It's late, but I was busy with schoolwork. Plus I was suffering from a severe case of writer's block and I must say this chapter's pretty casual as the girls go back to school life. The reviews were very appreciated and for BearGirl01 I'm being honest when i say it'll take a while. Right now they can't stand the sight of each other! (except for the blues of course)

I don't really like asking for follows/favs like that –it's supposed to come out of if whether or not you like the story, not because someone told you to do it, you know?– but there's a big THANK YOU going out to TheWonderfulWorldOfJazz and SweetAmazing98 for adding to the favorites column and thank you for the support last year from all the fans!

So without further ado here's Chapter 11. Note: There may be profane lyrics.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Powerpuff Girls in any way, shape or manner as the rights belong to Craig McCracken.

Chapter 11:

Complicated Circumstances

Five days later and the girls are left with nothing but a few scratches left as a fading reminder of the robbery. But despite the girls' optimistic future, their relationship as a family remains uncertain.

Since that night the Rowdyruff boys are nowhere to be found.

-Brick-

"You sure about this?" When I looked up from the table I saw Boomer watching me by the doorway with doubt, not that I blame him. I don't know if we're doing this out of safety, or just out of spite. Truth is I'm not sure on anything nowadays.

I grabbed my bag and nodded towards the car. "One way to find out. Let's go." As we were headed outside I stopped in my tracks to see Butch hiding the Trans Ray underneath the floorboards before nailing it shut.

"So that's just it?" Glancing at me curiously, I continued. "You're gonna meet up with HIM and give him this thing?"

"That's the plan."

"Butch I don't think you're taking this under full consideration." I said gently. Since Saturday Butch and I kept a fair distance from each other, and the last thing I needed was another fight after what happened.

"Don't need to." He responded before glaring at me suspiciously. "And since when did I ask you to butt into my business?"

"I'm not! I'm just telling you that what you're doing isn't a good idea." But he just narrowed his eyes in accusation, as if I was blaming him for what happened.

"For who Brick? Those pricks that you chose your family over?"

"For all of us!" I barked impatiently. "HIM's gonna have you taken care once he gets out of that cage and there won't be a damn thing stopping him this time! So are you gonna be an idiot and give that guy something that could ruin our lives, or can you use that thick skull of yours and think things through for once?"

Butch glared at me for a long time, struggling between outrage and stubbornness. Everything I said to him wasn't new, he knew that. The only question is why he's still going through with this. I sighed and tried to lower my voice to reason with him. "He can't be trusted Butch; and that's that."

Nonetheless he still passed me with the same indifference he had two minutes ago, like everything I said went to nothing. But before he got into the car, he paused in hesitation and softened his gaze.

"I ain't promising anything…but I'll think about it."

-Buttercup-

"What are these?"

"Monitors." Gladys replied while she fastened the watches on our wrists. Looking around the house the place looked spotless for the first time all week. She came in this morning in a long old tunic with white slacks and decided to make us all breakfast along with cleaning up the entire house as if she lives here. Naturally, she steered clear of my room.

"These things can track anything that goes on in your body and can apply shock waves if Chemical X becomes too active. The stronger use of your power, the more radioactivity and the more shock waves you'll receive from this little thing."

Blossom hung her head taking this in silence. I can't say I'm surprised; with how many "rules" we broke on that night, I wouldn't be surprised if they had us in chains by the end of this week; we're practically prisoners already.

"How does Chemical X work then?" Bubbles asked trying to look at the thick watch.

The Professor stood up to explain it to us, but I couldn't help but notice that this is the first time he's ever spoken to us since Saturday. In a way it almost seemed like he was trying to make a sincere effort to talk to us, but the only thing he's really done is avoid us.

"In essence, Chemical X is a substance which has fused with your red blood cells from when you were created. It reacts inside of your cells when you use your powers to perform. If you were to try and remove it by any way, your lives would cease to exist. The monitors will flash different colors for each level, depending on how much your powers intensify with Level 5 being the maximum."

A timer rang off on Gladys's watch before she closed it and grabbed the keys. "We're going to have to save the introduction for later Professor Utonium, the girls need to be in school in 20 minutes and I'd like to see them be early for once. Alright girls get your bags, don't forget to grab some breakfast and–"

She stopped once she saw me starting to snicker. "I'm sorry I don't think I was trying to be funny."

