On to the next chapter, here it should get a little more interesting...and no, I still don't own HA!...

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10:00....another half hour rolled by without any noise, but the occasional loud sigh from one or the other. Even Phoebe had given up trying to study, and just laid her head down on the desk. Arnold had his head all the way back and was trying to make the ceiling interesting. Helga was randomly scribbling things down in a small pink journal of hers. Rhonda was looking at her nails while Curly sat behind her, occasionally smelling her hair. And Gerald was sitting perfectly still, spacing out at the room in front of him.

Thunk, clump, clump, clump, clump

All eyes shifted to the closed door, as they heard their principal leave his office. Immediately, Curly jumped out of his seat, causing Rhonda to gasp at the sudden noise.

There he goes again, Gerald said, rolling his eyes.

Curly ran to the door and looked out.

he yelled, and took off out the door.

What is he doing? Rhonda asked, startled at his sudden dissapearance.

Gerald muttered as the door swung back shut.

We'll all be in trouble if Principal Wartz comes back and finds him gone, Arnold said worried.

Mother will kill me if I get another detention, Phoebe said meekly.

Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm dragging the little retard back in here, Helga said, as she got up and ran out the door.

I'm...I'm with her, Arnold said as he followed Helga out the door, Helga, wait up! Arnold called quietly.

I'm not getting into any more trouble than we already are, Gerald said sternly, crossing his arms.

Well, I'm going, we've got nothing to lose, Phoebe said bravely, getting up from her chair, and looking over at Gerald.

Well, I guess it couldn't hurt, Gerald said grinning, giving into Phoebe. They both looked back at Rhonda.

Rhonda looked back and forth between the both of them, What? You don't expect me to participate in this little foray of yours, do you? she said, flipping her hair.

Fine Princess, stay here and explain to Wartz why we're gone, Gerald said sarcastically. Phoebe grinned at him. C'mon Phoebe, lets go, Gerald said, holding out his arm to her. Pheobe wrapped her arm around the crook of his and they headed out the door.

Wait, you're not really leaving me here, are you? Rhonda asked, getting up to follow them. Gerald and Phoebe gave each other a and smiled, heading out the door quietly.

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Helga...Helga where are we going? Arnold asked quietly, as he followed closely behind Helga who was looking around the corner.

Quiet Arnold, Helga whispered harshly, peering around the corner to see if Wartz was down there. She was relieved to find the hallway empty. She sighed, Now, to answer your question, I'm trying to find the freak, while making sure we save our butts!

But how do you know where he went? Arnold asked, finally raising his voice a little.

I don't foot-ball head, Helga said, rolling her eyes, I'm trying to figure that out.

Oh, sorry, Arnold said embarrased.

No prob.

Wait, what did you call me? Arnold asked, eyes narrowing.

Helga sighed.

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Curly continued to run down the halls, humming to himself.

Dum, dum, dum, de dum...

He hated being forced to stay in one place for too long...plus, he needed something to entertain him...

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Do you see Helga? Phoebe whispered to Gerald as he peeked around a corner.

No, I don't see Arnold either, he sighed, Why are we even out here?

That's exactly what I want to know, Rhonda said matter-of-factly, not even trying to be quiet.

Gerald ignored her, Lets just keep going, they couldn't of gotten that far.

Phoebe said as she and Gerald walked down the hall of lockers, Rhonda hurrying to keep up.

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Shhh, I hear someone, Helga said suddenly, and Arnold halted to a stop.

They both craned their necks up high to hear for anymore sounds, sure enough, they heard footsteps coming down the hall perpendicular to them, and a soft humming that sounded a lot like Wartz. Arnold's eyes widened, and Helga pulled on his sleeve to get him to run. Taking off in the direction that they came, they heard the footsteps get closer. Suddenly, Helga yanked open a door and pushed Arnold and herself in. As luck would have it, it was a janitor's closet, and it wasn't that big. Helga felt herself being pushed up against Arnold as she felt around trying to find a place to stand. Almost tripping over what appeared to be a broom, then a mop, and ranom cleaning substances, Helga realized that she couldn't find a light switch.

Arnold yelled as Helga stepped on his foot. Helga quickly covered his mouth with her hand and put her ear to the door. She heard the footsteps slowly walk past, then she sighed.

Looking back, she could see Arnold through the dim light that the small window on the door let through. Then she realized that her hand was still over his mouth. She looked up into his green eyes, and he stared back into hers. Blushing in the dark, she let go.

Arnold said grinning.

Ha ha, Helga said sarcastically.

Anyway, is he gone? Arnold asked, trying not to crowd Helga's space, although he really didn't mind her crowding his.

Yeah, I guess, Helga said, trying to get near him without making it too obvious. Finally, Helga reached out for the doorknob and turned it. It didn't turn, and the door didn't open.

Helga said seriously.

Arnold asked.

The door's locked.

