Collision in Roswell (AU,M/L,M/M,MATURE/ADULT) [COMPLETE]

[katrina]

Collision in Roswell
Formerly titled – “Defenestration of Roswell”


Author: Katrina
Coupling: M/L focus though a heavy concentration on M/M … bit of A/I to complete the CC pairings
Rating: MATURE/ADULT– for underage drinking and there is one scene of ADULT (in Chapter 5), which I will warn of ahead of time. When this part comes, if you do not want to read it, just know that the couple had sex and you will not miss any of the plot if you skip it.
Disclaimer: I do not own “Roswell” or its characters, only the plot of this story belongs to me. Oh, and so does the fictional history of the town.
Summary: Will an unforgettable night of passion forge an unacceptable romance and reconcile a feuding town?
Important Author’s Note: This is a repost/revision of the story Defenestration of Roswell under a different title. The original title did not fit after I altered the original plot I had in mind (involving someone getting thrown out a window) so this one fits better. I started writing this story a LONG time ago and have finally finished it and edited it so I will update regularly unlike in the past. Yes, I finished it, after two years! So I hope that you all enjoy it because even the parts that I had posted originally have a couple new scenes in them plus revisions. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that I have made it better. ~Katrina
Feedback: I think every author loves this part.

~*





Collision in Roswell


Prologue


A sign at the Roswell city limits reads: “Welcome to Roswell; Population 10,000.” By this sign, one assumes that this town is a small tight-knit community but a native to the town knows this is not the case. It may have been true at one time but is grossly false today. The Roswellian would go on to explain the story of the “Roswell Schism,” which is a grave story of how this small town split into two.

As the story goes, Roswell was once indeed a unified family. As a helping-hand community, Roswellians cared for the people around them like an extended family. This changed drastically in the early 1940s when oil was found on the southern side of town. The townspeople had rejoiced over the sudden wealth because the poor dustbowl days were finally behind them. The town could look forward to becoming luxurious and modern.

A happy life was not an option for long, though. The South began to fear that the North was taking their wealth from them and not sharing fairly. Therefore, the South decided to cut half the town off from the growing supply of money. The North grew angry at the accusations and sudden lack of money. They decided to cut all ties with the South as punishment by taking over the government building and manufacturing factories while the South kept its vast lands of oil. The town was now split: a poor North Roswell and a rich South Roswell.

In 1947, the aliens supposedly crashed in North Roswell. The Roswellians believed that a balloon crashed as the investigation had also concluded. The Northerners still took advantage of the rumor and built a great tourism empire. Both the North and the South were now rich and divided. The two halves of Roswell seized any and all opportunities of all sorts and often fought.

As time went on, Roswell, New Mexico built a high school, but because Roswell as a whole was very small, the state decided that only one school should be built. The school was built grudgingly and shared though there was much anger over it.

Animosity continued for over five decades. Divisions grew deeper between the North and the South. Trouble was always brewing as a fight of superiority continuously ensued.

This split has to be mended or a huge conflict will inevitably erupt, but the division is ever widening. Can anything unify this town again?





Chapter One


“Liz! Maria’s here! You better get a move on if you don’t want to be late!”

Liz Parker pulled her brush through her chocolaty tresses as she replied, “Coming, Mom.” She looked at the mirror to examine herself one final time. A long black skirt with a slit to mid-thigh hugged the curves of her hips and legs perfectly. The white halter-top Liz wore that had lacy embroidery was tied securely at the base of her neck. White strappy sandals added just enough height to her petite body. The little makeup she wore over her perfect and tan complexion and the slightly curled hair cascading to her mid-back completed Liz’s glamorous back-to-school ensemble.

“Watch out West Roswell,” Liz said to her image approvingly. “Here comes Liz Parker.” She winked at her reflection and picked up her black leather handbag.

“Lizzie! Get your gorgeous ass to my car pronto!”

Liz rolled her eyes and smiled as she stepped out of her bedroom in the apartment over the Crashdown. She glanced at the clock as she headed to the stairs. Since when did Maria want to leave at 8:15? It’s a ten-minute drive and the second bell never rang before 9 am. Maria usually ran late and they never made it to the parking lot before the first bell. Liz just shrugged the thought away. She wasn’t about to complain, the earlier to school the better.

Liz Parker actually liked school a lot. And she was a great student, especially in science due to her love of logic and finding answers. As a scientist, she didn’t really care for North Roswell’s “alien madness.” Though she lived in the area, the only thing she believed in regarding to the aliens was making money off the joke. And make money her family did. Her parent owned the popular alien-themed Crashdown Café. Tourists and Northern Roswellians alike enjoyed the food and environment. The only problem with her parents owning the restaurant was her having to actually waitress there. Liz detested the alien freaks that came to eat and ask questions about the 1947 Crash as well as the dorky miniskirt uniform she always had to wear.

Liz walked out the double door of the café to her best friend’s Jetta. “Hey, ‘Ria,” she greeted her bud as she got into the car.

“Lizzie, beautiful as usual.”

“And ready to make the Southies drool over what they can’t have.” Liz smirked at her own comment. Then she added, “And make Evans’ dick as large as the school just to embarrass his ass off.”

“Girl, you are sooo bad,” Maria Deluca giggled. Then she added, “And I can’t wait to take pictures of it all for the yearbook.”

~*

HONK

“Damn, what takes this guy so long,” Max thought to himself annoyed. “It’s not like Michael looks in the mirror in the morning.” Max glanced into the rearview mirror to make sure every hair on his head was perfectly placed.

Max Evans had an image to keep up. As captain of both the football and basketball teams, he had the obligation to make his fellow female classmates faint on sight, especially on the first day. It was quite an easy feat for him as the ladies were naturally attracted. His dark brown bangs were at a perfect length just brushing the top of his eyelids. He brushed invisible crumbs off his tight black tee. A pair of dark tan khakis completed the look.

Max smiled to himself in approval. Michael was still not out though. He honked again. Where was his so-called best pal?

Max sighed and drove away frustrated. “Sucks to be him.” He turned the radio up as his passed the oil fields and headed toward the school. Even waiting for no-show Guerin, Max would still be early to school. It’s the way he liked it anyway. The jock enjoyed school and was exceptional at it. He wanted to get out of this crap town as soon as possible.

Max pulled into a parking spot near the school’s senior doors. Just one more year and he’d be out of there. There were a few other cars in the South lot. Among them, he noticed a motorcycle. So, Michael rode his bike? And was early? These surprises never ceased to amaze him.

Michael Guerin was not the type to go to school, never mind go early. “Wonder what girl he’s got his teeth clenched into now,” Max contemplated in amusement.

A car door slammed beside him. “Hey, Max,” Tess Harding moved in front of him brushing his arm seductively. Max said nothing but gave her a no-tramp-like-you-is-going-to-get-me look.

“Wanna do something later? Like a movie?” She didn’t take the hint and continued to brush against him. Oh, well, Max inwardly sighed; better give her something more obvious.

“Get the hell away from me! I rather hook up with a Northern whore than be within five feet of you!”

Tess screeched in frustration. She’ll get her way with him some way. He’d be waiting on her on his hands and knees when she was done with him.

“Bravo, beautiful performance.” Max bowed mockingly toward his sister Isabel who had just arrived with a friend. She applauded then turned toward Tess. “You heard the guy, scram!”

Tess huffed and walked away after another flirting look at Max.

“Thanks, Iz. It was way too early to deal with her,” Max told his sister appreciatively.

“Well,” Isabel Evans shrugged. “Now you owe me.” Max groaned good-naturedly. Isabel had the look of spoiled princess down pat. Her silky blonde hair flowed freely down to her mid-back and her taste in clothing and her pretty looks often made other Southern Roswellians jealous. Not to mention to could reel in nearly any guy with a mere look. Wearing a pair of hip huggers and a black tank, she stood in front of her brother with a slight air of snootiness that Max usually ignored.

“So, where’s Michael?” she asked.

Max shook his head. “His bike is here so he must be in school already.”

Surprise appeared on Isabel’s face as her façade crumbled in shock. “Michael Guerin, at school? And early?”

“That’s how I’m reacting. We better get inside or else he’ll steal the show.” Isabel just laughed. It was always about performances with those two. They linked arms in sibling-like fashion and walked inside West Roswell High School determined to make it a great day.

~*

Liz opened the passenger door of the Jetta and stepped out onto the black top of the North parking lot. She brushed out the sitting creases on her skirt and smiled excited about the first day. Maria stepped outside as she took her sunglasses off. She seemed spaced out as she looked toward the South parking lot.

“Earth to Maria,” Liz said jokingly. Maria’s eyes snapped to where Liz was standing.

“What?” she asked slightly annoyed.

“I. Think. We. Should. Go. In. Now.” Liz enunciated each word carefully trying to keep her best friend’s attention.

“Ha ha, I wasn’t that out of it, Lizzie,” Maria said in mock amusement. “Okay, let’s go.” Liz looked at her suspiciously. What was going on with that girl?

Maria took no notice of the look Liz was giving her. “Liz? I thought you wanted to go inside? To get inside, you must walk toward the door. You know, like by moving your two feet?” Liz sighed and nodded. She walked to the doors with Maria still trying to figure out why Maria was acting strange… err, stranger… than usual.

After walking inside the doors, they each looked at the scene in front of them. A huge sea of students swarmed around.

Liz and Maria glanced at each other and grinned. Time to knock them dead. They strode down the hallway side-by-side. Guys from both sides of town turned and stared. Liz gave them all flashy smiles. God, being a goddess was fantastic.

When Liz reached her locker five minutes later, she dialed in the numbers of her combination with grace. Maria was babbling beside her.

“Did you see all those guys? They were totally blowing off their girlfriends just to stare at what they can’t touch. It was classic. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes when they are punished severely.”

Liz laughed, “Yeah, they’ll lose kissing privileges at least. Too bad a lot of the hot ones are Southies. So many possibilities down the drain.”

“Yeah,” Maria said suddenly distracted. Liz glanced in Maria’s direction to see what Maria was looking at. She had a faraway look on her face. Liz looked hard but didn’t see anyone looking back. Some guys were looking but not as intently as Maria seemed to be. She looked at each face down the hallway carefully trying to figure out who had Maria’s eye.

“Whatcha looking at, Parker?” Liz jumped at the voice and turned to see who was talking to her.

She wished she’d just ignored him. “Evans, shouldn’t you be in the eraser room by now? The first bell is about to ring. This is disappointing. Is no one willing to join you in your conquests anymore?”

Max Evans just smirked. Liz was turning slightly red from being caught looking at a guy at the other end of the hall. He looked in the direction she had been looking in. “Got eyes for Guerin, huh?”

“What?! Who in their right mind would have their eyes on that loser? Me or Lizzie drooling or a Southie? These cute eyes? Nuh uh, no way!” Maria shrieked. At the name mentioned, she first realized Max was standing there talking to Liz. Maria’s skin flushed a bit as Max raised his eyebrows. Liz turned toward Maria and did the same. What got her attention?

