Roswell Fanatics

Title: Jaded

Rating: MATURE for strong language and drug use

Category: AU CC Mostly M/L

Summary: When Liz's life gets complicated she goes to the wrong thing for support. (sorry, thats all I can say...)

A/N - Okay, I gotta give you the basic family trees here...Alex is Liz's older brother (Liz is 16 and Alex is 19) they have a little sister Katie who is 9 and looks a lot like Liz.
Nancy is Liz, Alex, and Katies mom. Max and Isabel are brother and sister (Max 16, Isabel 19). There parents are The Evans. Maria (16) is and only child and her Dads name is Richard DeLuca and her mom left instead. Michael (16) is an only child and his dad is Hank. Okay, I think thats all the info you need. Confused yet? lol.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the voices in my head...

The whole story will probably be in Liz's POV if it changes I will tell you.

Part 1

I walk into homeroom late, knowing that everyone is staring at me, including Ms. Santana or 'Ms. Satan' as some like to call her. She gives me an evil glare but I pretend like I dont notice and start to move to my seat.

"Ms. Parker, how nice of you to join us. We weren't expecting you for another 10 minutes." She says in a mocking tone. You can tell this isn't
the first time I have been late to her class. I hear a few students snicker and I grimace. I hate school.

I start moving again and finally make it to my seat. I let out a breath that I didnt realize I was holding and I start to dig through my back pack for
my discman until Max taps me on my arm. I turn around to face him and notice that he is holding out a folded piece of paper, most definitely a
note. He slides it onto my desk and quickly begins reading his history book again when Ms. Satan looks up.

After waiting for Ms. Satan to go back to her paper work I quietly unfold the note and read: 'Why were you late this time?'
He should know by now that its my mom, its always my mom. She's constantly watching my every move waiting for me to slip up, and she loves arguing with me I swear. I dont think she could live a single day without trying to start a fight. I look back down at the paper and quickly write 'mom' as if that would explain it all, then I hand it back to him. After seeing him give a sympathetic nod I smile and then continue the search for my discman. I finally find it at the bottom of my bag and slip my headphones over my ears. I close my eyes expecting to hear one of my favorite songs come on but instead I hear the girly voices of The Backstreet Boys.

