Chapter Five

That had been a great night for me. I told Micheal yes and we were now officially a couple. Our group didn't catch us at the party the other night so they are still in the dark about it. We fought all weekend, as usual, and decided to let them figure it out Monday.

When Monday morning rolled around I was in a chipper mood; who wouldn't be when they had Micheal! We planned to make our friends' eyes pop out with a little, uh, show at lunch.

I picked Tess up at the usual time, late, so that everything seemed normal. Of course she asked why I was smiling and if I knew it was 7:30 in the morning, but I just smiled. All my morning classes went by smoothly, too smoothly if you asked me. Courtney didn't insult me at all and Billy didn't beg me for a Saturday night date... something fishy was going on here...
Before I knew it, lunch had arrived. I was anxious to finally be able to touch my Micheal again! I got my lunch from the cafe and headed outside. Looking at the table, I saw everyone there with an empty seat next to Micheal... Perfect.

He was grinning at me so I winked as I headed over. "Hey everybody!" I said cheerfully, then I put on a scowl, "Guerin."

"Deluca, whats up your ass today? Are you upset because Billy didn't beg you to go out with him today?" Micheal teased.

"Just about as upset you are that Courtney didn't offer for you to get into her pants," I smiled in return, his grin dropping purposefully.

"She took that off the table," he asked and I turned toward him, infuriated. "Damn, I shoulda got it while I had the chance."

"You'll never have the chance, Guerin," I muttered through gritted teeth.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Stop fighting you two!" Alex interjected, but backed off when I shot him a glare.

"Like I was saying, Guerin, you'll never have the chance," I said, softer. He placed an arm around my waist and kissed my soundly. I heard everyone's gasp and couldn't help when I smiled against his lips. "You're stuck with me now, so you'll never get that skank."

He placed his forehead on mine and smiled down at me. "Not stuck with you. I'm happy with you," he said and I pushed his shoulder, blushing profusely. "Besides, I would never want that skank!"

We both turned to see everyone around the table. Isabel and Tess both gave me a knowing grin, Alex and Liz doing the same to Micheal. Max and Kyle had looks of confusion etched on their faces.

"When did this happen?" Kyle asked, scratching his forehead.

"At the party Friday," I replied, lacing my finger's with Micheal's. Tess kept giving me a weird look, like something was going on behind me. I turned, curious, to see Billy walking straight toward me. "Oh, jeez. Give me a break," I muttered and stood up, Micheal following suit. "Listen, Billy-"

Billy didn't stop, just swung out, catching Micheal off guard and hitting him right in the cheek. I was shocked, but reached out and punched him back, knocking him to the ground. I knelt besides Micheal. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, not looking at me, but at the stupid boy that was rising from the ground.

"Hey, what the hell is your problem, man?" Kyle asked, getting up in Billy's face.

He put his hands up in defense. "Hey, man, my problem is not with you, so back off!"

"Well, your 'problem', as you put it, is apparently with my best friend Micheal over there, meaning it's with me, too, so don't tell me to back off, pal!" Kyle pushed him a few times, Billy backing up scared.

Micheal went over to them before I could stop them. "Listen, Billy. I don't even know what your problem is with me, so tell me and I'll let you know if it's a big problem."

"You stole my girl, man! I love Maria, and you took her right out from under me!" Billy screamed and I was enraged.

"YOUR GIRL? You've got to be kidding me!" I made my way to them, trying to go into his face, but being pulled to Micheal's side. "I was NEVER your girl and I never WILL be your girl! Get that through your thick skull, moron!"

The crowd around us started laughing, but I didn't feel sorry for Billy at all. It was about time I told him off like that, making sure he knew I wasn't interested. He stood there for a second and then ran off in the other direction. That was when the guilt hit me; I just ruined his dating life here at Roswell High... ah, well. He'll date in college, right? SOMEONE should be desperate enough!

We went back to the table and tried to enjoy the rest of our lunch, but everyone at the tables surrounding us would stare every once in a while, to see what would happen next.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. I woke up to the final bell ringing and I made my way to my car. I opened the door and saw a note and a red rose on my seat.

I won't give up that easily, Maria. I'll be watching you.

I shivered, knowing right away it was Billy. I didn't want to startle anyone else so I threw it away in the nearest trash can before hopping in my car.

"You okay, Ria?" Tess asked and I jumped.

"I'm fine Tess. Just fine," I sighed, pulling out and heading for her house.

"You're coming home with me, right? Maybe do some studying AFTER you tell me ALL the details of Friday," she grinned and I felt relieved again.

"Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Tessie. You're gonna tell me what happened with Kyle, right? Cause I know you did SOMETHING! That boy would not stop grinning at you!"

She blushed and got out as I stopped the car. "Shut up, Maria! I should get Izzy to come over so we can double team you!"

"Well, just remember that works both ways, sweetie," I winked and she laughed as we entered the house.