Grow
Liz sat on her roof, in a lawn chair, writing in her journal. About her and Max's conversation in the eraser room, earlier that day.
Dear Journal-
..Max said he thought I needed to grow. To grow? Where did he get that idea from? Why doesn't he understand that I need him to grow. My love for him is what I live for. I am so confused....
Liz sighed, while closing her journal. Who was she kidding? She couldn't do anything right now, much less write. Her mind was cluttered with all these doubts and thoughts concerning her " relationship" with Max. Maybe in a some sense Max was right. Liz had spent nearly a year, socializing with the ones who knew Max, Michael, Tess, and Isabel's secret. She hadn't really tried to meet anyone new. Liz frowned in dissapointment when the realization that she did need to grow. To grow as a person. Not away from Max. Liz climbed back into her bedroom. Closing the window, Liz walked over to her dresser mirror. She stood there staring at her reflection. Kind, conservative, mellow, cautious were only some of the words that came to mind. When she thought of herself.
" West Roswell High's about to see a different side of Liz Parker." Shutting out her lights, Liz crawled into bed. Preparing for tomorrow. Preparing to grow.
NEXT DAY AT SCHOOL---
Michael, Isabel, and Max stood by his locker, discussing Kyle and Jim Valenti's unemployment. Max sighed. " It's our..my fault that he lost the job. How am I ever going to forgive myself?" Michael shrugged his shoulders and faced Max. " Listen, Maxwell. It's not your fault. Valenti chose to be involved the day we rescued you from the White Room. He had a choice. Nobody forced him to help us. Valenti's a smart guy. He knew that be involved wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Besides, he's not the only thing that we have to worry about right now."
" What do you mean?"
" For one there is this whole Laurie situation, and..."
" and what Michael?"
" Isabel and I found this." Michael pulled the picture of " him " out of his pocket and handed it to Max. Isabel commented on it.
" Max we think this is why Laurie was so freaked about seeing Michael."
Max was about to respond, when he was distracted by Maria's outburst. " Oh my God." Michael rolled his eyes.
" What's wrong with you? Did you break a nail." Maria sneered and then turned to Max and Isabel. " Look for yourself." Maria said as she pointed down the hall.
Max's eyes widened, as he unoticably dropped the picture. It was Liz. This wasn't the Liz he knew. She was wearing a medium length black skirt with high heeled sandals. Her top was a red and sleeveless. It was short enough, exposing some stomach. That drove Max crazy. To top it off with a sleek black leather jacket. Her hair was draped up with a couple loose ends, lightly resting on her neck. Liz looked extremely beautiful. Max noticed other guys staring at her. Just the thought of guys looking at her released the jealousy in him. Although it wasn't just her clothes or sexy style that was different. She seemed to be interacting with everyone around her and they willingly greeted her back.
Max was so deep in thought that he had forgotten about Michael, Maria, and Isabel. Also forgetting the heated discussion about Laurie and Valenti. Thoughts began to race through his head. Why was Liz doing this? What in her had made her want to change to grow into a totally different person? " No." Max muttered under his breath. Grow. He had sparked this. The conversation that he had finally forgotten, slowly came back to him. Everything he had said to Liz in the eraser room, flooded his thoughts. Max grabbed his books and headed towards Liz. He didn't know what he was going to say. All he knew was that he needed to talk with her.
Liz was continued to meet and talk people. She had to admit this wasn't her, but she had to grow. Liz was beginning to hate that word. Was this really something she wanted? Her thoughts were disrupted. For she saw Max walking towards her. His eyes locked on hers. If Liz didn't know any better, Max looked really angry.
Max felt everything around him disappear. His only focus was on Liz. Different feelings began bombarding his thinking: anger, jealousy, sadness, lustful, anger, jealousy, sadness, lustful... They continued in that exact pattern. No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t keep himself in control. For once Max Evans was completely open.
Liz began taking deep breaths. All she could do was stare in Max’s eyes.
Max couldn’t do anything, but stare into Liz’s eyes.
Liz swore that she could feel what he was feeling. He was angry, and...sad?
