Hello! I'm back. It's later than what I said, but I swear that I have been working very hard on it to be able to deliver it in this month. I'm cutting it close, but hey. Better late then never. :)
Kyoki13: Thank you for your support. I hope you liked this Chapter. I know it's late, but at least it's within the month. Lol. You will notice that I will spread out the word's in Lucas' dialogues, but that's because he is very proper. Thank you again. I really appreciate you.
dangerous-angel-123: Blossom has a whole lot of love to give.
Canderemy: I know it was short, but this one will be longer. Next chapter will have Blues and Greens. Some Reds will be applied, but mainly on Brick's part.
mirandaparra15: lol I'm glad you find it cute.
gilly boy: It wouldn't be a good story without conflict, but Buttercup and Boomer will be having a tlk soo eneough. The Punks will surely have a big part in this story. Their presence will just scream problems.
SnowSongX347: I love giving Bubbles a deep complex. I believe her emotions make her wise. Hah you're right. Evilness must be in genetics. The song was a poem I wrote a little while back. It was actually my inspiration for this story. You will be seeing it more of it in later chapters. I am so happy you like my story so much. it makes my heart smile. :)
Rainbow Bullet: Thank you very much.
amanda-olivia: I'm glad you can feel the emotion I am trying to let out. I did have a large lump in my throat while writing that part. I have close experience in losing a mother-figure, so it pulled at mine as well. Thank you so much.
MoonlitCritter64:Yes, trouble is brewing in the city of Townsville upon the visit from the Punks. Yes, the cousin is important, but it's not Bubbles. Anymore guesses? :) Yes, I true;y love backgrounds. I get very warped writing them. I want my characters to have a a realistic manner to them. You will be seeing more pasts revealed. The bond between them has only started growing.
iluvselfies: I am so happy you became engrossed with my story. To think I was thinking twice about actually writing this. Haha. Thank you so much. That means a lot to me. Well, Amanda, I will be looking for your story. Keep me posted.
Nerd girl: Thank you. :) That's so sweet. Lol uh oh. Boyfriend look out haha.
OfTheFallen: Thank you so kindly.
Lovely Diamond: You are never late. I love hearing from you regardless. Thank you, and yes they will become stronger. The boys will have their own moments of comforting and overcoming straight ahead. :)
a Ruffpuff fan: Thank you and here's the next chapter. :)
MisfitQ's 1 fan: I can't get over your pen name. Every time I see it, it makes me so happy to be the author of this story. Well there will be more Buttercup in the next chapter after this one. Thank you for being my #1 Support team. You make my day. :)
BunnyKoi: You are so sweet. I'm not sure if you are reading this, but your message about me on your own story made my day so much brighter. My cousin is a very big fan of your story "High School Stinks" I can honestly see why. It's beautifully written and very organized. I am a big fan of your story, I am happy to see you think so highly of mine. Thank you so very very much! :)
"We should probably get back down there. When I left Bubbles and Boomer were really worried, and Brick look as if he was going to kill himself." Buttercup finally muttered. She wiped her face to get rid of any sign of her crying. Blossom's hand was laying comfortably on the her back. It was rubbing it in a sweet motion that made Buttercup sleepy. Upon her words, however, the motion stopped. She looked over and saw Blossom look down guiltily. Buttercup stayed silent, waiting for her friend to speak for herself. Buttercup knew first hand, the emotion Blossom was feeling.
Lost.
She was lost, because everything was so new. Blossom had been treated so poorly by everyone that she never learned how to react to be treated nicely. Her parents could only do so much for the girl's broken heart. Buttercup was determined, though. Blossom had been there to comfort her, so Buttercup would be there for Blossom. Her new friend would know how it felt to be loved by her friends. Because she deserved it. A beautiful person like Blossom deserved the world, but this would just have to do for now.
Her mother had been the same. Yes, she was popular among the people who were graced with her presence, but Buttercup's mother was the face of selflessness. If she knew someone was in need of a hug or a listening ear, she would gladly give it tenfold. It had only been Two days since she met the girl with the abnormal pink eyes, but Buttercup could just tell that Blossom was the same. She had listened to Boomer, she listened to Bubbles and then listened to her. And she expected nothing back for her kindness. Buttercup's heart clenched from the similarity.
