Chapter 2

Maria and Isabel went through five different stores before Maria broached the subject of her and Max. She steered Isabel to the food court where they selected a table and ordered their food.

"Okay Maria when are you going to tell me what's bugging you?" Isabel said as she sorted out her lunch on the table.

"It's really complicated." Maria sighed and took a sip of her soda. "I really like Max. I think we can have a really great relationship. As a matter of fact, we do have a great relationship. But will all this change when Liz comes back from Florida?"

"Oh Maria! Max is no longer in love with Liz. He's not even sure if he was ever in love with her. I mean sure he saw into her soul and all of that but the same thing happened when he healed Kyle." She paused. "My theory on the closeness between Max and Liz is that whenever Max heals someone he takes a part of them into himself and then they receive a little bit of him in return. He and Liz just misinterpreted it as them being soul mates."

"So what you're saying is that when Liz saw those visions it was only because she received a part of Max when he healed her?" Maria perked up at that idea.

Isabel smiled and nodded her head. "Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying." Isabel set down her fork and looked directly at Maria. "Maria, I truly believe that Max loves you and only you. Like I said the bond between him and Liz was totally misinterpreted because I know for a fact that that same bond exists between him and Kyle. Heck that bond will exist between him and whoever else he heals. You have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks Isabel. I'm glad I decided to come to you for advice."

"No problem." Isabel stood up to discard her trash, "Now how bout you finishing up so we can get back to some serious shopping. Kay Chica?"

"Definitely" Maria said with a laugh.

That same day at the Evan's Michael and Max were in Max's room arguing. Michael had just found out from Tess that Max and Maria were dating.

"So Max, you're dating my girlfriend now?" Michael asked with a sneer.

"How did you find out?" Max asked not really caring about the answer. He was just stalling.

"So you mean it's true? When Tess told me I didn't want to believe it. I didn't think you could be so slimy Max, me being your best friend and all. What about Liz? I thought she was your soul mate?"

"Oh come off it Michael. You don't care about Liz or Maria. Maria and I like each other. Possibly even love one another. What we share is so much different from what I had with Liz. Besides Michael, you and Liz gave up your rights to have a say in what Maria and I do. You left Maria and Liz left me."

"Don't feed me that crap Max about you loving Maria. You couldn't possible understand Maria like I did." Michael turned away from Max and slapped his hand against Max's bedroom door. "I don't understand you Max. You have everything. Why would you want to steal Maria away from me?"

Max let loose with a sarcastic laugh. "Steal her? Michael how could you say that I stole Maria from you? You didn't want to have to deal with her and your feelings for her. I understand Maria completely. I understand that she needs someone who's going to love her and be there for her. Not someone who's going to leave her when things get too tough. I understand the reason for her no longer loving you because it's the same reason I no longer love Liz."

Max stood up and begin pacing in is room. "If you can't realize that Maria and I are together and nothing will break us apart then you need to leave. I like Maria a lot. I said it. I meant it. I think she likes me just as much... Argh! Just leave anyways Michael you're only making me frustrated and I don't believe that I have to justify myself and my actions to you. You can tell Liz about me and Maria if you like. I was already planning on telling her myself as soon as she returns. You let Nacedo's plans for our destiny stand between you and Maria and Liz let it stand between me and her. I will not let it stand between me and Maria. Goodbye Michael. You know your way out."

Max lied across his bed, frustrated with the conversation he just had with Michael. Everything he told Michael was the complete truth. He felt that he was really in love with Maria. She did the craziest things to make him laugh and they had the most interesting of conversations. He also told her things that he hasn't told to anyone. Not even Liz. Sure he had feelings for Liz but he didn't thing they were soul mates. Sure he saw visions from touching or kissing her but he has been around Kyle a lot this summer and he's gotten visions from him when he's touched him. So Max figured it was just something he shared when he healed someone. He would ask Isabel about it later to see what she has to say.

Max decided to give Maria and call to see what she was up to. He dialed her number and it rung twice before she picked up. "Hello?"

"Maria. This is Max."

"Hi Max. What's up?" she smiled at Isabel who was making kissy faces at her.

"Oh well, not much. I was just calling to see what you were doing."

"Well, I'm at the mall with Isabel. We're pretty much trying to buy the stores out."

"Hm, sounds nice." He replied meaning just the opposite. Shopping was not his thing. "So what are your plans for tonight?"

"I didn't really have any plans. I was waiting for this cute guy to ask me out. You might know him. He has dark hair and these piercing brown eyes and ears like Dumbo." She laughed.

"I do not have ears like Dumbo." He sputtered. He could hear Maria and Isabel cracking up in the background.

"Okay. Okay. I'm sorry you have very cute ears." She couldn't resist one more laugh. "So what did you have in mind for tonight?"

"I was thinking we could maybe go to the Starlight tonight for dinner and dancing."

"Sure. That's a plan."

"Pick you up at seven then. Okay?"

"Yes okay I'll be ready, `Til then, Bye Max."

"Bye Ria."

Isabel looked at Maria with a huge grin. "See you have nothing to worry about. That boy has been love whipped by the Maria Belt."

Maria laughed and grabbed Isabel's arm. "Come on let's go. You have to meet Alex in an hour and I want to get home to soak in a warm bath in preparation for my date later on."

As they were walking off Isabel said. "So you need like five hours to get ready for one date?"

"Oh shut up and come on."