"Maria, you need to get up."
"Mom, it's too early," Maria said not opening her eyes.
"No it's not too early. You're walking remember?"
Maria's eyes snapped open and she turned over to face her mother.
"What? You didn't think that I was serious last night? I told you no car privileges."
"But I just assumed you meant outside of school and work."
"Nope, and you know what happens when you assume something. Now lets go, chop chop, you don't want to be late." Amy DeLuca left the room with a stunned Maria staring after her.
"Chop chop?" Maria mumbled.
Maria was just about ready for school when she remembered that she was supposed to pick Liz up. Picking up her phone she dialed Liz's number.
"Hello," Liz spoke into the phone.
"Hey Liz it's me. I'm calling to tell you that I can't pick you up this morning."
"What's wrong, you have something more important to do than pick me up?" Liz asked jokingly.
"No, Liz that's not it. Um I'm basically grounded. Well more like in solitary confinement."
"Oh, no. Maria, what happened?"
"I got into a fight with my mom," Maria simply said.
"I kind of figured that. What was it that led up to the fight?"
"Maria are you ready? I don't want you to be late today," Amy yelled from down the hall.
"Okay, Mom."
"Liz I gotta go, so I won't be late, I'm walking."
"Walking? Wait Maria I have a beep." Liz clicked over and she was gone for about half a minute before clicking back on. "Maria, that was Max."
"What, he gives you a wake up call in the morning?" Maria asked trying to hide a giggle.
"Shut up Maria."
"No Liz I think that it's sweet." Maria said no longer containing herself.
"Anyway, Max is going to pick me up and he said it was alright if you rode with us."
"Did he really?" Maria asked.
"Yeah, why wouldn't he have?"
"Liz, you and me have to talk about a few things, one of those things is about Max. Seriously I have to go and finish getting ready. I'll just walk to you place." With that Maria hung up the phone leaving a lot more than a few questions on Liz's mind.
When Maria finally arrived at the Crashdown Liz was waiting for her with a barrage of questions. Maria told her the whole story from the beginning to the end hardly taking a breath in between each word. Liz only interrupted her one time.
"So Max walked in on you and Michael?" she asked with her hand over her mouth trying to hide the smile on her face.
"Liz it's not funny," Maria said doing a bad job of keeping her own face straight.
"No, it's not funny in a comical sense, it's more ironic."
"That the same thing I said to Michael."
When Maria finally came to the point of her story about her mother Liz could do nothing more than look at here in disbelief.
"I don't know what to say."
"I still don't, and I went through the entire thing myself. The Michael thing is totally extreme, but I don't think that she was too serious about that part."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because she said that the only things that I could do were to go to school and work. Both place I'll see Michael."
When Max arrived he gave Liz a kiss and said a shy hello to Maria.
"Max, it's okay, really. What you saw was the equivalent of me being in a bathing suit. It's not a big deal. Now if you would have come about five minutes later, I think we would have had a VERY embarrassing moment on our hands."
The thought made Max blush slightly making both girls laugh.
"Okay kids lets get this show on the rode," Liz said as she regained her composure.
The day seemed to drag and drag for Maria. She had too many things going on in her head, and the most pressing thing was her mom. Telling Liz about the whole ordeal did make her feel better, but she still could not understand why her mother got so angry. Then there was the Michael thing. Even though she could not see how her mother could possible be serious about something like that, there was still the nagging questions. What if she was serious? She couldn't really keeps up apart, could she? She wouldn't keep us apart, would she? Over and over, around and around, the thoughts, the questions, it was slowly driving her insane. Then the bell rang, and she was free to ponder all these things at lunch.
You've been right there for me
Through thick and the thin
You were the strength for me
You wouldn't let me give in
At the end of the road
Somehow I've always known
That your trust in me
Your love in me
Got me to believe in me
Maria went to her locker to put her books up when a sudden realization hit her. She had to see him; she had to see Michael. It was as if something clicked in her head and her heart at the same time. Maria tried to think where Michael would be. After a minute Maria started walking towards his Spanish class.
Maria peered into the window that was in the door, and noticed that Michael was asleep in the back of the class.
"Great," thought Maria. "Now what am I going to do?" Maria was just about to leave when she noticed Kyle looking at her. She mouthed "Get Michael".
