Blossom skipped school the next day. Professor told her school principal that he was going to keep her out until she was ready to go back. Plus, he did not want her to be around Dexter. He found her applying makeup to her bruises and cut lip.
"Are you okay?" Professor asked.
"I am." Blossom said.
"Did he call you?" Professor asked.
"Not since last night. I told him I needed space." Blossom said.
"So you are breaking up with him?"
"I don't know...I feel bad but..."
"Feel bad?" Professor said. "Blossom, he hurt you!"
"But I am his first girlfriend and I would feel bad breaking his heart like that." Blossom said.
"Who care if you were his second, third, fourth...Blossom, he assaulted you and you are acting like you did something to ruin his life."
"Professor, I just need time to think. Besides, I'm going out with Ms. Bellum for lunch and catching up today. Buttercup and Bubbles suggested it."
"I think that is a great idea." Professor said and gave her a hug.
Bubbles and Buttercup were by their lockers. Robin saw them and walked by.
"How is she?" Robin asked.
"She was traumatized last night." Bubbles said. "I had never seen her like that."
"She keeps thinking it was her fault." Buttercup said. "I swear, it is taking so much for me to not kill Dexter and kick the shit out of him. My dad is telling me to not to attack him."
"My mom and I were worried too. I knew there was something off about Dexter when we first met him. I thought it was just him being socially awkward but him hitting her, I can't believe it." Robin said. "If you two want to come over tonight, we can watch a movie and order food. My mom can bring us dessert from the bakery."
"Does she know I'm a vegan?" Bubbles giggled.
"I will mention it to her." Robin replied.
"Bubbles, Buttercup!" Dexter walked up to the girls. "How is Blossom?"
"Dexter, you are the last person we want to see." Buttercup said. "I suggest you get out of my face before I do something I regret..."
"Look, I know you are mad at me but I still care about her..." Dexter was cut off by Buttercup.
"Care about her? You have a funny way of showing it!" Buttercup snapped.
Bubbles held Buttercup back from attacking Dexter and said, "Dexter, we are mad at you! How can you do that to Blossom?"
"Dexter, you should leave. Now." Robin said.
Dexter walked away only for Buttercup to shout, "Everyone knows you're chicken shit! Woman beating chicken shit!"
"How can he show his face after what he did?" Bubbles said.
"He hurts our sister and is walking scott free while she has to be home for her safety!" Buttercup screamed with her voice breaking.
"I know. It's upsetting. Don't cry." Bubbles hugged her sister.
"I'm tired of hearing that guys can't be held accountable for their actions because they have a bright future ahead of them. Let them be woman beaters but don't do anything to ruin their lives." Robin spat. "So sick of this bull shit."
People saw Buttercup crying for her to yell, "What the fuck are you all looking at? That's right! Keep walking! Go!"
Blossom and Ms. Bellum spent the day out shopping, getting their nails done and getting lunch. Blossom was feeling a little better for the most part. She opened up to Ms. Bellum about what was going on with her.
"So how is cheerleading going?" Ms. Bellum asked.
"Good. How is the Mayor?" Blossom asked.
"How do you think the Mayor is? I feel like I'm a babysitter than his secretary." Ms. Bellum laughed.
"Can't get anything past that man. He is always calling my sisters and I to open his pickle jar." Blossom giggled.
"He's a creature." Ms. Bellum chuckled. "How are you? You okay? Buttercup and Bubbles were concerned."
"I'm fine." Blossom said. "I was having a problem sleeping last night. Bubbles felt the need to give me her Octi doll."
"Nightmares?"
"That and I just couldn't get the image of me being backhanded out."
"It must've been hard."
"It was, Ms. Bellum. You have no idea." Blossom sighed. "How did I get to the point where I am the leader of the Powerpuff Girls to being this meek girl that is getting hit by her boyfriend? It's pathetic."
"Blossom, believe it or not, I wasn't always the person I am now."
"What do you mean?" Blossom was interested.
"When I was in high school, my first boyfriend was a senior and I was a freshman. He was everything I wanted and more. Little by little, he started to abuse me. He told me what to wear, where to go, where not to go, who to talk to and who not to talk to...one day when I was studying, he wanted to go out, he threw my books out the window...it was raining too."
"That's awful." Blossom said.
"I was scared to end it because I loved him. My friends and family were so worried about me. One day, I must've waken up. I built up the courage to end it and even had a restraining order. It wasn't a very happy time in my life."
"Ms. Bellum...I'm sorry...I had no idea." Blossom said softly.
"I know when you say it is hard to want to break up with your boyfriend because you love them and are worried too. As long as I have known you, Blossom, you have given your heart and soul in protecting this city. So now it is your turn...you need to think of yourself in cases like these. This is nothing wrong with loving yourself."
Blossom thought for a moment. She did love Dexter and felt bad that she was his first girlfriend but this did not give him the right to put his hands on her in a violent manner. She knew Ms. Bellum was right.
"Tomorrow, I have the therapist coming over. I was wondering if you can sit in with my family and I." Blossom asked.
"Of course. I would love to." Ms. Bellum put a hand over Blossom's.
That evening...
The Utonium family sat down for dinner. It was rather quiet despite Bubbles trying to break the silence with her usual chipper mood.
"How was school, girls?" Professor asked.
"Good." Bubbles said. "I got to lead cheering today. Fashion club wants to do a fashion show in May and they asked me to design some clothes."
"That's great, Bubbles!" Professor said.
"Blossom, the girls and I missed you at practice today. I have to admit, I'm not a good fill in for cheering."
"Sorry to hear that." Blossom said taking a bite of her meatloaf.
"Buttercup, how did your day go?" Professor asked.
"Good. Blossom, Mitch Mitchelson graffitied 'Woman beater' on Dexter's locker today. Girls gave him death threats today. Even the nerd clubs don't want anything to do with him. People are on your side." Buttercup chuckled. "To make matters even funnier, he is trying to be the victim and saying he was being bullied. He can kiss my ass for all I care."
"Buttercup!" Professor said in a warning voice.
"That does not make me feel better." Blossom snapped.
"Seriously? You are still defending him? He rams your face into the glove compartment and you still defend him?" Buttercup said in a dry voice. "Because if that is what love is then I don't know much except you are willing to be this asshole's punching bag."
Blossom got up and said, "You can be a real cunt, Buttercup."
"Blossom, language!" Professor called over to Blossom, who was walking up to her room.
"I know I am a cunt, Blossom, but you are being stupid! Because this guy beats you and you are defending him and acting like you deserved it! I find it pathetic that you can beat up Mojo and all these other bad guys but you cannot defend yourself against a guy that hurts you! Did what Ms. Bellum said to you mean anything? Because if it didn't, then don't come crying to me when he does it again!" Buttercup screamed at her from downstairs.
Bubbles looked at Buttercup sympathetically. She could understand why Buttercup was so mad. Professor didn't say or do anything this time.
"The therapist is coming tomorrow so maybe she will come to her senses then." was all Professor said. "Just eat, girls."
"I think I lost my appetite." Bubbles said through tears.
I don't condone bullying but what Mitch did to Dexter's locker was just awesome.
