Hey guys, a sneak peek at next month's 'Complete One Incomplete Story A Month' challenge is here! That's right, the winner of the misfortune poll is 'Smart Minds Think Alike', and I couldn't be more happier to get back to this! If anything, I did want to at least end this for the Arnold x Phoebe fans out there, even if I am more of an Arnda fan myself. But, here's the sneak peek for May's story! Anyway, enjoy!
Arnold found himself nervously pacing in front of his locker as he took a few deep breaths, having his mind deep in thought. At the current moment, he was thinking about what his grandfather had told him last night, about him having a crush on Phoebe, and though he kept denying it at first, he started thinking back at the good times he hung around with her and generally being helpful and sweet to her whenever he could.
Although some of them were short and sweet, he could remember a time when he just sat down with Phoebe, aside from the times he was her partner for the current science fair going on in a few days, and talked with her. He knew the squeaky voiced shy nerdy girl was more than happy to discuss with him current projects she was currently thinking about, and he couldn't help but find himself entertained by Phoebe's descriptions of a project she worked on with Helga. In fact, putting his mind to it, he figured that she would make a nice girlfriend for someone as wonderful as her...
He thought Gerald would fit that description, but even then, Gerald had proven Phoebe AND himself wrong... but something in his heart still didn't feel right. He knew he had a crush on Phoebe now, there was no doubt about that, but he couldn't help but get that strange feeling that... well, maybe something bad would happen.
"Come on, Arnold, it's not THAT difficult! THINK!" Arnold groaned as he pounded his head with his hand. "She's not with Gerald anymore, meaning she's single and fair game for anyone, even you, to get together with! I just... oh, this is more complicated than I could ever imagine..."
As Arnold paced around the room and took a few deep breaths, his eyes caught something rather... familiar. Looking closer, his eyes couldn't help but widened up when he noticed the blue sweater wearing, glasses wearing black haired girl that had haunted his dreams was walking this way. Arnold fought the urge to hyperventilate as he decided to be calm and play it a little cool.
As for Phoebe, she spotted Arnold nearby as she saw him holding a small smile. Like Arnold, she fought the urge to hyperventilate in nervousness, because she remembered that was how she tried to talk to Gerald at one point, but... she wasn't seeing Gerald anymore now. Lately she had been seeing Arnold, and Helga did say that she was fine with her friend dating the boy she loved. But it could have been all a ruse... right? Phoebe decided to put that thought out of her mind for now as she approached Arnold.
"Hello, Arnold." Phoebe said, looking towards the boy.
"Er, hi, Phoebe. Would it be all right if we talked with each other... smart genius girl to average boy?" Arnold asked.
Phoebe's eyebrows jumped in surprise as Arnold looked nervous as he thought, "Why did I just say that?"
Phoebe thought about it before taking a deep breath. "Sure, Arnold. I would be happy to discuss things with you."
"WHY DID I JUST AGREE?! OH GOD, I'M PANICKING RIGHT NOW!" Phoebe thought in her mind.
Arnold, on the other hand, tried to look calm and cool as he gave a warm smile. "Great. Would right now be good?"
"Right now? Why did I just say right now? Oh no..." Arnold's mind was going into panic mode.
"Of course." Phoebe gave a smile as she and Arnold started to walk off. "Where should we talk?"
"Let's go to that unused classroom over there." Arnold said as he and Phoebe entered inside the classroom and closed the door.
As the two of them were settling each other down in some seats, Arnold took a deep breath. "Okay, take it easy, take it easy. Just tell Phoebe what you want to say. I don't know what her reaction will be, but at least I can finally say it..."
"Phoebe, I... uh..." Arnold started nervously.
"Wait a minute, Arnold... uh... before you say anything, I'd like to say my piece." Phoebe looked down as Arnold raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... sure, Phoebe. Go ahead." Arnold said, allowing the petite girl to talk.
The black haired girl in big glasses took a deep breath as she gave a big sigh. "Well, as you may or may not know, I... well... we've been friends for a couple of years, right?"
"Of course we have." Arnold smiled. "And in my opinion, you're a very sweet friend."
"Thank you." Phoebe blushed a little, before coughing. "But anyway... ever since my break-up with Gerald, not only have you tried to get me back on my feet, but... you've kind of made me feel a little more... happier, trying to get me to move on."
