Disclaimer: She doesn't own anything from Hey Arnold! or NCIS or England... This is still her mom.
Match Maker
Chapter 2
Aurora's eyes fluttered open and she groaned, rolling over in the bed and pulling the covers she had kicked off of her in her sleep back over her as she did so. Today was going to be a tiresome day. She could just feel it... But at least she had some helpers scheduled for today. Helpers... helped.
She groaned again after a good forty-five minutes of attempting to go back to sleep and opened her eyes to stare across at the wall in her hotel room. She stayed like that for a while, before finally processing the fact that she was awake and back into the real world... well, the cartoon animated version of it. She kicked the covers off of herself groggily and got out of her warm, comfy bed begrudgingly. She scratched her back and yawned loudly as she headed for the bathroom.
She went in and cursed herself for forgetting her toothbrush. She'd have to buy a new one and brush her teeth later. Oh well. She began taking her dress off, but stopped and looked around nervously. "I know what I'm doing is being written down... but this requires a little privacy if you catch my drift..." She laughed nervously.
A nice long, hot shower later, she opened the door of the bathroom, her long golden locks all wet and a little tangled. Her green-hazel eyes looked around the room, looking for some kind of hair brush. She huffed and simply ran her fingers through her hair a few times. She was wearing the same thing as yesterday. After all, in the cartoon world, you didn't change your clothes.
Her lips curved up into a smile and she cracked her fingers, before running over to the computer in her room excitedly. Reviews were her life.
She opened up Fanfiction and read over the reviews, grinning widely. "Why thank you. So glad you guys are enjoying so far." She read over the names and smiled even wider. She jumped out of her chair animatedly and kicked a wall, effectively opening up a swirling vortex on the wall. She reached one hand through, placing her other hand on the wall beside the portal to keep her balance. She felt something, and with a determined look, pulled the person through.
The nine year old stumbled through the portal, and blinked her brown eyes in surprise.
Aurora grinned at her, observing her helper's appearance.
She had brown hair, that went about to her shoulders, and her eyes were a lovely dark brown. She had been converted to a nine year old, just as she was. She was wearing some pretty simple clothes. Just a white t-shirt and some jeans, with black sneakers.
Aurora frowned at her apparel. Not suitable for a kid cartoon. She patted her new friend on the back a bit roughly and ran over to the vanity in her room. She pulled the drawers open quick and began tossing shirts, skirts, and jeans over her back. They flew all over, landing on the bed, floor, and even one shirt on top of the poor brown haired helper. The new girl took the shirt off of her head and looked it over, suddenly smiling. "Hello..."
Aurora looked up quick, a shirt gripped tightly in her fist, the other hand in the drawer, and a purple t-shirt hanging from her teeth as she looked at the girl with mildly wild eyes.
"I like this shirt." She said, holding out the shirt that had fallen on her head. It was a hot pink shirt with yellow trim, and a monkey on the front with an i-pod. There was a talk bubble coming off the monkey that said "I'm not listening to you!"
Aurora grinned widely, and the shirt clenched in her teeth fell. She looked down at it for a few seconds, glaring at it for falling and then walked back towards her new comrade.
She held out her hand to the girl. "Excellent choice, Jade. That's a shirt I actually have in real life. I love it! Excellent choice."
Jade smiled and took her hand, shaking it up and down. "Thanks. You're Aurora, right?"
Aurora withdrew her hand and nodded. "Yuppers. That be my name... well, it is here, at least. In real life my name is-"
Someone suddenly jumped through the portal, and Aurora yelled, feeling alarmed, "WHAT THE SHANK?!?!"
The woman simply smiled, and pulled a zipper down the portal, closing it off.
Aurora and Jade had to do a double take of the woman.
She was beautiful, albeit a little dark looking. She had pale skin, and bright blue eyes that seemed to pop right out when you first looked at her. Her hair was onyx, and was styled in high pigtails that went to about her shoulders. She was wearing a simple, form fitting black shirt, and a short black skirt, along with a simple black star necklace and big black boots. She had a lab coat swung over her shoulder also.
She smiled at the two younger girls and threw her lab coat onto the bed, along with all the clothes Aurora had thrown onto it.
Aurora smiled coolly, and crossed her arms. "I see you just let yourself in."
Abby smiled and nodded. "Well you were a little distracted so I thought it wouldn't be a problem. I was invited, wasn't I?"
