Chapter 11:

Passive Aggressive

Marci's POV

"You got this next song Jake?" I switch off the distortion from my amplifier and signaled for Neptr to turn up my treble.

"Yeah Marci, just give me a second." Jake pulled the cord from his pedal board and motion for the brass players to join us on stage.

What's going on?

"Wait, what song are we playing?" Seeing our temporary band members come perform with us really threw me off. "I thought we were done playing the Ska lineup."

"I wanted to play 'The One' so we need the guys here." Jake pushed the bright yellow guitar over his shoulder and let it hang behind him. Everyone got in their positions, except for me and Finn; who still had no idea our song changed.

"I don't know Jay. I understand that you want to make your point across but maybe this isn't the time to do that."

Right now I was worried, this particular song Jake wanted to play was meant for his brother.

My eyes locked on to Finn's emerald colored eyes. He gave me a goofy little face and held up his fist. Finn had no idea what was coming to him, maybe his ignorance will benefit him today; I could only hope.

The saxophone and trumpet players bleated out a melody; that was my cue. There was no turning back now, we were in performing in front of 3,000 people and the night was almost over.

"I know you wanna love her for the rest of your life

But man, this woman her intentions ain't right

Tell me brothers am I right?

That woman is trouble you've got to wake up"

At least the crowd was enjoying the song.

"I know, I know

That every time I speak she rolls her eyes and shakes her head,

Says baby no one will know you said

I know, I know

That I should let you live and love yourself

But it is hard when your laughter is now dead"

Jake turned his attention to his little brother who seemed so content playing along to his brother's singing.

"So if you think your days are dark you better wait

and if you think your smile has not faded away

So if you're sick of crying then you better wait,wait

Wait, wait, wait

No need to hurry now"

When Jake finally turned away I could see in Finn's eyes that he got his brother's implication.

A wave of blood flushed over blondie's face and his once happy persona died down to give a disturbing glare. Jake continued the song with his heart on his sleeve; the sea of students below us loved the passive aggressive message that Jake was sending. The song wasn't a danceable but it was nice to listen to.

Finn slammed his drumsticks on the wooden snare drum and it made an unsettling crash sound. By the time I turned to look at him he was already off the stage and storming over to an exit. Soon after I saw Jake pushing through a small group of kids trying to follow his brother into the garden.

I stood my ground looking over at Manfried and Cinnamon; they were frozen in their positions with the instruments still at their mouths. They were as surprised as I was.

We still had 3 more songs to play and I needed my drummer and guitarist here with me. I searched for Bonni and Bmo in the crowd and waved the young red head to the stage.

There was a small chatter emerging from the students; I guess they figured out something was wrong.

B switched on his mixing board and saved the day by playing some of his older mixes. I quickly jumped off the giant platform from backstage where Bonni was waiting for me.

"Yikes" I made a face, not really trying to divert the obvious question I knew she was about to ask me.

"What happened?" Her hazel eyes were bewildered, probably just like mine.

"Brother problems?" I shrugged; the best thing to do right now was let them try and figure this thing out on their own. Besides I didn't want Bonnibel stressing over their issues too, she already had so much on her plate. "It's okay Bonni, they can work it out, just give them time to talk it through."

"This was a total disaster, Pepper's already asking me what happened. What do I say?" She was getting really worked up, her cheeks were pink and looked like she was about to puke.

"Hey calm down, it's okay. Look, Bmo can definitely take over the rest of the songs." I put my arms around her trying to make the situation better, except it didn't.

"Stop it Marceline, I told you we can't be showing off any public display of affection at school." Bonnibel shoved my arms away and I stood there taking her rage.

"Yeah, well, we aren't at school" I grumbled under my breath.

In an instant Bonni's pretty pink face went red in anger, "Why do you have to be such a smart ass Marci?" She turned and walked away from me.

UGH!

There was no hiding my anger now; Jake shouldn't have done that to Finn and I definitely didn't deserve to hear that from Bonni. My teeth were clenched so hard together that I felt my jaw line getting sore. I used both hands to pushed Axel over my shoulder and he hung lazily against my tense body.

