Princess stood in her grand marble bathroom fixing her hair in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. It was the first day of senior year and she was determined to make this a year to remember. She was focused, and rejuvenated through her friendships to leave her mark on the school they condemned her for funding with "dirty money." Where the money came from sure didn't stop them from attending, and it sure didn't cost her her respect. She was Princess fucking Morbucks, damn it.
With a pop of her signature lipgloss and her side part two low buns perfectly in place with juicy curls, she was ready to make this year her bitch. The Hot Pokers had something planned today, and it was going to be something big. Thank goodness Pokey Oaks High always started their first day on a Friday. She picked up her backpack with her uniform stuffed inside and held her breath to walk past her father's study.
"Hoping I wouldn't see you on your last first day of school?" Her father's voice thundered through the halls.
Yes, obviously. Princess let out a deep sigh and turned into her father's office. As expected at 6 am Basilio Morbucks was puffing a Cuban cigar looking over paperwork with a glass of scotch and orange peel. He was never not in his dress clothes, thick multi-metaled rings adorned his meaty fingers and his broad shoulders were wider than the span of his chair. He took another puff of his cigar and had the courtesy to blow it away from her general direction.
"So much like your mother," he said softly with a gentle smile.
"As if I would know," she retorted ignoring the pang in her chest at the knowledge that she is not here today. Just as she was not at any of the other "firsts" in her life.
Bas's shoulders slumped and wrinkles broke out over his forehead. "I'm sorry she could not be here today. You understand that with the way we—"
"The way we live makes it dangerous for all of us to be together," I repeated the words I knew too well. "I know, Daddy."
"It is your senior year Princess," he began snuffing out the lit end of the gar. "After this, I can send you to any college of your choosing, you can be yourself, you can be free—"
"I will always be a Morbucks," I cut him off. "Townsville will eventually call me back to all of this, and I cannot go everywhere. I can't go to Baton Rouge to meet the rest of the family, I can't visit my uncle in prison, I can't visit my mother—"
Basilio stood from his chair looming over his desk and his daughter. "I work, and we live the way we live so that you can have more cans in your life than can'ts. I have lived a can't life Princess, you will learn to appreciate the cans!"
He took in his daughter's angered and tearful expression with a heavy sigh. He ran his large calloused hand over his face and resumed his seat. "In time you will understand, Princess. Maybe once you have children of your own or someone you cherish, you'll know what you're willing to do to keep them safe, and secure."
Tears threatened the corners of her eyes but she refused to let them fall. He was not going to ruin today with her reality, or her makeup for that matter. She offered him no response.
"Have a good day at school," Bas grumbled and without another beat, Princess fled her father's study.
She was in the backseat of the suburban on her way to pick up Kamari for school. They were already pushing for time due to her father's interruption and she was ready to get to her place of hell and refuge. Anything was bearable with Kamari at her side.
"Did you hear about Brick?" Kamari asked immediately after sliding into the seat next to her.
"No?" Okay, so something was already not going to plan this year. "What's up?"
"He and the boys are leaving this year. They'll show up for the first day of school then they're outtie. No clue where, he won't say but he said he's still down for the fireworks." She informed.
The "fireworks" is the code name for crashing the first-day assembly. Whatever's going on with him must be serious to still be on board blowing up his semi-girlfriend's performance. "Damn, he'll be missed."
"I'll miss that ass," Kamari mused. "What you know you see it too."
Princess did, but she also didn't? She never saw him that way. Sure she knew Brick was attractive and they made good conversation when they did talk but after that? Nothing. Maybe it was Blossom, or maybe it was just this school.
"Yeah sure, hopefully this year we get new ass to look at." I waggled my brows at her.
"Ewww, I hate when you do that!" Kamari screeched. "Little auburn caterpillars."
The suburban had just pulled up in front of Pokey Oaks High when Mitch's raspy voice rang through the tinted windows. "Bitcheesssss, get out the fuckingggg carrrr! We've got history to make!"
Kamari and Princess embraced Mitch and flanked his left and right. "Y'all see my amazing schedule?" He mused.
"Mhhmm, Greg came through, yeah?" Princess asked him.
"Oh, he came so many times," a wistful look crossed his features. "Y'all should join sometimes you know I'm still a lil bi-"
"No thank you!" The girls said in unison.
They crossed the front doors of Pokey Oaks and made their way to homeroom. Perks of everyone being an M last name. The halls were beginning to fill with chatter and students flocked to their respective companions as they have every year. Blossom gathered the cheerleaders with Brick on her arm, seemingly unaware of what was to come. Bubbles scanned the halls for Boomer who was probably off getting high with the baseball team. And as per usual Butch and BC were off sucking— no that is not usual.
