~~~Ch 11~~~

Liz blinked a few times, fighting her way out from under the haze of exhaustion that she had succumbed to.  She had needed the rest.  She had been physically drained from the game yesterday and losing sleep, but the emotional exhaustion had made it all worse.  She had spent the last twenty four hours constantly worrying if Max would be okay...if Ryan would be okay....

As the room came into focus, she noticed the blonde on the couch had turned and smiled at her.  "Hey there sleepyhead," Isabel said as if they had known each other for years instead of a few hours—during most of which, Liz had been sleeping.

"Hey," Liz replied sleepily, rubbing her eyes and yawning.  "How long was I sleeping for?"

"Not as long as I thought you would.  Just a few hours really.  We got ditched by the way," she said, turning back towards the TV and the show she had been watching.

"Ditched?"

"Yeah...the moms went out to dinner.  Trevor came up a while ago to tell you, but I assured him I'd let you know when you woke up.  He said there's food downstairs if we want it...but I think we should go out ourselves..." Isabel said, a mischievous tone in her voice.

"What did you have in mind?" Liz asked cautiously.

Isabel turned back around, squealing and clapping her hands.  "My boyfriend Alex's band is playing tonight at this club and I didn't really want to go sit by myself like I always do...so I thought that we could go grab some food and hang out with some normal people our own age..."

"Actually that sounds great.  I'd love to go."

"Oooh this is going to be soooo much fun.  I promise."

Liz laughed, still surprised to have found a new friend by way of her mother.  It was still a bit surreal, but she couldn't deny that it was nice to have another girl to hang out with.  However, the little voice in the back of her mind reminded her that she had promised to go back to the hospital after her nap.  Ryan would surely be awake by now and probably wondering where she was.  And then there was Max...

"Do you think we could make a quick stop somewhere?" Liz asked cautiously.

"No not at all.  Where do you need to go?"

"Well...I kinda need to stop at St. Helens Hospital..."

"The hospital?  Why would you want to go there?" Isabel asked, scrunching her face up in confusion.

"A friend of mine was in an accident yesterday and I promised him and his son that I would visit again after I got some rest.  That's where I was all night—with them."

"Oh wow...I had no idea.  Especially with the way your mom was acting—are they okay?"

"Don't even get me started on my mom," she said laughing sarcastically, "but yeah, they're fine.  Max is pretty banged up and I think the nurse said he broke his arm has a few broken ribs and something about fractures in his leg...  I'm not sure what it all means really.  But Ryan, that's Max's little boy, is fine.  He barely looks like he was in the same car as Max."

"Well if we're going to make that stop at the hospital, we should get going now...or else we'll miss the opening set.  I can't wait to introduce you to Alex!  I can just tell you two are going to get along!" Isabel said, trying to change the subject and lighten the mood a little.

Liz laughed, thankful for Isabel's efforts.  "Let me just change my clothes and then we can go..."

Fifteen minutes later, the pair was sitting in Isabel's red SUV, driving towards the hospital.  "You're so lucky that your parents actually let you drive...mine won't even let me near the car," Liz said wistfully.

"Are you kidding?  Well I'll definitely have to have my mom talk to your mom.  That's so not cool.  In fact, I'll teach you myself....I passed Driver's Ed. with flying colors."

"Oh wow.  Have I told you how much I love you?" Liz laughed.

~~~

Max looked at the clock on the wall for what seemed like the thousandth time.  Michael had taken Ryan home about two hours ago and Maria had went to the cafeteria to get some coffee, which left him sitting in the hospital room alone.  Boredom had set in long ago and he couldn't help but be anxious for the return of a certain brunette.  There were these nagging little thoughts in the back of his mind that kept saying 'She might not come back....What girl would want to get involved with a guy who had a kid?  ...Especially a girl like Liz...'

Just then a timid knock on the door brought him out of his daze.  "Come in," he said quietly.  The door opened slowly and a dark head appeared.  Liz stepped shyly into the room followed by a tall blonde.  "Hey Liz.  It's good to see you again.  I was getting pretty bored here all by myself."

