Chapters are getting a little longer!
Things seem all over the place, but they'll start straightening out soon...hope you enjoy it! Please R&R
True to her word, Bonnibel made the best out of the remainder of her day. While Minton did notice something was bothering Bonnibel, he didn't push her to speak, and announced he was leaving home early again. Before he left, he pulled her aside to talk.
"How's day two?" He asked, trying to be cheerful. The day had been just as busy as the day before, and Bonnibel had worked just as hard to push product. She stretched, smiling at her godfather.
"I'm liking it just fine. I got lots of people to try our new caramels, and I think they're going to be a hit!" She said confidently. Minton smiled, patting her head.
"Good, good. I know you can handle it. This store is in good hands." He rubbed at the edge of the counter, looking away from her almost shyly. "It's a-" he cleared his throat, "-family run business now."
Bonnibel's gaze snapped around to fix itself on him, but he didn't look at her, continuing to thumb at the grooves in the wood.
"I want you to think of this place as yours, Bonnibel. And...and you live in the apartment next door and I know living in different apartments in the same complex doesn't really count as a house, but…" Minton finally met her gaze, smiling tightly.
Bonnibel could remember the last time she saw him speak this sincerely. She pushed the memory down. It was too raw. Instead, she waited expectantly for what he'd say next. He clapped her gently on the shoulder.
"...I hope it comes to feel like home to you." He cleared his throat again, adding "And to Neddy, of course, but that boy…" he smiled, shaking his head. "That boy's got more figured out than we do."
Bonnibel laughed along with Minton, appreciating the warm silence that followed before she broke it.
"How does Chinese sound tonight? I'll pick it up on the way home and stop by. This morning I told Neddy we'd have dinner together, too." She explained, feeling like she'd barged in on Minton's life. The man was more than happy to accept, and with that, he left to pick up Neddy. Bonnibel felt the weight of having this man in her life, and something in her chest felt better. She added having Minton to her mental list of things to be thankful for.
Bonnie allowed herself to stay late after dinner, playing videogames with her little brother right up until his bedtime. She tucked him in and kissed him goodnight this time, and the act washed away the last of the sorrow that had gripped her the day before at school. As she arranged herself to do her homework, she cursed, realizing she had forgotten her math book in her locker when she left in a huff.
Feeling stupid, she typed out a message to Lady, hoping she was still awake at this late hour. The conversation they had was not what she wanted, at all.
Bonnie: Lady, I forgot my math book at school today, can you please send me a picture of the homework problems?
Lady: It is very late, you are barely starting now?
Bonnie: I was very busy today…
Lady: It is not like you to forget your book. We didn't see you after school, are you ok?
Bonnibel sighed, wondering if it was good or bad to have such a perceptive friend. She contemplated what to say, her reply feeling empty, somehow.
Bonnie: It was a long day. I didn't feel very well.
She typed and sent the next part of the text without thinking, and seeing it send shot a shiver of coldness down her spine.
Bonnie: I wrongly yelled at Marceline
Her phone pinged with a new message. It was a picture from Lady, but when she opened it, she found herself looking at sheet of paper with the problems and solutions neatly written out in Lady's neat handwriting. Also attached to the message was the completed social studies handout, and a physics cheat sheet written out neatly on a notecard for the quiz the next day.
Lady: Relax tonight, Bonnie. I won't tell anyone.
Bonnibel smiled down at her phone, shaking her head slightly. It pinged again, and her smile only grew, her chest feeling warm past her amusement.
Lady: Marceline needs more than some yelling at, a little from you won't hurt. It will all be ok gong-ju-nim, rest.
Bonnie: Thank you. Goodnight, Lady.
Lady: Jal-ja.
Bonnibel took Lady up on the offered homework, copying it while absentmindedly combing for mistakes and cutting out whatever shortcuts Lady had used. Bonnibel's teacher knew of her diligence, she never cut corners or left out any steps. She'd made a fantastic friend.
When Bonnibel arrived to school the next day, she was slightly relieved to find that Marceline wasn't in homeroom. Bonnibel fed Science, half expecting Marceline to walk in late, but the girl never came. It had been a while since Marceline had skipped class, but Bonnibel refused to think it had been her fault. Marceline could care less about what she had to say, anyways.
Despite her self-assurances, Bonnibel felt exhausted.
When she walked into Literature, Lady and Jake had already pulled their tables together for group discussion. She relayed the news that Marceline was absent, and while Jake complained about having to do her portion of the work, Lady only showed concern for Bonnibel.
