[b]Part 4[/b]
"Michael's in shop," Max told Isabel and Tess as he led them down the school corridor towards where his best friend could likely be found. If he wasn't ditching of course, which, knowing Michael, and considering the fact that he presently had a dying Skin ensconced in his apartment, was a distinct possibility.
After returning from Copper Summit, Michael had refused to let Courtney return to her apartment alone. Max had just let it go, knowing that it was only a matter of time until the alien girl disintegrated right out of their lives. He hated to be cavalier about it, but there was no way to help her. Even though Michael had taken her skin, there was no way for her to be transferred to it without the tools in Copper Summit, so it was a moot point anyway.
Michael had understood that they were [i]not[/i] going back there - for [i]any[/i] reason. In return, Max had understood Michael's desire to let her die well, even more when Isabel had told him about Courtney's past life - about how she had followed Michael, or some such nonsense. Max had no concerns that his best friend would betray him - he trusted him implicitly, as apparently he had also done in his past life - and had decided that he could allow him a little lee-way where Courtney was concerned, especially if it was going to appease Michael's conscience about her fate.
Because, with the destruction of the Harvest, there was only one fate to which Courtney was doomed. Death - and likely sooner rather than later. They had destroyed the skins [i]and[/i] the means to transfer their enemies as well. There was no hope for the girl. Max felt bad for her, but it was just the way things were.
"I don't understand why you won't just tell me what this is about Max," Isabel complained as she hurried after him. "I really don't appreciate being hauled out of class with a family emergency like that. I thought something terrible had happened to Mom or Dad."
"I'm sorry Iz," Max replied, "But I couldn't think of any other way to get you out of there and this [i] is[/i] an emergency."
Especially after what happened in Copper Summit, Max reflected grimly. There had been too many terrifying encounters with the Skins recently for him to take potentially recognizing another alien lightly.
He was a king, whether he liked it or not, and he needed to start acting like one. He had never asked for this destiny, but he was beginning to understand that his enemies didn't care about that. They were going to come for he and his loved ones, whether he liked his position or not and, so, they had to be ready. He was responsible for the safety of his sister and for Michael and Tess, especially since Nasedo's death.
And he couldn't pretend that their human allies weren't at risk either. Not anymore. It wouldn't take a lot for them to investigate his life, for them to figure out exactly who and what were important to him. In spite of everything, he could not allow anything to happen to Liz.
He still loved her, needed to make sure she was safe, but he also couldn't let this thing between them mess him up any longer. He wanted to be with her, wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on with her, but he couldn't let it distract him anymore. Distraction was just what their enemies wanted after all. Because, somewhere deep inside him, in spite of their success at destroying the Harvest, despite the respite he felt they had earned, somehow he knew they weren't going to get it.
This was all far from over. Coming face to face with that girl only a short while ago had more than told him so.
"But can't you just tell me?" Isabel demanded. Max didn't bother to answer her. He knew his sister was just being argumentative for the sake of it and decided to ignore her. He knew it was petty, but just because he had decided to abruptly get over his funk, it didn't mean he was in the mood for her nagging. He got enough of that at home.
He knew that it wasn't her fault, that Isabel was merely worried about him, could see something was wrong. But he just [i] couldn't[/i] be the one to tell her about Liz and Kyle, could not bear to see the [i] I told you so[/i] expression on her face, although he knew she would try to hide it.
Plus, he wanted to give Liz as long as she needed to admit to him that none of it was true. Because that's what he was really still hoping was going to happen, even though he was trying to ignore that fact, was trying to get himself to accept that no matter what he may have thought about Liz Parker, he had been [i] wrong[/i]. She was not made for him, was not [i] his[/i].
She wanted normal, had told him so to his face, but he still couldn't let go. A tiny part of him still hoped. And he couldn't take the time to deal with Isabel right now, could not have that tiny hope crushed, especially after Liz's behavior this morning. If that hope was gone, he didn't think he'd be able to go on.
He could hear Izzy huffing in annoyance behind him. Tess hadn't said anything since he had told her that he recognized that girl, but now she was telling Isabel to just get over it, that she could wait to hear what was going on with Michael. He felt a flash of gratitude. As much as Tess annoyed him, he could not deny that ever since they had shared that moment in the park on the worst night of his life, she had done nothing but support him. The part of him that found that gratifying ashamed the rest of him, but he was too used to being constantly questioned and second-guessed by Isabel and Michael to not sort of like it. It didn't mean he was any more attracted to Tess, but it did mean that he didn't dislike her as much as he used to. It was a sick admission to make to himself, but at least he wasn't trying to hide it.
