High School Odyssey
Chapter II
Two Dates
A. Introduction
The City of Townsville…
It has been ten years since the Powerpuff Girls were first created, and nine years since the Rowdyruff Boys were recreated.
The kids were now high school sophomores. At fifteen years old, they were younger than most students at that level by one year. Several times, because of their intelligence, they would have skipped a couple of grades, if it weren't for the fact that Pokey Oakes Elementary, Middle School, and High School doesn't allow skipping grades. Yet the six always led in all subjects except sports.
Because of their powers, and because they have no reliable means of controlling their strength, they were prohibited by the school from joining any sports, like football, or baseball, or such, or any competitive physical activities. Of course, they would still be required to take gym class, but it would be limited to non-competitive activities.
Butch and Buttercup were infuriated, as they fervently desired to play rough sports. The rest weren't that concerned, as long as they got straight A's from physical education.
Townsville didn't change that much. Villains were rare, as either they got executed by use of gas chamber (like Fuzzy Lumpkins and Mojo Jojo), reformed on the outside at least (Princess Morebucks), just disappeared (Him), died of natural causes (Amoeba Boys), were killed in battle by the Ruffs or Puffs (Sedusa), or were incarcerated in jail (Gang Green Gang). Crime remained constant, as there were simply too many for our heroes to stop, and was mostly done by the police. Monsters, on the other hand, just keeps on rampaging on the city at least once a week, and it would be a dull month if there were only one monster attack in a fortnight. Our heroes seemed unable to find the source of these monsters, as they appeared out of nowhere.
The monster attacks, however monotonous to our heroes, served to keep them in the limelight. Not a week goes by when the media didn't show fresh clips of at least on of them killing and destroying a monster, and as a result, the Powerpuff Girls and the Rowdyruff Boys remained heroes, and retained, and in some cases, increased the popularity of the six, as each and every citizen felt that they personally owed their lives to every single member of the Ruff-Puff Alliance.
And so in school, few dared utter a negative word against any of the six, as admirers of the six would quickly shush them. Too many schoolmates had been rescued from certain death by one of the six for anything other than praise and admiration to be thrown their way, and those that did made a bad word were either beaten up, or ostracized by the others.
They were local celebrities. People their age admired and respected them, and thought them the standard by which they hold others. They imitated their mannerisms, their clothes, even if it seemed odd, as long as it isn't too odd, and quoted their words.
It resulted in a situation that the Powerpuff Girls and the Rowdyruff Boys didn't quite find as good as they once thought. Many people would come to them asking for favors, sometimes for the most mundane and petty things that they can perfectly do for themselves. And there were those who were publicity seekers, those who want to take advantage of the Powerpuffs and Rowdyruffs by associating themselves with our heroes.
The pressures increased as they entered and left Middle School, and went to High School, when scores of students, boys and girls began sending each of them (the boys to the Powerpuffs and the girls to the Rowdyruffs) love notes, love letters, and trying to get dates with them. Some of these are sincere, some are malicious, some are just plain infatuation, some are just opportunistic and some are just "gold seekers." Since they couldn't distinguish and tell which is which, they've taken to politely refusing most of the time. It was helped by the fact that most of these letters, notes and proposals are so ineptly made, naïve, and so lacking of tact that it wasn't difficult to say no.
The other fact is that they were constantly receiving offers from various corporations to appear on an advertisement, sponsor products or sign their name to give permission for companies to use their picture or name on an item. All were refused. Still, that didn't stop most companies from calling them weekly to inquire about the possibility.
B. Fetching Bubbles
It was about six in the evening of September 15, Friday, that Boomer came knocking on the door of the Utonium residence. He was wearing a dark blue suit and a black tie, and his hair was carefully combed. He also wore black shiny shoes.
"Hello Boomer," Professor Utonium. "Bubbles is on her room upstairs."
"Is she ready?" asked Boomer.
"Yup! She only has to put on some jewelry and she's done," said the Professor.
"Well, I'm going to get up and try to hurry her up," said Boomer, as he went up to the stairs to Bubbles room.
Unfortunately, he suddenly became absent-minded as and he was not paying attention when he opened to door. Suddenly, he heard a scream.
"Pervert! Boomer, of all people, I never thought—" Blossom's screamed. Two seconds later, he was hit on the head by an alarm clock. Good thing he was very strong, and the clock smashed itself on his head and didn't hurt him one bit. He looked up, and saw Blossom still in her underwear, half naked, in the process of changing.
"This is your room? I-I-I-I-I-I'm s-s-s-s-s-sorry! I to-to-to-tought it was Bubbles' room and—"
"Boomer," Bubbles voice thundered. Boomer looked and saw his date emerge from the door besides the door on Blossom's room. She was wearing a blue ankle-length sleeveless dress, but he was too surprised to notice "What on Sam's Hill are you doing peeking on Blossom?"
"L-l-let me explain. Um, I thought this was the door to your room, and I entered it by accident! I wasn't peeking! Honest! You know I would never do that! I never even peeked on you, and I like you, so why would I even—"
"Boomer, are you saying that after all the time you were here before, you still mistook our rooms?" asked Bubbles.
"Well, the doors all look alike!" Boomer claimed. "Plus, um, I'm going to get you. The Professor said that you're all ready, so I decided to go and hurry you."
"Boomer, you know me, I'm never late ever in anything I did! Tell me, when was I ever late? Well, come on, let's go, before she even gets madder and destroy this house with her screaming," Bubbles said while giggling, dragging Boomer who was still trying to make explanations.
