"Marco…" Mr. Diaz said sternly.
Star's mind drifted back from the dream world.
She was in his arm, she felt safe, the sense of foreboding was gone.
Mr. Diaz is in her room and standing over her bed while Marco is holding her.
This was bad.
"Hey, Dad," Marco said cooly. "Star was having bad dreams. She's crawled in my bed at least twice last night, so I thought I'd stay here till she went back to bed. I must have dozed off."
Marco's always thinking on his feet. If her father walked in, She'd be terrified.
"Uh.. huh." Mr. Diaz said skeptically. Marco threw back the covers.
"See? Pants are on." Marco said as he yawned.
"Son, I know you are responsible, but as a parent… I have to ask." He said sheepishly.
"No… no." Marco chuckled. "I get it. If I were a dad, I'd be saying the same thing."
She felt him move to get out of bed. She didn't want him to leave, but she stayed perfectly still, feigning sleep.
"Breakfast is ready." Mr. Dias said.
"Alright, you should head down. You've never woken Star up… She can get a little wand happy if ya know what I mean.
"Oof… I get it. I'll get out of the blast radius." Mr. Diaz said with a chuckle.
She felt Marco sit next to her. Why wasn't he coming back to bed? They can skip school and stay here forever.
"Star…" Marco said sternly. "I know you're awake."
She held her breath and pretended to snore.
Just come back to bed.
"I don't know what's going on in your head. I'll be here and I'll listen when you're ready to talk." Marco said. His voice seemed to shake as he spoke. "I… last night… I think I get it."
Star smiled. Her back was turned so he couldn't see, but she felt happy. Of course, Marco would understand. She didn't even understand, but she could count on Marco too.
"You went out with Tom… it stirred up a lot of feelings. You tried to change them with me… and that… stirred up things for me." Marco said. "I… I don't regret last night. I loved holding you, but… but I'm with Jackie."
Star felt a rock fall into the pit of her stomach. What the hell was he saying?
"I hope we can call last night an error in judgment for the both of us. I know you didn't really mean any of it. As your friend, I get it. You needed me there, and I will be. I'll always be there. But, I love Jackie… and I think you have feelings for Tom, otherwise, you wouldn't be trying to forget him so much last night." Marco said. He stopped to wait for an answer.
Star remained motionless. If she spoke, she would say something bad. She felt her heart torn in half. Why didn't he understand! The way he held her, she's never felt anything like that!
"I'm going to get in the shower and get dressed," Marco said. She felt him lean over and give her a peck on the cheek. "Come down soon please."
When she heard her door close, she grabbed the pillow Marco slept on and hugged it to her chest as she sobbed into the pillow.
Why was Marco, the smartest person she knew so dumb?
OoOoO
"You sure about this Star?" Marco looked back and forth nervously.
"I'm positive. Jackie invited us and said to bring our friends." Star said and shoveled a hotdog in her mouth. "He'll be back any moment."
"Friends like Ferguson… not Tom!" Marco lamented.
Marco and Star had acted like nothing happened for over a week. He still felt weird when he looked at her, and she would smile and break eye contact after only a few seconds. He's sure they both regret that night and silently made an oath never to speak of it.
"Marco… you were right about him. He is making a great effort, and I think we need to show him that we can include him in our activities." Star said.
"Killer Kittens takes a point from the Dominating Diva's," The announcer said. Marco watched as Jackie elbowed a girl three times larger than she was and sped forward around the ring. This was his first time watching a Roller Derby and his stomach was in knots.
"Hey, Marco!" Tom said as he sat down next to Star. "Had trouble finding the restroom in this place… I swear some unholy architect designed this place… I love it!"
"Yeah… okay." Marco said. Star glared at him.
"Marco… why don't you explain to us the rules of this game?" Star asked and batted her eyes. Marco sighed.
"Okay. The girls skate around the ring. One girl is the leader and the others need to block the opposite team while the leads race around them. They score points for passing their opponents." Marco said.
"I see," Tom commented. He seemed to be taking a genuine interest in the sport.
Jackie shouted something and two of her teammates moved to the side and grabbed her arms, All three sped forward and the two larger girls slingshot Jackie ahead with a burst of speed. She crouched under a pair of grasping arms and scored a few more points.
"Your girlfriend's good," Tom commented. Marco smiled. Maybe Tom wasn't so bad.
"Tom, this reminds me of the arena games you took me too." Star giggled. "But with fewer weapons and bloodshed."
Star and Tom laughed at the shared experience. Marco glared out of the corner of his eye.
OoOoO
Star walked with Tom out of the Arena and onto the sidewalk. Marco wanted to meet up with Jackie after the game and go to dinner to celebrate her victory.
"Well, Mr. Tom," Star said with a grin. "Seems I'm able to take you out in public after all."
"Yeah… that was fun." Tom grinned. "Hey, after this why don't we go to my dimension? I… I can get a gondola and we can take a ride on the river Styx…"
"Woah…" Star spun in front of Tom and put both her hands out. He stared at her with a look of confusion. "Tom… we're friends. I'm trying to be friends with you. Don't take it to a weird place... Please?"
