Finished stories that feature the characters from the show, but there are no aliens. All fics completed on the main AU without Aliens board will eventually be moved here.
Can’t Make U Luv Me Author: Luzser1800 Category: Max & Liz Rating: Teen...I think Summary: I stole this song from Britney Spears and decided to write a story. This is in Liz’s POV. This is gonna be a short fic. Just a few chapters. Disclaimer: I own nothing. Roswell belongs to UPN and all those other peoples. “Can’t Make You Love Me” is, again, by Britney Spears. Feedback: Please, I welcome it!
I’m just a girl with a crush on you
PROLOGUE
“You really like him, don’t you?”
Through tears, “Yeah. I just wish he wasn’t angry with me. You’d think he’d be happy for me.”
“I can’t figure out why he’s mad! And I totally agree with you! Just cuz he’s hurt doesn’t give him the right to turn against you the way he did. He’s being a selfish ass!”
Maria and I have been sitting here for the past hour. Me crying my eyes out. Her trying desperately to console me. But I don’t think even Maria will be able to make me feel better at this point.
“I don’t know what to do, Ria...ever since we kissed....I’ve been floating on air.” A small smile tugs at my lips as I remember that moment. “I never thought I could be happier. For three years, he’s all I’ve ever wanted. And I finally got him.” And then the waterworks start all over again. “Then Jason Ricker comes along...with my second dream all planned out. I can be a star,” I whisper wistfully. “But Max doesn’t want me to leave. And now I have to go on tour! The song’s a hit and I already signed that damn contract! I never thought I’d land Max, let alone lose him! That’s why I signed the stupid contract in the first place! I wanted at least one of my dreams. I’d give it all up for him though, if I could.” I whisper that last part, because I know deep down I would. All he would have to do is ask me. And then Maria tries to be the best friend with the good advice.
“You don’t know that, Liz! Just wait a little while, ok? You’ll be lovin’ it so much, Max won’t even be a memory anymore. Don’t let him bring you down, girl! You cannot allow Max Evans to ruin this for you! And I won’t let you. It’ll be great. You’ll see.”
I smile at her because I know how badly she wants to make me feel better. And I know she’s right on so many levels. But I can’t help but wish I could just stay here and not have to leave Max so shortly after we found each other.
TBC...
So...should I continue? Or does it suck?
Last edited by Luzser1800 on Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:10 am, edited 5 times in total.
Don’t care about money
It doesn’t give me half the thrill
To the thought of you, honey
So tell me that you want me still
“What’s got you all giddy?” asked Serena, my costume mistress. She’s such a sweetheart. She’s been on tour with me the past 6 months, and she couldn’t be cooler. Every time there’s a break between shows, we go shopping together or dancing at the local clubs. I’d even consider her a best friend at this point.
Right now, I’m dancing around my hotel room, touching up my lip gloss and putting the finishing touches on my outfit. My hair is done up in chocolate curls, bouncing on top of my head. I’ve got on my black leather flared pants that just happen to ride extra low on my hips and a hot pink button down shirt that comes just above my navel. I’ve got a great tan going on, thanks to the past three days on the California beaches. And I absolutely cannot wait to show off my trim figure from those extra hours in the gym. I’ve got my nails done, but with a clear paint. I’ve got to stay grounded tonight. After all, it is my hometown. And I swear, I’m going to make Max Evans realize what he has been missing.
I feel the blush rise up my cheeks as I reply, “I’m not giddy.”
“Yes you are. You’ve been humming to yourself and dancing around all day. What is really goin on?” She’s smiling at me right now. She knows that through most of this tour, I’ve been kinda down. But now that I’m happy for a change, it’s killing her to find out why. I think about letting her dwell on it for a while, but I can’t seem to stop the curling of my lips as I answer her.
“I dunno, Serena, it’s just...”
I’m suddenly interrupted by three raps on the door. I yell out, “Come in!” When the door opens Jason steps in. “What’s up, Jay?” I ask.
“I was just wonderin if ya did the sound check yet, Princess?” He’s been calling me that since we started working together. And I don’t mind, because he treats me like one. But at his inquiry I can’t help but roll my eyes. He’s always so paranoid.
“Of course I did the sound check, Jay. That’s the first thing I do when I get to a stage. You know that.” I feel like I’m talking to a three year while I flash him my signature smile.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. I just want it to be perfect tonight. This is your hometown and all. People wanna see what I’ve done with you. How I’ve shaped you. Turned you into the shining star that you are.” I swear he can be sooo cocky sometimes. And now I’ve got to step down from this pedestal he tends to put me on.
“Jason, I’m still the same person I was six months ago. The only difference is that more people know my name now.”
“Please stop being so modest, Princess. It’s no fun when you’re always a sweetheart! Anyways...I’m gonna go get some food. You girls want anything?”
