Neighbors Chapter 4

I slept like a rock that night. When I woke up I decided against opening my eyes just yet. I was very groggy and so thirsty that my mouth felt like a desert. I tried to think back to last night, but it was a little foggy. I remembered ditching Guy to go to a bar with Marceline and Keila. I had three alcoholic beverages, more that I'd ever drank in one sitting. I remembered coming very close to being harassed by a pervert. I flexed my fingers, feeling pressure under my arm. I assumed it to be my full body pillow and snuggled up closer to it.

I tried to remember everything else. I think I was awfully clingy towards Marceline. I wondered if I had annoyed her. I hoped not, she seemed nice. I'd make note to apologize for my drunken behavior and learn to control myself better. I wouldn't mind hanging out with her and her friend again. Besides, I was lacking in any friends of the same gender recently.

I thought back again. I remembered Marceline telling me she couldn't find my keys in my purse. She let me stay at her house. Wait, that would mean that I wasn't in my bed, huh? If that was the case then what was I hugging in my arms? I peeked my eyes open slowly. I was confused when I found that my face was buried in what felt like black hair. I rose my head up just enough so that I could get a better look. When I realized that I had been spooning Marceline probably all night, I jumped up and bumped my head on the wall behind me. I flinched from the pain and felt incredibly embarrassed.

Marceline made a mumbling sound. I thought about getting up and hiding in the bathroom until I could think of a decent explanation as to why I demanded she lay in my arms all night. I covered my mouth with my hands, hoping to mask the sounds of my panicked breathing. I kept saying I was cold, but its July. I couldn't have been cold. Would she believe me and laugh it off or would she yell at me and ban me from ever coming near her again?

Marceline turned over and my whole body stiffened up. But when I saw that her eyes were still closed and she was snoozing peacefully, I relaxed. I caught myself thinking that she looked really cute, being so calm and vulnerable. But like, I meant in a completely platonic way, right? Everyone looks cute while they sleep. Its just a thing people do.

I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves. I was acting preposterous and overthinking every detail, something of a flaw I had. I scooted down to the foot of the bed and carefully got up to find the bathroom. I looked down at my legs and had to hold back a scream when I found that I wasn't wearing pants. I snatched my pants up and left the room with red cheeks. I was glad Marceline was still dead asleep. When I was done in the bathroom, I went to the kitchen and downed two glasses of water. After standing around tapping my foot, I decided I should pay Marceline back for this favor somehow. I thought making her breakfast might be a good idea, even though it was nearly ten in the morning.

I opened the fridge. The only thing in there was a carton of eggs and toast on the counter. So I cooked enough for the both of us and made a mental note that I would pay her back for the food, too. I sat the plates down on her small kitchen table with only two seats and waited. I assumed she would be awake any moment, now.

When Marceline slowly walked into the kitchen, eyes still half closed, I found that I couldn't make direct eye contact and was too embarrassed to say anything to her. She joined me at the table, yawning loudly.

"You didn't have to cook for me, Bonnie," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry about how I acted last night," I said passed a lump in my throat, not taking my eyes off my plate. "I'm not usually like that."

"You're pretty funny when you're drunk," Marceline said, picking up a fork. She shoved a large bite into her mouth.

"I know I was probably annoying being so clingy and weird. I understand if you're angry with me," I said, gripping my knees tightly as my heart rate sped up. Any normal person would be pretty angry with such a silly person, wouldn't they?

"Bonnie," Marceline laughed, "What's up with you? I'm not mad or anything."

I felt a huge weight lift off my chest.

"Oh, you're not?"

"No," she laughed again.

"Even though I..."

I paused, remembering how comfortably warm it was to be in her bed sleeping with her in my arms. I quickly snapped myself out of it and started to feel warm. I told myself it was because the window was open and the sun was shining directly on us.

"I'm sorry about being so weird," I repeated.

"Stop apologizing, Bonnie," Marceline said in a calm voice. She smiled and I looked away.

"Oh, my keys," I suddenly remembered.

Marceline stood up and left the room, shortly returning with her phone in her hands. She tapped on the phone, then waited for a beep.

"Bongo didn't see them in the van, but he said that he would check again," Marceline said.

"I wonder if I could get a spare from the superintendent," I thought aloud to myself.

"Yeah, I'm sure you could. Might wanna see about changing your lock, soon, though," Marceline suggested as she finished the last bite of her meal. "I'll drive you."

The superintendent wasn't happy that I had already lost a key, but still gave me a spare with a warning. He told me to be careful and that he wouldn't be able to change my lock for a few days. With him saying that, I became a little worried. If some weirdo had found my keys, who was to say they wouldn't try to rob me? I considered calling Pepe and asking him to stay with me for a few days.

When we got back to the building I was relieved that I would be able to go into my own home and relax. When I stopped to unlock my door, I noticed Marceline lingering behind me and turned to face her.

"Do you want to come in for coffee," I asked her.

"No," Marceline said, suddenly nervous. "I um," she paused again.

I gave her a confused expression, wondering why she was suddenly seeming so shy.

"If you need anything, I'm right next door. I mean, I know you're probably worried that a stranger might have your keys, so if you get scared or anything, just knock. I'm always up late at night."

"Oh, okay, thanks," I said.

Marceline nodded and quickly walked over to her door. I watched as she unlocked it and went inside, closing the door quickly behind her. She was awkward, but not in a bad way, I decided. She must be shy by nature. Maybe its hard for her to be so friendly with someone she had only just met.

I went into my apartment and locked the door behind me. Thankfully nothing was missing. I sat down on my couch and picked up my phone. It rang before I could even unlock it. I answered the call.

"What's up, Pep?"

"So how was your date last night?"

"It lasted ten minutes," I grumbled. "Guy made a joke about Neddy and I ditched him."

"Ouch," Pepe breathed. "What did you do all night, then? I called to check up on you and didn't get an answer."

"I went to a bar with Marceline and Keila. I lost my keys, too and had to get a spare," I explained.

"Really," Pepe said, a suspicious tone in his voice. "Then where in the world did you sleep last night?"

"With Marceline," I mumbled, knowing what he would say.

"Excuse me," Pepe said, trying to hold back laughter. "I thought you didn't like her that way."

I sat up so fast that I nearly fell off my couch. I caught myself and was suddenly out of breath. I hadn't taken into account that I should be careful with my wording of the situation.

"No," I protested. "I stayed at her place for the night, not... Not anything like that, you idiot!"

"Wow, so defensive all of the sudden," Pepe chuckled.

"What does that mean," I squealed into the phone.

"Calm down, Bonnie. I was joking... Mostly," Pepe said.

I took a deep breath and sighed after apologizing.

"I've known you for a long time, Bonnie. I wouldn't tease you if I didn't see something that I know you don't, but I'll leave you alone about it if you want."

"What are you talking about, Pep," I demanded.

"Remember Shoko from college," he asked me.

"She was one of my best friends," I said, my heart suddenly speeding up again.

"Nevermind," Pepe sighed.

"Oh, hey, can you come over, tonight? I'm kinda worried about a weirdo coming into my apartment while I'm sleeping," I asked, wanting a change of subject.

"My car is broken, I can't figure out what's wrong. But I'll try," he said.

"All right," I groaned. Well, if I got too paranoid, I suppose Marceline could keep me company for a while.

"Text me if something happens, though, I'll call the cops for you."

"Thanks Pepe, talk to you later," I said, ending the call.