Townsville High

~Thanks for the reviews! You're all angels. I'll warn you that there are a coupe swear words in this chapter haha!~

Chapter 33 - The clock is ticking

Last Chapter - Buttercup and Butch went on their first date. Things got awkward for Maxine and Brody. Bubbles and Boomer got even closer. &Tyler got one step closer to discovering Skylar's secret.


The clock is ticking. One week. Seven days.

Buttercup had so little time to make up her mind. Was she really going to go through with this? Or was she going to quit while she was ahead? She was running out of time, and now she had to think hard. There was too many pro's and con's to date Butch Jojo. He was sweet, which was weird. He was funny, good-looking, interesting, amazing, some-what romantic. Then again, he was also cocky, full of himself, annoying and a terrible dancer.

She just didn't know what to do any more, so instead she decided to put their relationship to the test. One week of never leaving each other's side, learning as much as they can about one another, and seeing if they are right. Shouldn't be that hard, right? I mean this seems easy..wait, this is Buttercup Utonium and Butch Jojo we're talking about.

"Hello! Give me some attention." Butch pouted in a cute way as his hands waved in front of Buttercup's face. She had been staring into space and thinking for about five minutes now. Her eyes rolled as she looked at Butch with an annoyed face. Why did he have to act like a child?

Buttercup sighed. "Hi, Butch."

He smiled. "Thinking about me, were you? Of course."

Sometimes he really could be so self-centred, but Buttercup liked it. He reminded her of herself. She was sat atop her bed with her legs out in a thin line beside each other, and her arms were crossed as she stared at the dark green wall ahead of her. Butch was sat beside her, a little more down the bed, facing her.

"You know, we have a week to decide if we're gonna date, and you're making my choice a lot easier." Buttercup snapped as she looked away from him. Butch smirked and scooted closer to her before seizing her lips which surprised Buttercup. She kissed him back but pulled away just as she did, her eyebrow raised curiously.

"What was that for?" She asked.

Butch chuckled. "Just making your choice easier, crazy girl."

Buttercup's eyes rolled but she was smiling. Even the small things still made her feel surprised and swept off of her feet. I guess that's just the effect that Butch has on people, especially her. She looked back over to the wall, thinking about him. Butch normally would have tried to snap her out of it, but as of now, he was just watching her think. He noticed how her eyes narrowed and her breathing got slower when she thought.

"You're starin' at me, Jojo." Buttercup said, still looking at the wall.

Butch laughed. "It's hard not to."

Buttercup turned to look at him, just her eyes, her face didn't move. Butch grinned and sat closer to her. She looked down at the bed, not knowing what to say. Sometimes he made her nervous, which never happened. No one made her nervous. Every day these little things surprised her, how he brought out the better side of her, the feminine side, the happy side. How he made her nervous and shocked. How just one kiss from him could make her day so much better.

"Would you be sad if I told you at the end of this week that this was over?" Buttercup asked. She looked at the wall again, not catching the twitch his eye had just made. Buttercup felt his hand slide into hers, and her fingers entwined with his.

"What kind of question is that?" Butch asked, his face furrowed. "Of course I'd be sad."

Buttercup's face remained blank. "Why?"

She had been wondering what Butch was getting from this relationship. Buttercup wanted this to work because she liked the excitement of being Butch Jojo's girl, and she liked how alive she felt around him, and how he could surprise her like no one could, but what was Butch so intent on keeping this for? What was she giving him that no one else could?

"..Because I like you, a lot. Before you moved back my whole world revolved around..well, myself. I didn't know what it was like to be this happy. My life was pretty fucked up, to be honest, then you made it all clear again. I have a reason to get up in the morning and I actually want to go to school. I guess you're just the part that was missing, you know?" Butch said sweetly, looking her in the eye but not getting the gaze returned.

