Again, I apologize for not updating in like, years. I have so many other continuing stories that this one kinda fell through the wayside. To the person who commented that Sam's last name is Franklin, yeah, I know. I'm like the biggest knower of useless Brady trivia. I even know what Alice's last name was! (Nelson.) Okay, on with the story!
Chapter 4- Greg
"Hello, Greg? It's me, Marcia."
I almost dropped the receiver in shock. I was just about to leave my apartment, and I absentmindedly answered the phone, thinking that it was one of my friends, trying to hurry me up.
"Um, hello," I said cautiously. "Can I help you?"
"Have you talked to Peter lately?" she asked bluntly.
I thought back. The last time I had spoken to him was a couple of months ago, and I told Marcia that. Then I asked, "Why? He hasn't done anything to shame the Brady name, has he?"
Marcia snorted. "Yeah, such an illustrious name, that. No, the only thing he's done is corrupt my little sister."
"He messed with Cindy!" I shouted, scandalized.
"No!" Marcia said, sounding even more horrified. "Jan."
"Okay, you're going to have to explain what's going on," I declared, sighing and dropping back onto my couch. Something was telling me that this wouldn't be a quick conversation.
"Basically, my sister and your brother are dating."
"And where does the corruption come in?"
"Well... it's maybe not corruption," Marcia admitted after a pause, "But don't you think there's something a little... wrong about the two of them dating?"
"Not really. They know each other and feel comfortable together. And it's not like they're anywhere where people know their history."
Marcia sighed deeply. "I guess I should've known that you would think that it's okay. Look, I have to go. Please try to explain to your brother why dating your former stepsister isn't the best idea."
"Why has this got you so upset?" I asked curiously.
"I don't know," she replied after a pause. Then she added in a softer tone, "Maybe because... what happened between us."
I remembered exactly what she was referring to. We had ran into each other a couple of years back, when we were both still in college, and the results of what had happened that night had been earth-shattering.
"Look, I was stupid, alright?" I sighed.
"No, you were right. Something like that would have never worked for us, and besides, um..." She stopped, and I could hear the smile in her voice as she added, "I'm engaged."
"Congratulations," I said sincerely.
"Well, I really have to go. Tell Bobby I said hi, and, your dad too."
"Okay," I said. "Bye, Marcia."
"Bye, Greg."
I hung up, and headed out the door, my mind still on the past.
==============================Flashback==================================
It was a typical frat party. Gamma Gamma Tau threw the best ones, and although I hadn't pledged in their fraternity, I knew enough people on campus to always be invited when they had something. I had a drink in my hand and was dancing with a girl I knew when someone tapped me on the shoulder.
"Mind if I cut in?"
I spun around, seeing Marcia there. "Hi!" I said, genuinely surprised. "What brings you here?"
"Delta Phi Delta!"
"Didn't know you had pledged."
"Yeah, well, too much time on my hands. So, dance?"
We did, while we caught each other up on each others' lives. The only subject we avoided by mutual consent was our parents.
"So, whatcha doing after this?" I asked her, after the party started breaking up.
She shrugged. "Hadn't planned on anything. What have you got in mind?"
I imitated her shrug, making her laugh. At that point, both of us had probably had more than we needed to drink, and spending some time with Marcia was sounding better and better.
So we ended up walking down Frat Row, observing the houses and the parties within, and making small talk.
Finally we stopped in front of a VW Rabbit. "This is my stop," she said cheerfully. "Catch you later."
"Should you be driving?" I asked, concerned.
"Nope. But I gotta get back to my apartment."
"Come to my room awhile. You know, just so you can sober up." I invited.
"Okay." She left the car where it was and we walked back to campus and up to my dorm room.
"This is what I call home sweet home for now," I told her, discreetly kicking a pair of boxers underneath the bed. "Have a seat anywhere."
Marcia sat down on the bed. "Hey, comfy," she said, bouncing slightly. She stopped abruptly and frowned. "Why aren't you sitting?"
I hadn't realized that I was still standing up, staring at her. Blushing a little, I sat on the bed next to her.
We talked for a little while longer, and then fell silent again. I don't know how long we sat there.
I also don't remember who made the first move, but I do remember holding her in my arms, like all of the times I never let myself imagine. As we stretched out, I thought fuzzily that the whole thing probably wasn't the best idea. But it didn't seem to matter.
Afterwards, we looked at each other, a little embarrassed. "Um, okay." Marcia said. "I'm going back to my dorm now."
I nodded. "You... will you be alright?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"I'll call," I told her, as I walked her out to her car.
She smiled sadly as she got behind the wheel. "Bye, Greg."
===========================End Flashback================================
I frowned as I remembered that night all over again. I hadn't called, not that night or any afterwards. The friendship that we had had been shattered in that night.
'No wonder Marcia hates us Brady men. She probably thinks we're all love-'em-and-leave-'em types,' I mused as I got up to leave.
The party I was going to was in full swing by the time I got there, and I started greeting people as I came in, mindful that I couldn't stay too late- I had classes the next day. I found my friend Doug, guarding the bar, as usual.
"Thought you'd never show up, Brady," he commented, holding out a beer for me. I took it gratefully.
"Thanks. Where's the lovely Pam tonight?"
"She had to beg off. Something about work. But she sent her friend, the one she wanted you to meet."
I groaned mentally, not seeing why all of the couples I knew tried to set me up with someone. "Point her out, so I can go do the nice thing and say hi."
"She's right over there." Doug pointed to a woman with her back to us. "Good luck. I couldn't get three words out of her the whole way here."
Sighing, I walked over to the woman and tapped her carefully on the shoulder. She whirled around, and I locked eyes with her.
"Hi," I said when I could speak again. "Greg."
"Norah." she replied, a soft blush on her cheeks.
"Dance?"
"Love to."
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Again, I apologize for the long delay. I'm not even making predictions to when the next chapter will be up. Bobby's up, though. Thanks for your support!
