Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.


22. Pears, triangles and rounds

— PS 118 - 6th Classroom –

- Oh no, I can't approve that idea… It's so stupid!

The angry president crossed arms and moved in her seat. Her team was totally tired after 3 hours trying to find a way to pay for the dance prom.

- Princess, isn't our Junior prom! It's just elementary school, take it easy!

- Helga, be reasonable. - Miss Llyod defended herself. - It's a perfect idea! What do you think girls? A dance to fundraising money for our prom!

Patty, Phoebe, Sheena and Nadine looked at each other, nervous without any answer to the angry girls.

- To be honest with you…- The smartest girl started talking. - I'm with Rhonda in this one.

- What the hell, Pheebs! Really? - Her angry friend stood up from her seat.

- Thank you!
- Shut up little princess! Go on Phoebe.

- Please Helga, relax, it's a good idea, the party is gonna be easy to organize and the thematic sounds newfangled.

- As the representative of 6th grade, I agree too. - Patty added. - Actually it's a good idea, The pooLlyod party in winter sounds great.

- And where will you find a pool in winter, genius! - Helga asked without any patience.

- For your information Helga, my parents created a new fancy sport center, The Lloyd Country Club, very exclusive, but they let me have the party in our Roofed pool.

- That's awesome Rhonda! - Her best friend said.

- What do you say Helga? Isn't it great for us?

- Ok, ok, you got me! Let's do your stupid party at the pool.

- Yeah! - All the girls smiled happily with the result of the large meeting, Helga had to admit, never spend so much time with them in the past, but they aren't so bad as she believed. The blond girl smiled too.

- But girls, I've an idea more, you know, to make the party a little… interesting. - Sheena said.

- What is in your head? - She got Helga's attention.

- Let's do a "Girl inviting boys party"! You know, so that the boys suffer a bit of the anguish of "why nobody invites me".

- Yeah, let's do it! - Everybody in the room agreed.


– Smith's House - Dinner room -

- And then mom, Helga approved everything, we'll do the party!

- Oh darling, sounds funny and creative! - Her mom hugged her. - You're an awesome and creative representative!

- Thank you mom, I really hope that we can make an awesome prom! We're working very hard on this.

- And you already know which amazing and lucky guy you're going to invite?

- Maybe… I'm not pretty sure yet. - Patty's cheeks turned an amusing red.

- Well, maybe you'll need this. - Her mom put a lot of money in her hand.

- Mom, is so much more of my allowance, why?

- Because you'll need the prettiest swimsuit to wear it! Buy you something cool!

- Are you sure?

- Don't worry my pancake, do you want me to go with you? You know Miss Slova, one of my bosses, has that fancy shop.

- Don't worry mom, I'll do it on my own, thank you.

Patty smiled totally happily and went out, direct to her mother's friend's store. She imagined the fancy bathing suit she would buy and how Harold would look at her.

Without noticing it, Patty arrived at her destination.

- Welcome to SLOVA, Can I help you?

Patty felt an uncomfortable look from the saleswoman, as well as a perfumed smell that she gave off that made her feel a bit agitated, but she decided not to pay attention and carry out her mission.

- Yes, I'm looking for a bathing suit, for a pool party.

- Interesting, you're the second client that asked for it today, in winter, followed me, please, maybe I'll find something… for "your style".

The saleswoman led her through the aisles, past the section for coats, winter dresses, until she reached the farthest area, where a stack of beautiful bathing suits were on display.

- Wow. - Was the only thing that the surprised girl could say.

- Here is, if you need some help, just call me.

- Thank you, I'll do it.

The young Smith was entranced by the sheer number of suit models in front of her, in the next hot colors, in a variety of patterns and shapes.

She could close her eyes and imagine herself at the party, having fun and impressing everyone with her exclusive design, when a scream brought her back to reality.

- Oh, Nadine! Navy blue and a full bathing suit? I'm not too sure, this suit doesn't say: Rhonda Llyod! It would look like 4th grade!

- Sorry Rhonda, I'll look for another one… again.

- Thank you darling. - Rhonda turned to the mirror and saw her friend in the reflection, looking at her and her beautiful blue swimsuit in one piece.. - Patty! Hi! I didn't know you shop at SLOVA!

- Hi Rhonda! Actually, it's my first time here. That swimsuit looks amazing on you.

- Thank you, but maybe I'll try another different style, you know, we aren't girls anymore.., we're almost in 7th grade.

- Yes… you're right.

- And did you need some help looking at your style?

- Oh, don't worry, I'll do it for myself. Thank you.

