Maria was seething with rage. It was lunch time, and History class was finally over. She started to crush her tofu salad. Alex and Liz were both looking at her. Although, they two weren't as happy, they were trying to keep a leveled head about it.
Liz put a comforting hand on Maria's shoulder. Maria sighed and dropped her fork carelessly on the table.
Maria swallowed.
"Did you see the way Michael looked today? I mean..God! He looked amazing. Do you think he dressed up..for me, I mean?"
Liz nodded her head. "I'm positive on that Maria. Didn't you see the way he acted when Mr. Hogworth called out that Isabel would be his partner? I mean, the guy looked like he wanted to use his powers on him."

Alex hadn't said one word, not wanting to oblivate Maria's steady growing of ressurance, but he couldn't comment. He, too, had seen the look Michael had given Mr. Hogworth, but Alex had also seen, at the end of class, how Michael had given Isabel a hug and talking softly towards her. For an instant, Alex was jealous. Michael had simply calmed her down with a few words and touch on her arm.

Alex shook his head. He knew Isabel didn't buy into the destiny deal, so he wasn't going to, either. He would just have to work hard being with her. It wasn't like Maria had the worst partner in the world. At least Maria knew Kyle. He was stuck with the horrible and obnoxious Pam Troy. The one girl Liz despised, but not as much as Tess Harding. Alex saw Liz looking at Max longingly. Max was sitting with Michael, Isabel, and even Tess was in the group. All four of them were quiet, obviously trying to get through with their paperwork for History. Alex couldn't believe Hogworth, but alas he was only a student.

Liz broke through his thoughts.
"I think the project was sabotaged, don't you?" asked Liz, leaning forward, keeping her voice low and soft. Maria raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. "What are you talking about, Lizzie? Hogworth kept the filing cabinet locked and the classroom door was locked, as well. Who could possibly have messed with it?"
Liz gave Maria an exasperated look and jerked her head towards nine o'clock. To Tess.
"Tess?" Maria cried, softly. "I don't believe it!"
Liz raised her eyebrows. "Why not? You know she wants destiny to prevail."
Alex interrupted them, knowing whatever he was going to say as being betrayel, but he had to make them look at it rationally.
"Liz, Tess couldn't have possibly. Remember, Hogworth told them to pick a name. How can Tess control that? She doesn't have any powers like that."
"What about the mind warp thing?" asked Maria, believing it made perfect sense. "Tess' powers are far more advanced than any of the other three."
Alex shook her head. "I know I shouldn't be saying this but you two have to look at this logically. Tess can't do that mind warp thing without concentrating and closing her eyes, remember?"

Liz's lips twitched, hating that her theory was wrong. If only it was true, she could tell Max, and Max would be hers.
Maria sighed, dejected. "So, I guess I won't have my Valentine's with Michael, eh?"
Liz shook her head. "Maria, you shouldn't think like that. You can still be with Michael. All you have to do is finish your project with Kyle."
Maria snorted. "Yeah. Kyle. The one who worships Tess Harding from afar."

Tess, Michael, Isabel, and Max were eating and looking over the question packet that Mr. Hogworth had given to them. Max wasn't looking at the questions but at Liz. His jaw was set and a muscle was working in his jaw. Tess knew he was upset, most likely at her, but if he knew better. He'd better not start anything.
Tess looked at Michael, who wasn't saying anything. His arms were crossed and he was looking up at the sky. Isabel had pulled out a Glamour Magazine and was flipping through it and glancing at her watch every few minutes, hoping Lunch would fly quickly. Tess looked again at Isabel's fabulous dress, realizing that she hadn't commented on it. She knew it would boast Isabel's spirit up.
"By the way Isabel." Tess began, interrupting Isabel's pretend reading. "I really like your dress. Where did you get it?"
Isabel smiled, glad someone had decided to break the ice. "I bought it at the little boutique store. It's about 3 blocks from the Crashdown. It just opened two weeks ago. Wanna come with me this afternoon and shop for some things?"

Tess blinked, surprised. Isabel had never invited her to anything, not after Isabel found out who Tess Harding truly was. Tess nodded her head, letting a smile grace her lips. Isabel smiled back, the tension falling back again.

"I have a question for you, Tess." Max said, looking at her. His hazel eyes firing up.

"Go ahead, Max." Tess swallowed, telling herself to control her temper. Patience is a virtue, remember that.

"Don't you find it very concidental that Michael and Isabel are paired off together, and you and I are? I mean, I think that's very interesting. You wouldn't by any chance have any thoughts to that?"

