Chapter 8

Liz went into the lecture theatre. She looked around…but she couldn't see Max. She had hoped he would be in her class….or at least in this lecture with him… But by the looks of things, no such luck. She sighed. The doors to the main entrance of the lecture theatre were at the back. Liz was glad, she much preferred to be at the back, unlike the cinemas where they always put you at the front and all the other people would stare at you.

Liz wheeled herself into the space at the back. At least here no one would stare, and she got a good view of the lesson. And that's what she was here for after all, to learn. Not to wonder where Max was…

Where was Max?

Max ran into the theatre. He was so annoyed with himself. He had thought about Liz all last night, and in the end, had only gone to sleep at gone three in the morning, making him oversleep. And he wanted to be here early so he could sit with her. Now someone would have taken it by now surely. He looked around….and spotted her almost next to her.

Liz had been looking at the door when Max entered. They shared a private smile and Max came over.

"Hey" Max said.

"Hey" Liz replied.

"Can I sit with you?" Max asked hopefully.

Liz smiled. "Of course" she told him.

Max had to try and stop himself from grinning like an idiot as he sat down. Liz meanwhile was trying to stop herself blushing.

"So…" Liz said, hoping to start a conversation.

"So…" Max replied, groping for a subject. "Thank you for last night Liz. I really learnt a lot…and I had a great time."

Liz's heart gave a little flutter.

"Me too" she said with a smile.

Max grinned.

"Settle down class!" The man at the front called out as he took his place at the podium.

Max and Liz gave each other one last smile before looking at the lecturer. University had truly begun.

"So Maria…have fun last night with Michael?"

Maria spluttered as she sat down in the music class. "I…I wasn't with Michael last night…" she said, knowing that Alex would never ever believe that. He knew her almost as well as Liz, and there was no way that Alex would ever take that as her answer.

"Ok…so the Jetta is still in one piece then?" Alex asked sniggering.

Maria looked at him incredulously. "You saw us?" she squealed.

"Only about ten minutes after you left…so Im guessing he apologised really well" Alex commented laughing.

"Alright, alright laugh it up." She said. "And I will be laughing when you charm the socks off of a certain Miss Isabel this evening." She said smiling.

"That is the plan" Alex answered, "But Jesse got back late last night, and he seemed rather happy this morning….what time did Isabel get in?"

The truth was...Isabel didn't know…not because she had come in after Isabel…well…she had….but Maria had gone back to the apartment just before the sun came up.

"I don't know…I was asleep" she said lamely.

Alex raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"Yeah ok, enough with the laughing Mr!" she said tapping him on the arm.

Alex laughed more.

Maria sighed. There was only one thing that would stop Alex in mid laugh attack.

"So do you think Liz is okay?"

"Liz?" Alex answered, whipping his towards Maria. "Why? What happened?" he demanded.

"Always works" Maria said triumphantly.

"Maria!" Alex whined. "No fair! Come on! I worry about her" he said sternly.

Maria rolled her eyes. "I know you do Alex. So do I. But we both know we can't do anything more than what we're doing now. You know she doesn't like being smothered. There's no point in feeling guilty about what happened. It wasn't our fault". She told him for the billionth time.

Alex sighed. He just wish he could believe that was true.

"Yeah" he muttered. At that moment the teacher walked in.

Isabel sat down in the middle of the lecture theatre between a girl with thick glasses and a guy who looked so serious he could have been the lecturer.

Jesse had told her that he was going to be in this lecture. Jesse…he was…different. Isabel liked Jesse…but…

Jesse was smart. It was easy to have a conversation with her. He was romantic. He was sweet.

But yet…he seemed….not as he seemed. Isabel knew that didn't make sense…but there was something that she couldn't quite put her finger on about him.

And the kiss yesterday….it had definitely not been one of the best kisses she had had. Not that she had many….but it was definitely not comfortable.

