Morphine

Chapter Fifteen

Malcolm ticked off items on his calendar. Tuesday had been caroling while yesterday had been volunteering. Today, they were baking cookies and making hot chocolate. He enjoyed spending time with Marceline Anne but she had been acting strange for a few days.

She didn't want to be alone with him. She only spoke to him if he asked her a question. And she steadfastly refused to look at him.

He didn't like that at all. Their wedding was in a week and a half and he wanted to be close to her.

He put away his phone and continued dressing for the day. Michael the Fourth knocked on his door before sticking his head inside. "Do you need a ride to the Joneses tonight?"

Malcolm thought about it. Chase had things to do after-school and Karen had mentioned a cheer meeting. Could he and Marceline Anne have alone time? "No."

Michael nodded. "Cool. Finish getting ready."

Malcolm largely ignored that as he left. He finished dressing and gathered his things for the day. He wanted to have the best chance at marriage. He had to make it work.

M-

Marceline Anne didn't look up even though Karen was talking to her.

Karen blew out a breath. "You're not listening to me."

"To be fair, I don't care."

Karen gave her a look. "Don't take it out on me just because you're mad at your hubby-to-be."

Marceline Anne frowned. "Who told you I was mad at him?"

"You did with the way you've been acting the last few days."

She finally looked up with a scowl. "And how have I been acting?"

"Don't get all offended. You've been mean to him for three days."

"I've been mean to him since the day I met him."

"Don't be proud of that."

Marceline Anne narrowed her eyes.

Karen took a breath. "What's going on?"

"Don't you think I get tired of this Dr. Phil shit? I can't do anything without you and Mercy getting on my case and trying to make me talk about feelings."

"Because you repress yours. You are definitely going to kill over one day. I worry about you." Karen looked away.

"I'm fine." It took Marceline Anne a long time to say.

"No, you're not. You're stewing in something and you won't talk to anyone." Karen wiped away a tear roughly and sniffled.

Marceline Anne stared down at her work. "It's just not my thing."

"It's not mine either but I do it."

"It's not the same."

"My life's not perfect. I have my own challenges. Like when my best friend came to me and told me she was going to die."

"I could have said it better but it's going to happen."

Karen turned to glare at her. "You don't get it! It's so hard to love you sometimes! You push everyone away! You want to die!" She sniffled as more tears poured down her cheeks. "You don't care about us at all."

"Ka-" Marceline Anne tried but Karen got up and ran to the library's bathroom to be alone.

Marceline Anne sat back and blew out a breath. She didn't even understand how this conversation started let alone where it ended up.