What the Time's Done

Part Two: Dangerous Changes

One week later…

The lunch bell rang at the high school sending teens shuffling through the crowded halls towards the cafeteria or outside to eat at the picnic tables or on the small plots of grass. High school sweethearts sat on checkered blankets and preps tanned on beach towels as the first lunch began at the high school. Those who had second lunch would be confined to their third period classroom for a good hour and a half.

It was a fairly sunny day as the teenagers sat down for a quick bite and a much needed break from class. But like on most bright and warm days there was a storm cloud lingering nearby, just waiting to spoil the serene fun of the carefree youth…

"Gerald, we're over here!" Phoebe waved to her boyfriend as he exited the cafeteria's back doors with Arnold following close behind.

"Comin' Phoebe!" Gerald called out nearly dropping the two trays his was carrying. "So Arnold my man, today's the day right?"

"Huh?" Arnold glanced over at his best friend who was hinting at him about something that obviously had to do with his girl, that tone of voice that Gerald used was unmistakable for concerning matters of Arnold's love life.

Gerald rolled his eyes, "The prom man! Did you forget already? You're said last night on IM that you'd be askin' her today at lunch. So, when should I distract Phoebe?"

"Oh, uh, that." Arnold gulped, "Well…"

"ARNOLD!" Gerald snapped suddenly spinning around and halting their progress, "You're not gonna turn chicken on me now are ya? You PROMISED you'd ask Helga today so Phoebe and I could rent that limo. There's no way I can afford to pay for a limo AND dinner at that new Italian place uptown on my salary."

"Look Gerald I know you've got a deposit to make and reservations to get and everything. I'll ask her it's just-" Arnold glanced over Gerald's shoulder at Helga who was sitting on a grassy knoll reading some new gothic novel she'd found at the library, "-I wanna wait for just the right time to ask her."

"Arnold, my main man," Gerald began in an unaffected manner, "you know she's gonna say yes right? I mean, you are her boyfriend and all. What's stopping you?"

"I just don't wanna blow it and screw the whole thing up," Arnold replied frustrated as he brushed past Gerald. "This is the prom, I don't get a second chance to do everything right."

Sighing Gerald trailed behind Arnold and joined the two girls on the grass.

"What took you so long?" Helga said in what anyone who didn't really know her would perceive to be a scoffing tone.

"Long line." Gerald grumbled. "That and the cafeteria ladies aren't all that good at countin' change."

"That's precisely why I make sure to try and use correct change each time I purchase a meal." Phoebe beamed.

"Psh, come off it Phoebs you haven't had to pay for your food since the first semester of ninth grade. Geraldo always picks up the tab." Helga stated.

"Well, I'd pay for your lunch too. If you'd let me." Arnold mentioned.

"Thanks but no thanks Football Head." Helga grinned without looking up from her book, "Thanks to years of Merriam's neglect and drunken delusions I've become an expert at making and bringing my own lunch."

Arnold smiled, that reaction was about the best one he could've hoped for from Helga. At least she hadn't gone off about how she didn't really need help from him or anyone else when it came to getting lunch.

Gerald saw this 'tender' moment and nudged Arnold before 'distracting' Phoebe with a personal conversation of his own.

Arnold grunted and took the hint. Scooting closer to Helga (to the point where he was actually leaning over her shoulder) he asked, "So--uh--Helga, I was thinking about all the stuff that's comin' up, like prom, and-"

To Arnold's surprise she closed the book and faced him, "Got something on your mind Hair Boy?"

"Yeah…" getting Helga's complete attention only doubled the size of the knot in his throat, "…uh, I was just wonderin' if you'd like to be my date for the prom. Since we're kind of a couple and all."

He's cute when he babbles like that. Helga concluded. "Alright Romeo," she pecked him on the cheek, "pick me up at 7 or something. Sheesh, it's kinda early and all but I guess for the sake of reservations it's good that ya went ahead and asked me."

Arnold tossed Gerald an I TOLD YOU SO! glance. Gerald (who'd been looking over his shoulder while talking the whole time) simply shrugged as if to say Well, at least it's over now right?

It was then that the storm hit.

The four students were all sitting on the knoll minding their own business when he strolled by and decided to make his first move for revenge. Oh how sweet it would be!

A large dark shadow fell over the small group sending an odd chill down their spines. Scheck smiled menacingly down on the lot as four dumbstruck, horror-filled faces stared up at him. "Good afternoon students."

"Aw man I knew I should've stayed in bed today!" Gerald gulped.

"Scheck!" Arnold gasped, "What do you want?!"

"Yeah pal there's like school police everywhere incase you hadn't noticed." Helga snapped. It was her comment that he paid particular attention to.

"Yes Ms. Pataki, I'm completely aware of the situation." Scheck grinned, "I was just merely coming over to inform you all that I've realized the wrongs of my previous actions and would simply like to move on and concentrate on my educational affairs."

"What are you talkin' about?" Gerald demanded.

"In a word," Scheck grinned, "you."

Four pairs of eyes went wide.

"You see I've decided to pool my resources into helping this city's public educational departments improve their facilities. I've decided the best way to do that will be to get input from the students and I'm pleased to say that I'll be starting with those from your school. So-" he glanced around the suspicious party and smiled widely at Helga, "any volunteers?"

Arnold placed an arm protectively around Helga's shoulders, "No Scheck. We're not helping you with anything. And if you don't keep your distance…"

"Calm down young man," the businessman chuckled as he backed away, "I'm not here to start anything, I'll just be leaving now. But…I strongly encourage all of you to consider my offer. It is, after all, for your own good."

Arnold, Helga, Phoebe, and Gerald stared angrily after Scheck as he shuffled away whistling a merry tune. "Man Arnold, he's up to something."

"I know Gerald." Arnold agreed, "We'd better keep an eye on him."

"No problem," Gerald sneered, "from the looks of things, he's the one who'll be keepin' an eye on us!"

That's right kids, enjoy you're little carefree meal while you can. Scheck thought wickedly as he headed into the high school. For soon you're inseperable group will be one troublemaker short.

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*Okay, I've updated. Yay! It's about time too, right? Sorry to leave everyone hanging for so long. Um…please continue to review, it's great motivation. Thanks for reading!*