note: So this chapter is also pretty smutty and angsty. Just making sure I warn you lot before you read on. It's also, once again, angsty, especially towards the end...I guess. I dunno. I'll let you lot be the judge of that. :D

Don't own MSB or title.

Enjoy!

different names for the same thing
by, the ultimateSora

chapter four

Phoebe hadn't been to Philadelphia in a long time, but she felt she couldn't enjoy it. She sat in the passenger seat of the Land Cruiser and watched as they drove out of Manhattan and crossed the George Washington Bridge. Arnold's roommate and his girlfriend were asleep in the back, and the volume of the radio was soft. Arnold reached over and gave her arm a squeeze.

"Just another hour or so and we'll be in Philly." He laughed. "Just have to cross over Jersey."

She nodded. "Mm hm."

"You okay? You've hardly said anything the past three hours."

"I'm fine."

He shrugged. "Don't really believe you, but I'll take it."

She looked out the window, the Hudson River stretching out below them, and her mind drifted to Archibald. She wondered how he was doing, what he was doing, did he miss her, did he really want her to stay...but she snapped from her thoughts when she felt Arnold take her hand.

"Do you still like the right side of the bed?" he asked.

"Wait...what?"

"There's four of us to a room. You and I are sharing a bed."

She felt her neck grow hot. When she slept with Archibald, she was on his left. "Well, it doesn't...it doesn't really matter to me."

He nodded. The rest of the drive to Philadelphia was silent. The Kappa Omega Rho formal was at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, the hotel right on the Delaware River waterfront. Arnold parked the Land Cruiser, and after the four grabbed their bags, they walked in the lobby. The Kappa social chair was standing there, giving everyone their room keys, and after getting their keys, they went up to the room. Arnold's roommate and the girlfriend put on their swimming outfits, grabbed their towels, and headed for the indoor pool.

Phoebe put her bag on the empty bed closest to the windows, and she picked up her garment bag holding her formal dress to hang it up. Arnold opened the blinds, their room facing the river, and the late evening light made the low lying clouds look darker. He turned around and smiled at her.

"I was thinking you and I stay in...maybe order room service and a Pay-Per-View movie."

She grinned. "How did you know I didn't feel like going out?"

He shrugged. "I like to think I know you pretty well. Your eyes are droopier than usual, so I figured you were feeling too tired to go out." He smiled. "Plus, I knew going clubbing isn't your thing."

She smiled. "Well, staying in with a movie and room service does sound good."

He nodded and smiled. "Great! Well, you pick the movie, and I'll pay. Sound good?"

She bit her lip. "I don't want you to have to pay."

He held his hand up. "Let me. It would make me happy."

She smiled. "Fine, but we're watching something with Will Ferrell in it."

"Deal."

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby never got old to Phoebe. She and Arnold were enjoying their room service dinner on their bed, both in sweats and t-shirts, and Phoebe found she was liking his company too much. She hadn't thought about Archibald since she had unpacked, and now she having fun and laughing with her ex-boyfriend. Wanda had got the guys, Keesha, and herself fake ID's, D.A. and Phoebe not wanting any part of it, so Arnold used his to get them a bottle of wine.

"I've missed this," he said.

She sipped her wine. "Missed what?"

He nodded towards her. "This. Watching movies and just laughing and joking around with you. This is the Arnold-Phoebe time I miss the most."

She nodded and admitted, "You know...I've missed this, too." She took another drink of her wine, feeling it start to hit her.

They continued to watch the movie, Arnold kicking her feet in a playful way, and they finished the bottle of wine. He took their empty plates and glasses and got up to put them on the room service trolley, and he jumped back on the bed beside her, propping himself on his elbow.

"Want to watch another movie when this one is over?"

She shook her head and smiled down at him. "No, it's fine." He sat up and cupped her cheek, pulling her close for a kiss. The kiss intensified, and she pulled away, a string of her spit still connecting their lips. "Arnold, no. We can't do this."

