p align=centerPart 4: Let The Games Begin/pBRBR
Maria pushed the back door of the Crashdown open and trudged upstairs, Ashley in tow. She opened the door to the Parker Apartment. "Hello anybody here?"BRBR
"Maria is that you?" She recognized the voice as belonging to Max.BRBR
"Girlfriend is that you?" She asked humorously. Ashley turned to her and mouthed 'Girlfriend?' to her.BRBR
"I'll explain later." She whispered in response.BRBR
Max quickly ran up to her and engulfed her in a hug. "Maria! How are you?" Despite everything, he was genuinely happy to see her.BRBR
She smiled at him. He was the only one besides Liz and Kyle that she kept in touch with. Although she talked to him and Kyle more than she did Liz. "I'm good Max. You?"BRBR
"I'm all right. It's good to see you. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances." He said sadly.BRBR
"I know." She said as she ruffled his hair affectionately. Nancy and Jeff had been like a second set of parents to her for as long as she could remember.BRBR
Ashley didn't want to interrupt the reunion but he felt a little awkward just standing there. "Aren't you goin ta intraduce us, Ria?"BRBR
"Oh yeah. Max this is Ashley. Ashley this is Max."BRBR
For a moment, Max eyed Ashley carefully. There was something familiar about him. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. But he did notice one thing. iHe looks so much like Micheal. It's creepy. Well minus the piercings and tattoos that is./iBRBR
Ashley felt a pair a eyes on him and chanced a glance at Max. iHe looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?/iBRBR
Max snapped out his stupor and stuck out his hand. "Hey man. Nice to finally bmeet/b you." He emphasized the word meet with a smirk because he had tried for months to get Maria to come visit but she wasn't having it.BRBR
Ashley shook it. "Same hea. Ria's told me a lot bout you."BRBR
"She didn't tell you anything embarrassing right? Cause if she did...." He asked half joking. But the other half of him also knew that Maria had a tendency to open her mouth about anything and everything at all. He loved her, and she was a great friend, but she babbled a lot.BRBR
"Max that's enough. I didn't say anything about anything embarrassing." She said trying to stop him before bhe/b shot bhis/b mouth off.
Ashley turned back to Max with a smirk on his face just to get Maria all riled up. "We hafta talk lata." Maria shot him a look of death. He would have to pay for that later. iNot dat I mind./i He thought mischievously.BRBR
Max mirrored Ashley's grin. "Sure. We just can't do it when Ria's around. I don't know about you, but I value my life."BRBR
"Aye you don't live wit her." He tried to hold back his laughter. He knew Maria was still in the room.BRBR
Max patted him on the back. "My condolences man."BRBR
Maria shot both of them a look of contempt. "Boys you're treading on dangerous ground now. Max I suggest you cut it out. Cause I know some stories that will have Ava teasing you into your next life." Max caught the double meaning of her words. And Ashley did too. Well at least what it would mean to him. iShe can't possibly be referring to what I think she is. But if she is, I think I finally found them./i Maria turned to her lover and jabbed him in the chest with her finger. "And you mister, will be sleeping on the couch when we get home if your not careful."BRBR
Max cringed on Ashley's behalf. "Ouch."BRBR
"Max." Maria warned.BRBR
"Sorry. I swear I won't do it again." He said while failing to hide his smirk.BRBR
"Okay now, where is everyone?"BRBR
"Izzy and Kyle are in the Livingroom. Micheal's somewhere. And Liz and Ava are in Liz's bedroom. Asleep I think."BRBR
"Okay." She said as she walked into the Livingroom. The first person she laid eyes on was her brother, sitting in the recliner along side the couch. But he didn't notice her. He was too busy watching Isabel sleeping silently next to him. iThat is adorable. I wonder if Ashley does the same thing./iBRBR
"Kyle." She whispered. "Kyle."BRBR
He turned to her with a smirk on his face. "Well if it isn't my little sister." He said as he enveloped her in a hug. "How are you Ria?"BRBR
"I'm okay ya big lug. You?"BRBR
"I'm good." He smirked.BRBR
"How's Izzy?"BRBR
"She's good too." He said with absolute adoration in his eyes.BRBR
"Where's Spaceboy?"BRBR
Ashley was silent through the whole exchange. iGirlfriend? Spaceboy? What is this?/iBRBR
"He's in his room."BRBR
"His room?"BRBR
"Oh yeah. He stays over here a lot so we all refer to the guest room as Micheal's room. Jeff and Nancy," He stopped for a second to regain composure. This was going to be hard on all of them. "started calling it his room first. It kinda stuck because he's here all the time."BRBR