RING

Phew. Maria let out a breath as Liz gathered her books and Max turned to walk away after the bell rang.

“Better be more careful when staring next time, Parker. Someone may start thinking you have a thing for Michael. Can you say ‘traitor’?” Max said as he walked away.

“Can you believe that bastard? Me a traitor? Ha!” Liz rambled. “Gotta go. See you at lunch.” Liz walked toward her homeroom in a rush to be on time.

“Yeah,” Maria replied to Liz’s retreating form. “That was close,” Maria then mumbled to herself. She closed Liz’s locker and scampered toward the eraser room.

~*

So thoughts? Should I just stop now and delete the fic off my hard drive?

[katrina]

**Thanks, guys for leaving such warm feedback! Spacegal17, great pick up on Maria. By the way, I'm planning to post a new chapter everyday around this time just so you know my schedule. Hope you all enjoy this part! ~Katrina




Chapter Two


Liz anxiously walked into her AP Biology class. To say the least, she was ecstatic to be here. Biology was always her favorite science. She enjoyed looking at cells and living structures especially, which was probably why she wanted to major in molecular biology in college next year.

Liz took a seat on a stool at a lab table in the front of the classroom. This was she could pay attention to the teacher’s instruction. She just hoped would not screw up too badly and embarrass the shit out of herself.

Liz looked around her. There was still two minutes until the bell rang but people were starting to trickle in steadily. ‘One of these people would be her lab partner,’ Liz thought excitedly. She wondered who it would be as she looked at the students surrounding her. Amber Solverson, Mike Schmidt, the possibilities were endless with all these exceptionally bright people.

The room was pretty full now and the bell still had not rung. The stool beside her remained disappointingly empty. It was one of the few seats yet to be filled. Liz sighed and turned on her own stool until she faced the back of the room. She said hi to a few people and chatted about the classes she had attended so far that day.

RING

When the bell rang, Liz turned back toward the front of the room. She nearly fell from her seat when an elbow brushed hard against her. She hadn’t even realized that someone had sat down beside her. She looked up to see who had elbowed her so roughly. Deep amber pools were staring back.

“Well, well, Parker. It seems we have a class together. Just don’t mess up and we may just barely live through this semester.”

“Sorry to burst that bubble you seem to live in, an egotistical world by the way, but what makes you think we’ll even *be* lab partners? Anyway, why are you even sitting by me? Your South friends desert your sorry ass?”

Max just smirked at the girl next to him. Could she be any more dense? But the way her lips moved when she spoke… Max shook his head as if trying to get the thought out of his mind. Where had that come from?

Liz looked at him fully expecting an answer. He finally replied in a sigh, “I suggest you read the board. Someone with your class rank should be able to do that easily so why can’t you seem to? As for why I’m sitting beside you, I had no choice. There weren’t anymore seats unfortunately.”

Liz muttered something about assholes under her breath before reading the chalkboard. ‘When you choose your seat,’ the board read, ‘please keep in mind that where you sit is where you shall remain for the semester and who you sit by will be your lab partner during that time.’

Liz groaned at what she just read. She was stuck with Max Evans for a whole semester. Luck just was not with her. Liz continued to look straight in front of her not daring to look toward Max. He was probably gloating or something. ‘Damn him,’ she muttered to herself. She remembered when she first met him when she was eight. He was as much of a prick then as he was now. She remembered seeing him on his shining new bicycle as he rode smoothly passed the ravine that she and Maria were sitting near picking out smooth rocks for some serious hopscotch. The way he stuck his nose up in prissy-girl fashion will forever be grained in her memory.

A door opened and closed. A teacher walked to the front of the room. Liz shook her head as if to release the memory from her mind so she could pay attention.

“Class, my name is Ms. Hardy and you are in Advanced Placement Biology…”

Liz sighed. What a way to start this so-called ‘great year.’ How could it ever turn out ‘great’ if she had to cooperate with the jerk next to her? ‘Though,’ she thought to herself, ‘he is quite the cute one. Not bad looking at all. Must give him a little credit for that.’ Liz’s eyes widened at her sporadic thought. Where had that come from?

~*

Lunch finally rolled around and for that Max was truly grateful. He needed to be around his friends. The whole thinking of Liz thing in Bio was starting to get to him. He tried to push the thoughts away. He shouldn’t think like this. They were complete opposites, totally wrong for each other.

Why was he going so deeply into this then? It was just one thought. Nothing can come out of one little thought that he kept to himself. It was totally normal. He was a teenager after all. His fingers combed through his hair. He just had to distract himself. Yeah, that would cure him of his ‘Liz syndrome.’ He looked around for the person to accomplish this goal with.

There. He walked across the quad to a girl who was currently standing alone. “Hey, Michelle.”

The girl turned around. “Max, hey,” she purred back. He said nothing more while grabbed her by the hand and they walked back to the school building in a hurried walk. They barely made it to the eraser room before a heavy make out session was pursued.

~*

Liz sat down at an empty picnic table in the quad. She pulled out her brown bag lunch. She still couldn’t get Max out of her head. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? She hated him with a passion and all she could think about was what his hands could do to her body. Argh, she had to get him out of her mind. But how?

“Room for one more?”

Liz looked up from her food. “Alex!” She squealed grateful for the distraction. “Sit down already! I haven’t seen you all day. Where have you been?”

“Uh, in class? You know me; I’m always in either the band room with the beloved guitar or in the computer lab. If you really cared to find me, you knew where to look.” Alex put his hand over his heart. “It hurts to know your best friend doesn’t care where you are.” He put his hand back onto the table. “Got any Oreos?”

Liz giggled at Alex’s little speech. She knew he wasn’t serious. He knew she loved him. “Here,” she said handing him a pile of Oreo’s. “Does that make up for not visiting you?”

Alex’s eyes lit up while looking at the tall pile. “It’s a start,” he barely replied as he began his chow down.

Liz just shook her head. Oh, the odd, odd friends she had. Thinking of friends, “Hey, where’s Ria?”

Alex shook his head still grinding the chocolate wafers into pulp. “Fe fet fe fra uddied vrat.”

“What? Swallow, Alex. Don’t talk with you mouth full,” Liz scolded.

Alex swallowed quickly. “What are you, my mom?” Liz swatted at him and Alex ducked. “I said, Maria told me she was running late. She had to talk to a teacher or something.”

“Talk to a teacher?” Liz frowned. “That’s not the Maria I know.”

Alex shrugged. “Hey, don’t ask me. I’m just a messenger.” He grabbed one of Liz’s Doritos and stuffed it into his mouth. “Vis ak Ria vren fe loops.”

Liz rolled her eyes. If she told him once, she told him a thousand times. “Don’t talk with your mouth full!”

~*

Maria ran cautiously through the hallways of West Roswell. No one could find out. Not her friend, not her mom, no one. She’d be in deep doodoo if anyone even suspected what she was up to.

Maria put her ear to the eraser room door. She heard some moaning. ‘Damn.’ Someone was in there. Damn, damn, she stamped her foot. Where else could they go? Maria looked around. Bathrooms? No, too many people coming in and out. Classroom? No good, a teacher could walk in at any time.

Maria’s eyes landed on another door. ‘Perfect,’ she thought to herself.

Masculine arms then wrapped around her. Her body conformed to his immediately.

“Where to?” a deep voice asked.

Maria shivered; the sound of his voice was just so sexy. She dragged him through the door labeled ‘Janitor’s Closet.’ She closed the door with a soft click and turned to face the guy in great anticipation.

“The stupid eraser room is occupied,” she pouted. “Why would anyone be in there at lunch anyway? They can make out anywhere. This was the next best place and will do I guess.”

Michael just raised his eyebrows. “Here was the next best place? Why couldn’t we have just gone off-campus to eat or something? I think that would be better than this dump.” His stomach grumbled. “And I’m starving.”

Maria hit him upside the head. “Duh, Einstein. People would see us. We’d be in deep shit. What would you ever do without me then?” Maria fluttered her eyes that were dark with lust. “Besides, when you’re done with me, I don’t think you’ll be quite so hungry anymore.”

Michael just groaned. A tent was starting to swell visibly in his pants. She knew him so well. Michael crushed his lips against her in a fiery passion as Maria pounced him. Maria eagerly complied with his demands. She brushed her fingers against his stomach along the elastic of his boxers threatening to push her hands deep into his pants. She moaned as Michael’s tongue drove into her mouth with great intensity. One hand was moving beneath her tight tank top while the other ran alternately through her blonde hair and down her back.

Whether they get caught or not, it wouldn’t matter. Maria smiled slightly in satisfaction while continuing her furious play. This was so worth it!

~*

Anyone able to make a banner for me? Por favor?

[katrina]

**Thanks so much for leaving the awesome feedback!

Thanks to:
behrlyliz
icequeen
Spacegal17
roswellluver
KParkerEvans

It is very appreciated!
And HELLO to lurkers out there... I confess that I'm the queen of lurking, but I hope you guys will drop a line at some point.

Here's the next chapter! ~Katrina




Chapter Three


RING

‘Finally,’ Liz thought exasperated. The day seemed to go on forever. Normally, she enjoyed long days but with Max Evans in not one but in THREE of her classes; he was driving her crazy. Enough said.

Max was in her last period English class in addition to AP Biology and Calculus. He did not sit next to her but she still could not keep her mind off him. Not that he was helping her stop. On the contrary, every time she looked toward the opposite side of the classroom, which was about every two minutes, where he sat with his buddies, Max seemed to be staring at her.

‘But that’s impossible,’ Liz berated herself as she walked out of the classroom. Why would he be staring at her of all people? He had his pick of girls, that’s for sure. He did not need to break all precedents and get interested in a North girl of all people.

Liz walked through the hallway toward the doors. Why was she even beating herself over this again? She was probably just imagining Max staring at her. He most likely hadn’t even given her a sideways glance. And since when did she care? It’s not like she had a “crush” on him. No way, he drove her bananas just standing five feet in front of her. She just needed a distraction. She needed to forget about the jackass known as Max Evans. But how was the question.

“Lizzie! Come on! We need to get to work before your dad blows another gasket! Car PRONTO!”

Liz pushed all thoughts from her mind and concentrated intently on walking to the Jetta as quickly as possible.

“What took so long, Chica?” Maria asked as Liz took the front passenger seat in the car. She saw the look on Liz’s face. “Do you need my cedar oil? You and me must talk, got it?” Maria started the car and drove in the direction of the Crashdown. “What’s going on, girl?”

“Nothing,” Liz said a tad too quickly.

“Nothing?” Maria repeated incredulously. “I bet!”

“Really,” Liz insisted. “I just need a distraction.” No way could she tell Maria about this one.

“School already getting to you?” Maria giggled at the prospect. Liz never tired of school. She’d go year-round at the chance. Liz just shook her head slightly flushed about the true reason. “I guess.”

