I do not own Hey Arnold.

Chapter 2-Eyes Wide Open

Arnold was in a white room. In front of him, a cube shaped cell made of glass. He was shocked to see himself on the other side of the glass, which he noticed had a large crack in it.

Who are you?

Really? You see yourself in a cell and you ask the obvious. "I am you." The question you should be asking yourself is "What am I?"

Ok well, what are you?

I am what you constantly deny. I am "he that shall not be seen." My friend, I am the reason you imagined yourself killing a man today.

Why am I…are you in a cell?

You put me here?

I don't understand

You are really going to make me explain it, aren't you?

Explain what?

Dammit man! You cannot be this fucking stupid. I mean, I knew you were dense, but you have got to be kidding me!

Calm down. I am just trying to figure out what's going on.

Since I have to bring this down to the stupid level…I am your anger, your pain, your disappointment. I am your negative side. Better yet, I am the reason you cannot see things for how they really are. Your "be positive" bullshit seriously clouds your judgment. I am the reason you had that dream. I am the reason you imagined yourself hurting someone. The news you received earlier, caused a crack in my cell. So, I exploited the situation.

You want me to hurt people?

No dumbass, I want you to let me out. I want to make us whole. You keep me caged up trying to be "Mr. Brightside", forgetting that you have feelings to that aren't based on positivity. That isn't healthy. Every day isn't sunny, sometimes life fucking sucks, and most of the people you meet are full of shit. Get used to it. You wanna know why you can't figure out your feelings about your parents?

Why?

Because you are trying to find a bright side in something that doesn't have one. Yes, you finally know the truth. That "can" be considered good thing. But, let's take a good look at that "truth". Your parents were killed by their best friend, in a fucking explosion, when they were trying to get back home to you, 8 years ago! How do you find a bright side in that?

I…I…I

Exactly, you can't. You stuff away all the emotions that aren't "positive". You know what resulted in? ME! You help people with their problems and you can't even deal with your own.

Sometimes they need help.

So they can get themselves in to another situation. A situation none the less, that could be solved by using common sense. And you jump in, saving the day, a regular superman.

It's called doing the right thing. There is nothing wrong with that.

So stressing yourself out for people, that don't appreciate it, is the right thing? Having people take advantage of your good nature because they KNOW you will help them, is the right thing? You know what? You need to stop working on everyone else and, start working on yourself.

Silence

Take a good look at people around you. The biggest snakes, are the people closest to you. Look at what happened to your…

Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold! Hey Arnold!

Arnold reached over and shut off his potato clock. It was 3:45 in the morning. He thought about what he said to himself in the dream. It was true, he never cried, openly displayed sadness, or even anger for that matter. At most, it was possible to annoy him, and even then he brushed that off. After he found out about his parents, he felt like he was being pulled in four different directions. Rather than feel anything, he decided to feel nothing. "It's not healthy." He shook his head to clear his mind.

He got up and walked down to the kitchen. He put some water into the tea kettle, then placed it on the stove to boil. As the water was heating up, he reached in the cupboard, he grabbed the jasmine and green teas. He sat both on the table, then sat down and waited for his grandmother. He didn't know why he was doing this, but he didn't stop himself. Minutes later Gertie walked in to the kitchen.

She hadn't seen Arnold since yesterday morning. "Good morning, Kimba. What's all of this?"

"Just wanted to have tea with you Grandma. We don't have to talk if you don't want to. We can enjoy the silence." He said to his grandmother.

"I would like that, but there is something I do need to talk to you about." She said, sitting down at the table.

The tea kettle started whistling. Arnold got up, turned off the stove and brought the tea kettle to the table. "Ok, Grandma. Let me get our cups ready first." He poured the boiling water into the two cups on the table and sat the kettle down. He placed a jasmine tea bag in her cup and a green tea bag in his. "Do you want sugar or milk?" He asked her.

"Neither, I prefer mine straight." Gertie said. Grabbing her cup to take a sip.

Arnold put two sugar cubes in his cup and stirred his tea. "What did you want to talk to me about?" He sat down beside his grandmother.

"It about your parent's will. They left you something." She said.

"Really? What?" He said, taking the first sip of his tea.

