Chapter 1, Memories and Train rides

Fionna hummed to herself as the train pulled into a station. She watched a few more people pile into the front car; she wondered where they were headed, if any of them had the same destination as she did. She dug around in her bag until she found her phone, two more long agonizing hours until she would finally be at her new school, Asheville Arts Academy. Fionna chuckled to herself remembering when the letter of her acceptance had first been received.

She had been in her room, messing with the acoustic guitar her dad had gotten her a few birthdays before. Humming to herself, she did not hear her mother's excited exclaims until she was pounding on Fionna's bedroom door causing the sixteen year old to jump, nearly off her bed. Fionna placed the guitar down and opened the door, instantly being tackled by her overjoyed mother.

"YOU'VE BEEN ACCEPTED!" Her mother whooped over and over again, bouncing around the room. Fionna sat up and stared at her mother as though she had sprouted another head. Seeing the look her daughter was giving, Fionna's mother settled next to her daughter and handed her the formal letter containing her acceptance.

"Asheville Arts Academy? Aaa?" Fionna giggled heartily and continued reading. A wild grin formed over her face. "I… I've been accepted into the music department?! MA! They want me at their school!" Fionna shrieked with joy, throwing her arms around her mother. Her mother returned the hug giving her daughter a tight squeeze.

"Your dad would be so proud of you Fi." Tears formed in both their eyes at the mention of Fionna's father. They hugged each other tightly, tears streaming down both their cheeks. "I know Fi." Her mother comforted her as a sob escaped Fionna's lips. It was uncomfortable for Fionna to break down in front of anyone, even her mother. It became easier as the tears slowed; her mother was rocking Fionna back and forth humming a Lullaby her father had written her while she was a baby. The sound soothed the teenage further.

Sniffling, Fionna squeezed her mother once more before letting her go. "Thanks Ma… I know Dad would be proud of me. I'm gonna be following in his footsteps. I can't wait." She gave her mother a smile as she sat up on her bed. Her mother returned the smile as she rose to her feet, turning to leave.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow okay? We have one week to get you everything you need. I love you baby girl." Her mother walked out, pulling the door closed behind her. Hearing the door catch the latch, Fionna got to her feet and began rummaging through her books. She pulled an old photograph from one of her father's favorite books and stared at the picture that secured the first fishing trip her father and she had taken.

"I promise Daddy, I'm gonna be just like you. My music will be just like yours. I'll make people happy. I'll make them feel the way your music made people feel. I love you Daddy." She would make her father proud. She had to.

Fionna shook her head, tears stinging her eyes as she pushed the memory out of her mind. Absentmindedly she grabbed her Guitar and started to strum her fingers against the strings. She started to hum a tune, watching as rain rolled down the train's window. Fionna was deep in thought, wondering about how she would like the academy. I'm following in your footsteps Dad. I'll make you proud just like I promised. Fionna thought staring out at the dark rain clouds that filtered the sky. She placed the guitar down and picked up a notebook, writing down the rain inspired lyrics that swam through her mind.

Even though you're gone

It's not over.

I can overcome these tears

Oooh

I know you're with me

Even if it's only in my dreams.

Oooh

I know you're still here.

I know you're still near

I feel your arms around me.

The sound of the door opening to Fionna's compartment penetrated caused the room to go silent. Sluggishly, Fionna tore her eyes off her writing as she looked over to see a rather short teenager standing in the door way with a vibrant smile cross her features. "Hey. What's up girl? You mind if I hang here?" The girl beamed, moving her blonde and brown hair out of her face. Quickly Fionna closed her notebook and shoved it into her backpack.

"Uhm… I… Sure, that's cool bro." Fionna shrugged grabbing her duffle bag off the adjacent seat. She offered the other girl a smile before turning back to the window. The girl sat down and looked around the room, her eyes falling on the guitar lying next to Fionna

"You a musician girl?" The girl had a slight southern accent to her voice. Fionna gave a stiff nod, glancing at the guitar. "Oh my glob, are you going to Asheville? For the Academy?" Fionna nodded again straightening up in her seat. "Noo waay girl? For real?"

"Yeah, my dad went there about 18 years ago, he always said it was his favorite part of child hood." Fionna shrugged giving a faint smile as she talked about her father. "Ever since it's been my dream to attend the Academy." The other girl nodded, her understanding clearly written on her face. "What about you? Musician or artist?" at this the other teenager grinned like a madman- err... woman.