Jesse had strolled in and saw Isabel. He couldn't sit next to her…but he could sit a few rows behind and stare at her.

Jesse took his seat. He was annoyed that he couldn't sit with Isabel. He was hoping to score a few more points before Alex's date tonight. He had overheard Alex telling Maria this morning when Maria had come by the apartment to meet him. And he was not pleased. Where did that guy get off?

When the lecture began, the lecturer used the technique of saying lots of things, and expecting the students to take there own notes and answer any questions he fired at them. And every question he asked Jesse's hand went up. And most of the time Jesse was called on to answer. Isabel sighed as he answered his fifth question of the hour. Yes he was clever… the lecturer got it, the class got it…

When the class let out Jesse immediately went after Isabel. Isabel tried to get away….but she wasn't quite quick enough.

"Hey!" Jesse said cheerfully.

"Hey" Isabel replied looking around at everything but Jesse.

"So…I had fun last night" he said smiling. "You're an incredible dancer and brilliant company."

Isabel's mind flashed back to that dance…yes it had been good.

She smiled at him. "Yeah me too" she told him

"So I was wondering if we could do it again sometime?" he asked. "Like tomorrow?" he added hopefully.

Isabel smiled. "Sure. That would be great"

Jesse beamed at her. He walked her out of class. One more point to Jesse.

Michael sighed as his class let out. Class was utterly boring. He was much better at playing that listening about it…but he would definitely not have got on with anything else. Like Chemistry like Max. He shuddered at the mere thought.

Max's class should have let out by now. He quickly took his mobile out of his pocket and speed dialled Max.

Max pushed Liz out of class. He had decided it was time to ask her out. He was incredibly nervous…but he really wanted to do this.

"So Liz, I was wondering if…"

His mobile started to play "American Idiot" by Greenday. Max sighed. Great…

"One second" he said to Liz as he picked it up.

"Max Evans" he answered.

"Yo Maxwell, we have to do something fun this evening." Michael told him down the phone.

Max sighed. He was hoping him and Liz could do something later….

"Well Michael I…"

"Maxwell I know your with Liz right now, so I was thinking that the four of us could go to a pub tonight or something. You know, you, me, Liz and that Maria chick."

"That Maria chick?" Max repeated raising his eyebrow.

Liz sniggered quietly.

"Yeah. I mean I hear the bars got Karaoke night tonight you know…it could be fun." Michael said.

"Don't you want to…hang out with Maria….alone?" Max asked.

This is exactly why Michael had rung him. He needed to get Maria out of his head. Admittedly hanging out with Maria might not be the best way to do it, but at least this way he wouldn't be TOTALLY distracted by her. Max had a mission here, and although Max was happy to let himself get distracted, he was not going to let that happen to him.

"You wanna go to the bar or not Maxwell? Because we both know you're too nervous to ask Liz properly, so why not go with us two and therefore avoiding the awkwardness of actually asking her" Michael answered down the phone.

Max sighed. He knew he was right. "Yeah ok. I'll see what you say and talk to you later Michael. Bye"

He hung up the phone.

"Michael wanted to know if the four of us wanted to go to the Bar tonight…apparently they have Karaoke on." He said.

Liz immediately smiled. "Well if there's Karaoke on, Maria will definitely be there. She loves doing that. So yeah that sounds great. We'll be there"

Max grinned. "Cool." He said as he started to push her away from the theatre.

Tess hated French. She had decided that, moments after arriving in the class. Within minutes she had decided it just wasn't worth it. Too much hassle. If she ever needed a job she could easily mindwarp them anyway to make them think she was got the degree. What was the point? Tess quickly held a mindwarp for a few seconds as she dashed out of the class.

Time to get things into action. Tonight was Alex and Isabel's date…and she had big plans for it. Big evil plans. She hurried back to the apartment, running the arrangements through in her mind.

Liz was searching through her wardrobe when she heard the knock on the door. "Come in!" she called out.

