Chapter 9: Dawn of Proving Grounds

The next day, Henry left earlier than June to try to brush up on his football. He got up earlier than June, and went to the school to go practice. June, however, had much different things on her mind. She cringed at the thought of having to LIVE with Dawn, and worse, trying to steal Henry from her. It would be a disaster, destroying all the plans that she and Helga had in mind.

When she woke up, she grogilly went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, when she suddenly noticed. It was nearly silent in her room. No, "June! Stop with the pranks!" or, "June, wake up already!" or even, "June, please. Can you act normal?" Looking back, even though she was annoyed by it, it was kind of empty being without Henry.
Before going to eat breakfeast, she met up with Arnold.

"G'mornin' Arnold," June began.

"Oh, good morning, June." Arnold replied. "So, anything troubling you?"

"As a matter of fact, there is." June stated. "Just where is Henry again?"

"He's already at school." Arnold asnwered. "He's actually a great football player now. He was trying to play in the tournament today so he can impress you."

"Are we talking about the same guy here?" June snickered. "But really, he's doing it for ME?"

"Yeah, I just hope he doesn't get crumbled." Arnold remarked. "Are you going to watch him?"

"I wish I could, but it seems that we've got another resident comming from the studios. It's going to be a reall pain in the butt for me." June scoffed. "News flash, anyone named Dawn is TROUBLE."

"OK, I'll try to remember that." Arnold snickered.

They then both went downstairs, to have Grandpa and Grandma greet them.

"Top of the morning, Shortman!" Grandpa greeted. "And howdy to you too, lil' lady!"

"Good morning, Grandpa." Arnold replied.

"Yeah, Gramps, nice to see ya." June smirked.

As June was about to sit down at the table, Abner came running frantically down the stairs, oinking all the way. He was a little rapscallion, but an eager one at that.

He nearly pounced on Arnold, licking is face embracingly.

"Calm down, boy! Good morning to you too!" Arnold tried to greet! He was too busy laughing at Abner's licking.

"So, what happened to Lassie, Mr. Brightside?" June asked.

"Yeah, Abner's always happy. I know he's a pig, but I love him nonetheless. Reminds me of how some other kids might call a goldfish or a hamster or a dog." Arnold answered.

"I feel you. My pet dog, Wolfy, is the sweetest little guy you'll ever meet. Although Lil' Abbie here is one strong contender." June boasted.

Abner then jumped into June's lap, and giving her a big hug, or the closest to a hug a pig can get. Her clothes did get a little muddy, but she didn't really care.

"What's the little porker's diet?" June wondered?

"Funny you should ask, I'm preparing breakfast right now." Arnold replied.

He then opened the cabinet to get three main ingredients, dog food, the wastebasket, and some table scraps from last night's dinner. Then, he combined them, smorgas-board style, and fed it to Abner in his bowl.

Abner lep out of June's lap, and devoured the mixture in less than five minutes.

"Jeez, that pig in a blanket has a stomach of steel!" June exclaimed.

"Funny, he even tries to eat our food when it's NOT weird." Arnold laughed.

"Ain't that an understatement, Arnesto." June snickered with him.

"All right you kids, the bus is gonna be here soon. You better mosey on out of here!" Grandpa told.

"OK, later Grandpa." Arnold replied.

"See you later, Phil of Steel." June called.

However, Grandpa stopped June to tell her some important news.

"Lil' Missy, I got someting to tell you." Grandpa notified. "That little doll, Dawn, is gonna have to share a room with you. Henry's moving in with Arnold. Is that ok?"

Normally, June would have burst out in anger. But, in a setting like this, she decided to suck it up and save it until Dawn's arrival, where she would REALLY snap.

"Nah, not at all, Gramps!" June grinned.

She then left and caught up with Arnold, and they then went on the bus. June got $1.50 out of her pocket, and then they went on the bus. June went back to the bus while Arnold sat with Gerald.

June then bumped into Rhonda by accident while trying to get a seat alone.

"Heh, sorry about that, Princess." June started to apologize.

"Sorry isn't enough, LADY. I'll have you know that this shirtis the finest scarlet polyester WORLDWIDE!" Rhonda insisted.

"Well, EXCUSE me, princess!" June boasted.

Suddenly, more and more people across the bus started to pay attention.

"Hey Arnold, isn't that Rhonda arguing with June?" Gerald wondered.

"Sheesh, not even five minutes. Who do you think's gonna win?" Arnold acknowledged.

"Bettin' 2 Mr. Fudgie Bars on June, Arnold." Gerald joked.

"You're on, but let's make sure that it doesn't escalate out of proportion." Arnold agreed.

June and Rhonda were really starting to go at eachother.

"Well, at least I don't look like a ragamuffin! I mean, come on! Who's managing your hair?" Rhonda chortled.

Those words really scorned June. Ever since they were kids, June and Henry had been the best of friends. He nry even gave her a haircut that she continues to use today. She was infuriated at that comment.

"Sister," she mouthed with anger, "You have no IDEA who you're messing with. I'm not stooping to your level, you dog. Now let me pass, and this will all be over."

