Bonnie craned her neck around again to glance at the back of the classroom. Usually in Mr Abadeer's class, the rules were strict. If you were caught paying attention to anything but his preliminary lecture, it was instant detention. If you messed around during an experiment, it was instant detention. If you broke the rules in any way… it was instant detention. Hunson Abadeer ruled his classroom with an iron fist.
But today, they had a supply teacher. Or a substitute, as everyone else in the class referred to them. Which meant nobody was doing the set work, and the supply teacher was having a pretty hard time controlling them. Usually, Bonnie would be silently judging her classmates for their lack of work ethic, especially in science class. But today, she was taking as many opportunities as she could to glance to the back of the classroom at Marceline.
Bonnie had barely seen her around school over the last week. Ever since her birthday, when Marceline had dropped a bomb on her, it was like Marceline had truly mastered the art of teleportation; she dematerialised at the end of every class they shared, so Bonnie never got chance to corner her.
She wondered if it wasn't just the texting thing. She wondered if Marceline had realised that she had a crush. If Bonnie's identity hadn't been that hard for her to figure out, surely she could deduce other things too? She risked another glance at Marceline, and much like the rest of class time, the older girl didn't look up or meet her gaze. Like she'd deactivated the sensor Bonnie always thought she had.
"Oh my god, Bonnie, does your brain ever stop working?"
She jumped at Elle's voice. Elle didn't usually sit near Bonnie and Lady, but apparently seating plans didn't matter with a supply teacher. At least that's what Elle had said when she and her friend Melissa dragged their chairs over to Bonnie and Lady's desk. "What?"
"You always look like you're thinking," Elle said, "it's like you never stop."
"She's got to exercise her big brain somehow," Lady supplied, "how else do you think she got so smart?"
Bonnie chanced another glance at Marceline and sighed. "Yeah, I'll get back to you on the smart thing. Or maybe being academically intelligent means I lack common sense."
Lady hummed in reply, "I'm pretty sure that's a thing-"
"Why do you keep looking at Abadeer?" Elle's gossipy friend Melissa interrupted Lady, and Bonnie considered that scientific evidence for her lack of common sense. Never let the gossips see the pattern, she told herself.
"They're like, friends," Elle said it like she didn't approve. She probably didn't, but Bonnie couldn't care less. "Not that I understand why. I mean, what if she gets mad and punches you? You know, I heard that she got that black eye she had the other week from fighting down at that bar her band always play at…"
Bonnie effectively tuned out of the conversation at that point. Elle had heard that story in her own imagination, no doubt.
Lady nudged her while Elle and Melissa were busy gossiping about the many brawls Marceline had apparently occupied herself with. "Hey, what's really going on? You've been spaced out all week. Does she have something to do with it? Did she hurt you?"
She knew that Elle and Melissa were listening in, so Bonnie just shrugged. She wasn't revealing anything with those two nearby. "Nothing's going on."
When the classroom door banged open, an odd silence fell across the room. It was laced with a little terror, and Bonnie wasn't surprised when she looked over and saw Mr Abadeer in the doorway. He flashed that tense, oddly threatening smile at the supply teacher, and it sent shivers down Bonnie's spine. She didn't understand how Marceline and her beautiful smile were related to him. Hunson's smile reminded Bonnie of an alien in a human suit, trying to mimic traditional human mannerisms, and it never met his icy blue eyes. It was wrong, like he couldn't figure out how to make it look genuine. Marceline's smiles – though rare if you didn't know her – were completely dazzling. Her green eyes lit up with warmth and electricity, and it animated her whole face. While she was good at keeping what she was thinking to her chest most of the time, Marceline's smiles always gave away her happiness.
"Miss Bamford," Hunson's voice broke the silence, "I have returned early from my appointment. I will take the class from here. Thank you."
The supply teacher clearly didn't need telling twice. She gathered her things and left the room, probably relieved to be shot of the unruly class. Mr Abadeer made his way to the front of the classroom and looked around them all. His chilling gaze landed on Bonnie for a few moments, then moved to Lady, then slowly around the room, assessing each student individually.
"I'm rather disappointed in you," Hunson said calmly, "only four students in their assigned seats, and I can't see much work done."
