The next morning found Marco looking into the smooshed, drooling face of Star Butterfly; his best friend and the most exciting exchange student hid house had hosted. She was an endless well of problems, adventures, fun times, and, recently, despair and pain.
She was also staring deeply into his eyes like a weirdo. "Sup." Marco said.
"So, about the whole, y'know, killing me thing." Star was more subdued this morning. Whether that be because she was still a little sleepy or because she had had time to properly contemplate just how fucked up it is to have had her bestie blow her brains out.
Marco sighed, "We'll talk about it after school, ok?" The safe answer, put it off for as long as he could. But Star looked hurt. Of course she looked hurt, he had hurt her, killed her. "Listen, it's not a long story, but I don't want us to be overheard, and we still have to go to school, just in case." Marco could do today and tomorrows school days in his sleep at this point, but Star was new to the loop, so he had to get her used to the rules. "Just act natural, get through the day, and we'll talk afterwards."
Marco got up out of his bed and Star averted her eyes. Marco grinned, he had been naked in front of her so many times that it didn't even phase him anymore. But then again, she might remember it this time, so he scrambled into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
He looked back at the alien princess sitting on his bed in a nightgown, hugging his pillow and looking a little betrayed. The old Marco would have comforted her, held her, sat down and explained to her everything that was happening. He still felt that urge, but he was so, so tired. All he said as he exited the room was, "Don't let mom and dad see you leave my room, I don't want to have to have that talk again."
He opened the door and was about to walk out when he heard a sniff behind him. He felt his soul shriveling up inside him. He gripped the door frame hard. He hated when she cried. It made him feel powerless. That he had made her cry was worse. He was filth. Scum.
Marco looked back at Star. Her eyes were watery, glistening with unshed tears. His heart broke, again, but he stepped out of the door and walked downstairs.
He had four days to find the right pattern. The pattern where both he and Star could live.