A strange-looking man was sitting on one of the provided seats in the Mewni Kingdom, holding a newspaper close to his face. He wore a large coat, covering his entire body from top to bottom, accompanied by a hat that hid his face from the public. Next to him were two people talking to each other rather quietly, ensuring nobody could hear them. But little did they know, the strange next to them wasn't reading his newspaper but rather listening to their conversation.
"I'm going to tell you something highly classified, so don't tell anyone..." The man whispered. "But apparently, Star Butterfly escaped."
"You can't be serious." The woman replied, not believing what the man said. "Knowing Queen Moon, she'd never let Star out of her sight."
"No, I'm being serious!"
"Where did you even get that news from?" The lady asked. She doesn't believe a single bit. Crossing her arms, she said, "I bet you made it up."
"My friend's an elite knight, so he got the news straight away. Soon after he finished his job, he told me right after."
"Wait, you know someone who's an elite knight? So it's true then?!" The woman asked in disbelief.
"Exactly! Star escaped to Earth with the help of King Moon and Hekapoo!"
"WHAT?!" The lady almost screamed out from his story. "No way! Okay, that's got to be fake. Although, it's something I was hoping to happen... But I wasn't Hekapoo to be a part of it. So it's true then?"
"Yep!"
"Oh my..." Standing up, the lady pulled on the guy's arms, pulling him off the seat. "Let's find us a cafe, and you'll tell me more about this news."
The strange-looking man lowered his newspaper just below his eyes to ensure the two people were far enough from him. He didn't want people to notice that he was a lot different from the residents. If he was caught, there was no doubt that Queen Moon'll execute him. That was the last thing he wanted.
Standing up from his seat, he folded his newspaper and placed it under his arms. In the distance, there was an alleyway not too far from where he was and he was planning to enter it. He needed a place where people won't follow him. A place where people barely go to and won't see him.
The loud chatter slowly left his ears as the dark alleyway welcomed him. The two large concrete buildings between him prevented light from reaching the ground, but enough light to see. It was the best place for him to create a portal and tell his boss the great news he had gathered.
'Boss is going to be happy...' The man told himself quietly with a strong accent.
The man started whispering out spells, causing strange-looking letters to summons around him. The wind started to pick up as a purple portal opened up in front of him, revealing a figure in a suit sitting on a chair with his back facing towards the man.
"Boss, I have found the location of Star Butterfly..." The strange man said.
"And where is this location?" The person asked from the portal, his back still facing towards him.
"She's located in the dimension called 'Earth'..."
The figure let a short chuckle. "Great job, Buff Frog..."
"Is 'Lunch Break' what I think it is?"
"Yep! And I think it's the best part of a school in my opinion." Marco replied as he and Star walked down the hallway side by side. "During this time, we're able to do anything and have fun."
"Really?" Star already knew what a 'Lunch Break' was as she had one back in Mewni, where she was training to become the next Queen. But hearing Marco treat her like a tourist makes her feel special. "That's refreshing."
"I know, right? But after an hour or so, we have to return to class." There was the sound of disappointment in his voice when he replied.
"Oh darn!" Star gestured with her arms when she commented, causing Marco and herself to laugh.
The two students entered the cafeteria and immediately, Star noticed how crowded the area looked with how many students there are. The school cafeteria was large enough for all the students to come and eat with tables reaching the other side of the room. To the left of them was where Marco mentioned the place to collect your food. It looked like they have to wait a while with how long the line was.
"Man, that line looks massive. I guess we'll have to wait a while." Star commented.
"Yeah..." Marco sighed. "The thing is, it's usually that long."
"Hey, Star! You wanna sit with us?!"
Star and Marco heard a familiar voice reaching from one of the tables in the distance. Star looked around the cafeteria to find out who was calling her, but to her dismay, she couldn't find the source.
"Star! Over here!"
