Welcome my friends, to episode one-hundred! That's right, after a couple two-parters, a bit of a story arc in Season 1, a continuing mystery in Arc 2 and a few mysteries beginning in Arc 3, we're finally heading towards the big one-zero-zero! And the episode this time... to commerate the occasion... is 'School Dance'! I was really excited to do this one! Anyway, enjoy!

Pretty soon, at lunch, I was talking with my four friends. "So, the school dance is this weekend, and it's strictly fourth graders only?"

"Indeed." Phoebe smiled. "We're excited for this too!"

I chuckled nervously as I said, "I don't know guys, this is Arnold we're talking about. He could ask any old girl to the dance..."

"Not me." Phoebe gave a warm smile. "Gerald asked me out to the dance just the other day!"

I smiled to my friend. "Hey, that's good for you, Phoebe! He must have been nervous."

"Nah, he was all suave and cool, you know, his usual, 'hey baby' schtick." Phoebe giggled. "Honestly, I think it's cute."

"Well, Tucker and I got together one time and talked about the school dance coming up." Nadine smiled.

I gasped in delight. "Oh my gosh, did he ask you out?"

"Not quite..." Nadine said. "But he did offer to go with me, even though he knows I'm capable of protecting myself, there may be other strangers out there trying to get at me." Nadine smirked. "Not on my watch."

We paused as we turned to Lila, who was blushing. I raised an eyebrow. "Lila?"

"Hm?" Lila asked.

"Who are you planning on going out with?" I asked.

"Well, gosh, I don't really know..." Lila blushed. "This is the first time I've ever been asked that question. Well, I don't really know..."

Me, Nadine and Phoebe raised our eyebrows as Lila sighed. "Well... all the boys are very cute... but I don't really know which one I'd settle with."

"Come on, Lila, what's the first name of a fourth grade boy you want to be with?" Nadine smile. "You can tell us, we won't blab..."

"Actually..." Lila blushed. "I was currently thinking about..." She muttered the name.

"What?" I smiled.

"I said I'm-currently-thinking-about-Lor-in-zoe." Lila muttered.

"Come on, Lila, speak in a clear sentence." Phoebe smiled.

"I said I'm currently thinking about Lorenzo." Lila groaned as she said it slower and quietly.

Me, Nadine and Phoebe raised eyebrows in interest as Nadine smiled. "Looks like we got a reverse-Rhonda here..."

"Well, it's nothing like that..." Lila blushed. "I just think that Lorenzo is ever so sweet. A little lost when it comes to the public school and how everything works, but I do think he's ever so sweet."

"It's not because you were giving him ice skating lessons, were you?" Phoebe asked.

Lila blushed. "The ice skating? Well, I will admit that while the ice skating lessons developed a good friendship between the both of us, I don't know if..."

"Hola, Lila." Lorenzo said as he came over to our table. "Is it all right if I sit next to you?"

"Oh, sure, Lorenzo. Make yourself comfortable." Lila blushed as Lorenzo smiled.

"Gracias." Lorenzo smiled as he sat down over at our table.

"So, Lorenzo, what brings you over here?" I asked, out of curiosity.

"Oh well, actually, I was hoping to speak to Lila alone." Lorenzo blushed. "Would you girls mind if..."

"Oh no, not at all. We'll clear out." I said as me, Nadine and Phoebe got up. "I think I just saw Arnold sitting with Gerald anyway. We'll be over with them, if you need us, Lila."

Lila nodded as me, Nadine and Phoebe went over to Arnold and Gerald's table.

"Hey girls." Arnold smiled.

"Hi, Arnold. I was just recently told about the school dance. I have to say, pretty surprised that they pulled it on us so early in the winter." I said.

"It is." Arnold nodded. "And you're in charge of the decorations, I take it?"

"From what these girls told me." I said as Phoebe and Nadine nodded.

"Well, what did you have in mind?" Arnold asked.

