Good news on the exam results, I passed everything!
Anyway, I’m sure you’ve all forgotten me and this fic because its been so flipping long since I’ve updated, so I’m trying make up for it by making this update fairly long. Hope you enjoy.
Chanks_girl
NotYourChick
Steph
Alien_Friend- It’s ok, we’re all wussies it seems. And my family are a hoot, they crack me up.
Raemac
Eve
Natalie36
Clueless- I couldn’t even watch the grudge, not even for Jason Behr. That’s how completely sad I am. Such a big wussy. I saw the hand come out the back of SMG’s head in the ads and decided right then and there that I couldn’t watch it.
Spray- How do you think I felt? I had to go on google and rewatch parts just to make sure I had everything right. I didn’t sleep well that night, let me tell you. And don’t worry, I still love you.
Synera
Carolina Moon
Emz
Katydid
Nibbles2
Michelle In Yonkers
Smac- I’m so glad you’re enjoying my fic, I love writing it and enjoy building those relationships between the teens.
ShatteredDreamer
A_mere_muggle
Maria paced before the door to her house. She’d called him ten minutes ago. Ample time, in her opinion, to get from his place to hers. So where the hell was he? She huffed loudly and began to scowl. Maybe he wasn’t coming. Maybe the hockey was on and he’d decided that she wasn’t worth it. Maybe he’d been waylaid by a bunch of half naked cheerleader nymphomaniacs on the way over to her place and was at this very moment working his way through the kama sutra. Maybe he’d-
Maria’s rambling train of thought broke off as she heard the familiar roar of Michael’s bike as it hurtled its way down her street. She smiled in relief then blanched in fear. What if he thought that this was some kind of twisted booty call? She wasn’t ready to go all the way; she just wanted some company and probably some second base action.
She watched from the nearby window as Michael hurriedly got off his bike and tripped over a crack in the pavement, righting himself just before he face planted the ground. Despite her worries, Maria couldn’t help laughing as he glanced around hoping that no one had seen him.
The doorbell rang and Maria froze, her fears coming back full tilt in that instant, before calmly making her way over to the door.
“Michael,” she greeted calmly as he stood on her front stoop, a look of casual nonchalance on his face that mirrored Maria’s.
“Maria,” he echoed back.
“Did you enjoy your trip?” she asked sweetly, a smile breaking through her careless expression.
Michael’s face fell into a grimace. “Goddammit. You saw that?”
Maria bit her lip to stop herself from laughing out loud at the dismayed expression on his face. “I’m afraid I did, Romeo. Real smooth.” She stepped to the side and gestured to the hallway. “You wanna come in?” Maria’s upper lip twitched as he went to make his way in. “Watch that step, wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Michael sighed, cursing the gods for his misfortune and followed closely behind her. So close, in fact, that he almost ran into her as she stopped abruptly and turned around, meaning to lock the door behind them, which she had forgotten to do in her Michael induced daze.
“I forgot to-” Maria’s sentence broke off suddenly as she looked up and caught a glimpse of Michael’s eyes. The tension crackled in the air, and Maria was suddenly aware of Michael’s proximity. He was close. Far too close in her estimation, especially if she was going to stick to her earlier resolve of retaining her virginity.
But as they both reached for each other and met in a bruisingly fierce kiss, Maria decided cheerfully that she’d bring it up later.
It was only when Michael’s hand brushed over her breast did she regain her thought process and the determination that came with it.
“I’m not going to have sex with you,” stated Maria bluntly after pulling away hastily from a kiss.
Michael’s expression revealed nothing as he stared at her flushed, yet hesitant face. She wasn’t sure how he would take this, especially considering she had brazenly invited him over with the promise of a parent free house and then basically attacked him in her hallway. She didn’t mind being considered a prude, but being a tease was another matter all together.
“Well, duh, Maria. We’ve only been going out for like three days.”
“Four days,” corrected Maria automatically. She winced as she realised how smitten that made her sound.
“Not that you’re counting or anything,” replied Michael with a smug smile, trying to bite back the overjoyed smile that threatened to break through.
Maria rolled her eyes and hit him. “Unlike you, Michael, I can count past three and don’t consider it lame to know how many days we’ve been seeing each other when it’s under a week. Knowing the hours and minutes would be lame.”
“Give me your rough estimation.”
Maria’s answer was a slap upside the head.
“Damn woman, what’s your fascination with hitting me?” asked Michael as he rubbed the tender spot on the back of his head.
“What’s your fascination with being a tool?” she retorted sharply.
