Author's note: Hey guys. I know it's been a thousand years, but I decided to stop being so lazy and finish what I started. I feel kind of sad though because I probably lost all of my followers. But that's okay, because all I want is to finish this story. So I will. Enjoy.

Chapter 6: Depression

After the incident with Jeremy, guilt and depression had consumed Marco. He just couldn't forgive himself. He hit a child, a twelve year old child.

His old self was coming back.

The one thing he hoped and prayed for to never happen was happening. His temper that was buried and forgotten about a long time ago was returning from its grave. As much as he wanted to deny it, he knew he couldn't. But what if Star were to find out? She would never trust him again, Marco thought. She would want to be as far away from him as possible. She would be afraid of him.

Marco didn't want that. He didn't want to ruin their friendship. So he decided that, as much of a pain as it was to bottle up emotions, he would keep this a secret from her for the sake of their friendship.

Besides any of that, he was still depressed because of what he did to Jeremy. But the strange thing was, was it really like him to do something like that? Besides the incident with Harry, his rage had never gotten so out of hand before. It was weird. But not weird enough to get Marco speculating over it much. He was too depressed to worry about that.

In fact, he was too depressed for almost anything. He wouldn't pay attention in class, he wouldn't spend time with his friends, he wouldn't do anything entertaining, and he would barely talk. He spent his free time in his room, on his bed, laying on his back, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about what he did to Jeremy, letting the guilt take him over without fighting back.

He also had not worn his hoodie since the incident. His hoodie had always made him feel warm and happy, which was why he wore it all the time. But he didn't want to feel happy, so instead he wore a black shirt and black pants, along with black socks. He didn't want any bright colors on his body.

He avoided contact with people at school, in public, and at home since the incident. He was too sad to be near anyone. He just wanted to be left alone.

….

One day at school during lunch, Marco was sitting at the old dusty table in the dark corner of the cafeteria, barely picking at his lunch. It was the most abandoned area in the building. Nobody ever sits there. He knew he could be alone there, so that's where he sat everyday.

Ferguson, who just got out of the lunch line with his food, noticed Marco and started towards him.

Marco, usually happy to see his friend, would want to have lunch with him. But of course, Marco wasn't in the mood now.

"Hey, man," Ferguson said as he sat down at Marco's table, "I've been looking all over for you. Me and Alfonzo haven't seen you in like a thousand years. What's up?"

Marco, annoyed at being companied when he wanted to be alone, ignored Ferguson.

"Dude? Is everything okay? You seem kinda down. And where's your hoodie?"

"Didn't feel like wearing it," Marco grumbled.

"Hey, guys!" Alfonzo yelled as he walked up to the table, "Why are we sitting in the dark?"

"Do you guys mind leaving?" Marco said in an annoyed tone.

"What's wrong, Marco? You seem a little on edge. Also, why aren't you wearing your red hoodie?"

"Why do you guys have such a problem with me not wearing my hoodie for a change? Is it such a crime to have a change in clothes for once?" Marco asked, angrily raising his voice.

"Marco…" Ferguson started, "is this about Jeremy?"

Marco's eyes widened. How did they even know about that? he wondered.

"Just leave already!" Marco shouted. Without another word, Ferguson left the table, sadly looking back, followed by Alfonzo doing the same.

Marco looked down at his plate. He quickly pushed it away and put his head down on the table.

….

RIINNNGG!

Another depressing school day dragged by, but at least it was Friday. Marco grabbed his book sack and left school without a goodbye. He had a few things to do for homework, but didn't bother to get his books from his locker. It was pointless to even try to get it done.

Usually, after the bell rings, Marco would wait for Star at the school entrance before starting for home, with her being his best friend and all. Lately, however, that wasn't the case. He walked out of school without hesitation or even the smallest thought of how abandoned Star would feel. No matter how hard he tried (if he was even trying anymore), he couldn't shake the thought of the incident with Jeremy.

