Heeeeeyy everybody… it's been a while! I've been very busy with school, and work, and traveling, and getting sent home because of this whole thing happening, but now I finally have time to work on my writing! So, without further ado, let's get started!

The Good, the Bad, the Rhonda (Part 1)

Rhonda was fuming. The kind of fuming one gets when someone destroys your most treasured possession. Of course, getting a new phone was no problem, no. Her most treasured possession was gossip with proof.

To Rhonda, gossip without proof was all fun and good, but gossip with proof was explosive, revealing, and undeniable. It gave her power over others, a power she craved and loved. Gossip with pross was her fix, and she had to have it.

So, when Arnold P. Shortman destroyed her phone just three hours ago, not only did she lose a means to share and capture every living moment of her lovely self, she lost proof of the most intense scandal that had ever been uncovered by a student at P.S. 118. The secret relationship between Helga G. Pataki, and Arnold P. Shortman.

This relationship wasn't just gossip; it was a challenge to the very fundamentals of P.S. 118 society. Arnold represented the good, the just, the wise, and the humble, Helga represented the bad, the wicked, the aggression, and the unbridled anger of the youth of Hillwood. And these two did not mix. Rhonda, the self-appointed head of society at this unassuming mass of K through sixth graders, would not stand for this defiance to go unchecked. If one thing could be said of Rhonda Wellington Lloyd, she was a stickler for tradition.

But how to break them apart?

Rhonda pondered this while stirring whatever grub the cooks had put on her plate for lunch. Nadine had sat across from her, trying to comfort Rhonda after the loss of her precious pink touchscreen, but Rhonda paid no mind to her best friend. She simply stirred, as the plot began to form in her mind.

"Nadine." Rhonda suddenly voiced, interrupting her friend's reassurances.

"Yeah Rhonda?" Nadine asked.

"Find Lila. I need to talk to her." Rhonda smirked.

"Sure thing." Nadine stood up and went off to find the brunette.

Rhonda smiled, "If I can't expose their relationship myself, I'll let them do it themselves."

0o0

Arnold sat across from Gerald with his hand supporting his wide head, while occasionally looking over to Rhonda. His face was painted with a brush of guilt, regretting his hasty actions earlier in the day.

"Hey man, you okay?" Gerald asked his football headed best friend.

Arnold blinked at Gerald, "No, not really. I did something really stupid."

Gerald chuckled, "Well, after everything else you've done, that shouldn't surprise you."

Arnold looked annoyed at his best friend.

Gerald frowned, "Sorry."

Arnold sighed and decided to get up, collected his tray, and began heading out to the school yard. Gerald followed him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gerald asked as they opened the exterior doors.

"No, I'll take care of it. Though I should talk to Helga about it." Arnold stated, walking away from Gerald and toward Helga, who sat next to the wire fence finishing a sandwich. Next to her sat Phoebe.

"Hey football-head." Helga said simply, rubbing her hands free of crumbs.

"Hey Helga. Phoebe." Arnold greeted.

"Good afternoon Arnold. May I say you look mighty disconcerted today." Phoebe observed.

Arnold nodded, "Yeah, could I speak to Helga real quick Phoebe?"

Phoebe smiled, nodded, and rose to walk over to see Gerald.

"What's up?" Helga asked simply.

Arnold walked over behind a dumpster, waited a second, and motioned for Helga to follow him. Helga was confused. He was taking more precautions than he usually does.

"Arnold, what's the matter?" Helga asked in a low, serious tone.

Arnold looked sadly at Helga. His fear of Helga breaking off their relationship over the news he had to give was distressing, but he knew he had to tell her.

"Helga, some people know about us." Arnold said sadly.

Helga blinked, "What? Who?"

Arnold swallowed nervously, "Harold, Sid, Stinky, Nadine, and…" Arnold paused at the last name.

Helga's breathing grew deeper and more rapid, "And?" she asked.

"And… Rhonda."

The secret was out now. P.S. 118's own personal tabloid specialist knew of Arnold and Helga's relationship. It would be front page news by the end of lunch.

Helga began to tear up, knowing what this might mean for her. "How?"

Arnold looked at her with sad eyes, "I don't know how the guys found out, but Rhonda was in France with us. And she had photos."

Helga blinked with surprised eyes, "Photos?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure she doesn't have them anymore." Arnold stated.

"Because you broke her phone." Helga said.

Arnold nodded.

Despite her fears, Helga chuckled a bit, "I was wondering what all that was about."

Arnold cracked a small smile.

"So, what do we do?" Helga asked.

Arnold sighed, "I thought I would apologize and offer to replace it."

"You don't have that kind of money." Helga stated.

"I could call in some favors." Arnold stated.

Helga nodded, "These jerks do owe you that much."

"I could also ask her not to tell anyone." Arnold proposed.

Helga scoffed, "Do you really think that would stop her? Gossip is her domain, and this is the juiciest stuff this side of the Columbia River!"

Arnold sighed, "It could be worth a try."

Helga shook her head, "Always the optimist."

Arnold looked down, "Well, someone's gotta be."

There was a pause.

"Fine." Helga finally said, "Give Princess a chance."

Arnold nodded, "Good."

Helga placed her hand on his shoulder, "Give her your best pleading green eyes."

Arnold chuckled, "I know you can't resist them."

Helga smirked, "You bet I can't."

They locked in for a kiss. Suddenly, there was a familiar breathing sound, which interrupted it.

The two noticed Brainy, standing opposite them on the other side of the dumpster.

Arnold and Helga blinked at him. Brainy then backed away slowly.

"Um, sorry." He stated, before disappearing behind the other side.

Arnold and Helga looked at each other and shrugged, before proceeding with their kiss.

0o0

Rhonda sat alone in the lunchroom, as everyone else played outside in the yard. Nadine entered.

"She's here." Nadine announced.

Rhonda nodded, "I'd like to talk to her alone Nadine, I'll meet you in class."

Nadine nodded as Lila crossed in front of her.

Lila sat across from Rhonda and smiled at her.

"Hello Rhonda. Why are you sitting in here alone? We're all planning a game of kickball outside." Lila asked.

"Lila, I always felt like we could trust one another, we could help one another. Could you help me now?" Rhonda asked.

"Of course. Whatever do you need?" Lila inquired innocently.

"I need you to flirt with Arnold." Rhonda smirked.

"What?" Lila said in a confused tone.

"Arnold broke my phone in cold blood, and he needs to pay." Rhonda stated.

"Well, I don't see…"

"He and Helga are in a relationship. And I don't think that…"

"I don't see how that's any of your business. Arnold and Helga are my friends, and I won't help you." Lila stated and stood up.

"Lila." Rhonda stated as the brunette started walking away, "Shame about your dad."

Lila stopped.

"Five jobs in four months, laid off five times. Terrible luck." Rhonda smirked.

Lila shook her head.

"How would you like some help?" Rhonda asked.

Lila turned to face Rhonda.

"My father owns many businesses. He could set your father up somewhere. It wouldn't be much, but it'd be a job." Rhonda smirked.

Lila walked back over to the table and sat down.

"You want me to break them up?" Lila asked.

Rhonda smirked, "No Lila dear. A jealous Helga will do that."

Cliff hanger! Again? Yeah, tune in again to see where this goes! No idea when I'll have that up, but I do promise by the end of next week!

R&R!