Things to do in Roswell - CC - TEEN [COMPLETE]

[StargazerUK]

Things to do in Roswell when you’re Dead.

Author: StargazerUK.

Email: david.meade@virgin.net

Category: C/C.

Rating: TEEN

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these Roswell characters, I have borrowed them.( If I did Alex & Isabel would be living happily ever after. )

Author's Note: You may have worked out the stories name is a play on the title of the film “Things to do in Denver when you’re dead” but other than that they have absolutely nothing in common. (I just liked the name.)

This story is set around the time of “The Convention”. Liz, Maria and Alex are all suffering from being founder members of the “I know an Alien” fan club and it seems the aliens themselves are attempting to abstain from any human contact. None of the background story from “The Convention” takes place in this story. This is just a bit of fun.

Chapter 1


Alex sat with his forehead resting on the counter. He was a spent force when it came to Isabel Evans and his defeated demeanour was the reason for his resting head but it had the added bonus of soothing his throbbing temples. The feel of the cool counter top acted as a soothing agent for his pounding head.

“Sweetie, are you OK?” Maria asked her prone friend. “You’ve been like that for nearly ten minutes and people are starting to think the food might have something to do with it.” Maria leaned in closer. “It’s not very good for business.”

Alex lifted himself up abruptly causing Maria to jump back. “Sorry.” He said while his eyes adjusted to the bright café lights. “I actually think I started to drift off so it is a good job you woke me or I would have started to snore.”

As Maria left her friend to gather his thoughts she turned to refill the coffee machine and found Liz hovering behind her. “How is he?” She whispered.

“Not good.” Maria glanced back at Alex for a moment before returning her gaze to Liz. “Has he told you?”

Liz had hardly spoken to Alex since yesterday. She knew something had happened at the Convention as she had seen him waiting around to find Isabel but then he was suddenly gone. From what she had gathered Alex and Isabel weren’t exactly the best of combinations at the moment. The alien gang had a lot on their mind and their human friends had to take a back seat, not least Alex.

Liz simply shook her head in reply to Maria’s question. She could see the pain in her friend’s eyes before she even explained what had happened. “Alex went over to Isabel’s to give her a present he had bought her at the Convention…some kind of star constellation book or something. You know they have this whole Stargazer thing going on?” Liz silently nodded so Maria carried on. “So anyway Alex goes over to give Isabel this book and it seems she shot him down in flames.”

“Really?” Liz sounded surprised. “I thought they were making headway. I really thought he had made a connection with Isabel and at the very least they were firm friends.”

“Apparently the word ‘Suffocate’ was used.” Maria stated mournfully. She turned to look at Alex again. “He’s a total wreck. I know we each have our own thing going on with the Czech’s but don’t forget he is the only one out of the three of us who has had a thing for one of them since the third grade. I’ve seen him down before but I have never seen him even close to being this depressed. I think this might be it for him, no more Isabel!”

Liz moved slowly past her friend to stand in front of Alex who was so dazed and confused that he was unaware that his closest friends had been talking about him from only a few feet away. “Alex…honey, How are you doing?”

“I’m fine Liz.” Alex tried to smile but couldn’t find the will or the strength. “I know Maria is worried about me but I’m OK…really.”

“That may be Alex but you don’t look OK.” Liz replied honestly.

“He’s in denial Liz.” After her comment Maria started to giggle.

Alex eyed his petit friend for a moment. “Maria you’re not going to do your ‘Denial isn’t only a river in Africa’ joke, are you?” Alex asked nervously.

“Why?” Maria frowned. “That’s a great joke.”

“It was.” Alex agreed. “But it’s a little old now.”

“And let’s not forget what happened last time.” Liz cut in.

“Anyone can make a mistake.” Maria said defensively.

“Absolutely.” Alex agreed. “But ‘Denial isn’t only a river in South America’ doesn’t have the same sort of ring to it.” Alex could see he had hurt his best friend’s feelings, which was the last thing he wanted. “Maria I am sorry, I wasn’t trying to be mean I’m just not in a very good place right now. I’ve spent so much of the last few years worshiping a woman who hardly knew I existed. Then with what happened with Liz it seemed I had been given a second chance.” Alex turned to Liz specifically and lowered his voice. “Not that I want to make light of what happened to you.”

Liz reached across the countered and covered her friends hand in her own. “And who’s to say that won’t happen…that you and Isabel won’t get together?”

“Isabel does by the looks of things.” Alex looked defeated. “As pathetic and whipped as I may have been when it comes to a certain tall blond girl I won’t settle! I deserve someone who will love me in return. I really, really hoped that person was going to be Isabel but I have my pride.” Alex looked from one friend to the other, both of whom remained silent. “Well I have some pride, even if it isn’t much.”

Alex straightened himself up in his chair and came to a decision. “Alex Whitman is unworthy as far as Isabel Evans is concerned and good riddance to bad rubbish I say.”
Alex lifted his glass of orange soda out in front of him as if it were the Holy Grail itself. “Alex Whitman is dead…Long live Alex Whitman.”

Liz smiled, pleased to see her friend taking charge. “So what does this new Alex Whitman have planned?”

Alex slowly leaned across the counter causing both girls to ape his actions so they ended up merely inches apart. “I strongly urge you both to follow my lead. They’ve managed most of their lives without us just as we have managed most of our lives without them. I can’t stop feeling the way I feel about Isabel, it isn’t something I can just turn on and off but I can’t waste my life waiting for something that most likely isn’t going to happen.” Alex stood up from his chair and threw some money on the counter to cover his drink. “I’m getting on with my life!”

As both girls watched Alex gave them a farewell smile and turned to leave. As he walked down the walkway to the front door the bell sounded and Max, Michael and Isabel walked in. Both girls watched in amazement as Max, Isabel and even Michael attempted to speak to Alex but he simply nodded in their general direction neither speaking nor stopped to acknowledge his friends. He then left without hesitation, most notably not even making eye contact with Isabel.

Max and Michael looked slightly nonplussed as they neared the counter and turned to slide into a booth but Isabel remained standing by the front door where she had briefly encountered Alex. She now watched through the bay window of the café as Alex crossed the road, climbed into his car and drove off. Slowly Isabel turned and moved towards her brothers.

The look on her flawless face said more than any words could. Neither Liz nor Maria doubted that Isabel had feelings for Alex, they had even spoken about it on numerous occasions previously. They decided that it was simply a case that despite Isabel having feelings for their best friend she didn’t know how to act on them.

Seeing her trudge her way towards the booth and drop herself onto the seat she had the look of a woman who knew that in the split second that Alex walked past her without speaking that things had changed…that maybe she had missed her chance. “What can I get you?” Liz asked, popping up beside her friends. She tried not to catch Max’s gaze for too long as she was aware something was going on between them. She wasn’t sure what it was yet but his desire to order mud pies the day before had thrown her completely.

Maria remained standing behind the counter watching, her arms folded across her chest in a gesture of defiance. Her relationship was up in the air, as it always was, when it came to Michael. He had done the most thoughtful and possibly even romantic thing she had ever seen by stepping into the ring with the wrestler at the Convention to replace the missing fighter and, in turn, saving her mothers business. He then ruined it all by making some comment about mud! He was an idiot at the best of times and the more she thought about it the more she was siding with Alex. Maybe it was time to move on.



“What’s going on with you and Alex?” Max asked Isabel once Liz had moved away to get their order.

“Nothing! Just leave it.” Isabel replied curtly.

“Fine.” Max shrugged. “It’s no skin off my nose it’s just I thought you two were friends. It didn’t look that way just a minute ago.”

“I said it was nothing!” Isabel said forcefully, raising her voice. When she glanced up she saw both Liz and Maria looking at her so she tried to slide down in her chair to make herself less noticeable. She looked back at Max and realised he hadn’t done anything wrong so there was no point in biting his head off. She sighed heavily. “We had words yesterday and I don’t think I handled it very well.”

Isabel sat quietly for a moment. “How do you manage?” Out of the cover of her eye she saw that Michael was about to speak so she threw her hand up to stop him. “Firstly I was talking to Max. Things are bad but I haven’t reached the stage where I need to take advice from you, the emotional gunslinger. Secondly if the next word out of your mouth is ‘Mud’ I promise you that you won’t sleep for a week.” Michael looked on speechless. “Max told me about your little piece of advice and all I can say is that Maria should run as far away from you as possible and never look back.”

As they continued to sit in silence Isabel looked from Michael to Max and back again. “I’m sorry.” Michael looked up in amazement at hearing those words from Isabel’s lips. “I’m never saying that again so make the most of it.” She looked to Max who was trying not to smile. “You both know what I am like when I get in this sort of mood so you should both know better.”

“We know.” Max smiled softly at his sister as he nodded. “But it has been so long since you have been like this.” Max turned to Michael. “How long has it been Michael?”

Michael turned to look at Isabel who sat beside him, giving her an amused look. “I’m not sure Maxwell…how long is it that she has been making friends with Alex?”

Isabel gave her brothers a sarcastic smile and nodded. “And that’s your answer to everything with me isn’t it. Isabel is being nice it must be Alex. Isabel isn’t being a pain in the ass it must be she has a boy to spend time with. Isabel the bitch is now Isabel the nice girl.”

Max just sat shaking his head while his sister unloaded on him. When she had finished he allowed her to settle down before replying to her comments. “I think you are the only one saying or thinking those things. It isn’t a bad thing if our friends change us for the better. Spending time with Liz has brought me out of my shell, they were your words Isabel not mine. We’ve both noticed a change in Michael even though he will probably deny it.” Michael went to speak but the look on Max’s face told him now was not the time.

Max looked around to make sure he wasn’t being listened to, especially by Liz. “I’m trying to take a step back at the moment to stop us going too far too fast. It doesn’t mean my feelings have changed for Liz. In fact I think the more I try and spend away from her the stronger they get. If you have a problem with Alex then that is no one’s business but your own but don’t take it out on us and don’t go putting words in our mouths. Paranoia isn’t a very good look for you Isabel.”

As Max finished Liz came to the table and delivered her friends their meals before moving back behind the counter. She found Maria still standing with her back to the counter wiping the same part of the milkshake machine she had been cleaning when she left her side several minutes before. “What did I miss?” She whispered to her friend.

“I didn’t catch all of it.” She replied in an equally low tone. “Isabel is definitely upset about how Alex acted towards her and we were right what we were talking about last night. Max and Michael are attempting some kind of timeout when it comes to me and you. They say they have taken a step back or something.”

Liz simply nodded slowly, things finally falling into place.



Unseen by either of the two sets of friends a group of three girls sat in a booth at the back of the Crashdown. One girl in particular had been taking a specific interest in what had been taking place over the last five minutes or so. Her two friends had contented themselves with idle chatter while Cindy Webster, Isabel’s only true competition in West Roswell high when it came to the glamour stakes, looked on.

The curvy blond hadn’t been able to hear anything that had been said but she had seen plenty. She had never totally understood the relationship between Isabel Evans and the geek Whitman but one thing she would never pass up on was a chance to get one over on her nearest rival.

She didn’t even really understand why Isabel was that popular. She wasn’t that pretty, in her mind, and it was well known around school that she didn’t even put out. She had even been christened the ‘Ice Maiden’ by the football players due to her insistence on keeping all of her dates at arms length. Cindy never understood that way of thinking. If a guy takes you out and buys you dinner the least you can do is give him a little something to make his night and to say thank you.

This could be the thing she had been waiting for. It wouldn’t be that difficult to turn Alex Whitman’s attention from a woman who was clearly given him the cold shoulder to someone who could appreciate his quirks and lack of dress sense. This was going to be easier than she thought.

“Melissa do you still have that school registry at home?” Cindy asked without any thought to the conversation she was interrupted.

“Sure Cindy.” Melissa replied, a little too eagerly. “Who is it you are looking for?”

“Alex Whitman.” Cindy began to smile broadly. “I’ve just realised what a catch he is and I think it is time we got better acquainted.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 2


“Is that you sweetheart?” Mrs Whitman called as she heard the front door close. A few short moments later she heard the sound of shuffling feet and Alex finally appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Alex honey is everything alright? You look very down.”

“I’m fine Mom it’s nothing.” He replied mournfully.

“You missed dinner, have you been hang out with Liz and Maria again?” Alex couldn’t bring himself to speak so he just nodded gently to his mother. His self pity party was in full swing. “Would you like me to get you something?”

Alex checked his watch, ‘Where had the time gone?’ “I’m sorry Mom, I would have called if I had realised this much time had passed. I went for a walk after seeing Liz and Maria at the Crashdown and time must have gotten away from me, I didn’t notice it was as late as it is.”

He went to turn and leave but was stopped by his Mom. “Oh Alex, a young lady called for you earlier…” Alex spun round on the spot to look at his mother. He knew it couldn’t have been Liz or Maria who called or his Mom would have referred to them by name. Despite that knowledge leaving only one ‘Young lady’ that it could be he couldn’t imagine what Isabel would want with him after her ‘Suffocation’ speech. If he was honest he didn’t really want to have any dealings with her…certainly not at the moment. “Was it Isabel? Did she say what she wanted?”

Mrs Whitman frowned slightly. “No she wasn’t called Isabel, it was Cindy. She said the two of you are at school together and that she was looking forward to seeing you. She seemed very nice and very friendly…is there something you want to tell me?” She asked with a smile.

Alex barely heard his Mom’s last words. ‘Cindy?’ He didn’t really know any Cindy’s at school other than Cindy Webster and it couldn’t have been her. Not only was she out of his league, much as Isabel was, she had an even more vicious reputation than Isabel around school. If Isabel was the ‘Ice princess’ Cindy Webster was something akin to the ‘Wicked witch of the West’, ‘West’ being West Roswell High. She was much how you would imagine an uber-bitch to be. She could make or break someone’s reputation with a single comment. Popularity was either won or lost depending how Cindy took to you.

Isabel was able to rely heavily on her looks for her popularity and standing within the school hierarchy. Cindy was attractive enough but she didn’t have the presence Isabel could command so she relied more on her physical attributes and her lackeys to get things done. She managed to manipulate most of the boys in school with the aid of a healthy cleavage and an uncanny knack of ending up in a boys lap, whether they liked it or not. She couldn’t quite use those tactics on the girls so that was where her cohorts came in. It didn’t take long for a false rumour to circulate the girl’s locker room with Cindy and her friends helping it along its way so most people simply steered clear and let them get on with it.
“Did she say what she wanted?” Alex asked when he finally lifted himself out of his stupor.

“Just that she had been meaning to catch up with you at school. She said she missed you at the Crashdown earlier and that she might pop by this evening.”

“This evening!” Alex exclaimed.

“Stay clam Alex.” Katherine Whitman tried to settle her son. “It’s only a girl calling. I would have thought you would have been pleased about that. I know you love Liz and Maria but they are your friends…it might be time for you to start looking for that someone special.”

“Mom!” Alex tried to hide his reddening face. He wasn’t too keen to be talking with someone about dating, not least his Mom.

Suddenly a knock at the front door sent all of the blood draining from his face. He stood blinking at his Mom and he could see the confused look on her face as he stood rooted to the spot.

“Would you like me to go?” She offered. “I can even tell her you’re eating your dinner if you need more time to prepare.”

“No that’s OK Mom.” Alex finally realised he was making something out of nothing. He didn’t know for sure it was Cindy Webster and even if it was he didn’t know what she wanted…it may just have to do with their homework assignment.

As Alex approached the front door he could see the silhouette of the person on the other side. As the door contained opaque glass he couldn’t tell who, specifically, it was but whoever it was they were certainly tall enough to be Cindy Webster.

Alex pulled open the door and got the surprise of his life. “Isabel?” He gasped. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Oh hey Alex. I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time it’s just I thought we should talk after our little get-together yesterday.” Isabel tried not to convey how she felt…nervous.

