~*~*~Maria~*~*~
I am still leaning aganist the wall when the guys come back in... well aside from Kyle he went with Liz and Tess outside. I don't know where Isabel is...
I rub my temples and stumble around... Where are my keys? I need my keys! Did I even have the last night? I hope I didn't leave them somewhere.
I mumble something which I hope was like I got grab my keys.
I stumble up the stairs holding onto the railing I go into my room.. I hope I don't make them late... Well they can leave on their own I can drive... I'm sick but I can drive.. I'm not drunk... my head hurts but I'll be fine..
And there's no way I'm going to let them drive my car.. No one drives my car, and I hate riding with other people.
I hit my foot on the bed wincing I sit down rubbing it.. damnit I can't find my keys....
~*~*~
Don't ask Maria's gone crazy LOL.. but she wants her keys and I have no clue where they are so yeah lol
What Real Life's Like (AU,CC,MATURE) Thread #1
Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, Forum Moderators
Where are Maria's keys? That's a real good question. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*MAX*
Michael, Alex and I go through the house to get to the front. There in the hall, I see Maria, looking ill, but she's dressed and vertical. She's also muttering under her breath as she stumbles upstairs.
Was that, "grab my keys?" Does she think she's gonna drive, when she can barely stand up? Not a good idea, I don't think. I follow her upstairs and find her in her room, sitting on the floor, rubbing her foot.
"Hey, are you okay?" I ask.
"Can't find my keys," she says, groggily.
I spot the keys on the dresser where I'd left them fifteen minutes ago when I'd come in to ask her about the directions to the radio station. But should I give them to her? I kneel beside her and examine Maria's ankle with exaggerated seriousness. "Wow. That looks pretty bad. Are you sure you'll be able to walk?" I ask.
"I can walk," she says. She grabs onto me and I help her struggle to her feet. "See?"
"Can you put weight on it?"
She takes two very wobbly steps, due mostly to her hangover, but I credit the foot injury. "That foot doesn't look good. You should sit down." I help her to the bed.
"I can't find my car keys," she explains again.
"Those the ones?" I ask, pointing to the dresser.
"My keys!" She says, trying to getup.
"Oh no," I caution her. "I don't think you should walk on that foot for a while. Or drive. I'd hate to see it get all swollen. Especially when you have such pretty legs."
Maria stops at that, looking at me quizzically. "You think I have pretty legs?"
"You have wonderful legs," I say. "They look especially good in that outfit." She beams at me, turning her ankle to display her shapely limb.
"Maria, I was going to ask if you could navigate on the way to the radio station. You know the roads and could spot the landmarks better, I think. We could really use your help."
"I don't wanna ride in the van. I got my own car." She insists.
"Okay. I guess we could follow you in the van." I frown, thoughtfully. "But who will we get to navigate? You're the only one who knows the roads. And what about your foot?"
"I think it's okay," she says.
"Yeah, it looks that way now, but you should probably stay off it for at least a half hour."
"So it doesn't swell?"
"Right. Hmm. But then you'll be late for work." I ponder this for a short while. "I know. You could navigate from your car, and someone-else could drive while you rest your foot, and protect your lovely leg. Maybe Kyle could--"
"No, you!" she says. "I want you to drive my car, Max."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You drive in and I'll take it home. I should be able to drive on this leg by then, right?"
"Oh sure. It'll be fine in just a little while. C'mon. Let me help you down the stairs." I take her arm over my shoulder and put mine around her waist. On the way out of the room, I pick up her keys, and then help her wobble outside to her car.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*MAX*
Michael, Alex and I go through the house to get to the front. There in the hall, I see Maria, looking ill, but she's dressed and vertical. She's also muttering under her breath as she stumbles upstairs.
Was that, "grab my keys?" Does she think she's gonna drive, when she can barely stand up? Not a good idea, I don't think. I follow her upstairs and find her in her room, sitting on the floor, rubbing her foot.
"Hey, are you okay?" I ask.
"Can't find my keys," she says, groggily.
I spot the keys on the dresser where I'd left them fifteen minutes ago when I'd come in to ask her about the directions to the radio station. But should I give them to her? I kneel beside her and examine Maria's ankle with exaggerated seriousness. "Wow. That looks pretty bad. Are you sure you'll be able to walk?" I ask.