A wicked gleam came into Michael’s eyes that made Maria step back from him in apprehension.
“I’ll show you fascination.”
Michael grabbed for her but she ducked him and fled laughing through the house. She only managed to make it to the living room where she was promptly caught and thrown onto the couch, where she was straddled and promptly tickled into submission.
“M-Michael, p-please! I give! I give! You win!” she gasped over her laughter, promptly causing Michael’s fingers to cease their relentless torture.
“You’re damn right I win,” he murmured, bending down to kiss her.
As things began to heat up, Maria suddenly had a thought flash through her mind.
“Michael, I forgot to lock the front door.”
“What’s so good about it?” grunted Liz as she sank into the nearest available seat holding her head in her hands.
Jeff, who was used to Liz’s grumpy nature in the mornings if she hadn’t had enough sleep, replied nonchalantly, “The sun is shining, the birds are singing… ”
“How thrilling for them.”
“I take it you didn’t sleep well, Liz,” said Jeff wryly, turning the page of the newspaper he was reading.
Liz rolled her eyes, “Oh, it wasn’t the sleep that was the issue; it was actually getting to sleep. I actually had to have Isabel sleep in my bed with me so I didn’t freak out, that’s how bad it was.”
Jeff sniggered and glanced at Isabel, “And you didn’t mind sharing Isabel? Liz kicks in her sleep.”
“It was the least I could do after forcing her to watch The Ring. Besides, her bed is a double.”
“I even cut my toenails as a precaution.”
Jeff laughed. “I don’t doubt that in the slightest.”
Nancy smiled at the picture presented to her when she walked into the kitchen, Jeff had his back to her and at the table sat Liz with her head resting on Isabel’s shoulder. Nancy was overjoyed at the new friendship that was developing and was very glad that it seemed to have only strengthened since the night before.
“Good morning girls.” Nancy smiled when Liz answered without turning to look at her.
“GOOOOOOOD MORNING PARKER FAMILY! And one Evans,” boomed Maria brightly as she stepped into the upstairs kitchen.
Liz’s head dropped from Isabel’s shoulder to collide with the kitchen table. “Ugh. Where’s your off button?” she groaned, sincerely hating morning people.
“Didn’t sleep well, Lizzy?” asked Maria, with a smug smile, having heard from Michael that Liz had been watching The Ring the night before.
Liz glared at her, before a knowing smile graced her face. “I would have thought that out of all of us, you’d be the one having the least sleep.”
Maria’s eyes widened at the implication and gritted her teeth. “I don’t know what you mean, Liz,” she replied testily, her eyes flicking to Nancy and Jeff and back at Liz in warning. If Liz told Jeff and Nancy that she and Michael had been alone in her house while her mother was away, there would be absolute hell to pay.
“Oh you know, only that with your uncle sick, you must be so worried about him.”
“Is your uncle unwell, Maria?” when Maria nodded her head, Nancy continued. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?”
“I don’t think so. He should be ok soon.”
“Well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thanks Nance, you rule.” Maria crossed the kitchen and grasped Nancy in a bear hug, her previous night’s comments apparently already forgotten.
Liz rolled her eyes at Maria and whispered, “Ass kisser,” to Isabel who promptly burst into giggles, which she tried unsuccessfully to stifle, turning them into ungraceful snorts. Maria and Liz both looked at each other as Isabel, one of the most sought after and elusive female at West Roswell sat at the kitchen table with bed hair, flannel pyjamas and fluffy slippers, snorting like a pig.
Simultaneously, both girls burst into loud laughter at the irony of the situation as Liz’s parents looked at each other wearing bemused expressions. Obviously an inside joke.
“So, what are we doing today ladies?” asked Maria, once they’d all calmed down and Isabel had stopped snorting. Nancy and Jeff had both given the girls the weekend off and Maria intended to use it to the fullest. Usually it was just her and Liz, but Maria considered Isabel’s presence a bonus rather than something she’d just have to put up with. For starters she could probe into Alex and Isabel’s relationship, something she’d been unsuccessful in doing with Alex. Secondly, of late she’d realised that she actually enjoyed talking to Isabel, if the day before was any indication.
“I was thinking shopping. You cool with that, Izzy?”
“Shopping is my religion. The mall is mecca. Lead on.”
Liz blinked. “Okay then. Just give us an hour and we’ll be changed and ready for you Maria.”
