Even as a kid, the episode always bothered me because I felt pretty bad for Grandpa Dave.

But I think the episode hits even closer now that I'm older and have experience with people who have had recurring mental health. I recently watched the episode and skipped that one moment at the beginning.

I'm talking about Dave listening in by the kitchen door as he hears Arthur and DW talking about how they want him to go home because he's not the same as he used to be.

"He's a different grandpa. And I don't like it!" - DW

I suppose Arthur and DW can understand he's struggling with his health vs just lying to them all the time.

Sometimes it feels like Buster isn't really a good friend to Arthur he doesn't make him feel better with his problems sometimes he just makes him worse, he's done some crummy stuff to him, This includes stealing his customers in Arthur's Snow Biz, putting a stolen toy into Arthur's backpack in Nerves of Steal, having no problem making Arthur do favors for him by simply saying "I owe you one", making Arthur feel unnecessarily guilty for trading away a thresher that he GAVE him in the first place, and even joining his friends to gang up on Arthur for being "mean" to Sue Ellen, even though Muffy and Francine have been way worse throughout the series.

To put it short Buster is a garbage friend. And has been since the first episode when he goofed on Arthur's glasses when he thought Arthur wasn't around. For a best friend Buster's not really the kind of friend you'd want around, is he?

Yeah, this is based on a Arthur spinoff concept I made back then, and now I just finished art of it.

No, I'm not gonna animate this, given that it'll take a LOT of work to do. So instead, I'm just gonna move this AU to fanfictions with bonus pictures in those fics.

Anyways you probably want me to shut up so here's the art:

The members, clockwise from the top:

• Scrap Scruff - He's into 90's culture and uses its slang. He likes skateboarding and working out.

• Larry String - He'll most likely become a comedian once he graduates. He pulls harmless pranks on others.

• Slink Earstretch - He's a hard-worker who was formerly a quitter. He's determined to do anything he's interested in.

• Kiefer Haywire - Kiefer is the strength of the group and is very protective of others. The only problem is his major caffeine addiction.

• Toby Bugging - He's laid-back, neutral on arguments, and athletic. Overall a chill guy.

• Binky Barnes - The leader of the Toughies, and ironically the smallest academically, as he was held back, causing him to be in 9th grade instead of 10th grade. He can play the clarinet.

• Molly MacDonald - The most aggressive. However, she gives good advice to others, and is very creative.

• Rattles Vanderloo - The brains (by thinking) of the group. He can come up with good strategies and ideas. He's also kind of bad at insults.

• Gwen "Fizz" Monie - Fizz is a musician, and can play the saxophone. She has a eating disorder.

• Fletcher Tael - The nerd and the smartest (academic-wise) of the group. Despite her nerd behavior, Phys. Ed is her favorite subject.

Also, a couple things...

• The AU will be intended for older readers, like, think TV-PG instead of TV-Y.

• The AU will take place during high school, where most of the Tough Customers are in the 10th grade, whereas Binky and the rest of the Lakewood cast is in the 9th.

If I do make the fanfics, they'll be called

"The Tough Customers Fanfictions"

...given the book series' name, which Arthur originated from. Yeah.

And that's pretty much it.

I feel like Arthur reminds me of my second older sister. She tends to overthink and stress over small stuff. She used to get bullied for wearing glasses when she was young, she also used to hide her glasses. What about you? Does Arthur or any other characters remind you of someone in real life?

Bear in mind, this is mostly for an Arthur AU I'm working on.

• The belt, pants, and shoes were taken from Binky's teenage design in "The Contest".

• The shirt and everything else were taken from Binky's two designs in Arthur's High School Years. Credit to @WillTheArthurandBusterFan5050 for that, I guess.

Yes, I'll be designing more soon.

Imagine you are being bullied. Which character would stand up for you? How would the Arthur characters react when they see you getting bullied?

What if Arthur and DW had a baby brother instead of sister. How would Arthur’s life be like? What if the baby slept in Arthur’s room instead of Dw’s? How would Dw be like with her baby brother? Would she be more desperate to get rid of him? Please let me know your thoughts.