Chapter 4: Where Did This Come From?

The gang was waiting outside the boarding house for everyone to appear. One by one the kids showed up until there was one person missing.

"Where in the heck is Sid? Ain't it his turn to pick what we're doing?" Stinky asked.

"Yeah man. He was more excited about the money than any of us." Gerald agreed, looking towards his best friend.

Arnold shrugged his shoulders unsure of what to say, as he replied "I'm sure he's…"

The group then turned their heads to see a sobbing boy approaching them.

Leaning against the stoop with her legs crossed, Helga stared at the sorry boy and scoffed "Pttss...this should be good."

Standing from the stoop, Arnold walked over to comfort his friend and asked "What is it Sid?"

Flashback

Sid's House

The anxious boy was sitting on his bed, wondering what the best way to spend his turn would be. Even if the idea of the money originally belonging to the creepy teenager was a possibility, it was legally his now. When would he ever have a chance to go crazy with his desires like this again?

Leaning against the head of the bed, Sid stared at the notepad in his lap he was using to list ideas for his turn.

Roller Rink

Arcade

Comic Store

Bowling Alley

As he held his pencil to his lip, wondering what else he could add, he was greeted by a friendly face.

RIBBET!

"Oh, hey Sidney!"

Sid was preparing to pick up his pet when the hyper amphibian jumped towards his nightstand. The soda he had been drinking spilled onto the floor and all over a treasured item.

End of Flashback

"For crying out loud. It's just a pair of dumb boots." Helga scowled, amazed at her classmate's inability to handle a pair of stained boots.

"Ones that I must point out are highly out of style." Rhonda sneered.

Arnold placed a hand on his sulking friend's shoulder and said "Why don't we go to the mall? You could buy a new pair."

Mall

While the group was heading into the shoe store, Nadine couldn't help but notice Rhonda hesitating to join them. "What are you waiting for Rhonda?"

The stylish girl let out a loud huff and replied "Had I known we'd be spending the day here, I would have brought my share of the money with me!"

Nadine rolled her eyes at her impatient friend and pointed out "It's not your day to pick anyway Rhonda. We'll be doing whatever you want tomorrow. Right now we're getting Sid's boots."

"Fine, but he better pick a decent pair if he's to be seen shopping with me!"

The girls then entered the store to see Sid already trying on a pair of boots similar to the ones he owned.

"How do they feel Sid?" Arnold asked, as he watched his friend struggling to get his feet into the boots.

Stinky watched the trouble their friend was having and said "I reckon it can't be too easy for him to tell. On account of he can't even get them on."

While the boys were struggling to find a comfortable size boot, Phoebe and Helga were circling the store.

"Heels, sandals, flip flops...Criminy. I feel like I'm in Olga's closet." Helga smirked.

"Thank you for deciding to join us today Helga. I know how much it means to Arnold to have all of his friends here to share the reward with."

Helga blushed at the remark, finding it hard to believe Arnold actually appreciated her company. Doing her best not to fight it, she softly said "Uhh don't mention it Pheebs."

As the boys were searching for another good pair, Rhonda took notice of the sulking boy and said "Oh for heaven's sakes! You're going about this entirely the wrong way!"

Gerald lifted an eyebrow at the accusation and asked "And you care because?"

"Because I have been trying for years to teach you people a thing or two about style. If it takes crushing your spirits to get you to listen, so be it." Rhonda sneered, as she looked at Sid's puffy red cheeks.

Hearing the disturbance from across the store, Helga headed towards the group and asked "So what's your brilliant fashion tip this time Princess?"

"For starters, his original boots were White Cuban Heel Toed. What does he think this is? The sixties?"

"What would you recommend Rhonda?" Phoebe was curious to know.

"Today's in style boots are Wingtip! Black being the best color of course. Not to mention, they would match well with his jacket."

The group shrugged it's shoulders, unsure of how to counter. While they didn't appreciate Rhonda's constant criticism, she knew more about fashion than all of them put together.

"Okay then." Sid sighed after rubbing the remaining tears from his eyes.

Rhonda smiled at the idea of her friends giving into her and said "Perfect! I'll go ask the service clerk for his best pair. What size are you?"

"An eight."

