09.28.2016
Bonnibel had freshened herself up. That much was obvious to Marceline. The pink-haired girl had looked terrible until a few minutes ago. Now, still not looking too great, she had at least done something about the messy hair and cleaned her face from the tear stains. Something must've disturbed her, for Bonnibel to look like she did.
But Marceline told herself that she didn't particularly care about what had happened…
Why did she cry though? It didn't take long before her thoughts drifted back to Bonnibel Buchholz. Cursing herself in the process, her red eyes couldn't help but wander back to Bonnie. Had she talked to Finn? Maybe she got confessed to by the blonde pushover? But it didn't make sense. Why would she be crying then? There was no way that she had confessed, and gotten dumped, right? Bonnibel didn't even like Finn, right? The young Abadeer asked herself, a knot forming in her stomach for no reason. Then, Bonnie noticed that she was being observed, and started looking back at the black-haired girl. Blood rushed to Marceline's ears, as she quickly averted her eyes, feeling as if she had been caught doing something inappropriate.
After the class was finally over, Marceline started packing her stuff, glad that she could get the pink-haired girl out of her sight. Then, she could hear a particular group of students laugh behind her.
I don't need her, or her stupid friends. I am an Abadeer, we don't need anybody. Everybody needs us!
She didn't understand why she started slamming her papers into her bag. What was she getting agitated over?
I thought she was like me. It finally clicked. Marceline was disappointed. That was what the cold numbing sensation spreading over her body meant.
Bonnibel had seemed strong and unfazed by everything, but now she was fragile and weak. Something Marceline couldn't allow herself to be ever again. Her father always said: "Don't grow too attached to people that don't have any value to you." And now she could see what he meant. Bonnibel needed her little friend club but didn't gain anything from it.
For a moment she was proud of herself. This was why she had wanted to college. To see for herself how normal people are and to get an understanding for them. See Ash? If you saw this you would get it too and stop asking me why I wanted to go to college.
But still, it felt as if someone had forgotten to close the refrigerator overnight, and now everything was freezing. Why did she start college? Ash had asked her this so many times, but why was it only now that she started questioning her choice herself? Never before had it bothered her that nobody dared to talk to her, but seeing how Bonnibel made friends so easily, the black-haired girl couldn't help but stare at them again.
Why is Bonnibel not alone? She doesn't need them! She massaged her nose bridge with her thumb and her index. This was getting ridiculous. Then, a shudder went through her spine and the hair at the back of her neck stood up, as she realized it. She knew this was not the question that bothered her. She was lying to herself. As she looked at all the empty seats all around her, the answer lingering in the hollow surrounding, she quickly grabbed her backpack and hurried out of the class in horror. This couldn't be her reason. Marceline wouldn't accept this. She of all people wasn't lonely. Why should she be?
Marceline needed a breather. Somehow her thick skin, she had always worn proudly, felt so thin lately. All those irrelevant thoughts were dragging her down, and her emotions kept getting in her way as if she was leaking them left and right.
With goose steps, she hurried to the little lake in the middle of the park she liked so much. For a short moment, she was surprised that Bonnibel didn't wait for her at the bench, but then she reminded herself that the pink-haired girl was hanging out with her 'friends' right now. A sigh got stuck in her throat. Her shoulders dropped. She was too exhausted to follow this strain of thought any longer. Instead, she sat down, listening to the chirping of the birds and the soft splashes coming from the lake.
She closed her eyes, and at least for a little while she wasn't Marceline Abadeer. Just a girl enjoying nature's fantastic composition. No Bonnibel, no Ash, no Hunson.
As a single hot tear started crawling down her face, a voice in her head said: "You are hurting."
…
This time she knew that Ash was coming to visit, it was her who had called him after all. She just felt like seeing him. She didn't miss him in particular, and yet she had called him. Her head was still a bit dizzy, so she didn't make much of it.
He is my boyfriend, why should I need a reason to call him over. She dropped the thought and instead made herself a strawberry tea. She watched as the red color slowly took over the clear water and wondered if the water was even trying to resist the change. Would there ever be a time in which it would just stay water, or was it destined to become tea eventually?
She sipped from her cup, slightly burning her tongue. As she cursed, while carefully placing the tea on the table next to her, she could hear the bell.
Right, he gave me back the keys himself while he apologized. Ash was a nice enough guy, even if he had been angry at first about his nose, and who could blame him for that honestly, he didn't guilt-trip her because of it. Instead, he insisted that it had been his fault. Marceline hurried to the door as it rang a second time, while numbness slowly spread over her burned tongue.
