Butterfly Castle; 2021

"Why is it so early?" Complained the Mewman Princess grouchily.

Star Butterfly rolled to her side and clutched the bedsheets tighter as her three chambermaids invited themselves inside her room. They seperated the curtains, bringing in the morning rays of sunlight. One chambermaid was preparing her a bubble bath, another was picking out a suitable dress, and the last was dragging her by the hand.

"You have a meeting with the Magical High Commission, your highness." Her chambermaid, Erika, said politely.

Erika pulled the sheets of her mistress. Star groaned in protest as she sat on her messy bed, her blonde hair sticking out in different places, and her blue nightgown hung on her shoulders. Erika pulled Star onto her feet and pushed her at the direction of the bathroom.

"Then why are you all here? You know, I know how to get dressed, right?" Star asked.

Erika was a young girl, maybe a few years older than she was, freckles adorning her fair skin, having dark hair, that was knotted above her head, and eyes that reminded her of a certain someone whenever she stared at those dark orbs. She was dressed in a plain beige dress that reached her knees, a pink ribbon tied at her waist, with matching beige shoes that clicked whenever she walked.

"Yes, we do know, Miss. But Lady Crystal had ordered us to do this, We are sorry, your highness." Erika replies.

"But-"

"No, buts, your highness. We are already behind schedule." Erika shushed her.

The door to the bathroom shut behind her. The young princess was then stripped of her night gown, and was made to sit down on the tub. Erika and another chambermaid, Willow, Star thinks that's her name, cleanses her body.

Willow is new at the castle. She had curly red hair that was knotted in a bun, eyes green as moss with pale skin. She was also dressed in the same beige dress and shoes as Erika is.

Erika managed her head and scrubbed her back, all the while Willow scrubbed her arms, legs and any skin she could get her hands on. Star groaned in pain at the harsh infliction. A babble of apologies came out the lips of both Erika and Willow.

After a few minutes, the two chambermaids pulled the princess to her feet, and toweled her thoroughly. Star saw the harsh faint red lines etched on her skin. She was placed in a fluffy white robe and pouted as she was hurried to the vanity mirror.

Her other chambermaid, Helen, was older than any of the women in the room. Her dark hair was knotted above her head, eyes blue as the sea, and skin the color of cocoa.

"Oh, your highness, do not pout. We promise to make you look splendid for the meeting." Helen comforted the young princess.

"You aren't ready yet?!." A familiar voice exclaimed.

A young woman with blue colored eyes and silver white hair, clasped in a simple updo, came through the bedroom door. She was dressed in a short sleeved, teal dress that reached just below her knees, a silver ribbon was tied around her waist, with brown boots. She carried a clipboard, close to her chest. Star always wondered how she looked so pretty even if they were the same age.

"Crystal, what's the big idea? Waking me up just at 6 am? Last I checked, the meeting is at 8 am." Star complained.

"Star, you're late to every meeting. You can't be late to this one."

"It's a very important meeting." The two girls said in union, though Star said it with a sarcastic and bored tone.

"I know, you've told me a hundred times." Star sighed boredly.

"I know about the meetings, Crys. Monsters can't be like this, and neh and blah blah blah. No matter what I do, they won't change the laws that are racist to monsters! Ow!" Star shrieked in pain as the hairbrush found tangled hair.

An apology came from Helen as she went back to brushing her blond blonde hair. Willow goes to fix the unmade bed while Erika puts on some light make-up on the young princess.

"How are they gonna change the Law when their leader isn't really a leader. Star, I know you just want equal rights for monsters but you can't do that unless you actually listen to the meetings. I know you've told me a hundred times, but I've also told you a thousand times to go easy on me. Just because I'm your cousin, doesn't mean Aunt Moon won't scold me because of your disobedience." Crystal scolded her cousin.

Crystal is Star's Lady-in-waiting, and her cousin from her father's side. Her mother died when Crystal was only a year old, whilst her father had an affair with another woman. Crystal lived with her step-mother, father and half-siblings until she was sent to live at the Butterfly Castle at the age of 11.

Crystal wasn't supposed to work at the castle but she was the only one whom Star listened to, and really trusted with her schedule. The young girl didn't like living with her father and his family because she hated them for what they did to her mother.

