Chapter 7

"Hey, it's okay, man. Take some deep breaths and calm down. You don't need that blood-sucker, anyway. You're way too good for her." Jake pat Finn's back as the boy sat at the table, his eyes looking down, sniffling and choked up. He didn't move except for the occasional quiver of his bottom lip.

Jake stretched his hand to the cupboard and grabbed a plate, then placed it in front of his friend. He took a pot off the stove and spooned some pasta onto the plate, then smothered it with tomato sauce. "Here you go. Jake's homemade spaghetti, made to cure any heartache."

Finn didn't even acknowledge the fact that there was food in front of him. He continued to stare at his lap, his mind focused on nothing but Marceline. "I'm not hungry," he muttered after a while.

Jake frowned and pulled up a chair next to Finn. "You can't let this situation effect you like this, bro. I know it hurts, but it's not the end of the world. Someday you'll meet a girl who you'll fall head over heels in love with, she'll be nuts about you, and you guys will live happily ever after. Just because Marceline isn't that girl, doesn't mean that it's all over."

"She's the only girl I want," the human said.

"What? No, dude. Don't think like that. What about Princess Bubblegum or Flame Princess? What happened to them?"

"They don't like me either. Besides, the way I felt about them doesn't even compare to how I feel about Marceline. I've never felt that way about anyone before. I can't even explain it. No one on this planet makes me happier or more comfortable than she does. I really like her, and for a while I thought I had her. Then I'm suddenly hit in the face with the fact that it wasn't real, and now it feels like I've lost everything. My happiness, my girlfriend, my mind: everything."

Jake's face sank in the realization of his best friend's pain. He sat in deep thought, scratching his chin. His eyes lit with enthusiasm as an idea flashed across his mind. "I hate to bring this up when you're already upset, but I thought I should give you some warning. You're gonna have to find somewhere else to sleep tonight, man."

"What the heck, Jake? Why?"

"Lady Rainicorn's coming over for a sleepover tonight." Jake winked.

"Gross. Where else am I going to sleep, huh?" Finn crossed his arms.

The dog reached over to shove a forkful of spaghetti into his mouth. "I don't know," he said as he chewed. "C'mon, Lady and I haven't had any alone time in forever. Please just do this for me, Finn."

"Why can't you just spend the night at her house?" Finn asked.

"I don't know. She wants to stay here. Please, homie. Please, please, please, please—"

"Okay!"

"Thanks, Finn! You're the coolest guy ever! I'll make sleeping arrangements for you right now." Jake grabbed the walkie-phone and dialed a number. "Marceline, hey babe, I have a favor to ask you. Lady and I need the house tonight, so I was wondering if Finn could just—"

Finn hit the phone and sent it flying out of Jake's hand. "What are you doing? Are you insane?"

"Yes I am, but that has almost nothing to do with this." He stretched to pick up the phone, then brought it back up to ear. "Sorry about that, I dropped the phone. Anyway, I was thinking maybe Finn could spend the night at your house tonight."

Finn could hear the quiet murmur of the vampire's voice through the phone's speaker.

"Yeah I know, but it'll just be for tonight. Make him sleep on that stone couch of yours or something."

The boy held his breath as he heard the murmur again. He studied Jake's expression for an answer, but the dog kept a poker face the entire time.

"I understand that, Marceline, but the kid needs a place to sleep. He's doing me a favor by giving Lady and I some alone time, so can't you just do this for him?"

…The murmur again….

Jake's face grew flustered. "You know what, Marcy, you've hurt him enough as it is. He came home from your house today crying and depressed. All he needs is a place to sleep, and you're telling me you can't even do that for the poor guy? Really?"

….

"Thank you. He just has to get his bag packed and get situated. He'll be over when he's ready." Jake hit the 'end' button and gave Finn a smile. "You're in, dude! You can thank me later."

Finn slapped his hand to his forehead. "This is going to be a disaster."

The boy hurried to his room to throw some pajamas and a change of clothes into his pack. He also added a toothbrush and some underwear.

"You might want to put two pairs of undies into that bag. You know, in case things get messy…"

"Gah! Gross, Jake!"

The dog laughed and left the room. Finn threw himself onto his bed and closed his eyes. He shook, but he couldn't determine if it was from nervousness or excitement.

He gathered himself and went back down to the kitchen where Jake was waiting for him.

"Everything's going to be fine, Finn, I promise."

Finn sucked in a breath and gave a nod. "Yeah, I'm going to try to make the best of this mess you sucked me into."

"That's the spirit! Now go get your girl!" Jake gave Finn a hard slap on the ass and sent him out the door. "Haha! I'm rooting for you again, homie! Call me and let me know what happens, but not tonight, because I probably won't answer…" With a final wink, Jake closed the door.

Finn drained his lungs of all their air, then slowly filled them again. "I got this," he muttered to himself. Then for the second time that day, he made his way to Marceline's house, though he was no more relaxed than before.