Roswell Fanatics

A/N: I totally love you all for your comments and your GREAT opinions. Yes, I know Maxy Poo is being a well, poo! But trust me chickies, he WILL redeem himself. With tons of groveling!

And as a side note, the reason some of this seems really ‘believable’ is because this situation has actually happen to me in reality. Yep, I was… DUN DUN DUN! The other woman! And let me tell you, the lies these guys come up with are so believable you find yourself doing things you thought you would never do…





Part 11 – The Affair

Date: 7/16/2005
From: "Liz" <PunkPrincess87@hotmail.com>
Subject: I’m having an affair
To: "Maria" <ImToxic@gmail.com>

I think I’m having an affair with Max Evans. I didn’t end up going to that party this past weekend and Logan didn’t even try and call me about that message Max left him. I saw him the other day at school and he smiled and waved like nothing ever happened. I was like, “…” and then I was like, “???” so yea, needless to say life is going on as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. The only indication that life IS different is the fact that Blair is gone (off to Paris) and Max climbs up my fire escape every night. We talk for hours, sometimes we make out, but mostly we just sit there and talk. OH and by sit I mean he sits in my lawn chair and I sit on his lap and we cuddle.

God, what is wrong with me? I know this is bad. This is B-A-D! But I can’t help it! You try having your crush make your fantasies (well, the CLEAN ones) come true and then tell him to shove it. Well, I guess I’ll just take what I can get. I mean it’s not like I have anyone else in the running or have guys lining up at my door to date me. I know what you’re thinking, so don’t. I know you think I’m scum, I’m worse than scum, I’m a home wrecker! Maybe so, but I’ve never been this happy before. Well, except for the time I made Michael cry a couple Christmases ago when I broke his cd player cuz he wouldn’t let me eat the rest of his stocking candy. We were 12!

We never talk about Blair, we never talk about life at all when we talk. All we talk about is movies and life in general. Like, what we want to do when we graduate, what colleges and careers we wish for. It kinda feels weird sometimes, I mean, he has a girlfriend. A girlfriend who is infatuated with him, and lately I’m starting to think she suspects something. I don’t know how since me and Max don’t even talk to each other when we’re at school. I mean, we say hey in the halls but other than that… Besides, the girl isn’t even HERE! But she calls like every five minutes! She calls me then she calls Max then she calls me…

Maria! Help me! Every part of me knows this is wrong but I don’t know what I’ll do without him. God I sound so fucking pathetic! I’m gonna go because I’m depressing myself.

Love you, please still love me,

…Liz



Date: 7/16/2005
From: "Maria" <ImToxic@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: I’m having an affair
To: "Liz" <PunkPrincess87@hotmail.com>

Chica I don’t know where to start. I don’t know what to say, and I sure as hell can’t talk. Why? Because I have stolen lots of boyfriends in my past time. What can I say? I’m irresistible to men! Okay that’s a lie but whatever. I can speak from experience chica, this is bad news. It’s all just gonna blow up in your face sooner or later. You need to stay away from Max. Oh and another thing? Max Evans is so lucky I live on this side of the country or I would so personally kick his ass.

Now let’s get to my drama because the world does not revolve around Liz Parker, it’s revolves around Maria Deluca. Okay? Okay, so here’s what happened. Preston and I went out this past weekend, because I thought you were going to that party so I felt like I had to party too so that the next tome we talked I we could be like remember that one party? And we could like totally pretend it was the same party only we were on separate parts of the room. I know, sad.

But anyways, I met this guy. He was so hot Liz you would totally be drooling. He’s like… Remember Colin Farrell in “A Home at the end of the World” ??? Remember when he first cut his long hair? Yeah well this guy looks nothing like that but Colin sure did look really hot in that movie right? Haha! Anyways we kinda… We kinda hooked up. Shut up! Shut up! You know I’m not like that! You KNOW this! But I was so wasted cuz Preston kept giving me drinks that he mixed cuz he was totally experimenting the entire night at the bar (yeah the girl who had the party is totally rich and she had her OWN bar) and the next thing I know this really hot guy is kissing me and I’m kissing him. Then the next thing I remember from that is waking up in someone’s bed… alone. Yeah, so now I feel like a total slut and Preston feel completely responsible (which he so should) since he gave me so many drinks.

Luckily no one has found out about my little one night stand and I’m SO glad for that. Can you imagine the rumors? I already gotta live with the fact that everyone knows bout my parents and then this? I can only take one rumor per year and given the choice I so choose the divorce rumor. Which actually isn’t even a rumor, it’s true. Ugh, whatever. So yeah, there you go. You’re best friend is a major slut whore who sleeps with guys she doesn’t know and doesn’t even remember the next day.

LIZ PARKER! How DARE you agree with what I just said! You should so be calling me right now saying, “Oh Maria I can’t believe that jerk take advantage of you like that!” I’m taking all this pretty well I think. I mean, I only cried like one time and that was alone in the shower. Oh and another thing?

I’m starting to remember that night. Yep. I remember the name “Brice Adams” and I remember a hot guy with a fucking CUT body. I remember that because I remember how good it felt when it was pressed up against my own. TMI? Oh shut up. God. I feel so dirty. Call me, okay? Fuck Verizon and your lack of a good minute plan. I need to hear your voice.

Luv,

-Maria




Why is it that boys complicate everything? My short yet important conversation with Maria was full of tears and fears. I cried because I was ashamed of myself and Maria cried because she was ashamed of herself and then Preston started crying because he said everyone was crying and it was all just too emotional. Max hasn’t come to my window in two days and though that’s technically a good thing I want to know why. Why isn’t he here?

I sit here on my balcony and stare up at the stars by myself. Alone. Michael’s been really clingy lately I’ve noticed. He won’t leave me alone for like three seconds. Ever since I left school without telling him he’s been like this non-stop overprotective brother figure. It’s annoying and if he doesn’t quit it I’m going to have to make him pay. Alex, well, Alex is currently tutoring Isabel Evans in English because her grammar sucks. My grammar sucks too but when I asked Alex to help me he said to watch Sesame Street instead. Gee thanks Al, I feel so special… Ed.

I glance down at my watch and read: 11:43p.m. and call it a night. I’m getting mosquito bites waiting out here. If I get West Nile I’m kicking some ass. I climb through my window and shut it behind me. When I face the room I just about have a heart attack.

“Michael!” I hiss, “What the hell?”

“I know.” He says.

“What you did last summer?” I tease and walk towards my bathroom to brush my teeth.

“I know Liz.” He follows me inside.

I squint from the minty tang taste when I start to brush and wave Michael away, “Go!” I gripe. I finish brushing my teeth and walk out of the bathroom, “Okay, what?” I set my hands on my sleeping spongebob covered hips.

“Quit the act Liz, I know about you and Max.” Michael snaps and sits on my bed, “What the fuck are you thinking?”

Whoa. I’m more trapped than a deer caught in headlights. I’m more busted than a piñata. I’m in deeper shit than a sewer. I’m more screwed than Paris Hilton.

“Well?” He looks at me for answers.

I have none. So I play dumb. “Whaaaa??” I grimace, “Psh, nah man. I don’t even know what you mean. You must be crazy.”

“Elizabeth Claudia Parker!”

“It’s my life!” I scream.

“No it’s not! Until you’re 18, your ass is mine! And you will do as I say if you want to continue to live under my roof!” He shoved a finger in my face.

I blink back at him and go over what he just said in my mind. Yes, he did in fact say live under my roof, okay. I’m not crazy. He is.

“So here’s how it’s gonna go. Max has already been dealt with and will no longer continue to lead you on in any way, shape, or form. If I see him anywhere near, and I mean even if he accidentally bumps into you in the halls. I’m going to fucking murder him. Do you understand me Liz? Because it don’t get any more serious than this.”

“Michael, mind your own damn business!” I shriek, “You are not my father and this is not your house or your—your roof! So butt out of my life!”

“Fine.” He nods.

“Thank you.” I sigh.

“I’m not your dad. You’re right. I’m not. So then let’s get him involved. You stay here, I’ll be right back.” He goes for the door and I dodge to tackle him down but he’s so determined that I slam into the door instead and slide down to lie flat on my stomach.

Michael pulls me up to my feet, “I can’t let you do this Liz. You’re gonna get hurt. You’re gonna get hurt and then I’m gonna have to kill my ex-best friend.”

“You guys really aren’t talking still?” I ask quietly. I’ve made a deal with myself. If I make it through this conversation without crying I’ll go down stairs and eat a big bowl of mint n chip ice cream with all the yummies. Whipped cream, a cherry, sprinkles, fudge, peanuts…

“No. We’re still not talking. We’re not even friends.” He growls.

“Michael,” I pause and take a deep breath. Sprinkles! Whipped cream! Do it for the cherry! “Michael, why are you doing this? Don’t you even care about how I feel?”

“DUH!” He shouts, I wonder why my parents haven’t come in my room from all the shouting. They must really be dead asleep. “If I didn’t care would I have gone through all this trouble? I had to find this out through Alex! Who heard it from Isabel! The only reason she’s not spreading that round like a wildfire is because Max has threatened to spread shit around about her. And the only reason I know that is because I went down to Max’s house and blew up.”

“Oh Michael,” I cover my face, “Why did you do that?” I groan.

“Look, I know you’ve had a crush on Max since forever but this entire situation should be living proof that he’s not all that. What kind of guy has a girlfriend and a whatever you are on the side?” He shakes his head, “What do you think you are to him Liz? You’re a dirty little secret.”

Sprinkles, cherries, ice cream…

“If he really liked you he’d be with you. Why isn’t he with you Liz?” He snorts, “Think about Blair, I thought you guys were friends.”

Whipped cream and peanuts…

“And another thing?” He pulls my hands from my face and stares straight at me, “What do you think is gonna happen when Blair comes back? You think Max is still gonna climb up onto your balcony and whisper sweet nothings in your ear? I don’t think so.”

“SHUT UP!” I scream, which turns into a sob. Fuck the ice cream. “Shut up and get out! Get out of my room!” I shove him backwards, “Get out!”

He doesn’t try and stay, he just gives me this sad sympathetic look and walks towards the door, “You’re only pissed because you know it’s true.” He says and then leaves.

“Liz? What’s going on in here?” My mom says and follows Michael downstairs, “Liz?” My dad walks into my room.

“I’m fine dad.” I try to mop up my face, “Please just leave me alone.”

“What did Michael say to you sweet pea?” He comes in further, “You want some ice cream?”

I laugh but it quickly turns into a sob. But I’m not in the mood for a father-daughter moment so I just walk over to my bathroom and lock myself in. Then I start the shower so my dad will leave. Sometime later I walk out and climb into bed, but I don’t sleep at all.




SexyPixie05: life sucks
SoOriginal87: yup
SexyPixie05: and I feel like I’m gonna vomit
SoOriginal87: I hate that word, vomit. who the hell made that word up anyway?
SexyPixie05: who cares
SoOriginal87: I do
SexyPixie05: I don’t
SoOriginal87: I do
SexyPixie05: I don’t
SoOriginal87: do!
SexyPixie05: I’m not much for playing that game right now
SoOriginal87: so you talk to that guy?
SexyPixie05: yeah
SoOriginal87: and?
SexyPixie05: and what? he’s dating some other girl now, he said if it doesn’t work out with her he’ll give me a call
SoOriginal87: what an ass
SexyPixie05: yep, so what about you?
SoOriginal87: I haven’t spoken to any male in 24 hours, unless you count my dad or my teacher
SexyPixie05: which I don’t
SoOriginal87: I hate how Michael always has to take matters into his own hands
SoOriginal87: I didn’t ask him to stick his big fat nose in my business
SexyPixie05: well, I’m sorry but I’m glad he did. You deserve better liz
SoOriginal87: do i? seriously because I don’t see any other guys trying to be with me
SexyPixie05: come here, I bet you’ll turn all these boys on! lol
SoOriginal87: lol
SexyPixie05: call me
SoOriginal87: can’t, I have zero minutes left
SexyPixie05: I hate you
SoOriginal87: blame verizon
SexyPixie05: I hate verizon
SoOriginal87: me too





It’s times like these when I really wish I had a dog. That way when I took my daily walks in the park I wouldn’t look like such a loner. I’ve really been on my dad’s case about getting me a dog since I took care of Michael’s moms Pomeranian, Bandit, a couple weeks ago. But instead, I walk along minding my own business when suddenly I’m beamed in the head by a soccer ball.

“Fucker!” I scream right before falling to the ground.





Black. Blue. Black. Blue. Camera one. Camera two. Camera one. Camera two. Great. Now let’s use them at the same time now shall we? Black. Blue sky. Blink. Blink.

“Liz?” Max’s voice jolts me from my eye tests.

I open both eyes and see his wonderful hovering above me. Then I feel the throbbing pain coming from the inside of my brain and touch the side of my face, “Ah!” I hiss in pain, “What the hell Max?” I sit up slowly.

And when I say slowly, I mean sloooowly. Cuz the world is ah spinnin and I’m not very comfortable with the spots that are currently dancing around my head. I sigh and close my eyes. I feel so tired, maybe I could just take a liiittle nap…

“LIZ!” Max shakes me (and my brain) awake. “Don’t fall asleep baby, you might have a concussion.”

“Dude that was crazy. Who kicked that ball anyways?” I hear someone else’s voice but all I see is blurry figures surrounding me. Male ones I can tell by the fact that no one has a shirt on. Unless I’ve stumbled onto a “girls gone wild” stage.

“I think it was Duncan but then again Logan was right there…”

“Dude! It doesn’t matter! Liz could freaking be brain dead!” I hear a familiar voice this time. Kyle Valenti.

“Lyle…” I smile at no one.

“See what I mean!” Kyle quickly lifts me up into his arms, “We are so going to the hospital.”

“Wait man, shouldn’t Max be the one to do that?” Duncan pipes up.

“And why is that?” Kyle turns around quickly, me still in his arms and flapping around like a rag doll. Just what exactly did they play soccer with? A freaking boulder!?

“Cuz that’s his woman.” Logan teases.

I feel a wave of nausea strike and push that baby back down. “Put me down.” I mumble to Kyle.

“Huh?” Kyle says to me. Or was it to Logan?

“Put me down.” I say a bit louder.

He sets my feet down gently but continues to hold me upright, “What do you mean she’s his woman?” Kyle asks the guys. “ I thought you were with…. Oooooh.” He stops as the light bulb above his head lights up, “Way to go man…” He laughs, “No wait.” He blurts as if realizing who the guilty parties are. I bet that light above his head is getting dimmer by the minute. “That’s not cool man, not when it concerns Liz.”

“Drama.” Logan and Duncan sing song at the same time, “We’ll just be over… here.” Duncan walks backwards and pulls Logan along with him. “Have fun kiddies!” Logan waggles his fingers at us.

I feel like such a call girl. “You told them?” I say to Max.

“Wait, let me explain.” Max stumbles over his explanations.

“Oh my god.” I shake my head, “He was right. I am just a dirty little secret.” I laugh to myself, “I feel so… Special.” I snort, “I mean, hello? Max Evans chose me, Liz Parker to be his very own girl on the side!”

“Liz it’s not like that and you know it.” Max snaps, “You mean so much more to me than that!”

“Bullshit!” I shout in his face, “Break up with Blair then!” I jerk away from Kyle and grab the fallen soccer ball.

“You know I can’t!” He shouts back at me, “God Liz why can’t you just work with me on this? I’m trying okay? I’m trying to make everyone here happy!”

“Well try harder dickwad!” I shriek and fling the soccer ball in Max’s face.

He deflects it of course. But when I hear Duncan, Logan and Kyle shout, “Ooooh!” I can’t help but feel just a little ounce of satisfaction.





SexyPixie05: still not talking to Michael?
SoOriginal87: still feeling nauseas?
SexyPixie05: well, glad to see both our lives still suck
SoOriginal87: yes, it is comforting in it’s own sick and twisted way
SexyPixie05: see, I can be sick and twisted. you don’t have to count on just Michael to “get” you
SoOriginal87: I never meant anything like that maria
SexyPixie05: I know, but I still got miffed when you said that
SoOriginal87: sorry
SexyPixie05: all in the past my friend, so you really throw that ball in Max’s face?
SoOriginal87: wish I could say it broke his nose but he smacked it away before that could happen
SexyPixie05: sorry
SoOriginal87: it’s okay, I’m debating whether it not to get Michael to kick his ass
SexyPixie05: do it!
SexyPixie05: and then video tape it
SexyPixie05: and make them do it with the sprinklers on so their all wet and glistening, no shirts allowed!
SoOriginal87: lol! Maria! You’re such a skank
SexyPixie05: ixnay on the skankay
SoOriginal87: my bad
SoOriginal87: if it makes you feel any better I’m a skank in the eyes of Roswell’s finest young men.
SexyPixie05: that’s not true
SoOriginal87: yeah it is, I can’t believe he fucking told them about us! Is nothing sacred anymore???
SexyPixie05: a secret is definitely not a secret these days
SoOriginal87: no, it’s not
SexyPixie05: I’m hungry
SoOriginal87: I thought you felt sick
SexyPixie05: I do but I’m still hungry
SoOriginal87: lol
SexyPixie05: I wonder if I could get Preston to make a Taco Bell run…
SoOriginal87: Jack in the Crack!
SexyPixie05: Oooooh! Good idea!
SoOriginal87: damn you and your personal driver!
SexyPixie05: don’t be jealous
SoOriginal87: oh I’m jealous alright






So after convincing my mother that I totally needed to get these English notes from a fellow classmate I jump in the SUV and make my way over to the nearest Jack in the Box drive thru. After my conversation with Maria I totally needed sustenance.

“Welcome to Jack in the Box, may I take your order?” Crrrrck!

“Yes you can, I’ll take a number 4 with cheese and curly fries.” I grin happily at the voice box.

“What kind of drink with that?” Crrrrck!

“Umm… Dr. Pepper, and can you make my meal a large size?” I add contemplating the Oreo milkshake I see plastered across the menu screen.

My total is said through the static and I move up one spot in line. It’s ridiculous how many people are in line at 12 midnight. How I convinced my mother to let me take the truck out this late with such a lame ass excuse is beyond me.

I move up just a tiny bit more in line so the person behind me can move up closer to the menu when I realize who’s in front of me. Shit.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!

Stay still and maybe he won’t see me. I stay perfectly still and hunch down in my seat. But it’s no use because I swear that boy has eyes not only in the back of his head but in a satellite in the sky.

He glares at me through his side mirror and not two seconds later my cell phone is buzzing. “What.” I bark.

“Hungry?” Michael teases.

“Not anymore.” I growl.

“Oh c’mon. You can’t still be mad. By now you should realize that it’s all for the best.” He says while he watches me in his mirror.

I sigh, “I really hate you, you know.”

“I know.” I see his head bob up and down.

“And I hope you choke on a fry.” I add.

“I won’t.” He laughs.

I close my eyes to look away from his reflection, “You can quit acting like Kyle didn’t already tell you what happened.”

“I was waiting for you to bring it up.” He moves his moms car up an inch.

“I thought you were gonna fix your car?” I change the subject.

“Engines shot. I need a new one.” He shrugs, “Want me to kick his ass?”

I smile, “No.” I shake my head.

“You sure? Cuz I can do that, in fact, Kyle even said he’d like a little of that action. Says it’s not fair to have your cake and eat it too.”

“Nice analogy.” I snort, “Still reading that ‘phrase of the day’ toilet paper?”

Michael chuckles softly then says more seriously, “You okay? I mean, really?”

I play with my moms keychain, “I dunno.”

“Listen, I don’t want to tell you this because I don’t want you getting any ideas but…” He sighs, “Max really does care about you.”

“Thanks Michael.” I say.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.” I smile at him, “Now move up, I’m hungry.”

He laughs and drives up to pick up his food.

Okay so here's the deal. My damn laptop crashed along with my entire update. So I had to whip this shit up like a batch of cupcakes. If it sucks, I'm so sorry! But it was the best I could do on such short notice! Love you all! Thanks for reading!





