203. 204. 205. 208?

Where the heck was 206 and 207?

Where?!

You looked around confused before taking another look at your class schedule. You had to get to 206.

Why was this school so freaking big?!

Y/N: Crap.

You dropped your arm and let out a frustrated groan. You had been walking through this hallway for almost an hour trying to find your first class.

You knew transferring schools would have it's hardships, but this was ridiculous.

Where was 206?!

You just shook your head before the second bell rang. Everyone who was left in the hallways were now racing to get to class.

You quickly realized you were going to be late to class. You grabbed your head and quickly looked around for someone to help you.

Y/N: Excuse me.

Ignored.

Y/N: Hey, can you...

Ignored.

Y/N: For the love of god....

Ignored.

Y/N: Help.

I
G
N
O
R
E
D
!

You soon found yourself standing alone in the middle of the empty hallway. So much for "a friendly environment".

You looked around to see if anyone was left to help you. Unfortunately, there was not. At least, you thought.

Buttercup: Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap!

You turned around when you heard the sounds of hurried footsteps and a worried voice. It sounded like Buttercup.

When you had finally turned around completely, you found the air knocked out of your lungs. You were quickly on the ground with a strange weight on top of you.

Y/N: Ugh..

You slowly gathered your surroundings again once your head stopped rattling. You slowly lifted your head back up and looked at the girl who was now pushing herself back up.

She shook her head and looked down at you.

Buttercup: Oh. Crap, dude. You alright?

She held out a hand towards you. You examined it for a second before you grabbed a hold. Your eyes went wide when she effortlessly pulled you up.

You recovered your footing and nodded.

Buttercup: I was just lookin' for ya! Blossom said sorry for having to run off, but the Mayor tends to call for....well his pickle jar was sealed shut. She asked me to help you find your class.

FINALLY! THANK YOU FOR FINALLY SENDING HELP!

Buttercup threw an arm around you and began to pull you along with little care for her surroundings. A few students had to dodge her failing arms as she stumbled with you in a rather cartoonish manner.

Buttercup: You're gonna like it here. I mean, you said you liked school, school is pretty boring, and this place is the most boring place I know.

She patted your chest.

Buttercup: You'll fit righ-woah.

She stopped and held her hand against your chest.

Buttercup: I didn't know you worked out! Dude, we have got to trade diet plans.

Y/N: "Diet plans"? We're 13...

Buttercup: Hm?

While she was touching your chest in surpise, she began to notice something else. Your heartbeat was beginning to rise. She realized what she was doing and why you would suddenly get all hyper and quickly removed her hand, grabbing it and turning away so you couldn't see her embarrassment.

Buttercup: Woah! Sorry 'bout that. I just wasn't expecting you to have muscle like that.

You just waved it off as Buttercup continued leading you to the classroom, now no longer dragging you along but allowing you to trail her instead. You looked down at your chest and touched where her hand just was.

That was close. If she started questioning why you were so strong despite your....appearance, she would definitely find out you're Brusier, or Baxter, or whatever the heck you said your name waS YOU DON'T REMEMBER WHAT NAME YOU GAVE THEM?!

You began to panic as Buttercup reached 206, stopping when she noticed you fidgeting with your fingers as you tried to narrow down the possible list of names.

Blaster, Boxer, Brock, Bradley, Blob, Bob? Did you just tell them Buster? No, why would you do that? It was so simple, on the tip of your tounge.

Buttercup: Y/N?

Y/N: BASH!

Time stopped. You had exactly .1 seconds to figure out what excuse you were going to use to justify what you just did. If you failed, game over. If you succeeded, you just look like a weirdo. What will it be, reader?

Buttercup: Huh?

Without really thinking, as so many of you often do, you turned and slammed your head into a nearby locker, hard enough for it to look a bit painful, but soft enough not to dent it. Thank you heightened invulnerability.

You faked a wince and stepped back, rubbing your head. You looked to Buttercup who was just staring at you like you had just lost your mind. She could be a bit of an airhead at times, but that was just something else entirely. At least now you had more time to come up with a proper excuse.

Y/N: Sorry. Uh, nerves. I'm nervous. So sometimes I...uh....yeah.

Literally how have you survived this long?

Buttercup: Uh....

Y/N: WELLTHANKSFORTAKINGMEHEREITWASNICEWESHOULDDOITAGAINSOMETIMEOKAYBYE!

You quickly rushed into the room to escape the now awkward situation, only to end up in an even more awkward situation. You suddenly had literally every single eye on you the moment the door closed.

You cannot catch a break.