I jumped up like my pants were on fire. “Mmmm...yeah! Get me a cheeseburger!”
“No! No grease! I’ll get ya a salad.”
I immediately start to pout. I stick out my bottom lip and do my best two year old impression. “I don’t wanna salad! I wanna cheeseburger!” I throw in the puppy dog eyes for good measure. I know I probably won’t win, but hey, it’s worth a shot.
That’s when he looks down at me with his best Dad face. “Liz...don’t argue with me. I’m your manager and I know what’s best for you.” Then he smiled that cocky smile of his and I know I’m beaten. I sigh heavily and flick my wrist indicating it’s time for him to leave my presence. With that, he’s gone.
I let out a breath when I notice that Serena still wants to finish our conversation. “Ok...so WHAT is the good mood for?” I immediately start blushing again. I can’t help it, damn it!
Smiling shyly, I admit, “Max is gonna be there...” then add a little confused “I think.”
“Max? As in the good friend/ex-boyfriend you’re always talking about?”
“Yup! Isn’t he cute?” I ask her, motioning to the picture in the mirror. In the photo, Max stands there in all his hotness. He’s got short dark hair, with the cutest bangs that fall just above his brow. And he’s got the most amazing eyes. In the picture, you can see them so clearly. They’re golden and hazel and amber. The most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. I’ve yet to see another pair quite like them. He’s got this face on him too. A boyish grin that shows off his charm, yet there’s no denying he’s all man.
In this particular picture, he’s got one arm draped across the shoulders of a plain-looking girl with long brown hair and big brown doe eyes. She wore no makeup, a white baby doll t-shirt, a pair of baggy blue jeans, and low top sneakers. Yet, she displayed a beautiful 100-watt smile that proved whatever day the picture was taken, she was in a more than pleasant mood.
“I hate the way I look in that picture, “ Liz blurted out.
“Why? I think you look cute...grounded,” Serena assured her.
“I’m still grounded!” I exclaim in mock surprise. “It’s just...that was the girl I was trying to get away from. That was ‘Lizzie P., girl-next-door.’ Now I’m ‘Elizabeth Parker, beautiful songstress.’”
“So then you should be happy. But I know you. You still ain’t completely content.”
“Well...what famous girl do you know that is happy?”
We both laughed at my attempt to joke. Then Serena looked at the clock hanging on the wall.
“Ok...it’s only 3:35. We’ve got another three hours to kill before the show. What do you wanna do?”
I’m singing at UFOnics tonight. It’ll be a small show at the local nightclub. Only around 500 people. But I’ve already been told it’s sold out. That’s weird. I didn’t even know Roswell had that many residents. As I ponder Serena’s question a smile lights my face and I duck my head a little to reply.
“Well...I’d really like to see Max again.”
Serena’s eyes widen a little as she stares back at me thoroughly confused. “Wait a minute. Last you heard, wasn’t he still mad at you?”
I sigh loudly. “Yeah, but I’m praying he got over that.” The smile returns to my face as I tell her, “I’m going over there right now.”
CHAPTER 2
If only I could trade the fancy cars
For a chance today
It’s incomparable
I might be sitting with the movie stars
Everybody say that I have it all
Sean, six foot, four inches, with blonde hair, blue eyes, rippling muscles, and a boyish face pulls the black Porsche Carrera out of the garage to pick me up from the front of the Hilton. As the car rolls past the Crashdown Café, I remember the moment Max kissed me for the first time.
It’s 10:30 in the evening and my feet are killing me. I’m wiping down the front counter one last time as I scan the area for anything else that needs to be done. When I notice that everything is in order, I walk over to the light switch on the wall, fully intent on wobbling up the stairs and crawling into bed to sleep for the next 12 hours. But just before I flip the switch, a knocking on the front door stops me. I spin on my heel, ready to scream at the customer who doesn’t realize that a locked door means CLOSED, when I see his beautiful eyes staring back at me. ‘What’s he doing here?’ I wonder to myself.
I walk over to the door and turn the lock before stepping back. He stands outside for a moment, as if he’s contemplating whether or not to come in. He finally comes to a decision and opens the door to come in. He stares deep into my eyes for what seems an eternity before he finally speaks.
“I’m sorry for bothering you, but we need to talk.”
I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on in his head, but I still want to hear him come out and say it. “Ok, Max. What’s up?” I ask nonchalantly. I may sound like I don’t care, but deep inside I’m burning for his response.
“Ya know how you said...that you wanted to be with me?”
“Yeah?”
"Well, I thought about it, and I’m not so sure if it’s a good idea. We’ve been friends forever, Liz. I don’t wanna ruin that.” I think I’m going to be sick. My stomach is twisting and turning and the butterflies are threatening to make me pass out. My chest heaves scared to death that he doesn’t want me the way I want him. But what he says next damn near makes me fall flat on my ass.
