Roswell Fanatics

Coupling/Rating: Max & Liz / Mature

Disclaimer: Roswell and all its characters are owned by Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, Regency and the Fox Corporation. The dinky little poem is mine. Please pardon the corniness.

Summary: Leaps off from the Pilot. Liz is shot and Max rushes to save her, but what if he can’t? What if he has no alien powers, what then? He gets to see what life would be like being completely human. Think of the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life Roswell-style.

Thanks to Destinee for her beautiful artwork!




Paradox (A Contradiction)


An old tale, familiar yet strange. About a boy who loved a girl but never a peep was exchanged.

He, not of this earth; She, a being so true. Star-crossed lovers, destined to always be blue.

But little do they know, there is mystery about. Their fates are about to change, wait ‘til they find out!

Their fondest wish they're about to behold. Come join me and see the story unfold.



Act I: Twist of Fate

“Liz, Max Evans is staring at you again,” Maria Deluca informed her best friend, tipping her head to one of the booths.

“Maria that is so in your imagination. Max Evans? This face, nuh uh,” Liz Parker shook her head. She stole a glance at the aforementioned booth and saw that Max Evans was indeed looking their way. However, when he caught her eyes, he promptly looked away.

Sighing, she brushed past Maria, counting her money on the counter.

“And, even if he was staring, I'm going out with Kyle. I mean, he's steady and loyal, and he appreciates me.”

“Gee Liz, it sounds like you’re describing a poodle,” Maria replied, making a face.

The two girls shared an easy laugh as they cleared the dishes off of the counter.

That July, Liz Parker had gone on her first official date with Kyle Valenti, captain of the football team and son of the town sheriff. Of course, any girl would be ecstatic that a boy of such character would ask her out but not Liz. She was too busy swooning away at another dark-haired, mystery man.

She didn’t understand what it was that drew her to Max when Kyle was just about throwing himself at her. Max had never even uttered a word to her outside the classroom. Even when he ate at the Crashdown, he merely placed his order and never bothered making idle chit chat. But yet, her attraction to him was electric, and it confused her to no end.

“Yo! Maximillion!” Michael Guerin snapped his fingers in front of his best friend trying to gain his wandering attention.

“Stop pining over Gidget over there and answer my question.”

Max turned to face his friend and out of the corner of his eye he saw a pair of men arguing in one of the booths.

Suddenly, the pair jumped up as their argument escalated. A woman screamed and that’s when he saw the silver glint of a barrel of a gun.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the two men struggled and people dove to the floor.

He heard a girl scream Liz’s name before he heard the loud clap of the gun firing.

Suddenly, everything was back in real time. People screamed, plates were broken, and chairs were upturned, but Max didn’t notice any of that. Instead, he followed Maria’s line of vision to see white sneakered feet, which he recognized were Liz’s, lying still on the floor. Like a burst of lightning, he was immediately at her side.

He looked down upon the girl who occupied his dreams and watched her face scrunch up in pain. Looking down upon her stomach, he noticed the telltale colour of blood. Ripping open her uniform, he placed his palm down on top of her abdomen.

“Call 911!” He heard Michael yell.

All sounds were ignored except for the ragged breathing of his beloved.

“Liz! Liz! You have to look at me,” he implored as he cradled her head.

“Max?” she mumbled groggily.

A strange feeling came over Max as he looked at her face and concentrated, willing his powers to heal her. A second later, he blinked.

Nothing happened.

He tried it again.

Still nothing.

What was going on?

He looked down at his palm which was now covered in crimson when he heard Liz moan.

“My arm,” she hissed, moving to sit up only to drop back down again.

Max snapped to attention. He looked up and noticed the tears running down Liz’s face and her left arm lifting to cover her right. That was when he saw her wound.

It was thin but it was red and angry. Blood slowly trickled from it making Max’s stomach churn. He looked back to Liz and saw that she too was looking at it, shock clearly evident on her face.

“Oh my gosh! Liz!” he exclaimed before looking around the back of the counter for something to staunch the bleeding.

“I’ve been shot,” was Liz’s dumbfounded reply. She couldn’t move. Her brain had gone into pause and nothing seemed to register other than she’d been shot.

Grabbing a handful of dishcloths, Max pressed down on her wound.

“The ambulance is coming,” he heard Michael say.

“It hurts, Max,” Liz sobbed.

It broke Max’s heart to see her in such pain but there wasn’t much he could do about it other than to hold the rag.

“It’ll be okay, Liz. The ambulance is coming. Just look at me okay,” he implored as she nodded her head.

Max stared into her eyes and felt his temperature rise. Liz was looking at him with an intensity she never had before. His eyes scanned her face and despite her paleness he still thought her the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He felt his breath come out in pants as she continued to look at him, when suddenly he was pulled back and the paramedics rushed in to tend to Liz’s injuries.

“Stand back, sir,” one of them ordered as he brushed past Max.

Stumbling back, he shook his head to clear the fog. He felt stupid for thinking with his hormones when the love of his life was lying on the cold café floor bleeding.

“Max! Get back and let them do their job,” Michael charged, tugging on his arm.

Max shrugged out of his friend’s hold and hovered over the paramedics.

“Can I ride with her to the hospital?” He asked them, his anxiety clearly written all over his face.

“Where are her parents?”

“They’re in Hondo picking up supplies,” Maria replied from behind Max.

Max looked up startled. He had almost forgotten about Maria. Of course she would want to ride in the ambulance with Liz. They’re best friends after all. He had no right to ask for that privilege. But before he could utter a word, Maria beat him to the punch.

“It’s alright, Max,” she said, wiping her tears, “just make sure that she’s well taken care of, okay.”

He mumbled a quick word of gratitude before following the paramedics out to the ambulance.

The ride out to Roswell General was too quick for Max’s liking. He held Liz’s hand along the way, never once breaking his hold, even when the ambulance doors opened and they wheeled the stretcher out and into the ER. He trailed alongside the stretcher, the whole time holding both Liz’s hand and her gaze. He felt the iciness of her hand as she looked to him for comfort and reassurance that he was more than glad to give.

She was wheeled behind a curtain, as the attending nurse spoke with the paramedics.

“Max,” she whispered, “I don’t feel so good.”

“I know, Liz. But they’re going to fix everything up,” he assured her, trying to put up a brave front. She had lost some blood and he was afraid. Afraid and frustrated. Why couldn’t he heal her? But he put that thought out of his mind when he heard Liz mumble.

“I feel really dizzy. I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Max’s eyes widened in panic. Glancing around he tried to find a waste basket, a bucket, anything.

He rushed up to the nurse in a moment of panic.

“Excuse me! My…my friend…she’s feeling sick. Do you have anything she can throw up in?”

The nurse nodded her head, moving quickly behind the curtain. A second later, she was carrying a small cardboard container and holding it under Liz’s chin as she helped her sit up.

Max quickly moved to Liz’s side and held her hair back as she heaved. Wincing, he continued to rub Liz’s back as she dry heaved. When she was done, she slumped back and closed her eyes tight.

“You hang on to this just in case she gets sick again.” The nurse thrust an empty cardboard container at him. “I’ll just go get an attending and be right back.”

Max stood there uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. From the moment he found out that Liz had been shot, all he wanted to do was be there right beside her. He needed to protect her, take care of her and now that he was at the hospital, he was a little unsure of his place. After all, he hadn’t really spoken to her inside or outside of school. To her he was nothing more than a lab partner.

The nurse came back bearing clear bags of IV and a doctor.

They talked amongst themselves and Max stepped back to let the doctor check Liz’s vitals.

“Where are your parents?” The doctor asked.

“They’re in Hondo but they’re on their way,” Max replied trying to be helpful.

“Okay, they’re going to need to sign some papers when they get here.

“Who are you?” The doctor turned to him.

Max swallowed, “I-I’m her friend.”

The doctor gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry young man, but its family only. You can wait out in the waiting room and I’ll let you know how she’s doing.”

Max’s face fell. Of course he couldn’t stay. He wasn’t a relative after all.

He nodded. However, when he began to move away, Liz’s hand shot out and grabbed onto his wrist.

“Please? Can he stay?” Liz asked looking at him before turning to the attending doctor.

“Well it’s against hospital policy,” the young resident warned but when he caught site of Liz’s pleading eyes he relented.

“Okay but just until your parents arrive. Now let’s take a look at your arm.” He moved aside and lifted the bandage off of Liz’s wound, eliciting a hiss of pain from her.

“Does…does it hurt?” Max whispered to Liz, who nodded her head.

“I’m sorry…,” the young doctor looked down at his chart, “…Liz but we couldn’t give you any pain medication in the ambulance. At least not until we knew if you had any drug allergies.”

As the doctor began to list off the types of medication that Liz might be allergic to, Max’s eyes couldn’t help but look at the laceration on Liz’s forearm. He swallowed convulsively thinking of the pain Liz must be feeling at this moment.

“…you’re very lucky. The bullet only grazed your forearm,” the doctor said as he administered some medication into Liz’s intravenous drip. “It could have been much worse. At least the bullet didn’t hit a major artery.”

Max gulped thinking, you mean it could have been worse?

“Why…why is there so much blood?” He croaked.

“Well, the bullet did tear past her skin causing a flesh wound,” the doctor explained.

“No, I mean on her stomach,” Max moved his eyes down her uniform to her abdomen.

“Well, judging from the smell, I think its ketchup,” the doctor replied, trying to keep his face serious. “And the EMTs noticed a broken ketchup bottle beside her at the scene.”

“Oh!” Max felt his cheeks flame. All this time he had been freaking out thinking that his beloved was bleeding to death when it turns out that all that ‘blood’ had only been ketchup!

“How’re you feeling, Liz?” the doctor asked.

“Like I’ve been shot,” Liz slurred, the medication taking effect.

“I’ll just get the stuff for your stitches and I’ll be right back,” the young resident chuckled.

As soon as the doctor left, Max just couldn’t resist it anymore. Softly, he brushed Liz’s hair back off her forehead.

“Sorry to gross you out like that,” she apologized, closing her eyes as she began to feel the lull of the Demerol.

“I’m so embarrassed. I haven’t barfed in front of anyone…well…since our kindergarten field trip to the zoo…and…that was because…I ate too much popcorn…and cotton candy.”

Max smiled despite of the situation. Liz was just too lovable for words.

His heart ached.

She was sweet and beautiful and perfect…and he couldn’t have her!

“Oh God! Lizzie!”

Max swivelled to see Liz’s distraught parents approaching.

Jeff and Nancy Parker rushed to their daughter’s bedside. They had been shopping in Hondo when Jeff’s cell phone rang. On the other end of the line was Maria, who proceeded to deliver anxious, unintelligible drivel. Only when Nancy had managed to calm down the over-excited girl did they find out that their daughter had been shot and was now en route to Roswell General; needless to say that they had dropped their shopping and rushed to the hospital.

The whole drive over Nancy had been somewhat hysterical not knowing what their daughter’s condition was. Jeff had been close to the breaking point himself. It was taking all his self-control to even concentrate so that they could drive to the hospital.

As soon as they arrived, they hurried to where their daughter now lay.

“Oh my God! My poor girl,” Nancy sobbed, grasping her daughter’s hand.

“Hi mom,” Liz smiled crookedly at her mother. “Where’s Max?”

At the mention of his name, Max tried to back away slowly not knowing what Liz’s parents’ reaction to him would be.

Jeff turned to the boy who was slowly trying to blend into the walls, noticing him for the first time.

“You’re Phillip’s boy aren’t you?” Jeff asked his voice hoarse with emotion.

Max nodded his head.

“He saved my life,” Liz added, smiling groggily.

“Is that right?” Nancy asked.

“No, I…I just rode with her in the ambulance,” Max stammered.

“Thank you, Max. For being there.” Jeff clapped him on the back, causing Max to stumble forward in surprise.

“He’s my hero,” Liz slurred, punctuating her statement with a yawn.

Max felt his heart swell at Liz’s proclamation. He’d never been anyone’s hero before.

“I’m just gonna…um…wait out in the lounge,” he pointed behind him before turning and walking to the waiting room, leaving the Parkers alone with their daughter.


As soon as Max reached the lounge, he sank down into one of the vinyl chairs. He felt exhausted, the day’s events finally catching up to him. He laid his head back, just wanting to rest his eyes for a bit.

Just for a little bit…

Max felt something shaking him. Something was insistently pushing on his shoulder. He batted it away but it was persistent.

“Max! Max wake up!”

Max opened his eyes to find Maria Deluca hovering over him in her turquoise waitress uniform, her antennas bobbing in rhythm with his shaking.

“I’m awake. I’m awake,” he muttered, scooting to sit up. However, as soon as he shifted positions, pain shot up his neck and shoulders. He realized that he must have drifted off to sleep on the uncomfortable chair, his neck resting at an awkward angle.

He rubbed his soar neck as Maria sat down beside him.

“How is she?” Maria inquired anxiously.

“She’s gonna be okay. Her parents are in there with her right now,” he replied.

“Oh thank God!” Maria exclaimed.

Max watched as she twisted off the lid off of a small vial of liquid. His curiosity piqued.

Sniffing the bottle, Maria caught his inquiring eye. “Relax moondoggie. It’s only cedar oil. It helps me calm down.”

Maria smirked and Max felt himself blush.

“How she doing?”

Max felt Michael take the seat on the opposite side of him.

“She’s fine. Thank you very much. You may go now,” Maria quipped.

Michael looked at her irritably.

“Look blondie, I came to pick up my friend. I thought I’d be nice and drive you since I was coming here in the first place. The least you could do is be grateful instead of being a bitch.”

“Why you fu – !”

Max held down Maria’s arm, restraining her to the chair.

“Look guys. Can you just cool it,” Max said wearily. “Maria, why don’t you go to the nurse’s station and see if you can get any information about Liz?

“Michael, why don’t you come with me to the cafeteria?”

Both Michael and Maria grumbled but got up to do their respective tasks.

When Michael was sure that Maria was out of earshot, he let it rip.

“Damn! Do you know how annoying that girl is?!”

Max sighed tiredly.

“She wouldn’t shut up in the jeep. She wouldn’t shut up about my driving!” Then he says in a false falsetto voice, “ ‘Michael, you’re going too fast! Michael, you’re going too slow! Michael, watch out for that old lady crossing the road!’ I wasn’t even near that old lady. I missed her by about a mile!”

“Michael, she’s just worried about Liz, okay. Cut her some slack,” Max sighed as they hurried down the sterile corridors towards the cafeteria.

“Fine,” Michael mumbled along with some unintelligible words.

When they got back to the waiting room, Maria was already sitting down on one of the chairs with Jeff Parker.

“Uh…hi, Mr. Parker,” Max stammered, balancing the cups of coffee in his hands. He looked down and realized that he only bought enough coffee for the three of them. Feeling rude, he thrust out one cup to Maria and handed his own to Jeff.

Jeff nodded his thanks as he took a sip.

Jeff eyed the tall, dark-haired boy in front of him. He now recognized him as one of the students who frequented his café.

“Thanks. Thanks for being there for my daughter.”

Max nodded, feeling awkward at receiving Mr. Parker’s gratitude. He shuffled his feet and sank his hands deep into his pockets.

“Is-is Liz…how’s she doing?”

“The doctor just finished stitching her up. He said that it was only a flesh wound and that she’ll have to wear a sling for a few weeks. The doctor’s also casting her foot. He said that she must have sprained her ankle during her fall.” Jeff ran his hands through his hair, accentuating his haggard appearance.

“That’s…that’s good. I mean bad that…I mean…I’m glad she’s okay,” Max swallowed, feeling a sense of relief.

“Can we see her?” Maria piped in.

“In a little bit,” Jeff smiled down at his daughter’s best friend. “The doctor gave her a mild sedative and she’s down for the count.”

“Maxwell, we should get going,” Michael rested a hand on Max’s shoulder.

“Maria do you want a ride back?” Max asked.

“Nah, I’ll stay here till Liz wakes up. I can get my mom to pick me up. Thanks anyway.”

They all said their goodbyes before Max and Michael headed to the parking lot.

“Can you drive, Michael? I’m feeling really tired.” Max asked as they hopped into the jeep. He tossed Michael his keys before settling into his seat.

As they sped out of the hospital parking lot and into the busy streets, Max laid his head back and thought of the long, strange day he’s had today.

Thanks for reading you guys! It warms my heart that people actually like this story enough to take the time to leave a comment.

__________________


Act II: Be It Ever So Humble…


Pulling into the Evans’s driveway, Michael cut the engine and swivelled to face his dozing friend.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty. You’re home.”

Max stretched out his arms and rubbed his eyes. The streets were quiet and the sky was aflame with the brilliant colors of the approaching dusk. Checking his watch he was surprised to see that it was almost dinner time. He had been gone for most of the day.

“Are you coming over tonight?” He asked Michael as they both stepped out of the Jeep.

“I don’t think so. Hank’s gonna have a coronary when he finds the kitchen in a mess. It was my turn to do the dishes today.” Michael handed him back his keys.

“I’ll call you later,” he waved goodbye and walked away.

For a moment, Max stood there puzzled as to why Michael would be rushing home. Usually he stayed away from Hank as long as he could.

For the past couple of years, Max had known something was wrong with Michael’s home life. He would see him come to school with bruises and cuts. When asked about his injuries, Michael would dismiss the question by simply replying that he’d fallen or smacked into a wall, but Max knew differently. He pressed Michael about it a year ago and Michael, in turn, had stormed away angry and refused to speak to him for days. He knew it was a sore topic and had felt it best to keep his opinions to himself.


As he opened the door to the Evans’ home, Max felt a comforting feeling come over him.

The Evans were wonderful parents. They had picked his sister and him up off the side of the highway. Unable to have children themselves, they given had him and Isabel a home, raising both of them as if they were their own.

“Max is that you?” He heard his mother call from the kitchen.

“Yeah it’s me,” he answered, shuffling into the living room.

Like a blur, his mother stepped out of the kitchen and engulfed him in a tight hug.

“Oh thank God you’re okay,” Diane breathed as pushed his hair off his brow in a distinctly maternal gesture. Pulling back slightly, she ran her eyes over her son checking for any injuries she might have missed.

“I’m okay, mom. What’s this all about?” Max asked puzzled.

“I heard about the shooting at the Crashdown today,” she replied, pulling him to sit on the couch. “They said that someone had been shot but they weren’t releasing the name of the victim. I was so scared,” she said her voice wobbling a bit. “You told me you were going there for lunch. Oh God I thought it had been you!” She pulled him to her once more, running her hands over his person.

Max returned his mother’s hug gratefully. After the day he’s had, his mother’s affections were more than welcome.

“It wasn’t me that was shot. It was Liz,” he mumbled into his mother’s shoulder.

Diane’s eyes grew round at her son’s statement. It had been the Parker’s daughter had been shot. All of a sudden she felt a deep sympathy for Jeff and Nancy. She knew what it felt like when she thought that it had been her Max that had been hurt. The fear and uncertainty that only a parent can feel at the thought of harm to his or her child.

“Is she…is she gonna be okay?” She asked tentatively, afraid of the answer.

“Yeah, she is. It was only a flesh wound and the doctors patched her up really well,” Max gave his mother a small smile. “Actually, that’s where I’ve been today. I was at the hospital with Liz. I stayed with her until her parents came.”

Diane looked at her son proudly. She knew that he was a sweet and protective boy. Knowing that her son had done the right thing, Diane Evans felt maternal pride well up within her.

“Well, I’ll have to call Jeff and Nancy tomorrow to see how they’re doing. They’ll probably want to spend the night at the hospital tonight,” she said as she brushed his hair back. “You’re probably pretty hungry. Dinner’s going to be ready in a few minutes. Could you set the table, sweetie?”

“Sure mom,” Max smiled up at his mother.

Diane brushed a kiss to his forehead before she headed off to the kitchen.

As Max set the table, he heard the front door open as his father and sister walked in. The two of them were laughing at a private joke. Max smiled, enjoying the normalcy of it all.

“Hi Max,” his father clapped his back as he passed by him on the way to the kitchen.

“Hey,” Isabel greeted, grabbing the cutlery as she helped him set the table.

“Listen, Iz,” Max whispered, “I need to talk to you after dinner today.”

“Can this wait till tomorrow? I’ve got a date tonight,” she brushed him off as she set the cutlery down.

“No, it can’t wait. It’s really important,” he said, giving her a pointed look.

Isabel frowned, not quite understanding what her brother was implying.


All throughout dinner, snippets of conversation kept drifting towards the Crashdown shooting.

As expected, questions were asked and Max answered them, telling them the truth. He felt a strange sense of relief that for once he didn’t have to lie to his parents.

After dinner he followed Isabel to her room.

“Okay Max. You’ve got two minutes then I’m kicking you out,” she sat down on her bed and looked at her watch making sure that her brother got her point.

“Okay,” he sighed, closing the door behind him. “You know I was at the Crashdown today…”

Isabel raised her eyebrow, indicating that she wanted him to hurry along.

“Right. Okay. So Liz was shot and when I tried to heal her nothing happened,” he lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

“I don’t know what’s going on but it’s like my powers are on the fritz.” He held his hand up in front of his face, inspecting it.

Isabel looked at her brother in confusion.

“What do you mean you tried to heal her? What powers?”

Max was too busy staring at his hand to process Isabel’s question.

“You know heal her.” He held his palm out away from him, gesturing the way they used their powers. However, when he turned and looked at his sister, he saw the irritated look she was shooting him and he slowly lowered his arm.

“You have no idea what I’m talking about do you?” He asked disappointment evident in his voice.

“Max, I know you’ve been through a rough day so I’m chalking your weirdness up to that,” Isabel sighed as she looked through her closet, picking out an outfit for her date.

Max decided to try a different tactic.

“Iz, when were we adopted?”

Isabel stopped her shuffling and turned to face her brother.

“You know sometimes I really think that you were adopted,” she rolled her eyes at his question.

“I can’t believe we’re even related. You’re so weird!” She turned and continued picking through her clothes.

“How could you forget that we were mom’s miracle babies? Remember? They tried and tried through In vitro and we were the last batch that stuck.”

Max listened as Isabel told him the difficulties their parents had conceiving, a slow queasy feeling bubbling up in his stomach.

They had no powers. They weren’t adopted. What was going on?

Isabel’s sneeze pulled him from his thoughts.

“Great. Not only am I behind schedule tonight but I’ll probably be catching a cold by morning,” she grumbled.

“But we never get sick,” Max exclaimed as he sat up.

Isabel paused and sighed, turning to face her brother. He was really testing her patience.

“Okay, number one, we weren’t adopted. Number two, we don’t have powers. And number three, we do get sick,” she said counting off her statement on her fingers.

“Remember last year when you had the chicken pox?” She searched through her dresser drawer and pulled out a Polaroid, handing it to her brother.

Max stared at a picture of himself giving whoever was behind the camera the one-finger salute. He wearing pyjamas and covered in a red rash.

“Now that we’re done, you need to get out.” Isabel dragged her brother to the doorway. Pushing him out, she shut the door in his face.

Max slowly made his way to his room. He couldn’t take his eyes away from the Polaroid.

If they weren’t adopted, it meant that Diane and Phillip Evans were his biological parents. And if they did get sick…well…it could only mean…could it be?

Max ran through the hallway and down the stairs, where his parents were sitting on the couch watching TV.

“Mom, where are the photo albums?” He asked. He could feel his heart thumping loudly in his chest.

“They’re in your father’s study. Why do you –?” Diane turned to face her son but he was already gone.

“He must have had quite a day today,” she smiled as she cuddled closer to her husband.

Flipping on the light switch, Max softly closed the door behind him. He stood by the doorway transfixed. Glancing around the room, his eyes were drawn to his father’s oak desk which was covered with papers and framed photographs. Photographs of their family. But there was one particular photograph that caught his eye.

It was of him and his father.

He was wearing a yellow sleeper and was walking toward his father’s outstretched arms. But that wasn’t what he thought peculiar.

It was the fact that in the picture he looked to be no older than a year old. It couldn’t be right. He and Isabel were adopted by the Evans when they were six years old!

He walked toward the large oak bookshelf in the corner, his steps slow and steady. He pulled out a thick yellow album and sat down on the wingback chair.

He ran his fingers over the cover which was covered with pictures of balloons and baby animals. He opened it slowly, his anticipation twisting his stomach in knots.

On the first page were two small pieces of paper. One said Baby Boy Evans and the other Baby Girl Evans, followed by a set of footprints.

Like a boy during Christmas, he flipped through the album with enthusiasm; each page chronicling his and Isabel’s childhood years. His smile turned into a full-fledged grin when he reached the end of the album.

Replacing the book back on the shelf, he picked up another, flipping through it at the same frantic pace as before.

He couldn’t believe his eyes.

He wasn’t an alien from the 1947 crash. He didn’t possess any special powers. Each picture was proof of the fact that he, Max Evans was a normal sixteen-year old, human boy!

He felt elated, like he was floating on air. There was no need to hide anymore. There was no threat of capture or experimentation.

He was finally free!

Act III: These Hallowed Halls

It was a warm, sunny autumn day that greeted the three teenagers that stepped out of the Jeep. One of them, a statuesque blonde, walked tall and proud, her fellow classmates, going out of their way to greet her. The other, an imposing figure, grabbed his backpack and walked away as soon as the jeep was parked, snubbing the rest of Roswell High’s population. And lastly, the third, tall and dark, slowly trailed behind his sister, stealing uneasy looks at the people around him.

Max hunched his shoulders as he quickly walked through the halls. He could hear people whispering around him. Once again, that queasy feeling was back in his stomach.

Gathering his courage, he took a deep breath and continued his way to his locker.

Entering the combination, he breathed a sigh of relief when the lock disengaged from his locker. He pulled the door open and buried his head inside it pretending to be rearranging his books. If he could just keep doing what he was doing until the first bell rang, he would be saved from having to talk to anyone. However, it seemed luck just wasn’t on his side because a moment later, Kyle Valenti appeared, casually leaning against the lockers beside him.

“How you doing, Max?” Kyle drawled, “I heard you were at the Crashdown yesterday.”

Max swallowed. What’s Kyle getting at? he wondered.

“Ye-yeah,” Max stammered.

Kyle moved closer causing Max to stumble back.

“Relax,” Kyle clapped a hand on Max’s shoulder. “I just wanted to thank you…for helping my girlfriend.” At the mention of the world girlfriend the hand clasping Max’s shoulder squeezed.

“You know, my girlfriend Liz.” Kyle flashed Max a crooked smile, punctuating his possessive statement.

“No-not a problem,” Max squeaked. He breathed a sigh of relief when Kyle released his grip.

