"Alright Class we've finished all our big test for the year and now we get to plan the Jr. class's big global service project to work on over the summer." Mr. Simmons said in his oh so happy voice. The entire class groaned, there went the summer plans they were hoping to make. "Aw come on Mr. Simmons its our last summer! We don't want to do some stupid Global service project during summer." Herald whined as he munched some saltine crackers.
"Well Herald this is the last time you'll be able to do this. Next summer a lot of you will head off to find your 'special' place in the world. And I want our class to leave a lasting mark somewhere. You have all been so 'special' to me and I want each of you to share your 'specialness' with the world one last time." Mr. Simmons said making the class roll their eyes but smile.
The bell rang and everyone jumped up to start heading off to their houses for the weekend. "Alright see you all Monday! Spend this weekend thinking of some way that we can give back to the world this summer!" He called out as everyone left.
"So Arnoldo we on for dinner tonight? Big Bob want's to talk to you about being the possible future "beeper king" again. Because my father can't take a hint at all." Helga said catching up to Arnold as he started walking to the packer to get home.
"Yeah of course we're on for dinner, but I'm not going to become the next 'Beeper King'." He said opening the passanger door for her. She smiled and kissed his cheek before sliding into the seat and buckling up. Arnold hopped in and started the car and started the drive to Helga's house.
The school might not have changed much but Arnold's life had changed a lot. Grandpa had passed away last year, leaving grandma and Arnold the boarding house and all the bills. Luckily the tenants were all the same people, they were all a family now. Grandpa had left Arnold the packer, obviously he couldn't leave it to grandma, she was nuts.
Abner the pig and all the other pets still lived there, that included Oscar the mooch. Ernie had gotten married to a very lovely girl from Russia named Inga and they lived very happily together. Mr. Hynne never remarried, his heart always longed for Mai's mother and the family that had been ripped from him.
Grandma was as crazy as ever, and still spry as a spring chicken. But she'd gotten a little sadder since Grandpa's passing. Most days she just kept house like a normal person…and that was just not normal.
"So how's Grandma been lately?" Helga asked as they made their way to her house. "She's been doing a little better. Susie and Inga really help her out a lot. She's even been calling me Kimba again." Arnold said with an excited smile.
"That's great Arnold! You know most people wouldn't want to be called Kimba, must be a football head thing." She said playfully as they arrived at her house. "Haha those jokes never get old. Be careful Dame Helga I might just find a new nick name for you." He said opening her door and she made a nasty face. "I knew I should have never told you about that day dream!" She said getting out of the car with a grunt.
"I liked it! Especially the part with the golden magic sling shot and Curly basically giving you a big wet kiss." Arnold said jumping back a little as Helga reached to smack him. "Get back here football head so I can pound you!" She said chasing him around the yard a little till he stop and pinned her arms behind her back. He gave her a quick kiss and she sighed and then growled.
"Fine I'll stop chasing you, man it's not fair that you know all my weakness." Helga grumbled but looked pleased as Arnold let her go and they headed inside. "The perks of being your boyfriend." He said kissing her cheek before bracing himself for her family.
"Baby sister you're home!" Olga cried rushing to the door and pulling Helga into a big hug. Helga returned it with a half-smile. "Yeah yeah Olga I'm home. When did you get in and how long are you staying?" Helga asked detaching Olga from her being.
"Oh well Marcus and the kids were off for a weekend at the Opera but I said 'Marcus darling I just absolutely need to go see my baby sister and parents. I know we're going to be spending the summer with them but I just need some baby sister time!' And here I am!" Olga said as Bob and Miriam came in with and aw and pulled Olga into a big hug.
Helga rolled her eyes and then looked at Arnold with a smile as he stepped forward and took her hand. Helga had really calmed down once she realized there were people out there that didn't expect her to be like Olga; people who wanted her to be Helga. "So Arnold you came to dinner! Good we can talk about you taking over the Beeper kingdom again."
Over all the dinner wasn't to bad, I mean it could have been a lot worse. "Alright mom, dad I'm going to stay at Phoebe's tonight! GOODBYE!" Helga yelled slamming the door as she and Arnold left after hours of dealing with her parents. It was dark by now but since it was Friday night it didn't really matter.
"So want me to drive you over to phoebe's now or do you want to go get some ice cream?" Arnold asked putting an arm around her waist with a smile. Helga laughed and laid her head os his shoulder. "Ice cream would be great."
They sat at the bar of good food drinking milk shakes laughing at old stories. "Man we've got to think of something awesome for this summer so I don't have to deal with Olga all summer long." Helga said finally as they arrived at Arnolds. Phoebe's was a couple blocks away so Arnold was going to walk her there.
"Your sister isn't so bad, but combine your parents with her and yeah I can see the problem." Arnold said as they sat down on the stoop looking up at the stars. "I know right!? And with Henry and Juliet there too life will totally suck." Helga said putting her head on her hands.
They sat there in silence for a while, Their hands tightly intertwined as they watched the moon cross the sky. They were about to get up and get Helga to Phoebe's when someone approached them.
"Are you Senior Arnold Shortman?" Asked a man with a graying beard and a cowboy hat. "Yeah I'm Arnold, and this Helga. Who are you?" Arnold asking standing up to get a better look at the man.
"Senior you are the spitting image of your parents. I am Edwardo their friend from San Lorenzo and I've come to ask for your help. The green eye people asked for you by name. The Miracle child who's birth made the entire jungle go silent." Edwardo said coming closer with a sad smile.
Arnold was to stunned to say anything at first, here was the last person to see his parents in the last 17 years; and he wanted Arnold's help. "I….I don't understand. What do you mean the green eye people asked for me?" Arnold asked when he finally found his voice.
"Exactly that, the green eyed people said for me to get you. San Lorenzo is in desperate need of help rebuilding after a terrible earthquake. Several outsiders came to help, but now they are tearing down the jungle that the green eyed people call home. The jungle is in an uproar and the people of San Lorenzo are in serious danger. But you stopped the jungle once, you made it all go silent; I know I was there. And so were the green eyed people, and now they ask for you to come help rebuild and silence the jungle once more. I know I shouldn't ask, especially since it was the green eye people being in need that took your parents from you, but I am desperate Senior Shortman." Edwardo said as they all sat on the stoop.
"I'll leave you now, I'll be here for a week so I'll need your answer by next Friday. I know you aren't out of school yet so you don't have to come till the summer, but I'll need to know what your plan is so I can prepare." Edwardo said standing up and walking little ways away. "And I am very sorry about your parents Arnold, they were wonderful people and I believe they are still out in the jungle somewhere trying to get home." With that Edwardo disappeared into the night his figure illuminated by the street lights.
There was a thick silence hanging around Arnold for a little while. "Arnold, are you…..are you going to be okay?" Helga asked laying a hand on his leg. Arnold looked at her with a thoughtful expression. "I have an idea of what we can do this summer."