LairaBehr4 - Yeah, I did mean to post last night but time got away from me. Be warned that it is 8:30am so I may start writing about Brooke again (I'm so not a morning person).
Thanks everyone for the feedback. We're almost finished ...
Chapter Twenty-One
Liz arrived at the beach with Maria and Michael later that day. Half the team was already gathered, and the bonfire was burning. Liz scanned the group for Max but she couldn’t see him. The sun getting low in the sky, and as it darkened the music turned up for all of the partygoers. Maria and Michael were off talking to some of Michael’s team mates, and Liz found herself alone. This did not last long however as Kyle, Tess, Vicki and Isabel walked up.
“We’re going for a walk down the beach, did you want to come.”
“I think I’ll stay here. Thanks anyway.” Liz replied, and then addressing Tess said, “Your ankle has made a remarkable recovery.”
“Oh, it’s still very sore,” Tess said, suddenly shifting her weight to her other leg, as though she had forgotten she was supposed to have a limp. “Max did a wonderful job tending to me. He stayed with me all day.”
“Please come Liz.” Isabel said trying to return to the original subject. “We’re not going to go for long.” she begged, grabbing Liz’s arm.
“Alright.” Liz gave in. It really wasn’t worth the fight.
They were walking along the beach and Liz found herself paired off with Kyle in the lead. The other three girls chattered quietly behind. Kyle got Liz deep in conversation and before Liz knew it they were well up the beach away from the party. Liz looked around and found the other girls were nowhere in sight. They had turned back long ago and she and Kyle were alone.
“I think we should go back.” Liz said
“Don’t worry, your perfectly safe with me.” Kyle said, running his hand down Liz’s cheek and leaning in to kiss her.
“Stop, what are you doing?” Liz pulled away.
Kyle was taken aback for a moment. He was not used to being refused. As it began to sink in, he was more determined than ever that he would have Liz.
“I’m taking what I deserve.” Kyle said as he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the sand dunes. Pushing Liz onto the sand he climbed on top of her.
“No! Stop it!” Liz yelled before Kyle covered her mouth with his lips. He began to run his hands up her leg and reached beneath her dress.
Liz tried with all her strength to push him off her, but his size and strength were too much for her. She had almost resigned herself to what was about to happen, when she felt Kyle’s weight being lifted off her. Opening her eyes she saw Max, with a strong grip on Kyle’s shirt. As Kyle staggered to his feet, Max let fly a hard punch to the face.
“Didn’t you hear her say no?” Max yelled, before kneeing Kyle in the groin.
Kyle fell down to the ground groaning, and as Max shook his fist, which was throbbing, he turned to where Liz was lying on the sand. He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet.
“Are you alright?” Max asked concerned.
Liz nodded, unable to talk from the shock of what had just happened.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” Max apologised.
“How ... how did you know where to find me?” Liz whispered.
“Maria and Michael had told me you were here, but I couldn’t find you anywhere at the bonfire. I was eventually able to get it out of Tess. I just ran up the beach until I saw you.”
Liz started to shake as she went into shock.
“Come here.” Max said, putting his arms around her. “You’re safe now.”
Kyle staggered to his feet, and ran off. He knew that he would be no match in a fight with Max, especially as he had already had a few beers that afternoon. Max let him go, he wasn’t worth chasing.
“I need to sit down.” Liz said, feeling her legs wobble beneath her.
They sat down on the beach, and Max took his jacket off to put around Liz’s shoulders to keep her warm.
“I can’t believe it ... I can’t believe it happened to me ... He was so nice to me ... so nice ... But he ... He tried to ...” Liz began to cry.
Max wrapped his arms around her again. “Shush ... It’s alright. I’m here. He can’t hurt you now.”
“But ... but what if you hadn’t come. What if ...”
“Don’t think like that. I did come, and you’re safe now. I would never let anyone hurt you.” Max said, kissing her forehead. “I love you.”
“You love me?” Liz asked.
“Yeah, I do, I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Liz smiled, for the first time that night. “But I need to tell you what’s been happening. I need to explain ...”
“Not now. Another time. Just relax now.” Max said pulling her closer.
Liz put her head on Max’s chest. She was so tired, from all of the shock and excitement. She sat with her eyes closed, listening to the beat of Max’s heart, and the crash of the waves on the sand.
* * * * *
Not far away, where the others had gathered around the bonfire, the music blasted and the beer flowed. Maria was there with Michael, and had seen the others come back, without Liz, and was starting to get worried. She found Kyle, downing another can of beer.
“Where’s Liz?” Maria asked.
Kyle went deathly white for a moment. “Uh, I don’t know. Probably down the beach somewhere.”
“Alone?” Maria demanded.
“What’s with the interrogation? Go and find her yourself.” Kyle said as he stormed off.
Maria grabbed Michael and started running down the beach. She was worried about Liz, and that Kyle may have left her there alone. They saw a figure up ahead sitting on the sand, and when they were within view, saw Max, holding Liz in his arms.
“Max! What happened?” Maria asked.
“Kyle tried to ...” Max didn’t need to finish the sentence for Maria and Michael to understand what had happened.
“Are you going to report him to the police?” Maria asked.
“No!” Liz exclaimed. “No, don’t ask me to do that. Please!”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. It’s okay.” Max comforted.
Maria walked over to sit next to Liz, and Max rose to talk to Michael.
“We’ve got to do something.” Max said. “We can’t let him get away with this. And we can’t let him do it again to someone else.”
“What can we do? You heard Liz - she doesn’t want to report him.” Michael answered, kicking the sand with his feet.
“I’ve got an idea, but I need your help.” Max said mysteriously. “Hey Maria! You still got that camera in your car?”
“Yeah, it’s in the glove box.”
“Great. Can we go and get it?” Max asked, all excited.
“Sure.”
Max walked back over to Liz and crouched down in front of her.
“Are you feeling better? Can you walk back to the car? I’ll get Maria to drive you home.”
“Wh…where are you going?” Liz asked.
“Michael and I have got something we need to take care of, but I will follow you as soon as I can. Okay?” Max said, lifting Liz to her feet.
Liz nodded, and headed back towards the car with Maria, while Max explained his plan to Michael.
After Max saw Liz safely off, he and Michael headed back to the bonfire searching for Kyle. They found him, with a beer in hand, and on his way to being very drunk. This only made their life easier as they set up a trap for him. Max stayed in the background so that Kyle wouldn’t run off, while Michael took centre stage in persuading Kyle to take a midnight swim in the sea. He was not hard to persuade, always being up for a challenge, and within a few minutes Michael and Kyle were stripping down to their shorts for a splash in the ocean. They swam out for a few metres, and as Kyle was disorientated, Michael dived under the water and pulled off Kyle’s shorts, before making a beeline for the beach with shorts in hand.
As Kyle realised what had happened and struggled back to the shoreline, a crowd had gathered, curtesy of Max. They all watched as Kyle crawled up to the beach, wearing nothing but what he was born in. A cheer went up along the beach, and a camera flashed, dazzling Kyle for a moment before he could get his bearings. He was so embarrassed that he ran up to Michael, grabbed back his shorts and headed to his car amidst the laughter from everyone on the beach.
Meanwhile, Maria was driving up Santa Monica Boulevard, headed for Beverly Hills.
“Thank you for trying to warn me about Kyle. I should have been more careful.” Liz began, pulling Max’s jacket around her.
“Don’t start blaming yourself for what happened. It wasn’t your fault. You were forced into that situation, by people I used to think were my friends.” Maria comforted.
“Maria? Could I ask a favour?” Liz asked.
“Sure, anything.”
“Can I stay at your place tonight? If I went home, my mum would know something was up… and I don’t think I’m up to telling her.”
“Of course you can. My mum and brother are away this weekend so we will have the place to ourselves.” Maria said, changing routes up to Bel Air.
When they were settled in Maria’s lounge room, sipping hot chocolate, Maria decided it was time to divert Liz’s attention to happier thoughts.
“I noticed you and Max are talking again. Does that mean what I think it does?” Maria smiled.
Liz remembered how sweet he had been to her on the beach, and how he had told her that he loved her ... or was she dreaming that part. Her thoughts were so jumbled that it was hard to remember exactly what happened that night.
“We haven’t really talked, but he was so good to me tonight. I felt loved, and I felt safe with him.” Liz said dreamily.
“I’ve got a good idea. Why don’t we grab a rug and sit in front of some old black and white movies. We need a good dose of Gregory Peck and Humphrey Bogart.”
“Sounds great.” Liz said, stretching out on the lounge.
Fifteen minutes into the movie Liz was asleep, and Maria switched off the television and placed the rug over her. She was about to shut the blinds when Michael and Max walked up to the back sliding door.
“Hi honey.” Michael said, giving Maria a kiss on the cheek.
“Did you get Liz home okay?” Max asked impatiently.
“Not exactly ...” Maria said.
“Why? What happened!” Max exclaimed.
“Calm down. Take a look over there.” Maria said pointing to the lounge.
Max walked over, and saw Liz lying there asleep, bathed in moonlight from the open blinds. Leaning over her, he leant down and gave her a light kiss on the cheek, and pulled the rug over her shoulders. He sat down on the chair opposite her, and just sat watching her sleep. She seemed so peaceful, and he prayed that she was having good dreams. Maria and Michael switched off the lights and went upstairs, leaving Max who fell asleep in the chair.
