Hoshi no Kirifuda
Episode 08 - Chapter 03

Disclaimer:
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this written work are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. These written works are not-for-profit, and are protected under Fair Use laws. I do not own these characters, all credit and rights belongs to Disney, Daron Nefcy, and Toei.

Content is only suitable for mature adults. May contain explicit language and adult themes.

Author's Notes:

Please keep the reviews coming, especially if it is constructive.

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Marco and Star had spent the entire night at the mall. Star had insisted on visiting every store. Their last stop for the night was Hot Topic. The mall was closing soon and Marco figured he'd be able to pull Star out of here more easily if this was the last stop. It wasn't like any of the other shops she'd already looked into. None of it were in anyway princessy. Unfortunately, Marco was very wrong.

"Marco! Who are these men and why do they all have perfect complexion?" Star pointed at a poster that featured five young men in orange prison jumpsuits.

The boy shyly looked around before answering the princess, "That's Love Sentence. They're a popular boy band here on Earth."

"I likey. Especially the one in the middle. Dark red hair and green eyes. I want them as part of my royal consorts. Bring them to me!"

Marco chuckled at the thought of Star in possession of a harem that consisted of the boy band. "No Star, that's not how any of this works."

"I can't take them home with me?"

"No. But.. let's get the next best thing."

Marco perused through the multiple tubes of posters that laid in front of them until he found just the one. It was also a Love Sentence poster, but unlike the one that was on display, this one was ripped right off the cover of their '16 to Life' album. It prominently featured Justin Towers wearing a baby blue striped shirt with a broken red heart in the middle. While the rest of the band were also in casual attire.

He handed Star the poster. "Here, we'll get this one. It's from my favorite album. I'm sure you'd like it too."

A voice spoke from behind the two teens, "Oh Diaz, you're a Love Sentence fan too?"

"I- I- I…" Marco turned around upon recognition of the voice, it was Jackie Lynn Thomas.

Star waved at the new addition. "Hi Jackie!"

"Hey Star, what are you two doing here?" Jackie politely waved back.

"Marco was just showing me the wonderful place you all call the mall. Did you know this place existed? It's like an architectural marvel…" Star's eyes beamed in marvel.

"Ch'yeah. The mall is a pretty cool place. You alright Diaz?"

Marco looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. He hadn't expected anyone to catch him in front of anything Love Sentence. And the last person he would expect it to be was Jackie.

Jackie nudged the babbling boy. "Earth to Marco. Just so you know the store is trying to close up. If you want that poster, you better hurry up."

Finally snapping out of his stupor, the trio went up to the counter to pay for the merchandise. During this time Marco was still trying to process in his head how to make this moment any less awkward and less humiliating. But as expected, he was successfully doing the opposite. He gave the cashier the wrong amount of payment and kept apologizing to the cashier who looked like she just wanted them out of the store to close up. When he was able to give exact change and pay for it, they all were pushed out of the store. In his hands was the rolled up poster.

The mall had started closing all of the shops. Only a few teenagers could be seen loitering around before security would come by and force everyone out. Marco quickly lead the girls out of the mall and towards his bike. It was a bit past ten o'clock at night and both he and Star had a bit of a bike ride before being able to make it home.

"That was so fun Marco. We should come here again!" Star exclaimed.

"Seems like you two had a fun day together," Jackie teased Marco. "And to think I was excited to see you, Marco."

"Ex- Excited? ME?" The boy started to babble again.

"Breathe Diaz."

"-Ahem- Why were you looking for me?" Marco asked as he began to unchain his bike.

Star squealed in the background as she danced with the poster Marco had just bought her.

Jackie mischievously grinned at the boy. "I wasn't looking for you. I just happen to find you. And I wanted to give you an answer to your question from yesterday."

Marco fiddled with the lock and dropped it onto the ground. "Uh… Right now?"

"Yeah, right now. I figured, why not? I was going to wait until Monday, but this seemed easier. The sooner the better right?"

The boy gulped in dread of what he was expecting to hear. "Okay… and?"

"I asked my dad and he said he was cool with it. Plus, it seems like my boss gave me that day off, so no work." She could see the hope that appeared in the boy's eyes. "Yes, I'll go to the homecoming dance with you."

Upon overhearing that, Star stopped in her tracks. Jackie pretended to not notice the other blonde.

"You, you will?" Marco felt like hyperventilating. He hadn't felt any happier in his entire life.

"Ch'yeah. It sounds like it could be fun, especially with you." Jackie winked at the boy.

Marco didn't know how to respond. He remained silent as words of joy left his vocabulary.

"Looks like cat's got your tongue. Heh. Well I have to get home soon before my dad throws a fit. So, I'll see you Monday." She gave him a hug before hopping on her skateboard. "Bye Star. Laters Diaz!"

The two stood there and watched the cool Californian girl disappear beneath the lights of the parking lot. An awkward silence developed between the two remaining teenagers. Neither had been expecting the news Jackie had just delivered.

Star finally broke the silence, "Uhm… what was that about?"

Marco hid his eyes from Star. He had been so busy with the Janna problem that he had forgotten to tell Star. "I… asked Jackie out to the Homecoming dance yesterday at school."

"That's the first time I've heard about this." Honestly she wasn't surprised. She had suspected something had occurred between the two at the end of the school day. However, not being surprised and not being disappointed were two different things. Star was honestly excited to participate in the Earth ball and she had hopes that Marco would be the one to take her.

"Yeah. Sorry." Marco got on his bike and gestured to Star to get on.

"Nah, don't be sorry. It's a good thing she said yes, right?" Star hid her pained heart behind a faux smile.

"I can ask her to see if you can tag along? We can just go all together as friends?"

Star piggybacked on the bike behind Marco, further hiding her face. "No. Don't do that. You've finally got a date with Jackie. It's not like I expected us to go together. You're not my only friend Marco Diaz."

As he was pedaling home, he tried to turn his head back to look at Star. However, the girl forced his head forward.

"Marco, you've got to pay attention. We don't want to crash into anything."

The two remained silent on their way home. The day had started terrible for Marco, and though he received the best news he could from his crush, he felt like he had paid a terrible price for it. The boy felt like he hadn't just let one friend down today, but two.

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Behind the clouds was a full moon. It shone brightly guiding two teenagers home. However unbeknownst to them, a pair of red eyes watched them from afar. They glistened with anticipation.