Buttercup closed her eyes tight, letting his words sink in. She opened them again and found herself looking at him. Finally a small smile appeared on her face before she leaned forward and kissed him, letting her free hand meet his neck. She kissed him with so much passion, she thought that she might faint from the heat.

Sometimes Buttercup thought she was bad for him, but as it turns out, she's exactly the best thing for him.


"Bloss?" His voice rang through the hall.

Brick walked into Blossom's bedroom, but by the look of it, she wasn't there. He noticed that there must have been an earthquake in this room, because it was a mess! Blossom was usually so tidy and organised, but as of this moment, not one single attire of clothing was in her wardrobe, because it was all over to floor.

Some of her little items on her chest, such as photo frames and make-up/hair products, had been scattered about, some on the floor. Her bed wasn't perfectly made as usual and one of her curtains were lopsided. This room looked like it belonged to Buttercup, not Blossom.

"What the hell?" Brick's face furrowed as he looked around the room in shock. He almost cut his foot open when he treaded past an empty alcohol bottle on the floor. Brick was in utter surprise at the state of this room. He heard a noise of footsteps nearing the door and spun around, to see his little blonde friend.

Bubbles smiled. "Blossom's out."

"What? Was she swallowed by the tornado that invaded this room?" Brick joked, glancing at the red dress that had been carelessly thrown over the mirror on her vanity table. Bubbles laughed at his joke and crossed her arms under her chest.

"No, she's out with Sky. I noticed this last night. She started throwing out some of her clothes and stuff. I don't know what's going on with her, maybe you could find out?" Bubbles asked in hope. She obviously wasn't aware of the whole 'insecurity' thing. It was a lot worse than he and Buttercup had thought.

Brick nodded. "Yeah, of course. It just seems like she's hiding something, but she should have told us." Bubbles agreed with him. She was Blossom's sister and he was her boyfriend, she should tell them and Buttercup if something is going on.

"I think I have an idea on what she's hiding." Bubbles looked down at the ground, causing Brick to look down too. He noticed something sitting in front of Bubbles' feet, slightly covered by a pink skirt that had been tossed to the floor. Brick narrowed his eyes and bent down to pick it up. He pushed the shirt out of the way and picked up the item. When he examined it, he glared in shock at the half empty bottle of pills.

"What are these?" Brick asked.

Bubbles sighed. "They're diet pills, Brick."

The tall red-head raised an eyebrow before looking at the bottle again. What would Blossom need with these? She might not have been as skinny as Buttercup or Sky, but she was very skinny. Brick wondered why she would even consider the need for these small blue pills.

"Why would she take these?" He asked, horrified.

Bubbles frowned and took a deep breath before meeting his eyes. "I think she has an eating disorder."

His eyes grew.


Maxine strolled into Tyler's house, and threw her bag on the couch. She ran a hand through her silky brown hair and bit her lips, causing a throbbing pain in her bottom lip. Her eyes shut tightly and she wanted to cry. Today would have been their 19 month anniversary. Nineteen months. It seems so long, but in reality, it's only one year and seven months of pure bliss until they had eventually broke up.

All she could think about was going over to see him and be able to cuddle into him again, to hear his amazing laugh and smell the strong cologne he always wore. Most of all she wanted to see his bright smile and kiss his lips. Now she couldn't do any of that, and it killed her.

"Hey, little sis." Tyler said as he entered his living room. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Maxine shrugged. "I don't think they're worth that much."

Tyler raised his eyebrow, noticing her obvious despair and discomfort. He sat down on one of the double seater leather couches that sat in front of his television. Maxine strolled over and sat down beside him, letting her elbows fall to her knees and her head fall into the palms of her hands.

"It's mine and Brody's anniversary today..well I guess it technically doesn't count any more, does it?" Maxine said sadly, willing herself not to cry. Tyler frowned at seeing his sister so down. He wasn't much for the heart-to-hearts, but this was his sister, he had to do something.

