[b] "Sometimes Ignorance Rings True" [/b]
~*~POV~*~
[b] Maria [/b]
Max Evans is a freakin idiot.
Like, seriously.
Here he has Liz right in front of him, and he chooses this point and time to avenge the Barbie doll from Hell. Miss-I-am-So-Perfect-So-Everyone-Bows- Down-To-Me. (Except, well of course, ME. I don't do that status thing)
Unbelievably inane. But then I have never had much faith in the male species. Ever.
I mean look at what I have for a boyfriend. Michael's sole proud accomplishment is that he can grunt in four different vocal intervals, and burp the alphabet.
Bravo. Excuse me while I forget to clap with glee.
But the thing is, I have always had faith in Max. I mean, he's [I] Max [/I] Mr. Sweetie, Mr. Chivalry, Mr. Overbearing Responsibility. Mr. DEPENDABLE. That is until now.
Because what is he doing with that faith? With that carefully maintained trust that there was indeed hope for chauvinists everywhere?
He went and shoved it down the crapper.
Okay, okay. So I am being a bit harsh. But I tend to get all defensive when the feelings of my best friend are messed with.
But here's the kicker. The huge, in your face clincher. The fact that makes you want to scream, yell, and kick things that are expensive over the idiocy of it all.
Maxwell Evans has no clue of the fact that he tossed all this out of the window. None whatsoever. Total blank. A [I] Tabula Rasa [/I] if you will. IGNORANCE of what's really in front of him.
Normally I would write this off as typical male stupidity, and proceed to shine the light in Max's oblivious face.
But no. He TRULY and HONESTLY does not know.
Un-freakin-beliveable.
Or is it?
See, there's another little fact that I forgot to mention. (Actually, I didn't FORGET per say, I was just withholding information until a time I best saw fit. And that time is now. So..)
Liz has no clue either. All she knows is that something is different.
Congratulations! It only took you about ten billion years. Now I swear, if it's going to take Max that long to figure it, let me know so I can go take a walk or something. Honestly.
And there's more. Oh boy, is there more.
She wants it to go away. Liz is trying to HELP Max. Earlier this month, she DEFENDED his decision to chase after Tess's skirt. And for the duration of this month, she has been giving him choked pointers on what approach to take next (of which, thankfully, never really seemed to work). God, that girl is in deeper than I thought. Well, in deeper denial anyways. What is she so scared off? That she might actually find happiness this time? That she might actually discover what Alex and I have wondered all along, that Max is THE one? Her special someone, her Michael to her Maria, her Isabel to her Alex, her Kyle to her.um, slightly horny, imaginary, person that um.
Well, her Kyle to her box of porn. There we go.
Now I know what you are all thinking. Oh my god, this is so screwed up. Is there no hope for this situation?
Na uh uh. I shall wave my little finger (my INDEX finger, thank you very much Kyle) and shake my head at your naivety. For good ole Maria has a plan. Auntie Maria ALWAYS has a plan (Yes that I do. Michael don't give me that incredulous look)
A plan I think just might work and bring happiness back to this little circle of friends.
Good ole schemes. Where would the world be without them?
~*~Part Four~*~
Maria bounced eagerly in her second hour class, waiting impatiently for Alex to arrive. She was so glad that they had this period together. They really needed to talk. This whole Liz and Max tragically-in-love-yet-they- don't-quite-know-it-yet, was getting desperately out of hand. This whole month had been painful to watch. Maria was quite sure that her hairline was receding due to all the hair pulling she had been doing.
Was it possible to go bald at seventeen? Because that would really suck.
Hmm, perhaps she should invest in hats again.
Anyways, if Alex didn't hurry, she wouldn't be able to tell him what she had come up with. She stared piercing at the door, willing him to walk through next.
'Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex.Al-Liz.'
God damn it.
How was she supposed to tell Alex her scheme if Liz was in the room? For if Maria went up to Alex, Liz would surely come over to see what was going on. And then proceed to beat Maria to a bloody pulp once she found out. Alex was a horrid liar.
Or well, Liz would TRY to beat Maria to a bloody pulp, but Maria could take little Lizzy anytime, anywhere. Yea, that's it! Show her what yo' made off Ria! Grr.
"Hey Maria, what's up?"
Maria gulped and smiled nervously. "Oh, um.n-nothing."
'What was that you were saying again? Grr.?' A little voice mocked in her head.
