love bites » marcelee.

57: The Breakup

Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Breakup

Marceline looked like crap, and she felt like it too.

Her complexion was pallid, and there were bags under her dark-ringed eyes. Roving along the empty hallway, she stopped at the lockers, her back leaning against them as she slid down to the floor. She hadn't been able to sleep peacefully for the past two nights as her thoughts were constantly in a jumble. Her mind and heart were in turmoil, and it's all because of that one spiteful individual who had threatened to hurt the ones she loved. And she knew, better than anyone else, that she should take Ash's words for granted.

Clear saline fluid flooded her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She hated crying because of how weak it made her feel, but she just couldn't help it. She couldn't help thinking that no amount of tears could justify what she was going to do because no matter how much she didn't want to, she must do it. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she lost any of them, because she had no one else to blame but perhaps Ash, and herself.

"Marcy?"

Instantly recognizing the masculine voice, Marceline hastily wiped the tears off her face and swung her head around to see Marshall coming her way. She was desperately trying to stop crying but failing miserably at it.

"Haven't seen you since prom night, so did ya miss me?" he said casually while striding towards her. "And why're you on the floor?"

She sniffed and dropped her head, mentally telling herself to pull herself together but how could she, when she was already falling apart at the seams? He didn't deserve what was coming for him, but she'd much rather not take the chance of letting anything bad happen to him, or her father.

"Marceline?"

Marceline cringed inwardly at her name, but mostly upon hearing the worry in Marshall's tone as he came to sit by her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her onto his lap and let her relax into him to calm down a bit.

"What happened?" he whispered, kissing the top of her head, not receiving any answer. "What's wrong? Did someone hurt you?"

"N-No."

"What is it then?"

Marceline breathed in shakily. "Marshall, I-We... We need to talk."

"Okay."

She got off his lap to sit across from him. She gazed longingly at his eyes, his unique and beautiful eyes which she'd grown to adore seeing. His face scrunched up a little in confusion, and she pursed her lips into a thin line, stringing the words in her next sentence which she would have no choice but to force out of her mouth.

"I... I think we should...break up."

The expression that crossed Marshall's face upon hearing those unexpected words was enough to break Marceline's heart. Thinking that this was some kind of a sick, twisted joke, he stood up abruptly.

"What?!"

She rose to her feet hesitantly. "Mars-"

"Is this a joke? 'Cause if it is, it's not funny!"

Marceline winced slightly at Marshall's outburst. "No, it's not. Marshall, I'm sorry, I... I have to break up with you."

It was then she saw that his eyes were glazed, beginning to water. Hot tears scalded her own eyes as she felt the guilt enshrouding her. She couldn't. She couldn't do this.

But she had to.

"I-I'm...breaking up with you." Marceline repeated, the words still bitter in her throat.

Marshall raked his fingers through his hair and stared at her in disbelief. "Why? Marcy, tell me why. Did I do something? I'm sorry, just please tell me why!"

He reached out for her but she grudgingly stepped back, unable to contain her tears anymore. She hated seeing him like this. She hated doing this to him.

"You didn't do anything."

"Then why are you doing this?!" Marshall questioned, stepping towards her so there's barely any space between them.

Marceline shook her head, wiping her eyes. He held her by her shoulders, demanding a reply from her.

"No, you have to answer! You can't just break up with me for no reason! That's bullshit!"

"I'm sorry, Marshall." she whispered, so much shame, guilt and sadness radiating through her.

"But..." Marshall lowered his voice. "But, I love you."

Marceline's eyes widen in response to his words. "N-No... Don't say that. Please don't say that."

She backed away from him and he looked absolutely abashed. It's not that she didn't love him back, it's just that she did. She loved him so much it hurt. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but she had to because she cared so much about him. She's hurting him because she loved him, and he was making this harder than it had to be for her.

"Why not? I love you, Marceline. I don't know for how long but dammit, I love you so much it's screwing with my head. I hate being away from you. I hate seeing you upset. I just wanna make you smile 'cause you make so happy, and I've never felt like this in a long time. You mean everything to me and I can't afford to lose you. Please." he pleaded, his head spinning.

Before Marceline could stop herself, she said those four words back to Marshall. "I love you too."

The corner of his lips began to move upwards, but she turned her head away, causing his smile to falter. She couldn't look him in the eye. This had to be done. "I love you too, but..."

"But what?" Marshall asked, searching her face for an answer.

"I'm so sorry, Marshall." Marceline apologized for the final time before wrapping her arms around her body and briskly walking away from him with her head bowed down.