It had been at least two weeks since the Rowdy's had reappeared unexpectedly in Townsville. Boomer and I had met everyday in Townsville Diner after school; I had just told Bridget and Blaire I had a shift there. Boomer and I had just sat down, when the soft beeping from my choker met my ears. Our eyes met briefly, his looked somewhat disappointed but I didn't linger on it for too long. "Trouble, we'll have to meet tomorrow. Bye," I explained urgently, hurrying from the restaurant. Clicking the small device in my bubble charm, I immediately changed into my PPG attire, and flew into the sky. Bridget and Blaire were already there when I arrived and they seemed a little irritated by my tardiness. "Well sorry, I had to fly across town."
They nodded and hurried to the sign of distress. The Townsville Jewelry store looked like it had been pretty badly vandalized, as well as stolen from. Ms. Lenoir stood devastated in the middle of the her store, her hands sifting through the broken glass for any signs of her jewels. I entered the ruined store, and hugged her sympathetically (she had been my piano teacher in third grade). "Mademoiselle Lenoir, Qu'est qui s'est passé?" I asked her using the French she had taught me so many years ago.
"Oh it is terrible, when I came to work this morning. I found it like this, everything gone!" She sobbed, through her heavy French accent. I looked at the piles of glass shards sadly, there were many priceless gems in her store. "Now I will have to start from scratch once more."
"Don't worry Ms. Lenoir the PPG are here to help. We'll find who stole your jewels, may we look around?" I said reassuringly. The French woman nodded and left the shop sadly. Blaire and Bridget had now entered and were now looking for any hint to whom might have done this. I was shifting through one of the many cases when I saw a thin strand of what appeared to be blue thread. "I found something; it looks like a piece of the thief's clothing." Blaire was by my side in an instant examining the thread thoroughly.
"That looks genuine; it may be hard to find who wore it, but it's better than anything Bridget or I found," Blaire stated. She flew away without another word, not even bothering to compliment what I found. I guess the 'it's better than what Bridget or I found' would be considered a compliment I guess. Anything like that from Blaire is a step up. Thanks conscious, but this isn't over yet, we still need to find out who did it. It was getting dark, so Bridget decided it was time to turn in for the night. Together we left the Jewelry store and back to Professor Utonium's House.
Later that night, I sat on the light blue bedspread reading Romeo and Juliet once more, while Blaire fumed loudly about the Rowdy's presence once again. "What are they even doing here; they hated learning when they were younger. And now they come to school by choice!" Blaire shouted kicking her box of comic books stubbornly. I looked over the binding of my book; Blaire could really be a hothead when she wanted to. "And you!" –She pointed an accusing finger at me- "Talking to the enemy all the time in Algebra, what are you thinking?" I tried to look innocent, cradling the book to my bosom sadly. It was true, I had a tendency to accidently get myself into a conversation with Boomer when I got bored, but it seemed so natural now, I forgot we had to hide it in public.
"I was being polite, that's all," I lied softly, tucking a lock of my silver white hair behind my ear. Blaire scoffed and jumped on her bed in defeat. Bridget watched Blaire's tirade until she finished, before interfering.
"Give Brooke a break, she's being herself. It's not like she's secretly meeting with him behind our back," Bridget stated matter-o-fact. I laughed nervously, and nodded slowly. I hate it when Bridget does that, she knows, she just isn't someone to interfere with someone else's life. Thank god she won't tell Blaire, otherwise all hopes of getting to the bottom of the Rowdyruff boys (and hanging out with Boomer) is down the drain. Bridget looked at me silently, her eyes giving me her judging twinkle but she said nothing. I gave her an apologetic glance and crawled under my sheets, I couldn't face my sisters anymore.
I was sitting in the Townsville Diner; Boomer was beside me his hand curled around mine. There was silence between us, and then he leaned forward slowly, his lips pursed and at once I knew what was coming. I did the same, my heart jumping in excitement, that's when I felt a sharp pain in my neck and I turned to see Butch and Brick standing there, their hands glowing a deep red and green. Boomer pulled me closer to him, only now he was the Boomer from many years ago, his cocky smirk back where it belonged. His hands made their way around my neck and he began to crush my wind pipe. I attempted to pull away but he was too strong, and then before me I saw Bridget and Blaire staring at me in disbelief. I tried to scream...but nothing came out of my mouth...and Boomer's grip was getting tighter...
I sat up I bed with a small yelp, my sheets covered in cold sweat. Bridget and Blaire were sleeping peacefully in their beds and I was in my own. I touched my throat; nothing was out of the ordinary. Good it was only a dream, but realistic at that. Blaire's right this may all be a trick. But what about Boomer, you do want to see him again. Well yeah I guess I do, but I can't take any chances, I'm not putting my sisters in danger. But... No buts, it's my decision and I guess it's for the better. With that final thought, I threw my comforter over my head and fell into a restless sleep once more.