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Rhonda, if your gonna come with us, you have to at least be quiet, Gerald whispered angerly, as he held Phoebe by the hand, and they walked down the corridor. Rhonda popped her gum again. Rhonda! Gerald yelled.

Okay, okay, sorry...jeez, Rhonda said, rolling her eyes.

Well, I have a feeling they didn't come this way, Phoebe said quietly, We'd of seen them by now.

Yeah, your probably right, maybe we should just head back. I just pray to God that Wartz hasn't checked in on us and found us missing.

Yeah, wouldn't wanna ruin your star jock reputation, Rhonda said, sneering.

Shut up Rhonda, Phoebe said seriously. Rhonda looked taken aback, but continued to follow.

Lets just head back this way and see if- Gerald said but was cut off by Curly running past him.

Hey, you! Gerald yelled.

Curly stopped and looked back.

I'm sure he has a name, Rhonda said sarcastically.

Sorry, what's your name, Gerald asked, as Curly walked forward.

My name's Thadeus...but you can call me Curly, he said.

Okay...Curly, what in the hell do you think your doing? Gerald asked, angerly.

Getting something, Curly said, almost child-like.

Phoebe asked.

Curly said, holding up a Gameboy Advance.

That's what you came all the way out here for! Gerald yelled, trying not to hit the skinny twerp.

Yeah, I was bored, Curly shrugged, as if it were obvious.

Well, where are you going now? Phoebe asked.

Back to the library, Curly said, an eyebrow raised.

Rhonda started to laugh, Well, this has been wonderful. We've been walking around for and hour and a half only to find that he's getting a toy and is coming back!

It's not a toy! Curly shot back.

Yeah, whatever, I think it's hilarious, Rhonda giggled.

What's so funny about it, we just risked our butts out here trying to get this kid back in the room, Gerald said.

You guys came out here to get me? Curly asked, suprised.

Yeah, we didn't want Wartz coming back and finding you gone, we probably would've all spent another detention together, Gerald said seriously.

Oh, well....whatever, I'm going back now, Curly said, returning to his normal rebelious self.

Good, lets go, Gerald said, heading back to the library.

By the way, have you met up with Helga or Arnold anywhere? Phoebe asked.

The football headed kid and the loudmouth chick? Curly asked.

Rhonda giggled,

Nope, haven't seen

I wonder where they could be? Gerald asked aloud.

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Keep trying to jiggle the handle, Arnold instructed, as he moved the piece of metal around the hole in the doorknob.

I told you, it's not budging, Helga said threw gritted teeth, as she tried to turn the knob, This is a stupid idea, it's not going to work.

C'mon Helga, we won't be able to do it with that attitude, Arnold said optimistically.

Did anyone ever tell you you're way too optomistic, Helga said, rolling her eyes in the dark.

Did anyone ever tell you that you're way too pessamistic, Arnold grinned back.

Nope, never, Helga said sarcastically, a smile creeping upon her face.

Arnold moved the thin piece of metal around the keyhole once more and then sighed.

Your right, it's not working, Arnold said unhappily.

This is pointless, we're gonna be stuck here until Wartz finds us and then we're really busted, Helga said, sliding down against the side of the closet and pulling her legs into a sitting position. Arnold followed suit, sitting directly across from her on the opposite wall. There was about a good two feet in between them.

Well at least we're stuck together, Arnold said cheerfully.

Helga said suddenly, letting his words sink in.

Well, at least I'm in here with you and not someone that totally gets on my nerves...like Rhonda, Arnold said the last word bitterly.

Helga said, a smile slowly forming on her face once more. She knew out of all the people in the world to be stuck with, he was probably at the top of her list. For some reason, ever since she first saw him freshman year, she had uncontrolable feelings for him. She watched as he helped people, never insulted anyone, and always had a good sense of humor. She'd never seen anyone like that before, anyone who was so caring. Even though he had only started talking to her last year in their history and English classes, she felt as if she knew him. She was good at observing people. But to say all this to him now would be way too weird, and she knew it. You couldn't just tell someone you'd only started talking to again recently, that you liked them...it was just...humiliating, a slap in the face when they didn't return your affection. But just sitting across from him now felt right, maybe she could talk to him, honestly talk to him...although she was somewhat of a rebel and bad-ass at times, she did have a softer side, one that was slower to come out than in most people. Who knows, something interesting could happen.

Helga's thoughts were interuppted by Arnold's foot gently hitting her leg.

Oh, sorry, Arnold apologized, as he shifted his legs into a more comforable position.

Helga sighed, they could be stuck in here for awhile.
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Well that's the end of that chapter....what did ya think? I liked explaining Helga's emotions and the whole Gerald/Phoebe and Arnold/Helga thing is building up a little more...thanx for the comments so far....Gerald is a smooth operator isn't he....lol, anyway, please continued to review, I like to see what people think of the chapters, suggestions are also welcome....bye for now...;^)