Maria DeLuca made her way across the grass, Doc Martin's making crunch noises as she did so. People eyed her warily, moving out of the way when she passed. Huge baggy Blanc Noir pants, made out of some nylon like material, black with white threading, engulfed her slight frame, and a tight baby-doll t-shirt with "Hostess" sprawled across her chest, and a black bandanna covering short blonde hair shorn just below her ears 60's style, an puke-green army messenger bag completed the outfit to perfection. She was pretty enough, gorgeous even, her face impassive as she walked towards the large brick building that was West Roswell High. He waited by the doors, short black hair cut close to his head, a large bowling shirt and baggy jeans with a wallet chain were his attire, adidas soccer shoes completely the outfit. Meet Alex Whitman.

"Hey," Maria hoisted her Jansport. Alex grinned.

"Hey," he looked at the book bag. "Actually taking in classes today?"

"Of course," Maria grinned, a startling contrast to her outfit. He opened the doors and they moved into traffic, making their way down the crowded hall towards her locker.

"Got your cd player fixed then I suppose?" he laughed.

"In my bag," she patted the messenger back lovingly. "Couldn't make it through class without it." He rolled his eyes as they walked.

"Even when you're late he waits," Alex said with distaste as he looked towards her locker. Maria looked up, giving Michael a small wave.

"Jealous Alex?" she laughed.

"Always, catch ya later?"

"Why don't you come over and say hi?"

"Me and "Mickey" don't get along," Alex shot the boy leaning against her locker a glare. "See ya babe." He leaned down kissing her cheek.

"Bye," she watched him leave sighing. Wondering why her two buds just couldn't get along. She smiled, turning to Michael.

"Mickey," she said. "Looking peachy this morning."

"Coffee does wonders," he said taking in her appearance. "Interesting outfit." She looked at his. Crisp khaki pants, white undershirt under a buttoned up plaid number, and expensive looking Nike tennis shoes.

"You too," she twisted the combination lock. "Where's Barbie?"

"Don't call her that." He leaned against the locker. "You two would actually get along if you'd just give each other a chance."

"Doubtful," she handed him a book to hold while she unzipped her book bag. "Somehow I don't think an intelligent thought enters that vapid little head of hers."

"What about Alex huh? The guy is as serious loser," Michael said. "And I don't think he likes me."

"Can you blame him?" Maria snapped angrily. "You and that band of merry jerks have made his life hell since he moved here." She slammed her locker shut glaring at him. Michael took a step back.

"Down girl," Michael said. She snatched her book away and turned away from her.

"What about you huh?" he asked following her. They drew interested stares. The outcast and the most popular guy in school actually co- existing? It never ceased to amaze even though it happened every morning. Michael stepped in front of her and she stopped agitated.

"What about me," she bit out.

"You don't even give them a chance."

"They don't deserve a chance," Maria said. "They haven't been that nice to me either."

"I know, I told them about that," Maria snorted.

"You maybe all mighty Michael Guerin, but you can't change people's opinions," she said. "They don't like me, I don't like them."

"You don't even talk to them."

"I've TRIED," Maria said. "They do that stupid thing where they look down their nose at you." Michael laughed.

"You do it too," he pointed out. Maria huffed.

"Listen, as far as I'm concerned I don't care about your little "clique"," Maria said. "Just don't rag on Alex."

"I wasn't ragging on him," Michael said exasperated. "I just said he doesn't like me."

"Then APOLOGIZE."

"For what?"

"I don't know," she said sarcastically. "Referring to him as a loser every chance you get? Running over his bike with Kyle's truck?"

"I didn't do that," Michael said in his defense.

"But you laughed, your just as bad," Maria sighed. "Look. We do this every morning. Just leave it be okay? You have your friends. I have mine. Let's not mesh."

"But if we don't then I don't get to see you at all," Michael said.

"You don't see me at all anyway. I see you didn't come by to walk with me to school."

"Isabel needed a ride."

"Pushed aside for Barbie."

"Stop calling her that," Maria snorted again. "Please. She's classic Barbie doll. Tall, shapely, blonde, hair, blue eyes, designer wardrobe." Michael sighed.

"I don't want to argue."

"Then stop talking." Michael backed away from her.

"Fine. If that's the way you want it."

"That's the way I want it." She nodded.

"I'm eating lunch with you though," Michael said.

"Don't bother. Wouldn't want to scar that image of yours," she pushed past him, walking swiftly towards her class. Michael sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair.

"I don't see why you continue to converse with...her," Isabel approached him from the other side of the hall, leaving her cronies alone at her locker. "She's so.."

"Don't say it," Michael snapped. "Can't you be nice to her?"

"Her first," Isabel kissed his cheek. "Hello."

"Hey," he said gruffly.

"All I'm saying is that she's anti-social, seriously." Michael laughed.

"What? She is."

"Maria is nothing but social. You just have to get to know her."

"I'll spare myself the pleasure," Isabel said and before he could say anything else, "Max is looking for you."

"Why?" Isabel shrugged.

"Something about the prom," she winked at him.

"You are going with me aren't you," Michael shrugged.

"I don't know if I'm going," Michael said. Isabel glared at him.

"You HAVE to go. It's expected."

"Oh really?" he said sarcastically. "They're making prom a graduation requirement now?"

"No. It's just that you're important. If you don't go what'll it say about...about..." Isabel struggled.

"You?" Michael finished for her.

"Well yes," Isabel said. "Your technically my boyfriend."

"I am NOT your boyfriend," Michael said. "We've been on two dates, and those were two weeks ago." Interested ears perked up, stopping in the middle of the hall to hear the couples feud. Isabel hissed at him.

"Be quite," she snapped.

"Worried I'll scar your reputation?" Michael asked softly.

"Something like that." She snapped.

"Don't worry," he kissed her cheek, lips lingering at her ear. "Your reputation is still intact." Saddened that there wasn't going to be a show the errant students moved on, trekking towards first period. Michael joined them, frowning.

She sat on the grass, leaning against Alex's knees, a paper back between the fingers on her right hand and a sandwich clutched in her left. Alex leaned against the large oak tree, his guitar in his hands as he strummed, quietly singing to him, trying out different things. Michael approached them, feeling the unfamiliar pang of emotion as he watched them sit there, natural as ever, totally absorbed in their tasks. He ignored the gesturing of Max Evans and Liz Parker, who were seated at the usual table, their lunch's already in front of them. Isabel wasn't around, neither was Kyle Valenti or the rest of the usual gang. Alex glared at him as he approached and moved his knees to alert Maria but she didn't notice, so absorbed was she in her book. He plopped down onto the grass beside her.

"Hey," she looked up startled.

"Hey Michael," she looked at him confused and then across the way to Max and Liz, who were also confused, chatting amongst themselves and shooting glances in their direction.

"I told you I'd eat lunch with you."

"You don't have a lunch," Maria pointed out. Michael shrugged.

"Minor technicality." Maria sighed, ripping her peanut butter and banana sandwich (A.N.yum, god I miss those..stupid diet.) in half and giving it to him. He smiled rakishly.

"Thank ya kindly darling," his southern accent was horrible but she smiled just to humor him.

"Alex say hi," she elbowed him in the shin.

"Hey," Alex said gruffly. Michael gave him a little wave mouth full.

"Uh-oh, Barbie looks rabid," Maria commented, eyes trained on the picnic table. He looked to the table, Isabel did indeed look rabid. Her usually pretty face twisted in anger, sitting down rigidly at the table, glaring in their direction. "And hey, she's actually eating something." Maria cocked her head. "A V-8 splash and a carrot stick. Very nutritious." Michael smacked her playfully.

"Leave Isabel alone," he grinned, popping the last of the sandwich into his mouth.

"Oh come on, that one was like so easy," Maria said. "At least only scold me on the original ones." Michael looked over at Alex, who was looking across the lawn, staring straight at Isabel.

"I think she's interesting," Alex said finally, turning back to them. He shrugged. "Like she's hiding something."

"A deep dark secret you mean?" Maria careened her head back to look her him. "Like she was once really fat and has horrible stretch marks all over her body?" She smirked looking to Michael. "You could confirm that one." Michael held up is hands.

"Couldn't tell ya, she's always had her clothes on," he said.

"I don't think that's it," Alex said still looking at the girl. "Her skirts are too short for stretch marks."

"So maybe she's a prostitute," Maria shrugged, taking a bite of her remaining sandwich.

"Can you be nice for once?" Michael asked, but he was trying not to laugh.

"What did I just tell you?" Maria scolded. "Only yell at me for the original ones."

"Hey look, they're the cowboy," Alex wrinkled his nose in distaste. Maria looked over at the table again.

"Ride 'em Hoss," she muttered.

"What so your knocking Kyle now?" Michael snapped. "Any of my friends you do like?"

"Liz is cool," Maria shrugged. "I have Bio with her."

"And Max is nice," Alex offered. "Lab partner in same."

"Fine," Michael said.

"What about you?" Maria said. "Why don't you like my friend." She motioned with her head to Alex who rolled his eyes behind her.

"I like your friend just fine," Michael said. "It's my friends who don't like your friend."

"Or me," Maria shrugged. "What a loss." Michael looked to Alex.

"Truce man?" Alex shrugged, shaking the offered hand.

"Truce."

"Gotta run," Michael said. "The groups turning psycho." He kissed her cheek. "Want me to give you a ride home?"

"Nah, I'll walk," Maria shrugged. "No biggie."

"Well I'm defiantly coming to pick you up tomorrow. We'll walk," again Maria shrugged.

"See ya," he waved and jogged towards the table.

"See ya," Maria said softly sighing. Alex set his guitar aside.

"Poor baby," he grinned, wrapping his arms around her neck. She hugged his arms back. "Romeo just doesn't notice Juliet."

"Your my friend right?" Maria looked at him. Alex nodded.

"Course I am."

"You'd tell me the truth right?" She looked at herself in the full- length mirror, attached to the inside door of her closet.

"Yeah." Alex shrugged, wondering where this was going.

"Am I pretty?" She studied her reflection in the mirror. Same horrible green eyes, same dirty blonde hair, same freckles dotting her upturned nose, same big lips. She wrinkled the upturned nose in distaste.

"Gorgeous, doll," Alex popped a Nacho into his mouth from the bowl on her bed.

"You're lying," she said finally after a moment.

"Nope," Alex shook his head. "Look at yourself. Your a babe." Maria turned, trying to get a different perspective. Same semi-flat chest, big ghetto booty. Same ugly Maria.

"I'm not a babe," she said. "I'm not even a fetus." Alex sighed, standing up.

"Okay," he said, turning her to face the mirror. "Look." She didn't scrunching her nose.

"See that? Cutest facial expression in the world." He motioned to her butt. "Great ass." He moved to her legs. "Legs a million miles long. Gorgeous face, pretty eyes, cute nose, soft hair. Your cute."

"So now I'm cute?"

"Your always cute. " Alex laughed. "It's just hidden under all that hostility."

"I am NOT hostile." She looked at herself in the mirror. "Am I hostile?"

"What is your problem?" Alex laughed, falling onto her bed, causing the bowl of nachos to bounce.

"Who said I have a problem?" she glared at him in the mirror.

"Me. You have a problem," Alex said. "So what's wrong?"

"Am I as pretty as Barbie?"

"NOONE is as pretty as Barbie." Alex said. She looked at him.

"Thanks for the support."

"Sorry babe it's just, Isabel is in the WOW category. I'm a guy, I can't help it."

"This is what I get for being so damned picky," she muttered.

"I'm sorry," Alex said, rolling over. "It's just that Isabel is...."

"Wow. I know. Care to rub it in more or are you done?" Alex looked at her in surprise.

"Maria DeLuca your not...dare I say it...jealous of Isabel Evans are you?" Maria hugged. Slamming the door to her closet, shaking the knickknacks on her dresser.

"No." She crossed the room, putting the clothes her mother had folded away in the drawers.

"You are!" Alex laughed. "Your jealous."

"Right. Like I WANT to be a stupid air headed blonde who couldn't spell intellectual much less be it." Maria snapped.

"Okay, we've established that Isabel lacks in academic qualities," Alex said. "But she totally makes up for it in-"

"Looks." Maria finished. "She totally makes up for it in looks. We get it. She's gorgeous. Your in love with her blah blah blah." She slammed the drawer. Alex's mouth dropped open in surprise, turning to face the girl.

"In love with....Isabel Evans?" His face reddened.

"Yeah it's only sooo obvious," she said, slamming the next drawer. "Isabel is soo pretty, Isabel is soo interesting." She mimicked in a high Minnie Mouse voice. "Isabel isn't so bad. Give Isabel a chance. Why do you hate Isabel so much."

"Now I don't remember EVER saying that." Maria plopped down into her director's chair.

"You didn't."

It wasn't her alarm clock that woke her up the next morning, but rather the pinching of her nose. Or to be more precise, the fact that someone was pinching her nose. She groaned, knowing perfectly well who it was.

"Go away Michael," her voice was nasally, and thick with sleep. Michael laughed, taking his hand away.

"Rise and shine." She growled, picking up one of three pillows and whacking him full on in the face with it. "Back off Space boy."

"I think your in need of a new bedtime DeLuca, your downright cranky," Michael laughed. It had been the same routine every single morning since she could remember. Michael grabbing the large ladder from behind the shed, the large usually unused ladder, and propping it up against the side of the house and climbing it with Monkey like instincts, climbing in her always open window and waking her up the same way, every morning for years. The same conversation and the same pillow hitting him over the face. The pillow in the middle. Maria sat up, rubbing sleep out of her eyes and grumbling about stupid porcupines and dump losers who felt the need to climb into her window.

"Scary hair babe," Michael laughed. She gave him a nice Italian gesture and slammed the bathroom door. Michael laughed from behind it.

"I'll make cereal," he called. Her mother was already gone then. Leaving to open up early at her shop. Michael would never offer to make breakfast if her mother was going to do it anyway. Maria turned the water in the shower on, the cold blast washing away the nights sleep and startling her awake. She quickly twisted the knob to hot water. Leaning her head against the shower stall.

She came down, wearing her nightshirt and a long gray white and gray camouflage skirt that brushed the floor, her hair sprayed gentle drops of water on her shoulders. Michael looked up, grinning.

"Your breakfast madame," he waved his arm in front of two gourmet bowls of Captain Crunch complete with scoobydoo themed spoons and a Garfield cup filled halfway up with milk.

"Okay." Maria said. "What do you want?"

"The pleasure of your company."

"And?" Maria sat down, grabbing the Shaggy spoon.

"And. Who said there was an "and"?" Michael batted his eyes innocently, grabbing his own.

"You only get out the Scooby spoons if you want something," Maria pointed out. "Spill it."

"Fine," Michael sighed. "It's about Isabel." Maria slumped down in her chair, sighing.

"Not you too. Smitten? Think about her nonstop? Can't get her out of your head?" Michael looked at her like she was crazy.

"God no. Isabel? Gross," he took a bite of the Captain Crunch. "I want you to tell me how to get rid of her."

"Just be your usual self," Maria said. "I'm sure she'll be gone in no time."

"Your so sweet," he leaned across the table pinching her cheeks. Batting him away she pointed her spoon at him.

"Don't you even try to do the Aunt Margie thing," Michael grinned popping more Captain Crunch into his mouth.

