Light A Candle (AU, Liz, ADULT) Conclusion 4/7/06

[Itzstacie]

TITLE: Light A Candle
AUTHOR: Itzstacie
DISCLAIMER: I don’t own anything., I am only borrowing the names of the characters
PAIRINGS: CC, LIZ
RATING: ADULT
SUMMERY: No Aliens, Liz faces the hardships of life when her life is turned upside down at the age of nine.


AN: I am going to warn you right now, this fic will not be light and fluffy, it will be very dark. If you thought "Paint Me a Picture ' was dark then mulitiply this one by five maybe ten. It will deal with physical and emotional abuse. As you can see I didnt put a paring, I am not promising happy dreamer insurance because at this point i'm not sure if their will be( and yes I am brave enough to post it anyways) if you want to bail now I will not be offended. The updates will not be quickly once my kids go to thier dads in the summer I will have more time to get them out faster. I told myself several times not to post this yet as you can see I dont listen very well.

Banner by Lizard_Queen


Chapter 1

How do you cope when you feel like your life has hit rock bottom, when there is just no light at the end of the tunnel. That no matter how hard you desperately try to find something to pull you through, you hit a dead end every where you turn.

Some people turn to alcohol they believe that the burning liquid will take all the pain away, drinking themselves into a slivering mess where they cant feel anything only to pass out in the end and wake up the next day only to repeat the process.

Others turn to people for comfort offering their shoulder to them, soothing away the pain. Giving them helpful advice to follow along with warming hugs and calming kisses to make them feel better.

What do you do when you have no one? When instead of going to bed each night praying that you wake up to see another day you pray that you don’t…you pray with every fiber of your being that somewhere along the stillness of the night that someone or something will take you away from it all.

That person is I…my name…is Elizabeth Parker.

My parents along with my little sister died in an automobile accident when I was nine, I still to this day do not know how I survived and I ask God everyday why he spared me and not my family.

I was forced to live with my only relative, my father’s brother who was a drunken slob who gambled away his life on racetrack betting.

I was surprised when he moved to Roswell and took over the Crash Down my family’s restaurant. I always wondered why we stayed here when he didn’t want to. I found out later that it was stated in my fathers will that the restaurant and all of his money would go to me and I would be the deciding factor when I was of legal age if the restaurant stayed or not. Until then whoever took care of me would take care of the CrashDown.

So I guess you can say my uncle was stuck, forced to live in Roswell and raise his only niece until I became of age. I could tell he hated it…boy did he hate it and he let me know every single day how much I was screwing up his life.

My only friend at the time of my parents death was a boy named Max, we became friends because our parents were friends, I can honestly say back then if it wasn’t for him I’d probably be where I am now along time ago.

As time past thou things changed, the richer his family got the more social standing got in the way. Eventually he started backing away, it wasn’t a big leap but enough to notice the time he was spending with me was becoming less and less.

I know a lot of was his fathers doing, I know he blames me just like my uncle for my parents death. Even thou he never came out and said it, I could see it every time he looked at me, it was in his eyes.

Or maybe I can blame the popular kids, it seemed like the minute we hit high school the girls noticed my shy, good looking best friend and instantly took him under their wing. And where he went our friends followed.

He still sat with me on somedays for lunch but the closer he got to Melissa Brown the less it became, it was no secret that they started dating.

Some days he would look at me when I passed him in the hall and I could clearly see he was torn, other days I didn’t even exist.

I believe that I became a master at hiding, hiding my feelings, and hiding the bruises. No one ever said anything, maybe it was because they too climbed that ladder into popularity and I didn’t matter anymore.

I couldn’t really blame them, everyone wants to be popular, but it hurt…boy did it hurt and it made me always wonder what was so wrong with me that everyone wanted to get away from.

All I ever wanted in my life was to make my parent’s proud by getting good grades, moving on to an excellent college and becoming someone successful. Those dreams died when they did; instead I have become someone trapped inside my own mind begging for a way out.

I know I could have spoken up about my uncle, tell the world…but I know that if I did they would take me away and place me in a foster system and wind up losing the last piece of my parents I had left.

It hurt to know I lost it all anyway that all I have left is my memories which kept me trapped in my own mind for so long. It’s only now that I chose to speak up; it’s only now that I hope my words will help someone who finds themselves in my shoes.

This is my story.

September 1999

“Come on we have to hurry you know Rosie’s going to flip out when she finds me gone’ the little dark hair boy says taking the dark hair girls hand as they hurry towards the cemetery.

‘You don’t have to come, I don’t want you to get in trouble’ she says coming to a stop in front of the iron gates. “ I want to come…I promise you no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’ll always come with you here on this day’ he says.

“Thank you Max’ she says smiling, he holds out his hand ‘come on’ giving her a small smile. They make their way to the familiar tombstones and he watches as she kneels placing the hand picked daises on the graves and wishing that he could give her money to buy real flowers.

He stands in silence as she says a prayer for her family feeling sad that their family was taken away from her, she’s too sweet not to have a family.

After several minutes she stands up and he knows she’s wiping away the tears that she doesn’t want him too see she never wants him to see her cry. When she looks at her he holds out his hand giving her a small smile and they head back.

“Are you going to Maria’s birthday party’ he asks as they continue to walk, she shakes her head ‘I don’t know…I don’t think they like me very much’.

Stopping in front of the park he looks at her ‘why do you say that, they like you’. Shrugging her shoulders ‘just a feeling I get’. He shakes his head ‘well even if they don’t I do, I will always be your friend’. “Best friends’ she smiles, he nods his head ‘Best friends forever’.

September 2004

‘Your late Miss Parker’ the teacher scolds as she hurries up and sits down in her seat “I’m sorry sir, I overslept’ she lies. Glancing to her right she sees Max leaning towards her ‘we have to study chapters one and three’.

‘Thanks’ she says irritated and pulls out her book, ‘what happened you’re never late’ he says trying to make small talk. She sighs and looks over to him ‘I had something to do’.

‘It couldn’t wait until after school, where did you go’ he asks, snapping she turns her head ‘no it couldn’t wait and I went to the same place where I go every year on this day’. His eyes widen as he realizes ‘its today…I’m sorry Liz I forgot’ he says.

‘Its fine I’m sure you have more important things to do’ she says turning back to look at her book. Out of the corner of her eye she sees him frown and lean over to say something else, before he can get the words out she raises her hand asking for a bathroom pass.

[Itzstacie]

Chapter 2

After class Liz makes her way through the hallways desperately trying to get away from the voice calling after her. Max pushes his way through the throngs of students “Liz’ he yells running into people left and right ‘excuse me…sorry’ he keeps repeating trying not to lose site of her “Liz’.

She picks up her pace hoping she can get out safely but her hopes are short lived when she feels a hand wrap around her arm. “Liz wait please’ he pleads, sighing she doesn’t say anything when he pulls her towards the lockers away from everyone.

“I’m really sorry about this morning’ he says, she looks up at him ‘I waited for you’ she says feeling hurt. He hangs his head down in shame ‘ I waited for thirty minutes and when you didn’t come I just guessed you had something more important to do…Its okay’ she says trying to mask it.

He snaps his head up “It’s not okay…I made a promise to you and I broke it, It was important to you and I forgot I’m so sorry Liz, please forgive me’ he pleads. “Where were you’ she asks biting down on her bottom lip, he looks away guilty before answering “I was with Missy’.

Liz lowers her head she should have known, she quickly hides her heartbroken expression and shrugs her shoulders ‘As it should be…I mean you are getting closer and…and I’m pretty sure it wont be long now till you are going out. Its okay I understand things change…people move on to new friends’.

In a flash she leaves him standing staring at her retreating form, frowning he leans his head back against the lockers and closes his eyes. He hates this, didn’t understand why everyone was so against her.

He felt like we was going to rip in half being torn between his family and his loyalty to a girl he’s known all his life, what was wrong with her that no one wanted to get know her, why couldn’t they see what he saw. He lets him mind wander back.

Oct 1999

He races in from playing outside to hear the raised voices of his parents coming from the study, hiding behind the wall he hears as his father yells. “I am going to skin that boy alive, I told him to stay away from that little girl and he deliberately disobeys me’.

His mother tries to defend him “Phillip he’s just a boy he doesn’t understand…I don’t even understand why you hate her so much, you used to love her like one of your own’.

‘SHE”S A MURDERER’ he booms, she gasps and Max’s eyes widen at his fathers voice ‘Phillip Evans what happened to her family was an accident, she was just a little girl how dare you think that’.

‘It should have been her instead’ he seethes she shakes her head tears on the verge of falling ‘I cant believe I am hearing this, I understand you miss Jeff, they were my best friends too remember, but not for one second could I ever blame that sweet little girl. I for one am thankful that there is still a piece of them left’.