I paused. "Hmmm... honestly, I just got the news about it before lunch. I'm not really sure yet... but hopefully, it'll be fabulous and dazzling! What about you? I hear you're in charge of the entertainment."

"Yeah..." Arnold sighed. "Hopefully I won't screw this one up."

"Don't worry, whatever band you get... it'll be the best, buddy." I smiled. "Oh, but uh... don't embarrass yourself by inviting a polka band. Honestly, it'd be embarrassing to us and yourself."

"Right. No polka." Arnold nodded. "Well, I did go to a talent agency the other day, but they rejected me. I'm hoping to do auditions for a music act this week. Anybody all ages are welcome."

Phoebe gasped. "Oh! I want to audition! I can play a good tuba!"

Me, Nadine, Arnold and Gerald looked at Phoebe with unamused looks as Arnold said, "Yeah, Phoebe, we saw the tape of your tuba solo. No offense, but you're not in."

"Come on, give me a chance!" Phoebe begged. "I've gotten better!"

"Phoebe!" Gerald said as he started whispering in her ear.

Phoebe's eyes widened. "Oh yeah... right..."

Phoebe deflated a little. "Sorry Arnold, guess I won't be auditioning."

"That's okay... of course, it'll be a little time, but I'll find someone..." Arnold said as the lunch bell was heard.

"Okay, great talking with you, Arnold and Gerald." Nadine said as we started handing in our cafeteria trays.

"No problem, girls." Arnold smiled.

Pretty soon, Lila caught up with us as Lila was giving a warm smile and a slight giggle. I raised an eyebrow. "Did Lorenzo ask you out?"

"As friends, but yes." Lila gave a sigh of love. "Hopefully, it'll be the beginning of something good..."

"I certainly hope so." I said as we decided to continue on our way towards classes.

Over the next few days, I was currently thinking about what type of decorations would go good as I was exploring around the party stores at the mall, but nothing seemed to grab my attention. Unfortunately, nothing I seem to be finding is anywhere around here. So, I did the best thing I could think of... I went over to the clothing store in the mall where Sharlene worked.

Over there, I saw Sharlene drinking from a bottle that looked like blue Kool-Aid. Sharlene sighed as she put the bottle cap back on the bottle and twisted it. "Ah... this stuff is good..."

Sharlene looked over to me and smiled. "Hey, Rhonda. What can I do for my favorite customer today?"

"Actually, Sharlene, I need a little advice." I said as I sat down. "Suppose you're in charge of decorations for a school dance?"

"School dance, hm?" Sharlene asked as she looked at me. "Oh, I've been to plenty school dances all my life once I lost the weight. Made me all wild and crazy! Makes a girl want to blow up around people, you know?"

"Have fun?" I smiled. "Yeah, I don't blame you. Anyway, any ideas you can... recommend?"

"Hmmm... good question..." Sharlene paused. "I remember during one dance back in the old days..."

"With Olga, right?" I asked.

"...Sure, you might say that. Anyway, Olga and I were in charge of the decorations. She wanted more a 'proper, British tea like party' scenario. I was more the 'American Wild Party' myself." Sharlene smiled. "We combined the two, but in the end, it turned out either way, the party was a great success!"

"You two must really be best friends." I said.

"Well, more like friends since she was thirteen." Sharlene sighed. "I was just a new student moving in to my new place, and I spotted Olga, all depressed and such. She told me she was like this for the past two days."

"That must have been a day or so after Olga's parents lost the unborn child." I thought to myself.

"She must have been traumatized by something." I said, not wanting to tell Sharlene in case she already knew.

"Oh yeah, she wouldn't even tell me, but she was sure traumatized." Sharlene sighed. "She said she was going to end herself as well..."

I gasped as I heard Helga inside my head gasp as I heard her say, "Oh God, she was going to kill herself if..."

"What's wrong, Helga?" I asked in my head.

"D-don't worry about it, princess. You just keep focus on something else." Helga told me.

