Over 600 views?! Holy crud, guys. Thank you so, so much! I never thought my story would come this far, this quick. I'm feeling the love and I am so thankful! Enjoy the holiday-themed chapter, lovelies!

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*December 31, 1979*

The color gold was everywhere. It seemed to be this year's theme: gold. Riches, wealth, hope for more. For me, the new year wasn't going to be about making more money. My income was enough for once in my life. Two weeks ago, I was in Washington State looking at beachfront property. I'm building myself a house, I thought with pride. I'd signed the paperwork for a place after two days of looking alongside a real-estate agent. It was going to be amazing! I was finally going move out of that tiny apartment, no more leaky faucet or cracked stucco walls. No, I was about to live in style. Modest style mind you.

Any who, I was enjoying myself. Where, you ask? Against the bar, of course, with a Manhattan in my hand. Sipping lightly, I scanned the room looking at who was there. The venue Capitol Records has rented for the evening looked like a cross between Studio 54 and a roller rink. It was fun and colorful, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go roller skating later tonight. The high ceiling allowed for hordes of balloons to gather across the white panels. Streams of sparking plastic hung in entryways and glittered as people filed in and out of the party, it truly felt like New Year's Eve. I let a smile creep its way onto my lips.

You're gonna break some hearts tonight, hot damn!

I felt confident in the dress I chose to weartonight. It was black with super thin spaghetti straps that looked almostinvisible. The material was gathered up high on my upper thigh, and on bothsides of my torso a thin string of fabric that matched the straps of the dress crisscrossedholding the bodice together. It cost me a good 56 dollars, but it was worth it.Damn if you could see the looks, I am getting right now, phew!

Boys eat your hearts out cause I'm not looking to take anyone home tonight. Nope, tonight was about friends, work, and having some fun. Just then Brian danced his way over to me, smiling.

"What's up with you, Brian?" I asked as I took my drink away from my lips. He raised a hand at the bartender, getting his attention and ordering a bourbon and a lemon drop. I knew instantly who he'd brought with him: Mary Anne. One of the bartenders quickly handed Brian the two drinks he'd ordered. He took a sip of his bourbon as he turned to face me, holding the lemon drop in his other hand.

"Nothing much, Briggs." I watched his eyes flicker up and down my form. "You look great, seriously." I felt myself blush lightly at his compliment. I didn't normally dress up at all, my typical outfit consisted of jeans, a t-shirt of some sort, and my leather jacket. Oh, and a pair of clogs. I love clogs...

"Thank you, you look nice too." I paused, smirking at him, "Mary Anne dressed you, didn't she?" I tried so hard to not start laughing before he could respond.

"Uh, yeah she did." He admitted. "I look good though, so don't ruin it!" He said as I began laughing heartily. He was dressed in black slacks that flared out at the bottom, fancy bell bottoms if you will, and his tucked-in button up was pale blue with a fly collar. He did look good. I should tell Mary Anne she has good taste...

"I won't, I won't." I snickered, ruining it as I continued to laugh. "Whipped." I said quietly. Brian's head whipped around back to me, his eyes were wide.

"Shut up, Astoria!" I cackled at his embarrassment. I had to wipe away a tear that fell because I was laughing so much.

"Oh, oh Brian... I think our friendship just got better, I really do." I put a hand on his shoulder trying to regain composure.

"Ok, I got to get this to Mary. I'll see you on the flip side, Briggs!" He began to walk away, but he turned around after a couple steps walking backward, "Save me a dance?"

"Always! Treat my girl well, Whitland!" I yelled after him. He gave me a wink before turning back around and melding into the crowd while holding his drinks high up in the air above the people.

Brian and Mary Anne had officially started dating around December 6th, and they seemed to be built for each other. Something good had come out of Carol's death, a relationship between two of my wonderful friends. I was happy for them, truly I'd never seen them more in-tune with life. Yet here I was, looking like a teenager's wet dream, people watching.

Being single had never bothered me before. But there it was, that nagging feeling in the back of my mind. The carnal desire to reproduce had been rearing its ugly head recently as well. I'm 23 years-old, pushing 24. I know I still have time to settle down and find a husband and make babies, but I couldn't help the feeling that constantly invaded my thoughts.