Maria saw the pain flash across his features for a second. This was going to take a long time to recover from. Jeff and Nancy had been like parents to everyone. They knew the kids had secrets but they never pressed for information out of any of them. They respected their need for secrecy. Just as the Evans' did. Jeff had been like the father she never had, iWell until now./i before Amy had married Jim. Nancy had always been the voice of reason, making her see the light whenever her and her mother fought. They were such good people. It made no sense why they would be the ones to die so needlessly. BRBR
"If you say so. I'm gonna go see how he is." She said as she left all three men in her wake.BRBR
Kyle turned to Ashley. "Sup man?"BRBR
"Nada. You?" He said as his shook his soon to be brother in law's hand. iBut they don't know that yet./iBRBR
"Not much."BRBR
They had met before when he went with his father and step-mother to go visit Maria in New York. It was just after his little sister, Tasha, was born. After spending a few days with him. He decided that Ashley was good for Maria. He had never seen so much light in her eyes before. She seemed freer, happier. But of course he had given him the big brother talk, even though Ashley was older than him.BRBR
i"What are your intentions with my sister?" He asked honestly.BRBR
"Well I don't plan on hurting her. I love her." The look on Ashley's face said he meant every word.BRBR
"Just see that you don't. I don't give a shit who you are or whose kid you are. If you hurt Maria. You. Will. Regret. It. She's had enough to deal with in the past."BRBR
"I won't. I promise."BRBR
"I trust that you won't. You seem like a good guy. But remember what I said."BRBR
"I will."/iBRBR
p align=centerThe Guest Room; Micheal's Room./pBRBR
She walked in just to hear the ending of 'Viva Forever' by the Spice Girls.BRBR
His back was to her. She guessed he was in deep thought about something. Most likely the situation at hand. But she needed to announce her presence.BRBR
"Hello Micheal."BRBR
"Maria." He retorted softly in acknowledgment of her presence. It was a few moments before he actually turned to face her.BRBR
When he did, Maria could see that Liz wasn't kidding: he had changed A LOT. His hair was back to its former state of spikiness, only a bit shorter than before with subtle blonde highlights. Both of his ears were pierced. And when she glanced at his face she noticed that he had the look of a very broken man in his eyes, which she didn't expect. Well she kinda did but it still hurt her to think, i I did that to him./i But the biggest change of all was the fact that he was so built. iDamn Spaceboy looks good!/i Not that he was lanky or anything before, it was just that he wasn't as lean as Max. Liz had told her that to release frustration, rather than blowing things up or taking it out on his walls, he would work out. And it was udefinitely/u noticeable under the white T-shirt he was wearing. It hugged him in all the right places. He had very nice biceps which were uvery/u visible. And he now had a six pack that could easily rival Kyle's. She had also seen that he now had a tattoo on his left bicep: a small heart that was broken in two with the word Spaceboy across it.BRBR
"Micheal, you look good." She found it hard to speak as she met his eyes. He looked so lost.BRBR
"You do too. Ria." He said solemnly, as he gave her a once over. She had that I-can-take-on-the-world look about her. She stood before him in a black tank top that said Babygirl in rhinestones, a pair of black bellbottoms that clung to her curves perfectly and black high heel boots. And he could hear hints of a New York accent in her voice. He long hair was swept up in a ponytail with some loose tendrils around her face. She was wearing a name plate that said Ashley's Babygirl. He could also see that she had her tongue pierced.BRBR
She decided to break the uncomfortable silence. "I know we have some things to talk about but I..."BRBR
"Now is not the time nor the place Ria. We'll discuss everything later." He declared defiantly. She could hear a bitterness in his tone.BRBR
She nodded in agreement. iOkay who are you and what have you done with my Spaceboy? Wait a minute, he hasn't be my Spaceboy for a long time./iBRBR
"Okay fair enough. How are you doing?"BRBR
He looked her dead in the eyes. She could see unshed tears threatening to spill over. "I'm okay I guess. But Liz..."BRBR
"Liz what, Micheal?"BRBR
The tears finally slipped down his cheeks. "She's taking it so hard. I don't understand why everything always happens to her. It's just not fair."BRBR
She crossed the room and put her arms around him. "I know Micheal. It isn't fair. But we can't change it." She said as tears pooled up in her own eyes. "They're," She sniffled. " they're gone."BRBR
He broke down. "But, you didn't see that lost look in her eyes Ria." He cried. "She was so lost. She closed herself up to everyone. She's only 17. She's done nothing to deserve this. And Ava just turned 16. This is wrong." He sniffled. "Just wrong." He added softly.BRBR
