Chapter 3

"Are you sure you're okay?" Bubbles asked as they got their canvases ready.

"I'm fine Bubbles," Blossom replied. Bubbles surprised her when she mentioned that she knew about Brick, and after she had resolved to deal with the issue on her own.

"Is it just him?" Bubbles asked.

"As of right now, it seems so."

"What should we do? Do you want Buttercup and I to-"

"Right now, I just want to focus on this assignment, Bubbles," Blossom said, stopping Bubbles in her tracks. Bubbles didn't want to let it go, but when Blossom took that tone, she had no choice but to listen to her.

Art class went off without a hitch, mainly because there was no sign of Brick. After class, Blossom was about to leave, but...

"Excuse me Blossom, could I speak with you?" the art teacher, Ms. Stuart requested.

"Yes, Ms. Stuart," Blossom said with a slight bow, walking back in.

"I'm worried about you in this course," Ms. Stuart said frankly, shocking Blossom.

"What do you mean? I've completed all of your assignments."

"Yes, you have, but art isn't math or science. It isn't about just completing the assignments. Blossom, I've looked at all of your paintings but I have yet to feel you in the paintings."

"You said that my painting was the best in the class though," Blossom stated, getting a little irritated.

"It was the best looking, but art isn't about being the best. It's about putting your feelings into what you create. Your work is good, yes, but I want to see imperfections when you paint. I don't want to see a painting of a vase, I want to see art. I know you can do it Blossom. You just need to put that passion you have onto your canvas."

What the teacher called passion was Blossom balling up her fist in frustration. She hated art, as it was the one subject she just wasn't good at. There wasn't studying involved, there wasn't a set answer to anything. The whole thing was too abstract for Blossom to wrap her mind around, and she didn't see a reason why she even had to take it.

"I'll do my best, Ms. Stuart," Blossom said with a forced smile. She then walked out of the art room, noticing Bubbles waiting for her, but not stopping for anything.

"Is everything okay?" Bubbles asked.

"I'll just be glad when this day is over," Blossom said with a sigh, not stopping. Bubbles stopped short and watched as her sister walked off. She could just feel the stress radiating off of her, and she wished Blossom could just open up to her and Buttercup.

"You are not okay," Bubbles said to herself, referring to her tightly wound sister.

It was finally the end of the day, and Blossom ran over to her locker. She just wanted to get to her locker before anything happened with Brick, who she just knew would try something before the end of the day. She grabbed the books she needed for the day, put them in her back pack, and made a break for the door, only right before she got to the door, she bumped into someone, falling to the floor and dropping her glasses.

"Shoot!" Blossom said as she felt around for her glasses, not looking up at who she bumped into, "Where are they? I can't see without them," she then noticed that the person she bumped into actually handed them to her, "Thanks," she said putting them on, but then screamed a bit when she saw who it was.

"Gee, just came here and you're already falling for me," Brick said with a smirk. Blossom backed away from him and quickly tried to get to her feet, but Brick grabbed her arm, "Wait a second. We need to talk," he said seriously, but Blossom puller her arm away.

"We have nothing to talk about!" she shouted right before running off to another exit. Brick actually ran after her a bit, but stopped once he realized that he lost her, again.

In the sky, Blossom hovered over the Townsville skyline for a few seconds to catch her breath. He wanted to talk? What on earth could they have to talk about? She was getting really upset, to the point where she wanted to cry. Why was this happening to her? Why now?

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" she shouted, not knowing if Brick could hear her, but hoping that he could, "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" she held her head in frustration and continued to scream, venting all of her hatred. She then stopped screaming and switched to plain sobbing. She had never felt so alone in her life. She was suffering, and she wanted nothing more than for someone to hold her and tell her that it would be alright.

But up in the sky, no one probably even heard her scream.

It was nightfall now, in the City of Townsville. Before, it didn't matter what time of day it was, crime always happened, and usually within ten hour intervals, if that. These days, now that Sara Bellum was Mayor, crime happened mostly at night (which lead the Powerpuff Girls to wonder just how competent he was). Which meant that a certain someone had to stay vigilant.

After school ended, Buttercup quickly changed clothes and flew up to the roof of a building looking at the jewelery store. She knew they would be there, all she had to do was wait.

At that moment, three robbers ran out of the jewelery store. They weren't who she was waiting for, but she figured she could kill some time with these jokers.

