Wow! It's been another long while since my last story, but we are finally continuing on with this sage. Hope you guys enjoy it!

In case you guys might be getting lost, here are the previous stories:

1. HA! Season 6: Helga vs Rodrigo

2. HA! Season 6: Los Tres Caballeros

3. HA! Season 6: Salsa vs Jazz

4. HA! Season 6: Deconstructing Arnold II

5. HA! Season 6: Feeling Left Out

6. HA! Season 6: Feeling Replaced

7. HA! Season 6: The P.S. 118 Revolution

8. HA! Season 6: A Date with Rhonda

9. HA! Season 6: Rhonda's Transference

10. HA! Season 6: Gerald's Rep

Gerald arrived at school that morning and headed toward inside. The weather had been really cold that morning and the snow was coming down hard, prompting fears of a snowstorm. Nevertheless, Gerald tried to make his way inside.

"Hey man, how you doing?" He greeted one kid who passed by who in turn greeted him back.

"Jill! Good to see you!" He greeted a female student to which the female pre-teen flirtatiously smiled at him

"Joe! Haven't seen you in a while, how you been?" He asked another kid when he passed him and padded him on the shoulder.

"Hey yo Bobby! You coming to the arcade this weekend for a rematch, right?" He asked Bobby as he passed him, but not before giving him a slight friendly padding on his shoulder.

Ever since the 4th grade, even prior, Gerald had been relatively popular kid. Although he was not the most popular in school, he had a reputation of being one of the most well known, cool, no-drama, chilled guy people in the school knew. And being best friends to the school's most mature, wise and stand up kid, Arnold Shortman, gave him some extra pointers. It is due to these that people listened to him and he was someone who you wanted to show up at your party. Wherever Gerald went, people followed him. He had that 'influencers' touch' that was so rare. Only a handful of people had such an influence. Some got it through force. Others like Rhonda were born into it.

And now that he was in the sixth grade, things were looking even more promising. Gerald felt he was at the top of his game. His return from San Loranzo, as traumatic as it was, at the very least served to galvanize his popularity at school. People flocked to him to ask how he managed to survive the thick, wild jungle while also fighting against smugglers and pirates. He naturally could not let such an opportunity go to waste and soon told his side of the story, while a few slight doses of exaggerations.

His relationship with Phoebe also had its benefits. While initially concerned that him being tied to a girl would 'slow him down', Gerald quickly realized it made the girls in their school want him more. Although he had no inclinations of ever cheating on Phoebe, he nevertheless flaunted his relationship at school whenever he can, much to some of the other girls' jealousy.

Yup, as Gerald made his way inside school, he smiled at how things were really looking up for him. He had a great girlfriend, he was doing well at school, his popularity and reputation have never been higher. Heck, even Rhonda ended up admitting that she couldn't host a party or celebration without inviting Gerald. That was big!

And there's nothing standing in my way. He gladfully thought as he made his way inside.

That is, until he heard music coming from one of the hallways. Not too far from the entrance, Gerald could hear a nice upbeat type of music, one that was hypnotic and made you want to move your body to the swave of the tune. And while Gerald could instantly see how much of an effect the music was having on them, it had no such effect on him. He just frowned in annoyance as he made his way toward the culprit. He had to somewhat push his way through the growing crowd of kids that were gathering around.

It was actually a rather inspiring spectacle to see. Wherever the music was coming from, Gerald knew that it was not just the music that was drawing the crowd, but the person whom the music belonged to.

He continued to make his way through the crowd until he finally came to the circle. And there, right in the middle of it was Rodrigo Castile, happily dancing to the music. While everyone was cheering and looking at him with awe, Gerald just stood there and looked him with a seemingly unimpressed look. Although he wasn't showing it, in truth he was just as amazed as everyone at how well Rodrigo was dancing.

Just how does this kid do it? He asked in thought.

Rodrigo was by far a natural dancer. He had a way of moving his body in strict coordination to the tune of the music. The movements of hips were especially hypnotic. It made almost anyone want to get up and dance. Even more so was that he could dance to any type of music. From salsa to jazz. From street rap to hip-pop. Rodrigo seemed to have no limits.

Gerald looked around and to his somewhat dismay, could see how entranced all the kids were. Even though he was standing right there, all of them failed to even acknowledge him. It was a far cry from just a few moments ago. He continued looking at Rodrigo for sometime before eventually rolling his eyes and turned around to leave. Whatever was going on, Gerald was confident it was only a temporary phase that morning and it would soon die out.

Lunchtime…

It was now lunchtime and Gerald made his way toward the lunchroom. He was hungry and was looking forward to both eating and conversing with some of his fellow schoolmates. He arrived at the place, opened the door and went inside. But instead of being greeted, he noticed the room was highly inbalanced, with a large portion of the students had gathered around a particular table. Curious to see what was up, he made his way toward them.