Maria remembered that gentleness in his voice. It was reserved solely for her. In the old days at least. Memories flashed through her head of the old days all the time. It seemed like another lifetime. It all seemed so long ago. Looking back on it, Micheal really did love her. But she at some point just fell out of love with him. Yet, now, she continued to hold him like she used to. If only for that moment. iI should at least give him this. If only for a few seconds. /i BRBR
For a moment, Micheal pretended to forget that she wasn't his anymore and relished in the fact that her arms were around him. He could pretend for that one second that she still loved him. And it felt good. He missed her touch so badly. He missed being loved so much. Then reality set back in and he dislodged himself from her arms, a look of pain flashing through his eyes.BRBR
She knew why he had pulled back. "Micheal I'm sor-"BRBR
"Save it. Sorry doesn't change anything. Like I said: We'll. Discuss. This. Later." He said as he angrily wiped the tears from his face. "There's more important things to worry about than bmy/b feelings right now.BRBR
"But.."BRBR
"But nothing." He abruptly cut her off.BRBR
She gave him a look of contempt. She was about to open her mouth when she was once again cut off.BRBR
Another obviously male voice drifted into the room and interupted what was sure to soon develop into a fight. "Baby, you in dere?" BRBR
"Yea sweetie. Come here."BRBR
If Micheal didn't know any better, he could swear that the guy who just walked in could pass for his brother. iWell isn't that just hysterical. Add insult to injury much Ria?/i He thought cynically. Maria gave the guy a small pec on the cheek and took his hand in hers. He could see the look of love the other guy gave her as she smiled up at him adoringly. iSo this must be Ashley. That's it. There's no way I'll ever get her back. This looks like they're both in it for the long haul. At least he'll take good care of her./i "Micheal this is my boyfriend Ashley. Ashley this is Micheal."BRBR
"Hey." Was Micheal's response.BRBR
"Wut up." Was Ashley's. iYep, definitely a New Yorker./i Was Micheal's thought.BRBR
Meanwhile Ashley was thinking other thoughts as he looked at Micheal. iIt can't be? Could it. No. It's just not possible. He couldn't be here. They never said anything about it. He's here. I finally found him./i Maria interupted his train of thought. BRBR
"Micheal where is Liz?" She asked as she clutched Ashley's hand tightly.BRBR
"She's asleep in her room. So is Ava."BRBR
"How they doin'?" Ashley asked in true concern.BRBR
He shook his head sadly. "Not good. Not good at all." BRBR
Maria turned to Ashley, "Baby I'm gonna go check on them."BRBR
"Aight. I'll be hea."BRBR
As soon as she exited the room, Ashley tried to strike up a conversation with Micheal.BRBR
"So seriously, how are they?"BRBR
Micheal glanced at Ashley waringly. "Like I said this is hitting them really hard. It's gonna take a long time for them to get over it. Especially Liz."BRBR
Ashley noted the soft look in Micheal's eyes as he spoke Liz's name. iInteresting./i "You care about her a lot, don't you?"BRBR
"Yeah I do. She doesn't deserve this after all the shit she's been through."BRBR
iOkay/i Ashley thought. iTime ta change da topic. Like yestaday./iBRBR
"What's da deal wit Ria?"BRBR
iCould we not get into this shit again. I've had enough for one day./i "What do you mean?" Micheal asked impatiently.BRBR
iAight, I obviously asked da wrong question. But I might as well stick wit it./i "What went down wit you two?"BRBR
"It's complicated."BRBR
"I got time." He said as he took a seat at the desk.BRBR
"I really don't want to discuss it. I might say some things I'll regret later."BRBR
Ashley could sympathize to an extent. He had a girlfriend that was with him for three years that just up and left one day without a word. He felt for Micheal. The pain in his eyes shone through every time he looked at Maria. He wanted to know what happened. He had heard Maria's version. Now he wanted to hear Micheal's. And not only because he was curious of the situation. Now that he found who he was searching for, for most of this life, at least; he wanted to know every bit of information about his life. He bneeded/b to know everything.BRBR
iWho does this guy think he is?/i "Why do you care?"BRBR
"I just do." iIf you only knew Rath./iBRBR
p align=centerLiz's Room/pBRBR
Maria pushed the door open carefully. She didn't want to wake either girl up. But Ava was already awake.BRBR
She stretched out in the chair by Liz's bed. "Maria? Is that you?"BRBR
"Hey Ava. How are you?"BRBR
"I'm okay I guess. Considering the circumstances."BRBR
Maria looked at Ava. She too had changed. Her hair was now long and a soft shade of brown. She didn't look like a little 'hoodlum' anymore. And she no longer seemed as timid as she once was. iEveryone went on without me./i Maria thought sadly. She decided that she'd put all hard feelings she had for Tess aside and treat Ava like she should've in the beginning. Besides, Ava had just celebrated her 16th birthday no more than two days ago. iWhat a present huh?/i BRBR