You know who you would make cute-ass babies with, don't you?

My brain needed to shut up. I tilted my head back, downing the last of my drink and feeling as if I was being watched. Weird. I shrugged the feeling off and set my glass down on the bar, ready to mingle, this is a party after all. I ended up dancing for a few songs on the dance floor with random guys in suits, all in fun and thankfully no one got handsy. At the crescendo of the third song I felt so free. Raising my hands up into the air as I spun around once, twice, a third time... Nothing could bring down my mood as I grooved to my favorite Earth, Wind & Fire song, Let's Groove. But there, tingling at the nape of my neck again was that feeling of being watched.

There must be at least 250 people here, that's 500 eyeballs wandering around the room. You're not being watched, good lord.

There was a chair that was calling my name by the end of the third song and I decided this was as good a time as any to plop my tiny butt down for a minute. Once I sat myself down in the chair, I brought a foot up to my hands to rub, stupid heels. They're cute, but why must they be painful? While rubbing my arch a man in a rhinestone suit slid smoothly my way, a smirk playing at his lips.

"Hey Astoria. How's life, girl?" He said while grinning.

"Randy?"

"The one and only! Seriously though, you are looking fine tonight. Damn girl!" I mostly ignored his awkward compliment, more surprised that he was here in the first place.

"Uh, thanks. Randy, what the hell are you doing here?" I let go of my foot to give him my full attention as we sat at the same dressed-up table. He adjusted himself in his seat and only then did I realize his suit was absolutely covered in holographic rhinestones. Randy was sparkling more than the numerous disco balls that spun from the ceiling. "And what in the world are you wearing?" I chuckled, unable to tear my eyes away from his glittering visage.

"Me and the bros were invited, of course. Capitol and CBS are trying to be all buddy-buddy, it has something to do with the 'new decade of music'." He air-quoted the last part for me, rolling his eyes as he did. "Now, as for my amazing suit. It's a Tom Ford original, you're going to be hearing his name in the wonderful world of fashion soon enough milady." He smiled at me, leaning his head in his hands. I just shook my head.

"Tom Ford, ok." I nodded. "You look older. Have you grown? Don't tell me I'm getting old, Ran!" I joked with him, he laughed a little in return, blushing.

"Naw, stop. Yes, I'm older. Jeez." I'd ruined his cool.

"Manlier?" I questioned, enjoying playing with him.

"Astoria, stop. You should be flirting with my brother, not me." That sentence made me frown. We both paused in our conversation, knowing full-well why he was a touchy subject. "Look, there's something I should tell you."

"What?" I spat, trying and failing not to seem bitter. It was clearly written on his face that he didn't like to hear the tone in my voice.

"Well, the first time you called him after... you know." He motioned his head, trying to be discrete as there were reporters sprinkled throughout the party. Good publicity was good publicity, after all, to a reporter anyway. I stared at him, waiting for Randy to continue. "I um, it's funny really." His eyes wandered away from mine as his posture morphed into something akin to a wolf in sheepskin.

"I doubt it's funny, Randy. Just tell me." I crossed my arms and leaned back in the velvet chair, waiting for him to reveal whatever it was he had to reveal.

"I didn't tell Mike that you called until, like weeks later. So, I think it's safe to say that I helped ruin your budding relationship with him. Now before you get all defensive like girls do," He spun an accusing finger in a circle a few times at me, "He doesn't know that I'm over here talking to you. I swear. I'm just telling you this because I feel bad about not telling him sooner, that, and he's been in a slump even since you two have stopped talking. It's annoying, really." Randy looked down at the table cloth, thinking about how weird and lackluster his brother had been acting recently. I put a hand on Randy's, I wasn't mad anymore. Not at Michael, not at Randy, and not at god for taking Carol away.

"It's not your fault Randy and thank you for telling me this. I'm sure that took some courage, yeah?" I smiled at him as he looked back up at me. "Well, tell Janet and your mother I said 'hello' and 'happy new year', ok?" Rady nodded, his confidence coming back.

