This is a very short chapter (not anymore). I apologize. And I know that lt wasn't the, 'Sunshine Deli', yet at this time, but I can't remember what store lt was.
Ofcourse, they both reunited the next day, though this time at dawn, being still dim outside. With Marceline scaring Bonnibel again, this was becoming a routine.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?", Bonnibel said smugly, trying to gain the high ground.
Marceline just laughed.
"It won't work again next time, you know.".
"Yeah, right. It already worked three times.".
Bonnibel rolled her eyes.
"Let's just walk around.", Bonni suggested.
They just walked around the park talking. It was a nice change of pace, as they usually played together but didn't learn much about the other.
"Are you allowed to leave your mansion in the morning?", Marceline asked, after getting the impression that Bonni's parents were very strict.
"Probably not. They don't want me doing anything other than working hard to be like them.", Bonni replied with disappointment.
"What exactly do they do?", Marceline inquired.
"They're world renowned scientists. You've never heard of the Bubblegum's?".
"Uhh. Maybe. You should try asking them anyway.".
"Not yet.", Bonnibel said, unsure.
"You're what, twelve? You're old enough to have friends.".
"I don't know. My progenitors don't believe in recreation.".
Marceline looked lost.
"Yeah, I don't believe in big words either.".
"It means, 'fun'. I never thought lt took a genius to understand the word.".
"So, you think you're a genius?", Marceline smirked.
"Well, yeah. My family members are, so why not? Why?, do I seem dim-witted?".
"No, not at all. I was just asking is all. I think you're... pretty smart, actually.", Marceline told her sincerely, turning her head to hide her blush. "I like that about you.".
Bonni smiled.
"Me, I'm not so smart. But I am smarter than I look.".
"I believe you.", Bonni complimented. "So what about you? You don't seem to have a curfew. Your parents don't mind you being out all night?".
Marceline looked down.
"That's not something I have to worry about.", she said ambiguously.
"Oh, I understand.", Bonni said.
"Well, my dad is still alive. In the literal sense of the word anyway. He's never around. Frankly, he doesn't care. And honestly, neither do I.".
"Marceline, but that's your dad. How could you not care?".
"The moment my mom died.. he stopped loving me.", she said softly.
She paused. Bonni couldn't think of what to say.
"And he also did something unforgivable.".
"Well, what did he do? Or won't you tell me?", Bonni inquired.
"He, uh... he ate my fries.", Marceline said flatly.
"He... what?".
"I bought french fries from Wendy's for me to eat. And he ate them. He ate them all.".
Bonnibel burst into laughter while Marceline stared at her blankly.
"Good one. But what did he do, really?".
Marceline didn't answer.
"You can't be serious. You won't forgive him because he ate your fries?", Bonnibel asked incredulously.
"It was the straw that broke the camel's back, okay? He never buys me food anymore. I always have to get my own. He knows this. He knows those were my fries. And he ate them anyway. I knew he didn't care anymore, but I never would have thought that he would do something to hurt me, no matter how silly. He has no regard for me anymore.".
"Oh. I'm really sorry that he did that to you. But lt's not all bad.".
"Why not?".
"Well, we have each other, right?".
Marceline smiled at that.
After awhile, they settled down in the excercise portion of the playground.
They were laying upside down on the diagonal dark green sit-up benches, assembled from the dismantled parts of the old see-saw. They laid there comfortably on two side-by-side benches, with their feet preventing them from sliding down backward, while they looked at the stars above. Bonnibel's dress was long enough so that nothing was visible in the iridescent orange light.
"How can you wear dresses all the time? You're not a real princess, are you? And why so much pink?".
"Why so much black?", Bonnibel retorted.
"Hey, I asked first.".
"Well, I've always wanted to be a princess. I know lt's corny & that's what every girl says, but I'm willing to go through with lt. I grew up on Disney. And pink is my favorite color.".
"Hm, so you dyed your hair pink?", Marceline said, grabbing some wisps of Bonni's hair.
"No. I actually have a pigment disorder that makes me look pink. Now you answer my question.".
"What can I say? Black is just so me.".
Marceline indeed had a dark personality, as opposed to Bonnibel's decidedly bright one.
"Let's go to the store. I'll buy you something.", Marceline offerred, as they were getting hungry.
They got up & left the park, walking up 46'th Street into the Light Palett. They went into the Sunshine Deli on the left.
"What do you want? I can only buy one thing.".
"How about we both get ices.", Bonni replied, looking at the freezer.
"Sure.".
Marceline purchased the cherry flavored Marino's ice & Bonnibel got the blueberry one. Bonni always loved ices & didn't forget to take the wooden spoons. They peeled off the sticky caps & delighted themselves with the delicious substance which they stabbed at with their spoons. While enjoying the ices, they went back to the playground & returned to their spots on the benches. After finishing & disposing of the food, they didn't talk much, instead opting to appreciate the pretty night together, an inky black sky dotted with stars & accentuated by the soothing street light.
Bonnibel & Marceline grew closer as friends in only a few days. The more they saw each other, the more they felt this feeling they couldn't understand, much less explain. After a while of bliss, Bonni suggested they do something a little more proactive. And so they played Tag for the rest of the night, with Marceline being quite a pro at lt. From overhead, one would be greeted with a rather unusual but interesting sight, two girls running around a playground late at night, playing & laughing together. The City that never sleeps, indeed.
"Damn, Marceline. You could let me win once in a while.", Bonnibel said, exhausted.
"Nope.", replied Marcy, pushing her luck by staying very close.
"You were saying.", Bonni smiled as she finally tagged Marcy.
"Well, like you said, I should let you win.".
"Sure, that's what that was.", Bonni chided.
It turned twelve fifty five & Marceline was ready to give Bonnibel another ride on her motorbike. Bonni surprisingly wasn't as hesitant as previously. She hopped on without a second thought in mind. Make no mistake, she still held on for her dear life, which they both secretly enjoyed. But also, Bonni began to see the experience as a bit of fun. Marcy, feeling more confident, took some detours to speed, which only made Bonni grip her waist tighter. The streets were usually empty at this time anyhow. She eventually stopped showing off & took Bonni to her home neighborhood.
"They peeled off the sticky caps & delighted themselves with the delicious substance of which they stabbed with their returned to their area after ridding their excess waste."
? I have no idea how to correct this sentence. It doesn't even appear in the original draft. Basically, they enjoy their ices & go back to the park, from what I can discern.