Co-op Blow Up!

                                                                 Part I

>"Diaz, you need to teach how to make this queso; this stuff's great!"
>Said Janna as she eats Marco's leftover cheese sauce from the fridge with a spoon.
>Marco, not even at all confused or surprised at Janna's sudden appearance, just casually shuts the front door and walks over to the couch.
>"What do you want now, Janna." Said Marco as he lays down.
>"Why do you think I want something, Diaz? Can't a friend just pay a friendly visit to another friend with no other hidden motive?" Said Janna as she was finishing the bowl of queso.
>"I don't think sneaking in my house while I'm out counts as a 'friendly visit", also please wash that." Said Marco, looking straight forward with a blank expression on his face.
>"Sure, Amigo." Said Janna as she puts the bowl in the sink and leaves it there.
>"Hey, I just noticed I've never seen Star's room." Said the girl as she nonchalantly walked up the stairs.
>"Janna, what the hell are you... Goddamnit." Said Marco as he slowly gets up from the couch while softly groaning.

>"Janna, what are you doing up here." Said Marco as he walked up the stairs.
>"I just wanna see your house Diaz!" Said a voice in the distance.
>"I'm sure you've seen it many times now. More than I can account for." He said as he approached Star's room.
>"Where's Star, by the way?" Said Janna as she was looking in awe at Star's room.
>"She's out with Sabrina and some other girls, she should be back soon." Said Marco, as he put away a yellow notebook that Star left on the ground.
>"Aww, “said Janna, with an air of false disappointment,” I was looking forward to see her, I guess I'll have to pass the time somehow."
>"I have an Xbox in my room", Said Marco, "you can use it in the meantime."
>"I know that, Diaz. Thank you." Said Janna.
>"Of course you do; have fun." Said Marco, ironically.
>Having temporarily dealt with the Janna situation, Marco walked downstairs to make himself a big glass of lemonade.

>Marco was sitting on one of the kitchen stools, trying to drink his lemonade.
>He was a little bit anxious, hoping Star would arrive any second now.
>But then he heard a cry from upstairs.
>"Hey Marco!" Said Janna, "do yo wan splzcrin an ple wth me!?"
>"WHAT!?" Said the boy.
>"DO YOU WANT TO SPLITSCREEN AND PLAY WITH ME!?" Yelled Janna at the top of her lungs.
>"Uh, sure," said Marco suspiciously, "I'll be there in a second!" As he finished his drink and washed the glass and the bowl Janna was supposed to wash as well.
>Then he proceeded to walk up the stairs once more and went to his room
>"I'll just want to warn you," Said Marco, "I'm not used to sharing a screen so don't blame me if I die a lot." Said Marco as he entered the room.
>Not to his surprise he found Janna laid down on his bed, so he grabbed his second controller from his drawer and tried to find comfort on the desk chair he would usually use exclusively for doing homework.

>"God, you're terrible at this." Said Janna as Marco was killed for the third time in a row.
>"I've told you already," Said Marco, "I don't split-screen often, also you took my bed so I'm sitting at a weird angle". The boy tried to roll his chair to a more comfortable location but failed to find a right spot.
>"Or..." Said the girl laying on her stomach, "maybe, just maybe, you fucking suck."
>"Or maybe you can give me my bed back." Said Marco, now mildly offended.
>"Or maybe we can share it," said Janna.
>"Here," said the girl as she moved slightly to the right, "there's some room for you." She said with a devious smile on her face.
>"Nope, not happening," said Marco as he turned his chair back to the screen.
>"Knew it," said the girl smugly, "it's not the chair, you just suck and don't want to admit it.
>"You know what!? Fine!" Said Marco as he took the spot next to Janna, "I'll show you now!"
>"Sure you will." Said Janna with a smile from ear to ear.

>"GOT'EM!" Cried Marco as the screen turns gray and reveals Marco's and Janna's team as the close winner.
>"You stole my kill." Said Janna, unmoved by Marco's celebration.
>"Didn't see your name on it." He answered proudly.
>Soon enough the final killcam reveals Marco sitting on a corner with a shotgun waiting until the unlucky one, who was being engaged at the moment by Janna, passed by him.
>"You piece of shit." Said Janna softly.
>"What?" Said Marco, genuinely confused.
>"You were camping the entire time!" Said Janna, frustrated.
>"It's a legitimately tactic!" Said Marco, giggling at his sick reference.
>"Get out of here. You don't deserve this bed." Said Janna, trying to "push" Marco off the bed.
>Marco responds likewise, and so it becomes a wrestling match between the two for the dominance of the precious bedspace.

>It was clear to Janna that she was not gonna beat Marco by brute force.
>As much as she was able to roll over Marco back to center of the bed she knew she would eventually be beaten.
>As soon as she had the chance she stood up and so did Marco.
>"Just accept it, Janna. You're not beating me. I'm getting my bed back and there's nothing you can do." Said Marco.
>"I'm sorry, dear Marco. But every possession of yours that I manage to get hold of, becomes mine! Said Janna mischievously.
>"You can't just steal my bed! Unlike my keys, my hat, my wallet, hoodie #17..." Said Marco getting gradually softer, "But you can't take my bed! You won't get me off it anyways before I get you!"
>"But I can tell Sabrina about your crush on her." Said Janna, mockingly.
>"But I don't have a crush on Sabr..." Mumbled Marco putting his arms down.
>Suddenly, Janna rushes to Marco with his guard down, and tackles him, throwing both of them off the side of the bed.

>Unfortunately for Janna, Marco instinctively held on to her after she tackled him, causing her to fall as well.
>Janna fell a few inches away from Marco. She immediately got on her feet, but it appears Marco wasn't as lucky.
>"Oh my god..." Cried Marco in pain putting his hands under his head.
>"Marco, are you alright!? I'm so sorry!" Said Janna concerned.
>"I'm Ok," said Marco sitting up, "I just hit my head harder than I would have wanted to, am I bleeding?
>"No. Do you need a hand?" Said Janna outstretching her hand to Marco.
>"Yeah." Replied Marco, grabbing her arm.
>"I don't think this was such a good idea." Said Janna as she helped her opponent up.
>"Really? I had a really good time. We should hang out more." Said Marco, scratching his head.
>"Well, I guess that's one thing we can agree on Diaz." Said Janna, slightly nervously.
>"Speaking of hanging out, there's this horror movie I've been wanting to watch for some time now but Alphonso and Ferg are too scared to go." Said Marco as they were walking downstairs towards the door. "Do you wanna go tomorrow afternoon?"
>"Gladly," said Janna, "I guess that's a date then." As she kissed him in the cheek then proceeded to walk home.
>Marco stood at the door, speechless, with a hand on his cheek, trying to comprehend what just happened.

                                                              Part II

>During that night, the boy struggled to find any sleep. He was still debating with himself on his bed whether or not he actually invited her on a date.
>"It can't be," said the boy to the ceiling, "it doesn't have to be! You can invite girls to the movies without it being a date. Just like I would have gone with the guys, right? Right!?
>"Besides! She probably doesn't even actually like me! It's probably just another scheme to tease me, this time just a little more elaborate!" Said Marco to himself.
>"But what if...she actually does like me. What if Janna actually feels something for me and I'm just subconsciously blocking her out for some reason?" He thought silently, "but that's probably my mind playing tricks on me..."
>The boy kept rambling by himself until he eventually passed out from exhaustion.
>Fast forward to the next day, a Sunday afternoon, Marco was still lying in bed very late. So late that Star began to worry about him.
>"Marco!" Said the girl with a singing voice, "It's three-thirty already and you haven't shown your face around at all today! You even missed breakfast! Are you okay?"
>"Uh!?" Said Marco, startled, "Yeah, I'm fine! I just overslept a little that's all." Said Marco, unconvincingly.
>"Okay, but you're gonna have to make your own breakfast because I accidentally ate your pancakes!" Said the girl without a hint of remorse, "By the way, I'm going with your parents to the mall today to buy some new clothes! Bye!"
>As soon as she said that, the girl started running downstairs.

>For a total of 10 minutes, Marco successfully managed to ignore the world around him and the "thing", whatever you may call it, that he agreed with Janna, which was just a little more than three hours away.
>That calm was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell, which Marco did not pay attention to, then by knocking on his front door followed by yelling by a familiar voice.
>"Marco!" He heard, "Marco, I know you're home, we need to talk!"
>"Sabrina!?" Said the still sleepy boy as he opened his window, "Is that you!?".
>"Yes, it's me!" Said the girl, "open the door!"
>"Hold on, I'll be right there..." He replied.
>After putting some pants on, Marco walked slowly down the stairs and answered the door.
>"What's up..." Said Marco in a monotone voice.
>"We need to talk." She replied.
>"That I know, you've said it twice now. What about."
>"It's about Janna, she said you invited her on a date, and I don't believe that for a second." Said the girl.
>Marco rubbed his eyes as he groaned loudly.
>"Why did she tell you that?" Said Marco.
>"She tells me everything, Marco. I'm her best friend and I'm concerned about this. Did you ask her out or not?" Said Sabrina assertively.
>"I guess I did...somewhat...I think. Maybe. Come in, it's a long story." Said the boy as he fully opened the door.

>Sabrina sat down on the couch while Marco was walking around a table explaining her the situation.
>"So you told her you wanted to hang, then you invited her to the movies, am I correct?" Said Sabrina.
>"Correct." Replied Marco.
>"And nothing more." Said the girl.
>"Absolutely." He replied.
>"Not even a little?"
>"Nope."
>Sabrina sighed as she laid back on the couch.
>"I can't believe how impulsive Janna can be. I know she has a big crush on you but she should have known better." Said Sabrina.
>"Wait, she has a crush on me, like, a real one?" Asked Marco in shock.
>"Marco, are you serious." She replied.
>"I mean; I guess I knew...somewhat? But I didn't think she was serious. I thought she just loved tormenting me." Said Marco walking slightly faster.
>"God, you're naive," said the girl laying back even more, "then again so is Janna. I didn't think she would actually try with you having your thing for Jackie."
>"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT!?" The boy yelled, almost panicking. "PLEASE DON'T TELL ME OTHER PEOPLE KNOW."
>"Marco, you're killing me out here." Said Sabrina. "Besides, what do you even see in her...you know...besides the obvious?"
>Before Marco could give her a smooth reply, Marco's mind shut down completely.
>"She is as plain as cardboard," said Sabrina, "the only things that seems to interest her is her skateboard and...that's as much as I can tell. Why are you so obsessed with her?"
>"I...I don't know." Said Marco timidly.

>"I...guess she's really hot I guess?" Said Marco conflicted.
>"She wasn't "hot" in first grade, Marco." Said Sabrina.
>"I know, okay!" Said Marco turning his back to Sabrina, "Maybe I don't like her that much after all!". He said in a fury.
>Sabrina turned her eyes to the floor as she let out a loud sigh.
>"Look, I'm sorry I went there, I just wanted to make sure Janna wasn't setting herself for a heartbreak, which I guess she is." Said Sabrina disappointed. "
>"It's Ok, Sabrina," Said Marco, after taking a breath, "I know you're just trying to look out for her."
>"Besides," said Marco turning back to her, "I think you made realize some things. I need some time to think about stuff."
>"That's alright, Marco. I guess I'm just gonna go home now." Said Sabrina as she got on her feet and headed towards the front door.
>"Marco," she stopped for a moment, "don't break her heart too hard. She really does like you. Goodbye." Said the girl as she continued to walk home.
>Marco didn't seem to know what to do at that point.
>Should he cancel the "date"?, should he call her and clarify the nature of their arrangement?
>Or should he just ride along and some fun with Janna for now, knowing that she will eventually be heartbroken?
>Marco thought about this for about an hour and a half, and it was about time that, if he decided to go, had to start prepping up.

