Story 2 - Facing Reality

Part 3

“Oh… Look at you! Look what you did to yourself! I told you a thousand times… He’s not like that. His mind doesn’t work like yours. Even if you leave out the alien part, he’s a man for god’s sake! He doesn’t want commitment. So what? You had the most incredible night… But it was your first. How do you know it’s not always this good? Yes, of course… Now, you will move on. And then you’ll find a nice, healthy guy to see if it’s only him… Cause, you know, it’s probably not. It’d probably be so much better if you did it with a guy you actually liked. Yeah… So stop torturing yourself! It’s not like you want a boyfriend like Michael…”

Maria looked one last time at her reflection in the mirror.

“…And for Christ’s sake stop talking to yourself!”

- - -

“Liz I need a boyfriend.”

Liz looked at her best friend with concern. Maria opened her locker and pulled out some books, not really paying attention to which ones she took.

“Uh… Okay… Why?” Liz asked cautiously.

“I just do, okay?” Maria snapped.

Liz raised her hands as a gesture of peace. “Someone’s edgy…”

“I’m sorry…” Maria said in a whining tone and hugged Liz tightly. “I don’t feel well, my life’s too empty… I just need to date.”

“Well it’s not like you can just go out and find a guy…” Liz’s voice trailed off when she noticed the mischievous look on Maria’s face.

“Oh God…”

- - -

“So what the hell is the emergency?” Maria threw her bag as she entered Max’s room, missing Michael’s head with inches.

“Watch it Blondie!”

Maria didn’t even turn her head to look at him. He wasn’t worth it. Or maybe she was a coward. Instead she turned to address directly Max. Someone she could torture safely. “Why am I standing here instead of shopping like a normal person? Max?”

“Uh, sorry Maria. We just need your car.”

“That’s it? You called me here for this?” No answer came except Max’s apologetic look. “Okay… When?”

“Saturday night? We need two cars to distract…” Maria stopped him with a raised hand.

“No! I don’t wanna know. I’ll try my best and let you know if you can take it.” Max let out a breath he’d been holding since Maria arrived. She was pretty edgy lately.

She continued pointing Michael. “But he can't drive it!”

- - -

Maria was literally begging Liz in her desperation. It was hard enough to even decide to attempt this, but if she was going to do it alone she knew she wouldn’t be able to go through with it. “Liz come on… I’ll need your opinion!”

Liz gave her a torn look. “I'm so sorry. I wish I could… Really… But you know dad… He would torture me if I back out on the annual family picnic. I will get bored to death, but I have to go…”

Seeing Maria’s defeated look she tried to find another solution. The usually animated girl was looking sad and silent lately, it was beginning to worry Liz. “How about you delay this quest?” Maria pouted, knowing she would lose all her enthusiasm if she did. Later might just be too late for her.

“Okay… Then there’s only one choice left…”

“What?”

“You’ll take Alex with you.”

“You can't be serious! Alex? Come on… You may forget it at times, but Liz, he’s a guy…”

“I know. But who else?”

They both turned to look at the booth where Isabel and Michael sat, eating and waiting for Max. “You think…?” Liz asked cautiously.

“I don’t know… She is good at this stuff… But she’s kinda bitchy…”

Picturing a total bonding day between her best friend and the only sister of her future husband, Liz smiled broadly. “I think it will be perfect. Just ask her. She’s really nice when you get to know her.”

- - -

Maria walked to the booth keeping her eyes away from Michael. He had no problem looking at her, she noticed. And it pissed her off. Why was she the one intimidated? She straightened her posture. He wasn’t affecting her. Nope.

“Isabel? Hi… Can I talk to you for a second?” Maria asked kindly, ignoring the girl’s surprised look. “In private?” She added casting a glance at Michael who seemed to be engrossed in his fries.

“Okay…”

Isabel followed her to the break room and sat on the couch, waiting for her to speak.

“Okay… There’s this thing I wanna do… I kinda wanna do a make over. You know, take a day off, go shopping, change my hair and stuff. Liz can't come cause she’s got this whole family thing on Saturday… But I was wondering, if you were free… You know, maybe you could help me…”

Isabel watched the nervous girl with amusement. There was something about her that made Isabel respect her. She couldn’t really figure out what… She hadn't been sure about being friends with her though. She felt vulnerable when she was around her -- someone that knew her deepest secret -- and she hated being vulnerable…

“Okay.” She said simply. Being vulnerable or not, this was shopping.

“Yay!!!” Maria clapped her hands happily.

Isabel stopped her before they could leave the room. “But tell me one thing first, is this about a guy?”

“No.” Maria lied.

Isabel rolled her eyes.

“Okay, it is. But not anyone specific, it’s generally about guys and me and dating... You know…”

They walked out a little less tense around each other, still chatting about guys and clothes.

- - -

“What was that all about?” Michael asked, forcing his voice to sound casual.

“Girl things… We’ll go shopping on Friday.” Isabel continued eating her Saturn Rings, not catching Michael’s relieved look.

“She came to the right person then.” Michael commented, hating the fear and relief Maria kept making him feel lately.

