So I'm going on a 7-month deployment, and hopefully, I will only be able to do something so I can finish up all my stories. One or two at a time, but so far, this one is on the timeline!
Ch. 12 Stupid Boy
Just another day for the brunette, as she had already grown accustomed to her short dresses, but for some reason, her 3 brothers hadn't.
As some liked to call him, her supposed twin wants to flip her skirt whenever they're playing tag just to piss her off. As quoted by the crazy maniac, "make the game more exciting!"
While the crybaby likes to constantly remind her that her dress shows her girliness, usually before psycho finds ways to practically kill him for being too girly.
While the redhead was still being... weird, for example, when she got her first good grade in math, her mother was ecstatic.
Mainly with everything she did. This time, however, she showered her in hugs and kisses, not that the brunette girl completely minded. Her asshole of a husband grunted like a... big asshole, then ignored her. But crimson eyes eyed her grade and scoffed. "It was a good effort," while giving her his annoying smirk and walking away to the library where he knew she'd follow so she could study harder. He always helped her.
It had been 2 weeks since her sister last called. She had been worried that they had forgotten her. If not for Robin and her newly acquired friend, Mitch, she would've sulked in her room daily.
She sighed heavily and slid into her seat.
"Alright, class, settle down! Allow me to introduce our not one, but three new students!" As usual, there was a bunch of commotion. The little brunette started to chew on her hair, which bored her mind. Not noticing as a blob of yellow and red walked through the door...
"Buttercup!" Two students zipped past the teacher, running to tackle the brunette, who immediately jumped out of her seat at the sound of their voices. "We missed you!"
The brunette barely held the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She squeezed her sisters, hoping they wouldn't disappear like last time... The class was very distorted at the display, well, everyone except Brick. He watched with a distasteful look on his face. He got up and stalked over to his little sister, only to yank her by the collar of her dress. Pulling her away from the new pests.
With confusion etched on their faces, a scornful-looking boy tore her away from them. Holding her back in a death grip as she tried to wrench out of the boy's stronger hold. In a stern voice, he voiced, "Miss Keane, I think these new students would like to know where they're going to sit now."
"Who are you?" One of Buttercup's sisters voiced.
He smirked, squeezing the brunette tighter to his chest. "I'm her older brother. Brick Jojo. And I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from touching my precious little sister."
"What are you-" The young brunette tried to retaliate, but he covered her mouth with a free hand.
"And you are?" Brick noted that the redhead before him sounded like the insufferable one on the phone the other day. What an inferior bitch. "Before you interrupted Miss Keane's introduction."
The girl glared, a familiar glare, his way. While the blonde looked between the two and took hold of the other girl. With a smile on her face. "Sorry about that! Come on, Blossom. He's not wrong. Sorry, Miss Keane!"
"Um... yes. Brick, please let go of your sister-" He released her as she aimed her punch at his face but step-sided. "Fuck you, Brick!"
"Is that an invitation?" His voice was quiet but loud enough for the brunette to blush madly and kick his shin, which she luckily caught off guard. "Bitch!"
"Brick and Buttercup Jojo! The next words out of your mouths better are: Sorry, Miss Keane! Otherwise, I'll be sure to contact your parents again," The teacher's voice echoed through the now silent room. They both voiced an apology as their teacher continued. "Now, girls, you'll be starting a new table near the front for now. Since I'm not sure where you two are at with your studies."
"Thank you, Miss Keane," both girls said simultaneously. Miss Keane smiled. Thank goodness. I don't think I can handle another troublemaker. "Now, today, class, we will review the Quadratic formula. Does anyone remember the formula? Besides Brick. Blossom?"
"Yes, Miss Keane. The quantity b2−4ac is called the discriminant of the polynomial."
"Well, yes..." Everybody in the class stared at the new girl. Brick was unamused and irritated at the know-it-all. This bitch is not going to be fun. Tell me about it.
At recess, Buttercup ran toward her sisters. The little emerald child glared at the redhead, daring him to interrupt. He simply went to his lonely tree and pulled out a book. She smiled and looked back at her sisters. They gave her a questioning look.
"What?"
"So that's your brother?" Blossom's eyes looked past her at the tree. "This Brick kid seems more like a possessive boyfriend. Like the one in this book, I'm currently reading!"
