Part 6 The week before school started passed by quickly. Isabel started working at the Crashdown and Max at the UFO Center. Before anyone realized it, the first day of school was upon them. Max was running around his room trying to get ready. On her way down the stairs, Isabel stopped by Max’s room and took a peek inside. It was a total mess. Max was running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off and Noah was sitting on the floor in the middle of the room chewing on one of his toy blocks. Isabel stepped into the room and picked up Noah. He smiled and offered her his toy block covered in his saliva. Isabel scrunched up her nose and shook her head causing Noah to giggle. She hiked him higher up on her hip before addressing her brother. “You almost ready Max?” Max looked up from his search of his other sneaker. “Just about. If only I could find my other shoe........” Isabel picked it up by the laces from it’s place on the side of his bed. She held it out to him. “This it?” Max took it from her and placed it on his foot. He took Noah from Isabel as he attempted to slip his other arm into the strap of his back pack. “Thanks Iz. You’re a life saver.” Max jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen. He took a sip of orange juice, then placed Noah in his booster seat. Diane handed him a plate of eggs and bacon, but Max declined. “No thanks mom. I don’t have time.” Diane pushed the plate into her son’s hands. “You have to eat something Max.” Max grabbed the bacon pieces and started eating. She wiped the side of his mouth and smiled. “That’s better.” Isabel flew past her brother and grabbed a piece of fruit. “Come on Max, we’re going to be late. I promised Maria and Liz that I would meet them before classes started.” Max’s ears perked up at the sound of Liz’s name. He chugged the rest of his juice then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He gave Noah a chaste kiss on his head before giving him some instructions. “I’m heading of to school now. You be good for gramma while I’m gone.” He kneeled down so that he and Noah were eye to eye. “Remember what I said, you’re the man of the house today.” Noah gave him a grin that was reminiscent of his own. Max smiled back before ruffling his son’s hair. He turned to his mom and gave her a kiss. “I won’t be home till after six. Brody wants me to work a couple of hours after school.” “That’s fine Max.” He pulled his back pack over his shoulder more securely. “And if Noah gives you any trouble, or anything happens, just- “Page you. Max, just take a deep breath and relax. I remember the routine. Noah can keep me company while I work on some of my new client’s files.” Max was reluctant to leave, but Isabel had started dragging him out the front door. “Bye Noah! I love you.” Diane smiled, hearing her son‘s voice call out to her grandson. “Have a good first day of school kids!” ******************* Liz shifted from foot to foot while hooking her thumbs through the straps of her back pack. “Looks like someone’s got ants in their pants.” Liz turned to the sound of Kyle’s voice. She had turned just in time to see Maria punch him in the shoulder. “Oww! What’d you do that for?” Maria placed her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. “Why do you have to be such an ass all the time?” Kyle turned to Liz and urged her to see the sincerity in his eyes. “I’m sorry Liz. I was only kidding.” Liz waved her hand to dismiss his apology. “Don’t worry about it Kyle. No harm, no foul.” Kyle gave her a hug before turning angry eyes on Maria. “See Maria, Liz gets that it was a joke. You gotta loosen up sis. It’s only the first day of school and it’s only gonna get worse from here.” Maria was fuming. Kyle straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest. “I better go. Promised Guerin and Whitman I’d meet them outside the gym.” He gave Maria a mock salute on his way to the gym. Maria yelled at his retreating form. “Tell Michael to comb his hair!” Kyle waved to signal his understanding. Maria turned to Liz to begin a tirade on how unreliable guys were when she noticed how anxious Liz looked. “Liz, you ok?” Liz looked up from staring at her toes. “Fine, never better. You know how much I love the first day of school. Homework, new teachers, old friends, lunch in the quad- Maria grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her a little. “Liz, you’re babbling right now. You like never babble.” Liz just stared at Maria. “What’s going on Liz?” Maria tried to make eye contact with Liz, but her gaze was fixated on a particular car in the parking lot. Maria followed suit to see what had captured her friend’s attention. A black jeep cherokee pulled up into a parking space. A jeep that looked a lot like the one Max and Isabel Evans owned. The doors opened and out came the Evans twins. Maria turned to see Liz frantically combing her fingers through her hair and straightening out her clothes. Yeah right Lizzie wasn’t interested! Isabel immediately spotted Liz and Maria. She gave them a smile and a big wave. Max followed his sister’s gaze and his heart just about stopped. Liz Parker was wearing low rider jeans and a v-neck top that hugged her curves in all the right places. Max felt himself being dragged forward. He glanced at Isabel who was leading them straight towards Liz. “Come on Max. Hurry up!” Max felt a protest form in his mind, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Once they reached them, Isabel greeted her new friends with hellos. She turned to Max and gave him a pointed look. “You guys remember my brother Max, right?” Maria gave him a smile. “Hey Max.” Max wanted to say hi back, but his voice wasn’t cooperating. “It’s nice to see you again.” Max watched as the words formed on Liz’s ruby red lips. He wondered if they felt as soft as they looked. He suddenly jerked his head up when he felt Isabel elbow him in the ribs. “Huh?” Max cringed when he heard the way his voice cracked. He cleared his throat a few times before attempting to speak again. “Wh-what did you say?” “They said hello. Are you just gonna stand there all day and stare?” Max felt himself blush at Isabel’s words. Had he really been staring? He caught Maria’s eye and saw the knowing look in them. He had been caught. Completely flustered, Max stood there awkwardly. “Uh, hi.” Liz smiled at him and he was lost. It felt like they were the only two people on earth. “Max!” He smiled in return. He felt warm and fuzzy inside. Something he had never felt before. “Max!” Isabel yelled in her brother’s ear to get his attention. Slightly annoyed, Max turned to his sister. “What?” Isabel flipped her hair over her shoulder. “The bell just rang. It’s time to get to class.” He simply nodded and followed as they made their way inside.