Michael unfolded himself from the driver's seat of Maria's new Suburban. He met her at the front of the car then walked into the Crashdown, through the boister of the crowd and plastic aliens, to the back kitchen door. Up the stairs and to the left, Liz's door was open. She and Max were curled up together on her bed, reading travel guides for Mexico. Taja lounged in a chair near the window, changing her hair and skin different colors.
Maria tapped on the door lightly, then stepped in. "Hey babe, I've got some bad news."
Her best friend looked right up at her. "We're not going to Mexico."
"How…?"
Max stopped reading the guide. "We figured since your family was in town, you wouldn't want to go. Hence, we all stay."
"You didn't have to stay," Maria smiled, "but thank you. My aunts offered to take us all back with them to San Francisco and hang out with them for a while. We can go on Monday."
"That's really nice of them. I'll call Alex, I think Isabel is with him," Liz smirked.
Taja, who was currently blue-skinned with red hair and lips, spoke up. "I can call Kyle. I have the number for the shop."
Michael scowled at her blatant display of her powers and couldn't restrain himself. "Don't do that. People could see you!"
"I'm not stupid, I've been hiding longer than you have! I know what I'm doing." She punched him playfully in the arm. "What's with you today?"
"I'm just a little wound up," he said apologetically. "There are too many people at the house." He ran his fingers through his thick, chestnut hair. "Oh, and we kicked you out of your room. You'll need to stay with Liz until we leave."
Liz nodded in agreement and looked at Taja, who spoke again to Michael. "Can do. Just chill out, okay. Your aura is all splotchy and shooting out funky colors. It's driving me nuts."
"Sorry I yelled."
"Aww."
"Shut up."
"We can't tell them, Michael. There's too much stuff going on now."
"You have to tell them before we go to San Francisco."
"I will. I promise."
Liz turned to Max. "Taja's right. It's creepy when they do that. In a romantic sort of way."
"Are you okay with this?" Max asked her.
Yes. I just can't believe there's not going to be a Mexico. At least we hadn't paid yet." Liz shrugged.