"Hey man, what's up?" He asked Sid who also happened to be there.

"Hey Gerald! It's Rodrigo." He responded.

"Is he dancing again?" Gerald asked with some annoyance.

"Nope. He's playing table football with Jeremy!" Sid excitedly said. "They are at level 7; death match. The first person to score a goal wins!"

"No way!" Gerald exclaimed, looking shocked. "He's within inches of beating Jeremy at table football?"

Sid just nodded before he and Gerald went to take a look.

Gerald couldn't believe it. There was no way Rodrigo was at a death match against Jeremy. Not even he was able to get to that level and he was King of table football! But even for them it took a very long time to get that good. So how could this kid, who was not even born in Hillwood, get to be so good so quickly? He figured it was going to be one of the city's numerous mysteries. But there was no denying it. There was Rodrigo was, heavily concentrating on the game. Gerald looked on with the same amount of suspense and eagerness to see if whether the Latino kid truly had the stuff win.

"Touchdown!" Rodrigo happily exclaimed when he finally scored and won!

The whole crowd that had gathered erupted in cheer. What they had just witnessed, it was history being made.

Jeremy groaned on having lost his streak to him and put his head on the table. He then felt a tap on his shoulder, prompting him to look up. It was Rodrigo who was smiling at him with his hand extending to him.

"Hey, you did great Jeremy." He told him. "Great game."

It still stung that he lost, but on seeing Rodrigo being mature about it and not teasing him, he smiled back and shook his hand in turn.

While everyone was cheering, Gerald quietly stood there, looking utterly annoyed at how everyone, including Sid, were falling sway toward him...again. Everyone then approached Rodrigo to congratulate him, with somen even going so far as to push Gerald aside. It was a notable achievement for sure, but something about this not only smelled rotten, but also...stung.

Not wanting to get worked up about this, Gerald just sighed, turned around and went to go sit down and eat.

At the end of school…

When school ended, all the kids got their stuff and began to head home. Gerald made his way out with Arnold as they began to head to their beloved neighbourhood. While walking, they came across Rodrigo who was busy talking to some kids who were not only older, but were some of the most popular kids in school. And it wasn't just some random popular kids too. They were in league with Rhonda and the famous Trio Sisters. Gerald noticed this and frowned.

"Wow, Rodrigo sure did managed to regain his rep back so quickly." Arnold noticed.

"I don't know." Gerald responded. "Don't you think that some of this attention is a bit...uncalled for?"

"What do you mean?" Arnold asked.

"Well, how does a kid who is completely new to this city, come to a place where nobody knows him, managed to so quickly rise through the ranks like that?" Gerald asked.

"Because he is likable?" Arnold asked.

Gerald shook his head.

"It is because people are just so caught up to something new and exciting." He responded. "Plus, having Rhonda as a girlfriend will for sure give you some big pointers."

"So you don't think people like him because he is a cool, down-to-Earth kind of kid?" Arnold asked.

"Nope." Gerald responded.

"C'mon Gerald."Arnold said. "People can't just like him because he is a new kid and because of Rhonda. There's gotta be more to it than just that. It's just not enough reason for people to like him."

"I can prove it." Gerald responded. "You're also a cool, down-to-Earth, not mention very wise kid. How come you're not up there with the big boys?" He asked.

"Because I'm not into that." Arnold responded. "You know me, Gerald. I'm not seeking popularity, or glory or fame."

"Yes, but you get my point." Gerald said. "You're one of the most well known kid in this whole school. You've helped practically saved everyone in that building and this whole city. You saved a whole neighbourhood and even managed to make it back alive from the dark jungles of San Lorenzo. And yet, you are not popular like he is. Clearly something is wrong."

"I don't think there is anything wrong." Said Arnold. "Like I said, I am not looking to be popular. I'm just...I don't know...just being me. Isn't that good enough?"

"Hm, not to those guys over there." He said as he pointed out to the people still talking to Rodrigo.

"Well, it's good enough for me." Arnold said. "Don't forget that I was just recently the center of attention at school."

"You mean when you were swarmed by everyone to get you to solve all of their problems?" He said. "That was a very brief event."

"The point is that I already got a taste of popularity and all it did was just distract me from the people that actually matter to me." Arnold explained.

"Fair enough." Gerald said. "But you can't tell me that you didn't enjoy your time being in the spotlight, however brief it was."

"I'll admit, it did feel good." Arnold said. "But if you are suggesting that I want to go back into the spotlight, I don't. I'm happy – nay, thankful being surrounded by my friends and family. Honestly, life hasn't been better for me."

