"No, Fionna. This is the E-string. Both the thickest and thinnest strings are E," Marshall said. He was teaching us (mostly Fionna) how to play guitar.

"Wait wait wait, what's the note order again?"

Marshall sighed, "It goes, E A D G B E. Got it?" Fionna nodded her head. "Alright, now play an E chord." Fionna looked down at her guitar and placed her fingers on the right spots and strummed, creating an awful noise.

"Agh! Why can't I do this!? I hate guitar!" Fionna pouted.

"It's okay, Fionna. You can't be perfect at everything," I said, trying to comfort her.

"Yeah, maybe guitar just isn't for you. We can try something else Monday. Cool?" Marshall smiled and Fionna nodded. Marshall stood from his seat clapped his hands together. "Alright guys, we're done for today so do whatever the fuck you want. I gotta run to Petrikov's office for a bit so I'll see y'all later," he said before winking at me with a smile. "Put the guitars away!" He yelled as he jogged out the door. What a dummy.

I stood from my chair and stepped down the riser, setting the acoustic guitar on the rack with the others. I felt someone bump into me and turned to see Fionna smirking at me and doing that eyebrow wiggle thing. "What? What are you giving me that look for?"

"Oh don't think I didn't see that little wink he gave you," she said, doing the eyebrow thing again.

"Oh that? That was nothing," I blushed and looked away, fiddling with the guitars to seem like I was busy. She moved to face me again.

"Nothing, was it? I disagree. I think he likes you," she smiled widely. Well I would hope so.

"He does that to everyone, it doesn't mean I'm special," I waved, trying to play dumb.

"Nuh uh. I see the way he looks at you. He really likes you, Bubbs." I couldn't help but blush a little. He looks at me? "Look! You're even blushing! Ooo, you like him too, don't you!"

I couldn't help but blush more now that she was putting me on the spot. "N-no I don't," I stuttered. Fuck me.

"OMG too cute!! I can't believe you like Mar-!" I quickly covered her mouth with my palm before she could blurt it out to everyone. The class's attention turned to us for a moment before going back to whatever they were doing. I let out a puff of air and let go of Fionna.

"Fi, you can't just say that out loud! Clearly I don't want people to know!" I whisper-yelled, glaring at the blonde.

"Sorry, Gumball... Wait. So you do like him??"

I sighed and paused for a moment. "Yes, Fi. I like Marshall Lee." Instantly, she let out a loud squeal. I tried shushing her but her fangirling was too powerful. Everyone's attention turned to us again as Fionna continued jumping around excitedly. I was too busy cringing to notice Flame walking over.

"What are you flipping out about now, Fi?" He asked. She calmed down a bit before lightly smacking his arm repeatedly in an animated fashion, grinning like a maniac.

"Flame! Oh my glob! Guess what!?" She exclaimed.

"Fionna!" I yelled, glaring at her accusingly. Did she not just hear me say I didn't want everyone to know? Ugh, why doesn't she ever learn.

"Oh, it's alright, Gumball. I already know about the whole thing. And don't worry, you're secret's safe with me," Flame smirked.

"Wait, what!?" Fionna and I said at the same time.

"How'd you find out?" Fionna asked before I could.

"Marsh told me," he replied nonchalantly. He told him? I thought we agreed to keep this a secret! Then again, I did tell Fionna I liked him... But that's different. I didn't tell her about the date.

"Ooo! He knows! Are you guys gonna be a thing now!?" Fionna exclaimed, probably attracting everyone else's attention. Before I could lie to her, the bell rang, interrupting us. "We'll talk about this later! Bye, Gumball!" She ran away, pulling Flame out the door with her. Cake and the rest followed them out as well.

Now it was just me in the music room. I sighed and rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. I can't believe that Fionna would say such things in front of everyone! And that Marshall Lee told Flame our secret! Ugh, why is my life so stressful? I shook my head and slung my bag over my shoulders, exiting the music room and wandering around the halls until I reached the main exit.

