Townsville High

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Chapter 44 - Empty Promises

Last Chapter - Dancing brought up some bad memories for Bubbles. Maxine and Brody got closer thanks to their unborn child. Blossom began to recover. Sky started to wonder where Tyler's loyalties lie. And Butch and Buttercup took a huge step in their relationship when Butch confessed he is in love with her.

AN; I think you'll enjoy this chapter. There's going to a sad moment with Bubbles and also Brody's first ever POV..I think so anyway, I'm pretty sure this is his first one, so it will give you a little more insight into his character. Once again there aren't any Blossom/Brick in this chapter, but there will be plenty in the next!

By the way, I should warn you that this chapter isn't my best, I just wanted to get it up quickly for you all. But I hope you like it, and thank you for reading :)


Buttercup's POV

I lost count of how long I had been awake.

Beside me was Butch, sleeping like a baby and snoring like an idiot. I rolled over and lay on my side to look at him. I watched as his toned chest slowly rose up and fell back down. One of his muscular arms was lying over his stomach while the other was underneath my pillow, stretched out around me.

No matter how hard I had tried, once I woke up, there was no going back to sleep.

I couldn't stop thinking about the other night. Butch told me that he loved me. I didn't think I'd actually be happy to hear that, but after he said it, I couldn't get the smile off my face. I guess I was shocked because I didn't believe in love. I thought that the thought of love was to good to be true, I guess it only happens to the lucky ones.

When I was younger, I imagined maybe one day falling in love, but never to Butch Jojo. I thought it would be Mitch, or some random guy, but not my counterpart. Then again, my sisters did it, why can't I?

He stirred and I thought he was going to wake up, but then his face relaxed and the snoring started again. I rolled my eyes and sat up, my legs falling of the side of the bed and my feet landing on the floor. I stood up and walked towards the door. It was early morning, and I wasn't sure if anyone would be awake yet.

My question was answered when I walked into the living room and saw Bubbles on the couch.

"You're up early." I drawled.

Bubbles' head snapped back to look at me. "Oh, morning. I could say the same to you. Did Butch's snoring wake you up too?"

I laughed half heartedly and shook my head. I walked over to the couch and sat down beside Bubbles, grabbing the remote from her hands in the process. She rolled her eyes as I scanned through the channels. Bubbles reached over to the table and picked up her glass of orange juice and started to drink it in silence.

I had the sudden urge to have one of our annoying 'sister' talks that she always forced me into.

"Bubbles, I need to talk to you. You know, girl talk?" I said uncomfortably. Hearing myself say the words made me want to instantly take them right back, but it was too late. Bubbles squealed in excitement and jumped in her seat, spinning to face me properly. I swallowed hard. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"Of course! So, talk."

I bit my bottom lip. "Butch told me he's in love with me last night."

The next few seconds passed in utter silence, until Bubbles jumped up in happiness.

"I knew it! You said it back right?"

"Not in so many words, but he knows it anyway," I responded as Bubbles sat back down beside me. "I just think this is a big step. I do love the idiot, but a few months ago I was running about saying I didn't even believe in love! A few months ago Butch was just my friend, barely even that. A lot has happened, I just think it's all going so fast."

As soon as I stopped talking, I realised that I had said it. I love the idiot. Hearing it out loud sounded weird. It sounded foreign. I had never said it before, so it was strange to hear the words but it felt sort of..right.

I didn't want to admit it, but I put up with him through all of his annoying quirks, I don't hit him as much any more, and I'm actually..kind to him. That's love, Buttercup Utonium style. Butch should count himself lucky.

Bubbles nodded in understanding. "Well, you've known Butch since you were kids. You've went from being his counterpart to his enemy to his acquaintance to his friend to his best friend then to his girlfriend. Being the girl he's in love with usually comes next. So, just enjoy it, because love doesn't happen so easily."

"Coming from the girl who had two guys in love with her?" I replied with a blank expression, a certain sass was in my voice that made me sound like Maxine. Bubbles narrowed her eyes and sighed deeply before throwing her hands in the air in frustration.

