Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of it's affiliates. It's the art of Craig Bartlett and Nickelodeon.
Arnold was excited to be back in Hillwood. He looked around and was amazed at how much it's changed. It's been seven years since he's left. Seven long years , living a new life, meeting new friends and having new adventures. He kept up with Gerald on Facebook. He was pretty shocked to see Phoebe and him were still together. Guess it wasn't just a childhood crush after all. They seem happy. A part of him was envious of what they have. The uneasy feeling in his chest made him realize while he may be excited he was also nervous. While he had missed Hillwood he also had enjoyed his new life. With grandma and grandpa sick coming home was the only option. He walked through the double doors and immediately saw Gerald and Phoebe.
"Never thought you'd be back here." Gerald smiled.
"It's good to be back." Arnold replied with a look around.
"Better late then never. Senior year is going to be amazing now." Gerald reached his hand to his old friend for their hand shake.
"It's good to see you Arnold." Phoebe said with that hint of pep in her quiet voice.
"No more plaid?" Gerald pointed to Arnold's faded jeans and polo shirt.
"No more tall hair?" he pointed back to Gerald's new hair which resembled Jamie O's old style.
"Good point." he laughed.
Phoebe gently tapped Gerald's shoulder attempting to grab his attention.
"Sorry babe, what's up?" he beamed down at the petite asian girl.
"I gotta meet Helga for homeroom.I'll see you guys at lunch?" she asked slipping him a kiss on the cheek.
"You better. It's salmon roll Tuesday right? New year hasn't changed Chef Phoebe's menu right?" He asked raising an eyebrow at her with a sly smile.
"Of course not" She chuckled back. "Love you." with that she walked down the hall heading to the other side of the building.
"Helga, huh? How is she anyway. I've looked her up on facebook from time to time. Usually when you posted group photos of everyone hanging out. But I could never find her. Honestly I thought she might have moved or something." Arnold looked curiously at Gerald.
Gerald rubbed his chin and looked immediately uncomfortable with the conversation.
"A lot's changed in seven years Arnold. More than my hair and more than your choice of clothes. Seven years is a long time for things to happen." Gerald said quietly as he stared down at the floor.
"What's that suppose to mean?" He asked. He didn't understand. Gerald was talking pretty cryptically. While he isn't stupid he also isn't good at reading minds either.
"Never mind. We're going to be late for homeroom at this rate. Who did you get anyway?" Gerald asked peaking over at his schedule.
"Mr. Perkins."Arnold read aloud.
"Wow man, that's who Phoebs and I got too. Are we lucky or what?" he laughed.
"So Helga's in there as well right? Didn't Phoebe say that's who she had to meet?" Arnold questioned.
"Yeah man, that's right." Gerald's excitement turned clearly into a nervous expression.
Short chapter just to see if anyone's interested. Chapter 2 goes up tomorrow.
Please let me know what you think.