“Uh huh, sure, Lizzie.” Maria shook her head. Something else had to be going on. Liz looked adamant about her answer, though. She decided not to push it at the moment. “A distraction, huh? Well, I heard there was a party going on tonight.” Maria added silently, ‘Spaceboy and I were gonna have some fun but I cheering up Liz, my best friend, is more important.’

“A party?” Liz perked up immediately. “Where’s it at?”

“Uh, Pam Troy’s.” Maria cringed at Liz’s response.

“You mean Pam ‘the Whore’ Troy? No way! She’s so desperate for a good lay that she invites everyone in this goddamn town from both the North and the South! And everyone drinks till there is no tomorrow!” Liz paused and realized that that was exactly what she needed. “On second thought, it’s a plan. I could use some loss of innocence fun.”

Maria’s jaw dropped. “Are you joking me? You’re not a drinker! I drink more than you do!” She pushed on the gas pedal reaching new speeds. “That’s so not you’re scene. Now, open my purse. Take the vial and sniff it. Maybe that’ll get you to think with the smart head I know you have!”

Liz did as she was told solely for Maria’s benefit. “You’re right. Fine, I won’t go.” She hoped she sounded believable. “What are you doing tonight?”

“That’s the smart girl I know and love! Um… my mom’s on one of her mother-daughter bonding kicks. She’s renting some chick flicks for us to watch together.” ‘I hope she believes me,’ Maria thought. ‘She’d kill me if I went to the party and with Michael none-the-less.

‘Good,’ Liz thought. ‘Then, she’ll never know I went to the party.’ Liz then spoke up, “Oh, sorry to hear that. I guess I’ll just stay home tonight and write in my journal or something.” She pretended to sigh in emphasis.

Maria parked in front of the Crashdown. “Sounds like a plan. We better get inside before Daddy Dearest lectures us on punctuality.” Liz got out of the car as Maria brushed her hair back relieved that the conversation was finally over. Who knows how much longer she could have lied to her best friend without her noticing.

~*

After the bell rang, Max practically ran out of class towards his locker. As he spun his combination, he glanced around. A few people gave him confused looks, mostly his teammates. The girls all gave him “seductive smiles” trying to get his attention. Max rolled his eyes in annoyance as he opened his locker.

He knew that he should just pick a girl to keep his mind off what he could not have. But, no, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Liz Parker somehow captivated his every thought and he had no idea why. He did not like her, he hated her to his very core. Ever since the third grade when he saw her for the first time near that stupid ravine where she was playing on the rocky soil with her kooky best friend, he felt only hatred toward her. He never had a true reason to dislike her other than she was from the North but he just did. Or so he thought.

Maybe, he continued to think carefully, maybe he manipulated his hatred toward her to stop feelings he did not want to have from developing. ‘No way, that’s crazy,’ Max thought dismissively. An eight year old, even as intelligent as himself, could never change his feelings on command.

Max took a few books from his locker. He just needed a good distraction. Michelle wasn’t enough of one. She was nice and all, but he was not attracted to her in any way. But who could make him forget about the girl he couldn’t possibly have?

“Err,” Max grumbled smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand. “I don’t like her!”

“Don’t like who?”

Max turned to find his best friend standing next to him. “Huh?” Had he actually say that he didn’t like her aloud? Damn, he was in trouble. “Uh, no one.”

Michael looked at Max with his eyebrows raised. “Yeah, just keep telling yourself that.”

Max opened his mouth to retort but nothing came out. How was he supposed to respond to that without revealing what he was really thinking about?

“Hey, Max.” A voice brought Max out of his thoughts.

“Pam,” he replied shortly though happy for the distraction. “What can I do for you?”

“Mm,” she squeezed Max’s upper right arm appreciating the hard muscles. Biceps, triceps, all those muscles looked AND felt so trim and yummy. “Here,” she said handing them both fliers. “My house. Tonight. I promise it’ll be a night full of memories.”

Max looked at the flier and cringed. A Troy party, always bad news. But, on the other hand, it was a good distraction. He needed something to distract him. “Maybe,” he replied finally.

Michael looked at him and shook his head in disgust. Max could not go to the party. A slut house was not his scene at all. Plus he and Maria were planning to go.

“I’ll see ya there, then.” With that, Pam left with a full grin. The party was going to turn out perfect as long as Max came.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Michael hissed ready to convince Max to not go.

“What? It’s a party, that’s all. And God knows I need a party.”

Michael narrowed his eyes. What was up with Max? “Maxwell, that party’s bad news. Listen to me for the first time in your life: Don’t go.”

Max sighed. Why did Michael not want him to go so badly? He was almost begging him not to go. “Fine,” Max said shaking his head. Anything to get Michael off his back. “I’ll stay home.” Yeah, right.

“Good.” Michael sighed silently in relief. “Look, I gotta go.”

Max smirked. “So who’s the girl?” he asked changing the subject.

Michael raised his hands in denial. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah, sure you don’t. Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll find out eventually anyway.”

“There’s no girl!” Michael yelled defensively.

“Whatever you say, man.”

Michael huffed in reply and walked to the parking lot. He could only hope that Max would actually listen and not go to the party. Maria would kill him if they were caught. Michael could only cringe at the thought.


~*

[katrina]

**Hey, all! Thanks for the feedback... I feel so loved!

icequeen - I like your predictions... wonder if any of them will come true.
snoopie13 - I'm so glad that you remember this story! Thanks for the feedback!
behrlyliz - Max and Liz? You have no idea!

Just a warning: this chapter includes underage drinking. I'm not promoting it in any way.

I'm sorry that I'm a tad late posting. I had no idea that The Aviator would be such a long movie. Anyway, enough rambling. Hope you enjoy! ~Katrina



Chapter Four


Liz parked her mother’s black Lexus near the curb about a block away from the rather large Troy home. She stepped out of the vehicle dressed in a simple outfit of low-rise jeans and a solid black tank top. Strands of her hair whipped against her face as she closed and locked the driver door. She sighed as she looked ahead hoping that going to this party was a good idea and not an impulsive one. What if she drank into oblivion? What if she did something stupid under the influence? But she couldn’t think of those things. She HAD to get Max off the brain and THIS was the way to do it even if it killed her.

Liz walked toward the house by sidewalk determined to enjoy the night sky. Stars could be seen overhead while a near full moon glowed brightly. Liz looked forward to see the house of the party already tremoring from the strong bass music. Cars were haphazardly parked across the front manicured lawn. Liz stepped onto the spacious front porch and opened the screen door to see colored lights streaming toward her. She paused to cross her fingers. This had to work.

Liz walked into the noisy, jam-packed home. Smells of sweat and sex were mixed with alcohol. Liz took it all in determined to have a great time. She squeezed her way from the foyer to the TV room. Speakers were screaming in her ears making her head pulse. She bobbed to the rhythm taking in all her feelings.

Liz felt a sharp tug on her top’s strap. Turning around, Liz saw that it was a guy from her English class. What was his name again?

“Hey,” she yelled loud enough for him to hear. The guy just nodded in reply. He was a pretty good-looking tall blonde. He seemed kinda like an airhead ready to show off to anyone glancing his way. Eh, he was good enough for her for now.

The guy smiled under her scrutiny. The babe was hot! “Wanna dance?” He finally asked putting on his most charming flirtatious smile.

“Sure.” He grabbed Liz’s hand immediately and headed for the center of the room. Liz threw her head back and let the music take over her body completely.

The guy started to pant and sweat as he gyrated against her. The room was crammed like sardines and moving space was scarce. Liz was practically laying on him. Her hands rubbed over his body in all directions trying to forget how smelly he was becoming.

God, she needed a drink for doing this. As the song ended, the guy with no name asked the question she’d been dying to hear. “Wanna drink?” She nodded gratefully as a new song started beating out. He put his finger up as if saying he’d be right back. Liz sighed when he left mixed with feelings of giddiness from dancing and disgust from whom she was dancing with. She crawled her way over to the wall to try to catch her breath. A couple of people were already there.

“… and he’s practically ignoring me now. I so don’t get him!” Liz wondered who they were talking about as she looked on. She studied the girl who was talking. She was one of those blonde ditzes, Michelle she thought her name was. Liz rolled her eyes. What did that girl expect? A guy who actually respected her? Liz rolled her eyes again.

“Here you go.” Liz turned surprised to see Mr. No-Name with a drink in his hand back so quickly. Liz sniffed what he handed her. Beer.

“Thanks.” She downed it in two seconds. The guy looked at her amazed by her drinking binge. Liz laughed silently at the boy’s ignorance. Liz smiled mocking sweetness before saying, “I’m just gonna get some more.” And she was gone.

~*

Max groaned as he watched the scene unfold before him. Sex and alcohol: not a pretty combination. He couldn’t believe he was actually going to participate in this. Why was he doing this again? Max scratched his head trying to rationalize going to this party. Oh, yeah: to forget about Liz Parker. He won’t stoop to liking her openly. He can’t like her at all. She was the forbidden fruit. He didn’t like breaking those rules. He was being ethical.

That’s it. His rationality was that he was being ethical. Max took that confidence and walked into the Troy home. Where to? Straight to the booze. How else could he forget about her? Max laid his eyes on some bottles of Schmirnoff Ice. He took a bottle, which was unopened, and chugged it down, readily forgetting about his problems. He vaguely heard cheering around him as he took a half-full bottle of tequila next. He took the cap off to chug it down as well, but the bottle was snatched away.

Max looked up surprised. Big mistake: a case of dizziness took over his body. He bobbled a little already feeling the effects of chugging his first drink. “What the hell,” was his delayed response.

“I don’t think you take your alcohol very well, Evans.” Liz smirked as she watched realization walk across Max’s face. She smiled wider as she tipped the bottle’s opening into her own mouth. This alcohol drinking was not a bad idea.

“I take my alcohol jus fine,” Max slurred slightly. “How much longer can you drink though’s the question.”

“Do I hear a challenge?” Liz brushed every doubt of this party from her mind. “I could so drink more than you any day. Just like I’m better at Biology than you.” She smirked while looking at him dead in the eye.

“Uh huh, sure. Bring it on,” Max replied breaking the eye contact quickly not allowing himself to think of “biology.” He raised a new alcohol bottle in the air as cheering broke out among the spectators.

~*

Michael sighed in content lying beside Maria. She was cuddling him and beginning to drift off to a happy dreamland. He was grateful to have this time with her, though it was far less than what he wanted. If only the town hadn’t split… If only he was adopted by people on the other side of town… If only…

Michael knew he had to stop the stupid charade that went in his head every time he thought of Maria, which was 24/7. He remembered the first time he even glanced in her direction during lunch. She was turning bright red from a major rant that had erupted while talking to her friends last May before school had adjourned for the summer. His first thought was that the girl had spunk. But as her voice grew louder, he found her very annoying. After the bell rang signaling the end of the lunch period, he caught up with her in the hallway and made a comment about telling the whole world her problems. He personally thought that he was being polite but apparently she thought otherwise. She started poking him toward the wall and yelling at him incoherently. He supposed that the eraser room door was open because they ended up in there. Her screaming was giving him a headache so he did the only thing he could think to do to shut her up – he kissed her. They had been together ever since.

