This story is dedicated to my best friend. I know that you're going through a tough time right now but I hope you know that I love you like a sister and I'll always be there for you no matter what.

Always

Mag and Marni had been best friends since they were 15 years old. Before they had met, Mag had always been sort of a loner. Because she was blind, most teachers and some students helped her out; others made fun of her. She didn't like it when people always tried to help her because they treated her like she was completely incapable and hopeless. At the same time she didn't like it when people made fun of her because it was just plain mean. That's why she liked to keep to herself. When Marni transferred to her school during their sophomore year, all of that changed. She remembered the first thing Marni had said to her. It had happened when a group of rude girls had tripped Mag as she was walking to class. She sighed as she heard their cruel laughter and searched for her fallen things when she felt someone hand her a book. Thinking it was teacher, she let herself be helped up as the girl handed her her walking stick. Her ears perked at the unfamiliar voice.

"Don't worry about them. They're just jealous because they have to look at themselves in the mirror every morning and you don't have to see their ugly faces."

Marni led Mag away as the girls were left speechless with their mouths agape. Mag too was speechless. No one had ever stood up for her like that before. She wondered who this stranger was as they continued walking down the hallway.

"I hope you didn't take that the wrong way." the girl finally spoke up. "Those girls were just so stupid that I had to say something."

"Um, no. Its okay. Thanks for helping me back there." replied Mag, continuing to wonder about the identity of this girl.

As if reading her mind Marni continued. "Oh, by the way. My name's Marni. Marni Collins. I just transferred here. Do you think you could show me around?"

Mag was astonished. This girl was asking for her help? This girl was certainly different. She was treating her like everyone else. Mag couldn't help but smile.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Magdalene. Magdalene Defoe. I'd be happy to help you. The administrations office is to the right."

Marni smiled at Mag and linked arms with her. "Magdalene huh? That's a pretty name but its sort of long. I think I'll call you Mag."

From then on, the two girls became friends despite them being opposites. Whereas Mag was quiet and reserved, Marni was loud and spontaneous. Marni helped Mag be more outgoing and in return Mag found ways to calm Marni down. Marni encouraged Mag to come out of her shell and join the choir and Mag went and supported Marni when she competed in her sports and school plays. Mag helped Marni with her studies and Marni prompted Mag to join her in social events and talk to boys. Even though Marni had other friends and Mag was becoming more sociable, they didn't need anyone else really. The two were inseparable since they day met and were always there to help each other in their time of need. When they graduated, they transferred to the same university and Marni met her first real boyfriend when they were nineteen.

She had dated a few boys during the their high school years but was never serious with any of them. This time it was different. Marni had found someone with the all the same interests and who was just as ambitious as she was. His name was Rottissimo Largo. He was a few years older than her and a regular Italian Casanova; and he couldn't get enough of Marni. They had met at the university when he came as a speaker for a lecture in her business management class. He was so innovative and Marni was just as entranced as he was. After the lecture she had approached him and expressed her interest in his ideas. He smiled at her and offered her an internship at the small company he was running. She gladly accepted and soon after the two were dating.

Mag couldn't help but be a bit jealous of Rotti as he was beginning to take up much of Marni's time. She was lonely in the apartment they shared when Marni was out with Rotti and used the time to write music on the old piano they had bought. One day Marni had invited her to a party that Rotti was throwing in celebration of the growth of his company GeneCo. Mag didn't need to see to know proud Marni must have been of her boyfriend and felt her heart sink when Rotti had pulled her aside later that night and whispered that he intended to have a future with Marni. Sure enough, the two were engaged a week later. Mag was happy for her friend but was also a bit skeptical. It wasn't that she didn't like Rotti, he was nice enough and seemed to make Marni happy but he was also older and already had kids from previous marriages. She didn't want him to break Marni's heart. She couldn't bear to see Marni hurt. Little did she know that it would turn out to be the other way around.

During the time Marni and Rotti were dating, Rotti had introduced them to a colleague of his named Nathan Wallace. He was a recent graduate of medical school and at the top of his class. Rotti had chosen to Nathan to be the surgeon for Mag's eye surgery and both Marni and Mag were overjoyed when it had been a success. Mag was no longer blind and could finally see the world and her best friend's face; she was beyond happy. She was also astonished to see her very own face. For years she had wondered what humans had really looked like and was amazed with the results especially by Marni's friendly face. It could have been a biased opinion but Mag was sure she would have never seen anyone more beautiful. Things were good for a while after that. After the surgery, Rotti was helping Mag in the process of becoming a professional singer. It had been a life long dream of hers and now she would have a chance to experience it. Another new thing going good in Mag's was that she was now dating Nathan after Rotti had suggested the two go out for drinks. Nathan was a good man and he and Mag had soon grew very fond of each other. The two formed a brief relationship and Mag thought that had finally found that special someone as Marni did. Sadly, as soon things were going well, it seemed that Nathan was beginning to drift away. They were out for coffee one day when Mag had brought the subject to attention.

"This isn't working is it, Nate?" she had asked.

"Are you breaking up with me, Maggie?" he replied.

"It just seems like something is holding you back."

"From what?"

"From taking the next step with me. I won't lie. I care a lot about you Nathan but, I don't know if you feel the same way anymore."

Nathan hesitated for a moment. "I do like you, Mag. A lot. Its just that both our lives are becoming pretty busy. What with you working on your first record and me always working-"

"Nathan, please. I need you to be honest with me. Is there another reason why you've been distant lately?"

"What do you mean?"

