Roswell Fanatics

Title: New York State Of Mind

Author: Jason's Lover

Rating: Mature

Disclaimer: Nothing here is mine except the proud honor of using my hometown of Brooklyn in this fic.

Category: M/L - No Aliens

Summary: Liz is an eighteen year old high school graduate living in Brooklyn, N.Y. preparing for college while working full time for the summer in Times Square, Manhattan with an annoying, cocky co-worker named Max Evans. This fic is in Liz's POV.

Author's Note: The prologue isn't too long so don't expect much. The chapters will be much longer!


Credits to Ann(babylisou) for the banner.


Thanks to Lolita Behrbuns(Cristine) for the amazing banner!


It's June 22, 2004 and I'm Liz Parker,

I graduated not but a week ago and already my parents are hounding me about savings and money for college in the fall....can i please breathe first before all the lectures about being responsible and looking towards my future begin? God, i'm hardly even used to the fact that i'm no longer a student much more thinking about the 'real world' as they like to put it...However, I did apply for this job in the city, at the Virgin Mega Record Store up in Times Square and I got the call back not more than two days later. It's not that far to travel to either...it's about a fourty five minute train ride away and I like the distance because it gives me the oppurtunity to discover something new outside of Brooklyn. Don't get me wrong, I love where I'm from, but it's a handful living here.

The only negative part about this job is the person I work with....Max Evans. He's so damn cocky and thinks he knows it all just because he was working here two months before I came along. Can you believe that on my first day here he was supposed to show me around the damn huge ass store as it is but opted to point all the 'lacking adjustments' in my attire!! The nerve of him....he's lucky I didn't kick him in his balls! All the other females here completely adore him because he's cute and gorgeous and the whole nine. But so what? Looks don't mean everything. I mean sure he's sexy, and built, and has the most gorgeous pair of hazel eyes I've ever seen, but it doesn't mean he's perfect. His attitude more than compliments that.

He does have some good points though.... he's a good worker and he's really nice and friendly with the customers....especially the young attractive girls that come in here. He can get them to buy almost anything as long as he promises to call them later that night. I wonder if he does? Anyway, I'm off, afterall I am at work...i've got a job to do.

"Hey Parker, can you put the diary down and help me over here? There's a stack of cd's in that box that needs to be shelved. They don't pay you to write."

Speaking of the devil. Who the heck does this guy think he is?

"No, I don't believe they do. But they should pay me for putting up with you everyday." I say back just as smartly.

"Hardee har har. Don't quit your day job Liz. You'd starve to death."

"Kiss my ass Evans." I quip in annoyance.

"Love to."

Welcome to a day at the job. Lovely, isn't it?


TBC.....

Crystal

"He can't be that bad Liz...don't you think you're over reacting just a tad bit?" Over reacting? is she for real?

"Over reacting Maria? That's the only type of response worthy for that guy. You don't understand. He's like annoying to the hundredth power!"

She laughs at that like it's funny. Like my despair is a big funny joke!

"It's not funny Maria...a nightmare is what it is."

"Well maybe he likes you, have you even thought of that?" She says with a glint in her eyes.

"Likes me? Maria, sniff some cedar oil cause that's the most insane thing you've ever said."

"I'm serious Liz...it's a known fact that guys harass girls to no end when they like them. It's like the rule all guys live by."

"Oh please!" rule my ass! he just wants to make my life a living hell.

"Could you be any more naive Liz? Hasn't this happened to you before?" She asks confused.

happened to me? Yeah, right!

"Take a look around Maria. We're in my room on a friday night....does it seem like it's happened before?"

"You've got a point." She says candidly. "Well let's change that shall we?"

"Change it how?" I ask cautiously. Whenever Maria gets an idea, there's always repercusssions.

"Let's go somewhere tonite." Like I said, repercussions.

"Which would be?"

"You know that new club that just opened up in the city? It's called Fantasy....damn, fantasy something...I can't remember the entire name but the point is, let's go and have some fun."

"You can't remember the name of the place and you expect me to trust you to take me there and bring me back unharmed?"

"Exactly." Okay, remind me why we're best friends again?

"Oh, well in that case, absolutely not."

"Liz come on. It's not like you have anything better to do. Please."

"For your information, there's an interesting documentary that's about to start about conspiracy theories in the government, and I for one, really want to see it. And besides, I have to work tomorrow."

"Not until noon and it's not like your eager to go anyway with your co worker who's the spawn of satan. So come on Liz.....you have no other excuses and if you don't come I'll be forced to inform my very besotted juvenile cousin of a much available Liz Parker that's home this lovely friday nite with nothing to do. I'm sure he'd love to take you on a drive around town to hi jack cars."

She wouldn't! Please, who am I kidding? She sure would!

"Your an evil woman Maria."

"I know. That's why you love me."

"I don't have anything to wear and your telling my parents where we're going. Deal?"

