All right, here is the next chapter of the birthday fic for TailsFan2022 on Deviantart! And believe me, this is going to be quite the setup for Arnold and Rhonda, for certain! Anyway, enjoy!

The next day, out on the highway, the Wellington-Lloyd family was riding in their fancy car as each of them were talking away and sipping on some drinks (with Buckley and Brooke drinking some sparkling grape juice, and Rhonda a nice glass of orange juice in a wine glass). Rhonda couldn't help but look out the window as she gave a smile and a deep breathing sigh. As of current, she wasn't wearing her usual wear, but rather, a nice little summer get-up that she had saved for a special occasion, like going to a beach, for example. She was wearing a nice little green and yellow striped summer dress, green sandals on her feet with cute green bows on the back, and a bit of an oversized green hat with a yellow ribbon on it.

Rhonda paused as she adjusted her hat. She had to admit, it was the first time she wore this ensemble, but even she could tell this little get-up would be the big 'wowie-zowie' for any potential people she'd meet. After all, she WOULD need something to brag about when she returned after spring break…

Rhonda paused as she tried to think. Maybe she'd ask her mother and father for a nice little jewelry bracelet to go with this cute little dress? After all, it would be quite the fashion statement of the century… in her mind, at least.

"And how's our little sweetheart hanging in, today?" Brooke asked, causing Rhonda to snap back into reality as she looked up. "Excited for a nice, little vacation?"

"Oh, mother, it's going to be a wonderful vacation!" Rhonda smiled as she laid her head back and smiled. "I can't wait to see the nice new people we meet, relaxing by the waves to get a wonderful suntan… and not to mention the fancy vacation duplex that you reserved, oh, it'll be nice to relax in a warm bed and get served with only the best!"

At that, Brooke paused as she looked over at Rhonda in confusion, before turning to her husband, who just smiled nervously. "Did you not… TELL… our daughter what a duplex is?"

"I was going to t- I wanted to tell her, but… you know how much of a drama queen she can be!" Buckley whispered as Rhonda looked up and raised an eyebrow.

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Rhonda asked in concern.

"Well… yes, it's just… Rhonda, sweetheart… a duplex is a house, yes, but it's sort of… 'TWO' houses." Brooke said.

Rhonda blinked twice. "What would we need with a second house?"

"Oh, honey, honestly…" Brooke groaned. "It's two houses, but they're connected."

The young girl shook her head in shock. "Wait, wha- what do you mean, connected?"

"Rhonda, sweetheart, don't you learn ANYTHING in school?" Brooke rolled her eyes. "Connected means attached… joined together…"

"Mother, I KNOW what the word means." Rhonda frowned. "It's just… you got us a house that's connected to another house?"

"In a way." Brooke explained.

"And it's not a fancy hotel-like house…" Rhonda slowly said as the reality of the situation slowly sank in.

Brooke sighed as she looked over towards her daughter. "You have to understand, Rhonda, after what happened with our stocks last time, we wanted to save money. That's why we decided to take it easy with a vacation to a local beach… plus… all the hotels we wanted to get ourselves in were booked."

"Ohhh…" Rhonda winced a bit as she shut her eyes. "Well… uh… at least as long as we can still be together, right?"

Deep down, Rhonda was upset upon hearing this news, but knew that getting angry and throwing a temper wouldn't change things. So, instead, she decided to inquire a little more. "Sooo… are we sharing this house with somebody else?"

"I mean, we could be. Last I checked, we are sharing a house with another family, but we probably won't even talk to them as much…" Brooke shrugged.

Rhonda couldn't believe her ears. The fact that she was now learning about this arrangement… well, it wasn't the end of the world, but… at least the itinerary her parents had planned wouldn't be affected. "Well, at least we'll have a wonderful time on our little vacation, won't we? It'll be just like our time in Aspen or visiting our relatives in jolly old England."

Brooke and Buckley paused silently as the father gave a small laugh. "Well… we'll be doing a lot of stuff together, princess, but… well…"

Rhonda looked up in confusion. "Wh-what's wrong?"

"Oh, sweetheart, we love you, and you know we'd do anything for you, my dear little princess." Brooke smiled, before giving a pause. "It's just, after we get settled in, your father and I are going to make some… visits."

"V-visits? Visits to where?" Rhonda asked.

"Just to… another part of the beach. Where we're going, I don't think it would be appropriate for a young lady like you…" Buckley explained.

Rhonda's mouth dropped in awe, not believing any of this. "Bu-but… I'm a very mature woman! You always take me to these other cool places all the time! What's stopping me from going with you?"