"It just… amazes me how you haven't been here a week and you're already playing Martha Stewart." From the corner of my eye Blossom and Bubbles stared at me in shock, but I was looking straight in Gladys's direction waiting for the comeback.

She gave me a hurt look. "You don't know anything about me."

"Lady you don't know any of us!" I snapped. "I thought your job was to bring us here not live with us!"

The Professor was getting ready to yell at me when Gladys rose her hand to stop him. She stood there for awhile before looking up again. "Professor Utonium, girls, could you wait outside? There's something I need to talk to Buttercup about."

Perfect. The Professor looked like he was about to say something but instead he just took Blossom and Bubbles outside to wait for me in the car before shutting the door. Coward.

"Do you know what this is, Buttercup?" Gladys was sitting with a gun in her hands. My skin started to crawl as I kept a safe distance from her. "A semi, what about it?" My voice was steady, but still wary of what she might do next.

She sighed slowly. "It's not just a gun…it's the government's insurance policy."

"Then our country has a lot more issues than I gave it credit for!"

"No, Buttercup. This is their insurance policy for you three." I stared at her in suspicion when she went on. "After what happened at the Institute, my supervisor gave me this; 3 vials of Antidote X with a gun carrier if your monitors ever get to Level 4."

"The fuck Gladys we're not monkeys!"

"You think it was easy getting you guys here? The Agency had a vote to see if they were going to let you inside the city or just kill you and your family on the spot with one of these!" She closed her eyes in disgust. "The first choice pulled through because it was the cheaper option."

"So we're alive right now thanks to a bunch of cheap politicians?" I said bitterly, the words seething in my mouth. All I did since I got here was try to prove these people for phonies, but when the proof's lying in front of me all I hoped it wasn't true, I hoped it was a stupid scare tactic they were using to get me to listen.

But for the first time Gladys couldn't meet my gaze.

I couldn't think about my sisters dead in front of me, it seemed like a nightmare that could be my future. "Why are you telling me this?" I whispered.

"Because this is your wake-up call! No one cares about you. You don't have feelings, hopes, desires…" She tossed the guns to the floor like she couldn't stand the sight of them. "you're nothing but a bunch of files."

When I finally found my voice I looked up at her in new eyes. "And that's how you see us?"

"Buttercup I was on the committee in charge of protecting you guys. I didn't mean to scare you, it's just–"

"–I get it. I was the one putting everyone in danger, you were just trying to get your point across. Blossom and Bubbles didn't need this lecture; I did."

"Buttercup." When I turned back from the front door Gladys looked miserable trying to find the words to make me feel better. "I'm sorry." At least now I know why she made the breakfast; a way to make up for when I got told this. She planned this right from the beginning.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm still here, remember?" I knew I couldn't stay in there anymore; It's bad enough that I owe my life to someone I can't stand, but knowing it's my fault we can't ever use our powers again makes it even worse.

-Blossom-

-1st Period-

When we stepped inside Mr. Harvey's room the first thing we noticed was out teacher's empty seat. "Where's Mr. Harvey?" Bubbles asked.

"Who knows." I mumbled while examining the monitor. "According to the tag the colors go from blue to red corresponding to the level of urgency. Pretty straightforward."

After Buttercup went to her seat, Bubbles paled slightly and held my gaze. "Blossom…what would happen if we used our powers again?" We locked eyes with each other for a long time before I could turn away. She clearly was expecting me to answer, to reassure that it'd just be a slap on the wrist. But if I did that I'd just be lying, and these monitors prove that.

I stared at the blank space in front of me thinking about the past few days without the boys. By now everyone's forgotten about us being new, so we started exploring what we could do here, and despite the way things were going in my family, things were… pretty calm. Bubbles had her private dance practices with Isabella, I was busy adjusting to the Townsville's Leading Scholars' Program at the school, and with her anger management classes even Buttercup managed to preoccupy herself for the most part.

For the first time, it seemed like we were actually starting to fit in.