>Eventually Marco decided to just go, try to enjoy the movie and hope that Janna keeps the situation friendly enough for him to avoid any awkward situations.
>Trying not to dress too formal, he put on some jeans and a relatively new shirt he bought with his allowance a couple of weeks ago.
>The boy headed downstairs where his parents and Star Butterfly had arrived no more than 5 minutes ago.
>"Hi, Marco!" Said Star as she raced upstairs past Marco with bags full of clothes in both of her hands.
>"Hey darling!" Said Ms. Diaz, "You didn't come out of that room the entire day, I thought you got sick or something."
>"I'm okay, mom, I just needed to rest today. Oh, by the way, can I ask you something?" Asked Marco.
>"Sure! What is it?" Said Ms. Diaz
>"Can you take me to the mall? I'm gonna meet with some friends over there and watch a movie, probably."
>Ms. Diaz bright smile quickly turned into a frown.
>"Marco," said Ms. Diaz enthusiastically, "we JUST came back from the mall. If you wanted to come with you should have told us before we left!"
>"I'm sorry, Mom. It was a last minute thing, can you pleeeeeeaaase?" Said Marco, making a sad puppy face.
>"Alright Marco," said Ms. Diaz, "I'll do it. But don't make a habit of this, young man!"
>"Thanks, mom." Said Marco as he gave her a hug. "We gotta hurry though, we should have left three minutes ago."
>On the way there Marco received a text from Janna.
>"r u coming" read the screen.
>"I'm on my way!" Replied Marco.

>"Thanks, mom!" Said Marco as he stepped out of the vehicle.
>"Have fun, sweetie!" Said Ms. Diaz, "Call me if you need me to pick you up!" She said as she sped away.
>Now it was time for the biggest challenge Marco has ever faced in his life, Janna.
>Marco pulled up his phone and called her.
>"Hey!" Said Marco, "where are you?"
>"I'm in front of the movie theater, I already bought the tickets just in case!" Said Janna excitedly. "But you're paying for snacks!"
>"Sounds fair," he replied, "I'll be there in a minute."
>While the mall wasn't huge by any means, Marco took his sweet time to get there.
>"Man!" Said Janna teasingly as soon as she saw Marco, "you're slower than than my grandma trying to use a computer!"
>She looked completely different to what she normally looked like at school.
>Instead of the green clothes she would usually wore, she was wearing a jean jacket, a hot-pink t-shirt underneath, and a pair of jeans.
>Perhaps the most noticeable change, however, was the fact that she was not wearing her beanie.
>She looked unfamiliar, as if her olive green beanie was a part of her body.
>"Sorry," said Marco as he cautiously walked towards Janna, "I must have gotten lost in the way."
>As soon as the boy got within range of her, she quickly gave him a hug.
>While the boy was hoping this kind of things wouldn't happen, he instinctively hugged her back, to his dismay.
>"So," said Janna, still in the hug. "How are things?"
>"Uh, great!" Said Marco over her shoulder, now slightly uncomfortable, "things are fine."
>After a few seconds Janna let go off the hug.
>"This is gonna be great!" Said Janna almost shaking of excitement, "I looked up this movie, and apparently it's fucking awful!"
>"Wait, really?" Said Marco, "it looked good from the few trailers I've seen, maybe we can watch something else?"
>"Are you serious, Marco!?" Said Janna almost breaking in laughter, "It's a terrible HORROR MOVIE! I bet this shit is hilarious!"
>"Alright Janna," said Marco smugly, "I'll trust your knowledge in movies, but if the movie sucks in both ways you owe me for the snacks!"
>"Deal!" Cried Janna.
>"Deal." Replied Marco.
>"Now go buy me some food," Said Janna, turning Marco around with her hands and slapping him in the back, "I'm starving for some nachos!"
>The boy laughed for a second, and walked to the concession stand.

>"I swear to God, she's freaking crazy." Thought Marco as he waited in line at the concession stand.
>Then Marco turned around to look again at Janna, who was playing a motorcycle arcade game.
>Her new colors and the lack of her beanie completely transformed her. Janna has always had something repulsive as far as Marco was concerned.
>But what this "something" was, however, Marco did not know. She wasn't ugly by any means. I'm fact, she was actually really pretty. But there was something about the way she dressed and how she interacted with Marco that completely repulsed him; that scared him.
>However, that something wasn't present at the moment. There was nothing in her that Marco could describe as a deadly flaw.
>But before Marco could let himself get lost in his thoughts, he was brought back to reality as he was called by the cashier.
>Marco went for the safest choice he could afford: two individual sodas, two individual bags of popcorn and two individual boxes of candy.
>He grabbed the snacks and walked towards Janna who was finishing her game.
>But before he could get there, Marco's mind started drifting again. This time Marco managed to shake it off and continue walking.
>Whatever thoughts were bouncing around the surface of his mind, he was determined not to let then set in.

                                                           Part III

>"Are you ok Marco," said Janna concerned, "you look like you're sick."
>Marco passed by her without even looking, and set the stuff on the nearest table.
>"I'm alright," said Marco, "it's just cold that's all."
>It wasn't cold at all to begin with.
>"Here," said Janna, taking off her jacket, "It might be just a tiny bit small for you but it might do for now."
>"Janna," said Marco embarrassed, "you don't have to, I'll just power through."
>"Come on Diaz!" Said Janna playfully, while trying to hand the jacket to him, "you obviously need it more than I do, I don't even feel cold!"
>"...thank you, Janna." Said Marco as he tried to take Janna's jacket without touching her hand.
>"See, it looks even better on you than it does on me!" Said Janna, putting her hands on her hips.
>Luckily for Marco, Janna's jean jacket didn't have any feminine details, so it could have easily been Marco's to begin with.
>However, the heat from Janna's jacket and Marco's anxiety were making the boy sweat like mad.
>"Janna, maybe we should go inside the theater, show time is closing in on us." Said Marco with an air of desperation.
>Marco hoped that the darkness of the theater would conceal his stress that was beginning to become visibly obvious.

>"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Janna, "are you sure you're okay Marco? You don't look okay at all."
>"As a matter of fact, you're right, I'm not okay," said Marco trying to hide his nerves, "I have to use the bathroom really quick, but I'll meet you inside!"
>"Alright, Marco. But don't take too long, I want watch the trailers with you!" Said the girl as she walked to the theater.
>Marco stood in front of the mirror for a full minute.
>The boy knew that he was certainly losing control of both the situation, and himself.
>He started to consider using this opportunity to ditch Janna and find a way back home.
>But he knew he couldn't. He couldn't do such thing to Janna. Even after all the teasing the girl have done to him during the last couple of years, it was wrong.
>Besides, Janna's mischief was just for fun, it was her way if being friendly. She never meant to do him wrong. Unlike what Marco was planning on doing.
>After wiping the sweat off his body, Marco went to meet Janna inside the theater.
>The boy in the jean jacket, after huddling through many legs and apologies, eventually made it to where Janna was saving him a seat.
>"That took you long enough." Said Janna, teasingly.
>"Sorry, I kinda lost track of time." Replied Marco as he sat down, "did I miss anything?"
>"Just a commercial for toothpaste, you're good." Said the girl.

>Marco tried to maintain total silence and hoped Janna would do the same.
>Surprisingly Janna was relatively quiet, making a comment now and then about the trailers, but nothing too obnoxious.
>But then, Marco's jaw drops to the point it could touch the floor.
>It was the trailer for the sequel of Marco's all-time favorite cheesy Kung-Fu movie.
>To no avail, Marco tried to put his hands on his mouth to keep himself from screaming.
>But the result was probably the greatest exhibition of fan-girling the world had ever seen.
>And it was also the greatest opportunity Janna has ever had to tease Marco.
>As fast as she possibly could, the girl in the pink t-shirt took her phone out from the bag she carried with her.
>Every scene of the trailer, followed by every kick, muffled scream and strange facial expression Marco made, was now immortalized by Janna's smartphone.
>The trailer eventually ended, and left Marco breathing extremely heavy.
>"I need...to see it." Said Marco, as he made futile attempts to calm his hype down.

>"Oh God, I bet Jackie is gonna love this." Said Janna as she pretended to type something.
>Marco's heart immediately sank.
>"NO!" Said the boy panicking, " DON'T YOU DARE SEND THAT TO HER!"
>Marco tried to take her phone away from her hands, but for some reason, Janna offered no opposition, and Marco was able to easily take it.
>The boy pressed the home button like his life depended on it, only to be greeted by the lock screen.
>"Janna," said Marco slowly, pretending to be calm, "what's the password?"
>"That sort of defeats the purpose of the password if I just tell it to you, doesn't it?" Said Janna with mischief in her eyes and a smile on her face.
>"I'm serious, Janna." Said Marco through his teeth.
>"Well, I guess we can make a deal," said Janna, "we can trade my password...for a little ki-"
>Before Janna could finish her sentence, Marco launched forward and gave Janna a kiss on her cheek.
>Janna face immediately turned completely red.
>"Can I have the password now!?" Said Marco.
>"That's not what I...5878." Mumbled Janna with her hand on her cheek.
>In a span of 10 seconds, Marco found and deleted the video, and tossed the phone back to Janna.
>The two of them remained completely silent for the next twenty minutes.

>After the prolonged silence, the theater's light started to turn off.
>"Hey, look! The movie is about to start." Said Janna, tried to break the tension.
>"Yes, Janna," said Marco looking straight at the screen, "I'm looking at the same thing as you're."
>Janna looked away for a second to think of something.
>"Hey," said Janna, putting her hand on Marco's shoulder, "I'm sorry I recorded you like that, I swear I wasn't gonna actually send it to anyone.
>Marco tried to maintain his anger, but it faded away as he took a breath.
>"It's alright," Said Marco, now turning to her, "I guess I probably looked kinda funny."
>"Kinda funny!?" Laughed Janna, "I would have paid to watch something like that, it was goddamn hilarious!"
>"Was it THAT weird?" Said Marco, now smiling.
>"Marco, you have no idea." Said Janna, "too bad you deleted the video tho, you would have loved it."
>"Well, look on the bright side," said Marco, turning at the screen, "we're probably in for something even funnier."
>"Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the movie," said Janna taking a sip of her drink for the first time, "I got too distracted by your circus show."
>Marco laughed, for the first time tonight the boy genuinely thought this was actually gonna be enjoyable.

>Just like Janna predicted, the "horror" turned out to be impossible to take seriously.
>It was only ten minutes in, and it already was stupidly full of cliches, and the dialogue might as well have been written by a 10-year old.
>"I bet that guy dies now." said Janna pointing at an old man laying innocuously in bed.
>"Why do you think that?" Asked Marco as he tried to predict himself what could happen next.
>"He has to," said Janna mockingly, "It would be the stupidest thing that could happen right now.
>Not more than a minute after Janna's prediction, the elderly man on the bed "dies". Or at least that's what the "actor" seems to be doing.
>"Fuckin' called it," said Janna throwing popcorn at her mouth, "this movie really is shit."
>"Hasn't really been funny yet." Said Marco.
>"Oh, just gotta wait a little for that," said the girl still chewing on popcorn, "it's towards the middle when shit turns into diamonds."
>"Might as well throw some other predictions while we wait," continued Janna, "watch the same guy return from the dead, the house is haunted forever and some group of idiots get to live in it. Throw in a sex scene every now and then and you have the perfect horror movie."
>"I don't think the last part's gonna happen, Janna," said Marco, "PG-13 remember, they couldn't have sold you the tickets if it was any higher."
>"Uh, well I didn't buy them at the cash register," said Janna, "I used the machine inside, with my dad's credit card."
>"And the guys at the entrance don't get paid enough to give a shit, so they just let you in."

>"Wait, so the movie's rated "R"? Asked Marco with an air of discomfort.
>"Well, duh," said Janna, "Obviously. Besides, didn't you tell me you saw the trailers?"
>"I mean," explained Marco, "I saw ONE trailer a long time ago, before it was even rated. I didn't even know the movie was going to be bad until ten minutes ago."
>"Are you gonna have trouble sleeping tonight?" Teased Janna, "is the meanie-meanie rated R movie going to give the baby nightmares?"
>"I'm not scared..." Said Marco, "it's just...never mind. Let's just watch the movie."
>It wasn't the "scary" aspect of the movie that concerned Marco.
>It was rather the potential of the "other thing" Janna mentioned.
>It's not like it necessarily bothers him personally, as Marco's very aware that he has watched a LOT worse than an "R" rated movie can offer.
>But it's the fact that it's next to Janna, or anyone really, that would make him very uncomfortable. When he watches a movie with his parents, anything remotely sexual will result in Marco hiding inside a blanket.
>Lord only knows what would unfold if it's with Janna of all people.
>Janna, on the other hand, was perfectly aware of what was troubling Marco
>The girl was debating with herself what to do if that happened, whether she would just act casually and joke about it...or try to get away with something else.

