Roswell Fanatics

Like the naked leads the blind.
I know I'm selfish, I'm unkind.
Sucker love I always find,
Someone to bruise and leave behind

Zan

“She’s beautiful,” Anya says and I smile at her compliment. “Thank you.”

“Someone could ride with me, if you need room. I have my car.” Micah says coming out of nowhere. When did he get here? Who cares, as long as he’s staying.

“I’ll take Jayden and you guys can ride with Micah.” Ava says coming over and taking Jayden into her arms. “And no stopping! Go straight to the Motel.” She says yelling over her shoulder as she puts Jayden into the car and gets into the driver’s seat.

I wonder briefly if I should just ride with Ava and my daughter. I could use some groveling time thinks to Dominique’s big fat mouth. That’s fine, I owe her big for that one, and I got enough blackmail material to last for years.

“Alright then, where’s your car?” I turn around and ask Micah.

*Micah*

Yes! I feel almost triumphant as Ava tells Zan to ride with me. She also says that Anya should come, which doesn’t thrill me. She’s made no secret of the crush she’s had on Alienation’s lead singer over the past year. I can’t exactly tell her ‘no,’ though.

“Right over here,” I tell Zan. I’m parked in front of the neighbor’s house and the car was slightly out of view due to the neighbor’s hedge and the fact that Zan wasn’t near the curb yet. I hope he likes the car. It’s nothing like what he’s probably used to riding – limos and caddies, I’m thinking – but it’s mine and I like it. A nice electric blue Nissan, ten years old, but I take good care of it. My powers help keep it looking good.

“Oh, my brother will make a fine chauffer,” Anya says, clearly implying that she and Zan will be sitting in the back together. She opens the rear door and hops in, looking at Zan expectantly.

I quickly open the front passenger door and gesture for Zan to get in where he can ride next to me. “Hop in,” I say, hoping it sounds casual.
.

Zan


“Oh, my brother will make a fine chauffer,” Anya says but then
Micah quickly opens the front passenger door and gestures for me to get in “Hop in,” he says and I look from Anya to Micah trying to decide how to not get anyone's feelings hurt in this...wait a second since when do I care about hurt feelings?

"Uh...I get car sick in the back so I'll just ride up front." I say was the best excuse I could come up with. I hop into the front seat and Micah closes the door. To make up for anything I turn in the seat so I could look at her when I ask. "So what grade are you in?" I ask trying to make conversation

*Micah*

I'm thrilled as Zan gets into the front seat. I quickly move around the car and get behind the wheel. Just the same, by the time I'm buckled in, I'm second-guessing my victory. He said he was going to get sick in the back. Being in the front has nothing to do with me.

He immediately turns around and starts chatting with Anya. Guess that cinches it. He's into her. Damn it! Well, at least he's next to me. I can enjoy the view. But if he and Anya end up together I just may have to jump off a bridge. He's too damn beautiful.

"I'm in tenth grade. I'm sixteen," Anya says, and I can hear the smile in her voice without even looking in my rear-view mirror.

"I'm in eleventh. I'm seventeen," I add, although Zan didn't ask me yet. Hmm. Zan's nineteen, so that'll make it illegal for him to be with Anya, won't it? I'm not sure. -- Although I'm guessing that won't matter much to him...



*Max*

I get in the car with Natalie, Nathaniel and Dominique. I watch Micah drive off with Zan and can't help but fall into a thoughtful silence. There's so much he still needs to know. Come to think of it, Dominique didn't know the whole story yesterday, either.


*Nathaniel*

I have to grin as Dominque settles in beside me. I want to pull her close but with Dad in the front seat, I'm not so sure. With a shrug, I throw caution to the wind and drape an arm lightly over her shoulders.

My mind flashes back on the images I saw when I was clearing her hangover. Playing the piano with her dad when she was little, goofing off with Zan when she was older, maybe 14?, and of course, performing on stage with Zan. The feelings that came with all of those were so intense, especially the performing and the young Dominique with her dad. It's just like I was there with her doing the same thing.

"I can't believe how lucky we were that your bus broke down here in Roswell," I say, smiling. "Maybe when you're done with your photo-shoot we can do something. I could show you the sights or something."

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I'll post soon I promise

~Dominique~

I climb into the car next to Nate. Natalie sits up front throwing curious glances our way. I feel Nate’s arm slip lightly around my neck. I push it off quickly and scoot closer to the window away from Nate.

I don’t know what I’m doing here. I’m drawn to Nate. More so than I have been to any one else but what happens when I leave? Why start anything that doesn’t have a future? My future isn’t in Roswell New Mexico and unfortunately that’s where Nate is.