"What the fuck?!" I say out loud but quickly look down at my desk when I realize what I just did. After recovering from my minor humiliation I open
my discman and pull out the obstrosity that made the disgusting noise I just heard. How the hell did this get in here? Then I remember, I have a
little sister. An annoying, unbelievably stupid little sister who loves the be bop boys, or whatever the hell they are called. Just great, I can already
tell this is going to be the best day ever. not.

~~~~~~~~~

The bell just rang and everyone is getting up to leave so I pick up my bag, shove my discman in it and head for the door. Max catches up with
me when I get out and I see Maria headed in our direction from the other end of the hall.

"Hey Lizzie" She says as she walks up. "Max"

"Maria" Max replies with a grin and then we all continue to are lockers which are conveniently located next to each other. This is our routine I
guess, considering we do it just about everyday. I come in late, Max asks why, I listen to cds during homeroom...although its usually not the
fucking backpack kids or whatever, then we all meet up in the hall and go to our lockers.

"So why were you late this morning, Liz?" Maria asks me as if she knows everything. Sometimes it seems like she does...know everything.
Pretty creepy if you ask me.

"Mom. You know, the whole 'You need to respect me even though I am a druken slut' thing." I reply with a slight laugh. No one else laughs
though. Max and Maria exchange glances. "Okay, I guess she didnt say the whole druken slut thing but the rest of it...yea" I try to make up for my self-pity comment. Its only second period, there cant be a pity party for me already!

"So what are we all doing tonight?" Max asks as he loops his arm around my neck. It reminds me that Im safe. That my friends will protect me
from my mom, and from the world.

"How 'bout the usual?" Maria says with a little smile. I nod my head in approval, and see Max do the same.

"Sounds good to me" I reply.

"Okay, so Ice Cream, pizza, alcoholic beverages, and juicy stories to tell at 'our spot' around eight." Max grinned.

"I got the Ice cream" Maria chimed in, she always gets the Ice cream.

"I'll pick up a pizza. Cheese is okay with everyone right?" Max asks. Maria and I both nod our heads.

"Of course, I always get the alcohol. Its not like my mother will notice it missing or anything, she's got enough to intoxicate an army." I say and Max and Maria just look at me wierd.

We begin to walk to second period which we all have together. Im sure we would all be in the same classes if Maria wasnt so damn smart, getting in all those advanced courses.

As we continue down the hall I evidentally forget where Im walking...or someone did atleast. Because something jams me in the shoulder really
hard and I drop my bag on the floor and some books and pencils slide out. I look up to see who just about plowed me over and guess who I see. Come on, just guess? Fine, I'll tell you, it's none other than Tess Harding. My worst enemy and West Roswell High's bitch of the year.

"Oh, Im so sorry Lizzie." She says in a fake, girly tone than sends chills down my spine. I hate this chick. "I didnt even notice you there." She
continues. But being the fucking chicken that I am I just pick up my books and head down the hall. I hear Maria call Tess a 'whore monster bitch from Mars.' Max walks up and once again puts his arm around my neck and pulls me closer to him. I think he knows that I was about to break. And being the good friend that he is he wanted to help stop that from happening...you know, here in the middle of the hallway where 2 dozen students or more just stopped to watch the display Tess was putting on.

Sometimes when Max does this I get this weird tingley feeling and wonder if I like him *more* than a friend...I mean he has been my best friend since elementary school, so I never thought twice about it before this year. He is very cute. With his dark, raven colored hair and his soulful, amber eyes. He really is a hottie. I shouldnt even think about him though...we are just friends.

We finally make it to second period, but ofcourse the bell has already rang. Two tardies in one day qualifies me for detetion until five o'clock. We wait for Maria to catch up to us and we walk in together to face whatever we have coming. Remember me telling you about Ms. Santana...yea, Ms. Satan. Well, Mr. Jones is worst. Think Satan times one thousand.

When we are all fully in the room Mr. Jones glares at us. "Come here." He says in a very stern...very scary, voice. When we get to him he hands
us all three detention slips. Can he do that? I mean I know I have to have one. But giving them to Maria and Max thats just wrong. The only reason they were late is because they were helping my ass. I cause way to many problems. Im surprised I still have friends.

Max grins at me as if to tell me that its alright. Maria smiles too but hers is half-hearted, I know this is bad for her because her dad expects so
much from her and if he doesnt see her walk through the door at four o'clock to get started on her homework then he will probably flip. I cant
stand this and so for once in my life I am going to do something about it.

"Mr. Jones, they were only late because they were helping me and they shouldnt get detentions." I say firmly. That will show him. Oh yea,
Im gonna bust his ass down! He stands up, and you know what? He's really tall...and really big. I should have never opened my mouth. Oh shit. This wont end well.

"Ms.Parker, I think that back talking qualifies you for a immediate trip to the office." He says and hands me yet another slip of paper, this time
its a hall pass that says I have to go directly to the front office. "Thank you for your opinion, but we wont be needing anymore of it in here. I better see you here tomorrow on time for class, all homework done." I nod my head and as my friends take their seats I slip out the door. Im really starting to think that all the teachers here are out to get me. This sucks ass. See, I told you this would be the best day ever.

TBC. Feedback Please!

Thanks for all the great feedback!

and as for your questions...

Max4Liz4ever Liz's dad left when she was little - it will probably turn up in the story. And as for Liz's mom, she started drinking when Liz's dad left.

Tiki Doll Liz is pretty timid huh? Well, Max will just have to fix that...

Once again, thanks so much for the feedback...Well, heres part 2:



Part 2

So here I am, sitting on a ghetto bench outside of Mr. Masons office. I've never been to the principal before. Then again,
I've never opened my big mouth before either. Its not like I cussed Mr. Jones out or something, I just told him what I
thought. Since when is that against the law? Whatever happened to freedome of speech? I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the
annoying secretary sitting at the desk in front of me.

"Hello?" This lady is waving a piece of paper around in my face like some kind of idiot. I look up at her. "What?"
"Mr. Mason is ready for you now." She says as if I am troubling her terribly. Not like I care though. She's probably only
getting paid for screwing the principal or something. She's such a bimbo.

I slowly stand up and push open his office door. Wow. Everything in here looks so nice, its like the fucking Buckingham
Palace compared to everything out there. I mean the bench just right outside his door looked like it would collapse at any
second. So this is why he never comes out of here.

"Take a seat Ms. Parker." He says to me as he points at a chair directly in front of his desk. crap. Now he will probably
spit on me. I've heard stories about kids coming out of here looking like they just took a shower in there clothes. gross.

"So I hear that you were making quite the spectacle of yourself in Mr. Jones class today. After being tardy to two classes
in a row" He thinks he's some big, great guy. Able to boss all the little students around and live in his palace. He should be shot.

"Well, Mr. Jones gave my friends detention and they didnt even deserve it." I say as if I had every reason to tell
Mr. Jones that he was wrong. Which I did. He was wrong.

"Its not up to you to decide if someone needs a detention, its up to a teacher." Whatever. I dont even care. Im just going
to take my punishment so I can get the hell out of here. His palace smells funny anyway.

"Yes sir." I say with my head ducked down. Who cares if he wins this fight, its not like I had a chance anyway. I mean he IS the principal.

"Im glad you agree." He says with this victorious air about him. What a loser. "You will have detention until five for the
next three days." Thats not that bad I guess. I practically live in detention anyway. I have friends there.

"Yes sir." I say again, hoping that this will end the conversation and I can go back to class. Thats right, I want to go
to class. Anything's better than this.

"Okay then, you can go to your third period class now. Get Ms. Troy to write you a pass." Oh great, Ms. Troy must be the
bimbo he's screwing. I get up to walk out of the office but am stopped by his voice. "Oh and Ms. Parker, I better not see
you in here again." I dont plan on it old man. I walk out the room and close the door behind me.

"I need a pass." I tell Ms. Troy, the bimbo. "Mr. Mason told me to ask you to write one so I could get into third period."

"Okay hun." She says and gets out a note pad and a pen. After writing the note she hands it to me and I am on my way.

At least my third period isn't so bad. Biology with Ms. Carpenter. She's not an angel or anything but she pretty much
leaves me to myself.

So here I am walking into Biology late. I see Max sitting at our lab table and he looks up and smiles at me. I smile back
because this whole day has been so damn pathetic that its funny. Really, it is. ha ha. See, Im laughing.

I go to Ms. Carpenter's desk and hand her the pass. She smiles at me and tells me to take my seat. I walk over to the table
and sit down on my stool.

"Hey, was it harsh?" Max asks me as I open my book to the same page his is at.

"Nope. Mr. Mason just did this little thing about how its a teachers responsibilty to decide if a studnet needs a detention.
And I just kinda sat there for the most part. Then he got his sex toy to write me a pass." I say the last part with a small smile.

"Good, Im glad it went okay." I wait for a second. It shouldnt take him long to catch what I said. "Wait a minute...did you
just say 'sex toy.'" He asks me and I almost bust out laughing but refrain considering I am in a class.

"The secretary looks like some freaking bimbo. I swear, she is only working here because Mr. Mason is so old and smelly he
cant get laid for free anymore." I say matter-of-factly. And I truly believe it too. Max laughs slightly and then we start
on are lab assignment.

Exactly thirty-two minutes later the bell rings and Max and I walk out into the hall together searching for Maria. At
the same time we have Bio she has AP English. Since we cant find her we head to our lockers hoping to see her there.
I toss my books into my locker and take out my Health stuff. Health is fourth period. I glance out of the side of my eye
to see Max doing the same. We have had like all of the same classes since K5. Its so crazy.
I feel some one grab my shoulder and I turn around really fast to see Maria standing there with a huge ass grin on her face.
"Shit! Ria, you scared the crap out of me!" I say pretty loudly causing people to look our way but I just ignore them.

"I know!" She says in between a fit of giggles. She's loving this. I just about pissed my pants and she's loving this. My
friends, I swear they are priceless.

"Guys, can we get to class so we arent late again?" Max says trying to sound annoyed but he has a smile on his face so I
can tell that he is loving this just as much as Maria is.

"Okay, Okay!" Maria holds up her hands in mock surrender. "Lets go."

We all head to Health because we have it together. One of the few that Max and I share with Maria. Like I said before
She's in all the advanced classes when it comes to Math, Science, and English and so she only has like 3 classes with us.

When we make it to the classroom we walk in and see that its a sub and that all there is to do is an assignment thats
written on the board. I go sit down and put my headphones on. I dont plan on doing the work. I see Maria sit down and
immediately open her Health text to start reading and I see Max open his binder and start drawing or writing or something.
Whatever it is its not health and its not music. That just shows how different Max, Maria, and I are. Were still friends
though. Friends forever.

*Spoiler for next Part: Liz, Max, and Maria go to detention...and Liz introduces Maria to someone new.*

Thanks to roswellluver for the feedback.

Part 3
The rest of our classes went by fairly fast and detention time came quickly. I make my way from the restroom to my locker and see Max and Maria already at there.

"Hey guys." I say as I spin my locker combo. "Are you ready to serve your time?"

"I know I'm not." Maria says, and I feel really bad about that. "I've never had detention before. I better not have to sit next to some freak."

"Dont worry Maria, Liz has friends there." Max says jokingly. "Right Liz?"

"Hey now, dont crack jokes about my detention friends, there not that bad." I say before closing my locker.

"Oh well, I guess it wont be awful. I just wont talk to anyone but you guys" Maria says, probably trying to convince herself more so than us.

We finally start heading towards the detention room and when we get there I walk in casually with Max and Maria following behind me. I think this is really funny because they are scared of the people in detention. I sit right next to Michael on purpose, I know he will say something to Maria because thats just how he is.

Maria sits in front of me and Max sits beside me. I look over at Michael, he's not doing anything. Just staring straight ahead with a dull expression on his face.

"Hey Michael." He looks over at me and nods his head and then he spots Maria. Oh yea. Let the fun begin.

"Who's the blonde, Parker?" He asks keeping his eyes on Maria.

"Oh, this is Maria DeLuca." I say and feel Maria stomp on my foot. I flinch but dont say anything.

"So blondie...What are you in for?" He asks Maria.

"I was late to class, and the teacher was an asshole." She says confidently.

"Well, supposedly I was late for the school year." Michael says with a grin. He comes to school even less than I do.

"Oh" Maria replies and looks at me with wide eyes. She cracks me up.
Michael looks at Maria and moves his eyebrows up and down suggestively and Maria gasps and turns around quickly in her seat. I sniker under my breath and I hear Max do the same. Maria and Michael will probably end up having the healthiest relationship at West Roswell High. Just call me Liz, the Match Maker.