Maria came in wearing a shimmering blue top, a decorated black skirt and black heels. Liz smiled. She had always liked that top.

"Hey, does this look ok?" Maria asked worriedly.

Liz rolled her eyes. "You look great Ria. Stop worrying! Michael will think you're a great singer. What's the problem?"

Maria sighed to herself. She hated keeping things bottled up in side, so she was glad she could tell Liz.

"Well...Michael and I don't…really…talk. I know nothing about him. He knows nothing about me. How do I even know he's going to like me?" Maria said nervously.

Liz smiled. She wondered if Maria realised that she really like Michael. Had she admitted it to herself yet?

"Maria you two will get along fine." Liz told her. "What did you two get up to last night anyway? I didn't hear you come in."

Maria blushed. "Oh…nothing in particular.

Liz smirked. "How was he?"

Maria smiled. Her friend was good. "He was great" she said dreamily.

Liz had to stifle a laugh.

"So what did you and Max get up to last night?" Maria asked.

Liz's face dropped to a small smile. "Cooking" she replied before turning back to her wardrobe.

"And?" Maria asked.

"And that's it Maria" she said with a slight edge to her voice. "No kissing, no nothing."

"Besides…he's taken anyway" she muttered.

"No he's not Liz! Just because Tess thinks he's her property doesn't mean he's taken. Come on, he's totally head over heels for you!"

"No he's not Maria! Or he would have made some sort of move or hint last night. But nothing. The only reason we're meeting up today is because Michael suggested it" she said sadly.

"Maybe he's shy."

"Shy. Yeah…maybe…or maybe your crazy" Liz replied.

"Crazy?... Yes, but that doesn't mean he's not shy."

Liz laughed softly.

"So chica what are you wearing?"

"I have nooo idea" she said groaning. She turned to Maria. "Help?"

Maria quickly walked infront of the wardrobe. "Let's see…" Her eyes flickered over the assortment of clothes. She pushed them aside looking for a particular item that she knew Liz had but never wore. She grinned as she found it. She pulled the item out.

Liz looked at the top. "I'm saving that for a special occasion" she said quickly.

"If this isn't a special occasion I don't know what is! Come on Liz! I bought you this last Christmas, knowing it would look perfect on you."

"Maria…." Liz whined.

"Chica, trust me. Wear this with… that" she said pulling out a skirt. "And your boots"

Liz rolled her eyes. "If he runs away screaming I will kill you" she muttered.

"He won't. Now unless you want some help, change" Maria ordered knowing that Liz hated having help.

"Fine" Liz said as Maria closed the door behind her.

Tess hurried out of the apartment. She ran as fast as she could to the guy's apartment. After tonight the games would really begin, but only if tonight went the way she planned. She watched as Alex came out of the building. He was wearing a blue shirt and black trousers. Tess couldn't really do anything about that. She would have to wait until later to begin her evil doings. She quickly began to follow him…and realised he was walking to the girls apartment.

He was going to meet her at the apartment. "Damn it" Tess muttered as she set off back the way she had come. She was angry…but at least she could take her anger out on a certain little date. "Payback time" she muttered.

"Michael you might want to slow down"

Michael gulped down his third beer. "Why? I'm nervous! This girl has me nervous Maxwell! It's not good. We should be focusing on your little mission, not dating a couple of human chicks!"

"Michael, firstly my "little mission" includes finding a girl. And secondly, you and Maria might be dating, but Liz and I most certainly are not." Max replied firmly.

"Yeah but you wanna be" Michael shot back.

"Maybe. But we can't. I can't let Tess have a reason to hurt her. You know she's crazy."

"And maybe if she saw you with Liz she would get over you" Michael said reasonably.

"Yeah and in a second the chocolate eating society are going to start raving about sprouts" Max muttered.

Michael quickly got off his chair. Max grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"

"I'm thirsty" Michael replied before realising himself from Max's grip and heading to the bar.

