In the morning, after our cereal and orange juice, we said our goodbyes. I was so glad to spend some time with my old friends, and it really was a relief to know that they didn't have any abandonment issues.

On her way out, Stacy leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Good luck with Logan," and patted me on the ass. I looked at her, horrified, and she winked. Before I could say anything, she was gone.

Claudia had a plane to catch. She was originally leaving the next day, but she just missed her little girl way too much.

"Bye bye, Claud. Give that little girl of yours a big kiss for me!"

She grinned at me, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and was out the door.

Mary Anne lingered a bit, and I knew she was trying not to cry.

"It's cool, babe. I'll be back soon. You can come see me any time, remember that. The Eiffel Tower is a beautiful sight that you have to see at least once in your life.

She smiled and bit her lip to keep from crying.

"I love you, Kristy. You will always be my best friend."

I tried not to think about Logan as I gave her a big hug.

A few days later, after visiting with my parents and siblings, I was packing my bags to leave. Logan's number sat in my purse, ignored for now. I wanted more than anything to call him, but I kept thinking about Mary Anne and how she would be devastated by the situation.

My packing was interrupted by my cell phone.

"Kristy? It's Logan."

"Oh, hi Logan," I said, my heart racing.

"I want to see you before you leave. Is that possible?"

"Yes," I said quickly, before even letting myself think about the consequences."

"Meet me at my house," he said, and gave me directions.

15 minutes and 2 near panic attacks later, I found myself in Logan's bedroom.

I sat on his bed and nervously looked into his deep blue eyes.

"Are we making a mistake here?" I said, unable to take my eyes off him.

"Maybe, but it's only once, right? Nobody will possibly know."

That was enough for me. I leaned in for the kiss, and well, it was pretty amazing. I understood what Mary Anne was so crazy about for so long with that one kiss.

Oh god. Mary Anne.

"Logan! Wait! I can't do this. Mary Anne would never understand. She'd never be able to forgive me for this."

Instead of trying to justify it and say that she would never know, he just nodded.

"I'm sorry. I want this more than anything but it would be so wrong."

"I know. I do know that, Kristy. I just felt a connection with you that I've missed since having her in my life."

I smiled sadly and gave him a hug. I ignored the intense feeling of electricity that passed between us, and left without looking back.

As soon as I left, I got out my cell phone and called Mary Anne.

"Kristy! Aren't you leaving soon?"

"I have to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"I just left Logan's house, Mary Anne. Nothing happened. I can't do that to you, and I probably shouldn't even tell you that, but I have to. Your friendship means everything to me and I don't want to jeopardize it by doing something stupid."

There was silence for almost a minute.

"Thanks for telling me, Kristy."

"Mary Anne?"

"I have to go. Have a safe trip, I'll talk to you later."

I knew she'd be okay. I did feel a little guilty, but I knew if I didn't tell her she'd always wonder what happened between us.

On the flight home, I thought about Logan, and how I'd always wonder what could have happened between us. There were definite sparks, and it was something I really wish I could explore. I thought about Mary Anne and what her friendship meant to me. I thought about Claudia and her little girl. I thought about Stacy and her fashion career.

What I really let sink in was the fact that even though my surroundings changed, even though my appearance changed, and even if I was a little older... everything was still the same. I still had that mean, bossy, take-charge selfish little girl inside me, even if I fought to keep her away. But that little girl was a part of me, and I wouldn't change that for anything.