"So ou'll elp e?" she winkled her nose wiping bits of cereal and milk off her arm.

"Chew, then talk." He swallowed.

"You'll help me right?" she shrugged.

"Yeah sure, what do you want me to do?" Michael shrugged.

"I'll think of something," his eyes caught the clock. "We're going to be late," Maria sighed getting up.

"Clean up breakfast I have to find my shirt."

"WE have to think of a way to get Isabel off my back," he yelled in the general direction of the laundry room as he dumped the remaining cereal into the disposal in the sink, flipping the switch. Maria rummaged through the basket, picking out a black tank top. She grabbed her knee high combat boots gotten on sale at the army surplus store. She pulled them on lacing them up.

"WE?" she glared at the door. "I don't care if Barbie's gone psycho-obsessive. That's your problem."

"Come on Maria," he pleaded rinsing the bowls out. "Your the smart one."

"We knew this before."

"I just need your help for this one this thing."

"Is this why you suddenly decided to mar your reputation by daring to eat with me?"

"Nah," Michael shrugged. "I don't mind eating with you. It's fun when you're not so hostile."

"I AM NOT HOSTILE!" Maria grabbed the shirt, balling it up in her fist, stalking into the kitchen.

"Your way hostile. Every time we have a conversation you end up yelling about something," she glared at him.

"Just because I have an opinion? That makes me hostile," she pulled off her nightshirt. His jaw hit the ground and he turned away blushing.

"Jesus Maria can't you warn me before you start flashing those things?" Maria looked down at the white lace of her bra.

"What?" she looked up again, the tips of his ears were turning red. "I'm wearing a bra."

"I see that," Michael said gulping. When had she picked up those?

"You've seen me with my shirt off," she pulled the tanktop on, adjusting it.

"Yeah, we were playing water balloon wars then," Michael said.

"You can look now, I'm decent," Maria grabbed her bandanna from the counter. "You act like you haven't see these before." He huffed.

"Not yours."

"They're not exactly diverse," Maria said. "They don't change colors or anything." He looked at her.

"My little girl's getting so big," he wrapped his arm around her neck. She shrugged him off, her stomach felt funny and she didn't like it.

"Alex is going to pick us up," Maria said.

"Us?"

"Oh." She tried not to be disappointed. "So you're not going to walk with us?"

"Of course I am, would I walk all the way across my yard to see you if I wasn't."

"Then you don't want to walk with Alex."

"Does Alex want to walk with me."

"What about what I want?" he looked at her confused.

"Well what do you want."

"For starters?" He studied her. "For you two to get along." Michael nodded.

"Will do."

"The ants come marching one by one hurrah," Maria rolled her eyes. Alex opened the door.

"Coming?" He looked at Michael. "Hey."

"Hey man," they did some ritualistic hand thing, guy thing.

"My boys are growing up," she wiped an invisible tear away.

"Hey. No riffing off my material." Maria looped arms with each of them.

"Just like it should be."

"What? So you decided to eat with us humans today?" Isabel eyed him with distaste.

"She's my friend," Michael said.

"She's also...grungy," Isabel looked at the girl. She was with the weird boy again, Alex something. A rubix cube in her hand, her head lying on his stomach as she struggled to figure it out. He was reading something off a notebook and she would laugh every so often, the sound drifting over to the picnic table once in a while.

"She's not grungy," Michael growled.

"So why aren't you eating over there today?" Liz asked. Michael looked at Maria and Alex sighing.

"I didn't want to intrude."

"Are they dating?" Max sat up interested. Michael shrugged, grabbing some chips from Max's tray. He was tenser then usual, shooting a glance over towards Maria once in a while.

"Why don't you just go over there?" Kyle asked.

"They look comfortable," Michael said.

"Little too comfortable," Isabel smiled inwardly. If Maria was wrapped around the Alex geek then maybe Michael would lay off. There was a triumphant whoop of joy from Maria as she finished the rubix cube. Michael grinned. Isabel wrinkled her nose.

"Didn't those go out in the 80's?"

"Will you just lay off Isabel?" Michael snapped.

"What did I do? I can't help it if I don't like Commando girl."

"Maria's nice," Liz said quietly.

"Alex too." Max agreed. "He's pretty funny in Bio."

"Fine," Isabel stood up. "Then why don't you go hang out with them?"

"We were just-" Liz started but Isabel was already walking away. Michael shook his head.

"I know she's your sister man," Michael said looking at Max. "But Jesus." Max nodded in agreement.

"She didn't used to be this..."

"Shallow? Self-involved?" Max nodded again.

"So," Liz grinned, biting her bottom lip. "What's the deal with you and Maria?"

"Huh?"

"Oh come on," Liz laughed rolling her eyes. "Everyone saw you two come in together this morning, and now you're all jealous."

"I'm not jealous, I just didn't want to bother them." He looked over his shoulder again, sighing inwardly at the cute picture of innocence the two made. Maria laughing as she laid on his stomach, Alex reading out of that stupid notebook he always carried around, animatedly, waving his arms in the air for emphasis.

"You could ask her to the prom," Liz suggested.

"Who?" Michael swiveled his head to face them.

"Maria."

"She's probably not going. Maria made this rule," he grinned just thinking about it. "She doesn't support school sanctioned events."

"Why not?"

"Says that if she starts giving the school money then they might actually start making her learn things."

"You didn't like the last one?" Alex tried to look wounded. Maria popped the last bit of cookie in her mouth, turning her head to face him.

"Wealthy Computer Nerd Seeks Beautiful Companion For Pleasant Conversation and Intellectual Stimulus?" Maria laughed. "Good luck Alex."

"Oh come on, I thought it was good."

"If you actually took out a personal ad do you realize how much that would cost?"

"Then they'd know I'm wealthy."

"And desperate."

"It's a personal ad, they're all desperate."

"Point taken." Maria closed her eyes. "I'm taking a nap."

"On my stomach?"

"Makes a good pillow."

"What about 6th period?"

"Skip it," she shrugged. "We'll stay through all four lunches."

"Suspension is always a fun prospect."

"They don't suspend you for skipping, they call your parents."

"Death is even better."

"I don't have to worry about it," Maria shrugged. "Mom's never home anyway and I can just erase the computerized message off the machine."

"Well sorry babe," Alex sat up squishing her head a little. "My mom doesn't work."

"Fine, leave me stranded," Maria pouted.

"You can use my shirt for a pillow."

"Fine, fork it over." Alex shrugged out of the plaid shirt, handing it over to her.

"Catch ya later babe," he kissed her cheek standing up. "You coming to rehearsal tonight."

"Wouldn't miss it." She folded the shirt and laid it on the ground, reaching into her backpack for her headphones. Alex waved, shoving his hands into his pockets walking towards the building.

"Hey." She opened one eye.

"Hey yourself."

"Mind if I join you?" She shrugged. "Knock yourself out."

"Not going to 6th?" Michael picked up her bag, looking for remaining food items.

"Nah," she shrugged. "Can I use you for a pillow?" Michael shrugged, leaning against the tree.

"Knock yourself out," he mimicked. Just to spite she brought her head down hard on his stomach.

"What about you? Ms. Bursen's class not that interesting anymore?" Michael shrugged.

"When has class been interesting?"

"Fourth grade." Maria said. "Mr. Rodstiens class." He laughed.

"I remember. You used to climb out the window whenever he tried to make you take a test."

"And you'd catch me and tie me to the chair with your shoelaces-" she laughed. He stroked her temple smiling.

"Which never worked you just pretended it did."

"Because I could copy off your paper easier."

"Sure that was it," Michael rolled his eyes. "Admit it you had a crush on me."

"For like a second and a half."

"Best second and a half of my life." She looked up at him startled. He caught her eye for a second before looking away.

"I figured out a way you could help me."

"How."

"Be my girlfriend."

"What?" Maria shot up, whirling on him. Michael leaned back calmly, the bark of the tree digging painfully into his back but he ignored it.

"Not for real," he said. "Just until Isabel finds a random jock to take my place." Maria slouched.

"Oh," she said, adjusting her bandanna, disappointment rising in her chest.

"We'll just pretend to do the lovey dovey crap," Michael smiled.

"Genius isn't it?."

"Yeah...genius," she laid back down, swallowing the lump in her throat. "So who gave you this master plan?"

"Surprisingly enough? Isabel."

"Huh?"

"She's always been jealous of you, and my friendship with you," Michael shrugged. "So how about we give her something to be jealous about."

"What's in it for me?"

"What do you want?" Maria shrugged.

"You'll figure it out eventually."

"So will you do it?" Maria shrugged again. "You're going to have to be a little more decisive." She sat up again, turning to him.

"Just let me get all this straight." She leaned against the tree beside him. "You want me, Maria DeLuca, to be your girlfriend so Barbie will drop the stalker act and give you some peace?"

"Basically."

"Well what if I like the stalker thing?" Maria smiled. "It's amusing."

"Please? I don't think I can take another minute of her dropping little hints my way and doing that brush thing."

"Brush thing?"

"You know," Michael leaned closer, his shoulders brushing against hers. "Where the girl kind of brushes up against you." His voice lowered with each word. Maria nodded slowly, eyes falling closed. She shook it off.

"Well," she said pulling away, squelching the tingling up and down her arms. "Do we have to kiss, or anything?" She wrinkled her nose, acting for all the world like the thought disgusted her. Michael shrugged, a little hurt.

"Not if you don't want to."

"Well...we have to make this believable right?"

"Yeah."

"So I guess we would have to...for drama's sake."

"For drama's sake." He nodded.

"Fine," Maria said. "We'll do the...kissing thing."

"So you'll do it?" Michael asked. Maria shrugged.

"It's not like I have anything else to do."

"Cool," Michael ran a hand through his spiky hair, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Maria sat beside him, tense, staring straight ahead.

"I gotta go," they said at the same time. Maria grabbed her bag and Alex's shirt, stuffing her CD player into it at the same time.

"I'll see you later okay? Walk you home?" Maria shrugged.

"Whatever." He kissed her, hard on the lips, a quick goodbye but jolting all the same. He paused momentarily, looking at her dazed and ran a hand through his hair again.

"See ya," Maria turned, walking quickly away, trembling. What was that? She adjusted her bandanna again, opening the door to the school. The halls were empty. The Math hall closed for B lunch but she made her way down it anyway, boots clunking as she walked.

"What do you want?" Maria shook it off, his voice filling her head. She sucked in a shuddering breath. "Just you."

"He asked you to what?" Alex followed her across her room, handing her the bag of food.

"He wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend so he can get rid of Isabel," she repeated, reaching into the bag and drawing out a handful of its contents, dumping them into the tiny ceramic purple and white striped bowl.

"Well this is great!" Alex exclaimed, handing her the water bottle. She clipped it into the purple metal holder.

"How is this great?" she snapped. "So now I can make a complete fool of myself acting all lovey dovey for someone who thinks it's just a game?" She slammed the wooden cover down on the aquarium startling the hamster inside and the boy next to her. "Or did you expect this to turn out like a teenybopper movie?" She turned to him. "Girl pines for boy. Boy needs girl and in the process falls for girl?" She scoffed. "Yeah."

"Maybe if you weren't so cynical he'd see past the friendship thing," Alex snapped.

"It's easier being cynical," she reached out, picking up a picture. Her and Michael, at the pier from that time in Verona Beach, covered from head to toe in water and sand laughing about something stupid more then likely. She laid it down again. "Less disappointment."

"To who?"

"Me. If I ignore this...this stupid attraction then maybe it won't..." she stopped, drawing in a breath. "Then maybe it won't hurt so much."

"What won't?" Alex asked reaching out a hand, capturing his arm.

"I CAN'T be anything more then a friend to him."

"Why not?" Alex snapped. "What is it about him that makes you keep your distance?"

"Who he is," Maria said softly. "He's Michael Guerin, head of the basketball team, voted Junior Prom king and Saint Valentine." She looked at the next picture, Michael smiling, dressed in a tux, a red heart crown on his head and Isabel, cutoff but still partly seen, beside him looking amazing in red and black.

"What does that matter?" Alex asked.

"Michael loves it though," Maria said smiling. "He may say he doesn't but he does." She looked at the next picture, a basketball picture, Michael holding the ball one knee on the ground propping him up. "I just don't want to bring him down."

"Who said you would?" Alex asked softly, drawing his friend into a hug. "Maria DeLuca isn't as odd as she thinks."

"I could just see it now," Maria said bitterly. "Michael Guerin, pro basketball player, dating Maria DeLuca, social outcast."

"And amazing talent." Alex grinned. "Which reminds me Miss DeLuca," he offered her his arm. "Rehearsal?" She gave him a small smile.

"Rehearsal."

Michael sat across from he in the diner, chewing thoughtfully on a plate of fries while Maria tapped her fingers impatiently on the tabletop.

"So that's all I have to do?" she asked. "Stand there and act...happy...while you bestow the occasional endearment on me."

"Pretty much," Michael shrugged. "That's all their is to this relationship stuff right?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Me either." Maria snorted.

"Puh-lease," she laughed. "You've been stud-boy Michael for as long as I remember."

"Doesn't mean I've ever had a girlfriend," he pointed out.

"You haven't?" Maria asked confused. "What about Isabel?" Michael shrugged.

"We've been on a few dates over the years but she's never been my girlfriend," Maria snorted.

"I bet she hated that."

"That's why I need your help."

"I just can't believe you've never had a girlfriend before," Maria snorted again.

"Hey! You've never had a boyfriend," Michael glared.

"Yeah but your...you and I'm me," Maria giggled again.

"I don't like relationships okay? I don't like to be tied down," Maria grinned.

"That would make you for lack of a better word a "player", " he rolled his eyes.

"I am not a player."

"Total player." Maria reached over grabbing some of his fries. He slapped her hand away.

"This won't be that hard," Michael shrugged. "According to some people we act like an old married couple anyway."

"Only because you're painfully neurotic."

"I am NOT neurotic." Maria smiled sipping her soda thoughtfully. Michael ate his fries for a moment.

"How am I neurotic?" Maria burst out laughing.

"I knew it," she said between giggles. "I knew you couldn't last ten minutes." Michael leaned back in his chair crossing his arms across his chest.

"I refuse to get sucked into this conversation." Maria giggled again. "See? Why can't you act like this all the time?" "Like what?" she snatched another fry.

"Like this," he motioned to her. "Happy, not so angry." Maria shrugged.

"I don't think I'm angry."

"Your totally angry."

"Ugh," Maria laid her head on the table. "And I am not getting sucked into THIS conversation with YOU."

"Fine. We won't talk about it." He turned his head away, eating his fries. Maria snatched a few more. "And stop stealing my fries. Go buy your own." Maria shook her head.

"Then I would be breaking the girl code," he looked at her confused. Maria sighed.

"If I get my own plate then it seems like I'm really eating fries and then I'll worry about my hips," Maria explained. "If I eat them off yours it doesn't feel like I'm eating them and then I don't worry about my hips." Michael raised an eyebrow. "Chick thing."

"Your demented." He decided finally sipping his own soda.

"I am not demented!"

"Demented." She growled at him. Sucking up some soda with her straw she pulled it out and blew it at him.

