Jackie was skating down a street she had grown accustomed to. She was deep in thought. If she was even a little incompetent with a board, she might've fallen by now. Her thoughts were on Marco. He hasn't visited her in ten days and it was beginning to upset her. He texted her one day that Star left abruptly and now she hasn't been in contact for months. Marco said she also, most likely, took his dimension scissors because they weren't in the usual spot he leaves them. Even now, he's had no luck finding them. Jackie noticed Marco's mood gradually lower the longer Star's been gone. It was a truly painful sight.
As she continues down the street, Jackie spots the Diaz household and takes a deep breath, being nervous about seeing Marco. She brakes on her board and kicks it up to her hands. She pushes the doorbell and takes her helmet off. A few moments pass and Marco's mother, Angie, answers the door.
"Oh, Jackie.. Thank god.." She says with a gesture of relief.
"Hey, Angie!.." Jackie greets as chipper as she can. "Is.. Marco here?.."
"Yeah, maybe you can cheer him up. Come in.." Angie steps aside and let's Jackie enter. "He's been so depressed.. I can barely get him to eat." She informs, closing the door for her guest. "All he does is lay in bed.." The sadness she showed for her son made Jackie's heart skip a beat.
"Don't worry." Jackie smiled, trying to lighten things up. "He just needs some time and attention." She takes off her elbow and knee pads before setting them, her helmet, and board down near the entrance. "Can I head up there?"
"Yes, of course.." Angie leads her up the stairs, passing family photos and wall art. They travel down the hall and reach Marco's bedroom door. Angie smiles and gives Jackie a rub on the shoulder before leaving back downstairs. Jackie watches her leave before hesitantly reaching for the door knob. She enters as quietly as possible and closes it subtly. She saw Marco lying on his bed with his back facing the door. He was wearing his blue undershirt and sweat shorts. The curtains were closed so the little light from outside made the room especially dim.
"Mom, please, just leave me alone.." Marco said in a grim voice. Jackie cautiously approached him and placed her hand on his arm.
"Marco.." She called out softly. Marco turned to his head to her and his eyes widened.
"J-Jackie!" He sat up and stood up from his bed. "I didn't know you were.. you were coming.." He said, clearing his throat. He turns on a lamp to brighten the room and casually leans on the desk it sat on. "What's up?.." His smile looked so forced. Jackie noticed that before the tired bags under his eyes and his messy hair.
"I wanted to surprise you since it's been so long since we've seen each other." She said with a warm smile.
"Y-Yeah, sorry, haha.." Marco scratched the back of his head, trying to avoid eye contact with her. "I've just been really tired lately.." Jackie knew he was trying to avoid saying he'd been depressed for her sake. It was admirable, trying to save her feelings from being hurt, but it was unnecessary.
"It's not because of.. Star?" She asked with her hand near her chest.
"...Yeah.." His smile widened but his eyes grew darker. Jackie grabbed his hand and pulled him to sit with her on the bed.
"Come on.." They sat side to side as Jackie his held hand. "Now's the time you should be with your friends. Ferguson, Alfonso, Janna,.. me.." She rubbed his hand gently. "Star will come back."
"Mm.." This hopeless, empty response made Jackie lose some confidence but she had keep trying.
"Hey.." She holds his cheek with her hand and gets him to look at her. His fake smile was gone. Only his somber eyes remained. "I've missed you.." She tells him with a loving smile.
"... I've missed you too.." Marco smiles before Jackie leans in for their kiss. Their lips touch and they begin the romantic ritual they've done so many times. Their tongues begin to get involved and Jackie's left hand rubs Marco's leg. He wasn't moving yet. Perhaps he needed more attention? Her hand moved up to his groin and she started groping his genitals. Jackie used her right hand to escort Marco's hand to her breast. He squeezed and rubbed it like he used to for only a few moments before his hand fell to his side. Jackie felt his mouth lose the passion it showed as well before looking at him in confusion.
"..." She saw him looking away from her with a face of despair. "S-.. Sorry.." She said before facing away, moving her hair out of her eyes.
