| Who Love Me - Part One ***PART ONE*** Maria walked down the halls, heading straight to Liz�s locker. She felt a hard shoulder bump into her and she dropped her books. �Sorry,� a male voice said. �It was my fault,� Maria told him as she bent down to get her books off the floor. He knelt beside her and they both reached for her French book. When his hand touched Maria�s, she felt a jolt of electricity. Obviously he felt it too because when their hands touched he looked up at Maria. Maria got lost in his eyes as she looked into his face. �I�m Brian,� he said, still staring into her eyes. �I�m Maria,� she told him as she went back to getting her books off the floor. �Um, can I walk you to your locker?� Brian asked, getting her last book off the floor. �Yeah, sure,� Maria said with a smile. Brian held out his hand and Maria took it, again feeling the jolt of electricity run through her. It made her smile. It was never this way with Michael, Maria thought smiling wider as Brian led her to her locker. ***** Michael walked through the halls of West Roswell High with a motive. He was going to take Maria to the eraser room and confess his feelings for her. He didn�t care what other people thought. He turned the corner to her locker and saw her there with a tall, handsome, brown-haired guy. What�s he doing with Maria? And why is he holding her hand?! Michael thought angrily. He fought to keep his temper in check, but he was fighting a losing battle. He nearly exploded when he felt a large hand on his shoulder. �Hey Michael,� Max said, turning his friend around to face him. �Hey,� Michael said, trying not to turn around and go punch that guy in the face. �What�s up?� �Nothing.� �Aren�t you going to be late for class Michael?� �Um, yeah. I was going to my locker before you hit me,� Michael lied. �Um, Michael, your locker is on the other side of school,� Max told him. He knew Michael was lying and he knew he was down here looking for Maria. Max looked over his shoulder and saw Maria holding hands with another guy. So that�s why he�s so angry, Max thought with a smile. �What are you smiling at?� Michael asked, pretending nothing was wrong. �Nothing,� Max lied to him. �I know what you�re smiling at,� Michael told him. �Maria?� Max said, trying to look innocent, but Michael saw right through him. �Yep,� Michael said, finally turning around to look at Maria and the other guy. �He�s new. His name�s Brian,� Max told him. All Michael did was nod as he saw Maria laugh at something Brian said. He temper began to flare when he turned around and stormed away. Max gave a small laugh at Michael�s display of jealously and ran after his friend. ***** �So let me see your schedule and I�ll see if we have any classes together,� Maria said through her laughs. �Okay,� Brian said, fishing through his bookbag for his schedule. He handed it to her when he finally found it. �Yep, we have one class together,� Maria told him. Then it dawned on her that it was the same class she shared with Michael. Oh this can�t be good, Maria thought. �Hey,� Alex said as he walked up to Maria. Brian stood up straighter and didn�t take his eyes off Alex. �Hey Al,� Maria said. �Maria, who�s this?� Brian asked, his eyes still on Alex. Alex gave him a strange look. �Brian, this is my best friend Alex Whitman. Alex, Brian. He�s a new guy,� Maria said, trying not to laugh at the way Brian was looking at Alex. Did he think Alex was my boyfriend? Maria thought as she snorted a laugh. Brian and Alex both turned at the same time and Maria thought she was going to have to explain herself to them. But her salvation came! �Hey Maria,� Liz interrupted. �Hey. Liz, I�d like you to meet Brian. He�s the new guy around here,� Maria said. �Hi, Maria I need to talk to you,� Liz said, pulling Maria away from the two guys. �What is it Liz?� Maria asked, worried that something would be wrong. �I was just talking to Max who said that he ran into Michael and Michael was actually jealous of you and Brian!� Liz said, giddily. �Liz, calm down. What? Are you serious! Michael was jealous of me and Brian!� Maria said, nearly screaming. �Yep, it�s true!� Liz said, smiling widely. �Oh my God, Liz! Brian, Michael, and I have class second period!