Just Friends

It was right before bedtime when Star went into the bathroom, finishing the day with their choreographed best friend toothbrush dance. They were perfectly in sync with each other, as always, even spitting into the sink together. Star loved her moments like these with Marco, moments that showed a true and pure friendship.

As they wrapped up their hygienic lip-synced version of their second favorite song "Just Friends" Marco looked up at star.

"Oh Man, the only thing cooler than these Love Sentence singing toothbrushes is the fact you got us tickets to see them tomorrow!" Marco exclaimed.

"Duh, that's what friends are for! Plus, Love Sentence is our thing."

Marco wiped toothpaste suds off from around his mouth. "Aw, you would know. You're my best friend."

"Goodnight Marco!" Star smiled as the boy left the bathroom. "Sleep tight!"

As she went to bed that night she found she couldn't sleep, she was just too excited. She had finally scored tickets to a Love Sentence concert! Two of them for for her and her best bestie Marco.

Originally she had planned on surprising Marco by inviting Jackie, but when she called in to the radio show to claim her tickets she had won early that day, they apologized and explained that they gave the third ticket to the second caller.

If Star was being honest, she wasn't that bummed that Jackie wasn't going. It was finally going to be just her and Marco. It hadn't been that way in quite a while because even though they still traveled dimensions and fought monsters together, Marco's time-table was becoming more and more full with dates with Jackie. Star couldn't express her concern, though, without sounding to needy and clingy. Plus she wanted, more than anything in the world, for Marco to be happy, and now he was.

Finally, bored with just sitting in bed, she decided to call Marco. She hung her head off the side of her bed, swinging her feet in the air, as she waited for Marco to answer.

"Hello?" A voice came through the phone groggily. Star could hear the sleep in her best friend's voice.

"Marco! Are you awake?" She questioned, but she could tell from his voice that this call woke him up.

"Star, why are you calling? It's the middle of the night!" Marco exclaimed "Plus, we need a good night's rest to be one hundred percent focused on the concert tomorrow, Star?"

"Yes, Marco?" The blonde poked her friend on the back, making him gasp and pull the covers up to his neck.

"Star! You scared me nearly half to death." Marco's grip loosened on the covers. " Why are you in my room anyway?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would hang out with my bestie." Star bubbled.

Star couldn't help but take notice how cute Marco looked in his pajamas. She got and overwhelming urge to go under the covers and just snuggle up next to her best friend, that would probably put her to sleep right away. She shook her head, trying to clear it of the thought.

"Star it's late, you need to go to sleep. You don't want to accidentally fall asleep tomorrow and miss the concert do you?" Marco inquired.

"Yeah, no. I understand. It probably is best if I get out of your hair for both of our sake. I'm just so excited! Ya know?" Star looked over at Marco, suppressing the urge once again. Scared she might actually give in next time the thought came to mind, she practically cart-wheeled off the bed. "This going to be awesome! Now get them beauty sleeps." With that Star hastily left the room, letting Marco sleep peacefully for the rest of the night.

That morning Star woke up putting on her blue dress with red straps and her fur boots. She saw Marco sitting at the table eating the pairs favorite cereal, Captain Blanche's Sugar Seeds. She slowly sneaked up behind Marco.

"Marco! Get dressed!" Marco was so startled he nearly knocked his cereal into his lap.

"Wow, Star! I'm eating here." Marco said as he wiped up stray droplets of milk. "Besides, I am dressed. Red hoodie, jeans. That's pretty much dressed for me." He drawled.

Star turned around to face Marco, "Uh no you're not, because I made concert tees!" Star was beaming, her smiled reached from cheek to cheek. Star pulled out her wand, magically summoning the shirts in a burst of pink light.

The look of confusion on Marco's face was instantly replaced by a look of amazement.

"Oh Man! Love Sentence Concert tees!" Marco exclaimed as Star threw a shirt at his face.

"Hand crafted." Star proclaim as Marco raised the shirt to examine.

"Oh... Perfect." Marco deadpanned, looking at the shirts with disinterest.

Star chose not to respond to his comment, but that's not to say it didn't hurt. She spent a long time making the twin shirts, meticulously sketching cartoon versions of Marco and herself and a huge pile of discarded shirts deemed not good enough. These were her best two and it seemed Marco didn't like…. Her train of thought stopped as she looked over to Marco, seeing him struggling to put the shirt. At least he is wearing it, Star thought.

Star watched as Marco finally fit the shirt over his head. So yeah the shirts were a bit ugly and a little small, but at least Marco was wearing something Star made with her own two hands. That was all Star wanted.

"Okay," Star said enthusiastically. "Let's go catch the bus."

"Can't breathe." Marco wheezed out. Okay so maybe it was a no go on the matching concert tees.

"It's okay, Marco. You don't have to wear it." Star sympathized. She was only bummed for a little, until Marco took off the shirt and enveloped her in a hug.