"Well... you know, I'm just happy to help you, Phoebe." Arnold kept smiling.
"And, well... it gave me plenty of time to think about the times you and I have always met. Maybe it was because I never thought about those moments, but there are times that, aside from Helga, you've always been there to give me support and comfort whenever I needed it. Heck, the times I can list you coming over to try steering me in the right direction, it was very helpful." Phoebe gave a smile. "Most people don't usually appreciate what you have, but I do. I always have."
"Er, well... thank you." Arnold blushed a little.
"And... it's funny, you know? All those times I spent with you, and I never realized it. Maybe I did when we were thinking of that science project together this week, but... I don't know if it'll mean anything to you, but... well..." Phoebe giggled. "Arnold, I may have developed a small crush on you."
Arnold's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing that. Phoebe took a deep breath as she sighed. "I know, I know, it's silly. Here I am, just getting over my crush on Gerald after a few days, and I find myself crushing on you. But maybe I had been crushing on you before then, and I didn't know it. Because... well, let's face it, Arnold, you're a very model good boy, any girl would want to be your girlfriend."
"Well..." Arnold put a hand behind his head, blushing.
"I understand if you don't return the feelings, but I just thought maybe you should know that I have a major crush on you." Phoebe sighed. "I know it's a lot to take in, but this is just how I feel..."
"A lot to take in, you say?" Arnold paused. "Well, you might be right, Phoebe. But the truth is... maybe it's not as much to take in as you would think..."
"Oh?" Phoebe raised an eyebrow in surprise as Arnold came close to her and held her hand.
"Phoebe, I've been thinking lately about us as well. At first I didn't know why. But the more I thought about the times we spent with each other, the more I realized that... well, you're a cute girl, Phoebe. Adorable, may I say."
"Oh, stop..." Phoebe giggled as Arnold smiled.
"Heck, the way you giggled just now... it melts my heart each time I hear it. I thought I had crushes on people like Ruth or Lila... but they were nothing more than mere crushes. And..." Arnold looked down in embarrassment. "Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is that... Phoebe, like you, I also have a crush on you."
Phoebe gasped in shock as she covered her mouth. "Oh my..."
"Oh my indeed." Arnold gave a nod. "I didn't think it was a crush back then, but thanks to my grandfather pointing out most of the times I spent with you, I realized that my feelings for you are pretty genuine... and seeing as how you have a crush on me, it really helps me put things in perspective. I guess what I'm trying to say is that... Phoebe, now that we know we both have a crush on each other..."
Arnold found himself on one knee, still holding Phoebe's hand as the girl was blushing happily. "I was wondering... would you be willing to try dating... someone like me? Would you be my girlfriend?"
"YES!" Phoebe gave a shrill, happy answer before hugging Arnold in surprise. Arnold smiled as he hugged the petite girl back, feeling pretty easy in this position. As soon as they separated from the hug, Phoebe gave a pause as she coughed. "I mean, yes, Arnold, I would not mind dating you."
"I'm happy to hear that, Phoebe." Arnold gave a sigh of relief as he looked at the clock in the room. "Uh-oh. We better attend class before we're late."
"Yipe! You're right, don't want to be tardy now because of this..." Phoebe said as the two exited the classroom and started to head to PS 118 together. As they were getting to the classroom, Phoebe paused. "You know, Arnold, a lot of people are going to know a LOT about our relationship. We might be teased about it a little."
"Do you even care?" Arnold asked.
Phoebe thought about it for a moment... before giving a small smile. "No, not really. So, have you made any progress with the lipstick project for our science fair?"
Arnold gave a small smile as he started to get into the statistics. Little did the two of them know was that nearby, Helga was watching... a little bit in jealousy, but taking a deep breath.
"Well... at least I made a friend happy." Helga gave a sigh. "Here's hoping Football Head knows what he's doing... as for me... guess I better start looking elsewhere... hmmm... maybe I can talk with Brainy..."
And that's the seventh chapter done! How did you guys like it? Next time... the science fair is about to begin, this time, with Arnold and Phoebe working together as a couple showing off their lipstick project! So, you can expect that story to continue next month! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!