Chapter 2:



Walking through the throng of weary faced students, Max Evans finally reached
the small table where he sat with his brother and sister, Michael and Isabel. It was
secluded away from others to make sure that no one ever knew who they really were.
Where they sat, no one could ever find anything about them, just as how they promised
it would always be. It was away from everyone, just as they wanted it and always
would, but there was a little part in each that wanted to feel that special sense of
belonging. The part inside of Max was bigger than Isabel and Michael's. He wanted
friends. He wanted Liz. He wanted her forever.


As he sat down on the wooden bench, he placed his head in the palm of his
hands to shake his mind free of the thoughts of Liz. With his eyes closed, Liz Parker's
face never left his mind. He saw everything that made him love her more than he
already did. The way her eyes lit up when she walked into a room full of people. Her
golden skin, which he longed to touch. The silky hair that Max wanted to run his fingers
through.


Gosh, she is even more beautiful that I ever imagined', he thought. As the
thoughts became deeper, Max couldn't hear the concerned voice of his sister. "Max,
you okay? Did something happen?" she asked worriedly.


"No, Izzie, nothing happened. Just...," Max said, trailing away on his words
when he found that words could not even describe what had happened. It was
impossible. He finally met the girl who's picture is stuck in his mind all the time,
wherever he goes. The girl who he looked forward to seeing each night in his dreams
where his life was how he wanted it. The girl, which he wished he could talk to when
he needed a friend to listen. And maybe one day, he might actually have the nerves to
speak to her without walking away from her just as he always did when he felt his heart
speeding to a rapid past.


Hearing the sound of that penetrating bell on the speakers on the light post,
which signalled the end of the lunch period, Max grabbed his things, only to rush off in
hopes of catching a final glance at Liz Parker before going to his next class. 'hat am I
thinking? She probably will never talk to me, Max thought.


Across the court yard, Liz Parker, Alex Whitman, and Maria Deluca jumped up at
the sound of the shrilling bell. They walked towards Liz's locker to talk about her
sudden change in behavior since they had entered the quad. Even though Maria knew
what was stuck on her mind, she didn't tell Alex she knew. She didn't think that Liz
wanted him to know right now, but when he did know, Alex was going to have a flip.
When reaching her locker, Alex and Maria stood around her, wanting no one to hear
their conversation. "Lizzie, you okay? Is there something that you need to talk about?"
Alex asked. She shook her head in response.


Liz didn't want to talk about what happened right now.


When he walked into the school, he could feel her presence all around him. She
was somewhere near. Looking ahead at the set of yellow lockers, he saw her talking
with Alex and Maria. A feeling of jealousy hit him in the stomach. Even if he was in her
life, there would always be Alex and Maria, which would always come before him, but if
only he was in her life. He stood there behind the wall separating themselves from each
other. As his thoughts became deeper, he didn't notice that Liz was walking around the
corner. The books in her hands scattered all over the floor.


"I'm...so..so-rry," he stammered. As she heard his voice, she whipped her head
to look up into the eyes of the mysterious man she had an encounter with at lunch.
"It's you," she whispered.


Max's heart was glowing with bliss. Here she was...Liz Parker. And now, no one
was around. It was just Max Evans and Liz Parker, just as how it happened in his
dreams of her at night. He lowered his head to keep from revealing the red amber
finding it's way into his cheeks. He didn't want her to see the way she affected him. No
one knew the affect that Liz had on him. Before he knew it, the books were picked up,
expect for one. Their eyes both caught sight of it. Reaching for it, their hands only
collided with each other. Bolts of strong electricity raced through her body all the way
to her finger tips.


Words could not describe what Liz Parker just felt, something that she had never
felt in her life. Her heart was beaming with happiness, which sometimes was hard to
feel for her for she was so busy on school work. Never had she felt so wonderful. How
could he not have a girl friend, she thought. His eyes were dark, and any girl could just
loose her self in them, just as she had. But she noticed something different. There was
something in his eyes that gave her a feeling inside. He was hiding something. Liz
promised herself that she would find out that secret. They stood up, brushing their
pants off and backed away from each other.


"I'm Liz Parker," Liz said, while sticking out her hand for him to shake. Max
stared down at her hand, which was waiting for him to take. But he didn't. He looked
up into her eyes, and when he did he noticed them filled with hurt.


"I know," Max said softly. A smile spread across Liz's face when he spoke those
words to her. No guy has ever spoken to me that way, Liz thought. They just stood
there, gazing into there eyes.


When Mrs. Topolosky emerged from her office, she immediately caught sight of
the two students. As soon as Max and Liz heard the sounds of her clicking heels, they
were greeted by the principal. "What do you two think you are doing in these halls?
Aren't you supposed to be in class right now?" she asked.


"I'm really sorry Mrs. Topolsky," Liz paused. "Umm, he was just helping me pick
up my books." And that was when Liz realized that she did not even know this guys
name.


When the principal gave the two students passes to class, Max was turning to go
to Mr. Seligman, when Liz's soft voice stopped him. "What's your name?" she asked.
He turned around and faced her.


"Max. Max Evans," he replied. And then Max was off to astronomy. Like Liz, he
couldn't afford another tardy. "He sure is special," Liz said to her self. "I just don't
know what makes him special." Before another teacher came out into the halls, Liz
picked up her book bag and was off to Miss Hardy's biology class.


When the last bell of the day rang, Liz Parker was greeted at her locker by Maria
and Alex. "Hey girl!," Maria said, her voice full of perk.


"Hey Maria," Liz said.


"So did you see him again," Maria asked, wanting to know every detail.


Liz shook her head. "Yeah, I saw him right after you and Alex left at lunch.
Gosh, Maria, I like him so much and I don't even know him."


"Well maybe I should just change that," Maria said, laughing.


"You wouldn't, Maria," Liz said.


"Oh I would," Maria answered. Liz groaned. Oh well, she thought.


Smiling, they both walked back over to Alex. Locking arms, the three friends
exited the doors to go eat at the Crashdown, the place where everyone hung out. The
Crashdown was owned by the family of Hardings.


Tess, the family's oldest daughter was also a student of West Roswell. Right
now Tess was dating the captain of the foot ball team, Kyle Valenti. The couple was
also a part of Liz's clique.


When riding in Maria's Jetta, Max's voice kept replaying its self in Liz's head.
'Max...Max Evans'.


As soon as they entered the Crashdown which was filled with grumbling
customers, greasy food, and the students of West Roswell, the friends found their usual
spot. Pam Troy, the annoying waitress, came and took their orders.


"What can I get you," she said, her voice squeaky. Taking extra amount of time,
the friends just decided a coke. With a sigh, she stomped off to get their orders.


Hearing the sound of the bell, Liz turned around, and saw him. Max Evans. He
was here in the Crashdown.