Star and Crystal grew really close and formed a sister relationship with one another. Living at the castle gave her certain advantages; since she is of royal blood, Crystal often participated in very important meetings.

Star crossed her arms against her chest, knowing that her cousin is right.

"Don't give me that look, Star. You know, I'm right." Crystal pointed out.

Star sighed in defeat. She looked at her reflection: her long blonde hair was styled in a simple bun, her lips were tinted pink and her cheeks were powdered.

She was hauled out of the chair and pushed into the dressing screen by Crystal. A few minutes of tugging, Star came out wearing a sleeveless light pink dress that hung beautifully on her shoulders with matching heels. Little flowers were seen at the waistline of the dress. Her three chambermaids were no where to be seen, probably gone to where they are most needed, only her cousin stood in the room, waiting for her.

Crystal approached her, a silver tiara in her hand. She fixed it neatly on the young princess' head.

"There, now you really look like a princess." Crystal smiled.

"Shall we go, your highness?" Crystal spoke in a weird posh voice, bowing ridiculously.

"Yes, we shall." Star replied in the same ridiculous voice.

The pair giggled at their antics as they stepped out of her bedroom.

~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~

They walked the hallways with giggles and teasing. The sunlight shined through the curtain-free windows. Large portraits of the Butterfly could be seen as they walked. He was walking to their direction. He was wearing a simple black buttoned up polo, a dark red suit with matching red bow, black slacks and shoes, with a long red pointed tail behind him. He looked exceptionally cool, especially with his special 'three-lens' glasses over his eyes.

"Tom! You're here!" Star exclaimed as she spotted the demon prince.

The two royalty members hugged for a moment.

"Hi Star!" Tom greeted his former girlfriend.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" Star asked.

"Royal business. But I just wanted to see my girlfriend before I'm swept away by it and she misses me." Tom replied.

Crystal blushed a deep red hue at the name. Tom stared at her, a smirk gracing his lips.

Crystal and Tom have been dating for 3 months now. After Toffee's defeat, Star and Tom had rekindled their relationship a little later but didn't last long, and decided to remain good friends. After a year, Tom had started to notice Crystal and developed feelings for the Johansen. Crystal had liked Tom ever since she laid her eyes on him but was too afraid to confess because of Star and Tom's former love history. Star had comforted the silver haired girl that she no longer had feelings for the demon prince, and that it was totally cool if they would date.

With the Mewni Heiress' help, the young demon hybrid and Johansen girl had finally gotten together. It was so sweet and romantic.

Tom had drastically changed over the years. His temper isn't as bad as before, his patience is longer now and he is more understanding. Though when angry, he still tends to shoot hot waves of fire out of his palms and his eyes grow dark as the night.

"Oh, then don't let me get in the way." Star immediately replied.

Star stepped away from the couple.

"You two lovebirds should catch up. I mean, a long distance relationship is really hard, I should know." Star boasted.

"Yes, I think that's a brilliant idea." Tom chirped.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Crystal asked, nervously.

"To the Meeting Hall, where else? Besides, I don't wanna be a third wheel to your disgusting affections." Star teasingly made a face.

Crystal blushed a deep red shade as Tom smirked at his girlfriend's reaction. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled the young girl close to his chest.

"Oh, you're just jealous cause Crystal wants to spend her time with me." Tom said, "I mean, who wouldn't. I am incredibly attractive."

Star rolled her eyes at the comment and walked away from the pair.

As she walked to the directions, the only sound that could be heard was the echo of her heels clicking upon the marble floor. A boy that she missed and have not seen since suddenly appeared in her head.

'I wonder how he and Jackie are holding up.'

Pony Head and Kelly occasionally visited Earth, with bribery, maybe blackmail, from Star herself. They brought her news every week with what Marco and her Earth friends are doing.

Star found out that this was their last summer as high schoolers. Next year, they will be College Students. Star stumbled upon the unknown word. Kelly told her that it was basically just boring old school again, which Star still detested.

She really missed them, especially Marco. Just the thought of him brought back memories and tears to her eyes.

'I wonder how you are now. I miss you...'