� Maria said, getting worried about how Michael would react when she came in with Brian. �Good luck, you know how Michael is,� Liz said as the bell rang. �Well, I�ll see ya in Biology,� Maria told Liz as they walked their separate ways. ***(Well, first period went fine for Maria, but what she was really worried about was second period)*** �Hey beautiful,� Brian said when he saw Maria coming towards her locker. �Hi,� Maria said, blushing. �Maria, do you want to go out on a date tonight?� Brian openly asked. �What?� Maria asked, not quite believing what he said. �Do you want to go out on a date tonight?� Brian asked again, scared she would say no. �Yeah sure,� Maria said, a smile growing on her face. �Great! I was so scared you would say no,� Brian admitted. �How could I say no! Every girl in school wants to date you! Well, except for Isabel and Liz,� Maria told him as Brian took hold of her hand. �Well, do you want to go see a movie?� Brian asked as he walked her to their class. �Yeah, there�s this great movie playing at the art house theater tonight,� Maria told him excitedly. �So, that�s where we�re going,� Brian said as he opened the door to the classroom, not letting go of her hand. Maria smiled as she and Brian walked in. She heard a gasp from all the girls in the room and she saw that Michael had his head in his book. She felt sorry for him. But it was his loss. Maria was finally moving on with her life and he would just have to deal. Brian led Maria over to her desk, which was across from Michael�s and Brian took the one behind her. Michael looked over at Maria and when he saw Brian look at him, he immediately turned his head away. Maria frowned as the bell rang to start class. All during class, Michael kept sneaking glances at Maria and Brian. Each time, Brian would give him the look of death and Michael would turn his head. But he would get Maria back this afternoon at the Crashdown Caf�. Michael smiled as he formulated his plan. It was full proof, especially considering he knows that Maria loves him. ***(Later at the Crashdown)*** �I can�t believe how busy it is!� Liz said as she carried more food to the tables. �I know!� Maria said, while she walked away from a couple who couldn�t make up their minds about what they wanted to eat. �I know why they�re here, they�re here to see your new boyfriend,� Liz told her with a smile. �Oh shut up,� Maria said as she glanced at Brian who was surrounded by girls. Brian glanced up and winked at her. Maria smiled, but it soon faded as Michael walked through the doors of the Crashdown. And he was headed straight for Maria. Brian saw this, got up and made it to Maria before Michael did. �Get out of my way, I need to talk to Maria,� Michael told him. �No, not until I know why. She�s my girlfriend,� Brian told him. Maria got worried as she cast glances from Brian, Michael, to Liz and back. Michael was a good four inches taller and had about 15 pounds more muscle that Brian. But Maria knew what Michael would do if he got riled up. �Michael, what do you want?� Maria said, stepping between Michael and Brian. �I told you. I need to talk to you,� Michael said, grabbing Maria�s arm. �Let her go,� Brian said with venom in his voice. �Not until I talk to her,� Michael said, getting in Brian�s face. �I said, let her go,� Brian said, getting in Michael�s face. �Stop it both of you! Michael you gave me up and when I finally get a boyfriend who actually treats me like I�m his girlfriend you all of a sudden want to date me! Well, you can forget it boy, I�ve moved on,� Maria said, �so get out!� �No, Maria,� Michael started. �You heard her, get out!� Brian said. �Fine!� Michael said as he let go of her arm and stormed out. �Are you okay?� Brian asked her. �Yeah, my arm�s just a little sore,� Maria said, rubbing the place where Michael had grabbed her. �Here,� Brian said as he raised Maria�s arm and kissed where Michael�s red handprint was. �All better.� �Thanks,� Maria said as Brian took her hand and led her to the back room. He grabbed a washcloth and wet it with cold water and put it over her arm. �Thanks,� Maria said as she felt the cold water ease her pain. �Anything,� Brian said with a smile. Maria couldn�t get Michael�s face out of her mind. Michael had looked so sad all day long. But it was his decision not to date her. And she had to get on with her life, but she still loved Michael. She always will. Even is she had a great boyfriend like Brian. She smiled at his kindness towards her. Brian smiled back at her. �Maria are you okay?