Title: Living With My Best Friend's Rival
Summary: Let's say that Valenti and Amy DeLuca had wed at the end of Season One and bought a house together. This means Kyle and Maria are step bros and sis. So when Nasedo dies, Tess does move in with the Valenti's but this time the DeLucas are there too. Let's say that Nasedo died in an accident instead of a Skin.
All is in Maria's POV.
Author's Note: sorry I changed it so much! I also apologise if sum1 has took this idea, I haven't managed 2 scroll through all stories yet! So beep me, if my story relates 2 yours a bit! Sorry!
Feedback to Reviews: thanx 2 keirah for reviewin. ur such a sweetie for takin de tym!
Chapter Three: Sisterly Bond
I was once again roaring off on Michael's motorbike. But I wasn't feeling as happy as I did when I first hopped on. Because I knew for a fact now that Michael didn't think anything romantic about me.
He skid to a halt at my new driveway. I love my new house. It's more roomy and double-storied.
Michael got off the motorbike and helped me off. This was very gentlemanly of him but still. He didn't want anything more. I took off the helmet and gave it to him, making sure my fingers didn't make contact with his skin.
"Thanks, Space Boy," I said. I wanted to kiss him good-bye but that was waaaaaay off-limits.
"Anytime," he said with a quick smile. He hopped back on his motorbike, started the engine and was about to roar off again. Without me. Sad.
"MAAAARRRRRRIIIIIIIAAAAA!"
I quickly whipped my head to the voice of a completely, unrecognisable, insane person's voice. Whoops, I take that back. It was Kyle Valenti rushing out of the house as if it was on fire.
I dimly realised Michael had turned off his engine. I walked up to Kyle concerned.
"What is it?" I asked.
I thought something alien-related had happened. Maybe Tess was abducted (yes! sorry…), our parents were gone (no!)…
Kyle mouthed 'Tess' and I really regretted thinking she was abducted. What if something bad happened? As in, really bad.
"What's wrong with her?" Michael asked speaking my words. He was right behind me. Was he going to say overnight? Fingers crossed.
Kyle dilated eyes returned to normal size and he gave Michael an once-over look.
"Nothing, are you staying for dinner?" Kyle asked in a voice that was flat and no longer freaked.
I turned to look at my ex, and was surprised to see his cheeks colouring. I've known Michael for a long time (even before I knew he was a little Martian) and he never blushes.
"No, I just thought that if it was, you know, Czechoslovakian-related I ought to know," Michael answered shrugging casually.
"Oh," Kyle said bluntly. There was a pause as he blinked his eyes. "It's not."
I gave my step-bro an incredulous look. The way he had ran out of the house was like Tess had turned green with ten eyes or something!
I could tell Michael was as incredulous as me because his (wonderful) mouth hanged slightly opened.
"Are you sure?" Michael pressed on. "Because you made it sound like…"
"I apologise that you caught me a lil crazy, buddy. I just thought Maria was alone," Kyle said.
"You act like that in front of Maria when you two are alone?" Michael asked in a steely voice.
I winced at his tone. The way Michael was saying it was like when we were 'alone' we sucked faces. YUCK!
Kyle's eyes narrowed.
"I have enjoyed DeLuca's company very much," Kyle said. "And if you excuse us, I need to talk to Maria alone. Its like family-related."
Yikes! Was I family to Kyle!
"We are like a family. The eight of us. You, me, Maria, Max, Iz, Liz, Alex and Tess," Michael continued on. Jeez, was he going to drop this?
"Flattering," Kyle said with a smirk. "This stuff relates to things inside the house."
I could see that Michael's patience was running out and his anger was about to surface. Seriously, I have no idea what was with Michael. I grabbed his arm and steered him to his motorbike.
"Space Boy," I said. "It's all cool. I can handle whatever Buddha Boy throws at me." I gave him a wide grin at the end.
"Buddha…Boy?" Michael asked raising one eyebrow. I forgotten that not much people knew Kyle was into Buddha. That's because he told me if I told anyone, he'd kill me…
"I'll see you tomorrow," I said ignoring his last comment. "It was great seeing you."
Michael gave me a doubtful look before speeding off into the distance. Once he was gone, I looped my arms around Kyle's.
