PARANOIA
Polska – this must be the fastest I've ever updated a story. I'm not even joking, I am a notorious procrastinator. Oh well. It's here and it's great. Or, it will be once I get around to writing it. Anyways, thanks a lot for the reviews. They were all along the lines of "great writing and interesting storyline" which made me smile and blush. Really. Thanks. I keep reading them over and over. I love praise.
By the way, if you check the first chapter you may notice that I changed the year. I couldn't decide on a year, so I settled for not mentioning one. And they are no longer twenty-six but twenty-four, two years out of university. I'm thinking Buttercup and Brick got married a year after they graduated, since Brick and Blossom's affair has been going on for a year. Ah, that's confusing. Yeah. Anyways, review, please!
The fear that envelops you calls for the serenity that refuses to occur naturally when you are living in fear. The instant it's all too much to control is the moment when you have to worry that you are no longer unbound from the fear that controls you.
HYSTERIA
n. an uncontrollable outburst of emotion of fear
CHAPTER TWO
"Storms of petals are pouring down,
Pushing their way through our pink love.
Some may say illness: this so-called love,
The sickness of the mind."
- Pink Love, Blonde Redhead
The scary part is her heart. It beats so fast and it's going to burst.
She can't keep up the mask. She can't go on like she isn't scared. She can't neglect the fact that she scared out of her mind and it's driving her mad.
But she can't explode like she wants to. She can't explode like her heart is going to.
She has to relax. She can't let on that, amid her tension and worry, she is afraid. She can't be scared. She cannot cry or break down or allow any crack to separate her into pieces. The fear is overwhelming.
And that's what's so scary, the hysteria of fear.
He wants her and he craves her. He lusts after her, yet she is oblivious to his desires. She doesn't understand his feelings, nor does she know the truth about her marriage and her friends. Her family. The betrayal is palpable and yet, she refuses to live outside of her perfect little world: one that is without unfaithfulness. Disloyalty. Lies.
He can't help but think about her relentlessly. Is it love? Is it obsession? Is it both?
I need you, Buttercup; I can't stand living like this.
It's early in the morning, but Butch is never really a late sleeper. He was frequently the first to wake when he still lived with his brothers and the last to go to sleep. He stayed awake at night, deep in thought, his eyes closed to cast the illusion that he was slumbering, temporarily unconscious. But Butch hardly ever really sleeps. It is a waste of time, taking stretch from the consequential things in life.
He walks along a sidewalk by his undersized condominium, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his black pea coat and his eyes never straying from the newly repaved sidewalk. The biting wind snaps at his already-red cheeks and nose but he refuses to admit defeat and succumb to the winter morning air.
Unknowingly he is headed towards Buttercup's sumptuous home. He is too fixated on his feet to recognize that he is about to reach it, until, out of the corner of his eye, he catches a glimpse of the navy-coated doorman. The doorman is familiar from all Butch's previous visits.
He stops walking and inhales deeply, wishing that he could go up to the top and simply…talk to her. Comfort her while Brick is off screwing her sister. He peers longingly up at the top, unaware of the strange looks that he is receiving from the doorman. When it comes to Buttercup, Butch can only think of her and forgets the world around him.
"Butch?" the man at the door calls to him. Butch snaps out of his trance and reverts his gaze to the much shorter man. He manages a vague, fake smile and a disinclined wave.
"Hey, Phil," he calls back, immediately regretting answering. He is in no mood for conversation, least of all with the doorman, who is short and fat and always has a ridiculous smile plastered on his face, like he is actually…happy.
Phil beckons for Butch to come forward. Butch growls softly but unenthusiastically ambles over to the man. He shakes the doorman's hand grudgingly, and then falls back, shoving his hands in his pockets once more. He ignores Phil's enquiring face and instead pretends to be fascinated by a seagull sitting on top of a mailbox.
"You goin' up to see the lady?" Phil asks perceptively. Butch restrains from punching him in the face and instead shakes his head. He hoped that his enticement with Buttercup isn't quite so apparent but by the look on Phil's face, Butch's luck still isn't quite there.
She'll never know.