"Oh shut up!"
Liz swiveled around the desk in front of Maria and gave Maria a shocked look. "What?!"
Um, oops? Did she say that out loud?
Wow, she had brilliant deductive skills. Anyhoo, time for damage control. "Uh, nothing. Just talking to myself." Maria said in what she hoped was a jaunty tone, void of any guilt or guile.
Liz arched an amused eyebrow at her blonde crony. "Oh, so you were telling yourself to shut up?"
Why couldn't she have any dumb friends? Nooo she had to befriend Ms. Valedictorian.
"Urm, yea, well, no one has said it to me in a while, so I was.um, going through withdrawal. And besides. SOMEONE needs to tell me that once every few minutes to um, keep me sane, and um, quiet, otherwise, I um, might not, you know, be um, quiet," Maria babbled out. Maybe if she confused Liz enough, she would get off Maria's trail.
Either that, or Maria would succeed in befuddling her own self to the point of no return. Ah, the more likely scenario.
To Maria's relief, Liz just snorted and turned around, while whispering "I'll be sure to pass this ever so useful information to Michael. I'm sure he'd find some use for it."
Maria rolled her eyes. Wonderful. Man, she really needed some dumb friends. Where the hell was Kyle when you need him? And Alex? Lord, she was going to kill that boy. The one day he was late.Argh, probably playing kissy face with Isabel again.
Eww.make.the.visions.stop.now.
Speak of the devil.
Alex Whitman sailed effortlessly through the doorway, just as the final bell was ringing. He slid into a seat next to Maria and grinned spryly at her. "Good morning Maria!"
"Shut up,"
Alex threw her an amazed look. "What the heck did I do now?"
But Maria just gave him a sour look as the teacher walked up to the front and began the daily ritual search for chalk. Maria's mouth twitched when she heard the teacher mutter, "Damn that Valenti, stealing the chalk again, this isn't funny, unbelievable," and then walk out to her office in search of more.
Alex leaned forward, taking the teacher's fast step out to find out what was wrong. "Come on Ria. Tell me," He asked concerned.
Maria just shook her head, nodding pointedly at Liz in front of her, murmuring between clenched teeth, "Not. Now."
Alex's eyes flew open in understanding. "Ohhhh..I get it.is it." he leaned even closer, his voice quiet and secretive. "Is it that time of month again? Cuz if it is, I don't need to hear anymore. You just say the word, and its yours, and no details, or I just might."
"ALEX!" Maria shouted, half outraged, half amused. "NO! Its not that, I just.its about." She stopped short as Liz turned around, interested by Maria's outburst. "I'll tell you later." She tried to say inconspicuously, but inwardly she groaned at the narrowed look Liz shot at her.
Whoops. Ack never mind. She would make something up to get Liz off her track.
The teacher walked back in with a fresh box of chalk, muttering darkly to herself about stupid senior pranks, and signaled everyone to be quiet.
Maria sighed. Her scheme would have to wait. But she would have to hurry, for Max was becoming relentless.
Just please, if everyone was going to be ignorant, just let Tess be as well.
On second thought, Maria thought smiling smugly. She probably had nothing to worry about.
Nothing at all.
Right?
~*~
Kyle laid back indolently against his locker, which was positioned ever so nicely next-door to Liz's own shabby green one. He looked at her intensely, ideas running through his mind as she shoved in her books, and take out the ones she needed, wondering what she wanted to talk to him about.
"Hey Kyle?" She said, stopping rummaging around and turning to look at him.
"Yea?"
"What's going on with Maria and Alex?"
Kyle tried to feign ignorance, remembering Maria's threat that under NO circumstances, was Liz to figure out that they were plotting against her. "What do you mean?" He asked innocuously.
Liz's eyes narrowed, seeing right through his fake tone. "So you're in on it too? Tell me."
Kyle's eyes widened. Shit. She was a smart little cookie. Why didn't Maria remember that he could lie to save his life? Well, not to Liz anyways. When it came to lying about how all the globes in the building somehow got onto the roof, or why all the chalk in every classroom disappeared, he found it quite easy to talk his way out of suspension. Anyways.
"Umm.well.its nothing really." He watched as Liz's eyes got narrower and narrower.and gulped. She was beginning to scare him a little. "Uh.we were planning a surprise for you.but don't tell Maria I told you!"
