Friday, October 19th
Bonnie pulled out the next specimen, starting to carefully dissect the brain. Few human brains came in through this lab. Most were clean and clear of parasites and whatever else could invade the brain. Currently, she was in a biohazard suit in a small room on the top floor of the science lab. It was the only place she was allowed to work with a specimen like this. A parasite attached itself to the brain, somewhat dead. She still had to be cautious. It could easily transfer to her if she wasn't careful.
Braco had not arrived yet and she stubbornly refused to wait on her lab partner. Was this a dangerous choice? Absolutely. No doubt. Then again, she had always worked better by herself.
The parasites had killed a portion of the brain. That was most likely how the victim died. Bonnie wanted to gag at the site. The parasite was black and thin, running itself throughout the brain, mostly in the right hemisphere.
The containment door opened, Braco appearing.
"Hey there. I see you already started." He gave a bright smile, now standing beside her. He looked the specimen up and down, not wanting to touch it. "What exactly are we supposed to do?"
"Test the worms and see how they react to new environments. How they spread." He shook his head, mildly cringing at the sight.
"It's disgusting even to look at." She completely agreed with him. "Welp," He clasped his gloved hands together. "Let's start, shall we?"
As soon as it started it seemed to end. Two hours of extraction seemed like two minutes. It was interesting, to say the least. Also disgusting.
As they were cleaning up, freezing the worms in their respective dishes, they began to start the process of resterilizing.
"That was probably the most disgusting thing I've seen in a while." He admitted.
"No kidding. I'm sure we'll see worse as we keep on with the program." He nodded, taking off his gloves and undoing his suit. The decontamination chamber blew steam in every direction.
"Are you hungry? I know it's late, but I figured you haven't eaten yet. Am I correct on that, or is my analysis wrong?" Was he trying to flirt? I mean it's kinda cute but...what the hell. Marceline wouldn't be upset if I came home a little late would she...?
"No, you're very right. I'll take you on that offer."
He grinned. "Where to milady?" She wasn't sure if she liked the pet name, but let him continue, hoping Marceline would forget about their movie for a little while.
She's not coming, she told herself. I bet she's with Braco. That sent a shocking pain throughout her entire body. It hurt because she knew it was true. She was with Braco all night and it physically pained Marceline knowing that her crush was with her crush. She'd been there for almost half a day, probably making out on the lab table. That sent her thoughts flying in all sorts of directions.
"Fuck," She threw the papers on her desk to the side, letting them float their way to the ground, settling her head in her arms. "This is so stupid. Why do I even care?" She yelled, muffled by her arms.
"I'm sorry I'm late." Marceline's head snapped up, seeing an apologetic look on Bonnie's face as she closed the door. "I'm assuming you were talking about me."
"Hey Bon," She sighed, wishing she had kept her mouth shut. "Did you have fun with Braco?"
Bonnie saw the pain on her friend's face and assumed she was hurt by her actions. She was correct. "We went to a late dinner." Marceline only nodded. "Do you think we still have time to watch that movie or-"
"Not in the mood. Maybe tomorrow." Marceline bit back words of hate. She was too angry to speak to Bonnie at this time, let alone be physically close to her. "I'm going to bed." She said, standing abruptly and climbing up the latter to her bed.
"I'm sorry," Bonnie whispered. When there was no answer, she assumed Marceline hadn't heard her. Marceline had heard, choosing to ignore it. Normally she wouldn't have given it any thought, but Bonnie was more than a friend to her. It killed her knowing Braco was above her in that way.
She had chosen him. That was obvious now. Not that she could blame her. Marceline knew she was rough on the outside, though she had let Bonnie see more than most others would ever get to see of her. She allowed Bonnie to stay over for the entire fall break. They had cuddled practically every night like school girls. She supposed that it didn't mean much if Braco was chosen. She couldn't change Bonnie's choice.
The room filled with silence and the lights went out. Even though she was mad, Marceline found herself falling asleep rather quickly that night.
