AN: Finally! The last chapter...

They all stood outside the loft, watching her swing her bag over her shoulder. The car waited for her on the road.

Abeth hugged them all. Joanne wiped away tears. Even Roger seemed upset she was leaving.

She hugged Mark. She knew she loved him, knew that she always had, but he didn't feel the same. She was just a kid, at least in his eyes. But he hugged her, hard, and said that he'd miss her.

"It's right you're going," he said to her, holding onto her hands.

She willed herself not to cry, not look like the child she vowed not to be.

"But, we'll miss you. Write that book," he smiled. "I can't wait to read it."

Abeth rolled her eyes, smiling sadly.

Mimi leaned over and kissed her cheek. "See you later, chica."

"Stay well," Abeth said, rubbing her arm.

She would miss them. So, so much.

Abeth turned away from her friends, away from the life she thought she'd be able to live forever, and walked to the car waiting to take her to the airport. She could see Penny's silhouette inside.

The past few months raced through her mind.

Sitting on a curb,

Opening Christmas presents,

Lumpy cot,

Standing in front of a wall,

Dancing on table tops,

Smiling,

Crying.

All their words,

All their melodies,

All their love.

She stopped, suddenly. She remembered.

Forget regret or life is your's to miss.

Forcing herself to be bold, she turned on her heel, back to her friends.

She walked quickly up to him, not giving herself time to realize what she was doing.

How can I live with myself if I don't?

None of them moved, unsure of what she was doing.

She placed her hands lightly on Mark's shoulder and, standing up slightly on her tip-toes, she kissed him. Softly, lightly. His lips parted. Just a little. Just enough. Mind wild. Mind deathly still. High.

Finally her thoughts caught up with her.

What am I doing

Embarrassed, she let go of him, staring down at the sidewalk. It occurred to her to stay there, to look up, to gage his reaction. But she couldn't bring herself to. Trying to block out what she could almost hear them saying about it as she half ran back to the car, she realized she really was a young as they thought she was.

Her hand on the door, she looked back, just for a second, hoping they wouldn't notice.

Everything seemed normal. Mimi's head was on Roger's shoulder, Joanne whispered something to Maureen that made her frown, Collins lit the cigarette he had kept behind his ear.

And Mark looked... like he always looked. Lonely, lost, overwhelmed.

But he was looking like that at her.

She forced herself into the car.

Penny looked over at her.

"So, that's him?"

Abeth didn't say anything. As the car pulled away, she crawled into the back seat, and looked out the window, watching as the most inmportant people in her life got smaller and smaller.

Stop, stop, stop. Let me out.

She swore she saw Mark take a step forward.

Come after me.

She heard Penny sigh.

"Listen, Abs, I know you're crushed and all right now, but... you're only 17."

"That's been pointed out more then once," she said coldly, still looking out the window.

Penny went on. "It's not like you won't have another crush."

Crush. What the fuck would she know about it?

Penny looked over at her, blue eyes brimming with a new-found sisterly sympathy. "Sorry... You really loved this guy, didn't you?"

Don't cry.

"Yeah."

"Well, like I've said all along, you can always come back. This moment's not the last."

Looking straight ahaead of her now, Abeth nodded, letting these new words, Penny's words, register with her. This moment's not the last.

"You know... you're right. It just..." Abeth shrugged, searching for the word.

"Sucks," Penny gave with a smile.

Abeth nodded. She turned around again, just in time to see her friends finally fade away. But she wouldn't cry, she wouldn't be sad.Life didn't end now. Love didn't end now. Things were just beginning for her.

And besides, something in her told her this wouldn't be the last time she kissed Mark Cohen.

The End

What I want you to take: Okay... no Cole's Notes here. It's the last chapter! Just read it! :P

AN: I'm done!! Wow. This is the longest thing I think I've ever written. Thank you so much for reading this far! And thanks for all your reviews. At the risk of sounding like th cliche teenage girl I am, you, like, totally rule.