"HEY!" he growled. "Oh it's on now." He grabbed his own straw. "This means war."

"I can't believe they kicked us out," Maria grumbled. "I'm totally blaming this on you."

"Me? You start it!" they walked down the sidewalk, drawing interested stares from passerby's. There was a bit of fry stuck in Maria's hair, and a large ketchup stain on his shirt and they were both covered from head to toe with little droplets of Coca-Cola. It didn't seem to bother them though and they continued to bicker.

"No you started it. You called me demented."

"And thus far you haven't done anything to dispel that."

"I'll dispel you."

"Oooh, Maria getting a little testy?" Maria ignored him as they walked, trooping down the streets of Roswell towards the tiny development where her house lay. She really should invest in a car. Maybe something red, to blend in with the blood after she ran Michael over.

"I don't see how we're going to pull this off if your going to act like such a baby."

"Well if you weren't so difficult."

"I am NOT difficult! I am NOT demented! I am NOT angry. AND FOR THE LAST TIME I AM NOT HOSTILE!" Michael laughed, draping his arm lazily over her shoulders.

"I'm sure we can pull this off," Michael gave her a squeeze. "We just need to work on your personality a little first."

"Well how are we going to end it?" she looked up at him.

"We'll stage a big fight," Michael grinned. "You can slap me."

"This gig has prospects," he elbowed her. They walked on, towards her house.

"When?"

"How about the prom?"

"You mean I have to go to the prom?" Maria wrinkled her nose. "No way."

"Oh come on," Michael said sighing. "You can't boycott the prom."

"Watch me."

"Oh Jesus Maria," Michael sighed. "Just come to the prom with me please."

"No." Michael stopped her, getting down on his knees, clasping his hands before him.

"Maria. I'm begging you. Go to the prom with me," he said seriously. "PLEASE." Maria looked around embarrassed.

"Michael get your ass up this instant," she hissed grabbing his arm and trying to pull him to his feet.

"Not until you say you'll go."

"No." She started to walk and he waddled after her on his knees.

"Come on Maria I'm ruining the knees on my best jeans PLEASE." Maria shook her head.

"No."

"MARIA PLEASE GO TO THE PROM WITH ME," he bellowed. She froze, face flushing.

"Fine!" she grabbed his arm yanking him up. "I swear I can't take you anywhere."

"Hey babe," he grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. She jumped, almost elbowing him defensively in the gut but stopped, realizing her situation. It was Michael, and today began their little ruse. She put on a smile, difficult as that was and turned, deciding she would enjoy this while it lasted.

"Hey," she grinned, kissing his cheek. She could feel the daggers of Isabel's eyes as she watched them from across the quad.

"I think it's working," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear lightly. She nodded, grinning, trying not to look to smug. She could feel the interested gazes at them, hear the little whispers of the rumor mill as the news spread like a wildfire and she felt the guilt rise in her chest. This would be so damaging to his reputation. Michael Guerin was officially, and publically dating Maria DeLuca. But this what he had wanted, to rid himself of Isabel, and far be it for her to deny him his request. She gulped, focusing on him and him alone. Ignore them, she chided herself. They're stupid gossip never bothered you before.

"She's glaring at us," she whispered back.

"I know," he grinned, looking down at her, more then likely looking to all the sightseers that he was the doting boyfriend. He was almost giddy, who would have thought shunning society could be so enjoyable. He felt the little tingles of pleasure shoot up his arms as he played with the fabric of her shirt, his hands wrapping themselfs around her tiny waist. When had she gotten such a body? These curves, curves he had never noticed before, now seemed to stand out prominently in his mind, and now he was in sole possession of them, for the time being anyway.

"Where's Alex?" the tingles of pleasure were replaced by bolts of jealousy. Here she was, standing practically in the spotlight of polite society, wrapped in his arms and she was asking about Alex Whitman, someone who would possibly never have his five minutes in the sun.

"Don't know," he shrugged, almost releasing her, but resisting. He had to put up a convincing show for Isabel. He turned her in his arms, so they were facing and smiled, forcing the thoughts of Alex back in his mind.

"How long do we keep this up?" asked softly, smiling at him.

"As long as it takes," he smiled back, trying to push down the impulse to drag her kicking and screaming to the Eraser Room right now. She nodded.

"Come on," he grabbed her hand, linking her fingers with his.

"Where are we going?" she asked confused.

"Inside," he grinned back at her mischievously. She looked at him warily, but let him lead her anyway. She trusted him, boy did she.

"Oh my god!" Laura Sheeran put a hand to her mouth, fluttering her other hand as if it were either all to much or she was trying to fly away. Isabel wasn't sure. None the less she had the sentiment right.

"Did Michael Guerin just do what I think he jut did?" Beside her Megan Smart, who was the exact opposite of what her name suggested, nodded eyes wide.

"Yep," she said. "He just totally felt up Maria, ugh, DeLuca." Isabel rolled her eyes. He had not, god. It was just a hug. Right? She was fuming sure, but not so much for the fact that Michael was with someone else. It was the fact that he had chosen THAT someone else, the someone else she despised. He could have at least chosen someone semi-popular so she wouldn't look like such a loser. She glared at the doors they had just exited through.

"That's...charming," her voice was like ice. Laura looked at her best friend, sizing up exactly how she was going to score some brownie points with queen Isabel.

"How could he chose that THING over you?" Megan broke in. "She's like a biohazard or something." Isabel blinked in surprise. Biohazard, quite an accomplishment.

"Totally gross," Laura broke it. "I mean he must have some severe emotional problems to choose Maria DeLuca." Isabel smiled, a plan forming in her head already, adding on to the previous one, improving it considerably.

"You know what girls?" she smiled. "It's time we give Maria DeLuca a little bit of help." They looked at their friend, trying to decide if she was mental or serious. "Time for a little make over project."

"Your all the rage my dear," his accent was horrible but the words still rang true. He plopped down beside his friend, handing her the requested chocolate milk. "You and Michael's coupling is a hot topic of convo today."

"Don't I know it," Maria rolled her eyes. "People don't know wether to congratulate us or check Michael for mental problems. Even the teachers were a little wary."

"Understandable," Alex said. She glared at him. "Not because you don't make a cute couple. You do, but I don't think people have quite gotten used to the idea." Maria smiled.

"Let the shock wear off, I swear by this time tomorrow it will be old new," Maria crossed her heart.

"I'm not so sure babe," Alex shook his head. "Word is Isabel Evans isn't that pleased."

"That was the entire point."

"Yeah but I was watching her...for research purposes of course-" Maria grinned.

"Of course."

"And after you and Wolf Boy took off she started talking to-" he shuddered. "-Laura Sheeran and that Megan Smart girl and then she got this weird smile." Maria shrugged.

"Maybe they got her over it."

"Laura Sheeran and Megan Smart? Have you ever talked to them?"

"No. Why?" "They lack that special people skill called 'tact'," Alex rolled his eyes. "More then likely they just reopened the wound and poured a little lemon in it."

"And Isabel was happy about it?"

"She just smiled and began to laugh and then they walked off." Maria frowned a little.

"This could either be taken two ways," she sat up, counting them off on her fingers. "Either Isabel has a great bounce back reflex or B. She's planning something."

"By George Watson I think she's got it." Alex tried his hand at a cheesy English accent, it still wasn't working.

"Miss DeLuca," Michael leaned down, his lips capturing the skin right at the corner of her mouth. Damned butterflies just wouldn't go away when he was around. They lingered there for a moment, tasting the faint hint of lipgloss that brushed the edge of her mouth. He grinned. "So the person I was looking for." Alex blinked in surprise. They looked like a real couple. Maria smiled up.

"Sit. Stay awhile. Maybe share a few words." Michael sat, pulling the girl to him. Alex blinked again.

"Your good," he said nodding his head. "Very good."

"Send money," Maria prompted. Alex ignored her.

"You spoken to Barbie today?" Michael shook his head.

"I've been avoiding that particular breed of discomfort for the time being, if she needs to talk to me she will," Michael shrugged. "Why go into the battle field when it can come to you."

"Point taken."

"So what are you two discussing? Looked serious," Michael opened a bag of chips, supplied this time by himself, no mooching food off the masses today.

"The woman in question," Alex said. "Barbie's up to something we think." Michael frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it," Maria said. "I'm sure Alex just misinterpreted."

"I know what I saw," Alex snapped. "She looked suspicious."

"You think everyone looks suspicious," Maria rolled her eyes. "Remember that guy you made us follow around for a day and half a because you thought he was an undercover FBI agent? Turned out he was an insurance salesmen and when he caught us he tried to sell us a life plan." Michael laughed. Alex pouted.

"Guess who's going to the prom?" Michael grinned. Maria slapped him.

"Who?"

"Maria." Alex's mouth dropped open.

"How in the hell did you manage that feat? I've been trying for weeks to get her to go to that stupid thing," Michael smiled. Finally something Alexander the Great couldn't do.

"Just a little persuasion."

"He embarrassed me in the middle of a public sidewalk until I agreed out of desperation," Maria clarified. Alex grinned.

"I'll have to keep that in mind." Michael grinned looking at the distraught Maria.

"God. Now they're exchanging battle strategies."

"That's right DeLuca, pretty soon you won't be able to deny us anything," Alex gave a little Dr. Evil laugh.

"Actually," Michael said looking softly down at the girl his arm was around. "I'm a little worried about it being the other way around." She looked up startled and Alex blinked again in surprise. Michael looked away, eyes trained on the picnic table.

"Uh-oh," Maria followed his gaze. There she was, Queen Isabel, and she was making a beeline straight for Maria.

"Gulp."

She moved across the lawn briskly, her head held high like the princess she knew she was and Maria felt those cold blue eyes on her, and only her. Isabel walked with a purpose, her little black bag swinging in time with her step. Michael instinctively tightened his grip around Maria, fearing for the girl's very existence, Isabel had quite a temper.

"Maria," she smiled sweetly. "Can I talk to you for a second?" Maria looked at Michael and Alex, pleading with her eyes.

"Huh?" she looked up again, hazel locking with cold blue.

"I just want to talk to you silly!" Isabel reached down, an iron grip clasping onto Maria's wrist and yanking her away from Michael with surprising strength. Maria tried to squirm away but Isabel's grip was true and she dragged her across the lawn towards a vacant spot by the building.

"This is not good," Michael muttered.

"I can't believe your going out with Michael!" the squeal from the taller blonde left Maria totally unprepared. What should have been an angry, threatening tone was actually warm, and congratulatory. "That is like so great! You make the cutest couple!" And before Maria could make a move to stop it Isabel had enveloped the girl in a hug, jumping up and down doing that stupid squeaky girl thing her cronies were known for.

"Are you going to the prom with him? Isabel asked, jerking her away with more force then necessary. Maria nodded bewildered. "Oh my god!" Again with the squealing. "You have to let me do your hair, and your makeup, and we'll get manicures of course!" Isabel grinned. "Do you have a dress." Again a bewildered Maria shook her head. "Then we'll have to get you one! Meet me at my house Saturday sometime around lunch okay? This'll be so fun! No getting out of this missy! Now I have to go," Isabel looked at her. "Do you know where my house is?" Maria nodded, eyes wide. "Great! I'll see you later!" One last squeeze and Isabel flounced away, grimacing inwardly.

Maria stood there for a second, totally dazed.

"What the HELL was that?"

Michael blinked in surprise. Did Isabel just HUG her? Apparently Maria was feeling the same way, she hadn't moved from the spot for a good number of seconds, her face mirroring his own.

"Well that went well." Alex commented after a moment. Michael nodded. Maria crossed the lawn again, shaking her head and practically falling beside him.

"She wants me to get a manicure with her..." Maria said in horror. "And shop for a dress...and.." she gulped. "Do my hair." The look of pure terror on her face almost made him burst out laughing.

"Ahh honey," he gave her a squeeze. "I'm sure you'll do just fine. You just sit there and let Isabel do all the work and don't let her near any sharp objects." Maria nodded.

"I have to wear a dress?" she looked at Alex. "Why do I have to wear a dress."

"It's a PROM Maria, dresses are kind of a gimme."

"But a manicure," she looked at her nails, painted a dull black a long time ago. "I don't need a manicure." She reached a hand up to touch the smoothed down blonde hair, slightly frizzy but only because she had yet to find a gel that didn't make her smell like a flower. "And I don't need my hair done. And I don't need makeup..." she looked so bewildered Michael laughed and kissed her temple.

"I don't need a tux, or hair gel but I have to do all that anyway."

"Then why don't we just NOT go?"

"Cause, you told me you'd go."

"But Isabel's fine with me going out with you, why are we still doing this?"

"Because," Michael struggled for an excuse. "If I break up with you too soon people will know it was just a ruse."

"Oh...well in that case..." Alex shook his head. Could they be more obvious. "But I don't want to go to Isabel's house..." Maria pouted.

"Why not?"

"Cause, she's scary and squeaky, and I don't have enough aspirin in the world to deal with her little friends."

"You are too cute." Michael laughed. Maria continued to pout. Alex stood up.

"Gotta go," he couldn't deal with one more minute of the mushy would- really-be-dating-if-they- weren't-so-stupid crap Michael and Maria were going through.

"Bye," Maria said sullenly. "You'll be at rehearsal this afternoon right?" Alex nodded.

"Always." He gave a little wave, and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Rehearsal?"

"Yeah, for our band."

"You have a band?" Michael looked hurt for a moment, but covered it up quickly. "You never told me."

"Really? Yeah were called The Whits, I'm the lead singer, Alex does guitar and his friends from this computer class he took are the rest of the band. You could stop by Alex's garage for rehearsal if you want." Michael nodded smiling.

"I think I might just do that..."

There he was, sitting on the bleachers, writing in that stupid notebook of his, bent over it in concentration. It was sad really, he could have been a really cute kid if he lost the dorky clothes and grew out his hair. Isabel shrugged.

"What a loss," she collected herself, checking her appearance once more the mirror of her compact, smoothing her hair down just slightly and mashing her lips together to spread out the gloss. She put on her best man-eater smiled and slowly made her way up the bleachers, careful not to stumble on her high heeled shows.

"Alex?" time to do the Liz thing. She decided, demurely tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and looking up at him through lowered, innocent lashes. "Your Alex right?" Alex's mouth dropped open, his notebook almost falling through the slats of the bleachers.

"Uh..yeah," he nodded.

"Isabel," she held out a perfectly manicured hand.

"Yeah I know who you are," he shook it uncertainly.

"Mind if I sit down?" she motioned to the seat beside him. Dumbstruck he could just stare at her and nod a little. She smiled, sitting down beside him.

"So what are you working on?" she asked, looking over his shoulder.

"Nothing much," he said, casually closing the notebook. "Um..did you want something?"

"Yeah actually," she smiled. "I was wondering...do you have a date for the prom?" Alex's mouth dropped open.

"Uh..no." She smiled.

"Are you going?"

"Hadn't actually...um..thought about it really."

"Well I know Maria's your friend, and since she's going with Michael I thought maybe you and I could go, as a double date kind of thing," she looked at him. "Whadaya say?" He could only stare at her again. He swallowed.

"You uh..want to go...with me?"

"Is that such a surprise?" Isabel smiled again, this time for real. He was so cute!

"Well...yeah," he nodded. She laughed.

