By nice, Eugene actually meant his classmates other than Helga, who, currently had welcomed the Monday by socking a man dressed in a mascot animal costume so the mask head was whirled the wrong way around. She lifted a heavy textbook up with both hands to make a menacing gesture which could not, in anyway, be comforting to Providence.

"Now get out of here!" Helga snapped at the man in a bunny costume, wielding her large book. "Before I learn 'ya!"

"Helga!" Arnold hastened across the blacktop to grab her by the hand and pull her away. Eyes vexed, he hissed. "He was only trying to hand out balloons. See?" Arnold pointed to a large stall behind him. But Helga glared from behind her book.

"I still say getting my shoulder tapped by some WEIRDO in pink cotton is disturbing. Let's get outta here."

"Are you sure you don't want a balloon?" Arnold inquired. "I could get you one."

"What for?"

"I dunno. It's some sort of P.R. thing, I guess."

"Actually, it's a parent fundraiser," Phoebe muttered out with a cluster of three balloons in either hand. She handed some to Gerald, whom had been a wandering companion at her side.

"Huh," Helga remarked, calming. "There's been an awful lot of those lately."

"It's for sports equipment," said Phoebe.

"Yeah, me and Phoebe are unofficial assistant equipment managers!" Gerald spoke up with pride as he stuck out his chest.

"Yes," Phoebe stated mildly. "But Helga, you really shouldn't try striking my father despite the unusual costume he's wearing."

"Huh?!" Helga dropped her book and gaped as Phoebe's Dad unscrewed his bunny helmet to take it off. But he smiled softly at his daughter's best friend and their frequent houseguest.

"I should have had speed enough to block that punch," Kyo Heyerdahl said.

"Ugh. I'm sorry Mr. Heyerdahl! I had no idea!" Helga gushed and entreated.

"I am unharmed," Kyo said. "I will try not to startle you again." Helge wrenched her head up and down in an embarrassed nod.

"I would say to you, it is unwise to act impulsively. But it is equally true that action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." Helga stared up at her best friend's father with a puzzled look. But Providence, next to Eugene absorbed her words with a great deal of thought. She twiddled her thumbs, then approached Helga and Arnold.

"Um, hi!" she said alerting Gerald and Phoebe's attention to her as well. I'm Providence, in the same class as you? I thought that maybe we could all sit at lunch together?"

"Oh, the newb," Helga said sarcastically. "Alright, sit in the chair beside Phoebe only don't get too friendly with her. She's MY best friend, capisce?"

"Helga," Arnold muttered mildly. "Providence, I'm sure we'd like you to sit and chat with us." Helga's eyes narrowed. Arnold was being too friendly with the newcomer so she shot her arm around his elbow in a tight lock and walked them both three steps away.

"Well, anyway we'll be seeing you. Later!" Helga called back as she shuffled Arnold far, far away from the newest eye candy of Hillwood. Arnold had been five seconds away from another crush, perhaps. Helga was horrible and Arnold confused, but at least it left Providence alone with Gerald and Phoebe for a more calm discussion.

"Do you like sports?" Gerald asked still holding a balloon for the sport's team fundraiser.

"No," Providence shook her head. "But I like balloons. May I have one?"

"Of course!" Gerald placed the balloon string in Providence's hand so that she could have the fun of holding it. "Would you ever consider coming to WATCH a game?" Gerald plied with salesman's zeal.

"Maybe," Providence said timidly. "But what if it rains? Or the ball goes too far and falls on my head?" She clutched the balloon end with fear.

"Oh, that would never happen!" Eugene grinned. "Or if it did, we'd work around and not let it get us down! After all, I've had lots of head injuries before!" the boy pointed to his skull.

"Er, maybe you should not play sports so much," Providence cringed. "They sound scary."

"Not as much as being flabby and out of shape!" Gerald grinned. "Come on, girl, you can give it a try! There's our sports-olympic-at-school week coming up and we have all sorts of sports to choose from! Basketball, basketball, football, track! You can even sign out some badminton rackets or frisbies to use if you like!" Gerald showed the dark-skinned toned girl a clipboard and a bright green, plastic frisbee. But she looked at them uncertainly.

"I dunno. I don't really think sports are my thing."

"Aw that's okay, then," Gerald said with modest disappointment. But Eugene was feeling the exact opposite of his friend about it.

"Sign me up!" Eugene lunged to the clipboard. He studied one such clipboard, then another. "I love sports! I want to do all of them!"

"Yeah, we'll get back to you on that," Gerald said with distaste for what Eugene's jinx might to to any sports equipment under his care. "How do you'll feel about running track?"

"You'll come watch me, won't you Providence?" Eugene mumbled with excitement. 'I'll invite all my friends! Sheena. And Arnold. And of course, you guys, too!" Eugene said of Gerald and Phoebe.

"Oh, we'll already be there," Phoebe said rearranging her glasses. "In the capacity of assistants. We'll be managing the water coolers."

"We sure will!" Gerald beamed. "I'll get to get out of my classes every afternoon for a week for this! It's like a dream come true!"

"Oh, wow. It sounds great!" Eugene exclaimed, his expression giddy with delight. But Providence cringed as if she could already hear the sound of an ankle getting broken.

Will Providence participate in the week ahead? Not likely.