Hey guys! Back again. I'm glad you guys are enjoying it =)

I don't own Arnold, Olive Garden, or Applebee's. I do own David, though! ;)

a/n. Would anyone be interested in being my beta for this story? Mainly because my brain gets ahead of my fingers, and I have uncaught typos. I'm also looking for someone to help me get into a set posting schedule. I went through beta profiles, but didn't have luck finding someone to do just that. Let me know if you're interested, and we'll discuss.

"How did it go?"

"What part of 'I'll text you when I see it' wasn't clear?"

"…..I'm not a patient man."

"Obviously. Calm yourself, football head. I'll let you know after we get the list."

"So like right now then?"

"I'm going to ignore any more of your messages between now and then, fyi."

"…."

I couldn't help by smile as I dropped my phone beside me on the couch. Overall, I'd had a rather fantastic day. I managed to slip in a few more compliments to Lila, and she even came over to me at lunch rather than the other way around. We only talked for a short bit, but I just knew that that had to mean something good. I mean, come on. She had to be thinking it was a mistake breaking it off with me before. At least, I hoped she was. I'd been applying my lessons throughout the day and I felt like I was making good progress.

I'd been in such a good mood when I got home and I wanted to share it with someone, so I'd taken to texting Helga so I'd have someone to talk to. I would have texted Gerald, but he was going out for dinner with his family and wasn't allowed to text when they did their 'family gatherings.' I wasn't sure if this had anything to do with his Dad's weird energy saving kicks or what, I'd sent Helga an open message, unsure as to whether she'd reply or not. She had, so I'd spent a good chunk of time bugging her as she got ready for dance and whatever else she was doing before then.

I rolled over, trying to get myself comfortable on the couch as I turned on the tv. I flipped through the channels, looking for something that could hold my attention. I actually didn't have any homework, which was a relief. Well I did have a paper due on Thursday, but I'd just work on that tomorrow. Or Wednesday. I paused as I saw a familiar cartoon character flicker across the screen. Who cares if I'm seventeen, I can still watch cartoons if I want to. I let the remote fall to the floor, settling back against the cushions.

About halfway into the episode, my phone buzzed beside me on the couch. I reached over, trying to find it without tearing my attention away from the television.

"!"

"What? You got a good part?"I punched in, my heart jumping for a second in excitement. It was a contagious feeling.

"Yes!"

"Well which part?"

"Oh yeah. You really want me to tell you?"

"I thought that was the implied point of all these messages."

"…I got the lead!"

"No way! So you're Cinderella?"

"No, I'm Prince Charming…..of course I'm Cinderella!"

"We….should celebrate!"

"What, like right now?"

"…Yes."

"Um, maybe after rehearsal tonight…I'll get back to you afterwards."

"Awesome! Want me to pick you up?"

I pressed send, glad she'd gotten the part. I knew what it was like to have a lead role (even if it hadn't really been my choice), and Helga seemed suited for the dramatics. She'd become a surprisingly good actress over the years. I'd seen her in a few shows that the drama club did, but she'd never had a lead in any of them. It was hard, though, to get a lead when Rhonda was involved. Not that Rhonda wasn't a good actress in her own right, but the fact that her dad donated most of the productions budget certainly didn't hurt her chances.

"Whatever floats your boat." I grabbed a piece of paper from the floor, scribbling the address she had texted to me. The place was actually located in the town over, which I thought was a bit strange. It would be about a twenty minute drive or more, so I grabbed my keys from where I tossed them onto the bed with my wallet. If she got done at six, I had thirty minutes to get there. I grabbed my over shirt from where I had dropped it by the door, shrugging my way into it. I figured I'd need the extra time to make sure I got the right place.

I stepped out of my truck, looking up at the large brick building. It was two stories, and the windows had large pink curtains in the front, tied back with big ribbons. In curly script on the windows was the name "Lucretia's" in a lighter blue color. I wasn't sure if I needed to go inside, or if I should just wait outside. There was a bench outside under one of the windows, so I plopped down on it, stretching my legs out in front of me. Luckily it was nice weather, so it wasn't much of an issue to have to sit and chill. I crossed my arms back behind my head, content to wait.

I didn't have to wait long, the loud voices of giggling girls suddenly erupting outside as the door burst open, releasing a string of long legged girls with buns and leotards out into the street. Helga was in the front of the pack laughing, but it seemed to catch in her throat when she saw me.

"You're here?" she asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah, I thought that was the point of the address?" I asked, standing up and shrugging. "Was I wrong?"

"Usually Miriam forgets, even when she says she's coming," she muttered, shrugging as she directed her attention down to the sidewalk.

"There's a boy!" "A boy?" "It's a cute boy, too!" The rest of the girls seemed to realize I wasn't a creeper just hanging outside the studio, and soon swarmed around Helga, who tried to squirm away uncomfortably. "Is this your boyfriend?" "Helga has a boyfriend?!" "What's his name?"

"Oh, leave Arnoldo alone!" Helga called above the mass, breaking free and making her way to my side. "This is just my friend, Arnold."

"See you later, Cinderella," came a male voice, and my head immediately went to the source of it. Exciting the building now was a boy my age or older, who had obviously taken time to put on some jeans and a t-shirt before roaming the streets, and I couldn't blame him. He was angular and lean with shaggy bangs and long hair that was pulled back at the nape of his neck. I wasn't much on judging guys on their looks, but I could see by the way the girl's attention shifted he was something special.