"I…can't…breathe…" she wheezes and mutters and clutches her hand to her chest, pinching her skin as if to squeeze her heart. She is doubled over on the shaggy carpet, her head pounding and her heart drumming madly. She tries to draw breath but instead her head begins to spin and she collapses to her side, gasping and unable to breathe.
She can feel her lungs strain for breath but incapable of obtaining any. Just as she is about to surrender to the pain, the door opens and there he is, looking uninterested and shameless as usual. His eye soon widen once he gets a glimpse of her struggling on the floor, her face abnormally colored and her hand blindly gripping the front of her white blouse.
"Blossom!" he cries, dashing towards her. He sits her up and leans her against his chest, scarlet eyes boring into pink. She stares back, still striving breathe.
"It's okay," he says, "you can do it. Just try slowly, come on; in…out…in…out…"
She relaxes slightly, not so much hyperventilating anymore, closing her eyes and methodically breathing. Brick watches her chest rise up and down and breathes a momentary sigh of relief. She looks so serene in his arms that he finds it difficult to wake her. But he gently shakes her shoulders until her eyes begin to flutter and those pink orbs are visible from beneath her eyelids. Her eyes dart back and forth as her mouth curls into letter shapes as though she is trying to speak. She reaches up blindly and cups Brick's face in her hands.
"You had a panic—"
He is cut off by a long, passionate kiss. It is random, completely undetected by even Brick himself. She removes her hands from his face and instead wraps them around his neck as though hanging on for dear life, like she refuses to let him go. He kisses her back, running his fingers through her sleek hair, the hair that doesn't quite complement his eyes but always begets tingles to his hands whenever he touches it. He kisses the side of her mouth, his lips skimming her creamy skin as he moves down the side of her neck. His hands glide down her back, tracing circles under her shirt.
It's addicting. The way he unbuttons her blouse, the way she grips his hair in her fists, the way they kiss. It's hypnotic, like they will never give up this moment for anyone. Like Buttercup never really exists. Like they are alone on this earth and free to savour each other.
He gently lifts her off his lap and onto the carpet, not having much of a chance to lie down next to her before she grabs him and kisses him again. Her eyes close instantly and she rolls on top of him, shuddering as his hands travel over her body. It's like a recap of the previous night; everytime he touched her, she would impetuously shiver and feel the need to kiss him once more.
But even while he nibbles at her neck and she unbuttons his shirt, something doesn't feel right. She sits up and hears an irritated sigh. Blossom chastises herself; the entire scenario is painfully similar to the one from the other night.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me," Blossom whispers, sliding off of her lover. She rests her chin atop her bare knees, allowing her reddish bangs to fall into her eyes involuntarily. Sitting there with her arms wrapped around her legs, Brick is reminded of a little girl and feels a sudden pang in his heart when he sees tears begin to well in her eyes.
"Blossom," he tries, moving towards her. She looks up at him, her eyes watering and her mouth curled downward in a sad frown. She looks away so as to not allow him to see her cry and buries her face into her knees. The position is uncomfortable but Blossom stubbornly declines to let him see the tears now flowing freely down her face.
"Blossom, please," Brick says again, trying to wrap an arm around Blossom's shoulders. She moves away and suddenly jumps up, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt. She bangs her leg heavily against the metal of her coffee table but she ignores the throbbing pain in her left leg and instead focuses on Brick.
"I – don't – know – why…" Blossom shudders and crumples to the ground, her shoulders beginning to shake with suppressed sobs. She leans against her couch and folds her arms around her head, resting them on top of her knees again.
"I can't do this anymore!" she cries abruptly, lifting her head almost instantly. Brick is surprised and backs away slightly. He doesn't even know that he is doing it, but the shock that comes with Blossom's outburst is enough to intimidate him enough to move away.
