Anonymous

69

tw for hunson

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While everyone was taking midterms, Marceline was taking midterms and finals.

Bonnie had started to get a little bit aggressive with the whole studying thing again. Basically, back to being a studious dictator, except she'd listen to Marceline when she told her to cool down. Admittedly, she was a little bit worried that Bonnie would go overboard for her finals, when Marceline was in L.A., so she'd made Lady, Finn, Jake and Elle all promise to check up on her in her absence. If they failed, she had proof in the form of text screenshots to hold against them.

She stayed after school for her math final, and actually finished it with a little bit of time to spare. She'd never admit it to Bonnie, but in a way, math kind of reminded her of music theory. It made it easier, when she thought of it that way. She still hated it and was glad to be shot of it, though.

As she was walking down the steps of the science and mathematics building, she rounded the corner at the exact same time her father stepped out of his classroom. She glanced up at the ceiling. Security camera. He couldn't do a thing, even if they were alone.

He stared at her contemplatively, and Marceline stood by the staircase, staring back. She felt... oddly brave. Or at least not afraid. That kind of stare used to root her to the spot, paralyse her from sheer terror, and she could never, ever look back at him. Now, she stared at him defiantly, and when he stayed quiet, she started walking again. Towards him, because he was between her and the exit. A little bit of natural fear sparked at being so close to him, but she stayed out of his reach.

Hunson was the one to break the silence, just as she walked past. "Marceline. What are you doing here so late?"

"Studying," she answered, because it wasn't technically a lie. "Math."

He squinted at her. Maybe he didn't believe her, but he answered with a tense nod. "Yes, your brother has mentioned that you and Miss Butler have been studying together quite often. Does this have anything to do with Principal Citron asking me to allow you to take your finals early?"

Marceline frowned. Did he know? Surely not. If he knew, he would've confronted her about it. Maybe Principal Citron had actually done her a solid and not told him why. She'd used the I'm eighteen so legally you can't tell my dad anything excuse, but she wasn't sure if that actually was a law.

"Um, yeah," Marceline said quietly, "I wanted to get them out of the way so I can focus more on other classes."

"That is uncharacteristically responsible of you," Hunson said, and she marvelled at how he managed to turn a compliment into an insult. "I will allow you to take the finals as long as you promise to take up the business elective after Spring break. I believe you should get a little bit of experience in it before choosing it as your major. Though, no college letters have come to the house yet..."

"They're going to Simon's," Marceline was amazed at how easy it was to lie to him. It was a matter of self-preservation, she told herself. If he found out that she was leaving in a month before she was already in her car and driving away, she didn't doubt he'd lock her up in the basement. "Figured that would be easier. Wouldn't want to have to keep coming over."

Yeah, that's right, father. I can do the subtle insults too. Hunson narrowed his eyes but nodded, again rather tensely. "I suppose that would be the case."

"Yeah," Marceline glanced towards the double doors again and started inching down the hallway, "we done here?"

"Actually, there is something I would like to talk to you about without the presence of your little... friend, Bonnibel." Hunson said, and the way he emphasised friend made her realise what the conversational topic would be. "I have heard some unpleasant things surrounding the nature of your relationship with Miss Butler."