“Okay then,” Kyle eyed the boy in front of him suspiciously. Figuring out that he had nothing to worry about, he adjusted his backpack and smiled.

“See you around, Max,” he threw back as he walked away.

In all the commotion yesterday, Max had forgotten all about Kyle Valenti. Kyle, the captain of the football team. Kyle, the sheriff’s son. The same Kyle Valenti, who also happened to be Liz Parker’s boyfriend.

Max felt a familiar ache deep within his heart. He should have known. It seemed like it just wasn’t meant to be. It didn’t matter anyways. Liz probably didn’t even know he was alive. She never noticed him before so why should she notice him now?

Resigning himself to the situation, he shut his locker and walked to his first class.


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Max sat alone at the picnic table in the quad, waiting for Isabel and Michael to come out and join him. Looking at his watch, he realized that it was just a little after noon and he was already tired. It was his fault really. In all his anticipation, he barely managed to sleep a wink last night. Then, what was supposed to have been a brand new exciting morning had turned out to be nothing but stressful. Not only that, but he had also been the topic of school gossip all day.

“Well Max, you’ll be happy to know that you’ve been elevated to superhuman status,” Isabel stated as she straddled the bench beside him.

Max choked on the cherry cola that he had been drinking. People are saying what?!! he thought in a panic. Had yesterday been all a dream? Was he really still an alien?

“Well I heard Pam tell Tammy that her cousin’s best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who had been at the Crashdown yesterday and saw the shooting.”

“What?!” He turned to his sister perplexed.

Taking a big breath, Isabel repeated, “I said I heard Pam –”

“I heard what you said,” Max interrupted, “but what did you mean.”

“Just that,” Isabel bit into her apple as she laid out her lunch, “apparently you’re a hero, Max.” Isabel smirked at she watched her brother squirm in discomfort.

“But I’m not,” Max declared softly. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Isabel said dismissively. “Just ride it out. You’ve been granted a chance at popularity, Max. I’d hold on to it if I were you.”

Max carefully studied his sister’s profile as she dug into her lunch. He was slightly surprised at her carefree attitude. The Isabel that he knew would have never advised him to make himself stand out; the Isabel he knew would instead scold him for doing something to get him noticed in the first place and then proceed to tell him to hide in the shadows and blend in.

However, he knew the Isabel sitting beside him was different. That she’d grown up in a loving and caring family. She knew who her parents were. She knew where she came from. She never had to look over her shoulder or worry about getting close to someone who might find out who and what she truly is.

In a way, he was happy for her. She must have had a happy childhood.

“But you’re broody mood isn’t going to earn you any new friends, you know,” she said, poking him in his shoulder.

Isabel continued her chatter as Max ate his lunch half-heartedly. He didn’t have much of an appetite after his confrontation with Kyle.

“Hi Max,” Maria greeted, popping up behind him. “How’s it going?”

Max twisted around to face her. He had never before spoken to Maria other than the other day at the hospital and her sitting down to eat lunch with him took him by surprise.

From the corner of his eye, he could see Isabel wearing a subtle scowl on her face; clearly, not liking the idea of convening with Maria Deluca.

He didn’t understand what it was that his sister didn’t like about Maria. It was true that Maria was a bit quirky and eccentric at times, but she was always nice and friendly to him.

“Whatcha’ got for lunch there?” She asked poking into his brown paper bag. “An apple. Hmmnn…how very healthy. Turkey sandwich…that’s kinda…boring. Ooh! What’s this?” Fumbling through the bag, she pulled a small bottle containing an orangey-red liquid.

“Tobasco, eh,” Maria turned and gave Max an appraising look. “You like it spicy, huh?” She said almost flirtatiously.

A sudden gagging sound had them both turning to Isabel.

“Sorry, just choking on some cheese,” she said, stifling her laugh.

Both Maria and Max turned back to their lunch, ignoring Isabel’s barbed comment.

“Oh I almost forgot! Liz asked me to ask you to take some biology notes for her. She’s coming home from the hospital today but the doctor told her to take it easy for a week or so.

“Do you want to come with me to visit her today?” Maria asked mid-chew.

“Um…I don’t know. I think maybe Kyle might want to see her,” Max said, looking down at the wooden table.

Maria put her sandwich down and scrutinized Max’s face. She knew it! She was right all along! Max did have the hots for Liz. Screw Kyle Valenti. Max Evans would be a much better boyfriend for her best friend.

Whereas Kyle was boring and predictable, Max was broody and mysterious. And who didn’t want a tall, dark, mysterious man?!

She smiled inwardly to herself.

Now, all she had to do was get Kyle out of the picture and the rest would work out for itself.

“Kyle has football practice after school today.” She paused and pretended to think things over, “Hey, maybe you can bring the bio notes to her tonight. It’ll give her something to do other than lie around all day in bed. I know Liz, and she’s probably bored by now.”

Maria watched Max’s face, trying to gauge his reaction. She wished that he would stop being so shy and just go for it. It’s not like Liz would say no anyways. She knew that her best friend had had a crush on Max since they ended up in the same homeroom the year before. She was sick of watching these two pine over each other.

“So what time should I tell her to expect you?” Maria looked at Max expectantly.

Max was flustered. “Um…I don’t know. Maybe after school?”

“Is that a question or a statement,” Maria quipped, not able to help herself. She watched as Max’s cheeks turned a rosy hue.

“I’m just kidding, Max,” she laughed, softly pushing on his shoulder. “I’ll tell Liz you’ll be by later.”


<center>* * *</center>

The rest of the lunch hour went by quickly. Michael had joined them and proceeded to bicker with Maria. Alex Whitman, Maria’s friend had tentatively made his way over too, confused as to why Maria was sitting with the Evans twins and Michael. However, once he sat down he was too busy stealing surreptitious stares at Isabel to notice any of the conversation at the picnic table.

And when lunch ended, they all parted ways.


Max sat at the large lab table he typically shared with Liz and stared at the clock. He was both looking forward and dreading the final bell.

He was nervous and excited at the thought of seeing Liz. All afternoon long he had been rationalizing his intentions. After all, he was coming by to visit her only as a concerned friend and fellow classmate. He would only be dropping off her notes and maybe chat for a bit before making an excuse to go home. Plus, Kyle wouldn’t be there so he was safe in that regards.

By the time he arrived at the Parker’s doorstep that afternoon, he was a nervous wreck.

Raising his fist to rap at the door, he was mildly surprised when Maria answered it.

“Hey Max,” she flashed him a warm smile. “Glad to see you made it.” Pulling the door open wider, she stepped aside to let him in.

He followed her up the stairs and into the Parker’s apartment.

He stood transfixed at the doorway, glancing around. In all the years he had been coming to the Crashdown, he had never been invited up to Liz’s apartment before.

It looked warm and inviting, just as he pictured Liz to be.

On table tops stood framed photographs of Liz and of her parents. Smiling and laughing looking like the wholesome family that they were.

“Are you coming, lover boy?” Maria turned and asked, noticing that Max was stood immobile at the doorway.

Max turned several shades of red before following her down the hall.

“Liz, Max is here,” Maria announced before stepping aside to let Max into the room.

Liz looked up from where she sat on her bed. Upon seeing Max, a smile broke out on her face accompanied by a strange fluttering feeling in her stomach.

“Come in, Max. Have a seat,” she gestured to the foot of her bed.

Slowly, Max approached her. He paused at the foot of her bed and clutched at the straps of his backpack. He wanted to say something, anything but his throat suddenly felt as dry as sandpaper. All he could do was stare at Liz.

He followed the graceful line of her neck to her delicate jaw. Her lips, pink and full were fashioned into a smile. Her eyes, intense and curious, were looking right at him and suddenly, he felt his world tilt.

He saw Liz’s mouth moving but he heard nothing. So focused was he on her lips that he didn’t notice her face frowning in concern. He saw her turn to Maria and say something before he felt a set of hands touch his shoulder, easing him to sit on the bed.

“Max, Max, are you okay?” He felt the bed dip and Liz’s hands were on him smoothing gentle circles on his back.

“I-I think –” he started but was interrupted by a sudden coughing fit that wracked his body.

“Oh God! Maria, quick! Get some water. I think he’s choking!” Liz thumped on his back with her good arm as he watched Maria scramble out of the room. A moment later a cool glass was being pressed to his lips which he accepted gratefully.

“Better?” Maria asked, a hint of a smirk ghosting her lips.

“Much,” Max croaked. “Thank you.”

“Well I’ll let you two get acquainted,” Maria chirped, a mischievous gleam in her eye.

“I’m sure you have lots of biological stuff to discuss,” she added before closing the door leaving Max and Liz on the bed…alone…in her room.


_________________

I just wanted to acknowledge that I used a line from Ferris Bueller's Day Off in this chapter.

I know a lot of you are wondering just what the heck is going on. Why does Max think he's an alien, etc. etc. Rest assured things will become clearer as you read on. All I ask is that you suspend your disbelief for now and buckle up and enjoy the ride.

_________________________

Act IV: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Max and Liz sat frozen on the bed. Now that they were alone, they didn’t know what to do with themselves.

Liz’s hand remained on Max’s back and he felt like it was burning a hole right through his shirt. It was like the world stood still, with nothing breaking the silence but their labored breathing. He stared at her and her at him. Both found themselves lost in the depths of each other’s eyes.

As if sensing her sudden close proximity to Max, Liz dropped her hand and cleared her throat. Averting her eyes, she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

Max also snapped out of his blissful stupor, jumping up as if scalded. He frantically looked around the room for a distraction. Spotting a chair at her desk, he marched up to it and pulled it beside her bed.

“So, um…I’ve got your bio homework for you,” he mumbled as he bent down to fumble through his bag. He hoped that the dry subject of Biology would be enough of a distraction. However, in his preoccupied state of mind he didn’t pay much attention to his actions. Pulling his binder and heavy textbook out, he placed it on her bed at the spot where her sprained ankle rested.

“Ow!” Liz yelped.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!” Max said flustered, realizing where he had placed his heavy load.

He mentally berated himself. He really hadn’t gotten off to a good start since he arrived at Liz’s house. First, he chokes on himself and afterward, he ends up aggravating her injury. What next? Giving her a black eye? Why did he have to be so clumsy?

“Is your leg okay?” He asked, placing his hand on her leg before he can stop himself.

Liz took a sharp breath and stared at his hand, the pain she felt no longer in the forefront of her mind. All she could do was stare at his hand. His strong, slender fingers. She imagined how nice it would feel if he ran those fingers down her skin. Never before had she felt this way about a boy.

As if sensing her hesitation, Max slowly pulled back his hand embarrassed at his sudden forwardness.

He had no idea what came over him. All he knew was that he felt an unconscious pull toward Liz. He couldn’t not touch her. After years of hiding in the shadows, of blending into the crowd, he finally wanted to step out into the light. But years of secrecy have ingrained in him an innate sense of caution. He knew that Liz was still off limits. Moreover, it was unlikely that she reciprocated his feelings. After all, all of their previous verbal exchanges were confined to the biology lab and the Crashdown.

He mumbled another quick apology and for a few agonizing minutes, both sat in uncomfortable silence unsure of what to say to each other.

They were both saved from having to make conversation when the bedroom door suddenly opened.

“Liz, your mom called. She said they’re a little held up at the auctioneers. There seems to be a problem with the fryer they bought at the auction. She said that they won’t be home ‘til much later,” she paused and looked at Max. “Do you want to stay for dinner? It’s just gonna be Liz and I.”

“Uh…I don’t know. I think my mom probably wants me to come home,” Max stalled.

“Don’t worry about it. I took the liberty of calling Mrs. Evans and she said that it was cool,” Maria smiled at Max. Gotcha! she thought. There’s no way Max was going to weasel his way out of this one.

“Oh, okay.” Max replied, unsure of what else to say. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to spend time with Liz, on the contrary. He wanted to be with her every waking minute of the day and even when he slept at night his dreams were filled with her image. He was just afraid of what he might do. It was getting harder and harder to keep his distance from her. Getting through dinner without making a fool of himself was definitely going to be a challenge. It seemed that anytime he was around Liz he was busy tripping over himself one way or another.

“Great,” Maria said delighted. “I’ll just go place our orders with Jose and bring it back up.” She flashed the stunned couple a smile before breezing out of the room.

“I guess I’m staying for dinner,” Max said dumbfounded.

“Yeah.” Liz smiled before reaching down to pick up a fallen notebook.

As she bent forward, Max caught the scent of her shampoo and briefly closed his eyes, savouring her fresh, clean scent. When he opened them again, Liz was looking right at him.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” She asked, frowning in concern. “You don’t have to stay for dinner if you don’t want to. Don’t let Maria coerce you into doing something you don’t want to do.” Liz looked away. She didn’t, couldn’t see the look in Max’s eyes when he told her no. She was afraid that he’d see her disappointment.

“No,” Max started and saw the fallen look in her eyes, “I want to stay. I mean…that is…if you want me to…I want to.” He looked at her nervously. When she looked up and grinned at him, he felt like someone had just tickled his insides. He felt positively elated!

“Sure, you’re welcome to stay. We can always use the company,” Liz caught herself staring at Max’s luminous eyes and blushed. What was it about him that made her so unsure of herself? There was just something about being near him that made her nervous, but in a good way.

Max felt the bed dip as Liz shimmied her way off to the edge of the bed. Looking at her bandaged arm and casted foot, he realized her delicate condition and offered his hand in assistance.

