PART 4-City Lights
Max had just come home form his last day of
school before vacation--2 weeks, just him and Tess.
Two weeks of vacation and then graduation. In a way he
was looking forward to it, but he was also dismayed
because he knew that it wasn't Tess he wanted to be
with. Max wanted to be with Liz. But he knew that
wasn't possible. Liz had slept with Kyle, she had
never really loved him. Or had she? Max couldn't
figure it out. He thought that they had had this
amazing and beautifully deep love, one that nothing
could ever break up, especially not a jealous
ex-boyfriend. But that was what had happened. He still
couldn't understand it sometimes. Max walked up to the
mailbox and took out his mail. Bills, bills, letter
from Michael, next weeks schedule, note from Tess. He
opened the note from Tess first. He sat down at the
table and poured a cup of coffee.
Max,
I'm really sorry, but I have another business
trip. I'm going down to NY for the next two weeks. I
know we were supposed to spend time together when you
were off, but they said if I said no, they'd fire me.
I'm really sorry Max. I promise we'll spend some time
together really soon. I swear. I love you. Have fun on
your break. Don't study too hard!
Love,
Tess
Well. That's interesting. Max thought about the note
for a few minutes. He thought about how he had just
been thinking about Liz. He had never really
straightened things out with her. He had always known
he should have, but he never did. Maybe now was the
time. Maybe he should go up to San Fransisco and visit
her. It wouldn't be obvious or anything, he'd stay
with Iz and Alex, or Michael and Maria. It's not like
he'd be there just to see Liz. With that Max decided
to go down to San Fransisco. He called Isabel and she
said they'd be glad to have company. Max began to pack
as soon as he was off the phone.
"Who was that?" Alex asked.
"Oh, it was Max. He's coming down for a couple
weeks. Tess is off on a business trip in NY, and so
hefigured he'd come visit, us and Michael and Maria I
guess."
"Cool. So he's staying here?"
"Yeah, I told him that'd be fine."
"Great, we should get the whole San Fransisco
gang together for the event, maybe we could even
convince Kyle to take a break from his strenuos
football schedule." Alex said.
"Even Liz?"
"Oh. I see what you mean. But Liz is our friend
just as much as Max is. I mean, I know Maria would be
offended if we didn't invite her. And besides, if it's
really that awkward, they'll just avoid eachother."
"You're right."
"When's he gonna be here?" Alex asked.
"Tomorrow around five."
"So the party will be on Saturday."
"Great." Isabel said.
Alex called Maria.
"Hey Maria."
"Alex! Hi!"
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"Max is coming down for a couple weeks and me and
Iz thought it would be cool if the whole gang could
have a little party. Are you and Michael busy on
Saturday?"
"No, I don't think so. I'd love to see Max again.
I haven't seen him since the wedding! What about
Tess?"
"Oh, Tess is on a business trip or something."
"Oh, well that's too bad. Do you need me to bring
anything?"
"Umm, I don't think so, but could you call Liz
and ask her to come? I don't think I'm as good at
convincing her of things as you are."
"Sure, I'll call her. I think she's not gonna
want to come, but I'll make sure she does."
"Great, now we just have to convince Kyle to drag
his ass up here."
"Shouldn't be too hard."
"Yeah, I hope."
"See ya Alex."
"Bye Maria."
click.
---------------
"Kyle?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, hi Kyle, it's Alex."
"Hi Alex, what's up?"
"Not much, but I was wondering if you might wanna
come down this weekend, Max is gonna be here, and we
were thinking about having a little party to just
bring the old gang back together again."
"Sounds good to me."
"Really? I mean, you'll come?"
"Sure. I've got nothing else to do this weekend."
"So I'll see you Saturday arounf three?"
"Okay."
"Great. Bye Kyle."
"Bye."
-----------------------
"Iz, everybody's coming. Actually, I still have
to make sure about Liz, but I'm pretty sure Maria can
convince her."
"Great. Sweetie, Saturday's gonna be so much fun.
I mean the gang back together again. It's really gonna
be cool."
"I know." Alex replied. He looked up at her and
she leaned down to kiss him. He loved her so much. It
was amazing. He never imagined that he would ever be
with Isabel Evans. But he was. And it was just like he
had imagined it. Perfect.