Ms. Keane: Y/N! I am so glad you made it. We were getting worried you had gotten lost.

Your eyes darted around the room for a moment before you looked back to the sweet smile of Ms. Keane.

Y/N: I-I did. Buttercup helped me.

Ms. Keane smiled. Seems she took pride in her former students still being on their best behavior. She clapped her hands together and stood up, gesturing you to stand by her side. Once you did, she began to address the class.

Ms. Kean: Class, today we will be having a new student join our lovely little beehive of learning. This is Y/N and he just moved here from Nowhere.

A boy in the back of the class snorted.

Boy: Nowhere? Then where did he come from?

A few other students laughed.

Girl: Isn't Nowhere where all those alien sightings are? Hey, new guy, have you seen aliens?

You had, obviously, but you'd doubt they'd believe you if you told them that space chickens tried to eat you. So, instead, you bended the truth a bit.

Y/N: I've seen lights, but those could be anything. Like ghosts!

You suddenly found a wave of questions being sent your way as the entire class piled on to try and get to know you better. Crack that nut of secrecy....yeah I won't say that again, sorry.

You were having trouble keeping up to the point that Ms. Keane had to step in. She got the class's attention with little effort and suggested that all questions be held til break. A compromise that went off without a hitch and got the class to quiet down.

Ms. Keane: Now, Y/N, your deskmate is out at the moment, but you'll be sitting next to....

Suddenly the door swung open again to reveal none other than Blossom. She was straightening her bow as she walked into the room only to stop when she saw you. She smiled, happy that you made it here without her help, before she seemed to remember that other people were around. She cleared her throat and handed Ms. Keane a slip of paper.

Blossom: Sorry for the tardy, ma'am.

Ms. Keane just smiled. She opened a drawer in her desk where you spotted a pile of similar pieces of paper only to add to the pile. A common occurrence, then.

Ms. Keane: Well, since the two of you will be sitting together, you can show him to his seat.

Blossom nodded and motioned for you to follow. You did as Ms. Keane began class.

Ms. Keane: Now, class, who wants to learn about Shakespeare?

Power Up!

Chapter 9:
Too Cool For School

Written by

Morning Blankets
&
A Raccoon With A Handgun

You found yourself surrounded by your classmates as soon as the bell rung. You weren't ever used to being the center of attention especially when it came to people your own age. It was especially intimating since they were all standing and you were stuck in your chair.

Boy: So what is Nowhere really like? I heard it's mostly wack jobs and old people.

Y/N: W-Well, I mean, it's the desert.

Girl: Which do you prefer? The desert or the city?

Y/N: I just moved here, so it's hard to say.

Boy: Is it true that you walked here with the Puffs? Do you guys know each other?

Y/N: N-Not really? My sister works for their dad and we just met the other night. But they've been super nice.

Girl: Hey, why are you so short?

You froze at that last one. You immediately found yourself thinking back on the stares. You looked at the other boys, at least the ones you could see. They were at least a head taller than you. Some of the girls to.

They probably think you were sick. Was it really already over? But it just began.

???: What do you mean? He's totes adorable!

You felt a pair of arms suddenly wrap around your shoulders from behind. You were then swayed side to side as the culprit hugged you as if you were some kind of stuffed animal.

???: Just look at him! Doesn't he totally look like a doll a bit?

While the guys seemed a bit more confused, the girls in your class began to mumble out agreements.

Girl: His eyelashes are super cute, aren't they?

Girl: Wow, his eyes are even different shades!

Girl: Your skin is glowing. What moisturizer do you?!

Soon the questions shifted to mostly the girls trying to find our your beauty secrets. You, uh, had no idea how to answer any of those questions.

Blossom: Robin, please stop harassing him.

You looked over to see Blossom making her way back over from getting a drink from the vending machine just diwn the hall. The weight on your back was suddenly lifted only for a force to start pushing against your cheek, a hand pinching your other.

Robin: I'm not harassing him. I'm just pointing out how cute he is. Look!

The girl moved her face away from yours and instead began to squish your cheeks to show off your adorableness. Sorry, short king. This is your life now. Blossom took her seat back and smacked the girl's hands away. Said girl finally revealed herself to you when she happily bounced her way around your and Blossom's table.

She looked to be about Blossom's height. Actually, wait, why did she look kinda familiar? By this point the others were either hanging back to see what would happen or have dispersed to enjoy the rest of your break.

Robin: Guess I should introduced myself. I'm Robin. I live next to her and her sisters.

