Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Author: heavenly-vixen
Email: team_x_4eva@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters… unfortunately.
Description: Tag to “summer of ‘47” – missing scene.
After Michael and Maria run in to each other in the hall of West Roswell High
Maria is more upset than everyone thought.
“So, um, Portishead tickets went on sale this morning. Did you get my messages?”
“Yeah.”
****
Maria stood frozen. Michael could always be pretty cold but he was never outright cruel. She lowered her head and looked at the floor. Finding her feet, she turned towards the girl’s bathroom. When she walked in, she sighed in relief; there was no one in there. She entered a stall and locked the door. Maria put the seat down before sitting down. She needed to sit; her legs couldn’t hold her up any longer. She heard the bell ring for class and knew that until the end of the period she’d be alone. She sat staring toward the stall door. There was writing all of it, but she couldn’t see it. Everything went blurry as the tears invaded her eyes. She didn’t want to cry. She’d been doing it a lot lately; so much she didn’t think she could possibly have any tears left. But sure as the sun will shine, they came. Like every time she found herself crying over Michael Guerin she’d sworn to herself the night before that she wouldn’t cry for him anymore. Yet there was no use. Every time she saw him he’d get colder, meaner and now he was down to being cruel.
Maria’s head dropped into her hands as the sobs finally racked her small body. She let out a strangled cry before she could hold it in. For the last 3 months she’d been fleeing to her bedroom, locking herself in and crying. Eventually the tears would subside and in their place a cold empty place inside her chilled her to the bone.
How could he do this to her? She loved him, and he loved her. At least, she thought he had. Maria wiped the tears from her eyes and stood. She unlocked the door and walked out of the stall. She stood before the mirror and the face that looked back at her seemed almost pathetic. There she was, Maria ‘Teflon’ Deluca crying over some boy. She’d always promised herself that she wouldn’t be one of those girls. That nothing would ever hurt her, because she wouldn’t let it. She wouldn’t let anyone get close enough. Yet Michael Guerin broke her promise.
She turned on the faucet and let the water pool in her hands. Lowering her head she cooled her warm tear stained cheeks with the refreshingly cold water. Looking back up into the mirror the only evidence of her heartache that remained were slightly red eyes. Maria took a deep breath and left the bathroom. She turned the corner and saw Michael leaning against the doorframe. Maria sighed. Her only exit blocked by the tall brooding one. Taking another deep breath she walked towards her escape. Michael stole a glance at Maria as she approached. An act he had down to an art form. Her eyes were slightly red and a little puffy. Michael knew immediately that she’d been crying. She tried to walk straight past him but his hand shot out and grabbed her arm.
“What’s wrong with you?” he hadn’t meant it to sound so harsh. Maria shook her head.
“Nothing… just let me go,” she sounded defeated and something
in Michael responded.
“No” He dragged her small frame down the hall, into the eraser room.
Maria saw where he was taking her; she only sighed. It was typical Michael.
Michael pulled her into the small dingy room and locked the door.
“What’s wrong Maria?” He said rather forcefully. Refusing to look at him, Maria replied.
“I can’t do it anymore Michael. I give in, you get your wish.” Michael was confused.
“What are you talking about?” Maria apprehensively looked into his eyes.
“You get your wish, I’ll leave you alone. I won’t fight for us anymore. No more phone calls. No more running into each other in the halls or at work. I’ll stay out of your way and you stay out of mine. Forget I even exist, if you haven’t already.” Michael was stunned.
“What brought this on?” Maria looked away again.
“I can’t cry for you anymore. I don’t have the strength. You’re getting colder, meaner… cruel. I get it Michael. Message received, loud and clear. So don’t worry ok, I won’t bother you anymore. You can forget about me and I’ll forget about you.” Her words stung. As much as he’d said that was what he wanted, hearing her say it hurt deeply. Maria looked up into his eyes again.
Maria reached up and stroked his cheek softly before leaning up and kissing him softly.
“Goodbye,” She whispered and he saw her eyes shine with unshed tears. Maria turned silently, unlocking the door she left, left him without looking back.
Michael stood frozen. His lips tingled from the loss of hers. He brought his hand up and gently touched his fingers to them. That was the last kiss he’d ever get from her. He’d never feel her in his arms again. He’d never hear her laugh. To her, he no longer existed. Michael’s heart sank and he found himself having to hold onto the ledge behind him to stay on his feet. That was it. She was gone, he’d lost her and the reality hurt more than he could bear.
TBC…