Mandie burst back into the party with exhilaration. With a big smile on her face, she smoothed back the blonde wisps of hair from her glowing face.

Everything. She now saw everything different.

With a giggle, she spun around, her gown billowing around her, the air whooshing around her, the golden lights whirling around her, becoming one big blur.

Here she was, going to college, supposed to be an intellectual, collected woman, and she was acting like a schoolgirl!

And she didn't care.

Oh God, she loved Joe! She really truly-

"Aren't you having fun," A young man's voice broke through, his tone amused.

Mandie's feet collided to a stop. She was startled to be brought back to reality so suddenly, and truth be told, she had a hard time placing who the man before her was.

And then the dizziness faded, and Mandie felt herself glaring at the tall man.

"I had to find a way to entertain myself, didn't I? Especially when my escort left me." She gave him a patronizing look.

"Ah." George looked discomfited.

"Yes, so excuse me, I'm going to be leaving-"

"No, don't do that." He ran his hand through his curly brown locks, looking regretful.

Mandie blinked. "Why not?" she asked impatiently. She just wanted to leave, so she could go to her room and dance without being goggled at. Good thing her Grandmother wasn't here when she was making such a public spectacle of herself…

"I'm sorry for leaving you, but you didn't seem interested in having fun at all. Or in me, either."

"Oh," Mandie said, taken aback. She remembered bossing him around and not really communicating with him… it was possible she was not all courteous.

"I'm sorry," she sincerely apologized. "I've just had something on my mind this whole evening, and was terribly distracted."

"Something or someone?" George waggled his eyebrows teasingly.

Mandie blushed, realizing his intentions. "George you're very nice, but-"

George laughed. "Don't worry, Mandie. I've actually met quite a nice girl here."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Mandie exclaimed, glad she didn't have to reject him. "Who?"

"I think I've seen her with you a few times, do happen to know Mary Lou?"

Mandie stared, stunned. "Yes, she's my friend! But I thought she was here with someone else."

"Not anymore," George said rather arrogantly. "Well, I must get back to her. Good bye, Mandie!"

"Erm, good bye!" Mandie looked after disappearing form, flummoxed, then shrugged.

She had dancing to do!

"Celia! I'm going!" She called out to her friend, who happened to be nearby.

"Oh, I'll come with you!" She got up and then turned to Robert.

"Tonight was really fun. I hope to see you again."

"I thought so, too. I might actually be in town in two weeks." He reached for her hands and held them.

"Well, you should drop in for a visit." She smiled as she slid her hands from his. "Bye!"

"Bye." His good natured face continued to smile after Celia, even when she turned her back.

"Well," Mandie started as they walked back to their room. "That was certainly odd. I thought you didn't like him."

"I forgot how nice he could be, I guess," Celia said wistfully.

Mandie frowned. "What happened to your other boy?"

"I just don't know Mandie. After all, I don't think he's ever been interested in me, and Robert has always been there for me."

"Mmm, he's a sweet boy, but Celia darling, you need someone a little bit exciting!"

Celia instantly stopped walking and peered at her friend's face closely for the first time. "Mandie, are you alright?"

"'Course I am!" Mandie waved her off.

"It's just, I heard something was slipped into the tea and-"

"Celia, nothing's wrong with me. I'm just in love!" She spread out her arms exuberantly.

"Really?" Celia looked astounded. Then her voice dropped to a whisper, as if someone might hear what she said next. "How does it feel?"

"Amazing. Just amazing!" Seeing their room door a couple feet away, Mandie started bounding towards it.

Startled, Celia called out, "Mandie, wait up!" But Mandie unlocked it and skipped in before jumping into her bed.

"You certainly are acting odd," Celia said as she entered the room, but she couldn't help but giggle. If only their other friends could see this.

"It's love, I tell you." Mandie snuggled into her sheets. "You know, I feel tired, perhaps I'll just go to sleep without changing." She yawned, but then heard a crinkle of paper. What is this… she wondered as she extracted an envelope from underneath her. From Adrian Nolan, she read, and then stopped.

Celia had already changed out of her clothes, and was putting on her nightgown. "What's that?" she asked curiously.

