Welcome back! It's been a while, I'd advise you to go through and remind yourselves of the story, as it's been uh...lets just say too long. Anyways, I'm back, so enjoy yourself. Here we gooooooooo
Friday, March 17th
Marceline begrudgingly made her way to her last class. It was the day before spring break officially started and she knew it was pointless even attending as half the campus had already left, including some professors. She cursed at herself that she chose the most present department.
Tonight was one of the two free nights she'd have over the next week. Previously she had decided to order Chinese food and binge watch some Netflix originals, however she'd made plans with Phoebe prior to her work schedule being revealed.
Not that it was such a terrible thing, but the introvert inside of Marceline told her she needed some alone time.
Setting her things down, she took a seat in the middle of the classroom while the other students slowly sprinkled in. The music department never really closed, even over break. As a rule, they had to keep their doors 'open' for practicing students who decided to stay, with a valid Music Department ID card of course.
Keila finally stepped into class, taking her usual seat by Marceline.
"You remembered your homework, right?" Marceline decided to ask, as her friend was one of the most forgetful people on the planet.
"Yeah yeah, I usually do, don't I?" She waved a hand at her friend when she gave her 'the look' and slouched over in her seat, putting her head in her hands. Her curly black hair slumped over, as if it too were annoyed at the inconvenience that was music history.
Marceline hummed in acknowledgement then proceeded to mimic her friends movement out of boredom. "Probably wont learn anything of importance today. Half the class is missing."
"Just notes?"
"That's what the syllabus says."
"Ughhhh" Keila grunted. "Should have skipped."
"Already thought about it. Almost did. Then I remembered that he actually takes attendance." She began tapping her pencil on her desk before the student in front of her glared at her in annoyance. Marceline's only response was to tap with more intensity and give a look of equal annoyance, if not more. The student just gave up and rolled their eyes, turning forward again.
"Well that sucks ass." Keila caught her attention again as she leaned against Marceline's thin shoulders. "Any plans over break?" She asked this with a pleading look that she always seemed to hold when she wanted something. That unrelenting begging that for some reason Marceline just couldn't surpass, no matter how hard she tried.
The rocker rolled her eyes as if it were such an inconvenience, but Keila knew it was all for show, especially after the rocker couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Just working a bit over the break. Have something in mind?"
"Bar hopping tonight?"
Marceline was a bit relieved that her request was so mild.
Although Marceline wanted some free time, it would probably be better to be social. She'd been shutting herself in with Bonnibel a lot lately. Although she'd also be hanging out with Phoebe, Guy has been taking a lot of Keila's availability. Any time that Keila was willing to give, Marceline decided she needed to take advantage.
"If you promise not to drink too much then I'm down. Is 10 fine?"
Keila gave a slight nod and sat up to adjust her hair, which there was no point of doing because it seemingly had a mind of its own and slouched back over almost immediately afterward. "Can you do 9 instead?"
"9:30. Final offer."
Her darker friend nodded in acknowledgment and glance out the window. "Deal. Why so late though?"
"Prior plans with a co-worker. Otherwise I'm pretty free next week."
"You can just meet us there then. If that's cool with you."
Marceline hummed. "Do we have a DD or..."
"Uber this time. Can we stay at yours?"
"I'll ask Bonnie. I'm sure she'll be fine with it as long as we don't keep her from her homework or throw up everywhere like last time."
Keila just smirked. "Just keep us updated."
"Yeah yeah." Marceline waved a hand as the professor walked in and started giving his usual friendly introduction.
No one was more excited about seeing this movie than Phoebe, who was jabbering on about it through the whole car ride from Berkeley. As per their norm, Marceline paid for tickets if Phoebe drove and paid for popcorn.
"Sorry for rambling, I'm just excited." She fidgeted with the steering wheel but held an enthusiastic smile on her face.
Phoebe had sort of out dressed Marceline, who was wearing a plain white t-shirt with her black ripped jeans. Phoebe had thrown on this red button up and slacks. Her hair had also been noticeably styled and curled, which was weird considering she hadn't worked that day.
"You're fine. Promise." Marceline affirmed.
The redhead gave a bright smile before focusing back on her driving, drumming to the radio's beat with her thumbs. "So how did you and Bonnie meet?"
