Disclaimer: Don't own don't care

It's only as easy as You Make It

"What did you do idiot," Marti said storming into Dan's job as he was drilling a hole through a wall.

"Good health to you as well," he replies sarcastically and she glares at him.

"You hungry," he said putting down the drill and walking past her.

He sat down in a chair near the water and she following sitting across from him.

"What the hell happened? Everything was fine. She forgave us for before and now this," she questioned and he sighed, knowing her too well for her own good.

Marti always had to be in control and he knew that.

The fact that he broke up with Savannah just screwed with the nice picture she had wrapped up in her mind.

"I told you this wasn't sitting well. I don't like being a liar. I can't stay with Savannah without full disclosure."

She looked appalled at even the mention of it, "You're not suggesting we tell her you and I hooked up."

"Yes actually, I am," he said evenly sitting back in his chair.

"No Dan, you need to call her and make this right. We have talked about this!" she said in her usual demanding voice.

She just expected everyone to fall in line at the sound of her voice.

"You really are the center of the universe aren't you?"

He was always straight with her and it kills him he hadn't been completely honest with her for a long time.

Her face filled with confusion, "What?"

"It's all about Marti all the time, right down to wanting to force two of her best friends to carry on a relationship even though one of them is completely taken with someone else."

Her breathing halted immediately and she looked to the side, avoiding his eyes.

"Don't say that…please…let's just get back to normal," Marti pleaded and you could see it in her eyes but, he wasn't letting up on the subject, not this time.

"Ok. Hey, it's raining, its cold, and the perfect day for a funeral. It's also a good day for the truth," Dan said evenly with his mind made up.

He shifted forward and looked her straight in her eyes.

"When I'm near you and I'm not stifling the urge to strangle you like I am now all I can think about is being with you…holding you, kissing you, the whole unseemly pompitous of love."

There gaze held for a long while but, Marti shook her head.

"That doesn't work for us Dan. Remember the first time," she said and he shook his head in response.

"I wasn't ready then. You and me work M," Dan said and when he did Marti's heart clenched in her chest.

"As friends," she challenged.

"I can't settle for that."

"You're starting to make this feel like an ultimatum."

"Good. Then I'm doing it right. Forget the past. Forget Savannah and Lewis. Right here right now just tell me the truth. I am all in. Where are you?"

His words were so full of sincerity and honestly that it brought tears to her eyes.

"I can't! Can't you see that," she said standing up and walking away.

He got up and turned her around, holding onto her wrist.

"You can't what? Tell the truth? Be completely honest with me for once Marti!

It's not that hard," he said and she laughed in disgust.

"What do you mean it's not that hard? Of course it is! The person I respect the most in this world loves you! You are my best friend! I am majorly screwed up inside and out! My whole future is riding on cheerleading and I have a team that I can potentially let down! So don't tell me it's not that hard!" she exclaimed and by now tears were flowing.

"It's not as easy as you're making it," she said looking into his deep blue eyes.

He grabbed her arms and pulled her closer.

His head was touched hers, her eyes closed in desperation.

"Dan please…" she whispered, her pain so clear.

"It seems perfectly simple to me," he muttered before catching her lips with his.

She kissed him back and clutched on for dear life.

Something clicked in her brain and she pushed as hard as she could.

"I…I just…I can't do this," she said and turned around, running as fast as she could to her beat up car full of memories that surrounded the thoughts that consumed her mind.

"What is wrong with me," Savannah cried as she sat on the bench outside the rodeo club.

"First Dan breaks up with me without saying why and now this… I just don't understand," she said, her eyes tearing up.

Marti was breaking inside.

No matter how many dance contest they competed in or how many creeps that she saved Savannah from she would never be able to live with herself until she was honest.

Most importantly Savannah would never be able to live with herself.

"Savannah stop…you weren't the reason Dan broke up with you," she said clearly and Savannah looked up.

"Wait…what. How do you know?"

"Because…look I...it's my fault Dan left," she sighed and took a deep breath.

"No it's not," Savannah muttered.

"Yes it is."

"No it's…"

"Savannah I am dead serious," Marti said sternly.

She sat next to Savannah and she could the tightness in her chest.

"I don't understand."

"It's not because he doesn't have feelings for you…it's because he thinks he has feelings for me," Marti said finally and Savannah cringed.

"Why are you saying that," Savannah whispered with hurt in her eyes.

The team approached and surrounded them.

Marti looked down at her feet.

"Marti tell me," Savannah said and Marti closed her eyes and took another breath.

"Marti tell me," she said more harshly.

"One night last week…Dan and I…we were together," the words came out but, the weight just got heavier.

Savannah's eyes clouded, "You mean…physically."

Marti nodded her head and looked down in shame.

"So you've both been lying this whole time?" Savannah said in this belief.

Lewis had to take a step back and look away.

"No no it was a mistake. We were drunk and..."

"No, shut up," her voice was low.

"..I don't want you to think it was…"

"No I said shut up!" Savannah stood up.

"I think you should find another place to stay in cheertown…permanently," she said and turned and walked away.

Marti stopped her.

"I'm sorry Savannah. It was wrong I know. We didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't mean to…"

"You didn't mean to what? Give me the go ahead with him, just to take him away!"

"No! I didn't I…I thought we were just…I'm sorry Savannah. I never meant to hurt you," Marti said and Savannah just turned away.

"Too late," she through over her shoulder.

Lewis turned to follow.

Lewis wait let me explain," Marti said as tears ran down her face.

He shook his head.

"No I heard. You made a mistake. I made one of those with you too."

Everyone turned and walked away leaving Marti feeling more alone than ever.

Marti slept at Wanda's. She couldn't face anyone and the only thing that coursed through her was pain and confusion.

She got up early to go see Dan.

She searched the grounds but, he was no where to be found.

"Hey have you seen Dan," she asked Arthur, one of the guys he worked with.

"He's gone. He packed up his things and his locker is cleared out, " he responded and Marti just froze for a second.

Gone…how could he be gone…

"Ok thanks," she said and hurried away.

The walk to the car was slow and full of endless thoughts of regret and worry.

She sat behind the wheel of the car for a while before beating on the wheel in frustration, her tears flowing like clockwork.

Why Dan…

"…why'd you leave me…" she whispered, her own ears the only ones within hearing distance.

The bus was already half full when Marti got there. She hesitantly walked on, making sure to keep her eyes locked on her feet. Everyone ignored her as se walked by, placing bags in the empty seats beside them.

She waited until she reached the last row to tear up.

Before she knew it she was dialing Dan 's number.

Ring…

Ring…

Ring…

No answer so it went to voicemail.

"Hey…I've been trying to call you but, you won't pick up…I feel really alone right now…I need you," her voice broke at the end and tears spilt over a little.

"…please call back. I know I said some things… but I'd kill myself before I just let you walk out of my life. I…I…I love you Dan. Please don't give up on me," she finishes with a last muffled sob.

She hangs up the phone before putting on her hood and leaning against the window.

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Here is where things go array...