"Lizzy, you have to explain to me how this all happened."
Liz's parents arrived early the next morning looking exhausted and anxious.
"Dad, you know that I was taking that medication for my back spasms? I was in a lot of pain that day. I didn't know that I wasn't suppose to take two pills, because the prescription said use as needed."
Liz knew that she was able to tell this lie because of patient /doctor confidentiality. Dr. Roberts told her what he found in her stomach and asked her about it. He also told her what Max said to him about her "new friends". Liz immediately started crying and explained that Max was her ex- boyfriend, and how their break-up was an ugly one. She explained how he was always trying to find ways to ruin her reputation, but was unsuccessful until this moment. Liz then told Dr. Roberts the name of her primary physician, and the reason she was taking the medications, her back spasms. Of course the only truth was the last part. This, Liz knew, was most important because Dr. Roberts would check and find all the records of her prescription. Liz begged the doctor not to say anything to her parents about Max; it would upset them too much to know what he was trying to do to her. Liz's tears and sincerity easily swayed him.
"You have to be careful with any medication that you're given, you know that."
"I know, Mom. I was just hurting so bad and I still had my shift to work."
"I'm sure Maria wouldn't have had a problem covering for you if you weren't feeling well."
"I know, I know, next time I'll remember that. Not that there'll be a next time," Liz added after seeing the look both her parents gave her.
"When did Dr. Roberts say I could go home?"
"When he talked to us earlier he said sometime tomorrow. He just wants to be sure that nothing else happens, since during the night your oxygen saturation dropped to eighty-five percent."
"But I haven't gone below ninety-seven percent all day."
"Your mother and I would rather you stayed here if that's what the doctor thinks is best."
"Fine, I won't jump out that window back there until Dr. Roberts says I can."
"Hah, hah very funny Liz."
"I'm sorry mom I can't help it I'm getting a little stir crazy."
"You've only been here one day."
"One day too long."
It was true Liz was getting pretty anxious, but not just to leave the hospital. There was a knock at the door and Maria poked her head in.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Can I come in?"
"Of course you can, Maria. We're going down to the cafeteria to get something to eat anyway, we didn't exactly have time to stop for breakfast." Mr. Parker said while helping his wife up.
"Enjoy, your meal."
After Liz's parents left the room Maria sat down next to Liz's bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"Good, because I think we need to have a serious talk."
"About yesterday, I'm sorry I kicked you guys out like that. What I did was stupid I should know better than to take more medication then is prescribed. I can't believe I caused so much trouble."
"Trouble, you were unconscious on the floor of your family's restaurant, and I know that you weren't on antibiotics so get off it."
"I know, I should have told you about my back spasms, but I didn't want you to worry. That's what the pills were really for. I took one too many yesterday and all this happened."
Maria studied her friend before she began to speak again. "Max told us about you passing out in the library, and you hanging out with some unfavorable people."
"Max doesn't know what he's talking about. And how does he know about the people I hang out with? He's too busy playing the family man with Tess. I would think that you, of all people, knew me better than that. You believed everything her told you about me?"
"No Liz I didn't, but Dr. Roberts kept asking me all of these questions, and Max was the only one who could answer them."
"So what does that mean? The King of Cover-Ups came up with another story.
"But Dr. Roberts said-."
"I explained everything to Dr. Roberts myself, and it's all straightened out now. You can ask him if you want to."
"So there was no truth to what Max was saying?" Maria studied her friend closely waiting for her answer.
Liz, knowing exactly what to say, looked Maria in the eye. "You're my best friend if something was going on wouldn't you be the first to notice it?"
Liz was sure her words had done the trick.
Maria on the other hand saw something in Liz's eye that she did not like at all. Maria's so called best friend had lied straight to her face without even a second thought.
*Michael's Apartment*
After Maria left the hospital she called Michael to ask him if it was all right to have a meeting as his place. After assuring him and reassuring that nothing was going on, Michael said it was okay. Maria was the only one who had not gone to school that day, so the meeting was set for five o'clock.
"I can't believe she lied to me like that," Maria said while pacing in Michael's living room.
"Could you sit down? The carpet is bare enough as it is.
"I can only improve it, then."
"Shouldn't we wait for the other to get here before you start ranting?"
Maria sat down on the couch, next to Michael. "I'm not ranting, I'm just trying to get my thoughts in order."
"You need a distraction."
"What kind of distraction?"
"The kind that will keep you from wearing a hole in my floor."
"Whatever, Spaceboy." Maria said rolling her eyes.
There was a knock at the door and both Michael and Maria stood up. Michael looked at Maria and pointed to the couch.
"I'll get the door, you distract yourself."
"You're so going to get it for that one." Maria said sitting back down.
Michael opened the door and everyone filed inside finding various places to sit or stand.