"I can walk," she says. She grabs onto me and I help her struggle to her feet. "See?"
"Can you put weight on it?"
She takes two very wobbly steps, due mostly to her hangover, but I credit the foot injury. "That foot doesn't look good. You should sit down." I help her to the bed.
"I can't find my car keys," she explains again.
"Those the ones?" I ask, pointing to the dresser.
"My keys!" She says, trying to getup.
"Oh no," I caution her. "I don't think you should walk on that foot for a while. Or drive. I'd hate to see it get all swollen. Especially when you have such pretty legs."
Maria stops at that, looking at me quizzically. "You think I have pretty legs?"
"You have wonderful legs," I say. "They look especially good in that outfit." She beams at me, turning her ankle to display her shapely limb.
"Maria, I was going to ask if you could navigate on the way to the radio station. You know the roads and could spot the landmarks better, I think. We could really use your help."
"I don't wanna ride in the van. I got my own car." She insists.
"Okay. I guess we could follow you in the van." I frown, thoughtfully. "But who will we get to navigate? You're the only one who knows the roads. And what about your foot?"
"I think it's okay," she says.
"Yeah, it looks that way now, but you should probably stay off it for at least a half hour."
"So it doesn't swell?"
"Right. Hmm. But then you'll be late for work." I ponder this for a short while. "I know. You could navigate from your car, and someone-else could drive while you rest your foot, and protect your lovely leg. Maybe Kyle could--"
"No, you!" she says. "I want you to drive my car, Max."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You drive in and I'll take it home. I should be able to drive on this leg by then, right?"
"Oh sure. It'll be fine in just a little while. C'mon. Let me help you down the stairs." I take her arm over my shoulder and put mine around her waist. On the way out of the room, I pick up her keys, and then help her wobble outside to her car.
~*^*~Alex~*^*~
I'm still steaming from My conversation with Max. HE LIKES ISABEL ALOT???????? Man Now I have NO Chance. Great. She likes him. He likes her. Wait is he FLIRTING with Maria? How dear he flirt with her like that. Man. Alright take a deep breath Alex. Wait screw that. I go down and punch Max in the eye.
A/N: Alex isn't really good at Self Control is he?
I'm still steaming from My conversation with Max. HE LIKES ISABEL ALOT???????? Man Now I have NO Chance. Great. She likes him. He likes her. Wait is he FLIRTING with Maria? How dear he flirt with her like that. Man. Alright take a deep breath Alex. Wait screw that. I go down and punch Max in the eye.
A/N: Alex isn't really good at Self Control is he?
*MICHAEL*
I get back in the front hall and see Maria head upstairs, mumbling something. Max takes off after her and a moment later, Alex follows. I stand there in the doorway, wondering what it's all about, but I'm not going to go following people around for no reason. I mean, just because she's really cute, and all. That's not a good reason, is it? Isabel is beautiful, too, but they should both be chasing me. I don't have to go after them.
Well, not usually. I've got to show them how great I am so they can get over this stupidness with Max. Hopefully, I can do it without getting drenched again.
A minute later, Alex comes downstairs, looking murderous. "What's eating you?" I ask, but he doesn't seem to hear me. He starts pacing back and forth at the base of the starts. He's muttering to himself while making fists, and twisting motions with his hands.
"Hey, it's time to GO."
Alex doesn't answer, but he stops in his pacing as Max and Maria appear on the stair. He seems to be helping her down the stairs, like she can't walk on her own.
"Hey. You okay?" I ask, walking forward to help out.
"I'm fine," she says, looking at Max with a slighly unfocused gaze.
Shrugging, I step forward and take her arm anyway. It's a good thing I do. No sooner do I have a grip on her, but Alex bolts towards us and punches Max in the eye. Superstud loses his grip on Maria and stumbles back. He nearly trips on the stair, but catches himself with the railing.
Alex steps back, watching, as Max steadies himself, putting one hand over his face. His other eye is opened wide as he gasps, "Alex!"
"What the hell ...?" I ask. Not that I care about Max. I'd love to punch him myself. But I totally didn't expect that from Alex. Wish I'd done that.
