Boomer stewed in his seat as their teacher droned on and on about the proper shading technique. Raiden's hand on Bubbles's wrist kept invading his mind. He was seconds from snapping his paint brush when Bubbles's thankfully distracted him.
"What's wrong Boomer? You're usually more talkative." Boomer sighed as the tension decreased in his body, but didn't completely leave.
"You know him?" At her confused look, he clarified. "That guy you were talking to in the hallway." She blushed, and he lost the battle to keep his paint brush in one piece.
"Not really. I only just started talking to him today. He seems really sweet though. We're going for smoothies." Boomer's eye twitched in irritation.
"Oh?" That bastard is getting awfully chummy with what's mine.
"I might invite Bloss or BC though. They were getting along pretty well with Riley and Reed too." His irritation grew, but so did his concern at the mention of the other idiots. They all made their move? Isn't this too fast? Unless...
"Bubs." His tone was so serious Bubbles sobered as well, focusing her total attention on him. "Have you noticed anything...strange...happening around you or your friends lately?" Bubbles paled at the question, leaning away from him. How did he know? I haven't been acting suspiciously have I? I have been more on edge...but the girls have been pretty good at concealing that. Then again... Boomie's always been able to see through me. Her gaze softened as she went back to drawing the outline of the fruit.
"There was...something that's been bothering me lately. But it doesn't seem to be bothering me anymore." Maybe I was going crazy? Well either way it's over now. Boomer hummed, already having an idea of what's been bothering her lately. In more ways than one.
"Well if anything bothers you again, come to me." He turned away before the blush dusted her cheeks, hidden as she hunched further toward her artwork.
Bubbles laughed as Boomer joked around. They were in their last class of the day. Buttercup was there too, but she was too busy ignoring Mitch's thinly veiled attempts to hit on her. The hot ravenette who she'd met at Boomer's place had been transferred in to their class too, but he was slumped over his desk. She could swear his head would sometimes swivel towards her friend, but that could also be the inner matchmaker in her wanting to see something in everything. So far, it was the most peaceful day in awhile, with her mind occupied only by her own thoughts. However, as if summoned, once the bell rang she was bombarded once again by the incessant thoughts of those around her. She groaned as she clutched her head, catching the attention of the three people left in the room. Boomer was hovering in a second, asking her what was wrong. Buttercup was moving in her direction, hand outstretched to take her home. The ravenette was watching her like a hawk, his face crumpled in contemplation. Bubbles waved off Boomer's concern, practically throwing herself at Buttercup.
"Bubs?"
"...It's back..." Buttercup was slow on the uptake, until Bubbles gave her that look and rubbed her head. Buttercup practically snatched the bag out of Boomer's hand, herding her friend toward the door. Boomer followed, brushing off Buttercup's fiery glare.
"Bubbles, what's wrong?" Bubbles opened her mouth to answer, but Buttercup squeezed her arm.
"She's got a killer headache. They happen sometimes. Now stop following. Both of you." The ravenette held his hands up in surrender, but neither slowed their steps. Buttercup rolled her eyes, opting to drag Bubbles along. Men are so stubborn at the worst times. Bubbles turned her head to look at the ravenette. Something about him felt so familiar. He reminded her of an older brother, and that comfortable feeling she'd first felt when she met him at Boomer's only increased.
"You're...Butch...right? We've met before..." He grinned, nodding his head.
"Always a pleasure to see you Blue." Buttercup snorted, picking up her pace as they exited the school doors.
"Too bad we've got to cut this short gentlemen, but our ride's here." Blossom sat in a black mustang with pink accents, idling by the curb. Buttercup practically tossed Bubbles in the backseat, hopping in the passenger seat herself. She put on her sunglasses as she waved goodbye, turning to no doubt give Blossom an update on Bubbles. Boomer sighed, running a hand down his face. He followed Butch to the parking lot, glad he had opted to take the black camaro with green accents instead of the motorcycle.
"Maybe we should tell the girls the truth before they do. Bubbles is meeting Raiden for smoothies." Butch shook his head, starting the car.
"You heard Brick. We can't do anything to let them remember our past lives. We just have to take out the source of the problem. Simple." Boomer slouched in the seat. You say it like it's easy...but I have a bad feeling about this.
Bubbles began spending more and more time with Raiden, realizing the voices didn't bother her when she was with him. If only she knew the real cause of her problems. Buttercup and Blossom further tolerated Riley and Reed as a result, though Blossom had more fun with her designated boy than Buttercup. The boys meanwhile were getting increasingly agitated as the days turned to weeks, and the girls fell further away from them. Brick had abandoned the initial plan, allowing them to get close regardless of the consequences. It was an all out war for the girls' affections, but this time, they were losing.
It came to a head when Bubbles revealed to Boomer, the only one who had an actual relationship with one of the girls this lifetime, that she and the girls had been invited on a weekend getaway. Brick had stewed while Butch had ripped a couch cushion to shreds at the news. Despite their feelings, it was etched in stone that the girls had agreed to go.