Standing on her tiptoes, Star finally found who was calling. She glimpsed Janna standing on the table waving at her with Jackie sitting next to her. Turning to Marco, she said, "Marco! Janna wants me to sit with them."
"Them? Who's she with?" Marco raised an eyebrow.
"Jackie's sitting with her." That's when Star noticed that Marcos's eyes went wide open. For some reason, her friend acts weird when Jackie's around or mentioned. She wants to know more, but she'll fears that she'll go too far.
"Jackie?!" Marco exclaimed a little too loud, making the people around them give them weird glances.
"...Yeah. Why? What's wrong with that?" Star asked. "I think you should sit with us!"
"A-Actually, I was going to find Alfonso and Ferguson. Yeah! I needed to ask them a question about... Uh, about Math!"
Before Star could ask a question, Marco dashed into the crowded cafeteria, leaving the poor girl standing alone and confused about what occurred. She wants to know why he reacts the way he does when Jackie's mentioned. Star thought maybe she could help him with what was going on.
With nothing else to do, Star walked towards the table where Janna and Jackie were waiting for her.
Arriving at their table, Star sat at one of the provided seats in front of the two girls. Star felt a little nervous as she has been around Janna and Jackie. A lot of the time, Marco has been by her side. Maybe she could bond with two of Marco's friends the same way she has bonded with Marco.
"Hey." Star waved awkwardly to the two girls.
"What's good?" Janna replied casually.
"Hey!" Jackie waved back at her. "How are you finding the school? Everything fine?"
"Yeah! The teachers here are nice and Marco's been showing me where places are." Star replied. "Just a bit nervous, honestly."
"Don't worry. That's perfectly normal for new students." Jackie smiled at Star's nervousness. "I'm pretty sure everyone had to go through that when they're new. Even me."
Star let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "That's good to know."
"Where's Marco anyway?" Janna asked, glancing around the cafeteria. "I thought you would've brought him with you."
"I was going to, but he said he needed to ask... Alpha... And Ferg something?" Star didn't remember who Marco's other friends were.
"Oh." There was a slight disappointment in Janna's voice that Star caught. "Well, I was going to ask him about something, but that can wait, I guess."
"Speaking of Marco, I noticed that the two of you know each other. How did you guys meet?" Jackie asked as she leaned into the table.
Thinking of an excuse on the spot, Star remembered one of the things Angie talked about when they were inside the principles office. "I'm another one of Marco's exchange students."
"Oh really? Where were you from originally?" Jackie asked.
"I-I'm from... Mexico actually," Star said, knowing she'll be wrong. It was the only place she knows on Earth.
"Really?" Jackie replied, surprised. "You don't have the accent, though. Your accent has more of a British side to it."
Star started to sweat, fearing she'll be caught. "I went there before I went here."
"...So you're from Mexico originally, but you went to the UK before coming here to America. Is that it?" Jackie asked as she raised her eyebrow, trying to understand.
"Yes! You got it now!"
"...Huh. You must be a traveller. I like that." Jackie replied, smiling. "You know, I was thinking of travelling the world a while back. But I kinda lost interest."
Star quietly sighed, knowing that she managed to somehow hide her secret. She can't let anyone know that she's from another dimension. If anyone knew where she came from, they would freak out. The only people who know her secret are Marco and Janna.
Speaking of Janna, Star turned to her, who had a smirk on her face. Star knew that Janna understood why she had to lie.
"Well, I need to go to the bathroom real quick. Be right back." As Jackie stood up from her and walked away, Star looked at Janna, who still had her smirk plastered all over her face.
"I saw what you did there," Janna spoke quietly from the other side of the table.
"You know why I had to do it," Star replied seriously. "I don't want anyone knowing where I'm from."
"I understand," Janna replied. "But if I were in your situation, I'd be bragging about it."
"...Okay?" Star wasn't sure how to respond to Janna's comment. Changing the topic, Star asked, "What do we have next?"
Janna shrugged as she took a bite out of her sandwich. "I think it's math next. I don't know... I wouldn't rely on me on stuff."