~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~

Marco woke up to his phone ringing, followed by the loud tune of Space Unicorns. He grumbled underneath his breath, his face still in the pillow while his hand searched for the gadget.

He reluctantly lifted his head to see who the caller was. It was Janna. He groaned in irritation. His eyes danced to the alarm clock beside his bed, it read 7:00 am.

"Hey Marco! Time to wake up!" Janna shouted through the call.

"Janna, what do you want?!" Marco's voice was muffled by the pillow, "It's 7 in the morning."

Marco didn't hear Janna's answer because he fell back to sleep. He snored softly to his pillow. He didn't know how long he was asleep but he opened his eyes when he heard another yell from the phone.

"Marco! Wake up!" Janna yelled.

"What the hell do you want?!" Marco asked, irradiated.

"Meet us at Elena's Diner." Janna demanded.

"At Elena's? Why?" Marco asked.

"For breakfast, you dingdong." Janna answered.

"I don't wanna. It's too early." Marco whined.

"The heck? It's 7 am. Get your lazy ass here. I already had Jackie call Mr. and Mrs. Diaz, and they said yes. C'mon already!" Then the phone went dead.

Marco groaned into his pillow. He really didn't want to get up.

It was the beginning of Summer, and he hated summer. In a few months, he'd be a College Student. He had taken the entrance exam for Echo Creek Medical University, also known as ECMU, and miraculously, he passed. He was going to become a doctor.

"Marco! Get up!" His mom shouted.

Marco whined, and reluctantly got up. He sighed while he rubbed the sleep away from his eyes. He had stayed up all night, like he always did whenever it was the last day of School and the beginning of Summer.

The thought of Summer just made him miss his best friend in the whole universe more and more. It had been four years since Star Butterfly left Earth. When she did, she left with his dimensional scissors, making it impossible for him to return to Mewni to see her.

He remembered that day, the day she left. It left a huge whole in his life. It wasn't easy, starting school without her. There weren't any adventures he went to anymore, he spends Thursday alone, getting into trouble, or any of the usual things he did with Star. He missed having her around. But Marco long accepted that Star wasn't coming back. Ever.

~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~

Marco stumbled on his way downstairs to the kitchen. He was dressed in his usual red jacket and brown slacks with sneakers. He greeted his parents, went over to the high chair, and greeted the young girl who was banging her fists on the high chair table.

"Hello, Mariposa." Marco cooed over the young Diaz.

Mariposa is Marco's baby sister. His mom found out that she was pregnant, shortly after Star left. It was a good distraction for him, honestly. With Mariposa's arrival, the hole that Star left in his life was forgotten, as he quickly adapted to being an older brother. But if he was being honest, becoming an older brother was like second nature to him, since Star was the reckless one between the two of them, he fitted and adjusted the role perfectly.

Mariposa was literally a carbon copy of Marco himself; to his dark eyes, hair and skin, down to his mole on his right cheek. The only difference was that she was born a girl. At first, the Diaz's thought that they were getting a boy, even going far to naming the baby bump, Marco Jr. But upon finding out that it was a girl, they named her after Star.

Mariposa giggled upon seeing her brother. She reached out and held his forefinger in her tiny little fist, and bubbles of drool started to form at her mouth. Marco smiled at the gesture, reached her white bib and wiped her mouth clean. She was dressed in a cute pink onesie that made her look even more adorable.

"Marco honey, Jackie called to ask permission for you to go to Elena's, and I agreed." His mom, Angie Diaz, said.

"Mom, I don't want to go." Marco said, continuing to play with Mariposa.

"It'll be a good thing for you." His dad, Rafarl Diaz, tried convincing his son.

"I really don't want to, dad." Marco argued.

"Marco, go." His mom stiffly said.

Marco sighed. There was no use arguing when she demanded him like this, it'll only lead him to his grave.

"Goodbye, Mariposa." Marco cooed, "I'll see you later." He kissed the top of her head and said his goodbyes to his parents before heading out the door.

~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~

Marco arrived at the Diner at 7:15. He just walked there from his house.

He sighed as he saw the diner. He really didn't want to go. It was getting annoying to be honest. His parents, friends and girlfriend are trying to get him out of the house during Summer Vacation. It was nearly impossible with Star being gone.

