It was so tempting. Looking from behind his fellow classmate and friend, it was almost too good to be true. Sure, they weren't the closest of friends, but the voice of reason did deserve some credit. Plus, he had been pretty down a couple of days ago when everyone had gone to Dino Land. He didn't seem like himself either. Maybe he was just not feeling well or something.

Either way, today was his day. And Sid wouldn't let Arnold forget it. All he had in mind was something small, but he was not dense. "He did save my life, helped me with my fear of germs and with Big Gino. Oh and the time I thought Stinky was a vampire. Well this should cheer up my good buddy and pal." Paper bag in hand, Sid walked in his prized white beetle boots into the cafeteria. Heading for Arnold's table, he could see Gerald as well having a conversation with Arnold. His hand unconsciously gripped the bag tighter, trying to keep it steady. "I can't have my gift fall over. Otherwise it will be ruined. And Arnold is going to get it whether or not he likes it."

The room was getting warmer as he was more set on putting his plan into action. His mind kept racing with similar thoughts as he came to realize that he was at the table.

"So what do you say we"- Gerald's voice stopped as the two turned their attention to Sid. He was coughing lightly into his elbow as he came around and took a seat closer to Arnold. "I can't lose my nerve now. It's for a good cause." His palms got a little sweaty as he shakily placed his package on the table. Nervousness crept up on him still, because now was the time to give what Arnold deserved.

"Hey Arnold," sounding unsure as his classmate faced him. He started to unravel the crinkled bag at the rim, making it crunch. The blond was confused by Sid's tone, but nonetheless smiled at him. He ate a bite out of his pastrami sandwich before responding. "Hi Sid, what's going on?" That look on Arnold's face was reassuring. "It's Arnold. What do I have to worry about?"

"Well, I have something I think you should have. Before you ask, all I can say is that I think you are a good friend," and inhaling a big breath of air, "and this is my way of saying thanks." He slid the remaining torn package to Arnold. Sid stared on.

He looked from the bag to Sid, unsure of what to make of his friend. He had a suspicion of why Sid was doing this. But the only way he could confirm it was if he opened the package. But it was Arnold, so he was very modest.

"Are you sure, Sid? I mean you don't have to say thanks."

"I'm sure, Arnold, take it."

Gerald, who had been silently observing his friends' conversation with confusion written all over his face, decided to cut in. He pushed the bag closer to his best friend as he leaned his elbows on the table. "Come on, man. Just take it. If Sid wants you to have it, accept the gift." He liked how Arnold was nice and helpful, but his modesty when it came to accepting things was overbearing every now and then.

Looking at Gerald, Arnold nodded his head. Gripping the paper bag with his left hand, he tore it in one rip. And by that point a lot of their other classmates started to come around to see what was going on when they heard the deaf defying sound. Namely these students were Stinky, Harold, Lila, Rhonda, and Nadine, and Eugene. Curiosity filled their fifth grade minds as they almost shoved each other around the table and forgetting their own lunches.

And to say the least, the boy who was the saint of the class, the one everyone went to for guidance, was shocked by what he saw sitting on the table in front of him.

A blue frosted cupcake with a "HB Arnold!" written in dark blue letters.

Arnold blinked, and then blinked again. Sid had his hands folded on the table loosely. "How is this possible?" he asked Sid, raising his voice, "How did you know today is my birthday?"

"Well you see good buddy that is a long story."

"Sid." Arnold pressed on.

The stringy haired friend raised his arms, hitting Harold in the nose. "Ouch! You hit my nosey!" Stinky shook his head. "You'll be fine Harold", he patted his back, "But I didn't know it was your birthday Arnold."

Everyone else was saying similar things as Arnold rubbed his face, eyes closed, and shook his head. "Well, I thought no one did." Turning to Sid, his arm leaned on the top of his chair. "Why did you do this? And I'll repeat, HOW did you know that today is my birthday?" His tone was calm, but stern. It also was raised a bit.

Lowering his hands, Sid set them down on the table again. Solemnly looking at the blond, he replied. "Well, I know that I and the gang were kind of disappointed that you didn't come with us to Dino Land the other day." Arnold's frowned a little, remembering why he didn't go. "Yeah. I'm sorry about that."

Sid put a hand on his shoulder. Luckily there were enough chairs at the table to fit the other kids as they looked on. "It's ok. But it didn't sound like you to miss out on going with us. Anyway, you know how I sit by the calendar in the class room right? I mean, since Mr. Simmons just made us switch seats?"

His friend only nodded, still not meeting his gaze. Arnold never really talked about the anniversary that much. He only told Gerald a part of the story.