I moved from the backstage area to the exit leading out to the garden. Before I pushed the door open I felt a burning touch on my forearm. There was an unexpected tender grip on my arm; I turned to face the person trying to catch my attention.

It was definitely someone I wasn't expecting; Ember.

Geez, what am I supposed to tell her?

"Is everything okay with Finn?" Em's eyes looked right into mine. They were a sandy yellow color, almost gold, and they were a little breathtaking to say the least. I was already in a pissed off mood because of Bonni so my tone was rather harsh when I answered back.

"Uhh… yeah. It's under control don't worry about it." I broke from her stare and clutch; I left her disorientated with my insensitive talking, I heard her call me a jerk, and then I proceeded outside.

First I had to fix whatever little stupid problem Jake had with this girl and then I needed to find Bonnibel. My mind was racing with a million thoughts, the night was going so perfect, we just needed 15 more minuets and then it would have been all over.

My thoughts were rudely interrupted by another grasp on my shoulders, except this time it was overpowering and ruthless. I kept myself from attacking my challenger; there was no telling if it was Bonnibel or maybe even Ember again.

"You still babysitting your loser friends Mar-Mar?" A menacing voice asked. There was no mistaking whose voice it belong to.

Why can't everyone just leave me alone?

"Shut up Ash, I don't need this right now." I continued my search for Finn and Jake but Ash didn't let me get very far before he forced himself in front of me. "What the hell are you doing here anyway? You hate dances."

"You're right, that's something we share in common Marceline. Except, I didn't come to dance, I came to crash this stupid school function." He began to laugh obnoxiously and I butted into his delight.

"Well you should just leave" I walked around him and turned a corner; I could see Finn and Jake sitting on the ledge of a fountain and off in the distance there were other couples taking their photos by a rose bush.

Once again he caught up to my pace and began to walk backward just so he could continue looking at me. "Trust me, I'm leaving. Since your stupid band can't even finish a set you guys pretty much crashed your own party."

My fist met the smug smile he had on his face; Ash tripped over himself and crashed on the wet grass with his back. He stood up like it didn't faze him; his hand wiped away a small trail of blood from the side of his mouth and he reached for my bass strap.

It all happened so suddenly, one second he pulled my bass over my head and the next I saw my bass shatter to pieces against the cobble stone walkway.

This isn't real; it's just a bad dream. Wake up Marceline. WAKE UP.

My eyes blinked hard as they stared at the pile of strings and broken mahogany wood. I fell to my knees beside my dear friend.

There was no way I was breathing, I felt dead inside; it was all so sudden. I imagined this was the feeling someone got after getting shot from point blank. The feeling of sadness soon faded as I realized this wasn't a dream at all.

I sprung to my feet and began wailing at Ash's face. He managed to get a few jabs at my head but I was able to react faster then that dumb piece of shit.

We gave a few more swings and after I landed the third direct hit to his face he fell to the floor. I took advantage and I climbed over him pinning the inner part of his elbows with my knees; I didn't stop striking him until I could feel several people pulling me away from the douchbag's reach.

There was so much blood on the cobblestone near us I couldn't tell whose it was until I caught a glimpse of Ash's broken nose.

"Marceline!" I heard Bonni's voice. My fury halted, I looked up to see the large crowd we drew towards us.

Finn and Jake were holding my arms back and a few other people were checking on Ash, but like I suspected, he sat up and tried to play off the pain with laughter. Bonnibel stood next to Pepper with her hands clutched into fists

Pepper spoke up first, "Everyone, clear the area immediately." He stared at me with a harsh hatred and demanded for Ash and I to follow him, "You two come with me."

Before I could even think about getting up I moved my gaze to my broken bass guitar.

"Hey don't worry about that, we'll take it in." Jake talked in a lower tone, "You should probably go."

I couldn't react, I just stood up and followed the husky male in the royal blue suit; Bonnibel didn't even turn to look at me as I trailed behind them into the ball room.

Pepper grabbed two large bags of ice and wrapped them in towels. He handed us the ice packs and directed Ash to wash off the dirt and dried blood from his face. That was a bad move on his part, but I kept my mouth shut.

I was alone in the back room with Bonni and Mr. Mint the calmness was soon disturbed by Mint's roaring voice.