I get back in the front hall and see Maria head upstairs, mumbling something. Max takes off after her and a moment later, Alex follows. I stand there in the doorway, wondering what it's all about, but I'm not going to go following people around for no reason. I mean, just because she's really cute, and all. That's not a good reason, is it? Isabel is beautiful, too, but they should both be chasing me. I don't have to go after them.
Well, not usually. I've got to show them how great I am so they can get over this stupidness with Max. Hopefully, I can do it without getting drenched again.
A minute later, Alex comes downstairs, looking murderous. "What's eating you?" I ask, but he doesn't seem to hear me. He starts pacing back and forth at the base of the starts. He's muttering to himself while making fists, and twisting motions with his hands.
"Hey, it's time to GO."
Alex doesn't answer, but he stops in his pacing as Max and Maria appear on the stair. He seems to be helping her down the stairs, like she can't walk on her own.
"Hey. You okay?" I ask, walking forward to help out.
"I'm fine," she says, looking at Max with a slighly unfocused gaze.
Shrugging, I step forward and take her arm anyway. It's a good thing I do. No sooner do I have a grip on her, but Alex bolts towards us and punches Max in the eye. Superstud loses his grip on Maria and stumbles back. He nearly trips on the stair, but catches himself with the railing.
Alex steps back, watching, as Max steadies himself, putting one hand over his face. His other eye is opened wide as he gasps, "Alex!"
"What the hell ...?" I ask. Not that I care about Max. I'd love to punch him myself. But I totally didn't expect that from Alex. Wish I'd done that.
Isabel
"Oh my God, what is going on here?" I ask as I rush towards Max. I can't believe that Alex just hit him, what the hell is his problem? "Max are you ok?" I ask moving his hand so I can look at his eye, I wince "Duh of course you're not ok! Some idiot just hit you! Come on that’s put some ice on that!” I say glaring at Alex before I drag Max into the kitchen
“I’m ok Isabel…” Max starts but I cut him off
“Don’t be stupid Max, Alex just punched you. We should call the police!” I state as I get some ice and crush it before putting it in a towel. Max flinched as I place it over his eye. That is going to be one hell of a shiner later on.
“Don’t think there be any need to call the police Isabel!” Max says
“Why not? He attacked you without any reason or warning. You know I think he might be mentally unstable! Maybe he escaped from a mental hospital…”
“I think you’re being a bit melodramatic here Isabel. Alex did not escape from a mental hospital.”
“How can you be so sure?” I ask raising an eyebrow “Why would a stable person just randomly go up to someone and hit them? Did you do something to provoke him?” I ask
“Well no, not that I know of anyway!”
“Well there you go then but you know what I am going to find out!” I state, I’m going to make Alex sorry that he ever hit one of my friends! “You stay here and nurse you eye!” I order
“Isabel…” Max calls after me but I ignore him.
“Where do you get off hitting Max like that?” I ask Alex glaring at him before he can answer I turn to Michael and send a glare his way as well “And why the hell didn’t you stop him Michael?”
“Hey, its not my problem!” Michael says
“Max was flirting with Maria!” Alex states through clenched teeth
“So what? Max was flirting with Maria so that gives you a good reason to hit Max? You could of at least given him so warning or something” I state
“Don’t you care? Max was flirting with Maria!” Alex repeats
“Why should I care? Oh I get it!” I say as it finally hits me as to why Alex is acting like a complete idiot. Alex as got a crush “You’ve got a thing for Maria right? You know that still doesn’t give you an excuse to around hitting people” I state.
So Alex likes Maria, and Maria likes Max and there is a huge question mark against who Max likes and Michael likes anything that is female and then Liz likes Max or Kyle its hard to decided which one. I have no idea about who Tess and Kyle like since I haven’t really talked to Tess or Kyle.
Thank God I met Jake cause I would so hate to try and find someone to get with in this house
"You know, I may not be wanting to go to work but I hate being late and the sooner we get there the sooner I can leave for my date with Jake" I say making sure that the last bit it said slowly so that everyone understands that I have a date with Jake, a date I'm not willing to miss for anything.