The Italian Fling (AU, M/L, TEEN) Complete 15/7/06
Moderators: Anniepoo98, Rowedog, ISLANDGIRL5, Itzstacie, truelovepooh, FSU/MSW-94, Erina, Hunter, Forum Moderators
Thanks everyone. Just a small chapter this time ...
Chapter Twenty-Two
In the early hours of the morning, Max was woken by a noise. On opening his eyes, he took a moment to get his bearings, before noticing that Liz had kicked of the blanket and was tossing and turning in her sleep.
“No ... Stop ... Please!” he heard her say, as he quickly ran over to her.
“It’s okay.” Max said, pulling the strand of hair back from her eyes, and stroking her forehead. Liz opened her eyes startled.
“It’s okay, you were having a nightmare.” Max explained, seeing the troubled look on her face.
“I was dreaming that I was back on the beach, with ....” Liz couldn’t finish before crying.
“You’re safe now. He’s not going to hurt you again.” Max comforted, wiping the tear away.
“What time is it? How long have you been here?” Liz asked looking around for a clock.
“It’s about 4 a.m. I’ve been here most of the night, in the chair over there.”
“Why didn’t you go home and sleep in your own bed?” Liz asked.
“I wanted to make sure you were alright. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if I had gone home.”
“I don’t know if I have thanked you properly for helping me tonight.” Liz began, but Max interrupted her.
“You have, by telling me you love me. You meant it didn’t you?” Max asked.
“Yes, I meant it. I have loved you for such a long time now.”
“But what happened? Why did you push me away, when we could have been together?”
Liz sat up on the couch. “Well, that night when we kissed, I got home to find my mum in tears. My dad had paid a visit and had brought the divorce papers with him. He and his girlfriend were planning to marry.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Max said.
“Anyway, when I thought of my parents splitting up, and how badly mum was taking it, I blamed dad’s girlfriend for everything. All I could think of was how I was just like her. You and Tess were still going out, and I could not live with myself for being the one to break you up.”
“So you told me that you didn’t love me, and told me to go back to Tess.” Max finished.
“Which I thought you had. Anyway, last weekend I made peace with my father and with his new girlfriend. I came to the realisation that my parents would have broken up anyway, even without her on the scene. So I came to school on Monday wanting to tell you everything, and to tell you that I loved you, but you wouldn’t talk to me. I gave up hope until Maria confessed that she had told you how I felt about you.”
“I’m glad she did, otherwise I may still be acting foolishly trying to avoid you. I couldn’t bear to see or talk to you when I thought you were falling in love with someone else.”
“Who? Kyle?” Liz was stunned.
“Yeah. When I saw you both at the art gallery, I felt sick to the stomach. You looked as though you were really enjoying his company, and I knew that it should have been me there with you making you laugh. I have never been jealous of anyone else before in my life, but I was at that moment. I thought I had lost you and I didn’t know how it had happened.”
“I’m sorry, it was all my fault.”
“No, don’t say that. You believed in what you were doing, which is all that matters.” Max said reaching out to hug her. Liz felt so good being able to touch him and hold him.
“Now I think you had better get back to sleep.” Max said, standing up to walk back to his chair.
Liz grabbed him by the hand.
“Will you stay with me?” she asked, making room for him on the lounge.
“Are you sure?” Max asked.
Liz nodded.
Max climbed in beside her, put his arm around her waist, and pulled the rug over them. Hours later, when Maria and Michael came downstairs for breakfast, they found Liz and Max sound asleep together on the lounge.
* * * * *
Later that morning the boys were in the pool while Maria and Liz were dozing by the side on the pool chairs.
“So everything is sorted out between you two?” Maria asked, lifting her sunglasses and darting a look at Liz.
“Yes, thanks to you. If you hadn’t told Max that I loved him, he wouldn’t have come to find me on the beach, and I don’t know what would have happened.” Liz replied, her voice beginning to falter.
“Hey, don’t think about that. Max did find you, and he loves you. Think about that instead.” Maria comforted.
“Did I hear my name?” Max said swimming up to the edge of the pool.
“Maybe.” Liz replied, rising from the pool chair, walking over to the side of the pool and crouching down next to Max. “We were just commenting on what a bad swimmer you are!” she joked.
“Is that right? Well come here and lets see you do better.” Max replied, grabbing Liz by the hand and pulling her into the pool. Liz came up from under the water laughing, while Max put his arms around her waist and kissed her.
Michael jumped out of the pool and took Liz’s place on the chair.
“It suddenly got very crowded in there.” Michael said to Maria.
“They do look good together don’t they?” Maria said, half to herself as she watched Max and Liz.
“Not as good as us.” Michael said, leaning over to kiss Maria.
In the pool, Max still had a tight grip on Liz.
“So tell me, when did you first fall in love with me?” Max asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I knew I liked you when you first spoke to me in Rome, and every day after that I started falling for you more and more. But I guess the day that I knew that I loved you completely was when we were up in the hills together, after the party. I just didn’t want that night to end. But what about you? When did you fall in love with me?”
“That’s hard to say. I was so busy telling myself that I didn’t love you, and that I couldn’t love you, that I didn’t realise that I was already deep in love with you. But I think it was when we were down at the beach together. It was the first time I felt completely happy and content. I love you so much Liz.”
“I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
In the early hours of the morning, Max was woken by a noise. On opening his eyes, he took a moment to get his bearings, before noticing that Liz had kicked of the blanket and was tossing and turning in her sleep.
“No ... Stop ... Please!” he heard her say, as he quickly ran over to her.
“It’s okay.” Max said, pulling the strand of hair back from her eyes, and stroking her forehead. Liz opened her eyes startled.
“It’s okay, you were having a nightmare.” Max explained, seeing the troubled look on her face.
“I was dreaming that I was back on the beach, with ....” Liz couldn’t finish before crying.
“You’re safe now. He’s not going to hurt you again.” Max comforted, wiping the tear away.
“What time is it? How long have you been here?” Liz asked looking around for a clock.
“It’s about 4 a.m. I’ve been here most of the night, in the chair over there.”
“Why didn’t you go home and sleep in your own bed?” Liz asked.
“I wanted to make sure you were alright. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if I had gone home.”
“I don’t know if I have thanked you properly for helping me tonight.” Liz began, but Max interrupted her.
“You have, by telling me you love me. You meant it didn’t you?” Max asked.
“Yes, I meant it. I have loved you for such a long time now.”
“But what happened? Why did you push me away, when we could have been together?”
Liz sat up on the couch. “Well, that night when we kissed, I got home to find my mum in tears. My dad had paid a visit and had brought the divorce papers with him. He and his girlfriend were planning to marry.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Max said.
“Anyway, when I thought of my parents splitting up, and how badly mum was taking it, I blamed dad’s girlfriend for everything. All I could think of was how I was just like her. You and Tess were still going out, and I could not live with myself for being the one to break you up.”
“So you told me that you didn’t love me, and told me to go back to Tess.” Max finished.
“Which I thought you had. Anyway, last weekend I made peace with my father and with his new girlfriend. I came to the realisation that my parents would have broken up anyway, even without her on the scene. So I came to school on Monday wanting to tell you everything, and to tell you that I loved you, but you wouldn’t talk to me. I gave up hope until Maria confessed that she had told you how I felt about you.”
“I’m glad she did, otherwise I may still be acting foolishly trying to avoid you. I couldn’t bear to see or talk to you when I thought you were falling in love with someone else.”
“Who? Kyle?” Liz was stunned.
“Yeah. When I saw you both at the art gallery, I felt sick to the stomach. You looked as though you were really enjoying his company, and I knew that it should have been me there with you making you laugh. I have never been jealous of anyone else before in my life, but I was at that moment. I thought I had lost you and I didn’t know how it had happened.”
“I’m sorry, it was all my fault.”
“No, don’t say that. You believed in what you were doing, which is all that matters.” Max said reaching out to hug her. Liz felt so good being able to touch him and hold him.
“Now I think you had better get back to sleep.” Max said, standing up to walk back to his chair.
Liz grabbed him by the hand.
“Will you stay with me?” she asked, making room for him on the lounge.
“Are you sure?” Max asked.
Liz nodded.
Max climbed in beside her, put his arm around her waist, and pulled the rug over them. Hours later, when Maria and Michael came downstairs for breakfast, they found Liz and Max sound asleep together on the lounge.
* * * * *
Later that morning the boys were in the pool while Maria and Liz were dozing by the side on the pool chairs.
“So everything is sorted out between you two?” Maria asked, lifting her sunglasses and darting a look at Liz.
“Yes, thanks to you. If you hadn’t told Max that I loved him, he wouldn’t have come to find me on the beach, and I don’t know what would have happened.” Liz replied, her voice beginning to falter.
“Hey, don’t think about that. Max did find you, and he loves you. Think about that instead.” Maria comforted.
“Did I hear my name?” Max said swimming up to the edge of the pool.
“Maybe.” Liz replied, rising from the pool chair, walking over to the side of the pool and crouching down next to Max. “We were just commenting on what a bad swimmer you are!” she joked.
“Is that right? Well come here and lets see you do better.” Max replied, grabbing Liz by the hand and pulling her into the pool. Liz came up from under the water laughing, while Max put his arms around her waist and kissed her.
Michael jumped out of the pool and took Liz’s place on the chair.
“It suddenly got very crowded in there.” Michael said to Maria.
“They do look good together don’t they?” Maria said, half to herself as she watched Max and Liz.
“Not as good as us.” Michael said, leaning over to kiss Maria.
In the pool, Max still had a tight grip on Liz.
“So tell me, when did you first fall in love with me?” Max asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I knew I liked you when you first spoke to me in Rome, and every day after that I started falling for you more and more. But I guess the day that I knew that I loved you completely was when we were up in the hills together, after the party. I just didn’t want that night to end. But what about you? When did you fall in love with me?”
“That’s hard to say. I was so busy telling myself that I didn’t love you, and that I couldn’t love you, that I didn’t realise that I was already deep in love with you. But I think it was when we were down at the beach together. It was the first time I felt completely happy and content. I love you so much Liz.”
“I love you too.”
"Do you see what we’ve done?
We’ve gone and made such fools of ourselves..."
Paramore - Decode
We’ve gone and made such fools of ourselves..."
Paramore - Decode
So this is the final instalment.
Thank you to everyone who has left me feedback for this fic. It was definately more than I have ever received for any other of my fics - it was overwhelming, so thanks!
Hopefully I'll see you somewhere else on the board on my travels. I am hoping to post a new AU - no alien fic this weekend (title yet to be decided), so please come and check it out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Monday at school, Max and Michael cornered Kyle at his locker as he was getting out his books for the morning.
“Hi. How ya goin?” Max said. Kyle looked as if he was going to bolt - afraid of what Max was going to do to him. Max put his hand on his shoulder to keep him there, and Michael stood behind him as extra assurance.
“We’re just here to let you know that if I see you within ten feet of Liz, or if I hear you have tried to hurt any other girl, you are going to need a hospital my friend. Oh, and another thing,” Max said handing Kyle an envelope, “If I even get the slightest hint that you even look at a girl in the wrong way I’ll make sure everyone who knows you gets to see that photo. Every college you apply for, every job you apply for, every future potential girlfriend.”
Kyle pulled the photo out of the envelope. It was a very unflattering picture of him naked on the beach.
“Don’t worry. You can keep that one, I have copies. See ya round.” Max said, letting go of Kyle’s shoulder.
When Max and Michael were gone, Kyle hastily ripped up the photo and tossed it in the bin. Why had he drunk so much that night and let that happen? On reflection, he decided that he had gotten off a lot easier than he had expected from Max and Michael. The incident at the beach had been limited to only those of the senior class who were lucky enough to witness it first hand. That was until he started walking down the hall. Every head turned as he passed, and many snickered at him. It seemed everyone had received a copy of that photo in their locker that morning, so now the entire student body had seen him naked. His walk down the hallway turned into a run. He had to get out of this school. His friends wouldn’t see him at the benches that lunchtime, or for the rest of the school year, he was too embarrassed to show his face ever again.
Kyle wasn’t the only one who wasn’t at lunch. Liz was missing as well. Max searched for her and found her in her usual spot in the art room.
“What are you doing here? Is there anything wrong?” Max asked concerned, knowing that this is where she went to avoid him.
“Nothing’s wrong, besides the fact that I have to get this mural painted before Saturday night. I’m going to have to spend every lunch time in here to get it done.”
“Can I help?” Max offered.
“Yeah, how handy are you with a paintbrush?” Liz asked.
“I can hold my own.” Max grinned, taking the nearest brush and dipping it into the paint.
After a few minutes, Max stopped and said, “You know you are a really good artist. These decorations are going to be the best in the school’s history. You’re going to blow them away next year in New York.”
“I don’t know if I am going to go to art school.”
“What! Why not?” Max demanded.
“Well, because I want to be with you. We have only just found each other and I don’t want to be away from you. The statistics on long-distance relationships actually working out are very low.”
“You can’t seriously be thinking of giving up you life-long dreams for me?”
“I love you Max, and I want to be with you.”
“Well, where do you think I am going to college next year?”
“Maria told me you had accepted a place at Berkeley.”
“Did she? Why don’t you ask me where I am going?”
“Where are you going?”
“NYU.”
“What? Why?”
“Why not? It’s a good school.”
“But it’s not Berkley.”
“No, but New York more attractions than California.”
“Like what?”
“Like you. I wanted to be near you, even if we couldn’t be together. So a few weeks ago, even when you were avoiding me, I accepted a place at NYU. So there is no reason why you need to give up art school.”
“I really don’t deserve you.”
“Yes you do.” Max replied with all seriousness, leaning over to kiss her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
By the end of the week the mural was finished and hanging up in the school gym. Saturday night, prom night finally arrived. When Liz walked into the gym she was overwhelmed by how it looked. Her mural was lit up above the stage, a painting of her grandmother’s house and vineyard. The walls and banisters were covered with vines and fairy lights, in between huge stone-like pillars. In the middle of the room, surrounded by tables, was a huge fountain, with the spray lit up in yellow light. As people passed, they would throw a coin in for good luck. Liz felt as though she was back in Italy with her grandmother, and wished she could be. She wanted to take Max there, and introduce him to her grandmother, and to show him all of the places there that were special to her.
“Your decorations are beautiful Liz.” Max said, in awe as he looked around the room. “I feel like we are back in Italy. I don’t know how I would have coped tonight if you weren’t by my side. The feelings are overwhelming.”
They saw the rest of the gang seated at one of the tables, so they made their way over. This was the first time they had been together in front of most of the group, and there were a few strange looks, but nothing really uncomfortable. Isabel was the first to make her way over.
“Hi Liz.” Isabel said hesitantly. “I just want you to know that I had no idea what Kyle was planning, I just wanted to include you in the group. Tess convinced me that you and Kyle would want to be alone together. I’m so sorry I believed her.”
“That’s okay.” Liz replied. “I know it’s not your fault.”
“Maybe we could hang out together some time?” Isabel suggested, brightening up a little.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” Liz smiled in return.
Michael walked over between Max and Liz and whispered in Max’s ear, “Watch out, Tess is on a warpath.”
Max didn’t have time to look around before Tess came charging up to him.
“Maxwell Evans! What are you doing here with her?” Tess demanded, scowling at Liz.
“Well, Tess, I believe you would call it a date.” Max answered putting his arm around Liz’s waist.
“Did you happen to forget that you were supposed to be taking me to the prom?”
“Did you honestly think I would go to the prom with you after what you did to Liz? Did you even care what Kyle was planning to do to her when you left her alone with him? I just wish I had seen sooner what kind of person you really are.”
“But we’re going to be Prom King and Queen. We should be here together.” Tess whined.
“You should have thought about that earlier. Come on Liz - let’s dance.” Max said, offering his arm to Liz and leading her out on the dance floor. Through the crowd, he could see Tess standing there in disbelief. He did feel sorry for her - he couldn’t help it. He had spent the last three years of his life with her, and knew her better than anyone else. She was not a completely bad person, well, not until recently anyway. But he could not forgive her for what she did last week, putting Liz in danger.
He turned to look at Liz, who was swaying in his arms.
“Have I told you yet that you look so beautiful tonight?”
“No you haven’t.” Liz smiled.
“Well you are. You take my breath away.” Max replied, leaning over to a pedestal of roses on the edge of the dance floor, plucking a long stemmed red rose, and handing in to her.
They danced a few more songs, and as they returned to the rest of the group at the table, an announcement came over the speakers that the Prom King and Queen were about to be announced. Everyone gathered around the stage, as the school counsellor picked up the winning envelope.
“This year’s Prom King and Queen are Max Evans and Tess Harding!” he announced.
There was a round of applause, even though no one there was surprised. Max walked up to the stage, receiving congratulations and pats on the back. He and Tess were awarded their crowns, and the music began for their dance together. Max reluctantly led Tess down the steps of the stage to the dance floor, when Tess leant over and whispered to him, “Well, I hope this proves to that Italian slut that she’s not good enough for you. We look too good together.”
“You don’t know when to quit do you?” Max stopped short as they reached the edge of the dance floor. He looked around for Liz, who was at the back of the crowd, not wanting to watch Max and Tess together. Max made straight for her, took her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.
“You’re my Prom Queen.” Max said, as they began dancing.
“Max!” Tess screeched at him from where he had left her, and then promptly burst into tears. Her dream of Prom Queen had come true, but she had never felt so humiliated in her life. She threw the crown on the ground and ran out of the gym.
“I really feel sorry for her.” Liz said.
“Don’t worry about her, she deserved it.” Max replied, not wanting to tell Liz exactly what had been said. “She’ll get over it one day.”
The rest of the evening ended as magically as it had started, and Liz could not remember a time she had felt so happy. In the last song, Liz asked Max if he had any plans for the summer break.
“Apart from moving to New York, I’ve got nothing else planned. Why?”
“Well, there’s a little old lady in Tuscany that I would like you to meet. Will you come to Italy with me?”
“I would love to.” Max said, leaning over and kissing Liz sweetly on the lips.
* * * * *
Two weeks later, it was harvest time at her grandparent’s winery, and Liz and Max were both there, surrounded by Liz’s extensive family. It was time to squash the grapes, and the usual ritual of stepping in large barrels of grapes was about to start. As tradition required, all of the women went first, holding up their skirts as they jumped around in the grapes, feeling them ooze between their toes as they were squashed beneath their feet. The men stood around and cheered, or clapped in time to the guitarist who was strumming a lively tune. Max stood in awe of Liz who was smiling and laughing with her cousins, aunts, her mother and even her eighty-year-old grandmother. As the guitarist’s song changed Max felt himself picked up from behind, and the shoes pulled from his feet. He was being pounced on by Liz’s cousins who carried him over to the barrel of grapes and dropped him in. Liz stumbled over to him, laughing at the look on Max’s face at that moment. A few more men jumped into the barrel signalling the start of a dance. They all linked arms and danced around in the barrel of grapes together. Max began to relax, getting used to the sensation beneath his feet. He looked over at Liz who returned his gaze. This was how she had always dreamed it would be, and this was how she hoped it would stay forever.
