“Interesting development if I don’t say so myself,” Tess commented to Liz as they were eating lunch the next day.

Liz nodded with agreement, knowing that Tess was talking about Michael and Maria. Who strangely hadn’t turned up during lunch yet today. She was incredibly happy for her brother and Maria, it had definitely taken them long enough to happen, but she was slightly hurt that they didn’t tell her themselves. It was obvious they hadn’t actually told anyone, because Liz doubted that either of them would have told Isabel, but it still hurt that they hadn’t told her. Michael in particular. After all, he was her brother and they usually told each other major things like that.

“So what do you think of it all?” Tess asked her.

“I think it’s good,” she replied truthfully. “I’ve never seen my brother like this over a girl. Usually he hooks up with someone and then a week later its over and he’s forgotten all about them. And Maria… Well, it’s obvious that she likes Michael a lot.”

Tess nodded in agreement. “But you feel left out.”

Why was she so damn perceptive? “Nooo,” she said slowly.

“Liz.” Tess prodded.

“Okay, well, I mean, it’s not as if I feel jealous of them or wish they hadn’t hooked up,” she explained. “I’m glad they did. It’s a good thing for both of them. And if I were back home it wouldn’t matter so much. It’s just… I don’t feel like I belong here,” she admitted. “And apart from Michael I only really know Maria and you and…”

“You think that maybe their getting together will leave you out of things.”

“No. Yes.” She frowned. “It’s stupid.”

Tess shook her head. “No it’s not. It’s obviously a very serious thing for both of them so its understandable that you’d worry you’ll get left out. But really, I don’t think you will. I mean, you should see how much Maria’s changed since you and Michael arrived. And it’s not just because of Michael, trust me, she loves having a good friend.”

“She has you,” Liz pointed out, confused as to why she was any different.

“Yes,” Tess nodded, “but the problem is that I didn’t become her friend first. I met Katie and Kristin and the others first, so while I’m her friend I’m also friends with them. You turned against Isabel and Courtney and their pettiness. I think your doing that meant she knew she could trust you.”

“Maybe. But its obvious that she trusts you too.”

Tess shrugged. “Well then maybe that’s why she knew she could trust you as well? Anyway, you and Michael have a great relationship, and you and Maria also have a great friendship, so I’m pretty sure they won’t be leaving you out.”

***

Maria laughed, rolling them over so that she was straddling him as they spent the afternoon on the privacy of their beach. “Trapped!” she exclaimed with a smile, dumping a handful of sand on him. He growled but she jumped off him before he could grab her.

“Why do you act like such a little kid sometimes?” Michael asked as he brushed sand off himself.

She frowned, refusing to answer him. After all, he had started it.

“All I was trying to do was ask you a simple question.”

She stared at him, quirking an eyebrow. “Simple?”

“You’re trying to brush it all off,” Michael said softly, his eyes intently probing hers. “Why?”

“I don’t care,” she murmured, staring down at the sand as she traced a pattern in it with her feet.

He walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Yes you do. The question is why? Why do you care so much? Why do you let Isabel get to you?”

She sighed, looking up at him through her lashes. “I just didn’t want the whole world to know about us just yet. I wanted it to be just us. And I wish we would have told Liz, I hate that she found out like that. I wouldn’t want to find out like that.”

He tilted her head so that her eyes met his dead on. “No, it’s more than that. It’s not only what she did today, it’s something more. Maria, why do you let her get to you like that?”

She shook her head, biting her lips shut. Her eyes dropped back to the sand.

“Maria?”

“Michael…” she pleaded. He nodded, dropping the subject.

She bit her lip. “I’m sorry… I can’t.”

“It’s okay,” he replied, massaging her shoulders softly.

She sighed. She wanted to be able to tell him… but she couldn’t. She didn’t know how.

***

Michael sat in the garden in front of his house later that night, staring at the waves moving under the dark sky as he thought back to earlier that day.

It was obvious that Maria didn’t really care much for the comments of her other classmates. Good or bad she brushed them off without a second thought. But for some reason it was different with Isabel.

While she brushed off many of Isabel’s idiotic comments they still were the only comments that affected Maria enough for her to respond to with anger. With anyone else she didn’t care, but it was only Isabel’s comments, and Courtney’s, which Michael assumed was mainly to do with the fact that she was Isabel’s best friend, that upset her. And while Maria acted like it was for no major reason, and while it appeared to just be because Isabel and Courtney were the most malicious, Michael had a definite feeling that there was much more to it than that.

Maria had opened up to him, but she was still haunted by her past. Haunted by something, and Michael had no idea what it was. But he would bet good money that it was something to do with her father.

Michael was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throat and looking to the side he was startled to notice Maria standing beside him.

“Hey,” she said softly as she crouched next to him on the grass. “I’m sorry I overreacted.”

“Mar-“

Her lips were on his before he had a chance to reply. Her tongue invaded his mouth as she moulded her body against his. Moaning into her mouth he drew her closer, his hands creeping up under her top.

He pulled his lips away from hers, staring deeply into her eyes, watching her for a reaction, as his hands slid closer and closer to her chest. She was watching him too, her hands wrapped loosely around his neck, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone look at him so intensely.

He ran a finger over her breast, watching as Maria’s eyes fluttered shut. Taking that as encouragement he palmed it, caressing her through the thin fabric of her bra. That move was rewarded with a long, throaty moan. He lifted his other hand to her other breast, groaning as Maria ground her body against his. “God…”

She whimpered when he moved his hands away, her nails running up his back. “Don’t.”

He smiled as he took in her darkened eyes. “Don’t what?” he asked as he dipped his head to her neck, lightly nipping at it.

“Damn… you…” she murmured, clutching his head to her neck. He was completely startled when she pushed him back onto the grass, attacking his lips with hers.

***

“I can’t believe Michael choose you,” Isabel said, stopping Maria as she walked down the otherwise empty corridor. “Especially after seeing the effect your influence had on Tess’s relationship with my brother.”

Maria stopped, turning to glare at the taller blonde. “That had nothing to do with me.”

Isabel snorted. “I’m sure it didn’t. Nothing has anything to do with you, does it?”

“It doesn’t,” she replied through clenched teeth. “And besides, it was probably your brother’s influence on Tess, considering your family.”

“Leave them out of it. My family and Max had nothing to do with it.”

“Actually Max did, seeing as he was half of the relationship,” she replied. “And leave me out of it. I had nothing to do with it, and you know it.”

“Nothing to do with what?”

Both girls turned to look at Tess, startled by her sudden appearance. Neither had noticed her nearing them, too involved in their years old rivalry.

“Well?” Tess prompted when no one answered.

“We were just discussing Maria here’s bad influence on you,” Isabel told her, ignoring the bell symbolising the end of lunch. “She thinks it was because of Max, not her.”

“What are you talking about? Are you delusional?” Tess asked in disbelief. “What happened with Max and I had absolutely nothing to do with her. How could it? Although I must admit he was always an @#%$ to her, but then I guess that trait runs in the family, huh?”

Maria couldn’t help the grin that crossed her face at Isabel’s outraged look. Both girls seemed oblivious to the crowd they’d drawn as people filled the halls to go to their afternoon classes.

“God Isabel,” Tess said, the eyes of every student in the corridor watching her, waiting to see what she’d say next. “You really are pathetic. Blaming Maria, a far better person than you, because I ended my relationship with your brother.”

The month passed without incident, and Isabel and Courtney were surprisingly calm, despite their declining popularity after Tess’s little outburst. Liz leant back on the tree behind her with a contented sigh, glancing at her three friends scattered on the school lawn around her.

Tess was sprawled on her stomach as she munched on a chocolate bar, excitedly telling them that Kyle had something special planned for their date on Friday, and Maria was leaning against Michael’s chest, his arms wrapped around her, as she listened to Tess in interest.

“So what do you think it could be?”

Maria laughed, an infectious laugh that caused Liz to laugh along with her. “How would we know Tess?” she asked. “And besides, if we did know telling you would just wreck the surprise.”

“So you do know,” Tess exclaimed triumphantly.

“What? No. I’m just saying that if we did we wouldn’t tell you anyway.” She looked at Liz. “Right.”

