Secret's Out

I know it was stupid. I know it was wrong, and so childish. But I could not wipe the dreamy smile off my face all day.

It was Friday lunch, finally, and I had kept my dreamy smile all day. History class only added to it, when Logan winked at me.

I was beginning to feel so guilty, however, every time I saw Mary Anne. I passed her in the hall on the way to lunch, and my smile fell, my stomach felt heavy, and I could feel something building up in my throat, making it hard for me to talk. I hadn't done anything wrong! I wouldn't either. As much as I liked Logan, and I was beginning to think that was a lot, I would never hurt Mary Anne.

Claud noticed my goofy smile at lunch, which had replaced my burdening guilt when I saw Logan again. She tried to get me to tell her what was up, but my lips were sealed.

We had all planned to go out together this evening, Emily, Shannon, Pete, Logan, Mary Anne, Claud and myself. Shannon had also asked out Zack Wright, having worked up the courage. We had decided on dinner and a movie, when Alan Gray approached the table.

"Hey guys! Got plans for tonight? Cancel them, my parents have been called out of town for some family emergency, and I'm having a party!"

Claud and I grinned at each other. If there was anything we liked better than a party, especially one of Alan's parties (as annoying as he may be), we hadn't discovered it yet.

Everyone seemed set on going except Shannon, who I guess was nervous about Zack. She finally agreed, and we arranged transport. Claud, Pete and I were going with Emily; Shannon, Mary Anne and Zack with Logan.

Claud finally cornered me in the parking lot after school. We had decided to get ready together, but that wasn't what she had on her mind.

"Spill. Stacey I mean it." She added when I gave her most innocent look I could muster.

I refused to answer, as we got in my car and headed to my place.

"Fine. I'm only your best friend. Who has helped you with every single crisis you've ever had, including when you considered re-perming your hair again. But that's fine." She crossed her arms, and pretended to pout.

I pulled up in my driveway, and turned off the engine.

"Okay. Okay. You really want to know? Then you have to swear, and I mean SWEAR, you won't tell a soul." I said seriously.

Claud hooked pinkies with me.

"Claudia, this is serious. I feel so guilty. I feel like the worst person on Earth! But I can't help it." I looked down at my hands, trying to avoid Claudia, but I could feel her looking at me, so I looked up.

Claud looked at me quizzically.

"What can be this bad?" She asked, intrigued.

I cleared my throat.

"Logan." I whispered.

Claud's look of incredulity intensified.

"Logan? What does that mean?" She asked.

I managed to spit it out. The three most awful words I had ever muttered.

"I like Logan" I looked away as soon as I said it, waiting for Claud to yell at me, even kick me out of my car.

We sat there, as Claud tried to comprehend.

"Logan Bruno? Mary Anne's Logan? Wow, I… Wow."

I nodded.

"I know! I know." I hung my head in shame.

"How much do you like him? I mean, he's pretty cute, but, you know. He's Logan" she added, in a tone she would have used to point out something as boring as a toothbrush.

"Pretty cute? He's hot. I mean… his light blue eyes, his sexy blonde hair, his gorgeous body…" I trailed off dreamily.

Claud sighed.

"You've got it bad." She added with the finality of a doctor diagnosing an incurable disease (I should know!)

I winced. "I know. But what do I do now?" I asked helplessly.

Claud turned to look at me.

"There's only one thing you can do. If it were anyone else…" She raised an eyebrow.

"But it's Mary Anne's Logan. So you have to get over it."