Marceline raised an eyebrow at her friend, who's eyes only glanced at her before focusing on the road again. She decided to comply, "I was in a sorority for about a year and a half. After breaking it off with an old boyfriend of mine, Simon thought it would be best to give me a support system. Why he chose that route, it was beyond me. Although I'd like to say that was the best choice, it kept me busy and I didn't like half of the girls there. It was diabolical and I was pissed, I assure you. But...I was roomed with Keila for about a year so I guess I can't complain too much."
"Your best friend, right?"
"Right. I came back after summer break and someone else's things were in my assigned room. Happened to be Bonnie's. We got off on a rough start but eventually got really close. Decided we didn't need to be there if we weren't passionate about the cause, so we left and got a place of our own." Marceline chuckled at the thought. "Had to-uh-pull a few strings with Simon to get us out of the room and board contract."
"Rough, how'd you manage to do that?"
"Lots of begging and I told him I'd stop cussing at my dad when he visits, which made him decently happy."
Phoebe hummed in acknowledgement. "You mentioned you got off on the wrong foot with Bonnie, anything specific happen?"
Marceline couldn't help but let a small smile escape. It wasn't so long ago, but it definitely felt like it. "She asked about my eyes as soon as we met."
Phoebe's eyebrow raised in confusion. "Is there something wrong about that?"
Marceline glanced over at the red head, a similarly confused expression painted on her face as well. "Uh yeah. Phoebe, they're red."
"What? Since when?"
Marceline blinked at her, awestruck. "Since always, they're like bright red-you've seriously never noticed?"
"No, Marceline. They're like a dark brown, I've never seen red in them before. Plus," She paused like she it was hard for her to get out the next part, her head even shook a little bit as if she were nervous. "Its not like I'm going to stare into your eyes or anything. Its' honestly not as noticeable as you think."
"Oh. Well I guess I'll show you later."
"Alright, I'll drop you off at the front so you can buy the tickets while I find a parking space."
"Cool with me."
Marceline jumped out of the car, the sea breeze hitting her face. It was warm and desperately clung onto her cold skin. She was almost disappointed that she wouldn't be spending the eventing enjoying such beautiful weather.
Marceline never had the attention span for a movie, but she always complied when a friend suggested it, because it always made them happy. And just like many times before, about thirty minutes into the movie Marceline managed to doze off.
The booming speakers in the auditorium woke her not too long later, as the scene playing on screen seemed to be similar to what she had remembered. The one thing she had noticed that was different from before was that Phoebe's head was resting on her shoulder.
She tried not to think anything of it, but it was hard not to. She didn't want to be rude and shrug her off if her assumption was wrong, because it would undoubtably cause a rift of awkwardness between the co-workers. Sure, it had been obvious before this point that Phoebe held some kind of feelings for her, but she'd never actually done anything before this point either. She usually just did some light flirting, not touching.
Marceline just decided to lay back and fall asleep again until the movie was over. She happened to do that for what she assumed was about thirty more minutes until Phoebe jumped in her seat, startling Marceline awake, who kicked their bowl of popcorn into the air which not only made a loud 'thwack!' but also sprayed it onto them and the row in front of them.
Phoebe began profusely apologizing before settling back in her seat with an exasperated sigh, giving Marceline a pout. "Did it scare you that bad?"
Marceline grumbled and attempted to rub the drowsiness from her eyes. "You're the one that scared me. I was having the most wonderful nap-"
"You fell asleep?"
Marceline flashed a big smile to her friend, her heart still racing from the scare. "Just watch the movie, relax a bit."
Phoebe's eyebrows knitted together as if she were a bit frustrated, but went back to her previous position of putting her head on Marceline's shoulder, except this time, she wrapped her arms around her friends arm as well.
What the hell is happening...
The movie ended shortly after and Marceline jumped out of her seat as soon as the credits started rolling and played it off as if she were stretching, as not to concern her friend. With that, she cracked her back and started picking up some of the popcorn that she has spilled previously.
Phoebe followed her actions, with the exception of a worried look on her face. "Why'd you fall asleep?" She asked.
"Just not a movie person."
"Oh." Phoebe looked at the screen as if she were embarrassed. "Well you could have told me, we could have done something more interactive."