Alex let out a heavy sigh now that he had managed to compose himself. “Isabel I don’t want to appear rude but I am not sure we have anything left to talk about. You made it very clear how you feel about me and how you feel I have been acting towards you and I have apologised, I can’t do anymore. I would never want to suffocate anyone but I wasn’t aware that my taking an interest in you would be so constricting.”

“No Alex wait!” Isabel reached for his arm but pulled back before making contact. “What I said yesterday didn’t come out right. I didn’t mean it to sound so harsh and I wanted a chance to explain myself to you.”

“Alex honey.” Mrs Whitman cut in. “Don’t be rude and leave the young lady out in the cold bring her in…offer her a drink.”

Alex dropped his head slightly, embarrassed that his Mom had felt the need to question his conduct towards Isabel. “Come in.” Alex waved an arm in the direction of the hallway.

Isabel stepped into the hallway and unbuttoned her coat.

“Hello Dear.” Mrs Whitman said stepping forward. “As my son appears to have lost his manners it looks like it is left to me to do the introductions. I’m Katherine Whitman, Alex’s mother and you must be Cindy.”

In that moment everything stopped for Alex. His whole afternoon and evening had been spiralling out of control from beginning to end and now, with the benefit of hindsight, it had all been leading up to this…the single most embarrassing and uncomfortable moment in his teenage life.

“No Mom this isn’t Cindy.” Alex interjected quickly. “This is Isabel from school.”

“Oh I’m sorry dear.” Katherine Whitman took hold of Isabel’s hand. “I feel very silly for making such an assumption but after Cindy phoned earlier and said she would call round I just naturally assumed you were Cindy.”

“That’s enough thanks Mom.” Alex cried, still staggered by the size of the hole his mother had just dug for him. In her desire to be a good mother and welcoming hostess Alex’s Mom had let out just enough rope for Alex to hang himself. Or in this case, for Isabel to hang him!

Isabel could see Mrs Whitman’s lips moving but she appeared to be unable to hear the words that were coming out of her mouth. All she could focus on was Cindy had called Alex. Not only had she called but she was on her way round.

Unlike Alex’s earlier musing as to whether the Cindy in question was in fact Cindy Webster Isabel had no such doubts. It had only taken a split second but already the pieces had fallen into place. Cindy had always been trying to get one up on Isabel in all the time she had known her. To find out a ‘Cindy’ had called and was due to call round it could only be one girl. Cindy knew that Alex was Isabel’s only male friend, aside from Max and Michael, so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when Cindy suddenly phones Alex out of the blue and arranges to see him.

Isabel thought back to earlier that evening when Alex had left the diner and they had finally settled down to eat. She had picked up on Cindy’s over powering perfume before she saw her walk by looking all smug and superior. She hadn’t really given it a second thought at the time but now she knew the background to it things had finally become clear.

Isabel finally managed to refocus. “You have Cindy Webster coming over?” Isabel questioned, totally ignoring Mrs Whitman’s presence.

“I don’t know what she wants.” Alex immediately went on the defensive. “She called while I was out and then…” Alex suddenly stopped himself, realising his mistake. He didn’t have to answer to Isabel. She had made it very clear that she didn’t want him to be part of her life so why should she be part of his? “Now that I think about it what business is it of yours who I have over to the house?”

“Alexander Whitman!” Mrs Whitman cried. “How dare you speak to Isabel like that, where are your manners?”

“That’s OK Mrs Whitman I am going now anyway.” Isabel started to button her coat. “I came to apologise to your son for a misunderstanding yesterday but I am clear now that there wasn’t a misunderstanding. I now know how things standing between us and I can leave.” Isabel turned to the petit woman who stood beside Alex. “It was very nice to finally meet you Mrs Whitman. I’ve heard a lot of nice things about you from Liz and Maria and I am glad to finally put a face to all of those wonderful stories they have told me.” Isabel then sent a nondescript look towards Alex before pulling the door open and stepping outside.

As she stepped outside she came crashing into a figure who was about to knock on the door. “Hey Isabel, imagine bumping into you here.”

When Isabel had steadied herself she found the smiling face of Cindy Webster looking back at her. Even in the evening cold Cindy had managed to leave enough of her coat open to leave little to the imagination.

“Cindy! I’d like to say I am surprised to see you here but sadly I can’t.” Isabel spat out.

Alex stepped out onto the porch to find his worst fears were confirmed.

“Hey Alex, good to see you.” Cindy purred. “Did your Mom tell you I called and that I might pop round?”

“Hi Cindy.” Despite talking to Cindy Alex could hardly take his eyes off of Isabel. “Yes my Mom said you called.”

“Well don’t let me interrupt this little get together.” Isabel looked from Alex to Cindy and then back again. “I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.”

“No Isabel wait!” Alex called after the tall girl but she continued walking down the path to the sidewalk before turning towards home.

“What got up her nose?” Cindy unsubtly enquired.

Alex had almost forgotten about Cindy’s presence as he watched Isabel storm off. Finally he turned his attention back to his visitor. “Hey Cindy. My Mom said you called, what can I do for you? Is it the History assignment?”

If there was one thing Cindy Webster could do better than any other girl it was work a situation. Even better than that she could effortlessly work a situation where a guy was concerned. “It’s a little cold out here, could we talk inside?”

“Sure.” Alex nodded, ushering Cindy inside and closing the front door. Alex found his Mom standing in the hallway with her hands on her hips. She wasn’t happy. “Mom his is Cindy, the girl you spoke to on the phone.”

“Hello Cindy, It’s very nice to meet you.” Katherine greeted her son’s new visitor. “Why don’t you make your way up to my son’s room, second door on the left at the top of the stairs, I just need a quick word with Alexander.”

Alex dropped his head as he knew what was coming. His mother only ever called him Alexander when he was in big trouble. He was so consumed with the dressing down he was about to receive from his mother about the way he treated Isabel that the realisation that Cindy Webster was about to go up to his room didn’t even sink in.




Max registered the thundering footsteps making their way up the stairs and along the hallway before he heard what turned out to be Isabel’s bedroom door slam closed. He knew she had gone over to make peace with Alex with regards to her comments to him yesterday and by the sound of things it didn’t go very well. With a heavy sigh he put down his book and climbed off of his bed and headed towards his sisters room. He already knew how things would play out but he had to at least try to head off the sour mood that Isabel would be in for days.

He knocked gently on the door and waited for the inevitable. “Go away!” He smiled to himself as he knocked a second time. “I said go away! Are you deaf?” Finally, steeling himself for the onslaught he turned the handle and pushed open the door.

Isabel spun round to find her brother standing in the doorway, a look of concern etched on his face. “Trust me Max, now is not a good time. The best thing you can do is just step back and close the door behind you. Even family aren’t safe in the mood I am in.”

Despite the warning Max stepped into his sister’s room and closed the door behind him, affording the siblings a little privacy. “At the very least you have to put me out of my misery.” Isabel frowned at her brother’s statement so he continued. “Alex has to be the nicest guy any of us know so the least you have to do is tell me what he did to make you so mad.”

“If only it were that simple.” Isabel threw her hands up in the air. “You don’t even know the half of it. I go over to clear the air because you…” Isabel pointed a long slender finger at her brother. “…told me I handled things badly with Alex and I should set things straight.”

“Isabel no guy wants to hear he is suffocating a girl, not least one he is keen on.” Max replied defensively. “You and Alex are friends and you know it. No matter what happened between you tonight going over to clear the air was the right thing to do.”

“The right thing to do?” Isabel repeated her brother’s words. “So the fact that I went over and humiliated myself not only in front of Alex and his mother but in front of that…in front of that, that WITCH!” Isabel finally spat out after struggling for the right word.

“OK you’ve lost me now.” Max sat himself down on the bed, knowing this was more complicated than he had first thought. “Start from the beginning.”




“What shall we do?” Liz asked, turning to look at Maria.

“Let’s go over to Alex’s house and see how he’s doing.” Maria smiled. “He’s probably having a quiet, uneventful night in now that he has left the Czech world behind.”

“That’s a great idea.” Liz grabbed her purse. “He’ll be thankful for some company now that his life is so boring and uncomplicated.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 3


“Well?” Katherine Whitman questioned her son. “I’m waiting!”

Alex felt about five years old. Cindy Webster had gone upstairs to his room while Mrs Whitman decided it was time to refresh her youngest son on the finer points of good manners and how to treat a female guest.

As he looked at his Mom he could see that not only was she unhappy about his conduct but she was also a little put out by her earlier slip-up when she mistakenly called Isabel Cindy. “Mom I’m sorry. It’s not how it looked, I was just surprised to see Isabel and I wasn’t able to think straight.”

“That may be young man but speaking to that Isabel girl like that was unforgivable. It has become abundantly clear to me that I know less and less about your life, which in itself isn’t a problem but I would appreciate it if you conducted yourself in a manner that reflects well on both this family and, more importantly, on you!” Katherine slowly began to relax from her angered state. “I know it might be a bit too much to ask to know what is going on in my sons life twenty-four hours a day but what I won’t stand for is some lovely young woman making the effort to come over here to sort out some kind of misunderstanding, as she put it, only for you to do something so totally out of character that it left me almost lost for words. I take it there is something you’re not telling me.”

Alex frowned at his mother’s final comment. “I’m not sure I follow?”

Surprisingly Mrs Whitman’s serious face was replaced by a slight smile. “Alex this may all be new to you but you seem to have forgotten that I have been through all of this before…several times.” Her smile now became a broad grin. “There’s obviously something going on between you and Isabel and if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine but what you don’t do is turn rude and aggressive towards someone, no matter what is going on.”

Alex let out a heavy sigh as he stood in front of his mother with his hands on his hips. “There’s not really much to tell Mom.” He began. “I like Isabel, have done for some time, but it has finally gotten through to me that she doesn’t feel the same way about me.”

Katherine took a step towards her son and placed a comforting hand on his arm, giving it a gentle rub of reassurance. “Well she may not have the same feelings as you do but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have some feelings for you…that much was evident when she got upset with you earlier.”

“Mom I love you but you don’t understand.”

“Don’t understand?” Mrs Whitman repeated. “What don’t I understand? That my son is in a place right now where he wants more from his relationship with a certain young lady only to discover that she isn’t quite ready yet? I think I understand more than you know Alex. Remember…I was a young girl once and I’m a mother now. I’d like to think I know my son better than that. If I thought my son was the type of boy who would simply give up and walk away from a friend then you’re not the son I brought you up to be.”

“But Mom!”

“But what son?” Katherine echoed. “But she doesn’t want to be my girlfriend? Is that a prerequisite to you being friends…is it?” Alex dropped his gaze and shook his head. “Good. If this girl is your friend then you act like one too. If it’s not meant to be that you two are together then so be it but don’t just walk away, especially if you have a connection with her.”

Those words brought Alex’s gaze back up.

“You worked out a long time ago that Liz and Maria were never going to be girlfriend material because that wasn’t how you thought of them but it didn’t stop you from becoming best friends now did it?” Alex smiled slightly and shook his head at his mother’s question. “Then I suggest you leave it a couple of days and then you approach Isabel…You make the effort this time and you make sure that you have clear the air talks and get your friendship back on track.”

Alex simply stared at his Mom. She’d only met Isabel once, only said a couple of sentences to her and already she knew everything she needed to know about the two of them. The one thing she was definitely right about was that Alex wasn’t the type to simply give up on someone just because they didn’t want to date him. It may well end up killing him in the process but he would give being friends with Isabel his best shot.

Alex pulled his mother into a hug. “Thanks Mom, I appreciate it.” Alex released the petit woman and turned for the stairs. Now all he has to do was find out what Cindy wants.




“Cindy Webster!” Max repeated loudly. “Cindy Webster was at Alex’s house…actually looking for Alex.”

“I swear Max if you start laughing or even smiling I will blast you to kingdom come.” Isabel threatened. “This isn’t funny no matter how much you might think so.” Isabel slumped down onto her bed and lowered her eyes to watch as she picked at her red nail polish. “You don’t even know the half of it.” She almost whispered. “Mrs Whitman has never met me before and because Alex was so dumbstruck when I turned up on his doorstep his Mom had to introduce herself to me.”

“I don’t see the big deal in that.” Max shrugged.

Isabel let out a heavy sigh. “She thought I was Cindy.” Without even looking up she knew her brother was fit to burst. They were sitting in absolute silence but the humour of the situation simply hung in the air between them, waiting to be acknowledged. “Oh go ahead, you can laugh.”

At once Max let out a rush of sound as his lungs released the air that had built up. The sound of Max’s laughter could be heard all over the house as he was finally allowed to vent his pent up reaction. He was trying his best to minimize the damage his raucous laughter might have been doing to his crest fallen sister but she had been so solemn and serious about the minor incident that his natural urge was for an equal but opposite reaction to the trivial misunderstanding. “I’m sorry Isabel, I’m not trying to be mean it’s just of all the people for Alex’s Mom to mix you up with…Cindy Webster!”

“I know Max, thank you!” Isabel sent her brother a fiery look that calmed his happy mood. “I know why she’s gone over there and I was all set to tell Alex when he decided to start acting like a complete ass, which annoyed me no end…so I left.”

“You left her with him?” Max asked incredulously. “I thought you said she was using Alex? You just can’t leave it like that, you have to tell him.”

“I can’t!” Isabel stood up, kicking into ice princess mode. “If I say anything to him now she will think she has won, which she hasn’t and Alex will think I’m jealous, which I’m not.” Isabel glanced at her brother and recognised the look he gave her. “I’m not Max and I would appreciate it if you didn’t look at me as if to say otherwise. I told Alex how the two of us stand and if he wants to drown his sorrows by running to the blatantly false bosom of Cindy ‘Bury me in a Y shaped coffin’ Webster then best of luck to him.”

“In a Y shaped coffin?” Max repeated with a smile. “Good one Iz.”

“I thought so.” She nodded, matching her brother’s smile. “I was going to say the one about her having a mattress strapped to her back but that’s so old.” Isabel sat back down on the bed, pleased with herself for her cutting remarks about Cindy. When she looked at Max she could see his smile had gone…she knew what was coming next.

Max looked at his sister with resolute eyes. “You have to tell him.”




Alex pushed open the door to his bedroom and almost had a heart attack. Cindy hadn’t been backward in coming forward when it came to making herself at home. She had discarded her coat over the back of Alex’s computer chair and she was currently to be found recline on his bed like a scene from Cleopatra.

“Oh…Hi Alex,” Cindy greeted her host with her most alluring voice. “I hope you don’t mind I just felt a little tired so I thought I would stretch out while I waited for you.”

“That’s OK.” Alex stepped inside but left the door open for fear of leaving the two of them in a compromising position. “I’m sorry about the comings and goings downstairs, it’s been like a mad house here all evening.”

“That’s quite alright Alex.” She purred as she climbed off of his bed and took a step towards the terrified boy. “I came over as soon as I heard the news.”

Alex stood silently for a minute. “What news?”

Cindy took another step forward, closing the ever dwindling gap between them. “About you and Isabel splitting up.”

“Splitting up?” Alex echoed in confusion. “We were never together…where did you hear we broke up?”

“Just on the grapevine, you know…here and there.” Cindy was now almost touching Alex, at least a certain part of her anatomy was nearly touching him, and he had the heart palpitations to prove it. “I just wanted to know if there was anything…” She placed a hand on Alex’s heaving chest. “…I could do to help ease the pain?”

Alex was struggling to string words together into a coherent sentence. Cindy had obviously been misinformed but the fact remained that he had a beautiful, dare he say scantily clad young woman in his room and she appeared to be very concerned for his wellbeing. It would be rude to just turf her out he thought to himself.

