Author's Note: Mentions of rape, self harm, suicide, and sex are in this chapter.

Star's POV

"Oh yes", Marco's mom said, "My son is quite the power house isn't he?"

"Are you kidding me!? The guy is stronger than guys twice his size! Has he been taking steroids? And if he has, can I have some?", Janna asked.

At the mention of "steroids", Marco's mother's eyes went wide and Jackie elbowed Janna in the stomach. "What are steroids?", I asked.

"Steroids are something weak people use to feel tough", Marco's mother said, "Luckily, Marco has never used steroids, but it does seem like he uses them considering the fact that he has never even lifted a weight before."

"So, it's just natural born strength?", Jackie asked.

"In a way, yes", Marco's mother said, "He must get his odd strength from his father, but his fighting skills must come from his karate training."

"Marco knows karate?", Jackie asked.

"Yes, he took karate classes for a eight years, but he had to quit following an unfortunate event that happened at the school", Misses Diaz said. At the mention of the "unfortunate event", she seemed to be a bit uncomfortable.

"What exactly was the 'unfortunate event' ma'am?", I asked.

Marco's mother cringed at the question. Whatever this unfortunate event was, it must've been really bad. I actually feel bad about asking that question. "Marco was very good at karate",Mrs. Diaz said, "He was the best fighter in the whole class and he could beat anyone you put in front of him."

So karate is a form of fighting in this world? This place continues to get weirder by the day. "Marco was so good that his sensei recommended him for a tournament that would decide the best fighter in the state.", Mrs. Diaz continued, "He agreed to join and he made it all the way to the finals."

"Damn", Janna said completely fascinated by what she was hearing, "Did he win?"

"Technically, yes.", Mrs. Diaz said, "but not in the way he wanted. You see, Marco was too good at fighting. He could guess his opponents move before they even did it, and even if he was wrong he could counter every move. That combined with his fierce kicks and punches that could cause anyone to be knocked unconscious made it nearly impossible for him to be beaten."

She paused as if she was debating whether or not to continue with her story and then continued, "During the final fight, he was fighting a boy who wouldn't quit. Marco was kicking the poor boy's butt, but he was so determined to win. Let me give you some advice, when someone with a lot of anger like Marco is beating down on you, give up because you won't win. Marco is fueled by anger and if his opponent continues to get up, he will beat him into submission."

"Jesus Christ", I heard Jackie mumbled.

"So, when the boy got up one to many times, Marco snapped and beat the boy into a coma.", Mrs. Diaz said. She said the last part very fast as if she was ripping off a bleedo (Mewni version of a band aid). Jackie and Janna's jaws dropped at the mention of the 'coma', but I wasn't quite sure what that was.

"What's a coma?", I asked.

"A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness for a prolonged or indefinite period of time.", Jackie explained, "A person can be in a coma for days, weeks, months, and even years."

"Holy shit", I said finally understanding the seriousness of that situation.

"The boy was in a coma for about five days", Mrs. Diaz said, "I'm surprised his family didn't sui our asses off."

"Did Marco ever apologize for what he did?", I asked.

"Of course, but an 'I'm sorry' wouldn't be able to wake up that child", Mrs. Diaz said, "As punishment for going overboard, Marco was kicked out of his Karate class and he is now banned from competing in any karate class in the state."

"But it was accident!", I said outraged at Marco's severally harsh punishment, "He just wanted to win! I know he knocked a person unconscious, but he didn't mean it!"

Mrs. Diaz sighed, "Star, Marco is a dangerous person because he doesn't know his own strength. He could've killed that boy if he wanted to. As much as this pains me to say, if Marco can't control himself, then it's probably best if he can't compete in any tournaments."

"But...", I said. I didn't have anything to say because I knew she was right. It was probably the best for Marco and any potential opponent of his that he stopped doing karate.

"How did Marco react when you told him that he couldn't do karate anymore?", Janna asked.

