Hey guys sorry it's been awhile since I last posted unfortunately I have been really busy and it took me longer than expected. I will try and do better for you guys. Here's chapter 4.
6 years earlier..
"There morons, Arnold. I'm not joking freaking morons." Arnold looked at Gerald intently as the both stepped off the bus.
"Yea they are", he responded nodding his head.
" Now we have detention tomorrow, because of Sid, and Stinky's dumb prank!" Gerald yelled, clenching his hand into a fist.
"What are you so bent out of shape for?", Arnold responded as he walked up the steps to the front door of the boarding house. "It's only one day, and we aren't entirely innocent in all this." "Yea, yea I know Arnold, but if they weren't so stupid, we would have never gotten detention."
Arnold opened his front door. A group of stray animals came stampeding out, running in every direction. Gerald laughed. "That never gets old." He they both entered the boarding house. They made their way to the kitchen, and Arnold immediately darted for the refrigerator. "So what's the big problem with detention tomorrow?", he asked, while rummaging through the fridge. "I was hoping to hangout with Phoebe after school." Gerald replied, looking away from Arnold.
Arnold swung Around, and threw a bag of lunch meat on the table. "Oh boy, don't you see her enough?" He asked chuckling. Gerald turned his head to look at Arnold. "Yea, you're one to talk, You and Helga are attached at the hip." Arnold took out a couple plates, and a loaf of bread from the cupboard, and set them down on the table. "You've been saying your gonna ask Phoebe about going to the fair with me and Helga for like a month now." He pulled out a slice of bread and put it on the plate.
" Do you not want to go with us? Gerald stood up from the table and grabbed a plate. " No of course I do my man. I will ask her tomorrow."
Arnold smirked, "good." He responded. Gerald, and Arnold turned their heads towards the hallway, as the heard the front door swing open.
"Oh great", Arnold exclaimed. "Let's grab this food, and go up to your room", Gerald said, shooting Arnold a knowing look. Arnold nodded his head in approval, and he, and Gerald started to gather up the food. Arnold rushed out of the kitchen, with Gerald right behind him. As he turned the corner into the hallway, he violently crashed into the guy they were trying to avoid. Arnold fell to the floor dropping the food he was holding.
"Jeezus Arnz what the hell!", the guy shouted. Arnold looked up at him, as he got back to his feet. Glaring back was Danny Mason, the "class act", of Hillwood High.
His mother, and him had moved into Mr. Hyuns apartment, after Mr. Hyun moved to Florida to be closer to his daughter, and grandchildren six months ago. He was at least 6 inches taller than Arnold, and had a good 50 pounds on him. " "vile", Arnold thought, looking at his overall sloppy appearance. Arnold looked down at the food, on the floor.
"Sorry Danny" He said out of breath. "I didn't see you there." Danny slapped him on the shoulder, demanding Arnold's attention.
" I'm getting tired of your spastic shit Arnz." Danny said glaring at him. "Watch where the hell you're going, next time."
Gerald moved in between Arnold, and Danny. " Watch your mouth," Gerald shouted staring at Danny. "What's that?" Danny asked smirking. " You heard me. You need to chill, it was an accident." Danny moved in on Gerald, grabbing a hold of his shirt. "You better watch yourself pretty boy. I'll knock you out real quick." Arnold looked at Gerald noticing his body language change, and his hand clench into a fist. He jumped in front of Gerald holding him back. " let's go Gerald." Arnold said calmly, "he's not worth it." Gerald nodded his head, as Arnold lead him to the front door.
"Your friend just saved your ass." Danny shouted from down the hall. Gerald turned back around in a rage. Before he could say anything Arnold placed his hand in front of him. "Shut up Danny!" Arnold shouted back. "We're leaving." He opened the door. "Good, I don't want two cowards here when my friends comes over." He yelled, amused with himself. Arnold, and Gerald walked out the door. They walked down the block, headed into town
"You should have let me fight him." Gerald said, breaking the silence. "I could have taken him."