They had reached Michael's class by now, which was more workshop than anything. Max knew Mr. Collins, had been in his class last term. He knew the teacher wouldn't mind them coming in for a moment, as long as they didn't distract the other students.
Unfortunately, they arrived just in time to witness Michael already involved in a discussion with someone else - one that had more than disturbed the class. In fact, it was one that had the attention of every other student, including Maria, who stood near Michael's elbow, looking pained.
".demand an apology!"
"But I didn't [i] do[/i] anything!" Michael was protesting, an irritated note in his voice. "I was calmly standing here talking to my girlfriend. You're the one who bumped into me!"
Max stared at the blond kid yelling at Michael in shock. He didn't recognize him, but the expression on his face.
It was unadulterated hatred - and it was all for Michael.
"It's [i] ruined[/i]!" The blond kid yelled, motioned to something on the floor. Max watched Michael, Maria and Mr. Collins' eyes drop. Michael looked up again and shrugged.
"Listen, I'm sorry. But it wasn't my fault."
"Just like nothing's [i] ever[/i] your fault, I'm sure," the other kid responded through gritted teeth. "Typical."
Michael was now beginning to look angry. Maria was pulling on his arm, trying to draw him away while Mr. Collins told the other kid to cool it or get out.
"Gladly," the blond kid glared at the teacher. He turned on his heel and stomped away.
"What was [i] that[/i] all about Mr. Guerin?" The teacher demanded as Michael's nemesis stormed past Max, Isabel and Tess, almost knocking Tess over in the process. Max flinched slightly when she reached out and grabbed his hand to steady herself. He looked back at Michael and the others just in time to catch Maria's eyes on him. She scowled at his hand where it was linked with Tess, then at him, then away.
Max sighed, gently disentangling himself from Tess. He didn't understand how [i] he[/i] always ended up feeling like the ass. He wasn't the one who had walked away from Liz, nor was he the one who had randomly slept with someone else - although he wasn't sure if Maria even knew about that. But, still, it was the principle of the matter! Why was everyone always mad at [i] him?[/i]
He was about ready to go somewhere and throw a real pit party for himself, he reflected ruefully as he watched Mr. Collins finish getting Michael's side of the story, finally allowing Max's best friend to join then just as the bell rang.
"Who the heck was that?" Isabel asked as Michael approached, Maria trailing behind, her expression now inscrutable. Max looked at her for a moment, wondered what she was thinking. She was looking at [i] him[/i] very strangely again. Max was almost tempted to look down to see if his shirt was buttoned correctly.
"I have no idea." Michael thrust his hands into the pockets of his jeans, clearly perplexed. "Mr. Collins doesn't even think that guy is in this class."
Max narrowed his eyes. "Weird." He shrugged. "You handled that well though Michael." He didn't know why he said it, but he really thought it. Michael's temper was becoming much steadier lately and Max didn't want him to think it was going unnoticed. He was taking his role as Max's second-in- command seriously. There had been no more hare-brained schemes, any more necessity of having Valenti bail him out of jail. It was one load off Max's mind at least.
"Thanks Dad," Michael retorted, sounding embarrassed, but pleased. Max saw Maria reach forward, take Michael's hand in her and squeeze. Max felt a flash of jealousy so intense, he momentarily had to look away.
It was all a supreme mystery to him why no one seemed to think it was strange that Michael and Maria were drifting back together, in spite of all that destiny crap and, yet, he and Liz couldn't. It just wasn't fair. Because somewhere inside him, Max was beginning to understand that whatever Liz had done with Kyle, it wasn't because she didn't love [i] him[/i], Max. Her misery that morning in Bio had more than proven it. She had done what she had done to drive him to Tess, she thought for his own good. The more he thought about it, the more he knew it had to be true, because hadn't she been helping Tess right before it happened? Hadn't he caught her in Whittaker's office spying on him while she and Tess had been conspiring to make him fall for her?
That she would do that to herself.It made him furious - at himself. He had brought her to that - to giving up her virginity to someone she didn't even love because he had refused to leave her alone. But couldn't any of them see that he just couldn't turn to Tess, that he would be betraying his own heart? He didn't love her. Why didn't any of them get it?