"Oh my God, what is going on here?" I ask as I rush towards Max. I can't believe that Alex just hit him, what the hell is his problem? "Max are you ok?" I ask moving his hand so I can look at his eye, I wince "Duh of course you're not ok! Some idiot just hit you! Come on that’s put some ice on that!” I say glaring at Alex before I drag Max into the kitchen
“I’m ok Isabel…” Max starts but I cut him off
“Don’t be stupid Max, Alex just punched you. We should call the police!” I state as I get some ice and crush it before putting it in a towel. Max flinched as I place it over his eye. That is going to be one hell of a shiner later on.
“Don’t think there be any need to call the police Isabel!” Max says
“Why not? He attacked you without any reason or warning. You know I think he might be mentally unstable! Maybe he escaped from a mental hospital…”
“I think you’re being a bit melodramatic here Isabel. Alex did not escape from a mental hospital.”
“How can you be so sure?” I ask raising an eyebrow “Why would a stable person just randomly go up to someone and hit them? Did you do something to provoke him?” I ask
“Well no, not that I know of anyway!”
“Well there you go then but you know what I am going to find out!” I state, I’m going to make Alex sorry that he ever hit one of my friends! “You stay here and nurse you eye!” I order
“Isabel…” Max calls after me but I ignore him.
“Where do you get off hitting Max like that?” I ask Alex glaring at him before he can answer I turn to Michael and send a glare his way as well “And why the hell didn’t you stop him Michael?”
“Hey, its not my problem!” Michael says
“Max was flirting with Maria!” Alex states through clenched teeth
“So what? Max was flirting with Maria so that gives you a good reason to hit Max? You could of at least given him so warning or something” I state
“Don’t you care? Max was flirting with Maria!” Alex repeats
“Why should I care? Oh I get it!” I say as it finally hits me as to why Alex is acting like a complete idiot. Alex as got a crush “You’ve got a thing for Maria right? You know that still doesn’t give you an excuse to around hitting people” I state.
So Alex likes Maria, and Maria likes Max and there is a huge question mark against who Max likes and Michael likes anything that is female and then Liz likes Max or Kyle its hard to decided which one. I have no idea about who Tess and Kyle like since I haven’t really talked to Tess or Kyle.
Thank God I met Jake cause I would so hate to try and find someone to get with in this house
"You know, I may not be wanting to go to work but I hate being late and the sooner we get there the sooner I can leave for my date with Jake" I say making sure that the last bit it said slowly so that everyone understands that I have a date with Jake, a date I'm not willing to miss for anything.
Believe me, ~Ruby~. I was as shocked by this as you were!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*MAX*
Every encounter with Alex this morning has been more confusing than the last. I knew he was upset, but I never thought he’d hit me. Before I could even try to ask him what he was thinking, Isabel was dragging me into the kitchen and applying ice. I have to say, it feels pretty good on my face right now.
“You stay here and nurse that eye,” she tells me and leaves the room. I wait for a moment, but there’s really no reason to stay here. The ice is portable, and I’m certainly not incapacitated. Besides, we are supposed to be leaving for work. I follow Isabel outside and find her arguing with Alex.
“Don’t you care,” he says. “Max was flirting with Maria!” He was listening? Yeah, I was sweet-talking Maria into giving up her keys, but why should Alex get upset about that? I lean against the doorframe, listening.
“Why should I care?” Isabel asks. “Oh, I get it. You have a thing for Maria, right? You know that still doesn’t give you an excuse to go around hitting people. You know, I may not be wanting to go to work but I hate being late and the sooner we get there the sooner I can leave for my date with Jake"
Alex has a thing for Maria? I thought he liked Liz. I think back ove r our recent conversations and I realize that he hadn’t actually mentioned Liz by name. This morning, he’d simply said, ‘her.’ Could he have meant Maria?
My face hurts and I really don’t feel like trying to think this through right now. I don’t feel like driving, either. I look past Alex, Isabel and Michael to see who’s the nearest person I can hand over Maria’s keys to. Kyle maybe. But she said no, to him. Maybe I should give them to Alex, see if she'll let him drive.
I take two steps towards the van, and someone takes my elbow at what is currently my 'blind' side.
