A/N Please forgive any mistakes.

Chapter 11

The morning at Townsville High buzzed with its usual energy, students filing into classrooms, chattering about homework, weekend plans, and the latest school gossip. Amidst the noise, four girls stood together near their lockers—Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup, and Robin.

The anticipation for the volleyball results weighed heavily on Robin, and despite the sisters' best efforts, she was visibly jittery. Her fingers drummed anxiously against her notebook, and she kept shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"We won't find out until lunch," Blossom reminded her gently, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Until then, there's no point in stressing over something that's already decided."

Robin groaned dramatically. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one waiting to see if you humiliated yourself in front of the whole school."

Bubbles linked arms with her, swaying playfully. "Robin, please. You killed it at tryouts. No way you didn't make it."

Buttercup, who had been unusually quiet, finally exhaled sharply. She wasn't about to admit it out loud, but she was feeling just as anxious. She knew she had done well, but what if something went wrong? What if she wasn't on the list? She shook her head, pushing those thoughts away.

"Look, we'll check at lunch. No use worrying about it now," she said, forcing a smirk. "Besides, if we didn't make it, I'll just join the wrestling team instead and break some skulls."

Robin snorted a laugh, and the tension eased.

Throughout the morning, the sisters took turns cheering Robin up. Bubbles whispered reassurances in class whenever she caught Robin biting her nails, Blossom gave her encouraging nods in the hallway, and even Buttercup, who wasn't the most expressive, would bump shoulders with her as they passed.

By the time lunch rolled around, Robin was an anxious wreck. She stood by the cafeteria doors, gripping her backpack straps so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"Okay, okay," Robin muttered, pacing back and forth. "Maybe we should just—maybe we should eat first. Or wait until after school. Or, ooh! Maybe I don't need to know—"

"Robin, breathe," Blossom instructed, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.

"You're turning red," Bubbles added worriedly.

Buttercup didn't say anything, but she felt the anxiety creeping in too. Unlike Robin, she wasn't showing it, but the idea of walking up to that results board and not seeing her name made her stomach twist.

Before anyone could move, a familiar trio approached, roughhousing and laughing The Rowdyruff Boys.

Boomer was the first to notice Robin's panicked state, his smile immediately dropping. "Whoa, what's wrong?" He was at her side in an instant, placing a comforting hand on her back. Brick, more reserved, still looked concerned as he followed closely behind.

Butch, however, was instantly on high alert, his gaze scanning the hallway. "Did someone mess with you?" His voice was sharp, and his fists clenched. "Who was it?"

Robin, caught between nerves and amusement, let out a small giggle. "No, no, nothing like that. I'm just freaking out about the volleyball results."

Butch scoffed. "Pfft. That's it? Robin, you were a badass out there. There's no way you didn't make it."

Boomer grinned. "Yeah! You totally had control of the game."

Brick, who was less dramatic but equally supportive, nodded. "And you held your own, even when they targeted you. That takes skill."

Robin's worried expression melted into a smile. "Yeah… yeah, you guys are right. And even if I didn't make it, there's always next year!"

"That's the spirit!" Bubbles cheered.

Butch rolled his eyes. "Nah, you made it. Come on, let's go check."

Without hesitation, the boys took her hands and led her toward the results. Bubbles, still protective, quickly stepped beside Robin, while Blossom followed closely.

Buttercup, however, lingered behind.

She couldn't do it. Not yet.

While the others hurried toward the board, Buttercup quietly slipped away to the lunch line, grabbing a tray and absentmindedly loading it with food. She wasn't hungry, but she needed something—anything—to distract her.

She picked at her food, keeping her head down as she scrolled through her phone. She wasn't sure how much time had passed before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Expecting Robin or one of her sisters, she looked up—only to be met with the grinning face of Alan.

Her brows furrowed. "What do you want?"

Still smirking, Alan pulled out his phone and handed it to her. She hesitated, then took it, glancing down at the screen.

Her breath caught.

A picture of the tryout results.

Her name—at the very top.

She nearly jumped out of her seat.

Alan chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. "Figured you'd chicken out from checking. But c'mon, Buttercup, we all knew you'd make it. I showed up halfway through the tryouts, and man, you were a beast."

Buttercup felt warmth creep up her neck. She quickly cleared her throat and looked away, stuffing a fry into her mouth to avoid responding.

Alan snorted. "What, no cocky comeback? No 'Yeah, I know I was amazing'?"

Buttercup swallowed. "Uhh… thanks, I guess."

Alan studied her for a second, like he wanted to say something else. But before he could, a piercing scream cut through the cafeteria.

"BUTTERCUP!"

Heads turned as Robin came barreling toward her, an embarrassed Blossom, a beaming Bubbles, and three very proud Rowdyruff Boys following behind.

