High School AU (PG-13 Mari & Jake)

"But in seriousness, I think you have as good a chance as ever, you've worked bloody hard, managed to resist me in the lab because you're busy, but most of all you've achieved something. And I'm proud of you, whether you win or not, you'll always be the best science geek I know!"

Marilyn's smile lit up her eyes as he then proceeded to kiss her knuckles softly. "Thanks." she murmured, leaning down to capture his lips in a long, deep kiss, Feeling her worry, not disappear, but lessen in severity.

At least until two weeks later she and Jake were in the entrance hall to the Gala, the various experiments lining the walls. Her Supervisor Nichole waved at her as she looked around and Marilyn was about to head over as with Jake and her parents in tow as she was cut off by a very official looking man in a grey suit and even grey-er hair.

"You must be Miss Caldwell!" His deep voice boomed as he shook her Hand, "I'm Lloyd Bernstein, Phd." Then it clicked in Mari's mind and she smiled at the man who would help decide if she were to recieve the scholorship or not.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir. Allow me to introduce my Parents Alma and Raphael Montez," Her parents shook his Hand and smiled, "And my boyfriend Jake Newbury." she gestured to Jake, who was beside her.

"Well, I must say when the panel heard about you we were surprised, we don't often get Cheerleaders in here." He laughed and Marilyn forced herself not to scowl, keeping her smile frozen in place with a "Well here I am." and a small laugh.
"Indeed you are. Well, if your Family doesn't mind, I'd like to steal you away for a bit so you can explain your concept to me."

"Of course," Alma responded, gently hooking her arm into Jakes and smling at Marilyn, "We'll all go find our table. We'll see you soon, Marilyn."

And with that Marilyn found herself in front of her Experiment, pitching her initial idea and then explaining how they'd proceeded and what difficulties they'd faced. And while Dr.Bernstein was interested, he kept asking her questions about school, her social life and how she balanced two 'so different' interests, to which Marilyn simply deadpanned "I just do both." Thankfully her gruff exterior didn't seem to even Register with him as he continued to marvel at her 'strange combination' which was honestly starting to piss her off a bit, though she tried not to Show it.

Thankfully she was allowed to return to Jake soon as he had to talk to other contenstants and the official presentation would begin soon anyway where she'd be asked more questions and present their work to everyone.

"Oh my God that was a nightmare," she whispered, leaning up to give Jake a kiss, "Mingled, yet?"

"Nearly time for the presentation, right?"

"Mhm..." Mari nodded, leaning up for a kiss, "Oh God, tell me again that I can do this?" she whispered, looking up at him with wide eyes, as if the entire gravity of the situation was crashing down around her all of the sudden.

But the comfort was temporary it seemed, soon her name was called along with her team and their project title.
Swallowing hard the cheerleader gave Jake a kiss on the hand she'd been holding and walked up the stage, taking the microphone and staring into the crowd, quickly finding Jake again and unconsciously smiling.

"Thank you all for being here tonight, my team and I appreciate this opportunity." She began, walking to their project, "So we started out like most scientists do; accidently blowing something up." Laughter came from the Audience and Mari seemed calmer as she continued to explain every detail of the journey towards their final, successful result.

Finally it came to the interview and Marilyn took her place at the podium beside the other scholorship applicants.
"Miss Montez, we touched upon the subject earlier, your extra curriculars don't quite fit what we normally see. How is it a Cheerleader ended up a scientist?"

Marilyn stared back at the man, internally cursing him out, but externally simply raising an eyebrow and stating, "I wasn't aware the two were mutually exclusive." following up with, "I was always a scientist, and will always be a scientist. Waving pompoms lowers my capability as much as holding a geiger counter heightens it- it doesn't. I don't believe that we should orientate ourselves by clique stigma, instead simply support talent and interest wherever it's found."

The Man on the Panel frowned in confusion, but the woman beside him spoke up with a smile, "Quite right, Miss Montez. Next question, where do you see your career in science leading?"

"Well to be perfectly honest I wouldn't mind a Nobel Prize. I see myself going into research rather than lecturing, though I'm open to all possibilites."
To Marilyn the minutes felt like years, but finally after a few more questions she and her team were allowed to sit back down with the rest of applicants and their teams.

The dinner commenced, but Marilyn couldn't eat much, she was far too anxious, her Hand on Jake's thigh under the table, not doing anything, simply for the comfort of contact.

They'd be announcing the winner after dinner.

"That, was amazing!"

"Thank you." Marilyn whispered into his embrace, shaking slightly still from a mix of adrenaline and nerves. The young girl knew to be proud of what she'd accomplished, it hadn't been easy. But the only fear now was that perhaps her best hadn't been good enough. A fear that Jake helped waver, thankfully, as he attempted to distract her.