Butch and BC were the hectic it-couple of Pokey Oaks since sophomore year. At any given moment they could go from fighting to dry humping in the hallway but always so in love. It was chaotic, it was passionate, and it was admittedly a little bit toxic, but we were all invested in the love saga which was Butchercup. But today BC was repeatedly pushing him away, speaking in hushed tones, and shifting her eyes around the room. Did she know they were leaving? If he broke up with her, then why was he pushing it?
"I said I wasn't doing this with you this year, Butch" I heard her say under her breath as we walked past.
"Ouuu trouble in paradise," Mitch sang.
My gaze lingered on BC for longer than usual. What could have gone wrong between them? They were perfect for each other. BC was a sleeper build with long arms and a slender waist. She kept her hair short with green-colored bangs accenting her jet-black mullet. Not one for skirts, she wore black cargo shorts, a crop top she dared a teacher to send her to the office for, and plenty of silver jewelry. On her feet were beat-up platform Converse. Not one blemish tarnished her perfect face, and her dark brows and long lashes made her hard expression even more… seductive?
Princess pried her eyes away not expecting her visual analysis of BC's ending relationship to take her down that route. She had noticed Buttercup before, all the Powerpuff girls were gorgeous, but this was the first time she truly looked at the green puff. She was different from both of her sisters. Without Butch, would she be an outsider too?
The bell rang and the trio quickly shuffled into homeroom.
The rest of the day went swiftly. Princess received the syllabus' for all her AP classes. She was currently 3rd in her class. Brick took the lead with Blossom right behind him, after today she would be second and she thought about how good that's going to look on college applications. The Hot Pokers still performed at senior lunch to not raise any suspicion and it allowed everyone to be in uniform. The uniform was simple cargo bottoms (skirt, pants, shorts, whatever) and a black t-shirt. Everyone could accessorize how they wanted and wear whatever shoes were comfortable. A few girls approached them at lunch after the performance, but they were mostly there to flirt with Brick. Nothing to fret about, the real show is at the assembly.
Princess was racing through the halls before 7th period began trying to grab everything she'd need for the performance. The squad decided to incorporate ski masks since people thought everything she did was organized crime anyway. Might as well embrace it. She stuffed the masks into her bag while no one was looking. She was pushing the bell and most of the students had made it into class by now. All except her and Buttercup.
She turned around after closing her locker and met the piercing green eyes of Buttercup Utonium, staring down into her backpack before she frantically zipped it shut. Knowing she looked suspicious, she didn't jump when BC's hands slammed into the locker on the sides of her head locking her in place. This close she could smell the mint from the gum she was chewing, the smear of her black liner, and the tiny diamonds in her double nostril nose piercing.
"Whatcha got there, Princess?" She rasped with a smirk.
Princess fought the drum beating rapidly in her chest and the shudder of her spine when Buttercup spoke her name. The puff's never made her nervous before, but it wouldn't matter what she said would it? She was caught, no need to blow up the surprise.
"Planning a robbery," she said popping her bubble gum in her face. Try as she must, she'll never grow out of double-bubble.
"That's not like you," BC eased out of her bubble and crossed her arms. "What're you planning?"
"I told you a robbery," Princess slung her bag onto her shoulder. "I'm a Morbucks remember?"
"Yeah, but you're not a criminal," BC chuckled and she sounded so sure about her. Princess wasn't sure why it bothered her so much that she didn't think she was capable of crime.
"Say's who?" She sneered, "Plenty of people are decent one day and gone the next. Some of us can't be saved."
"I think you're worth saving," BC deadpanned. "So whatever you're thinking of doing with those ski masks it'd probably be smart to have me in your corner."
I think you're worth saving. The words rang in Princess' head and stored them for later. She sounded sincere, and here they were standing in the hallway well after the bell rang. They had 15 minutes before the assembly would begin. I guess she would find out sooner rather than later.
Princess shifted her eyes to the floor and chewed her bottom lip. "Are you going to the assembly?"
BC blanched and rubbed her thumbs across her folded forearms. "I was thinking about it," she sighed, "but there's someone I'm trying to avoid."
"Butch," the name left my mouth more as a statement than a question.
Her eyes narrowed and her defense was back up tense as ever. "Yeah," was all she offered.
"Well, I don't know what's going on between you two, but I heard from Brick that this is their last day," Buttercup's eyes jumped up in surprise. "So if it isn't over yet… I guess it will be?"
Princess was expecting disdain, a solemn look, hell even a disbelieving laugh but she did not expect the smile that crept onto BC's face after that morsel of information. She had the look of leverage.
"Thanks for the info, Princess. Looks like I'll see you at the assembly after all." BC sauntered away down the hall whistling.
Princess shook the experience from her head and pulled out her phone. Every member of the Hot Pokers was accounted for and ready. Principal Keane's voice sounded over the intercom.
"All students please head towards the gymnasium for the first-day assembly."
