Message to Bears - Find our way home

08.25.2016

"You need to learn how to handle yourself. Experience is key. What good would it be if you one day become the head of this company, without having the slightest idea how to run it. Work hard, and learn from it."

"Makes sense, father."

"Good. Don't disappoint me, Daughter."

"I won't."

He had entrusted her a job at his beloved company. That alone was proof that he believed in her. She would ensure that she didn't make any mistakes that could damage Abadeer's Cooperation. She had promised it after all.

At first, she had been a little bit excited. Maybe she would meet some cool people, maybe even new friends... but that illusion was quickly torn apart.

Of course, all of her colleagues knew who she was. From day one on, it was clear who the heir if this whole building would be. In every project, and anywhere else for that matter, nobody ever rejected anything Marceline said.

To her own surprise, her ideas were actually working for the most part, maybe that was part of the reason everyone was letting her play boss, despite being twice her age.

Who am I kidding? I'm an Abadeer, that's the only reason they are even listening to what I have to say.

From an outsider's perspective, everything was working perfectly. All of her colleagues were nice to her, and she was doing a pretty good job. To be frank, there was no real issue at all with her summer job.

Or maybe exactly that is the issue?

So instead of getting to know new people, the only thing Marceline could do was work hard. In the end, was all the same to her. She didn't have time for friends anyway. She wouldn't disappoint him. Even if it was hard sometimes...

At another of her father's damn parties, she had more than one drink too much. Ash had tried to stop her, but she didn't listen. Sometimes she just got frustrated for no real reason at all. And well, fate didn't show any mercy. Paperwork had piled up, while she had an awful headache.

Wasn't my best day today, but I still managed to get shit done in time.

Right now, the young girl had finished everything in time and was walking towards her favorite bench. The park was as always devoid of humans. She never really understood why but was still grateful for it. She didn't need more random people getting on her nerves. All she needed was to take a breather for a while.

A breather was how she called it. Just sitting under the trees, next to the lake, while hearing some music.

No job. No responsibilities. No fear of failing.

But of course, the gods, fate, or whatever else, had other plans for her. As Marceline came closer, she could see the same girl as a few days back, sitting on her bench yet again.

Now, that she was getting a closer look, the pink haired girl was really cute. She didn't know what it was, her looks were actually pretty average. Maybe her red cheeks? The few freckles?

Why am I checking out a girl again? I'm not even into girls. Also, I've got an insanely hot boyfriend, already.

Quickly pushing that train of thought out of her head, she asked herself what she should do next. She really needed a breather right about now, and this was her bench, to begin with. Who did that girl think she was anyway? Did she think, that she could just steal her favorite spot in the city?

"Excuse me?"

This was the first time Bonnibel looked up from the book, she was reading. "Oh, can I help you, girl-I-can't-help?"

Ugh, so she does remember.

"Very funny." Marceline rolled with her eyes. "Listen, I really like this bench, and I would love to sit here."

One of Bonnie's brows quirked up. "Uhm… Okay, you do you, I guess?"

"Alone."

"Oh."

"So it would be great if you could continue with your book... somewhere else."

"You know there is enough space for the two of us, right?" She said, petting the spot next to her.

Why would that girl not move? She had asked nicely for it already. Twice. Was it too hard for her to do a stranger a favor? Not seeing another way, and not wanting to argue with such a headache either, Marceline took out her purse. "How much?"

"Wait, what?"

"Would 40 bucks be suitable for you?"

The pink haired girl blinked a few times in confusion. She could buy her whole family dinner tomorrow, from just that. "No, thank you."

The black haired girl rolled her eyes, yet again. "Just take it and move, please."

"Well, I don't mind moving, but that's a lot of money," Bonnie said, shaking her head.

"Whatever. I gift it to you. Okay?"

For a moment she really wanted to decline the offer... But in the end, they did need the money.

Without another word, she took it. Then, Bonnie moved about 4 meters towards the lake and sat on the ground right next to the water. Not even looking at the rich girl, she opened her book and started reading from where she had left off.

A few moments passed by. Marceline just stood there, her ponytail flopping in the wind while staring at the girl on the ground, who didn't pay her any attention again.

"Excuse me. We had an agreement."

"I moved, didn't I?"

"But you are still here."

"You want me to leave the park? Are you serious right now?"

"Well…" Now that the girl said it like that, Marceline could feel guilt boiling up inside of her stomach, but she couldn't back down now, could she? Sticking with one's decisions was one of her father's rules. "At least go a little bit further away, please."

The pink haired girl closed her book once again and got up. "Did I do something to you?"

"No... Listen, I don't want to explain myself. How about this, another 40 bucks if you leave for good?"

"You think you can buy everything with money? How old are you?"

"How about 60?"

"80."

"Deal."

She gave the pink haired girl the money, who quickly grabbed it.

"So?..."

"A deal is a deal, don't worry. You won, I leave." The pink haired girl said. Then, just for about a second, Marceline could see a bright smile on the other girl's face. A smile she had rarely ever seen.