Chapter 12: I Gotta Getcha

DaWhitMAN: are you still not talking to anyone?
SoOriginal87: I'm talking to people
DaWhitMAN: just not me, michael or... anyone with a Y chromosome
SoOriginal87: correct
DaWhitMAN: may i ask why?
SoOriginal87: sure
DaWhitMAN: WHY?!
SoOriginal87: because you all suck ass and i hate you
DaWhitMAN: geez, how racist of you
SoOriginal87: Alex
SoOriginal87: shut up
DaWhitMAN: you know what you are?
SoOriginal87: smarter than you?
DaWhitMAN: no
DaWhitMAN: you're a brat
SoOriginal87: i beg your pardon Whitman? I know where you live
SoOriginal87: and I'll come smother you in your sleep
DaWhitMAN: you're petty threats won't scare me this time.
SoOriginal87: oh yeah?
DaWhitMAN: yeah, cuz Michael's spending the night tonight anyways! HA! in your FACE!
SoOriginal87: fine, whatever
SoOriginal87: fag boys
DaWhitMAN: HEY!
DaWhitMAN: i am as straight as an arrow
SoOriginal87: yes, but even an arrow can... stray off course
DaWhitMAN: you're an ass
SoOriginal87: you're a geek
DaWhitMAN: I'm telling Michael!
<center>DaWhitMAN: has signed off...</center>


BenditLikeME: hey
SoOriginal87: wow, haven't spoken to you in a while
BenditLikeME: that's because you kept ignoring me
SoOriginal87: oh. yeah. i forgot about that, sorry
BenditLikeME: its cool
SoOriginal87: i guess
BenditLikeME: why was that again?
SoOriginal87: why was what again?
BenditLikeME: why were u ignoring me?
SoOriginal87: i can't really... remember
SoOriginal87: but i'm sure it was for good reason
BenditLikeME: you're one complex cookie
SoOriginal87: don't call me food
BenditLikeME: sure thing cupcake
SoOriginal87: damn you



Pretending that things were just fine and dandy was harder than I thought it would be. Just passing Max in the halls is hard. It's like I can feel him before I even see him. My body is fucking psychic! I've heard of some freaky things in my time but have yet to ever hear about a psychic body. Maybe I should consult a professional psychic about it.

Anyways, back to me being the depressed nitwit that I am...

In class today (which by the way sucked ass since Mr. Roth refused to allow me to change partners) Isabel suggested that I get a life when I asked her to please pass me a dictionary. It was only two feet away from her and yet she would not give it to me. So, I had to take hers. This started a huge childish argument.

And for some reason I liked it. I mean, I feel like if I can't get back at Max, I can sure as hell make his sister as miserable as humanly possible. If not more. Because let's face it, what normal human has the kinds of thoughts in their mind as I do?

"Look, can we please just get along today? I'm having a shitty day already and it would be great if I didn't have to put up with your shit." Isabel huffs as she sits down next to me before class starts.

I pause to think about what she's asking me. It's perfectly reasonable, it was even polite how she asked for a temporary truce. I can even accept the fact that she actually does look like shit.

Which is why I had to say, "Sure Isabel." I smile, "I'll leave you alone if you agree to do the entire class assignment while I sit back and do absolutely nothing."
"Fine." She sighed.

I sat there shocked out of my 2 for 5.99 Old Navy thong sandals. "Wow." I said to her, "You weren't lying!"

She looks at me as if I'm crazy then... She starts to bawl. I shit you not. Isabel Evans, Roswell's own Miss America wannabe, started to bawl right in front of me. What the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn't just let her bawl like that, having bawled enough to fill a river just the night before I started to... To... Feel sorry for her. Damn it. Damn this bleeding heart of mine.

"There... There." I pat her back with a finger. No way is the girl who once locked me outside the girls locker room in my underwear (we were 12 and I never forgave her), going to get complete sympathy from me.

"It's just..." She blubbers, "I can't..." She blubbers some more.

People are starting to stare. Great. Just great. I didn't know what to do. Other than to tell everyone to turn around or fear my wrath. Which did not work by the way. I had to end up... God it's too horrible to repeat. I had to...

I had to be nice! I, Liz Parker, sworn enemy of the BBB (Buxom Blonde Bombshell), stood up, pulled that sad sobbing mess to her feet (which was odd in itself since she's about a foot taller than me) and escorted her to (as Blair would put it) "Ladies Room."



"So why don't you just start from the beginning and we'll work our way out from there." I suggest to Isabel and hand her a cool wet wad of paper towels.

She shakes her head and mops her face up, "I can't believe that I'm being consoled by you." She sniffs, "I mean, no offense but..." She pauses to check her reflection, "You're not exactly... Popular enough to be seen with."

I cannot believe this bitch. But I put on my best smile, "You know what Isabel?" I laugh to myself and jump off the sink where I sat, "Kiss my ass." I open the door to leave.

"Liz wait!" She calls me back.

I pause halfway out the door, "What." I snap without looking at her.

She walks over and slams the door shut, "What the hell did you do to my brother?"
I look up at her in shock and back away from the door she stands in front of with her arms crossed. The crying game is now over, her face is clean and clear. She looks supermodel perfect once again. Then it hits me.

"You faked crying just to get me in here alone?!" I shout and point at her.

She snorts, "Oh please, like I would ever spill my guts out to you." She rolls her eyes and sets her hands on her hips, "I needed to get you alone, and I needed to make sure you would stay. Thus my little damsel in distress act."

I clap, "Bravo."

She grins, "I thought so. I didn't take Drama for two years for nothing." She shrugs, "Now, down to business. Why the hell is my brother moping around the house, listening to The Dave Matthews Band in his room?" She spits out DMB as if they're trash. I want to slap her.

"How should I know?" I cross my arms.

"Don't play dumb with me Liz. I know all about you and Max's little rendezvous’ on your balcony. I also know that he broke up with Blair last night. Then they got baack together this morning when she called bawling her fake blue contacts out." She walks up closer to me, "I don't like her Liz. I hate her more than I hate you."

"You're just making me want to listen to you more and more Isabel." I say sarcastically.

"All I know is that for two years my brother has been walking around like a zombie. Then one day, out of the blue poof he's smiling, he's joking, he's laughing, he's... happy." She takes another step forward, "Now take a wild guess when that started to happen."

"He's won't brake up with Blair." I shake my head.

"That's only because every time he does, which has been a lot, she starts sobbing and threatening to kill herself. You see, all the lights are on but there ain't nobody home upstairs for that girl." Isabel taps her forehead.

"You're a liar."

"You're a dumbass." She laughs, "My brother wants you. For whatever odd reason. But you're the one he wants. Do I have to spell it out for you?"

"I know he likes me but it's kinda hard to act on that when he has a girlfriend!" I point out.

"Why don't you let me worry about that small little detail huh?" She moves out of my way, "I'll see you in class. I have a phone call to make first."

I give her one last odd glance before leaving for class.




"I swear the entire thing was a scene out of the twilight zone." I explain to Maria later that day about my conversation with Isabel. "Maria?" I ask when she doesn't say anything after a while.

"Uh, what? Oh! Sorry, I was watching Dazed and Confused. I love that movie!" She screams.

"I know!" I shout back, "How hot were the guys and how freaking awesome was one day of their lives compared to everyday of mine?" I laugh.

"Oh! And how they like initiate certain freshman into school! Or the guys, gosh, the guys like whooped the poor little boys asses man!"

"Yeah man." I teased.

"Shut up." She laughed, "Make fun of me..." She mumbled.

It was relaxing talking to Maria for once without having to talk about what was depressing us. I decided to not bring the subject of our problems and just went with the flow. I was betting Maria felt the same way because she never brought up her problems either. We didn't talk about her one nighter, we didn't talk about my home wrecking ways...

We just talked like we used to. When things weren't so damn complicated. When the topic of our conversations were about things like "Antar" or who on Antarianfanatics was a good writer and who was... not so good.

When the hell did things switch from cool, calm and collected to hot, bothered, and all over the place? When I hung up Maria I didn't go straight home from school when I got off the bus. Yes, I've been taking the bus lately since all this crap hit the fan.
Anyways, I walked to the small park that wasn't too far away from the place I called home. I twirled on the tire swing, slid down the winding slides and swung on the swings. I remember being little and constantly being scared that if I swung too high I would flip over the bar. I still felt my hands tighten when I began to gain real height on the swing. Then there was the other thing that I used to be scared shitless of.

"Jump! Juuummmp! juuummmp! Juuuump!" I could still hear Michael chant, "Aww c'mon Parker! Would you just freaking jump!"

I really hated when he did that. He'd do it until I started to cry and then he'd fall over himself trying to get me to stop.

"No-No-No! Don't cry Liz! Don't cry! Look! Look at me!" He'd do cartwheels and jumping jacks. "Good god girl what do I have to do to make you stop crying!?" He'd always end up saying when nothing he did made me stop.

Truth be told, I wouldn't stop crying until he did his Tarzan act. I always loved watching him make a complete fool of himself.

"I know! Liz look at meeee!!!" He'd beg until my tearful eyes darted his way, "Okay now you gotta pay attention okay? And you can't cry or I won't do it!" He'd climb up to the top of the Jungle Gym and scream, "Ahhhhhhhh Ahhh Ahhhhhhh!!!" Beat his hands against his chest and then swing from bar to bar all the way down to the floor.

I'd be laughing hysterically by then, my tears dried and my sobs gone. He'd be struggling to catch his breath and by the end of it he'd be laughing at his own self. "You love when I do that, don't you?" He's smirk.

I did. I so did.

I swung until I really did start to think I was gonna flip over, I readied myself, grabbing hold of teh chains from teh outside so I had room for what I was about to do. I waited until I was up in the air again, timing it just perfectly, then... I jumped off. I flew a few feet in the air, feeling as if I were actually flying!
Then, gravity took over and I went plummeting to the wood chip filled floor.

Sir Isaac Newton?

I hate you.




I limped the rest of the way home, slivers and all. But when I got home my day got worse. First of all, I saw my aunts car parked out front. Secondly, it was hell limping up the steps to the front door and third...

Michael was waiting for me in my room. My mom tells me this right after she and my aunt cocks their heads and ask, "Why do you have wood chips in your hair?"
I say, "I fell."

"Well what you fell for?" My dad says walking into the kitchen for something to drink, "You better clean up before dinner kiddo." He pats my shoulder as he passes me into the TV room. I hear him ask someone if they want a beer.

"He's gonna let Michael drink beer?!" I shriek.

My mom rolls her eyes, "Michael is waiting for you in your room. Your father is talking to your tia's boyfriend. She nudges my aunt who blushes.

I want to ask about him but there is a splinter suck directly in the wedge between my middle and ringer finger on my right hand. So I run upstairs and right past Michael to get into my bathroom. I slam the door in his face.

"What's going on?" Michael opens the door and walks into the bathroom just as I run my hand under hot water. "What are you doing?" He asks.

"What if I were going to the bathroom?" I say.

He shrugs, "Are you?"

"Does it look like I am?" I snap.

"Then what's the problem?" He crosses his arms.

I shake my head and look back at my wound, "I have a sliver." I mumble.

He opens the cabinet above my head and starts to look for I have no idea but I'm screaming for him to shut it.

"Ew! Tampons and-- Ugh!" He slams it shut and then covers his face, "I'll never look at you the same."

I scowl, "You shouldn't have gone through my things anyways!" I bark, "Gosh you always do that! Like you're the boss of the universe!"

"Whoa I was just gonna get your tweezers." He holds his hands up, "Pipe down. Sheesh."

I stand there blinking back at him with my hand held under the water, "You're not poking me with that thing. I hate needles. I can barely pluck my own eyebrows."

"I can tell." He snorts.

I splash him with water. I look at my hand and even though for some odd reason I don't see anything in my hand I know it's there. Michael says he can't see anything either so I have to take his word for it and stop trying to make my hand look like a prune for no reason.

"So are we gonna be weird?" Michael blurts.

I look up at him and twist the hot water off, "I don't know." I shrug and go back into my room for a change of clothes.

"Why are their wood chips all over you?" He laughs.

"I jumped." I turn around triumphant.

"You did not." He says knowing perfectly well what I'm talking about. "Swear it."

"I swear it man. I jumped!" I squeal, "I so did it and then I so fell on my face." I laugh, "But for those few seconds I was airborne it felt like... Like I was--"

"Flying." Michael finishes my sentence with a smile, "I can't believe you did it and I wasn't there to watch you fall."

I roll my eyes and grab a clean pair of jeans from a drawer, "You're too kind." I go to my closet and grab a plain white baby tee. After I change in the bathroom I decide I want to shower and tell Michael to wait for my on my balcony. When I'm finally refreshed and so fresh and so clean I run a brush through my wet hair and run down stairs to have my aunt French braid it. I take a quick peak at her date "Marcus" and then run back up to my balcony.

"Oh my god your mom's boyfriend is a total hottie." I say as if it's a huge secret.
He scowls, "The guy's a dick."

"Says the dick of all dicks." I frown and sit on my lawn chair. I have a moment of foreboding where I think about me and Max on the chair but quickly push that aside. "Where did they meet?"

"Who cares." Michael grumbles and looks over the edge. The sun is low but it's still bright enough for me to see the look that crosses Michael's face.

"You okay?" I ask weary.

He shrugs, "Yeah, sure. Why?"

"Truth Michael." I stand up from my chair and go to stand by him.

He lets out a huge sigh, "Well, let's see. My best friend and I are no longer on speaking terms. My cousin won't speak to me because she thinks I'm the devil incarnate for trying to keep her from heartbreak. My tutor at school thinks I'm a complete idiot, Alex won't stop talking about Isabel and to top it all off..." He sighs again and turns to look at me, "My mother is dating him."

"Huh?" I curl my lip like Elvis, "What are you talking about?"

"My tutor. That's him." He points towards the voices in the house, "He called for a teachers conference because he wasn't seeing much progress in my studies. I ended up sitting there watching them flirt the entire time."

I suck in air through my teeth, "Yewouch."

He nods, “Exactly.”

“Can I ask you something?” I say more seriously.

He shrugs, “Why not?”

I bite my lip then say, “What tutoring service did you apply to? Cuz I’d love to have a hot tutor like that.” I dart back inside my room and run downstairs before Michael can kill me.




“Can you please pass the biscuits.” Michael growls to his mom’s date Marcus.

“Sure thing.” He passes them over, “You want the butter too?”

Marcus is perfectly nice and well mannered, I mean he’s a perfect 10. Hot, smart, well behaved. What the hell is Michael’s problem? At least he’s not like the last guy his mom dated. That guy was one scary dude. He drank and yelled and sang old TV tunes. I was betting Michael was just experiencing a good old case of she’s my mommy stay away.

“Did I ask for the butter?” Michael snaps. I kick Michael under the table only to collide with my aunts kick as well. “Ow!” Michael curses under his breath, “No. Thank you.” He says with spite.

With Michael it’s never simple. There’s always distain. Dad asks how I’m coming along on my English Project in class. I almost choke on my mashed potatoes in shock. “How did you know I had a project?” I ask.

He smiles, “Your teacher called and asked if you’d need your partner to bring you some notes since you left early the other day.” He says as if it’s a regular thing.

I gulp the food in my mouth. “Oh.” I wait for things to click.

“Yep.” He smiles again.

Then, “Wait a minute.” My mom says and sets her fork down slowly, “When did you leave early?”

My dad’s poor little brain is not yet comprehending, “The other day silly.” He says to her. “Remember?”

“No.” My mom glares at me, “Elizabeth Parker. You ditched school!”

I want to fall face first in my plate and hide out in my mashed potatoes. But since I can’t, “I had good reason.”

“You bet your ass your better have had good reason!” Mom snaps.

“Chill mom, can we talk about this later? When we don’t have company maybe?” I point out.

She swallows her lecture and shakes her head, “Honestly Jeff, sometimes I don’t know where your brain is.”

“In my head.” He point to his forehead, “Duh.”

Michael and I snort our laughter. Conversations start up and Michael and I end up as the dish washers for the evening. I have to hear Michael bitch and moan about his mom dating his tutor for the first ten minutes before I end up spraying him with the dish hose.

“Would you shut up already?” I spray him again. “What are you? 3?”

“You’re the one spraying the hose!” He dodges another water attack.

I set the hose down and dry off the last remaining dishes. “Isabel cornered me today.” I admit to him. “It was weird.”

“What she say?” Michael asks, as if fearing the answer.

“What do you think she said?” I turn around to face him.

“I was afraid she’d do that.” He sighs, “You told her to piss off, right?”

“Uhh…” I turn back around to the sink.

“Liz!”

“She was crying!” I shout, “She set me up and then dropped the ball! I was like whhhhaaaaa and by the time I started to realize I was being played she sent me off on my way.”

“This isn’t good Liz.” He leans against the counter, “If Isabel gets involved… Nothing good can come of this.”

“What are we? In the medieval times now? Nothing good can come of this.” I mock.

He shakes his head, “I don’t like where this is going. First the guys, then Isabel… What’s next? Is the entire school going to find out and try to meddle?”

“Max is a big boy. He’ll do what he wants to do. I’m done pretending he’s gonna choose me. It was a stupid dream anyways.”

“You can do better Liz.”

I laugh, “Whatever.” I leave and walk up to my room.




Okay, so just because I said I was through playing games, didn’t mean I meant my games. If Max was going to play with my mind, then I was gonna play with his. The next day was Friday, perfect for my plan. What little plan it was. So that morning I woke up super early and curled the ends of my hair, flipped my layers and glossed my lips. I put on just a touch of peach blush, a few strokes of mascara and lightly dusted on some eye shadow.

It was the perfect there-but-not-really-there make up look that all woman strive for. Just enough to accentuate what I got. Then I went through my closet and chose some hip hugging, low riding jeans. I topped it off with the gift I had gotten from Maria last year. A fuchsia toned floral halter, it was loose but tight enough to hug my curves. I slid my feet into some cute matching high heeled sandals and was out the door.



My mother was so shocked to see her tomboy daughter dressed as a woman she handed over her car keys without protest. I felt like the shit. I’ve always hated girls who walked around like they knew they were beautiful but that day when I walked through Roswell High’s parking lot and saw the looks on all the boys faces…

I understood why they did it.

( Theme Song to Liz’s walk through school: Jermaine Dupri (Ft. Missy Elliott), Gotta Getcha. )

“Who the hell is that?” I heard Isabel’s voice from somewhere far off. I walked through the school, feeling like things where in slow motion and that one song I had just heard on the car radio by Jermaine Dupri was playing in my head.

“Dayyyyyyum!” A few guys on my right called.

“Hey baby! Lookin damn good!” A few guys on my left.

Damn, this felt good. It would feel even better in a few seconds. I walked down the hall where all the school’s lockers were lined up. I knew where Max’s was, and it was no where near mine. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t still pretend I chose to walk the long way to my locker. I had skipped my backpack for a small clutch purse so there really was no reason to go to my locker just yet. I only needed my English book, but class didn’t start for another 30 minutes.

I gotta getcha getcha getcha getcha…

I sauntered down the hall past Logan’s locker. Watched his jaw drop, walked past Duncan’s locker and watched him drop everything that was in his hands. Which was a few books and a starbucks coffee.

I gotta getcha getcha getcha getcha,
Someday, some way

Oh well would you lookie here, there was Max. Looking all sad and depressed at his locker, going through some notes. I made sure the clack of my heels grew louder before I approached him. I wanted him to turn around and see me walk past him without a care. And this kind of walk could only be done once. So damn him if he doesn’t turn around!

Bingo! He turned, the sound of my heels must have been more attention grabbing than I thought. The power of the heels against the concrete floor!

“Holy… God.” Max flew up against his locker in shock. “Li-Liz?” He panted, and stared as I got closer.

I gotta getcha getcha getcha getcha…

The look on his face was legendary. I wish I could have snap shot it with my camera phone and sent it off into cyberspace but as it was. I did not. I simply gave him a sexy sideways glance, and then…

Walked right past him as if he wasn’t there.

If I had eyes on the back of my head I bet I could have guessed the lustful look that passed over his face. If wanted Blair, that was fine. He didn’t know what he was missing right? Wrong. I was gonna show him exactly what he was missing.