"Where is every one?" she asked as she walked over to his bed.

"Well Maria is in the cafeteria getting some coffee and Michael took Ryan home so he could get some rest.  Speaking of which...did you manage to get some sleep?"

"Yeah.  I did actually.  How are you feeling?  Did they give you anything for the pain?"

"Still feel like crap but yeah at least they have me drugged up so I can't really feel much right now," Max replied, forcing a small smile.

Liz smiled back and for a moment they just stared at each other.  Isabel cleared her throat, hoping to remind her new friend of her presence.  "Oooh sorry.  This is my friend Isabel," she said gesturing towards the blonde girl, "And Izzy, I'd like you to meet Max."

"Nice to meet you," Isabel said, reaching out to shake Max's hand.

"Nice to meet you too," Max said politely.

"Isabel invited me to go see her boyfriend's band with her at some club so we can't really stay long.  I just wanted to see how you were..."

Suddenly the hospital room door opened and Maria bounded through holding coffee in one hand and some sort of pink frozen beverage in the other.  "Max you won't believe what I brought you...Oh hi Liz.  Who's you're friend."

"Hey Maria.  This is my friend Isabel."

"Hey there Iz.  Anyway...as I was saying before...they had these strawberry smoothies downstairs so I brought you one.  You better not rat me out to the nurses though...or else no more treats for you," she rambled, handing the plastic cup to Max.  "So Liz...get any sleep?"

"Yeah actually I did.  Thanks for making me go.  I really needed that."

"No problem.  Ask the guys...I'm good at bossing people around.  So are you staying long?"

"Actually Izzy invited me to come with her to see her boyfriend Alex's band..."

"Liz if you wanna stay you won't offend me.  I can come pick you up after the concert if you'd like," Isabel interrupted.

"No you should go have some fun.  At least one of us should.  You can tell me all about it later so I can live vicariously through you," Max said, not wanting Liz to miss out on fun to stay with him.

"Are you sure?" she asked.  "I know I promised that I would come back and visit and now I'm running out on you..."

"I'm positive.  I'll just take a raincheck on the visit—an extension 'til later.  And besides if you come back later, not only can you tell me all about it, but by then Ryan should be back.  He was looking for you earlier and I'm sure he'd be glad to see you again."

"Okay...if you sure," Liz said, still uncertain.

"Hey Liz, I know how you could make it up to him..." Maria chimed in.

Max suddenly blushed, dreading whatever insinuation Maria was about to make.  He was thankful that Liz didn't seem to notice his reaction. 

Maria winked at him and continued.  "Well since Max here is going to be on crutches and Michael and I can only take Ryan a few days during the week due to our work schedules...I'm sure he would really appreciate some help with the little rugrat.  And I'm sure it would be nice to have some company while he's all cooped up in his apartment all day," she finished, looking expectantly at Liz.

"Ummm sure I guess.  I only have practice twice this week so just let me know when you need me."

"Great!" Maria exclaimed, clapping her hands and grinning. 

"You know Maria," Max interrupted, "you should go with them.  I need to get some sleep anyway and I'm sure Michael will be back soon."

"If you say so Max.  You know me...I'm not one to turn down a good time."

"We better get going..." Isabel said, nudging Liz with her elbow.

"I know I know...you wanna see Alex.  I get it," Liz said, rolling her eyes in mock sarcasm.

"You'll understand once you meet him," she gushed.

Maria made a gagging expression which caused everyone in the room to start laughing...Isabel included.

"Seriously though girls, we're gonna miss the first set..." Isabel warned for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"Bye Max," Maria called linking arms with the other two girls and dragging them towards the door.

"Have fun," he called, smiling at their antics.  "See you later Liz..."

"Count on it..." Liz said laughing as Maria refused to let her stop for even a second.

And with an echo of laughter the door closed and Max was once again left alone with his thoughts.

TBC...