He didn't say anything. She watched him pull his "Ancient Eight" Ivy League t-shirt off after removing his glasses, and her breath hitched as she looked at his toned chest and stomach. He was more built now than he had been in high school, and her tipsy brain had no control over her hand as she reached out and ran her fingers along his hairless chest. Her fingers made their way down along his stomach, his abs only apparent by touch, and she traced his small, tight looking navel. She brushed his thin, orange happy trail with the back of her finger, and she brought her eyes up to meet his...his pale blue eyes that she had countless memories of looking into when they had made love.

"Phoebe..." he started.

He looked down, and she followed his gaze. She saw an obvious bulge in his sweat pants, and she grasped the waistband of both his sweats and boxer-briefs. She pulled them down, freeing his erection, and she bit her lip, forgetting how big he was. He wasn't massive, but at eight inches in length at his longest, he was well endowed. He had developed below the waist faster than most of the other boys, so he never had a problem in junior high and high school taking showers in front of the other boys in the locker room.

He leaned closer to her, kissing her neck. "Arnold, I don't think we should do this...your roommate might come back at any time."

He nodded. "You're right." He got up and slipped his sweats and boxer-briefs off all the way. He pulled her "PROVIDENCE FRIARS" t-shirt off, and she laid back as he pulled her sweats and panties off. "We'll take this elsewhere."

He slipped his hands under her butt, lifting her up with ease. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and she cupped his face as he carried her to the bathroom. He shut the bathroom door behind them, and he set her on the counter. She gasped when he pressed his face into her, and she ran her fingers through his orange shag of hair. She spread her legs as far as she could, and she threw her head back as his tongue thrusted in and out of her. Just as she was about come, he stopped, kissing her along her belly and chest before kissing her lips. She figured he remembered how she loved to hate it when he'd tease her like that. He picked her up and set her down on the edge of the toilet lid. He squatted down, and she let out a small gasp when he entered her.

He smiled. "You're still really tight." She nodded and held onto his shoulders as he started off slow. He held her hips, his thumbs pressed against bone. He then remembered something. "Are you still on the pill?"

She nodded. "Since fifteen." She was put on birth control when she was fifteen to kick start her periods and had been on it since.

He smiled, relieved, and he found his rhythm, evening out the awkward thrusts. "You know, I haven't been with other girls sexually since you."

She swallowed hard. "You haven't?"

He shook his head, making his rhythm a little faster. "I knew I would...never wait for marriage, that I'd wait for love." He thrusted a little harder as he kissed her. "I never did find a girl that I could feel for what I...felt for you." He moaned, shutting his eyes, and tossed his head back, and he opened his eyes to look at her. "I still love you, Phoebe."

She moved her hands to cup his neck, and as she stared in his eyes, she ran her thumbs along his skin. "Arnold...I--"

"Shh, don't say anything yet."

He leaned in and took her lips with his. She parted her teeth to let his tongue in, and she melted into him. She had almost forgotten what an excellent kisser he was, and he was able to make-out with her while keeping his rhythm even. She whimpered and moaned against his mouth, tears creeping out of the corners of her closed eyes and mixing with sweat. She ran her fingers through his hair, and he lifted her up, turning around to press her up against the door. Her whimpering grew louder as he slammed his hips against hers.

She pulled back and moaned, forgetting they were in hotel. She grew used to screaming out when she was at Archibald's...Archibald! She remembered him right then, her brain clearing, and just as Arnold released himself inside of her, moaning her name, she tried pulling away from him. She stopped when she caught his eye, and he gave her a small smile as he tried to catch his breath.

"Hi."

She cracked a smile. "Hi."

They stood there for a moment, Arnold still inside of her, and she moved her fingers along his cheeks. He continued to hold her, and he leaned closer to press his forehead against hers. Their sweaty strands tangled together, and he kissed the air near her lips.

"That...was amazing," he breathed.

