PART 2
"Hey, does anyone know where Isabel went? I wanted to show her something," Max asked Kyle and Michael.
"Nope, she wandered off the opposite way Maria and Liz were going," Kyle replied. "But tell me if you find her, okay? I kinda need to talk to her."
"Yeah, alright. I'll see you guys later then, okay?" Max said.
"Yeah, we'll see ya," Michael waved.
"So how about a drink?" Kyle asked Michael.
"Uh, no thanks, I don't drink," Michael replied.
"Come on, just one beer," Kyle urged.
"Alright, fine, but just one. I've got a lot on my mind," Michael told him.
"Fine, just one," Kyle repeated. He walked up to a beverage stand and came back with two beers.
"Thanks," Michael said.
"Sure, anytime," Kyle replied, taking a big swig of beer. Michael also took a long sip.
"Hey, aren't we underage?" Michael asked.
"Well, yeah, but I've got a really great fake ID, don't worry about it," Kyle replied.
"Whatever. This stuff is really bitter."
"You're just not used to it."
"Yeah, I guess."
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ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER
"Michael, I don't know how you alien guys do it, but you're plastered. I think maybe we should get you home," Kyle said.
"Huh? Home? Nah, I like it here," Michael told him, groggily.
"No man, I really don't think it's such a good idea for you to be here right now…" Kyle went on.
"I said I wanna stay!" Michael yelled.
"Alright, fine. Whatever you say," Kyle answered; suddenly remembering how much bigger Michael was than him.
"I gotta stay I gotta protect Maria and the baby…" Michael muttered.
"Whoa, what did you say?" Kyle asked, surprised.
"M-Maria, she's pregnant, I gotta w-watch out for her," Michael stammered.
"Oh, man, I don't think you meant to tell me about that," Kyle said, wide eyed.
"Nope, it's a big secret. Nobody knows," Michael said.
"Uh, Michael, I think you might want to shut up now," Kyle said.
"What, yeah, ah, sure," Michael said, looking confused.
"Well, umm, let's go over here. You won't be so uh, noticeably drunk there."
"Right," Michael replied.
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LIZ AND MARIA'S FAIR EXPERIENCE
"Ooh! This is gonna be so much fun!" Liz squealed.
"Yep, a real blast," Maria replied, sarcastically.
"Hey, what's wrong? Normally you love junk like roller coasters," Liz said.
"I know, I've just been feeling really out of it lately. I've been sick every morning for a while, I just, I don't know…" Maria told her. She felt horrible about keeping such a big secret from Liz, but she couldn't tell her. Liz would be shocked, she would be angry. Liz and Maria had always sworn to each other that they would wait until they were married. But Liz didn't really expect them to keep that promise did she? Knowing Liz, she did. But Liz was the least of Maria's worries. She was going to be a mother. What would she do with a baby? What would her mother say? Would Michael really stay with her? Maria was scared and confused, and Liz's nosy questions weren't helping.
"So you're sure you're okay?" Liz asked.
"I'm fine! Stop acting like I have some sort of disease!" Maria burst out. Her frustration had gotten the better of her, *Crap,* she thought, then, "I'm sorry Liz, it's just that things have been really hard on me the last few weeks. I don't know what it is. But really, I'm fine."
"Don't worry about it, Maria. I'm sorry for being so nosy. Forgive me?" Liz pouted her lips. Maria glanced at her and they both burst out laughing. Together they walked towards the biggest roller coaster at the fair. On their way they ran into Brody.
"Brody! Hi! I've missed you at the Crashdown lately. What's happened to you?" Maria asked.
"Oh, I've just been busy I suppose. Sydney was down for the week, and I had some remodeling to do at the UFO Center," Brody replied.
"Oh, well I'll be looking forward to seeing you again on Monday," Maria said.
"Maria, look, it's Max. I think he wants us to come over there," Liz interrupted.
"Huh?" Maria looked behind her and saw Max waving frantically for them to join him.
"Oh. You go, I want to ask Brody one more thing," Maria told Liz.
"Okay, I'll be right back," Liz said. She walked over to where Max was waving at them.
"What did you want to ask me?" Brody asked Maria.
"Oh, umm, I was wondering about Sydney. I know you must have been pretty young when she was born."
"I was about twenty. Why?"