I just nodded as I looked towards Sharlene. "Luckily, I was there to talk her out of it. I told her that she still had a family out there, and she was all like, 'What family do I have to go to? They don't even love me, they say they do, but they don't see me as a person, they just see me as a... puppet!'. But luckily, I talked to her, convinced her that maybe she can still change her parents... be helpful, be cheerful, and most importantly, be yourself when around others like me. I guess it must have worked, because she looked into my eyes and thought about what I said. I introduced myself, and Olga smiled, saying her name. I then told her, "We're going to be the best of friends, I can tell."."

Sharlene sighed. "It was the start of a great friendship, I suppose. I guess she saw how I acted, and followed me to be the straight girl of our relationship. I guess you can tell that our friendship was just a start."

"Wow..." I said in surprise as Sharlene started drinking from her bottle of Kool-Aid.

"Yeah..." Sharlene smiled. "Anyway, I rambled long enough. You want me to tell you about decorations? Well, I don't know much about decorations, since Olga was usually in charge, but I can tell you that being American and wild was the best..."

I paused. "If it's the same to you, Sharlene, I think I'll try someone else for decoration ideas, but I'll put your idea in consideration."

"Aw, come on, Rhonda. Don't you trust me?" Sharlene smiled.

"I do, it's just I'll need more ideas, other than 'American' and 'wild'." Rhonda said.

"Okay, suit yourself." Sharlene sighed as she drank from her bottle of Kool-Aid. "Sip?"

"Thanks." I said as I took the bottle of Kool-Aid and took a small sip. The taste was... "Sharlene, I think something's wrong with this Kool-Aid. It doesn't taste right."

Sharlene took a sip as she paused. "Tastes okay to me. Maybe you have sensitive taste buds."

"All workers please report to the vice boss's office, please. Thank you." We heard the overcome announcer say.

Sharlene sighed as she said, "Great, probably another boss quit his job again... I swear, it's like this every four months. I don't even know why. Sorry, Rhonda, we'll have to cut our conversation short. See you sometime."

"Okay, Sharlene, see you." I said as she started to leave.

As I started to depart, I was still thinking about decorations for the party...

And I kept thinking about it as I was now walking around the neighborhood. I needed something and good.

However, as I kept walking, I accidentally bumped into Arnold, who happened to be passing by the same corner.

"Oh..." Arnold blushed a bit as he picked me up. "Sorry about that, Rhonda."

"It's okay, Arnold. I wasn't looking where I was going." I said as I turned to see his good mood. "You look like you're in a good mood."

"Well, I got an entertainment act booked." Arnold smiled. "You remember how I told you I met Dino Spumoni."

"Yes... quite a few times, actually." I nodded as we kept walking together.

"Well, I met up with him, and I managed to book him for our school dance!" Arnold said.

"Oh, wow!" I smiled.

"Although he didn't seem that willing." Arnold sighed. "He kept talking about a farewell concert and retiring from singing after this..."

I looked over to Arnold. "But we love his music."

"Most people do as well, but he has it in his mind that people don't want to listen to the old classics anymore." Arnold said. "I just hope I didn't make a mistake..."

"Buddy, it's okay." I whispered. "Even if he isn't the act we're looking for, you at least gave it a good thought."

Arnold smiled a little bit. "Who knows? Maybe Dino will be able to cooperate."

"Yeah..." I sighed. "Say, buddy, did you ask anyone out to the school dance yet?"

Arnold stopped. "No, I didn't... I didn't really think about it, I was too focused on the act..."

I sighed. "I'm in the same boat as you... I haven't had time to look over who I want to go with because I'm stuck with the decorations idea. I haven't had any time to consider..."

"Would you like to go with me?"

I stopped in a sudden freeze. Did I just hear Arnold say what I thought he said. "What?"

Arnold blushed. "I mean... well, since we're supposed to bring a dance partner over... and I mean, I don't have a partner, and from what I've heard, you don't have one... I mean, it's just as friends... if that's all right with you..."