Today is one of those days, huh. She accepted her fate, for now, happy that the day was almost over anyway, and that she could relax with her boyfriend for the rest of the evening.
As the pretty blonde boy entered her apartment, his brows furrowed as he saw that his girlfriend was grimacing. "You alright, babe?"
"Just burned my fucking tongue." She stuck it out.
He inspected her tongue with a crooked grin. "Don't do that, you still need it." He said, winking at her, as he threw his jacket on one of the chairs, before embracing his girlfriend. The two stayed there for a little while, just holding each other. The black-haired girl rested her ear against his chest and with her red eyes closed she could hear the faint rhythm of his heart. Listening to it somehow calmed her, as if it reconfirmed that she wasn't alone and that he was really here. Then, a gentle warm hand cupped her cheek, and as she looked up, his soft lips met hers. And as always, in dire need of comfort, she let it happen.
As they parted, she kept her eyes closed for just a little moment. Seeing her girlfriend like this, Ash smiled and felt like kissing her again, but knew better. He had to be patient, not pushy. She was worth the wait.
"So? You called me over for a special reason?"
"Nah, just felt like it."
Hearing this, he blinked a few times, blood rushing into his face. Turning away, so that Marceline wouldn't see how happy that little comment had made him, he walked to the big TV, which stood right in front of a glass wall, from which one could see over half the city.
"Wanna watch a movie then?" He asked, still showing her his back.
"Sure, but please nothing heavy today, had an exhausting day already."
"Hm?" Hearing unrest in her voice, made him turn around again. "You alright?"
"Sure." She shrugged, her eyes wandering down to the city. "Just a bit stressed, that's all."
The blonde boy stood there, fiddling with a Blu-ray in his hand. For a moment, an awkward silence fell over them, before the young Abadeer asked: "Ash? What's up?"
He locked his eyes with hers, and a gentle smile formed on his face. "You've been stressed a lot lately."
"Have I?" She lied to him for no reason. But she couldn't show him her weak side. Not even Ash should see that.
He ignored her blatant and poor attempt to evade the topic. "Well, I was thinking, maybe it would do you good if you could de-stress somewhat."
"Sounds like you got something in mind?"
"A friend of mine is throwing a party next weekend." He raised his hands, seeing that she was already about to decline. "I know you always say you don't like parties, but maybe this one time won't hurt? I will be there anyway, and if it sucks you can leave of course."
"I don't know Ash, I'm not a party person, you know?" Why did she keep lying to him? She loved parties, loud music, dancing, drinking all that stuff. Of course, she wouldn't ever do that again, she had her responsibilities to uphold, but she could just tell him, right?
The truth was that she once had a rebellious phase. Even if she was embarrassed about it now, she couldn't deny that it had been part of her life once. She would go out, not care about work, party, play music, and meet her friends. But that side of her was long gone now. At some point, she had realized that her father was right and always wanted what was best for her. So, she had cut ties with her old self. The only people that knew of her past self were, of course, her father, her used-to-be-friends, and Marceline herself.
Why not tell him? She thought. Ash wouldn't judge me… Right? He never does.
"I-"
"C'mon Marc, do it for gold old me." He interrupted her, putting on one of his killer smiles.
She sighed. "... Sure. But if the music sucks, I'm out."
…
Bonnibel wanted to protest against Finn buying her the coffee, but once she saw the prices of the café, she decided not to. She had enough money with her to afford it, but she would rather buy some food for her brother and mother later. This was how it had always been, and at some point, they would get sick of her, but for now, Bonnibel decided to put those thoughts aside, and enjoy herself.
The café itself was very stylish. The walls were painted in lots of bright colors. The room was filled with vintage tables and chairs, which had candles and plants on them. The warm smell of coffee was filling the air, and not too many people sat around, talking quietly. Bonnibel decided that she liked it. What was its name again?
Royal Tart. She remembered. A sign was next to the menu. It said: "Now looking for new coworkers. Students and people without much experience are welcome too. If you are interested, contact us under…"
She took a quick photo of the sign with her phone, before following the others, who were already sitting down at a table in a corner of the café.
They ordered their drinks, with Lady being the only one who didn't order coffee but a Chai Latte instead. She still wasn't sure if Finn had already told Jake and Lady that she had dumped him. Would they be angry, or disappointed maybe? But before she could fall back into her habit of assuming the worst Lady said: "You guys will have to taste the chai latte here. It's one of the best."
Jake, sitting next to her rolled his eyes. "You just wanted to have the tastiest drink, that's why you waited till we ordered to tell us, right?"