Alan sighed, stepping back saying a quick goodbye just as Robin launched herself at Buttercup, tackling her into a hug.

"We did it!" Robin squealed. "We made the team!"

Buttercup, after a moment of shock, let out a breath and smirked.

"Yeah," she said, finally allowing herself to believe it. "We did."

After school, Robin, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup made their way to the mall. With Buttercup and Robin officially on the volleyball team, their schedules had shifted to accommodate practice. Monday through Thursday were now dedicated to intense training, leaving Friday through Sunday as their only free days.

Blossom sat at her usual table, sipping coffee while poring over her planner. Across from her, Robin adjusted her apron behind the counter, preparing for the inevitable rush of customers. The scent of fresh espresso and warm pastries filled the air as soft café music hummed in the background.

"How's the party planning going?" Robin asked, pulling out extra coffee cups to get ahead of the rush.

Blossom let out a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, it's a disaster! The catering, the venue, the announcements—everything is happening so fast, and I have nothing!"

Robin frowned as she prepped the espresso machine. "Relax, Bubbles and I can just ask Mr. Elias Crane if our home ec class can cater."

Blossom raised an eyebrow. "Ew. Why'd you say his name like that?"

Robin grinned. "Because he's so hot."

Blossom rolled her eyes. "Focus, Robin."

Robin chuckled but quickly shifted gears. "Okay, so about the venue—Buttercup knows this amazing spot where she sunbathes. It's like a hidden beach, totally isolated. No one in Townsville seems to know it exists. She's been maintaining it for years—cleaning it up, setting up volleyball and basketball areas. She even has torches out there for when she sneaks off at night."

Blossom looked intrigued. "Wait, really? I had no idea."

Robin nodded enthusiastically. "And if you're not into the beach idea, there's another spot she loves—a forest clearing. It's got this beautiful open space with a pond, and on certain nights, there are these glowing fireflies everywhere. The stars are insane out there."

Blossom blinked in amazement. "Geez, how many secret hideouts does she have?"

Robin shrugged. "A lot. She's a tomboy—did you think she just stayed home all day?"

"Well, no, but—"

"Then hush," Robin interrupted with a smirk. "I only know about them because she used to take me when I was going through stuff."

Blossom paused, curiosity flickering in her eyes. She wanted to ask more about those times, about what Robin had been dealing with, but she decided against it. Instead, she changed the subject.

"Okay, but back to food—what kind of stuff would your class even make? It's a Junior-Senior event, so I want party food, but not something boring like pizza."

Robin giggled. "Ohhh, so you wanna be fancy?"

Blossom snorted. "More or less."

Robin smirked as the café rush began. "Don't worry, I got you." She winked before seamlessly shifting into work mode, taking orders with a dazzling smile and preparing drinks with practiced ease.

Blossom watched her in amusement before returning to her planner.

A couple of hours passed before Buttercup and Bubbles arrived, joining Blossom at the table. Buttercup immediately slumped down, resting her head on the cool surface. "I'm so tired," she groaned.

Bubbles, on the other hand, was bubbling with excitement, her usual bright smile practically glowing. "Today was amazing! I love my little furry friends!"

Robin, now off-duty, walked over and handed Bubbles an iced coffee and Buttercup a lemonade. Buttercup lazily lifted her head just enough to take a sip before flopping back down.

Their conversation was interrupted when Robin suddenly jumped up and ran toward them. The girls turned to see the Rowdyruff Boys entering—still in their school uniforms, looking as mischievous as ever.

Bubbles smiled as she watched Robin practically beam as she greeted them. The boys returned the enthusiasm, smiling and hugging her in return.

Blossom frowned, leaning in slightly. "Okay… can we all admit it's weird how the boys have just gravitated to Robin?"

Bubbles nodded. "I mean, yeah, it's kind of odd. But they're never hostile toward her, so I guess it's fine?"

Buttercup, sipping her lemonade, shrugged. "As long as Robin's safe, I don't care."

Bubbles agreed, while Blossom reluctantly nodded, still feeling a bit suspicious but saying nothing more.

The Rowdyruffs strolled over to their table, standing casually rather than sitting. Robin quickly ran behind the counter to whip up their usual drinks.

"Hey, girls," Boomer greeted with a friendly wave.

Bubbles beamed. "Hey, guys! Are you excited for the Junior-Senior party?"

Brick smirked. "Oh yeah, I've heard it's supposed to be legendary. I ran into Daisy and Jake from the committee, and they told me these parties are always a blast."

Blossom stiffened at the mention of the committee. She barely had time to process it before Robin returned, passing coffee cups to the boys with a knowing smirk.

"How do you know about the committee?" Blossom asked, narrowing her eyes at Brick.

