Ok guys I'm not too sure where this is all headed, so I'm just going with
the flow! Please give me your feedback though coz it really helps!
PS - I wrote this next chapter whilst listening to Celine Dion, so yeah it
got kinda sweet and beautiful!
Go the Wallabies!!
Chapter 4
Maria was just about to turn of her bedside light after eating a whole tub of Cadbury ice-cream with Liz when she heard a soft knock on her window. She slowly dragged herself out of her bed wearing her cool new hot pink pajama bottoms and singlet top. She hated it when she was in bed and she got disturbed. Usually it was Michael, but lately Max had been paying her a lot of visits. He had been so distressed lately that he often came to Maria for a D&M. But tonight Maria was very pleased to see her boyfriend, Michael at the window. A smile passed over her face.
"Michael, it's a bit late isn't it?" she asked, trying not to grin.
"Yeah sorry babe, but I just didn't want to sleep alone tonight" he said softly as he lifted his leg over the base of the window. He walked over to her and softly kissed her lips.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, pulling away from his kiss and touching his face lightly.
"Nothing. Hank's just being a bastard again. I just couldn't stay there in that dump". He said, holding her close.
"Oh no, he didn't hit you again did he?" Maria said very worriedly, as she checked his cheeks, arms and chest for any swelling or bruising.
Michael shook his head slowly, "he didn't hit me". Michael knew that he probably should tell Maria the truth, but she worried too much about him. Hank had been beating him up an awful lot lately, but he just couldn't tell. Not yet anyway. As long as Max kept his mouth shut and kept healing him, he would be fine.
Maria sighed taking Michael's hand in hers. "Michael I want you to move in here with me. I just can't handle the thought that you could be being abused by that awful man whilst I'm here".
Michael smiled. It was so like Maria to come up with the most bizarre ideas. "Maria are you mad? Your mum wouldn't let me stay here if I was the last thing left on this earth!"
"Yes, but Michael if she knew why I wanted you here, so would allow it no questions asked" she said, as she lightly touching his cheek with her fingertips. "And besides, you know how well I can persuade my mum!"
"Whatever you say Miss Deluca, but there's no need to worry about me. I'm a big boy you know!" he said as he lifted up her small body and laid her carefully down on the bed. Maria pulled up the doona cover and snuggled up to his warm body. She loved sleeping next to him. It was certainly the second best thing to making out with him! She loved to lie across his chest so that she could hear his long, deep breaths.
Moment's later Michael finally spoke.
"Thank you Maria" he said softly.
She propped herself up so that she could look into his warm eyes. "For what?" she asked.
He let out a slow sigh, "just for, you know, being there for me".
Maria giggled and hugged him tightly. "God am I lying next to the same man that I knew a year ago? I have a strange feeling that he may have transformed into one of those super-sensitive guys!" she said jokingly.
" You sure are babe. What you see is what you get!" he said laughing.
With that Maria leaned forward as kissed him lovingly on the lips. Only minutes later they were both sound asleep in each others arms.
* * *
"Good morning Miss Parker" Mr Jenkins said kindly as he raised himself from his chair to shake her hand firmly. "What can I do for you today?"
Liz let out a long slow breath. She was a little nervous about speaking with this man, after all he was a complete stranger. Yet she knew that someone had to hear her out. "Well I was meant to see you yesterday actually, but I just had to think a little bit more about what I needed to say" she said.
"Right. Well Liz I have been looking at a few of your reports and academic achievements and I can see from these that you are one very talented young lady. However I must point out from these records, that lately the standard of your work has fallen substantially," he said, looking at Liz through his glasses, which rested on the tip of his nose.
Liz shifted in her seat, uncomfortable now. " I know. That is why I thought I should pay you a visit" she said quietly.
Mr Jenkins took of his glasses and sat back casually in his chair. "Elizabeth, there no need to feel uncomfortable about talking to me. Your ultimate desire is to go to Harvard right?"
Liz stopped fidgeting at looked up. "Yes" she replied.
"Well let me just tell you a little story. I'm sure you are aware that my accent does not sound 'perfectly American', right?"
Liz smiled "Yes I have noticed that!"
