Right, now for the story! Thanks for reviewing, xFilms and Jfrmale (deviantart?).

The day went on as every day. Math, History, Science, English, etc. Harold tried to eat his sandwich in class, Helga made a few snide comments in general, and Phoebe answered nearly every oral question. At recess, Rhonda showed Nadine, Lila and I the latest romantic note from her locker, reading "My raven-haired princess, you shall know who I am soon. I will reveal myself to you – maybe not today, nor tomorrow. But I promise, you shall discover soon. I love you, my angel, and I cannot wait to kiss you."

"I still can't work out who could write like this!" Rhonda said frustratedly. "I really hope that isn't an empty promise. I know for a fact that he's in our grade and has been around since kindergarten, but I can't think of any boy who could write that beautifully."

"What if it's a geek?" I suggested.

Rhonda blanched. "I hope not. But who knows, even if it was one of them, maybe they're worth a second look."

"Remember what you told me after I moved here?" I said. "You told me that if anyone asked me out, to give them one chance. So, even if this boy is someone you usually wouldn't like, would you give them one date?"

Rhonda tilted her head to the side in thought. Finally, she nodded. "But just one. If it didn't turn out to be any good, than no way."

So just before lunch, I reported what she'd said back to Curly. "Are you really going to reveal yourself to her soon?"

"Pretty soon." Curly confirmed. "Mark my words, she'll be mine by the end of January."

I smiled back at the twisted little freak, to use Helga's wording. "Good luck."

Before the end of the afternoon, Sid asked if I wanted to get an ice cream at Slausen's after school, and offered to pay. He knew which days I worked after school, and which days I was free.

I accepted, adding "I can't remember the last time you said you'd pay everything!" with a chuckle. We usually split the bill when we got things like that. It had the exact effect I wanted, as Sid's cheeks flamed (I loved embarrassing him like that) and he said "Um, I – whatever, I'll meet you on the steps after the bell rings, OK?"

Only hours later, we were in Slausen's with our ice cream. However, I couldn't help but notice that Sid was at his most nervous. I'd known for ages that he suffered from extreme paranoia, but he usually didn't act this way around me – at least, not since the night of that party Rhonda hosted when he walked me home, then kissed me. But today, he was trying hard to act normal, but I could see his eyes flickering around.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Why are you looking like a scared rabbit?"

Sid's eyes finally focused on one thing: my face. "You noticed, huh?" he said in a small voice.

"Doi." I said (I think I picked that up from Helga). "So what's wrong? Did you bring me here to tell me you don't want to keep seeing me, or is it something else?"

"Of course I want to keep seeing you, Nicole!" Sid exclaimed. "I've told you before, I like you. You're pretty, and smart, and funny. I like being around you." He dropped his voice and said "That's why I wanted to talk to you today – specifically." He sighed. "I know we're ten, but it doesn't really matter. Remember a few months ago when I referred to you as my girlfriend?"

I nodded, starting to work out where this was going.

"Well...does that mean you wouldn't mind if...if I...if I asked..."

I grinned. "Sid, are you trying to ask me to be your official girlfriend?"

Sid blushed, again. "W-well, yeah, kinda...please say yes!" he blurted out.

I smiled again. I couldn't help sort of liking the flaky little shrimp. He was a sweet kid, when you got down to it. I didn't know if I could count on him to be loyal, but like he said, we were only ten. The situation couldn't get too serious, not at this age, could it?

"Yes." I finally answered.

A grin spread across Sid's face and he quickly added "But keep this quiet at school, OK? Otherwise everyone will be teasing us."

I sighed. "No, they won't." I remembered a piece from the episodes, and said "I was talking to Curly the other day, and he told me about how Rhonda was his girlfriend for a short time in fourth grade. No one made fun of them. Why should we be any different?"

Sid began to protest, and then stopped. His shoulders slumped. "You're going to be open about this no matter what I say, aren't you?" he mumbled.

"The boy gets it." I laughed. "But I'm not asking you to make out with me in the janitor's closets or even kiss me. We could just sit together at lunch once in a while, hold hands, maybe partner up for a project..."

"I rather like the janitor's closet idea." Sid interjected with a smirk. "If we lock the door, it might be interesting." (Wow, were the kids from this show mature or what?) "And kissing you isn't a big deal, as long as no one's watching. I guess I could handle the other stuff in public, though. Come to think of it, Lila did it with Arnold's creepy cousin for a few days, and I've seen Phoebe and Gerald holding hands...OK." He gave me a smile. "So it's agreed. We do nothing more than hold hands in the presence of others, and hang out a bit." We'd both finished our ice creams, and stood up.

"Thanks for paying." I said as we left the parlour. I instantly wished I hadn't had ice-cream. It was still wintry January weather, and the wind was icy.

"Want me to walk you home?" Sid offered.

"It's on your way back, isn't it?" I laughed. "You can't avoid it."

I saw a smirk lingering on my now-official boyfriend's lips. "But I could avoid...this." He looked around as he spoke, then wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

After we got back to the Sunset Arms, Sid innocently kissed me on the cheek and said "I'll see you tomorrow, official girlfriend."

"I can hardly wait, official boyfriend!" I called after him, giggling.

I went into the house, sighing happily. Arnold was hanging out in the main room, and he smiled knowingly. "He asked you, right?"

"How did you know?" I asked. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. Arnold seemed to hear a lot about what was going on, since just about everyone asked him for advice with their problems.
"Sid asked me about it this morning." he explained. "He used it hypothetically at first, but basically, he said he like-liked a girl, and he wanted to make it official with her, so he wanted to know how to ask a question like that. I suggested taking said girl out on a date and asking her there." He grinned at me. "And judging by that smile you had when you walked in, I'm guessing you said yes."

"Know-it-all." I said playfully with a smile. "Anyway, I guess I have to get to my responsibilities. Do I need to help with the cooking?"

"I think you and I are meant to be doing the washing up tonight." Arnold said. "Mom said she was going to do an authentic South American recipe."

"Well then," I said, "I'll be in my room if you need me." That day had definitely been a perfect one.

Oh, Nicole, that's unusually naïve of you...thinking it won't get serious because of age. It can, it might...readers, do you think it will? Well, if you're reading this...review!