Liz nodded. “Right. It’s supposed to be a surprise Tess.”

“Why do girls make such a big deal about this stuff?” Michael asked, prompting Maria to give him a slap on the arm as she turned to stare at him.

“Excuse me, but what gives you the right to generalise the whole species based on one comment?” she asked.

“Does this mean you wouldn’t care if I did something for you?” he replied, frowning. “I’m hurt.”

“What?” Maria exclaimed. “Ugh, you’re so frustrating.” She turned to look at her. “Isn’t he so frustrating Liz?” She turned back to Michael, murmuring something to him that the others couldn’t hear.

Liz exchanged a grin with Tess. “Aren’t they sickening,” Tess commented.

“Hey, I resent that. And you can’t talk, you’ve had a boyfriend non-stop for how many years?”

“At least I don’t bicker with him constantly before turning and murmuring sweet nothings in his ear.”

“I wasn’t murmuring sweet nothings in his ear!” Maria exclaimed.

“She wasn’t,” Michael agreed. Maria smiled before turning to kiss him quickly.

“Uh huh…” Tess said, grinning.

Maria glared at them both. Liz raised her hands in mock defeat. “Hey, don’t look at me. I didn’t say anything. And besides, I’m single.” She’d ended the thing with Dave a few weeks back, deciding that she really didn’t want to have a boyfriend, for the moment anyway.

“True,” Maria nodded. “Speaking of guys – well, kind of – did I mention that Doug hasn’t bothered me for at least a month. I’m impressed. It must be a record or something.”

Tess murmured her agreement. “Maybe the guy’s finally got a clue?”

Maria exchanged a look with Michael. “Maybe. Oh look Tess, here comes your Prince Charming now.” The girls collapsed with laughter as the two guys watched them with confusion and amusement.

***

The waves were frothing gently against the shore of their deserted beach, the sun warm against their skin. Maria stretched as she sat up from her position of lying on the beach. She turned to look at Michael who was lying next to her. “So what do you want to do?”

He turned his head to look at her, using an arm to shield his eyes from the sun. He looked so good lying there in his tight t-shirt, although Maria had no idea how he could stand wearing black in the sun. “I thought you wanted to sunbathe?”

She shrugged. “Sick of that.”

“So you want me to entertain you or something?” he asked, sitting up, moving to adjust the strap of her top from where it had fallen when she’d shrugged her shoulders.

“That would be nice,” she replied with a grin.

He sighed in mock exasperation. “Why do I put up with you?”

“Don’t ask me.”

She stood up, walking to the water’s edge and dipping a toe in.

“If you expect me to go swimming, then forget it.”

She pouted. “Why?”

“It’s cold,” he explained, standing up as well.

“Baby. No it’s not.”

“Well maybe I, unlike someone in particular, actually feel the cold. Besides, where I come from people don’t decide to go swimming in the sea during spring.”

“Perhaps because you didn’t use to live on the coast?” she suggested.

He frowned. “Perhaps.”

“Smarter than you thought, huh?”

“I think you’re smart- Hey, what are you doing?”

She just smiled innocently at him as she walked up the beach further before stopping and then running straight towards him. Before he had a chance to realise what was happening and move out of her way she jumped on his back, the momentum sending his feet moving towards the water, where his balance wavered for a moment before they both fell into the water in a tangle of limbs.

She spat out water as she resurfaced, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes. “Maria.”

“That wasn’t supposed to happen,” she replied. “You weren’t supposed to fall. We were just supposed to cool down slightly.”

“And how else did you see your little stunt going down if we weren’t supposed to end up in the water?”

She just shrugged, crawling over him in the shallow water. “See, it’s not that cold is it?”

“It is,” he replied with a grimace, but his eyes were smiling. “Come on.”

He pulled her out of the water and they both lay down on the sand again. Maria had to admit that maybe it wasn’t such a great idea. After all her clothes were now plastered to her body and sand was sticking to her. “Sorry.”

“I’m wearing long pants Maria.” She flinched. Whoops. And she thought a light top sticking to her was annoying.

“At least you weren’t wearing shoes,” she pointed out.

He exhaled loudly. Turning to face her he pushed her wet hair out of her face, leaning over her. “You’re definitely interesting.”

His lips descended on hers and she could taste the salt on his lips. Sighing in contentment she ran a hand through his wet hair, pulling him closer.

She trailed her hand over his face, brushing off the stray water droplets, pulling back slightly so she could look him in the eye.

“I’ve never felt like this before,” she admitted softly.

“Like what?” he asked, equally softly, cupping her cheek with his palm.

“Like,” she began, pausing a moment. “Just like a normal teenager.”

***

It had taken a shower to get rid of all the sand that had stuck to her skin, and her clothes were also sporting patches of sand stuck to the still damp areas. But she didn’t care. It had been ages since she’d done something as stupid and carefree as propelling herself and someone else into the ocean.

She watched her reflection in the mirror as she used a towel to wring out her hair, unused to the smiling face staring back at her.

It was strange how much her life had changed ever since the Guerin twins had moved to town. For once in her life she felt like she actually had true friends, in both of them and in Tess too. She now had someone to talk to, although she had had Tess for the past few years but that had been different, and someone who would keep her company when she felt lonely, especially during the times her mother was away.

She had found someone to love.

For once in her life, Maria Deluca was happy.

“You really pissed off my sister with your comments a few weeks ago, you know.”

Tess stopped walking down the corridor, turning to look at Max where he stood in front of some lockers. She had to admit she was surprised he was talking to her, he’d pretty much been ignoring her ever since he’d found out she’d cheated on him.

She shrugged. “Her problem. And what is her problem anyway?” she asked. “Why does she hate Maria so much? She really should get over it.”

Max didn’t answer that, turning to grab a few books out of his locker, which Tess then noticed that they were standing in front of.

Realisation set in. “You hate her too don’t you.” It was a statement. Despite the fact that he was never vocal about it she’d always suspected… and now she knew for certain. But why? What was this thing that affected both Maria and the Evans’ so greatly?

“Not exactly her,” Max replied. “But then, she does blame us. And she’s carried it on far too long. I mean, ten years! Sure, it was a scandal, but-“ he stopped.

“But what?” How could he just stop there? At least she now knew that there was definitely a scandal.

Suddenly Max’s face turned into a glare as he gave her a disgusted look. “Tess, you cheated on me, I caught you sucking face with another guy! What gives you the right to ask me anything?”

Eek, major change of emotions there. “I figured- I thought you were over it.”

Max stared at her sadly. “In my family we don’t get over things so easily.”

***

Tess slipped into her seat next to Liz, relieved that the teacher hadn’t arrived yet. Turning to her friend she whispered, so not to be heard by the rest of the class, “Things aren’t too good on the Max front.”

“No?” Liz frowned as she turned to look at her. “What happened?”

She sighed. “I don’t know,” she said exasperatedly. “He stopped me to comment on what I said to Isabel a few weeks back and it turned to the whole Maria-Isabel thing, on which he proved he was totally on Isabel’s side, and then… well, he brought up the cheating thing. Which I was so not expecting seeing he was the one who stopped me in the hall.”

Liz nodded. “Do you have any idea what happened?” she asked.

“Years ago? I have absolutely no idea.”

“It just seems so major,” Liz commented. “There’s so much tension.”

“There is,” Tess agreed. “So much bad tension.”

Tension that looked ready to spill over at any given moment.

***

The sun was shining brightly down onto the outdoor eating area at the school. Over by a tree they could see Maria and Tess laughing together as they waited for the other two to join them. Tess was hanging out with Maria a lot more ever since she’d cheated on Max, yet for some bizarre reason she still remained incredibly popular, and Maria actually looked happy.

But they weren’t.

“I still can’t believe that b-itch,” Courtney said, gesturing in their direction.

“Which one?” Isabel asked.

“Both. I can’t believe that Kyle and Michael actually put up with them.”

She nodded in agreement. “Neither can I.”

“And I can’t believe the school sided with Tess. She cheated on your brother! And why anyone would take the side of someone who’s friends with Maria is beyond me.”

Isabel nodded, narrowing her eyes at the two girls where they sat laughing. “Don’t worry,” she told her friend. “I’m going to hit her where it hurts.”

***

The class that Maria had with Michael before lunch the next day was let out early, so when they arrived at the outdoor eating area, bypassing the cafeteria where most of their class was heading, it was completely empty. Except for them… and Isabel.

Maria watched as a smile lit up on Isabel’s face as soon as she saw them walk through the doors and it caused shivers to go down her spine. Isabel’s smile worried her. What reason would Isabel have for smiling at them?

Maria turned back to Michael, steering him away from the tables where Isabel was, and towards the grass where they usually sat, only to be intercepted by Isabel as she did.

She stopped in front of them, looking Michael up and down. “Why are you still with her?” she asked him, disdain apparent in her voice as she ignored Maria completely. “Has she even told you what happened?”

Her heart fell to her feet. “No…” she whispered to herself.

Isabel continued speaking despite the fact that no one had answered her. “Do you know the real reason her father abandoned her and her mother?” she asked angrily. “He left to be with my sister!”

She told.

The world seemed to revolve around her in slow motion as she stood rooted to the spot. No! How could she have?

Tears prickled her eyes. She couldn’t stay there another moment.

She heard Michael’s voice behind her as she fled the courtyard. “Maria!"

Michael stood there in shock as other students fluttered around him. He never would have guessed. Isabel was standing opposite him, a triumphant smile on her face. How anyone could be happy and proud after doing something like that was beyond him.

“There, you have it. That’s why her father left town. That’s why everyone in town hates her. Her father corrupted my sister. She was barely eighteen!”

His mind could barely process Isabel’s words. Maria. Where was Maria? She’d run…

He started when a light hand was placed on his shoulder. “I heard,” Liz told him softly. She then turned to Isabel, her eyes flashing dangerously. “How could you?”

“It’s the truth.”

“So what? Who cares if that’s the truth or not? Its years old and it was what her father did, it had nothing to do with her. That’s your huge reason for hating her? Because your sister was a slut that slept with her father and broke up her family? And how dare you bring it up now, years later, just to spite her? How would you feel if you were her? You are a pathetic, spiteful person and the fact that even one person in this whole entire school actually likes you is a surprise to me.”

Michael watched as his sister got angrier and angrier. It was obvious that Isabel had never expected this side of Liz Guerin. He had to admit he had never felt as proud of his sister as he did at that moment. She was standing up for Maria, not caring what anyone thought. He should be doing that. He would be… if he wasn’t so shocked.

Liz stopped her tirade, turning to look at him. “Where is she?”

He shook his head. “I have to find her.”

And with that he left, running off in the direction that Maria had disappeared in.

***

She ran along the beach, shoes in hand, her mind too blurred to focus on anything but the sand in front of her. She passed her house, navigated her way around the rocks on the point, and then collapsed on the sand of her beach - their beach - exhausted and in tears.

Her shoulders shuddered as she buried her head in her hands, her shoes dropped carelessly beside her. It was the first time in years that she’d cried.

He knew. She told. How could she have told? Especially when for once her life had actually seemed to be going good.

***

“Maria,” he said, a hand lightly stroking her head as he sat on her bed. “Sorry to wake you up so early but-“

“It’s okay Daddy,” she said. Maybe this meant that last night was a dream. After all, her daddy would never tell her mummy that he didn’t love her.

“Maria, I love you, you know that.”

She nodded.

“But sometimes a man and woman, they just don’t work out, sweetie. Do you understand? Maria, I have to go. Things will be better this way.”

She bit her lip. Better than waking up every night to hear their arguing? “Not… not forever?”

He shut his eyes momentarily. “Daddy?”

“I’m sorry sweetie,” he told her. “But it will be better this way. I don’t want to leave you, but I have no choice. It’s just the way things are and we just have to accept it.”

Why? “Daddy no.”

He reached forward, hugging her small body to his. Then, giving her one last look, he walked towards the door. “I’m sorry. Goodbye my little Maria.”

He softly shut her door behind him and suddenly the room felt very cold and very, very empty. She didn’t understand. Why did he have to leave? Why couldn’t he stay with her?

Time passed slowly as Maria sat in her bed, staring at the closed door of her bedroom. Suddenly her mother’s yelling cut through the silence.

“Then leave with that slut! See if I care.” The door slammed and her mother’s sobbing echoed through the house.

***

She sat at her desk before school. It had been two days. Two whole entire days since her father had left. People were laughing as they talked about their weekends, but she sat alone at her desk. Her daddy was gone.

Just then her friend Isabel entered the room. Her face was sad and just like Maria she ignored everyone, walking over to her desk. But on the way she stopped in front of Maria.

“I hate you.”

She looked up at her friend in shock. “Why Isabel?”

“My sister’s gone.”

***

They were too young to understand. All they knew was that Maria Deluca’s daddy had left her because he thought the Evans’ were better.

“Your daddy left you,” Isabel told her during break a few days later. “He left you because our sister is way better than your mum could ever be!”

She frowned. What did Isabel’s older sister have to do with anything?

“Your father left you,” she taunted. Then she turned to the other kids. “Maria’s father left her. Maria’s father left her. Maria’s father left her!” The others started to join in. “Maria’s father left her! Maria’s father left her!”

Maria just stared at them. Isabel had been a friend, a good one, and now…

***

“Gracie,” she asked. “Where are you going?”

Gracie turned back to her, her gaze glancing to the hopscotch they were standing beside before looking at her.

“I heard mummy and daddy talking. They said your daddy was bad.” Gracie glanced in Isabel’s direction for a moment. “I don’t wanna play with someone bad.”

With that she ran off to join Isabel at the swings.

***

Michael ditched afternoon school to look for Maria. She wasn’t at the Coastside Café – his first stop for the only reason that it was located near to the school, and, unsurprisingly, she wasn’t at his house either. He dropped his school bag off there before continuing down the beach to her house, which was also empty. Crossing his fingers he made his way around the point, hoping that she would be there.

That was where he found her. She was sitting on the sand, her legs curled up against her body, her feet dug into the sand. Her face was tilted downward and her hair was splayed haphazardly around her body.

He neared her, watching as her small body shook with sobs. He had a feeling that she hadn’t let herself cry in a long, long time.

“Maria?” he asked as he stood beside her, but he got no response. He sat down next to her, pulling her body to his. “That’s what happened isn’t it?” he asked as he stroked her hair. “That’s why you’re alone.”

She didn’t answer, just wrapped her arms around him as she cried into his shirt. He hugged her back as they sat in silence.

She could feel his eyes on her as she moved around the kitchen, making hot chocolate for both of them. She had calmed down considerably from earlier on the beach, and was surprised that she wasn’t embarrassed or upset that he saw her like that.

She was also surprised that he didn’t care about what happened. That he didn’t care that her father had left her mother and her for Jessica Evans. The whole town had cared so much when it happened, why didn’t he?

Once the hot chocolate was finished she walked out onto the deck, placing both cups on the ground as she sat on the step, Michael beside her.

“You’re positive you’re okay?” he asked her.

She nodded, grabbing the cup from the ground and using it to warm her hands. “I’m positive.” She stared down at the murky brown liquid for a moment. “Why don’t you care?”

He stroked her face lightly and she turned to look at him.

“Why should I?” he asked. “It’s ancient history. No one cares about it in this town anymore except for Isabel and Courtney, and that’s just because they’re b-itches. Everyone knows it had nothing to do with you. I know it had nothing to do with you.”

She let out a shuddering breath. “It didn’t.” That was what she had been trying to tell Isabel for years.

“So what happened?”

She sighed. “I don’t know the full story. I was only seven and most of it I never really understood until later.” She closed her eyes momentarily. “I told you my parents used to fight. Well they did, most nights, because my Dad came home really late most nights and it’s obvious now that my Mum thought he was having an affair.” She laughed bitterly. “And he was. I bet you didn’t know until today that Max and Isabel had a sister, well they do. Jessica Evans. She’s ten years older than them. I haven’t seen her since I was seven, she’s never returned to Roswell Bay, but I know that Max and Isabel have visited her.”

Michael nodded encouragingly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“She was working part time for my dad after school every night. She was eighteen, he was her boss, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t rape. I think he loved her, because he told my mother that he didn’t love her anymore, and when he left she left too. With him.”