"Two million dollars." She said, taking a sip of her tea. She expected what happened next. Arnold did a spitake. Gertie stifled a laugh.

Arnold placed his cup down and proceeded to clean up his mess. No amount of money could make up for his parents, but he was still surprised. He frowned and spoke. "It doesn't make up for them being gone." He finished cleaning up his mess and sat back down beside Gertie.

"That is true." She said. "Their bank accounts are now yours and any possessions of theirs that you find are also yours. There are some boxes in the basement that belonged to them, you might want to go through them."

Arnold looked at his tea. He thought about the three things that he had that reminded him of his parents. The first was currently sitting on his head. His blue hat. Given to him before they left to go to San Lorenzo. The second was a picture of his parents. The picture was worn from constantly being held by Arnold. He hoped that he could find more. The third was his father's journal. Arnold often thought of using the map on the last page to go and search for his parents. Now, that would never happen. He then thought about the information his grandmother just told him.

Seeing Arnold lost in his thoughts, Gertie allowed herself to enjoy the comfortable silence. She was happy to have company this morning. She knew that her grandson was holding a lot in. The boy never really showed emotions that weren't positive. There isn't anything wrong with being positive, but the 81 year old woman new that the boy was hurting. And things aren't always positive. The information from yesterday being a perfect example.

They sat together until they could see the beginning the sunrise. Gertie finished her third cup and tea, and rose from the table. "I am going to start breakfast." She said. "Do you want to stay home today? Its ok if you do."

"I think I will go to school today. I could use the distraction." He said to his grandmother. He got up from the tabled and placed their cups in the sink. "Grandma?"

"Yes, Kimba." She said. Placing a pan on the stove.

"Do you and Grandpa want to…maybe….have a funeral for my parents?" He asked.

"It would be nice to say goodbye." She said, trying not to cry.

"It would not have to be anything elaborate. He said. "We can do it on the roof. That way all the boarders can say goodbye too.

"Sounds wonderful." She said, kissing Arnold on the forehead. "I'll plan everything. We can do it this weekend."

"Thanks Grandma." Arnold said, leaving the kitchen to get ready for school.

Susie rolled over to the other side of her bed. She was alone. Her threat must have made its point. Oscar was gone by the time she had gotten home last night. From what Phil told her last night, he left without saying anything. Just walked out the door with a bag. She was finally free and she loved it. Today her new bed would be delivered. "New everything." She thought to herself. She got up and walked to the kitchen, deciding she would rather eat first today. She wasn't in a rush, today was her day off. There was also something she wanted to talk to Gertie and Phil about.

After the events of yesterday she came to a decision. She wanted to be Arnold's legal guardian in case something happened to Phil or Gertie. Even though they were still spry for their age, Phil and Gertie were still up there in years. In the early years of their marriage, Susie did want to have children. It turned out that her husband was sterile. The one thing he should be able to do as a man, he couldn't do.

When she walked into the kitchen, Phil and Gertie were both sitting at the table enjoying breakfast in silence. Susie grabbed a plate and sat down at the table. Before putting eggs on her plate, she decided that she would go ahead and ask. "Could I talk to you two about something?" she asked.

"Sure Susie. What's on your mind?" Phil asked. "I see you finally got rid of that deadbeat Oscar."

"He called out another woman's name in his sleep. Not to mention he has been cheating on me. It was time." She said.

Phil laughed. "And you are telling me another woman is putting up with him. How is that even possible?"

"Maybe she is as dumb as I used to be." She said.

"Well good riddance." Phil said. "You have been doing so well for yourself lately. You don't need someone like him bringing you down. So, what did you want to ask us?"

"Before I ask, I have to make a confession." Susie said looking down at her empty plate.

"You, Ernie, and Mr. Hyunh were eavesdropping on our conversation with the FBI agent and the lawyer." Phil said. He shoved some eggs in his mouth. "It's ok sweetie. Who wouldn't be curious?"

"You aren't mad." She said looking at Phil.

"No. Granted that was a major invasion of our privacy." Phil said. "This means you know about Shortman's parents and also about the money."