Max sighed. Who knew that Maria could drive Michael this crazy about her? Max took another sip of his first beer. He had barely drunk any of it. He just hoped Michael would still be standing at the end of the night.

"Max!"

Max looked up to greet the cheery voice. It was then he saw her. He had to try to stop his jaw from dropping. Liz was wearing a black lacy bodice, a reasonably short black skirt with boots. Max gulped. She looked amazing. Liz always looked amazing to him…but tonight…it was a different type of amazing.

"Wow…Liz you look….you look beautiful" Max told her as she pulled herself up to the table.

Her eyes flickered to Maria and then she blushed. "Thanks. You look very nice too" she said appreciating his leather jacket, black shirt and black jeans.

"Thanks" he replied flashing his brilliant smile that made Liz's heart flutter again.

"Max, where's Michael?" Maria asked.

"Er…"

"Hey girls!" Michael said bringing back two beers…both for him.

Maria raised an eyebrow. "Ok then…I think I'll go get a drink. Liz what's your poison?" Maria asked.

"I'll have a reef thanks Ria" she said fiddling in her black purse.

"Nope my round Liz" Ria told her walking off.

As soon as she was out of sight, Max kicked him under the table.

"Ow! What?" Michael demanded.

Max rolled his eyes.

"Dating sucks" Michael said. "You have Liz in the right place Maxwell" he told him before swigging his beer.

It was a close competition of who was the deeper shade of red at that comment.

Alex paced outside the door nervously. Tess was around the corner practically falling asleep. He had been pacing outside that door for around ten minutes now. He was early, so it wouldn't matter to Isabel. But Tess could him muttering to himself with how to say hello to Isabel.

"Well Hi Isabel, golly its good to see you!"

"Isabel, hey. You look hot!"

"Hey Isabel. Im Alex…no wait she knows my name…"

Alex sighed. "Just do it Whitman" he told himself. He shut his eyes and knocked on the door.

Isabel opened the door….

Alex stood there for a moment taking in the beautiful sight of her. She wore a beautiful red dress. He stood there in silence, just looking at her. Isabel looked around not sure what to do.

"Hi" she said.

Alex came out of his trance. "Hey…ready to go?" he asked.

She smiled. "Sure…so where are we going?" she asked as she shut the door behind her.

"I was thinking we could go get something to eat and then go watch a movie?"

She smiled. "Sounds great."

"Ok…" he said as they started to walk out the building. "So where do you want to go eat?" he asked.

"I don't mind." she answered. "You pick"

"Well…I was thinking…what about a good old English kebab?" Alex asked.

Isabel looked at Alex in surprise. "Yeah..sure" she said. It wasn't exactly romantic…but it was different she guessed. Besides…he was nervous.

"Ok.." he said smiling.

Michael waited at the bar for his seventh beer. Finally the bartender notice him and came over. Michael surveyed her..she was blonde and pretty. Not as pretty as Maria Michael immediately thought. He noticed her little name tag. Courtney.

"A beer please Courtney" Michael said loudly over the racket someone was making on the karaoke machine…it sounded like a bad version of Madonna's "Like a virgin".

"Sure thing" she said as she started to serve it. "Your in my sports science class right?" Courtney said smiling.

Michael nodded. Now he knew where he had seen her before. "Yeah. Michael, Michael Guerin" he told her as she gave him his drink.

"Well Mikey G, I hope our next project we get to work together…I would love to partner with you" she said. She gave him a sly smile as she walked off.

If only Michael had known Maria had been standing behind him throughout his little flirting display. Maria tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to face her.

"So Mikey G….want to tell me why you were flirting with another girl?" she asked crossing her arms.

Michael looked at her and shrugged. "Well we're not together. I'm a stone wall. You don't know anything about me. I'm meant to be alone."

Maria stood there her mouth open.

