AN - Just wanted to make mention that Michael wasn't the product of an affair. His mother and Phillip were high school sweet hearts. She became pregnant during the summer before Phillip left for college. She didn't find out that she was pregnant until Phillip was away at Duke where he met Diane (there's a back story that I will address in a later chapter). He failed to mention to Diane that he had a girl friend back home and shortly after that, Diane became pregnant with Max and Isabel. So it's more like Phillip cheated on Michael's mother and dumped her and married Diane in college. In this chapter Max is still an ass but in time he will change and become the Max we all know and love. This change will take place way before the end of the story. So please just bear with me and it'll pass soon. I need to give credit, I used a few lines from One Tree Hill's pilot ep in the scenes between Michael and Maria. I also used a line from Sexual Healing and Leaving Normal. Oh yea, I know that chapter 7 ended during try outs but this chapter actually picks up a couple of hours before try outs. I would like to thank everyone for reading and especially the following for leaving FB
cocopucks
Emz80m - Max may be just a little bit threatened by and jealous of Michael. Also, I'm loving 'I Like Short Skirts'. Chapter 2 rocked.
begonia9508
frenchkiss70 - The road to Max's growth will be bumpy but Liz is there for the ride.
Jason's Lover - I'm so sad to see NYSM coming to an end. It was one of my favorites. Will there be a sequel?
CherryFlavoredChica - I did not realize that you were the author of 'Do I know you?'. I love it.
Lizza
maxandliz4ever1357 - There will be lots of Max and Liz in the next chapter. In fact, about 3/4 of the chapter is about them.
CandyXDreamer - So you liked the 'Yoko' of The Whits? I wonder why?
janesdilemma
foreverdreamer15 - just consider this a bump. Please update 'Believing in Destiny' soon. I can't wait to learn more about Michael and Liz's past.
roswellluver
purpleant
shortykms
adreamer
FamersAmers - I just found your fic 'The Essay' and I'm loving it.
Chapter 8
Two hours earlier
School library
Maria slouches in the uncomfortable library chair with her head resting in the crook of her arm that’s propped up on the table as she feverishly scribbles lyrics in her notebook. She’s so engrossed in her favorite past time that she fails to notice the presence of someone standing behind her checking out her work.
She came to the library for a little peace and quiet. She wanted to jot down the lyrics while they were still fresh in her head and before she forgot them. The words to this new song just came to her during lunch while Tess was babbling about some petty problem she was having with a teacher.
“That’s really good.” A voice speaks breaking her concentration. She quickly closes her notebook, irritated at being disturbed.
“I didn’t know that you could write.” The voice continues, “Was the song you performed for The Whits one of yours?”
“That’s none of your business.” Maria snaps.
Michael pulls out the chair next to her and sits down, not letting her harsh words deter him. Not that he was taking Isabel’s advice to ask her out but he just wanted to get to know her. He was obsessed with her. Well, not obsessed in that crazy, stalkerish kind of way that Courtney was with him. Maybe obsessed was too strong of a word. But he liked her. Plain and simple as that, he was besotted with her. She fascinated him. He found Maria DeLuca to be a walking contradiction. She was Miss Popularity yet bored by the very things that made her popular. He didn’t know Maria personally to make that assessment about her but he got that vibe from her. And one thing he was good at was reading people and he knew that Maria wasn’t all that she appeared to be.
Michael notices the stickers that cover her notebook. A tiny smile appears on his face. It seems that he and Maria had something in common.
“That’s me inside your head.” Michael states pointing to her notebook while choosing to be oblivious to her irritation.
“What?”
“NOFX.” He clarifies and sings, “That’s me inside your head.”
Maria sighs while rolling her eyes, “I know the song.”
Why was Michael Guerrin even talking to her? Did she give him the impression that she was up for a chat? Was he that dense that he couldn’t take a hint? She came to the library to be by herself. Even though, she had finished writing most of her new song, she didn’t want to converse with Michael. He was Phillip Evans’
other son, not to mention Max’s half brother and it wouldn’t look kosher for her to be talking to him.
“Can I ask you something?” He queries.