Susie nodded. "I want you know what I am about to ask you has nothing to do with the money. I would like to become Arnold's legal guardian. In case…you know."

Gertie and Phil looked at each other then back to Susie. "Are you sure about that sweetie? I mean, you are practically asking to become a parent?"

"I know it's a big decision. In my heart I know it's the right thing to do." She said. I was going to talk about it with Arnold, but I wanted to talk to you two about it first."

"We haven't made any plans for that situation in particular Phil." Gertie said. "After yesterday maybe it's time we prepare."

"Good point Pookie." Phil said. "But let's give the boy sometime. The past 24 hours have been hard on him. Let him mourn before we make more drastic changes in his life. I will call that lawyer later this week. Are you really sure about this Susie?"

"Yes Phil, I am."

Arnold walked out of the door to the boarding house. It was still cloudy outside but he decided to walk school anyway. He wanted to sort through all his thoughts. His mind had been running a mile a minute over the course of 24 hours. He still didn't know how he should feel. His dream came back to him. "There is not bright side to this."

Arnold walked up to his school, P.S. 119. Arnold had only been a sixth grader for a few weeks. Most of the group from P.S. 118 attended school with him. Cliques changed, new friends were made. The beginning stages of puberty had even set in for some of his friends. Arnold walked into the school and headed towards his locker.

"Hey Arnold!" A voice called out to him.

"Hey Gerald." Arnold said.

"What happened yesterday?" We were supposed to play baseball against the 5th graders yesterday." He said. "I came by the boarding house to get you. Your grandma said you weren't feeling to well."

Arnold knew he wasn't going tell anybody about his parents. At this point no one knew anything about his parents. His parents were a subject that was not to be brought up. Arnold grabbed his books for first period and closed his locker. "I wasn't feeling too good yesterday. Sorry I missed the game." He said. How did it go?"

"We lost. Bad." Gerald said. "You really didn't miss anything." They walked to their home room. Arnold and Gerald didn't share as many classes together. The transfer from just having one teacher to having seven was a drastic change. The two boys shared home room and gym. Other than having the same lunch period they hardly saw each other during the course of the day. They were still the best of friends.

They were about to turn down the hallway where their homeroom was located, a voice popped into Arnold's head. Stop! Arnold froze. As soon as he stopped, Helga passed right in front of him. Their usual collision avoided, he started walking again. He tried to be causal with her, she remained a pain in his side. The FTi incident changed nothing.

"You do realized that you two usually crash into each other right?" Gerald said.

"Something told me to stop." Arnold said to his friend.

"Hey Football face!" A voice called out. "What happened yesterday? Didn't want to get your butt whooped with your friends.

"Not today Wolfgang." Arnold said. "I am not in the mood."

"Like I care about your mood." Wolfgang said. The eighth grader got in Arnold's face. He started poking Arnold in the chest. "What's wrong? Is it your time of the month.

CRACK

Arnold didn't realize what he did until a group of students started laughing at Wolfgang. He was currently on the floor unconscious.

"What was that Arnold?" Gerald voice brought Arnold out of his stupor. "You just clocked Wolfgang with a text book."

Arnold didn't say anything. He just walked through the gathering crowd towards his home room. He walked in and sat down at a desk. He placed in head in his hands and sighed.

He was back in the white room. The glass cell had another crack in it.

What is with you?

I have no idea what you are talking about.

You just clocked a guy with a book. He was on the floor unconscious.

I didn't like what he said to me. He deserved it.

That was not necessary. We don't do things like that.

No. YOU don't do things like that. Unlike you I am not letting people walk over us anymore. You may not believe it, but this cage is not going to last much longer. You're cracking by the minute, my friend. You need to deal with your feelings.

I am in perfect control of my emotions.

You really aren't. The more you think you are controlling things, the more control you are losing.

Why are you doing this to me?

I am not doing anything. You are the one that won't accept how you feel. You are hurting, but trying to keep a straight face. Let it out. You don't have to be strong for anyone.

RING!

The sound of the bell brought Arnold out of his thoughts. He left the class room to start his day.