"Hey, I got you," she says. I turn to see who it is.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*MAX*
Every encounter with Alex this morning has been more confusing than the last. I knew he was upset, but I never thought he’d hit me. Before I could even try to ask him what he was thinking, Isabel was dragging me into the kitchen and applying ice. I have to say, it feels pretty good on my face right now.
“You stay here and nurse that eye,” she tells me and leaves the room. I wait for a moment, but there’s really no reason to stay here. The ice is portable, and I’m certainly not incapacitated. Besides, we are supposed to be leaving for work. I follow Isabel outside and find her arguing with Alex.
“Don’t you care,” he says. “Max was flirting with Maria!” He was listening? Yeah, I was sweet-talking Maria into giving up her keys, but why should Alex get upset about that? I lean against the doorframe, listening.
“Why should I care?” Isabel asks. “Oh, I get it. You have a thing for Maria, right? You know that still doesn’t give you an excuse to go around hitting people. You know, I may not be wanting to go to work but I hate being late and the sooner we get there the sooner I can leave for my date with Jake"
Alex has a thing for Maria? I thought he liked Liz. I think back ove r our recent conversations and I realize that he hadn’t actually mentioned Liz by name. This morning, he’d simply said, ‘her.’ Could he have meant Maria?
My face hurts and I really don’t feel like trying to think this through right now. I don’t feel like driving, either. I look past Alex, Isabel and Michael to see who’s the nearest person I can hand over Maria’s keys to. Kyle maybe. But she said no, to him. Maybe I should give them to Alex, see if she'll let him drive.
I take two steps towards the van, and someone takes my elbow at what is currently my 'blind' side.
"Hey, I got you," she says. I turn to see who it is.
~*^*~Alex~*^*~
Great Now Everyone in the whole house thinks I'm nuts. Wait I probably am for joining this thing. Isabel thinks I like Maria, she doesn't know how WRONG she is. She also has a date with some guy called 'Jake' why can't I ever get the girl? I sigh and start to talk to Maria, I haven't really had a convesation with her yet.
"Hey... how are things going?" My hand starts to hurt but I ignore it.
Great Now Everyone in the whole house thinks I'm nuts. Wait I probably am for joining this thing. Isabel thinks I like Maria, she doesn't know how WRONG she is. She also has a date with some guy called 'Jake' why can't I ever get the girl? I sigh and start to talk to Maria, I haven't really had a convesation with her yet.
"Hey... how are things going?" My hand starts to hurt but I ignore it.
No, I don't think Max is gonna give Maria the keys. Unless she hits him in the other eye. 
Seriously, everyone there can see that she's really too sick to drive. I don't think any of them will let her do it. Although she'll obviously be a lot less willing to have someone-else strong-arm her.
Maybe Max will change his mind and decide he can drive afterall. If Maria wants him to, and he's sure Alex won't hit him again. Or maybe Michael should do it. Or Tess. She knows what kind of shape Maria is in.
Alex is making an especially bad impression on Izzy. First passing out in her bed. Then hitting people 'without reason.' Poor guy.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*MICHAEL*
I can't believe Isabel's trying to give me a hard time for not stopping Alex from hitting Max. There's no way I could have known that was going to happen. I should get the cameraperson to show her the tape. Then she'd see.
I step a little closer to Alex. Keeping my voice low, so Maria can't hear, I tell him, "Way to go, Alex. I've been wanting to do that since we got here."
Seriously, everyone there can see that she's really too sick to drive. I don't think any of them will let her do it. Although she'll obviously be a lot less willing to have someone-else strong-arm her.
Maybe Max will change his mind and decide he can drive afterall. If Maria wants him to, and he's sure Alex won't hit him again. Or maybe Michael should do it. Or Tess. She knows what kind of shape Maria is in.
Alex is making an especially bad impression on Izzy. First passing out in her bed. Then hitting people 'without reason.' Poor guy.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*MICHAEL*
I can't believe Isabel's trying to give me a hard time for not stopping Alex from hitting Max. There's no way I could have known that was going to happen. I should get the cameraperson to show her the tape. Then she'd see.
I step a little closer to Alex. Keeping my voice low, so Maria can't hear, I tell him, "Way to go, Alex. I've been wanting to do that since we got here."
-
Sugarplum7
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I hope this isn't completely uncalled for or seem out of character for her. It is just chaos seemed to have errupted, and I felt someone needed to take charge of the situation.