Suddenly, the entire bus gasped. Nobody had the guts to go at Rhonda like June was doing now. Some shouted, "Oh no you dinn't!" Some were in awe. Some, like Henry, were developing crushes in her like she was a hero.
Rhonda, the self-proclaimed queen of the 4th Graders, always was at the top. She knew just what to do, create a witty response.

"So, the mermaid thinks that SHE's the new tomboy?" Rhonda thought. "Sheesh, no wonder her and Helga are best friends. Nobody DARE insult the Lloyd family!"

"Fine." Rhonda then scoffed. "But try to act a little more like a, 'celebrity' next time, OK?"

"OK, the gloves are coming off!" June threatened as she cracked her knuckles.

"Too the moon, Princess Hottie-Pants!" June shouted. She was clenching her fists and getting ready for her attack.

Rhonda gulped. Besides from playing football, she really had little to no experience in a fistfight. To her, it wasn't really very ladylike. Fortunately, her biggest strength was, her money.

"Wait!" Rhonda stopped. "Don't you DARE punch me, this is a new mascara! Besides, I'll give you... let's say $45 if you don't punch me."

"So, you're Miss Scrooge McDuck? That explains alot." June remarked as she rolled her eyes. "Money wouldn't solve any of MY problems."

June then went to sit down, before saying one more remark.

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm the wrong person you'd want to tick off. If I ever got my hands on you, you'd be in so bad condition, it would take longer to take your body than the Titanic.
If they can use the tread from your 'precious' sweaters, they'll have to sew you back just to cremate you. So buzz off, Barbie Girl."

She went to a window seat by herself and stared at the city rolling by. It felt relaxing to her. Unfortunately, Rhonda sat next to her.

"Fine," she started, "Maybe I did act a little... snobbish, but, I AM the queen of the class."

"Sure!" June said unenthusiasticaly. "And my friend Jimmy McGee is a world-renowned telemarketer, and part time superhero named SalamiMan."

"OK, I'm willing to put this behind me if you are. Truce?" Rhonda asked. She then put out her hand for June to shake.

Not feeling happy about it, June accepted and they called truce. As long as it got her off her back, she'd be fine.

"As I've already said, I'm Rhonda Wellington Lloyd, and you?" Rhonda asked.

"Name's June." June said bluntly.

It was surprisingly awkward, they spoke of nothing for a few minutes, until the bus rolled by the school.

"Listen, I'm one of the fashion gods of the class, and I think your wardrobe needs a little... updating. Wanna go to the mall with me after school?" Rhonda offered.

Normally, June would have said, "Whachu' talkin' 'bout, Rhonda?" But, she decided that being with Rhonda was much better than being around Dawn. Plus, she could give Dawn that knuckle sandwich she was 'begging' for.

"OK, I'll do it." June muttered. "But nothing girly or prissy."

"Great! Meet me at the exit at 3. We can take my limo!" Rhonda said, feeling pleased with herself.

As everyone else went off the bus, June said to herself, 'If she's so rich, why is she taking a public bus again?' She walked down and into the school, before meeting up with Henry.

"Henry? Is that you?" June asked.

She then went up to him and gave him a big high five.

"Hey, how's it goin'?" She wondered.

"Oh, nothing much," Henry began. "I'm in the game of football that's gonna be at Gerald-Field at 3. You comin'?"

"Sorry, Hansky. I got an appointment with Rhonda for a fashion confrence." June grunted.

"I didn't think you were into that stuff." Henry remarked.

"I'm not. But, I gotta look my best, don't I?" She then tried to strut a seductive pose.

"Well, beauty isn't everything." Henry said. He then started to blush.

"What do you mean by that?" June started to ask. Suddenly, a group of kids flooded the hallway, running in fear.

"Everybody look out!" One child shouted.

"Wolfgang's here!" Another one yelled.

"Wolfgang? Doesn't sound too big to me, I bet I can take him on!" June grinned.

"June, he's the biggest bully AND the leader of the opposing football team. Just stay out of his way and we'll be fine." Henry advised.

Then, a tall, blonde 6th grader with an unusal hairstyle, marched up to Henry menacingly.

"So, chump. Word on the street is that you're the new football star." Wolfgang started.

"Um, yeah. What do you want?" Henry asked.

"Just a wager. You lose, you have to do ALL my homework on Saturday night." Wolfgang threatened.

"And if HE wins, he's leavin' with me, the REAL prize!" June butted in.

"June, what are you doing?" Henry whispered into her ear, very concerned about her.

"So, what do you know, it's Little Miss Muffet. What's a wittle gurl wike you gonna do to US?" He taunted.

The next second, June slugged him in the stomach, nearly making him vomit. He then fell flat on the floor, and the entire student body laughing at him.

Soon, he recovered from his near puking situation, and warned the two of them.

"This isn't over, you dipwads!" he warned. "Wolfgang never quits! You'll see!"

He then stomped down the hallway, angrier than ever.

"June, normally I'd be mad as ever for what you just did," Henry started. "But that was AMAZING! If I can ever repay you-"

June then put one of her fingers on his lip, giving him an assuring look.

"Just make sure your team wins the game, and I'll see you on Saturday! Just make sure YOU-KNOW-WHO doesn't know." She told him.

"OK, thanks again." Henry answered.

The two then walked into the classroom. Both of them had important events comming up, but they would contradict bigger than they both would ever imagine...

-END of Part 1-