AN/ Finally, an update! Jumps up and down for joy. Enjoy and REVIEW!!!

Disclaimer: If ya haven't noticed, this here place is called FANfiction.net. As in, this is a place for fans of whatever. If you want to see some original fiction pieces, go to the 'originals' column and let us here folks live, and write, in peace! (These are fun. I haven't done one in a while! ;D )

A Perfect Life

Misery Loves Company

Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold… my alarm clock sounds. I open my eyes reluctantly, wishing my time with Helga hadn't ended so soon. It has been only a few weeks since the first night I saw her in the park. Although it's a dream, I feel as though her soul has come back to me, to set everything right. I have been enjoying all this time together. Helga commented that I look a lot better.

Unfortunately, today I must venture back through the halls of my high school. I climb out of bed and drag myself to the bathroom. It's so early, even the boarders haven't started to line up to use the one and only bathroom (not including Grandpa's hidden one in the basement). I bring myself into the shower and let the water wake me up.

After pulling on a black T-shirt, some blue jeans and a plaid orange button-up long sleeve shirt, I run downstairs and pack my lunch. "Care for some breakfast this morning Short Man?" my Grandpa asks me. I'm not really that short anymore but the nickname just seems to stick with me. I decide that if I'm to have any energy at all for school, I may as well get hyper on sugar. So I go in the kitchen and gobble down a bowl of Sugar Chunk Cereal (nothing but calories— trust me). After breakfast, I run up stairs, grab my bag and race the ever young heard of animals out the door.

For some reason, I feel better than usual. Maybe it's just the cereal, but ever since Helga first showed up, I've been feeling more—how should I put this— alive. I walk a few blocks towards school before I am accompanied by another set of feet. Beside me walks my best friend since preschool, Gerald.

"Hey! How ya feeling today?" he asks me. I look up at him and notice his expression. It seems he is stuck between smiling and frowning at me, not knowing which one is more appropriate right now.

I sigh, "I'm fine Gerald and… thanks." His expression changes to confusion, oblivious to what I'm thinking. I stifle a laugh as we continue our trek towards school. I begin to think about the school day and I remember that Gerald and I have set up our timetables to get nearly every class together.

We walk together down the crowded hallways of the school. Tired, sleep-deprived teenagers drag their feet towards their first classes of the day. Other more enthusiastic and energetic teens border the walls talking about their nights and how they got hung over at somebody's 'totally cool' party. Gerald and I stop in front of our lockers. I listen as Gerald tries to explain the last week's assignments from various classes I've missed during my 'sick' leave.

I hear a few people walk up behind me. "Hey Ar—nold!" I hear the mocking voice of Harold address me as if I were a toddler.

"Shove off!" Gerald defends me.

"How's it been, Arnold?" Sid takes his turn to talk. "I've noticed you've been skipping school. Like I said before, you got guts," Sid acts impressed. I think about how life truly is odd. If you are untrustworthy, you are dubbed 'cool'. If you're intelligent, you're shunned for being smarter than all the 'cool' teens.

"Arnold," I hear Harold's obnoxiously juvenile voice once more, "missing your girlfriend, Helga?"

I am filled with hurt and anger at the mention of Helga's name being used so insultingly. I clench my fists and grit my teeth. I have only one intention in my mind, to hurt Harold as hard as I possibly can.

I get ready to punch him but suddenly feel a calming hand on my shoulder. I look to my side and see Gerald, cool as always, smiling at me. I smile back. I turn back to Harold and say, "Whatever you say, Harold, whatever you say." Gerald and I walk away leaving Harold stumped as to why his attempt at making me miserable failed.

"You're a bold kid, Arnold," Gerald states as we continue our way towards class.

"Hey Arnold," a sweet voice rings in my ears. A voice I haven't heard in a while. I turn to see an auburn beauty. A stranger I once knew like the palm of my hand. "I haven't seen you in so long. Are you okay?" she asks while sliding her arms around my shoulders.

"I'm fine, Lila. I just haven't been myself lately," I sigh.

"I know it's tough to loose a friend but, why don't you think about it from my perspective. I feel that I'm loosing you." A new feeling surges through my system—betrayal. "Haven't you mourned over Helga enough?" I don't answer. "Then why don't you come back to me when you're through thinking about her. I'm your girlfriend and I demand respect. Tell me when your ready to give it to me," she frowns and walks away.

I am left feeling hurt. How could she? How can she be so… so cold? I yell after her, "Lila, we're through!" She turns to look at me. However, unlike the shock I anticipated, I see her smiling.

"Arnold, man, what are you doing?" Gerald tries to understand.

I keep my eyes fixed on her. Her smirk widens and she grins, flashing her pearly whites for all to see. It's at this very moment when I realize that nobody's perfect, not even Lila. I can see evil inside her. Her eyes, just like mine, give her away. "I always knew you weren't good enough for me. You always had to be right. You always had to make the 'right' choices. Actually, you have become quite the downer at parties. You won't even allow me to enjoy myself. Frankly, good riddance! Later, loser!" She turns and continues to walk away.

I begin to notice the many pairs of eyes watching this scenario, now the less compassionate ones are all turned to see my reaction. A few heads nod in approval, obviously happy that the babe, Lila, is back on the market. Others chatter in their groups and every few moments look up to see me, obviously not wanting to seem as rude as some of the others. I walk away, deciding that this is going to be a very long day.

Hope you enjoyed and R-E-V-I-E-W-E-D! If not, the button's just at the bottom of this page, and I accept anonymous reviews, so, WRITE! It only takes a few seconds!

I've written the next few chapters but the next chapter won't be up 'till it's typed on my computer and right now it's mid-semester and I have a couple of projects due this next week, along with trying to get together with my long-lost best friends that go to a different school than me, so 'till then! Bye!

~ Dreamer (I'll write another quote next time, just not in the mood right now)