"No no. It's okay. You really wanted to go."
"But if you didn't-"
"Hey," Marceline gave a small smile. "Don't worry about that, alright? I was glad I could tag along." Phoebe nodded and looked away again. "Well lets get out of here so the staff can clean up my mess."
Again, the redhead just nodded, following behind Marceline.
The car ride was a bit more silent and awkward than Marceline expected. She wanted to ask if everything was okay, but the silence seemed better than the unavoidable topic that Marceline had to address.
So when Phoebe arrived in her driveway, Marceline knew she needed to bring it up now."You wanna come inside? I have an hour to spare before I need to head to the bar."
"Uh, sure."
Marceline led Phoebe inside the house and closed the door behind her. "Would you like a drink?"
"I'm fine, thanks. Your house smells like lemon pledge."
"Its my guitars, I clean them with essential oils, makes them smoother." Marceline sat down on the couch, propping her feet up on the rustic coffee table. Bonnie hated that she did that, but what Bonnie didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
"Hm, interesting."
Phoebe sat next to Marceline, hiding her face in her hands. "I'm sorry for the movie." She muttered, running a hair through her thick curls and falling into her lap.
The rocker sat up and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "You have no reason to be. It's all good. Promise."
"No, I mean...I was nervous. I've never really..." Phoebe's words became caught in her throat, but Marceline was patient enough for her to think it out. She could tell in Phoebe's eyes that there was something she wanted to say that words couldn't form naturally. "Marceline..." Her hands clenched in her lap. With a swift move, Phoebe's hands gripped the side of Marceline's shirt and Phoebe's lips fell onto her own. She froze, unable to move until Phoebe pulled away, scared of her own actions.
"Fucking hell Phoebe, did you think this was a date?"
Phoebe immediately hid her face with her hands and slouched over, realizing her actions. "No, I knew it wasn't. I just-I don't know-God I'm sorry."
"I'm dating Bonnie."
Her friend just sighed beside her, letting her hands drop and just shook her head for a minute. "I should have guessed that. I really should have seen that coming. God..."
The only thing running through Marceline's mind at that moment was, God I need a hit right now. With that, Marceline stood. "I'm gonna grab my blunt-you want anything?"
Phoebe gave a quick nod and sighed. "Yeah...yeah-you have vodka?"
"I have bourbon in the fridge. Help yourself."
After going their separate ways for a moment they met in the backyard. Marceline started kindling the fire pit while taking long exasperated drags from her blunt, letting herself enjoy the almost immediate satisfaction. She knew it was starting to form an addition, but as of that moment, she felt she needed it.
Phoebe just sat in the lawn chair and smoked a cigarette instead, staring off into space. Marceline noted how blank she looked. Just completely and utterly numb.
"I'm so sorry." Phoebe repeated.
"Stop." Marceline mumbled, her voice low and relaxed. "It's not a big deal. I should have told you."
"I'm sure you inferred it."
"Multiple times, but its not like I ever stopped you from your flirting."
"Yeah," Her voice was monotone and it almost scared Marceline with how lifeless it sounded. "You kind of encouraged it." It stung Marceline the way she put it, but it wasn't like she was wrong.
Phoebe poured another glass of bourbon for herself, practically topping off the bottle and downing it without a second thought. Honestly Marceline didn't mind, whatever helped.
"What can I say, I like the attention." She admitted.
She wouldn't deny it, even if it sounded terrible. Marceline liked the attention she received, from both genders, but it never meant she would betray the person she was with. She wasn't her brother. That's the one line she wouldn't cross.
The silence continued, and at that moment, Marceline preferred it that way. That way they didn't have to talk this out, they would let the silence do that for them and hopefully through this drunken experience they'd be able to laugh it off later.
"You gonna tell Bonnie?"
"Kind of have to, don't I?"
Phoebe continued to stare blankly ahead. "It's the right thing to do. Will she hate me?"
The rocker gave a half hearted shrug as she was beginning to space out as well. "I doubt it. She's not a jealous person." With that, she extinguished the last of her blunt and placed it on the ledge of the fire pit for later disposal.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, pretty sure."