"The gang's all here. So what was important enough to warrant a group meeting?" Tess asked not at all trying to hide her annoyance.
"Tess you can leave if you want. I just thought that everyone Liz was important to would want to be here. So I guess that wouldn't really include you." Maria retorted matching Tess' own tone.
"That's enough you two," Max said looking at both girls.
"This is a great way to start a meeting," Alex huffed.
"We haven't even started the meeting," Michael mumbled back.
"Then don't you think we should?" Isabel replied loud enough for everyone to hear.
The group turned their attention towards Maria.
"Okay, I want to first apologize for the way I acted at the hospital, especially towards you Max. I was wrong for letting my emotions get the best of me like that. Now for the real reason I called this meeting. I went to the hospital today to visit Liz. She apologized for basically kicking us out of her hospital room. Liz said she did it because she was embarrassed by everything that happened. She then told me that she was never on antibiotics, but she was on medication for back spasms."
"Are you getting to a point any time soon?"
"Tess, shut up," Michael said before Maria could reply. Max just gave Michael a look, which he just ignored.
"Anyway, Liz eventually told me that Max didn't know what he was talking about, and then she looked my in the eye and lied straight to my face."
"What did she lie about?" Alex asked shifting uncomfortable in his seat.
"I asked her if there was any truth to what Max told us."
"Oh," was Alex's only response.
"Again I ask why this was a "meeting" kind of problem. Liz is a big girl. If she wants to screw up her life what can any of us do to stop her?"
"Liz is my best friend, and it killing me to think that she's trying to ruin her life."
Tess looked at Maria as if she expected her to say more.
"Okay I see that I have to bring it into the "alien world" for any of this to register for you. Liz knows everything about our little group here, if for some reason she slips up because she's not of her right mind the four of you are S.O.L. I know I'm not the only one who's thought about that." Looking around the room Maria knew that in fact she was not the only person to think her thoughts. "Now that everyone knows the importance of the meeting we need to find a way to help Liz. Any suggestions would be much appreciated."
"The only thing that we can do is to confront her about her problem, and make her understand that it affects more than just herself." Alex said addressing the group.
"So basically have an intervention?" Isabel asked in an uncertain tone.
"Which is what is mostly used for people with addictions." Alex answered.
"How do we know that Liz is addicted to anything?" Kyle asked finally breaking his own silence.
"You don't hide things and lie to your friends over something as pointless as pain medication." Max said.
"So when do we do this?" Alex questioned.
Maria spoke, " How about the day after tomorrow. That gives her plenty of time to come clean with us. And we don't want to gang up on her so soon after being in the hospital." Everyone agreed that this was the best course of action.
*
"It's so great to be home," Liz said to her parents as the walked her into her room.
"What do you want to eat tonight, honey?"
"Mom, whatever you cook will be better than anything that hospital served me."
"So lasagna would be fine with you?"
"Mom, I said anything."
"Alright, alright, I get it. Do you need anything? Are you warm enough?"
"Mom, please."
"Lizzy, we're going now," Mr. Parker said dragging his wife behind him.
Liz looked around her room and sat on her bed. Liz was glad she was able to calm everyone's fears, even if she had to lie to do it. No one needed to worry about her. What just happened to her would not happen again. Liz knew it was her fault; she had been careless with her medication. Liz did not pay close enough attention to what she took that day.
"So now what?" Liz thought to herself.
Liz's restlessness and need to leave to hospital was almost unbearable by the time Dr. Roberts sign off on her release. Liz stood up and went into the bathroom. Looking at her hands she saw they were shaking slightly. It did not take Liz long to realize what she needed. All the stress of trying to reassure everyone was getting to her. Liz opened up her medicine cabinet but she could not find what she was looking for. Remembering the last place that she was, Liz ran downstairs to her locker. Opening it up she found what she was looking for.
"This should calm me down." Liz shook the pills into her hand and swallowed them dry.
"Hi Liz."
Startled Liz turned around and faced an upset Maria.
"Hi Maria. What are you doing here?"
"Liz, what are those pills that you just took?"
"They're my prescription from the hospital."
"Really?" Maria said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes really, and if you don't mind I would like to get some rest, I'm pretty tired."
"You are? You're parents just told me that you were awake, and anxious to have then out of your hair."
"Maria, you know how they get all concerned. It was starting to be too much for me, and I just needed some breathing room."
"Liz is there something you want to tell me?"
"Like what?"
Maria was at a loss for words.
"Nothing. Sorry I just wanted to know how you were. Look I have to go, but if you need anything or need to talk call me okay?"
"Okay Maria. See you later."
"Bye Liz."
Maria walked out of the Crashdown close to tears. Everything was now reduced to a waiting game. Tomorrow the group would confront Liz about her problem. Tomorrow Liz was going to have to make some serious decisions about her life.