"Typical Arnold response. "Gerald said. "But I'm happy for you." As he patted his shoulder and smiled. "If there is anyone on this Earth that deserves to be happy, it is you man."

"Thanks, Gerald." Arnold said with his own smile.

At the Johanssen's house…

Gerald arrived at his house, unlocked the door and went inside.

"I'm ho-" He began to call out when he suddenly felt a big push, causing him to fall down.

"Grr, Jamie!" Gerald angrily yelled at him as he stumbled down to the floor.

"Oops, sorry little brother." Jamie teasingly said as he ran past him and shoved him. "I'd help you up, but I gotta run. I'll apologize later!" As he closed the door behind him.

Gerald's and Jamie's relationship has improved since the 4th grade, with Jamie having eased the teasing and mistreatment by a lot. However, he would ocassionally resort back to his old ways and Gerald couldn't help but think that the push was just one of those days.

Gerald could no nothing but frown, got up and dusted himself off.

"Oh Gerald!" His father than spoke to him. "Good to see you, son."

"Hey dad-" Gerald began to respond when his father suddenly shoved a big, heavy bag close to his face.

"Throw the garbage out, would ya son?" He asked as he gave him the bag.

The bag however was so big and heavy that as soon as Gerald grabbed it, it took him down to the floor.

"Oh. Sure…" Gerald grunted and tried to politely reply to his father and covered his annoyance.

"Thanks son." Martin said as he turned and went back to the kitchen.

Once his father was out of sight, Gerald released is annoyance as he tried to get his coat and put it on and then went outside as he dragged the garbage bag through the floor.

Man, this bag is heavy! He thought. Why does Dad wait until the very last moment, when the bag is almost overflowing before he decided to throw it out! How much garbager is in this bag?! And why can't he do it?

Grunting as he took the bag down the stoop, he dragged it to the edge of the sidewalk. Satisfied that was he done, he turned aronud and then went back inside.

"Hi Gerald." A sweet, childish voice then called him.

"Oh, hi Timberly." Gerald disappointingly said as he put his coat away again.

"I have a surprise for you" Timberly sang. "How about we-"

"Nope." Gerald cut her off. "I know what you are going to say and the answer is 'no'."

"But you don't even know what it is." Timberly said, looking upset.

"Gerald, go play with your little sister." Martin said as he peeked out from the room.

"Oh you gotta be kidding me!" Gerald angrily shouted. "I just got home. Why don't you play with her?"

"Excuse me?" Martin said with a stern voice and giving Gerald that look that would make any kid regret his words.

Even Timberly was shocked by Gerald's behaviour and got worried on what was going to happen.

"Uh...I mean…" Gerald stuttered when he realized what he said and regretted it. Worse still, he now had no choice by to comply.

"Fine, I'll play with you." He grumbled.

"Yay!" Timberly exclaimed in excitement and grabbed Gerald's hand and took him to the living room.

"I get no respect here." He softly grumbled as he annoyingly awaited just what sort of play-date Timberly had in mind.

Whatever it was, it was going to be a long evening.

At least I have my rep at school. He thought.

The next day…

Gerald made his way up the stoop and into the school building. But no sooner did he step inside when he was once again confronted…

"Ah, you gotta be kidding me!" He softly exclaimed when he saw, once again, Rodrigo dancing away in the middle of the hallway with his usual crowd of fans and onlookers gazing at him.

Only this time, he wasn't dancing alone. He was with Rhonda, confidently leading her. Gerald could tell Rhonda was not familiar with this kind of music. She was hesitating every step and she looked rather stiff. But it didn't matter. Rodrigo was showing her how to move, where to go and what steps to take. He didn't want to overwhelm her, and especially expose her like that, so he made sure he didn't get too carried away with any complicated moves.

Gerald briefly wondered if he was dancing with Rhonda because he wanted to...or because he had no choice.

He stood there for only a few seconds before losing his patience and went about his way. He had seen Rodrigo dance endlessly ever since he arrived and frankly, it was now getting annoying. Yet, others did not see it that way. As he left the crowd, he turned to gaze back at them and saw they were still enthralled to see the Latino kid dance.

What's the big deal? He annoyingly asked himself. He is only dancing. It's not like they've never seen him before. Can't they do it themselves?

Gerald did have to admit. The flow of the music was very catchy. The drum beats, the trumpets blowing and the tune of the cow bell created this epic flow that went through your body, almost taking control of it.

But he soon shook that off, turned around and went about his way.

Pft! Anybody can dance to that music. He said to himself.

Then, he got an idea.

"Anybody can dance, eh?" He asked himself before letting out a mischievous smile...