I gotta getcha getcha getcha getcha
If its the last thing that I do…

In a Group IM chat room titled: Since U Been Gone
Participants: SexyPixie05, SoOriginal87 & WebDiva21

SexyPixie05: Where the hell have you BEEN???
SoOriginal87: yeah! What Maria said!
WebDiva21: out of my mind, I’ll be right back
SexyPixie05: oh no you don’t Ms thang!
SoOriginal87: yeah! What maria said!
WebDiva21: what? I’ve been super busy lately!
SexyPixie05: “Oh I’ve been soooo busy”
SoOriginal87: yeah! What maria said
SexyPixie05: oh my god Liz, shut up
SoOriginal87: okay. I’ll do what maria said :X
WebDiva21: wow, that was harsh.
SexyPixie05: it had to be done
SoOriginal87: yea, what mar—I mean. I don’t know what I mean.
SexyPixie05: so where have you been? Hmmm???
SexyPixie05: and don’t give me that ‘my lap top crashed’ excuse either!
WebDiva21: sheesh!
SoOriginal87: yeah, I mean hellooo??? I’d like to know where things are going between me and Max. It’s not everyday a girl gets to have her dreams come true
SoOriginal87: I want my dream to come true!
WebDiva21: sorry :`(
SexyPixie05: gosh liz, you made her cry
SoOriginal87: well geez I didn’t know she was so sensitive
SexyPixie05: well, apparently she is!
WebDiva21: umm… guys? it was just a sad face, I’m not REALLY crying
SoOriginal87: oh now look at her! She’s all confused!
SexyPixie05: dammit Liz! You confused her!
SexyPixie05: un-confuse her!
SoOriginal87: you are hereby UNconfused!
SexyPixie05: oh yeah, like that’s gonna work
WebDiva21: yeah, that’s not really working…
SoOriginal87: damn
SexyPixie05: well then what’s been going on huh? Can’t you see that all these loyal readers are waiting to see the next chapter in maria deluca’s lush life?!
SoOriginal87: ummm… Maria? I’m the main character in this fic, sorry
SexyPixie05: what?
SexyPixie05: not uh! Oh HELL no!
WebDiva21: would you guys just calm down! I’m trying to type up an update as fast as I can!
SexyPixie05: you need to work faster
SoOriginal87: yeah, I’m pretty sure you lost a few readers by now
WebDiva21: I know, gosh I just can’t get past this slump!
SexyPixie05: what slump? I don’t see no slump.
SoOriginal87: I can assist you you know. I mean it’s not that hard
SexyPixie05: here she goes…
SoOriginal87: you can start off by letting me kick my cousin Michael’s ass (always a fun thing to do)
SoOriginal87: then you can end it with Max naked in my bed!
SexyPixie05: ewwww!
SoOriginal87: Maria, you haven’t seen him. or you SO would not be saying ew
WebDiva21: she has a point there
SexyPixie05: YOU’ve seen him naked???
WebDiva21: well, technically… no. but I saw his Cliff Watts photoshoot and DAYUM!
SoOriginal87: double damn
SoOriginal87: hey! That’s MY man!
SexyPixie05: um, no. that’s BLAIRS man.
SoOriginal87: damn you elena! Make him mine!
WebDiva21: I can’t just GIVE him to you!
WebDiva21: where’s the fun in that???
SoOriginal87: Oh there is so much fun in that… for me
SexyPixie05: she’s so selfish.
SexyPixie05: Oh, and hey! Hello??/ what’s with giving me the shit end of the stick with that one nighter huh? I deserve more than ONE night!
<center>DaBadstBtch has entered the room…</center>
DaBadstBtch: can somebody tell me what the HELL id going on here??? Why is Preston not getting any lovin???
SexyPixie05: shut up preston
WebDiva21: oh my gosh I can’t please EVERYBODY at once!
SoOriginal87: omg if you could that would be like… miracle stuff, a call from above
SexyPixie05: can we like, bottle some of that stuff?
DaBadstBtch: stop ignoring me!
WebDiva21: sorry pres
DaBadstBtch: it’s okay, its not your fault you have two clingy bitches harassing you for an update
SexyPixie05: oh no you didn’t
SoOriginal87: oh yes he did
WebDiva21: okay! Okay! Ladies! Let’s simmadownnah!
SexyPixie05: simmadownnah!
SoOriginal87: simma!
WebDiva21: okay, I’m almost done with the next update. Hopefully it will please almost everyone with an XY chromosome
SexyPixie05: hahahah! That means preston’s getting NO lovin!
WebDiva21: sorry pres, but no. not in this chapter
DaBadstBtch: damn
SexyPixie05: gosh, don’t feel bad for him. just because you don’t write about his sexual exploitations does NOT mean he’s not getting any
SoOriginal87: busted!
WebDiva21: well, okay then.
SoOriginal87: look, sorry I had to lay the smackdown on you about this, but it had to be done
WebDiva21: it’s cool. I understand
WebDiva21: so we’re cool?
SoOriginal87: we’re cool
SexyPixie05: all’s good girlfriend
WebDiva21: whew! Well, I guess I better get back to that update!
SexyPixie05: oh, b4 you go… can you please make Michael fall madly in love with me?
SoOriginal87: oh ew! MARIA! What did I say about that!
SexyPixie05: oh hush up, you have your homewrecker ways and I have mine!
SoOriginal87: bitch!
SexyPixie05: hussy!
DaBadstBtch: behave…
WebDiva21: I’ll see what I can do
DaBadstBtch: I’m gonna check my myspace, ciao!
SexyPixie05: bye elena, see ya later!
SoOriginal87: peace out my wigga
WebDiva21: umm… I’m Mexican
SoOriginal87: oh… well then… adios!
SexyPixie05: just say bye Liz
SoOriginal87: bye Liz!
WebDiva21: lol, bye guys

<center>
DaBadstBtch has signed off…
SexyPixie05 has signed off…
SoOriginal87 has signed off…
WebDiva21 has signed off…
</center>

Sorry for the confusion earlier. That "chat" was just a warm up, it was meant to be funny. HERE is your real update. Have fun. Cuz I won't update this again until I get at least two chapters of "Reunion" written. Ta ta! :p

[ EDIT ] Song used is "a beautiful lie" from the new 30 seconds to mars CD. Jared Leto is so fucking awesome, the band rocks. Go buy the new cd "A Beautiful Lie" today! Now! This second! lol [ /EDIT ]




Chapter 13: A Beautiful Lie


Fah-Q: they're doing it again
SoOriginal87: ewwwwww!!!
Fah-Q: you would think that old people would stop doing it by now
SoOriginal87: giggling is highly overrated
Fah-Q: she just did it again
SoOriginal87: what about him?
Fah-Q: he has a man chuckle
SoOriginal87: that bastard
Fah-Q: my sentiments exactly
SoOriginal87: 7248
Fah-Q: wtf?
SoOriginal87: those are the last 4 digits to maria's cell
Fah-Q: is she hot?
SoOriginal87: sizzling
Fah-Q: hook it uppppp
SoOriginal87: no
Fah-Q: hater
SoOriginal87: she lives across the u.s.
Fah-Q: oh
Fah-Q: that chick you met online?
SoOriginal87: yep
SoOriginal87: she thinks you're hot
SoOriginal87: i dunno why
Fah-Q:
SoOriginal87: u're a dweeb
Fah-Q: says the comp nerd
Fah-Q: ugh! they did it again!
SoOriginal87: sorry man
Fah-Q: that's it, i can't take this ish anymore
SoOriginal87: wha u gonna do???
Fah-Q: I'm coming over
<center>Fah-Q has signed off...</center>


BenditLikeME: hey
SoOriginal87: sup
BenditLikeME: nm, u?
SoOriginal87: raving
BenditLikeME: wha?
SoOriginal87: rave - ing
BenditLikeME: okayyy
SoOriginal87: it's a full time par-tay over herrre
BenditLikeME: oh really?
SoOriginal87: really, really
BenditLikeME: lol
SoOriginal87: so... i'm startinh to become curious
SoOriginal87: i know i said i didn't care
[SoOriginal87: but now i do
BenditLikeME: it was bound to happen
SoOriginal87: well, i know two things...
BenditLikeME: ...?
SoOriginal87: you're a guy (i think)
BenditLikeME: gee thanx
SoOriginal87: and you're semi-popular (so you say)
BenditLikeME: i dunno about that anymore
SoOriginal87: stop trying to confuse me
BenditLikeME:
SoOriginal87: so I need one more clue
BenditLikeME: I like you
SoOriginal87: oh and you're a dweeb
BenditLikeME: and perverted
SoOriginal87: oh yes
SoOriginal87: can't forget that
BenditLikeME: I like to wear womens underwear too
SoOriginal87: so do I
BenditLikeME: really? care to elaborate?
SoOriginal87: nope
BenditLikeME: damn. well, I saw your catwalk 2day at school
BenditLikeME: verrry niiice
SoOriginal87: just nice?
BenditLikeME: HOOOTTTT!!!
SoOriginal87: That's better, lol
SoOriginal87:
BenditLikeME: you uhh...
BenditLikeME: you plan on doing that agin?
SoOriginal87: wouldn't you like to know
BenditLikeME: yes
BenditLikeME: that's why I asked
SoOriginal87: oh
SoOriginal87: well too bad
SoOriginal87: go try on some more womens underwear
<center>SoOriginal87 has signed off...</center>



"Who was that?" Michael comes into my room and collapses on my bed.

"No one." I spin around from my computer to look at him.

"You know he wants me to call him 'Marc'?" Michael scowls at the ceiling.

"What did you say?" I ask. It was the polite thing to do. Even when I really didn't care about the entire subject. Michael was being a big ass baby.

"I said, 'Sure. Marc -ass.'"

I snort and burst out laughing, "Oh my god. What did he say after you said that?" I cn't help but ask next.

He shrugs, "I dunno. I walked away."

I shake my head, "What am I gonna do with you?" I smile and stand up from my chair where I almost fall over. Whoa, exactly how long had I been sitting there online? My legs are all tingly!

"I know what you can do with him." I hear Alex's voice, "You can take him and come with me to a party." He strolls in looking like a million bucks.

Michael and I immediately whistle. I mean he looks snazzzzy. Dark grey tutle neck sweater, black slacks and some expensive looking shoes to top it off. Not to mention the fact that I could smell him before he even entered my room.

Alex blushes, "Oh, stop."

I whistle one more time then move over to my bed and sit in the end, "What party?" I say shoving Michael's feet away from me. Which starts a mini-fight between us. "Michael! Mom!" I scream and barrel roll into Michael to sit on top of his back.

"Get off!" He yells, "I mean it Liz. I'm gonna count." He struggles, "One..." He starts to count when I don't move.

"Two, three, four, five!" I say and with each number I bounce on his back. I think I heard a crack!

"You guys! I'm serious!" Alex grabs a pillow and thrases me, "Liz! Be adult here!"

"Damn. he's right." I flop off Michael but have to deflect a smack. "Tell him to quit it!" I say to Alex. As if he could do anything. Psh. That's a good one. "Alright, tell us about the party." I sigh and try to ignore Michael as he continues to try and smack me wherever possible.

Alex shrugs, "I dunno. Isabel invited me. She said to bring whoever."

"Yeah, I guess I'll go." Michael gives up trying to hurt me and stands up to stretch, "Nothing else to do."

Alex fidgets, "You're uhh... You're gonna change, right?" He looks Michael wover with a frown.

"No. Why?" Michael lifts an arm and smells his armpit, "Nah, it's fine." He shrugs, apparently pleased that he doesn't stink. I throw my flip flop at him and call him disgusting. Ugh, guys are gross!

"Well?" Alex slaps his hands down at his sides.

I sigh, "Fine."

Alex shrieks and runs over to hug me. He knows beter than to embrace Michael, if what happen the last time is any consideration. I mean, he almost lost an eye. And then I start to contemplate what to wear. Will Max be there? Will I see him moping around or will he be libing it up? He thinks he's so slick, I bet his stupid friends gave him pats on the back and called him something dumb like Mac Daddy or worse, Mr. Pimp. He's far from it. In fact, I would go as far as to say that he's a bad kisser.

Okay. That's a lie. But no one has to know that.

"Uh, Liz?" Michael calls from outside my room where I sent him and Alex packing while I changed. Which was turning out to be harder than I intended it to be. I have nothing in my closet!

"You're not gonna glam all up like you did earlier. Are you?" He says before I hear him and Alex begin to whisper back and forth. My response was to throw a show at the closed door. "Okay then." Alex shouts back.

I turn back to my closet and sigh. Again. Damn. I ask if they think we have any time to go shopping really quick and then change my minds when they start to bitch and moan. I don't see what the big deal was. Bastards.

Okay. So I have to look hot. Because well, it would make my little scene at school look pretty dumb if I look like my usual tomboy self now. Damn. I really hated wearing the heels.

I dig in the back of my closet for anything that remotely resembles something feminine and come up blank. Damn. I tell the guys to go wait in the living room cuz this could take a while. Then I dial Maria.

"9-1-1." I say the instant she answers.

"Um. No. This is Maria. If you have an emergency I suggest you hang up and dial... Listen closely. You ready? Okay... Nine... One... One. Got it?" She says as if talking to a child.

"Maria it's me you dumbass. I'm having a clothes crisis." I whine.

"Oh! Liz, you scared me! I really gotta start looking at that damn caller I.D." She laughs. "So what's up?"

"There's a party and I have nothing to wear." I cry, "I'm knee deep in jeans, jeans and more jeans. Oh and a few plain colored tee's."

She sighs, "Oh Liz. You really need to come live with me. I'd have you struting around in heels like a pro. Okay. Let's see the potentials."

"I have no potentials." I say.

"You have potentials." She says as if I'm lying.

"Uhh... No. I don't."

"Liz! You mean to tell me that out of everything in your entire room you have nothing to wear? Not even something that you might wear as a last resort?" She says as if I'm commiting a horrible crime.

"Well, What if I wore what I wore earlier to--"

"Oh my god. Liz Parker if you finish that sentence I'm flying to Roswell and arresting you for a major fashion violation." She groans, "Oh my poor, poor fashion victim for a friend!"

I roll my eyes, "Do you need a moment?"

"No. I'm cool. Okay. Just text me your best options and Liz don't whine that you don't have anything. There is always something you could wear. It just depends on how you wear it."

I sigh again and do as she asks. Two minutes later we're right back where we started, "Wow, you weren't lying when you said you didn't have anything." She snorts. I groan and she tries to reassure me, "Okay, okay. Don't get your panties in a twist. I just have to get reinforcements. That's all."

"Hey Liz!" Preston says. "Okay, this is gonna sound crazy but just trust me, okay?"

20 minutes later. I'm ready to go.



"Took you long... Enough." Michael's jaw drops.

"What?" Alex turns from the TV, "Oh... Wow."

I smile and descend down the stairs, "You think?" I grin wider when they nod, "Yeah, I just had my own little mini-queer eye makeover." I shrug and take the remote from Michael, "Ready?" I turn the television off.

Michael shakes his head, "Uh, uh. You are not going out like that!" He looks over at Alex, "Stop looking at her like that!" He dives to tackle Alex.

Sheesh. It's just some black slack capri's with a studded belt. I mean yeah, they are ridden a bit low on my hips but... Oh wait. Could it be the fact that I'm wearing a white wifebeater with a black bra underneath? The dark charcol eyeline around my eyes and silver hoops in each ear? I added a thin silver chain with a small diamond heart at the end.

I pulled my hair up into a low loose pony tail and pulled up some of the hair up top to give my hair a cool retro look. Then I found some old black wristlets and pulled them on my right wrist. Top it all up with a pair of my moms black Manolo's and I was ret ta go. That's what Preston said. And viola! You're ret ta go!

Gotta love that Gwen Stefani for her excellent fashion taste. Preston and Maria were so proud when I suggested to add a rocker twist. Preston had thought up the outfit and Maria had walked me through the hair and makeup. It was hell but... I did it.

"Let's go." I walk towards the door before Michael pulls me back. I almost fall flat on my ass (damn those heels!).

"No way." He wiggles a finger towards my top half, "No way." He looks away, "I can see... I can see..."

"It's called a bra. I'm sure you're familiar with them, since I know for a fact that you're what's known in school as the expert at getting them undone and off girls in under ten seconds flat." I snap.

"Whoa, ten seconds?!" Alex comes forward.

Michael shakes his head at Alex, "Not helping dude." He turns back to me, "You are not leaving this house like that. No cousin of mine is gonna walk around in her bra."

"It's covered." Alex adds. "She looks hot man, let's go!"

I knew I loved Alex for a reason. I move to stand next to him and link arms with him, "You know what Michael? How about you stay here and Alex and I go to the party. That way, you don't have to obsess over who's gonna look at me."

"Oh no you don't!" Michael marches towards the door, "That's what you want! You want me to stay so you can mack on all the guys. Well no way is that gonna happen under my watch! Nooo sir ree bob!"

Me and Alex sigh and follow him out the door. At least he was mobile.



"I don't see why I had to drive." Alex pouts behind the wheel of his dad's 2005 silver Escalade.

"Well, let's break it down for you." Michael pats Alex's shoulder, "One: you drove to Liz's house. I didn't. (to which Alex protests that Michael only lives next door) Two: Liz is probably going to see Max, have a major meltdown and drink herself into oblivion (to which I then slap him upside the head). Then... Three." Michael starts up again after rubbing the back of his head a few times, "I know I'm getting plastered. Four: you don't drink. And finally, five: cuz I said so."

Alex, "Fair enough."

Poor kid, never had a chance. I watch the scenery unfold from normal suburban neighborhoods to life styles of the rich and famous gated communities. "Where are we going? Paris Hilton's house?" I snort, "I'm suddenly very intimidated."

"Not me!" Michael slasp his hands together, "That just means we don't have to worry about the booze running out! Rich people always have liquor stashes in their parents bars!"

"Just ignore him." I say to Alex. "Whoa." I say when we pull up to a long line that's waiting to be let into one of the gated estates. "Is this an awards show?" I laugh.

I tell that Alex is way nervous and so can Michael, "Chill out man, I'll do my best to get you alone with Iz." He pats Alex's shoulder.

Did I ever mention how much it bothered me that Michael was friends with the enemy? It would have been one thing if it were Blair but Isabel? She's tortued me since grade school!

"What's the pass?" A guy comes up to Alex's window and sticks his, "Whoa, Liz. Hooottt. You can come in without the pass." He winks.

I have no clue who the hell he is. Michael twists around to scowl at me and I shrug and try to tell him I'm clueless!

"A-Applesauce." Alex stutters.

I close my eyes and shake my head. The poor boy would be scared of a fly! But I guess the password was correct because then stranger dude is telling us a back way to get into the place. He also tells us the code to get in and we're off again. It's a zig zag road and for a moment I swear we're lost but then. We see another line. This one's not as long but judging from the familar faces I begin to see this is the right place to be.

Michael's cell starts to buzz and he answers, "What up?" He pauses, "Whoa, wait a sec. Iz... Isabel... Isabel calm down. I can't understand a damn word you're saying." He groans, "I swear woman if you don't slow your roll --no I am not calling you fat!" He smacks his head on the dashboard, "I'm hanging up. See you inside." He slams his cell shut.

"Women troubles?" I crack from the backseat.

"I don't know what the hell she's babbling about." Michael scowls. "Man Alex you need to set your woman straight." He shakes his head and looks ahead.

Alex stutters over words I'm sure are no where near the english language. Or any other language for that fact. I chose not to tease him about that since I knew the whole "Isabel" subject was just too much for him. He tended to blush and do embarrassing things when Isabel's name was even spoken.

By the time we finally got through the mayhem and found a space to park (which seemed like miles away from the actual party house) it was almost midnight. I know, damn late to start partying (well it is to me!) but here we were.

On our hike towards the house I start to think that maybe I should have stayed home. I mean, who am I kidding? What am I doing? Max is taken. So what if he obviously likes me, possibly see's me as a girlfriend material and is a damn good kisser? It means nothing!