“It’s a free country.” Maria responds nonchalantly as she shrugs her indifference.
“Why are you a cheerleader?” Michael continues not expecting a reply, “You’re like the least cheery person I know. It’s not you. Why waste time being something you’re not?”
She is momentarily taken aback by his question and raises an eyebrow at him. That simple observation spoke volumes and was enough to arouse her interest in him. She faked all kinds of things all of the time with everybody. Michael was the first person to ever call her on it. How was it that Michael Guerrin, a complete stranger, could see through her façade and yet her so-called closet friends couldn’t? He was the first person to see her. She didn’t have to reveal herself to him because he already knew. She was beginning to look at him in a new light. He might not be so bad. It excited her and sort of scared her at the same time.
She wasn’t ready to give up her façade so she feigns annoyance and her features show her veneer, “You don’t know me. SO DON’T PRESUME YOU DO.” She hisses a little to loudly to be in the library. She snatches up her notebook and book bag and rush out of the library.
Unbeknownst to Maria and Michael, Tess sits quietly in the back corner of the library watching the entire exchange with interest. So Maria auditioned for Alex Whitman’s band she thinks to herself. She smiles elatedly. This couldn’t be more perfect than if she’d planned it all herself. Maria was going down and she’d see to it personally. And in the process she would snatch up Maria’s vacated throne as well as Max Evans.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Twenty minutes before tryouts
Liz stands in front of her locker taking out the biology and calculus books that she would need to complete her homework assignments that evening. She’s flocked by her two best friends, Michael and Alex.
“Liiiizzz” Michael groans out in aggravation at his best friend. “How can you dare me to tryout for the team and
then not even bother to be there?”
He runs a hand through his hair as his hands animatedly show the level of his frustration. Even though Liz had tricked him into trying out for the team he was still nervous about it and needed his friends there for support. He would be playing basketball in the same gym where his father once played. For the same team that his father led to numerous victories in the past. A gym that still housed the jersey of Phillip Evans. No matter what his personal feelings toward Phillip may have been, there was no denying the fact that Phillip Evans had been one hell of a player back in the day. Michael knew that he was just as good of a player as Max but he often wondered if he could live up to the legend of the great Phillip Evans.
Liz’s face crinkles bringing to surface the guilt that she felt for not being able to attend the tryouts in support of Michael. She quickly explicates, “I know…I’m the worst kind of scum there is but I totally forgot about rehearsals. And with rehearsals just beginning, I can’t miss one this early. Besides, Alex will be there.”
Michael just stares at her giving her a look of indifference.
“I’m soooo sorry. I really wanted to be there, too. Please forgive me.” Liz pleads giving her infamous puppy dogface.
Michael’s face now shows emotions as he and Alex look at Liz with amusement. Both silently wondering how far she would take the performance. Liz was one for dramatics and could never resist the chance to ‘pile it on’ as he and Alex affectionately termed it. Liz starts to whimper and drops to her knees to beg forgiveness before Michael.
Michael and Alex start a chorus of claps with Michael giving her a score of 7.5 and Alex chiming in with a 6.2 while extending a hand to help her up off of the floor.
Alex states, “It’s just that last weeks performance was much more believable. It was as though, I could actually taste the remorse. This performance here” Alex comically waves a hand at Liz, “was just mediocre. The most I could give was a 6.2. And I was being generous.”
Liz gives Alex a piercing look before turning her attention back to Michael. She cups his cheek with her hand and says in a sincere voice, “I’m really sorry, Michael. If I could be there I would. But I know you’ll do well.”
“Now
that was more like it.” Alex quips, “I actually believed you this time.”
“Shut up, Alex.” Liz snaps.
Michael chuckles at his two best friends. He had his own comedy show with the two of them together. “It’s okay Liz. I just really wanted you to be there but I understand about rehearsals.” Michael forgives. He could never be mad at Liz for too long. She was like an annoying little sister.
“Thanks. Anyway, I’ll be there in spirit.” Liz smiles and emphasizes the point by nodding her head in the affirmative.
Wanting to say something encouraging, she adds, “Remember, it’s the eye of the tiger.”
