Friendenemies

Marcia was in her room sitting at her desk in front of her computer typing. A ding went off and Marcia reached across her desk grabbing her cellphone. She opens the message and quickly rolls her eyes before putting her phone back down going back to typing. A loud banging came from her bedroom door before it opens and in popped Star's head.

"Hey, Marcia," Star hopped into the room revealing she was tied up with Christmas lights. "Can I get your help with something?"

Marcia doesn't look away from her computer screen, "Can't help right now. I just found out there's a Mackie Hand movie marathon tonight, and I can't miss it."

"Ooh. Who's Mackie Hand?" Star asked

"He's the greatest martial-arts superstar who ever lived. He died thirty years ago while performing one of his own stunts on himself. Accidentally," As Marcia explained to Star, her phone went off again.

"Marcia your phones going a little crazy there," Star said

"Ignore it." Marcia typed quicker on the computer, "It's just Jax. He's been messaging me a lot recently. I mean it took him over two weeks to get back to me, and the first thing he does is ask me out on a second date. I mean come on, he didn't even explain to me why he ran off. He's just glossing over the fact that he just ran away from me, and he thinks he I'll just ignore that then act like everything is okay. No way," Marcia focused on her computer, "Come on, come on, come on. Ooh!" Marcia stopped typing then slammed her face on her keyboard. She gave out a groan closing the open laptop several times over her head.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Star asked

"The Movie Marathon. It's sold out," Marcia sulked

"Oh." Star bends at an awkward angle patting Marcia's back, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It was just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Marcia said

"Don't worry. I'm sure there's a chance you can still get a ticket," Star said

"Good things don't happen to me," Marcia sighed

Out of nowhere, a giant blast of fire erupts out of Marcia's desk causing her to shout and fall back into Star. The two girls sit up as they watched the flames die down. Once the small inferno is gone standing on Marcia's desk, was Tom, who for some reason was eating a snow cone.

"Hey. What's up?" Tom casually greeted

"Tom?" Marcia and Star questioned confused at the demons sudden arrival.

"What are you doing here?" Marcia asked standing up.

"Actually," Tom coughed into his hand looking anywhere but Marcia, "I was wondering if we could hang out."

Marcia thinking that the invite was for Star looked over at her blonde friend. She was surprised to see a large smile on Star's face and her eyes sparkling.

Being the good friend she is Marcia puts her hand up in a "Stop" motion. "As Star's unofficial sister. I'm putting my foot down. There's no way she's going anywhere with you."

"No, I'm not asking Star. I'm asking you, Marcia," Tom said

Marcia stares blankly for a second but then her eyes go wide with confusion, "Huh?! Wha?! Uh, no?"

"Oh. Okay then. Guess I'll just find somebody else to go with to the Mackie Hand movie marathon," Tom offhandedly said holding up some tickets.

Marcia gets starry-eyed staring at the tickets.

"Wha-huh? What? Wait, you're a fan of Mackie Hand?" Marcia asked

Tom smiled, "I'm a super fan."

Star stops paying attention as she hops around trying to gnaw her way out of the Christmas lights she was still tangled in.

"Why do you want to go with me?" Marcia asked raising a suspicious brow.

"I really thought we connected," Tom said

"Over what? After you kidnapped my friends? Or how about when you used that counselor to mess with my mind?" Marcia quipped putting her hands on her hips.

Tom looked away from Marcia again, "Well let this be the perfect opportunity to connect. Look, I know I've been a little aggro in the past, and I'm sorry. I promise not to get mad this time."

Marcia narrows her eyes at Tom before grabbing Star guiding the princess away to have a private chat.

"Star, what is he up to and what's with that creepy smile?" Marcia asked

Star's grin did not drop as she talked to Marcia. "I think you should go with him. You know what they say today's enemy is a friend a few hours later."

"An enemy-what? Star that's not a saying that's never been a saying." Marcia said

"Hate to interrupt girls but the marathon is all the way on the other side of town, so you wanna go or not Marcia?" Tom asked holding up the tickets.

Marcia stares at Tom then looks back at Star who was smiling giving the brunette excited "yes" nods.

So that's how Marcia found herself outside standing before Tom's carriage.

Tom opens the door and ominous music flows out. Marcia steps up taking a peek inside.

"Whoa!" Marcia gasped, "Medieval Gothic design. Nice."

"Let me just give you a tour," Tom allows Marcia in first then follows her closing the door. "Giddy up, skeleton horse!"

The skeleton horse neighs before taking off down the street.

"Have fun, Marcia!" Star shouted still tangled, "Remeber, today's enemy is a friend a few hours later!"