"What kind of surprise?"
Was that sweat? Oh God, yes that would be telltale perspiration running down his arm. Beautiful. Think, Kyle, Think! "Umm.for your.for your.for your birthday!"
Liz seemed a bit taken aback. "My birthday? The birthday that isn't for months yet?"
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
"Uhh, well, you know Maria. She likes to urm, get a head start on things." Yea, because THAT was a fact.
Liz wrinkled her nose at him. "Must be a new development then." And she went back to getting her books. Kyle silently crossed himself, before remembering his conversion to Buddhism. Whoops. Gotta remember that one Kyle. He sat there for a minute, now that danger was averted, and pondered over his newest anxiety.
"Hey Liz?" He asked suddenly. "You know me pretty well, right?"
Liz slammed her door shut and spun around to face him, amusement written all over her face. "Uh, yea, why?"
"I don't know. I was just thinking," He broke off at Liz's fake gasp. "YES, I was actually using my what-you-ma-call-it. My brain and whatnot."
Liz breathed deeply. "Oh my Lord, never, in all my wildest crazy dreams did I think something like this finally happen." She wiped away imaginary tears, and placed an exaggerated touch on his shoulder. "I am so proud of you!"
Kyle grinned good-naturedly at her. "Thanks Liz. I appreciate that."
"Anytime"
"So anyways, shocker, I was thinking," his mouth twitched before going on, "This is like, our senior year. Our last year to do anything in High School."
Liz nodded. "Bravo, so you've mastered this funky system we here on earth like to call time. Do continue."
Kyle rolled his eyes. "Is it just me, or you more sarcastic than ever lately?" He immediately regretted it after seeing Liz's face fall at that statement. He could guess what this was about, and for not the first time, he really wished he could kick Max Evan's ass. "Sorry Liz," He said regretfully. "I didn't mean."
Liz shook her head fiercely. "I don't know what you're talking about Kyle. I'm FINE."
Hmm, nice one. Kyle wondered briefly how many times she had to tell herself that one to get her to believe it. But then, what did he know? Anyways, he was talking remember.?
Oh yea.
"So anyways, I was thinking, as you know, that I want to go out with a BANG. I want everyone to remember the name VALENTI, and remember it in AWE." Kyle drifted off into his fantasy, all of his friends, ten years later at the reunion. 'Remember what Valenti did senior year? Yea, that was fucking BRILLIANT!'
"Kyle,"
Yea that's it. Say his name. Say it with pride!
"KYLE,"
Naw, don't say it so irritating, say it like you MEAN IT!
"KYLE!!!"
Wha.
"Hmm?"
"Snap out of your twisted fantasy. The bell rang. You'll have to tell me about your quote un quote "plans" after school." Liz waved a hand in his face, making sure he was really back with reality. After he blinked a couple of times. Liz walked off, giving a little wave as she went.
Turning back to watch where she was going, she plowed straight into a wall.
A warm, BREATHING wall.
Revulsion swept through her and she pushed away from the figure. Eww.
"Hey there Lizzie." Sean Williams grinned at her. His oily smile made her wish she could rush straight for the nearest bathroom to wash her hands.Ick.
"Hi," She said coldly, leaving no more for interpretation. She tried to move around him, but he side swept her and continued walking along side her.
"What do you want?" She finally asked in exasperation, after the forth corner she rounded in her attempts to get rid of him.
"To ask you something, cute stuff."
Cute stuff. CUTE STUFF. Her name was not cute stuff. And if it was, she would definitely be looking into a legal name change. Sigh, just when she thought he couldn't get any MORE slimy.
Just goes to prove it. Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
Sean obviously took her silence as an indication for him to continue. "So I'll pick you up at seven then, Friday night," He smiled smugly.
Well. Gee, that didn't sound like a question. God, it was like he just EXPECTED her to fall down in gratitude that he wanted to go out with her. Nuh uh, no thanks. Completely and totally NOT interested.
"Oh gosh, you know, Friday's not good for me at all," Liz said coldly. And neither was any other day. Ok, now that that was done, off you go little doggie.
"K, Saturday then." Oh god, he was thick all right.
"I said NO Sean, not Friday, not Saturday, not EVER, you got that?" And with that, Liz stalked away, thankfully leaving Sean behind this time.
~*~
Two of Sean's buddies walked up, surveying Liz's retreating figure. "Smooth man," Paulie commented.
