Monday, September 18th 7:45 AM

Arnold started to pull out to the curb when he stopped and realized he was riding in silence. Reaching for his phone, he put the car in park before getting on the road. Looking through his many play lists, he scrolled looking for something morning appropriate. Giving up, and looked up and decided to press the random function and see what played. He connected his phone to his radio, put his phone in the cup holder, looked up, closed his eyes and pressed. Playing in his ears, was a smooth piano intro, with a horn section cross over. He smiled and started inching towards the road.

Van Morrison's "Days Like This" playing put him in a good mood. He cruised through the familiar streets that he grown up on. The quiet yet busy streets of Hillwood had always confounded him. A sleepy city, had always seem an oxymoron, however "sleepy" best described the city he spent most of his life in. There was his neighborhood, Mr. Green's deli was still the place to get meat. Mrs. Vitello had moved on, selling her shop and moving to Florida. He drove by Mighty Pete, still standing strong, with a new generation of kids taking over. There was a lot more cell phone use in the old tree these days. Arnold couldn't blame the younger generation, he loved his iPhone. "One of these days, we'll have to figure out some kind of public WIFI spot around Mighty Pete. The only tree in the neighborhood had served the kids here for years. It would make sense for it to change with the times, just a little bit anyway." Arnold thought to himself.

As he continued his morning commute to school, he drove by Gerald Field, where he and all his friends would play baseball. The field hadn't changed much, the building around it had taken over the maintenance of the lot and they decided to keep it as is. Arnold smiled knowing that the people who own the building around this neighborhood knew the kids needed some place to be able to play. He and his friends sure did when they were that age.

He guided passed P.S. 118, his old school. That was until his class had graduated to P.S. 119 the middle school. Now he attended P.S. 120, the high school towards the middle of the city. Most of his friends had gone with him, it was very reminiscent of the old days. A lot had changed. Now in his senior year, Arnold decided to focus on school as much as he could. Next year would be his first year in college. He dreaded what the next year would mean for him.

Pulling up to the school, a black sedan was waving Arnold into the parking lot. They would both move, and stop suddenly. Then the blue car would wave him in again, and again they would both move. Arnold looked over and smiled, his annoyance gone as he saw his best friend Gerald behind the wheel laughing, with his girlfriend Phoebe in the front seat. Both laughing Arnold waved, letting Gerald go in. As Arnold spotted a spot to pull in his phone sounded off a small "Ding". Arnold parked his car and looked at his phone to see a new email had come through.

It was from his Dad, his eye brows scrunched wondering why his dad would send him an email rather than texting or calling him. It was an email forward conversation between his dad and someone named Dr. Finder. The email his dad has sent him read out:

"Hey there son!

I've been emailing back and forth with my colleague at Purdue. He helps run the admissions and the engineering department there. He and I have been discussing your plans for college and I know you wanted to consider engineering as your major. I'm really excited about that. I know you also wanted to follow in your old man's steps too, which I have a couple more friends from work and different schools I've guest lectured at that I can put you in touch with. I'm excited by all the possibilities son! Let me know what you think son

-Dad"

The rest of the emails attached to it was a conversation where his father and his friend had essentially mapped out his entire road through college. He had thought of everything, the professor at Purdue even had some dorm suggestions trying and get situated near the STEM buildings. Arnold didn't have to think, or decide at all, it was all laid out right in that email chain like a road map.

Arnold sat frozen wear he sat, not moving a muscle just reading the email over and over. The college discussion had often gone this way. His father knew Arnold loved to build things and enjoyed studying science. He would assume that Arnold would follow him and his mother into a scientific field. He always used the same phrase, "a real field of work." His father would then ask him which schools he wanted to attend. Usually this was not an open question but one with a list of schools he knew had good programs. Arnold never knew how to answer these questions, often it being sudden and unexpected. He could usually avoid the conversation by changing the subject or asking what his dad thought he should do. That would send his dad into a discussion with himself about the schools and Arnold could just get back to his food.

Arnold looked at the email chain one more time, his anxiety level rising. He never wanted to disappoint his dad by showing any reluctance to some the options he had laid out for him. He clicked the reply button and typed out:

"Hey Dad,

This looks really cool, I'll have to think about it. Purdue sounds interesting, and I know a lot of teachers think it's a good school.

-Arnold"

The email was pungent with the smell of a non-answer. Arnold looked up from his phone wondering how many more times he can dodge the question before his father got fed up, and forced one out of him. He had some time, as it was only September. Come spring, college entrance season will start and he'll have no choice, but to make a choice. He couldn't bear the idea of having to choose between one or two schools his parents thought would be good for him. He also couldn't stomach the idea of disappointing them, he loved them and wanted to make them happy.