"Its like you said, we've both been pretty busy and we hardly get to see each other as it is. It seems that whenever I try to make plans to see you there's always something in the way. You make excuses like being too tired or caught up at work and it feels as if you've been avoiding me."

Nathan reached over the small coffee table and grabbed Mag's hand. "Mag, it's not as if I'm trying to avoid you because I don't want to see you. I love spending time with you. Its just...I've got a lot on my mind right now."

Mag looked down at their not quite intertwined hands and sighed. "Nathan..do you have feelings for someone else?"

Nathan's eyes widened but he couldn't bring himself to answer.

"Please, Nathan. I need the truth. Is it Marni?" Mag was not oblivious to looks Nathan gave her friend and soon began to grow suspicious.

Mag's question was again greeted by silence. Finally, Nathan gave her a small nod. Mag gave Nathan's hand a small squeeze and tried her best to give him a reassuring look. "It's okay. I understand. How can you not love her? She's kind, beautiful, smart and-"

"So are you, Mag!"

Mag gave him a sad smile. "But I'm not her. It's okay." Even though Marni had captured the heart of the man she loved, Mag told herself not to feel any resentment towards her.

Mag sat alone in the apartment she and Marni once shared. Ever since Marni had moved in with Rotti, Mag felt lonelier than ever. She layed back down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She wanted to cry but her new synthetic eyes couldn't produce any tears. Although she was grateful for what Rotti and GeneCo had done for her, sometimes she secretly thought that she would rather be blind kept telling herself to not to be mad, that it wasn't Marni's fault. Yet she couldn't help but feel a bit envious of her. She loved her friend, she really did but why was it always Marni who got everything. If she was pretty, Marni was beautiful. If she were smart, Marni was brilliant. Men always liked Marni better. Everyone liked her better. Why couldn't someone pay attention to her for a change? Suddenly her thoughts when interrupted when she heard a knock on the door. She rose up to answer the door to find Marni weeping in the doorway.

"Marni! What's wrong?" asked Mag, immediately concerned.

"Oh, Maggie! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Marni replied in between her sobs.

Marni suddenly collapsed into Mag's arms and began crying uncontrollably.

Mag put her arms around Marni and began to pet her head. "There, there. Don't cry Marni. I hate to see you so sad. Come sit down."

Mag led Marni to the couch and tried to calm the girl continued to pet Marni's hair until her uncontrollable sobs slowly began to cease. "Now, then. Tell me whats wrong."

Marni gulped and let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, Mag. I'm terrible friend."

"What makes you say that? And why do you keep apologizing?"

"Its just that.. I feel like a horrible person. I've hurt you and I'm hurting Rotti."

"What are talking about?" Mag asked.

"I-I think I want to call off the engagement."

Mag's eyes widened. "Why? Did Rotti do anything to hurt because if he did-"

"No, Maggie. Rotti's been wonderful. Perhaps a bit overbearing sometimes but he's been so good to me. He promised me the world. Any girl would be lucky to be in my position but..."

"But what Marni?"

"I just don't know if I'm in love with him anymore. I still care about him but I don't think its love and...recently I've begun to develop feelings for someone else."

Mag could feel an unsettling feeling arise in her stomach. She knew what Marni was going to say next. Still, she chose to ask anyway.

"For who?"

Marni swallowed. "I'm sorry, Mag but its Nathan."

Mag nodded in understanding. She had seen this coming. She could feel the anger slowly building back up inside and was even getting set to yell at her friend but stopped when tears begun to rise in Marni's eyes again. She grabbed Mag's hands. "I'm so, so sorry, Mag. I don't deserve a friend like you. I'm nothing but a traitor and a whore."

Mag couldn't believe what she was seeing or hearing. Her was once strong, proud friend who was now looking vulnerable and cursing herself. Mag then begun to feel guilty herself upon seeing the look of despair on Marni's face. How could she think such things of her dear friend? "That's not true Marni! You're a good person and you didn't betray me. You came here and was honest with me because like any good friend would." Mag tightened her grip on Marni's hand and looked straight in her eye. "I don't want you feel guilty though. You can't help your feelings. If it isn't working out with Rotti, then you shouldn't force yourself to marry him."

Marni looked at Mag in astonishment. "You're not angry, Maggie?"

"I can't say that this doesn't bother me a little but I could never stay mad at you."

"But Nathan is your boyfriend, Mag. I feel so awful for wanting to be with him."

"Don't. He and I broke up."

"What? Why?"

"Because of you, Marni. He loves you too."

"Oh, Mag. I'm so-"

Mag put a finger to Marni's lip. "Stop apologizing already. I already told you I'm fine. Do what your heart tells you to Marni. I don't care if its Nathan." she lied. She did care that it was Nathan but she tried to put on a brave face for Marni. It had alwyas been the other way around, with Marni comforting Mag. Now it was Mag's turn to help Marni." If being with him will make you happy then I say you should."

"Are you sure?" Marni asked hesitantly.

"Of course. You're like a sister to me Marni. You've been my dearest friend for five years now. You helped me become the person I am today. It was you who taught me to stand up for myself. You who encouraged me to sing. You who helped convince Rotti to help me with my eyesight. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to get this far and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Marni wiped her eyes and captured Mag in a tight hug."Oh, Mag! You're an amazing friend! I don't know what I'd do without you. You're the best friend anyone could ask for. I love you so much."

Mag gasped but smiled at Marni's familiar crushing hug. "I love you too, Marni." No matter what should happen, through thick and thin, the two girls promised to stay friends for always.


I hope that you liked this. I just wanted to talk alittle about the relationship between two friends. Also for those of you who are reading, I'll also be updating "In the Dark" soon. Maybe even tomorrow. We shall see.