"I'm going crazy," she whimpers, standing up and gripping her hair in her hands. She paces back and forth around the room, mumbling inaudibly to herself. Brick reaches out to touch her but she slaps his hand away and glares at him.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" she screams, picking up her cell phone from the coffee table. Brick gasps as she whips it at his head. He manages to duck in time and averts his eyes to Blossom's face. She looks shocked when her cell phone smashes against the wall.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no…" she moans, cradling her head in her hands. Brick's second instinct is to get out of there but instead he moves towards her, trying to coax her into his arms. She pulls away, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I can't live like this. I can't…she's everywhere…watching my every move…" Blossom sobs hysterically. "Can't you…don't you know…someone's…there…"
In that moment of weakness, Brick seizes his chance to corral her in his arms and rests his chin on the crown of her head as she clutches the front of his unbuttoned shirt and sobs into his chest. He rocks her back and forth until her sobs subside and then releases her, looking her straight in the eyes.
"I know you're scared," he says gently. "But you have to understand. I don't love Buttercup; I love you. She doesn't know about us and she never will. I promise that nobody knows the truth about us. You have to realize that."
Blossom looks up at his earnest face and softens. She wants to believe so badly that their affair is secret but there is that tiny nagging feeling in her stomach that refuses to leave. That minuscule feeling that denotes that they are not alone in this scandal…
Please don't do this to me…
BUTTERCUP'S JOURNAL
EIGHT TO TWO YEARS PREVIOUS
Sunday, January 4 – 1:53 AM
Eight years previous
Blossom thinks I'm a person like she is. You know, a person who writes in a journal or diary. So she got this thing for our sixteenth birthday yesterday. I opened it and burst out laughing. It was such a ridiculous present then. But then I looked at Blossom's face and saw the hurt in her eyes and decided to give it a try.
It's not working for me.
I'll just lie.
Thursday, January 29 – 4:32 PM
Eight years previous
I was cleaning my room and voila! I unearthed this ugly journal of mine. I had a sudden change of heart and have decided to regularly start writing in this thing. Of course, Blossom learned a long time ago that I was lying about liking this present. Thank God she didn't really care. Oh well. Maybe it won't be that bad.
Ugh, I'm turning into Bubbles.
Friday, January 30 – 6:02 PM
Eight years previous
I saw Butch today.
I think I looked like a lobster. Thank God he didn't see me.
I know what you're thinking. Me, Buttercup Utonium blushing like a fucking lobster? It's pretty unbelievable I know. But, damn, that boy is fucking perfect.
Ick, here comes the Professor. Better shove this journal away before he se
Sunday, February 1 – 3:26 AM
Eight years previous
Didn't get to write yesterday. Spent the entire day listening to Bubbles brag about some date that she went on with Boomer. I'm not exaggerating; she literally spent the entire day bragging. Thank God for Mortal Kombat otherwise I would've died from boredom. What is it with Boomer anyways? He's not as sexy as Butch.
Speaking of, I haven't seen Butch in ages.
Sunday, February 1 – 3:30 AM
Eight years previous
I forgot! Blossom is making me and Bubbles go to the science museum tomorrow with her and Brick. Butch and Boomer are also going! Perfect!
PS: Why doesn't Blossom just screw Brick and get it over with? He's so obviously in love with her. Why the fuck doesn't Blossom like him back? They're so perfect for each other it's not even funny. Poor Bricky-boy.
Monday, February 2 – 9:01 PM
Eight years previous
Just got back. It wasn't as bad as I expected. Butch and I ditched the other four and went to buy ice cream. Actually I had to buy them since Butch was broke. Normally I would've just bought myself an ice cream and told Butch to shove it up his ass but today I had a change of heart. Fuck love.
"Ooh, look at that!" Blossom squealed as she pointed to this weird electricity-inducing thingamabobber that was glowing purple. I exchanged a look with Butch and we simultaneously rolled our eyes as Blossom and Brick hurried to examine the stupid thing. I could see Brick staring at Blossom's ass the whole time and nudged Butch to see if he noticed. He slapped a hand over his mouth so as to not laugh.
I looked around. Bubbles and Boomer were holding hands in the gift shop, occasionally exchanging little kisses between searches. It made me want to barf.
"Yo, BC, you wanna get outta here?" Butch asked me. I nodded, feeling relieved and excited when he asked me. My heart pounded. It was finally my time to be alone with Butch.
Except, that idiot forgot his fucking wallet.
