Disclaimer: I do not own Arthur.

Not Again! Chapter 1: White Lies

Just before school was out for the day, Mr Ratburn hands back the math test the students took yesterday.
"Not again." Binky says in disappointment after glancing at the F marked on his test.
Mr. Ratburn says "Don't forget about your paper on the civil war are due tomorrow."
Binky angrily shoves the test into his backpack. Then Mr. Ratburn dismisses the class as usual.

Binky opens the back door of the family car and sits down.
Mrs. Barnes look back at her son and asks, "how was you day sweetie?"
Binky looks down as he says, "I guess it was okay."
"So nothing really interesting happened?" Mrs Barnes said in a questioning tune. Then She remembers that Binky took a test the day before and asks in wonder, "How did you do on the math test?"
"Ummm... I don't know" Binky says nervously.
Mrs. Barnes was surprised. She thought to herself its unusual for Mr. Ratburn not to have tests not corrected the next day.

The Barnes arrived home and Binky ran into the house and threw his backpack on the floor next to the door. Binky was too preoccupied with wrestling match, that was going to start in a few minutes, to realize that the test his mother was asking about fell out of the bag when he toss it.
Mrs. Barnes walk into the family room and was going to ask Binky what he wanted to eat for dinner but before she could asked the doorbell rang. She opened the door and noticed it was Ms. Ratika and let her in for the coffee. As they were heading to the kitchen Mrs. Barnes notice the paper on the floor and picks it up and is shock to see it was the test that she asked her son about earlier.
"Thanks so much for taking care of my daughter Tuesday when she was sick," say Ms. Ratika then noticed Mrs. Barnes expression, "What the matter?"
Mrs. Barnes look sad and says "My son told me that he didn't get back this test today but he did and even worse he receive a failing grade on it. I wish he could tell me that he having these types of problems again, I'm afraid he probably has to repeat third grade again."
Mrs. Barnes and Ms. Ratika went into the kitchen and was discusses Mrs. Barnes dilemma about her son failing third grade. Ms. Ratika said that she would be glad to tutor Binky.

Later that day, at dinner Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were upset with Binky. Mrs. Barnes was crying and asks Binky, "Binky, why did you say he didn't get your math test back from Mr. Ratburn? You should have told me the truth that you flunked it."
"But Mom!" Binky say angrily.
"Binky you mother is right, and she and I have low tolerance for being lied to we discussed it we are going to have to ground you for two weeks" Mr Barnes says.
"But the big wrestling match is on next monday and I don't want to miss it," Binky says.
"You should have thought of that before you decided to hide stuff from us." Mr. Barnes says angrily.
"Honey, calm down, Please, I'm sure Binky just scared of repeating third grade again," Mrs. Barnes says in hope of trying to cool down the situation.
"That has nothing to do with the fact that he lied to us about the test" Mr. Barnes says.
Mrs. Barnes got upset with her husband comment and says, "I'm certain it does and I think Binky needs to help with his studying and assignments"
"What do you suggest on helping" Mr. Barnes exclaim, "Every time you or I try to help with he just tries to push the entire thing off on us."
"Ms. Ratika said she would be gladly to tutor him." Mrs. Barnes explains then she ask "Binky, would you try that for me sweetie?"
Binky was unsure if he liked the idea once he ungrounded it would interfere with wrestling and ballet and other things he enjoys very much. But looking at his mother face he decided that maybe he just need a little more time to think about it.

To Be Continued.