"I just.. can't stop thinking about her.." Marco said this softly but it cut Jackie's pride like a knife. "Why am I so broken up?!.." He grits his teeth as the frustration leaves his mouth. Jackie stands up and grabs his hand.
"C-Come on!.." She forces her smile as she looks into his eyes. "Let's go see a movie!" Marco's averted gaze and silence once again gave her the feeling of dread.
"...I'm sorry, Jackie.." He said solemnly. "I really wanna be alone.."
"Marco.." Jackie's eyes start to tear. "..please.." Her voice was on the verge of breaking as she gripped Marco's hand, hoping that he would budge but he wouldn't even look at her. Jackie held for a painful silence before her hand lost its will and let go of Marco. She stared at him, waiting for an answer but it never came. "Alright.." She said quietly and turned around, heading for the door. She put her hands on the door knob and turned back to Marco. "I'm here for you,.. 'kay?" Her smile was broken and she was trying her best not to burst into tears. "If there's something you wanna talk about.. or something you wanna say, tell me.." With that, she walks out and leaves Marco alone.
"Something I wanna say?.." Marco asked himself before tipping over onto his side on the bed. He closed his eyes, unwilling to try, unwilling to think, unwilling to feel.
...
...
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
...
...
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
...
...
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
Marco's eyes opened, disturbed by the increasing sounds. He growls as he sits up, groggy from his drowse. He was livid, wondering why he can't just be left alone. No, he doesn't want to go to the movies. No, he doesn't want Abuela to make him cookies. He just wants to be alone.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
Marco's anger pushes him to get up from his bed. He strides to his door to confront this nuisance. He yanks the door open to see Janna standing there with an angry stare. Her eyes were tracking his, they barely blinked.
"Oh, Janna.." He lets out with apparent annoyance. He avoids her eyes and fits his hands into the pockets of his shorts. "You're the last person I wanna see right now. I'm not in the mood for your childish games, alright?" Janna scowls at this but still makes sure to keep her gaze resilient. "So just leave.. You've got nothing to contribute." Janna's right hand balls up to a fist and flies at Marco's cheek. It hits him directly on the cheek bone and he stumbles back into the darkness of his room. "AGH! What the hell?!" He complains to Janna who walks into his room and flips on the light. Marco's eyes adjust to the brightness as his attacker approaches him slowly.
"..That was for Jackie." She told him with grit before launching another punch to his gut.
"GOH!..!.." Marco groans, feeling an ache on his diaphragm that he's only felt in karate practice. He falls to one knee and struggles to breath.
"That one was for Star." Janna hissed.
"Star?.." Marco looked up at her with sour expression, trying to recover from his pain. "What are you talking about?"
"In the past three months..", Janna began, "I've had both my best friends call me up crying about you."
"W-Wait-!.." Marco forced himself to rise from the ground and approach Janna. "You talked to Star?! When?!" He grabbed her shoulders in urgency but she quickly pushed him off her.
"A few days after she left!" She yelled. "You have no idea how much you've broken her!" She pointed at him with a convicting finger. "And here you are wallowing in your room like a pathetic weasel!" Marco felt a surge of remorse through his body.
"Y-You're saying it's my fault?!"
"You're definitely a big reason why she ran out!" Janna answered. "All of her frustrating feelings for you made her so depressed.. She would watch you go off with another girl she thought she couldn't compete with over and over with no fucking consideration for her feelings at all!"
"..." Marco's thoughts raced. Star had feelings for him? He had no idea. "Well, what was I supposed to do? Spend time with her over my girlfriend? Jackie would've gotten so upset if I spent all my time with another girl!" Marco still had to argue. He couldn't be wrong. He couldn't..
"Well, what have you been doing now?" Janna looked at him with wide eyes, her frustration building higher. "You're spending all your time thinking about another girl alone.." Marco was hit with a realization that made him feel like the most selfish person on Earth. His shoulders dropped along with his ego. He stepped away from Janna and took a seat on the bed. "I have no fucking clue what Jackie sees in you.." She said with a sigh before crossing her arms. "..but.." She added, "if you're half the guy she says you are, you should tell her how you feel about Star.." Marco looked at her in shock.
