( but the very next day george gave it away to kirsty )
— december, 1998
( alternate universe )

Marina was hesitant to go to the party. It's been a year since she and George broke up again and she's been avoiding him since. She makes sure Rory doesn't say anything about him when they hang out and for a solid year, it's like he never existed. Except he has. She thinks about him all the time.

She understands why they broke up but Marina was never good at the art of moving on. Still, she wasn't going to let a man stop her from doing anything anymore. So she goes to Rory's party and plans on ignoring George the whole night.

"Mar!" Rory greets her at the door. "I'm so glad you made it!"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Merry Christmas, love." Marina says, pulling Rory in for a tight hug.

"Before you go in I think I should tell you — "

"Rory! You've got to hear this story George just told about — oh! Hello!" A woman comes sliding into the entryway that Marina immediately recognizes from school. It's Kirsty Blaine, an old friend of theirs. Marina assumes she must still work at the shop and that's why she's there. 

"Hello, Kirsty!" Marina smiles kindly.

The blonde grins, "Marina! Lovely to see you!"

"Come on in," Rory says quietly with a half-smile. 

Marina follows Rory into the small flat and sees a decent amount of guests. Some of Harry and Ron's friends have joined the party as well along with the usual suspects such as Angelina and Lee and the McDowells. 

She sees George from across the room and he shoots her a soft smile. It's very strange for the pair of them to be standing alone in a crowded room and not speaking. Two years ago they were arm and arm, inseparable. George knew Marina hates crowds and would make sure she never had to stand alone. Things are much different now. 

It's hard to break her gaze away from George. She watches as Kirsty approaches him with a beautiful smile. She watches as he smiles back and wraps an arm around her waist. She watches as he plants a kiss on her forehead. 

Marina suddenly feels very dizzy. 

When she was younger, George had told her all about what he had with Kirsty. Albeit short-lived and without much substance, they still had a history. 

Marina begins to wonder if George ever stopped having feelings for Kirsty. When she was with him was he just thinking about Kirsty? Waiting for an out so he could go back to who he truly wanted?

"I wanted to tell you sooner," Rory says, interrupting Marina from her thoughts. 

"How long?" Marina whispers. 

Rory shrugs, "About six months. Although they already live together... Sorry."

Marina shakes her head, "It's fine..."

It's not really fine though. Marina is plagued by the fact that George never loved her at all and that no matter what she will always come second. If George had moved on with anyone else it would have been fine but the fact that he's with Kirsty, his first love, everything hurts more. 

Maybe one day she'll get closure. Maybe one day George will be honest with her. Maybe one day she'll be happy again.