"Why?"

"Because your Isabel Evans, and I'm just Alex."

"I think your more then just Alex," she smiled. "So what do you say? Will you go with me?"

"I'd have to be crazy to say no."

"Then do the sane thing. Say yes."

"Isn't the guy supposed to ask the girl." Isabel shrugged.

"It's the year 2000, but if it would make you feel better ask away."

"But I already know your answer, so that takes away the suspense filled moment, so what's the point." Isabel laughed.

"Will you just ask me already?"

"Fine. Isabel do you maybe..wanna..go to the prom with me?" Isabel smiled, reaching over to grab his hand.

"I'd love too," her smiled grew. Plan B, taken care of.

"What are you doing?" Maria jumped spinning around.

"Huh? What...nothing..." she put on her best innocent smile. Alex studied her.

"Your hanging on the corner for dear life," he leaned over, peeking around the corner. "Oh." Michael leaned against his locker, looking up and down the hall. Maria pulled Alex back.

"He'll see you," she hissed.

"What? Are you hiding from his or something."

"Or something." She peeked around the corner again, jumping back when Michael's gaze began to drift in her general direction.

"Why are you hiding from your "boyfriend".

"Because," she snapped. "He's like a magnet, if I'm with him then Isabel is sure to find me."

"So your hiding from Isabel?" Alex studied her. "Why?"

"Because she told me she had something to tell me."

"You should talk to her," Alex said uneasily, running a hand through his short hair.

"WHAT!" Maria clapped a hand over her mouth, peeking around the corner to see if Michael heard her.

"You should talk to her," Alex repeated. "She's not that bad once you talk to her."

"And when did you talk to her?" Alex shifted uncomfortably.

"Yesterday."

"And what did you talk about?" Maria raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Stuff," Alex shrugged. "She's not that bad." Maria looked at him like he was crazy.

"Not that bad? NOT THAT BAD," Maria peeked around the corner once more, ducking back.

"Princess Isabel is the bane of my existence, she lives to torment me," Maria poked a finger at his chest. "And now your conversing with the enemy?"

"So? Your going to hang out with her Saturday."

"She left me no CHOICE! She's devious I tell you." Maria hissed.

"Devious." Alex raised an eyebrow. "What did I tell you about coffee? You know what that does to you..."

"I didn't sleep last night..." Maria muttered. "I need to function."

"One cup will help you function."

"So? What difference does 2 more make?" She bounced a little.

"Decaff..." he murmured.

"So what did you two talk about? Besides stuff?"

"She asked me to the dance." Maria choked, coughing violently.

"She what?" she croaked.

"She asked me to the dance. I think that's what she wanted to talk to you about," Alex shrugged. "She wants us to double date." Maria shook her hair, still struggling to breath.

"Hey babe," she gasped whirling around.

"Michael!"

"Avoiding me?"

"No. Why would I do that? I mean I have no reason to do that. That would be stupid. I wouldn't avoid you. Never. I was just sitting here talking to Alex. Did you know Isabel asked him to the dance? Isn't that great? And now they want us to double date. I mean isn't the greatest thing in the world," she was talking so rapidly he found it hard to keep up.

"What's with her?" he looked to Alex.

"Coffee's kicking in." he explained. Michael nodded.

"Her mom used to hide it.." Michael grinned.

"She did not!!"

"Come on," he grabbed her hand.

"What? Where? Why? Where are we going?" Maria asked.

"Have to keep my reputation up girly," he wrapped an arm around her waist. "See ya Alex." Alex gave a little wave, and Maria looked helplessly back as Michael dragged her away. "Guy thing. You understand right?" He kept dragging her down the hall. Maria saw his destination.

"Nuh-uh...no way, I am not going to soil my reputation to build up yours," she tried to escape but his grip was firm.

"Don't worry, if anything it'll improve your reputation," she eyed him.

"And how will it do that?" He opened the door. "Michael." She whined. He slid in behind her, closing the door and locking it. The words mooR resarE visible through the frosted glass. "I can't believe you brought me in here," she grumbled, taking a seat on a left over chair. Why they had a chair in here she would never know.

"Sorry babe, gotta keep up the image, plus it would be weird if we don't grope a little. At least this way we don't actually have to grope." He grinned. "If in a few seconds if you could moan a little that would be great." She glared at him.

"So, basically I'm in here ruining MY reputation so you can improve your "image"," she stood up going for the door. "See ya." He grabbed her by her waist tugging her back. "Let me go!" she pulled forward and he pulled back. "Michael if you don't let me-" he yanked harder, screaming his name she fell backwards landing smack dab on his lap.

"Well *that* will certainly improve my reputation." He grinned. She glared at the door.

"Let me go!" she squirmed in his lap.

"Maria, honey," he groaned. "Don't do that." Her eyes opened wide and she tried to bolt.

"Let me go."

"No, it won't be convincing if we don't get in a little Eraser Room time. Plus, you don't have to go to first period," he grinned.

"Do I have to be on your lap?"

"Do you want to be?" he raised an eyebrow. She glared at him.

"Don't make me squirm."

"OKAY. If I let you up you promise you won't go anywhere?"

"I promise."

"Pinky swear." Maria laughed, never thinking she would ever hear those words come from Michael's mouth..

"Pinky swear." He held out his pinky and she hooked her own around it, his arms released her and she bolted up, sitting on the chair beside his.

"So how long do we have to stay in here."

"An hour at least." She raised an eyebrow.

"Okay Michael., sweety, I know your supposed to be this big stud-muffin type person, but an hour?" He grinned, leaning back, his arms crossed behind his head.

"Okay, half an hour." She nodded.

"That's better."

"So are you and Alex rehearsing this afternoon?" Maria nodded.

"Mind if I stop by? I haven't heard you sing since.."

"The 7th grade Christmas production," she finished smiling. "Sure. We need an audience anyway." He nodded.

"See this could be considered a good thing," Michael said. "It's been forever since we've spent any time together."

"Whose fault is that?" she smacked his arm.

"Yours."

"What!" she glared at him.

"You're the one who stopped hanging out with me."

"Lies!! All lies." she grumbled.

"It's true," he shrugged. "You didn't like my friends."

"What's to like?" she challenged.

"They have good qualities."

"Somehow the bad overshadows that." She muttered.

"Just give them a chance okay?" Michael pleaded. "I don't want you and my new friends to hate each other. Then I'd only get to hang out with you half the time and them half the time."

"Why do you want to hang out with me so much anyway?" she asked. "Do I scream "Charity Case" or something?"

"How can you even ask me that?" he sat up. "You've been my best friend since we were in diapers."

"So? Doesn't mean you have to continue," she shrugged. "I'd totally understand."

"What?" he looked at her. "What brought this on?"

"Nothing," she shrugged. "It was just a question."

"A stupid question. You think just because I've made some new friends I'll ditch you or something? You've made new friends too and you don't see me asking you if your going to leave me behind."

"I've made new "friend", singular. You? Your Mr. Popularity and I'm Maria DeLuca, the oddball."

"You really think that matters to me?" Michael shook his head. "You think I'm that shallow?"

"I didn't say that," she snapped. "I just don't fit into your world anymore." Michael wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Then I'll make room for you." She smiled inwardly.

"Really?"

"Of course," he kissed her temple. "You're my best bud Mar, like I could just leave you behind." Her smile faded again.

"Best bud, right." She forced a smile. Michael stood up.

"Come here," she looked at him confused.

"What?"

"Come here," she stood up. "Okay..." he wrapped his arm around her, drawing her to his chest, inhaling the scent of her flowery shampoo. "Your not going to bring this up again right?"

"Right," she wrapped her arms around his waist. If she was going to remain best bud forever she mind swell take advantage of this little moments. "And your not going to worry about me ditching you anymore right?" he leaned back sightly, tipping her head up.

"Right," he lowered his head a little.

"And your going to be around forever," she nodded, eyes slowly falling closed as his head moved in towards hers. Their breath mingled together and she clutched at him. The sound of the door rattling made them jump apart, Michael running his hands through his hair, Maria unconsciously adjusting her shirt.

"Dammit, it's occupied," a male voice growled. Michael reached over, startling her. He ran his hands through her hair, loving the feel of it in his fingers. Next he reached down, his thumb playing across her lips and slowly wiping off her lipstick.

"For effect," he whispered. She nodded, eyes wide. He slowly unlocked the door, drawing Maria to his side.

"For effect..."

Maria ducked walked swiftly down the sidewalk, checking behind her every so often in case someone was following her. Blonde hair was hidden under a black baseball cap reading "Psycho" in red letters and her outfit was inconspicuous, meaning of the Gap quality, just like every other teenybopper in this world. Alex's house wasn't far off, and she had thus far managed to avoid Isabel and her cronies, but that probably had something to do with the fact that she had skipped half the days classes and hidden out in the library during lunch. Perhaps she had gone a little overboard with the hiding but then again with Isabel Evans one needed to keep a low profile.

"Hey," she jumped, crashing headlong into what felt like a brick wall. She careened backwards, the pavement coming up fast but strong hands caught her just in time, and she found herself staring upwards into dark puppy dog brown eyes, familiar eyes.

"Michael," he set her upright, running a hand through his unruly hair.

"You were in a hurry," h grinned. She blushed a little, adjusting the backward baseball cap.

"I'm late." Michael looped his arm with hers.

"Where are you going?" she looked at him confused, trying hard not to tremble. Every nerve in her arm was on fire; a little arm couldn't take this much attention. And her head kept flashing back to earlier in the eraser room, his hands in her hair, his fingers on her lips. She closed her eyes. Dammit. She realized he had been talking.

"You say something?"

"Yeah," he eyed her. "Remember? This morning? I told you I'd drop by rehearsal."

"Then why were you walking in the opposite direction."

"I saw you walking, and decided to catch up with you," Michael shrugged.

"Oh. Well. Are you sure you want to sit in on rehearsal? We're not very good...and we've only been together for a few months." Michael smiled.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. Besides, I'm here for constructive criticism." Maria nodded, tugging her arm away and rubbing it.

"You okay?" He eyed her again.

"Fine. Why wouldn't I be fine?"

"You just seem...jumpy."

"I'm not jumpy," she trudged up the Whitman driveway, giving a half- hearted wave to Mrs. Whitman who was ankle deep in flowerbeds and dirt. Michael followed, his hands crammed into his pockets, Michael-style, giving the woman a slight nod and a rakish grin. Maria continued her trek, towards the detached garage that was set apart from the house, wrenching open a faded green door and tossing her messenger bag onto an old box.

"Brought an audience," she looked from one boy to the other. They all stared wide-eyed at her, except Alex who was used to her non-greetings and her loud outbursts. Then Michael entered and all eyes, except for Maria who was avoiding looking at him, were on him.

"Hey." A few half -hearted waves and ritualistic male-type handshakes were exchanged all around.

"Michael this is Bobby, Mitch, Danny, and you know Alex. Guys this is Michael." She tossed the baseball cap to Alex who caught it, and ran a hand through her hair nervously.

"We gonna start or what?"

Michael straddled a kitchen chair, resting his chin on crossed arms, and staring curiously at the blonde spitfire who was setting up the "stage". She was jumpy, he was sure of that, but he couldn't figure out why. Either she was hiding something from him or she was nervous. He kept staring at her, waiting patiently for them to start rehearsal.

"Let's try that new song," Bobby spoke up. "The one Ria found." Michael tensed at the pet name; Maria didn't seem to notice, which meant that it was probably a familiar name. He felt a rise of something unfamiliar in his chest and kept his fist clenched. Alex watched him, grinning but going unnoticed by the taller spiky haired boy.

"Okay," Maria shrugged. "I didn't think it was that good but, whatever." Mitch's father was head of the local computer company, meaning Mitch had lots of funds and because Alex and Maria were such good friends of his, and because he had dreams of becoming Gavin Rossdale, he had been more then happy to donate some equipment, including the state of the art mic, Maria was clutching for dear life, and the amps set up to the left. Michael didn't know a thing about music, and it showed, but he did know when things looked expensive, and they looked expensive. He focused on Maria when the music started, and watched in awe as her body unconsciously swayed to the dark rhythm of the music.

~Electricity. Eye to Eye.
Hey don't I know you?
I can't speak.
Strip my senses, on the spot.
I've never been defenseless.
I can't even make sense of this.
You speak and I don't hear a word.
What would happen if we kissed?
Would your tongue slip past my lips?
Would you run away?
Would you stay?
Or would I melt into you?
Mouth to mouth. Lust to Lust.
Spontaneously combust.

His mouth dropped open as her sweet voice wafted throughout the garage, catching him by surprise. Her eyes caught his and held them, and he found he couldn't look away, that he didn't want to look away. Her lips moved seductively, forming the words, as she clutched the microphone, hips swaying to the rhythm. She was serenading him, or so it seemed, as if she only had eyes for him. He gulped, resisting the urge to tug at his collar, and his throat went dry.

The room is spinning out of control.
You act you didn't notice.
Brushed my hand.
Forbidden fruit.
Ring on my finger.
You're such a moral, moral man.
Would you throw it away, no question?
Will I pretend I'm innocent?
What would happen if we kissed
Would your tongue slip past my lips?
Would you run away?
Or would melt into you?
Mouth to mouth. Lust to Lust.
Mouth to Mouth. Lust to Lust.
Spontaneously combust.

She licked her lips, and that little movement was even more seductive then the rest. He felt his blood temperature rise a few degrees. He swore his hair was going to catch on fire. His eyes roamed down her, taking her in. Blonde hair, hazel eyes, pouty lips, curves galore, and those swaying hips. He gulped again, his eyes falling closed for a minute as he swallowed.

What would happen if we kissed?

The song faded out and his eyes snapped open. She looked at him expectantly, taking her hands away from the microphone.

"So. What did you think?"

Michael cleared his throat, shifting in his chair. Alex grinned, leaning against the wall, watching as the boy struggled to find his voice. Michael cleared his throat again, running a hand through his hair. Alex could see the sweat forming at his temples and almost laughed aloud.

"What do I think?" Michael gulped. "You were...incredible." But somehow that adjective didn't do her justice. A thousand words raced through his head and he couldn't vocalize them. Maria smiled and again he gulped.

"Really?" she let out a breath. "At least you didn't say it sucked." He shook his head.

"No." He struggled to find his balance. "There's no way." Her eyes were alight from his praise and he felt weak all of a sudden.

"So you really liked it?"

"I...I loved it." Maria squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck, and hugging him for all it was worth.

"Thank you!!" she grinned, pulling away, leaving him even more dazed. Alex rolled his eyes, strumming the guitar a little more.

"Want us to do another one?" Michael stood up, on shaky legs, running a hand through his hair for what seemed like the millionth time that day.

"Um..no.." he shook his head, not sure he could take another number. "I have something I need to do." He gave Maria a small smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Confused Maria nodded.

"Yeah...sure.." he gave them a little wave.

"Bye," he closed the door behind him, leaning against it for as second eyes closed, breathing ragged. He kept picturing it in his head. "Jesus. She's going to kill me.."

Maria stared at the door confused for a minute, and a little hurt. He had just left. No "Bye Babe" no little peck on the cheek. Nothing. Just a wave. It was highly irregular, usually he had some kind of parting endearment for her, at least a hug. But today? Nothing? She frowned, her brows furrowing. She crossed her arm over her chest.