"Look, I'm really sorry, but you see—"
"Boomer it's okay," said Bubbles, laughing. "Blossom knows you're a good boy, and you don't have malicious thoughts."
"Where's Blossom going anyway? I noticed that a nice pink dress on the bed, ready to wear?" asked Boomer.
"Oh she's going on a date," said Bubbles as they walked the road.
"What? I never knew Brick is going on a date tonight," Boomer replied.
"No silly, not to Brick. To a senior. Joseph R. Anthony!" said Bubbles.
"Joe Anthony?" asked Boomer. "Isn't he the candidate for the nomination as candidate for President of the White Star Party?"
"I don't know," said Bubbles. "I don't care much about politics."
"But why the hell would Blossom date? It seems there isn't a week where she'd act like a matron with white hair and thick glasses in the library saying that 'I'm too busy! I have to take priority of my studies! Blah blah blah, nyak nyak nyak! Therefore, no boys and no dates!" Boomer said, making a mocking impression of Blossom's voice, sending Bubbles into fits of giggles.
"You're quite right there, Boomie, but this is different," said Bubbles. "I saw her face when she bumped into Joe, and her reaction to when he asked if he could walk her home. And I'm quite sure that she's fallen for him!"
"How'd you know?" asked Boomer. "Maybe she was faking it!"
"It's the same look and reaction I had when I first saw you!" Bubbles replied.
"Oh you mean she kicked him, and laser-eyed him, and threw him to a building?" asked Boomer.
"Boomer!" Bubbles replied. "That's not what I meant?"
"Well that's how you reacted when you first saw me, didn't you? About ten years ago, when Mojo created us to destroy the Powerpuff Girls!" Boomer replied.
"Boomie! Stop teasing, silly!" Bubbles replied. "You know what I mean!"
"Well, actually, I don't," replied Boomer.
"Oh never mind that," said Bubbles. "So where are you taking me tonight?"
"Oh, follow me," said the boy, as he suddenly flew high in the air. Bubbles followed. Boomer then flew at his fastest towards the east.
C. Maxwell's Restaurant
Thirty minutes later…
"New York City!" Bubbles exclaimed as they landed on the roof of one of the tall skyscrapers of the Big Apple and went inside and down using the elevator.
"Yup! I wanted to take you to Paris, but then, I remembered that I don't know French, and I don't have Euros, only Dollars," said Boomer.
"Oh that is so romantic of you, Boomie," said Bubbles dreamily. "So where are we going to eat?"
"Well, at Maxwell's Restaurant on Fifth Avenue," said Boomer.
"Wow! It's one of the fanciest restaurants in the nation," said Bubbles. "Can you afford it?"
"I once saved Mr. Maxwell's life a year ago while he was visiting Townsville, and he told me that he would do any favor for me. Well, earlier this week, I decided to cash in on his promise, and he was only too happy to help. As a result, our date would be on the house, and we won't have to pay for anything."
"Wow!" Bubbles could only say as Boomer grabbed her hand and they used super speed to reach the restaurant.
"And you are?" asked the guard as the couple stood in front of the entrance of Maxwell's Restaurant.
"Um, James B. Edwards," said Boomer, "and this is my girlfriend, Bubbles Utonium."
The guard checked the list he was holding. "I.D.'s please?"
"Oh sure," said Boomer, retrieving his school ID from his wallet and showed it to the guard. Bubbles also retrieved hers from her purse and showed it to the guard.
"Okay, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Maxwell had been expecting you tonight," said the guard cautiously. "Right these way, please. Mr. Maxwell is away on business, so he entrusted us with serving you."
They entered the restaurant. Bubbles gasped when she noticed no other customers around. All she could see were waiters and restaurant personnel.
"Where are all the other people?" asked Bubbles.
"Oh I asked Mr. Maxwell if we can have the restaurant all to ourselves," said Boomer. "You know why?"
"Well?" Bubbles asked.
"Because I'm hungry. I know you don't want me pigging out on our dates because it kinda embarrasses you in front of all the other people when I eat like I haven't eaten in a year, so I decided to find a solution. By removing the other people, when I eat, you don't have to be embarrassed because there's no other people to be embarrassed to!" Boomer proclaimed. "And since I'm so hungry, I can't wait to sink my teeth on that stake I smell they're cooking!"
"Boomer!" Bubbles frustratingly replied. Bubbles shook her head. She had known that Boomer isn't the most romantic guy in the world, but Boomer couldn't deliberately act romantic if his life depended on it. Boomer is nice and sweet, but sometimes immature and childish to a fault. "Please, don't pig out. Look, I want you to control your appetite, and eat as if we're eating in front of many people. Eat like a gentleman, Boomer!"
"But I'm hungry!" Boomer complained like a six-year-old, and his stomach growled as if on cue.
"Then you can pig out when you reach home. Right now, we're in a fancy restaurant in New York City, we're dressed like we're in high society, so please act like you're a mature teen-ager!"
"But I'm hungry!"
"No!" Bubbles stated.
"Okay! But if I die of starvation, it'd be your fault!" Boomer finally replied, smiling, before giving his arm to Bubbles and escorting her to the middle table. It was a small square table with chairs on either side. The table was covered in white cloth. There was a candle in the middle, and in every other table, giving the restaurant an illuminating look.
Bubbles smiled. She was happy with Boomer, and Boomer despite his foibles, was nice and sweet. She fell in love the moment it was clear that they weren't evil anymore, and nine years later, despite growing up and becoming a teen-ager, it hadn't faded, and it even grew more intense.