"Whatever Liz. There's not a human being I can't handle."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get dressed."

~~~~~~~~

I can't believe I let Maria talk me into coming to this place. Upon my entrance, there's a guy vomiting to my right, and a couple who's grinding so close to the music that they might as well be having sex right infront of everyone. And on top of all that, this outfit I have on is so slutty. When have I ever thought I could pull off a backless silk shirt and an above the knee denim skirt? Who the hell do I think I am? Paris Hilton? I don't think this is such a good idea anymore.

"Maria, can we go please? I don't feel so comfortable anymore." I say looking around at all the guys that are oggling us.

"I told you to walk on your heels didn't I? That way, the shoes won't hurt your feet as much."

"I'm not talking about the shoes Maria. I mean this place, this environment....it's not me. And this outfit is ridiculous. I feel naked." God, can that guy stare any harder? He look any more harder now and my shirt'll dissolve!

"Liz, just relax. You look hot and your not alone okay? I'm here with you and we just wanna have fun. Come on, let's get something to drink."

She ushers me to the bar and that's when I see him. Frickin' Max Evans with some guy friend of his laughing entirely too loud over some coronas. Now I really wanna leave.

"Maria, oh my god, he's here." I say halting her mid step and turning away from the bar so he doesn't see me.

"What, who's here?" She looks around searchingly for the culprit.

"Max, that guy at my job who I totally despise? He's here. Over there by the bar." I say nodding over to the bar.

She completely starts staring at him making it so obvious that we're looking.

"Maria! If you stare over there, he's gonna know that we're looking at him. God, can't you do anything and make it look unnoticeable?" I say rubbing my forehead with the slight headache I feel approaching.

"So what if he knows? What's the big deal? From where I'm standing, he's looking pretty damn good to me. Why do you have a problem with him again?"

"Does it really matter? Look you just get the drinks and I'll sit right here and wait for you okay?"

"Fine, whatever. What do you want?"

"A gingerale. And please Maria, don't approach him....don't let him know I'm here." I beg desperately.

"Where would you ever get such an idea?" She smiles coyly as she walks away.

"Maria!" I call out. Of course she doesn't hear me cause the damn music's so loud.

I follow her with my eyes and indeed she does go over to him and introduces herself. My God, what is she doing?

The next thing I know he turns around and looks directly at me and smiles widely when I meet his eyes. I turn away so quick and almost caught whiplash.

Oh God No....He's walking over here now and I have no place to go while Maria's there chatting it up with his friend. I swear I'm going to kill her for this!

"Hey, Liz. Fancy meeting you here. You always struck me as a girl that isn't in to these type of functions." He says while sitting down like I gave him the permission to.

"I could almost say the same to you. I always thought your days consisted of driving someone to commit suicide." I say rudely not even bothering to conceal my irritation.

"Liz, I must say, you crack me up even when you don't try to. However, that's not the reason I came over here." huh?

"Then enlighten me, why are you here?" I ask suspiciously.

"I came to ask you for a dance." He says without hesitation. is he for real?

"What?" I say puzzled.

He points back to the bar at his friend and Maria who are oddly enough, a little to close to one another. "My guest is currently being occupied. I thought you'd like to keep me company." He smiles smugly.

"Are you drunk or something?" I ask still confused.

"Not since I last checked. Come on Liz, would it kill you?" He says imploringly, looking at me a little too intensely for my liking.

"As a matter of fact, it would. And stop looking at me like that." I say really not enjoying this staring thing he's got going on.

"So now I can't look at you? Is there anything that I can do?" He says indignantly.

"Yeah there is. Leave me alone." So maybe that was a little too harsh but he doesn't seem to care anyhow.

Undeterred he still persists. "Not until you dance with me."

Rolling my eyes, I nod to his request. "If I dance with you, will you shut up?" I say before moving to the dance floor.

"Scouts honor, I promise." He says with one hand over his heart. What an idiot...a cute idiot!

"Fine, come on."

He leads me over to the dance floor and proceeds to show me exactly how close to get but of course I rectified that situation. He's a good dancer and I start to really relax and just enjoy the song.

The night's not so bad anymore.



TBC....


Crystal

He's watching me. I'm here pricing the merchandise and he's watching me. I mean, yeah we had a good time last night and we kind of got along without our usual banter but it doesn't mean anything...right? Nothing happened. It's not like we confessed our deepest darkest secrets...we just enjoyed ourselves, he drove us home and here I am working the noon shift. It's no big deal....so why is he staring at me like that?

"Hey Max, can you hand me that box with the rest of the dvd's in it?" I say snapping him out of whatever daze he's in.

"Uh, sure. Here you go." He murmurs distractedly while handing me the box. What is up with him today?

"Are you okay?" I decide to ask.

He nods a little too quickly and I gather he doesn't want to talk about it.

"I was just thinking." He says afterwards.

"Okay." I say a little confused. Should I ask about what or just shut up?

He continues on without me even bothering to elaborate. "You've been working here for almost three weeks now and you haven't divulged anything about yourself."

"That's what you've been thinking about?" I ask sarcastically.

He rolls his eyes and smiles fakely before replying. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm a people person. They interest me, so I ask and they answer."

"Well, I'm not like all the people you ask that to. And I don't have to answer your questions."

He sighs loudly and resumes stacking away the newest arrivals that came today.

"Why are your panties always up in a bunch? Can't you ever just answer a question like a normal person?" He says with his back turned.

"First of all, my panties are none of your business and since when have you ever wanted to know anything about me? All you've ever done is make this job incredibly difficult ever since I arrived."

He finally turns around and stares at me with an expression I can't quite read. Lowering his eyes to the floor, he doesn't say anything for a while.

"I'm just trying to make conversation Liz. Besides, who wouldn't want the oppurtunity to have greatness in their presence?" He says with a small smirk.

Rolling my eyes at his attempt at trying to make me smile, I try to make nice anyway.

"Look Max, I didn't mean to snap at you okay. This day is just not going like I expected."

"Cramps?" He asks casually. What?

"What?, No!....and if there were I wouldn't be telling you about them."

"Hey, I'm not totally oblivious despite what you may think. I know about these stuff. Well, I know about a lot of stuff but the point is, embarrassment are for pre-teens....not for adults like you and myself."

Wait a minute, is he actually saying all of this to me?

"Adults? Is that what they're calling individuals like you these days?" I say smartly.

"Mock all you want Parker. But I probably know more about you than you know about yourself." He says with a wink. Could he be any more annoying?

"How so?" I say with a challenge in my tone.

He sighs like he's getting ready to teach me something important.

"You're like an open book alright....you write everything down in that stupid little journal you walk around with when it's more than obvious that all that you're documenting is already written all over your face. You suck at trying to hide your feelings and I just thought you should know. Even like right now, I can tell you're annoyed. You're easier to read than hooked on phonics." He ends with a deep breathe.

Please, he thinks by that he knows me? Yeah, sure.

"That's an active imagination you have there Max. Did anyone ever tell you could write stories? I'm sure all the desperate people who can't read will definitely pick up a copy." I say dismissively.

"And once again, my theory holds truth." He says walking towards me with a secret smile on his handsome face. What the hell is he up to now?

"You're in denial." He says directly in my face.

"In denial of what?"

"I've figured you out and now you refuse to except it. It's a common tactic." He shrugs like it's no big deal while folding his arms on his chest.

Common tactic? I outta shove my knee in his balls!

"The only thing you figured out is how much of an ass you are." I say with irritation.

Laughing loudly, he resumes stacking while we're silent for the next half hour before he interrupts the silence with another asinine question.

"You don't have a boyfriend. Do you Liz?" He states more than asking.

"What the hell does it matter to you?"

Chuckling, he smiles smugly before replying, "That means no."

Argggh!


TBC....

Crystal

It's July 15th, 2004 and I'm Liz Parker,

It's the middle of July and I haven't gotten an exceptance letter from any college yet. I've been checking the mail box like a maniac for the past week and nothing's arrived. I'm really worried now. What if I didn't get accepted and this is their way of letting me know? My parents keep saying good things come to those who wait and I'm trying to believe that but at the same time it's extremely difficult. I applied to two colleges in the city.....NYU and City College. I don't really wanna go far despite my parents wishes. I'm a city girl, i always will be and I can't help that.

And could you believe I haven't picked a major yet? Of course my parents think I've chosen Molecular Biology but I got rid of that choice a long time ago. I don't really want to study that anymore. I mean, it was fun to learn in high school and really exciting, but I can't picture myself doing that for the rest of my life. Not if I wanna be content with my career. So all of this is weighing down on me and I just don't know what to do.

And to make matters even more straining, Max has become really chatty at work these days. He's always asking questions and giving me his theories on my life and what not. As much as it irritates me, it's become this daily thing between us now. It's like I've come to expect it and it's no longer something I dread. It's....fun. He makes me laugh and no matter how arrogant he is, you can't help but humor him. It's cute....he's cute. Oh God, what am I saying?

"I see some things just don't go away in a month does it?"

Closing my journal quickly, I turn around and squeal delightfully at who's there.

"Alex! When did you get back?" I say jumping up and giving him the biggest hug.

"This morning actually. And boy does Florida suck. I've never seen so much rain in my life."

Smiling at his profession, I pull him to sit on my bed so we can catch up. "So tell me everything. What did you do down there?" I say excitedly.

"Geez Liz, you'd think I went to the Grand Canyon with the way you're acting." He says sarcastically.

"Shut up." I smile. "You're the first one to venture out of town. I just wanna know about what I'm missing."

"You're missing nothing, trust me. I couldn't wait to get back here and buy a pizza. Or to taste those totally unhealthy pretzels from the street vendors. I love this place." He says on a sigh.

"Alex, all you mentioned just now was food. There's much more to life than just stuffing your face." I reprimand.

"Like what?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

Laughing out loud, I revel in the presence of having him home again. When Alex is around, everything's so much more fun.

"It's good to have you home Alex. We missed you so much." I say giving him another hug.

"Speaking of we, I called our other half a little before I got here to see if she'd come over later and she sounded really weird on the phone." He says with a frown.

"What do you mean weird?" I ask.

"She was speaking like she couldn't really talk. And when she did say anything, it was really cryptic. Now we both know Maria, not talking and sounding cryptic just isn't in the girls' DNA." He says looking at me to respond.

What's up with Maria?

"I wonder what that's about?" I say thinkingly.

"I figured you would know. That's why I mentioned it." He says with a confused look.

"I honestly don't have a clue. But don't worry, I'll talk to her about it." I say reassuring him as much as myself.

Nodding his head, he lies back on my bed propping his head up on one of my pillows. "So, did you get into any colleges yet?" He asks.

"No, and it's driving me insane. I keep waiting and waiting and nothing's arrived. I won't be surprised if it never comes seeing as I haven't even picked a major yet." I say rejectedly.

"You haven't picked a major yet?" Alex fairly bellows with his eyes wide open.

Running to close my door before my parents hear, I turn back to him and throw a pillow at his head. "Would you keep your voice down. They don't know yet." I whisper to him.

Nodding his head, he still persists with the question. "Sorry, but what are you waiting for Liz? And most importantly, are you even planning on telling your parents?"

"I can't decide Alex. I like so many things, and I just feel like sticking to one thing is wrong somehow. And I don't know if i'll tell them anything. They're so hell bent on me studying science and I just don't want to disappoint them....they're really excited about this. College and the whole experience for me, it means so much to them as much as it does to me."

"Liz, you're the one that has to endure the thirty page essays and the hellacious mornings when you'd rather just stay in bed and sleep. You can't worry about what your parents want from you. You have to think about yourself and what makes you happy." He says seriously.

"Your right. I'll talk to them....just not today." I evade sneakily.

"Liz....." Alex says warningly.

"Come on Alex. It's your first day back and I'd much rather have some fun and forget about all this college crap for just one day. We've got things to do." I say anxiously.

Looking at me curiously, he says, "One of those things wouldn't include painting my nails again would it? That nail polish took forever to come off the last time." He says fearfully.

"Come on." I drag him up from the bed laughing at the loud groan he emits.

It definitely is good to have him home.

~~~~~~~~~

"So, um, Liz...what are you doing tonight?" Max asks me as we're restocking the book cases.