~Sugarplum
<center>~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Liz’s Part ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~</center>
How in the world did that happen? Why in the world would that happen? I think absolute shock is the only world to describe this. Alex hit Max? Alex hit Max! Alex is the last possible person in this house that I thought would be that . . . aggressive. As everything continues to unfold I find myself completely dumbfounded and at a loss for what to de exactly.
I need to do something. I need to get my mind off of the craziness of the moment and focus on something much more logical. We now have three cars and two people that cannot drive any of them for one reason or another. And we also have people that need to be kept apart. Max can’t drive, nor can he ride in a car with Alex. Isabel can drive, and she also cannot be allowed to ride with Alex. Michael can’t ride alone with Alex, considering that he completely condoned this incident, but they can‘t ride apart either since he is the only one who wouldn‘t guilt-trip him.
Isabel will drive her car, Kyle can drive the van, and either Tess or I will drive Maria’s car. Maria seems to want Max with her, so the two of them will ride in her car with either, Tess or myself. Kyle will be with Michael and Alex, and either Tess or myself will ride with Isabel or Maria, depending on who is driving and whether Isabel wants any passengers.
That has to be the best possible seating arrangement. Right?
Everyone is still standing in the entryway, discussing various different topics, and I for one am not enjoying the tense atmosphere in the least. I pride myself on punctuality, and everyone here seems to disregard being courteous to another human being and respecting them by not wasting their time and promptly arriving at the designated hour.
“Hey!” I shout to get everyone’s attention. And soon enough everyone’s eyes are on me, but with an expression on their face that seemed to read, ‘Did Liz just yell at us?!’ “I know that we have a lot to discuss as a house, but we need to get to work now!
“Max and Maria, get to her car and wait there. Neither one of you will be driving to work today.
“Michael and Alex, get to the van. Kyle, you’re going with them, and you’re driving.
“Isabel, take your car. Did you want to go by yourself,” I ask her, knowing full well that it is too soon for her to think any of us are “worthy” to ride with her.
As I suspected, she shook her head, disbelief still on her face.
“Fine then,” I say. “Tess, you and I are going to go in Maria’s car. You can drive or I can. I don’t care. Now we are going to follow one another to work. Tess and I will lead, Isabel will follow us, and Kyle will follow her. Keep checking your mirrors. If anyone gets stuck at a light, I want the person before them to pull over.
“We are getting to work before we are an hour late.” The entire time I was speaking I kept my tone even and level. I did not want anyone to think that I was angry, but someone needed to take charge of the situation.
Blank stares were exchanged by everyone as they looked at me and among themselves, but no one made the move to go outside to get to the cars. I waited a few more seconds to see what they were going, but when no one moved, I spoke again.
“Everyone, outside.” I said simply to them. “We are leaving now.” I walked out the front door, not bothering to look behind me, but I heard the scuff of shoes on the floor that said they were following.
<center>~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ End Liz’s Part ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~</center>
~Sugarplum
<center>~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Liz’s Part ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~</center>
How in the world did that happen? Why in the world would that happen? I think absolute shock is the only world to describe this. Alex hit Max? Alex hit Max! Alex is the last possible person in this house that I thought would be that . . . aggressive. As everything continues to unfold I find myself completely dumbfounded and at a loss for what to de exactly.
I need to do something. I need to get my mind off of the craziness of the moment and focus on something much more logical. We now have three cars and two people that cannot drive any of them for one reason or another. And we also have people that need to be kept apart. Max can’t drive, nor can he ride in a car with Alex. Isabel can drive, and she also cannot be allowed to ride with Alex. Michael can’t ride alone with Alex, considering that he completely condoned this incident, but they can‘t ride apart either since he is the only one who wouldn‘t guilt-trip him.
Isabel will drive her car, Kyle can drive the van, and either Tess or I will drive Maria’s car. Maria seems to want Max with her, so the two of them will ride in her car with either, Tess or myself. Kyle will be with Michael and Alex, and either Tess or myself will ride with Isabel or Maria, depending on who is driving and whether Isabel wants any passengers.
That has to be the best possible seating arrangement. Right?