So when we get to the ice cream parlour, he's giving me this ridiculous sheepish look and practically begging me to buy him ice cream. Since I am just the nicest person ever, I buy his fucking ice cream. Idiot doesn't even say bye.
What a moron.
If we ever go out, he'd better not make me pay for dinner for both of us. Asshole.
Saturday, February 14 – 5:44 PM
Eight years previous
Sorry I haven't written in a while. Been busy.
Devastated. Heartbroken. Pissed off.
Not just at Blossom and Butch but at Brick too. Why didn't he try harder to get stupid Blossom? DIDN'T SHE KNOW HOW I FELT ABOUT BUTCH? Stupid bitch. I cannot express my hatred for her. How could she do this to me?
It's Valentine's Day today. Whoever came up with this day is a fucking moron.
The doorbell rings. I go to answer it and there stand the three of them. My eyes immediately stray towards Butch and my heart begins to beat fast again. His black hair is barely maintained and his green polo shirt and black jeans are in desperate need of ironing and washing but he looks as hot as ever.
"Your sisters home?" Brick asks, peering over my shoulder. He's holding a cheesy heart-shaped box and I stifle a smile. It's so obvious who that's for.
"Yeah, Blossom's in her room and Bubbles is in the kitchen," I tell them. Boomer and Brick immediately shoot off in opposite directions, leaving me standing at the door awkwardly with Butch. He smiles at me and I smile back, wordlessly inviting him inside. He steps inside and shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
"Valentine's Day is stupid, hey?" he asks after a moment of awkward silence. I nod in response, afraid to speak. He's a lot closer to me before and I can't help but notice that he doesn't exactly smell like roses. What did I find so hot before? He smells like a mortuary.
Blossom and Brick coming down the stairs and Boomer and Bubbles entering from the kitchen interrupt us in our particularly fascinating conversation. Bubbles is wearing a flashy necklace and Blossom is eating a bunch of chocolates but she and Brick are standing nowhere near each other. I take a peek at Butch and catch him in mid-gawk at Blossom. I roll my eyes. Typical Blossom. Perfect hair, perfect face, perfect body…
Bitch.
It's even worse when I catch her staring back at Butch. Even worse: she lets out a stupid little giggle. Brick looks at her, confused. THEN she goes and excuses herself to her room, saying there's a bunch of chocolate waiting with her name on them. So naturally we all head upstairs and Brick and Boomer settle themselves in my room and set up the video game console while Bubbles occupies herself with painting her toenails. Butch announces that he's going to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, he's still in the 'bathroom'. I hear stupid giggles coming from Blossom's room and feel my blood freeze over. WTF?
So I burst through the door and see Butch and my sister making out. Furiously! On her bed! I gape while they look up at me, surprised. Blossom sees the look of hurt on my face and her smile fades. She reaches out to me.
"Buttercup…" she started to say.
"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!"
I'm too depressed to write anymore.
Must think of plan of revenge.
Friday, February 20 – 7:56 AM
Eight years previous
Gotta leave for school soon but have realized things.
Butch is an asshole and he should take a shower.
Blossom is a bitch.
They're perfect for each other.
How could she do this to me?
I need…fuck, am I crying? Oh no, I never cry. Thanks a lot, Blossom.
Friday, February 20 – 4:20 PM
Eight years previous
Why haven't I noticed before? Brick has really cool eyes. Plus, he is a lot hotter than Butch and obviously not a dickweed. I mean, he got chocolates for Blossom for Valentine's Day…
I won't be writing for a long time. I'll miss you.
Tuesday, March 30 – 2:18 AM
Eight years previous
Wow it's been over a month since I've written.
Butch was a silly little crush. He means nothing to me anymore. He's like an insignificant little bug. Not. Important.
I…am just so confused about how I feel right now. I mean, Brick is being so nice to me now that Butch and Blossom are dating but that's probably because he's heartbroken. I would be too. But I can't start liking Brick. I refuse to stoop to Blossom's level.
Then again…she never really liked Brick, has she?
Thursday, July 1 – 1:33 PM
Eight years previous
Can you believe that Butch and Blossom are still together? Jesus, the sex must be good.