Mr Jenkins picked up his coffee cup and took a sip before speaking to Liz again. "Well I'm actually Australian, but I have been living in the States for the last ten years.
"You're Australian?" Liz said surprised.
"Sure am! However like you, as a small boy it was always my dream to to go to Harvard. And you know what, I did go to Harvard" he said.
Liz sat up even straighter in her seat. "You went to Harvard?"
" I did indeed, although when I was your age it seemed impossible. You see I am a country boy. I lived one and a half-hours away from the closest town, Wanganella. Now population wise, Wanganella wouldn't even be a quarter of what Roswell has!"
Liz was shocked. How could anybody live so far from civilization? "One and a half hours from town?"
"Yes and half an hour from our closest neighbours. So I didn't actually go to school until I was twelve. I did my primary school education by correspondence" he replied.
"That must have been so difficult. And to only start at a real school when you were twelve!" Liz said. Liz now felt far more comfortable with talking to this man. He had come such a long way in his life. And to have gone to Harvard!
Mr. Jenkins laughed. "Yes it was! You should have seen me the first time I went to Sydney. I'd never seen such a huge place before! Basically the point of this story Liz, is that although I had a rough start and came from nowhere, I did it. I got top marks at school and went to Sydney University. They were so impressed with my work in my freshman year, that I won a scholarship to Harvard. And here I am today, still in the United States!"
"Wow that is amazing. You have come such a long way Mr Jenkins" Liz said, suddenly annoyed at herself for getting so distracted in her senior year.
"But Liz that's enough from me. All you really need to know is that you can still achieve your goals. You definitely have the potential to get accepted into Harvard, but you must not get distracted anymore" he said, as he copied a few notes down onto his laptop.
"No more distractions" Liz whispered to herself. Now that was going to be a difficult task.
Mr. Jenkins nodded, "Yes, no more distractions. The vacation is coming up very soon Liz, so why not take a short holiday outside of Roswell. I can guarantee that it will be the best thing you ever do. You will be able to focus more clearly on your schoolwork and that's what you need for your senior year. Well that's all I have to say Liz".
Liz stood up and pushed in her chair. "Well thank you for your advice Mr. Jenkins, I really appreciate it".
He smiled, feeling pleased with himself. "You're welcome Miss Parker, anytime"
Liz walked out the door and closed it firmly.
On her way home she walked through the many streets of Roswell thinking about her life. She passed the hockey field where there were loud cheers and shouts coming from the crowd. She began to think very seriously about what Mr. Jenkins had said. Going to Harvard had been one of those things that she had been destined to do since she was five. Most people in Roswell just expected her to go there, mostly thanks to her father who made sure that everybody in town knew of it! So maybe a holiday away from Roswell would be the perfect solution, yet she knew she couldn't let go of everything just so one of her dreams could come true.
School wasn't everything. Other things in life were important too. Immediately Liz thought of Max. What had happened between him and Tess had destroyed their relationship. She had trusted him and he had broken her heart. But she also knew how much he regretted it. She could see it in his eyes every time they spoke. He looked so lonely and sad nowadays. Maria had tried to set her up with other guys on numerous occasions, yet deep down she knew that none of these relationships would ever work out. She and Max were soul mates that were destined to be with each other, however she just didn't know how to make things right.
* * *
"Ok who is up for a party this weekend?" Isabel said excitedly.
It was a Wednesday night and Maria, Michael, Isabel, Max and Liz were all sitting in their favourite booth in the Crashdown sipping on icy cold Coca- Cola. Liz and Maria had both just finished closing up and this was one of those moments in Liz's life that lately, she detested. As much as she loved her group of friends, the uncomfortable silence that was occurring between her and Max was something that she wished she could avoid. They sat beside opposite each other, both trying hard to ignore each others uncomfortable gaze.
Maria smiled to herself before standing up and glancing down at the others, "I hate to break it to you Isabel, but I, Maria Deluca already have a date".
Michael looked up surprised, "You have date?"
Maria turned, directing her conversation at Michael. " No silly, not a 'date-date'. I'm performing on Oxford Street this Saturday night, remember? Michael were you not listening to me before? I told you that yesterday while you were watching TV" she ended, slightly annoyed that Michael had not remembered something that was so important to her.
