A/N: This is sort of like an alternate ending to So Funny I Forgot to Laugh, an episode in which Sue Ellen is bullied by Arthur. Hope you like it! One-shot. All characters owned by Marc Brown. No flames please! Read and review :)

So Funny I Forgot to Laugh - Alternate Ending

Arthur ran towards the girl with the curly orange hair, his glasses nearly flying off of his face. Perspiration dripped down his forehead as the yak wool sweater plastered against his back. Donning his hat, he sped even faster, trying to catch up to her, but it was too late. She was already inside the school, now in Mrs. Sweetwater's class. Frowning, he walked back to Mr. Ratburn's class shamefully, realizing that what he had done was completely wrong. Sue Ellen was one of his friends, not someone who could just be manipulated to whatever he wanted. Now, they were no longer friends, and she had switched classes in fear that she would be bullied again.

Sue Ellen sat at the first desk in Mrs. Sweetwater's class, brushing bits of her frizzy orange hair out of her face. She had changed into her usual outfit, and ditched the yak wool sweater. A tear formed in the corner of her eye just thinking about it. If only Arthur hadn't bullied her, she would have never lost it. That sweater was so warm, and reminded her of the cold Himalayan air.

"Class, I have an important announcement to make," said Mrs. Sweetwater, looking anxious, but happy at the same time. "We have a new student today, Sue Ellen Armstrong, who was initially in Mr. Ratburn's class, but transferred here for," she cleared her throat, "Reasons," and sat down.

"Hey, Sue Ellen," whispered a boy that she didn't know, "Is it true that you were bullied by Arthur?"

"Um...sort of," replied Sue Ellen, and shifted her attention towards Mrs. Sweetwater, who began teaching the first lesson of the day - multiplying by 1s.

"1 times 1 is...," she asked, and not a single hand in the classroom shot up except Sue Ellen's.

"1, Mrs. Sweetwater," she droned lethargically. This class was nowhere as interesting as Mr. Ratburn's despite the heavy workload, and Sue Ellen wanted to go back, but she knew that Arthur would torment her if she took a step forward, telling her she was overreacting and other nasty things.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Sue Ellen went to lunch, and saw Arthur coming towards her. She turned her back on him, and was about to walk away, when Arthur stopped her with what seemed like...remorse?

"Sue Ellen! Wait up! I'm really sorry, and I need to talk to you!

She turned, and saw Arthur coming towards her.

He wanted to apologize more than anything, and after pondering for a while, he realized she hadn't been overreacting. It was him, the stupid, selfish side of him had taken over. His hopes for being the center of attention were now over, as he spent most of his time with the Tough Customers. Muffy, Francine, and even Buster had abandoned him due to his nature, and he was going to put things to an end.

"I'm sorry. You weren't overreacting, I was. I was being really dumb, and you're one of my best friends. If you forgive me, I'll wear this every day for the rest of the year," said Arthur, opening his jacket to reveal Sue Ellen's warm sweater.

"Deal?" he asked.

"Deal," she replied with a smile, and the two walked arm in arm to Mr. Ratburn, who took Sue Ellen back into his class. Arthur wasn't completely forgiven by everyone yet after his sudden change in character, but over time, things got better.

And they stayed that way until the end of high school.

A/N: Hope you liked it! I'll make a sequel if people like this :D