"Hey Max!"
He turned around from his locker to see a short blond headed girl standing in front of him with a giant smile on her face. He looked at her in disgust, wondering how it could be that this was the person he was supposed to fall in love with. His thoughts were distracted by a figure he saw sitting under a tree reading a book. Her long black hair draped around her face and lay on her shoulders, making all her features shine. Tess looked behind her, following his gaze. Repulsion filled her mind, followed by a need for revenge, a need to show her and Max that she wouldn't give up without a fight.
"So, I was wondering…"
"What?" Her voice startled him, and soon his mind was back focusing on the girl in front of him.
"I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight and we could rent a movie or something and get take out?"
"Um, I don't know if I can!"
"It won't just be me! Kyle will also be there, and I was going to ask the others after I asked you!"
"Sure, why not!" He needed a distraction from Liz and everything that had happened last night in the park. This was the perfect chance to try and lead a normal life for once.
"Great! Be there at 7!" She then turned around and walked off, a smile creeping over her face. This was her chance to win him over, her chance to show that bitch that no one ever stole anything from Tess.
His gaze was back on Liz. He closed his locker and started towards her. Max sat down in front of her, cautious of her response towards him.
"Hey!"
"Hey." He voice was soft, almost a nervous whisper.
"What are you reading?"
"The Exorcist"
"Good book?"
"Third time I've read it, so I'm guessing so!"
He words were distant, like she wasn't really there. They were harsh and cold, wanting him to go away.
"What are you doing tonight?"
"Stuff."
"We're all going over to Kyle's to watch some movies. Your welcome to come if your not to busy with your 'stuff'!"
"No thanks."
"Liz listen, we…"
"Sorry but I really have to go!" She stood up, grabbed her bag and walked away, leaving him sitting on the grass under the trees, dumbfounded at how she could just do that. Shut the world off when she didn't feel like talking.
"Kyle should be home soon!"
"Right."
"Sorry that it was just us, everyone else had stuff planned!"
Max couldn't help but feel like this was a set up. They had already watched on movie, and no one else had showed up. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 9:13pm. He rolled his head back and let out a sigh. Tess came over with two drinks and sat them down on the coffee table. She then sat on the couch, a little too close to Max.
"Max, listen, I was wondering if maybe we could go out some time, like to the drive in or something?"
He was silently staring at her. She was beautiful, he had to admit, but no beautiful like Liz. Tess was only beautiful on the outside, but it soaked all the way through Liz and eventually reached her heart. He couldn't believe that Tess was actually making her move. She was smart, setting it up so it looked as if everyone else was busy, then finally asking the question where he had no choice but to say yes.
"Um, Tess listen. You're a great friend but I just don't think…"
The force of her lips against his suddenly stopped him. She was holding onto him, claiming him as hers. Max gave in, moving his hands around her waist and up her back.
He was abruptly frozen by images of Liz flashing through his mind. He had forgotten about Tess and thought only of Liz, and how it felt to be kissing her again.
When the realisation hit him that it was Tess he was with and not Liz, he sat up in shock.
"Max, what…?"
"I'm so sorry" were his final words as he bolted out of her house, cursing at himself for how low he had sunk.
Tess sat there, stunned. She almost had him, until those stupid flashes came. This was far from over. She would do anything to stop Liz from getting him back. Anything!
The Crashdown was closed for the night, and the streets were empty. Her music was up loud as she danced around in the café, for all to see her. A bottle was in her hand and she took another sip. Her words were slurred as she tried to sing the words to Sugarcult.
"All I can taste is champagne, when it hits the brain like cocaine, spinning around and arou…get up without your help…ling down! All I can taste is champagne another day down…Sleeping around and around, I can't wake up without…something something…you want it…it…. I…you…. ah, screw it!"
She resorted to dancing, which wasn't much better than the singing. Her balance was off, making her stumble everywhere and spill her drink. Max watched from the street as she swore at the puddle on the floor. She was obviously drunk, and in pain.
"Honey! Your home!" She walked over to him as he shut the door. Her arms swung around him loosely, which he gathered to be an attempt at a hug.
"Liz, you should go to bed!"
"What? No! I've got a secret to tell you!" She put her head on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. "I'm Drunk!"
She started to giggle as she attempted to dance again. Max walked up to her and grabbed her drink, before sitting it down on the counter.
"Party pooper!"
"Liz, I think it's really time that you went to bed!"
"But I want to dance!" She swung her hands above her head, trying to look at Max seductively, but just looking drunk.
"What if your parents come home and see you like this?"
"Nope! Out of town! There's no one here but you and me! Wanna fool around?"
"Liz! What if I stay here tonight with you?"
"Nope, can't happen! Because if it does BANG," she clapped her hands together as if impersonate an explosion, but the alcohol didn't exactly help her hand eye coordination, "you and I," she was now attempting to point at Max " we blow up the world!"
"That's it!" Max picked Liz up and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her up to her room.
"NO! We'll blow up the world!" her voice was whiny, but by the time they reached her room, she was already asleep.
He laid her on her bed and pulled a blanket over her to keep her warm. She held onto his hand tightly, not wanting him to leave. He sat on her bed and stroked her hair through his fingers, wondering how they had gotten into this mess.