In her room, Sue Ellen was writing in her diary.

"Dear Diary" she began "it's funny how people seem a certain way at first glance, but you have to look closer to see them for how they really are. Like Francine, for example. When I first met her, I thought she was an arrogant, mean girl. But she's helped me learn a lot about sports and is one of my best friends."

"Then there's Binky" she continued "I originally thought he was just this mean bully. But as I got to know him, I realized there was nicer, kinder side to him, even if he doesn't show it much."

"And Buster, he…" she paused as if looking for something to say, "um, okay, forget Buster."

"And of course, there's Arthur. When I first met, I saw him as this kind of nerdy kid, who was a little whiny, but nice. But recently, I've been seeing him in an entirely different light. He's not just a good friend, he's my true love."

With that, she grabbed her diary, held it to her chest, and sighed wistfully.

----

Sue Ellen's Secret Crush

----

Several days earlier, the 3rd grade class gathered at the Crosswire mansion for a pool party held by Muffy. As was always the case, Sue Ellen wore her two piece green bathing suit. Little did she realize that wearing that suit would start off a chain of events that would lead to her falling for Arthur.

During the day, after a brief swim, Sue Ellen was toweling off. Her hair was wet, but had not lost its' usual shape. It was then that Muffy came over to talk with her.

"Sue Ellen, we need to have a talk" she said.

"What about?"

"Your bathing suit."

"What's wrong with it?" Sue Ellen asked "is it out of style? Is green not 'in', or something?"

"Well yes" Muffy replied "but that's not the problem. I can't help but notice you're wearing a two piece suit."

"Nothing gets by you" Sue Ellen replied sarcastically.

"Have you noticed that all the other girls wear one piece suits" Muffy continued "yet you don't."

"You just noticed this now?" Sue Ellen asked "I've worn this suit every time we've gone swimming."

"True, but I only mention it because I don't want you showing me up at my own party" Muffy explained.

"Excuse me?"

"See Sue Ellen, when you wear a two piece you're basically showing the boys, oh how did that lady on TV phrase it, 'what you've got for sale.'"

"Are you saying I wear this suit to attract boys?" Sue Ellen asked, the tone in her voice indicating that she was none too happy.

"Well I can't think of any other reason you would" Muffy said "and I realize you're jealous of me, since I'm so beautiful, but you don't have to show off to get a boy to like you. I'm sure they'll be attracted to you for you, just as not much as they're attracted to me."

Confident that she had shared some valuable advice, Muffy walked off back to the party. Sue Ellen meanwhile, was controlling her urge to karate chop her snobby friend.

That rotten snob! She thought who does she think she is? "Ooh, I'm Muffy Crosswire, queen of the universe and everyone loves me!" she thought in a mocking voice I should teach her a lesson.

Suddenly a little angel resembling Sue Ellen appeared on the girl's right shoulder.

"Don't do it" the angel told her "Muffy is your friend."

Then a little devil, also resembling Sue Ellen, popped up on her left shoulder.

"Come on, Muffy just insulted you" the devil said "you need to take that snob down a peg."

"You're right" Sue Ellen said to the devil, then turned to her angel. "I'm sorry, but I almost never listen to her" she explained. Both little Sues disappeared as she surveyed the pool grounds.

Even if I liked a boy in our class, which I don't, I could get one without wearing my suit. That'd show Muffy! But which one should I try for?

She looked over at Buster, who was eating a giant sub sandwich.

Not in a million years she thought. Then her line of sight was drawn to Binky, who was doing a cannonball off the diving board.

Well he is kind of strong Sue Ellen thought but he's also kind of dumb. And he really didn't make a good impression as a big brother either.

She then spied Brain sitting on the edge of the pool, conversing with George. Brain is smart, but he did put me to sleep when I recruited him as a big brother she thought plus he'd probably spend more time building stuff than playing with me.

Then she noticed Arthur, swimming with Francine over in another part of the pool. Hmm, Arthur is a little whiny, but he's really nice. And I could do worse she added, glancing over at Buster again. Okay then, all I have to do is get Arthur to kiss me in front of Muffy. That should ruin her little party!

With her decision now made, she went over to where Arthur was and slipped into the pool. Since Francine left to play with Muffy, they were alone.

"Hi Arthur"

"Hi Sue Ellen. Great party huh?"

"Yeah, it's great" Sue Ellen replied "you know Arthur, I never noticed how tough you are."

"Me, tough?" asked a confused Arthur.

"Oh definitely" Sue Ellen replied, "way tougher than Binky. Tougher than anyone in our class, I imagine."

"Well, I…" Arthur began nervously.

Sue Ellen wrapped her arm around him "everyone thinks you're a nerd, but I don't" she said, as seductively as she could.

"Who said I was a nerd?" Arthur asked.

"Um…somebody" Sue Ellen replied "but the point is, you're not."

"But who said I was? Was it Binky?"

Sue Ellen wasn't paying attention, and instead glanced over at Muffy.

"Oh Arthur, you're so funny!" she said, making sure it was loud enough for Muffy to hear.

"But I didn't say anything" Arthur replied.

Sue Ellen laughed "oh, you funny boy!" she said again, as loudly as possible.

"You're really starting to freak me out" Arthur said pulling away from her, "I think I'll be over here now" he added, swimming off.

Sue Ellen turned and noticed that Muffy & Francine had gone back to talking and drooped her head in disappointment. She spent the rest of the day in a glum mood.

Great, not only didn't I teach Muffy a lesson, but I made a fool of myself. I just want to go home and forget any of this ever happened.

That night, she went to bed, but was unable to get Muffy's words or her subsequent humiliation out of her mind. Until she began to dream…

"Last chance my dear, will you agree to marry me?" asked Nasty Disposition, who resembled Binky with black clothes and a long mustache.

"Never, you evil fiend!" replied Sweet Sue, who was, naturally, Sue Ellen wearing a frilly dress and bonnet. She was currently tied to some railroad tracks.

"Then the Crown City Star shall be your doom" Nasty said.

Sue craned her head as much as possible and saw the train coming her way.

"Help, oh help!" she cried "won't someone save me!"

"No one can save you my dear" Nasty said, then chuckled evilly.

"I'll save you!" came a powerful sounding, yet familiar voice.

Nasty turned and saw the source of the voice. Sue couldn't see much from the ground, but could tell he was quite muscular.

"Oh no you don't!" Nasty said and went to fight with the mystery man. Meanwhile, Sue noticed the train getting closer and screamed in terror.

Eventually, the muscular stranger knocked out Nasty and quickly untied Sue, just as the train came zooming by.

"You're safe now ma'am."

"My hero!" Sue said, and kissed him. During the kiss, she opened her eyes to gaze at the face of her rescuer.

It looked just like Arthur.

Looks like Sue Ellen's developing a little thing for Arthur. In the next chapter, one of her classmates learns about her crush, but is sworn to secrecy. And Sue Ellen tries to come to grips with her new feelings.