She slowly bent down in front of Ava. "I know this is gonna be hard sweetie. But I promise I'll be here if you need me." She was startled as the girl reached out and hugged her. "Thanks Maria. That means a lot."BRBR
"I know we haven't gotten along too well in the past but I promise that will change."BRBR
"Thank you, Maria." Ava said as tears welled up in her crystal blue eyes.BRBR
Maria felt her own eyes begin to water once again. "You're welcome, Ava."BRBR
They were interupted by a soft knocking at the door.BRBR
Ava's head shot up, "That's Micheal."BRBR
Maria felt a twinge of jealousy again. She resented the bond that they all shared. At least when Alex was here, she wasn't alone.BRBR
Without either of them saying a word, Micheal slowly opened the door. He first laid eyes on Maria, and she caught his hard gaze. But she noticed a change in his demeanor when he saw Ava. "How are you Av?" This was a side of Micheal that she wasn't used to seeing on a regular basis. He used to only act like this around her. She again felt a twinge of jealousy tug at her heart. iI've missed so much./i He had finally opened up. Just not when she was around.BRBR
"Aight. I guess." Ava responded despondently.BRBR
"C'mere." He commanded softly as he opened up his arms to her.BRBR
Maria watched as she quickly stood and went to him. He hugged her tightly as she began to sob.BRBR
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Liz was beginning to stir.BRBR
Before Liz even opened her eyes, Ava sensed she was awake and whispered to Micheal. "Go to her, she needs you." Even though it hurt that Liz seemed to need Micheal more, she understood. And she also knew that Micheal would take good care of her. He would never let her down. He had been let down too many times. And he was good at learning from others' mistakes. These days at least.BRBR
Micheal pushed past Maria and sat next to Liz on the bed. Maria eyed the exchange carefully.BRBR
Liz slowly opened her eyes. The first person she saw was Micheal. He gently cupped her cheek. "How are you?"BRBR
She leaned into his hand while covering it with her own. "I honestly don't know Micheal. I feel like I've been hit with a train." She sniffled.BRBR
He put his arm around her when she sat up a bit. Somehow it ended up that she was sitting in between his legs with his arms around her waist. She instinctively curled into him. She looked so lost. BRBR
"Av?" Liz questioned still seeing her sister standing in the doorway with her arms wrapped around herself.BRBR
"Lizzy?"BRBR
"Come here." Liz said as she patted the bed.BRBR
Ava sat down on the edge of the bed. Liz motioned for her to come closer. When she did, she was promptly pulled into an embrace by her sister.BRBR
Maria watched as Micheal held both girls protectively. While the girls held each other tightly. She felt she was intruding on the moment so she made an excuse.BRBR
"I'm gonna go find Ashley."BRBR
Only Micheal acknowledged her statement. He nodded slightly. So she left the room.BRBR
Once outside, she sunk to her knees in the hallway. She let out a sob. She began to cry. Ashley saw her and was in front of her in an instant.BRBR
"Baby, was wrong?" He asked as he reached for her hands.BRBR
She looked up at him. "Liz didn't even notice I was there. It's like she doesn't need me." She cried.BRBR
Ashley pulled her to him. "Don't think that way baby. She needs ya. She's just very emotional right now. Give her some time. I promise." He said as he attempted to wipe the tears from her beautiful face.BRBR
"You're probably right. I love you, Ash."BRBR
He smiled. He never got tired of hearing those words uttered from her mouth. "I love you too baby. I always will." BRBR
He helped her up. "C'mon let's go see what your bro is up ta." He draped an arm around her.BRBR
She nodded and grasped the hand that he had around her waist. "Okay."BRBR
They walked into the Livingroom only to find Kyle and Isabel asleep in each other's arms. So Ashley sat down on the recliner and pulled Maria into his lap. "Sleep love." He told her. "It's been a long day. An' we got some rough ones comin'."BRBR
She smiled sleepily as he uttered the word 'we'. In their relationship, it wasn't even just her or him it was always them. They did things together as one. Not separately. As was the case with her and Micheal. But, truth be told, Micheal was the furthest thing from her mind as sleep overtook her.BRBR
Meanwhile...BRBR
Both Ava and Liz had drifted off on Micheal as they sat on Liz's bed. He didn't mind. Not at all. They needed their rest. The next few days were going to be the hardest of all. He knew that firsthand. Which is why thoughts of Maria drifted into his mind as dreamland began to take over him. And this was only just the beginning of what was to come. The road ahead was paved with surprises, with the biggest one of all being for him.BRBR