“Okay, I think we need to go over a few things before we go in there.” Michael says 2 blocks down the way, “Liz. You might see Max. Alex, you will see Isabel. And me? I will be getting laid tonight. So if one of you decides that seeing your prospective love interests (he gives me a look when he says this) is just a little too much for you… Say so now. And Alex will take you home.”

I stand there with my mouth agape, “Excuse me?” I’m pretty peeved that he started the little speech off as if he were talking to all of us when in reality it was all just directed at me.

“Yeah,” Alex steps up, “Excuse her?” His hands are held firmly on his hips, “But uh, I’m not the chauffer here.”

Michael’s brow raises before he steps up into Alex’s face, “Yes you are.”

“Alrighty then.” Alex nods and looks at me, “Need a ride?”

I shake my head, “Michael, you’re the biggest ass I’ve ever known. You can’t keep intimidating Alex like that and you really need to more responsive to my situation here.” I stare back at his confused face, “You have no idea what I’m talking about. Do you?” I growl.

He shakes his head, “Um… No.” He turns and starts walking towards the party. But Alex and I are on his tail and we both grab a wrist to pull Michael back. “What the—“ He ends up falling flat on his ass.

“That’s what you get.” I say as I stand over him, “Now what’s this about me not being able to handle Max? Why are you making such a big deal about this?”

Get grunts and stands up on his feet, “Cuz you’re a girl. And girls—“

“Have cooties.” Alex says.

Michael gives him a are you kidding me?! look and then says, “No, girls are emotional basketcases.”

“Oh.” I nod my head, “Yeah. Well. That just explains everything.” I nod again, “I mean, here I am. A girl. And I just can’t control my emotions!” I smack a hand upside his head, “The only thing I can’t control Michael is the stupid things that come out of your mouth.” I roll my eyes and walk off.

“Ooooh.” I hear Alex say, “You got told!” He laughs and runs up to me then turns back to yell over his shoulder, “You want some ice for that BURN!”



Now, typically all high school parties are pretty much the same. You’ve got your underage drinkers, your pothead smoking slackers, your popular snobs pretending to be ‘super dunk’! and then you got me. I classify as the only normal person in this room. Well, me and Alex. Well, maybe not Alex because one look and I can tell he’s about two seconds from barfing all over from jumbled nerves.

“Al, have you ever been to a party?” I whisper beside him.

He shakes his head, “Uh… Technically? I’ve been to my cousins Bart mitzvah’s and there was that one time when my cousin Jimmy graduated High School a few years back and had a get together. There was… beer there.” He says as if ‘beer’ was the most fascinating thing on the planet. Besides Isabel.

That made me sad. “Poor misguided child.” I pat his shoulder, “C’mon. Let’s go get me a drink.” I pull him towards the kitchen.

“But I don’t drink.” He yelps over the loud music.

I roll my eyes, “I said get me a drink!” To which I hear him say something like, you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach!! But I choose to ignore that. I walk up to the keg and look down at it confused. What the hell am I supposed to do with this strange contraption?

"What's the hold up?" Someone yells from behind. I look and suddenly realize that Alex has gone AWOL.

I'm about to just give it up when Duncan comes up and grabs my cup, "Having a little trouble there?" He laughs and pumps the keg before shooting the tap into my cup, filling it up until it spills over. "You look..." He hands me my cup and stares down at me, "Really good." He manages to blurt.

I smile, "How nice of you to say." I sip my my drink. And cringe.

"Bitter beer face!" Duncan cracks, "Just kidding kid, c'mon. Isabel won't stop harrassing everyone until she finds you." He put a hand to the small of my back and lead me further into the den of sharks.

It felt weird feeling the palm of his hand against my back, I could feel the heat from his hand. It sent chills up my spine, but no so much because he was attractive. I think it was just the fact that it made me think of Max. The way he would slide his hands from my back to rest on my hips. It was a move I found exotically affectionate. Did that make sense? Cuz I totally just made that up.

"Look who I found!" Duncan says when we enter one of the many, many rooms of this big house.

"Hey, it's sexy girl!" Logan yelps and shoves the dye-job blonde off his lap, "Gotta a seat right here for ya." He pats his leg.

Oh how I ran over to oblige. Not.

"Where's Isabel?" I ask the room, because I could care less who answered me as long as my request was met regardless. Where was Isabel? No where to be found in this room.

Duncan shrugs and goes over to the pool table, "Wanan play?" He asks. I shake my head and look to Logan who gives me the same confused look and points to the table, "You should play." He says and gets up, "I can teach you." He grins.

I back away towards the door, "Um. No, thanks."

"Where you going?" Logan pulls me back in, "You can't go now!" He laughs, "Silly girl." He shakes his head as if I've done something cute then take my hand and leads me to the pool table, "Here," He hands me a stick, "You break."

I'm starting to get pissed. I can tell that they know this because they suddenly fall all over themselves to distract me. Now I'm starting to get suspicious. What the hell is going on with them? Why are we suddenlty the only three people in the room and again... Where the HELL is Isabel?

"Liz, you have to wait here okay? It's Max. He's really messed up about you right now." Duncan tries to explain.

"Yeah," Logan agrees, "I mean, I've never seen the guy like this. And he doesn't even have Michael to help back him up because Michael won't even talk to the man."

"And this is all my fault?" I snap.

"No!" They're quick to reassure me, "No no no! We just mean... Well, we mean..." But the words don't seem to come to mind.

"I am so out of here." I turn towards the exit and am whirled back around.

"Liz wait!" I hear Duncan yell as Logan pulls me back in, "Just... Just wait here and we'll go get Isabel for you." He pulls Logan with him to the door, "Don't move. Kay?"

"Kay." I say woth fake enthusiasm. The second they're out of site I quickly make my own exit. It takes me a while but I manage to navigate and find my way back towards the party which is now playing one of my favorite bands.

30SecondsToMars.

God. Jared Leto is so damn fine. I could sure go for some of him right now.

"What do you want me to say Max? That I'm happy for you? Cuz I'm not!" I hear a familar voice.

"Would you please calm down? I'm trying to make you understand. You have to understand." Max's pleading voice soars straight through me. I'm inches away from the room in question when suddenly...

"No I don't understand! I don't want to understand! Because you are so full of shit! How could you lie to me?"

"I didn't mean to, I just... God!" The sound of a fist hitting a wall makes me yelp. I quickly cover my mouth and try to sneak past unseen.

"It's not even about lying to me. You lied to her!" Her voice shouts angry.

"But you HATE her!" Max roars back.

A sigh, "You are so stupid little brother." Isabel walk out of the room, I dodge to hide behind the first door I see.

"Hey!" A kissing couple yelps when I enter their domain.

"Sorry!" I say and almost fall out the door. "Sorry!" I say again before shutting the door. The hall is empty so I just walk out into the open and pass without thought by the door that once held behind it a fighting brother and sister.

"Blair stop." I hear Max's voice. And I freeze. "Please don't cry... Oh god please don't cry. Baby? Please?" My hearts breaks at the pain in his voice. The love and pain in his voice to be exact.

"You can't leave me Max." Blair cries. And oh my god did I just about have a heart attak. "I love you so much, I can't even imagine my life without you." She starts to sob and I hear Max coax her gently.

Lie awake in bed at night
And think about your life
Do you want to be different?

I slump down the wall beside the door, unable to pull myself away from their intimate conversation. I needed to know once and for all what their deal was. Because its pretty damn hard to get over a guy who keeps pulling you back in. Having his friends on my case all this past week was hell. You gotta give him some time Liz. They'd say, or, Liz, he really likes you. YOU! or my favorite, You're the one Liz. You're the Rachel to his Ross.

What a cozy anology. Doncha think?

Try to let go of the truth
The battles of your youth
Cuz this is just a game

The mumbled whispers are enough to make me want to scream. I have no idea what they're saying when they whisper, they need to scream and yell like normal people! How the hell else am I supposed to eavesdrop???

"Max, just tell me the truth. Is there someone else?" Blair snivles.

Whoa. Didn't see that one coming.

"What?" Max sounds shocked, "How could you say that? Of course not."

Wow. Didn't see that one coming either.

It's a beautiful lie
It's the perfect denial
Such a beautiful lie to believe in
So beautiful, beautiful it makes me

I didn't even realize I had started to cry until the first drop fell from my chin onto my arm. I sat hugging my knees feeling like the biggest dumbass imaginable. I kept waiting for Red Forman to walk out of a room and say, "That's what you get, dumbass!"

"Then why are you asking for space?" I hear Blair cry out in tears. It only makes me cry harder into my hands.

"Because baby. I just... I just don't know about things right now." I kiss the sound of lips touching. "Please try to understand this." He says softly. "I won't leave you, I swear I'll be by you through everything, I'd never leave you completely alone Blair. I love you."

I snort. What a fucking asshole. I wipe under my eyes with the bottom of my tank top, ignoring the dark black stains it leaves behind and stand up. This is all so soap opera worthy it's sick. I try to walk away but find that I can't.

She has to know.

It's time to forget about the past
To wash away what happened last
Hide behind an empty face
Don't ask too much, just say
That this is just a game

"You're sure there's no one else?" Blair says just as I walk into the room, "Liz?" Her red rimmed eyes stare up at me. Max looks like he's seen a ghost.

"You deserve better Blair." I cross my arms, I'm fully aware of the tears that are falling down my own eyes, "There is someone else." I take a deep breath.

"Liz, don't." Max steps towards me.

I put a hand up, "Shut up Max. You had your chance to come clean. Plenty of times to come clean." I shake my heard with a bitter laugh.

"Liz, you don't know what you're doing." His eyes pleade with me to keep quiet. They beg with so much mercy that I start to reconsider.

But then again, no one makes me cry without punishment. "It's me." I say, flnging away a whole mess of tears that slide down my cheeks, "I'm the other person Blair. Max has been with me since you left." I take another deep breath, "I would say that I'm sorry but what good would it do? You thought I was your friend and I let you believe it."

"Liz? What? I don't..." Blair shakes her beautiful mane.

Max grabs my wrist and tries to pull me out the door but instincts kick in and my hand flies out to connect with his face. "You're a bastard Max Evans." My voice is strong. "You're such a bastard," My voice then fails me and errupts into a huge scream that turns into a sob, "God!" I cry out.

"Max. What is she talking about? I don't want to hear this." She covers her ears, "No... No!" She starts to tremble.

I want to slap her too, even though I feel so sorry for her. I pull the thin silver chain with it's heart shaped diamond from my neck at throw it at him, "This is so over." I go for the door.

He doesn't follow me.

Everyone's looking at me
I'm running around in circles, baby

The instant I hit the main party room to get to the front door I know I'm in deep shit. I'm crying, I look like shit and Blair is screaming after me. "Come back here!" With Max on her heels.

"You really want to get into this right here, right now?" I motion all around us, "Face it Blair, Max is not the guy you thought he was." I look back at his pain stricken face, "He's not the guy I thought he was either."

"Liz, please." His eyes begin to water.

I stare at him, "Please what? Forgive you? No. Be with you? Not a chance. Love you?" My voice shakes, "You already had that since the day I met you." I turn to Blair, "I'm sorry for allowing things to get this far Blair. But..." I pause to catch my breath, "I can't make my feelings go away."

She slaps me across the face. The crowd gasps and I stand there silently. I deserved it. I know I did. But that didn't stop me from raising a hand to slap her back. The crowd went wild on that one. It was all just one bug game to them. I saw Isabel's shocked face beside Alex's and turned back to see if Blair wanted an encore.

"Kick her ass!" Someone says from the back.

Blair raises a fist this time and she's slow enough that I grab it with one hand, "Don;t do this Blair. Don't embarrass yourself in front of these losers." I whisper back to her, "He's not worth it."

"But he is for you huh?" She snaps back, her angry tears falls down her perfect porcelain cheeks. "How long would you have gone behind my back?" She hisses in my face. Jerking her hand free from my grasp.

"Get out of my face Blair." I say as calm as possible. People begin to back up.

"Liz..." Max comes up in between us. "Outisde. Both of you." He lugs both me and Blair out into the front lawn where there are few gawkers.

A quiet desperation's building higher
I've got to remember this is just a game

"Did you mean anything you ever said to me?" I whisper, aware that the entire room inside is still rivited.

"I meant every word." He whispers, "I do love you. But I love her too." He shakes his head and I watch his jaw tense, "You don't understand why I can't leave her, and I can't tell you."

"Tell me!" I scream so loud he jumps. "Quit lying to me!" I sob, "I'm so sick of your lies!" I storm towards her, "God dammit!" I stop midway, "Why am I so mad at you?!" I point to Blair. "It's all your fault!" I turn back to shout at Max.

"Max, tell her." Blair lifts her chin up, her tears dry and gone. You would have had to have seen her crying to know that she ever had been. I feel the hairs on teh back of my neck start to rise.

"Liz, we're leaving." Michael bangs through the front door with Alex and Isabel in tow.

"Wait." I say to him and turn back to Max, "Tell me. I don't care. I just have to know so I can have closure." Again, the pain in his eyes is enough to make me want to pul him into my arms and hold him as tight as I could.

He bites his bottom lip and looks away. One small tear falling down his perfect face. I turn him to face me and wipe it away with my thumb, "Forget it. I don't want to know." I smile then, "It's funny." I shrug, "I still get those butterflies in my stomach just being this close to you." The ball in my throat threatens to choke me.

"Mine too." He whispers and stares at the floor.

"Liz. Now." Michael's demanding voice breaks the moment. I nod to him and remove my hand from Max's face. "Bye." I say Max.

I move towards Micahel and get pulled back, but not from Max. It's Blair. "You wanna know why he won't leave me?" She says with much conviction.

I shake my head, "No. I don't." I try to leave again. Max has gone as far as to slump down to his knees on the front lawn. Gloomy as ever.

She smirks, and I swear it's pure evil. "Too bad. Cuz I'm gonna tell you."

"Blair, don't." Isabel's cries out.

Her eyes slowly make their way up from my feet to me face, "I'm pregnant."

I don't remember anything after that. All I know is that Michael was pulling me towards the car. And when I woke up the next morning?

Max was in my bed.

So beautiful, beautiful...

Thanks for waiting guys! Here's a LOOONG part for ya!

Part 14: It's In The Air


You know that song by Norah Jones where she’s all I don’t know why I didn’t call… Well, I can tell you why. It’s because she had no more minutes left on her calling plan. No joke.

“Elizabeth Parker!” My dad comes screaming into my room, “Your cell phone bill is horrendous!” He yelps.

I look at him for a while, wondering if that light over his head is gonna blink on at any given second. Because, hello? Wouldn’t you if you saw your daughter sleeping on the floor and her quasi-ex passed out drunk on her bed?

But no, sadly, the light bulb seems to be out. “Dad, for the last time.” I grumble and cover my face with an arm, “You don’t pay my cell bill. I do!”

He chuckles, “Oh yeah. Whew! That was a close one!” He leaves the room. But comes right back in, “You do realize you’re sleeping on the floor, right?”

I finally roll over and sit up, “Dad. You do realize there is a sleeping male form in my bed.” I point.

My dad’s eyes bug out. Priceless. “How could I have missed that?” He shakes his head, “I’m going to give you points young lady for not being in that bed with him.” He takes a deep breath and lets it out, “I’m also going to give you points for cleaning up the house before you went to bed last night.” He rubs his face, “But that.” He points at the lump in my bed, “Just wipes the slate clean Liz Parker. You are sooooo grounded.”

“Mom knows he’s here.” I say in a monotone.

“She is soooo grounded too. NANCY!” He slams the door shut behind him, but comes back in instantly, “Ha! Like I’d leave my darling baby girl alone in her room with a boy in her bed with the door closed!” And yet he stills ends up leaving me behind with the boy. Only the door is still slightly open.

I get up and slam it shut. Then I look at the sad, pathetic excuse for the love of my life. Why do I like him so much? Why do I love him? When he came to my window last night sloppy drunk and in tears I didn’t even hesitate to let him in, to allow him a shoulder to cry on.

Whyyy???

What’s wrong with me?

He’s the bad guy! The evil one! The manipulator! The… The… The boy who is two seconds from puking all over my bed. “Oh no! Max don’t you even!” I scream and dive for my trashcan. I barely make it in time, but make it I sure did. I ended up banging my knee on my bedpost in the process, but it sure as hell beats a puke covered room. I think. Cuz well, it still stinks like vomit. Ew.

“You done?” I grimace and pat his shoulder. I’m surprised my dad hasn’t come in yelling and screaming again. That would’ve been hell on Max’s hangover. Hmm, maybe I should call my dad over…

Nah. I’m not that mean. Or am I?

“I’m gonna throw up.” Max groans.

“You already did.” I sigh and pull him out of my bed, “Do you remember anything last night?” I dare to ask. “Cuz well, I’d like to know what you were on to have the nerve to come to my window at 3 in the morning stinking drunk.”

“I’m gonna throw up.” He says breathless and runs to my bathroom. But does he shut the door? No. He does not. So I hear everything. Ew, again.

I walk over to see him hunched over the toilet with his cheek pressed firmly to the bowl, “Karma.” I smile down at him.

“I’m so sorry Liz.” He whispers with his eyes clenched. “I just wish I could look at you. But I can’t.”

“Ha! That’s what shame does to you buddy. You’re so ashamed you can’t even look at me cuz of what you did.” I shake my head and hop up onto the stink, “Sucks huh?”

“No,” He slowly shakes his head, “I mean I really can’t look at you. My head is pounding.”

“Oh.” I bite my bottom lip in thought, “Well, I think I have some aspirin.” I turn around in my sitting position to search the contents of my cabinet. I see a full bottle of Tylenol and sigh, “Nope.” I slam my cabinet shut loudly, “You’re shit out of luck buddy.”

He groans in response.

“My mom knows you’re here and my dad walked in on you sleeping in my bed.” I say as if he needs to know.

I had to tell my mom, she was kinda in my room at the time when Max came pounding on my window. We were in the middle of a major mother-daughter talk when speak of the devil! There was the topic of our conversation. When I went to open the window and tell him to get lost he started crying. Max freaking Evans everyone. Cried like a baby. My mom felt so sorry for him that she only gave him a 10 minute lecture then left me to deal with him.

She said she, trusted me. Gah. What was that? There was no way anything beyond talking was gonna happen anyways. But it still made me feel weird. Damn her. I doubt Max remembers anything she told him anyways.

“You’re mom said I let women rule my life.” Max’s hoarse voice bring me back to myself. “You think that’s true?”

I shrug, “How should I know? I wasn’t ever telling you what to do. If I had I would have told you to jump off a very high bridge with nothing below but sharp rocks to break your fall.”

“You hate me, don’t you?” He finally sits up from the john and leans back against my shower. I throw him a towel and he holds it to his mouth.

“Yeah.” I nod, “I hate you.”

He cringes, “I never wanted to hur—“

“Save it Max. You sobbed it all out last night.” I look away from his sad face. What I hated the most was believing every word he blubbered. When you’re drunk you don’t lie, right? Unless you’re faking being drunk, which I’m pretty sure he wasn’t given his current condition. “You should call your sister.” I say after a while.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do.” He mutters, “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You already did Max, so move on. Go be with Blair.” I slide off the sink, “Where’s your cell?” I sigh.

“I dropped it climbing up your fire escape.” He looks up at me with puppy eyes, “I don’t want to lose you Liz.” He repeats. A repeat offender Max has become.

Damn, he’s pathetic. I crouch down beside him, “Max. It’s over and done. I can’t be a part of this drama anymore. Especially not with a baby on the way.”

He cringes again. “I can’t believe she’s pregnant.”

My stomach tightens, “I can’t believe you kept that from me.”

“I just found out about it last night Liz.” He sets the towel down in his lap, “She came home early from Paris. I broke up with her then she started to cry, I can’t handle it when women cry. So I took her back. Then she stopped.”