Turning to him, I try to decipher why he's asking me this and how exactly should I answer.

"Um, nothing really. A friend of mine is back in town. I just thought he'd come over and we'd hang out." I say casually.

"He?" He asks, raising his eyebrows. Okay, did I not just say that?

"Yes he. Is there a problem?" I say with a frown.

Shaking his head, he doesn't respond until a while after. "Nope, there's absolutely no problem. It's just that um, you had told me you didn't have a boyfriend." He says very nonchanantly.

Where is he going with this?

"I didn't tell you anything. You drew an educated guess. And besides, he isn't my boyfriend. We're just friends."

I could be mistaken, but it seems like he's relieved. Am I hallucinating or something?

"Oh, well...um, that's good. That's really good." He breathes out. "Cause there's this concert at MSG tonight...Maroon 5 is performing and I just figured you'd like to accompany me."

What?

"How do you even know if I like Maroon 5?" I retort.

He rolls his eyes and looks at me with that priceless grin of his. "Every girl likes Maroon 5." He says matter of factly.

Smiling and nodding my head cause I can't really argue that, I decide to play with him a little more longer. I wanna make him sweat.

"So what's the matter? Micheal's busy tonight?" I say trying to hold in my laugh.

"He's always busy lately. If he isn't watching a hockey game or attending some metallica thingy, he's out with Maria. They're like practically joined at the hip."

Hold up....Micheal and Maria? They're going out? Since when? And why didn't she tell me?

"Micheal and Maria?" I say confused. "They're dating?"

Max looks at me with a surprised look before answering. "You didn't know?"

"If I did would I be asking you right now?"

"I figured you of all people would know. Aren't you guys best friends?" He says with a frown.

Totally ignoring his question, I ask him one of my own. "How long have they been seeing each other?"

He looks like he's actually thinking about it before replying. "About three weeks now. Longest relationship Mike's ever had." He chuckles.

I can't believe Maria has been dating Micheal for three weeks now and hasn't told me. What is she waiting for?

"Don't sweat it Liz. Maybe she hasn't found the right time to say it. Who knows, she could probably tell you today." He says breaking into my thoughts.

"And how would you know?" I say back irritatedly. "I seem to be the only one this information skipped past. Even you know."

"Of course I know. I live with the guy." He says shrugging his shoulders. "What's the big deal anyway? She'll tell you when she's ready."

"The big deal is that best friends don't keep things like this from one another. We tell each other everything."

"Yeah, sure you do." He says sarcastically. I feel like punching him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Liz, this isn't sweet valley high okay. Everyone has a thing or two that they'd like to keep to themselves." He says.

"Whatever Max. I'm not really in the mood to hear one of your lectures right now if you don't mind."

"Fine with me. But you haven't answered my question." He calls out as I get ready to move on to the next aisle.

Turning around on a sigh, I ask him calmly, "And what question was that?"

He walks up to me and looks at me hopefully before speaking, "About the concert...do you wanna go?"

Do I wanna go? I mean it sounds like fun but I don't want him to get the wrong impression. He's seriously changed my view about him in the past month but this can't be a date. It just can't.

Seeing my hesistation, he quickly soothes my worries. "It's not a date Liz. Just a friendly outing....I promise you. We'll go to the concert, enjoy ourselves and I'll bring you back home, well if you want me to." He says with a smile.

Smiling myself, I nod my answer and he grins widely. Wow!

"Great. I'll pick you up at seven. Is that okay?"

"Sure."

Going back to work, I can't help but think.... What the hell did I get myself into?


TBC.....

Crystal

I can't believe I'm actually going through with this. I know it's not a date but it damn sure feels like one. I'm all nervous and jumpy and I can't stop watching the damn clock for seven o' clock to come already. And now I'm thinking about changing my outfit. What do you wear to concerts? Jeans and a nice girly top like I'm currently dubbed in, or skirts with backless shirts? God this is soo difficult. I would ask Maria for help if I wasn't still upset with her. Tonight's movie night and I'm sure she'll ask where I'm going. Like she has the audacity to.....she'll totally ask.

"Hey Liz, I hope your into Greek mythology cause I've rented Troy and....." She stops momentarily upon seeing my attire.

"Uh Liz, it's just me and Alex so unless you're all prettied up for Orlando Bloom, I think that your a little overdressed." She says sarcastically.

"I'm going out." I say curtly while applying some eye liner.

"Where?" She says questioningly.

"To a concert."

"Who's concert?" She elaborates.

"A Maroon five concert."

"By yourself?"

"Not necessarily."

"Liz, would you stop with all the short answers please. Who are you going with?" She asks impatiently.

What's with all the questions?

"With Max."

"With Max?" She says incredulously.

"Yes. Problem?" I say defensively.

"I just always thought you hated his guts. You couldn't stand the guy and now you're going out on dates with him? It's just weird."

"Things change. And it's not a date." I say still primping myself in the mirror.

Raising an eyebrow, she asks, "If it's not a date then why have you been holed up in here for the past two hours?"

I don't even get this type of drilling from my own mother!

"What's with the third degree Maria? It's just a concert. It's no big deal alright." I say irritatedly.

"God, what's gotten into you? I was just asking a question."

Really? I've got a question too.

"Well here's a question for you Maria, why didn't you tell me that you and Micheal are dating?" I blurt out.

The shock on her face was immediate. Now I'm even more upset.

"How um....who told you?" She whispers.

"Max did. I had to hear it from Max and not even my best friend. Were you ever going to tell me?" I ask.

She nods her head before replying. "I was, but I just didn't know how to tell you." She says queitly.

"Try again Maria....you always have something to say."

"Liz, I'm sorry okay, but I just thought that if you knew you'd be upset with me."

"Why would I be upset with you?" I ask confused.

"Because of Max." She says like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Now i'm even more confused.

"What? What does he have to do with this?"

"You hate him Liz......Or atleast you used to. Micheal's his best friend and I didn't want you to think that I was selling you out cause I'm dabbling with the enemy's friend. I thought you'd feel betrayed so I held off on letting you know." She finishes.

I feel my anger completely drown out. So atleast she had some insane reason for not telling me instead of just wanting to keep it a secret.

"Maria, that's crazy. I could never be upset with you for finding someone you like who makes you happy. Even if he is friends with satan's son. That's my own personal issue with him. It has nothing to do with you and I would never expect you to have to choose sides. That's ridiculous." I say with a slight chuckle.

"So I'm forgiven?" She asks cheekily.

"Yes, you're forgiven." I say with a smile.

"Good. So I guess movie night is pretty much squashed huh?" She says.

"No, watch it with Alex. I'm sure he'd love to see men clad in skirts." I say sarcastically.

"Yeah right." She says tossing herself on my bed.

"So..." I say turning to face her. "How do I look?"

She looks me up and down first before saying, "Like your going to a Maroon five concert." She smirks.

Throwing a lipstick at her, I hear the honking of a horn outside. He's here.

God, my stomach is all fluttery. I hope I don't puke.

"Okay, I'm leaving now. I'll see you later." I say grabbing my jacket and hurrying to get outside.

"Have fun." She yells as I'm leaving. "Hey, are those my boots your wearing?"
~~~~~~~~~~

We're like in the fifth row being squashed to death but it's fun as hell. They just performed 'This Love' and I sang to the top of my lungs. Max is like watching me the whole time as I make a fool out of myself. I don't care though, i'm enjoying myself.

"Are you having a good time?" He yells over the music.

"The best." I yell back. "Thanks for inviting me." I say smiling at him.

He takes my hand in his and kisses it gently before looking into my eyes.

"It was my pleasure." He grins.

For the rest of the concert, we just dance and sing like fools. People start to watch us and we just bust out laughing at the expressions on their faces.

He doesn't let go of my hand as we leave either.

~~~~~~~~

"You are totally full of it." I say while chomping down on a slice of pizza at Sbarros. "You can't drink and eat at the same time. It's impossible." I laugh out.

"Says who?" He challenges.

"Says everyone." I retort.

"Then everyone is completely useless if that's true." He says with a grin.

"Then you're saying I'm useless?" I ask with a coy smile.

"Your words, not mine." He smirks.

"Jerk." I say nudging his shoulder.

"Can I be honest with you Max?" I say seriously.

"Isn't it the best policy?" He questions with a raised eyebrow.

Giving him a slight smile, I proceed with what I was going to say.

"I didn't like you at all when we first met. I thought you were so arrogant and cocky and annoying." I list off while he watches on with amusement.

"And now?" He asks.

"And now, well, you're still all of those things but, it's better. You're easier to deal with now. I don't feel the need to kill you on a regular basis anymore." I say laughingly.