"Yea man, we can see how EASY you told us this was going to be," Jordan nudged Sean in the ribs. "Who would have ever thought that we would see the day when Sean Williams got dissed and dismissed by his latest interest? The world is halting on its axis I tell ya,"
Paulie sniggered.
Sean slapped at Jordan's arm, warning him to cut it out. "Shut up," he said. "This is one is just going to take.a little more time.But I guarantee, that by Prom Night, Lizzie Podmore will be all mine for the taking." He grinned evilly. Oh yea. He definitely could not wait. Little Lizzie came back from summer all gorgeous looking, and.. completely immune to his charms, making the chase all the more fun.
Paulie's thick bushy eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Wait a minute. Isn't her last name Parker?"
"Whatever," Sean said flippantly.
Paulie sniggered once more, but Jordan gave him a skeptical look. "I dunno man, I think you're going to need a little inside help on this one."
"Like what?"
Jordan nodded to a guy walking up their way, and up to the drinking fountain. "That guy."
Sean squinted as he tried to make out the tall, raven headed figure. "Who is it?"
"Max Evans, you know, Liz's best friend." Paulie supplied, cottoning onto what Jordan had in mind.
Realization hit Sean like a ton of bricks (don't we all wish). "Oh, I think I know that guy. Tess was complaining about him trying to catch her eye or something." He drifted off, his puny jock mind wheeling for the first time in ages. One could almost hear the rust squeaking.
"You know.I think I know what just might work."
~*~POV~*~
[b] Michael [/b]
Maria's up to something.
I know it. It's a feeling I get, you know, like when your ankle hurts and it's about to rain.
That kind of intuition.
[I] Scary [/I]
Well, that and the fact that Liz came up to me this morning and asked what was going on with Maria and Alex, and then before she walked away, she tossed out that Maria suggested that she needed someone to tell her to shut up every five minutes, a clear indication of a cover up story.
Hmm. Why was I not informed of this idea earlier? Would have made MY life a hell of a lot easy. Shutting Maria up, and having her WANT you to shut her up. But then again, I like my usual way a lot better, where I just kiss her senseless until she hushes up. Hmm, definitely fond of that particular method. Anyways.
But for the first time, I don't think that she is plotting against ME.
Insert sigh of relief here.
But if it's not me, than who is the hapless victim? This is strangely unusual. For the life of me, I cant remember a time when [I]I [/I] haven't been the butt of her schemes and plotting. Which is alleviating to say the least.
But very interesting as well.
Hmm, lets see here. Who could it be?
When I asked Maria about it this afternoon, she gave me an annoyed look and muttered something about "the ignorance of men," but then again, I could be mistaken. As you probably already know, I have better things to do than to listen to Maria rant on. You find that you develop this lovely coping mechanism when you can't tell her to shut up, or kiss her senseless. It's quite simple actually.
You just tune her out. Think of something else, or play a Metallica song in your head.
And then be prepared for her to smack you over the head with her purse/hand/brick/whatever solid objects nearest when she cottons on to the fact that you haven't taken in one word of what she's been going on about.
Oww.
Not to say that I don't love the girl. There's something very alluring about her anger, and of course, her gentle side (Surprise! She does in fact have one. Its there.somewhere...). But naturally I don't make a habit out of provoking her anger.She thinks I do it on purpose, like playing some sort of game.but that's not the case.
Heh, although sometimes, I'll admit, it can be a bit of fun.
Ten points if you make her face turn varying shades of purple.Whoo, I win.
But back to the scheme. I think I know what its about. Maria was seething when Max announced his little 'plan' for senior year, and catching Tess.
Which by the way is a rather stupid plan. Sometimes I wonder if Max is just an idiot, or maybe just a glutton for punishment. I don't know what's up with the guy. I mean, I've always wondered why he hasn't tried anything with Liz yet. It seems like it would be the perfect solution to all this. I mean, the two of them are the only reason that Isabel and I started hanging out with Maria, Alex and Kyle. It's almost painfully obvious.to everyone but them. Eh, oh well. It's not my business. Though Maria might think otherwise. If it's meant to be, Max'll figure it out. With OUT meddling from Maria, though she won't lack for trying.
So that's probably it. She's most likely plotting a way to get Max derailed from his quest for Tess.
Poor guy.
Against one of Maria's good ole schemes, he doesn't stand a chance.
