ok everyone so this is going to be the last chapter! i hope you enjoy it.

The next day. I still couldn't believe I told Maureen how I felt. It wasn't planned…it just kind of slipped out. The look on Maureen's face when I told her was unforgettable. A look of confusion, a look of sadness, a look of terror? The silence in the air that night made things even more extraordinary. Never in my life have I ever seen her that silent. She didn't even glance at me. It was like she was in her own little world…putting the pieces together…thinking things through.

I was thinking in my bed when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Collins."

"Hey."

"So are you coming tonight?" He asked me through the phone.

"What…where?"

"Joanne…we're having a court get together tonight, don't you remember? We're going to the movies."

"Oh ya…right." I remembered. We all planned that after Mimi's party we would go out.

I wasn't really up for talking, or even seeing Maureen.

Collins was silent for a second. "Joanne? Are you ok?" His voice sounded worried.

I exhaled and sighed, "No. I'm not."

"What's wrong?"

"It's Maureen."

"Ahh, the diva." He let out a small chuckle.

I sighed, "Yah."

"So…what's up?"

"I told her." I let out.

"Wait. What?" Collins said in shock. "You told her that…about…you…"

"Yes Collins. I told her I like her."

"When did this happen!?" I could imagine Collins jaw dropping on the other end.

"It's kind of a long story."

Silence.

"OK, I'll tell you. Geesh."

"Thank you." Collins replied.

"Ok…so. I was outside with Benny and he asked me out."

"Wow."

"Yah…anyways. I "rejected" him and he got upset…and I guess he went back inside and told Maureen, or someone at least."

Collins grunted in reply.

"Then Maureen came stomping outside at started yelling at me. I don't even know WHY. And then she started arguing with me about how I was mean to Benny and we got into an even BIGGER fight. And then…I told her. I don't know, it just kind of came out. What am I suppose to do?"

Collins sighed. "Well, what did she say?"

"Nothing." I replied quickly "Absolutely nothing. She didn't even LOOK at me Collins."

"Wow Jo. I don't know what to say. Maybe you should give her time to think."

"Yah. I guess."

"You never know…she could have feelings for you too. I always see how happy you guys are when you are together. She might have just been scared."

"Maureen…scared. Now that's new."

Collins laughed. "Well are you going to go tonight?"

"I don't know Collins. Should I? Is Maureen going to be there?"

"Yes. I just talked to her. You probably should too."

"I know I know, but I'm scared. What if she won't talk to me?"

"Just talk to her Joanne, its the best thing you can do. Forget regret."

I smiled. Collins always knew what to say. "Thanks Collins."

"You're welcome Joanne. So you're coming?"

"Yes." I chuckled. "See you later."

"Ok. See you." Collins said goodbye.

I hung up the phone and sighed. This is going to be a long night.

I was sitting on the steps in front of the movie theatres. Once again, I was exactly on time. We were all supposed to meet at about 7:00. I sat waiting…thinking. I was nervous that I had to see Maureen again. Oh, and I cant forget about Benny either. After a few more minuets I saw one of my friends arrive.

"Hey Joanne."

"Hey Mimi."

She looked around, "No one else is here yet?"

"Nope." I smiled. Mimi took a seat next to me.

"So what's up?" Mimi said cheerfully.

"Nothing much." I said dryly and looked away.

Mimi looked at me, "Are you ok Joanne?"

I put on a little smile and sighed. "Can I tell you something?"

"Sure Joanne."

"Well I…" I stopped and looked around for a moment. "I like Maureen."

Her eyes widened a bit. "Really?" she said in shock.

"Is that weird." I said softly. I wasn't certain how Mimi would react.

"It's fine Joanne." Mimi smiled and put her arm around me. "You shouldn't be ashamed of who you are." She held me tight in a long hug.

"Thanks Mimi."

At that moment Roger and the rest of the gang came up to the steps.

"Whoa. What's going on here Mimi? Are you cheating on me?" Roger came up and said sarcastically.

Mimi smiled, went up to Roger and kissed him.

"Don't be silly Roger." Said Mimi.

"Is everyone here?" Angel asked from the small crowd.

"I think so." Mark responded.

I saw Maureen at the back of the crowd. I glanced a look at her and she caught my eye. I looked away quickly.

"Shall we buy our tickets then?" Angel asked.

I got up and followed everyone to the ticket booth. Everyone bought a ticket and we headed up the steps to the theatre.

I saw Benny walk up next to me and I decided I should talk to him first.

"Hey Benny. About last night I-"

"It's ok Joanne." He smiled.

"No, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you in any way."

"I understand Joanne. I'm sorry I was such an ass." He chuckled.

I laughed. "It's ok."

"Truce?" He held out his hand and we shook.

"Truce." I smiled.

"OH lets sit in the very back row!" Mimi said excitingly as she grabbed onto Roger.

"The back it is then." Mark said quietly rolling his eyes, he shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth.

Maureen still hadn't talked to me all night as I brushed past her to sit down.

Our group took up eight seats in the back row. Mimi and Roger were sitting together, as were Angel and Collins. Mark was sitting in between Maureen and me and Benny was at the end. Mark was still chomping on handfuls of buttery popcorn as the movie began. I swear…you could hear him from a mile away.