"He was extremely angry. He punched a hole in the wall and locked himself in his room and cried for hours. It always hurts me when I hear him cry.", Mrs. Diaz said. It's extremely bizarre for me to picture Marco, the strongest guy I've ever met, crying in his room.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but who's that girl?", Jackie asked.

Everyone looked at her and she pointed to a picture that was sitting on Mrs. Diaz desk. It was a picture of a young Marco holding hands with a young girl who was wearing a red shirt, a pretty light blue dress and cow boy boots. They were covered in mud for some reason. What surprised me though, was the fact that Marco was smiling. This was the first time I had ever seen him smile, and he looked like he was legitimately happy

Mrs. Diaz smiled as she went over to the picture and picked it up. She looked at it with her smile still on her face then finally turned to Jackie, "This girl is Marco's cousin Jamie."

"Marco looks really happy there", I said smiling, "Were they really close?"

"Like you wouldn't believe", Mrs. Diaz said, "The bond those two had went beyond family. Those two were in love. Legitimately in love."

I'm assuming that being in love with your cousin isn't a normal thing in this universe because Jackie and Janna's jaw dropped once again when Mrs. Diaz said that.

"He...was...in love with his cousin?", Janna asked, "Damn...that must've made Christmas dinner really awkward."

"Good god Janna", Jackie mumbled, her face was still red after learning about Marco's odd love interest.

"Keep in mind that these two were only eight at this point in time. I'm sure that if they still kept in touch, they would've stopped that foolishness.", Mrs. Diaz said still smiling at the memories, "Still, it was still adorable seeing those two engage in their little romance."

"How did you react to the two being in love?", Jackie asked.

"Well, we didn't really think much of it, they were just young kids. We knew that it wasn't actually going to last so we just let them have their fun", Mrs. Diaz, "It was cute. Watching them eat lunch together, play together, and tell each other stories. It's been years since then and I haven't seen Marco smile as much as when he was with Jamie."

I started to become jealous of this "Jamie" girl. How come I can't make Marco smile? What was this girl's secret? What was she doing to make Marco smile?

"So, how did they...break up?", Jackie asked.

The smile on Mrs. Diaz face disappeared, "Well...that's something you're gonna have to ask Marco yourself. I don't wanna relive what happened.", she said. What on earth does she mean by that? What happened between those two? By the looks of Janna and Jackie's faces, I could tell that they were curious as well.

"Has Marco always wanted to be alone?", Janna asked.

"No. He was once a happy go lucky boy who wanted to be friends everyone he met. He was any absolute joy to be around and he could make anyone's day with his peppy aditude.", Mrs. Diaz said.

"So why is he so emo now?", Janna asked.

"Emo?", me and Mrs. Diaz asked.

Janna pondered for a second and thought of a better way to phrase her question and said, "Why is Marco so deflated now? He barely shows any emotion."

Mrs. Diaz nodded understanding what she meant, "Marco's transition into the boy he is today is a long and painful story to tell, but I think I ca-" Marco's mother was cut off by the sound of her bedroom door opening. Marco entered the room looking like he just woke up from his nap.

"Hello sleepyhead", his mother greeted him, "Did you enjoy your little nap?" Me and the girls giggled at his mother's baby talk which made Marco blush from embarrassment.

"You don't need to talk to me like a baby mom...but yes I enjoyed my name", Marco said making us laugh. He looked sharply at us and said, "Mom, what are you telling them?"

Mrs. Diaz patted her son on the shoulder and said, "You worry too much son. I'm not embarrassing you in front of your pretty friends."

Marco's gaze finally left us and he turned his attention to the the picture of him and Jamie. He walked over to the photograph and picked it up. He studied it carefully and squinted at the picture as if he was confused.

"Mom, who is this girl I'm holding hands with?", he asked.

All the girls in the room looked at each other awkwardly. No one knew how to respond to his question. He looked up from the photograph and to his mother, "Mom? Did you hear me?"

His mother focused her attention back on him and hesitantly said, "That's your cousin Jamie, sweetie. Don't you remember her?"