At first it was awkward. Boomer, like most little boys his age, thought girls in general, and Bubbles in particular, icky, and usually run away from her advances, screaming like boiling oil was poured unto him when he was kissed or hugged by the blue puff. But as Boomer himself grew up, he began to positively respond to Bubbles' actions as he began to reach the age where boys become girl-crazy. At thirteen he began to really enjoy her company, and at fourteen he started dating her, and she was the only one whom he ever dated. In fact, unusual for boys his age, she was the only girl whom he even looked and stared at, and he never even considered others.
Bubbles was happy by his company, and the fact that she discovered that Boomer also likes her. She enjoyed it very much, and he was the only boy she ever dated, both because most other boys were simply too afraid of Boomer to openly court her and because she decided no one could be as sweet as her Boomie. Boomer was warm, kind, caring, and most importantly, faithful to a fault.
But Boomer sometimes frustrated her no end. He was hopelessly clueless sometimes, and he often acts unromantic towards her, and he sometimes was ignorant on how couples are supposed to act towards each other. Plus the fact that Boomer is so reluctant and so unwilling to take the next step of their relationship. She knew that if Boomer courted another girl, if it wasn't for his reputation as a Rowdyruff, he would be immediately dumped because his courting and dating skills were so abysmal. And to make it worst, Boomer doesn't even know it as his only experience with girls at that age is Bubbles.
D. Flying Home
The dinner went pretty well. Boomer just ordered an ordinarily sized meal, while Bubbles ordered a smaller sized one. Boomer regaled Bubbles of the happenings at his house, and the antics of his brothers, in such a humorous way that he kept Bubbles in fits of giggles throughout. Bubbles in response told Boomer of the love life of her sisters. Buttercup was still single, and of course, about Joseph Anthony and Blossom.
It was about an hour later, when Bubbles and Boomer were flying high in the air, going home towards Townsville. The high altitude, and the wind blowing against them magnified the cold. Bubbles was wearing Boomer's coat for protection, as well as having him hold her, at her request, as well.
"Are you sure you wanted me to hold you? My coat's thick enough to keep you warm, you know," Boomer said.
"Gosh Boomie, you really are clueless, are you?" Bubbles asked.
"Me clueness! I think not! I've worn that coat in the coldest weather, and let me tell you—"
"Nevermind Boomer," said Bubbles. "Let's just say that I feel cold till you hold me."
"Um okay, whatever you say, Bubbles. You know I'll do anything you say," said Boomer.
"You like me, Boomer?" asked Bubbles.
"Yup! And you're the only girl I'll ever like this way," said Boomer.
"I like you too, and I love you, Boomie," Bubbles said.
"Well, gosh, thanks! It's an honor that you love me as such, Bubbles," Boomer replied. "Believe me, I'm very grateful."
"Aren't you suppose to say, 'I love you too?'" Bubbles asked, a bit disappointed.
"Well, I love Dad, I love Mom, I love my brothers, I love Townsville, I love TV, I love how the waves roll into the sea, I love the way that guy on TV talks, I guess I love you too," said Boomer.
"Boomie! You're not taking this seriously!" Bubbles pouted.
"What do you mean? Look, I'm smiling, but I'm not laughing," Boomer replied.
"You know what I mean! A love between a guy and a girl! Romantic love! You know, the love that makes you one tingle when one sees your one true love?" asked Bubbles.
"Oh that kind of love!" said Boomer, chuckling. "Well, I really don't know. I never experienced that kind of love, so I never know if I'm in love or not," said Boomer.
"Boomie, you're impossible," Bubbles said angrily, and she angrily elbowed him in the ribs.
"Huh? Hey, what did I do?" asked a bewildered Boomer as he saw Bubbles' angry face. "Listen, if I did anything wrong, I'm sorry. Look, I didn't do anything! Honest! It wasn't me! Honest! The dog ate it! I mean, I'm innocent! I have done nothing guilty! I was framed! I really didn't eat those cookies in the jar! Honest! It was the dog! No, it was the cat! Look, I'm going to buy some cookies to make it up to you! I didn't become evil again I swear!"
Bubbles anger melted at Boomer's stuttering display, and she burst into laughter. "Oh Boomer you didn't do anything. You just didn't know any better!"
"I didn't?" asked Boomer. "Well that's a relief!"
"Oh, don't sweat it! I love you Boomie, no matter what! I have waited for eight years to ten for you to start liking me and going to dates regularly with me, I can wait for another eight years for you to realize that you really love me."
"I do? Wow! That's some news! Let's celebrate! Hey, I know! Let's race towards home! Last one to enter Townsville is a rotten Mojo!" Boomer shouted.
"Boomer!" Bubbles shouted. "No!"
"Aw! You're such a killjoy!" Boomer pouted. "Well, let's go home."
"Aren't you forgetting something, Boomie?" asked Bubbles.
"Um, well, no," replied Boomer.
"Well, the wind up here is very cold, and the coat you lent me isn't enough to keep the cold out," said Bubbles.
"Oh! Here, take my jacket," said Boomer, and started to take off the upper part of his suit.
"No! I mean I want you to hold me tight while we go home! Just like before I nudged you in the ribs," said Bubbles.
"Oh that one," said Boomer. "Okay!" Boomer then went to hold Bubbles in his arms and the two flew slowly towards Townsville.
It was about a half-hour later when the two reached the outside of the Utonium residence
"Well, this is it! It truly was fun!" said Bubbles.
"I really enjoyed it! Boy, so, if you're not busy, next Friday? Agreed?" asked Boomer.