Yes, he got out of the house when he needed to buy something at the grocery, or when he just wanted to hangout with his friends or have a date with Jackie, but it was not often he did these things.

The Diner wasn't much, -it looked like every other diner, with its rectangular shape, square windows. A battered sign proclaiming the diner's name hung above.

He walked through the front door. The bell echoed through the place as he did. Cozy booths were scattered in the diner, each one lined with a bright red cushion. He saw his girlfriend and his friends waving, at the back of the diner.

"Finally, you're here! We've been waiting for forever." Ferguson dramatically exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air.

"Hey guys." Marco greeted them with a wave and a smile.

"Oh, don't be mean, Ferguson. It's just been 15 mins." Jackie Lynn defended her boyfriend. She slid out of the booth and greeted him with a kiss to his cheek.

"Oh, barf. Don't do PDA, there are people who are still single in life here." Janna shrieked at the public affection.

"Shut up, Janna. It was just a kiss at the cheek." Jackie said playfully.

Marco slid into the booth right next to her. He picked up the menu. Roast chicken and beef were featured as a special that day, long lists of food and their prices tailed from top to bottom. He flipped the menu card over and saw the breakfast food lists.

"So, Marco," Marco looked up from the menu and trailed the owner of the voice to Alfonso, "what're your plans for the summer?"

"I don't know." Marco shrugged. "Probably just do the same thing I did last summer, ,-babysit Mariposa, stay at home, occasionally hangout with you guys, every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday is date night for me and Jackie, and just study for medical school. Why?"

"Oh, come on dude. Why don't you try to switch it up a little bit?" Ferguson asked.

Before Marco could speak, a waitress arrived to take their order. The waitress was a pretty brunette curly hair, with eyes the color of storm clouds. She smiled at them. "What can I get you guys?"

Janna looked over the menu. "I'll have the usual." She smiled and jotted down the order on her small notepad.

"Me too." Alfonso said. Ferguson and Jackie ordered the same thing, eggs and bacon. Marco chose a bacon and cheese sandwich, and tea. The waitress nodded and scurried off to the bar, narrating to the cook their orders.

"Alfonso is right, though." Ferguson suddenly said when the waitress was gone.

"Huh? 'Bout what?"

"Switching up your summer vacation. You've been spending it like that for the past four years."

"Don't start, you guys." Marco warned but failed to no avail.

"Marco, summer vacation is about relaxation and enjoyment, not torture and hell. This is your last summer, your one last shot before you go to college." Ferguson started.

"Yeah, bro. You keep studying and studying. We get it, studying is important but taking a break works too. You got into ECMU, take a break, take a Kit-Kat." Alfonso burst into laughter at his last statement. Ferguson laughed at the bad joke as well.

"Anyway, the point is, you should know when to stop and just do nothing." Janna finished the talk, obviously annoyed by the two boys.

"You know, I can't. I have to watch Mariposa, now that school's gone, my parents aren't letting me off the hook for that. My Thursdays are all booked, and I am not letting you guys cancel Jackie and I's date night, it's mandatory." Marco argued. It was a lie though, -half a lie. He really did have to babysit his sister, and have date nights with Jackie, but his Thursdays are all free. He just doesn't want to spend it with anyone.

The waitress appeared and distributed their food. Marco eyes the sandwich approvingly. It looked delicious, and the smell of the tea calmed his insides and annoyed attitude that day.

~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~ ¤ ~

As Star blurted out a horrible excuse to give the couple a few minutes to themselves, Crystal didn't know whether to thank her cousin for leaving them, or kill her for leaving her alone with her fast paced heart and the person responsible for her current state.

She swears, Tom Lucitor could literally kill her for making her heart race too fast, or for making the blood rush all into her face, but at the same time, the demon prince could make her insides mushy and make her feel lighter. She didn't know what was worse.

Tom had brought his girlfriend close to his chest as he continued to tease his former girlfriend, now close friend, Star Butterfly. He had gotten over the young blonde for years, and he was quite proud of himself. Their second breakup was initiated by him, which he had never thought he would be doing, but it was for the best at that time. He saw that, despite Star agreeing to go out with him again, she still liked Marco, and that was okay.

