Chapter Four

Maria was in a devine state as she and Michael were making out in the eraser room. The kiss between the two was increadable as it was always but Maria was going crazy. She was searching for something inside of him. She wanted to see herself in the way he saw her. The way he opened up to her that night when he was going back "home". He showed her what she had always known, that she and him belonged together, that he loved her. Maria and Michael broke apart as the fifth period bell rang. Both smiled and after a last kiss made their way out of the eraser room. Maria looked up and her best friend Liz coming towards them wearing a grim expression, three guesses why.

"I will see you later" She said already walking to meet Liz with out a glance at Michael. Right now the only thing that mattered was Liz. She was probably still reeling from that meeting two days ago. Liz was obviously in her own little world as Maria got closer.

"Hey girl" Maria said in a surprisingly cheerful voice, "What's up"

"Hey" Liz said getting over the shock of seeing Maria in front of her, she had not really seen her coming. Liz attempted a smile which was obviously forced.

"Let me guess" Maria said following steps behind Liz, "Max"

"No" Liz said quickly, a little too quickly in Maria's opinion.

Maria grabbed Liz's hand forcing to stop and look at her, "What is eating you up?"

Maria could almost see the wheelings in Liz's mind going round and round. She wondered what this was about now, not only about Max, she was sure of that. So it was about Tess and Alex. Maria didn't even want to think about Tess at that moment, she had always choose side between the quite war between Tess and Liz. And being Liz's best friend she had no choice in the matter. But she had trusted Tess just as she had trusted Isabel, and that girl was the last person she got along with.

"This is about Tess, Huh?" Maria asked and the look on Liz's face was the answer she needed. Maria shock her head in disbelieve, what was wrong with this girl, pining over a man. Then again she wasn't to be blamed, Maria thought about Michael, the aliens seem to hold something over them. But right now the only thing that mattered was making Liz feel better.

"Tess is not a threat to you Liz" Maria said although she didn't completely agree to that statement, "Remember at the meeting, he clearly said that her loved you not Tess"

"I know what he said" Liz said in a sad tone, "But he hasn't even talked to me since then, and I love him...I can't lose him Maria"

Maria gave a small sigh taking Liz by her shoulders squzzing them tightly, "You won't...hey there he is." Liz turned to the corner where Maria was pointing and sure enough, there was Max in all his glory, his head on the table. Maria nodded her head with a smile of encouragement then watched in helplessness as Liz walked over to Max.

Liz was glad for this oppotunent to talk to him alone as well. As she got closer, it was rather aparant that Max was rather sleeping. Liz went to the other side where she could see his face. She smiled, he was an angel. Her angel. No one else's, certainly not Tess. He had chosen her over and over again. That had to mean something, didn't it.

"Max" Liz called out softly shaking Max's shoulder gently to wake him up.

Max stirred from his sleep and smiled looking up at Liz, "Tess" He said the name softly as id waking up from a wonderful dream. Liz froze as the name left Max's sleep. She backed away from him shaking her head then turned and tears threatening to come out run from him. Maria watched silently from the side as Liz ran past her with tears in her eyes. She was thinking things didn't go so well between Liz and Lover boy there. Maria sighed again beofre turning and running after Liz, calling out her name.