Forest of Hell - Part 1 of ?
Marco doesn’t bother looking up from his Math homework when Star enters, “No, I am finishing this!”
Star pouts and whines, “Marco!”
She draws out the word and he sighs, “Star, I am almost done. I need to pass this class and graduate high school.”
He doesn’t bother looking up but can feel her pout deepen which is exactly why he doesn’t look up. If he looks up he knows he will crack. He refuses to crack, he cracks every time. This will be the time he doesn’t crack. He tries to focus on his homework but can feel his resolve slowly crumbling. He makes the stupid decision of looking up and she’s standing in front of him twisting her hips to make her dress swing around while pouting. It gives her an innocent look when he knows she is far from innocent. She either did something bad or they’re going to be doing something bad.
He places his pencil downs, “Fine, what’s going on?”
She brightens up and pounces on his bed, “I’m bored!”
He raises an eyebrow, “Have you tried calling Tom? I’m sure if he isn’t doing his princely duties your boyfriend would love to see you.”
He is careful to keep the jealousy out of his voice. He keeps his tone neutral instead of letting the choking bitterness come out. He is careful to make sure she doesn’t know he is bitter about her and Tom. He doesn’t mention it in the same way that he doesn’t mention that every time he hears about Tom or about their relationship it makes him sick to his stomach or sends him into a full-blown anxiety attack. Why would he? He likes Tom...usually. He likes Tom now, part of him feels guilty because when he hangs out with Tom he has a great time, but he can’t stand seeing them together. Every time he see’s them together he feels sick. He’s taken not to hanging out with them together too much. It’s too much most of the time. He feels so much guilt over feeling everything it makes it worse.
Star’s eyes lower to the floor for a moment before slowly raising, “We can all hang out! Come on!”
He can’t protest after she grabs his arm and his dimensional scissors and drags him out of his bedroom.
He stares at the back of her head dejectedly and doesn’t notice his mother standing in the hall, “Marco?”
He stops suddenly which yanks star back into him and sends them sprawling to the ground at Angie’s feet, “Yes mom?”
She looks concerned, but amused at them, “Are you okay? Where are you off to suddenly?”
Star smiles seeming content on him before digging her elbow into his ribs to push herself up and he groans in pain, “Oh! We were going to see Tom! Or see if Tom could come here!”
She glances down at him, “Why are you groaning?”
He gasps, “That was my rib cage you dug your elbow into!”
She quickly helps him up, “I’m sorry!”
His mother sighs, “Oh, Marco…are you sure? There is a lot to do around the house and your father and I would love your help.”
He recognizes that his mother is giving him an out he wants to take it, but glances at Stars face and can’t.
He forces a smile, “Do I have to? I promise to help after!”
Angie stares at him long enough to make him uncomfortable before smiling,“Of course you do not have to!”
Star gently tugs him along with her. He makes himself at home on her bed not really listening to her apologies. He reassures her like he always does, but lays back wincing at the ache in his ribs. Everything is amplified when it comes to Star Butterfly including pain. He hears her blabbering away to Tom before his name is called at least 3 times. He sits up slowly and winces, his ribs are totally bruised.
Tom raises an eyebrow in the mirror, “What happened to you?”
He grumbles, “She insists on running in the house and her elbow liked my ribs today.”
Tom chuckles from the mirror and Star looks down at the floor in guilt. He sighs, he didn’t mean to sound that mean.
He reaches out and kicks her lightly, “Nah, it’s fine. I’m just joking it’s not a big deal. You still shouldn’t run in the house!”
Star seems to relax and smiles, “Tom! Want to come over? Maybe we can all watch a movie!”
She quickly turns to Marco again gasping, “We can bring Janna and Jackie too! Oh, I know this great dimension-”
Marco groans, “Star!”