Marco turned his attention back to the framed photograph and stared at it for a few seconds. He turned back to his mother and said, "No. I don't remember her." He put the picture back down on the bed and gave the three of us one last look before kissing his mother on the cheek and leaving the room.

Once he left the room an eerie silence in the room. You could almost feel the awkward.

"There's no way he actually doesn't remember", Mrs. Diaz whispered, "He spent three years trying to get over her for Christ sake."

"Three years!", I said in disbelief, "How serious was this relationship exactly?"

"Seriously, did these two think they were destined to be together or something?", Jackie asked.

Mrs. Diaz sighed, "It's a long story girls. If you really wanna hear it, you better get comfortable. And just so you know, what happens in this story had a major impact on why Marco is the way he is today."

That statement immediately grabbed our intrest. We each grabbed one of the comfy pillows she had on her bed and got comfy. This was gonna be good.

Marco's POV

As soon as I closed the door to my parents bedroom, I sat down on the ground and started to think. I lied to my mother. I recognized that girl. It was the girl from my dream. The crazy girl that said she wanted to "fuck" me. I knew I recognized her from somewhere. She was my cousin. Why the hell am I dreaming about a cousin I don't even remember? God dammit this doesn't make sense! Why does nothing in my life make sense!?

"Marco?"

I turned around and saw Hope and Leah standing on the top of the stairs giving me awkward looks. Hope's hair was in a mess and both were blushing furiously.

"We're sorry about what happened down there", Hope said.

I stared at them silently for a brief moment before I turned to Leah and said, "How good did she taste?"

Hope blushed even harder as Leah smirk and said, "Kinda like cotton candy."

My face wrinkled in disgust, "Jesus Christ. You're a freak."

"Says the guy who doesn't like pizza.", Leah said sitting next to him, "So, what's your problem?"

"I don't have problem", I said knowing that that was a good damn lie.

"Liar", Leah said, "Liar liar pants on fire." I groaned and face palmed. As if Star wasn't annoying enough, now I have to deal with Leah. As Leah continued to poke me on the shoulder and call me a 'liar', the thought of Star appears in my head and I'm reminded of the promise I made Star earlier. I turn to Hope and Leah and ask, "Are you guys up for hamburgers?"

Hope smiled, "Of course." "You can cook?", Leah asked.

"I'm the best cook in my family. I could roast a turkey right now if I wanted to.", I said with full confidence.

"Well what are you waiting for you lazy bastard? Fix us some burgers."

The two girls grabbed me by my arms and rushed me down the stairs and into the kitchen. I nearly fell to the ground when the two of them threw me into the kitchen. "Now while you cook I'm gonna go sit my lazy ass on the couch", Leah said. After I didn't object to her proposal she went to relax on my family's couch.

"I'll help you with anything you need Marco", Hope said smiling like the nice and happy girl she was.

"Well, you can start with getting the pattys and some potatoes so I can make French fries. They're in the fridge.", I instructed. Hope nodded and got the potatoes and burgers while I got the frying pans and the grease.

Hope sat the food on the counter and asked, "So, who do you like better?" I didn't face her and started to spray the pan with cooking oil. "Did you hear me? Who do you like better?"

"What do you mean?", I asked while I started to cook. I knew what she was talking about, but I really didn't want to discuss this right now. "You know what I'm talking about you lady killer", Hope teased, "Who are you gonna date? Jackie or Star?"

I never thought I would hear that question. I never thought I would even have the opportunity to pick between those two goddesses. "I don't know", I said not taking my eyes of the now cooking burgers, "I barely even know how I got into this situation. It's not everyday a two beautiful girls kiss a guy like me."

"Well, you're gonna have to chose sooner or later. Girls don't like waiting for guys to make up their minds", Hope said. Even an idiot like me knows that.

"Alright, tell me Hope, how am I supposed to chose", I asked rhetorically, "There's Jackie, the girl I've had a huge crush on since kindergarten and then there's Star, the person that has been the reason I'm actually excited to wake up in the morning. Seeing as you're a genius at this kinda thing maybe you could provide some insight from your genius mind."

