HEY ARNOLD!
FAN-FICTION STORY
By Megawacky Max

Original found at - http://megadimension.freeservers.com/fanficing_beatles06.htm

Part 6: Rhonda's obsession

The next Monday Arnold meets Gerald and Eugene at the school's lockers. There's no one there but them.

Eugene: (Impatient) did you translate the poem?

Arnold: You bet.

Arnold shows Eugene the translated poem. Gerald takes it.

Gerald: Oh, now I can read it!

Eugene: The handwriting is almost perfect! (Smiles) thanks, Arnold!

Arnold: (Smiles) no problem.

Eugene: Now, all I need to do is to insert this love confession inside Rhonda's locker.

Gerald: Here ... (he passes the poem to Eugene. He takes it)

Eugene goes to Rhonda's locker and tries to reach the locker's ventilation groove, but it's too high. Gerald approaches Eugene.

Gerald: Need help?

Eugene: Yes, please ...

Gerald: Here we go ...

Gerald puts his hands as a "step" so Eugene can reach the groove. Finally, Eugene stuffs the love poem inside the locker.

Eugene: (Smiles) Perfect!

Suddenly, Gerald feels he's about to sneeze. Eugene notices this.

Eugene: (A bit worried) are you OK?

Gerald sneezes loudly and causes Eugene fall to ground.

Arnold: Eugene!

Gerald: Oh ... sorry, man!

Eugene: (On ground) I'm OK ... By the way, bless you...

Gerald: Thanks!

Arnold helps Eugene to stand up.

Eugene: It's done, guys! She'll be here at any moment!

Arnold: So, let's disappear!

Arnold, Gerald and Eugene leave the scene. Minutes later, Rhonda, Nadine and Phoebe show up. Each girl goes to her locker.

Rhonda: So, girls ... what will you do for the big school party?

Nadine: I would like to come, but nobody has invited me!

Phoebe: So?

Nadine: I don't want to appear alone.

Phoebe: There's no problem! Just ask someone to be your partner!

Rhonda: (Sarcastically) Oooooh, yes! "Just ask someone"! This is not that easy, little miss smarty!

Phoebe: I'm just saying there's nothing bad about coming alone to the party.

Rhonda: (Opens her locker) Sure, and I'm an ugly frog looking for a prince ...

Nadine: Hey, frogs aren't ugly!

Rhonda: (While searching in her locker) Well, sorry ... (finds the poem) ... hey, what's this?

Rhonda picks up the paper and opens it.

Rhonda: (Moved) Oh ... ! I can't believe this!

Nadine: (Curious) what's that?

Rhonda: It's a ... a poem. A love poem! A love poem to ME!

Phoebe: (Surprised) Wow! Can I see?

Rhonda: Sure, look!

Rhonda gives Phoebe the poem. Phoebe and Nadine read the poem carefully.

Nadine: (Smiles) Incredible! Looks like you have a secret admirer! Congratulations!

Phoebe: Who could have written this?

Rhonda: (Smiles) Maybe it's the prince I'm waiting for! Ooh, I can imagine him! A tall, blonde knight, who has been in love with me since the first time he saw my beautiful face! Ooh!

Nadine: But you don't know anyone like him!

Rhonda: (stops daydreaming) Oh, yeah! That's right! (Thinks) So ... who could have written this?

Phoebe: That's what I said!

Rhonda: Hmmm ... I've gotta investigate...

Rhonda grabs the poem from Phoebe's hands and runs to the cafeteria. Phoebe and Nadine are alone.

Nadine: What a lucky girl. She has her prince.

Phoebe: (Sighs, a bit disappointed) hmm ... !

Later that day, at Mr. Simmons class, while he's explaining some mathematical stuff, Rhonda is whispering with her next-desk friends. Arnold and Gerald know exactly what she's talking about.

Arnold: (Whispers to Gerald) Gee ... Eugene's poem really moved her!

Gerald: (Whispers to Arnold) That's right! But she still doesn't know who her secret admirer is.

Arnold: (Whispers to Gerald) All part of Eugene's plan. He's gonna send a couple more poems and, once she knows what he feels about her, he will ask her to be his dance partner.

Gerald: (Whispers to Arnold) A bit complex, but I'm sure it's gonna work.

Later that day, at the cafeteria, Helga and Phoebe are sitting with Arnold and Gerald.

Helga: ... so, we went to buy some new clothes for the party. Arnold, you have no idea how nice these clothes are!

Arnold: I'm glad you like them. Listen, I'm happy you can be with me without being with me ALL the time.

Gerald: Yeah! The poor guy almost went crazy!

Helga: Don't worry about that, my love. I promise you I'm not gonna spy on you again, EVER!

Arnold: Thanks, Helga!

Then, Rhonda appears dancing as she walks. She has the poem in his hands. She leaves the scene, still dancing. Helga, Phoebe, Arnold and Gerald look at her.

Helga: (Joking) well, seems like Miss Fashion is finally going insane!