"Of course, you'd reference real life to a book," Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Nerd."
"Oh, Buttercup, how I've missed your bullying," Blossom rolled her eyes.
"I feel like it's more of a forbidden kind of love... I approve! Plus, he's kinda cute!" The two gave the squealing blonde a questioning look. "Yeah, once you get past his attitude, he's got that bad boy vibe. Don't you think he's cute, Buttercup?"
"He's my BROTHER!"
"STEP-brother," Bubbles argued. "I mean, look at Blossom and her crush on Dexter!"
"Bubbles!" The redhead turned as red as her bow. "That was a secret!"
"Oh please, there is nothing secret about you two..." Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Besides, he's an asshole. Ask Robin."
"Robin!" Buttercup waved her friend over. "Tell my sister, Bubbles, what an asshole Brick is."
"Oh yeah, total asshole to everyone except for Buttercup."
"See- wait, what?"
"I'm not blind. He likes you. He only ever talks to you. Nobody else. Not really. He's sweet on her."
"N-No, he isn't!" Memories of all the times he helped her with homework, dealt with her other brothers, and healed her wounds flooded her mind. Buttercup's face heated up as the three girls looked at her wide-eyed. "H-He doesn't!"
"Buttercup, do you actually LIKE Brick?" Her blush stained on her cheeks said it all. Robin gasped. "You do! OMG! I just thought it was a one-way, but wow, dude."
"A forbidden love," Bubbles squealed, drawing some unwanted attention. "Oh, hi Robin, I'm Bubbles! This is Blossom! Don't you think Brick is cute? Minus the attitude."
"Hmm," Robin glanced back at the loner. Then shrugged, "Not my type but yeah. He's not too bad on the face. His brother, on the other hand..."
"OKAY! We are done talking about my brothers from hell! Let's talk about anything else, please!" Buttercup concluded. The girls continued on and on about their newly adjusted lives. Buttercup decided to keep things about her and Brick out of this conversation. It could add fuel to the fire. However, the girls looked at her other two brothers and agreed with Robin that the blonde boy was cute, but he didn't match up to Brick. On the other hand, the one with the dark forest green eyes had Bubbles giggling uncontrollably. That was when Buttercup decided to draw the line and asked them to play four square instead.
Afterward, the bell rang, and I headed back to class. Miss Keane told the class that she would be assigning new seat arrangments due to the new students by Friday. Buttercup watched sadly as she was still separated from her sisters once again.
Before lunch, their teacher announced that there would be a big project, and they could work in pairs, alone, or in a trio. "Your choice, class. Now have a partner picked out by the end of lunch!"
The crazed psychotic brother smiled hauntingly at the two blondes who -no surprise- had more in common than they thought as they ate alongside Buttercup, Blossom, Mitch, Robin, and the psycho himself. He reached out to pull on the little blonde girl's pigtail. However, she step-sided him with a smile.
A fucking smile, the little crazy brunette thought. "Hi, Butch, I'm Bubbles! I know my hair's pretty, but you just have to ask if you want to touch it!" He shook, whether irritation or happiness. It didn't matter. With an excited look on his face, he reached out again. She moved. "Now, Butch, all you have to do is ask."
"Or how about I just do whatever the fuck I want!" He lunged at her while she avoided being tackled. She giggled and then took off in a sprint. Butch snarled. "You're going to regret that!"
He sprinted after the blonde bitch. While the playground was full of bubbly laughter. Hers specifically. Brick sat away and was already fed up with Buttercup's sisters. He decided to head back to his tree. Before he could, a pair of emeralds got closer to him. The owner blushed, walking towards him. What the fuck does this little wench want?
"Hey... um. I need to ask you something," he raised a brow. "Do you want to be my partner for the project?"
He smirked. "What will you do if I agree?"
She scowled. "Nothing?"
"Well, then, why would I say yes?"
"I thought you were kinda. I don't know, not that fucked up..."
"Explain." What is her angle?
"Yeah, I mean, you know. Nice. You help me out. A lot. And you always congradulate me, sort of. You can be a dick sometimes without being asked to, but you're really smart and don't put up with anybody's bullshit-" His eyes were so focused on her that she nearly forgot to speak. "But, I-I didn't think I had to give you something for wanting to be partners."