"...How I.." He thought before he spoke any more. He does love Star. He's never been so torn up about anyone being gone before. It would be wrong to stay with Jackie while being so in love with Star. He sighs in defeat. "You're right.. I should at least do this right.." Janna looked at his eyes and saw a resolve. The weakness he was letting fester in his heart was fading. She looked away and pulled a pair of scissors out of her jacket.
"Here.." She said, holding them up to his face. Marco stood up and looked at the scissors in awe.
"Are these.. dimension scissors?!" He asked her with great hope.
"Yeah.." Janna said with an embarrassed tone. "Heckapoo owes me a few favors.." Marco takes them and looks at them. One scissor was red, the other was yellow, and they were held together with heart-shaped turner.
"...Why?.." He asked softly. "I thought you hated me.."
"I don't hate you at all!" She corrected, now blushing noticeably as she kept her head turned away. "You're my friend too, man.. You're just stupid sometimes.." A big, teary-eyed smile grew on Marco's face before he attacked Janna with a tight bear-hug. "Gah! Hey!" She complained. "You trying to go for me now, or what?!" Marco let go with a laugh.
"Sorry, sorry!" He stepped back from her with a grateful smile on his face. "Thanks, Janna! You're the best!" He compliments.
"Yeah." She responds casually. "So.. what are you gonna do now?" She asks him with a hand on her hip. Marco's face turns serious and sets the scissors down on his desk. He takes a deep breath and picks up his phone.
"I'm gonna tell Jackie to meet at the pier in thirty minutes.." He says while tapping away on his device. Suddenly, an odor invades one of his senses. "...Mmmaybe in an hour actually.." He corrects.
"Yeah, dude, you really stink." Janna adds.
The sunset's light casts upon Echo Creek. Stretching out shadows as the day grows dimmer and dimmer. Marco traveled down a sidewalk that ran parallel to the ocean shore. He was now back on his feet, clean, and dressed in his usual attire. His mind was elsewhere, harboring on what is to be said for the upcoming encounter. He thought that he might have rushed things by calling Jackie out so suddenly but he also felt that this was something that had to be done as soon as possible. Like pulling a glass shard out of your skin, things would only be more painful if he let it adhere any longer. He looked up and saw that he was approaching his destination.
The pier was in view. It ran about thirteen meters toward the ocean and had a thick railing with large bulbs lined up to the end to light the way. At the end of the pier was a bench that overlooked the horizon. There sat a familiar skater girl, staring off toward the distance with her hair being blown by the sea breeze. She was so beautiful to Marco in that moment but he knew he was making right choice because even then, he wished she was Star.
"Jackie.." Marco greeted as he approached behind her. She turned, alarmed at the break of the silence she was in.
"Oh!.. Marco.." Her smile was warm but had an obvious hint of sadness. "..hey.." The beach waves around filled the air with a rolling sound that made them relax. It made it easy to pause for a while as they talked.
"..Jackie, I—"
"Wait.." She cuts him off, giving him a pleading look. "Can we.. sit for a little?" She looked away, knowing this may be asking for too much. Marco looked at her with a comforting smile before taking a seat next to her. They looked toward the horizon, relishing the scene. "Looks like you got yourself cleaned up." She said to him.
"Y—.. Yeah.." Marco rubbed the back of his head. "I looked pretty, uh,.. unkempt.." He chuckles. "...I'm sorry, Jackie.." He told her woefully. He heard her whimper before she turned her head away from him.
"It's okay! Heh!" She sniffles. Marco could tell she was wiping her eyes as she faced away. He's never made her cry before; it was sorrowing to see. "I know you're under a lot of pain right now.. It must be hard to control your emotions.."
"...What I've been feeling is nothing compared to what I've put you and Star through.." Marco informs filling Jackie with more melancholy.
"Do you.. love.. Star?" She struggles to ask.
"I do.." Marco answered. "I don't know when it happened.. but I do." Jackie's mood falls further into sadness. She knew what was coming.
"Did you ever love me?.." She asks with a building heartache.