"And you decide this now after we…"

She slapped him across the face. "Jerk!"

Maria stomped off to the other end of the bar. Michael watched her, following her with his eyes. He could see her ordering several shots.

Michael was rather tipsy…but he did know what he had just said had not come out right. He wanted Maria so much….but he was here on Max's mission, and maybe this was better in the long run….

Obviously Maria couldn't see it that way. Michael chugged his beer before asking Courtney for a double shot of whisky. He needed something stronger, now.

Isabel and Alex chatted away as they walked to the kebab shop around the corner. Tess skulked behind them. A kebab shop? Lots of things that could go wrong there…oh the possibilities. She smirked as she hurried after them.

Isabel sat down as Alex ordered. Tess wasn't sure how to get a view without being spotted. So she kept making glances in through the window. Fortunately they were the other side of the room, and Alex was facing her, not Isabel.

Alex and Isabel were chatting when she spotted the shop assistant come to there table to deliver there two kebabs and there two cokes.

Tess smiled. Opportunity!

The next moment the shop assistant slipped, dropping the coke…right into Alex's lap.

"Argh!" Alex moaned.

Isabel looked at him awkwardly. "I could get some tissues from the bathroom…."

"They won't have one" Alex muttered. "But thanks anyway"

He was sticky, he was wet…and it looked like he had wet his pants. Alex was humiliated.

"I'm sure it will come out…" Isabel said hopefully.

Alex gave her a small smile. "Yeah….yeah it will. Just not anytime soon"

The two began to eat. Isabel tried to make conversation, but Alex was still rather humiliated. When he did try to join in…kids would happen to come in and say "Look Mommy! That guy wet his pants" and Alex would hang his head in shame.

Tess was thrilled with herself. Isabel could barely get him to say a word, thanks to her little children that kept coming in. Tess was beginning to tire…but she was having so much fun! Alex looked really upset. She smirked. It would only take one more little thing to push this date into the disastrous category. And she knew just how to do it.

"That Mr. Conway goes at a really fast pace doesn't he" Liz commented to Max.

"Yeah, my hand still hurts from all that note taking!" Max replied.

Liz smiled.

There was a sudden loud squeak from the tanoy. Max and Liz looked up to see a rather wobbly figure holding the microphone.

"And now ladiessss and gentlemen…may I introduuuce you tooo…my verrry best frieeend in the eeentireeee world…Miss Lizzy Parker!"

Liz looked up at Maria in shock…she was very drunk…and she had been too busy with Max to notice. She just presumed she was dancing with Michael. She looked around for him…he was sitting at the bar….

Oh god….

"Come on Liz! Liz! Liz!" Maria said working the crowd.

Liz winced as she got off her seat and went up to the mike. "Dun't worry, I picked ya a good one!" Maria said chirpily before going to sit down at the bar….the opposite end from Michael.

Liz bit her lip as the song came on….at least she knew it, and had all the words on the screen by her feet…even though she didn't need it.

Notice me
Take my hand
Why are we
Strangers when
Our love is strong
Why carry on without me?

Max watched the beautiful Goddess who was singing in front of him. Even the somewhat drunk audience were quietening down to listen to her beautiful voice.

Everytime I try to fly
I fall without my wings
I feel so small
I guess I need you baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, it's haunting me
I guess I need you baby

Max couldn't help but wish that she needed him. Like he needed her. He was falling for her and was powerless to stop it.

I make believe
That you are here
It's the only way
I see clear
What have I done
You seem to move on easy

Did Liz like someone? Did she care about him, even a little? He wished he had the confidence to tell her how he felt…but he felt the moments just…passing him by.

And everytime I try to fly
I fall without my wings
I feel so small
I guess I need you baby
And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me
I guess I need you baby

As the shortened Kareoke song drew to a close the pub went wild. Liz flushed and got down, heading back to the table with her head low as though she was trying not to attract attention. When she sat down Max looked at her.

