Prologue: On My Own
Liz
Parker sat shell-shocked. What had she just done? How could she just hurt him
that bad? Because it was the right thing to do. If this had continued, he
would have been more hurt in the long run. A small voice answered from the
back of her mind, but Liz didn't pay any attention to it. She was still
staring at the spot where she had last seen Max. Oh God! That expression on his
face! And the look in his eyes! She had felt her own heart shattering in sync
with his. But Liz knew that she would never forget his face tonight. No she
would never be able to forget the anger, hurt, and betrayal that was written all
over his face. That look. It was like his life had just ended and it was hurting her every time she closed her eyes.
Liz
barely registered Kyle's voice as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder,
whispering that it would be okay, only causing her mind to cry out. No!
It's not okay! It will never be okay again!
Liz barely registered Kyle's
departure until she heard the soft thud of her closing door, and she stood to
walk into the bathroom. Once there she began to mechanically dress, not even
able to
look at herself in the mirror for the guilt was far too great.
Liz walked out to the balcony and
was about to climb out the window, but she caught sight of something from the
corner of her eye. Looking over, her eyes widened when she caught sight of the
Gomez tickets. Gingerly picking them up, Liz suddenly had a flash and she saw
herself and Kyle in bed as a wave of immense pain washed over. She stumbled and
fell into Future Max's arms. He helped her into one of her lawn chairs and sat
in the other one in front of her. There was a moment of silence before Max spoke
up.
"I've
fought a thousand battles...but watching you do that was the hardest thing I've
ever had to do."
"The
look on his face...on your face." Liz stammered, trying to control her
spinning emotions.
"Maybe
it's for the best. For you, too." Max replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"What
are you talking about?" Liz asked surprised.
"I
saw you with Kyle. He's turning out to be a...a great guy. Maybe it would be
better for you to be with a human." Max answered just as calmly as before.
Liz
stared at him disbelievingly and stood up quickly. "Don't you realize what you
are to me...and you're always gonna be? You're the love of my life. Everyone
else is gonna be second best. There'll never be another YOU!"
Each word came out stronger and more full emotion
then the last until Liz just collapsed, exhausted.
"So
Max and...Tess are going to be together now." Liz stated sullenly as she
stared at her hands, refusing to meet her love's future form.
"I
don't know. I don't know anything now. This is a different world."
Another
moment of silence hung over them until Liz's voice came out softly. "I'm
gonna be alone."
"Maybe.
Maybe not. From now on, the future is to be determined. It's what've always said
to you, Liz. We create our own destiny."
"Could
you dance with me?"
"What?"
"I
wanna have my wedding dance."
Liz looked up at Max, her eyes pleading him and
he nodded, unable to refuse her. He waved his hands, and the soft melody of 'I
Shall Believe' starts filling the still night air. They danced quietly, the
weight of the world settled on the star-crossed lovers' shoulders. Max twirled
Liz and she began to spin. Liz stopped spinning and looked back to see that Max
had disappeared. As if he hadn't been there at all. Liz collapsed, and wept.
She wept for herself, for Max, and for a future that was lost. Liz looked up to
see a star shooting across the night sky, and one thought crossed her mind. I'm
all alone now.
************
A Week Later…
Liz turned
around the corner and stopped dead in her tracks when she found Max Evans with
his arms around a girl with sandy brown hair, looking deeply into her green
eyes. She watched as he whispered something into her ear, causing her to giggle
and smack him playfully. Max just smirked and lowered his head, and just as
their lips touched Liz looked away, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
And
now I'm all alone again
Nowhere to turn, no one
to go to
Without
a home, without a friend,
Without
a face to say hello to.
And
now the night is near
Now
I can make believe he's here.
–On
My Own Les Miserable