“But then I realized something. I don’t care. I wanna be with you just as much. I can’t stand the thought of you with anyone but me. Angel...will you do me the honor...of being my girlfriend? Officially?”
I can barely speak, let alone move. But I do manage to breath out, “Oh, Max.”
He looks at me for another moment longer before he starts to lean forward slowly. My heart is racing a mile a minute and I lick my lips anticipating this moment. I look into his eyes quickly before closing the distance between us.
Our lips brush against each other hesitantly, almost unsure. But then I get a little more confident. I lift my arms to bring them around his neck. I don’t want this moment to end and he sure as hell isn’t getting away from me anytime soon. His arms wrap around my waist pulling me so close I might as well be in his shoes.
He gently runs his tongue over my bottom lip, asking for my permission. He doesn’t need to ask twice. I open my mouth eagerly and tangle my tongue with his. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever felt. The reality is definitely better than any fantasy.
After what seems like hours, he pulls back slightly, resting his forehead against mine. I can feel his breath on my lips and I await his response to the kiss.
“Wow,” is all he can seem to get out. Then he tells me, “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”
Then he lifts his lips in a half smile as he asks, “Was it good for you?”
Leave it to Max to make me smile after a kiss like that. I’m too dazed to answer so I just nod my head slowly.
“We’re here, sweetness!” Sean’s deep voice shakes me from my reverie. I lift one hand to my cheek and feel the heat, knowing that the memory has made me blush. I wish just the thought of him didn’t make me feel like a 12 year old with a crush. But then, I’m kinda glad it does.
We have come to a stop in front of a large garage. Sean gets out of the car first and tells me to sit tight. I know what he’s doing. He wants to check everything out and make sure it’s safe. He really is a great bodyguard. I’m glad I hired him. My last bodyguard tried to cop one too many feels. I got so furious one day, my right fist collided with his face and I broke his nose. Oops! Needless to say, Jason wasn’t very happy about that. He was impressed with the way I had handled the situation, but then he informed me that if anyone found out, the tabloids would have a field day.
I’m not a violent person normally, but when a guy doesn’t seem to understand the word ‘NO,’ that’s where I draw the line. I think about Max then. He used to tell me , “Angel...under all that calm and coolness, you’re just a little firecracker bout to pop!” I used to laugh at that, because I really didn’t have a mean bone inside of my body. I’ve never even hated anyone.
Actually, I take that back, but Tess Harding is the lowest scum on the earth. She dated Max before me. He was never really interested in her, but he liked the way the kids would look at him with that slut on his arm. It made him feel like a rich kid in a poor town who just got the new PSP. And that’s exactly how he felt about her. Like she was his property. Everyone wanted a piece and he didn’t stand in their way. I never understood that relationship. It was a mystery to me. But Max would say, “Hey somebody’s gotta be stuck at my side. All the others girls will get jealous, and I’ll get more bootah!” I remember calling him a pig along with a plethora of other colorful adjectives. But hey, in my defense, he was being a complete jerk-off!
That’s when I remember asking him if would ever treat me that way, He flipped around so quickly, I was amazed when his head didn’t swing off his shoulders. His face grew so very serious and he searched my eyes with a heated gaze. ‘I would never treat you that way. Once you’re mine...you’re mine. Noone else will even have the right to look your way. And you remember that. You’re my angel. You always will be...my gorgeous, sweet, angelic babygirl. I wouldn’t let another man touch you.’ I couldn’t stop the blush from rising and my skin getting heated again. It was just that effect he had on me. It was like he put a force on me.
Sounds silly, I know. But ever since I was eleven years old, and finally understood the true meaning of having a crush, my first crush was on none other than Max Evans. I watched him for years, just waiting for him to finally discover girls. Max was a late bloomer though, and by the time he was noticing girls, I realized that he wasn’t noticing me. Sure we still played video games an hung out together, but it never moved past friendly. And after a year of it, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was tired of waiting for him to realize what was right in front of his eyes. So I decided it was time to get the hell outta dodge, if ya know what I mean.
I was actually singing at UFOnics when I was discovered. Jason Ricker’s car had broken down on an uneventful road somewhere in the middle of the desert and he wound up having to spend the night in little old Roswell, New Mexico. He had decided to swing by UFOnics to take in the nightlife around here. I was on stage singing my little heart out on Karaoke. As soon as I had walked off the stage, Jason caught up with me. He proceeded to tell me that I had entranced him. He said that I had surrounded the stage, and that the audience seemed to love me. Of course most of the patrons were drunk, but it didn’t seem to bother Jason. He told me that he had been captivated by my big brown eyes, and the innocense that seemed to dance around me. Those were his words. Seriously!
