Fasten your seatbelt, keep your arms and legs inside the cart at all times, and safely store away all valuables. This rollercoaster of emotions is gonna get wild.
Heya folks it's Watermalone with chapter numero five here, ready for take off!
I must say, while I am indifferent to doing review responses (mostly because I'm awkward), I am pretty impressed with all your takes on that last chapter, so I'll give it a try!
H. Mae: Thanks! But you already know that it only came out as tragically romantic. A bit of an oversight, but this chapter will focus Star's thoughts during the events of chapter four. Also keep bandaging that heart because there is much more left to endure.
thewookie1: haha just keeeeep reading
EVAunit42: Hm? Why not? Maybe this chapter will clarify some of the discrepancies, but thanks for the support!
acosta perez jose ramiro: Thanks I definitely will!
Guest (1): wut..? If this is an honest review, please state why you dislike it, constructive criticism is always more beneficial to my writing.
Guest (2): if you're the same person as guest (1), I am still confused, but thanks anyways!
Jack Coffison: Interesting conclusion you're getting at, but I had something else in mind, a possible different kind of 'depressing'. The antagonisation of Erica however, is also not of my intent although I hope your assumption was drawn from a more paranoid standpoint such as Star's as opposed to my writing style. Either way thank you for the review I am definitely trying to keep this wheel turning!
So this chapter was.. Painful... to say the least. I had so many ideas flying around for this part, but I could only choose a select few. Nonetheless, it's definitely how I wanted it so I hope you all enjoy! Also, some things that were left unclear about chapter four will hopefully be clarified here.
A huge shout out to all my amazing readers and reviewers, this pilot project started out a bit shaky but I feel confident to take it head on now!
No more further adoing, let's jump right into a long overdue chapter five!
I asked Daron Nefcy if I could own SVTFOE and she threatened to have me arrested. Just kidding! Although she won't answer me... :'(
(Disclaimer: I didn't actually ask her that so don't try it)
Star Butterfly's POV
"Cute"
"Stunning"
"Absolutely magnificent"
That was all Star could hear around her. The constant murmur of 'how gorgeous' or 'incredibly beautiful' the bride-to-be looked in the dress.
They definitely weren't wrong. It was-, she was-, er, she looked amazing in that dress.
She watched Erica and her father slowly approach the platform until, they stopped. Her father turned to face her. Leaning over, he whispered into her ear. Barely audible, but still recognizable, Star could overhear from where she was seated.
"You're lucky I like this one."
Of course he did. Who didn't like Marco? He was the complete package. Fun but responsible, dorky but charming, soft-hearted but strong-willed. He could have any girl he wanted.
Marco grasped Erica's hands, their eyes never parting from one another.
It wasn't hard to tell which girl that was.
"...On a no more special day than this. As you may know, today at exactly 11:37 AM, the sun's light will be diminished by the moon in an event we call, the solar eclipse."
Star looked to the sky, indeed a rare sight, the moon appeared to be approaching the rising sun at an alarming rate.
Despite the constant droning of the Justice of the Peace, she recalled none of it. Her eyes only followed Marco. Every detail etched into her mind. The way he awkwardly shifted, his eyes starting to glaze over, his trembling arms...
Nervous. Classic Marco.
Then he stopped. Star knew why the instant he smiled. None could compare to the smile only Marco Diaz possessed. It was probably the sweetest, most 'melt-your-heart' kind of smile that just made you wanna grin in return. He really loved this girl.
That didn't come as a surprise. It was only the year after they graduated high school that the two had met. In fact Star had introduced them to each other. Sparks flew instantly.
Marco was still mourning the sudden departure of Jackie Lynn Thomas, as she was going to be attending an east coast university to study marine biology. Star and Marco had decided on staying in California to pursue their own personal degrees at UCLA.
She, reluctantly, chose Political Sciences due to her soon-to-be-needed presence in the Mewnian court, Marco aiming instead for Computer Engineering and Logistics. It sounded complicated. And boring.
Star had met Erica in her first Poli-Sci class. Not long after first sitting down next to each other, the two became close friends.
She was intelligent, Star could tell, by the way she took notes with confidence, and raised her hand every time the professor asked the class a question, answering flawlessly.
Erica was also fun-loving and hyperactive, just like Star. She also liked to make random adorable doodles in her notebook of strange little creatures. When Star poofed one particular little bunny, Pegasus, spider in a top hat mixture to life, she giggled and wrapped it in a hug, thanking Star. Star even gave Erica her own devil-horn headband after she complimented hers.
Not to mention, she was pretty cute. It was easy to tell that Marco felt the same way the day she introduced them to each other.
A week had passed since the first days of class, the leaves had begun to shade a fiery red and orange, in preparation of the first snowfall.
(9 Years Ago)
"Hey Marco! I want you to meet my awesome new friend, Erica!" The two bounded towards the busy looking Marco, hunched over a laptop, a textbook and a tuna sandwich.
