EAt an ENTirE aSs

"Oh my GOD!" The woman cries, jumping at the sight of the prearranged words. Meanwhile, Marshall and Bonnibel sit on the other side of the library shelf, holding back snickers and sharing high fives.

She hustles out of the sitting area, face blisteringly red, and it's all the boy can do to not fall over in laughter. Bonnibel and him share a look, and it has 'we-have-to-do-this-again' written all over it. However, Ms. Tuttle has the two by their ears and raged into the back office before they can scramble over. Nursing their reddened flesh, she crosses their arms and looks in-between the two accusingly.

"Please…" She starts slowly. "Tell me why... you are harassing…. our fellow readers!"

The image of the woman's face seems to pop into their minds at the same time, and they simultaneously share muffled giggles. Ms. Tuttle's eyes narrow and two swift smacks on the head quiet them efficiently.

Marshall holds his head. "Ow! Why do I get hit twice?"

"Because.. you know better and.. work here!" She frowns. Bonnibel goes to speak when the older woman cuts her off. "And you! Miss Browns I know your father… and he would be very disappointed… at such foolish behavior!"

She closes her mouth abruptly, looking down. Marshall inwardly chuckles at her last name. Browns. He'd be an idiot not to let her have hell for it later.

"Now…" She finishes the scolding. "I better not see you two doing that again!"

They nod solemnly as she bustles out the room; Marshall dejectedly flops into a nearby chair. "Uhhh I'm so bored now!" He whines. Bonnibel raises a brow, sitting on the table.

"I thought that you liked the quiet of the library?"

He pauses, tripping over his words like untied shoelaces. "I-I do.. I mean I did… but that was before Gabe and you came here. I still do, but when you guys are here, it's too quiet."

"Gabe and Me? Wasn't I first though?" Bonnibel smirks at his stutters, seeing exactly what Marceline pointed out. The boy is a little dorky when he lets his guard down.

"Not like that! You know what I mean."

"I've only been gone for about two weeks," She starts. "So what have I missed, hmm?"

Marshall sits up immediately, face going taut with an intense expression. "God, I forgot to tell you! So I found these bookmarks with words crossed out on the front and I think they're a part of some secret message of something… It's like a mystery, y'know? "

Bonnibel leans back and eyes him curiously. "Oh really? What else?"

A smile replaces his previous expression, wide and fuzzy. "Gabe and I don't really prank people much like we do; we just talk, is all. But… but, that guy is really interesting when you think about it! I mean, I know you probably know that since he's your cousin and all, but still. He always has something really deep or funny to talk about. Always. Our conversations never get boring and.. that's awesome."

"It does sound awesome..." She says, looking him over. Marshall suddenly straightens when she gets up.

"Where you going?"

She pauses by the door. "Marshall… you'd say you're good friends with Gabe right?"

"Totally man. Why?" He gets down from his perch.

She eyes him in that way similar to Gabriel's, like her eyes are taking him apart, looking through his thoughts and inner feelings. Looking into his confused mind, deciphering it. It's unnerving. Then Bonnibel shrugs, but still keeps that same intense look in her gaze.

"It's nothing. Just.. know when to calm down once in awhile."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He implores, genuinely confused. She waves him off, smiling.

"You're a party boy; Loves to play games, sometimes with people. I get that. All I'm saying is, that every party ends Marshall. Just be careful whose heart you're playing with when it happens."

She leaves him at that, and he slumps against the wall.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean..?" He mutters, running his hand through his hair. A grey watch beeps thirty minutes later; he shuts off the small alarm. After waving a sheepish goodbye to Ms. Tuttle, he grabs his jacket and walks out the building. Cold night air greets him, chilling him with the newfound comforts of fall.

His eyes find the beginnings of stars, fluttering and winking in and out of existence. And they stir something in his mind, which ultimately has his feet turning left instead of right at the end of the driveway.

Has him getting on the bus to the left side of town, rather than the right. Has him going to Gabriel, rather than back home.

He does this, seeking warmth from the cold. And somehow, for some reason, he just.. knows he can find it there.