“Alex I can feel your heart beating so fast are you all right Honey?” She enquired innocently as she took hold of one of Alex’s hands. What she did next almost caused Alex to faint. With his heart pounding in his chest he watched as Cindy slowly but deliberately placed his right hand just at the top of her left breast. “Can you feel it?” She asked in a low, throaty voice. “My heart…can you feel it pounding in rhythm with yours?”

Alex couldn’t speak. It was a major achievement that he had remained upright to enable him to simply nod in reply to her question.

“You see?” She smiled a sexy smile. “We’re having the same effect on one another.”

If the truth be told Alex couldn’t confirm that last statement. Despite being taught to be honest and never tell lies Alex was currently lying his ass off. He couldn’t tell if Cindy’s heart was beating in unison with his…he couldn’t have said if a troop of Mexican hat dancers were plying their trade just beneath the surface of Cindy’s revealing top…not at the moment. As good a guy as he always wanted to be and as shallow as his thoughts made him out to be all Alex could think about was the fact that at this very moment his right hand was on Cindy’s breast…‘Houston…we have lift off.’

Suddenly the smiling and chatting faces of Liz and Maria appeared in the doorway and things appeared to move into slow motion. They both fell silent as looks of disbelief appear on both girls’ perfect faces, Maria’s quickly changing to one of anger. Cindy didn’t appear too fussed and didn’t make any attempt to remove her hand from Alex’s chest or Alex’s hand from hers.

Finally Alex regained some feeling in his hands and some sense in his brain as he eventually found the will to pull his hand away and step back. Cindy had a look of triumph on her heavily made up features as she lifted her coat from the back of the chair and put it on. Liz and Maria stood silently as they watched one of Roswell high’s super-elite ready herself to leave.

“It was lovely seeing you Alex.” She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Remember what I said and I will see you tomorrow.” She stepped forward to leave but found Maria blocking her path.

“Maria.” Liz called softly before repeating “Maria!” but this time much louder. Finally Maria stepped to the side and Cindy glided out of the room, her job done.

Alex noticed the sinking feeling in the centre of his being as he readied himself for what was about to come. Liz stepped inside the room but it was Maria who came in and proceeded to march right up to his face to look at him point blank in the eye using a combination of pulling Alex down by his shirt and tottering up on her tip-toes to do so. “What…did you…do?” She yelled slowly, emphasising every word.


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 4


“Maria, I’d appreciate it if you’d put me down now.” Alex spoke slowly and calmly to his agitated friend who was still holding him in a vice like grip, pinned against the desk. “I think you’re overreacting just a little.”

“Overreacting?” Maria echoed as she released her hold on Alex and stepped back. “You’re supposed to be our best friend and one thing best friends never do is keep secrets from one another.” When she saw Alex raise an eyebrow in surprise at that statement it took her a moment but she knew what he was hinting at. “Unless of course it isn’t your secret to divulge.” She finished.

Alex tried to straighten his shirt from the crumpled mess Maria had turned it into. “I don’t have any secrets so I don’t know why you’re getting so upset. Look at Liz. She doesn’t appear to have a problem with what she saw.”

At this stage Maria went almost apoplectic. She was all waving arms and weird growling noises as she vented her frustration. Finally she managed to get hold of herself and calmed down enough to talk. “Liz you had better speak to him as I think I will have to do him some bodily harm if I stand near him any longer.”

Liz, who had been standing silently throughout all of what went on, decided she had better step in and act as peacemaker. “Maria, sit down on the bed before you do us and yourself a permanent injury. Alex, sit there…” Liz pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “…And kindly tell us what is going on. Coming in and finding you and Cindy Webster wrapped in each others arms is something of a surprise and might explain Maria’s shocked reaction.”

“It wasn’t what it looked like.” Alex began after sitting down.

“Oh so you weren’t coping a feel from Cindy then.” Maria said sarcastically. “I suppose you were just helping her with a breast exam.”

“Maria!” Liz exclaimed, causing her friend to lean back slightly in her sitting position. “We’re not going to get anywhere if you keep jumping down Alex’s throat every time he tries to speak. Even I’m beginning to get wary of your behaviour now just calm down!”

Once it became apparent that Maria had finally begun to relax Alex continued. “After seeing you guys at the Crash I went for a walk through the park and ended up sitting on a secluded bench for a while. It won’t surprise you to learn that I was mulling over my relationship with Isabel and I finally came to the conclusion that there wasn’t one…I don’t have a relationship with her.”

Alex could already see the saddened looks on his best friend’s faces. “I don’t want you guys to feel sorry for me or to feel sad, I’m actually quite happy about this realisation.” That comment caused both girls to frown in confusion so Alex continued. “You know how I feel about Isabel and that will never change…it’s something I have no control over but I’ve given it my best shot. Maybe I’m not the guy for her or maybe I am but now isn’t the right time, she clearly isn’t ready for a relationship whereas I am.”

Liz went to speak but Alex held up a hand to stop her and continued. “At this point I would normally make some comment about her being out of my league but knowing both of you the way I do I know you would only step in and tell me that I was talking crap so I’ll bypass that segment of my speech.” Both girls smiled. “As I said to you both earlier in the Crashdown old Alex is dead…this is a new me. No more self-doubt, no more mooning over Isabel Evans and most importantly of all…no more regrets.”

“Wow.” Liz let the word slip from her lips. “This is a side to you we’ve never seen before, a side we knew was in there…fighting to get out. I like it.” She beamed.

“I’ve just realised what I have. Great friends, a good life and I know for a fact that life does exist out there…outside of this tiny planet, which means anything is possible, even Alex Whitman turning the head of Cindy Webster.” Alex paused and looked at Maria. “I know why you acted the way you did when you saw me with Cindy. How could I not? You’re my best friend and I love you with everything I’ve got. If I walked in and found you wrapped in Jason Robinson’s arms how do you think I would react? I know the reputation he has with girls. It goes without saying that being on the football team and being good looking, or so the girls think, helps. I also know about the reputation that Cindy has. I’m really not as stupid as I some times appear to be. I know who and what she is but it doesn’t mean I should judge her.”

Maria just watched her friend silently, loving him even more as he slowly but steadily explained himself. “Unfortunately hormones sometimes get the better of even a wonderful guy like me. As uncomfortable an idea as it will be for you to understand sixteen-year-old boys sometimes forgo rational thinking in a vain attempt to get some.”

“Alex!” Liz exclaimed. “Ewwwww!” Maria cried as they showered him in pillows.

“I’m sorry.” Alex called while fending off the projectiles. “I’m only being honest. There’ll be time for me to act appropriately when I am in my thirties. Right now I am happy to just think about boobs.” Alex knew just the right things to say to rile up the girls from there sadden state. That was confirmed as he was swamped by a second volley of missiles.




The next morning Isabel readied herself for school and came downstairs for breakfast. As she entered the kitchen she was surprised to find Michael sitting at the table with Max eating cereal. “Hey guys. What brings you here so bright and early Michael?”

“I got bored last night and came over to see Max. I ended up crashing on his floor so I thought I would just get a lift into school with you guys.” Michael explained.

Isabel made some toast and juice and sat with the boys. The three sat in silence, which Isabel thought was odd, so the next comment she heard wasn’t a complete surprise.

“So,” Michael began. “Cindy Webster.”

Isabel dropped the piece of toast she was eating onto her plate and turned to give Max an icy stare.

“What?” Max protested. “It’s not like he wasn’t going to find out and I didn’t know it was a secret.”

“So are you going to kick her ass?” Michael asked without any preamble. “I mean she’s taken your man so the least you have to do is kicked her ass.”

“Firstly!” Isabel exclaimed a little too loudly so she lowered her voice. “He’s not my man. Secondly I have no reason to ‘kick her ass’ as you so delicately put it.”

“Michael why are you so keen to see Isabel fight?” Max queried.

“Are you kidding?” Michael asked in surprise. “Two words…chick fight.”

Isabel stared at Michael in disbelief. He was oblivious to her gaze as he was now off into the land of imagined chick fights. “Girl’s fight so differently to guys.” He mused while staring off into space. “There’s hair pulling, nail scratching and then there’s the name calling…”

“Michael!” Isabel yelled, pulling Michael out of his revelry. “What you are saying is wrong on so many levels I don’t know where to begin. The one thing I will say is the thought of you getting some sort of pleasure out of seeing me fight another girl will be the one overriding reason you will never see me fight another girl.” Isabel leaned in to Michael to emphasis her next point. “You do know girls don’t really have pillow fights in scantily clad outfits or wrestle in mud or jello unless it is staged for men and by men?”

Michael dropped his spoon into his bowl and leaned back in his chair. “Thanks Isabel, that’s one fantasy I’ll never get back.”

Isabel rose to her feet in triumph. “If I can make the world a safer place for women kind while thwarting the depraved fantasies of adolescent boys…my job here is done.” With that she headed for the car.

Michael looked at Max who was still sitting quietly. “And you can take that look of innocence off of your choirboy face Maxwell. You’re just as shallow and morally corrupt as I am. The only difference is when they look at you they think ‘Saint’ when they look at me they think ‘Sinner’.




As Max pulled the jeep into the school’s parking area he spotted Liz, Maria and Alex climbing out of Maria’s Jetta. Due to the current cooling off period that all of the aliens and humans appear to be in the middle of he looked for a space away from where Maria had parked but sadly there were none.

Reluctantly he pulled his car into a space three down from Maria’s and they climbed out.

“Hey.” Max called a gentle hello to their counterparts, not wishing to appear rude.

“Hi.” The friends succinctly called back as they crossed paths.

There was much averting of eyes as the uncomfortable moments appeared to stretch over into minutes until Alex came within range of Isabel. Suddenly the silence was broken.

“I’m sorry.” Alex spoke softly as Isabel passed by. His comments stopped the tall blond in her tracks and she finally lifted her gaze to meet his.

“No I’m sorry.” Isabel matched Alex’s soft tones. “I totally overreacted. It was none of my business.”

“No.” Alex shook his head. “I’ve handled this badly from start to finish. I was crowding you, which wasn’t my intention and you were right to ask for some space.”

“Even if that’s true I didn’t conduct myself very well either.” She smiled softly. “And that’s nothing to say of how I reacted last night. We all know why Cindy was over there so who am I am to blow up in your face?”

“Yeah.” Alex agreed but then stopped. “Wait a minute…What did you just say?” He asked sternly.

Isabel blinked in surprise at his change of demeanour. “What? I don’t understand!”

“What did you mean by ‘We all know why she was there’?” Alex asked indignantly.

As the group watched they could see Isabel slip effortlessly into ice princess mode. “You’re not telling me you honestly thought she was interested in you! It’s clear she was only there to have a dig at me. Alex she was in the Crashdown when she saw us ignore each other yesterday evening. She knew there was a problem in our friendship and she’s just trying to exploit it for her own gains. Isn’t it a bit of a coincidence that on the night she sees us have a falling out at the Crashdown she suddenly finds you very fascinating and comes over to see you?”

“Could you be anymore insulting?” Alex asked raising his voice. The two were beginning to create a scene but it looked like neither cared. “Is it too much to think that a beautiful and intelligent girl could find me attractive?”

“You forgot easy Alex.” Isabel was almost shouting now. “Don’t forget to mention easy when you list her special traits. You could also add bitch, elitist or even tease.”

Alex fell silent for a moment before closing the gap between them until they were merely inches apart. Lowering his voice Alex looked deep into Isabel’s eyes, looking for maximum impact with his next words. “I believe the saying is ‘People in glass houses’ Isabel. Before you use words like tease, elitist and especially bitch I suggest you take a long, hard look at yourself in the mirror first.”

The look of shock on the faces of the four closest onlookers was only matched by the look of hurt on Isabel’s face and the look of regret on Alex’s. Isabel spun round and ran off towards the school as her brothers and the girls looked on. As she turned towards the building both Liz and Maria thought they spotted tears running down her immaculate features. She sped away from her friends, embarrassed to be seen in such a vulnerable state.

Both girls looked sadly at Alex before turning and hurrying after Isabel. The girls leaving left Alex alone with Max and Michael. The onlookers who had witnessed the show slowly returned to their own business, the show was over.

Alex looked from one boy to the other. “Is it now when the two of you kick the crap out of me for talking to Isabel like that?” He asked mournfully.

Michael walked over and leaned in close to Alex. “Under normal circumstances as long as you never raise your hand to Isabel it would be none of my business. As these aren’t normal circumstances and Isabel owns powers that means she could blast you into oblivion I think that not only are you a very brave man but also that I was here more for your protection than hers.”

Alex turned to look at Max who had a sombre look on his face. Max nodded towards Michael. “What he said!”

“I’ll never understand women.” Alex said resolutely. “Every time I think I’ve worked them out something new comes along to knock me back to square one.”

Surprisingly Michael wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulder and turned them towards school. “Welcome to the club man. We meet Tuesdays and Fridays, casual dress optional.”


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 5


Liz and Maria hurried down the school hallway in pursuit of Isabel. She had entered the building a few moments ahead of the two girls and was now nowhere to be seen. Regardless of her unknown whereabouts the girls carried on in their search, confident of finding their distraught friend without too much difficulty. It was a reasonable assumption, given the state she was in, that she would be heading for one of the nearest female toilets for some privacy and a chance to recompose herself before class.

“Sarah have you seen Isabel Evans?” Maria asked the short brunette who she sat beside in History.

“Yeah, she’s in the girls cloak room by the gym.” Sarah looked mournful. “She’s in a terrible state.” That comment caused Liz and Maria to exchange worried looks. “And I didn’t even know she wore contacts.”

Both girls stopped and looked at Sarah in confusion. “What about contacts?” Maria asked, puzzled.

Sarah looked a little unsettled by the sudden intense interest the two girls were currently showing in her casual remark. “I just bumped into Isabel in the toilets and she had tears pouring down her cheeks. I asked her if she was alright and she said she was fine…just her contact lenses were playing up.”

“Oh right.” Liz started to nod. “That’s why we’re looking for her. They’ve been giving her trouble for days.” She covered.

“Thanks Sarah.” Maria said grabbing hold of Liz and dragging her in the direction of the gym. “We’ll just go and check on Isabel.”

Sarah watched with a slight frown on her face as the two girls headed towards the girls toilets. ‘How dumb do they thing I am?’ she thought to herself. Isabel Evans was crying, pure and simple, you didn’t have to be a detective to work that one out, but Sarah wasn’t the type to gossip about it. She asked if she was OK and Isabel said she was fine…what more could she do? Conscience clear Sarah headed off to meet her friends, leaving Liz and Maria to sort out the mess.


Liz pushed open the door to find Isabel standing in front of the mirror patting her face dry with a paper towel. Maria brushed past her and allowed the door to close. “Isabel, are you OK?” Liz mentally berated herself for asking such a stupid question. Firstly she blatantly wasn’t OK and secondly she would never own up to it even if she wasn’t.

“I’m fine thanks Liz.” She replied while turning her body slightly from the girls to give herself a degree of privacy while she straightened her make up.

“Isabel you have to know Alex didn’t mean any of those things he said.” Maria began. “We know him better than anyone and he has never spoken to anyone like that. He was upset and things very quickly got out of hand.”

“Maria’s right Isabel.” Liz joined in. “Alex isn’t the type of guy to normally say things like that and I can tell you one thing for certain, that he already regrets anything he did say.”

Isabel turned round to look at the two girls. “It’s no big deal really. Alex is entitled to his own opinion just as I am entitled to mine. When I told Max that I knew why Cindy was after Alex he convinced me I had to tell him what she was really interested in and I tried. If he is too stubborn or too stupid to think I have an ulterior motive then that’s down to him.”