Tom got over it, and now had an amazing girlfriend whom he loves and adores with all his heart. He looked down at the girl at his side, and smiled, very pleased with himself when he saw that the girl was beet red.

She looked so adorable and had gotten more beautiful whenever she blushed, and the reason for that was because of him made his heart flutter and made him fall in love with her more and more. He kissed the top of her head.

Crystal blushed harder at the kiss, even if it was on her head, it made her happy and heart melt.

"So, w-what do you want t-to do?" Crystal stuttered in her words. She shut her eyes in embarrassment.

Tom held the sudden urge to hug her at the adorableness she had shown, even her stuttering made her more adorable. It was so cute.

"What do you want to do?" Tom asked the question back, not caring what her answer was, just happy that she liked to spend some time with him.

He moved closer to her, making her step back, until Crystal bumped into the wall. Tom now stared at her with his lavender eyes, intensely. A shudder passed through her spine as she felt
and saw the sheer affection and love that he felt for her swirling deep into his eyes.

"Are you... Here...?" Crystal asked nervously. Her blue eyes were wide and round.

Tom scoffed, "A penny for your thoughts?" He pecked her forehead again.

The young prince, then stepped back and faked a gasp, placing a hand onto his chest.

"By and chance, were you thinking that..." Tom trailed off his sentence. "You naughty, naughty girl." He playfully scolded. A cute pout appeared on her face.

A chuckle slipped from his throat as Tom smirked at Crystal's reaction. He placed his arms around her and held onto her, like his life depended on her. Crystal slowly wounded her arms around his frame, not caring how much her face burned from the sudden affection.

"I missed you." Tom whispered into her ear. He felt her smile at his chest.

"I guess, I do too." Crystal replied, her voice slightly muffled into his chest.

Tom pulled away and raised an eyebrow.

"You guess?" Tom asked.

Crystal shrugged cutely with a slight smile growing on her face. Tom's restraint snapped, he cupped her cheeks and kissed her passionately, right then and there. Crystal tensed up in surprise but her arms gripped his waist.

She had almost forgotten what being kissed by Tom was like. It had been a month since they last saw each other. She missed the fire that ignited within her whenever he kissed her. She missed the ghost of his soft lips on hers when they pulled apart for air. She missed his sweet nothings and kisses. She missed him.

They kissed like it was the last and first time. Tom missed her, he really did. The thought of her not missing him, even if it was a joke, made his heart crack and a lump form at his throat. It hurt. Like hell. He would've laughed at the irony, but it was true.

Tom missed her, clung to her. He poured every emotion he felt for her, -adoration, love, passion, pain, everything, into that one kiss.

They pulled apart after some time. Their ragged breaths were the only sound between them, their eyes spoke for them.

A smile cracked at Crystal's mouth, and blushed a pretty red shade while biting her lower lip. Tom bit the inside of his cheeks as he tried to restrain himself from kissing her again, senseless.

He suddenly remembered something important.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Tom said, letting go of her cheeks, and reaching out into his pocket.

He pulled out a beautiful wooden hairpin with a dangling pink blossom.

"I know it's a bit late, but, Happy Birthday, my Crystal." Tom smiled.

Crystal stood in awe and shock that her boyfriend actually remembered her birthday. It was a week ago. He sent her a present, a silver bracelet that she always wore around her wrist, and a letter of apology that he couldn't make it because of his royal duties. Crystal was, of course, sad, but thankful that he took out time to give her a present.

"You already gave me a gift." Crystal giggled, touched by the gesture. She raised her right wrist and showed him the bracelet adorning her body part.

"I know, but this is special." Tom reached out behind her and tucking it between her bun, the flower dangling in the air, "I made this hairpin myself."

Crystal was beyond touched, tears were shining in her eyes. She jumped into his arms and clung to his neck. She felt his arms wound her way to her waist and a smile forming at his lips.

"Do you like it?" Tom whispered.

"I love it." Crystal whispered back, "Thank you."

"Anything for you... I love you."

Crystal pulled away and stared into his eyes again. She could never get tired staring at them for some reason. She kissed him again, fervently.

So comment, vote and share if you like it. See you guys soon.