------------------------------
Max drove up to San Fransisco, the traffic had been
unbearable, but now it was pretty clear. He drove at
top speed. He couldn't wait to see his sister, and
Michael, Alex and Maria. This vacation was gonna be
pretty close to perfect. Max speede up. He didn't want
to be caught in more traffic. It was Saturday at three
o'clock, and Max was still about two hours from his
destination. He just kept on driving.
-------------------------------
At first Liz had strongly objected to going to this
party. She really didn't want to see Max again. She
just didn't. She couldn't take seeing him anymore.
Every time she saw him, she have a breakdown and she'd
cry for days. Liz hated that feeling. The feeling of
emptiness. That knowledge that Max was the only man
she could ever love. That burning in the pit of her
stomach, the urges to touch him, be with him. That's
why she had said no. But no wasn't the answer Maria
wanted to hear. Of course not. Maria had to be a
stubborn bitch...(not really, but she didn't want to
go!) and force her to go. It wouldn't be, couldn't be
that bad could it? Tess wouldn't be there. She could
just avoid Max. She didn't have to talk to him, or
even look at him if she didn't want to. She could
always make up some lame excuse and go home if she had
to. Liz tried to assure herself that this time it
wouldn't be so bad, but inside her heart, she knew it
would never go away.
------------------------------
Max walked up to Iz's house. He couldn't wait to see
her again. He really missed her and Alex and the
others. Maybe he should really move down here. It was
something to think about.
KNOCK, KNOCK
"Max!" Isabel screamed.
"Hey Iz!" The two hugged. She grabbed his hand
and dragged him inside.
"Surprise!" They yelled.
"Oh my God! You're all here!" Max said. His eyes
wandered over to Liz. She looked away.
"We thought it would be a nice surprise to get
the gang back together again."
"Wow, I've really missed you guys."
"We've missed you too Max." Maria said, and gave
him a big hug.
"Yeah man. I've missed you, but no hugging,
okay?" Michael said.
"Right." Max answered. He said hello to everyone,
and headed over to Liz.
*Shit. Shit shit shit. Why? Why did I ever agree
to come to this party? Shit. Turn around, turn around,
turn around. Dammit.* Liz thought.
"Max. Hi."
"Hey Liz."
"So...umm, how's school going?"
"Oh, fine. You know the usual."
"Yeah."
"Liz, I umm...I wanted to talk to you, I
mean...we never really, ahh, resolved things between
us."
"Maybe there was nothing to resolve."
"I know you don't believe that. What we had...it
was so much more, then just...love, and you and
Klye...sometimes I still can't believe it. But Liz, I
don't want us to hate eachother."
"I don't hate you Max."
"I, you...you don't? I mean, I thought...look,
Liz, umm, I, can we at least be...friends?" Max asked
her.
"I, I don't think...I, yeah I guess." Liz said.
*No Max! No we can't be friends! I love you too
much to be just friends! Damn you Max! Why, why do you
always do this?* Liz thought. Max looked at her and
smiled.
"Thanks Liz."
"Mmhhmmm."
Liz got up and told Maria she had an awful headache
and needed to go home. Maria decided that it was
enough that Liz had come to the party. She also knew
that Max had talked to her earlier, and Maria knew
that that must have shaken Liz up.
"If you need to talk, just call me okay?"
"Got it."
"Feel better."
"Thanks, bye."
"See ya Liz."
Max wathced as Liz left. He knew it had something to
do with him. He decided to forget it, of course it
didn'y have anything to do with him. She probably had
to work early the next day. Max walked out onto the
balcony that overlooked the city. He gazed out at the
city lights. They were so beautiful. He looked at the
stars, and back down at the city. It was then that he
realized that he had resolved nothing with Liz, and
now was the only time he could. He told Isabel and the
others he was going for a walk, but he took his car
and drove out to Liz's house. He neede to talk to her.
Tell her how he felt.
Liz went upstairs and changed into her pajamas.
She could feel the tears coming. She walked back
downstairs and Romeo and Juliet. She grabbed a blanket
and sat on the couch watching the horrible
shakespearian tragedy. She cried throughout the entire
movie. The end was inevitable. They were destined to
die, separated. The ultimate sacrifice...or was it?
Was the ultimate sacrifice giving your life for the
one you love? Or was it living on with the knowledge
that you can never again be together, and watching
your love with another? Either way...Liz had made the
ultimate sacrifice for Max. She had basically given
him her life. She might as well be dead. There was
nothing to live for.
KNOCK, KNOCK
*What the hell?* Liz thought. *Who on Earth is
that?* Liz walked over to the door. It was probably
Maria, checking up on her, making sure she was okay.