As both girls watched their much taller friend it was apparent she was still using full ice princess speak. She was in complete and utter denial about what had just happened and they were going to have to walk a very fine line between trying to help the couple to sort out their problems and from going too far and offending Isabel. At least that was Liz’s thinking right up until Maria opened her mouth.

“Come on Isabel let’s cut the crap!”

Both Liz and Isabel went wide-eyed at that statement but Maria hadn’t finished.

“We all know what just went on out there and there is no use denying it. We all love Alex but when it comes to affairs of the heart he can be as dim as a 40watt light bulb. I’m no happier about Cindy Webster hovering round our Alex than you are but cutting the legs from under him in the way that you just did outside isn’t going to solve anything. You were only ever going to end up antagonising him, which is what you did.”

Isabel was already offended by Maria’s comment but when she went to speak it became apparent that Maria hadn’t finished and she just kept going regardless.

“Now let’s be clear. This is very much a two way street and you can rest assured I will be dealing with Alex when I see him but I only have one pair of hands so I can only sort you out one at a time.”

Liz was standing open mouth and speechless.

“There’s no point in trying the ‘My contacts are playing up’ routine on us…we know you don’t wear contacts.” Maria had lowered her voice while checking the stalls were empty before turning back to Isabel. “We know you’re perfect in everyway because of your whole alien thingy so bad eyesight isn’t going to cut it with us.”

Isabel placed her hands on her hips in frustration. At the first sign of Maria taking a breath she tried to cut in. “Have you finished?”

“Not yet.” Maria replied without skipping a beat. “I know by now you are probably upset with me for being so direct but that’s tough. I’m not known for my tact so why start now?” Maria smiled to herself, pleased with her little joke. “To be honest I’ve reached the stage where I couldn’t careless whether you end up with Alex or not. I know he has a thing for you but it is becoming clear you don’t feel the same way about him. There’s no point in flogging a dead horse so if it’s over…it’s over. Liz and I love Alex and we only want what’s best for him. What you two have, or apparently don’t have, clearly isn’t making Alex happy so we should end this charade once and for all and get back to our mundane lives. All of that said I won’t have Alex speak to you like that and I won’t have Cindy Webster using Alex if it is simply to get back at you.”

Isabel frowned. “You know why Cindy wants Alex?”

“I didn’t.” Maria replied. “Until your rather cutting remarks outside. Don’t forget Alex is a guy. The first things Alex is going to notice about Cindy are her chest measurements and how short her skirt is. It will be a fare way down the list, if at all, before you reach the point where he will start thinking Cindy just wants to get near him to annoy you. Even then he may not have the will power to fend her off. If a girl like Cindy walked up to almost any boy in school and outright told him she only wanted to make out with him to get back at someone else how many do you think would turn her down?”

“Stuart Rogers would.” Liz cut in.

“That’s only because he’s gay and has more sense than all the other boys put together.” Maria countered, matter-of-factly.

Maria let out a heavy sigh before stepping forward and taking hold of one of Isabel’s hands. “You know Cindy better than anyone after all the sparring you have been doing with her over the years. Are you sure she is only interested in Alex to get back at you?”

Isabel nodded silently.

“Then that’s good enough for me.” Maria squeezed Isabel’s hand. “Leave it with me. I’ll put Alex straight.”

“Don’t tangle with Cindy though Maria.” Isabel warned her friend. She could already she Maria stiffening up, slight put out by that comment. “It’s not that you can’t handle her but as you have already said, I’ve been sparring with her for years. If anyone is going to take care of her it will be me.” Isabel added to stem Maria’s indignation.

After a short pause Liz looked at Maria. “Can I speak now?” She asked curiously.

“What?” Maria questioned innocently. “I had something to say so I said it…I’m done now.”

“Thank God.” Isabel exclaimed as she started to laugh. It wasn’t long before Liz and Maria joined in and they must have looked an odd sight as two girls came in to fix their make-up.

Isabel collected her things and followed her two friends out into the corridor. They found a quiet spot and stood facing one another for a moment. Finally Liz spoke, breaking the silence. “You know he’s not like that Isabel. That he didn’t mean what he said. It was his pride that kicked in and caused him to say those hurtful things.”

“I know.” Isabel nodded, dropping her head slightly. “I even surprised myself with the way I reacted. I’ve been called much worse things before and never reacted in the slightest but this time it just all welled up in side of me and forced its way out, I can’t explain it.”

Liz and Maria exchanged a brief look before Liz continued in a hushed tone. “Maybe it wasn’t what was said that actually upset you but rather who said it?”

Isabel stood thinking about Liz’s words for a moment. “What? You think I got upset because it was Alex who said those things? Why would Alex’s words carry anymore weight than yours or even Max’s for that matter?

Liz looked at Maria and she could see her friend silently bouncing up and down in anticipation. “Oh all right.” Liz relented. “But make sure you get it right this time.” She ordered firmly.

Maria turned her full attention to Isabel and steadied herself before speaking. “Isabel…denial isn’t just a river in Africa.” With that Maria turned away in triumph as the bell sounded.

Isabel turned to Liz, blinking in confusion.

“It’s a long story…I’ll tell you at lunch.”




As Liz, Maria and Isabel stepped out into the quad they found Max and Michael just a few steps in front of them. “Hey guys.” Isabel called. “Are we sitting together for lunch?”

Max and Michael turned to find their erstwhile girlfriends standing directly in front of them. Isabel had bonded with both girls after their get together in the girls cloak room that morning so cooling off period or not she wanted to eat lunch with the girls, even if it did make the boys feel uncomfortable.

“Actually Iz, Michael and I have arranged to eat lunch with Alex. It’s a long story but it seems that Michael and Alex have formed some kind of support group.” Max shrugged when he saw his sister’s confusion at his comments.

“Typical.” Maria called, loud enough for Michael to hear. He just looked at the petit blond for a moment before turning and heading off into the distance mumbling to himself about justifiable homicide. As the friends watched Michael traipse away they followed his eye line and saw Alex sitting alone at a picnic table on the far side of the quad. Max looked back at the girls and sent an embarrassed look towards Liz and an apologetic look towards his sister before turning to join the boys at the far table.

“Who needs them?” Maria broke the silence with her rallying call. The three friends turned and found a free table just off to the side. It was far enough away from the guys to give them space and close enough to monitor what was going on.


Max slid his tray onto the table and dropped down into his chair to join the two boys who were already elbow deep into their lunches. “I take it we won’t be saying ‘Grace’ before meals this lunchtime?” Max asked sarcastically as he watched both boys devour their food.

“Don’t talk...” Michael managed to choke out while stuffing his face with a burger and fries from the cafeteria. “…eat!”

Max shook his head in disbelief. “Michael it’s not a race. Plus you’re a physical monster so it’s not like someone is going to walk up and simply take it from you.”

“Maxwell,” Michael began while wiping the ketchup from his chin with a napkin Alex had handed to him. “If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it is to eat food when you’ve got it, you never know what’s around the corner so you never know when you will be eating next.”

Max turned to Alex. “What’s your excuse?”

Alex had to wait a moment to reply as he had a mouthful of pizza. “I’m a pig.” He replied nonchalantly.

“Good heavens.” Max muttered to himself as he unwrapped his sandwich. “You two have more in common than I thought.”


After a few moments silence in which Alex finished his lunch and Max politely and quietly ate his food Michael decided it was time to glean some information from Alex. “So…you and Cindy Webster?” He began as with Isabel, without any preamble.

“What about ‘Me and Cindy Webster’? In fact there isn’t a ‘Me and Cindy Webster’.” Alex said resolutely. “She came to my house…once. It’s no big deal.”

“Really?” Michael leaned back in his chair and interlocked his fingers behind his head. “Isabel seems to think there’s a you and Cindy Webster and she doesn’t usually make mistakes.”

Both Max and Michael noticed Alex’s head visibly drop at the mention of Isabel’s name, the after affects of his cutting speech earlier were becoming apparent.

“You’re going to have to talk to her.” Max stated softly.

“I know.” Alex nodded in agreement. “But I think I had better give her a little time and space to calm down first. The last time I tried to apologise it ended up in that fight you witnessed and I ended up…” Alex paused for a moment. “…and I ended up saying those things…things I didn’t even mean. I don’t know where the hell they came from.”

“Alex, Isabel isn’t stupid.” Max glanced up to see the three girls trying to look inconspicuous as they watched the boys every move. He returned his focus back to Alex. “Things get said in the heat of the moment that people understand are not true. People get defensive and say the first things that come into their head, whether it is right or wrong.”

Suddenly Max realised Alex was no longer paying him his full attention but was looking past him and into the distance. Turning in his chair he could see the one thing he really didn’t want to see at this precise moment…Cindy Webster! Worse than that it was Cindy and her cohorts and they seemed to be making a beeline straight for Alex.

Max turned in his chair the other way but it was too late. Isabel and the girls had already picked up on the impending assault and the boys table now had their full attention.

“Hey Alex.” Cindy greeted the dazzled boy. “I’ve been looking for you but I couldn’t find you.”

“There’s a shocker.” Michael let slip, a little too loudly.

Cindy ignored Michael’s comment and ran a hand across Alex’s shoulders as she leaned beside him. “I was wondering if you would like to get together later. Maybe get a bite to eat.”

Alex fidgeted nervously in his seat. “Well I’m not really sure Cindy. I mean we don’t normally hang around together, why the sudden interest?”

Cindy put on her best pout and leaned down to Alex’s eye level, giving all three boys a glimpse of nirvana. “Has someone being saying something sweetie because if they have they are only jealous. Can I help it if some people can’t see what a great guy you are? If they’re regretting letting you slip through their fingers then they only have themselves to blame.”

“Just dinner, right?” Alex finally managed to stammer out after pulling his eyes away from her ample cleavage.

“Of course.” Cindy leaned in and gave Alex a soft kiss on the cheek. “If it makes you feel any better we can talk about our home work assignment.” And with that she was gone.

“Michael, close your mouth.” Max instructed blinking his way out of a Cindy induced stupor.

“Man did you see those?” Michael asked without shame. “I mean it was like a car wreck. I tried not to look out of respect for Isabel’s on going feud with her but I just couldn’t help myself. I was drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Once I saw them I just couldn’t look away.”

“Michael, snap out of it.” Max yelled. “It’s very demeaning to reduce a girl to a ‘Nice rack’ or ‘Tight buns’. Have a little respect.”

“Hey, get off your high horse Mr prim and proper.” Michael snapped back. “She couldn’t have shown them to the three of us more if she had put them on a platter.”

“That’s it!” Max threw a hand up in the air to emphasis the point. “I won’t be getting that image out of my head for a week.”

Michael turned to Alex. “Do you have a thing with Isabel?”

“With Isabel?” Alex repeated. “No. She’s made that part very clear.”

“In that case I say go for it!” Michael proffered. “If she’s up for it and you aren’t hurting anyone then I say let’s get this party started.”

Max simply shook his head. “You give us men a bad name.”

“If the cap fits...” Michael countered.

Max continued to shake his head as he turned to look at the girls table. He was unsurprised when he discovered it was empty.


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Hi, I just wanted to say I'm receiving a lot of favourable comments about this Fiction, I'm actually trying something slightly different with my writing, and it seems to be driving me on as I can't seem to stop writing at the moment. I know I am not famed for long chapters and this is no different but I think you'll understand why I stop it where I do. ( Insert Evil laughter here. lol )

Thanks for the feedback, its much appreciated. I hope you won't hate me too much once you've read this part .

David / StargazerUK

Chapter 6


Alex pushed open the door to the Crashdown and stepped inside. He checked his watch and realised he had arrived with quite a few minutes to spare before he was due to meet Cindy. She’d made a point of dropping a note in his locker to suggest meeting at the Crashdown at 6pm earlier that afternoon.

His suspicions surrounding Cindy’s sudden interest in him had already been aroused by Isabel’s outburst earlier in the day. As hurtful and uncalled for as Isabel’s comments were the fact remained that in the cold light of day they had a certain basis in fact. Fact one: It was well-known around school that Isabel and Cindy had been arch rivals in all the time they had known one another. It was a huge coincidence, as Isabel put it that on the day that she and Alex had a public falling out Cindy turns up on Alex’s doorstep. Fact Two: Without selling himself short Alex had long since understood that he wasn’t the ‘Underwear model’ type. Girl’s didn’t approach him for dates nor did they flirt with him so when one of the most gorgeous and popular girl’s in school starts taking a shine to him for no apparent reason it wasn’t out of place to feel a little guarded. Finally fact three: Cindy’s first thought when Alex queried her sudden interest in him was of Isabel. She seemed to have already given the situation a great deal of thought and was ready with an appropriate comment. That coupled with Cindy’s suggestion of meeting in the Crashdown, a well known haunt of Isabel Evans, was leading Alex to believe things might not be as above board as they first appeared.

Shaking his head to knock himself out of his stupor Alex focused on the job at hand. He glanced along the diner and spotted Maria busying herself behind the counter at the far end near the kitchen hatch so he walked up and deposited himself on a stool in front of his friend. Initially Maria didn’t seem to notice her best friend as she carried on doing what she was doing, apparently oblivious to the new arrival.

“Oh I get it.” Alex nodded. “You’re not happy with me for what I said to Isabel earlier. Well you know what? You’re absolutely right. Before you even say anything to me I can tell you I am ashamed of how I behaved and as soon as I have allowed enough time for Isabel to stop hating me I promise I will apologise…and I mean a proper apology, not like the balls up I made of it earlier today.”

As Alex finished his explanation to Maria he realised that his friend was still not registering his existence. “Look I said I was sorry and it wasn’t even you I said those dumb things to.” Alex was getting slightly annoyed at the silent treatment his friend was giving him. “I tried to look for you guys after lunch but I couldn’t find you anywhere. I ran out to your car after final bell and somehow you beat me to it and had already gone. Thanks for leaving me stranded at school by the way.” Alex added the barbed comment at the end.

“She won’t talk to you.” A voice called from the side. Alex looked over to see Liz approaching his position as she stepped through the swing doors at the back of the Crashdown. “Actually I should say ‘She can’t talk to you’.” She added.

Alex frowned. “Can’t talk to me? Why ever not?”

“Because I told her she couldn’t.” That caused Alex to frown even more. “If she speaks to you now she will only end up doing what you did this morning, saying things you didn’t mean and hurting someone you love.”

Alex dropped his head slightly. “Oh I get it.” He nodded slowly. “You’re teaching me a lesson. Well that’s all well and good but trust me when I tell you I don’t need it thanks Liz. I regretted those words the moment they left my lips. I don’t know where they came from but I certainly didn’t mean them. I was just saying to my silent friend here that I have every intention of apologising to Isabel at the first appropriate opportunity.”

“Good,” Liz smiled slightly. “I’m glad to hear it. Maybe you are the guy I thought you were after all.”

“Look Liz I’ve said I’m sorry. Don’t you think the pair of you are overreacting slightly?” Alex questioned firmly. “It was slip, a genuine mistake.”

“We know Alex.” Liz took a step towards her friend. “But we know you better than anyone and that person who took the time to step closer to Isabel and look her right in the eye before saying the most hurtful things imaginable wasn’t you and I wanted to make damn sure we don’t get to see him again.”

“She hurt me Liz.” Alex spoke softly, his words causing Maria to stop her pretence and finally acknowledge the presence of her friend with a caring look. “She hurt me and then while I was trying for some semblance of dignity she simply dismissed me by throwing the fact that some one like Cindy Webster could never be interested in a boy like me. She hurt me and I wanted to hurt her back.”

“Well I’m sorry to report you succeeded in your endeavours.” Liz replied regretfully. “She was in tears when she left you this morning.” Alex’s head shot up and he held Liz’s gaze as she continued. “That’s right Alex the famous ‘Ice Princess’ was brought to tears all because you said she was a bitch.”