Maria could tell that Kyle was trying to wake Michael up by calling his name with no success. Giving up Kyle balled up a sheet of paper and threw it at Michael's head. Michael awoke with a start and glared at Kyle, who just shrugged and pointed to the door. Michael looked towards the door and saw Maria's face in the window. He nodded to acknowledge that he had seen her. Maria stepped away from the door and waited in the virtually empty corridor. After a couple minutes the door opened and Michael walked out.
"What took you so long?"
"I had to come up with a smooth and creative line that could get me out of class."
"So what did you say?"
Michael leaned close and whispered into Maria's ear, " I have to go to the bathroom."
Maria playfully pushed him away. "Real smooth and creative Michael. Well since you have to be in class in a few minutes I'll talk fast."
Maria really wanted more time with Michael, but at this moment she was happy with what she could get. She grabbed Michael's hand and led him into the Eraser Room.
"I thought that you wanted to talk," Michael said with a smirk.
"Stop looking at me like that. And we are going to talk."
Michael leaned against the wall and waited for Maria to speak.
"Okay, the deal is that you can't come around my house anymore, at least while mom's home."
"What did I do now? I haven't raided your 'fridge lately, or left the toilet seat up."
"It's nothing you did. Mom was in my room waiting for me when I got home last night. Basically I'm grounded. I'm only allowed to go to school and work and then come straight home."
"So why can't I come over? You wouldn't be going anywhere."
"Mom said that I can't see you anymore."
Michael stared at Maria trying to form some sort of response.
"Michael, don't worry about it, she just needs to cool off. Like I told Liz earlier, I don't think she was serious about it. I think that she was just really upset."
"What about you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it's just really bizarre. You know that she took the Jetta away?" Maria attempted a laugh that sounded more like a cough. Michael could tell that Maria was just trying to cover up what she was feeling. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm here for you."
That was all he said, but it was enough to make Maria crumble. She began to cry tear that she had held too long. Once they started the tears did not stop. Michael just held her and rocked her. Maria realized that this was exactly what she needed, to be near him to have him hold her. He came for her when she needed him without hesitation. Maria calmed down and pulled away from Michael and looked him in the eyes.
"I messed up your shirt, it's all wet."
"It'll dry. Come here." Michael placed his hand on the side of her face and used his thumbs to dry her tears.
"Thanks," Maria sniffed. "You have to go back to class. You don't want the teacher thinking you've fallen into a toilet." Maria said trying to lighten the mood.
Michael gave her a doubtful look
"I'll just tell her I'm having personal problems," Michael responded.
"That only works for us girls."
"Damn, and I was so sure that could use that."
Maria laughed softly.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Maria gave him a quick hug and kiss and pushed him towards the door. "Now go before I kick your ass. Don't give me that look, you know I can take you."
"You could try it right now."
"No, Michael, go to class. I'll see you later."
*After School at Maria's House*
"So how exactly are you going to be able to come to the "Haunted Crashdown" tonight? You told your mom that you were decorating with me last night."
"Yes that's true, but she thought I was lying about decorating. I still work there, and the way I figure it, I'm allowed to go per condition of my grounding.
"Maria, that doesn't make any sense," Liz concluded.
"But it does because technically I am at work, regardless of me working or not. Besides I put in too much work to miss this thing."
"How are you going to explain it to your mom?"
"I won't have to she knows what days I work. And my costume is already at your place so I can change there.
"Maria, I hate to be the voice of reason here, but this isn't going to help your current situation with your mom."
Maria was quiet for a moment. "At this point I don't care anymore."
*Earlier that day*
Maria came home and looked at the clock in the kitchen. She was 20 minutes late, but knew that her mom was working and so she did not worry about it. She went to her room to put down her things. Maria heard the phone ring and went into the other room to pick it up.
"You're late! When I called earlier I got no answer!" the voice on the other end yelled.
"Mom, calm down, I was studying with my music on I didn't hear the phone ring."
"Wrong answer. Try again."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you weren't at home. Mrs. Weaver, across the street, called me and told me you just got home."
"You have someone watching me?"
"Why were you late?" Amy asked disregarding Maria's question.
Maria closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I was late coming home because I stayed after school to talk to a teacher."
"Maria, why are you lying to me?"
