“She couldn’t just pick a normal costume, could she?” Michael grumbled, glaring at a group of girls who were giggling at him.
“Have you learned nothing at all, Michael?” Isabel chided, her brown eyes twinkling with mirth. “You’re only digging your own grave by acting like it bothers you.”
“Hey guys, did you see where Max and Alex went?” Liz asked curiously, scanning the crowded auditorium in hopes of spotting her boyfriend.
“No, I haven’t, Liz,” Isabel responded. “I think they went up to the stage, though.”
Liz frowned in confusion. “But why…”
A screech sounded over the PA as a microphone came on, and the students of West Roswell grimaced and placed their hands over their ears.
“If I could have everyone’s attention, please! I’d like to take the opportunity to welcome everyone to West Roswell’s annual theme dance!” Alex crowed and everyone cheered happily.
“Thank you, thank you,” Alex bowed and the students tittered at his goofiness. “We’re The Whit’s and we’ll be playing for you all tonight.”
Once again everyone erupted, clapping and yelling for Alex and his band.
“But first! We have a special dedication for a very special lady in the audience tonight!”
Isabel beamed as she batted her eyelashes at her boyfriend.
“Would Liz Parker please come out front?” Alex continued, motioning for someone offstage to come out.
Isabel’s mouth dropped open and she glanced at Liz in disbelief. Liz’s mouth hung open as well as she stared at Alex in confusion.
“What’s going on?” she asked nervously, glancing towards Isabel and Michael, who both shrugged their shoulders.
“I have no idea, but maybe you should head up there,” Michael grinned, giving her a slight push.
Liz frowned, but continued her way up front.
Everyone gasped as the lights went out, a few squeals sounded, and Liz hugged herself in anticipation.
Isabel turned questioning eyes towards Michael, but he simply nodded towards the stage.
She looked back over and her eyes practically bugged out of her head as the spotlight came up, revealing none other than a very nervous looking Max Evans holding a shining blue electric guitar.
“Um, I just want to dedicate this song to my very own Princess Leia,” he smiled shyly into the microphone and several girls sighed.
Liz stared at him, her eyes a mixture of shock and adoration.
The rest of the stage lit up, revealing the rest of The Whit’s. Maria was grinning at Liz from her spot offstage and Alex was standing to the right of Max, a smaller mike placed in front of him.
Isabel gasped at the sight of her brother and whirled towards Michael. “You knew about this?!”
Michael smirked. “Have you learned nothing at all, Isabel? I always know.”
Isabel bit her lip and turned back to watch, a small smile lifting her mouth.
Everyone cheered as Max and Alex began playing their guitars, a familiar oldies favorite sounding through the gymnasium.
Max swallowed hard and then began singing softly, his eyes holding Liz’s with so much emotion she felt her eyes burn with impending tears.
You know our love was meant to be, the kind of love that lasts forever.
And I want you here with me, from tonight until the end of time.
You should know, everywhere I go,
Always on my mind… in my heart, in my soul, baby…
Alex stepped up to the mike and began singing backup to Max’s soft, seductive voice.
You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration.
You bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiration.
Wanna have you near me, I wanna have you hear me sayin’…
Alex pulled back, leaving Max to croon the last part on his own, staring meaningfully at Liz.
No one needs you more than I need you…
Liz blinked against the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes, fluttering her eyelashes adoringly at Max.
He looked beyond nervous as he stepped back to play his guitar riff, then looked back at her and it was as if his confidence built.
Alex nodded at him and he began again.
(Max) And I know...
(Alex) And I know...
(Max) Yes I know, that it's plain to see.
(Max/Alex) So in love when we're together...
(Max) Now I know...
(Alex) Now I know...
(Max) That I need you here with me...
(Max/Alex) From tonight until the end of time.
(Max) You should know...
(Alex) Yes, you need to know...
(Max/Alex) Everywhere I go
Always on my mind… you're in my heart, in my soul...
You're the meaning in my life. You're the inspiration...
You bring feeling to my life, you’re the inspiration.
Wanna have you near me, I wanna have you hear me sayin'...
(Max) No one needs you more than I.... need you… yeah…
(Alex) No one needs you more than I... oh-oh-oh-oh...
(Max/Alex) You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration.
You bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiration…
(Alex) When you love somebody...
(Max) 'Til the end of time...
(Alex) When you love somebody...
(Max) Always on my mind… No one needs you more than I…
As the sound of the amp dimmed, everyone burst into wild clapping and Max turned a bright shade of red, biting his lip sheepishly when Alex clapped him on the shoulder.
He glanced up at Liz and found a bright smile on her face, her hands clasped together as she cheered for him.
He immediately hopped offstage, and she ran into his arms, wanting to be engulfed in him.
He held her tightly admist the awes and shouts of approval from their classmates.
He pulled back slightly and lifted her chin so she could look him in the eyes.
“You… you did that for me?” Liz murmured incredulously.
Max blushed again and looked down at his feet. “Well… I just wanted you to do something for you and Maria said this was more romantic than flowers or candy and I had to face my fears at some point, right? I mean-“
Liz cut off his nervous babble by firmly planting her lips against his, running her fingers lovingly through his hair.
They kissed passionately, as their friends and classmates cheered.
When she finally pulled back, Max stared at her in a daze.
“Thank you,” she smiled shyly.
It was Max’s turn to grin as he pulled her back, inches away from his beckoning mouth. “No, thank you.”
Liz giggled and Max shot her a curious look. She lifted an eyebrow. “Chicago?”
Max shrugged his shoulders, laughing slightly. “I remember something about someone liking the oldies.”
Liz laughed and pulled his lips back to hers.
<center>TBC.........</center>
Author's Note: Okay guys, we're all caught up now. I know this part was extreeeemely short, and I apologize. The next parts will be brand-spanking new and much longer, I promise.

Thanks so much for all your feedback, and I'm glad you guys are enjoying this fic! There's only a few chapters left, so I should be posting this pretty frequently, assuming my muse stays on track! Thanks again!
Hugs,
Lindsay