********BRBR
Maria pushed the back door of the Crashdown open and trudged upstairs, Ashley in tow. She opened the door to the Parker Apartment. "Hello anybody here?"BRBR
"Maria is that you?" She recognized the voice as belonging to Max.BRBR
"Girlfriend is that you?" She asked humorously. Ashley turned to her and mouthed 'Girlfriend?' to her.BRBR
"I'll explain later." She whispered in response.BRBR
Max quickly ran up to her and engulfed her in a hug. "Maria! How are you?" Despite everything, he was genuinely happy to see her.BRBR
She smiled at him. He was the only one besides Liz and Kyle that she kept in touch with. Although she talked to him and Kyle more than she did Liz. "I'm good Max. You?"BRBR
"I'm all right. It's good to see you. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances." He said sadly.BRBR
"I know." She said as she ruffled his hair affectionately. Nancy and Jeff had been like a second set of parents to her for as long as she could remember.BRBR
Ashley didn't want to interrupt the reunion but he felt a little awkward just standing there. "Aren't you goin ta intraduce us, Ria?"BRBR
"Oh yeah. Max this is Ashley. Ashley this is Max."BRBR
For a moment, Max eyed Ashley carefully. There was something familiar about him. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. But he did notice one thing. iHe looks so much like Micheal. It's creepy. Well minus the piercings and tattoos that is./iBRBR
Ashley felt a pair a eyes on him and chanced a glance at Max. iHe looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?/iBRBR
Max snapped out his stupor and stuck out his hand. "Hey man. Nice to finally bmeet/b you." He emphasized the word meet with a smirk because he had tried for months to get Maria to come visit but she wasn't having it.BRBR
Ashley shook it. "Same hea. Ria's told me a lot bout you."BRBR
"She didn't tell you anything embarrassing right? Cause if she did...." He asked half joking. But the other half of him also knew that Maria had a tendency to open her mouth about anything and everything at all. He loved her, and she was a great friend, but she babbled a lot.BRBR
"Max that's enough. I didn't say anything about anything embarrassing." She said trying to stop him before bhe/b shot bhis/b mouth off.
Ashley turned back to Max with a smirk on his face just to get Maria all riled up. "We hafta talk lata." Maria shot him a look of death. He would have to pay for that later. iNot dat I mind./i He thought mischievously.BRBR
Max mirrored Ashley's grin. "Sure. We just can't do it when Ria's around. I don't know about you, but I value my life."BRBR
"Aye you don't live wit her." He tried to hold back his laughter. He knew Maria was still in the room.BRBR
Max patted him on the back. "My condolences man."BRBR
Maria shot both of them a look of contempt. "Boys you're treading on dangerous ground now. Max I suggest you cut it out. Cause I know some stories that will have Ava teasing you into your next life." Max caught the double meaning of her words. And Ashley did too. Well at least what it would mean to him. iShe can't possibly be referring to what I think she is. But if she is, I think I finally found them./i Maria turned to her lover and jabbed him in the chest with her finger. "And you mister, will be sleeping on the couch when we get home if your not careful."BRBR
Max cringed on Ashley's behalf. "Ouch."BRBR
"Max." Maria warned.BRBR
"Sorry. I swear I won't do it again." He said while failing to hide his smirk.BRBR
"Okay now, where is everyone?"BRBR
"Izzy and Kyle are in the Livingroom. Micheal's somewhere. And Liz and Ava are in Liz's bedroom. Asleep I think."BRBR
"Okay." She said as she walked into the Livingroom. The first person she laid eyes on was her brother, sitting in the recliner along side the couch. But he didn't notice her. He was too busy watching Isabel sleeping silently next to him. iThat is adorable. I wonder if Ashley does the same thing./iBRBR
"Kyle." She whispered. "Kyle."BRBR
He turned to her with a smirk on his face. "Well if it isn't my little sister." He said as he enveloped her in a hug. "How are you Ria?"BRBR
"I'm okay ya big lug. You?"BRBR
"I'm good." He smirked.BRBR
"How's Izzy?"BRBR
"She's good too." He said with absolute adoration in his eyes.BRBR
"Where's Spaceboy?"BRBR
Ashley was silent through the whole exchange. iGirlfriend? Spaceboy? What is this?/iBRBR
"He's in his room."BRBR
"His room?"BRBR
"Oh yeah. He stays over here a lot so we all refer to the guest room as Micheal's room. Jeff and Nancy," He stopped for a second to regain composure. This was going to be hard on all of them. "started calling it his room first. It kinda stuck because he's here all the time."BRBR