Well she wasn't. And it was Maria's fault, wasn't it?
Maria had forced her to go to the party...Liz stopped
herself. *Stop it! You're being ridiculous. Just open
th door!* Liz wiped the tears from her face as best as
she could. She opened the door, and stared up into the
eyes of the one person she couldn't forget about, Max
Evans.
He looked down at her. She had been crying. He
leaned down and kissed her. Liz kissed him back. She
pressed her body up against his, held him to her. Then
she pulled away.
"Max..." She gasped.
"I know Liz, but I..." Max replied. Liz shut the
door.
"Max, I don't think this is such a good idea."
Liz said.
"I don't care." He said. He kissed her again. Lz
couldn't help it. But finally she pushed him away
again.
"Max, this is wrong, you're with Tess now."
"But I don't love her, Liz. I love you. Please, I
need you to know that I love you."
"I, I love you too."
"You, and Kyle...?" Max asked. Liz shook her
head.
"You came to me Max. You told me to." Liz said,
tears streaming down her face. Max was confused.
"I told you to?"
"Not you, but your future self. He came to me and
told me I had to make you fall out of love with me, or
else our love would cause the end of the world. I
tried, Max. I tried to push you and Tess together. I
knew that you had to be together...but you, you loved
me too much, and you wouldn't, and it was the only
thing I could think of. I didn't want to hurt you Max.
I had to. I never slept with Kyle, It was a setup. I
never wanted to hurt you Max. Every time I see you...I
have to remeber the pain I caused you, the pain I
inflicted upon myself. God Max, there's never gonna be
another you." Liz whispered. She wrapped her arms
around herself and let the tears flow.
"Liz...I had no idea. God! How could I do that to
you?" He asked. He walked over to Liz and embraced
her. "It's okay Liz. I love you." He looked down at
her. She had finally stopped crying. He kissed away
her tears. Liz clung to him.
"Max..." She whispered. He kissed her again.
"Sshhh. It's okay. I'm here now. I know." She
looked up at him with her beautiful brown eyes, and
kissed him. It felt so good to be back in his arms.
TBC-DON'T MISS PART 5-THE MOVE
Max had just come home form his last day of
school before vacation--2 weeks, just him and Tess.
Two weeks of vacation and then graduation. In a way he
was looking forward to it, but he was also dismayed
because he knew that it wasn't Tess he wanted to be
with. Max wanted to be with Liz. But he knew that
wasn't possible. Liz had slept with Kyle, she had
never really loved him. Or had she? Max couldn't
figure it out. He thought that they had had this
amazing and beautifully deep love, one that nothing
could ever break up, especially not a jealous
ex-boyfriend. But that was what had happened. He still
couldn't understand it sometimes. Max walked up to the
mailbox and took out his mail. Bills, bills, letter
from Michael, next weeks schedule, note from Tess. He
opened the note from Tess first. He sat down at the
table and poured a cup of coffee.
Max,
I'm really sorry, but I have another business
trip. I'm going down to NY for the next two weeks. I
know we were supposed to spend time together when you
were off, but they said if I said no, they'd fire me.
I'm really sorry Max. I promise we'll spend some time
together really soon. I swear. I love you. Have fun on
your break. Don't study too hard!
Love,
Tess
Well. That's interesting. Max thought about the note
for a few minutes. He thought about how he had just
been thinking about Liz. He had never really
straightened things out with her. He had always known
he should have, but he never did. Maybe now was the
time. Maybe he should go up to San Fransisco and visit
her. It wouldn't be obvious or anything, he'd stay
with Iz and Alex, or Michael and Maria. It's not like
he'd be there just to see Liz. With that Max decided
to go down to San Fransisco. He called Isabel and she
said they'd be glad to have company. Max began to pack
as soon as he was off the phone.
"Who was that?" Alex asked.
"Oh, it was Max. He's coming down for a couple
weeks. Tess is off on a business trip in NY, and so
hefigured he'd come visit, us and Michael and Maria I
guess."
"Cool. So he's staying here?"
"Yeah, I told him that'd be fine."
"Great, we should get the whole San Fransisco
gang together for the event, maybe we could even
convince Kyle to take a break from his strenuos
football schedule." Alex said.
"Even Liz?"