"You might be broken up, but this day still counts." Tyler said in comfort, but Maxine simply sighed and shook her head like his words either meant nothing or weren't true.

Maxine's eyes shut tightly. "It counts to me, Ty, but it doesn't count to him. He broke up with me, remember? I bet he's sitting at his right now and doesn't even realise or remember that it's our anniversary today."

Tyler bit his lip. "Actually.."

Knock. Knock.

Maxine's eyes narrowed as she thought, oh no, not this again. First Brick and now Tyler. People didn't seem to understand how hard it was to be around one another, not just for Maxine, but for Brody as well. Then again, all their friends wanted was for them to be friends like they used to be.

"Ty, I'm going to throttle you." Maxine threatened before lunging for his neck to strangle the life out of him. Tyler jumped out of the way and ran towards the door, before turning back to Maxine, who looked like she might actually kill someone right that second. There was an angry flame in her eyes and her lips were held in a thin line.

Tyler sighed. "You can't avoid him forever."

With that said, Tyler turned back towards the door and opened it. Standing there was Brody and Bubbles. The little blonde looked through the door over to the couch and saw Maxine, and she frowned at her friend. Brody noticed her too and his eyes went soft. Of course he remembered what day this was, but he didn't want to admit it to himself.

"Max." Brody said quietly.

Maxine scoffed and stood up before heading towards the stairs and storming up them, much like a stampede of elephants. Tyler sighed and opened the door a little more to let the blonde girl and brunette boy in. They walked inside, and Tyler shut the door behind him. Brody looked at the stairs and frowned, thinking about how much this must hurt her.

"I'm gonna go talk to Max." Bubbles said with a weak smile before heading upstairs to find out where she had run off too. She figured that Maxine would be in Tyler's room, so that was the first place she checked, and right as rain, there she was. Bubbles strolled inside and over to Maxine, who was breathing heavily.

"Hi." Her voice was weak, but Maxine still heard it. The tall brunette was sat on Tyler's bed, with her eyes shut tight. Bubbles sat down beside Maxine and turned to her, waiting for Maxine to speak. Her eyes struck open and looked at Bubbles.

Maxine smiled. "Hey, B. Sorry about that, it's just.."

"I know." Bubbles interrupted. Maxine smiled again, but it wasn't exactly a happy smile. Her lips were curved into a smile, but her eyes weren't into it.

"I didn't think it would be this hard, you know? I mean both of us knew we weren't going to last forever but we're Brody and Maxine. I figured we would have this mutual, less dramatic end, but no! He dumped me on his own birthday, and it was the most dramatic thing I've ever experienced. That wasn't how we were supposed to end, we weren't supposed to end at all!" Maxine cried.

Bubbles nodded. "Max, he does love you. He just wanted to quit while you's were ahead. If you had continued dating who knows what would have happened? Things probably would have ended even worse than it did. But he does love you, he told me today that all he wanted to do was see you."

Maxine's mouth hung open. "He really said that?"

"It is your anniversary." Bubbles smiled.

"I can't believe he said that." Maxine gasped. "Is that why he came over here? He knew I was here didn't he.."

Bubbles nodded. "Yeah, he knew. Look I know things are hard and everything, but he really wants you to both be friends again. He sat and told me about how you used to be great friends."

Maxine smiled at the thought of when they were friends. They had met one their first day of boxing class in first year. Coach McCallum had paired them up as sparring partners and they both became amazing friends. All night they would stay up on the phone talking and they would always spend free period together in school.

Then one day, Brody asked her out on a date. She obviously said yes, because well..it was Brody McKane, no girl could ever refuse a date from that boy. After a couple of weeks of dating, they decided to become girlfriend and boyfriend, and ever since then they had been the 'power couple' or the 'best couple' of the school, she assumed that Brick and Blossom held that title now.

"He was one of my best friends.." Maxine trailed on, a small smile on her face.

Bubbles grinned. "Well now he can be that again."