Mr. Harvey crossed the floor with a shadowed expression before slumping into the wheelchair in front of us. "Alright everyone, I've got a hangover and if you guys take out your books and pretend to read for now I think we can get through today."

"Sorry we're late sir!" A voice called out frantically. When I saw who it was my heart skipped a beat.

"No fucking way…" Buttercup murmured in a hushed tone from the back of the room, but I couldn't turn back to see her reaction. I felt numb at the sight of the Rowdyruff boys striding inside as heat rushed towards my face in anger. The younger brothers entered the room with their gaze fixed on everything but us.

But the second Brick entered the room he eyes were glued to mine and held his arm out to reveal a late pass. "The traffic jam–"

"–I don't care just leave me alone." Mr. Harvey groaned without a single glance at the three. With his permission they went to take their seats, but even with Brick sitting behind me I could feel his lethal stare from my back.

I flinches at a sudden prick to my side. It was a note.

Unraveling it carefully, I resisted the urge to turn towards my rivals and focused on restraining my emotions. If it was some stupid threat I wasn't going to let them have the pleasure of seeing my reaction.

What's the plan now Blossy?

With a sigh of relief I turned to see Buttercup's stare locked in my direction, waiting impatiently for my response. Before anyone else noticed the stare down, I quickly scribbled out a note and handed it to the person that gave me the note.

Don't worry about it. I've got it covered.

The class had a really uncomfortable silence after that. Butch, who's usually the center of attention was hunched over on his phone. Boomer kept fumbling at a piece of paper trying to steal glances at Bubbles, who had her face glued to the window to avoid looking at anyone, something she does a lot when she finds herself starting to panic I didn't even bother looking in Brick's direction.

By the time the bell rung my bag was already packed before Buttercup and Bubbles walked quickly without looking at the boys. As Brick casually left the classroom, I grabbed my bag and stopped him just as he was entering the curved corridor.

"Um.. excuse me?" he grumbled, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"You've got a lot of nerve coming here after what happened last week. If you know what's good for you, you'd leave by tonight!" I gritted through my teeth. There was only so much I could say in public.

"If you know what's good for you, you'd step out of my way so I can get to class." He growled and stormed past me trying to get to the staircase.

"You think you can just prance around this city around the people you've hurt?"

"Yeah cause I've been doing it for two years now!" he snapped back in my direction.

"Townsville has the right to know that they're around criminals!" I shouted angrily.

Suddenly Brick raised his eyebrows in amazement and slowly stepped towards me with an amused expression. "Wow! That's real touching coming from the girl that's supposed to be under a damn tombstone! How would those poor citizens react if their kids walked the same halls as a murderer?"

I cringed at the sound of that word. Ten years and it still draw a knife through my chest. For a while I only stared at him, feeling vulnerable at the wager he put down. I didn't know what I was expecting ten minutes ago. A week ago he seemed so polite, and now he's just the jerk that almost got away with killing me and my sisters twice. Guess some things never change.

Brick slowly pressed closer so that I could see the wicked glint in his eye. "If I go down, I sure as hell ain't going alone." He whispered menacingly before leaving my by the staircase. Brick knew I'd never risk my sisters' lives like that, even if it meant sacrificing the entire city.

-Brick-

-2nd Period-

When I reached my class I knew Bell would be waiting for me the minute I walked in. After holding my breath I stepped inside to see her with Kim before looking in my direction.

"Okay look before you start–"

"Where the hell have you been?! You haven't talked to me in a week and now all of a sudden you go missing? What the hell Brent I thought something happened to you back at the game!" Telling by how pale she was Bella probably wasn't bluffing, but I already had my alibi.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. My dad was in the hospital from the explosion so we had to take care of him for a while. Where we live we don't have any reception, so I couldn't call you."

"Oh…" she mumbled lowering her gaze, "…s-sorry I didn't know." I smirked to myself. It's a trick I used to pull on plenty of girls; just twist the story around to make them feel guilty. Didn't want to do that to Bella, but it couldn't be helped.

"Don't worry about it. Just some scratches here and there, nothing major." I reassured, and the problem ceased to exist.

As Ms. Edgar started up another lecture for stippling drawings, Bella turned towards me with another look of suspicion. "What was that whole argument about?"