Bonnie took a quick glance around the room. Aside from herself and Lady, only Marceline and Keila were in their usual seats. She looked back at Hunson before he could notice her attention wandering and reprimand her.
"I will look at the work you have put into this class today. If you have not completed sufficient work, you will be held back over lunch to catch up on what you have missed." Hunson said, still with that chilling juxtaposition of calm and anger. "Since you have been so disrespectful, and since you seem determined not to sit in your usual seats, I will give your final projects out early. Find your partner from the last project and sit with them, and the question sheets will be handed out. You will pick one question and answer it with sufficient research. Move."
Lady shot her a sympathetic smile as she gathered her things and stood up. "I guess you're stuck with Marceline again, huh?"
Bonnie ignored the comment. In fact, she was rather pleased. Half because she had a proper project to sink her teeth into, but also because Marceline couldn't avoid her anymore. Hunson had made it perfectly clear that they were to be project partners, and as much as Marceline seemed to ignore her father – or any authority figure – she knew she wouldn't do it on this.
Bonnie thought back to an M text, when she'd mentioned her parents. You've got sucky parents too? You don't know the half of it, Marceline had replied. Bonnie's gaze flicked over to Hunson, who was leafing through papers at his desk. While he was strict, and a little scary, Bonnie thought he was alright. She always appreciated a fellow scientist, and while she thought Hunson should try to appreciate Marceline's own interests rather than force her into his, she didn't see how he could be a sucky parent. At least he was there, and showing he cared in his own way.
Bonnie jumped when Marceline dropped down in the seat Lady had vacated. She didn't say hello, and it felt far too much like the last project, where Bonnie was sure Marceline hated her. Now, she wasn't sure at all where she stood. She wished she could read her mind.
It was Bonnie who broke the ice. "Hello."
Marceline looked up at her and didn't smile. It hurt a little. "Hey."
Bonnie turned around when someone nudged her and passed her a stack of papers. They were question sheets, she realised, so she took two from the top and passed the rest over to the next desk. She spread the sheet out on the table and glanced over the questions. As focused as she was on Marceline, school was important too. She could never lose control of her grades. No way.
"I'm liking the sound of question two. It seems the most challenging, and I love a good challenge," Bonnie said. Maybe if she just talked like nothing happened, everything would be fine. She still wasn't entirely sure what had happened, anyway. Marceline was M, and then she'd decided to give Bonnie space, and had avoided her ever since, aside from that little chance encounter at the weekend. Bonnie wouldn't lie; she intended on keeping Marceline's shirt. "What do you think?"
Marceline shrugged. "Whatever you want to do."
"Don't be like that," Bonnie said, "I need your opinion too."
"It's whatever," Marceline unhelpfully replied, "you pick. I don't care."
It felt all too much like the last project, and Bonnie felt a little sick. "Marcy… will you just talk to me? Please?"
"I am," Marceline said, "pick whatever question you want."
It wasn't snarled or accompanied by a scowl. Marceline didn't sound mad or annoyed. She just sounded neutral. Like Bonnie was a random stranger on the street who'd asked her for the time. Somehow that hurt more.
Bonnie sighed. She circled question two on the sheet and looked back at Marceline. She was doodling a little guitar in the corner of her notebook, and Bonnie waited until her pen wasn't touching the paper to nudge her. "Hey. I'm not disappointed, you know. I'm actually kind of relieved."
That got her attention. "Relieved?"
"Well, yeah. God, imagine if it turned out to be Elle. Or Melissa. I trust you and I know you wouldn't tell anyone anything I said or… judge me on any of it." Bonnie murmured, "And to be quite honest, I kind of hoped it was you."
Marceline looked incredulous. She didn't sound like she believed Bonnie when she asked, "You did?"
"Obviously not at the start when you were an insufferable arse," Bonnie said, and her stomach flipped when that got a little laugh out of Marceline, "but when I found out you're secretly a softie, yeah."
"Pfft, what? I'm not secretly a…" Marceline looked up, met her gaze, and the façade cracked, "Fine, maybe I am, but don't tell anyone."