"Well, I was just wondering because I'm doing my term paper on teen pregnancies, you're wife was like, eighteen right?"
"Yes, actually, she was. As you know, Sydney's mother died shortly after she was born, but it was because of a medical condition. It was hard on both of us, caring for a child, when we both were still children ourselves."
"Would you mind if we talked for a while?" Maria asked him.
"No, not at all," Brody replied.
"Okay, why don't we go down to the Crashdown? We can talk and have some coffee," Maria suggested.
"Sounds good," Brody told her.
"Great, let me just tell Liz. Liz!" Maria ran over to where Max and Liz were talking.
"You haven't seen Isabel have you?" Max asked. Maria, startled by the sudden question replied with a curt, "No," and pulled Liz to her side. "Listen, I'm going down to the Crashdown with Brody, you don't mind do you?"
"Uh, no, of course not. Have a good time?" Liz said, uncertainly. Maria, not noticing the questioning in Liz's eyes, muttered, "Thank you," and rushed off to join Brody.
"Well that was weird," Liz said aloud.
"What?" Max asked.
Oh, nothing," Liz said, suddenly remembering Max's presence. "I guess I can help you look for Isabel if you want."
"Sure, thanks," Max said, gratefully.
"No problem," Liz replied. And they set out to find Isabel.
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Isabel was now back inside the fairgrounds, surrounded by real people. She felt almost different, like she could spend one night not drowning in her sorrows. Soon she ran into Kyle, the very person she was looking for.
"Kyle, hi!" Isabel said, smiling brightly.
"Hey, Isabel. Look, I think I need your help," Kyle said.
"What do you mean?" Isabel asked.
"Michael, he's ah, drunk," Kyle replied.
"Drunk? But he knows we're not supposed to drink!"
"I know, but I…"
"You what?" Isabel asked, concerned about Michael.
"I, ah, found out some stuff," Kyle replied.
"What do you mean? What stuff?" Isabel continued, intrigued.
"Umm, secrets," Kyle replied.
"What secrets? Kyle, you're driving me insane! Just tell me already!" Isabel shouted.
"Well, Michael was really out of it, and he kind of let it slip that…that Maria's pregnant," Kyle finished. Isabel stopped.
"Wh-What? She, he, they? What?" Isabel stammered.
"I know…" Kyle trailed off. Isabel sank to the ground. Kyle sat down next to her, placing a protective arm around her shoulder. A few minutes later Michael approached the two of them looking dazed.
"What happened?" He asked.
"What happened?" Isabel questioned. "What happened? You and Maria happened! I can't believe you would do that! And she's…she's, oh, just forget it. I can't believe you could be this irresponsible. God Michael, expose us all!"
"What are you on about?" Michael asked, looking even more confused, as well as worried.
"We know that Maria's pregnant," Kyle told him.
"What? How?" Michael stammered.
"You told me when you were drunk," Kyle replied.
"I was drunk?" Michael asked.
"Yep," Kyle answered.
"Wow. It's been a long day," Michael said.
"Yeah," Isabel agreed.
"I'm sorry, Iz. This wasn't supposed to happen."
"It never is," Isabel replied.
"Isabel, can I talk to you, I know now might not be the best time, but I, uh-"
"Sure, yeah, let's go. I need to get away from him," Isabel said.
"Great, I think," Kyle agreed. They walked away from Michael, but he didn't notice. He was too busy worrying about what Maria would say when she found out everyone knew. She'd be worse than Isabel, and that was saying something. At that thought, Michael set out to find Maria before anyone else could tell her the wonderful news.
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AT THE CRASHDOWN
"So, Brody. Was it hard, when you first started out with Sydney?" Maria asked sweetly.
"Well, yes, but mostly because her mother was gone," Brody answered.
"So it would have been easier if she was there?"
"Probably, but not by much. Babies are very difficult to take care of. Becoming a parent is like entering into a very scary new world."
"Yeah, but was it worth it?"
"Of course it was worth it," Brody answered, a bit surprised, "I had a choice to make when Sydney's mother died. I could have given her up for adoption. I thought about it for a while, contemplating whether or not to give Sydney away. In the end I knew I couldn't, I guess I always did. She was my only connection to Laura, and I knew I could never let that go.