"Hey, loud mouth, will you keep it down, we can hear you all the way over here." A man yelled out to Mark from two rows behind. "Stop being such a pig."

Mark paused in the middle of his chomping and looked around, slowly sliding down in his seat.

Everyone laughed quietly.

"Sorry." He whispered.

"Nice one Mark." I said.

He just looked at me scared. I laughed.

Mark looked down at the aisle of his friends, "What movie are we seeing anyways?"

Roger leaned over, "The Grudge Mark."

Mark's eyes widened. "Why didn't anyone tell me we were seeing a SCARY movie." He said nervously.

"Because we knew you would run away." Maureen replied.

The lights dimmed and Mark covered his face with his jacket. "Help."

Everyone laughed again and the movie began.

Waaaaaaahhhh. The movie cried out.

"AH." Mark jumped.

"What the hell!?" Collins yelled out in the theatre. "What was that! RUN lady RUN!"

Angel looked at him and laughed. Collins was basically screaming out at every thing that moved.

"honey…calm down. It's just a movie." Angel patted him on the shoulder.

Mimi was huddled against Roger's shoulder hiding half of her face behind him. "Tell me when it's over." She mumbled.

Another thing popped out on the screen. All of us jumped.

"That was creepy." I said out loud.

"Yeeaahh. I'm going to go…go to the bathroom." Mark stuttered.

Mark got up from his seat leaving Maureen and I across from one another.

I could see her in the corner of my eye, frightened from the movie. I tried not to look over at her, when suddenly a loud noise came from the movie. Maureen squealed and jumped over next to me, covering her face.

She dug her head into my shoulder, "Help me Joanne." She mumbled.

I laughed. She revealed her face again and looked up at me then slowly moved away, like she noticed she was doing something wrong. "Sorry." She said softly.

"Maureen, it's ok."

"No…I'm sorry Joanne."

I looked at her strangely, "Maureen, its fine." My temper was rising. I whispered back to her. "Is this about last night? Because you haven't even spoken to me about it and now you're acting like we're not friends anymore."

"Well maybe you'll have to deal with that." She shot back.

"Maureen…what is your problem?" I said angrily.

People over heard us and were getting upset.

"Can we talk about this outside?" I asked her.

"Sure." She said in a snotty tone.

We went outside and down the steps.

"What is wrong with you Maureen?"

"Nothing." She shrugged.

"Right…so you not being my friend anymore is nothing."

Silence.

There it was again…another silent moment.

"We are friends Joanne." She finally replied.

My eyes began to fill with tears again, "No Maureen…we can't be."

"Why not?" She said. Her face began to look sad.

"Because…I can't just be your friend Maureen…it has to be more than that…or I'm out of your life…and I need to figure out mine."

It was true. I couldn't be just Maureen's friend. It hurt me inside, but I couldn't be around her unless she could me mine…MY Maureen. It was silent again. I glared at her and began to walk away.

"Wait." Maureen said softly.

I turned around and faced her once more. "What." I said.

"Please…don't leave." She had tears in her eyes.

"Give me a reason not to." I said angrily.

"Because…I want to be more than just friends."

I was silent. "How come you didn't tell me before?" I said confused. "I gave you a chance Maureen."

"I'm sorry I-."

I looked at her eyes, "Why did you do that."

"I don't know Joanne." She replied slowly.

"I mean sometimes you act like we're best friends and then other times I feel like its more than that."

"I'm sorry." She said again softly. Her arms were crossed.

"Why, Maureen."

Maureen was quiet for a moment. I could see the emotions in her eyes start to rise. I have never seen her like this before. It made me see the real her…not the drama queen that everyone always judges.

"I…" she began softly and she took a deep breath. "…I've always been terrified of you Joanne."

I was silent as I still stared at her face.

"Because you actually made me feel something." Tears filled up her eyes.

"Then why did you want me with Benny so bad?" I asked.

She stuttered, "I thought that if you were with Benny I would forget about you…I thought I would get over you easier. I was confused Joanne."

"Why would you do that." I asked firmly.

She gazed into my eyes deeply, "Because I want you…and I don't want to hurt you."

"I can take care of myself." I replied quickly

She looked at me disappointed. Then I began, "with a little left over to take care of you." I smiled. Maureen flashed a beautiful smile back. She seemed happy…content. Different than I had ever seen her. Her eyes were true, they had meaning. We stared at each other outside for a few moments. "What now?" I asked the diva.

She smiled, "Want to go back to my place? My parents are out of town for a couple days."

I smiled and nodded and we began walking.

"What about the others?" I said.

"Lets just tell them…we went on an exotic adventure." Maureen replied happily. I chuckled. This deffinately was an adventure.

Maureen led me into her room. It was quiet. Her soft hands held mine and we stood in front of the door. I looked at her and she looked at me. Maureen's lips softly pressed against mine and mine against hers. It was perfect. Finally, two separate hearts have found each other, very different, but very loved. I opened my eyes and she smiled at me. I didn't know how she would affect my life, or how it would change…but that didn't matter now. All I knew is that she was right for me, and nothing really mattered anymore.

The end.

i hope everyone liked my story...it was fun to write! and thanks for the reviews!

MoJolove.