What Would You Do For Love?

When the Fog Clears: Part 3

Buttercup's POV

As I sat on the park bench waiting for Butch to come back, all I could think of was that kiss. I know I told him I wanted to remain friends, but I wasn't sure that was even possible. I just had all of those crazy thoughts about Butch and I being together. I never really had those thoughts about Mitch, which confused me. Why did I ever start going out with him? After meeting Butch, I just couldn't believe I was ever interested in Mitch. All those thoughts were driving me insane, so I decided that I wasn't going to think about it anymore. I just sat back and relaxed for a few minutes. I closed my eyes and felt the cool breeze the evening air brought.

Suddenly, I felt a shadow run across my face. I opened my eyes and saw someone standing in front of me. My eyes grew wide, but I was more annoyed than anything else.

"Mitch, go away," I demanded, but he just stood there.

I stood up and was about to walk away, but he caught me. He grabbed me from behind, holding my arms with one hand, then putting his other arm around my throat. I tried to open my mouth and scream but nothing came out. So, I stumped my foot down on his. I lost my balance, and he let go of me. I fell to the ground coughing. I breathed deeply as I staggered to my feet. He ran after me, backing me up against a tree.

Before I could react, his hand was against my throat as he leaned his body up against mine. I tried to get out of his grip, but I was losing air and could breathe.

He whispered in my ear. "I told you that you would pay." He stared me down with a look that frightened me. He looked so sinister in his movements. Suddenly, he forced me into a kiss as he released his grip on my throat. I tried to fight him, but he held my arms in a tight grip.

"Please... let... me... go," I managed to get out, but he only laughed at me.

"I saw you kissing him." He glided his finger up and down my cheek. "So tell me, who's better?"

I gave him a disgusted look and spit in his face. He became angry and slapped me in the face. Somehow, my hands got free, and I fell to the ground. When I looked up, I saw Butch beating on Mitch.

I tried to pick myself up off the ground, but I was so weak. I was finally able to sit up as Mitch was getting his ass kicked, but he soon got the upper hand and punched Butch back. It was enough for him to break loose of his hold. He ran off quickly. Butch looked like he was going to go after him, but he looked back over at me with concern in his eyes.

"Buttercup," I heard him say, but I was in so much in shock that I didn't answer him. "Come on, BC. Stay with me."

I looked into his eyes and nodded. "I'm okay." I was still weak, so he helped me to my feet. He led me back to the bench. I was still shaking as he held me. It felt so nice to be touched by him. After I had calmed down, I looked him in the eyes. "You saved me."

"Yeah," he said and embraced me. He touched my face, but I felt a slight pain. "That bastard, he did hurt you...again. There's a bruise on your face."

"That must have been when he slapped me." I saw that he had brought some food, and I just realized how hungry I really was. "So, did you get my chili dog?"

He laughed at me, shaking his head. "Okay, here you go," he said and watched me eat. He handed me a soda to wash it down.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked, seeing that he wasn't eating.

"Oh, yeah," he said, and took a bite of his chili dog. I finished off my food quickly, and I just watched him finishing off his food. "So, are you okay?" he asked me when he was finished. "Tell the truth, okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just a little bruised."

"I'm sorry," he said, touching my bruised arm gently. "I shouldn't have left you alone."

"It wasn't your fault," I said, trying to reassure him. "I didn't know how out of control Mitch really was."

"He didn't force you to do anything?" he asked. I could tell what was on his mind, and it set a horrible feeling through me. "It didn't get that far."

I was suddenly so wiped out. I felt like I was going to collapse. I knew he could see it, because he put his arms around me. I felt the warmth of his body heat on me and almost drifted off.

"Yeah, I should take you home," he said.

"Okay," I said.

He helped me to my feet, and we walked over to his bike. When we arrived at my house, I really didn't want him to leave. He walked me to the door, and I just stood there looking at him.

"So, I got you here... safe and sound," he said.

"Yeah, I guess so," I said, coming closer to him. He looked surprised at my action. "Isn't it customary for a boy to kiss a girl goodnight?"

"Do you want me to?" he asked me.

I only nodded as he cupped my face in his hands. My hands were on his waist as our lips touched. I opened my mouth, feeling his tongue on mine. I didn't want this to end, but suddenly the door opened and my sister Blossom gave me a stern look.

"Buttercup, where have you..." she stopped mid-sentence and gasped as we broke apart. "Oh, my god, Buttercup." She must have seen the bruise on my face. "What the hell happened?"

"Mitch attacked me," I said. My body shook just thinking about it. Butch took my hand, and I calmed down quickly. "But then Butch showed up and stopped him."

"Oh," Blossom said as I came into the house. Butch was still holding my hand when I led him inside. Dad and Bubbles were on the couch but ran over to me.

"Buttercup!" Bubbles squealed loudly. "We thought you were dead." Bubbles had always been over-dramatic.

Dad hugged me, and then examined my wrists and face. "Sweetie, how did this happen?" He looked over at Butch for an answer.

"That jerk ex-boyfriend of hers. When I saw him attacking her I went after him, but he took off."

"Thank you, young man, for protecting my daughter."

"Dad, this is Butch," I said. Dad shook his hand as I sat down in the arm chair.

Butch came over to me. "Hey, BC, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure," I said. I watched him leave, but suddenly I was very sleepy. "Hey, guys, if it's okay I think I will go to bed."

"Buttercup, we need to talk," Dad said.

"Please, Dad, not tonight," I pleaded. "I'm really tired."

"Okay," Dad said, kissing my forehead. "Tomorrow then."

I walked up the stairs and into my room. I changed into my nightshirt and crawled into bed. The last thought on my mind was Butch. I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep.