The Missing Piece (CC, MATURE/ADULT accepted)

[KatnotKath]

OOC: They look great to me

~Liz~

Making an effort to keep a smile on my face, I step out into the diner and see Mr Brook nod, apparently satisfied now that we’ve appeared.

A lot of the tables have already filled up, and I head over to one of them to take their order. “Good afternoon, welcome to the Crashdown, can I take your order…?” I ask in a bright voice. If nothing else, I am professional, and while working and I won’t let that smile slip.

“Another fun day at the Crashdown…” Kyle whispers to me, winking as he heads over to the register.

The people at my table sit for a moment discussing, and ask me about the specials which I relate to them quickly. While they sit deciding, I look over, watching Kyle for a moment as he goes to clear one of the tables which has just been vacated.

As he finishes, I notice him look round, almost as though checking on me and I offer him a small smile. ‘I’m fine…’ I mouth silently before turning back to my own customers as they address me. I listen carefully, noting down their order and then repeat it back to check I have it right. “Ok, so that’s one men in blackberry pie, one will smith burger with space fries and two cokes…?”

The couple sat at the table nod, confirming that I’ve got it right and I smile back at them. “Ok, I’ll just go get your drinks…”

Heading back to the counter, I pass my order through to the kitchen and then slip behind the counter, grabbing two glasses and filling them from the machine. Adding a straw to each, even though most people don’t use it, I pick up one in each hand and go back over to the table, setting one drink down in front of each of the couple. “I’ll bring your food over when it’s ready…”

After checking that there’s no one else that seems to want anything at the moment, I look over towards the door just in time to see the beginnings of the after-school crowd entering the diner.

Mr Brook tends to like me to serve behind the counter at least at the beginning of this since most of the kids from school just want drinks.

As I take up position behind the counter, Mr Brook nods and moves to one side, allowing me to take over this bit as I get ready to greet the first of many customers.

Of course given the way that I’m feeling, and how the day has gone, this first couldn’t be one of the guys from the team or anything like that could it…? No…it has to be Pam Troy with her possee of worshipers… Honestly, I don’t know what anyone sees in that girl…

Still, she’s a customer, so I have to be polite… As she walks up to the counter, I fix the smile back on my face.

“Oh hi Liz…fancy seeing you here…”

It takes all my effort not to roll my eyes at her. She says this every day, and it got old a long time ago… She generally just likes to rub in the fact that she has everything that I don’t, and of course that I have to work while her ‘daddy’ pays for everything… Basically, she’s a stuck up little snob, who is thoroughly unpleasant… As it is though, she’s a customer, and I do work here, so I bite my tongue. “Afternoon Pam, can I get you girls anything…?”

This of course is met my a chorus of agreements, followed by a number of drinks. This is why Mr Brook likes me to take over…he’s not too good at catching them all and remembering them… Me on the other hand, I’ve had plenty of practice, and always seem to have done pretty well… I reel off the order back to them, checking that it’s right and then start to fix the drinks that have been asked for.

Keeping busy is good, it helps to keep my mind off other stuff…

~Alex~

I can see that Max is a little a little puzzled by the comment about romantic interest. I look a little awkward. “Uh…Michael got hold of a year book…well more than one actually…” I tell him reluctantly by way of explanation. I didn’t want to look at them…in fact I told Michael to take them back to wherever he got them from, but he refused, insisting that it was basic background information… In the end I just didn’t have the energy to continue arguing…

The mention of Kyle’s dad being the Sheriff doesn’t go down well of course…not that I expected it too… I’m actually relieved that Max asked me before Michael really…Michael really will blow when he finds out… Max himself looks a little worried, but he’s a whole lot calmer than I know Michael would be…

“That could be a problem…” His words are slow and even, and I know he’s not talking about the ‘incident’ I have yet to find anything on… “We’ll have to break that to Michael carefully…”

I nod in agreement. “Definitely…” I sigh and shake my head, coming to the decision that the last information I have is nothing which is important, and that Kyle is entitled to keep his private life just that…private…

“Thanks for looking Alex… I know that you didn’t really want to, and I appreciate the effort. I’m sure that if Liz trusts him, then we can trust her judgement…”

I nod. That’s exactly what I tried to convince Michael of last night of course, but it wasn’t much good. “No problem Max…you know I’m here to help any way I can…” I tell him in a low voice. I might not always like what they ask me to do, but I do understand their caution, and if it’s that important to them…

I look around as Max uses his powers to seal the locker, watching out for anyone coming in… Luckily, the room remains deserted apart from Max and I, and once he’s finished, he picks up his towel again as I do the same. “Shall we go swim then…?”

I nod and grin. “Sure thing…”

Together, we head out of the locker room and over to the pool. We leave our towels at the side and go to get into the water.

I’ve just reached the bottom of the steps, treading water a little to the side as Max climbs in after me, when a girl - well no, a woman, swims up. She waits until Max has joined us and then flashes a bright, toothy smile. “Hi guys…you new here, I haven’t seen you around before…” She greets us.

[isabelle]

*Kyle*

I’m trying to pay attention to the order I’m taking but it isn’t easy as I hear Pam and her friends trying to make things difficult for Liz. They do it all the time and I always find it annoying, although Liz takes it with an astonishing amount of good grace. Well, usually, anyway. Today is different and I don’t know if she’ll be handling it the same way.

“…And two orders of Saturn rings,” the customer finishes and I have to give myself a mental kick on the pants. I missed something there.

“Right,” I say, adding the rings to the order on my pad. Turning to the small boy and his mother, I ask – “And you wanted the Buck Rodgers?”

“No! The E.T. Sunday with strawberry ice cream!” he insists.

“Not until after dinner,” his mother reminds him. “You’re eating your Space Cadet Platter first.”

Ah, Space Cadet. That’s what I missed. I write it down quickly as my attention again shifts to Pam Troy and her cronies. Liz is filling the fountain drinks and seems to be under control, but I don’t know how real that is. Maybe I’m being concerned about nothing, but I know Liz doesn’t need this sort of thing today. I wish I could ‘accidentally’ spill a milkshake down her back one day, but I know that won’t really help anything.

“Are you going to get our orders then?” my customer asks, archly and I realize I’ve zoned out, standing here like a zombie.

“Yes, of course,” I agree, readily, quickly moving towards the pass through window to put up the order for the cook. I meet Liz at the fountain where she’s finishing up the drinks for the girls as I start to prepare a small milk-shake and a tall iced tea. “You doing okay?” I ask in a whisper that I know Pam can’t hear. I’m fairly sure Liz will say ‘yes’ regardless of what she’s really feeling but I have to ask, anyway. Maybe her tone of voice will tell me what I need to know…


*Max*

“Uh, no. We’re new,” I tell the attractive stranger. She seems to be a year or so younger than Alex and me, which still makes her two or three years older than Liz, probably a college student. She’s very fit - not overly skinny, but well-shaped. Her blonde hair is fastened in a single ponytail and falls just to her shoulders, soaking well. It’s hard to tell if it’s naturally straight or if it would curl up when it were dry. “Just moved in today. My name is Max and this is Alex,” I tell her. No need to be strangers, afterall. We may be here for quite a while and we might as well get to know the neighbors.

“Nice to meet you both,” she says, her eyes sparkling in the bright sunlight. “My name is Teresa, but you can call me Terry. I live up on Hillcrest – Unit 642.”

I smile at her. It always amazes me how ready people are to give out their apartment or condo numbers when they’re in a community like this. Of course, it’s not like she gave us a phone number or something. And I think the Hillcrest units are apartments – so you’d still need another number. She’s probably trying to tell us that she’s single.

“That’s a nice area,” I agree, pleasantly. “Of course, all the units here look nice. We’re on Red Cliff Drive,” I tell her, declining to include our actual unit number.

“Oh!” she says, coquettishly. “Aren’t those three or four bedroom places? You have … other room-mates? And are they as cute as the two of you?”

[KatnotKath]

OOC: I'll format tomorrow, bit late here to be doing that now

~Liz~

“Alright, so there’s a coke, a blood of alien smoothie, a strawberry shake and an orange…” I say, placing each drink in front of the correct girl as I fill the last of their orders… Sometimes I’m certain that they all choose different on purpose… I mean after-school crowd…you’d think cokes and sodas right…? Wrong! Pam and her group manage to come up with practically everything we serve, from milkshake, to fresh juice, to soda… I shake my head inwardly, taking the money offered and going to ring up everything on the register.

That’s another thing which Pam likes to do – which of course works pretty well for her followers – she likes to wave her large bills around, which usually means she’s the one paying… The fact that what she spends on drinks for her group in one day could probably pay for most of my food at school for the week, well I guess that’s a bonus for her…

I fix a smile on my face as I remove the correct change from the drawer and head back over to where the girls are all gathered…

Apparently Pam isn’t done for today yet though… As I’m about to hand her back the change, she shakes her head, holding up her hand as though to tell me to stop for a moment and putting on a completely fake look of thoughtfulness. “Wait…” She looks around and I can’t help wondering what’s going through her head…whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not good…

“I think I’ll have a tea as well…” She stands up, looking down at me slightly. “You can bring that over when it’s ready…”

Although I would like nothing more than to wipe that smug smile off her face, instead I simply nod and agree meekly. After all, that’s my job isn’t it…to serve her and the other customers…

“Oh, and you can keep the change…” She throws over her shoulder as she and her friends head over to one of the empty booths, taking over it quickly. I bite my lip and roll my eyes as I look down at the money in my hand… There’s a little more there than is needed for the tea, but not much… Certainly not a decent tip amount anyway…

Still, something has to be better than nothing… I head over it the register, ringing up the last item and sorting the money quickly, slipping what little change there is into the front pocket of my apron and then walking over to the drinks machine where I grab a cup and saucer and place them under the nozzle. One of these days Pam…one of these days…

“You doing okay…?”

I look over, not having noticed Kyle’s approach. His question is whispered, not loud enough for anyone else to hear – because sound does tend to travel in here pretty easily. I offer him a weak smile in response. “Coping…” I tell him after a moments hesitation.

Right at this moment in time, that’s the truth too… I’m pretty much too busy with work to be worrying too much about it all… I’m certain that it’ll come back later though… I keep thinking about the fact that Max said to call, and quite obviously I haven’t… I hope he’ll understand, I did say I was going to be busy, but still…

Pushing such thoughts to the back of my mind, I try to concentrate on what I’m doing. The water has to warm up yet, so I’m just stood waiting and I look up at Kyle. “You want me to sort that for you…?” I gesture to the milkshake glass he has ready since he’s busy sorting the first of his order.

Kyle shakes his head as he looks back at me. “I’ve got it under control…” He assures me, gesturing to the new crowd that is forming at the counter again. “Looks like you’re going to have your hands full for a while…”

I sigh and nod as I take in the numbers. “Yeah…all after I serve this of course…” Filling the cup with now piping hot water, I stir the teabag around a little before removing it and adding a drop of milk.

Finished, I pick it up carefully, telling the guys that are gathering at the end of the counter that I’ll be with them in a minute, and carrying the cup over to the booth where Pam and her group have situated themselves

“Okay, and that’s one tea…” I force a smile as I place it in front of her and look round at them. “Anyone want anything else…?”

This time, my question is answered in the negative and Pam looks at me, flashing a completely fake smile. “Thanks so much Liz…”

“All part of the service…” With some difficulty, I maintain the smile as I head back over and slip back behind the counter. “Okay, sorry about that guys, what can I get you…?” I ask, offering a somewhat more genuine smile as I recognise a number of the guys I know through Kyle since they’re on the team.

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

As Max explains that we just moved in, and then proceeds to introduce us, first himself, then me, I can’t help taking a second look at the woman who’s now introducing herself as Teresa, or Terry… She reminds me a little of Isabel – in all the good ways, but of course if she’s looking to pull, somehow I doubt she’s going to be successful…

I can speak for myself in all certainty…I love Isabel, I don’t want anyone else, because I have her, and she’s all I need.. And Max…well he’s never dated much in the past, and given that he’s just met his intended bride, even if he’s not sure if they will go through with it at the moment and given the fact of Liz’s age, I can’t imagine him risking distancing her as I’m sure would happen should he get involved with someone…

Still, maybe I’m making something out of nothing…maybe she’s just being friendly and polite. The mention of the fact that she’s in Hillcrest, although it does indicate that she’s probably single, could be completely innocent…but somehow I doubt it…

My thoughts about the way that she’s talking are pretty much confirmed as Max informs her where we’re staying – wisely omitting a unit number…

”Aren’t those three or four bedroom places? You have…other room-mates? And are they as cute as the two of you?”

Okay, now that definitely isn’t so innocent. The question which remains is how to answer… If I mention Michael, then the girls, that leaves the indication that one of us is single… But then if I mention the girls without Michael, not only would that be ‘lying’ in essence, but we would also then have to explain what four people are doing in a three bedded unit…

I really think that Max could do without this though…I mean he doesn’t know what’s going to happen with Liz, but right at this moment in time he’s trying to forget that, to simply have some fun minus the mention of girls…and I can’t honestly imagine that this is helping a lot…

After thinking a moment, I look over at her. “Well I don’t know about Michael, but I’d say that Isabel and Maria are pretty cute…” I comment grinning as I pick my words carefully.

The slightest frown appears on her face, but it disappears almost immediately as she hides it. “Oh…Isabel and Maria…”

I nod. “Yeah, Isabel’s my girlfriend…” I comment casually… Hopefully she’ll assume the same is true of Maria and Max, without us having to actually say anything… “I’m sure you’ll meet her soon enough…”

She nods. “Yeah…I’m sure I will…”

I disappear under the surface of the water for a moment, ducking my head in order to wet all my hair ad then pushing it back with my hands as I resurface. Terry appears to be just getting out of the pool… “Well, it was nice to meet you both, I’ll see you around…I need to work on my tan” She grins at Max in particular and then swims over to the steps and climbs out. I look away as her dripping body emerges from the water – Isabel would so have my neck if I didn’t…

I treat water for a little longer, looking over at Max. “So…she seems nice enough…” I comment lightly.

[StormWolfstone]

~Isabel~


I have to admit that I'm rather glad that my brother, Michael and Maria didn't attempt to ask too much about how I managed to get the lease set for us on better terms than it could have been. The estate agent had wanted to have three years of rental history and background checks and all before he'd planned on signing leases but with a little feminine tactics I'd managed to get him to simply take the money and sign the lease. The lease was set for a year which felt like an amazing thing to me because we'd only ever signed six month leases before and ended up breaking them half the time, but now that we'd found Liz, I didn't see that happening quite so easily.

Settling into the townhouse was going to have to wait though, I'd kissed Alex and excused myself. Maria had been walking with me but we'd each gone and taken a different street deciding to meet back at a quaint little eatery that we'd passed on the corner. We were giving ourselves a couple of hours and though I was worried that we might get lost, I also realized this town wasn't nearly as confusing as NYC. Not to mention, there were a few things I wanted to do and it was better that I do them alone. I was also hoping to keep Michael out of trouble, if I could find him. I was simply walking around the town looking for him at the same time as I was checking for job opportunities and hot spots.

I saw a strange shop that seemed to hold items that represented not only the whole alien theme but also different cultures.

Walking in, I strolled around and saw some pictures of cave drawings. "Excuse me, were these pictures taken around here?"

"Some of them are from the Jicarrilla Apache reservation and others are from random caves throughout the states." The woman behind the counter responded.

"Are there any caves that are or were used for mining or anything like that nearby?" I did my best to seem as though I was simply curious as a tourist rather then with a purpose.

As I watched, the woman leaned down and reached for something under the counter and then handed me a cave and rock formation map of sorts. It looked like it was a copy of a copy of a copy, worn in some area's but easy enough to make out. Without thinking, I simply memorized everything and smiled, "Thanks. I really hope to find one that I can explore while I am waiting for answers on applications."

"What sort of position are you looking for?"

"Well, just about anything at the moment. My family and I just moved into the area and we're all looking for jobs." I responded.

"Well, you have an honest face. If you don't mind getting paid only six an hour and working between thirty and thirty five hours a week, I could really use someone to help me with my displays and the renovation of this shop." The woman's words were music to my ears and I smiled.

"I don't mind at all. I'd love the chance. When could I start?" I asked, trying not to sound over eager but ready to go.

"Come in tomorrow morning at nine and we'll do paperwork and I'll give you the chance to get started. Sometimes you'll be required to help dye materials so I hope you have some clothing that can be treated with stain resister."

Inwardly I groaned. It sounded like an even dirtier job then waitressing, but right now it was a job. Learning her name was Tanya and that she was from the reservation, I made plans to return tomorrow and then left, making my way further down the road in search of Michael with more of a purpose.



ooc: Michael is still in the works... but coming soon.

[StormWolfstone]

ooc: I had to retype this cause it wasn't wanting to open so I had to transfer things over to a different format and it didn't work well.. but here's my long awaited Michael post... hope it works okay for you Isabelle and Kat.

bic:

~Michael~

I knew that everyone else felt that waiting was the better idea when it came to Liz, but quite frankly knowing that someone else knew about us made me nervous. So, when we moved our things into the new townhouse that Isabel and Alex had acquired, I decided that instead of getting settled in, I was going to try and find out more about who this Kyle was. Without a word to the others, I left and began making my way toward where I knew Liz worked. I remembered seeing the place when we'd been looking for somewhere to eat the other day. The Crashdown. One of the alien themed resteraunts that was common place in this town.

I wasn't really certain what I was going to say or do, but I did know that there was no way I was going to let this Kyle be a threat to us so I had to find out what I could. I felt as though I was the one responsible for keeping the others safe and even though Liz was one of us, she had risked our lives by telling someone else about us. I hadn't been able to get Max to agree that something had to be done. In fact, I had been practically outnumbered during the heated discussion the night before.

What was wrong with them? Didn't they realize that by leaving things as they were, letting time be important, this Kyle could very well be calling in the FBI and we could be waiting simply to be trapped? Sighing, I muttered to myself. "They might be willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but I'm not."

At least when it had come to us telling Maria and Alex, it had been a joint decision made after internal discussion. Isabel had originally brought up wanting to tell Alex and during that discussion, I'd decided that it might also be a good idea to tell Maria. Neither of us had told without making certain that everyone was comfortable with the idea. Sure, I can understand that Liz was alone and didn't have us around, so she had to talk to someone. Still, if she'd kept it to being about her and not brought us into it, then I would have had less of a problem.

As it is, she'd told everything, mentioned us and all. So, she had risked us. As Second In Command, it fell to me to deal with any possible threat as I saw fit and though most times I went along with Max's decision, in this I wasn't completely willing to do so. Thus, as I saw the Crashdown come into view, I drew in a deep breath and moved forward. Reaching the doors, I walked in and instead of waiting to be seated, I saw Liz waiting on someone and moved into a booth that I supposed was in her section. I didn't care if I upset her or not, things needed to be assured.

If this Kyle turned out to be a danger to all of him, I would take him out, even though I hadn't had to do that sort of thing yet, I knew when the time came I wouldn't let myself hesitate. Keeping Max, Isabel, Maria, Alex and now Liz, safe was my only concern.

[isabelle]

*Max*

Alex rescues the conversation with Terry by mentioning Isabel and Maria. Or maybe he sinks it, 'cause I immediately see her eyes take on a somewhat distant look. "Well, it was nice to meet you both," she says.

"Yeah, it'll be nice to see you, too. I'm looking forward to meeting our new neighbors," I tell her. There are probably hundreds of people in this complex but I'm sure we can find a few friends here. At least in the usual - acting like friends but never really letting them all the way in -- kinda way.

"I'll see you around. I need to work on my tan," she smiles and climbs out of the pool.

"Sure," I tell her although I'm not sure she's still hearing me.

"So, she seems nice enough," Alex says.

"Yeah," I say, still feeling a bit distracted. Not so much because of Terry but for everything else that's going on. I've never let myself become too distracted by girls. I always knew that Nacedo would never let it become something serious. He was constantly reminding me that Lareina was waiting for me. Of course, now I've met Liz and she hadn't been waiting for me at all. She didn't have the faintest idea that Isabel, Michael and I existed. Still, I have to let that play out and see what comes of it.

Still, I hoped I would get a chance to talk to her and the other neighbors and find out more about the kind of people who lived here. I was always interested in the ways different communities worked. An effect of all my training, I'm sure.

"Maybe we can get to know her better later. Right now, let's do what we came here for," I say. Alex tilts his head slightly, looking for confirmation of my intent. "Swim," I say, gesturing up the length of the pool.

I have just enough time to catch the slight smile on his face as I give a small jump and launch myself across the surface of the water. Soon we're both doing laps together at a pace somewhere between relaxing and challenging. At least for me. Alex doesn't fancy himself an athlete but he's not completely out of shape. He's keeping up rather well. Still, there isn't much opportunity for conversation. I do my best to concentrate on every stroke, maintaining proper form, good breathing, all the rest. I could do it without thinking, but I'm trying to make this good exercise. I'm trying to distance my mind from the worries of the day. Forcing myself not to look at the clock. Not to think about what Liz is doing... and it almost works...

After about 45 minutes of laps, I'm about ready for a break and I can see that Alex is, too. "Something to drink?" I ask as we get to the shallow end again. Alex nods his agreement and we both head to the side to get out of the water.

Alex picks up his towel and tosses mine to me before starting to dry himself a bit. As we head towards the snack counter, we pass Terry, still sunning herself. I'm about to greet her, I hear an unfamiliar female voice calling, "Hey Terry!"

"Sarah!" she says, sitting up.

Turning, I see a girl of about 16 carrying a bookbag, looking like she just got out of school. A quick glance at the clock confirms that the high school let out about 20 minutes ago and I have a sudden urge to get my phone from our locker and check it for messages. I push the thought aside, knowing that Liz is working and I shouldn't be expecting a call so soon. But she could have called - between school and work. She might have -- No, I scold myself. I try to shut down that line of thought.

Instead, I look at Sarah. She bears a striking resemblance to Terry, not just in the same blonde hair, but the shape of her face and eyes, as well. "I'm going to the arcade," she tells Terry.

"Not 'till your homework's done," Terry warns her. "And you can leave Marco alone. He's twenty; that's too old for you, anyway," she teases although I sense a serious undertone in her words.

"Hey Terry. And, Sarah, I'm guessing?" I say as Alex and I approach. I can't help but feel a twinge as I realize that Sarah is Liz's age and Marco, whoever he is, is mine -- and he's obviously too old for her. In many ways, it's the same for me and Liz, although it shouldn't have been. We should have been closer to the same age. We should have had more time...

*~*~*~*~*~

*Kyle*

I watch Liz feeling both amazed and concerned. Amazed that she actually does seem to be coping so well. She's taking in all this strange new information and she doesn't seem to be freaking at all. She's just taking some orders from my friends on the team.

Of course, I guess she's used to freaky since she's been trying to figure out her powers and all for her whole life. Maybe freaky explanations are easier than freaky stuff without explanations...

I pick up my drink order and bring it back to the mom and her son, while watching Liz from the corner of my eye. I'm concerned because I don't know if this act of hers is going to break. I suspect she'll distract herself with the job and make it through the shift just fine, saving her reactions for after work, but I still watch, in case I'm wrong.

I go and take another order while I wait for Mom and son's food to be prepared. As I stick up the order for the cook and move behind the counter to get the drinks, I hear the bell at the door announcing another customer. Before I can greet and seat him, the newcomer is taking a seat near the counter. I'm pretty sure the next customer was supposed to be mine but I'm not about to move him. Still, I can see that Liz is more than a bit busy writing up separate order forms for each of the guys and dealing with the demands of Pam Troy and her cronies as well.

I move forward to whisper to Liz. "I'll take this one for you --," I tell her quietly, nodding towards the new customer. Suddenly I realize he looks a bit familiar. I pause in mid-sentance, wondering where I've seen him before...


.

[KatnotKath]

OOC: obviously I'll have to edit later, after work, hope this works for you though Isabelle, I'll try and get an Alex out as soon as I get back based on what you have in your Max though

~Liz~

This lot of orders is a lot more fun to fill, and while I do it, I’m actually able to talk to some of the group a little. While I’m fixing the drinks, a couple of the guys girlfriends walk up too, and although I’m not actually Kyle’s girlfriend, I actually feel pretty at home. I know that Kyle is the only one I’ve ever been able to open up to, but to whatever extent I can allow, these are my friends… I hang out with them at lunch time, sit with some of them in class on the odd occasion that they’re actually in the same… I go to their parties, and spend nights over at their houses when they put on video nights.

I know of course that the main reason they accept me is because of Kyle, but still, I know these people pretty well, and I definitely think of worse things to do than serving them.

While I’m doing all this, I know that Kyle is watching me… He’s worried I know, and probably for good reason. I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to keep this up…to keep from thinking about things I’d rather not in order to concentrate on my work… I’m hoping I can keep it up all night though…at least through work, and preferably longer since I have an essay I need to finish for school. It’s a fine line I’m treading though, between coping and not, and I know that Kyle is probably sus to that… I look over my shoulder every now and again, towards where he’s working, serving some customers and clearing some more tables, offering him a quick smile, trying to convince him I’m okay…for now at least… Of course a good question would be, am I doing that more for him, or for me…

I keep telling myself I’m coping, but basically I’m coping without dealing, without thinking about all this stuff at the moment…so whether that should be classed as coping…well I’m not too sure…

“You know he likes you Liz…”

I turn my attention back to the group at the counter quickly, raising an eyebrow in amusement. “I don’t think so Suzanne…we’re just friends…” I assure her quickly…

“Whatever you say…” She smiles knowingly, and I have to laugh softly. I look over at Martin who’s her boyfriend. “Come on, back me up here…Kyle and I, as a couple…really not a good idea…”

He laughs and shakes his head. “I don’t know, you’d make a pretty cute couple at that you know…”

He comments and I pull a face, showing just what I think of this suggestion. “Been there, done that, it really doesn’t work!” I tell them firmly before walking away momentarily in order to fix some shakes for the girls.

“Oh waitress!”

G*d that’s Pam again… I really hate that girl… I finish bringing the drinks over to Suzanne and her friends, and the look on my face must tell a lot because they laugh as soon as I turn around.

“Don’t let her bother you Liz…she’s really not worth it…” Suzanne tells me and I nod, the smile back on my face, caused by the friendly banter being exchanged. “Thanks guys…I’ll be right back to get the rest of your orders, but I guess I should go see what she wants…”

They nod and I head off over to the booth where Pam and her group have seated themselves. “Can I get you girls something else…?” I ask her politely as I stop at the end of the table.

“Yes, I’m feeling a little hungry…you wouldn’t like to remind us of what’s on the menu would you…?” She asks with that sugary sweet smile.

Wouldn’t I just like to kick her under the table…? As it is, I simply begin to list off the burgers and such which we serve. They could of course just look at the menu, but I content myself with a little smile as I wonder if they can actually read…

Part way through what I’m doing, I hear the bell ring, indicating a new customer. Kyle’s due to take the next one anyway though, unless he sits at the counter, so I don’t take much notice until Kyle comes up behind me.

“I’ll take this one for you…” He whispers quietly, motioning in the direction of one of the booths I usually deal with. I look round, a little surprised, but as my eyes fall on the guy sitting in said booth, I feel my chest tighten. My lips dry out immediately and I swallow, fast losing my calm façade. MICHAEL…? What’s he doing here…? Max told me they’d wait, they were supposed to be giving me time…

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

Max seems a little quite as Terry walks away, but I’m not too certain what he’s thinking. “Maybe we can get to know her better later. Right now, let’s do what we came here for…” He responds in a way that almost gives the impression that he’s trying to change the subject…

Then again, what must he be thinking…? Terry seems nice, and she obviously liked the look of Max… Under other circumstances I guess it’s very possible that he might have been interested in her, but as it is, it’s not like he’s ever really had the chance to worry much about girls…

I can’t really imagine what it must be like for him… I mean he’s never really had a girlfriend, always been told that he has to wait for Lareina… And now that we’ve found her…it’s understandable that he’s a bit anxious… He expected her to be ‘waiting’ as such… Instead he finds she knew nothing about him…

Still, thinking over all this isn’t going to do much good, and I think that Max probably has the right idea…assuming he means what I think anyway…

“Swim…” He gestures up the pool, confirming he does.

I give a slight smile and nod, following him a moment later after he sets off.

I’ve never really been a jock or anything, and with most sports you most definitely would not class me as an athlete, but swimming is the one thing that I actually don’t suck at in the sport field, and I actually don’t keep up too badly. Max goes at a fair pace, but I’m not far behind.

Every now and again, I catch a look of Max’s face, and I’m amazed by the look of concentration I see there. Max doesn’t need to concentrate on this…well not in the strict sense anyway, but maybe he does to take his mind off other things…

Namely Liz…who I’m sure his mind is never far from…

After about 45 minutes of pretty solid swimming, I have to admit I’m getting a bit tired, and as Max asks if I want to get something to drink, I nod, agreeing quickly. “Sure, sounds like a good idea…”

We head over to the side and climb out. I grab my towel from the chair where I left it and chuck Max’s over to him as he follows me. After drying off a little, we head towards the snack counter, in doing so passing Terry who’s still laid out.

She looks good… Of course if Isabel heard me thinking that she’d kill me, but it’s the truth…

Max looks as though he’s about to say hi or something, but before he gets a chance, the peaceful silence of the poolside is broken by someone calling Terry. A moment later, the owner of the voice is revealed, pretty much a younger version of the girl who has to be her big sister.

“Sarah!” Terry sits up and waves as she comes over.

Sarah, as we now know she’s called, looks to be about sixteen…possibly the same year as Liz in school I guess. She’s dressed in tight fitting jeans and a skimpy strappy top, looking to all intense and purposes the typical teen.

Of course her appearance obviously makes Max think, and I notice him looking over at a clock that’s hanging behind the counter. There’s a look in his eyes that seems to say he wants out of here…now, and I think I probably know where he wants to go…

I wish I knew what to say to make it better… Max told Liz to call when she was ready, and I’m sure she will…question is, can he wait that long…?

“I’m going to the arcade.” Sarah tells Terry, dropping her bookbag and denim jacket down beside the sunbed.

Her sister’s reaction is immediate, shaking her head quickly. “Not ‘till your homework’s done!”

Sarah pouts a moment, but I get the feeling there’s something more in this, and a moment later we get the explanation as Terry mentions Marco. At the mention of ages, I look over at Max, sure this isn’t going to help him… This is confirmation of he knows…even if he and Liz do give it a go, a lot of people are going to look at them strangely… I mean a four year age difference is nothing when you’re twenty four and twenty eight…or even twenty two and twenty six…but sixteen and twenty is a complete other matter, and there’s no doubt there’s going to be some difficulties along the way…

As Max moves forward, greeting them both, I step up after him offering a similar smile.

Sarah grins, flashing a smile at both of us and then looking back at her sister. “Are you going to introduce me…?”

[isabelle]

*Max*

Sarah seems happy to meet us, giving a wide and openly friendly smile. Hopefully, she’s not setting her cap for us, too, although apparently she likes older men.

“That’s Max and Alex. They’re new here from up on Red Cliff Drive.” Terry explains after pointing to each of us in turn. Then, looking at me, she adds, “Sarah is my sister.”

“We guessed that,” Alex says with a grin.

Terry smiles and then turns her attention back to Sarah. “Now you better get to that homework or Mom and Dad will kill both of us.”

“Oh all right. Spoilsport,” Sarah sighs. “It was nice meeting you both.” Sarah picks up her bag and sits at a nearby table where she starts sorting out her books although she still seems to be spending a lot of time looking over at us.

Terry smiles at us apologetically. “I’m supposed to watch her after school since all my classes are in the morning.”

“You’re in college, then?” I ask.

“That’s right. The community college. I’m studying to be a dental hygienist,” Terry says. “What do you guys do?”

Before I get a chance to answer, I hear Liz’s voice in my head. *MICHAEL?*

I blink in surprise, although I try to hide it from Terry. I’m used to hearing telepathic voices in my head but this one came so suddenly. And the emotional tone behind it is even more surprising than the use of Michael’s name. Liz sounds upset, annoyed, even afraid – almost panicked.

*Liz? What’s the matter? Are you okay?* I ask immediately. I’d been hoping to hear from her, but not like this. Something is obviously wrong…



*Kyle*

In the instant when I’m trying to figure out where I’d seen that customer, I see Liz go white as a sheet. “Liz?” I ask quietly. And only then, do I place him. It was one of the pictures from the paper that Liz showed me. The one called Michael. “What the hell is he doing here?” I say, almost growling under my breath.

.