Liz gladly took it as he helped heave her to her feet. However, the sudden action tilted her off balance and caused her to lurch forward into Max’s arms.

Max gasped in reaction. He felt heady from the tantalizing contact their bodies made. The feel of her pliant body in his arms and her sweet scent drove his senses into overload.

Liz too had the same reaction. She never realized how strong Max was. His lean, muscular arms held her close to him as she tried to find her balance, which was difficult since Max was making her weak in the knees.

Unconsciously, they both drifted forward, toward each other as their lips got closer…and closer together. Their breaths intermingled as the air in the room got a little bit hotter. They both paused unsure of what was going to happen but hoping that something would.

Both of them looked up at the same time and caught each other’s eyes. Liz felt like her stomach was going to drop out from beneath her. It was like a swarm of butterflies was fluttering around. Her lips felt parched and she darted her tongue out to wet them.

Max looked on transfixed as Liz licked her lips. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest that he feared Liz could actually hear it. All he wanted to do was taste those rosy lips. To caress it with his own. To feel the suppleness as she parted them to his oral exploration.

Leaning forward he intended to just that when the door suddenly burst open and a haggard looking Maria rushed in.

“Okay, I hate to break up this Dawson and Joey moment but I just wanted to give you guys a head’s up. I spotted Captain Football milling around downstairs in the café,” she said hurriedly.

Both Max and Liz jumped away from each other in embarrassment. Neither of them could look each other in the eye, because if they did, they would have noticed that they were both wearing identical blushes on their cheeks.

Maria looked at them suspiciously. It looked like she burst in at an inopportune moment but it couldn’t be helped. After all, if it was Kyle that had walked in on them doing what they were about to do, she didn’t think that he would take it as well. And she liked Max far too much to let him be a punching bag.

Max hunched his shoulders in guilt. How could he have been so stupid? To let his hormones control his actions. How could he forget that Liz was already taken? That he would have only been taking advantage of her vulnerable position had he kissed her.

All three of them looked up as they heard someone knocking on the door. None of them made a move to open it hoping that the person on the other side would just go away. But the person was persistent and a moment later they heard Kyle calling out.

“Liz? Mrs. Parker? Anyone home?”

“I guess it was too much to hope that he would just go away,” Maria whined.

“Maria!” Liz exclaimed though she wasn’t surprised. It was no secret that Maria didn’t like Kyle. Actually, it wasn’t that she didn’t like him. More like she didn’t like him with her. Maria always thought Liz was crazy for ever accepting that date with Kyle. She always said that Kyle made a better friend than a boyfriend.

Max and Liz stood stiffly as they watched Maria amble out to answer the door.

“Well, hello Kyle,” they heard Maria say in a saccharine tone. “How are you this fine evening? How was football practice? Pull any groin muscles?”

“I’m doing good. How about you?” Kyle smiled totally oblivious to Maria’s sarcastic tone.

“Oh I’m fine,” Maria forced a smile on her face.

Kyle looked at his girlfriend’s best friend and noticed her territorial stance. He wondered how a girl as sensible and down to earth as Liz ever became good friends with someone as flighty and eccentric as Maria.

“Is Liz home?”

“Yes,” Maria answered but made no move to step aside.

“Can I come in?” Kyle asked looking over her shoulder into the Parker’s apartment.

“Actually, you know, now’s not really a good time,” Maria shifted her weight onto one leg and rested a hand on her waist in her most casual pose. “Mr. and Mrs. P are in Artesia and they specifically told me that no boys are allowed over,” particularly you, she silently added.

“Oh,” Kyle looked disappointed and for a second Maria actually felt a little sorry for him.

“I just wanted to come by and visit Liz. And to drop this off,” he pulled out a small panda bear from his knapsack holding it up by the ear for Maria to see.

“Oh! Well,” Maria started but was interrupted by the door being pulled open.

“Kyle! Hi! Come in!” Liz cheerfully greeted shooting Maria a reproachful look.

Maria reluctantly stepped aside to let Kyle pass.

“How’re you feeling?” Kyle asked, handing Liz the stuffed toy. He bent down to kiss her hello but she turned her face and he ended up grazing her cheek.

“I’m fine, Kyle. Thanks,” Liz says smiling. She didn’t expect Kyle to drop by so unexpectedly and suffice it to say she was more than a little nervous having her boyfriend and long-time crush in the same room. She knew how Kyle could be and it was likely that he was going to misconstrue the whole situation. The strange thing was she wasn’t sure that she wanted to correct it.

“Do you want to have a seat?” Liz gestured to the couch as she hobbled toward it. She looked over to her room and saw that Max was slowly shuffling his way to join them.

Kyle followed Liz but stopped in his tracks when he looked up and caught sight of Max, slouched in the corner with his hands in his pockets.

“Hey Max! What are you doing here?” Kyle asked surprised as he slowly narrowed his eyes. He thought he had made it clear this morning that Liz was his and that Max was to stay away from her. Apparently, the boy was a little dense. Maybe he needed to make his message clearer next time.

“I-I was just giving Liz her bio notes,” Max replied, jerking his thumb back to her bedroom.

“I see. That’s so nice of you, Max,” Kyle drawled, giving Max an unwavering stare.

Maria saw the vein throbbing in Kyle’s neck and knew that the boy was pissed off. She really didn’t want the situation to escalate and have the Parkers come home to a living room in shambles. She had to do something quick!

“Actually, Max came by at my request. I needed some help with my chemistry lab and he very nicely offered to tutor me,” Maria flashed Max a smile that turned into a grimace. She hoped that Max caught her meaning and played along.

Max stood silently for a moment, confused by Maria’s odd behaviour.

“Um…yeah…that’s right?” he intoned, catching on. “Mr. Seligman gave a hard one this week,” he added and looked over at Maria, who nodded her approval.

Just then, there was a knock at the door before Jose, the café cook, stepped in holding two trays laden with food.

“Hey chiquita, your order’s ready,” he said before handing Maria the trays. “I be callin’ you and you no answer. Señor Parker don’t pay me to wait on tables,” he grumbled as he trudged back down the stairs.

Maria turned back holding the trays in both hands. Looking about the room, she was unsure of what to do next. She hoped that Kyle didn’t notice that there was enough food on the tray for three people.

“Oh! How did you know I was coming by?” Kyle asked eyeing the food. “That was very thoughtful of you to order for me,” he smiled as he took one of the trays off of Maria’s hands and placed it on the dining table.

“Actually we didn’t,” Maria mumbled.

“What was that?” Kyle turned back still oblivious as to what was going on.

Liz watched as Maria opened her mouth. She knew that her friend was about at the end of her patience and would not hesitate to tell Kyle to get lost. She needed to interrupt her before she did.

“Kyle!” Liz chirped. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

Act V: Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

Liz lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Looking over at the clock, the red numbers indicated that it was just a little past midnight. She realized that she had been tossing and turning for over an hour. Try as she might, she couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Kyle and Max. Both of them smiling at her, making her feel even more restless.

She shifted onto her side and opened her eyes. She had to make a choice. Whatever it was, she knew someone’s heart was going to be broken – Max’s, Kyle’s, or her’s, it didn’t matter. Someone was going to walk away hurt. Guilt and indecision gnawed at her stomach, making it gurgle. Finally, giving up on her struggle to sleep, she sat up and flicked on her lamp.

Reaching over, she grabbed a notepad and pen. She needed to sort out her thoughts if she was to get any sleep at all tonight. Maybe making a list would help. It might give her the insight she needed to make a decision. She couldn’t stand all this anxiety.

Drawing a line in the middle of the page, she wrote Kyle’s name on one side and Max’s on the other. She thought about Kyle’s good points as she tapped the pen against her chin.

Funny, she wrote under Kyle’s name. He was good at making her laugh, but then maybe Max would be too if she talked to him and got to know him more. After all, she hadn’t really given him much of a chance. Maybe there was more to Max than his serious demeanor. Maybe beneath the shy exterior was a comedian waiting to be let out. Liz snorted. Yeah right, she thought. That was highly unlikely.

Next, she thought about their different personalities. Whereas Kyle was outgoing, Max was more reserved. Kyle was captain of the junior football team. He was popular and well-liked. Max, on the other hand, was quiet and introverted, which only intrigued Liz all the more. She remembered how Max had caught her eye their freshman year. She recalled sitting in the second row of homeroom class when Max Evans walked in. He was tall, dark and broody. She watched as he proceeded to the back of the class, taking a corner seat in back row. Ever since that moment, her thoughts had been filled with him.

The way he chewed his pencil when he listened in class. How he scratched behind his ear when he was nervous. And the way his gorgeous face would light up when he smiled. He was kind and helpful and smart. And the more she got to know him, the more she felt her attraction toward him grow.

Sighing, she placed her notepad and pen on her bedside table. She had finally reached a decision. She turned off her lamp and burrowed down under her blanket. Turning onto her side, she hugged her pillow to her breast and closed her eyes. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

<center>* * *</center>

Max smiled to himself in his sleep. He was dreaming about Liz Parker again…

Liz was smiling at him as she slowly rose up and down. Her mouth was moving but he couldn’t hear her over the loud carnival music. Looking around, he realized that they were on a carousel at a county fair. He looked over at her and saw her head thrown back in laughter. Max smiled. He thought she looked stunning when she laughed. Her face was all flushed and glowing and he thought she had never looked more beautiful than when she was happy.

Dismounting his painted horse, he slowly walked toward her. Liz looked over at him and her eyes softened. As he got closer, she reached out her hand…

The scene changed abruptly. He and Liz were suddenly thrust into a large, dark hall filled with mirrors. Frantically, he searched for her, running around the maze only to end up at a dead end. From the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of white. Turning, he caught site of Liz’s back as she scuttled away from him. He heard her call his name in a sing song voice, which had the effect of calming his nerves. There was no need to panic. It was only a game. She was safe and she was happy. Catching on to her playful mood, he took off and followed her around the corner.

Spotting her, he sneaked up and wrapped his arms around her waist.

‘Max,’ she breathed huskily and spun around to face him. Her hand reached up and tenderly caressed his jaw.

His eyes hungrily roamed her face. His heart clenched at the way she was looking at him, her eyes filled with love and affection. Unable to resist it any longer he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. A moment later, he slowly pulled back and smiled at the besotted expression on her face. Spurred on by her reaction, he raised both hands to cradle the nape of her neck as he touched his lips to hers once more.

Within seconds, the kiss exploded. His lips hungrily devoured hers as she tangled her arms around his body pulling him to her. She emitted a low moan from the back of her throat causing him to deepen their kiss. Max felt like she had set his body on fire. He wanted her so much. He needed to touch her, to feel her. It was like she had awakened a raw passion deep within him. However, before he could act further on that passion she abruptly pushed back on his shoulders. Panting, he looked up and saw the mirth dancing in her eyes. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he watched her crook a finger at him. Slowly, she stepped backwards beckoning him to come closer, but just before he could reach her, she spun and darted off in the opposite direction, her laughter ringing in the air. He chased after her calling her name in amusement.

‘Come and find me, Max,’ she called out.

Max turned and saw her staring at him against a distorted mirror before she ran off and disappeared again. He followed the direction she went when he felt a small pair of hands cover his eyes.

‘Guess who?’ a sultry voice whispered, before the hands were lowered from his eyes.

He spun around and faced a smiling Liz. It took but a second for their mood to change from playful to one full of unrequited desire.

He watched with baited breath as she stepped up and ran her hands down his hardened chest. He watched her eyes turn dark with need as she continued to stroke his body. Max clenched his fist at his sides fighting the urge to take her right then and there.

Liz wasn’t doing anything but touching his chest yet he felt like it was the most erotic experience of his life.

She brushed up against him before she breathed in his ear, ‘Do you want me, Max?’

He nodded his head emphatically.

‘Then I want you to close your eyes,’ she whispered seductively. ‘I’ve got a surprise for you.’

He closed them, his body humming in anticipation.

‘Max!’ he opened his eyes at Liz’s sudden scream.

‘Liz!’ he cried, frantically searching for her.

His heart pounded in his chest as he saw her being dragged away by a man in a dark suit.

‘Maaaxxx!’ she shouted, stretching her arms out to him.

Her blood-curdling scream was the last thing he heard before everything faded to black.


Max bolted upright in his bed. His chest heaving, he drew in deep breaths to his oxygen-starved lungs. He blinked his eyes trying to get his bearings. A breeze blew in through the partially opened window causing him to shiver. He touched his hands to his chest, noticing for the first time that his shirt was soaked with sweat.

It was hard to believe that none of it had been true. That it had only been a dream, a mere figment of his subconscious. Everything had felt so real. He could still feel her, taste her. The terror he felt when she had been taken away still lingered.

Glancing at the clock on his desk, he realized that he still had an hour left before his alarm would go off. Deciding that he wasn’t going to get anymore sleep before then, he shoved the covers off of him and headed for the shower.

<center>* * *</center>

“Max! Watch where you’re going!” Isabel cried clutching at the door handle as a passing car blasted its horn.

“Sorry,” Max apologized, righting the jeep back in his lane.

“What’s wrong with you today?” She asked irately, glaring at her brother. She noticed that he’d been acting spacey since he woke up. She didn’t understand what was going on with him. Ever since the incident at the Crashdown, he hadn’t been himself. He’d been strange and moody, even more so than his usual self. He was really starting to concern her.

“I’m just tired,” he murmured, concentrating on the road. He felt like his body was tied up in knots. Waking up abruptly from his dream had left him sluggish and subdued. He couldn’t remember much of the dream but the feelings he felt during the experience stayed with him. They weren’t distinct or tangible, merely echoes that danced at the fringes of his mind. Pulling into the parking lot, he hoped that he would be able to get through his classes today without any incidents.

“I’m going with Tammy to the mall after school today,” Isabel stated, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll catch a ride with her. Tell mom I’ll be home in time for dinner.”

Max watched his sister go, her ponytail swinging behind her. He picked up his own bag and walked toward the school. Today was going to be another long day.


“Liz, are you sure about this?” Jeff Parker asked his daughter, concern marring his features.

“Yes, dad. I’ll be fine,” Liz reassured. “It’s only going to be for three hours. After that, Maria will drive me home.”

“But the doctor said you should rest for a week. It’s only been a few days, Liz,” he searched her face for any signs of discomfort. Liz had caught him and his wife off guard this morning when she announced that she was going to school. Both he and Nancy had protested that it was too soon but Liz insisted that she was fine and that her recovery was going smoothly. She was adamant that she didn’t miss any more classes than what was necessary, saying that she didn’t want to fall behind. Reluctantly, they agreed knowing how important school was to Liz.

“I’ll see you later, dad,” Liz kissed his cheek before opening her door. She waited at the curb as her father drove away. Securing her backpack, she placed a crutch beneath one shoulder and slowly hobbled toward the school doors.


“Okay everyone, settle down,” Mr. Seligman waved his arms about trying to get the attention of his class. He was just about to continue when he heard a tapping at the door.

“Liz!” He exclaimed as he opened the door. “Aren’t you supposed to be at home?” He looked her over noticing the bandage on her arm and cast on her leg.

“I was,” Liz smiled, “but I’m feeling better.” She shifted her weight balancing precariously on her good leg.

“Um…do you think I can take my seat now, Mr. Seligman?” Liz asked, glancing pointedly at the room behind him.

“Oh yes! Of course. Of course,” Mr. Seligman stepped aside as Liz hobbled by.


Max sat in his seat, tapping his pencil against his desk. He had tried to see who was at the door but Mr. Seligman blocked his view. Shoving the tip of his pencil in between his teeth, he opened his Chemistry textbook to prepare for today’s lab. As he looked up, the pencil he was chewing fell from his mouth.

“Hi Max,” Liz greeted as she struggled to get her pack off her back.

Max noticed her difficulty and got up off his seat to help her.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered. “Aren’t you supposed to be resting?’

Liz smiled at his thoughtfulness. “I’m fine, Dad,” she quipped, making Max blush. “Besides, I didn’t want to miss any more classes than I already have,” she continued as she settled in.

Max held out his hand to assist her onto the high lab stool. Liz expressed her thanks before they both turned to face the front of the class where Mr. Seligman resumed his lecture.

For the rest of the class, they worked companionably. Max did the experiment as Liz wrote down notes, both seeing fit to use the work assigned as a distraction from their growing mutual attraction. However, when the bell rang and the class came to an end, Liz was faced with the fact that her next class was also going to be with Max…and Kyle.

Max saw Liz trying to gather her books but failing miserably since she was only able to use one arm.

“Here let me get those for you,” he offered as he scooped up her textbook and notes.

“Thanks,” she said, a bit embarrassed at her inability to help herself.

“No problem,” he flashed her a smile, hooking her bag on one shoulder and his backpack on the other.

“I wanted to thank you for dinner last night,” he said, slowing his steps to accommodate her condition.

“Oh, it’s not a problem,” a subtle blush stained her cheeks. “I’m just sorry that Kyle gave you such a hard time last night.” She winced thinking of the off-hand comments Kyle had made about Liz being his girlfriend. She knew that it was only his way of asserting the status of their relationship, but she couldn’t help but notice that Max flinched each time Kyle had mentioned the word girlfriend. She didn’t understand why Kyle had acted like such a jerk last night, which was why she planned to speak to him today after class.

Max kept his mouth shut at the mention of Kyle. Last night would have been awful had it not been for Liz’s presence. If it wasn’t for her insistence that he stay, he would have bolted right home the instant Kyle arrived on her doorstep. He had a feeling that Kyle suspected that he was attracted to Liz (not that he hadn’t tried hard to mask it). He would just have to try harder to keep his distance.

Looking up, Max spotted Kyle coming towards them. Thankfully, he was horsing around with his friends so he didn’t see them. Still, he knew that if Kyle saw the two of them together it would only add fuel to the growing fire and he really didn’t want to make an enemy of Kyle Valenti.

“Um…Liz, do you mind if I go ahead and save our seats?” Max asked nervously. He really didn’t want to abandon her but he was already on shaky ground with Kyle and he didn’t want to make it worse.

“Sure,” Liz answered, puzzled at his sudden need to rush.

Max nodded before quickly walking to their class.

“Liz! What are you doing here?” Kyle asked breaking away from his friends.

Liz swivelled her gaze away from Max’s retreating back to Kyle. She noticed how his group of friends stayed back whispering to each other as their eyes looked from her to the classroom that Max had disappeared to.

“Hi Kyle,” Liz greeted overtly cheerful. Kyle’s friends had always made her uneasy. She didn’t understand why Kyle hung around with them when it was blatant that they were nothing more than bullies.

“I was just going to class.” Liz clutched at her crutch nervously.

“Oh,” Kyle said surprised. “Here let me help you,” he grabbed her crutch away from her and swiftly wrapped his arm around her waist to brace her. Liz, surprised by the sudden movement lost her balance and leaned into Kyle. He squeezed her waist in support and instructed her to use him as her crutch instead. Liz protested but Kyle was persistent, so in the end she ended up relenting and that was how they entered the classroom – her secured under Kyle’s arm as he looked down at her smiling in contentment.

Max felt like he’d been punched in the gut as he looked on at the happy couple walking into the class. Even Liz mouthing I’m sorry didn’t help to assuage his hurt. His melancholy mood continued on until his last class ended for the day.

As soon as the last bell rang, he grabbed Michael and made a break for his jeep. All he wanted to do was go home, lock himself in his room, and be alone with his misery.

Act VI: Everything Means Nothing

“So did you get to talk to Kyle?” Maria asked, turning to her friend.

“I didn’t get a chance,” Liz sulked, sighing in frustration. She was disappointed that she didn’t get an opportunity to talk to Kyle that afternoon. Not that she hadn’t tried. As soon as class ended, she tried to get his attention but to no avail. He mentioned something about football practice, gave her a kiss goodbye, and was out the door before she could get a word in edgewise.

“He said he had practice and that he’d call me later,” Liz laid her head back in her seat and closed her eyes.

“Well, isn’t that convenient,” Maria sniped as she pulled into a parking spot in front of the Crashdown.

“Ooh look! There’s Alex!” she said distractedly as she spotted their friend locking his bike onto a metal rack. He looked up and waved as he approached them.

“Well hello there gorgeous ladies,” he drawled trying to look suave as he leaned against the car. Unfortunately, his hand slipped and he ended up banging his elbow on the hood instead. Quickly dusting himself off, he dismissed his clumsiness and opened the door for Liz.

“How you doing there, my little Timex watch,” he asked, patting her head.

“What?” Liz wrinkled her brow in confusion.

“Oh you know,” he gestured to her bandaged arm and leg, “takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’.” He winked at her before shutting the car door.

“You’re such a cornball,” Maria snorted as she came around and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Where were you during lunch, huh? Thanks to you I had to sit alone with the ice princess and hairball Guerin. And you know how Max isn’t much help in the conversation department,” she rolled her eyes in jest.

“Huh?” Liz turned to her friend. Since when did Maria start hanging around the Evans twins and Michael Guerin?

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Maria asked, shrugging her shoulders. “I’m allowed to make new friends.”

“What? Oh no, Maria! I didn’t mean it like that!” Liz said flustered, afraid that she had offended her friend. “Of course you can make new friends. I’m sorry.”

“Relax, Petunia. I was merely scoping out loverboy for you,” she laughed when she caught Liz blushing.

“Maria! I thought you weren’t going to meddle,” Liz shot her friend a look.

“What? I’m not meddling,” Maria held her hands up in submission. “I’m merely doing some reconnaissance work.”

“Yup! That’s our Maria. She’s a regular spy,” Alex quipped earning him an elbow to the ribs from Maria. “Oof! That hurt!”

“Oh it did not, you wimp,” Maria protested. “That was only a love tap. The only thing I bruised was your ego.”

“Oh you wound me,” Alex clutched at his chest in mock agony. The three friends shared a laugh as they entered the Crashdown. However, their jovial mood dissipated, the smiles vanishing from their faces, when they spotted the Sheriff speaking with Mr. Parker.

Maria quickly assessed the situation. From previous experience, she knew that anytime the Sheriff was around, things couldn’t be good.

“Uh, Liz, why don’t you and Alex grab a booth and I’ll go grab us some sodas,” she hastily ushered both Alex and Liz toward the booths. Hoping to overhear some of Mr. Parker and Sheriff Valenti’s conversation, she quietly walked behind the counter and shamelessly eavesdropped.

“…so I was thinking I can speak to Liz. Maybe get a more detailed description of the assailants from her,” Sheriff Valenti stated as his eyes scanned Jeff Parker’s face for his reaction.

“But she told you all that she could remember at the hospital,” Jeff said wearily. He really didn’t want his daughter interrogated as much as she already had. He understood that Jim Valenti was merely doing his job but he couldn’t suppress his paternal insticts. When it came to his daughter’s well-being, he was overly protective.

“I know, Jeff, but at the time she was under duress. She was hurt and she was on medication.”

“Fine,” Jeff sighed then looked up, spotting Maria as she walked to the soda machine behind the counter. “She just sat down with her friends,” he nudged his head to one of the front booths where Liz and Alex sat.

“Thanks Jeff. I’ll make it quick,” Jim smiled at him as he put on his hat and strode away.

“Hi Mr. P. What did the Sheriff want?” Maria asked as soon as Valenti turned and left.

“Hey Maria,” Jeff gave his daughter’s best friend a crooked smile. “He just wanted to ask Liz a few more questions.”

“Uhuh,” Maria eyed the Sheriff suspiciously. Maybe she had learned it from her mother but she had a deep mistrust for people in uniform.

“Do you want help with those,” Jeff asked, looking at the glasses of sodas in her hands.

“Nah,” Maria dismissed, “I’ve got it. Thanks anyway.” She balanced the full glasses carefully before making her way to join her friends. She wondered what else the Sheriff wanted. She had been there when he had come to the hospital to question Liz about the shooting. Her friend had just woken up from her drug-induced sleep when the Sheriff questioned her about the shooting. Liz had given him what detail she could remember and Maria did the same. Apparently, it hadn’t been enough since he had more questions for them.

“…so other than they were loud and burly, is there anything else you remember about the gunmen, Miss Parker?” Valenti prodded.

“They were rude and obnoxious customers,” Maria supplied, sliding herself into the booth beside Liz. “The bigger one had bad breath too. He was the one who told me to get lost.”

“I didn’t really get a good look at them, Sheriff,” Liz said apologetically. “I was behind the counter when it happened.”

“Do you have any suspects, Sheriff Valenti?” Alex asked eagerly. Maria could tell that he was really enjoying this crime solving stuff. “Did your men manage to lift any prints from the scene?”

“Don’t mind him. He’s just been watching a bit too much CSI,” Maria glared at Alex.

“Well, if you remember anything, just give me a call,” he tipped his hat the trio and walked away.

“I guess now I know where Kyle gets his persistence from,” Maria said glibly, watching Valenti get into his truck and drive away. “How much more information can we tell him. I mean it wasn’t like Beavis and Butthead were that memorable,” she added.

“So what did I miss at lunch?” Alex asked, swiftly changing the subject and mood.

Maria could have kissed him for his effort. It was times like these that she was glad Alex was their friend. He always was good at diffusing tense situations.

Smiling, Maria leaned forward conspiratorially. “You’d never guess what was stuck in between the perfect Isabel’s front teeth…”

<center>* * *</center>

“Where are you going, Max?” Diane called out to her son as he breezed past her. “Max? Max!”

Max ignored his mother’s call as he opened the door and stepped outside. The light was just starting to fade and soon it would be dark but Max didn’t care. He needed to put some distance between him and his parents to clear his head. All throughout dinner, his mind had been so preoccupied with Liz that he almost missed his father’s suggestion that he see a therapist. His father reasoned that ever since the shooting at the Crashdown, Max hadn’t been himself. That he and his mother believed that maybe Max was suffering from some form of post traumatic stress disorder.

He had protested but apparently, his mother had heard him tossing and turning at night, and that his lapses from reality were really starting to concern her. They had even gone as far as to make an appointment for him with Dr. Lopez for the following day. He had been angry and nervous at the same time. He couldn’t believe how his parents were acting, like they were trying to control his life. Hadn’t he been the model son all these years? He’d done well in school. He helped around the house, and he was always polite and courteous to his parents. Why was it all of a sudden they felt like they didn’t know him anymore? They had said that they felt that he was becoming more and more withdrawn and that it couldn’t be healthy. Now, he was faced with revealing his soul to a complete stranger, all because of his parents’ concern. He bitterly spat the last word.

