Arnold was tired. No, it went beyond that. He was exhausted. Not only during the three flights he had to take, he wasn't able to catch some sleep, but also in some of them he didn't even have the minimum facilities planes usually offered. So it wasn't surprising he was groggy, hungry and sweaty. But at last he was stepping on the tiles of the airport of Hillwood. Sure the place was bigger and updated, but it still kept the same resemblance he remembered from the last time he stepped in.

As he walked to customs and started to report his luggage to the sir behind the counter, Arnold was suddenly ambushed by the excitement of being finally in his hometown. He took a deep breath, trying to seize his chest but finding almost impossible. He couldn't still believe that after so long he was back. The sir behind the counter seemed to notice his eagerness and just shook his head smiling. Arnold felt a little ashamed but he didn't care. He was home.

After some scratches on his forms and some mumbling, Arnold got finally his papers back. On the rush to the exit he almost forgot his suitcase, resisting the impulse to smack his forehead, he headed back to the carrousel were the rest of the passengers were waiting, trying to hide his embarrassment. Waiting for the band to move, he tried to look over to the gates and see if someone of his relatives was behind it. The sound of the carrousel brought alive caught his attention, immediately turning to see the slowly passing bags and check for his suitcase.

After what it seemed like an hour, and after so many turns of the same ugly yellow mustard bag no one seemed to claim, his green camping backpack appeared. Relieved the company didn't lose his luggage, he placed it with some effort on his back and headed to the exit. Resisting the impulse of running to the gates, he handed the release form to the guard on the entrance and exited the place finally.

There was the waiting room, filled with people. Some were saying their farewells, while others were welcoming the new round of passengers of the room. Inside the stores there were some of the usual business type, reading or checking their e-mails on their smartphones. Suddenly remembering the last words with his parents, he started to look inside his belongings for his cellphone. He was so immersed on the hunt that he failed to hear someone step closer to him.

"Hey there short man. What are you looking for? Better be that locket with the photo of Hedy Lamarr eating a roast beef sandwich you still owe me"

Recognizing instantly the voice, he tossed his backpack and turn to face the person behind him. Arnold blinked a couple of times, taking in the image of his grandfather. He still looked the same, a little more wrinkles around his face and maybe two or three teeth missing, but the same old Steely Phil. Arnold smiled and opened his arms fully, taking the old but not so fragile man in his arms. Phil chuckled as he returned the gesture. After a couple of second both men released the other and looked at each other.

"So… where's my locket?" Phil said, placing his hands over his hips.

Arnold half closed his eyes and smirked "Grandpa"

"No locket then?" the old man said faking a little disappointment.

Arnold just shook his head and turned to his backpack, but as he tried to take one of the straps Phil took it first.

"Here, let me help you short man" he said in a cheerful spirit.

"No Grandpa, I got it" Arnold replied, taking the strap from him.

"Now come one Arnold, let your Grandpa take care of this" Phil said snatching the strap from Arnold's hands.

"But it's really heavy" Arnold responded with a pleading tone.

"Arnold I might be old, but not weak. Now stop arguing with me and step aside" he concluded as he took the other strap.

Arnold rolled his eyes and sighed, crossing his arms over his chest he waited for his grandfather to lift the bag. He knew more than well that arguing was pointless, so he let him be. Phil snickered as he pulled both straps to him with a little effort, the bag didn't move. Frowning he tried again with more strength, the bag didn't flinch. Getting annoyed he spit on his hands, rubbed them together and tried one more time. Again, the bag remained there impassive.

Phil started to curse and mumble things as he rubbed under his parted chin, trying to figurate out how to move the object. Arnold resisted the impulse to smirk with triumph.

"Well, seems we have to leave it here short man" Phil said as he scratched the back of his head.

Arnold shook his head and smiled, taking both straps and pulling the backpack up and placing it behind him. Phil just eyed him resentfully.

"Oh yeah? You might be stronger short man, but I'm wiser" he commented childishly before walking straight to the entrance.

The teenager just pronounced his smile and followed the old man. As he exited the place, Phil turned to his grandson.

"What are you carrying anyway? Stones from the temples of the Green-Eyed people"

Arnold just chuckled as response. They walked in silence for a minute until they reached the parking lot, just outside the building. There it was the same old green Packard, glistening in all its mighty under the sun. Arnold smiled contempt, he was glad some things were still the same. As Phil opened the trunk, Arnold tossed his luggage on it and headed to the front seat. When he was ready to pull the handle and open the door, he found an obstacle on the way.

In the shape of a person.

"Hey there man"

"Gerald?" Arnold said with both eyes wide open "What? How did you know?"

"Fuzzy Slippers, he never fails to deliver"

Arnold grinned widely as he pulled his friend into a tight embrace, noticing that he was taller than him by an inch or two. After pulling from each other they did their trademark handshake. Both grinning and taking in the other's appearances. Gerald still wore the same hairstyle but a little shorter, instead of his red T-shirt there was a red hoodie, with his traditional blue jeans and red snickers.

"I see you stopped using your shirt under your sweater" Gerald commented as he looked at Arnold from head to toe.

"Yeah… after so many 'skirt' remarks, one gets tired"

Gerald nodded as he walked to the back seat and got in the car, copying his actions Arnold got the front seat of it. Phil was already inside with the keys on the ignition. After checking the rear mirror he started the engine and drove off the airport. After a couple of seconds Arnold turned over his seat.

"So Gerald what's new? How's everybody? What happened to our class? Are they all in the same High? Are they still playing on Gerald field? What about-"

"Easy, easy man" Gerald cut him off, shaking his head. Phil snickered.

"Sorry Gerald" Arnold apologized "It's just that there's so much I want to ask you that I got carried away" he said sitting once again.

"No prob, just one question at the time man. Or you'll fry my brains out"

Arnold nodded and started to wonder what exactly he wanted to know the most first. Realizing what it was he turned once more to the back seat.

"Ok. What happened to our class?"

"We were stuck together till Junior High. But once we reached High school, most of us got split. Since is a big school you know, we rarely share classes anymore"

"I see" Arnold commented nodding "What about the guys? You know… Harold, Stinky and Sid?"

"Harold is the captain of Football team, Stinky is in basketball like me and Sid he's on the swimming team"

"And Eugene and Curly?"

"Eugene is in the arts club and Curly well… it's Curly man. It's a wonder why he hasn't been arrested yet"

Arnold snickered "What about the girls?"

"Phoebe is bright as always" Gerald stopped for a moment to drift into space, noticing this Arnold smirked and snapped his fingers in front of his friend. Gerald smiled apologetically and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry man… Rhonda is the same old spoiled girl, Nadine still her friend, I don't see why but anyhow. She's on the botany club along with Sheena and Lila"

"What about Helga?"

Gerald paused for a second before looking up "She's not in our school"

Arnold frowned and tilted his head in confusion.

"After his father's business took off she was transferred to a private school. She's now studying with Peapod, Park and Lorenzo in Wellington's High. Haven't seen her since last Rhonda's party on spring break"

"How was she?"

"Well… she's ok, less meaner. Must be a good influence that chap of hers"

Arnold frowned and felt a little unsteadiness in his stomach "You mean she has a boyfriend?"

"Yeah, she's dating that Rex Smythe-Higgins III"

A/N: Hehehe I loved writing about Phil :D He is such a fun character on the series, along with Pookie. Can't wait to write about her. Anyhow so what do you think? Did you like it? Comments and criticism are welcome in the form of a review ;)