Authors note:
seriously there are so many sweet people who have read and liked this and it just astounds me man

I'm trying hard to make it better, my writing is flawed and I'm in the process of trying to fix it but everything is a process!

Buttercup's a tall girl with black hair and the prettiest green eyes I've ever seen. She's been my friend ever since she shoved me into the sand box at the tender age of seven. I had stood up, ready to give her a piece of my mind, when I met her eyes. They were a color I'd never seen before outside of cartoons and comics. Much like my own light pink eyes, which I swear are natural on a daily basis. I felt a connection to this girl with the strange eyes. I imagined all the loneliness and isolation I'd faced up to that point and I felt for her.

I pulled myself up, and I wrapped her in a hug. A muffled "Hey!" was spoken into my bright blue overalls, but I held on. I held on long enough for her to relent, and when I pulled away I gave her a bright smile. She looked unsure at first, her vibrant eyes narrowing in suspicion, her mouth tightening. I imagined she had a million things to say. But when I gave her the sincerest look I could imagine, her eyes widened. Slowly she allowed me a smile. The first of many, in all our years of friendship.

Years passed and here I stood in the parking lot of the diner. I was nervous about texting her, even though we'd had our differences we always found our way back to look past it. But recently she'd made it very clear that she would not be tolerating any of Brick's idiocy. There was a pain in her eyes that told me she was serious, but I didn't know what she was so upset about. After all, he was just ignoring me. I didn't think that was worth breaking up over. But she remained firm in her opinion, and declared she needed a few days away from me. To 'sort her thoughts' she'd said.

This was strange in itself. Buttercup was not one to spend too much time in her head, preferring to act and then act some more. And then think. The thought of her brash behavior reminds me of all the pranks she's pulled over the years, with me at her side. I smile softly, I miss her dearly.

Herein lays the dilemma. I want to talk to her, but should I be considerate of her request? Should I text her? Should I give her space? The questions swirled in my head for a few more minutes.

Eventually I just sighed. Sometimes that girl was as bad as Brick. Actually, now that I thought about it, the two were a lot alike. Both hot headed and full to the brim with rough energy. It made sense that they were so close, and that I found myself being pulled into their orbit. But maybe comparing my boyfriend to my best friend wasn't the best idea in this situation. Since it seemed they both were in their own heads at the moment.

I looked up to the bright blue sky, following clouds lazily with unfocused eyes. Sometimes I wish I could just drift along happily. Taking on any form I wished. Leaving behind all the responsibilities and troubles and just existing.

With a soft exhale, I looked forward. The street across was brimming with activity. Joggers and CEO's walked side by side in a practiced form of human interaction. Cars came and passed. Trees swayed lazily in the cool breeze. It was peaceful.

Peace… That reminded me, I'd promised dad that I'd stop at the grocery store. I smiled at the thought, if he was asking me to get the groceries it meant he was planning on cooking tonight! I sighed again. It has been a while since I last sat down with him.

The grocery store was like any other, unremarkable in any clear way. But the bright fluorescent lights and aisles of colorful goodies always put me in a happier mood. I hummed softly as I went through each aisle, aimlessly looking for ingredients for tonight. Each color reminded me of a memory, transporting me in time back to a day in time that I begin to miss.

I guess I wasn't always this thoughtful and melancholy, hell I wasn't always this needy! It seemed that dating Brick and having less time for my best friend was having an effect on my personality. I used to be self reliant, to the point of being bossy. But I always tried to keep everyone happy, maybe I stepped on a few toes every now and again, but I always made up for it. Now… Now I was weak. I constantly let Brick walk all over me, in an effort to please him. To see his face light up was worth more to me than staying true to myself, it seemed.

I contemplated this thought for a few more seconds.
But ultimately, I put it down; along with the package of noodles I'd been viciously gripping.

Maybe I'd have a talk with him today. Figure some things about myself out with him there.

I nodded absently. Yes, that's what I'll do…

One delicious lunch with dad later, I dragged myself to the living room. The effort was too much on my full stomach, and I collapsed head first into the inviting couch. It's purple swirled design promised not to judge me, but I knew better than to trust it. I groaned lightly, and sat up in the comfortable seat. My living room, with its boring white walls and equally as boring beige carpet, was a place of comfort for me. Dad used to sit me down on the couch and tell me stories about when he and mom were dating. I always had a million questions for him, giving him no time in between answers for a breath. I couldn't help my curiosity. It had been so long since I'd last heard her loud laugh, and felt her long red hair sweep across my cheeks.