He looks at me with a smile before replying, "Well Ms. Parker, I'm glad your opinion has changed. Most people's first impressions of me gradually always do. What can I say? I'm hard to resist." He says on a satisfied sigh.

"Please Max, release the helium that's suddenly gone to your brain." I say back sarcastically.

He smiles widely at that and clears his throat. "I assume this honesty thing can be reciprocated right?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

Sipping my soda, I nod my head for confirmation.

Looking at me intently for a minute, he looks down before meeting my eyes again. "I think you're absolutely beautiful." He says in all seriousness.

I abruptly stop sucking the rest of my soda and look at him closely to see if he's really genuine.

Oh God, he is! He's not cracking a grin or anything.

I feel a slight blush taint my cheeks at his words before I respond to the compliment. "Thank you." I say quietly meeting his eyes briefly.

He nods with a slow grin forming on his face before it turns into a full fledged smile. It doesn't go unnoticed either.

"What are you smiling about?" I ask indignantly.

"You." He says without hesitation."You get embarrassed when people compliment you. It's pathetic really." He says shaking his head.

Narrowing my eyes at him, "Screw you okay." I say with a frown. "It's not everyday a cute guy tells me I'm beautiful."

His brilliant grin alerts me to the fact of what I just said.

Oh Shit! Did i just say that out loud? Now he's totally gonna use it against me. Damn it!!

"You think I'm cute?" He asks leaning forward.

"No...yes....I mean..... look your just as cute as the next guy okay. It's no big deal." I say covering my flaming face with my hands.

"But you didn't say a next guy Liz. You said me." He looks at me closely with a grin. "Don't worry Liz....I'm forced to agree with you." He says removing my hands from my face.

Glaring at him, I slap his hands away before saying, "Shut up you conceited bastard."

Laughing at my expense, he stands up and puts some money on the table. I follow suit and he stops me before I can place my money on the table with his.

"I've got it." He says dismissively.

"Max please, I can pay for my own food." I say still taking out the cash.

"Liz, put your measely money back in your purse. I'm paying." He says resolutely. I still refuse.

"Max...." I retort.

"Liz...." He says back looking at me to object again. I finally relent and stand up to put my jacket on.

"Save your money for next time. You can pay then since you want to so bad." He says nonchanantly.

Looking up at his words, there's no sarcasm or humor in his tone. He really means that. He wants to go out again. Whoa!

How do I know that I'd definitely say yes again?

I knew this was going to happen!


TBC.....

Crystal

"Maria would you quit it already? There's nothing to tell alright." I say with annoyance more than evident in my tone.

"Yes there is." She insists."When you came home last night, you were grinning like you had a hanger stuck in your mouth. The last time I saw you like that was when Kyle Valenti asked you to the sophomore dance."

Why doesn't she ever stop?

"Maria, that was almost three years ago. I was fifteen and thought I was in love with the guy. And besides, he was on the varsity team; what girl wouldn't have jumped at the oppurtunity back then."

"Whatever Ms. I have a secret. The point is, you went on a date with Max Evans despite what you wanna call it and ended up having a good time. I just wanna know how that happened. Please, put me out of my misery Liz." She whines.

"Alright, damn it." I relent after an entire half hour of her prying.

"We went to the concert as you know...." I say with her motioning to skip all that and move on to the important stuff.

"Well we went to eat at Sbarros afterwards and we talked and laughed and what not. Then I confess to him about how my perception of him has changed over time and he responds with some arrogant comment as usual. Anyway, he tells me I'm beautiful and I got so embarrassed. He noticed it of course and used it to his advantage....."

"Hold up, wait a minute, wait a minute." Maria interrupts me with a shake of her hand. "When I said to give me the details, I meant the details Liz. Now come on, tell me what happened after you left the restaurant."

Ok... um, nothing!

"He dropped me home and promised to call." I say with finality.

The unsatisfied expression on her face is hilarious. I try hard not to laugh.

"That's it?" She says with a hint of boredom in her tone.

"Yup, pretty much." I nod. And it's the truth as well. That's all that did happen.

"How gratifying." She says sarcastically. "I sat here and begged for that?"

"See what happens when your curious?" I laugh at her.

"Yeah, yeah....message recieved." She mumbles.

"Hurry up and finish that salad Maria. My break is up in ten minutes." I tell her as she takes her precious time eating. She's the slowest eater I've ever known.

"What's the rush? It's not like.....Oh, I get it now. You wanna hurry up so you can see Max." She says with a smirk.

Is it that obvious? God, who am I?

"No Maria. I have a job to do. I just don't wanna be late." I say trying to sound convincing.

"Oh Please. Your the world's most terrible liar Liz Parker. You couldn't tell a lie to save your life."

"Shut up and let's go." I say getting out the seat walking towards the door.

I'm not that bad right? It's not like I have 'want to see Max Evans' written on my forehead! I might as well should...it would be much simpler!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm so bothered right now and I don't even know why. Okay, so I happened to be coming back from my lunch break and I see Max chatting with this tall big breasted blonde. Their all close together and he's listening intently to every word that's coming out of her perfect shaped mouth. I mean, like who the heck is she? I'm not jealous....it's far from that. I just wanna know who she is....with her manicured nails and, big breast!

"Hey Liz, before I forget... tell Maria that Micheal said he'll have to cancel tonight cause he's got some interview thing." Max says trying to remember what he's so obviously forgotten.

"Okay, but why can't he tell her himself?" I ask with a frown.

"He hasn't payed the phone bill. They terminated the service." He says so casually like it's common knowledge.

Okie Dokie!

"Alrighty." I sigh a little distracted. I'm thinking of all the possible ways I could mention to him about that girl he was with earlier without sounding so desperate.

God what is the world coming to when I'm afraid of sounding desperate?

Sensing my attention elsewhere, Max breaks into my little internal dialogue.

"You okay?" He asks looking at me closely.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Great actually." I say a little to happily.

"You sure?" He looks on still doubtful.

"Positive." I say with a big smile.

Going back to work, I decide to just play it casual and ask him. No big deal.

"So Max...do you um, do you have a lot of female friends?" I ask.

Looking at me, he stops what he's doing to give me his attention.

"Female friends?" He repeats with a little confusion.

"Yeah, you know....friends that are females...female friends." I say pointedly.

Looking at me intently for a moment, he answers anyway. "Ah, a few. Wouldn't say a lot. Why?" He says with a raised eyebrow.

Shrugging my shoulders, I say,"No reason...it's just that I saw you talking to this girl earlier...and um...it just seemed like you knew each other real well." I say nonchanantly.

Staring at me with those amber eyes, he furrows his eyebrows like he hasn't got the foggiest clue who I'm talking about it.

Patience is not one of my strong suits.

"What girl?" He asks.

Finally giving up on all pretense, I tell him flat out.

"The blonde girl Max. She was tall and beautiful with manicured nails and big breasts. You were talking to her. I saw you, so just stop acting like your clueless here." I say highly annoyed now.

Recognition finally clicks in his eyes before he speaks. "You mean Isabel."

He says it like it does something for me. It tells me nothing!

"Isabel?" I say still not satisfied with his answer.

"Yeah, my sister." He says with a small smile appearing on his face.

His sister? Oh God! I just made a complete fool out of myself demanding that he tell me. I thought she was just some bimbo but it's his frickin' sister...I'm such an idiot!

"Your sister?" I say with complete embarrassment. "She's um, she's really quite pretty." I stutter trying to play it off.

He's full blown smiling now and I just wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

Walking towards me, he licks his lips before saying, "I know someone else just as pretty." He whispers when he reaches me.

Rolling my eyes at his remark, I try to side step him when he reaches out and gently grabs my arm pulling me back infront of him.

"Were you jealous Liz?" He sings out with a smile on his face.

"Jealous?! Please Max, I have better things to do with my time." I say crossing my arms indignantly.

"You were, weren't you?" He laughs out looking at my supremely red face.

Quickly getting aggravated with his laughing, I poke my finger into his chest. "Get outta my way Max."

Sobering up, he takes my finger and places my entire hand on his chest and looks at me seriously. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh but...it was cute. Your cute." He says still looking at me.

God, why is he doing this?

Shaking my head with a slight smile on my face, I slowly remove my hand from his chest. "Don't you ever give it a rest?" I say playfully.

"Not when I'm telling the truth." He says matter of factly. "Which isn't very often, so if I were you, I'd take what I'm saying very seriously." He murmurs.

"Your crazy, you know that?" I say rolling my eyes at him.

