Chapter 2 – First Day Blues with Unexpected Romance

"First impressions are crap! Ms. Rollins seemed so nice!" Francine shouted to no one in particular but in the general directions of her three pals. It was after school in the Sugar Bowl and they had just endured possibly the worst day of school ever.

Buster, Brain and Arthur nodded their concurrence.

"I agree. This was worst than when Mr. Ratburn's sister taught us!" commented Buster, although everyone was thinking it.

"What do you think Arthur?" said Brain, shocking him out of his daze.

"Hmm? Oh. Well, I mean the quiz on the first day of school was expected. The homework? A bit unorthodox but also expected. The school plan with details about how we will be conducting the entire year? A tad scary. But giving Binky detention for breaking the chair? Come on! It's not his fault he's large."

"Actually, Sue Ellen was sitting on his lap. They were, well, you know," said Francine, giggling.

Arthur slipped back into his daze at the thought of Francine sitting on his lap. Pure heaven, thought Arthur.

"Arthur! We're leaving!" shouted Brain, waving his hand in Arthur's face.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay."

Arthur stayed and payed for his friends who always seemed to be gone when it was time to pay.

On the sidewalk outside, an interesting conversation was erupting.

"So, Franny, what do you think is clouding up Arthur's brain?" said Buster, who actually knew why because his friend had entrusted him with his secret.

"I don't know. But I do know something."

"What's that?"

"I HATE BEING CALLED FRANNY!" yelled Francine with a grin on her face, as she wound up her fist to punch him with her left hand. (Her weak hand.) She punched and he caught her fist. She looked up at him, shocked. He put down his hand, still holding her fist. She released her fist into just a flat hand and he held on. They stood and stared at each other, speechless. Arthur walked out of the Sugar Bowl and froze in his tracks at the sight of his two best friends holding hands. He took a deep breath and shouted, "Hey guys! You ready for the big treehouse sleepover!"

Buster and Francine quickly let go of each other and began walking in the direction of Arthur's house. That morning, before school, the three of them had dropped off their stuff at Arthur's house, who was closest to the treehouse. They would be spending the night together, just like old times.

(A/N: It's a Friday!)

:.:.: That night :.:.:

This, this is just terrible. I hate Buster! I hate Francine! I hate everybody! I wish I could go back to my house and just... just... CRY. Arthur was thinking as Francine leaned over to kiss Buster once again.

Arthur was very upset. In fact, he was downright pissy. He had a right to be, in his mind. He had opted to play Truth or Dare,( just like old times) hoping that someone would dare him to kiss Francine or vice versa. Instead, his plan was blowing up directly in his face while sticking out its tongue at him.

Everything had been fine. Arthur dared Brain to eat five gummy worms from 3 Hallowe'ens ago. Brain ate them and then puked out the side of the treehouse. Francine dared Arthur to climb halfway down the tree and to moon, well, the moon. And then it all went wrong. He got back up to the treehouse to find Francine and Buster, with their heads too close for comfort and their eyes locked into one another. This wouldn't have been too horrific for Arthur except for the fact that Francine was giggling! She was giggling! Arthur stormed back up the last two steps, hoping to capture Francine's attention as he proudly stated he had completed the dare. She nodded and went right back to whispering to Buster. Brain coughed and their heads finally split apart more than two inches. Brain dared Francine to kiss Buster – on the lips! She, of course, obliged and then Arthur's heart hit the bottom of the roughly constructed treehouse. Not only did she kiss him but it went on for at least thirty seconds. Arthur sat in amazement as the two of them locked lips. His two best friends. In the entire world. Were ruining his life.

"You know what?" Arthur said suddenly, breaking apart the saliva-swapping pals, "I do not feel good at all. I really think you guys should continue the sleepover without me."

"Okay Arthur call me in the morn- " began Buster. But he was interrupted by Francine grabbing him and turning his head towards hers fiercely. Brain didn't seem to mind at all and had begun to read.

"Bye, Brain." stated Arthur pointedly, making sure he didn't say goodbye to Buster and Francine, his best friends who decided now was his time to die of betrayal and a broken heart. And with that, he made his way back to his house slowly and every so often stopping to look behind him in case Francine had reconsidered and would soon be kissing him instead. All he heard all the way back was the far away giggles of his new nemesis and his would-have-been girlfriend. And in his head, he was thinking, one word and simply one word.

Revenge.

Authors Stuff

Thanks to all my reviewers!

You guys are awesome!

Sacred Whisper

McKay1- thanx for the grammar fix:D

Katie WagnersLittleSister

Strickland-Propane

And I know there were some other people but a few got deleted by accident! Ouch! Sry guys. If you know you reviewed send me an e-mail all! I'll update soon!