"Me?" the girl chuckled and handed a sketch pad over to Fionna. She opened it, her mouth instantly dropping as she stared at the other girl's incredible artwork. "I came to dominate the world of realistic art." Her eyes twinkled in excitement. Fionna grinned at the girl's determination. "I'm Katarina, by the way, Katarina Félin. But you can call me Cake." She pointed to her cake shaped hair pin holding her bangs out of her face. "Everyone does."

Fionna smiled and reached her hand out. "Fionna Mertens. Nice to meet you Cake." Cake grinned and shook Fionna's hand. It was quite apparent to the two girls that they would become close friends quickly.

Marshal Lee stared at the newbs as they walked off the school bus. There was no interest as he gazed out into the crowd. One of his friends kept pointing out various girls, exclaiming a rating of hotness. Marshal rolled his eyes as the discussion became a heated debate to find the hottest newb. Sighing he turned to leave, feeling the incredible boredom cutting into him. As he turned to leave, his eye caught sight of an original Stromberg G-11 acoustic guitar make its way through the obnoxious crowd, he was in love with the deep red color of the instrument. "They are without doubt the hottest chicks I have ever seen." His best friend Ignatius piped up, dangling an arm over Marshals shoulders as he watch the owner of the guitar Marshal ogled make her way to where they stood.

"Forget the chicks. That's an original Stromberg…" the way he eyed guitar made his friends believe that if possible, Marshal would have been vomiting rainbows. It was not until the girls were closer did Marshal even notice them. They were in fact stunning, smiling and laughing about a previous joke the two had shared. "Wow…" He took them both in, the girl holding the guitar was slightly taller than her companion. She had long blonde hair that was tied back into a messy ponytail atop her head. When she glanced at the boys, Marshal was pierced by her crystal blue eyes. They stared into each other for only moments, two soon her blues eyes darted away from him as she and her friend strolled past the wild boys. It took everything Marshal had not follow her. He felt as though all his breath had been knocked out of his lungs.

"Marsh? Bro you good man?" Ignatius grabbed his arm to steady the swaying teen. Marshal shook his head to regain his posture.

"Wow... Like just wow man…" Ignatius gave him a wicked grin, knowing exactly what was going through his friends mind. "Come on, let's go practice some music." Marshal blushed slightly, walking ahead of his gang of misfits. He was determined to find out everything he could about the girl, after practice.

The two girls stood together in an auditorium of sorts as the principal strolled on to the stage. They had just come from being appointed their rooms, as luck should have it they were one of the few early students that were allowed to choose their roommates. Fionna was over joyed to be able to room with the first friend she had made at the Academy. Fionna looked around the room; she noted where each exit was. She nudged her friend; she leaned over to Cake and whispered just loud enough to be heard. "Hey, let's ditch this and go exploring."

Cake grinned and nodded in agreement. Quickly, the two ducked down and headed toward the nearest exit. They had nearly reached the door when a row of five boys blocked their path. Fionna jerked upward and stared the leader of the group down. "What the flip bro? Do you mind moving? Kind of tryin' to escape here." She growled, crossing her arms over her chest. The dark haired boy in front of her gave a slight smirk, his deep brown eyes sizing her up.

"Princess doesn't like our little assemblies?" He chuckled in a teasing manner, stuffing his hands into black leather jacket. His stare caused Fionna to shift uncomfortably; she tugged lightly on her sky blue tank top, pulling her dark navy jacket closer. Marshal flashed a smile noting the change in her energy as he stared at her. Cake however was eyeing another band member, the tall boy in back smirked at her in return causing her to giggle behind Fionna. Fionna simply rolled her eyes and crossed her arms again.

"Princess? Look you egotistical pigheaded self-satisfying wannabe rocker," Marshal Lee gapped, his pride was damaged. "Not that it's any of your business, but we wanted to see the rest of the school." She narrowed her eyes, daring him to say anything back to her. Marshal returned her glare and simply moved aside to let her pass. Fionna raised her chin in defiance and passed by him, walking out the door. Cake smiled and waved at the tall boy before following Fionna out the door.

Marshal was even more determined to find out all he could about the little princess.