Hope was silent and I could feel her glaring a whole into my back. "There's no need to be a jackass about it.", she said with a little hurt in her voice.

I sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed out. The past couple of days have been very hectic for me. Between my countless encounters with Jeremy and meeting Star for the first time, this is the most eventful few days ever."

Hope touched me on my shoulder and I continued to speak, "I just...things have changed really quickly for me. I've tried staying out of the spotlight my whole life trying to stay isolated and be unnoticed, but now I'm the love interest of two awesome girls. Normally I would feel awesome, but now I have to deal with the stress of who's fucking heart I'm gonna break."

"Don't think of it like that Marco", Hope said, "Think of it as picking a girl that will be with you and love you for the rest of your life."

I turned to her and she was smiling. Even though I don't believe in that kind of thing, I didn't want to bring it up now.

"I guess you can see it that way.", I said turning back to the food, "But matter what I do, someone is gonna end up getting their heart broken. It sucks when the person you love prefers someone else over you."

"True", Hope said, "I know how that feels. It's truly one of the worst feelings ever. You feel dejected and worthless." I could hear the pain in her voice. She's obviously experienced that feeling before.

"Exactly", I said, "I don't see how I'm gonna be able to give Star or Jackie that feeling." Hope had become silent, but I could sense that she was still in the room. She had nothing else to say because she understood my situation.

"Where are Jackie, Star, and Janna anyway?", Hope asked curiously.

"They're in my parents' room with my mother. I don't know what she's talking to them about, but I guarantee you that it's embarrassing as hell."

Star's POV (While Hope and Marco are talking)

I clutched the pillow I was holding to my chest as I waited for Mrs. Diaz to start her story.

"Well, when Marco and Jamie were going through their little romance, her family used to live only a block away from our house, so the two were able to visit each other everyday", Mrs. Diaz began, "One night, Marco snuck out the house and went over to meet her and take her out for a date."

"In the middle of the night?", Jackie asked.

"Yes, and that's where this story gets bad. Marco wanted to take Jamie to the park for a romantic picnic under the stars, and obviously, Jamie agreed to go." I could sense by the tone in Mrs. Diaz voice that something REALLY bad was going to happen in this story, as if I didn't know already. "As they were walking to the park, they ran into two grown men."

Me, Janna, and Jackie gasped at that statement. I might not be from earth, but back on Mewni, two small children running into a couple of grown folk in the middle of the night isn't a good thing.

"The two men asked what the two were doing outside so late at night. Jamie explained what they were doing and the two men offered to give them a ride to the park.", Mrs. Diaz said, "These two kids were so young, so innocent, and so naive, that they didn't suspect anything from these men, but thankfully, they still declined the offer because they wanted to walk together."

"So did these two guys fuck off?", Janna asked.

"No. They let the two continue to walk together, but they followed them to the park and kidnapped the two. They threw them in a van, and, took them to an abandoned apartment. Jamie was...", Mrs. Diaz trailed off. She didn't wanna say what happened next. It must've been really awful.

"W-What h-happenned ma'am?", Jackie worked up the courage to ask.

Mrs. Diaz looked at Jackie and sighed, "Jamie was raped by the two men, and Marco was forced to watch." She said it quickly, like she was tearing off a boock (Mewni version of a band aid).

Jackie and Janna remained silent as terrified looks covered their faces. "What's rape?", I asked scared of what the answer was gonna be.

"Rape is... when someone forces you to make love to them.", Janna explained. "So...it's the earth version of creeply?", I asked.

"Yeah, let's put it that way.", Janna said obviously uncomfortable due to the rude subject matter,

"Oh my god that's terrible!", I said now understanding. I was completely horrified at what had happened to Jamie. That poor girl must've been scared for life. "Is she still alive?"

Mrs. Diaz nodded, "Yes. She had to go to therapy after all the emotional trauma she suffered from this event."