Saturday, October 20th
Marceline awoke early from her slumber and slipped out of the room before Bonnie could notice she was up and around. She smelt breakfast. Saturdays were home-cooked breakfast made by none other than Rain. This time she didn't make her usual pancakes, but in it place made biscuits and sausage gravy with bacon and eggs.
"Good morning," Rain greeted, smiling as usual. "3 biscuits?"
Marceline gave a nod, biting back what was on her mind. Rain was too easy to talk to. So I can't allow myself to spill my guts to her. Marceline sat at the counter, on the spiny stool, her blanket draped over her shoulders. "Yes please, hey um...you're friends with Bonnie, right?" Shit-fuck! What did we just talk about? Can't keep my fucking mouth closed for .2 seconds, can I...
Lady raised an eyebrow. "I would hope so. Why?"
Make something up. We don't need to involve her. "Has she said anything about Braco?" Seriously?
Lady set her plate in front of her without the gravy, which sat behind her on the stove. "Why are you so interested in Braco, hm?" She asked, leaning against the counter between them.
Don't you dare- "Bonnie likes him." She blurted. What a douche move...
"Is that a bad thing?" The question came off cold. That was super unlike her. Marceline tried to ignore the off feeling it left in her chest.
A sigh escaped Marceline's lips. "She ditched me for him last night." She chuckled out of nervousness to cover up the anger boiling inside her.
Lady bit her lip, letting the silence linger for a short enough amount of time to not drive Marceline crazy. "I think you guys should come with Jake, Finn and I this weekend to the lake. And I mean both of you. Sound good?"
"Finn? Jake's little brother?"
"Yeah, he really wanted to come."
"I haven't seen him all semester. Is he still mad about the toilet seat thing?"
Rain chuckled, starting to gather the rest of Marceline's meal. "Not at all. He just wants to have the perfect prank for you when he sees you."
Marceline shook her head, chuckling with Rain. "I don't know, Rain. I don't really want to deal with Bonnie right now..."
"Everything will work itself out. I promise. Just come with us, please?" Rain poured an appropriate amount of gravy on her meal, not enough to drown it like Marceline liked it.
"Fine." Marceline rolled her eyes and took the fork Rain handed her. "Is it the cabins by the lake you guys always talk about?" Rain nodded. "I'm assuming I'm stuck with Bon?"
"Stuck seems like such a harsh word." Rain admitted, her lip quirking up in disagreement. Of course Bonnie would show up. Why wouldn't she? She never said no to anybody.
Yeah, you're right. You couldn't be stuck to me, you've found someone else to be stuck to. She wished she had the guts to say it aloud.
"I meant it in the best possible way, darling." The words didn't sound sincere. That was because Marceline sucked at faking her emotions. "Don't look too much into it." Marceline stuffed food in her mouth so she could no longer talk or spray words of hate when Bonnie walked into the kitchen.
Bonnie seemed hesitant to sit next to Marceline. Usually, the two were wrapped around each other at all times, but at this moment Marceline oozed hatred and Bonnie didn't have to see her face to know that.
"Bonnie, you're coming with us to the lake tonight. It's already settled You can't back out of it." Rain announced, making her a plate of hot delicious breakfast.
Bonnie wasn't shocked, Lady liked to drag her to things Bonnie wouldn't think of doing in a million years. "Who is us exactly?"
Marceline could feel Bonnie's eyes on the side of her head. To avoid talking she continued to stuff her mouth with her hot breakfast.
"Finn, Jake, Marceline and I."
"That's fine." Was her immediate reaction, causing Marceline to halt her next oncoming spoonful. "When are we leaving?"
"At one. We're staying for the night, so make sure to pack lightly."
Marceline would have to find some way out of being roomed with Bonnie or to ignore her for the most part. She didn't want to, but Marceline couldn't confront her emotions with anyone, let alone her actual feelings.
There they were...wherever they were. Marceline was silent the entire car ride, blasting music in her headphones to drown out the conversations that Finn tried to make with Bonnie. Underline tried.