~*~POV~*~
[b] Maria [/b]
Max Evans is a freakin idiot.
Like, seriously.
Here he has Liz right in front of him, and he chooses this point and time to avenge the Barbie doll from Hell. Miss-I-am-So-Perfect-So-Everyone-Bows- Down-To-Me. (Except, well of course, ME. I don't do that status thing)
Unbelievably inane. But then I have never had much faith in the male species. Ever.
I mean look at what I have for a boyfriend. Michael's sole proud accomplishment is that he can grunt in four different vocal intervals, and burp the alphabet.
Bravo. Excuse me while I forget to clap with glee.
But the thing is, I have always had faith in Max. I mean, he's [I] Max [/I] Mr. Sweetie, Mr. Chivalry, Mr. Overbearing Responsibility. Mr. DEPENDABLE. That is until now.
Because what is he doing with that faith? With that carefully maintained trust that there was indeed hope for chauvinists everywhere?
He went and shoved it down the crapper.
Okay, okay. So I am being a bit harsh. But I tend to get all defensive when the feelings of my best friend are messed with.
But here's the kicker. The huge, in your face clincher. The fact that makes you want to scream, yell, and kick things that are expensive over the idiocy of it all.
Maxwell Evans has no clue of the fact that he tossed all this out of the window. None whatsoever. Total blank. A [I] Tabula Rasa [/I] if you will. IGNORANCE of what's really in front of him.
Normally I would write this off as typical male stupidity, and proceed to shine the light in Max's oblivious face.
But no. He TRULY and HONESTLY does not know.
Un-freakin-beliveable.
Or is it?
See, there's another little fact that I forgot to mention. (Actually, I didn't FORGET per say, I was just withholding information until a time I best saw fit. And that time is now. So..)
Liz has no clue either. All she knows is that something is different.
Congratulations! It only took you about ten billion years. Now I swear, if it's going to take Max that long to figure it, let me know so I can go take a walk or something. Honestly.
And there's more. Oh boy, is there more.
She wants it to go away. Liz is trying to HELP Max. Earlier this month, she DEFENDED his decision to chase after Tess's skirt. And for the duration of this month, she has been giving him choked pointers on what approach to take next (of which, thankfully, never really seemed to work). God, that girl is in deeper than I thought. Well, in deeper denial anyways. What is she so scared off? That she might actually find happiness this time? That she might actually discover what Alex and I have wondered all along, that Max is THE one? Her special someone, her Michael to her Maria, her Isabel to her Alex, her Kyle to her.um, slightly horny, imaginary, person that um.
Well, her Kyle to her box of porn. There we go.
Now I know what you are all thinking. Oh my god, this is so screwed up. Is there no hope for this situation?
Na uh uh. I shall wave my little finger (my INDEX finger, thank you very much Kyle) and shake my head at your naivety. For good ole Maria has a plan. Auntie Maria ALWAYS has a plan (Yes that I do. Michael don't give me that incredulous look)
A plan I think just might work and bring happiness back to this little circle of friends.
Good ole schemes. Where would the world be without them?
~*~Part Four~*~
Maria bounced eagerly in her second hour class, waiting impatiently for Alex to arrive. She was so glad that they had this period together. They really needed to talk. This whole Liz and Max tragically-in-love-yet-they- don't-quite-know-it-yet, was getting desperately out of hand. This whole month had been painful to watch. Maria was quite sure that her hairline was receding due to all the hair pulling she had been doing.
Was it possible to go bald at seventeen? Because that would really suck.
Hmm, perhaps she should invest in hats again.
Anyways, if Alex didn't hurry, she wouldn't be able to tell him what she had come up with. She stared piercing at the door, willing him to walk through next.
'Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex.Al-Liz.'
God damn it.
How was she supposed to tell Alex her scheme if Liz was in the room? For if Maria went up to Alex, Liz would surely come over to see what was going on. And then proceed to beat Maria to a bloody pulp once she found out. Alex was a horrid liar.
Or well, Liz would TRY to beat Maria to a bloody pulp, but Maria could take little Lizzy anytime, anywhere. Yea, that's it! Show her what yo' made off Ria! Grr.
"Hey Maria, what's up?"
Maria gulped and smiled nervously. "Oh, um.n-nothing."
'What was that you were saying again? Grr.?' A little voice mocked in her head.
