Hello everybody! How's it going? I am happy to report I am back with a new part for my story! Here it is. Hope you guys enjoy it! See ya everyone! Gotta hot date on Friday so I'll post the next chapter probably next week.

cesca: Oh I think you will like the revenge she has in mind...It'll be in the next chapter.(Chapter 9) : )

Trude: Thanks for your feedback. You're a peach!

kt: Yes, evil plans are very fun...Mwa ha ha ha ha! (Sorry, don't know where that came from.)


Chapter 8: Prelude To A Plot

Liz POV

"Pfffft. Tell me my plan isn't rational." I scoff crossing my arms over my chest defiantly still crouched in the bushes.

"Well Liz, it isn't."

"What are you talking about? My plan was perfectly rational!" I whisper harshly turning back to glare at my cousin.

"Liz, waiting in the bushes until Max passes by and then jumping out and beating him up isn't rational." She tells me slowly patting my shoulder like a little kid.

"Oh and you think talking it out with him is rational?" I counter narrowing my eyes at her.

"Uh…Liz?" Kyle interjects.

"Cuz that is not an option!" I shout louder than I actually meant to managing to attract the attention of several people. One look at the table where my new arch-nemesis sits though reassures me that they haven't heard me as I see them break into laughter. "Need I remind you guys that I am now single because of him and Jay now wants nothing to do with me?" I say lowering my voice. At their silence I continue. "Besides, that's not what I was going to do."

"Really?" Serena asks raising her eyebrows in disbelief.

"Yes; really. Give me a little credit. I'll have you know I was going to wait until Max walked by, Kyle and I would've jumped out, Kyle would've held him back, and then I would've beaten him up." I smile satisfied with my plan. Although at my inclusion of Kyle in my plans Serena turns her glare on Kyle.

"You were apart of this crazy plan!"

"W-what? Uh…I mean uh…" Kyle sputters out waving his arms out in front of him as if that would save him from either of our wraths if he didn't answer correctly.

"You were going to help me, right Kyle. I mean you are on my side aren't you?" I ask turning to face him as well.

"Well you see…the thing is…I…" Kyle looks back and forth between the two of us like a caged animal and tries to back up even further into the bushes.

"WELL?" Serena and I both question him at the same time.

"Uh…oh look at the time! It's almost time for the pep rally. Gotta go!" He shouts pushing between us and breaking off into a run. Chicken.

"Oh crap! It really is almost time for the pep rally!" Serena shrieks grabbing my arm and yanking me out of the bushes towards the auditorium.

"OWWW! Serena slow down, I might need that arm someday!"

"Yeah well, we'll worry about someday when it comes. Now get a move on!"

"Serena, really, slow down or we're gonna-" bam!

"Owww!" I shout for the second time in the last two minutes and for the second time in the last twenty-four hours I find myself looking into a pair of amber eyes.

"Just couldn't stay away from me, could you?" Jeez! He's everywhere! Maybe he's like a robot and there's like thirty of them just running around with the sole purpose to annoy me. He smiles down at me where I've fallen down on my butt, but before I can offer any death threats Serena once again yanks me up by my arm.

"Liz! We don't have time to make goo goo eyes at anybody! Get a move on!" What the heck! I know she didn't just say that.

"Serena! I was NOT, I repeat NOT making goo goo eyes at him!" I yell in vain because I know that no matter what I say she won't listen to me. And the last thing I hear is Max's laughter as Serena hauls me off to the auditorium.

Maria POV

"You guys, it is SO not funny! Uggghh! Stop laughing!" I yell trying to make them understand how horrible this truly is. But apparently my friends are unsympathetic because my yelling only elicits more laughter from them. Idiots. "I'm serious! She actually wants us to dress alike too!" If I thought this was going to get me sympathy either I was horribly wrong because if anything they just laugh harder and longer.

"Oh…man…I…can't breathe!" Alex chokes out between laughs. "I just…keep…trying…to pic…picture it!" I glare at him.

"There is no, I repeat NO way that I am going to dress up like my mom, let alone Kyle and his dad." I spit out angry that they're still laughing at my dilemma.

"Awww, come on 'Ria," Alex coos, using the nickname Liz came up with for me years ago; "It'll be like you're one big happy family." Too late he notices the danger he's in though because he gives a yelp as I kick his leg under the table.

"Yeah, come on Maria," Michael joins in. "It is a fundraiser for the Roswell Police Department."

"She. Wants. Me. To. Dress. Up. Like. A. Sheriff." I enunciate slowly hoping to finally break through to them about the severity of this situation. "A sheriff!"