Max knew what Liz was feeling. She was nervous, confused, and...love he felt her love for him. It was amazing to both of them on how they could feel what the other was feeling, just by looking deep into the other’s eyes.
Liz mentally told herself to get a grip, as Max Evans stood before her. “ Hey.” She said as she ran her fingers through her hair.
Max gripped his hold on his books. “ Hey.”
“ So..um did you finish your biology homework?”
Max sighed. “ We can talk about that later.”
“ Okay. Max was there something you wanted to tell me?”
Max hesitated at first and then answered with, “ Um.No..forget it.” Liz turned her head, hoping to hide the look of disappointment that covered her face.
“ Okay. Bye Max.”
“ Bye Liz.” Max turned, swearing under his breath. He slowly began walking away from Liz. She too turned the other way.
Max groaned and then whipped around, forcefully grabbing Liz’s arm and leading her to the eraser room.
AT MICHAEL’S LOCKER-
Maria, Isabel, Alex, Kyle, Tess, and Michael were discussing Liz’s “ new look and attitude.” Maria sighed, leaning against Michael. “ She looks so..so.” Alex and Kyle simtaneously quickly responded. “ Good! “
Tess and Isabel shot the guys an annoyed look. Alex quickly piped up. “ I mean in a best friend..kinda way.” Kyle patted Alex on the back.
“ Exactly” Maria stood there glaring at Kyle and Alex , when she realized that they were winking at Michael. Maria turned around and hit him in the arm.
“ Michael Guerin!” He was about to respond, but Maria interrupted him.
“ Don’t say anything. I know what you were thinking.”
Isabel rolled her eyes and then let out a small giggle. “ Just don’t let Max see you talking like that or..well you don’t want to know.” The warning bell for first period rang. Everyone said goodbye and left except Michael. He was planning on skipping first period, to do some more research about Laurie and the picture. He was heading out the school doors when he heard some of the football players, commenting about Liz.
“ Man. She looked good. Not that she didn’t before..it’s just.damn. I think I’m failing biology boys. I might need a tutor if you know what I mean.”
“ Wait Zac don’t try anything stupid. Isn’t she involved with that Evans guy? “
Michael had to defend Max and Liz’s relationship even though they didn’t seem to be doing too well. Michael rammed Zac into a locker.
“ Listen here you f***ing little punk. Leave Liz alone. She’s takin. You hear me?!?” Michael then shoved him again. “ Huh!” Zac quickly retreated.
“ Okay man, yeah sorry, geez.” Michael nodded and then walked out of the building. “ Max can thank me later.” Michael smiled while walking away.
ERASER ROOM--
Max let go of Liz and then locked the Eraser Room door. Liz began speaking, her eyes wandering, not wanting to make direct eye contact with Max. “ The first period bell just rang. We should get to class.” Liz started walking to the door, but Max grabbed her by the waist, leading her away from the door. He leaned down, his lips barely touching her ear. Whispering in a deep tone, “ It can wait. “
Liz nodded, not knowing what to say. She had to admit that this attitude of Max’s was scaring her, but not in a bad way. It’s just that Liz hadn’t ever seen him this demanding or forceful. She tried to move, but Max had his hands placed firmly on her waist.
He didn’t want her going anywhere. Max didn’t say anything or do anything, but stare into her eyes. Liz wasn’t sure what to think of this. Max’s eyes were locked on hers, as if he was decididng on what to do.
Max didn’t know whether to kiss her, or talk. His mind kept juggling the two options back and forth. Finally, regaining control over his desires, he spoke. “ Liz, why are you dressed like that?”
“ Like what?”
“ Why are you dressed so ...”
“ So..what Max?”
“ So sexy!” Liz raised an eyebrow, surprised to hear Max say this. Taking a breath, Max continued. “ I mean every guy is looking and examinng you.” Liz noticed Max’s jaw tighten as he spoke. Max was about to speak again, but his wandering eyes distracted him, as they examined Liz from her soft neck down to her slightly showing stomach. He could feel himself losing all control. “ What are you doing to me, Liz?” Liz was about to respond, defensively, when Max shoved her against the wall(not hurting of course). Bringing his lips to hers, knowing that this was what they both wanted. He held her waist, bringing her closer to him. Both of them caught in the moment that they didn’t hear the eraser door room open.
