As Sid walked into P.S. 118 the Monday after the fight, he could feel the weight of each step like lead. The go-away green lockers creased him, their ugly hue melting in with the unsettling swirl in his stomach. His classmates buzzed around him, their faded voices heard through the haze of his guilt. Whispers of congratulations followed him like a trail of ants, buzzing with excitement over his fight with Joey Stevenson.
"Dude, Animal Planet much?" Curly started up before clapping with each word, "You–really–messed–up–Joey!" he slapped Sid on the back. Sid tried to muster a weak smile, but inside, he felt disgusted, much more than usual when interacting with Curly.
He had only acted out to defend Stinky, who had been the target of everyone's relentless teasing. He couldn't tell if that excused the attack that had gotten him suspended for the day. More so, what ended up happening to Joey as a result. Sid didn't feel so entertained. Each congratulatory slap or cheer felt like sandpaper against his conscience, scratching at the memory of Joey's crying face when his father got a hold of him.
Searching for forgiveness, Sid glanced around for Joey, hoping to clear the air, but he couldn't find him. Instead, he spotted Harold swaggering through the hallway, an annoying grin plastered on his wide, pink face. How could Harold be so nonchalant? The fight sparked thanks to him. He had been the one taunting Stinky, poking fun while Joey stood by, merely fueling the tension.
"Hey, Kil—ler!" Harold stretched the word, tauntingly. "You goin' to the fair tonight? Stinky's gonna be there!" Now Harold blatantly tried to persuade Sid to go to the Annual Cheese Fair after school. Great, just what Sid needed, to celebrate feeling like a monster.
Suddenly, a stern voice cut through Sid's thoughts. "Sidney, a word, young man." Principal Wartz stood with his hairy arms crossed, looking all too serious. The man's chest practically hung over his arms; no small feat considering his limbs were like tree trunks. Sid swallowed hard, feeling small ... smaller. "I haven't forgotten about your little altercation. Joey didn't show up today. You must've roughed him up worse than we thought."
"Sure!" Sid rebuttaled in his head, "It had nothing to do with Joey's dad tearing into him right in front of you!" Sid grimaced, defying the man's authority with his facial expression.
Wartz huffed, fully picking up on every physical cue the boy put down. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you, understand? If you touch another boy wrong, if you look at another boy wrong, if you breathe on another boy wrong, you'll be alone with me in detention," the man emphasized his words throughout the monologue.
"Yes, sir," Sid whispered, his gaze fixed on the floor. The disdain in Wartz's voice echoed louder than any cheers he'd received for his, "victory."
Before anything else, Wartz gave Harold a knowing glance. Harold looked aloof for a moment before his attention gravitated back to the man. Sid looked to Wartz for his response, whose eyes were darting back and forth between the two boys now. "And mind your business, Berman," Wartz barked to Harold, finally continuing on. Harold whistling away coyly did nothing to skirt the lack of subtlety with the tension between himself and the man. Sid didn't even want to know what that was all about.
The rest of the day felt like a minefield. Sid dodged Stinky and Brainy, both heights of anxiety in his sinking heart. Sid had been avoiding Brainy because he felt watched—like he gained a sixth sense for Brainy's presence—and he hadn't figured out how to approach him yet; he hadn't even gotten his jacket back, either.
By lunchtime, Sid further mulled over the fight as he moved through the cafeteria line in a depressed state. The lack of communication that lay between him and his best friend pressed on his soul.
"Well Sid, are you going to the Cheese Fair?" Harold nudged him from behind as if that would suddenly change how Sid felt about everything that happened. Sid shrugged, mumbling something barely audible.
"Well, Stinky is for sure!" Harold continued, not catching the tension that hung like a thick fog around Sid. "You should come. There'll be food and rides, and more food. It'll be fun!" Harold definitely must have some level of guilt going on to be pressing the matter so much. Maybe he finally decided to apply his studies of the Torah, experiencing Judaism's moral conscience, unlike the times when his gluttony betrayed it.
That's when Sid could hear it. Stinky's laughter floated down the hall, and Sid's heart twisted. Even though it felt good to hear the beanstalk in high spirits, because of Sid's foolish choices, Stinky might have to enjoy the fair without him.