Liz stepped forward and covered Alex’s hand in her own. “The thing you seem to have forgotten is that, whatever else you two are to each other, you’re friends. You have to remember that it’s very difficult for all three of them because of how guarded they have always had to be. I can only imagine how much more difficult it is for Isabel because she has never really had a close friendship like we have always had. Even Max and Michael had each other whereas Isabel has had no one. I know you’re a guy and it might not seem the same but Maria and I can testify that when it comes to our best friend the fact that you are a guy doesn’t come in to it. I think that stands for Isabel. The only guys who have ever shown any real interest in her have wanted nothing more than to get in her pants…that was until you came along. That’s why your words hurt so much Alex, because you mean so much to her. They don’t have many real friends so when one of Isabel’s best friend’s tells her she’s a tease and a bitch it hits home pretty hard.”

Alex lowered his head until it was resting on the cool counter top. “I’m such an idiot.” He mumbled to himself. “I can’t believe I called someone I profess to care about a bitch and reduced her to tears.” Alex raised his head, looking directly at Maria. “If you love me please put me out of my misery. Stop this silent treatment and let me have a full burst of the Deluca wisdom, both barrels…I deserve it.”

Maria dropped her cloth on the counter and stepped towards Alex, cupping one of his cheeks with her hand. “Sweetie if I thought I could make you feel worse than you currently do I would let you have it, no holding back. That being said I think the look on your face tells me Liz’s words have gotten through to you. You know now how much you hurt Isabel. You know how much I love you so you must know I’m not the type of friend to just sit back and let things happen to you so I have spoken to Isabel and she has said how much she regrets what she said this morning, how she didn’t think things through or how her words would affect you…sound familiar?”

Alex simply nodded mournfully.

“If you want to go out with Cindy Webster then who are we to stop you? The only thing is I must warn you Alex. If she is using you or hurts you in anyway I won’t be responsible for my actions. That went for Isabel, it goes for Cindy and it will go for any girl you date in the future. Only Liz and I get to treat you poorly…you remember our pact?”

“Yes.” Alex confirmed with a slight smile. “You get to use me as your indentured slave and in return you tell me all I need to know to be successful with women.” Alex reeled off an obviously practiced speech. “It might be a good time to remind you I was only twelve when we made that pact and I’m not sure it has been very beneficial from my point of view.”

“Are you kidding?” Maria questioned sternly. “Up until recently you have been seen hanging out with ‘The’ most beautiful and sort after girl in school!”

Alex leaned in to the two girls and lowered his voice. “I only got to hang out with Isabel because Liz got shot and Max saved her.”

Maria glanced to Liz for a second before looking Alex right in the eye with a straight face and with equally hushed tones said. “You see…there are no lengths we won’t go to to ensure your happiness, even if it means risking our lives.”

Liz had to quickly spin away from her friend’s conversation, worried she would burst out laughing at Maria’s barefaced lie. When she looked back she saw Alex had slid off of his seat, moved back down the diner and settled himself into a booth to wait for Cindy. As she turned to head into the back room she was joined by Maria. “I just don’t know how you sleep at night.” Liz looked at her friend as they stepped into the back. “Have you no shame, using the fact that I got shot to guilt Alex into doing as we tell him?”

Maria shrugged. “I’m looking to toughen him up. It’s a dog eat dog world out there and if we don’t teach him he’ll be crushed under foot by all the other bitches out there, not everyone is as nice as you Liz.”

Both girls came to a stop in front of Isabel who had apparently been waiting in the back. “Did you hear all of that?” Liz questioned.

Isabel nodded mournfully. “Most of it.”

“I think Alex has realised how big a mistake he made this morning but in fairness I think you’ll agree he hasn’t come out of this without some emotional baggage of his own.” Liz stated. “However difficult it might be to achieve I think once this fiasco is over the two of you need to sit down and have a good, long look at yourselves and what you want and expect from one another. This tip-toeing around each another with the whole ‘Will they – Won’t they’ thing going on is getting you both nowhere and is only causing you both a great deal of pain and anguish in the process.”

“You’re right.” Isabel agreed with her petit friend. “And I will. As soon as we have put all this behind us I promise we will sit down and sort things out once and for all. Even if I have to get Maria to sit on Alex’s chest while I talk to him.”

All three girls laughed at that mental picture.

“Are you still up for messing with her head for using Alex?” Maria cut in. “We can stop this if you are having second thoughts or if you want to do something else. We can always come up with another plan some other time if you’d prefer.”

“I haven’t changed my mind. I definitely want to do this. She is only using Alex to get to me, of that I am certain and I want to teach her that it is one thing to mess with me but if she messes with my friends she is making the biggest mistake of her life.” Isabel agreed firmly. “I want to stop this before it has a chance to get started. We can’t risk Alex getting hurt so I say we do it now and we do it with all guns blazing.”

“Then let’s put the second half of our plan into action.” Liz instructed. “You know what to do when we give you the signal?”

“Pretty much.” Isabel smiled nervously.

Liz and Maria exchanged mischievous looks before looking back at their friend. “They’re both going to go mental for totally different reasons when they see you like this.” Maria could hardly contain her glee.

“How does it feel?” Liz questioned.

“It’s a little tight.” Isabel confessed.

“I could make a fortune in tips if I had going on what you have going on.” Maria sighed. “I wish I looked that good in a Crashdown uniform.”


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 7


Max pulled the jeep up outside the diner and switched off the engine.

“Here?” Michael exclaimed. “You want to eat here?”

Max frowned. “And what’s wrong with eating here? You like the food at the Crashdown. You eat here all the time.”

“Only because I am normally keeping you company while you play out your ‘Dawson’ to Liz’s ‘Joey’. I thought the word of the day was ‘Timeout’? I thought we were all taking a step back…to allow things to cool off before things went too far. Or should I say you went too far.” Michael said pointedly. “You choosing to eat at the Crashdown is like an alcoholic deciding to visit a German beer festival!” Michael turned in his seat to look at Max. “Do I need to do an intervention?”

“Michael,” Max couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s overreaction to the situation. “I was suggesting a step back from full on dating, from no longer dragging the likes of Liz and Maria into our problems where someone might end up getting hurt.” Seeing the incredulous look on Michael’s face after his comment Max added. “Hurt again I mean.”

“Anyway, where else do you suggest we eat?” Max asked as he climbed out of his car. “I’m not letting you take me to Senior Chow’s unless I get roses and chocolates first.” Max turned to his friend while laughing. “It’s the least I’d expect.”

Michael was mumbling ferociously to himself as the pair crossed the road. “I wouldn’t care if you were rolled around in rose petals before being dipped in chocolate I’m not going to Senior Chow’s with you.” Michael shivered as a cold feeling ran down his spine at the very thought. “I think I’d rather take Deluca there before I end up in a candlelit restaurant with you.”

Max looked at Michael as he held open the Crashdown door for his friend. “Yeah that would be a tough night for you, dinner with Maria.” Max said sarcastically as they both stepped inside. “You could then take her home and watch a game of Hockey while listening to Mettalica if you were really looking to torture yourself.”

“Take who home? Has Michael got a date?”

Both boys spun round to find the petit figure of Maria standing before them.

“It was nothing.” Michael said gruffly. “Max was just messing about, I don’t have a date.” He added a little too quickly to pass as nonchalance.

Maria placed her hands on her hips and slowly looked Michael up and down. “Now there’s a surprise.”

“Hey!” Michael called after the blond waitress as she turned and led them to a small table across from the line of booths.

Maria had ignored Michael’s call and ushered the boys to a table and laid out some napkins and cutlery. “I’ll be back in a minute to take your order, try to keep a low profile and keep the noise down.” Maria turned to leave.

“Maria...wait!” Max called a little too loudly. When Maria turned back she sent him a seriously pissed off look after having just asked the boys to keep their voices down. “I’m sorry.” He began in a hushed voice. “It’s just I don’t understand what is going on. Since when did you see people to their seats rather than let them find their own? Also why are we over here on this little table? You know we normally sit over there in one of the booths.”

“You don’t know?” Maria frowned. “Alex or Isabel haven’t told you?”

“Told us what?” Max pleaded, his confusion knowing no bounds. “We only came in here to get something to eat.”

Maria sighed heavily as she stepped forward and leaned into the two boys. “I thought either Alex had told you about his date with Cindy at 6pm in here or that Isabel had told you of our plan to get even with Cindy for messing about with Alex. I brought you over here as I thought you wanted a good view of the show.”

“Show? What show?” Michael asked, equally confused.

Maria leaned aside slightly and covertly pointed with one hand over her shoulder in the direction of the line of booths. It was then that Max and Michael caught sight of a clearly nervous looking Alex as he sat alone, apparently waiting for Cindy. He was across from the two boys but slightly ahead so as of yet he hadn’t realised he was being watched.

Maria leaned back, blocking the boys view again. “That’s why I thought you were here and that was why I sat you on this table. If you want I could…”

“Oh no.” Michael cut in. “If there’s going to be a show I’m staying right here where I can see.”

Maria looked at Michael for a long moment before turning to Max. “He does know I don’t mean showgirls and a cabaret?”

“I think so.” Max said smiling in reply to Maria’s question. “If he doesn’t I’ll be sure to tell him.”

“Warn him if he starts getting dollar bills out he’s in the wrong place and I will slap him…hard!” Maria cautioned as she took out her pad. “Now that you have kept me here I might as well take your order.”

“Cherry coke, Cheeseburger and fries please.” Both Max and Maria looked at Michael but it appeared that he was oblivious to anything else that was going on as he only had eyes for Alex’s booth. “He’ll have the same.” Max finally added.

As Maria trooped off towards the kitchen she heard the bell over the door sound and she turned round to see Cindy walking in. She quickly turned back and saw Liz, who had been busy behind the counter during all this time, looking at the same thing. After a moment Liz looked to make eye contact with Maria as she passed by to hand in the boys order. Without a spoken word she nodded slightly to her friend…’Let the games begin’.


As Alex sat nervously in the booth he suddenly felt a delicate touch on his shoulder that nearly made him jump out of his skin. He quickly glanced up and was met by the smiling face of Cindy Webster. “Oh hey Cindy, glad you could make it.” Alex greeted his date while standing up out of the booth.

“My aren’t you just the perfect gentleman, standing up to greet me.” Cindy replied. “I knew there was something special about you, it’s why I decided to ask you out on a date. I can see why Isabel was so interested in you.”

Alex watched Cindy for a moment as she peeled herself out of her long coat to reveal a very low cut plain black dress. Despite the unveiling of a body that sent most young men’s temperatures rising Alex had hardly registered the show that was specifically designed to catch his attention. He was too busy thinking about what Isabel said, ‘Too much of a coincidence’ & ‘She only wants to get at me’.

“Alex honey, are you alright?” Cindy could see Alex was distracted. “You look a million miles away.”

“I’m sorry.” Alex snapped back to the situation at hand. “May I say you look lovely this evening? That dress is very becoming.”

“You certainly may.” Cindy threw her coat into the corner of the booth and slid in to sit down. “I think you can tell a lot about a person from how they present themselves…you know by what they wear.”

Alex looked down at the plaid shirt and baggy jeans he was wearing and sighed before looking back at Cindy. “I don’t think I’m the kind of guy you normal go to dinner with. Aren’t you normally into designer labels and big muscles?”

“Well I wouldn’t say that.” Cindy became a little uneasy for a moment. “I mean nice clothes and muscles are fine but there are other qualities I like.”

“Really?” Alex arched an eye-brow. “Such as…maybe a nice car?”

“Well yes.” Cindy stammered as she became more and more flustered by Alex’s line of questioning. “I feel I’m being interrogated here, am I on trial or something?” She asked sternly.

“I’m sorry.” Alex shook his head. “Where are my manners? I was only trying to find out a little bit more about you and of course you are right…I’ve turned this into an interview. Please forgive me.” Alex gave Cindy his most puppy dog look.

“OK,” Cindy began to noticeably relax in her seat. “I can understand being nervous when you are trying to get to know someone a little better. Maybe if we could get some service around here we could get this meal started.” She commented as she looked around for a waitress.

As Alex looked about he saw Liz and Maria looking at him from behind the counter. He threw up a hand to beckon one of the girls over and as he watched he saw the girls exchange a few words before Maria made her way over.

“Hey guys,” Maria greeted the couple as she arrived at the table. “I’m sorry we’re a little swamped here this evening so we’ll take your order just as soon as we can.”

“But can’t you just…” Alex was cut off.

“Alex, be a dear. We have a new girl starting this evening and we don’t have enough staff to monitor her every move so do you mind if I let her look after you?” Before Alex had a chance to react Maria continued. “Good. That means I have one less table to worry about and she will be less nervous because she knows you.”

For the third time in a matter of a few short seconds Alex tried to speak but hurricane Deluca had already said her piece and had spun round and headed off.

“Just my luck.” Cindy moaned. “We end up coming to a dump like this and not only is the service atrocious but we wind up baby sitting some wet behind the ears trainee.”

“Dump like this?” Alex echoed. “It was your choice to come here! Why did you suggest coming here if you don’t like it?” Alex was annoyed. “Also this happens to be an excellent diner and aside from that it happens to be owned by my best friend’s family so I have a lot of connections to this place.”

Cindy realised she had said the wrong thing and started some very fast backtracking. “Did I say dump? I didn’t mean dump I just meant it was our misfortune to come here when it is so busy. I mean of course this place must be really good as it’s so popular.”

Alex watched as Cindy fought tooth and nail to dig her way out of the hole she currently found herself in. It really wasn’t in Alex’s nature to be mean or to think ill of anyone but he had now spent just over five minutes in Cindy’s company and he was beginning to think it was ten minutes too long. He’d only accepted Cindy’s offer because he felt flattered, who wouldn’t? However the fact of the matter was Isabel was right…Cindy clearly didn’t belong with a guy like him and it was now painstakingly obvious why she had asked him out and why they were dining at the Crashdown. What he wouldn’t give for the opportunity to go back and do this all again, without fighting with Isabel.

As Cindy continued to babble away Alex wasn’t paying her much attention. He was already formulating how he was going to sort things out with Isabel. He had to say sorry, that much was clear but he also had to set things straight. Whether it was as boyfriend and girlfriend or just as plain friends he didn’t want to argue with Isabel anymore. He had finally realised that as well as being ‘In’ love with Isabel, which was all part of this whole infatuation thing that he had no control over, he actually ‘Loved’ Isabel. He missed her company. He missed talking to her about things he knew she talked to no one else about and finally the one thing he knew he wouldn’t miss was knowing that he had hurt her. No girl deserved to be mistreated or hurt, especially not Isabel. She had already been through so much that her life should now be uncomplicated and full of love and friendship.

Alex sat smiling to himself. In the last few minutes while Cindy had been waffling on about this and that he had finally made peace with his feelings for Isabel. He would do all that he could to make her life happy, no matter what role he was destined to play. The least he knew was that they were friends and he wanted it to stay that way.

“God I wish Isabel was here.” Alex let slip under his breath, forgetting himself for a moment.

“Sorry Alex did you say something?” Cindy cut in on his thoughts. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

“It’s nothing.” Alex replied, barely lifting his gaze. It was just a little wishful thinking on my part.

“Good evening.” An alluring voice interjected. “Can I take your order?”

Alex didn’t even look up as he finally turned his mind to the menu that lay out before him on the table. He knew his usual order off by heart but he didn’t want to use his normal choices now, this was anything but a normal dinner. However when he heard a sudden in take of breath from Cindy and what almost sounded like a squeak from his companion he looked up to see what was the matter.

As Alex lifted his eyes he noticed a Crashdown waitress’s uniform to the side at the end of the booth but something appeared off about it the moment he spotted it. His initial thought was it was a little short on the waitress as it seemed to begin a little higher up the leg than how most of the young waitresses wore it.