He can hear his father take a ragged sigh ‘doesn’t matter things are changing anyway and I don’t want max hanging out with her and that’s final!’

The voices get closer and he races for his room throwing himself on his bed and curling up he thinks I will never stop being her friend as a single tear rolls down.

Max opens his eyes and quickly wipes the tears that are gathering he sets his shoulders determined to find her and fix things, his movements are halted when he feels a pair of arms wrap around him.

‘Hey you ready for lunch’ she smiles up at him, He looks down “ I have to take care of something real quick’. Melissa frowns ‘can’t it wait until later…come on they are waiting for us’ she says dragging him to the courtyard before he can protest.

They sit at the popular table and everyone says their rounds of hellos before going off into their own conversations. He scans the courtyard looking for her long brown hair, spotting her sitting by a lone tree with her knees drawn up arms wrapped around them and staring off into space.

‘Max did you hear me” Isabel asks, he turns back shaking his head ‘I’m sorry what’ Isabel frowns at him giving him a sympathetic look knowing who he was looking at “I said lets have a party this weekend since mom and dad are going to be gone’.

Shrugging his shoulders ‘Yeah…whatever’ his eyes wonder back over to the tree missing the way Isabel shakes her head at him. “Hey what’s wrong’ Missy whispers in his ear, he gives her a small smile ‘nothing at all’ he says thankful when she turns back towards Tess and continues her conversation.


Liz continues to stare straight ahead not daring to look at their table, she knows he’s watching her but she wont acknowledge it. She’s too hurt, she knows that things have changed they have been that way for a while now and even thou he doesn’t hang with her he always kept his promise of going with her.

This morning when he didn’t show she knew then that there was no more hoping that their friendship could remain and overcome the obstacles of life, for the first time she finally realized that in this ugly harsh cruel world she was and would be truly alone.

[Itzstacie]

Chapter 3

Liz held her breath as she walked up the stairs to the two-bedroom apartment above the café, praying that she could get to the safety of her room and back downstairs without running into her uncle.

Opening the door as quietly as she could she took a glance around the living room before quickly and quietly shutting the door behind her.

With her uncle no where in site she raced for her room shutting the door and locking it, she sank down resting her back to the door and pulling up her knees.

Only then did she let the tears finally flow, Max hurt her too badly today, it was the one promise that he had broken that affected her so much, he knew how important today was to her and he forgot.

He was turning out just like everyone else, they all wanted to forget…forget they even existed, but she wouldn’t no matter what. They could do anything they wanted to her but they would not make her forget.

Wiping away the tears she drew herself up and walked to the bathroom to change into her uniform. Splashing some cold water on her face she quickly changed and headed out running smack dab into her uncle.

‘Your late’ he growled out standing there in the doorway with just a pair of jeans on, over his shoulder she could see his latest conquest tangled in the sheets. ‘I’m…I’m on my way now’ she stuttered out, he grabbed her by the arm forcefully yanking her to him ‘I’ll deal with you later’ he said pushing her roughly down the hall.

She stumbled and managed to keep herself upward racing for the door, once downstairs she rubbed her arm a bruise already forming where he grabbed her. Quickly walking to a locker downstairs she took out a sweater and put it on to cover the mark.

It was the same sweater she wore everyday and you could tell it had seen better days, people stopped asking her why she wore one in ninety degree heat, she would just smile and say it was cold inside.

She walked through the employee doors sighing when she spotted the popular kids, why couldn’t she just go one day without their snobby remarks and disapproving looks. At least she wouldn’t have to see Max she thought, she knew he would sneak in here against his father’s wishes; maybe today he was too ashamed to face her.

She was beginning to feel torn between wanting to hold onto to the only friend she had left or be done with it and not have worry about the added stress she was already dealing with, she desperately wanted something that was normal and with no complications.

Maybe she should have just walked away when he first told her about his father, she should have known better that he was lying to spare her feelings.

They sat hiding in one of the clubhouses at the park ‘why can’t I come over anymore’ she asked sadly.

‘My dad doesn’t want you to anymore’ he said frowning ‘why did I do something wrong’ she asked, he looked up and her big brown eyes were shimmering with tears.

‘No he…’ he trailed off too afraid to tell her the truth, he didn’t want to make her cry and he didn’t really understand any of it either ‘is it because I spilled my milk on the floor’ she sniffed.

He shook his head no ‘he’s just very busy and he doesn’t want anyone to come over right now’ he lied, he could see her bottom lip trembling and it made his heart hurt.

“Well then maybe you can just come to my house until its okay again’ she said. He shook his head ‘okay’

“Are you going to stand there all day or take my order’ a harsh tone brought her out of her daydream. Sighing she looked down to see Pam sitting there with disgusted look on her face ‘sorry what will it be’ she asked.

‘Two diet cokes and you can forget a tip since it took you ten minutes to get your head out of your ass’ she snapped, Liz bit her lip to keep from saying anything instead she just turned and walked towards the counter.

‘I don’t know why we come here’ she heard Missy ask ‘Because this is where all the cute guys hang out…don’t ask me why though I mean just look at the lousy service. Not to mention the waitress’s and their horrible uniforms I mean my God you would never catch me in that sweater’.

Liz’s shoulders stiffened but she refused to play her game, she wouldn’t let them see that they got to her, she would not give them the satisfaction. The bell chimed over the door and she turned to see Max walk in.

His eyes met her forgetting that she had pressed the button on the machine the contents flowed over the glass spilling on her hand and uniform, she broke eye contact and sighing she grabbed a rag to clean up the mess.

Holding her head up high she walked over to the table and placed the drinks down, she overheard Missy asking Max why he was late. He just replied he had something to take care of.

‘About time’ Pam barked then waved her hand when she stood there ‘now go away your giving me a bad rep’. She watched Max glare at Pam out of the corner of her eye as she turned and started cleaning nearby tables.

A half hour later they finally got up to leave Pam threw a couple of dollars down just enough to pay for the drinks and headed towards the door, she walked over to start cleaning since it was one of the last tables.

Looking up when she heard Missy say she forgot something, looking back down at the table she didn’t see anything, she watched on in confusion as Missy bent down pretending to be looking for something and secretly placed a five dollar bill down on the table. Liz eyes widened as Missy gave her a small smile and ran back towards the door leaving her to stare at the bill like it was going to jump her.

Making sure everything was cleaned up and in its right place she prayed that her uncle would be asleep, it was after midnight and she needed to take a shower and do her homework, a battle with her uncle was the last thing she needed.

Making her way up she sighed in relief when she spied him passed out in his chair in front of the TV, tip-toeing to her room she closed the door and locked it, pulling the pony tail from her hair she froze mid pull.

Her eyes glistened with tears when she spotted the candle in her window burning brightly; it was the one she always lit on this day. Her way of showing her remembrance of her parents, walking slowly towards the window she spied a simple white card leaning against it, picking it up a couple of tears leaked out when she read I really am sorry Max.

[Itzstacie]

Part 4

Walking through the library Liz stopped behind a stack of books when she heard his voice ‘please Iz just give it to her next period’ Max begged his sister. “Why don’t you’ she asked ‘she won’t talk to me, I tried to sneak and call her last night but she didn’t answer the phone’.

‘Max are you sure this is a good idea’ she asked ‘you know if you get caught Dad will blow’ ‘ I wont get caught’ he assured. ‘How do you know, he has every teacher watching you’ she asked ‘don’t worry if I do I’ll take full blame okay’ he said.

‘Why is this so important to you’ Isabel asked, she heard him sigh ‘I screwed up Iz, I forgot the most important day of her life and I shouldn’t have, I broke a promise to her’ he said.

‘What was it’ then it dawned on her ‘her parents, you forgot the cemetery Oh Max how could you forget something like that’.” I did okay and I already feel bad as it is’ Isabel blew out her breath ‘Max I like Liz I really do but is she worth all this…the sneaking around, I mean you are just friends is she really worth all the trouble’.

‘She is to me’ he answered.

Liz couldn’t help the tear that escaped as she turned and walked quietly out of the library, she didn’t understand why he tried so hard. Sure it would hurt but she would accept it if he didn’t want to be bothered with her anymore, I mean who was she really to him, just a friend…friends come and go all the time and besides she was used to being alone.

She walked along slowly debating rather to go or not, she could easily skip and then Isabel couldn’t give her the note, but a part of her wanted to know what he wanted, sighing she gave in and went to class. She really didn’t need the trouble if her uncle found out it would just give him another reason to hit her or worse lock her in the closet.