After getting the needed information, the modish girl went to retrieve a pair of (what she was sure to be) pleasing boots.

Sid sat on the bench, staring at the stain on his Beatle boots. He'd worn that type of shoe ever since he was a baby. It was like losing his hat.

The sad boy continued staring at his ruined necessity until he heard "Here we are!"

Rhonda handed the new pair of boots to her classmate to try on. Unlike the previous few pairs he tried, this pair slid on perfectly. Sid stood to view himself in the mirror with them on.

"Looking good Sid!" Gerald gave his friend a thumbs up, liking the new look.

"Those look great on you Sid!" Arnold said happily.

"They're just oh too perfect!" Lila agreed, just as impressed with the look as she was with Rhonda's advice.

"Do you find them to be a suitable match for you Sid?" Phoebe wondered, not yet having heard his opinion.

After a few more views of himself in the mirror, Sid turned to his friends and said "They're great!"

"No need to thank me." Rhonda smiled, knowing it wouldn't have happened without her help.

"Don't worry, they won't." Helga scoffed, as she followed her friends to the register.

"That'll be $150." the cashier said.

Sid paid the man and left the store to see he still had $178 remaining.

"Thanks for coming you guys. What do you say we spend the rest of it at the Roller Rink? We could order a few pizzas while we're there."

"Alright! Pizza!" Harold shouted.

The Roller Rink

While half the group was enjoying pizza at the counter, the other half was skating around the rink.

"Watch me skate backwards Stinky!" Sid insisted.

"Okie dokie then!" the country boy said, as he watched his small friend start to roll backwards.

"Whee! Whee! Wh...whoa!"

Sid turned to see he bumped into a familiar yet angry face.

"Hey! Watch what you're doing punk!"

"Oh gosh! It's the murderer! Ahhh!" Sid screamed, as he curled up into a ball on the skating floor.

After the annoyed teen rolled away, Arnold raced onto the floor (not caring he wasn't wearing skates).

"Are you okay Sid?"

"Who in the heck was that?" Stinky asked, not having been told about their encounter with the muscular boy.

The rest of the gang began heading towards their friends to see what the commotion was about.

"It's just a guy we saw at the park. We've run into him a few times since then, but…"

Sid then cut Arnold off to finish "He's been following us! Trying to get me back for hitting him with a football!"

"So you can't dribble or kick." Helga smirked, as she leaned against the edge of the rink, listening in on the story.

Walk

After failing at his plan to take his mind off his dad with a day spent at the roller rink, Bruce began wondering the streets. If he went home, he would have to listen to his mother nag him about the visit to see his father. While she understood a kid (or teenager) needs to see their parents, the parent showing little concern for setting a good example for their offspring makes it a bit pointless.

Bruce stared at the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets as he continued to walk forward.

Maybe mom's right. I should just give up on dad. Every time I see him I think something about him may have changed that will get my hopes up a little bit. I always leave more upset than I was to begin with. I alw...THUMP!

Not watching where he was going, the emotionally conflicted teen bumped into someone. Bruce rubbed his forehead as he looked up to say "Oh sorry I... Jamie O?"

The Roller Rink

Once all but a few dollars of Sid's money was spent, the group turned to Nadine. "Have you decided on how you'd be interested in spending your share of the profit Nadine?" Phoebe wondered.

The outdoor girl stopped to think for a moment. Her interests didn't normally lead to financial troubles. "We could go to Mrs. Vitello's."

"Since when do you like flowers Nadine?" Rhonda sneered.

An eager look appeared on Nadine's face (as if she had been anxious to reveal this information). "I've been keeping a journal of all the insects I've found, and research I've done on them. Certain flowers attract things like ladybugs, butterflies, and bees."

Walk

"How's it going bro? I haven't seen you since eighth grade!" Jamie O punched his friend on the shoulder.

Bruce smiled at his long missed friend, then sighed as he replied "Yeah, things got pretty bad when my mom left my dad. Now that she's not worried about him following us, we moved back into our old house. He keeps getting thrown into jail though."

"I'm sorry bro! I just went to the store for a few protein bars."

Bruce shook his head, knowing his friend had been into keeping himself in shape ever since they were little. "Still into the whole fitness thing huh?"

"Yeah. Hey! You should come over for dinner tomorrow. I could make us something to eat."