Michael sat back in the chair, not at all bothered that he had forgotten " Oh, well that explains it then. Maria you know that when I'm watching the box, my attention is entirely on the box, and only on the box".
Maria looked at him, slightly annoyed. "You are impossible Michael!" she said, as she playfully hit him on the shoulder.
She moved herself across the chair and sat on knee. Michael wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and moved his head forward so that he could whisper in her ear. "Maria of course I didn't forget about Saturday night. I know how important it is to you. I only pretended I didn't listen to you so that I wouldn't ruin my reputation!" he said, quietly laughing.
Maria giggled. God she loved this man.
"Well best of luck with your performance Maria, but I would still love you to come afterwards. Elle is having this major pre-vacation party and its going to be the party of the year! It would make me more than happy if all of you guys came" Isabel said smiling. She reached over and touched her brother's hand, "and that includes you Max".
Max smiled, "anything for you Iz" He knew how much events like this meant to Isabel. Isabel was known for being the 'socialiser' of the group. She had a thing for trying to be as 'non-alien' as she possibly could. Last Christmas she had organised a huge concert for a group of kids in Roswell. Max didn't mind, but he knew how much it had annoyed Michael. He had only just stopped calling her the 'Christmas Nazi'!
Isabel clapped her hands together and smiled happily. "Well it's all settled then. Party starts at eight, I guess Maria, Michael and Liz will be there a little later, right?" she said.
"Definitely" Liz replied giving Isabel a nod. "And ah guys sorry to be rude, but Dad wants me up in the house before ten so I'm going to have to ask you all to start moving along!".
"No problem Liz. Its getting late anyway" Isabel said looking at her watch. With that she and Max stood up, waved goodbye and walked out the door.
"Lizzie, you need any help with the last few tables?" Maria asked, as she stood holding Michael's hand.
"No, I'll be fine. You two go" Liz replied.
Maria walked over and gave Liz a tight hug.
"Night Liz" Michael said.
"Bye guys" Liz said, as she cleared the table of the bottles and glasses.
She began to wipe down the last few tables and was in a complete daze when she heard a soft knock at the front door. She put down her cleaning cloth and walked over to the cold glass door. It was Max.
Go the Wallabies!!
Chapter 4
Maria was just about to turn of her bedside light after eating a whole tub of Cadbury ice-cream with Liz when she heard a soft knock on her window. She slowly dragged herself out of her bed wearing her cool new hot pink pajama bottoms and singlet top. She hated it when she was in bed and she got disturbed. Usually it was Michael, but lately Max had been paying her a lot of visits. He had been so distressed lately that he often came to Maria for a D&M. But tonight Maria was very pleased to see her boyfriend, Michael at the window. A smile passed over her face.
"Michael, it's a bit late isn't it?" she asked, trying not to grin.
"Yeah sorry babe, but I just didn't want to sleep alone tonight" he said softly as he lifted his leg over the base of the window. He walked over to her and softly kissed her lips.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, pulling away from his kiss and touching his face lightly.
"Nothing. Hank's just being a bastard again. I just couldn't stay there in that dump". He said, holding her close.
"Oh no, he didn't hit you again did he?" Maria said very worriedly, as she checked his cheeks, arms and chest for any swelling or bruising.
Michael shook his head slowly, "he didn't hit me". Michael knew that he probably should tell Maria the truth, but she worried too much about him. Hank had been beating him up an awful lot lately, but he just couldn't tell. Not yet anyway. As long as Max kept his mouth shut and kept healing him, he would be fine.
Maria sighed taking Michael's hand in hers. "Michael I want you to move in here with me. I just can't handle the thought that you could be being abused by that awful man whilst I'm here".
Michael smiled. It was so like Maria to come up with the most bizarre ideas. "Maria are you mad? Your mum wouldn't let me stay here if I was the last thing left on this earth!"
"Yes, but Michael if she knew why I wanted you here, so would allow it no questions asked" she said, as she lightly touching his cheek with her fingertips. "And besides, you know how well I can persuade my mum!"
