And now, it's time for the next chapter of this story! Anyway, enjoy!

To say Arnold and Rhonda had a lot of fun together for the last few days was a bit of an understatement. The more the two hung around each other, the more they started to get used to the idea that both of them found themselves feeling attracted to each other. Rhonda was even surprised that Arnold was meeting up with her standards thus far. Then again, maybe she shouldn't have been too surprised. Arnold was considered a very nice guy to most people, and she had noticed that he had quite a tolerance for most people. As an example, she noted that Arnold seemed a little uncomfortable around Iggy and gives dark glances at him whenever the two passed by. Rhonda couldn't blame Arnold at all, though. Considering the history Arnold had with Iggy and the fact he doesn't like bringing it up, she was considerate enough to not say anything.

Nevertheless, though, Rhonda couldn't say that she wasn't having fun hanging around with Arnold. On the contrary, she loved hanging around the football headed kid more than any other boy in her class. She had to admit though, she was a little nervous at first, just being around Arnold, but after the third time hanging out with him, nothing bad was happening to her and Arnold, so she passed off whatever the third date happening she had with the other boys just as a bad time. Besides, she had to admit, Arnold was pretty cute and mature whenever he was around...

Arnold couldn't complain either whenever he and Rhonda began hanging around each other. Even Harold and Sid, the former boyfriends that Rhonda had went out with at one point in time, were pretty surprised that Arnold had lived through the third date. Arnold, of course, gave a small smile to himself, feeling a little relieved that Helga had not tried anything to them. He actually even considered talking with her again and easing up the contract a little bit, but wanted to wait until this was all over. But at the moment, all thoughts were towards Rhonda and impressing her parents at the party by being the 'ideal suitor'. Of course, it wasn't Rhonda's exact words, but he had a good idea that this was probably what this was.

As a matter of fact, even when the two of them weren't hanging around together, whenever Rhonda was with Nadine or any of the girls, she couldn't help but bring up Arnold at least once in her conversation. Helga seemed annoyed at the fact that Rhonda always brought up some nice thing Arnold did for her, half wishing it was Helga in Rhonda's shoes, and half wishing that Rhonda would talk about a new clothing style or her nails more than anything else, but she swallowed her pride. And Arnold, whenever hanging around Gerald or his other friends, can't help but slip into a dazed state whenever Rhonda was brought up. Sure, the boys teased him a bit about his crush on Rhonda, but Arnold didn't seem to care about it. In fact, the more the two thought about it, the more they thought that dating might not be such a bad idea.

As for Curly himself? Well, he still kept pretty secret about his plans, not talking to anybody or anyone, which worried quite a few people. Because whenever Curly remained silent and thinking, it usually meant that he was thinking about getting into some sort of trouble, and nobody wanted to be on the bad end of whatever Curly was thinking at the moment. Even Gerald tried to tell Arnold about Curly's strange behavior, which Arnold gave a sigh, responding to Gerald, "I wouldn't worry too much about Curly. We're talking about the same kid who likes to release animals from the zoo on a monthly basis."

In which Gerald always responds, "And the same kid who tried to frame someone for something minor like chewing his pencil AND holding a school hostage. Believe me, man, just be wary around Curly."

Arnold could only nod, but he knew Curly wouldn't be too much trouble. If things got out of hand, though, he knew that adults would probably step in to stop them, and if not, well, he knew someone would.

Eventually, the two of them were having the time of their lives, either talking with each other or catching up on the latest details. Even Arnold would have to admit, he pictured Rhonda wearing the latest fashions in his head and gave a big smile, saying she'd probably look very beautiful in them. Rhonda couldn't help but agree, but she seemed to appreciate that Arnold would tell her that little tidbit of information.

It all eventually came to a head though that Saturday evening, the night the party was about to begin. Inside his room, Arnold was looking over himself in a full-fledged mirror, looking over at the nice little tuxedo he chose to wear for the event. Arnold looked over himself a few times, trying to get an angle, before straightening his tie up. He gave a nod in satisfaction before hearing a knock on the door.

"Come in." Arnold said, though the door had already opened up as his grandfather came in. Phil looked over Arnold and whistled.

"You look like a penguin going out to a fancy waltz." Phil gave a smirk. "So, going to that party, eh?"