                                                           Part IV

>But there were no signs of such thing happening, as the movie was progressing ridiculously slow.
>Even Janna was getting bored. The promise of blood, gore, and others was still not being kept by the film.
>"You know," said Janna, "when I said this movie was going to be bad I didn't mean it like that."
>"What do you mean? I think the story's quite interesting so far. I like the characters too, especially Lopez, I think he's pretty funny." Said Marco chewing in his popcorn.
>"You've got to be kidding me."
>"Why, you don't like him?"
>"Marco," said Janna pinching Marco's cheek with her left hand, "you're adorable. But it seems we have quite a different taste in movies."
>"Well," said Marco moving Janna's hand away from his face, "what kind of movies do you like?"
>"For starters, not the kind where I rather talk to the person sitting next to me than actually watch the damn thing. I like the kind where stuff, you know, actually happens."
>"But something's happening. They are introducing the story and the characters."
>"Jesus Christ, Marco. Please stop"
>"If they don't go through this part, it's harder for people to relate to the characters and the narrative loses its power."
>"Oh god, I'm gonna throw up."
>"The setting is important too because nah I'm just kidding this movie sucks."
>"Wow," said Janna giggling, "you actually got me for a second."

>The movie eventually started to pick up its pace, however, the teens had already lost complete interest in it.
>"Hey," suggested Janna, "you wanna walk outta here? I'm sure there's something better we can do somewhere else in the mall"
>"Sounds good to me. I don't think it's going to get better anytime now." Said Marco.
>The girl proceeded to stand up.
>"Well, I guess that's i-"
>"Oh wow wow!" Said Marco as he pulled Janna back by the arm, "remember our bet? You owe me for the snacks."
>"Oh well, I guess you beat me fair and square." Said Janna as she took a $100 note from her back pocket, "here you go, cowboy."
>"Wow ok calm down. I was kidding. But why are you randomly carrying a 100-dollar bill in your pockets?"
>"It's fake, you dummy." Said Janna as the boy examined the bill. "I thought you had detective skills or something like that."
>"Not really. Wait, why are you carrying counterfeit money that you're aware of, isn't that a crime?"
>"I'm not using to buy anything, Diaz," said the girl taking the bill from Marco's hand, "it's just in some fucker decides to mug me and really, really wants something to steal."
>"Has that ever happened to you?" Asked Marco very concerned.
>"Yeah, twice. The last time it happened I didn't carry any money and the son of a bitch got so angry that he beat me up and ran away. He could have might as well killed me right there, but thankfully he didn't have a gun, ever since I carry this bill, just in case."

>"I'm sorry that happened to you." Said Marco.
>"It's okay," replied the girl, “I’m already used to stuff like that happening around me, I just learned to deal with it.
>While Marco didn't exactly know where Janna lived or what places she frequented, but he knew it wasn't the nicest part of town.
>Also, Janna was absent from school very often, and when she did attend, she looked like she was perpetually tired and exhausted. Every now and then she would show up with a bruise or a small cut on random places.
>Marco was never bothered or concerned by it. He would just dismiss it as Janna just being lazy, and the injuries were just a result of her skating with Jackie, etc.
>Or at least, until now. Marco's perspective seemed to had changed completely at that moment. He was legitimately worried about Janna.
>His thinking was interrupted by Janna who was impatient to get out of the theater.
>"So...are you coming or do I have to drag you out like a dog. I'll get a collar and everything if you really need me to." Joked Janna getting on her feet once more.
>"Nope, I'm good. Thanks for the offer though."

>The teens walked out of the movie theater and stopped just in front of the escalator to decide what to do.
>"So..." Said the girl, "what now?"
>"Well there's this pizza place downstairs, and it's pretty decent." Said Marco.
>"Marco, is this a ruse? Or thou inviting me to dinner?" Said Janna in an ironic English accent.
>"Goddammit, Janna, why do you have to make everything so difficult."
>"It gets a lot easier when you learn how to take a joke, Marco. And yes, I accept your invitation."
>"Right. Just follow me and try not to get lost."
>"Whatever you say, Diaz. By the way you're still wearing my jacket."
>The couple walked to the pizza restaurant and sat down at a table outdoors.
>"This is pretty nice," said Janna looking concerned through her purse, "a little too-out-of-budget nice, perhaps."
>"It's okay, Janna. I got it."
>"Aww, that's so sweet, Marco."
>"Don't even mention it. Really, please don't. So, about the thing that happened, where did it happen?"
>"Oh, that. Well, very close to where I live. Think of the worst neighborhood in Echo Creek and you might guess."
>"Uh...Howell?" Said the boy unsure of his answer.
>"Freaking Howell!? Damn, Marco, for a guy whose roommate can travel through space and time you really don't get around much."
>"That's the worst I could think of. Yeah, you might be right about that."

>"Lacoda, Marco. That's where I live. You're so fortunate you've never had to even hear about that hellhole." Said Janna, slightly sad rather.
>"Lacoda..." Thought Marco out loud, "The name rings a bell but I don't think I know anything about it."
>"Well it's a really bad place and that's as much as you need to know. I wish I didn't have to move there."
>"Why DID you move there?"
>"Well, three years ago, after my parents divorced, we had to look for a place where my dad, my siblings and I could live with on a single income. Lacoda was pretty much the only option we had at the moment, and things haven't got a lot better ever since."
>"Wait, you're living with your dad? What about your mom? Does she pay child support or something?"
>"She would, if she hadn't gone completely insane after the divorce and ended up in a mental hospital."
>Janna's eyes started to water a little. Marco didn't know what to do so he sat just sat there, trying to say something but no words would cross through his mouth.
>"It's hard, Marco." Said Janna, her voice cracking up slightly, "Lacoda is not even within the school zone. I'm technically supposed to attend West Dell High, but that school is terrible and I didn't want to leave all my friends."

>"And since my dad has to go to work very early in the early in the morning, I have to take a normal bus to my original school bus stop every day to go to school, so I have to wake up super early in the morning."
>"Janna, I'm sorry I asked. I didn't know you were going through this kind of stuff."
>"It's okay, Marco." Said the girl wiping a tear away with her arm. "I actually feel a lot better sharing this with someone."
>"Hey, how about we just forget that and try to have some fun for once?" Said Marco, putting his hand on Janna's shoulder and trying to force a smile out of her.
>"I guess giving it a shot wouldn't hurt." Said the girl recovering her normal voice.
>Soon enough the server showed up and took their order.
>In a matter of time, Janna and Marco started talking and joking as they would any other day.
>Janna was evolving from being a nuisance in his everyday life, to becoming one of the best friends he's had in a long time.
>However, Marco was still thinking about everything Janna said, comparing his mornings to hers, trying to put himself in her shoes, but unfortunately, his life was far too spoiled for that.
>It was getting quite late however, it must have been around 10 PM by the time the teens ate their food and called it a day.
>Marco had set a new record for himself, the most numbers of missed calls from her mother: 2.
>The boy called his mother and asked her to come by, but she already was on the way anyways.
>She arrived shortly after where the teens were waiting in front of the mall's parking lot.
>"Hey sweetie!" Said Angie to Janna, mildly surprised she wasn't a male friend of Marco's, "did you guys have fun?"
>"Yeah," said Marco trying to accommodate himself in the back seat, "the movie sucked though, but we figured something."
>"So, honey, where do you live? I can take you home."
>"Uh..." Replied Janna reluctantly, "You can just leave me at your house, I live close by..."
>"Are you sure sweetie? I don't have a problem taking you to your house."
>"Yeah, it's fine. Thanks for the offer, though."
>They made it to Marco's house around 10:30. It was already very dark outside.
>"Welp," said Janna getting out the vehicle, "I had a lot of fun, thanks Marco. Thanks for the ride, Angie!"
>"No problem, sweetie!" Said Angie as she went inside.
>"Goodbye Marco, today was great. I should be getting to the bus stop right about now, see ya." Said the girl as he gave Marco a tighter hug than last time.
>The girl then started to walk into the darkness. Marco was trying hard to keep his conscience inside. He knew that, if what Janna said is anywhere close to the truth, it would be extremely dangerous to go back to Lacoda this late. The boy had to give up to his conscience.
>"JANNA!" Said the boy running down the street hoping she wasn't too far away.
>"what?" He heard in the distance as he moved closer to the her.
>"Janna," said the boy panting from the run, "do you want to stay over tonight...it's could be dangerous back there this late."
>"Oh, thank you Marco!" Said Janna hugging him once more, "Just let my dad know I'm staying over with a friend, he must be really worried now."
>The teens walked back to Marco's house, and Janna used Marco's house key to open the door.
>"Here," said Janna handing the key to Marco, "You can have this one back." She winked.
>Marco walked towards his mother who was talking with Marco's dad over coffee.
>"Uh, mom, is it okay if Janna stays over tonight?"
>"Oh! Uh, sure sweetheart, I don't see a problem." Said Angie with a strange tone.
>"Thanks mom, come Janna, I have an air mattress in my closet but you are going to have to help me inflate it." Faded Marco's voice as he walked upstairs.
>Marco's parents couldn't do anything but to look at each other and giggle.

                                                                Part V

>"You know; I haven't had a sleepover in years! This gonna be so much fun!" Said Janna, throwing herself on Marco's bed.
>"Janna, I thought we already agreed this was my bed."
>"Not really, we agreed it was a tie, remember. We haven't decided on a tie-breaker."
>"Janna, please get up. Besides, this is literally a sleepover. You're just sleeping over so you don't have to go back home so late at night. We have school tomorrow and we need to sleep."
>"Oh wow, you're such a party pooper. Anyways, I wasn't prepared for a sleepover tonight, so I'm gonna need to borrow a few things."
>"Like what?"
>"Well, for starters, I need to borrow your shower 'cause I need to well...shower. Second I need a toothbrush. Third, I need a bed since you're not willing to lend me your comfortable resting place."
>"Go ahead and use the shower, there should be some clean towers hanged there. There's also a box of spare toothbrushes and I'm gonna get the mattress inflated right about now."
>"Damn Marco. You REALLY are prepared for anything."
>"I guess there are some advantages of being the "safe kid". I'm gonna get started on this."
>"Well I should head into the shower now," Said the girl walking towards the door, "oh, Marco, thanks for letting me stay, that was really cool from you."
>The girl finally went inside the bathroom, and Marco started working on inflating the air mattress.

>Marco finished inflating the mattress, set it somewhere on the floor, and laid down on his bed. He would have fallen asleep hadn't it been for Janna screaming from the bathroom."
>"Hey Marco!" Cried Janna from the other side of the door. "I need some help over here!"
>"I'm coming." Said the boy. He could only imagine what Janna had in mind, "What's wrong?".
>Janna opened the door and peeked her head over.
>"Uh, there has been a little oversight. I have no clean clothes on me. Perhaps you can ask Star if she can't let me borrow something."
>"She probably will, give me a moment."
>"Thanks, Marco!" Said Janna closing the door."
>"Star! Star are you awake!? I need something!
>Marco banged on the door a few more times before someone answered it.
>"Whatdoyouwant, Marco. It's very late andiwannagobacktosleeppleasehurry." Mumbled Star, struggling to stay awake.
>"I'm sorry I had to wake you up. Do you have by any chances any spare sleepwear?"
>"Why do you need my clothes, Marco...Are you going through your princess phase again..."
>"Please don't ever mention that again. They are not for me; they are for...Janna who's staying over."
>"Marco, you're having a sleepover!? Why didn't you invite me!?" Star suddenly woke up.

>"It's not a sleepover she's just, uh...sleeping over. So do you have anything she can borrow?"
>"Sure, I should have some clean nightgowns over here-oh hi Janna!"
>"Hi Star! How are you?" Janna had just exited the bathroom wearing a towel around her.
>"Janna," said Marco trying to avoid the sight of her, "what are you doing? I was getting you the clothes, why couldn't you wait inside!?"
>"Oh, I thought something went wrong so I came here to check, so Star, is it okay if I borrow something?"
>"Absolutely, here, here's a nightgown you borrow and some underwear! Don't worry, it's fresh from the box, feel free to keep it!"
>"Aw thanks Star, you are the best."
>"Don't even mention it, have fun you two!" The girl slammed her door closed.
>"Aww, isn't this adorable?" Said Janna holding the panties up, "there's a little unicorn on it...Marco?"
>The girl was already standing by herself in the dark corridor.