"Oh. I see what you mean. But Liz is our friend
just as much as Max is. I mean, I know Maria would be
offended if we didn't invite her. And besides, if it's
really that awkward, they'll just avoid eachother."
"You're right."
"When's he gonna be here?" Alex asked.
"Tomorrow around five."
"So the party will be on Saturday."
"Great." Isabel said.
Alex called Maria.
"Hey Maria."
"Alex! Hi!"
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"Max is coming down for a couple weeks and me and
Iz thought it would be cool if the whole gang could
have a little party. Are you and Michael busy on
Saturday?"
"No, I don't think so. I'd love to see Max again.
I haven't seen him since the wedding! What about
Tess?"
"Oh, Tess is on a business trip or something."
"Oh, well that's too bad. Do you need me to bring
anything?"
"Umm, I don't think so, but could you call Liz
and ask her to come? I don't think I'm as good at
convincing her of things as you are."
"Sure, I'll call her. I think she's not gonna
want to come, but I'll make sure she does."
"Great, now we just have to convince Kyle to drag
his ass up here."
"Shouldn't be too hard."
"Yeah, I hope."
"See ya Alex."
"Bye Maria."
click.
---------------
"Kyle?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, hi Kyle, it's Alex."
"Hi Alex, what's up?"
"Not much, but I was wondering if you might wanna
come down this weekend, Max is gonna be here, and we
were thinking about having a little party to just
bring the old gang back together again."
"Sounds good to me."
"Really? I mean, you'll come?"
"Sure. I've got nothing else to do this weekend."
"So I'll see you Saturday arounf three?"
"Okay."
"Great. Bye Kyle."
"Bye."
-----------------------
"Iz, everybody's coming. Actually, I still have
to make sure about Liz, but I'm pretty sure Maria can
convince her."
"Great. Sweetie, Saturday's gonna be so much fun.
I mean the gang back together again. It's really gonna
be cool."
"I know." Alex replied. He looked up at her and
she leaned down to kiss him. He loved her so much. It
was amazing. He never imagined that he would ever be
with Isabel Evans. But he was. And it was just like he
had imagined it. Perfect.
------------------------------
Max drove up to San Fransisco, the traffic had been
unbearable, but now it was pretty clear. He drove at
top speed. He couldn't wait to see his sister, and
Michael, Alex and Maria. This vacation was gonna be
pretty close to perfect. Max speede up. He didn't want
to be caught in more traffic. It was Saturday at three
o'clock, and Max was still about two hours from his
destination. He just kept on driving.
-------------------------------
At first Liz had strongly objected to going to this
party. She really didn't want to see Max again. She
just didn't. She couldn't take seeing him anymore.
Every time she saw him, she have a breakdown and she'd
cry for days. Liz hated that feeling. The feeling of
emptiness. That knowledge that Max was the only man
she could ever love. That burning in the pit of her
stomach, the urges to touch him, be with him. That's
why she had said no. But no wasn't the answer Maria
wanted to hear. Of course not. Maria had to be a
stubborn bitch...(not really, but she didn't want to
go!) and force her to go. It wouldn't be, couldn't be
that bad could it? Tess wouldn't be there. She could
just avoid Max. She didn't have to talk to him, or
even look at him if she didn't want to. She could
always make up some lame excuse and go home if she had
to. Liz tried to assure herself that this time it
wouldn't be so bad, but inside her heart, she knew it
would never go away.
------------------------------
Max walked up to Iz's house. He couldn't wait to see
her again. He really missed her and Alex and the
others. Maybe he should really move down here. It was
something to think about.
KNOCK, KNOCK
"Max!" Isabel screamed.
"Hey Iz!" The two hugged. She grabbed his hand
and dragged him inside.
"Surprise!" They yelled.
"Oh my God! You're all here!" Max said. His eyes
wandered over to Liz. She looked away.
"We thought it would be a nice surprise to get
the gang back together again."
"Wow, I've really missed you guys."
"We've missed you too Max." Maria said, and gave
him a big hug.
"Yeah man. I've missed you, but no hugging,
okay?" Michael said.
"Right." Max answered. He said hello to everyone,
and headed over to Liz.
*Shit. Shit shit shit. Why? Why did I ever agree
to come to this party? Shit. Turn around, turn around,
turn around. Dammit.* Liz thought.
"Max. Hi."
"Hey Liz."
"So...umm, how's school going?"
"Oh, fine. You know the usual."
"Yeah."
"Liz, I umm...I wanted to talk to you, I
mean...we never really, ahh, resolved things between
us."