“Yes, definitely. She needs a whole new look. The hair colour, the clothes… And I think I could hook her up with one of my friends. Jake maybe…”

Michael was just about to tune her out when he caught the last part. He choked on his coke. “Wha… What?”

Isabel, still clueless, kept talking. “It’d be good for her. A cute and dumb guy that she could play with for some time. It helps, you know… Jake… Definitely Jake.”

While she took out her phone and dialled Jake, Michael’s eyes were glued on the blond haired waitress, serving ice cream to a group of kids. He watched her in slow motion as she put down the ice cream, laughed at something the kid said and pulled back a stray of hair that fell across her face. Then raising her head she met his eyes. Her smile fell from her face as she tore her eyes away angrily and headed for the counter.

Why the hell did he care? He didn’t! She was nothing but a good lay.

He was hoping to eventually make himself believe that.

- - -

Michael paced his rather small room for the 87th time. Running a hand through his hair and closing his eyes, he wished the anger away. But it wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.

His hands were shaking, his head was blurred. This wasn’t normal, he had to be sick. There were much more important things he had to worry about. The FBI, the fourth alien… But no. All he could think about was how her skin had felt against his. He was craving for her. Her kisses, her touches… And mostly her warmth. The way she’d felt in his arms as they slept together.

He didn’t want to call it that, or even think about it, but he was missing her. And it was getting worse with every passing minute.

He grabbed his jacket and stormed out. It was going to be another long, sleepless night of hiking in the desert.

- - -

Maria touched her almost disappeared hickey in the mirror at the break room of The Crashdown. It was stupid she knew it, but she didn’t want it to heal. It was all she had to keep her from thinking that she had somehow dreamt the whole night. They had never talked about it, and had never told anyone. It could easily be a figment of her over-active and perverted imagination. She knew Liz would probably think so if she’d told her.

A wave of cold air hit her bra clad breasts and she shivered. She looked at her watch and smiled thinking about the day ahead of her. She hadn't been able to get the whole day off, but it was only 10 a.m. and she was almost out the door towards her day of freedom.

She let her dress pool around her waist and searched her locker for her top. Her jeans, her brush, her stupid apron… No top… Letting out a growl she searched more furiously, every minute she spent in there was a minute wasted.

Then she froze feeling hands on her bare waist… His hands…

Her eyes shut involuntarily as she felt him plaster his body to hers. Her heart was running wildly, not from fear but excitement. She knew it was him. She knew his hands, his touch, his smell… She leaned her body back to his, and let her head rest on his chest.

His lips took forever to touch the exposed white skin of her neck. His name left her lips in a whisper. She felt the vibrations of his groan, and all she could think was how much she wanted him. At that one perfect moment he was everything. Nothing else mattered. It had to be a chemical reaction or something, cause his smell made her lose control. His hands slowly trailed up and cupped her breasts. She thought she would ask Liz about the smell thing later. But it flew out of her mind as he sucked her neck and renewed her disappearing hickey.

Suddenly what that day was supposed to be came rushing back to her. Forcing herself to pull away, she tried not to shudder at the loss of his heat. “No…”

She turned, and knowing it was a mistake but still not being able to resist the pull, looked in his eyes. He was hurt and surprised, and he couldn’t hide the hunger in him. She could read him easier than she had ever read anyone. She wished she couldn’t though.

Mating their foreheads and inhaling her deeply, he asked. “Why not?”

“I can't…” she was supposed to sound strong as she refused him, but the voice that met her ears was miserable.

“Why?”

Gathering all her courage she told him the things she’d been telling herself. “It was a one time thing. There’s no point of letting it get out of hand.”

“Why not let it happen?” His fingers found her nipple and grazed over it slightly, eliciting a gasp from her.

She pulled herself further away. It wasn’t easy to say no when they were touching and all she really wanted was to crawl into bed with him.

“I have a date tonight, and I don’t know what kind of an impression I made on you but I'm not a slut.”

“Oh, right, Jake!” Michael said sarcastically.

“Yeah Jake! You have a problem with that?” Maria snapped.

“Oh no…” Michael said trying to hide his anger. “Date Jake The Stupid Jock, what do I care!”

“You don’t?” she asked, daring him to say something.

“No. Why would I?”

“Okay then…” she said folding her arms. “…Go away, I'm getting dressed.”

“Why? It’s nothing I haven't seen before…”

“Whatever…” she said in exasperation. She wasn’t going to be intimidated. No. She was refusing to back down.

Ignoring the shaking of her hands, she dropped her dress to the floor and grabbed her jeans. Knowing that he was watching her every move was making her whole body tremble. He was so annoying… And that only made her want him more. What kind of a sick person did that make her?

Michael watched her pull the jeans up her long legs and tried to hold onto his anger. He could deal with feeling anger, but the other things she made him feel were too intense, he feared they would somehow stop his heart.

He took a deep breath as she straightened her bra straps and a bead of sweat trickled down her back. Why had he stayed, he couldn’t really remember… He had been trying to piss her off, but now he was the one feeling cornered. So not fair.

Maria felt the rush of cold air once more and knew he had left. She closed her eyes and sighed. Not even shopping was going to get her out of this one.

