Author's Note: Hey everyone! Thanks for all the reviews and faves/follows! I hope you enjoy the next two chapters, as they kind of go hand in hand. Thanks for being patient with updates!
Marceline's POV
As Marceline started her bike, she was thinking of her time spent with Bonnie. You need to cool it, Marceline. Too much flirting and you'll scare her off. She sighed, donning her helmet and flipping up the kickstand. Her bike sputtered to life and pealed away across the pavement.
Even as she reached her apartment, she couldn't get Bonnie off her mind. She parked her bike, stashed her helmet, and fumbled for her key. Once inside, she immediately headed for the shower. Showers are always good for clearing my head. Even the hot water only provided temporary relief. Upon drying off, Marceline threw on whatever clothes were closest and landed face down on her bed. She sighed into her pillow. Marcy's mind replayed that day's events: Bonnie's surprised look at their sudden closeness, her pink lips, that soft hair, and how they spooned last night. Marcy groaned.
You have to stop this. It's insane! She doesn't even like you that way. But… she did let me spoon with her. And it seemed like she liked it. But then… ugh. I don't know. Marceline was too tired to think any more about it. Sprawled out like a starfish on her bed, she quickly fell asleep.
Marcy awoke a few hours later. She opened the curtains to find it was early afternoon. Guess I should do some more homework. She sat down at her desk, pulling her Music Industry notebook from her backpack. She opened her laptop and sat down to do the assigned reading and discussion questions.
At some point, she decided it was time for lunch and went to the kitchen to assemble a meal out of whatever was in her fridge. After she had eaten, she returned to her room and checked her phone. She had been studying for a while; it was already 4pm. Checking her phone, she saw a text from Bonnie.
From: Bonnibel
I'm sorry, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings earlier. That was very blunt of me. I was wondering if you'd want to hang out tonight or tomorrow. I'll be done my lab report earlier than I thought.
Marcy smiled. Well, at least she still wants to hang out with you, she thought. Marcy texted her back.
To: Bonnibel
Sure, I've still got another hour or so of homework but I'll be done for the day after that. What should we do?
It was only a matter of minutes before she got another text.
From: Bonnibel
Could we use your place? Juli isn't feeling well. She partied really hard last night and I would feel bad having someone here while she's hung over.
Marceline looked around. Her place could use some cleaning up if she was going to have guests over.
To: Bonnibel
Sure, just give me a bit to straighten up around here. If you wanna come over at 7 we can order take out or something.
Marceline remembered to text Bonnie her address. She sat down with renewed purpose to finish her assignment, writing the last few questions with ease. Proud at herself for getting the whole assignment done in such a short time, she set to work straightening up her bedroom, living room, and kitchen before Bonnie was to get there. It was admittedly the first time she'd cleaned in a while. She opened the windows to get some fresh air in her bedroom. She decided that she'd have to open the curtains more often. Though she usually liked the dark, the late afternoon sunlight streaming in through her window was rather refreshing. At 6:45 she got a text from Bonnie.
From: Bonnibel
I'm so sorry. My ride flaked and it doesn't seem there's any buses that go in your direction. Is there any way you could pick me up?
She didn't have anything better to do, so Marcy agreed to pick up Bonnie. Recalling the route she took to the parking lot the other day, Marceline fired up her bike. She made sure to grab a second helmet for her friend. Soon her bike pealed away from the asphalt outside her apartment. The feeling of wind in her hair made Marceline exuberant. The weather was perfect for biking, too. Cool enough in the mid-September evening to wear a jacket, but not cold enough yet to be uncomfortable.
Marceline pulled into the parking lot by Bonnie's dorm and shut off her engine. She whipped out her phone to text her friend.
To: Bonnibel
I'm here. Look for the red bike.
Minutes later, Marceline saw Bonnie walking down the sidewalk towards the lot. Once Bonnie got close, the older girl took off her helmet. Bonnie's face was a mix of awe and surprise.
"You didn't mention you drove a motorcycle. Why should I be surprised?" Marceline grinned widely. She evaluated Bonnie's clothing choice: a cute pink dress with purple trim and a cropped jacket of the same hue. Her hair was in some kind of updo that would take Marceline years to execute.