"I'm not lying to you. I was-,"
"With Michael," her mother finished. "I was going to pick you up so you wouldn't have to walk. I get to the school, before it lets out, mind you, and what do I see? My daughter walking in the wrong direction with a boy that I distinctly remember forbidding her from seeing. I followed you both until you reached what I can only assume is where Michael lives. I swear it took all of my strength not to break down the door."
"I can't believe this! On top of being watched I'm being followed too! What next are you going to tap the phone, or maybe put cameras in my room?"
"You brought this on yourself. Look, I have to go. If anything, and I mean anything, happens in that house I'll know about it." With that Amy hung up the phone.
*
When Amy came home Maria was waiting for her in the kitchen.
"We need to talk," Maria said looking her mother squarely in the eye.
"About what?"
"About what? What do you mean, about what? This thing that's going on between you and me, that's what we need to talk about. I've been going crazy the last couple of days trying to figure out what I did wrong. The thing is I haven't done anything wrong. I need for you to tell me what your problem is, because I can't take much more of this, I'm getting tired of all of it."
"Excuse me? How dare you talk to me like I'm one of your friends out on the street? Last I check I was the one paying the bills around here! Last I checked I was the mother, I'm the responsible one in this house!"
"Mom, when were you ever the responsible one in the house? Last I checked I give you plenty of help with the bills, and I at least call if I'm going to be out. You leave for your conventions and everything and I might not hear from you until you get back!"
"You need to watch your mouth! This is my house, and I deserve respect!"
"And I don't? This is my house as much as it's yours!" Maria looked at her mother and thought she saw a hint of pain in her eyes. She took a breath and tried to relax.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I didn't mean to get carried away. This isn't helping anything. I just want to know why we're like this. What's going on with us?"
"Maria you need to understand that I make the rules, not you, and I demand the answers, not you! I want you to listen and listen good, you will do what I say, go where I tell you, and see who I let you see!"
"Mom, you can't keep me from him," Maria said quietly.
"Watch me."
Maria grabbed her purse and turn in the direction of the door.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I guess you forgot. I work today. I'm still allowed to work right?"
"Go, and if you're even thirty seconds late, you won't have to worry about work anymore."
Maria walked out the door.
"There's a lot of things I won't be worrying about," she said to herself. Maria went to her window grabbing a bag that was underneath it and began to make her way to the Crashdown.
"Mom, it's too early," Maria said not opening her eyes.
"No it's not too early. You're walking remember?"
Maria's eyes snapped open and she turned over to face her mother.
"What? You didn't think that I was serious last night? I told you no car privileges."
"But I just assumed you meant outside of school and work."
"Nope, and you know what happens when you assume something. Now lets go, chop chop, you don't want to be late." Amy DeLuca left the room with a stunned Maria staring after her.
"Chop chop?" Maria mumbled.
Maria was just about ready for school when she remembered that she was supposed to pick Liz up. Picking up her phone she dialed Liz's number.
"Hello," Liz spoke into the phone.
"Hey Liz it's me. I'm calling to tell you that I can't pick you up this morning."
"What's wrong, you have something more important to do than pick me up?" Liz asked jokingly.
"No, Liz that's not it. Um I'm basically grounded. Well more like in solitary confinement."
"Oh, no. Maria, what happened?"
"I got into a fight with my mom," Maria simply said.
"I kind of figured that. What was it that led up to the fight?"
"Maria are you ready? I don't want you to be late today," Amy yelled from down the hall.
"Okay, Mom."
"Liz I gotta go, so I won't be late, I'm walking."
"Walking? Wait Maria I have a beep." Liz clicked over and she was gone for about half a minute before clicking back on. "Maria, that was Max."
"What, he gives you a wake up call in the morning?" Maria asked trying to hide a giggle.
"Shut up Maria."
"No Liz I think that it's sweet." Maria said no longer containing herself.
"Anyway, Max is going to pick me up and he said it was alright if you rode with us."
"Did he really?" Maria asked.
"Yeah, why wouldn't he have?"
"Liz, you and me have to talk about a few things, one of those things is about Max. Seriously I have to go and finish getting ready. I'll just walk to you place." With that Maria hung up the phone leaving a lot more than a few questions on Liz's mind.
When Maria finally arrived at the Crashdown Liz was waiting for her with a barrage of questions. Maria told her the whole story from the beginning to the end hardly taking a breath in between each word. Liz only interrupted her one time.
"So Max walked in on you and Michael?" she asked with her hand over her mouth trying to hide the smile on her face.