Sid took the bus home, still ducking Stinky, who would surely be catching a ride in his limo, as per usual, lately. Arnold and Gerald were already sitting at the back, whispering to one another like they always did. Sid sat close enough by to stalk their conversation like a fly on the wall.
"Sure, Arnold. I mean, nothin' brings people togeth'a like cheese." Gerald said, ambiguously.
Arnold then seemed to drift off in thought for a moment before just grabbing his friend by the hand, eyes closed, kissing the back of it. Sid practically shot up out of his seat when Arnold declared to this strange interaction in a moment of clarity, "I'm gonna call her, Gerald, as soon as I get home!"
As Arnold got up for his stop, Gerald put on headphones and quipped to himself, "There goes a sick boy." Maybe Sid misinterpreted this interaction after all.
When Sid got off the bus, he could see the event getting set up just a block down the street from his apartment. The buildings leading up to it were adorned with flagpoles made out to look like Swiss cheese slices with big, round holes cut through their design. "Ray's gonna make us go," Sid deduced.
Reluctantly, Sid agreed to go to the Cheese Fair. Ray still seemingly had to drag him there, but the distance between their house and the fair cleared in no time. When they arrived, though, Sid clung to his father like a safety harness. "Sid, where's your jacket?" Ray asked, just now realizing how different Sid appeared without his signature attire.
"I-must've left it at school again. Sorry," Sid skirted the truth a bit.
It looked to be a carnival affair, bustling with spirit. The air smelled thick with the aromas of funnel cake, popcorn, and most of all cheese. The echoes of children's laughter filled every corner. Amidst the jubilee, Sid suddenly felt like an outsider.
At the same time, Ray's excitement bubbled over like melted cheddar drizzled on deep-fried snacks. With his dad by his side, they wandered through a vibrant field of colorful booths adorned with cheesy decorations, the enticing odors of grilled cheese threatening Ray's wallet. Sid tugged at his father's sleeve, pointing eagerly at a ring toss game where plush, cheese-shaped prizes dangled just out of reach. As they moved past a bubbling fondue fountain, Sid grinned, already dreaming of the gooey delights that awaited them, his heart lifting amidst the festive chaos.
Finally, he spotted Stinky by the bumper car ride. The two exchanged awkward glances before they burst into relieved smiles. "Hey, Sid! Figured ya weren't comin'!" Stinky said, his eyes gleaming.
Ray beamed, "Hey, I'm gonna go grab some cheese. Meet me at the picnic tables when you're hungry. You's two have fun!" The dad departed, knowing best for his son.
Sid quickly accepted the departure and turned his full attention to Stinky. "Yeah, I … I needed to clear my head," Sid admitted, shuffling his boots. "So, uh, what've you been up to since … you know."
Stinky rolled his eyes playfully, looking down at Sid with his upper lids drooped. "It's awll good, Sid. I just wanna have some fuhn. Let's get!"
They hopped from ride to ride, the adrenaline coursing through them, washing away the heaviness of the previous day. They ended up in a so-called Hall of Mirrors and laughed back and forth as their reflections distorted in the somewhat unending corners of funhouse mirrors.
"Look at that one, Sid, yer behind is lookin' huge!" Stinky pointed behind Sid before the half-pint turned to look, finding his butt up next to its reflection of the ample backside. Only, when Stinky came over to squat and point his long rear at the image, the same effect didn't seem to take.
"Huh, guess this is just a regular mirror, and ya got too much junk in that there trunk! Hawhaw!" Stinky chuckled like a goof, slapping down to shake Sid's cheeks, the boy's face flushing as he felt the desire to break the mirror running over him, only for the sound of heavy, rhythmic breathing to reframe his train of thought.
"Did you hear that?" Sid questioned aloud, spinning to seek out Brainy's visage in the many mirrors. Then Brainy could be seen standing there, wearing Sid's jacket. Sid began running with his arms out in front of him, colliding into surface after surface, ready to grab at Brainy. He debated whether or not Brainy might actually be there in the room with them. Sid couldn't find the real Brainy.