Her light eyes met with the one of her mother's on the desk. She was only in kindergarten when her mother passed. The only thing she could remember about that time was the rejection of her mother leaving her. It made her angry. Nothing that her Dad said registered in her small mind. Her mother told her that she made her life complete, yet she had left. Death was something Buttercup never truely understood. And still didn't for that matter. She didn't understand why it was her mother who died. Why not someone else who deserved death? Why the woman who always had a smile, and a kind heart for everyone around her.
Looking back at Blossom, her anger started to boil. Blossom was a good person. Blossom was smart and beautiful and kind and gentle. So why was she thrown into a life of misery? Why couldn't those bastards see that she was great person? Why didn't they give her a chance? Buttercup wanted to go to Topsail and beat the ever-living-shit out of everyone. Every student, every teacher, every neighbor, and everybody from her family. Except her parents and little brother of course.
That night that she had stayed for dinner, she listened to every story that was told. And she didn't miss the fact that everyone of them was just the three of them. She knew they held back the bad times, which were most often. She could tell when some stuff didn't go exactly like it was told by the way Lilly Richards' voice. It was become shaky and her eyes would glance to Blossom. It must've been so difficult for them. To watch their daughter suffer from the twisted minds of evil people.
She concluded that she like the Richards' family very much. Her father had spoke highly of them when they returned home. She had heard that he spoke with her parents while they were at the game. It's been a while since her dad had made friends. The last one she could remember was Ms Keane, a fellow teacher. The arrival of the Richards seemed to be a way for a new beginning.
"I don't know..." The uncertainty of Blossom's voice brought Buttercup back to reality. Instantly, Buttercup draped an arm around the other girl's shoulders. She brought her close to her so that Blossom knew she was there for her. The silent words of devotion rang through the room. Blossom leaned into Buttercup's embrace. This made Buttercup wrap her other arm around her, completely covering like a protective blanket.
"It's okay." It was the only reply Buttercup could give. Probably the most stupid reply, but she didn't know what else to say. They remained quiet for a while. Buttercup could sense that Blossom was debating with herself. Then a thought came to her mind... "Will you be giving Brick a chance?" Instantly feeling Blossom tense, she followed it up by: "Look, I support you with whatever you want to do, but I'd hate to see that it was because of Princess that you're making this decision. I know she is over-whelming, but we can handle her."
"She knows." Blossom whispered. "She knows what they used to call me. She must've researched me. If she has found out everything about what happened at my old school, it would be like I never left. Princess would become my new Brute."
"Brute? You're main bully from Topsail?" Buttercup asked, vaguely remembering a conversation that held that name. Blossom nodded her head, tears threatening to pool out of her eyes.
"She was evil and twisted. She never let me rest. At school, she was everywhere. Every scolding gaze. Every mean word. Every painful hit. She was there. Haunting me with her presence. I always believed she was going to kill me. She told me she would once. She said that she would burn me and hang me like every witch deserved. I had nightmares about it. My mom tried to send me to a therapist about it, but he told me to never come back. It turns out his son went to school with me, and told him terrible things about me. No matter where I went, I was hated."
Buttercup's jaw clenched. Her hands gripped the shaking girl's shirt. The anger and pain of the situation was about to boil over in her soul. Buttercup felt like she was going to scream. She would find a way to Topsail. That was a promise. Buttercup always kept her promises.
"You're with me now. And Bubbles. We would never let that happen, and heaven forbid if it did. Let's just say that if that ever happened, it would be us against them, and I'm scared to think of what would happened to them." Buttercup stated darkly. "You're a good person. You're heart is made of gold. Probably the same gold Bubbles' heart is made of. Don't let the past belittle you and make you think different."
Blossom looked up at her. Buttercup had started to shake from her anger. Never one to hold back any emotion, Buttercup was staring icily back at her. Blossom knew that Buttercup would be there for her. The entity of Buttercup screamed loyalty.
"Maybe so.." Blossom spoke slowly. "I don't think I will be pursuing Brick. He's dangerous territory. Plus, he's most likely confused right now of his feelings. I'm a new face with eyes that are just as weird as is. He will soon regret wanting me lik he thinks he does. When he finally comes to that realization. I don't want to be put in the situation to be hurt..."