"Well I'm not you, okay. Listen, I always knew he loved you. He risked his life so that you would be happy-"

"He risked his life you that you would live and Boomer would get better," I interjected. "He didn't do it for me."

Bubbles rolled her eyes in annoyance. "You are so dense. Of course he did it for you! He told me that he did! You might think that him telling you that he's in love with you is sudden and fast, but he's loved you for most of this year, he just didn't admit it. Everything Butch has done has been for you. He changed for you, he risked his own life and boxing career for you, he kept his feelings a secret because you wanted him to. He's loved you for a while, Buttercup."

Everything that Bubbles said had stuck in my mind. It all made perfect sence.

If I really think about it, Butch has most likely had feelings for me since I came back to Townsville. He has probably loved me for a while, and he just only admitted it when we were both ready to hear it. I wanted to laugh bitterly at house stupid I was for not noticing it sooner. A tiny smile set on my face as I nodded.

"I guess you may have a point." I said in a small voice.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Bubbles held her glass to her mouth and took a drink, her eyes on me. She put her glass down on the coffee table and turned back to look at me. Her eyes showed happiness that I was happy, but I knew something was bugging her. Whenever she is overly ecstatic or helpful means she's the one that needs the help. I know her too well.

"Bubbles, are you okay?" I asked, changing the subject.

She chewed her bottom lip - a habit she gets when there's something she doesn't want to talk about. Like I said, I know her too well. Bubbles shook her head slowly, her eyes staring off behind me. My head titled and my face furrowed.

"I've thought a lot about dad lately," I grew rigid, this conversation was already making me uncomfortable. Out of all of us, Bubbles was the one who never talked about our dad. She danced around the subject all the time. "Do you remember the last thing he ever said to you?"

I didn't need to think. I'll always remember his last words to me. "He was on his way to work and he told me to watch you and Blossom. You weren't well and Blossom was busy studying so he asked me to look after you," I sighed at the memory before turning back to Bubbles. "Why do you want to know?"

"I just miss him. I've been thinking a lot about him recently. Usually I try to make myself forget. To remember that he's gone and isn't coming back..but when I go to dance class, he's all I can think about. I just really miss him, Buttercup." Bubbles' voice was a breathless whisper. I couldn't stand seeing my strong sister like this.

Bubbles has always been the strong one of the group, which was the hardest thing to believe. She almost died and she didn't even care, she just picked herself up and moved on. I always think that because she was so emotional as a child, she disarms all from of bad emotions now that she's a teenager. She can't do that. I did and I was an emotional wreck. I worry about her sometimes.

"He wouldn't want you to be sad," I said in a shaky voice. "He would want you to be brave."

"You don't think I've tried? When we came back here you and Bloss fell apart, I was the one that said nothing. I've had to sleep in the room that dad used to wake me up in every morning. I've been brave, but I just don't think I can anymore."

I frowned at her words. "Maybe you need this then. Remember when we first got here, I was a mess and now I'm fine. Maybe you need to be upset and then it'll just go away in time."

Bubbles rose to her feet and let out a sigh. "It never just goes away."

She sent me a final glance before walking past the couch and over to the stairs. She ran up and seconds later I heard the slam of her door. I sat with my head in my hands and closed my eyes. She was right, it never goes away. I decided to talk to Boomer later, considering Butch helped me when I was down about it, I knew that Boomer could help her.

It just scared me a little.

Me and Blossom went through hell, and Bubbles has had this rage over his death built up for so long now..when it finally comes out, it's not going to be pretty.


Brody's POV

A small yawn escaped my lips and my eyes opened.

It was insanely warm, but that was probably because I had all the covers over me. Maxine must have gotten too hot at some point during the night. I put one hand to my face to rub my eyes but found the other one not where it should be. I looked down and found that my left hand was still on Maxine's stomach. How is that even possible?

I slowly moved my hand away, trying desperately not to wake Maxine.

