Chapter 4: Sentimental Journey (Time to pack)

"Oh man, what am I going to do?" Arnold complained.
"Don't worry man, everyone will forget soon enough" Gerald confidently said.
"No, they always remember! I know they will… they are counting on me, I guess I'm gonna have to try"
"Suit yourself then" Gerald rolled his eyes.
"No wait! I know what to do!" Arnold said conspiring in his head.

Wartz's house was full of teenagers, screaming, laughing and shaking all around, making a tremendous frenzy that made the neighbors peer through their windows to see the riot. Wartz could not stand the rackety and screamed "Ahhhh! Alrigth ! Fine you can come! Just get the damn permission and money. We are leaving on Christmas vacation! " he continued giving information, he also said the amount of money they needed approximately. This has become a fieldtrip rather than a vacation Wartz thought.

"I knew this would work" Arnold grinned.
"Haha, yeah, you sure know how to blow someone's mind" Gerald laughed.

The months passed slow for Arnold, it wasn't until November when he told his grandparents about the trip.

"Are you sure about this Arnold?" Phil asked, he seemed worried.
"Positive grandpa, I've been waiting so long for this chance, you've got to sign the permission, please!" Arnold begged.

"Aaa… I don't know… what do you say Pookie?"Gertie was dressed as 50's rock and roller with a black leather jacket and right blue jeans.

"So… Buddy Holly wants to make his airplane trip! I say he must, he has got a concert to give, mustn't let the fans down" She said with a lunatic tone.

"Oh you old mad sack!" Phil muttered, Arnold had a sad puppy face straight into Phil's eyes "Alright, alright… you can go… I guess you are old enough to take care of yourself…"

"Thanks grandpa! You're the best!" said Arnold as he hung on Phil's neck.

On December, everyone was excited, it seemed that most of the Art class students got permission to go. Eugene was going, Stinky, Sid and Harold had no problem on getting consent from their parents. Sheena, Nadine and Rhonda had just joined the adventure and off course Gerald and Phoebe were going. The only one who hadn't got the permission signed was Helga. She had spent more time stalking Arnold to find out the reason of the trip rather than getting consent to travel.

How am I going to get permission, Bob won't let me go so far, and Miriam….hum Helga thought as she gave an evil laugh.

Miriam was sleeping on a couch as usual when Helga got home Looks like the hangover will never pass for Miriam she thought. Helga took out a sheet of paper from her backpack and shook Miriam's shoulder.

"Miriam! Miriam! Wake up! Wake up you Lazy goon!"
" naa… wha.. wha…?" her glasses were over her forehead and she went back to sleep.

"Miriam! Damn it! Wake up!" Helga rose her arm and slapped hard Miriam's face Plack!

"Ahh... what happened?...Oh Helga… what is it honey?"

"Here" she handed the copy "sign it!" Helga ordered.

"What is it?" Miriam asked with a loud yawn.

"Ah nothing, it's just for a school trip, nothing to brag about"

"Ah… alright" Miriam signed it and spread herself back on the sofa.

"Well that was easy" Helga boasted "Now, how am I gonna get the money from Bob?"

On that evening, Bob was busy watching his new 60" plasma screen, angrily happy as always.

"Hey bob" Helga hesitated.

"Eh? …What?" he groaned.

"Emm I need some equipment for Art class, VERY expensive equipment"

"Aha.. Aha…" he drooled hypnotized by the screen.

"Can you give me money to buy them?"

"Eh… what?.. ah yeah yeah, go play with your dolls or something"

The next day when Helga woke up, Bob wasn't home but he left an envelope next to her bed with a little note:

Hope this is enough

Helga's eyes almost fell out when she saw the amount Bob had given her, one grand. She never thought getting much from Bob, she expected at least $400 o less.

The last day of school came and everyone was overexcited. In Art class many conversations took place with all kinds of topics 'I bought a hat for the sun' 'I fetched a survival book' 'Have you seen my new bag? I can put almost anything in it'

"Alright everyone!" Gerald's voice spread through the classroom "Listen up, all those who are going to the jungle come with me and list in you complete names, leave the permission and the bid for the ticket to ride!"
Everyone pushed themselves wanting to be the first one.
"Make a line people… come on, this way"

"How did you manage to obtain consent from your parents?" Phoebe asked Helga.

"Ah… nothing, just some good old tricks" Helga winked an eye as they listed their names in.

"Anyone else?... Anyone?... Alright then, listen guys, we'll call you as soon as Wartz notifies us where we will meet and when we'll leave!" Arnold shouted and as everyone left.

After school, they went right away to Wartz's home and gave him the list of the students and money for the airplane tickets.
Wartz had a feeble smile on his face "I'll call you tomorrow after I buy the tickets" and closed the door.

The rest of the day did not have anything worth narrating about, except that Arnold spent the whole evening reading his journal. Reliving the adventures of Stella and Miles, the green eyed people, San Lorenzo, Eduardo and how he was born in the middle of disaster, soon Arnold fell asleep.

That night when he flew to the dream world, he had a queer dream, everything was dark and cold.

"Help me!" a thin man with long dirty hair and a long beard gasped the words out. Arnold could not see his face, he was on his knees and tied up by the hands. His limbs told he hadn't eaten in a long time. Then, a song was heard "Gonna take a sentimental journey…. Seven, that's the time we leave, at seven…."

"There is no hope, there is nothing... NOTHING!" the odd man said as he began to cry. A loud sound making his dream vibrate, woke Arnold up feeling dizzy, his cell phone rang.

"mm… a.. Hellooo…" Arnold answered.

"Hey Arnold, it is I, Principal Wartz"

Arnold snapped out of his trance "Hey principal, how's it going?" He tried hard not to sound fatigued.
"I'm fine, listen, I've got the tickets and we are leaving on Monday at 7pm, I'll see you all on the airport's grand hall at 5pm, do not forget"

"I won't" Arnold's thrilling voice replied.

"Alright kid, I'll see you then, bye."

After eating his late breakfast at 12:00, Arnold spurt out through the door and made way to Gerald's, where they spent the day calling their classmates and notified them about the trip.

"Hello, Helga?" Arnold's voice soothed Helga's ear.

"Oh Arnold" she sighed but soon fell down her cloud of tenderness "Hey Arnoldo, what is it?"

"I just wanted to tell you about the trip, we are leaving on Monday, we'll meet on the airport's hall at 5pm"

"I'll be there"

"Great! See you on Monday …sweet dreams!"

Helga melted when she heard that, there was no way to avoid Arnold's charms, she thought. Helga suddenly fell to the ground as she hugged her phone which caused it to end the call.

"Oh no! I accidently hung up on him!" She lamented the rest of the night.