"I reckon there must be trick mirrors in here, as well as the distortin' ones. He's pr'y on tha whole other side a tha buildin'. Hey, Sid, don't ya got tha same jacket Brainy's wearin'?" Stinky calculated.
"Let's just get out of here! I'm starting to get sick to my stomach-from all the optical illusions." Sid grabbed Stinky's arm in a panic, pulling the leggy boy behind him before promptly slamming into one of the mirrors. Sid's sizable nose squished right up against the looking glass, his own image throwing him to the ground before he felt his vision fail to hold onto the brightly lit room, fading to black.
Sid came to not long after, Ray wobbling a cheese-dipped corndog under his nose. The nacho flavor turning out to be the right snack to bring the boy back into reality. "There he is! Welcome back, Genius. I thought you didn't need adult supervision," Ray teased. Sid looked over and saw Stinky bent over with his hands on his knees, eyeing the big bruise on Sid's forehead.
"Jeez, Sid. Ya scared tha heck outta me," Stinky confessed. Reaching forward to hold Sid's bare shoulder, he queried, "Ya'll good now?"
"Ahem, yeah ... I'm okay. I don't know how that happened." Sid grabbed the corndog and started eating.
Ray stood up. "Well, he's got an appetite. In my medical opinion, that seems to clear him. Are ya ready to-"
"Not yet!" Stinky interjected, "We've gotta ride tha swan boats! It's tha only ride we ain't hit up, yet!"
Ray raised a brow, questioning, "The Tunnel a Love?" Sid followed Ray's gaze over to the ride. The line seemed to be split into a gender binary of boys on one side and girls on the other. The outside of the building had been decorated with Cupid-like cherubs and tacky hearts.
Sid could swear one of the winged babies intentionally looked just like their Principal, Wartz. "Oh, crap ..." Sid softly let out.
Stinky picked Sid up to his feet, with the dust beneath his boots stirring behind the motion. "It's tha last ride, Sid! Let's get before they close!"
"Alright, then. I'll see you at home, Lover Boy. Try not to get knocked out on this one." Ray took his leave.
When they arrived at the twinkling lights of the swan boat ride of love, Sid hesitated at the entrance, but Stinky pulled him in with an enthusiastic nudge. The fence running down the middle of the lines had been painted with the same ugly green color as their school lockers. "I swear to God, if our Principal is manning this ride, I'm done. Please, Lord," Sid swore and prayed, simultaneously.
"Next happy couple!" the attendant shouted cheerfully.
"It's Mr. Simmons!" Stinky declared.
Sid wiped his hand down his face, nose bobbing in response. "Ugh!"
"Sid, I've got an idear. Why don't I boost ya up so's you can see who we're gonna get?" Before Sid could even oblige, he found himself in Stinky's grip, lifted up by his underarms before getting tossed up further, held by his waist.
"I still can't reach!" Sid complained down at Stinky. The high-rise of a boy hoisted Sid as far as he could, scooping his thick cakes into his hands in the process of holding him up like a trophy. Sid eeked, but when he took a moment to match the pairs, his heart sank as he saw Stinky's boat companion waiting on the opposite side.
"Stinky! You got Helga!" Sid shouted, his voice laced with disbelief, eyes wide as saucers.
Mr. Simmons's thick brows furrowed with authority, the man turning sharply to face the stacked pair. "Hey, no peeking, boys! Put him down, this instant!" he called out, his voice echoing through the line.
Stinky, bewildered and overwhelmed, lowered Sid from his grip. He cradled him against his torso for a moment, akin to a protective mother comforting her child amidst a crowd. "No way! This really bites! This REALLY bites!" Stinky hollered, glancing furtively around for an escape route. The thought of being matched with Helga sent his mind racing, as visions of her sharp tongue and fierce personality flashed before him.
"Stinky, you're freaking out," Sid replied flatly, his tone steady despite the chaotic atmosphere. "Also, put me down." As he regained his footing on the ground, Sid contemplated their predicament. The swan boats glided serenely on the water, couples laughing and enjoying their rides, oblivious to the turmoil that had just unfolded.