"It has nothing to do with you, gong-ju-nim. Don't you worry." Lady assured her. Bonnibel was sitting beside her for the first time in that class, and without allowing herself to overthink it, she leaned into Lady, resting her head on the girl's shoulder.
Lady didn't act surprised at all, gently running her fingers through Bonnibel's hair and over her cheek. Bonnibel blushed, feeling comforted but vulnerable. Lady was warm, and she smelled nice. She was considerate of her feelings and needs. She cared about her.
Bonnibel had made a fantastic friend.
Jake walked up to the table Bonnibel and Lady were reserving with two trays in his hand. He smiled down at them, chuckling.
"Yo, Bon, you've been clinging to my Lady all day. Are you two planning on eloping?" Jake said, sitting opposite the two and putting down the trays. Bonnie had been leaning on Lady's shoulder again and she tried to move away in response to Jake's comment, but Lady put an arm about her shoulders to hold her in place.
"Don't be jealous, u-ri gang-a-ji! Our Bonnie is tired. She needs care." Lady said gently, combing back Bonnibel's bangs.
Bonnibel placed her arm on the table, resting her cheek against it. She felt shy, but the affection Lady had been showering her in all day was nothing short of addicting. She realized she hadn't received any physical intimacy in months, and while the thought embarrassed her, she was extremely grateful for her friend. Allowing herself another burst of clinginess, she turned her face into Lady's belly, earning herself back rubs.
"What's the matter, Bonnie?" She'd never heard Jake speak so quietly, or so calmly. He lay on his arms on the table, looking over at the two girls across from him. Bonnie couldn't see it, but through their knowing looks Jake and Lady shared their feelings about their friend, their hovering verging on concerned rather than worried. Bonnibel sighed.
"I…" Her voice was muffled against Lady's tiedyed sweatshirt, so she returned to leaning her head on her friend's shoulder. Jake chewed on his sandwich slowly. It was the first time he hadn't horfed it down the first chance he got.
"I honestly don't think I can talk about it yet…" Bonnibel felt disappointment wash over her, along with a healthy serving of guilt. Lady patted her leg, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Aw, that's ok. We're just glad you're still hanging out with us even when you're not feeling well. And if you do feel like talking about it, we'll be here." Jake said sincerely, reaching across the table to pat her hand. "Lady makes a good pillow, and she always helps me feel better. Borrow her as long as you like." Jake added, and Lady giggled. She hugged Bonnibel around the shoulders, surprising the girl with her eagerness to cuddle.
"Anytime, gong-ju-nim, you just call eonni, and I will come." Lady chimed in. Bonnibel laughed, hugging her back. It felt good, she decided. Having friends felt good.
Music class felt strange for Bonnibel. She didn't have the energy to set up her keyboard, but she took it out of its closet anyway, suddenly remembering that she hadn't put it away. She went to Pat who was sitting comfortably with a banjo in the corner of the room, apologizing profusely for having forgotten to put it away and for leaving so suddenly. The man waved her apologies away, explaining that her kind friend had put it away for her. Confused, she asked who.
"The Scream Queen herself, that's who." Pat chuckled, strumming his banjo. "She tucked your music inside the case, too. Lots of people would be jealous of you, getting favors from Marceline."
Bonnibel blanched. She didn't understand. What did he mean the scream queen? Was he referring to the rumors surrounding Marceline? Was he being sarcastic in calling her famous? She felt a bit of frustration at him bubble up in her belly, but she didn't feel up to confronting him with questions. Instead, she went back to her keyboard and spent the whole class playing with the settings.
Pulling up to the Candy Kingdom was a relief after the day Bonnibel had. She was happy to cater on the wants of children, happy to pop soda caps, happy to search for novelty shirt sizes, and happier still to spend time with Cake, and under the watchful eye of Minton. It felt good, working as a team. Minton's word, family, hung peacefully above the three of them, and Bonnibel felt content.
As had been agreed, Minton took off right at four-thirty to pick up Neddy, leaving Bonnibel and Cake to mind the store. Bonnibel liked the quiet moments after the after school crowd cleared out. Cake had plenty to teach her about the store, and Bonnibel was an eager learner, shadowing her constantly.
As the sun began to set, Bonnibel heard the door chime. She turned to greet the customer, but her hello caught in her throat at the sight of Marceline standing shocked in the doorway.
For reference:
공주님 Gong-ju-nim: princess (pet name)
잘자 Jal-ja: sleep well/goodnight
우리 강아지 U-ri gang-a-ji: my puppy (pet name)
언니 Eonni: older sister