>The girl walked into the Marco's room and there was no one inside. So the girl decided to quickly put the clothes on.
>She didn't have time to put anything on before the door was opened slightly and quickly slammed back closed.
>"Marco, is that you!?" Said the girl lazily trying to cover her naked body.
>"Yeah, I went down to get some water, d-d-don't worry! I didn't see anything! I swear!" Lied Marco. He saw a lot more than he ever though he could possibly imagine.
>"It’s alright Marco, it was my fault for not locking the door. It's okay you can come in now!"
>The boy slowly and carefully opened the door, and looked away during every moment. His face was a red as a tomato.
>"Marco, are you ok...oh god you saw me didn't you."
>"Uh...maybe. Just a little but I didn't mean to, I didn't know you were changing in my room! Why would you change in my room?”
>"It's okay, Marco, calm down. I already said it was my bad and I'll be more careful. Besides, you're overreacting. It's just a body that's all, it's not like you saw someone getting torn to pieces by a bear."
>"Yeah...yeah you're right. It's just a little skin, nothing I haven't seen before..."
>"What."
>"No, I don't mean you...specifically I meant like...you know what, never mind that it came out wrong, let's just go to bed please."
>The boy laid on his bed and dug his head inside the pillow, hoping the embarrassment would go away.
>Janna, on the other hand, was just laying down on the air mattress, with a little smile on her face.

>Neither of the teens could find sleep after what occurred.
>Marco tried his hardest but he couldn't sleep. He wishes he hast had to see what he saw earlier. His misery only got worse when Janna tried to break the tension.
>"Marco...are you okay?"
>"Yeah, I'm fine thank you for asking. I'm just trying to sleep, that's all. You shouldn't try to sleep too; we have school tomorrow."
>"I'm alright, Marco. I'm used to sleeping a lot later than this. Um, Marco, can ask you a question?"
>Marco just wished she would just go to sleep right now and stopped talking.
>"Yeah, what is it?"
>"How much did you actually see?"
>That was the kind of question he was hoping he would never had to answer. He dug his head into his pillow even harder.
>"Sigh...pretty much everything. Again, I didn't actually mean to."
>"You don't have to apologize; you didn't do anything wrong...so...did you like it?"
>"...what." The boy pretended he didn't understand the question.
>"I mean, was I too ugly? Because you acted like you saw a ghost or something like that. Be honest, I can take it."
>"Ugly? Said Marco through his pillow, "You're not ugly. Not by any means. I think you're actually kind of pretty...it's just that you caught me completely off-guard and I did not know how to react."
>"Aww thank you, Marco. Next time I flash you like that I'll try to give you a proper warning."
>Marco laughed. "Good night, Janna."
>"Good night, Marco."
>The teens fell asleep very quickly after that.

                                                              Part VI

>The teens slumber was interrupted by the sound of Marco's alarm clock. He reached with his arm and turned it off.
>"Janna..." Said Marco softly kicking the girl below him, "...Janna, wake up, we got to go to school..."
>After a couple of tries Janna finally moved and let out of gigantic yawn.
>"Hey...just give me five minutes and I'll be up..." She yawned again.
>"Okay, my mom should be making us breakfast by now, I'll go check if Star's awake."
>The boy struggled out if bed and walked to the room directly in front of his own.
>"Staaaaaaaar! Wake up! It's Monday and we've got to go to school!" said the boy banging on the door.
>"Okay, I'll be down in a second!" Answered the voice behind the door.
>The boy walked back to his own room and faced Janna again. "Come on Janna, you have to wake up or we're gonna be late..."
>"I said...I said five minutes..."
>"It's been 8 minutes since you said that, come on now."
>"Okay, okay I'm getting up, you don't have to be so persistent, Marco."
>The girl turned on her back and stretched her hand at Marco.
>"Help me up."
>"Sure."
>As soon as he grabbed her hand, instead using Marco to get up, she pulled him down with her other hand, making Marco fall next it her.
>"Gotcha." Said Janna mockingly as she gave the boy a hug and rest her head on his shoulder.
>Marco was now a little uncomfortable, but not as much as he would have been two days ago.
>"Come on, Janna." Said Marco gently patting her arm, "I don't want to get my first tardy of the year because of you."
>"One minute..."
>"Sigh...fine, just one."
>The girl smiled with her eyes still closed.

>Star had been sitting at the table by herself for about five minutes. Marco had never taken so long to get ready for school.
>She decided to check on him to make sure everything's fine.
>"Guuuuuuys! The school bus will be here any minute now and if you don't come down now you're gonn-oh..."
>The girl suddenly stopped and saw something rather unexpected, Janna wrapped around Marco, both asleep on the air mattress.
>"Umm, okaaaaaaaay...uh guys...it's getting late so...you should probably wake up..."
>...
>"GUYS!"
>Marco managed to wake up, but Janna didn't seem to be bothered by Star's yelling.
>"Oh, uh, hey Star..." Said Marco looking around, "this isn't what it looks like."
>The boy gently moved Janna away and pretended everything was normal.
>"Yeah...I'm not gonna say anything about that, but we're this close to missing the bus so hurry up, please."
>"Yeah, I'll come down as soon as I can."
>The girl turned to the stairs and walked down trying to contain her laughter.
>Marco was still sitting on the mattress, trying to figure out how in the world he managed to fall asleep like that.

>Marco didn't bother to try to wake Janna up this time. He decided to take his clothes and put them on in the bathroom.
>This time he made sure not to go back into his room and go straight for breakfast, just in case Janna decided to mistime her dressing again.
>Soon enough Janna showed up in the same clothes she wore at the mall yesterday.
>"Hey guys," said Janna half-asleep, "how you doing?"
>Star put her hand over her hand to try to contain her laugh, and Marco just focused on his cereal.
>"You guys are acting weird, what happened, did I miss a joke or something?"
>"Nope," Star giggled, "nothing at all!"
>"Okay? Well I'm not hungry right now, I'll just wait upstairs for you guys to finish up so we can go to school."
>"Try not to fall asleep again!" Yelled Star at Janna who was already going upstairs.
>When she turned at Marco, all she saw from him was the deadliest of death stares.
>"What are you doing?"
>"Noooooooooooothing..." Said Star still smiling.
>"It was nothing, I'm serious. She tricked me into laying down there, it was nothing like that. I'm just really tired and that's why I fell asleep. Please stop acting like that."
>"Or maybe you really liked it? Uh oh, someone's in looooooooove!" Sang the blonde.
>"Cut it out, Star. Gosh, you're acting like Janna. In the bad way."
>"So there's a good way?"
>"Stop!" The boy was now extremely annoyed at Star, not something that happened very often.

>Marco didn't bother to try to wake Janna up this time. He decided to take his clothes and put them on in the bathroom.
>This time he made sure not to go back into his room and go straight for breakfast, just in case Janna decided to mistime her dressing again.
>Soon enough Janna showed up in the same clothes she wore at the mall yesterday.
>"Hey guys," said Janna half-asleep, "how you doing?"
>Star put her hand over her hand to try to contain her laugh, and Marco just focused on his cereal.
>"You guys are acting weird, what happened, did I miss a joke or something?"
>"Nope," Star giggled, "nothing at all!"
>"Okay? Well I'm not hungry right now, I'll just wait upstairs for you guys to finish up so we can go to school."
>"Try not to fall asleep again!" Yelled Star at Janna who was already going upstairs.
>When she turned at Marco, all she saw from him was the deadliest of death stares.
>"What are you doing?"
>"Noooooooooooothing..." Said Star still smiling.
>"It was nothing, I'm serious. She tricked me into laying down there, it was nothing like that. I'm just really tired and that's why I fell asleep. Please stop acting like that."
>"Or maybe you really liked it? Uh oh, someone's in looooooooove!" Sang the blonde.
>"Cut it out, Star. Gosh, you're acting like Janna. In the bad way."
>"So there's a good way?"
>"Stop!" The boy was now extremely annoyed at Star, not something that happened very often.

>Star's face changed completely. He had never seen Marco this angry at her. She immediately decided to run damage-control.
>"Oh come on, Marco! You don't have to get so salty, I'm just joking with you. I'd think you guys would make a lovely couple."
>"Star, you're not making it any better."
>"I know, I know! I'll stay quiet from now on!" Star pretended to zip her mouth with her hand, and gave Marco a thumbs up.
>"Janna!" yelled Marco, "the bus comes in two minutes we got to go now!"
>"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Said Janna rushing down the stairs, "mind if I borrow that pencil?" She pointed at a mechanical pencil that was laying next to Marco.
>"Suit yourself." Marco grabbed his bowl and threw the pencil at Janna.
>The teens finished up all the before-school preparations and rushed to the bus stop. They barely made it on time.
>Marco's bus stop was never crowded. It was at most 15 people that had to take the bus every morning, and the bus fitted about 40, so everyone could comfortably get their own seat.
>However, Janna decided that she wanted to share one with Marco. She lined up right after the boy and followed him until he decided for one, and sat next to him. Oddly enough, Marco didn't seem to be bothered by it.

>"So this is what the school bus looks like? I expected it to be a lot more crowded." Said Janna.
>"Not really," replied Marco, "it's usually like this, there aren't many people our age around the neighborhood."
>"Aww, that sucks, you must be bored out of your mind all the time with nobody around."
>"Not ALL the time, I have Ferg and Alphonso, they come over every now and then."
>"Ah yeah...those two. They must be a riot." Janna rolled her eyes.
>"Well, they are not exactly the coolest guys, or the smartest...but I've been friends with then since grade school."
>"Why?"
>"Why...I don't know exactly. I think it's because I was very shy and awkward during grade school and they were the only ones willing to be friend with me; and I haven't tried to make other friends since. Maybe that's why."
>"Well, if you ever feel like not being surrounded by losers every once in a while for a change, you know I'm around."
>"Thank you, I guess. Just try not to break into my house so often. I'd suck if you got in real trouble for that."
>"Hold up," Janna pulled out her phone, laid her head on Marco's head and pretended to type on her phone, "Do...not...trespass...as much. Got it."
>Both of the teens laughed loudly, getting a handful of stares from the people around the bus, but they quickly changed their focus to their phones or whatever they were doing before.
>All except Star, who for some reason, was watching them very attentively from the other side of the bus.

>The rest of the school day unfolded rather normally.
>Janna and Marco only had Algebra together, and they say so far away from each other they couldn't even talk.
>Marco noticed that Star was paying even less attention to class than usual, she looked like she was texting someone. Anyone other than Skullnick would have taken her phone away, but she clearly did not care enough to do so.
>6 hours later, school finally ended. As far as Marco was concerned, it was one of the most uneventful days at school he has ever experienced.
>Or so he thought.
>After the final bell, Marco headed straight towards his bus. He was caught by Janna before he could get in.
>"Hey Marco, how was your day?"
>"Pretty boring. Yours?"
>"Same. Hey, I don't have any homework today, do you wanna hang?"
>"Eh...sure. It can't be any worse that what I had planned this afternoon." Said Marco, making his way inside the bus, followed by Janna.
>"You know, the usual. Sitting in my computer all day talking to people I don't know or care about on the internet."
>"Sounds like a blast."
>"I know right?"
>Traffic was particularly heavy in Echo Creek. It would be a while until they made it home. Janna, without saying anything, laid her head on Marco's shoulder and went to sleep. The boy laid on the window and did the same thing.

                                                              Part VII

>After an obnoxiously long bus ride, the teens finally arrived to their destination.
>They would have been left behind if it wasn't for Star, who woke them up.
>"Wake up guys! We're here! The driver says he doesn't want to stay here forever and that you guys better get out now or else!"
>"Thank you Star," said Janna, rubbing her eyes, "come on Sleeping Beauty, we have to go."
>"Yeah, I'll be right behind you girls." Marco took his time to get up from his seat and exit the bus.
>As soon as Marco stepped out of the vehicle, the bus sped away as if it was a sports car.
>Star took out her phone and ran up the stairs to her room. Janna in the other hand walked towards the kitchen and started opening random cabinets. She found what she was looking for just before Marco could catch her.
>The boy walked inside, threw his book back across the room and laid on the couch.
>"Hey Marco, what do you want to do?" Said Janna.
>"I don't know. You were the one that suggested coming over in the first place. What do YOU want to do?"
>"Well, we had a lot of fun playing games last time, you want to do that?"
>"Sure, go ahead and start the thing up, I'll just get something to eat."
>Janna ran up the stairs. Marco grabbed a bag of tortilla chips and emptied into a bowl.