She looked so peaceful when she slept. I almost missed it. What am I saying? Of course I missed it. I miss living with her, and falling asleep beside her. She made this so hard on me, coming over here. Then again I can't really blame her. It was late and she needed somewhere to go.

I still haven't really wrapped my head around it all. I'm going to be a dad. Me. Brody McKane. I'm supposed to be the responsible one of the group, how did this end up happening to me? God, Maxine must be going insane. She's only sixteen. I'm only seventeen. This shouldn't be happening right now.

A tiny part of me was happy. I get to spend all the time in the world with Maxine again. I have a reason to be with her, but like she said, this baby can't be a reason for us to get back together. I guess I'll just have to give her a reason then.

I wonder what the future will be like for me and Max. What if we don't get back together? Our child would be running from house to house every other weekend. Me and Maxine will only talk when we have to sort out school bills or something like that. God, I don't want that. I want us to be back together, dammit.

I heard Maxine stir as she made her way onto her back, but didn't wake up.

She looked beautiful. She always did. It was hard not to get lost in her blue-green eyes. Her dark brown hair was cascaded everywhere but she still looked as amazing as always. Maxine had always been a very pretty girl, and not just because of the some-what noticable freckles on her face and the dimples on either side of her lips. She's got a pretty muscular body too, from boxing, but now that tight stomach was curved into a bump.

I never understood why people said that woman glow when they're pregnant, but Maxine does. I almost didn't want to wake her, she looked so peaceful. Her face showed no emotion, her breathing was short and her lips were curved into a tiny smile. But I had to wake her.

"Maxine," I shook her arm carefully. "Maxy?"

She stirred again.

I smiled when her eyes opened. She looked at me and smiled back, just seeing her smile gave me butterflies. She lay on her side with one of her hands under her pillow and looked up at me, just like she used to, every single morning.

"Hi." She spoke softly.

Suddenly I couldn't find my own voice.

"Are you okay?" She asked me. I still didn't have the will to speak, so I nodded. She sat up straight and yawned. Her eyes locked on mine, like she was expecting me to say something. What did she expect me to say? Last night was cool, seeing you again, now let's go back to being awkward idiots? God, this shouldn't be so hard.

"Brody.." I felt my heartbeat quicken as her hand covered mine. I looked down and my face just froze, not knowing how to react or what to say. When I looked back up at her, a tiny smile was on her face, I could barely notice it.

"Last night didn't change anything," I finally found my voice. "Did it?"

Maxine bit her lip and shook her head. "We're friends, and it's not awkward, so something changed. I just think us dating again because of last night would be a mistake. I did miss it though..sleeping with you beside me." She said before looking down.

In that moment, I couldn't think straight, because one memory was stuck in my head..

FLASHBACK;

Brody and Maxine had just awaken, and their eyes were glued to each other.

They had been living together for a few weeks now but it still felt the same as it always did. The morning were always the best, just lying in bed, smiling at each other. It was heaven. Brody's hand rested on the back of her head, moving some of the stray hair from her face.

"You look beautiful." He muttered.

Maxine laughed. "I just woke up, that's impossible." She said with a cute smile. Of course, Maxine always looked beautiful. Her dark brunette hair, blue-green eyes, freckles and dimples always made her look amazing. No matter what time of the day. Brody had never felt more lucky to be with a girl that's so gorgeous but has a gorgeous personality to go with it.

Brody grinned from ear-to-ear. "I don't care, you're still beautiful."

A faint rosy blush spread across Maxine's cheeks, but she hid it by burying her head deeper in her pillow. Brody chuckled at her failed attempt and leaned down, giving her a sweet kiss on the lips. It didn't seem enough for Maxine, because in an instant, her arms were wrapped around him and her lips were deeper into his.

After moments of kissing passionately, they finally broke apart, but remained in each other's embrace.

"I love you, so so much." Maxine said, out of breath.

Brody grinned, showing off his pearly white teeth. "I love you too, Maxy. Forever and always, remember?"

Maxine nodded.

"Forever and always."