Alex smirks, “Liz, that was from Rocky and he boxed.”
Liz huffs and glares at Alex twice in less than five minutes before turning back to face Michael, “Just do it.”
“That’s Nike.” Alex snorts.
“Did I ask you?” Liz starts heatedly but pauses and deliberates, “
But basketball players wear Nikes, i.e. Michael Jordan so you should just give me that one based on the principles of association.”
“Okay.” Alex raises his hands in mock surrender, “I’ll let you have that one.”
“You two need help. Seriously.” Michael eyes both of them and laughs delighted that his friends were able to take his mind off of the tryouts. Their repartee had a calming affect on him.
But as quickly as he was calmed by his friend’s banter, he tenses up as Max, Kyle and Paulie walk past them obviously on their way to the gym based on their appearance.
They walk down the junior hall with an air of arrogance as if they owned the school. And in reality, school politics dictate that they did. Everyone bowed down to them. Everyone that is but Michael. There was no way that he would ever bow down to Max Evans and his cronies.
As Max, Kyle and Paulie glide past them, Kyle inclines his head towards Liz and gives her a lopsided grin while saying, “What’s up, Liz?” All three guys gaze at Liz as they walk past but one certain pair of eyes stared a little longer than the others.
Liz looks in their direction giving them a timid smile and is immediately drawn into Max’s gaze. It was as if a force had taken over her body and she was no longer in control. She swallows nervously while her breathing speeds up and looks at him with luminous eyes. She bites her lower lip and holds his gaze as he turns around while walking backwards to stare at her. He lifts his chin and gives her a little smirk before turning around and walking the rest of the way down the hall. Feeling as though the temperature had risen ten degrees, she nervously fans the collar of her shirt.
Max had actually called her last night after her shift ended at the Crashdown. They stayed on the phone until the wee hours of the night or should she say morning, talking about any and everything. It was so easy to talk to him and it surprised her. They had a lot in common. She found herself looking forward to seeing him later on this evening when she would start tutoring him. They had agreed that he would pick her up from rehearsals and she would tutor him at his house since she didn’t want Michael or Alex knowing about their friendship.
“What the hell was that?” Michael demands breaking her out of her Max filled dazed. He didn’t like the way Max and his friends were looking at Liz. And to his surprise Liz didn’t seem to be the least bit upset by their attention.
Coming to Liz’s rescue, Alex answers, “I think Liz picked up a few admirers yesterday from her little dance in the hall.”
“Yea.” Liz concurs quickly, “Kyle’s been looking at me with goo goo eyes ever since.”
“And you don’t mind?” Michael questions suspiciously.
“Yes, I mind but I’ve chosen to leave it alone. As long as he doesn’t disrespect me.” Liz answers.
In an attempt to change the subject, Liz looks at her watch and says, “Wow, look at the time. If I don’t get a move on I’m going to be late. Anyway, good luck Michael. Call me later on and let me know how it goes.”
Liz takes off towards the exit and Michael and Alex make their way towards the gym.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Game of scrimmage
They were half way through the game of scrimmage before Max decides to sabotage Michael’s game. In the past, Max had heard the rumors of Michael’s ability to play ball just as well as him and he was just a little curious to see how Michael would perform. Max and his friends wanted to feel him out first and decided not to make a move on Michael until the game was half way over. He had to admit that Michael had game and would be an asset but that still wasn’t enough for him to want Michael on the team. The team and school were his domain and not Phillip’s bastard. It was bad enough that he had to live with the constant comparisons to Phillip but he’d be damned if he had to endure being compared to Michael Guerrin. Basketball belonged to him and he would slowly come out of Phillip’s shadow once he broke his father’s record and that was number one on his agenda this season. That’s why he didn’t need nor have time to worry about some Phillip wanna be trying to take his fame. It was an embarrassment for Michael to even attend West Roswell let alone get a spot on the team. All he knew was that he had to stop it.
Michael has the ball and is dribbling his way towards the goal. He’s almost close enough to make a shot. Max is guarding him and sticks his foot out causing Michael to trip and fall onto floor. Max looks down on him and sneers before walking away.