"You'll do fine, promise. Just think about your prize... from me."

Marilyn rolled her eyes and stole a kiss before whispering "Looking Forward to it." and then leaning back to her normal posture, hand still holding his as she thought about the man sitting next to her who had literally been through the entire process with her. From meeting her after the lab after the initial explosion; singed hair and an excited expression as she'd told him about the new development to laying next to her and calming her down when she got stuck along the way.

No matter what happened Mari knew that he'd still be there, like he always would. Not even different Universities in different states could get between them. Their relationship was solid and sound.

The moment of truth came when the head of the panel stepped up to the microphone and bade the applicants to come up to the stage to announce the recipent of the full scholorship to Yale and after a short but loving kiss from Jake Marilyn walked up with the others.

Raphael and Alma were holding each others hand, smiling nervously as the envelope was opened and on stage Marilyn thought that maybe she was going to be sick, as she forced her expression to stay neutral.

"The proud recipient of the Young Scientists of America Grant is...Marilyn Montez!"

Marilyn's eyes widened as a breath of relief and surprise left her lips, momentarilyn frozen as her body functioned on autopilot, shaking the panels hands and also the hands of the other applicants before being allowed back to her family. A crying Raphael Held her so tightly she thought that it would be terribly ironic to suffocate now and her Mother, whose eyes were red but not crying hugged her as well, kissing her forehead; both whispering how proud they were.

Finally released Mari ran into Jake's arms and gave him a long, loving kiss, much to the amusement of the room, who cheered.

"I'm so proud of you. You're amazing." The words rang in Marilyns ears with happiness and pride. That moment, exactly then, she experienced pure bliss and joy, nothing could compare to it, she was sure, incapable of any words except a whispered thank you and I love you were able to form.

The rest was a blur to her; a flurry of connections and business cards and handshakes along with offers and email addresses surrounded the girl, but all she could focus on was Jake and her success. Everything else just faded away. Finally she had reached her goal and for the first time she could take a breath and truly relax 100%.

And Jake had been true to his word, as she always trusted him to be, in regards to his own 'prize' for her. As they finally laid intertwined, on the brink between dream and awake, Marilyn knew she had never been happier and would never be happier with anyone else.

That next morning her parents had gone to visit relatives early to drive them back to celebrate Marilyn's success in the evening and Marilyn lazily awoke to see Jake watching her affectionately and she smiled.
"Do you always do that?" she mumbled, snuggling closer to him as she slowly woke up.

"Only when I'm with you."
Marilyn grinned, pressing flush up against him to give him a kiss for his sweet words. The young woman listened to his gentle teasing, finally fully opening her eyes, consciously taking in the sight laid out before her.

In all honestly, despite how vain or conceited he may have come across at first, Marilyn knew that Jake didn't quite grasp just how- there's no other word for it- gorgeous, he was. Mari could look at him forever and it wouldn't be enough. Softly she trailed her fingertips along his cheek, expression soft and open, full of affection.

"And... I'm making the most of it before you go off to Yale and become a hotshot."

"Pfft-"Mari laughed and kissed his shoulder before he nuzzled into her neck, "Hey...c'mere.." she whispered, pulling him up gently out of the crook of her neck, moving so she was leaning over him, her curls falling around them like a curtain. "What about me, hm? When you're a famous Football Player for the NFL?" she murmured softly, her lips ghosting against his before leaning in for a proper kiss. Just before their lips met she whispered, "Don't worry," then kissing him deeply only pausing to add, "I will always be yours."

"I'm not guaranteed to go pro."
"I know you will. And I'll cheer for your games, via internet." she assured him confidently, before snuggling into his embrace on top of him and relaxing, wishing that this would last forever.

But time moves on, quickly at that. And soon it was only three weeks left until Prom and Graduation was two day afterwards. Classes were fewer and relaxed, which was nice for everyone and most People were pretty excited about vacation.

So as Jake and Mari were stood at her locker, talking and kissing, Moira, one of the nicer Cheerleaders on the squad, approached them excitedly,

"You two are going to make such a great Prom King and Queen!"

Marilyn raised an eyebrow, "But...I wasn't running-"
"You were nominated! It's so cute, isn't Prom your anniversary? That's so romantic. I'm totally voting for you two!" Moira grinned, gave them a thumbs up and flounced off leaving Mari Feeling like she'd been hit by an extremely bubbly truck- as she always did after talking to Moira, bless her.

