Okay, here's the deal. This is in fact, a birthday story for a friend on Deviantart, who requested this exact scenario... an Arnda-type scenario involving the episode 'Summer Love'., for TailsFan2022 on Deviantart! I figured this was an interesting story to make, and I agreed to do it. However, I decided to make it a multi-chaptered story, and figured to just release the first chapter of this story for the time being. Rest assured, TailsFan2022, the rest of the story will be coming soon, I just want to focus on my tournament fic first, but I hope this first chapter will please you in the meantime! Now then, I'm excited to get this started, so let's get this underway! Anyway, enjoy!
The final bell had rung in PS 118 for the last day of school as kids were gathering their things and about to head out of school and step out to enjoy the first night of a good ol' nine day spring week vacation. Most kids were already talking about their plans and what they were going to do, as some were even excited to talk about it. There were a few whispers here and there about what they were going to do with their parents… fishing in a far off lake… watching a sunrise at the Rocky Mountains… basking on the beach… dude-ranching, golfing, boating… and camping in the North Woods.
Talking about their spring break plans, of course, were two girls as they seemed to equally be excited for the break. Rhonda Wellington Lloyd, the most popular girl in the fourth grade, and Nadine Robinson, Rhonda's best friend and entomologist, were hanging out by their lockers as the latter was eagerly packing up her backpack.
"Ahhhh, spring break!" Rhonda smiled. "A week away from school… no need to worry about homework or assignments or even social studies classes… just a good week of kicking back!"
"You said it!" Nadine laughed as she gave a chuckle. "I don't know about you, Rhonda, but I already know how 'I'M' going to spend my week."
"Let me guess… a new nature resort in Seattle?" Rhonda laughed a bit. "I know you've been more than eager to go out there for fun."
"That, and my parents and I are going to go on a small trip to enjoy the fine music of yesteryear." Nadine gave a giggle as she gave a sigh. "In a way, we'd be going back to nature, listening to sixties music and just going with the flow… let our chakras align, you know."
The raven haired girl in red just stared at Nadine with a blank stare, before giving a smile. "Well, sounds like you have a busy schedule ahead of you, Nadine. I'm just sorry I won't be able to attend your little get-together, but you know my family and I, we always plan for something else."
"Oh? And what are your plans, per se?" Nadine asked as she closed her locker up.
"Well, my parents and I have plans on renting a place so we can hang out at a nice little beach town." Rhonda smiled. "It was a little tough to get, from what dear daddy told me, but we managed to get a nice little duplex. A really big household to relax and share a good time…"
Nadine stopped short as Rhonda casually hummed to herself, giving a sigh. "Oh, it'll be wonderful to relax and just have a good time…"
"Uh, Rhonda… do you know what the word 'duplex' means?" Nadine asked.
"I haven't the foggiest. I just assumed it means 'fancy house'." Rhonda grinned. "It sounded fancy as is!"
The blonde haired girl with spider-leg like pigtails just stared at her best friend, looking as if she was about to say something, before pausing. Rhonda couldn't help but notice. "What?"
"Oh… nothing." Nadine shrugged as she continued to walk alongside Rhonda, before giving a smirk. "Hey, come on, slowpoke! Race ya out!"
Rhonda gave a scoff as she looked at her nails. "Nadine, please, we ladies know better than to- and you're running off, come on, that's not fair!"
As she said that, she looked up and yelped as she noted her friend rushing out as Rhonda picked up the pace, trying to follow. "At least set up a prize or something, like 'winner treats loser to a spa day' or something!"
But even then, Rhonda couldn't help but give a small smile as she tried to race against her friend, giving a small chuckle along the way as the two eventually high fived each other… before Rhonda realized what she just did before looking over her nails. Giving a small sigh of relief to realize she hadn't broken any nails, she gave a sigh as she looked back at the school. "Well, at least it'll be a nice relaxing week…"
Before anybody could say anything further, a familiar voice had sounded out, angrily shouting, "WATCH YOUR BACK! WATCH YOUR BACK! I SAID, OUT OF MY WAY!"
Rhonda gave a small groan as she looked over to see the familiar blonde haired face of Helga G. Pataki walking out and pushing aside a few people that were leaving the school, her face looking more meaner than usual. The rich girl couldn't help but give a small frown towards the angry girl, before sighing. "Well, if there's one thing, at least it'll be a week away from a certain blonde…"
"Looks like Helga's a bit more meaner than usual… though I'm sure she's just as excited for spring break as we all are." Nadine shrugged as Rhonda couldn't help but keep an eye on Helga as she ran smack into a familiar football headed kid. Rhonda couldn't help but sympathize with the kid as Helga gave a narrow glare at him and yelled at him to his face. She had to admire the way Arnold managed to take the yelling, but she couldn't help but feel concerned for who Rhonda considered one of her best male friends.