Phoebe: Is not that. She has a secret admirer.

Helga: Huh? A secret admirer? Rhonda?!

Phoebe: She found a love poem from somebody inside her locker. Since that she's been obsessed with the subject.

Arnold: That's nice. I'm sure that guy is in love with her (eyewink to Gerald).

Helga: I don't care. I've already got an obsession. (Nicely) great, isn't it, Arnold?

Arnold: (Nicely too) Sure, Helga!

Arnold and Helga look at each other.

Gerald: (looks bored) hmm ... mmm ... mmm ... Pheebs, they will be in that position for a couple hours.

Phoebe: Better get rid of Helga's tray.

Gerald: Yes, I'll get rid of Arnold's one.

Phoebe picks up Helga's tray. Gerald does the same with Arnold's one. Both of them go to the cafeteria's garbage can. Phoebe dumps Helga's garbage.

Gerald: (A bit shy) So, tell me, Phoebe ... (leans his hand on the wall) ... do you want to be my dance partner at the big school party?

Phoebe rises her head quite fast. She's totally stunned.

Phoebe: (Surprised) Wh ... What??

Gerald: You know? The party. (He dumps Arnold's garbage) I'd like to go, but ... well ... I have no partner and I thought you would like to be my ... er ... my ...

Phoebe: ... dance partner?

Gerald: (Shy) Yeah, that's it!

Phoebe: (Smiles) it could be a nice idea. You know, I want to go to that party too. I need a dance partner too.

Gerald: (Smiles) so ...?

Phoebe: (Blushes) So ... I think there wouldn't be any problem at all.

Gerald looks at her... and Phoebe looks at him. Both have no idea what to say. They're just standing there, looking each other with a smile on their faces. Suddenly, Gerald feels is time to say the truth.

Gerald: Ah ... Phoebe, I would like to tell you something ...

Phoebe: (Smiles) Yes?

Gerald: I've got an inkling that you like me, and I just wanted to say that I like you, too.

Phoebe: (Moved) I ... I don't know what to say! This is something ... er ... unexpected!

Gerald: I was waiting for this moment for a long time!

Phoebe: I don't know. I'm confused! What makes you think I feel something for you?

Gerald: Phoebe, every time you see me, you give me some ... weird look.

Phoebe: Weird?

Gerald: I don't know how to explain it. It's like a nice, soft, warm kind of look. I feel quite good each time you do that.

Phoebe: (Blushes) I ... must admit you have a nice look too.

Gerald: (Blushes) there's something funny about that look of yours. It's more than a normal "friend" look. It's like ... something better.

Phoebe: (Smiles) I feel the same about yours.

Silence. They are happy just looking at each other. Now both of them look each other with the mentioned kind of nice, soft, warm look.

Phoebe: Do you think this could work? I mean, you and ... me?

Gerald: (Smiles) we could try. After all, there's a big party coming. Believe me, Phoebe, all kinds of weird things are going to happen. (Joking) Hey, maybe this is one of that weird things I'm talking about!

Phoebe: (Smiles) nobody knows that. Only time will tell.

Gerald: As you say, Pheebs. But, by the way ... (he does a reverence to Phoebe) ... would Lady Heyerdahl like to follow me to our table? I might invite her with a peanut butter sandwich!

Phoebe: (Blushes. Follows Gerald's game) Oh, as Lord Johanssen wants! I would be pleased!

Gerald takes Phoebes hand. They start walking to their table.

Gerald: (As they walk) "Lord Johanssen" ... hey, that sounds pretty cool! Can you repeat that?

Phoebe: (Smiling) "Lord Johanssen".

Gerald: (Smiling) Thanks, "Lady Heyerdahl" ...

That afternoon, at Arnold's room, Arnold, Eugene and Gerald are trying to write another love poem to Rhonda. Arnold is sitting on a chair, writing all what Eugene says. By his side, Eugene can't stop pacing back and forth in the room. This is making Gerald a bit annoyed.

Gerald: (A bit annoyed) Can you stop walking back and forth, back and forth, PLEASE?

Eugene: (Stops walking) Huh?

Gerald: (Calms down) Man, take a rest! You're annoying me with that Go-There Go-Back movement!

Eugene: Oh, sorry! I'm nervous.

Gerald: Yeah, I can see.

Arnold: Continue, Eugene. I'm writing.

Eugene: Right. Now, I would like to tell her my name ... but it could be a bit fast. She must know all of what I feel, before she knows who the writer is.

Arnold: You know, we could add some hints and clues. So, she will try to find her secret admirer by herself.

Gerald: Hey, I like that!

Eugene: I like it too! Let's write a letter that talks about me, without saying my name.

Arnold: I'm writing ...

The next day. Rhonda, Nadine and Sheena are at the lockers. Rhonda opens her locker pretty fast and starts looking for another poem.

Nadine: (Curious) So ... ?

Rhonda: (Picks up the poem and shows it to the girls) Here's another one!