"Of course, I did.." Marco tells her without hesitation. "I still do.." He looks away. "but that's exactly why I can't stay with you anymore. Staying together while I feel so strongly for Star is a terrible thing to do to you.. You deserve better.." Marco's words hurt Jackie so much but they were also comforting. These words came from a place of love not apathy, hatred, or frustration. They were genuine and that was all she could ask of him. A sad smile appears on her face and she leans into him to kiss him on the cheek.
"There's the guy I know.." She pecks him on his face before standing up and strapping her helmet on. She grabs her board from the side of the bench and looks at Marco. "We'll still be friends after this." She puts her hand out for a pinky swear. "Promise."
"...Promise." Marco joins his pinky with her's before they bob their hands up and down.
"Well.." She walks around the bench and tips her board onto its wheels. "See ya around.. dude.." Her smile fills Marco with shame, regret, and self-hatred but her eyes gave him hope, dignity, and comfort. Jackie steps onto her board and kicks off, away from her now ex-boyfriend. Marco watches her go, happy she can move on after three months. He wipes some tears from his eyes before staring off into the horizon once more. It wasn't over yet.
In the tranquil grasslands of Mewni, the quietness of nature is disrupted by a dimension portal. Through it, Marco emerges and looks at his surroundings before the portal seals. He sees the brush of land extend as far as the eyes can see in one direction. He turns the other way and sees the hill he was on was sloping down to a town with Butterfly Castle tucked safely in the center of it. He nodded his head and headed the mile to civilization.
He arrives to the entrance of the castle and is happily greeted by the two guards in front. It seems he was still a special guest here. As he entered and the scope of the intricate building became apparent, he realized Star has never even showed him her original room. It could take hours to find her. Marco looked back at one of the guards and approached him.
"Excuse me!" He said to him.
"Hm? Yes?" The guard had leather torso armor and a double-horned helm on his head. He had a large orange beard that made only his eyes noticeable.
"Do you know where I-"
"What?" He cuts Marco off.
"Do you know where I can-..!"
"What?!" Again.
"I'm trying to-!"
"He's hard of hearing, he won't hear you." The other guard butts in from the side of the doors. He had the same attire on but was clean shaven with bright blue eyes.
"What?!" The red-bearded guard shouts, making the other look at him with a blank stare.
"What can I help you with Master Marco?" The shaven guard asks.
"I... I wanna know where Star is.." Marco said after being side-winded so quickly.
"Ah! The princess!" He recalls. "She should be in her room. She rarely leaves!"
"Oh.. Alright!" Marco nods. "Where is her room?"
"I don't know. I'm not allowed above the second floor." He informs with a smile. Marco looks at him with a tired expression. He thought hard for a moment; where can he get directions? Then it hit him.
"Do you know where the dining room is?" He asks.
"Yes! Down that hall." He points behind Marco at large archway that led to a hall. "Seventh room on the left."
"O-..Okay!.." Marco stuttered, slightly shocked at the size. He ran into the hall and proceeded to his destination. There was a long carpet running throughout it with many small tables holding lamps and even decanters of water and wine. He counted a seventh room and entered in a hurry. The dining room was massive with a ten-meter-long table ridden with an abundance of food as the centerpiece. There was paintings of the royal family, tapestry, fine china, and many lit candle holders on the walls. A large fire place with weapons displayed over it, a rug of a large furry creature, and brilliant chandelier to look over the room.
"Marco, my boy!" A booming voice echoed behind the stacking food. A set of plump hands moves the stacks like a curtain opening to reveal King River. "Have you finally come to visit?!"
"River! Yes!" Marco knew he would find him here. He ran around the table and approached him. "Please, sir, can you tell me where Star is?!"
"Star?.. Erm.. Well, she should be up in her room.." River grabbed a glass of wine and rose it. "B-But won't you sit and dine with me for moment? You've just arrived, have you not?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I really have to see Star.." Marco apologized.
"..I-I see.. That may be difficult.." He rubbed his chin over his beard. "Star specifically told me she didn't want to speak to you if you arrived."
"Oh.. Did she?.." Marco looked down in shame.