"I realised I haven't gotten anything yet," Star said as she looked at the sandwich in Janna's hands. "I'll be back."
'Ugh! What do these numbers mean?'
The window next to Star looked more interesting than the math textbook that was given to her during math. She was glad that she returned home as Star didn't understand a single thing that was taught. Not a single piece of information given to her helped her. Who could blame her, though?
Looking back at her textbook, just reading the questions made her feel confused. What were they asking her to do? There were numerous symbols in the book that she hasn't seen before and she doesn't know what they represent.
Marco was right again. Earth is entirely distinct from Mewni.
Speaking of Marco, maybe he could help her with her homework. Marco did mention before that he has been at the school his whole life. Plus, he already has experience with math anyway. He did say to ask him anything.
Star stood up from her seat and walked down the hall to Marco's door. The girl knocked on the door gently and waited for him to arrive.
The door opened, revealing her friend. "Hey, Star. You need anything?"
"Um," Star replied, fiddling with her fingers. "I just need help with homework. I don't understand anything I'm doing..."
"No worries! I can help you." Marco replied happily. "Lemme bring my stuff into your room."
"Thank you so much! Hopefully, I wasn't bothering you or anything..." Star watched as Marco walked back into his desk with all his stationaries neatly placed all over his desk.
"Don't worry about it. What is it that you need help with?" He grabbed his textbook and pencil from his desk.
"Math."
"Ahh... Luckily for you, I just finished that one. Let's do it then."
Sitting next to Star, Marco didn't expect himself to be teaching his friend the basics of math, but he should've seen it coming since she wasn't originally from Earth. What surprised Marco the most was that Star was learning more quickly than he anticipated and that she was enjoying it.
When Marco started, he hated all the new terminology being thrown around, and tons of people could say the same, but Star's different. Every time she figures something out or hears something new, she gets surprised. He chuckles every once and a while
"At this rate, in a couple of days, you'll be on par with the rest of the class," Marco said as he turned to face Star.
"You'll think so?" Star asked with hope in her eyes.
"I know you will." Star smiled widely, hearing the pure confidence in his voice. She was glad she was getting the hang of school. She wondered why Mewni didn't provide this kind of education to kids and teenagers.
"I'm gonna be honest. When I started at the very beginning, I thought we weren't going anywhere, but I'm so glad you picked it up so easily. You sure have some talent, Star." Marco gave a pat on Star's shoulder.
Star turned her face back to her textbook as a hint of red appeared on her cheeks from the comment. "T-Thanks, Marco. I couldn't do it without you."
"All good. Glad to help someone out other than Janna." Marco replied, leaning back in his seat. "It's always her asking for help."
"Well, since that's done, I might be asking you for help a lot since I'm going to be attending school now 'cause you know."
"With what you proved to me, I'm down."
A smile appeared on the girl's face. "Thanks."
Star quietly descended the stairs during the night. She heard a quiet sound from the living room with a hint of flashing lights bouncing on the house's walls. She wondered who could be awake during the middle of the night. Star's reason was to get a glass of water, but who could it be?
Reaching the floor, Star noticed Angie was by herself, watching the television in the living room in her pyjamas.
"Angie?" Star quietly said.
Angie turned swiftly turned her head towards Star. A small smile appeared on her mouth, noticing the blonde teenager. "Star! What are you doing at this kind of time? You should be asleep. You still have school tomorrow."
"I was going to get a glass of water," Star replied. "What are you doing still awake?"
A small sigh came out of her nostrils. "Can't sleep, unfortunately. Can you?"
A small chuckle came out of Star. "Nope."
"Do you wanna stay with me for a little while?" Angie asked as she scootched to the side, allowing space for Star.
"Yeah, why not?" Before Star sat down, she grabbed a glass from the kitchen and brought herself a glass of water to the living room.