"I… I'm sorry Star," Tom said while rubbing the back of his head. Star swooned for just a moment. She hates how cute he can be. "It's just. You know how I feel about you."
"Yes. You've shown me many times… I really did not enjoy the living beating heart surrounded by chocolates last year." Star said.
"You're trying to be this new person… let me get to know him." She pleaded.
"I…" Tom started and sighed, his shoulders drooped. "You're right. I'm sorry."
"Now, let's take a leisurely stroll back to my house and I'll see if Mrs. Diaz can make us some chimichangas."
"What are those?" Tom asked.
"Only heaven wrapped in flour and deep-fried." Star grinned and pulled Tom next to her so they could walk back home. Tom looked over his shoulder.
"What?" Star asked.
"I just thought I saw something," Tom said and shrugged.
OoOoO
"Oh my god… and then Star shot out this blast of crystal cupcakes at Bearicorn's head!" Marco laughed. "The look on his face was priceless, especially since he tried to eat one! I mean, come on! It was hysterical. The dude broke a tooth!" Marco laughed. He was in tears over his story. Jackie took a bite of her hamburger and looked out the window.
"Hey, what's up Jackie?" Marco said, noticing her mood.
"We're out on a date… and all you can do is talk about Star." Jackie said.
"But… I thought you liked my stories." Marco said, sounding hurt. "You don't think…me and Star?"
"Star's cool, she's great and wonderful. I just… it's something that's been bothering me for a while." She said while she picked at her burger.
"Jackie… I've told you. You're the one I've longed for since we were kids. I…" Marco looked around to see if anyone was listening. "I showed you my plan."
Jackie giggled at the memory. Marco relented to Jackie's pestering one day when Star let slip about Marco's overly complicated plan of winning Jackie's heart.
"You are such a dork," Jackie said and shoved a French fry in his face. Marco took a bite.
"How about this? On dates, it's a Star free zone?" Marco asked. Jackie nodded.
"I'm really trying not to be that girl…" She said. "I get that she lives with you and that you guys are best friends. I have lots of guy friends, but often times they try to make a move on me once I'm single and it's just annoying."
She absentmindedly stirred her milkshake with her fry.
"I just… I dunno… worry." Jackie admitted. "Ya know? She's gorgeous and has magic powers, and you fight lots of monsters with her."
Marco's mind flashed to that night. He pushed it out of his mind and held Jackie's hand.
"I just want you to be my girl," Marco said tenderly. Jackie smiled and blushed. Marco thought he saw something reptilian outside the diner they were at, but it was gone when he looked. "So… why don't you recount your dramatic exploits of the Killer Kitten's victory?"
Jackie giggled and went into detail about the evening's match.
OoOoO
A small reptilian bipedal creature approached Toffee holding a cell phone that was almost as big as he was. Toffee looked about the dark ally, ensuring he was not being watched. Picking it up, he pressed a button. Space unicorn played.
Toffee grinned.
"Tell Ludo to start the attack." He said to the tiny creature. The reptilian monster saluted and scurried off. Ludo opened Marco's phone and opened the text messages. The bright glow of the screen reflected in Toffee's eyes as he read through his conversation history.
OoOoO
Tom finished his fourth plate of chimichanga. Mrs. Diaz giggled at his enthusiasm.
"Oh my god Star, you're right. I feel like I'm going to be exercised by how divine these are!" Tom said with his mouth full.
"The next batch will be done soon." Mrs. Diaz said with a giggle. "I hope you two had fun at Jackie's match!"
"I had lots of fun!" Tom said. "I think I'll bring roller derby to the underworld. I'm sure the denizens would love it."
Just as Star grabbed a napkin and wiped some sauce from his chin, the kitchen wall exploded.
Star and Tom instantly put up shields around Mrs. Diaz. Marco always nagged her to keep her wand off the table, but this… this is why you always keep your wand on the table!
"Get her and Mr. Diaz to my room NOW!" Star screamed and lept through the gaping hole into the fray.
OoOoO
Marco walked Jackie home and kissed her goodnight. As he moved to leave, she grabbed him and kissed him again.
He whistled a happy tune to himself as he approached his home. The smell of burning filled his nostrils. He sighed. Star must have caught something on fire again.
When he turned the corner, it was worse than he imagined.
The sidewalk pavement had exploded out, the asphalt of the road was torn up, his fence was destroyed, and there was a massive hole in his living room wall and he can see the kitchen bore a similar gaping hole.
Marco couldn't take the sheer amount of destruction in, all he could do was stare open-jawed.
Star and Tom were sitting on the front porch. Tom's hand wrapped around her and Star was holding her arm with an ice pack. It was red and blistered from her shoulder to her wrist. She was trying to take the pain, but she hiccupped as she breathed.
"Star!" Marco yelled and ran as fast as he could to her. "Star! What happened?"