They ran down the street, thinking that they got away. When they turned the corner though, they saw Buttercup standing in their way, arms crossed, giving them her trademark smirk. When she held her hand out motioning for them to give them the bags however, they knew that they were beat. She may have been alone, but she was still a Powerpuff Girl, and teenage years had only made her already hard punches even harder. They gave sighs of defeat, and then walked over to her and handed the bags to her without a fight. Once she had the bags behind her she gave them a nod of approval.

"Good job boys," she said with a smile, but then punched one in the face. The other two acted on instinct and actually tried to fight Buttercup, but a quick spin kick did them in. If you could have called it a fight, it ended much too soon.

After calling the police, Buttercup went down to the jewelery store to return the gems that were stolen. While she walked though she thought about Brick coming to their school. She looked around but didn't see the other Rowdyruff Boys, but they had to be around. If they weren't around, then that just made things easier. If he did try anything to Blossom, he would be out numbered three to one. After giving back the jewels, she headed out, wondering where the Gangreen Gang was.

"I thought they were supposed to be around tonight," Buttercup whined. She was looking forward to seeing them again. Unknown to a lot of people, she actually had an interest in the Gangreen Gang. She didn't necessarily like the members, but they were sort of fun to be around sometimes.

As she turned the corner, she saw someone shrouded in shadows spraying something on a wall.

"Hey, stop!" Buttercup shouted. The person turned in her direction, but then ran off. Buttercup ran up to the wall and took a good look at what the person painted. Just like Mitch said after physics, they only used green spray paint, just like the Gangreen Gang would. But this painting just wasn't their style. It looked like a symbol of some sort, but it was nothing like Buttercup had seen. She turned to where the person responsible ran and saw him running in the distance. She decided to run after him.

After running for a little while she switched to flying. She flew a good while, but strangely the person was gone.

"What in the world?" she asked as she looked around. After loosing the culprit she decided to go back to the scene of the crime.

She took another look at the strange symbol on the wall. Who would waste time drawing something like this? If it was Ace and his crew, they would have written something like "screw Mayor Bellum" followed with in small words "I would". But this was almost artistic. She had to investigate. But that would have to wait until later. It was late, Buttercup still had homework to do (blech), and she had to make sure she got up early enough to beat Bubbles in the bathroom.

The next day in school, Blossom was at her locker about to go to lunch, when a student walked up to her. "Can I help you?" Blossom asked.

"I was told to give you this note," he said handing her a small piece of paper. Before Blossom could ask who gave him the note, the boy ran off. She could have ran after him, but instead she decided to just read the note:

Come to the music room.

Who could this be? Not too many people really wanted to spend their time with her. Why this all of a sudden?

Against her better judgment, she went to the music room. She walked inside, but saw no one.

"Of course not," Blossom said, "Why would anyone want to be around me?"

She was about to turn around until she heard the door lock. She turned around and saw the last person she wanted to see in the room with her standing in front of the door.

"Hey Bloss," Brick said with a smile.

Seeing him, Blossom saw red. Why didn't she think of the possibility that it was him? That oversight just caused her to fall into his trap.

"Knew that the only way to finish me off was to get me alone, huh?" Blossom said with a shakey voice.

"I'm not here to fight, Bloss," Brick said, which only made Blossom even angrier.

"Please, that's the only thing you brutes know how to do!"

"That was the old me, Bloss. I'm different now."

"Oh, you're different? Did you learn new ways to blow things up?"

Brick looked down and sighed, "I went to a correction center. They helped me deal with my rage in a constructive manner. I know that this doesn't mean much, but I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry."

"Sorry? You're sorry?" Blossom looked incredulous, "That's the lamest thing I ever heard!"

"Bloss, I'm serious. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I really am sorry."

"You're a Rowdyruff Boy, made specifically to destroy me! You can't change!"

"Yes, that's why Mojo Jojo created me and my brothers, and that's why... he... brought us back to life, but after that day something happened to me. I didn't want to make you cry anymore."

"Oh, so now you care about my feelings? Did you care seven years ago when you were pounding me into the ground? Did you care when I pleaded you to stop?"

"I know you're still mad, but I really did change. And I was wondering if you and I could start over."

Okay, now Blossom knew he was full of himself. Why would he want to start over? What was there to start over from? They were polar opposites. He didn't have a caring bone in his body, and even if he did actually go to a correction facility, then Blossom was afraid for the safety of the people working there.

"Get out of my way," Blossom said seriously.

"Bloss-"

"I said move! Or I'll make you move, and you know damn well I can!" Blossom said as energy flowed through her body. Brick actually surrendered moving to the side. Blossom was a little taken aback, but she shook it off and stormed out of the music room.