Soon enough, Rhonda watched Helga leave as Arnold picked himself up as he seemed to be talking with Gerald. The young woman looked over towards Nadine, who gave a small nod towards her. Rhonda took a deep breath as she walked over towards Arnold, who had noticed her approaching.
"I saw what happened. Are you okay, Arnold?" Rhonda asked in concern as she approached the football headed boy with a look of concern on her face.
Arnold paused slightly as he gave a smile towards Rhonda. "I'm okay, Rhonda. Helga wasn't really that harsh… well, no more than usual, anyway."
"Still, it's not right for her to just bump into you like that and then yell at you." Rhonda frowned. "She should at least apologize to you."
"Tell me about it." Gerald said as he shook his head. "I was just telling Arnold that the one thing we won't miss while on spring break would be Helga and her meanness."
"Yeah, I agree." Arnold sighed. "I know she's probably eager to get out of there, but it's like she can't turn off her 'bully' mode, even when it's spring break…"
"Well, don't you worry. I'm sure things will be okay…" Rhonda said as she put a comforting hand on Arnold, giving him a smile. Arnold looked up and gave a smile back as she asked, "I don't know if you're doing anything with Gerald or not, but… I was wondering if you'd like to walk and talk with me on the way home?"
"Really? I figured you'd probably go on the bus or at least wait for your limo home." Arnold said in surprise.
Rhonda gave a small laugh. "Oh, what, I can't use my own two feet to walk home? No, but seriously, I feel like you could use a little company."
Arnold paused as he looked over towards Gerald, who seemed to be curious about the development, but gave a small smile towards his friend before nodding, "You go on ahead if you want, Arnold. I just remembered, I promised to get home early to watch over Timberly while my parents were out…" He sighed. "I wish I didn't agree to the babysitting service, but she's my little sister, and my parents said they'd pay me for a job well done. I don't want to be late."
"That's okay with me." Arnold nodded before turning to Rhonda. "Sure, Rhonda, I could use a little walk and talk."
Rhonda giggled as she turned towards Nadine, who was watching the conversation with curiosity. "Well, Nadine, have fun on your spring break! I got to prepare for mine!"
"Okay, Rhonda. See you later. Good to see you, Arnold!" Nadine said as she gave a wave.
"You too, Nadine." Arnold said as both Gerald and Nadine started to walk in separate directions, before Arnold turned towards Rhonda with a curious smile. "Would you like me to drop you off at your place?"
"If it isn't too much trouble, Arnold." Rhonda giggled before offering her hand as Arnold took it.
As Arnold and Rhonda walked off together, a certain person couldn't help but peek out from behind the bus as she gave a slight frown at the events before her… before giving a groan.
"How do you like that? Princess decides to walk in and scoop up Arnold… ugh, what a yutz he is… and what nerve Rhonda has for attempting to get near him!" Helga growled in anger… before pausing as she gave a sigh. "Although… I can't say I blame Arnold… oh, why must I be so cruel to you every time we approach, my love?"
She then pulled out her locket and gave a loving sigh at it as she continued, "How savage… how brutally I lash out… and now… now I must live with the consequences…" She gave a small sigh, before shaking her head and put her locket back in her shirt pocket. "Get it together, Pataki. Princess's approach to Arnold probably didn't mean anything… you're just overthinking it because he'll likely be spending spring break somewhere else… and so will she. I shouldn't have anything to worry about… it's not like they're going to spend spring break together."
She then got smoke in her face as she coughed, the city bus starting up and driving away as she got out of the street and shook her head. By that time, she paused as she took a deep breath. "And yet, why do I feel in the bottom of my heart that I may have just cursed myself…?"
As Helga tried to shake off the feelings and started to head for home, little realizing that she had just passed by a hidden, glasses wearing boy who seemed to be a little jealous as he narrowed his eyes… a boy who had just been hiding and stalking after Rhonda, overhearing her plans for vacation…
And he had seen her approach a familiar boy… his eyes narrowing in anger… before taking a deep breath as he gave a chuckle.
"Well, well, well… I think I know how to convince my family to spend spring break…" Curly chuckled evilly to himself before slinking into the shadows…
Walking along the nice, not-too-crowded streets, Arnold and Rhonda were smiling as they were spending their time talking with one another, catching up on what their families were up to. It didn't sound like much, but to the boy and girl, they both felt more comfortable around each other. As a matter of fact, the two of them were getting more comfortable to the point where they were unaware that they were holding hands.
