•Fionna•

"... so the polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of long chains of monosaccharides!" Gumball finishes as he gestures to the whiteboard behind him, which has a bunch of scientific mumbo-jumbo on it. "Fascinating, isn't it?"

"How about boring," Marshall says. "I hope you didn't call us here for a science lesson, Dr. Gumbutt, because if so, I'm out."

Gumball glares at Marshall. "I didn't want you here in the first place, you're only here because Fionna brought you. Honestly, what do all the girls see in you...?"

Marshall gets a smug look on his face. "Well, I'm handsome, talented, amazing, smart, hot, gorgeous, sexy--"

"You do know handsome, hot, gorgeous, and sexy are all different versions of the same thing, right?" Gumball asks, irritated. Then, he snorts. "And, since when are you smart?"

Marshall glares at him. "Well, at least I have girls interested in me! When's the last time that happened for you, Gummy?" he huffs.

"How dare you? I am Prince Bubba Gumball of the Candy Kingdom; all the ladies love me!" Gumball says.

"Um, you know what would be nice? For you two to both shut up and, Bubba, actually tell Fionna what you called her here for." I notice Bonnibel Bubblegum enter the room.

I immediately smile and hold out my arms. "Bonnibel!"

Bubblegum smiles at me and ran into my arms. "Fionna!" We hug tightly.

"Oh my glob, Bubblegum! I've missed you so much! I'm glad you're back safely from your journey to the Crystal Mountains," I say.

"Of course! I just needed to collect some test samples for Bubba and I's next experiment," Bubblegum says. "What have you been doing lately?"

"I would've come to see you earlier, but I've been busy battling various monsters and saving various kingdoms with Finn," I say.

Bubblegum nods. "Ah. So, how's Finn, Cake, and Jake? And Marceline... how's she doing?"

"Fine, they're all fine. How are you?"

"I'm good! In fact, I believe Bubba and I are on the verge of an amazing breakthrough!" Bubblegum says excitedly. It is always science experiments with Bubblegum and Gumball. They'll drone on and on for hours on end about what makes up a string of DNA or something else sciencey like that.

But, they're some of my best friends, so I put up with them anyway.

"That's awesome, but please don't explain! Because, if you do, I probably won't understand a word coming out of your mouth," I say.

Bubblegum giggles. "Okay, okay, I won't explain it!" she says. "Instead, I'll tell you why we asked you here."

"Why did you guys ask me here?" I ask.

"Because," Gumball says, "we wanted to personally invite you to Bonnibel and I's Birthday Ball."

My eyes widen. "Oh! That's right! You guys' birthday is coming up soon!" I had completely forgotten.

"Yes! The Birthday Ball will be taking place at the end of this week--our birthday! Also, you can bring a plus-one, anyone you'd like!" Bubblegum says.

I smiled. "Mathematical!" I say. "Thanks for inviting me, I'll totally be there!"

Marshall gives me a look.

Huh.

"Is that all you wanted me for?" I ask Bubblegum and Gumball.

"Yes, pretty much," Gumball says. Bubblegum nods along with him.

"Alright then, I better get back home. It was nice seeing you two. And thanks again for the invite!" I say before I turn to Marshall. "Okay, time to go."

"Finally. All this pink is giving me a monster headache..." Marshall opens his umbrella, the one he uses every time he goes out in the sun.

Let's just say, being a Vampire, he burns easily.

"See you around, PB," Marshall says. He looks at Gumball, "Gumbutt."

Gumball glares at him. "Marshall."

I elbow Marshall.

He just rolls his eyes before he begins to walk out.

And with that, we leave.

-----------------------

"Why'd you say yes?"

Marshall and I are trudging on home to the tree house.

"Why'd I say yes to what?"

"Why'd you say yes to their invite for their Birthday Ball?"

This time, I give Marshall a look. "Why wouldn't I?"

Marshall's facial expression basically says the answer to my question is obvious. "Because. If it's PB's ball, then that means it's Gumbutt's ball as well."

I snort. "Okay, that's it--what is your obsession with Gumball? Why do you care? It's not like he's some sort of threat to you, Marshall! He bakes for glob's sake!"

"He's... he's not a threat..." Marshall says.

Something in his tone tells me he is lying.

"Oh really? Then what about him fascinates you so much?"

Marshall stands there for a second, not answering my question before he nods his head in the direction of the tree house. "We better keep walking. It's getting late and they're gonna be wondering where we are." Then, he begins flying toward the tree house without so much as another word.

I stand my ground as I watch him go. I realize I'm not going to get anything out of him, so I jog to catch up with him, and we continue our way back without speaking.