Sheena: Well, what are you waiting for? C'mon, read it!

Rhonda starts reading the poem.

Rhonda: (Smiling) Wow! Just listen to this! "There's just one single girl in my life ... Rhonda is her name. There's just one beautiful thing in my world ... Rhonda is her name. And she has a secret admirer ... but, what is his name? ... Want to find it out? So, turn over the page.".

Rhonda turns over the paper. There's some more writing.

Rhonda: Oh, boy! This is a description of my secret admirer! Listen ... "I'm a bit shy, a bit small, a bit nice. I'm not as cool as you, but I'm not uncool. I'm a little fool who, just, loves you.".

Rhonda stops reading and sighs loudly.

Sheena: Terrific! He's talking seriously!

Nadine: What are you gonna do now, Rhonda?

Rhonda: (Daydreaming) Start looking for him, of course!

Rhonda and the girls leave the scene. Later, at Mr. Simmons' class, Rhonda isn't paying so much attention to her teacher. She's just reading and over-reading the last poem.

Rhonda: (Thinks) who could be my secret admirer? This is making me insane! I guess my secret admirer is a good-looking boy with a nice hairstyle and an ever so cool wardrobe. Gee... I MUST find him!

At 3:00 p.m., while leaving school, Helga and Arnold are walking through the front door when suddenly Arnold stops. Helga turns and looks at her beloved one.

Helga: Something wrong?

Arnold: Umm ... ahhhh ... nothing important! I'm just waiting for Gerald.

Helga: Right, Arnold! See you later! Bye!

Arnold: (As Helga leaves) Bye!

Once Helga is far away, Arnold walks to a bushes near.

Arnold: (Searching inside the bushes) Eugene? Are you in here?

Eugene: Yeah... Ouch!

Eugene pops up from inside the bushes. He's a bit hurt.

Eugene: Remember this, Arnold: Never... but NEVER try to hide yourself in spiky bushes.

Arnold: (Rolls his eyes) Yeah, I'll try to remember that. Anyway, have you got the poem?

Eugene: Sure! Here!

Eugene gives Arnold a poem.

Eugene: Arnold, this will be the last poem! Then, Rhonda will find out that her secret admirer is no one but me ... Eugene Horowitz!

Arnold: (Doubts) you know ... are you sure about this? Maybe it's a bit soon to let her know about you.

Eugene: Arnold, I'm dying for her! I just can't wait anymore!

Arnold: (Feels sorry for Eugene) Oh ... Well, if you want to continue with all this ... I'll help you!

Eugene: (Happy) Boy, thanks, Arnold! You're a real friend!

Arnold: You're welcome. Right, I'm gonna write this last poem. Eugene, tomorrow you will be the only thing on Rhonda's mind!

The next day. Arnold and Gerald are at the lockers. Arnold has Eugene's last poem in his hands.

Gerald: This the last poem?

Arnold: Yup. Well, here goes!

Gerald helps Arnold to reach Rhonda's locker. Then Arnold slips the poem inside the locker.

Arnold: That's it! Let's get outta here!

Gerald: Got it!

They both leave. Later they meet Eugene at one of the school's halls.

Eugene: Arnold! Gerald! Finally!

Gerald: It's done! The poem is in the right place!

Eugene: (Smiles) that's great! Now I only need to be patient. Soon, Rhonda will open her locker, will find the last poem, and will find out WHO her secret admirer is!

In that moment, Rhonda is running to her locker. Nadine runs behind her.

Nadine: (While running) Rhonda, wait! What's the rush?

Rhonda: (While running) what's the rush?! Are you serious? I'm waiting for another beautiful poem from my secret admirer!

Rhonda reaches her locker and opens it quite fast. Then she finds the last poem.

Rhonda: (Picks up the poem) Here it is! Another poem from (sighs, clutching the poem to her chest) him!

Nadine: What does it say?

Rhonda impatiently starts reading. Her eyes get wider.

Rhonda: (Surprised) Oh, my...! Listen! (Reading) "Dear and always-loved Rhonda, this is the last poem from me to you. I want to ask you something that could be great: Would you like to be my dance partner at the big school party?".

Nadine: (Also surprised) Incredible! That's what I call a great admirer!

Rhonda: Wait, wait! There's more! (Keeps reading) "I won't say who I am, 'cause I want you to find it out. If you want to be my dance partner, come close to me and whisper to me the words I'm telling you: 'I want to be your dance partner, my little fool'. Remember: I'm a bit shy, a bit small, a bit nice. I'm not as cool as you, but I'm not uncool. I'm a little fool who, just, loves you. And if you want another clue: I'm in your class.".

Nadine: (Sweetly) Oooh ... that's sooooo nice!

Rhonda: (To Nadine, serious) Oh, please, stop it! (Now sweetly) But I still don't know who he is!

Nadine: There must be a way ... unless... (Thinks) ... oh, wait! (Thinks deeper) That's it! Rhonda, I've got it!

- End of part 6 -