His parents were both scientists. Both PhDs, his father in anthropology and his mother in Botany. His father after recovering from the illness that had kept him out of Arnold's life for his first ten years, decided that he still loved to travel. Although he kept his traveling stateside, excepting guest lecturing odd teaching jobs at different colleges. He also received several bids from foundations for publishing his work and his adventures in San Lorenzo. His mother decided she had had enough adventure for one lifetime, and excepted a prestigious position in a lab for a pharmaceutical hospital in downtown Hillwood. She loved her job, and she had decided that she wanted to be a big part of her son's life. A steady job, was exactly what she wanted.

Arnold knew he had a lot to live up. He knew that his parents expected him to do great things. He knew this, so why did he feel so frozen in place. He had felt boxed in and completely alone. He looked to his side window, and pressed his head against the glass. If anyone had asked him what he wanted to do, he wasn't sure if he could give them an answer. All he could do, was live through it and try not to disappoint anyone. He was Arnold, he would always do what was expected of him.

The gloom was obvious on his face as Gerald had approached his side window and tapped on the glass. Arnold jumped being pulled from his inner storm, and looked at the source of the noise. His smiling best friend Gerald Johanssen. He smirked and opened his door. "Gerald, you scared me. I think I was falling asleep." Arnold said playing off his anguish. It was too late though, Gerald had seen right through it. "Hey Arnold! What's going there, buddy? Why'd you look so down a second ago?" Gerald asked. Arnold waved his hand and said "Nothing important." "Oh yeah? Seemed like it was important a second ago, since you looked like someone just told you Abner died." Gerald, bore a hole through his chest with his gaze. "It's nothing, really," Arnold finally said. "I'm gonna get it out of you at some point, so be prepared for me to annoy you about it," Gerald said.

"Gerald may very well do that," Arnold thought. Gerald had been his best friend for as long as he's known. There was never a point in his life that he couldn't find his best friend. Gerald had always been his sounding board for his issues, and Arnold for his. Which was easy, Gerald was a good listener, and always had a way to put his issues in perspective. Arnold had always stopped short of talking with him about his anxiety about the future. His friend now was no different, although a little taller. Gerald's height had almost matched his own, except he came in at around six feet four inches, just a hair taller. His hair he wore short and keep carefully manicured these days. A number two fade he would tell his barber. His body was that of a lean sports fanatic, basketball being his sport of choice. He had made the high school basketball varsity team freshmen year and shot to team captain in sophomore year. Arnold loved playing with his best friend, after sophomore year Arnold turned to weight lifting more. Arnold had decided to stop going out for the team around sophomore year, in favor of something else to do with his time. He loved the sport, just not as much as Gerald.

Gerald bright brown eyes studied his best friend and decided to let the issue go for now. Behind him came Phoebe, "Hello Arnold, good morning. How are you this morning?" she directed at Arnold. "Some thing's eating him, but he won't tell me." Gerald interjected before Arnold could answer. "I'm well this morning Phoebe thanks, your boy over here just thinks he can read thoughts or something. How are you?" Arnold asked. "I am also well, thank you. As far as he goes maybe he's just worried about you. He means well." Phoebe looked at her boyfriend smiling brightly. She enjoyed talking about her love like he wasn't there.

Phoebe's posture highlighted her petite features, she stood about five feet six inches. Thin with longer black hair which she preferred to wear down these days, to Gerald's delight. Her eyes were always as honest as she tended to be, a light hazel. She was sporting her blue cardigan and white-collar shirt, with jeans today. Arnold caught himself looking at her, and quickly looked towards the school. Gerald had missed his friend's leering while narrowing his eyes at his girlfriend, before bending forward and kissing her for a second. "You ready, there kid?" He asked, to which Arnold replied, "Yeah let's do it."

As they made their way to towards the school, Phoebe looked up and saw her best friend Helga. She waived her had towards Helga to get her attention, which Helga responded with a small smile and waited for her friend to get to her as Phoebe ran ahead and they started their morning chat. Arnold looked at Helga and immediately started to slow his walk, Gerald slowing with him. "You alright brotha?" He asked, "It's just…" Arnold grimaced, "I never know what to say to Helga. It's awkward and I end up sounding like an idiot."

Arnold and Helga had a past full of ups and downs. As children, she had obsessed over him for years. Never coming forward with her feelings except on two occasions. The second of which happened in San Lorenzo when Arnold had finally reunited with his parents. At ten years old, the idea of dating Helga seemed like a great idea. He did like her after all, and she liked him. Anything like that seems good. As the two spent more time together they enjoyed themselves. Both being the other's first kiss, and first actual date. As the pair grew older something began changing. Their priorities started to differ, and as couples that young often do they decided not to spend any more time together. Helga had realized that a childhood obsession, was just that. Not something you build a relationship off. Arnold had realized that Helga was not happy and did the right thing and said that they should end it before it got too contentious. To which Helga agreed. After that things went back to normal. Helga and Arnold could conduct their lives separate from each other. Awkward moments had followed as they found themselves in same classes once every couple of semesters. Helga's usual anger towards everyone became an aloof indifference towards Arnold. He never knew how to react and always ended up saying something to annoy her or cause a storm off.

