Lips like licorice, tongue like candy (gumlee)

Chapter 10: The Mind May Deceive

Its been a hot minute

Bubba POV

A week. A whole week blanketed in silence. No matter how many times the scenes from that night repeated themselves throughout my head, none of it made sense. Marshall was taken from me in a matter of seconds and I couldn't do anything to stop it. If they really thought I believed the lie about him being involved with drugs then they were severely mistaken. After living with a mad scientist of a sister my entire life you learn a lot about those types of things. Withdrawal? Habits? Signs of dealing? None of that was present with my Marshy. Gah, I can't even think of that nickname without wanting to tear up now.

As I sat in my new desk at the back of my english classroom I sighed in discontent. Everyone around me was busy with the assignment we'd been given while I was moping. I thank glob Marshall can't see me right now. Flat, untamed hair? Baggy blue jeans and a faded grey sweatshirt? Ugh, gag me. I guess I really have fallen off the wagon over this whole ordeal. And for what? One guy that wasn't even my boyfriend? Times like these I was glad I lived by myself because Bonnie would never let me live down the shame. For globs sake I was wearing an old beaten up pair of sketchers.

"Bubba, see me after class."

Great, now my teacher wants to ruin my life too.

After 15 more painfully long minutes the final bell for school to end would ring. However, as everyone else dispersed, I'd trudge towards the front of the room with a blank expression on my face.

"Bubba I'm worried about you. You haven't given attention to any of the lessons this week and you got an F on your exam yesterday. Do I need to contact your parents and tell them about your sudden disinterest in my class?"

"No, sir. I've just been feeling under the weather is all. Next week I promise I'll do much better." I lied, knawing on my chapped bottom lip with impatience.

"Good, I expect to see you ready to learn come Monday then. You're dismissed."

A long, annoyed sigh escaped from my mouth as I stepped foot into the now empty hallways. Instinctively my body would drag me to my locker and I'd bang my head against the cold metal. Why am I so affected by this? When our relationship drowned in the deep end those years back I had never been affected like this. So why now?

Don't act like your feelings are the same as they were then, we both know you're wrapped around his little pinky now.

Shit. My conscience was right. I really was neck deep in this relationship now.

A feminine voice was what snapped me out of my thoughts then, one that was all too familiar. Marceline could be seen from the corner of my eye as she stepped out of the schools front doors, seeming to have just hung up a call. I hadn't seen her all week so how had she managed to miss my attention today?

With a new sense of determination I'd slam my hands against the lockers and push off. No way was she going to get away so easily. The only thing my body felt now was the harsh sting of cold air against my paled cheeks and the intense pounding of my tensed heart. I had to know the truth, I just had to!

"Woah there bro! Where are you running to in such a hurry?"

Of course Bonnibell would be in my way right now. She always was.

"None of your damn business, now move!"

Regret. Instant regret filled my heart as I saw the strike of pain in my loving sisters eyes. I know my words were cruel but my mind was glazed over in the desperation to find answers.

"No, that's not right, I'm sorry Bonnie. I didn't mean it like that I'm just... I'm just scared!" Hot tears ran down my face, blurring my vision. I didn't understand why my body was reacting so vulnerably suddenly.