"With who?" I asked idly, hoping she'd forget about it.

"You know who I'm talking about!" she snapped. "That girl over there." When I looked up I saw Blossom focusing on the board. Obviously more people saw our argument than I realized.

"Just having issues on an assignment."

"Seriously?" she asked skeptically.

"Yeah." I turned back to the handout hoping Bell would do the same. And for a while she did before turning back to me with that same look.

"So… did you take care of it?" But despite how annoying she was being, I knew I couldn't say anything after ignoring her all weekend.

Just then I could see the puff's ear twitch slightly in our direction. Eavesdropping bitch!

I could use this to my advantage. "I gave her an ultimatum;" I kept my eyes locked on her position. "you either cooperate or your future's as good as fucked."

The second after I said that she rushed out of her seat and left the classroom. Typical Blossom; always has to be in control of everything. Smirking to myself I turned back to Bells with a cheerful expression. "Simple as that." But she stared at the door for a long time before turning back the handout.

-3rd Period-

At the sound of the whistle the girls flocked around Coach Wendy as Buttercup and Butch glowered at each other. When the coach saw all the boys leave, she grimaced at the crowd of girls before her.

"Alright ladies! It's time for the tournament!" Her students groaned filled the room at the sound of yet another tournament, wondering if the class was worth the constant suffering.

"The reward for the winners will be–"

"–a lifetime supply of nothing?" Jasper snorted from the bleachers, uncaring to her instructor's orders.

"Dress out passes for a full month." This statement alone caused a hushed silence to fall within the gym.

"This segment we'll be focusing on volleyball, so I'll split you into 10 teams of two…" But her voice was drowned out by girls teeming with excitement over their fortune. Gym was a living hell they put up with for graduation and nothing else. An opportunity like this coming from their gym teacher only happens once in a lifetime.

"…that I choose for you." The exclamations of joy suddenly dispersed to be filled by groans once again before the coach held up her clipboard.

"Megan…Sarah. Gloria…Rachel." Coach Wendy continued off this sequence as scattered mutters surrounded her. "Jasper…" a sinister grin spread across her face as she stole a glance at the redhead sitting by the stacked bleachers.

"…Bree." Both girls whipped their heads from the coach, to each other, then back to the coach in infuriated outrage as groans filled the room once again, the class already conceding defeat at the terrifying pair.

"Excuse me ma'am?" Jasper called out in a cynical tone. "But I need a new partner."

"It's either that or you're disqualified and fail the assignment."

"Can I take the F then?" Buttercup called out from the crowd before glaring at her new partner.

But the coach pretended like she never heard her comment. "Okay girls, start practice!"

Jasper approached the newcomer as a low growl escaped from her throat. "Listen you little gremlin, we both want the stupid passes so–"

"–We? I couldn't give a damn about those passes! I actually like gym, hence the reason I signed up for it!" Buttercup retorted.

"Well if you like it so freaking much, why can't you play for something that can actually help you for once!"

"Because then I'm stuck with YOU!"

The two girls froze at the sound of the whistle once again interrupting their argument. "Ladies! I guarantee there'll be a lot of girls that would be happy to take your chances if you forfeit…"

"Lucky them." The green puff grumbled before making her departure.

"…and I can promise once that F comes in, you'll get a nice call home to your parents."

You're nothing but a bunch of files. At the thought of Gladys, Buttercup turned back to the coach with a wide smile. "Guess I don't have a choice now do I?" As the coach turned away, the girls glared at each other for the last time before Buttercup grabbed a ball.

"Stay out of my way."

"Gladly." Buttercup was supposed to stay out of trouble, but with Butch and her new partner in the picture, she wasn't making any promises.

-4th Period-

"So you're in it for the long run?"

"Without a doubt." Blossom reassured in a confident grin. "I never quit on a commitment." Both her and the principal were walking across the halls of the gym next to a line of windows showing a nice view of the city as he escorted her to her Government class, the first class changed from her original schedule.

"I must say I do like you're attitude in this. But I suggest you get acquainted with your classmates, what few there are, because they have the exact same schedule as you." Dr. Lee advised amiably.