"Yes," said Bubbles. "But tell me where would we go next? On our next date I mean?"
"Well, we went to L.A. last week, and Kansas City the other week! How about Yellowstone National Park!" Boomer suggested.
"No, it would be too dark to see the sights," said Bubbles.
"How about Macon, Georgia, or if you want, Cheyenne, Wyoming?" asked Boomer.
"Either one is O.K. with me!" said Bubbles. "Though I'd prefer New Orleans or Boston to those two."
"Well, see 'ya!" said Boomer, giving a quick kiss on Bubbles' cheek before flying home.
Bubbles sighed contentedly as he watched the blue ruff disappear into the sky. 'Boomer might be brilliant, intelligent, and sometimes, cunning, but he is hopelessly naïve when it comes to girls and romance,' Bubbles thought about her boyfriend. 'But he'll learn! I'm going to make sure he will! I can afford to wait, as we're only fifteen, and I don't have any competition to him, and with his cluelessness, I won't have any.'
Bubbles then waltz towards her home, happy as a lark.
E. Dinner at Tony's Pizzas
Meanwhile…
"Hello Blossom! My, you look beautiful today!" said Joe as Blossom greeted him at the door of her house. "You really are the vision of an angel! If the Louvre would post a painting called perfection, they simply must hang your portrait on it!"
Blossom blushed at his complement. "Thanks, Joe. I really am beautiful, aren't I? I tried to make Brick admit that for years, but he seems blind."
Joseph R. Anthony presented his arm to Blossom and Blossom took it as Joe walked her to his car. "So, where are we going?"
"Well, I was hoping you could have dinner with me on Tony's Pizzas, then we could watch a movie?" Joe suggested.
"Sounds good to me!" said Blossom as Joe drove his car towards the pizza restaurant.
Joseph R. Anthony was eighteen years old at this time, while Blossom, her sisters, and the Rowdyruff Boys were all fifteen.
"Blossom, there's something I've been wanting to tell you," said Joe.
Blossom put down her pizza to listen.
"Well, I'm listening," she said.
"Listen. You see, you may have thought that I only dated you because I wanted to take advantage of your popularity and power to further my own position, but I want to say that I dated you because of none of those, but because I really like you, and I want to get to know you better, so we can be friends," said Joe.
"Well, I'm glad you said that," said Blossom. "I can never have enough of those attention-seekers! I'm glad that you're not one of them!"
"Oh yes! Don't you know, that you're the most beautiful girl in our school, in fact, in our city?" Joe asked her point-blank.
"Oh I'm sure there are far more prettier girls that I am," said Blossom.
"Don't be modest, Blossom," said Joe. "Don't you know that most of the boys want to date you because of your looks and because of your sweet personality? Only few want to take advantage of you, Blossom."
"Well, yeah, but still, you can't be too sure!" said Blossom. "Anyway, thanks for the complement."
"Hey, is it true that you're the smartest student on the school? I mean, I've heard that you're number one in the school records from kindergarten?"
"Well no. On the second grade, I was only second. Brick was first. And also on the third. On the fourth grade I regained the first rank, but Brick grabbed it in the fifth, while I took it back on the sixth, so when we graduated, I was number one on the stage," Blossom narrated. "On Junior High and High School, our rivalry continued. And I'll be damned it I let him best me again!"
"So, Brick, was your rival?" asked Joe.
"Not was, is! Oh, we're good friends, we played lots of times as kids, we hang out on a regular basis, and we work together well on saving the day and stuff, but each of us wants to be on top, and each of us can't stand being subordinated to the other. It's that's simple," said Blossom. "Just one quick note. If you're not a Powerpuff or a Rowdyruff, or an Edwards, don't ever cross him, or me for that matter. We can be pretty vengeful to those that wronged us."
"Is that a threat?" asked Joe.
"Nope! Just a statement of fact," said Blossom. "Anyway, I am sure you won't cross that line. Joe, I really like you, and I don't want to give Brick a reason to destroy you!"
"Why would he do that?" asked Joe.
"If you were on his way, or you cross him, beware," said Blossom. "Apologize quickly. As you know, me and my sisters, he and his brothers, we can pretty much destroy a person's reputation if we publicly spoke out against anyone. Our prestige is so high that most people would listen to us and swallow our line even if it was bullsh!t. Several times, I spoke out against crooks masquerading as honest citizens, and they pretty much have their reputations in the toilet, and are in jail. All Brick has to do is publicly accuse you of something, and if none of my sisters and his brothers, and me, spoke in favor of you, then you're reputation would be forever ruined."
"Wow! I never knew you had so much power," said Joe.
"Yup. It frightens me that we could do so much damage to individuals, all by ourselves," said Blossom, "but we made an agreement years before to consult each other in case we might want to make a denunciation. After all, we don't want to harm innocents. We don't want to be the next Joe McCarthy, you know."
Joe Anthony paled at Blossom's words. He knew of this, and witnessed this in the past.
"Well, enough about that," said Joe. "So, you're going to run in the school council election?"
"Yup! Second-year representative! Then next year, Vice-President, and finally, when I'm a senior, President!" Blossom revealed. "Brick would probably fight me next year or so to get the top stop, but I'm far more popular than he is, and he'll lose any election against me."
"Listen, Blossom, as you know, I'm very influential in the party, and if you like, when I officially become candidate for Student President of the party, I'll make you my candidate for Vice President! As you know, the party rules says that the Presidential candidate, in that case, me, choose the candidate for V.P. So what do you say if I choose you?"