"Dad, you know that I was taking that medication for my back spasms? I was in a lot of pain that day. I didn't know that I wasn't suppose to take two pills, because the prescription said use as needed."
Liz knew that she was able to tell this lie because of patient /doctor confidentiality. Dr. Roberts told her what he found in her stomach and asked her about it. He also told her what Max said to him about her "new friends". Liz immediately started crying and explained that Max was her ex- boyfriend, and how their break-up was an ugly one. She explained how he was always trying to find ways to ruin her reputation, but was unsuccessful until this moment. Liz then told Dr. Roberts the name of her primary physician, and the reason she was taking the medications, her back spasms. Of course the only truth was the last part. This, Liz knew, was most important because Dr. Roberts would check and find all the records of her prescription. Liz begged the doctor not to say anything to her parents about Max; it would upset them too much to know what he was trying to do to her. Liz's tears and sincerity easily swayed him.
"You have to be careful with any medication that you're given, you know that."
"I know, Mom. I was just hurting so bad and I still had my shift to work."
"I'm sure Maria wouldn't have had a problem covering for you if you weren't feeling well."
"I know, I know, next time I'll remember that. Not that there'll be a next time," Liz added after seeing the look both her parents gave her.
"When did Dr. Roberts say I could go home?"
"When he talked to us earlier he said sometime tomorrow. He just wants to be sure that nothing else happens, since during the night your oxygen saturation dropped to eighty-five percent."
"But I haven't gone below ninety-seven percent all day."
"Your mother and I would rather you stayed here if that's what the doctor thinks is best."
"Fine, I won't jump out that window back there until Dr. Roberts says I can."
"Hah, hah very funny Liz."
"I'm sorry mom I can't help it I'm getting a little stir crazy."
"You've only been here one day."
"One day too long."
It was true Liz was getting pretty anxious, but not just to leave the hospital. There was a knock at the door and Maria poked her head in.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Can I come in?"
"Of course you can, Maria. We're going down to the cafeteria to get something to eat anyway, we didn't exactly have time to stop for breakfast." Mr. Parker said while helping his wife up.
"Enjoy, your meal."
After Liz's parents left the room Maria sat down next to Liz's bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"Good, because I think we need to have a serious talk."
"About yesterday, I'm sorry I kicked you guys out like that. What I did was stupid I should know better than to take more medication then is prescribed. I can't believe I caused so much trouble."
"Trouble, you were unconscious on the floor of your family's restaurant, and I know that you weren't on antibiotics so get off it."
"I know, I should have told you about my back spasms, but I didn't want you to worry. That's what the pills were really for. I took one too many yesterday and all this happened."
Maria studied her friend before she began to speak again. "Max told us about you passing out in the library, and you hanging out with some unfavorable people."
"Max doesn't know what he's talking about. And how does he know about the people I hang out with? He's too busy playing the family man with Tess. I would think that you, of all people, knew me better than that. You believed everything her told you about me?"
"No Liz I didn't, but Dr. Roberts kept asking me all of these questions, and Max was the only one who could answer them."
"So what does that mean? The King of Cover-Ups came up with another story.
"But Dr. Roberts said-."
"I explained everything to Dr. Roberts myself, and it's all straightened out now. You can ask him if you want to."
"So there was no truth to what Max was saying?" Maria studied her friend closely waiting for her answer.
Liz, knowing exactly what to say, looked Maria in the eye. "You're my best friend if something was going on wouldn't you be the first to notice it?"
Liz was sure her words had done the trick.
Maria on the other hand saw something in Liz's eye that she did not like at all. Maria's so called best friend had lied straight to her face without even a second thought.
*Michael's Apartment*
After Maria left the hospital she called Michael to ask him if it was all right to have a meeting as his place. After assuring him and reassuring that nothing was going on, Michael said it was okay. Maria was the only one who had not gone to school that day, so the meeting was set for five o'clock.
"I can't believe she lied to me like that," Maria said while pacing in Michael's living room.
"Could you sit down? The carpet is bare enough as it is.
"I can only improve it, then."
"Shouldn't we wait for the other to get here before you start ranting?"
Maria sat down on the couch, next to Michael. "I'm not ranting, I'm just trying to get my thoughts in order."
"You need a distraction."
"What kind of distraction?"
"The kind that will keep you from wearing a hole in my floor."
"Whatever, Spaceboy." Maria said rolling her eyes.
There was a knock at the door and both Michael and Maria stood up. Michael looked at Maria and pointed to the couch.
"I'll get the door, you distract yourself."
"You're so going to get it for that one." Maria said sitting back down.
Michael opened the door and everyone filed inside finding various places to sit or stand.