The air outside was warm and dry, not a single breeze blowing through the wind. Very calm. I liked it. I inhaled a deep breath of the calm air, smelling scents of flowers and grass nearby, and began my hike home.

This was just what I needed, a nice calm walk to clear my head. I couldn't help but fume about the whole Fionna thing, though. I love her but, glob, she can be annoying sometimes. Thinking about her just made my headache worsen.

I'd only walked a few blocks from the school when I heard the rumbling of a motorcycle and a familiar voice call out my name. I stopped and turned around to see Marshall Lee approaching me. Ugh, what does he want?

"Looks like you need a ride, hop on!" He yelled over the motor, coming to a stop next to me.

"I only have a few more blocks to go, I think I'm good. Thanks, though," I replied and continued walking. I was too annoyed to deal with him right now.

"Wha-? Really? You don't wanna ride on my super cool bike?" Marshall asked in disbelief. "With me, for that matter?"

"Nah," I simply said with a shrug, not turning around. Marshall rode up next to me again, riding the same speed I was walking.

"What's up with you? I thought you loved my bike. Are you mad at me or something?"

I sighed through my nose and stopped walking, turning to face Marshall again. "I'm not mad. But I am very annoyed at the moment, and you are not helping. I have a headache and your stupid motorcycle is making it worse. Please, I do not need a ride from you, just leave me alone for right now," I said stoically. Marshall just stared at me for a moment before glancing at the street ahead of him.

His attention turned back to me as he said with a sigh, "well, alright then. I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Sorry I'm annoying you," he mumbled morosely and drove away. I sighed again. I need to stop being so harsh to him, he's just trying to be a good person. I should call him later and apologize. But right now I need to get home and take a nap.

                              >>>>><<<<<

"Barney, hey. How are you?" Marshall answered.

"Hi, Marsh. I'm fine, better now. How about you?"

"Good, good. Great, now that I get to hear your voice," I could hear the smile in his tone. "Listen, Bubs, I'm sorry about annoying you earlier-"

"No-no, I wanna apologize for behaving so harshly towards you. I was just tired and annoyed. You didn't do anything wrong," I interrupted, switching the phone to my other ear.

"I'm still sorry. What was bothering you then?"

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling, and let out a sigh, "just, Fionna. After you left she kept bombarding me with questions about you. She just wouldn't shut up about you and I. All I said was that I had feelings for you and she flipped out, making all eyes go on us. She even had the nerve to try and tell Flame right after I had told her I didn't want people knowing! Like, seriously!?" I ranted.

"What she did was shitty, yes, but this is Fionna we're talking about. What do you expect?"

"Ugh, I don't know, her to listen for once in her life! She doesn't take the time to realize that what she does effects the people around her! She can be so dumb sometimes!"

"Barnaby. She's your best friend, you shouldn't talk about her like that. That's not cool," Marshall said calmly.

"Oh my glob," I sighed. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that, I swear. Please don't tell her I said that! She'd hate me!" I can't believe such mean words came out of my mouth, about my best friend!

"She wouldn't hate you, Barns. And I won't tell her, promise."

"Glob... Thanks. What is with me lately? I've been so on edge or something..." I rubbed my face with my free hand.

"Stressed maybe? Tired?"

"Both most likely. I don't know, I should probably go. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright, get some sleep. I'll pick you up at one, I have the whole day planned! It'll be fun!"

I laughed and responded with "okay".

"It was good talking to you, thanks for callin. I'll see ya."

"You too, marsh. Bye." I smiled.

"I miss you already!" He laughed, "Bye, Bubby." He hung up first and left me grinning stupidly at my phone. What a dork.

"Miss you too." And with that, I went to bed.

>>>>><<<<<

Whaddup whaddup?? It's been like over a month since I updated, oopsies! This is just a filler chapter, next one will be the date, promise!

Good news, school is finally out which means I have a ton more free time to update more! It's lit.

Thanks to whoever has stuck around and kept reading my sucky story. It means so much! ❤️

See ya in the next chapter! 😘