Ch. 14

(Marceline's point of view)

We were at Billy's funeral. Heather couldn't stop crying as Clara comforted her. Bonnibel just stared at the coffin in disbelief. I... I was remembering what happened. How he was smiling... just trying to catch up to us. The play went great and everyone was celebrating. Then... then this happens! Our friend dies in front of us! We watched as his mangled body was pulled out from under the truck. His body twisted and broken and I swear his lifeless head looked at me. His eyes still being open didn't help at all. I really thought he was going to be a good friend. I looked down as I remember that Finn's in the hospital. Does he even know yet? If so, how does he feel? If not... should I tell him? Oh lord, how should I tell him? I looked up and could've swore I saw Susan, his dead sister, standing next to his parents. I blinked. She was gone. His mother was crying her eyes out. It must be terrible for her. Both her children died and they didn't even get to graduate high school. I couldn't believe this happened and I turned to leave but I heard a whisper.

"Marceline... where are you going? Its not over yet? You can't run from this, stay the whole funeral." it whispered.

I sighed and turned back to look at the coffin. Bonnibel put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. I smiled in response and turned to Clara.

"This is so horrible..." she whispered.

"I know." I whispered.

"At least we'll remember the good times we had." Bonnibel whispered.

Just then, all my memories busted forward. Us hanging out on the roof, fooling around, talking... I threw my face into my hands and started crying. He was a good honest friend! Why is this happening! Why! I wanted to scream but I couldn't. The tears wouldn't stop flowing as I remembered all of the good times we had with him. We didn't take pictures of him with us... maybe someone video taped his performance. Anything, just so we can remember what he looks like. We all huddled together to comfort each other and I eventually stopped crying. They completely buried the coffin and everyone started to leave. We gave his parents our apologizes for their loss. His mom still hadn't stopped crying. We solemnly left them and went to Bonnibel's room in the dorms.

"So... what now?" Clara asked.

"...Live our lives?" I suggested.

"That's... all we really can do..." Heather agreed.

"What about Finn?" Bonnibel asked.

"I'll tell him when I get the chance since I live in his house." I told them.

They all nodded, "Alright, with that settled, what now since the plays over?" Heather asked.

"We can still meet in the drama room as always. Just because the clubs over doesn't mean we have to stop being friends. You're going to always be my friends." I told them.

The entire room brightened at my words as we all smiled. Even though Billy's gone, we still have each other and that's enough to get us through this. Then my thoughts drifted back to the curse. I'd almost forgot about it and Billy's sister was the one that told me about it. Maybe... it wasn't just a random occurrence. Maybe that curse killed him... does that mean we're all going to die?

Every step I took made my heart heavy with grief. I had to tell them. I had to. Oh Finn... How will he react to this? He hung out with Billy the most. He was the only other guy in the group other than Simon. However, Simon isn't exactly in the group per say. I finally made it to the door of the hospital and opened.

I was greeted when I walked in, "Hello, are you here to visit someone?" A nurse asked.

"Yes. I'm here to visit Finn please." I told her.

"Ok. Hm... He's on the second floor. Third room on the right from the elevator." she told me.

"Thank you," I said with a fake smile.

I entered the elevator trying to think of what to say. I pressed the second floor button and watched the doors close. My heart started racing as I went up to the second floor. When it opened I was greeted by Jake and Lady from down the hall.

"Marceline! Hey, how... are you?" His happy tone changed to concern.

"I... I have to tell Finn something. It's important." I told him.

"He's sleeping in his room. What's the news?" Jake asked.

"Billy... got ran over." I said almost a whisper.

"What?" Jake asked.

"I SAID BILLY GOT RAN OVER!" I screamed.

They both were taken aback as I teared up, "What exactly happened?" Jake asked.

"Well," I wiped a tear, "Two days ago, the day of the play, after Finn was taken to the Hospital. We decided to go hang out as friends do so we could keep busy. Billy had to do god knows what and told us to go ahead and he'd catch up. Turns out he did catch up. Just in time to be hit by a truck that was speeding forty miles over the speed limit." I explained.

"Oh my..." Lady whispered covering her mouth.

"So now you need to tell Finn. When was the Funeral?" Jake asked.

"Today. I wanted to tell you guys but you were here and I couldn't build up the courage to come sooner." I told him sincerely.

Jake put a hand on my shoulder, "Come, Finn's awake." he told me.

I nodded and followed them. My heart was racing even faster than when I was on the elevator. The door opened and Finn was seen studying. I couldn't help but smile seeing him like this.

He turned to us, "I heard someone yell something. What was it?" Finn asked.

"That was me Finn." I told him.

"Why?" He asked confused.

"Because... Billy was killed." I told him.

His eyes widened in horror at the news, "Wha..?" he started to asked.