Arnold would have to suck up his insecurities, as he followed Gerald, and Gerald followed Phoebe. "Hey there Helga," Gerald said. "Good morning Geraldo," Helga sneered back at him. "Tell me, how does it feel to be better than everyone as well as taller?" she looked up at Gerald with an inquisitive look. Gerald smiled slyly and responded "Well Pataki, it's tough. Almost as tough as keeping my insults fresh. I swear I saw you writing down insults the other day. You doing stand up, or just realizing you're not as clever as you think?" Phoebe had gotten in between the two looking up at her boyfriend and placing a hand on his chest, her stop now signal. Helga, about to throw another insult his way when she saw Phoebe's gesture and decided to let it go. Arnold had been trying to hide behind Gerald. He saw her head tilt to the side when Helga piped up "what's going on Football Head?" Arnold looked at her and said, "Nothing much, just… living I guess." "Living well?" she asked shrewdly. He looked and answered, "As well as could be expected, I guess." "So, no definitive statements this morning?" she asked. Arnold stared blankly, without an answer. "Well alright then, so did you masturbate in the shower today?" she asked. "W-w-what?!" Arnold responded. "Did you choke out your chicken while you washed this morning?" She asked again. Gerald's eyes went wide and he started giggling under his breath. Phoebe could only look at Helga horrified. Arnold sat frozen unable to answer, "I-I-I didn't do that! I just showered!" "Yeah alright there big guy." She put her arm around Phoebe and led her to Helga's and Phoebe's physics class which Gerald and Arnold did not share. "By the way, you're too damn big to be hiding behind anyone." She yelled over her shoulders Arnold blushed a bit, and screwed up his face as she walked down the hall with her best friend. Arnold, uncomfortable and agitated tried to think of something clever to say. Nothing came to mind. He couldn't help but watch her walk away, swaying her hips back and forth. Arnold gazed at her outfit, noticing how it hugged her body. "She looks particularly gorgeous today. Only made hotter by her Arctic Monkeys t-shirt. I had no idea she liked them. I wonder if she had any thoughts on Do I Wanna Know. She's such a pain! Why does she do that?!" Arnold thought all at once.

Gerald, finished with his laughing, noticed his friend lost in thought and pushed him slightly, "That was painful to watch, what are you thinking about?" He asked. "Oh, I'm sure it was real painful," Arnold replied, face turning red. "See? I told you, I have no idea what to say to her." Gerald, looked at his best friend, put his arm around him and started to lead him to their first class. "Well let's see your past is as checkered as they come, so it makes a little bit of sense that there's tension. You guys never really got to talk out your issues. Then you grew up, grew apart and now you see each other more and more now. So, it's a little weird. So she can't help but put up a wall using uncomfortable questions" Arnold's eyebrows raised "well the only reason I see her now is because you and phoebe have been together since last year and now we're back in school. This seems a little like your fault." Gerald took his arm off Arnold's shoulder and pressed them to his chest, and said. "My fault? I don't think so. You're more than free to come in to school on your own. I have to see my lady when I can. This is a tough year. Especially with college season coming up, she'll have her hands full. We all will." Arnold thought about all his friends and their college plans and started to feel the anxiety come back to his stomach. All his friends knew what they wanted out of life. Why didn't he? "The other issue is, you don't really know her anymore" Gerald said. Arnold looked at Gerald, "I've known her practically my entire life, I don't think I could know her any more even if I was born physically attached to her," Arnold replied. Gerald said, "By knowing her do you mean being physically near her your whole life? If so then you'd be right. You don't really know her, you've grown up and you've grown apart and you can't really name a whole lot about each other. Your interests are different, what you want out of life is a little clearer. You're not those two ten-year-old kids anymore that considered holding hands as dating. Which isn't a huge deal, you don't need to know Helga G Pataki. I'm just saying, if you don't want it to be awkward, take a chance and reach out. Talk to her, you may find some common ground. Although that may be like walking across a mine field. I've developed my defenses and give back the same sass she throws my way, but I've had practice."

Arnold, didn't have a response. "That might be my best bet. If I wanted to have a productive relationship with her, that is." He never did know what to say to Helga. Her obsession as a child grew to a blithe indifference as they got older and grew apart. He never really knew how to take her after that. It never really mattered until Gerald and Phoebe started dating in earnest. "Exactly, you're not obligated or anything though. She's not exactly that easy to get along with anyway." Gerald said. Arnold thought a little more as they approached their classroom door. They entered and sat down. "Do you think I should?" Asked Arnold. "Look Arnold, I don't really care. You're not making anything hard for me. If you killed her and ate her, then Phoebe might get pissed. Short of that, makes no difference to me whether or not you two are friends." Gerald said. "What is it with everyone and their bleak hypothetical situations today?" Arnold asked. "I don't know, did you kill and eat someone else we know?" Gerald said. "No! I just….. Forget it." Arnold pulled out his notebook and pen, hoping to at least enjoy his Anthropology lesson.