"That was weird," she murmured. Alex just grinned. "Maybe he didn't like it." Alex rolled his eyes, wondering how a girl this smart could be so stupid when it came to this situation. And Alex was surprised it had taken this long for Michael to figure out what a babe Maria was. He sighed.

"If he had liked it anymore you'd be in trouble," Alex muttered. Maria looked at him.

"Huh?"

"He liked it." Alex looked at the door, grinning. "Trust me."

Michael ducked around the corner, running a shaky hand through spiky hair and sucking in a deep breath. The coast was clear. He had been avoiding her all day, keeping an eye out for blonde hair, hazel eyes and legs a mile long. He grunted, swinging his fist back and hitting a locker in frustration. This wasn't supposed to happen. You DON'T lust after your best friend.

"Hey," he jumped spinning around. Alex raised an eyebrow. "So, Michael Guerin isn't as smooth as he'd like to believe," Alex leaned against the lockers next to him, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What are you talking about?" Michael snapped.

"Your little display yesterday?" Alex grinned. "It's perfectly natural to be attracted to Maria."

Michael glared at him.

"Natural to whom?" Alex laughed, grinning like madman at the state of distress the taller boy was in.

"See? Jealousy," Alex pushed up, stuffing a notebook into his bag. "Your not as immune to her as you'd like to be." Michael grunted neither affirming or denying.

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Oh really?" Alex rolled his eyes. "Come on Michael we all saw how shaken up you were yesterday. Me and the guys had a good laugh about it." Michael bolted up.

"YOU WHAT?"

"Don't worry, Maria wasn't there," the grin deepened. "But I'd be happy to let her know about your...revelation." Michael grabbed him by his shirt, shoving him into the locker, drawing the interested stares of several students. He practically seethed, bunching the shirt up at the chest and cutting off a good chunk of Alex's air supply. Alex shot his hands up in defense, the bag dropping to the ground.

"Then again Maria doesn't need to know a thing," Alex squeaked, eyes wide. Michael released him, dropping the poor boy. Alex adjusted his shirt and picked up his bag, visibly shaken.

"This is more serious then I thought," Alex smirked backing away. "Your totally sprung over her." Michael sighed closing his eyes and running that's stupid hand through his stupid hair.

"In more ways then one." Alex raised an eyebrow.

"There are some things I just don't need to know." Alex pointed out. Michael nodded.

"What should I do?" he looked at Alex who again leaned against the locker. The students, seeing the show was over and peace had been restored pressed on. Alex eyed him.

"You really want my advice?"

"You are her best friend."

"And this isn't some kind of stupid scheme to make her look bad is it" Alex glared at him. "Your friends aren't the nicest and if you hurt her-" Michael cut him off.

"No. I swear." Michael made a crisscross motion across his heart.

"Fine. I do have a few ideas..."

"Maria!" Liz grabbed the girl's arm. "Can I talk to you a second?" Maria whirled, caught totally by surprise.

"Huh? Yeah..um sure.." she eyed the girl warily. Liz Parker had the reputation of being sickly sweet, an all around nice girl and Maria didn't actually think she was all that bad considering she was best friends with Isabel Evans. "What can I do for you."

"Isabel told me you were going to the prom with Michael," Liz gave her arm a squeeze and smiled. "I just wanted to tell you how great I think that is. Isabel invited me over Saturday and she told me you were going to be there." Maria breathed out a sigh of relief.

"So your coming to Isabel's Saturday?" Maria grinned. "That's awesome! I mean I cannot tell you how I'm dreading the encounter...stuck in that house with just Isabel and those squealing cronies of hers."

Maria put a hand to her mouth. "Oh I'm sorry..I totally forgot your friends with them." Liz laughed.

"Don't worry about it," she grinned. "Can I tell you a little secret." Maria shrugged.

"Sure." Liz leaned in.

"I don't really like Isabel and her friends all that much anyway, I just hang out with her because of Max, ya know?" Maria laughed and nodded.

"Understandable."

"So your going to come Saturday right?" Liz grinned. Maria nodded.

"Yeah sure."

"Great! I'll see you around Maria!" Liz gave her arm another squeeze and flashed a smile in her direction and skipped down the hallway to the waiting Max who eyed Maria with interest and gave a little wave of his own. Maria waved back, wondering why she couldn't stop smiling and turned, sucking in a breath.

"Guess I'm going to the prom after all."

Michael leaned back against the tree closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest. Maria sat next to him, relaying her entire encounter with the totally sweet and nice Liz Parker and Alex sat across from her nodding and trying his best not to strangle her.

"She was the nicest person I swear Alex. Not at all like I thought she would be and Max waved too," Maria looked to Michael. "I see why you like that popularity stuff so much. Ten minutes in her presence and one wave from Max and I can't stop talking about it."

"We noticed." Alex said dryly. "Actually-" he looked to Isabel for a second. "I'm not so sure you two have everyone convinced about the legitimacy of your dating status." Michael opened one eye and Maria sat up.

"Why do you say that?"

"What kind of real couple keeps the PDA to nun standards? You guys don't kiss, you don't touch, you don't even hold hands." Michael opened his eyes wide, shooting Alex a warning look but Alex pressed on. "What's wrong with you two?"

"Nothing's wrong with us!! I think we're doing the couple thing just fine," Maria hmmped and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I think your scared," Alex said and Michael sat up.

"Scared of what?" He snapped.

"Your scared to kiss her," Alex grinned giving Michael a little wink. Michael eyed him confused. "If you'd just do it and get it over with then it wouldn't be that big a deal anymore." Maria turned about 4 different shades of red and Michael sucked in a breath, glaring at Alex through lowered lids. "So. I dare you."

"You dare us about what?"

"Kiss each other. And no two second lips touches. A REAL kiss," Alex crossed his arms over his chest satisfied. Michael gulped.

"That is so childish," Maria snapped.

"See? Your scared."

"I AM NOT SCARED!" Maria shouted. People turned to stare for a second before going back to their lunches. Alex grinned.

"Then prove it. Kiss him." He raised an eyebrow in challenge. Michael sighed.

"Fine if it will make you happy," he growled, firmly making a promise to kill Whitman later. He turned to Maria.

"We minds well just get it over with," she gulped nodding slightly.

"Don't forget a real kiss," Alex said. "Don't be a baby." Maria glared at him, and gasped when Michael wrapped his arm around her waist drawing her closer, she licked her lips expectantly and he sucked in a breath in anticipation. Her eyes fell closed as his lips closed over hers and the world exploded. It was a tiny kiss really, no groping hands or passionate exclamations, just a sweet simple kiss. Except there was nothing simple about it. Her hands slid up his chest and Michael and Maria fell backwards slightly onto the ground as the kiss deepened, she felt his hands in her hair and resisted the urge to groan against his mouth. And then he pulled away, gasping for air slightly, not from the length of the kiss or lack of air, but from the kiss itself. They stared wide eyed at each other for a moment in surprise until Maria looked away.

"See?" Alex grinned. "Was that so hard?"

Isabel glared at them from her perch on the bench, her fingers closing around the aluminum of her V8 causing the aluminum to crinkle slightly. Liz raised and eyebrow and Max grinned.

"Looks like Guerin's getting some action," Kyle noted, leaning over and peering around Isabel to get a better view. Isabel growled low in her throat and glared at him. He scooted over a little, scared of the Ice Princess.

"Why do you care Isabel?" Liz asked smiling slightly at Maria, she turned back to Isabel the smile fading.

"I don't," Isabel tossed her hair behind her back, the picture of nonchalance. "It's just, do they have to be so public about it? And in front of poor Alex."

"Speaking of which," Max leaned over. "I heard that your going to the Prom with Whitman. What's the deal?" Isabel shifted uncomfortably.

"There's not a deal," she snapped. "He's nice."

"And a total loser," Kyle muttered.

"Shut up," Liz snapped. "Maria and Alex are perfectly nice people and I for one am happy that Isabel is showing an interest in a nice boy for once."

"And Michael's not a nice boy?" Max asked.

"You know what I mean. Let's look at her track record," Liz said. "There was Bryce Hoffman, that horrible football player, Trent Mallory who tried to sexually assault you, Kyle who has problems all his own-" Kyle cut in here.

"And who you also dated," he pointed at.

"For all of two seconds and then I regained my sense," she smiled and cooed a little at Max who looked smug, as if by snatching up Liz he had accomplished something great. Isabel rolled her eyes. Men.

"There was Henry Parkin's who tried to sexually assault ME while going out with you," she again cooed at Max. "Whose still in the hospital." Again Max looked smug.

"Look is this going anywhere?" Isabel snapped impatiently.

"I'm just pointing out that Alex is a nice guy, and that I think it's very nice of you to be his date and not be all childish about Michael taking Maria." Isabel put on a smile and turned her icy gaze on Michael and Maria who had separated and were making it a point to look anywhere but at each other.

"The pleasures all mine."

"I-I have to go..." Maria stood on shaky legs, grabbing her bag. She could meet his eyes, or even look in his general direction. Her face was hot and she could still feel his lips against hers. "I'll-I'll see you guys later." She hurried off, making her way quickly across the lawn, head bowed. Michael whirled on Alex the moment she was out of earshot.

"What the hell was that?" he snapped. Alex looked calmly at him, a smug smile on his face, arms crossed over his chest.

"I was giving Maria something to think about," he smiled. "And she will." Michael stared at him for a minute confused.

"Something to think about?"

"Yeah," Alex stood up. "You can't just ask her out, you have to work up to it."

"Work up to it," Michael echoed. Alex rolled his eyes.

"She's just embarrassed right now, give her a little time and then make your move," Alex grabbed his bag and his notebook. "Strategise."

"Strategise," Michael smiled. "I think I can do that's's."

She hadn't relaxed the entire period. And screw paying attention, she couldn't focus on anything right now. She kept feeling his eyes on the back of her head, burning into her, reading her thoughts. Why did he have to sit behind her anyway? She took in a shuddering breath and grabbed a pencil, twirling it between her fingers to keep her hands busy, and possibly take off some of the stress. He wasn't supposed to do this. She chewed on her lip a little, wondering briefly how he felt. Did he think she was desperate? Or was he revolted?

"Maria," she froze. "Maria." Michael hissed again, watching the teacher out of the corner of his eyes. She turned slightly and he sent a piece of paper flying into her lap with a mere flick of the wrist. Picking it up she opened it.

I need to talk to you.

She closed her eyes. Damn, and here she had hoped she could avoid him. Picking up her pencil she began to write.

About what?

She folded it up and then tossed it backwards, hearing him curse when she hit him on the head. Minutes later a new piece had landed into her lap.

Stuff. I'll meet you after school at the diner.

She sighed, but grabbed her pen anyway.

Fine. 4:00.

And she tossed it his way, mind swimming with possible scenarios. Some ended happily, others ended in utter humiliation, she was dreading all of them.

Michael sipped his soda, eyes flying to the door every time the bell rang. Liz watched him from the counter, an eyebrow raised, and Max, who was waiting for Liz made sure to keep his distance and watch from the corner. Michael was acting weird, sipping his soda erratically and jumping at every sound and movement.

"Hey," Maria slid into the booth across from him and Michael visibly relaxed.

"I thought you weren't going to show," Maria eyed him confused.

"Why wouldn't I show?" Michael shrugged.

"I just thought that's maybe you were a little embarrassed, because of this afternoon," Maria laughed, waving her hand in dismissal.

"It was just a kiss Michael, no big deal," Maria blinked impressed, she was a damn fine actress. Michael stared at her for a minute.

"Yeah, just a kiss," he stood up. "Come on."

"Where are we going? I just got here," Maria got up confused, taking his offered arm.

"I need a Tux, for Saturday," Michael shrugged. "You're a girl, you can help."

"I don't know the first thing about picking out tuxedos!" Maria sighed. "I've never worn one."

"There's something to be thanking god for," he opened the door leading them off. "I just need a girl's opinion." He said.

"Fine, I suppose I can free up 20 minutes of my precious time to help you in your crisis situation," Maria said dramatically. Michael rolled his eyes.

"This won't take more then 10."

Three hours later they were still in Bianca's Formal Wear, with Michael Guerin modeling is 205th suit. Maria looked bored, and half dead, lounging on a love seat, as Michael check himself out in the mirror, and Bianca looked at her watch.

"Michael you shop like a girl," Maria sighed. Michael huffed, checking himself out in the 3 way mirror once more.

"I do not shop like a girl, I just want the right one," he snapped.

"It's the right one, it's perfect," Maria sighed. "Can we please go?"

"Fine," Michael sighed. "Miss Impatient." Maria ignored him.

"How do you plan to pay for this," Michael held up a credit card, grinning. "Visa Platinum."

"Fine, great, can we go?" she stood up, stretching out her limps which were tingling from lack of use.

"Yeah sure, let me change real quick," Maria shrugged.

"Whatever...need to stretch my legs anyway," she looked around the store. It was a nice store, very large and roomy, with tuxes and formal dresses spread all around, some on mannequins, no two alike.

"You looking for dress?" Maria looked up at the woman, Bianca.

"Oh no, I'm just browsing," Maria smiled.

"I have perfect dress for you I teenk," she grabbed Maria's arm in a vise like grip. "Beautiful dress for beautiful girl."

"You were a gypsy in a past life huh?" Maria muttered as the woman dragged her through the racks of dresses, past the mannequins who grinned at her, showing off their dresses, all the way to the back of the store.

"Here it tis," the woman proclaimed proudly, stepping aside and showing Maria the dress with a dramatic lift of the arms. Maria's breath caught. It was a gorgeous dress, a rich cream white with flowing layers, made of the sheerest material Maria had seen thus far in the store.

"You like?" the woman asked grinning.

"I like," Maria nodded, mouth agape.

"Yo, ready to skedaddle?" Michael asked. Maria didn't answer, he waved his hand in front of her face. "I said are you ready to go." Maria gulped and turned to face him.

"Yeah..sure um, did you get things taken care of?"

"Yeah, I pick it up Friday," he shrugged and his eye caught the dress. "Pretty."

"It's gorgeous," Maria reached out lightly touching the dress.

"You should have gotten suit tailored," Bianca scolded, "Fit much better." Michael smiled.

"Sadly I don't have the funds to get a suit tailored, I'll take the rental." Bianca nodded, still disapproving. Maria was still entranced by the dress and Michael watched her, interested.

"Ready to go?" he asked softly. Maria snapped out if, putting a smile on her face.

"Yeah sure," she smiled. He held out his arm which she took.

"See you Friday," he waved to Bianca who waved back, eyeing the couple. Maria gave one last look at the dress, and sighed.

"Hey," Maria plopped down on her bed, eyeing Alex who was playing with Gambit on the floor.

"What are you doing here?"

"Your mom let me in before she left," Alex said. "Date with Tim?"

"Her latest conquest, Tim from the Quick Stop, he's cute, he's nice, and he can get us free groceries," she said in a fake talk show host voice. Alex grimaced, picking up Gambit and carefully setting him into his aquarium.

"So I take it you're not thrilled about "Tim"?" Maria shrugged.

"I don't know, I mean, it's not like I'll have to deal with him for more then a week or two," she rolled over. "That's the problem." Alex plopped down beside her.

