder and then smiled in response.

- See you next Friday Doctor.

- Have a nice weekend and Helga…

- Yes?- The blond girl stopped her at the door.

- Thank you for all the things you are doing at Home House, especially with Craig... Maybe you are his "special help".

- Oh… it's not a big deal, you know… Criminy, it's so late! See you! - Not used to receiving compliments, the girl with the unibrow left the office quickly and uncomfortable, while her psychologist looked at her with tenderness.


– Sunset Arms - Arnold's Room

- Arnold, bro… refresh my memory again… why in the world are we doing all these stupid centerpieces? - The brunette was struggling to remove the silicone sticking to his thumb.

- Because our girlfriends decided to be part of Student Society

- But you're her vice president, you should do it alone.

- Gerald, do you remember when I helped you to become a president of fourth and Fifth grade?

- Yes and I remember too that I have told you I wouldn't never work in politics again.

- It's for our girls, remember.

Someone knocked the door and Arnold smiled, thinking of a blue eyed girl that promised to visit him that day. - Come in.

- Hi again Arnold, it's me, Suzie.

- Oh, hi Suzie, are you leaving now?

- Well not really, I'm moving here again.

- Will you come back to Sunset Arms, with Oskar?

- No exactly, I'll live here but apart from Oskar, do you remember? We divorced last year.

- Right, sorry… and what does he think?

- It's really irrelevant… I won't tell him.

- What? But someday you'll see each other. - Gerald said, losing his war with his ugly centerpieces.

- I know, but I know his schedule, so I can hide from him.

- Isn't it better to talk and clear things up?

- Arnold, you can't talk to Oskar… he's a very… idiot and I hope to find a permanent apartment soon.

- Well, count me in, Suzie… Although I still think it's better to talk..

- Thank you guys! See you!

She closed the door, Gerald could see a lost look on his best friend's long face.

- Arnold..., you have "The Look", please leave things as they are.

- What look?

- You know… The special Arnold's look, that means… "I've to save everybody".

- But Gerald, if destiny puts them in the same house again…

- It's just because she was very unlucky. Arnold, please, it's kind of complicated.

- Maybe it's time for Oskar to finally changes.

- Sure my friend, and when they get back together, Abner could become president. My pal, you're alone.

- Why? Where're you going?

- Far, far away from a future disaster, see you later!

- No, they deserve an opportunity after all this time. I've to do it!

The dreamer boy put his hands on action. He looked at his old photo album, with a lot of pictures that he had taken since Mr Hyunh gave him a little camera. He always photographed his extended family, he could remember when Suzie came to the Guesthouse, around 5 years ago. She was too young and the first female figure in Arnold's life, later of his grandma of course, he liked to imagine that she was his aunt or something like this.

He always wished that some day, she and Oskar could be happy together and maybe grow up with a little baby in Sunset Arms, and maybe the time will be now.

In this moment, he could remember the dinner that he prepared for them to reconcile them, and maybe a sweet memory could light their flame again.

- Sure! What a plan!- He said to himself.


– Sunset Arms - Roof - Night

It was hard work, but he finally did it. The two Shortmans Marriages helped him, Gertie was ready at the piano, Miles and Stella in a weird way got fireworks, Mr. Hyunh prepared a delicious dinner, and Ernie took care of the decorations, it was a perfect night, they were just waiting for the lucky couple.

- I'm so happy to finally participate in one of Arnold's plans. - Said his dad excited.

- I know honey, I heard all his crazy stories, but now we are in one, and a romantic one.

- I'm pretty proud of him, this is my son.

- Ok everybody. - Arnold talked to everyone. - We did it! Our romantic dinner it's ready, I'll up in a second with our lucky couple. - He smiled at all the people and jumped in his room.

- It's so funny how Shortman talks about his date in third person.

- Who is Arnold? - Gertie said, totally confused.

- Just forget it mom.

- Mom?

- Just forget it, Pookie.


– Sunset Arms - Arnold's Room

Arnold prepared a bouquet of roses, and smiled totally satisfied.

- Now, we've to wait for Oskar and everything will be ok again! - He admired the flowers in his hand when someone knocked on his door very hard. - Come in.