"If I'm doing all the work, I want to know what you'd give in return," he knew everyone glanced at him during the announcement. He knew what they wanted. The smartest one in the class. Who wouldn't want to be his partner? However, no one would dare approach him. Sure of rejection, he scoffed at the cowards. Then this one, always surprising him, came to him during lunch. He felt curious eyes watching him, waiting for his rejection, but she didn't know. She didn't care. She never did. He liked that. "Understand."
She gave a confused face. "What are you talking about? I said partner, of course, I'm gonna help! Did you think I wasn't going to? What kinda person wouldn't help?" Everyone else. He paused, mulling it over. Her face grew a deeper shade of red as he silently stared. "Do you want to be my partner for the big project? Come on, please. You're like my favorite person-" Besides Mom- "Here. Please."
His heart stopped. Favorite... Person? You fuck'n whipped bitch! Don't fall for this stupid shit again! Why do I fuck'n bother with you!?
"Why," he said with an arched brow. "Why not your sisters or Robin?"
"B-because I. I learn better with you," Sure, she loves her sisters, but Blossom was too bossy, Bubbles was going to partner with Boomer (there was no way she would be able to handle 2 blondes), and she hated to admit it, but...
"And you're like the best student in this stupid class," she hated feeding his stupid ego, but it wasn't a lie. However, his stupid smirk made her regret it.
"Well, it's good to know you know where I fare in this classroom," she continued with those stupid emeralds. "After school, after our homework, we'll work on our project."
"So you will!" A giant smile graced her face. He hated that he liked it...
"And."
"And?" Her smile disappeared.
He smirked. "And you need to be my slave for the duration of the assignment."
"What?"
"You need to call me Master too."
"Brick!"
"Buttercup, I like when you say my name, but unfortunately, I can't read minds. And it's Master once we get home."
"Whatever," she growled, storming off in the direction of a familiar brunette. "Yeah, he's sweet on who again, Robin?"
"Why? I know he didn't turn you down," she stated as Bubble's laughter echoed through the cafeteria, running from Butch. "He didn't, right?"
"No, he didn't, but-" her face grew red. "Well, I have to be... Okay, you can't tell anybody! Not even my sisters. Promise."
She nodded and, with an imaginary zipper, locked her mouth shut.
"He said I-I have to be his slave during the project!" She groaned, slumping into her seat. "Say something."
"Good thing he's smart in school because he so doesn't get girls."
"Ugh he's so annoying"
"Who are you talking about?" Blossom asked, now interested in their conversation. "Is it about the project because I already have an idea on what we can do!"
"Um... yeah, about that, I already have a partner. I assumed you partner with Bubbles and Boomer since they seem best buds."
"Why think that? We came to this school to be with you, Buttercup," the brunette suddenly felt guilty. "Although, to be fair, had Dexter stayed true to his word and stayed here-" Her guilt suddenly vanished "-But he changed his mind last minute. Since he wanted to stay and destroy his rival or something... anyways. It's fine. We probably will end up partnering with Boomer, sorry. Both of you."
"No worries," Robin waved her hands. "I was planning to do it with Mitch and maybe Mike." Also, knowing the redheaded asshole, Robin was sure he couldn't stand her, leaving her with anyone. In this case, boys.
"Well, luckily, I have another sister that would never-"
"Blossom! Blossom!" Bubbles ran up to the three girls with a giant smile and loose ponytail. "Guess what? I'm going to be partners with Butch and Boomer! So you and Buttercup can spend quality time together! Robin, you can join them too!"
They all silently stared at her. Blossom broke the silence. "Doing it myself doesn't sound too bad either."
At the end of lunch, Robin and Blossom decided to do the project together. Bubbles, Boomer, and Butch were their weird trio, and the brunette agreed to Brick's terms. Everyone was shocked except Robin and Bubbles. The little blonde girl always had a knack for these kinda things.
After partners were assigned, the project was announced and due by Friday. The bell rang, and Buttercup had to part ways with her sisters. Buttercup told Mommy Angel about her day but never got a chance to introduce her sisters because Dexter's mother was punctual. As she would be. "It's okay, Sweetie. Besides, if the boys have a project with one of them, I'm sure I'll meet them eventually. Now come on, Sweeties! Let's go home!"