Thank you to everyone who has left me feedback for this fic. It was definately more than I have ever received for any other of my fics - it was overwhelming, so thanks!
Hopefully I'll see you somewhere else on the board on my travels. I am hoping to post a new AU - no alien fic this weekend (title yet to be decided), so please come and check it out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Monday at school, Max and Michael cornered Kyle at his locker as he was getting out his books for the morning.
“Hi. How ya goin?” Max said. Kyle looked as if he was going to bolt - afraid of what Max was going to do to him. Max put his hand on his shoulder to keep him there, and Michael stood behind him as extra assurance.
“We’re just here to let you know that if I see you within ten feet of Liz, or if I hear you have tried to hurt any other girl, you are going to need a hospital my friend. Oh, and another thing,” Max said handing Kyle an envelope, “If I even get the slightest hint that you even look at a girl in the wrong way I’ll make sure everyone who knows you gets to see that photo. Every college you apply for, every job you apply for, every future potential girlfriend.”
Kyle pulled the photo out of the envelope. It was a very unflattering picture of him naked on the beach.
“Don’t worry. You can keep that one, I have copies. See ya round.” Max said, letting go of Kyle’s shoulder.
When Max and Michael were gone, Kyle hastily ripped up the photo and tossed it in the bin. Why had he drunk so much that night and let that happen? On reflection, he decided that he had gotten off a lot easier than he had expected from Max and Michael. The incident at the beach had been limited to only those of the senior class who were lucky enough to witness it first hand. That was until he started walking down the hall. Every head turned as he passed, and many snickered at him. It seemed everyone had received a copy of that photo in their locker that morning, so now the entire student body had seen him naked. His walk down the hallway turned into a run. He had to get out of this school. His friends wouldn’t see him at the benches that lunchtime, or for the rest of the school year, he was too embarrassed to show his face ever again.
Kyle wasn’t the only one who wasn’t at lunch. Liz was missing as well. Max searched for her and found her in her usual spot in the art room.
“What are you doing here? Is there anything wrong?” Max asked concerned, knowing that this is where she went to avoid him.
“Nothing’s wrong, besides the fact that I have to get this mural painted before Saturday night. I’m going to have to spend every lunch time in here to get it done.”
“Can I help?” Max offered.
“Yeah, how handy are you with a paintbrush?” Liz asked.
“I can hold my own.” Max grinned, taking the nearest brush and dipping it into the paint.
After a few minutes, Max stopped and said, “You know you are a really good artist. These decorations are going to be the best in the school’s history. You’re going to blow them away next year in New York.”
“I don’t know if I am going to go to art school.”
“What! Why not?” Max demanded.
“Well, because I want to be with you. We have only just found each other and I don’t want to be away from you. The statistics on long-distance relationships actually working out are very low.”
“You can’t seriously be thinking of giving up you life-long dreams for me?”
“I love you Max, and I want to be with you.”
“Well, where do you think I am going to college next year?”
“Maria told me you had accepted a place at Berkeley.”
“Did she? Why don’t you ask me where I am going?”
“Where are you going?”
“NYU.”
“What? Why?”
“Why not? It’s a good school.”
“But it’s not Berkley.”
“No, but New York more attractions than California.”
“Like what?”
“Like you. I wanted to be near you, even if we couldn’t be together. So a few weeks ago, even when you were avoiding me, I accepted a place at NYU. So there is no reason why you need to give up art school.”
“I really don’t deserve you.”
“Yes you do.” Max replied with all seriousness, leaning over to kiss her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
By the end of the week the mural was finished and hanging up in the school gym. Saturday night, prom night finally arrived. When Liz walked into the gym she was overwhelmed by how it looked. Her mural was lit up above the stage, a painting of her grandmother’s house and vineyard. The walls and banisters were covered with vines and fairy lights, in between huge stone-like pillars. In the middle of the room, surrounded by tables, was a huge fountain, with the spray lit up in yellow light. As people passed, they would throw a coin in for good luck. Liz felt as though she was back in Italy with her grandmother, and wished she could be. She wanted to take Max there, and introduce him to her grandmother, and to show him all of the places there that were special to her.
“Your decorations are beautiful Liz.” Max said, in awe as he looked around the room. “I feel like we are back in Italy. I don’t know how I would have coped tonight if you weren’t by my side. The feelings are overwhelming.”
They saw the rest of the gang seated at one of the tables, so they made their way over. This was the first time they had been together in front of most of the group, and there were a few strange looks, but nothing really uncomfortable. Isabel was the first to make her way over.