She lay her head on his chest as he lay back down. Maxine's hand grabbed his shirt in her palm and eased into his arms. Brody rested his head on the top of hers and kissed it before closing his eyes to take it all in.

"Promise me something?" Maxine's asked in a small voice.

"Anything."

"First of all, you never stop loving me, because I would go insane," She paused to hear a laugh from Brody. "And second, we never leave this bed."

Brody chuckled again and tightened his arms around her lovingly. "You got yourself a deal, Maxine Slater."

I didn't like to think about it.

I didn't like to think that I would never see that breathless smile on her face, or hear those two words from her ever again. I didn't like to think that the memories were all I had left and that this was the end of our story, a story that was meant to be an epic romance that overcame anything. All of it was for nothing now.

"Maxine, I lo-" I stopped myself immediately. My stomach began to hurt, like butterflies were taking over. It felt just as frightening as the first time I had ever said it to her, only I was more nervous and stuttering all of my words.

She raised her eyebrow in slight curiosity. "Yes?"

"I um..I was just going to say that I.." I was officially stammering like an idiot now. Maxine's expression softened as she realised just what I was about to say. I braced myself for the worst, to be shot down once more.

"I do too." She said quietly before jumping out of the bed and running to the bathroom. I wasn't sure if it was because of the dreaded morning-sickness, or she just couldn't face me right now.

"Forever and fucking always." I muttered before running my hand through my hair.


"Will you please pay attention?" Blossom heard herself say, but apparently no one else did.

Buttercup laughed hysterically at Butch, who was sat beside her on the couch. There was ticking, hitting, laughing, all sorts. Butch jabbed her in the side, which she returned. They were acting like two five year olds. Blossom watched them with narrow eyes and her arms crossed firmly.

"Guys!" Blossom snapped.

Buttercup and Butch stare at Blossom with grins on their faces. Butch took a glance at Buttercup and gave her a look of a guilty accomplice. Buttercup had to bite her lip to stop her from laughing.

"Um..sorry, what were you saying?" Buttercup asked before Butch jabbed her with his elbow once more. Buttercup laughed again as she done the same back, and then it all started again. Blossom pace-palmed herself and rolled her eyes like a frustrated mother.

"Never mind." Blossom breathed out a sigh before walking away from the two giggling teenagers.

Butch didn't even notice that Blossom had left because he was still trying to get on Buttercup's nerves. He started to tickle her but Buttercup was quick and pinned his arms. She sat on top of him with a triumphant smirk dancing on her lips. Butch smirked back before pushing forward, sending them both flying off of the couch.

They lay beside each other on the floor in silence for a few seconds, until the laugher started again. Since the other night, they had been inseparable. Always with the jokes, laughs, smiles, it really was nothing like them.

Butch helped Buttercup back on to the couch.

"I think we annoyed Bloss." Butch said with his hand on his chin, looking thoughtful.

Buttercup gave him a blank look. "You think?" She asked, tensing the word 'think'. Of course they had, and she knew it. She couldn't even remember what Blossom was trying to tell them.

She reached for the remote and switched on the television, they decided to watch the last half of the film they had been watching the night before. After a short discussion, they decided this movie should become a ritual, considering they watched on such a special night. Buttercup still hadn't said the words, I love you, but he knew she did, and that was good enough.

As twenty minutes passed and the movie was getting even more interesting, Buttercup felt Butch's arm drape around her, his fingers started to slowly trace up and down from her shoulder to her elbow. Buttercup was still nervous when it came to intimacy with Butch, but she still lay her head on the crook of his shoulder.

Buttercup noted the way he smelled like Paco Rabanne. She hid her laugh. He most likely drowned himself in the cologne.

She moved her head away and looked at him with a small smirk on her face. His eyes were dancing in excitement at the screen in front of them. Finally he gave her his attention. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Butch's lips slowly encountered her own.