Tess counted to three, taking in deep breaths. Through all that stupid ramble of his, Tess knew what he was asking: Did she, have anything to do with them being paired off together, and for Max to even believe she could be so low, she wanted to literally hurt him. She wanted to send him 30 feet away, hopefully the school wall would stop him or maybe he could go through it, it all mattered how much power she put into it.
Tess gave him a condescending look.
"Max." Tess began, striving to keep her voice low and controlled. "If you are implying, and I believe you were indeed implying that I had anything to do with all of us being paired up, like the book had said, then you are very wrong. I didn't do anything."

Max narrowed his eyes, and they flickered. Tess knew he was being stubborn, and he wasn't about to let up.
"Tess.." But he was cut off, when Tess stood up from her seat and leaned forward, talking very quietly towards him, her voice filled with rage, that neither Michael, Isabel, or Max had heard before.
"Max, you can go and fool yourself all you want. I didn't do anything. If you'll please remember, and I doubt you can, considering what a thick skull you have. Hogworth made the guys pick a name out of the bowl. How could I have done anything to it? If you think, mind warp, then guess again. I have to concentrate and close my eyes, but sense you only care about yourself, you never see that. Now, if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to go and talk to Kyle. Considering he's the only person that has fully acknowledged my existance."

Tess grabbed her books and bookbag and headed towards Kyle's table, leaving Max and everyone else, stunned.
Michael rocked back slowly and said, "You deserved that one, Maxwell."
Max looked up at Michael and didn't say a word. Isabel played with her hair, not wanting to be put in the middle of it. She was going to spend more time with Tess. She felt bad for treating her with such contempt. It wasn't Tess' fault, but treating her like a scapegoat and been an easier route, then facing the truth of the matter.

Isabel cleared her throat, wanting to change the subject.
"So, who is Liz's partner?"

Max sighed. "One of the football jocks. Cliff something."

Michael nodded, buising his lips together. "She seems to be attracted to them, eh? Considering she did go out with Kyle in the first place, and until you saved her life, she didn't even know you existed."

Max looked like he was about to explode. "That has nothing to do with it, Michael. Will you ever let up?"

Michael raised his eyebrows. "Face it, Maxwell. You're living in denial." Michael got up and left the table.

Max raked his fingers through his hair, completely frustrated. Isabel sat their, silent. Max looked at her, out of the corner of his eye.
"You don't believe that, Is. Do you?"

Isabel played with her fingernails and said, "You already know what I think, Max. Just because you justify your actions, that she would have died, if you hadn't saved her..that makes me wonder. You've had a crush on this girl since the 3rd grade. She knew you, but she never pursued anything until you revealed our secret." Isabel stood up and grabbed her purse and bag.
"I don't think you have the audacity to tell us what to do, and I think Michael doesn't have to let up..not just yet. You made that rule, Max, and you broke it. Now, you have to face the consequences it."

Isabel walked off, and Max couldn't believe this. Everyone was turning against him-all due to Tess Harding. He looked at his History project, and he made a decision-He was going to forget about the project, and be with Liz. You can make your own destiny, and he was going to make it around, Liz.

Kyle's back was turn and his face was hidden. Tess had lightly tapped his shoulder, and he had looked up, with a start. He gave Tess a warm smile and gestured her to sit.
"Thanks." Tess put her books down and her bag. Tess saw Kyle's uneatened food, and wondered what was up.

"Buddha boy, what's up? You look like crap."

Kyle smirked. "You don't look hot yourself. Went through running 4 miles or something?"

Tess felt her cheeks, and realized her anger towards Max, and how everyone had treated her, had caused herself to vent, and she felt good about it. Tess shrugged. "Had a little confrontation."
Kyle nodded, understanding.

"I can't believe I'm paired up with Maria DeLuca. Ugh..Buddha must be punishing me." Kyle closed his eyes. Tess put a warm hand over his and squeezed gently.
"It'll be okay. I mean, Jim is dating Maria's mother, so it can't be that bad, considering Amy is the one who raised her, right?"

Kyle gave Tess the look: I-can't-believe-you-can-be-so-naive.
"Tess, I am going to be stuck with a girl that doesn't even think my father and her mother should be even together, and to top it off. I am going to have to be her date to Valentine's, and she isn't who I pictured. Also, not to mention she talks about you, my best friend. So, let me just clarify: She is going to be like the God of War, Mars."

Tess tried not to laugh. "Awh..it's only for a bit. I'm stuck with Maxwell-Hypocrite Evans, remember? God, I hope he lives a miserable life with his precious Liz Parker."

Kyle became solemn and said, "No, you don't." Kyle gave her a pointed look, his sky blue eyes gentle and almost sad. "You care about him, but the fact that he pisses you off so many times, makes you wanna shake him until his teeth falls out."

Tess sighed, pressing her palm on her forehead. "You know me too well."

Kyle gave a half-hearted smile. "I'll bet the confrontation was good for you." He saw Tess smile and nod her head. "Good, now do you have any tabasco sauce?"