In all his worrying, he didn’t realize exactly where he was until he looked up and recognize the bright, flashing sign up ahead. As he neared the front windows, his steps slowed as he peered into the closed café. He watched as one of the older waitresses and Mr. Parker upturn the chairs and sweep the floor, leading him to believe that Liz must be upstairs with her mother. Steeling his courage, he jogged to the side of the building and stopped at the bottom of the fire escape that lead up to what he knew to be Liz’s balcony. Taking a chance, he quietly called out her name.

A minute later, his bravery was rewarded when Liz answered his call.

“Max! What are you doing here?” She asked surprised. The last thing she expected was to see Max standing below her balcony at nine o’clock at night.

“Can I come up?” he asked, his eyes filled with hope.

“Um…,” Liz looked at her bedroom window unsure whether or not it was a good idea for Max to be there. She knew her mother was still in the living watching TV and that her dad was downstairs closing the café.

“Okay, but we have to be quiet. My parents are still awake.” Liz warned before stepping back.

Max could feel his excitement pulsing through his veins with every step he took. Maybe because it was forbidden or maybe because he was seeing Liz alone at night, whatever the reason, he felt like he was going to burst.

Reaching the ladder’s final rung, he hauled himself over the wall. Looking around, he was awestruck by the sight that greeted him.

Fairy lights were strung up all along the walls and wound around the potted plants that decorated Liz’s balcony. Candles and tea lights were scattered all along the ledges and table.

And, in the middle of it all stood Liz, looking serene and beatiful.

Max felt like his breath had been knocked out of his body. It was surreal, almost like a dream. She was stunning. Her dark hair framed her delicate face as the flickering candles and the twinkling lights gave her skin a soft glow.

“Hi,” he greeted not knowing what else to say that would suit that perfect moment.

“Hi,” Liz answered back unable to tear her gaze away from his eyes.

Slowly, like two magnets, they inched their way to each other until they were merely a breath away.

Liz licked her dry lips, secretly hoping that Max would lean down and kiss her. Oh how she wanted to feel his lips against hers. She longed to know how he felt like, what he tasted like.

“Wh-what are you doing here, Max?” Liz asked, still staring into his eyes. Her voice sounded weak to her ears but Max didn’t seem to notice.

“I don’t know. I just wanted to see you I guess,” he answered, his eyes roaming her face.

“Oh,” her response sounded breathier than she expected. She needed to put some distance between herself and Max if she wanted to be able to have coherent thoughts.

“Do you want to sit down?” She stepped away from him and sat down, gesturing to the deck chair beside her.

Max nodded before taking the seat. For a while the two sat in companionable silence, soaking in the soothing atmosphere.

“So…”

“So...,” they both spoke at the same time.

“You first,” Liz smiled and nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Um…how are you?” Max asked suddenly unsure of himself. He didn’t understand what could have possessed him to suddenly become courageous and climb up her balcony, when it was only this afternoon that Liz walked into class tucked under Kyle Valenti’s arm.

“I’m good, I guess,” she replied keeping her gaze trained on the horizon, on anywhere but him. She needed to keep it that way if she wanted to keep her wits about her. She knew that if she looked him in the eyes that it would be her undoing.

“Is everything okay, Max?” She asked when she felt him stand up, subsequently pulling away from her.

Max stood nervously, his shoulders hunched and his hands tucked in his pockets. What exactly did he want to say to Liz? He wasn’t sure. All he knew that through all his frustration and hurt there was only one thing that centered his thoughts, one thing that calmed him, and it was Liz. All he wanted to do was tell her how he felt. How he wanted her, craved her. That his dreams were driving him crazy. That after his nightmares, all he wanted was to see her, to touch her. To make sure for himself that she was safe and unharmed. But he couldn’t do any of that. He couldn’t be selfish when it came to her. He just wanted her to be happy and if she was, he would back off and leave her be, even if he broke his own heart in the process.

Taking a deep breath, he decided to take the leap.

“Could I ask you something, Liz?”

“Sure.”

“Do you…are you happy? With Kyle, I mean?”

There he said it, now all he had to do was await her reply. He just hoped that when everything was all said and done, he wouldn’t have to pick the pieces of his shattered heart up off the floor.


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*knock* *knock* *knock* hello? readers? are you out there? is this story that boring?

Act VII: Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones


“Liz? Is someone there with you?”

Liz startled at the sound of her mother’s voice. She grabbed Max’s hand and dragged him to the far wall. Her breathing ragged, she peeked through the window, just in time to see her mother open the door to her room.

“Honey? Are you in here?” Nancy poked her head into Liz’s room. “Liz?”

“Max, I think you better go,” Liz hurriedly whispered, ushering Max toward the ladder. “My parents will kill me if they find you here.”

Max allowed himself to be lead to the edge of the balcony before nodding in resignation. He realized that it could very well be the last time he would get to speak to her in this manner. That from now on he would have to accept the fact that they would only be lab partners, perhaps even friends, but nothing more. That their relationship could never develop into anything but platonic. He looked to Liz one more time, committing her features into memory, before stepping on to the ladder and climbing down.

He walked the dark streets of Roswell alone, wallowing in self-pity. Despite his now human status not much had changed. He still didn’t have, couldn’t have the one thing he wanted.

“Well, looks who’s here guys?!” A loud voice boomed from behind him. “Why it’s none other than Maxie Pad Evans.”

Max’s step faltered for a second before he felt a great sense of urgency and quickened his pace.

“Woah, woah! Where’s the fire, Evans?” A stocky figure stepped out in front of him, cutting him off. He recognized him as one of the guys from the football team. In fact, as he quickly glanced behind him, he noticed that all three of them were from the football team, who, coincidentally, also happened to be Kyle’s friends.

Max quickly realized that he was in a bad situation. He was outnumbered and the best thing he could do was to keep his head down and keep walking.

“Ooh! Looks like Evans here is one of silent types.” Pauly skipped alongside him with a demented gleam in his eyes and a malicious grin on his face.

“Hmmnn…maybe you’re right, Pauly. But I think that he doesn’t feel like we’re worth talking to. I think he’s ignoring us,” the second boy taunted.

“You’re not ignoring us, are you Evans?” Pauly stepped out from Max’s side, completely blocking his path.

“You see, I don’t think it’s a good idea to ignore…one, two, three people,” Pauly counted off his fingers.

“Yeah,” the third boy, the tallest of the three, chimed in. “We just wanted to talk ta ya. Tell him, Johnny.”

“Oh yeah. Talking is what we do best,” Johnny replied, cracking his knuckles.

Max knew that talking was the last thing they wanted to do judging from their menacing stance and the alcohol stench that wafted from their breaths. He needed to get out of there fast.

“Where’re you goin’, Maxie Pad?” The third boy asked, popping up beside him. All three of them matched his pace as they continued to stalk and taunt him.

“I’m going home,” Max muttered, hoping that by answering them that they would leave him alone.

“Aww, poor baby wants his mommy,” Johnny whined, making a pouty-face.

“So we know what you’ve been doing,” Pauly threatened, “Hanging all over Kyle’s girl. And we don’t like it one bit, do we guys?” The other two shook their heads in response.

Max swallowed but kept his head down and kept walking. His heart beat a fast tattoo in his chest. He knew that these guys had quite a reputation at school. They were known for their violent and delinquent behaviour both on and off the football field. He knew his chances of fighting back were slim to none since they outnumbered him.

“Hey Evans! We’re talking to you!” Pauly pushed Max’s shoulders back causing him to stumble and fall. For a second, he was shocked to stillness but he quickly recovered and hopped back to his feet, even more determined than before to get home.

“I think we need to teach Maxie Pad here some manners, Steve,” Johnny put his arm around Max’s shoulders, preventing him from running away.

“I think you’re right,” Steve sneered, stepping out in front of them.

It all happened so quickly. Max never had a chance. Pauly had stepped on his foot and when Max looked down, Pauly took the opportunity to land one fist squarely on Max’s jaw. More punches followed as Max put his hands up in defence. All he could hear were the dull thuds that sounded as knuckles connected with muscle and bone.


Michael rode his dirt bike through the deserted streets of downtown Roswell. Today was the anniversary of his mother’s death and Hank had drunk himself to sleep. He felt sorry for his step-father. His mother’s death had hit him the hardest. Michael had only been eight when his mother passed away from cancer leaving him in Hank’s care. Since then Hank had drowned his grief with a bottle of scotch every time he remembered Melissa Guerin.

Michael and his mother had been abandoned by his biological father shortly after he was born. A few years later, Hank had met his mother and married her shortly thereafter. Hank was the only father he had ever known.

He knew that Hank had tried his best to raise him alone and on a school janitor’s salary. He helped out as much as he could, doing the cleaning and the cooking around their small apartment, but at times it was difficult to make ends-meet. On his sixteenth birthday, Hank had splurged and bought him an old beaten up motorcycle that they both repaired to its present working condition. Michael had protested saying that they couldn’t afford it but Hank insisted, saying that he only wanted to buy his boy a nice gift.

His boy. Michael had choked up when he heard those words. All of these years, he had thought that he’d been a burden to Hank when it had been the opposite. Whatever their genetic differences might be, Hank considered him as his son and had never seen it any other way.

Michael smiled as he felt the wind whip at his face. Turning a corner, something caught his eye causing him to slow down. He could make out a large, dark lump lying on the sidewalk behind some parked cars. As he got closer, he could see that it was moving, albeit slowly. He parked his bike haphazardly next to the curb and dismounted. He took slow, cautious steps toward the person, scanning the area around him for any signs of danger. As he got closer, Michael caught a glimpse of the person’s face and broke out into a run.

“Shit! Max! What happened?” Michael dropped to his knees next to his fallen friend, turning him over. Max moaned in response as Michael gingerly helped him up off the ground.

“C’mon. Let’s get you to my place and get you patched up,” Michael heaved Max’s arm over his shoulder causing his friend to cry out in pain. Beneath the dim light of the street lamp, he could see that Max wasn’t in a state to go home. His left eye was starting to swell, his lip was bleeding, and a nasty bruise about the size of a fist was beginning to form on his cheek. Michael felt his anger swell to monolithic proportions. All his life Max had stood by him. When his mother had passed away, Max had been there to support him and help him grieve. And, when Michael skipped class, Max always covered for him despite the trouble that he received for his intentions. What kind of friend would he be if he were just let this incident go?

Max huddled his form on the back of Michael’s bike. His body ached with every painful breath he took. He willed his mind to ignore metallic taste of blood that filtered into his mouth. Almost there, he thought. He’d just have to make it to Michael’s apartment and then he can let go and let oblivion claim him.

When they reached his apartment, Michael noticed that Hank was still passed out on the couch just like he left him. Tossing his keys on the side table, he helped Max into his room.

“I swear Max, when I get my hands on the guys that did this to you…,” Michael seethed as he laid Max on the bed. He grabbed the cordless phone and made his way to the kitchen to grab some ice.

“Hi Mrs. Evans…this is Michael, Max’s friend…yeah, Max is with me….uhuh….um…would it be okay if he stayed over tonight?” Michael cradled the phone on his shoulder as he grabbed the antiseptic and some ice.

“Yes, ma’am. I know it’s a school night…my dad says it’s okay…you want to speak to him? Uh…he’s gone to bed…yeah he works early in the morning…I’ll tell him. Thanks Mrs. Evans.” Michael tossed the phone on the counter and headed back to his room.

“Here,” Michael handed Max the bag of ice, “put this over your eye while I grab some cotton for the Peroxide. Damn! Those guys really did a number on you.” He shook his head regretfully as he looked over his friend’s injuries.

Max squinted his eyes in pain. Every muscle, every bone in his body ached. He couldn’t even touch his face because every time he did the pain was enough to make him double over. He felt angry, ashamed, and frustrated. How could he just let those guys beat on him like he did? He had tried to fight back but there were just too many of them. How was he going to explain his injuries to his parents? They were bound to ask questions and he wouldn’t have a ready explanation for any of it. He couldn’t even heal himself since he was no longer of other-worldly origins.

Mustering up what was left of his strength, he called out for Michael.

“What is it, Max?” Michael walked back into his room bearing a bag full of cotton balls and a box of bandages.

“I…,” Max paused and swallowed. It felt like his lips were being split in two every time he opened his mouth. “I need to call my mom,” his breath hitched as he felt a stabbing pain in his abdomen.

“Relax,” Michael doused the cotton with peroxide before dabbing it on Max’s cuts. “I already did. I told her you were staying over for the night.”

Max hissed when he felt the sting of the antiseptic on his wounds. Michael winced in reaction.

“Wha-what am I gonna tell my parents tomorrow?” Max asked, holding the bag of ice back over his eye.

“We can tell them you got mangled during gym class. Just tell them we were playing rugby or something and you got caught in the bottom of the dog pile,” Michael reasoned. He just hoped that the Evans were gullible enough to believe it.

“So what happened anyways?” Michael asked, working hard to keep the anger out of his voice. He knew that Max wouldn’t approve of him retaliating but he just couldn’t sit back when his best friend had just gotten the shit kicked out of him.

“Pauly and his friends got to me,” Max answered, rolling onto his back. “I was walking home and they jumped me.” He cracked open his good eye and looked at Michael suspiciously.

“Promise me you aren’t going to do anything stupid, Michael,” Max asked wearily. He knew that if he retaliated it would only make the situation worse. All he wanted was to forget tonight ever happened and move on.

“Who me?” Michael pretended to look innocent even though in his head he was already planning on how to avenge his best friend. He’d start by punching Pauly’s face in and then move on to his cohorts. He had a feeling that Kyle Valenti wasn’t far behind.