“Isabel believes he corrupted her sister,” Michael told her softly.

“Oh,” she murmured. She’d always thought that Isabel just used it as a reason to hate her. She’d never thought that Isabel might blame her father for what happened. “He didn’t. I’m sure he didn’t. My father never would have… Jessica was a slut, but they choose to be together. I don’t know where she is now and I have absolutely no idea where he is, but I know that they were together originally. And I know that the reason that Jessica doesn’t come back to visit her family is because she knows what her reputation is here. She isn’t thought of the victim in this. No one is.”

“Except you,” he said softly.

She shook her head. “No. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Now,” Michael interjected. “But you used to be so closed off. You were basically alone Maria.”

“I just don’t like the people in this town.”

“But why?” he asked. “What did they do to you?”

Teased me. Taunted me. Excluded me.

“They didn’t understand,” she told him. “We were seven. Suddenly two people have left town and no one knows why. Well, the parents did. I’m sure people overheard their parents talking about it, not really understanding. Isabel certainly did, because suddenly she knew that my father had left my mother because of her sister. So she told everyone that, and they believed her.”

“And they excluded you.”

“Yes.” She whispered it.

“Because of Isabel and Max.”

“Not only. Some heard that my father was bad so they assumed… We were little. No one understood anything, in their minds they probably thought they were doing nothing wrong. They probably thought that was what their parents wanted.”

“That doesn’t make it any easier for you though.”

She shook her head, staring out at the ocean.

“You know they don’t hate you anymore, right?”

“Doesn’t matter,” she replied, still focused on the ocean.

“But you said yourself that you know that they didn’t understand-“

“I know,” she said, turning to him. “But that doesn’t mean I want them to know me. Ten years ago I did, but now… I don’t need them. I don’t want them. Yes they didn’t understand, yes they got over it, but they did still exclude me and I could never get over that.”

“I understand that,” Michael replied. “These last ten years must have been horrible for you.”

She sighed, slumping her head against his shoulder. “You have no idea.”

***

Liz paced back and forth around the living room, waiting for Michael to come home. She had debated whether or not she should go to Maria’s house to see if she was there, deciding against it. She didn’t want to annoy an obviously upset Maria if she was home. She just hoped that Michael had been able to find her.

The front door opened and she stopped in her tracks, turning towards the entrance hall. It was Michael.

“Is she okay?”

He nodded, and she let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s all over school. Most people think it was incredibly petty and immature that Isabel even brought it up at all.”

“It definitely was.”

Liz bit her lip. “Do you think… should I go see her?” She didn’t want to impose.

“Of course you should, she’s your friend. I know she’ll want your support and friendship.” He looked at her for a moment. “You know, I’ve never been as proud that I was your brother as I was today when you stood up to Isabel.”

She stared at him in shock. “Really?”

He nodded. “Yes. Now go, be a good friend.”

She nodded quickly as she slipped on her shoes. “Okay.”

Liz walked down the beach, barely noticing her neighbour waving at her as she passed. She hoped Maria was okay, that this hadn’t upset her too much. She didn’t deserve having it brought up all over again. Liz didn’t know the whole story but it was apparent that her father was involved with Isabel’s older sister ten years ago.

As she neared the end of the beach she could make out Maria’s figure as she leant against the railing of the deck. As Liz neared she discovered that Maria was staring at the ocean, her gaze unwavering. Liz had seen her like this before, immune to everything but the sea. Maria had told her that it calmed her.

“Maria?” she asked as she stepped onto the deck from the sand.

Maria turned to look at her. “Liz, hey.”

“Are you okay? Do you want me to go?”

Maria shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Company’s probably a good thing.”

Liz nodded. She probably didn’t want to be left alone with her thoughts.

“Do you want a drink? Food?” Maria asked as she leant against the railing, facing Liz.

“I’m fine,” she replied. She bit her lip, wondering how to ask. She didn’t want to if Maria didn’t want her to, but she also didn’t want to seem uncaring by not asking.

“So why did Isabel bring it up? What happened?”

Maria sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Can you just ask Michael or something? He knows now. I just… I don’t think I can get into it all again today. It’s just too much. But basically, as you probably already know, my father had an affair with Isabel and Max’s sister and they left town together.”

“Yeah…”

“I’m sure it was all everyone could talk about all afternoon, eh?” Maria asked bitterly.

“Yes,” she replied honestly. “But the general feeling was that Isabel should never have brought it up.”

Maria slumped against the railing and Liz walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, they’ll get over it.”

Maria nodded. “Yeah… they did once. It’s not as if it was something new but…” Maria turned to her, her eyes pained. She bit her lip so hard Liz thought she probably drew blood.

“Do you think I’ll get over it?”

***

“Do you ever feel alone?” Maria asked Michael as they sat on her front deck a few days after the whole Isabel thing went down. “Like completely and utterly alone?” She looked down, picking at the edge of her shorts. “I suppose not, what with Liz-“

“Yes,” he interrupted. “I do, sometimes. I think everybody has at some point in their lives.”

She frowned, still looking down. “I guess.”

He palmed her cheek, tilting her head to look at him. “Even the most secure people feel lonely.”

“I did for ten years.”

“Maria…”

“And it’s strange now,” she told him, trying to convey to him how she felt. “I’m so used to it and now-“ she broke off. “Now…”

“It’s okay,” Michael told her soothingly. “I know.”

Maria made her way up the well-worn but barely visible path up to the top of the cliff a week after the whole Isabel thing happened. Michael had even commented only moments before that he had never once noticed the trail, and he was certainly someone who frequently visited the beach it started from.

She heard the clattering of rocks and a muttered “damn” as Michael stumbled behind her. She turned to look at him but he merely smiled back so she continued up the path as it wound out of sight of their beach.

After a few minutes they reached the top. She walked towards the edge, feeling Michael’s eyes on her, gazing out at the sea beyond. The sky was a mass of brilliant hues of orange, pink and purple, the beauty of which was only marred by the black clouds approaching from the other direction.

She felt Michael move to stand beside her. “This is my place,” she told him softly, still gazing out over the ocean. “This is where I come when I want to think, or just get away from it all. I’ve never brought anyone here.” She turned to him. “You’re the first.”

“It’s beautiful up here,” he told her. “You’re beautiful.”

She flushed slightly under his intense gaze. “I wanted to show you.”

He reached out a hand, cupping her face in his palm. “I love you Maria.”

Her eyes widened and her heart sped up at the words. “I-“ she said, trying to control her emotions. “I love you Michael.”

His lips lowered to hers and he kissed her sweetly. A kiss full of love, a promise that he’d always be there for her.

“I never feel alone here,” she confessed. “It’s stupid, because it’s probably when I’m the furthest away from anyone and everything that I can get. But I never feel alone when I’m here.” She took a deep breath, staring into his eyes. “And I never feel alone when I’m with you.”

“Ditto,” he whispered. “Ever since I first saw you on my first day here wearing that bright fuchsia top – the one that you’re wearing now-“ She looked down, surprised to find that she was wearing her fuchsia tank top, “I knew I had to get to know you. I loved you way before the first time we hooked up.”

She swallowed hard. “Ditto.”

“I love you – all of you. I love the way you act, I love the way you look - always so free and natural, I love the way you don’t put up with crap from anyone, I love the way you love the ocean, I love that you let me see you.”

“Michael…” she whispered, unable to say more. Her throat didn’t seem to be working.

Instead she decided to show him.

She stood up on tiptoes, pressing the length of her body against his as her lips sought out his. They met desperately, with so much passion and love that Maria almost thought she would collapse. Their tongues fought for dominance in a war neither would win as she lost herself in her emotions, letting them rule her as she wrapped her body around Michael’s.

Intense. It was so intense. So overwhelming. So amazing. He loved her. Michael Guerin loved her. And accepted her even though he knew basically everything about her. Even though he knew her past.

She tore her lips away from his, burying her head in his neck as her lips teased and suckled on the tender skin there.

She looked up when a splash of water hit her body. Looking upwards it was apparent that the dark clouds she’d noticed earlier had moved in. And the rain was falling fast.

“We have to get back,” she said, grabbing Michael’s hand and pulling him behind her as she ran to the path, hoping to get down before it was too slippery.

