Author's Drabble:

Okay, so, Arnold's returning in this chapter. YAY! But is his return completely welcomed by everyone?

Also, I need to clear this up. Harold Berman was 13 years old when he was in 4th grade with Arnold and the gang. We know this because he had his bar mitzvah and that is a Jewish coming of age ceremony held when a male turns 13. That would make him in his twenties now so he's not a teen like everyone else and is no longer in high school after managing to make some progress on his grades. He got his GED and left school soon after everyone started high school. Now that I cleared that up, here is chapter 5.

I hope you like it!


"You know, I really think it's about time everyone stopped thinking I was some sap who crawled into the fetal position in bed and never left my room since Arnold left." Helga stated, glaring at Phoebe a moment and seeing the utter shame in her face before looking at Lila sitting across from them. While Phoebe was looking every bit sorry for bringing up Arnold during this 'girl's only lunch hour' of theirs, Lila was unashamed of mentioning the name and making sure to sound as careful as possible while saying it. "Sheesh, out with it, Lila! Why'd you bring up football head?"

Lila finished braiding her hair into a long, fat tail hanging over her shoulder and tied it off with her ribbon. She took her time whenever she worked on her hair, unlike Helga, who rarely tried anything different from pigtails since pre-school. Of course, she did try a few times in the past...times that would not be thought of again. The former country girl leaned forward, resting her hands on the edge of the table. It was sometimes a wonder how she ever became friends with this girl, though she had to admit, it was hard not to like this ball of innocence. Heck, even Phoebe was more hostile than Lila ever could be.

"Well, to be just perfectly honest, Helga…you have been acting ever so strange since Arnold returned to his parents after his last visit."

"I'm afraid she is right, Helga." Phoebe chimed in, holding up an index finger. "You have been rather anomalous these last four years."

"You hardly ever express yourself, Helga." Lila said, taking over the lead again. "We hardly see a reaction out of you anymore. And even though I am pleased to see you not being as confrontational as before and no longer starting fights, it's just not what I would have expected to have happened so abruptly."

"Well, you're the one who pretty much gave me the life-coaching session back in grade school, Lila." Helga reminded, sitting up a little more in her chair. "You said that I should avoid bossing and being a jerk to everyone, so I am. Got a problem now that I'm actually following your advice?"

"No, Helga." Lila said; a little shocked. "Not at all, I just hoped you wouldn't cut yourself off from people ever so abruptly as you have. The only time we know it's really you is when we're playing in the old vacant lot. And those days are growing much fewer and fewer."

Well, it wasn't her fault everyone was running off to make-out under trees and stuff these days rather than get some "fresh" air and swing the old bat around every once in a while. Sure, they were in high school and everyone would be going off the college soon but that was even more of a reason why they should have all stuck together rather than worrying about relationships so much! Helga thought of this now, yes. But she should have thought of this four years ago when Arnold was wanting to spend time with the gang rather than date her. Her realization was late but now she knew why it had mattered so much to see the guys or go to another one of Rhonda's parties. Sue her, she was younger and in love. She still was but wouldn't be admitting that out loud anytime soon.

"So, you guys think I am being anti-social because Arnold's not around?" The two nodded in sync and Helga hung her head. Lifting it back up, she braced her elbows on the table and peered from one face to the other. "Look you two, there's nothing wrong with me. I'm just not in the mood to deal with people all the time. Life isn't exactly all sunshine and roses at the Pataki abode and school's dull since I've gotten used to the nut-jobs we go to class with. I grew up out of bossing people around, that's kid stuff. And right now, I need to get back to work."

Pushing away from the table, Helga stood up while Lila and Phoebe stared at her with solemn eyes. Their expressions only made her face sour even more. Frowning at both of them, she fished the money for her half-eaten burger and fries and slapped it on the table, pulling her apron from where it had been draped over the back of her chair. Swinging the article up over her shoulder, Helga strode out of the diner and made her way back up the block towards the supermarket without a second glance. It was possible the two were still staring where she had left seconds ago.

The further she walked, the slower her pace seemed to grow until she was eventually stopping altogether. Stepping off to the side of the pavement, she leaned against the bricks of the shop she had been passing, closing her eyes as she heaved a sigh. Her lack of motivation was really beginning to show without her muse being near to her. In her heart but not within her reach was the hardest part of clinging to her passionate poetry. Every day felt like she had lost him for another year and those would only grow in number now. It was scary thinking that your affections could one day splutter out like a candle left in the wind. A once burning flame that was her love now felt like a spark that kept struggling to inhale that oxygen to make it fire. But she had no source…she had no air to breathe without Arnold.