"How'd things go with Wonder Boy?" Alex asked.

"He shops like a girl," Maria smiled, staring at the ceiling. "We spent 3 hours looking for the "perfect" suit, and then we found the perfect dress," Alex raised an eyebrow at the dreamy quality of her voice.

"You found a dress, cool. You going to wear it to the prom?" Maria snorted.

"Yeah right, like I could ever afford that thing," she sighed, rolling over and laying her head on Alex's back.

"How much was it?" Maria shrugged.

"Probably hundreds and hundreds of dollars," Maria sighed. "Nothing I could ever afford."

"It's okay," Alex kissed her forehead. "I'm sure you'll find a dress that's will suit you just fine." Maria sat up.

"You don't understand do you?" Maria glared. "But why would you, you're a guy." Alex held up his hands in defense.

"Down girl, I was just trying to help," she sighed.

"I know Alex, I'm sorry," she grunted. "It's just this stupid prom, it's 3 days away and I don't have a dress or a manicure or anything. I'm like prom-illiterate." Alex grinned.

"I think I can help you with the manicure thing," she looked up.

"How?"

"My brother Jerry's wife owns a boutique in Sante Fe', how about we take a little field trip tomorrow?" Maria's eyes lit up.

"Really?" she squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!" Alex laughed hugging her back.

"Relax it's just a manicure."

"And probably the most feminine thing I've ever done," Maria grinned. "I was agonizing over that's all week!"

"A manicure?" Alex looked at his friend confused.

"Being the only girl who didn't get one silly! It's like a ritual, your mom takes you out and you get a dress, and shoes, and a manicure, and your hair done.." Maria sighed. "But Mom's too busy to do any of that stuff."

"That's what you've got Liz and Isabel for, I'll get you the manicure they'll have to handle the rest, I can't help you with the hair," he pointed to his out head as evidence. Maria laughed. Hugging him again.

"Thank you," she smiled.

"It's not a problem, really." Alex grinned. At least now he was positive she'd be going to the prom. No backing out for Maria DeLuca.

She gulped, running hand restless through her blonde hair, looking down at her simple outfit of jeans and a T-shirt, her overnight bag at her side.

"We'll sleep over and everything," Isabel had said. Maria winced and slowly made her way up the walk of the Evans' quaint little house. Her hand had barely brushed the door when it was wrenched open a laughing Isabel drew her inside.

"Hey!" Isabel said. "Come on we don't have a lot of time!" Maria looked at her watched. It was 12:43. The prom didn't start till nine. That seemed like enough time to get ready for four proms.

"We have to do your hair and your makeup, and do the hand creme kit my mom just bought from Mary Kay," Isabel went on and on, dragging her up the stairs as she talked.

"And of course we'll give you're a pedicure and-" Isabel cut herself off. "Where's your dress?"

"My mom's bringing it by later," Maria said. Isabel pouted.

"But how are we supposed to coordinate your makeup with your dress if we don't know the color," Maria shrugged.

"It's blue."

"But what blue?" Isabel said continuing to drag her. "Baby Blue? Light Blue? Dark Blue? Cauliflower Blue? Old Ladies hair blue?" Maria shrugged helplessly.

"I was told blue," Isabel looked at her incredulously.

"You haven't even SEEN the dress yet?" Maria shook her head.

"But what if it's all wrong?" Isabel looked down at the girl as she continued to drag her up the stairs. "What if it's not PERFECT."

"Then I'll be going to the dance in a blue unperfect dress?" Isabel closed the door behind her. Her room was fairly normal, with pictures of various hot stars, a few pictures of her and Max, a couple of candles. All in all a normal room. Except for the fact that Liz Parker and two girls who Maria recognized as Laura Sheeran, and Meghan Smart, giggling over a magazine. Liz looked up and smiled.

"Hey," Maria gave her a small way.

"You were right Isabel!" Laura scooted up to her. "She DOES have potential." Maria clenched her fist.

"More then most,"" Megan agreed, going to Maria's other side. "She has pretty hair."

"Why do you hide it under this bandanna?" Laura asked, pulling the bandanna off.

"And her eyes, they're very pretty as well," Megan noted.

"You should wear more green to bring them out," Maria snatched her bandanna away agitated.

"Green makes me look like spinach." She glared at them ,not liking being poked and prodded like a prize cattle.

"And that skin," Megan ignored her. "And here I thought we'd have to pile on the foundation!" Liz sighed, wondering where they got these horrible manners.

"Why, we might not have to put any on her at all, a dab of powder maybe to cover up those freckles on her nose." Laura said. Maria's hands went to her nose. Were the freckles that noticeable?

"Why don't we let Maria decided what she wants to do," Liz said, pushing Laura and Megan aside. She smiled in relief at Liz who rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry, sometimes my friends forget their manners," Isabel said. "Do you want something? Soda? Maybe some lunch?"

"A soda would be fine," Maria shrugged. Isabel nodded.

"You guys make Maria feel at home okay," she looked to Laura and Megan, shooting them a look that said "Behave, or else."

"SO," Liz said, trying to break the awkward silence. "Is Michael picking you up here?" Maria blushed.

"We actually didn't talk about it," Maria smiled sheepishly. Liz blinked in surprise.

"You didn't make arrangements?" Maria shrugged.

"It didn't seem important, and we haven't exactly been around each other lately," that was certainly true. She had been avoiding him for the past few days, spending only lunch with him, and even those short moments were filled with awkward silences that not even talkative Alex could fill in. Liz looked at her for a moment.

"I know what that's like," she smiled. "Being in a new relationship with someone. It took me and Max a week to plan out our first date." She smiled dreamily and Maria envied her. She had a real relationship, with a boy who thought of her as more then a best friend. And it didn't hurt that her boyfriend was pretty much a hottie. Liz snapped out of it and studied Maria.

"I think light curls for your hair, with a pretty headband to hold it all up," she motioned to Isabel's extremely large collection of hair accessories. "I'm SURE we could find something to match your dress." Laura squealed.

"That's SUCH a good idea Liz!" she squeezed the girl's arm. Laura Sheeran, master butt kisser. She plants her lips and hangs on, with incredible suction.

"I was thinking this eyeshadow," Megan said, a little more discrete in her brown nosing, holding up a light blue. Liz shook her head. "No, this one." She picked another one, holding it up and they nodded in agreement. Maria held her hands up and stepped back.

"Not that I don't appreciate your...help...but I don't need to be your personal makeover Barbie. I swear," Laura and Megan looked at her like she was crazy but Liz still smiled.

"No problem," Liz said. "Just trying to get into the swing of things." Maria nodded, smiling apologetically.

"I'm just use to...anyone fussing over me." Again Megan and Laura looked at her like she was crazy. Liz just laughed.

"Annoying isn't it?" Maria nodded.

"MARIA!" Isabel yelled. "You have a visitor. Liz smiled mischievously.

"Wonder who it is," she said innocently, Maria looked at her for a second, going to the door. She looked to Megan and Laura but they were confused, like always. She walked out, going down the stairs.

"Hey babe," she froze, looking down at him.

"Michael? What are you doing here?" he held up a bag.

"Brought ya something," Isabel stood to the side, eyeing the couple, trying hard to glare.

"Really?" Maria walked down the rest of the stairs to join him. "What is it?" she asked. He handed her the bag.

"Open it," he smiled. Curious she went for the knot, untying it with delicate hands.

"Oh my god," she whispered, looking at the beautiful dress. The on from Bianca's store.

"I-I went back and got it for you," Michael ran a hand through his hair. Her eyes watered and she blinked back tears.

"Thank you...no one's ever-" she clutched the bag. "Thank you." She said finally after a moment's pause. He blushed, embarrassed.

"So I'll pick you up here? At 8?" She nodded.

"8? Are we going to dinner." Michael shrugged.

"Sorta," he smiled. "I'm glad you like the dress."

"I love the dress, it's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me," she looked at the dress again. "How did you pay for it." He smiled.

"Same way I paid for the tux," he shrugged. "I missed your birthday."

"I'll pay you back, I swear," she said. He shook his head.

"No, it's a gift, you don't pay back a gift," he leaned down, pressing his lips to her cheek in a soft kiss. "I'll see you tonight." He whispered and pulled back, waving to Isabel.

"Bye Iz," he opened the door letting himself out.

"Ooh!" Isabel squealed, pressing down her feelings of jealousy. "Let me see it." Maria slowly extracted the dress from the bag, unfolding it slowly. Isabel gasped. It was gorgeous. Far better then her dress. Again she felt the jealousy rise. This was going to be harder then she expected. She put on a smile.

"Oh wow," she murmured. "Guess we don't have to worry about picking out lipstick." She handed Maria a glass of soda, complete with ice. Maria blushed nodding, eyes straying to the door. A slow, adoring smile spreading across her face.

"Guess not..."

"You look amazing!" Liz squealed. She blinked, hoping to god none of Laura and Megan's personality was rubbing off on her. But she was telling the truth Maria did look amazing.

"You too," Maria giggled. Liz was the perfect picture of innocence in a light pink dress, stopping just about her knees, her hair in an elegant chignon, a few loose tendrils around her face in ringlets to soften the effect. Light pink sling back pumps adorned her feet, and a pink heart locket lay at her throat.

"Are you finished yet Isabel?" Liz looked to the door. Laura and Megan had left an hour ago; their dates were picking them up at their respective houses instead of Isabel's.

"Almost!" Isabel said. "Just need to fasten this earring."

"They're waiting downstairs!" Liz called.

"It's important to make an entrance," Isabel said, walking out of the bathroom, and fastening one gold earring to her ears. She was a vision in a blood red strapless gown; tight at the top but flaring out at the waist to form a long skirt, covering the expensive read sandals she had chosen to match. Her hair was up as well, in curls, held up by a simple red clip, and twisted in the back, letting the curls fall back over it. (A.N. If you watch Day's of your Life's think of Belle's hair, if you don't, oh well.)

"Wow," Isabel said, giving Maria an appraising look. "Liz is right you do look amazing." Maria smiled again, shifting uncomfortably.

"I'm not..used to this," she said smoothing her skirt.

"You were born for it," Liz assured her. "Just be confident." She giggled, a girlish giggle that she blamed on the night rather then the fact that she had just spent 4 hours in the company of Laura and Megan, West Roswell High's two most obnoxious teenagers.

"Let's go greet our men shall we ladies?" Isabel said dramatically, grinning, but not because of the night. Because of what she had planned for the night. Just as long as Laura and Megan kept up their end, all would go smoothly.

Liz came first down the stairs, her hand trailing lightly on the railing, grinning from ear to ear at Max, who looked like he was going to go into cardiac arrest any minute. She stood before him, striking a little pose.

"Well?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think Mr. Evans?"

"Your look gorgeous," he whispered sincerely, taking a small box out from under his jacket, betraying a light pink corsage. He opened the box slowly, sliding it onto her wrist.

"Wait till you see Isabel and Maria," she laughed, linking her hands with his. She looked to Alex who was looking very dashing in his tux, and Michael who leaned against the wall in his own tux, bored already. Alex shifted on the balls of his feet, full of nervous energy. And then she appeared. Isabel walked down the stairs with all the grace of a queen, her poise elegant, her chin titled upwards in a regal stance. She smiled at him.

"Hello Alex," he gulped.

"Hi-Hi," he said. "This is for you." He mumbled, shoving the box awkwardly into her hand. She faltered a moment, but smiled anyway. Looking down at it. It was a delicate spray of black roses, certainly not from any store around here. (AN: yes they do have these, I've seen them, and they're so pretty)

"They're beautiful," she breathed. "Thank you." She looked up, guilt rising in her chest but she pushed it down, forcing a smile.

"I wasn't sure if you'd like them," Alex said, sheepish.

"I do. They're lovely," She said sincerely, looking again at the box. Michael sighed.

"Can we get this show on the road? Or are you guys gonna make googly eyes at each other all..." he broke off eyes wide, he slid a little further down the wall, lacking the ability to hold himself up. He caught himself on unsteady arms at the hall table, his mouth agape. She was gorgeous. Her hair was up, held that way with a silver hoop thing he couldn't quite describe, the short hair in curls around her face. Her lipstick was a simple light pink, her eyeshadow faint silver, the dress was lovely in itself, he had known that, but it was the woman he was more interested in. He hadn't bought shoes, but Isabel had been more then happy to lend Maria her silver sandal like dress shoes that made her feet look even more delicate. He gulped, tugging at his collar for a second. There was the faintest hint of glitter on her chest and throat, and he could detect the scent of her perfume. He drank it in, taking in a deep breath. So gorgeous.

"Hey," she said nervously fidgeting. He didn't say anything, just simply opened his own box, which had been resting on the table, sliding the white flower onto her wrist, his hand lingering a second longer then needed.

"Well," Isabel said, eyeing the couple. Who were still staring at each other in amazement. "What's the plan?" Michael still didn't say anything; he just kept staring at Maria.

"Well," Max said when he didn't answer. "Me and Liz have reservations are Orlando's, I believe Alex had plans for you two and Michael made separate plans for him and Maria." Isabel nodded.

"We'll all meet back at Summer's Garden's Country Club at 9:30," she said. They all smiled in agreement, except for Michael and Maria, who weren't paying attention.

"So," Maria said. "What do you think of the dress." His eyes darkened.

"I think," he said. "We might have to skip the prom." Her eyes widened and she flushed looking away. He wordlessly offered her his arm, and they walked out, leaving the other 4 couples to stare after them.

"So what did you have planned?" Maria asked, as he led her down the walk.

"You'll see," he shot her a smile. "You really do look beautiful." She blushed again, letting him lead her down the driveway.

"Here we are my lady," he had parked the rented car at the curb and Maria gasped. It was a Corvette, sleek red and oh-so-shiny. He opened the door for her, smiling. She slowly slid in, mouth still agape.

"How did you afford this?" she asked, looking around the small car. He slid in beside her, keys in hand.

"The same way I afford everything," he grinned.

"Visa Platinum," she finished rolling her eyes. "Some things never change." He slid the keys into the ignition, turning them until the engine caught.

"Yes." He said after a pause. "They do."

"Where are we going?" Maria asked, leaning forward slightly.

"You'll see," Michael repeated for what seemed like the fifth time. He looked over at her. "Impatient?"

"Yes."

"We're going to have dinner," he said, pulling the car up to the desired spot and cutting the engine. "Here." Maria looked around the wooded area.

"But there's nothing here," Michael got out of the car, going around to her side and opening her door, helping her out.

"Don't tell me you forgot," he said, staring at her.

"Forgot?" he grabbed her hand. "Come on." He led her to a light path, cleared of all debris, and they made their way down hill, the slight rushing of water could be heard from the creek below.

"This is so silly, where are we going?" Maria asked as he dragged her along, he stopped a moment later and turned to her.

"Close your eyes," he commanded. Maria looked at him puzzled. "Just do it." He said grinning. Sighing she complied.

"No peeking now," he said, moving behind her, his arms going around her, his hands covering her eyes with warm palms. She sucked in a breath and he gently pushed her forward.

"Just keep walking we'll be there in a minute," she could hear the smile in his voice and the hot rush of breath against her ear.