Surprisingly, Star had never sat down on their couch before, and this one was her first time. Sitting on it felt amazing how soft it felt.
"What are you watching?" Star asked as she looked at the TV.
"Some romantic movie. I've watched it before when I was younger." Angie replied. "I haven't watched it in so long. It's almost like I've never watched it before."
"Oh. I kinda like romantic stories. I've never watched a romance movie before."
"Then I guess you'll like this one."
"What's it about?"
Star noticed Angie's excitement through her eyes. "So there are two main characters in the movie. The two became best friends, almost like childhood best friends. They have their own crushes, but what they didn't know was that they have been slowly falling for each other. Their friends noticed this but the two denied it. But over time, they released that the only people they loved were each other."
"Wow... And what's the movie called?" Star asked, interested in the story.
"It's called 'Denial'."
"Pretty fitting for the type of plot it has."
"I know. That's what I thought." Angie's laughs caused Star to laugh as well. "You know, it's nice having another girl in the house. I've always wanted to have a daughter."
"Really? Why didn't you?" Star asked.
"Never got around it. I've been so busy with the job that I forgot about it until now." Angie gave a warm and gentle smile to Star. "Maybe now, I could do stuff that I couldn't do with Marco. We could go shopping together, and I could teach you things. You know, girly stuff."
Star liked the ideas Angie was giving out. She never had the opportunity to do these activities back in Mewni. Even if her mother wasn't so strict, her princess duties are always occupying her mind. But Star was given another chance at life to start over. With so many opportunities given out to her, why would she refuse? She only has one chance at life, so she has to make the most of it.
"I'm looking forward to what you have planned," Star said. "Honestly, I've never done any girly stuff before."
"You haven't?" Angie's eyes went wide upon hearing Star's reply. "What have you been doing with your mother?"
Star didn't like talking about her past. Her whole reason for leaving Mewni was to try to leave everything behind and make new memories. She didn't want to remember everything her mother had done to her and what she experienced.
A lot of the time, she always wanted to explain the situation between her and her mother. Just someone who she can rely on for comfort. It looks like maybe that person could be Angie.
"It's more like what she did to me..."
The brunette tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Do... Do you think you could keep a secret for me?" Star asked quietly to Angie. "I don't want anyone hearing about this. Even Marco."
Angie was surprised at the sudden mood change in the atmosphere between them. "O-Of course! What is it that you want to talk about?"
"You see... Before I met Marco, my life was under the control of my mother. She was the only one always telling me what to do and what not to do. Almost as if my life wasn't mine, to begin with." Star didn't feel ready to explain that she was from another dimension. Maybe another time was good enough. "Every day, she'll boss me around just to teach me to be very formal, and if I don't do what she says, she'll hurt me physically and mentally."
A small gasp came from Angie. That explained why she was acting so formal when they first met. "Oh my!"
"But that's only a quarter of what I experienced back home. I can't talk all about 'cause so much has happened..." Star stared at her lap.
Angie could only give a disturbed expression in response. How could someone so young experience such a traumatising life?
"I'm so sorry you had to endure that. But I have to admit. You're a strong girl to have to take all of your mother's abuses." Angie replied. "If I were in your position, I don't think I could've handled a week."
"Honestly, I was thinking of ending it all at one point."
It suddenly went quiet between them. Angie should've seen this coming from someone coming from abuse, but it still surprised her. In this situation, she doesn't know what to do but comfort her in any way.
After a couple of seconds of silence, Star continued. "This one time, my mum hurt me so hard that I told myself, 'You know what? I can't handle it anymore'. But luckily, my dad was there to help me through the tough times. He was the only one who kept me sane. I'm just thankful he was there to comfort me when the going gets tough. I can't imagine if my dad was like my mum."
"Was your father always around you?" Angie asked gently.
"Unfortunately, no. I always have to be around my mum at all times." Star replied. "And because of this, I don't know much about my dad's side of the family, but he's the only one I go to when my mum isn't around."