"Me?" Blossom said, mouth agape. She really hadn't been expecting this. In fact, she was totally surprised. "I'm really honored, but I can't."
"But why not? You can achieve your ambition a year early, and I know you'll like the fact that you'll beat Brick once more!" said Joe Anthony.
"Look, the reason I accepted your offer to a date tonight is because I really liked you. As a person. Not because you're the unofficial and soon-to-be-official candidate of the White Star Party for President. No, I didn't even know you were running until this afternoon! I turned down other boys but not you because I like you! But if I accept your offer, then the rumors would start that the only reason I agreed to a date is to use you as a stepping stone to my ambitions!" Blossom protested.
"Oh come on!" said Joe.
"Listen! Before this day, I didn't date anyone! Yup, I view most boys trying to get me as gold-diggers, who only would want me to gain advantage of my reputation and my power," said Blossom. "I told everyone who mattered that I won't go into boys and dates, ever! I told other girls and my sisters that they were foolish because they were more important things in life! Well guess what! I suddenly changed my mind when I saw you! Sorry, if you were anybody else other than whom I'm dating right now, I'd accept, but not in this manner!"
"Well, there is still two weeks till the party meets to select the candidates! The offer still stands till then!" said Joe.
"Please! This is a date! Not a meeting!" Blossom state. "Enough of politics! Tell me, had you any girlfriend?"
"Yup! We broke last year though. It's not important you know. The important thing is that I met you!" said Anthony.
"So Joe, are you dating any other girl?" asked Blossom.
"Well, no, not right now," said Joe.
"Good," said Blossom. "I was afraid you might have been taken. It would make our relationship a bit awkward, don't you think?"
"Yeah," said Joe. "How about you Blossom? Oh yeah, you told me I'm the first one you've dated."
"Well, not the first one actually," said Blossom.
"But you said—"
"Well, I misspoke. I should have said the first date since I became a teen-ager," said Blossom.
"Really? And the lucky guy is?" asked Joe.
"Well, Brick," said Blossom. "But it wasn't actually a voluntary date. We were only six years old. We were already rivals by that time!"
"So how did you end up in a date?"
"Well, we forced Boomer and Bubbles on a date. I wanted it to make Boomer support me in my leadership struggles against Brick, and Brick wanted it so he can borrow some of my books. Those two blonds did date, but Buttercup decided to punish us by tickle-torturing us, then forcing me to wear a gigantic dress, and forced us on a date. It wasn't much of a date really. We just spent most of our time playing tag on the woods like the six-year-old children that we are!" Blossom recounted.
"Okay," said Joe. "So how's the Professor?"
"He's fine," said Blossom. "He really enjoys being University President."
"And your sisters?"
"Fine."
"It must be fun being so popular, and having so much power, you know, you being superheroes and all," said Joe.
"Yeah, though sometimes I wonder whether us being the Powerpuff Girls is a curse or a blessing," said Blossom. "How about you, Joe?"
"Me? Well, I'm fine, thank you very much! But not as fine until I bumped into you," Joe replied.
"You really know how to charm and flatter a girl," Blossom replied.
"Well, you might call it flattery, but I just call it honesty!" Joe replied.
"Oh! You aren't aware that you're already feeding what some of my friends call, my swollen ego?" asked Blossom, smiling.
"Well, what ego you have I can't detect, for I must say, that I didn't notice anything but humility and modesty in you, Blossom!" Joe replied.
"Even I if say right now that I am the prettiest girl in school?" Blossom asked.
"Well, you're telling the truth, and in fact, is quite modest because you're not only the most beautiful in the school, but in all the of Townsville, not only in Townsville, but in the entire country!" Joseph Anthony said.
"You're such a flatterer!" said Blossom. "Well, thanks! I could never have enough of such complements."
"Well, I'll repeat. I'm not flattering you, I'm telling you the truth!" said Joe. "Not only that, you not only have beauty, but brains!"
"Oh there's no denying that!" said Blossom. "The leader of the RuffPuff Alliance needs to have brains to lead, and I've got that in spades! Only Brick in this entire school could rival me in my cleverness and my smarts."
"How true, how true," said Joe. "I'm not one of those boys who gets turned off by girls that are too smarter than them! In fact, I appreciate them!"
"Now stop that! I don't want you to turn into a sycophant!" Blossom protested. "Or even a toadie!"
"Well, I'm only telling the truth," replied Joe. "And I personally believe you're way smarter, cleverer than Brick."
And they spent the rest of the time in the restaurant talking, with Joe Anthony endlessly flattering and charming Blossom, while Blossom told him of her past and her friends and family.
"Well, look at the time. I'd love to spend more time with you, but the Professor will kill me if I go home before curfew!" said Blossom, when she looked at her watch.
"What time is your curfew, anyway?" asked Joe.
"Nine in the evening!" Blossom replied.
"Wow that early, huh? Well, I'll drop you off," said Joe. He then called the waiter, asked for the bill, and paid him off.
Twenty minutes later, about five minutes to nine, both Joe and Blossom were standing in front of Blossom's house.
"Well, this is it, I guess," said Joe. "How about another date? How about Sunday evening. Six in the evening so we can have more time by ourselves?"
"Sounds good to me," said Blossom. "I really had a good time."
"Me too, baby! Bye," Joe said as he stepped into his car.
"Bye," said Blossom, waving at him and his car. She then floated towards her house. She was happy. Very happy. And she liked Joseph Anthony even more.
