Part Four: That Morning After Feeling

Michael felt very guilty after he and Isabel had left the prom. Sure, he had always liked her, but he was with Liz, and he didn't want to hurt her. He really did love her. So he went back to the prom, but Liz had already gone. So he went home. He had wanted to see her the day after, but he remembered that she wouldn't be there. She was going to Venice with her parents on vacation. She would be gone for three weeks, and he would have to wait.

Liz's Return

Liz came back to school about four weeks after the prom. They had stayed an extra week in Venice because of her father's negotiating, and she didn't mind at all. She loved Venice, it was beautiful and the people were very friendly. Plus it got her away from the troubles of her life at home in Roswell. Her night with Max had been unbelievable, but she was at odds about what to do. She would probably try to go out with him, if he didn't hate her for not telling him she was leaving. If he hadn't found someone else by now. For all she knew Michael and Isabel were dating by then as well. She didn't know, but it plagued her thoughts the entire vacation. She returned to school on a Friday, and to her surprise, everything was much the same as she had left it.
"So Lauryn, what's been going on since I've been gone?" Liz asked as she walked with her friend towards their lockers.
"Nothing much really. Louis, you know that really cute football player who I have a huge crush on? Well he's going out with Britney Camacho. And Charlie Davis broke his leg. Oh and Sara Finner and Mark Gramada got into a huge accident after prom. Their limousine driver was drunk, apparently, and they crashed into another car. No one was hurt though. That's about it. Oh, and Tess quit the team! She started dating that guy, um, one of Max's friends. Josh Truman. And Isabel gave her an ultimatum. I was so surprised when she quit. Auditions for her spot are this weekend. We're adding three new girls to the team this time. That's it I think."
"Oh my God! I can't believe Tess parted with her with her shadow. Or the other way around, you know. Wow!" Liz laughed. "How's Isabel taking it?" She asked.
"Oh, well she's pretty much been taking it out on me. She can be such a bitch sometimes."
"Yeah. She really can. Has she been seeing anyone?"
"Oh, no. I think she tried to hook up with Brad Mitchell, but that didn't last very long. Michael is still available if that's what you're wondering. He's been very out of it since you left. The coach had to take him out of the game a couple times even. We've been losing a lot." She laughed.
"Cool." Liz replied nonchalantly.
"Well we'd better get to class. Remember, auditions on Saturday, you have to be there. Isabel will go crazy if you don't show."
"Right. Got it, don't worry. I'm back you won't be alone with the torture anymore!" She laughed.
"Thank goodness!"

Biology Class

Liz walked into her classroom and turned in all her work she had gotten before she left. She then sat down in her old seat. Michael was nowhere in sight. The rest of the class filed in gradually, but the bell rang and Michael was still not there. Max, however, was.
"Well, you're back." He stated as he sat down next to her.
"Yep." Liz replied casually.
"So..."
"Yeah. Listen, about that night. I don't know how you feel about it, but I hope this isn't awkward. Because I really like you, and I want to stay friends."
"I like you too. And that night was, incredible." Max confided. Liz blushed.
"It was." She agreed. And the two of them began to work on their assignment.

Saturday

Liz, Isabel, and Lauryn had gathered early in the gym setting up mats and getting warmed up. Isabel had decided to let each person have their own personal audition, and then they would choose the best ten and have them do a more complicated cheer together. They would then narrow it down to five and have those five be notified that the final auditions would be the following Monday.
"So I will demonstrate the cheer for the girls. Got it?" Isabel asked as she finished explaining her plan.
"Right."
"Got it." Lauryn and Liz agreed.
"Good. Liz, go let them in." Isabel ordered.
"God how I've missed this..." She said under her breath.
"What?" Isabel asked.
"Nothing..." Liz shook her head. She let in the first few girls and took her seat to watch the auditions. It went slow at first but once they had chosen the top ten girls it went faster. Seven of the girls got the cheer completely right. But they could only choose five so they narrowed it down to Melissa Elliott, Morgan Thomas, Christy Tyler, Maria DeLuca, and Sara Logan.
"So are we done until Monday?" Liz asked after they had announced the finalists.
"Yeah, you can go. Oh, have you talked to Michael yet?" Isabel inquired.
"No. He wasn't in school yesterday." Liz replied. "Why?"
"Just wondering. Prom night was, well promising, but he's not my type."
"Oh I see." Liz smirked.
"Remember what I said about Max. I heard that you left with him after the prom. I'll ruin you. We both know I can do it. Stay away from him Liz."
"Nothing happened." Liz lied. "And I plan on staying away from him, don't worry." She thought it better to agree with Isabel, even if she wasn't sure exactly what was going to happen between her and Max.
"Hey Liz, can you drive me home?" Lauryn asked coming back form the bathroom.
"Oh, I've got you Lauryn. You're right on my way home. We wouldn't want Liz going out of her way now would we?" Isabel asked, smiling.
"Of course not." Lauryn agreed, grimacing.
"Well, I guess I'll see you guys later then. Oh, my parents are going out of town tomorrow if you want to come over." She reminded them.
"Cool, I'll call you." Lauryn said. Isabel just nodded. Liz smiled and left.

Sunday Morning

Liz heard the doorbell ringing and thought her parents must have forgotten their keys and come back. She slid down the banister happily, still in her pajamas. She opened the door without bothering to look at who was outside. Michael's face was the last thing she had expected to see.
"Hi Liz." He said.
"Hey..." Liz replied.
"How are you?" He asked.
"Umm, I'm fine I guess. Not very prepared for company." She laughed as she tried to flatten her rumpled hair.
"Don't worry about it. You look adorable." He smiled.
"Funny you should say that, I remember you saying something similar that other time." She reminded him harshly.
"About that. I'm so sorry I left with her. I got caught up in the moment I guess. I want you to know that nothing happened between us. I swear to you Liz. I've never lied to you before, and I'm not lying now. You have to believe me." He begged. Liz looked up at him. She could tell he was truly sorry for what he had done, and she knew he wasn't lying.
"I believe you." She said. She looked up at him again and he leaned down and kissed her. It took her by surprise, but she enjoyed it.
"Listen, I don't know if now is the best time for this..." She began.
"Don't stress it. Your parents are gone right?" He asked.
"Yes, but I think I should tell you something."
"Tell me later." He said as he moved inside and kissed her neck.
"But, I think you should know now."
"All I want to do now is what we should have done on prom night. It should have been perfect, but it wasn't. It was my fault and I want to make it up to you." He told her, breathing heavily on her neck and kissing her between his words. Liz sighed and gave in to him, pulling his body closer to hers. He carried her upstairs and into her bedroom.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked.
"I'm sure. Are you?" Michael asked her.
"Mmmhhmmmm." She whispered almost inaudibly.
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