Arnold did ask me out... but just as friends. Well, may as well accept it, I mean, Arnold ACTUALLY asked me out! Who knew he would have the guts? But for all my luck, he was probably thinking of Ruth when he asked that question, but fortunately, I can go with it, use an honest mistake to my advantage.

"Actually, Arnold, I'd love to go out with you..." I paused. "As friends, of course."

I gave a nervous smile.

"Oh, good..." Arnold smiled a bit. "Guess this means we have a... friendship date, then."

"Great." I smiled. "See you tomorrow at school, then?"

"Sure." Arnold smiled as we got near my house as I entered inside. "See you tomorrow, Rhonda."

As I waved good-bye to him and closed the door, I smiled as I cheered in excitement. "YES!"

I had to call my friends up, let them know the good news. I grabbed my cell phone and started calling Phoebe up.

After a couple of rings, I heard the phone being picked up as I heard Phoebe say, "Just a second, Rhonda."

I then heard some horrible sounds coming from the other side of the phone as I cringed. After about a minute, I heard Phoebe say, "Sorry about that, I was just finishing up my tuba solo!"

"And you're still awful at it." I frowned. "See, this is exactly why Arnold doesn't want you for his musical act. You can't play that thing to save your life!"

"Oh stuff it, Rhonda, my parents and I think it's good." Phoebe said. "Anyway, what are you calling for?"

"Arnold asked me out!" I said.

"Oh my gosh!" Phoebe gasped. "Please tell me you accepted."

"Yes, I did! However, he only said we're going as friends, so... maybe we can get something going from there?" I said.

"Oh wow!" Phoebe said. "Well, I'm glad you guys are going somewhere with this!"

"Yeah!" I smiled. "I'm going to call Nadine and Lila and tell them the good news! Bye, Phoebe!"

"Bye, Rhonda!" Phoebe said as I hung up the phone. I called Nadine and Lila with the same news, and as predicted, they were excited about this as Phoebe was.

I sighed as I looked up. I then realized what my decoration ideas were going to revolve around. Jazz, music like structure! This'll surely wow the dance-goers!

Over Friday morning, the dance was later tonight, and Arnold had told everyone that Dino Spumoni was going to be performing, which everyone was starting to have doubts on.

"Why are you guys even making this a big deal?" I groaned. "It's not like he chose a freaking polka band!"

"No offense, Rhonda, but who would listen to a washed-up has-been?" Nadine asked.

"Says the girl who says Dino Spumoni has a good popularity going with older and younger generations!" I said. "Besides, remember the stories Arnold told us about his times with Dino? Surely, it'll work!"

"Well, in case they don't..." Phoebe smirked. "There's always a tuba solo still available."

"Sorry to say this, Phoebe, but Rhonda showed me the tape of you playing the tuba, and your tuba playing is ever so bad as my rapping... I mean, your tuba playing's ever so terrible." Lila chuckled nervously. "I never done any rapping."

We all looked at Lila strangely as she sighed. "Okay, maybe some rapping. I was going through a little... phase back when I was in Pleasantville. I still have a video, but I never show it."

"Does it have anything to do with that 90's stereotype of you we sa-" I started asking.

"Yes." Lila sighed.

"Anyway, don't worry. I assure you all, Dino will be a hit with everyone." Arnold assured them as we all nodded, with the benefit of the doubt.

Pretty soon, the dance was all set up and the decorations had wowed the dance goers. I looked around to see Tucker and Nadine talking with each other as they were giggling a little, Gerald and Phoebe were smiling as they were leaning towards each other, and I looked over to see Lila and Lorenzo giving a moment to talk as Lila giggled at something Lorenzo was talking about.

Pretty soon, Arnold caught up to me as he looked at the outfit I was wearing. It was a nice red tank-top dress with a black skirt, white pearls on each of my wrist and my hair was combed as neatly as usual. Arnold smiled as he said, "Rhonda, you look really good."

I smiled, looking over Arnold's attire, which is as formal as it could go. "You don't look too bad yourself, buddy."