F. Scheduling Heroing
The next day, in the afternoon of September 16, Saturday…
Blossom and Bubbles were talking about their respective dates the night before, giggling and such, when they were interrupted by Buttercup. Buttercup, because of a lost bet six years before, was wearing a large floor-length green dress with ten petticoats and a hoopskirt, a three-inch heel shoes, and a corset. Plus other accessories like pantyhose, jeans, full slips and others. Of course, she only wears that at home on even numbered school-days and only days when there's no school.
"Hello Buttercup," said Blossom.
"Red, Brick is here, and he wants to talk to you," Buttercup said.
"Oh you don't have to announce, me Buttercup," said Brick, as he suddenly barged in.
"I forgot to do something!" Bubbles suddenly remembered. "Hi Brick, bye Brick! Come on Buttercup, I want to show you something!" And her two sisters were gone, leaving Brick and Blossom alone in her room.
"Well hi Brick! What brings you here?" asked Blossom.
"Oh the usual. I'm going to return some of your books that I borrowed last Saturday," said Brick, himself holding at least twelve thick hardbound books. "It took me about two days to read all of this!"
"Two days? Ha! It only took me thirty-six hours to read all of those!" Blossom replied.
"Well, thanks anyway. Could I help myself to some more of your books? You know what a bookworm I am. Luckily, I only read at the basement of our home, so the rest of the world doesn't know it," Brick said as he put Blossom's books back on her shelf. "Gotta protect my reputation you know. Can't have people thinking that the most powerful student—"
"Ahem! Don't you mean second-most powerful Brick," Blossom replied. "You know, I am the most powerful and you are only a measly second anyway."
"Whatever," said Brick. "Anyway, could I borrow more of your books. Specifically, this, this, that, and this, those, here, that, that, this and this," Brick said, pointing to ten books on the shelves.
"Go ahead and help yourself," said Blossom.
"Thanks, Blossom," said Brick. "Anyway, aside from returning and borrowing books, I want to talk to you about the schedule next week."
"Well, okay, here goes. I want Wednesday," said Blossom.
"I'll take Tuesday for crime and monster fighting," said Brick as he finally took the last of the books he was going to borrow. He took a piece of paper, listed all the titles, and gave it to Blossom. "So now we only have to decided who'll fight the rest of the week."
"Okay. Tomorrow, Sunday, should be Boomer," said Brick.
"And Monday would be Bubbles turn," said Blossom. "And Thursday would be Buttercup."
"No, Thursday should be for Butch," said Brick.
"No, Thursday should be for Buttercup!"
"No, Butch!"
"No Buttercup!"
"No Butch!"
"No Buttercup!"
"Well, I am leader, and what I say goes!" Brick asserted.
"You win," Blossom said, defeated. "Butch it is on Thursday. So Buttercup would fight crime on Friday?"
"Well, that's the only one left," said Brick. "So Buttercup would be at Friday!"
Blossom took a pen, and wrote the agreed schedule on paper. "I'll get Bubbles to type it, print it, photocopy it and give it to each and every one of us."
"Good!" said Brick.
"So, how was your week?" asked Blossom.
"Well, since I've told you everyday how my day went, I think I'll just be repeating myself if I told you that, but if you want to hear it again, it's the same old week, you know. I ordered Edward York to have five boys beat up for picking on some of my clients and underlings, and I bailed one Jacob Rall from being beat-up for not paying his gambling debts. Paul Williams tried to persuade me to lie to his teacher and tell her that Paul helped me defeat the monster I fought this week to excuse his absence. Then I was paid a hundred dollars by the Junior William Forsythe to have my picture taken with him, then I was asked by at least two dozen clubs to be member of their organizations, and in some cases, offered me to be its president. Last Thursday, I and my brothers was set upon by at least two dozen screaming girls trying to glomp me and trying to kiss me and trying to tear off my clothes to get souvenirs. We barely escaped with our clothes intact. I sent Richard Hook to investigate who they were. Turns out that they were fangirls obsessed with us, the Rowdyruff Boys. Well, that's my week. The same as weeks before it. How about yours?"
"Oh the usual. Margaret DeVito tried to get us to beat up some girls who stole her boyfriend. I was asked by various teachers to spy for them to find out who's been vandalizing the walls. Well, I said I'll be doing something about it. A corporation called me and offered me a million dollars to have my picture on their toothpaste, I said no. I've been asked by at least two dozen boys for dates, I think you know how I answered that, Brick. I've been stalked by admirers. Oh Buttercup thought them a lesson they won't forget. I've been also stalked by people who hate me. I nearly broke every bone in his body when one of them tried to assault me. Oh yes, like you, I think, twenty organizations tried to have me as a member, but I politely said no. And someone tried to get photographs off me by chasing me with a camera. He and his sister ended up with a black eye for that stunt they attempted. Oh you know, just like every week."
G. Discussing Party Matters
"So, Blossom, who do you think the party would name it's candidate for president?" Brick asked out of the blue. "You know, the caucus is about two weeks away, and the election itself one month."
"Joe Anthony of course," Blossom replied. "He's the only candidate running."
"Yup, you're right. Until last Thursday at least," said Brick. "Now he's not even sure if he's going to be the nominee."
"What do you mean?" asked Blossom.
"You mean you didn't know?" Brick replied. "Well, last Thursday, Peter G. Van Lamber Velt, a senior in the party, challenged Anthony for the nomination. It seems that Van Lamber Velt hated Anthony with a passion, and Anthony openly detests Van Lamber Velt."
"So, I don't think Peter could be so much of a threat to Joe," Blossom replied.