"Trust me sir, I'm sure I'll find someone in there that likes me." No sooner had she said those words the door sprung open to reveal all but nine students, with one making her skin turn to ice. "Holy…"

"…shit." Brick whispered. Dr. Lee noticed the two's sudden reactions and turned cheerfully to the new student.

"Will you look at that, Ms. Underhill! You've already made a friend!" Oblivious of the sudden tension in the room, the principal gazed upon the scene with pride at what he's helped to create. "You'll fit right in with this group!"

-Lunch-

Cafeteria

Donnie rose from his tray at the sight of Butch and his brothers approaching the table. "Hey mano! Haven't seen you in a week!"

"Where the hell have you guys been?" Colton asked, raising an eyebrow at their sudden disappearance. A good friend of Butch's since he entered the football team a few months ago, Colton's always kept close to the brothers in an almost protective manner, or even condescending as Brick skin glowed in a deep tan with dark brown eyes verging on the color of his black hair gelled into a faux hawk. With multiple tattoos and piercings, Colton looks almost as intimidating as his teammate in the halls.

Butch responded by planting a firm hand on each of the brother's shoulders before taking his proper seat between them. "Just had some business to take care of. You didn't miss me too much, right?"

"Don't flatter yourself." Ty retorted. Butch though about his fight last week in aggravation. Suddenly images of the fight flashed through his mind as a blurred figure came into his line of sight. Short, curvy figure, fists barely bigger than a baseballs, and yet Buttercup was his biggest rival. When he tried to find her weakness, he came out with none.

How was it so damn easy for her?

"Having fun?" The boys looked up to see Mitch and Cole approaching their table to fill in the last two seats. Mitch looked up to the brothers in a bright grin. "Twinkie, Ding-Dong, pleasure seeing you two here."

"Haha! You're so funny Baser!" Donnie mimicked as his brother went up to meet him. "Que pasa man? Why haven't we seen you guys lately?"

"Busy." Cole said in a curt reply from the table.

"Seriously. Mr. Lopez has us working double shifts to respond to the rise in business. Gotta keep a roof over my head if I wanna scrape through school." Mitch added grimly.

"Well you ain't busy this weekend!" Colton suddenly exclaimed. "Miami Heat's playing Dallas and Jackie's Sports Bar is opening late for it. So guess who's gonna be at the bar for the main event!"

"Why would I go to some bar and pay 20 dollars for some cheap food when I can go home for the same thing in half the time." Ty grumbled impatiently.

"Because you can't fit eight people on our couch!" Donnie retorted.

"That's what the floor's for!" Ty shot back.

"C'mon, we never hang out! If it's bad then I'll pay the check."

Butch shot him a dubious look. "Donny you're broke."

"Don't worry about that! Just come with us for one night."

Brick and Boomer sat on the edge of the table exchanging glances for a decision. When Brick realized it was his call he sighed to himself. A little distraction might be what all three of them needed.

"Guess it couldn't hurt."

-Bubbles-

Courtyard

"The pure NERVE of that guy…!"

"…They just don't quit…!"

"…and he makes it seem like WE'RE the bad guys!?"

"Hey guys!" Blossom and Buttercup stopped the conversation as me and Becky came towards the usual spot. Luckily Becky turned out okay and by the time Monday came we were back to being normal students like before.

By the time we spread out under the tree, Blossom was already changing the subject before Becky could even ask; she always likes to be one step ahead of everything. "So what's been up with you lately?"

"Nothing. Just got back from my dad's place in Indio." She replied.

"In East Riverside?"

"That's the one."

"That's almost three hours from here!" I cried. Indio's in the middle of nowhere! Why would she put herself through that kind of torture every weekend?

"My dad never liked being around the city, so he moved out." Hearing her say that made me admire her a little more since she does it for her dad. I could see myself doing the same for the Professor.

"Oh hey look it's Jasper with Mitch from the game!" We all turned to see the redhead and a whole group of boys leave the building with the Rowdyruff boys and Mitch walking next to her.

"What's up Becky?" Buttercup asked. When I looked at Becky, she had a small pout on her face like she was trying to concentrate.