Marco glanced up, removing the glasses he wore for studying.
"Hey Ericaaaahhhh-" his jaw practically hit the floor. Eyes widened to the size of tennis balls.
Erica giggled in response, as though he couldn't be more obvious.
"Hiya Marco, nice to meet you!" She produced an outstretched hand. Marco gently grabbed it, forcing his tongue back into his mouth. "Star's told me a lot about you, it seems like you two are really close."
Marco just kept staring. Still not letting go of her hand.
"Um... Does he do this to everyone?" she whispered to Star.
Star giggled, "Only to the pretty ones." Erica flushed red. "Here let me help!"
She walked to Marco's side and poked him, right underneath the ribcage. He was so ticklish.
He cringed and let go of Erica's hand. Embarrassed, he apologized to her. She withdrew her hand, cheeks burning redder than ever.
"Haha it's cool." She looked around, still caught off guard by Star's comment, "a-anyways I gotta get going, class- soon heh." She turned around and walked away, completely flustered.
Marco slapped his own face in frustration. "I. Am. A. MORON."
"Oh don't feel too bad, I've seen you do worse." Star wasn't that comforting. "Besiiiides, I think she like you too!"
Marco was still speechless, "I- dunno- its just-" he stammered. Taking a deep breath he spoke more coherently.
"I just don't think I'm ready to move on."
Star stared at him incredulously. "Not ready..? TO MOVE ON? Diaz it's been five months!" Lifting her hands she counted her fingers, shoving five of them in his face to provide visual example. "See?"
It was true, he needed to accept the fact that he was no longer a love interest of his 'forever-crush', Jackie. He needed to rebound somehow.
"What about you?" He argued, pushing her hands away, "It's been long enough since Oskar was gone from your life, have YOU found someone else yet?"
Star bit her lip, "Y-yeah I did." She looked up at him. He frowned, regretful of raising his voice at such a sensitive topic.
"Well who is it?" He asked.
"Oh he's sweet, charming, kind, intelligent, pretty muscular, modest..." Her voice trailed off. She was staring at him.
"No name huh? I won't pry, a girl like you should have no problem getting someone like that if he's as good as he sounds." He shrugged, sat back down, and returned his vision to his laptop.
"Maybe I'll meet him someday."
"Yeah," Star's voice was uneasy, "maybe." There was a pause.
"Shouldn't you be getting to class or something?" Realization struck her.
"Shooot! I'm late!" She turned on her heel and began dashing away from his table. Looking back one last time she shouted to him, "Don't worry I'll be sure to set you and Erica up again soon!" She turned her head back before she could comprehend what that implied.
It was fated to be, and the best she could do was be on the right side of history.
Star knew they would get together eventually. Marco grew out of the awkward stage (many months later), finally making the first move into asking if she would accompany him to a new superhero movie in theaters at the time. Some blind guy skilled at kicking butt, of course he would suggest that.
As it turned out, Erica was a martial arts champion as well, successfully winning regional tournaments in the San Diego area where she lived, as well as Northern California in Sacramento.
Details regarding how the movie date went were never divulged.
Both skilled fighters, both so intelligent and studious, both kind and caring, they even had the same brown eyes. They couldn't have been a more perfect fit.
(Present Day)
"Now Mr. Diaz," Star returned her eyes back to the stage, "if you would repeat after me."
"I Marco Ubaldo Diaz"
"I Marco Ubaldo Diaz"
This was really happening. They were going to be married. What little chance this may have been all a dream now had been quashed permanently.
"...From this day forward, to have and to hold"
Was it time to let go? Was this the end of the line for the dynamic duo? It couldn't be. She didn't want it to end like this. She wasn't ready.
"For better, or for worse"
She felt angry at herself, it wasn't worth it. Why get so sad and tearful over him? Sure he was cool and all, but he wasn't the last guy in the entire multiverse.
"For richer, for poorer"
A pang of guilt. Maybe this was all her fault, could she have prevented this? No, that would be unfair to him...
"In sickness and in health"
Wait. Unfair? UNFAIR? The only 'unfair' going on was in her life, NOT his. He's the lucky devil getting married to the love of his life after all. It was only 'fair' that she deserved some kind of silver lining! Right?
"To forever love and cherish"
She wanted to scream. She wanted to stop everything with a wave of her wand and just destroy everything in sight. She couldn't be happy ONCE in her entire life and fate decides to play this cruel joke on her? Was that all her life was? Someone's stupid idea for a sitcom?
Jaw clenched, knuckles turning white from gripping the sides of her seat she leaned forward, prepared to take action.
"From your side, I shall never part"
She stopped. He rarely said anything at all poetic. Really cheesy, albeit, but poetic nonetheless.
Shocked by her own internal outburst, her expression dropped as she leaned back against her seat. She knew what he meant by that statement.