"That's still not a saying!"

Tom walked around the carriage giving Marcia a tour. "So here it is. We got six flat-screen TVs, a photo booth, karaoke machine."

"Is that a white tiger?" Marcia gaped pointing at a tiger that was lounging on a couch licking itself.

"And up here is the lounge. Here. Have a seat in the throne," Tom pulled out a chair for Marcia, and she sits down. "Are you comfortable? Can I get you anything? Some cereal perhaps?"

Marcia is rather confused by the onset of hospitality. She's even more surprised when a tray of cereal appeared in her lap. "Look, you're being super nice to me right now, and you're never nice to me? In fact, it's weirding me out. What's this really all about?"

"Wha-I'm just a huge fan of Mackie Hand," Tom said awkwardly.

Marcia raises a brow not believing him. "Uh-Huh….What's your favorite Mackie Hand movie then?"

"Uh, it's….." Tom starts stammering not having an answer.

"I knew it!" Marcia shouted standing up. "You don't know the first thing about kung-fu. I'm outta here."

"No, no, no, wait, wait." Tom runs in front of Marcia stopping her. "It's just because I have two favorites. 'Hand To Hand To Hand', and 'Hand To Hand To Hand 2'. And now that I'm saying it, I'm gonna have to go with the original."

Marcia looks mildly surprised, "Oh. Yeah, you're right. That is the best one."

"But not the English version. I'm talking about the original in Swedish," Tom added

"Huh. I guess you do like…" Marcia tries to find the right word for it, "...stuff. I'm sorry."

"No, no, no, I get it, I get it. It can be hard to break through people's preconceptions of me. That's why I don't have many friends. I haven't even been to a movie marathon before." Tom said

Marcia appeared a bit sad by that statement and was about to say something but was stopped by the sound of a loud engine revving.

A convertible car pulled up beside the carriage as they both stopped at a red light.

The passenger of the convertible stands up pointing at the carriage. "Hey, where did you pick up your sweet ride? At a funeral home? Are you gonna go pick up someone's dead grandpa and hold a respectful service for him?"

Tom growls at the two guys from the window. Marcia got a tad worried as Tom clenched his teeth and fist shaking in anger. She runs over to the window right next to Tom.

"Well, it looks like that ride has got one sweet thing in it." The driver winks at Marcia making Tom even madder.

Marcia rolls her eyes then a small smile plays on her lips. "Hey, you know you guys look totally awesome in that car."

Tom quickly swivels his head to Marcia staring at her confused.

"You know what would be really awesome?" Marcia asked batting her lashes.

"What?" The two guys ask smirking.

"A little race. If you guys win, then maybe you can take me on a ride. I'll only ride with the fastest. You know unless you guys are scared you're gonna lose. I mean this carriage is pretty intimidating." Marcia nudged Tom and he finally spoke.

"Yeah. What are ya, chicken?" Tom smirked

"Whaaat?!" The guys shout.

"Bro." The diver nods to the passenger.

"Bro." Then the passenger nods to the driver.

"You're on, punk. Say goodbye to your lady!" The driver shouted

The light turns green and the car speeds off.

"Grrrr, I'll show them!" Tom growled

Marcia smirked putting a hand on Tom's shoulder, "Wait for it…."

Tom's perplexed expression quickly turns into a smile when a loud siren sounded followed by a flash of red and blue lights.

"Those guys are going to jail," Marcia sung out.

Tom's carriage trotted by the convertible that had been pulled over. Marcia and Tom both smile innocently as the guys from the convertible were loaded into the back of the cop car.

Tom and Marcia laugh high five one another.

"Oh, that was so much more fun than obliterating people," Tom laughed

"Yeah! This whole thing reminds me of one of my favorite songs, 'Awesome Feeling'," Marcia smiled and started humming the song.

"Wait, wait, wait. Isn't that a song by Love Sentence?" Tom said

"Uhhhh. Yeah?" Marcia said as she continued to hum.

With a serious expression, Tom said, "Come with me." He leads Marcia to a curtain and pulls it back.

"No way!" Marcia gasped. Behind the curtain was a shrine to Love Sentence. "You have a signed picture of you and Justin Towers?"

"I also have a vintage five-disc CD player with automatic shuffle."

Marcia smiles at Tom as he placed a CD in the player and music started playing.

Awesome Montage Time

~Awesome feeling

Nothing's gonna take us down

At first I turned my head, but then

You really turned my day around~

Marcia and Tom sat on the back of the white tiger, Marcia on the back Tom in the front. As the animal reeled back on its hind legs Marcia grabbed onto Tom wrapping her arms around his waist. Tom was surprised but smiled nonetheless a large grin coming to his face.