Brooke rolled her eyes. "A mature woman you may be, but you are STILL quite young. I'm sorry, Rhonda, but where we plan to go, we can't take you with us… not at this time…"

"But where are you exactly going?" Rhonda asked. "And why can't I join?"

"Oh, sweetheart, if you knew where we were going…" Buckley chuckled a bit as Brooke gave a small blush and a smirk towards her husband. "Let's just say that your adorable mind isn't QUITE ready to take on everything… mature."

Rhonda just stared at her parents in awe as she narrowed her eyes. "I cannot believe what I am hearing right now… my own parents… leaving me all alone in a duplex… with not a lot to do!"

"Oh, sweetheart, don't you worry. So you don't feel left out while we're gone, we'll give you some money and you can use it to go around the beach…" Brooke smiled. "We'll make arrangements when we get there."

Rhonda looked up at her parents, hurt and betrayed as she looked down. Not wanting to talk anymore, she picked up a remote and turned on the indoor TV as she flipped through the channels… until she came across an episode of 'Babewatch', the infamous drama series with the beautiful and handsome lifeguards that went around the beach and saved people, looking their best while they were at it. This was one of her favorite shows, but even the dreamy look of Dennis Musclemoff wasn't enough to deter her thoughts.

"I can't believe this…" Rhonda thought to herself. "Treated like a little kid! My parents are treating me like a little kid! I mean, I guess I AM one, but this is ridiculous! They always took me on everything else? What's so special about this one place they want to go to?!"

Over on the front, Brooke looked back towards Rhonda before turning her head. "Well… at least she's not flipping out."

"I'm sure once we get settled in, we'll get our daughter out of her funk…" Buckley whispered to his wife as he gave a nod.

"Ohhh… I certainly hope so." Brooke said as she looked back at her daughter in sympathy…

Rhonda wasn't the only one who was keeping quiet on the journey and letting her own thoughts muse within her. As, a few miles away from their car, another station wagon was pulling in as Curly's parents were driving the car, with Curly sitting down and just listening to his parents chatting away.

Of course, Curly knew that his parents' chatter and them turning to him once in a while to warn him NOT to cause a scene on the beach and ruin their vacation with his 'creative' ideas were the least of his worries. As far as he knew, the girl he obsessed over was going to the same beach as him, and it was all that was on his mind. He chuckled mischievously as he shuffled his hands. Today was certainly going to be a good day for him indeed.

However, though disappointed that his parents didn't book them at the same duplex where his 'princess' would be living at for the week, he was at least sure that the duplex they DID get was not too far away. Still, he knew it was going to be a tough job… but it was going to be the best…

Rhonda wasn't quite sure how long it's been since she had last talked with her parents (judging from the Babewatch reruns she watched, though, she wagered it was maybe… an hour? Two, maybe? She didn't keep track.). But the next thing she knew, she felt the car stopping as Buckley gave a smile. "Well, here we are."

Rhonda turned off the indoor TV as she looked out to see the house they were stopping at… she had to admit, it was a nice little hovel for 'peasants'... but at least it was for the week.

"All right, let's try and make ourselves at home, shall we?" Buckley smiled as he got out of the car, with Brooke following shortly after. "After all, we've got to at least settle in first."

"Right…" Rhonda nodded as she watched her parents get their bags and walk over to the door, with Rhonda going to the back and pulling out a suitcase of her own. As she turned around, she quickly noticed a very familiar green car parked on the other side. Rhonda squinted at the car parked nearby, seemingly recognizing it. "That must be our neighbor's… but I know I've seen it before…"

"Oh! Rhonda?!"

Rhonda's eyes went wide at first, before lighting up in joy as she turned to see the recognizable football headed boy approaching her. He was wearing nothing but red swimming trunks (presumably to relax on the beach in front of the house, which looked nice enough, she had to admit), before smiling. "Oh! Arnold! I thought that was your grandfather's car parked over there!"

"Y-yeah." Arnold said with a smile, as he approached her. "So, this is where you're vacationing, huh?"

"Pretty much." Rhonda laughed a bit. "Honestly, I didn't expect to run into you here… but I'm happy I did. I could use a little familiar company right now…"

Arnold paused briefly as he looked back at a sandcastle he was recently building, before giving a shrug, knowing that he could take his time and come back in a bit. "Well… do you need any help with your bags?"

Rhonda paused as she looked over and smiled. "But of course."