This friend-date was going pretty good as well as I can hope for. We looked towards the stage as Mr. Simmons made the announcement for Dino Spumoni to get up on stage to perform.

He did so and...

Oh boy... what he did... yeah, he sang a... very depressing song, which wasn't Dino-esque at all. I can easily tell from the audience's silence as well.

"Helga? You there?" I spoke in my thoughts.

"What's up?" Helga said in my thoughts.

"Have you been to this school dance in your universe? If so, was Dino Spumoni this depressing as he is here?" I asked in my thoughts.

"To put it more boldly, yes and yes. Everyone hated Arnold for it, heck, I did too." Helga explained in my mind."Don't worry, if everything goes right, Arnold should convince him to be more confident and cheered up enough, making Dino more inspired again. Arnold's awesome like that."

"Well, glad to have that cleared up." I thought to myself.

"No trouble, princess." Helga laughed in my mind.

I turned to Arnold as soon as the song was over. Arnold was about to open his mouth before I said, "Buddy, it's okay. I know you didn't mean it. But everybody is going to hate you now because of what Dino just sang."

"I'll see if I can make up for it!" Arnold said as he was about to catch up to Dino, but I stopped him.

"Hey... you're you, buddy. I know you can do this!" I smiled. "Now you go out there and cheer that singer up, because I do not want to hear Phoebe's attempt at tuba-playing!"

"I'm standing right next to you, Rhonda!" Phoebe glared at me.

"Now go save the dance!" I said as Arnold went off, ignoring what Phoebe just said.

Pretty soon, Arnold worked his magic once again. Arnold managed to give Dino a boost of confidence, though I'm not entirely sure how, and the dance became more fun once again. I was now dancing with Arnold as I gave a smile. "Thanks to you, buddy, you've made this the best dance ever!"

"I'm glad you're enjoying your time, Rhonda!" Arnold gave a smile back to me.

I felt my knees weaken a little as I clung onto Arnold's arm. "Say, buddy, think we can go outside for a moment?"

"Sure." Arnold said as we started walking out of the cafeteria halls and sat down near one of the benches as we saw the night sky, without all the lights on the city.

"Aren't the stars beautiful?" Arnold asked as he turned to me.

"Yeah..." I smiled as I looked up. "They certainly are."

I noticed that a few stars were shooting around as I gasped. "Wow, Arnold... did you see that?"

"Shooting stars?" Arnold said as he gasped. "It's rare you see one of those..."

"Why do you think there are shooting stars?" I asked.

"Hmmm... who knows?" Arnold sighed. "Maybe... maybe it's just the way of the galaxy or our world... stars are beautiful in their own right... some disappear, but some are reborn..."

"You think there's other universes beyond this world?" I asked as we looked up.

"Who knows?" Arnold asked. "But if there are, I wouldn't mind looking into at least one universe or two..." Arnold said.

"Yeah..." I sighed. "I feel the same way."

We paused as me and Arnold then looked at each other. "Arnold?"

"Yes, Rhonda?" Arnold asked.

"I'm glad we're friends." I smiled. "Hopefully, we'll still be friends as we grow up..."

"Yeah... me too..." Arnold gave a warm smile back.

We were silent as we kept looking at the night sky for a few minutes... before Arnold got up. "Let's get back to the dance. We'll have plenty of time to do a few things there."

"Sure..." I smiled as we walked back together.

It was a really sweet time I had with Arnold, but unfortunately, I didn't confess my love to him... but we at least solidified a pretty good friendship. I really wish he would notice me, though...

The next morning, back in my house, I yawned and woke up as I saw the clock buzzing. I picked up my glasses and put them on as I got up and yawned. I looked over and saw the calendar. Only a week before Christmas... and I still need to do a little Christmas shopping for my friends. I smiled as I got up and hummed a little bit. This was going to be a great morning!

And there's episode one hundred! How do you like it? I'm glad I made it through these one-hundred episodes so far, and I'm hoping to continue the series onward! There's more to come, so don't miss out! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!