No, I'm sorry, I know Blossom's too much of a virgin to have sex. Ha, ha.
Yeah, I'm still pissed off. It's depressing to write all this down. I'm just trying to kill time by not writing in this journal. Sorry.
I need. Fuck, I just need Brick right now.
More tears.
Friday, July 2 – 5:50 PM
Eight years previous
Who knew that Bubbles could cheer me up?
"Don't worry, Buttercup," she said, "I can't believe Blossom did that to you either."
Who knew sweet Bubbles held a secret grudge against perfect Blossom?
What she said cheered me up considerably.
Friday, July 2 – 10:04 PM
Eight years previous
I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick. I don't like Brick.
Repeat until believe.
Tuesday, July 6 – 5:32 PM
Eight years previous
Ow, ow, ow. Just woke up. Killer hangover. Mitch had a killer house party last night. Thank God the professor and the doctor are out of town on business and have no idea where we went. It was totally fucking killer.
I remember making out with Mitch. I remember Blossom being felt up by Butch. How much did I drink anyways? It must've been a lot because I can hardly stand up. I can't even see what I'm writing. This is insane.
Oh. Shit.
I just remembered something.
I confessed to Brick that I loved him.
Shit. Crap. Fuck.
Wednesday, December 8 – 7:02 PM
Seven years previous
Brick has barely spoken to me since that party. I'm really sorry about not writing the entire summer and the last three months of school but I couldn't bare writing down the excruciating details. I don't want Brick to hate me. I just want things to be normal.
Butch and Blossom are still dating.
NO ENTRIES UNTIL THREE YEARS LATER
Wednesday, January 3 – 11:39 AM
Four years previous
Happy twentieth to my sisters and I. Bubbles is helping Blossom fix up our apartment for the big party. It's been three years. Three long years and I don't know what possessed me to begin writing in this thing again. Maybe it's the fact I'm finally with Brick?
I know, shocking isn't it? We've only been together a couple of weeks but my sisters still don't know. I know Blossom is still with Butch but I don't want to imagine her reaction when she finds out. What, does she think she fucking owns Brick? Nobody else is allowed to date him? Wouldn't put it past her.
Thursday, January 4 – 2:57 AM
Four years previous
Butch dumped Blossom. Butch dumped her. He. Fucking. Dumped. Her. Even though I still kind of hate Blossom, I feel so bad for her. It was horrible. He ripped her apart. I could tell Brick felt bad for her too. I really hope he still doesn't like her. I wouldn't be able to deal with that.
Music is blaring, people are cheering, it's utter chaos and it's fucking awesome. There's a gigantic cake sitting on the food table that Bubbles spent the entire day baking and disco lights that Blossom asked the Professor to help her with. There are kegs and vodka bottles and brandy and wine everywhere and people are drunk as hell.
Not me. Not yet, anyways.
I'm sitting on the couch with Brick, our hands secretly intertwined, watching the scene. Blossom and some guy are making out in the corner while Bubbles is throwing popcorn into Boomer's mouth, giggling everytime he caught it. It's sickening. I wished so much that I could just tell everyone and I'd be able to freely snuggle into Brick and kiss him tenderly, just like we do in private.
I get up and snatch a bottle of vodka before anyone else can. I settle myself back down next to Brick and take a giant swig. He's staring at me with that smirk of his and then grabs it from me, taking a drink of his own. We alternate drinking the vodka until it's completely empty and I'm already feeling a little tipsy from all the alcohol. Don't get me wrong, I love to drink, but now I just feel sick.
Maybe that's what possesses me to kiss him. In front of my sisters and Butch and everyone. It's a heated kiss, so furious and passionate that I'm sure it's pretty revealing. I savour the moment so I don't notice Blossom's expression until after we're done. She's staring at me, her mouth agape and this weird expression behind her eyes. Is she…sad? No, she can't be. She never even liked him.
And then there's Bubbles, squealing to Boomer so audibly that I'm sure people in China can hear her. It's so cheesy how she repeatedly keeps telling me how happy she is for us. Next to them is Butch and I can't decipher the expression on his face. Is he upset? Disappointed? Happy? He looks neutral like doesn't even care. I'm almost entirely sure he doesn't. He had his chance.