>Not to his surprise, Marco found Janna laying down on his bed.
>"Janna, I think we've had this discussion before." Said the boy, laying the chips on a small table he brought with him.
>"Yeah, I don't think I paid much attention to that."
>Marco laid down on the air mattress next to his own bed that was still there from that morning.
>"Oh! I almost forgot!" Janna jumped off the bed. "I have an idea to make this a little different, close your eyes!"
>"Why would I need t-"
>"CLOSE THEM!"
>Marco climbed back to his bed and closed his eyes, but he was startled by the sound of colliding glass.
>"Is everything okay down there!?" Yelled Marco, still with his eyes closed.
>"Yeah it's fine! Don't open your eyes yet!" Replied the girl, still making suspicious noises.
>"Okay, you can open them now!"
>Turns out Janna's "surprise" was a bottle of Vodka from Marco's parents' liquor cabinet and two glasses.
>"Um, Janna, We're not supposed to take things from my dad. Especially not THAT."
>"Oh, relax Diaz!" Marco cringed at that name, "There's like a hundred bottles in there, they are not gonna notice that there's one with a little less than it should have! Besides I'm pretty sure you're curious to try this."
>Janna wasn't wrong. Marco hadn't had a drop of alcohol in his life, but he always wondered what was all the buzz about it. By the smell of it, it probably wasn't very tasty, yet Marco still wanted to try it.

>Star grew tired of her phone and decided to hang with Marco and Janna. She walked in and the first thing she saw was the vodka bottle.
>"Hey guys! Are you having fun cause I'm a little bit bor...wait you guys are drinking!?"
>"Yes...and no," said Janna, "not yet. It's just a little game I proposed-"
>"Without ME!?"
>The teens were looked at each other in confusion.
>"Wait a minute," said Marco, "Star, you've drank alcohol before?"
>"I mean, it's only once a year. Back in Mewni there's this pagan holiday called the River Festival, and there's a party at the castle were everyone gets pretty much drunk. It's really fun tho!"
>"Yeah that sounds like a completely normal family experience." Added Janna.
>"Well, we are not gonna get THAT drunk because Janna here promised me we are not gonna let it spin out if control, right?"
>Janna nodded energetically.
>"Alright Janna, what are the rules."
>Janna got up and picked up the Vodka bottle.
>"Basically, we play just like last time, except every time we die, we have to take a shot of this baby. Marco doesn't have a third controller so if you want to join in, you can just drink when I drink."
>"Sounds like fun! When do we start!" Said Star jumping up and down.
>"As soon as Marco finds a game, you do that, I'll get a glass for Star."
>Janna ran downstairs and got back up in a matter of 15 seconds.
>"Okay, so are we ready!?" Said Janna.
>"Ready!"

>This time, Marco managed to keep a hold of his bed. Janna sat with Star on the air mattress that was still there for some reason.
>Marco was doing relatively well, however, Janna didn't share the same fortune, as she was killed relatively quickly.
>"Well that didn't take long. Guess the girls are starting this up!"
>Janna filled two cups with vodka, and handed one of them to Star. The girls toasted and drank.
>Janna was caught unaware by intensity of the vodka and reacted quite strongly, almost vomiting. Star in the other hand passed it like it was water.
>"Janna are you ok!?" Marco turned his attention from the television screen, and got killed in the process.
>"Yeah, I'm good. Thing's stronger than I thought, and by the way it's your turn now."
>Marco quickly turned back to the screen, and let out a disappointed sigh.
>He grabbed the drink Janna already had prepared for him and put it close to his mouth. He hesitated for a second but eventually he drank it.
>"So...how was it?" Asked Star enthusiastically.
>"It's...well, horrible. I don't understand how adults can like it." Marco grabbed his controller and resumed playing.
>"So, Star, since apparently you're the expert in drinking between us, how long would it take for it to kick in?" Asked Janna.
>"For me, it's usually around 15 minutes. But my dad told me it depends on the person. You guys only had one shot so I don't know if you'll even feel anything."
>"Don't worry, with the likes of Marco in our team we're sure to die enough times to feel something!"

>As the game progressed, the bottle of Vodka started to run out.
>By the end of the match, Marco drank a total of 6 shots, while the girls had 8 shots each.
>"Okay..." Said Marco, "I feel horribly sick. We're never doing this ever again. I just feel like I'm about to throw up, I don't get how this is any fun."
>Janna laid down with her hands on her face and groaned extremely loudly.
>"Yeah, I don't think having them so close to each other was such a good plan. Star, how long has it been?"
>"12 minutes. It probably hasn't taken full effect. I don't feel anything yet, like, at all."
>The teens agreed to stop the game right there. An extra ten minutes passed and the alcohol started to kick in.
>"Do you guys feel anything at all? Are you sure that was alcohol, it could have been some sort of medicine or something."
>"No Star...that was definitely alcohol. I think...I think you're just a little more used to it..." Uttered Marco.
>Janna tried to stand up but couldn't get her feet sorted out.
>"Star...help me out, I can't get up." Janna outstretched her hand towards Star.
>"Don't! She already tried that before...She thinks she's really sneak but she is not! She might try to kiss you or something, I don't know, some girls are like that.
>"I don't do that Marco...I don't like girls...But I do know someone who does!"

>"Who is it then? Tell me I wanna know!"
>"I'll let you guess...starts with a J and ends with cow hormones and bullshit puberty."
>"Wait, is it Jackie? No way, I don't believe that for a second."
>Janna erupted in laughter. In the other side of the air mattress sat Star, who was rather concerned about hearing things she probably shouldn't be hearing.
>"Come the fuck on, Marco! She is the hottest girl in the entire school! Even seniors are after her! Why do you think she's never had a boyfriend before? It's because there aren't any other dykes in the entire fucking school!"
>Sober Marco would probably be extremely heartbroken right now. But in this situation Marco couldn't help it but laugh at it.
>Star was growing extremely uncomfortable with what has happening around her. She quietly got up and sneaked out the door. She headed straight for her room and looked for her spell book.
>Janna managed to get on her feet and laid down next to Marco.
>"Hey, close your eyes."
>"No, I won't, I don't trust you."
>"Fine, your call." Janna moved in slowly and kissed him in the lips.
>Marco didn't flinch or move at all. He just kept staring.
>"Thoughts?" Said Janna trying to get Marco to react.
>"Anything I tell you right now is meaningless. Try it when I'm sober and see how it goes."
>"I probably wouldn't dare to do it. Might as well just tell me now."
>"It was decent, would have been better with a proper warning."
>"Okay, want to give it another shot?"
>"I wouldn't mind it. Go ahead if you want to."

>Janna moved in for another kiss. This time Marco received it properly and kissed her back.
>Even if Marco wasn't really all there, she still loved every second of it. She knew that she was slowly but surely softening Marco, not counting what just occurred.
>Marco let go of the kiss. Janna moved a little closer and turned her back to him. She reached for Marco's right arm and placed it around her.
>"I could get used to spooning, it's pretty comfy." Whispered Janna.
>"Uh-huh, now shut up, Janna, I want to sleep."
>"Wait give me a second, I need something." Janna got up and grabbed the nightgown she used the other day.
>Marco instinctively looked away.
>"Why are you so shy all of a sudden, I haven't even done anything. Besides, you've seen a LOT more." Janna took off her shirt.
>"I don't know. I just don't feel comfortable watching someone change." Marco still looked to the other side. "That was an accident."
>Janna threw the nightgown on her shoulder and sat next to Marco, who was trying his best not to look.
>"You're such a baby, Marco. You need to be a little bit more confident around other people."
>Janna laid her back on top of Marco and slowly removed her jeans.
>Marco couldn't help it but to look forward at Janna in her underwear, which wasn't really hers, it was the set Star gave her as a gift.
>"Why do you hate me, Janna?"
>"Hate you? It's all the opposite, Marco." Janna crawled slowly at the boy and kissed him. She put on the nightgown, finally putting an end to her tease.
>She laid down next to Marco just like last time. This time, it was him who took the initiative and wrapped his arm around her.
>Marco's mind was still rushing; he has never seen or felt anything like that. But perhaps it was a good feeling, maybe.
>He just had realized how exposing a nightgown is. It's like throwing a blanket on top of a naked person. He had seen Star in her nightgown many times, but he had never had that kind of thoughts.
>He eventually managed to cool down and fall asleep next to the girl that might as well had been naked, but what happens from there was still troubling him.

                                                                Part VII

>Marco woke up to an empty bed. His first reaction was to look at his alarm clock, which displayed the current time: 6:18 PM.
>When he sat up he found Janna sleeping on the floor. It's safe to assume she fell from the bed and was too drunk to care. Quite unfortunate really, as the air mattress was in the opposite side.
>The effect of the alcohol hadn't worn off at all, in fact, it worsened. Inhibition had turned into sickness and headaches.
>He called for Star but the girl did not answer. He grew desperate and he called for his parents, but they also weren't there.
>Lacking any other options, the boy turned to the least likely source of help, a drunk girl passed out in the floor.
>He grabbed Janna by the arms and started dragging her across the floor.
>"I need help...I need help to go downstairs...I'm afraid of trying alone." He dropped her in front of the stairs.
>"Just go for it...if you fall it's probably not gonna hurt...for now." Muttered the girl, moving into fetal position.
>Marco tried lifting her up, but the girl did not cooperate.
>"I need...we need to find Star...Janna please help me."
>Janna finally decided to try to stand. With Marco help's she was able to get on her feet.
>"Alright, this is what we're going to do, you put the hand on the wall, I'll put the hand on the rail. We take one step at a time while we lean on each other. You got it?"
>"Uh-huh." The girl nodded.

>Following Marco's plan, the woozy teens managed to walk down stairs, only losing balance every now and then.
>They headed for the kitchen, what they found was a gigantic mess, as if someone had gone through the fridge and threw everything they could find.
>Janna started to lose her grip, so Marco decided to walk her to the couch and drop her there.
>As soon as he dropped her Marco started to see some flashing lights coming from the kitchen, and grunts and screams from a voice that sounded like Star.
>He ran to see what was happening, but immediately fell on his face. He got up and walked instead at a brisk pace.
>What he saw was Star against the wall struggling with a small octopus-like alien that was wrapped around her face.
>Marco couldn't do anything but watch and hope for the best.
>She managed to get the alien to let go of her head and kicked it in the air.
>"DIE DIE DIE!" Star yelled as she shot the alien thrice with her wand.
>Star dropped to the floor, still panting heavily from the attack.
>"What the hell is going on?" Marco asked, confused.
>"I...I was trying...to make a potion...terrible idea." The girl struggled to control her breathing.
>"A potion?"
>The girl took a deep breath in and managed to calm herself down.
>"Yes, a potion. Turns out very few of the ingredients are available here on Earth, so I had to take a quick trip back to Mewni, but turns out a Huiter is not a fruit...it's a damn octopus." Star pointed at the dead alien.
>A lot of blood started coming from the alien's blast wounds.

>Star quickly got up and picked up the alien before it bled put completely. She grabbed a plate and placed it on it.
>"The guy that wrote it down on the spell book wrote it in Ancient Mewnian. Translating it is incredibly hard, even Glossarick got it wrong. He thought it said "juice of Huiter" so I assumed it was some sort of fruit...turns out it was "BLOOD of a Huiter."
>Janna managed to walk to the kitchen by her own means. She didn't expect that kind of mess.
>"Holy fuck...Star who did you kill?"
>Star pointed at the plate in right front of her.
>"What is that thing, is it an octopus?"
>"A Huiter," interrupted Marco, "apparently. Why do you need its blood anyways? What the heck kind of potion are you making?"
>"Well, you guys were VERY drunk and I figured that you both get in serious trouble if your parents found out, so I looked for something to cure drunkenness in my spell book and this is what turned up."
>Star opened the fridge and took out some strange looking fruits and vegetables, obviously not from Earth.

>The girl grabbed the blender and put in the ingredients. She then took the alien's body and tossed it in the garbage.
>"On now for the final ingredient...blood from that dead thing." She grabbed the plate and poured the leftover blood.
>"I don't wanna drink that!" Whined Janna.
>"Don't worry, Glossarick told me Huiter blood is apparently very sweet. It tastes like Mango! That's why we thought it was a fruit!"
>Star turned on the blender and grabbed two glasses.
>"That is so cool!" Said Janna, mesmerized by the potion, which was turning into an intense blue color.
>"Be careful," said Star pouring the drink, "this is very potent and it might upset your tummies, but it'll get rid of all the alcohol in your bodies!"
>She handed them the glasses and gently walked them to the nearest bathroom.
>"So, who's gonna go first!?" Asked Star excitedly.
>"I'll give it a go. It better taste like Mango, Star." Said Janna.
>She then turned to Marco.
>"Hey, I don't know what's gonna happen next, but I had a lot of fun doing this with you."
>"Yeah, I guess it was fun. Let's agree to never do this again."
>"No promises." Janna pulled Marco into a kiss, hoping it wouldn't be the last. "I love you, Marco."
>Star didn't know what to do so she just put her arms behind her back and whistled a melody loudly.
>"Here goes nothing." Janna lifted the glass and drank its contents to its entirety.