"I guess I could see that." Buttercup spoke. "Butch is most likely the same. I don't think he's ever had a girl tell him no." Buttercup rolled her eyes. Blossom let out an airy laugh. It was nice to hear considering the anguish that filled the room.
"I'll say. He looked like a fish taken out of water when you rejected him." Buttercup chuckled. Blossom then looked to her friend with a quizzical look. "By the way... how did he find you earlier?"
"He asked for me to be is guide." Buttercup groaned. "He asked for my class so that he could talk and get to know me." She shook her head in irritation. Blossom blinked in shock and amusement. "Then he kept flirting with me. To get him to stop I had to make a deal with him. I know I'm going to regret it too."
"What deal?"
"I told him if he could give me one reason everyday of why I should date him, I would." She answered.
"Well that's going to be too easy for him." Blossom stated. Buttercup then gave her a mischievous grin.
"I told him he couldn't miss a day."
"So? He will be attending our school. You'll see him everyday." Blossom said, not catching on to what Buttercup was getting at.
"Not weekends." Buttercup chuckled evilly. It finally dawned on Blossom as she gave an "Oh" to her friends. She then tilted her head back and laughed loudly and the antics. Buttercup gave her a smug smile. "Don't worry I thought it over. Tomorrow is Saturday and he won't be able to give me any reason, therefore he will be out. I know. I know. I'm smart as hell. You don't have to tell me." Blossom laughed once again.
"That's terrible, but very clever. I'm impressed." Buttercup stood and picked Blossom up with her.
"I already told you that you didn't have to tell me." Buttercup chuckled. "Okay, no more wasting time. The bell will ring in ten minutes and we have to find Bubbles. Poor girl. We left her with three baboons."
"Two. Boomer is very polite." Blossom defended. "He is not in any way or form a monkey." Buttercup looked over at her with skepticism.
"You took a real liking to him, huh?" Blossom nodded a look full of affection.
"He is just like us. Broken and looking for someone to understand him. All he knows is his brothers. He needs a hand to hold just like me." Blossom stated. "He's like a little brother. I feel protective over him like I do for Blake." Buttercup nodded in agreement.
"It's like what I feel for Bubbles." Buttercup spoke in full of understanding. Buttercup then watched Blossom's head hang. She followed the ginger's movements with careful eyes. She could tell Blossom was hesitant to rejoin the group. She had rushed off very quickly and caused a rather intriguing scene. She was probably embarrassed and ashamed with what she did.
Buttercup squeezed Blossom's hands within hers. Blossom met the comforting gaze of her friend. She lifted her head and took a deep breath.
"I have some apologizing to do." Blossom stated. Buttercup nodded and gave her a small smile.
"Oh Blossom!" Bubbles shouted once she saw her friends.
Blossom and Buttercup had just turned the corner from the staircase. With tentative steps, Blossom took a deep breath and walked into the lunch hall. She ignored the nagging feeling of something going wrong. Buttercup was with her, and Bubbles was only a few steps away. Nothing was going to happen to her. She had her friends. Friends she thought she wasn't lucky enough to have.
Blossom loved the feeling she got once the blonde's arms wrapped around her. Blossom found herself in love with Bubbles' hugs. They were warm and affectionate. They reminded her of her mother's hugs. The smell of her sweet perfume reached her nostrils. It was a warm vanilla and gingerbread mix. It reminded her of Christmas. It seemed fitting considering it was jolly day and Bubbles was a jolly girl. The top of her hair tickled Blossom's nose, but she ignored it. Blossom didn't want to ruin the moment by sneezing on her head. She just wanted to bask in Bubbles' loving affection. No wonder Buttercup loved her so much.
"I was so worried about you, but I knew you needed your space. Plus, Buttercup is much better at talking to people then I am." Buttercup gave her a look of dumbfoundment. Sheer disbelief. Bubbles only giggled. "If anybody can make you feel better, it's Buttercup. She's so strong and it seems to rub off on you when she's near. I bet her presence made you feel so warm inside. I know it always makes me warm inside." Bubbles continued babbling on. With each word, Buttercup felt she was turning redder. "Oh Buttercup! I love you!"