Bruce lifted an eyebrow, not believing what he was hearing. "You cook?"

The fit teen began to blush, knowing there was a lot he and his friend had to catch up on. "Uhh yeah. I was dating this girl for awhile. And I kind of…"

Bruce rolled his eyes at his friend, knowing one reason Jamio O was into fitness was to attract the ladies. "Well, it's good to know your working out finally worked out for you."

Hearing this made Jamie O grow anxious; as if it was his last chance to speak with Bruce. The fit boy leaned forward and excitedly said "So I'll see you at dinner tomorrow. You remember where I live?"

Bruce reached out for his missed buddy's hand, doing a similar handshake to Arnold and Geralds'. The two of them were so close at one time, yet their old memories of each other remained "Yeah buddy. See you tomorrow."

Mrs. Vitello's

"This brings back memories, huh Gerald?" Arnold asked his old business partner.

"Pttss...Oh brother. Don't tell me you dweebs actually worked here?" Helga leered, listening in on the conversation.

"Yep, and my man and I made good money doing it." Gerald said, giving his best friend their secret handshake.

While the boys were telling half the class about their fun week spent working in the flower shop, Nadine was searching for flowers she knew would be of good use to her.

"How are you dear?" Mr. Vitello asked.

"Oh I'm fine. I was just looking for some plants that could attract some new insects for me to research. Things like ladybugs, butterflies, bees, etc." Nadine explained.

Mrs. Vitello stopped to think for a moment until she replied "Well dear some good plants are things like dandelions and dahlias. Something else good would be Compositae flowers; daisies and sunflowers."

The older lady handed her customer the yellow flowers as she continued walking her around the store. "Another good thing about these flowers is they can encourage the pollination process."

The rest of the group stood by the door, finding it to be an odd thing to spend her money on. "Why would she waste her money on something she could get for free? I mean, all she has to do is pick them out of somebody's yard." Sid assumed.

Gerald's House

Martin was sitting in the kitchen going over the family bills, while his wife was busy doing the dishes. He lifted his head from his work when he saw their older son entering the room with a bag. "Hey son. You get your protein bars?"

"Yeah, and I have a friend coming over for dinner tomorrow." he said excitedly.

"That's great. Who is it sweetie?" Mrs. Johanson turned to ask, while scrubbing a plate in her hand.

"Bruce!"

Martin appeared concerned at the news as he replied "Bruce? Didn't he move away?"

"Yeah, but he's back. I bumped into him on my way home from the store."

"Hmm...I don't know son. That family of his has a lot of problems." Martin said hesitantly.

Mrs. Johanson set the dishes down, noticing the upset look on her son's face. "Martin relax. Bruce has been here before, and nothing bad happened."

"Well okay then. I don't want you two spending the night playing C.D's like you used to when you were little. Gerald has a bad habit of pushing the electric bill too far."

Later That Evening

The gang was standing outside outside the flower shop, while Nadine was holding her new plants in her hands. "I can't wait to plant these! The sooner I do, the sooner I'll see the insects they attract."

"I still think you could have just picked a few from someone else's yard." Sid shrugged his shoulders, feeling a good amount of money had been wasted.

"You said a mouthful there pal!" Helga pointed a finger, feeling the visit in general had been a waste of time.

"Dead plants don't attract insects. If I want to finish my journal, I need something I can plant."

Arnold looked at his friends who seemed displeased with the way most of the day had gone. "It's getting late anyway. We'll go to the pet store for Harold tomorrow…"

"And the mall again, but this time for me!" Rhonda pointed towards herself, making it clear her turn was going to be spent as she pleased.

"Uhh right. I'll see you guys later." The blonde boy waved.

Gerald's House

The idea of seeing his old friend again had Jamie O acting as strangely as he did when he was with Cherice. He was circling the house, making sure everything would be perfect for when his friend arrived. Finally, he made it to Gerald's room.

Although he had a feeling he wouldn't be bringing Bruce in there, the fit teen searched around to make sure there was nothing he had to worry about embarrassing him. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed the drawer to Gerald's nightstand was partially open.

The curious teen opened the drawer to see a pleasing stack of money. Jamie O picked it up, thinking to himself…

What's Gerald doing with all this money?