"Liz it's not funny," Maria said doing a bad job of keeping her own face straight.
"No, it's not funny in a comical sense, it's more ironic."
"That the same thing I said to Michael."
When Maria finally came to the point of her story about her mother Liz could do nothing more than look at here in disbelief.
"I don't know what to say."
"I still don't, and I went through the entire thing myself. The Michael thing is totally extreme, but I don't think that she was too serious about that part."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because she said that the only things that I could do were to go to school and work. Both place I'll see Michael."
When Max arrived he gave Liz a kiss and said a shy hello to Maria.
"Max, it's okay, really. What you saw was the equivalent of me being in a bathing suit. It's not a big deal. Now if you would have come about five minutes later, I think we would have had a VERY embarrassing moment on our hands."
The thought made Max blush slightly making both girls laugh.
"Okay kids lets get this show on the rode," Liz said as she regained her composure.
The day seemed to drag and drag for Maria. She had too many things going on in her head, and the most pressing thing was her mom. Telling Liz about the whole ordeal did make her feel better, but she still could not understand why her mother got so angry. Then there was the Michael thing. Even though she could not see how her mother could possible be serious about something like that, there was still the nagging questions. What if she was serious? She couldn't really keeps up apart, could she? She wouldn't keep us apart, would she? Over and over, around and around, the thoughts, the questions, it was slowly driving her insane. Then the bell rang, and she was free to ponder all these things at lunch.
You've been right there for me
Through thick and the thin
You were the strength for me
You wouldn't let me give in
At the end of the road
Somehow I've always known
That your trust in me
Your love in me
Got me to believe in me
Maria went to her locker to put her books up when a sudden realization hit her. She had to see him; she had to see Michael. It was as if something clicked in her head and her heart at the same time. Maria tried to think where Michael would be. After a minute Maria started walking towards his Spanish class.
Maria peered into the window that was in the door, and noticed that Michael was asleep in the back of the class.
"Great," thought Maria. "Now what am I going to do?" Maria was just about to leave when she noticed Kyle looking at her. She mouthed "Get Michael".
Maria could tell that Kyle was trying to wake Michael up by calling his name with no success. Giving up Kyle balled up a sheet of paper and threw it at Michael's head. Michael awoke with a start and glared at Kyle, who just shrugged and pointed to the door. Michael looked towards the door and saw Maria's face in the window. He nodded to acknowledge that he had seen her. Maria stepped away from the door and waited in the virtually empty corridor. After a couple minutes the door opened and Michael walked out.
"What took you so long?"
"I had to come up with a smooth and creative line that could get me out of class."
"So what did you say?"
Michael leaned close and whispered into Maria's ear, " I have to go to the bathroom."
Maria playfully pushed him away. "Real smooth and creative Michael. Well since you have to be in class in a few minutes I'll talk fast."
Maria really wanted more time with Michael, but at this moment she was happy with what she could get. She grabbed Michael's hand and led him into the Eraser Room.
"I thought that you wanted to talk," Michael said with a smirk.
"Stop looking at me like that. And we are going to talk."
Michael leaned against the wall and waited for Maria to speak.
"Okay, the deal is that you can't come around my house anymore, at least while mom's home."
"What did I do now? I haven't raided your 'fridge lately, or left the toilet seat up."
"It's nothing you did. Mom was in my room waiting for me when I got home last night. Basically I'm grounded. I'm only allowed to go to school and work and then come straight home."
"So why can't I come over? You wouldn't be going anywhere."
"Mom said that I can't see you anymore."
Michael stared at Maria trying to form some sort of response.
"Michael, don't worry about it, she just needs to cool off. Like I told Liz earlier, I don't think she was serious about it. I think that she was just really upset."
"What about you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it's just really bizarre. You know that she took the Jetta away?" Maria attempted a laugh that sounded more like a cough. Michael could tell that Maria was just trying to cover up what she was feeling. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm here for you."
That was all he said, but it was enough to make Maria crumble. She began to cry tear that she had held too long. Once they started the tears did not stop. Michael just held her and rocked her. Maria realized that this was exactly what she needed, to be near him to have him hold her. He came for her when she needed him without hesitation. Maria calmed down and pulled away from Michael and looked him in the eyes.
"I messed up your shirt, it's all wet."
"It'll dry. Come here." Michael placed his hand on the side of her face and used his thumbs to dry her tears.
