AN: And because it is Sunday and I had the time to write, here is the second chapter. Enjoy reading...
AN1: The novel mentioned is "Stranger in a strange land" by Robert A. Heinlein. The protagonist is Valentine Michael Smith, a human born and grown up on Mars and later brought back to Earth. The novel is pretty good!
AN2: The song is "Maybe I'm amazed" by Jem. It is published on the Soundtrack of "The O.C. – Mix2".
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Ways of Life! – Chapter 2
On his way to school Jake grew more and more nervous. He had missed the first two lessons; that was okay because his teachers knew about his meeting with Doctor Meyers. But when Jake would arrive at school it would be the break and he had no wish to meet a certain person. This idiot Nick Carnby had been running around for the last days waiting for his chance to settle up with him. And here this chance would come, Jake knew it. Nick and his friends always spent this break outside the school, smoking. Unfortunately this place was the bus station, where Jake would arrive. How should he react in case Nick would do something stupid? Jake kept telling everyone who wanted to listen, that he hadn't kissed Angela on this party a few days ago but this guy just didn't hear.
After her work Maria spend some time shopping before returning to her and Michael's apartment.
"Hello dear!"
"Hi Maria", a muffled voice answered her from the bedroom.
"Are you still sleeping?"
"Hmmhmm."
Maria sat down on the bed and caressed the warm skin of his back. "I'm afraid it is time for you to wake up and get off for work."
He moaned, grabbed the pillow and threw it after her. Maria caught it and threw it back. "Hey, I'm just the messenger. – Besides, I bought a new dress today and thought, I could accompany you… but when you don't want me to come with you." She shrugged.
Michael opened his eyes, smiled and this time grabbed Maria. She giggled and as they both lay down now, she kissed her boyfriend. She laid her arms around him. They looked at each other. Michael stroked a strand out her face. "I love you." – "I know. And I love you, too." Maria smiled. She never imagined Michael to be so open and able to speak about his feelings. She knew it was a question of trust. And he trusted in her as she trusted in him.
They finally got up. Michael went to the bathroom and Maria changed. As Michael came out again, she was already ready to go. "You know what? You look beautiful. – But how come you are always earlier ready than I am?"
"It's all training, darling." She watched him changing as well into his work outfit; Jeans and a green T-Shirt. "Let's go then", Michael said, checking once more his hairs.
They went down the street and past the school as Maria stopped suddenly. Michael kind of bumped in her. "What's up?"
"Just one moment, I think, there is one of my patients. You see? - This boy over there in the blue jacket. And those must be his foster parents."
"Yeah. Do you want to go to them?"
"I think so, but do we have the time?"
"Yes, Tim will work a few minutes more until I'm there. Don't worry!"
Oh Shit. What the hell had his therapist to do here and now, in the early evening? Jake didn't want to see her now, not with his face bruised and swollen. But he had to admit she looked quite… gorgeous. She wore a long red dress and a black scarf covering her naked shoulders.
The man beside her had to be her boyfriend, he guessed.
The adults shook hands. "Good evening. I am Dr. Myers, Jakes therapist. This is my friend Michael Smith."
"Oh, nice to meet you, we are the Bradleys. And you have met Jake yet."
"Yes, hi Jake", Maria smiled. "Um… may I ask what has happened?" She looked from Mr and Mrs. Bradley to Jake and back.
Mrs. Bradley said: "You know, Jacob had…" – But Jake interrupted: "I will tell you on Thursday, okay?"
Maria connected eyes with her patient, and then nodded. "Well, why not… but watch after yourself. – I wish you a nice evening", Maria addressed the Bradleys.
"You too", Mr. Bradley said with an unsure glance towards Jake and again they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you", nodded Michael.
Jake glanced after the couple and then looked at his foster parents' worried faces.
"Do you know what this was about", Michael asked as they were out of earshot.
Maria shook her head. "No. Jake and I had our first meeting today, so I don't know about his situation in school yet."
"Bet it has to do something with a girl." Michael grinned.
"Maybe", she admitted. "I hope so. He seems to be a very quiet boy."
"Girls like the mysterious kind of boy."
She glanced up at him. "How do you know?"
"I am the living evidence, honey, the living evidence."
She smiled. "Got the point."
"Speaking of mysterious persons, last week a guest looked for that sexy blonde singer…-"
"Who?"
"What do you think of which singer he spoke: You!"
"No, I meant: Who was this guest?"
Michael shrugged. "No idea. I mean, he is very often at the bar, but he isn't the kind of guest telling the barkeeper his whole life story. And I'm very happy about that!"
"Okay Guer-… ehm, Smith. Do you think I should sing again?"
"Yeah, I think so. And stop using my surname so you can't mistake it with my new one."
"Sorry. I will try not to use the old one again. But every time I think of you as 'Michael Smith' – I have to laugh." And there, the corners of her mouth twitched up.
"Because of this novel? Come on."
"Naw… not 'Come on'. You must admit that it is funny, isn't it?"
Michael said: "No it isn't." But he could not avoid a smile. "Okay, here we are." He opened the door and Maria went in.
"Hi Tim."
"Hello Michael, late today."
"Yeah, I'm sorry." Michael went behind the bar.
"It is my fault, Tim", Maria said. "On the way we met people I had to talk to."
"Your fault? Then it is okay, I guess. Have a good evening, dear Maria." They shook hands. "And bye, Michael." - "Bye Tim!"
Michael looked through the bar, there weren't many people yet, what meant nothing to do for him. "What do you want, Maria?"
"A tea please."
"Good choice", he said happy. Tea always meant that she would sing, so he hurried to bring her a glass of the only tea the bar offered.
Later Maria got onto the small stage and spoke with the band. The musicians nodded to her words and Maria took the microphone. "Good evening. I am Maria and maybe some of you remember me…" The applause of the guests confirmed her words and Maria blushed, what made her only look more beautiful. "Thanks. This evening I want to start with a song of 'Jem': 'Maybe I'm amazed'."
She connected eyes with Michael andbegan to sing:
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way You Love Me All The Time
Maybe I'm Afraid Of The Way I Love You
Michael couldn't take his eyes of her. He knew her for so many years now but never got tired looking at her. And when she sang his feelings even grew.
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way You Pulled Me Out Of Time
And Hung Me On A Line
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way I Really Need You
In the adventurous days back in Roswell, now he knew, he had often upset her because of nothing. Maria had argued, but at last she had waited for him to grow up. Now he couldn't imagine to share his life with anyone else than her.
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way You're With Me All The Time
Maybe I'm Afraid Of The Way I Leave You
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way You Help Me Sing My Song
Right Me When I'm Wrong
Maybe I'm Amazed At The Way I Really Need You
She finished the song, smiled and bowed to the applause, then started the next song; this time one of hers.
Michael knew he was really lucky to have her.