~Awesome feeling~

Tom pulled a large container of cereal off the wall. He takes the top off and Marcia pours a whole four liter of soda into the cereal. She then takes the soda cereal mix and holds it up for Tom as he chugged it down. Marcia cheered him on amazed by the amount of cereal he could consume. Once that was empty Marcia grabbed her own bowl of cereal quickly eating the sugary breakfast food.

~We started out as friend-nemies

But found that we have chemistry~

Now hopped up on sugar Marcia and Tom started dancing to the music. Marcia ends up tripping over the white tigers tail. She let out a gasp falling backwards but Tom quickly caught her before she could hit the ground, bringing her into a dipped position. The two froze and Marcia was taken back to the night of the Blood Moon Ball. The two stayed unmoving until Marcia finally pulled away standing up on her own. She quickly brushed some of her hair back not looking at Tom unaware of the minuscule blush that briefly graced her cheeks.

~And you were like, ooh-ahh-ooh

And I was like, ooh-eee-ooh

White tiger's like, ooh-ahh-ooh~

Marcia and Tom were now both singing karaoke decked out in Love Sentence gear. They took pictures together as they sang and had fun.

~All right! ~

Montage Over

Marcia laughed sitting down, "Man, I can't believe I'm actually having a good time with you."

Seeing Marcia's smiling face made Tom smile.

"Oh, my gosh. Oh, the marathon! What time is it?" Marcia quickly stood.

"Don't freak out," Tom reassured the girl.

"It starts in," Marcia looked at her phone, "ten minutes?"

"Like I said don't freak out. Look," Tom points out the window, "I can see the theater from here."

"Oh good," Marcia calmed down. "Man I hope the ladies room is clean. I really shouldn't have drunk all that soda."

"Oh, well the bathroom is right over there," Tom pointed behind him.

"This place has a bathroom?" Marcia asked and Tom nodded his head. "Neat."

Marcia walked over to the door and opened it. "Whoa, elegant and lavendery."

Once she walked in and the door was fully closed Tom started fist bumping the air.

"See I told you if you just be yourself she'd like you, and look Marcia shares much more in common with Tom then with Jax."

Tom looked over to where the voice had come from and his gaze landed on the white tiger.

The white tiger stood up on its hind legs and popped its head revealing Tom's life coach Brian.

"You were right! Nothing can ruin tonight," Tom proudly smiled.

The sound of a toilet flushing was followed by the fluttering of curtains being drawn back.

"Man this place is fancy," Marcia sung out.

She walked over to the sink washing her hands. Finished washing Marcia went to dry her hands. She spotted some hand towels on a small table next to a large vanity mirror. She grabbed a towel drying her hands but as she did so she spotted herself in the mirror.

"Oh, crud, all that horsing around knocked my bangs loose." Marcia stepped up closer to the mirror examining her hair. She noticed her bobby pin holding back her hair had fallen out. "Good thing I always carry spares." Marcia smiled grabbing her purse. She reached inside pulling out a bobby pin pinning back her bangs. "Hmmmm? Gonna need another one." Marcia went to grab another bobby pin but accidentally ended up knocking her purse to the ground.

"Shoot!" Marcia sounded as various objects fell out of her purse and rolled around the floor. She bent down quickly picking up her things. She saw her compact cell phone, courtesy of Star, roll behind a potted plant. She quickly chased after the electronic device moving the potted plant. She moved the stationary flora, and as she moved it a panel in the wall opened.

"What?"

Marcia moved the plant back and the panel closed. "Huh, a secret panel that opens with a weighted system." She moved the plant again, so she could gain access to her phone. She bent over picking it up before putting it back in her purse. She was about to move the plant back but something inside the secret hole caught her attention. She reached into the hidden compartment pulling out a mask.

"What's this?" Marcia picked up the mask studying it. "Why does this look so familiar?"

Facing the vanity mirror Marcia held the mask up to her face. She leans in closer to the mirror and ends up connecting the mask to her face.

There was a flash of blue light which momentarily blinds Marcia.

"What the…..?" Marcia trails off looking back in the mirror. Her eyes, or hopes was her eyes, go wide. She was looking face to face with Jax, or at least a girl version of Jax. Marcia slowly reaches up and touches her face. When she feels nothing but soft skin Marcia screams.

Marcia runs out of the bathroom still screaming.

"Marcia what with all the scre-?" Tom stops short seeing Marcia wearing his mask.