He had already moved on.
The anger evaporated from her eyes as she relinquished her death grip on the seat, and massaged the feeling back into her palms. It was time for her to move on too, so why couldn't she?
Why was there any anger left anyways? Who could she be angry at? This wasn't Marco's fault, certainly not Erica's, one can't simply point the finger at the sky and blame existence itself. That only left one person.
She looked down at her feet. The hardwood shimmered beneath her dress, faintly reflecting the sun beginning to become swallowed by the moon.
She glanced upwards as the room began to become bathed in a soft, ruby glow. The solar eclipse had begun.
"By the power vested in me by the laws of the state of California..."
The familiar room became darker. Redder.
"I now pronounce you..."
Star closed her eyes, a single tear escaped, slipping down her cheek. A sad smile drew itself with her lips, remembering the dark red hue of the ballroom the night they had danced together, so many years ago.
"Husband and wife!" Instantly the crowd erupted in shouts and screams of joy.
"You may kiss the bride!" Star wiped the tear away and clapped for the new couple. Smirking ever so slightly, she watched Erica dip Marco downwards and kiss him passionately.
Marco retaliated by lifting his new soulmate bridal style, and carried her down the aisle. He stopped at the fifth row, leaned forward and whispered something to Erica, and proceed to plant another kiss on her lips. The crowd roared louder as the two made their way out the grand entrance hall. Marco was such a dork. A cute, goofy, awkward, dumb dork.
Mr. Diaz ran up on stage and shouted about something happening at 7:00 PM that night. Nobody paid any attention.
Some of the crowd managed to push their way out of their rows, intent on getting more pictures of the newlyweds. Star stood up from her uncomfortable seat and walked around the grand hall to stretch her legs after everything calmed down. It had been a tense hour.
Her eyesight lifted once more to the ceiling, the light had shifted from a deep red as the moon floated aimlessly away from the path of the sun. A perfect ending, she supposed.
Suddenly she was gently shoved from behind.
"HAAAAY GURLFRIEEEND!" Star turned to the source of the voice.
"Oh my gooosh! Pony Head! You're here?"
"Ya~ I could never miss the Turdinator's big day duhhh. Plus daddy's gone off to talk with your parents about... Whatever it is old people talk about."
Princess Pony Head had definitely matured over the years. Still high-spirited, she outgrew her rebellious phase and started taking up more responsibilities regarding political decisions for her kingdom back in their home dimension, Mewni. However, she still referred to Marco as Earth Turd, even after so long. Some things didn't change.
"So you stickin' around for the sweet after partaaaay?" Pony Head flew around Star's head in excitement.
"Um... I'm not sure. I think my dad had some important.. lecture stuff, and you know my mom, how she is, plus I got... stuff... to do" Star softly trailed off, avoiding Pony Head's look of disbelief.
No answer.
"It's true! I mean, the castle has been needing a new drawbridge, there's been talk of revolt amongst the town square, not to mention my room is a disaster and-"
"-And you don't wanna see Marco." Pony Head interrupted her thoughts.
Star sighed. "Yeah, I just can't."
"Girl, I know it's been hard for you, being away from him for so long, and now this," she motioned to the grand hall decorated in white bells and streamers, "but you have to understand that he's still your best friend, and no matter what, you need to be there for him. He would do the same for you."
Star stared at the ground. Her heart ached. It couldn't take anymore pain. She couldn't take it anymore.
"B-fly? You okay?"
Silence.
"B-fly..?"
"NO! NO I'M NOT OKAY!" She grabbed her childhood friend and began sobbing. "What's wrong with me? Why can't anything ever just work? I've tried, I've tried and I've tried to be the best person I possibly could but, nothing ever goes my way!" Tears continued to flow.
"Hey, hey, hey there, girl, how about we go outside and you can let it all out there, hm?"
She led Star out the side entrance quickly before anyone noticed the commotion.
Hoo-boy. My arms are actually shaking. I went on a huge writing spree, and honestly I don't feel like I can handle anymore of the feels. But I shall endure, for chapter six will only bring us more emotional instability!
I know all of you were expecting something else from this chapter, but please bear with me, I am getting to the juicy stuff. I was pretty much only holding out for this beginning. Prepare for the onslaught!
Also, as a side note, I will be dealing with some... personal stuff... the next few days and as a result, I won't be doing any writing. But fear not! I have spent the entirety of today crunching my phone keyboard and, as a result, have 2 more chapters all ready to go! The story will still be updated regularly but keep in mind that everything was written in advance so I'm sorry if you really wanted to see something, but I intentionally left it out. It's just because I don't have time to make changes to the current story anymore. Thank you for all for understanding!
And as always, reviews and comments are deeply appreciated, you guys know I could never have made it this far if it weren't for your criticism and support! Stay tuned for the heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, tissue-burning continuation of my project in chapter six!
