Fionna slumps her head against her locker.
“Hey,” FP says, “What bug bit you?”
“Blehh, don’t start with me, FP. I had a bad weekend.”
“Really?” FP asks, curious to know what happened after he and his friends had left, “Wanna share? You’ll feel better.”
“Actually, Ember, I rather not remember.” Her voice is dull, lifeless. FP sighs, she usually only uses his real name when she has a lot on her mind. He feels as if he can’t help her at all. She looks like a broken doll, beautiful but gloomy. FP grabs her shoulders, turns her around, and holds her to his body. Pressed up against his firm, athletic body, Fionna notices that he is warm, very warm, and smells slightly like an old man. Must be his candles, Fionna thinks. Her mind keeps flashing back to Marshall’s similar body, how she held onto him, the scent of strawberries that lingered after he was gone, and the cool warmth that had held her only 48 hours ago. She shakes her head at her thoughts and pushes FP away.
“I just had a bad weekend; I don’t want to talk about it.” She says solemnly.
FP’s heart breaks a little when she disrupts the embrace. “Alright,” he articulates after a while, “just don’t forget, I’m your friend. You can tell me anything, Fi.” The bell rings. “I’ll catch you later, don’t be late to class.”
The rest of the week goes by like this; FP concerned about Fionna moping around school resembling a zombie; Gumball noticing a very upset student but shrugging it off; and Pepper hiding in the shadows, intending to get information on the situation.
Fionna’s forcing a smile as she serves another client when an older girl with long, messy, red hair and lots of rings on her fingers comes into the diner. She’s wearing beige skinny jeans and a matching top, exposing her flat tummy a little bit. She goes straight to the counter where Chrome is looking bored as always.
“Hi, are you the owner?” she asks. Chrome only gives her a nod. “My name is Bella. I’d like to apply for a job.” The monochrome man gives her a confused expression.
“Oh sweet babies!” Cake pops out of nowhere and stands by Chrome’s side. “When can you start?”
Bella raises an eyebrow at the hyperactive woman. “You’re not going to do a background check first?”
“Uh, sure.” Cake thinks for a minute. “Have you ever killed anyone?”
“No”
“Are you a criminal?”
“No”
“Are you old en—” Cake eyes her up and down, “never mind, you’re hired. Come to the back with me for your apron.” Cake makes her way to the kitchen and Bella follows.
“Chrome,” Fionna, having witness the strange scene, is now curious, “what’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on, gurlie.” Cake comes back with Bella, an apron around her waist, behind her. “You’ve been in a funk ever since last Saturday. Now, I don’t know what happened between you and Lee, but he refuses to come and play if you’re working. Now honey, let’s face the facts, over 60% of my costumers are frenzied, young teen girls who only come to watch Marshall perform. Without him here, I have no costumers. You are my only waitress, so I can’t send you home without having someone else cover your shift. Therefore, I had to hire another waitress to take over later on so that you can go home and rest and Marshall can perform. This way ya’ll don’t have to see each other. Sound good?”
Even hearing his name reminds Fionna of last Saturday. She nods subconsciously.
“Alright well it’s settled. Fionna you’ll have afternoon shifts; Bella, you’ll take over at night. Oh and since I’m cutting your hours, Fi, I’m also cutting your paycheck.”
“I don’t have a paycheck.”
“That’s right, well go home.” Cake gets closer to Fionna and takes off her apron. “I’m doing this because I love you and I care about your health as well as Marshall’s. You’ve become like my lil’ sister and he’s like an old friend. Please, I want you to smile again.” Cake whispers to her.
All is silent. Fionna has to admit that Cake has a point. She goes to the staff room, gets her keys and leather jacket, and is out the door feeling more miserable than before.
Fionna is walking by herself on her way home. She turns on her BMO, and plugs in her blue headphones, blocking out the rest of the world.
“Is it still me that makes you sweat? Am I who you think about in bed? When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you’re sliding off your dress?”
No way, Marshall, Fionna thinks. She shakes all thoughts of Marshall away and switches the song.
“Hey!! Anybody? Find me, somebody toooooo Love”
I don’t need anybody. Especially not you, Marshall. She switches it again.
“Right from the start you were a thief you stole my heart, and I was your willing victim”
A tear falls from her eye…
“Watch your step, look out! Scream and Shout!”
She’s crossing the street when a drunk driver hits her straight on, leaving her out cold in the middle of the street.
© 2013 Cynthia Hernandez
YOU ARE READING
Roomies in Aaa: The Ice Queen Strikes
Hayran KurguFionna Ward has just moved into a new neighborhood. She attends AAA Academy, where Bubba Gumball (aka PG) is a teacher at and she has started to work at the Candy Kingdom, a local sweets shop and music venue where Marshall Lee is the main performer...