I really love Brick. I wish I realized that sooner.
Friday, January 5, 8:49 PM
Four years previous
I feel like a little girl, writing in my diary, even though, as of two day, I'm twenty years old. God, it feels so weird writing that down. I can't believe…twenty years already. I should probably stop writing in this thing. I'm getting kind of old. Not to mention it's a reminder of Blossom and I'm not entirely sure I will ever forgive her.
Even though I don't like Butch anymore. It just feels like she betrayed me.
She didn't talk to me all day today or yesterday. I really wonder why?
Monday, February 19, 9:51 PM
Four years previous
Been busy with job interviews. Still together with Brick. Maybe life isn't so bad after all. Except that I still don't have a job. It's only part-time by the way. Still in university. Need money to pay the rent of our apartment. But I don't want a crappy part-time job. Maybe an internship?
Yeah, that'd be cool.
NO ENTRIES UNTIL TWO YEARS LATER
Saturday, April 18, 3:30 PM
Two years previous
Two years I've been together with Brick. He finally confessed that he loves me. Nearly six years I've been writing in this journal. I've been skipping many dates, but at least I haven't stopped entirely. I've actually grown very fond of this little book. I hope I never grow tired of it, but you never know.
University is over soon. I've gotten As throughout these four years. Isn't that great? I've been channelling Blossom this whole time. It's kind of weird, but I'm proud.
Tuesday, August 4, 7:39 PM
Two years previous
It's over. School is over. I'll never have to go back. I feel so ecstatic right now. I still love Brick and I don't think I'll ever stop loving him. I really do hope we can spend the rest of our lives together. Is that too much to ask?
Smoked my first cigarette today. I can see why everyone says they're so addicting. I'm probably making the biggest mistake of my life, but I've made plenty of mistakes.
Life is short. Then you die.
Thursday, August 6, 2:35 AM
Two years previous
I had a big date at Spinelli's tonight, which is a very expensive Italian restaurant. Brick said he had some big news. At first I thought he meant that de Vito promoted him. (I know, he's already working at a huge firm. It's ridiculous.)
I cannot fathom how I am feeling right now.
He.
Just.
Proposed.
Yes, that's right. The huge rock on my finger is an engagement ring and we are getting married. I'm getting married. My dream is coming true. I think I'm going to cry.
Friday, August 7, 1:16 PM
Two years previous
The look on Blossom's face when I told her. She actually looked upset. How dare she. Bubbles was happy for me, naturally. The wedding is in a year. Because I feel so great and generous, I graciously asked Blossom to be my maid of horror. Was Bubbles upset? Of course not. In fact, I think she really understood. Blossom seemed hesitant to accept. At least she did.
One year.
I think I'm getting to old for journal writing. Twenty-two. I'm getting married at twenty-two.
Thanks for the memories.
Maybe one day I'll find you again.
Buttercup glances at the clock. She isn't unduly worried but there is a tiny nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that insists that she should be. But Buttercup has always trusted everyone in her life. Maybe that is her greatest fault. The ones that she trusts the most are the most dishonest.
She is still in her slip from the night before, digging through a cardboard box of high school and university memories. She sits on the floor, her legs spread apart to accommodate the box them. Her robe is untied and forms a barrier around her body, like a pool of black silk.
Buttercup remembers how she used to be so aware. She wonders when she became so naïve and decides that marriage changes people. She can't decide if she was changed for the better or the worse. She can't decide if Brick has changed for better or worse. And she knows he has changed.
As she pulls out a ratty yearbook from her senior year in high school, the phone rings and she immediately jumps up, silently hoping that it is Brick calling, perhaps begging for her forgiveness and announcing that he is on his way, ready to finally make love to her and make up for all his faults in the past couple days.
Unfortunately her fantasy is not to be lived and instead it's Bubbles.
"Hello? Hello? Helllooooooo?" Bubbles' soft voice echoes cheerfully through the phone and Buttercup holds back an eye roll. Even after twenty-four years, she still cannot get used to that slightly annoying voice. It's too…jovial for Buttercup's taste. As much as she desires that everyone were perfect, she knows that this is nothing but a dream and life is too cruel.
