Right. So next up, let's see what happens. Thanks for reviewing xFilms – well, they are supposed to act older than they are, and "making out" for ten-year-olds is in more innocent terms – multiple kisses and possibly a French kiss in secret. The video mentioned is still on YouTube by "daretobestupid". It's called "Freddy Krueger vs Barney" and it is very funny. Also, thanks to Bubbles D.

Lila was the first to notice Sid and I exchanging glances and shooting each other secret smiles the next day. She got it just before the first bell rang for the start of school. "I knew it was only a matter of time!" she said. "I didn't expect it too be so soon, because I've noticed how he gets ever so shy around you, but I'm oh so happy for you!"

Rhonda was the next to work it out. At recess, she called me over, saying "So what's been going on? You and Sid are acting like something's happened. What was it? Was it something that happened yesterday when you two went to Slausen's? Tell me everything!" Nadine, of course, was also hovering nearby.

"Very subtle questioning." I said sarcastically. "Not much to tell, really. He just told me he wanted to make the boyfriend/girlfriend thing official, and so I agreed. But Rhonda, please – don't spread this around, we get teased enough as it is." I knew for a fact that Rhonda was not only bad at keeping secrets, but she'd tell anyone and everyone if there was something juicy going around. After all, she was the school gossip.

"So? It's not like you can't take a few comments." Rhonda laughed at me. "People need to know this kind of thing! I'm not going to lie about it."

"Rhonda, please." Lila said. "Everyone will work it out soon, anyway. They're going to be more open about it at school, anyway. You know, sitting together at lunch once in a while, holding hands, that kind of stuff."

"Besides, Rhonda," I said, "You didn't spread it around when Lila was in that position with that weird cousin of Arnold's. She told me, didn't you, Lila?"

My best friend knew my secret, and lied quickly. "That's true. If Nicole and Sid are anything like Arnie and I, it would be ever so obvious."

Rhonda sighed dramatically and said "Fine, Nicole. But if you're still keeping it quiet by Friday, I'll make sure that everyone knows before the week is out."

I didn't doubt she'd tell everyone. It was a Tuesday, of course, so I waited until the next day when I approached Sid at lunch. "Hi." I said. "Wanna eat lunch together?" I quickly added in a whisper "Just so you know, Rhonda's been watching, noticed, and if we're not open about it, she's planning to tell, so it won't be a secret anyway."

Sid returned my comment with a shy smile, and said to my question "Well..sure. OK. I guess."

During lunch, I noticed Rhonda looking over at us and whispering to the other girls at the table. The boys were looking over, too, specifically the other two thirds of Sid's trio.

"Hey, Sid!" one of them called. "You having fun with your girlfriend over there?"

I felt a bit sorry for Sid, having such total morons for friends. "Hey, stupid!" I yelled back at him. "You feeling insecure since you don't have a girlfriend? Or are you jealous cause you want a chance to kiss me too?"

Sid sank down in his chair, looking like he wanted to disappear as the whole cafeteria heard what I said and most of them looked towards our table.

So I addressed all of them. "What are you looking at?" I demanded. "You think it's a big deal that a fifth-grade girl and guy can like each other as more than friends and sit together at lunch? News flash: It's not! Get over yourselves and stop being so immature! And no matter what you cootiephobes seem to think, kissing someone of the opposite gender is perfectly normal and healthy, so why don't you leave me and Sid alone and get on with whatever you were doing before that?"

Everyone obeyed. I noticed Helga looking almost impressed at my speech, and Harold definitely looked like he had a new respect for me.

"Sid, you can stop trying to disappear now." I giggled. "No one's looking at us any more. Besides, it's better they hear it from me than from Rhonda, right?"

Sid gave a huge sigh. "I guess." he muttered. "But did you have to say that whole thing about kissing?"

"I'd already mentioned it, so my only choice was to dig myself in deeper to get out of it." I replied calmly. "So that doesn't make much sense, but trust me, Sid, no one will make fun of us after that."

And no one did. We could hold hands in the halls and no one would say a word. Sure, there were a few whispers from the older students – you know, our grade and sixth grade – and giggles from some of the younger kids, but most people left us alone most of the time.

Oh yeah, the sixth graders – since it had been a year since the show, the sixth-graders now consisted of some of the worst characters of the show, namely Wolfgang. We still claimed Gerald Field as ours, but every so often, he'd try to take over. Unlike a lot of cartoon bullies, he had no qualms about hitting girls. Only last November, I'd gotten a black eye from him for calling him a "shaggy-haired oversized preteen who hasn't learned the kindergarten skill of sharing". Later on that day, I'd looked up a YouTube video on Arnold's computer that I remembered which began with a silly Belieber boy who faces off with Freddy Krueger, because what he said to Freddy was similar: "You're Mr Ugly Scarecrow Man who doesn't share" after he took the hat, angering Freddy. Anyway, we were planning to play football that very day, anyway.

As usual, we all divided up into teams when we got there. It didn't matter what teams we were on – Helga usually got into bossy mode and divided us up, not bothering to make any effort with putting strong or weak players on different teams. I ended up on the same team as Rhonda, Arnold, Eugene and a few others.

Luckily, none of the sixth-graders showed up, but we lost. I did score a couple of times, though, and was happy enough when it was time to go home.

That night, Arnold got a phone call. Well, actually, I answered, since no one else seemed to be around the main living space.

"Sunset Arms Boarding House." I answered perkily.

"Hey. Is Arnold there?" A young male voice asked. It was hauntingly familiar, but I couldn't place it.

Since Arnold had a phone in his room, I yelled up to him. "Hey, someone's on the phone for you!"

About three minutes later, Arnold came downstairs, but it wasn't until a few minutes after that when he knocked on my door to tell me about a visit.

"The person on the phone's coming?" I assumed. "Who was it? He sounded familiar, but I couldn't place him."

"It was my cousin-" Arnold began.

I caught it. "You mean Arnie?" I said. Arnold nodded. "I remember him. He appeared a couple times." I giggled, and did my best, cruelest Arnie impression. "I like gum. Plain-flavoured gum. And I like counting things. I also like reading the ingredients on food packages. Weirdo." I decided to stop, since Arnold was narrowing his eyes at me, and I didn't want a lecture about being nicer. "So when's he coming, and how long's he staying?"

"He'll be here Sunday evening, and he's only staying for a week." Arnold answered.

"So will he be coming to school with us?" I asked. Arnold nodded. "Fine." I sighed. "And you don't need to ask me to be nice to him. I'll try. Maybe I could push him off on Lila – she'd love to hang out with him. On the other hand, let him know that Helga's spoken for. Last I heard he had a thing for her. I mean – that dream you had when he had that girlfriend that kept hitting on you – none of that was real, right?"

Arnold shrugged. "Well, I think he might've mentioned some names, but as far as I know, Arnie doesn't have a girlfriend and none of his friends look just like ours."

I smiled. Sure, Arnold's cousin was weird, creepy and dull, but he might liven things up around school.

I really, really wanted to have Arnie in this story, so he's coming. I hope I'll do justice to his character. Please review!

Also, I have a question. I will admit, here and now, that I want Sid's Beatle boots. No, seriously. Does ANYONE else actually like them, because everyone I know thinks they're creepy – I just think if there was a pair designed for girls, I'd try them on.