A frown formed on Angie's face as she stood up from the couch. "That is- That is so infuriating! A mother isn't so supposed to be like that!"
"They're not...?" Star looked up at Angie, noticing her angered state.
"Of course not! Mothers are supposed to be caring and loving. They always have to be there for their children! Not some uncaring lunatic!" Angie looked exasperated. "Whatever you saw in your mother is the opposite of what she should be doing. She shouldn't be that strict with you."
"But she told me that-" Star didn't finish her sentence when Angie cut her off.
"Whatever she said is wrong, Star! You need to know that." Angie replied, trying to change Star's mind. "You're mother crazy."
Star didn't have anything to say from Angie's statements.
"Did your father try anything to stop your mother's terrible treatment?" The mother asked as she returned to the couch.
"He tried numerous times to calm her down, but nothing changed. And let's just say that my mum has lots of power over the family."
"And I'm guessing you escaped, and that's when you met Marco?"
"That's right."
The silence grew between them as Angiew showed a worried expression. "Aren't they going to be looking for you?
A small sigh came out of Star's mouth. "She's is going find me. I don't know what to expect... And that's what I'm scared of. I don't what she'll do to me once she finds where I am."
Out of nowhere, Angie brought Star into her motherly arms, bringing warmth to the girl's body. "I may not be your biological mother, but whatever happens, just know I'll always have your back because I see you as my daughter. I'll always love you, Star. Always know that."
A single tear rolled down Star's cheeks as she felt so much safer in Angie's arms. The long-awaited love she always wanted was finally given to her by someone. Not her mother, but someone even better than her. Alongside that, a massive weight was lifted off her shoulder after finally talking to someone about her situation.
"I-I love you so much..." Star couldn't help but cry in pure happiness. She finally found a new mother role. "Thank you."
"We're just going to stop at the supermarket before we head home, okay kids?" Rafael said from the driver's seat of the car. "Marco's going to make one of his special nachos! Isn't that right, hijo?"
"Special nachos?" Star asked as she looked at Marco from the back seat. "What are those?"
"Oh, man! You're in for a treat, Star!" A smirk appeared on his face as he turned to face Star. "Once you taste it, you're gonna be begging for more."
Star crossed her arms as she smirked back at him. "We'll see about that, Marco."
"That's 'Chef Marco' to you, Star."
A chuckle escaped the girl's mouth as she rolled her eyes playfully. "Heh... Yeah, right."
Rafael parked their car close to the entrance to the mall as he felt a bit lazy to walk. He may be old, but he's not that old.
Stepping foot out of the car, Star looked at the front and noticed a large structure not too far from where they are. They were windows everywhere with large signs bundled together with different colours screaming for her attention.
"So this is the mall you were talking about back in school?" Star asked Marco as they started to walk.
Her friend nodded in response. "Yep! Everything you're looking for will probably be here. Emphasis on the 'Probably'."
"Wow..." Star took in the view from the parking lot. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Approaching the door, Star was starstruck as two glass sliding doors automatically opened for the three of them. To this day, it still amazes Star that she's still discovering so many new things on Earth that it's hard to keep up.
Cold air blew against their faces as they entered the mall. Looking up in front of her, Star first noticed that the mall had several floors with several shops right next to each other with kids and adults walking around the place. Star assumed that this was the place where she and Angie are going to do their 'girl stuff' at.
Stepping in front of the two of them, Rafael said, "Alright, kids! We're not going to stay here for too long so let's head straight to the supermarket."
Marco nodded in response, but Star kept looking around the gigantic mall, still mesmerised at how many shops there are. Mewni only offered marketplaces and shops here and there, but Earth had something entirely different.
Star was very cold, to say the least. Standing between two open freezers caused the blond teen to shiver restlessly, wishing she had brought her jacket. Star stuck with Rafael in the freezer section looking for the cheese, while Marco ventured on his own to find the remaining ingredients.