"Maybe that's why I don't really feel anything." She mumbled, opening her eyes. "Maybe the writing and I weren't meant to be…like me and him in the first place. Arnold's never going to come back and I'll just have to accept it...yeah…that's sounding pretty bleak. No wonder they're freaked out."


"We, uh, kept it just the way you left it, Shortman." Phil said, opening up the door and switching on the lights. Arnold stared past the elder man into the room he had known as a child. It hadn't changed since his last visit when they had painted the walls blue just in case his grandparents ever re-considered renting the old room to someone. It was touching to him that they didn't have the heart to give it up after having him with them for so long. Of course, Arnold's grandma probably didn't even notice his absence.

Carrying his suitcase up the rest of the stairs, he entered the room, setting his things beside the door while noticing the bare mattress on the panel where he had always slept. It had been stripped of all sheets and all of the shelves were barren of anything personal. The room felt sterile to him, impersonal without him or his friends in it to fill it up with life again. Old memories were already filling him to the brim with nostalgia as he crossed and sat down on the mattress while his grandfather watched with a small smile.

"You need any help with the unpacking?" Grandpa asked.

"No thanks, Grandpa." Arnold shook his head, offering a careful smile back. "I'll take care of it."

"Well, okay then." He shrugged, "If you need me, I'll be around."

Arnold's eyes followed his grandfather as he left the room; closing the door behind him. The sudden lack of his grandparent left Arnold alone to take in the familiar but almost alien surroundings. It was quiet for the most part. The sounds of the city were faint, muffled by the walls. He thought about the sounds of the jungle back with his parents and how he had fallen asleep, wishing for at least one car alarm before slipping away. Back home in the Sunset Arms, he would have it. That thought alone should have made him a little happier but for some reason he was completely solemn and uncertain of his decision to visit.

"Four years is a long time." He sighed, flopping back on the mattress. "I wonder how much everyone has changed."


Harold folded over the corner of the paper, sticking it down with the familiar Green Meats sticker onto the edges to hold them down before passing it across the counter to Mrs. Harris. Mr. Green watched from where he was stocking the show cooler, smiling a little to himself before resuming his work. It was old hat seeing Harold around ever since he hired him officially back when the kid turned fifteen. Now that he was in his twenties, the kid had established that being a butcher was the life for him and so he hired him. Harold had graduated school by now since he had put a little effort into his studies and already several years older than his classmates; he was now established as an adult. It was because Harold was an adult that Mr. Green felt he could entrust Green Meats to him someday. But that was only an idea. The two hardly flinched the moment the bell rang when another customer entered but when Harold lifted his head to greet them, his eyebrow raised in surprise at who was standing there.

"Rhonda?" he nearly dropped the cloth he had been wiping his hands with.

The posh high school student glanced from Harold to Mr. Green then tilted back her head a bit with all the confidence she normally radiated. "Hello, Harold. I'm here to pick up cook's order of lamb chops. She only buys them from Green Meats because we only accept the finest quality back home."

Harold was hardly fazed by her prim attitude and turned to go get the mentioned order but Mr. Green waved a hand, heading towards the back. "Don't worry about it, Harold. I'll grab them."

Rhonda's face grew a little pale and Harold swallowed but simply nodded. He knew better than to contradict his boss these days. Even so, he wasn't sure if he wanted to be alone with Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. Ever since he left high school and got his GED, he had felt too old to socialize with his old friends sometimes. Especially now that he was over twenty one…and Rhonda…she was only seventeen. It was illegal for him to like her the way he did. And she probably didn't give a damn about him in the end, making him feel even worse for practically lusting after the teenager.

"So, h-how's life as a butcher?" Rhonda asked, averting her eyes but keeping her head up.

"Oh, it's fine." Harold said quickly. "I'm still having a hard time convincing Mr. Green I can run the shop on my own sometimes but he probably doesn't think I'm…old enough…" Mentioning his age seemed to remind him of the age of the person he was talking to and his words gradually grew quiet. At one time he denied Rhonda because he was a kid and thought crushes were annoying but now that he was all for it, he was too late and too old. Five years was a big age difference to begin with as kids, being an adult only seemed to widen the gap.

"That's good," Rhonda fiddled with her bracelet a moment then braced her hands on her hips. "Well, he's certainly taking his time, isn't he?"

"Sorry about that." Harold eased away from the counter. "I'll go check on him."