She felt the tears swell up again all because of that dam closet it was the reason she was scared of the dark, he would lock her in there for days at a time without anything. People thought she was Anorexic but she would never correct them, too afraid to tell them her uncle would starve her, too afraid of what he would do if he found out she told.

She took her seat and put her head down trying to fight off the memories.

She had woken up in a good mood, it was her birthday today and she turned ten, she got up and ran happily to her uncle ‘Good morning Uncle Jake’ she smiled.

He just grunted ‘what are you so dam happy about, you have chores to do and I want my breakfast now’ her smiled faltered ‘I’ll go get it’ she ran off to the kitchen carefully making him some toasted waffles and orange juice making sure she didn’t make a mess.

Once she served him she sat down across from him with her bowl of cereal ‘can I have my present after breakfast’ she asked, He looked sharply at her ‘what present’ he barked, she bit her bottom lip before speaking carefully ‘its my birthday today’.

He grunted and shook his head ‘you aren’t getting a present, bad little girls don’t get presents and that’s what you are a bad little girl Lizzie’.

Her eyes swelled up with tears and she lowered her head so he wouldn’t see her cry a sniffle escaped and he slammed his fork down ‘stop that crying right now or I’ll give you something to cry about’.

She sucked it up as fast as she could ‘yes sir’ she sadly replied.

Later she sat down on one of the barstools swinging her legs back and forth, Agnes had got her a chocolate shake and she sat happily sipping it. The bell sounded over the door and she was surprised to see Mrs. Evans come in with a bag, she hadn’t been in here in a long time.

She walked right over to Liz ‘Hello sweetheart Happy Birthday’ she said reaching in the bag and pulling out a brightly wrapped present. ‘For me’ she asked excited and Diane smiled ‘of course it’s your birthday isn’t it’. Liz looked over her shoulder ‘Is Max with you’.

Diane sadly shook her head ‘he went with this father to visit his grandmother’ she frowned thinking about the fight she had with Phillip that morning, he refused to let Max come give her; her present and just to be spiteful took both kids with him. “Oh’ Liz said disappointed.

‘Well go ahead and open it sweetie’ Liz smiled and quickly tore through the wrapping, her eyes lighting up when she spotted the baby doll she desperately wanted. She turned to hug her when she spotted her uncle watching them and glaring, her smile disappeared and thrust the box out ‘thank you but I cant have it’ she said sadly.

Diane eyes widened ‘of course you can sweetheart, she’s yours’ she shook her head ‘its not fair to take things when so many people don’t have anything’ she lied. Her uncle had walked up and Diane spoke ‘I think we can make an exception this time don’t you think so Jake’ she said giving him a pointed look.

His jaw tightened ‘I suppose so’ he gritted out and then gave Liz an Ill deal with you later look. “So there you go sweetie’ she said taking the doll out of the box and handing it to Liz. “Thank you’ Liz gave a small smile hugging the doll close to her.

‘You have a good birthday and I’ll be sure to tell Max that you like the doll, it will make him happy since we as the one to pick it out’ she bent down and kissed the top of Liz’s head before leaving. The minute she was out the door her uncle looked at her ‘upstairs now’ he growled.

She jumped off the stool and ran upstairs trembling, clutching the doll for dear life, as she just cleared the door when her uncle grabbed her by the arm. Whimpering she struggled to keep up with his long strides, dragging her to his room ‘I’m going to show you what happens to bad little girls who don’t listen’ he yelled as he yanked his closet door open.

‘No…please’ she begged ‘Get in there’ he shoved her in and slammed the door shut, the room was pitch black and she banged against the door ‘please…I promise I’ll be good…. I’ll be good’ she cried out as she heard the lock click into place.

She continued to beg and plead to let her out until she cried her self out, she crawled to the back and laid down curling up in a ball hugging the doll close she finally drifted off to sleep with an occasional sniffle and hiccup escaping.

He didn’t let her out until the following night.

“Liz’ she found herself trembling as someone called her name, snapping out of it and looking up she saw the concern face of Isabel looking at her ‘are you okay’ she whispered so the teacher wouldn’t hear. Liz nodded her head lying as she picked up her pencil pretending to do work. Out of the corner of her eye she spied Isabel slipping a piece of paper on her desk.

She turned and watched Isabel mouth the words “Max’ she nodded her head and carefully unfolded the paper
Please meet me under the bleachers during study hall
Max

She crumpled up the paper and shoved it in her backpack before she got caught, glancing up at the clock she noticed she had five minutes before class ended. Gathering her things she waited for the bell to ring and headed for the bleachers.

She spotted him first sitting their running his hands through his hair something she knew he did when he was nervous. Wrapping her arms around her waist she walked up to him as he spotted her he stood up wiping his hands on his jeans.

“I…I wasn’t sure if you would come’ he said quietly, she shrugged her shoulders ‘neither was I’.

He lowered his head and nodded, they stood in silence for a few minutes before she spoke up ‘thank you for lighting the candle you didn’t have to do it’ He looked up at her ‘I should have done more’ she just looked away. “Sit with me please’ he reached up and touched her arm, confused when she felt herself shiver that never happened before.

She looked up at his face and found him looking at her with an odd expression, it was gone as quickly as it came. He led her over to the mats stored there and sat down next to her ‘What can I do to make it up to you’ he asked softly.

She shook her head ‘nothing I told you it was okay’ she looked away letting her gaze stay on the cars parked in the parking lot. “I really am sorry Liz, I feel so bad that I let you down’ he apologized ‘wouldn’t be the first to do it’ she let slip out.

His head snapped to hers and she quickly tried to cover ‘its really okay Max, I understand that things change and people move on’. “You’re my best friend Liz I don’t want to lose you’ for some reason the words made her heart hurt.

She looked up at him ‘your not going to lose me, I’ll always be your friend Max’ she smiled and then wondered why she never noticed how beautiful his eyes were before.

‘Best Friends’ he asked, she nodded her head ‘best friends’ he wrapped his arms around her hugging her and it scared her when her heart started pounding.

[Itzstacie]

Part 5


Liz tiredly peeled away her grease smelling uniform, sighing as she noticed the time. After midnight again, she wondered when her body would just finally give out. It was the same thing day in and day out. Open and close school in between and no social life what so ever.

She stared at the unopened books on her nightstand dreading the amount of homework she knew she had to do. She already missed assignments this week and her grades were paying heavily for it. She moved to the bathroom, what was one more F it wasn’t like she was going to go anywhere. She was going to be stuck in this town forever.

She let the hot water cascade down her skin as she leaned her head against the wall, the thoughts and feelings she desperately tried to push away reared its ugly head. What was happening to her, she never had these kind of feeling evoked before around Max.

Why now, but more importantly why with the only person she had left in this town as a friend. She argued with herself, it was wrong on so many levels, nothing would ever come of it. Maybe if she pushed him away the feelings would go away.

If she pursued it she would only get hurt in the end, so why set her self up for disappointment. With a heavy heart she shut off the water and dried herself off. Changing into her pajamas she climbed under the covers and closed her eyes praying she’d get lucky and wouldn’t wake up in the morning.

‘Hey Lizzie why don’t you take a bath…Hey Lizzie what’s the matter don’t you have a brush’ she stood in the middle of a circle tears running down her cheeks as the kids taunted her ‘her mommy and daddy didn’t love her anymore that’s why they killed themselves’.

She felt herself being shoved and flew forward only to be shoved the other way ‘nobody loves you’ they repeated over and over.

‘HEY’ she heard someone yell ‘leave her alone’ the voice echoed and then she felt a warm hand grab her trembling hand. She kept her eyes closed as the person guided her away, only when she felt someone gently wiping her tears away did she open her eyes.

She met the soften gaze of a pair of amber eyes as he asked ‘are you okay’ she could only nod her head as she sniffed ‘come on you can sit with me’ he said. ‘I don’t want to get you in trouble’ she whispered softly “ I don’t care’ and he led her to where he was sitting.

‘Don’t listen to them’ he said reaching in his lunch bag and pulling out an apple handing it to her. She nodded her head and began playing with the apple, the words echoing in her head over and over.

They sat the rest of lunch period in silence and when it was time to go back inside Max stood by her side protectively all the way. Once inside she sat down at her desk and noticed a folded up piece of paper. Unfolding it her eyes begun filling up with tears once more, someone drew a messy car crash with the words nobody loves you written across it.

Liz bolted up shaking and covered in sweat with tears staining her cheeks, wiping the eyes with the back of her hand she tried to get her breathing under control. Glancing at the clock she noticed she still had an hour before she had to get up. Sighing she turned on her lamp and pulled her books off her nightstand.

Slipping into her seat at the last minute she quickly took out her books and waited for the teacher, taking a quick peek around she meet Max’s warm gaze and he gave her a small smile. Not liking the feeling it evoked she quickly turned her head back around.

She made a choice she was going to end their friendship, it was better in the long run. He wouldn’t have his dad breathing down his neck and she wouldn’t have to face these feeling that were confusing the hell out of her.

She managed to make it throughout the day avoiding him but she knew it wouldn’t last long when she heard the bell go off over the door. As usual the popular kids strutted in filling up the booths, she groaned whey couldn’t they find somewhere else to hang out.

With a defeated sigh she endured the hellish night of taking order and their snide remarks. It was close to closing time and there was only one table left, of course it had to be Max’s along with Pam, Missy, Vicky and Kyle.

She went around cleaning tables wishing they would hurry up, hearing a whistling her tray of dirty dishes faltered as she watched her uncle come in from the back and head to the cash register. He gave her a look and she scurried to the put the dishes away.

After calming herself down she emptied the tray and walked back to clear the rest of the tables, reaching the boot next to theirs she could hear the other talking about the upcoming dance. Hoping they would get the hint she stepped up to their table ‘do you guys need anything else the kitchen is going to be closing’.

‘No’ Pam barked and then carried on bragging about who she was going to the dance with ‘what about you Liz’ Missy asked. ‘What’ she asked.

‘Who are you going to the dance with’ she asked, she was about to say she wasn’t going but her uncle who was making his way back with the money back snorted ‘who would want to take her ugly ass to a dance’.

Pam and Vicky laughed out loud as Kyle tried to hide his, Max’s eyes flashed dark and he opened his mouth but her uncle had already walked in the back before he could say anything. Embarrassed she quickly picked up their dirty dishes while trying not to cry.

She gave Missy a small smile when she said ‘I think any guy would be lucky to go with you’ “What drug did you jut take’ Pam screeched, Liz hurriedly walked to the back drowning out Pam’s ‘Honestly Missy…

She placed the tray down and her shoulders started shaking as she tried to muffle her cries by covering her mouth with her hand. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and she jerked to see Max standing there ‘Hey come here’ he drew his arms around her and held her tight.

‘Don’t listen to him, he’s an asshole’ he whispered, then started rubbing her hair smoothly as he soothed her ‘please don’t cry…I hate to see you cry’. She felt him kiss the top of her head then rest his head on top of hers.

She couldn’t stop herself as she clung to him as she sobbed her heart out all the while telling herself just tonight it was okay, tomorrow she would push him away.

[Itzstacie]

Just wanted to thank you all for your feedback, It really brightens my day when I see it.

Warning this chapter contains dark distrubing scenes, if you think you cant handle it pm me and I will give you the short verison.

Chapter 6

The walls were stark white, the air causing Goosebumps to dance along her skin as she sat in nothing but a paper-thin gown. She was numb from head to toe, trapped inside her mind.

Was this her punishment for pushing away the only person she had in life, for cutting herself completely off to everything around her?

God couldn’t be that cruel…could he? But then again she did stop believing in him, didn’t she say those very words just last week, did he finally decide to snap her last piece of sanity.

You would think she would at least feel the pain from the numerous bruises she had on her body, feel the throbbing pain of her broken arm. That’s why people came to this place right? This is where souls began to live and die every single day, so what was the purpose of her being here if she didn’t feel anything.

The doctors came, poked and probed asking questions, she didn’t answer. The police came asked her questions, she didn’t answer. Her mind replayed her nightmare over and over inside her head, the screams echoing, the gunshot amplifying.

She should have been on better guard, should have known something was wrong the minute her uncle stepped into the restaurant drunk. He always waited until she was upstairs in the privacy of their apartment.

‘No witnesses’ he would always say, so she should have just bolted right then and there. The past two weeks were hell, she had stuck to her words the day after she left Max hold her. She avoided him at all cost, ignored his phone calls, changed seats and hidden everywhere she could so he wouldn’t find her.

Her luck had run out when Missy confronted her in the bathroom, the girls eyes bore into her own as she told her ‘he hurting Liz’.

She was so confused, why would he be hurting. Didn’t he realize she gave him the easy way out, he wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore? “It’s for the best’ she found herself saying.

‘For who…you or him’ she had asked. Missy was another mystery to her, why was she so nice to her. What was she to gain, she didn’t act like a girlfriend. Any normal girl would question why her boyfriend spent so much time worrying about another girl.

‘Why are you so nice to me…It could damage your reputation by talking to me, don’t you know that’ she asked.

Liz was taken back by the haunted look that crossed her face, Missy diverted her eyes ‘just because I have money doesn’t make me like the rest of them…we have a lot more in common than you realize Liz’.

Liz stumbled back some frightened, the look on her face it was like she could see every dark secret about her. If she knew did Max know. She studied her carefully trying to figure out what she knew.

‘Your lucky thou’ she said turning away and staring at her through the reflection of the mirror, ‘you have someone who cares a great deal about you…all you have to do is…let him in’ she whispered the last part out.

Her head was spinning and Missy’s words caused a sharp pain in her heart, she couldn’t let him in. it was time to move on and let this friendship be something to look back on once in a while. What did she mean about her being lucky, she had Max too?

Looking up at her ‘what about you, I mean your together’ she stated. Did she know something she didn’t, did he have feelings for her. He shouldn’t she was important.

Missy just left her more confused when she turned and simply said ‘things are not always what they seem Liz’ and left her standing there in the middle of the bathroom.

More confused a pounding headache she was still trying to process it all as she worked her shift. She knew she was screwing orders up but she couldn’t focus, it was slowly driving her crazy.

To make matters worse Max came in and sat in a booth watching her with pleading eyes, he must have finally given up when she turned around and saw he wasn’t there anymore.

Feeling tired and on the verge of crying she swept and mopped the floors, hoping to get it done fast so she could go crawl under her blankets and hide from the world. Once she was done she put the mop and broom up and walked over to dry the last of the glasses.

She was so deep in thought she didn’t hear her uncle come staggering in ‘where’s the cash bag’ he demanded starling her so bad she dropped the glass and watched helplessly as it shattered on the tile floor.

‘You stupid clumsy bitch that’s coming out of your paycheck’ he sneered as he swayed back and forth. She bit her bottom lip as she stood trying to get her heart rate back down. ‘Don’t just stand there you worthless piece of shit clean it up’ he hollered.

She dashed for the broom and came back sweeping the shards of glass up, she watched as he stumbled drunkenly over to the register and popped the till. He frowned and turned accusing eyes on her ‘is this all we made’ he roared. She weakly nodded her head yes ‘I don’t believe you’ he sneered and slammed the register closed.

Her eyes widen in fright as he advanced on her ‘I think your been stealing from me Lizzie, haven’t you…you little bitch’ his words were slurred and harsh as he pointed a accusing finger at her ‘What did I tell you about lying to me’.

‘No’ she shook her head repeatedly dropping the broom and raising her hands in defense backing away as he kept coming.

He grabbed her by the forearms forcibly before she could get away; she tried not to gag at the stench of alcohol pouring off him. “Liar’ he shouted as he tightened his grip.

She whimpered against the pain “I didn’t take anything…I swear’ she cried out as he dug his nails into her skin.

“What did I tell you about lying to me bitch’ he raised his hand and smacked her hard against the face. Her cheeks burned and she could feel the blood forming on her lip, the tears were falling harder now.

“I swear…I…didn’t’ she stuttered out. He grabbed a fist full of hair and pushed hard causing her to fall awkwardly on her arm, she screamed out as the pain shot up her arm into her shoulder.

Cradling her arm against her she tried to shield herself, but it was no use. He stumbled towards her tripping over the broom, he caught himself and she could see it only made him angrier.

She started to push herself backwards, shaking to badly to try and stand up. The tears streamed down, as she kept shaking her head no.

‘Where’s the money’ he roared planting a swift kick to her ribs, she doubled over on her side the breath rushing out of her at the pain. She closed her eyes and begged for someone to help her.

He kneeled down and lost his balance causing his knee to collide with the other side. Crying harder now she gathered the last of her strength and pushed with all her might, he fell back hard hitting his head against the counter.

She started scooting back faster trying to get away; he staggered over onto his hands and knees coming after her. He grabbed her foot and she kicked with all her might, sending him flying back again.

She kept pushing backwards until her back collided with the cash register stand; she hit it hard causing some of the contents to fall out on the ground. The object caught her eye and she quickly grabbed it, fingers shaking violently she aimed it at him.

His eyes widen for a second then became a hard mass, managing to get himself standing up he glared at her ‘you don’t have the guts you worthless bitch’.

Her whole body was shaking now as she cocked the handle back; her breath was coming out in raspy hiccuping sobs as she tried to keep her aim straight.

‘You are going to wish you died along with your parents when I get done with you’ he stared advancing towards her.

The mention of her parents caused her to cry harder and she closed her eyes picturing them standing beside her, she whispered out ‘forgive me’ and pulled the trigger.

“Liz…sweetheart can you hear me’ the soft gentle voice brought her out of her nightmare and she slowly opened her eyes.

Standing before her with tears in her eyes was Diane Evans, Liz’s’ eyes filled with tears as Diane placed a gentle hand on her arm ‘I’ve come to take you home with me sweetheart’.

[Itzstacie]

Chapter 7


Liz curled up as best she could despite the way her body was protesting, she place her good arm over her ear trying to drown out the hushed voices she could still hear even with the door closed.

Mr. Evans was not happy and he was making it well know how he felt, her body still trembled as the tears fell, she was truly alone now and she had no idea what would happen to her.

The sheriff said it was in self-defense but it didn’t make the pain any less. She lost everything; her uncle was all she had despite his abusive ways, now he was dead to be buried six feet under next to her parents.

She lost the only home she knew there was no way she could go back there. Her family’s business was going to be gone she failed her father. A knock on the door had her hurrying up and trying to wipe the tears away. She called out shaky come in and Diane appeared with a soft smile and opened arms.

‘Dinners going to be done soon, why don’t you rest until then’ she said brushing a strand of hair back on her head.

‘I…I don’t want to be a problem’ she told her shakily.

‘Honey you are not a problem, my only regret is that I wish I had known sooner so I could have gotten you away from that monster’.

‘But Mr.

Diane cupped her cheeks ‘you don’t worry about Mr. Evans I will handle him, this is your home now and don’t let anybody tell you any different’.

‘Yes Ma’am’

Once Diane left she laid down closing her eyes, it wasn’t long before her dreams turned into nightmares, the gun popping played over and over, the look of horror on her uncles face as she pulled the trigger.

She bolted up shaking and drenched in sweat, the pain finally caught up with her and her body screamed with agony. With shaky legs she stumbled over to her backpack and dug out the pain medication that Diane had filled for her before they left the hospital.

A knock came and she turned to see Max walking in the room, she quickly wished a hole would open up and swallow her. She felt the tears swell up as she saw his eyes filling up, she tried to get herself under control as she turned from him.

‘Din…Dinners ready’ he managed to get out, his voice was hoarse and she could tell he was fighting his tears as well. She looked back at him as he took a step forward and she nodded her head, neither of them moved just continued to stare at each other.

‘Liz’

‘Don’t’ she pleaded softly, she didn’t want his pity nor did she want to talk about it. She watched a tear roll down his cheek and it was too much for her, she walked past him but stopped when she heard him whisper out in anguish.

‘Don’t shut me out please’.

She closed her eyes letting the tears escape as she whispered ‘I have too’ and then she left him standing there in the empty bedroom.

The dinner table was quiet except for the clanking of silverware on plates; she kept her head down forcing herself to eat what was on her plate. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her causing her slide under the table more. The shrill of the telephone had everyone jumping.

Isabel jumped up ‘I’ll get it’.

‘Sit down’ Phillip barked ‘you know the rules’.

Isabel sunk back in her seat as Diane placed a comforting hand on Liz’s arm, startled she looked up to see the loving gaze in her eyes ‘would you like some more’.

Liz shook her head ‘no thank you…if its okay I would like to go lay down’.

‘Go ahead dear’

“Thank you’ Liz pushed her chair back and proceeded to pick her plate up.

“Don’t worry about that, I’ll take care of it’ Diane assured her.

‘I don’t mind’.

“She said she would get it’ Phillip boomed causing her to jump, Diane glared at him then turned back to her ‘go ahead honey its okay’.

She hesitated for a minute before nodding mutely and making her way to the back.

Several hours later she woke up in pain the medication having worn off, she crept out of the bed in hopes of getting a glass of water quietly and making her way back to the room before anyone saw her.

The hushed voices had her halting just outside the kitchen; she could make out the voices of Diane and Max talking quietly.

‘Just give her time honey, she’s been through a horrible ordeal’.

‘I know mom, I feel so bad whey didn’t I see…all this time and I didn’t see’.

She could hear the tremors in his voice and it caused her throat to clog up.

‘Shh it’s not your fault honey, don’t ever think that’.

‘She wont even talk to me’ he cried out.

She could hear Diane sigh ‘Max I know you want to help her, but honey this is something that can’t be fixed over night, the only thing we can do is be there for her when she’s ready’.

‘But dad hates her so much…why mom… why cant he see her the way I do’ he sobbed out.

Liz closed her eyes when she heard his heart broken sobs; her own tears leaked out. Maybe it would be best if she left, she didn’t want to cause anyone anymore pain and it wasn’t do anyone any good with her here.

She could hear Diane try to calm him down ‘Your father just doesn’t know how to let go of his grief, he’s doing the only thing he knows how to do’.

‘But why’ he sniffed.

‘Before you father became successful the four of us had been friends since middle school, it became a ritual for us it sit around once a week and do whatever. We would alternate weeks by each other’s houses and it was the time of our lives.

When your father and I left for college we didn’t talk so much, Jeff took over the restaurant from his father and Nancy stayed behind for him. When we moved back here, we were still friends but Nancy and I could tell it wasn’t the same.

While your father climbed the ladder and started making a lot of money he tired to talk Jeff into selling the business and coming to work for him, but Jeff was stubborn and didn’t want to sell.
He said even though the neighborhood was going down it was still his family’s business and he wouldn’t leave it to get involved with snobby high society people.

Things were tense after that but they kept neutral for the sake of Nancy and I, once you kids were born thought it seemed to have brought us all closer again. They started to get along again and our visits started up again.

Everything was going good again, that night there was a fierce storm going on outside. We didn’t even realize the weather was going to get bad, the sky looked clear all day long. Liz got sick with a tummy ache and started throwing up. Your father insisted that they stay the night it was raining to heavily for anyone to be driving in it.

Liz was crying she wanted to go home, so Jeff declined saying Liz would have been crabby and miserable for everyone else all night and it wasn’t fair to us to have to deal with it. The only place that calmed her down was her own bed.

I think deep down your father blames him self more because he should have made them stay, and seeing Liz reminds him of that. I wish I could get him to let go off his guilt and realize it wasn’t anybody’s fault except for that drunk driver’.

Liz could hear Diane sniff and peeked around the corner to see Max put his arms around his mother ‘God mom does she know all this’.

‘NO, she only knows that a drunk driver killed her parents, we never told anyone except the sheriff. We didn’t want her to think it was her fault and now knowing what her uncle put her though, he would have used it against her if he knew…Max you cant say anything’.

‘I won’t’ he choked out.

Too late she thought as she dragged herself back into the bedroom, it really was her fault, she understood now why he hated her so much and in that moment she hated herself too.

She really was a monster, she killed her parents and now she killed her uncle. She was poison to everyone around her. She didn’t deserve to live here, what she did deserve was to life the rest of her life rotting in a jail cell.

Grabbing her back pack she sunk down to the hard floor, too ashamed to lay on the comfortable bed, she curled up into a ball and shoved her good fist into her mouth trying to drown out her sobs and she cried herself to sleep.

[Itzstacie]

Chapter 8


It had been a week since coming to live with the Evans and Liz still would not talk to anyone, sure she spoke when spoken too and attended each meal. But other than that she stayed locked up in her room.

Each night she went to sleep on the cold hard floor believing that this what her punishment should be, but each morning she woke up to find herself tucked safely under the covers on the bed.

She knew it was Max doing it; no one else would be able to pick her up. She just couldn’t bring herself to talk to him; she was torn between her heart calling out to him and her head pushing him away.

She just wished he would understand that she didn’t deserve his friendship, she didn’t deserve anything. She killed her parents, she killed her uncle, and if he stayed around she would probably kill him too.

Today was Saturday and the Evans had left to go do a family thing, Diane had invited her along but one quick glance from Phillip behind Diane’s back had her declining fast.

She set out on foot ignoring the drizzling rain spraying down on her head as she made sure her cast was hidden securely inside her jacket, only stopping to pick some flowers from the garden she made her way to the cemetery.

Kneeling down she removed the wilted flowers replacing them with the new ones in the slot above the tombstones. She sat back on her butt just staring at the graves letting her gaze travel over to the newest plot.

Her bottom lip started to tremble and she bit it hard while her eyes started blinking faster to hold the tears at bay. ‘I’m so sorry’ she licked her lips fighting hard to maintain her composure ‘I tried…I tried to be someone you could be proud of.

I tried so hard but I couldn’t do it, I…I lost everything you worked so hard for, I’m sorry I was such a failure.’

The rain was coming down harder now but it didn’t phase her, she just let it mix with the tears flowing down her cheeks “I…I don’t understand how…how could he take you and not me, how could he let me live when I’m no good.

Please’ she begged calling out loud ‘please send them back…send them back and take me.

I can’t…I can’t do this alone, please take me instead of them’ her voice hitched as she screamed out ‘It’s not fair, you had no right to take them. Why….why did you take them and not me. I don’t understand please…please just take me instead.’

She lay down on the wet grass curling up into a ball sobbing and repeating the words over and over just take me.

She was sobbing so hard that she didn’t hear the soft footsteps come up next to her, nor felt the soft hand rest on her shoulder.

“Liz what are you doing out here in the rain’

Liz couldn’t answer her cries were to deep and loud to get control of herself, it had been the first time in her life that she cried like this, the person pulled her to a sitting position and wrapped an arm around her shoulder ‘just let it out, I got you’.

She continued to cry for a few minutes just clinging to the person as her sobs turned into muffled sniffles ‘I’m sorry’ she whispered out wiping her eyes with the back of her hand embarrassed that someone found her like this.

She finally looked up and was surprised to see Missy sitting there holding an umbrella in one hand, she hadn’t even noticed she wasn’t getting wet anymore. Missy gave her a half smile ‘its okay everyone needs a good cry now and then’.

Liz looked around for a minute before looking back at her ‘what are you doing here’ she asked.

Missy stood up and held her hand out ‘come on lets get out of the rain before we catch cold and I’ll tell you’.

Liz looked at her hand for a few minutes before placing her cold shaking hand in hers, Missy helped her to her feet and together they walked back towards Missy’s car. They climbed in and she turned the on and cranked the heater up to try and get warm.

Missy glanced at Liz and could tell she was waiting for an explanation, she pushed her wet locks back from her face and turned to look out the windshield ‘I come here once a week’ she started.

Liz turned and looked at her surprised.

Missy just continued to look out the window ‘you know some people don’t realize how lucky they really are’ she turned and looked at Liz “my mom died during childbirth with me’.

Liz looked at her confused ‘But-

“I know a lot of people think Rachel is my mother, but she’s not’ she cut in ‘My dad married her when I was two’ she turned to look back through the windshield ‘So I don know some of what your going through’.

Liz shook her head and stared at the rain dancing along the window ‘I doubt that’.

‘Well not everything, but enough to be confused on why God does what he does, confused on why he takes life from one but gives it to another…at least you got nine years with yours’ she said as she wiped away a tear that had fallen.

Liz bit her lip trying to fight hers; she didn’t want to start crying again.

‘All I ever got was a single picture, which my dad gave me before my step mom got rid of everything’.

Liz whipped her head around surprised and stared at her.

Missy shrugged her shoulders ‘my step mom hates me, supposedly I look like my mother and at first my father had a hard time letting go because I looked so much like her…I am a constant reminder to her of what could have been if my mother had lived’.

‘I…I didn’t know’ Liz answered looking down at her hands.

Missy just shrugged again ‘how could you, nobody knows it. To the outside world we are just one big happy family, we have money so we go to all the big parties, flash the million dollar smiles, hangout with the popular people and then we go home its back to the broken home’.

‘I’m sorry’ Liz said not really sure what to say.

‘Don’t be, I’m not telling you this because I want you to feel sorry for me. I just want you to see that not all of us are the same just because we have money’.

“Why do you hang out with those people then’ Liz asked

‘Because it’s what I’m expected to do’ she hesitated for a second before she said ‘just like it’s expected of Max to do’.

Liz quickly turned her gaze back out the window ‘I don’t want to talk about Max’.

Missy nodded her head ‘okay but at least let me just say this, do you how much he really cares for you…he might kick my butt but I would go as far to say he loves you’.

Liz looked back at her and raised an eyebrow ‘what do you mean’.

Missy smiled ‘did you know when we are at lunch he watches you, he watches every little thing you do’ she shook her head ‘he’s zoned out so many times just sitting there watching you.

I know he hates his father right now, because his father is the reason why he came with us in the first place. His father is the reason he avoids you in the halls, he has everyone on staff watching Max. His father threatened to send him away’.

Liz nodded her head ‘I knew’ she whispered out.

“Did you know it kills him that he cant sit and talk to you, he obeys his father because he’s terrified that he would get sent away and he would rather not talk to you and watch you from afar then to not see you at all’ Missy told her.

Liz closed her eyes as the tears started to trickle down ‘why are you telling me this’?

Missy looked at her ‘I want you to know the truth; I know everyone thinks we are dating. The truth is we are not, we are just pretending to keep up appearances, and it was my idea that if his father thought he was dating someone he wouldn’t keep such a sharp eye on him anymore’

“What does that have to do with me’ Liz asked?

‘I don’t want you to give up on him, he’s my friend and I don’t like to see him hurting. I know what your going through right now is horrible. But I don’t want you to think your alone because your not.

He told me the other day that he would do anything to see you smile again, that he would risk getting sent away just to be able to talk to you and help you get through this’ Missy told her.

Liz just nodded her head and didn’t say anything, after a few minutes Missy put the car in drive ‘lets get you back’ she said pulling off to drop her off at the Evans house.

They rode back in silence each lost in their own thoughts, when they pulled up the driveway Liz noticed the car was back and she dreaded going inside. She sat there for a few minutes before opening the door.

Missy put a hand on her arm stopping her ‘I would like to be your friend too if you let me’ she said.

Liz looked back at her ‘if you’re seen with me your popularity would go down the drain’.

Missy looked at her ‘I’m sure it will, but you know what I just don’t care anymore’.

Liz smiled and nodded her head before getting out and shutting the door, Missy watched her from behind the wheel whispering out Let him in…let him help heal you before pulling away.

Liz raised her hand to knock refusing to use the key and walking in on her own, before she could do it the door flew open and found herself being engulfed in a hug ‘Oh sweetheart you had me so worried’ Diane called out ‘we came home and you weren’t here’

She pulled back and looked at her ‘your soaking wet, come on lets get you some dry clothes before you get sick’ Diane ushered her to the back towards her room.

They stopped short when Max yanked his door open looking worried ‘Liz’.

“She’s okay dear, she’s home now…we are just going to get her some dry clothes’ Diane said pulling her into her room.

Liz sat there in silence as Diane ran about getting towels to dry her hair and pulling out some dry clothes ‘where did you go honey’ she asked?

‘I went to the cemetery’ she answered.

Diane looked up at her ‘In the rain’?

‘It wasn’t raining when I left’ she fibbed.

‘Okay’ Diane believed her and smiled cupping her cheeks ‘you change clothes then come to dinner in about twenty minutes okay’.

‘Yes maam’ she answered.

After changing her clothes she sat down on the window sill and stared out watching the flowers in the garden drink their fill of rain water. A knock at the door had her getting up and she wasn’t really surprised to find Max standing on the other side of it ‘can I come in’ he asked hesitantly.

She nodded her head and opened the door wider for him to enter; she closed the door then stood there in silence watching him as he shoved his hands into his jean pockets.

‘You had my mom worried’ he said.

‘Sorry’ she answered and bit her lip.

He raised his eyes to meet hers and she was taken back by the force of his anguish stare ‘I was worried’ he whispered.

She stared at him ‘why’ she whispered out taking a step forward.

‘I’ the words got lodged in his throat and he cleared it to start over ‘I was scared you left and I wouldn’t see you again’.

‘Where would I go’ she asked?

He shrugged his shoulders ‘I don’t know somewhere…anywhere but here’.

She shook her head no and they stayed staring at each before she did something she never thought she would do. She quickly walked to him and forgetting about her cast threw her arms around his waist and clung to him “Thank you’ she whispered out.

It took him a full minute to realize what was going on and quickly bringing his own arms down he hugged her tightly to him burying his nose in her neck, he breathed deeply ‘for what’ he whispered out.

She could feel his body trembling as she leaned her cheek against his broad chest ‘for being there, for knowing enough not to push me but still watch out for me…for putting me in the bed each night’ she looked up at him and his eyes were wide.

‘I know it’s you doing it’ she said.

He pulled back but kept his arms around her ‘why are you sleeping on the floor’?

Liz shook her head “I don’t…I can’t talk about it right now, I just need time please’.

“Okay’ he whispered out ‘whenever you’re ready’.

She nodded her head and continued to look at him in the eye; she wasn’t sure who moved first but their heads drifted closer together. She watched his eyes drift down to her lips and her heart beat tripled, she wondered if his was beating as fast as her was.

The slight tremors she felt from his body told her it was as he got within a hairs inch from her lips, she closed her eyes when she felt him whisper out her name against her lips. Tilting her head up she closed the distance and his soft lips were warm against hers as he kissed her.

Opening her mouth slightly for that first dip and he didn’t disappoint sliding his tongue into her mouth to dance with hers as his hand crept up to hold the back of head. She knew this was wrong on so many levels, but at the moment she just couldn’t seem to care.

They broke apart panting and staring at each other when Isabel knocked on the door ‘Liz dinner is ready’.

She didn’t answer just continued to stare at Max, she brought her fingertips up to her lips still feeling the tingling sensation running thru them, her eyes were wide and her heart was pounding loudly in her ears.

‘This is wrong…this is so wrong’ she started.

Max reached out and took hold of her arm ‘don’t say it was a mistake, I’ve wanted to do that for a long time now’.

Isabel knocked again before she could reply ‘Liz’.
Liz kept her eyes on Max ‘I’m coming’.

She walked backwards towards the door as he took a step forward ‘Liz’ he said desperate.

She just shook her head ‘We have to go to dinner’ and she opened the door leaving him to stare after her again.

[Itzstacie]

I want to thank you all for your patience and support through this horrible time in my life. Things are still chaos and unsettled, I started to write again and managed to get a chapter done. I'm not happy with it, I went to long without writing lol. The updates will start again, when I get them out is another question. I have no privacy here at my sisters house, so trying to write is hard, but i do promise to get them out as fast as I can. The way things are going I'll be lucky to get my house rebuilt by March of next year, I'm crossing fingers that it won't take that long but wtih the way insurance compaines are being right now its no telling.


Chapter 9


She woke up feeling regret. Regret of kissing him last night, she knew nothing good could come of it, didn’t he realize that she was nothing but trouble. The only thing it would lead to would be heartache. She was going to have to end it before he could even think of beginning something.

Sighing she got out of bed and got dressed for school, she always got up an hour earlier then the rest of them so she could walk to school. She knew she could ride with Max but she didn’t want to cause any more problems with Mr. Evans, she wanted to be invisible as much as she could.

Making her way to the back door she passed the fruit basket with the intent of taking an apple that would be her lunch for the day. The cold harsh voice stopped her in her tracks.

‘Do you intend to pay for that’ he asked.

She slowly turned around and looked up into two cold hard eyes looking at her ‘I”m sorry’ she said.

He marched towards her ‘let’s get something straight right now, this is not your home nor will it ever be. You are only here because my wife wanted to take on a charity case, just because you are staying here does not give you the right to march around my house pretending like you own it or something’.

‘I”m not’ she shook her head as she started to back away from his advances.

‘You better listen and listen good I am only going to say this once, I do not want to see you, hear you. The only time you show your face around me better be for dinner and that’s only because my wife wouldn’t let you eat alone.

If you want something you better intend to pay for it because I am not supporting you, if it was up to me you would be out on your ass where you belong’ he barked.

She bit her lip ‘yes sir’ she turned and walked quickly out of the door before he could see the tears in her eyes, she wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

School proved to be more difficult then she thought, she tried to avoid Max as much as she could. His heated stare didn’t help her any, every where she turned she could feel his eyes burning her. She took to avoiding Missy too, she had a feeling Max told her what had happened and she was going to try and talk to her about it.

She couldn’t deal with it, this morning proved more than anything that she and Max could never be anything. His father would stop at nothing to make sure she would never get anywhere. She was avoiding him also because she felt ashamed.

When she went to her locker after first period inside of it was sitting a red apple which meant someone overheard this morning and she was humiliated that they witnessed Phillip downgrading her.

She had to get out of that house it was the only way she was going to be able to save her sanity. She loved Diane, but Phillip was never going to change his feelings and was going to make her life a living hell as long as she stayed there.

Somehow she managed to avoid everyone the entire day, and she longed to get back to the house and hide in her room. Hopefully Mr. Evans would be gone and she could get inside without being seen.


Walking into the front door she was immediately grabbed by the arm and dragged into the living room.

“Where is it’ he yelled.

‘Where’s what’ her body started to tremble as pain shot up her arm.

‘You know what I’m talking about, you stole it and I want it back right now’.

‘I don’t know what your talking about, I...I didn’t take anything’ she cried.

Phillip swung her around and grabbed her other arm forcing her to be nose to nose with him, her eyes widen in fear.

‘You know exactly what I’m talking about, you little thief’.

She shook her head no ‘I didn’t take anything I swear’.

‘My wife’s Crystal egg, where is it’ he boomed

“I don’t know...I promise I didn’t take anything’ she couldn’t help the tears this time as they fell.

He squeezed her arms tighter ‘you think because you got off on a bogus self-defense plea that you can play your little innocent act and everyone will buy it. But I know the truth you’re a murderer, a thief and a liar’.

‘NO....NO I’m not’ she sobbed out.

‘Where is it thief’

‘Stop...please I didn’t take it I swear I didn’t’ she pleaded.

‘Stop lying I know stole it, you have two seconds to give it back to me before I call the police and have your ass thrown in jail where you belong’ Phillip yelled at her.

She backed away holding her hands up ‘I didn’t take anything’ she cried again.

‘That’s it’ he turned and headed for the phone while she did the only thing she could do, she ran.

5 years later.

‘Beth order up’ the cook called behind the counter, walking over she smiled at him ‘by the way Mark I wanted to tell you, if you insist on playing dress up my clothes are off limits’.

Mark smiled at her ‘awe honey but they wont let me take a uniform home for myself’.

She rolled her eyes ‘leave my uniforms alone tell George to find some other way to fulfill his fantasies’.

‘I love you too, now bring table five their food before they start eating the table’ he smiled.

She shook her head and headed towards the table laughing inward., she didn’t know what she would do without Mark. She had met him five years ago while living on the streets. She had been sick with phenomena and living in a alley.

Mark had stumbled upon her and took her in, nursing her back to health and giving her a place to stay. He had been her personal angel saving her from the life she so desperately wanted to leave. Many nights she laid on the cold hard cement begging God to take her away from all of this, and instead of doing that he sent Mark who showed her that her life was worth living.

She didn’t go to college, and the only thing she had to show for herself was a GED. She had stopped questioning along time ago why this particular guy was willing to help her out. She remembered she had asked him once and his only reply was he always wanted a little sister.

He didn’t question her about her past, and he accepted any information she chose to give without any judgement.
‘Hey Beth’ Lisa called to her from behind the counter.

Beth walked over and leaned against the bar, ‘what’s up’.

‘Don’t’ look but the girl at table seven says she knows you, I keep telling her your name is Beth not Liz’.

Lisa missed the way she tensed up, slowly she turned her head and was shocked to see a face from the past. Her body started shaking afraid of what this would mean, she wasn’t sure if she should pretend she didn’t recognize the person or be happy.

She left that part of her life five years ago and had no intention of ever going back. The only thing she regretted was not saying goodbye to a certain brown hair boy who held her heart and left so many questions unanswered.

She walked over to the table nervously and sat down in the booth.

‘We thought you were dead’.

“How did you find me’?

‘Actually I’m just as surprised to see you, I was out walking and wanted something to eat. Funny how my feet led me here, I was expecting a nice hot sandwich and what do I get instead a ghost’.

‘Do you live here’?

Missy nodded her head ‘I go to school here...so does Max’.

Liz’s eyes widen and her heart started beating triple time, looking around trying to spot him.

‘He’s not here’ she said.

She let out a sigh of both relief and disappointment, looking down at the table she asked hesitantly ‘how...how is he’.

‘Changed’.

She looked up at her waiting for her to explain, when Missy didn’t she started looking around at everything trying to think of something to say.

‘How did you wind up here’ Missy asked.

Liz shrugged and looked out of the window ‘My mother was from here, I always wanted to go. I don’t know when I left I just ended up here’.

Missy reached across the table and placed her hand on top of hers “Liz why did you run away’.

She slowly pulled her hand away ‘I didn’t belong there’.

‘Liz I know what happened, and I also know that you were telling the truth’.

Liz looked at her surprised. Missy smiled ‘Max told me what happened’.

Liz bit her bottom lip not replying.

‘Mr. Evans knows you didn’t take it either, when Max got home from school he told his dad that Diane had taken it in to get cleaned’.

The tears started to swell up in her eyes, all this time and the truth was known all along. She told herself it didn’t matter anyway she didn’t belong there and it was good that she got out when she could.

‘She divorced him’ Missy said out of the blue.

Liz was stunned ‘why’?

‘The crystal incident was the last straw for her, she told him if he wouldn’t go get counseling and deal with his problems then he could leave. She told him that he was a bastard for blaming an innocent girl for something that was not her fault.

She also told him that what he did was wrong, he lost friends but you lost parents and if anyone had a right to be angry it was you’.