"Thanks," Maria sniffed. "You have to go back to class. You don't want the teacher thinking you've fallen into a toilet." Maria said trying to lighten the mood.
Michael gave her a doubtful look
"I'll just tell her I'm having personal problems," Michael responded.
"That only works for us girls."
"Damn, and I was so sure that could use that."
Maria laughed softly.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Maria gave him a quick hug and kiss and pushed him towards the door. "Now go before I kick your ass. Don't give me that look, you know I can take you."
"You could try it right now."
"No, Michael, go to class. I'll see you later."
*After School at Maria's House*
"So how exactly are you going to be able to come to the "Haunted Crashdown" tonight? You told your mom that you were decorating with me last night."
"Yes that's true, but she thought I was lying about decorating. I still work there, and the way I figure it, I'm allowed to go per condition of my grounding.
"Maria, that doesn't make any sense," Liz concluded.
"But it does because technically I am at work, regardless of me working or not. Besides I put in too much work to miss this thing."
"How are you going to explain it to your mom?"
"I won't have to she knows what days I work. And my costume is already at your place so I can change there.
"Maria, I hate to be the voice of reason here, but this isn't going to help your current situation with your mom."
Maria was quiet for a moment. "At this point I don't care anymore."
*Earlier that day*
Maria came home and looked at the clock in the kitchen. She was 20 minutes late, but knew that her mom was working and so she did not worry about it. She went to her room to put down her things. Maria heard the phone ring and went into the other room to pick it up.
"You're late! When I called earlier I got no answer!" the voice on the other end yelled.
"Mom, calm down, I was studying with my music on I didn't hear the phone ring."
"Wrong answer. Try again."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you weren't at home. Mrs. Weaver, across the street, called me and told me you just got home."
"You have someone watching me?"
"Why were you late?" Amy asked disregarding Maria's question.
Maria closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I was late coming home because I stayed after school to talk to a teacher."
"Maria, why are you lying to me?"
"I'm not lying to you. I was-,"
"With Michael," her mother finished. "I was going to pick you up so you wouldn't have to walk. I get to the school, before it lets out, mind you, and what do I see? My daughter walking in the wrong direction with a boy that I distinctly remember forbidding her from seeing. I followed you both until you reached what I can only assume is where Michael lives. I swear it took all of my strength not to break down the door."
"I can't believe this! On top of being watched I'm being followed too! What next are you going to tap the phone, or maybe put cameras in my room?"
"You brought this on yourself. Look, I have to go. If anything, and I mean anything, happens in that house I'll know about it." With that Amy hung up the phone.
*
When Amy came home Maria was waiting for her in the kitchen.
"We need to talk," Maria said looking her mother squarely in the eye.
"About what?"
"About what? What do you mean, about what? This thing that's going on between you and me, that's what we need to talk about. I've been going crazy the last couple of days trying to figure out what I did wrong. The thing is I haven't done anything wrong. I need for you to tell me what your problem is, because I can't take much more of this, I'm getting tired of all of it."
"Excuse me? How dare you talk to me like I'm one of your friends out on the street? Last I check I was the one paying the bills around here! Last I checked I was the mother, I'm the responsible one in this house!"
"Mom, when were you ever the responsible one in the house? Last I checked I give you plenty of help with the bills, and I at least call if I'm going to be out. You leave for your conventions and everything and I might not hear from you until you get back!"
"You need to watch your mouth! This is my house, and I deserve respect!"
"And I don't? This is my house as much as it's yours!" Maria looked at her mother and thought she saw a hint of pain in her eyes. She took a breath and tried to relax.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I didn't mean to get carried away. This isn't helping anything. I just want to know why we're like this. What's going on with us?"
"Maria you need to understand that I make the rules, not you, and I demand the answers, not you! I want you to listen and listen good, you will do what I say, go where I tell you, and see who I let you see!"
"Mom, you can't keep me from him," Maria said quietly.
"Watch me."
Maria grabbed her purse and turn in the direction of the door.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I guess you forgot. I work today. I'm still allowed to work right?"
"Go, and if you're even thirty seconds late, you won't have to worry about work anymore."
Maria walked out the door.
"There's a lot of things I won't be worrying about," she said to herself. Maria went to her window grabbing a bag that was underneath it and began to make her way to the Crashdown.