(That night, when AJ takes me home)

"Sweetie, that was...that was the best."  AJ says to me.
I lean forward and kiss his lips, then I ask, "Do you think you could stay the night, I want to spend every minute I can with you."
"You beat I can; but what am I going to wear?  I can't wear this to bed, I'm still all wet."  AJ says.
"I'll find something for you to wear; I wonder how Sarah and Brian's date went."  I say to AJ as we reach my front door.
"I don't know, all I know is that I had a good time."  AJ says kissing me on the cheek.
I unlock the door and walk in; Sarah is asleep on the couch.  AJ and I kind of laugh.
"I'd ask her about her date, but if I woke her up she'd hit me."  AJ says softly.
"Could you pick her up and put her in her bedroom?"  I ask.
AJ picks Sarah up, walks down the hall with me, and lays Sarah in her bed.  Then we go into my room, get dressed for bed, get under the covers, and go to bed.

(6:30 the next morning)

I'm walking around the apartment making sure that I have everything I need.  The guys are in the living room watching TV.  Sarah is helping me get everything packed while AJ and Brian take my things down to the car.  Finally it's time for my good-bye's.
"Bye Nick, I'm going to miss all of your energy."  I say trying to hold back the tears.
"Bye girl.  I'll miss you too, I'm not going to have anyone to wrestle around with.  But don't worry; I know you'll be back and messing around with me soon."  Nick says trying to make me feel better.
I walk over to Kevin and say, "Bye Kev, I'm going to miss you always looking out for me."
Kevin gives me a hug and says, "Don't worry, God will be watching out for you when I'm not.  And I know I'll be watching out for you again soon enough."
Brian gives me a funny face as I walk over to him.
I give him a hug and say, "Bye B-rok, who knows how I'll make it without your comedy acts every half hour."
"Bye, I'll be making you laugh again soon enough.  And if you want, I'll call you on the hour and make you laugh."  Brian says.
I start laughing as tears start falling from my eyes.
"Bye girl, I'm going to miss you so much.  You're like my little sis."  I say as I hug Sarah.
"Bye.  And don't worry, you'll be back taking care of me soon enough."  Sarah says while a tear runs down her cheek.
I look over at Howie, he's standing next to AJ.
I start crying, again, as I walk up to him.
 He says, "I know, I know, you'll miss me.  And I'll miss you too sweetie.  You're one of my best friends, and my little sis.  But I know you'll be coming back to us soon, so don't fret."
I stand next to AJ and say to everyone, "I love you guys."
They all say, "We love you too."
Everyone decided, a couple days ago, that it would be best if AJ took me to the airport.  So we could really get in our good-byes without having to worry about the others.  AJ puts his arm around me and we walk out the door and down to the car.

(At the airport)

"You have your ticket?"  AJ asks.
"Yeah, right here."  I say holding up my ticket.
"Well, you better get ready; it's almost time."  AJ says.
I can tell he's upset; his face is getting red, and he won't make eye contact with me.  I feel like I'm going to cry, he's trying to be so brave for me.  Then AJ looks into my eyes, and we both break.  We both start crying as we hold each other.
"I wish I didn't have to go."  I say through my tears.
"I wish you didn't either, but this is something you need to do.  You need to be there for your friend."  AJ says, still trying to be brave.
"Flight 108, to St. Louis Missouri, Now Boarding" I hear over the announcements.
"Bye love."  AJ says to me.
"Bye baby."  I say.
"I'll call you as often as I can."  AJ says.
"OK."  I say grabbing my bag.
"I love you so much."  AJ says hugging me again.
"I love you too."  I say crying again.
"You better go now."  AJ says pointing to the gate.
I walk up to the gate and give the people my ticket.  As I start to walk through the gate, I look back and see AJ standing there.  He blows me a kiss, I mouth I love you, then I walk down the gate.  AJ watches as my plane takes off; and he cries.