Marcia quickly yanks the mask off going back to normal. The two stare at one another not saying anything.

The demon teen seems speechless just staring straight at the mask in Marcia's hand. Marcia who too is also speechless slowly walks up to Tom. Without saying a word she quickly shoves the mask onto Tom's face. This time there's a flash of red light and the normal Jax is standing before Marcia.

Marcia's eyes go wide as she gapes at Jax. She reaches up again yanking the mask off Tom, making him go back to normal.

The two stand there silent for what seems like forever. Tom finally spoke breaking the silence.

"Marcia, now I know this may seem bad but I can explain!" Tom said

"Why…..why do you have this?" Marcia asked

"Well you see it's kind of complicated," Tom nervously answered

"You….your Jax?" Marcia almost whispered

"Well, I technically yes but uhm you see the thing is…" Tom kept stammering not being able to find the right words for the situation at hand.

Marcia cast her gaze down her bangs covering her eyes. "You….you, you," Her body started shaking from anger as she clenched the mask tighter in her hands. As her anger built neither her nor Tom notice Marcia's necklace briefly flash red.

Tom put his hands up, "Now Marcia calm dow-"

Tom paused as the Jax mask snapped in half in Marcia's hands.

"Whoa, how did you-!"

Tom ducked as Marcia chucked both halves of the mask at his head. Marcia was finally looking at Tom, and she had tears going down her cheeks.

"Why would you do this?!" Marcia yelled

"Marcia it's not what you think!" Tom said

"What is it?! Why did you pretend to be a guy, not just any guy but the perfect guy for me!?" Marcia shouted

"I-"

"Was it some kind of joke?!" Marcia started marching up to Tom who backed up.

"No, I-"

"Was this some kind of game for you?!" Marcia continued to angrily approach Tom forcing him up against a wall.

"Marcia, No I-"

Marcia poked Tom hard in the chest. "Then why huh?! Why?!"

Marcia was crying even harder now. Tom went to go speak again, but he was silenced when Marcia's open palm met his cheek. His head snapped to the side due to the harsh slap.

"I can't believe that I-that I….." Marcia couldn't even get the words out as she looked down clenching her fist tightly.

"Stop the carriage!"

The carriage comes to an abrupt halt and Marcia tried to run for the door.

"Marcia wait!" Tom shouted, he snapped his fingers and large chains wrapped around the door with a giant lock, stopping Marcia form running out.

"Why?! Why should I!" Marcia shouted not looking at Tom. "You lied to me and pretended to be-to be…...Dude, you're a jerk and a liar, and that's not even the worst part. I was dumb enough to fall for it!" Marcia's necklace flashes red again, and she kicks the door breaking it open.

Marcia pants angrily before stomping out the carriage.

Tom runs over to the door, "Marcia, wait. I know I lied about a lot but I like….I really like-" Tom gets a nervous look and can't seem to get the words out.

"I don't care anymore. Too little, too late. Which is my second-favorite Love Sentence song, by the way. But who knows you probably lied about liking them too!" Marcia shouted

Marcia walked into the street but stopped when she heard singing.

"Oh, girl, you know I never meant to hurt ya~" Tom stood at the carriage doors singing, his sole focus on Marcia, "When you're sad, you know I'd never desert ya. Mm-mmmm, you were my angel. My beautiful dove~"

Marcia sighed but then started singing joining in with Tom.

"We spiraled high on a gust of love And I knew right from the start. Nothing could tear us apart~"

Hearing Marcia sing with him caused Tom to hop out of the carriage walking over to the girl.

Once he got close enough Marcia sung on her own. "Till the day you broke my heart. And now it's...Too little too late~"

Marcia turns away from Tom about to leave. Seeing this Tom's eyes glow red and flames erupt from the ground.

"What the?!" Marcia gasped

Tom rose into the air changing something.

"Yeesh, what a drama queen," Marcia said

Suddenly the ground starts to crack open and Marcia had to jump around dodging hot steam that blew out of the cracks. A large crack appears splitting the ground open. A large coffin rose out of the crack right in front of a flabbergasted Marcia.

Tom's flames disappear, and he falls to the ground creating a small crater as he crash landed.

"Oh gosh!" Marcia cried

The coffin starts glowing then it explodes revealing a skeleton in karate attire.

"It's-it's," Marcia goes speechless as she watches the skeleton glow forming- "Mackie Hand!"

Zombie Mackie Hand came to life his eyes lit up with flames. "Oh-oh! I took quite a tumble there. How long was I out? I hope I didn't make us fall too far behind shooting schedule."