"I suppose we're running then, that puts me against..."
"Me." a familiar voice greeted her and Marilyn wondered if she was going to be able to kiss Jake again before their break was over or if she was just having a 'Let's all talk to Marilyn Day' today.

"Cat. Hey," Mari smiled, but it was a little strained, still annoyed by Catherines fixation with her boyfriend.

"Hey, Jake. Hope you don't mind me running for the title with him, Lynnie."

'Don't call me Lynnie' passed through Marilyn's mind as she was about to say that yes, she did mind, it was creepy, but before she could speak Catherine grinned "Awesome. See you there." and left them, leaving Marilyn again, feeling like she'd been hit by a second truck, but this one had less bounce and more bite.

Prom night had arrived much faster than anticipated and despite Cat being head Cheerleader, most of the squad had come up to support Mari, as had the chemistry department, who thought having one of their own as Prom queen would be pretty cool.

Marilyn pretty much just went along with the whole thing, preferring to let Helen crack jokes about it and simply continue with her day to day without that much of a Change. Sure she thanked People when they came up promising votes, but she didn't really set much stock in it in any aspect other than not wanting Cat to get her Hands on Jake, not because she didn't trust Jake, she did, always would. But it was more out of principle.


***

Then the night had arrived and Marilyn (x) had finished getting her hair straight just as Jake arrived and soon he'd been allowed in with a smile that grew when she saw he'd brought her favorite flower for a corsage.

"Thank you." Mari grinned right before her mom left, then when she was gone smirking, "We both look pretty sexy...you look so handsome." before kissing him back.

When he said he had something else for her she turned as he directed and the next thing she felt on her skin was a contrast between his warm hands and the cold of metal.

Opening her eyes she saw a beautiful locket, opening it gently to reveal the sweet words and picture within.
Marilyn was absolutely speechless at first, her heart surging with warm affection and love; happiness radiating from her like a small sun. It certainly felt like she had a metaphorical sun in her chest, just yearning to shine and light up their world. Nothing could have possibly meant more to her though, than the words that came next, accompanied by a kiss to her shoulder.

Softly closing the locket she turned around and pulled him close, putting herself between him and the wall and kissing him long and passionate, trying to convey the sheer joy and affection she felt before whispering, "I love it. I love you. Thank you, Jake..."

Then she pulled away briefly to pick up a book from where it'd been hiding behind books on her shelf and turned back to him with a small smile. "Happy One year, honey." she Held it out to him.

Upon closer inspection Jake would notice that the sleek, blank red cover opened to reveal a scrapbook of their relationship, Pictures from throughout the year chronologically with things like ticket stubs from a film they went to, or a strip of photobooth Pictures between normal pictures of them together, of Mari and Victoria working on Victoria's science project that Jake had taken. A Picture of Mari for the Cheerleader calender next to a Picture of Jake in Football gear for the yearbook taped next to each other on the front page with a few lightning bolts between them.

The photo on the next page was Jake in full gear picking Mari in her uniform up and kiss her, just minutes after winning a game. There was an empty photoslot that had 'Prom' written on it so they could put in Pictures of the night.
The last pages were blank, 'For our future...I Love You, Marilyn' she'd written in her neat scrawl.

"You might want to reapply... your..."

Marilyn laughed and moved to her mirror to carefully reapply her red lipstick, smirking all the while. "You might want to check your mouth, too, though I must say that colour suits you." She retorted smugly in reference to the fact that her lipstick was all over his lips now.

But she tried not to look too long, because it made him, rightly, look thoroughly kissed and she simply couldn't resist if she looked again.

So controlling herself she led Jake by the hand to take Pictures with her parents and of the couple. When Alma and Raphael were satisfied they pressed the keys into Marilyns hand and a kiss to her and Jakes cheek.

Then they were off, Marilyn driving depite Jake's muttering, shushing him with a kiss at a red light. Pulling into the parking lot soon, Holding Jakes hand as they entered the Auditorium together.

The pictures would turn out well, Marilyn was sure, especially the last two of them, those were certainly going to be added to the scrapbook with their prom tickets.

And with a stoic expression that would have made the ancient greeks proud Mari ignored the head Cheerleader when she came up, simply opting to focus on Jake, Mike and Helen, who was already, as usual, somewhat inebriated already. There was no way she was letting Catherine get in the way of their time together.

"Who are you putting your money on for the King and Queen?"

"Well, you and Hel of course." Marilyn retorted easily, smirking at the one finger salute she recieved from Helen for her joke.

"But of course, Jake's got the Prince Charming appearance going for him, so we'll find out soon enough." she shrugged, kissing Jake's cheek. As long as it wasn't Catherine Marilyn didn't care who won, though most People had said they'd vote for her and Jake, Marilyn mainly just wanted to spend time with her friends and boyfriend without Catherine trying to meddle.

