I realized my mistake while writing this chapter. In the summary, it says Blossom attended Townsville High, but the story is set in New York. When I noticed, I was like WTF?! How stupid of me! So, for this story, let's just say Townsville and New York are a stone throw away.

Disclaimer: Probably never going to own it.

Thank you: To everyone who has reviewed, favorited and followed this story. Trust me, your actions don't go unnoticed.

Chapter Three: After Ten Years (Part One)

It takes a long time to grow an old friend.

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Julian stepped out of his new sports car. When everyone realized who it was, the cameramen started flocking toward him, not just because they knew who he'd been dating lately, but because of who he was himself. He was a Gopher and a celebrity in his own right- that and they knew Blossom was sitting in the passenger seat as well.

He handed the keys to the valet before walking around to open the passenger side door. Opening it, he took Blossom's hand as she turned, both of her feet hitting the pavement at the same time. She smiled up at him before turning her gaze over to the cameras. She lifted her right hand, waving to them. She knew how to play it up for the cameras and she always did.

Julian walked with her past them toward the entrance of the Morbucks hotel. The doorman held the door open for them, keeping the paparazzi from coming in behind them. Blossom's smile quickly faded and she was thankfully able to breathe. "I need something to drink," she said, leaning over to him as the walked across the lobby, following the signs toward the ball room. He brought her hand to his lips, smiling down at her. "We'll get you a bottle of water when we get into the ball room, mon amour." She smiled up at him, nodding. "Merci, Jules," she said, walking with him into the ball room.

She was glad in here she was Blossom Utonium and not Blossom, famous superstar. She loved her place in the world, she loved her career... but she didn't love what it cost her... But she wasn't thinking about that tonight. She was avoiding anything that had to do with Brick at all costs.

Julian led her over to the bar and ordered himself a beer and a water for Blossom. The man handed Julian the drinks and he turned to her, giving her the water after twisting the lid off slightly. She smiled in appreciation and took a long drink of the water, looking over the ballroom. She was looking for him, even though she would deny it if ever confronted. She looked over at the door and remembered a time when she and Brick had walked into an event like this, all dressed up, and walked out crowned Prom King and Queen.

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He held her in his arms as she looked up at him. She hadn't even told Bubbles or Avery that he had asked her to marry him. It was their little secret, and for now, that's what she wanted. He held her as they danced on the dance floor and it was as though no one else existed in the world. "I love you, Brick," she whispered, laying her head down on his chest, right over his heart, her favorite place in the world.

He mumbled something in her hair and she found herself smiling. "I can't hear you," a chuckle escaped her lips. She looked up at him just in time to see him roll his eyes playfully. "Aye, aye captain." He smirked. "I love you too, Blossy." His cheeks turned red slightly.

"And now it's time to announce the king and queen for this year." Brick and Blossom both turned toward the stage. The chairman of the prom committee opened the first envelope, speaking into the microphone. "Drum roll, please?" The drummer, a classmate sitting at his set on the stage behind the chairman lazily, but jokingly, lightly tapped at the rim of the drum. Everyone laughed at him. "Very funny," the chairman said, shaking his head as he spoke back into the microphone, "Not that it's any surprise anyway." He looked back up into the crowd. "Brick Jojo."

Blossom looked up at Brick, smiling brightly, wrapping her arms around him tightly. He held her against him as she whispered against his ear, "Congratulations!" He pulled back, pecking her on the lips. She smiled, biting her lip and stepping back as he walked up onto the stage, letting them place the crown on top of his head, handing him his plastic scepter. He held up his scepter and the crowd cheered for him as he shook his head.

Blossom clapped for her … she blushed softly … fiancé. He looked so... regal up there, so sexy. She loved it. Holding her hands to her lips like in prayer, she smiled brightly up at him as his eyes connected with hers. The chairman stood back up to the mic and asked, "Can we get a drum roll again for the queen?" The drummer yelled back up to him, "Do we really need it? Let's just get it over with!" Everyone laughed again and the chairman shook his head, opening the envelope. "It's the rules." He cleared his throat. "Blossom Utonium."