“Hi Liz.” Isabel said hesitantly. “I just want you to know that I had no idea what Kyle was planning, I just wanted to include you in the group. Tess convinced me that you and Kyle would want to be alone together. I’m so sorry I believed her.”
“That’s okay.” Liz replied. “I know it’s not your fault.”
“Maybe we could hang out together some time?” Isabel suggested, brightening up a little.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” Liz smiled in return.
Michael walked over between Max and Liz and whispered in Max’s ear, “Watch out, Tess is on a warpath.”
Max didn’t have time to look around before Tess came charging up to him.
“Maxwell Evans! What are you doing here with her?” Tess demanded, scowling at Liz.
“Well, Tess, I believe you would call it a date.” Max answered putting his arm around Liz’s waist.
“Did you happen to forget that you were supposed to be taking me to the prom?”
“Did you honestly think I would go to the prom with you after what you did to Liz? Did you even care what Kyle was planning to do to her when you left her alone with him? I just wish I had seen sooner what kind of person you really are.”
“But we’re going to be Prom King and Queen. We should be here together.” Tess whined.
“You should have thought about that earlier. Come on Liz - let’s dance.” Max said, offering his arm to Liz and leading her out on the dance floor. Through the crowd, he could see Tess standing there in disbelief. He did feel sorry for her - he couldn’t help it. He had spent the last three years of his life with her, and knew her better than anyone else. She was not a completely bad person, well, not until recently anyway. But he could not forgive her for what she did last week, putting Liz in danger.
He turned to look at Liz, who was swaying in his arms.
“Have I told you yet that you look so beautiful tonight?”
“No you haven’t.” Liz smiled.
“Well you are. You take my breath away.” Max replied, leaning over to a pedestal of roses on the edge of the dance floor, plucking a long stemmed red rose, and handing in to her.
They danced a few more songs, and as they returned to the rest of the group at the table, an announcement came over the speakers that the Prom King and Queen were about to be announced. Everyone gathered around the stage, as the school counsellor picked up the winning envelope.
“This year’s Prom King and Queen are Max Evans and Tess Harding!” he announced.
There was a round of applause, even though no one there was surprised. Max walked up to the stage, receiving congratulations and pats on the back. He and Tess were awarded their crowns, and the music began for their dance together. Max reluctantly led Tess down the steps of the stage to the dance floor, when Tess leant over and whispered to him, “Well, I hope this proves to that Italian slut that she’s not good enough for you. We look too good together.”
“You don’t know when to quit do you?” Max stopped short as they reached the edge of the dance floor. He looked around for Liz, who was at the back of the crowd, not wanting to watch Max and Tess together. Max made straight for her, took her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.
“You’re my Prom Queen.” Max said, as they began dancing.
“Max!” Tess screeched at him from where he had left her, and then promptly burst into tears. Her dream of Prom Queen had come true, but she had never felt so humiliated in her life. She threw the crown on the ground and ran out of the gym.
“I really feel sorry for her.” Liz said.
“Don’t worry about her, she deserved it.” Max replied, not wanting to tell Liz exactly what had been said. “She’ll get over it one day.”
The rest of the evening ended as magically as it had started, and Liz could not remember a time she had felt so happy. In the last song, Liz asked Max if he had any plans for the summer break.
“Apart from moving to New York, I’ve got nothing else planned. Why?”
“Well, there’s a little old lady in Tuscany that I would like you to meet. Will you come to Italy with me?”
“I would love to.” Max said, leaning over and kissing Liz sweetly on the lips.
* * * * *
Two weeks later, it was harvest time at her grandparent’s winery, and Liz and Max were both there, surrounded by Liz’s extensive family. It was time to squash the grapes, and the usual ritual of stepping in large barrels of grapes was about to start. As tradition required, all of the women went first, holding up their skirts as they jumped around in the grapes, feeling them ooze between their toes as they were squashed beneath their feet. The men stood around and cheered, or clapped in time to the guitarist who was strumming a lively tune. Max stood in awe of Liz who was smiling and laughing with her cousins, aunts, her mother and even her eighty-year-old grandmother. As the guitarist’s song changed Max felt himself picked up from behind, and the shoes pulled from his feet. He was being pounced on by Liz’s cousins who carried him over to the barrel of grapes and dropped him in. Liz stumbled over to him, laughing at the look on Max’s face at that moment. A few more men jumped into the barrel signalling the start of a dance. They all linked arms and danced around in the barrel of grapes together. Max began to relax, getting used to the sensation beneath his feet. He looked over at Liz who returned his gaze. This was how she had always dreamed it would be, and this was how she hoped it would stay forever.
"Do you see what we’ve done?
We’ve gone and made such fools of ourselves..."
Paramore - Decode
We’ve gone and made such fools of ourselves..."
Paramore - Decode