Mandie now sat up straight in her bed, and had opened letter. After reading through it several times through, she still felt shock.

"Mandie, what is it? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Celia crawled into Mandie's bed and gently pried the paper from her hands. Mandie allowed it to whisk through her fingers, as she was still mulling over the message.

Celia looked over the message and started giggling. "He certainly doesn't lay off the compliments. 'My sweet Amanda', 'My beautiful angel', 'I would love to hear your angelic voice once again'. I have to say, he really doesn't know you."

Her head snapped up. "Hey!"

Celia laughed again. "I only mean, he's only written compliments down, like he has nothing else to say."

"Well, yes, we're practically acquaintances," Mandie said.

"Hmm, there's nothing odd yet, oh wait." Celia frowned as she examined the letter closer. She then put it down and gaped at Mandie.

"He's intending to come here?!"

"To Uncle John's house for spring break," Mandie murmured.

"All to see you." Celia looked stunned

"All to see me."

"This is not good. A man who's convinced himself he's desperately in love with you is coming to visit you. And you love another man." Celia started pacing frantically.

"What am I going to do?" Mandie wondered out loud. "He's going to be so crushed. And to think he's traveling all the way from Ireland!"

"There's nothing we can do about it," Celia said at last. "After all, he's probably in America as we speak."

"Ugh, this is a disaster. And to think I was going to tell Joe I love him during break." She covered her face with hands.

"It's not your fault, Mandie. That man sounds really determined. And I think you need to postpone your love confession. I mean, if Adrian hears you not only return his feelings, but love another man, it'll be too much."

"You're right," Mandie said miserably. "And I was so looking forward to it."

Celia came over and hugged her. "Don't worry, this will all work out."

Mandie returned the hug. "I hope so. And I hope Joe won't get tired of waiting for me."

Celia and Mandie woke up early in the morning the next day to pack essential thing. Mandie was nerve of wrecks. She piled clothes into her trunk, to discover her trunk wouldn't close. She pushed and pulled and yanked until she fell to floor out of exhaustion.

"Mandie!" Celia exclaimed, befuddled. "You don't need all those clothes! You live with your mother and Uncle John, remember?"

"Oh, yes." Mandie shook her head, puzzled. What had gotten into her?

"Even I have clothes at your house," Celia teased. "Come on, let me help you unpack."

An hour later they arrived at the train depot. Mandie, surprisingly, found herself more calmed down. After all, all she had to tell Adrian was that she didn't return his feelings. He would be a little sad, but say he understood, and they would continue being friends living miles away from each other. It was much simpler put this way, and less damage to Mandie's health.

"You know, I'll be so happy to see the twins now. They're a couple months old, but Mother's been telling me they've grown so much," Mandie shared.

"Yes, they're so cute." Celia smiled, and looked in the distance. "All look! The train's coming now!"

Both she and Mandie waited for the train to stop, and clambered in with their small luggage bags.

"There's my grandmother!" Mandie pointed. Mrs. Taft rose from her seat, dressed primly in a striped blue dress and fancy hat.

"Hello girls." Mrs. Taft smiled down at them as they took the seat next to hers. "It's nice to see you again. It seems so long since your Christmas break."

"Not long enough," Mandie muttered.

Her grandmother looked at her inquisitively. "What was that, dear?"

"Nothing!" Celia quickly interceded. "Mandie was just, uh, wondering how Snowball was!"

"Oh, he's doing fine," Mrs. Taft said, startled.

"That's great," Mandie said truthfully. She dearly loved her white cat; it was hard to be away from him.

"Yes, he misses you, along with your family."

"I'm eager to see them."

It was a rather long train ride, but Mandie still wished it was longer. However, when walking up to her house she felt some of her anxiety replaced by happiness. She'd been away from her family for months, and had missed them terribly. She smiled as she remembered Liza, and pictured telling her about being in love with the 'doctuh's son'.

The door opened as soon as they approached it.

Liza's friendly face appeared, and she cried out, "Miss Amanda!"

"Liza!" Mandie beamed as she leaned in to embrace the maid. "How've you been doing?"

"I's been just fine, though it shore is boring without you here."

Mandie grinned. "I can imagine. Where is everyone?"

"In the parlor, waiting for y'all. I'll take your bags, Missus Taft."

