... And were back.

You may be wondering: What took you so long? Where have you been?

Well, the answer is easy... I'm not telling.

Anyways, let's get down to it.

Star woke up the next morning feeling absolutely smug. She had spent the night wrapped up in the events of the previous evening. Marco kissed her, and even better it felt amazing.

When her fingers traced along the hickey he left her she almost giggled with excitement.

Cool off girl, it's not like he's going to purpose or anything.

But still in the privacy that her room offered, Star allowed herself to feel like a schoolgirl. With a final dreamy sigh, she pulled out concealer no one could know about the kiss they shared. It took only a few seconds but it was gone.

She met Marco downstairs for their ritual walk to school. She chuckled to herself when she saw the gaudy ascott he was sporting.

"Not fair, I wish I could hide this with makeup." He pouted.

"Then don't."

"Ah, what? You're kidding right. The whole school would blow up, not to mention what my parents would do. They might even call your mom and-"

"Yeah for some reason I don't think that's going to happen. The mark looks nothing like your Earth hickey. If anything everyone will think it's just a tattoo." Marco thought for a moment, Star's plan was actually crazy enough to work.

And that would mean only one thing…

"Liberation!" Marco declared, as he tore of the cloth from his neck. "You, know I think you may be onto something. It might just work."

Somehow Star was right.

When they arrived to school the dreaded rumor mill never happened. There was no shaming, or gossiping girls giggling at the sight of them. No, no one had the slightest clue about what was on his neck. And surprisingly everyone thought it was amazing.

Just before the start of class a small group had formed around the two, quickly clamouring about how great Marco's tattoo was. It may have been a little strange to see a boy with a heart shaped tattoo on his neck, but anything that the magical princess did had to be cool.

"Woah, amazing! Star I didn't know you gave out tattoo's!" One girl shouted. While other chirped out similar responses of approval.

"Give me one." A boy stepped forward, displaying a broad smile. Marco knew the type, blond with blue eyes, chiseled chin, and dimples that any girl would go crazy over. He seemed likeable enough, but the way he looked at Star bothered him.

"Uhh, I don't think I could do that." A small blush crept along her cheeks. No kidding, there was no way she do something like that with a block head like him, Marco thought confidently.

"Oh, come one Star. You know you want to." The blonde teen wiggled his eyes, as he made room for her to mark him on his neck.

Something burned inside of Marco. It was like a pool of anger had bubbled up inside his stomach. Who did this jerk think he was?

"Sorry, still working out the kinks." Star shrugged her shoulders and tried to step away from the flirt. It didn't work, the boy cut her off, resting his arm against lockers that lined the way; he cut off the princess's escape route.

"Well, ahem, you know I wouldn't mind getting kinky with-" The boy never got a chance to finished his sentence. Marco shoved him into the lockers with a loud crash.

"That's it! She said no, so you need to back off!" Marco eyes fixated on the rival teen's quivering face. He looked heated, wild, and Star had to admit… hot.

If she wasn't so transfixed on how attracted she was to Marco she would've noticed the Star on his next turn a dark shade of red.

"Sorry bro, I didn't know." He choked out, looking helplessly. The small group had gained an impressive amount of onlookers now. They looked on hoping for an old fashioned high school brawl.

"You didn't know? Well now you do. Keep away from her, got it?" His anger went from a bubbling to boiling over.

"I got it. I mean it, I didn't think she had a boyfriend."

Boyfriend… Hearing that made Marco let go. Suddenly Marco's whole demeanor changed. He chuckled embarrassed, and even tried to help the boy adjust his disheveled shirt.

"It's not like that." He tried to convince him.

"Hey man, you don't have to explain anything to me." He held his hands up in defense, still weary, as he back away.

The crowd dissipated, obviously annoyed that they wouldn't get to see a fight. Marco seemed to be oblivious to the world around him. He was consumed in his thoughts.

What just happened?

He snapped out of his trance, when he felt a small but warm hand on his arm. He turned to see his best friend offer him a consoling smile.

"The bell rung, five minutes ago." She sounded unsure, Marco hated that. Had he completely freaked her out? He wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to keep her distance now.

"I seriously don't know what came over me. I almost pulverized that guy. I'm so sorry, Star."

But she did the strangest thing. She widened her smile, then punched him in the arm.

"Ow. What was that for." He rubbed his arm looking confused and hurt.

"Because you're an idiot." She continued to beem at him. "But you're an awesome idiot. Thanks for sticking up for me. That guy was a creep."

"Doesn't mean he deserves to be shoved into a locker."

"But he learned a very valuable lesson. Marco Diaz is the jealous type." She teased, poking at him slightly. He turned his head away from her in an attempt to hide the small blushed he felt on his face.

"That's not it."

"Don't be ashamed. Personally, I thought it was kinda sexy." Marco wasn't sure what she meant by that. Was she teasing him? Was she being serious? But then she added: "I'm sure you'll make a lucky girl very happy, and well protected." He knew she did mean a word of it. His stomach dropped a little, and part of him realized that if Star thought of him that way, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

"We should get to class." Without saying another word she walked with him to class.

He looked at her again, his habit of stealing glances was far from dead. Maybe he was jealous… how could he not be? The girl next to him was absolutely amazing, there was no reason not to try and protect her from creeps. The way her blond hair cascaded down her shoulder, bouncing as she walked happily to class; it shone like starlight.

At least he could finally admit to himself, she was beautiful.

Thanks for reading,

Thanks for reading,

and...

Thanks for reading.

Atilla The Fun!