So Close, Arnold

Poetically Let Down

The next morning in second period, which was creative writing class, the entire gang filed in.

Everyone was excited about seeing if the teacher would read their poems outloud.

They all placed their poems on Ms. Penny's desk and took their seats. Arnold looked over at Helga who was deep into a conversation with Phoebe.

Helga had on shorts that stopped mid thigh, a pink John Cena Rise Above Cancer tank top and pink high top Chucks. Her hair was in a ponytail with a swoop bang covering half her face.

Gerald noticed Arnold staring at Helga and raised and eyebrow. He knew that look that Arnold had on his face. It was the same look he got when he used to look at Ruth, Lila or, when he talked about Cecile....and....wait, NO WAY!

On the other side of the room Rhonda noticed the look too...

"Order class, come to order!" Ms. Penny, a curvy light skin African American woman called. Most boys had a crush on her. She had long curly black hair, she wore a long pink skirt with a white blouse. No one knew why she taught, her father was a rich man who made snack foods called "Proud Snacks." She was loaded.

"Okay, so, I am going to shuffle your poems and pick a few at random to read to see how you did. "

Ms. Penny started to shuffle the papers then picked up one. The classroom became dead quiet and tense.

"Of course I won't say who wrote, what."

The class seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

"Okay here's the first one..

Her hair is red, she smells like a bed, of flowers. She's my favorite girl. Pretty with all the right curves. Sweeter than lemon puddin I love her even though I shouldn't. "

The class clapped and snickered. They knew it was Stinky, not just because he was in the back blushing but because , of the mention of lemon pudding.

"Alright this seems like a good one

I told you how I feel and you broke my heart. I'm ever so certain my heart fell apart. How could you not like me like me? Why would you ever do this to little old me. For all I have been is ever so sweet to thee. Oh how you hurt me."

The class knew that was Lila but wondered who she was talking about . Arnold tried not to groan out loud as he felt Lila's glare on the back of his head.

"Okay, next one

The wind blows strong but I can still feel your arms, your embrace

Leaving you behind was my greatest mistake

Like the presence of an angel you have always been there to guide me

Light me up inside and inspire me

After all this time , you still set my soul on fire, cause my heart to beat as if it will never tire

You give me life, you give me love

You give me, my inspiration."

The class busted out into applause as they tried to figure out who could have written that beautiful poem.

"Okay last one" Ms. Penny said picking up a paper

"Awww" the class moaned in union.

"Don't aww me, we'll read more tomorrow but, you do have other work to do , ok, here we go..."

Silence fell over the room again

"As beautiful as the sunrise, as graceful as the sunset.  A blonde goddess who will not let my mind rest. You consume every thought. You appear in every dream. You bring forth a new part of me. If only I could have seen you before. Looked beyond what was in front of me and seen past your secret door. The door that hides who you really are. That shows you can out shine any star. My blonde goddess, I am falling for you. My blonde goddess, sorry it took so long but, I finally notice you."