"So, Arnold, tell us, what are your thoughts about our daughter?" Buckley asked.
Arnold looked over at his secret crush, she fluttered her eyes as she winked at him. "In all honesty, she's the most beautiful girl I've ever met, and I'm glad to be able to call her one of my closest friends." Arnold squeezed her hand.
"Alright. Now, how do you see yourself? Despite people saying you're a miraculous kid, how do you see yourself?"
"Oh, well I'm just a normal kid who always likes to help anyone out! I don't see myself as perfect or anything like that."
"Quite humble as well." Brooke whispered, Buckley nodded. "Alright. We also know you're an extremely responsible person, is that true?"
"Of course. Anything I'm tied in, I'm responsible for."
"Even if it means you get our daughter pre- OOF!"
"Buckley! Excuse us, you two, Buckley and I need to discuss something real quick."
The two got out of the living room, Arnold and Rhonda were as confused as ever.
A minute later…
"Sorry, you two." She then whispered to Buckley. "Don't you ever mention that to the two! Got it?" Buckley nodded nervously.
"Alright Arnold, after these questions, you seem extremely trustworthy. But just know, anything happens to my daughter and I'll-" Brooke glared at Buckley, and seemed rather unhappy with him. "I'll take it from here." Brooke looked back at the two. "Alright Arnold, we know you're extremely trustworthy, and we know you'll keep our daughter safe."
Arnold then smiled. "Why thanks, Mrs. Lloyd."
"The pleasure is mine, Arnold. Alright you two, we won't waste your time. Go out and have fun now." Brooke smiled at the two.
"Before that, I'm gonna go put this precious rose in my room." The two stood as Arnold went to wait at the door.
After the two soon went out, Brooke slapped the back of Buckley's head. "I can't believe you would ask that question! They're barely kids!"
"Wonder what that was all about." Arnold soon pointed out. "Eh, I don't know. So, how about our date now?" Rhonda playfully had a finger on his cheek. Arnold blushed as he soon held her hand. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
As the two were walking along, Arnold told her something interesting he saw earlier in the newspaper from his Grandpa.
"You'd hear about what happened in Baltimore?" Arnold asked. "No. I honestly never watch the news or any of that. What even happened, anyhow?"
"A grain elevator accident happened there, and a big fire broke out there. It was also revealed that a firefighter was also trapped in the building."
"Really?"
"Yeah, they haven't revealed his name. And what's crazy about it, is the way the building looked. It literally looks like a cigarette!"
"There's also a picture?"
Arnold nodded. "I'll see if I can show you tomorrow.
"Arnold, call me crazy for what I'm about to say…" Arnold had a raised eyebrow as he looked confused. "In a way, I find you and that person rather similar."
"How so?" Arnold was extremely confused. "I feel like that would be you someday. You'd rather give yourself up, and have others live to see another day. For example, right now, you're as humble and kind, and caring as it can be. And taking a recently fallen hero here, that's all it would take to completely show who you are."
"So… Are you trying to say-"
"What I'm trying to say is, I know you'd rather sacrifice yourself and have others live to see another day with their friends and family. You get what I'm saying here?"
Arnold soon nodded.
"But Arnold, you're a hero to this neighborhood, and possibly one day, maybe a hero towards this city."
Arnold blushed a little. "Wow… Well, I don't know if I'd ever be able to do that kind of stuff. Don't get me wrong, that would be something, but hey, who knows."
"Well just know that I consider you my hero." Rhonda then hugged Arnold.
Arnold blushed as he hugged her back.
Soon, the two arrived at Chez Paris. "So this is Chez Paris? I gotta say, based on its name, I thought it was a French place. Turns out I was right!"
"Hey uh, Rhonda? A quick question if you'll allow me." Arnold started. "Sure, what's up?"
"You want a kiss?"
Rhonda immediately blushed. "I'm- Arnold, did I hear you right?"
Arnold pulled out two little Hershey kisses from his pocket. "Oh! You meant those!"
"I mean, what else would I be referring to?" Arnold ate one of the chocolates.
"Nevermind. Now come on! Let's get inside!" Rhonda tugged on Arnold's arm as they entered.
The two were seated at a familiar table where Arnold sat before.
"Wait, you're meaning to tell me that this is where you were always seated?" Arnold nodded. "Yup."
"Wow, and this is the table that you had your valentine's date?" Arnold nodded. "It should've been me." Rhonda muttered. "You'd say something?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing. So anyways, you got any recommendations from the menu? Considering your experience here."
"Oh, I think I have a few in mind." Arnold slightly smirked. Rhonda only giggled as the two started looking over the menu.
"How about some mozzarella cheese sticks to start us off?" Arnold suggested. "Ouu, I like the way you think, Arnold."
Later after the two received their mozzarella sticks. "So Rhonda, I wanna know something. Why did you choose to go to a public school when you could've easily chosen a private school."
"Hm, well, it isn't that hard to say honestly. My family history has always been about private schools nd junk, and I was the first one in my entire family to break that… guess you could say 'tradition'? At first, it was my choice to go to public schools because of my best friend Nadine, but now that a few years later, I don't regret it one bit, and you wanna know why?"
"Why's that?"