Images began to flood Max's mind, but were quickly hauled to a stop by a scream. Liz and Max broke apart, looking towards the door to see Maria. Before either of them could question Maria on why she was there. Maria began giggling.
" Oh my gosh. Max. Liz. I am so glad that you guys are back together! " Maria began giggling some more. " Liz I am so glad that you finally told Max the truth about not sleeping with Ky.." Maria stopped speaking because of the look Liz was giving her. Signaling her to shutup.
Max looked to Maria and then Liz. " Tell me the truth about what Liz?"
" Um..nothing Max."
" Liz, I don't believe you."
" No Max there is nothing to tell." Max frowned and then turned to Maria.
" Is that true?"
Liz moved away from Max and Maria. " Listen. Maria was just overreacting over something stupid. Max nothing has changed. "
" Meaning that you did..."
" Yes." Max eyes began to burn with tears of pain. Liz couldn't bear seeing the look on Max's face. She walked to the door, avoiding eye contact with Max. Liz didn't want him to see her crying. " This shouldn't have happened. Max I am sorry. It's just that..."
Max, not letting her finish, looked up at Liz. He was obviously hurt and angry. Finishing her sentence. "...we just don't belong together." Maria gasped. Never expecting Max to say that.
The words pierced Liz's heart. That's not what she was going to say at all. She so badly wanted to reach out and tell him the truth. That she did love him and had been more than faithful to their love. Unable to face him or Maria, Liz ran out the door, sobbing.
Maria placed her hand on Max's shoulder. " Don't give up on her."
Max was so incredibly angry. At himself, Liz, and her betrayl. He had never felt so much anger. " Like I said. We don't belong together." Max then grabbed his books and headed out the door. Maria sighed. " Oh, but Max you do."
Liz ran down the hallway and out the school doors. She couldn't go to class. She had to be alone. Liz ran out into the parking lot, to the corner of the street. Her vision was so blurred from her tears that she couldn't see. Never in a million years did she think Max could ever say that. So much for growing. Liz was crossing the street, thinking of Max and the look on his face, when she felt a sharp hit to her side. Liz cried out in pain.
Max moped down the hallways, as the bell ending first period bell rang. The quiet and lonely halls were suddenly loud and crowded. Not caring who he bumped into. Max walked further down the hall, to see Isabel at his locker. " Go away Is."
" What's wrong?"
" I don't want to talk about it."
" Oh did you and Liz get in a fight?" Isabel asked sarcastically.
" There isn't a Liz and I anymore. Max opened his locker, grabbing his books and then slamming it shut.
" Max wait! What about Laurie? Or.."
" I don't really care right now."
Michael was walking back to school, angrier than ever. He wasn't haveing any luck with finding information out about Laurie. He needed to speak with her. Was he related to her and why did the person in the photo look just like him? Michael glanced at his watch, realizing that he had to get back to class. He was planning on just skipping the entire day, but he had last period with Maria, and he wanted to see her. Michael began laughing about earlier when he had confronted Zac. Man the look on his face. Michael lost his train of thought when he saw an crowds of people swarming to the street corner by the school parking lot. Michael had to know what was going on. He started running. As he got closer, he began to get paranoid. What if he knew the person. Maria? He ran even faster, pushing his way through the crowd. Yelling at people to get back. A sharp pain hit his chest, when he realized the deeply injured person, Liz. By the looks of things, he figured she was hit by a car. Michael immediantly scanned the area, expecting Max to be there, but he wasn't. Michael had to tell him. When running towards the school. He yelled back to the people. " Hey one of you freaks call a God Damn ambulance."
Michael ran through the halls, yelling Max's name. Where in the hell was he? A sense of relief hit him when he saw Isabel, leaving Max's locker. " Hey Is. Where the hell is Maxwell."
" Oh my God Michael. What's wrong." Isabel had never seen him this freaked.
