| PART 19 Today I’m not up to going to school. After that night I kicked Michael out of my house, I haven’t been able to sleep. All I’ve been doing is crying or exercising. I climb back into my window and glance at the clock to see it’s 5 am. Time to get ready for school. I head for the shower. I’ve been jogging on nights that I can’t get to sleep or am just feeling sorry for myself. Jogging and/or singing have always been a way for me to forget my problems. I turn off the water and get dressed. I go downstairs to the kitchen and try to eat breakfast. Another thing I haven’t been able to do is eat. I’m playing with my food when Alex comes downstairs. “Did you make any for me?” I push my plate to him and stand up. “You’ve got to eat, Lizzie.” I shake my head in response. “What happened, Lizzie? Why don’t you talk to me?” I shake my head. I’m not ready to say Michael and I are no longer a couple, because I don’t want to think about it. I lift my head up and close my eyes willing myself not to cry. You can do this. Just drown out all your emotions. You’ve done it before so it’s not hard. “Please, Lizzie. Maybe if you talk about it, it won’t hurt as much.” I don’t say anything. I can’t talk about it, not yet. That wound is still fresh. Alex walks up behind me and turns me around to hug me. I feel my body begin to tremble so I push away from him. I don’t want to cry. I don’t want to feel sorry for myself. “I’m fine.” I hear him sigh. “Why don’t you stay home? You don’t have to go to school.” I shrug my shoulders and say, “I’ll have to go eventually, so I might as well get it over with now." There’s a knock at the door and my heart sinks. That can’t be him. I can’t see him, not yet, not this soon. Alex walks to the door and answers it. I let out my breath in relief when I see Isabel at the door. They greet each other with a kiss and I turn away. “Hey,” Isabel says when she enters the kitchen followed by Alex. I smile at her the best I can and she gives me a sympathetic look. “Is Michael going to school today?” Alex asks Isabel. I turn to look at him because there’s a hint of bitterness in his voice. Isabel must have heard it too, because she’s almost hesitant to answer. “He is. Daddy wouldn’t let him stay home another day. Since he …. Since he doesn’t appear to be sick anymore.” I know Isabel and I know she’s hiding something, so I reply, “What? His girlfriend came over?” Isabel casts her eyes downward and says, “Daddy is just mad at him, right now.” I laugh bitterly and say, “But you still didn’t answer my question. Did he have a guest over or not?” I know she’s lying for him because of the way she doesn’t answer my question. “Forget it. I’m walking,” I say harshly. I leave slamming the door behind me. ************************************************************************ I try to stay home, but my old man won’t let me. He thinks if I’m able to disappear without a trace and have friends come over, I’m healthy enough to go to school. In a way, I do want to go, because then I’m able to see Liz. I tried to call her all day yesterday, but she wouldn’t take my calls. I could tell Alex was getting pissed at me, so I stopped calling her and went to her house, but she wasn’t there. So I just stood outside her window for a while hoping she’d be home soon, hoping she’d take me back. I headed back home depressed. An unwelcome Tess was waiting for me. I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to show up when she the one who caused me to lose Liz, the person that made me feel whole. I kicked Tess out upon seeing her. I didn’t want her near me; I didn’t want her to think I wanted anything to do with her. Isabel hadn’t liked the way I handled the situation, but I didn’t care. I notice Isabel is already gone. I’m guessing she’s meeting up with Alex. I wish she had told me. Now I have to ride with Max. I’m waiting for Max to get his face out of the mirror. When he finally approves he heads for the door and I follow behind him. He unlocks the door and says, “I would have never guessed you’d swallow your pride to ride with me.” “It was either that or walk. I'd rather torture myself than walk,” I say briskly. We both get in the car and the drive is silent. I look out the window hoping Liz will talk to me. I don’t think I can take it if she doesn’t. How am I going to prove to her I want her and not Tess? I just have to get her alone then maybe I’ll be able to convince her. “Has Liz put out yet?” Max asks bringing me out of my thoughts. I look over at him hoping I didn’t hear what I thought I did. “Excuse me?” Max’s voice rising he repeats, “Has Liz put out yet? She looks like she could be an animal in bed.” “Shut the hell up.” I scowl. Max laughs and says, “I guess she hasn’t. If it were me, bro, she would have given it up a long time ago.” “Didn’t I tell you to shut the fuck up? What part of that didn’t you understand?” I growl. “Don’t get all worked up. I was just asking a question,” Max replies. “I don’t want you to ever talk about Liz like that. You got that?” Max rolls his eyes and says, “Or what? You going to kick my ass? So it’s okay for you to lead her on and fuck some other girl?” I narrow my eyes at him and say, “What the hell are you talking about?” Max laughs, “Didn’t you hear?” He laughs again. “No, so why don’t you just spit it out.” Max parks the car in the school’s parking lot and says, “Well first off, you were caught making out with Maria under the bleachers. I hear that’s her favorite make out place. Then Tess arrived in town. Well she's the other girl you’re fucking. Were you ever going to tell Liz? Do I have to go and comfort the poor girl? You’re such a screw up, Michael, but seeing how we’re half blood and all, I’ll let you in on a little secret. When it comes to women, don’t piss them off, because they’ll find ways to hurt you.” I watch Max as he heads toward the school, but he suddenly comes back to me and says, “And I’m only telling you this because Isabel asked me to. I know they're only rumors and you need to go to the source to get it straightened out. But this time it’s not Tess.” I dazedly watch Max walk off. I can’t believe he’s helping me. What’s got into him? I quickly walk into the school in search of a certain person. ************************************************************************ As I approach my locker, I see Max waiting for me. I’m not in the mood to deal with his shit. “What do you want, Max?” I sigh. Max smiles and says, “I just wanted to tell you two things.” “Make it fast.” He chuckles and says, “In a hurry, are we?” I roll my eyes and face him with my arms crossed. “First I want to tell you how beautiful you are.” I slam my locker closed and start to walk off, but Max stops me by placing his hand on my shoulder. “Wait. I also want to tell you that I like you, Liz, and I know I’ve been a jerk before, but since you’ve been such a good friend to Isabel I just want to return the favor, okay?” I nod wondering what he’s trying to tell me. I try to get a glimpse of his eyes, but they're downcast. He looks into my eyes and says, “You’re going to hear rumors going around, but don’t believe them. Also don’t take your anger out on the innocent person.” Max rolls his eyes and continues, “I can’t believe innocent and …. well never mind. Anyway believe me when I say this, the betrayer isn’t the one you’d expect.” He walks off without a backward glance. What the hell does he mean? Why was he speaking in riddles? Whatever, I’m not going to worry about it. |