"Well, duuuuuuuuuuh... Let's just head out already before the kids get into the fifth grade." She began laughing as she walked over to the exit. "Oh, wait... That'll never happen." She rolled her eyes and opened the door for the two friends. "Let's head out!"
Jade quickly slipped the shirt on over her head and walked out the door, smiling all the way.
Abby walked out after her, and Aurora closed the door as she came out too.
They began walking down the hall to the elevators, and Jade finally asked. "What are our jobs?"
Aurora looked over at her in surprise, just remembering her awesome English accent. She grinned. "Your voice is awesome."
Jade snickered a little, and looked at the blonde, smiling. "Does it really sound that English?"
Aurora recognized the phrase and laughed. "Yes!" She exclaimed, pressing the button to the elevator. "And I don't know what your jobs are gonna be yet."
The elevator doors opened, and they all stepped in, Abby pressing the button to the first floor, lobby.
Jade blinked. "You don't know what we're going to be doing?" She asked incredulously in her usual English accent.
Aurora nodded, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the door, waiting for it to open again and set them free. "Nope. Not quite yet. But I'll figure something out." Her face grew pensive, her mouth slightly quirked in thought. "Abby should pass herself off as a substitute teacher..." She said thoughtfully.
Abby looked at her. "What if they don't need one today?"
Aurora suddenly grew an evil smile and looked over at Jade with a look that worried her a bit. "We'll take care of that, won't we, Jade?"
Jade furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, not quite sure what to make of this. "How are we going to do that?"
Aurora grinned even wider, cracking her knuckles. "We're going to take Mr. Simmons out..." She said evilly. Her face suddenly dropped and her fists unclenched. "To the Bahamas for a five star vacation." She finished, smiling at her.
Jade let out a sigh of relief, but then became confused again. "How are we going to do that? Do you know what that would cost?!"
Aurora shrugged. "My best guess is 'a lot'. But not if it's not real. We just have to wear some fake mustaches and wigs and go in there, announcing that-"
"-You've won a five star luxury cruise to the Bahamas for a week! Congratulations, Mr. Simmons!" Two men announced, their hair was black and scruffy, and they had black curly mustaches. They were grinning toothily to the teacher, their arms spread out animatedly.
Mr. Simmons gasped and he even dropped his coffee in surprise. "I won? Why..." He laughed a little in celebration. "... I don't even remember entering anything."
The two men glanced at eachother nervously, before the other one continued. "Well... You see... You did!" He laughed, smiling at him.
He smiled wide and shook both the much shorter mens' hands. "Wow. This is... I just feel so honored. This is... just so special." He wiped a tear from his eye, and the two men couldn't help but roll their eyes.
One came forward and smiled, putting his hands on his hips. "You'd better go down to city hall and collect your prize, but not before signing out for a week from your job. You'll be very busy on your vacation this week."
Mr. Simmons was taken aback, and blinked. "This week?"
The other short man came forward. "Why yes. Didn't you know? Your vacation begins promptly on Monday. It's Sunday today, so you should probably be off pretty quick now."
He furrowed his eyebrows. "So I'll have to take a week off from school for this? But where will I find a replacement at such short notice?"
The doors of the teacher's home burst open and Abby stood there proudly. "Right here."
Mr. Simmons eyes widened at seeing such a pretty woman, and he couldn't help but gawk a little at her unexpected arrival..... and short skirt.
"Y-You?"
"Yes, me! I'm a substitute teacher. It's my job. They already arranged for me to take care of your class while you're away."
He looked a little uncertain. "I don't know about this."
Abby came forward and put a hand on the man's shoulder. "Come on. You deserve a break from being all cooped up in that class room all day."
He looked thoughtful, considering what she said. "Well... I guess I could use a little break."
All three grinned and began pushing the man through the door rather forcefully. "Exactly! So you'd better head out there right this moment and go pick up that prize before the runner up runs up and gets it before you." One of the men stated.
"They can do that?" He asked incredulously.
Abby smiled. "They sure can. So you'd better get going!" She said, finally shoving him out the door.
The moment he stepped out the door, he was hit over the head by a frying pan and knocked unconscious.
Aurora grinned evilly. "Take that, demon!" She laughed maniacally.
Jade nodded her head, feeling happy that their plan worked.
The two men walked around the unconscious man and held their hands out greedily to the blonde. "Where's our twenty bucks?"
