Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.
15. The nobody's friend
– Sheena's House - Sheena's room–
- It's today! My special day! I turned 12! - The tall girl jumped from her bed and looked at her clothes. - And it's a beautiful day outside… I believe…
A cold wind peeked through the window, a storm threatened to appear, but the girl didn't care.
- Some rain means more good crops and trees. - She took her backpack and left her room.
- Happy birthday my girl!- Her parents surprised with a big cake and candles.
- Thank you mom and dad. I'm so happy!
- It's December 15th, our favorite day of the year! How can we not celebrate it? - Her mom enveloped her in a hug.
- For the 12th year in a row! My princess.
- Thank you dad.
- And as you know… our family has a special tradition for the 12th birthday…
- Oh no… really?
- Yes Sheena, it's your time now!
- Your own vegetable plot! - The couple said while the girl jumped happily.
- Thank you mom! I'll do my best! Now it's time to go to school! See you!
- Have a great day princess!
– PS 118- Entry- / Hall –
The tall girl was walking under the rain, enjoying it in some way, she loved her birthday, her parents always made the day ultra special, and usually always did… except for the school… her classmates never remember her birthday, except for her best friends: Eugene and Brainy, they were always there for her, and for her it's enough. She was almost in the classroom when she noticed an "extra strange behavior" of her classmates.
- It is coming!- A voice yelled from inside.
- What's happening here? Oh.. isn't… right? Maybe they are preparing me a surprise party… What good guys! - She thought and smiled. Finally she opened the door and saw how a mannequin full of sauce fell on her. - What is this!
- Oh guys! It's only Sheena, quick, put the things again, before Simmons comes here!
- Yes Harold! - Stinky said and he and Sid helped him.
- Sheena? Are you ok?
- What's happening Arnold?
- There are only the guys, trying to surprise Simmons for his birthday.
- Oh I see…
- Are you sure that you are ok?
- Yes I'm, maybe I only need some medicine to clean my eyes, I'll go to the Nursing.
- Don't worry, I'll bring it to you, wait here.
The blond guy walked through the hall to the Nursing, where the aunt of his friend was cleaning the place.
- Hey Arnold! Morning! Let me guess… so early in the morning… Was Eugene, right?
- Hello Miss Nurse, no this time, it is for Sheena, she needs some eye drops.
- Oh I see, everything goes well?
- Yes, don't worry.
- Ok, here it is, now a little favor, young gentleman.
- Sure!
- Can you give this little cupcake to Sheena? Today's her birthday and I'll go to her house later, but I want to give her a surprise.
- Today is her birthday? - Arnold was totally shocked.
- Yes… Did you forget it?
- I'm afraid so, don't worry I'll give her your present.
- I can't believe it… Today's Sheena's birthday… Now that I think about it… I never celebrated Sheena's birthday, or I never gave her a present…
The pre teen walked to his classroom, being tortured by her thoughts, until he crossed the door, watching how his classmates surprised Mr Simmons.
- Hey, Eugene! - Arnold sat down next to him.
- What 's up? Is it an excellent morning?
- Yes I know, but I'm wondering… today… is Sheena's birthday?
- Of course not, I'm her best friend, I would.. - The red-haired boy checked the calendar and his face turned worried. - OMG, Arnold, you're right! it 's today!
- I knew it. How can we make up for her?
- Maybe with a surprise party, but without plastic things, or meat. She's now vegetarian.
- Is she?
- Yes, and she's allergic to nuts. Family heritage.
- Oh… I see. We can talk with the others in recess, you've to distract her.
- Excellent! I'm in!
– PS 118 - Playground –
All the 6th graders were reunited on the ground, some of them were hungry and angry, but the guy with football head tried to not pay attention and talk.
- Guys, we're here for an important birthday today.
- But my man, we did a surprise for Simmons, a very surprising one. - He looked angry at his classmates.
- Yes I know, but I'm talking about Sheena.
- Sheena? Her birthday is today? - Phoebe asked, surprised.
- To be honest, since I arrived, I never noticed. - Lila opined.
- Well, to be fair, is not our fault, she is not… "so popular" , I mean, nobody forgets the birthday of important people.
- Rhonda, is not about popularity, it's about friendship. It's our last year in PS 118, we have to do something special to her, she always was nice to everyone of us.