Her eyes returned to the sky for a moment. It was dark, the clouds a mass of swirling blackness. It was definitely going to be a bad storm.

***

Navigating the slope back down was tricky in the wet but they both made it, rushing along the beach and around the point until they reached the sanctuary of Maria’s house. Michael watched as she shut and locked the sliding glass doors of the living room behind them, drawing the curtains closed.

Michael watched her as she turned around, vaguely aware of his wet clothes and the hair plastered to his forehead. She stared at him for a few moments, looking at him with a strange expression on her face.

“What?”

“You’re wet,” she replied simply.

“So are you,” he pointed out.

She nodded, disappearing in the direction of the bathroom. She returned a few minutes later with a towel wrapped around her body, obviously having dried herself, and he had the sneaking suspicion that she was only wearing her underwear under the towel, and she carried a dry towel in her hand.

She walked over to him, silently moving to take off his shirt. He let her, lifting his arms to make it easier for her. Using the towel she dried his hair, his face, his arms, his chest…

Suddenly she leant forward, following the movement the towel with her lips as she kissed the area of his chest she’d just dried. Moving across she used her tongue to circle his nipple. He barely swallowed back a groan.

“What are you doing?” he asked, surprised at how rough his voice sounded.

“Drying you,” she replied as her mouth continued its travels over his chest and stomach. She dropped the towel, continuing to trace patterns with her tongue. When she dipped inside his belly button it was too much, and with a groan he pulled her up so that his lips could capture hers.

He kissed her, burying his hands in her hair as she pressed her body tight against his. Her towel slid from around her body, falling to the floor, and as he ran his hands over her body he confirmed that yes, she was only wearing a bra and panties and nothing more.

She moaned, her hips bucking against his. He let his lips trail from her mouth to her neck, kissing and sucking on the sensitive skin there. She moaned in appreciation when he bit her lightly, her nails scratching his back.

He groaned when her body moved back slightly from his, her hands exploring the skin of his stomach and chest. A moment later he felt her fingers fumbling with the buttons on his pants.

He pulled back. “Maria?”

She looked up at him, uncertainty in her eyes. “Don’t you want this?”

“Of course I do,” he replied. “But do you?”

“More than anything,” she replied, moving closer and reaching for his waist again. This time he didn’t stop her.

He fumbled with the clasp of her bra for a few moments before finally getting it undone, dropping it to the ground and thanking god that her mother was away for the weekend. He helped her out by stepping out of his pants as she pushed them down his legs.

She grabbed his hand, leading him out of the living room. He waited in the hallway a few moments while she ducked into the bathroom. She appeared a few moments later, smiling proudly as she showed him what was in her hand. Condoms.

She then took his hand again, leading him into her room. She shut the door behind them as she turned to him, the only light the faint moonlight that trickled through the windows as the rain pelted down.

They were both naked save their underwear. Maria took both of his hands in his as she led him to the bed, walking backwards. She reached it sooner than she expected, collapsing on it with a laugh. He lay down next to her and she soon turned serious.

“I love you,” she murmured, her eyes meeting his in the moonlight as she traced the edges of his face with her hand.

“Love you too,” he replied, moving towards her. Their lips met as she pulled his body closer to hers, wrapping her legs around his waist, grinding against his hardness.

His finger tweaked her nipple and she squealed in delight. Smiling against her mouth his lips left hers, moving downwards until they reached their destination. She moaned when his lips encircled her breast, her hips bucking against his. It didn’t take long before her hands were reaching for his boxers.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes.”

They quickly rid each other of their underwear, and Michael could feel her eyes on him as he reached for the condom, putting it on.

Lightning crashed outside her window but he was oblivious to everything.

Everything but her body, her skin, her hair, her lips…

Everything but Maria.

The storm was gone completely by the time Maria woke up the next morning and the sun was streaming into her bedroom. She smiled to herself when she noticed Michael’s arms around her body, spooning her. Turning to face him she grinned when she noticed he was awake.

“Hey,” she said.

“Morning,” he replied with a smirk.

“Good night, huh?” she asked, watching his face to see his reaction to the night before.

He pulled her closer to him with a smile. “The best.”

“Oh really?” she asked, placing a light kiss on his chin.

He tilted her face to meet his gaze. “Yes really.” He kissed her.

She melted against his body as she kissed him back, her arms wrapping around his neck. “You know, I could wake up like this every morning,” she commented when they pulled away.

“So could I. You look gorgeous.”

She laughed, pulling out of his arms so that she could sit up in bed, looking at her mirror. Taking in her messy hair she shook her head disbelievingly. And was that a bite mark on her neck?

“For some reason I think you’re lying.”

He sat up behind her, placing light kisses over her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her body. “Trust me, I’m not.” His lips danced over her shoulders and down over her shoulder blades, and she shivered at the feeling.

He turned her face to his, kissing her as he manoeuvred their bodies back down onto the bed. She smiled against his mouth.

Well, to her relief, by the looks of this morning it seemed as if he didn’t regret what happened in the slightest.

***

Maria stretched her arms over her head as she lay next to Michael. A bird caught the corner of her eye and she glanced towards the window, her face flushing. “Oh my god, did we just do that with the blinds open?”

Michael raised an eyebrow at her. “When was the last time someone even walked past this house, besides us of course.”

She nodded, breathing a sigh of relief. “True.”

They lay there for a few more minutes until the grumbling of Michael’s stomach broke the silence. She turned to look at him. “You want breakfast?”

He shrugged. “I’m fine.”

“Come on. I’ll cook, you help.” She got out of bed, pulling on some clean clothes. Watching her for a few moments Michael got out of bed too, pulling on the boxers he’d discarded the night before.

They walked into the living room, where a sight of towels and clothes littering the room greeted them. Maria walked over to Michael’s pants, picking them up. “Uh… they’re still damp,” she told him. Leaving them in a pile on the floor probably hadn’t helped.

She picked up the two towels, dumping them in the laundry. When she returned to the living room Michael was holding her bra, which he promptly chucked at her. “Thanks,” she replied, rolling her eyes.

“It looks nice,” he commented.

“Yeah, which is probably why you were in such a rush to get it off me last night, huh?” He just
grinned at her.

Cleaning up the rest of the clothes she walked to the kitchen, grabbing a pan and pouring pancake mix into it.

“What you making?” Michael asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

“Pancakes,” she replied, leaning back against him. His hands were travelling her front sending wonderful shivers down her spine.

She broke away from him when the first pancake was finished, dumping it on a plate as she poured a second one in. Then she jumped up on the bench, pulling Michael so that he was standing between her legs. Running her hands through his hair as she stared into his eyes.

“I like you in the morning,” she commented. “You’re so-“ He grinned at her, pulling her top over her head. “Horny,” she finished.

“I’m feeling incredibly underdressed here,” he replied.

“Oh, poor baby.” She ran her eyes over his drool-worthy chest. With a grin she quickly brought his lips to hers, wrapping her legs around his waist and trapping him against her body.

His lips left hers and his hands caressed her breasts as she arched her body against his. She groaned when she noticed their breakfast out of the corner of her eye. Damn.

“Stop,” she said, tipping the second and slightly burnt pancake out onto a plate. “Breakfast first.”

He pouted then, an incredibly sexy pout that made her want to grab him and have her way with him right there and right then. Unfortunately he choose that moment to grab his food and start eating, although still held firmly in place by her legs. Reaching behind her she grabbed the syrup out of the cupboard, passing it to him.

They ate breakfast in relative silence, smiling at each other every so often. When they finished Maria noticed that he had a dollop of syrup at the corner of his mouth. Wrapping her legs even tighter around his waist she pulled him closer, gazing into his smouldering eyes.

“Come here,” she murmured, pulling his face to hers, licking the syrup from his mouth before kissing him.

***

“End of year bash two weeks from now,” Tess said as the three girls lay on the beach in front of Liz’s house on Thursday afternoon. “You’re coming right?”

Liz nodded immediately, causing the two of them to look at Maria with hopeful looks on their faces. She shrugged.

“Maria,” Tess whined. “You know you want to go. You love parties! Or at least you love to dance at parties.”

“I don’t like the people at them,” she replied, rolling over onto her stomach.

“You’ll have us,” Liz replied. “And we want you to come. And you know you enjoyed that party at the Coastside Café’ a while back. You have to come!”

“Yeah. And I’m pretty sure Isabel and Courtney won’t be bothering you. Not with the way that the whole school is either treating them like crap or avoiding them like the plague.”

“Strange how things change,” she muttered.

“Hmm?” Liz asked, looking at her closely.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied.

Liz frowned. “If you’re sure? So what do you say?”

She sighed. “Fine, I’ll go.”

“That was easy,” Tess commented, looking at her strangely. “And are you ever going to tell us why you’ve been glowing all week?”

Maria felt her face flush and she focused her gaze on the sand for a moment.

“Do you promise not to tell another soul?” She looked meaningfully at Tess. “Not even Kyle.”

Both girls nodded somberly. “Promise.”

“Okay.” She looked up at the Guerin house for a moment, wondering if Michael was there, before turning back to them. “We had sex.”

She was shocked when both Tess and Liz squealed. “So how was it?” Tess asked.

“Oh no,” Liz interjected. “Can we please not discuss this. He is my brother and there are certain things about him that I just don’t want to know.”

Maria gave her friend a sympathetic look before turning to Tess. “Tess, I don’t remembering asking you.”

Liz’s eyes widened in surprise. “You? And who?”

“Max, and Kyle,” she replied with a grin, glad the focus had been taken away from her. She’d wanted her friends to know, but she also didn’t want a whole conversation about it.

“Maria!” Tess exclaimed.

“What?” She raised her hands in defeat.

“Are you serious?” Liz asked. “You had… you slept with Max?”

“He was my boyfriend!” Tess replied. “And he never was a jerk to me. It just… happened.”

“Yep, she’s not as innocent as she looks,” Maria added.

“Excuse me, you’re not so pure and innocent anymore yourself.”

“When?” Liz asked her.

“Uh, Saturday.”

Liz’s mouth curved into a knowing smile. “Oh, so that’s why my dear brother didn’t return home all night. I had a feeling that might be the case.”

“What, so you suspected and you didn’t tell me?” Tess asked her.

“What?” Maria asked, turning back and forth between her friends. “Excuse me, but when did my relationship become public discussion?”

“Oh Maria,” Tess said, placing a hand on her arm as she turned to look at her. “You know we’re just happy for you. I mean, never did I think I’d see the day that you’d fall for a guy living in Roswell Bay.”

“I think that’s the thing,” Liz said grinning. “He’s not actually from Roswell Bay. And you know,” she gave Maria a triumphant grin. “I told you that if you wanted to be kissed you should just search out my brother. And I was right! By the looks of things you got much more than that.”

She narrowed her eyes at them. “Shut up!"

Tess was bouncing excitedly beside Maria as she, Tess, Liz, Michael and Kyle walked down the sidewalk towards Gracie’s house. “This is rumoured to be the best party of the year,” Tess told them.

“How do they know that if it hasn’t even happened yet?” Michael asked. Maria nodded in agreement.

Tess just shook her head at Michael, refusing to answer the question. “Come on. The party’s already started!”

Maria raised her eyebrows. “Weren’t we the ones waiting for you to get ready only moments ago?”

“Yeah, and I’m sure you just threw your outfit on, huh?”

She looked down at her outfit for a moment, surveying the pale green top and emerald skirt critically before looking at Tess’s pale blue boob tube and incredibly short black skirt. “What’s wrong with my outfit?” As soon as she asked the question she frowned. “And why do I even care what people think?”

“I think you look gorgeous,” Michael told her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and kissing her neck briefly.

The music was already loud and the house full of people when they arrived. They made their way up the front steps, greeting Gracie as she stood by the door.

“Hey guys,” she said with a smile. “I’m glad you could come.”

“So are we,” Tess replied, still bouncing in excitement. Maria could barely stifle a laugh, wondering why Tess was so hyped. She went to parties often. Sure it was the much awaited end of year party, but did that really make it any more special?

They’d barely made it through the doorway when Courtney’s irritatingly loud voice announced her presence. “Hey Gracie,” she was proclaiming. “Haven’t seen you for a while. How’s things?”

“Sorry,” Gracie’s voice carried out over the party, “but didn’t you realise? You two weren’t invited. It’s a friends only thing.”

Maria turned around, her mouth dropping open in shock. Courtney and Isabel were both staring at Gracie, disbelief on their faces. Maria hadn’t realised quite how much their popularity had plummeted after Isabel had had the urge to remind everyone of what had happened ten years earlier.

Isabel was staring quizically at Gracie, while Courtney, who had noticed Maria in the background, was glaring at her, her eyes narrowed into slits. “But haven’t we been friends all our lives Gracie?” Isabel was asking.

Gracie shrugged. “Who knows. I’ve seen the way you turn on people, and it isn’t nice. I don’t think we ever were friends. Well, see you.” She waved goodbye, shutting the door in their spluttering faces.

Tess looked at her, her mouth widening into a grin. “Can you believe it? Isabel and Courtney have completely dropped off the popularity scale. I knew this party would be great!”

***

Michael watched through the doorway of the room as Maria danced with Tess and Liz on the makeshift dance floor. Her body was gyrating to the music, reminding him of another night, another party. A night when he’d wanted her so bad yet thought he would never have her.

She flung her hands in the air in time with the music, rewarding Michael with a glimpse of her smooth stomach. He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering what that skin felt like under his fingers, under his lips… His eyes shot open. This was probably not a good time to be thinking about that.

“Hey,” Kyle said, coming to stand beside him, his eyes drawn to the same group of girls.

“Hey,” Michael replied, nodding a greeting.

They watched the three in silence. His sister, his girlfriend, and his friend. Strange how things had changed so much since that other party.

“She’s a great girl,” Kyle commented, his eyes still fixed on them. “She didn’t deserve any of that crap.” He turned to Michael then. “None of us knew what it was really about. She knows that, doesn’t she?”

“Do you think that changes anything?”

“True.” Kyle nodded, taking a sip of his drink. They stared out at the dance floor, both of them focused on their girlfriends.

***

“Told you this would be great, didn’t I?” Tess yelled over the music.

Maria grinned, thrusting her arms upwards to the beat. “Well I guess considering what happened the last time I went to a party with you…”

Tess frowned. “Hey!”

“I must say, you are much happier now.”

“So are you,” Liz pointed out.

Maria just grinned, moving her hips as she danced. She bit her lip, trying to hide her smile, as she spotted Kyle sneaking up behind Tess.

“Kyle!” Tess exclaimed, whirling around as her boyfriend surprised her by wrapping his arms around her from behind. Within moments they were kissing.

“Whoa, PDA,” Maria said, averting her eyes.

“You’re one to talk,” Liz replied.

“What?”

“Oh no, you and my brother aren’t all over each other or anything.”

“We’re not!” she protested. Liz just laughed at that.

Ignoring her friend’s comment she continued dancing. Her eyes lit on Michael, who was staring at her. She smiled.

“Go.”

“What?” She turned to look at Liz.

“Michael. You know you want to.”

“Oh, no, Liz, I’m dancing with you.”

“I know other people,” Liz replied. “Go, dance with your boyfriend.”

She shrugged. “Okay then, if you’re sure.”

She walked over to Michael, swaying her hips seductively as she neared him. “Dance with me?”

He smirked at her. “I don’t dance.”

She licked her lips as she dragged him into the room, noticing the way he was watching them. “You do now.” She stopped, wrapping her arms around his neck, her body tight against his.

“Why do I put up with you?” he asked, his arms circling her waist.

“I don’t know,” she replied, grinding her hips into his. “Why do you?”

His eyes were dark with passion. “Maria…”

Come home with me.”

***

Liz surveyed the room as she took a sip of her drink. She hadn’t seen either Tess or Maria since they’d disappeared with their boyfriends, which she was fine with at the time. But now, a few hours later, she was wishing she had some good friends with her. She’d hung out with people she knew from school and danced with a few guys, including Dave, but now she’d rather hang out with her friends. Who unfortunately were nowhere to be found.

“Hey Liz.”

She nodded at a girl in her Chemistry class as she walked in the opposite direction with a guy. She wandered back out to the garden before going back through the house, not coming across anyone she knew in her travels.