I don’t want to look over at Nate. I look everywhere but to the right of me. What could he be thinking? That I just used him? Or does he not care? Was he using me?

“I love your music.” I hear a muffled female voice and realize Natalie was talk to me.

“What did you say?” I say a little bitchier than normal. I don’t want Nate to realize the effect he has one my emotions, so I rephrase what I said. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.” I repeat the nicer version.

“It’s ok; I just said I love your music.” Natalie repeats with a smile. A real smile. Not the kind I give the press.

“Thanks.” I say hoping she doesn’t want to make any more small talk. I wish I had rode with Zan.

*Nathaniel*

Dominque lifts my arm and scoots out from under it. I frown, looking at my feet for a moment before inching towards my window. I thought we had something. I know I just met her yesterday, but I thought she really liked me. It sure seemed that way. She wanted to ride with me, didn't she? Could I have been that wrong?

I manage to raise my eyes, looking at her sadly as Natalie starts to chat with Dom about her music. I try to tell myself that she's just embarrassed since we're with Dad and Natalie, but that doesn't make sense. She's not the shy type....

.

~Natalie~

I can't believe what I just saw. Did my brother really just put his arm around Dominique Royals? As soon as my mind registers the two of them they part themselves. Quite frankly I didn't think Dom would be Nate's type. I mean she isn't a cheerleader. She isn't blonde. And she doesn't worship the ground Nate walks on.

"I like your music." I say to Dominique and once I notice that I just said the most dorkiest thing in the world, I wish the words would just jump back into my mouth.

“What did you say?” Dom asks. I get the feeling that she doesn't want to talk to me but when she adds, "“I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.” I continue. Only slightly wounded from her harsh response.

“It’s ok; I just said I love your music.” I repeat.

“Thanks.” She responds. I seems like she doesn't want to talk but how many people get a chance to be this close to Dominique Royals?

"I read in a magazine that you date Brendon Urie. Is that true?" I ask hoping she doesn't see how much I want to know. I don't mean to pry into her private business but he is hot. Way hotter that Nate.

"Why do you want to know?" She asks with a smile and I wonder if she realizes what I'm trying to do. I don't want my brother to get hurt and I want Dominique to know that I've heard about the type of guys she dates. I'm not trying to make Nate feel inadequate I just want to protect Nate.

“Just curious.” I say turning around in my seat and buckling my seat belt.

“Hey Nate, How’s what’s that girl’s name you were talking to at school the other day? You know the captain of the cheerleading squad? The one you’re dating this week?” I ask Nate.

Zan

"I'm in tenth grade. I'm sixteen," Anya says, "I'm in eleventh. I'm seventeen," Micah says and I nod.

I don't think I realized how young Micah was, I guessed he was 18 at least. Not that I've never went after anyone younger than me before, it just makes things a little more difficult.

We are finally pulling into the Motel parking lot and I notice ever one seems to be spread out doing different things but several crew members are hanging out at the pool.

*Micah*

Zan doesn't answer but I can see something in his lack of reaction that makes me think there's something wrong. Or maybe I just want to fill up the verbal space. "I'll be eighteen next month," I add, hopefully. Does that matter?

Then I see that we're at the motel. I also notice a truck that looks a lot like Dad's over at the end of the parking lot. I hope I'm wrong. He'll really mess this up, I know it ...

"Guess we're here," I say with a 'casual' shrug. Ava's here to pick up the rest of the band. I hope Zan will still ride with me. They don't have their van back yet, afterall.


*Nathaniel*

I could just about kill Natalie right now. Why the hell is she trying to mess this up?

"Her name is Margie, but we haven't gone out yet," I say, keeping my voice as level as possible. Actually, our first date was going to be tonight. Or maybe it's our second date. Does meeting in the cafeteria for lunch count? Damn. I guess I should call her...

I'm saved, (I hope!) from any further comment from Natalie when we arrive at the motel. I had been hoping for a long trip but thanks to her, I'm now just as anxious for it to be over. As Dad pulls into the lot, his cell phone rings.


*Max*

"Hey Jesse. What's new?" I ask as I recognise the number, wondering if Isabel has decided to come out here, afterall. I don't get the response I'm expecting. Jesse starts crying and shouting. "Wait. Slow down ..." I try, but Jesse keeps on going. I can't really make out all that he's saying but the message is clear enough.

"... Isabel?" I gasp, feeling my own throat start to close up. She's gone. She's gone and nobody was there to help. Why didn't I know? I should have felt it. I should have known... "Isabel!"

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