"Yeah I am. I'm thinking it has something to do with you." He says genuinely. "Go out with me tonight?" He asks sweetly.

"I can't. Micheal canceled on Maria. I can't leave her alone." I say honestly.

"Then tomorrow night?" He persists with a gleam in his eyes.

Not wanting to sound so eager, I say, "I'll think about it."

He seems to accept that and nods with a smile." Can I call you?"

"Sure." I reply with a small grin.

That lights up his already handsome features and he kisses me on the cheek before going back to work. I sigh loudly before following him.

I am such a goner.


TBC.....

Crystal

Is it totally wrong that I'm sitting here waiting for Max to call me? I mean, it sounds so cliche.... a girl waiting by the phone for the guy to call. Not in a million years did I think I'd be that girl.... and it would be even worse if he didn't call and I'm just sitting here like a desperate fool. God, I need to do something to get my mind off of him!

"Lizzie, can you come down here for a sec?" My dad yells from the restaurant. Saved by the bell....or yell shall I say.

Running down the steps, I see him holding a white envelope in his hand and an anxious smile on his face. What the hell's going on?

"What's up dad?" I say curiously.

Without answering, he places the envelope in my hand. "Open it."

"What is it?" I say looking down inspecting it before looking back to his face.

He looks at me impatiently before saying again with his excitement barely concealed. "It's from NYU Liz. Open it already."

Oh God! It's an exceptance letter....or an unexceptance letter. I've waited weeks for this and it's finally here....I'm officially nervous now.

Ripping open the envelope, I take a deep breathe before reading all the words carefully. I'm relieved at what I see.

"Did you get in?" My dad asks anxiously.

Smiling brightly, I nod my head and he claps his hands before lifting me up in the air and kissing my cheek.

"I knew you'd get in Liz. They couldn't say no. You aced the SAT's and the entry exam....you're destined to become a Molecular Biologist. I can't wait for your mother to read this letter." He says proudly.

And with his profession, my happiness vanished just as quick as it came. I guess it's time to spill the beans. God, i wish I didn't have to do this.

"Uh dad, there's um...there's something I have to tell you." I say hesistantly.

"What is it?" He says sitting down on the lounge chair.

"I didn't...I haven't quite picked a major yet." I say meekly.

"What are you talking about? Of course you picked a major Liz. It's Molecular Biology." He says surely.

"No dad. I got rid of that months ago. I dropped it without telling you and Mom." I say quietly.

"What? Why?" He says in disbelief.

"It's not what I wanna do dad. I don't love it. I'm sorry." I say shrugging my shoulders.

"You're sorry?" He says incredulously. "You just told me that you haven't got a major and your sorry? That's all you have to say?"

And here he goes.

"What else do you want me to say? I'm not changing my mind on this. I don't want to study that anymore. What's the big deal?" I say getting aggitated.

"The big deal is that you're starting college in two months and you don't have a major. Do you even have an idea what you want to study?" He says raising his voice.

"I don't know yet." I say annoyed.

"Well that's just amazing. You don't know yet....I'm sure the acceptance office at NYU would love to hear that one." He says sarcastically.

"Look, can we drop it now?" I say angry now.

"No, you just can't drop it Liz. You're making a mistake here and you don't seem to care." He says rising from the chair.

"Why is it a mistake?" I say defensively. "Because it's not what you wanted me to do?"

"Because your not old enough to make decisions like this on your own." He counters. "How could you just go behind our backs and take it upon yourself to change your major to nothing might I add, and not even tell us?"

"I did it because it's what I wanted to do. God dad, I'm the one that's going to college here....I'm the one that has to earn the degree. And you're telling me that what I want doesn't count because of my age?" I say yelling.

"You always wanted to study Molecular Biology Liz. Ever since you were twelve. What changed?"

"I changed. I'm not a little girl anymore. Yeah, it was fun to learn or whatever but that was then. Now it's different. I'm interested in other things. You can't always bend me to your will and expect me to go along with it all the time. When are you going to see that?"

Sighing loudly, he runs his hands through his hair and sits back down on the chair. "Liz, we'll talk more about this when your mother gets back." He says ending the conversation.

"So what, now I give you a question you can't answer, the discussion is over?" I say crossing my arms.

The ringing of the phone cuts off his response. Answering it, he looks over at me before saying a curt hold on to whoever it is on the other end.

"It's for you. A Max Evans calling? Who's that?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

Oh shit! I totally forgot he was supposed to call me. Leave it to Max to call at the most wrong time!

Taking the phone from him, I run up the stairs not even bothering to answer his question.

Once I've reached my room and lock the door, I put the phone to my ear and breathe deeply.

"Hi."

"Hey." He says in that husky, deep voice of his. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." I say after a long pause. He had to pick up on that.

"No, you're not." He says immediately. I knew he would. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing....it's nothing. Atleast not anything I wanna rehash now." I say quietly over the phone.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" He says with concern.

I'm touched that he even cares. It's a nice feeling.

"No...I don't think you can." I say with a slight smile in my tone.

"Now, I don't know about that." He says smartly. "I've been told that my voice does wonders for the soul."

What the hell is he talking about?

"What?" I say confused.

"Singing Liz." He says like it's obvious.

"Max, no. Please, you don't have to do that." I say quickly. He isn't very skilled in that area...at all!

"What are trying to say Liz? That I suck? I'll have you know, that right before my turtle died when I thirteen, I sang to that bastard like there was no tomorrow. Hey, it kind of wasn't....for him atleast." He chuckles at his own joke.

"It's probably your singing that killed the damn thing." I say laughingly.

"I'm hurt Liz...I really am." He says indignantly. "You know what? I'll prove it to you."

He starts singing the Maroon five song 'She will be loved' and I groan out loud at the mockery he's making of it.

"Max stop. Please." I beg.

'Tap on my window
knock on my door I
wanna make you feel beautiful'

"Max, shut up before I hang up." I warn.

'I don't mind spending every day
out on your corner in the pouring rain
look for the girl with the broken smile
ask her if she wants to stay awhile'

"Max...." I laugh out.

'And she will be loved'

"Max, shut up." I say.

'She will be loved'

"I'm hanging up now."

'She will be......'

I'm positive he's staring at the phone listening to the dial tone after I hung up on his ass. God he has the most awful voice of all time.....it was funny though.

The phone rings immediately after. I know it's him.

"I guess you were serious about hanging up huh?"

"Very." I say with a smile on my face.

"Did you laugh at all during my mini concert?" He asks quietly.

"Yeah, a lot." I admit.

"Goal accomplished." He says simply.

Nodding my head, I feel a warm feeling spread throughout my body with his answer. "Thanks Max." I say honestly.

"Your welcome." He says genuinely. "But there's something I want you to do for me."

What now?

"What is it?" I ask a little suspiciously. You can never know with this guy.

"Say you'll go out with me tomorrow night." He says.

I knew this was coming. But I've thought about it. Infact, I had already decided since earlier.

"Come on Liz." He cajoles. "It's the least you can do after I just made a complete ass out of myself, over the phone no less." He includes.

Grinning like a idiot when I know he can't see me, I put him out of his misery. "Okay." I say quietly.

I imagine him smiling so wide with those cute little dimples showing. He is so adorable.

"Good. And by the way, I knew you'd say yes." He says smugly.

"Oh whatever." I say rolling my eyes. "I've kinda gotta go now." I say regretfully.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks.

"Sure. Goodnight Max." I whisper.

"Night Liz." He says back.

I hesistated before hanging up the phone and disconnecting with him. I almost didn't wanna say bye.... I didn't want him to stop talking.

God, what is he doing to me?


TBC.....

Crystal

*Hey guys, thanks for all the amazing feedback...I really appreciate it. And check out the banner on the first page made by Lolita Behrbuns....it's amazing!!


"You're going out with him again? Maria says surprised.

"Yeah." I say a little embarrassed. I know somewhere down the line I'll regret telling her this.

"This is getting pretty serious huh? Soon you'll be double dating with me and Micheal. I can't wait." She says all excited.

Whoa!

"Okay, Maria...you're way ahead of me here. It's just a second date alright. Don't go planning our nuptials." I say fixing my hair.

"So, who's this Max again?" Alex says turning his attention away from the television where a geico commercial's playing.

"He's just this guy I work with." I say briefly.

"Oh Please! Alex, that was the abbreviated version." She says rolling her eyes. "Let me tell you who he really is."

"He wouldn't happen to be a drug dealer would he?" Alex says with a suspicious frown on his face.

"No!" I say quickly. "Why would you even think that?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he says, "I don't know, it's just a thought. This is Brooklyn after all."