She suddenly understood why Maria didn’t like to go to parties much. They weren’t much fun if you didn’t know anyone. Back home, with her group of friends, it would have been different. Even if she hadn’t known many people at the party she still would have known them.

But here everything was different, and while she had good friends here, right now she was feeling very alone.

Maria settled back in Michael’s arms as she sat between his legs, staring down at the ocean so far below the cliff. She took a hand that was resting in her lap, playing with his fingers.

“Do you know what you want to do? Where you want to go next year?” she asked. They’d graduated today, yet she and Michael had never discussed seriously what might happen afterwards.

“Do you?”

“You know I don’t want to leave the coast,” she said, leaning her head against his shoulder so that she could look at him. “And I told you I wanted to go to Southeasten College.”

His free hand stroked her stomach underneath her top. “What would you say if I told you I applied there too?”

“Really?” She tilted his head so he was meeting her gaze dead on. “Are you serious?”

“I’m serious,” he replied.

“Michael…” she murmured. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t want to leave the coast either,” he told her, gazing at her seriously.

“Michael…” she murmured again. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?”

He stroked her cheek tenderly. “Well we still don’t know if we’re in.”

“Sssh,” she said, pulling his lips to hers so she could kiss him. She kissed him fully, letting her tongue explore the depths of his mouth, trying to show him just how much this meant to her. Pulling away for a moment she turned around so that she was facing him straight on, straddling him.

“Michael,” she murmured, unbuttoning his shirt. She kissed her way over his shoulders and across his chest, before heading even further down. She quickly undid the fly of his jeans.

“Maria…”

***

Isabel stared at her reflection in the mirror as she got ready to go out with Courtney. She had graduated this morning, she should be happy. Then why wasn’t she?

She still couldn’t believe what had happened at Gracie’s party only a week earlier. Why had Gracie done that to her? When had everything changed? Why was she getting blamed for pointing out the truth to Maria Deluca? Maria had been excluded ever since it happened, so why were they suddenly taking her side?

Her sister had been the victim in all this. She knew the rumours, the claims that her sister had been just responsible, if not more so, than Brian Deluca. But people had to know that they weren’t true. He was almost ten years older then she was, her sister had been corrupted by that man.

So why was she now getting shunned for it?

She’d told Michael the truth, let him know what he was in for. Everyone in town knew the Deluca’s were trash, it was only fair that he knew too.

And instead she was rejected for it. Rejected for speaking the truth.

It was unbelievable…

For once in her life Isabel Evans was unpopular.

***

It was a month after graduation when Maria entered her house after spending the day with Michael, Liz and Tess. She was surprised to see that her mother was home from work already.

“Maria,” Amy said, smiling at her as she entered. “You’ve got mail.”

Mail? She crossed her fingers as she walked over to the bench where the envelope was sitting. Her heart sped up in anticipation as she took in the large envelope. “Ooh! It’s from Southeastern College!”

“That’s where you want to go?” her mother asked.

She simply nodded, still focusing on the unopened letter. It looked too big to be a rejection letter.

"Maria.” Her mother’s voice drew her out of her happy speculation. “Look at me. You’re my only daughter and I feel like I don’t know you at all!”

She turned to her mother, glaring at her, hating how she was able to wreck what should be a happy moment. “That’s your own fault,” she told her matter-of-factly.

“Why? Why is it my own fault Maria?”

She looked at her mother, incredulous. “Why? You want to know why?” she asked. “When dad left you didn’t even pay attention to me! You were too involved in the fact that he had left you. Well what about me, huh? He left me too, but you didn’t even care about that. I had to put up with your arguing every night and you didn’t even care! You were more concerned about the rumours circulating than your own daughter!”

Her mother looked shocked. “Maria, that’s not true.”

“Are you sure? Do you have any idea what happened to me? Seven year olds didn’t understand, all they knew was that me father left me, left us, for Jessica Evans. I had to deal with that too Amy.”

“Maria, I’m sorry, I never knew…”

“That’s the point isn’t it?” she asked as she moved to leave. “You never knew. You never knew your own daughter Amy, and that’s sad.”

Maria sat on her cliff, gazing out over the ocean as she fingered the envelope in her hands. She couldn’t believe her mother. Why did she always manage to wreck things? The arrival of a letter from a college should be a good thing, not something that would bring up her mother’s uncaring in the past.

She bit her lip, watching as the waves broke far out at sea. She’d calmed down from earlier, which was a good thing, although it was probably only because she had gotten away from her mother.

Taking a deep breath she looked down at the envelope. She could do this. It couldn’t possibly be a rejection letter. But still… the idea that once she opened it she could never go back was frightening.

“I can do it,” she whispered to herself, ripping open the seal of the envelope. She took the letter out, unfolding it, letting her eyes skim it.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, a grin breaking out on her face. She’d done it. She was in! She was going to Southeasten College, away from her life at Roswell Bay! She laughed happily to herself. The world suddenly seemed so much lighter.

“Yes,” she said again as she read the letter. She was definitely, one hundred percent in. Could her life get any better?

She jumped up, quickly stuffing the letter back into the envelope before rushing down the path as quickly as she could. She had just reached the bottom when Michael appeared, rounding the corner onto their beach.

“I’m in!” she exclaimed, running towards him and wrapping her arms around him. He grinned at her, lifting her up in his arms and spinning her around.

“I’m in! Can you believe it? I’m finally free of this place!”

“That’s terrific,” he replied.

She looked at him as he set her back down on the ground. “Wait, you got in too, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” He grinned at her and she let out a sigh of relief.

“Don’t do that,” she scolded.

“Do what?”

She shook her head. “Yes! We’re in! We’re in!” she danced around the beach. “We’re together and finally free of Roswell Bay!”

He laughed as she danced around in front of him. “Well, just as long as we’re together.”

She punched him lightly. “You’re so sappy.”

“What gives you any right to complain? I’m the one whose had to put up with you.”

She glared at him playfully. “How dare you!” She launched herself at him and they both landed in a heap on the ground.

He disentangled himself from her so that he was lying next to her. “You know I love you,” he said as he brushed a strand of hair from her face.

She grinned at him. “You know I love you too.”

They grinned at each other for a few moments.

“You know you still have two more months in this place, right?”

She grimaced. “Don’t remind me.” A thought came to her. “Although… we could do the whole road trip thing and leave a month early you know.”

“Sure,” he replied.

“Although for that we would need a car,” she said slowly.

“Yeah, that might help.”

“Sshh.” She placed her hand on his lips momentarily, before trailing it over his face to tangle her hand in his hair while he watched her intently. She grinned at him, unable to contain her happiness, before leaning over to kiss him.

Their lips met and she smiled against his month as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She scrambled with his buttons as he trailed light kisses over her ear and forehead. Pulling back he helped her push his top off and she let her hands and lips explore his familiar chest.

“Maria…” he murmured, his chest vibrating under her touch.

Her top was discarded also, and she arched into his touch as he suckled her breasts before continuing lower.

Soon they were completely naked under the dwidling sun. Kneeling in the sand she straddled him, meeting his gaze as he tenderly brushed a piece of hair off her face. She wrapped her arms around his neck, mating her front to his as she lowered onto him.

***

Liz shut the front door behind her when she returned from shopping with Tess. Noticing the mail sitting on the hall table she shuffled through it, smiling when she noticed a letter from Harvard.

She opened it quickly, an excited shriek escaping her mouth when she read that she’d been accepted. She could barely contain her excitement. She had actually been accepted into Harvard University!

An empty envelope also sitting on the table claimed that it was from Southeasten College, proving that Michael had also gotten his reply today. She grinned, wanting to share her good news with him.

She made her way up the stairs. It was obvious from the emptiness of the house that neither of her parents were home, but then that wasn’t really much of a surprise. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d had an actual conversation with her mother – and they had used to be so close. Did her mother even know where she wanted to go for college?

It didn’t matter. At least she had one family member who cared. Taking the stairs two at a time she bounced up them and made her way down the hallway to Michael’s bedroom.

“Michael,” she said, opening his bedroom door. “You’ll never guess-“ she broke off realising that the room was empty. He wasn’t there. Most likely he’d gone to tell Maria his good news.