After learning that Jason was a talent agent, he asked if I wanted to get into the studio and lay something down. Did I?! I was jumping up and down from joy...on the inside. On the outside, I remained calm and collected, like always. But as soon as he left, I belted out a rippling scream. He gave me his card, I gave him a call the next day, and check it out! I’m gonna be a star.
After meeting Jason that night, I remember how I couldn’t wait to see Max and tell him the great news. But the conversation we had was not what I had expected at all.
I walked around the side of Max’s house to his window. I couldn’t knock on the door because it was damn near midnight and his parents would have killed me for waking them. I knew Max would be awake though. Probably searching the net for new parts to that jalopy he’s been working on for the past 2 years. He had bought the red 1967 Jaguar Roadster when he was 14 for $500. The owner really wanted to get rid of it, and it was in really bad condition. In all reality, it’s a gorgeous car, when it was brand new. But as far as I’m concerned...it’s just a hunk of metal. But I digress. There’s a reason I’m here after all.
I lightly tap on the window with my knuckle and wait for him to appear. I hear him curse and then movement. There’s a scowl on his face at first, but once he realizes that it’s me, that frown turns upside down. He opens the window and reaches out his hand which I gracefully take. I allow him to pull me through the window into his bedroom.
As soon as my feet touch the floor he drags me even closer to him and begins to kiss me breathless. I’m a little shocked to say the least but he uses that opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth. ‘Wow,’ is all I can think. ‘This man literally takes my breath away.’ I kiss him back with vigor, running my fingers through his soft hair.
The kiss speeds up some and before I realize what is happening, I’m laying underneath him on the bed while he trails kisses down my neck to the top of my chest. Without lifting his head, he breathes out, “God I missed you.”
That makes me giggle like a schoolgirl. “We were together yesterday.”
“Too long,” is all he seems to mumble before his takes my lips again. One of his arms is busy holding himself above me while his other hand starts to creep across my stomach and slowly up to the bottom of my bra. That’s when I remember why I’m here in the first place. I stop his hand from going any further and he looks into my eyes, searching to see if I’m angry that he tried to go too far. I smile at him and I watch him visibly relax and let out the breath he was holding.
“Guess what?!” I screech almost a little too loud. Then I smack my hand over my lips as I look at his closed door in horror, praying I didn’t wake his parents. But the half smile he gives me calms me down.
He whispers, “What, Angel?”
I’m so excited that I want to scream the words but I hold back and whisper loudly, “I was singing at UFOnics tonight and I met this guy and he’s a talent agent and he wants to sign me to a record deal!” Yup, I basically said that in one breath. “Isn’t that great?”
Max’s eyes drop from mine and his smile fades for a second before he lifts himself off of me and sits on the edge of the bed with his back to me.
Now I’m scared. “Max, what’s the matter?”
“This means you’re gonna leave, doesn’t it?”
“Well not right away,” I try to reassure him. “It won’t be for a while. I’m just going into the studio next week to lay down some tracks and see if I have what it takes.”
That’s when Max gets up shaking his head back and forth. “If you have what it takes? Of course you have what it takes! So some hot shot talent agent is just gonna take you away from me, now?!”
I don’t know what to say. I never expected this kind of a reaction. I expected him to be ecstatic. Maybe a little upset, but not this angry. My mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. “Max...”
“No, forget it,” he snaps. I actually jump a bit at his harsh tone. I watch him sit in his computer chair and rub his temples. I watch his jaw clench for a good minute. He sighs loudly before lifting his eyes to mine. “I’m sorry. You’re right, this is a great opportunity for you. You should take it.”
But I don’t buy it. I can already see his walls building up, brick by brick. “Are you mad at me.”
He answers quickly. Too quickly. “No.” He smiles slightly but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He then takes a quick look at his watch and says, “Wow! It’s late. You should be getting home.” Oh God, he won’t even look at me.
I try to calm his fears. I want to tell him that I won’t go anywhere if he doesn’t want me to. I want to reassure him that we’ll still be together through all of this. “Max, look I...”
He cuts me off though. “Please, Angel. I’m just really tired and I’ve gotta get up early to go to work.”
I decide to let it go...for now. “Alright. Will I see you tomorrow?”
He tells me, “I don’t know. I’ll be working all day and I know you have that test in English to study for. I’ll probably just see you in school on Monday.”
I say, “Ok,” but I’m not happy, and I know he can tell. He tries to make me feel better by giving me a quick kiss on the lips before he opens his window for me to escape the way I came in. I didn’t want to believe what my instincts were telling me. But there was definitely no denying that kiss. It was a brush-off kiss.
I cried all the way home.
But back to the matter at hand, I can feel him inside of the garage. I know he’s there and my stomach won’t stop flopping around. Sean opens the door for me and I cautiously step out of the car. I’m so anxious. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible, and yet I know that once a see his face, his eyes, I’ll never want to walk away.