Who cared that they were from different sides of a feuding town. He thought the split was stupid, it did shit. Why did they split again? Michael rolled from his back to his side pondering. He was getting thirsty from all this thinking. Maria snuggled closer to him.

“Where are you going?” she asked him still dreamy from their earlier escapades.

“Just going to get a drink, Pixie,” was his reply as he sat up. She sat up with him and smiled widely.

“Our play made me thirsty, too. You’re just too much sometimes.” She started to throw on her clothes ready to do something else. “Then, maybe we could dance or something. Everyone should be drunk by now so no one would notice.”

“Dance!” Michael’s face distorted into disgust. “Nu uh, I don’t dance.”

“You do and you will,” Maria pouted, “even if it’s just for me. Everyone’s probably unconscious by now so no one will see. Now let’s go.” Michael sighed. What was he getting into?

~*

“CHUG, CHUG, CHUG,” the crowd chanted as massive quantities of liquor were consumed at an unbelievable rate. Since the challenge, Max and Liz had each drunk an unhealthy portion of their preferred drink a shot at a time.

The tequila was starting to cloud Liz’s mind. People and objects began to fuzz. Screams became echoes. She heard pounding from inside her own head. Her conscious began to fight over what she should do. The angel on her left was pleading for her to stop. Since when was she the perfect angel? The little devil on the right fought back saying that he was no match for her. The encouragement that the red one gave kept her going.

Meanwhile, Max was going through the same problem. His reputation had to be protected at all costs. The problem was that all the liquor made him faint. He didn’t know where he was anymore or who was around him cheering. All that mattered, anyway, was to continue his binge and to remain standing. He was just drowning in the bitter drink. As he finished the bottle with another shot, he took in deep breaths hoping to dilute the poisons inside him. He was burning from the inside out.

Max looked toward Liz. She was finishing off her bottle of tequila. She looked flushed, ready to faint. Should he stop her? This girl had wormed her way into his heart somehow, and he wanted to save her. But saving her was a ludicrous idea! He uncapped the next bottle in his hand. Starting to tip it in his mouth, he saw someone who seemed very familiar. Two blurry objects stood in the kitchen entry in a perfect view to see the contest. Max dropped the bottle in surprise. Glass shattered unnoticed on the floor. Shit. The blob looked kind of like his shaggy blonde friend.

Liz looked toward Max as she stopped drinking. He seemed to be dropping to the ground. How odd. ‘Ha, I was a better drinker just like I said I was,’ she thought triumphantly. But what the hell was he looking at? Liz looked in the same direction trying to rub the blurriness out of her eyes. The grew wide at see a familiar blonde blob.

Liz ducked down hoping Maria hadn’t see her. A hand tugged her shoulder. Max was crouched beside her on the floor panting. “What you doin’?” she hissed at him. Why was he on the floor anyway?

He pointed to a guy next to Maria. “I gotta get out da kitchen or I’m gonna get good sock for coming to hiss party.” She squinted trying to figure out who the guy was, but he was just too blurry.

Liz turned and stared at Max. So, they actually had something in common. “Come -on.”

Max looked at her blankly. She had taken that with no insulting comebacks. What was she planning to do?

“NOW,” she pushed him toward another doorway impatiently. Why was she even bothering?

Together, they crawled unsteadily out of the kitchen and into a dark room. It seemed strangely quiet for a party to be going on. Max stood up and searched for a light trying to ignore the dizziness from both the alcohol and standing up. Liz also rose and closed the door. What will they do now?

The darkness was starting to get to her. She began searching for a switch along the walls. The cool wallpaper felt good under her boiling fingertips. She laid her cheek against the wall to cool off.

Max, giving up in his search for a light, finally broke the silence. “Guess there’s no light.” He looked toward the shadow that was Liz. “I’ve already looked there.” He smiled at her obvious attempts to cool down. He was also feeling hot on every part of his body. Maybe it was their cramped confines.

“Oh.” She turned around and laid the back of her head against the wall. Her head was beginning to pound from the alcohol and she couldn’t keep it up in a steady position.

Max cocked his head sideways as he studied her. Little light came through the door cracks. He could see she was still flushed by the warm house. He couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked leaning against that wall. Every part of her body looked luscious glowing in the little light, perfect. Max stepped forward a little unknowingly and just stared into her deep doe eyes.

Liz’s eyes began to mentally undress the guy standing before her. Her imagination ran wild from his sculpted muscles and his look-into-my-soul amber pools. She stepped forward mesmerized. The side effects of the alcohol were forgotten as she stepped away from the wall. All she wanted was to touch him… touch him everywhere.

Max closed the distance with a single step. No words were spoken as they looked into each other souls. Lips moved forward cautiously as if under a spell. First contact was a simple soft touch.

Liz pulled back slightly in amazement. All thoughts flew from her mind as she licked her lips tenderly. Max took the sign to keep going. Lips crashed against lips a second time in deep hunger. Tongues were running rampant, as all sanity was lost.


~*

[katrina]

Thanks for the feedback, Tabata! Here's the next part...
~Katrina



Chapter Five (Warning – Chapter contains ADULT)


The passion in the kiss picked up like there was no tomorrow. All thoughts were forgotten as hormones and the heart took center stage. All doubt was temporarily drained as hands began exploration. Max’s one hand tangled in her soft hair while the other crept toward the bottom of Liz’s shirt. He began to pull her shirt up revealing tender, soft skin. Her body was so addicting, he couldn’t stop his attack for anything.

Liz was also putting her hands on every inch of Max’s upper body not at all minding his inability to stop. Her hands were under his shirt where taunt abs made her heart stop. They too were slowly descending lower toward the button of his jeans.

The kissing was never ending. After swelling her ruby lips, Max made his way downward on her neck. She let her head fall back enjoying the sensations that was Max.

Minds were overflowing with alcohol and lust as Liz unbuttoned Max’s pants. Max responded by rubbing his ever-enlarging cock against her. Even though there were layers of denim and cloth between the two, Liz began to feel wet. She lifted her arms only breaking their fiery kiss once to let Max pull her tank top over her head leaving only a skimpy black bra to cover her perking breasts.

Minds were impaired as the process of undressing began to speed up by their intimate desires for one another. Liz slid down the wall pulling Max on top of her as she pulled his shirt off. He flung it to the side as Liz discarded the rest of her own clothing. Max did the same and both were in their naked glory.

They stared at one another for a few moments at the beauty in front of them. Max could only utter one sentence in his haze. “I think I’m in love with you.”

Liz had but a single reply. “I think I am, too.”

The haze covered them both then completely. There was no more thinking, only action. Max began his attack once again, this time on her breasts. Liz threaded her hands through his dark hair and let out a throaty moan. Impatience was getting to her as she brought her right hand downward. She dipped her fingers into her stickiness.

Max ceased his torturous actions to her breasts and watched Liz flick her clit in fascination. She moaned in response to her own actions. She saw that he stopped his attack and took her hand out to grab hold of his cock. She squeezed him and he groaned loudly. He couldn’t take much more as she led him into her mouth. She dragged her teeth on him and all he could do was release in her mouth. Liz sucked him dry in hunger. She released him in the end and licked her lips seductively. She wanted more.

Watching her, Max grew hard again. It was his turn to play. Max moved to position himself between her legs on the floor of the dark room. She could only moan loudly in response and buck her hips into him. He took the encouragement and let two of his fingers plunge into her. He thrust them in and out, harder and deeper progressively each time.

After several thrusts, Liz finally grabbed his hand and yanked him out from her. No words were spoken as she silently pleaded. This time, Max plunged in with his cock. Tears formed in Liz’s eyes but she thrusted her hips into him with unbelievable need. Thrusts were deeper and faster as their unfathomable moans mixed together. Sperm was released as Liz’s and Max’s orgasms took place within seconds of one another.

~*

As Maria and Michael neared the kitchen, Michael turned toward her. “What happened to the party?” he asked her.

Maria shook her head confused. Hardly anyone was dancing. It wasn’t like anyone was collapsed on the floor. Well, scratch that. A couple had but most people seemed to have simply disappeared.

“Maybe they’re all around the keg… How should I know, I just want a drink.”

By this time, Maria and Michael were at the kitchen entrance. She gave Michael’s butt cheek a quick squeeze and pushed him into the room. Around her, people were milling about doing nothing. How odd. There was no drinking or dancing, just a bunch of wasted teens standing around. Maria grabbed a beer for her self and Michael did the same.

As Michael took a drink, he felt a sudden hand on his back. He turned and saw Pam Troy. Maria also saw her and decided to give her the most evil glare she could muster. Jealousy raged inside her.

“Yeah, Pam?” Michael asked already irritated by her presence.

“Nice to see you, too,” Pam slurred sarcastically. She had been drinking all night. “So where’s Maxie?”

“Max,” Michael emphasized saying his best friend’s name. “Max didn’t come. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”

Hmm, no Max? But whom would she play with now? She looked at Michael with new hungry eyes. He was an acceptable second. She felt his biceps in appreciation as she had with Max earlier that day. Not bad at all.

As Michael cringed at Pam’s actions, Maria got pissed. Who does this girl think she is? “Hey, Pam,” Maria sneered getting into her face. “Show us the Pam we know and hate and take your business to the living room. Some guys in there really want a skanky lay.”

Pam took a drink from the bottle in her hand. Did Miss Perky Ass know who she was dealing with? Pam swallowed a large amount of alcohol before opening her mouth to reply. Instead of her voice, a moan was all that could be heard. Pam’s face contorted in disgust by the sound and she left the room.

Maria looked at Michael in sudden desire that the moan gave her. “I know my moans and that was definitely a sex moan.” She grabbed Michael’s arm. “It reminds me about how much I want you. You. Me. Bedroom. Pronto.”

He didn’t have to be ordered twice.

~*

While half the school was at Pam Troy’s party, Isabel Evans sat at home in front of her computer. Whenever she was bored, she went to the Roswell Aliens chat room. There, she normally met a guy by the screen name of guitardude418. She and the guy would talk about everything and nothing. She loved it.

For instance, right now they were talking about how they both hated parties where drinking was the main attraction.

Princess14: yah, ppl r soo gross when they’re drunk
Guitardude418: I don’t get the point. All they get is a hangover
Princess14: that is soo unattractive
Guitardude418: yah, no arguments there

Nothing personal was ever mentioned and she was never pushed by this guy to do so. He was so sweet and considerate. Isabel often wondered why guys weren’t like that in Roswell. Most were jerks that went to parties like Pam’s. That’s why she didn’t date much other than casually. She sighed wishing she could meet this guitardude418 just once. They seemed so perfect for one another.