"..Was there a fight?" River asked softly.
"Pretty much.." Marco lamented. "and I really have to apologize.." River looked him over for moment before smiling.
"Then go do just that." He said, causing Marco to look up in surprise. "Star's been so down lately but I'm sure you can bring her back up."
"Th-.. Thank you, sir!" Marco cheered.
"Take up nine stories and go to the left wing. Find the spiral staircase leading up and you'll find Star's part of the castle." He informed non-chalantly.
"N-Nine stories?!.." Marco shouted. "... Alright!" He ran off before River could stop him.
"... Perhaps I should have warned him that Tom is up there trying to woo her again.." He said to himself.
The ninth floor of the castle drew near as Marco toiled up the many flights. He reached the eighth and took a moment to catch his breath.
"*Huff*... *Huff*... Eight..." He said between his inhales. His mouth was dry and his legs ached but he didn't let that stop him. He stood up straight and continued up further. This final push got him to the ninth floor. The stairs ended with a large hallway that stretched on for about twenty meters. The open castle windows let the lowering sun cast an orange glow within. As Marco wiped the trickles of sweat from his forehead, he noticed Tom, the demon hybrid boy, leaning against the wall with the windows.
"Been a while, huh, Marco?.." His arms were crossed and his eyes were shut. He might have been waiting for a while.
"Tom.." Marco greeted, still trying to catch his breath. "What.. are you doing here?"
"What did you do to Star?" Tom uncrossed his arms and stood against Marco with an unfriendly demeanor. "You know, she's been depressed in her room for like, three months." Marco sighed, being understanding why he was being treated like a villain. He couldn't back down though.
"I mistreated her.. and I'm here to apologize." He told Tom with resolve. The horned boy looked out of the window and was able to see the entrance of the castle from there.
"I saw you run in here." He told Marco. "I've been waiting for you to finally get here so I can knock you around a little." His eyes were menacing. He was serious.
"...Fine.." Marco slowly approaches Tom. "I have to see Star, Tom. So if I have to go through you to do it, I will."
"Then show me." Tom smirked. "Show me how badly you want to see her. If you disappoint me, I'm throwing you out this window." He pointed towards an opening in the wall with his thumb. "Falling nine stories would probably get you more than a little bruised." The two approached each other with ready fists.
Marco thought about his odds of winning. They weren't in his favor. Just like Star, Tom is much stronger than the average human. Not only that, he has the ability to conjure fire magic. He can even summon demonic help if things get dicy for him. In a blinding speed, Tom ducks and lunges at his opponent. Before Marco could put his hands up to block, a sturdy fist uppercuts him on the chin, sending him flying.
"Ghh!" Marco moves through the air momentarily before slamming down on the floor. He struggles to get up and holds his jaw in a crouched position. Tom stands up straight and smiles widely before beckoning him with his hand. Marco chuckles at this and stands up. "Janna punches harder than you."
"Really?" Tom acknowledges. "Well, can she do this?" He clenches his fist tightly and it begins to be engulfed in flames. A ball of fire forms in his palm and he throws it as hard as can at Marco. He reacts on time and dives out of the way. "Nice dodge! How many more of those can you do?!" Tom repeats his action and Marco desperately moves out of the way of each one. His clothes begin to singe and he gets a few minor burns around his hands and face. "Come on, what are you doing?!" Tom shouts as he continues his assault. "Star always went on about you two fighting monsters all the time! Are you really the fighter she says you are?!" Marco rolls near a small round table holding flowers in a vase and takes a second to grab it and throw it at Tom. He blocks the vase with his arm and the water inside dowses his flames.
"Got you now!" Marco charges in as Tom is unable to conjure his fire. He begins to launch a combination of jabs and hooks at the demon, landing a fair amount on his face and torso. Tom is overwhelmed at his opponent's skill in karate and can only block so many attacks.
"Argh!" Tom lets out a grunt in frustration. "Back off!" His eyes glow and large flame erupts from his torso, launching Marco away. The human boy lands on his feet with his arms in front of his face but his clothes and exposed skin were getting burned more and more. Marco looks up from his defensive position and sees Tom's face distorted to look more demonic. As if his inner devil was taking over as his rage grew. "Guess you are worth the effort!" His foot stomps on the floor, leaving cracks full of embers and melted tile. "So I'm turning things up!"