“Would I do anything dumb?” Michael reached into the bottom of his bed and pulled out his sleeping bag. Grabbing a pillow from the bed, he laid out the sleeping bag on the floor. “We better get some shut eye. We’ve got school tomorrow.”

Max looked at him one more time before sighing and closing his eyes. Michael was a loose cannon but he trusted him enough to know that Michael would make the right decision when the time came.



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Hi everyone. I couldn't update last week since I was sick. I'm still getting over it so it's been tough to sit down and write. Also, the weekly updates might be tough over the holiday season so please bear with me.

A belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year to everyone!

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Act VIII: Bend it Like Beckham


“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Michael asked as they sat on the curb waiting for Isabel to pick them up for school.

“I mean first you want to go to school and now you want Isabel to pick us up,” Michael stated incredulously. “Do you seriously think she’s not gonna rat you out, man?”

“I trust Isabel, Michael,” Max said tiredly.

When Max awoke that morning, he had been stiff as a board. Numbness spread throughout his body that he welcomed with open arms. However, that serenity was broken when he rolled over and tried to get up. His body felt like it had been pounded with a two-by-four.

He would have gladly stayed home were it not for the fact that if he did so, he would be letting Pauly and his friends win. He knew that there was no telling what they would do to Liz. Not even Kyle Valenti would be able to stop them.

“She’s not going to say anything to our parents,” Max insisted. He squared his jaw and waited in silence for their ride.

Michael had a hard time believing that Isabel would just let this favour go. He knew how Isabel and Max were with each other. He had a feeling that she would lord it over Max’s head for future blackmail material.

“Whatever you say, Max,” he replied, scuffing his shoe on the ground.

They stood up and dusted themselves off when they saw the jeep approaching. Max’s body felt heavy and leaden but he was determined to go to school. Not so much because he liked school but because he knew that if he cut any classes today, someone from the school would call his parents informing them of his truancy. And he didn’t want them to find out what really happened last night.

The jeep came to a halt and Isabel swivelled to face them.

Pulling off her sunglasses, she looked over at her brother and took an inventory of all his injuries. “Max! What the hell happened to you?” She asked, noticing her brother’s swollen and bruised face.

“Who did this?”

“Just let it go, Iz,” Max replied, easing himself into the old vinyl seat.

“You don’t mean that, Max!” Isabel said shocked that he could just easily dismiss her concern. “Look at you! You’re barely able to open your left eye and you’re telling me to let this go! What are mom and dad gonna say?”

Max rolled his head back and glanced at his sister. “They aren’t going to say anything because you aren’t going to tell them.”

“Yeah right,” Isabel snorted, “they’re really going to miss the giant shiner and that cut on your lip.”

She looked over at Michael, anger flashing in her eyes. “Did you even take him to the hospital, Michael? God! He could have a broken bone or internal bleeding or something.”

Michael looked away uncomfortably.

“Geez! I should have known,” she ran her fingers through her hair angrily. “Didn’t either one of you think about internal injuries?”

“Stop!” Max cried, cutting off his sister’s tirade. “I told you. Just. Let. It. Go.” Max sighed, touching a finger to the cut on his lip.

“I agree with Iz on this one, Max. You can’t just lie back and let those assholes walk all over you,” Michael added.

Max closed his eyes. He was worn-out from last night and from having to defend his decision to Michael all morning long. Add his sister’s opinion to the mix and he was ready to just curl up into a ball and cry.

“I don’t think you’re in any shape to go to school,” Isabel commented, quickly glancing at her brother. “I think I should take you home.”

“No! You can’t Iz,” Max said, panic slipping into his voice. “I don’t want mom to know what happened last night.”

“Are you blind, Max?!” Isabel asked incredulously. “Of course they’re going to know. What did you plan on telling them when you came home this afternoon, huh? That you walked into a door?!” Isabel shook her head and pulled alongside the curb to park the car.

“Please Iz. I just need you to go along with me,” Max pleaded.

Isabel looked at her brother sadly. She didn’t agree with what he was doing but she loved him enough to respect his decision. If he wanted her to cover for him, then she would.

“Fine,” she sighed, grabbing her bag off the seat and hoisting it to her shoulder. “Just be careful okay.” She gave her brother a tight hug, belatedly realizing his injuries when he winced.

“We better get going or we’ll be late for class.”

She waited until they entered the school and Max had headed off to his locker before pulling Michael aside.

“What really happened?” She hissed, careful to watch for eavesdroppers.

“Kyle’s goons happened, that’s what,” Michael replied angrily. “They jumped Max on his way home last night.”

Isabel looked horrified.

“I was wondering why he didn’t come home,” she commented, light dawning in her eyes.

She was on her way to the bathroom when she heard her mother on the phone last night. After the phone call, she overheard her parents arguing over her brother, about whose fault it was that caused Max to storm off after dinner.

Michael caught the worried look on Isabel’s face. “Don’t worry, Iz. Unlike Max, I’m not about to let this go so easily.”

“Don’t worry, Michael. I’m not letting this go either.” Isabel straightened and set her shoulders back. “I’ll make sure those guys pay.”

The two of them locked eyes in agreement before parting ways and heading off to class.

The morning had been uneventful. Max had fielded curious stares and questions by saying that he had fallen off Michael’s bike. That seemed to satisfy most people because by lunch time, his story had been distorted enough that rumours had spread of a daredevil stunt that he had apparently attempted causing him to fall of a motorcycle. As Max walked into his history class, he heard the same story being whispered. Curious eyes looked his way causing him to squirm in his seat.

The bell rang and Max looked up, just in time to see Maria walk in slack-jawed and gaping.

“Dude, what happened?!” she asked, taking her seat behind him. “I mean I heard the rumours all morning but I didn’t think it was true. I mean the Max that I know would have never popped a wheelie on Michael’s bike.”

Max blinked before letting out a tired breath. Luckily, a second later, Mr. Gonzales had walked in saving him from having to answer Maria’s question.


<center>* * *</center>

“Okay girls,” Mrs. Warren asked for class’ attention. “Today we’re joining Mr. Chu’s class for a friendly game of co-ed soccer,” a chorus of groans rang all around.

Maria sat on the wooden bench ignoring her gym teacher who droned on about the rules of soccer. Instead, she was stealing quick glances at Isabel who sat on the grass staring transfixed at the boy’s gym class across the field. For the second time that day, Maria wondered why Isabel was so different from her brother. After all, weren’t twins supposed to be similar?

Taking a deep breath, she got up off the bench. Here goes nothing, she thought making her way toward Isabel. She was risking life and limb for her best friend and her Romeo. She sighed. The things she did in the name of love.

“Hi Isabel,” she whispered, plopping down on the grass beside the tall blonde.

Isabel turned and gave Maria a look that could freeze water. Deciding to ignore the shorter girl, she fixed her gaze back at the group of boys horsing around with the soccer ball.

Maria frowned. What has got Isabel’s attention so much that she couldn’t take her eyes off it? She followed Isabel’s line of sight and saw nothing special, just some of Kyle’s bonehead friends tackling each other on the ground.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to persevere.

“What a bunch of jerks,” she said hitching her chin toward the group of rambunctious boys. “Remember when Steve and Pauly got suspended last year for thrashing Mr. Anderson’s car.”

“Those guys are assholes,” Isabel seethed.

Maria’s jaw dropped. The perfect Isabel swears?! What is the world coming to? she thought sarcastically.

Deciding to venture further, she asked the question that had been bothering her all morning.

“What happened to Max?”

Isabel stiffened at the mention of her brother’s name. Looking at the Maria from the corner of her eye, she assessed the short blonde.

She knew of Maria but didn’t know her. She’s heard the rumours around school of how Maria’s father had left her and her mother when she was young. She also knew that despite Maria strange and quirky personality, the girl was not mean. Often times, she had been the target of people’s jokes but never had she retaliated in a vindictive fashion. She would always find creative ways of getting back.

She also noticed the friendship that recently formed between Maria and her brother. Even her lunchtime intrusions were welcomed by Max. Maybe Maria was just the right person to enlist in her plan.

“Sorry. What did you say?” Isabel pretended that she hadn’t heard the question, the whole time thinking of a way to exact revenge on Kyle and his minions.

“I was just wondering about Max,” Maria reiterated. “I heard the rumours going around about him wiping out on Michael’s bike, but it’s a little hard to believe knowing Max and all.”

Isabel narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just that,” Maria looked out over the field as she explained, “he’s way too responsible to do something as dumbassed as popping a wheely on a motorbike.”

Isabel’s lips twitched as she raised one perfectly arched eyebrow.

“Ookay,” Maria mumbled when she didn’t receive a response from Isabel. “I guess I’ll just leave you alone then.”

“You see those guys over there,” Isabel hitched her chin toward the boys’ gym class. Maria dropped back down on the ground beside her. She squinted at the group of boys and nodded her head.

“Take a wild guess which ones gave Max the shiner,” Isabel’s voice took an even frostier tone than usual.

Maria’s mouth formed an “O” before she narrowed her eyes at them.

“What do you have planned?” Maria asked her jaw hardening in anger.

“I was hoping you were going to ask that,” Isabel replied with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

<center>* * *</center>

Isabel and Maria sat in the Principal’s office in companionable silence.

Behind them they could hear Amy Deluca’s voice rising and falling, accompanied by Diane Evans’ calm tones.

A moment later, the door was thrust open by the principal, Mr. Brown.

Maria stood first. She made the mistake of looking up at her mother who looked absolutely furious. Isabel followed closely behind her, holding her chin up and refusing to be intimidated.

“Have a seat,” Mr. Brown gestured to the chairs beside their mothers as he closed the door.

“Wait ‘til we get home, young lady,” Amy Deluca hissed when Maria sat down beside her.

“Now both of you are aware of our no violence policy here at West Roswell,” Mr. Brown steepled his fingers in thought, “And as such we do not tolerate any sort of bullying whatsoever.”

“But we didn’t do anything!” Maria protested before she felt her mother’s hand clamped down on her arm, hard.

“She’s right, sir,” Isabel added, “It was an accident.” She flashed him her most innocent look hoping that he would take everything they said at face value.

“Miss Evans,” Principal Brown sighed, “I would be more inclined to believe that were it not for the fact that both Steve and Paul got soccer balls kicked to their groin areas, not once but twice and by each of you,” he looked pointedly at both girls.

“I should suspend both of you for your antics.”

“Now wait a minute,” Diane got up off her seat. “Clearly these girls are not malicious and I believe them if they said it was an accident.”

“Yeah,” Amy intoned. “I for one do not believe in violence and I raised my daughter to be the same.”

“Okay,” Mr. Brown, raised his hands defensively to placate both mothers. “Since it is their first offence, I will let them off with a warning…,” when he heard a collective sigh, he lowered the boom, “and a week’s worth of detention plus some eraser cleaning duty.”

“Will this be on their academic records?” Diane asked worriedly.

“No, since it’s their first offence and they’re not getting a suspension. It’ll be removed from their records by the time they graduate.”

He got up off his seat and opened the door. “Thank you for coming in Mrs. Evans, Ms. Deluca. I trust the next time we see each other again will be under better circumstances.”

When they were both outside the Principal’s office, Amy let Maria have it.

“I can’t believe you, Maria! I thought I raised you better than that,” Amy seethed. “I want you home straight after school you hear me?” She squeezed her daughter into a hug before saying goodbye.

“That goes for you too, Isabel,” Diane said sternly. “No malls or phone privileges for a week.” She waited for Isabel to nod before walking away.

Isabel moved closer to Maria as they both stared out the school doors watching their mothers drive away.

“I don’t know about you,” Isabel started, “but it was all worth it for me just to hear Pauly cry about his aching nards,” she continued before bursting into laughter.

Act IX: Head Games

“So Max…tell me about yourself,” Dr. Werker asked, looking at the young man sitting across from him.

Max studied the scuffs on his sneakers. All he had to do was stall for the next forty minutes and then he could leave. Taking a deep breath, he answered. “My name is Max Evans. I live on 135 Murray Lane. I’m sixteen years old and I attend West Roswell High.”

Dr. Werker smiled. “Relax Max. It’s only a therapy session not an interrogation. You don’t have to be nervous.”

That’s what you think, Max thought. After all the trouble he went through last night, all he wanted to do was go home. However, he knew that his parents would question him if he missed his therapy session and he really wasn’t up to a question and answer session with his parents. As a result, at four o’clock on the dot, he showed up at Dr. Werker’s office, bruises and all.

Dr. Werker glanced at the clock above the doorway before fixing his gaze back on the sullen dark-haired boy. He hated first sessions. They were always the toughest, especially with young men. A lot of them filled up time by either creating an intricate lie to garner attention or not speaking at all. Sometimes he actually preferred the liars because they were always sure to entertain.

Looking down on his case file, he noted the boy’s parents’ description of his recent attitude.

Moody.
Keeps a lot to himself.
Introverted.
Suffers from nightmares

Dr. Werker looked up from his file at the young man sitting across from him. Appearance-wise, Max Evans looked like a typical 16-year old teenage boy. However, his eyes held a touch of wariness and mistrust that he had only seen in cases where the patient had been abused or neglected. Judging from the profile he obtained of the boy’s parents, it seemed highly unlikely. Something had to have happened to make him this way.

Shifting in his seat, Dr. Werker decided to change tactics.