Arnold failed to respond immediately, as he stood focusing his attention on a group of kids playing ball across the street. "Remember when that was us." He remarked. Gerald looked at him confused. "Yea sure." He responded rolling his eyes. "But seriously next time, let me fight." Arnold refocused his attention on Gerald.
"Look I stopped you for a reason." He said. " It wasn't your fight, his problem was with me. And I chose to deal with it the way I saw fit." Arnold took a seat on the curb. "That guy's a scumbag though." Gerald proclaimed, sitting down next to Arnold. "You're right about that." Arnold said, chuckling. "A lot of people are Gerald, but you can't fight all of them. And sometimes they're not as bad as they seem."
Gerald reached over and patted his buddy on the shoulder. "You're a good man Arnold. A good man." Arnold sat staring at his Geometry book, daydreaming. The blare of the final bell ringing, pulled him back into reality. He got up from his desk, and left the classroom.
"Hey, you ready for detention Arnold." Arnold turned around, seeing Sid, and Stinky running up behind him. "Yea I can't wait Sid." Arnold replied sarcastically. " It's not that bad Arnold. Me and Stinky always have a good time." Sid laughed nudging Stinky in the belly.
"Hey there. You don't go nudging a fella in the stomach, after he done filled himself up with a full serving of lemon puddin." Stinky said to Sid, looking queasy.
"Sorry man." Sid said back, giving Arnold a clueless expression. "Piece of advice guys." Arnold said looking at Sid and Stinky. They both looked on intently. "Steer clear of Gerald. He's still pretty angry with you guys." "Really Gerald angry. That's shocking." Sid replied sarcastically. "Yea Gerald has been mad at the world lately. I guess Every fella has a breaking point.", Stinky added.
"There's nothing wrong with Gerald." Arnold shot back. "Now remember what I said." "Ok, ok Arnold we'll be cool." Sid replied. Arnold swung open the door of the classroom. He spotted Gerald in the corner, and walked over to take a seat near him. Stinky and sid sat down in the back of the classroom. Mr. Johnson entered, sipping on his coffee. "Alright kids you know the deal. Take out your homework." Mr. Johnson said, as he slinked into the chair behind the teacher's desk.
Arnold emptied the contents of his book bag on the desk, searching for his English homework. "I need to tell you something.", Gerald said, nudging Arnold in the shoulder. Arnold turned around to look at Gerald. "What's up?" He replied.
"Hey Gerald, Arnold this is detention. No talking!" Mr. Johnson yelled from the front of the class. "I'll tell you after." Gerald whispered. Arnold nodded his head and went back to rummaging through the papers on his desk. Suddenly the door swung open. In walked Danny with a menacing scowl. "Mr. Mason, late to detention again." Mr. Johnson said sternly. "Sorry Mr. J, I track of time." Danny said laughing. " Well you will be seeing me again, in here on Monday. Maybe you will learn to keep better track of time.
" Mr. Johnson motioned for Danny to sit down. Danny headed over towards Arnold, " Nice to see you, again Mr. Perfect" Danny said as walked past Arnold. Arnold looked on as Danny took a seat in the back, next to Stinky. "What an ass" he thought.
Arnold sensed someone staring at him, he whipped his head halfway around locking eyes with Rhonda across the room. She gave Arnold a look of empathy, before refocusing her attention, on the notebook she had out on her desk. "What the heck was that look", Arnold thought as he buried his head in his arms, closing his eyes.
"Arnold let's go" Gerald said, shaking him awake. Arnold lifted his head up, and looked at Gerald, while rubbing his eyes. "Detentions Over my man, now let's split." Arnold stood up, and grabbed his bag off the desk. Looking around the room he noticed everyone else had already left. He followed Gerald out of the room, into the hallway.
"Oh so hey, what was it you wanted to tell me." Arnold asked still rubbing his eyes. Gerald looked at him displaying a sad look
" It's nothing man, not important." " Are you sure Gerald." Arnold replied patting his friend on the back. " I've noticed you have been acting pretty upset and angry lately. What's going on? " I told you nothing!" Gerald snapped.
"Ok, ok." Arnold responded with a nervous look, as they exited the school. " Well I'm meeting Helga at her house, I'll see you later."