Chapter 2:

Blossom's POV

We arrived at my father's house at 7:45 PM. I let myself in by the kitchen door, leaving it open a crack for Bubbles and Buttercup. I was walking to my room when a cold voice stopped me.

"Where do you think you're going?" Princess spat. I froze and slowly turned around. She was standing at the top of the stairs and glaring at me with pure hatred. I swallowed.

"Look Princess, I-I didn't mean t-to upset you so I convinced Miss Chattiere to make a custom d-dress for you." Princess' eyes widened.

"Are you serious?" I nodded meekly. Then she did something I didn't think possible: she squealed.

"Oh, I can't wait to see it! Stacy and Jenny are going to be sooo jealous! I'm going to go get Mom! When can I see it?" she said happily. Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Right now. That's Miss Chattiere with the dress." Her eyes widened and she said to me,

"This doesn't change how I feel about you, slut. Now go get some snacks. We have a guest." My shoulders sagged and I went back into the kitchen. As I was placing tea and finger sandwiches on a tray, I heard the click-click-click of Sedusa's heels against the marble floor. The door creaked open, and I heard Bianca's bubbly voice float down the hall.

"Blossom!" Princess shrieked. "Where're those snacks?!"

"Coming!" I said, hurrying into the living room. I set the tray down on the coffee table, not meeting Bianca's eyes. I didn't want her to see me like this. Like a slave.

"That's fine. Now go." Sedusa ordered. I nodded and went to my basement room. I grabbed my old hobo bag and packed the things I needed. Hairbrush, toothbrush, phone, keys, favorite book. I sat down on the bed and stared blankly at the wall, rubbing my hurting arm. Suddenly, two people burst through the door and bounded down the stairs. I didn't notice them until they were right in front of my face.

"Ack!" I yelped, jumping back against the wall. Bubbles and BC started laughing.

"Come on, Operation Get-Your-Ass-Outta-This-Place is a go!" Buttercup said, pulling me off my bed and pushing me up the stairs. Bubbles grabbed my bag and we made a break for the kitchen. We slipped out the side door and sprinted towards Bianca's car, laughing like madwomen. We hopped in and Bianca rammed her foot on the gas pedal. We sped away and in two minutes we arrived at Bubbles' house. To say it was a mansion would be an understatement. Her house was like a mansion on steroids. It's absolutely GINORMOUS! The three of us jumped out of the car and raced upstairs to Bubbles' room, Bianca's laughter following us the whole way. Bubbles was in front, so when she stopped short outside of her bedroom, I bumped into Buttercup, who bumped into Bubbles. We laughed and then she threw open the double doors and we walked into her room.

Her room was very spacious and elegant and modern at the same time. There was a four poster king-sized bed with white lacy curtains and a light blue comforter, the wall above her bed was plastered with pictures of the three of us and her family. She had an old-fashioned wooden desk with a swivel chair, and several bookshelves. She had a fireplace in the middle of the far wall, with a carpet and some cushy chairs set up in front of it. The other side of her room was dedicated to the arts. She had paintings hanging on the wall and paints all over her sketching table. Her easel was set up in front of one of her enormous windows, a paint-splattered sheet lying underneath. Then, there was her bathroom. It had a Jacuzzi tub and a standing shower, with marble countertops and chrome faucets. Her makeup sat neatly on the vanity, organized and ready to be used. A door led to her closet. Her walk-in closet is amazing! Along the left side, when you first walk in, are drawers for socks and undergarments, and on the right side are drawers for her pajamas and lounge clothes. Then, you come across the tops on the left side and the bottoms on the right. Everything is color-coordinated and separated into sections. After that, on the left side are all of her dresses, again color-coordinated and separated into categories. On the right is another vanity, surrounded by drawers holding all of Bubbles' jewelry and accessories. Then, you come across my section of her closet. All of the clothes in this area are mine. Farther down is Buttercup's section, considerably smaller than mine, since she can actually buy her own clothes. Walk past these and you come across the shoes. One whole wall is dedicated to shoes. Across from them are purses and bags. Then, her closet opens up to a small, well-lit room. The carpet is white and fluffy, and there are couches positioned in one area of the room. One wall is covered in mirrors so you can see your outfit.

"Welcome to paradise!" Bubs said as we plopped down on her bed. I sighed. Buttercup knit her eyebrows.

"What's wrong Blossy?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I was just wondering if we're doing the right thing by telling Brick, Boomer, and Butch about my…life." They nodded, understanding my problem at once. "I mean, I know we swore off dating, but…I can't help but feel like they're different, like they really care." They nodded again.