As he had told Liz only a couple of weeks ago - although with all that had happened since it felt like years - Tess just [i] wasn't[/i] Liz. He was never going to love anyone like he loved Liz. He couldn't even explain it to himself, but no matter what she did, he would always love her. He had loved her from the first moment he had set eyes on her and being with her last spring, even if for such a short time, had more than reinforced what he already knew.
They were made for each other. They complimented each other in every way. He would never love anyone else, no matter what she did. She was right in Copper Summit when she told him that he put her on a pedestal. He knew she wasn't perfect. She could be stubborn to the point of seriously frustrating him. She worried too much about others. But he didn't care about any of that, because in [i] his[/i] eyes, she [i] was[/i] perfect. She could break the damn pedestal for all he cared - which he was beginning to see she had been trying to with Kyle - he would still think she was perfect.
He loved her. It was as simple as that. And if it made him a pathetic fool, well, so be it. He [i] knew[/i] that he and Tess weren't meant to be, no matter what Nasedo had said, no matter what some stupid book had said.
No matter what Liz said.
But Liz had been so desperate to make him face it, what she thought [i] she[/i] knew had to be, she had completely destroyed herself. Ironic that. For the past week, he had felt like he had been the one who had shattered, but now he understood that it had been Liz. He could forgive her for sleeping with Kyle for his own sake, but he didn't know if he'd ever be able to get past it for [i] hers[/i]. She had taken all her dreams and had thrown them away to make Max embrace something he didn't even want. It was just plain ludicrous.
Max knew that he had to talk to Liz again - soon. He had to tell her all of this, had to reassure her that he would leave her alone if that's what she wanted but that he was in no way, shape or form going to turn to Tess just because of what had happened between she and Kyle. Even if it was what Liz wanted. He could be stubborn too.
He also knew that he just [i] couldn't[/i]. It was impossible and he knew it was wrong. Because everything he had felt in his heart for the past year - for the past [i] ten[/i] years - had [i] not[/i] been a lie. No matter what happened, she was still Liz and he still loved her. He would never stop.
"Excuse me? Your highness?" Isabel's sarcastic tone penetrated Max's thoughts, making him blink. "Your court is assembled. Can we please know what this is about now?"
"Oh." Max shook his head, ignored the concerned look Tess was sending him. "Sorry."
"What the hell is going on with you lately Maxwell?" Michael demanded. "You're zoning in and out all the time these days. Are you high?" Max rolled his eyes as his best friend scowled at him.
"I'm sure he has a lot on his mind." This came from Maria, startling Max because the tone she employed was sympathetic. He looked at her and suddenly understood that she [i] knew[/i]. She knew what Liz had done and she felt sorry for him. "It's why I came to see you Michael," Maria went on. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you before that weirdo freaked out." She continued to stare at Max, her brow knit. "There's something seriously wrong with Liz."
Max felt his heart stop. "What do you mean?" Was there something going on with Liz besides the disaster of her throwing away her virginity just to push [i] him[/i] away?
"I think you know Max," Maria replied. "She told me and Alex this morning what she did. I don't buy it. Something is seriously wrong!"
"What did Liz do?" Michael asked, his face turning from Max to Maria.
"She slept with Kyle," Tess inserted. Max guessed that she was trying to be helpful but was annoyed anyway.
"She did [i] not[/i]!" Maria screeched, outraged. "I [i] know[/i] she didn't! Max, [i] you[/i] know she didn't. Something's wrong with her." She glared at Tess.
"She [i] did[/i] Maria! She told me so herself!" Tess flared back. "She totally betrayed Max."
"Well." Maria spluttered. "I know there's more to it! She's not acting like herself at all. Alex and I think she's being mindwarped."
"[i] What?[/i]" Tess shrieked. "What are you suggesting Deluca?"
"You heard me trollop," Maria returned evenly. "None of this would be happening if you had never shown your face here. And we [i] all[/i] know you've done it before. Right Max?"
"[i] Whoa![/i]" Max stepped between the two girls. Michael had his arm firmly wrapped around Maria by now, although Max couldn't tell if it was to warn her off or to keep her from physically attacking Tess. Isabel had grabbed the curly-haired blonde by the arm, but was staring at Max, her expression horrified.
"Max, is this true? Are you okay?"