"And I'll let everybody taste once, except you." She said, popping his nose with her index.
The smaller boy visibly blushed, but couldn't suppress his smile either. "Would suck if I stole it, then." He tried to retort.
"Try me." Lady stared down at Jake for a moment, before both of them quickly averted their eyes, realizing that they weren't alone. "Anyway, how have you been doing Bonnie?" Lady tried to break the awkwardness.
"Uhm…" Still taken aback by that new dynamic between those two, she blinked a few times. "Good." But then she furrowed. She wasn't here to lie again. "No… No, that is not true. To be honest, I've been fucking stressed." She finally said, resting her forehead in her hand, sighing into her coffee.
As her words sank in, the atmosphere was getting heavier, and she slowly got pushed into the seat by it. Before anybody could say anything, the waiter came over and handed everybody what they ordered, before quickly leaving the table again.
As the pink-haired girl looked up, Lady was holding her drink out to her. Her eyes were full of gentleness. "Try it. It's good." She said in a calm voice.
She obeyed and was actually surprised. Licking her lips, she could still taste the sweet cinnamon. "Wow. Now I feel cheated for ordering a plain coffee."
Hearing this, Lady seemed somewhat relieved. "Sorry. Next time I'll tell you beforehand."
Next time, huh. Bonnie repeated these words silently.
Finn, playing with the milk foam, then asked: "Do you mind me asking what stresses you? The group assignment? How is Marceline by the way? Bad news?"
Lady pointed her spoon at the younger Adons brother. "But you gotta admit, it was pretty hardcore how she stood up against Mr. Garb."
Finn shrugged in return. "Sure, but doesn't she seem... off?"
"Seems off is putting it mildly. She is always keeping her distance from everyone. Kinda creepy if you ask me." Jake said. "As if she thought she is better than other people."
"No, t-that isn't right." Bonnie raised her voice, louder than she had wanted to. The other three looked at her in surprise, as she harrumphed. She had no reason to defend Marceline, but hearing how she was called arrogant didn't sit right with her. "She… Has her issues."
So much was true at least. Throwing tantrums, thinking that money makes right, but at the same time having such a vulnerable side to her that almost reminded her of her little brother Neddy. Bonnibel furrowed her eyebrows, realizing that she was somehow worried about the young Abadeer girl. They hadn't had a proper conversation in nearly a week, mostly because Bonnie did her best to avoid doing so, but now she felt a stinging sourness of guilt at the back of her mouth because of it.
"She does a very good job as a partner. All her papers are very well done, and I think she put a lot of effort into them. But yeah, not gonna lie, I'm still pretty happy once this is finally done. He gave us an unfair amount of work, just to pull one over on Marceline."
Lady nodded. "Yeah, and doesn't everyone have something they are dealing with? We all got our own issues. We shouldn't make assumptions just yet." She said to everybody around. Finn and Bonnie immediately looked to the side, as they remembered their earlier conversation and how Bonnie dumped him before he could even confess.
Jake, on the contrary, raised a hand in defense. "I didn't mean to talk smack about her." He said hastily. "That's just what it seemed like, you know?"
"I know." Bonnie gave him a reassuring smile. "But enough talk about her." Bonnibel wanted to change the topic, feeling that she had cornered Jake, which hadn't been her intention. None of this had been, but for some reason, she was still sitting here. That was enough for now. She would give it time first. Maybe it would be easier given time. For now, she was here, with them. "How are you guys holding out? Your assignment doing alright?"
Finn shrugged, merely giving a "Meh." as an answer.
Jake's eyes, on the other hand, started glowing suddenly. "Oh, you guys! I totally forgot! A friend of mine is throwing a party this Saturday. What do you guys say, to celebrate the end of Mr. Garb's annoying project, we go party that weekend?"
"Finally something fun." Finn said.
Lady smiled. "Sounds good, what about you?" The blonde girl turned towards Bonnibel. "You wanna come with us? Only if you want to of course."
Bonnibel bit the inside of her cheek. A voice in the back of her head said: This is where it starts. Soon, they'll be annoyed by me. She had never really been much of a party person. Not because she disliked it or anything, she simply never had the time. Looking after her little brother, doing work for school, or doing chores to help her mother, had mostly summed up her life so far. And as the self-proclaimed realist she was, she knew that it wouldn't change so soon. Even with her mother's new job, chances were high she still wouldn't have time. But as she looked at the three people around her, who had all those exciting glitters in their eyes, she sighed. "I can't promise that I have time, but I will see what I can do."
"Awesome!" Finn yelled, making a fist.