I groaned again, now I was getting melancholy. What a way to spend the day. But was there anything to do today? I wondered vaguely if I'd made any plans.

Hm… Wait… WAIT, I'd almost completely forgotten!

Female Kangaroo boxing was on tonight! Haha, how could I forget? I hummed lightly to myself in delight. It was rare that I remembered exact dates. Wait, date… didn't I got on a date today? With Brick, yea I did.

OH, I forgot about Brick! My boyfriend right? Yea. YEA!

A few more seconds passed before it hit me.

A few more minutes passed before I actually got up and left.

Arriving at Brick's house was always an adventure. Sometimes his door would be unlocked. Sometimes his dogs would be in the front yard. Sometimes his mom mows the lawn in a bikini.

On this day however, the only thing worth noting was the front door. It was completely ajar, and as I peeked in to see if his mom was on the couch watching Deal or No Deal, I found nothing. No lights were on and with the setting sun behind me, it was considerably shadowed inside. I walked in slowly, closing the heavy oak door behind me. His furniture was all varying shades of grey and white and on the walls hung many photos of family. I smiled at the newer ones of Brick; one even had me in it! I moved further into the room, avoiding the cream couch and heading for the wooden staircase leading up to the bedrooms. I took a deep breath and took it a step at a time. Literally. Ha.

At the top I examined all three doors at the end of the long hallway. Each was a different color, Butch's was the green one, Brick's was the red one, and their mom's was a simple white door. It seemed Butch was out, as his door was wide open. Brick's was only slightly ajar, and the last door was completely shut. I wondered if maybe we'd be the only ones here.
That thought sent a thrum across my heart, I could almost imagine the burning in my cheeks, but I composed myself.

I walked over to the red door. Pushing lightly, I called out

"Brick, hey are you her-…." I trailed off once I had a full visual of the room.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing…

A/N: This is where I left off last time

WELL NOT THIS TIME, HAHA DID I SCARE YOU? You've waited long enough. This is what happens next…

On the bed was Brick, lying with his arms crossed behind his head. His eyes were shut when I'd first walked in, but they were now open. Looking at me with tired eyes once more.

Brick was not what had shocked me.

What shocked me was the easel, standing proudly next to his bed.

His bed was laid vertically against the wall that was across from the door. A window sat above the whole thing. I wished I could jump out of it.

On the right wall was his walk-in closet, something I'd always teased him about. After all, what did a boy really need with a closet of that proportion?
I wanted to hide in it.

On the left wall he'd hung up posters of his favorite bands, right above the dresser where he kept all his knick knacks. An action figure here, a picture of me there, scissors that I wanted to use on the painting there…

The painting. The painting on the easel. It shouldn't have shocked me as much as it did; it wasn't anything erotic or romantic of nature. But it was a clear image of someone I'd known all too well.

It was Brick's little protégé. She'd come to him begging for help with her art, said it was too flat and lifeless. The girl had been in tears. Of course he said yes. I trusted him; he'd never cheat on me. Especially not with someone who was younger than us.

But now that I stood in the doorway to his room and stared into the drawn eyes of the 15 year old Bubbles, I wasn't so sure.

Maybe that doesn't sound so bad. But Brick rarely drew people. He told me he didn't think he could do them justice, all the thoughts and feelings swirling in their eyes. He told me one day he'd be able to my portrait. But that wasn't going to happen.

This was a detailed painting of Bubbles sitting simply in a stool, knees together, hands clasped in her lap. She was smiling with her usual cheer, but her eyes showed wonder and innocence. But deep down under it, there was an underlying emotion that spoke of years of hurt. The painting was in such great detail, I almost felt for this person sitting with such sad eyes. I wondered briefly where the hurt had come from. But the concern was crushed. I could hear my heart falling to my feet, landing with a loud crash. I felt a lump in my throat. I felt the breeze of the A/C as it hit the wetness on my face. I furiously wiped at my eyes. Betraying me was their main goal at this point.

"Brick…" I breathed out.

He looked up at me, eyes clear.

"I know Bloss... I know."

I couldn't breathe.