With silence between them, Star thought it would be nice to spark a conversation with Marco's dad. "Did you teach Marco his 'super special nachos'?"
A laugh came out of his mouth. "You got that right! He felt so proud once he perfected the dish. Seeing his small little face so happy was the cutest thing in the world."
"Aww! I wish I were there to see it!" Star cooed as she imagined a young Marco all happy.
"Oooh! I have to show you Marco's baby photos!" Rafael said in pure excitement. "He hates it when we show his baby photos."
The girl's eyes went wide. "You have to show me! I'm so down for it!"
"I'm so showing you!" Rafael laughed again from Star's excitement as well. "I have so many good memories to show you."
"Can you tell me some of your favourite memories?" Star asked eagerly.
Rafael looked up, remembering fond memories of when Marco was younger. But there was one that stood out the most. One memory he knows that got laughing a lot when he first heard about this.
"I remember a while back when Marco was playing in the playground, a girl came up to him, and he started getting nervous!" Rafael laughed at the old memory while Star cooed. "It was the most adorable thing I've ever seen Marco do. He started stuttering and all!"
"That's so cute! Who was this girl?" Star asked as the two of them walked away from the freezer to find the next ingredient.
"I think her name was... Jackie? I think you've met each other in school."
"Jackie? As in like the girl wearing all blue and blonde hair?" Star needed to clarify this girl.
Rafael nodded. "That's her, yes! Between you and me, I think he has a crush on that girl..."
"A 'crush'?"
"Yeah! Like he has feelings for her, you know?"
That answered plenty of questions regarding why Marco acted so strangely around Jackie at school or when she was mentioned.
"Ooh! That makes a lot of sense now!" Star grew a wide smile. "No wonder he acts so weirdly around Jakie!"
Rafael looked down at Star with a surprised expression. "He's still nervous around Jackie? After so many years, he still hasn't been able to feel confident around her. I should teach how to be confident."
"Jackie did approach Marco and me when she introduced herself, and they both exchanged a couple of words with each other."
Rafael appeared unfazed. "That's all I hear from him and nothing more! I just wish Marco could at least have a full-on conversation with her. All he needs is that boost of confidence."
"Yeah, I agree. But I know what Marco's going through. I've been there before." Star replied.
"Really?" Rafael asked as he raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a crush as well?"
Star looked back at Rafael weirdly. "What? No, I don't."
"Is that so?" Suddenly, a smirk slowly grew on Rafael's face. "What's their name?"
Star's frustration grew as "I said I don't have feelings for anyone!"
"Ooh! This person must be special!" Rafael's face turned red as he tried to hold in his laugh.
"I'm being serious! There's nobody I like!"
The blonde girl walked through the hallway at night to Marco's room, already in her blue nightgown. Fatigue hasn't set in for Star, and she thought it would be okay if she visited. Star learned Marco reads before he falls asleep.
Star gently knocked on Marco's wooden door, attempting not to wake his parents up. "Marco? Are you still awake?"
Star waited for a response, but none came. She immediately assumed that he was asleep. The girl looked down at the ground and sighed, but that's when she noticed light managed to squeeze through underneath the door. Marco has to be awake.
"Marco, I'm coming in. If that's okay..."
Star turned the doorknob to open the door. She had to shield her eyes to adapt to the bright light in the room, but that was the same time she realised that Marco wasn't present in his room. Star thought that maybe he went to the bathroom while she was in her room.
She walked towards the table, located against the window, where she noticed it felt colder than her room. Her room is normally a little cold a night, but Marco's room is so much colder than it should be.
Looking up at his desk, she noticed that Marco's curtains were slowly moving, almost like a ghost possessed them. Star moved the curtains to the side. She noticed that his windows were open all the way. Through the window, Star noted that she could step outside, stand on the roof and reach the very top of the house.
"Hello?"
Star heard Marco's soft voice from the other side of the window. She swiftly crawled onto the table and poked her head outside to find where Marco was. Star couldn't see where her friend is through the darkness. But then she heard him whisper again.