In a moment of clarity, Sid took a deep breath and proposed, "What if … we rode together?" He looked at Stinky earnestly. "I mean, think about it—if we're both in the same boat, Helga won't be able to get you, and it might just make things way less awkward."
Stinky's anxiety began to settle as he considered Sid's suggestion. Who could be expected to withstand Helga's overwhelming presence, anyway? Riding together might just provide the comic relief they both needed, too.
Sid added, "You really think Mr. Simmons is going to object?"
Stinky mused, a hint of hope creeping back into his voice, "Ye're too slick, Sid."
Up ahead, Harold got pulled into one of the boats by Rhonda. "I don't wanna go in the Tunnel of Love with you, Rhonda!"
"Oh, you know you like me, Harold!" the posh girl proclaimed, holding the boy down as he protested.
"Help! Let me go! Let me go!" his words echoed down the tunnel.
The unlikely pair's boat drifted away, and Stinky came up next, now meeting face-to-face with Helga. The waif girl scowled at the gangly boy before pulling on her small friend, Phoebe.
"If I'm paired up with Stinky, I'm just gonna take Phoebe with me!" she growled, ready to bite Mr. Simmons' head off at the first sign of protest.
"Oh-well-very-okay, Helga," the teacher stammered, fearful of the girl's infamous temper.
Sid tried to mask his own awkwardness as they climbed into the boat, Stinky shot a hopeful glance at Sid. "So … friends?" Stinky let out.
"I'm very proud of you two," Mr. Simmons added as they drifted down the tunnel made up of a purple, rocky cavern covered in more symbolic hearts.
"Yeah, just friends," Sid affirmed, though his heart raced in a way he couldn't deny. The swan boat glided gently across the shimmering water. As they drifted along, the ambiance took on a dreamy quality; their laughter echoed in the cool night air, feelings swirling in the space between them.
Just then, Sid became acutely aware of Brainy's presence again—the strange sensation of being observed crept up his spine. He glanced around, half-expecting to see the boy hiding behind one of the staff walkways or faux ridges. It made his skin prickle, but he forced himself to focus on being present with Stinky.
"Hey, Sid?" Stinky's voice broke through his fog of concern, "Thanks fer standing up fer me back there. I know things keep gettin' messy, but I know you've always got mah back."
Sid's heart warmed unexpectedly, but he struggled to let everything go. "I just wish I hadn't hurt Joey, you know? It just feels bad with what happened to him afterward."
"What happened tah Joey after words?" Stinky pondered Sid's meanings in more ways than one.
"Forget about it. Let's just roll with this," Sid deflected.
As their swan boat glided further away from the bustling crowds of the Cheese Fair, the dim lights of the Tunnel of Love revealed a breathtaking interior. Cascading water poured gently from rocky ledges, sparkling in the soft glow of luminescent stars that twinkled like tiny diamonds against the painted cave ceiling. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying the faint scent of candy apples and autumn leaves. The world outside faded, though.
Sid stole a glance at Stinky, who had an awestruck expression, illuminated by the ethereal light. In that moment, Sid felt a rush of warmth, a connection with Stinky that transcended the typical friendship—they were no longer just two kids. The laughter and playful teasing of the day melted away, replaced by a budding intimacy framed by the enchanting scenery. As the swan boat rocked gently, Sid reflected on the day; it had been mostly filled with joyful moments and shared smiles, all leading to this serene escape. Just the two of them, basking in the magic of the night, with their swan boat casting a silent, knowing glance back at them, as if to say this was only the beginning.
"Stinky," Sid began, his heart beating wildly, "Can we talk about something? I want to tell you something ... kinda important."
Stinky nodded, his friendly demeanor still intact, blissfully unaware of the nature of Sid's turmoil. Sid couldn't shake the feeling that beneath Stinky's carefree laughter, there sat a boy who deserved to see the truth.
As they neared the exit, the sound of the drizzly skies of Hillwood started back up, and Sid felt a mixture of anxiety and excitement. The two of them were in the uncharted territory of Sid's feelings and in confronting the reality of their friendship.
The swan came back out to another rainy night in the Pacific Northwest, but for Sid, it felt like the promise of sunshine was just around the corner, waiting to break through the clouds. "Stinky, I like you, like you."