"This is so stupid," she grumbled. He just kept smiling, and stopped her.

"Okay," he slowly took his hands away. "You can look now." She opened her eyes, seeing nothing but more woods.

"I don't-" he tilted her head up slightly and she gasped.

"Oh my god," she put a hand to her mouth. "The clubhouse." Michael shoved his hands into his pockets.

"You like it?" What had once been a simple shack set between two trees was now what could be considered a clubmansion; it had been recently added on to, old white Christmas lights strung around it, lighting up the sky. Maria looked at him, eyes wide.

"You did all this?" Michael grinned wider.

"Max and Alex helped," she looked back at the clubhouse.

"It's gorgeous," he grabbed her hand pulling her to a brand new sturdy rope ladder.

"Come on," he said.

"Up there?" she looked up. He nodded. Maria shrugged, bending down and taking off her shoes. Michael went on ahead, climbing the ladder swiftly, with practiced eased and sliding through the small door of the clubhouse. Maria shoes in hand, followed, climbing slower. She slid into the clubhouse, ducking her head, being careful of her dress. The inside was even more devastating. Not only were the pictures they had painted in early childhood still there but he had also brought two large beanbags for them to sit on, a black one for him, a hippie rainbow one for her. In the middle was an old card table, covered with a red and white checkered tablecloth, an old- fashioned picnic basket on top of that. Maria gasped.

"Wow," she said smiling.

"I'd pull out your chair but I don't think that rule applies to bean bags," he said plopping down on his. He was still required to lean over slightly due to the low roof. Maria however was fine after she sat down on her own beanbag.

"You remembered," she said softly. Michael rolled his eyes.

"You only reminded me every day for two years," she touched the beanbag lightly.

"I remember," she murmured. "I saw one of these in a magazine."

"And all you begged everyone for was a beanbag for Christmas," Michael said softly.

"And I never got one," she felt her eyes burning with tears but Michael's smile pushed them back.

"Until now," he grinned.

"Michael," he cut her off.

"Ready to eat?" she looked at the basket puzzled. "What's in it? Don't tell me its fillet mignon." He laughed, opening the basket and reaching in.

"Not unless fillet mignon looks a lot like peanut butter and banana sandwich's," Maria squealed, clapping her hands together.

"My favorite!" Michael laughed handing her one, wrapped in a sandwich baggie.

"I know." He took out his own.

"Let me guess, peanut butter and apple?" she raised an eyebrow and he nodded.

"It's only the best sandwich in the world," he rolled his eyes. Maria eagerly ripped the bag off taking a bite.

"Oh gawd," she said her mouth full. "Do you know how long it's been since I've had one of these?" She asked, mouth still filled with food, Michael laughed.

"That's not all," he reached into the basket, taking out a Garfield thermos for her and a Snoopy one for him.

"What is it?" she swallowed with difficulty.

"Open it and see," she twisted the top off, setting her sandwich on the table. Michael ate his, watching her.

"Looks like chocolate milk," she said.

"Taste it," Michael said. She took a sip and her eyes widened.

"SUPER chocolate milk!" She squealed, taking another eager sip of the drink. Michael laughed, swallowing a bite of his sandwich.

"8 parts chocolate 2 parts milk," Michael laughed. Maria took another sip.

"Slow down there hoss," Michael grinned. "Remember what happened the last time you chugged a bottle of that stuff." Maria laughed.

"I ruined your favorite pair of sneakers." He took another bite of her sandwich.

"There's one more thing in the basket," he said. Maria looked at him curious.

"What?"

"Reach in and get it," he laughed. Confused she did, her hand digging around the basket until she made contact with crinkling shrink-wrap. She lifted it out and her eyes got wide.

"A TWINKIE!" she laughed, looking at the hostess wrapper.

"You had a very horrible diet when we were little," Michael smiled.

"I haven't had a Twinkie in years," she said.

"I brought two for you two for me."

"I remember why!" she laughed. "Whenever we'd walk down to the store and buy a Twinkie I would either always steal yours or you would steal mine."

"How come we never wised up and just bought two each?" Maria laughed. "I don't know but this is..." she looked up. "This is the sweetest thing Michael." He didn't say anything; he simply popped the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth and chewed. When he swallowed he opened his mouth.

"You're worth it." They're eyes locked for a moment but she looked away, picking up her sandwich. Her eyes fell on the writing behind him.

"Maria DeLuca rules the world." She murmured. He turned and smiled.

"Michael Guerin eats dirty socks," he laughed, pointing to girlish handwriting.

"Maria DeLuca eats boogers," she pointed to another one.

"Michael Guerin can kick DeLuca's butt," he smiled.

"We were violent kids," Maria commented, taking another bite of her sandwich.

"We're violent teenagers," he pointed out.

"That's true," Maria said. "I still rule the world."

"And I can still kick your butt."

"Ugh," Isabel scanned the crowd, tapping her foot impatiently on the hardwood floor. "Where are they?" Everything would fall through if they didn't get here before the King and Queen were announced. She looked to Alex and smiled. He was so sweet. She pushed the thoughts away, the smile falling away from her face. She was going to hurt him, and it was funny, she didn't want to, but NO ONE upstaged Isabel Evan's. Not if she had anything to do it, and Maria Deluca had somehow manage to do that without trying.

"Got your punch," Alex handed her a glass of red liquid. "I don't think it's spiked." She smiled, taking a delicate sip.

"After we finish our punch would you like to dance?" she asked, looking at the dance floor. Megan and Laura were already out there, clinging and chatting wildly with their respective dates, who looked ready to either vomit or bolt. Or both.

"Uh..sure," he ran a hand through his hair again. Isabel smiled into her punch cup sipping her drink.

"Hey guys," Liz grinned, her arm linked with Max's, her cheeks flushed. They hadn't stopped dancing since they'd arrived. "Guess who just arrived?" Isabel's eyes flew to the door, and sure enough there he was with Maria on his arm. The little twit was laughing about something and Michael had linked his hand with hers. She moved her eyes to the dance floor and caught Laura and Megan's eyes. They nodded, smiling wickedly and leaned up, whispering something in the poor shmuck's ears.

"Why don't we go over and say hi?" Isabel grinned, setting her punch on a table and grabbing Alex's hand. Some people still couldn't get over the fact that she had gone with Alex Whitman, but it was imperative that her plan be perfect, and poor Alex. Alex was just a pawn, a simple extra layer of icing on the cake.

"Hey!" Maria grinned when she saw them.

"Have fun?" Isabel asked. Maria nodded rolling her eyes.

"Dork boy over here's car broke down." Maria looked at him. "What were you saying about Visa Platinum?" He growled.

"Watch it Maria or I might have to do something drastic," he said. Maria raised a challenging eyebrow.

"Oh?" She smirked. "Like what?"

"Like...dance," he grabbed her hand. "Come on." Maria's eyes got wide.

"NO! Michael I can't...you know I can't dance, Michael! Michael are you evening listening to me?" He wasn't however, he laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist and tugging her closer, against his chest.

"Shut up Maria," he whispered. "You talk too much."

~Make me a witness.
Take me out.
Out of darkness.
Out of doubt.~

Maria closed her eyes, laying her head on his chest. Breathing in the scent of his cologne, mixed in with that scent that was all Michael. Her hands entwining with his, feeling every callous, every bit of rough skin.

~I won't weigh you down.
With good intention.
Won't make fire out of clay.
Or other inventions.
Will we burn, in heaven.
Like we do, down here.
Will the change come
While we waiting?~

Michael closed his eyes as well, his head coming to rest on her hair. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. This gorgeous girl, who he'd, had blinders on towards for years. This perfect woman had been in front of him the whole time. It had nothing to do with her beauty, even though that was nice and all. She was strong, she was sweet, and she was intelligent and so adorable. She was perfect. They swayed to the music, totally lost in each other. The world didn't exist, the hordes of people fell away, and the social gap between them closed, all they needed was right there. Clinging on for dear life.

~Everyone is waiting.
And when we're done
Soul searching. And we carry the weight
And die for a cause.
It's misery, made beautiful
Right before our eyes.
Mercy be revealed or blind us where we stand.~

Isabel glared, her eyes going to the stage. Seeing the Principal Carver preparing himself in the wings, envelopes in his hand. She smiled, linking hands with Alex and pulling him onto the dance floor. She didn't have much time. She wanted to make her time with him last, before he hated her. She looked at him sadly, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him close, enjoying the feel of his arms around her waist. She had to make it last.

It passed quickly. He told a few lame jokes, he recognized the members of the prom committee, making sure they got a round of applause and he smiled, holding up the envelopes, clearing his throat into the mike.

"Now for the moment you've all be waiting for," he smiled, a cheesy but sincere smile, and slowly tore opened the envelope. "The ninety-nine, two thousand Prom King is," there was the tearing of paper and he slowly extracted the card. "Michael Guerin." The roar of the crowd was deafening.

"Congratulations," Maria smiled up at him, pushing him towards stage. "Go get your crown." He smiled, winking at her, and made his way up the stage, giving a half-hearted wave to the crowd he shook hands with the principal. Valerie Johnson rushed forward, a gold crown in hand, placing it on his mop of spiky curls, which even though it was Prom he still hadn't tamed. He gave her a hug and turned to the mike.

"Uh..thank you," Maria laughed, and his eyes locked with hers from the stage, giving her a helpless shrug. He looked so at home up there, like he was made for the spotlight, and something in her heart contracted. He belonged there. She didn't. She kept the smile fixed in place but her eyes were sad.

"And now, for the second moment you've all be waiting for," Principal Carver, help up the second envelope. Again there was the tearing of paper, and the held breaths of the crowd in anticipation.

"Isabel Evans." There was a squeal, from Laura and Megan, who grabbed their friend, yanking her towards the stage. She smiled in triumph, her eyes briefly going to Alex, but looking away, passing over Maria. She smiled wider when she reached the stage, looking positively lovely under the spotlight. Valerie came forward again, setting a delicate tiara on the girl's blonde hair. They hugged and Isabel turned to the microphone.

"I can't tell you what an honor it is that you voted for me," she said sincerely. The applause was again deafening. The floor cleared on commanded, and Michael took Isabel's hand leading her to the dance floor, the spotlight following them. Maria smiled again, turning and walking to the restroom. She wasn't jealous. She had no reason to be. She was happy for him, but sad. He belonged there. In that world of glitz and glamour and she refused to bring him down. Michael didn't see her go, didn't see her leave, he set his hand at the small of Isabel's back.

"Congrat's," he said. "You deserved it." Isabel smiled.

"You too." Michael shook his head.

"This thing? I don't want this stupid crown," Isabel looked at him confused.

"Why not?" Michael shrugged.

"It's not important to me," Isabel nodded, looking past his shoulder, her eyes glaring at Megan and Laura, nodding towards the bathroom. They nodded, smiling that wicked smile again and skipped off, giggling. Isabel turned to Michael smiling.

"So what is important to you?" She asked.

"Maria," he smiled. "She's important to me." Isabel resisted the urge to growl.

"That's so cute," she said instead. "You must really care about her." Michael nodded but she wasn't looking at him, her eyes were on the bathroom.

The ladies room of the country club was divided into two sections, one was simple for toilets and sinks, the other was a powder room type setup, with a sofa and chair for women to talk and chatter and fix their makeup in. Maria went into the restroom section, reaching into her small white purse, and taking out her lipstick. The powder room made her ill.

"They are so like the perfect couple," she looked up, hearing the voices of two giggly girls from the front.

"Yeah! I know! Did you see DeLuca's face when they went to dance?" Megan laughed. Maria growled, clutching her lipstick. They ignored her though, pretending they didn't know she was there.

"Like she actually believes Michael Guerin would ever seriously date her anyway," Laura gave an unladylike snort.

"Whose idea was that dare anyway?" Laura cast her eyes to the door, smiling, her voice a little louder then normal to make sure Maria heard.

"I think it was Kyle's, but Michael was more then happy to go along with it," Megan reached into her purse, taking out her mascara. "And poor Isabel, she had to get stuck with the loser of all losers."

"Can you believe she came with Whitman? What was she thinking?" Maria's eyes opened wide, her lipstick dropping to the counter forgotten.

"You didn't know? He was part of the dare too!" Megan laughed. "Michael had to find a way to get icy Deluca to bed and Isabel had to actually be seen at a public function with Whitman." Maria gasped, and they heard her. Megan smiled.

"What did they bet?" Laura asked innocently.

"Nothing I don't think, Michael just wanted to see if she could do it," Megan tossed the mascara back into her bag. "They're going to publicly ditch them tonight anyway. As a joke or something I don't know." The voices faded out. Maria sucked in a breath. A dare. It had been a dare. She bit her lip. She wouldn't cry. Not over this. She was stronger then this. She was supposed to be angry. She leaned against the wall, feeling a tear slip out from her eye. It didn't make sense. He had been so sweet, and so kind. Then there was the clubhouse, would he actually go to all the trouble just to get her into bed? Maria shook her head. Megan and Laura were wrong. Michael would never do that. He was sweeter then that. But then her mind went to his statement from earlier...""I think," he had said. "We might have to skip the prom." She shook her head. He was just kidding he had just been kidding. She grabbed her lipstick, ripping the top off with a trembling hand. Michael wouldn't do anything to hurt her; he was her friend, perhaps more then that. She slowly applied it and then recapped it, throwing it into her bag. He wouldn't do that to her.

Isabel kept her eyes firmly on the door of the bathroom as they danced, watching and Megan and Laura left, giving her affirming nods. She smiled, pulling Michael a little closer as she watched the door and then Maria appeared. Isabel wasted no time, she grabbed Michael's head, pressing his lips to hers and holding them there. Michael's eyes shot up, and he tried to push Isabel away but Maria couldn't see his eyes, and the crowd of people around them blocked his hands. She gasped, her pursing dropping to the ground. She couldn't see Michael's eyes, and he couldn't see her heartbreaking as she turned and ran out of the room.

"What the hell was that?" Michael finally managed to push her away. Isabel batted her eyes, trying to look innocent.

"But it's customary for the king to kiss the queen," he looked at her bewildered for a moment. Isabel swallowed for a moment, guilt rising in her chest. She looked up, her eyes locking with Alex's, he shook his head disgusted and turned, following the blonde girl who was pushing and shoving her way to the door.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Michael looked at her. His eyes caught a glimpse of a fairy in white and he turned, just in time to see the door close behind her and Alex rushing to catch up with her.

"What did you do?" his voice was low threatening. Isabel raised her chin, Princess Isabel in control now.

"What I had to do," she said. "NO ONE upstages me." Kyle came up, running a hand through his hair.

"Wow, that was some kiss."

"Maria," Alex said, grabbing her arm. "Maria please, come back." She wrenched her arm from his grip, glaring at him through her tears.

"No, just leave me alone," she turned and continued down the long stairs. He grabbed her again.

"It was just a kiss, maybe...if we go back they'll explain," Alex pleaded with her. "Maria please, come back." Maria laughed, a bitter laugh, one that should have never come from a girl as vibrant as her.

"It wasn't just a kiss," Maria wiped her eyes, still laughing. "It was a dare. Kyle Valenti dared them to take us to the prom. And later tonight? They're going to publicly humiliate us, again." She turned. "I thought he was my friend, but he just wanted to get me in bed." Alex sucked in a breath, the news hit him hard, and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

"Maybe they'll..." she cut him off.