"I wouldn't. You know that." Bonnie shrugged, and despite how she was still slightly uncomfortable that Marceline knew so much, she had to believe she wouldn't tell anyone anything she'd said. She had to let go of some control for once. "So… are we good?"
Finally, Bonnie got to see her dazzling smile again for real. Marceline sent her that Cheshire cat grin and said, "Better than good. And we'll be great if you could get this project all done for me. Thanks in advance."
"Now you're pushing it," Bonnie rolled her eyes, "you know it's got to be a joint effort here."
Marceline groaned, "I forgot how truly horrific the last project was. Think I blocked it from my memory. And I love that you bitched about me to me for the entire duration. Should've figured out it was you way back when you were calling me an insufferable arse over text."
Marceline mimicked Bonnie's accent when she was quoting her, and Bonnie shoved her lightly in offence. "Don't make fun of my accent."
"I'm not making fun of it," Marceline held her hands up in defence, "I think it's cute."
Bonnie wished she had some kind of power to stop herself from blushing. Instead, she just acted very interested in the question sheet. "So, I picked question two. We should meet up in the library as much as possible to get it done. I know your schedule, so I expect to see you in free periods too."
"Oh god, it's business Bonnie," Marceline dramatically announced, "Business Bonnie is scary Bonnie."
"Good, maybe she can kick your ass into gear," Bonnie replied, but really, she'd just gone all business because Marceline had called her accent cute and she hadn't known how to function. She met Marceline's gaze and smiled, and without thinking, she let out, "I missed you this week."
"I missed you too, Bon," Marceline said, "but if anyone asks me, I'll deny it."
Bonnie just laughed. "No, you wouldn't."
"Nah," Marceline sighed, trying to hide her smile, "You're right. I wouldn't."
Bonnie smiled and started writing a few preliminary notes to answer the question as Marceline looked through the sheet at the project guidelines. She'd chosen it because of the genetics aspect; not to sound like a mad scientist, but the idea of biologically engineering new life was almost her scientific dream. Maybe one day, after she'd won the Nobel Prize. She glanced over at Marceline, who was idly flipping through their textbook to the correct chapter. Bonnie was pleasantly surprised that she'd just done it, as opposed to Bonnie having to tell her.
The back of her neck prickled, and she looked up on instinct. Hunson smiled unnervingly, and Bonnie felt Marceline tense next to her. "Since the two of you were in your assigned seats, you are allowed to go to lunch on time. I expect a high-quality project from both of you after the success of the last one."
"Great," Bonnie heard Marceline mutter sarcastically, and she stifled a laugh. "So we can leave now?"
The bell rang as if to emphasise Marceline's point. Hunson looked a little annoyed at its timing but nodded tersely and went to reprimand Elle and Melissa. Marceline smiled when he left and threw her things into her bag, "Don't have to tell me twice. I'm out of here."
Bonnie quickly packed away her things, but she didn't have to rush. Despite what she'd said, Marceline was waiting for her. She pulled her bag onto her back and followed Marceline out of the classroom, "Got any lunch plans?"
"Camping out in the music room, as per usual," Keila answered for Marceline, exiting the classroom with Lady following behind her a few moments after. Lady quite obviously hung back, away from Bonnie's two companions. "We're working on a new song right now, so basically any free time we have goes on that. And we're practicing a new cover."
"Sounds like fun." Bonnie said, "Will I be allowed to hear it once it's done?"
"Maybe," Marceline answered, "or you could come along and hear it now."
Lady awkwardly waved to get her attention, and while she looked kind of terrified – it was almost funny – she said, "Uh, actually, Bonnibel, we had that thing?"
Bonnie frowned, "What thing?"
Lady's eyes widened significantly when Bonnie didn't pick up on the obvious hint. It hit her after she'd opened her mouth, and she realised that Lady would want to continue their earlier conversation.
It was Marceline who got her out of it. "Well, obviously you've planned super far in advance to do this mysterious thing, so you should go. I'll see you later, dork."
Bonnie watched as Marceline and Keila walked away and found herself wishing she was with them. She frowned at Lady. "What was that about?"
"You're telling me what's going on with you," Lady sternly informed her, "you've acted weird since your birthday, and even before that, you were avoiding us. And why are you suddenly all buddy-buddy with Marceline? You were constantly at each other's throats, but then suddenly you weren't."
