Maria sat up in Max's bed. She looked over at the sleep man next to her. She hadn't planned on staying the night, but it felt so good lying in his arms she fell asleep. Max moaned as he woke up. He sat up next to Maria rubbing her arm softly with his hand.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"What did we do?" She turned to look at him with fear in her eyes. "What did we do, Max?" Her voice showing signs of panic.

Max smiled. "We made beautiful love."

"But you're my best friend." A tear filled her eyes. "You're my best friend and your in love with Liz."

Max took Maria's hand in his. "I do love Liz. I'll always love Liz. But Maria, my heart belongs to my best friend." He pushed the twig of hair from her face. "I've wandered every since I can remember why we were here. Michael, Isabel and me. We were here to find the person we were meant to be with. To fall in love and start a family. I know in my heart that you and I were written in the stars. And I know that you'll always be my best friend, the girl I'm in love with."

"Do you mean that? Do you really love me?"

Max shook his head no. "I'm in love with you, mind body and soul." He leaned over and kissed her softly pushing her back onto the bed. He caressed her body tenderly and passionately. He had found were his heart belonged.

--

Maria sat at the picnic tables by the tree at school. Max told her he would meet her there for lunch. Michael exited the school pausing when he saw Maria. His head telling him to just keep walking, but his heart couldn't leave things the way they were. He walked over to her patting his book against his hand.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked nervously.

Maria squinted as she looked up at Michael. "Yes. Actually it is."

"Please, Maria. Don't just shut me out."

"I think you did that yourself. Besides whats done is done. And I'm happy for you. Really I am. I hope that you and Liz are happy together." She glanced passed Michael to see Max as he walked up to them. She smiled a smile as bright as the Heavens.

"Michael,." Max said in a deep voice as he walked over to Maria and kissed her softly on the lips before taking the seat next to Maria.

"What's going on?" Michael asked as his blood boiled beneath his skin.

Max looked up at Michael. "Maria and I realized last night that we are meant to be together. And nothing you or anyone else can say or do to change that."

Michael laughed. "Are you serious? C'mon. I know this is just because of Liz and I."

Maria took Max's hand and squeezed it. "At first we were hurt, Michael. We gave you and Liz or all, but that's not why were together. Max and I fell in love this summer. We were just blinded by our feelings for the two of you we didn't see it. So thank you for showing us what we already knew we felt."

Maria and Max stood up and walked by the jaw opened Michael hand in hand.

--

Michael flew into the back of the Crashdown slamming the door behind him. Liz shut her locker and turned to him.

"Michael, what is it?"

"I can't believe it." He snapped as he jerked the apron from the hook on the wall.

Liz took his arm turning him to her. "Michael, do you care to explain?"

"I went over to talk to Maria today at lunch. I was going to make peace, you know so that when I was ready we could make things right. But she has a new boyfriend."

Liz looked confused. "Who?" Her heart knowing the answer to that question already.

Michael looked down into her her tearing up brown eyes. "Max."

"No. You had to hear them wrong. Or maybe it's payback for us."

"That's what I said. Their in love, Liz. We made a huge mistake." He pulled her into his arms, cradling her carefully.