Maria shrugged. “Not much, just some making out and stuff. We’re both not ready to take that whole leap into sexual intimacy. We’ve only been dating for a couple of days, Liz! Get your mind out of the gutter! Unlike others, who’ve been dating for months and might hypothetically be ready to take that next step, we’re not even remotely close.”
Maria caught Isabel’s eye through the rear vision mirror and Isabel coughed, caught off guard by Maria’s suggestion.
“Maria,” scolded Liz as they pulled into the car park. “Isabel and Alex’s sex life is none of your business. Stop prying.”
Ignoring Liz, Maria turned to Isabel as she parked the car. “Oh come on! Alex won’t tell me anything! I’m dying here! Just a simple yes or no will suffice.”
Isabel caught Liz’s eye as she stepped out of the car and they both smiled and rolled their eyes at the pleading puppy dog look that seemed stuck on Maria’s face.
“No,” replied Isabel as Maria linked her arms with her and Liz as they walked towards the front entrance. “We’re not quite at that stage, yet.”
Maria beamed at Izzy before towing them both faster towards the mall. “I do like the promise the word ‘yet’ holds.”
“You’d look like an enormous blueberry.”
“This one?”
“The words ‘Paris Hilton’ come to mind.”
Maria stuffed the offending garment back on the rack with an ‘ick’ and moved onto the next dress she had picked out.
“This one?”
Isabel raised her eyebrows. “All you’d need is your hair in pigtails and you’d be back in third grade.”
Maria studied the dress more carefully and grimaced when she realised she was right. “Damn, Isabel! You’re good. Teach me oh wise one! I wish to know your secrets.”
Isabel shrugged, gesturing to the dark grey knee high dress sitting unobtrusively next to the more brightly coloured cast offs of Maria’s.
“You’re too attracted to the ostentatious. Try for something a little less…” Isabel struggled for the right word to use and ended up going with the first description that came to mind when she thought of Maria. “Loud.”
She handed the dress to Maria who eyed it incredulously. “I don’t know Isabel… it’s not very… me.”
“Just try it on,” pressed Isabel, ushering her towards the change rooms. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Maria grumbled her way into the change room as Liz came out of the one next to it wearing a simple red top over her jeans. She hadn’t thought much of it until Isabel had insisted she try it on. But now that it was on… there was no way she was leaving this shop without it.
“Like it?” asked Isabel with a knowing smirk as Liz beamed back at her.
“I am never shopping without you again!” cried Liz as she twirled in front of her. “I. Love. It.”
“I hate that you’re right.” Grumbled Maria as she stepped out of the change room, smoothing the dress down over her legs and admiring the way it fell over her.
“Suck shit. I am the master. I knew that dress would make your eyes pop.”
Maria paused from her perusal of her dress and turned to Liz, confusion burning in her eyes.
“Did the ice princess of West Roswell High, the one Miss Isabel Evans really just tell me to suck on faeces?”
Liz bit back a laugh and replied with all seriousness, “I believe she did Maria.”
Maria cocked her head at Isabel who withstood her scrutiny with amazing aplomb. “Isabel Evans, a cussing machine. Is there anything else surprising about you I should know?”
Without any hint of embarrassment, Isabel replied, “I also know all the words to the Sailormoon theme song.”
There was dead silence for a second from all three girls before both Liz and Maria burst into hysterics. Isabel rolled her eyes and smiled indulgently at them as they amused themselves at her expense.
“Please tell me that you’re not kidding!” gasped Maria, clutching at Liz for support as she nearly toppled over.
“Fighting evil by moonlight, winning love by daylight…”
Maria’s laughter doubled until she was crying and clutching her stomach in pain. Isabel rolled her eyes at Liz who was embarrassed by the attention Maria was garnering. Everyone in the shop was now looking at the crazy girl who was making such a ruckus. Liz winked at Isabel as a plan formulated in her mind.
“I do like that dress on you, Maria,” said Liz, offhandedly over the top of Maria’s guffawing. “It really brings out your hickey.”
Maria’s laughter stopped abruptly as she ran to the nearest mirror and began earnestly looking herself over to spot the aforementioned hickey which would mean the end of freedom as she knew it if her mother ever saw it.
“What! Where? What hickey? Liz! Stop laughing! Where’s the hickey?” cried Maria as she ran her fingers over her neck and chest area trying to see where the hickey was. She only stopped when she noticed that Liz and Isabel where both laughing at her.
“Oh, very funny guys. Really. I’m so amused. You scared the absolute shit out of me, Liz! I cannot have a hickey right now. My mom would kill me.”
Liz snickered as Maria glared at her. “Well maybe you shouldn’t put yourself in situations where you could get one.”
