A/N: Just wanted to thank those who have reviewed, followed, and favorited this story. The encouragement to keep this story going is greatly appreciated! More than you know!
Marco woke up the next morning struggling to keep his weary eyes open.
Another daily routine of school is in store for him, which means there is a great deal of demands for him to meet.
Sleep deprivation makes everything about the role of a high school student worse. But he didn't regret any feeling of it.
His first date with Jackie last night went well for him, despite having to rescue Star from her impending doom.
He mentally applauded himself for mustering the courage to express his feelings for Jackie, resulting in a profound advancement with her. Even though the talking Truth or Punishment cube gave him no other choice.
But it still felt a little wrong, how quickly they became a romantic couple with barely enough chemistry compared with Star.
Marco glanced down at his phone to see a "good morning" text from Jackie. He smiled, dismissing his previous thought. The cube basically did him a favor, as it is unnerving to express one's love for another without help. He knew not to take this newfound relationship for granted.
He became comfortable to hold real conversations with Jackie overnight, so getting to know her better shouldn't be a challenge.
Marco changed into his usual attire and began marching over to Star's room.
He quietly entered her room and walked over to her bedside. He chuckled at how she slept with her mouth agape.
"Star," he said in a low voice.
"Star, time to get ready for school. It's Fridayyy," he said in a more loud and cheerful tone.
Star yawned and slowly rubbed her eyes.
"Oh joy," she said, but her usual chipper and bubbly tone of voice was absent. Her tired eyes and sad facial expression also showed the exact opposite of joy.
Marco assumed she is still upset over losing Glossaryck and her spell book to Ludo.
"Hey, I'll help you get your spell book and Glossaryck back from Ludo this weekend. I promise," said Marco with a reassuring smile.
"I'd like that, thanks Marco," said Star with a shy smile, feeling slightly better.
After breakfast, Star and Marco walked to school for some time in silence before Star spoke up. She had to ask.
"So, how was your night out with Jackie?"
Marco quickly replied with a big smile. "It was the best! I mean the dance was a total disappointment, so we went on a date instead. Nowhere special, though. We even kissed three times on our first date!" Marco emphasized the last part in a softer tone, "three!"
"Wow Marco, I'm proud of you," Star said, but her words sounded hollow.
Marco frowned.
"Is there something else wrong?" Marco asked, completely oblivious.
"Well I-I didn't get a good look at Bon Bon last night. He was sucked into the black hole as soon as he appeared," she lied.
"That's too bad, sorry your night was a disaster."
He didn't know the half of it.
The school was in sight now. Star and Marco could also see other students chatting away in front of the school.
"Hey Star, I'm going to look for Jackie. Catch you later!"
"That's fine, I'll just hang out with Janna - wherever she is," Star said with a fake smile brighter than she actually felt.
When Star finally found Janna, she was fumbling with a random locker in a hallway. Star began to inch closer behind her.
"What'cha doing?"
"Whoaa! For a second, I thought you were a teacher," Janna said trying to get over her mini heart attack. "Anyway, this girl from detention borrowed my book on demonology two weeks ago. I still don't have it from her, so I'm taking it back."
Janna resumed to pick the lock. Eventually, she got the lock released and eagerly rummaged through the locker.
"Success!" Janna exclaimed as she happily pulled out the book.
"Hey do you wanna take a walk with me?" Star asked after a minute of silence.
"Where to?"
"I don't know, just . . . around."
Star and Janna ventured outside of the main building. They were talking for a while until Star suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar red hoodie.
Marco and Jackie were sitting on a bench laughing and conversing. It still hurt Star to see them so happy together. Her heart would completely break again if Janna hadn't been trying to snap her out of her gaze.
"Star? Did you hear me?"
"Huh?"
Janna sighed. "What's gotten into you, Star? Ever since last night you've been . . . well . . . distracted. Is this about Marco again?"
Star averted her attention to the happy couple once again.
"He seems really happy to spend time with Jackie," Star said, trying not to sound somber but failed.
At that moment, Janna picked up on what Star really meant. She felt like an idiot for not discovering the source of her distress sooner, when it was so blatantly obvious during the seance.
Janna laid a hand on Star's shoulder in a comforting way.
"Just give him time," Janna smirked, looking over at Marco. "He'll come around."
She sounded so absolutely certain. As if she saw far ahead into the future and knew Star and Marco will eventually become more than best friends.
"Thanks Janna," Star said with her first genuine smile in a long time.
"No problem."
A/N: I've made short bursts of progress on this chapter due to preparation for my college finals. Thanks for your patience! :3 I will try to update more frequently during my winter break.
Please remember to review!