Maria saw the pain flash across his features for a second. This was going to take a long time to recover from. Jeff and Nancy had been like parents to everyone. They knew the kids had secrets but they never pressed for information out of any of them. They respected their need for secrecy. Just as the Evans' did. Jeff had been like the father she never had, iWell until now./i before Amy had married Jim. Nancy had always been the voice of reason, making her see the light whenever her and her mother fought. They were such good people. It made no sense why they would be the ones to die so needlessly. BRBR
"If you say so. I'm gonna go see how he is." She said as she left all three men in her wake.BRBR
Kyle turned to Ashley. "Sup man?"BRBR
"Nada. You?" He said as his shook his soon to be brother in law's hand. iBut they don't know that yet./iBRBR
"Not much."BRBR
They had met before when he went with his father and step-mother to go visit Maria in New York. It was just after his little sister, Tasha, was born. After spending a few days with him. He decided that Ashley was good for Maria. He had never seen so much light in her eyes before. She seemed freer, happier. But of course he had given him the big brother talk, even though Ashley was older than him.BRBR
i"What are your intentions with my sister?" He asked honestly.BRBR
"Well I don't plan on hurting her. I love her." The look on Ashley's face said he meant every word.BRBR
"Just see that you don't. I don't give a shit who you are or whose kid you are. If you hurt Maria. You. Will. Regret. It. She's had enough to deal with in the past."BRBR
"I won't. I promise."BRBR
"I trust that you won't. You seem like a good guy. But remember what I said."BRBR
"I will."/iBRBR
p align=centerThe Guest Room; Micheal's Room./pBRBR
She walked in just to hear the ending of 'Viva Forever' by the Spice Girls.BRBR
His back was to her. She guessed he was in deep thought about something. Most likely the situation at hand. But she needed to announce her presence.BRBR
"Hello Micheal."BRBR
"Maria." He retorted softly in acknowledgment of her presence. It was a few moments before he actually turned to face her.BRBR
When he did, Maria could see that Liz wasn't kidding: he had changed A LOT. His hair was back to its former state of spikiness, only a bit shorter than before with subtle blonde highlights. Both of his ears were pierced. And when she glanced at his face she noticed that he had the look of a very broken man in his eyes, which she didn't expect. Well she kinda did but it still hurt her to think, i I did that to him./i But the biggest change of all was the fact that he was so built. iDamn Spaceboy looks good!/i Not that he was lanky or anything before, it was just that he wasn't as lean as Max. Liz had told her that to release frustration, rather than blowing things up or taking it out on his walls, he would work out. And it was udefinitely/u noticeable under the white T-shirt he was wearing. It hugged him in all the right places. He had very nice biceps which were uvery/u visible. And he now had a six pack that could easily rival Kyle's. She had also seen that he now had a tattoo on his left bicep: a small heart that was broken in two with the word Spaceboy across it.BRBR
"Micheal, you look good." She found it hard to speak as she met his eyes. He looked so lost.BRBR
"You do too. Ria." He said solemnly, as he gave her a once over. She had that I-can-take-on-the-world look about her. She stood before him in a black tank top that said Babygirl in rhinestones, a pair of black bellbottoms that clung to her curves perfectly and black high heel boots. And he could hear hints of a New York accent in her voice. He long hair was swept up in a ponytail with some loose tendrils around her face. She was wearing a name plate that said Ashley's Babygirl. He could also see that she had her tongue pierced.BRBR
She decided to break the uncomfortable silence. "I know we have some things to talk about but I..."BRBR
"Now is not the time nor the place Ria. We'll discuss everything later." He declared defiantly. She could hear a bitterness in his tone.BRBR
She nodded in agreement. iOkay who are you and what have you done with my Spaceboy? Wait a minute, he hasn't be my Spaceboy for a long time./iBRBR
"Okay fair enough. How are you doing?"BRBR
He looked her dead in the eyes. She could see unshed tears threatening to spill over. "I'm okay I guess. But Liz..."BRBR
"Liz what, Micheal?"BRBR
The tears finally slipped down his cheeks. "She's taking it so hard. I don't understand why everything always happens to her. It's just not fair."BRBR
She crossed the room and put her arms around him. "I know Micheal. It isn't fair. But we can't change it." She said as tears pooled up in her own eyes. "They're," She sniffled. " they're gone."BRBR
He broke down. "But, you didn't see that lost look in her eyes Ria." He cried. "She was so lost. She closed herself up to everyone. She's only 17. She's done nothing to deserve this. And Ava just turned 16. This is wrong." He sniffled. "Just wrong." He added softly.BRBR