Downstairs, Queen Moon approaches King River in the dining room. The castle was rumbling and jolting, causing her to panic slightly.
"River, do you feel that?" She asked him as she looked around. River drank from his wine glass and let out a satisfied exhale. "What in the world is that?"
"Marco came to visit Star." He answered before picking up a leg of meat. "He must have run into Tom." Moon looks at him in confusion.
"Marco? Tom?!" She questions. "Why wasn't I notified of this?! We must stop them!" She tries to walk off but River grabs her wrists and stops her.
"Oh, let the boys play. It'll be good for them!"
"But, River-..!"
"I've got you that new sweet wine you're so fond of!" He shows the bottle with a slight shake to tantalize her, causing her to sigh and sit with him.
Back upstairs, Tom was firing more magical flames at Marco. He was throwing, conjuring flame walls from the floor, and shooting fire from his mouth like a flamethrower. Marco couldn't close the distance without being burned alive and he was beginning to get exhausted.
"You're slowing down!" Tom teased. "Give up now and I won't char you to a corpse!" Marco stumbles and gets struck with a fire ball on his left arm. It burns through his clothes and reaches his skin, leaving some marks of ash. The impact makes him lean against the small round table that held the vase. "Does that burn?" Tom asks with a grin. "Well I bet it doesn't hurt as much as what Star has been feeling! So if you expect me to take it easy, you're dead!" Marco stood up with his hand on the table, trying to catch his breath in the process.
"I can't expect you to go easy.." He told Tom with a laugh. "I've been selfish enough!" He throws the table at Tom who burns it to cinders right before it could hit him. The table's ashes leave a black cloud that gradually disappeared.
"You expect me to fall for that again?" Tom questions, readying another attack. The black cloud disappears and to his surprise, Marco was no where to be seen. "What?!" Tom steps back in shock, passing by one of the many windows on his right. He sees something in his peripheral outside one. It was Marco hanging from the outside! He must have jumped out one of the windows after he threw the table and moved to a window further down from the outside! Tom tries to shoot flames from his mouth at him but it was too late. Marco swings in from the top sill of the window and smashes Tom in the gut with both his legs. The powerful blow sent a shock through Tom's diaphragm, causing him to lose his breath. He falls to the floor, struggling to breath. Marco enters the hallway and looks down at his friend with remorse.
"Sorry, Tom.." He says softly. Tom coughs between his hastened inhales.
"Damn!- *Cough* *Cough*.." He rolls over onto his knees, looking at the floor. "It feels like I'm gonna puke! *Cough*" His wheezes were making it hard to speak.
"Don't talk.. You'll make it worse." Marco informed. "Just keep breathing and sit up straight." He turned away from Tom, toward his destination. "Now.. I'm going!"
"Wait!" Tom commands with grit. He sits against the wall and looks at Marco with a tired look. "If she still hates you after this, I'll come after ya and really kick your ass." Marco exhales in amusement.
"I promise. I won't!" He runs off, leaving Tom to his own.
"..*Cough*.. Bastard kicks like a horse.." He says to himself.
It was almost time. After months, Marco was about to see Star again. His nerves shook as he ran up the spiral staircase. How would Star respond to seeing him again? No doubt she probably hates him, right? What if she never comes back to Earth? Marco kept weakening his hope with these kinds of questions but he couldn't help feel anxiety creep into his system. What he says to Star will most likely dictate what will happen to their relationship. One wrong sentence might sever the dwindling thread they had left. Marco looked down at his clothes and saw his ruined sweater. It was burnt all over so he decided to just rip it off, leaving only his blue shirt over his torso.