Liz wiped away the tear that slipped from her eye, she felt guilty because she felt like she was the reason they split. Missy looked at her ‘don’t blame yourself Liz, Mr. Evans had a lot of issues, it would of happened sooner or later’.

‘You don’t know that’ she said.

“Liz ‘

‘What did you mean by Max is changed’ she wasn’t going to ask, but it was eating at her inside. She had to know what was the damage she did.

‘He’s cold and mean...in a nutshell he’s still heartbroken. Liz when you left it broke his heart. He spent months looking for you and when he finally realized that you weren’t coming back he went through some serious depression.

Then one day he just woke up closed off from the world, he didn’t talk and when he did he was harsh and short’.

Liz covered her face with her hands, she never wanted things to turn out this way. How was she ever going to face him again. Her first thought was to run again, if he was going to school here there was a chance that she would run into him and what would she say if she did.

‘Hey Beth your orders are backing up’ Mark called from behind the grill.

Liz nodded her head and looked at Missy, standing up ‘I have to get back to work, please don’t tell anyone that you saw me’.

Missy looked at her surprised ‘what about Max’.

‘Please not yet...I’m not ready to face him and I really don’t think he would want to talk to me’.

‘Okay I’ll respect your wishes for now and I’ll have you know your wrong, I know for a fact he still thinks of you’.

‘How’ she asked.

“Because he keeps a lite candle in the window’

Her body started shaking, she had to sit back down again before she lost it. She covered her mouth to try and stop her lips from trembling.

Missy stood up and grabbed her purse, in a surprise move she leaned and grabbed Liz in a hug ‘I am really happy to see you, I meant what I told you all those years ago. I want to be your friend Liz’.

Liz nodded ‘I would like that’.

As she was walking off she turned back and looked at her ‘Liz you should call Mrs. Evans and let her know you are alive and well. She blamed herself for not taking care of you better’.

‘I don’t know what to say’.

‘Doesn’t matter what you say, what matters is letting her know that your okay’.

Liz nodded her head ‘I will, and thank you for not telling Max that you saw me’.

‘He’s not here anyways, he left the semester early to go back home’.

Liz got worried, that didn’t sound like something Max would do, before she could ask Missy told her ‘It’s Diane...she’s sick’.

[Itzstacie]

Thank you for your feedback, Ellie,Earth2Mama,Cherie,Alien, and Kerri its good to be back and I'm glad to see you back reading.

Chapter 10

Liz stood staring at the white house with blue trim, her insides churning. She wasn’t going to be able to do this, too much time had past. Her feet turned and led her away from the house, maybe later she might be able to face him she thought.

She wrapped her arms around her middle as she walked the streets, looking around not too much had changed from what she remembered. Her feet walked her straight to all familiar site, she stood frozen looking at her childhood home.

The spaceship sign still hung above the once busy café, she was shocked to see the building still standing, almost like it was just closed for the night. The only thing that was different was the boars that hung on the windows and the closed signed painted in bold black letters across the boards.

Walking around to the back she wondered how this place was still here, she was sure it would have been tore down along time ago. She stared hard at the stairs leading up to the apartment. With shaky fingers she reached for the railing. With one foot in front of the other she climbed the stairs.

Using her fingers she pried the boards off that covered the door, taking a deep breath she slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a key. Using the key the door creaked open and she was hit with an old musky smell.

Her heart started beating wildly inside her chest as she debated wether or not to go in. Closing her eyes she gathered her strength and walked into the dark apartment. Liz slipped the backpack she carried off her shoulder and pulled out a flashlight leaving the backpack just inside the door.

Liz closed the door behind her as her fingers shook trying to keep the flashlight steady in one hand. Once closed she looked around the room, the flashlight stopping on the old rusty chair her uncle sat in all the time. Her lips started to tremble as memories started to flood her.

Where’s my dinner bitch.
You are good for nothing.
They should have killed you instead.

She squeezed her eyes tightly shaking her head trying to erase the memories, turning her back on the chair she shown the flashlight in the direction of the hallway “he can’t hurt you anymore’ she told herself.

She ignored the master bedroom and headed straight for her old bedroom, pushing the door open she crept in slowly. Everything was still the same except for the cobwebs and dust that had settled on everything.

Walking to the bed she sat down coughing a little when the dust stirred, opening her night stand she pulled out an old photograph of her parents, wiping away the dust from the picture she wondered how she forgot this was there.

The tears started to flow and she clutched the picture tightly to her chest closing her eyes ‘I’m sorry’ she whispered out to no one. Opening her eyes she placed the picture on the night stand, looking in the drawer again she picked up a small white card.

She fingered the handwritten note and wondered how much he hated her now. Curling up on her side she laid down ignoring the dust that was there as she continued to think about him. She nibbled her bottom lip wondering if she would ever have the courage to face him again.

Later she thought, definitely later was the last thoughts she had as she fell asleep from exhaustion. Several hours later she woke up feeling disoriented, scared she jumped up forgetting where she was for a moment. Once she realized where she was she sat back down on the bed trying to stop her heart from racing.

Once she was in control again she stood up dusting her clothes off and shaking the dust from her hair. Picking up the photograph she grabbed her flashlight and headed for the door, it was time.

Liz grabbed her backpack shoving both the picture and flashlight in it, walking out she locked the door behind her and descended the stairs.

Walking up to the front door she raised her hand to knock and froze ‘you are going to do this’ she told herself and forced herself to knock. She could hear movement from behind the door and her insides started to jump. Placing her hand over her stomach she hoped it would calm her nerves. The door opened and on the other side was a tall gorgeous blonde.

‘May I help you’? She asked.

‘Hello Isabel’ Liz answered nervously.

Isabel eyed her in confusion then her eyes widened suddenly “Liz is that you’.

‘Its me’ she said.

‘Oh God we thought you were dead’.
‘I know’ Liz answered then chewed nervously on her bottom lip ‘can I come on’ she asked.

Isabel stood back pulling the door open wider so she could come in, she walked in and ast down on the couch. Isabel followed and stood in the opening crossing her arms over her chest ‘so where have you been’.

Liz tucked a strand of hair behind her ear ‘I live in Boston’.

Isabel raised an eyebrow ‘That’s where Max lives, did he know where you were’.

Liz quickly shook her head ‘no he didn’t know’ she looked around the room ‘is he home’.

‘No he’s out running some errands...how did you know he was home’.

‘I ran into Missy...actually she ran into me, she came into the diner I’m working at’.

“Oh’ Isabel said surprised.

‘How’s your mom’ Liz asked.

‘How did you...never mind Missy right’.

Liz nodded her head.

Isabel walked in and sat down across from her placing her hands in her lap ‘not so good...she has a liver disease. The doctors don’t think she is going to last much longer’.

‘I’m so sorry Isabel’.

Isabel nodded her head ‘she tires to put on a brave front, pretending like its nothing. She’s constantly fighting Max and I to let her do everything. Deep down I think she’s scared but she wont admit it’.

‘Can I see her’ Liz asked.

‘I think she would love to see you, she’s laying down in her room’.

Isabel stood up and Liz followed her to the back, knocking on the door she opened it ‘Mom are you awake, you have a visitor’.

Liz stepped out from behind Isabel and Diane’s eyes immediately filled with tears, she covered her mouth ‘oh sweetheart I thought you were dead’ she cried.

Liz rushed forward and threw her arms around her neck “I”m so sorry for running away’.

‘Oh dear there is a God, I was so worried about you, where did you go’ Diane asked.

‘I’m sorry...I’m sorry for letting you think I was dead, I’ m so sorry for leaving’ Liz cried.
‘No...no you don’t have anything to be sorry for’ Diane cupped her cheeks into her hand ‘I’m the one who’s sorry, I should have kept better care of you’.

Liz shook her head ‘don’t ever think you didn’t take care of me, you took me into your home and treated me like one of your own, you always treated me like one of your own. You did a great job’.

Diane shook her head as she continued to cry ‘I could have done more’.

Liz placed her hand on her cheek wiping away her tears ‘You did enough’ wrapping her arms around once again she whispered ‘please don’t cry’.

Diane pulled back and took her hands “I’m so glad to see that you are okay, tell me where have you been, what have you been doing’.

Liz smiled ‘I’m living in Boston, and work at a diner there. It’s not what I thought I would be doing but I make a pretty descent living there, but let’s not talk about me, how are you doing’.

Diane smiled “I’m just fine, nothing to worry about. So tell me how long are you staying for’.

Before Liz could answer the door opened ‘Mom I’m back from...’ he trailed off as he went white looking at the figure sitting on the bed.

Liz stood up nervously ‘Hello Max’.