"Liz…that was incredible. You were stunning."

Liz heart raced in her chest. That one compliment meant more to her than the entire pub cheering. The two shared a smile.

"Excuse me!" someone called over the tanoy.

Max and Liz looked up at Maria once more. Max had a sinking feeling he was about to be asked to sing…and there was no way he would. He couldn't sing to save his life. He knew that's what he had said about his cooking skills…but his singing…that was ten times worse.

"Hey all Im Maria…and…

I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'm beggin' you to beg me.

"Oh God" Liz muttered. Max looked on as Maria strutted across the stage. The regulars of the pub immediately started wolf whistling her as she sexily sung.

I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand-new shirt.
I'll get home early from work if you say that you love me.

Michael watched her from the bar, his eyes not leaving her. She was incredible. He was full blown drunk, and couldn't hide the desire in his eyes.

Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'.
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?

"We need to get her home Max" Liz said worriedly. "She's really lost it"

"Ok…as soon as she's finished I'll grab her and we can go." Max replied as he watched Maria, hoping she didn't hurt her self.

I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'm beggin' you to beg me.

Max quickly set off towards the stage, ready to grab her when she had finished. Liz quickly followed him.


I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.

As soon as she had sung her last note Max leapt on to the stage and gave her the firemans lift. Maria cackled like a girl possessed.

"What about Michael?" Liz shouted over the hooting.

"Let's get Maria to the car first then I'll find….

"Hello England! Whoooop!" a voice shouted into the mike.

"Oh please no" Max muttered. He turned around to see what he feared.

When you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
And I wish I was special
You're sovery special

Michael was belting the song loudly down the mike. The audience still cheered because they really were to drunk to care who sang at this point.

"Oh Max what are we going to now?" Liz called out.

But I'm a creeeeeep, I'm a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here.

Maria couldn't see Michael…she only had a view of Max's very nice shirt. But she recognised Michael's voice anywhere.

"Yeah you tell them Mickey. Tell them how you're a creep Mickey G! WOOOOOOOO!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

I don't care if it hurts
I want to have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul

"Max let's take Maria to the car… I'll look after her while you grab Michael" Liz shouted above the racket. Max quickly nodded and the three raced out to the car.

I want you to notice
When I'm not around
You're sovery special
I wish I was special

Once Maria was in the car, Liz held her down to the best of her abilities whilst Max run inside. God why did Michael always have to do something like this….

But I'm a creeeeeeeeeep, I'm a weirdooooo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here.

I don't belong here.

Max grabbed Michael and pulled him out of the bar.

Alex and Isabel sat down in there seats as the trailers started. Tess quickly grabbed a seat two rows back, so she could pay attention to them…although that was hard by the three popcorn scoffing and drink guzzling children infront of her…

Perfect she thought.

Alex was still sticky….but certainly not wet anymore. He couldn't believe how badly this date was going…what he was going to do to rectify the situation. He had to do something.

"Think Whitman, Think!" he thought to himself.

Then he smiled…he could put his arm around her…that was usual for dates wasn't it? And if she didn't want him too she could easily move and therefore not so much embaressment.

The movie was twenty minutes when Alex looked like he was going to make his move. Tess quickly stood up and pretend to trip, falling on to the kids chair in front.

"Sorry" she whispered as she held her hand to the little boys stomach.

The boy's stomach churned. Tess quickly ducked and went to hide at the back of the cinema. He started to cough….

Isabel was starting to enjoy herself when…she felt something down her back and neck and all over her hair.

Isabel jumped up. "Oh my God!" she cried out. Her dress was ruined. Alex looked on in horror.

Isabel quickly ran out of the cinema heading to the bathroom. Alex quickly followed her. Tess smirked. Yes! Now that was one ruined date. And one more notch up on Liz.

Max had Maria over one arm as Liz opened the apartment door.