"Oh shut up!"
Liz swiveled around the desk in front of Maria and gave Maria a shocked look. "What?!"
Um, oops? Did she say that out loud?
Wow, she had brilliant deductive skills. Anyhoo, time for damage control. "Uh, nothing. Just talking to myself." Maria said in what she hoped was a jaunty tone, void of any guilt or guile.
Liz arched an amused eyebrow at her blonde crony. "Oh, so you were telling yourself to shut up?"
Why couldn't she have any dumb friends? Nooo she had to befriend Ms. Valedictorian.
"Urm, yea, well, no one has said it to me in a while, so I was.um, going through withdrawal. And besides. SOMEONE needs to tell me that once every few minutes to um, keep me sane, and um, quiet, otherwise, I um, might not, you know, be um, quiet," Maria babbled out. Maybe if she confused Liz enough, she would get off Maria's trail.
Either that, or Maria would succeed in befuddling her own self to the point of no return. Ah, the more likely scenario.
To Maria's relief, Liz just snorted and turned around, while whispering "I'll be sure to pass this ever so useful information to Michael. I'm sure he'd find some use for it."
Maria rolled her eyes. Wonderful. Man, she really needed some dumb friends. Where the hell was Kyle when you need him? And Alex? Lord, she was going to kill that boy. The one day he was late.Argh, probably playing kissy face with Isabel again.
Eww.make.the.visions.stop.now.
Speak of the devil.
Alex Whitman sailed effortlessly through the doorway, just as the final bell was ringing. He slid into a seat next to Maria and grinned spryly at her. "Good morning Maria!"
"Shut up,"
Alex threw her an amazed look. "What the heck did I do now?"
But Maria just gave him a sour look as the teacher walked up to the front and began the daily ritual search for chalk. Maria's mouth twitched when she heard the teacher mutter, "Damn that Valenti, stealing the chalk again, this isn't funny, unbelievable," and then walk out to her office in search of more.
Alex leaned forward, taking the teacher's fast step out to find out what was wrong. "Come on Ria. Tell me," He asked concerned.
Maria just shook her head, nodding pointedly at Liz in front of her, murmuring between clenched teeth, "Not. Now."
Alex's eyes flew open in understanding. "Ohhhh..I get it.is it." he leaned even closer, his voice quiet and secretive. "Is it that time of month again? Cuz if it is, I don't need to hear anymore. You just say the word, and its yours, and no details, or I just might."
"ALEX!" Maria shouted, half outraged, half amused. "NO! Its not that, I just.its about." She stopped short as Liz turned around, interested by Maria's outburst. "I'll tell you later." She tried to say inconspicuously, but inwardly she groaned at the narrowed look Liz shot at her.
Whoops. Ack never mind. She would make something up to get Liz off her track.
The teacher walked back in with a fresh box of chalk, muttering darkly to herself about stupid senior pranks, and signaled everyone to be quiet.
Maria sighed. Her scheme would have to wait. But she would have to hurry, for Max was becoming relentless.
Just please, if everyone was going to be ignorant, just let Tess be as well.
On second thought, Maria thought smiling smugly. She probably had nothing to worry about.
Nothing at all.
Right?
~*~
Kyle laid back indolently against his locker, which was positioned ever so nicely next-door to Liz's own shabby green one. He looked at her intensely, ideas running through his mind as she shoved in her books, and take out the ones she needed, wondering what she wanted to talk to him about.
"Hey Kyle?" She said, stopping rummaging around and turning to look at him.
"Yea?"
"What's going on with Maria and Alex?"
Kyle tried to feign ignorance, remembering Maria's threat that under NO circumstances, was Liz to figure out that they were plotting against her. "What do you mean?" He asked innocuously.
Liz's eyes narrowed, seeing right through his fake tone. "So you're in on it too? Tell me."
Kyle's eyes widened. Shit. She was a smart little cookie. Why didn't Maria remember that he could lie to save his life? Well, not to Liz anyways. When it came to lying about how all the globes in the building somehow got onto the roof, or why all the chalk in every classroom disappeared, he found it quite easy to talk his way out of suspension. Anyways.
"Umm.well.its nothing really." He watched as Liz's eyes got narrower and narrower.and gulped. She was beginning to scare him a little. "Uh.we were planning a surprise for you.but don't tell Maria I told you!"
"What kind of surprise?"