Finn was a great kid, a hero among the less popular kids at school. He hated bullies and was seen as a protector to underdogs. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't contain himself around his crushes. He would make it all too obvious and try to talk himself up in the most unflattering of ways. Bonnie hardly noticed.
All the pinkette wanted to do was cuddle into Marceline side. However, any time she came remotely within range Marceline would shrug her off.
Bonnie didn't understand why Marceline was so upset over her ditching simple plans. Did it mean that much to her? Bonnie wasn't stupid. She knew exactly why it bothered her. She didn't want to think about ruining a blossoming friendship as strong as theirs, but it seemed as if it were too late for that. She was already hurting her.
Even before she had walked into their dorm room, she knew that hanging out with Braco like that just wasn't the same as it was with Marceline. He wasn't that interesting of a person and a sort of awkward conversationalist at times. Although Bonnie loved talking about science, it was the only thing they ever talked about. Almost to the point where she couldn't bring up anything else around him.
Still, because of her actions the night before it was almost like she had to choose sides. Except there wasn't a side to choose and she thought that was obvious.
The point was that she missed Marceline's attention.
"And I broke his nose. He hasn't bothered him since." Bonnie knew he was trying to impress her. It hardly worked.
"You don't always have to solve the bullying problem by beating them up. That causes more problems than solves them." Jake added into the conversation from the driver's seat. Today he was wearing his signature yellow hoodie, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had even grown out his facial scruff to more of a beard than she had seen last time she had seen him.
"I know." Finn obviously didn't like what Jake said by the way he crossed his arms over his chest. This would be a long ride.
"Hey, we're here." The lake finally came into view. The dark blue water reflecting bright light from the midday sun. The surrounding cabins were worn from years of usage. The chipping paint was seen from the road, but they looked big enough for a large family. It reminded Bonnie of her middle school summer camp she had attended.
Jake parked at the office that looked exactly like all the other cabins aside from the big sign that read 'OFFICE'.
"We'll go get our room key. Rain, will you rent the boat?" She nodded, taking one of the credit cards from his wallet. He gave her a quick kiss before exiting the vehicle, Finn going with Jake.
Shit, Jake's in on Rain's little plan...
Bonnie suddenly took off Marceline's headphones, receiving a glare from the rocker in return. "Listen Prin-" She wrapped her arms tight around the musician.
"I know you're mad, but I want us to have fun. I'm really sorry about missing movie night. Please let me make it up to you."
Marceline sighed, pushing Bonnie off to look at her. "You skipped pre-made plans to hang out with a boy."
"I know..."
"Plus, I thought you were gay."
"Something like that..." Bonnie looked as if she were trying to retreat and make herself as small as possible.
Shit.
"You owe me a coffee." Bonnie met the rocker's red-tinted eyes, that looked more orange in the bright fall light. "And we still have to watch that movie."
Bonnie nodded, her usual sparkle returning to her eyes. "So does that mean we're okay now?"
"Yeah, we're okay."
"If it makes you feel any better, he was super boring to talk to. All I wanted to do was rush home and hang out with you."
"Am I really that horrible that you'd leave me hanging for a boring date?"
"What! No, not at all."
"I'm just messing with you, dork." Marceline cracked a smile. "I told you we're okay."
Bonnie suddenly wrapped her arms around the rocker, lying her head on her shoulder. It was a simple gesture when Marceline hadn't shrugged her off, meaning Marceline had actually forgiven her. If only slightly.
She didn't want to over-analyze anything today, just enjoy the warmth of this early fall afternoon close to Marceline.
"Fuck that's cold!" Bonnie rubbed Marceline's back with Aloe. While out on the rental boat Marceline had refused to put on sunscreen even though her paler skin would take in more sun than Bonnie or Jake, who were more tanned. Her back and shoulders were beet red. Bonnie was surprised she wasn't blistered in some way. Hopefully putting on the aloe would prevent her from sustaining second-degree burns.
"I told you to put on sunscreen, Marce."
"Sunscreen can cause cancer too, Bon. There's a lot of chemicals in that shit." She flinched as Bonnie applied more on her shoulders.