~~~~~~~~~

After detention Max, Maria and I head out to Max's jeep. He always drives us home in the afternoons. Even though I dont want to go home. Not like my mom will care that I got detention. She never does. I guess thats because I never tell her and she is usually passed out on the couch when I get home. I feel sorry for Maria though. Her dad will probably ground her or something. It's my fault.

"Im sorry Ria." I say out loud because I really need her to know.

"About what chica." She acts clueless and looks over at me I see Max glance at me from the side of his eye too.

"You know Maria...about getting you detention." I say with my head down. "I will come in and explain to your dad what happened if you want."

"No, its cool. I will just tell him the truth about Mr. Jones. He probably wont be mad." She says it like shes not worried but I know she is.

"Okay, well dont forget tonight at eight at 'our spot' okay?" Max says as he pulls up in front of Maria's house. She nods and waves goodbye. Max pulls off and heads towards my house.

"So are you working tomorrow Liz?" Max asks, trying to spark a conversation I guess.

"No, actually Alex is coming in for the weekend and he wants me to spend a day with him." I tell Max. Alex is my favorite sibling. Thats
probably because he no longer lives at home. He goes to UCLA along with Isabel Evans, Max's sister.

"Really? Isabel didn't mention it when she called yesterday. I wonder why she isnt coming with him." He says curiously. Isabel and Alex have been dating for several months now so I guess that is kinda weird.

"Maybe, she has class." I say matter-of-factly.

"Yea, maybe." He replies and there is this whole awkward silence. It's weird, but Max is one of those awkward silence kind of people I guess you could say.

We finally make it to my house in what seems like for ever and I say a quick goodbye to Max. Its been a really strange day and I just need to go inside and burn a certain Backstreet Boy cd. I grin evilly as I enter the house. I here music on upstairs and automatically know that its Katie listening to some other freaking sissy band. I go straight to my room and get out my lighter. I pull the cd out of my bad and hold it right above the flame.

"Oh Katie, Do you like your Backstreet Boys album?" I say not to loud, but loud enough that she can hear me. The music coming from her room clicks off immediately and she runs into my room.

"LIZ!" She screams like a baby.

"If you promise to leave my stuff alone and to turn off that piece of crap music you are listening to at full blast I will give you back this cd, unharmed. If not..." I hold the cd closer to the flame.

"Okay, Okay!" She screams and I jerk the disc away from the lighter and toss it to her. She walks out my room and into hers and slams her door shut. I hold back a laugh. It is so funny to torture her.

"Oh, Lizzie!" Oh God, she woke up. Damn! I just wanted this day to end but now I have to deal with her too. I see my mom appear in the doorway and grimace at how she looks. Her make up is all smeared and her hair is practically standing straight up, plus her clothes are wrinkled. I know already that she is drunk. She always is. Its hard to find a time when I see her that she isnt drunk.

"What do you want mom?" I say curtly. I dont care if I am being disrespectful, she should act like a normal mom.

"Your brother c-ca-called." She slurs out. "I think he is going to-to get here to-tonight."

"Great." I say and then slam my door in her face. I hope she gets a massive hangover from this.

"Elizabeth!" She yells. That sure as hell wasn't slurred. I hear her pounding on the door but I ignore it. I throw my discman, a UCLA sweat shirt Alex gave me, and a blanket into my back pack and slide out my window and onto my balcony and then down my fire escape.

I dont know where I am going. Its only five so I still have 3 hours before meeting Max and Maria. I sit down on the sidewalk outside of my house and reach into my bag and as I am pulling out my sweat shirt a photo falls out. I pick it up and see a little me and alex standing on opposite sides of my father. If you could even call him that. Sending a fucking check every month doesn't exactly make him a parent. But in the picture he actually looks like one. We are all smiling and happy. What happened to that? I feel a cold tear fall down my cheek and I rub it away quickly. I dont need this right now. Pushing my luck I flip over the photo and read: 'Lizzie, Alex, and Daddy.' It's in his handwritting to.

I cant take it anymore so I shove it in my bag, stand up and begin walking. Just anywhere I guess. Anywhere, but this house...this neighborhood.

After walking for what seems life forever I see a party going on in the basement of an old house. I guess Im gonna crash a party. I walk up and see that the basement door is wide open and people are dancing around, making out, and basically just having fun. Thats what I need. Fun. So I make my way through the crowd and at the back of the room I see a guy, that looks like he is Alex's age, sitting behind a table. Its not the table that surprises me though...its whats on the table.

"Could I intrest you in some coke, sweetie?" The guy says to me. I assume that he's not talking about coca-cola considering the table is covered with different sized zip-lock pags and perscription bottles of drugs. Shit. This guy most be a dealer.

"Umm, no thanks." I tell him but he keeps his eye on me for some reason.

"Are you sure? How about some weed?" He asks, this time more persistently. "It will give you the happiest feeling you could imagine."

"R-Really?" I say nervously.

"Oh yea, its what most of those teenagers bought and look at them." He said jesturing towards the front where all the kids were partying. "Dont they look happy?"

"Yea." I reply quickly. "How much does it cost?" I cant believe I am doing this. It will just be this one time though. I just need something to boost my spirits. Yea, thats it.

"The first one is on the house." He grins and hands me what I am guessing is a joint. "If you enjoy it you can come back and buy more if not you can forget all about it."

"Okay, thanks." I say and head back out front. I sit down on the couch next to this blonde giggly chick.

"Do you need a light?" She asks. I look at her funny.

"For your joint." She says as she looks down at my hand. I nod my head and she lights it for me. I put it up to my mouth and try it for the first time. Ive seen movies so I know how to do this. I breathe out. wow. That wasnt so bad. I do it for a second, third, and fourth time. Over and over again. Its so damn good. My head starts to feel like its spinning and I get this weird tickling sensation in my throat. Is that giggling? Am I giggling? I think I am. I like it. The girl next me is laughing like crazy and I find that terribly funny.

Everything in the room seems to speed up and I feel like Im floating on air. I tell myself I have had enough and hand the chick next to me the weed. I get up and practically glide to the door and then outside into the cold air, except it doesnt bother me. It feels good. Everything feels so good. I walk down the side walk. Headlights coming up from behind startle me and I turn around to see Max's jeep. Oh shit. I all of a sudden start laughing again. Why the hell am I laughing?

Max stops the jeep, gets out and walks over to me. "Liz?" He asks wearily. Of course its me you idiot! Who does it look like. I continue to laugh like crazy. This is so funny.

"Hey Max!" It comes out more in a giggle than an actual phrase. oh well.

"Liz?" Thats Maria's voice. Why is Maria with him. Crap. Is it already eight?

"We've been worried about you Liz. You didnt show up and we couldnt find you at home..." Max says with concern. I tilt my head to the side and try to make the same expression he is making. I fail miserably and bust out laughing...again

"Oh God, Max you dont think she's drunk do you?" I hear Maria say nervously.

"No Maria, I dont think she would want to get drunk, that would be making her like her mother." Max replies. That stung, I am acting like my mother, I was just intoxicated in a different way. I frown but not for long because I cant help but smile. Im just so happy. I giggle under my breath. I begin to dance around in circles and sing, This is the song that never ends. I dont know why. I just am.

"Ria, I think she's high."Max says in disbelief. What Max? Can little Lizzie not get high? I giggle at that thought and look up to see Max and Maria staring at me intently.

"What? Do I have something on my teeth?" I ask nervously. I snicker under my breath.

"Liz, we need to get you home." Theres Maria talking again. She got out of the jeep and is standing next to Max now.

