Chapter Eleven

|The Lakewood Reunion Shunning|

Arthur was sitting at a table in the library when Sue Ellen and Fern arrived. They smiled as Francine and Maria, carrying bags of sports equipment, approached the table as well, lining up their things along a nearby wall. Somehow, word had spread, and the study group added new people, including Buster, who arrived a moment later with Binky not far behind.

"Wow, there's a lot of us," Buster chuckled, pulling up a chair from another table. Binky did the same, "It's been a while since this many Lakewood natives were in the same place intentionally. Muffy won't be showing up, will she?"

"Actually, she's going to be at Arthur's house. She posted on the school's website that she would be officially apologizing to Naomi today for her picture fiasco. Personally, I thought the photo damaged Arthur's reputation more than hers, but I don't really understand the situation," Maria said, tapping her pencil on her math book. "Has she apologized to you, Arthur?"

Arthur shrugged. Muffy had been texting him periodically, trying to ask how he was doing and things like that. She was trying to make small talk while letting on that she had a thing for Arthur. Arthur wasn't interested, period.

"Arthur is trying to avoid people like her," Buster said, looking up as the librarian approached. Their study group was too large to be sitting in the open, so she allowed them into a nearby boardroom as long as they cleaned up any of their own messes. "As I was saying, Arthur wants to avoid Muffy. She starts too much trouble."

"She's always started too much trouble," Binky scoffed. The group nodded in agreement, especially Francine, "And she thrives on drama. I think this whole thing is some kind of publicity stunt. She knows that Arthur had a rise of popularity all of the sudden, and she wanted it too. I wonder how far she'll go with that desire."

"She would never break a limb though, would she?" Binky whispered. Francine laughed, "You never know with that girl."

"Well, we're here for studying. I'm tired of hearing about Muffy anyway. I never want to see her face again," Sue Ellen grimaced, opening her math book. "Who wants to start with today's homework lesson?"

"If only Brain were here. He'd be so proud," Francine laughed, opening her book as Maria giggled beside her. "I want to talk about the lesson first. What in the world was that woman talking about today?" Francine asked, throwing her hands up as the door opened behind her. Muffy walked in, a smile on her face as Bailey followed, pulling out her chair for her before handing her things to her.

"I just remember what Coach said," Maria whispered. "We better get back or we'll have to do double the laps," she said. Francine nodded, closing her books and standing up. Muffy protested, "No, no, please don't leave. I want to apologize to all of you. I've been a mean, horrible person, but—"

"Oh, can it, Crosswire!" Binky hissed. "You've acted this way for years. We wouldn't believe this apology if you paid us to, and knowing her, she would!" Binky cackled, leaning back in his chair before grabbing his things. "I'm with Francine and Maria. If she's here, I'm out."

"We all agree," Sue Ellen said firmly. "You're not wanted here, Muffy, no matter what you have to say. Get out," Sue Ellen demanded. The group nodded in agreement, and Muffy hung her head, "I thought you all would be so forgiving now that I'm being more honest. Naomi and I had a lovely chat earlier, and we agreed that this was all a misunderstanding. We're good friends now!"

"Come on, Buster, we'll just try to learn this on our own," Arthur sighed. Muffy stood, "Arthur, you're the main one I wanted to talk to. Please, do you forgive me?" she asked. Arthur turned away from her with his things. "Arthur, please, don't do this to me. I really didn't mean anything by it. Please, I'm trying to make amends with everyone I hurt. Let me start with you," Muffy smiled.

"You've been hurting people for years. Come on, guys, she's not leaving. We'll go somewhere else," Arthur said, opening the door. Everyone followed him out, leaving Muffy behind. The group decided to go to Sue Ellen's house to study, and the session felt successful, especially without Muffy to ruin it.

|Unordinary Dinners|

Arthur returned home around dinner time to find Jane serving dinner while Naomi sat between the twins to help them eat. DW rolled her eyes as Arthur took a seat at the table. Jane put a plate in front of him and pushed the main dish closer.

"Your father had a catering function at the Civic Center," Jane said, taking her seat and filling her plate. "He's working with Ed Crosswire's charity foundation, whichever one it is this week."

"It's his used cars program for the disabled," Naomi smiled, helping Ricky cut a green bean into a more manageable size. "Muffy told me about it earlier. Why didn't you tell me she was so sociable, Arthur? The girl just wants attention from the right people. Her methods are flawed, but—"

"No but's, they are flawed," Arthur sighed. "May I be excused? I've had enough talk about Muffy for one day," Arthur pleaded, giving his mother the best look he could. Jane shook her head, "No, I want to have dinner with my family. No more talk of Muffy. I heard about what she did to your study group, and truly, I don't blame you kids for walking out on her. If she bothers you again, move your study session here. She is not allowed here if she doesn't want to learn."

"We were going to go to the movies Friday night. She was going to stop by…," Naomi began, but Jane shook her head, "For one, you're too old to be hanging out with Arthur's friends, and secondly, I don't want her here. Now enough about her. Arthur, how was your day aside from that?"

"Fine," Arthur murmured. DW scoffed, "I had an interesting day, Mom. Emily and I—"

"Hold on a moment, DW," Jane said, turning to Arthur. "I want to make sure you're okay, Arthur. Are you okay?" she asked sympathetically. Arthur shrugged, "I'm just taking it day-by-day, Mom. It'll be past us soon."

"Keep your head up, Arthur. Now, DW, you were saying?" Jane asked with a smile. DW scoffed, refusing to speak as she shoved food into her mouth. Kate took her place, telling the table about her day at Lakewood Elementary. Arthur drowned them all out. He missed his ordinary life, and he wondered if he would ever get it back.

|Naomi's Announcement|

It was late at the Read house and nearly everyone had already gone to bed. In fact, Arthur was the last one still awake, his throat parched. He walked into the kitchen to find Naomi folding one last load laundry at the table.

"Artie, I'm glad you're here. I've wanted to tell you something I discovered today, something that sort of involves you," Naomi said, folding one of Ricky's tiny t-shirts onto a small pile. Arthur shrugged, moving the cabinet to get a glass for his water. "What's wrong, Artie? Is it something I said?"

"Why are you supportive of Muffy? She was trying to make you look bad," Arthur whispered, filling his glass with water. Naomi laughed, "No, she was making fun of you at my expense. We've worked through our differences. I'm trying to tell you that Muffy and I have become friends, good friends. We have a lot in common, aside from the whole age and young mother thing," Naomi laughed.

Arthur felt his world shrink around him. He had no choice but to sit down right beside Naomi as he tried to process this news. Naomi snapped her fingers in front of him, "Arthur, are you okay? I thought you'd be happy I was getting to know your friends. You said yourself they've been trying to meet me. Well now they can, starting tomorrow at the movies with Muffy. I'm going to pick up Abby and have a fun day with her, then Muffy and I will take her to the new fairy princess movie."

"I need to get to bed," Arthur muttered, running upstairs without drinking a drop of water. When he got to his room, he dove into bed, hoping that pulling the covers over his head would help the situation. It wouldn't. Naomi was taking over his life.