"Well, how about we take it slow, and if they like us back, then we can decide from there." Buttercup suggested.

"Yeah." Bubbles said. I nodded.

"Sounds like a plan." I smiled at my two best friends, who smiled back.

"Well, what should we do first?" I asked. In response, BC's stomach grumbled loudly. Her cheeks reddened and Bubbles and I burst out laughing.

"How about we get some food?" Bubbles said, giggling. Buttercup grinned sheepishly and we padded downstairs to the kitchen for some dinner. We ended up having breakfast for dinner, with Bubbles making chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and eggs, me pouring the drinks, and BC setting the table. We sat down to dinner, chatting and laughing, and Bianca walked in and joined us. When we were through eating we cleaned up and headed back upstairs. Bianca disappeared into her studio, saying she had a surprise for us later. It was 9:30 when we slipped into lounge clothes for some relaxation time. Bubbles was wearing a light blue long-sleeved v-neck shirt with some black sophies outlined in white, and her hair was in a loose ponytail. Buttercup was wearing a lime green off-the-shoulder shirt with black basketball shorts with her hair down. I was wearing a tight black spaghetti-strap tank top with red spandex capris. I had undone my braid, letting my slightly curly auburn hair fall all the way down to my hips. We had taken off all of our makeup and were goofing off and having fun. Bubbles had plugged in her phone and was blasting music. American Girl by Bonnie McKee came on, and before I knew it, Bubbles had yanked BC and I off the floor and we were dancing in sync and singing along. We were having a great time, doing what we do best. When the song ended we collapsed on the floor, laughing.

"Wow you girls have talent." Someone said from behind us. When we turned around we saw that it was Boomer who had spoken; the guys were standing in the doorway, looking impressed. I blushed as BC and Bubs laughed.

"Thanks." Bubbles said brightly. "Did my mom let you in?" Brick nodded. BC smirked.

"You could actually come in, you know." They blushed with embarrassment and walked in, taking in Bubbles' room.

"Holy shit, it's like this house is on drugs or something!" Butch exclaimed. We laughed and made room for the guys. They sat down across from us, and for a moment, no one talked.

"Well, it's not like this is awkward or anything…" Buttercup muttered, making me giggle. I elbowed her and turned back to Brick.

"Hey, why did you guys seem so surprised when we said that we didn't know who you were?" I asked. Brick and his brothers shared a look and then he said,

"We're a famous band." I blinked.

"Didn't see that coming." I said, making them laugh. Bubbles knit her eyebrows.

"What's your band name? Maybe I'll remember you." Boomer smiled.

"We're the RowdyRuff Boys, or RRB." Bubbles' eyes widened.

"NOW I remember you!" she said. "You're that new boy band that performed at the Oscars!" Brick nodded.

"That's us." Bubbles squealed.

"That's so COOL!" Buttercup rolled her eyes and I laughed.

"Geez, Bubs, don't freak out." BC said. Butch snickered and Bubbles blushed in embarrassment.

"Oops, sorry." She apologized. Boomer laughed good-naturedly.

"It's cool, don't worry about it." Bubs smiled at him. Brick looked me in the eye.

"So, what's the deal with you being used to injuries?" I cringed, and Bubs and BC instinctively moved closer to me. The guys raised their eyebrows at this and I sighed.

"My life isn't that easy." I started, gazing at the floor. Buttercup wrapped her arm around my shoulders and Bubs grabbed my hand. "It all started when my dad remarried. Dad was a great scientist, Professor Utonium. He found a cure for the common cold, so we have lots of money. He remarried when I was fifteen. Mom had-" I swallowed, desperately trying to hold in the tears. "—passed the year before, and Dad thought I needed a mother figure. So he married my stepmother, Sedusa. She already had a daughter, Princess. They moved into our mansion that year. At first, it was okay. Sedusa treated me like a human being, and Princess was nice to me. But then my dad's health started to fail. The more he stayed in the hospital, the more awful Princess and Sedusa became. When my dad died, they fired all of the cleaning ladies and assistants and cooks we had and made me do everything. Sedusa stuck me in the basement and gave Princess my room. I have to clean, cook, mend, and fix everything perfectly and not talk back or else Sedusa will lock me in my room and not feed me. If she's in a really bad mood, she'll hit me or scratch me or throw things…"My voice cracked, and the tears overflowed. Buttercup squeezed my shoulders and Bubbles said softly,

"You don't have to keep going, Blossy. It's ok." I nodded and kept silent. I glanced up to see Brick and his brothers looking shocked. Their eyes were wide and their mouths were hanging open. They probably think I'm a freak…I thought. I wiped the tears away with my hand and said,

"I'm gonna go clean up." BC nodded and Bubbles gave my hand a squeeze before letting it go. I smiled weakly and slowly walked over to the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind me. I slid down to the floor, my back against the door, and hugged my knees.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brick and his brothers were horrified. To do that to an innocent girl…Brick wanted to hit someone, he was so angry. He really liked Blossom, and to think of how much pain she's been through, no wonder she has trouble trusting anyone.