Michael stands up clearly pissed at Max but decides to keep his cool. He knew that Max didn’t want him on the team. That was actually one thing they had in common but seeing how angry Max was with him just for trying out for one of the vacant spots, he had to rethink his attitude about being on the team. It would kill Max if he made it on the team. Maybe it was worth it just for that satisfaction alone. That one little trip up by Max sealed the deal. Michael was going to be a member of the Comets just to spite Max and show Phillip that he was every bit as good as them. Not that he was cocky or anything but he knew from the game of scrimmage that he would make the team. The other players weren’t as skilled as he. The only ones that could hang with him were Max and Kyle.
Coach Duvall calls a foul on Max and Michael goes to the free throw line to shoot. He sinks in both shots. As the game continues Max has the ball and is about to shoot the ball as he notices Michael a few feet away from him wide open. Instead of taking the shot, Max deliberately hurls the ball at Michael’s face. Michael’s quick reflexes cause him to catch the ball before it has time to impact with his face. He bounces the ball on the floor one time and when the ball rebounds back into his hands, he jumps up in the air and shoots the ball, making a perfect three pointer. Michael returns a smirk Max’s way. This action causes Max to fume and begin to stomp his way over to Michael with clenched fists.
Coach Duvall blows his whistle causing the game to halt so that he could handle the situation before it got out of hand as Kyle tries to hold Max back from making his descent over to Michael.
“Max you’re out of the game.” Coach Duvall warns “One more thing out of you and you’ll be benching it at Friday night’s game.”
The coach’s warning has no effect on Max as he still tries to reach Michael. Paulie comes to Kyle’s assistance as he struggles to hold him back. As much as Kyle would love to see a fight, he wouldn’t risk it with Friday’s game coming up. It was an important one and they needed Max. The Comets were playing against their long time rival, East Roswell. They were 6 and 0 and he wanted to keep their winning streak.
Michael just stands there grinning at Max. And to Max’s surprise, there is no fear present in his eyes, only mild amusement. This only infuriates Max more as he practically drags Kyle and Paulie across the court in an attempt to get to Michael while cursing obscenities. Tommy joins Kyle and Paulie and the three of them are finally able to subdue Max so that he isn’t dragging them across the court any longer. Max is still trying to make it to Michael as his teammates try to reason with him to let it go.
“Max if you don’t chill, you won’t play in the big game against East Roswell.” Paulie elucidates to no avail. But it’s Kyle’s words that cause him to stop. “We’ll deal with Michael later. Just let it go. You have too much to lose. And Liz will never forgive you if you hurt him.” Kyle pants out exhausted from trying to hold Max back. He stops his pursuit while each of his friends breath a sigh of relief. Max stands and gets his breathing under control.
“We’ll deal with him another time.” Kyle reiterates.
As much as he wanted to kick Michael’s ass, it wasn’t worth it if he lost Liz’s friendship in the process. He needed her in his life and wouldn’t give her up for anything. He has all this extra adrenaline and a shower would really help him calm down. That plus hearing Liz’s voice he thinks to himself. He backs away and walks towards the locker room to shower.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Maria paces nervously outside the door to the boy’s locker room. The game of scrimmage ended about ten minutes ago and all of the guys were now in the locker room showering. She waits anxiously for Michael to appear. For some reason, she had to make sure that he was okay. Max and Michael were both in there. She didn’t know what was going on and she wished that she could just causally walk in there to make sure everything was all right. She even contemplates sending Alex in to check on them but decides against it since Tess was waiting with her.
Maria couldn’t believe that Max would act so malicious towards Michael without provocation. He deliberately tried to harm Michael when Michael hadn’t done anything to him except play an innocent game of basketball. With Max and all of his friends in the locker room, Michael was in the lion’s den and Maria couldn’t help but worry about him.
“Wow! Now,
that was interesting.” Tess beams with excitement twinkling in her eyes.
Maria rolls her eyes in disgust while turning her back to the locker room door to face Tess. She was so obvious it was pathetic. But she’d deal with Tess at another time.