After the car ride home, Brick stopped a moment and slipped Buttercup a note. It read:
To Slave,
Library ASAP.
-Master
"Brick," she glared at him, but he motioned for her to flip it around.
P.S. It's Master now, remember.
She crumbled it, uncaring that it remained in the driveway. Once they entered the house, Brick "reserved" the library for the day by simply giving the other two boys a look. The psycho grunted, and the blonde decided to call the other inferior blonde. They decided to finish the project in a day. She didn't know why he gave her a note when he could've told her. He's weird like that.
They sat next to each other for the rest of the day. The door was allowed to be closed during their studying. Whenever he got hungry, he asked her to bring him food. She complied due to their arrangement. "Here are some grapes," she threw a bag at him, and he raised an eyebrow. "Master."
"Feed them to me," his red eyes bore into her. "Now, Slave."
She growled, sitting next to him. "Here. Master."
She shoved a grape in his mouth. "Another Slave."
"Why do I have to be your slave?" She said, shoving another in his mouth.
"I love inferior beings," he said after swallowing both. "Another, but slowly. I don't like you shoving them down my throat."
Her eye twitched. "What does that mean?" Slowly she placed the grape inside his mouth. He had a slight gap in his front teeth. That's kinda cute. Ignoring that thought, she waited for his response.
"It means that I enjoy seeing those lesser than me struggle."
"Excuse me? Lesser?" She grabbed another grape and slammed it into his mouth to his surprise, he ended up falling back in his chair. He quickly fumbled up and ran towards her, tackling her in desperation as she headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" He breathed out, frustrated. "We are working on a project, you agreed!" He was nearly screaming in his anger. But he could only hear her whisper.
"I'm not lesser than anybody."
He stared at the back of her head. "What did you say?" She headbutted him from underneath, and he fell back. Her and her fucking headbutts!
"I'm not lesser than anybody! Especially an asshole like you!"
"What about our project?" He said, holding his throbbing nose. She stood up, wiping her dress. "I rather do it myself!" She reached for the handle, then felt his body trapping her from behind again.
"Stop," he wanted to grab her and forcefully drag her back, but from past experiences... "Don't leave me..." His voice sounded strained, saying this last part. "Please."
Whipping her head around to glare at him better, she crossed her arms and leaned against the door. "Why?"
"Why did you agree to be my slave?"
"Why do you always try to avoid my questions?" He glared right back.
He was silently staring into her eyes which the demon boy noticed were somewhat softer now. "I'd be a waste of your time if you suddenly did all this work for nothing," his voice sounded dry. "And this is the first time someone asked me to do a project with them. It felt... nice." Her face showed that she did not expect him to say that. "Your turn."
"I... I don't know," she put a hand to her head. "You usually do weird stuff that makes me feel weird. And sometimes I don't hate it-"
"What specifically don't you hate," he gently took a few strains of her hair and kissed it, staring into the emeralds before him. Never once breaking contact. The girl's blush answered his question. "I see. Continue."
"But you don't do anything that bad. But I didn't know you thought lesser of me. I thought you were a good person, but you're an asshole! And move!" she shoved at him; he moved back but not that far. "There is this thing called personal space!"
"You don't have to continue being my Slave."
"Did you think I was still going too?"
Fuck this inferior Wench! She can just suffer and do her own project. We don't need her to finish! The inner demon spoke. No, but I want to spend more time with her... He felt strange in his chest that what he said wasn't far from the truth.
"No. Look, you don't have to be my slave, but I'd... appreciate it if you kept feeding me," Brick said, staring her in the eye. "I... like it when you feed me."
Bitch.
She hesitated. "I won't keep feeding you, but I'll grab snacks if you want."
"Okay," Brick said, going back to their project. When will you ever stop being a little bitch.
Darkness consumed the sky. The brunette's eyes started to get heavy as her body leaned toward his. His body went still. He glanced over, and her eyelids were closed. He glared at her.
"We're not done-" her body slumped against his. "Buttercup? Hello?"
He pulled her hair. She growled and swatted his hand away. "Shut up! I'm tired-" She completely fell flush against him. He blushed.