"Well, I kind of have to at this rate." Arnold said. "Rhonda asked if I could go as her date, I said yes, and I don't want to back out of it now."

"Hmmm..." Phil paused. "You know, Arnold, last time you tried to go to a fancy-schmancy party, you told me it became boring and tasteless, and that's why you threw a party up on our roof to make things even better."

"That was back when Rhonda was trying to throw a 'cool' party." Arnold pointed out. "It's her parents who's throwing the party this time, and, well, it's kind of a requirement I have to wear this."

"I see." Phil smiled. "Well, I suppose you don't want to disappoint your little girlfriend's parents..."

"Grandpa..." Arnold gave a frown before Phil raised a finger.

"Don't bother denying it, Shortman, you know it's true. Ever since you and that rich girl started hanging around each other, you just can't help but bring up just how great and nice she is." Phil said.

"Well, that's only because she's been maturing a lot... whether from my advice or learning from her finishing school, maybe it could be both, but my point is, she's not the rich, vain person she makes herself out to be." Arnold points out... before snickering. "Though she can be a bit... braggy, she's still a nice girl to hang out with."

Phil could only laugh as he said, "Ah, young love. Tell me, Shortman, why haven't you tried to ask her to be official yet?"

"Official? You mean, as in, become her actual boyfriend? Well..." Arnold paused... before sighing. "Because I'm not quite sure... there's a lot in the world that I may not quite be ready for..."

"Oh, Arnold, the way you've been having fun with your raven-haired friend the past week or so, and the way she seems to adore your kindness and willingness to help others, not to mention, helping you out in any way, it seems to me that you two could be perfect for each other." Phil said.

"Well, yeah, we could be, it doesn't mean we WOULD be." Arnold pointed out.

"Oh, but I think you might." Phil gave a smile. "Here's a little advice from me, Shortman."

"Never eat raspberries or they'll gurgle your stomach up?" Arnold smirked.

"Wha- no!" Phil glared at his grandson... before pausing and thinking about it. "Well, yes. Yes, that. But also, you never know what's going to happen unless you try, so maybe give it a shot with your girl. Who knows? Maybe you two could be dating for quite a long time."

Arnold paused as he looked up at his grandfather... before taking a deep breath, having thought about what he said. His mind kept wandering over to Rhonda and her cute little smile and beautiful eyes and slick hair. Giving a nod, he smiled, "You're right, Grandpa. I won't know until I at least try. I'll ask Rhonda if she'll go out with me, this evening, at the party!"

"That's the spirit, Arnold! Take it right to the center of your mind! Let your feelings out for the girl!" Phil smiled and laughed in support... before pausing. "Excuse me, Shortman, I need to use the restroom first before I drive you anywhere. Too many raspberries, you know."

"I figured." Arnold gave a smirk before he saw his grandfather running out of the room. The football headed kid could only give a sigh as he turned to the mirror... and gave a silent nod and smile. "Rhonda Wellington Lloyd, I can only hope you'll say yes."

Meanwhile, over at the Lloyd mansion, Rhonda was looking over her beautiful blue dress and white pearl necklace in her room before giving a pause. She gave a sigh as she talked to herself in the mirror. "Okay, Rhonda, you can do this. You've been hanging out with him all this week, having fun and enjoying yourself. You can even say that... you had the greatest time with him! Maybe I can tell him that... I've come to like him-like him. Maybe he'll return the feelings. Yeah, I'll tell him my feelings during the party. The worst he can say is no."

Rhonda gave a grin as she nodded. "Okay, I'll do it! Tonight at the party!"

With that, Rhonda turned away from the mirror... before turning around and giving a sigh. "Also, be on your best behavior. There's a reason I did all those lessons."

Rhonda took a deep breath and started to go out the door, as Brooke saw her coming out and gasping. "My goodness, Rhonda, you look beautiful."

"Do you really think so, Mother?" Rhonda gave a grin as she posed a little.

"Oh yes. I think a dress like that would definitely impress that boyfriend of yours." Brooke gave a small smile as she walked off. "Well, we're just about ready. We just need to wait for the guests to arrive."

"How simply wonderful." Rhonda gave a nod as she followed her mother. As she done so, Rhonda looked a little nervous, wondering what was going to happen from here...

And that's the end of this chapter! How did you guys like it? Next time, we'll be going straight to the party! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!