"No! Im not going back there. I hate it there!" Not even weed can make me happy at home.

"My parents are working late so you and Maria can come over my house. At least until you calm down." Max says, he's trying really hard to convince me. I might as well go with them.

"Okay fine." I say and then run and jump into the back seat of his jeep. Once again, I start laughing. Its just so funny.

"What are we going to do Max?" Maria tries to whisper to Max but I hear her.

"I dont know Maria." Max says as he gets in the drivers seat. "Hopefully we can think of something."

TBC.

Thanks *RosAChica* for your feedback!

Okay, so here is the next part Its kinda short. There are going to be quite a few short parts. So you should be getting parts every few days but they wont be long. Make sense? Hope so. Anyways, here's part four...

Part 4
I start waking up and the first thing I notice is that my head is pounding. The second thing I notice is that I am not in my bed. I'm in Max's bed. Max isn't in his bed though. This is freaky. What the hell happened? Suddenly all these images from the night before come flooding back to me. Oh God. I quickly glance around the room and I see Maria cuddled up in a chair, still asleep. I look at the floor and see a sleeping bag and pillow. That must have been where Max slept. But where is he now? Do I really wanna know? I dont want to face him or Maria. This is all really humiliating. I hear the doorn knob turn and I quickly drop my head back down and close my eyes. I have to think of something to say before I let Max know I am awake.

"Hey Max." I hear Maria say. The door opening must have woken her up. "Ohhh, Coffee. Thank you."

"No problem." Max says and it sounds like he sits down. "Any sign of movement?"

"Not that I can tell, but I just woke up." Maria replies.

What am I going to say? They probably hate me now. Well, I cant just pretend to sleep forever. I might as well get up. I slowly open my eyes and look over at Maria and Max. Maria is sitting in the big chair that she slept in and Max is in his desk chair. They both have coffee. And they are both looking straight at me.

"Liz, your awake." Max says, his voice is full of concern.

"How are you feeling?" Maria asks me. She sounds the same as Max. I cant believe they still want to help me after what I did.

"Im, uhh, Im okay." I say nervously and sit up in the bed. I still smell like marijuana from last night. They can probably tell.

"What happened last night Liz?" Max asks me. He still has that concerned tone, but now he has the face to match.

"Umm, Im not so sure..." I say uneasily. I know what happened though. I just dont want to talk about it. They helped me though. They at least deserve to know what was going on. "After I came home my mom was drunk, you know...like usual. So I climbed down my balcony and decided to wait on the sidewalk until eight. I decide to walk instead and I found that party and just went in and they gave, the uh...they gave *it* to me for free." I say with my head down. I cant bear to look at there faces now. I left out the part about the picture because I never talk about my dad with them. I never talk about my dad with anyone, except Alex.

"You could have come to my house Liz." Max is so sweet. After all I did, he still wants to help.

"Or my house." Maria adds in. "You really scared me Liz."

"Im sorry guys." I look at them when I talk this time. "I really am. I wont do it again. I dont want this to happen again."

"We believe you." Max says and him and Maria come over to hug me. Its like this big group hug. I love my friends so much. I cant hurt them like this again.

"We better get you home. Im sure Alex is like really worried." Maria says after breaking the hug.

"Yea, but first I think you need to take a shower." Max says.

"Me too. You can probably smell it on me from a mile away." I reply with a laugh. They laugh too. Things might actually turn out okay.

"I brough some clothes over, so you can change into them." Maria offers and I smile as a thanks.

"Okay, well my parents left a few minutes ago for work, so you dont have to worry about them." Max smiled and left the room, followed by Maria.

I smile to myself. Friends dont get better than that.

~~~~~~~~~

After I got cleaned up and changed we all got in Max's jeep, so I could get home to see Alex. So here I am back at home. Max and Maria just dropped me off and Max is going to go take Maria home. I contemplate wether or not to go inside but decide to. After all Alex is here so how bad is it going to be?

I slowly make my way into the house and upstairs and I see Alex's old bedroom door open so I peek inside and tap on the door.
"Anybody home." I say and Alex pops his head out from behind his closet door.

"Lizzie!" He yells and comes over to hug me.

"Where were you last night? I got here at 11:00 and expected to see you. Mom was already asleep. She still hasnt woken up." He says all of this so fast that I can barely make it out. Obviously he is more excited to be home than I am.

"Mom was drunk last night so I went to Maria's." I lie. I cant exactly tell him that I was getting high and my friends had to come rescue me now can I?

"Oh, okay. She will probably have a grusome hangover." He says and then walks over to his suitcase.

"Hopefully." I mumble. Alex gives me a smpathetic look. He use to live with her too. He knows how it is.

"Wait a second." I say when I notice not only 1 suitcase but 3 and a back pack. "Why all the stuff? I thought you were just staying for the weekend."

"Mom didnt tell you?" He asks "Im staying for the week."

"Wow, thats great." I cant believe mom didnt tell me. Oh wait...yes I can. "How are you getting out of classes."

"I just told my professors that I was having family problems." Thats an understatement. An alcoholic mother, one sister spoiled and bratty, and one a cynical druggie. Oh and a nonexistent father. Of course he doesnt know about the me being a druggie part.

"Okay, cool." I say with a smile. "Does Katie know your here?"
"No, your the only one that knows right now." He replies. "I was going to tell them when they woke up."

"Okay, well Im going to going to call in and say that I can make it to work. Since we have the whole week to hang I need to make my money while I can." I say, Alex will probably have lunch at the Crashdown so that will hopefully get me away from mom.

"I'll bring Katie down later for a bite to eat." He says and goes back to unpacking.

"See ya then." I walk to my room and grab the phone to call Mr. Carter. My boss.

~~~~~~~~~

After calling Mr. C I got ready and headed too the Crashdown to start my shift. As soon as I walked into the door I spotted Max and Maria. Even though we worked everything out this morning I still feel kind of awkward about it right now so I just wave and then head to the back. I will come out and talk to them in a little while. On my way to the back room I pass Michael at the grill. Michael? What the hell? He doesnt work here. I take a step back and look at him. Well, thats him.

"Michael!" I say loudly. "What are you doing here?"

"I work here Parker." He says with absolutely no emotion.

"Since when?" I ask. This is kind of weird.

"Since today." There he goes with that no emotion thing again. Oh well.

"Whatever." I throw my hands up in the air let out a frustrated sigh and head to the back. How dramatic of me. I should be in a soap opera. Daytime Television here I come!

I decide to add some fun into my work, so I head back out fully dressed in my awful, alien, waitress uniform and walk over to Maria and Max's booth.

"Hey guys." I add a peppy smile to show I am 'A OK.' Because I am. Most definitely.

"So Maria, have you checked out the new cook?" I ask with arched eyebrows. She looks back at the small window to the back and her face right now is so priceless. Where is a camera when you need one?
"Liz! What, is he stalking me now?" She's sounds so scared. Talk about a drama queen. he he.

"Maria, he's not stalking you. He works here." I tell her. "He probably thinks your stalking him."

"What?! Why I would I stalk him?" She says it like she is the almighty queen of the world. Thats Maria. "I mean, look at his hair."

"Oh come on Ria, you can't tell me that you dont have a little thing for him." Thats Max trying to help me out, he's been grinning the whole time. "I saw the way you were looking at him in detention."

"I wasnt looking at him in detention, Max!" Maria is so embarrassed she is turning red. Max and I laugh out loud and Maria gives us the evil eye. Maria is going to kill someone with that eye, I swear. "Wait a second, whats going on here? You guys are doing this on purpose."

