Don't mind what happened in the last chapter, I'm sure everything is fine. Also, I put a Hitler joke in a SVTFOE story and only got a single comment about it!? And I thought I knew this audience. As before, Star (and Angie) is always italics.

Favs, reviews, and constructive feedback are all really helpful. Thanks!

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Chapter 2 - Totally Not The Dress

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Still sitting on the loveseat, Mama Star's youngest squints his eyes at his mother as he tries to figure out what details she is skipping over.

"Mom, you got in trouble with Grandma Butterfly and she grounded you for two weeks. So what did you and dad do?"

"Ah...does it really matter?"

"Yeah it matters."

"Why would it matter? It totally doesn't matter."

"..."

"..."

"Mom, was it drugs? Did you and dad do drugs?"

"NO! WE NEVER DID DRUGS! Your father doesn't even drink! Drugs? Why the corn would you think that?"

"Our health teacher said drugs are bad and two weeks is a long time. It had to be something really bad to make grandma that mad. Did you kill someone?"

"Seriously kid! W-we...ah...we ate a cake that we shouldn't have eaten. It was a cake that we were supposed to save until we got older...yeah...and I told your dad it was okay to eat it when I shouldn't have a-and I made a big mess, crumbs everywhere. Are you satisfied now?"

"Hmm...must have been a special cake."

"It was a -really- special cake."

"Did dad make the mess?"

"No, back then your dad was so good at eating...ANYWAY, do you want to hear the rest of the story or what!?"

The boy taps his chin as he tries to guess what she is hiding, maybe they got their hands on Grandpa River's special adult's only ale. "Yes please."

"Alright then..."

"Did you steal something?"

"I'm totally going to ignore you now. So back at Grandma & Grandpa Diaz's house..."

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Waiting

It's a beautiful Saturday evening in Echo Creek but instead of enjoying it Marco, who is wearing a perfect fitting black rented tuxedo, stares out the window while occasionally taking breaks to check the time on his watch. Prom is starting in the next few minutes and most of the high school seniors are already on their way to what will be the final dance of their high school careers. Although it is not his prom, he made sure to be ready early.

The front door slams shut and a recognizable set of boots run up the stairs. "Marco, you there?"

"In here!"

Star enters Marco's old room looking not at all prepared. "Today was a complete corn-storm but I'm here and...oh wow, you look nice. Like, abs-level nice."

"Thanks. I was getting worried about you. Shower's all ready. I was going to get your clothes out for tonight but I wasn't exactly sure what you're going to wear. Also, what happened?"

"I totally wanted you to come with me to the doctors BUT after what went on with my mom it was good that you missed it. Anyway, I forgot what time I needed to be back and my mom would NOT stop asking me questions about how college works, how much it costs, what I'll be learning, where you and I are going to be living, all sorts of life-planning stuff I wasn't ready to deal with. Based on my talk with her, I'm thinking dad is not going to like the idea of you and I living off-campus together."

"So the doctor's appointment, how did that go?"

Star began kicking off her boots as she got ready for her shower. "Fine. Arrgh...actually not fine. We had to reschedule. Mom came in with me and she looked at all my medical history questionnaire before I turned it in and...we'll talk about it later."

"Alright. Hey, your mom must still be happy about college right? Your parents should be super proud of you with all that work you put in to get accepted."

"Yeah well, she said she was but I'm not really sure what's going on in her head right now. Anyway, it was a really stressful day."

"Hey, I'm proud of you."

The young woman turned around and pointed to the zipper on the back of her around-town dress. Walking over, Marco pulled it down and then gave her a spin that ended in a long drawn out kiss.

"Mmmmmm..."
"Mmmmmm..." Pulling his head away slightly he could see that the sign of affection had the desired result, not only had his girlfriend melted slightly, she looked much more relaxed.

"...hey, why'd you stop? I have this spot on my neck that can really use some kissing too."

"I love you Star but it's your prom night and we're late."

"...prom...Prom! Shower! Oh, did a package show up for me today? It has my dress in it. I forgot to order it the other week so Pony said she was going to have it sent overnight."

"I saw a package for you but I didn't know it was your dress. That's really cutting it close. Maybe this is something else to use the calendar app for?"

"Yeah-yeah. I'll be ready in a few minutes. Don't open the box but leave it on the bed for me, it's a surprise."

After one more quick kiss Star rushes off to get cleaned up.

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Getting Dressed

Twenty minutes later the former princess returns to their sometimes shared bedroom with only a towel wrapped around her torso. While brushing out her hair she kicks over a stack of Teen Princess magazines that have been placed on top of her clean laundry pile. Once they are out of the way, the young woman pokes around with her foot as if she is looking for something important.

"This was so much quicker with magic. We aren't going to be too late are we?"