"Well, so I thought, till I sent Richard Hook to find out how many votes each of them has. As you know, there are one hundred party members who will attend the caucus two weeks from now. Well, this morning, Hook gave me his report," said Brick. "And here it is." Brick then got a folded piece of white paper, unfolded it, and showed it to Blossom. On the paper were two columns. One column has the name Anthony written on it on bold, with a list of names below him, and on the other column has Van Lamber Velt and has names under it.
"You see Blossom, Hook found out that Anthony controlled only forty-five votes, while Van Lamber Velt controls forty-one votes," said Brick. "On the list is each party member who will for Anthony or Van Lamber Velt.
"But it only totals eighty-six. What of the other fourteen votes?" asked Blossom.
"Well that's the beauty of it, and the reason I am in such a good mood this morning. I control it! Yup, the remaining fourteen party members are my clients, my underlings, and my friends, so to speak. They are totally loyal to me! They will vote for a yellow dog if I told them to. I can easily give those fourteen to either one, and whomever I choose will be the nominee in two weeks," said Brick.
"So who will you swing your votes to?" asked Blossom.
"I don't know. Blossom, who do you think I should tell my people to vote for?" asked Brick. "Anthony or Van Lamber Velt?"
"Well, Joe of course! He's the better man of the two! He has experience, has dedication to our school, is one of the most intelligent boys here in school! He's sincere, honest, and he's got the best interests of the students at heart!"
"Oh please! Cut the bull! Don't take me for a fool! So what?" Brick replied. "So is Peter G. Van Lamber Velt! He's all that! And you forgot that Anthony is power-hungry, just like us, is excessively ambitious, and think that they're entitled to Student Council President!"
"So why ask me?" asked Blossom.
"Because I value your opinion. I mean, you're neutral, in this matter. You are neither friends, nor beholden to either Anthony or Van Lamber Velt. You can be honest with me about them. I know you. You don't have any biases or prejudices, or excessive favoritism to either of them. I am right, am I?" asked Brick. "Or maybe I'm mistaken. Correct me if I am, Blossom!"
"Of course not. You're right. I am neutral," said Blossom, somewhat nervously. "So how are you going to choose which of them will you support?"
"Oh I don't know. Tell me what. Who among the two do you think will serve me the most? Who do you think will make my people and me even more powerful? In other words, who can do more for my brothers and me? Oh yes! I'm going to make them beg on their knees for it! They hate each other so much that they rather die than see each other win. I'm going to milk them for all their worth! I'm going to squeeze them! I'm going to make them lick my ass, figuratively of course, for my delegates! And I'm going to end up much more powerful than I already am!" Brick said. "Listen. Each of them knows what I know now, and let me tell you, Anthony and Van Lamber Velt will soon come crawling like worms and try to make some deals with me. Whoever makes a better offer of course gets my votes, but I won't make it easy for both of them."
"Um, so why tell me this?" asked Blossom.
"Would you rather that I keep this a secret from you?" asked Brick.
"Well, no, but why?" asked Blossom.
"Well, think of this as another stage in our competition. With this development, I gain a significant advantage over you. You are simply a second–year representative with no influence whatsoever in the party and very little in the Student Council, while I am the kingmaker. And if either of them tries to kick you upstairs, I'll simply throw my support to the other one. See?" said Brick. "I win. And you'll have to work harder to catch-up with me."
"That's very smart of you Brick," said Blossom. "Very brilliant! Brilliant indeed! Are you really sure you're going to win? Because I can easily counter whatever moves your going to make."
"Well, so what's your counter-plan to thwart me?" asked Brick.
"Well, I haven't got one yet, but I'll think of something!" Blossom replied.
"I'm sure you will!" said Brick. "Hmm, do you still have those cookies? I sure could use some them!"
"Hungry are you now?" asked Blossom.
"Yup! Do you still have them? You know, the ones Bubbles made?" said Brick. "Just thinking about those cookies would make my mouth salivate!"
"Oh, I still some batch left," said Blossom. "Wait here!"
Five minutes later, Blossom arrived in her room with a plate of cookies.
Brick quickly got and ate as much as he can.
"Better chew first before you swallow," Blossom laughed. "You might choke!"
"That was delicious," said Brick, when he finally controlled his eating and was eating slowly. Blossom was eating her share, but much more slowly than Brick's slowest eating. "No wonder Bubbles was able to win Boomer over! Her cooking and baking is so good that it would make any man come back to her again and again! And you know how our appetites are!"
"Yup! So, want to play scrabble?" asked Blossom.
"Sure, why not," said Brick.
"Okay, I'll get it," said Blossom, and she took her scrabble set from her chest.
"You know what's funny?" asked Brick.
"What?" asked Blossom.
"That we can plot and scheme against each other, and we can weaken each other, and such, and even blatantly tell each other how we're going to crush and pulverize the other, and we can still remain close friends!" said Brick as Blossom put the scrabble board on the floor between them while he himself munched on the cookies Blossom provided.
"Oh it's nothing new. We've been doing this to each other for the past nine years! We never take our politics personally," said Blossom. "That's why our rivalry never became enmity!"
"True, true! Well, I'm going to win this time! I'm the greatest scrabble player in the world!" Brick proclaimed.
"Oh sure! The greatest player who lost five games in a row to me!" said Blossom.
Two hours later, at about five in the afternoon, Blossom watched Brick walk out of her home after two games. Brick won one, and lost the other.