Their lips met, and Buttercup's arms were laced around his neck. She felt breathless as Butch deepened the kiss. It was like she needed them in a way, like she needed to breath. She was always breathless when they kissed. It was like a secret weapon, and not just because he can stop her mid-argument by kissing her. He could spin her world around with just one moment of pure affection.

When they pulled away, Buttercup felt like she had run out of air.

Butch's strong arms pulled her into him. Buttercup's legs tucked underneath herself, so that the both of them were only taking up one seat of the couch. All of this was new to Buttercup, but she found herself craving the intimacy of it all. Butch was right, she was finally learning how to love someone.

"God, I love you, crazy girl." He said as his full attention was on her, and away from the movie he had been enjoying. Of course, he enjoyed the company more. A small smile tugged at Buttercup lips as she nodded against his chest.

Could she really say the words?

Buttercup was prepared to say it, when Butch interrupted her. "Don't worry, you don't need to say it back. I know you do."

The beautiful moment was crushed when Butch spoke again. "I mean, who couldn't love me, right?"

"Idiot." Buttercup muttered as she shook her head. But the smile was tight on her face, she couldn't rid herself of it.


Skylar's POV

I've had been sitting in Tyler's house for three hours, and he still hasn't said the words yet.

I swear, there is no winning with this boy. The other night was so sweet and he didn't even say the words back. He didn't say that he loves me back, again! I don't think he gets what he does to me. I used to be careless, fun, free..and then I met Tyler. The same happened when he met Bubbles. We were never meant for love, but I want to try and he obviously doesn't.

"What you thinkin' about, love?" My eyes snapped to the seat beside me. Oh so he can call me love but can't say it? How lovely. I looked at him and narrowed my eyes.

Tyler smiled at me casually, obviously not catching the anger in my eyes.

"Nothing." I said in a small voice. Tyler raised his eyebrow but shrugged before turning back to the television. He can be so dense sometimes.

Something really bugged me about the other night. They way he danced around the subject of Bubbles. I mean, he told me that she was his first love, and he can't ever really get over that. If he can't get over her then were does that leave us? Why can't he just let go of her? How can I possibly compete with the girl that made him the guy he is?

Why can't he just stop loving her?

"I should go," I broke the silence. "Cassandra said she wanted me home early, so I'll call you." I rose to my feet as did Tyler. He frowned in disappointment and tugged me into his arms for a hug. I melted into his arms like I couldn't resist it.

Say the words..

I looked up at him expectantly. He simply smiled at me before bringing his lips to mine and kissing me briefly. I pulled away first, giving him a favoured fake smile of mine.

Without another word, I dashed away for the door and left. As soon as she door closed I leaned against it with my eyes shut tightly. Why can't he just say it!? Does he not understand how hard this is, I almost broke up with him for christ sake and he still can't be honest with me.

Why does he still love her more than me?


The curtains in Bubbles' room were closed shut, only a tiny peak of light sneaking in.

Bubbles tied the pink ballet shoes to her feet and stood tall, stretching her arms over her head. She did this a few times to her legs and then stretched her back. The music from her small light blue iPod filled the room. The song, All We Are by Matt Nathanson was playing.

The blonde took a breath as she held started to dance in the privacy of her bedroom. She prefered to dance here, where no one could see. Thanks to the thick sound-proof walls, no one could hear either. She had absolute privacy to dance to her heart's content.

As the beat of the song picked up, Bubbles spun around in a tight circle, lifting her left leg and raising it as she spun. All the while, she had perfect balance which brought the smile to her heart-shaped face. Bubbles leaped from one foot to the other and twirled to the other end of the room. Her arms were flying around gracefully and her legs were straight.

Perfection.

Bubbles spun once more and immediately came to a halt. She was standing in front of her chest, which contained many photo's in photo frames, all in a perfect line. She tilted her head and frowned as her eyes caught the one of her and her father. She was thirteen in the photo, it was taken two days before he went to work and never came back.

Before she could stop herself, another memory flashed before her very eyes.

FLASHBACK;

"Did you see this move?" Thirteen year old Bubbles chirped as she leaped, bringing one foot to the back of her head.