“Wow, you are easily manipulated. Almost as much as you manipulate.” I snort, “You know what I hate most?” I look out at nothing, “I hate that I can’t stop liking you. Is that love? Is it deep like? What is it? And why can’t I make it go away? Why am I sitting here talking with you when I should be screaming and kicking you out?” I move away when he tries to touch me, “Don’t.”

His face falls, “I fucked up.” I nod and he looks away, “I don’t know how to fix it either. I can’t leave her now. I’m the one who got her into that mess. I don’t want to leave you but I have to. I never wanted to drag you into all this but… I look at you and…”

I roll my eyes, “You sound like a deranged Hallmark card Max. Besides, you can’t leave someone you were never with.”

“That hurts.” He frowns, “I really do care about you. You must know that.”

I nod, “Yeah, I know. But you obviously don’t care enough to just leave me alone.” I stand up and walk out of the bathroom. I call up Alex to get Isabel’s number, swear him to secrecy from Michael, and soon, it’s all over.

But getting rid of Max didn’t seem to help soothe my nerves at all. Or better yet? It only made my heart break more.



“Yeay! I looked at my caller ID this time!” Maria answers her cell phone chipper as a Santa on Christmas. I want to slap her.

“Good for you.” I snap.

“Yeouch, can I have my head back please?”

“Sorry,” I sigh, “I’m hurting Maria, real bad.”

“What happened.” From her tone I can tell she immediately knows. And I know that she knows I know she knows. I wonder if she knows I know she knows I know. No wait, I already said that. See what Max does to me?!

“Liz?” She says when I don’t answer, “Just let it out.” Her soft voice tightens my beaten heart.

Then it pours out, at first it’s a loud ranting. Anger filled words that come out and soon turn into hurtful sobs. You ever just get so mad that you start to cry? So mad that your emotions all blend into one? Yeah, well, that was me on the phone with Maria. And it wasn’t pretty.

“Well, you know…” She says and I can tell she’s coming up with a plan, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder… Come here. Come to Seattle.” She croons, “Liz, you need this.”

At first I’m shocked at the urgency in her voice then I think rationally. “I wish I could Maria but there’s just too much holding me back. My parents would never go for it anyways.” I mop my tear streaked face up.

“Then don’t tell them.” She says. That conniver!

“I don’t think I have enough.” I blurt.

She groans, “Stop making up excuses! Liz, listen to me. You need to get away from Roswell. Even if it’s for a few days. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I may even need you here? Preston can only listen to me bitch for so long, ya know?”

“Yeah, he is a whiner.” I say in deep thought, “But how am I going to get my parents to agree?”

“Girl, your mom knows all about what’s been going down. She of all people should know that the best thing for you right now is to get away from all that junk. Max is gonna be a father! No sane mother would want her daughter fraternizing with a baby’s daddy.”

I let out a small laugh, “Oh Maria, you do have a way with words.”

“I know I do. I also have a way with guys. Remember that one nighter?” She snorts, “He broke up with that girl and true to his word… Gave me a call. He was all ‘Hey, sup?’ and I was like, ‘Hey, click’. What a loser.”

“Ew.” I wrinkle my nose, “How sleezy. Oh gosh, what am I gonna do??? I’ve never flown before!” I shout and slump down on my bed. The bed with the new sheets since I all but burned the ones Max slept on.

“Yeay! You’re thinking about it! That’s a step closer baby!” She cheers, “We would have so much fun here Chica! I know all the hot spots! I’m popular! I know where all the cool kids hideout. But you can forget about that cuz no way do I plan on sharing you with anyone. Shoot, Preston would be lucky if I don’t kick him out.”

I burst out laughing at the image, “You know what I was thinking? I don’t even know what Preston looks like.” To which she immediately makes me get online so she can send me a picture of him. And I must say, he sure does look a lot like that guy from Rules of Attraction.

“Oh please don’t tell him that. His head would swell so big we’d need a tree to fall on him in order to deflate him.” She sighs, “He went on and on about it, says that they’re twins separated at birth.”

I laugh, “Fine.”

She squeals, “Yesss!”

“You don’t even know what I’m talking about!” I laugh at her.

“Yes I do! You’re gonna come! You’re going to SO come here! Let’s look online at the same time for tickets! Whoever finds the best deal wins and the loser has to buy the first dinner we have together!”

I say, “You’re on.”

But I lost. I swear she must have had that site on her favorites list. Cheater.



“Absolutely not.” Dad says when I tell him I bought a round trip 2 week stay to Seattle. Mom think it’s perfect, she adores Maria. They’ve even chatted on the phone once or twice before.

Dad is convinced I’m going to be chopped up into little itty bitty bits and mailed back in a box. I told him to stop watching CSI. He told me to go to my room. Mom overruled so here I am, packing for my trip to Seattle!

But not without much annoyance. Both Michael and Alex are here bugging me about taking pictures of Seattle women. I'm so damn excited about going to see Maria I don't even slap Michael when he demands I put in a good word for him with Maria. He doesn't even know what she looks like!

"Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA!" Michael snatches the picture of Maria from my hands, "She's hot." He says and shows Alex who agrees. Of course, he adds, she's no Isabel Evans.

"Alex. You're whooped and you haven't even tasted the pie." Michael shakes his head.

I give him a disgusted look and continue packing. I leave in 2 days but until then I plan on acting like it's in two hours. I can't wait to get the hell out of Roswell. I must admit though, I'm a little weary about being on a plane for the first time but... It's for a good cause.

“I can’t believe you’re gonna leave us.” Alex sighs and peeks into one of my bags, “Whoa. Jackpot.”

“Alex!” I shriek and dive to cover my delicates.

Michael smacks him upside the head, “Ew man. That’s my cousin.”

“She’s not mine.” He laughs. He winces when Michael smacks him again. “So about Max—“

“There is no Max.” Michael snaps.

“Yeah.” Alex pauses and looks down at his shoes, “Whatever you say.”

Dad keeps poking his big head in my room every now and then and giving me weird looks. It's starting to make me feel guilty or something, but mom says to ignore him. He's just being a brat about letting me go, his baby.

I'm almost 18 dad. I'm no ones baby.



“You have to change flights three times? Damn you’re cheap.” Michael shakes his head and looks down at my schedule. The one my mom wrote up so I wouldn’t be confused. Because we all know that I get confused easily.

Santa Fe (New Mexico) to Salt Lake City (Utah)
Salt Lake City (Utah) to Salem (Oregon)
Salem (Oregon) to Seattle (Washington)

“Well, watch out and make sure you don’t get lost and miss one of your flights. Don’t talk to strangers. And don’t get on the wrong plane!” My mom repeats over and over. It’s getting annoying at this point.

Well, it was until she blurted, “Oh dear! What if something goes wrong?!” I hadn’t really thought about what could happen until I was walking into the Santa Fe airport with my family and heard my mother say that. Gee, thanks ma.

But what if my plane does crash? What if it’s high jacked? What if there is technical difficulties? What if a bolt of lightening hits the tail end of the plane? What if we get LOST? What if I choke on my peanuts??? Oh god. I’ve never been on a plane before. I’ve never even left the state of New Mexico except by car and that was barely out of state lines!

“Liz? You okay? You look like you’re gonna hurl.” Michael says beside me.

“Yeah man. You don’t look so good.” Alex agrees and puts a hand on my shoulder, “Look. The odds of your plane going down are slim to none. You’re more likely to—“

“Die in a car crash than a plane crash. I know this. Everybody and their momma has said this to me at one time or another.” I roll my eyes and turn to my mom, “Mom. Incase I end being one of those one in a million?” I grab her in for a hug, “I love you.” Then I do the same to my dad. I do the same to Alex and when it’s Michael’s turn?

“Yeah. Umm. See ya.” I say and give him a nice handshake.

“You’re such a nerd.” He laughs and pulls me in a really tight hug, “Don’t forget your cousin Michael when you meet hot Seattle babes. Especially that Maria chick. You know I saved that picture you showed me? Sent it to my email.” He winks.

My mouth falls open, “You did not!”

He smirks, “Guess you’ll never know.” Alex shakes his head from behind to signal that Michael is a total liar.

“Well.” I shrug and look at my parents, “See ya in 2 weeks!” I grab my bags and the handle of my suitcase on wheels from dad.

Funny thing about that handle though. My dad won’t let it go.

“Umm… Dad?” I grin, “I kinda need that. Seeing as how my underwear is in it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He plays it off, “I’m not doing anything.”

“Jeff, she’ll miss her flight.” My mom scolds him.

“You missed your flight? Oh no! Looks like you’ll have to come home with us then. Too bad!” He turns and tries to exit with my bags.

“Dad!” I shriek and chase him. “Quit being such a meanie!”

“I have never been a meanie in my entire life!” He gasps as of I’ve just called him the devil himself.

I cross my arms over my chest, “Dad. Give me my suitcase, then back up three big steps.” I hold my hand out.

He looks me over in challenge, “No.”

I sigh. “Mom?” I say without even turning to look at her.

“I’m not scared of her.” Dad puffs his chest out.

“I could get my mom.” Michael suggests with a smirk.

Dad lets the handle drop to the floor in fright. Gotta love that cousin of mine.



I made sure to listen very cautiously to every instruction regarding safety precautions and still don’t feel reassured. Anything could happen. I tried looking up at the No Smoking sign like in “Say Anything” and you know what?

There is no “No Smoking” sign!

“Miss? Are you okay?” The lady next to me in the blazing red scarf says with concern.

I nod my head stiffly, “Yep. All good.” I nod again and stare out my window seat. How lovely to get to see myself from a bagillion miles up!

“First time in the air huh? I remember my first time. I was so nervous!” She goes on to tell a little story but I have better things to think about. Like my life.

When refreshments are finally passed out my way, I dodge for the last remaining Dr. Pepper. The lady beside me (who I now know is names Betty, is 28 years old and is going to visit her online boyfriend for the fifth time) doesn’t even flinch.

“Thirsty?” Betty teases.

I gulp down half the can before responding. “Yeah. It calms me down.” I try to explain. Then I realize that I don’t have to explain myself and turn to give her my back.

When my first flight takes it’s first stop I’m so thankful for land that I pretty much tackled anyone in my way for the exit. I was like a linebacker for the New England Patriots! Mmmmm. Tom Brady. Mmmmm.

“Miss?” Someone says from behind me.

Whoops. Forgot I was holding up the line! I hop off and make my way to the main terminal so that I can figure out where the heck my next flight takes place. Never in a million years would I have ever imagined my shy ass self doing something like this. By myself!

I was miss independent! Sing it Kelly Clarkson!



“You really shouldn’t read those.” A weird scruffy guy says. I turn to my left to look at him and raise a brow. I’m stuck in the very middle of the 747 airplane between this weirdo and a guy who speaks no English. Figures.

“Shouldn’t read what?” I say with caution. He is a stranger after all.

“Those women’s magazines.” He points at my Cosmo, “You know why the models are always so skinny? Cuz the clothes they use for the photo shoots only come in like a size 2.”

I stare at him for a few seconds, “Oh. Okay.” I say and then turn back to my magazine.

“I’m serious. It’s all just a superficial ploy you know. Manufactured to brainwash today’s society into thinking they should be something their not. Clones, all of them are clones. It’s all a scam you know, like Hallmark holidays.” He shrugs. It’s then that I notice he stinks. Really stinks. Like Booze & B.O. Ew.

“Oh. Well. Okay. I’m gonna watch the movie then.” I say as if talking to a child and pull on my headphones. They’re gonna play Garden State. Oh boy!

Approx. 1 hr. and 52 min. later…

That movie was… AWESOME! I want to be Natalie Portman. Zack Braff is hot. I don’t care what anyone says! I’m pumped. I can’t wait to meet Maria face to face, It’s kinda funny ya know? We’re so close, we know each other so well and yet… I’ve never met her. Face to face. Mano y mano. It’s a trip ya know?

I glance down at my watch and see that I still have around 32 minutes until we land and I get on my last flight. I wonder if it will be as huge as the plane I’m on now. I sigh and stare down at my hands. Booze dude is out cold beside me with his mouth open and drool rolling down his chin. I look to the guy on the other side of me and see that he’s all into watching his James Bond DVD on his laptop. Complete with his own set of ear phones. I can hear the movie faintly but I know one thing, it’s not English.

Then it hits me. I have to use the bathroom. Oh, shit.

So who to bother? Drunk-stinky-unconscious-guy or doesn’t-speak-English guy? The choice was hard and 15 minutes later I was still debating on who to ask to move. Then drunk-stinky snorts and digs further into his seat for comfort and I know that I want to be as far away from him as possible.

“Excuse me.” I smile sweetly to the guy with the laptop. He grins back and allows me to scoot past. Well, how nice of him! Man, this would have all been so much nicer had I done this 20 minutes ago.

Once the line to the bathroom lessens and I have time to do my thing I notice that my hair is getting poofy. Oh no. No frizz! Noooo! I sigh and pull my hair up into a small bun then hurry out so’s no one would think I was taking a dump or something.

Once I sit back down the captain calls for everyone to get back into their seats and buckle up. We’re clear for landing. Drunk dude hollers out in his sleep and wakes up, “Whoa.” He shakes his head then looks at me, “We on the ground?”

I shake my head, “No. But we’re about to. Better buckle up.” I give a coy smile then stuff my magazines back into my carry on.



Plane 3. Okay. This ride is bumpy. And it’s way smaller than the last plane but not as small as the first one. The first one only held about 15 passengers while the last held well over 200. This one looks to be about a capacity of around 50 or so people.

But the turbulence is making me queasy. I keep looking around to see if anyone else is as uneasy as I am and am shocked to see some people sleeping! Hello? Can you not tell that the vessel in which your body lies is experiencing extreme pandemonium?!

“You okay? You don’t look so good.” The young guy beside me gives me a worried look.

I nod my head, “Fine. Just… Nothing. I’m cool.” I say more firm as if to convince myself that I’m all good.

“Cool.” He says unsure.

“So, where are you off to? Seattle or are you connecting flights?” I say to make conversation. I’ve noticed that lots of people like to ask that question. I pat myself on the back for being one of them.

“I’m on my way to Seattle. Going back to school out there.” He says with a twinkle in his eye, “You?”

“Visiting my best friend.” I nod. He really is a cute one isn’t he? With his sandy blonde hair, deep blue eyes and dimpled smile. I bet he could bench 210 no sweat. I know Max can. No! No Max! Max doesn’t even know I left Roswell, Max doesn’t need to know I left Roswell. Max is banished from my brain!

“I’m Max, you are?” He holds out his hand.

“So about to go insane,” I mutter, “I’m sorry. What did you say your name was?” I pray it’s something else, anything else but Max.

“Matt.” He laughs, “You got that sick look on your face again. You need my barf bag?” He hands it over to me humorously.

I push it back towards him, “I’m fine. Thanks.” I roll my eyes, “I just thought you said something else.”

“Like?” He pries.

“So where do you go to school, Matt?” I oh so NOT smoothly change the subject.

He laughs, “Seattle University.”

“Course of study?” I ask.

“Law.”

Figures. I sigh. Max’s dad is a lawyer, which means he will probably become a lawyer too. “Cool.” I say and rest my chin on my hand.

He squints at me, “You’re judging me. I can see it in your eyes.” He points. “Yes. My dad is a lawyer, owns his own firm. I’m just taking the classes to keep him off my back. I’m going for a Science and Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering.”

“Whoa.” I blink, “Whew! Right over my head.” I make a sweeping motion over my head, “But right on. You are your own man.” I wink.

“What about you? Course of study?” He teases.

“High school.” We both frown, “Yep. I’m stuck for one more year, then I’m so out. I might even go to Seattle if I like it enough. Anything to get away from Roswell, New Mexico.” I say with spite.

He juts his bottom lip out in thought, “Hmm. Roswell huh? See any aliens?”

“You’re teasing me.” I giggle (yes! I giggled! Shut up! You would too if this major hottie was teasing you!).

“Yes.” He grins. “You’re so easy. To tease.” He adds quickly. Good save.

“Actually. I have seen an alien.” I nod, thinking of the stories I tell all the tourist customers that walk through the Crash Down doors.

But before I can spew one out the plane dips low and I fall into Matt’s lap. “Oh my god.” I gasp. But not because of where I am, “Oh my god!” I say louder and shove past him to look out the window. It’s way gloomy.

“Relax… Uh… Hey, you never told me your name.” He says from beneath me, careful not to touch my ass as it is flaunted in his face. Accidentally you know, I’m so totally out of it in fear I don’t realize what I’m doing. Insert wicked grin here.

“Liz.” I breath against the glass and flinch as the first lighting bolt flashes a few miles to the west of us. Oh dear lord. Don’t let me die a virgin.

“Well, Liz. You mind getting your knee off my boys?” He grimaces. I look down to see what he means and blush profusely.

“I am so sorry!” I hop back into my seat. The plane dips again and I grab onto Matt’s shoulder, “I’m so sorry. I know you don’t know me but I’m not good with planes. So I’m gonna hang onto you. Don’t worry, I’d do the same if you were an old man with false teeth.” I babble out, nervous to the core.

“Gee, don’t I feel special.” He smirks, an act that reminds me of Michael.

With a slightly embarrassed smile I release his arm and sit back in my seat. We engage in polite small talk (amid my freakouts during turbulence) and when the captain says we’re ready to land, I nearly cry with joy.

“So. It was nice to meet you Liz.” Matt says when we’re exiting the large vessel of doom. “Interesting and a little weird. But nice.” He winks.

“Yeah. It was nice not to be stuck next to a drunk this time.” I say and then gasp and cover my mouth, “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

He laughs, “You’re so cute.”

At the word cute my stomach tightens. Wow, I really like this guy. He’s only 22 and I’m almost 18! The age difference is not that bad, besides, he’s gonna be in Seattle the entire time I am!

But wait! I’m here for Maria.

I’m here for Maria. I’m here for Maria. I’m here for Maria. It becomes a mantra so as I wont become boy crazy whilst I am here in Seattle.

“So are you.” I mutter back at him. I mean hey, I may never see him again. Might as well get in all the flirting I can right?

“Well. It was nice flying with you Liz.” He smiles, "Here's your bag." He hands my my carry on. The one I had asked him to get from above our seats. Then he turns, and walks out of my life.

Wow. Nice butt. Now where do I remember this from?

I just wanted to let you all know how greatful I am to have such cool people read my fic! I lov eyou all! Oh, and I’m aware that Ashlee’s CD isn’t technically out in this time period but who cares! lol It’s my fic and I’ll fib if I want to!




Part 15: L.O.V.E.


The airport was huge and looked like a mall. A huge mall. I was tempted to drop everything and spend like I was dying tomorrow. But then logic set in and I thought about the consequences. Like how would I eat? Where would I sleep? And would Maria be able to find me if I lost myself in sales retail?

I walked a bit further on what I was sure was the way to the baggage claim and began to think about Matt. He was so hot. So cute, so… I dunno but he’s gorgeous. His smile, his hair, his face, his bod! Even though he was covered I knew he had a muscular build. I just knew it!

Still thinking about Matt I was totally oblivious of the fact that I was walking in circles. Hadn’t I seen this Seattle Souvenir store before? Yes, I’m pretty sure I have. But my mind was whirling with all the possible scenario’s I could have played to insure Matt sticking around.

For instance, I could have been coy and said, “Hey, you seem pretty cool. Wanna exchange numbers?”

No. That’s lame.

Uh, how about, “So I guess I’ll see you around, where’s your dorm at?”

Wait, that might give him the wrong idea.

Okay I think I got it, “I’ve been considering Seattle University. Wanna show me around sometime during my stay?”

Yes. That would have been perfect because it would have been the absolute truth. I really am considering going to college here after I graduate. Plus, it’s a zillion miles away from Max. Damn, I said his same. And I was doing so well!

Walking past a group of people I’m shoved by what feels like a speeding train, “Whoa, where’s the fire?” I snap just as my assailant barks, “Bitch.” To which I reply with, “Ex-cuse me?”

But when I turn to open a can of whoop ass I’m stunned. “You!” I point and gasp.

“So how long were you planning to pretend you had no clue who I was?” She says with her hands on her hips.

