"So what did you think of the movie, Liz?" Dawson asked eagerly. Liz shrugged.
"It was fine." She said noncommittally. Truth was, the movie had been one of those old sappy movies that always has a happy ending where everybody turns out fine and dandy. In Liz's opinion, it had sucked. It had only served to make her feel worse; wanting a happy ending of her own. Unfortunately, Dawson seemed to be as unperceptive as ever and he had not picked up on her feelings.
"Fine?" He asked, incredulous. "That's all? What about how it all came together in the end? They lived happily...?" He was silenced by a glare from Joey. Pacey smiled softly at Liz and put his arm around her.
"Don't worry, Liz. Your happy ending will come someday." He assured her.
"I wish." She said somewhat cynically.
"It will!" Andie piped in. "We may not have a happy ending now, but eventually we'll all get our nice, fluffy endings." She said optimistically. Jack shook his head.
"Sometimes I wonder if we're really related." He said half-joking. Andie rolled her eyes.
"I think Andie has a valid point." Maria spoke up. "I mean, even though we might be going through some problems right now, they always seem to find a resolution somehow."
"Right, and then- more problems." Alex chimed in. Jen shrugged.
"I guess that's why they tell us to enjoy our happy times- you know to treasure and always remember the joyous times in life. You can always look back on those and get all nostalgic and stuff." She put in. Joey nodded in agreement.
"Well, anyways- to get the topic off happy endings that, although we might someday end up with, we don't have so far- what do you guys want to do next?" Joey asked.
"Ice cream?" Andie suggested. "It always helps me feel better when I'm down." Liz smiled.
"Yeah, I think I could use a pig out session about now."
"You guys can go ahead." Dawson said. "I'm going to go back home so I can help take care of my little sister."
"Bye Dawson." Joey said and waved. Everyone else chimed in and waved good-bye. They continued on their way to the Braum's.
"What do you want, Liz?" Pacey inquired. "My treat." She smiled softly up at him.
"Chocolate chip cookie dough in a cone." All attention turned to the familiar voice. Max, Isabel, and Michael were standing with their own cones just to the left of the group. "It's her favorite." Max added as he felt everyone staring at him. Liz nodded slightly.
"Yeah." She cleared her throat. "But I think it's time for a change." She shot a glance at Max, then looked at Pacey. "Get me a rocky road, in a cone please." Pacey nodded.
"Will do." He went to stand in the line, which was surprisingly quite long. Jen, Jack, Joey, and Andie all followed him.
"What a coincidence, huh?" Michael tried to lighten the mood.
"Actually Capeside's not that big of a town." Liz replied.
"So we've seen." Isabel said. Maria and Alex exchanged glances- their mission was clear.
"Um- Isabel why don't we go talk somewhere, I don't know, far from here?" Alex suggested. Isabel smiled and followed him complacently.
"Michael- I... want ice cream. Get me an ice cream." Maria half demanded, half requested. Michael shrugged. He glanced at Max, then got in line, Maria right beside him. Liz watched her friends go, knowing full well what they were doing.
"Well I guess you got your wish."
"Which one?" Max asked, looking directly at Liz with love clearly in his eyes.
"You wanted to talk, didn't you?" Liz commented, avoiding his gaze.
"We need to talk." Max corrected. He paused. "I'm not with Tess."
"That's great, Max." Liz said, her voice emotionless. Max studied her carefully.
"I said I'm not with Tess, Liz." He repeated himself. "I never was." He paused. "Aren't you at least a little happy?"
"It doesn't really affect me, Max." Liz said. "Because I know that even if now, you aren't with her, you will be someday in the future." Max shook his head vehemently.
"No, Liz, I won't. I don't care about Tess-I never have and I never will."
"She's your destiny, Max. You can't change that." Liz reminded him.
"Yes I can." Max said determinedly. "She was my past- my past self's destiny, but I'm not the same person. I make my own destiny."
"No, Max. You don't make your own destiny because you're a king! She's your queen! You're supposed to get married whether it's your destiny or not because you eventually have to return to wherever you came from!" Liz lowered her voice so only Max could hear. He closed his eyes.
"I don't have to return." He said. Then he looked straight at Liz. "I don't want to return." He said emotionally, gazing straight into her eyes. "Not if I have to leave you, and especially not if I have to marry Tess." Liz could feel her resolve weaken. Max always had a way of getting to her, but she couldn't let him win that easily.
"Max, just leave me alone." She almost pleaded. He seemed surprised. "Please." He nodded in understanding.
"Michael, Isabel I'm going back." He said. "You guys can stay and have fun." Isabel cast a glance at her brother and quickly stood muttering some excuse to Alex.
"Max, wait up!" She said and jogged to catch up with him. Michael rolled his eyes but followed Max as well. Liz was quickly turned around and handed an ice cream cone- chocolate chip cookie dough. Pacey smiled wryly.
"I figured you'd still want it- you were just trying to show him you'd changed." Liz smiled sadly.
"Yeah."
"You OK?" Joey asked.
"I'm just tired. It's been a long day." Liz yawned.
"That's the understatement of the year." Maria commented.
"Let's go home, guys." Jack instructed their group. Everyone complied and soon Liz was left alone in her room- her sole comfort her pillow. She lie back on her bed and quickly fell asleep.