"Well anyway, he was like this totally cocky sexy ass guy that Liz would complain about every day and then he just put the moves on her out of nowhere and now she's like addicted to him...you should see her when she talks about him...It's like christmas." She finishes with a smile.

"So I go away for one month, and Liz is in love already?" Alex says in disbelief.

What? I am not in love!

"I am not in love with him!" I laugh out nervously. "Maria is totally exaggerating...Believe me Alex."

"Oh really, I am?" She says with a raised eyebrow. "Why don't you tell Alex about him serenading you on the phone last night?" She says wickedly.

"He serenaded you?" Alex says with wide eyes. "Guys do that?"

Nodding her head, Maria continues, "Apparently Max does...And she loved every minute of it. Didn't you Liz?" She winks at me through the mirror.

"You guys are unbelievable." I mutter out, applying some shiny gloss to my lips.

"So everyone's dating someone here?" Alex says.

"I'm not dating him yet." I say louder. God, am I invisible?

"Noticed how she said yet." Maria points out.

"I mean, i'm not totally female repellant. You guys like me." Alex says thinkingly.

"But we're your friends Alex." I say with a smile. "We have to like you."

"Yeah, but come on...." He sighs dramatically. "So what if I don't have piercings and huge muscles and lots of money...I have morals and I'm smart. Any girl would be lucky to have me as a boyfriend." He finishes with a proud smile.

"You know, Max has a sister." Maria pats his shoulder.

"Uh, I don't think that'll help much." I say apprehensively. The remembrance of Isabel is clearly etched into my memory. She doesn't seem like she'd give Alex the time of day.

"Why do you say that?" Maria says.

"She's beautiful and she has manicured nails and blonde hair and...and big breasts....she's just not your type." I say dismissively.

"That's not my type? Liz, that's every guy's type." Alex says matter of factly.

"I know, but she just doesn't seem like the girl for you."

"A beautiful girl isn't the one for me?" He says with a frown.

Okay, he's not getting the point.

"No Alex...What I'm saying is that, from my point of view, she seemed superficial and a bit high strung. I don't mean to judge and I hardly know the girl but it's just a first impression. I could be completely wrong." I say reassuringly.

"Yeah you could Liz." Maria adds in. "You of all people should know how much things aren't exactly what they appear to be. Look at Max....Now you're going on a second date with the guy... Is my point made?" She says with a smirk.

Thinking to myself how right she is, I answer her slightly distracted, "Yeah, you are."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You alright?" Max says touching my shoulder lightly.

Nodding my head, I smile at him before replying. "Yeah, I am...Thanks for such a wonderful time Max." I say honestly.

It really was an amazing date. He took me to this pier just outside of the Hudson River. We walked around and looked at all the sites just before dining at this really low key restaurant with a magnificent view of the city skyline. We even watched the sun set lighting the sky with an orange tint. It was beauftiful. Now we're walking on a border near the river with the stars giving the water a silver glow. I never knew the city could be so magical.

Looking at me gazingly, he returns my smile and replies, "Your welcome."

He looks as if he has something else to say. I give him the initiative.

"What Max?....It looked like you wanted to say something." I say quietly.

He stops us from walking, and gestures that we sit down on a nearby bench. I turn to him thinking that what he has to say might be serious.

"Liz, we had an amazing night so far. It went exactly how I planned it." He says peering at me intently.

"But...." I say, knowing instinctively the word was next to be uttered.

Smiling a little at my admission, he continues, "But, I've felt like you've been somewhere else entirely. I mean you're here, right next to me....but...." He trails off most likely to gauge my reaction.

I look down because I know exactly what he means. My mind has been so far away for the most part of the evening. I just couldn't help thinking about the last words Maria said to me before I left earlier. She was more than accurate. Max has completely exceeded my expectations and I guess that scares me more than I'd like to admit.

I had him chalked up to be this arrogant prick who'd never garner my attention and that was just fine because it was clear that we'd never mesh with one another. But as it turns out, we more than mesh. We get along so well and I like him so much that if we ever got together and it worked out perfectly, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have him leave me behind when he goes off doing his own thing and I'm starting college in the fall. Do I really wanna start something I can't finish and cause all of this heartache and confusion that's bound to happen? Is it really worth it....is he really worth it?

Looking back up at his face, I know that he deserves to hear the truth.

"Yeah...you're absolutely right and I'm sorry for that. It's just that...I've been thinking." I say slowly.

Taking my hand in his, he moves closer to me. "Thinking about what?" He whispers.

"About you and me...And where this thing between us might be going." I say looking into his eyes. I see a joyful sparkle in their depths when I said us.

"Where do you want it to go?" He says apprehensively.

"I don't know." I say shrugging my shoulders. "I'm just really confused."

"Liz, I like you. I like you a lot." He says with a deep smile. "I may be going out on a limb here, but I've never felt like this with a girl ever. I don't think you have either." He says in a non cocky way. Another first from him.

Gazing into his eyes with a besotted smile, I whisper, "How do you feel?"

Holding my stare, he lifts one hand to cup my cheek. "Like the more I'm with you, the faster I seem to be falling....Falling into this euphoria, this place I never thought I'd end up and I can't stop it. I don't think I want to." He whispers, inching his face closer to mine.

Knowing that he's going to kiss me, I look down and fiddle with the fabric of my top. He sighs and lifts my chin up with his hand to look into my eyes.

"What are you afraid of?" He says intensely. "I'd never hurt you."

"I'm starting college in the fall Max. I don't know where you'll be. If your staying here or not....I just know that really soon, my life is going to change and I'm not sure if I'm prepared for all of that along with a relationship with you." I say frantically.

"Liz, all I'm asking for is a chance. We have something...something so rare when we're together. I don't wanna know what it would feel like to never having taking that oppurtunity with you... I feel it in my heart Liz...I feel how right this is. Don't you?" He whispers with both of his hands cradling my face.

"But what about......" I try again with what little restraint I have left.

Placing a finger to my lips, he continues with, "We'll cross that bridge when we get there Liz. Just take it one day at a time....Trust me, you won't regret this. I promise you."

Hearing the sincerity in his words, and the intensity of how bad I want this, I whisper, "Okay."

The smile that lights up his face was almost blinding. It's contagious and I can't help but return it.

"Can I kiss you now?" He says with emphasis.

Nodding my head, he leans forward and touches my lips lightly with his own. He opens his mouth slightly wider, waiting for my permission to deepen the kiss. Taking the signal, I run my hands up his shoulders to the nape of his neck and pull him closer.

Deepening the contact, he groans softly as I maneuver my tongue into his mouth to tangle with his own. It's the explosion of all kisses. I've kissed guys before, but it's never been this good. He tastes like nothing I've ever had before.

Pulling away slowly when catching my breathe became more than imperative, I open my eyes to see him staring at me with an adorable look on his face. I smile at how cute he looks with my lip gloss on his lips.

"You're a really great kisser." I say in all honesty.

His eyes light up with my profession and he leans forward to kiss me again. With his lips so close to mine, he whispers, "I know."

Rolling my eyes at his response, I smile despite myself before sealing our lips once again.

There's no way this could go wrong. It feels to damn right.


TBC....

Crystal

*Hey guys, thankz again for the amazing responses...this'll be the last part I post until monday or tuesday... I'm leaving tonight for Atlanta for the weekend and I'll be back anytime before wednesday so hold tight and enjoy!


It's August 1st 2004 and I'm Liz Parker,

Life couldn't be any more better. Max and I are officially dating now and it's surpassed any fantasy I could've ever conjured. He's unbelievably sweet and caring. And you won't believe it, but he's absolutely romantic. He's still arrogant and what not, but I guess it's apart of who he is. I'm more than happy to oblige that.

Post our getting together that night of our date, we sat there and talked about everything. We talked about his family and mine. Our childhood experiences and all the things we wanted to be growing up. I even told him about my current dilemma with my folks which would be my inability to pick a major. The amazing thing was, that during my entire confession, he didn't judge me or lecture me about wasting time....he listened and he understood. He gave me the oppurtunity to vent and I'll always be grateful for that. He makes me happy and I don't know... but I'm starting to feel like this could really be something worth while. Something special....

"Writing about me?" I'd know that voice anywhere.

Sitting up, I see Max at the window near my balcony with a huge smile on his face. He is so cute.

Putting my journal aside, I walk over to him and plant a passionate kiss on his lips. It takes him a while to know that I'm now asking him a question.

"What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting up later?" I ask with a smile on my face.

