Anonymous

13

She hadn't bothered shopping for a new dress.

If she was being honest, she didn't see the point in dressing up as fancy as she could to go to a dance with her friends. School discos back at home never involved wearing pretty dresses, so Bonnie went with something casual but pretty that was already hanging in her closet.

Usually, dresses were her go-to outfit, but she couldn't wear them in winter. A school dance was a perfect excuse to get out one of her favourite pink ones. Makeup wasn't much of an issue either – she just did what she usually did and kept it fairly minimal. Simplicity was what she was going for.

She beamed when she heard the doorbell ring, and assumed it was one of her friends here to pick her up. She sprayed herself with her bubblegum perfume and then headed down the stairs, pausing midway when Marshall was stood in the hallway, making awkward conversation with Peter.

"Marshall?" Bonnie frowned, "I thought Jake was picking me up."

Marshall flashed her one of his lopsided grins. "Yeah, there was a change of plan. Jake's car was too full so my sister is dropping us off."

Bonnibel's expression soured. "Your sister?"

That was a great way to start her evening; an encounter with Marceline. Fabulous. No doubt there'd be some obnoxious comment about how her dress didn't fit her right or her glasses were awkward or something of that nature.

"Yeah. I never passed my driving test, so- uh, she's the one with the car." He let out an awkward laugh. "I'm going to try and pass my test again, though. Marceline isn't coming with us to the dance, if that's why you're looking so worried."

At least there was a little bit of good news. She'd only have to deal with Marceline for the ten minute drive to school. "Alright then. I can be civil for ten minutes."

He cringed. "You two didn't get off to such a good start, huh?"

"Not at all," Bonnibel let out a soft laugh and looked over to Peter, "What time should I be home for?"

"Ten at the latest," He squeezed her shoulder in a comforting manner, "Have fun. I'll wait up for you."

"Alright," Bonnie smiled at him and followed Marshall out of the door. Being outside kind of made her regret her decision to wear a dress, but she knew that she'd be fine once they were at school and inside. No doubt the gym would be cramped and far too hot.

She jumped backwards when Marshall put a hand on the small of her back, and smiled gratefully when he put a small amount of distance between them. Unexpected contact wasn't her thing.

(Contact with people she isn't close with wasn't her thing either.)

She followed Marshall to Marceline's car – he jumped in the front seat, and she resolved to sit in the back, as far away from Marceline as she could get.

Unfortunately, Marceline decided to talk to her.

(Well, more like talk about her.)

"I can't believe she's your date." Marceline didn't bother to keep her voice quiet. In fact, Bonnie could've sworn she was speaking louder than usual. "She's so...uptight. Not to mention prissy."

Bonnie rolled her eyes as Marshall replied. "Shut up, Marceline. Bonnibel's nice to people that aren't...well, you."

"I'm nice to everyone, Marshall," Bonnie corrected him, "as long as they're nice to me."

He laughed, "I don't see why anyone wouldn't be nice to you."

"I can think of a few reasons," Marceline muttered under her breath, but it was loud enough for Bonnie to catch it. That was probably on purpose.