"Yeah, of course." He stood up from the table, standing straight. "You'll talk to him though, won't you?" He asked me while sucking on his bottom lip. I shrugged.

"We'll see. I haven't seen him anyway."

"Ok. Happy New Year, Ash." With one last smile Randy in all his glittering glory, merged into the dancing mass of people. The band up on the stage was playing their rendition of Pat Benatar's I Need a Lover. I sat and listened to the song, enjoying listening to the familiar guitar riff and nursing my sore feet.

As the song came to an end, I saw my round boss making his way up to the stage. I groaned, hoping and praying he wasn't going to make a big announcement out of my moving away. I really hoped. Shit. I grimaced as I heard him begin to speak.

"Hello, and welcome everyone! I hope your all having a festive time here at Capitol Records New Year's Party. As host, I am responsible to remind you all to thoroughly help yourselves to the free bar and smorgasbord provided. Now, onto some real chatter! As many of you know..."

Oh, here we go. Schnitzel.

"...one of our underdogs here at Capitol has bloomed furiously during this last year. She helped make one of Epic Records' latest hit album the current success it is today, having sold over 2.5 million copies currently and continuing to sell more each and every day. Look, ladies and gentlemen I think we all know what record I'm talking about here. It needs no introduction. Off the Wall is quickly becoming an American treasure-- Oops!" The crowd saw him quickly put a hand to his mouth, "I let the cat out of the bag! Anyway, all of us at Capitol Records want to say how proud we are of the accomplishments that have come from the joint creative effort that is Off the Wall. But I'm very disheartened to announce,"

NO! STOP TALKING RIGHT NOW.

"That we must see this wonderful, young lady go. She's leaving us!" He turned to the drummer on stage and frowned dramatically, as the crowd went 'Aw!'.

"I know, I know. But ladies and gentlemen, she's onto bigger and brighter things. Truly, I would not deceive you on this. Come the new year we all will have to say our goodbyes and let her go, but for now... She's with us for the evening. Astoria Briggs, where are you?" I heard his voice grate out into the crowd, wincing. The spotlight found me before I could scurry off. I gave the crowd a smile and stood up, beginning the walk of shame to the stage.

"Here she is! Isn't she lovely?" The crowd clapped and cheered, and I felt like a piece of meat, suddenly remembering why I never dressed this way in the first place.

Own it, girl.

"You know, it's funny looking back. When I interviewed this beauty, she was so nervous. Unbelievably so, honest folks. And just as I was about to exit the room, she began singing a tune I'd never heard before. That's when I knew I had to hire her, and boy am I glad I did! Would you all like it if she sang for you?" The crowd went crazy and I felt myself blushing like a neon sign. Oh, no. He's going to make me sing. Oh no, oh no, oh no. "Yes, yes, yes! Would be so gracious as to sing a little something for us, Ms. Briggs? Something for us to remember you by, perhaps?" He asked, handing me the microphone he'd been using the entire time. I swallowed thickly, hearing the blood pumping through my heart and ears increase in volume.

"Sure." I replied simply. I knew who was in the crowd as my boss backed off the stage. He was somewhere, and right then I would have bet my new house that it was Michael who'd been staring at me the entire night. I like to people watch... Michael's words rang through my head as my hand gripped the mic tightly. I opened my eyes, gazing out at the crowd of people dressed up. The women glittered like stars while the men stood in stark contrast in their black suits, appearing like consuming black holes. All except for Randy, who was the easiest to pick out of the crowd. He gave me a thumbs up paired with a smile of encouragement. My nervousness melted away while looking at him.

"Um, hello everyone. I'm not as much of asinger as my boss has talked me up to be, but I will try my best." Ileaned over towards the musicians, asking if they knew a certain song. Theynodded and got in position. Hopefully my voice wouldn't crack as I hadn't evenhad the chance to warm up at all. I moved the microphone back up, so it was infront of my mouth. Here we go. "Because it's stillDecember, I'm going to sing you this little ditty. I hope you enjoy this songas much as I do." I smiled as the band began to play, HaveYourself A Merry Little Christmas. Sure, it was past Christmas, but it hasalways been a favorite of mine, so who cares. 

