Chapter one: Teenage dream

Arnold was a teenager now, with long hair. He still lived in the boarding house, had the same old friends, same lifestyle and family. He had just turned 16 living his high school years in a school named Eriol Wagner High. Gerald was still his best friend, they were lucky enough to be in the same class for the past years.

This year, the old classmates from his 4th grade generation were in most of Arnold's classes. Sometimes he saw Phoebe in chemistry class, Rhonda and Eugene on Algebra, Sid, Stinky and Harold were in his English class and Lila, Phoebe, Helga and Rhonda on his Physics class. The only class were they were all in a same classroom like on the 4th grade was the Art class. Harold, Stinky and Sid would sit together while Helga and Phoebe sat on the corner end.

Helga still bothered Arnold calling him Football head, throwing chewed paper at him and putting him down whenever she got the chance. Art was Helga's favorite school hours because she would be near Arnold and write her most sublime poetry. Hiding her poems away from others and the fear of being caught gave her more inspiration as her romantic imagination would expand all around the classroom.

'Oh Arnold, I could breath under water, sink into the darkest colour, I could fly the silver skies and descend on your arms into eternal greatness, with you, I can not lose for you are my muse…'- she wrote on her notebook.
"Naaa… this is stupid" she thought.

Arnold had gone out with a few cute girls from school, we could even say some were too beautiful for him. Arnold knew he could have any girl he wanted, but that did not thrill. He would always start a new relationship feeling in love but wouldn't last long, for in 3 weeks he would feel empty again. He couldn't explain himself the odd love life he had to bear.

There was a great emptiness in his heart, feeling without a soul, no purpose or anything at all. He wanted to love someone so bad and yet could not feel a pinch of love. Although there was a strange feeling that lingered on, something beyond magic. Ever since he dreamt of Helga marring him, he saw her with different eyes. He would still feel annoyed when she bothered him and yet felt good in an awkward way. Arnold noticed he had an unusual feeling for Helga that grew little by little. It is magical how you can be fond to someone after having a dream about them.

One day returning from school with Gerald, they ran into Principal Wartz.
"Hey Principal Wartz! " Arnold happily greeted.

"Hello… do I know you?... Oh wait, you must be that punk who flooded the teacher's restroom! " he groaned.

" No no ! It is I, Arnold… Arnold Shortman… from Mr. Simons first Ps.118 class"

"Shortman… Shortman…" Wartz Scanned through his memories.

" Oh yeah, once you mooned in front of me" Wartz's eyes were wide open.

"Yeah, well, that wasn't actually me… anyway, how have you been?"

Gerald was getting bored until he heard something that brought him back to earth.

"I am taking a trip to a jungle, I've always wanted to see the jungle, what was it called again?" Wartz touched his chin "Oh yeah, San Lorenzo".
Arnold's heart stopped and then pounded like Moby Dick's drum solo.

"Excuse me, where did you say you were going?" with a squeaky voice Arnold asked.

"San Lorenzo, a friend told me about it and it sounds great, exotic animals, sunny weather, pyramids and best of all, it is affordable" Wartz sounded excited "anyway kids, I've got to go, it was nice talking to you" and he strode away.

Gerald knew what was happening in Arnold's head, but decided to keep quiet. Arnold's face was pale and lifeless eyes. They walked to the bus stop without a word, it wasn't until they were inside the bus that Arnold shouted.
"I could go with him!" he said with a thrilled yet sad tone that made everyone stare at them. Gerald knew exactly what he meant but was too insecure to respond.

"With him, Principal Wartz! This is my chance! What I have been waiting for since I found the map!" Arnold's excitement grew.

"Arnold… I don't know man, maybe you are rushing yourself…" Gerald said as he tried not looking into Arnold's eyes.

"Come on Gerald ! This is the moment! If it's not now when?"

"I don't know, I don't know, but ... emm… where will you get the money to go?"

" I've got money, I've been saving for years!" he quickly said.

"Ok, you need a permission to travel, you aren't a legal adult yet."

"I can get the permission from grandpa, I know I can, I must!"

"Alright bro, I guess you are right, just tell me when you'll go… I'll go too" Gerald said with a fake tone of voice just to change the subject.

"Really?"Arnold asked with a weird shine in his eyes.

"Yeah man, I'll always be there for you" Gerald greened.

"Thanks Gerald, you're a great friend!"

When Arnold got home from school, he ran straight to his room without greeting anyone. He searched under his bed and fetched a shoebox where he kept letters from lovers and friends. Arnold desperately opened the box and shattered everything on the ground. There it was, the map, folded in half. Arnold unfolded the map and scanned every inch of it and said.

"Mom, Dad, I'm coming to save you!"