- Ok Football head, let's check these centerpieces! - The girl with the pink ribbon crossed the door.

- Helga! You're here! - He hugged her. - Don't worry Rhonda called me, she can't come.

- Well, it will be a happy time! Mmm… Arnoldo… What is that? - Helga began to feel somewhat nervous and excited, seeing the huge bouquet of roses.

- Did you notice mmm. - He was totally excited, Helga noticed that and started feeling more nervous, It was even hard for him to breathe. - Helga, do you believe in marriage and the love for all life?

- Ma…ma… marriage?... I… me… of course…. I believe and I always did it!

- I knew you would have the same feeling as me. Helga, tonight is a very special occasion and I need you.

- I do. - She almost said it in a breath.

- Excellent! I always count on you!

- For all our life… but Arnold… we are just 11…- Said the blonde, completely red and excited.

- Yes? I know it, but don't worry, It'll be easy, you just have to write a short poem to Suzie. Do you remember her?

- What? - She fell quickly from her romantic dream.

- You don't have to pretend more, I know that you write beautifully, so , If I show you a photo, can you do it? - He put the photo in the hand of his confused girlfriend.

- Oh… I remember her. But, he left last year, right?

- Yes, but now she has returned, and she is still angry with Oskar but I prepared a romantic dinner for them, so they can resolve their problems, amazing right?

- Arnold, my big football head, this is your worst idea in years.

- What? Why?

- You can't do this to her, it's very… unfair.

- But Helga, you just said that you believe in true love, didn't you?

- Yes but not for them, they are a necessary exception.

- Love was created for all of us to feel.

- Arnold. -she sighed, she knew it would be a complicated talk.- Not everyone was born to be happy… is not a rule. Some broken things can't or shouldn't be fixed.

- How can you say something like that? Everybody deserves a second chance.

- But only in specific situations, and step number one is to have the decision to change and try again, that idiot doesn't want to change, he only wants a woman to exploit, without caring about her happiness or peace, he wants to live being her parasite, that is really unfair to her.

- But maybe with her love he can…

- He can take the opportunity and take advantage of her, again.

- Why are you so determined?

- Arnold, dear, listen. - They sat down in his bed and they looked each other in the eye. - You grew up in two marriages that were in love and they loved you. You know what love is and you know how share your love, and wants to help others with this special and worrying love of yours, but not everyone had your luck, someones we grow up without that love, we grow up with selfish and hate, with a lot of pain that can't be fixed, she was miserable, she deserves a better life. Maybe Oskar could change someday, but he had his opportunity with Suzie and he let it pass.

- OMG, Helga you're right. I was being so selfish.

- You are everything except a selfish person. It's only that your heart it's so big as your head. - They smiled at each other, - For a broken person it is difficult to leave those places, I am glad that she was able to free herself and that you decide to respect that.

- Thank you Helga, Now I'm so happy, since we are together and I wanted to share this happiness with everybody.

- Someday maybe. - She patted his shoulder playfully.

- Well, it will be better that I cancel the romantic dinner on the roof.

- Sounds wise. I don't understand how all the crazy guests and your family decided to help you in your crazy plan.

They stood up and Arnold helped her up to the roof, when they finally upped, the show started. Gertie played her romantic piano song, Hyunh put the food at the table and Miles and Stella lit the fireworks.

- Welcome to your romantic dinner, young couple. - His grandpa said, indicating that they will take a seat. - I'm really happy that finally Shortman made it official, eh!

- Ok Football head, now I understand what happened here. - He smiled at her with shame as an answer.

THE END


And here is the episode 7! We almost finish the story... I'm just joking, don't worry we still have a long way to walk together! I loved Suzie, she is so cute an awesome woman that deserves something better and she is now in the right way to get it. What do you think about it? See you in November 3rd!

-Remember, if you want to see the covers of each episode (design by the amazing . / ) Follow me in instagram, you can find me there as .17, in tik tok, tumblr too!

- If you have a chance, read my fic to the octoberfest, this year dedicated to Arnold, a daily mini story... Now yes, see you in reviews!