It's showtime. Walking towards the gymnasium, she found her flow with Kamari and Mitch and they discretely fished out their masks from her backpack. Upon entering and making their way to the senior bleachers the trio broke apart, members of the Hot Pokers sat scattered amongst the crowd. Adrenaline was pumping through Princess's veins today was the moment things would change. She spent the majority of this year cowering among her peers. Letting them minimize her, letting her steal her shine again and again. Today she would steal hers.
Across the crowd, her eyes landed on Buttercup. She looked bored and frustrated with Butch chatting animatedly next to her, looking as if he was trying to evoke a response. BC just stared straight ahead, rolling her eyes, and sighed. Her mouth moved but the words were completely unknown to Princess. Whatever it is she said made Butch stop on the spot, and he turned to pout next to her.
Principal Keane began to lead the assembly. She welcomed the freshman and reminded everyone of the programs and new amenities the school was offering this year. She introduced the new student counselor since the last had departed due to some discrepancies (she could hear Mitch groan from here). Finally, she announced the Pokey Oakies cheerleading squad and she watched Blossom, Bubbles, and Heather lead twelve other girls into the gymnasium. The crowd cheered for their queen, Blossom blowing a kiss into the bleachers in Brick's direction. He didn't bother to catch it. The girls quickly assumed their formation, the same as it was every year to different music, and the lights began to dim.
In the dark, the Hot Pokers donned their ski masks and silently made their way to the floor. Kamari and Princess silently stood next to Blossom and Heather and let Mitch bring up the rear with Bubbles. The rest of the squad was scattered between each cheerleader. When the lights began to strobe and an EDM version of "Love Makes the World Go Round," began to play, the bimbos hardly noticed the masked persons next to them mimicking their every move. When the lights turned on she caught Blossom's shocked expression, but neither wavered in their routine. Blossom was beginning to turn as red as her bow as she tried to discretely glance around her squad, realizing the routine was beginning to fall apart behind her. The music record scratched and ended with cheerleaders and dancers all standing about. Chatter broke out among the bleachers wondering if this was all part of the act. Kamari, Princess, and Mitch fished out the mini megaphones out of their pockets.
"Great now that I have your attention," Kamari commanded the room, "We are the Hot Pokers, and that—"
"Was boring and pathetic," Mitch finished for her, "Seriously, I don't know why pigtails here isn't captain she's the only one with rhythm."
Bubbles blushed shyly and began to shimmy off the floor. Most of the squad followed after her.
"What the fuck do you think y'all are doing?" Heather shouted at the backs of her teammates while the Hot Pokers got into position.
"They're taking the hint," I approached Heather inches from her face with my megaphone. "And we're taking the stage."
Cheers erupted from the bleachers and the CD Mitch swiped from BC's bandmate began to blare through the speakers. The lights dropped perfectly and strobed with the lyrics. (Shoutout to the outcasts in the AV club.) Using her music was completely intentional. Her band, Rotten Flowers was popular among all the students. It was genre-bending with rock bass notes and tantalizing lyrics that made for easy choreography. Admittedly, she liked the song too.
"You stole my heart I didn't ask you to do that, I don't know how to get it back."
The song started slow and languid and Princess rolled her body to the music.
"It left me behind because you got it racing, how did you get me so off track?"
The dancers flanked Princess as they rolled their backs back perfectly in sync.
"I told myself to stay away from your shit, you'd only send me down the wrong path,"
At this point, small hoots and hollers were coming from the underclassmen and the beat hadn't even dropped yet.
"But if it's so wrong why does it feel so right? I'm gone, and I'm never going back"
The guitar hit its rift and the 808s began to thump just before the Hot Pokers began to pick up the footwork.
"You've got me on my bad side, along for the wild ride it's such a crime you drive me crazy. I'm off the rails, there ain't much left of the old me. Damn, I'm crashing out, from your love heist."
In the back of her mind, Princess wondered if this was how her mother felt after falling in love with her father. He was family and their paths were so different. She had a future in modeling, and he was destined to be the other half of her brother's mafia. Maybe she relished in it, maybe the thrill of the chase excited her, Maybe it was all a fantasy.
The Hot Pokers posed just as the lights came on, everyone unmasked and holding the fabric high in their fists. (Not in a high school musical way though, cooler than that;) The crowd cheered and Princess couldn't help the smile that plastered to her face. She knew she looked extremely impish and featured but in the moment she couldn't care less. She was Princess fucking Morbucks, damn it.
"Thank you everyone!" Kamari huffed into the megaphone finding her voice. "Tryouts begin next week."
Just as Kamari finished her sentence, Heather came running across the floor ready to barrel into her but Princess was much faster. Princess threw her body at Heather and slung her to the ground ready to take four years worth of anger out on the spoiled rich brat. It took four people to pull her off the blonde.
