University last year so it was a struggle for them to see each other as often as they’d like to. As far as I knew they planned on marrying one another. Obviously Adam’s plans had changed.
Although Tory loved to party and drink she never cheated on Adam. Ever . She knew her limit with alcohol. And if guys hit on her and they didn’t get the message that she was taken she’d kick them in a place no guy would like to be harmed. I’d never seen anyone love another being so much. I was completely appalled by this situation that was causing my friend total and complete pain.
“He said he’s in love with her…she’s something new . Like she’s a car he just bought or whatever. It’s sickening.” She sulked, both hands covering her eyes so she could hide behind them as she cried some more.
“Oh my goodness, Tory,” I whispered, “I’m so sorry.” I gave her another hug. “When did this happen?”
“Last night after Jensen left.”
Jensen . . . .
“Why didn’t you come to me then?”
“I didn’t want to bother you,” she sighed.
“You wouldn’t have bothered me,” I explained, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t like where this was going.
“It’s just that I know you’re still like not all better so I didn’t want to concern you or anything with my like…petty problems.” She wiped at her eyes and nose. “I told Ryan, Lucy and Sam about it instead.” My poor friend. My best friend. She thought I wouldn’t – didn’t – care so she confided in three girls she partied with weekly; I called them the Drunken Trio. She’d only known them for a year and half. We’d known each other most of our lives.
“Oh Tory you’ve got it all wrong. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you!”
Tory wasn’t the type to usually have problems she couldn’t solve on her own. She’d never really come to me with a situation before – especially nothing like this. She was a relatively independent person. But now she needed somebody. And that somebody was me. I wouldn’t allow it to be her drinking buddies. She needed a diary that could talk back to her not a bottle of vodka to bury her sorrows in.
“Thanks, Ava.” She smiled halfheartedly.
“What you need,” I said, “is a girl’s night.” Her eyes lit up. I couldn’t believe I’d actually suggested that. My body was craving some normalcy. It was just unfortunate that something ordinary would stem from such a devastating situation. Somehow Jensen’s presence had really struck something within me – change. I wanted to be different, to morph back into the fun-loving, awesome girl many people befriended and I was proud of just one year ago. By sulking non-stop I hadn’t overcome anything and I hadn’t forgiven him for what he had done to me.
Maybe I never would forgive him. At least, not entirely. It’s not just something a person can get over. However, I needed to convince my mind to let go of what happened all those months ago so I could finally embrace what destiny had planned for me.
“Aw, Avalon, that would be wonderful!” We hadn’t had a girl’s night in or out since our unsuccessful trip to the movies a while back. “Popcorn and DVDs?” she asked, hopeful, implying she wanted to stay in for the night – something Tory wasn’t too fond of. She was always out and about, mostly at parties thrown all over town. Otherwise she was throwing them. She was very into the partying lifestyle, especially now that she’d made friends with the trio of drunken nights and hung-over mornings. Each and every one of them had enough