Time for another update on this story, and I got some news regarding the next story for next month! There will be more after this chapter, but for now, let's keep our focus! Anyway, enjoy!
A few days later, Arnold and Phoebe were both sitting down in the back of Arnold's grandfather's Packard, holding hands as the two looked at each other as Arnold was trying to prep her up.
"Okay, Phoebe, this is it. This could be either the biggest moment of our lives or something closer." Arnold said, running his hands through her, causing Phoebe to smile, feeling comforted. "Just remember, it's not all about you today. It's about the wonders of everyone's projects, and it doesn't matter how we win or lose, it's how we have fun at the science fair."
"I know, Arnold, I am perfectly aware of everything." Phoebe gave a nod.
"I'm just making sure you know." Arnold whispering soothingly into her ear. "Sometimes, you have a knack of wanting to show off your genius and wanting to win everything."
Phoebe scoffed as she playfully shoved him. "I do not!"
"Oh, you so do." Arnold smiled as he patted her shoulder.
Phoebe gave a nod as Phil, who had been driving the whole time, looked to the back as he gave a smile. "So, you two seem to be having a wonderful time."
Arnold and Phoebe both blushed as Phoebe gave a small smile. "Well, Mr. Shortman, we are pretty excited."
"I say you are!" Phil chuckled. "Having Arnold doing that girly project with you, it's a wonder he's attracted to you!"
"Grandpa!" Arnold blushed furiously as Phoebe began to giggle.
"I'm just teasing you, Shortman. I know you and your girl are going to knock this out of the park!" Phil laughed as he made the turn and made a stop in front of the PS 118 school building. "Well, here we are, your school! Better get that project up and ready!"
"Thank you very much." Phoebe smiled as she and Arnold unbuckled their seatbelts and got themselves out of the car. As they did so, Phil joined them as he pulled out the keys to unlock the back of the trunk. Phoebe gave a nod as she looked at the various sets covered in a nice white tarp. "Okay, let's be careful and do this one at a time. We don't want to have anything exposed to the sun."
"I hear you!" Arnold gave a smile as he carefully picked up the suitcase containing the various lipsticks as Phoebe grabbed her papers and presentations.
Pretty soon, inside the school gymnasium, Arnold gave a nod as he and Phoebe's station was just nearly set up as Phoebe gave a nod and squee of delight. "Oh, Arnold, I am getting butterflies in my stomach right now!"
"Don't let yourself get too excited, Phoebe." Arnold laughed a little. "Remember, this is our project, and we did it together!"
"I know, I know." Phoebe smiled as she looked around to see other students setting up their projects. "Hmmm... it seems I got a lot of people competing for this science fair..."
Arnold looked over and took a deep breath as he realized that Phoebe was right. Over near the end of the tables was Rhonda and Nadine as they were setting up a mood ring project as Nadine was holding a thermometer and Rhonda was wearing a blue colored ring. All of a sudden, some sludge from the next project over landed on the girl's shirt as Rhonda's eyes widened, looking stressed out as the ring changed from blue to red. There was also a volcano project with Harold, Stinky and Sid manning the fundamentals. How those three had signed up, yet alone, entered this science fair project was beyond even Arnold.
Not only that, but Curly seemed to have a project as well involving him holding a list of words and repeating them to two nearby people that Arnold didn't quite recognize. But the fourth graders weren't the only group competing in the project... there were also quite a slew of fifth graders and sixth graders among them as they had some better projects set up. Arnold couldn't help but hear Phoebe gulping at the sight.
"I...I think we may be over our league here, Arnold..." Phoebe said nervously.
The football headed kid looked over towards the pretty bespectacled girl and pulled him closer to her as he patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Just remember, if we don't win, at least we tried our best. You will remember that, right?"
If it were any other situation, Phoebe would become pretty desperate, nervous, even cracked easily under pressure. But with Arnold by her side, she felt a little more calmer, relaxed, feeling more safe to be herself. Phoebe gave a small smile as she turned to Arnold. "I suppose you are correct, Arnold. I guess I have been a little... nervous..."
Arnold looked at his girlfriend with a smile and slowly pulled her towards him and patted her sides. "Just take a deep breath and relax... I'm sure things will work out, either way."
Phoebe gave a small nod as she turned to the football headed boy, her eyes shining like lights. Before she could say anything else, though, she and Arnold heard a familiar voice, that was humble, but satisfied.
"Heh, I figured I would find you two in this area."
Arnold and Phoebe turned to see Gerald approaching the exhibit as Phoebe looked in surprise, before feeling a little neutral. "Oh, hello, Gerald."
"Hi, Gerald." Arnold smiled. "I didn't know you entered the science fair."
"I didn't. I was just looking at the exhibits..." Gerald explained as he looked at the two, before turning to Phoebe. "So... you and my best man, huh?"
Phoebe rolled her eyes as she said, "Don't tell me you're trying to take me back now..."
"No, no, it's not that..." Gerald looked down. "I just came over to apologize."
Phoebe raised an eyebrow, but still kept her face neutral as Arnold gave a frown, but stood back, ready to defend in case things got violent. But Gerald sighed as he said, "I guess it just came off as a surprise to me that you would go out with Arnold... I realize that it was basically my fault for driving you away in the first place, and I don't blame you at all for wanting to choose Arnold... I mean, who wouldn't choose him? According to all the girls I know, he's basically the best catch."
Arnold's eyes widened in surprise as Phoebe gave a giggle, before saying, "Really? I'm the best catch according to the girls?"
"Why not?" Gerald laughed. "Out of all the other fourth grade boys of PS 118, you were on the top of the list of 'Boy they wanted to date the most'. But aside from that... Phoebe, I know there's no way I'm going to take you back, and I've long since accepted that. I see you're happy with my friend... and if I know Arnold, I'm sure he'll treat you right... better than I probably could."
Phoebe paused, as she smiled. "You certainly have that right..."
"It's just, I know we're not dating anymore, but I hope we can still be friends... after all, we have been talking with each other for quite a while, and I don't want the friendship to end..." Gerald said.
Phoebe looked back at the tall haired boy as she gave a sigh. "Gerald, I won't lie. You have a problem with girls. Whether you flirt with many of them, or just can't stay committed, I hope you manage to sort it out someday. But I would still be happy to be your friend. Just know that I'll never look at you the same way I once did again."
"Fine, I get it..." Gerald said as Phoebe smiled.
"Besides, you need all the practice you can get if you want a serious girlfriend!" Phoebe giggled.
"It's true, you know." Arnold smiled as he took Phoebe's hand, looking over at Gerald, who was shaking his head.
"I swear, Arnold, you are influencing that girl to your ways!" Gerald shook his head, but held a smile.
"Or maybe she's influencing me..." Arnold smirked as Phoebe giggled.
Gerald just shook his head as he waved good-bye, before saying, "Sometimes, I wonder about you two. Well, I better get back to checking out the other exhibits. Maybe we'll see each other later... good luck!"
Arnold and Phoebe gave a nod as they watched Gerald leave. They then laughed a little as they turned to each other, smiling and blushing. Arnold looked at the time and gave a smile as he took a deep breath. "Well, we better get ourselves ready..."
"Indeed." Phoebe nodded. "The judges will be here any second..."
And with that, this chapter is done! How did you guys like it? Next time, the time to judge is now!
Now, for the announcement! The poll for next month's story is up, so go to my profile and cast your vote for next month's story! Poll results will end by the end of this story, which shouldn't be too long now!
Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!