- I don't know Arnold, I don't wanna organizing a stupid girl party.
- Yeah Harold is right, she's so boring. - The big-nosed boy grumbled.
- Oh yeah guys? Tell me 2 things about her.
- Well.. she… - Everyone tried to think of something to win the debate, but no one could.
- The only guy that really mets her is Eugene, and he'll help us.
- I don't know, I prefer to watch some TV and…
- Ok listen, pink boy… You'll help us and you'll assist to the stupid party and you'll love it, ok? - Betsy helped her owner to emphasize the point.
- Ok Madame Fortress Mommy, whatever.
- Ok football head, you've a team. But quickly, before I regret. - Helga smiled at her boyfriend and he answered with the same gesture.
– City center –
- So… Are you sure about this? - He bit his donut.
- Sure Gerald, I've to help her. I can't understand why she never told us.
- Well, you can't go up to people and say, "Hello everyone, no one has noticed me for... well, our entire lives!"
- Well… that's right, she always had a low profile. - He looked at all their bags and sigh while walking next to his best friend.
- Don't worry, we bought a lot of interesting things for her party. I just hope that this will not turn into a disaster, as Eugene's birthday, you know.
- Maybe it is for the "Eugene factor", don't worry. I hope that our girls can buy all the rest of the food.
- Pheebs told me that, actually, they'll cook everything.
- Wow… it will be amazing!
- Hey Arnold, one question, why did you ask them for some chocolate cookies?
- Oh, tomorrow I'll visit my friend Bernie, and she loves them, but I don't have so much time for cooking them.
- Talking about her, do you have some news about your second investigation for a lost relative?
- No, I'm afraid that no, and I don't know what Is happening! Maybe I need my christmas angel again.
– Phoebe's house - Kitchen –
The girl put all the ingredients on the kitchen table. Her mom's book recipe was her savior for this new stage in her life, in a little time, she, Helga and her dad had learned so much about cooking. In some way, she felt like it was a way to be useful to her dad and get over your sadness. Her friend closed the door hard, drawing her attention.
- Criminy! I hate the drama! - She put all her things on the table and went to wash her hands.
- What happened? Why did it take you so long?
- Miss perfection had a big drama.
- She lost another role in the theater? huh?
- Yeah, she finally found something she sucks at! I don't why is she so obsessed!
- Maybe because it's the first thing that she can't do.
- Maybe… but I've to confess, in some ways it is very nice for me! - She smiled with her characteristic evil smile.
- Oh Helga… - Her friend laughed. - Anyway, did you find the cake pan?
- Sure! I can't understand why Sheena is so difficult with food, I couldn't find a cake shop for her stupid vegetarian cake.
- Don't worry I know that we can do an excellent one! Hey, cookie ingredients?
- Yep, the football head asked me for do them for him, you know, for his old friend.
- Oh so cute! Does he have some news about her daughter?
- Not much, I believe that is time for my intervention.
- Awesome, another Helga's miracle!
- Pheebs, just sift the flour, and forget the Christmas story. - She broke the eggs in the bowl.
- Forgetting. - She smiled, her bestie was so cute sometimes.
– Sunset Arms - Roof -
It was almost sunset, all the 6th graders were in the place, wearing a costume of a popular musical theater play, as Eugene had suggested, he and his friend love them and it was their dream someday to be famous actor and actress respectively.
- Arnold, my friend, your roof looks awesome!
- Thanks, it was Rhonda's work.
- A masterpiece if you asked me. - She said proudly, showing her pink dress based on the Legally Blonde musical. - Anyway, where is the miss president and her assistant with the food?
- Don't worry, they're coming.
- I hope that they really are. Gerald, your costume it's awesome!
- Thanks me and Phoebe are Rachel and Frank from The Bodyguard.
- Awesome… and Arnold… are you… Romeo, again?
- Yes, for the famous musical Roméo et Juliette.
- Very repetitive, if you ask me...although it's better than Curly's Cats costume…
- Yes… I'm gonna have nightmares. - Gerald agreed.
- Well football head, we are here.
- Helga, Phoebe! Thank you! You brought a lot of food! And it looks awesome!
- I told you, trust me!
