Where No One Dares

Chapter 7: The Call to End it All

"Happy birthday Marco!"

Marco groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. He smiled as his parents and Star were gathered around his bed. Then his parents started singing.

"Okay, guys!" Marco laughed uneasily, "we know you didn't get into music school."

Everyone laughed anyway. Then the cake was produced. Fifteen little candles were neatly lined around the perimeter —just as organized as Marco liked it.

"Thanks, you guys." Marco sniffed and blew out the candles.

"I'll get my camera!" Rafael dashed down the stairs.

"I'll get the presents!" Angie went after him.

Marco looked down at the cake and smiled, his vision blurring. It was an image of the Diaz family and Star. She was even smiling. He then looked up to the real stern Star tapping her foot impatiently.

"Don't cry, nerd," Star said. "Here." She handed him five tickets. "Happy...birthday."

"Five tickets to Love Sentence?!" Marco carefully jumped out of bed and did a celebratory dance. "Star how did you get these?!"

"...Person. I know someone," Star mumbled, shrugging, talking about Madame Moon. She was then startled as Marco crushed her in a hug. Her cheeks tinged pink, and she held in a squeak.

"You're the best, Star." Marco smiled as he let go of her, then pulled away and stared at the shiny wrapping paper.

"Welcome," Star said through her teeth and rolled her eyes. "Who...who's coming?"

"Alfonzo and Ferguson, obviously." Marco scoffed. "...Maybe Janna, as a thank you gift for saving your butt last week."

"And...?" Star hinted, her blue eyes widening.

"And...you" Marco rolled his eyes. "Of course I'd take you"

"Good." She stuck her nose in the air. "Mrs. Diaz told me you love Love Sentence. Me too. But..." She frowned. "That's weird," she stated, pointing to the musical toothbrushes on his dresser.

"Hey, don't judge my toothbrush," Marco said sassily. "You're lucky my mom got you one too."

Star shrugged. "...Show is today."

"You really are the best." Marco gave her another sideways hug.

"No more!" Star pushed him off, starting to feel a little sick.

"I'm just trying to thank my friend." Marco sighed. "What else am I supposed to do?"

Star raised an eyebrow. "...Friend?"

"You live in my house and you got me tickets to see my favorite band, on my birthday. I think we're friends." Marco nodded.

Star rolled her eyes and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Get ready," she said as she walked out of his room. "There's a...surprise downstairs."

Marco could hardly contain his excitement and immediately rushed to grab a shower. After zipping up his favorite red hoodie, he hobbled down the stairs while trying to tie up his left sneaker.

"Hey, why is it so dark...?" Marco called out at the foot of the stairs.

"Surprise!"

The lights switched on and all of Marco's friends popped up from behind the furniture.

"This is a surprise." Marco nodded and grinned, high-fiving his best friends.

"Well, we weren't about to miss your Bar Mitzvah!" Ferguson yelled.