Princess14: well, Ill talk 2 ya 2morrow or whenever.
Guitardude418: c-ya

C-ya, yeah right. She wished. Isabel signed off and checked the clock: 2 am. They had talked for like four hours. If only more guys were like that. Sigh…


~*

[katrina]

**Greetings to new and old readers. Thanks for all the tremendous feedback.

KParkerEvans - Oh, the fun is just beginning...
icequeen - Explanations... explaining things can get quite messy... you'll see soon enough.
roswellluver - Yes, the party was quite interesting. Hehe.
Emz80m - Thanks for reading. Yup, I posted this before a while back but never finished it. I'm reposting it now (daily, I might add ) because it's now complete on my hard drive. BTW, I absolutely adore your story When the Past Comes Crashing Home even though I lurk terribly on it. I'll try and post some feedback on it!
behrlyliz - If I'm not posting fast enough, I could always step it up a notch since I don't return to school for another week and meanwhile am not doing much else. Joking! Glad you like it.
tabata - Updating quickly helps when everything is already finished and ready to post ahead of time.
Smac - HI! ::waves:: Welcome back! I'm so glad that you remember this! Hope you enjoy!

Well, here's the new chapter...



Chapter Six


Sunlight poured through the window revealing a bright beautiful day. In fact, one might say that it was too bright. The day was not beautiful to those who had partied the entire night before. Instead, it was a nightmare.

Max Evans rubbed his eyes vigorously as he entered the conscious world. Pain was the first thought in his mind. He felt pain everywhere. Max’s head was pounding like drums at an outdoor concert. His heart was beating out of his chest. His throat felt like a scorching desert. He could barely open his eyes due to the intense burning he felt. And his limbs, his limbs felt dead. He could feel no movement when he tried to sit up. His body felt unbelievably heavy like there was extra weight on him. Max forced his eyes open just enough to see what was going on. Sprawled on top of him was a dark-haired beauty. How she came to be on top of him, he did not know.

His squinted eyes grew round when she started to squirm. He dropped his head back to his pillow trying to force himself to remember the night before. There was no possible way that this girl of all people was sleeping on top of him in HIS room. This was his room, right? It seemed to be his, though the light was preventing him to look at his surroundings very well. God, he wanted to die. There she was laying above him. And all this pain, it was torture. What the hell did he drink? Was Liz drinking too? No way would she be with him otherwise. How could he have allowed this to happen anyway? And to add to all this, he had a puke date with his toilet. But how could he get up? These problems just seemed to keep mounting. Plus, Liz was squirming again. It was making him feel his overflowing bladder all too well. Damn it, what was he going to do?

As Max tried to weigh his options, Liz woke up to a hangover. Her whole body seemed to be pulsing with a migraine, and the bed beneath her was too hard and uncomfortable to bury herself into. She wanted to hibernate until next summer. Wait, why was her bed so hard? Liz tried to open her eyes but they burned. She felt like she was slowly going blind. She made a mental note to never drink again because she never wanted to feel this sort of pain again. The pain was so not worth it. Instead of forcing her eyes open, Liz used her hand to feel around her, to feel her surroundings. Her hands moved up what was underneath her. It felt so muscled, so life-like. She brought her hands toward the head of the bed. Eyes, nose, face, hair, someone was in her bed with her. Oh my God, what did she do? Another burning feeling was leisurely becoming apparent. And it was nowhere near her eyes.

Liz’s eyes opened abruptly big and round forgetting about her sensitivity to light. This wasn’t her room. It was definitely a male’s. The room belonged to the person beneath her. Lying beneath her was, of all people, Max Evans.

They stared into each other’s eyes motionlessly. Each could look into the beautiful soul forever. Ever so slowly, their lips and bodies moved toward the other in imminent passion until…

~*

BEEP BEEP BEEP

A hand slapped at the black alarm clock on the bedside table. Remembering the intense dream, Max shot up in his bed. Blood rushed quickly making his surroundings swirl in front of his eyes.

Reading the clock, Max swore as he let his head fall into his hands. This was the most severe hangover he ever had. And the dreams that went with it — thoughts of making love to Liz Parker — were surreal. Nothing of the sort could ever happen at a chaotic Troy party. But why was he suddenly feeling loss? Just unexplainable loss?

Max slowly stood up dressed in only red boxers. The dizziness made him almost topple over. He had no clue about his surroundings except it was his own empty bedroom. Who did he think would be here anyway?

Pushing all exertion of mind away, Max set forth to call in sick for school... Uh, after a quick trip to his good friend Mr. Toilet. The room was empty except for some clothing laying forgotten near the closet. A simple black lace bra was strewn on the dark blue carpet.

~*

Liz shot up from bed with nausea slowly following. The world seemed upside down compliments of alcohol. Mental note: never drink alcohol ever again.

As Liz made her way to the bathroom, she tried to remember what woke her up in the first place. She knew that it was not her alarm clock. ‘Oh, God,’ she thought in realization as she puked her guts out. Kissing Max Evans had woken her up. Even though it was a dream, Liz could feel a swell upon her lips. What did she do last night?

A burning in her pelvis answered her question. But who would take advantage of her under the influence?

Flash***

“Deeper, baby! Come on, yeah, that’s it!” Liz clawed at his back as their thrusts became rhythmatic. Her legs widened to impossible limits as she brought Max into her. She felt so explosive inside, like nothing she ever thought she could feel.

A husky voice was barely audible. “Les continue this my place. Ill be softer.” Only a hint a slurring could be heard from her lover. Softer or not she would go anywhere willingly, though the floor was starting to make her back ache. She nodded eagerly to go to the end of space with him.

***End Flash

Liz could only collapse next to the toilet as her emotions melded within her. All that she could comprehend was that after a truckload of drinking, she fucked Max Evans.

~*

“Hey Iz, where’s Max?”

Isabel turned her back toward her open looker to look at a mussed Michael Guerin. All she could do in response was raise her eyebrows in question.

“And where have you been exactly? Were you trying to go for the just woke up look? You know it IS afternoon.”

Michael ignored her question as he repeated his own. “Where’s Maxwell?”

Isabel sighed letting him off this one time and answered the idiot’s question. “I heard him puking his guts out this morning. I assumed he was staying at home. I mean, after last night, I’m not at all surprised. He deserves his hangover. He’s not gonna get any sympathy from me.”

Michael looked blank. “Hangover? Where’d he get that?”

“At Pam’s party, Birdbrain. Where else would he have gotten it? Weren’t you there with him?” Michael’s face grew stoic. “What, Michael? Got a problem, then deal with it. And would you please brush that rat’s nest that you call hair for once? Unlike you I have to go to class.” Isabel gave him a dismissive look with a roll of her eyes as she closed her locker and walked away. She almost knocked a Northern over but didn’t miss a step.

As Isabel walked away, Michael stood in wonder. He summed up what he had discovered. Max went to Pam’s party after saying he wouldn’t and got wasted. Max lied to him, his best friend lied to him. Michael grew alarmed at the slow realization of a bigger problem he may have: that Max could have easily seen him there with Maria. Wasted or not, Max probably knew he was going out with a North girl.

“Shit,” was all Michael could mutter as he headed toward the South parking lot.

~*

Liz stood in front of the large Evan’s home. She was hardly ever in this neighborhood, though she believed it to be more beautiful than her own. There were so many colors and so many flowers compared to the more urban North. She wondered why Roswell was the way it was for the first time since middle school. That was when she first learned about how mean and rude the South was. She was slowly getting beyond her naivety and questioning why a schism was necessary. Why was it the way it was?

“Because it just is,” she berated herself. Why had she come here anyway? Was it just to clear things up from last night? If that was all, why was there fluttering action in her stomach? She couldn’t help but anticipate seeing Max. She couldn’t help being turned on by the very thought of him. He was probably just as sick as she was feeling. The nausea wasn’t as bad now but she could still feel bile rising in her throat. And dark sunglasses did not help her eyes in the least. But she had to do this. She had to make sure last night was a mistake. The back of her mind couldn’t help but think that just maybe she and Max were actually meant to be.

Damn her mind. A relationship was impossible. She could only hope in the depths of her soul, though, that just maybe everything would turn out all right. One could hope, right?


~*

[katrina]

**You guys are so incredible! Thanks to everyone for reading and especially to those of you who left feedback!

martine - I'm such a lurker myself so it means a lot that you left feedback to my story! Your question about Liz will be answered in this part.
tabata - Now, since when does Michael's character NOT misunderstand?? And Max reacts in this part...
Emz80m - This story is definitely going to be a roller coaster ride with some surprises in store.
Jason's Lover - Why, hello! Welcome!
Lizza - Welcome! Two people versus an entire town... well, if anyone can do it, M/L can! LOL!
icequeen - Liz a virgin? Now, that's the question of the hour, and the answer is in this part. Now, why is everyone questioning Liz's virginity and not Max's?? I think you're reading my mind with all your questions and if this chapter doesn't answer them, the next few definitely will!

Thanks again, you guys! I feel loved.... keep it up!
~Katrina



Chapter Seven

‘Why am I doing this?’ Liz asked herself for the thousandth time. She didn’t even know who was home, if Max was home. What if someone else answered the door? She’d die of embarrassment. What would she say then? Hi, I fucked your son yesterday. Is he home? No, no way! She highly doubted anyone else would be home though. Parents normally worked and kids were in school at this time of day. Was Max even home? That cheered her up a bit; she wouldn’t have to do this after all. But if she remembered correctly, he had a lot to drink, too, probably more than she had. So he had to be home.

Here she was in front of the door suddenly still arguing with herself. If they did talk, she was afraid of what would happen. Would they break the moral code of this town? Hell, she already did that so this was nothing new. But permanently and intentionally? On the other hand, if she didn’t talk to Max, things would probably become tense and her friends would become suspicious. She could under no circumstances let that happen. It was a lose-lose situation.

She sighed deeply in frustration and brought her fingertip to the doorbell.

~*

DING DONG

Max raised his head from its resting place on the toilet bowl. Who in their right mind would come to a house that was reeking of puke? He didn’t even want to be there!

Max used the little energy he had to stand up. He pulled on a pair of sweats that laid in a heap by the door before dragging himself toward the front door.

‘Who could it be?’ he wondered to himself as he reacted the foyer. The only person who would possibly come over during school hours was Michael who would probably ditch class to come over. Yeah, that had to be who it was. Max braced himself for the company outside his home before opening the door. Who he saw made his jaw fall in surprise. It was the least likely person on the planet to be at his front door.

Liz Parker.

“Hi,” she greeted quietly. Max continued to stare at the person before him. Recollections of what he dreamt last night flashed through his mind. In addition to the sex in his bedroom, he saw an image of a dark closet. Liz’s flush face appeared jumped out in his mind.

“Hel-lo?” Liz was waving her hand in his face. He shook himself to reality as she stated, “We gotta talk.”

All he could think was ‘was last night a dream after all?’ Regaining composure he asked, “About what? What do we possibly have to say to each other? By the was, is your perfect attendance record ruined now or something since you’re standing in front of my house while you’re supposed to be at school? Did Perfect Parker ditch just to talk to moi?”