Blossom laughed, but then began to tense when she saw the boys get closer. She instantly deflated as the Bubbles had changed spots with Boomer. Bubbles was now hugging Buttercup, speaking nothing but sweet things. Boomer's arms were broader and stronger then the small blonde's. He even picked her and twirled her around. Blossom giggled and kissed the top of his head. He gave her a silly grin that made her heart soar. She meant what she had told Buttercup. Boomer reminded her of her little brother. The same innocence and purity. Even the same cute grins.
Then pink met red.
Blossom felt herself go rigid. Her eyes had automatically glanced and met the gaze of the red-headed boy whose expression was filled with passion and an unreadable heat. He just smiled at her, though. She was shocked to see he made no move to get closer to her. He just stayed back. He was giving her the space she wanted. Blossom felt a huge lump of guilt fill the pit of her stomach. She was about to open her mouth and apologize for her actions, but he stopped her with a raise of his hand.
"I realized my mistake. I hope you can forgive me. I was being childish and wasn't thinking about your feelings." Blossom only blinked in surprise. She looked over to Buttercup and Bubbles, who in return were watching the scene intently. "However I hope you know that I'm not giving you up. I know Princess is just.. well I don't believe there is a word to describe her, but she is nothing to me. I don't care if you won't ever love me like I want you to. I will still be there. I can only hope that you will have me as your friend."
"Brick..." Blossom was completely speechless. Boomer and Butch were even gaping at their brother in shock. It was silent for a small period of time, before Blossom spoke once more. With a smile and an outstretched hand she spoke. "I would love to be your friend. I cannot promise that it will ever bloom into anything else, but your friendship is very much accepted."
Brick shook her hand gently. He gave a small smile. his eyes were filled with adoration, but Blossom could see some she was wrong. Maybe Brick really did like her. However, when Blossom began to think it over, Brick's eyes seemed to turn green. She could see the practically sneer at her with hatred. His smile had twisted in a way that made her stomach lurch painfully. His beautiful orange hair turned dark like chocolate, bangs combed neatly down.
Her first crush. Her last crush. The boy who literally crushed her.
Julian Meyers. Aka Brute's brother.
Gasping, Blossom jumped back. Her fear was evident as her eyes became wide and tears began to spring forward. Brick looked at her with high concern. Arms instantly wrapped around her waist. When she leaned into the embrace, Blossom was shocked to smell, instead of Boomer's Polo cologne, and Ed Hardy cologne. When she looked up, she was met with dark emeralds. They looked back into her eyes with a mixture of worry and confusement.
"Woah. Calm down." His voice was husky with emotion. It was almost as if he was trying to soothe her. "You look like you just saw a ghost." He spoke, not making a move to let go. Bubbles and Buttercup quickly ran forward, not knowing what just happened. Boomer's hand were clenched in fear at his sides. Blossom felt bad for making him worry. Brick looked hurt. He thought she was scared of him.
Blossom wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault. She wanted to hug him, so he wouldn't look like she kicked him. She wanted to explain that it was nothing he had done. However, Blossom couldn't find her voice. Instead of doing what she wanted, she found herself clinging to the green-eyed brother. She leaned further into his chest, her hands taking fist-fulls of his shirt. Then like she seemed to have done all day, she cried. She cried into the chest of someone she barely knew.
God, she was hopeless.
Butch had no idea what possessed him. He could name the feeling that clenched his heart seeing her face full of fear. Whatever it was, it made him hug this girl who he hadn't even spoken directly to. All Butch knew was this girl saw something. Something that haunted her. Looking into his brother's face, she saw something that was probably only in her nightmares.
In his arms, she trembled. Her small body layed flat against his and shook like she had hypothermia. He wrapped both of his arms around her and brought her deep in his chest. He suspected she would only push him away, but she just gave him a look of astonishment. The look quickly faded to pure sorrow as she moved herself closer to him. Butch wrapped his arms even tighter around her. In the back of his mind, he hoped he was suffocating her. However, her heavy sigh of content made that though vanish.
She really looked as if she saw a ghost. The blanket of fear that appeared her face, the way her skin grew pale, and how her eyes flashed with a dreadful emotion, made Butch want to carry this girl away and just keep her from the dark world.
What was this feeling?
His eyes looked to Buttercup. Her eyes were souly on the red-head in his arms. Pain shot at his heart when he saw her looking so concern. He didn't want her to be sad, or upset. But it was different from the way he didn't want Blossom to be sad or upset, or Bubbles for that matter. When it came to the other two girls, he felt protective of their emotions. With Buttercup he felt protective of her entire being.