"Buttercup!" He didn't hate the contact, but he didn't want a reason to touch her...
CLICK!
A flash went off.
"Look at you getting so close to your baby sister! It's so cute!"
"Mother!" Brick hissed, red in his cheeks, eyes blazing. "Get out!"
She giggled, closing the door. He glared at the door until it was just him, and the girl's breathing was leaning flush against him. "Hey, Buttercup..."
Something stirred in him. He bent over, and his lips were inches from hers before he heard a little sigh escape her lips, "Brick."
He stopped. Then let his head rest against hers. "Fuck." He carefully got up, lifting her in his arms as he did so. Carrying her into her room and laying her on her bed. Tucking her in and slowly closed the door. Why am I so fucked?!
~Somewhere Else~
Richard Jojo didn't trust anyone. Not anymore. He installed cameras everywhere inside his house. So nothing ever escaped his sight. Ever. The pamphlet on his desk was crumpled under his fist, observing the little monster.
Despite the lies, he knew the bastard took after him. He despised him for it. He might not look like it, but deep down he knew that it was his incarnation, up until genetics. That part made him a bastard. A bastard to a whore he married...
"Hey, Boss-man," Mr. Jojo growled at his subordinate's nickname, "Want to make sure I heard you. Did you say to work all day tomorrow to get Friday off? I want to verify it before putting anything out to the workers."
He sighed in annoyance. "Yes, Mr. Green. Do not make me repeat myself."
"Yes, Sir," the white-haired man turned around, whispering, "Him wasn't such an asshole..."
Richard sent the lower being a piercing stare that would have sent anyone else to their knees. However, uncaring about Mr. Jojo's egotistic tendencies, he continued with his work, passing a tall blonde.
"Hey, Dick, I have the rest of the reports right here," Mr. Jojo's assistant strutted into the room. Tall, thin, and significantly... aggravating. "Now all we're missing is the corrections made by our superior Boss, who can't even handle a real woman that he resorts to fucking his youthful babysitter. Kinda pathetic. Please save that terrifying stare for someone else. By the way, will you send all your boys to that place? Or just your favorite?"
"Miss Fatale. If you don't get out," he stalked over to tower over her. "I'm going to punish you."
"Oh no, do I look too much like your wife? You sick fuck," her long legs wrapped around his waist and swept her up, ignoring the necklace burning in his pocket.
Extra
Piercing forest eyes stared up into dark blues. Sapphires, he thought, staring up at the glowing ray of sunshine above. The light of his life, an angel. Angel Johnson. She was the sun that shined in his darkest days. Her bright golden hair reminded him of the sun.
Something he'd never admit to.
She was too good for him, he thought since his early childhood. They were only 5 when he first saw her. Bubbly, bouncing everywhere with a bright smile on her face. At the moment, they were in their martial art class. She sat on top of him since she was the strongest in their agreed group. He hated that she was superior at times, but simultaneously, he was amazed by her. He hated that she had this sort of power over him. He despised it, yet he craved to have her. However, she never gave him the time of day... She was too good for him.
Years went by, and he watched her whenever he could. When he entered high school, his father came to his room and told him he was to be engaged. He wanted to oppose them until he saw that it was her. My angel.
Upon their marriage introduction, she greeted him with a smile, which was all he wanted. He soon learned despite her angelic look, she was anything but... She was wild and full of life. She didn't like that they were engaged through an arranged marriage, but he didn't mind. At some point, she'd come to love him. She'd had to. So he believed she would.
Then he was drafted into the war. At 18. The day after their wedding. Before he left, he gave her a necklace with a sapphire to match her eyes. She said she loved it, so he believed her... But whenever he wrote to her, she never wrote back.
After a few years, he returned home and ran to his wife She cried to him; she had his heart in her hands when she surprised him with three babies. Triplets. One looked like him, one like her, and one... like his best friend. Because he, too, had scarce red eyes... and she mangled his heart like nothing.
He couldn't believe she had done this to him; he nearly killed himself for this... for them... no. He wasn't going to end it like that; no, he wasn't inferior. She was. One that deserved no redemption. This... inferior being.
TBC.
I'm not done with this story I'm sorry for taking so long I finally moved to Japan and have more free time to deal with this stuff.