"Come on Marco! I don't wanna be late!" Star exclaimed, practically dragging her best friend Marco Diaz off the couch. They'd recently been invited to the end of the year party at Justin's house.

"Hold on Star, it's all right, it doesn't start for another 20 minutes, it's only a 10-minute drive to get there, and you don't want to be the first one there, you have to show up fashionably late," Marco told her," Marco told her. Besides, he needed the extra few minutes. AP classes are tough.

"What? Why?" Star asked. Marco just sighed, sometimes he forgot his best friend was an alien Princess from another dimension. Though she should know most of these things by now after two years.

"Because, well, it's just one of the things cool things do. You wanna be cool, don't you?" He answered.

"Oh Marco," Star just waved him off, "I'm already cool. Magical Princess, daily monster fights, remember? Now let's go, pleeeaaaassssseee Marco" she said, giving him the biggest puppy eyes she could. Marco just chuckled, she was just too cute for him to say no.

"Ok Star, if you want to, we'll go now," Star did a small victory fist-pump, and you could faintly hear her whisper 'Yes', "Just let me go get ready."

About 5 minutes later, Marco comes back downstairs, and after one quick bowl of Marco's, Super Awesome, Nachos! They're ready to go.

"Alright, let's ge- ah-aH-CHOO," Star giggles.

"Awe, you sneeze like a kitten!" Marco just shoots her a glare.

.o00o.

The muffled sound of music echoed the streets. "This must be the place," Marco said, parking the car in the street.

Upon entering the house, they met up with their group of friends, Jackie, Oskar, Tom, Zeke, Janna, and Sabrina. Marco noticed the red cups in their friends hands, and noticed the faint scent of alcohol among them. 'So, this is a high school party huh?' He thought.

Janna walked up to Star and Marco, and shoved two more cups into their hands, "Come on, drink up, it'll be fun," Marco was a bit hesitant until she continued, "what's the matter, safe kid?" It was then that he took a huge swig. To make matters worse, he liked it. It had a sweet, strawberry taste. Which meant Star liked it even more.

"Oh. My. GOD. Marco this stuff is amazing! We have to save some for your parents!" Exclaimed Star, but Marco quickly shut the idea down.

"Yeah, let's… not do that. They, um, probably won't like it. Let's just go enjoy the party." Star just shrugged.

"Hmph, their loss," and with that, the group separated, Star with the girls, and Marco with the guys.

Marco had a few more drinks and started to become more laid back. Tom eventually tapped his shoulder. "Dude, there's a game going on upstairs, was wondering if you're up for it."

"Hell yeah, wait, what game?"

"Seven minutes in Heaven," Tom answered. Marco gulped, the only kiss he'd ever had was 2 years ago when he was teaching Star how to ride a bike, and he kissed his bike tire. "You have kissed a girl before, right?" Tom asked.

"Pff, yeah, of course," chuckled Marco, nervously, "Too many to count."

Tom, unamused, decided to just go with it, "Well let's go then."

.o00o.

"Ok, you know the rules, no talking, and keep the lights off, okay? Go." Zeke stated, pushing Marco forward.

Marco took a deep breath before entering the dark, consumed closet, and quickly, the door behind him was shut. The other girl immediately tackled him down, and started kissing his neck. Light, but eager pecks. Marco was ready to take the lead. He turned, and held her close, he could feel her breath. She jumped forward and pressed her lips to his, letting her tongue explore, and looking for an entrance. Marco allowed this, and did some exploring of his own. She moaned, softly, and Marco couldn't help but find it adorable.

The stranger wrapped her legs around his, and the sheer force caused him to topple over, yet she continued, as did Marco. Marco brushed her long, silky hair. Hair this soft, and long, he'd only felt on one other person. Marco froze. His heart started to beat faster.

Before he could say speak a word, another voice from outside said, "Time's up!"

The doors opened. Light flowed in onto the two, and Marco could see clearly who the girl was.

"…St-Star?" Marco exclaimed in horror. Fear flooded through him. 'Oh shit, oh God, I just kissed my best friend! She's going to hate me!'

"Marco…" Star said lovingly, as if she were still in a trance from what they had just done. "I didn't know you were such an amazing kisser!" She squealed, wrapping the boy in a hug, "I should've tried this a while ago!" Wait. Backtrack. This is not the reaction he expected.

"Woah, woah, what? What do you mean?" Marco asked, still baffled by the situation.

"This was a set-up dingus," Janna responded, leaving poor Marco still full of questions.

"Marco, I've liked you for a long time now, and sorry I had to show it this way, but I didn't really think I would've had another chance to admit my feelings for you. Sorry about being so forward" Star said, with a bit of guilt, but still some optimism.

Marco just stared. He didn't know what exactly to think.

Star took this as a sign of defeat. The entire group looked disappointed. Star started to get up, ready to just leave, and regret everything, when a hand grabbed her wrist. "Wait."

"What you just did, was flat out crazy. The amount of time and effort you put into this, for me, I'm shocked. The truth is, I… I like you too." This was Star's cue to be shocked. "I didn't have the guts to say anything about it. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I knew from the moment I met you, my life would change, and it had, for the better. No other girl could understand me like you do. I love you, Star Butterfly."

The whole group just watched, mouths agape, as Marco pulled the princess in for a kiss. Marco could feel her heartbeat rising, against his chest. When their lips departed from one another. The group cheered.

"I love you too, Marco Diaz."