That Weekend…

Gertie set up the service on the roof the sunset arms. Other than the boarders, guest were going to included Derrick Jacobs, Mrs. Vitello, Mr. Green and Harvey the mail man. Mrs. Vitello was closing down here shop when she encountered Gerald. He still worked at the flower shop on the weekend.

"Hey Mrs. Vitello." Gerald said. "Why are your closing the shop early?"

"I am going to a memorial service at Arnolds." She said. "I am actually surprised that you aren't on your way over there also. I know you didn't know them, but I figured Arnold would want his best friend there. From what his grandmother told me, he hasn't been the same since he found out what happened."

"Arnold hasn't said anything to me about a memorial service." Gerald said. He was kind of insulted that Arnold wouldn't tell him about something so important. Granted, he had been acting weird since he came back to school. Gerald figured he was sick. "Mrs. Vitello, who is this service for?"

"My dear boy, a few days ago Arnold learned that his parent's died 8 years ago in a plane crash." She said. She grabbed a sympathy reef she made for the occasion and started walking towards the boarding house.

"Let me take that for you." Gerald said. He grabbed the reef out of her arms and started walking with her. While walking with Mrs. Vitello, he thought about the situation. The subject of his parents was off limits. Gerald understood why he didn't say anything. He also understood why Wolfgang got a text book to the skull at the beginning of the week. They reached the Sunsets Arms minutes later. Mrs. Vitello knocked on the door to be greeted by Arnold.

"Hey Mrs. Vitello. Thanks for coming." Arnold said to her. "Everything is on the roof."

"Sorry about your loss Arnold." She kissed him on the cheek. She started to walk up the stairs to the roof.

He saw Gerald holding the reef. "You can take that up to the roof."

"Why didn't you say anything man, you know I would want to pay my respects." Gerald said.

"You know how I feel about this subject." Arnold said. "And if you tell anyone about it, you can consider our friendship over."

"You have my word man. You can trust me." Gerald said holding out his thumb for their handshake.

"The biggest snakes are those closest to you." Arnold did their handshake. Knowing in his heart that trust was something he really didn't have in anyone anymore. Gerald starting walking up stairs with the reef.

The memorial consisted of stories about Miles and Stella. Gertie, Phil, and Derrick had the most stories. It ended with a fireworks display set up by Gertie. She set them off when the sun went down. They lit up the night sky. Arnold didn't say anything during the service. He really didn't want to. At the end he thanked everyone for coming as they left. Gerald was one of the last people to leave.

"You sure you going to be ok?" Gerald asked.

"I am fine Gerald." He said back to him. "I am dealing with this my own way."

"Alright man." Gerald said. "If you need me man, I am here." He walked out of the door. He turned towards the direction of his house and passed Gerald's Field. All of his friends were sitting on the bleachers, relaxing after a game of baseball. He walked over to the group. "Hey guys."

"Hey Gerald" the group said.

"What was with the fireworks displays from football heads house?" Helga asked. And the people dressed in black? Did someone die?"

"I can't talk about it, Helga. That is his business." Gerald said back to her. "I am not going to turn on my best friend, so you can kick him while he's down."

"Whatever tall hair boy." Helga scoffed.

"Well I overheard Mr. Green talking about it." Rhonda said. "I heard that his…."

"SHUT UP RHONDA." Gerald yelled, putting his hand over her mouth to silence her. He whispered in her ear. "He doesn't want anyone to know. Please, for his sake just be quiet." He begged her. "Walk with me." When they got away from the group, Gerald spoke. "What did you hear?

"That his parents died in a plane crash." She said.

"I am not going to confirm or deny that, but please don't spread it around. Gerald said. He didn't trust me enough to tell me, his best friend. So don't go around spreading rumors. OK?"

"OK, Gerald. She said pouting. Rhonda wouldn't usually care about spreading someone's business. She did hear about what Arnold did to Wolfgang earlier that week. If something so small could make him knock someone out, she was not going to risk tempting him. If what she heard was true, then the boy was possibly unstable.

"I have to go. See you later Rhonda." Gerald walked off.

Arnold watched the whole exchange between Gerald and Rhonda. The way he pulled her away from the group. Arnold came to the conclusion that she knew something, and was close to spilling it. He would confront her about it at school the next day.