- Don't worry darling, it is my job… Helping others, be nice with my friends and… Nadine! Olive green? really? That's from 2 seasons ago, it's a total no!

- Sorry Rhonda… I'll find another… - The blonde sighed, annoyed and impatient.

- Maybe this it's gonna be more difficult than I thought. - The tall girl sighed and started walking, looking at each garment, but to her surprise, the sizes were too small. - All that isn't for me… - The young woman began to feel somewhat astonished,, even though she found beautiful swimsuits, none of them matched her size, they were all too small.

She made her way through the youth section until she reached the older women's section, where the sizes began to match hers.

Her spirits plummeted, the designs were nothing compared to the cute ones she found in the previous section.

A great discomfort overwhelmed her, at the same time as a great shame.

Suddenly she turned and looked at an emerald green one-piece bathing suit with a cross on the back and a slight queen anne neckline.

She sighed in relief, finally finding something in her size. She took it quickly and eagerly entered the dressing room. She looked totally perfect on it.

- This is Nadine! The chosen one!

Patty came out of her changing room to see Rhonda in a black white polka dot bikini with a little red bow on it, she was strutting in front of the huge mirror, wearing it proudly. Suddenly, Patty noticed Harold from the display case looking at Rhonda, completely stunned, she swore the boy was drooling.

A part of her heart broke, and she decided to get back to her dressing room before anyone noticed her. He quickly left and went to pay at the counter.

- Did you find what you needed? - Asked the elegant woman at the counter.

- Yes, yes, thank you. I will pay with cash.

- Of course. It could not be otherwise. - The woman whispered to herself. She packed the bathing suit and looked at it for a moment. - Are you sure you want this one?

- Yes because? - Answered the girl Smith, already annoyed. She wanted the earth to swallow her up and appear somewhere else.

- It's no big deal. Have a good day.

Patty took her package and almost ran out of the place, without noticing it, she left her bag there, sighed annoyed and decided to go back to retrieve it.

- Did you see her Sasha? - The woman asked her coworker in a mocking tone. - The fat girl took a maternity swimsuit. They both started laughing out loud.

- What did you expect, Aline! If with that body she was not going to fit into any of our luxury designer clothes. I don't understand how they let anyone in here!

The two burst out laughing as a tear ran down her face.

- What was I thinking... I never should have come. - She tormented herself in her mind. Suddenly she closed her eyes and saw herself in the first grade classroom, when a group of children surrounded her.

- Patty is a whale! Patty is as fat as a whale!

- Leave me alone Larry! At least I'm not stupid like you!

- It would be the last straw if, in addition to being ugly, you were stupid.

All the children started laughing and pretending to fall with every step little Patty took. A voice brought Patty back to reality, looking at Harold in front of her.

- Patty, are you listening to me?

- Oh… Hi Harold! Sorry, I'm not. - Why of all the people in the world, I've crossed me with Harold! - The girl lamented in her mind.

- I was asking you, why are you here, at the mall. Are you shopping for Rhonda's party? - He asked a little nervous, unnoticed to the girl, who felt worst with that question.

- Me? Oh no, not really… This is for an aunt.

- Oh really… and… talking about that party…

- Yes it's gonna be a cool way to earn some money, well I've got to go, see you later, bye!

- But Patty… Damn! When she is gonna ask me!

- That's all, I don't gonna go to that stupid party! - Patty screamed to herself once she was away from Harold, tossing her shopping bag into a trash can.- I've to go home before someone else finds me here…

She ran to the exit and left the mall. A friend saw all the action and took the shopping bag with her.


– Smith's House - Dinner room -

Mrs Smith was cooking dinner for her family, totally excited, waiting for her daughter. She remembered her old days at school. She laughed happily, imagining her daughter enjoying the party with Harold, that handsome and nice boy who her daughter fell in love with.

- I'm here! - Patty screamed and tried to run to her room.

- Honey, wait, please, show me!

- What?

- What? Well, your swimsuit, pancake!

- I'm sorry mom… but Rhonda canceled the pool party.

- Why? Really?

- Because her new club isn't ready, don't worry I'll return your money.

- Don't worry Patty, it was for you, keep it.

- Thanks mom.. See you…

- Poor of my girl… - Mrs Smith sighed and continued her task.

Patty ran into her room and she fell on her bed.

- That's all… I'll never go shopping again!


— PS 118 - Cafeteria –

Everybody was talking and enjoying their food, talking about the next event of the month. Everybody except Patty, who was looking at her lunch bag. She opened and discovered a turkey sandwich on it.

- A sandwich! ¡Huh! That's why I am how I am! - She closed the bag again, despite the claims of her stomach, she had skipped dinner and now lunchtime.