(A/N: Since I've found no name for Sydney's mother, and no real concrete storyline of what happened, this is my version, and Laura is Sydney's mother's name.) After everything, when Sydney was one year old, her grandmother took her. I see her as often as I can, but really it's not enough. I love her so much, Maria. You'll understand when you have children," Brody finished.
"Wow. That's so sad. I mean, uh…"
"I know what you mean," Brody smiled, "By the way, when is that term paper due? As I recall, school doesn't start for quite a while, and they don't normally give term papers out over summer break."
"Hahaha, summer school?" Maria tried.
"Don't worry about it, Maria. You'll make a great mom," He paused, "All in good time."
"Thanks, Brody. For everything."
RING RING
"That's my cell," Brody said, "Excuse me, I have to take this. I'll be outside, okay?"
"That's fine. I need to go pick up something for Mom at the UFO Center, I'll be right back," Maria replied. They walked out of the café together. Maria headed across the street while Brody leaned against the wall of the Crashdown.
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"Isabel. About what I wanted to talk to you about, uh-" Kyle began.
"Kyle, I kind of wanted to talk to you too," Isabel interrupted.
"Okay, but I want to go first. I know we were never the best of friends, but I think we make a good team. I really like you. You're sweet, kind, beautiful. I guess, what I'm trying to say is, maybe we could, uh…get together sometime maybe?" Kyle asked, shyly. He looked up at her. She was smiling.
"I'd love to," She answered.
"Wow, great. That's great," Kyle stammered.
"Do you wanna go get a cup of coffee? You know, set a time for our date, get to know each other a little better…" Isabel suggested.
"Yeah, good idea," Kyle replied. They walked towards a small café inside the fairgrounds. It was on the second floor so they waited for the elevator.
"Oh, I was supposed to tell you," Kyle said as they climbed into the empty elevator, "Max was looking for you. He needed to tell you something or show you something. I don't know."
"Oh, well I'll catch up with him later," Isabel said. All of a sudden the elevator gave a great lurch.
"Oh my God, what was that?" Isabel asked.
"I don't know, but we're not moving," Kyle answered. They tried pressing the emergency button, but it wasn't working. The phone was dead too. "Looks like we might be here for a while," Kyle told her.
"Hey, does anyone know where Isabel went? I wanted to show her something," Max asked Kyle and Michael.
"Nope, she wandered off the opposite way Maria and Liz were going," Kyle replied. "But tell me if you find her, okay? I kinda need to talk to her."
"Yeah, alright. I'll see you guys later then, okay?" Max said.
"Yeah, we'll see ya," Michael waved.
"So how about a drink?" Kyle asked Michael.
"Uh, no thanks, I don't drink," Michael replied.
"Come on, just one beer," Kyle urged.
"Alright, fine, but just one. I've got a lot on my mind," Michael told him.
"Fine, just one," Kyle repeated. He walked up to a beverage stand and came back with two beers.
"Thanks," Michael said.
"Sure, anytime," Kyle replied, taking a big swig of beer. Michael also took a long sip.
"Hey, aren't we underage?" Michael asked.
"Well, yeah, but I've got a really great fake ID, don't worry about it," Kyle replied.
"Whatever. This stuff is really bitter."
"You're just not used to it."
"Yeah, I guess."
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ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER
"Michael, I don't know how you alien guys do it, but you're plastered. I think maybe we should get you home," Kyle said.
"Huh? Home? Nah, I like it here," Michael told him, groggily.
"No man, I really don't think it's such a good idea for you to be here right now…" Kyle went on.
"I said I wanna stay!" Michael yelled.
"Alright, fine. Whatever you say," Kyle answered; suddenly remembering how much bigger Michael was than him.
"I gotta stay I gotta protect Maria and the baby…" Michael muttered.
"Whoa, what did you say?" Kyle asked, surprised.
"M-Maria, she's pregnant, I gotta w-watch out for her," Michael stammered.
"Oh, man, I don't think you meant to tell me about that," Kyle said, wide eyed.
"Nope, it's a big secret. Nobody knows," Michael said.
"Uh, Michael, I think you might want to shut up now," Kyle said.
"What, yeah, ah, sure," Michael said, looking confused.
"Well, umm, let's go over here. You won't be so uh, noticeably drunk there."
"Right," Michael replied.