Aurora reached into her pocket and handed the men twenty bucks, grumbling something under her breath.
They saluted her and walked away.
"Too bad we couldn't find any wigs." Jade commented.
Aurora nodded. "I know, right? Or any-" The man on the ground stirred, and Aurora just casually hit him over the head with the frying pan again, not even glancing at him as she spoke. "-fake mustaches! I've always wanted one of those. Who knew they'd be so hard to find in a cartoon?" She finished, beginning to drag Mr. Simmons back into his home.
Jade nodded, proceeding to help her pull.
Abby did the same.
They shoved him into a closet and locked the door from the outside.
Aurora put her hands on her hips, feeling that they had accomplished their task well.
Jade smiled brightly. "So what now?"
Abby stood between the two girls, and looked at the blonde curiously.
Aurora smiled at their enthusiasm. "Now we get our-" She pointed her thumb at Jade and herself. "-butts enrolled in PS118 and you-" She pointed to Abby. "-will just happen to show up at the last minute when Wartz notices the teachers absence to fill in." She smiled.
Abby nodded, but then glanced at the closet. "What about him? How long will we be here for? We can't just leave him in the closet for who-knows-how long."
Aurora considered this, and frowned, placing a hand on her chin. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Perhaps put a weeks supply of food inside with him along with a pillow and a blanket."
Aurora grinned at Jade. "And a bottle and bucket so he doesn't have any accidents." She said, not even caring how gross that sounded when you thought about it.
Jade nodded, ignoring that.
Abby raised an eyebrow. "But it's so dark and small in there. What if he's claustrophobic?"
Aurora rolled her eyes. "Like I give a flying fladoodle if he's afraid the room is going to eat him. He'll be fine." She said, waving it off. "Now, Jade, you go find a pillow, blanket, bucket, bottle, and toiletries." Jade nodded and ran off to find those materials. "You-" She turned to Abby. "-get to the kitchen and find some cereal, fruit, nutrition bars, and anything else that wouldn't spoil in a unrefrigerated closet that he could eat." Abby nodded, but before she left, she had to ask. "What are you going to be doing?"
Just then they heard some russling in the closet. Aurora swung it open quick and knocked the teacher unconscious once again with the frying pan. She looked back at Abby. "Making sure the deadwight here stays dead weight till we're able to hook him up, and ditch him." She grinned at her, and Abby smiled back before running in the direction of the kitchen.
As they left, Aurora began tapping one foot on the ground to the tune of one of her favorite songs, watching the teacher closely through slitted eyes. Nothing was going to get past her.
She saw some light flash in the corner of her eye, and turned to see a snow globe on his window sill. She beamed. "Wow! That's awfully shiny!"
Suddenly, the teacher stirred again, but Aurora didn't notice, too busy staring at the snow globe. He saw her standing there, and looked around. "What happened?"
Aurora's hazel eyes snapped back to him, panicking as she quickly hit him over the head with the frying pan again... and again... and again.
Once finished, she glared at his unconscious form laying on the ground.
Why did shiny things have to be so distracting?
Later on, Aurora and Jade had just enrolled in the school, and were heading to their classroom. They're stomachs were buzzing with nerves and excitement. It was going to be so cool actually seeing all the Hey Arnold! characters in person. They both silently worried that they might not like them... that would be a real bummer. They had loved and admired these characters for so long, that having them not like them would have really hurt.
They arrived at the door, and both stared at the handle, waiting for the other one to be the first to reach out and turn it.
Aurora sighed, and turned to Jade. "I really have to let some more people in before we do this. I do have more helpers on the way, you know."
Jade looked at her, and then at the handle.
Aurora sighed again. "You can go in if you want, but I really have to do this. It's my responsibility."
Jade nodded, and looked back at the door, about to open it, but she quickly retracted her hand and grinned at Aurora nervously. "I'll go help."
Aurora laughed a little, and nodded, proceeding in the direction of the Principals office.
They made it there, and were able to hear some strange polka music through the door... then some sort of singing... "I am the principal! I am the principal! I run the school on and on! It is my duty! I shake my booty, as I sing this song!"
Aurora held her breath to keep from laughing out loud, and she could see Jade seemingly having a tough time keeping quiet too. Aurora took a deep, calming breath, and then opened the door slowly. She peeked in, and then poked her head back out, looking at Jade with the most amused expression. Jade blinked at her, and scooted her over gently to get a look herself.