As they continued walking and passing by a few stores that were still open, Rhonda couldn't help but elicit a giggle. "You know, Arnold, you have a very eccentric group in that boarding house of yours."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Arnold sighed. "At least with Mr. Hyunh getting his promotion and Mr. Potts feeling accomplished with wrecking another building for reconstruction, things have been pretty much smooth sailing. Although…" The football headed kid sighed. "Sometimes, I wish I could say the same for Mr. Kokoshka."
"Ugh, it is AMAZING how Mrs. Kokoshka doesn't just up and leave him… or at least, kick him out." Rhonda rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure she'll find that limit, but until that time comes…" Arnold sighed as he shook his head.
Deciding not to dive further into the boarders, Rhonda swiftly changed the subject. "So, what are you going to do on spring break?"
"Well, Grandpa managed to get a little something for us, so he, Grandma, the boarders and I are going out on a little summer trip to enjoy some time at the beach." Arnold explained as he gave a smile.
Rhonda's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence. My family and I are doing a beach vacation ourselves. Although, I'm sure mine is going to be a little more extravagant, compared to yours."
Rhonda paused as she realized what she said, "Uh, sorry, I didn't mean it in an undermining tone, no, no, I'm sure whatever beach you go to will be spectacular! I feel like having some time in the sun myself, and I'm sure my parents are going to treat us pretty well…"
Arnold couldn't help but roll his eyes a bit upon hearing Rhonda's apology, but nevertheless, gave a warm smile. "Sounds like you're going to have a good time… I think I'm just going to enjoy my time at the beach by relaxing near the shore, maybe build a sandcastle or two… swim near the shores…"
"Oh?" Rhonda raised an eyebrow as she looked curious. "You know, Arnold, a beach does bring about a magical, romantical quality to it."
"What do you mean?" Arnold asked, turning to his red wearing friend in curiosity.
Rhonda laughed a bit. "Oh, come on, Arnold, surely you know. Being on the beach brings about a sense of passion, romance… maybe meet some new people. It could be a huge chance to find someone…"
"Hmmm…" Arnold paused. "And you're hoping that someone will be at the beach you're going to?"
"Well, it's certainly a nice thought." Rhonda giggled as she turned to her friend. "Do you think you'll find someone like that?"
"I don't know, Rhonda. I'm not really looking to make new friends." Arnold shook his head. "Would it be nice if I met someone from out of country? Maybe, but at the most, it'd be just a waving passion…" He paused as he gave a chuckle. "Still, it'll be nice to have a relaxing five day trip."
"You said it!" Rhonda smiled as she let go of Arnold's hand and looked over to see the street her house was at. "Well, here's my stop. Thanks for walking me home, Arnold, doll."
Arnold raised an eyebrow upon the odd nickname Rhonda gave him, before remembering that she had called him that at least one time when she invited him to her 'cool' party. "The pleasure's all mine, Rhonda. I hope you enjoy your beach vacation."
"And I hope you have the time of your life in yours." Rhonda giggled as she squeezed his hand tightly before letting it go. "Well, I'll see you at school next week?"
"If not sooner." Arnold smiled back as he watched Rhonda go upstairs, with the girl giving a small smile towards him before entering her house. Arnold paused before giving a brief smile as he started to walk off towards his own home, shuffling his feet quickly so as to get home to pack up. As he briskly walked through the town, he paused slightly as he looked back towards Rhonda's place.
"Hmmm… I don't know why, but for some reason… what are the chances that Rhonda and I end up on the same beach?" Arnold asked himself as he pondered that question for a brief moment.
After that brief pause, he shook his head, dismissing it as a silly notion before rushing home.
Little did he realize though that Arnold's random thought wasn't that silly… as a matter of fact, when tomorrow rolled around and both Arnold's grandfather's Packard and Rhonda's family's sport car were heading off, little did the kids realize that they would be sharing the same highway… and little did THEY realize was that two more cars were heading in the same highway, going in the same general direction… one the Pataki family car, and the other… the Gammelthorpe's family vehicle, each of them going in the same general beach Arnold's family and Rhonda's family were going…
Indeed, things were about to get a bit interesting from here.
And with that, the first chapter has reached its conclusion! How did you guys like it? There will be more to come, so don't miss out! Next time, we'll be focusing on the kids's meeting at the beach, and how things are about to go down between all of them! Oh, and if you guys are wondering about Summer... don't you guys worry, she's not going to play a big role in this story... just a minor one. How is that? You'll find out soon enough! And to TailsFan2022, I ask that you please be patient while I finish part of my tournament fic on Archive of Our Own. Once I get that done, I'll focus on this then! Thank you all for your patience! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!