"Not only for my best friend, do I enjoy public schools, it's also because I have many friends, mainly my friend group who I always hang with. But someone who's made it a lot more enjoyable for me…"
"Who?" Arnold's smile faded a little.
"You. You are the one who always made everything for me enjoyable. It didn't matter the situation I'm in, you always found a way to help me through it, and that is something that I cherish about you, you're so compassionate, amazing, cool, and smart, you have a sense of humor, and not to mention how down to earth you are!" Rhonda then reached across to hold his hand. "Arnold, I can't tell you how much I really love and appreciate you… as my best buddy in the entire world!"
Arnold beamed a big smile. "Wow, I… I don't know what to say, nobody's ever described me like that."
"You don't need to say anything. Always be yourself, Arnold. Just how I can be myself around you." Rhonda smiled at him.
"Anything else you'd like to know?"
"I think I know everything I need to know." Arnold lightly squeezed her hand. Rhonda slightly giggled as she squeezed his hand back.
Soon after, their order came.
"Classic prime rib? Honestly never had it before but it never hurts to try, no?"
Arnold only smiled. "You got that right."
"You think they have red velvet cake here?"
Arnold chuckled. "Are you already thinking of dessert?" He then smirked. "Well… maybe?" Rhonda nervously smiled before the two laughed.
Around forty-five minutes later
The two had finished up their meals as Arnold took a sip of water since the place didn't serve soda. "I feel like I can't eat another bite." Rhonda partially complained.
The waiter soon came up to them. "Anything else for tonight or should I get the bill?"
"How about dessert?" Arnold soon smirked at Rhonda. "I think I can eat another bite or two."
"Y'all got red velvet cake?" Arnold asked the waiter. "We indeed do."
"Red velvet cake it is, please."
"Your cake will be here shortly."
Arnold smirked at Rhonda. "I had a feeling you wanted dessert."
"Oh, I couldn't help it. Besides, red velvet cake is one of my favorites!"
Arnold merely chuckled as he then smiled. "Oh Rhonda, you are one of a kind, you know that?"
Rhonda only giggled. "Oh Arnold, I'm just like that. So, how about we share the velvet cake… between the both of us?"
Arnold blushed a little. "Sounds good to me. Hey Rhonda, I forgot to mention earlier, your dress looks absolutely beautiful, you know that?"
Rhonda blushed. "You noticed?"
"How wouldn't I? One would have to be blind enough to not see how beautiful your dress is."
Rhonda giggled as she played with her hair. "Why thanks, Arnold. Say, you don't look half bad yourself. In fact, I'd say you look rather handsome." She then winked at Arnold.
Arnold blushed as he gave a goofy smile. "I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but your hair looks absolutely adorable! How did you get it to be like that anyhow?" Rhonda soon questioned.
"Well actually, it's just how my hair is. It's my natural hairstyle."
"I wanna ask something else but you'll probably find it awkward…"
"What's up?"
"Is it alright if… I can run my hand through it?"
Arnold was a little surprised but he smiled. "Sure, why not?" Rhonda soon smiled as she got up and stood beside him. She ran her hand through his hair, and she felt like she was touching the clouds. "Arnold, I never knew your hair was so soft!" Rhonda went to sit back down.
"As I said, it's just my natural hair." Arnold shrugged as he smiled.
Soon after, they received their red velvet cake. Rhonda then had a flirty idea.
She took a spoonful of the cake and then got Arnold's attention. She whistled. "Hey Arnold. Want a bite?" She winked as she held the spoon near him. Arnold blushed as he had a goofy smile.
Arnold soon took a bite from her spoon, making Rhonda slightly giggle.
Arnold did the same, he took a spoonful with his spoon, and Rhonda would take a bite from it. The two continued doing it until they finished their cake.
"Now I REALLY can't eat another bite." Rhonda partially complained. "Even with all the food you ate, you still don't gain weight, surprisingly enough." Arnold chuckled. Rhonda only smirked. "Guess it's my little natural ability. A little specialty of mine."
"Ah but that doesn't matter, what matters is that you're still beautiful all around, even if you eat double than a blue whale and a panda combined." Arnold then laughed, while Rhonda frowned a little, but she knew it was a joke and all in good spirit. "At least my name isn't based on my height." She smirked.
"Oh very funny, Rhonda." Arnold soon stopped laughing as Rhonda began to laugh. Arnold only smiled.
Soon after, after Arnold had decided to pay, the two agreed to a short walk in the park.
"Arnold, I can't thank you for paying for our dinner tonight! You're such a gentleman, you know that?"
"Oh, don't worry about that! I'm just glad you're enjoying our night out." Arnold smiled at her. Rhonda could only smile back.
The two were near a little lake, and Rhonda had an idea, and an idea that would surprise the two…
"Hey Arnold, you still got one of those chocolates on you?"
"Only the one I had you, want it?" Arnold pulled out the little chocolate from his pocket. "Mm, yeah." She grabbed the chocolate from his hand. "But I also want this."
Arnold had a raised eyebrow but he then got tugged on by the collar of his suit.
That does it for this chapter! Let's see whether you found out the little teaser idea for the next story... Anyways, see you in the next!