"Is she going to be okay?" Boomer asked worriedly. Bubbles looked at the bathroom door miserably.

"She's only told Buttercup and me and my mom. She doesn't trust anyone else. She's terrified Sedusa will find out and punish her." Brick eyes flamed.

"How could they do that to her?!" he said angrily. Buttercup's eyes darkened and Bubbles' jaw clenched.

"That's what we want to know." Bubbles said darkly. Butch spoke up.

"Why don't you just confront Sedusa about it?" Buttercup gritted her teeth.

"Because Sedusa will lock Blossom in her room and starve her if she finds out we know." Butch nodded thoughtfully.

"Have you tried-" he was cut off by the bathroom door opening. Blossom walked out, her eyes glistening.

"Hey Bubs, where's your First-Aid kit? I need some new bandages for my cheek." She pointed to the gash on her face. Bubbles nodded and left the room. Blossom sat down cross legged next to Buttercup, who slid her arm around Blossom's small shoulders. Blossom leaned her head on Buttercup's shoulder and looked at the boys sadly.

"Now you know." She whispered.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You can't tell ANYONE." I said to them, a pleading tone in my voice. They nodded solemnly and we were silent until Bubbles came in.

"Blossy, Mom wants you to see you." She said. I knit my eyebrows. Could this be about the dress? Nonetheless, I walked down the hall and knocked on Bianca's studio door. A second later the door whooshed open and I was crushed in a hug.

"Oh, mi cheri, are you okay?" she said, running her fingers through my hair. She guided me over to a chair. I sat down and nodded my head, and a tear slid down my cheek.

"I-I'm scared that Sedusa will punish me when I get home." I said quietly. Bianca nodded and pulled me in for a hug.

"Do not worry, belle, I am here for you and so are Bubbles and Buttercup." She says kindly. "And I have a feeling that Brick will protect you as well." She said slyly. I blushed and she laughed.

"Now, I want to throw a party in one weeks' time." Bianca said, her eyes sparkling. I looked at her curiously.
"Why are you throwing a party?" I asked. She smiled at me.

"Because, belle, I am going to introduce you to the world!" she replied. My eyes bugged.

"Wh-what you mean l-like a band?!" I said. "I would LOVE to, but Sedusa would kill me!" Bianca chuckled.

"That is why you are going! So you can get a record deal and move away from Sedusa and see the world, cheri!" I thought about it, and it was actually a great idea! I nodded enthusiastically, my mood lightening.

"Plus, I haven't thrown a party in ages and I just got finished with some new dresses I want you and Buttercup and Bubbles to wear!" she added. I giggled.

"Who will be our manager?" I asked. Bianca grinned.

"I will be your manager, belle! I can travel with you and design clothes on the tours! It will be fabuleux!" she said earnestly. I smiled.

"Oh that would be lovely!" I sighed. "But how will we get noticed?" Suddenly, the door flung open and Brick, Butch, Boomer, Buttercup, and Bubbles walked in.

"Easy." Boomer said. "We'll sing with you onstage and recommend you to a record company." Bubbles squealed.

"This is going to be SO MUCH FUN!" BC laughed and said,

"It WOULD be kinda cool if we formed a band…" I raised my eyebrows at her and pretended to freak out.

"Oh my god, BUTTERCUP is actually considering being in a BAND?!" everyone laughed, and BC shoved me.

"Glad to see you're back, Red." She said. I snapped my fingers at her and struck a pose.

"You know it, sugar." I said sassily. Bubbles giggled and ran up to me, enveloping me in a hug.

"Bubs, she can't breathe." BC said. Bubbles immediately let me go, blushing.

"Sorry, I'm just happy you're okay." I beamed at her. Bianca clapped her hands.

"So, in one week we will throw a party here in our ballroom, so you girls will get noticed." We nodded in agreement. I turned to Brick.

"What do you think?" I asked him. He grinned at me.

"Sounds like fun. But we should meet up to discuss the specifics." I nodded and was about to make a suggestion, but Butch beat me to it.

"So tomorrow, food court, noon." He said. I looked at the girls and smiled.

"We'll be there." Bubs declared. The guys smirked victoriously. We walked them to the door and say our goodbyes. Then we headed upstairs to bed.