"Oh, nothing it's just… nobody knows anything about that guy you know? It's like he's a ghost." Her green eyes narrowed into slits underneath her long black bangs."It makes me wonder sometimes…"

"Oooh, does somebody have a crush?" I teased. I love a good romance story, especially when the matchmaker's me!

"I wouldn't call it a crush, it's just that my curiosity gets ahead of me sometimes." Becky replied rolling her eyes. So much for the romance.

"If you really wanna talk to that guy, put up an interview." Blossom suggested.

"Easier said than done. He hasn't done a sport since last year, and that barely went on for a week before he quit."

Buttercup never took her eyes off Mitch as they crowded around the gym entrance. "What's the story on Baser anyway?"

"None of my business."

"C'mon, you're a journalist!" I urged. "It's your job to gossip about the latest rumors with the people!" I have to admit, a little part of me wanted to know what Mitch's been doing since we were gone.

Becky took in a dramatic gasp. "Gossip? I would never!" When we all stopped laughing she told us what she knew from a few people but didn't want to go into details.

"After what happened at that preschool, the press really hit him hard since he was "the last survivor" and all." I couldn't look at my sisters when she mentioned Pokey Oaks, Robyn's burning hair flashed through my mind before I shook it off quickly.

"They wouldn't leave him alone. Always pressing about his 'situation' with his grandma and the trailer park and calling her an 'unfit guardian.' With all the pressure, he naturally lashed out at the authorities for a while and when she died he just went off on his own."

There was a short silence before she went on. "Nobody knows much about the guy, except he's been doing a lot of drugs and stuff; probably over what happened. Traumatizing stuff for a toddler."

I wonder if Buttercup feels guilty too. I stole a glance over in Buttercup's direction to see her eyes locked on Mitch from just above her arms, both wrapped around her knees in a fetal position on top of the swaying grass.

Is she hiding her face,or trying to protect herself from something? I could only imagine what it must've been like for her, since she saw him lying there on the grass and swore he was dead. Things were pretty rough on Buttercup more than me and Blossom since then.

Becky looked down at her lunch tray. "The mayor's been trying to boost press coverage of this school, almost as if he's trying to get people forget about what happened. Kinda shallow if you ask me."

We decided to eat our lunch after that. Five minutes later a pretty girl with a white round face and striking Asian eyes strolled towards us. "Hey! You're Brook, right?"

"Yeah, how'd you know my name?" I asked curiously.

"You introduced yourself in front of the dance team, remember?"

Right before they made me the laughingstock of the entire school. "Oh right! Sorry, I must've forgot." I grinned.

"Well my name's Kimberly Tanaka, and I wanted to let you know Bella wanted to practice with you after school on hip-hop."

"Really? I thought we were only doing basics."

"She thinks you're ready, so meet in the dance room at four." She was about to go away but turned back and smiled at me one last time. "It was nice meeting you! And trust me, it gets better. Some people… need more time to adjust than others."

"Okay! Thanks Kim!" I waved happily as she left, but the thought of meeting Bella again made my stomach lurch.

After School

Bella paced back and forth before facing the quivering blonde in front of her in confidence. "Okay, let's start out on some basics. Are you listening? Good. Hip hop is just like any other dance, except it's more… expressive. Instead of using certain parts, you can use all your body parts to the flow of the rhythm. It shows emotion, power, a story…"

Seeing how clueless the poor girl looked, the captain soon realized the introduction was going nowhere.

"…maybe it's better if I show you." From there she played the clip they'd practice today. The funk rhythm filled the room as the bass blasted from the speakers.

Hey star, 'whatcha doin now? 'Where you goin? 'Who you been with?

Baby got yo' smile, work it Ch'ile (Girl I want you!)

"Now hip hop mainly incorporates popping and locking. This is popping…" From there Bella began to perform robot-like movements to the beat from where she stood. Bubbles marveled by the fluidity of her movements. She makes it look so easy, she thought enviously.

I can't get her outta my mind…

"…now just add some locking…" she continued

You should just..

Take 'er, freak 'er; her body, her features

Whenever she's wit' me might make this be like –

(Yeah) Damn..! Bella ended the sequence in a dramatic finish and motioned for Bubbles to do the same. But when Bubbles attempted this, her elbow flew out into the team captain's face as she cried out in shock.