>"Hey, it does taste like Mangoes..." Without saying another word, the girl gagged and ran into the bathroom, shutting the door closed.
>What followed was the most graphic sounds of vomiting Marco had ever heard in his lifetime. It sounded like she was screaming while she was puking.
>Suddenly the noises stopped.
>"Janna, are you ok?" Marco knocked on the door, but there was no response. "Janna!?" He knocked louder.
>"Janna if you don't answer I'm gonna break in!" No response.
>Marco pushed on the door and it gave was easily. What he found was Janna passed out on the floor next to the toilet.
>"She's fine." Said Star, walking around Marco towards Janna. "She'll wake up in about 5 minutes, I told you this thing was powerful!" She picked up Janna's body effortlessly and flushed the toilet with her foot.
>"I'll be passing around for you in a minute, good luck!" The girl winked walked off.
>Marco looked at the glass and was ready to throw it away, but he knows that if he did he would get in some serious trouble with his parents, and Janna too.

>He closed his eyes and drank the potion.
>The flavor was quite nice. It did taste like mangoes, with a touch of tartness, as if it had a hint of citric added into the mix.
>However, the flavor only mattered for a few seconds. The feeling that was about to overcome him was beyond any human comprehension.
>The world started to spin around him. He struggled to keep his balance and eventually fell to his knees.
>His vision turned extremely blurry and his stomach started to revolt. He quickly crawled to the toilet and let go.
>His entire body was in terrible pain, the worst he had ever felt, and had broken several bones before. That explained why Janna sounded like she was screaming. He tried to contain any screams to himself but it was way beyond his control.
>He felt like he was losing his mind. There was a deafening noise coming from somewhere, it was so loud he though his eardrums were going to explode.
>Then suddenly, everything stopped, the pain was gone, his vision went back to normal, there was no noise anymore. But before Marco could feel any relief, everything went dark.

>Marco opened his eyes slightly, only to see an unnatural amount of pink around him. He was in Star's bedroom.
>Next to him was Janna, who was awake but was not moving at all, she was just staring at the ceiling.
>"Welcome back to the real world, Marco." Said Janna, still staring at the ceiling.
>"Oh hey." Replied the boy.
>Marco sat up and crossed his legs, Janna still wasn't moving. He remembered everything that happened earlier, everything Janna said, Everything Janna did, and things that he himself played a part on.
>"Uh, Janna...Do you remember anything from earlier?"
>"Earlier? All I remember was feeling sick and passing out. Everything else is a blur."
>"Oh...me neither. Nothing memorable, it seems." The boy wanted to believe her, but he knew very well that she could be lying. Just like he himself was lying. Turns out they were both lying.
>Janna in the other hand, didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. She knew the things she got away with wouldn't happen any other way. It was a great opportunity to make something out of, but it came to nothing.
>Star walked in with a tray, containing two glasses of milk and a plate of cookies.
>"Hi, Sleeping Beauties! I brought you guys a little something. Hope it makes up for what I had you drink earlier."
>"It's okay, Star," Said Janna, sitting up, "you don't have to apologize, you probably saved our lives. Thank you."

>"Still, take them. It might make you feel a little better. Oh, by the way! What are you guys gonna do now!?"
>The teens looked at each other and tried their best to appear confused.
>"Gonna do what, Star?..." Said Marco.
>"Uh...you know, about...you guys...Wait you guys don't remember anything!?"
>They shook their heads.
>"Oh that's weird, the potion recipe didn't say anything about memory loss. Oh well, I should probably write that in the spell book!" She raced out of the room.
>Silence took over Star's bedroom. Not a word was uttered from Marco or Janna.
>"Um..." Janna tried to break the silence, "I should probably go back home now, Dad's gonna worry, he hasn't seen me in almost two days."
>"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Better go now while there's still sunlight."
>Janna changed back into her normal clothes. This time she took them to the bathroom and changed there, instead of the little show she did for Marco earlier.
>Marco went downstairs and waited for her at the door. He tried not to think about anything, but as hard as he tried there was no escaping it.
>Janna walked downstairs and met Marco at the front door.
>"Hey, see you tomorrow at school, Diaz." She gave him a hug.
>"Yeah, you too. Try not to be too late this time." Marco let go of the hug.
>"No promises, but it'll try! See ya!"
>And with that, she turned around and walked away to the nearest bus stop.
>Marco went to his room, shut his door locked and dived to his bed. Any thinking would have to be put off to another day.

                                                                Part IX

>"Holy crap, this shouldn't hurt so much."
>Sabrina had her right foot inside a bucket full of ice water. She had stubbed her toe quite badly at cheerleading practice, and had to abandon the group early.
>She was by herself coping with her pain when she heard her phone ring from her bedroom. She dragged the bucket with her so she could pick up the phone.
>"Janna? Why are you calling me so late in the night?"
>"I fucked up. I fucked up bad, Sabs."
>"Janna! I told you if you ever got detained you're supposed to call your parents, not me!"
>"What...no, I'm not in jail!"
>"Then what is it about?"
>"It's about Marco."
>Sabrina muted her so she could let a loud groan out of her. She sat down on bed and immured the call.
>"What did you do, Janna?"
>"I said the "L" word."
>"Janna I told you had to take it slow, and that's pretty much the opposite, why did you do that!?"
>"I kissed him too...thrice."
>"Ok...what!? How is that bad then? That doesn't sound like an F-up to me."
>"We were drunk."
>"Oh..."

>"Wait so how did you get him to drink? He's the safe kid after all."
>"It was supposed to be a game. I promised him it we wouldn't drink too much, but it got really out of hand."
>"Janna, alcohol is no game. We once got hit by a drunk driver and it hurt really bad! So anyways...did you guys stop at kissing or..."
>"I wish. Yeah, we only kissed. I was too scared to actually go for...you know..."it"."
>"Well, at least it sounds like you had fun!"
>"That's not the point, Sabrina. What am I supposed to do now? I literally told him I was in love with him. Oh, and that Jackie was a lesbian, too."
>"Ok. Do you know if he remembers anything at all? He might not remember anything."
>"He told me he didn't remember anything."
>"Well, that's good!"
>"But I told him I didn't remember either. He could be lying about it and I'm pretty sure he is."
>Sabrina laid down and took a moment to think.
>"You guys need to talk about it. It's gonna be even weirder between you too if you awkwardly try to avoid the issue."
>"I guess you're right. Thanks for the advice, Sabs. I'll tell you how it goes as soon as I can. Bye!"
>"Bye! Good luck!"
>Sabrina went back to focus on her stubbed toe, while Janna took her hand out of her pants and tried to get some sleep.

>Fast forward to the next day, Janna tried to talk to Marco during lunch.
>She saw him sitting next to his usual gang, Ferguson and Alphonso. He hadn't seen them together in days.
>Sabrina was sitting a few tables away with the rest of the cheer squad, watching Janna to make sure everything goes fine.
>"Hey guys," said Janna approaching the table, "is it okay if I talk to Marco for a moment? Alone?"
>"Hey, Janna..." Said Ferguson ironically, "what is this about now?"
>Janna got caught unaware by Ferguson's tone.
>"Oh...uh, it's something important I have to talk about with him, it'll be quick."
>The boys rolled their eyes, slowly grabbed their trays and went to eat somewhere else.
>"What was that all about?" Asked Janna, sitting down.
>"I don't know," replied Marco, "they seemed mad at you for some reason." He sounded very uninterested.
>"That's weird. But anyways, we need to talk about yesterday."
>Marco didn't seem to be very excited to talk about what happened. He put his head down on the table and took a deep breath. His reaction made Janna hesitate.
>She managed to compose herself and started talking.
>"Yesterday, do you remember anything?"
>"I already told you I don't."
>"Well, I do, and I know you do too."
>"Whatever happened yesterday, we can just blame it on the alcohol. You don't have to explain anything."
>"So we are cool? Or you not at all bothered by it?"
>"Not at all. We are good."
>"Alright Diaz, I'll see you later then."
>The girl smiled quickly picked up her tray and walked away.

>Janna turned away to where her friend was sitting.
>"How did it go?" Asked Sabrina.
>"Good!...actually, I don't know. He said that whatever happened, just happened and it's okay. But I don't really know if that's what I wanted."
>"Does he remember?"
>"He didn't say, but I'm still pretty sure he does. I don't know what to do now, I feel like I'm going nowhere."
>"Well, what I would do is to give the guy some space. Let him get yesterday out of his mind before you try something else. You've kinda hogged him these last couple of days."
>Janna decided to follow her advice and to leave him alone for some time. For three days, Janna didn't interact with him other than the occasional friendly greeting and small talk during lunch lines, etc.
>But at the third day, she would strike again.
>Friday after school, Janna was at her house wondering what to do. She didn't exactly have a repertoire of fun activities where she lived, other than her video game console, which she was already tired of.
>She decided that she had given Marco enough time to be by himself.
>The girl pulled her phone from the charger and called him.

>"Hey Janna." Marco answered, in a friendlier tone this time.
>"Hey, Diaz. How you doing?"
>"Absolutely horrible now, thanks for
ruining my day. What's up?"
>"Nothing much. Just stupidly bored. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the park tomorrow at noon, I was planning on going today but it would have been weird to go alone."
>"Yeah, I'm down. What do you have in mind?"
>"You'll see when we get there. Bring sports clothes and water, some spare clothes too, you're gonna need it!"
>"Why?"
>"That was order, not a question, Marco! Now do as I say and don't talk back to me, maggot!"
>"Whatever you say, "sir"."
>"Now that's more like it!" Janna laughed, "see you tomorrow, Marco."
>"See ya."
>Janna laid down on her bed and let out a sigh of relief. She thought that Marco would act more awkwardly with her, as was glad that she took Sabrina's advice.

>The next day, Janna woke up early and started getting everything ready for the day. She put on an orange sleeveless shirt and shorts, and packed a small bag with some stuff.
>This time Janna's father was able to take her to the park, so she didn't have to the trouble of taking multiple buses to get there.
>Echo Creek Recreational Park was one of the biggest public parks in America. It had everything, from multiple sports fields, to an indoor gym and indoor pools, all surrounded by a massive lake. It is still a mystery how the city gets enough money to build and maintain such a place, but no one seems to question it too much.
>The teens met by the entrance. Janna was already waiting there when Marco was dropped by Angie.
>"Bye sweetie," said Angie, "have fun and don't come back too late!"
>Marco was getting out of the car but was surprised when Janna ran his way and gave him a hug from the side.
>"Hi Janna, how are you?" Said Angie from her window.
>"I'm great, Ms. Diaz. Don't worry I'll return him in good condition. See you later!"
>"Well have fun you two! But not TOO much fun!" Janna laughed. Marco just rolled his eyes and pushed Janna away from him.
>After saying goodbye once more, Ms. Diaz drove away.

>"Alright Janna," said Marco, "what's this thing you couldn't tell me about until I got here."
>"Oh, we're going running."
>"Running? Why? That's not fun at all!"
>"Oh don't be a baby, just go get yourself a locker and put your stuff in there. Why did you bring so much stuff anyways?"
>Janna grabbed Marco's backpack that he brought with him and started going through it.
>"If you had told me we were running I wouldn't have packed so many things. I brought things for every possible activity I could think of."
>"You forgot to pack condoms..." She mumbled quietly.
>"Huh?"
>"Same."
>"Uh-what...okay?" Marco took his backpack away from Janna and closed it, "So, where are the lockers?"
>"Inside the gym. Hurry up, slow loris, we're wasting sunlight!" She patted him in the back and pushed him to the direction of the gym.

