Chapter 10: I fucked up

The bell rung. No, it wasn't a bell. It was her alarm clock. It was time to wake up and go to school. She didn't want to go to school. Her eyes were tired and heavy from crying as she shut off the annoying buzzing and groaned in to her pillow. She didn't want to deal with him. Not after what she did. She was less upset about what he said and more embarrassed about what she did. Her whole life was a mess ever since Martin left, and now it was really starting to effect her. She sighed and got up. Her first instinct was to take a quick shower and then throw on some clothes before grabbing breakfast and driving to school. She didn't even bother looking at the time when she left.

Fionna's car was decent. It wasn't new or anything, but it would do for the time being. The radio only played one station, so she usually sat in silence as she drove. Lord knows she needs silence for today. When she pulled up to the school she checked the time and groaned. It was only 7:04 and school started at 8:30. She doubted the doors would be open yet, so she pulled out of the parking lot and quickly stopped by the nearest fast food restaurant and ordered something to sustain her other than a cereal bar. She parked in the school parking lot again to eat there. There are only a few other cars, but she guessed they belonged to teachers. What kind of student would come so early. She sighed and nearly jumped when there was a tap on her window. The blond tried to catch her breath as she looked over and saw none other than Marshall Lee gazing in to her car. She glared for a minute, but then softened her expression. What in the world was he doing here? And why so early? What did he even want? Can't he just let her suffer by herself? He tapped on the window again and held up a bag. She sighed and then unlocked the doors. She already bought her own breakfast, so she had no idea why she was letting him in. He popped open the door and sat next to her, closing the door and rubbing his hands together to make warmth.

"I already got breakfast," she said coldly.

"It's not breakfast," he replied and opened the bag.

"Then what is it?" She demanded to know. He pulled out a Tupperware container that was steamed. It looked hot and steamed, as if what was inside just came out of the oven.

"A treat," he answered and opened the lid. The heavenly aroma of warmth and sweetness filled her car and made her mouth water. Her breakfast burrito was looking quite lame in comparison.

"Wha…what is that?" She asked.

"Cinnamon rolls. My mom is a total morning person…as in she wakes up around three am and makes us stuff. Today she left cinnamon rolls for us," he explained and held out the container for her to see. Inside sat four little bundles of doughy swirls coated in butter and cinnamon with glazed icing on top.

"I figured…this was the least I could do after…what I said to you," he mumbled and turned pinker. His cold nose looked downright freezing as he muttered the words. She figured it was him trying to apologize…except this apology felt more sincere than the last few. She sighed and shook her head.

"No…I should be apologizing. I lost my self control and just blew up on you. You had no idea what…my situation is," she said. Marshall was silent and then pulled out a fork from the bag.

"Well, regardless. I don't think I should be telling people who they should be living with," he spoke as he nudged the container closer to her. She smiled and accepted the box from his hand and took the fork as well.

"This is so unlike you. All you've done is be a total dick before this," she teased and cut off a piece with the fork.

"Yeah, well Jimmy talked with me after what happened and…he really put things in perspective for me," he admitted.

"What did he say?"

"You need to fix this, Brady won't be happy to know you've made less progress…and you need to stop being such an asshole to her. It's not getting you anywhere."

"He said that I was being an asshole, and that I should think about what I say to people," he mumbled and folded his arms.

"Mmmm…" she hummed as she chewed the warm pastry in her mouth. He glanced over and watched her smile while her cheeks turned red. "God, this is so good."

"You think so?"

She nodded and proceeded to finish off the small roll she had started. The flavors happily danced with her tongue and the sweetness was just below too much.

"My mom never bakes, all she does is cook…her food is really good, but it can't beat something like this," she spoke between bites. Marshall found himself staring at her as she enjoyed the cinnamon rolls he gave her. His chest felt funny and full. Almost like he was being pumped with air or water, and his face felt hot. She was…simply adorable.

"What are you doing here so early in the morning anyways?" She asked, snapping him out of his fixation.

"Oh, I uh…I was wondering if any of the tutors were available," he confessed. Fionna stopped mid-bite and looked over at him. When he looked back he noticed a tinge of hurt in her deep blue eyes.

"Did…you not wanna…I-I mean, if you wanna go to the tutor it's fine…" she said.

"Well, it just sounded like you didn't want to help me last night…so…yeah," he said awkwardly.

"I don't, but I was doing it because it made my dad proud. That, and you did help me out with my friend…" she trailed off and then took another bite. He was stuck starring at her again, and quickly shook himself out of it before clearing his throat.

"If you don't mind…I'd rather not look for another tutor. I have a feeling they won't be as tough on me as you."

She laughed.

"Yeah, those guys are so willy-nilly. They don't help at all," she giggled. Marshall felt his chest pound as he heard her laugh. It was like ringing silver bells on Christmas morning. Oh shit…

"Uh, y-yeah," he laughed along with her nervously. Fionna noticed his stutter and looked over at him.

"You okay? You look a little red," she asked reaching over and feeling his face.

"I-I'm fine! Just a little cold still," he lied dodging out of the way of her hand.

"Really? I have the heat on and everything, and you look like you're sweating," she pried and leaned closer to get a better look at him. His eyes widened and he backed up against her car door.

"Uh, it's nothing. I'll just go to the nurses office in the school and away from here. So, I'll be off and stuff," he said desperately as he opened her door and quickly got out of her car. Before he closed the door he leaned down to speak to her.

"Uh, you can keep the box," he said and then shut the door.

Marshall sighed and drank the cold, crisp air. His heart was still pounding as he ran his fingers through his hair and felt the cold sweat sticking to his skin. Shit, what was happening? He's never felt this terrible feeling before. It made him feel insecure, and she was only making him feel worse. Was it her? Or was it just him turning crazy? He quickly walked away form her car and hurried in to the school in to the warmth. He couldn't stop thinking about how she looked eating those cinnamon rolls. She was so happy, and her cheeks were so red. The way her hair curled everywhere and was messy yet neat looked so perfect with her face…but nothing can be perfect. That's illogical.

Marshall started to pace around the hallways until he got to a drinking fountain and took a few sips. He decided to sit down next to the contraption as he thought, but he couldn't think about anything else. Everything she did just now was different from before. What was it? What did she do? Or was it something he did? What did he do! He tried to replay what had just happened over and over, but he couldn't stop focusing on Fionna. Her blue eyes, pink lips, red cheeks, golden hair…she was…

"Cute…holy shit," he cursed and put his hand over his mouth. So he thought she was cute…but what difference did that make? He knew she was pretty before, so why was she now plaguing his mind? What was different? He sighed and leaned his head back against the wall. There was no way he actually…liked her?

"Marshall, what did you do?" Jimmy demanded to know. Marshall frowned.

"I dunno…I just…we were talking about her dad and she just snapped!"

"Stop making up excuses, you made her snap!" Jimmy said.

"Did I? I didn't mean to, okay? I can fix this," he promised.

"You better, I don't want to hear what Brady has to say about this. Fix it before he finds out, because I do not want to be his kindling!"

"I know! Neither do I…I'm sorry."

Jimmy put his hand on Marshall's shoulder.

"Look, you have to get along with her. You need to stop beating around the bush and just admit you like her-"

"What? I don't like her. What makes you say that?"

"You've been quite flirty with her. Carter noticed too," Jimmy pointed out.

"Yeah, because I need to get in her pants or else Brady is gonna ruin her life."

"I get it, man, but you can't stop feelings. You need to fix this, Brady won't be happy to know you've made less progress…and you need to stop being such an asshole to her. It's not getting you anywhere."

"Okay…I'll fix this."