- OMG, Are you Juliette?
- It was Arnold… ¡he always copies me! - She said totally nervous.
- Me? It was my idea! But… if you are implying that we are in a secret relationship and this was planned, you are crazy. - Everyone looked at the blond hair as he was crazy, except the blond girl who was planning how she'll kill him.
- Of course… I'm going to drink something.
- huh… I hope that Eugene comes soon! - The nervous Romeo tried to break the ice, while his girlfriend glared at him and his friends laughed.
– Sunset Arms- street –
While the guys were embarrassing themselves, Eugene was doing his task, he took Sheena to watch Titanic at the cinema, and everything went well, until a lamp fell on his seat and they had to pay a quick visit to the hospital. Now, as it should be, and without saying anything, the boy had taken her to the guest house.
- Thanks for accompanying me to Hospital! Sorry for spoiling your birthday.
- Don't worry Eugene, was funny, well except for the part with the needles they used to close your eyebrow.
- Oh don't worry, I'm accustomed, that handsome male nurse always helps me.
- Well, it's time to go home, as it's getting late.
- Don't worry, I'll accompany you at home, but first, I need to pick up my notebook in Arnold's place, can you come with me?
- Sure, come on and… wow actually we are here!
- Amazing… Come on!
The duo walked up the stairs, the older Shortman opened the door and when he saw the red-haired boy, jumped twice steps behind.
- You… Are you that guy that causes disasters, right?
- Hello Mr. Shortman, is "Arnold at home"?
- No, and he never will.
- Dad, come on, it's Arnold's friend, you know, the friend that he had been waiting for.
- I told you Miles, if you let him in, you will suffer the consequences.
- Oh please guys, don't listen to him… he is so old and…
- Hey! I'm not so old!
- Anyway, Arnold is on the roof, please, please come up.
- Thank you young Mr Shortman. - Eugene smiled and went up the stairs with his best friend, while the old man was scolded by his son with his eyes.
- Are you sure that Arnold is here? It 's so dark here.
- Happy Birthday Sheena! - All her friends said while everything was still in the dark.
- Oh guys! Guys! You prepared a surprise themed party for me!…well, I suppose it, I can't see pretty well.
- Yes it is Sheena, it's only that Eugene switched off the light. - Arnold took her hand to show her all the surprise.
- Sorry, and I'm ok.
- Anyway… Happy Birthday! - Gerald screamed after reconnecting the light.
- Guys, I'm so happy… I never… never had a surprise party… - A tear fell from her eye. - You didn't have to do it.
- It was a pleasure, congratulations! And everyone, have fun! - All their friends started dancing happily, Sheena saw at Arnold and walked next to him.
- Arnold, all this has your sign, thank you… but… why?
- Because you are an excellent friend, and sorry for not noticing before, we are very close to middle school, and we don't know what future has in store for us, so we have to enjoy the time together!
- Thank you, it was so sweet!
- Don't worry and enjoy your party!
- And you can enjoy the food, it's vegetarian food, and maybe only you can enjoy it.
- Great! Thank you Helga! - Helga was about to turn to her boyfriend until a small cry of excitement from the birthday girl caught her attention.
- What's happens, Poppins?
- These chocolate cookies! They're my favorites! It's a secret family recipe! How did you convince my mom to tell you?
- Actually, they weren't for the party, they were for Arnold...wait a minute...did you say a "secret family recipe"?
- Yes, my mom only prepares them on very special occasions, but not very often, I don't know why.
- But that means…
- Helga, please, come with me! - Stella appeared at the party.
- Stella? What happened? Something related to Eugene, right? I knew that warning the old man was the right thing to do.
- No sweetie… I've such bad news for you…
- What is it? - Helga felt a shiver run down her back, the woman's expression was not good at all.
- Is about your mom… she had a car accident, come with me to the hospital, we'll take you.
- What?… thank you… I'll go with you.
The girl dressed like Juliette followed her trying to run as fast as she could. For a second, the music from the party was inaudible for her, her legs felt like spaghetti, it is not like Miriam had no accidents in the past, but lately she felt the things… kind of different.
THE END
and here's the beginning of a new plot! and one of my favorites chapters... cheer up guys! 10 days until Christmas! See you next soon!
