Buttercup quickly rose through the ranks of the most sought after girl in school over the next few weeks, angering Princess and her cronies, but unsurprising to anyone else. While many admired her, only a few were bold enough to actually ask her out. Buttercup had accepted a few, not wanting to hurt their feelings. It went never went past a handful of dates, as she quickly grew bored with them. Some of them were interested in her looks and some of her interests, like wrestling, cage fighting, and video games, while others were interested in her personality but had projected their fantasies onto her, so they weren't interested in what she had to say or how she felt. She had just about given up on the whole dating thing when she was approached by Damien, a handsome stranger who suspiciously favored Butch. He was smart, charming, and actually interested in her, not just his misguided idea of her. His midnight blue hair was cut in a buzz cut. He stood tall, around six foot three, with piercings in his left ear. He was impressively ripped, and surprised her every day with a mouth watering lunch box. They weren't exactly dating, but had gone on several dates. Buttercup hadn't completely changed her style, but had traded in baggy sweatpants and hoodies for tight fitting jeans or shorts and loose dance tops. It was an improvement, and everyone noticed. Speculation on the nature of the two's relationship spread like wildfire, which the two dd nothing to dispute.
Butch was finally ready, having finally finished purging his cell phone and letting his girls know that his heart belonged to another, and he was serious this time. Seems it had taken constantly seeing her with someone else to give him the wake up call he needed. However, despite what everyone else thought he wasn't an ass. If she was truly happy he wouldn't interfere, taking his loss like the man he desperately wanted Buttercup to see him as. Just as he was thinking this, he caught her eye as they were all walking down the hall. They stared at each other for longer than necessary, before Damien said something to reclaim her attention, making her laugh in a way she'd never done around him. Butch brushed it off, having his answer. He wouldn't interfere.
Buttercup sat wedged between Blossom and Robin on the Puff's couch, thankful for the girls night in. She'd missed them, as the girls had spent less and less time with each other as school and their boyfriends got in the way. Bubbles and Boomer had started dating shortly after their date at the museum, figuring they'd waited long enough and using the wonderful time they'd had spending time with each other as the only confirmation they needed. Brick and Blossom had been slower, only recently beginning to date after their fourth date last weekend. Robin had rescheduled a date with Mitch to join them tonight, citing the fact that they technically weren't dating as her excuse for pushing it off. Mitch had grumbled about it but understood, making her promise to spend Sunday with him to make up for her ditching him tonight. She'd laughingly agreed, glowing so brightly with happiness it was obviously only a matter of time before the two became official. Ayumi had even found a man - stumbling into him at the mall downtown when she'd been shopping. He went to their school, but their paths had never crossed before that moment. It had been love at first impact, with the two turning their impromptu meeting into a date, becoming official two weeks later.
Buttercup sighed, unable to express herself. Damien was sweet, but almost too sweet. Whenever they argued, it wouldn't be long before he folded, giving her the victory. It was almost too easy sometimes, and Buttercup found herself craving more of a challenge. Lately he wasn't as interested in watching the movies she liked either. Usually they switched on picking a movie so as to keep it fair, but he would guilt trip her or bring up some excuse as to why they should watch what he wanted. It was little things, but lately they were beginning to wear on her nerves. Her friends still believed she was happy with him, and they all seemed to like him. Buttercup felt trapped, and guilty that she was beginning to feel unhappy in a relatively nice relationship. It's not that she didn't want nice per say, just that she didn't want to be bored. She also didn't appreciate having the tables turned on her to make her feel she was being selfish. He was also her first boyfriend, so she wasn't sure if things like this were normal. But when the others talk about their dates, it doesn't seem to go like mine... Maybe she was doing something wrong? But why should we almost always have to do what he wants? It was nice in the beginning but now... She sighed again, causing the girls to pause the movie and turn to her as one in concern.
"Buttercup? Is something wrong?" Buttercup snapped out of her thoughts, blinking a few times to center herself.
"Huh? Not really..." She wanted to ask, but her pride was getting in the way again, so she knew she wouldn't voice what was bothering her. Thankfully her friends knew her well enough to pick up on this, but knew now wasn't the time to push her.
"Alright." Buttercup sighed in relief, turning her attention back to the movie. She needed more time to think about this. I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than it actually is.