"We were all going to hang out and shop two days ago. He said he needed to grab some things and that he'd catch up. Turns out he did just in time to get run over by a truck. The funeral was today but I didn't have the courage to tell you this sooner." I told him looking a the floor in despair.

He laided back staring at the ceiling, "Oh..." was all he said.

"Are you going to be ok Finn?" I asked.

He didn't give me an answer. He just stared at the ceiling, tears developing as he looked on in silence.

The next morning I woke up from my alarm. It kept going off but I didn't want to move. Eventually it turned itself off and I looked around my room. It was a perfect 12 by 16 rectangle room with hardwood flooring. My bed was a single person size but only barely. I had a large window with a black curtain. Getting up, I looked at what I was wearing: Black pajama pants and a white t-shirt. Next to my window was a medium sized dresser with a mirror. I couldn't help but look at myself. My six foot tall body, raven black hair down to my hips, pale white skin and crimson eyes. My eyes were very unique... heck I didn't even know they were crimson. The room smelled of death to me... Outside I heard cars beeping and driving. Not only that but a couple of people were waiting for the bakery to open. My mouth was dry and tasted awful, probably from sleeping with my mouth open. I grabbed some undergarments, a clash of purple grey tank top and brown shorts. I opened the door to my room feeling a chill as I remembered school. I needed to be quick or I'll be late again. I took a quick shower and grabbed my backpack that laid against the wall by the door of my room. I took one last look before proceeding down the stairs and heading off to school.

-15 minutes later-

I started sprinting so that I could at least meet up with PB when suddenly I heard a buzzing. I stopped and took my phone out of my backpack to see a text from Clara. It read, 'Get here quick. U got to stop Pb!'. Quickly, I ran full sprint towards the school. As I ran it felt like everything was frozen. People became white noise as I got closer to the school. Then I saw the crowd surrounding two people. Pb and LSP.

"How was that funeral? Miss your friend?" Lsp taunted.

Clara got through the crowd to hold Pb back, "Don't listen to her Pb!" Clara told her.

"I bet your parents must've tried their best to help you... oh wait... you don't have parents anymore," Lsp continued to taunt her.

"Do you think your cool HUH! You're NOT! You're the biggest laughing stock in the entire school! Look at your ugly ass hair! Who the HELL dyes it purple! Maybe I should rip your hair off! You'll look better that way!" Pb screamed.

"I am cool and my hair is way better than your pink hair. You and your friends are just wannabe losers! You'll never be as popular as me," Lsp taunted.

"RRRRAAAAHHHHH!" Pb screamed throwing Clara aside.

I watched in shock as Pb ran over and tackled an unprepared Lsp. Pb was about 5' 10, 2 inches taller than Lsp. Pb landed two good punches on Lsp's face. Lsp grabbed her hair though and pulled her down. Lsp started scratching Pb's arms as she tried to pin her. Soon Pb grabbed Lsp's hair and yank on it with all her might causing Lsp to screech. Lsp punched Pb's stomach and pushed her off. Pb tried to get up only to be tackled by Lsp. Lsp started digging her nails into Pb's cheeks. Pb spit in her eyes causing her to be blinded. Taking the chance, Pb delivered a good right hook on Lsp's left cheek. While falling to her right, Lsp grabbed Pb's clothing and ripped it a tiny bit. Lsp wiped her eyes and tried to get up only to be kicked by Pb. Next thing I knew, Pb started wailing on Lsp until crying was heard. Lsp was in tears and I couldn't let this go on.

I grabbed Pb and pulled her off, "She's had enough!" I told her.

I had to hold her back, "You're lucky someone decided to help you! No one here is your friend! Your so called boyfriend has been cheating on your for months you stupid bimbo! Piss me off again and I'll beat you into next century!" Pb yelled.

I pushed her away as the crowd dispersed leaving a curled up Lsp sobbing in pain. Clara and Heather helped me as we took Pb to the nurse for her wounds.

"Feel better now?" I asked.

"No. Not in the slightest." Pb answered.

"You really did a number on her Pb." Clara commented.

"Stupid Bimbo deserved it." Pb said as she spat onto the ground.

As we walked down the corridor I felt the air get colder for some reason. I looked at my friends to see them have the response. When we got to the nurse, I was expecting the worst. The door opened and the nurse was sitting at her desk reading a book. I gave a sigh of relief. For some reason I had a feeling something bad happened here.

"What happened to her?" The Nurse asked with genuine concern.

"She got into a fight." I answered honestly.

"Sigh. Alright. I was wondering why the halls were so barren. School started 10 minutes ago but no one even went down this hall." she told us.

"Oh." Was all I said.

"I'll give you three passes to go back to class. You, [she pokes at Pb] sit over there and I'll fix you up." she told us.

I waved goodbye to Pb after getting the pass but she just looked down at the floor. I went to my class only to find our teacher wasn't there.

"Did you see our teacher on the way here?" a student asked.

I shook my head, "No. He should be here." I answered.

Strange...