Gerald and Arnold walk home together.
Running behind them to join them is Phoebe.
Gerald holds her hand.
Arnold:
Is it just me or high school ended super early than our time in middle school?
Gerald:
1:50? Yeah, it's unusual, but since Hillwood been becoming aggressively dangerous each year... it made schools all over here to end early.
Kids are getting kidnapped more often, especially girls, so it's better to always walk with someone.
Arnold:
What?!
Arnold turns to Phoebe.
Where is Helga? Why isn't she walking with us?
Is somebody with her?
Phoebe:
She wants to walk alone. She's been doing that after finding out that Patty can walk alone and hold her own. Them two have big egos and always a score to settle with one another.
Arnold:
Still...both of them shouldn't take risks like that.
Gerald:
My parents been thinking about owning a gun for years. This year they are actually considering since my older cousin was shot.
Phoebe:
You never told me that. Gosh, is she okay?
Gerald:
Yeah, she's okay.
Arnold jumps in front of Gerald and Phoebe.
They stop walking and look at Arnold.
Arnold:
How about you two spent this week at my house?
What you're telling me is making me really worried.
Phoebe:
But you're telling us so suddenly.
I guess we can, but me and Gerald are going to have to pack a lot of clothes once we reach our house.
I should probably call or text Helga—
Arnold:
Yes, tell her and ask her if she would like to come over and join us.
Be sure to meet each other and walk together to my home. I'll be looking out.
I'll be sure to let my parents know.
Phoebe:
Don't forget to tell your grandparents.
They are so sweet.
Arnold:
Uh...about them..
They aren't alive anymore.
Gerald and Phoebe:
What?!
Gerald:
Dude, what happened to them?
Arnold:
They passed away last year while I was still in San Lorenzo.
We are still preparing for their funeral, but money is still a big issue.
Don't worry, they died peacefully.
Gerald and Phoebe look at each other in sadness.
Phoebe and Gerald separate from Arnold and walk to their home.
Arnold makes it to his boarding house.
————————————————————-
An hour passes and Phoebe, Gerald, and Helga are standing on Arnold's doorstep.
Gerald knocks on his door.
Helga:
Geez. I haven't been here in ages.
Gerald and Phoebe look at Helga.
I-I mean for when I used to do school projects with the football head.
Helga laughs nervously.
Stella, Arnold's mother, opens the door
Stella :
What a pleasure to see Arnold's friends here.
I haven't seen you three since the trip in San Lorenzo.
Now when was that?
Helga:
Two years ago.
Look, we don't have all day, lady.
It's dangerous out here.
Stella:
You must be Helga,
(To Gerald)
and you...you are Gerald.
(To Phoebe)
And you're Phoebe.
Come on in, my husband knows you all are here.
Arnold is just upstairs waiting.
Gerald, Helga, and Phoebe make their way inside and rush upstairs to Arnold's room.
Arnold opens his bedroom door as he hears their footsteps.
Arnold:
Hey, guys.
I'm sorry again for the sudden invite.
Helga:
Yeah, yeah.
Helga aggressively throws her bag on Arnold's bed.
As long as you got food, soda, video games, and tv, I'm all set.
(To Phoebe)
Phoebe!
Phoebe pushes her glasses up.
Phoebe:
Yes, Helga?
Helga:
Do my homework, would ya?
Phoebe:
Yes, Helga.
Helga throws herself on Arnold's bed, and pulls out her phone and snacks to start gaming.
Gerald:
Well, she made herself at home fast.
Gerald and Arnold sit on the floor and work on their homework.
It was silent besides Helga's phone until they hear gunshots.
They all look up at Arnold's ceiling and then at each other.
Phoebe:
I hope everything is okay...
Phoebe becomes afraid and joins Gerald as they cuddle with each other on the floor.
Arnold and Helga look at each other with worried looks.
Helga:
Where's that pink book you said that's here?
Maybe we could read it ...together?
Arnold smiles.
Arnold:
Sure, Helga.
Helga:
I mean, there's nothing special about us reading together.
It's just Phoebe and Gerald are ..doing their own thing!
Don't get any ideas, Arnoldo.
Arnold stands up and still smiles at Helga.
Arnold:
Whatever you say, Helga.
Arnold walks towards Helga, who looks down and blushes.
He reaches over to his bookshelf behind his bed, where the pink book is.
After grabbing it, he sits right next to Helga on the bed and they begin reading the poetry inside the pink book.
After some time reading together, Helga looks away from the book.
Her whole face is red.
Arnold:
What's wrong, Helga?
Helga:
Nothing, Hair boy.
I just...this book is all about you.
Whoever wrote it really, really, likes you.
Arnold:
Yeah...
Helga:
Is it hot in here?
Do you have any other poetry books in here?
Arnold:
Sadly, no.
This is the only poetry book I have.
It's dear to my heart.
Helga blushes even more and looks away.
Helga:
Listen, Arnold. C-Can I have that book?
Arnold:
This one? I just said it's dear to my heart and why would you want it?
Helga:
I..because...
Arnold:
Because what, Helga?
Arnold notices Helga acting shy.
She wouldn't even look at him.
What's wrong? You can tell me.
Helga turns around and faces Arnold .
Helga:
I can't. I really can't tell you why.
I just have to have it back, okay?!
Arnold:
Have it back?
Helga covers her mouth.
Helga:
(In her mind)
Way to go, Helga. You blew it.
Arnold looks down at the book and then back at Helga.
Arnold:
You wrote this. You wrote it all, did you?
Helga:
D-Did you finish your homework?
You need help with it? Here—
Helga harshly places her homework paper on top of the pink book in Arnold's hands.
Take it. Phoebe gave me all the answers. Heh heh..
Arnold takes the homework off the pink book and looks at Helga with a serious expression.
Arnold:
I can't believe I didn't think it was you at first.
I kept wondering who else could write this about me...
and it's been you all along.
Helga:
Please, I am not that emotional.
I like poetry that is filled with action, death, gore, heh... Shakespeare?
Arnold:
Helga...
Helga:
It's true!
Arnold:
Just tell me you wrote this already!
Helga:
WHY?! You already know it's me!
Helga turns around away from Arnold with her arms folded.
Phoebe and Gerald rises from the floor and looks at Arnold and Helga.
Gerald:
Uh, me and Phoebe will go downstairs and bother your parents, see ya!
Gerald and Phoebe quickly leave Arnold's room as Arnold still looks at Helga back turned away from him.
Arnold:
On that day in fourth grade when I was reading it out loud...you snatched the last page out and threw it back at my head as a spitball.
It was because the last page would've revealed that you wrote it, is that right?
Helga covers her ears.
Helga:
La la la la la la!
I don't hear anything you're saying.
Arnold:
Oh, come on. Real mature. Give it up, Helga.
We're alone in here. Look at me, please.
Helga turns around and faces Arnold.
She grabs his shirt.
Helga:
SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!
When will YOU give it up, bucko?
Arnold smiles at Helga, who let's go of him.
Arnold:
You're adorable when you're angry.
Helga blushes , but tries not to show it.
You can always go down stairs and join Gerald and Phoebe if you're so over this conversation.
Helga:
How about you go down stairs and join them, football head?
Arnold:
No, you. I insist.
Helga:
Now you're just messing with me!
Arnold:
Like how you been doing the same to me for years?
Can't I get back at you in my own way?
Helga gets off the bed as soon as Arnold gets closer to her face with a grin.
Mad and blushing red, Helga makes her way out of Arnold's room and goes downstairs.
Arnold follows her.