(Since the new episodes of Arthur have begun, I've finally decided to launch this story, which deals with my take on Arthur & friends as teenagers. This story takes place 5 years in the future of the Arthur universe).
It was the first day of 8th grade, and 13-year old Arthur Read stood in front of his new locker. The teenage aardvark boy had been through a lot in the last 5 years, but one thing hadn't changed; he still didn't like school.
"I can't believe I'm in 8th grade already" he said "I am not looking forward to going to class."
He was clad in a red and blue striped sweater with a little yellow patch on the left breast, light blue jeans, and his trademark white sneakers. As he was about to open his locker, a pair of hands quickly covered his glasses.
"Guess who?" said a familiar voice.
"Wait, don't tell me. Francine."
"Ha ha, very funny" the figure replied, removing their hands. Arthur turned to see his girlfriend, Sue Ellen Armstrong, standing behind him.
Sue Ellen still wore her hair in two little pigtails on the sides of her head. But she had shed her earlier wear for a green shirt and grey shorts. On her feet, she wore a pair of sandals.
The two quickly exchanged a kiss. "Are you coming over tonight?" Arthur asked.
"I'll try to stop by after work" Sue Ellen replied "it depends how tired out I am."
"Can you believe it's already the first day of 8th grade?" Arthur asked her "summer just really seemed to fly by."
"So did time" Sue Ellen added "it seems like just yesterday we were only 8 years old, hanging out and playing on the playground. Now we've got jobs and responsibilities."
"I miss the days when Kate couldn't talk" Arthur said "now she and D.W. argue all the time."
"Still, it's nice that all our friends are still here" Sue Ellen countered "and we still hang out together, like the old days."
In fact, at that moment, two of their old friends were heading their way.
"Arthur, Sue Ellen, I'm glad we ran into you" Mary Alice "Muffy" Crosswire told them "will you tell Francine she's wrong."
Muffy was clad in a purple shirt with white stripes down the sleeves, with a darker purple skirt and shoes. Instead of her usual two pigtails, Muffy had allowed her long hair to flow free.
"No, tell Muffy she's making a huge deal out of nothing" Francine Frensky countered.
Older Francine wore a red shirt, black boots, a yellow scarf and blue jeans. Her hair was now slightly longer and missing the barrettes she sported as a youth.
"Are you two still on this?" Sue Ellen asked "you've been arguing about it for almost a week now."
"That's because it's a big deal" Muffy explained.
"It's not that big" Francine replied "so my sister is dating your brother. I still don't see the problem."
Yes, Francine's sister Catherine had gone off to college and eventually met Muffy's older brother Chip. Needless to say, Muffy did not take the news well.
"The problem is, what if they get married?" Muffy replied "I mean, you're a great friend Francine, but I'm not sure I'd want you in my family."
"And what would be wrong with that?" Francine asked "you snobs think that just because you're rich you can only marry rich people?"
"That's not the point" Muffy countered "it's just, well…think of what the holidays would be like."
Muffy imagined it was Christmas and her family had come to visit the Frenskys for the holidays.
"Hello Francine, I brought you this present" Muffy said, handing her a large box.
"Thanks, but I told you I don't celebrate Christmas" Francine explained.
"So, think of it as a Hanukah present" Muffy replied "now, just point me to the cookies."
"We don't serve cookies" Francine explained "but you can some latkes. They're fried potato pancakes."
"They sound vomitrocious" Muffy countered "so what else do you do on this holiday besides eat potatoes?"
"Well, you could play with this" Francine said "it's a driedel, we use it in a traditional Jewish game, kind of like dice."
"Thanks, but I'll pass" Muffy replied "is this what you do for fun around here?"
"Pretty much" Francine replied.
"I'm sorry you think Hanukah is so boring" Francine said "maybe I could write a Hanukah carol, would that make it more exciting for you?"
"It's not just that" Muffy said "daddy says that Chip has the potential to be many things; a senator, a CEO, even a lawyer. He's just afraid that…"
"Afraid of what? That Catherine will corrupt him with her small-town ways?"
"I wouldn't put it that way, but yes" Muffy replied.
"You are unbelievable!" Francine said "you're supposed to be my best friend, and yet you're not supporting me."
"You're right Francine" Muffy said "I've been a lousy friend. If you're okay with Catherine dating my brother, than I am too. Besides, I doubt they'll last anyway; Chip has had lots of girlfriends."
"Your brother had better not break her heart" Francine said "or I might break his nose!"
While the two friends continued to argue, Arthur & Sue Ellen headed off.
"Do you think those two will ever be able to come to some kind of compromise?" Sue Ellen asked.
"Maybe, but you know how stubborn Francine can be" Arthur said "when she sets her mind to something, she usually gets it. Come on, we'll be late for class."
Arthur & Sue Ellen soon arrived at the 8th grade classroom and took their seats. Arthur noticed that most of his friends, including Buster Baxter, Binky Barnes, and Alan Powers, were present.