- - -

Isabel and Maria sat on a bench, carefully placing all their bags around. It had been four hours since they had started shopping and Maria was still sulking. Isabel figured it had to be important since it was such an uncharacteristic thing for the bubbly girl.

“Okay, spill. What’s with the face?”

Resting her head on the back of the bench Maria sighed. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Come on, who’s the guy? You can tell me, you know I'm good with secrets.”

Even Isabel’s attempt at humour wasn’t enough to pull Maria out of her depression. “I can't tell you.” She murmured.

“Why not?” Isabel pouted, not quite believing that she was being friendly to a girl for the first time in her life.

Maria considered her options and decided to not lie, since she always sucked at it. “Cause I didn’t even tell Liz, and he's from our school, and I would feel embarrassed and guilty.”

Isabel thought about it for a moment. “Okay, no names and no details. Just tell me vaguely what’s bothering you. It will help, really.” She laughed at the irony of the situation. “Come on, you're not the type to keep secrets.”

“There's this guy… He and I have this… I don’t know… This thing, this pure lust thing. I’ve never felt like this before… But I can't be with him. I don’t know if I want to be with him… Like I said, it’s a lust thing.”

Isabel looked thoughtful. “Why can't you be with him?”

“Cause I can't just let him use my body and ignore the rest.”

Isabel’s one brow rose in curiosity. “Then why did we buy all the sexy underwear?”

“Well I have a date…”

“Jake? You bought sexy underwear for Jake?”

“Why not? Who knows what will happen?”

“Right. But you’re ignoring something here. I'm not doubting for a moment that Jake would be all over you if you want him to. And it would be fun. That’s the point of you guys dating. But why are you letting Jake get into your pants with nothing more to offer, when you have another guy just like him with the added bonus of mutual lust?”

Maria covered her face with her hands.

“There isn't even a competition. It’s obvious which one you should choose. Unless…” Isabel let her voice trail off for effect.

“Unless what?” Maria asked, her voice muffled by her hands.

“Unless you're scared that you're falling for him…”

Maria couldn’t stop her face from crumpling. “I deserve better.” She said with determination.

“Oh I know. We all do. We all wait for our own fairytale, right?”

“Yeah…” Maria nodded sadly.

Fairytale and Michael? It wasn’t even funny.

“I don’t even want perfection. Just, you know, flowers, dinner, compliments… Is it too much to ask?”

“No. You deserve it.” She sighed. “But it never happens the way you plan. I know it from experience. Sometimes you get the dinner and the compliments but it doesn’t feel right, and sometimes you feel it all the way to your toes and it has nothing else to offer. I hope you can find both… But I honestly doubt it.”

- - -

“Is it done? Can I open my eyes?” Maria asked sitting on Liz’s bed while Isabel used some combined alien and human talents for her hair and make up.

“Almost… Okay… Now you can open.”

Maria watched herself in the mirror with amazement. Was that really herself? The low cut, knee length, red dress was something she would have never bought if not for Isabel, but the real shock was the face looking back at her. Her hair had some reds and blacks in it now, and her make up made her look… more like a woman instead of a little girl.

She sat there looking at herself, and thought she looked just like she wanted to feel. Like an independent, strong woman.

“I wish that other guy could see you like this.” Isabel said thoughtfully. And Maria shivered with fear, knowing he probably would.

- - -

Maria descended the stairs that led to The Crashdown, feeling like she was in a cheesy romantic movie. She was paying special attention to her steps. It wouldn’t be nice to tumble down from those high heels in front of her date, her friends, and her sort of lover.

Lover? No. He was simply the guy that had f-ucked her, there was nothing about love there.

The first face she saw was Jake. He was a long, blond guy with a killer body and deep blue eyes. He was gorgeous. Just like she wanted. Just like she deserved. Right behind him stood Isabel, smiling at her proudly. Liz wasn’t back from the picnic yet, but Max was there, still sitting in a booth, looking at her with his mouth hanging open.

Her eyes searched for him as she stood in front of Jake with a fake smile on her face. Jake whistled. “God, you’re beautiful.” He kissed her hand softly and Maria giggled. That was how it was supposed to be. A gentleman.

“Shall we?”

Maria took his arm, and smiled at Isabel who winked and mouthed her Good Luck. Together they walked out to the chilly night, and Maria forced her brain to forget who she’d rather be with and instead focus on the magical night that awaited.

- - -

Michael watched from afar as they got in Jake’s car and sped away. He had to force himself to unclench his fists.

He didn’t care. She was a big girl, she could take care of herself. And as Isabel had said the guy was dumb. Maria wasn’t. She’d be okay.

A picture of a naked Maria lying in a bed next to Jake flashed in his mind and he felt an ache in his stomach.

No. She wouldn’t. She wasn’t like that.

“ Why not?” his mind protested. “ She did it with you. You think you're special? You're nothing special. Now Jake? He looks pretty special…”

Michael walked towards The Crashdown feeling furious.

It was going to be a long night of distracting FBI agents and searching clues… In Maria’s car… As she sat in another guy’s car, doing…

He let out a growl, and felt a strong urge to hit his head with a frying pan again and again, till it stopped flashing that disturbing picture.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Fic