Everyone is still standing in the entryway, discussing various different topics, and I for one am not enjoying the tense atmosphere in the least. I pride myself on punctuality, and everyone here seems to disregard being courteous to another human being and respecting them by not wasting their time and promptly arriving at the designated hour.
“Hey!” I shout to get everyone’s attention. And soon enough everyone’s eyes are on me, but with an expression on their face that seemed to read, ‘Did Liz just yell at us?!’ “I know that we have a lot to discuss as a house, but we need to get to work now!
“Max and Maria, get to her car and wait there. Neither one of you will be driving to work today.
“Michael and Alex, get to the van. Kyle, you’re going with them, and you’re driving.
“Isabel, take your car. Did you want to go by yourself,” I ask her, knowing full well that it is too soon for her to think any of us are “worthy” to ride with her.
As I suspected, she shook her head, disbelief still on her face.
“Fine then,” I say. “Tess, you and I are going to go in Maria’s car. You can drive or I can. I don’t care. Now we are going to follow one another to work. Tess and I will lead, Isabel will follow us, and Kyle will follow her. Keep checking your mirrors. If anyone gets stuck at a light, I want the person before them to pull over.
“We are getting to work before we are an hour late.” The entire time I was speaking I kept my tone even and level. I did not want anyone to think that I was angry, but someone needed to take charge of the situation.
Blank stares were exchanged by everyone as they looked at me and among themselves, but no one made the move to go outside to get to the cars. I waited a few more seconds to see what they were going, but when no one moved, I spoke again.
“Everyone, outside.” I said simply to them. “We are leaving now.” I walked out the front door, not bothering to look behind me, but I heard the scuff of shoes on the floor that said they were following.
<center>~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ End Liz’s Part ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~</center>
Last edited by Sugarplum7 on Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Works for me, Sugarplum7. Somebody's gotta get this group moving. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*MAX*
Tess. It's Tess, looking at me with eyes full of concern. "I'm okay," I tell her.
She's about to say something, when Liz speaks up, getting everyone's attention. She seems to have a plan to get everyone moving. Good. "We're leaving now," she announces after she explains it and then she goes.
I nod and Tess comes with me out to Maria's Jetta.
"It's my car. I'm driving." Maria says. "Max, where are my keys?"
"You're not driving," Liz says in a tone that indicates she won't take any argument.
"Maria, we still need you to navigate for us," I remind her gently. "And don't forget your foot."
Maria looks like she's about to argue but stops as Tess backs Liz up. "You can't drive, Maria."
Tess opens the back door, and I get in behind the driver. She moves around to the other side of the car as I fish out the keys and hand them to Liz. "Thanks, Liz," I tell her as my admiration for her goes up another notch. Reluctantly, Maria gets in the front seat, and I hand over the directions. I lean back, resting my head on the seat and the ice on my eye.
Liz starts up the car and I close my eyes, glad to let someone-else be in charge for the next few minutes. Tess takes my free hand and I smile a little. "If I'd known things were going to get this physical, I'd have tried out for American Gladiator, instead."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*MAX*
Tess. It's Tess, looking at me with eyes full of concern. "I'm okay," I tell her.
She's about to say something, when Liz speaks up, getting everyone's attention. She seems to have a plan to get everyone moving. Good. "We're leaving now," she announces after she explains it and then she goes.
I nod and Tess comes with me out to Maria's Jetta.
"It's my car. I'm driving." Maria says. "Max, where are my keys?"
"You're not driving," Liz says in a tone that indicates she won't take any argument.
"Maria, we still need you to navigate for us," I remind her gently. "And don't forget your foot."
Maria looks like she's about to argue but stops as Tess backs Liz up. "You can't drive, Maria."
Tess opens the back door, and I get in behind the driver. She moves around to the other side of the car as I fish out the keys and hand them to Liz. "Thanks, Liz," I tell her as my admiration for her goes up another notch. Reluctantly, Maria gets in the front seat, and I hand over the directions. I lean back, resting my head on the seat and the ice on my eye.
Liz starts up the car and I close my eyes, glad to let someone-else be in charge for the next few minutes. Tess takes my free hand and I smile a little. "If I'd known things were going to get this physical, I'd have tried out for American Gladiator, instead."