| PART 11 The next day I wake up in a grumpy mood. I get up and head for the shower. As the water runs over me, I remember what happened last night. I have never been so humiliated in my life. I basically told him that I wanted to be with him and he turned me down. I wash my hair, hoping to stop from thinking about it. All it is doing is depressing me more. I get out of the shower and get dressed. I head downstairs and I hear Alex and Isabel already up. They look in my direction and say "Good morning" at the same time. Why can't I be happy like that? Why is it no one wants me? I just grunt at them on my way to the refrigerator to find something to eat. When I don't find anything I want, I slam the door shut. I feel someone come up behind me and hug me. I know it’s Alex. I stay there for a while letting his hug comfort me. His grip around me gets tighter. I pull away suddenly because I know if I stay that way any longer, I'll end up crying. I'm not going to feel sorry for myself. Who cares if Michael doesn't want me? Alex guides me over to our table and pushes me into a seat. Isabel places her hand over mine and asks, "Are you okay?" I look at her and then at my brother. I just nod my head. Alex scoots his chair closer to mine and puts his arm around me to say, "You don't have to pretend, Liz. I can tell you're not okay." I push my chair away from the table and angrily say, "I'm fine. So don't feel sorry for me." Isabel stands up and says, "We don't feel sorry for you, Liz. You were a wreck last night. Now, today you act like nothing’s wrong." I just shrug my shoulders and say, "I guess that guy from the club bothered me more then I thought. Lucky for me he wasn’t able to take me far. I'm fine. I'm just going to go upstairs to study and do my homework." Just as I walk up the stairs, Isabel says, "I thought you were going to take me on a tour of Roswell?" "Can't Alex take you? I really need to catch up on my school work," I say, trying my best to sound cheerful. "I would if I could, but you know Saturdays I coach the peewee's baseball team," Alex says. "I'll take you then. Maria should be off of punishment. I can invite her along. I'm going to change and then I'll call her. Why don't you and Alex pack up a picnic lunch for three people?" I say while going upstairs, not waiting for a reply. I call Maria to ask if she wants to come along and she agrees. I tell her to pick us up, since Alex is going to take the car. She says she'll be here in an hour. I put on my bathing suit under a half tank top and some hip hugger shorts. I pack a bag with some towels and two giant picnic blankets. I head downstairs and see Isabel packing a lunch by herself. I walk towards her and ask, "Did you bring your bathing suit?" She shakes her head and says, "No. Do I need one?" "Well, I was going to take you to this place that is beautiful with a lake that's always warm this time of year. We could stop by your house so you can pick up your suit," I say. She smiles and says, "Yeah, I'd like that." Just then, Maria knocks on the door. I go to answer it and a bouncy Maria comes in and hugs me. "I'm so glad to be free," she says with a smile. I smile at her and ask, "You did bring your swimsuit, right? "Of course, I did. Unless we can convince Isabel's brother to come along. Maybe I'll forget it somewhere," she says winking at me. I give her a forced smile and say, "You might be in luck, because we have to stop by Isabel's so she can pick up her swimsuit." We pile into Maria's car and leave for Isabel's house. The ride is quiet. Nobody is talking. Occasionally I catch Isabel looking at me through the side view mirror. I just ignore her. We get to Isabel's in good time. We all get out of the car and follow Isabel into the house. I notice Max in the kitchen talking to his mom. I just keep following Isabel to her room. When we reach the stop of the staircase, I see Michael coming out of his room. I pretend like I don't see him. I just walk with my head straight to Isabel's room. Maria, on the other hand, stops to talk to him. My heart sinks. Maybe he just wants someone like Maria, someone with no problems and no history. I take a breath and rush to Isabel's room. ************************************************************************ I've just gotten out of the shower. I’m about to head downstairs when I see her. I’m gonna wave to her, but she walks right by me without acknowledging me. I know she saw me. Maria is behind her and she's on her way over to me. I don't think she deserves me, but I do want her as a friend. I want her more than that way, but I'll settle for friendship. It doesn't look like I have that anymore. "Hi, Michael," a bubbly Maria says. "Hey," I respond. "Liz and I are taking Isabel for a tour around Roswell. Do you want to join us?" asks Maria. Before I get a chance to answer her question, a pissed off Isabel comes at me, pushing me into my room while saying to Maria, "Will you excuse us for a minute, Maria? I have to talk to my brother." She slams the door behind her. "What was that all about?" I say irritably. She pushes me so that I'm sitting on the bed and says, "Of all the stupid, ignorant things you've ever done. How could you do that to her? For pete's sakes, couldn't you just try to go with your feelings instead of that stubborn head of yours?" I've never seen my sister act like this. "What is your problem?” I ask confused. "Michael, what happened last night?" she asks, sounding calmer than she did a couple of minutes ago. "Nothing. Why?" I ask. "For one thing, you and Liz were almost inseparable up until the incident with that drunk. Then nothing. I see you look at her, but she avoids you. Like right now. What did you do to her?" Isabel asks concerned. I run my fingers through my hand and just sigh. "Alex is worried about her. I wasn't at first, because she's acting normal to me," she says sighing. "What do you want me to do? She doesn't want to talk to me. You saw that yourself," I say sadly. "Can I ask you a question? Depending on this answer, I'll help you the best I can to try to rectify this. Okay?" she says. I nod in response. "Do you like her?" she asks while taking a seat on my bed. I put my head in my hands and take a deep breath. I say, "Yes, I do." She smiles and says, "Then why are you pushing her away? She likes you too, Michael. Can't you see that?" "It's not that simple. I'm .." "Don't even say it. Don't even think you're not worth anything. Liz doesn't care about your past. She cares about you, the way you are right now. Your past isn't going to change that," she says cutting me off. I exhale noisily and say, "It's too late now. She hates me." She looks at me, puts her arm around my shoulder, and has this mischievous glint in her eyes. "If you promise me you're not going to push her away, I will make sure she talks to you, but you have to tell her how you feel in here," she says while she points to my heart. I look down and smile. "Do you think I have a chance? What makes you think I know what my heart feels? Sometimes I don't. And aren't you afraid I might screw up again," I say. "Just let her in. Your heart will surprise you. Once you give her a chance, she'll make sure you don't screw up. That's why I like her. Now get dressed and don't forget your bathing suit. We have a tour to go on," she says pushing me into action. I salute her and teasingly say, "Yes, ma'am." |