Brick shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "Robin introduced me. I asked to join, and they said hell yeah. Apparently, having a criminal turned good guy is great for their image."

Blossom's grip tightened around her coffee cup as she shot a glare at Robin, who just smirked in response, eyes twinkling mischievously.

Blossom exhaled slowly and took a long sip of her drink, choosing—for now—to say nothing.

As the mall's closing hours approached, the Rowdyruff Boys stuck around, helping Robin clean up while chatting and joking around. When it was finally time to leave, Brick stretched and smirked.

"C'mon, Rob, let us fly you a ride home," he offered, leaning casually against the table.

Before Robin could respond, Bubbles immediately stepped forward, arms crossed. "No."

Boomer pouted dramatically. "Oh, come on, Bubbs! She's our friend too. We'd never hurt her."

Bubbles remained unconvinced, her blue eyes narrowing. She turned to Robin, silently asking for her opinion.

Robin gave her a reassuring nod. "I'll be fine, I promise. I'll text you once I'm home."

Bubbles hesitated for a moment but eventually sighed in defeat. "Fine. But text me the second you get there."

Robin grinned. "I will."

With that settled, the girls flew home, each taking turns in the bathroom to shower before settling into bed. The house was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of sheets as they adjusted to find comfortable sleeping positions.

At exactly 12:03 AM, Bubbles' phone buzzed on her nightstand. Sleepily, she reached over, squinting at the screen before smiling.

Robin: 🆗 👍

Satisfied, Bubbles set her phone back down and drifted back to sleep.

Meanwhile, in Buttercup's room, the dim glow of her TV cast soft shadows across the walls. She lay on her stomach, flipping through her class notes while an action movie played in the background. She was just about to highlight something when a soft knock came from her door.

"Come in," she mumbled, assuming it was Bubbles. Without looking up, she shifted her books aside, making space on the bed.

To her surprise, it wasn't Bubbles—it was Blossom.

Buttercup blinked as her older sister stepped in, clad in a pink nightgown, her face covered in a green face mask, and her red hair wrapped up in a towel. Blossom offered a small smile before settling onto the edge of Buttercup's bed.

Buttercup raised an eyebrow. "Uh… hey, Sis. What's up?"

Blossom twiddled her fingers, inhaling deeply before blurting, "Robin said you know some cool spots and that you could help me find a venue for the party."

Buttercup sighed, setting her highlighter down. "Yeah… I was actually gonna suggest the skate park. Those cool spots she's talking about? Those are my spots—my private spots." She paused before adding, "I can give you a couple of other options, like the Townsville park or this secluded park I know of. But if we could avoid using my places, that would be nice."

Blossom nodded quickly. "Oh! No, I totally get it. I won't push it. Thanks, Buttercup—I really appreciate it."

Buttercup gave her a thumbs-up before picking her highlighter back up, turning her attention to her notes. She expected Blossom to leave, but instead, her sister lingered, glancing around the room before exhaling sharply.

"…How did you even find those places?" Blossom asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Buttercup groaned, setting her highlighter down again. "When we were kids, I used to sneak out and fly around Townsville. Usually when you pissed me off, or school got too frustrating, or when Bubbles was getting on my nerves—I'd just leave." She leaned back on her elbows. "Eventually, I found these isolated places around town. I cleaned them up, took care of them, and even decorated some. They became my special places. Just for me."

Blossom frowned slightly. "…Robin told me you took her there."

Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because she was going through a lot, and I figured it would help her." She sighed. "No offense, but I went to those places to get away from you and Bubbles. I love you guys—you're my sisters. But sometimes? You two can be a lot. And I needed something that was just mine."

Blossom was taken aback. She had never realized Buttercup needed space like that—space away from her and Bubbles. It wasn't something she had ever considered.

Feeling like she was overstaying her welcome, she quietly thanked Buttercup again before heading back to her own room. As she climbed into bed, her thoughts lingered on their conversation.

She had always seen Buttercup as the tough one, the fearless one. It had never occurred to her that sometimes, even Buttercup needed to breathe.

The days passed quickly, and soon, a full week had gone by.

Robin and Buttercup were fully immersed in volleyball practice, working hard to prove themselves on the team. Meanwhile, Blossom took more control at committee meetings, solidifying her leadership role. Bubbles, on the other hand, had found her rhythm in art club, her creativity flourishing.

Everything had fallen into a comfortable routine—school, extracurriculars, work, and study. It was fun.

Bubbles and Robin worked closely with Mr. Crane to prepare the catering for the Junior-Senior party, experimenting with different recipes to create something upscale yet party-appropriate. Meanwhile, Buttercup busied herself with setting up the park, arranging decorations, clearing space, and making sure everything was in place for the big night.