“Yea, especially the way Max practically
attacked Michael for no reason.” Maria replies cynically.
“Oh come on, there is no way you didn’t think Max looked sexy as hell charging at that Michael guy.” Tess rambles while looking over Maria’s shoulder as the locker room door quietly opens, “I for one thought he looked virile with all of that testosterone in the air.”
“You would.” Maria mumbles.
“What was that?” Tess baits.
Choosing to ignore the question, Maria speaks. “It did not make him look sexy or manly. In fact, it made him look just the opposite. Max looked like a little boy and a coward.” Maria continues, “I mean, Michael is in there alone while Max and the rest of the team can do god only knows what to him. All because he’s the son of Phillip Evans which by the way, isn’t his fault.”
Tess smiles sweetly and speaks over Maria’s shoulder, “Hi Max.”
Maria’s eyes bulge wide in fright and she stands petrified to the spot. Her eyes narrow to slits as she realizes that Tess intentionally set her up. She slowly turns around to find Max and Kyle standing behind her. Their facial expressions show evidence that they had heard a large amount of their conversation for Max’s features sport a scowl and Kyle’s play host to a look of amusement.
“Max!” Maria shrieks.
“So I’m a little boy and a coward now?” Max asks curtly.
She opens her mouth to respond but closes it realizing that it was no use in replying to his rhetorical question as Max continues, “And what exactly are you, Maria?”
As a small group of students, including Alex, that were waiting in the gym gather around them, the locker room door opens revealing Michael with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
Maria opens her mouth again to respond but no sounds spill forth. She lowers her gaze to the floor.
“Cat got your tongue?” Max snarls with a raised eyebrow. “Well, let me supply the adjectives. Let’s try frigid, boring and more appropriately a has been.”
Finding her voice, Maria hisses in disbelief, “You’re breaking up with me?”
“Exactly. We’re through. Dunzo. I don’t need this shit. And I especially don’t need nor want you.” Maria’s earlier tone exacerbating his foul mood, he continues, “You’ve had to see this coming? I don’t love you. Never have. You don’t do it for me. I mean sex with you is dull. I have a more exciting time with my hand.”
A round of laughter breaks out from the few students that were gathered encircling them. Maria stands in the midst of the small crowd holding back unshed tears, determined not to let one fall. Especially not here for so many to witness. She looks up finding herself locking eyes with Michael.
Michael knew that Maria was hurting but she was trying to be strong in front of everyone. Every nuance of Maria’s expression shows that her façade was beginning to crack. Michael knew that she would soon lose the battle with her unshed tears.
With arms crossed over his chest, his stance giving away his willingness to come to blows if necessary, Michael speaks out in her defense “I think you’ve said enough.”
“Maria, you have your very own knight in shining armor.” Max scornfully laughs. “Don’t worry Michael, your feelings aren’t in vain because Maria just happens to be the president of your fan club. But don’t go getting cocky. See, I’ve peeped your game. I know what you want. You want my spot on the team, my ex girlfriend and my father. Too bad that you’ll have to settle for one out of three because you’ll never have my spot and out of my sixteen years of life, my dad has
never mentioned you. Not even once.”
Max struck a nerve in Michael and he clenches his fist intent on knocking the hell out of Max but Alex holds him back.
“I have no intention of fighting you…today.” Max smirks “Especially when there’s a pair of beautiful, doe-brown eyes waiting for me.”
Max and Kyle make their way out of the gym. Having picked up on his implication, Michael turns to Alex and hisses, “Do you know what the hell he’s talking about?”
Alex shrugs, “He couldn’t… be talking about… her? Could he?”
“No. Liz is too smart for that.” Michael answers with every intention of having a little chat with his best friend.
Tbc...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. It just encourages me to continue. Thanks to the following for feedback 
:
. This chapter starts on the same day but ends the next day during basketball tryouts. And you may notice that I've taken it upon myself to create a new word. And that word is Factly. I know it's not in the dictionary but It worked for me where I needed it. Also, I took a line out of Heart of Mine which is used during Michael and Isabel's conversation. Special thanks to the following for reading and leaving fb