"But Mr. Hand, I can't believe it's really you," Marcia bowed several times to the undead karate star.

"Say, you must be the new PA," Mackie Hand shook Marcia's hand, "Kristy, right? Nice to meet you."

"Oh, my gosh," Marcia started searching her purse, "I wish I had something for you to sign."

"Eh, don't sweat it. I gotcha covered," Mackie Hand reaches into his chest and with a grunt pulls out one of his rib bones, "Hold still." He signs a glowing green signature right on Marcia's left cheek, "There you go."

Marcia lets out an excited squeal. She looks away from Mackie Hand turning to Tom, who was crawling out of his crater, "Tom, I can't believe you brought Mackie Hand back from the dead just for me! That was cool of you."

"Wait, I'm dead?" Mackie Hand said

Tom looks at Marcia rubbing the back of his neck, "So are-"

"Movie marathon now talk later!" Marcia grabbed Tom's arm dragging him into the carriage followed by the dead floating Mackie Hand.

The carriage arrives at the theater and Marcia runs out with Tom and Mackie Hand.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" A Theater employee shouted stopping the three.

"Inside to watch the movie," Marcia said

"Marathons started can't let anyone in once it starts," The guy said

"Wh-what!? When has that been a thing?!" Marcia shouted

"Sorry new policy," The Employee said not looking or sounding at all sorry.

"Wait, but," Marcia grabbed Mackie Hand's wrist waving his arm around, "do you know who this is? This is the Mackie Hand in the flesh. Can't you make an exception?"

The Employee sighs, "Look, nice costume, but no one's getting in." The guy walks over pushing Mackie Hand away, "Now shove off, grandpa, before I have to get physical."

Mackie's head turns 360 facing the employee. He backhand punches the employee sending him flying back which caught the attention of several security guards.

"Hey! You!"

Security guards swarm around Mackie Hand. He kicks one in the stomach causing his leg to fly off but that doesn't stop him from taking out the large men.

Off to the side sitting on the curb watching, are Marcia and Tom who were eating cereal.

"You were right. This guy's for real," Tom said

"Yeah. I told you...I still don't like you, Tom," Marcia said

"I….Look Marcia," Tom sighed setting down his bowl of cereal. He turned to the girl who raises a brow, "I didn't mean to lie. I wasn't trying to trick you or anything like that. It wasn't a prank and I wasn't trying to humiliate you."

"Okay then," Marcia sets her bowl down too and crossed her arms, "Then why did you disguise yourself as a boy I'd like?"

"I well-you see….the thing is," Tom tries to get the words out having trouble with Marcia's narrowed piercing eyes staring at him.

"Oh come out with it!" Marcia said frustrated

"I like you okay!" Tom shouted throwing his arms up.

Marcia is taken back and her eyes widen. "W-What did you say?"

"I really like you okay! In fact, I've never liked a girl the way I like you!" Tom quickly said

Marcia is stunned jaw slightly dropped. "Uhm well- I don't-huh? Wha?" Not being able to find any words to express herself right now Marcia quickly turns away from Tom, clenching her fist in her lap, her cheeks flushed.

"I already knew you didn't really like me and I thought that maybe as Jax I could show you that I could be your perfect guy. So when I showed you me, you'd know I'd be the perfect guy." Tom explained

"I uhm…" Marcia still faced away from Tom trying to process what was happening. After a few moments of contemplating Marcia finally figured out what she wanted to say. "What you did was still wrong-"

"I know, I know and-"

Marcia cut off Tom, "But I've never had a guy really go so far out of their way for me." Marcia finally faced Tom. "What you did really hurt me but…" Tom's eyes widened as Marcia slowly reached over grabbing his hand. "...I don't mind starting over as friends and maybe you can show me that Tom is better than Jax."

Marcia gazed down at the ground her cheeks still a bit pink but there was a small smile on her lips.

"Yeah…." Tom smiled holding on tighter to Marcia's hand. "I'd like that."

After Mackie Hand beat up the rest of the security guards Marcia decided it was time to finally go home.

"Man who knew movie theaters had so much security," Marcia gestured to the large pile of beat up men.

As she and Tom walked back over to the carriage the white tiger appeared.

"Oh hey, there buddy," Marcia smiled reaching out to pet the white tiger.

"Well, I'd say that today has been rather eventful."

Marcia paused and her eyes went wide as the white tiger spoke. Her shock continued to grow as she watched the tiger stand up and pop its head off.

"Whaaaaaa!" Marcia gaped seeing Brian. "Have you been the tiger the whole time?"

Brian nodded his head unzipping the costume.

"Dude….I changed your litter box."