He continued lifting his head and he saw what was unmistakeable an ample bosom but more than that it was how the fabric was clearly straining under what now appeared to be a uniform that was at least one size too small for the wearer. That was if the shortness of the hemline and the pressure under which the fasteners at the front appeared to be suffering was anything to go by.

Alex could already feel his skin flushing at what he had already seen and that was before he had reached the waitresses face. He was mortified to find he had the same reaction to Cindy, which included the squeak, when his gaze finally fell upon the flawless features that owned the stunning body…Isabel Evans!

It appeared as though time stopped and everything else simply fell away. Alex couldn’t tell exactly how long he held Isabel’s gaze, it could have been ten seconds it could have been ten minutes but the fact remained that he and Isabel were looking at one another without any thought for their surroundings or onlookers, as though they were the old two people in the room.

“I said I’m ready to order now!” Was being shouted at Isabel, pulling both she and Alex out of their trance.

“I’m sorry.” Isabel was flustered for a moment but then settled back into character. “What can I get you?”

“I suppose another waitress would be out of the question?” When Isabel didn’t react Cindy continued. “I’ll have a mixed salad, French bread and I diet coke.”

Isabel hardly gave it any thought as she mindlessly wrote down the order before turning to Alex. “And what would you like sir?”

Alex fought the smile that wanted to spread across his face with every fibre of his being. He didn’t want to make known the connection he currently felt with Isabel as it coursed through his veins so he fought to remain detached and casual.

“I was thinking about trying something new this evening.” Alex began. “I feel like something that’s both sweet and spicy. Can you recommend something?”

Isabel started to ape Alex’s actions from a moment before. She didn’t want to smile in front of Cindy as she might give away the hidden message that Alex had just sent her way. The one thing she did decide was it was she who should be sat with Alex having dinner in the Crashdown, not any other girl and certainly not Cindy.

“It all depends on what sir is looking for. If sir wants something brash and showy he might like to try the shrimp.” Isabel leaned in slightly to Alex. “If I’m honest I find the shrimp a little lacking in true character and depth. It’s fine if you want a quick hit to satisfy your hunger but it won’t do if you are looking for something a little more refined, a little more substantial…something which gives long term satisfaction.”

“How about you suggest something he should have rather than things he shouldn’t?” Cindy cut in, feeling a little put out by Isabel’s actions towards Alex.

“Might I suggest the seafood salad? With the sweet tomatos and a dash of Tabasco you’ll find it both sweet and spicy.” Isabel looked deep into Alex’s eyes. “Plus if you’re willing to show a little patience and take the necessary added time you can open up the clams with their hard, unforgiving outer shell and reveal the hidden interior which will be a joyous pleasure…something you won’t regret I can assure you.”

Alex swallowed hard. “I’ll take the seafood salad.” He finally managed to speak and when he did it came out several octaves too high.

“I’ll be right back with your orders.” Isabel turned to walk away.

“Wait a minute.” Cindy commanded. Isabel turned to look at the bitter girl. “I know you’re new at this and I’m sure you need the money but if you are going to do it you need to do it properly.”

Isabel frowned. “I don’t understand? I took your order…what more do you want?”

Cindy looked extremely put out. “You didn’t take Alex’s drink order.” She said finally.

Isabel smiled a triumphant smile at Cindy. “I already know his drink order ‘Orange soda on the rocks’.” Isabel took a step back towards the table and leaned in to Cindy. “Don’t forget…I know Alex, you don’t.” With that she was gone.


Isabel gave in the food order to the kitchen and pushed her way into the back room to catch her breath in private. No sooner had the swing doors closed behind her than they flew open again and Isabel was met by the eager faces of both Liz and Maria.

“Well?” Maria asked insistently.

“Well…I think its going okay.” Isabel replied.

“Okay?...Okay how?” Maria pushed.

“I don’t know really.” Isabel shrugged. “After giving Alex the surprise of his life when I showed up at his table in this uniform we just seemed to click.” Seeing Maria was about to press again Isabel tried to explain. “When we first looked at one another we just clicked, there’s no other way to describe it. Then there was this whole hidden meaning thing going on when Alex and I were talking and of course Cindy was oblivious to it all. The one thing I am certain of is Alex finally knows what Cindy is about. I could just tell by the look on his face, in how he was acting. He’s just seeing out the date to be polite but I know he feels he is in the wrong place with the wrong person.”

“That’s great.” Liz leaned forward and gave Isabel a hug. “Now we know Alex is onto Cindy our job here is done.”

“What? You’re kidding?” Maria exclaimed. “We can’t let her get off that easy. She was going to use Alex.”

“Yes she was.” Liz agreed. “And now she’s not. What more do you suggest Maria? Getting Isabel to risk being caught by using her powers in front of a diner full of people just to make Cindy look bad?” Liz lowered her voice for the last part.

“Well…” Isabel interjected softly. “I could do something without letting on how I did it. You know…just to teach her a lesson and to keep her away from Alex.”

Maria started bouncing on the spot in silence, praying for Liz’s approval.

“As long as you don’t risk getting caught.” Liz relented. “She does deserve to be brought down to earth with a bump after how she treats most of the people in school, especially the girls.”

“Leave it to me.” Isabel smiled as she pushed her way out into the diner once again.

She quickly grabbed the food order and brought it over to the booth before returning for the drinks. When she arrived at the table the second time she placed a tray full of drinks on the top and handed out the diet coke and Orange soda. She also placed two glasses of what appeared to be water on the table. She made a point of placing Cindy’s glass in front of her diet coke glass. Finally, as she withdrew her hand from across the table after depositing the glass she sent a burst of unseen power to Cindy’s plate of salad and slowly prepared to leave.

As she watched Cindy speared a piece of tomato, put it in her mouth and bit down on the food. Almost immediately a look of horror appeared in Cindy’s face and she suddenly started to gasp for air. Alex looked on in confusion as Cindy’s antics began to draw attention from fellow diners. Needless to say that Max and Michael as well as Liz and Maria had been watching the events as they had unfolded but now there was a wider audience.

“Water! Water!” Cindy managed to splutter as she made a grab for her glass. She leaned back and took a hefty swig and almost swallowed without registering the glasses contents. Once again, in an instant, Cindy began to gasp even more, if that were humanly possible.

Isabel grabbed the glass from Cindy’s hand and gently but purposefully placed the vessel back on the table. Unseen by the rest of the diner Max and Michael exchanged glances. Both had seen Isabel’s surreptitious wave over the top of the glass when she had replaced it on the table. They then watched as Isabel did the same when she moved Cindy’s plate back from the edge of the table.

“What appears to be the problem here?” Jeff Parker enquired as he approached the table, concerned about the uproar.

“Her!” Cindy pointed an accusing finger. “She’s trying to poison me!”

“Poison you?” Jeff repeated. “Are you saying there’s something wrong with the food?”

“Yes.” Cindy cried. “Taste it. It’s got some sort of hot pepper in it.” Cindy pushed the plate towards Mr Parker. “My throat feels like it is blistered and on fire!”

Jeff tentatively picked up a piece of salad and bit into it. At the same time Alex leaned over with his fork and speared several pieces before stuffing them in his mouth. “It all tastes fine to me.” Jeff looked at Alex. “How about you Alex? You eat here all the time, anything wrong with that?”

Alex looked mournfully at Cindy. “I don’t know what to say Cindy…it all tastes fine.”

“What about the drink?” Cindy asked moving her focus to the glass in front of her. “Try telling me that that isn’t some kind of alcohol! It was like Vodka or Gin or something. It’s still burning the back of my throat!”

Again Jeff picked up the glass and took a sip before handing it to Alex who downed several gulps before lowering the glass back to the table, without any adverse reaction.

“I suppose this is just plain water now is it?” Cindy asked grabbing the glass and taking a sip. Her face changed from fury to one of utter confusion as she placed the glass back down. “I don’t understand…it was all horrible and burning before.”

“Well I’m sorry but I don’t know what to tell you.” Jeff said to Cindy with a sombre look. “All appears fine here so I think everyone should get back to what they were doing.” Jeff smiled an apologetic smile to Alex before turning and walking away.

Alex sat quietly while he waited for Cindy’s next move.

“Well to hell with this!” Cindy exclaimed as she climbed out of her seat, dragging her coat with her. “This is all too much trouble for too little reward.” Cindy looked at Alex as she put on her coat. “If Isabel wants you she can damn well have you…I really don’t know what all the fuss is about anyway.”

“And that is why…” Isabel’s voice cut in from behind Cindy’s shoulder. “…You will never deserve someone like Alex.”

Cindy turned to find the smiling face of Isabel Evans beaming at her. “Well I’m glad you finally found your station in life.” Cindy hissed as Isabel was joined by Liz and Maria at her side. “I’ll leave you to your little pals and their K-Mart clothes…you never did fit in with us.”

Isabel continued to smile. “In case you are unsure this is my disappointed face.” Her comment dripping in sarcasm.

Cindy simply let out a growl and turned to leave in a huff.

“Call me!” Alex called, as he stood up from his seated position in the booth.

The friends fell silent as they watched the door to the Crashdown close. Alex and Isabel suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, both aware they had a long way to go to sort out their relationship or whatever they were to each other.

“I’m just going to go back and get changed.” Isabel spoke softly as she turned to the back room. She made a point of sending Alex a slight smile as she turned away.

Maria looked as Liz. “I’ll follow you in a minute.” Liz informed Maria. “I just want a quick word with Alex.”

Maria smiled at Alex and turned to follow Isabel to the back room.

Liz turned her attention back to Alex. “Sit down a moment, I have something I want to say.”

Alex felt a little anxious as he followed Liz’s instructions and sat down.

“Don’t be nervous.” Liz began. “I’ve done all the castigating I’m going to do for one day.” Alex smiled before Liz continued. “I just wanted to draw your attention to something in case you missed it. You’re always saying you don’t know how to read women. You never know what signals they are sending you.”

Alex simply nodded silently to Liz’s comments.

“Well I’m here to tell you that you just received the biggest signal in the history of signals.” Liz could not believe it when Alex frowned. “I knew it!” She exclaimed. “You even missed that one.”

“That’s what you and Maria are here for.” Alex smiled. “To point out my mistakes, God bless the pact!”

Liz smiled at Alex’s joke. “It’s simple really.” Liz began. “Isabel has been at loggerheads with Cindy for years. I know it, you know it and everyone else in town knows it.”

Alex nodded in agreement.

“Have you ever seen her go toe to toe with Cindy?” Liz questioned. “Have you ever seen her cut Cindy down to size over all these years despite us now knowing she could do it without breaking a sweat?”

This time Alex shook his head.

“That’s because she has put Cindy in her place once and for all for one reason and one reason only…because it was you.” Liz stated firmly. “Because Cindy, who plays with everyone’s emotions all of the time, choose to pick on you Isabel was not going to stand for it.”

Realisation was slowly dawning on Alex’s face.

“What’s more she risked using her powers in public to make sure Cindy got the message.” Liz explained. “You know that she broke their cardinal rule, the one where they try to remain hidden, try not to draw attention to themselves. Max did it for me and now Isabel has done it for you. Admittedly to a much lesser extent, the use of power may not have been in a life or death situation but nonetheless the risks were there.”

Liz stood up and came over to give Alex a brief kiss on the forehead. “I love you Alex and so does Maria but there are certain things we can’t give you. Nor do you want them from us. I think you and Isabel are a match made in the stars, please forgive my poetic licence.” Liz smiled. “But you may have to give her time. If you do I think you will receive a reward beyond your wildest dreams…someone to love for eternity who will love you in return.”

Alex smiled at Liz as she turned and slowly walked down the diner to the back room. He dropped some money on the table to cover the bill and slowly made his way outside. As he started to leave he saw Max and Michael for the first time and he gave them a little wave as he headed out the door.

Max watched his friend leave in silence, aware of how monumental the entire evening had been for the relationship between Liz’s best friend and his sister. He turned to look at Michael who rather strangely looked very pleased with himself.

“It turned out to be an unbelievable night didn’t it.” Max told his best friend.

“You’re telling me.” Michael replied with a smile. “Did you see the fun bags on that girl? Anymore revealing and she’d have taken someone’s eye out! At the very least she would have flashed her puppy’s noses at us.”

Max allowed his head to drop to the table with a thud. “Puppy’s noses?” He echoed.

“What?” Michael queried. “What do you expect me to say? How romantic?”

Max lifted his head while shaking it all the while. “You give sexist, chauvinistic pigs a bad name, do you know that?”

“Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘Treat them mean…keep them keen’?” Michael asked.

“Have you ever heard the saying ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’? Max countered. “I pity the woman you end up with.” Max added.

“Guerin are you going to eat that food or wait until a fungus grows on it so you can eat that as well?” Maria’s dulcet tones broke in on their conversation.

Max looked at Maria for a long moment before looking back at Michael with a broad smile. “Or maybe it’s not the woman I should feel sorry for.”



To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

This is a repost of Chapter 8 which was lost in the move. I have chapter 9 ready to go. Thanks, David / StargazerUK


Chapter 8


Isabel pushed open the swing doors that separated the back room from the rest of the diner and made her way towards the front. As she pulled on her coat she saw Maria standing with her hands on her hips looking at Michael with a menacing glare.

“Don’t you have something else you should be getting on with?” Michael questioned. “I mean other than intimidating the customers that is.”

“First of all,” Maria began. “I’m intimidating you? What are you? 8 inches taller and 100lbs heavier and yet I am making you feel uncomfortable just because of the way I’m looking at you. Secondly I am merely trying to establish if everything is alright with your meal?”

“Now that you mention it, I think the fries are a little…”

“Michael!” Isabel cut in causing the young man to turn and look at his almost sibling. “I would think long and hard about what the next words out of your mouth are going to be.”

As Michael weighted up the situation the expanding group was joined by Liz who was interested in finding out what her friends were up to. Max looked at his best friend with an intrigued look on his face. Michael was pig headed at the best of times and he was the type who would definitely cut his nose to spite his face but he now faced the strong possibility that his next comment would annoy Maria, who aside from being a menacing presence she was also someone Michael had burgeoning feelings for.

He also had Isabel, who was a sister in every conceivable way other than documentation and finally he had Liz who, along with Alex, was the most inoffensive and easy going person you could ever wish to meet, all hanging on his next words. Could Michael really ride in the face of such overriding pressure and still manage to make some sort of deprecating comment that would no doubt only end up with him shooting himself in the foot?

After a long pause he finally spoke. “I was going to say…” Michael pointedly looked at Isabel for a moment. “…before being rudely interrupted that these fries are a little too much for me…I’ve had enough.”

Everyone, including Maria, smiled at Michael’s sudden use of tact. If he’d said an uncomplimentary comment about the food he would have, in one sweeping statement, annoyed Maria, disappointed Isabel and offended Liz. As he watched the mood noticeably relax after his remark Michael was beginning to understand what both Max and Isabel had been telling him all these years about not always blurting out the first thing that came into his head but to think about how his comments would effect others. Also, as in this instance, he wasn’t to say the exact opposite of what someone was saying to him just to annoy them. There wasn’t anything wrong with the fries, they were perfect as they always were but his natural reaction was to say something negative…it was something he would definitely have to give some thought to with regards its use in the future after seeing how it deflated the situation.

“Where are you off to Isabel?” Max questioned his sister gently.

“I was just about to head home.” She replied jadedly. “I think I’ve had enough excitement for one night.”

Max looked down at his half eaten meal. “If you give me a minute Michael and I will drive you home.” Max picked up his fork. “It will only take me a short while to finish here.”