Butch always wanted a little sister. Yes, the big bad player of Townsville, has always wanted a baby sister to spoil rotten and protect from boys like him. Having this girl in his arms and seeing Bubbles so sad earlier, Butch felt he found what he wanted. Two little sisters, and a lover with a strong personality to match his. What sucked, though, was the thought of his brothers kissing his new-founded sisters.
He shook his head at that thought.
That wasn't important right now. At that moment, the important thing was making sure Blossom felt completely safe and comfortable. He bent his head down, so that his voice would only carry to her.
"Don't worry. Whatever demon you just saw, I won't let it touch you ever again. I promise." He spoke quietly. He felt her sniffle against his chest. It was almost a snort of disbelief. He only gave a playful smile while adding the words: "You don't believe me, well I guess I'll just have to show you, that I'm strong enough to take a demon on." Before she could reply, Butch swooped down and brought his right hand under her knees. She gasped loudly as he picked her up.
They received strange stares, but Butch could careless. Blossom didn't look so sad anymore. Instead she gave him a smile. He returned it and looked to their small group.
"The last one upstairs is paying for dinner." With that he took off, Blossom in his arms.
The group could only stare at each other, bewildered. Then with smiles, Brick, Buttercup, and Bubbles took off after them. Boomer remained there, still in shock. Then a smiled adorned his face as a thought came to mind.
"Does that mean we're eating together tonight?" He asked. He then realized that he had been left behind. "Hey! Wait up!"
"Looks like Boomer lost!" Butch gloated as Boomer finally made it up the steps. Boomer only glared, but smiled when he saw Blossom laughing and leaning on Brick's shoulder, whom apparently said something funny since he held a smug grin. Bubbles was hunched over, panting while holding onto a laughing Buttercup. They all looked so content. With all the stress, the race was probably the most fun they had all day.
"You're not a heartless baboon after-all." Boomer muttered, his eyes never leaving the cute scene. Butch only shrugged.
"I just didn't like seeing her sad. I hate when girls cry, it's irritating." Butch spoke indifferently, folding his arms across his chest. Boomer only smiled and gave his brother a knowing nudge. Butch's masculine poise faltered upon the contact. He gave Boomer a half smile, before looking back towards his brother and the girls. He saw what Boomer saw. For the time-being, everyone was care-free.
"Are we really eating together? Like a family meal?" Boomer's eyes sparkled with excitement. His hands were clenched together to his chest, and his body leaned over to Butch. His brother observed his anticipation. Butch knew his brother had a very innocent look, but at that moment, gazing at him, Butch saw his little brother. His brother, that had just moved in. His brother that wouldn't let go of his shirt, because he was scared of being lost and alone.
"Yes," Butch nodded. "We'll eat together, just like a family." Then he wrapped an arm around Boomer's shoulder. He ignored the urge to hug him tightly and completely take him away from his fears.
"What are they talking about!" Butch grumbled in irritation and curiosity. "Why don't they talk louder." His dark eyes were trained on his parents talking to two men dressed nicely in navy-blue. He admired the men's posture and the way their golden buttons gleamed. Their white hats were tucked beneath their arms as the respectably spoke to his parents. "What are thee police doing here, anyhow? Do you think some one was killed?"
Beside him, his brother rolled his mahogany eyes. Butch instantly turned his gaze to him, enthralled by his brother's changing eyes. Once a a light brown, now a dark with a tinge of red swirling in them. Brick scoffed at his brother's questions.
"Will you shut up. We are supposed to be in bed. And don't sound like someone dying is exciting news." Brick sneered. Butch glared at him. His eyes turned to slits as he pointed an accusing finger at him.
"Mama said you can't tell me to shut up." Butch whined with a mean voice. Brick's eyes rolled again.
"We are six, not five. Grow up." Brick then turned his focus back on the group in their livingroom. His mother looked grief-stricken. His father looked upset, but Brick knew that it was only because his mom was upset, not the news he was receiving. Even though he just told Butch to shut up, he couldn't deny the curiosity burning inside of him. He wanted to know what was going on. What had made his mother look so upset, and why were the police involved.