Maria remembered that gentleness in his voice. It was reserved solely for her. In the old days at least. Memories flashed through her head of the old days all the time. It seemed like another lifetime. It all seemed so long ago. Looking back on it, Micheal really did love her. But she at some point just fell out of love with him. Yet, now, she continued to hold him like she used to. If only for that moment. iI should at least give him this. If only for a few seconds. /i BRBR
For a moment, Micheal pretended to forget that she wasn't his anymore and relished in the fact that her arms were around him. He could pretend for that one second that she still loved him. And it felt good. He missed her touch so badly. He missed being loved so much. Then reality set back in and he dislodged himself from her arms, a look of pain flashing through his eyes.BRBR
She knew why he had pulled back. "Micheal I'm sor-"BRBR
"Save it. Sorry doesn't change anything. Like I said: We'll. Discuss. This. Later." He said as he angrily wiped the tears from his face. "There's more important things to worry about than bmy/b feelings right now.BRBR
"But.."BRBR
"But nothing." He abruptly cut her off.BRBR
She gave him a look of contempt. She was about to open her mouth when she was once again cut off.BRBR
Another obviously male voice drifted into the room and interupted what was sure to soon develop into a fight. "Baby, you in dere?" BRBR
"Yea sweetie. Come here."BRBR
If Micheal didn't know any better, he could swear that the guy who just walked in could pass for his brother. iWell isn't that just hysterical. Add insult to injury much Ria?/i He thought cynically. Maria gave the guy a small pec on the cheek and took his hand in hers. He could see the look of love the other guy gave her as she smiled up at him adoringly. iSo this must be Ashley. That's it. There's no way I'll ever get her back. This looks like they're both in it for the long haul. At least he'll take good care of her./i "Micheal this is my boyfriend Ashley. Ashley this is Micheal."BRBR
"Hey." Was Micheal's response.BRBR
"Wut up." Was Ashley's. iYep, definitely a New Yorker./i Was Micheal's thought.BRBR
Meanwhile Ashley was thinking other thoughts as he looked at Micheal. iIt can't be? Could it. No. It's just not possible. He couldn't be here. They never said anything about it. He's here. I finally found him./i Maria interupted his train of thought. BRBR
"Micheal where is Liz?" She asked as she clutched Ashley's hand tightly.BRBR
"She's asleep in her room. So is Ava."BRBR
"How they doin'?" Ashley asked in true concern.BRBR
He shook his head sadly. "Not good. Not good at all." BRBR
Maria turned to Ashley, "Baby I'm gonna go check on them."BRBR
"Aight. I'll be hea."BRBR
As soon as she exited the room, Ashley tried to strike up a conversation with Micheal.BRBR
"So seriously, how are they?"BRBR
Micheal glanced at Ashley waringly. "Like I said this is hitting them really hard. It's gonna take a long time for them to get over it. Especially Liz."BRBR
Ashley noted the soft look in Micheal's eyes as he spoke Liz's name. iInteresting./i "You care about her a lot, don't you?"BRBR
"Yeah I do. She doesn't deserve this after all the shit she's been through."BRBR
iOkay/i Ashley thought. iTime ta change da topic. Like yestaday./iBRBR
"What's da deal wit Ria?"BRBR
iCould we not get into this shit again. I've had enough for one day./i "What do you mean?" Micheal asked impatiently.BRBR
iAight, I obviously asked da wrong question. But I might as well stick wit it./i "What went down wit you two?"BRBR
"It's complicated."BRBR
"I got time." He said as he took a seat at the desk.BRBR
"I really don't want to discuss it. I might say some things I'll regret later."BRBR
Ashley could sympathize to an extent. He had a girlfriend that was with him for three years that just up and left one day without a word. He felt for Micheal. The pain in his eyes shone through every time he looked at Maria. He wanted to know what happened. He had heard Maria's version. Now he wanted to hear Micheal's. And not only because he was curious of the situation. Now that he found who he was searching for, for most of this life, at least; he wanted to know every bit of information about his life. He bneeded/b to know everything.BRBR
iWho does this guy think he is?/i "Why do you care?"BRBR
"I just do." iIf you only knew Rath./iBRBR
p align=centerLiz's Room/pBRBR
Maria pushed the door open carefully. She didn't want to wake either girl up. But Ava was already awake.BRBR
She stretched out in the chair by Liz's bed. "Maria? Is that you?"BRBR
"Hey Ava. How are you?"BRBR
"I'm okay I guess. Considering the circumstances."BRBR
Maria looked at Ava. She too had changed. Her hair was now long and a soft shade of brown. She didn't look like a little 'hoodlum' anymore. And she no longer seemed as timid as she once was. iEveryone went on without me./i Maria thought sadly. She decided that she'd put all hard feelings she had for Tess aside and treat Ava like she should've in the beginning. Besides, Ava had just celebrated her 16th birthday no more than two days ago. iWhat a present huh?/i BRBR