Damn..!

"O-kaaay…" she muttered. "…let's try this then." She tried to make the next sequence more fluid than strict as the next verse began.

Oh– 'hey girl, ya can't stop this. ('I got the-game, 'my people to-sing)

G'on swing here, c'mon shake (girl yo' shit is on fire!)

"Try it with me now!" As the music played Bubbles tried her best to follow her mentor's movements as Bella watched her tentatively.

"Alright…" Oh I got a feelin,"…no-no wait you're doing it wrong." you're just so amazing! "No!"

'C'mon swing that thang, "THAT'S THE WRONG WAY!" (now back 'dat ass up out here!)

At the end of the verse, Bubbles was left sprawled over her dancing instructor muttering dozens of apologies before running out of the room in humiliation, leaving her dancing mentor stunned.

Baby, why can't we just unwind, (unwind… unwind… unwind?)

-Bubbles-

2 Minutes Later…

I ran outside of the studio and sat on the steps by the back door. The studio we practice in is old and down the road from school, but it's a lot bigger than the one inside our school; not like I'll be here very long.

"I'm such a loser…" I mumbled miserably to myself. How am I gonna learn hip hop in two months!?

"Well what's so bad about that? I happen to think losing is awesome."

I glared angrily back at the door. "What makes losing so awesome then Boomer?"

He came out of the back door in sweats with his hands up in defense. "It was a joke! And you can't blow my cover; Brandon remember?"

"Tell that to the black eye you gave me on Saturday!" I snapped and turned back to the floor. The last thing I need now is the guy that almost got me killed last week.

"I didn't know you were Brooke until it was too late. I mean if it helps, I'm sorry." He said in a soft voice, but all my frustration disappeared once I heard his voice, another thing I hate about him.

I sighed slowly. "We're enemies Boomer, and let's keep it at that." I wouldn't mind staying here with him (heck, I'd love it!) but I knew Gladys was waiting for me.

But as I walked away I could hear Boomer walking down the steps to catch me. "Well that's a darn shame!" he called out. "I mean I had a really good time with Brooke the other day…"

I stopped walking but didn't turn back.

"…and I have a feeling that she had a good time too." He murmured softly. Crap.

I turned back to see him looking just as confused as I was. Looking back over the past few weeks, it was going perfect. Almost too perfect.

And he's sounds so sweet, so... genuine. For some reason he didn't strike me as the type of person to deceive someone like that, or at least do it so well, even if it's been ten years.

He sent me a soft smile, probably happy that I was considering his apology. In fact, he almost looked relieved. Maybe he was right, maybe he didn't recognize me. I didn't recognize him until the very last second!

What would happen if I didn't? Where would our friendship had gone if I hadn't known at all? And if it did progress, would I have found out later? It was like that one moment changed the focus on our entire relationship. I tried to shake the thoughts off, but for some reason they just wouldn't go away, and now I can't find the boy I shared a coffee table with for hours, but the rival I fought ten years ago that could jeopardize my future.

Boomer saw how worried I looked before ssetting his gaze to the floor. "Look I'm not saying we become BFF's or anything, but I just don't wanna end a relationship just because of something we did over a decade ago!" he yelled at the concrete before looking up at me with a pained look. "Don't you feel the same way?"

I didn't want to lead him on, but I knew I couldn't lie to him. If I did I have a feeling he would've known anyway. "…A little bit." I murmured, unsure of myself. He seemed to perk out at what I said, like there was a light at the end of the tunnel for this.

"Besides," he added hopefully. "you look like you could use a dancing mentor."

"Sorry, already have one." I groaned, already breaking the stiff air between us.

"I mean a good one. No offense to Bella, but whenever she's stressed out, she gets a little cranky."

I rolled my eyes in response. "Tell me about it."

"Soo…" Boomer crept up a little closer with those big blue puppy dog eyes. "whaddaya saayy…"

How can I say no? Logically, he was a better option regardless, and I could reach my goal twice as fast with him.

How bad could it be? "Alright whatever! But if Blossom asks, it was your idea!"

"Er-ma-gerd, not Blossom! I'm shaking!" he cried trying to cover his face. I couldn't stop laughing at that, boosting my confidence a bit. With Boomer I could definitely loosen up a bit more. It was a win-win situation for everyone!