My eyes pop open as well as my mouth while bringing forth a scream so great I’m pretty sure Roswell heard me. As it is, people are staring and if not for Maria grabbing me by the shoulders screaming and jumping around I’m pretty sure security would have been called.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Maria squeals, “I’m so excited we are soooo gonna party!” She wiggles her fingers in my face. “Oh, this is Preston by the way. Ignore him if you want. I do.” She shrugs. “I didn’t want him to come anyways.”

“Hi Liz!” Preston pulls me into a gigantic muscled hug, “Oh my god I can’t believe it’s you! In the flesh! You’re so cute!” He pokes my nose, “Isn’t she cute Maria?”

She groans, “What did I tell you in the car?” Her eyes sizzle with flames.

He cringes, “Sorry, sorry. I know, tone it down.” He shrugs, “I’m flamboyant. What did you expect?”

“Well, I think you’re great.” I smile at him and turn to Maria with a grin, “I met someone.” I wiggle my brows.

She gasps, “Not uh. Where?”

“My last flight. He was so hot Maria. And he’s a college boy! But I kinda blew it cuz I didn’t ask him out or anything when we got off. I just waved him goodbye and now I’m stuck with the ‘what if’s of it all.” I sigh.

“Did he have a dimpled smile, dark blonde hair, a mouthwatering bod and did he drip with masculinity?” Her right arched brow lifts up.

Uhh…

I say, “Umm… Yeah. How’d you know that?” I gasp, “Oh my god you really are psychic!” I slap my forehead, “And all this time I’ve been making fun of you behind your back!” I shake my head back and forth, “Boy was I wrong.”

She glares at me, “Yes, I am psychic but no that guess wasn’t from my abilities. I told you I only get my premonitions in dreams. But anyways, that’s besides the point.” She waves a hand, “I said that because there’s a major hottie alert at your 6 which is my 12 and he’s coming this way!” She says excited beyond belief.

“What?” I grimace, “You are so weird sometimes Maria.” I shake my head.

“No sweetie. She’s making perfect sense.” Preston points over my shoulder, “There’s a fine ass guy two feet behind you.”

I glance over my shoulder and do a double take, “M-Matt?” I’m lost in those baby blues of his, “What are you—“

“I’m sorry if I surprised you but…” He blushes, “I was just thinking—“

“Yes.” Maria blurts.

I turn to give her a look, “Yes?” I say.

She nods, “Oh yes. She’s free to go wherever you like, uh… Matt is it?”

“Oh, sorry for not introducing myself, “Matt Jensen.” He shakes her hand and does the same to Preston. “So, yes?” He turns back to me.

I nod, “Yeah.” I breathe, “Wait.” I blink, “What am I saying yes to?” I ask confused.

He laughs, “My roommates are having a party Friday night. I was thinking that maybe you’d like to come. I dunno, we could hang out? I liked talking to you on the plane, weird as you were.” He teases.

“Oh.” I nod thinking he thinks I’m a big weirdo, “Oh!” I say in realization. No Liz, he likes you! “Sure, I’d love to. I can bring my friends right?” I ask him politely. Cuz if they can’t go there’s no way I’m going.

“Of course, the more the merrier. As long as I get to spend some of the time with just you.” The side of his mouth turns up into a mischievous smile.

“Are any of your friends as hot as you?” Maria interrupts.

“Yeah and are any of them gay?” Preston asks. I turn beet red.

Matt chooses to ignore their comments with a polite smile and looks down at me, “So you’ll be there?”

“I guess.” Is all I can muster without spontaneously combusting.

“She’ll be there.” Maria says, gets his digits and pulls me towards the exit.

Welcome to my life. Staring the infamous Liz Parker and her trusty sidekick Maria Deluca!




Life on the farm is not all it’s cracked up to be. For one, Maria’s grandparents are about as friendly as me. Preston won’t stop bugging me about a “makeover” (ugh!), and Maria is busy trying to come up with different outfits for us to wear to the party.

I’ve decided that I don’t want to go. I just haven’t told Maria this yet.

“And then we can curl the ends of your silky soft hair—“

“Stop.” I say and pull my hair from Preston’s hands, “I don’t want to go.”

Maria and Preston back into the corner of the room and gasp, “B-But… Why?” Preston stutters while Maria clutches to his collar.

I roll my eyes and fall back under the canopy bed in the guestroom. “Because.” I say, “He’s not… You know.”

I hear them whisper back and forth heatedly before Preston leaves followed by Maria closing the door behind him. “Sweetie, we need to talk.” She pulls aside the canopy and crawls in. “About Max…”

“Don’t say it.” I bury my face into the fluffiest pillow I’ve ever felt. “I don’t feel like hearing another lecture on why Max is bad and Matt is good.”

“I wasn’t gonna say that.” Maria’s dry tone makes me lift my head, “What I was going to say is that if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to go.” She lays her head down beside mine and sighs, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

I twist and lay on my back, “Yeah. Me too.”

“I sent Preston home. I told him we needed girl time.” She looks at me in wait.

“He sounded mad.” I look back at her.

She smirks, “Nah. He’s fine. He’s on his way to his current boy toy’s house as we speak.” We both burst out laughing for a full five minutes before Maria jumps up excited, “I just had an idea.” She grabs my wrist and pulls me up.

“What?” I look at her with doubt in my eyes.

“Oh stop. It’s perfectly legal.” She says.

That Maria. She’s a liar.




“I’m not 18 yet.” I stammer.

Maria rolls her eyes, “Oh shut up and quit being such a baby. Besides, they won’t card you if you act normal. Like you’re 18.” We move up in line.

“I’m scared.” I move to bolt and am yanked back into line. “Ow!” I rub my arm.

“You’re doing this.” She growls.

“This is peer pressure Maria.” I yelp and try to run again.

“Liz I swear to you if you move one toe out of line I’m gonna kick your scrawny ass.” She squeezes her claws around my wrist tighter.

“Is it gonna hurt?” I ask nervous.

Her eyes roll again, “It’s gonna hurt.” She assures me.

“Is it permanent?” I bite my bottom lip.

She shakes her head, “Liz, you’re killing me here!”

“NEXT!” Some big burly guy calls out.

Unfortunately, we’re next. I turn to the people behind us and ask if they’d like to go on ahead of us. It almost works too until Maria jerks me forward onto the platform where I’m then tied, buckled, strapped and forced to do what I really don’t want to do.

“I’m gonna puke.” I say.

“You’re not gonna puke.” Maria’s dry tone makes me pause in my whining.

“How do you know that?” I snap.

“I’m psychic, remember?” She grins from beside me as we are lifted up high in the air above 100 feet!

“Maria, I’m gonna either pee or puke. I’m not sure which will come first.” I start to shake. “It’s all just by the roll of the dice.” I squeeze my eyes shut.

“Liz, you gotta live life. You gotta take chances. Letting go of your inhibitions is the first step to living life to the fullest.” She grins, “This is it.”

We’re pulled back so high that the tilt has our hair falling in our faces. I peak an eye open to see the people below who look like figurines instead of people. It’s freaking me out but I must admit. Maria has a point.

“I haven’t even been here a whole day and already you’re changing my life.” I take a huge deep breathe to keep from upchucking. I’m a nervous nelly okay?! Leave me alone! At least I’m trying something different!

She laughs beside me, “Yeah well, I’ve always wanted to do something this crazy. So now if I die I know I’ve seen everything.” She whips her arms out to indicate that by everything she means everything. The city of Seattle.

“Maria,” I turn to look at her, surprised that my bold fast talking easy going best friend thinks she’s seen it all. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

“FIVE! …FOUR!” The countdown begins from down below.

Maria’s grin grows even wider than before (if indeed that is physically possible), “Three…”

I gulp, “Two…”

“ONE!” We scream. The latch gives way…

And we’re airborne.




“That was awesome.” Maria squeals and throws her arms around me once more, “I mean we were like weightless baby!” She shivers, “What a rush.”

I’m still trying to slow my heartbeat back to normal speed. But that was after I managed to swallow it back down from my throat. My shaky nerves were still on the fritz though and every so often my knee would jerk.

“Wasn’t that fun?!” Maria shoves me playfully as we make our way through the fairground parking lot. “I’ve passed by this place every day since it opened and dreamed of doing that bungee-like thing.” She eyes our still frame from the ride. Taken just as the bungee snapped free and tossed us through the air.

Swinging back and forth hundreds of feet in the air was not my idea of fun but if it was to Maria. It was tolerable to me. I think. My leg twitched again before she pressed the button on her keychain to unlock the doors.

“Let me see that.” I reach for the photo and groan, “I look like Kermit the frog.”

She laughs, “You’re eyes are a little buggy.” She laughs again, “I am so framing this.”

“I think I have whiplash.” I groan and rub the back of my neck. Cranking it back and forth to work out the kinks.

“Oh hush.” She sets in the drivers seat and shuts the door, “I’m sure Matt will ease your aching muscles at the party.” She teases and starts the car.

I had completely forgotten all about Matt since soaring in the sky like a deranged psychotic bird. I chose to ignore Maria’s comment because I didn’t want to ruin our bond moment by telling her I still wasn’t gonna go to the party. She’d probably have a fit. No better yet? A COW!

“You’re going.” She says as if reading my mind, “Your two weeks here with me will be monumental Liz. I can’t have you going back home with any “what if’s” going through your mind.”

I nod my head to assure her that she’s the boss. I opt for sustenance and am informed that Maria is a damn good cook so tonight, we eat like royalty. On our way back to her grandparents place I spot the University that Matt said he went to and wonder what he’s doing right now.

Is he thinking about me? Is Max?

No! I smack my hand against my forehead. No thinking about that bastard for two whole weeks. Must stop! Must refrain from thinking about his luscious lips and that hard hot bod of his. Oh dear me, this is going to be harder than I thought.

Maria lightly sings along to the radio, completely oblivious of my miniature meltdown on my side of the vehicle. I try to concentrate on the smooth gentle sound of her voice and start to doze off.

I’m half awake and half asleep when Maria screeches to a stop and screams, “No. Freaking. Way.”

I jerk upright in my seat and smash my face on the dashboard, “Ow.” I groan and try to find what caused such a ruckus. All I see is some guy standing on her porch with a bouquet of red roses. What the hell could be so alarming about that?

She scrambles out of her seat and struggles because she hasn’t unfastened her seatbelt just yet. I reach over and unsnap her belt, “Thanks.” She barks and climbs out her car, storming over to the guy with the flowers.

“What the hell are you doing here?” She shouts as she approaches flower boy.

I jump out the car and jog up beside Maria. She obviously is not a fan of flowers.

“I miss you.” Flower boy extends the roses in front of Maria, “I got these for you.”

Maria’s pleasant face scowls in anger, “I don’t want them.”

“Why? You don’t like roses?” He balks, “I could get you something else.”

“You could get to steppin!” She shoves past him to the front door, “Go away Brice. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

BRICE?! As in Brice Adams? Booty call boy? One night stand boy? Boy who said he’d give her a call if things didn’t work out with his last girlfriend? Jeeerrrrrrk!

“Maria wait—“

I step in his line of vision to block hi path, “She said go away.”

He blinks down at me as if seeing me for the first time. Gee thanks, am I that to ignore? This guy is getting no brownie points. I’d rather Maria date Michael than this creep, and that’s a whole lot of jerk going around!

“Do I know you?” He asks me, “Cuz I don’t believe I do. And I don’t believe I was talking to you either.”

[o]OoOoOoOoh[/i] no he didn’t!

Maria cringes after hearing his comment. She knows as well as I do that he’s in for a ass whoopin. No one talks to me like that, no one. Not even Isabel who in the past has gotten in some quick one liners only to be trash talked to the grave.

“You’re right. You don’t know me. You don’t want to know me. You don’t need to know me. All you need to know, do, and say is nothing but get the hell out of my sight in the next 30 seconds.” I say in warning.

“Is she for real?” He looks at Maria as he points at me.

“I’m sorry. Did I say you could speak to my friend? No. I don’t believe I did.” I shake my head, “Good bye Brice. You can take your roses and shove up your ass now.” I smile sweetly and turn for the door.

Maria’s already through the door and holds it open for me. I’m on the last step when I hear Brice threaten and call me a bitch. Big mistake. HUGE mistake. Catastrophic mistake. But Maria’s screaming in his face before I can even gather my thoughts. When I do come to my senses it occurs to me that Michael isn’t here to kick this guys ass. Oh crap.

Rather than do the childish thing and sling a clump of dirt in his eyes or slap him across the face I pick the flowers up off the ground, grab Maria, hurl the flowers in Brice’s face (c’mon I had to do one childish thing), wave him goodbye and slam the door in his face.

“I’m so sorry.” Maria leans against the door, “I’m really… sorry.” She takes a deep breathe, lets it out slow.

I shake my head, “No need girl.” I sigh and pull her into a hug, “Now tell me what’s really going on.”

I’m not surprised when she starts sobbing after I say this.




Date: 8/23/2005
From: "Liz" <PunkPrincess87@hotmail.com>
Subject: What up losers
To: "Alex" <Shit_Happens@yahoo.com>, "Michael" <Anarchy99@hotmail.com>

Missing you greatly in Seattle biatches! No, seriously. I miss you two clowns. I have no one to pick on over here. It makes me sad. Who will I bug to no end? Who will I make so frustrated he’s forced to give me a Charlie horse? Come on guys, you know you miss me too. I know you doooo!!!

Also, I must admit that being on my own out here has taught me greatly. First off, I learned that Michael will not always be here to rescue me when my mouth cashes a check my ass can’t cash. Point in question? Brice Adams. My first day here I almost had my ass handed to me on a platter. Man is this guy a jerk. Michael, he even puts you to shame.

So Alex, how are things in the luv department? Isabel coming around? Or is the restraining order still valid? Don’t worry Al, you can do better. And if you actually got the girl… I don’t take that back. I still think you can do better than her. Why? Because she’s a mean girl! A living, breathing b.i.t.c—

Anyways!

So how are things back at the fort? Holding up good? How my dad? Is his panties still in a twist because I left? I hope not, papa bear has to take care of things while I’m away. I bet it’s a huge responsibility that he’s unable to do alone. I bet he has you guys bussing tables huh! Haha! Gotta love him.

Well. I’m off. Oh yea! I totally forgot to tell you guys! I went bungee jumping! Well it’s one of those swing bungee things but still. I swung back and forth hundreds of feet in the air and I didn’t cry or pee myself at all! Aren’t you proud??? I know Michael will be.

Miss you lots. Don’t wish you were here but I still got love for ya!
-Liz.




Date: 8/23/2005
From: "Michael" <Anarchy99@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE:What up losers
To: "Liz" <PunkPrincess87@hotmail.com>

You’re right. I am beyond shocked little girl. You sure this is really my cousin Liz Parker? Cuz I think you’re lying your ass off about that bungee thing. No way would you do something like that. You won’t even climb down your own balcony ladder without some form of a harness!

My mom said to buy her something from a Seattle gift shop. A keychain or whatever. So please do it because she won’t stop bugging me about it. She wishes she could travel so she’s living vicariously through you. I guess I can tell her she went bungee jumping then. No way will she believe me when I tell her you did that.

Your dad is busting my damn chops Liz. He has me in the kitchen and when I’m not knee deep in hamburger grease he has me bussing tables. You should have seen Alex the other day. He wiped out HARD! It was so fucking hilarious. He was on his way out from the kitchen with this stick up his ass walk he thought would impress Isabel (who has been eating at the The Crashdown almost everyday now…) when WHAM! He slips on the floor where I had just mopped.

Serves his ass right for walking over my master piece. I TOLD his ass not to set foot in the kitchen until my mop & glo was dry. Did he listen? No. So that’s what he gets. I have no sympathy for him. Not even when he banged the side of his face against a counter on his way down. Oh Liz, it was GREAT! I’ve never laughed so hard in my life except for that time when you wiped out in the Christmas Recital back in 7th grade. Oh man, now I can’t stop laughing at THAT.

So yeah, now Alex is walking around with a fat black eye. Plus side? Isabel feels so bad for him she gives him this sad sympathetic look whenever we walk down the halls. Which reminds me. The principal is PISSED that you skipped out on the last week of summer school. I know it was just a week but he’s still pissed. I think your teacher thinks you had a nervous breakdown or something because he keeps giving me these brochures and saying things like “Hope Liz is okay.”

Well, I gotta go. I’m on duty tonight at the Crash. Hope you’re having fun cuz I sure as hell am not. On a more personal note, hows that foxy friend of yours in Seattle? And who the fuck is Brice Adams? And where does he live so I can be sure to kick his ass. Or at least send him a severed head with a warning to leave my cousin alone.

Peace out squirt.

Mike



Date: 8/24/2005
From: "Alex" <Shit_Happens@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE:What up losers
To: "Liz" <PunkPrincess87@hotmail.com>

I’m sure Michael told you the news so I won’t pretend it never happened. I’d like to, I’d so like to. Isabel was there and everything. It was the worst thing ever. But at least she looks at me in school now. Too bad school is over in two days! You’re not missing out on anything really important anyways. I’m sure to ask Isabel about every aspect of that class pretending you really are concerned about your grade. I don’t think she believes me though.

Oh an another thing, why does your teacher keep giving me these weird brochures on nervous breakdowns and why does he keeps patting my back and saying things like “Cheep up son.” And “How is Liz these days?” Weeiiirrrd.

Gosh man, my face hurts. I went down hard, and my black eye is getting worse by the day. You should have been here when my parents saw me. They about had an aneurism, you know how over protective those fuckers are. They almost made me quit my job. But no way in hell am I ever quitting that job. Yeah, the pay sucks donkey (no offense Liz but your dad is a cheap ass) and I’m falling left and right, but Isabel eats there. Often. So I’m all for The Crashdown! Yeay food!

Now for the bad news. I guess I should be the one to tell you about this. Cuz I know Michael won’t tell you. And when he finds out I told you he’s gonna kick my ass but…

Blair’s baby shower is a week from today. Yeah, I know. I can’t believe she’s being this open about it either. She’s excited and she’s milking this motherhood thing for all it’s worth. Max is a mess. He looks like shit Liz. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad or anything, I’m just… I just know that you would have wanted to know. No matter how much you say you hate him and want nothing to do with him I know you’d want to know this.

He asks about you everyday. Not to Michael, but to me and Isabel. Isabel’s worried about him and so is everyone else. Logan and Duncan keep trying to get Michael to talk to him but Michael won’t budge. Why is he so bent out of shape over this? I mean yeah its messed up but they’ve been friends forever right? Kyle has been hanging out with us a lot more lately. I think Michael’s trying to replace Max with Kyle, and I think Kyle knows it. We gotta get those two back together!

Anyways, sorry if I depressed you but, you needed to know. So anyways, you went bungee jumping??? What?! And you didn’t barf or anything? No way. Liz, you can’t even climb down your balcony ladder without me or Michael to spot you. How on earth could you have swung from hundreds of feet in the air? I’ll believe it when I see it!

Well, I gotta go. I’m on duty for the lunch rush. Fun! Take care Liz, call me!

Judge Judy over and out!
Alex



I sigh and signoff line from my laptop and slap it shut. Feelings like shit. Max needs me. I know he does. Blair obviously isn’t feeling anything other than proud. All the while Max is depressed and—

“ All my girls stand in a circle and clap your hands this is for you
Ups and downs highs and lows no matter what you see me through”

Maria and Preston sing along to Ashlee Simpson as they dance into the room. Clapping their hand shigh above their heads.

“ My boyfriend he don’t answer on the telephone
I don’t even know where the hell he goes
But all my girls we’re in a circle and nobody’s gonna break through”

Preston shakes his ass as Maria smacks it. She shimmies and lets Preston lift her into the air in a mock-dirty dancing move. I burst out laughing at them.

“What are you guys doing?” I shake my head at them.

“Shhh! It’s music video time! We play a song and make up our own version of a music video for it!” Preston grabs my hand and I lung forward from his strength.