"What's therapy?", I asked. God damn these humans and their weird words.

"Therapy is a thing people attend when they need emotional help.", Jackie said trying to explain in the best way she could. "On earth, rape is something people usually need counseling for. It's a very traumatic thing to go through and you can be scared for life."

"People are rarely ever the same after they are raped", Janna added, "It's a truly horrible thing to go through."

Jackie turned to Mrs. Diaz who seemed to be tearing up at the memories of this awful event, "Did the cops find them, or did they escape?", she asked.

"A neighbor who was coming home from a late night shift at his job. He heard banging and what sounded like muffled screaming. Marco, even though he was being threatened to be killed, must've been struggling like crazy because he was able to be heard by the man. The man, who was very strong, broke the door down and saw what was going on. The police were immediately notified.", Mrs. Diaz said.

"Jesus Christ", Janna said, "What kinda monster would do that. I wish I could beat the shit out of the freak that did that to that innocent girl." Me and Jackie nodded our heads in agreement. We would gladly detake (Mewni version of castrate) these bastards if we ever saw him.

"So, did these assholes get jail time?", Janna asked.

"Oh absolutely", Mrs. Diaz said with a little smile, "They got twenty years in prison and one of them committed suicide in jail. It's a small form of justice for what they did to our kids, but I would've gave up my entire life savings just for five minutes alone with those fucks."

It was shocking to hear Mrs. Diaz curse, but considering the circumstances, it was absolutely warranted. "So Marco is scared for life from this event? That's why he's such a grump now?", I asked wanting a complete confirmation.

"Yes. He hasn't been the same since that day", Mrs. Diaz said somberly, "And to make it worse, he's riddled with guilt after this. Jamie's parents were furious with Marco because he was the one who convinced her to go outside in the middle of the night. Surprisingly though, Jamie was quick to forgive Marco, but her parents banned her from seeing him."

"That's a lot for a little kid through", I said while squeezing my pillow even closer to my chest, "I can see how this would mess him up."

"This event, and a few other things, are what made Marco the guy he is today.", Mrs. Diaz said.

"A few other things?", Jackie repeated.

Before Mrs. Diaz could respond to Jackie, we heard Marco yell up the stairs, "Hey Star, I fixed you some hamburgers!"

Marco's POV

"Do you think she heard me?", I asked Hope who was standing next to me. Before she could answer, I heard a door slam open and frantic running down the stairs. Before I knew it I was on the floor with Star pecking my face with kisses.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!", Star said. She grabbed my hand hand and dragged me into the kitchen. As she noticed the plate many hamburgers on the kitchen counter she squealed and grabbed the plate, dropping my head on the cold tile floor in the process.

"Not all of those are for you?", I called after her while still on my back. As I looked up at the ceiling, Jackie's face suddenly comes into view.

"You okay?", she asked. I nodded and got off the ground. My head was still hurting a bit from getting dropped on the floor, but the presence of Jackie Lynn Thomas was enough to distract me from it.

"So, you hungry?", I asked her. She smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

We walked into the dinning room where Star was already eating one of the five hamburgers I cooked for her. "You have two burgers Jackie", I told her.

One by one everyone started to come in and eat their food while I cleaned the kitchen of any mess I made. There was a weird feeling in the room, it's kinda hard to explain. Everything seemed well. Everyone was eating and conversating about girl shit, but something just didn't seem right.

Maybe it was because they all talked about something very personal and private while they were in my mother's room. Or maybe my mom told an embarrassing story about me. Either way, something didn't feel right in this room.

"Hey Marco", Star said knocking me out if my thoughts, "Come sit next to me." I turn off the kitchen sink and head into the dinning room where Star has saved me a seat between her and Jackie. Oh joy. I sat down in the seat and I could immediately feel two pairs of beautiful eyes staring at me.

"Are you sure you don't wanna eat anything honey?", my mother asked, "The burgers you made are really good."