Before Butch could yell back, their door opened. Both boys crouched behind the wall, so they would not be seen. Butch grumbled softly about not being able to see, but Brick quickly shushed him. Taking a quick glance, Brick saw another policeman. However he wasn't followed by another police officer. Instead, it was a small blonde boy.
The boy looked around frightened. His dark blue eyes surveyed everything around him frantically. Then they met Brick's. Brick held his gaze for few moments, before realizing they were supposed to be hiding. He crouched back, leaning agaisnt Butch.
"What? What was it? A dead body?" His answer was a smack behind his head. "Hey!" Brick put a finger sharply to his lips. Butch grumbled under his breath. "Well, you gonna tell me what you saw?" He finally said out loud.
"Boomer." Brick stated in a low voice.
"Who?"
"Our cousin that came to visit last year." Brick explained. "You know Aunt Belle's son?" Butch nodded.
"The boy who was always sitting on her lap." Butch added on. "Yeah I remember. He's kind of stupid, ain't he?" Butch chuckled, remembering when they visited. Boomer had finally left his mom's side to get a cookie. He asked if it was chocolate chip, but was told they were raisins. Boomer only gave them a weird look, and asked if that was a kind of chocolate. When he found out they were dried up grapes, he said they looked nothing like grapes.
Butch and Brick had laughed hard at this. However, their laughter was answered by Boomer's stupid grin, and they found him following them around and repeating their sentences.
"Why is he here?" Brick smacked his head again.
"You think I would be hiding here if I knew?" Brick scoffed. He then looked back around the wall. He saw Boomer in his mother's arms, but Brick didn't see any sign of his Aunt. "I think he's here by himself." Then with a painful; lurch in his chest, he saw that his Mom and Boomer were crying. Not thinking, pure on instinct, Brick ran out to comfort his mother. He didn't care if he was going to get in trouble. His mama was hurt, and he was going hug her.
Butch was hot on his brother's heels when he saw what Brick did. Instead of worry, his main emotion was anger. Butch instantly ran to one of the policemen, and kicked them in their shin. The officer swore loudly. Lucas Jojo grabbed his son by the arm, scolding and apologizing at the same time.
"I'm not sorry! He made Mama cry! I'll kick all them for making Mama cry! Daddy! Aren't you mad at them?"
"Butch calm down." His father's stern voice made Butch come to a complete halt. He hated when he used that tone. It usually meant he was in trouble. "They did not make you're mother cry."
"Yes, Baby. They didn't make me cry. Something else did. these men were just being kind and bringing Boomer over to us. You boys remember Boomer, don't you?" Butch stood in front of his mother now, giving him a calm regard. Brick and Butch nodded. They looked to the smaller boy, who was now cuddled tightly to their mother. Brick's eyes widen when he realized that around Boomer's left eye, was a deep bruising. In fact, there was bruising all over his arms to and on his cheek. Brick didn't remember Boomer having bruises before.
"You're cousin will be staying with us. You will treat him like your brother. Understand?" Their Dad's commanding voice sliced through them. Both nodded. However, Butch, never being one to be ashamed of his words asked:
"Why? And where's Auntie. Will she be staying too? What about Uncle Theo?" Brick noticed the way, Boomer leaned further in his Mom's embrace and the expression on their Mom's face became an emotion of unimaginable pain.
"It will be just Boomer. It doesn't matter. Just take him to your room. Let him share a bed with one of you for the night. By tomorrow he will have his own bed." The boys nodded, but Butch was not finished. Brick stamped on his brother's foot and gave him a glare. Butch nodded, understanding his brother's thoughts through his eyes.
"C'mon, Boom. You can sleep in my bed." Brick just scoffed, grabbing the blonde boy's hand.
"With your snoring, I don't think so. Boomer won't get any sleep." He spoke, while tugging the boy along. Butch gave his brother a mean look, and followed them, grumbling the whole way. Neither noticed Boomer looking between both of them, smiling for the first time.
So I hoped you liked this one. There was a small prologue of how Boomer became a Jojo. You will see more flashbacks as the story progresses. Next chapter will involve fluff among the group. A Family Dinner. :)..
PS: I got a message saying that I was dissing the first paragraph of the story. I have not. It was based after a week, we are only two days into it, and we still have a special visit from our neighborhood Punks... Speaking of which.. does anyone want to guess how Beserk will be entering this story? :)