I walked down the halls of the Middle School, my eyes red from lack of sleep and my head just as jumbled as the night before. I spied Boomer walking toward me a smile on his face. I sighed, this was getting unbearable. "Hey Brooke, you look tired did you get enough sleep last night?" he asked worriedly. I shook my head and walked away, not wanting to deal with him until tonight at the diner. Boomer followed me, the worry on his face more apparent. "Did I do something wrong?" Again, I shook my head, a few tears beginning to form in my eyes. "Are you okay, you seem different today? I'm sorry if I did anything to upset you." I couldn't bear it any longer; he was just making the guilt toward both my sisters and him worse. I turned away and bolted down the hall allowing the tears to run down my cheeks freely. I didn't stop until I reached the girls bathroom on the third floor, one of the quietest in the schools. I often went there to get away from the teachers and schoolwork. The stalls were deserted, so I closed myself into the last of the three stalls. I watched the tears as they dripped onto the ugly mosaic tiling.
Why is this so hard, it doesn't take much to say 'no' and walk away? That's what you think, but it's really hard, especially when it's people you care about. You're kind of between a rock and a hard place. Are you giving me another of those revelations? No...er... you have a little time before you come to that again. Oh great, I have to face more depression, that's just brilliant. Hey, I don't make the rules Blondie I'm just a messenger. Bridget is so disappointed in me, and BLAIRE when she finds out she'll kill me for going against her word. Why can't I do anything right? You're a girl, that's the best excuse there is. If your sisters can't face the fact that you're in love, than they aren't supportive enough. Who says I'm in love? It's not that hard to guess Brooke. If I did like him, not saying I do, I have to face the fact, until proven wrong Boomer is still dangerous. I need to stay away from him or I'll just end up letting everyone down. You think too much over small things, it's annoying really. Why would you stop yourself from being happy? Because I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH BOOMER! Okay, and when you're ready to stop being in denial, you'll feel more confident in yourself.
I unlocked the stall and walked out of the bathroom into the vacant hallways. I had stopped crying more than 15 minutes ago, but I had to figure things out. I stood in the entrance of the bathroom, weighing the options I had. I've made a decision; I just hope I won't regret it. This is very mature of you Blondie, but you're questioning yourself again, you won't regret it. I hope your right. I walked slowly to my Algebra class, hoping I'd miss it, so I won't have to worry about carrying my decision out until lunch. Unfortunately, I still had 10 minutes when I entered class, and Boomer was waiting for me in the back once again. He looked worried, as his eyes met briefly with mine; I tried not to feel guilty again. I sighed and walked silently to the back of the room, after showing Ms. Patterson a note written in Professor Utonium's writing in case I'd ever need an excuse to why I'm late. She wasn't all that enthused to see me here, late again like I normally was.
"Hey Brooke, are you okay? Sorry if I upset you for any reason," Boomer whispered from over his textbook. I smiled softly at him, I think lunchtime would be the best time to carry out my decision; I'd have more time to explain then.
"Sorry, I just had a rough night and I get emotional when I'm tired," I lied. He nodded slowly and turned to finish his homework that had been given while I was away. I could see Bridget look at me disapprovingly beside me; she'd be enlightened soon enough. Lunch was only two hours away, I could wait that long.
I waited at the Rowdy's table for Boomer to sit down. "Hey Brooke what're ya doing over here by choice," Boomer questioned, the confusion apparent on his face. His brothers gave me a cold stare as they took their usual seats and began a conversation with the football team. I put a finger to my lips and pointed to where Blaire stood her strengthened sense of sound was keen this far into the back of the cafeteria. I pulled him urgently to the hallway beside the cafeteria, and into the abandoned English room. We stood there in silence for a second making sure no one was in the hall, before I began.
"Boomer, want to come over to my house and study for the Algebra test on Wednesday. I know I'll regret doing this, but if Bridget and Blaire can't accept our friendship, then it's on their shoulders not mine," I said with a small smile. Perking up, Boomer smiled cheerfully and nodded. "Great, come to the Utonium's house tonight at three, I'll meet you at the door." I waved happily and turned back into the cafeteria, where I sat feeling much more confident with my decision. Boomer looked a lot happier when he reentered the cafeteria as well, as we waited for the clock to strike three. You did a good thing today Blondie, maybe you won't need that revelation after all. Thanks, but I still have to get past Blaire's wrath, and Bridget's disapproving glare. That's probably the hardest part, my sister's disapproval. Don't worry about them; I'll make sure they understand...I mean you'll be fine, don't worry. Um, okay you sound a lot like Blaire right now, but I'll take your word. Anyway, I have to get going back to the real world, before my sisters snap me out. I looked up from my lunch, to see my sisters staring at me in confusion.
"Who sounds a lot like Blaire, who're you even talking to?" Bridget asked. I bit my lip nervously; I must have spoken the last part out loud. Bridget shook her head slowly, when she saw the horror etched on my face. "Never mind, you must have been..." Our chokers began to beep softly, cutting Bridget off.
"Trouble," We exclaimed in unison. We jumped up from our table and ran through the back exit doors in single file.