"Star, up here!"
She turned her head upwards to be met with Marco waving down at her from above.
"Marco?" Star looked at Marco strangely. "What are you doing up there? HOW did you get up there?"
Marco brought his finger against his lip, telling her to be quiet. "Shh... My parents can't know about this."
"Marco, you should come down! It's not safe up there!" Star tried to reason with him.
"I know it's not safe, but you won't regret the view from up here," Marco replied as if it's something he does regularly. Star wondered why he was so calm being on the roof. "C'mon! I'll bring up."
"Are you seriously trying to convince me to die right now, Marco?" Star looked at him deadpan. "You're not going to convince me. Plus, there's no way I could get up there."
"Yes, there is." Marco pointed to her left. "If you walk through this way, there's this part where you can climb up here. You have to try it!"
"That's too dangerous, Marco!"
"You have to trust me, Star," Marco begged. "What's life without a bit of danger, right?"
Star didn't want to do it, but if Marco is there with her, it couldn't go wrong since he had her back. In addition, she trusts him too. With the view he's talking about, it's worth endangering her life for.
With a smile, she said, "Alright. Save a spot for me, okay?"
"Yesss!" Marco lifted his head back up and waited for Star to come up.
Star did what Marco requested and brought herself to the window and stepped onto the roof. Luckily, the roof wasn't on an extreme tilt where she could slip and injure herself, but enough for her to step on. Reaching the part where Marco told, the girl lifted herself to the second layer of the roof where Marco resided where he was already in his 'jam jams'.
Marco noticed her arrival and scotched to the side, creating a spot for her to sit on. "Here."
Star slowly walked up the roof, gently sat next to Marco and looked into the distance in front of them. With how high up they are, they can see several houses in the distance. The view couldn't compete with the view from the Ferris wheel, but this was enough to make you look for a long time.
Still, the sky felt empty without its stars hanging down on them. Star wished she could see moons and galaxies in the night sky, but for her to see that, she would have to return to Mewni, and she doesn't have any plans of doing that. With Marco and his family being close to her, she's more than happy to stay where she's at.
"I know it's not the best view in the world, but it helps you relax." Marco leaned back with his hands supporting his body. He didn't even remove his gaze from the view. "I come here whenever I'm stressed out, or when I can't sleep."
Star nodded in response. "Yeah. I can feel it working already. I can see why you come here."
"To be honest, you're the first person I've ever shown this spot. Even Janna doesn't know about this." Marco said, turning to Star.
"Really?" Star replied to Marco. "Why am I the first person?"
Marco shrugged as he looked down at his lap. "I don't know... It just feels right for you to know."
Star didn't know how to respond to that. The only response she gave was a little 'Oh' before it all went silent, with the wind blowing against their faces.
Marco decided to change the topic as the silence was killing him. "Anyway, how are you finding Earth? You doing okay?"
"It's been great so far. I'm glad that you and Janna were the first people I met when I arrived. If it were anyone else, I don't think I'll be in the position I would be today." Star replied, smiling at him. "Thanks for everything."
"Hey, I'm just doing what's right," Marco replied, smiling back at her.
"But you've done more than I could've done in a year. I feel like I should pay you back somehow."
"You can pay me back by being by my side, and I'll do the same."
"Deal." Star brought her hand out for a handshake, with Marco returning it. Out of nowhere, Star remembered something from Rafael that they spoke about in the mall. With a smirk, he turned to Marco and said, "So... You have a crush on Jackie.
Star almost laughed as all of Marco's colours disappeared. "W-WHAT?! WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?!"
"Your dad told me." Star looked at her fingernails disinterested, trying to have the high ground. "So is it true?"
Marco brought his knees to his chest as he hid his growing blush. "O-Of not!"
A wide grin appeared on the girl's face as she started to laugh. "It is true! Oh my- I can't believe it!"
