~*~Chapter Eight~*~

Megan walked into the foyer and found her dear friend crying on the floor. "Marty, what is it? What has you so upset?" she asked.

She sat down on the staircase and enfolded Marty in her embrace. "It's Todd," Marty whimpered. "We got into a fight ... and he - he left."

Marty choked on a sob as Megan caressed her hair. "Why would he do that?"

"He said something about how I don't need him... and how - how I am too young for him."

"He's just being an ass. It's okay, Marty. I know it hurts right now, but it will all work out."

Marty shook her head as her eyes shimmered with tears. "No, it won't. I am in love with him, Megan. I am in love with Todd."

"I knew it," Megan said as she wiped away Marty's tears. "Marty, he has feelings for you, too. I can see it when he looks at you. Just give him a little time to process everything. He'll come back... and he'll apologize, too."

"He will?" Marty wanted to hope, but she had a hard time believing. Her heart was aching from Todd's rejection. Why did he have to go?

"Trust me. I know these things," Megan said with a little laugh. "Now try to put your happy face on. It's time to open the gifts."

Marty struggled to give Megan a trembling smile. "Thank you for coming, Megan. Thank you for everything."

"What are friends for," said Megan as she gave Marty an affectionate hug.

~*~o~*~

A few nights had passed and Marty was trying to come to terms with what had happened between her and Todd. She hadn't taken the ring off her finger. It had been her mother's and Todd had chosen to give it to her as a symbolic Christmas gift. Every time she looked down at it, she thought of Todd. It was a struggle not to dissolve into tears. It broke her heart that he hadn't even tried to contact her. It was as if he hadn't even cared at all.

To keep her mind off of her misfortunes, she agreed to attend a college party with Megan. Her friends had been trying to cheer her up ever since Todd had walked out on Christmas Day. Megan and Marty arrived at the party when it was already in full- swing. There was dancing, drinking, and loud rock music. The house was so packed that Marty and Megan had a difficult time making it over to the bar.

When they got there, they discovered that Jason had already arrived. He sat at the bar, sipping a drink. They sat down next to him. "The two most beautiful ladies on campus have finally arrived," he said with a smile.

"Hey, Jason," said Megan as she gave him a kiss. "Thanks for the compliment."

"It's true," Jason stated. "I'm a really lucky guy to hang out with the two of you."

Marty gave Jason a hug and he kissed her cheek. "How are you doing?" he asked as he looked at her with concern.

"I'll be fine, Jase. It's not like it's the end of the world."

Jason nodded, but he could see that it was the end of the world, at least for Marty. He'd never seen her so sad. He wanted to punch Todd Manning for causing his dearest friend such pain.

"I need to move on with my life," said Marty. "And have a little fun."

"What do you have in mind?" Jason asked.

"Ohhh I don't know. The prospects are many. Do you know any single guys?"

Jason laughed. "No, sorry. I don't. None that are good enough for you anyway. Marty, you are my best friend... and you mean to the world to me."

"I don't know what I would do without you and Megan," Marty told him sincerely.

The three of them were chatting when suddenly they were interrupted. "I've been looking for you, Marty," said a familiar voice.

Marty looked up to see Jack Manning standing there, holding a mixed drink. "I really need to talk to you," he said. "Is there somewhere we could go to talk alone?"

"Ohhh I don't know, Jack. I-."

"Ohhh come on, Marty. Gimme a chance," Jack pleaded. "There's something I have to say."

"Well, alright," Marty gave in. "Excuse me, Jason and Megan."

Jack lead her away to the back porch, so they could have a little privacy. As he closed the door, the sound of the rock music was muffled as Marty huddled up in her coat, trying to stay warm. "What did you want to talk about, Jack?" Marty asked. She couldn't even look at him, because he reminded her too much of Todd.

"I haven't seen you at any of the parties lately," he stated. "I was wondering if you were alright."

"Well, of course I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?" Marty asked.

"I heard that things didn't go so well between you and my dad."

"He told you?" Marty said in a little gasp.

Jack shook his head. "He really doesn't say much, but he did say I should apologize for all the awful things I said. He's right. I'm sorry, Marty. I'm sorry for what I said... and what I implied. You're a nice girl and I apologize for disrespecting you. I know I have been a jerk before, and you have every right to despise me, but I am asking for your forgiveness. I want to start over again... and I'd like for us to be friends."

Marty shot her gaze to Jack in disbelief. "You basically called me a slut - your father's mistress!" she cried out.

"I shouldn't have said those things... but I was jealous," Jack explained. "I saw something between you and my dad and I wanted something like that for myself. I apologize for hurting you, but I really want to make amends. Could we be friends, Marty? Do you think you could ever forgive me?"

Hearing the sincerity in his voice, Marty gave in. "Alright, Jack, I will give you one more chance. But this will be the absolute LAST chance you get, so don't mess it up."

"I won't," he said as a smile spread out on his face. "You won't regret it, because I care about you, Marty. We're going to be great friends."

"You've given up on trying to date me?"

"Well, actually no," he said. "I wanted to ask you if you'd go to a party with me tomorrow night, but only as friends."

"Ohhh I don't know..." she replied. "It's New Year's Eve, and I-."

"I know it's New Years Eve, but my dad's throwing a huge party at his mansion, and I'd really like you to come."

"Your dad?" Marty gasped. She shivered, but it wasn't from cold. Todd was throwing a party? If she agreed to go with Jack, she could see him again!

"Yeah, he always throws a big party every New Year's Eve. Millionaires, actresses, and models will be attending. It'll be a lot of fun. Please say you'll come."

"Alright, Jack. I'll go with you," Marty agreed. "Now that we have that settled, can we go back into the party? I am getting cold."

Jack couldn't stop grinning when he heard Marty's answer. "I'll pick you up at 8:00," he said. "We are going to have a fabulous time."

He took her hand and lead her back inside the party where they met Jason and Megan at the bar. "What's going on?" Jason asked with a frown when he saw Jack holding Marty's hand.

"We've decided to be friends again," Marty explained.

Megan shot Jack a disapproving glare. "You better treat her right," Megan threatened under her breath.

"Everything's kewl," Marty stated. "Jack's taking me to a party tomorrow night."

"A party?" Jason questioned.

"Yep, a party at my dad's mansion," clarified Jack.

Jason and Megan exchanged glances. Marty could tell they were worried about her, but they didn't say a word. No other mention was made of the New Year's Eve party or Todd Manning as Jack danced with Marty and Megan and Jason joined them. Marty tried to put it all out of her mind. She did everything in her power not to think of Todd. She told herself she'd worry about it tomorrow. Right now, she would have a great time with her friends.