Helga and Arnold's eyes meet.
Helga:
Uh, yes, hello, Arnoldo.
I haven't seen you in awhile. None of us have.
Helga walks closer to everyone.
Arnold:
Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. I left without saying goodbye to anyone because it was unexpected and my parents didn't want me to bring my phone on the trip. I took pictures of everything we did in San Lorenzo. I have them all in my photo book. I'll take it out once we settle into class.
Gerald:
Settle into class? You're joining us in 9th grade here?
Arnold:
Yes, Gerald. I wanted to surprise you all and my parents are going to be waiting for me every time school is over.
Helga:
(In her mind)
He's joining us? That means he's going to be in our class just like the old days!
Those were the happiest days of our lives...
I'm happy that he's here after the long wait that tortured my soul, but at the same time...I don't want him here if I'm being honest.
This city becomes dangerous each year and it changed for the worse once he left.
Arnold, you're so friendly, sweet, charming, and naive. The way things are here will eat you alive...and it's my job to protect you even if it cost me my life.
Arnold:
Helga? Helga?
Helga comes back to reality.
The gang is looking at her.
Helga:
What? What is it, football head? Are you choosing to bother me all because I'm the only one who hasn't missed you?? I wish you stayed in San Lorenzo with your happy-go lucky parents. My life was much better without you here, bucko. Believe that. Let's go, Phoebe.
Helga walks up the stairs and into the school building.
Phoebe:
Sorry, Gerald, Arnold. Helga calls.
Phoebe frowns as she waves goodbye to Gerald and Arnold and rushes inside the school building.
Arnold has an annoyed look on his face.
Arnold:
So she's still the same.
We still have time before class begins, tell me about everything that happened while I was away.
Arnold says with a big smile on his face.
Gerald:
Well, first thing first is that me and Phoebe are dating and—
Patty:
And that's all he needs to know.
Arnold:
What? I'm happy for you Gerald, but I'm sure there's a lot more I've missed in two years. What field trips did you all go on? How is Mr. Simmons? Oh, where the rest of our old classmates like Lila, Eugene, Curly, Stinky, Sid, and Harold?
Rhonda:
Lila, Sheena, and Eugene are inside. As for the others...
Patty:
He doesn't need to know what happened to the others!
Arnold:
Why can't I know? What's going on? They are my friends, too.
Everyone looks at each other.
Gerald looks at the time on his phone.
Gerald:
Huh, would you look at the time?
I think we should start heading in.
Class is about to start. C'mon , Arnold.
Everyone went along with Gerald and Arnold.
As Arnold and Gerald walk together to their first period class, they see Eugene in a wheelchair with his face being almost unrecognizable.
This made it hard for Arnold to look at him.
Arnold:
Eugene, what happened to you? You never been...this badly hurt before.
Eugene:
Arnold? Is that you? I've been told that I'm going blind in my right eye, but I'm okay. Gee, is it nice to have you back.
Arnold:
No, it's not okay. You're going blind and you're hardly recognizable. What happened to you?
Gerald:
Uh, Arnold, we gotta go to class.
Eugene is fine.
Gerald gently pushes Arnold for him to walk towards their class.
Arnold:
But Gerald , look at him!
Eugene:
Bye, Arnold!
Arnold and Gerald arrive in their first period class: Biology
Arnold and Gerald sit next to each other.
Behind Arnold was Helga and behind Gerald was Phoebe.
Other students around them are Lila, Lorenzo, Park, Nadine, Iggy, Sheena, Robert, and Rhonda.
Arnold looks at Lila with concern as his mind blocks out Mrs. Heather's introduction.
He whispers to Gerald.
Arnold:
Hey, is it me or does Lila look different? Like...way skinner than before.
Gerald:
Quit staring at her and pay attention, sick boy.
Meanwhile Helga is destroying her desk by writing and doodling all over it.
One doodle shows her beating up Arnold, and the other doodle shows Arnold proposing to her.
Helga:
Criminy! I'm already bored and done with this school and it's just first period. My eyes are going to be glued to the clock for centuries on end if Mrs. What's her name don't shut up already—
Phoebe giggles.
Mrs. Heather:
What was that, Ms. Pataki?
Helga:
A-All ready to start our first lesson in good ol' Biology, heh heh.
Mrs. Heather continues her speech as Helga folds her arms and leans her head back.
Mrs. Heather:
As you know, sex education is included in this class and I would want you all to be mature about it.
Helga suddenly lifts up her head and starts to feel very uncomfortable, but she tries to play it cool.
Lila:
I can't wait to be taught how adorable babies are born into this ever so lovely world, Mrs. Heather. I also find it rather beautiful how two people in love can make each other feel good to create a new life. I can't wait to feel that feeling, when I grow up.
Helga mutters .
Helga:
Talk about pure. I know we're all helpless virgins, but Lila just admitted that she never masturbated. I know who I masturbate to—
Phoebe:
(To Helga)
Helga!
(To Mrs. Heather)
It is quite the story and challenge. Us women have very strong bodies to withstand anything.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but we can handle more pain than men.
Sex and pregnancy is beautiful, but safety is a must, always.
Gerald laughs.
Gerald:
What you think about this, Arnold?
We're finally gonna get taught how smashing results to a new life.
Arnold:
I just want to pass this class, Gerald.
I just want to pass this class.
Helga:
Crap, crap, crap...get me out of here!
Phoebe:
Helga, are you okay?
Helga:
No, I'm not okay. All the memories...those horrid memories are coming back into my mind. I can hear him calling my name. I can hear his footsteps coming up the stairs and coming near my room.
Phoebe pushes her glasses up her nose.
Phoebe:
Oh...
Helga, I think you should step out, then. Wait til this class is over and I'll share you my notes after.
Helga groans.
Helga:
Okay...
Before she could get up, Arnold turns around and sees how uncomfortable and stiff Helga is.
She's turning pale.
Arnold:
Helga, what's wrong? Is there anything I can help you with?
Helga:
That's so sweet of you, Arnold. Yeah, there's something you can help me with.
Arnold smiles at Helga until—
How about you turn around and mind your own damn business! I'm fine. I'm just going to be in the restroom for awhile because ...because I need to straighten out my hair. That's right, Arnoldo. I'm going to fix my hair and come back and
Helga places her finger on Arnold's nose.
YOU better not get anybody to check on me or I'll send them flying to Timbuktu and it'll be YOUR fault, got it?
Helga walks out the classroom. Mrs. Heather's eyes follow Helga, but didn't have the chance to stop her.
Mrs. Heather:
Well, there's one. If there's others , who do not want to be here , then just leave, thank you.
Mrs. Heather continues her speech about sex education.