The New Girl in Hillwood

Is it Over Yet?

"Gosh that new girl sure is beautiful", Stinky said in a daze.
"I agree she's a looker, hubba hubba", Sid added.
"She might be the hottest girl in our grade."
"Looks like Miss Rhonda has some competition", Stinky said as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Come on guys, are we really objectifying the new girl already? I mean she just got here", Arnold attempting to justify the situation.
"I agree with Arnold, I mean what do we really know about her?" Gerald added.
"Oh, you're just saying that because you have a girlfriend already", Sid said dismissing the comment.
"I mean sure, Gerald's dating Phoebe but he's right, we don't know that much about her. I means she's from New York and that's it", Arnold said.
"You have to admit it though, she is hot", Sid said with a wink.
"I mean yeah, Mara is pretty but I think we should get to know her at first before we start putting her on our own personal agendas", Arnold said with a frown.
"I guess Arnold is right about that one, Sid", Stinky sulked.
"Or maybe he's just saying that to get Mara all to herself!" Sid yelled a little.
"Sid, I don't even think of Mara that way. I'm just not in the mood for a relationship. I mean it's junior year, I have other priorities".
"Sure you do", Sid said with air quotes.
"You're pretty quiet Harold. What do you think?" Stinky asked.
"Well, I'm dating Patty and I'm sure even the mentioning of another and Patty will be here quicker than I eat 5 sandwiches", Harold said looking around the room with a cautious eye.
"Okay, well Harold has his problems but that doesn't explain Arnold. What's the matter, afraid it might another Helga situation?" Sid teased.
"Look, Helga and I just didn't work out. We just weren't meant to be I guess", Arnold sighed.
Arnold and Helga had started to date after they came back from San Lorenzo to rescue his parents. Arnold realized his feelings for her after she told Arnold that she loved him. They dated from 5th grade until the end of freshman year. I guess you can say life happened. Helga was still her regular self and didn't want to change her persona out of fear that she would be teased and considered weak. Arnold tried to convince her otherwise but she refused to listen. It wasn't until high school when Arnold couldn't handle it anymore and broke up with her.
After the breakup, Helga resumed to her regular reading of Arnold and their friendship became a little severed.
"I don't know. Helga will always be Helga, I guess", Gerald agreed.
"Yeah", the rest of guys had nodded in agreement.
They continued to eat their lunch as Arnold had looked at the lunch line where Helga was standing to buy her lunch. He sighed and went back to eating his sandwich and talking to Gerald.
"Mara, I assure you that everything will be fine", Phoebe assured her.
"You're right Phoebe, it's just nerves", Mara forced out a little chuckle.
"Hey Phoebe. Can you save me a seat at the table? I'm going to buy some lunch".
"Sure thing!"
Everything looked good in the line and I was so hungry. I didn't eat breakfast. Too nervous, I guess. If you count a piece of toast and two bites of an apple as breakfast. I moved through the line and found myself buying a hamburger and fries. I paid for my lunch and looked where Phoebe was at the table. I saw Rhonda, Nadine, Sheena and Helga sitting there as I inched carefully towards the table fearing the worst.
I took a deep breath and sat down next to Phoebe.
"I'll be right back, I'm going to get some napkins", I said.
I knew exactly what I was doing. I was stalling. Why was I stalling!?
I managed to get the napkins and get back to my spot. Phoebe gave me a quick smile and I took a few bites of my hamburger.
"So, Mara? How are you liking Bartlett so far?" Sheena asked flashing a quick smile.
"It's actually pretty great! The teachers are pretty cool and I like my classes!"
"That's pretty great!"
Helga managed to give Sheena a quick glare and Sheena changed her disposition
"I guess", Sheena frowned a bit.
"So you're mom owns a boutique?" Rhonda asked trying to lighten up the conversation.
"Yeah, she actually opened it up during the summer; a few months before we moved".
"Well, I've always wanted to have a friend who had the same fashion taste as me", Rhonda gloated.
"Yeah, it sounds pretty good", I said flashing a small smile.
"So Martha?" Helga asked.
"It's Mara".
"Let me tell you some things about Bartlett High. Yeah, it seems like it's the best place to be at with our school sprit and sports and yada, yada but this will you chew you up and spit you out!" Helga told me pointing her finger at me.
"Well, everyone seems friendly to me."
