Here's the next episode, which will have elements of 'Back to School', also going to be a bit of an over-arching story arc! Anyway, enjoy!

The next day at school, I was looking over the notes that Big Patty gave me as I was reading them over.

"Okay, to be polite in conversation, always say 'excuse me', then follow that with a question." I read it over a few times.

"I see you're taking this studying a little seriously." I heard Helga say in my mind.

"Like heck I am! If I want to get past the finishing school, I need all the help I can get." I talked back to Helga as I rolled my eyes upwards. "I don't suppose you have any advice for me."

"I didn't go to your dumb finishing school! I wouldn't know any of that frou frou stuff!" Helga growled.

"Okay, okay, I was just asking." I said, backing down as I joined up with my friends.

"Hey, Rhonda." Nadine, Phoebe and Lila smiled.

"Hey, girls." I said as I collected my books.

"Did you notice Arnold's grandfather just coming in with Arnold?" Nadine asked.

I blinked. "Hmm, I was too busy looking at my notes, I didn't notice a thing.

"Well, Arnold's grandfather came in with Arnold and they're currently talking with Principal Wartz." Phoebe explained. "What do you think is going on?"

I paused. "I'm not sure... but whatever it is, it's something pretty crazy..."

"What could be crazier than Arnold's grandfather coming into the principal's office with Arnold?" Lila asked.

"Well..." I paused as I looked up from my desk to see Arnold's grandfather coming in with the kids laughing at Arnold. "...Arnold's grandfather attending school... as a student... that sounds pretty crazy."

"Maybe not as crazy." Phoebe whispered. "I have heard about school drop outs... which, pray to God, I hope we never do."

Olga was out doing some slight preparations for school activities, switching places with Mr. Simmons, so he was teaching the class today as Mr. Simmons introduced Arnold's grandfather to the class and showed him to his seat as he sat next to Arnold.

"Okay, then, let's put on our listening ears. Let's get ourselves started." Mr. Simmons smiled.

We were doing okay thus far, nothing too big or ordinary, even Arnold's grandfather was being good and well-behaved. He seemed to be pretty good at the classes we do... with a little help from Arnold or one of us, of course. I knew I would have to ask Arnold about it eventually..

"So..." I began as I sat down next to Arnold, with Arnold's grandfather, Gerald and my friends just joining me at the lunch table. "Excuse me, but can I have a little catch up on what's going on?"

Arnold nodded. "Right. You see, I learned that Grandpa didn't get his elementary school diploma when he was young, he had to drop out due to getting a new job. He meant to get back at school, but one thing led to another... and it was thanks to my little advice that I convinced him to come back and at least try to get past elementary school!"

"Cool." I nodded.

"Yeah, I never got past long division and decimals, that's the reason why I never finished school." Arnold's grandfather explained.

"Well, if you need help with anything, let us know. We're all available anytime for the fourth grade." Phoebe offered.

"Aw, thanks." Arnold's grandfather smiled as we all nodded.

It was pretty much like this for the rest of the day as Olga and Mr. Simmons helped with teaching and helping Arnold's grandfather, along with us, along the fourth grade. It wasn't that bad, actually. In fact, it actually made me more prepped up for finishing school and what the whole deal would be about.

When we heard the bell ring, I gathered up my books and my backpack where I kept my good clothes and hummed as we came out of the school, Arnold turning to me. "Grandpa and I are going to be on our way home. We can drop you off at your finishing school, if you like."

"Sure." I smiled as I walked with Arnold. "That would be great."

I laughed a bit with Arnold's grandfather as he was excited to tell me what he thought of his first day of school. "You know, I was a little nervous, but if I do well... I'll be getting that diploma in no time!"

"That's the spirit, Grandpa!" Arnold smiled.

"It sure is. I hope you get it." I said as I looked out. "Well, there's my stop."

Arnold's grandfather then stopped as I got out. "Thanks for the lift."

"Anytime!" Arnold's grandfather smiled as he drove off.

I looked over to the school and nodded. Once I get in and change clothes, it would be time to get started.

"Here is your next lesson, class..." Madame Parvenu smiled as we looked up to her. "I will call you one at a time, and I want you to interact with me as if I was in a very fancy party."

I nodded. That should sound simple enough.

"Rhonda, you're up first."

I nodded as I came over to Madame Parvenu, almost tripping a bit, but regaining my posture as I came over to her. "Excuse me, Madame, but would you be so kind if I could make some polite conversation?"

I looked towards Big Patty, who gave a warm smile. I guess I'm doing pretty well so far.

"Why, certainly, Miss Lloyd." Madame Parvenu smiled to me as I made eye contact with her. "How is the weather?"

"The weather?" I paused. "I believe the weather is just so divine... nice and sunny, in fact."

"Ah... I heard it was going to rain a little later, though." Madame Parvenu decided to bring up.

Ah... looks like she's giving me a challenge. "True, the weather has pretty unpredictable patterns, but I doubt it'll rain today. Maybe later tonight."

"Hmmmm..." Madame Parvenu paused. "Tell me something, Miss Lloyd. Out of all the people in this party, who do you like the most?"

I paused as I thought about it. "I guess, in a way, I like everybody equally... rich or poor."

