Mary Anne sat in her last class of the day on Friday afternoon. She loved school, but it had been a long week, and she was dying for it to be over. She anxiously watched the second hand on the clock tick, and waited for the bell to ring. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the final bell rang signaling the end of classes and the start of the weekend. Mary Anne quickly went to her locker and retrieved the books that she would need for the weekend. She had a big biology test next week, and she had a lot to do to be prepared for it. Though she was still an excellent student, she hadn't been putting as much effort into her studies since Dawn had moved back.

She was really glad it was Friday. Her dad and Sharon had gone to Boston to visit old friends. Mary Anne wasn't sure that they had been married long enough to have old friends, but she didn't care enough to ask questions. She and Dawn had planned a girl's night for themselves. They were going to make goat cheese pizza, which was pretty much the only meal that they could agree on, and then watch movies all night. Mary Anne was going to do what she could to convince Dawn to call Sunny so they could get things back on track.

Mary Anne walked down to the first floor where Dawn's locker was located. Sure enough, there was her sister, leaning against the lockers laughing. She was deep in a conversation with Abby, and didn't even notice Mary Anne until she tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hey Mary Anne! Happy Friday!" Dawn exclaimed

"Hi Mary Anne," said Abby.

"Hi Abby," Mary Anne responded. She turned to look at Dawn. "So, are you ready for tonight? It's going to be great!"

"You bet I am! I need to spend all day Saturday and Sunday catching up on homework, so tonight needs to be amazing to prepare me for that."

"It will be," Mary Anne promised.

"Great! You don't mind if Abby spends the night and hangs out with us, do you?" Dawn asked, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. "She is going to help me catch up on homework tomorrow, and I thought it would be fun if she stayed over tonight."

"That would be fine, I guess." Mary Anne replied. Honestly, she felt a little hurt. She had been looking forward to spending the night with just Dawn. And truthfully, she didn't really like Abby that much. They hadn't been that great of friends while they were members of the Babysitter's Club, and their relationship had only grown more strained since the club disbanded. At this rate, she figured that she was in for a tough night. Maybe Kristy could come over and hang out with them. Dad and Sharon hadn't exactly said that they could have friends over, but it's not like they would be around to notice anyway.

"Abby and I are going to pick up some snacks for tonight. She has her mom's credit card, so we can get whatever. Is there anything that you want?" Dawn asked

"Nope," Mary Anne responded, shaking her head. "I'm sure whatever you get will be fine."

"Great, then we'll see you later," Dawn said.

"Bye Mary Anne," Abby chimed in.

"Bye," Mary Anne said weakly, but Dawn and Abby were already half way down the hall.

She wondered why exactly Abby had latched on to Dawn. Last year, it had been all about Kristy and Abby, who had lived for the sports that they played all year round. But somehow that had changed. Abby wasn't even on a sports team right now, which was unusual, and she knew that she hadn't talked to Kristy since the summer. Kristy had never said why, and she had never asked. She had been so happy about being Kristy's friend again that she didn't want to jeopardize that by bringing up someone else. It was as if she was afraid that one day Kristy would realize what was going on, and drop her again. Two years later, and Mary Anne was just as insecure as ever.

Mary Anne walked out to the parking lot, hoping to find Kristy before she and Sam left school. She looked around straining her eyes for the Junk Bucket, until someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"What are you doing?" asked Kristy

"Looking for you," Mary Anne replied. "I'm glad that I found you before you left with Sam."

"You don't have to worry about that today," Kristy said, grimacing. "Sam told me that I need to find my own way home. He left with Stacey a few minutes ago. As they were leaving the parking lot, she threw her bra out the window."

"Ew."

"Yeah, I know. I can't believe Stacey's changed so much. She used to be so responsible," Kristy bemoaned. "Anyway, why were you looking for me? I thought that you were hanging out with Dawn tonight."

"There's been a change of plans. Kind of, anyway. Dawn invited Abby to spend the night with us."

"Why Abby?" Kristy asked, puzzled. "They barely know each other."

"You guess is as good as mine. But since I don't really want to hang out with just the two of them tonight, would you please come over and spend the night too? I need someone to hang out with."

"I don't know Mary Anne. Abby's not exactly on my favorite person list these days. I don't think I could take a whole night of her."

"Please? For me?" Mary Anne pleaded

"I guess," Kristy said reluctantly. "Let me call Nannie first though, and make sure that she doesn't need me at home."

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you," Mary Anne said, while Kristy pulled out her cell phone. Even though her family was falling apart, there were still some benefits to being the step daughter of a millionaire.

Kristy hung up the phone. "Both Nannie and Mom are going to be home tonight, so they said I can go over to your house, and someone will drop off some clothes for me later. You owe me Mary Anne."

"I know, I know. It's worth it though. Thanks again."

The two girls set off from Stoneybrook High School in the direction of Burnt Hill Road.

While they were walking, they saw Jamie Newton playing outside with his sister, Lucy. Shortly thereafter they saw Vanessa Pike and Haley Braddock riding bikes together. Neither Mary Anne or Kristy babysat much anymore, so it was nice to see their former clients every once in awhile. Everyone was growing up, finally, when it seemed they had remained the same ages for the longest time.

Finally they arrived at Mary Anne and Dawn's house. Mary Anne stopped to check the mail, but instead found a turnip and a tube of toothpaste in the box. She sighed. Sharon must have tried to mail a letter again. It really was a wonder that the bills ever got paid.

She and Kristy dropped off their back packs in the front entryway, and were making their way to the kitchen when Abby and Dawn came running into the house.

"Are you ready Mary Anne? It's party time!" Abby exclaimed. Suddenly, both Abby and Dawn stopped in their tracks, seeing Kristy.

"What are you doing here?" They asked in unison.

"Mary Anne invited me," Kristy said, addressing Abby. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No…" Abby said, uncertainly.

While the four girls were standing together awkwardly in the hallway, the door bell rang. Mary Anne rushed to the door, thankful for the interruption. She opened the door to find Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer standing on the doorstep.

"Hi Mary Anne," Elizabeth said. "It sure is nice to see you again. You too Dawn and Abby."

"Thanks for the clothes, Mom," Kristy said, reaching for the duffle bag that Elizabeth had brought over. "Tell the kids I love them, and that I will see them tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure thing honey. Oh I wish I had a camera. It's just so nice that all you girls are spending time together again. Have a great time. Bye girls"

"Bye Mom," Kristy said pointedly.

"Bye."

As soon as Elizabeth walked out the door, the four girls broke out in laughter. Mary Anne was glad that Elizabeth had broken the ice with her cheesy sentiments. Even though they were a little over the top, Mary Anne knew how she felt. Tonight was going to be without a doubt awkward, but at the same time, she was glad that they were all spending time together again.

"Kristy, your mom is too much," said Dawn, laughing.

"I know," Kristy said, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment. "She always says stuff like that.

"Seriously though, it's cool," Dawn continued. "It's kind of nice to have freedom and to not worry about parents, but I really wish that I had someone who would pay me that kind of attention once in awhile."

Mary Anne and Abby nodded in agreement.

"Well, the grass is always greener," Kristy said, brushing off the comment. Mary Anne could tell that she didn't want to talk about emotional things tonight. Same old Kristy.

Mary Anne broke the silence. "Dawn and I had planned on making pizza and watching movies tonight, but I know that I'm open to suggestions."

After hearing this, Dawn and Abby looked at each other and tried to contain their grins.

"What do the two of you have planned?" Kristy asked warily.

Dawn just smiled as she watched Abby reached into her backpack and pull out a small bag of pot.