"Was it worth this sunburn?"
"It's not cancer-I think, so yes." Marceline was simply being stubborn.
"Then stop complaining, you baby." Marceline pouted at Bonnie's words. "That only further proves my point."
"Ugh, whatever." She flinched again as Bonnie applied aloe on the worst part of her back. Marceline even began shivering. "Can we just stay out of the sun?"
"I'm only going to say yes because of how bad your sunburn is." Bonnie touched some parts of her shoulder to see if the aloe had dried. "Don't wear your t-shirt. Wear the tank top you brought. You don't want to irritate it more than it already is." Finally, Bonnie was done applying the thick layer of aloe.
"I think you just want to see me in less clothing." Marceline winked, laughing at her own joke.
"You wish, Abadeer."
There was only an hour or two of sunlight left, so they ended up preparing dinner while the other played out in the water. They wanted to save the hike for the sunset, so they could reach the highest point of the lakeside to see it.
Finn hadn't left Bonnie alone practically all day, so this was a big change in scenery with him gone. Rain and Jake were playing in the water while Finn built rock castles since the shoreline wasn't completely sand. Bonnie did, however, find it cute that he still did childish things like building sandcastles even though he was a senior in high school.
"Hey Bon," Bonnie looked away from the screen door at Marceline who was in the kitchen, grilling the chicken and veggies. "Stop watching your boyfriend and help me with the plates." She teased, a small smile displayed on her lips.
Bonnie had to admit that seeing Marceline in a black cut off tee, swim trunks and a baseball cap made her heart race. "Yeah yeah, hold on, let me go call them inside."
Marceline nodded, turning her attention to the food, flipping over the chicken pieces. The smile stayed even after she left the room.
The night had come upon them, everyone lying in their respective bedrooms. Finn slept on the couch. Jake said Finn always did this, so he could protect everyone if someone came in. Apparently he watched a lot of Friday the 13th movies when he was younger.
Bonnie and Marceline shared a room, along with a cozy bed. There was very little space between them. It seemed they were only physical when they were by themselves. She didn't necessarily mind, but she only just realized that. Marceline's arm was wrapped around her waist, her breathing halfway deafening in the quiet night. The outside noises crept their way in, though she could only pay attention to Marceline.
Oddly enough, Marceline had fallen asleep before Bonnie. Usually, this was the other way around. Maybe the new environment was keeping her awake or maybe it was the subtle phrases escaping out of Marceline lips. The first one happened to contain her name. It was a jumbled up mess, but she was positive the phrase contained her name.
Bonnie turned her body to face Marceline's face. She liked studying the girl's features when she was this peaceful. Her nose happened to scrunch up at Bonnie's sudden movement. "fkn Braco..."
Her eyebrows scrunched together. She was getting so jealous when there wasn't even competition. Then again, this was a more recent realization. He was a lab partner that she hardly knew, while on the other hand there was Marceline. And God was Marceline something.
Bonnie shuffled her way into Marceline chest, breathing in the heavenly smell of strawberries, speed stick, and aloe vera. An arm wrapped itself around her with a large sigh and a squeeze. "Go to bed, nerd."
"Hey, Marcy?"
Bonnie sighed, realizing Marceline had already fallen asleep.
"I chose you." She whispered, muffled by Marceline's shoulder. She pulled herself as close to Marceline as she could muster. "It's always been you."
Review time!
Shovel Knight: I really wanted to incorporate Simon and the sibling's simple relationship, making sure it was noticeable that they appreciated him. I'm glad that you're able to see that!
Silver Blue Eyed Wolf: I really like Simon in adventure time, I really hope I get his character as spot on as I possibly can.
Diddlypanda: I procrastinated a lot with this story. I wanted to upload the first chapter months in advance, perfecting it and whatnot, but I didn't upload until months later. I still rewrite the chapter and improve it on a constant basis. I obviously feel awful about it, but yessss Pokemon Go has overrun my life. My town and surrounding towns went out of power for about 48 hours and everyone was playing Pokemon Go in every direction. It made my little heart fill with joy.