"Thank you, Liza." Mrs. Taft handed her bag and walked down to the parlor "Come girls, we don't want to keep them waiting."

"Coming," Celia and Mandie said in unison.

"See, it's not as bad as you thought it would be." Celia straightened her skirts.

"Maybe, but that's because Adrian isn't here yet."

"Miss Amanda! I'se been waiting for you'se all day, but I couldn't talk in front of Missus Taft." Liza looked around suspiciously, as if someone was spying on them.

"What is it, Liza?" Celia questioned.

"There's a man here for Miss Amanda. From Ireland," she whispered.

Celia gasped. Mandie breathed in sharply. "Liza, is his name Adrian?"

Liza nodded. "So you do know him! Your mother and Mister John were shore surprised. He's just popped out a nowhere."

"In his letter he said he was coming on Wednesday. Why'd he come earlier?" Celia asked, alarmed.

Mandie opened her mouth to talk but her mother suddenly rushed in. "Amanda, it's wonderful to see you." She hugged her, and Mandie breathed in her sweet rose smell. "It's great to see you, too." She returned the embrace.

Her mother then pulled back and looked at Mandie with a wrinkled brow. "Sweetheart, there was a young man that arrived yesterday night, saying he wanted to see you. Do you know him?"

"Yes, I'm sorry Mother, I had no idea he'd be this early. I would have warned you," she replied uneasily.

"Oh, it's alright, your uncle and I were just surprised. He's in the parlor now, how about you introduce him to us?"

"Alright," Mandie reluctantly agreed.

"I'll take Miss Amanda and Miss Celia's bags," Liza offered.

"Thanks." Her mother nodded and turned to Celia. "And how are you, dear?"

"I'm well, thank you. I've heard Carol and Carl have grown."

"Yes." She glowed. "They're wonderful, but quite a handful. Now let's go to the parlor."

Both Celia and Mandie exchanged looks as they walked into the large warm room, and Mandie was immediately astounded. The atmosphere was loud and crowded with an abundance of people. There were Joe's parents, Senator Morton, Jonathan Guyer as well as his father, Uncle Ned, Sallie Sweetwater, her younger brother and sister (Carl and Carol), and of course her Uncle John. And then… she saw the back of a red gold head talking amicably to her grandmother.

"What are all these people doing here?" Mandie asked, bewildered.

"Maybe this is some type of reunion," Celia suggested. "Those these people sure have come far. Especially Jonathan." Her tone changed when she said his name, but Mandie didn't notice because Adrian was now making his way towards them.

"Miss Amanda." His blue eyes glistened. "It's lovely to partake in your beauty once more." His Irish accent went soft as he said these words, and a creeping tingle went up her spine as she studied him. He was tall and lanky, with short hair and pale freckly skin and dressed rather fancily.

She supposed he was handsome, but she couldn't control the slimy almost repulsive feeling that was spreading throughout her.

"Adrian," Mandie began evenly. "How are you?"

"I'm always wonderful in your presence." He cocked his head, his smile growing.

Mandie heard a giggle, and turned to see Celia with a hand over her mouth, her cheeks tainted pink.

"Heh, I'm sorry, I'll just go…"

"No, wait! Adrian, have you met Celia yet?" Mandie asked, desperate not to be left alone.

"I regret to say I have not. And such a shame, when she is so stunning." He grinned at Celia, and took her hand.

Both Celia and Mandie stared at him, Celia rather flustered.

"Well, Mandie, who's your new friend?" Jonathan asked cheerfully, although he was glancing at Adrian's hand gripping Celia's with surprised eyes.

"Jonathan, this Adrian. Adrian, this is Jonathan." Mandie watched the two boys look at each other, and she suddenly flashbacked to the time Jonathan and Joe had first met each other. Both had been outwardly friendly, but something seemed to be brewing on the inside, which seemed to be going on now as well.

"Wait, where's Joe?" Mandie searched around frantically. Had he not been able to come? Even at that single thought she began to feel empty, until Mrs. Woodward came up to her.

"Oh, sweetheart, Joe had to talk to some of his professors, but he should be here soon," she informed her.