Marco, of course, didn't want to take the bus, so he would just walk home. A little exercise never hurt anyone, anyway, he thought.

About ten or fifteen minutes later, Marco arrived at his house. He didn't want to see his parents or Star for the slightest second, so he snuck in through the back. Once inside the house, he dropped his book sack by the dining table and made his way up the stairs. He got to his room and lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Marco thought about how his life used to be, before the incident, before the depression, and before his whole life seemed to be falling apart. He thought about how he used to be the happy, generous yet insecure kid of Echo Creek. He thought about all the good times he spent with his friends at school. He thought about how he used to have adventures in other dimensions with Star, fighting monsters or partying at the bounce lounge. Where did it all go?

Suddenly, he heard his mother's cheery voice from the bottom of the stairs.

"Marco! It's time for game night!"

Of course, how could he forget. Every Friday at the Diaz residence, they host a family game night. And of course, Marco did not feel like participating. He hadn't since the incident.

"Marco?" Mrs. Diaz repeated.

Marco got up and made a crack in the door. "I think I'll pass tonight," He yelled.

"Again? You haven't had game night with us in weeks!"

"I just don't feel like it."

"Come on, Marco. You're missing out on all the fun."

Marco walked out of his room to the top of the stairs. "No, Mom."

Mrs. Diaz paused before saying,"This isn't about that incident again, isn't it?"

Marco paused. Great, her too?

He sighed. "Just leave me alone."

"Marco –"

But before she could finish, Marco stormed back into his room, laid his face in his pillow, and softly cried into it.

….

"Okay, class," Mrs. Winship started after writing an equation on the chalk board, "Who can solve this equation?"

It was another boring, slow day at school for Marco. Math class. Marco used to not have a problem with it at all. It was so easy for a straight-A student like him, he enjoyed it. But now, heck no. He hated it. He was still good at it, but he hated it. Throughout most of math, he slept lightly. He adjusted his sleeping to where he was slightly in contact with the world and he could hear what Mrs. Winship was saying, so if she called on him to answer a problem or something, he could just answer and go back to sleep.

Today, however, was different. He made no effort to listen to class. He was in a deep sleep, and could care less if the teacher called on him.

"How about you, Marco?"

Marco's eyes shot open, but only for a few seconds before he closed them again, not caring.

"Marco?"

Still no answer.

"Marco!"

"Polo," Marco answered.

A few giggles came from some of the class.

"Marco Diaz, are you sleeping in my class?"

Sighing, Marco sat up. "Yeah."

"Well, I better not catch you doing it again, boy. Come solve this problem."

"I don't know how," Marco lied.

"Well try to anyway."

By now, all the other students in the classroom (including Star) had their eyes on him. Sighing, he got up and walked to the board. He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote the number "3" on the board and circled it.

"Not even close," Mrs. Winship snapped, "You didn't even try! If you don't try to solve that problem right now, you can finish your nap in the principal's office."

A big "ooooooooooohh" came from the majority of the class.

"Whatever," Marco mumbled. May as well try to solve the problem for princess Winship. he thought to himself.

Marco looked at the problem. He didn't really know much about this particular lesson, but tried his best to solve the equation. After working it out on the board, he got an answer. He wrote "36" on the chalk board.

"I'm glad that you tried, but that is wrong."

"Oh come on!" Marco shouted, "I actually tried that time!"

"Well, maybe if you weren't asleep during class, you would know how to find the answer!"

"Why should I have to listen to a bitch like you!?"

"Principal's office! NOW!"

Author's note: I apologize for using a curse word. I couldn't think of a better way for Marco to cross the line. Also, you may be wondering why Mrs. Skullnick isn't the teacher in this story. Well, in case you forgot, Marco and Star are seventeen, therefore in a different grade with different teachers. So I used a random last name generator online and got Mrs. Winship.

Anyway, thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed! Noobicus out. ✌️