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LIZ AND MARIA'S FAIR EXPERIENCE
"Ooh! This is gonna be so much fun!" Liz squealed.
"Yep, a real blast," Maria replied, sarcastically.
"Hey, what's wrong? Normally you love junk like roller coasters," Liz said.
"I know, I've just been feeling really out of it lately. I've been sick every morning for a while, I just, I don't know…" Maria told her. She felt horrible about keeping such a big secret from Liz, but she couldn't tell her. Liz would be shocked, she would be angry. Liz and Maria had always sworn to each other that they would wait until they were married. But Liz didn't really expect them to keep that promise did she? Knowing Liz, she did. But Liz was the least of Maria's worries. She was going to be a mother. What would she do with a baby? What would her mother say? Would Michael really stay with her? Maria was scared and confused, and Liz's nosy questions weren't helping.
"So you're sure you're okay?" Liz asked.
"I'm fine! Stop acting like I have some sort of disease!" Maria burst out. Her frustration had gotten the better of her, *Crap,* she thought, then, "I'm sorry Liz, it's just that things have been really hard on me the last few weeks. I don't know what it is. But really, I'm fine."
"Don't worry about it, Maria. I'm sorry for being so nosy. Forgive me?" Liz pouted her lips. Maria glanced at her and they both burst out laughing. Together they walked towards the biggest roller coaster at the fair. On their way they ran into Brody.
"Brody! Hi! I've missed you at the Crashdown lately. What's happened to you?" Maria asked.
"Oh, I've just been busy I suppose. Sydney was down for the week, and I had some remodeling to do at the UFO Center," Brody replied.
"Oh, well I'll be looking forward to seeing you again on Monday," Maria said.
"Maria, look, it's Max. I think he wants us to come over there," Liz interrupted.
"Huh?" Maria looked behind her and saw Max waving frantically for them to join him.
"Oh. You go, I want to ask Brody one more thing," Maria told Liz.
"Okay, I'll be right back," Liz said. She walked over to where Max was waving at them.
"What did you want to ask me?" Brody asked Maria.
"Oh, umm, I was wondering about Sydney. I know you must have been pretty young when she was born."
"I was about twenty. Why?"
"Well, I was just wondering because I'm doing my term paper on teen pregnancies, you're wife was like, eighteen right?"
"Yes, actually, she was. As you know, Sydney's mother died shortly after she was born, but it was because of a medical condition. It was hard on both of us, caring for a child, when we both were still children ourselves."
"Would you mind if we talked for a while?" Maria asked him.
"No, not at all," Brody replied.
"Okay, why don't we go down to the Crashdown? We can talk and have some coffee," Maria suggested.
"Sounds good," Brody told her.
"Great, let me just tell Liz. Liz!" Maria ran over to where Max and Liz were talking.
"You haven't seen Isabel have you?" Max asked. Maria, startled by the sudden question replied with a curt, "No," and pulled Liz to her side. "Listen, I'm going down to the Crashdown with Brody, you don't mind do you?"
"Uh, no, of course not. Have a good time?" Liz said, uncertainly. Maria, not noticing the questioning in Liz's eyes, muttered, "Thank you," and rushed off to join Brody.
"Well that was weird," Liz said aloud.
"What?" Max asked.
Oh, nothing," Liz said, suddenly remembering Max's presence. "I guess I can help you look for Isabel if you want."
"Sure, thanks," Max said, gratefully.
"No problem," Liz replied. And they set out to find Isabel.
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Isabel was now back inside the fairgrounds, surrounded by real people. She felt almost different, like she could spend one night not drowning in her sorrows. Soon she ran into Kyle, the very person she was looking for.
"Kyle, hi!" Isabel said, smiling brightly.
"Hey, Isabel. Look, I think I need your help," Kyle said.
"What do you mean?" Isabel asked.
"Michael, he's ah, drunk," Kyle replied.
"Drunk? But he knows we're not supposed to drink!"
"I know, but I…"
"You what?" Isabel asked, concerned about Michael.
"I, ah, found out some stuff," Kyle replied.
"What do you mean? What stuff?" Isabel continued, intrigued.
"Umm, secrets," Kyle replied.
"What secrets? Kyle, you're driving me insane! Just tell me already!" Isabel shouted.
"Well, Michael was really out of it, and he kind of let it slip that…that Maria's pregnant," Kyle finished. Isabel stopped.