“Yeah, ya caught me,” Liz replied sarcastically. “You really shouldn’t think so highly of yourself. So you remember nothing about last night?” Liz sighed deeply at Max’s prior bantering. Did she come here for nothing? The risk of showdown and he knows nothing?

“L-a-s-t night,” Max repeated slowly while his mind was anything but. Thoughts ran through his head about last night’s “dream.” It was all real? How? When? Sleeping with Liz Parker… laying in his bed with Liz Parker… saying ‘I love you’ to Liz Parker… WAIT! What did he say to her? No way, not even his drunk-ass self would say anything so intimate. Would he? Could he?

Liz saw the glaze in Max’s eyes as he remembered last night. ‘Just what did he remember exactly,’ she wondered. “Ya know this kind of conversation really shouldn’t transpire standing in your doorway.” There was no response from Max. ‘God do I have to do everything?’ she thought as she shoved him inside the house. She walked in after him and closed the door tightly behind her.

Looking around all she could say was, “Nice place.”

Max started to rub his shoulder where she had shoved him. God, it held some punch. “So what are we talking about in my house exactly?”

Liz closed her eyes and slowly counted to ten. One, two… This guy who was in her AP BIO class had a brain the size of a pea. How could he be in advanced classes yet act like such a nitwit? Some people… Argh… nine, ten. She reopened her eyes and saw Max staring at her. No way, he wouldn’t stare at her after all that went down last night. Her imagination sometimes just ruled her life. Max had no feelings for her whatsoever.

“Liz? I think I space out enough for two.” He looked at the grandfather clock in the hall. It was three o’clock. “Come on. Isabel’s is going to be home soon. Let’s continue,” he gestured toward the staircase, “in my room since you seem to really want to say something. And because you seem to love it there so much.”

“Yeah, well, you would want to talk too if you lost your virginity to some guy while you were drunk. And it was a guy I was so not supposed to be near,” was all she could say as she took a step toward the stairs. “I’ll go up as long as you’re not planning to jump me. Again.”

“Again? I think it was the other way around. I have no plans to jump so no worries. Scout’s honor.” Max smirked as he stuck two fingers into the air.

Liz let out a small stifled giggle despite herself. “I hope you really were a boy scout or that really means shit.”

Liz and Max walked up the carpeted stairway. Max led her into his unkempt bedroom. Walking in, Max asked nonchalantly, “So you were a virgin?”

“Stupid dog is butting his ugly head,” shot out of her mouth before she could clap her hand on it. Her eyes widened at her rude childish outburst.

“Ouch,” he replied good-naturedly, “you just love hurting my ego don’t you? Why don’t I demolish it by telling you that for your information I never fucked anyone before either?” Max shut his mouth abruptly like Liz had at his revelation. Why in God’s name did he tell her that? He sat atop his bed shocked by how things conversation was turning.

Liz was so surprised that she couldn’t even form words. “What? No… Nu uh… No way… You? Mr. Conquestor a virgin?” She finally threw out.

“Well,” Max smiled with humor in his eyes, “not anymore.” The look on her face was worth telling her after all.

“God, it never stops with you does it?”

Nope.” He smiled brightly as Liz shuddered in amusement.

“Well? Are we going to talk about this or not?” Max asked as he shifted under her scrutiny. Was he on trial or something?

“That’s why I’m here,” Liz replied growing restless. Worries swam around her mind about what would happen next. Her brain and body were overflowing. “Mind if I sit?”

“Go ahead,” Max replied suddenly uncomfortable by both the situation and by sitting beside her. “So we slept together, huh?”

Liz sat next to him on the bed and smiled ruefully. “Yeah, I guess we did. Why did this have to happen while we were both so wasted?”

“You think it would have happened otherwise?” Max couldn’t help but ask.

“Max,” Liz laughed lightly, “I don’t think enemies would sleep together when they are actually thinking clearly. We wouldn’t have slept with each other.” Liz closed her eyes at her statement. She and Max were enemies. She had fallen for the enemy. How had that happened?

Max was thinking the same thing as he softly inquired, “So, you consider us enemies?”

“How can we not be? I’m from North Roswell and you’re a Southie. It’s the enemy criteria of Roswell.” Liz cringed at her reply. Love sucked. Wait. Love?

“I suppose,” Max responded slowly. But what if they weren’t a Northern and a Southern. Would they possibly still be enemies? Or would they be in a relationship of some kind? Max shook his head slightly. The “what if’s” didn’t matter. Let’s face it. They weren’t ever meant to be. He shouldn’t feel any admiration or and adoration toward her. But why was he slowly filling with loneliness at the thought of never being able to have her?

‘How can life be cruel?’ Liz asked herself. Enemies were not supposed to be attracted toward one another. It just made a tragedy. It was so Romeo and Juliet. It was Cyrano De Bergerac and Roxane, well, not really; her and Max were not cousins!

While Max continued running through his deep thoughts, Liz looked around the bedroom. ‘It was so tidy for a guys,’ she noted. It’s a girl’s dream. Well, except for that black scrap lying near the closet. It just seemed out of place. Liz looked back at Max. She couldn’t help but ask him, “What now?”

Max was startled by the female voice. It was a good question: How could they move forward from this? “I have no clue,” he answered truthfully. “What are our options?”

Liz glanced sadly at Max. “No good ones, I’m afraid. I don’t know what to do either.”

Max saw the gloom in Liz’s eyes. She looked so soulful at the moment, so breathtaking. She seemed so desolate about their situation. He wished he could make everything better for her. He wondered how she felt over what had happened last night.

He, himself, didn’t feel it was a mistake for some reason. He began to argue with himself over if sleeping or even having feelings for Liz was wrong. He couldn’t help what he felt in his heart, though. He should have never acted upon it, even while drunk. Max licked his lips unconsciously remembering the soft texture of Liz’s lips. These thoughts did not help him in any way. He felt more attraction towards her. What was he doing to himself?

All Liz could think was ‘is he attracted to me?’ Did Max regret last night? Was he really attracted to her or was that the liquor affecting him last night?

Max stared at Liz and Liz stared at Max. No words were spoken for a long time. Max broke the silence, finally, by whispering softly, “I’ll never forget last night.”

Liz’s face closed in on Max’s. “I never will either. It was too memorable to ever forget.” Max’s lips joined Liz’s for a small moment. Sparks flew in the midst of their desirability. Joy was felt for a moment for the acceptance of last night. But didn’t change their situation at all.

Liz broke the kiss and adverted her eyes from Max. “We can’t do this. It’s wrong.”

Max rubbed his face with his hand in regret. “I know. But, I’m just so confused about all this.” He gestured at both of them.

“That makes two of us,” Liz smiled sadly.

“Are you attracted to me?” Max asked the question cautiously out of the blue.

Liz nodded slowly finally ready to face the truth. “Are you to me?”

Max smiled at her confession. She actually liked him. “I wouldn’t have kissed you otherwise. But you’re right, this won’t work. We’re supposed to hate each other’s guts.”

“I can’t hate you, Max. I’ve tried, you’ve tried, remember? And look where we are now because of it.”

Max sighed at the situation. “Everything’s just a horrible mess.”

All Liz wanted to do was take the sadness and the guilt from Max’s eyes and soul. All she could do was come in again and kiss him with a strong passion.

Thoughts temporarily leaving, Liz was successful as Max returned the kiss by attacking her. He ran his tongue against her lips and she opened immediately. They both moaned in ecstasy as tongues danced with fiery emotion. No breath was wasted while each put their all into the kiss.

Who knows how far the kiss would have gone if they hadn’t heard Michael’s voice from the foyer calling out, “Maxwell, where are you? We gotta talk about last night.”


~*

[katrina]

Hey, again! Thank you for all the encouraging feedback!

Smac - I agree, Liz was very brave... like always!
Tabata - Well, Saturday there will be a lot here to read! LOL
Emz80m - LOL!
Jason's Lover - A lesson I have learned as well... hehe.
icequeen - Ah, yes, Michael. He's quite the wild card at the moment.
behrlyliz - Michael really does have bad timing. I think he gets it from Maria.

Here's the next part! Enjoy! ~ Katrina



Chapter Eight


Max pulled back from the kiss abruptly at the sound of Michael’s voice. “Damn,” he said under his breath. Did Michael really have to come now? His thoughts rampaged into different directions as they led to questions. Why can’t he and Liz explore their feelings for one another? Why were they just kissing? How could he hide it? And what was Michael doing here? What had Michael meant by ‘last night’?

Max grew alarmed by his last question. Did Michael see Liz and him last night? Did Michael know what happened? “Shit,” Was all that could be said at his realization.

Liz looked at Max wide-eyed as she watched emotions flicker across his face. How were they going to get out of this? Could she hide or possibly climb out of a window? And what did Michael Guerin mean by last night? “I really should get out of here,” Liz spoke up softly before being too sucked into her thoughts.

Max looked at the beautifully flushed woman in front of him. “I guess,” he sighed in agreement. “But I think we have to talk more later.”

“I suppose,” Liz replied as she stood up from the bed. “But you’ll have to tell me what Michael knows about last night. Can’t have that rumor mill going full speed.” She smiled slightly.

An awkward moment grew between them as breathing slowed. They gazed at one another. Sounds were no more and silence became golden.

Unfortunately, eyes averted quickly at a creak from the stairway. It was too late to leave now. Liz looked around anxiously searching for a place to hide. Max saw this and ushered her into the bathroom that adjoined his room. He took one last look at her stunning but worried face as he closed the sliding door tightly.

God, he hoped Michael wouldn’t have to take a piss.

~*

Was it ghostly quiet in this house or was it just him?

Michael studied the entryways as he stood in the foyer. Max had to be home. Isabel said he had a horrible hangover so where else would he be. But shouldn’t he be hearing an ongoing puking session?

Michael eyed the staircase. A guy with a killer headache could only be in one of two places: a.) Burrowed in his bed wishing for death to end his painful existence; or b.) Puking his guts out in the bathroom closest to his bed where he could wait for death.

Michael ran his fingers through his shaggy mane before making his way to the stairs so he could find out what Max knew. Max couldn’t know about him and Maria, could he? They tried to be so careful, well, at least until they went to get some beer together at the party, and when they were together in one of the Troy’s bedrooms. But even then, they were sorta watching out for themselves.

If Max knew, how was he going to act toward him? God knows he wouldn’t be welcome to it. Max was against everything and anything that had to do with North Roswell. He was beyond hostile when it came to it.

Michael reached the top of the stairs and turned toward Max’s bedroom door. It was the first place he should look after all.

The door was closed when he reached it and shuffling could be heard from the other side. He frowned slightly while he knocked on the door. Shouldn’t Max have expected him and at least opened to door so he wouldn’t have had to now? Did he call out to him loudly enough from the foyer?

Michael heard Max’s response and opened the door.

“Hey,” Michael said to the guy sitting atop a rumpled bed.

“What’s up,” Max replied looking anywhere but at him. Michael looked at Max carefully. He was avoiding him. He had to know about Maria. “Isabel said you were at home treating a massive hangover.”