"Star... Stop it, please! You're embarrassing me..." Marco said inside his arms.
Star's laughter slowly died. "Okay, okay. Aw man, I haven't laughed like that in... I don't know."
"Star..." Marco groaned out in a way that he was still embarrassed by the fact his friend found out about his crush. "
"Aw, don't worry, Marco. I'll keep it a secret. Just between you and me." Star said as she shuffled to Marco and brought her arm around his shoulder. "There's no shame in having a crush on someone."
"I know, but... I don't like anyone knowing who I like."
Star looked at Marco with a warm smile. "People are going to know eventually. But doesn't it feel good that someone knows? I bet that lifted a weight off your shoulders."
"You got that right." A chuckle left the Latino's lips. Then a devilish expression appeared on his face. "When I discover who you like, oh man. You're not going to like what I'm about to do."
A smirk appeared on Star's face. "That's IF I do like someone. Which will be never!"
"Oh, I will know, Star. I will know..." Marco returned the smirk.
The two teenagers laughed at the action they did for a couple of seconds. To other people, laughing seems like any other ordinary action to them. But to Star, it feels amazing just to laugh, especially with other people. Laughing just brings a surge of energy to Star, a feeling like you can do anything in the world.
Noticing that her arms were still over Marco's shoulder, a blush appeared before bringing her arms back. "Sorry... Didn't mean to leave it there..."
"It's fine," Marco replied, sitting straight again as he looked at the view in front of them again. Then, a thought he had for a while popped back. "Hey. I got this weird thing I've got in my mind."
"Tell me."
Marco looked down at the roof below them as a weird expression came to his face. "Have you got this feeling that we've done this before?"
"What do you mean?" Star asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"Like... I don't know how to describe it." Marco sighed as he lay his back on the roof and stared into the stares above them. "I just have this feeling like we've done this before. And when I say we, you're there too. But it wasn't you at the same time."
"Me? Like you and I sat on a roof and looked into the distance?" Star continued to look at Marco.
Turning to face Star, Marco said, "Yeah. I know it sounds crazy, and a lot doesn't make sense-"
"No, I think I know what you mean..." Star cut in, no longer looking at Marco.
"You... You do?" Marco asked in bewilderment.
There was a second of silence as Star's eyes remained on the view in front of them. "We stared into the distance... And you... What did you do..."
Star looked down at her lap as she tried to remember a memory she doesn't remember having. It was hard, almost like trying to remember a dream you just had, it was difficult. It still weirded out Star that she also remembered something she never did. It weirded her more that Marco was there... But it wasn't Marco, though.
"I think I confessed to you..."
Star looked at Marco with wide eyes. "Confessed?"
"I told you that I-"
"You loved me..." Star finished as she stared at Marco.
Star honestly didn't know what to think of it as so many things happened at the same time. Firstly, she and Marco somehow remembered the same thing that probably never happened. Secondly, they both remembered how Marco, but technically not Marco, confessed to her.
Marco stood up from his spot and said, "I think I'm going to bed now... I'll see you in the morning."
As Marco quietly walked away from Star, the girl didn't bother to respond as she was still dazed at the fact that she and Marco have a memory she doesn't remember happening. How could it be possible to have a memory of someone else's?
Every second she thinks about it, bits and pieces of the memory slowly comes back, but not enough to remember every moment. It bothers Star slightly. Maybe tomorrow, Star will talk to Marco about his side of his memory. He could fill in the missing gaps of this 'memory' that they have.
Star sighed as her head gave up trying to remember any more of the foggy memory. Standing up, she looked back at the view in front of her. Putting the strange situation they had to the side, the view from high above was immaculate, to say the least. The mountains in the distance were the cherry on top.
But she couldn't stay on the roof forever as she had to sleep with school still on the agenda. Plus, she still has to wake up early tomorrow. She copied what Marco did and returned to the house.
In the night sky, the blue moon reappeared...