"Care to explain yourself?" Pepper asked rather high and mighty.

"He broke my bass" I lowered my head like a humiliated child; there were too many emotions going through me I didn't want to talk to anyone right now.

"So you broke his nose? Do you even understand the severity of this Marceline? The two of you are considered adults in the eyes of society. He can very well press charges against you, do you understand?" Good glob he sounded just like my Dad. I wasn't worried; Ash would never show his face at a police station.

"It's fine, Ash wouldn't do that. Besides, he's probably already gone."

"It is not fineMarceline!" Bonni shouted at me, her body was trembling and she still refused to look directly at me.

"What do you mean he's already gone?" Pepper pushed our small argument to the side and walked towards the bathroom were Ash had disappeared.

"You obviously never crossed paths with Ash at school. What I mean is he is probably halfway home by now. He never stays around after a fight, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't show up for school either." The cold ice pack felt good against my head, Ash actually got one good hit in.

I tried my best to make Bonni notice I was looking at her but again she ignored me.

"Well that makes the two of you" Pepper stood at the doorframe with his eyes scanning the hallway. "You're suspended." He exited the room and left me alone with Bonnibel.

Suspended? This night keeps getting better and better.

I fell into a metal chair with the ice pack secured around the backside of my skull. My mind was trying to process everything that just happened until she finally spoke to me.

"How could you do this Marceline?" my eyes wandered to her direction; she was standing in the same spot but this time her hazel eyes pierced my grey stones.

"Bonni, the jerk broke my guitar, what was I supposed to do?"

She shook her head like she was disappointed in me.

"Look I'm sorr…"

Bonni cut me off, "You're always sorry but that doesn't change your impulsive behavior Marci."

"Yeah? Well maybe if you didn't overreact I wouldn't have to apologize so much."

There was a long silence in the room.

Finally Bonni broke the stillness, "Pepper was right, we do need a break. I can barely juggle school responsibilities and my studies. I can't deal with you right now."

Woh… that sounded way too familiar.

I was put into my old memory of when I first met Simon.

"Maybe if you did a better job of taking care of her she would talk. Ever think of that Hunson?" Simon sat at one end of my dinning table while my Dad sat across from him; he kept his attention glued to his laptop.

My little hands gripped the wooden bars from the stairwell as I watch them arguing about me. I hid above the kitchen where the darkness help conceal my presence.

My Dad never looked up to give Simon his full attention, but he still answered, "Look I can't deal with her right now okay? There's so much going on, I have work and I'm still getting over the death of…"

"And you don't think she is? She's a little girl; she's confused and lost in this horrible world. All you care about is work when all she needs is you." Simon slammed his fist against the table and the startling sound made me jump in fright.

"So can I assume you'll help me, right? You already know I'm not going to stop my work." Hunson's closed the laptop and tucked it into a briefcase.

"You heartless fool. I will never help you, but I will definitely help Marceline." Si folded his arms across his chest and watched as my Dad vanished into the night.

If I had to describe my feelings in one word right now it would have to be anger. I couldn't believe she just said that to me, after everything that just happened.

"Then don't deal with me, I'm out of here."

"Marci!" I left before she could say anything else, I didn't even bother looking back.

There was no concern regarding my sudden disappearance. I didn't care about the broken bass in the garden, the friends that started this whole mess in the first place but most of all her.

I went into my red car and sparked the engine to life, I left the country club without a destination; my mind was clouded with so much bitterness I wasn't aware of were exactly I was driving to.

Upon arrival I noticed I was parked in front of my old house and by now my emotions got the better of me. It felt like I was unable to gain control of my own actions or emotions. I managed to sneak pass the gate guard and entered the property through a broken iron bar on the far end.

My hand slammed the metal hammer on the front door and waited for the person I swore I hated the most.

When he finally opened the door I was mildly shocked to find him in an off white muscle shirt and boxers; a drastic difference compared to his usual formal attire. "Marceline?"

I allowed myself to fall into his arms; I wrapped my arms fiercely behind his neck and buried my face into his thin shirt. We never gave each other sappy gestures or even verbal affection for that matter, but I needed this, I had no idea why.

"Just don't ask."

