Chapter 3-Smashed

The couples went on a second double date. Everything seemed to work out with everyone. Muffy even talked about going to prom. They all seemed happy. Arthur and Francine finished their science project. Then, the teacher gave them new partners. Arthur ended up with Sue Ellen. Their project was due in less than a week, so they agree to meet at the library after school.

When Arthur got to the library, Sue Ellen pulled him into a private room. Arthur protested. Sue Ellen shook her head. She pulled up a webpage on her tablet.

"You know him?" Sue Ellen asked. Arthur nodded, "That's the boy Francine cheated on me with." "He has a hobby of going after girls. Just thought you should know." "Why are you telling me this? Francine and I are fine now."

"No, you're not," Sue Ellen said. Sue Ellen pulled up another webpage. She showed Arthur a picture of Francine. It was from the night before. The two were kissing in public. "He has his buddies take pictures. I think he and Francine already did things. I wanted to tell you sooner but I couldn't."

"I can't believe her!" Arthur exclaimed. "You should've known, Arthur. Muffy is always getting into things. It was only a matter of time before Francine joined her," Sue Ellen said. "Why do you care so much?" Arthur hissed.

Sue Ellen blushed. Arthur gave her a funny look, "But you told me no." "I rejected you because I was scared. It's not every day the boy you've been crushing on since third grade asks you out. I liked you a lot, but I just…I regret that, okay?"

Arthur looked Sue Ellen over, "I regret it too. You'd be a much better girlfriend than Francine. You wouldn't do something like this to me." "Then do something about it," Sue Ellen smiled. Arthur nodded. He pulled out his phone. He called Francine. She answered. She was breathing heavy. A boy's voice was in the background.

"You're with him right now?!" Arthur yelled. "Arthur, it's not what you think!" Muffy cried. "We're playing tennis together! My dad built courts at the mansion. I had my Sweet 16 there!" Muffy cried. "Give it up, Muffy, he knows," Francine sighed. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't get over him."

"Yeah? Well I'm sorry too, Francine. We're done," Arthur growled. He ended the call. Sue Ellen patted his shoulder. Arthur hugged her instead. Sue Ellen blushed. The hug lingered.

When Arthur pulled away, their faces almost touched. They both blushed. Then, Arthur got the urge to kiss her. He went in. Sue Ellen didn't protest. The kiss lingered. When they did pull away, they felt awkward.

"What are you going to do?" Sue Ellen asked. "Well, Francine and I are broken up. We could go out, unless you're going to reject me again." "No, I want to," Sue Ellen smiled.

At Muffy's house, the girls finished dressing and looked over the older boy. Francine felt horrible about her fight with Arthur. The sex wasn't even good. It hurt too much. Muffy liked it too much. She bribed Francine to let her be there for her first time. Francine accepted but now she felt dirty.

Francine left the mansion. She went home and tried to call Arthur. He didn't answer. Francine sighed and went online. She noticed Sue Ellen had changed her status. Arthur hadn't. He was still in a relationship. But the other person?

Francine tried to call Sue Ellen. She didn't answer. Francine screamed. Her parents got mad and told her to tone it down. Her mother looked her over, "You've been fooling around with boys again, haven't you? I've had enough of this! You're grounded!"

"Whatever, Mom. It's not even worth it," Francine said. She blushed. Her mother noticed. "What isn't worth it, Francine?" her father asked. He'd noticed too. Francine stammered.

"I'm taking you to the doctor. If you're going to be a floozy, I want to make sure you won't leave me with another baby to take care of," Laverne hissed. "Ooh, if Bubby could see you now, she'd hit you with her shoe!"

"She'd love me! You never have!" Francine cried. She tried to run out of the apartment. Her father stopped her. He forced her into her room. Francine screamed into a pillow. She wanted it all to stop. She wished she'd never met the older boy. She hated Muffy too for what she did to help everything along.

Across town, Arthur and Buster were on the phone. Buster noticed the statuses online. He congratulated Arthur, but he warned him about the consequences. Arthur didn't care; he was happy to be away from Francine and with a girl he'd already liked before.

"I'm just trying to look out for you," Buster said. Arthur thanked him, "But I have to do what I need to do. I want to be with Sue Ellen. Francine is too easy. She only thinks about one thing." "She got that from Muffy, you know?" "Muffy was with Francine earlier," Arthur said. Buster asked for the story. Arthur told him.

Buster gasped, "They were having a 3-way?! That's gossip gold! We should spread it as a rumor to get back at them. It'll keep her from being mad about you and Sue Ellen." "She already called, Buster. That's a bad idea," Arthur said. Buster ignored him, "It'll do you some good to see her suffer."

Arthur disagreed but there was no stopping Buster. A few minutes later, Buster posted an anonymous comment online. A lot of people noticed, and soon all of Lakewood High was buzzing with the rumor.