Was that sweat? Oh God, yes that would be telltale perspiration running down his arm. Beautiful. Think, Kyle, Think! "Umm.for your.for your.for your birthday!"
Liz seemed a bit taken aback. "My birthday? The birthday that isn't for months yet?"
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
"Uhh, well, you know Maria. She likes to urm, get a head start on things." Yea, because THAT was a fact.
Liz wrinkled her nose at him. "Must be a new development then." And she went back to getting her books. Kyle silently crossed himself, before remembering his conversion to Buddhism. Whoops. Gotta remember that one Kyle. He sat there for a minute, now that danger was averted, and pondered over his newest anxiety.
"Hey Liz?" He asked suddenly. "You know me pretty well, right?"
Liz slammed her door shut and spun around to face him, amusement written all over her face. "Uh, yea, why?"
"I don't know. I was just thinking," He broke off at Liz's fake gasp. "YES, I was actually using my what-you-ma-call-it. My brain and whatnot."
Liz breathed deeply. "Oh my Lord, never, in all my wildest crazy dreams did I think something like this finally happen." She wiped away imaginary tears, and placed an exaggerated touch on his shoulder. "I am so proud of you!"
Kyle grinned good-naturedly at her. "Thanks Liz. I appreciate that."
"Anytime"
"So anyways, shocker, I was thinking," his mouth twitched before going on, "This is like, our senior year. Our last year to do anything in High School."
Liz nodded. "Bravo, so you've mastered this funky system we here on earth like to call time. Do continue."
Kyle rolled his eyes. "Is it just me, or you more sarcastic than ever lately?" He immediately regretted it after seeing Liz's face fall at that statement. He could guess what this was about, and for not the first time, he really wished he could kick Max Evan's ass. "Sorry Liz," He said regretfully. "I didn't mean."
Liz shook her head fiercely. "I don't know what you're talking about Kyle. I'm FINE."
Hmm, nice one. Kyle wondered briefly how many times she had to tell herself that one to get her to believe it. But then, what did he know? Anyways, he was talking remember.?
Oh yea.
"So anyways, I was thinking, as you know, that I want to go out with a BANG. I want everyone to remember the name VALENTI, and remember it in AWE." Kyle drifted off into his fantasy, all of his friends, ten years later at the reunion. 'Remember what Valenti did senior year? Yea, that was fucking BRILLIANT!'
"Kyle,"
Yea that's it. Say his name. Say it with pride!
"KYLE,"
Naw, don't say it so irritating, say it like you MEAN IT!
"KYLE!!!"
Wha.
"Hmm?"
"Snap out of your twisted fantasy. The bell rang. You'll have to tell me about your quote un quote "plans" after school." Liz waved a hand in his face, making sure he was really back with reality. After he blinked a couple of times. Liz walked off, giving a little wave as she went.
Turning back to watch where she was going, she plowed straight into a wall.
A warm, BREATHING wall.
Revulsion swept through her and she pushed away from the figure. Eww.
"Hey there Lizzie." Sean Williams grinned at her. His oily smile made her wish she could rush straight for the nearest bathroom to wash her hands.Ick.
"Hi," She said coldly, leaving no more for interpretation. She tried to move around him, but he side swept her and continued walking along side her.
"What do you want?" She finally asked in exasperation, after the forth corner she rounded in her attempts to get rid of him.
"To ask you something, cute stuff."
Cute stuff. CUTE STUFF. Her name was not cute stuff. And if it was, she would definitely be looking into a legal name change. Sigh, just when she thought he couldn't get any MORE slimy.
Just goes to prove it. Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
Sean obviously took her silence as an indication for him to continue. "So I'll pick you up at seven then, Friday night," He smiled smugly.
Well. Gee, that didn't sound like a question. God, it was like he just EXPECTED her to fall down in gratitude that he wanted to go out with her. Nuh uh, no thanks. Completely and totally NOT interested.
"Oh gosh, you know, Friday's not good for me at all," Liz said coldly. And neither was any other day. Ok, now that that was done, off you go little doggie.
"K, Saturday then." Oh god, he was thick all right.
"I said NO Sean, not Friday, not Saturday, not EVER, you got that?" And with that, Liz stalked away, thankfully leaving Sean behind this time.
~*~
Two of Sean's buddies walked up, surveying Liz's retreating figure. "Smooth man," Paulie commented.