She said this as she pointed her thumb towards the pink puff. So you probably did see her the other night when you went over. You found yourself leaning back a bit when she suddenly leaned forward, looking right into your eyes. She smiled when she saw that your eyes were indeed different shades.

Robin: Woah. That's so cool. Do you, like, see things brighter with one eye than the other?

You were about to answer but stopped when you realized you....didn't really know? You found yourself doubting your own sight and closed one eye, then the other.

Y/N: N-No.

Robin: You had to check? Wait, is it not natural?

You shook your head.

Y/N: It happened after an accident.

Robin immediately realized it was a sore topic and quickly changed it with no hesitation.

Robin: And your hair? Do you style it?

Y/N: No, my sister does.

Robin: Does she do it professionally?

Blossom: She's my dad's new partner. Liz.

Robin gasped and turned back.

Robin: YOU'RE LIZ'S BROTHER! That's what you meant by your sister working for him. Dude, your sister is so cool. And somehow single?! Like, how can you be that young, that gorgeous, living in the big city and not be in the dating scene?

You sat there awkwardly for a few seconds, unsure of what to say about this. Blossom instead stepped in with a can of soda. She held it in front of your face, helping to break that awkward conversation.

Blossom: Robin's a bit of a...hopeless romantic.

You took the soda she offered as Robin let out a sigh, dramatically laying on the table. She placed the back of her hand on her forehead and turned away.

Robin: Oh to be in love~

You looked to Blossom.

Blossom: She's also in the drama club.

You turned back to Robin. Yeah, that checked out.

Robin rolled to face you two again. She propped her head up with her arm and smiled once more.

Robin: So, have you had a chance to see the sights yet?

You gave a so-so motion. You really hadn't seen much save for the Town Square and the Boardwalk...kinda. course you couldn't mention that second part. So instead you shook your head and said...

Y/N: Nope.

Robin's eyes lit up as she rolled back over and slid herself forward to get closer to you. You tried to scoot back a bit, but the wall prevented you from getting too far. You were once again in very close proximity to the erratic girl. And, you know, most boys would be happy to be in this situation. A cute girl giving you her undivided attention.

Sucks this is just a story, huh?

Robin: THEN WE MUST TAKE YOU ON....

Blossom: Oh no...

Robin: THE TOWNSVILLE EXPERIENCE TOUR!

Blossom: Please stop...

Robin: ALL THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS!

Blossom: Robi-

Robin: THE HOTTEST LOCATIONS! THE MOST DELICIOUS RESTAURANTS! THE BEST LITTLE SHOPS ON THIS SIDE OF ORCHID BAY CITY!

Each declaration was met with animated motions by Robin, adding to her theatrics, while Blossom finally sighed and silently accepted defeat. Your classmates were laughing at Robin's performance while you finally cracked a smile. You had no idea how someone could be this extroverted, but you kinda respected it in a weird way.

She was someone who was unapologetically herself and she never tries to hide it. She reminded you of Liz. Well, Liz does hide her love for....huh? What? Oh. S-She's here? If I mention it.....oh. Oh. Oh.

Ahem. Nevermind. As you were.

Robin settled down and got off your desk, giving you proper space with a pretty smile.

Robin: There we go. Finally cracked the shell.

She held her hand out for you to shake, which you did, before she rested against your desk.

Robin: For reals, tho, we need to show you the sights. Our resident celebrity and I will be your guides.

Resident celebrity? You looked to Blossom who seemed a bit...uncomfortable with the title. Looking at your fellow peers, you noticed their expressions also shifting. Seems like whenever her name was mentioned there was a weird kind of mood shift. You'll have to look into that later.

Y/N: Yeah, sounds fun.

Robin: Oh, do you have Townsapp?

You tilted your head. You then heard a ding and looked at your watch to see a new app had been downloaded.

Computer: This is the only help I'm giving you with this.

Thanks?

Robin: Oh, you do! You should follow me! Oh, and when you go somewhere new take lots of pictures and send them!

Blossom smiled.

Blossom: Robin knows practically everything about Townsville. And everyone. If you want some good connections you should stick with her.

Robin posed with pride. Well, looks like you got your first followers.

♡♡♡♡♡

You found yourself gripping the plastic lunch tray as you looked at the mass of students enjoying their food. All friends, all familiar with each other, all complete strangers to you.

You sighed at the sight.

It was cool to see people get along, there didn't seem to be any kind of bullying problem here, but you were a complete outsider.

You looked around to see if there was even an open seat. Unfortunately, there wasn't.

You did spot Buttercup sitting with Mitch over at a table, but they were with a bunch of other people. They all wore varsity jackets as well.