"We'll be late but we won't miss dinner. Do you need help with anything? If not, I'll go downstairs so you can get dressed."

"Marco, is this all I have for clean clothes? I don't see any underwear."

"Star, it was your week to do the laundry. Did you…"

"Corn! I forgot! I don't have any clean undies!"

"Weird question, do you really need any?"

"Yes! I'm wearing a dress dummy, I don't want to be dancing and accidentally give the senior class a show."

"You know, the weeks you're supposed to do the laundry would be another good thing to track in that app."

"Shh! I'll just wear yours. I know it's been awhile but do you have any of that Terdina underwear still kicking around?"

"No Star, I told you I'm done wearing girl's briefs after Tom cursed the old ones. I'm way too traumatized to even think about buying any more."

"How about those cute tighty boxers I got you, if you aren't already wearing them?"

"Hold on...ah...these?" Opening a drawer, Marco pulls out a pair of boxer-briefs that have been neatly folded into thirds.

"Yes! We'll just have to hope they don't leave a visible line under the dress, it's supposed to be a little more form-fitting then what I normally wear."

As Marco hands his girlfriend the pair of heart covered underwear she tosses the wet towel she was wearing over his head. "Star, my parents are home! I-I'll wait in the hall."

"I'll be right out Sir Dorko."

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The former knight parks himself at the top of the stairs making sure he is nearby in case his girlfriend needs any additional help. While sitting on the uppermost step his mom calls up to him from the first floor.

"Marco is everything alright up there? We're all ready for pictures." Angie held up her camera to emphasize the point.

"I think so, Star's just running a bit behind so we'll have to make the photo session quick. Maybe just..."

"NO-NO-NO! MARCO! THIS IS NOT THE DRESS!"

The young man let out a long sigh. "Sorry mom, we might need a few more minutes."

Angie just gave an understanding nod.

After opening the door an inch, the teen makes sure he doesn't see anything his parents might get upset about. "Star, I swear that's the box that was delivered today. Didn't you say last week that you were going to get the dress ahead of time so you could try it on before prom?"

"I say a lot of things Marco! Magic would have made this whole day so-so-so much easier!"

"Should we call Janna or Jackie and see if they have something you can borrow?"

"Seriously Marco? I could maybe make a Janna dress work...maybe. But a Jackie dress? You should know first hand that she and I have some differences! Arrgh! I don't even talk to Jackie that much anymore."

"Ah...Starfan? Hey, what about one of your other dresses?"

"I can't wear my everyday dresses to a prom and I lent all my fancy ones to that Mewni Heritage Museum exhibit. I-I'm going to wear this one. Just don't you DARE make fun of me for it, you understand?"

"Star, why would I ever make fun of you?"

"Come here, I need you to zip me and before you say it, yes I should have put all this dress stuff in your crappy planner app."

Slowly opening the door Marco's eyes become locked on a pure white wedding gown on which tiny white hearts have been embroidered. The sleeveless dress is the perfect mix of old Mewni elegance and modern Earth sophistication. Star, who is adjusting the front, turns around revealing a single long zipper running up the back and ending just below her wings. "Wow...Star...you-you look...wow. This is beyond amazing."

"Yeah-yeah. Just zip please. I was looking at dresses with Pony and she must have put this one in the cart instead of the pink one I picked for prom. At least it is not too form-fitting so I don't have to worry about a line showing."

"Is this...is this a wedding dress?"

"No-no-no-no, totally a PROM dress. Totally-totally prom. Pony and I were looking at prom dresses that look like wedding dresses too because that's what we do sometimes okay. No more questions! Just grab my shoes and I'll meet you downstairs once I finish my hair."

"Star, why were you looking at wedding dresses?"

"Marco! This is the kind of outfit besties look at sometimes okay, a-and Pony made a mistake! Now drop it, it's not like we were looking at prom vales or prom flower arrangements."

"Alright. It might not be a traditional prom dress but you do look amazing."

"Thanks. Hey, you look amazing too."

"Thanks."

"Do you think we have enough time for me to put my hair up?"

Taking his girlfriend's hands he gives her a wide smile and a quick kiss to her forehead. "Star, you look beautiful. Leave it down."

With that Marco grabs the shoes Star pointed to and runs downstairs to let his parents know that he and Star are NOT running off to get married that night even if her dress might say otherwise. After a dozen pictures and the placement of a rose corsage the young couple is finally riding Nachos to the Echo Creek Academy gymnasium. With her arms wrapped around her Marco, Star the Underestimated smiles knowing that despite having an awful day, prom is going to be awesome.

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This was the last setup chapter. It'll get a bit more exciting after this, I hope you stay for more. Stay tuned for 'Chapter 3 - Worst Prom Evah!'. Thanks! - Olin