"Of course he's not okay," Tess snarled. "He's the one who found them together."
"Because [i] you[/i] made Liz do it! You or that new guy. Hey! I'll bet you're working [i] together![/i]" Maria cried triumphantly, as though the thought had just occurred to her.
"Max, why didn't you tell me?" Isabel's eyes were filling with tears, although Max couldn't tell if it was because she was hurt for [i] him[/i] or for herself because both Tess and Maria knew about this before her.
Max sighed heavily. "Enough you guys," he said quietly, trying to make his voice as firm as possible. "This is not the time or the place." He regretted even coming here. He was suddenly exhausted - until what Maria had said about the new guy suddenly penetrated his weary brain.
"[i] What[/i] about the new guy?" He asked abruptly. Maria was still stewing, but she raised her head to look at him. "The guy Liz left Bio with?" He had been trying [i] not[/i] to think about that guy. Kyle more than enough at the moment after all.
"Well, yeah," Maria replied, frowning at him. "Don't you think it's weird that she never came back Max?"
"[i] Another[/i] new guy?" Michael interrupted, sounding as tired as Max felt.
"And a new [i] girl[/i]," Max added pensively, thinking about the reason that he had sought out Michael and Isabel in the first place.
"Are you all saying that there are [i] three[/i] new students?" Isabel's voice was raised in disbelief. "In [i] Roswell[/i]? No one [i] ever[/i] moves here!"
"We need to find Liz," Max told the others grimly. "[i] Now[/i]." He gut was suddenly churning with worry. "Alex too. I don't like this at all."
"Why Max?" Tess sounded disdainful. "Who cares if she's found someone new?"
Max eyed her in annoyance. "[i] I[/i] care," he snapped. "I told you Tess.I [i] knew[/i] that girl."
"Max," Isabel whispered, sounding terrified. "What are you talking about?"
"Just what I said," Max told her impatiently. "I [i] knew[/i] her. She's like us and my guess is, so are these two guys. Which means that Liz is alone with a strange alien and she doesn't even know it. And there can only be one reason for it," he added over his shoulder as he hurried out of the classroom and towards the parking lot, his group of friends on his heels. "They're going to try to get me through [i] her[/i]."
"Michael's in shop," Max told Isabel and Tess as he led them down the school corridor towards where his best friend could likely be found. If he wasn't ditching of course, which, knowing Michael, and considering the fact that he presently had a dying Skin ensconced in his apartment, was a distinct possibility.
After returning from Copper Summit, Michael had refused to let Courtney return to her apartment alone. Max had just let it go, knowing that it was only a matter of time until the alien girl disintegrated right out of their lives. He hated to be cavalier about it, but there was no way to help her. Even though Michael had taken her skin, there was no way for her to be transferred to it without the tools in Copper Summit, so it was a moot point anyway.
Michael had understood that they were [i]not[/i] going back there - for [i]any[/i] reason. In return, Max had understood Michael's desire to let her die well, even more when Isabel had told him about Courtney's past life - about how she had followed Michael, or some such nonsense. Max had no concerns that his best friend would betray him - he trusted him implicitly, as apparently he had also done in his past life - and had decided that he could allow him a little lee-way where Courtney was concerned, especially if it was going to appease Michael's conscience about her fate.
Because, with the destruction of the Harvest, there was only one fate to which Courtney was doomed. Death - and likely sooner rather than later. They had destroyed the skins [i]and[/i] the means to transfer their enemies as well. There was no hope for the girl. Max felt bad for her, but it was just the way things were.
"I don't understand why you won't just tell me what this is about Max," Isabel complained as she hurried after him. "I really don't appreciate being hauled out of class with a family emergency like that. I thought something terrible had happened to Mom or Dad."
"I'm sorry Iz," Max replied, "But I couldn't think of any other way to get you out of there and this [i] is[/i] an emergency."
Especially after what happened in Copper Summit, Max reflected grimly. There had been too many terrifying encounters with the Skins recently for him to take potentially recognizing another alien lightly.
He was a king, whether he liked it or not, and he needed to start acting like one. He had never asked for this destiny, but he was beginning to understand that his enemies didn't care about that. They were going to come for he and his loved ones, whether he liked his position or not and, so, they had to be ready. He was responsible for the safety of his sister and for Michael and Tess, especially since Nasedo's death.