Football? Maybe basketball.

You always had trouble bonding with athletes. You didn't have anything against them, but you didn't have anything to relate to them either.

Buttercup felt like someone was watching her. She knew the feeling well with her status as a hero. When she looked up she noticed you looking a bit lost. Her friends only saw her raise her hand from outta the corner of their eyes before she called out.

Buttercup: Yo! Y/N! Over here, man!

You snapped your head back to her. Was she actually calling you over? To avoid any more attention on you, you quickly made your way over much to the confusion of the other people at the table.

Buttercup, however, was all smiles. For some reason you thought her teeth looked a bit sharper? Despite that you didn't feel any hostility from her.

Buttercup: Why do you look so nervous, dude? I ain't gonna eat ya!

You had your doubts. Still Buttercup moved over to try and make some space. With no real other option, you squeezed yourself in between her and one of her friends, who made no effort to make more space. Almost immediately everyone simply ignored you. Buttercup noticed this, but only gave them a look before turning back to you.

Buttercup: Sorry. They're jerks.

At least she knows?

Buttercup: They're cool once they warm up to you, though! Just give it some time. For now, though, you're completely safe with me.

You looked to your right to the boy sitting next to you. He looked like he was a few years older than you. Was...was he even a kid?

Y/N: Uh, thanks?

Did you really need her protection? You had super powers to. Then again, her and her sisters do have years of experience over you. You were at a disadvantage and after seeing them beat that Mantis....yeah you didn't want to cross them. Maybe just take the protection, kid.

Buttercup: So, I gotta ask, you do sports?

Y/N: I watch baseball.

Buttercup: But do you play?

Well, not really. You never attended school before Nowhere and you didn't exactly have a lot of time there to do anything worthwhile. Then a thought crossed your mind.

Y/N: I run.

???: Course you do.

You looked to the voice to see a boy sitting there, having already returned to you not existing.

Buttercup: Watch it, Mitch.

The boy, Mitch, just grunted. Didn't seem like he was all that intimated by her. He was just a normal guy, right? Maybe he just knew Buttercup enough to know she wouldn't do anything too...

Buttercup: DID'CHA JUST GRUNT AT ME?!

You flinched when Buttercup suddenly dove across the table, tackling the boy. You watched as the two of them wrestled while no one did anything to stop them. Was this...just a normal thing?

You decided to just focus on eating your lunch instead, picking up your sandwich and taking a bite.

♡♡♡♡♡

You stood at the Monorail station with relief over a successful first day. Much better than your last first day. That one was rough. But now you felt like you had somewhat of a good footing here and honestly you felt like you could actually make a kind of life here. Robin seemed friendly enough, and if what Buttercup said was true then maybe you really could be friends with those guys from before. Maybe. Maybe not.

You lifted your wrist and looked at your watch.

Y/N: Hey, 'Puter, am I bad at meeting people?

Before you really even finished, your watch responded with a simple...

Computer: Absolutely.

Y/N: Huh?! Is it really that bad?!

Computer: Your female peers see you as a doll.

You flinched with a grunt. You forgot about that part.

Bubbles: BOO!

Y/N: AHHHHH!

You jumped from the sudden scare, having been lost in your own world, and found yourself stumbling forward towards the rails. You had absolutely no time to think before someone grabbed your coat and pulled you back.

Bubbles: AH, I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW CLOSE YOU WERE!

You could say nothing as you remained frozen. You heard a beep and lifted your watch.

Computer: I've downloaded the footage from the CCTV.

Bubbles set you down and you dropped to your knees. You could probably take a monorail, but the sheer freight was enough to get you.

Bubbles: Y/N?

Y/N: Why? Why does this keep happening to me?

Computer: To be fair, you do make it very easy.

You gathered yourself and Bubbles helped you up. While your heart began to slow down, you found a soda can suddenly being handed to you. You followed the arm to find a boy your age, and only slightly taller than you, smiling.

???: Trust me, this'll be funny in like 10 minutes.

You decided to be optimistic and took the soda.

Y/N: Thanks.

Bubbles: Hey! That's supposed to be mine!

The boy turned to her and placed his hands on his hips, giving Bubbles a look.

???: You almost killed the poor kid. Give him the soda.

She didn't, but she did scare you and you were a bit upset so you were going to take the dang soda. Bubbles relented almost immediately.

Bubbles: Right! Sorry. Oh! You two don't know each other, do you?

The boy smirked and turned back to you, holding out his hand enthusiastically.