*Michael's Perspective*

There she was. Absolutely stunning in that black dress of hers. As Astoria sang to the crowd, I felt my heart soar. She was beyond words and I hoped she'd gotten the letter I had slipped under her front door. I knew there was a possibility that she didn't even know it existed as Brian had been the only person home when I did that, but nonetheless I hoped anyway.

Since we'd last seen each other I'd gotten a haircut. That was as eventful as my life got without her. She's something special and screwed it up. I know that now, too late of course. Before she'd gotten on stage, before that round man in the suit had messed around with the microphone, I'd been watching her like some creeper. I'd seen her leaning against the bar before she'd talked to Brian, while she'd been talking to Brian...I have it bad for her, so bad. I bit my lip as I watched her sing.

Her voice wasn't the most amazing thing in the world, but it was her singing and that made it special in itself. She carried a note well, but her range wasn't that wide. Still, I could listen to her sing for hours. She mesmerizes me in so many ways.

You should tell her that.

I let out a sigh as she came to the end of the song. I needed to talk to her. I needed to ask her if she'd read what I wrote for her. I needed to know.

The audience clapped, and some individuals whistled for her. I clapped like sea lion, quickly and loud. She said one last thing before handing the microphone back to one of the musicians, "Thank you, and Happy New Ye-" She'd paused mid-sentence. We'd just made eye contact. I watched her visibly swallow before putting up at facade as fast as we'd locked eyes. A warm smile graced her features again as she tore her eyes away from me. I frowned. "Happy new year, everyone." She told everyone after clearing her throat politely.

With that, she gave the bassist her microphone and walked down the front of the stage with a grace I could only have imagined. My feet had been rooted to the ground for too long! I quickly scrambled through the crowd, not wanting to miss her in the mass of bodies. Muttering multiple 'excuse me's' and 'pardon me's' to strangers as I squeezed between them, I was beginning to think I was going to miss her. Right before a clearing of people, I almost got stuck between to rather large individuals. Thankfully a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me to freedom. I breathed out for a moment as I stood in the clearing, catching my breath.

I really thought I was gonna be stuck there for a moment...

Then I looked up to see who had grabbed me. It was Astoria.

"He- Hey." I stuttered, wanting to tell her so much as she gave me a grimace that I deserved. I deserved to be berated, really.

"'Hey' is all you have to say, Michael?" She asked me, crossing her arms. I moved a hand up to the back of my neck, rubbing it sheepishly. She scoffed and started to walk away but I quickly put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't leave, please!" She stopped, turning back around. "Please?" I begged.

"Well?" She said, giving me her full attention.

"I'm sorry. I'm... stupid, so stupid." I told her. It was true, I'd been extremely stupid. I'd never had a girlfriend before, but that wasn't a reason to just suddenly push her aside.

"Yes, you are stupid, Jackson." She replied, her arms still crossed. I opened and closed my mouth a couple times, trying to find the right words. I gave up and decided to speak from the heart.

"Look, what I'm about to say might sound a bit cheesy or lame but it's how I feel." My feelings were bubbling to the surface as I began to bear my heart to her, I hoped she wouldn't smash it to bits, though I deserved it if she chose to do so. "I'm in love with you." I shrugged. "There it is. I don't know how it happened, and I don't know when it happened either, but I can't function without you. This much I know for sure." I paused, watching her composure break in front of me. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and hold her close, but I needed to finish telling her everything.

"Did you get my letter?" I asked her, frowning slightly. A melancholy feeling fell between us as I saw a tear fall from her eye. Astoria nodded.

"Yeah, I got your letter, Michael." She replied, wiping the tear away with her hand. I heard her sniff. "I read it too." She whispered.

"Then you know how I feel about you." I stated quietly.

"I do."

"Tell me, how you feel... Please, Astoria." I reached out for her hand and when she didn't retract her hand from mine like it had touched a hot stove, I took that as a good sign. I enveloped her one hand in both of mine as she continued to look everywhere but at me, it made my heart quiver in disappointment.

"I- I'm not angry at you anymore, but for a while all I wanted to do was yell