"Wait!" Harold paused, glancing back over his shoulder at her. It was the first time Rhonda looked out of sorts since he could remember. Her hand was still hovering in the air where she threw it up to stop him and the strap of her purse slipped down to the elbow, the bag dangling side to side. Her eyes were wide, almost as if she were scared when he met them. The teenager lowered her arm while correcting the strap at the same time, trying to smile as if nothing had happened when she stated, "Here he is."

The squeak of the swinging door behind him signaled Mr. Green's return and he twisted around, moving towards the doors. "Excuse me—I—I need to make more sausage links!" Harold said, shoving open the doors again and stepping into the back room, sighing in relief now that he was out of Rhonda's presence. The years had been kind to her. She was model quality in her eyes and he had to agree, though Harold felt that even though Rhonda was spoiled and rather prissy, he liked her. And that was bad…very bad.


There was an awkward silence when Gerald opened his front door on that Wednesday morning to see an ancient green automobile sitting outside of the Johansen family home. He shut the door behind him and stepped down onto the stoop; crossing his arms when he spotted the teenager emerging from behind the wheel and coming around the front of the vehicle. The two boys stared at one another, one standing still on the stoop while the other stood leaning slightly against the side of the old Packard.

"Just get your license?"

"Yeah, yesterday after I talked Grandpa into taking me to the revenue office."

Gerald nodded his head a little before his lips split into a wide grin and he descended the rest of the stairs, extending an arm that the blond eagerly met with a firm slapping of hands before their fingers curled together with thumbs extended. Their signature handshake passed and Gerald pulled his old friend into him with a firm slap on the back while maintaining a hold of his other hand. Arnold took a shaken breath from the strength of the clap on his back before they parted and Arnold stepped away from the car, indicating with his thumb.

"I thought I'd drive you to school," Arnold smiled, sticking his hands into his pockets. "Unless you'd rather ride the bus with Phoebe…"

"Phoebe already knows you're in town." Gerald shrugged, "She'll figure it out if I don't show up at the bus stop."

He felt a little ashamed to be blowing off his own girlfriend for a ride from his best friend. Phoebe was a smart girl though, she would understand if he didn't ride the bus with her. Heck, with her brain power, she probably already knew Arnold had stopped by his house at this point. That girl was sharp, another trait he absolutely adored about his petite girlfriend, aside from all her other prospects. He climbed into the car and Arnold joined him on the driver's side, the blond working with the keys to coax the old engine to life.

"It's good to see you, man." Gerald said, nudging Arnold with his shoulder once the engine turned over on the second try. "We were all wondering when you'd show up again."

"You knew I would be visiting, Gerald." Arnold reminded him.

"Yeah, I knew…doesn't mean everybody else did."

The smirk that curved his lips passed on to Arnold and he pulled the car onto the road with a smooth turn of the wheel. Even for being a beast with a whiney motor, the Packard was still running decently. Perhaps the result of Arnold and his Grandpa fixing it up in the past or maybe even the night before. Gerald could only guess what it was that kept the car running while Arnold coaxed it along the road with a steady hand. For just learning how to drive, the boy handled it pretty well. Gerald could admit it was pretty smooth of a ride even in morning traffic to get to the high school.

"So, why the interest in getting your license?" Gerald asked, leaning back in the seat, "I don't see you needing it for jungle living…"

"I wanted to be able to drive myself whenever I visit. I wasn't old enough the last time so I thought now would have been best." Arnold explained, pulling into the school parking lot and parking the vehicle. The engine spluttered when he turned it off and Gerald arched an eyebrow at the sound; glancing over at him. Arnold smiled and gave the steering wheel a pat. "We need to change a few parts."

"Mm hmm…" Gerald looked skeptical while he unfastened his seatbelt and the two climbed out of the car. "Just curious, Arnold, but are you sure you're ready for everyone to see that you're in town?"

"Should I have waited until after school?" Arnold appeared genuinely troubled by this.

"I don't know, but if you're going to go in, you'd better do it now before everyone gets here." Gerald said, glancing up at the clock on the front of the building. He indicated the double doors ahead and the two began to walk quickly towards them. "Have you talked to anyone at the school about you being here?"

"No, this is probably why I shouldn't have shown up in the morning. I guess I was just excited to see everyone and didn't think about it."

The bashful expression on Arnold's face made Gerald smile to himself and he patted the teen on the shoulder, leading him up the steps and ushering him into the building. "Just get inside. You can get out of here once the bells start ringing."

The two wondered down the main hallway, a pattern of green and yellowed tiles at their feet with the traditional forest green lockers cluttering the walls. The halls were not completely deserted but the few students meandering about hardly blinked an eye at Arnold since none had been members of their class in the past. Gerald thought he saw recognition in the eyes of a male student by the drinking fountain but he eventually lowered his eyes and focused on the water spilling out of the mouthpiece.