This time she walked through the cafeteria, as it was a shortcut to the roof. She wasn't paying attention though and bumped into Princess Morbucks, who fell into Chad.

"Watch where you're going freak!" Princess shouted.

"Sorry Princess," Blossom said about to walk off, but apparently Princess realized who bumped into her, because she was now standing in front of her blocking her escape.

"Well, if it isn't Blossom Utonium," Princess said with an evil smile, "I thought you ate on the roof with your friends. You know, the pigeons." Princess broke into an evil laughter that was hard on the ears. Why did people like her always have that kind of laugh?

Blossom always broke eye contact when dealing with Princess. When they were kids, Blossom always knew exactly what to say to Princess to get her off her case, but these days Blossom lost all confidence when dealing with her, strange since she did have super powers. But now that she was older she could actually kill Princess, and she didn't want to do that.

"What's the matter?" Princess asked, "Cat got your tongue?"

"Princess, let's leave her alone," Chad urged, but Princess wasn't hearing it.

"Stay out of this Chad, I'm just having a talk with my good friend Blossom," she said in a phony manner. Blossom had enough and pushed past Princess leaving the cafeteria. As she left she heard Princess laugh as if she won something.

Bubbles and Buttercup saw the whole thing from their tables. They looked at each other, nodded, and then got up and ran after Blossom.

When they got to the roof they saw Blossom standing by herself looking out at the Townsville skyline. Bubbles and Buttercup walked over to her and stood next to her: Bubbles on her right and Buttercup on her left. They stood like this for a few minutes in silence, probably all remembering how it felt flying together through that same skyline.

"I hate all of them," Blossom finally said catching Bubbles and Buttercup's attention, "Brick, Princess, my teachers, everyone."

Buttercup sighed, "You do not," Buttercup turned around leaning on the fence with her arms crossed, "You're angry, yes, but you don't hate them."

"And how would you know?" Blossom said turning to Buttercup, "You're surrounded by people all the time! You don't know how it feels to be alone all the time!"

"But you're not alone Blossom," Bubbles said, "Buttercup and I are here. We're your sisters. If your suffering you should confide in us. Isn't that what we always did when we were kids?"

"I'm fine," Blossom said darkly.

"No, you're not!" Bubbles said, shocking Blossom a bit, "I hear you, Blossom, when you have those screaming fits. It's not healthy to have that much stress!"

Blossom turned to Bubbles and glared at her, "And where were you all those times? Huh? You say you hear me, but you never fly up to see what's wrong!"

"Well... I..."

"You're just as bad as Buttercup! I see you surrounded by your "boyfriends" and your fellow cheerleaders!"

"Now that's not fair!" Buttercup said getting up and walking to stand in front of Blossom defending Bubbles, "Don't take your anger out on Bubbles! Just because you're too much of a bitch for anyone to like you-"

"Oh, I'm a bitch now!"

"You were always a bitch, I just got tired of holding it in!"

At that moment something scary happened. Blossom reached for Buttercup's neck and it looked like the two of them were about to fight, but Bubbles got in between them and pushed them apart.

"STOP IT!" Bubbles shouted, looking at both of her sisters, "My God! Look at us! We're the Powerpuff Girls! We're supposed to be fighting criminals, not each other!"

"You know what?" Buttercup said putting her hands up in defeat, "You can cry and scream by yourself if you want to. I actually do have friends, and I'm sure they're waiting for me. This was a waste of time anyway," Buttercup was walking back downstairs.

"Fine!" Blossom shouted back to Buttercup, "I'm by myself all the time! I don't need you!" she then went back to her bench, but she then lied down on the bench and started crying again. Bubbles had never seen Blossom like this. She was always the one in control, and their voice of reason. Right now though, she saw a Blossom who wasn't in control. She was bitter, lonely, sad, angry, and really scared.

"Why are you still here?" Blossom asked through her tears, "I know you want to go with her!"

"I'm not leaving you Blossom," Bubbles said, "You need me."

"Go away!" Blossom looked up at Bubbles in rage, "Leave me alone!"

Looking at Blossom she didn't even look like the same person. Bubbles really didn't want to leave Blossom like this, but it was clear that she wasn't going to get through to Blossom right now. She walked back inside, but stayed leaning against the door after it was closed, where she could still hear her sister's sobs. Bubbles let herself fall in a sitting position in front of the door.

Professor's words:

It might seem like you three are drifting apart, but I believe things will go back to the way they were before, you'll see. You are sister's after all.

After what just happened just now, Bubbles wasn't too sure things would ever go back to the way they were.