Everyone cheered as Blossom smiled, making her way up to the stage. She hadn't expected to win let alone be nominated. She let them place her tiara on her head and took her own plastic scepter, turning to Brick. "The king and queen will now share a dance together. Clear the floor," the chairman said, letting them walk down the stairs toward the center of the dance floor together.

"Did you expect this?" Blossom asked as Brick pulled her into his arms. "Nope. But it's a pretty nice surprise, huh?" he whispered against the side of her head, holding her close to him. She blushed, not something she usually did, but it was something he made her do easily. "King and Queen. See, even our subjects know we belong together." He smirked as she rolled her eyes, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

That night had been magical. How could it not have been when they had both been crowned royalty? They were in love and the night had been perfect. They loved each other and they didn't need anyone else.

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And then she saw him. She was dancing with Julian, wishing her back was to the door like his. It had been hard when he had been playing for the Gophers before becoming their coach. Granted, he was still a player, but he usually sat on the sidelines these days unless his team really needed him. Seeing him on billboards, commercials, covers of Sports Illustrated... It was tough, but it became easier when his screen time decreased.

Her eyes connected with Brick's before she could even look away. It took everything she had to keep from freezing right on the spot. "Um... I need some fresh air." She smiled up at Julian, rubbing his arm slightly. "You okay?" He asked. She nodded, avoiding the door at all costs. "Yep. Just need some air." She didn't wait for his response before walking away from him. She needed to get away and there was only one place she could go without him following her.

The womens' restroom.

She pushed the bathroom door open and walked directly to the sinks, leaning over, trying to catch her breath. From behind her she heard her best friend's voice call out to her. "B?" Blossom lifted her head to look at her through the mirror as she washed her hands.

"Blossom, what is it?" Blossom looked down, willing herself not to cry or show any emotion whatsoever. "I should have stayed home tonight. I don't know why I came." Bubbles rinsed off her hands, pulling a couple of paper towels out. "You came, because it's your high school reunion," she said as she dried off her hands before using the paper towels to turn off the faucet, turning to toss them away when she was done.

Blossom shook her head. "No, I should have let you come here without me and stayed home. You need to start staying home as it is, Bubbles," she said, resting her hand on her best friend's stomach. Bubbles placed her hand over Blossom's. "I've spoken with my doctor. She says I've still got another month until I need to stop moving around, unless she tells me something else between now and then." Blossom nodded, slowly pulling her hand back, turning towards the mirror and trying to breathe.

"Now tell me what you're doing in here, Blossom." Bubbles said, placing her hand on her best friend's back. Blossom looked at her through the mirror, "Trying to find a good excuse to ask Julian to leave with me." Bubbles stood silently for a few seconds, before rolling her eyes. "Don't you think it's been long enough? So you ran away from him when you were 18. You're 28 now. You're a grown woman. I know you miss him."

Blossom shook her head. She didn't want to hear this again. "He's with Avery, Bubbles," she said, feeling jealousy stir within her at the mention of her ex best friend's name. "I'm marrying Julian." Bubbles took Blossom's hands in hers, looking into her eyes. "I've watched you for ten years. I know how much you still love Brick."

Blossom turned her head away. It was the truth, but she didn't want to listen to it. "I've seen how you've hurt yourself over him." Blossom shut her eyes, trying to mute Bubbles' voice. "I don't care if he's out there with Avery. I want you to go out there and talk to him. Just walk right on out there and talk to him." Bubbles placed one hand on her hip and pointed toward the doors, her lips tightened in a thin line.

Blossom stared at her best friend for a while, before taking a deep breath and rolling her eyes. "Vous êtes chanceux je vous aime. Une telle douleur dans le cul bien."

You're lucky I love you. Such a pain in the ass though.

Blossom shook her head and headed for the doors. Before they shut completely though, she heard Bubbles yell, "I speak Spanish, Blossom! What did you say?" She laughed, heading back out toward the dance floor. Julian walked up to her and she smiled at him softly. "I need to do something. If I don't, it's going to bother me all night." He nodded slowly, rubbing her arm as she stepped away from him.

-To Be Continued-

~End Of Chapter~