"The gang's all here. So what was important enough to warrant a group meeting?" Tess asked not at all trying to hide her annoyance.
"Tess you can leave if you want. I just thought that everyone Liz was important to would want to be here. So I guess that wouldn't really include you." Maria retorted matching Tess' own tone.
"That's enough you two," Max said looking at both girls.
"This is a great way to start a meeting," Alex huffed.
"We haven't even started the meeting," Michael mumbled back.
"Then don't you think we should?" Isabel replied loud enough for everyone to hear.
The group turned their attention towards Maria.
"Okay, I want to first apologize for the way I acted at the hospital, especially towards you Max. I was wrong for letting my emotions get the best of me like that. Now for the real reason I called this meeting. I went to the hospital today to visit Liz. She apologized for basically kicking us out of her hospital room. Liz said she did it because she was embarrassed by everything that happened. She then told me that she was never on antibiotics, but she was on medication for back spasms."
"Are you getting to a point any time soon?"
"Tess, shut up," Michael said before Maria could reply. Max just gave Michael a look, which he just ignored.
"Anyway, Liz eventually told me that Max didn't know what he was talking about, and then she looked my in the eye and lied straight to my face."
"What did she lie about?" Alex asked shifting uncomfortable in his seat.
"I asked her if there was any truth to what Max told us."
"Oh," was Alex's only response.
"Again I ask why this was a "meeting" kind of problem. Liz is a big girl. If she wants to screw up her life what can any of us do to stop her?"
"Liz is my best friend, and it killing me to think that she's trying to ruin her life."
Tess looked at Maria as if she expected her to say more.
"Okay I see that I have to bring it into the "alien world" for any of this to register for you. Liz knows everything about our little group here, if for some reason she slips up because she's not of her right mind the four of you are S.O.L. I know I'm not the only one who's thought about that." Looking around the room Maria knew that in fact she was not the only person to think her thoughts. "Now that everyone knows the importance of the meeting we need to find a way to help Liz. Any suggestions would be much appreciated."
"The only thing that we can do is to confront her about her problem, and make her understand that it affects more than just herself." Alex said addressing the group.
"So basically have an intervention?" Isabel asked in an uncertain tone.
"Which is what is mostly used for people with addictions." Alex answered.
"How do we know that Liz is addicted to anything?" Kyle asked finally breaking his own silence.
"You don't hide things and lie to your friends over something as pointless as pain medication." Max said.
"So when do we do this?" Alex questioned.
Maria spoke, " How about the day after tomorrow. That gives her plenty of time to come clean with us. And we don't want to gang up on her so soon after being in the hospital." Everyone agreed that this was the best course of action.
*
"It's so great to be home," Liz said to her parents as the walked her into her room.
"What do you want to eat tonight, honey?"
"Mom, whatever you cook will be better than anything that hospital served me."
"So lasagna would be fine with you?"
"Mom, I said anything."
"Alright, alright, I get it. Do you need anything? Are you warm enough?"
"Mom, please."
"Lizzy, we're going now," Mr. Parker said dragging his wife behind him.
Liz looked around her room and sat on her bed. Liz was glad she was able to calm everyone's fears, even if she had to lie to do it. No one needed to worry about her. What just happened to her would not happen again. Liz knew it was her fault; she had been careless with her medication. Liz did not pay close enough attention to what she took that day.
"So now what?" Liz thought to herself.
Liz's restlessness and need to leave to hospital was almost unbearable by the time Dr. Roberts sign off on her release. Liz stood up and went into the bathroom. Looking at her hands she saw they were shaking slightly. It did not take Liz long to realize what she needed. All the stress of trying to reassure everyone was getting to her. Liz opened up her medicine cabinet but she could not find what she was looking for. Remembering the last place that she was, Liz ran downstairs to her locker. Opening it up she found what she was looking for.
"This should calm me down." Liz shook the pills into her hand and swallowed them dry.
"Hi Liz."
Startled Liz turned around and faced an upset Maria.
"Hi Maria. What are you doing here?"
"Liz, what are those pills that you just took?"
"They're my prescription from the hospital."
"Really?" Maria said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes really, and if you don't mind I would like to get some rest, I'm pretty tired."
"You are? You're parents just told me that you were awake, and anxious to have then out of your hair."
"Maria, you know how they get all concerned. It was starting to be too much for me, and I just needed some breathing room."
"Liz is there something you want to tell me?"
"Like what?"
Maria was at a loss for words.
"Nothing. Sorry I just wanted to know how you were. Look I have to go, but if you need anything or need to talk call me okay?"
"Okay Maria. See you later."
"Bye Liz."
Maria walked out of the Crashdown close to tears. Everything was now reduced to a waiting game. Tomorrow the group would confront Liz about her problem. Tomorrow Liz was going to have to make some serious decisions about her life.