???: No we do not. I'm Mike. Mike Believe. Nice to meet you.

You started to shake his hand, but the moment your hand was in his grasp he began to shake it with more motion than you were expecting.

Y/N: O-Oh. Uh, nice to meet you to. I'm Y/N. But my friends call me Buster.

Computer: Friends?

Mike raised a brow at your watch and you quickly pulled your hand away.

Y/N: W-Well, friend. And my family.

Computer: Smooth.

You glared at the watch which peaked Mike's curiosity even more.

Mike: Oh, is that one of those smart watches? My sister has one. She says they get pretty annoying.

Y/N: Yes. Yes they do.

Before the computer could respond, you muted your watch. That was when you noticed Mike's big. Not his backpack, but the messenger bag he was carrying.

Y/N: Do you draw?

Mike perked up as Bubbles suddenly jumped on his back.

Bubbles: He does! And he's crazy good at it!

Mike laughed nervously a bit as he opened his bag.

Mike: I still have room for improvement, but lately I've been trying this new style.

He brought out a sketchbook and opened it to a page, handing it to you. You looked to see quite a cool piece. It was of two birds flying through the sky, but the sharp lines and use of colour was what caught your eye. It wasn't a blue sky, but a Red one. The birds were black, probably Ravens, but the streaks that followed them were grey.

Bubbles: Mike here makes all the posters we use to promote our plays. He also does some commission work for shops around town.

Mike seemed a bit awkward about having the praise focused on him, but he did seem proud of his work.

Y/N: What got you into it?

Mike: Oh, comics. Easy! I always loved reading them and I love the art. Especially when they get weird. Honestly, I use Bubbles and her sisters as inspiration sometimes.

Bubbles nodded in confirmation.

Bubbles: I try to get pictures when I can for reference, but it's hard sometimes.

You could see how, considering she should be more focused on fighting. But that was when you saw something pop up in your sight, slightly surprising you. Oh, right, your glasses! It was a message from Computer.

First of all, never mute me again, child. Secondly, I can take pictures during fights. IF you get me a better system for your room. I cannot deal with that fossil your grandparents called a computer again.

Well, that seemed like a...reasonable compromise? How much was a good computer?

Mike: I think if I had better references I could probably get some cool frames drawn up. The problem is the story. I'm not a writer.

Oof. Been there before.

Y/N: Well....maybe I can help a bit?

Look, you weren't a writer, but you definitely bad stories you could pass on as fake.

Mike: Wait, really? That'd be huge! Oh, and I'll split the profit with you of course!

Y/N: Profit?

Bubbles: Oh yeah, Mike makes some good molala for his art!

Oh, money. Well, now you were definitely going to pass these stories to him. This computer was going to pay for itself.

Y/N: Oh, hey, where are your sisters?

Bubbles: Buttercup had practice, and Blossom is on patrol. I have the day off, which means it's time for.....

Bubbles and Mike suddenly posed back to back in dramatic fashion.

Bubbles/Mike: THE DEATH OF A SUPERSTAR!

You stood there for a moment before a wiki link showed up in your left lens. Let's see here. Says that it was some kind of teen drama show that followed the troubles of a famous singer as she navigated the dark world of fame. The ratings were.....not great. Looks like it was one of those weird teen soap opera shows.

Bubbles: Tonight we find out if Jessica really did stab Daniel.

Mike: She absolutely did. And let's be honest, he deserved it after that crap he pulled at Dala's Gala.

You just stood there watching them as they went into a weird rabbit hole of whatever the heck this show was. Aliens? Witches? Wait, someone went to jail? What do you mean someone came back to life?!

Bubbles: Oh! Y/N!

You jumped when Bubbles suddenly turned back to you.

Bubbles: I wanted to ask if you were thinking about joining any clubs.

Clubs? You honestly didn't even think about it. Like sports, you never really joined on.

Y/N: Not really, but I'm open to looking into it.

Bubbles: PERFECT!

She reached into her backpack and brought out some papers. She handed them to you with a glowing smile.

Bubbles: We're having a meeting tomorrow at Drama Club, to try and get new members. We always struggle to find boys so if you're interested...

She began to do a little dance as she wiggled the papers towards you. You took them and looked to see what looked like a lost of plays that the club was planning on doing for the year.

Mike: You should think about it. It's pretty fun.

A club? That didn't sound like such a bad idea. The monorail finally arrived so you tucked the paper away and instead got on, continuing a conversation with Bubbles and Mike.

Okay, yeah, you can call this a successful first day.

Next Time: Chapter 10. Fuzzy Lumpkins