Principal Wartz was up on top of his desk, dancing around, and wearing some green polka overalls, a frilly white shirt, and a green polka hat with a little red feather. Jade let out a small giggle, and was having great difficulty not letting out full blown laughter.
Aurora shushed her quietly, and then opened the door a bit further, walking inside inconspicuously. He seemed a bit too lost in the polka music to notice them though. Aurora tip toed over to the Principal while he had his back turned, and grabbed his ankle, forcefully pulling it backwards, and causing him to wave his arms around crazily in an attempt to keep his balance. He then fell backward, and hit his head on a chair, knocking him unconscious.
Aurora rolled her hazel eyes, and walked over to the computer in the room, turning it on.
Jade had been watching from the doorway, and having seen the principal being knocked out, finally let out her laughter. She clutched her stomach, almost falling over as she laughed crazily.
Aurora grinned at the sound of laughter, and let out a few hearty chuckles of her own. She looked over the reviews, and smiled. "Awwwww... some of you are just too sweet." She smiled a bit wider, and then got up from the chair she had been sitting in. She casually walked over to the stereo, and turned off the polka music. Then she kicked a wall, and a swirling vortex opened up.
Jade, finally being able to get her laughter under control, walked over to her side. "Great, so who will be joining us?"
Aurora smiled, but kept her eyes on the vortex. "About four more." She walked forward, and stuck her arm in, feeling TWO people grab onto it. She let out a surprised yelp, and was almost pulled in, but Jade ran over and grabbed her other arm, pulling her out, along with the other two.
They all fell backwards, and all on top of Jade, who screamed a little in surprise and slight pain.
Aurora groaned, and heard the scream, letting out a small yell of surprise and panic herself. She rolled off of her, and looked over to see the two new recruits.
They were both Caucasian females, and one had straight, shoulder-length, dark gold hair, and green eyes. She was about the same height as the rest of them, as they were all only mere nine year olds now. She was wearing a bright green, V-neck t-shirt, and some dark blue jeans, along with some simple white sneakers.
The other one, had soft, brown, curly hair that went about to her shoulders. Her eyes were a bright blue, although they seemed to change color at different angles and lights as she rolled around, groaning in pain. She was a little on the tubby side, but it looked adorable on a nine year old. She was wearing a ty-dye t-shirt, and was wearing some light blue jeans, along with blue sneakers.
Aurora grinned widely, and jumped up. "Omega and Nintendo... nice of you to drop in." She grinned, crossing her arms over her chest.
Jade attempted to get up, but then gave up, and simply let her head fall back down onto the hard floor. "Ow." She said simply.
Aurora looked down at her, and extended her hand, which she took eagerly. She pulled her up, and smiled at her, to which Jade just gave a weak smile back.
They both looked back to the two new recruits then, watching as they both stood up.
The two sets of nine year olds stared across at eachother for what seemed like forever... that is until Aurora and Nintendo both ran at eachother happily. They hugged, and then pulled back, both speaking over eachother in excitement, but not really caring.
It was at this time that Jade and Omega smiled at eachother, and shook hands, both talking about how it was nice to meet the other.
Aurora grinned one last time, and shook Omega's hand. "Nice to meet you in person."
Omega nodded, a bit shyly, and then took her hand back.
Aurora took on a serious face then, and rolled up her none-existent long sleeves. She walked over to the vortex again, and Jade stood behind her just in case.
She reached her arm in, and once again two hands clasped onto it. She pursed her lips together, and, with as much force as she could muster, pulled the two through.
Luckily this time no one fell... well, on the ground. Aurora stumbled back and fell backwards into the other threes' arms. She then stood up abruptly in mild embarrassment, and coughed.
The two new helpers stood there, looking back at the other four.
One was a girl, about the same height as Phoebe, and she had straight, brown hair that went about to her shoulder, and lovely blue eyes.
The other one was actually a... a boy. He had scruffy brown hair, and blue eyes and... and a black unibrow. He wore a pink t-shirt, and some simple jean shorts that went just above his knees. He looked... like a male Helga, only with brown hair... which seemed rather odd to Aurora, but she recognized who he was, nonetheless.
Aurora smiled, and extended one hand to each, shaking both their hands at the same time. "Nice to finally meet the famous Angie and Alan."