She grabs a pack of cigarettes from the counter by the telephone and extracts a slender cigarette from the pack, tucking it gracefully into the corner of her mouth. She presses the phone against her shoulder and presses the side of her head to hold it there while she fumbles with her lighter.
"Hi, Bubbles," Buttercup replies when she manages to light her cigarette. She places it between her fingers and leans against the granite counter, occasionally inhaling deeply from her cigarette. It is customary for her to smoke nearly three packs a day.
"What are you doing? Is Brick home?"
Buttercup shakes her head, and then realizes that Bubbles cannot see her. Smiling at her stupid mistake, she replies with a simple 'no' and hears a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the phone. Buttercup freezes, her fingers poised in front of her mouth as she prepares to inhale the toxic of her cigarette.
"Why did you do that?"
Bubbles plays dumb. "What are you talking about?"
Buttercup growls. She is not in the mood for Bubbles naïveté. She is annoyed already at the fact that Brick still hasn't called and Bubbles is taking up precious time. Perhaps he is even trying to call now but can't get through due to the entirely pointless conversation between Buttercup and her ignorant sister.
"Stop playing dumb, Bubbles, I'm not in the mood. Brick still hasn't called and you're wasting my time," Buttercup snarls in the phone. She angrily pounds her cigarette into the mahogany ashtray by the phone, watching ashes scatter on the once-sparkling checked floor. She doesn't even care.
"Well, do you know where he is?" Bubbles asks.
"No, Bubbles, I don't know where he is," Buttercup replies sarcastically. "Of course, stupid. He's working on a project with a couple of colleagues from work. Apparently de Vito's expecting this project in a couple of days."
"Oh, is that what he said?" says Bubbles coolly.
"What's THAT supposed to mean?" Buttercup snaps. She moves around the kitchen, tapping her long scarlet nails on the counters as she progresses, completely irritated. Why is Bubbles calling to question Brick's motives? Buttercup just knows that he would never lie to her.
"Nothing, maybe I'm just bitter because I just got fired," Bubbles answers. She does sound bitter. "But however convinced that you are that Brick has never lied to you, please talk to him." Her voice slips into that soft innocent tone and Buttercup cannot contain another eye roll. It's that voice again.
"Whatever, Bubbles. The place you worked at was a basically discriminatory against everything that you can possibly discriminate against." Without another word, Buttercup simply slams down the phone and lets out an annoyed sigh. She still can't believe that Bubbles would have the audacity to probe her about her relationship with Brick.
But even so, Buttercup knows that when, if Brick comes home tonight, she will ask him.
He would never lie to me.
TO: brickronalds at vitoenterprises
FROM: butch-ronalds at defusion
SUBJECT: No subject
DATE: December 8 – 5:32 PM
We need to talk. Don't avoid me.
Butch.
TO: brickronalds at vitoenterprises
FROM: butch-ronalds at defusion
SUBJECT: No subject
DATE: December 8 – 7:42 PM
Yo, I'm serious. Brick, where are you?
TO: butch-ronalds at defusion
FROM: brickronalds at vitoenterprises
SUBJECT: No subject
DATE: December 8 – 9:12 PM
What do you want, Butch? Come by my apartment tomorrow if you really need to talk. But I'm not saying anything, just to let you know in advance. So really, a talk is useless.
Brick
TO BE CONTINUED
Polska – As you can see, I ended with an email. I really like writing journal/diary entries. Buttercup's was fun to write. Anyways, I think I did a pretty good job on this chapter. Sorry for the late update. I know it might not really fit the chapter title, but Blossom's hysterical outburst was probably a main highlight in this chapter. I think I focussed more on the Buttercup/Butch aspect of this story.
Review? Yesssss. Thanks much. Feedback is greatly appreciated.
EDIT: August 19, 2012: Hay, guys and gals, I'm just going through these chapters and editing them for bad grammar and continuity errors. But for a fourteen-year-old, this chapter wasn't that bad!
NEXT CHAPTER
DELUSION