53: Phoebe Takes The Fall

Tell me, what's better; having a family who's always proud of you, or a friend who's always there for you?

Pheebs never asks for anything. Yet she continues to hang out with me, knowing I'm going to request/demand several things from her.

Does it bother her? If it does, she does an outstanding job hiding it.

She, football head, tall hair boy and I were playing the school's version of Jeopardy. Being on her team, I knew I had nothing to worry about, no matter what bogus questions came our way.

"Man, Phoebe was incredible! I don't think anyone will be able to beat her tomorrow!"

Sure enough, the football head was right. That is, if I had been willing to play by the rules.

Going home that night, telling my dad if I won the next round 'on my own' I'd have a chance at the All City Academic Challenge…

"The All City huh? The one contest your sister Olga couldn't even win!"

My eyes grew at the idea of having a chance to 'outshine' Ms. Mary Sunshine. I was faced with a real moral dilemma. Should I study nonstop and pray profusely that I would beat everyone, or….

"Lose on purpose!"

Not only did Pheebs go with my 'request' but she even helped me out on the answer she tossed to avoid winning.

Well, I had never seen Bob so proud, that's for sure. As Pheebs was riding in the car with us the next night, on our way to the competition, I was learning just how valuable she was to me.

She sat there suggesting coaching me, as she had already been doing, while I sat there not believing what I had done to my friend.

"Come off it Phoebe! Stop it! Just stop it! How could you let me do this to you?"

I told her not only how wrong that move was of me, but had her take my place in the competition.

I don't know if Miriam stayed awake during it, or how cheezed off Bob was when he saw it wasn't me up there. I do know Arnold once again proved he can't go a day without butting into other people's business…

"I think I know what you did Helga, and I think you did the right thing."

ANYONE WHO'S CURIOUS… THERE'S A PETITION ON THE SITE TO START A SEASON SIX OF HEY ARNOLD! THE SEASON WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THE JUNGLE MOVIE, WHICH MEANS ARNOLD AND HELGA WILL BE TOGETHER!

THE SITE IS