ddThe party progressed, despite the tension between Max and Liz. The other three couples were so absorbed in their own romance that they didn't see much else. It was a little upsetting for Liz, watching her two best friends finally get the ones they love, and she was left alone.
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ddLiz longed for the shelter of her room and the understanding from her computer. Where else could she seek solace in? Max couldn't meet her eyes, nor could he mumble out two words. She wanted her online friend, for sympathy, advice, and friendship. That was what she needed now, not the reminders of what she didn't have.
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ddShe breathed a sigh of relief as everyone slowly started to leave, each one with their own set of plans… None of them including her. Her dark, pained gaze followed Max as he left the Crashdown, realizing that it was over between them. She blinked back the tears, gathering all the trash. She'd clean the rest later on… When she could function. Right now, she needed to go hide and lick her wounds.
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ddMax beat a hasty retreat, shoving his hands in his pocket as he walked down the streets of Roswell towards his house. His sister, Isabel, had taken the jeep as her and Alex went to see a movie. He didn't mind the walk, in fact he relished it. He needed to think, to clear his head of all the jumbled mess that was inside fighting for attention.
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ddHe looked neither right or left, instead training his eyes to his feet, watching as they progressed down the sidewalk. He had to talk to Liz and straighten all of it out, but how? That was his problem. He thought it would be easy, but the words wouldn't come out.
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ddHe curled his hands into fists, slamming them against his thigh as best he could while still in his pocket. No more chickening out, he ordered himself. He was going to get all of the feelings and thoughts out in the open… But first he needed to talk it over with someone. His online friend. She always seemed to help him out, even if she didn't even know it. It felt good to have someone listen to his problems and not demand anything from him. She knew him as just another guy, not some leader of another planet… Always in charge.
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ddHe quickened his pace to get home in a short time, so that he could discuss things… One thing was clear in his mind… They were going to meet face-to-face.