‘Shit,’ Max thought. Michael knew about Liz. “Uh, yeah,” he said. “But it’s not too bad.”

“That’s good.” It was time to go in for the punch. It was better to not delay this kind of thing he reasoned to himself. “So, uh, you went to the slut’s party, huh?”

‘Did Isabel tell him, or was Michael actually there,’ Max wondered. “Yeah, I did. I know I said I wasn’t gonna but it was kinda a stress reliever?” How did Michael find that out? “So were you there, too, or did Izzy tell you that I went?”

Michael couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Max didn’t know that he was there as well. Wow, that meant two of them.

Max found himself staring at his silent friend. Did Michael know about Liz? Did he see them together at the party?

Michael finally spoke up after smiling to himself about this new non-development. “Oh, Iz told me. I didn’t know you went. You shoulda called me and said you were going. I woulda gotten wasted with you. It kicks ass drinking with all those weirdoes at the party.”

“Sorry, man. I’ll have to remember that for next time.”

Michael sat on the bed and punched his friend lightly. “You better.”

“Note taken.” Max laid back against the headboard as a comfortable silence came over the two.

Michael looked around the room no longer stressed by the possibility that Max knew everything. He was still a free man. All was good.

Michael stared at the floor still thanking all above for the good luck he seemed to have been given. He stopped blinking when he eyed a black scrap on the floor near the closet. It looked awfully familiar, like something Maria wore all the time. Michael’s eyes bulged out at the thought. He leapt from the bed and reached for the cloth. He smoothed the material out with his hands.

Max looked at Michael confused by his behavior. He didn’t know Michael could move so quickly. “Hey, Mike, what’s with tackling my floor?” Max smirked at the uncharacteristic act.

Michael looked up at Max. His feelings were mixed as he asked, “Maxwell, what’s a black bra asking for a fuck doing in your room?”

~*

Liz became alarmed as she heard Michael’s question through the bathroom door. She grew hot at the thought of leaving her bra in Max’s bedroom last night. Though, she couldn’t help but anticipate what Max’s response would be. She pressed her ear to the door as she sat on a small bathroom stool waiting for Max’s answer.

~*

Max grew flushed at the evidence of last night. “I, uh, who knows?” Max was at a loss for words, which happened rarely. “Maybe it’s Isabel’s.”

Michael looked at Max in disbelief. Max was actually blushing. No way could this be Isabel’s. “Yeah, sure. Just keep telling yourself that.” Michael tossed the lingerie into the air playing catch with it. “So, who’s the chick you’ve been sleeping with?”

Max looked down trying to think of a believable answer. He could come up with none. Max opened his mouth to deny Michael’s allegation when they both heard a loud crash from Max’s adjoining bathroom.

[katrina]

Hey! Thanks a lot you guys!

icequeen - Nope, if everything were to go smoothly, I would not have much to write about, would I?
KParkerEvans - Maybe they'll find out sometime... maybe.
Smac - They'll all find out about everything sooner or later...
Emz80m - You're exactly right... Michael will take the news just fine because he's with Maria.
VeronicB - Welcome! Thanks for the feedback!



Here's the next chapter, guys! Thanks again for your awesome feedback! ~Katrina




Chapter Nine


Michael looked at Max.

Max looked at Michael.

Michael smirked. ‘Busted,’ he thought with glee practically running toward the bathroom door. There had to be a hot chick in the bathroom. He laughed as he silently enjoyed Max’s discomfort. Michael pulled open the sliding door with a huge smile of satisfaction on his face from calling his bluff. The expression quickly changed to one of massive confusion.

Liz Parker was on her butt with her legs sprawled on a small stool on Max’s bathroom floor. Michael clutched the bra in his hand tightly. His mind could register nothing but shock. It simply repeated the same mantra many times. A North girl… Liz Parker… Bathroom floor… Max… Black bra…

A throat cleared behind him stopping the record that went round and round in Michael’s brain. He looked alternately at Max and Liz. Both were turning red from the roots of their hair. Michael couldn’t help but crack a small smirk again now that he could plainly see what was going on.

“Man, oh man,” he couldn’t help but say aloud. His own best friend. He actually thought that Max would turn hostile when (or if) he found out about his and Maria’s relationship. He was in that sort of relationship himself!

“Michael,” Max called to him in a warning tone as he brushed passed him and gave him a pointed look. Max had regained composure somewhat and had entered the bathroom to help Liz up.

“What?” Michael asked innocently. “You’re just a guy who’s having a secret rendezvous with a North chick, the enemy, and maybe getting into her pants a little. No biggie. This kind of thing is done like all the time,” he mocked in amusement rather than the anger Max thought he would actually hear from his best friend. Why was Michael so relaxed about this?

Michael took a step back into the bedroom so Max and Liz could have more space. They were acting so differently from the cool attitudes they both normally had. They were so alike but so different. Weird.

Speaking of weird, he still held that lacy bra in his hand. It was Liz’s bra, Maria’s best friend’s bra. He dropped it quickly. ‘Neither Max or Liz noticed,’ he thought gratefully.

“Let’s just… um… let’s, uh… why don’t we just talk through this,” Liz could barely stutter out as she and Max stood in front of Michael. She was mortified and terrified all at one time. What if he told his friends? What if Michael told anyone?

While Liz tried to form complete sentences, Michael figured out what she was trying to say. He could read Liz like a book. As he flopped onto the bed he chuckled, “Chill, your secret’s safe. Well, at least until someone else sees the two of you within twenty feet of each other.”

Max rubbed his eyes with his palms. “Thanks, Michael. I really appreciate it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Michael replied gruffly. He smirked again wanting to juice this as much as he could. “So how’d you guys hook up?”

Max looked at Liz. She sighed then nodded slightly. They might as well tell him everything since he knew all the major stuff. “At Pam’s party.”

Michael’s eyes grew round. “You were both there?”

The both answered by nodding slowly. Michael grew alarmed by this new discovery. Liz might have seen him and Maria. Maybe he wasn’t out of the woods yet. “Were you guys by the keg much?”

Max gave him a strange look. “Why do you keep making such a big deal out of that party?”

Liz’s face dawned with realization. “How’d you know there was a keg and not only liquor bottles, huh?” She looked at Michael intently waiting for an answer.

Michael paused. Damn, she was good. He opened his mouth to reply but Liz ploughed on. “And how come you’re not very upset by Max’s and my drunken fling at the party? Is there something we don’t know?”

Never mind her being good. That girl was a genius. Michael put up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I was there, happy?” He shot twin dagger eyes at Liz for good measure. “And why am I suddenly on the stand being accused? You guys are the ones on trial at the moment.”

While Michael replied, Max couldn’t help but think, ‘Liz looks amazing when she plays detective. You can just see her beautiful mind hard at work.’

Liz felt smug at her accomplished sleuthing. Now she had to find out why Michael never said anything about being at the party before.

Unfortunately, a cell phone rang, pausing the investigation. Michael opened his cell. “Hello?”

“Hey,” was the reply. “Where are you?” Michael glanced at Max and Liz not wanting to answer. Didn’t they have anything better to do? Did they really have to stare at him and listen to his end of the phone conversation?

“Hey, I’m trying to have a conversation here,” he barked at them. He stood from the bed and walked into the bathroom without another word. He slid the door closed to keep prying eyes and ears away.

~*

After Michael left the room, Max and Liz exchanged looks. Who on Earth could he be talking to?

~*

Safely in the bathroom, Michael finally spoke into his cell. “Hey, babe. What’s up? Miss you.” He rubbed his face with his hand as he began to recover from his discovery and near slip up.

“Finally, the man speaks. Like I can understand your silence. I call, I expect an immediate greeting, ya know. I was thinking my phone died or something.”

Michael’s lips curled slightly at her tirade. “Well, I’m free to talk now so what’d you want?”

“I’m so not up for your pig-headedness.” He could hear her sigh loudly.

What did he say wrong now? “Sorry if I thought you just wanted to get to the point.” Geez, women; he’d never be able to understand them.

“Just stop acting like a Spaceboy and get your ass to my house. I rather talk to you persona a persona about this.”

Michael grew concerned by her serious tone. “Ria? What’s wrong?”

“Just get here!” Then, her heard the click from her phone hanging up. He ended the call and stared at his phone’s screen. He didn’t know what to think. Was something wrong? She sounded so serious and un-Maria-like. Or was it something else? He’d better go, he resolved looking toward the door, and make sure everything as all right.

He opened the bathroom door and barely glanced at the two now on Max’s bed. He only got out an “I gotta go” before leaving the room.

Max and Liz first looked at his retreating form and then at one another. Max shrugged having no clue about Michael’s sudden mood change and disappearing act. Deciding to brush off Michael’s rash exit like it was no big deal, he asked the question that had been nagging him since before Michael’s sudden phone call. “So what’s this talk about a ‘drunken fling’?”

Liz could only gulp trying to figure out how to reply to Max’s solemn tone. Why had she said that anyway?

~*

Michael jumped over the fence into the Deluca backyard. He drove across town in record time on his bike wishing he knew what was going on with Maria. Well, he was about to find out.

He knocked on one of the back windows softly hoping nobody caught sight of him. Any neighbor, never mind Amy Deluca-Valenti, would instantly know what was going on. He was terrified that someone would spot him. Trying to keep his nerves under control, he knocked again, this time more loudly.

Almost immediately, Maria faced him behind the window of glass. She pulled both the glass and the screen that kept the insects outside all the way up to maximize the opening.

“Took ya long enough,” Maria grumbled. “Were you going like ten all the way here?”

Michael rolled his eyes as Maria allowed him inside. “Try ten times that.”

Maria didn’t respond after his retort. She looked into the eyes of the young man in front of her. She could see a mixture of attraction and concern directed her way in his eyes. She could still hardly believe that this guy actually cared for her. He was hers. Their relationship was the most memorable experience of her life. This was why what she was about to do would break her heart. She wiped her eyes quickly removing newly formed tears hoping Michael hadn’t noticed.

But he had. “Maria, what in God’s name is wrong? Why did I have to get out here so quickly?” He took her hand into his to try to comfort her.

A lump formed in her throat. She could speak no words. Instead, she brought Michael against her bosom. She laid her cheek on his shoulder and closed her eyes. How would she ever go through with this? She tried to rationalize her reasons in her head again.

1) They were going too fast. Geez, she lost her innocence after being with this guy for less than two months. Was she nuts? Or was she just a slut? They raced through a physical relationship but hardly dented the psychological one. That was a major problem in their relationship.

2) They weren’t supposed to be together. She came from North Roswell and he was a resident of the South. Their relationship could never be public because of a stupid town feud, a feud that could no doubt last an eternity. Even after leaving Roswell, the North-South division would crush them.

3) This secret was making her a bad friend. Liz could never know about Maria’s dating life. She would never accept her choices. Liz Parker held a deep hatred toward the South. This relationship would cause a deep rift in their friendship. She had even lied to her friend the day before just so she could go out with Michael. Wrong, wrong, wrong!