Catherine and Mari had never gotten along very well, mainly because they simply had utterly different priorities and could never understand each other, and Marilyn wouldn't deny that winning just to get Catherine to leave her alone wouldn't be bad.

When Jake won Prom King Mari snapped a Picture of his surprise on her phone for Victoria and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before he accepted his crown, a grin on her face as she winked up at him on stage.

"And probably the biggest upset we've ever had in these votes, which could have gone to either girl... I'm being told it was a two vote margin to win... Marilyn Montez!"

...What? Marilyn's eyebrows raised as Helen gave her a shove towards the stage and she smiled as she joined Jake, letting Mike place the Tiara in her hair, honestly surprised she'd won, but knowing that it made sense that there'd been little difference in votes. She and Catherine were equally known around school. Speaking of Catherine, she was seen pouting in the crowd, but didn't look terribly put out, which was good.

Knowing pictures would be snapping for the yearbook Marilyn pulled Jake close for a long kiss, arms around his neck, smiling when it ended, and grateful for the overgloss Helen had given her so her lipstick wouldn't smear onto him or off of her lips.

The couple then moved to the dance floor to open the prom and 'Hungry Eyes' started playing as they slow-danced together, holding each others gaze the entire time. It was like there was nobody else in the room, Marilyn thought, as their lips closed the distance between them. Swaying together Jake spun her out just as it ended and dipped her gently, giving her one more kiss that was captured by cameras and phones.

"I don't think we could have asked for a better year."

"No, we really couldn't have." Marilyn agreed, letting her mind wander along all the things they'd accomplished separately and together. All the milestones they'd set and passed, from the day she'd drenched him with a water bottle to the night he'd say 'I love you' for the first time. Looking at him with a grin on her face as she thought of how far they'd come he brought her back to reality by proposing a toast to how much further they would go.


"To many more years ahead of us!" She agreed, toasting and drinking before stealing another kiss happily.

The evening went perfectly; full of laughter, pictures and quite some drinking, especially on Helens behalf, since she had spiked the punch. Ending with Jake and Mari somewhat tipsy in her bedroom, slowdancing together alone to her ipod at about four in the morning before they went to bed.

After a day of last minute stress the moment of truth had arrived; Graduation Day.
Marilyn (x in pink) stood behind Jake, rubbing his shoulders gently in his room; her parents had already gone ahead and would meet her at school.
"Jake...please try to relax...you're going to make Victoria nervous if you don't calm down a little."

"Scared."
That one word was enough for Marilyn to pull Jake close into her arms, one hand holding him close by his back and one on the back of his head as they embraced for a long moment before Victoria called them in her usual manner.

"Keep her safe with me."

"Always" she whispered back softly, after pressing back into the kiss. "And so will Mike. And Helen. We talked about this, she's going to be fine." The two had been informed the day before with Jake's consent and wish to help protect Victoria from any and every percieved threat.

In the car Marilyn held Jakes hand firmly, thumb stroking calming circles over his skin as she talked with Victoria about how lovely Victoria would look on her own graduation.
Mari was smiling pleasently on the outside, but internally she was worried. Not for Victoria as much as for Jake. Mari was quite confident that between the four of them no harm would befall the young girl. But she worried that Jake would work himself up enough to get himself hurt or worry Victoria.

It had dawned on Marilyn just as she sat down next to Jake, that as Valedictorian she had to open the ceremony and she gripped her speech tightly in her free hand.
"Breathe, honey..." she whispered.
She remained by his side as long as she could, Helen and Mike in the row behind them, keeping a close eye on anyone near them. Squeezing his hand and grinning as the principal announced her name Marilyn kissed him on the cheek before standing.

Marilyn, being valedictorian recieved her diploma first and thus had her walk-on music first, then holding her speech that she had practiced in front of Jake a million times, what she hadn't told him was her choice of music.

"And I present this years valedictoria...Marilyn Montez!"

Marilyn walked across the stage with a smile, recieving her diploma, her parents snapping a picture whilst cheering as she took up her spot on the podium.

"Well, we survived," she chuckled, beginning her speech. It was about ten minutes long, which felt like ten years to Marilyn, but she kept the crowd entertained, throwing in bits like "Even if you are on the right track, you wil get run over if you just sit there." and "Over time I've realised we have to have the courage to accept that we’re not perfect, nothing is, and no one is — and that’s OK. We're all kind of bumbling around, but we're doing it pretty well."

When it was over she was allowed to take a seat after the applause and took Jake's hand, giving him a quick kiss. "How was I?"