But before she could understand what was so irritating about it, the strange girl was already walking off.

Why did Marceline feel like she just lost? She got what she wanted in the end, didn't she? But why was she not the one smiling?

09.05.2016

"And you really got everything you need, Bonnie?"

"Yes, mom." She answered while scrubbing the dishes.

"Textbooks, pens, notepad?"

"Yep."

"Sharpener, rubber, ink eraser?"

"Mom…"

"What about-"

"Mom!" Bonnie repeated herself, with a firm voice. She didn't want to explain how she had gotten the money to buy everything.

Clarabel stopped cleaning the plate in her hand for a moment. "Sorry."

"Gee, you really are more excited than I am."

"You just don't know what's coming to you."

The pink haired girl couldn't help but chuckle. "Didn't we already talk about stopping to worry about me?"

"I love you too much, to stop worrying."

Such an unfair line. Now, Bonnibel felt guilty. "I know, mom... "

As if she could feel her daughter being uncomfortable, her mother quickly said, "Oh, and anyway, if you think you can hide your love life from your mother, you should prepare yourself."

"Okay, that's enough." She said, putting the rest of the dirty dishes in the sink. "You can clean the rest up alone."

Clarabel's face formed a sly smile. "Look at how your big sister is all embarrassed now, Ned."

"Why are you embarrassed, sis?" Her little brother, who was standing on a chair to reach the sink so that he could help them with the dishes, asked her with big eyes.

"Nope, not embarrassed, not at all, but I won't discuss my private life right here, right now."

"So there is a love life to discuss, huh?"

"Bye." She threw the towel on the table and left the kitchen. From the hallway, she could still hear her mother snickering. What a dork she was sometimes.

Today was labor day, so Clarabel had a day off from work, and to be frank, it had been great. At first, the three of them had been outside. Bonnie and Ned showed their mother around the city for quite a while. Clarabel herself hadn't had much time to do much sightseeing yet, so this was a perfect chance.

Afterward, they cooked together, and even now that she had nettled her daughter, Bonnie didn't really mind, in truth. Actually, she couldn't hide a smile of her own any longer. She loved it when her mother was a dork. But her smile didn't last long.

So, tomorrow is the big day. She thought while heading towards her small room. I just hope people will let me be. I don't need to relive my high school days again.

A shudder ran down her spine, once she started thinking about it. Her mother had been really excited for her daughter, but the truth was that Bonnibel didn't want to go tomorrow.

Meeting new people, meant being hurt yet again. People don't have sympathy for your problems. That was a fact Bonnibel had learned the hard way. This time would be no different.

I have to be strong, just like mom is. Keep on smiling, and everything will be okay.

09.06.2016

"That's insane! I never expected you to be in my class, hero girl!" The tall blonde girl said.

"Me neither…"

"Oh, by the way, my name is Lady, and you are?"

What type of joke was this? The girl she had 'saved' a few days back, was now standing before her, holding her hand out.

"Bonnibel." She answered while shaking Lady's hand.

"This will be great!"

"Uh huh." She just wanted to turn into air.

"Wanna sit together in class?"

"Sure."

The two girls were walking through the corridor, towards their first class. After receiving their timetable, they noticed that they actually had many classes together.

"This will be fun!" Lady said, pushing a strand of blond hair back. Today, she didn't wear her rainbow skirt, but instead a colorful sweater. She really liked colors, Bonnibel guessed.

She does seem like a nice person. I shouldn't be rude for no reason.

"I hope so too." Bonnibel gave Lady a smile.

What neither of the two girls knew, was that the next surprise was already waiting in the classroom.

As they entered they could hear an "Uh oh." being uttered, by someone.

"Oh, it's the dog boy!" Lady immediately approached his table. Next to the 'dog boy' was another person sitting. A young man, with wild blond hair, and a blue shirt. He didn't look happy at all with all the attention he and dog-boy were getting.

The poor guy.

Bonnie walked slowly towards them as well, not really seeing a way out of this. As she reached the table, she caught the boys names. "I'm Jake, and the shy dude next to me is my brother Finn."

They don't look at all like siblings. The pink haired girl was quite surprised to hear that. While Jake's face had pretty sharp features, Finn on the other hand, looked almost innocent. Despite that, he was actually quite cute.

"I'm not shy at all." He tried to defend himself, while his face was becoming redder and redder. Jake just laughed in his deep voice. Then, his brown eyes met Bonnie's. "That you, hero girl?"

"Bonnibel. Nice to meet you… again, I guess."

"You're the one who stopped Susan?" Finn seemed surprised.

"Takes guts to help a bystander like that," Jake added.

Again with this. Bonnie thought, rubbing her arm. "I didn't really think about it."

"See, bro, she even talks like one," Jake said before both boys started chuckling.

Just what have I gotten myself into, this time.

But then, the door to the classroom opened once again. The third surprise just entered the room.

The 'don't-need-help-girl' entered the room, instantly locking eyes with her.