She noticed his muscles were flexed, and if they were getting sore, he seemed not to care. She brushed his jaw line with the backs of her fingers, his stubble starting to come out, and she tilted her head up so their noses touched. She felt a bubbling in her stomach when she started to think about the fact it was Arnold holding her and not Archibald.

He moved his head to kiss her neck, and she brush her lips against his ear as she whispered, "Arnold, put me down."

He pulled back, giving her a confused look, but he did. He watched as she went to the tub and started the shower. "Phoebe, is something wrong?"

"Can you get my shower things?"

He nodded. "Sure."

He took one of the towels, wrapping it around his waist, and he walked out in the room. His roommate and the girlfriend's dry swim suits were on the other bed, and he figured they left for the clubs with everyone else. He grabbed Phoebe's toiletries bag, and he also grabbed her sweats, t-shirt, and a clean pair of panties for her. She was in the shower, her back was to him, when he walked back in the bathroom, and he left her things on the toilet lid. He waited for her to finish, and when she stepped out, he went in to shower himself. He took half an hour, and when he walked out, clad only in his towel, he found her watching TV.

"Pheebs..." He sat down on the edge of the bed beside her. "I'm sorry."

She turned off the TV. "For what?"

"I think I scared you. I shouldn't have rushed things like I did."

She shook her head. "No...it's fine, Arnold." She sighed and looked down. "I think I scared myself because...well...I love you...as well." She held up a hand. "But...I don't think we can be together. Not right now, anyway."

He nodded and smiled. "Then we'll take it slow...focus on the friendship."

She kissed his cheek. "You're quite a guy, Arnold."

"So I've been told."

Phoebe woke when she heard stifled moans and grunts. Her stomach twisted when she realized their hotel roommates were having sex, and she felt Arnold turn on his side.

He breathed in her ear, "Want to take a walk?"

"Gladly."

They got up, both putting on their flip-flops, and Arnold grabbed his wallet and room keycard, putting them in his sweats pocket. They walked out in the hall, Arnold taking her hand as they walked down the empty hallway. She started to giggle, and he smiled.

"You'd think that would have been awkward," he said.

She turned and looked at him. "Just a little."

They both laughed, and they walked to the elevator. Arnold pushed the "Down" button, and they stepped in when the doors opened. He pushed for the pool level, and they walked out to the humid indoor pool room. Phoebe sat down on one of the pool chairs, and Arnold took the seat beside her.

"So what's the plan for tomorrow...er, today?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Well, I think we're going out for a quick lunch, maybe some golf, don't know yet. Dinner's at some fancy steakhouse." He noticed her make a face. "I'm sure they serve salads and seafood."

She smiled. "You think you know me so well, don't you, Mr. Perlstein?"

He nodded and smirked. "I do."

She raised her brows, still smiling. "Oh, really."

"The real reason you have stage fright is because you're traumatized from having wet yourself in your kindergarten play." She raised her brows, and he went on, "You're allergic to mushrooms. You tell people your favorite movie of all time is All About Eve, but it's really Boogie Nights. You actually found Borat funny, but you won't admit it, and deep down, you're truly afraid of clowns."

She shook her head and smiled. "Wow...I can't believe you know all of that."

He reached over and brushed her hair back behind her ear. "I also remembered your six non-sexual parts erogenous zones." He ran his finger along her ear lobe. "Here." He moved his hand to brush the back of her neck. "Here." He ran his thumb over the pulsing neck vein under her jaw. "Here." His hand trailed down to her hip. "Here." He slid his fingers around her elbow. "Here." He reached down and brushed the back of her knee. "And here."

He sat back up to see her cheeks were red. "You know...there was a time when I knew everything about you, but you knew nothing about me."

He nodded. "Third grade."

"Third grade to junior year," she corrected. "All you bothered to know about me was my name."

He looked as if she just slapped him. "Phoebe, we were friends. I knew more about you than just your name."

She set her jaw and darted her eyes down. "Think back to that time...before we dated." She brought her eyes back up to look at him. "What do you remember? Do have any clear memories of just you and me doing anything together...anything outside of the rest of the gang?"