" Liz was hit by a car and she is lying out in the street. An ambulance is coming, but it's not here yet. Now answer my question. Where is he?!?"
" He headed off to Biology, I think. You go to Max, I am going to go help Liz."
Max sat in Biology class, listening to the teacher lecture, or at least trying to. He sighed when he realized that Liz wasn't going to be there. Max turned in time to see Michael run in. " Hey Maxwell come on. Liz has been hit by a car." Max felt a sharp pain to his heart and chest. Max without thinking jumped over the lab table and out the door. Now Michael was a fast runner, but he couldn't even keep up with Max.
Max darted out the door, to see Liz being lifted into the ambulance truck. He only got one glance, but from the looks of things she looked horrible. Max fell to his knees, crying, " NO! DAMN IT! LIZ..." Max began sobbing again. Michael put his hand on Max's shoulder, but to his surprise Max shoved him away. " Leave me the f*** alone." Michael stood dumbfounded. Had Max just cussed. Out loud. Michael almost fainted at the fact. Isabel ran to Michael, just in time to hear Max's outburst.
" Michael, we have to catch up with him."
" I don't think thats going to be possible." Michael nodded in Max's direction. Max was already in the Jeep, speeding out of the parking lot. " Come on. We have to get Maria and Alex."
Max couldn't believe it. The day had been full of dramatic events. No matter what Liz did. He couldn't let her die. Whether he wanted to admit it or not. He loved her. He would always love her. Max wanted to forgive her for sleeping with Kyle and a part of him had, but knowing that she gave into Kyle like that. Made Max realize that they couldn't be together. Maybe friends. Max winced, thinking about Kyle touching her. He always thought it would be him.
" Shutup Max. Don't do this to yourself." Max gripped one hand on the steering wheel and the other putting a tape in. The Counting Crows.
Michael and Isabel ran back into the school, searching for Maria and Alex. Michael threw his hands up and yelled, “ Maria!” Him and Isabel both jumped when they heard someone speak from behind them.
“ Spaceboy, screaming my name out to the student body. Is this you’re way of saying that you want to further our relationship?” Maria asked sarcastically.
“ Maria listen. Liz was hit by a car. Max already left. We need to find Alex and get to the hospital!”
“ Oh my God! Lets go!” “
Wait what about Alex?”
“ He stayed home sick today we will have to call him.” Michael nodded and the three of them left for the hospital.
Max pulled into the hospital parking lot, parking the Jeep, and running through the hospital doors. Max noticed that there wasn’t anyone at the nurse’s counter He frantically looked around for someone he could ask, to find out where Liz was. The sound of people running into the emergency room, caught Max’s attention. The doctor’s were wheeling someone in. He clenched his jaw, realizing that he had found Liz. Max ran up to one of the doctors. “ Hey, is she going to be okay?”
“ Who are you?”
“ I’m..I’m a friend.”
“ Listen son I am going to be honest with you. I can’t say either way until after the surgery.”
“ Surgery?”
“ Yes. You’re friend was badly injured.” Max stared at the doctor. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Everything and everyone in the room, began to drown into the background.
“ Why don’t you have a seat, and I will let you know when I hear more about you’re friend.”
“ Okay...um thanks.” Max sat in the chair dumbfounded. So much had happened that day. He shook his head, realizing that he had to focus on Liz. Did she need him?
Maria, Michael, and Isabel ran in through the hospital doors. Maria was the first to speak, as she saw Max sitting in a chair. “ Oh my God Max. How is she?”
“ They don’t know. At least not until after the surgery.” Isabel reached out to Max. “ Max.”
“ Please Liz. I don’t really don’t want to talk right now.” Isabel nodded, understanding his request. Maria, Michael, Isabel, and Max sat in the chairs, none of them saying anything.
TWO HOURS LATER-
Maria had called Alex, and Liz’s parents. Each of them saying that he would be over a.s.a.p. Michael had his arms around Maria, trying to provide her comfort. Max stood up and walked over to the soda machine. He had put in his money to get a Coca Cola. The soda had gotten stuck in the machine. Max didn’t have patience with anyone or anything that day. He began hitting the machine. “ Come on!”