“ L, O, L, O L, O L O V E
L, O, L, O L, O
Did you hear me say
L, O, L, O L, O L O V E
L, O, L, O L, O
Did you hear me say
L, O, L, O L, O L O V E
L, O, L, O L, O
I’m talkin’ ‘bout
L, O, L, O L, O L O V E
L, O, L, O L, O
I’m talkin’ ‘bout love”

They dance in small circles while dancing like their doing the Salsa. “C’mon Liz! You’re ma girl!” Maria pulls me away from Preston and dances. I stand there completely immobile.

“Dance or we’ll make you.” Preston squints at me.

I laugh, “What?”

“Please!” Maria begs, “Dance with us! It’s so refreshing! We do it everyday at 3pm!” She does a little shimmy.

“ Say you’ll be my girls for life
Girls for life”

Maria and Preston scream out loud. I wonder where the hell her grandparents are and why they’re not running in here screaming like my parents would have.

“ Oh hold off I need another one
I think you, you do too
Grab my bag, got my own money
Don’t need any man in this room
My boyfriend he’ll be calling me now anytime
I need all girls to keep him off my mind
So hold up we need another one
What we got is all good”

Maria and Preston pretend to pass each other drinks, grab their purses, count money and talk on their cell phones at all the appropriate times. I start to get into it. I know, Liz Parker? Dancing? I was just as shocked at you.

We sing the chorus together and jump around dancing like mad people, until the bridge where we get all slow motion and serious.

“ Love is an energy, love is a mystery
Love is meant to be true
Love is a part of me, love is the heart of me
Love is the best thing we do”

“Woohoo! Go Liz!” Preston shouts as me and Maria get down with our bad self’s. I never thought in a million years I would dance to an Ashlee Simpson Song, let alone know the words. Michael would have a heart attack and die on the spot. Alex would be frozen in shock and my parents? They’d calla priest.

We dance through most of the chorus and scream out the last so loud our throats scratch.

“ Oh did you hear me say
L, O, L, O L, O L O V E
L, O, L, O L, O
I’m talkin’ ‘bout
L, O, L, O L, O L O V E
L, O, L, O L, O
I’m talkin’ ‘bout love”

We all fall back on Maria’s bed. Laughing, giggling, sweaty and exhausted. Who knew a 4 minutes song could wipe us out so easily? Well, then again. No one had moves like us now did they?

“I’m so glad you’re hear.” Maria says whispers beside me.

I grin at her, “Me too.”

A/N: Sorry this took so long but it's major long so hopefully that makes up for it! Also, I’m on a lyrics craze, I know. Hate me or love me for it, it’s all to the good. Song is by Ivy, title is Ocean City Girl. It’s also on the Veronica Mars Soundtrack (which is AWESOME btw!) and there you go. Also, I totally forgot if I ever said what Preston’s last name was so if I got it wrong you can do one of two things. Ignore it. Or correct me.




Part 16: Ocean City Girl


Moving slowly into the setting sun
Keeping secrets away from everyone




“H-hello?” I croak into my cell phone. My quick and blurry glance at the alarm clock beside me read 4:18 a.m.

Click

“Well up yours too.” I say before going back to bed.




Date: 8/25/2005
From: "Michael" <Anarchy99@hotmail.com>
Subject: I know you know
To: "Liz" <PunkPrincess87@hotmail.com>

So now what? I know he told you. I know it because when I said hey this morning Alex shrieked with, “I HAD TO DO IT!” so after many headlocks and side socking he finally admitted what he had to do. He told you about Max. Well, don’t think about it. It’s not your fault. It’s his. He’s the asshole who got himself into that mess. He’s the ass who’s gotta face it like a man. He doesn’t need you, he doesn’t need me, he doesn’t need nothing but some balls. Which Blair obvious has in the palm of her hands.

So before you start to let this ruin your trip. STOP. Think. And then go on with your life. Got it? Oh, and don’t forget to get my mom a damn keychain. She’s still on my ass about that.

That is all,
M.G.




BenditLikeME: Hey
SoOriginal87: heyyy
BenditLikeME: long time
SoOriginal87: no chat, I know
BenditLikeME: so I’ve been thinking
SoOriginal87: did it hurt?
BenditLikeME: a little
SoOriginal87: poor baby
BenditLikeME: yes
SoOriginal87: so what were you ‘thinking’ about?
BenditLikeME: coming clean
SoOriginal87: well by all means go take a shower
BenditLikeME: I’m serious
SoOriginal87: so am I, I can smell you from here!
BenditLikeME: Liz
SoOriginal87: alright, alright
BenditLikeME: I think it’s fair that you know who I really am
SoOriginal87: uh oh
SoOriginal87: you’re a 40 year old transvestite aren’t you
BenditLikeME: no, but I think you think I’m someone I’m not
SoOriginal87: I don’t think you’re anyone. I don’t even know you.
BenditLikeME: I know, and I want that to change
SoOriginal87: but what if I don’t want to ‘change’
BenditLikeME: I think you do, I think that now that he’s out of the way you and I can start to get to know each other
SoOriginal87: now that who’s out of the way?
BenditLikeME: you know who I’m talking about Liz, I know you do
SoOriginal87: uhh…
BenditLikeME: I think we should talk face to face
SoOriginal87: I don’t even know your real name, and I don’t want to meet you
BenditLikeME: you already have
SoOriginal87: whoa, I’m freaking out now
BenditLikeME: don’t freak out okay?
SoOriginal87: okay…
BenditLikeME: don’t worry, I’m not old and I’m not a freak
SoOriginal87: oh I feel so much better because you know, I TOTALLY believe every word you say
BenditLikeME: I’m going to miss the hell out of your sarcastic banter
SoOriginal87: you sound like this is the end, lol
BenditLikeME: it is
SoOriginal87: well, okay then. Bye!

<center>SoOriginal87 has signed off...</center>




“Whatcha doin?” I skip into the kitchen to greet Maria. Funny thing, her grandparents are never home. If I hadn’t met them my first day here I would totally wonder if Maria had made them up in her mind.

“Reading.” Maria mumbles and shoves a spoonful of Lucky Charms in her mouth before turning a page in her monster sized romance book.

She reads every morning while she eats breakfast. I’m clueless as to how she manages this magnificent feat. I can’t even chew gum and walk at the same time, well, okay. I can but I can’t rub my belly and pat the top of my head, that I know for sure.

“What the hell are you doing?” Maria gawks up at me and laughs.

My hands pause on my stomach and head, “Nothing.” My hand dart down to my sides as my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

“I’m hhheeeerrreeee!” We hear Preston as he barges through the front door in beach wear, “Oh my god, your not ready? By the time we get there it’s gonna be dark! Get dressed! Now! Snap to it!” He snaps his fingers.

Maria and I sit and stare back at him over our bowls of cereal.

“Ocean Shores? HEL-LO?!” He stomps a foot, “It’s a three hour drive honey. I know you didn’t totally forget.”

Maria’s eyes pop open, “Oh. My god. I totally forgot!” She jumps up shrieking, “Liz, get your lardo ass up and start packing!” She pulls me to my feet.

“Wha—“ I’m jerked towards the back rooms where she throws everything from bathing suits to club wear into a duffel bag in record warp speed. “Suffering succotash Maria!”

She looks at me crazy, “What did you just say?”

I shake my head, “Nothing. But Id like to know what’s going on because I am NOT jumping off a cliff, I’m not diving off a bridge and I’m not gonna fly through the air again!” I scream.

“You okay?” Her brow raises.

I nod, “Yeah.”

Alright then. She nods back at me, “C’mon. It’s gonna be awesome. Preston’s parents have a beach house. We’re really supposed to you know… Go inside but. What momma don’t know won’t hurt her.” She winks.

“Ta-day ladies!” Preston shouts from the living room.




Starting out into another world
Tide is rising but time is standing still

Three hours. Three. Freaking. Hours! I tried taking a nap in the back of Preston’s luxurious Mercedes (I got an A+ in Art class!) but with Sonny and Cher singing up a storm up front there was no way I was going to rest. I tried reading, but it turns out that reading in a moving vehicle makes me nauseas.

After the first hour and half I thought I was going to die of boredom. But by the second half I was just downright car sick and in dire need of a break. So after I begged royally for Preston to stop at the next exit, I jumped out of the backseat like a bat out of hell and all but hugged a tree.

As Preston filled up the gas tank Maria and I went for snacks. I watched her grab handfuls of candy and sodas as I stood looking at how many carbs was in a cheese ‘n crackers Handi-Snack. Damn her.

“Liz, what are you doing?” Her free hand goes to her hip. Uh oh.

I drop what I’m doing and rush over to grab a bag of sour candy, “My mom doesn’t really let me eat too many sugar products.” I lie, I just didn’t want her to know what a sugar addict I am.

“That’s because your mom is crazy.” Maria sighs, “Alas, I shall have to teach you everything.” She shakes her head sadly, “Rule number one. You can have sugar, in fact. It’s now one of the two major food groups.”

“Two?” I question.

“Two. Candy,” She holds up a snickers, “And then there’s everything else.” She grins.

I’m so glad the world was not created by Maria Deluca. Else we’d probably live in a Willy Wonka movie. Everything would be sweet and edible. Everything.

Once we’re back in the car Maria wants to switch spots, stating that she wants to stretch her legs in back. So I sit up front with Preston and pray he doesn’t try and make me sing. Well, my prayers were wasted the second the car was started.

“Oh Liz! My song! You have to sing with me!” He starts to sing along to an unheard of band that I’ve never heard of but sound pretty good. So I wave my hands about and move my lips but I don’t know the lyrics so I’m not actually singing. Besides, Maria is singing in the back loud enough for both of us.

Four Songs later Preston finally started to realize that I wasn’t going to miraculously learn the lyrics and start singing. So he switched to the radio. I watched the scenery change from city life to ocean city life. You know, beach shops, and surfers and Laguna Beach looking type stuff. Laguna Beach. Guilty pleasure, I can’t help it.

Welcome to Ocean Shores!

I hunch down in my seat further. Truthfully, I wasn’t really looking forward to watching people walk around in bikini’s and board shorts. Well, okay, maybe I could deal with the board shorts. I have no problem with the male body. It’s wonderful.

“It’s coming up!” Preston suddenly says, “Maria which side is it on again?” He turns to me, “You are so going to love this, it’s awesome.”

“What now?” I say afraid. You just never know with these two. “It’s not pornographic is it?”

They burst out laughing, “No. It’s just this UFO shaped beach house. Its up like a 100 feet from the ground or something and it’s so thin and circular like a flying saucer!” Maria’s eyes dart around in search of the house, “Oh my god there it is!” She points. “It’s like a major tourist attraction because supposedly some famous director owns it.”

“Yeah and all these famous movie stars like to party there. Talk about the mile high club.” He teases. I stare up at it as we pass by and wonder if anything of this bullshit is true.

“I’m so excited!” Maria squeals, “Just think, two days ago I was milking cows. Today, I’m gonna be baking in the sun! Wait until tonight Liz, the bonfire’s here are awesome!” She bounces in her seat., “Hurry up Pres, I have to pee!”

“So that’s why you can’t stay still!” I turn around and point at her, “Whew! I thought you were going insane for a second.”

She smirks, “Ha. Ha. But no, I’ve had to go since like an hour ago but I figured we were half way here so I could wait. Apparently, I can’t wait any longer.”

“You better not pee on my leather seats Deluca!” Preston snaps and stares at her through her rearview mirror.

She rolls her pretty blue eyes, “Whatever, shut your mouth. And drive.”

“We’re here.” Preston pulls up into a marvelous looking driveway with clay statues and a water fountain. I’m such a bad liar. Okay it wasn’t Laguna Beach material, but it was pretty bad ass nonetheless.

The garage portion was actually underneath the beach house it’s self. We had to climb a flight of stairs to get up into the house. But once I was in side I literally gasped in shock. It was that amazing. The decorator of this place was worth every penny, and I knew it had to be a decorator because… damn.

“It’s just a place to chill while we’re at the beach. So yeah, mom says we’re not allowed to eat or drink in the carpet area. We’re not allowed to bring people over, we’re not allowed to have parties. We’re not allowed to come inside the house if we’re still wet from the beach. We have to wash out back in the showers to get the sand and such off ourselves before stepping foot inside. Ditto again with the being dry part.” Preston rubs his chin as he looks like at a piece of paper in his hand.

“Let me see that.” Maria snatches it from his grasp, “No shoes in the house.” She looks down at her flip flops, “Psh.” She reads on, “No this, no that, no fun, no life! Blah! You know what this means right?” She crunches the paper up in her hands and tosses it over her shoulder.

Preston grins, “Why Maria Deluca, you wouldn’t be having any evil ideas going through that blonde little head of yours now would you?”

“Why, yes Preston Leary. I believe I do.” She twirls in a ballerina stance, “Now get in that bikini Ms. Parker!” She swirls my way, “C’mon. I bought you one.” She grabs me by the elbow.

“No way.” I shake my head.

Maria groans annoyed, “Liz. We’re going to be staying here until Sunday.” She gives me a dry stare, “This is party central during the summer. Especially on the weekends. It’s like The O.C. out here babe. You’re gonna love it. But I can’t allow you to live it unless you participate.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“I thought you wanted to go to Matt’s frat party.” I cross my arms over my chest.

She shrugs, “It’s a fraternity. There will be more parties. Besides, I have a couple tricks up my sleeves missy. Don’t forget, I’m Maria Deluca.” She grins like a wolf.

And I’m the prey.




Ocean City girl
Is smiling
Ocean City girl
Is flying

Flea Markets rock. But not if you’re cruising them in a hot pink triangle bikini top and boy brief/shorts. I had to wrap a sarong around my waist just to feel less naked. Maria is wearing the same but in fire engine red.

“I’m so glad we decided to test the waters.” Maria sighs and examines a charm bracelet.

“Yeah, cuz the water feels so good.” I crack sarcastic as always. Maria’s idea of testing the waters but looking around to see how many hot guys she could spot and invite to the bonfire tonight.

Preston showed me the set up and I must admit, it was going to be awesome. If everything worked out as planned. But you know me, always the worrier. I just knew something was going to go wrong. Like, a freak accident. A tidal wave. The bonfire would get out of control and burn us all alive. Under age drinking will result in the death of some deranged teenage girl (me). Or the party would get out of control and damage Preston’s beach house followed by the end of life as we know it!

Okay. So I’m a little dramatic. But you try being the only level headed one in this crazy trio and then tell me you would totally be in control. Maria’s a live wire and Preston is a firecracker, so once you put the two together you’re gonna have some dangerous fireworks. ILLEGAL ones at that.

“Okay so what do you think of this?” Maria asks, standing in the middle of the boardwalk with her arms held out. “Hello? Earth to Liz Parker.”

“Oh my god! Tell the world my name so they can commit identity theft!” I rush up to her from the booth I was shopping at.

She rolls her eyes, “Anyways.” She poses again, “What do you think.”

I stare at her, “You look the same. What am I looking at?”

“You’re killing me smalls!” She groans, “Okay. Hold on a sec and then you’ll see. Ahem.” She clears her throat, “Press-tawn dawling would you please show Ms. Pawkaw what is new about me.” She beckons him over.

Preston trots over and puts a muscled arm around my shoulders as he examines Maria, “What? The necklace?” He scratches his head.

Maria stomps her sandaled foot on the ground, “No!” She pouts, “Oh my god you two are hopeless!” She covers her face and shakes her head. “Okay,” She looks up, “Let’s start over, shall we?” She pulls her hair up to the top of her head.

“Oooooooh!” Both me and Preston finally see what she’s babbling about.

“Sweet!” Preston says much too enthusiastically.

Maria is not pleased but I throw in my opinion to hopefully sooth the savage beast, “They look amazing on you Maria.” I smile and move over to touch the crystal earrings that dangle from her ears. “I love the color.”

She beams happily, “Liz honey, you’re alright!” She laughs then hops on my back, “To the beach!” She points, “Mush! Mush!”

“Oh my god Maria you’re heavy!” I grunt and struggle to carry her down the pier, “Preston!” I shriek for assistance, “Oh my god, Pres!” I scream as my knees give out, “I’m a tiny girl! How did you expect this to turn out?” I grumble from beneath Maria. My face… is buried in sand. “You can get off me now!” I cry out.

“What?” She shouts, still sitting on my back.

I scream out and with all my might buck my back up so that she goes flying off me, “Get off me!” I finally yell at her.

She blinks and stares at me in the sand, where she landed flat on her ass. “Geez, it was just a piggyback ride.”

“Do I look like a piggy?” I frown, “I’m barely five feet Maria. You’re well over my height capacity, therefore it’s physically impossible—“

“Blah, blah, blah, blah!” She waves a hand at me, “Have you learned nothing in the 3 days you’ve been here with me?” She sighs, “Time for extra recon I suppose.” She stand up from the ground, “I have sand in my ass.” She nods, “Great.”

“I have sand in my mouth.” I spit disgusted. “Wonderful.”

We both stare at each other. Then we burst out laughing so hard we fall down to the floor all over again and get sand everywhere.

“What I miss? What I miss?” Preston comes running over with a couple of beach chairs and an umbrella, “Look what I got for like, almost nothing.” He grins.

We squint up at him.

“Hey! Those are mine!” Someone screams from far out behind him.

“Whoops! Time to jam! Grab a chair and run ladies!” He throws a chair at both of us and takes off. We had no choice but to run too of course, I mean, it was a natural reaction! You run when being chased, right? Right.

We run so hard and so fast that we all laugh at how stupid the entire situation is. I think I almost pee my pants I laugh so hard. In fact, I think I just did. Hahahahaha!!!

Our exhausting yet successful run from those who pursued us is rewarded with us finding a nice, secluded spot on the beach. No one around for miles and beautiful scenery. I thought for sure that with all the tourists a spot like this would not exist.

Apparently, I was wrong. I love being wrong.

“Fun in the sun. Ah yes… This is the life.” Maria says as and turns over to tan her back, “What do you think Liz?”

What do I think? Well, I think that if life were this simple I would do it everyday. If life were this simple I would never go back to Roswell. If life were this simple I wouldn’t have to—

My cell phone is ringing. “Hello?” I answer on the third ring (or should I say chorus of Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani since that’s my ring tone?).

“Liz?”

My blood runs cold. “Max?” I gulp.

Maria sits up immediately.

“Umm… Yeah.” He pauses, “Hey.”

“Hey.” I say in response. Maria gives me a questioning look and I shrug as if saying I have no clue what the hell is going on!

“Uh, well. I guess you wanna know why I’m calling you.” I can hear people laughing in the background.

“Where are you?” I ask him.

He hesitates, “Home.”

“Who’s there?” I quip, “I mean, it just sounds really packed.” I add softly.

“Oh, yeah. Well, Isabel has some friends over.” He says. “I just called to come clean about something. But I don’t know if it will make things worse or if it will make things better.” I can feel that he’s nervous, he has something to tell me and he’s scared to say it. “I can’t tell you what it is right now. Not until I know you’ll understand. But what I can tell you is that… Well…”

“Spit it out Max.” I bark.

Maria claps her hands and gives me a thumbs up, while Preston sits beside her on the chair looking lost.

“I love you.” Max spits it out. Just as asked. “I’m sorry. But I do.” He adds quickly.

Oh my god. I say, “Oh my god.”

“What? What did he say?” Preston shouts, “Owf!” He says when Maria’s elbow is shoved in his stomach.

“You called to tell me that you’re sorry but you love me?” I utter back at him. You know, just to make sure.

“Oh no he didn’t!” Maria stand up, “Give me that thing.” She holds her hand out for my cell, “Give it.” She shakes her hand. “Now.” She goes she-devil on me.

I hand that baby over a.s.a.p.

“Hello? Max, is it?” She snips, “Let me tell you a little something about the word love okay? Love does not mean sneaking around behind other peoples back. Love does not mean having someone on the side. Love does not mean that you lie. Love doesn’t mean you make my best friend cry. So just so we’re clear, you did all those things so you obviously don’t know what love is. Therefore you cannot call Liz and tell her you love her when clearly if you did you would be here in Seattle kissing her ass and begging for forgiveness. You would not be back home moping around—oh yes, she knows about that—like a poor little sad boy. If you really loved her you’d be man enough to have some balls and tell my-size-Blair-Barbie to shove it—“

I remind her that Blair is pregnant.