He returned the awkward hug and my mind finally settled down. My Dad leaned his head in a little and quickly pulled away.

"Marceline, you're burning up. Get inside I'll call the medic."

My brain felt like it was too big for my skull, there was a lot of pressure and my vision was slightly blurry. I felt off.

He led me to my old room where a small twin bed still pressed against the corner of the room. The walls were grey and in the center of my room was my old baby grand piano. I was placed into bed; it took me a while to realize my Dad took off my shoes and helped tuck in me.

I had just enough strength to roll over to my side and face the wall. I placed my hand on the red 'M' I sketched over ten years ago. My eyes finally got heavy as one last unexpected touch was felt on my head; a kiss from my Dad.

This is all a dream, just wake up, please.

The last thing I could remember was my Dad sitting on the edge of my bed waiting for me to drift off to sleep.

Suddenly everything went black, I could see my broke bass guitar on the floor in front of me. It looked far worse then I could remember it. Something moving in front of my field of vision caught my attention; it was Bonnibel and she was walking away from me. I wanted to call for her but I realized I was mute, not even the sad cry hiding in my chest came out for her. When I tried to move my body felt like lead I felt traped and I soon began to panic; my breathing stopped and I fell to the floor beside my guitar.

White florescent lights stung my eyes as I opened them into reality. My mind was trying to collect my thoughts together and suddenly I could hear a female voice talking, "She's in and out of her conscious state and her fever has not stabilized. If she has to stay over night to be monitored, if her fever hits 40.5 Celsius it can cause severe brain damage."

"Very well then." It was my Dad.

"B-bonni?"

The female voice gasped a little, "She's awake."

What the fuck is going on?

.

Bonni's POV

Hunson Abadeer

Abadeer Law Firm

3942 Grand Avenue

To Whom It May Concern:

I, Hunson Abadeer, am writing to request a Student Transfer Notice for my daughter, Marceline Abadeer. As of today, she will no longer being attending this High School. Please fax over her records and current transcript to my law office, I will be forwarding them directly to her new school.

Thank you in advance,

Hunson Abadeer

LSP hid the stolen letter into her binder. "Oh my glob Bonni, I have to get this back before anyone notices. Are you okay?"

I could feel a hole forming in the center of my stomach and my blood pressure spike down drastically.

My bookbag fell to the floor as I ran over to the Journalism room; I pushed open the door pretty dramatically, which startled the entire class.

"I need to borrow Lady for the rest of the class."

"Sure, it everything okay?" The middle-aged man asked rather confused.

"Yes, we just need her to edit the Homecoming article she wrote."

Lady followed me out to the hall; she knew I was full of it.

"What's going on? Why does it look like you just saw a ghost?" Her hands went to my face; I slumped down in the verge of tears.

"I need to ask you for a favor." This knot in my throat was dry and I was able to swallow pass it. "I need a rise to Marceline's place."

"Right now?" Lady's hand pulled away but I continued to let my head hang in the position were she left it.

My heavy head gave a lazy nod; Lady practically dragged me to her car and we escaped the school unnoticed. I let my head lean against the passenger window; I imagined the cold feeling of the glass was Marci's touch.

This couldn't be real, I assumed the letter LSP found during her Office Assistant hour was a letter requesting her homework during her suspension or maybe even a meeting to reduce the sentence but I wasn't prepared to read that.

Lady parked across the street since the parking garage was secured for residents only. I ran out without even looking for oncoming traffic and dashed pass the front desk. The elevator was taking too long so I hurried up the stairwell to the 5th floor were Marceline's loft was located.

My lungs felt like there were going to collapse by the time I got to her front door. I knocked a few times and allowed myself to lean against the wall so I could catch my breath.

Nothing.

I kept knocking until I found myself pounding on the large door. My fear was no longer fiction; she was gone.

You promised you'd never leave me like this.

I knelt on the floor facing the door of her empty loft. There was no way of knowing where she was; Finn and Jake already tried calling her cell phone but she ignored every call. After a few days passed by we found out that it was disconnected.

My bottom lip began to tremble. I released a depressing sigh before my hands covered my face and permitted the silently sob fill the emptiness I felt.