"Yea man, we can see how EASY you told us this was going to be," Jordan nudged Sean in the ribs. "Who would have ever thought that we would see the day when Sean Williams got dissed and dismissed by his latest interest? The world is halting on its axis I tell ya,"
Paulie sniggered.
Sean slapped at Jordan's arm, warning him to cut it out. "Shut up," he said. "This is one is just going to take.a little more time.But I guarantee, that by Prom Night, Lizzie Podmore will be all mine for the taking." He grinned evilly. Oh yea. He definitely could not wait. Little Lizzie came back from summer all gorgeous looking, and.. completely immune to his charms, making the chase all the more fun.
Paulie's thick bushy eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Wait a minute. Isn't her last name Parker?"
"Whatever," Sean said flippantly.
Paulie sniggered once more, but Jordan gave him a skeptical look. "I dunno man, I think you're going to need a little inside help on this one."
"Like what?"
Jordan nodded to a guy walking up their way, and up to the drinking fountain. "That guy."
Sean squinted as he tried to make out the tall, raven headed figure. "Who is it?"
"Max Evans, you know, Liz's best friend." Paulie supplied, cottoning onto what Jordan had in mind.
Realization hit Sean like a ton of bricks (don't we all wish). "Oh, I think I know that guy. Tess was complaining about him trying to catch her eye or something." He drifted off, his puny jock mind wheeling for the first time in ages. One could almost hear the rust squeaking.
"You know.I think I know what just might work."
~*~POV~*~
[b] Michael [/b]
Maria's up to something.
I know it. It's a feeling I get, you know, like when your ankle hurts and it's about to rain.
That kind of intuition.
[I] Scary [/I]
Well, that and the fact that Liz came up to me this morning and asked what was going on with Maria and Alex, and then before she walked away, she tossed out that Maria suggested that she needed someone to tell her to shut up every five minutes, a clear indication of a cover up story.
Hmm. Why was I not informed of this idea earlier? Would have made MY life a hell of a lot easy. Shutting Maria up, and having her WANT you to shut her up. But then again, I like my usual way a lot better, where I just kiss her senseless until she hushes up. Hmm, definitely fond of that particular method. Anyways.
But for the first time, I don't think that she is plotting against ME.
Insert sigh of relief here.
But if it's not me, than who is the hapless victim? This is strangely unusual. For the life of me, I cant remember a time when [I]I [/I] haven't been the butt of her schemes and plotting. Which is alleviating to say the least.
But very interesting as well.
Hmm, lets see here. Who could it be?
When I asked Maria about it this afternoon, she gave me an annoyed look and muttered something about "the ignorance of men," but then again, I could be mistaken. As you probably already know, I have better things to do than to listen to Maria rant on. You find that you develop this lovely coping mechanism when you can't tell her to shut up, or kiss her senseless. It's quite simple actually.
You just tune her out. Think of something else, or play a Metallica song in your head.
And then be prepared for her to smack you over the head with her purse/hand/brick/whatever solid objects nearest when she cottons on to the fact that you haven't taken in one word of what she's been going on about.
Oww.
Not to say that I don't love the girl. There's something very alluring about her anger, and of course, her gentle side (Surprise! She does in fact have one. Its there.somewhere...). But naturally I don't make a habit out of provoking her anger.She thinks I do it on purpose, like playing some sort of game.but that's not the case.
Heh, although sometimes, I'll admit, it can be a bit of fun.
Ten points if you make her face turn varying shades of purple.Whoo, I win.
But back to the scheme. I think I know what its about. Maria was seething when Max announced his little 'plan' for senior year, and catching Tess.
Which by the way is a rather stupid plan. Sometimes I wonder if Max is just an idiot, or maybe just a glutton for punishment. I don't know what's up with the guy. I mean, I've always wondered why he hasn't tried anything with Liz yet. It seems like it would be the perfect solution to all this. I mean, the two of them are the only reason that Isabel and I started hanging out with Maria, Alex and Kyle. It's almost painfully obvious.to everyone but them. Eh, oh well. It's not my business. Though Maria might think otherwise. If it's meant to be, Max'll figure it out. With OUT meddling from Maria, though she won't lack for trying.
So that's probably it. She's most likely plotting a way to get Max derailed from his quest for Tess.
Poor guy.
Against one of Maria's good ole schemes, he doesn't stand a chance.