"Whatever you say Miss Deluca, but there's no need to worry about me. I'm a big boy you know!" he said as he lifted up her small body and laid her carefully down on the bed. Maria pulled up the doona cover and snuggled up to his warm body. She loved sleeping next to him. It was certainly the second best thing to making out with him! She loved to lie across his chest so that she could hear his long, deep breaths.
Moment's later Michael finally spoke.
"Thank you Maria" he said softly.
She propped herself up so that she could look into his warm eyes. "For what?" she asked.
He let out a slow sigh, "just for, you know, being there for me".
Maria giggled and hugged him tightly. "God am I lying next to the same man that I knew a year ago? I have a strange feeling that he may have transformed into one of those super-sensitive guys!" she said jokingly.
" You sure are babe. What you see is what you get!" he said laughing.
With that Maria leaned forward as kissed him lovingly on the lips. Only minutes later they were both sound asleep in each others arms.
* * *
"Good morning Miss Parker" Mr Jenkins said kindly as he raised himself from his chair to shake her hand firmly. "What can I do for you today?"
Liz let out a long slow breath. She was a little nervous about speaking with this man, after all he was a complete stranger. Yet she knew that someone had to hear her out. "Well I was meant to see you yesterday actually, but I just had to think a little bit more about what I needed to say" she said.
"Right. Well Liz I have been looking at a few of your reports and academic achievements and I can see from these that you are one very talented young lady. However I must point out from these records, that lately the standard of your work has fallen substantially," he said, looking at Liz through his glasses, which rested on the tip of his nose.
Liz shifted in her seat, uncomfortable now. " I know. That is why I thought I should pay you a visit" she said quietly.
Mr Jenkins took of his glasses and sat back casually in his chair. "Elizabeth, there no need to feel uncomfortable about talking to me. Your ultimate desire is to go to Harvard right?"
Liz stopped fidgeting at looked up. "Yes" she replied.
"Well let me just tell you a little story. I'm sure you are aware that my accent does not sound 'perfectly American', right?"
Liz smiled "Yes I have noticed that!"
Mr Jenkins picked up his coffee cup and took a sip before speaking to Liz again. "Well I'm actually Australian, but I have been living in the States for the last ten years.
"You're Australian?" Liz said surprised.
"Sure am! However like you, as a small boy it was always my dream to to go to Harvard. And you know what, I did go to Harvard" he said.
Liz sat up even straighter in her seat. "You went to Harvard?"
" I did indeed, although when I was your age it seemed impossible. You see I am a country boy. I lived one and a half-hours away from the closest town, Wanganella. Now population wise, Wanganella wouldn't even be a quarter of what Roswell has!"
Liz was shocked. How could anybody live so far from civilization? "One and a half hours from town?"
"Yes and half an hour from our closest neighbours. So I didn't actually go to school until I was twelve. I did my primary school education by correspondence" he replied.
"That must have been so difficult. And to only start at a real school when you were twelve!" Liz said. Liz now felt far more comfortable with talking to this man. He had come such a long way in his life. And to have gone to Harvard!
Mr. Jenkins laughed. "Yes it was! You should have seen me the first time I went to Sydney. I'd never seen such a huge place before! Basically the point of this story Liz, is that although I had a rough start and came from nowhere, I did it. I got top marks at school and went to Sydney University. They were so impressed with my work in my freshman year, that I won a scholarship to Harvard. And here I am today, still in the United States!"
"Wow that is amazing. You have come such a long way Mr Jenkins" Liz said, suddenly annoyed at herself for getting so distracted in her senior year.
"But Liz that's enough from me. All you really need to know is that you can still achieve your goals. You definitely have the potential to get accepted into Harvard, but you must not get distracted anymore" he said, as he copied a few notes down onto his laptop.
"No more distractions" Liz whispered to herself. Now that was going to be a difficult task.
Mr. Jenkins nodded, "Yes, no more distractions. The vacation is coming up very soon Liz, so why not take a short holiday outside of Roswell. I can guarantee that it will be the best thing you ever do. You will be able to focus more clearly on your schoolwork and that's what you need for your senior year. Well that's all I have to say Liz".
Liz stood up and pushed in her chair. "Well thank you for your advice Mr. Jenkins, I really appreciate it".
