| PART 8 I finally arrive home after the sun sets. I'm hoping Isabel is too busy to realize I'm home. I walk in and mom says, "You're just in time for dinner. Go and wash up. Guests will be joining us." I nod my head and go up to my room. I take a quick shower and put on a pair of sweats. I head back downstairs, and Max is already sitting at the table talking to our father and Alex. "You didn't have to get that causal. We do have guests," he says to me disapprovingly while nodding his head towards Alex. I just shrug my shoulders and head for my seat and say sarcastically, " What? I was supposed to impress him?" "Isabel has friends joining us for dinner also," he replies. I just shrug my shoulders again. I lean back in my chair waiting for the rest of the people to arrive so I can eat. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled my mom's good cooking. ************************************************************************ Isabel, Maria and I have been talking and laughing in Isabel's room for hours. I don't remember when I had this much fun. I'm glad I came along. We talked about school, Roswell, and even New York. Isabel's mom would come in every so often to offer us something to drink or eat. She seems nice. I guess compared to my mom, any mom seems nice. Maria changes the topic to something I really didn't want to discuss. "Tell me, are your brothers dating anyone?" Isabel smiles at Maria and asks, "Why? Are you interested in one of them?" "Maybe you didn't notice, but both your brothers are gorgeous," Maria says breathlessly. Isabel looks at me. I just roll my eyes at her and say, "Don't mind her. They're just fresh meat. Since this is a small town, when new guys move here every single woman in Roswell will swarm around them. So, don't be surprise if more than Maria approaches you." "Really, it's that bad?" Isabel asks while laughing. I giggle and say, "If you haven't noticed, there really aren’t that many guys to choose from around here." "What about you? Are you interested in one of my brothers?" Isabel asks me. I smile and look away. "You are, aren't you?” Isabel asks excitedly. I look at her curiously. "Is it my imagination or are you a little too excited?" I ask her while laughing. "Well, actually I am," she says hesitantly. "Well are you interested in one of them?" Maria asks, now joining in the conversation. I just shrug my shoulders, turning my head towards the window and ask, "Why would you be excited, Isabel?" Isabel gets up and sits next to me by her bay window and says, "It depends on which one you're interested in. If it's the one I'm hoping, then yeah, I'm excited, because I know you'll be perfect for him. I have a right to be excited." I look at Isabel and cock my head to the side looking at her, trying to read her expression. I was about to say something, but Maria blurts out, "I'll tell you which one I'm interested in." I look at Isabel first. Her smile falters a little, and it appears as if she's reluctant to turn away from me. Isabel turns towards Maria and apprehensively asks, "Who?" "Michael," Maria says shyly while blushing. My heart becomes heavy. No, no, no. This can't be happening. Maria starts on her interrogation by asking questions like, "Is he seeing anyone? Is he interested in anyone? What's his type? Would I be considered his type?" Isabel turns to me and looks at me concerned, but before she has a chance say anything, I close myself off so I can hide my disappointment. I feel like I want to cry. How could Maria like the guy I want? You definitely don't have a chance now. Do you hear yourself? You're acting like he wants to be with you. I hear Isabel say from next to me while she gently places her hand over mine, "I don't know, Maria, I don't want to sound rude, but I don't think you're his type." "Why?" Maria whines. Isabel glances over at Maria and cautiously replies, "He's not really into the cheerful type. He's the brooding type, and someone cheerful only annoys him. He needs someone who has a lot of patience and won't force him to reveal himself when he doesn't want to." I look down, taking in what Isabel just said. She whispers in my ear, "Someone like you, Liz." My eyes go wide as I look at her, and she has a small smile on her face. Why did she say that? Does she know I'm attracted to him? "Well, I'm going to invite him on a tour of Roswell this weekend. Do you think he'll accept?" Maria says, hopeful. "I guess you'll have to ask to find out, Maria. I don't know the answer to that," Isabel says while she squeezes my hand. Someone knocking on her door interrupts our conversation. "Come in," Isabel yells. "Honey, dinner's ready." We all get up and follow Mrs. Evans to the dining room. Maria takes the lead. Isabel stops me before we exit her room and says, "If you're interested in Michael, I say go for it. He’s a little stubborn, but don't let that stubbornness deter you. Give him a chance." "What makes you think I'm interested in him? And what makes you think he's interested in me?" I ask, trying my hardest to sound causal. She just smiles at me and leads me to the dining room. When we enter the room, I notice that everyone else is already seated. I’m about to head over to sit next to Alex, but Isabel takes my elbow and guides me to the seat next to Michael. Our eyes meet. I give him a shy smile before I sit down next to him. "I guess we have assigned seats," I say glancing at Michael. "I think she just wanted to sit next to your brother," he whispers with a smirk. My heart feels like it's soaring. "That's all I get? A smirk? What happened to the smile you promised me?" I say playfully, for only him to hear. He’s about to say something in return, but Maria taps him and whispers something I can't hear. My heart sinks. I look down