"Later, Prince Charming," Helga called back with a laugh, waving to the boy at the door. He winked in return, adjusting the duffel bag he was holding. He noticed me as he reached the sidewalk.

"Who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is just Arnold," she said with a shrug, adding a playful punch to my arm for good measure. I wasn't sure I liked being referred to as 'just Arnold.'

"I'm David," the guy said with a grin, extending his hand to me. "Have you seen Helga dance? She's amazing!"

"Well I have been doing this for years," she teased. "I would hope I had gained some talent in that time."

"Oh come on," he said, rolling his eyes. "Just take my compliments. You are extremely talented, and beautiful to boot. I'll see you at the next rehearsal, m'lady." He gave a parting wave to both of us, making his way to the parking lot. The guy even had a motorcycle!

"What was up with that?" I asked a bit crisply as I jerked open the the truck door for Helga.

"Up with what?" she inquired, jumping up into the seat.

"With 'Prince Charming'," I replied, making air quotes with my fingers.

"Oh, you mean David. What, you thought we didn't have any guys in our group?" She snapped her seat-belt on, then pulled the pins from her hair, shaking her bun down. I had to immediately look away, my brain flickering back to my earlier dream. I clinched my fingers around the steering wheel, staring straight ahead. Best not to think about that at this moment. "So what are you doing for me in celebration?"

"Oh, uh, well, I suppose we can grab some food or something? We can get you a celebration cupcake!" I joked, thankful for the distraction for my mind. "I can take you somewhere nice, if you want?"

"How about we settle for something quick? I'm not really dressed to go anywhere nice."

"Well I can always take you home to change if you'd be more comfortable, but you look great just the way you are," I said with a shrug, daring a glance over.

"Oh, well, is there anything that counts as an in between?"

"You mean like an Olive Garden or Applebee's?" I asked curiously, those being the only restaurants I remembered having commercials that tried to make themselves look cheap and fancy all together.

"How about we just go to Gianos?" Helga replied with a laugh. "I prefer the non-chain places back in Hillwood."

"Then why do you take dance over here?" I asked, taking a moment to pause at the stop sign.

"Well, it's a bit easier to fit in in a place where people don't have some pre-existing idea of who you are. I mean, I took dance in Hillwood for a few years, but some of our classmates found out and teased me a lot. The girls in it knew me from school, and it was hard to really enjoy the dance aspect when everyone was scared of me. I moved over here when High School started. They didn't know about my background or anything, so it was easier to just be myself. I've made friends." She clapped a hand to her mouth, groaning as she slid down in the seat.

"What? What's wrong?"

"You can't tell anyone anything I just told you. I don't usually talk to people about it."

"I won't tell," I replied with a small laugh. "No one would believe me, anyway."

"That's why I don't tell people," she replied a bit huffily. "Everyone has some preconceived notion of what they think I should be interested in. I'm my own person, and I can be interested in whatever I want to be interested in."

"Of course you can. But I don't see why you let the kids at school keep the idea that your rough and tough instead of just being how you want to be."

"Part of me is rough and tough. I don't mind my solitude at school. It doesn't bother me."

"Whatever you say Helga."

I plopped down on the bed, my eyes wide as I stared at the ceiling. We'd stopped at the place she'd requested, and I was surprised at how much fun I could have with a girl I'd once thought hated me. Or just any girl in general. She didn't order the salads that Lila always ordered, so I didn't feel guilty eating meat and tons of pasta. She had a great sense of humor, and the more I watched her laugh and enjoy herself, the more I wished we'd become friends earlier. I knew there had been moments throughout the years where we'd been forced into hanging out. Parties, projects, random meetings every now in then. In those moments, I tolerated Helga, but I'd never wanted to pursue a friendship. Frankly, she used to just rub me the wrong way. It made me wonder how much I had let my own biases get in the way. If we'd started down this path earlier, where would we be now?

I jumped as my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I touched the screen, seeing Lila's name light up the screen.

"Hope I didn't disturb you! I'm ever so sorry, but I seemed to have left my math book in my locker. If it's not 2 much trouble, I'd be ever so grateful if I can borrow yours?"

I glanced at the time. I was only a little past 8. I texted a message back, sliding off my bed and digging the book out of my backpack. I bounded down the stairs, yawning as rounded the corner. I saw the light in the kitchen was on, so I called, "Be back in a few Grandpa!"

I tucked the book under my arm, making my way down the sidewalk. I'd told Lila I'd just bring it over to her house. There really wasn't any need to make her walk when she didn't need too. When I arrived, she promptly answered the door.

"Thanks ever so much!" she cooed, and I caught my breath at the sight of her in her faded gown, with her hair falling softly over her shoulders. I wanted to reach out and touch it, but I just held out the book.

"No problem," I managed, smiling widely. She grinned in return, her fingers brushing against mine and she took the book from me. They were as warm and soft as I remembered, and I wanted more than ever to just touch her.

"I'd invite you in, but Daddy wouldn't like that with him asleep. He'd be ever so upset if he found out. Have a good night Arnold. I'm ever so fortunate to have a friend like you." She gave me a small wave, disappearing back behind the door.

Friends. I was just everyone's friend today, it seemed.