And he couldn't pretend that their human allies weren't at risk either. Not anymore. It wouldn't take a lot for them to investigate his life, for them to figure out exactly who and what were important to him. In spite of everything, he could not allow anything to happen to Liz.
He still loved her, needed to make sure she was safe, but he also couldn't let this thing between them mess him up any longer. He wanted to be with her, wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on with her, but he couldn't let it distract him anymore. Distraction was just what their enemies wanted after all. Because, somewhere deep inside him, in spite of their success at destroying the Harvest, despite the respite he felt they had earned, somehow he knew they weren't going to get it.
This was all far from over. Coming face to face with that girl only a short while ago had more than told him so.
"But can't you just tell me?" Isabel demanded. Max didn't bother to answer her. He knew his sister was just being argumentative for the sake of it and decided to ignore her. He knew it was petty, but just because he had decided to abruptly get over his funk, it didn't mean he was in the mood for her nagging. He got enough of that at home.
He knew that it wasn't her fault, that Isabel was merely worried about him, could see something was wrong. But he just [i] couldn't[/i] be the one to tell her about Liz and Kyle, could not bear to see the [i] I told you so[/i] expression on her face, although he knew she would try to hide it.
Plus, he wanted to give Liz as long as she needed to admit to him that none of it was true. Because that's what he was really still hoping was going to happen, even though he was trying to ignore that fact, was trying to get himself to accept that no matter what he may have thought about Liz Parker, he had been [i] wrong[/i]. She was not made for him, was not [i] his[/i].
She wanted normal, had told him so to his face, but he still couldn't let go. A tiny part of him still hoped. And he couldn't take the time to deal with Isabel right now, could not have that tiny hope crushed, especially after Liz's behavior this morning. If that hope was gone, he didn't think he'd be able to go on.
He could hear Izzy huffing in annoyance behind him. Tess hadn't said anything since he had told her that he recognized that girl, but now she was telling Isabel to just get over it, that she could wait to hear what was going on with Michael. He felt a flash of gratitude. As much as Tess annoyed him, he could not deny that ever since they had shared that moment in the park on the worst night of his life, she had done nothing but support him. The part of him that found that gratifying ashamed the rest of him, but he was too used to being constantly questioned and second-guessed by Isabel and Michael to not sort of like it. It didn't mean he was any more attracted to Tess, but it did mean that he didn't dislike her as much as he used to. It was a sick admission to make to himself, but at least he wasn't trying to hide it.
They had reached Michael's class by now, which was more workshop than anything. Max knew Mr. Collins, had been in his class last term. He knew the teacher wouldn't mind them coming in for a moment, as long as they didn't distract the other students.
Unfortunately, they arrived just in time to witness Michael already involved in a discussion with someone else - one that had more than disturbed the class. In fact, it was one that had the attention of every other student, including Maria, who stood near Michael's elbow, looking pained.
".demand an apology!"
"But I didn't [i] do[/i] anything!" Michael was protesting, an irritated note in his voice. "I was calmly standing here talking to my girlfriend. You're the one who bumped into me!"
Max stared at the blond kid yelling at Michael in shock. He didn't recognize him, but the expression on his face.
It was unadulterated hatred - and it was all for Michael.
"It's [i] ruined[/i]!" The blond kid yelled, motioned to something on the floor. Max watched Michael, Maria and Mr. Collins' eyes drop. Michael looked up again and shrugged.
"Listen, I'm sorry. But it wasn't my fault."
"Just like nothing's [i] ever[/i] your fault, I'm sure," the other kid responded through gritted teeth. "Typical."
Michael was now beginning to look angry. Maria was pulling on his arm, trying to draw him away while Mr. Collins told the other kid to cool it or get out.
"Gladly," the blond kid glared at the teacher. He turned on his heel and stomped away.
"What was [i] that[/i] all about Mr. Guerin?" The teacher demanded as Michael's nemesis stormed past Max, Isabel and Tess, almost knocking Tess over in the process. Max flinched slightly when she reached out and grabbed his hand to steady herself. He looked back at Michael and the others just in time to catch Maria's eyes on him. She scowled at his hand where it was linked with Tess, then at him, then away.