"Maybe there was nothing to resolve."
"I know you don't believe that. What we had...it
was so much more, then just...love, and you and
Klye...sometimes I still can't believe it. But Liz, I
don't want us to hate eachother."
"I don't hate you Max."
"I, you...you don't? I mean, I thought...look,
Liz, umm, I, can we at least be...friends?" Max asked
her.
"I, I don't think...I, yeah I guess." Liz said.
*No Max! No we can't be friends! I love you too
much to be just friends! Damn you Max! Why, why do you
always do this?* Liz thought. Max looked at her and
smiled.
"Thanks Liz."
"Mmhhmmm."
Liz got up and told Maria she had an awful headache
and needed to go home. Maria decided that it was
enough that Liz had come to the party. She also knew
that Max had talked to her earlier, and Maria knew
that that must have shaken Liz up.
"If you need to talk, just call me okay?"
"Got it."
"Feel better."
"Thanks, bye."
"See ya Liz."
Max wathced as Liz left. He knew it had something to
do with him. He decided to forget it, of course it
didn'y have anything to do with him. She probably had
to work early the next day. Max walked out onto the
balcony that overlooked the city. He gazed out at the
city lights. They were so beautiful. He looked at the
stars, and back down at the city. It was then that he
realized that he had resolved nothing with Liz, and
now was the only time he could. He told Isabel and the
others he was going for a walk, but he took his car
and drove out to Liz's house. He neede to talk to her.
Tell her how he felt.
Liz went upstairs and changed into her pajamas.
She could feel the tears coming. She walked back
downstairs and Romeo and Juliet. She grabbed a blanket
and sat on the couch watching the horrible
shakespearian tragedy. She cried throughout the entire
movie. The end was inevitable. They were destined to
die, separated. The ultimate sacrifice...or was it?
Was the ultimate sacrifice giving your life for the
one you love? Or was it living on with the knowledge
that you can never again be together, and watching
your love with another? Either way...Liz had made the
ultimate sacrifice for Max. She had basically given
him her life. She might as well be dead. There was
nothing to live for.
KNOCK, KNOCK
*What the hell?* Liz thought. *Who on Earth is
that?* Liz walked over to the door. It was probably
Maria, checking up on her, making sure she was okay.
Well she wasn't. And it was Maria's fault, wasn't it?
Maria had forced her to go to the party...Liz stopped
herself. *Stop it! You're being ridiculous. Just open
th door!* Liz wiped the tears from her face as best as
she could. She opened the door, and stared up into the
eyes of the one person she couldn't forget about, Max
Evans.
He looked down at her. She had been crying. He
leaned down and kissed her. Liz kissed him back. She
pressed her body up against his, held him to her. Then
she pulled away.
"Max..." She gasped.
"I know Liz, but I..." Max replied. Liz shut the
door.
"Max, I don't think this is such a good idea."
Liz said.
"I don't care." He said. He kissed her again. Lz
couldn't help it. But finally she pushed him away
again.
"Max, this is wrong, you're with Tess now."
"But I don't love her, Liz. I love you. Please, I
need you to know that I love you."
"I, I love you too."
"You, and Kyle...?" Max asked. Liz shook her
head.
"You came to me Max. You told me to." Liz said,
tears streaming down her face. Max was confused.
"I told you to?"
"Not you, but your future self. He came to me and
told me I had to make you fall out of love with me, or
else our love would cause the end of the world. I
tried, Max. I tried to push you and Tess together. I
knew that you had to be together...but you, you loved
me too much, and you wouldn't, and it was the only
thing I could think of. I didn't want to hurt you Max.
I had to. I never slept with Kyle, It was a setup. I
never wanted to hurt you Max. Every time I see you...I
have to remeber the pain I caused you, the pain I
inflicted upon myself. God Max, there's never gonna be
another you." Liz whispered. She wrapped her arms
around herself and let the tears flow.
"Liz...I had no idea. God! How could I do that to
you?" He asked. He walked over to Liz and embraced
her. "It's okay Liz. I love you." He looked down at
her. She had finally stopped crying. He kissed away
her tears. Liz clung to him.
"Max..." She whispered. He kissed her again.
"Sshhh. It's okay. I'm here now. I know." She
looked up at him with her beautiful brown eyes, and
kissed him. It felt so good to be back in his arms.
TBC-DON'T MISS PART 5-THE MOVE