As I approach the wide garage, I stop Sean in his tracks, and I begin to shamelessly eavesdrop on the conversation that seems to have just started. From the voices, I can tell it’s Michael talking to Max. From the sounds, I realize that Max must be working on a car while Michael glides around on his skateboard. I take a peek around the corner and see that Max is all greased up and gorgeous. Damn, boy!
“What’s up, Max?” Michael asks as he flips the skateboard up so he can grab a hold of the nose and rest it against his leg.
“Nothin, dude, what’s goin on?”
“Nothin, man. Hey, you goin out tonight?”
“Probably.”
“What do you plan on doing?”
“I dunno. Kyle’s throwin a party. I’ll probably show up there.”
“Why do that, so you can drown your sorrows in another bottle of Tequila? Look, me and Maria were gonna go pick up Alex and Isabel and head over to UFOnics. You should come with.”
“Naw dude, I don’t do nightclubs.”
My face falls when he makes his admission. But they perk up when I realize Michael is still trying to convince him.
Michael continues excitedly. “Hey, hey! You ain’t heard the best part yet!”
“And what might that be, Mikey?”
“Please don’t call me that. Anyway...Liz’s gonna be there. Ya know...Lizzy...Angel.” He says that last part a little soft, knowing his best friend and the reaction he’ll have to that admission.
Angel was the name Max had dubbed me with in the fifth grade. He had wound up in the hospital with a broken leg when he thought he could put on a cape and “fly” off the roof of his house. After the drugs had worn off the first thing he saw was my smiling face. He asked me if he was dreaming. I told him no. Then he told me he must be dreaming, because I looked like an absolute angel. A vision of perfection is what he had called me.
With a slight sense of hopefulness, Max replied, “Angel’s gonna be there?” And just as quickly as they had crumbled, his high walls shot right back up again. “What do ya mean? She’s on tour.”
“Yeah, an American tour, and she’s making a pit stop here to perform for her hometown. It’s invite only, but don’t worry. Maria’s got your ticket.”
“Big deal,” Max replied a little harshly.
“Yeah act like you don’t care!” Michael bit back at him.
“I don’t care. It ain’t like I ain’t never seen her before in person or nothin.”
‘Ouch,’ Liz thought. That stung quite a bit. But Michael just continues on.
“Yeah but it’s different this time. She’s finally home, ya know?” In a singsong voice he adds, “And she’s LOADED!”
I smile. Michael is such a dork.
“Michael...” he sighed, “it really doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t tell me you’re still mad at her.” But judging by the look on Max’s face, he was. Michael was getting pissed. “Man, get over it! She had a damn good reason to leave, and you know that. Let it go already.”
Max didn’t feel like having this conversation again. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”
Shaking his head, Michael said, “What I wouldn’t give to have what you have.”
Without looking at him, Max told him, “I ain’t got nothin you ain’t got.”
With a disbelieving look, Michael came back with, “Max...you’ve got a beautiful, chocolate-haired, doe-eyed, 5 foot 4 inch goddess pining over you. And you just sit back and let her pine. Dude, if I were you, I’d go to that club tonight, drag her cute butt off the stage, take her in the back, and then take HER!”
Max jumps in laughing with, “Now what would Maria say if she had just heard that, huh?”
Michael immediately goes on the defensive. “She can say whatever she wants. She doesn’t own me. But that doesn’t mean you can tell her I said that, alright?”
I couldn’t seem to stop the smile that spread over my face as I bit my lower lip at his comment. I always loved Michael. I watched Max shake his head and smile at him. “You’re crazy, man.”
“Naw...you’re the crazy one if you don’t follow my advice.”
Max still doesn’t seem like he wants to talk about it, but then I watch a strange expression cross his face. “Whatever. Besides, she’s famous now, and I’m still a small town boy with nowhere to go and nothing to do when I get there.”
Michael tells him, “I don’t get you, man. Just cuz she’s a star and all that, it don’t mean she don’t love you just as much as she ever did.”
Max looked deep in thought for a minute before he replied, “Yeah, maybe.”
But I can’t make you love me
Is it my life or the things I do
Can’t make you love me
I’m just a girl with a crush on you
It’s at that moment, that Sean whispers in my ear, and scares me half to death, “You ready, sweetness.” I jump up nearly thirteen feet in the air, but luckily my scream was kept quiet. The boys have no idea I was listening. I look back at Sean and tell him that I am. He cocks his head as a gesture to follow him. I do. He knocks on the door adjacent to the small garage. I can hear their voices through the garage door as Michael asks, “Who’d you invite?” And then I hear Max’s answer, “Nobody, bro. Don’t ask questions, just get the damn door.”
When Michael answered the door, I was off to the side where I couldn’t be seen. Sean had leaned at least a foot over Michael, but of course, Michael was never intimidated. I watched Michael puff out his chest slightly and press his lips into a thin line before asking, “Who the hell are you?”