Maria inhaled sharply and turned sharply and strode into the change rooms with faux indignation. “I refuse to dignify that with a response. I’m getting changed and then I’m going to buy this dress and I’ll consider driving you all back to the Crashdown afterwards if I’m feeling magnanimous.”
“Why are we here again?”
Max rolled his eyes as he kept his eyes peeled for Liz. He’d swung by the Crashdown earlier to see where the girls were and had been told that they were out shopping at the mall. So they had resolved to find them because the choices on TV at that time of day were limited and they were bored.
“We’re here to find Liz, Maria and Isabel. You remember Maria, right Michael? Shortish, green eyes, blonde, can tolerate your poor hygiene in some unfathomable way…”
Michael ignored the dig and shivered as a gaggle of middle aged women passed him, talking animatedly about their purchases.
“I don’t like it here. Too many old ladies that would be willing to claw your eyes out for a piece of marked down Manchester.”
Michael glanced at the two boys across from him who were staring at him incredulously. “What? It’s true! I saw it on a show once.”
Alex snorted. “Oh, so it must be true then.” Alex nudged Max with his elbow. “Hear that, Max? Michael saw it on a show. He knows about these things. He has knowledge that we can’t ever hope to understand.”
Michael gave them both the finger and scowled as Max laughed without restraint at him. “Shut up and look for your girlfriend whom you couldn’t survive ten hours without.”
“You’re here too Michael,” reminded Max.
Alex’s next statement broke up the fight that was about to start. “I see them! Ten O’clock, heading for the food court!”
“Really? You and your Mom get facials together?” Maria’s eyebrows raised as Isabel nodded. “The only bonding experience I have with my Mom is when we watch The Hills together. I told her that if I ever brought home a guy like Spencer, she could feel free to shoot me.”
“You watch The Hills?” Isabel asked as they headed towards an empty table.
“She’s addicted. She even-” Liz broke off with a squeal as a pair of large male hands suddenly covered her eyes.
“Guess who!”
Liz pulled the hands off her eyes and spun around to blink up at a grinning Max.
“Max! What are you doing here?”
“I was shopping for, uh… towels.”
Liz stared at him.
“Ok, so I wanted to see you,” he conceded finally.
“That,” she said, grasping his face between her hands and pulling it closer to hers. “Is so cute.”
“Hey babe.” Alex greeted Isabel with a soft kiss and she smiled at him until she remembered that she was supposed to be mad at him.
Pushing him away, she mustered up a frown and stared at him. “I still haven’t forgiven you for last night.”
Alex beamed at her. “That’s ok. I’ve forgiven myself enough for both of us, so you don’t have to be mad at me any more.”
“What?”
Alex paused and tugged at the bottom of his ear as he contemplated what he just said. “It made more sense in my head, then it did coming out of my mouth.”
Isabel rolled her eyes and gave in to the smile that had been threatening to break though. “Oh, come here, you big idiot. I can’t stay mad at you.”
Alex smiled in victory as Isabel returned his previous kiss more thoroughly. Sometimes being goofy had its advantages.
“Couldn’t live without me for more than ten hours, Mikey G?” queried Maria smugly as Michael rolled his eyes.
“Why can’t you react like Liz?” whined Michael as he gestured over to where Liz and Max where kissing.
“Aww, I’m sorry baby.” Her smug smile fell and changed to a pout. She crossed over to him as he watched her warily. He wasn’t quite sure if her change of heart was for real, so he felt that caution was the best path to take with her.
He relaxed slightly as her arms slid around his waist and her head rested on his shoulder. Now this was what he was talking about!
Maria grinned wickedly into his shoulder and ran her hands down his back and then viciously squeezed his butt. “Is that better my little snookums?”
“Snookums?!” Michael was horrified. He was beyond horrified. Snookums was an infinitely worse endearment than Mikey G. And they were all laughing at him. Liz actually seemed to be hyperventilating.
Maria had to fight valiantly to keep her laughter out of her voice as she replied, “You said I could call you that last night. Don’t you remember, snookums?”
Alex had fallen over at this point. “I never said that! Maria, are you trying to ruin my reputation? Because I have to say, you’re doing a bang up job.”
“Shut up Michael, take a joke.”
Liz rested her head against Max’s shoulder and watched the ensuing argument between Michael and Maria -which she had no doubt would lead to a very public make up session- and was struck by the sense of rightness that flowed around them. The six of them seemed to just click. And Liz couldn’t have been more thrilled about it.