"Well, I wasn't really listening to that lecture on measurements during math yesterday. So when I was looking at the wall, I saw that Mr. Simmons recorded our birthdays so that we all could have "special" days." Everyone snickered at the implication, "And your name was on the 7th. That, uh, is today. So I thought that making you a treat would cheer you up."

Arnold had to smile at his friend's generosity. He looked to Sid, taking the cupcake.

"Thanks Sid. That means a lot."

The boy removed his hand from Arnold's. "Well yeah, I was glad to do it. After all, you have done a lot for me. Remember the time when I thought Stinky was a vampire?" They shared a laugh at that. Thoughts of Sid sneaking in the attic with a rubber sword and realizing that no vampire had a reflection were very amusing.

After that, everyone had at least something to say to Arnold about how he helped them.

"Yeah, Arnold. If it weren't for you, I would have never have been able to win the vegetable contest."

"Or the time you were the only one to help me lose all of that weight!"

"You also helped me with finishing up the play Eugene! Eugene!"

"And it was ever so nice of you to take me to my first Cheese Festival."

"You also helped Rhonda and I become friends again."

"Not to mention you were kind enough to let me live in that boarding house of yours when my family went broke."

All of this continuous complimenting made Arnold blush. "Had I really done all of that stuff?"

He glanced at everyone at the table with genuine smiles on their faces.

"Thanks you guys. All of you are great friends." This was exactly what Arnold needed at the moment, even if he didn't want to admit it.

Meanwhile, Phoebe and Helga walked into the room and seeing the crowd of kids around Arnold and Gerald's table had them naturally curious. They overheard some of the compliments they were giving Arnold. They made their way over. Of course this made Helga happy for him, but it looked like she was indifferent about it. Phoebe, on the other hand, cut in as well.

"Well, Arnold, you had to know that I appreciate that you helped me come to my senses when I realized that faking my leg injury to get Helga to do things for me was wrong."

This shocked the students as they all turned to Helga. She just shrugged it off, for a second of not caring about the others' opinions. "Well, I guess I had it coming Pheebs."Everyone else continued to look at her. "What are you morons looking at?"

Her best friend, observing what they all had wondered asked what was on their mind. "Well, didn't Arnold help you at all Helga?"

The girl sweat dropped and panicked on the inside.

"Phoebe, why would you do that? Are you trying to get me to admit that I don't entirely hate Arnold? Even though I love him, I'm just not ready Pheebs."

"Oh man, this has got to be good. Helga hates him." Harold whispered to Stinky next to him. The country boy didn't say a word, but he knew what his friend said was somehow a lie. He knew that Helga had a thing for Arnold, especially since she had him pretend to be her boyfriend last year. "I may fail spelling tests, but I'm not clueless. I don't understand why she won't tell him. He's a nice guy, so I'm sure he wouldn't want to hurt her."

"Well, Helga, have I helped you?" Arnold questioned smugly. Maybe it was the compliments getting to him. But to hear his bully say something nice about him – this he had to hear.

Crossing her arms, the blond girl turned away from him and the others. She still had to have her ego maintained after all. "Well, I suppose I can say you at least didn't get me lost when I got amnesia."

Arnold chuckled at the memory of her acting out of it. But he also frowned at knowing he caused it. "Sorry about that Helga."

She started walking off, not wanting him to see her smiling at his concern. Phoebe quickly followed her. "Quit your apologies Football Head! Geez, it's your birthday. You can't just sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Come on Pheebs, we got better things to do."

After the girls left, everyone congratulated Arnold on his 10th birthday before heading back to their respective lunches. Only he, Gerald, and Sid remained at the table. Finally taking a bite out of his dessert, he looked to his friends side by side him.

"Thank you Sid. I really needed it to be honest. But I'll be fine. The cupcake is good."

The boy waved his hand off. "Like I said, I was happy to do it. I may not be the best chef around, but when it comes it cakes and sweets, well let's just say I got a gift," he started to get up, "I guess I better head over to Harold and Stinky before they start planning a prank on me for not making them cupcakes too. See you later Arnold!"

That left the original duo of Arnold and Gerald. It suddenly occurred to him that Gerald had been quiet throughout just the entire time their friends, and Helga in "tall hair boy's" eyes, were there.

Looking at him, it was obvious that his friend wanted to have the last say. Arnold smiled at the thought.

"And hey man, you and I have been best buds for years! There have been so many things that you have helped me with – teaching me how to ride a bike, the chocolate turtles, letting me stay over at your house. I've named it you've done it. But," lowering his voice so that no one could hear, "you know you can talk to me about your parents. I know it bothers you. And didn't you say to me earlier this morning about finding something of your dad's?"

Sighing, Arnold was about to respond and tell his story.

But the bell rang for class.