She slowly bent down in front of Ava. "I know this is gonna be hard sweetie. But I promise I'll be here if you need me." She was startled as the girl reached out and hugged her. "Thanks Maria. That means a lot."BRBR
"I know we haven't gotten along too well in the past but I promise that will change."BRBR
"Thank you, Maria." Ava said as tears welled up in her crystal blue eyes.BRBR
Maria felt her own eyes begin to water once again. "You're welcome, Ava."BRBR
They were interupted by a soft knocking at the door.BRBR
Ava's head shot up, "That's Micheal."BRBR
Maria felt a twinge of jealousy again. She resented the bond that they all shared. At least when Alex was here, she wasn't alone.BRBR
Without either of them saying a word, Micheal slowly opened the door. He first laid eyes on Maria, and she caught his hard gaze. But she noticed a change in his demeanor when he saw Ava. "How are you Av?" This was a side of Micheal that she wasn't used to seeing on a regular basis. He used to only act like this around her. She again felt a twinge of jealousy tug at her heart. iI've missed so much./i He had finally opened up. Just not when she was around.BRBR
"Aight. I guess." Ava responded despondently.BRBR
"C'mere." He commanded softly as he opened up his arms to her.BRBR
Maria watched as she quickly stood and went to him. He hugged her tightly as she began to sob.BRBR
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Liz was beginning to stir.BRBR
Before Liz even opened her eyes, Ava sensed she was awake and whispered to Micheal. "Go to her, she needs you." Even though it hurt that Liz seemed to need Micheal more, she understood. And she also knew that Micheal would take good care of her. He would never let her down. He had been let down too many times. And he was good at learning from others' mistakes. These days at least.BRBR
Micheal pushed past Maria and sat next to Liz on the bed. Maria eyed the exchange carefully.BRBR
Liz slowly opened her eyes. The first person she saw was Micheal. He gently cupped her cheek. "How are you?"BRBR
She leaned into his hand while covering it with her own. "I honestly don't know Micheal. I feel like I've been hit with a train." She sniffled.BRBR
He put his arm around her when she sat up a bit. Somehow it ended up that she was sitting in between his legs with his arms around her waist. She instinctively curled into him. She looked so lost. BRBR
"Av?" Liz questioned still seeing her sister standing in the doorway with her arms wrapped around herself.BRBR
"Lizzy?"BRBR
"Come here." Liz said as she patted the bed.BRBR
Ava sat down on the edge of the bed. Liz motioned for her to come closer. When she did, she was promptly pulled into an embrace by her sister.BRBR
Maria watched as Micheal held both girls protectively. While the girls held each other tightly. She felt she was intruding on the moment so she made an excuse.BRBR
"I'm gonna go find Ashley."BRBR
Only Micheal acknowledged her statement. He nodded slightly. So she left the room.BRBR
Once outside, she sunk to her knees in the hallway. She let out a sob. She began to cry. Ashley saw her and was in front of her in an instant.BRBR
"Baby, was wrong?" He asked as he reached for her hands.BRBR
She looked up at him. "Liz didn't even notice I was there. It's like she doesn't need me." She cried.BRBR
Ashley pulled her to him. "Don't think that way baby. She needs ya. She's just very emotional right now. Give her some time. I promise." He said as he attempted to wipe the tears from her beautiful face.BRBR
"You're probably right. I love you, Ash."BRBR
He smiled. He never got tired of hearing those words uttered from her mouth. "I love you too baby. I always will." BRBR
He helped her up. "C'mon let's go see what your bro is up ta." He draped an arm around her.BRBR
She nodded and grasped the hand that he had around her waist. "Okay."BRBR
They walked into the Livingroom only to find Kyle and Isabel asleep in each other's arms. So Ashley sat down on the recliner and pulled Maria into his lap. "Sleep love." He told her. "It's been a long day. An' we got some rough ones comin'."BRBR
She smiled sleepily as he uttered the word 'we'. In their relationship, it wasn't even just her or him it was always them. They did things together as one. Not separately. As was the case with her and Micheal. But, truth be told, Micheal was the furthest thing from her mind as sleep overtook her.BRBR
Meanwhile...BRBR
Both Ava and Liz had drifted off on Micheal as they sat on Liz's bed. He didn't mind. Not at all. They needed their rest. The next few days were going to be the hardest of all. He knew that firsthand. Which is why thoughts of Maria drifted into his mind as dreamland began to take over him. And this was only just the beginning of what was to come. The road ahead was paved with surprises, with the biggest one of all being for him.BRBR
********BRBR