at my food and realize that I’m not hungry anymore. After a while of just looking at my plate, I finally pick up my fork and start to play with my food. Max leans over and whispers, "My mom is an excellent cook, so don't worry about the taste." I give him a tight smile and continue to look down. I'm starting to feel like I don't belong. I can hear Maria flirting with Michael and that makes me feel even more uncomfortable. ************************************************************************ I finally hear people approaching. I look up to see who Isabel invited. I see Maria first. She looks at me and heads for the seat next to mine, smiling. All of a sudden, I feel uncomfortable. She starts talking, looking at me every so often. Damn, she needs to cut caffeine out of her diet. She is way too hyper. Where's Isabel so we can start eating? I'm starving. Just as those words enter my head, I see Isabel walking in, looking behind her and talking to someone. When the person comes into view, I feel my heart float. It's her. What is she doing here? I hope she sits next to me. God, please let her sit next to me. My hopes are dashed when I see her head towards the chair next to her brother. Before I put my head down, I see Isabel staring at me. Then she gives me a mischievous smile. What is she up to? She walks toward Liz and takes a hold of her elbow and escorts her to the seat next to me. My stomach feels like there are butterflies in it. Why am I nervous? All she's doing is sitting next to me to eat dinner. She leans in close to me and whispers, "I guess we have assigned seats." I want to smile because she is so close, but I don't. I don't want to risk people knowing that she makes me happy. I reply back, just as quiet, "I think she just wanted to sit next to your brother." She shrugs and gives me one of her beautiful smiles and playfully says, "That's all I get? A smirk? What happened to the smile you promised me?" I feel like I’m in heaven. Is she flirting with me? I can't believe she makes me want to flirt back. Me, Michael flirting, I never thought I'd see the day. I’m about to reply back, but Maria taps me on my arm. Damn! This girl has the worst timing. What could be so important, that she has to interrupt my flirting with Liz? "Since you're new in town, do want me to take you on a tour this weekend?" Maria asks me quietly, with this big goofy smile. Did I hear her right? "Sure, Isabel and I would like to know what there is to do around this place," I say noticing her smile fade a little. That confuses me. Did she expect us to go alone? "I was hoping it'd just be the two of us, so we could get to know each other better." She says, giving me a mischievous smile. I guess that answers my question. She's got to be kidding me. She wants me to go out with her alone. I'd probably end up killing myself if not her. She's way too perky. I don't know how to deal with perky. "I'll have to get back with you. I might have plans with Isabel or something. I'll let you know," I say trying to sound polite. That's a characteristic I'm not good with. "Did you enjoy your art class, Michael?" Isabel asks while giving me that same mischievous grin as before. Note to self: thank Isabel. "Yeah, it was alright," I say, not really comfortable with the attention on me. ************************************************************************ "You should like it. It's the only class you'll probably pass," Max says while chuckling. "I'll have you know the teachers adore him," I blurt out, not liking the way he's belittling Michael. I see Michael looking at me out of the corner of my eye looking surprised. At this point, I'm giving Max a fierce look. "How would you know? You're not even in the same classes as him," Max says, challenging me. "For your information, his algebra teacher approached me and asked me to speak with the guidance counselor about him. He thinks that he's in the wrong class," I say, glancing at Michael. He looks uncomfortable. I’m about to continue, but Max interrupts by saying, "Yeah, he should be in remedial math." Why does this guy get me so pissed off? "Whoa, Liz, this is not your place of residence. So be nice," Alex says, trying to get me to calm down before I continue. I take a deep breath and say, "Actually, Michael's teacher wants him to take a test to see what level he should be at, because he’s way too advanced for the class he's in now." I give Alex a triumphant smile, because I was polite. He smirks at me. Isabel gives me a big smile and says, "Really, he said that?" "Yeah, he told me at first he thought he was going too fast for him, because he wasn't participating. So, he purposely put him on the spot by telling him to go to the board to solve a problem. You know, so he could see where Michael is. Michael did the problem with ease, with no hesitations. Now he knows that he's just bored. He wants me to point it out to the guidance counselor. I didn't yet, because I wanted to ask Michael first." I glance over at Michael and ask, "Do you want me to talk to Mr. Pierce for you?" He just shrugs his shoulders in response. "Yes, talk to Mr. Pierce for him. I've always known he was smarter than he let on," Isabel says excitedly. "It's up to Michael, Isabel. You can't decide what's best for him," I say timidly. Isabel nods her head and says, "You're right, I’ve just always wanted the best for my brother, even if he doesn't." From that point on it’s quiet at the dinner table. No one says anything to anybody. When the dishes are ready to be cleared off, Alex stands up and says, "I guess Liz and I will be on our way. It was nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Evans." I get up and follow Alex out while saying, "It was nice meeting you. I'll see you guys in school tomorrow." |