The citizens passed me by without as much as a glance and simply continued on to do their business. Kids played at the Townsville Park across the street, everything was named after this god damn town.

I made my way toward the park and watched as the parents watched their children play on the brightly colored jungle gym. A cluster of tall oak trees grew near the back of the park. The trees provided shade and there was always a small breeze even on a warmer spring day like today. This is one of the reasons this was my favorite spot to go to when I was too angry to face anyone. I took a seat underneath a fairly large tree and closed my eyes.

I had no real reason to get so angry at the mall, but for some reason, I just did. Butch didn't belong to me, so he could take whomever he wanted to that damn dance. I had rejected him after all, so if he wanted to take Barbie he had every right to. He had always been a teaser, even when we were five, so why should now be any different, just because he was a clone. So it's not like I could actually believe that he really wanted to go with me, just another one of his pranks. But now that Butch was ignoring me to be with Barbie, I felt this empty pit begin to grow at the bottom of my stomach. It throbbed and yearned to hear him call me Butterbutt again or tease me halfheartedly.

"Hey." My eyes fluttered open in surprise as I gazed around to find my greeter. Brooke sat at the trunk of an opposing tree, with our shopping bags in her hands. Spread across her face was an apologetic smile. "Why did you runaway like that Blaire? Bridget almost came after you she was so mad." I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest bitterly.

"She should have, I haven't had a good fight in awhile," I replied sourly, turning to look at the kids on the playground. Brooke sighed in front of me, the rustling of shopping bags could be heard. My gaze shifted back to her when she placed her hands lightly on the flats of my knees and held my stare with her own piercing gaze.

"Why do you always have to be like that? Is fighting and anger the only answer for everything to you?" She asked. An awkward silence fell over us as she continued to glower at me from behind her long blonde bangs. I fidgeted uncomfortably and tried to ignore her. "I know you Blaire, you have something on your mind, just tell me what it is."

"Do you remember when we were that age?" I questioned, gazing distantly at the children again.

"What are you—"

"When we were kids and didn't have a care what the latest fashion was, or who was dating who? I miss those times they were much less dramatic then times right now are," I continued. "Sometimes I wish going to the dance with someone wasn't such a major dilemma." Brooke's hands disappeared from my knees and I felt her presence beside me now.

"Is that what this is about? Did Butch do say something to you about the dance?" Brooke questioned curiously, the accusing tone of her voice completely gone now.

"He didn't ask me to the dance again, if that's what you're wondering. He's going with Barbie Rich now," I admitted quietly. It was very rare that I dropped my rough exterior, but Brooke was one of the few who actually listened to me. We didn't always get along, but we respected each other for the most part.

"And you're jealous about it?" Brooke added quizzically, her head slanting to the side casually. I sneered at the thought, why did everyone believe I was jealous?

"No, I just don't believe they're right for each other," I whispered lamely. Even I couldn't believe that had come out of my mouth, so I had a very hard time thinking Brooke bought that excuse. "I don't know why I'm so upset." Another silence fell over us as Brooke thought carefully before responding. My fingers combed through the grass as I began to ponder what really brought on my anger, it couldn't be jealousy.

"I still believe you have a bit of jealousy. You're jealous because Barbie took the attention Butch had always given you. Let's face it; you can be a bit self-centered when you want to be. And when someone doesn't pay attention to you, you get jealous. It's a natural emotion Blaire." Brooke finally noted. For some odd reason, Brooke's words made sense and I could see why I was so angry.

"Everyone's still at the mall if you want to come back. Butch is back too I think. After seeing you storm off he came right out of the Game Stop and asked about you," Brooke replied coolly as she stood and offered me her hand. My thoughts went back to Butch and I shook my head quickly. I was still uncertain I wanted to even look at Butch right now.

"That's fine, I think I'm gonna go home and work on my math homework," I commented thoughtlessly. Brooke looked as if she had something else to say, but I shot into the sky before she could do so. My mother's place wasn't far from the mall so I decided to head there. I barely talked to my mom anymore, but I knew she was always working nowadays, so it was most likely deserted. She hated that I chose to live with the Professor when I was so young, but I couldn't stand her, she hated who I was and always wanted to change me. I guess the best place would be to hide out there for a few hours. At least until everything would cool off for a little bit then, I would head back home to the Professor and the girls.