Sean ignored his question and asked, “Where’s Max?”
Michael looked Sean up and down for a good 30 seconds before answering, “He’s back here. Hang on, let me get him.” He turned his head slightly and called out, “Hey, Max?!”
Max’s voice came from the back of the garage, “What?!”
“Come here!”
Max suddenly appeared from behind Michael. He was a bit shorter than Michael, but almost as wide as Sean. I always thought he had the body of a Greek god. Especially for a 16 year old boy (well, 17 now). I remember how after we got together, we would work out together sometimes. We started at the gym, but when all these guys would constantly hit on me, and the girls would hit on him, Max said he would rather just go out to the desert, where we could work out in private. I thought he was jealous, because I know I was, but then I also knew that Max was just a private guy, and I would go anywhere he asked so long as he was with me. He was definitely my favorite workout partner.
I watched Sean through the corner of my eye as he took in the man of my dreams. Sean had on his bodyguard face, as always with new people and grumbled, “Max...I’ve got something for you.”
Max looked confused until Sean stepped to the side and I stepped in front of the door. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open. ‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘I guess he likes what he sees.’ My face lit up at the sight of him. His biceps bulged out from under the short sleeves of his dirty white t-shirt. He was wearing a pair of baggy black jeans and it was easy to see that if it weren’t for the black belt, those jeans would have come right down. But I wouldn’t have minded much. I took off my dark sunglasses and gazed into the beautiful amber orbs I hadn’t seen in six months. Our eyes locked as we quickly got lost in each other’s presence.
“Lizzie!” Michael screamed. I smiled at Michael while Max continued to stare at me. Michael grinned as I approached him and stood on my tip toes to throw my arms around him. Michael squeezed my waist and picked me up to twirl me around. He then let me slide down his body before he pulled back and said, “What’s up, girl?! We were just talking about you!”
I placed a kiss on his cheek and said, “Hey, Michael.” Then, I turned from him and locked eyes with Max. “Hey, Max.”
I could see that Max was trying his hardest to be casual with me when he greeted me, “Hey, Angel.”
I felt the blush creep up my cheeks yet again and I smiled. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
I broke out of Max’s eyes for a moment to turn to Sean. “Sean...um...would you mind going for a drive?”
Sean looked at me sympathetically and I knew what his answer would be. “Can’t do it, Liz. I’m not allowed to leave you alone. Sorry.”
Then, of course, Michael had to open his big mouth, “Hey man...don’t you work for her?”
Sean looked rather agitated as he stared down at Michael. “I still can’t leave her alone...”
“It ain’t like we’re gonna molest her or anything...”
“Alright, stop it!” I yelled at them. “Ok...Sean...umm...could you at least wait outside? Please?”
Michael stood there with his head held high and his nose in the air as Sean silently complied and left the garage. But in all of his glory, it only took Michael another minute to realize he was the next to be kicked out. When he saw the looks on our faces though, he took that as his cue to leave. “Well, I guess I’ll see you guys later tonight. I’ll just leave you two to talk.” He walked away with a smirk on his face. Max cocked his head at him before turning to me.
I have been through changes
But I’m still the girl you used to know
It’s made me no different
So tell me why you had to go
Max decided to open the conversation he knew he would soon have to partake in. “So...how have you been?”
“I’m alright, I guess.”
“Well, you’re doing better than me without a doubt. I’m a small-town grease monkey. I hang out in this garage all day before and after school fixin cars for shitty money.”
“It can’t be that bad, though. You love working on cars. You always wanted to open up your own shop, remember?”
“Yeah, but when you’re doing it for the money instead of for fun, it gets to be a pain in the ass, ya know?”
I nodded and replied, “I can understand that. Sometimes that’s how I feel. I love to perform, but I don’t always feel like slapping a smile on and getting up on that stage. But then once I’m up there, everything else just seems to fade into the background. I just figure, ‘Work like you don’t need the money, love as if you’ve never been hurt, and dance as if no one’s watching.’”
Max smiled and nodded in understanding. The room grew silent. We both knew the real issue had to come out sometime. So I took a deep breath and decided to break the ice. With a very serious expression I whispered, “Did ya even miss me?”
Max looked up at me slowly. He looked into my eyes and whispered back, “You know I did.”
I smiled at him. “I missed you too, Max...a lot.”
“Angel...”
I cut him off, “Cuz ya know...I know you were pissed at me when I left, and I was just wondering if that were still the case.” I’m so nervous I’m standing there with my head down and ringing my hands. I’m biting on my bottom lip so hard, I think I might draw blood. But I need to know exactly where we stand at this point. I am not leaving here until I know for sure how he feels. I decide to chance a look at him.