Finally Phoebe looked at her, something in her eyes begged of Marceline's forgiveness, which she already had. "This isn't over is it?"
Marceline felt dumb as of that moment, her thoughts conflicting. She didn't believe something like this would happen again. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time she misjudged this exact situation before. Phoebe seemed to have a restraint about her, but anyone could play it off that way too.
"It's not like I can forget about this, you know." Phoebe gave a defeated nod, her eyes starting to glisten from forming tears. "Hey, stop that. I'm still keeping you around, asshole."
Phoebe rubbed her eyes. "Good." She said, her voice cracking from holding back tears. "Good."
As per Keila's request, it would just be the original group of misfits: Keila, Guy, Bongo and Marceline. Although they all share classes together, it was still hard to find time with their busy schedules.
Bongo sat at the bar, downing another shot with Guy who had his arm slung around Keila's shoulder. All of them had downed three shots each and were waiting for the effects to kick in, which wouldn't be long now.
After watching Keila and Guys interactions over the past few months, Marceline noticed that Guy really is good for her and vice versa. They both limited each other on their substance intake, whatever that may be each day. And even though Guy didn't show it often to their little group, he was a sweet guy. Or at least that's what Keila had told her.
"Abadeer," Keila bumped her shoulder with one of her lighthearted smiles. "I need to smoke, care to join me?"
She followed her friend close behind without a word, careful not to bump into any unwanted company that was in the bar.
When the door closed behind them it seemed to seal off a lot of the noise from inside. It was much quieter out there with Keila. She could hear herself think again, but she didn't really want to do that right now.
Lighting her joint, she leaned against the side of the building and took in a deep breath. With a sigh, she looked back over at her friend. "Much better." She gestured her her joint and Marceline politely refused, sticking her hands in her pockets afterward to stop her from reaching out and taking it.
"I may have a problem." Marceline admitted, leaning against the building beside her friend.
"When don't you, Abadeer." She joked, playfully shoving her shoulder against her like she had earlier that day. "Spill it already."
Marceline bit the inside of her lip and looked off into the distance. "The co-worker I hung out with admitted she liked me today."
Keila chuckled to herself. "Man, love interests are just popping out of nowhere for you, huh?" She inhaled another breath through her joint. "See this is what happens when you actually open up." Wisps of smoke poured out of her mouth as she talked.
"I'm faithful to Bonnie."
"Whoa, that's not what I was saying."
"I know. I know..." Marceline let herself slide onto the pavement. "I liked hanging out with her. Probably won't be able to now."
"Why not?"
"Because of the Braco thing. It'd be hypocritical of me."
"No no, the Braco thing was different. This girl isn't going to hit on you and admit her love for you, right?"
"I don't think so. She kissed me though."
"Did you-"
"No, like I said. But she didn't know about Bonnie before then."
"You didn't tell her?"
"Most people don't like when you tell them you're gay. Didn't know her point of view yet. Just happened, you know?"
"Right. Listen babe, if you like hanging around her that much then maybe you just need to set some ground rules."
"Sounds terrible."
"Absolutely, but it'd be more awkward if you let it slide and just never talked about it. She may even think its okay to do it again."
Honestly, if she wasn't hanging around Phoebe, she'd be taking a nap or lounging around. She kept her up and around.
"How do I tell Bonnie?"
"Sober."
"I sober up quick."
"Honey, you're much higher than you realize."
"Maybe-I don't know. Change the subject."
Keila finally sat down beside her friend, putting out her unfinished blunt. The smell of sea water evaded her nose and every sense only helped to relax her further. Even the pavement beneath her was warm and inviting, which was really odd to think. Maybe she needed to stop smoking for a while. "I think we should run away."
Marceline raised an eyebrow at her friend, who was terribly holding back a smile. "Where to?"
"Ever wanted to go to Ohio?"
Marceline couldn't hold back her laughter at that point. "As if. I was there for like 3 hours and hated just about every moment there."
Keila gave a fake pout. "Fine, lets go to Florida...tomorrow."
Marceline bumped shoulder with her friend, sharing another laugh. "Come on now, I told you I have to work."
"What, you can't call in?"
"Not for that long!"
"Fake doctors note." Marceline just rolled her eyes.
"You're ridiculous."
"Nope, just drunk."