"M… Marco…" She said. Her face lit up seeing him and she winced as she tried to sit up. "Where were you?"
"With Jackie… like I said." Marco said.
"We… tried to get a hold of you. I called, and texted… I sent messenger puppies." Star said and winced in pain. "Why weren't you here?"
"Ludo attacked. It was nothing like I've ever seen." Tom said dryly. "They were organized. They had tactics that looked almost military. We really could have used your help."
"At least you guys stopped them," Marco said as he looked at her arm. She winced as he turned it around to see how bad the blistering is. This had to be a 3rd-degree burn.
"We… didn't." Star said with an almost ashamed tone. "They attacked, and retreated after Tom…"
"We need to get you to the hospital!" Marco said. She and Tom shook their head no.
"Hospitals won't help her," Tom said he wouldn't meet Marco's gaze.
"Why not?" Marco demanded. The burn looked like it was getting worse. He can see it expand up her arm, slowly. It was an enchanted burn.
"I've already taken care of it. Once I get the salve from the underworld, she'll be good as new and able to fix this mess." Tom said.
"I don't understand," Marco said. He thought back to his notes unless Ludo recruited some fire monster… he didn't have anyone on his roster that can cast…
Tom averted his gaze from Marco's accusing glare.
"He didn't mean to," Star said, almost in a panic. "It was an accident."
"Tom..." Marco growled.
"He was attacking something and I got in the way," Star said with a shrug. "It happens."
"No! No, it doesn't happen! We've fought together for months and not once have you blasted me with your wand or had me slip a kick and hit you!" Marco yelled.
"Marco calm down," Star said. She tried to stand up but slumped back down. "He was attacking some wizard monster when someone threw me in the path of the fireball. He tried to move it, but it was too late."
"Maybe it wouldn't have happened if you were here to help us!" Tom snapped. "We both tried to get a hold of you!"
"Oh, I'm sure you really tried, Tom." Marco snapped back.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tom growled and stood up. Marco grabbed his shirt and readied his fist to pummel his smug face.
"I mean this whole thing smells like a setup!" Marco said. "You probably had some magic thing set up to block the texts to my phone and stop Star's messages from getting to me so you can play the hero! Then you wound Star 'accidentally' so you can fix her up!"
Tom's hair stood on end as his eyes glowed with blind fury.
"I don't like what you're insinuating," Tom said. Marco still had his fist ready to pummel him.
"You look rested, how about you try and fireball me," Marco said.
"Bring it on," Tom said and ignited two fireballs in his hand.
"Marco! Tom!" Star snapped.
"NO!" Marco shouted and shoved Tom away. He landed on his butt, and the fireballs extinguished themselves.
"No! I don't trust him! He says he's changing and then something like this happens? We've been handing Ludo his butt for months on our own. Why is he getting stronger? Probably teamed up with Tom here to add to his army."
"Marco…" Star growled.
"I'll even prove I didn't get any messages!" Marco said and shoved his hands into his hoodie to grab his phone.
His heart sank.
"I…" Marco stammered and checked his pockets. He spun around to see if he dropped it. "I know I brought it with me."
Mr. and Mrs. Diaz came out with bags of ice and pressed them to her arm. Marco's heart tugged seeing her whimper in pain.
"Marco… you left this in the kitchen." Mrs. Diaz said and handed him his phone with a glare. Marco stared dumbfounded at the phone.
"I know I brought it with me." Marco stuttered.
"I think you owe Tom an apology," Star said coldly.
Marco opened his messages and read the frantic texts to him from Star.
The ground cracked open and a chubby winged gargoyle flew to tom holding a clay pot with a cork stopper. Tom opened the pot and scooped out some clear salve. He rubbed it on her arm and blew on it. In moments, the burn was gone.
"Thank you, Tom," Star said and kissed him on the cheek. Tom blushed and rubbed his cheek. She held out her wand and cast her spell to fix the damage to the house. Everything smelled like cotton candy once the damage was fixed.
"Goodnight Star. I'll call you later." Tom said and snapped his fingers. The chariot pulled by the skeleton horse emerged from the already open crack. Tom got inside and the Diaz family watched him disappear into the underworld.
"Star…" Marco said and reached out for her. She turned away from him and stormed inside. "I know I brought my phone."
OoOoO
"What was the point in all that?" Ludo screeched. "We could have defeated them!."
"We could have, but at a loss of probably 1/4th of your troops." Toffee said with a smile.
"Who cares, they're expendable," Ludo remarked. Toffee glanced at the gathered troops who nursed their injuries. Most seemed upset over Ludo's offhand comment.
"We got Tom to burn Star." Toffee said with a grin. "That's what the point was."
"Oh, so what? She got a little burn." Ludo grumbled. "I thought separating that boy from her was the plan! He didn't show up. We should have the wand by now!"
"We will in time. Everything is going according to my design. There's dissension between them. We need to apply some more pressure to ensure the branch of friendship those two carries… snaps.