Max sighed, gently disentangling himself from Tess. He didn't understand how [i] he[/i] always ended up feeling like the ass. He wasn't the one who had walked away from Liz, nor was he the one who had randomly slept with someone else - although he wasn't sure if Maria even knew about that. But, still, it was the principle of the matter! Why was everyone always mad at [i] him?[/i]
He was about ready to go somewhere and throw a real pit party for himself, he reflected ruefully as he watched Mr. Collins finish getting Michael's side of the story, finally allowing Max's best friend to join then just as the bell rang.
"Who the heck was that?" Isabel asked as Michael approached, Maria trailing behind, her expression now inscrutable. Max looked at her for a moment, wondered what she was thinking. She was looking at [i] him[/i] very strangely again. Max was almost tempted to look down to see if his shirt was buttoned correctly.
"I have no idea." Michael thrust his hands into the pockets of his jeans, clearly perplexed. "Mr. Collins doesn't even think that guy is in this class."
Max narrowed his eyes. "Weird." He shrugged. "You handled that well though Michael." He didn't know why he said it, but he really thought it. Michael's temper was becoming much steadier lately and Max didn't want him to think it was going unnoticed. He was taking his role as Max's second-in- command seriously. There had been no more hare-brained schemes, any more necessity of having Valenti bail him out of jail. It was one load off Max's mind at least.
"Thanks Dad," Michael retorted, sounding embarrassed, but pleased. Max saw Maria reach forward, take Michael's hand in her and squeeze. Max felt a flash of jealousy so intense, he momentarily had to look away.
It was all a supreme mystery to him why no one seemed to think it was strange that Michael and Maria were drifting back together, in spite of all that destiny crap and, yet, he and Liz couldn't. It just wasn't fair. Because somewhere inside him, Max was beginning to understand that whatever Liz had done with Kyle, it wasn't because she didn't love [i] him[/i], Max. Her misery that morning in Bio had more than proven it. She had done what she had done to drive him to Tess, she thought for his own good. The more he thought about it, the more he knew it had to be true, because hadn't she been helping Tess right before it happened? Hadn't he caught her in Whittaker's office spying on him while she and Tess had been conspiring to make him fall for her?
That she would do that to herself.It made him furious - at himself. He had brought her to that - to giving up her virginity to someone she didn't even love because he had refused to leave her alone. But couldn't any of them see that he just couldn't turn to Tess, that he would be betraying his own heart? He didn't love her. Why didn't any of them get it?
As he had told Liz only a couple of weeks ago - although with all that had happened since it felt like years - Tess just [i] wasn't[/i] Liz. He was never going to love anyone like he loved Liz. He couldn't even explain it to himself, but no matter what she did, he would always love her. He had loved her from the first moment he had set eyes on her and being with her last spring, even if for such a short time, had more than reinforced what he already knew.
They were made for each other. They complimented each other in every way. He would never love anyone else, no matter what she did. She was right in Copper Summit when she told him that he put her on a pedestal. He knew she wasn't perfect. She could be stubborn to the point of seriously frustrating him. She worried too much about others. But he didn't care about any of that, because in [i] his[/i] eyes, she [i] was[/i] perfect. She could break the damn pedestal for all he cared - which he was beginning to see she had been trying to with Kyle - he would still think she was perfect.
He loved her. It was as simple as that. And if it made him a pathetic fool, well, so be it. He [i] knew[/i] that he and Tess weren't meant to be, no matter what Nasedo had said, no matter what some stupid book had said.
No matter what Liz said.
But Liz had been so desperate to make him face it, what she thought [i] she[/i] knew had to be, she had completely destroyed herself. Ironic that. For the past week, he had felt like he had been the one who had shattered, but now he understood that it had been Liz. He could forgive her for sleeping with Kyle for his own sake, but he didn't know if he'd ever be able to get past it for [i] hers[/i]. She had taken all her dreams and had thrown them away to make Max embrace something he didn't even want. It was just plain ludicrous.
Max knew that he had to talk to Liz again - soon. He had to tell her all of this, had to reassure her that he would leave her alone if that's what she wanted but that he was in no way, shape or form going to turn to Tess just because of what had happened between she and Kyle. Even if it was what Liz wanted. He could be stubborn too.
He also knew that he just [i] couldn't[/i]. It was impossible and he knew it was wrong. Because everything he had felt in his heart for the past year - for the past [i] ten[/i] years - had [i] not[/i] been a lie. No matter what happened, she was still Liz and he still loved her. He would never stop.