And

4) Maria was scared. Hell, she was terrified about where this relationship was going. Were her feelings for real? Was this for the long haul? Or was their relationship purely physical so they could meet their sexual desires. What were Michael’s intentions?

Maria wanted to step back and be able to breathe again. She wanted to examine her and Michael’s relationship from a safe distance. She wanted to be sure that her choices were good and not devilishly impulsive. She knew this was sudden but it was the right thing to do.

To add to her already full pot of emotion and stress, she was concerned about how Michael would react to what she was about to say.

Well, there was only one way to find out…


~*

[katrina]

Hey, guys! I'm back with a new part. Thanks for all your marvelous feedback. I enjoy reading your comments to no end, and I love to savor the feeling I get while reading what you guys have to say.

icequeen - Well, Maria gave her reasons for wanting to take a break from Michael. She's just scared of what she feels when she's with him... the "forbidden fruit." She feels alone because she can't talk to her best friend about her life anymore and is not handling it too well. Maria believes that by taking a break she will be able to breathe again and think about what she's doing as well as consider all the sacrifices she's making by being with him. Now, if she only knew that she could indeed talk to Liz, she just might be happy again and be able to be with Michael... if only. I hope I cleared up the 'why is she doing this' well enough.
lizard_queen - Wow, that's not a comment that you read everyday... that other people are promoting your work. Thanks for reading! I think I should thank icequeen because this is just the best type of feedback that I can read. Welcome to my story!
Emz80m - Maria pregnant?? Nope, she is not. I think when I was in the midst of writing this story, I once considered making someone pregnant... I mean, what a way for the whole town to find out that these kids are dating one another! But then I decided that I didn't want to make this into a teenage pregnancy story, which are stories all on their own without the whole town feud thing. Good question though.
tabata - Thanks for the compliment!
behrlyliz - Well, we can all hope that everything will turn out all right?
True Destiny - Hey, thanks! And welcome!

Wow, I got pretty long-winded. Sorry about that. You guys just had awesome comments and questions that I just HAD to answer... well, at least I answered what I could without giving the story away at all. Hope you enjoy the next chapter! ~Katrina



Chapter Ten


Max looked at Liz expectantly with his eyebrows quirked upward. It’s not like he really cared why she had said it because he felt that he knew the reason behind it. It was a “drunken fling.” They were drunk when it had happened. It would not have happened otherwise. They “flung” themselves into a relationship without a levelheaded thought at the time. That’s understanding, right? What could he say, he was an understanding guy. Nevertheless, that didn’t mean that he had to let this opportunity to make Liz uncomfortable get away. It was kinda fun watching her squirm. He continued to wait for her answer though he couldn’t help but reveal a small smirk while he watched her mind churn.

Liz didn’t know how to respond to Max’s question nor did she see him smile. She racked her brain for answers but found none. Why had she said that? It only got her into trouble. Did she even have to respond to his question? But she did anyway in a determined fashion. After all, she couldn’t let him win.

“What?” she asked standing from the bed and looking anywhere but at him. “I don’t know, it just came out. We were drunk at the time and sex at a party is sudden, so viola, ‘drunken fling.’”

Max shook his head as his smile grew wider. He also stood from the bed and grabbed her around the waist. “Relax, I was just joking around.” She turned to look at him and his face moved closer to hers. “So are we gonna try this relationship thing or what?” His lips lightly brushed her then moved downward onto her jaw and the hollow of her neck. Sparks flew around them. She tasted so sweet, like strawberries. He never wanted to taste anything else ever again.

“Mm,” Liz could only reply as her neck bent back allowing Max more access to her rosy flesh. She was in heaven. She wrapped her arms around his neck bringing him even closer. Finding her voice she whispered in the general direction of his ear, “I’m game if you are.”

He ripped his lips from her body and said, “Always.” He kissed her again, fully and deeply this time before speaking.

“You better go before my sister gets home. Don’t want to hide you in the bathroom again.” His voice sounded full of regret at her leaving but his eyes twinkled with remembrance of earlier.

Liz swatted at him in response. “Can we somehow erase that from your memory? I don’t think we will ever kiss again if the thought of me on the floor comes up again and you laugh because you seem to think it’s so funny.”

Max kissed her cheek. “I guess I can try. Maybe a mindwarp could make me forget it. Let’s find someone who can mindwarp me later, okay? Now go before we’re both in trouble.”

Liz gave a mock salute and left. Thinking of the afternoon’s events she realized that she was in way too deep. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Max watched Liz leave as melancholy seemed to fill her absence. ‘What were they doing?’ he questioned to himself. They were in so deep. He couldn’t help but smile at that anyway. This was the way life should be.

~*

Maria took a deep breath as she backed away from Michael. There was no turning back now. She had to do this. She took in a deep breath of air and spoke in a voice that was slightly hoarse from crying.

“Michael,” she took his hand carefully into hers and looked down at their entwinement. “I think I need a break.”

Wait, did Michael hear right? His jaw dropped as he stared at her in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“Michael,” she looked up with tears filling her eyes. “I need to figure me out. I need to figure us out.” Her hand tightened around his. “I’m so confused right now.” She released his hand as tears began to flow down her cheeks freely when the hysteria began to set in. “I need time to think.”

Michael didn’t bother to reach for her. She was breaking up with him. She was shattering his heart. Unbelievable. “You’re dumping me? Am I not good enough for you or something? Or is this because of all the North/South shit?”

Maria stood there unable to reply to the shocking words coming form his mouth. He actually thought that?

“Fuck!” The heels of his hands dug into his eyes stopping the tears from flowing. He just wanted to dig all the tears out. He wanted to understand. He wanted to hurt her just like she was hurting him. He wanted to be furious at her not wallowing. This was unbelievable.

“Damn it, and just when we actually had people on our side, you want to end it. Fuck.” Michael removed his hands from his face. He couldn’t let her go. He HAD to make her understand. They weren’t alone anymore. Making an impulsive decision, he grabbed for her. “Maria, both our best friends understand what we’re going through.

“We can’t give up. You can’t give up,” he pleaded with her. “Max and Liz can help us through this. We can all help each other. We can end that stupid feud as long as all four of us stick together. Then, we can be together for all to see.”

Fresh tears poured down Maria’s cheeks. What was he trying to say? Why was he suddenly talking about Max and Liz? How could they know? Did Michael tell their most precious secret without her knowledge?

“How could you?” Mari yanked herself out of his grasp as anger temporarily replaced misery. “You broke my trust, buddy. How could you tell them about us?”

Michael blinked. She sure turned the tables quickly. “What do you mean, ‘tell them’? I mean just cuz I find out that they fucked each other doesn’t mean I told them that we did it too. God Maria!” Michael looked at Maria. Thank the Lord she stopped crying. But a lack of tears is not always a good thing.

“What the hell’s going through your head?” Her eyes blazed as she yelled at him. “Who would honestly believe that Max and Liz, my best friend and yours, are in a relationship together. Never mind, they’re having sex with one another. Michael, everyone knows that Max and Liz hate one another. They’re like dark and light. It’s an everyday thing. It’s what makes the world go round. You cannot expect me to believe that they’re together. I’m not changing my mind on us no matter what your planning to conjure up. Get it through you thick skull, got it buddy?” She jammed her index finger into his chest pushing him toward the window.

“You’re soo lucky my mother’s not home,” she went on. “I would so have let her have her way with you. Count your blessings and leave.” Her green eyes turned soft at her own plea. “Please, Michael. Just go.”

Michael shook his head still pissed. How could she do this to him? “This isn’t over.” He climbed out the window and left on his bike with a single roar of the motor and a huff from his mouth.

Maria could only hug herself and cry as he rode out of sight. More silent tears came down with the loneliness that was enveloping her. Had she done the right thing?

She shivered slightly and turned toward her phone. She needed a wallowing buddy.

~*

Michael could hardly see while he drove down the street. Everything was a blur, fuzzy. What just happened? How could she have just given up? ‘It was so sudden,’ Michael rumbled in his head. He didn’t see it coming when it was right in front of his nose.

Michael rode his bike not even considering the speed limits. He had to figure out how to get Maria back. Only one other person could help him that was for sure. He parked the motorcycle on the Evan’s driveway for the second time that afternoon.

~*

While driving back to the Crashdown in her black Lexus, Liz picked up her ringing cell. “Hello?” she greeted still cheery from the day’s activities.

“Lizzie?” She barely heard the reply.

“Maria?” Liz frowned. She had never heard her friend this down in the dumps before, not even when her last boyfriend had dumped her. “Do you need me to come to your place?”

“Yeah,” was the tearful response.

Liz swallowed hard. Whatever had happened had to be awful, Maria was not acting like her chatty self, and she sounded like she had been crying. “I’ll be there in like a sec, okay?” She spoke comfortingly.

Liz could hear an unattached sigh and a click as Maria hung up the phone.

Liz pressed harder on the gas pedal. A creased frown appeared on her face. Her happy day could wait; Maria needed her right now.

~*

The bell had rung over an hour ago and Isabel was still at West Roswell High School. She had wanted to go straight home but no, she just had to help plan the Homecoming Dance. All she wanted was to go home and find out what was going on with Michael. He was acting so strangely earlier. He was no doubt hanging out with Max at the Evan’s house right now, hence why she was itching to leave the school.

Isabel sighed while quickening her pace. She was concentrating so hard on her thoughts that she ran into another body in the hallway leading out of the school.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she gasped as she looked at whom she had knocked into.

“I’m fine,” the guy replied. He put his hands into the air and rotated them repeatedly. “See, no harm done.”

“Are you sure?” Isabel asked examining the guy in front of her.

“Well, besides the fact that I was just trampled over by a gorgeous princess who’s no doubt from South Roswell, I’m A-okay.” Alex laughed uneasily turning red because of his rambling.

“Oh, that’s why I’ve never seen you before. Yeah, I am a Southie. So you’re a Northern, right?” Isabel couldn’t help but check him out, no harm done by just looking. The teenager in front of her was the lanky type, but he wasn’t ‘overly-lanky.’ If people have to be lanky, he had the perfect amount of it. And his green eyes, she could stare into them for hours and never get bored. She almost let out a sigh while looking at his dreamy irises.

“Yeah. Alex Whitman,” he replied. He stuck out his hand.

Isabel laughed uncomfortably and shook his hand. “Isabel Evans. Well, I should really get going now.” She looked around the hallway making sure no one saw she and Alex together. North and South people could never chat idly with one another without causing a stir.

Alex caught on quickly. “I think we’re safe,” he chuckled. “So I guess I’ll c-ya around.”

“Yeah,” Isabel replied while walking slowly toward the door. She couldn’t help but look back at him in admiration. What a guy. ‘C-ya, yeah, right,’ she thought to herself and shook her head. It was too bad that he was from North Roswell.

Wait, back up. Was that just dejavú? She could have sworn that she’d thought of that ‘c-ya’ thing before…

~*