He shook his head, defeated. "Honestly...no. No, I don't."

She sighed and felt her eyes get wet. "I barely knew you when I first came to Ms. Frizzle's class, but I knew you loved rocks. I knew you weighed 85 pounds. I knew your middle name was Matthew." She bit her lip. "And I knew it was official I had a crush on you when we chased that dinosaur." She got up, muttering under her breath as she walked a couple of steps away, "Biggest mistake of my life."

"What?"

She turned around. "Nothing."

He got up and walked closer to her. "Phoebe, what's going on with you?"

She sniffled and covered her eyes with her fingers before tears rolled out. "I don't know, Arnold...you tell me. Since the day you broke up with me, I dropped so many hints that I still loved you and that I wanted you back, but you went on like I wasn't there. Now, suddenly, you say you love me and want to have sex with me? Sorry if I'm a little confused."

Arnold could pick up the slight sarcasm in her last statement. "Phoebe...I wasn't even sure if I did still love you until I dated other girls and realized they weren't you." He held up his hands. "But...I'm sorry if I came on strong. If you want, we can just keep it slow...we'll stay friends until you're ready."

She chuckled and let a tear roll down her cheek. "How can I be so annoyed and confused over you one second and absolutely adore you the next?"

He grinned. "It's probably my Perlstein charm."

She held out her hand, and he took it. "C'mon, pal, let's go back up and see if they're done. I'm tired."

He nodded, squeezing her hand. "You read my mind, buddy."

Phoebe felt out of place in her own hotel room. Two other Kappa girlfriends came in her room with her and the roommate's girlfriend, and the three girls all saw Phoebe as a "project". After they did their own hair and make-up, they went at Phoebe as if she were a doll. In the room next door, the girls' dates were all ready. Arnold was wearing a champagne colored vest and ascot with his black suit, his dress shirt white, and he added a little more hairspray on to keep his soft curls just how he liked them. There was a knock on the door, one of the girls announcing they were ready.

The boys walked out, and Arnold's jaw dropped when he saw Phoebe. She was wearing a long, emerald colored halter gown with a silver sash tied around under her breasts. Her hair was curled into little ringlets and pulled up in a messy, yet stylish, bun, and her make-up was just enough to even her skin tone and bring out her eyes. He went over to her and took her hand.

"You look amazing," he said, smiling.

Her skin flushed. "Thanks."

He looped her arm through his, and they followed the group downstairs to meet with some of the other Kappas and their dates. They walked outside where the hotel shuttles were ready to drop them off at the restaurant. Dinner went by fast, and when they returned to the hotel, the group made their way to one of the ballrooms. A sorority from Penn was having their formal next door, and the two groups began to mingle. Arnold was too distracted with Phoebe to notice some of the Penn girls smiling at him, and they walked in the ballroom. The night started off with Kappa awards and a slideshow, and then they left it open for everyone to either dance or enjoy the open bar.

Arnold got up and held his hand out to Phoebe. "Care to dance?"

She nodded, taking his hand. "Sure."

She was surprised he knew how to waltz. Before she could say anything, he said, "Mom made me and Dad take dancing lessons with her for all the charity dances she helps put on. She didn't want us looking bad."

She giggled. "I don't remember you dancing this well at Prom."

"It's because the dancing lessons were recent."

They smiled at one another, Phoebe darting her eyes down from time to time to keep from making too long of eye contact with him, and when the music changed to a fast-paced, rap song, Arnold and Phoebe walked hand-in-hand to the bar, Arnold using his fake ID to get himself a Guinness and Phoebe a Long Island Iced Tea. They walked out to the ballroom lobby, and they sat down on a bench.

"I've had fun tonight," she said, sipping her drink.

He took a drink of his Guinness, getting foam on his upper lip on purpose. "Me too."

Phoebe giggled and wiped the foam off with her finger, licking it clean. He smiled and kissed her cheek. "What was that for?" she asked, a small smile on her face.