Arnold smiled as he helped picked up his school friend's bag and followed her inside as Rhonda gave a small smile towards him, already feeling a bit better from the news as she thought to herself, "I guess sharing a duplex isn't so bad if the neighbor I'm sharing it with happens to be nice and someone I particularly know."

As Arnold followed Rhonda, carrying her bag over upstairs to a nice, small room in the loft as Rhonda settled down in her bed as she felt around it, trying to get a feel for it.

"Hmmm…" The young woman paused as she patted the bed. "Semi-soft, a little big, but suitable to sleep in." She gave a smile as she looked around. "No rats, the place smells okay… I suppose the place is pretty suitable in its own way… just go ahead and put my bag anywhere, please, Arnold."

Arnold smiled before putting down the suitcase by the small dresser as she looked out the window and noticed the sandcastle that was being built, before looking around the rest of the beach area. She paused for a brief moment as she tried to compare to other beaches in her head. "Well, it's no Acapulco, but these beaches look nice enough… especially this side of the beach…"

Arnold chuckled a bit as he joined her and sat down. "Not quite used to these types of beach vacations, are you?"

"Well…" Rhonda gave a sigh. "Turns out my parents are going to be out most of the vacation… said something about going to some special private place on the beach."

"What sort of private place?" Arnold asked, cocking his head in curiosity.

"They wouldn't say." Rhonda shrugged, before frowning. "Apparently, they think I'm too 'young' for the sort of activity they want to do… honestly, they think I'm still a little kid, when they've been treating me the same as they always had on other places before!"

Arnold blinked twice as he looked at Rhonda and opened his mouth. Rhonda noted Arnold ready to speak, before putting a finger in his mouth, shushing him. "Yes, I'm aware that I AM a little kid, Arnold. But I'm not little-LITTLE. I'm very mature for my age… same as you."

"That may be so, but if our parents say that they're doing something private together, best to leave them at that." Arnold said. "Besides, the boarders and my grandparents are off doing their own thing anyway…" The football headed kid looked over to see his grandmother hanging loose and laughing while she was surfing some nearby waves, and squinted over to a private island where he last saw his grandfather go. "But I've been keeping myself busy until I saw your car coming up."

"Oh?" Rhonda asked in curiosity as she turned to him. "So that IS your sandcastle, then?"

"I've been occupying myself with it." Arnold smiled as he noted the sandcastle. "And well… I'm not quite done with it yet…"

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Rhonda offered.

Arnold looked surprised, before giving a smile. "Well, if you're willing to come out and help out, then…"

Rhonda giggled a bit as she hugged him. "I'd be delighted, Arnold, doll! I just got to get myself ready and changed first, you know…"

"O-of course." Arnold said as he got up. "Take your time in unpacking, and I'll wait for you outside. I'm not going to be doing much all day anyway."

Rhonda smiled as she waved to Arnold and smiled. "I won't be TOO long…"

Arnold smiled back, before pausing as he looked up. "Oh, and you have a wonderful summer dress."

Rhonda giggled as she took the hem of the dress and curtseyed to him. "Thanks. It's usually my best vacation wear…" She also adjusted her hat a bit as she gave a smirk. "Do you like my hat?"

"It's a very extravagant hat." Arnold smiled. "It's very you."

The young girl giggled as she adjusted her large hat a bit, with Arnold smiling towards her before departing from the room…

As he walked out of the room, he had planned to wait for her outside, but on his way out, he had been spotted by her parents, who were just coming out of their room that they have chosen. Buckley and Brooke immediately recognized the young man as both of them gave a smile, with Buckley saying, "Well, well, if it isn't Arnold."

"Oh, hello Mr. Lloyd, Mrs. Lloyd." Arnold smiled as he looked up.

"Splendid day to be up and about one's business, quite." Brooke giggled as she gave a smile. "I take it you and your little family are our duplex neighbors, then?"

Arnold nodded. "Yes, the boarders, my grandparents and I are here for the week. I talked with Rhonda earlier and I'm guessing that's where you all are too?"

Buckley smiled. "You're indeed correct, Arnold. Although, I have to say, your timing couldn't be any more perfect."

"Oh?" Arnold asked as he looked up to Rhonda's parents, looking curious.

"Yes, well, we were wondering just how we can keep Rhonda entertained by herself since my dear husband and I have plans to explore alone in a… very special place…" Brooke paused as she looked at her husband with the both of them giving giggles. Arnold's curious nature caused him to raise an eyebrow, but before he could ask further questions, Brooke continued, "...but if you're here for the week, maybe you'd be able to entertain our dear Rhonda."