"What's up, Valenti?" I asked poking him playfully in the ribs.
Kyle sighed as we both made our way into the house. I wasn't that worried anymore. Nothing could be as bad as Czechoslovakian things.
"It's Ms. Harding," he whispered. "She took over our house! Her clothes and crap lie everywhere!"
I couldn't help it; I started to giggle. Did Kyle see that as a problem? He was lucky I had time to clean up after myself because I would be more messier than Tess.
"Maria!" he scowled looking a little embarrassed.
"Sorry," I giggled. "I think it's a girl thing. You know, finding how cute guys are about girls clothes. Trust me, guy clothes are more freaky."
"Look!" Kyle said as we entered the living room. The only thing I could see was a Tess item was a deep purple jumper.
"What?" I asked.
"The jumper! She just left it there!" Kyle pouted. "It smells all flowery, like a fairy garden or something."
"You believe in fairies?" I asked flatly. I always learnt something new from Kyle.
"You know what I mean!" he said throwing his hands up in frustration.
I gave a goofy grin. Kyle was so much fun and I loved teasing him. I had always wanted a brother. But my good mood disappeared when Tess appeared.
"Hey," she greeted.
I was still finding it very hard to make her feel welcome. Every time I'm near her I'm scared she'd mind warp me or zap me.
"Hi." I mustered a little greeting of my own.
"Can I talk to you?" she asked. She gave an apologetic look. "I already mingled with Kyle and it's only fair that I mingle with you too."
I grabbed Kyle's arm for support. Why did she want to talk to me? She didn't have to. We didn't have to talk at all under this roof.
I felt like I was in Day One again. When I first found out that Michael, Isabel and Max were aliens, I was bone-frozen scared. I was feeling that again.
Kyle turned his head to give me a look which said 'you-should-talk-to-her'. I gulped.
"Sure," I squeaked. Tess gave me a smile and motioned for me to follow. She led me to our guest room, which I guess was now her room.
I gasped as I entered. The walls were covered black with little, tiny, silver stars. It was very pretty but also very Czechoslovakian. She already had a bed made and two boxes left untouched.
"Sorry," Tess said noticing my astonishment at her walls. "It reminds me of Antar, where the other half of me belongs."
"It's 'kay," I mumbled unable to look into her eyes. I felt very uncomfortable around her.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Tess said in such a bitter voice that I had to look up.
I expected to see anger reflecting from her eyes but there were only sorrow and longing.
"You all hate me," Tess said before I even said anything. I opened my mouth to protest but she silenced me with a hand. "Don't bother defending people or whatever, I know it's true. You don't need super powers to know that. Michael, Isabel and Max grew up together, they will always have each other to lean on. Me? Sure, I'm one of them, but I came later. The reason all you people trust me is because you feel like you have to. When I first found out about Max, Isabel and Michael, I was thrilled because I finally got to meet them. It wasn't like what I expected. I thought I would walk into welcome arms but instead you guys all had a grudge against me. The reason I went after Max was because he was my destiny. I…"
There were tears shining in her eyes that she managed to hold in. I swallowed trying to speak but she continued speaking.
"I can now see that Max loves Liz and I fully accept it. This is another lifetime, nothing ever has to repeat. Look at Michael and Isabel. They were suppose to be together instead Michael's with you and Isabel's with Alex. Every time I'm around you lot, you guys think I'm trying to steal Max away. But don't you guys get it! I can't! Max told me he wants to be with Liz, so he can be with Liz. Why should I stop it? I already…"
Tess's voice once again trailed off. I was feeling very, very bad now. I had never ever looked into what Tess was really feeling that deep.
Tess wiped at her eyes quickly before looking back up at me with begging eyes.
"So please Maria, just give me a chance. Forget all this 'Antarian' stuff and have a new start. I just want a normal life," Tess whispered.
I couldn't keep my face neutral any longer. All the raw emotions Tess was expressing poured out of me too. I started to cry and I grabbed her into my arms.
"I'm so sorry Tess," I cried holding onto the frail girl. "I should've been more welcome. I was never really good with all this 'Antar' stuff. I will be a better friend from now on."
I heard Tess give a little sob on her own.
"Thank-you, Maria," she breathed. "Thanks so much. You have no idea what that means to me."