"Well, look on the bright side Maria; if you're dressed like a sheriff they can't arrest you this year. It'll be like you're one of their own." Alex says with a smirk.

"What are you guys talking about? Maria, you got arrested?" Isabel asks confused.

"Actually it's this thing they do every year at the fundraiser. They have this fake jail and you can pay the police department to arrest someone of your choosing and the person arrested has to spend some time in jail. And actually I think that's what earns the most money at the fundraiser." Michael explains trying to keep a straight face.

"That's because you pay Kyle every year to arrest us!" I yell giving him a shove. "Last year he actually ambushed me and Liz and I was hauled off to that stupid little jail on Deputy Hanson's shoulder!"

"Yeah, that was awesome!" Alex shouts breaking out into another fit of laughter over the memory.

"Yeah it was!" Michael agrees as Alex and him high five each other. At my glare he sobers and holds up his hands in defense. "Hey, I was just being a good citizen and supporting our local police department. I just wish everyone could be as generous as me."

"Oh, I'm feeling very generous this year. In fact, I feel very giving right now." I smile as I smack him hard on the back of the head.

"Owww! Hey! It wasn't just me! Alex and Kyle pitched in money too!" At Michael's admission Alex swivels his head around fast from where he was staring at Isabel and slowly his expression turned from one of confusion to one of fear.

"ALEX!" I ask incredulously. "I understand Michael and Kyle doing it, but you too?" And really I can understand Michael and Kyle doing it, but Alex? "What is this? Some conspiracy you guys cooked up against us?"

"Come on Maria, don't be mad." Alex says a little less afraid since realizing he's not within hitting distance.

"If you say 'get glad' I will hit you." Alex immediately shuts up and pretends to find an ant on the table extremely interesting.

"Maria, it's all for a good cause…" Isabel says. Oh no, they've gotten to her too. She's gone over to the dark side.

"Isabel, not you too." I groan leaning forward to rest my face in my hands exhausted over this entire conversation.

"No, Isabel's got a point Maria. It is all for a good cause, besides, it won't be only you. Now that Isabel's here we're going to have her arrested too." Michael tells me in what I guess is supposed to be a comforting voice. One glance at Isabel and I see she hadn't predicted this scenario and it was definitely not what she wanted to hear.

"You know, I really don't think that's necessary…"

"No, no, Isabel. You're apart of our group now and you should be included in everything. Don't you agree Alex?" I question staring intently at Alex waiting for an answer.

"Well, um…" Alex looks back and forth between Isabel and me not quite sure whose side to pick in this apparent argument. There's my side; his best friend since third grade. And there's Isabel's side; the potential girlfriend. And I say potential girlfriend because I don't think I've seen them apart once today. I have to admit its cute and all, but if he picks her side in this…after years of Liz, Serena, and I not being able to get out of it no matter what…

"Max!" Alex shouts noticing the dark haired brother of Isabel standing a few feet away from our table. "Max!" Alex shouts again desperately trying to flag the other guy over. And Max, noticing Alex's antics, heads over to our table and sits down. If Alex thinks this is going to get him out of answering he's got another thing coming.

"What's got you so smug?" And at Isabel's remark, I finally direct my attention to Max where he does in fact look smug.

"Nothing," Max answers, his smile growing, and I have to admit I am a little intrigued to find out why he's so smug. No Maria. Pay attention. You are trying to get out of being arrested this year…

"So Al-"

"Does this have to do with Liz again?" Isabel cuts me off bringing her hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. Hmmm? Liz? So Max told her that her that Liz was the one he bumped into last night and broke her cell phone. That must be what she means by again…but then why is Max so smug? Oh well, back to the more important matters. Pushing my curiosity aside I continue.

"Well, Al-."

"Just please tell me you didn't kiss her again." Isabel continues her conversation with Max interrupting me yet again. Jeez. Can a sister get a sentence out? Wait. What? Max? Liz? KISSED! When did this happen? Michael must have been thinking the same thing I was because the next thing out of his mouth, besides the soda he'd just taken out drink of was…

"What!"

"Michael!" Kyle pants out of breath as he slows to a stop in front of our table and effectively interrupting a now wide-eyed Isabel trying to explain. "There you are man. I've been looking for you all over!" For some reason he keeps stealing glances at a large bush in the quad and when he seems satisfied he continues. "Michael, we have to go- what's going on here?" Kyle asks finally noticing the uncomfortable silence that has fallen over the table.

"Well apparently M-"

"Never mind, no time." Kyle rushes out interrupting me and turning to Michael. What the heck? "Sorry man, but we gotta go. The pep rally starts in a few minutes and we're supposed to help Serena get it started."