Buster wore a black jacket with orange sleeves and collar, dark blue jeans and black shoes.
Binky wore a leather jacket with a white shirt under it, blue jeans and black shoes. A pair of sunglasses adorned his eyes.
Alan, who had shed his "Brain" nickname several years earlier, wore a gray shirt with a white T-shirt under it, light blue jeans and red and white sneakers.
"Greetings class" said the teacher, a dog man "I'm Mr. Johanson and I'll be your teacher for the year. Now then, I know many of you have been with this school since the beginning, but some of you are new transfers. So perhaps you new kids could introduce yourselves."
A dog kid, dressed in a black jacket, pants, hat, sunglasses and a white shirt stood up. "Yo, wassup, my name's Robert, but most people call me DJ Rob, or the Rob Master" he said "it's niz-ice to be here and I'm hoping ta get my learn on, word."
"Thank you for that introduction Robert" Mr. Johanson said "anyone else?"
A rat girl in a pink dress was the next to speak "hi I'm Penny" she said "um sir, the sheet you sent you sent home didn't say what pencils were we supposed to bring, so I brought several types, I hope that's okay."
"That's fine."
"Also, I made sure to bring a calculator and a protractor and compass, since we'll be doing advanced math."
"Not that advanced" Mr. J added "now how about telling us about yourself."
"Oh, okay" the girl said "um, I like reading, spelling, and doing my best. Did I mention I passed seventh grade with a flawless average? Because I did."
"All right then" Mr. Johanson said "anyone else?" No one responded, although there was the sound of snoring. All the kids turned to a goat kid, who was asleep at his desk.
"Excuse me son, is something boring you?" Mr. Johanson asked "Hello?"
"I got him sir" Binky said, "HEY KID,WAKE UP!" he yelled.
"Huh? Uh, whoa, sorry man" the kid replied.
"You can sleep at home" Mr. Johanson replied "now then, how about introducing yourself?"
"Oh yeah, uh, I'm…wait I know this" the kid said, confused "Oh yeah, Troy…I think. No wait, that's right. I'm Troy and um, what was the next question?"
"Never mind" Mr. Johanson said a-a-a-and you" he said, pointing to another kid.
The cat kid stood up "Hello, my name is Leonard Cooper" he said "and I'm looking forward to an exciting school year with all of you."
"Kiss-up" Binky fake coughed.
"Now that all of that is out of the way, let's get started. Everyone open your history books to page one."
The class soon let out for lunch and Arthur and crew decided to get to know their new classmates better. Or at least, that was the plan.
"I don't want to know them" Buster said "what if they're secretly spies sent here by the government to make sure we're doing our homework?"
"I don't think the government would send kids to spy for them" Arthur explained.
"That's just what they'd want us to think" Buster replied smugly.
"Look, I'm going to talk to them. If you guys want to join me, be my guest" Arthur told them, as he took a seat.
"Hi, I'm Arthur Read" he said, "I've been going to this school since kindergarten. I know it can be a little hard being the new kids, so I thought I'd welcome you personally."
"Thanks A-dawg" Rob said "it's nice ta be included an' whatnot."
"Thanks, I guess" Arthur said "so, you guys have any hobbies? I like reading myself."
"In my spare time, I like ta lay down hip hop lyrics, ya dig?" Rob asked.
"Not really, no" Arthur replied.
"Hobbies? Is that like, those model cars and stuff you get from a store?" Troy asked.
"They can be, sure."
"Um, then I don't have any of those."
"How about you?" Arthur asked Leonard "what are your hobbies?"
"Well, I do enjoy Star Travel role playing" the boy replied.
"Is that the show with those people in space that encounter all those alien races?" Arthur asked.
"They're not just 'those people'" Leonard said "there's Captain Dirk, Mr. Brock, Dr. McRoy, and of course, the lovely Utura. Most people prefer the later series, with Capt. Deckard, but I still believe the original is the best. How about you?"
"Um…I…" Arthur began.
"I can get down with Utura, that's one fine space honey" Rob said "but the rest of that stuff is all whack. Ain't no such thing as hyperdrive or Vulcans or whatever dumb crap they got on there. And how come you don't ever see no robot that can lay down a rhyme?"
"You ever think that like, aliens are watching us, and we're like, all part of some intergalactic TV show?" Troy wondered.
"Well, this has been…informative" Arthur replied "but I think I hear my other friends calling me. Um, talk to you later."
"Sees ya A-dawg" Rob said.
After Arthur left, Leonard turned to the dog kid "take back what you said about Star Travel!"
"You better step off boy, before I bust a fist in your behind" Rob replied.
"Whoa, where'd Arthur go?" Troy asked.
Next time, you'll find out what D.W. & Kate have been up to. Also, please feel free to offer suggestions for possible jobs Arthur and crew could have. All except Sue Ellen, I have a "special" job in mind for her.
Sue Ellen: I don't like the sound of that.