Hey Arnold:Searching Through San Lorenzo

Ch. 1-The Essay

No POV

"I'm telling you Arnold, there is no way we can afford to travel all the way to San Lorenzo," reasoned Arnold's grandfather, Phil.

It was the day after Arnold had found the map in his dad's journal. He had shown his grandparents. They told him that it was late, therefore would converse about it the next day. Arnold had stayed up all night, expecting for them to be ready to start packing. He was very disappointed when Phil had declined, stating that they couldn't possibly travel to a different country with the risk of returning empty handed.

"But Grandpa, please! I have the map. We could start from where it ends up to and search from there, I'm begging you!" Arnold was now on the brink of tears. It wasn't that he didn't understand why he couldn't go, he just didn't understand why Phil seemed not to care very much about the situation. Though, as if reading Arnold's mind, he sighed, placing a hand on Arnold's shoulder.

"Look Shortman," he began in a soft voice," I understand that you want to find them, I do too. But, it's not like we can just tap our heels three times and wish to be there. Even if we could, the possibility that we would find them is very slim. I'm not saying that...well, y'know. I'm saying that we can't take that chance without facing very severe consequences. Understand?"

Arnold looked into the eyes of his grandfather. He knew that everything he told the boy, came with a reason. Giving him a sweet smile, Arnold nodded at him.

"Yeah. I get it."

He walked upstairs, past the concerned faces of the boarders, and closed the door to his room. He fell on his bed and cried to himself. He stayed like that until he fell asleep.

~~LOOONG Time SKIP~~

The school bells rang, signalling for any remaining students to hurry to class. Usually, Arnold would be there before the bell. Yet, today he was acting as if he were dead. He sighed and trudged into the classroom. This, of course, earned the attention of his peers, as he was dragging his belongings. He stopped, glared at them slightly, then continued walking. Some of the kids gasped, others began to mumble amongst each other. One particular student wore the most shocked expression one would ever see. She watched him plop down in his seat, now pondering about her beloved's health condition. Her attention was slightly drawn by the teacher entering and introducing himself, as it was the first day back at school.

"Hello 'special' bo- oh my. Th-this is quite the surprise. It would seem I have the same 'special' set of children." Everyone looked up to see Mr. Simmons, still the same as they left him. The only difference was that his hair was a bit thinner.

A majority of the class was a bit relieved that they knew what to expect, yet were also disappointed that it was him again. Mr. Simmons decided to skip the introductions and head right into today's lesson. It was the same as last year. Some payed attention, some copied notes to study later, many didn't pay attention or goofed around. Arnold was part of the latter.

He looked out the window, imagining himself and his parents flying in an airplane. He even managed to smile, something he hadn't done in almost a week or two. His attention was quickly drawn by Mr. Simmons's next statement.

"Now, there is a very 'special' essay that I would like you all to try. The essay has to be about a 'special' place out of state. It requires at least 5 'special' facts about the place and two 'special' descriptive paragraphs using those facts. Doesn't that sound e'special'ly fun?" Over half the class groaned in response. He smiled. "I'll allow 'special' partners."

The class gave a slight cheer. Mr. Simmons told them to find a partner, causing chaos to round its way into the class. After it had calmed down, there were still two single students remaining. The two blondes glanced at each other. One giving a look of disgust, the other keeping a blank expression. They took their seats and remained silent.

"We have 20 minutes until the bell rings. Why don't you all take this opportunity to discuss with your 'special' partner?"

Arnold's POV

I looked at Helga. Hopefully she's feeling bad. I don't wanna take my feelings out on her. She looked back at me.

"So Arnoldo, I want to go with Paris, but I'll listen to your opinion."

I blinked. This wasn't Helga. Then again, this could be what she was gonna be like when we had to take care of that egg. I was not gonna mess it up.

"Well, anywhere's fine. I do have a lot of knowledge on San Lorenzo though."

She seemed to ponder over this. Before she could say anything, she was interrupted by Harold asking what we were doing this for.

"Well Harold, the winner of this contest, and their 'special' class, get to travel to Central America! Specifically, San Lorenzo. Can you imagine the 'special' scenery?"

3rd POV

As Mr. Simmons began to imagine one of his students winning, Arnold looked as if Lila kissed him on the lips.

"I think we should work on Paris. Make it creative. That way, we do your idea and go where I want!"

Helga shrugged, being lost in her beloved's sudden mood shift. His green eyes being lit was enough inspiration for her to make any other contestants seem like pre-schoolers.

Both of the blondes began writing what knowledge they had of Paris.

Helga knew a lot on the topic. She had imagined many times her and Arnold living there in a scenario where she wasn't the president.

Time flew as they wrote and discussed. When the lunch bell rung, almost the entire class had left. Harold, of course, being the first.

The whole gang sat at one combined lunch table, catching up on anything they could've missed, some spreading gossip about others already.

For example, a new girl was to arrive tomorrow. She couldn't make it today because she lived on the other side of the country and the trip was unexpected. How they knew of this, no one really could say. Perhaps a student was in the office and had over heard it.

"I heard she's a complete geek!"

"Oh yeah, well I heard that she dyed her hair."

"Word is that she always has on concealing clothes, so no one has ever seen anything below her neck and above her ankles."

This seemed to interest most students. The feeling of mystery consumed them. Yet, after someone brought in another topic, they quickly recovered.

*Seeing this Time Skip, it fills you with determination!!

"Well Football Head, We can work on the project at home so long as it's at your house."

Arnold and Helga were walking down the steps of the school. They, along with the other students, had been told that they had exactly a week before it was due. After all, it was just an essay.

Arnold nodded, keeping up with the pink wearing tomboy. He smiled at the irony before looking forward.

Helga, on the other hand, tried her best to refrain from monologing about her beloved smiling while walking with her. She sighed happily, stealing yet another glance.

Once they arrived at the boarding house, Arnold warned Helga of the animals to which she groaned, remembering the pig.

"Hiya Shortman! I see you're doing better. And who's your little girlie friend?"

Arnold smiled at his grandfather, reintroducing Helga. She was taking in her surroundings.

This was one rare moment. She was invited into her beloved's house. A smile crept unto her face, not planning to leave anytime soon.

"Pataki?! Oh, of course," Phil started, smacking his forehead. He was quite the character.

"Well, we'll be upstairs," Arnold informed, tugging Helga with him.

Arnold didn't want to be embarrassed in front of her for some reason. He also couldn't stop rubbing his thumb over her hand, her soft skin convincing him to do so. He also noted that she didn't jerk her hand away. Maybe this would start something. Maybe they could be better friends.

Maybe they would become true partners.