Max looked like a beaten dog. His head was hanging down and he stared at his sneakers. But then, he looks up at me and speaks straight from his heart. I can hear the solemn tone in his voice when he tells me, “Angel...I wasn’t mad at you. The truth is...” He trailed off, almost as if he didn’t quite know how to explain himself with the right words.
I asked softly, “What, Max?”
He looked down again and spoke so softly, I almost didn’t hear him. “You were my angel.” He raised his head back up to me. “When we were best friends, and you had liked me, I thought it was just a stage. I thought you’d get over it. I never wanted to admit to myself that I had feelings for you too. I was terrified of ruining our friendship. So I never acted on those feelings. But soon after I knew how you felt, when you had put yourself out there and showed me your heart, I couldn’t deny you any longer. I realized that I needed to be with you just as badly as you needed to be with me. When I came to you that night in the Crashdown, I felt like I would die if I didn’t kiss you just once. And after that night, when you became my girlfriend, I was the happiest I’d ever been.
“When you told me about the record deal, about how you were going away, deep down inside, I was so happy for you. I knew how much you loved singing, and to know that you were gonna get outta here and make something of yourself, that made me so proud. But then, of course, I didn’t wanna let you go. I wanted us to be together forever. I wanted us to finish high school together, move away from here, go to college, get married, have lots of kids. You were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But I wasn’t going to have that. Because you were leaving me.
So, I took all that heartache and pain, and turned it into anger towards you. Because I figured, maybe if I was angry with you, either you would stay with me to keep me happy, or when you did leave, I wouldn’t be so heartbroken. I cried myself to sleep for a week after you left. Then I shut down completely, and built up all the walls that you had managed to take down. I’m so sorry for making you feel like you didn’t deserve this. I’m so sorry, Angel.”
My face was suddenly a waterfall of tears. My voice cracked as I spoke. “I would’ve given it all up for you.” I watched him look at me full of hope. “I’d still give it all up for you. All you have to do is say the word.”
Max just stood there staring at me with a disbelieving expression. I knew what was going on behind those eyes. He couldn’t believe that I would do that for him. Almost like he wouldn’t believe it.
I decided to wrap it up. “You decide what you want. I’ll see you at the show tonight. Here’s your backstage passes.” I opened my purse and dug through it before pulling out three passes. He took them from me graciously. I looked into his eyes and made a quick decision. I leaned over and kissed him softly. I was surprised momentarily when he kissed me back. Just as I felt him trying to deepen the kiss, a knock sounded at the door. Sean’s voice boomed through the garage, “Come on, sweetness, wrap it up!”
I looked at Max and backed away from him, watching his face as he contemplated his next move. Once I realized he wasn’t moving, I left the garage.
First of all, thank you for the wonderful feedback! You guys are great!
CHAPTER 4
Well, baby, I would trade the fancy cars
For a chance today
It’s incomparable
I might be sitting with the movie stars
Everybody say that I just have it all
UFOnics was hoppin while I hung out backstage signing autographs for a few little girls. I love this part. The young girls look at me starstruck, some with tears in their eyes, smiling at me. They tell me that they love me and when they grow up they want to be just like me. My heart swells whenever I hear that stuff. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this. Just knowing that people are really out there and that they see what you do and appreciate it, it’s so overwhelming.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse Max, Michael, and Maria heading through the door to my dressing room with Sean close behind. I hope Sean didn’t give them too hard a time. He can be a tad overprotective sometimes. But then, that’s exactly what I hired him for. I notice that Max has a slight scowl on his face as he looks around. I can tell that it’s the music blasting from the speakers that’s putting that look on his face. He always hated this ‘teen pop rock bullshit,’ as he puts it. Michael seems to share his view. Maria on the other hand, looks really excited.
But I can’t make you love me
Is it my life or the things I do
Can’t make you love me
I’m just a girl with a crush on you
I finish the last autograph for one of the little girls before sending them on their way to watch the show. As soon as I spin around, Maria has launched herself into my arms.
“I missed you soooo much, chica! Now, tell me everything! I want to know every little thing you’ve been doing!” Maria is so full of energy and her brilliant smile is contagious. I can’t help but laugh.
“I missed you too, Maria! But you already know most of what’s going on, I call you all the time.”
“Yeah, but now that you’re finally here, I wanna see your expression when you tell me all about the hot guys. So...is Justin Timberlake really that hot in person? Or is it just make-up and camera tricks, huh? Or what about Britney? Is she really a bitch?”
“Maria!” I can’t believe she just asked me that! “I have yet to meet either of them, so there’s your answer.” Then I look at Max, who is smiling as he watches us interact. His eyes meet mine and I watch the smile quickly fade. I need to know what’s going on with him. I turn to Michael and Maria and tell them, “Alright, guys! I gotta get on the stage, so, I guess I’ll see you afterwards. Enjoy the show.” I smile wide and watch the realization dance in Maria’s eyes as she grabs Michael’s arm.