"Explain? NO Alex there's nothing to explain," she said. "I just want to go home. Goodnight Alex." Alex looked at her.

"Your not the Maria I know," he shook his head, and she froze.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She whirled on him.

"You're taking the cowards way out," he said staring straight into her eyes. "Your not a coward." Maria sucked in a breath, her eyes going to the door.

"Your right," she clenched her fist. "I'm not a coward."

"Way to go Guerin," Kyle slapped him on the back.

"Shut up Kyle," Michael snapped. "I didn't have anything to do with that kiss." Michael glared at Isabel. "You really are getting desperate huh Isabel?" Isabel returned the glare, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Don't you see Michael? You don't belong together, it's not right," her tone was cold. "You'd be throwing everything away."

"What the hell do you know?" Michael yelled at her, drawing stares. "She means every-" he was cut off, but a small fist flying for his face, connecting solidly with his eye.

"That's for me," Maria yelled, glaring at him. She whirled, her fist flying again, catching Isabel in the nose. She cried out stumbling backwards, blood already beginning to seep through her fingers. The tiara fell, clattering to the floor. Maria whirled on Kyle. Her other fist flying this time, landing on his cheek hard and snapping his head back. He cried out.

"And that's for both of us." She hissed, whirling. "Good night." And like that she was gone.

"What the HELL did you hit me for?" Kyle yelled out angrily after her. Michael held a hand to his eye, staring after the retreating girl.

"That was pretty impressive babe," Alex wrapped his arm around her. "Nice right hook." Maria clutched her stinging hand.

"Hurt like hell," she muttered. "But god was it worth it." She almost smiled, almost. Alex gave her a squeeze.

"Not *that's* the Maria I know," he smiled. "Come on."

"No that's okay," she ducked under his arm. "I don't need a ride." He raised an eyebrow.

"Then how do you plan to get home?" He asked.

"I'll make arrangements," she smiled, reaching up and kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry Alex," she murmured. "I know you liked her." He nodded.

"Don't worry about it," he gave her a small smile. "What could a girl like Isabel Evan's ever see in me anyway?" Maria smiled.

"You'd be surprised," Alex gave her a little wave.

"Call me," he said. "I mean it." She nodded, waving back and turning, crossing her arms over the chest as she heard the engine catch, and Alex pull away. She reached down, taking off her sandals and tossing them into the trash. It was time to start walking.

"What the hell," Michael clutched his eyes. He glared at Isabel. "What did you do?" He repeated. Isabel clutched her nose, but no sympathy would come from either of the two wounded guys beside her. Kyle was grumbling about crazy prom dates, holding his cheek. Michael ignored the pain in his eye, feeling a little pride at Maria's right hook.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" he yelled. Isabel sniffed a little pulling back.

"What I had to do," she snapped.

"No one puts one over on Queen Isabel," he scoffed. "Goodnight." He turned, walking away.

"Michael," he turned, glaring at her. "I'm sorry."

"You should have put that conscience to use long before this," Michael said softly. "Like when you were ruining my life." He turned again, slowly walking away.

"NOW will you tell me what the hell is going on?"

Full Of Grace

~the winter here's cold, and bitter
it's chilled us to the bone
we haven't seen the sun for weeks
to long too far from home
I feel just like I'm sinking
and I claw for solid ground
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
oh darkness I feel like letting go~

She walked slowly down the highway, her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes shut, as she tried to breathe through the sobs wracking her body. The hem of her gorgeous dress dragged the ground, but she didn't care. Why should she? He had lied to her. The one person she had thought she could trust had lied to her. It had been a game to him, a stupid dare. Her hand throbbed down by her side, the flesh on her knuckles raw and the skin slightly peeled from scraping against flesh and bone. It made her feel better somehow; at least she could feel pain, because right now she was numb to everything else.

~if all of the strength and all of the courage
come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
full of grace
full of grace
my love~

It had been such a perfect night, such a perfect week. He had been so sweet to her, so nice. She laughed to herself bitterly. He had had a motive. A reason to take poor sweet little outcast Maria under his wing and make her feel special for a few fleeting days. She had made a fool of herself, clinging to him like that, believing his feelings to be true. She should have known. They were worlds apart. They had been since freshmen year, when Michael had discovered sports, and Maria had discovered witty barbs could cut even the highest authority. Of course he would change. For Isabel Evan's anyone would change. Maria closed her eyes again, a few more tears slipping past her lashes and slowly sliding down her cheeks and finally landing on the dress. The dress he had gotten her.

~so it's better this way, I said
having seen this place before
where everything we said and did
hurts us all the more
its just that we stayed, too long
in the same old sickly skin
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
oh darkness I feel like letting go~

And that was even more puzzling. Why spend all this money, go to all this trouble for a girl who'd been in love with him since she was 5? Was she really that unapproachable, that cold? Did men really have to go to all that trouble just to get a passionate response out of her that wasn't anger? She didn't feel closed off, or at least she hadn't before tonight. She swallowed. This was a learning experience.

~if all of the strength
and all of the courage
come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
full of grace
full of grace
my love~

Nothing more. She would get over it, she would go back to school for the few weeks they left, she would take her exams and she would look at West Roswell High and laugh. Because she had gotten through, because she was still alive and because it was silly really how much importance was placed on your social status. She would live. But if that was true then why, why did she feel like she was dying. Slowly with each step taken towards home, each step taken away from that horrible building. One step at a time.

He blinked, rubbing his good eye, and then he blinked again. It couldn't be. She would be out here at this time of night. But how many angels do you see walking down the road at 11:00? He braked, his foot banging down on the pedal and his and wrenching open the door.

"Maria!" she froze, tensing. He could see it even from 15 feet away. She shook her head, and kept walking, her bare feet rushing past the ground at a fairly fast rate. She ignored the pain on her feet from rocks and various debris.

"Maria please," he called, jogging to catch up. "Just let me explain."

"Go away," she snapped over her shoulder. "Just..go away Michael." She kept walking.

"It's freezing out here," he said, making his pace even brisker. "Just come to the car and let me explain. You misunderstood-" she whirled, coming face to face with the 3rd button of his white dress shirt, she looked up angrily.

"I misunderstood nothing," she glared at him. "In fact I can finally see everything perfectly." She whirled again, this time in the direction she had been walking.

"Isabel planned it," Michael said desperately, trying to catch up with her. She was fast for a little thing. "I don't know what you heard but whatever it was it wasn't true." Maria snorted.

"Right, like I'm supposed to trust you," she snapped. "I saw you kiss her Michael."

"I know," Michael said. "But that wasn't my fault either. Isabel just grabbed me and-" Maria cut him off.

"And what? Forced your lips on hers for 5 minutes?" She sighed. "Just leave Michael."

"No. Get in the car Maria," Maria shook her head.

"No. Leave me alone." Michael growled.

"Just let me explain."

"There is NOTHING to explain, I understand," she kept walking. "I'm just going to go home, take a nice long bath and bash myself over the head with a baseball bat a few times for moronic behavior okay?"

"Get in the car," he repeated.

"No." He growled, grabbing her around her waist and hoisting her up, slinging her over his shoulder fireman style.

"MICHAEL!!" she shrieked, kicking her arms and clawing at his back. "Put me down!! You stupid male type Neanderthal!! This is kidnapping. Rape. Sexual harassment. PUT ME DOWN!!" Her leg hit his stomach and he grunted, but didn't falter.

"No." He said. "You're going to hear me out."

"I don't WANT to hear you out," she snapped. "Don't you think I've been subjected to enough tonight?" She glared at his feet as the ground past below her.

"But I didn't DO anything." He snapped. "And I'm going to prove it." She ignored him, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

"Michael stop it," Maria snapped. "I'm serious. You can't just pick me up and tote me off wherever you want. They have laws and restraining orders for this type of thing." He ignored her, wrenching open the door of his rental and unceremoniously dumping her inside, crawling in after her and slamming the door. She tried to bolt, grabbing the handle of the door and trying to push it open but he grabbed her wrists.

"LET ME GO!" She shrieked, trying her hardest to get her wrists out of his death grip. But he was strong, firm but gentle, that was Michael.

"Just hear me out," she stopped, the tone in his voice, so soft and pleading making her stop. "Just let me explain." Maria scowled at him.

"Fine." She snapped. "But then I'm leaving." He nodded.

"If you don't like what I have to say then you can go."

"Make it snappy."

"I didn't kiss Isabel," Michael said. "Hell I didn't even kiss her back."

"Then what-" he cut her off.

"Let me tell my side okay? Then we'll get to yours."

"She grabbed my head and pulled me down, I tried to get away but damn...Isabel's strong when she wants to be." Michael said. "I don't know why you punched Kyle," he smiled. "But I can ASSURE you he wasn't in on the kiss."

"That's not why I punched him and you know it. He made the stupid bet in the first place."

"What bet?" Michael asked. "What did Isabel tell you?"

"Isabel," she sneered the girl's name. "Didn't tell me a thing, so don't worry. Your reputation is still intact." She took in a shuddering breath. "You can just tell your jock friends that you caught up with me on the side of the road and charmed my dress off or something. Are you done?" She asked glaring at him. "Because I'd like to go home now."

"Not until YOU explain."

"But you said-"

"Screw what I said. I want to know what you're talking about. What bet?" Maria laughed bitterly.

"Don't play all innocent Michael, I'm not going to do anything about it so you should just fess up and spare yourself the trouble."

"I didn't MAKE any bet. What are you talking about?" he looked at her bewildered.

"STOP IT!" Maria yelled, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I may be young, and I may be naïve but I'm NOT stupid. You're not seriously thinking you could possibly dupe me twice are you?"

"I DIDN'T DUPE YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE." He yelled and then he released her, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, I'm just frustrated."

"I'll be going now," she reached for the door but her latched onto her arm.

"What bet Maria?" He whispered. "What bet?"

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, tears falling freely now.

"Because, I want to know what's going on," he reached out, his hand slowly brushing a tear away. "What bet?" Maria took in a breath.

"Fine. If you insist on acting this way..." she sighed. "I was in the bathroom and I heard Megan and Laura talking about...you..and how you and Isabel had made a bet with Kyle. Isabel was to take Alex to the prom and you-" she glared at him through her tears. "You were going to seduce me." Michael burst out laughing.

"Fine. Goodbye," she grabbed the door handle, pushing the door open, but his hand caught her again.

"That is the STUPIDEST thing I've ever heard," he said, tears of mirth coming to his own eyes. "Seduce you?" He burst out laughing again. "I can't even sit in a room with you without getting flustered and I'm going to seduce you." Maria glared at him, suddenly feeling very stupid.

"Let me go." She said.

"I didn't make that bet," Michael said. "I never made any bet, in fact I was trying to figure out how to get you to go out with me for real."

"Why should I believe this?"

"Why should you believe them?" he challenged. "Laura and Megan are the two biggest phonies in all of West Roswell High. Isabel was jealous," he smiled. "She was jealous of you and she made her BEST friends lie to set you on edge."

"And it worked," she snapped. "Then why...why have you been so nice to me if you don't...you don't want to.." Michael chuckled.

"Seduce you?" Michael sighed. "I thought it would be painfully obvious by now." She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm crazy about you," he reached out, tucking an errant curl behind her ear, his eyes locking with hers. "I always have been...it just took me 10 years to realize it." She stared at him.

"Why should I believe you?" she asked. Michael smiled.

"Because, you want to," he leaned down, his lips capturing hers. The kiss was all fireworks and explosions, but sweet, and gentle. She hesitated a second but then, she felt her eyes slip closed, her hand slowly snaked it's way up his chest, wrapping around his neck. He pulled away.

"Tell me you trust me." He said, between rasping breaths.

"What?" her eyes snapped open, dazed.

"Tell me you trust me," Maria smiled, reaching up, her hands splayed against his cheek.

"I trust you," she whispered. "And I'm sorry I should have talked to you first I should have-" he put a finger to her lips.

"I understand...I would have done the same thing," he smiled. "We're going to start over okay?" She nodded. He held out a hand. "Michael Guerin," she laughed, shaking it.

"Maria DeLuca," she tried to pull away but he grasped her hand, tugging her forward onto his lap.

"Pleased to meet you," and again his lips claimed hers.

"I really am sorry," Maria smiled up at him, for the fifth time that day. Michael smile, stroking her hair.

"It's fine, I completely understand," he said.

"But your eye," she reached up, touching the black skin that sorrounded his eye. "It just looks so awful."

"Thanks," he said dryly. "That's exactly the type of thing every man wants to hear from his girlfriend."

"I didn't mean it that way," Maria said. "I just feel bad. I didn't know I hit you that hard."

"Neither did I," he picked up her tiny hand. "But you're remarkably strong DeLuca."

"And poor Kyle," she looked across the lawn to Kyle Valenti, who was sitting at his usual table, munching on a sandwhich, a dark bruise on his cheek.

"Don't worry," Michael grinned. "He's walking around telling all his jock friends who were up in hotel rooms when it happened that a big gang of three men jumped him after the dance." Maria laughed.

"And Isabel?" she asked, a hard edge coming to her voice.

"You didn't break it, but she has a black and blue mark acros the bridge according to Max. He said she went through an entire bottle of concealer," Maria raised an eyebrow.

"She apologizes by the way," Michael said.

"You're letting her off awful easy," Maria grumbled. He shrugged.

"The damage is done, and you're still here," he squeezed her, as if for confirmation that she was indeed still there.

"Yes I am," Maria said. "I'm sorry but I hold a grudge."

"Understandable babe," he kissed her forhead. "Isabel does have a conscience, it's just hidden under acres of makeup and hairspray."

"Well Alex won't be so quick to forgive," Maria muttered. Michael smiled.

"I don't think we can be so sure. Alex is a pretty cool guy." Maria raised an eyebrow looking up at him.

"Oh really?" Maria said. "And here I thought you hated him." Michael grinned.

"I thought I did too, but he rubs off on ya." Maria smiled.

"Yeah. He does."

She approached slowly, her sneakser making relatively no noise on the metal girders as she made her way up to greet him. She got the distinct feeling of déjà vu as she walked up. He was bent over that notebook again, his brow furrowed in concentration. Isabel smiled.

"Hey Alex," he looked up startled, his surprise quickly replaced by cold animosity.

"Oh, hello Isabel," he went back to his notebook. She sighed, taking a seat one row below him on the bleachers.

"I understand if you don't want to speak to me," she said sadly. "But just listen okay?" He made no move to push her forward so she began. "I'm sorry, I guess I was just jealous that Maria was taking something I couldn't have." She looked at him. "But I didn't want Michael Alex," she said. "I wanted you." Alex scoffed, raising his eyes to meet hers.

"And I'm supposed to believe that?"

"No," Isabel said. "Your not SUPPOSED to believe anything. You can believe what you want. I'm simply telling you the truth. I liked you, a lot actually, but I let my jealousy get in the way of that and I' m sorry." She looked at her feet.

"I forgive you," he said after a pause. She looked up startled.

"You do?" He nodded.

"I don't quite trust you yet, but I forgive you," she reached out a hand, taking his in her own and giving it a squeeze.

"Then that's a start isn't it?"

The End.