When I heard the car horn Boomer sent a small wave in my direction with another mischievous grin. "See ya Brooke."

I waved back shyly and ran towards the car with butterflies fluttering in my gut. After this afternoon I knew I didn't need powers to feel like I was flying. But thinking back to my sisters made my stomach lurch. Imagine how they'd feel with me 'associating with the enemy' or something like that.

But driving with Gladys and seeing how happy she was in her own little world made me perk up a bit too, leaving one solution to the problem.

What they don't know won't hurt them.

-Buttercup-

"Night ladies."

We (yes, that includes me!) all said goodbye before she closed the door. From Saturday it's safe to say things have been pretty tense around here. I tried to forget about the awkward silence by looking out the window from the couch out into the city. With the Professor gone all the time we're all we got, and it's about time I realized that.

"I think it's safe to say we both said some pretty nasty stuff." I muttered and glanced at Blossom to try and see what she was thinking. Of course we were both over the whole thing, the real issue was who's gonna apologize first. With one look at those watches I knew it had to be me.

"I'm willing to forget if you are." I finished and gorged her reaction in a held breath.

After a minute passed, with a deep sigh she gave me a sympathetic smile. "We've all got our own ways of dealing with baggage, and I shouldn't have yelled at you like that for trying to cope. Forgive me?"

"Course."

Just then Bubbles jumped off her couch and clapped at us in excitement. "Yay! We're sisters again! C'mon The Real World is on!"

"I think I'll pass on that." I muttered. Never was a fan of gold diggers. "Night."

When I walked inside of my room the first thing I noticed was the smell, so I tried to clean up a bit to get to my bed. But naturally a little turned into a lot and suddenly I was cleaning out half of my room just to get rid of the smell, which is weird because I never cared much for cleaning. By the time I was done my room almost looked spotless except for some clothes and the sweaty odor was almost gone. Believe it or not I actually felt a little proud of my work.

I was just starting to remove my tank top to switch into my sweatshirt for bed when I froze at the sight of the tattoo. Black, bold engraved print lined vertically on the edge of my waist, going down from the tip of my armpit to the end of my waistline. The letters were pretty dark and bold enough to make a statement, but they were subtle enough to hide underneath my arm from everyone. Four years and no one knows about it, but they never really paid that much attention to me up until now.

'An act of defiance, a way of showing that you're still you' he said. Sentimental bullshit, but I loved every word.

The crimes we pulled, the pranks we played, it all seemed so easy but I still get goosebumps over the rush of it all, for once getting rid of the goody-two-shoes I was born to be and just being...

DIFFERENT. Us against the world. It still feels like he never left my side. Yeah I've got baggage. It's that type of baggage you can't forget about, no matter how much you try. Then the memories start flooding as a faded smile crept up on my face.

"You sure you're up to it?" he asked, looking towards me for my signal.

"I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't!" I retorted as I tried to keep my hands from shaking. I heard about the pain tons of times, and I tried telling myself over and over again that my skin wouldn't absorb much pain. And it probably helped; I couldn't tell if I shook from fear or excitement. Maybe both.

But instead of reassuring me for probably the fifth time, he raised his hands in defeat before grabbing the needle. Instead of using the usual stainless steel that's used in tattoo parlors, he knew a guy that could craft a custom made needle out of Titanium to break through to my skin, with the right price of course. But in those days, getting the money was never a problem for us.

"Okay, Just know it'll hurt like a bitch later!" he laughed setting the needle for what seemed like a lifetime of pain, but in the end it was all worth it so see that beautiful ink handcrafted on my skin.

BC FR LFE.

He said it was our little secret.

But it was nothing. I thought bitterly. Suddenly feeling disgusted with myself I yanked the sweatshirt on and quickly shut off the lights. Nothing hurt as much as knowing it was all a lie.

New Year Resolution: Stop making such long chapters

Once again thank you guys for the comments, favs and follows, you guys really showed up for my one goal, and I appreciate that. If anyone has anything they could add to help me out it's all welcomed, lately I feel like I haven't been putting this thing up to what it could be, so any help's appreciated.