"Entertain?" Arnold asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, don't worry. We're not asking you to babysit her… we know you both are the same age, so it's sort of ridiculous if you think about it… no, we were wondering if you'd be able to hang out with her, like how you do sometimes with your friends." Brooke explained.

"Ohhh, okay. I guess that does make more sense…" Arnold nodded, before smiling. "Well, Rhonda and I have talked about hanging out together, and I wouldn't mind taking her around the beach after I'm done with my sandcastle…"

Buckley and Brooke smiled at the young man before them as Brooke said, "Oh, that would be simply wonderful, Arnold, dear. Anyway, considering you know our daughter, you know her quirks as well…"

"I'll be sure to give her a good time, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd." Arnold smiled. "And I'll be sure she stays out of danger…"

"Oh, wonderful." Buckley smiled as he looked at the young man with a smiling look on his face. "And don't worry, I'm sure our daughter will have a great time, especially if you're by her side. She has taken quite a shine to you."

"Really?" Arnold raised an eyebrow in curiosity. But before he could further inquire, he heard footsteps coming down. He and Rhonda's parents then turned to see Rhonda coming down, carrying a small purse with her (containing, no doubt, some sunscreen and a good amount of money that she was allowed to carry) as she gave a smile.

"Hello, Arnold." Rhonda grinned happily as she looked up towards her family. "Hey, uh, I'm going to go with Arnold for a while, mother and father dearest."

"That's all right with us." Buckley smiled. "It's a rare feat to hang out with a good friend of yours."

"Especially one that's adorable and handsome like Arnold…" Brooke giggled as she patted Arnold on the head, causing the boy to look up at her.

"Mother, please." Rhonda frowned a bit, before smiling as she looked towards Arnold. "Soooo… shall we complete your sandcastle?"

Arnold nodded as he offered his hand to her. Rhonda gladly took it as the two of them started to walk off, with Arnold smiling, "After we finish our sandcastle, maybe we can go out and explore the town together."

Rhonda giggled a bit as she turned her head. "Oh, really? Well, I'd be happy to explore, if you already haven't."

"I haven't, but it'll be a new experience for the both of us… wouldn't it?" Arnold smiled as the young man and young woman shared a laugh.

Buckley and Brooke smiled as they watched the two kids walk off, with Brooke giving a small sigh. "And here I was, worrying that our Rhonda would be a little… tough during this vacation…"

"It does seem like fate is smiling upon us, my beautiful, babbling Brooke." Buckley grinned as he put his arm around his wife, the girl giggling.

"Buckley…" Brooke smiled, before Buckley paused as he looked back. "Something on your mind?"

"Call me a little 'overprotective', but even though I know Arnold would never do anything rash to our baby girl, I still can't help but worry about her." Buckley chuckled nervously.

"You have nothing to worry about, Buckley." Brooke said as she squeezed her husband's hand. "Our daughter is in safe hands with someone like Arnold… and lest you forget, this is the same young man who managed to help her and all of us in our neighborhood out a lot of times. And besides, I can see the seeds blooming a bit…"

Buckley paused as he looked back, before giving a smile. "I suppose you're right, maybe I'm overthinking it. Our daughter does seem to be taken in by that young man… and maybe it's me, but I have a feeling that even if he doesn't realize it, Arnold also has a crush on our daughter."

Brooke giggled as she and Buckley held hands. "Pretty soon, they'll be acting like we were when we were very young…"

"But of course, my dear…" Buckley laughed as he kissed his wife on the cheek, making Brooke giggle. "Why don't we explore the town ourselves? Get to know the lay of the land first. After all, we do have plenty of time before we hit that… special activity…"

"Oh, Buckley!" Brooke laughed as she picked herself up, with Buckley laughing as well, the rich couple holding hands and putting their heads together.

Of course, as the rich couple were getting ready for their day on the town, and as Arnold and Rhonda were leaving the area, none of them knew that not too far away from their duplex was another duplex, in which Helga's family had just pulled up towards it… and not too far away from there, Curly's family was about to head over to that same duplex…

And that's the second chapter! How did you guys like it? Before anybody asks, yes, I will do some parts involving Buckley and Brooke, but I'm not going to be mentioning the 'special place'... for those who seen the episode in question, you probably know what I'm talking about, but I'll give you a hint... "Aw, Pookie! Nobody wants to see that!". Yeah, Buckley and Brooke are planning on going to THAT place. Don't worry, I'll still keep this PG as best as I can. But next time, we're going to have a lot more fun with Arnold and Rhonda hanging out together... and with Helga and Curly entering the picture... chaos is sure to rain. Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, everyone!