Author's Note: Yea I'm surprised I'm alive as well. Sorry for the long wait. I'm currently going through some things and I've neglected this. Not to fear folks, I'm currently writing the next part and hope to make updates weekly/semi-weekly depending on how much I want to rip my hair out in this last month of the semester. Enjoy and remember I love reviews, they boost my ego.

Chapter 6

After Isabelle's announcement, we returned to the living room. Isabelle, Tess and Michael were seated on the couch with Max sitting on the edge next to Isabelle. I preferred to stand while Isabelle finished explaining how the bones were found.

"…so I showed him where to find Valenti and went to find Max and Tess." Isabelle looked miserable, "I can't believe this is happening again. What are we going to do?"

"We should call Nacedo", Michael said firmly.

"No.", Max said slowly. "We shouldn't call him here until we speak to Valenti. He should be able to let this whole thing die down quickly".

"Maxwell, what if it doesn't?" Michael replied angrily.

"What if it does?" The tension in the air started to rise.

"When are you going to do something other than closing your eyes and wishing for the best?"

"When you stop jumping the gun and thinking the worst"

The whole room was silent as Michael and Max stared each other down, both feeling they were right in their beliefs.

"Would you guys stop this pissing contest?" Isabelle yells frustrated. "We are in this together. Yes Max made some rash decisions before without consulting us but for God's sake Michael he is our leader and you have to stop fighting him on everything"

"Uh, I think I'm going to be going now." No way was I going to be caught in the middle of Michael vs. Max round 99.

I had barely made it through the door, when Max abandoning his stare off called me back.

"Hey" He said nonchalantly. I turned towards him wondering what was up.

"Hey to you too"

"So what were you and Michael talking about?" Oooooh

"Michael was informing me of his new relationship with bottle job" I could barely contain the bitterness in my voice. "We're over…I mean we've been over for a while I guess it's just setting in now"

"I'm sorry". Max said softly.

I looked up, surprised and could see the honesty in his gaze. Max may not want me to be with Michael but he didn't want me to be hurt either. This was more than I could say for some hybrid aliens.

"I'll be fine Max, I can take it." I sighed knowing my decision as I said it, "I just need time to really mean it. I don't know what it means for me and you but I do have feelings for you." I whispered the last words remembering where we were and the company we were in.

Max flashed a smile and I wish I could say it made me forgot all about Michael, bottle job, Liz…all of the stress of being back at school. It didn't. But it did help and I even managed a faint smile in return.

We stood there smiling at each other like idiots until…

"Max!" Isabelle snapped.

Being the wimp I was I whispered, "Tomorrow" to Max and left as quickly as possible, leaving Max to make excuses.

I don't think he did a good job because as I was opening my car door I heard "Do I look like I was born yesterday?" coming from his apartment.

Max was king what's the worse that could happen?

On my way home I called Liz and begged off our girls only night with a headache. There was no way I was going to be able to deal with her after Michael.

I knew what I needed most right now…a night in with the guys.

Later on that night

I was downstairs getting snacks when I heard the doorbell ring.

"The doors open guys" I yelled putting the popcorn into a bowl.

"Honey I'm home" Kyle proclaimed as he and Alex came into the living room area. "What's for dinner?"

"Ha ha" I said my horrible mood evaporating a bit, "I ordered pizza it should be here soon".

"How was your meeting with Mr. Stonewall?" Alex asked gently pulling me down onto the couch with him.

"Yea," Kyle now stuffing his face with popcorn, "What did he have to say for himself?"

Placing my head on Alex's shoulder I confided in my best friends, "He's dating someone and under the illusions that he was being a nice guy he wanted to be the one to shove the knife through my heart".

"No he didn't" exclaimed Kyle who I would have taken seriously had he not sent kernels of popcorn spewing from his mouth. "Who's the tramp?"

"Courtney".

"What?!?" Both Alex and Kyle yelled.

I quickly explained what happened during my visit to Michael's. When I was finished I relaxed into the couch feeling like I'd just finished a marathon rather than my first day back at high school.

Kyle's comment, "That hoe?" was expected.

Alex's softly said, "I'm gonna kill him" however, was not.

The stress of the today, this summer, heck all of the stress I've been experiencing since I found out the truth was catching up with me.

I began rubbing my fingers on my temple. "Alex, it's not worth it. He's not worth it. We've been over for a long time. I've just been too dumb to see it".

"No one deserves to be treated the way you have. Not by him, not by anyone" Alex responded sternly.

"Well you don't deserve to be tossed aside by Isabelle either", Alex winced slightly, "and Kyle, you didn't deserve to be treated the way we treated you in the beginning either. This whole alien…conspiracy has caused nothing but hurt and pain".

Softly I couldn't help but add the truth, "Michael's a jerk but in truth I needed to let go and I couldn't accept that. I love him, I'll probably always love him but I have to start living my life for myself…not for the greater good of the group".

Kyle stopped eating long enough to ask, "So what are you gonna do? Max is connected to the group, heck he's el presidente he runs shit".

Good question "I dunno. I like him. Usually when you like someone you date them…so that's what I should do right?"

Two horrified faces was my response.

"Man", I groaned, "It's only the first day of school and life is already screwed…"

Alex wrapped his arm around my shoulder, "It's alright. At least you'll always have me".

"Hey what about me?" Kyle asked outraged.

With a smirk Alex said, "Well I could have said you'll always have me and Kyle but I wanted to comfort her so…"

Kyle tossed popcorn at Alex in retaliation. Tension filled the room as we all glanced at each other then at the bowl of popcorn. Suddenly Alex lunged for the bowl in Kyle hands while I grabbed a pillow to deflect anything thrown my way. Five minutes later we were all covered in salt, butter and kernels while Kyle complained about wasted food.

I couldn't help thinking as we munch on pizza and watched movies with friends like these the first day of school suddenly didn't seem like such a horrible day after all.

tbc..