Bonnie sighed. She realised that Lady probably wouldn't stop asking. "Let's go outside. It's sunny. Got to appreciate the weather."
Lady rolled her eyes. "Fine, but you're telling me outside."
Her attempt at delaying the inevitable didn't really work, but it was okay. She supposed she could gloss over some parts of it. Bonnie waited until she'd gotten herself comfortable on the grass outside, comfortable in the May sun.
"Well?" Lady pushed when Bonnibel didn't immediately begin spilling her guts. "Are you going to tell me?"
"Apparently I have no choice," Bonnie sarcastically responded. Wow, Marceline must be rubbing off on me, she thought to herself with a little chuckle. "Remember how I told you about that anonymous friend of mine? I found out that it was Marceline on my birthday."
Lady cringed. "Oh, dang. I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" Bonnie asked, electing to ignore that subtle dig towards her friend. "I'm happy it was her. I said a lot of stuff to her when we didn't know who we were talking to, and I trust that she'll keep my secrets like I'll keep hers. And we were already friends, anyway. Now it's just like… it turns out we were closer than we thought. She's really sweet."
She left out the part where Marceline was essentially helping her through a gay crisis, and the part where Bonnie might be majorly crushing on her. She was still slightly uncomfortable that a real person knew pretty much everything about her, even if it was a slightly vague version of the truth, but she trusted Marceline.
"Okay, my brain can't compute that. Marceline and sweet? Juxtaposition." Lady shook her head. "Like, I've seen you two talking and I still can't believe that you're friends with her. She's so… abrasive. It's no secret that she gets into fights."
"Have you ever actually talked to her?" Bonnie questioned. She wasn't shocked that Lady bought into Elle's constant rumour mill. More disappointed than anything. "I don't think she could hurt a fly. I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone and ruin her scary reputation, but she's pretty much a big softie. She's like the cookies from Domino's. Hard on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside."
Bonnie could imagine Marceline pouting at her as she said that, probably saying something like, "Bonnie, don't expose me." Yep, a big softie. Bonnie was sure that Marceline acted the way she had initially as some sort of defence mechanism. A way of keeping people out, rather than letting them in and opening herself up to any hurt. Bonnie could understand that. She knew what it was like to be hurt by someone you loved.
"I haven't, but how do you explain the black eyes? Two in less than a year." Lady said, and Bonnibel felt her heart hurting. God, maybe she was in too deep. Even the thought of Marceline getting hurt made her upset. "I haven't ever had two black eyes in my entire life. Most people would say the same."
"She explained that to me and I believe her." Bonnie said, not offering the explanation that Marceline had given her. She'd expose Marceline as a big softie, but she'd never tell any of her actual secrets. Not that jumping around in band practice was a secret. "She's the last person I could imagine going out and getting herself into fights. I'm probably more likely to do that than she is. She's so… laid back. Maybe that's why we get on so well. She's like my antithesis. Her level of chill cancels out my inner control freak."
"Well, I'll never understand it," Lady sighed, and clearly satisfied with Bonnie's explanation, changed the subject. Thankfully. "Anyway, the other Abadeer mentioned you. Not the teacher one. Marshall."
Bonnie frowned. "He did? Why?"
Lady shrugged. "Apparently he wants to ask you out again. Phoebe told him that he jumped in too soon when he mentioned how you rejected him, and now he thinks you've had enough time to settle in. Figures you're probably ready to date now. I think he might ask you to junior prom. Just thought you might appreciate the heads up."
The last sentence was laced with so many implications that Bonnie ignored. Marceline knowing what was going on in her head was enough. She didn't need Lady knowing too.
She didn't know how to feel about the revelation. Bonnie thought back to Marceline's advice. You're young. Now is the time to experiment and figure yourself out. Maybe going on an actual date with a boy, one that she liked in a friendly way, would help her figure out if she liked boys. She didn't need help knowing she liked girls; the way she felt around Marceline practically spelled that out for her. Maybe she should say yes to Marshall but clarify that it was a friendly date. That she wasn't looking for anything.
She definitely wouldn't tell him about the way his sister made her feel, that's for sure.