"Brick!" Blossom yelled. "I can't believe you'd do this to me"
Brick looked remorseless as tears welled in her eyes. "Today's my last day, Pinky. Maybe if we cross paths again you'll have a fucking soul by then. Princess is pretty cool once you learn to get over your insecurities."
"Her," Blossom sneered looking at Princess like she was hell incarnate. "She's a wannabe Powerpuff girl with nothing good in her life but the money in her pockets that she and her father stole from good working people. She's a gang banger, thief, killer, drug dealer, and if she isn't one right now, no doubt that one day—"
"UNNGGHHH," BC heaved Butch's body in the direction of her ranting sister. Unbeknownst to the people below, Butch and Buttercup had been arguing in the bleachers since the performance began, and BC's patience has officially run out.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP BLOSSOM!" Her voice boomed over everyone as she flew to approach a whimpering Butch. She picked him up by the collar of his shirt and he had half the sense to block his face.
"YOU SPENT THE WHOLE FUCKING DAY HARASSING ME ABOUT GETTING BACK TOGETHER AND YOU'RE FUCKING LEAVING. JUST FUCKING LEAVE, I DO NOT WANT TO BE YOUR GIRLFRIEND ANYMORE!" She bellowed.
"WHY?" He screamed back still suspended in midair by BC's fist. "WE WERE FINE THEN OUT OF NOWHERE YOU JUS—"
"WE WERE NOT FINE! I WASN'T FINE, THIS" She motioned her finger between the two of them. "DOESN'T WORK FOR ME, IT HASN'T FOR A WHILE!"
"WHAT DID I DO?" He wailed.
"NOTHING!" She promptly answered before sighing and dropping him to the floor. "You did nothing wrong, and there is nothing you can do right. Please, Butch, let me go."
"Fine if you wanna go," He sniffed with mirth, "I'm gone."
Butch took off through the roof of the school. Brick shrugged and without so much of a parting glance to Blossom, took off into the sky after his brother. A streak of Blue approached the now silent group and Boomer gave a small solemn wave to Bubbles who had tears down her face. He took off to the sky after the red and green streak and just like that, the boys were gone.
"Buttercup, Heather, Blossom, and Princess," Principal Keane cleared her throat. "My office, now."
All four girls were seated in front of Principal Keane's desk. Principal Keane was fair and a great educator. She stood for the majority and minorities of the student body and did her best to avoid favoritism where she could. Heather unfortunately was a hard kid to punish with her father being on the Board of Education. If his money laundering case didn't go in his favor, that might be a different story, but until then everyone in the room knew she was off the hook.
"Why is she even here?" Buttercup asked the million-dollar question.
"I was just asking myself the same question," Heather sighed bored with the ordeal.
Keane glared at Heather. "Try not to make a habit of assaulting your classmates."
"Publicly, got it can I go?" Heather tilted her head towards Keane.
All she did was flick her eyes towards the door and Heather took her exit with a high pitched, "Toodles!"
Everyone in the room rolled their eyes but the sentiment didn't last long. "You three," Keane began with a tone that made all of them shrink into their chairs a bit more. "Disappointed me. Princess, it is not like you to do something so off-base without consulting the faculty. If you wanted a performance at the assembly—"
"It wasn't about the performance, Principal Keane," Princess' eyes shifted to Blossom. "It's about the message it sent."
"So typical of you," Blossom grumbled. "You're so—"
"You, Blossom, disappointed me the most." Keane's voice rang over hers with pure authority. "You're accusations of Miss Morbucks are baseless, profiling, prejudiced, and deplorable. I was nearly disgusted at the way you spoke about her. I know that you all have had difficulties in the past, but this is just… ugly."
Tears began to well up in Blossom's eyes for the second time today. This had to be more cutting than Brick's betrayal and departure.
"Maybe in some time, you'll reflect a bit more on your character before you go around debasing others'." Keane tactfully finished.
"Buttercup," She began gently. "I haven't seen you blow up like that in years. Is there something you want to talk about?"
Buttercup's eyes quickly flitted to Princess's before she dropped them to her lap. What was that about? "No Principal Keane, it was just… time…"
"Young love has a way of running its course, even when you thought it would never end." She advised. "Anyway, thanks to you all's behaviors today, feel free to enjoy a month of Friday detention!"
The girls erupted into protests about practices, studying, sports, and so on and all Keane cheerily responded with was, "Starting today!"
Okay, do we see where this is going now?
If you're reading Falling Deeply or use me and you see how different the characters are and interact (mainly Blossom, the girl is a chameleon) just know a lot of changes from this shape their future. Not a necessary detail but I think in my mind Blossom is a Leo, Buttercup is a Virgo, Princess is a Taurus, and Bubbles is a Cancer.
Okay, see you all later!