I shook my head, "No, I'm fine." I actually don't mind hamburgers. They don't taste great or anything, but I prefer them over most other foods.

"What else can you cook?", Jackie asked.

"Chicken, turkey, grilled cheese sandwiches, ribs, steak, pork chops, pretty much anything that involves meat", I said.

"Damn dude, if I dated you I could get free food everyday", Leah said making Hope give her a stern look.

"Yeah Marco, you can cook, you can fight, your almost the perfect guy. Now all you need is a good sense of fashion.", Star said. I groaned as the women laughed at my ugly shirt. Sometimes, I really wish I was alone again.

(2 and a half hours later)

"But I don't wanna go to bed", Star complained as I dragged her upstairs to my room.

I sighed, "I know you don't Star, but everyone else is sleeping and it's 1:00 am. You're not supposed to be up this late." I honestly didn't care if Star stayed up late, but there was only so much of the gregarious girl I could take.

"But what's the point of having a sleepover if you just sleep?", Star asked.

"I don't know", I said opening my bedroom door, "This is the first one I've been to, remember?"

"Well then how do you know that I have to go to bed?", Star asked crossing her arms in a stubborn matter.

"Because I'm smarter than you.", I said simply. Star gasped and turned away from me, "Well now I'm definitely not going to bed!"

I groaned and picked Star up bridal style. She blushed darkly and said, "O-Okay fine, I'll go to bed, but only because I'm tired." I roll my eyes and walk into my bedroom with Star in my arms. The laser puppies wee awake and they started to crowd me. It took all the willpower I had to not kick the little bastards in the head.

"Seriously Marco, why do you dislike dogs?", Star asked as I lied her down on the bed, "What did the adorable little things ever do to you?"

I groaned and rubbed my temples, "If I tell you will you go to be bed so my misery will end?"

She nodded excitingly. I sat down on the bed next to her, shooing the dogs away as I did. "The first day my mother let me walk to school on my own, a rabid dog. He bit a hole in the back of my pants and peed on me.", I said.

Star gasped and said, "Oh...that sucks. At least no one saw."

I kept my deadpanned expression, "It happened in front of the school. A bunch of kids saw it and laughed at me. Some even taped it."

"Aw, I'm sorry", Star said rubbing my shoulder, "But you can't let one bad experience with a dog spoil your opinion on them forever. They're cute little things."

I looked down at the little puppies on the floor. I didn't see cuteness, I just saw an annoyance. "Go to sleep Star", I said turning back to her. Star scooped up all the puppies with her arms and got under the bed.

"Goodnight Marco", Star said.

"Goodnight Star", I said turning off the light.

I close my bedroom door and sigh. I'm finally have some time to myself. Everyone in the house was asleep except for me. I walked down the stairs and into the living room and saw Hope and Leah holding each other. Both in peaceful slumber. Janna was sleeping on one of the big chairs we had in the living room. She was mumbling random words in her sleep like "Chicken", Tyler", and "Peanut butter." God knows how those things are related.

Jackie Lynn Thomas was lying on a blanket on the floor. She even looked liked a goddess when she was sleeping. The only light in the room was the light from the television, and it was shining down on Jackie's gorgeous face. I was blushing just from looking at her.

I didn't have any intention on going to sleep because I didn't wanna have another dream, so instead, I lied down next to Jackie and stared at her beautiful face until I went to sleep.

Star's POV

I stuck my head out the door and made sure that no one was around. I quietly snuck into Mrs. Diaz room, making sure that I didn't make much noise. To my surprise, she was still awake watching a movie on her television.

She turned to me and said, "Hello Star. What can I do for you?"

I began to walk up to her, "I'm sorry to bother you ma'am, but I have one more question about Marco."

"Shoot", Mrs. Diaz said as she muted her television.

"Where did Marco get the scars on his wrist?"

Author's Note: Next chapter is gonna have some twisted stuff in it, but I'll be sure to leave a warning at the beginning of the chapter. And sorry about the long wait, school keeps me incredibly busy. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.