"Excuse me? Your highness?" Isabel's sarcastic tone penetrated Max's thoughts, making him blink. "Your court is assembled. Can we please know what this is about now?"
"Oh." Max shook his head, ignored the concerned look Tess was sending him. "Sorry."
"What the hell is going on with you lately Maxwell?" Michael demanded. "You're zoning in and out all the time these days. Are you high?" Max rolled his eyes as his best friend scowled at him.
"I'm sure he has a lot on his mind." This came from Maria, startling Max because the tone she employed was sympathetic. He looked at her and suddenly understood that she [i] knew[/i]. She knew what Liz had done and she felt sorry for him. "It's why I came to see you Michael," Maria went on. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you before that weirdo freaked out." She continued to stare at Max, her brow knit. "There's something seriously wrong with Liz."
Max felt his heart stop. "What do you mean?" Was there something going on with Liz besides the disaster of her throwing away her virginity just to push [i] him[/i] away?
"I think you know Max," Maria replied. "She told me and Alex this morning what she did. I don't buy it. Something is seriously wrong!"
"What did Liz do?" Michael asked, his face turning from Max to Maria.
"She slept with Kyle," Tess inserted. Max guessed that she was trying to be helpful but was annoyed anyway.
"She did [i] not[/i]!" Maria screeched, outraged. "I [i] know[/i] she didn't! Max, [i] you[/i] know she didn't. Something's wrong with her." She glared at Tess.
"She [i] did[/i] Maria! She told me so herself!" Tess flared back. "She totally betrayed Max."
"Well." Maria spluttered. "I know there's more to it! She's not acting like herself at all. Alex and I think she's being mindwarped."
"[i] What?[/i]" Tess shrieked. "What are you suggesting Deluca?"
"You heard me trollop," Maria returned evenly. "None of this would be happening if you had never shown your face here. And we [i] all[/i] know you've done it before. Right Max?"
"[i] Whoa![/i]" Max stepped between the two girls. Michael had his arm firmly wrapped around Maria by now, although Max couldn't tell if it was to warn her off or to keep her from physically attacking Tess. Isabel had grabbed the curly-haired blonde by the arm, but was staring at Max, her expression horrified.
"Max, is this true? Are you okay?"
"Of course he's not okay," Tess snarled. "He's the one who found them together."
"Because [i] you[/i] made Liz do it! You or that new guy. Hey! I'll bet you're working [i] together![/i]" Maria cried triumphantly, as though the thought had just occurred to her.
"Max, why didn't you tell me?" Isabel's eyes were filling with tears, although Max couldn't tell if it was because she was hurt for [i] him[/i] or for herself because both Tess and Maria knew about this before her.
Max sighed heavily. "Enough you guys," he said quietly, trying to make his voice as firm as possible. "This is not the time or the place." He regretted even coming here. He was suddenly exhausted - until what Maria had said about the new guy suddenly penetrated his weary brain.
"[i] What[/i] about the new guy?" He asked abruptly. Maria was still stewing, but she raised her head to look at him. "The guy Liz left Bio with?" He had been trying [i] not[/i] to think about that guy. Kyle more than enough at the moment after all.
"Well, yeah," Maria replied, frowning at him. "Don't you think it's weird that she never came back Max?"
"[i] Another[/i] new guy?" Michael interrupted, sounding as tired as Max felt.
"And a new [i] girl[/i]," Max added pensively, thinking about the reason that he had sought out Michael and Isabel in the first place.
"Are you all saying that there are [i] three[/i] new students?" Isabel's voice was raised in disbelief. "In [i] Roswell[/i]? No one [i] ever[/i] moves here!"
"We need to find Liz," Max told the others grimly. "[i] Now[/i]." He gut was suddenly churning with worry. "Alex too. I don't like this at all."
"Why Max?" Tess sounded disdainful. "Who cares if she's found someone new?"
Max eyed her in annoyance. "[i] I[/i] care," he snapped. "I told you Tess.I [i] knew[/i] that girl."
"Max," Isabel whispered, sounding terrified. "What are you talking about?"
"Just what I said," Max told her impatiently. "I [i] knew[/i] her. She's like us and my guess is, so are these two guys. Which means that Liz is alone with a strange alien and she doesn't even know it. And there can only be one reason for it," he added over his shoulder as he hurried out of the classroom and towards the parking lot, his group of friends on his heels. "They're going to try to get me through [i] her[/i]."