Shaking his head, he focuses on me and says, "Yeah I know, but I couldn't wait for later. I had to see you." He says stepping into my room.

See what I mean, Romantic at every degree.

"Your amazing." I say kissing him again. He pulls me closer to his body and deepens the kiss. Pulling away slowly, I rest my forehead on his.

"Can I read your journal?" He says when he opens his eyes.

What??

Laughing at the absurdity of the question, I say, "Out of all the possible things you could've just said, that's what you came up with?" I ask with a smile.

"Well it's the first thing that came to mind. And you know me, I say what I think." He whispers near my ear.

Shivering with his warm breathe so near to my ear, I move away from him before I do something indecent with my parents right downstairs.

"Yeah I do know you." I say picking up my journal and holding it close to my chest. "That's why you can't read it." I say with a smile.

"Come on Liz. What's in there that I don't already know?" He says with a raised eyebrow approaching me slowly.

"Plenty." I respond backing up with his strides quickening in my direction. "There's stuff about Maria and I...and about Alex. And some things about past guys I might've dated. All things that you don't wanna know."

"I wanna know. Believe me I do. I wanna know about all the guys you compare me to. Seeing as I've gotta be the best one you've dated." He says with grin.

Rolling my eyes, I push my hand out to his chest and stop him from coming any closer. "No Max. I don't wanna show you." I say backing up.

"How about I just take it then?" He says quickly grabbing it out of my hands and running across my room to read it.

Hot on his heels, I jump on his back and we land on a tumble on my bed.

"Give it to me Max." I say struggling to get it out of his grasp.

"You know, we're in a relationship." He says with one hand holding me down and the other holding onto the book. "We aren't supposed to keep secrets." He says as I try to reach up to grab him and miss.

"It's not secrets moron. It's called privacy, now hand it over." I say managing to pull his entire weight on me and reach out the other hand to try and grab the book.

Damn him and those long ass arms of his!

"No." He says beginning to tickle me.

"Max, please don't." I say giggling.

"Then give up." He says challengingly.

"No Max. Just give me the book before I get physical." I struggle to say with his fingers digging into my side.

"Your not really in the position to make threats Liz." He says laughing. "Just give up and I'll stop."

"You bastard." I say. Finally deciding on a tactic, I pull his face down to mine and kiss him senseless.

The playing forgotten, he settles more firmly above me and returns the kiss with eagerness. Dropping the book onto the floor, his hands make their way into my hair to hold my head steady for him deepening the kiss.

"Honey, do you remember where I put the....Liz, what's going on in here?"

I hear my mom's voice and Max quickly jumps off me to the opposite side of the room while I scramble up wiping my mouth before answering her.

"Uh, hey mom....what's up?" I say avoiding her stare.

"I could ask you the same question." She says with a raised eyebrow. Turning her gaze to Max, she says, "Who's he Liz?"

Looking at Max, I see him flushed with embarrassment and his eyes carefully looking everywhere but at my bed.

I haven't exactly told them about Max and I yet. Infact, I didn't plan on it but shit happens. No kidding!

"Max, he's um...he's just this um... he's my...my boyfriend." I finally get out after much stuttering.

"Boyfriend?" She says with shock.

"Yes." I say nodding my head. "That's what he is."

"Since when Liz?" She says with her hand on her hips.

"Since um, since three weeks ago." I say wincing when I hear her sharp gasp.

"And now you're letting me know? I thought we we're closer than that Liz?" She says.

Instantly feeling guilty, I look down. "It's not even like that Mom. I just...I didn't get around to mentioning it...I'm sorry."

"Well you will be later on tonight." She says sternly. Turning her gaze once more to Max, she says, "Nice to meet you Max, I wish we could've met under different circumstances." She says holding out her hand.

Nodding his head, he moves forward and takes her offered hand. "Nice to meet you too Mrs. Parker." He says quietly.

"Well, I'm off to the market. Your dad is in the house so I expect you to behave. We'll talk later Liz." She says looking at me pointedly. "Bye Max." She says walking out of the room.

Embarrassed much?

"I'm so sorry Liz. I didn't mean to get you in trouble." He says walking up to me immediately after my mom left.

"It's not your fault. We were both making out. I'm just sorry she had to find out about you like that." I say looking up at him to gauge his reaction.

"Liz, I know you don't really like to talk about these kind of things with your parents. It's no big deal. You weren't ready to tell them. I understand." He says kissing my forehead.

"So, your not mad at me?"

Smiling down at me, he says, "No, I'm not mad at you." Kissing me lightly, he moves toward the window and I follow him.

"I better get going." He says reluctantly. "Call me to let me know if you can still meet me tonight."

Nodding my head, I say, "I will. I'll be there Max. No matter what they say." I say looking into his eyes.

"A rebellious Liz?" He says with amusement. "I think I like it." He smirks.

Smiling at him, I kiss him again. "Bye Max."

"Bye Liz." He whispers before stepping over the ladder. Watching him go, I think to myself....

How in the hell am I going to sneak out if my parents won't let me go??? Cause there's no way in hell I'm not meeting him tonight!


TBC....

Crystal

"She caught you making out with him on your bed?" Maria yells in my ear over the phone. Damn, I have eardrums remember!

"Yup. And now she wants to talk about it. I mean what the hell is there to discuss?" I say getting worked up.

"Well besides her not even knowing about Max in the first place and then to see you both getting it on, I'd say there's absolutely nothing to discuss." She says sarcastically.

"We weren't getting it on Maria. It was innocent as hell. The reason we were even on the bed to begin with was because he tried to read my journal and I chased after him." I say defending myself.

"So how exactly did you end up making out?"

"I tried to distract him so I could get the damn book out of his hand and so I kissed him. How was I to know he'd drop the book completely and start kissing me back?" I say into the phone.

"Would you listen to yourself?" Maria laughs on the other end. "That's like saying there's a Britney Spears special showing and all the middle aged men of America aren't going to watch. Are you kidding me?"

Damn, she's right. I hate that.

"Well what the hell am I supposed to do Maria? Please help me cause I really don't want to have this talk with her. She's going to think all kinds of things and there's no changing her mind. This thing with Max and I is still new. I don't want anything screwing it up already. It's the reason I haven't mentioned Max at all." I say chewing on my bottom lip worriedly.

"You have no choice Liz. You have to tell her about him now. If you just keep evading it, then she'll definitely think something's up. You have to act like you have nothing to hide. It's the only way she'll believe what you say."

"Is that what you did with Micheal and your mom?" I ask curiously.

"Did I say that?" She says with a questioning tone.

No, she didn't.

"How can you give advice and expect it to be taken when you haven't done so yourself?" I say reprimandingly.

Sighing she says, "Liz, there's a difference alright. My mom and I have this unspoken agreement. She doesn't ask and I don't tell. With you and your folks, they want to be included in every aspect of your life and it's just...it seems so invasive. I mean there's some things you'd just rather not talk about with your parents. But then again, you've got the mushy loving family life and I've got...well, I've got my Mom. And it's fine."

"So you can imagine how I feel." I say on a deep sigh. "I mean they're my parents and I love them but they're totally boardering on insanity here."

"Just go with the truth Liz. It's always worked for you."

Yeah, sure it will.

"Not after tonight it won't."

"What do you mean?" Maria asks confused.

"I'm supposed to be meeting Max tonight. If this talk goes extremely bad, that may not happen."

"So what are you saying?" She says.

"I'm saying that regardless of what happens, I'm meeting him." I say with determination.

"You mean like, your going still even if she says no?"

"Yeah."

"Like if she forbids you to go, you'll sneak out and meet him?"

Okay, is she not hearing me?

"Yes Maria." I say with emphasis.

"Whoa. This is like drama 101." She says with an unbelieving tone. "Since when is my Lizzie defying the parentals?"

Thinking about that question, the answer is pretty simple.

"Since I'm happy." I say with a contented smile.

"Well go handle your business and let me know how it goes. I might have to reserve a spot for you on my bed tonight." She says chuckling.

Laughing myself, I say, "I hope it won't come to that."

"It probably won't but it doesn't hurt to be prepared." She says.

"Yeah, I know." I say quietly.

"Call me later?" She asks.

"Of course."

"Good luck. I wish we could trade places." She says sympathetically.

"You do?" I say with surprise.

"Nah, not really. Just thought it would seem like something to say." She says on a laugh.

"Real noble Maria."

"I try."

"Yeah, I bet. Later."

"Bye."

Placing the phone back on my nightstand, I stand from the bed and run my hands through my hair. Taking a deep breathe, I make my way downstairs...dreading every step closer I get to the living room.

