Promises

Chapter 8.5

In Echo Creek Academy, exams were finally over, and the sound of cheers and happiness can be heard louder than normal.

As many students strolled out of the school in groups, there were numerous graduating students taking pictures together at the courtyard and school entrance. Marco was staring out the window with a smile, before shifting his bag strap upwards and making his way to the stadium. 

He was finally free from studying and was ready to finish off high school with the best prom night he and his committee have been working on behind the scenes.

As he made his way to the stadium, with his bag hitched on his shoulder, and his hands in his pockets, he almost bumped into someone turning in from a bend.

"Oh, Star. What are you doing here?" Marco asked, looking her up and down. 

She was wearing her signature skeleton jacket and a pair of skinny jeans. She had her backpack on and her magenta down jacket draped on her arm. Star froze and shifted her eyes around.

"Ah, I was looking for you. I wanted to ask if you wanted to walk home together." Star said sheepishly, avoiding his gaze, causing Marco to raise an eyebrow.

"Don't you always go back with Pony and Janna?"

Star immediately looked over but shifted her eyes down.

"Oh, t-t-they left early...and...I thought we could walk home as high schoolers." Star stuttered, fiddling with the sleeves of her jacket. As Marco watched with his eyebrows raised, he let out a laugh. Startled by his reaction, Star's odd behaviour reverted to normal.

"What's so funny? I'm asking a simple question, Diaz." Star growled, lifting her fist to him.

"I'm sorry, you just looked...so funny." Marco tried saying through his laughter. Star began gritting her teeth and clenching her fist tighter.

A smack and thud, accompanied with a groan, echoed throughout the hallway.

Marco was bent forward, trembling, as he held his stomach, while Star glared down at him, before blowing at her knuckles and placing her hand on her waist.

"Since you're so free to make fun of me, you definitely can walk back with me, right?" Star said through her clenched jaw as her eyebrow twitched. Marco lifted his head and straightened his posture.

"Before you punched me for no reason, I was going to say I can't because I have vice president duties." Marco glared, while massaging his stomach.

Star softened her gaze and raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Prom night duties? You don't even do anything." Star mocked. Marco was now mirroring her.

"I do stuff. I'm the one who suggested the theme, which by the way, is this year's prom theme. I also asked for a raise in the budget, which will definitely make the prom the best in Echo Creek." Marco sassed.

"Oh, wow. Your committee couldn't do it with your efforts. Bravo Marco." Star mocked and leaned forward, giving him a slow clap.

Marco dropped his hands to his side and balled it into fists. He picked up his bag and walked past Star, muttering incoherent words.

"Hey, wait! I'm sorry Marco." Star shouted, catching up to Marco.

"Go away Star." Marco called out. He had his head low, walking away from her.

"Really. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

Foreign to Star's apologetic tone, Marco stopped in his tracks and turned around. She had her hand behind her and was looking down at her feet. 

"I'm really sorry." Star apologised, shuffling in her feet.

Marco raised his eyebrows and sighed.

"You can walk me over to the stadium, if you want." Marco suggested.

Star lifted her head and proceeded to run up to him with a smile on her face.