Feeling Empty (A Hey Arnold Story)

Home Is Such A Lonely Place

A/N: Yet another instance of me being indecisive. I honestly couldn't pick between these two songs so I guess you get to pick like a "choose your own adventure" kinda thing. Fun!

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The rest of Rhonda's school day consisted of thinking about Harold, trying to pay attention in class, failing and glancing at Harold, having him catch her looking at him, exchanging glances and smiling awkwardly at each other and thinking about him some more.

After school, Marilyn and Jerry had come to pick them up from school and take Rhonda back home. Harold and Rhonda spent the whole ride pretending to look out their windows but subtly stole glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. Occasionally they would make eye contact and quickly look away with red cheeks. One of those times Marilyn noticed and smiled to herself.

When they had finally reached Rhonda's house all the memories of being practically starved in her own home started flowing back. She took a deep breath.

"Let's do this before I change my mind."

-

Rhonda's parents had let them in and Harold's parents went off to talk to them while Rhonda and Harold lugged the two suitcases to Rhonda's room.

"So, are you happy to be back in your room?" Harold asked her.

"I guess, but it was better in yours with you."

"Aw you're just saying that."

"It was comfortable and I felt safe, I don't think I had a single nightmare while I was in your arms." She said honestly.

"That's probably the cheesiest thing you've ever said to me, thanks."

They smiled at each other and their eyes met for a moment and time seemed to stand still.

Just then Harold's mom knocked on the already open door and barged into their little moment.

"So I talked to your parents and we arranged that you'll come over every Friday after school and stay for dinner just so we can make sure you're... healthy."

Rhonda liked this proposal.

"Okay, thanks Mrs. Berman, thanks Mr. Berman," Rhonda put her arms around both of them, "Thank you so much for taking care of me, you're like the parents I never had."

"And you're like the daughter we never had." Marilyn replied, trying to keep from tearing up.

"I love you guys so much." She said, starting to tear up a little herself.

That was something she barely even said to her biological parents.

"We love you too Rhonda." They both replied warmly.

"Now listen to me Rhonda. If anything ever starts to go wrong or you feel unsafe or you just want to, then don't be afraid to give us a call or come over okay? You're always welcome." Marilyn told her sternly.

"Okay, thanks again."

"We'll be in the car Harold!" Marilyn said as they exited the room.

Harold scratched his neck nervously.

"So uh... I guess this is goodbye?"

"I mean, I'll still see you around at school and tomorrow at the dance."

"I'm.. gonna miss you."

Rhonda walked over to Harold and threw her arms around him.

"I'm going to miss you too. What am I going to do without you around?"

"You can always call me or talk to me at school or come over to my house."

"Yeah, thanks."

"You know you can tell me anything right?"

"Right."

Rhonda moved her head so she was looking straight into Harold's eyes. Their faces were inches away from each other as they gazed into each other's eyes. Had they not been interrupted they probably would have kissed. Rhonda's dad knocking on her door broke them away from the heat of the moment.

"Rhonda dear are you getting settled in?"

"Yeah I'm fine."

Harold took his arms off of her and started for the door.

"Well I guess I'll get going."

"Okay, see you tomorrow. Oh and thanks again. I couldn't have made it through this without you."

He walked over to her and grabbed both of her hands like he was going to say something really thoughtful.

"Don't mention it. Besides, it was fun hanging around with you."

Before he could walk away Rhonda gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, which caught him completely off-guard. He felt himself blush a bit and he waved awkwardly as he left her room.

He felt a feeling he had never really felt before. Complete bliss. He tried to wipe the dazed smile off his face as he got in the car, though his mom seemed to take notice at her son's sudden happiness.

"I remember the first time I fell in love with your father, I was making that same face. My little Harold has already fallen in love! Where have all the years gone?" Marilyn gushed.

"Mom! I'm not in love with anyone!"

"Don't be embarrassed, she really is a sweet girl. Are you taking her to that dance tomorrow?"

"Maybe, why do you care?"

"I just think you guys just make the sweetest couple!"

"Mom!" Harold went even more red.

"Alright Marilyn." Jerry interjected.

Harold heard "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel playing on the stereo and it reminded him of Rhonda. She kind of was an Uptown Girl wasn't she? He had thought he didn't have a snowball's chance with her, but tomorrow he was taking her to the School Dance. His Uptown Girl.

--

A/N: We're finally getting somewhere, aren't we. I just want to apologize for the cringeworthy romantic scenes. I knew they were bad when I wrote them, and I definitely know they're bad now. I wrote this when I was 13/14 so my writing style has changed a little since then.

Songs: Honestly, I feel like "Little Wonders" fits the vibe of the chapter a bit better but some lyrics in "Home is Such a Lonely Place" are more specific to the current situation of the story. The only problem is that "Home is Such a Lonely Place" is a lot sadder and doesn't fit the more bittersweet feeling of this chapter.

"These small hours/ These little wonders/ These twists and turns of fate"

I feel like this lyric relates to Rhonda and Harold's story because neither could have predicted the twists and turns that brought them together.

"I wish that we could save today/ But I know we can't stay the same"

"Home is such a lonely place without you/ Home is such a lonely place"

These lyrics definitely fit this chapter and could probably describe how everyone feels about Rhonda going back home.