"Of course we are." I say and then walk off. I leave a laughing Mad and a confused Maria behind. Today might actually turn out good. Maybe? Okay, I wont hold my breath.


TBC...

Thanks for the feedback Strawberry_dreamer and LPorter!
I really appreciate it.

Here is the next part. Hope you like it.

Part 5

After an hour of working I see Alex and Katie come in and they walk over and sit with Max and Maria, who are still here. They dont even work here and they are here more than me. I walk over to the booth order pad and pen in hand with a huge smile on my face. I know they all get a kick out of the fact that I am a waitress, when most the time I am NOT a people person.

"Hey Alex, Katie. What can I get you to drink?" I ask in a cheery 'waitress voice.'

"Orange Soda." Alex replies while still looking at his menu. "The stuff on here never changes, does it?" He really has been away for awhile. He use to have the menu memorized.

"I want a galaxy sub and a lemon ade." Katie spouts off without even picking up a menu. Now thats a native Roswellian.

"I need a refill on my Cherry Coke, please." Max says. He's so sweet about it too.

"That will be your third refill. Your taking our free refill policy to its limits." I say with a grin.

"I always do." Max winks. He winked? At me? Is this the Twilight Zone?

"Since when do you guys flirt?" Alex asks causing both mine and Max's face to turn bright red. Oh God. I cant believe he just said that.

"I'll just go get your orders." I hurry away from the table. Boy, was that uncomfortable.

I make it to the window and there is no Michael in sight. I walk into the back room and there he is sitting on the couch watching a football game.

"Michael! Get your ass at the grill. We have orders to fill." I say. He stands up, cuts off the TV and grunts as he passes me. Wow, I cant believe I just said that to Michael Guerin. He could squash me into the ground. Ever since last night and my experience with the marijauna I have been more confident. Its good.

"So has, um, Maria said anything about me?" Michael asks after I give him the orders.

"Oh yea, she talks about you all the time Michael." I say with a slight smile. "You should really think about asking her out."

"Really?" He kind of gets excited. Oh yea, the Match Maker is back in business.

"Definitely." I say as I walk off to get the drinks ready.

After filling up all the glasses I walk back over to the booth and set them down on the table.

"Um, Liz has Michael said anything about me?" Maria asks. They are so much alike and they dont even know it.

"Yep." I reply. " He's been talking about you non-stop." This is too much fun.

"Are you serious?" She asks. And she sounds excited too.

"Oh yea, I think he is even considering asking you out." I say and then look around as if making sure no one is listening. "But you didnt hear it from me, Okay?"

"Oh, Oh Okay." She says. "No, I definitely did not hear it from you." It has to be against the law to have this much fun at work.

"Liz dont you have other customers?" Katie asks looking around. I turn to see a lot of angry people waiting to get there food and I hear Michael shout 'Parker.' Oops. Didnt realize I was back here so long.

I go back to work and eventually Max, Maria, Alex, and Katie leave. I finish up my shift and head home. As soon as I make it to the door I hesitate. 'Please dont be drunk.' I chant to myself. I slowly open the door to silence. No one is in the living room no one is in the hallway. I walk up the stairs and I see Katie in my room. Oh she is going to get it.

"What are you doing in here-" I stop myself when I see tear tracks down her face. What the hell is going on?

"What's wrong Katie?" I ask and then I notice a red mark on her cheek. Holy shit. If that bitch hit her I am going to be mad.

"Did mom hit you Katie?" I ask. Theres no answer. I cant believe she is protecting her.

"Katie! Did mom hit you?" I grab her shoulders and make her look at me. Her eyes are puffy and red rimmed from crying and the red mark on her cheek is slowly turning into a bruise.

"Wheres Alex?" He would not let this happen if he was here.

"He, He just dropped me off and-and went somewhere with some old friends." She says in between sobs.

I sit down next to her on the floor and hug her tightly rocking back and forth. "It will be okay Katie. I'll make her stop." I stand up and head for the door.

"You stay in here. Lock my door after me okay?" I instruct Katie. I dont want mother dearest getting pissed off and coming in after her.

After leaving the room I wait to hear Katie lock it after she does I make my way down the stairs and into the back of the house where mom's room is. Her door is wide open and is standing with a bottle of Vodka in her hand.

"Oh, Hi Lizzie." She says it sweetly. Like she has no idea that she just scarred her baby girl for life. Not just physically.

"Dont play games with me mother! I know you hit Katie!" I come in the room and we stand face to face. I can smell the alcohol on her breath.

"She deserved it. She was back talking me!" She says tyring to justify her actions. Not gonna happen. Theres no way she could justify this.

"You bitch!" I say loudly. I have never stood up to my mother like this before but she crossed the line. Right after I say it she smacks me hard, Im guessing the same way she hit Katie. I grab the side of my face in pain. I look back up at her wide eyed. My mouth haging open.

"What Lizzie? Didnt think mommy could discipline her children right?" She says it like she is so sure of herself.

"You're not my 'mommy'" I say in a harsh voice. "Your a witch." I walk out of the room and then up stairs. I knock on the door to my room and tell Katie to let me in. When she sees the red mark still in the shape of the bitches hand on my face she begins to sob again and I start crying with her. We collapse to the floor together. I hold her close trying to protect her from the world. Then I realize, this has nothing to do with the world. Its not the worlds fault. Its my Mothers and Fathers fault.

I hear someone coming up the stairs and I cover Katies mouth so she doesnt make a noise. Ive never been scared of my mother but now I am terrified. Not just for myself but for Katie. There is a quiet knock on the door.

"Liz, you there? Its Alex." As soon as I hear his voice I jump up. Thank God he's home. I open the door a crack.

"Liz whats wrong?" I open the door the rest of the way and he looks at mine and Katies faces, and our matching bruises. And I can tell that something clicks in his head. He automatically knows and he looks me straight in the eye.

"Has this ever happened before?" I shake my head no. This is the first time she's hit me. I see him look at Katie and she shakes her head no as well. Our answers dont change his attitude he tells Katie and I to stay up stairs and he disappears from the room.

I hear him yelling at mom and then it gets quiet and a few minutes later he comes back a telephone in hand.

"I think we need to call someone." He tells us.

"Alex, I dont want everyone knowing about this!" I stand up and try to take the phone from him but he doesnt let me.

"Liz." He pauses for a second. "If we dont she will get worse."

"Not if we just stay out of her way. We just ignore her or leave her alone." Alex gives me this non-believeing look, so I continue. "The only reason she hit us is becasue we were arguing with her, so if we just leave her alone when she is drunk then it wont happen again."

He looks down at the floor as if he is concentrating hard. "Okay. For now we wont say anything, but if this happens again, Im calling the police."

"Deal." I say with relief. I dont want Max and Maria, or the whole town knowing about this.

"Alex, I want to go out for a little while. Could you let Katie stay in your room until I get back?" Alex nods and takes a tearful Katie to his room. I take my escape route out onto my balcony and then down the ladder. I start walking down the sidewalk like last night. Only this time, I know exactly where I am going.

TBC

Hey guys! I am sooo sorry for the long delay. I have been so backed up with school work b.c. I switched schools but now since its christmas break I hope to get a couple parts out. I already wrote a little and I want to go ahead and post it so you know that I am still alive. Thanks to everyone for the really great feedback! I love it!


Part 6A

I continue walking down the sidewalk with one destination in mind. The place I go when I have no where else to go. When I reach the entrance to the cemetery I pause and look over the small gate, at all the headstones. Most of them have flowers sitting on top of them. I try to take time to put flowers on the ones that dont, it makes them look less lonely.