“Alright, girlfriend, we’ll see ya a bit. Come on, Michael.” She starts to pull him out of the dressing room but Michael stops her.
“Hey, Max, you coming?”
Maria puts on a disapproving look and smacks Michael across the back of the head. “Michael! Geez, can’t you take a hint!” Michael suddenly understands and leaves behind Maria.
I smile at them as Max tells me, “Some things never change.” His mood quickly changes when the silence in the room proves that we are alone.
Just the thought of being close to you
It’s incomparable
Should be happy with the life I live
And the things I do
Seems like I have it all
“Hey, Angel.”
I smile at him, “Hey.”
There’s another long pause before Max breaks the silence. “Don’t do it.”
Now I’m confused. “Do what?”
“Give it up. For me. I don’t deserve it. And I sure as hell don’t deserve you.”
I shake my head vigorously as I can already feel my eyes watering. “No! If I can’t be with you, I don’t want it.” I can see it in his eyes. He’s having a silent war with himself.
“I saw you with those kids. I see you on t.v. I hear you on the radio. This makes you so happy.”
That’s it! I’ve had enough! I start to plead with him, “You make me happy! Max, I don’t wanna lose you again.” The tears stream down my face. I can’t stop them from falling. And at this point I don’t want to. I want him to see the pain he’s causing inside me. I want him to see that all of this means nothing if he wants no part of it. I continue to look in his eyes. Then I notice something. A tear falls down his face as he stares back. Whatever he’s about to say is killing him.
“Don’t think of it as losing, ok? Think of it as moving on. Something we all have to do at some point. I’m so sorry, Angel. I don’t want to do this...”
“Then don’t! Please,” I whisper and advance on him. I continue to whisper “Please” as I spread butterfly kisses all over his face. I reach his lips and decide if this is my last chance, I’ll take it. I kiss him softly, just like the kiss in the garage. Then I draw my tongue out. He opens his mouth to comply with my request and he kisses me back like there’s no tomorrow. He runs his hands gently up and down my back, kissing me vigorously.
This kiss is not sweet and innocent. It’s desperate and pleading. It’s the two of us begging each other to never forget. I bury my fingers in his hair and hold his mouth to me. I just need a little more. I can’t let go just yet. Not yet. Not when I know this is it for us.
A part of me is hoping that this will last just long enough for him to realize that he loves me just as much as I love him, but even I know it’s just wishful thinking. I know he wants to do what’s best for me. Therefore I know he will let me go. But I still don’t want him to.
Just then, a banging on the door breaks our thorough kiss. I hear Jay call out from the other side, “Two minutes, Princess!” Our foreheads touch as we breath heavily, and our crying has yet to stop. Max gently lifts his hands to my cheeks and brushes away my tears with his thumbs.
“I love you. But right now it’s not our time. Right now it’s your time. So you take your time, and you do this. This is your dream. And I can’t allow you to give it up.”
“Why can’t you come with me?” I cry.
“You know I can’t follow you right now. I’ve gotta finish this school year. But hey,” he tilts my chin up and looks at hopefully, “It’s almost June. School will be out soon. Maybe then I can come visit, huh? Wherever you happen to be at that time. What do you think of that?”
I exhale the breath I’ve been holding as I eyes fill with tears of happiness. “So it’s not over? You mean it?”
“This isn’t the end. I promise. I made a huge mistake giving you up the first time and I’ll be damned if I let you slip through my fingers again. Would you just promise me one thing?”
“Anything.” And I mean it. There’s nothing he could ask of me that I wouldn’t do for him.
“Don’t go off and meet any good looking pop stars who wanna take my place.”
I actually laugh at this, “No one could ever take your place, Max. No one in the entire universe could ever make me feel the way you do.”
He kisses me sweetly as if it would be our goodbye. But I know better. If Max Evans is anything, he’s a man of his word. And I know that this isn’t goodbye forever. It’s just goodbye for now.
Can’t make you
Make you love me, baby
It’s my life
What can I do
Can’t make you love me, alright
I’m just a girl with a crush on you
I walked onto that stage bearing a huge smile, and with fresh tears swimming in my eyes. The soft music began to play while the crowd cheered me on. That night, I sang straight from the bottom of my heart, as a silent tear fell down my face and onto the microphone. As the music fell over the crowd, I saw Max standing in the background looking deep into my soul. I watched a tear fall down his cheek as well, dropping onto his curled lip. I watched as he mouthed a single word to me. “Forever.” And that’s when I knew that he would be here. He would always be here. And maybe I can’t make him love me right now, but I can make him love me forever.
But I can’t make you love me
Is it my life or the things I do
Can’t make you love me
I’m just a girl with a crush on you