"Pep rally?" Isabel questions thankful for a possible change of subject.

"No time for questions you silly woman!" Kyle shouts out loudly grabbing Michael and dragging him off. Or should I say tried to drag him off. "What are you doing? Serena will have our heads if we're not there on time!"

"I think Serena will forgive us in this case." Michael answers tersely never moving his eyes off Max and Isabel. "I think Max and Isabel have something to tell us."

"What?" Kyle asks confused looking to the rest of us for an explanation.

"Don't look at me. I have no idea what's going on." I tell him when he looks to me. It's the truth I have no idea what's going on. Liz wouldn't just kiss Max and not tell me right?

"Apparently; Max kissed Liz." Michael answers, leaving the sentence hanging waiting for someone else to fill him in.

"Oh that? Liz already told us about th..at." Kyle trails off noticing everyone's eyes on him. "He heh…was I not supposed to say anything?" He asks nervously.

"It's true!" I shout in disbelief. "This is unreal. My best friend kisses someone and she doesn't even tell me. She tells Kyle, but she doesn't tell me?" I rant pacing back and forth by our table.

"In all fairness Maria," Kyle interjects. "Liz didn't kiss him." He says gesturing to Max. What? Then why are we having this convers-. Kyle interrupts my thoughts as he continues. "He kissed her." That being said, with an amazing show of strength, Kyle drags off Michael and leaves the rest of us to stare at Max.

Liz POV

"Ouch Serena, jeez, my arm hurts now." I say rubbing my shoulder where there is now a dull ache.

"I'm sorry, but did you really want to be late and have to listen to the gerbil go on and on about how we should know better?" She asks turning around to face me. She's got a point. I wouldn't want to give Tess another reason to gloat over me.

"No." I answer softly. "But did you have to yank so hard?"

"Aww…Liz, I'm sorry. Here, let me see it." Sniffling once for effect, I offer her my injured arm. She massages the joints in my elbow and shoulder and immediately the pain begins to ebb. "So Liz, it appears we're here a few minutes early, why don't you tell me more about this Max situation." She continues moving to stand in front of me. She guides me over to the bottom of the bleachers and sits me down.

"Yeah the only reason we're here early is because you nearly ripped my arm off running to get here. Besides, I already told you about Max."

"Uh uh; no you didn't, as I recall you only told me that he kissed you-"

"Exactly, there's nothing else to tell." I finish quickly.

"Well, there's the fact that you met him last night…and you didn't tell us about it…"

"He bumped into me, broke my cell phone. What's to tell?"

"Umm, I don't know, maybe that he asked you out." She counters.

"Well, last night he was just some random guy whose name I didn't even know. I didn't think it was that important." I answer honestly.

"That's fair. Well, how about what led up to the kiss. What happened?"

"What makes you think anything happened?" I ask blushing hotly and hoping she doesn't notice.

"Well the fact that your face is about the same color as a cherry tomato tells me otherwise." When I refuse to volunteer any extra information, she continues. "Liz, we're family."

"Since when does family blackmail?" I ask referring to this morning.

"Okay, okay, if I delete the video will you tell me?" She pulls her phone out of her purse, pulls up the aforementioned video and I watch as her finger hovers over the delete button waiting for my answer.

"Why do you want to know so badly?" I ask bewildered.

"Liz, I know you, you wouldn't just kiss some guy you just met, especially since you've like been in love with Jay for years." If anything, I feel my face get even redder. "Would you!" Serena asks at my obvious silence and embarrassment. I watch her hand still hovering over the button.

"You better delete that video." I tell her seriously. She scrambles to delete the video and when she has she turn back to me. "Good. Now hurry up we better get ready, here come Michael and Kyle." I tell her impishly. It serves her right for trying to blackmail me. Smiling, I watch as Michael, Kyle and a few other football players and cheerleaders walk in. Then…

"I guess it's a good thing I sent that video to Alex before I deleted it then." Serena tells me smugly, walking to the locker rooms to get changed. W-what? What just happened? I had total control of the situation and then-

"Liz, why didn't you tell me Max kissed you!" Michael's voice echoes in the auditorium. I feel my face immediately drain of color. I look over to Michael's right to see Kyle who won't meet my eyes.

"Sorry Michael, I gotta go get changed for the pep rally." I rush out quickly making my way towards the girls' locker rooms. And as I make my way swiftly towards my destination and safe haven, I look back and my eyes fall on Jay's sad eyes looking right back at me. I feel my stomach drop to my feet; I break eye contact and continue walking. Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, when it rains, it pours.