"That was fuuuuun! We need to go again! Come on Maxie! Ask Lizzzzy out! You know you want to!" Maria called out before cracking up with laughter once more.

"Which ones her room?" he asked Liz. Liz pointed to the second doorway. Max took Maria through and carefully put her on the bed.

"Hey Maxie?" Maria whispered. "You really should ask her….she likes you…and if you break her heart like Michael did mine…I will have to kill you" she said giving him a small smile. Then she fell unconscious.

Max sighed…what had Michael done now? He had broken her heart... maybe she was just drunk and confused. At least with her sleeping there was one down and one to go. Max went out to the main room and closed the door after him.

"She's asleep." He told her.

Liz sighed a sigh of relief. "Im so sorry Max" she said.

"It's not your fault Liz. Im sorry for Michael too" he said. "Speaking of which…I had better get back before he bolts.

"Yeah…goodnight Max" Liz said.

Max headed to the door…and stopped. He turned.

"Liz…would you want to do that again sometime?" Max asked quickly looking at the floor. "I mean we don't have to…do that…but I mean…we could…go out some time…without Maria and Michael….like…on a date?" he asked hopefully.

Liz smiled. "I'd like that Max"

Max looked at her and smiled back. "Great…well….I'll…see you in class tomorrow Liz." He said nervously. "Goodnight"

"Night Max" she said, her smile not leaving her face.

Max looked at her for one more second before leaving.

Liz was amazed. He had asked her out…they were going on a date…an actual date. Liz wheeled herself into her room, her heart swelling in happiness.

Max walked back to the jeep, grinning from ear to ear. He had just asked Liz Parker on a date…and she had said yes. She had said yes!

But then, his mood swiftly changed. He looked at the jeep…Michael was not in it.

"Oh please no" Max muttered going to the jeep.

Then Max heard the loud snoring. Max sighed as he saw Michael sleeping on the back seat. Max smiled as he jumped in the front and headed back to the guys apartment.

When Isabel finally came out of the bathroom, Alex had no idea what to say. The date was utterly ruined. And Alex felt crushed. Totally devastated. When Isabel came out she walked over to him and looked at the floor.

"I'll walk you home" Alex said quietly. He didn't wait for her answer. He just started to walk, knowing that Isabel was only a few steps away.

They walked back to the girl's apartment in silence. They were both wondering how things could have possibly gone that badly wrong. Isabel kept thinking about the kebab shop…why had Alex freaked like that?

She sighed as the building came into sight. She wanted nothing more than to go inside and cry.

Alex heard Isabel sigh and immediately thought it was a sigh of relief. His heart gave a painful twang as they walked to the building entrance. He stopped and looked at the ground, not sure what to say. Isabel stood next to him, hoping he could say anything to make this better…

"Alex" Isabel told Alex.

"That was by far the worst date I've ever been on. I think we should just forget this ever happened and I will date Jesse ok."

Alex looked up at her…

"Right…well…goodnight Isabel" he said. He turned and walked away, his heart breaking.

Isabel watched as he walked away…she had been sure he was going to say something…but all he said was goodbye. Why didn't he kiss her? Isabel had been hoping he would.

She thought about Alex…and she thought about Jesse. Jesse maybe more of the talker…but to Isabel…she liked Alex more.

And he had just walked away from her; walked away without a second glance. Maybe he didn't see her that way. Maybe he was thinking this was all one big mistake.

She quickly went inside before her first tear fell.

Tess smirked as Isabel went inside. That had been some quick thinking on Tess's part. She had seen Alex…he was going to rectify the date…and she wasn't going to let that happen. Not after all her hard work. So she had made him see her break his heart. And Alex would now be too humiliated to tell anyone what had happened.

The pieces were all in costume and performed there first act. But now it was Tess's turn to adorn her evil costume of darkness…and destroy the heroine.

Everytime – Britney Spears

I want you to want me – Cheap Trick

Creep by Radiohead

Please R&R :)