“That’s OK Max.” Isabel smiled at her concerned brother. “You’ve hardly started your dinner and I have already seen Michael eyeing the cherry pies that are sitting on display on the counter so you guys take your time and I will see you at home. It’s a nice night and I don’t mind walking back, I could do with the time to think.”

“Well if the guys aren’t in any rush.” Liz offered. “Max can give you the keys to the jeep and Maria and I can drop them back after Max has had time to eat his food and Michael has had a piece of pie.”

Michael looked at Isabel hopefully. “There’s always time for pie Isabel.”

Seeing the boyish grin on her siblings face she could hardly refuse such a charitable offer. “As long as Max and Michael don’t mind I’d appreciate that. It will allow me to get home and dive into a bath…I could do with some scented candles and a little mellow music.”

Max reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys to the jeep and handed them to his sister. “Now you’re sure you’re alright Isabel, I really wouldn’t mind driving you home.”

“Max, honestly I’m fine.” Isabel tried to reassure her brother. “I’m just tired, nothing else.”

Isabel said her goodbyes to her brothers and stepped out into the cool evening air accompanied by her two female friends.

“So you did it.” Maria enthused.

Isabel shook her head. “No Maria…we did it.” She replied with a grin.

“Well I’ll concede we helped out on the moral support front but other than that the rest was down to you.” Liz smiled at her tall friend. “Thanks Iz, we appreciate it.”

“Yeah Isabel.” Maria agreed. “Thanks for helping us out and thanks for looking after Alex.”

At the very mention of their absent friend’s name the mood cooled. It wasn’t that Alex’s name was taboo or forbidden, just that the word ‘unresolved’ sprung to everyone’s mind.

“What happens now?” Liz questioned softly.

Isabel looked at her two friends for a moment before shrugging slightly. “I’m not sure really. I know we made some sort of progress tonight which at the very least should get us past the whole ‘suffocating’ debacle but I’m getting the sense that Alex has had enough.”

Both girls went to protest but Isabel stopped them. “I’m fully aware that you guys know Alex better than anyone else so it would be kind of you to try and deny it but it would also be pointless.” Isabel gave them a knowing look. “I have my own connection to Alex and seeing how he walked past me in the Crashdown earlier in the week without looking or talking to me told me all I needed to know. He’s done chasing me and has decided to get on with his life, which I understand. I mean who can blame him?”

“He’s not giving up Isabel.” Liz wrapped an arm around her dejected friend. “He’s just taking a breather. Don’t forget he not only thinks he is being unsuccessful in his pursuit of you he also thinks he is annoying you and crowding you so he’s taking a step back, for your benefit not his. I’m sure that in a few days or so your friendship will be back on track and after that…who knows?”

“Liz is right.” Maria broke in. “We’ve seen him Isabel and we’ve talked to him. He knows what’s been going on and he knows you didn’t mean the things you said. We all know he was only going to go out with Cindy to make you jealous. Why would he try to make you jealous if he didn’t still have feelings for you? The answer is he wouldn’t.”

“Is this how it’s going to be?” Isabel questioned. “We’ve tried so hard over the years to keep ourselves hidden that we’ve sacrificed any possibility for real relationships or even friendships and when the chance finally comes along to get some semblance of a normal life our tunnel vision is proving a barrier to my brothers and I taking that final step. In fact we are currently taking a step back so not only are we not moving forward with our lives we are going backwards. What sort of logic is that?”

Maria placed a reassuring hand on Isabel’s arm. “Isabel these are men we are talking about. How much longer do you truly believe Max can holdout before he needs to kiss that pretty little face?” Maria rather unsubtly pointed at Liz. “And as for Alex, he maybe talking the talk but trust me when I tell you he can’t walk the walk when it comes to you. He might manage a few days…a week tops but he loves you Isabel and love isn’t something you can simply turn on and off. He might think he can walk away but the truth of the matter is he can’t.”

“And what about you and Michael?” Liz enquired with a devilish smile.

“Oh please!” Maria exclaimed. “If I go in there and offer him two pieces of pie for the price of one he’ll propose marriage. Michael’s not so much led by his heart as by his stomach.” Maria turned to look at Isabel specifically. “It will all blow over in the next couple of days and than Alex will be back.”

“I hope you’re right.” Isabel replied solemnly.

The girls said their goodbyes and Isabel climbed into the jeep and drove off in the direction of home.


As the late evening turned to nightfall Isabel drove through the quiet streets of Roswell and mulled over the events of the last few days, trying to make some sort of sense of it all. Why had she been pushing Alex away? Was she scared? She shook her head as she continued to drive in silence. She wasn’t scared of Alex, the one thing she knew from the start was that she trusted Alex…she could rely on him. Was it her? Was she afraid of something she might do?

Isabel hit the brake pedal with all her might causing the jeep to come to a screeching, sliding halt. She hadn’t even given any thought to her surrounds or her actions so it was more through luck than judgement that she hadn’t just caused a crash. None of that mattered though as Isabel sat motionless in the car, thinking about her sudden epiphany. Was it really that simple?

Snapping out of her daze Isabel looked around her, trying to find out exactly where she was. She had been so intent on her mental musings that she hadn’t been paying a great deal of attention to what direct she was driving in. Once she got her bearings she turned the jeep around and sped off in a very specific direction, finally knowing where she wanted to be.

Pulling the car to a shuddering halt Isabel leapt out of the driver’s seat and ran across the sidewalk and up the path. When she reached the front door to the residence she had to stop herself from just opening it up and walking straight in. After a few quick intakes of breath followed by slow and deliberate exhales to try and calm herself down Isabel pressed the door bell and waited.

After a moment a very tall man opened the front door and greeted Isabel. “Hello dear, can I help you?”

“Hi,” Isabel began. “You must be Mr Whitman, I’m Isabel a friend of Alex…Is he here?”

Mr Whitman frowned slightly. “Actually Isabel I’m not sure. Come in a moment and I’ll check.” Stepping back he allowed Isabel to step inside.

“Who is it Charles?” Isabel heard the soft tones of Alex’s mom call from further up the hallway.

“It’s a very attractive young lady called Isabel who’s come to see if Alex is home.” Charles smiled softly at Isabel. What parent wouldn’t be happy to see an attractive young woman calling for their single son?

“Hello Isabel.” Katherine Whitman called as she hurried down the hallway to greet their guest. “It’s lovely to see you again, I hope my son apologised to you for his appalling behaviour last time.”

“He did.” Isabel nodded while trying not to blush at the thought of the row that occurred just seconds after that apology. “Is Alex back? I wanted to talk to him but I didn’t get a chance to earlier at the Crashdown.”

Mrs Whitman delayed a moment before replying, obviously thinking something over. “Erm..you know about his date?” She asked meekly.

“I do.” Isabel surprised both Alex’s parents by nodding and smiling broadly. “But I think it ended early so I was hoping to catch Alex.”

Mrs Whitman turned to the towering figure of her husband. “Charles, why don’t you go in and leave Isabel and me alone to have a little chat.”

Given his wife what appeared to be a frequently used ‘yes dear’ look he turned to Isabel. “It was very nice to meet you Isabel, Alex talks about you all the time. I’m glad I finally got to meet you.”

Isabel was surprised at that comment as she watched Mr Whitman retreat back to his TV watching. She was brought back to her senses when she felt Katherine’s hand on hers. “I’m glad you dropped round as I wanted to have a quiet word with you. To say our last meeting was slightly uncomfortable and embarrassing is an understatement.”

Isabel nodded silently and allowed Mrs Whitman to continue.

“It was a genuine and I think understandable mistake on my part but nonetheless it did make for a very awkward situation. When I mentioned it to Charles he had a good laugh at my expense but when he had finished laughing he said something very fascinating.” Isabel was becoming more and more interested in where this conversation was going. “It seems Alex has been very keen on you for quite some time but he had only ever spoken to his father about it, worried I would make a big deal about it and get him to bring you flowers.”

Both women laughed gently at that thought.

“All I wanted to say to you was that I hope I didn’t make things difficult between the two of you. Alex is a good boy with a generous heart so if he’s been courting you I didn’t want you to think he had been seeing someone behind your back.” Katherine explained. “If it helps he looked like he was in blind panic when he saw her and I don’t think she’s the type of girl Alex is interested in. I know it is a sweeping judgement on my part but she seemed all show and little substance. If she feels the need to flash her bits about in the way that she did I think she must be trying to making up for things she lacks in other departments like personality or charm…unlike you dear.” She finished.

“Me?” Isabel asked, surprise evident in her voice.

“Yes you dear.” Katherine replied. “I mean just look at you. I’m sure the boys are forming an orderly queue at your front door as we speak and that your parents must be beating them away with a stick but if my Alex has been keen on you for sometime there must be more to you than looks. That much was evident when we first met. Despite the trying circumstances I could see you were hurt by my son’s words which told me you have feelings for him but through out all of that you remained polite and controlled. I’ve taught each of my son’s that manners cost nothing and that they say more about you than almost anything else. That was why I was so mortified by Alex’s actions last week. However it also told me how strongly he felt about you, he was clearly upset, hence the out of character comments.”

“Thank you so much.” Isabel said while pulling an unprepared Mrs Whitman into a hug. “I’ve been suffering something akin to a crisis of faith and your kind words have helped me confirm what I was only just beginning to understand.”

“Well I’m glad I could help dear.” The petit woman smiled.

“Please tell Alex I called and that I will phone him tomorrow.” Isabel asked as she stepped out onto the porch.

“I will Isabel but I don’t know where he could have got to if you say his date ended early” Katherine commented as she waved her young visitor goodbye.


Isabel climbed back into the jeep, started the engine and headed for home. She was both elated and disappointed at one and the same time. She desperately wanted to see Alex after her earlier realisation but he was nowhere to be found. However her visit to the Whitman household hadn’t been a total waste of time and she had left with her confidence bolstered and happier memories of having met Alex’s parents.

As she swung the jeep up onto the drive the beams of light from the headlamps swept across the front of the house and garden and an image flashed before Isabel for a split second. Turning off the engine she climbed out and stepped towards the front door.

It was then that Isabel saw Alex sitting on the front step…waiting for her.


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 9


Isabel stopped abruptly. She had been eager to speak to Alex ever since she had left the Crashdown but suddenly coming face to face with the young man had thrown her into a flap.

“Hi,” Alex greeted his returning rescuer as he rose to his feet. “I’m sorry for just turning up here unannounced. I hope I’m not intruding but I was kinda hoping we could talk?”

Isabel forced herself to speak rather than remain in her current stupor and look like some sort of mental defective. “Hi Alex…of course you’re not intruding.” Isabel took a step closer. “Would you like to come inside?” She motioned towards the front door.

“Actually I was thinking we could just talk out here if that’s alright?” Alex asked nervously. “I don’t plan to stay long and I don’t want to put you to the trouble of bringing me in only to have to march me back out again.”

“OK…whatever you’re happy with.” Isabel replied hoping to placate the obviously anxious young visitor. After the way he had worded his reply this wasn’t going to be the joyous reunion she had been hoping for.

Alex watched as Isabel lowered herself down and sat on one of the front steps. He was already regretting his decision not to take up Isabel’s offer of going inside as he now realised that it looked as though he was being defensive and also that he left his companion perched on a cold and uncomfortable stair.

As he went to sit down on the same step he thought better of it and stopped himself mid-bend before springing back up and stepping in front of Isabel. Isabel watched in utter amazement as Alex motioned to sit down but then, in the same movement, leapt back up. It seemed her erstwhile friend was having a problem. She watched as he moved uneasily from one foot to the other, contemplating his next action. It was obvious he was extremely nervous as he fought with what to do with his hands. He moved them constantly from folded across his chest to into his pockets and back again. After much indecision he seemed to settle on uneasily clenching and unclenching his fists while still moving from foot to foot.

It became apparent Alex wanted to speak but he was fighting a battle of nerves that Isabel had never seen before. For the most part he had always acted uncertainly around her even when they had finally got to know one another a little better he would still find it difficult to hold eye contact or to keep a train of thought but nothing in the past compared to how he was acting now.

“I’m sorry.” He began. “I’m not exactly sure where to start. I’ve been thinking about talking to you ever since our argument in school. I say ‘our’ argument but we both know that you were just being honest and I went all psycho on you so the less said about that whole situation the better.”

Isabel wanted to cut in already but she was concerned it had taken Alex so long to start that he would take longer still to get going again if she interrupted him so despite her desire to butt in she held her tongue.

“I don’t know if you’ve spoken to the girl’s or even Max and Michael but I knew from the second those words left my lips that I had made a huge mistake. I don’t know why I said what I said or where those words came from but you have to believe me when I tell you that I didn’t mean what I said and I used the fact that you had begun to open up to me against you. Something I will never be able to forgive myself for.” Alex saw Isabel frown so he elaborated. “I really wasn’t thinking straight so when you made those comments about Cindy, which I would like to point out were true and were later proven to be so, I felt the need to hit back at you so I choose all the things I know you worry about. About being seen as a tease, about being an elitist and worst of all about the people you care about perceiving you as a bitch, only interested in yourself, which we all know is the furthest thing from the truth.”

Isabel couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “Alex we don’t have to do this. If anything I’m as much to blame for what went on as you are, maybe even more so. I set this whole ball rolling by telling you, someone a truly care about, that you had to stop…that you were suffocating me. How harsh was that? I can’t believe I said those things to you and I lie awake each and every night thinking about it, about how I was wrong and I wish I could take it all back.”

Suddenly, to Isabel’s surprise, Alex’s face had a relaxed, almost serene look to it. “Isabel, none of that matters now. That’s what I came here to tell you. If I have learned one thing while all this was going on it was that you were right.”

“No Alex that’s not it at all!” Isabel exclaimed loudly while getting to her feet. “If there’s one thing I have learned it is that I wasn’t right, in fact it’s the complete and total opposite.”

Suddenly the front door swung open and the imposing figure of Philip Evans stood in the doorway. “Hi Honey, everything OK?” He asked his daughter while not taking his eyes off of Alex.

“Everything’s fine daddy.” Isabel tried to reassure her father by using her most endearing term for him. “This is my friend Alex and we are just discussing a few things, we didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“Well if you’re sure you’re alright I’ll go back inside.” Mr Evans’s gaze still hadn’t deviated from Alex. “I’m just inside if you need me pumpkin.”

Alex watched as Isabel’s dad stepped back inside and closed the door. The thinly veiled comment was not lost on him. For ‘I’m just in side’ read ‘If he gives you any trouble I can be out here and wringing his neck in 5 seconds flat’.

“You’ll have to forgive my dad, he’s very protective of me.” Isabel tried to reassure an apprehensive looking Alex. “I normally have him watch for when I come home from a date so the boys don’t try anything too hot and heavy. Sorry…” Isabel paused. “I suppose that would come under the ‘Too much information’ heading.”

“That’s OK.” Alex offered an understanding smile. “I’m glad to know someone is watching out for you.”

As Isabel continued to watch Alex she realised that in that one statement was what she loved so much about him. Irrespective of what had gone on between the two of them in recent days and weeks he couldn’t stop feeling concerned and protective of her.

“Liz and Maria told me what you did.” Alex’s sudden statement broke in on Isabel’s silent thoughts. “I mean I think I could have worked out what you did on my own but Liz made sure I understood why you did it.”

“Oh!” Was all Isabel could manage as she let her gaze drop from Alex. She suddenly felt a little unsteady on her feet so she stepped back and lowered herself back down onto the step.

“I think you know certain things about me already and a lack of perception when it comes to women is clearly one of them.” Alex commented with a slight smirk on his face. “I don’t do well when it comes to having other people take care of me. I’m usually more comfortable looking after people than being looked after so all I can say is thank you. I know you took a huge risk scaring Cindy away like that, a risk I’m not sure I’m worthy of.”

“You’d have done the same for me.” Isabel offered softly. “It’s about time I did something nice for you.”