Angie smiled brightly. "Yes, it's nice to meet you too. Jajajajjaja!"
Aurora nodded, finally taking her hands back, and then turned her attention to Alan. Alan smiled a little, allowing his once extended hand to drop to his side. "Hello... Aurora, right?"
Aurora nodded.
"Awesome. I love your stories."
Aurora blushed a little, and looked away. "Thanks... so... we should probably get out of here before someone-"
"Hello? Principal Wartz?"
Arnold.
Everyone turned abruptly, only to see the young football headed boy standing in the doorway, holding a small note, and staring at the six of them strangely.
"What's going on here... Aurora?"
Aurora smiled nervously, waving a little uneasily. "Hey there... Arnold. How goes it?"
Arnold walked a little further into the room, and repeated his question. "What's going on here?"
Aurora was about to answer with some lame excuse, when Omega stepped forward suddenly. "We all came here to enroll in the school, but when we got here... we found Principal Wartz over there unconscious, and we don't know why."
Aurora blinked, and looked over to Arnold. He gasped a little, and walked over to the limp form of Principal Wartz on the ground, still in his polka wear, but his hat laying by his side where it fell off. "You just found him like this?" Arnold asked, staring down at Principal Wartz.
Omega nodded, and everyone else did likewise.
Arnold blinked, and then sighed. "We should probably tell the nurse about this."
They all nodded again.
Arnold sat the note that he had been told to bring to the principal down on the desk, and then began walking out the door, grabbing onto Aurora's arm in the process. He pulled her outside, and shut the door quietly. "You're enrolling here now?" He asked.
Aurora shrugged, and nodded. "Yup, why?"
Arnold smiled at her. "That's great... but all those other kids too? Who are they?"
Aurora shrugged again. "Friends."
Arnold nodded. "Okay, you want to sit at lunch with me later?"
Aurora looked at him uneasily, and backed away a little. "You're just being friendly, right?"
"Of course. You're new here, so I thought you'd like someplace to sit... and all your friends in there too. What did you think I was being?"
"Uh... friendly?" Aurora shrugged... again.
Arnold blinked at her, and then smiled a little. "Whatever you say. I'm going to go get the nurse now. See you later."
As he walked away, Aurora smiled a little and waved goodbye, but then hesitated, before running up beside him. "Quick question... do you know anyone around here who's a tomboy? Anyone in our grade? I mean... I'm looking to make some new friends, and I'm a bit of a tomboy myself, so..."
Arnold blinked at her, and then looked away uneasily. "Well... there's Helga." He looked back at her.
Aurora smiled a secret smile, and then faked curiosity. "Oh? Who's Helga?"
"Well... she's tall, blonde pigtails, blue eyes, pink dress and bow. You can't miss her. She's... well, she's a tomboy, I guess."
Aurora smiled, and patted him on the back. "Thanks a ton, Arnold. See ya later." She grinned, as she ran back into the principals office.
She walked in, and saw that everyone was talking amongst themselves. She shrugged, as they didn't seem to notice her, and then walked over to the computer. She enrolled everyone into the computer, and then stood up.
Everyone was still chattering. "Hey guys!" She tried, but no one answered her. "Hey guys!" She tried again a little louder, but no one seemed to hear her over their own chatter. Aurora snarled. "SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!!!!" She screamed, and everyone winced, covering their ears, and finally looking at her.
Aurora glared at them all. "GET IN LINE!"
Everyone blinked, and exchanged questioning looks with eachother.
Aurora growled. "GET IN LINE YOU WORTHLESS MAGGOTS!!!"
They all quickly swarmed about, running to stand in a straight line.
Aurora smiled slightly, but didn't lose the glare in her eyes. "CHESTS OUT!" She yelled, standing straight up.
They all quickly straightened up, and puffed out their chests.
Aurora began walking down the line, yelling sternly as she went. "YOU ARE ALL HERE FOR ONE REASON, AND ONE REASON ONLY!!! AND THAT IS... ROMANCE!!!!!"
They all nodded, wincing at her loud yells.
"YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME, AND YOU WILL LISTEN GOOD, BECAUSE I AM NOT REPEATING ANY OF THIS!"
They all stood dead still, staring at her. She let out a breath of exhasperation, and looked at them all again. "AGREED?!?!" They all nodded quick, and she smiled. "Good."
Aurora stood at the front of the line, and looked at them all. "Okay... here's the plan..."