'Damn it! At least Brick doesn't know I'm dating Anthony! Or does he? No matter! Brick must never know or I'm really screwed if he finds out,' Blossom thought. 'Damn it! Why the hell do I have to get a crush on someone like Joe Anthony? Why not someone who is just plain normal! One who isn't running for anything! Now Joe's going to be sucked in the middle of my rivalry with Brick! And now that Brick has told me his plans, I have to make plans of my own to make sure I'm not left in the dust! But then, there's Joe!'
Blossom was feeling terrible. She really like Joe Anthony. But it made her rivalry much much more difficult because of it.
H. Walking Home
Brick was walking home with his friend, Lincoln DeLancey, from Blossom's house.
"So, how'd it go, Brick?" asked DeLancey.
"Oh nothing unusual, DeLancey," Brick replied.
"Come on! Tell me! We're friends! What have you found out?" asked DeLancey.
"Well, I found out that I was right! Blossom was only dating Anthony because she wanted to get as close to him as possible so she can get some high position in the student council," said Brick. "She wasn't in love with him or anything!"
"But that is ridiculous, Brick!" DeLancey protested.
"Consider, DeLancey! I was watching for her reaction when I mentioned his name, and when I was considering either swinging my delegates one way or the other," said Brick. "Did she vigorously vouch for him? Did she declare that she loved him and such to me? Did she admit to me that she liked him? No! But why? She would have acted irrational! She would have acted hysterically! Because that's how girls are when they are in love or they like someone! They will refuse to listen to reason, they will throw caution to the wind, and they will act very stupidly!"
"Listen Brick, I think you're—"
"But Blossom remained calm, cool, collected. She didn't say anything about her date with Anthony! Her defense of him was half-hearted. She never even said anything when I called him a power-hungry bastard. She's playing smart. She doesn't want me to know that she's dating Anthony. She didn't get upset, or act like a scorned woman, when I told her my plans! No, she acted perfectly rational! She even congratulated me on my brilliant plan! And you know why? Because she doesn't want her plan exposed. She wants Anthony to win, and she wants me to choose him because she wants to be thought of as a girlfriend of the Student Council President, and she wanted to wring as much concessions on him as possible! However, there lies her dilemma. If she lets me know that she is dating Anthony, then she knows that I would immediately choose Van Lamber Velt. If she only dates Anthony because she loves him or she likes him, well, it wouldn't matter if Anthony is the Student Council President or if he's a bum on the street! No, she clearly wants Anthony to win. So she keeps it a secret and hopes that I won't find out, and that I would vote for Anthony. I'm guessing is that her next move is to persuade Anthony to throw as much goodies my way as possible so that I'll vote for him and her plans would bear fruition. Do you agree that if Blossom only likes him for Anthony himself, not because he is the potential president of the student council, that it would matter if Anthony would win or not?"
"But we have Boomer's word that Bubbles told him that Blossom really likes Anthony, and that she didn't even know he was a candidate!" DeLancey protested. "Surely, you're not suggesting that Blossom lied to her own sister!"
"Well, Boomer told me that Bubbles saw that it was obvious from Blossom, but Blossom didn't say directly to Bubbles that she liked him," said Brick.
"But Brick, don't you think you're just acting paranoid?" DeLancey asked.
"DeLancey, you're not the first person to ask me that, and I assure you I'm not!" said Brick. "Now, let's get to the other side of the coin. Why did Joseph Anthony suddenly decide to date Blossom? Well, didn't you notice that he only decided to 'accidentally' bump into her the day after Peter G. Van Lamber Velt issued his challenge? Before that, he was pretty much assured of the nomination. But his old enemy's challenge threw a monkey wrench in his plans, and he needed to strengthen his position by winning the trust of one of the most popular and most importantly, most powerful, girls in the school! He knows that I hold the votes that could decide the caucus. So, most probably, he wants Blossom to convince me to vote for Anthony. Or he wants to show the delegates of Van Lamber Velt that he is the boyfriend of Blossom, and that voting for him is tantamount to voting for Blossom. Luckily for him, Blossom has plans in her own that happily coincided with his plans."
"Now Blossom wanted to have a higher position in the student council than what she has now. She looked at Anthony and saw a winner, and decided to attach herself to him to gain as much as possible. However, Van Lamber Velt's challenge screwed her plans, and I can see from her face that she was really surprised when I told him the news. It backfired when she learned that I have the power to be kingmaker."
"Well, Brick, I think you're wrong," said DeLancey.
"Why?" asked Brick. "You see? You can't give me an answer! Because I'm not! The only remaining question is, does Blossom know that Anthony is using her, and does Anthony know that Blossom is using him? Well, we'll soon find out. Where are the others?"
"Well, there are at your place. Butch invited them to play pool," said DeLancey.
"All of them?" asked Brick.
"Yup! Boomer, Butch, Dick, Ed, and Peter Jenkins," said DeLancey.
"Well good," said Brick. "Any other news DeLancey?"
"Well, both Joe and Peter G. Van something called me on my phone a few hours ago. They want to arrange an interview with you," said DeLancey.
"So let the bidding begin!" Brick said triumphantly. "So when did you schedule the meeting?"
"Well, on the 18th, Monday, 12:30 on the school cafeteria for Peter G., and on the woods just outside school at five in the afternoon for Joe," said DeLancey.
"Any other news, DeLancey?" asked Brick.
"Oh the usual things. People asking favors," said DeLancey. "I wrote what I think is the most important and forgot the rest. You like I'll tell you now?"
"Nah! Tell me later. It'll only give me a headache. I'm glad I have a friend like you, DeLancey," said Brick. "Now let's go to my place, meet the others, and play some pool."