Author's Note: Sorry it's not longer. When the plot progresses they will lengthen. Sorry about that!

Chapter Four: Distance

After a long day of school, my brothers and I got outside and into the car. Boomer made some remark about the party. Butch laughed. I wasn't really listening. I was trying to understand what on earth was making me so distant today. I hadn't been able to pay attention during class, or talk to any of my friends, or flirt with girls passing by. I wasn't myself.

As I opened the car door, I saw three girls walk by. Of course, it just had to be them. Bubbles and Buttercup chatted eagerly, probably about the party, while Blossom walked silently, carrying a handful of books. She was looking straight ahead, ignoring her sisters. Bubbles suddenly said something and giggled, looking at Boomer. Boomer turned red and looked away. Buttercup laughed and slapped her knee, almost falling over. Butch slammed the car door behind him as he got in. Blossom didn't even look at the scene.

She kept walking. She wasn't herself, either.


As I got into the car, I paid more attention to what everyone was saying instead of observing the situation. "So, Brick," Boomer said, "did you see that? Bubbles totally just flirted with me."

Butch nodded quickly, smirking. "Yeah, that was awesome. I think Buttercup winked at me. I don't know for sure, but I think I know what I saw. Man, this party's gonna be great." Strange how the conversation continued even without me.

"Stop fantasizing about it," Boomer complained, groaning. "Yuck, it's like I can see what you're thinking. Dude, that's gross, stop it." Butch glared down Boomer and then they laughed.

I glanced back at them. Butch was in the passenger's seat, one foot on the dashboard, and Boomer was stretched out in the back, his blonde hair in his eyes. I started the car and pulled out quickly, nearly running over the girls. They gasped and ran, one screaming for her life, one shouting profanities at me, and the other wide-eyed with shock. I rolled down the window. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't even paying attention."

"Then maybe you should!" Buttercup shouted, practically kicking the car. "Wake up, stupid!"

"It's okay," Bubbles said, smiling. She fixed her hair. "As long as you said sorry."

I knew Blossom wasn't going to say anything, so I rolled the window back up and started driving. Slowly.

"Dude, what was that all about?" Boomer asked, staring at me through the rear-view mirror. "You almost ran them over. You're never a bad driver... what's wrong with you?"

"I... guess I didn't get enough sleep," I replied, focusing on the road. My brothers were watching me intently as I stared blankly ahead of me.

"Brick, you're starting to scare me," Butch finally said after a long silence. "What's with you?"

"Probably just tired."

"Well, shake it off, man!" Butch laughed, punching my arm. "We're gonna have fun tonight." I nodded. Hopefully we would.