"Mandie! Celia!" Both girls turned around to see their dear friend Sallie walking towards them. Her beautiful black hair swung, and her big brown eyes expressed kindness. "How are you?" she asked as soon as she reached them.

"Oh, fine, you know," Mandie said, look self-consciously at Adrian. His eyes were drinking Sallie up eagerly, and Mandie felt unsettled. Adrian was different than in his letters…

"Hello, Sallie, I'm doing fine," Celia said warmly.

Sallie nodded. "And how about you, Jonathan?"

Jonathan was still looking at Adrian with his dark wide eyes, and abruptly shook his black curls when hearing Sallie's voice. "Sorry, what did you ask?"

"It doesn't matter," Adrian cut in. "I don't think I've met you yet."

Sallie raised an eyebrow. "My name is Sallie, and yours?" she asked politely.

"My name is Adrian, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He grinned at her. "Well, Jonathan, you sure have a lot of beautiful lady friends."

Celia blushed and Sallie raised her eyebrows. Mandie was uncomfortable, in his letters he was always flattering her, and now he doing it in person.

Mischievous Jonathan was rarely uncomfortable, but even he was taken off guard. "They're not my-I mean, we're just friends."

"Sure." Adrian gave an unpleasant smile. "And look at that, we have another guest."

They all turned around, and Mandie's heart jumped. Joe was standing there, and he was all too much. While he had always been tall, he was no longer lanky. He filled out his clothes nicely, his shoulders broader, and were those muscles rippling in his arms? He looked larger. More manly. More tan. More handsome. He definitely wasn't the boy she'd grown up with anymore, and Mandie felt the breath whoosh out of her.

Jonathan appeared relieved. "Over here, Joe!" He called.

Joe's head abruptly turned and he started towards them. His pace was powerful and straightforward, and Mandie couldn't believe the way he walked interested her too.

"Hey, Jonathan," Joe lips lifted into a smile. "How've you been?"

"Great." Jonathan grinned mischievously. "Still working on being a top lawyer, huh?"

"Yes." Joe smirked. "And what are you exactly working on?"

Mandie watched them tease and laugh with each other, utterly befuddled.

"Huh, Jonathan and Joe are sure getting along better, aren't they?" Celia observed.

"It's a nice change. It was always awkward with those two around," Sallie added.

Joe was laughing at something Jonathan said, but then his attention turned onto Adrian.

"Oh, hello. I'm Joe. And you are…?" His intelligent brown eyes examined him crucially.

"I'm Adrian. You must have heard of me from Mandie. I'm the one who wrote her love notes from Ireland," he said smugly.

Joe glanced at Mandie, frowning. "I see," he said at last.

No, no, no! Mandie wanted to yell, to assure Joe he was the only one she loved, but she kept miserably silent. Why did Adrian have to visit?

Celia, thankfully, cut in, "Why is your father here, Jonathan? It's not even a holiday."

Jonathan frowned. "I don't really know. I told him I could come here myself, but he insisted he come as well." He then winked at Celia. "Personally, I think he might after someone."

"Oh, is he still in love with Mandie's grandmother?" Joe asked, surprised.

"Why shouldn't he be? After all, time shouldn't change people's feelings," Mandie said stoutly.

Joe looked down at Mandie questioningly. "You know that's not what I meant, Mandie."

"Yes, well," Mandie said, flustered at his deep gaze. "My grandmother doesn't want to marry."

"She has Senator Morton after her, too," Sallie pointed out.

"I think she should pick Senator Morton," Celia announced. "After all, he's always been there for her."

Jonathan grinned. "I might be a little biased here, but I think my father would be better for her. They'll both be able to ground each other but have an exciting relationship. Knowing Mrs. Taft, she'd probably get bored with the Senator."

Celia glanced at him. "That's not entirely true."

"What, you have something against my father?" Jonathan laughed, but his eyes were smoldering. "Or is it me?"

Mandie and Joe exchanged looks, revealing both had no idea what was going on between their friends, but then Liza appeared, flushed and sweaty.

"Missy Polly is comin' o'er," she spilled out in a rush.

Mandie and Celia looked at each other with dread. First Adrian and now Polly! And she was probably going to go after Joe, Mandie thought to herself ruefully.