After several minutes I open the gate and slowly walk to my Grandma Claudia's grave. I remember coming here as a kid. Alex would take me. He would tell me all these exciting and wonderful stories about Grandma Claudia. I was only seven years old when she died. Katie was just a baby, not even a year old.

Even though I was so young when she died I still remember a lot about her. She always had a real compassion for people. No matter how cruel or hurtful the world could be she always seemed to love everything about it. When she died she left two precious things of hers to me. Her gold locket which I wear around my neck all the time, I placed a picture of her in one side and a picture of Alex holding Katie as a baby in the other side.

She also left me her journal. A beautiful, old leather bound book filled with graceful, cursive writing and pictures of our family. She even wrote some entries about me. One that I had read is still fresh in my mind.

July 7, 1992

Dear Journal,
My beautiful granddaughter, Elizabeth, turned six today and all I can think about is the day that she was born. I remember how excited Alex was to have a little, baby sister and how both Nancy and Jeff were already acting there part as proud parents. I remember the first time I held her and how I just knew, that little baby girl was going to do big things with her life. She has already proven herself to me. All the lives she has touched in just her mere six years on this earth. There is only one thing I want for my little granddaughter. I want her to follow her heart.

I've read that one entry so many times that I have it memorized word for word. I just wish I knew what my grandma would tell me to do right now. If she was still here she wouldnt need to tell me anything because nothing like this would have happened. It was like a domino effect of bad things. First Grandma Claudia died then a year later my dad left, and shortly after that my mom started drinking and everything has went down hill from there. I've had both my closest friends along the way though. Max and Maria are always there for me when I need them. I couldnt ask for better friends.

I sit down next the headstone and lay my head against it. I notice that my cheeks are moist from tears that I didnt even realize I had shed. I start thinking about the last few days and the decisions I made. Most of them were wrong. What would grandma think if she knew about me smoking pot? She would be so dissapointed. Just like Max and Maria were, but they forgave me.

"Im sorry grandma. I love you, and I miss you so much." I say as I stand up. I gently kiss my hand and then press it against the headstone. I turn around and begin my trip back to hell. Back to all of my problems. Back to home.

TBC

*Sorry it was so short guys, I should be back shortly with more. Thanks again for all the great feedback!*

Hey, guys. Sorry that it has been so long. Im having a hard time getting this to where I want it to be. Im working on it in all my spare time to try and figure out where I wanna go with it. So please bear with me. I've got another small part finished and I wanna go ahead and post it. This part has some M/L interaction for you..

btw, thanks for the feedback!

Part 6B

After the short walk back I climb up my balcony and through my window. As soon as my feet touch the floor I notice Max is sitting at the foot of my bed.

"Liz, Im so glad your okay." He says and comes over and hugs me. He steps back and glances at my face and I know I am in deep shit now because he has seen the huge mark on my cheek. "What happened?"

"Oh, this?" I ask hesitantly, while pointing to my cheek.

"Yes." He says it like he just knows that something bad happened.

"Katie was pushing open my door as I was about to walk out and it just hit me." Its the first plausible story I could think of. "Im fine."

"You sure?" he asks and brings his hand up to gently touch my cheek.

"Yes Max, I'm sure." I try to reassure him.

"Okay." He finally lets up. "So, where were you?"

"Cemetery," I walk over to my bed and sit down, Max comes and sits next to me.

"Visiting Grandma Claudia?" He knows me too well.

"Yea." I mumble and look down at my hands.

"You know Liz, you can talk to me about anything." He brushes some hair out of my face. "We're best friends."

"I know Max. Theres nothing to tell though, like I said before, Im fine." I can see the doubt etched in his face.

"So, why did you need to talk to me?" I ask, changing the subject.
"Oh, I called to see if you wanted to study for the history test with me." He seems so nervous. Max is usually comfortable around me.

"Yea, sure. What about Maria?" I ask. We never leave Maria out of anything.

"Maria has to babysit her cousin." I though Maria's only cousin was fourteen. Why would she need to babysit her? I give Max a questioning look.

"Umm, I mean her neighbor." He corrects himself quickly. "You know, the little 6 year old."

"Yea..." Okay, this is weird. Is Max trying to get me alone or something? No way. He said it himself, were friends. Just friends.

"So, did you bring your history stuff with you?" I ask after a long silence.

"No, can we go back to my place to study?" he pauses. "I mean, do you mind?"

"No, of course not." Why would I mind? "Just let me get my stuff."
I walk over to my desk and pick up my history book and binder. Max and I walk out of my room and down the stairs. Alex is sitting on the couch watching T.V.

"Liz, your back. Where were you?" Alex gets up and walks over to us.

"Cemetery." I dont see why everyone has to know. I really wasnt gone that long.

"Oh, visiting grams." I nod. Am I really that transparent?

"Where are you two going? Its almost eight." Alex is trying to be the overprotective big brother. How sweet.

"We are just going over Max's to study for our history test." I tell him. "I'll be back by ten."

"Okay, well cya later. Bye Max." Alex walks back over to the couch and plops down.

"Bye" Max says as he leads the way to the front door.

"Dont be late Liz. You had me worried earlier." Alex looks up one last time and smiles at me. I nod and smile back before closing the door.


TBC

Hey everyone! I wasn't even in the mood to write today even though I had the time but then when I came and saw all the wonderful feedback I was so excited that I had to write another part so...this next part is dedicated to all of my wonderful feedbackers...cuz w.o. you it wouldnt even be here -

Lullaby
*RosAChica*
XoXoDreamerXoXo
Luna1707
roswellluver
care bears
strawberry_dreamer

Thanks guys! Here's the part -

Part 7

I've been sitting in Max's room studying with him for half an hour already and he has barely said two words. He just keeps his face down in the book. This is not a normal study session. At a normal study session there is ice cream and movies and lots of talking, basically no studying. I'm starting to think that something is up with Max.

"I'm probably going to fail this." Max finally says something, but he's still looking down at his book.

"You wont fail. You make the same grades I do. You never fail." I tell him.

"Well, I wont make an A." He finally looks up. "You will though."

"Maybe not." I say. I dont always make A's.

"Yes you will, because your perfect at everything." Is Max getting all mushy on me? Before I know it he has gotten up from his desk chair and sat next to me.

"Me? Perfect at everything. Ha! Whatever gave you that idea?" I look at him like he's crazy...cause he is.

"Nothing had to give me that idea." He pauses. "I just know that you are."

"Max..." So I'm a little hesitant. Give me a break. The person who has been my best friend for like ever is acting...weird.

"Liz...I-There's been something I've wanted to talk to you about." Max lays his hand on top of mine.

So what do I do. I dont sit there and let Max pour his soul out to me. I dont wait to be kissed by the person I have wanted to be kissed by for so long. Nope. I make an excuse and get the hell out of there. "You know what Max, I have to go. It's almost ten and I dont want Alex to get worried. Can we just talk about this later?"

"Uh, yea sure." He seems confused like he doesnt know why I am acting this way. Well, join the club Max.

Once I make it outside I calm down and start walking down the sidewalk. Why did I just do that? I'll tell you why I just did that. It was because I dont want to hurt Max. If something happens between Max and I then that would bring him into my world. And lets just face it, my world isn't a big bucket of laughs. I just dont want him to be pulled into all this crap.