Maxine nodded with a serene but forced smile. "Yeah..I guess so."


Blossom's eyes narrowed as she glared at the bottle in front of her. Had it really come to this? The red-head wasn't even sure who she was any more, she wasn't sure who her sisters or friends where any more either. Teenage life had managed to best them. Blossom didn't like to think about it, she didn't like to think at all.

The lights were dim and the air was cold. Blossom was sat with one leg crossed over the other, on Skylar's couch. She had been there for a few hours now. All she could think was that Brick was most likely trying to get a hold of her. She took the small glass that sat on the table that contained some large amount of alcohol and took a long drink, attempting to put her mind at ease.

It was something about being around Skylar Anderson, something that made her want to drink till dawn and forget all about her troubles. Sky was good at that, Blossom? Not so much. All Blossom wanted was to forget about these silly insecurity's that plagued her mind, and if this was the way to do it, so be it.

"So, where is Blake?" Sky mumbled in a drunken voice. Blossom looked up from her glass and over to the opposite couch, where Sky sat cross-legged. The blue haired girl was on what appeared to be her eleventh drink, and most of it swallyed on to the floor as she tossed the glass around.

"Um..do you mean Brick?" Blossom asked with narrow eyes and furrowed brows. Skylar laughed hysterically as she almost knocked a bottle off of her coffee table. Blossom took that as a yes. She wasn't sure why Sky had the need to get drunk all the time, this wasn't how to hide whatever troubles she may have, but Blossom would never question her best friend.

A serene smile tugged at Sky's lips as she took a long drink out of her glass, finished it off. She put the glass on the table and looked at Blossom before nodding. "Yeah. I figured he would have called at least five times. You know how small town boys are, all protective and such."

Something in her voice sounded sarcastic and ironic, but Blossom thought nothing of it. Sky was always one to get all the boys but since moving here she hadn't seemed to be interested in any one, not even Tyler who was exactly her type. It freaked Blossom out a little.

Blossom sighed deeply. "He's probably looking for me, I wouldn't know, I haven't checked my phone in a while."

"You know, I never would have thought that my best friend would find someone as amazing as Brick, or what ever his name is. He's a real catch, I'm happy for you." Sky smiled, proudness beaming bright in her turquoise eyes. She leaned forward to pour herself another drink.

"Thanks, Sky." Blossom smiled back. "Hey, you never told me, what happened between you and Darren? I assumed you would still be dating but long distance really isn't your thing."

Sky's smile suddenly faded. She looked at the coffee table with fire burning in her eyes before she snatched her glass off of the table and took a long swig. Blossom raised her eyebrow at her obvious hostility and assumed that she really shouldn't have asked that question.

"Sky?" Blossom asked in concern.

"Look, me and Darren aren't together any more. Let's just say that he found out something that made him think twice about me. He ended it and just in time too, because then I found out I was coming here. I know you liked Darren, but he really wasn't a great guy after all." Sky's voice was calm, masking pain and despair.

Darren Donnavan. He had the most perfect light brown that dazzled in the sunlight, and curled a little. His eyes were pools of blue but showed the tiniest hint of forest green. No words were good enough to describe him. Darren was once a good friend of the girls, and Skylar too. They had dated for a few months before one night changed it all, but Sky would never tell why, she couldn't without explaining another thing that she wouldn't explain.

"What happened?" Blossom asked, not wanting to pry but too curious not to ask. Sky looked down at her glass once again. She closed her eyes, replaying that day in her head again for the sixth time that week. Ever had that one experience that seemed insignificant but meant so much more? That you couldn't stop thinking or replaying it? Well this was hers.

"He um..he just realised that he didn't love me any more." Skylar lied. Blossom's eyes narrowed. One thing about having a best friend, you know when they are lying. The thing was, Blossom couldn't tell if she was lying or not right now, Sky was brilliant at masking her emotions now, much like Buttercup.