>After Marco put his stuff in a rental locker, the duo net at the path along the lake.
>"Janna, I'm not very convinced about the running thing...why are we doing this again?"
>"It'll be fun, I promise, and besides were aren't actually going to be running, just jogging until we our bodies give up."
>"You have a twisted definition of fun, Janna."
>"I'm sorry, what!?" Janna started jogging away from Marco, "I can't hear you over the sound of pussying out! Get closer!"
>"I said...goddammit." Marco ran behind her to catch up.
>"So," Said Marco trying to control his breathing, "how long are we gonna do this, 20-30 minutes?"
>"Pfft, I said until we can't give no more," Janna moved a little faster so she could turn his back to Marco, "that's the entire point. To push yourself."
>"Janna, running backwards is dangerous. Besides, how often do you do this?"
>"Every week. It's something I started doing one day 'because I was bored and alone, and it slowly became a thing."
>"Alright, just don't expect me to last as much as you could, I'm not used to doing something like this."
>"Oh, don't worry, I don't." Janna winked at him and went back to jogging normally.

>15 minutes passed and Marco was already showing signs of giving up.
>"Janna, this stopped being fun before it started. Can we stop now, please?"
>Marco started to lose speed. Janna noticed this and grabbed his hand to pull him forward.
>"Come on, Marco, we're not quite there yet. Even if we wanted to stop now, we still have to go around half a lake, so there's no stopping now!"
>"Can't we at least take a break? Just give me five minutes to catch a breath...please."
>"Ugh fine, honestly for an "athlete", I expected a lot more Marco."
>The boy dropped to his knees and panted loudly. He extended his hand towards Janna.
>"My bottle...Janna, you have my bottle in your bag. I'm thirsty."
>Marco didn't have a place to put his water, so Janna had carry it in the little bag that she had with her. Only now he realized his mistake.
>"Oh, is my little boy thirsty?" She took Marco's bottle from her bag and stretched her hand just far enough so that he couldn't reach it.
>"Janna, please this isn't funny anymore. Give it to me."
>"Aww, it'd be a shame if someone..." She tossed the bottle in the air, "AND KICKED INTO A LAKE!"
>The boy sat in horror as he saw the only source of drinkable water within 2 miles fall into the lake.
>He turned towards Janna. She was already running away, laughing as she skipped away.

>"YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Cried Marco, as he got up and chased Janna.
>The boy tried to channel his anger into pace, but it seemed like Janna had the advantage when it came to running away from trouble.
>It seemed like it would be impossible for Marco to catch up to Janna, but then Janna took a strange turn towards the edge of the lake and slowed down a little.
>Marco didn't care, he kept running at full speed and tacked Janna down the lake.
>The boy knew that Janna's bottle was still in the bag, and he was determined to get it.
>But it seemed like Janna's speed and agility didn't change underwater. She managed to slip away from him every time he tried to grapple her for the bag. Janna still managed to laugh out loud during this.
>Eventually Janna gave up and let go of the bag. Marco immediately zipped it open and chugged down Janna's water bottle.
>"Not bad Marco! I didn't expect you to catch up, even if it took you the entire lake!" Said Janna still in the water.
>Marco looked around and was shocked to see the entrance of the park not very far away.
>"We ran the entire thing?!"
>"Yeah, you actually did it, congratu-fucking-lations." Janna turned around and took off her shirt to wring the water away, revealing nothing underneath.
>Marco didn't react immediately to look away. The sign of Janna naked was nothing new to him anymore, he could only see her back anyways.
>"Janna, I wouldn't do that here. Someone could see you and you'd probably get in trouble." Said Marco, sitting down on the grass.
>"It's alright, Marco,"
Janna turned her body toward him, "I've been through here many times, nobody comes around to this side of the lake this early."
>This time Marco turned his eyes to the sky, but managed to get an accidental glimpse of her.


>"Are you done there?" Said Marco, trying his best to keep focused on the clouds.
>"Just one more second...yeah that looks about right..."
>"Did you put it back on?"
>"Maybe...there's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Janna's voice sounded as devious as it had ever been.

                                                              Part X

>Marco took a risk and lowered his eyes to a normal position. What he saw was Janna swimming around the lake, only sticking her head out.
>"You know," said Janna, still swimming, "this might not an indoor pool or a Jacuzzi, but it's not bad at all! I wonder why people don't swim in it!"
>"Because it's a lake, Janna. People don't swim in lakes when they have a pool that's regularly sanitized 1 minute away from it."
>The boy had a point. The lake's water was so polluted that one couldn't see anything below it, so Marco couldn't quite see whether she put her shirt back on or not.
>"It's not THAT bad! Jump in, you'll like it! Besides, you're already wet, you might as well."
>"I'm not going to swim in dirty lake. I'm gonna go take a shower at the gym and that's that."
>Marco made the fatal mistake of sitting at the edge of the lake. As he was turning around, Janna grabbed him by the neck of his shirt and pulled him down.
>The lake was shallow enough so that someone could comfortably stand and have their upper body out of the water. However, Janna kept herself under and only revealed her head.
>He gave Janna a stare, but the girl was still smiling from ear to ear. He sighed and sat down like Janna.

 >"Hurray," said Marco annoyed, "you got me in the lake. What a blast...the lake, yay..."
>"Oh come on, Marco, don't be such a wet blanket, enjoy the water!"
>The girl started to splash water at Marco, to no response. However, the movement of the water confirmed Marco's suspicions. She wasn't wearing any clothes, or at least se didn't put her shirt back on.
>"Dammit Janna, put your clothes back on!" Marco moved away from her.
>"Why?," Janna slowly crawled towards the edge of the lake. As it turns out, she also had removed her bottoms, "you don't like what you see? You didn't say that the other day."
>Janna sat down with her legs closed. Marco tried his best not to look at her, but it was too much handle.
>He saw her naked. This time it wasn't an accident, she sat there and he was willingly looking at her.
>As much as he wanted to deny it, there was no doubt that it was the greatest sight in the world. He could see the entirety of her chest, which had become familiar to him by now, but he couldn't see anything below, as Janna had her legs closed, but he could see just a little bit of hair, which was enough to make him shake in a combination of fear and excitement.
>But still, Marco was fighting with himself. It felt wrong. That was Janna. He isn't supposed to feel anything for her. He isn't supposed to let himself be manipulated by her. He isn't even supposed to be thinking this exact same thing. But he was.

>Janna saw him and realized this. There was no way that Marco would try anything by himself, so she had to be the catalyst once more.
>She moved back into the water and slowly crawled towards him. Marco tried his best to run away and hide, but his body didn't actually react to his commands. He just sat still, looking at Janna crawl seductively towards him.
>Janna moved in front of him and grabbed his hands. She pulled him softly towards the edge of the lake, and this time he cooperated.
>She sat him on the edge of the lake, then wrapped her arms around him and put her mouth next to his ear.
>"Marco," she whispered, "what I said the other day...I meant it. I really like you and I want to do this...If you don't want to, just say so."
>It was obvious that Marco was running on auto-pilot. He had a blank expression on his face and his mouth was slightly open. All he could do was just stare at her.
>Janna was waiting for an answer but didn't get that, Marco just kept staring. She got on her knees and pulled on his shorts slowly, expecting a response. Marco shook suddenly, but still didn't say anything.
>She took his maintained silence as a sign of consent, and went for it completely.
>Marco immediately closed his eyes, and expected Janna to start doing her thing, but she didn't. Marco opened one eye and noticed that Janna was just staring, just like he himself was doing earlier.
>"Janna...a-are you ok..." Marco said faintly.
>She shook her head slightly and turned her eyes to Marco.
>"Oh...sorry, I just got distracted..." Janna smiled nervously. She composed herself and just about managed to kiss it.
>But even that bit of contact made Marco's blood pressure rise tremendously. He could even hear his heartbeat in his head.

>As Janna got more and more into it, Marco started to breather heavier and louder.
>He felt very tempted to touch her body, but could only bring himself to pet her head, and play with her hair, which cause Janna to giggle.
>But suddenly Marco started to regain conscience and realized his situation. He was literally out in the open in a public park, only shielded by some trees, which only covered from certain angles.
>Marco started to panic, rapidly looking both ways to make sure nobody was coming. There was not a soul around that area, but Marco was still very uncomfortable.
>"Marco!" Janna stopped what she was doing to comfort him, "calm down, we're alone, it's just you and me, don't worry."
>Marco nodded nervously.
>Janna wrapped her arms around him, placed her forehead against his and got on top of him. She put her head against his ear once more.
>"Now it's when it gets fun, are you ready?" Janna whispered.
>"Yeah..."
>Janna lowered her body and used her hand to place it correctly. She only put an inch inside, but she was already losing her breath.
>"Are you ok!? Does it hurt? We can stop!" Said Marco panicking.
>"No...it's fine. Let me handle it." She took a deep breath and lowered herself completely. To Marco's surprise it went in quite smoothly.
>Both teens were shaking. Janna was hugging Marco very tightly. They wanted to move but the sensation was very intense as it already was.
>Marco felt like he was burning, one small movement and he would be done for, he thought.

>"I'm going to move, are you ok?" Janna panted.
>Marco nodded. Slowly but surely, Janna started moving her body up and down.
>Marco had never felt anything this amazing before. He couldn't even breathe. Janna in the other hand seemed a little more comfortable. Her face looked overjoyed with pleasure. Soon enough she started to softly moan in Marco's ear, so that nobody could hear.
>"Janna...fuck...this is amazing." Marco managed to say that between his breaths.
>Janna grinned even harder and moved slightly faster.
>At this point, Marco started to lose it. In a bold move, he lowered his back to the ground and got a handful of Janna's breasts, and started moving himself.
>Janna was caught unaware by this. But she didn't care. It was incredible. She didn't care if anyone heard her, and started moaning loudly.
>Unfortunately, Marco was already reaching his limits
>"Janna...I'm close. Janna..."
>"Me too! Don't stop!"
>Marco was ready to let go of her, but Janna grabbed him under his shoulders to pull herself down.
>He was surprised by this reaction, and didn't know what to do. As he got closer to finishing, he started to panic.

>"Janna, what are you doing?! Janna!" He tried to move make her react but it seemed like she was aware of what she was doing.
>Marco reached a point of no return. It seemed like Janna was about to potentially ruin his life and there was nothing he could do about it.
>Suddenly, Janna snapped out of it and moved herself out just before it was too late. Marco finished on her back and laid down. Janna just stayed on top of him, panting.
>"I'm sorry, Marco. I don't know what came over me, I swear I didn't mean to do that." She said, laying down on top of him.
>Marco sat up and put his arms around her waist.
>"It's okay...I believe you, Janna. Just be more careful in the future." Janna gave him a smile and put her arms around his neck and gave him a small kiss.
>"That one counted." Said Janna, giving Marco a hug.
>Suddenly Janna heard some footsteps in the distance.
>"Did you hear that!?" Said Janna pushing Marco away.
>"I didn't hear anything."
>"SHIT!" Janna grabbed Marco and jumped back in the lake. The boy wanted to go back to the surface but she didn't allow him.
>A full 30 seconds passed, and Marco started to shake. Janna held him down for another 5 seconds before letting go.

>"Janna, what the hell?" Said Marco gasping for air.
>She didn't answer, she was frozen still, staring right straight across him with a look of horror.
>"Janna, what is going-oh crap..." The boy looked over his shoulder.
>It was Star, just standing there with a face of both amusement and confusion.
>"Hey...what are you guys doing in the lake?"
>"What the heck are you doing here? How long have you been standing there!?" Marco shouted.
>"Whew, defensive much. I'm here because I asked your mom where you were, and then she said "at the park," and then I said I wanted to come too...and then we came."
"We've been here for like 20 minutes now when I heard what sounded like Janna screaming," Janna giggled, "and then I found your floating heads on the lake. Wow this is a very dirty lake..."
>"So you just got here..."
>"Yeah. So, why the lake, you guys realize there is a pool here?"
>"Uh...we fell. Yes, we fell in the lake. That's totally what happened...yep." Marco said horribly unconvincingly.
>"Huh, weird spot to fall over...Well, get out! You guys need to shower ASAP!"
>"Yeah about that," Janna interrupted,” ...do you mind throwing that little bag over there?" Janna pointed.
>"This little orange thing," Star picked it up, "what's it for?"
>"Oh, uh...it has stuff...that I really need right now, could you pleaaaaaaaase?"
>"Alright, here you go!" Star threw it with such force that it hit Janna in the face and submerged her.
>"Oh, is she okay?"
>"Nah, I'm sure she's fine."