"Most of the gang arrives all at once," Gerald offered, opening up his locker with a quick bang on the door to loosen the bent latch. "But I think you're only going to have to worry about Helga's reaction the most. You're going to get it when she sees you."

"Why do you think that?" Arnold asked, though he already knew.

The front doors opened and the boys turned their heads, watching clusters of students walk inside. Arnold thought he would have problems recognizing any of his former classmates but it was like he had seen these faces yesterday. They were older, though not much different from their fresh teen years. The first people he saw were Sid and Stinky moseying through the doors. Stinky was a little pink in the cheeks while he conversed with his friend but Sid was grinning broadly with glee. Gerald smirked, believing he already knew what the two were babbling about but Arnold must have been at a loss.

"Stinky, Sid!" he called over, slamming his locker door and leaning against it.

The teens looked his way at the same time and their eyes fell on Arnold beside him. In two seconds they were both gawking, all former expressions gone. "Wilikers, is that you, Arnold?" Stinky asked, striding forward a few steps.

"Arnold? When in the world did you get here?" Sid asked, sounding astounded as he started to grin. The boys assembled in front of the two all smiles and eager greetings that Arnold politely returned with all modesty and short sentences. Apparently he was saving the conversation for later because of the timing of these reunions.

"I see Arnold has arrived as prompted in his letter." Phoebe's small voice spoke up and Gerald pushed Sid aside to let her slip in between him and the lockers. Johanson slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side once she was clear of the other bodies and Arnold glanced at them with obvious intrigue. Apparently he didn't know that they were all for public displays of affection. If he wasn't sure by now, Gerald was happy to give a demonstration of how much he liked his girl.

"Hey, Phoebe." Arnold greeted, smiling at her as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and tucked her books against the side that wasn't against Gerald. "How are your exams going?"

"I am getting along very well in my college courses at the local city university. It was intriguing to know that I would be able to get in while still completing my high school education. I am quite pleased with the results." She said with a bright smile that still looked rather meek on her even though it was a sure sign of excitement for her. Gerald thought about kissing her anyway, proof of public affection or not, but he held back, settling for running his thumb against her waist.

"Oh my God, is that—" the tone was almost valley girl, had she not sounded more stuck up than the stereotypes would have been. Gerald knew who it was without looking but since Arnold was the type to make eye contact, he was turning to see Rhonda Lloyd standing beside him. One would think she would tower over the guy with the thickness of her heels that morning but Arnold was winning the tall battle by a few inches still. At least the boy hit his growth spurt while he was gone. "Arnold, darling! I had no idea you would be in town!"

Arnold smiled politely, "Sorry Rhonda. I kinda wanted it to be a surprise."

"And surprised we are, Arnold." Nadine appeared beside her, her previously wild braids gone and replaced with her blond hair waving down her back. "Hey, do you think I could ask you a few questions about the kinds of insects you have seen in San Lorenzo since we last talked? I'm still working on my documentary and I'm dying to find out how the—"

"—and we'll get back to bugs 411 later, Nadine." Rhonda interrupted, holding up a hand.

Gerald glanced up towards the front doors again and nudged Arnold's arm, earning the boy's questioning gaze. He nodded his head forward. "Helga's here. Watch her reaction once she sees you."

As if on cue, Helga shuffled to her locker a few doors up and worked with the dial, glancing over in their direction. It was routine for her to look his way since Phoebe would always be there with him in the mornings. He knew the lockers would be a safe bet for her to see Arnold at. Gerald glanced at his best friend and saw instant soberness. His whole body looked stiff for some reason and he turned his head back to Helga to see her own reaction. The girl was staring their way, wide-eyed and utterly frozen as well.

"See man? I told you she would freak when she saw that--" Gerald whispered, though his words died as Helga suddenly recovered, her eyes lowering and her routine neutral expression returned while she opened up her locker and shoved her things inside, pulling out her books and slamming the door shut. Within a few strides, she walked right past the group without a second glance their way. It was then that Gerald realized that the group all had their eyes on the Pataki, all watching her reaction just as eagerly as he had.

"That's funny, " Stinky suddenly broke the silence. "I thought Helga would at least try to say "hi" to Arnold or something."

"Me too, Stinky." Gerald confirmed, glancing at Arnold's face, which seemed to be a little more solemn than before. "Me too…"


Author's Drabble:

So, that's it. Helga's reaction is not what ANYONE expected but what was Arnold thinking when he too saw that she appeared undisturbed by his return?

We'll find out next time if you guys want to know. 3