Blossom frowned. "Oh, Sky. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Sky smiled. "I never really loved him any way, he was just someone to pass time with."

Another lie.

"I really missed my life back in Citysville, it was normal. Here it's just like everything has to be dire, you know? Drama all the time, drinking every night, break up's and make up's all day every day. But I guess that's what made us all grow up and change, and I think you'll really like it here." Blossom said with a small smile.

Sky laughed. "I know I will, Blossy. Listen, you should go call Brick. I have no idea how he has my number but he's texted me four times and Bubbles has texted me seven. Call them."

Blossom's eyes grew the tiniest bit, and her fingers tightened around the glass that was in her hand. She knew that something must be up if they have tried to call her so many times. Blossom stood up and reached over to grab her jacket that had been carelessly thrown over the leg of the couch.

She snatched her mobile phone from her jacket pocket. She ducked into the kitchen and looked at her phone and examined it, reading all the texts she had just seen..

Bloss? I need to talk to you, pick up the phone. Brick. Xoxo

Sis, Bubbles keeps asking me to phone you? Are you at Sky's? Buttercup.

Blossom! Pick up your phone! Bubbles. X

Red, your sisters won't stop annoying me. Come over to yours? Butch. X

Call me, please? Brick. Xoxo

Blossom sighed as she began to read all of these texts. What was going on? Her heart raced as she thought about it. Maybe they had been in her room? Maybe they had found the diet pills and got the wrong idea? Or maybe the right idea?

She dialed Brick's number..

".. .. .Bloss, hey!" His voice sounded relieved.

"Hi, Brick. What's with all the texts?" She asked nervously, hiding the nervousness in her voice with frustration.

"I found something in your room that kind of freaked me out, can you come over?"

"I'm at Sky's. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"But I-"

"Bye, Brick." She hung up the phone and her eyes shut tightly. So he had found them. Blossom cursed herself for leaving stuff like that out, it always leads to assumptions. Brick was worried about her, but Blossom couldn't seem to care less. She just wanted to go back to talking with her friend, rather than sitting at his, hearing all the assumptions.

She was just about to walk back through, when she saw Sky's laptop, sitting on the kitchen bunker. Blossom's eyes narrowed at the page that was up, it was some Wikipedia page, about some sort of disorder. What was this that Blossom was reading?

"..The call went good, then?" Blossom gasped and looked towards the door, where Sky was standing. Sky's eyes traveled to the computer before she strolled over and shut the laptop screen down, quickly. Blossom was stood with her mouth hung open slightly before she faked a smile.

"Yeah, he just wanted to know where I was, is all." Blossom said in a convincing manner. Sky smiled at her, like she hadn't just walked in on Blossom snooping. Her smile was gone within seconds as she reached over to the cabinet that was above the pair.

"Good, come on. This movie is starting, I know you'll like it." Sky said as she grabbed another bottle from the cabinet and walked out of the kitchen. Blossom narrowed her eyes, they fell on the laptop that was now shut, before she looked away from it again.

Blossom quickly put her phone in the pocket of her blue jeans and snuck back into the living room.


Buttercup's POV

Have you ever had that feeling where you can feel your heart just stop? Like in one instant, you're not breathing and you can't feel your heart beating any more. Then suddenly it all shifts and you can feel it more than ever, and it's strong and rapid? That's how I feel when I'm around Butch.

It's not love, don't even get that thought in your head. It's just excitement. He makes me feel alive, more alive than ever. Whenever we kiss, it's like I'm on the brink of death, and then I just feel alive. I don't think I could imagine a day where I don't see his cocky and immature smirk, or hear his deep voice.

When he says my name, it just sounds better. Like, he says it as if it's the word he's been wanting to say for years. Oh, and his nicknames for me? I used to hate them, despise them even, but now when he calls me Sunshine or Crazy girl, I just smile. This is so fucked up, right? Me. Butch. Feelings. All of it.