- Hi Patty! Is everything ok?

- Nadine! Hi! Yes, why do you ask?

- Sorry for mind your business, but per accident I saw what happened yesterday at SLOVA.

- Nothing happened yesterday, don't worry! See you later.

- Oh really? Because I think that this is yours. - Nadine put her lost bag on the table.

- That bag isn't mine… you're confused.

- Oh really? Because you also forgot this in the store, your bag and here is your ID.

- Ok, thank you Nadine, see you…

- Please, come back. I understand what is happening to you.

- Oh really, you, a beautiful, popular and slim girl can understand me?

- I'm Not that kind of girl… Maybe Rhonda is… but not me… I'm too short, the boys think that I'm strange and to be honest… I'm too slim to wear a bathing suit... I don't have the necessary curves to fill them out.

- Oh really? But if you are pretty and you've got all of Rhonda W. Llyod's fashion class and apprenticeship. - She turned herself back to the table and look at the girl eyes.

- Yes, maybe I've the Rhonda's experience, but… no her security, or her body… it's just… I want to tell you that you're not alone… But… see you and…

- Wait… are you honest with me?

- Sure I'm! And I'm pretty sure that we aren't the only ones that felt that way. What do you say? Shall we try it together? - The blonde girl smiled at her and they both shook hands, closing the deal.

- Well, we will need a little company and the best!

- From who?

- Leave everything to me! - Nadine smiled more.


— Nadine's room –

- Thanks for coming girls! I know how do you feel about the next party, so it was the reason that I had invited you here. To stop pretending.

- I'm not pretending, I'm perfect with that! - The girl with the pink bow grumbled from her spot.

- Oh really? Because I noticed that last night you had visited around 15 stores and you didn't buy anything! What does that tell you? - Nadine said, triumphal.

- That you have a lot of free time!

- No! Girls, my point is… I've visited all the stores too… but I didn't buy anything either… I felt bad about myself in all those swimsuits… I understand that is uncomfortable, and all our parents say that we are pretty, but we don't believe it.. right?

Phoebe, Helga, Lila, Sheena and Patty looked at the floor with some blame in their faces.

- I know because I looked at each of you in some stores and I looked at your face, I know you felt the same and I thought... Why feel like that alone when we can keep each other company?

- Actually Nadine… you're right… I felt bad about my body yesterday… everything was too small for me… - Patty said, with some sadness in her voice.

- Me too… I was so tall for the swimsuits that they sold. - Sheena agreed.

- And it was so expensive for me. - Lila admitted.

- And I felt uncomfortable with it… I looked so tiny on them.

- What are you talking about Pheebs, you looked awesome! In one of them…Unlike me… I looked like a man in a female swimsuit.

- That's my point girls! Each of you're beautiful, we're different but beautiful. - Rhonda entered the room. - I know that sometimes it's difficult to try some new things, but…

- Oh please princess, stop! You've a lot of money, a beautiful face and perfect body, how can you understand us! - Helga complained and everyone except Nadine agreed with her. - After all, this stupid party was your idea.

- How can you understand me Pataki? You have no idea about me! This was all my mom's idea... lately she has some ideas and gets very angry with those who don't agree with her... I was a little...

- Pressured. - Nadine added to her comment. - I've always admired you Rhonda, your parents are so strict with you. You have had a special gym instructor since you were 8, and a special diet that you can never let.

- But you're only a girl! - Phoebe was very surprised, as were her friends.

- I know, but for my mom it's very important, I've to be perfect and…

- Stop Rhonda… I got it… I suppose that what Nadine is trying to show us is that everyone has her own problems, and nobody's happy about our bodies.

- Exactly Patty, but I was wondering… what is really correct? Who had the magic to decide what " a perfect female body is", look at each other, we are beautiful girls! I know that I never talk so much with you, But we grew up together. We've known each other forever! For example, Phoebe, you're super pretty, your hair and eyes are beautiful, it is not difficult for me to understand why Gerald likes you.

- Oh… really?

- It's true, yes you are!- Sheena smiled sweetly.

- And you Sheena, your height is perfect, you're so beautiful and you played volleyball pretty cool, you're very nice!

- Thank you Nadine.

- And what about Lila? You're very creative and funny! You design your own clothes.

- Thanks you! It's very sweet of you!

- Perfect! Inflate her ego! - Helga rolled her eyes in pure sarcasm.

- Oh Helga, come on, we know that you've some issues too!

- I don't have any issues sister! - The girl screamed, trying to hide her feelings, again.