The staircase ends and Marco stops in his tracks. He's reached another wide hallway that had three doors on the right and several windows on the left with a beautiful view of Mewni. The sun was gone over the mountains in the distance, making the sky look purple in hue. Marco looked around and saw many stuffed animals around the floor and posters on the walls. The battle axes, spears, swords, and bows displayed contrasted with the feminine colors that coated the area. This whole section of the castle was Star's, it seemed. Marco took a deep breath and stepped into the hall. As soon as his foot hit the floor, the middle door opened. It was Star stepping out of the bathroom in Her nightgown. Her face looked haplessly out of sorts like she was deep in thought. What shocked Marco most was her hair. Her gorgeous blonde locks were gone for short hair that was about the length of his own. Star looked up and saw Marco standing dumbfounded.
It's been three months since they've seen each other and they were having trouble reacting. All they could do is stare; take in the atmosphere that has thickened the world around them. Star began to blush and her hands became shaky. Marco had trouble keeping his breath paced properly. Star took a step back from him.
"Star.." Marco's voice triggered Star to run away toward the end of the hall. "Wait!" Marco gave chase only to be blocked by Star entering the last door and shutting it behind her. "Star, please!.." Marco waited for an answer but was met only with silence. He nervously swallowed and thought of something to lighten the mood. "I-I like your hair.. You look good with it short." He complimented with the nicest voice he can make. "Uhm.. I feel like my legs got buffer just from the climb up here! Haha.."
"Leave, Marco." Star said with an uneasy tone. Marco froze, feeling pit in his chest. He hesitated but he decided to keep speaking. He couldn't let things end this way.
"Please, Star.. I just wanna talk." He tells her.
"You never wanna talk." She responds quickly.
"I know I've been neglectful to you!" Marco pleads. "But please, just let me talk.." Another silence from the other side of the door lingers for a moment.
"A minute.." Star says sternly. "You have a minute. After that, I'm gonna open this door, punch your stupid face, and have the guards kick you out of the castle." It was a threat but it gave Marco hope.
"A minute, got it!" Marco inhaled, preparing for his speech but nothing came out. His mind was blank. Five seconds later, he was jittering, getting more and more anxious.
"Helloooo?" Star called out impatiently. "You want me to just punch you now and get this over with?"
"I'm sorry! I just.." Marco apologizes. "I'm getting stage fright here.. The fact that I'm talking to you again is making me stress out." He laughs at himself and leans on the door with his palms. "I was such a mess before I came here.. I was just holed up in my room for weeks before Janna showed up a slapped me around. She gave me scissors to come see you."
"Frickin' Janna.." Star groaned making Marco giggle.
"She was fed up with me making her best friends cry.." Marco told her. "In just a short time, I made you, Jackie, and Janna hate me."
"Jackie?.." Star asked.
"Mhm.. When you didn't come back, I started to neglect her like I did with you." Marco lamented. "Pretty pathetic, huh?.." Star took in a short silence.
"..Yeah.."
"..It took me to lose what I had to understand what it meant to me.." He said. "I'm gonna say it bluntly, Star—I broke up with Jackie to be with you."
"What?!" She questioned aggressively. "Why?!"
"Because it's not right to be with someone when you're in love with someone else!"
"..Are you saying what I think you're saying?.." Star asked in an offended tone.
"Yes, Star! I'm in love with you!" Marco shouted proudly.
"No, you're not!" Star contradicted. "You're in love with Jackie! You always have been! I've had to watch you go gaga on her so many times!" Her voice was becoming more distressed. "Every time you kissed her, my chest hurt so bad!.." Marco took her words to heart, feeling worse the more she spoke. "...But I never spoke up about it because I knew you were with the girl of your dreams.. I was your best friend.. I could never get in the way of that.."
"I'm sorry that I've hurt you so much, Star.." Marco denounced. "I'm sorry I've ruined your days and nights with my horrible communication.. I doubt you'll want to but I don't want you to just be my best friend; I want something more with you!" A few moments passed without a sound from Star on the other side. Marco banged on the door with his fists. "Star, say something!" Immediately after those words left his mouth, the bedroom door flew open. Star pulled it and held it still. She was looking down with strained face, like she was struggling to hold something back. Her head tilted up and her eyes met with Marco's. The ferocity in them have him chills.
