The final bell wrung, thus indicating the end of the school day. The halls quickly flooded with students eager to go home for the weekend.
Star and Marco were the last to leave the classroom. As they walked towards the exit of the building, they talked about random things. Even deciding what to watch for their traditional Friday movie night.
It was simple conversations like these that Star yearned to have with Marco all day. Just silly and fun stuff.
But with Marco wanting to be with Jackie most of the day, it was impossible for Star to even have a moment alone with him.
And this was a rare moment.
But Star didn't feel jealous of Jackie anymore. Her newly-gained confidence from Janna suppressed that feeling. One remarkable thing about Janna is that she has a way of getting what she wants, even if it means invading personal belongings at times. If Janna says she knows how, then she really knew and that's why Star heavily took her words for advice.
"Hi Star," said a familiar voice from behind.
Star turned around to face none other than Jackie. That usual friendly and chill smile plastered on her face also made it easy for Star to respond with her over-the-top enthusiasm.
That's the Star Butterfly everyone knows and loves, as opposed to her previous phase of depression.
"Hey girl, what's up?"
"Just wanted to see what you've been up to. I know I haven't said a word to you all day, I'm sorry," Jackie said with a sincere apologetic tone.
"It's fine, totally fine! I mean you and Marco are a couple and all, just doing couple things."
As the two girls carried on with their conversation, Marco tuned them out.
He felt somewhat uncomfortable when hearing someone else other than him use the word "couple" as a label for him and Jackie. Lately, his relationship with Jackie became a heavy burden on his conscience.
It was only the second day of their relationship, and they had done a lot more kissing. Marco was doing most of it while Jackie was on the receiving end. He enjoyed it more than he should have.
Marco looked at Jackie in a way he hadn't before. He often caught himself staring a little too long, admiring her curvaceous body and dimensions from top to bottom.
He had constant erotic thoughts of her at such a premature stage of their relationship.
It was unhealthy.
It was wrong.
He felt dirty and ashamed of himself.
At this point, there is no use in denying that he is merely in love with her appearance rather than her personality. Which is equally just as beautiful, but largely under appreciated.
He felt a strong urge to distance himself from Jackie before these lustful thoughts spiral out of control. He wanted to go back to being just friends.
But he doesn't want to emotionally devastate her, either. He must find the right words to explain himself.
He would think of that later.
Marco looked at Star when she mentioned his name.
"See you at home," she said as she skipped away. "Bye Jackie!" Star exclaimed as she happily waved Marco and Jackie off, leaving them by themselves.
"So, wanna go to the skate park this weekend? We'll try harder not to bite it like last time," Jackie said playfully.
"You know I would want to, but I'm actually going to help Star take Glossaryck and her book of spells from Ludo this weekend. I promise we'll find some other time," Marco said while looking at her sheepishly, hoping Jackie would understand.
"It's cool, Marco, I get it. She needs you more than I." There wasn't a spec of sadness or disappointment in her voice. "I'd rather you and Star protect the universe from a power-hungry monster," Jackie said with a warm smile.
She then embraced Marco in a hug, which led to saying their goodbyes. It truly felt better than a kiss.
He had a feeling this simple gesture was Jackie's way of saying she had enough of the kissing for one day. He didn't blame her.
Star already traveled a considerable distance in the meantime. She stopped when she could hear feet pounding against the concrete from behind her.
Star smiled when she turned around to see Marco running to catch up to her.
"I couldn't just . . . let you walk home by yourself," Marco panted once he came to a rough stop.
Star's cheeks slightly turned a shade of pink. Although Marco didn't mean it in that way.
"Aw, Marco! Hugs!"
Star firmly wrapped her arms around Marco, almost squeezing him. It was the first time in a long while since they shared a hug.
However, Marco couldn't remember Star's hugs feeling so electrifying, so warm. When Star released her grip on Marco's sides, he almost ached for her touch again.
She felt the same.
After a while, Star and Marco finally arrived at the front door of their home. They entered the house to find it completely silent and still. Marco's parents weren't home to greet them.
Star set her backpack down in the living room and plopped on the couch. Marco set his down and headed for the kitchen.
"You want the usual, Star?"
"If you mean nachos, then YASS!"
Star sat on the couch waiting for some time in anticipation for the movie to start and some nachos to snack on. Suddenly, Star heard a loud ear-piercing scream of pain coming from the kitchen.
She quickly got up from the couch and raced over to Marco.
"Marco! What's wrong?"
"I accidentally burned my finger," Marco said as he winced in pain.
Marco allowed Star to analyze the barely visible white spot on his right index finger.
She could always refer to her wand for quick healing, but she didn't want to put Marco at risk of another tentacle arm incident.
"Star, is there any way you could magically fix this? I mean without any accidents like last time?"
She knew exactly what sort of magic she could use.
Star didn't say anything as she inched a little closer to Marco. She took Marco's hand and brought his burned finger to her lips.
Star gently kissed the area of his finger where it hurt. She had no idea where she got the courage to do it.
Marco didn't move.
Star could feel the increasing warmth in her face.
She could see Marco was blushing madly, too.
He felt a sort of zing that he never felt about Jackie's kisses. He was too deep in the moment that he forgot about the painful sting on his finger.
Like magic.
A/N: So so sorry for the long wait on this chapter! But the ending was worth it, right? :D I think one more chapter should wrap this story up.