He smiled, feeling pleased with himself. "You're welcome Miss Parker, anytime"
Liz walked out the door and closed it firmly.
On her way home she walked through the many streets of Roswell thinking about her life. She passed the hockey field where there were loud cheers and shouts coming from the crowd. She began to think very seriously about what Mr. Jenkins had said. Going to Harvard had been one of those things that she had been destined to do since she was five. Most people in Roswell just expected her to go there, mostly thanks to her father who made sure that everybody in town knew of it! So maybe a holiday away from Roswell would be the perfect solution, yet she knew she couldn't let go of everything just so one of her dreams could come true.
School wasn't everything. Other things in life were important too. Immediately Liz thought of Max. What had happened between him and Tess had destroyed their relationship. She had trusted him and he had broken her heart. But she also knew how much he regretted it. She could see it in his eyes every time they spoke. He looked so lonely and sad nowadays. Maria had tried to set her up with other guys on numerous occasions, yet deep down she knew that none of these relationships would ever work out. She and Max were soul mates that were destined to be with each other, however she just didn't know how to make things right.
* * *
"Ok who is up for a party this weekend?" Isabel said excitedly.
It was a Wednesday night and Maria, Michael, Isabel, Max and Liz were all sitting in their favourite booth in the Crashdown sipping on icy cold Coca- Cola. Liz and Maria had both just finished closing up and this was one of those moments in Liz's life that lately, she detested. As much as she loved her group of friends, the uncomfortable silence that was occurring between her and Max was something that she wished she could avoid. They sat beside opposite each other, both trying hard to ignore each others uncomfortable gaze.
Maria smiled to herself before standing up and glancing down at the others, "I hate to break it to you Isabel, but I, Maria Deluca already have a date".
Michael looked up surprised, "You have date?"
Maria turned, directing her conversation at Michael. " No silly, not a 'date-date'. I'm performing on Oxford Street this Saturday night, remember? Michael were you not listening to me before? I told you that yesterday while you were watching TV" she ended, slightly annoyed that Michael had not remembered something that was so important to her.
Michael sat back in the chair, not at all bothered that he had forgotten " Oh, well that explains it then. Maria you know that when I'm watching the box, my attention is entirely on the box, and only on the box".
Maria looked at him, slightly annoyed. "You are impossible Michael!" she said, as she playfully hit him on the shoulder.
She moved herself across the chair and sat on knee. Michael wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and moved his head forward so that he could whisper in her ear. "Maria of course I didn't forget about Saturday night. I know how important it is to you. I only pretended I didn't listen to you so that I wouldn't ruin my reputation!" he said, quietly laughing.
Maria giggled. God she loved this man.
"Well best of luck with your performance Maria, but I would still love you to come afterwards. Elle is having this major pre-vacation party and its going to be the party of the year! It would make me more than happy if all of you guys came" Isabel said smiling. She reached over and touched her brother's hand, "and that includes you Max".
Max smiled, "anything for you Iz" He knew how much events like this meant to Isabel. Isabel was known for being the 'socialiser' of the group. She had a thing for trying to be as 'non-alien' as she possibly could. Last Christmas she had organised a huge concert for a group of kids in Roswell. Max didn't mind, but he knew how much it had annoyed Michael. He had only just stopped calling her the 'Christmas Nazi'!
Isabel clapped her hands together and smiled happily. "Well it's all settled then. Party starts at eight, I guess Maria, Michael and Liz will be there a little later, right?" she said.
"Definitely" Liz replied giving Isabel a nod. "And ah guys sorry to be rude, but Dad wants me up in the house before ten so I'm going to have to ask you all to start moving along!".
"No problem Liz. Its getting late anyway" Isabel said looking at her watch. With that she and Max stood up, waved goodbye and walked out the door.
"Lizzie, you need any help with the last few tables?" Maria asked, as she stood holding Michael's hand.
"No, I'll be fine. You two go" Liz replied.
Maria walked over and gave Liz a tight hug.
"Night Liz" Michael said.
"Bye guys" Liz said, as she cleared the table of the bottles and glasses.
She began to wipe down the last few tables and was in a complete daze when she heard a soft knock at the front door. She put down her cleaning cloth and walked over to the cold glass door. It was Max.