"Wh-What? She, he, they? What?" Isabel stammered.
"I know…" Kyle trailed off. Isabel sank to the ground. Kyle sat down next to her, placing a protective arm around her shoulder. A few minutes later Michael approached the two of them looking dazed.
"What happened?" He asked.
"What happened?" Isabel questioned. "What happened? You and Maria happened! I can't believe you would do that! And she's…she's, oh, just forget it. I can't believe you could be this irresponsible. God Michael, expose us all!"
"What are you on about?" Michael asked, looking even more confused, as well as worried.
"We know that Maria's pregnant," Kyle told him.
"What? How?" Michael stammered.
"You told me when you were drunk," Kyle replied.
"I was drunk?" Michael asked.
"Yep," Kyle answered.
"Wow. It's been a long day," Michael said.
"Yeah," Isabel agreed.
"I'm sorry, Iz. This wasn't supposed to happen."
"It never is," Isabel replied.
"Isabel, can I talk to you, I know now might not be the best time, but I, uh-"
"Sure, yeah, let's go. I need to get away from him," Isabel said.
"Great, I think," Kyle agreed. They walked away from Michael, but he didn't notice. He was too busy worrying about what Maria would say when she found out everyone knew. She'd be worse than Isabel, and that was saying something. At that thought, Michael set out to find Maria before anyone else could tell her the wonderful news.
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AT THE CRASHDOWN
"So, Brody. Was it hard, when you first started out with Sydney?" Maria asked sweetly.
"Well, yes, but mostly because her mother was gone," Brody answered.
"So it would have been easier if she was there?"
"Probably, but not by much. Babies are very difficult to take care of. Becoming a parent is like entering into a very scary new world."
"Yeah, but was it worth it?"
"Of course it was worth it," Brody answered, a bit surprised, "I had a choice to make when Sydney's mother died. I could have given her up for adoption. I thought about it for a while, contemplating whether or not to give Sydney away. In the end I knew I couldn't, I guess I always did. She was my only connection to Laura, and I knew I could never let that go.
(A/N: Since I've found no name for Sydney's mother, and no real concrete storyline of what happened, this is my version, and Laura is Sydney's mother's name.) After everything, when Sydney was one year old, her grandmother took her. I see her as often as I can, but really it's not enough. I love her so much, Maria. You'll understand when you have children," Brody finished.
"Wow. That's so sad. I mean, uh…"
"I know what you mean," Brody smiled, "By the way, when is that term paper due? As I recall, school doesn't start for quite a while, and they don't normally give term papers out over summer break."
"Hahaha, summer school?" Maria tried.
"Don't worry about it, Maria. You'll make a great mom," He paused, "All in good time."
"Thanks, Brody. For everything."
RING RING
"That's my cell," Brody said, "Excuse me, I have to take this. I'll be outside, okay?"
"That's fine. I need to go pick up something for Mom at the UFO Center, I'll be right back," Maria replied. They walked out of the café together. Maria headed across the street while Brody leaned against the wall of the Crashdown.
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"Isabel. About what I wanted to talk to you about, uh-" Kyle began.
"Kyle, I kind of wanted to talk to you too," Isabel interrupted.
"Okay, but I want to go first. I know we were never the best of friends, but I think we make a good team. I really like you. You're sweet, kind, beautiful. I guess, what I'm trying to say is, maybe we could, uh…get together sometime maybe?" Kyle asked, shyly. He looked up at her. She was smiling.
"I'd love to," She answered.
"Wow, great. That's great," Kyle stammered.
"Do you wanna go get a cup of coffee? You know, set a time for our date, get to know each other a little better…" Isabel suggested.
"Yeah, good idea," Kyle replied. They walked towards a small café inside the fairgrounds. It was on the second floor so they waited for the elevator.
"Oh, I was supposed to tell you," Kyle said as they climbed into the empty elevator, "Max was looking for you. He needed to tell you something or show you something. I don't know."
"Oh, well I'll catch up with him later," Isabel said. All of a sudden the elevator gave a great lurch.
"Oh my God, what was that?" Isabel asked.
"I don't know, but we're not moving," Kyle answered. They tried pressing the emergency button, but it wasn't working. The phone was dead too. "Looks like we might be here for a while," Kyle told her.