"You look cute, princess, but you might want to change into pants." Bonnie frowned but agreed that pants were probably a better choice for the ride back to Marceline's. She went back into her dorm to change and was back a few minutes later. Marceline scanned her again. She had kept the jacket but changed into blue jeans. Underneath the jacket was a tank top. She also had brought a backpack this time around. Marceline nodded her approval and Bonnie approached the bike. Marceline stopped her to hand her the helmet.
"Here, take this. Hopefully it fits alright." Marcy helped Bonnibel adjust the strap so that it fit snugly. Marcy couldn't help thinking that the helmet looked very dorky but also cute on the younger girl.
"Okay, now just hop on behind me." Bonnie obliged Marceline's directions. "You ever done this before?"
"No." Marcy could hear the nervous edge to Bonnie's voice.
"Don't worry, Bonbon, you'll be fine. Just hold on to my waist for support and put your feet up there." Marcy pointed to the footrest and Bonnie placed her feet gingerly, as if the bike would leap forward at any moment. When Marcy started the engine, Bonnie jumped. Marceline did her best not to laugh.
"Alright. You ready?" Marcy heard a weak "yes" and took that as her cue to go. She felt Bonnie's arms wrap around her waist and she eased off the clutch and gently twisted the throttle. The two began to move and Marcy felt Bonnie's arms tighten around her waist. Marcy headed out of the parking lot and towards her apartment.
Somehow, they made it to Marcy's apartment in one piece. Even with her extra careful driving, Marcy felt like Bonnie was going to cut off her circulation because she was holding on so tightly the whole ride. She had no idea the shorter girl could be that strong.
They pulled into the parking lot and Marcy cut the engine. Once the kickstand was down on the ground and Bonnie felt safe enough to let go, Marcy gracefully dismounted the bike. Bonnie awkwardly swung a leg over the side and managed to stumble off. Marcy chuckled, unstrapping her own helmet before helping Bonnibel with hers. The two headed through a lobby area and up a flight of stairs before arriving at Marceline's door. Marceline stopped and spun around dramatically.
"Get ready, because you're about to enter… the lair of the Vampire Queen." Marcy whispered darkly. Bonnie just rolled her eyes, clearly not having Marceline's antics. Marcy laughed and unlocked the door.
They walked in to the living room and Marceline hung her leather jacket on the coat rack. She did the same for Bonnie as the younger girl looked around.
"You like it?" Marceline asked. "It's not much, but it's home."
"I do. It's very cozy." The small apartment certainly didn't leave much to the imagination. For the most part, all the rooms were visible from the entryway. The front door led one right into the living room with the small kitchen on the left. Down a short hallway was Marceline's bedroom and the adjoined bathroom. The walls were a neutral beige—since she wasn't allowed to paint, Marcy had decorated the walls with artwork.
"Here, let me take you on the tour." Marceline led Bonnie through the living area and then down the hallway. She flipped the light switch to her bedroom and closed the windows since it was getting chilly as night fell.
"And there's the bathroom, and this is my room." Marceline shrugged, not really knowing what else to say. She was glad she had cleaned her room, but it was still a little cluttered. Countless band posters hung on the walls, and her desk was still somewhat messy. Bonnie, standing in the doorway, suddenly headed to one corner of the room.
"You have a record player?" She lightly touched the patent black leather of the record player. It looked almost like a suitcase, and it was perched atop a tall table that stored vinyl albums in a shelf underneath.
"Oh, yeah. I got that a year or so ago. It's a newer model, only a couple years old. It's a travel version- that's why it looks like a suitcase. It's super portable. The speakers are even built in, which is pretty sweet." Marceline walked over to join Bonnie. She opened a latch and flipped up the top part of the "suitcase" to reveal the body of the record player.
"I'm so jealous. I've been wanting one like this for a while now." Bonnie sighed.
"Well hey, why don't we come back to this once we've had dinner. Is Chinese take out good by you?" Bonnie nodded her approval. The two headed back into the kitchen to call in their order.
They talked for a while as they waited for the delivery guy and eagerly dug into the food upon his arrival. As they were scraping the last scraps of delicious Chinese food from the containers, Marceline prodded Bonnie's side with her elbow.
