Liz gets advice from an anonymous online friend who could help her deal with her problems. What would happen if she were to find out who really was on the other line?
The sound of her modem connecting to the Internet sent shivers down her spine
The sound of her modem connecting to the Internet sent shivers down her spine. Her dark gaze watched with some impatience for the connection to speed up. She just had to talk to someone and this was as good a place as any. Normally she would confide in Maria, but she couldn't burden her best friend anymore than she was. She was having relationship problems of her own. Probably not as major as Liz's problems but bad enough.
As soon as the browser screen popped on, Liz typed in the URL she knew by heart. She drummed her fingers on the keypad blowing out an exasperated breath. Normally she was cool and analytical, but her emotions were going into overdrive. The chatroom finally loaded. Chatmosphere, which was centered on outerspace, was kind of bizarre to most, but Liz felt right at home. This was her element, although she would never tell anyone that she knew live Aliens.
She typed in her screenname and password and prayed that 'He' would be there. They had been chatting for a few weeks forging a strong bond. It didn't matter that they didn't know each other's names or what they looked like. Anonymity made the link more special and personal. She told him about her problems with her overprotective parents, her lovable but demanding friends and the everyday hassles of life. He listened to her and gave her advice. She didn't find it odd that he rarely talked about himself. She was just thankful that he made her feel better. No one else could make her feel that way… She refused to acknowledge the one person who could make a lie of that statement. He was part of her problem.
She scrolled the names of the people in the room, disappointment filling her when she didn't spot his name. Where could he be? They always met at this time… Could something have happened? She felt a moment's despair before blowing out a breath of relief when his name popped on the screen. She gave a faint smile as her cursor double clicked on his name, which brought up a chatbox.
AlienLuvR: Hey! I'm glad you made it.
E.T.: Sorry I was a bit late. I had to pick up some things for my mom.
AlienLuvR: That's all right. I just got on myself.
E.T.: How're things going with you and your ex?
AlienLuvR: Not that good, actually. We had a big fight this morning, and I'm not feeling too good about it.
E.T.: Do you want to talk about it? What was the fight over?
AlienLuvR: The same thing… He wants me back, but I can't. I have to remain strong, because it is better this way. But it is so hard, because I love him so much. I can't stand to hurt him.
E.T.: Why not tell him this? What is keeping you away from him?
AlienLuvR: It's this whole mess… It's hard to explain, but things could go wrong if we were to go out with each other. I can't tell him this because it'll give him false hope. I have to break things off, but he won't accept it. I'm afraid I'll have to really hurt him to get my point across.
E.T.: I wish I could help you out, but I'm not doing too well in that part of my life.
AlienLuvR: Girl troubles?
E.T.: You could say that. My girlfriend dumped me for another guy.
AlienLuvR: That's horrible! Why'd she do this?
E.T.: Why? I'm not sure. She claims she doesn't love me anymore and that we should see other people.
AlienLuvR: I'm sorry to hear that… Guess we're both in the same boat.
E.T.: I wonder why love is so hard.
AlienLuvR: I guess because if it were easy, people wouldn't appreciate it. They'd take it for granted and not realize what they've really got.
E.T.: If that is the case, why are you keeping yourself away from the guy who you love and obviously loves you back?
Liz blinked at that question, unable to form an answer. It would seem all so easy to say that he was right and that she should get back together with Max. But it wasn't that easy. They had to stay apart for the fate of the world. Her friends and family were important to her and she couldn't turn her back on them if there was a chance to stop the destruction from happening.
E.T.: Still there?
AlienLuvR: Sorry… I was trying to figure out how to answer that. It just isn't that easy… At least not for my ex and I…
E.T.: It usually never is. Listen, I have to go do a few chores for my mom. I'll see you tomorrow?
AlienLuvR: I'll be here and thanks.
E.T.: Good luck with your guy. See you later.
E.T. has logged off
Liz gave a small sigh as she logged off. That whole chat did nothing to relieve her fears or her problems. She was still where she was in the beginning. She couldn't tell Max that she had never slept with Kyle or about the whole future thing. He might not believe her and if he did, it wouldn't change a thing. She must be strong in this whole situation. She pushed from her computer, going towards her closet to pull out her Crashdown outfit. Time for work…
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