I walk through the front door feeling defeated because I know that Max probably hates me now. I wish I could explain it to him, but I can't. So right now, I'm just going to avoid the coversation all together.

"Hey Liz." Alex is still on the couch watching TV only now he has a collection of coke cans and a pizza box in front of him. "You're home early."

"It's nine-thrity. Thats not early." I say and then sit down next to him on the couch.

"Yea, but I wasnt expecting you until ten on the dot." He says while still keeping his eyes on the screen. He's watching Happy Days reruns, its like his favorite show.

"Well, we finished early." I lie. We didnt even start, so how could we have finished?

"You seem stressed. Anything you want to talk about?" He keeps watching the screen and being casual. I guess he knows that if he tries to make it serious I wont talk to him.

"Alex, do you talk to Isabel about everything?" I ask quickly. "Like about mom and dad and your home life."

"Yea, and she talks to me about hers. You can't have a good relationship with someone unless you are honest and open with them." He says and then turns his head to look at me.

"Aren't you afraid that she could get pulled into everything? Like she could get hurt by being with you?" I ask him.

"Of course. I think that everyone has feelings like those at one point." He tells me. "Look Liz, there's something you gotta know. Everyone has things in there life that they dont want there, some have more that others, but everyone has them. I know that you think that our family pretty much sucks but you need to come at it from another angle. I mean believe me, these parents aren't the ones I would have picked out if given a choice, but I know that I have you and Katie and Isabel and that is enough family for me."

I just sit there looking at him wide eyed. I never knew my brother was so smart. "Is this what they teach you in college?"

"No, this is what they teach you in life." Wow, thats deep. When did this conversation get so serious?

"So, did something happen with you and Max tonight?" He asks, eyes back on the tv screen.

"Yea" I say honestly. "I think he kinda made a move, but I chickened out."

"I knew that would happen sooner or later." He laughs a little like its one big joke.

"What do you mean you knew that would happen?" I ask him. I wish he would have told me before.

"Come on Liz! The way he acts around you. I mean isn't it obvious he likes you and you like him?" He asks and he's looking at me like I'm insane.

"Yea, Lizzie everyone knows that you and Max are in looove." Katie says coming down the stairs and my mouth must be hanging wide open now. Everyone knew but no one told me! That is not fair.

"Katie, aren't you suppose to be in bed?" Alex changes the subject, thank god.

"I couldn't sleep and I heard you guy down here so I thought I would come watch TV." She says and scoots on the couch inbetween Alex and I.

"Why couldn't you sleep Katie?" I ask.

"I'm afraid mom is going to drink again. I dont want her to get mad like before." She says it so innocently. I can tell that mom's little outburst changed her attitude.

"Its okay Katie. I got everything worked out." Alex tells her and then pulls a blanket from off the floor to cover her up.

"You got everything worked out? How?" I'm not even sure I want to know though.

"I know that you didnt want me too but I called someone." He holds his hand up to stop me from interrupting. "I just called the police station and asked them if they knew anyone I could call if I knew someone that was an alcoholic and could be a danger to her kids. They gave me a number and mom is going to start rehab tomorrow."

"Does she know it yet?" I ask. I'm actually kind of relieved.

"Nope, she has been passed out all evening but in the morning when she is sober a guy is going to come by to get her. I'm going to take the rest of the semester off and become you and Katie's legal gaurdian until she is completely recovered."

"Sounds good to me. But what about Isabel, Alex?" This is what I meant by our family life hurting the people we love. How is he going to spend so much time away from Isabel.

"I already talked to her. Shes going to come down every other weeked and on holidays and I am going to take you guy there some. Is that okay?" Going to California? Thats awesome.

"Its great." I tell him then look down at Katie. "How does that sound Katie?" She's already fast asleep though. Alex and I laugh and then go back to watching Happy Day's until we fall asleep. But right before I drift off I think about what Alex said. So what if our parents suck? Who needs them anyway? I have two wonderful siblings and two wonderful best friends, but I need to work everything out with Max.


*A/N* I know that you all want more M/L, but dont worry...the closer to the end of the story we get the more Max and Liz interaction there is. So dont lose hope, this story is definitely dreamer insured.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback!!!

There are only two more parts left on this story. I thought it would be really long but I just decided that I should go ahead and wrap things up before I go crazy and forget what the story is about in the first place. So, here's the next part. --

Part 8

"Alex, Lizzie, Katie." My mom says from the front door, as a tear slips down her cheek. "I'm sorry about everything. I love you."

"I love you too mommy." Katie runs over to hug her. Alex and I just watch from our spot a few feet away. The man that Alex had called yesterday came this morning and talked to our mom and she agreed to go to rehab. She always was nicer when she was sober. We all moved to the doorway and watched as the car pulled out of the driveway and our mom waved to us from the passenger side.

This morning had been eventful to say the least. Alex had woken me up and told me to help him pack up mom's stuff while she talked to Mr. Hampton, the man that Alex called. I didn't cry or get upset and neither did Alex, but Katie cried and she continued too up until the car was out of sight. Then she just stopped like she couldn't cry anymore.

"I'm ready to go to school." She turns around and looks up at Alex.

"I'll drop her off on my way." I told him and Katie and I went to grab our stuff. "Hurry up Katie, I want to get there early."

"Why? So you can talk to Maaaxxeee." She loves to taunt me.

"Yes, now get in the car." she walks out the door. "Cya Alex."

"Later Lizzie!" Looks like everything is back to normal.

After dropping Katie off I make it to school in barely enough time. So much for talking to Max before class. I guess I will just have to wait until lunch. I head down the hall to my locker. Standing right next to it is Maria.

"Hey, girl it seems like we haven't talked in forever!" She hugs me. "So what's up?"

"My mom's in rehab." I say bluntly.

"What? Why? How?" Maria asks. I think she is freaking out.

"I said my mom is in rehab. Why? Because she's an alcoholic. How? I dont really know, it all happened so fast. The basic outline is Alex got fed up and called somebody." I tell her basicly the truth, mostly because I am tired of lying.

"Good for him." She says with a smile. "Your mom isn't that bad of a person, she just needs help."

"Yea, I know. Everyone needs help at some point." I turn around from my locker to look at her and she cocks her head to the side like shes confused.

"Went a little heavy on the make up didnt we?" She asks. Then I remember that I had put on a lot of make up to cover up the bruise.

"Uh, yea. Is it that noticeable?" I ask her.

"Well, not really. I guess its just weird because you hardly ever wear make up." She says and we head down the hall when the warning bell rings.

"Yea, well I guess I was just up for a change." I say. I might be tired of lying, but I just dont want to bring that up. So I change the subject. "Well, I have to get to homeroom. I don't need anymore detention slips from Ms. Satan."

"Okay chica." She waves and heads to her class and I open the door to Ms. Satan's room. Everyone seems so suprised that I am in here before the second bell rang. Ms. S looks almost confused so I do my best fake smile and wave at her.