"Well, it'll everyone will seem like that at first, but then they'll turn on you. You know, get really chummy and stuff".
"Right", I said cautiously.
"Go easy on her Helga, she's new", Phoebe said.
"Alright, alright Pheebs. But don't come crying to me", Helga said looking at me.
"So Mara, any guys peek your interest?" Rhonda asked with a wink.
"Not really. I don't think I'm interested in having a relationship with anyone this year. You know, junior year and colleges".
"Not even a fling?"
"Flings are not my thing. I'm a one person type of gal".
"Oh, that's too bad".
The rest of lunch went well. We talked about what we did over the summer. Rhonda went shopping in Europe and picked up a fling with an Italian man. Nadine did a summer abroad study studying different types of insects in Australia. Sheena went to an environmentalist/vegetarian camp in California. Phoebe did summer classes at a college and stayed on a college campus for two weeks while hanging out with her boyfriend, Gerald. Helga spent the summer with her sister in California and helped her sister with her job. I made the most of my summer in New York and helped my mom organ is one last fashion show in New York before we made our move; as well as a vacation in Barcelona.
Before I knew it, the bell had rung and I was heading to my next class: A.P Language and Composition; which was also my last class of the day.
I threw away my tray when Phoebe caught up to me.
"See, that wasn't bad now was it?" She said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, Helga isn't that bad either. She's actually warming up to me".
"Good".
"I'll catch up with you after class".
"Okay, see you then".
Phoebe waved and I said bye to the other girls as I headed to me next class. My last class of the day. What a relief. I had successfully completed my first day of Bartlett High, more importantly my junior year. Along with my other classes, A.P LAC(my nickname for the class) was cool. My teacher was Mrs. Perry. I liked her. I learned that she was from London too, same as me. She, like me, had traveled all around Europe and lived there too. Her father was in the army so she was what we call a military brat. We played an introduction game and after class, I talked to her myself. She told she knew how I was feeling and to talk to her anytime I needed advice or guidance.
I gave her a hug and headed to my locker after class.
"Hey Mara!"
"Oh, hey Phoebe!"
"How was the last class of the day?"
"It was good, actually. I love Mrs. Perry!"
"That's great! Well, you e officially survived your first day here at Bartlett High!"
"Thank goodness!" I laughed a little.
"Well the girls and I are going over Rhonda's house after school to celebrate the first day of junior year. Join us?"
"I'll have to ask my mom but it should be fine."
"Great!"
Phoebe and I walked into the front of the school to wait on the other girls. While we waited, Gerald and Arnold came over.
"Hey babe", Gerald said to Phoebe as he kissed her cheek.
"Hey!"
"Hey Gerald, and Arnold!" I said to them.
"Hey Mara!" Arnold said back.
"So, how was the first day of Bartlett High?" Arnold asked.
"It was... oh, hold on, my mom texted me".
"Phoebe, my mom said it was okay as long as I'm able to get back to the house to cook and help close the store".
"Great!"
"I'm so sorry about that, Arnold".
"It's okay, Mara."
"Anyway, my day was good. Everyone is really friendly here and you guys seem like a really great group".
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed your first day here!"
"Thanks, me too!" I smiled.
Helga, Rhonda, Nadine and Sheena walked out as I finished talking to Arnold.
"Well, we better get going. Football tryouts are at 3:00", Arnold said.
"Okay, see you babe!" Phoebe grinned at Gerald.
"Ready, Phoebe?" Helga said.
"Yeah. Ready Mara?"
"Sure thing!" I said.
"I invited Mara if that's okay with you, Rhonda?"
"That's fine with me", Rhonda smiled.
"Um Pheebs, can I talk to you for a sec?" Helga looked around.
"Um, sure Helga".
They all went inside the school as Mara waited outside for them to finish, casually looking at her planner to see if she had any assignments to do.
"Why did you invite her?" Helga sneered
"Well, I didn't want to be rude plus she's the new girl, Helga. I figured she needed some company".
"Do you not remember the plan?"
"Of course I do but Mara's harmless. I doubt that she would do anything, Helga".
"We don't know that yet, Pheebs! I told you we can't have another little Miss Perfect incident".
"Alright, whatever you say Helga".
"It seems our plan hasn't been effective yet. We need to commence phase two now!" Helga commented.
"What's the plan?" Rhonda questioned.
"Alright, here it is. Trust me, it'll be good", Helga said with a smirk.