"Thanks Star, for everything." He whispered. His embrace was warm and inviting, as always.

Star could feel a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Of course, what are friends for?"

The pair of friends headed out the door to catch the bus. Sure it wasn't the most stylish mode of transportation but the two had to work with what they had.

The bus ride consisted of a heated game of Love Sentence trivia, in which the pair argued over whether the band broke up before or after lunch. There was also a little catching up to do since Marco has been quite busy with Jackie.

"So…. You and Jackie. Are you two official?" Star vacillated.

"Not yet. I mean we have gone on a couple dates, but no we're not together. Hopefully in the future, though." Marco had a wistful look on his face.

"Yeah, maybe. Maybe." Star sighed. Marco was just so into Jackie, she didn't stand a chance. Of course not, Jackie was cool, beautiful, and Marco's crush since forever. Why would Marco ever think of Star in that way.

"Hey, what's wrong." Marco soothed.

Crap! Star thought. Think of something, anything!

"It's just, I know the bus isn't the coolest ride and I know that I could have magiced something a little better. I just thought, maybe, since you have been wanting me to do stuff the Earth way, I would try this." Star lied emphasizing her point with a pouty face.

"Oh, Star. It's okay, this…" Marco waved his hand around the bus. "This is perfect. Besides, this beats having to ride skateboards to a concert."

Star laughed. "Skateboards, why on Earth would we ride skateboards? You would probably end up hitting a family of ducks or something!"

"Yeah, and we would be all sweaty." Marco concurred. "Now that would be awful."

The two besties finally arrived at the concert, finding their seats just in time. On the overhead speakers and horn started to blare. Star was vaguely aware of someone telling the crowd to remain calm. All she could think about was how it was finally going to be just her and Marco. Suddenly the wall on stage broke, and the band emerged from the hole.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Such pageantry, I love it! I love it!" Marco screamed while waving his hands in the air. Star couldn't help but smile.

"Straight out of the Echo Creek penitentiary, I'm Justin Towers and this one goes out to everyone who's just friends." The concert has started. Star couldn't help but feel as though this song was written especially for her. Marco and her both gasped, turning to each other.

"Our second favorite song!" Both whispered in sync. During the intro Marco has started to dance, a little in his seat. You can do this. You have been working up the courage all day, now is the time! Star told herself. She took a deep breath then reached over and grabbed Marco's hand.

Marco's eyes widened. He looked over at her before smiling. The two bobbed their head in time with the music, both wearing matching smiles.

"It was no secret." Marco lip-synced.

Star followed, both alternating between lines. "The way that we feel."

"A love that's so pure."

"A love that's so real."

The song continued, the two besties mouthing words perfectly.

Leaning towards each other, Star and Marco lip-synced the next part together.

"And now we'll be just friends. We will be just friends. And now we'll just friends. Be juuuust friends."

"I didn't mean to hurt you." Star mouthed.

Marco continued. "You didn't have a clue."

"So you went out and got busy,"

"And found somebody new, new new."

As the song continued, Star looked around and saw everyone in the stands holding hands with their partner, and leaning in. Star then looked down to her own hands, which was holding Marco's. Slowly she glanced up to see Marco looking at their hands as well. A slight blush spread across her cheeks. Finally Marco met her gaze.

It's now or never Star. She told herself. She grabbed Marco's other hand, pulling him in close. She knew he didn't reciprocate her feelings, but she couldn't resist. Slowly she closed her eyes, and finally her lips met his. The kiss was warm and comforting. And even though it was one-sided, it felt like home. The pair pulled away, Star instantly dropping his hands, fully realizing what she had done.

"Marco, I'm… I'm so sorry." Tears welled in her eyes. She quickly turned away from Marco who was just staring at her slack-jawed. Star started to run off, when she felt a hand grab hers, spinning her around. She was suddenly face to face with Marco, merely inches between them.

Star could see a blush spread across Marco's cheeks. Without a word, Marco raised his hand wiping off the tears from her cheek. Using that same hand, Marco closed the distance between the two, pulling her head closer to his. It was magic, the way his lips connected with mine.

While the last kiss was warm and undoubtedly one-sided, this kiss felt like a million fireworks going off all at once. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. At first, it was a delicate butterfly of a kiss. Then an arm encircled her. He drew her to him, making it feel as though they were the only two people at the crowded concert. This close to Marco, Star could smell a faint scent of strawberry, Marco had used her shampoo again. She didn't know why that is what she was thinking about, but she couldn't get the smell out of her head.

She could feel Marco's hand on the back of her head, cradling her so gently, like he was afraid she might break. This kiss was everything she was waiting for, even if she didn't know that before. He was the half that made her whole.

The last thing she heard before the two pulled apart was a line from their favorite band's song. We spiraled high on a gust of love.

Author's Note: Let me know if you want more of this story, like what will happen to Marco and Star after they have kissed, or if it is best as a one-shot.