Upon my entrance, my mom is sitting on the couch watching a friends re run. Taking a closer look at the screen, it's a funny episode too. It's the one when Ross wore those leather pants on a date and.....

"Ready to talk?" My mom says breaking into my thoughts with her attention now focused on me.

Wringing my fingers together, I shrug my shoulders as I sit down on the couch beside her. "I guess."

Looking around the room for my dad and seeing him no where in sight, I decide to ask about his whereabouts. "Where's dad?"

"Asleep." She answers simply.

Nodding my head, I swallow thickly before asking her my next question. "Are you...are you going to tell him?" I whisper.

Looking at me intently for a good while, she shakes her head and says, "I don't think divulging this to him would do any good. Though he should know something." She says meaningly.

"Please Mom, just...let me tell him. I'll introduce him to Max and whatever else. Just let me do it." I plead.

Nodding her head, she sits back more on the sofa. "So Max huh? He's your boyfriend now? Where did you meet him?" She asks calmly.

"At my job. He works there too." I say looking down at the carpet.

Raising an eyebrow, she says, "So he's your co worker? Wouldn't that interfere with the policy among the employees?"

"No, it won't. We... we don't even talk about that or act differently since we've been dating. He's really professional about it. We're really careful at work." I say reassuringly.

"How old is he?"

"He's um...he's nineteen." I say nervously.

"Are you sure about that?" She says curiously.

"Yes Mom. I'm sure." I say looking her in the eyes.

"What else do you know about him Liz? Tell me that you know him really well." She says looking at me.

What is she getting at?

"I know the important things. The rest I'll learn eventually." I say getting defensive.

"Like what Liz? What do you know?" She says slightly raising her voice.

"I know enough alright. He's not just some random guy that I picked up off the street. He's decent and respectful and...he makes me happy. I always thought that was what's important."

"It is Liz. But what would you expect at first huh? Of course they make you happy in the beginning...it's what happens later on that determines it. When they start making you unhappy." She says pointedly.

"No Mom. Don't even do that. You don't know him. If you did, you wouldn't even be saying this right now." I say annoyed.

"How could I have known him Liz? You kept him a secret for three weeks." She says.

"Because I knew you'd have all these theories and judgements. I knew you'd think what you wanted to about him and nothing I could ever say would change that. It looks like I was right." I say with my ire rising.

"That's not fair Liz. I found you on your bed, fooling around with some stranger for all I know. What was I supposed to think? You didn't exactly give me a choice here." She says loudly.

Realizing that she's like half right, my anger ebbs slightly.

"Mom, I didn't mean for you to find out like that. It wasn't supposed to happen like this and what you saw wasn't exactly what it seemed like." I say rubbing my forehead.

"So what was it? Are you having sex with him?" She asks bluntly.

Oh dear god!

"No Mom, I'm not having sex with him. I haven't with anyone. God, it's not even like that." I say scrunching up my face at the direction this conversation has now taken.

"Well that's good. Because when you start having sex with someone, it gets complicated. Things change and you...."

"Mom please." I interrupt her. "What your about to say isn't even necessary."

"I'm your mother Liz. It's my job to tell you these things. I just want you to be careful." She says.

"I am mom. Don't worry about that. I just thought I should tell you that Max is just the most amazing guy I've ever met. He's funny and charming and he's just the best person. I really like him a lot." I say in all honesty.

"I can see that." She says looking at me closely.

"If you like, maybe I could invite him over for both you and dad to see what I'm talking about. So you could see for yourself." I insist.

"I'd like that Liz." She says smiling at me.

Nodding my head, I remember just one more thing I wanted to ask. Please let her say yes. It would be so much easier.

"Uh Mom, Can I...could I meet up with Max tonight?" I ask meekly.

"Liz..." She says warningly.

"Please Mom. I already told him yes and he's got something planned...I don't know what it is, but I'm positive it's innocent." I say desperately.

"I don't know Liz. It's all so sudden." She says still looking skeptic.

"Mom, I just sat here and told you everything. How can you still not trust me after that?" I whisper.

"Liz, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that...with all that's going on in your life and all these new things I'm learning... it's just hard to adjust. I'm trying to get used to it." She says.

"Just trust me Mom. I promise you nothing's going to go wrong. That what you're thinking isn't going to happen. I know what I'm doing." I say looking pleadingly into her eyes.

Still looking slightly cautious, she relents and says, "Fine Liz. Go ahead. But I want you in the house before midnite. Agreed?"

Smiling brightly, I nod my head and kiss her cheek. "Thanks Mom."

Here I come Max!

~~~~~~~~~~

I've been to the Canarsie pier before, but it's never been quite this peaceful. With our seats reclined in Max's chevelle and my hand tucked firmly in his while we watch the stars, I never want to go home.

Turning his head to face me, he whispers, "What happened with your Mom?"

"Nothing too drastic if that's what you're asking." I say smiling a little at his expression. "She just asked a few questions and I answered them. Everything's peachy now." I say on a sigh.

"Peachy?" He questions. "It doesn't sound like it."

Turning to face him fully, I lean up on my elbow and look down at him. "It's fine Max. We talked and worked it out. She knows about you and she accepts it. Nothing could keep me away from you." I say looking intently into his eyes.

Seeing the satisfaction that lies within his depths at my words, I lean down and lightly kiss him.

"Tell me Max." I whisper in his mouth.

Grazing my lips with his own, he whispers back, "Tell you what?"

"Anything. Everything. I want to know it all." I say pulling away slightly from his embrace.

Looking at me closely, he says, "What exactly do you wanna know?"

"You Max. I wanna know about you." I say running a finger over his left eyebrow.

Sitting up, he says, "There isn't much to tell."

"I find that hard to believe." I say with a smile.

Smiling as well, he looks at me before speaking. "Nothing's too exciting despite what it seems like. I've lived in Manhattan my entire life. My sister and I are real close and she's pretty much the only family I have." He says vaguely.

"What about your parents Max? What happened to them?" I say caught up in the timber of his voice.

"They passed away when I was thirteen. Some car accident on the way to Canada. I don't know the details too graphically." He says quietly.

"God, I'm so sorry Max. I didn't mean to..."

Cutting me off, he places his finger to my lips. "It's okay Liz. It's completely normal for you to ask. It was a long time ago and I've made my peace with it. Don't feel sorry for me." He says looking down at me.

Nodding my head, I motion for him to continue.

"Isabel's four years my senior. Luckily at the time, she had a job that was paying pretty steady. It kept our heads above water. She took care of me." He shrugs his shoulders.

"She worked hard and she went to school at the same time. Not once did she complain about anything. Sometimes I wondered if she was a robot or something. I'd always bitch and whine about stuff and she'd just walk with her head high. She's one of the most important people in my life." He says looking at me.

"What about Micheal? How did you meet him?" I ask quietly.

A small grin comes to his face at that before he answers. "I met Micheal at football camp my last year of Junior high school. He'd always stay isolated by himself with his walkman just bobbing his head to whatever he was listening to. It irked me that he never spoke to anyone, so I went up to him one day and asked him about it."

Smiling at the sparkle he gets in his eyes talking about his friend, I say, "What did he tell you?"

"He didn't say anything. He just gave me the walkman and I listened to what was playing. I started to really listen to the music, and I found myself bobbing my head like a maniac like he was before I approached him. Giving him back his walkman about a song or two later, I asked him who that was and he said 'it's Metallica...that's why I don't speak'. From that point on we were best friends. Nothing's changed since then." He says with a laugh.

"He sounds like a cool person to be around." I say with a grin.

Lying back down next to me, he stares at me before saying, "Yeah, he is."

Slightly becoming unnerved with the way he's looking at me, I say "What?"

Dropping his gaze, he picks up my hand and kisses my palm before looking at me again. "Nothing. It's just...I've never spoken to anyone about this besides Micheal. No one's ever ventured to ask me and I guess... I'm grateful that you did. I wanted you to know more than anything." He says looking into my eyes.

Holding his stare, I say, "I wanted to know too Max. I wanna know everything about you. I doubt there's anything I won't like."

Smiling at my words, he says, "I doubt it too. People love me." He shrugs.

"Shut up." I say before kissing him. He deepens the kiss and I run my fingers through his hair. Pulling away, he rests his forehead on mine and says, "I need you Liz. I need you in my life...more than I thought possible." He whispers passionately.

Nodding my head, I reply, "I need you too Max." Shifting my body so my head's laying on his chest, he wraps his arms around me and I revel in the steady beat of his heart.

I need him more than he'll ever know.



TBC...

Crystal