>"Are you sure she's okay? She's been underwater for like 30 seconds now. From what I've read humans don't breathe underwater."
>"I wouldn't worry about it." Marco dismissed.
>After an additional 20 seconds, Janna came back to the surface.
>"What were you doing down there?" Said Star.
>"Star, you're asking too many questions," She came out of the water, fully clothed, "Come on, Marco, you heard the blonde, we need to shower this water off."
>The teens spent the rest of the day having a normal day at the park, not mentioning anything about what happened at the lake.
>They found a group to play soccer with, however Janna and Star were both last pick, for a good reason, as Star didn't know how to play and she just stared at the ball as it passed by her, and the one time she had a kick of it, it flew to the opposite side of the park. Janna's team, however, was defeated 7-2 because of Janna trying to play striker from the goalie position.
>It was getting late now, so Marco called her parents for a ride back home.
>"Hey kids, did you have fun?" Said Raphael, opening the doors to the minivan.
>"Yeah," replied Janna, "I'm sure Marco can tell you ALL about it." As she gave Marco a look.
>"Very well, go ahead son!"
>"Oh...uh, we played some soccer...so there's that." Said Marco with a look of embarrassment.
>Marco jumped back to the back row of the minivan, something he never did unless the car was very packed. Janna followed his lead and sat next to him.

>Marco had his hand laid next to himself on the seat. Janna grabbed his hand and interlaced his fingers with her own. The boy couldn't help it but to blush and smile.
>"Well," said Janna, "If the recent events are anything to go by, this is probably just a formality."
>"But there are steps that I skipped along the way," she continued, "and I want to go through them just for the sake of it, what do you think, Marco?"
>"I don't see anything wrong, go ahead."
>"Well, at the risk of sounding cheesy as hell, I've liked you for a really long time, Marco. I think you're an incredible person, and I think we could be a great couple, so, do you want to be my boyfriend?"
>"Meh, not my type." Marco laughed.
>"Come on, Marco!" Janna punched him in the arm, "I'm almost serenading you here, at least try to take me seriously."
>"Alright, what was the question again, I spaced out halfway into it." They both laughed.
>"Goddammit Marco, do you want to be my boyfriend." Janna said, trying to contain her laughter.
>"Yeah, I think I do."
>For the first time, Marco had an intention to kiss her. But he was stopped by a collective "Aww" that came from the front of the car.
>He let go of Janna's hand and hid himself behind the seat in front of him before he could die of embarrassment.
>"Oh, don't mind us, Marco." Said Angie, "pretend we're not here!"
>"No, I think the moment's passed." Marco sat down normally.
>"Oh come here, you idiot." Janna grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. However, it was cut short by another Aww front the crowd.
>"Guys!" He said, even more embarrassed this time.
>"I can't believe my boy is getting his first girlfriend!" Said Rafael, not paying attention to the road anymore, "Treat her well, Marco. It is quite a challenge to keep a woman satisfied!"
>"Yeah, Marco. You better satisfy me..." She winked at him.
>"Oh god, stop. You guys are killing me."
>"Ok guys," said Janna, "you can stop torturing him now. Hey, Marco, do you want to split-screen when we get to your house?"
>"Yeah...yeah, I guess we can do that."

                                                               THE END

>It had been three long years since the "incident" at the park. An incident that Marco wouldn't have wished for in a million years, but in the end, he was very glad it happened.
>These three years didn't come without change however. Princess Star Butterfly of Mewni, as formally referred to over there, was no longer living in the Diaz residence.
>As originally planned, she returned to Mewni after spending a good year-and-a-half on Earth, and is now serving her duties as a royal princess, whatever those duties are. A lot of her zaniness wore off with those years, but she was still the same old Star when she got spend time with Marco and her other friends on Earth.
>Speaking of Marco, well, he hasn't changed much. He's just a couple of inches taller. Went up a belt in Karate, nothing much to report really.
>Janna, however, is the one whom those years hit the hardest. In a good way, really. She stopped stealing stuff, she wasn't late to class anymore, she even accepted her perfect attendance award right next to Marco! And she also learned how to play the trombone, so there's that too.
>And I'm probably speaking too casually, and I apologize for that. Being an all-knowing narrator is a lonely job, that makes me feel lonely sometimes, but I'll promise to be professional from now on.

>Janna essentially became the new Star in Marco's life. Not at all asked for, but hard to live without after you get used to it.
>She visited his house almost everyday before heading out to hers, almost until it's completely dark, which usually results in Marco kicking her out for her own's sake.
>This particular occasion was on a Saturday, the same day that sparked Marco and Janna's relationship into full gear. He invited her over for breakfast after some pressure from his parents, who can't get enough of her. To them, she was also their new Star.
>"Oh my, that must be Janna!" Ms. Diaz jumped from excitement after hearing the doorbell.
>"Settle down, mom," Marco walked past her and stopped at the door, "This is, what, the fifth time she comes over this week? No need to overreact at all."
>"I'm sorry, sweetie, but you rarely let us interact with your girlfriend! Her coming over for breakfast is a very special occasion."
>Marco rolled her eyes and opened the door. He was mildly shocked to see Janna still in her pajamas, which Marco knows very well she never uses to sleep. Ever.
>"Well hello there," Marco leaned on the door, "This is surprising, and if experience serves for something, I shouldn't be surprised at anything anymore."
>"Shut up loser." Janna embraced him, "so what kind of meal has the chef prepared today?"
>"EGGS!" Rafael yelled from the kitchen. "I've prepared them myself! I learned how to make them today!"
>"Oh boy."
>"He insisted." Marco said as he closed the door, "he always tries to impress people. Sometimes more successfully than others. Chances are...this is others."
>"That's okay, Marco. Besides, you know I'm not here for THOSE eggs." She giggled and poked him repeatedly on his cheeks.
>"Hilarious." Marco said flatly. "Janna, I would HIGHLY, and I mean HIGHLY, appreciate it if you don't make those kind of jokes when we eat. The more PG the better. Got it?"
>She gave him two thumbs up and a purposely unconvincing smile.

>After wasting around seven eggs in the process, Mr. Diaz was finally able to finish preparing breakfast.
>"Breakfast is ready, family! Sit quickly before they get cold!" Rafael rushed to the table carrying 4 plates filled completely with scrambled eggs.
>The rest of the Diaz and Janna sat on the table while Rafael served the plates. Marco was the first one to taste his father's creation. It wasn't bad at all, he thought, but they weren't very good either, they were just some plain eggs with a little salt over them.
>"Hey, this is really good, Dad. You really outdid yourself with this one!" Marco lied.
>"Thanks son, I know you would love it. It's made with love after all!," he turned to Janna, "What about you, Janna? How are they?"
>Janna looked up to see Mr. Diaz staring intensively at her. She was almost done with the entire thing and still had her mouth full of eggs.
>"Oh wut, fe egfs?", Janna sloppily tried to cover her mouth out of courtesy and swallowed as fast as she possibly could, "Best eggs I've ever had, Mr. Diaz. Any leftovers?"
>"Nope! But I'll make more in an instant if it is required!" Rafael sprung up from his chair and ran to the fridge, recklessly grabbing the ingredients while dropping other stuff from inside.
>Janna turned to see Marco and Angie shaking their heads at her and giving her a terrifying fake smile. She got the message instantly.
>"Uhh, you know what, Mr. Diaz? I think I'm actually full now. Guess I they were so good my mind tricked me into being hungry."
>"Aww, dang it." His smile was gone now. He sadly turned around and put the eggs and whatever he dropped back in the fridge. "You know, I really enjoyed cooking those eggs."
>"I'm sure you can do it again...some other time." Angie stood up and picked up everything from the table.
>"Hey Marco, race you to your room!" Challenged Janna.
>"I am not gonna run behind you, Janna."
>"I know, I don't care. See ya!" In a matter of seconds, Janna turned and sprinted up the stairs like a wild animal.
>"Guess there are some things that never change, aren't there." Marco thought to himself as he slowly and patiently went upstairs.
>"Honey," Rafael called to his wife, "give it to me straight, how bad was it?"
>"I wouldn't cook again if I were you sweetheart!" A voice answered from the bathroom.

>Marco and Janna laid down next to each other in the bed that was now a very expensive queen sized bed, which Marco got for his 16th birthday. He begged for it for a long time because apparently was not big enough for...sleeping.
>"So I heard your neighbors were moving," Janna looked for a topic of conversation, "what's up with that?"
>"The Allisons? Oh yeah, I meant to tell you some days ago but I totally forgot about it. Apparently them lucky sons of a gun won the Echo Creek Lottery. 2.5 million dollars. They are getting this really nice house in the hills, you know, where all those filthy rich people live. Damn, what I could do with that kind of money."
>"What you could do? Imagine how good it would be for ME. Not even 2 millions, I would rip someone's hand off for a tenth of that. I could move out the "shithole". Get myself a nice car so I don't have to take those dirty, old buses everywhere-"
>"Are they really dirty and old? Because I've read that Echo Creek has one of the best public transportation-
>"Marco, you're completely missing the point," She put her hand to her face, "like, by at least two light years and a half."
>"I'm sorry, go on..."
>"So my point was, I could really use a little miracle, something that would change my life like that, forever." Janna giggled at her own thoughts. Marco didn't know what to do but to pretend to giggle along with her just in case he missed something that was supposed to be funny.
>"I'm sorry, did I miss a joke?" Janna turned to her side to face him.
>"Okay, I'm confused now. You were laughing so I just ran along with it."
>"Don't worry about it, it's probably nothing important." She moved in closer to him and laid her head on top of his shoulder.

>"Hey, I just realized you didn't even said anything about my pajamas." Janna sat up so Marco could see her well.
>"Is there something worth saying about them? They are just plain pajamas. You never wear them anyways."
>"Meh, you're probably right," Janna took off her shirt and threw it across the room, "never liked them anyways. You know this feels a lot better actually." She smiled at Marco like she knew what she was doing; she removed her pants as well and threw them up in the air at the general direction of Marco.
>"You know that is a really ugly bra too."
>"Nice try, big guy. So do you have any who your new neighbors are gonna be?"
>"No idea, but hopefully they are decent people. The ones that live across the street always play loud music late at night and don't let me sleep well. I really don't need someone like that living right next to me."
>"Yeah, that sounds awful. I wouldn't worry about it though, I'm sure whoever moves in will be lovely people. Surely."
>"One can only hope...why are you looking at me like that?" Janna was staring at him with a strange smile like she was about to burst out in laughter.
>"What...I don't get it, what's the joke...no way." Janna started laughing at him, "no way! Surely you are not-"
>Janna moved in to give him a long kiss. After a few seconds of that Janna let him go and explained.
>"My dad has worked really hard during the last couple of years. A few promotions here and there, and has been earning a lot of money. I'm also going to get a job somewhere so I can help him pay the rent. The Allisons are renting it to us actually! And they are very reasonable with what they're asking, so if we work hard, we shouldn't have a problem staying here for a long time. I guess that means you don't have to throw me out from your house at six "just to be safe" anymore. Ain't that a thing?"
>"I love you so freaking much." Marco leaned in and kissed her in the cheek, trying to distract her from what he was really trying to do. He slyly pulled her panties down and threw them on top of her head.
>"The heck, Diaz you're not actually gonna-oh-ho-ho-oh...." Marco slid a finger inside of her. It was a ridiculously strange thing for him to do as she has the beg and nag for hours. But not that it mattered then.
>"I think I like this new you..." Janna tilted her head so she could kiss him somewhere, but she could reach was his forehead.

>Everything went well until a dimensional portal opened from Marco's closet. Both Marco and Janna froze in place, not knowing whether to run or to hide.
>"Dang it, this is the third time this thing opens from inside the house, I wanted to at least knock, oh well," a girl opened the closet door, "Hey Marco and Jan-oh...uh...I think I interrupted something...uh, I don't know what to do now..." Star Butterfly stood motionless, she wanted to open the closet and burst out of there but she couldn't bring herself to. Neither could the Manna couple, and Marco still had her middle finger inside of her.
>"Hey Star, guess what!?" Janna said excitedly, like nothing was going on, "I'm moving right here next to Marco's house!"
>"YOU ARE!?" Star put her hands to her mouth and started jumping from excitement, "That is amazing!"
>Star jumped on the bed and hugged both of them, "Oh, this is going to be so great, I'm gonna try to visit more often so we can do more stuff together! I love you guys!
>"Uh..." Marco still didn't know what to do, "guys, I don't think this is appropiate...guys...aw, fuck it." He removed her hand from Janna's crotch and reach around to hug both of them.
>"You girls are weird. But it's the best kind of weird around." Marco hugged them tighter and join the overjoyed celebrations.