"Hey, you still want to check out the record player?" Marceline asked. Bonnie nodded earnestly.
"Cool." Marceline collected their empty takeout containers and chucked them in the trashcan. The two girls headed back into Marceline's bedroom. Bonnie was instructed to drag out a nearby box of records as Marceline put the record player on the floor. She unlatched the turquoise lid to reveal the main body of the record player.
"See any you like?" She asked.
Bonnie leafed through the albums and pulled one out. She recognized the band and knew one or two of their songs but hadn't listened to the whole album yet.
"Good choice." Marceline took the record from Bonnie, removing it from its sleeve and setting it on the player. She unlocked the needle and turned the power switch on. When the needle dropped onto the vinyl, they heard a slight crackle before the room filled with dreamy indie music. Bonnie swayed to the tune while Marcy continued to leaf through the albums.
"Have you heard this one?" Marcy asked Bonnie, who shook her head. "You should definitely listen to it," Marcy recommended.
The next 20 minutes or so saw the girls discussing music preferences and which albums they loved the most. Bonnie was impressed by Marceline's varied music tastes—the girl owned albums of everything from rock, to classical, to jazz.
"Is there any music you don't like?" Bonnie asked, holding up a smooth jazz record.
Marceline chuckled. "Not really. I'll pretty much give anything a shot."
Bonnie smiled. "That makes sense. I guess I just didn't imagine Ms. Punk Rock being into jazz."
"Well it really depends on my mood. That album is really great for when I'm stressed," Marceline explained. "How about you? What music do you listen to when you're stressed, Bonnie?"
"Well, if I'm really stressed I prefer quiet," She confessed. "I do like music, but sometimes, I prefer silence since I'm kind of bad at tuning music out. When I'm studying music has to be pretty quiet, or at least instrumental." She paused. "I wish I was musically talented, though. I can't sing or play anything."
Marceline laughed. "Come on, I'm sure you can sing."
Bonnie shook her head. "Not well. I won't let anyone hear me sing."
Marceline poked her playfully. "Come on, not even me?"
"No, because you're good at it, so that makes me feel even worse!"
Marceline laughed. "Alright, alright, I won't make you sing."
"Good."
As the girls fell silent, they realized that the record had stopped playing a long time ago. It had become very quiet in the room.
"So, uh, wanna watch a movie?" Marceline asked, first to break the tension.
"Sure." With that, Marceline grabbed her laptop and Bonnie clambered onto the bed, getting under the covers. She propped up some pillows and Marceline joined her, laptop in hand.
The two girls selected a film and then settled in to watch it, sitting side by side in the dark room.
Despite how she tried, Marceline couldn't focus on the movie. She was hyperaware of Bonnie's proximity to her. She glanced at Bonnibel's face through her periphery vision, but the younger girl was thoroughly engrossed in the movie.
After turning it over in her head for several minutes and weighing out all the possible incomes, Marcy took the plunge and laid her head on Bonnie's shoulder. The girl was warm to the touch, and her shoulder didn't make an uncomfortable pillow.
Marcy's heart skipped a beat when Bonnie began to stroke her hair. I guess that means she likes this too? Marcy's head swam with the possibilities. She closed her eyes and tried to push all the scenarios out of her head. Right here, right now, I am happy. She could feel her body beginning to relax as Bonnie's fingers combed through her locks.
"Marceline?" Bonnie was gently shaking her. "Marceline, you fell asleep during the movie. Do you want to go to bed now?"
Marcy nodded. She exited the bed to put the laptop away.
Bonnie snuggled in under the covers, and Marcy already missed the girl's body warmth. Marceline sighed, grabbing a pillow and heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Bonnie asked, sleep making her eyes and voice heavy.
"Well I figured you'd take my bed and I'd sleep on the couch," Marcy explained, jerking her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the living room.
"No, stay here," Bonnie pleaded. "There's more than enough room for the two of us."
"You sure?" Marceline offered.
"Of course. Now come back here, you loser." Marcy chuckled at Bonnie's comment and headed back over to her bed. She clambered in next to the younger girl.
"Goodnight, Bonnibel."
"Goodnight, Marceline."