"Time's up." Star told him with a grim voice before cocking her arm back for a punch. Marco quickly caught on and grit his teeth with his eyes clenched shut. He was ready to take the hit. He's failed. He couldn't appease Star—..
... at least, that's what he thought. He felt Star's fists lightly tap his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw her gritting her teeth and crying. She was trembling and sniffling.
"Why?.." She asked with a broken voice. "Why can't I hit you after all this?!" She was looking down and the tears she shed hit the floor. Her fist was still making contact with Marco's face, trembling like it was forcing itself to be there. "God, I'm so stupid.." Marco took a moment before he rubbed the top of her head.
"I've thought of no one but you for the past three months, Star." He said softly. "If you want, we don't have to be together now. We can when things have relaxed a bit." Star dropped her fist to her side. "You don't even have to acknowledge my feelings for you. But I do want you to acknowledge one thing." Marco moves his hands down to her chin and gently tilts her head to look at him. Her eyes were teary and her mouth was quivering. "I want you to know that I won't be dating anyone until that person is you.." Star's mouth gradually forms a smile before she snickers and laughs in his before hugging him tightly. Marco blushes in embarrassment. "D-Don't laugh! I'm trying best to sound cool here.."
"You're such a dork!" She mocks him, laughing as she wipes her tears. She composes herself and steps away from Marco to hold his hands at arm-length. They look at each other with a reinforced bond. "I will acknowledge your feelings, dummy, but as for being in a relationship, mmmm.." She looks up with an exaggerated face in thought, making Marco chuckle nervously. "..I'll think about it.." She looks at him with a sultry stare.
"Re-.. Really?! Haha!" Marco jumps in joy, letting go of her hands and wiping his face in amazement. "That's so great!.. Thank you.." He feels his eyes begin to water. Star leans in and kisses his cheek.
"Now, go away!" She commanded him as she stepped back in her room. "I have to shower and fix my room up!"
"Wh-What?!" Star slams the door in Marco's face, leaving him dumbfounded.
"See you back home, Marco Diaz!" She yells out from inside the room.
"Wait! Can't we talk a little more?!" He got no answer and began to knock on the door. "Star, come on!"
"You there!" A guard in gaudy armor screams at him from the end of the hall near the spiral staircase. "The Princess has ordered for you to leave at once! Comply or face death!" Three other guards revealed themselves from the stairs, all brandishing spears and swords.
"A-A-Alright!" Marco rose his hands. "But can't I have a few more minutes-"
"Grab him!"
"AGH!" The guards rush him. They pick him up, each grabbing one of his limbs. They carry him away and down the stairs. Tom watches them pass by as he leans on a wall. He had a smile on as his arms were crossed.
"Geez.." He chuckles to himself. "Another point to Marco, I guess.."
A portal rips open on the ceiling of Marco's room. He falls through the dimensional tear and lands on his bed with a few bounces. His scissors fall through and land next to his face. The portal closes and he looks at his ceiling with half-satisfied face. The silence of his room surrounds his senses and he takes a second to finally relax.
"Guess it could've gone a lot worse." He said with a smile. He looks at the nightstand to his right and sees that he forgot his phone on it. Picking it up and examining it, he sees two notifications. "Janna?" He looks under that one and sees another. "...Jackie.."
Janna
If you mess up, you better skip town.
Jackie
Don't worry I won't let Janna hurt you.. that bad..
Marco smiles at this before sitting up. He looks at the time on his device; it was rather late. He decided it was time to sleep. Sitting up and walking to his dresser, he takes out his pajamas and changes. As he was about to finish buttoning up his blue shirt, he hears his phone vibrate repeatedly on the nightstand. He walks up to it and sees..
Incoming Call
Star
His eyes widened and a smile grew on his face. He took a deep breath before answering it and putting it up to his ear.
"Star.."
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Oh, my god, holy shit, it's over!
Did you like it? Was it everything you hoped or everything you didn't hope and you hate it now? Please complain to me in the reviews.
Either way, thanks so much for reading! ✌︎('ω'✌︎ )
I have a much bigger story in the works so if you're interested, keep an eye out..
Alright, I'm fucking off now.
Byyyyeeee!