Since they had plenty of time to spare, Marco and Star took their sweet time getting to Marco's daily waiting spot for Jackie.

"So on earth, every couple of months, time shifts forwards and backwards?'

"Ha ha ha! Not exactly, Star." Marco rubbed the back of his neck. "Time doesn't move around on earth. We all just adjust our clocks as the seasons change, so we can spend more time in the sunlight. We call it 'Daylight Savings Time!'"

Star's eyes widened. "OoOoo! You guys are smart!" Marco just smiled at her. It was really nice having someone around that was absolutely amazed at anything you had to show her. So much energy. So much positivity. It was extremely contagious. "Maaarc-oooh? Hellooo?" Star sang, waving her hand in front of his face. "Hm…? What? I'm sorry. What's happening?" Marco stumbling out of his trance.

"Jackie's coming." She said, pointing behind him.

Show time! Marco swung into position. Hands in the pockets, back against the lockers, and one crossed leg. Perfect! He was ready. As Jackie passed him by, Marco made the first move. "Hi, Jackie!" Marco called with a wave. Jackie looked back and smiled. "Hey, Marco." She responded. Both of them stood in silence for a few seconds. "Alright, well, see ya, dude!" Jackie waved him goodbye and hopped back on her skateboard.

"Smooooth as buttah." The princess teased. Marco didn't respond, he didn't even look back at her. He's been like this all day. Marco felt a hand fall upon his shoulder. He jumped at the unexpected touch and turned to meet the source. It was Star, she looked really concerned. It actually made him a little uncomfortable. Since she'd been on earth, Star rarely made faces like this, especially around her bestie. "Are you okay, Marco? You don't seem like yourself." Her voice was slow and sincere.

"Who? Me? Are you kidding? I'm fine, Star!" He said with a dismissive hand gesture.

"Fine? Fine!? Uh-uh!" She snapped. Grabbing Marco by the sleeve, Star dragged him over to one of the nearby school benches, sat Marco down and took a seat next to him. "You can't fool me that easily, Diaz! You got something on your mind. Now spill it. What's up? What's bothering you? Let Dr. Butterfly K.F.C-"

"*P.H.D."

"-P.H.D. make you feel all better!"

Marco looked into his smiling friend's bright, blue eyes. The way she sat and smiled at him, eager to listen to all of his problems, he couldn't help but smile back. She was so considerate. So supportive. She really, truly car-"Marco. *whistle*" Star snapped her fingers a few times. "You're doing that thing again. You know? That thing where you stare blankly into nothingness? That thing that you just started doing today? That thing I'm supposed to be helping you with? Huh? Ringin' any bells?" Star shook her wand like a little bell. "Come on, Marco! Talk to me. Let me help my bestie."

Marco would have loved to tell Star what was bothering him… if he knew what it was.

"Is it about this morning?" Star asked. Marco's back stiffened like a board and his face turned bright red. "Awwwww, Marco. There's nothing to be embarrassed about." Star spoke softly like a caring mother, putting a comforting hand on his leg. "Everyone wets the bed every once and a while. You can't control it."

Without even thinking, Marco immediately jumped to his defense. "WHAT?! Wet the bed? I didn't wet the bed!"

Instant. Regret.

"Wait. Really?" Star said, cocking her head, "Then what was all that back at home?" Marco stiffened up hard, his face, somehow, managing to get even redder. Star didn't even notice Marco's reaction. She was too busy trying to logic out this morning's situation in her head. "OH! Is this one of those weird Earth things? Oooo! Marco, Tell me about it! Tell me tell me tell me!"

BBBRRINGGG!

"Ohp! thats the bell sorry I better get to class now see you later Star byyyye!" Marco blurted out before swiftly leaving the area. What was up with him?

The school day was normal. No field trips, no monster attacks, nothing. Class was uneventful. Way too uneventful! Normally, at times like these, she would turn to Marco for some entertainment, but, again, Marco didn't talk to her. Marco didn't even look at her. He just faced forward all day, stiff as a board. She didn't understand. What did she do to him?

The walk home was no different. Marco didn't say a word. How could he? Star wanted to know about his wet dreams, about puberty! He couldn't imagine going into detail about human sexuality with a girl so… innocent. He should just tell her 'no'. Just say humans don't like to talk about it. She'd understand. Of course she'd understand! Star was his best friend… Star was his best friend! They've always been so open and supportive of each other. They shared everything! Should he really be holding back information from his bestie?

When the two made it to the front yard, Marco mustered up all of his courage to finally face his bestie. What he saw was the usual, happy-go-lucky princess, with her head down and tears running down her face. The only sound she made was the occasional sniffle. Something in Marco snapped. Without even thinking, he wrapped his arms around her. Up to this point, Star had managed to somewhat keep her composure, but that tender embrace pushed her over the edge. She threw her arms around him and started to sob.

"I'm sorry." She choked out through the sobbing. "I'm sorry, Marco! I-I… I don't know what I d-did to make you angry, but I'm sorry!" her crying only got harder and louder. Marco just silently held her close to him, hoping it was some sort of consolation. Marco felt a few tears roll down his cheeks as well. Hearing a girl like Star cry like that, was too much for him to handle. The fact that this was all his fault in the first place, didn't help much either.

When Star's episode seemed to calm down substantially, Marco took her by the shoulders and held her out at arm's length to get a good look in her eyes. "Star. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just… what happened this morning… well, it's not something humans really like to talk about…" He paused, giving her a big smile. "…But if my bestie wants to know about it, I'd be willing to tell her anything."

With a sniffle, Star looked up at her bestie with moist, glimmering eyes and returned the smile, this time, pulling Marco into a hug.

Marco happily returned the embrace.

"I'm sorry, Star"

"Don't be."