“It’s fine if you don’t feel like talking about you. We can talk about something else.” He watched his patient’s face for a reaction and was disappointed when he got none. “Did you know I went to West Roswell when I was a kid? In fact, I graduated there. Class of 1981…,” he figured he might as well fill the space until the kid got comfortable enough to talk to him.

Max stared at the patterns on the carpet as Dr. Werker droned on about his high school years. He darted out his tongue to lick his dry lips, wincing when it stung. He was glad that tomorrow was Saturday. He could spend the whole day in his room without having to worry about school. All day he had fielded inquiries and endured the rumors about his injuries. He couldn’t even use Liz to take his mind off his problems since he hadn’t had any classes with her today so he hadn’t see her all day at school. What could he have said to her anyway? Kyle had made it clear that he wanted him to stay away from her.

He had the black eye and bruises to prove it.

“Max? Max?” Dr. Werker’s deep voice snapped him back to reality.

“You’re bleeding,” Dr. Werker pointed to his own lip before reaching for the tissue box on his desk.

Max licked the cut on his lip, tasting the metallic flavour of blood. He gratefully took the tissue offered to him and dabbed his lip.

“Do you mind if I ask how you got…,” Dr. Werker gestured to his face, “…hurt?”

“I, um, I fell,” Max stuttered using the same excuse he used at school.

“You fell,” Dr. Werker repeated sceptically. He knew that Max was lying. Judging from the bruises on his face, it was hard to believe someone could get hurt that badly just from being clumsy. Experience told him that it was more than likely that the boy was being bullied at school. He wondered if the young man’s parents realized the reason for their son’s emotional troubles.

A moment of silence passed between them.

Dr. Werker took a deep breath determined to make progress with his patient.

“Tell me, Max. How’s school?”

“It’s okay,” Max replied never taking his eyes off the floor.

“Do you like your teachers?” Dr. Werker prodded.

“They’re fine.”

“How are your classes?”

“They’re okay.”

“Your friends?”

“They’re okay too.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“Don’t have one,” Max’s voice took a forlorn tone which Dr. Werker didn’t miss.

Throughout the session, Dr. Werker observed that every time they came across the topic of trust, Max would change the subject. When their session came to an end, Max said his goodbye and waited in the lobby for his ride.

“Carol can you please call Mr. and Mrs. Evans for an appointment? I would like to see the both of them regarding their son, Max.”


<center>* * *</center>

“So what happened? Do you feel any different?” Isabel eagerly asked her brother.

“Not much,” Max shrugged. It had been a relief when he saw the Jeep pull up to the curb in front of Dr. Werker’s office instead of his parents’ Volvo. He wasn’t up to discussing his day with anyone let alone his mother. Hopefully, both would be working late and he wouldn’t have to speak to either one of them until tomorrow.

Isabel eyed her brother, assessing his mood. She wasn’t sure if he’d heard about what she and Maria had done. If he had, she wondered what he thought. Would he be mad at her for meddling? She wasn’t sure about Max’s attitude these days. He had always been quiet but lately it seemed to have been getting worse. First, saving Liz Parker’s life and all his talk of he and Isabel being aliens, and secondly, all the Counting Crows songs that he’d been playing lately. It was enough to make her anxious about his mental health. She made a note to speak to Michael about it.

Pulling into the driveway of the spacious Evans home, the twins were surprised by the presence or a dark-haired girl sitting by the curb.

“Hi!” Liz said overtly cheerful.

“Liz? What are you doing here?” Max asked squinting.

“Um, I just…I wanted to…um…talk to you. If that’s okay?”

Max looked at Liz and fought the warring feelings within him. As much as he wanted to say yes, he had to remember what was best for the both of them.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Max sighed and slid past her, accidentally brushing her shoulder. He swallowed as the slight contact wreaked havoc within his body.

“Go home, Liz,” Max added as he unlocked the door and stepped inside the house. He willed himself not to look back, not to look at her. He knew that one look at her face and his self-control would crumble and he just couldn’t do that. He needed to be strong and let her go.

“But…but,” Liz protested.

“I’m tired. I’ll see you Monday at school,” Max closed the door.

Liz was stunned. What had she done? She didn’t understand why Max was acting so distant.

Isabel looked over at Liz. Judging from the crestfallen expression on her face, she knew that what her brother had just done had deeply affected Liz Parker. The problem was Isabel didn’t understand why. As far as she knew the only connection that Max and Liz had to each other, other than being classmates, was that he had saved her life that day at the Crashdown. There was no overt reason for her to be devastated by Max’s dismissal.

The situation was beginning to concern her. Although her and Max have had their difference, she was first and foremost his sister and as such she always had his best interest in mind. She had a feeling that this thing that was going on between him and Liz would only hurt her brother in the end.

“Liz I think you better go.”

Liz looked over at Isabel, noting her set shoulders and hitched chin. This was the Isabel that everyone at school feared. The cold, distant queen bee of West Roswell High.

“I don’t think Max really feels like talking right now. He’s had a rough day,” Isabel said before walking away, leaving Liz alone on the sidewalk.

Act X: Turkey Dinner, the Simpsons, and a Broken Heart

Liz stood on the sidewalk staring at the Evans’ closed front door. She didn’t understand what had just happened. She had come here with the best of intentions and suddenly just like that, Max had shut her out. It was so unlike him to be so dismissive. For all the years she’s known him, he had been nothing but friendly to her. To suddenly see him so cold and distant was disconcerting.

She also noticed the bruises and cuts on his face and couldn’t help but wonder what or rather who had put them there. As far as she knew Max had no enemies…come to think of it he didn’t have any friends either except for his sister and that aloof boy, Michael Guerin.

Liz sighed and ran a frustrated hand through her hair. As much as she wanted to know, there was no way she was going to find out anything today. Glancing back at the door one last time, she slowly walked away.


Kyle tossed his damp towel on the chair before grabbing a grey shirt from his drawer. Practice had run a little long today and he was starving. Judging from the empty driveway he realized that he was going to have to eat dinner alone figuring his father was putting in some overtime at the station.

“Looks like it’s going to be turkey dinner tonight,” he said wanly, pulling a flat, cardboard container from the freezer.

He popped the frozen dinner into the microwave and made his way to the living room. Sinking heavily into the couch, he pointed the remote control at the television and began to mindlessly channel surf.


Liz peeked through the window and saw a dark head lying against the couch. Nervousness suddenly overtook her and she had to fight the urge to simply just run away. She was never one for confrontations and what she was to do was just that. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and raised her fist to the door.


Kyle had just tuned in on a rerun of the Simpsons when he heard a knock on the door. Tossing the remote on the couch, he craned his neck around the window to see who it could be. Seeing nothing, he turned back around to the TV. A few seconds later, he heard the knock again. Grumbling, he got up and opened the door.

He was surprised to see Liz Parker there standing on his doorstep, looking nervous and uncertain.

“Liz! What are you doing here?”

“Hi Kyle. I thought I’d pop by and visit.”

“Oh,” Kyle exclaimed, looking her over. One look into her dusky eyes and he was a goner.

There weren’t any other girls quite like Liz. She was neither the prettiest nor the most popular girl at school, but she had a quiet, intelligent beauty that always shone through. And when she said yes to a date with him last summer, Kyle couldn’t believe his luck.

“Um…can I come in?” Liz asked hesitantly.

“Oh yeah. Sure, sure. Sorry,” Kyle said sheepishly stepping aside to let her in.

“Do you want something to eat?” He called out as he made his way to the kitchen.

“No thank you,” Liz called back as she looked around the Valenti home. Walking over to the couch she glanced at the framed photos littering the table tops. They were all of Kyle and his father. None of them, she noted, featured his mother, who had abandoned Kyle and his father when Kyle was eight.

“So what brings you by?” Kyle asked reappearing with a tray of food. “I mean I called you earlier and you said you were busy.” Kyle made his way over to the couch and sat down beside Liz, swivelling to face her.

Liz was determined to speak to Kyle about their relationship but his close proximity was making her nervous. Kyle was a good guy and she knew what she had to say would hurt him and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

“Listen Kyle,” she said as she stood up and walked behind the couch, “I like you – ”

“Wait,” Kyle held up his fork in the air interrupting Liz in the process. “Is this where you tell me you’re breaking up with me?”

Liz took one look at his unsuspecting smile and the guilt she felt inside doubled.

The smile disappeared from Kyle’s face when he saw Liz look away.

“Oh shit. It is, isn’t it?”

“Kyle…I – ”

“I can’t believe this. You’re breaking up with me,” he dropped his fork on the table, making Liz wince at the clang that resulted.

Kyle stood up and ran his fingers through his damp hair in frustration.

“You’re breaking…shit!” He continued to pace back and forth as Liz anxiously watched him wear a hole in the carpet.

“I’m sorry, Kyle,” she bit her lip and waited for his reaction.

Liz was surprised when Kyle paused his agitated pacing, his arm slowly lowering as he pivoted to face her.

“Wait. Does this have anything to do with Evans?” He charged, glaring at her suspiciously.

“I’ve seen him around at school and at the Crashdown. I know how he looks at you.”

Liz stumbled back in the face of his accusation. Never would she have thought of Kyle being the jealous type, let alone accuse her of being unfaithful.

“No! Of course not!” Liz fired back, although she couldn’t help but feeling a bit like she was lying. Even though Max wasn’t the driving force in her decision, he did factor in it. She wanted to give him a chance, wanted to give herself a chance to see if anything might develop, but after this afternoon, she didn’t think it was going to happen. After all, he did make it very clear that he didn’t want anything to do with her.

“I’ve been so stupid,” Kyle resumed his frantic pacing. “Paulie and the guys warned me but I didn’t listen to them. I told them that I could trust you.”

Liz’s lip quivered. “But you can trust me, Kyle.”

Kyle slumped down into the couch. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Thoughts of his mother’s betrayal and abandonment danced through his mind.

“May I sit?” Liz asked, unsure if her actions would be welcomed.

Kyle hastily gestured to the empty cushion beside him.

“You have to believe me that it has nothing to do with Max,” she implored. “This is between you and I.”

Kyle rolled his head, looking over at her wearily.

“You know I would never do anything like that.”

Kyle sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “I know.”

Liz breathed an inaudible sigh of relief.

“I just can’t believe you’re dumping me.”

Liz winced before reaching for his hand for assurance.

“Kyle you have to know that I think you’re a great guy,” she willed him to look at her. “And I think that you’ll make a great boyfriend for some lucky girl out there.”

“Just not you, right?” He stated sadly.

Liz squeezed his hand in reaction.

“Tell me Liz, why did you go out with me if you knew that I wasn’t the guy for you?”

Liz searched his face, refusing to let go of his hand. “Because when I looked at you I saw a good guy who could make me laugh. Someone who worked hard to get what they want, yet humble enough not to let his successes go to his head.”

“Wow, when you put it like that I sound like a great guy,” Kyle chuckled but it sounded hollow to Liz’s ears. He took a deep breath and disentangled his hand from hers.

“You are a great guy, Kyle.”

“Then why are you breaking up with me?” he looked over at her with sad eyes.

“Kyle,” Liz half whined, half warned.

“Okay. Okay,” he shook his head and clucked his tongue. “I’ve never been dumped before.”

“Well there’s a first for everything,” Liz blurted without thinking and when Kyle flashed her a reproving look, she bit her lip and apologized.

“Sorry. Bad joke.”

Kyle rolled his eyes and picked up his dinner.

“I better…,” Liz hitched her thumb to the door, “I better go. Let you have your dinner in peace.” She pushed herself up off, being careful of her injured foot.

Kyle didn’t acknowledge her but proceeded to tuck into his dinner. However, it was hard to ignore the gentle shuffling she made as she walked toward the door.

Kyle closed his eyes and warred with himself. “Stay,” he said, placing his fork down. “You don’t have to go.”

“I think I should,” Liz said uneasily.

Kyle sighed and swiped his hand down his face. “Don’t be stupid. Stay.”

Liz held on to the doorknob unsure on whether she should take him up on his offer.

“Aren’t you mad at me?” She asked anxiously.

“I’m not mad. A little pissed off and hurt, yeah. But I’m not mad,” he answered.

Liz stood for a moment, digesting what he had said, before slowly walking to the couch. She watched as Kyle picked up his dinner, staring blankly into the pile of whitened, mashed potatoes.

For the next little while, the two of them sat in uncomfortable silence, looking blankly at the TV. Liz was thankful when the silence was broken by the gentle ringing of the phone. She listened as Kyle gave one word answers to the person on the other line. And when he placed the phone down and made his way back to the couch, she pretended to be engrossed with the Simpsons instead of eavesdropping on his phone call.

“That was my dad,” Kyle said knowingly. “He asked if I wanted some Chinese take-out.”

Liz nodded, staring at Kyle’s profile the entire time.

“I really am sorry, Kyle,” she apologized again.

“I know.”

“You must hate me right now.”

Kyle sighed. “I don’t hate you. Despite you dumping me, I still like you, Liz. Though I might not speak to you for a while, I still think you’re a nice girl.”

Liz’s lip quivered, touched by Kyle’s affirmation.

She lunged forward and hugged him, catching Kyle off-guard.

“You’re a wonderful guy, Kyle Valenti. I hope you find a girl who can love you the way you deserved to be loved.”

She wiped her eyes and moved to get up. She smiled at him one last time before letting herself out.

Kyle sat with his jaw hanging open, watching Liz walk out the door.