"For cleaning my upper lip." She knew he was joking, and he reached for her hand. "What say we head upstairs and relax in front of the TV?"

She nodded, feeling her drink already starting to hit her. "That sounds good."

Fifteen minutes later, Phoebe was pressed against the headboard of the bed, screaming Arnold's name over and over. He held her up by her butt as he slammed his hips into hers, her inner thigh muscles strained and on fire. Her back was raw and bruising from hitting and sliding against the headboard, and the room was filled with the sounds of their grunts, breathing, and Phoebe's whimpers.

He slammed their hips together as hard at he could, and she knew they would both be bruised and sore in the morning. Arnold felt his whole body convulse when he released himself in her, and they collapsed in a heap of limbs, hair, and sweaty skin. Phoebe held him against her chest, his warm breath tickling her breast, and she couldn't remember a time she was ever more confused and dirty feeling.

Arnold held her tight up against him, and he kissed every one of her visible chest bones. "I don't want to let you go this time," he sighed against her skin. "I need you, Phoebe. I love you, and I need you."

She tried to move away from him, but he had a firm hold on her. "Arnold, don't...please."

He continued to kiss her chest. "Phoebe, if I don't tell you now...I just have to."

She bit her lip and took a deep breath, hoping that it was the Guinness talking for Arnold. "I want to go shower."

He let go of her. "Want me to join you?"

She shook her head, and he watched her walk into the bathroom.

Phoebe waited until she knew Arnold was in a deep sleep before she walked out in the hall. The roommate and girlfriend were passed out in the room next door, leaving Arnold and Phoebe alone in the room. It was about midnight when Arnold passed out, and Phoebe sat on the floor in the hallway, clad in her sweats and Arnold's "Ancient Eight" t-shirt, as she opened her phone and called Archibald. In the room, Arnold turned on his side and woke up when he realized he was alone in the bed. He got up and noticed Phoebe wasn't in the bathroom. He heard her out in the hall, and he cracked the door open. She was sitting by the door, not knowing he had it open some, and he listened to her.

"Archibald...it's me. When you get this message, well, I'll probably be back in Rhode Island by then. I'm coming to see you tomorrow. I've missed you. I need to see you...be with you...feel your touch. I love you, Archibald. I love you so much. I know you haven't said it to me yet, but I have to say it to you. I need you to know that I love you. I'll see you when I get back."

Arnold tried to be quiet when he closed the door, and he trotted back to the bed, getting under the covers right when she opened the door. She put her phone back on its charger on the desk, and she crawled under the covers beside Arnold. He turned on his side, his back to her, and she did the same.

He knew he didn't sleep when he noticed it was getting lighter in the room. He picked up his Rolex from the bedside table and saw it was six fifty-three in the morning. He sighed. A few of the Kappas and their girlfriends/dates were going to breakfast at around ten before heading back to Providence, and he and Phoebe were planning on going with them.

He sat up on the edge of the bed, and he turned to look behind him. Phoebe was on her back, a trail of drool coming from the corner of her mouth. He started to think back to the night before, what she was saying into her phone. He had a sinking feeling "Archibald" was her second grade teacher, Mr. Seedplot. Had to be. Arnold remembered, for some reason, that his name was Archibald, and he tried to shake the image of Phoebe having sex with a middle aged man out of his mind. Did Phoebe really love him and Seedplot just the same, or did she lie to him to lead him on?

Surely not. That wasn't Phoebe. But it also wasn't Phoebe to have sex with men old enough to be her father that also once used to be her elementary school teacher. He sighed, watching her eyes flinch in her sleep. He didn't know her anymore. She wasn't the same Phoebe he thought he loved. Or maybe she was and Seedplot was just manipulating her. Either way, Arnold didn't want to give her up. He knew she was going to Seedplot's that night, and he was going to find out where he lived.

Arnold knew he had to have a little talk with Archibald Seedplot.

note: Oh, poor confused and horny Phoebe.

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