"So what do you think?"
"Huh? About what?"
"Alex, I've been sitting here for the last half hour and you haven't heard a word I've said!"
"Sorry, my minds elsewhere!"
A boy walked over to the lunch table where Alex and Isabel were sitting and he sat down miserably next to them.
"Max!" Her voice was cheery, as now she had someone else who could listen to her.
"Hey." He had no feeling in his response, no effort anywhere. Alex's reply was just as bad.
"Hey."
"What is up with you two?"
Almost simultaneously, they both replied with little to no exertion "Nothing."
"That's it! You're both way too depressing for me. I'm going to find some people who actually want to be awake!"
She left the table, and awkward silence filled the space around them. Alex was the first to break the silence.
"Have you talked to Liz lately?"
"No, why?"
"I really think you should. She really wants to talk to you!"
"Every time I've tried she always has an excuse. Yesterday it was 'I have to have lunch with Alex!'"
"She did have to have lunch with me yesterday!"
"Not at 9am!"
"I see your point! All I know is that she really does want to talk to you."
"Thanks Alex!"
"If he won't get over her voluntarily, then I'll make him!"
Tess was sitting on her bed. Kyle and Valentie were out shopping for food, so she had a good two hours left to win Max back. She closed her eyes and concentrated on finding his mind.
After a few minutes, beads of sweat started to form on her forehead. She was thrown across the room by some force. Her eyes opened as she gasped for breath.
"He's blocking them!"
She placed her drink on her bedside table and walked over to her window. Paying attention to the page she was reading, she was startled when she opened her window and Max was sitting there.
"Max! My god you scared me! What are you doing?"
"Waiting for you! Can I come in?"
Before she could answer, he was standing beside her. Closing the window before locking it with his powers. He then walked over to her door and melted the lock. She was trapped. There was no way she could run away now.
"Max, what…?"
"I need to talk to you!"
"Unlock the door and windows!"
"No, you'll just make up an excuse and run. If this is the only way I can talk to you then I'll take it!"
"Max, please?"
"No Liz, it's my turn to talk!"
"Let me out now!" she was yelling at him and running to the door, pulling on the handle.
"Liz, I love you! And you pushing me away just makes me love you even more!"
"You can't love me Max! You can't! You have to be with Tess!"
"Why can't you get it into your head that I don't want to be with Tess! I want to be with you!"
"Why can't you get it into your head that it'll end the world!"
"No, it won't! I won't let it!"
"Max, you gave up everything for me when I got shot! I am trying to do the same for you! I am trying to let you live the life you were made for, the life you should live! I am giving up everything so you can one day go back and be king of that stupid planet of yours, and you won't let me! I am trying to save the world and you won't let me!"
"I need to be with you Liz! I love you!"
"If we're together Tess will leave!"
He grabbed her waist and kissed her, pouring everything he had into it. It felt so good, but so wrong. She couldn't let him do this to her, but she didn't want the moment to end.
He pulled away to catch his breath. Their forehead touching, he kissed her again, lighter this time.
"I won't let her!"
Liz pulled away, realising what had just happened.
"No, no Max. We, we can't do this!" Tears were streaming down her face from all the mixed emotions flowing out of her.
"Liz, I promise you, I won't let her leave! But only if I can be with you!"
"It won't work!"
"Yes, it will. I promise you Liz Parker, we will not end the world!"
This time it was her who kissed him. Letting all her feelings flow into him felt so good. She was happy again!