A chuckle escaped John Utonium's lips as he nodded at his daughter. She continued to dance around the room like she owned it. She was owning it. The performance was amazing, breathtaking, spectacular. All of those words came to John's mind. He had never seen something so wonderful and fascinating, and to come from his own daughter, it made him so proud.

"My little angel is amazing," He muttered as she ran up to him, grinning from ear-to-ear. "Don't let anyone tell you any different."

Bubbles nodded in response.

"I won't, dad!" She beamed. "How was that? I mean, I almost fell on the last spin, so maybe-"

"No, it was perfect." John interjected. "I remember the first time I saw you dance. You were just six years old and even back then you were amazing. You've always been amazing, angel. I'm so proud of you."

Bubbles smiled happily and looked down at her feet, where her ballet shoes where. On this day, John had bought Bubbles her first ever pair of proper ballet shoes. They were beautiful and definitely improved her dancing. She felt more confident in them, and she loved them. It was the best present he had ever given her.

"Thank-you for believing in me." Bubbles said in a small voice.

John nodded. "Of course. Just promise me that one day you will dance outside of this room."

"Okay," Bubbles chirped. "Only if you promise that you'll come to my first ever show!"

A short and happy laugh escaped from John's mouth. "I promise, angel. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Bubbles stared at the picture with a frozen expression as her fingers traced the blue picture frame. Tears were building up in her eyes and in that moment, she knew she was about to start crying. She tried to stop herself. Bubbles didn't allow herself to cry all the time any more. She had to be strong.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world.." Bubbles said aloud in a monotone voice.

She couldn't stop it now.

Tears streamed down Bubbles' face and then she let out a groan of heart-shattering pain. She collapsed to her knees and choked out a sob. No one would be able to hear her meltdown, she was all alone. Bubbles' hand gripped onto the cabinet beside her as she forced herself to her feet.

Her face went from devastated to frustrated in a matter of seconds, and her hand was on the empty plate on top of her desk. She through the plate towards the wall and let it shatter before her eyes.

"Argh." Bubbles screamed in agony and grief.

She picked up her lamp and hurled it towards the wall, then her hair curlers, then her box of art supplies, then another plate. After a while she had lost track of everything she was throwing around the room.

Bubbles cried out and feel to the floor, lying in the middle of all the wreckage. She leaned her back against the wall of her wardrobe. Her legs pulled against her chest and her arms hugged them tightly. She looked down at her feet and noticed one of her photo frames were broken. A shaky hand picked it up and she choked on a sob, realising that it was the one of her and John.

Her hand cut on the glass but she didn't even care. She just looked at the picture whilst breathing rapidly. Her head slammed against the wardrobe doors as she looked up towards the ceiling.

"Why did you have to leave me!? I can't do this without you, dad..why did you leave me?" Bubbles cried at the ceiling.

She looked down at her feet and a flame of fury took over her eyes. She bent down and ripped the ballet shoes off of her feet, the ones that her father had given her before he died, and she threw them against the wall in aggravation.

"You promised.." She whispered. "You promised!"

She took a look around the devastation in her room before closing her eyes and shutting out the happy memories of her and her father. The memories were all she had left of him, and now they were tearing her apart.

Bubbles let out a frustrated groan, her voice cracked, showing just how heart-broken she truly was.


So, that was a very sad chapter for Bubbles, Sky and Brody. But these are all just twists that I have in mind ;) Tell me if you like where I am going with them please? There will be some more twists coming soon, I can't say if they are good twists but oh well haha!

Some-what important An; Well, basically a lot of people have been asking if Mitch is going to appear because I mentioned him in the earlier chapters. I did ask people if they wanted him in it but a lot of people said no so I thought I would bring it up again! So um..yeah, please tell me if it's something you would want to see.

I try to avoid some of the main characters from the show because a lot of people said it would ruin it but I could make a special exception for Mitch :) Tell me what you guys think about it, and thanks for reading!

Please review, it only takes a few seconds:)!

Allie Peirce