- Don't worry… I remember when Rhonda did that girl slumber party, and she didn't invite you and some people said that you looked like a boy.

- Did… did you hear about it? - Helga felt something snap inside her, she hated to admit when someone had hurt her. Nadine nodded and continued her speech.

- But you aren't like a boy, you're very independent, strong and brilliant! It wasn't difficult for me to understand how helpful you were to Arnold to save his parents! Your plans are the best!

- Oh… gee… thank you…

- And for the last, but not least important… Patty, you're sweet, strong and cute and with a beautiful smile! and Harold is crazy for you…

- Yes! - They all said, her cheeks flushed red.

- I've a brilliant idea! Let's give a very important lesson to those stupids stores! That not only a size zero girl is beautiful!- Rhonda said.

- Yes! Let 's do it!

- And how exactly will we do it, Rhonda?

- Oh, come on Nadine, you planned all this, I'm pretty sure that you know how!

- Yes… I got it! - Nadine smiled at Rhonda and their plan started.


– The Lloyd Country Club - Roofed pool -

And the day of the party came! All the boys were in the Pool's salon, enjoying the music and dancing a little with their couples, everyone except Harold, who was trying to understand where Patty was and why she never asked him to go together.

- Welcome and thank you for coming here, to my parents Country club! It's a pleasure to me to give the microphone to our president with some excellent news, Helga.

- Yes. yes. Thank you for The Lloyds for letting us have our charity pool party, here, some applauses people!

Everybody applauded happily, waiting for the moment that the pool would be inaugurated.

- Yeah, yeah, everybody is happy! Perfect! Now our special guest, the famous designer Fiona Slova is gonna cut the ribbon.

- Thank you… Miss? Anyway, it's a pleasure to me to cut the ribbon of this beautiful place, created to celebrate the beauty and perfection of the bodies, and congratulation to PS 118 for reaching the goal in money raised. Without more for the moment, we will cut the ribbon!

The woman came down from the podium and cut the ribbon to the applause of all those present.

- Thank you.- the designer continued. - In another moment, in the adjoining room, you will be able to see my exclusive swimsuit designs, the central show...

- Actually…- Rhonda's voice interrupted the woman. - We have a little show on our part. Now girls!

The young Llyod pressed a button and several lights came on in front, the boys, who were below the small stage, noticed that the girls were no longer around them, moments later they all appeared in front, posing swimsuits that each had designed and crafted for themselves. The boys gasped as they watched them parade proud and confident.

After their presentation and debut as designers, each of them joined their dance partners. After Eugene fell and formally inaugurated the pool, little by little the others jumped in.

Patty saw them smiling, until someone called her by touching her shoulder.

- Finally! Here you are!

- Hey Harold! What happened?

- I don't know, maybe you can tell me, why are you angry with me?

- I don't angry with you. Why do you believe it?

- Maybe because you ignored me the last few days and… you preferred to come without me...

- Sorry Harold, I didn't want it… it's just…

- Did you find another guy, right? Another taller…

- What? Of course not! I'm alone…

- Did you prefer to come alone? Oh…

- No, I mean… it's only that… I saw you the other day at the mall, looking at Rhonda's bikini and I believed that maybe… you want a different girl as your couple.

- Oh… I understand now! You are wrong… actually… I was looking at you… but I was just pretending.

- Really?

- Sure… You looked beautiful in the other swimsuit and in this one too… but I don't know, I have heard some girls say sometimes that I'm a fat and ugly guy and… maybe you agree with them and…

- Oh Harold... I can't imagine dancing with anyone at this stupid party! Come swim a little! Want?

- Finally! yes! And later we can eat some food?

- Sure! It's a plan for me!

Both teenagers held hands and jumped into the pool together having fun with each other, forgetting their respective insecurities.

- Looks like the two of you got along well, huh? - Arnold surprised Helga who was looking pleased towards the happy couple.

- That seems, between weirds understand each other.

- Happens to me too. - Arnold took Helga's hand, making her heart flutter dangerously.

-Arnold! They are going to look at us!

- Nah, they are very busy... do you want to go for a swim pretending we met by chance?

- It will be a pleasure Football head!

- Perfect, come on and… oh and by the way... I loved your swimsuit...

- Let's go before I throw you or I jump into the pool Arnoldo!

The couple happily jumped into the pool, unaware of the young man who had heard their little flirtation.

THE END


This episode was very hard to write, was based in my own painful experiences about bodies and rules about the society. It's my way to tell to everyone: Hey! You're perfect, beautiful/handsome, doesn't matter your height, weight, color of hair, you're special and unique! With all my love to you my readers!