Michael was startled by the banging noise. He looked up to see Max hitting it. He jumped out of his seat, to calm Max down before he lost it. “ Hey Maxwell stop!” Michael grabbed Max’s arms. Max nodded. “ I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” Michael shook the machine with his powers, and got Max his Coke. “ Here.”
“ Thanks. You know I could have done that.”
“ No Maximillion I think you were more into beating the pop machine.” Max was about to respond, but didn’t when he saw the doctor.
Isabel, and Maria stood up also, walking over to the doctor. Just as the doctor was about to speak. Liz’s parents, and Alex came running in. “ Oh my God! How’s my baby girl?” All of them stood, waiting for the doctor to speak. “ When we were performing the surgery. I mean you have to understand that we did the best we could. She is semi-concious right now. So I suggest you say your goodbye’s now. Max’s eyes widened. He walked up to the doctor. “ Are you saying...”
“ I am sorry. The car hit her at high speed, tearing at her skin, and her organs. She is a fighter to have made it this long. One at a time please.”
Maria went in after Liz’s parents. “ Liz.”
“ Hi.” Liz answered weakly. Maria began crying.
“ Oh Liz. What am I going to do without you!?!” Unable to say anything, Maria opened her arms wide and they both silently cried.
15MIN. LATER-
Maria reluctantly left Liz’s arms. “ I will be right back.”
Liz nodded sadly. Maria walked out and signaled for Max to go in. He cleared his throat and then nodded. Before he enterd Liz’s room, Maria grabbed his arm. “ Listen to her.” Max looked at Maria with pure confusion, and then entered the room.
Liz heard the door squeak open to see Max. “ Hey Liz.”
“ Hi.” Max closed the door and then sat down beside her.
“ Liz let me heal you.”
“ No.”
“ Liz!”
“ Max you were right about us not being together.”
“ I..didn’t..I mean..”
“ Please don’t say anything , just listen.” Max nodded.
“ About a month ago, you came to me. It was the future you. Fifteen years from the future, actually. You told me that us being together led to Tess leaving Roswell. When you were attacked by evil..you were defeated, because Tess wasn’t there. Without her, there wasn’t enough power. The future you told me that I had to make you fall out of love with me. So we staged the scene, making it look like Kyle and I had slept together. Also telling you all of those horrible things. Max you need to know that I do love with you...” Liz wasn’t able to finish for Max was crying with his arms wrapped around her. After ten min of them holding eachother, Max pulled away.
“ Liz I want you to relax.”
“ Max?”
“ Iam going to save you.”
“ Max, you can’t. You will only risk your exposure”
“ Liz if you’re not with me, then I am nothing. If you die today. Then so do I.” Liz laid there in the hospital, bed shocked. She couldn't believe Max Evans was saying this to her. " Max. Please don't make this harder." Max gave Liz a serious look. " Do we die or do we live?" Liz was almost in tears. She loved Max evans more than anything. Could they really overcome their destined fate? Could they be together and not end the world?
Max smiled, knowing Liz's answer. Her heart spoke loudly to him. Max stood up and locked the door, and shut the curtains. " Sweetheart. I need you to look at me."
" Okay. Max what if.."
" Shhh..don't worry." Max placed his hand over heart. He would give her body more energy that way, her wounds would still be there, and neither one of them would be suspected. Liz kept her mind blank, not wanting to disturb Max.
After five minutes, Liz felt better. She didn't feel like death was waiting at her door. Liz turned to Max, and noticed how weak he looked. " Hey. You had better lie her with me, before you pass out."
" I think you're right, for medical purposes only."
" Oh but of course." Max laid next to Liz and they held eachother.
" Max, what about what the future holds for Michael or Isabel?"
" We create our own destinies. Our own fates Liz. What happens to them or my next door neighbor reflects on their own decision." Max kissed Liz.
" We always be together Liz Parker."
" Always Max Evans." " Hey Liz." " Yeah?"
" Do you still have that black skirt?" Liz playfully hit Max's shoulders.
" I love you Evans."
" You're not so bad yourself Parker."
the end