She swallowed hard, moving to sit on his bed, emotions flooding over her. She could barely stand the unbearable sadness.

She’d wanted Michael and Maria to get together, there was no doubt about that. Their want for each other was so overwhelming that even she had felt it, and both Maria and Michael had seemed so happy ever since they’d hooked up. And she didn’t regret moving here and meeting Maria either.

But what she didn’t expect was that Michael would find someone more important than her.

She didn’t realise that she would lose her best friend.

Michael walked home with Maria after her shift at the Coastside Café. When they arrived at her place she stepped up onto the deck, leaning on the pole as she turned to look at him. “So I’ll be right over after I have my shower and stuff,” she told him.

He gave her a pleading look. “Can’t I join you?”

“Tempting… but no,” she smirked at him, then stood on her tiptoes, pressing her body to his as they kissed.

“I’ll see you later,” she said as they pulled apart. He nodded, his eyes running over her body before he turned and walked down the beach. She watched him go with a smile on her face.

With a sigh she turned towards the house, intending to strip off her dirty uniform and have a refreshing shower. She was surprised to notice that the beachfront doors of the house, the ones that led onto the deck, were open. Damn. That meant her mother was home.

“You have a boyfriend?” Amy asked the second she entered the house. Maria nodded, intending to walk past her mother without a word. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise, stopping to look at her mother. “Would you care?”

A frown quickly passed over her mother’s features before disappearing. “Maria,” she began, walking closer to her. “I’m so sorry. I never realised the way I had treated you, the way others had treated you. You’re right, I was too hung up on myself to realise what was happening with you, my only child.”

Maria nodded, looking at her mother skeptically. Why was she bringing this up?

“But I always wanted to be a part of your life.”

She shrugged. “Maybe if you hadn’t gone away so much…” Not that that would have helped, her mother had lost interest in her far before she was old enough to be left alone.

“I never realised you heard our arguing. That must have been so… horrible. Why didn’t you ever say anything? We never meant to hurt you, it had nothing to do with you.”

“Didn’t it? Then why did Dad leave me too? Why hasn’t he contacted me in all those years?”

“Maria…”

“And if it had nothing to do with me then why would you have stopped? And Amy, I have ears, how could I possibly not have heard you?”

“Maria, please, I’m trying here.”

Maria bit her lip, raising her eyes to the ceiling. How was she supposed to act? She barely knew the woman that was her mother.

“I’m so sorry for all that had happened, for the crap you had to put up just because your parents couldn’t get along. But you had nothing to do with it, your father left me, not you, so I don’t know why he hasn’t contacted you since. I’m so sorry that you thought I neglected you. I was just too scared. I just couldn’t handle it, and subsequently you got hurt in the process. But that’s the past, and I know it hurt you, and it’s hurt me too, not knowing you, but can’t we work past that? Please Maria. I hate not knowing you at all. You don’t know how much it hurt to find out that you have a boyfriend and are planning to go south to college and that you’ve never once mentioned it to me.”

“This is hard for me too,” she replied, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Since I was seven I haven’t had a father… or a mother really either. You have no idea what that felt like.”

“I know.” Amy shut her eyes momentarily. “God, you have no idea how sorry I am. I’ve lost out on knowing the best thing in my life and you have no idea how much I regret that. But Maria, you’re my daughter. There must be some hope for us.”

She bit her lip. This was almost surreal, her mother realising her mistakes and wishing she’d known her better. “I’m sure there is,” she murmured.

“I know it won’t be simple, but I want to know you. I want to be a part of your life.” Maria nodded. “So who is he?”

She bit her lip to suppress a smile. “Michael.”

“Michael,” her mother repeated. “And does this Michael have a surname?”

“Michael Guerin. He moved to town a few months back.”

Her mother nodded. “And so then what happened? After much denial did you fall madly in love with him?”

She shrugged. “Yes.”

***

The wind whipped her hair as she stood on her cliff watching the sun set over the water. It was only a month until college started. Less than a day until she was leaving Roswell Bay.

She and Michael had both convinced their parents to let them rent a car and road trip around the area for a month before heading to college, so that’s what they were doing. Tess and Kyle would be at a college nearby, but Liz was off to Harvard so unfortunately she wouldn’t be seeing her best friend for a while.

It was strange how much things had changed in only a few months. The arrival of two new people in town and she’d made friends, fallen in love, and the teenage community had finally even realised what a b-itch Isabel was and turned on her. And Courtney as well.

Only the day before she’d worked her last shift at the Coastside Café – or at least until she had to return during summer vacation when she’d probably have to work so she’d have money. And tonight was going to be her last night in the master bedroom of her small little house near the point for a long while. While she was still going to be living on the coast it would be ages until she woke up to see the sun streaming through her windows and the surf crashing the shore.

It was ironic how things had suddenly become better when she finally had the opportunity to leave the town – not that she would stay for anything. But she felt accepted. Of course, with the only three people who mattered she always felt accepted.

And things weren’t completely perfect with her mother – it would take a long time getting there – but at least was a start.

Tonight should be good. She, Michael, Liz and Tess were having dinner with her mother and Tess had apparently planned something afterwards, and then she and Michael had decided that they would revisit their beach and her cliff one last time before leaving… She grinned to herself before turning and walking down the cliff to her house.

***

The rented car was parked in front of the Guerin’s house and – as well as Michael and Maria – she, Tess, her parents and Maria’s mum had turned out to say goodbye to the pair before they left on their road trip.

Over the past month Liz had accepted her brother’s less dominant presence in her life. Sure, she was sad that they’d lost some of the closeness they’d shared for years, but she knew that it was inevitable. They were grower older and subsequently apart, and she could accept that. After all they would be going to college in different states anyway.

And besides, her brother was happy – happier than she had ever seen him – what more could she ask for?

Maria was bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet as she stood in front of the car, obviously excited to be getting out of town and going on a road trip with Michael. She turned to look at Michael, who then looked at the rest of them.

“I guess we should probably get going.”

Liz saw her mother nod her agreement and then Maria was standing in front of her and Tess. Maria’s lip was trembling slightly as she moved to hug the two of them.

“You guys are my best friends,” she told them. “You know that right?”

Liz nodded and heard Tess’s mumbled, “Yeah.”

“I’ll miss you,” Liz told her friend. “You’re my best friend too.”

Maria nodded. “I’ll miss you too.”

“Me too,” Tess added. “We have to keep in touch.”

“Yes.” Maria nodded emphatically.

“Bye then, guys,” Maria said, pulling back from the hug. “I guess I’ll see you during the break,” she told her. “And you sooner I’m sure,” she told Tess.

“You better!”

Maria moved to say goodbye to her mother and Liz watched as Amy tentatively moved to hug her daughter. She smiled at their embrace.

“See ya sis.” She looked up to see Michael standing in front of her. She launched herself into his arms.

“Bye Michael. I’ll miss you. You’re my favourite brother.”

He smirked as they pulled apart. “I’m your only brother.”

She shrugged. “Details.”

“It’ll be strange though,” he admitted. “It’ll be the furthest away we’ve been from each other since we were born.”

She nodded. “Yeah.” She hugged him again quickly and then he turned to go.

She and Tess watched as their friends got into the car and then roared away down the street. This was going to be strange. They still had another whole month of summer vacation, yet Michael and Maria were gone.

“Don’t worry,” Tess said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You still have one friend in this town.”

***

The wind blowing through the open car window whipped through her hair as she sang along to the radio. It felt so freeing to be out of that town. Away from her past and everyone who had ever known her. Well… everyone except for Michael.

“You’re insane you know,” Michael commented as he drove. “What is with you and wind? It’s cold.”

She shrugged. “Nah, it’s not.”

He laughed slightly. “Great. So we can take you away from the town but this love for the natural elements is never going to go away is it?”

“Nope,” she replied with a grin.

She was surprised when he pulled the car over to the shoulder, unbuckling his seatbelt and turning to look at her. “That’s good to know, because I love you and all your unusual qualities.”

“And I love you in spite of your sappiness.”

“Hey,” he protested. “I’m not sappy.”

She shrugged, meeting his lips in a kiss. “Whatever. I still love you.”

The End

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