I take my seat next to Max but I dont look in his direction because I know that he is looking at me. I can just feel his eyes on me like he is trying to figure me out. I sit back in my seat and inwardly sigh. Lunch better get here soon because I really, really need to talk to Max.

~~~~~~~~~

Hear I am wating next to the eraser room door. Its the only place I could think of where Max and I could talk alone. After what seemed like forever lunch finally came and I had told Max to meet me at the eraser room. I look down the hall and see him headed this way.

"Hey" He says coming to a stop in front of me. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Let's talk in here." I say and open the door to the eraser room. Once we are both inside I take a deep breath. This is going to be hard.

"Liz, whatever it is...you can tell me." He is so sweet. After lastnight and after everything I have done he is still so sweet.

"Max, about lastnight." I pause for a second. "I'm sorry I ran out like that, I was just worried that something would happen and then you would get pulled into my unpleasant little world and I would hurt you. I wouldnt mean to hurt you though, I just wouldnt be able to help it. Which I probably have already hurt-"

"Liz, your babbling." Max put his hands on my shoulders.

"Sorry." I look up at him and my eyes lock with his. "Max, everything seems so complicated right now and I just wanted to tell you the truth about everything before something happens."

"Okay." He says and we both sit down. He continues to look at me, waiting for me to say something.

"I haven't been completely honest with you." I tell him. "Max, that bruise on my cheek was from where my mom hit me while she was drunk and when I took those drugs, it wasn't because my mom was drunk or at least that wasnt the only reason. It was becasue I was thinking about my dad. I know I never talk to you about him but he left after my grandmother died and he has never came back or sent any letters, he just pays child support. I know that you and Maria are always honest with me and I'm sorry I haven't been with you. I just didnt want you to get hurt."

"Liz, you couldn't hurt me by being with me." He says and he wipes a tear off my cheek that I didn't even realize was there. "I love you."

I look up at him wide eyed with tears still falling down my cheeks and I can't speak. I want to tell him so badly that I love him too but it feels like there is a huge lump caught in my throat and I can't talk. So I do the one thing that I can think of. I kiss him. As soon as our lips touch he pulls me closer to him and continues kissing me. I run my fingers through his hair and for a few seconds everything in my life just goes away. There are no problems. Nothing else matters but Max and I being together.

We pull away from each other to catch our breath. I rest my forhead on his. I look into his eyes once more. "I love you too." Well, what do you know. The lump in my throat is gone.

~~~~~~~~~

"Oh my God!" Maria shouts and almost loses control over the car. "Well, Its about time."

"What?!" I shouldn't be suprised though. Everyone else knew.

"Liz, you and Max were so flirty and lovey dovey that the fact that you liked each other was like...common knowledge." Maria told me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask her.

"I just wanted to let things happen on there own." She says it as if she was doing me a favor. "Plus, Alex, Isabel, Katie and I had a bet going."

"You were betting on me!" I am truly astonished that my friends would steep so low. Wait, no I'm not.

"Calm down girl. Oh, I almost forgot, Michael too. But he definitely didnt win." Maria says as she turns down my road.

"Michael? Michael Guerin?" What is going on here? Everyone taking bets on my love life? "This is freaky."

"Yea well, he just got in on it a week or two ago." She continues. "Oh, by the way, Thanks."

"Thanks for what?" I ask as she pulls into my driveway.

"For hooking me up with Michael, you match maker, you!" I stare at her in shock. I never actually thought that would happen. Or at least not that fast.

"Have I been on another planet the last few days? Because I feel like I have missed everything." When did all this stuff happen?

"Yea, you were on Max Planet." Maria laughs. "Now get the hell out of my car and go get ready!"

"Ready? Am I going somewhere?" I ask. I feel so clueless.

"We are having a big group thing tonight at the Crashdown. Isabel just got in town so everyone is going to be there." Maria decides to tell me this now. "I will be back in half an hour to pick you up."

"Okay, Cya then!" I wave to her as she pulls out of the driveway. "What the hell just happened?" My brain can't hold all the information that Maria just gave me. I really must have been somewhere else. "Max Planet?" I pause before opening the front door. "Maria's crazy." Or maybe I am.

TBC

Hey guys! Thank you soo much for the feedback and for sticking with me through this story. I liked writing it and I hope you liked reading it. This is the last part and its pretty short b.c. all the major stuff happened and I just needed to sum everything up and end it. So I hope you enjoy it...


Part 9

Maria, Katie and I are walking up to the Crashdown. After going inside and telling Katie to get ready I quickly got ready myself. Alex was no where to be found. Obviously he was with Isabel since she had just arrived. But now I was about to go and relax for the first time in a long time.

"After you." Maria says as she holds open the door. I smile at her and walk through behind Katie.

"The gangs all here." Katie says and sure enough I see a few tables pulled next to each other in the back of the Crashdown. Isabel, Alex, Michael, and Max all look up and greet us.

"Izzy!" Maria runs over and hugs Isabel. "I'm so happy you are in town."

"Me too. I'm glad to be back home." Isabel says as they break apart. "Liz! I missed you!"

"Its good to see you Iz." I come up and hug her also. "Alex is on the mopey side while your away, all he does is watch Happy Days, eat, and sleep."

"Hey! I did stuff!" Alex defends himself. "I did a lot."

"Like what?" Katie asks which recieves a look from Alex telling her to play along. "Ohhh, yea. Alex went out all the time."

"I'm sure he did." Isabel laughs and then turns back to me. "I hear that Max and Liz finally got together."

"Max! You told!" I walk over to him and slap his arm playfully.

"I didnt say anything." Max holds up his hands in defense. "I swear."

"I did!" Maria gives me a big grin. "Sorry I couldnt resist."

"Wait how did Maria find out?" Max asks and looks at me.

"Liz told me." Maria says as she takes a seat next to Michael. Max grins at me and I roll my eyes and sit dow next to him.

"Oh, you all owe me 10 bucks." Alex says all of a sudden. "It was in the eraser room during lunch."

"What are you talking about Alex?" Max asks, sounding very confused.
"You didnt know Max? All our friends where betting on when we would hook up." I say matter-of-factly

"What?!" Max shouts. Everyone starts laughing. "You guys are unbelievable."

"So what were everyones guesses?" I'm kinda curious to find out.

"I said it would be in Max's bedroom during a study session." Maria says and then pulls a ten out of her pocket and hands it to Alex.

"That almost happened!" I tell her. "God, you know us to well."

"I said it would be at your 'spot' after sunset." Isabel says with a smirk.

"Whenever we go to our 'spot' Maria is there. We wouldn't do that in front of Maria." Max tells her.

"Yea well, Michael said it would be in the middle of one of your classes in front of everyone." Maria smiles and pats Michael on the arm.

"What?" Max looks at Michael in disbelief. "Are you crazy?"

"What did you say Katie?" I ask her.

"Max's jeep in our driveway, at night." Katie smiles.

"She's good for a nine year old isn't she?" Maria asks, winking at Katie. "She's going to turn out just like me!"

"God help us all." Michael mutters and Maria slaps him and glares. Everyone else just laughs.

After about an hour and a half we decide its time to head back home. Michael and Maria are the first to leave, then Isabel and Alex, they take Katie home as well. Max and I walk out to his jeep and we get in and head towards my house. He parks in the driveway and turns to look at me.

"I had a really good time." He says and smiles.

"Me too. You'd think our friends would have given us a heads up about us liking each other." I laugh slightly.

"They had more fun messing with us." Max continues to laugh. "I guess its better than them being shocked or angry about us."

"Yea." I look up at him and he's still smiling. "Max, I meant what I said in the eraser room. I love you. So I dont want to hurt you."

"I love you to Liz." Max tells me. "And you're not going to hurt me." He leans down to me and we kiss. After we break apart he grins really big.

"What?" I ask. He's confusing me.

"You should tell Katie that her bet was a close second." He laughs and then kisses my cheek. I realize where we are. In Max's jeep in my driveway, at night and I smile. Max smiles back and for once I don't feel jaded. I feel happy.

THE END.

Thanks again guys for all the wonderful feedback throughout the whole story. Its been great! ttyl.