“We make a great pair don’t we?” Alex joked as he finally built up the courage to sit down beside Isabel on the step. “Liz and Maria are always telling me I’m too insecure and I should be more confident, not to sell myself short. Then I look at you and I see the very same things they are talking about.”

“Alex I know you aren’t being mean and I don’t wish to appear defensive but I’m not insecure nor do I lack confidence.” Isabel countered.

“Insecurity and a lack of confidence take many forms Isabel.” Alex replied. “Many famous actors and singers are quite introverted, they create a different persona to be able to perform in front of other people.”

“And you think I take on a different persona?” Isabel questioned.

“Not always.” Alex shook his head. “Not with the people you are comfortable with, that you care about. But when you’re at school or if you feel threatened up pops the ice queen.” Alex turned to look at Isabel for a moment. “Please be clear I am not judging you…it’s simply something I have noticed. I know you’re not looking for my blessing but I do understand why you do it, now more than ever.”

“So you think we have something in common?” Isabel finally asked.

“Some,” Alex nodded with a smile. “And that’s why we’ll always be friends.”

“What?!” Isabel’s face creased in confusion. “What do you mean ‘always be friends’?”

“That’s what I came over here to talk to you about.” Alex explained. “I can’t believe I’ve been such an idiot.” He confessed. “I was so intent on wanting to be some kind of boyfriend to you that I totally ignored the fact that we had become friends and I can only apologise for that.”

“Yes…but…”

“I’ve been so selfish that I have only been focusing on what I want while all the time the obvious was staring me right in the face.” Alex continued as he stood up. “You obviously don’t want a relationship…well not the sort of relationship that I am looking for and I can’t let the fact that we are in two different places right now ruin what we have.”

“What we have?” Isabel echoed.

“Yes,” Alex beamed. “Our friendship.”

“Oh God! I can’t believe it!” Isabel cried as she stood up causing Alex to stumble back in shock. “Alex, sit your ass down on that step and listen to me!”

“But I…”

“Don’t argue with me just sit down!” She demanded.

Suddenly the front door opened a second time and Philip Evans had reappeared, apprehension painted all over his face.

“Not now daddy!” Isabel exclaimed. “I’m fine and so is Alex. We’re just sorting out a few problems and I think it’s time I told Alex a few home truths.”

Philip looked at his daughter for a moment. He knew her better than most and he knew she was more than capable of handling herself. He had been on the end of many a rant from his daughter to know that much. A quick glance at the young man sitting anxiously on his front porch steps told him that his daughter had nothing to fear there. “Alex if you need me I’m just in side, you can give me a shout and I’ll come running.”

“Thanks daddy.” Isabel sent her father a loving smile. Appreciating he was only looking out for her but also that he was willing to step back and let her sort out her own problems. She was also grateful for his little joke as he retreated inside, she didn’t want Alex to think that both she and her father were ganging up on him.”

When the door closed Alex returned his attention back to Isabel who was standing before him. He wasn’t quite sure what was happening as he had come over to tell Isabel he was finally letting up on his pursuit of her and he thought that would make her happy but that didn’t appear to be what she wanted to hear if her last actions were anything to go by.
“So what exactly is going on?” He questioned.

“Alex I’ve just been speaking to Liz and Maria and telling them how I’m sick and tired of this whole taking a step back thing that Max and Michael are trying to do. I haven’t allowed us to move forward so we don’t even get the option to step back, we can’t…we’ve never gone anywhere.” Isabel explained. “You say you’ve come over here to let me know you won’t pursue me anymore, that you want us to remain friends.”

Alex nodded silently.

“Well what if I were to tell you that’s not what I want? That I’ve made a mistake and I don’t want to push you away anymore?” Isabel offered.

Alex stood up shaking his head slowly. “Isabel I can’t do this. I can’t afford to have my heart broken again. When I left your house the day of the convention when you told me I was suffocating you that was the worst day of my life.” Isabel dropped her head, unable to watch as Alex made such a heart rendering confession. “You’re the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep at night. I’ve barely managed to survive all these years knowing you don’t feel the same way about me and that you probably never will. Unreciprocated loved is one thing but knowing you were actually pushing me away was more than I could stand.” Alex could see the hurt look on Isabel’s face, even the build up of tears so he tried to explain. “I know you weren’t deliberately trying to hurt me Isabel and you were only telling yourself what your heart told you so I understand but the truth of the matter is I can’t do this anymore…I can’t take it.”

The couple fell into a silence for a few short moments as they both allowed Alex’s comments to sink in.

“What if your feelings are reciprocated?” Isabel asked in a hushed tone, little more than a whisper.

“What?” Alex blinked in confusion. “What did you just say?”

“I said…” Isabel pulled herself up to her full height and looked directly at Alex. “What if your feelings are reciprocated and always have been, just I never allowed myself to act on them?”

Alex thought about what Isabel just said. “I can’t deal with ‘What if’ Isabel. Are you telling me that is how you really feel?”

“I was driving home after I left the Crashdown…” Isabel began, initially side stepping Alex’s question. “…and I started to think why I always push you away. I mean you’re obviously a great guy and exactly what I am looking for, you know all there is to know about me including my secret and it doesn’t seem to make any difference to you.”

“It doesn’t.” Alex said firmly cutting in.

“And suddenly it hit me. We’re so scared about being discovered and being found out that we have no quality of life. Max is so scared of what his being with Liz will do to her that he is unwilling to even let Liz make her own mind up and choose if they should be together. Who’s to say it should be Max’s decision alone?” Isabel was now on a roll. “Michael’s life has been much worse than the up bringing Max and I have had, there is no one who deserves to be in a loving relationship more than he does but because of these silly rules we have set for one another that will never happen.”

Isabel took hold of one of Alex’s hands and looked directly at him. “It suddenly dawned on me when driving home that I don’t want to push you away anymore. If we made the rules then we can break the rules. We were kids when we decided this was the best way to act but we hadn’t even given any thought to how it would affect us as we grew older, wanting to have relationships.”

“So you’re telling me you’ve just decided you want a relationship with me?” Alex asked quizzically.

“No.” Isabel shook her head vigorously but the smile on her face was clear. “I’ve always wanted a relationship with you but I never allowed myself to even dream of that possibility. That all ends now.”

“And what if I tell you its too late?” Alex questioned. “That I have to move on?”

Isabel was shocked for a moment by Alex’s comments but it only took her a second to regroup. “Then I won’t let you.” She said resolutely. “I won’t let you just walk away, not when we are so close to what we both want. If you don’t want me now then I’ll just pursue you in the way that you pursued me.”

Alex looked at Isabel with an amused look. “You’re going to pursue me?” He asked incredulously.

“If that’s what it takes to get you then yes.” Isabel stood her ground. “I can’t tell you how it made me feel knowing Cindy Webster was stalking you…jealous doesn’t even begin to cover it, much like her dress!” Isabel joked.

“I don’t know what to say.” Alex slumped back down onto the step.

Isabel slowly moved across and sat down beside the dazed young man. “You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. You just need to have heard what I have to say and then, when you’re ready you can decide whether you believe me and if you want to move forward. When you know you’ll tell me.”

Isabel allowed her gaze to drop to the floor. She was emotionally exhausted but she was relieved to have finally told Alex how she truly felt. If nothing else she would sleep better tonight knowing she had grasped the nettle and done what was right.

Alex’s next action nearly took her breath away. As they sat in silence she felt his hand reach across and intertwine with hers just before she noticed his body slid across the step to be close to hers. When she sneaked a sideways glance she found Alex wasn’t even looking at her, he was too busy looking up at the stars. A smile slowly spread across her face. It looked like she had her answer.


To be continued…

[StargazerUK]

Chapter 10


“Then what?” Maria asked excitedly as she peered at Alex in her rear view mirror.

Alex frowned. “Then…nothing.”

“Nothing!” Maria cried, turning to look over her shoulder.

“Maria!” Liz exclaimed, almost making a grab for the steering wheel. “More watching where you are going and less interrogating Alex about his meeting with Isabel, else you’ll end up getting us all killed.”

“Well excuse me.” Maria said indignantly. “I was only taking an interest in our best friend’s social life.”

“So am I,” Liz agreed. “But not to the detriment of our safety. You’re a menace on the roads at the best of times but you won’t find turning to chat to your passengers while driving along in any safety manual.”

“Menace on the roads!” Maria echoed. “You’re beginning to sound like my mother Liz. Anyway I’m not a menace…”

“Engine blowing up…sound familiar?” Liz questioned.

“That wasn’t me that was spaceboy.” Maria countered. “You can’t hold me responsible for his moronic actions. I was a victim of kidnapping and theft. I was merely an enforced player in his game of alien clue.”

Liz turned round to look at a quiet but serenely happy looking Alex. “You look pretty pleased with yourself. I take it this is the after affects of your get together with Isabel last night.”

“Get together might be too strong a phrase but let’s just say I feel a lot happier about how things stand between us now than I did this time yesterday.” Alex replied. “I was thrown out by Isabel’s apparent change in attitude towards me but I have made my position clear and so has she…we’ll just have to see where this new beginning takes us.”

Maria pulled the car to a halt in the school parking lot and switched off the engine. She gave Liz a rather pointed look as she turned in her seat to look at Alex as he lounged on the back seat of her car.

“Change in attitude?” She repeated.

Alex shrugged and nodded at the same time. “I went over to tell her I had finally realised that we were friends and I shouldn’t lose sight of that just because I have had this pathological desire to be coupled with her. I was all set for my rousing speech about how I would no longer pursue her as it clearly wasn’t what she wanted and that I did want to remain friends.”

“But she had changed her mind.” Liz questioned.

“I guess.” Alex nodded again. “But in her words she had always had some sort of feelings for me but had decided, because of their rules, not to act on those feelings.”

“And now?” Liz pressed.

“And now Isabel has decided to make her own decisions. She’s decided she can have a relationship with someone without risking their safety.” Alex straightened himself up in the seat. “But I’m not holding my breath as she hasn’t run this by Max and Michael yet.”




“You’ve what!” Max asked in disbelief.

Isabel kept her calm, placed her books in her locker before closing it and turning to gaze at her frantic looking brother. “I said I’m done with the rules. They had their time and place but that isn’t now, not anymore.”

“So what now?” Max asked anxiously. “You’re just going to start dating Alex?”

“Pretty much.” Isabel replied as she started to move down the school hallway. “We’ve not set any goals or talked in any great detail.” Isabel stopped and turned to look at her brother, who was being silently trailed by Michael, casing both young men to come to a crashing halt. “The only thing that has changed is I will no longer push Alex away just for the sake of pushing him away. I like him, you guys like him and we all know we can trust him, just like Liz and Maria. If you guys don’t see the benefit of having Liz and Maria as part of your life then I feel sorry for you. I on the other hand know how I feel towards Alex and I intend to act on it.”

“Act on it?” Michael wasn’t sure he liked the sound of this. “Act on it how?”




“She’s left you a rose...” Maria asked incredulously. “…in your locker?” She finished.

“It looks like it.” Alex couldn’t help but grin as he picked up the red rose and gave it a sniff before placing it carefully back in his locker. “And there’s something else.” Alex reached in and picked up a white envelope that had been leaning against the flower, he opened it and started to read.

“But how did she get into your locker?” Maria questioned. When she noticed the look on both Liz and Alex’s faces she realised what a silly question that was. “OK, forget that but why is she sending you a rose? I mean it’s romantic and all that but doesn’t the guy normally send flowers? I might not be the recipient of many romantic gestures but I know how it’s supposed to work.”

“I think it’s a little joke on Isabel’s part.” Alex explained. “When I told her last night that I wasn’t sure about us after all I have been through she told me she wouldn’t just let me walk away, that if needs be she would pursue me as I had pursued her.”

Liz suddenly pulled her tall friend into a hug. “I’m truly happy for you Alex. I hope you both get everything you deserve, that you are both very happy. No one deserves it more than you do.”

When Liz let go of her friend Alex suddenly felt Maria take hold of him. “Of course I am happy for you and I hope I don’t appear anything other than pleased for you but I just don’t want to see you getting hurt. I like Isabel and all but how will you manage if things don’t work out?”

After releasing his hold on Maria Alex took a step back and looked at his two friends. “No promises…that was how we left it last night. Her dad came out one last time and we both thought it was time to call it a night, aside from the looks her father was giving me. We didn’t even get a chance to have a kiss but the one thing we did have time to do was decide to just give it a go…see what we’re like pulling towards one another rather than pushing away.”

“As long as you’re sure then we couldn’t be happier for you.” Liz enthused.

“Liz is right.” Maria agreed. “I just hope you’re ready.”

“Ready?” Alex’s face creased in confusion. “Ready for what?”

Maria linked arms with Alex. “Only for being the envy of every red blooded male in school.”

As Liz linked arms with Alex on the opposite side to Maria she couldn’t help but see and feel happy about the broad grin that sat on her best pals face. “What did the message in the envelope say? If it’s not too private.” She asked softly.




“You asked him out to dinner!” Michael asked in amazement. “You’re going on a date…tonight? I’ve seen probes sent to Mars moving slower than you two are at this very moment…why the rush?”

“It’s not a rush.” Isabel frowned. “It’s not like we don’t know one another. We’ve been holding off but now we are both ready there’s no point in waiting any longer, a gals got to eat.” Isabel continued walking to class, trailed by her two companions.

“At least tell us you’re not going to the Crashdown.” Max pleaded.

“That’s exactly where we are going.” Isabel couldn’t help but beam with happiness as she replied to her brother’s question. “It’s our usual hang out and after what Cindy tried to do with my Alex last night where better to have our first date, I need to send a message to a few girls around school and there’s no better place than the scene of Cindy’s intended crime.”

“My Alex?” Michael echoed. “So all of a sudden he is your Alex?”

“Yup.” Isabel nodded, not looking back at her siblings as she continued to move down the corridor. “It’s a girl thing, I don’t expect you to understand but suffice to say God help the girl who goes near Alex when I’m around.”

“What about Maria and Liz?” Michael questioned.

“Don’t be silly Michael.” Isabel let slip a little laugh. “They don’t see Alex like that and nor does he see them in that way.” Isabel stopped abruptly and turned to Michael. “I’m talking about girl’s who might take a liking to Alex, not his friend’s or perspective friends.”

“So you’re just decided to ignore the whole ‘taking a step back’ thing and go your own way?” Max asked, slightly put out by his sister’s actions.

Isabel let out a heavy sigh. “Come here a minute.” Isabel stopped her walk to class and found a quiet corner to stand in, turning to face her siblings. “Max we are teenagers. I’m all for keeping us and our secret safe but I’ve decided there’s absolutely no point in keeping each other safe if we’re just going to sit and rot in a corner. We’ve many more problems than the average teen but we are teens nonetheless. I know you and I’ve gotten to know Liz. She’s everything you’re ever dreamed of in a girlfriend and as sickening as it is sometimes to see I have watched how you look at her and how it affects you.”

Isabel turned to Michael specifically. “You might prove a little more difficult but I see you look at Maria. The pair of you would start a fight in a convent but the fact remains you see something in each other. As strange a thing as it maybe to hear from a sister figure but I urge you both to forget this ‘timeout’ thing and do what’s right. They won’t wait around forever and I know we all will only end up regretting it if we don’t act on our feelings.”

Isabel turned back to look at Max. “Plus you’re cramping my style.” Isabel said matter-of-factly. “You’ve been acting like an eighty-year-old name Max. I don’t want to ruin the surprise but I’ve already bought you a pipe and a tweed jacket for Christmas. Whether you get them or not is down to you.”

“Pipe and a tweed jacket.” Michael echoed with a laugh. “All you’ll need is the British accent and you’ll be set.”


To be continued…