Feelings are what destroy people. If you're with someone who you have no feelings for, when they leave you it doesn't hurt, but when you like them it makes things complicated. It makes you weak and I am not weak nor do I want to be. I just want to be me, Buttercup, instead of this girl I've turned into.

"What you thinkin' about, sunshine?" Without even thinking, a smile took over my lips. I do that a lot, think, he always seems to think I'm ignoring him so he asks me that question at least four times a day. My answer is always either 'You.' or 'That doesn't concern you.' Because it doesn't concern him, and most of the time it is him that I'm thinking about.

I turned to him, deciding to switch it up. "Nothing, Butchy boy."

"Hey, remember the first night of the training camp?" Butch asked, obviously trying to catch some small talk before I zoned out again. I looked at him and nodded shortly with a small smile. That was probably the best night of my life. I had met Brandon, who was amazing, even though I didn't understand most of what he said. I had chased my dream and won. What a great weekend.

"Yeah." I laughed. "I forced you to sleep on the floor and said if I caught you in the bed I would cut you. Then you woke me up the next morning and I tried to kill you."

Oh, how things have changed. I used to threaten him whenever we were in the same bed, and now ever since we became best friends and..whatever we are now, it really doesn't bother me. Before we admitted our feelings for each other he stayed here almost every night and we always slept in the same bed. It's weird how much had changed in just a couple of months.

"You couldn't sleep because you were so excited about training, and every time I tried to talk to you, I'd get a pillow thrown at my face." Butch chuckled at the memory. That was a good night. I miss those nights at the training camp, and the morning where we would chat with Brandon and his tall blonde friend.

I wish I could go back one day, me and Butch. We could get our shot and maybe this time I would win without Butch throwing the fight for me. Maybe we will. I hope so any way, this time it would be so much better.

"I can't see how you put up with me back then." I laughed and looked up at the ceiling.

Butch chuckled. "I can't see how you put up with me now."

I grinned. "Good point, Butchy boy. Still, you're my best friend, I have to put up with you."

"I'm pretty sure we're more than best friends now." Butch smirked as he looked into my eyes, searching for god knows what. Does he think this? Because I'm not sure what we even are. Best friends? Yes. Dating? Not quite. Boyfriend and girlfriend? Not even close. So what is this? I guess we have one week to figure that out.

"Whatever." I smiled and turned over on my bed so that I was lying on my side. A short yawn escaped my mouth as I felt tiredness take over. I guess I really shouldn't have stayed up all night talking with Butchy boy. Now I'm exhausted.

"You should sleep, crazy girl. I'll wake you up in an hour." Butch's soothing voice reached my ears as his arm reached over me. He was spooning me, which made me even more tired just lying in his arms. I turned my head to look up at him but my neck just wouldn't reach that far back.

I blinked. "Won't you be bored if I go to sleep?"

"No, not really." He responded as he pulled my green cover over me. I snuggled into my pillow as I felt more comfortable than ever. Butch's arms wrapped around me, making me feel safe. I spun over so I was looking right at him, and I kissed him ever so lightly on the lips before snuggling into him and drifting slowly to sleep.

Yeah, I used to hate it when we were in the same bed, but now I don't think I could sleep without him beside me.


Like it? Hate it? Let me know.

I guess I wanted to use this chapter to define the relationship between the greens. They're not quite dating but they are not just best friends either. So the next few chapters will be the countdown to the chapter where Buttercup finally makes a decision. I hope you will all like it!

Next Chapter - Blossom is more distant than ever, so Brick and Bubbles have damage control to do. It's the second day of the countdown, and Butch is determined to make Buttercup's mind stick. Skylar's secret is getting closer to hitting the headlines and Maxine is still reeling over her broken relationship with Brody.

Until next time, readers! Please review and tell me what you thought! Thanks for reading, you're an angel:)

Allie Peirce