“Ohhh! Wonderful!” Maria squeals into the phone, “She’s pregnant huh? Well, there we go. A perfect example on how you don’t know the meaning of love, you idiot!” She screams, “God, do I have to spell it out for you? You messed up! I don’t care if you really do love her. You have a bun in the oven mister!”

She quiet for a few minutes, obviously listening to what he has to say. I see her bravado start to fall and she looks over at me before straightening up and puffing out her chest once again.

“Can it Max. I’ve heard it all. Your sob story won’t work. Oh! And one more thing about love? Love means never having to say you’re sorry! Dumbass.” She hangs up and looks at me, “Well,” She wipes her hands off on each other, “Who wants to go for a dip?”




The night is falling,
The streetlights start to glow
No one’s there
When the cracks begin to show

The feel of the fire warming my gooseflesh covered skin is comforting. The bonfire is a success. There are so many people here that I wonder if we’ll have enough food and drink for everyone. Then I tell myself to shut up, relax, and go with the flow.

I can’t stop thinking about Max, or what he must have said to Maria because she hasn’t looked me in the eyes since. I mean, she’s acting the same, cheerful as always but… somehow, different. Like she’s hiding something from me.

I watch her laugh at something someone says and know she’s fine.

She has nothing to hide, I know she wouldn’t do that to me. I mean, hello? She tells me everything. Even all about that jerk Brice. Her one huge one night stand mistake. A mistake that won’t leave her alone, a mistake that almost got her in trouble. She was scared for a while that she had contracted some kind of STD but when the negative test results came through she was just so relieved she didn’t even care that Brice wouldn’t leave her alone.

It’s not that she liked him, it’s just that she was really disappointed with herself for allowing what happened to well, happen. For allowing an asshole like Brice to be her first time. I hope to god that whoever I share myself with is well worth it.

“Whatcha doin?” Preston sits down beside me.

I smile, “Thinking.” I sigh and sip from my cup. Tequila Sunrise, yum!

“Really? Well, whatcha thinkin?” He asks.

I laugh and then tell him, “About Maria. You think there’s more to that Brice story then she told me?” I wonder as I watch her mingle from group to group. Such a social butterfly this one. She’s so awesome.

Preston shrugs, “I don’t know. I feel so responsible though you know? I mean, if I hadn’t played bartender and make her all those drinks…”

“You didn’t shove them down her throat Preston.” I say in his defense.

“Yeah well, I still feel bad. I should have watched her more closely and not run off with that hot blonde with the amazing abs.” He closes his eyes. “You could have washed a load on those babies.”

I smack him, “Preston!” I laugh, “You bad boy.”

“Yes, oh so bad.” He teases, “But okay. Serious? How are you?” He wraps me in a hug and rocks me, “How are things in Liz land? Everything copacetic?”

“I didn’t know you knew such big words Pres, I’m impressed.” I nudge him. “But I guess I’ll admit that I’m a little down about the whole Max thing. I really liked him.”

“Did you love him?” Preston asks.

I nod.

“Oh honey!” Preston hugs me tighter, “I wish I could tell you what he said to Maria but I promised. Oh.” He cringes, “And I really shouldn’t have said that just now.”

“Why is everyone being so cryptic? What the hell did Max say to her?” I demand from him, “I have a right to know. Besides, I’ll call him and ask him myself if I have to.”

“No! No no no no! You can’t do that. You’ll ruin the surprise we have in store for you! Damn that Max! He’s ruining the surprise!” Preston pouts, “Look, I’ll tell you what he said if you promise to act both surprised and happy when Matt gets here.”

“MATT!?” I jump up and squeak (totally forgetting all about the Max thing because let’s face it. If it was THAT important, she would have said something by now), “You guys invited Matt here?!” I scream again, “And I look like this!?” I shout and run for the house.

“Oh my god, Liz!” Maria screams in the middle of conversation with some random people, “Liiiizzz!” She chases after me.

“You can’t do that!” I stop and catch her as she rams into me.

“Can’t…do…what?” She says between breathes.

“Run, obviously.” I mutter to myself thinking how out of shape she must be to be so breathless, “I mean, you can’t invite people without telling people!”

“People?” She curls her lip, “Oh! People! I get it!” She beams, “Oh wait.” Her face falls, “You’re mad.” She points at me curious.

I nod, “Uh, yuh!”

Preston comes running up to us like an Olympic gold winner, “Oh my god! He’s here!” He yelps, “Oh my god,” He pants, “I can’t breathe.”

“Well,” I pat his back, “You run like a star.”

“You bet your ass I do.” He gulps air, “I was on the track team before they kicked me off last year for disorderly conduct.”

I blink in confusion, “He got caught boffing one of the Varsity players in the shower room.” Maria explains to me.

“Oh.” I nod my head, “Ohhh! Ew!” I wrinkle my nose, “Do you know how dirty those washrooms are?!”

“They’re even dirtier now!” Preston and Maria high five each other.

I shake my head, “You guys are insufferable.”

“No more big words.” Preston waggles a finger in my face, “It hurts baby’s head.” He cradles Maria’s head his hands. Maria nods her agreement and makes a sad face. “Anyways,” He straightens up, “Matt and company are here. Now, I must say. They are looking extra scrumptious.”

I sigh, “I’m still mad that you did this to me. But I’m also a little glad. I need to get Max off my mind.” I rub my face. But I can see Maria and Preston exchange looks. “And you’re going to tell me what Max said to make you act all weird today.” I say to Maria.

“Weird? Me?” She acts hurt, “Oh alright, fine. But just so you know, you are so going to go out there and flirt your ass off with Matt because he drove three hours just get out here to see you.” She pokes my collarbone. Ow.

“Good, so okay. After all is said and done you’re gonna tell me what Max said. But until then I just have to pretend like everything is cool and you’re not keeping a secret from me.” I rest my hands on my hips.

Maria mirrors my move, “Look missy. It’s not even all that great what he said. You don’t need to know—but I’ll tell you—but until then, you will flirt with Matt. Who is smart, fun, and charming and hot as hell.”

“He is, isn’t he?” I smirk. “So cute—wait!” I flinch, “How do I look?” I ask, “Because I really don’t want to be around Matt if I look like crap. What can I say? I’m vain.”

“As you should be when around a hottie like that.” Preston assures me.

“You look great.” Maria links arms with me, “Now, about those friends of his. I’m going to pick one, and you’re going to put in a good word for me. Got it?”

“Um, tone down the pheromones honey, you’re skank is showing.” Preston says on my left.

Maria hisses at him like a cat then says, “Jealous?”

“That none of them swing my way? Yes.” He agrees and jogs out towards a group of guys who obvious do swing his way.

“Matt!” Maria shouts out, “Yewhooo! Ova here boay!” She says in a thick southern accent. I’ve noticed that this girl loves to speak in southern accents when she calls for someone’s attention. Gotta love that about her.

“Hey!” Matt walks over with a huge smile on his dimpled face.

Gosh, he’s gorgeous. He’s so cute! Why can’t I stop thinking about Max! Damn him and his secret with Maria. Or whatever it is that he can’t tell me until I “understand” it. Whatever, I don’t have to understand Matt.

“Hey.” I smile back at him, “What are you doing here?” I play it off coy, teasing him. He explains Maria’s little plan and pulls me in for a hug. Man he smells so good! And I was so right about his bod, it’s hot. Abs and all!

I ask who Matt’s friends are and am told, “Pretty boy, Slacker and Chug.” He counts them off. Maria and I start laughing and then find out that Pretty boy (who really is quote pretty in an Ian Somerhalder way) is names Dylan. Slacker (who looks nothing like a slacker, has dark black hair and really nice arms) is named Bobby and last not least… Chug. (who sure as hell can chug a beer down—he showed us five times—is short and burly. Just as expected from a guy they call Chug) is named Charlie. We decided to keep calling him Chug.

“So, which one?” I ask Maria under my breath.

Maria continues to smile at them, “Nun.” She says through clenches teeth, “Oh Matt, would you be a darling and get us a drink? Thanks!” She says and off they go. I don’t know how she does that, it’s as if guys are compelled to do everything she says.

“Maria!” I hiss, “What’s going on?”

Her eyes motion to my left. I look left and she whips me back around, “Make it obvious why don’t you!” Her eyes are on the verge of popping out.

“Maria I—“

“Hey! There you are!” I hear a guys voice come up.

“Oh no he didn’t.” I clench my jaw angry.

Maria nods, “He did.” Her hands clench around my arms, “Get me out of here.”

I shake my head, “No. I’ll do better than that. I’ll get him out of here.” I turn to face Brice and shove Maria behind me, “First warning.” I growl.

Brice is one smug bastard, I’ll tell you that. He smiles at me sweetly, “Liz, is it? Well I’d like to apologize for my behavior before, I was just a little stressed out.”

“Why do you insist on pursuing someone who wants nothing to do with you?” I ignore his half assed apology.

He shrugs, “I can’t get her out of my mind. I think about her all the time, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t—“

“Stop sounding like such a tool?” I interrupt him. “Please, I’ve heard better hun. You’re gonna have to try harder.” I smirk at him, “I think the best I’ve heard is, ‘I love you, I’m sorry. But I do.’ and do you know what happened after that?”

He frowns, “Umm… No?”

I roll my eyes, “I don’t either because truthfully Maria grabbed the phone and told him off. Yeah, and while in the process apparently Max said something to her that she wont tell me until tonight’s over and done.” I sigh, and Maria nudges me in my back, “Oh yeah,” I add, “And I’m supposed to flirt like crazy with Matt who drove three hours to get here just to see—“

“Her.” Maria says over my shoulder and points at me proudly.

“Yeah.” I bob my head, “Anyways… What was I talking about?” I shake my thoughts clear.

“You were about to tell him to get the steppin.” Maria reminds me, still hiding behind me and peaking over my shoulders. Which is odd since she’s taller than me, so really she’s just hunching over looking like egor.

I say, “Oh yeah!” And poke him in the chest, “Get the steppin Brice-y-poo. No one wants you here and I for one think you’re a jerk for taking advantage of Maria when she clearly wasn’t level headed.”

I can tell Brice is about to explode because even though the glare of the bonfire isn’t that bright I can still see most of his face and what I see looks like pure evil. Yeah, I agree, it could have been the flames from the bonfire but still, he looked evil. He was evil! He slept with my best friend!

“First off,” He takes a step forward. Causing me and Maria to stumble back a few steps of our own. “I didn’t take advantage of anyone. If anyone was taken advantage of it was me. I had just broken up with my girlfriend and I was depressed and drunk. She (he points at Maria) comes strolling over in her mini-skirt and falls into my lap then—“

“Uh!” Maria jumps forward, “I think not! I tripped and fell into your lap and my skirt was not that short! Besides, I don’t even remember much of that night but what I do know is that the next day when I tried to call you you totally blew me off!”

“Cuz my girlfriend wanted to take me back! We have history between us you know! I can’t just forget about that because I had one night with you!” He yells back at her.

There was that history word again. I cross my arms, “So why do you want her? Cuz your girlfriend dumped you again?” My voice is venom.

He shakes his head to the negative, “No, I dumped her because I couldn’t get you off my mind!” He runs hands through his hair, “What did you do to me?” He positively looks like a loon. “And you (he points at me now) are like… you’re just like… the hugest cock blocking bitch I’ve ever met!”

Maria gasps. I gasp. I think the entire party gasps.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” Matt comes over with our drinks. SODA?! He brought us soda? You have got to be kidding me.

“Soda?” Maria’s brow rises, “You’re kidding me.” My sentiments exactly. But I smile anyways.

He shrugs, “I didn’t want you to be all oh so you’re trying to get me drunk?” He says in a high pitched girly voice, “So I got soda. That way you made the choice to drink and didn’t feel pressured by me.” He gives us a playful grin.

“You’re too cute.” I can’t help but say. Then I remember something, “Oh, would you do me the hugest favor?” I bat my lashes and run a hand down his oh-so-nice chest.

He nods his head vigorously, “Anything.”

“You see this jerk here?” I turn and point at Brice, “He wasn’t invited, and he has the worst potty mouth imaginable.” I shrug helplessly, “Do you think you could do something about that?” I jut out my bottom lip and play with the silver dogchain that hangs down his chest, “Please?” I whisper.

“This guy right here?” He points at Brice. I nod innocently. His gaze turns deadly, “Done.” He gently pulls me aside and grabs Brice by his collar, “I thought I heard you call someone a… a… what was that?”

“Cock blocking bitch.” Maria leans forward to say. I pull her back.

He nods, “Yeah. I think that was it. I thought I was hearing things at first cuz damn bro, no real man would say something like that to a lady.” Matt’s blue eyes look so scary I have to grab on to Maria.

This is gonna be exciting!

Chug, Pretty boy and Slacker come up behind Matt, “Kick his ass man.” Chug well, chugged from a can of beer, “I haven’t been in a good fight since… since…” He scratches his head, “Last week I think it was?”

“Dude, that was so funny last week.” Slacker slaps Chug on the back. Matt ignores his friends and mutters something in a low voice. I can’t hear a damn word but from the look on Brices face he’s terrified.

“Leave.” Matt says a little louder, “Say you’re sorry, get your shit, then get the hell out of my sight.”

Ooooh, shivers baby! A man who takes action without violence! Just pure intimidation! Maria laughs siftly and whispers in my ear, Dear god is he sexy or what? and all I can do is nod.

Brice looks over at me, “S-sorry.” He stutters.

I shrug. Matt seems pleased, “Good. Now to Maria.”

Brice looks at Maria, “I’m… I’m sorry.” His voice is more clear.

Matt lets him go. “You got 30 seconds to get off this beach.” He starts to count when Brice hesitates.

Then Brice jets off like a race car, but not before giving me one last dirty look complete with a mumbled obscene name under his breath. Gosh, what a jerk! If Michael were here his ass would be grass. But even still, I’m really glad Matt isn’t all that into violence. Last thing I need is a Ryan Atwood in my life. Though he is sexy too…

“You catch that.” Pretty boy says beside Matt.

Matt nods, “Yep. I saw it.”

Pretty boy turns back at us with a huge grin, “We’ll be right back.”

All four frat boys walk off casually towards the direction Brice went. Matt just seems to get better and better in my eyes. Better than… What’s his name?




They can’t hurt her like
She’s been hurt before
No one here can get near her anymore

“I’m glad you didn’t kick his ass street fighter style.” I say as I run my hands through the sand on the beach. Sitting beside me is Matt, who is casually sipping on a beer bottle.

He chuckles, “Who said I didn’t?” His brow raises, a trait that I envy. I’ve never been able to do a brow lift. In fact. As I try to now I just end up looking like a dumb ass. “You okay?” Matt frowns at me.

I sigh and let my face relax, “Never better.”

Wow. This is actually true, I’ve never felt better in my life. I mean yeah, sure, I felt like a million bucks when I was with Max but there was always this deep down feeling of guilt that ruined things. With Matt I can just feel the good because let’s face it, there’s nothing bad about him.

“It’s nice out here.” Matt says and leans back on the blanket I had laid out for us. He pats a spot closer to his side.

I scoot closer and look a few feet to my right to see Maria happily flirting with all of Matt’s friends. Preston is no where to be found though. Last I saw of him he was running naked into the ocean. It was a picture worth a million words, dollars… You name it and it was worth it.

“I like you.” Matt whispers in my ear.

I smile, “I like you too.” I whisper softly back. I feel like we’re in grade school because of the way we’re acting. Well, minus the beers and half naked people lolling around the beach.

His face moves closer to mine, “Good, cuz I’ve been wanting to do this for a long ti—“ I don’t let him finish. My lips press his like two magnets being pulled towards each other from a great force. It’s bliss. His mouth has positively the softest lips I have ever kissed.

This goes on for a few moments which turns into I have no idea but it was nice. Matt is a damn good kisser, a damn good kisser. Better than anyone I’ve ever kissed. I think. Yes! He is! I nibble on his bottom lip before I pull away and sigh as if in a deep daze.

“That was…” I lean into his arms and stare out at the crashing ocean waves, “There are no words for what that was.” I laugh softly to myself.

Matt nuzzles my neck then pressed his cheek against mine. “I want to stay like this. With you.” His arms tighten around me.

Inside I’m giggling madly like a schoolgirl but on the outside I say, “You sweet talker you.” I nudge my back against him. “I can’t believe you drove all the way out here just for… Why?” I shrug against his chest.

His chuckle vibrates along my back, “I honestly don’t know. I mean we just met but I had to come here and see you again. You’re unlike any girl I’ve ever known Liz. You’re beautiful, funny, charming, sweet—“

“Oh stop.” I tease. “Keep going…” I laugh.

He kisses my temple, “You’re too cute. I hate that you’re only 17 though.” He sighs.

Hmm… Let’s skip over that, shall we? I think to myself. “Hey, I’m almost 18.” I remind him, “Two weeks.”

He nods, “Then we’ll only be four years apart.” He plays with the beaded bracelet on my wrist. “How much longer you gonna be in Seattle?”

I take a deep breath, “I leave a week from Monday.” I hadn’t thought about the leaving part since I was only on my third day in Seattle. I still had 12 more days to go.

“Well, when you’re not spending time with Maria. You think you might want to spend some time with me?” He links his fingers through mine.

I smile up at him sideways, “I’ll think about it.” I tease him. Which erupts into a tickle fight. Gotta love those tickle fights. They always lead to much funner things…



The bonfire was a success. We were now officially the coolest kids on the strip. We had made some nice people and I… Just might have met someone I could envision myself with in the future.

But as it is, I still can’t stop wondering what Max told Maria. Matt is great and I honestly do want to continue things with him, but I need closure from Max. And I can’t have that if I think Maria is hiding something about him or with him.

So that night (or should I say early morning? 4am is an ungodly hour!), after the massive clean up I cornered Maria before she could get back into the house.

“What did he say?” I ask her, my hand wrapped firmly around her wrist to keep her from bolting.

She looks at me curiously, “Pretty boy?” I shake my head, “Slacker?” She asks me, and I shake my head again more angry. “Ew, CHUG?”

“Maria!” I shout, “You know damn right who I’m talking about!”

She rolls her eyes, “I can’t believe that after all this you still want to know.” She sighs when I stand there defiant, “Well, okay. I’ll tell you.”

“What did Max say.” I blurt out.

Preston’s eyes almost pop out as he passes us by. He makes a cut sign across his throat, telling me to cut it out. Which only makes me want to know even more.

“What did Max say?” I snap.

Maria bites her bottom lip, “Do you have to know right now?” She asks.

I nod, “I have to know. I have to know right now.”

“But you’re so happy with Matt! I saw you two getting all lovey dovey on the beach!” She whines, “Liz, for goodness sakes. Let it go.”

I shake my head and cross my arms, “You promised.”

“Gosh dang it I did…” She bites her bottom lip and takes a deep breath. “Blair’s pregnant.”

I’m silent for a few beats. “Umm… Duh.”

She smiles sweetly at me, “You didn’t let me finish.”

“Well you didn’t exactly spit it all out in one sitting.” I snap at her angry.

“Blair’s preg—“

“—nant we know!” I interrupt her. “Tell me something new!”

Maria takes a few steps back, “Preston. I’m going to kill her.” She closes her eyes and takes another deep breath.

“Let it out Maria, perhaps it will give her closure.” Preston urges her.

She continues to take deep breathes as she stalls for time, hoping I’ll forget all about it. Which I wont because she’s only making things worse by acting like this.

I stay silent and let her continue her little act a while longer before she finally says, “Okay. But you have to promise this wont effect your feelings for Matt.” I nod my head and she gulps before saying, “Blair’s pregnant—BUT!” She points at me and lets her hand drop down to her side, “It’s not his.”

I stumble back a few steps… What?

Ocean City girl
Is fading
Ocean City girl
Is saying goodbye

I'm trying to write an update but its damn hard with this writers block constantly on my back! lol I'll try and get over this cuz I really would like to see this fic to the end. Thanks for the support guys. I'm trying! :-*