Madame Parvenu paused as she looked down at me. "What exactly do you mean, equally?"

"Well... I mean, even though the middle class are lower than the higher class... it should not really matter on who is who and what is what. What matters is that we're people, and people should... get along." I paused for a brief second.

"Hmmmm..." Madame Parvenu nodded as she wrote something down. "Thank you, Rhonda. I believe that's enough. Okay, Patricia, you're next."

I nodded as I walked back and watched Big Patty do her test.

Pretty soon, class was over and we were given our next evaluations. When I got mine, I read it,

'Rhonda Lloyd, you continue to impress, yet baffle me. You seem to have a general idea on politeness, but what you've said, about liking everybody equally, rich or poor, intrigues me a bit. I would like to see you in my office and we can talk more. Other than that, you should train yourself on skill and balance.'

I paused as I looked towards the office of Madame Parvenu. I was curious to see what was going on, but nevertheless, I came in the office.

I watched as Madame Parvenu looked at me straight. "Ah, Rhonda, I see you've read my little note."

"I have." I nodded. "Excuse me, Madame Parvenu, but... what did you want to see me for?"

"Well, Rhonda, it's about what you say when it comes to the middle class." Madame Parvenu explained to me. "And I'm somewhat curious... why do you have an interest in the middle class so much if you are rich?"

"Well... Madame... I may be rich, but it doesn't mean I have to be cocky in front of the people that are lower than me." I explained. "I may have thought of it that way when I was younger, but since then, I've come to appreciate what both worlds offered."

Madame Parvenu paused... as she gave a smirk. "It's a boy, isn't it?"

I stared at Madame Parvenu in shock. "What? What makes you say that?"

Madame Parvenu gave a chuckle as she looked at me. "My dear Rhonda, once I had a crush on a nice middle-class person like yourself. He was really a good boy, a nice... how you say... person. Always helped whenever he could. I, like you, was a free-spirited girl."

"Wow... what happened with that?" I asked.

"Well, I had to grow up sometime... but me and that boy still left on pretty good terms. We were still friends, but he just wasn't the person for me." Madame Parvenu explained. "What I'm saying is Rhonda, is that whether you think you and that boy are destined to be or not... well, I'm sure fate will decide that. But I am not fate, so what do I know?"

I paused. "Well... when you put it like that..."

I decided to tell Madame Parvenu the truth. "I do have a crush on a middle-class boy. He has blonde hair, an oddly shaped head that I think is pretty cute, and he's pretty good dressed for a middle-class boy. He and I have been friends since pre-school."

"Best friends?" Madame Parvenu asked.

"More like buddies, but yes." I nodded.

"Interesting..." Madame Parvenu smiled. "Could you tell me a little more?"

I decided to tell most of the story about me and Arnold as I nodded.

"...and that's where I am today." I explained. "I know that Arnold loves me and I love Arnold... but I don't know if we can both confess to each other in front of our faces..."

"Hmmm... that does seem to be quite a dilemma." Madame Parvenu paused... then she snapped her fingers, getting an idea. "Rhonda, I may have a little solution. Think of it as an extra-credit assignment."

"Uh, okay..." I paused as Madame Parvenu dug out a coupon.

"This coupon is for a dinner for four for Chez Pierre." Madame Parvenu smiled as she handed me the coupon. "Your assignment, if you choose to accept, is to go out on Saturday night and hang with your middle-class friend at this French restaurant. Try to be as sophisticated as possible. Get all the data you have and on Monday, our class after Friday, come straight to me before class and tell me the details."

"...And you say this is a dinner for... four?" I paused.

"Indeed." Madame Parvenu nodded. "I'd go myself with my friends, but... well, they're all busy and I don't have much use for the coupon. That way, you, your middle-class friend, and maybe another middle-class and rich friend of yours will be likely to use the coupon."

"Middle-class and rich friend, you say..." I paused, smiling, getting an idea. "Thanks, Madame Parvenu. I think I may find use for this!"

"Remember, Rhonda, sophistication lessons!" Madame Parvenu smiled.

"Of course..." I nodded towards Madame Parvenu. "See you on Friday!"

"Be wary when you get to class. Friday the Thirteenth is around the corner." Madame Parvenu said as she pointed towards the calendar.

I nodded. "I'll be careful. Thanks, Madame."

And with that, I walked out the door in determination.

Once I got back home and in my regular clothes, I picked up my cell phone and gave a call to Lila's home. I waited as Lila's father picked up the phone.

"Hi, Mr. Sawyer. This is Rhonda. Is Lila home?" I asked.

"Sure, she's home. Give me a second." Mr. Sawyer said through the phone.

I waited a bit as I heard Lila's voice on the phone. "Hello, Rhonda."

"Hey, Lila! Say... what would you say to a double date on Saturday... you, me, Lorenzo and Arnold?" I asked.

"Gosh, I don't know..." Lila paused. "I mean, me and Lorenzo are trying to keep our own relationship under wraps..."

"Don't worry, I have arranged a plan for that!" I smiled. "I'll meet you tomorrow at school and we'll discuss the plan!"

There's episode one hundred and twenty! How'd you like it? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!