The Junior-Senior Party was less than a week away, and the pressure was mounting. But despite the countless tasks on her plate, Blossom was confident—everything was meticulously planned. Every table arrangement, decoration, and catering decision had been checked and double-checked. She wasn't just aiming for success; she was ensuring perfection.

Which is why she was beyond irritated that, at the last minute, Daisy and Jake had assigned Brick to shadow her and learn the ins and outs of the committee. It wasn't as if she didn't have enough to do—now she had to babysit the former delinquent?

It was Thursday afternoon, and after saying her goodbyes to her sisters and Robin, Blossom flew home to change. She opted for something casual yet cute—denim shorts, a pink-and-white striped shirt, and her signature bow tied neatly in a high ponytail. A pair of pink-rimmed glasses completed the look. By the time she was tying her sneakers, she sensed Brick's energy approaching.

Sure enough, five minutes late, he landed next to her with his usual easygoing smirk. He was dressed in black sweatpants, a short-sleeved gaming t-shirt, and his signature cap worn backward.

Blossom sighed. Typical.

"So, what exactly are we doing here?" Brick asked, glancing around. "Wouldn't it make more sense to start setting up tomorrow? Party's on Saturday."

Blossom scoffed. "Absolutely not! Everything has to be perfect. I'm the next committee president, and I will not fail." She turned to him, arms crossed. "Why are you even here? I could've just told you about the committee after the party."

Brick rolled his eyes. "Chill the fuck out, dude. I'm here to help. Crazy concept, I know."

Blossom exhaled sharply, biting back a retort. "Fine," she muttered, waving a hand toward the half-assembled decorations. "Then help me with the stage. It's nothing too fancy, just some lights and beams to give it a real event feel. The party starts at eight, but the entertainment won't begin until nine—right as the sun sets. We also need to set up the tables and—"

"Hey, Blossom," Brick interrupted.

She narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"You ever heard of fun?"

Blossom blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You know—fun? That thing people have when they're not micromanaging every second of their existence?" Brick smirked, clearly enjoying this.

Blossom clenched her fists. "If you're just here to be a pain, then—"

"Look," Brick said, raising his hands in mock surrender, "I get it. You've got a stick up your ass. But if you just relaxed for two seconds, maybe you'd enjoy this a little."

"I don't need advice from a criminal," she snapped. "Thanks, but no thanks."

Brick's smirk faded slightly, but instead of arguing, he simply shrugged and walked off to help another group of students set up decorations.

Blossom groaned internally, cursing herself. They're not evil anymore. The guys aren't the same as they were.

Still, the tension in her chest didn't ease, even as she busied herself with setup.

By the time the last of the decorations were in place, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of violet and amber. Blossom surveyed the area, satisfied but exhausted.

"Alright, everyone—thank you all for your hard work!" she called out, offering a tired smile. One by one, the other committee members packed up their things and left for the night.

Brick was just about to leave as well when Blossom hesitated—then, against her better judgment, stopped him.

"Brick."

He turned, raising an eyebrow.

She inhaled sharply. "Thanks… for helping. And—" She exhaled. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. It's just—being committee president is a lot. There's so much to handle, and it's stressful."

Brick studied her for a moment before tilting his head. "You like coffee, right?"

Blossom frowned. "…Obviously. I drink it constantly."

Brick sighed. "Well, I know a cool coffee shop—it's more of a study spot, kinda like a bookstore café. I'm behind on some schoolwork, and we could go there. Unless, of course, you'd rather not be seen with a criminal."

Blossom's face heated up slightly. She crossed her arms but found herself nodding. "I—sure. That actually sounds… nice."

Brick smirked but didn't tease her. Instead, he simply motioned for her to follow as they took off into the night.

A few minutes later, they landed outside a familiar storefront.

Blossom frowned as she took in the sign. "Brick."

"Yeah?"

"You could have just said Barnes & Noble."

Brick turned his head toward her, lips twitching, before he burst into laughter—loud, genuine laughter. He laughed so hard that he had to bend over, clutching his sides.

"Oh my God," he gasped between wheezes. "You—you seriously didn't get where I was taking you?"

Blossom huffed, crossing her arms. "How was I supposed to know? You made it sound like some hidden gem!"

Brick shook his head, still chuckling, and wiped at his eyes. "Damn, Princess, I can't tell if you're a genius or just oblivious."

She rolled her eyes but was caught off guard when Brick suddenly held the door open for her. She hesitated before stepping inside, murmuring a quiet, "Thanks."

Brick just shrugged, smirking again as he followed her in.

Blossom made a beeline for the Starbucks counter, already debating whether she wanted a caramel macchiato or a classic black coffee.

Maybe this wouldn't be the worst study session after all.

A/N Hope you enjoyed! Comment and review.