� Liz asked walking in through the door. �Yeah, I�m fine,� Maria said with a smile. �Why don�t you go on your date early? I�ll cover for you,� Liz said. �Thanks,� Maria said as Brian walked out the doors. Maria pulled her top off completely unknowing that Michael watched her through one of the windows. She�s so beautiful, Michael thought. But you can�t get attached, you have to be a stone wall. And besides, she�s respecting your wishes. But admit it to yourself Guerin, you want her. You always have, Michael thought as he watched Maria change. He finally left when Brian returned with a red rose for her and went on their date. ***** �Are you serious? Michael? Jealous? Those two words just don�t belong in the same sentence,� Isabel told her brother. �It�s true. I could see it. And besides, it�s so obvious that he wants to be with her but Michael is so guarded that he can�t or won�t let anyone in, even if he loves them,� Max told her. �What about me and love?� Michael asked as he started coming in through Max�s window. �Nothing,� Isabel said, trying not to laugh. �Isabel,� Max started. �Shouldn�t you be out chasing Maria and her new beau?� Isabel asked, laughing. �Look, if Maria has moved on, then that�s fine with me,� Michael lied. �Yeah, sure, whatever you say,� Isabel said, knowing it wasn�t true. �Shut up Isabel, I need to talk to Max,� Michael said, finishing coming in through the window. �Sure,� Isabel said, trying to keep her laughs at a minimum. �What�s up?� Max asked. �I need you to change my looks,� Michael told him. �Michael, that�s kinda hard to do,� Max said, getting up off of his bed. �I don�t care, I want you to do it,� Michael ordered. �Why?� Max asked even though he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from Michael�s mouth. �Just do it,� Michael ordered again. �Not until you tell me why!� Max screamed. �Fine! I want to follow Maria and that guy and I don�t want her to know it�s me! Okay! Are you happy now!� Michael said. �Okay, that�s all you had to say,� Max said as he put his hands on Michael�s face and immediately Michael�s features began to change. His eyes went from brown to bright blue, his hair from brown to blonde. His hair grew and it went from spiky to falling to his ears. He shrunk a good five inches and his chest widened. �There, all done,� Max said, taking his hands away from Michael�s face. �Thanks, now I have one more favor to ask you,� Michael started. �You want to borrow some of my clothes,� Max answered for him. �Well, then make that two favors. I need some of your clothes and I need you to change my voice,� Michael instructed. �Okay,� Max told him as he put his hand over Michael�s throat and Max told Michael to start talking and to tell him when to stop. Michael�s deep voice continued to get higher until he sounded almost like Alex. �Thanks,� changed Michael told Max. �Here are some clothes you can borrow and if you get them dirty, you�re cleaning them,� Max said with a grin as he walked out the door. Is he crazy? Michael thought. He pulled off his black shirt and put on the navy blue button-down shirt that Max had given him. Max�s clothes were usually too big in the chest, but not now�Max�s shirt fit perfectly. He pulled his pants off and slid Max�s dark blue ones on. It�s showtime, Michael thought with a smile. ***** �Was that a great movie or what?� Maria said as she and Brian walked out of the theater hand-in-hand. �I probably wouldn�t have enjoyed much if you hadn�t been there,� Brian said with a smile. Maria smiled back and Brian squeezed her hand. �Thanks. Hey, the night�s still young, you want to go get some ice cream?� Maria suggested. �Sure. But on one condition,� Brian said with a smile. �What�s that?� Maria asked as she flashed him a 1000-watt smile. �We have to share,� Brian told her as he stood in front of her. �Sounds good,� Maria told him as they went to get some ice cream. ***** Ice cream? Ice cream? She never asked to out for ice cream with me. If she had asked, I would have gone, Michael angrily thought. Hold up Michael, you were never officially a couple so she wouldn�t have asked you anyway, another voice contradicted in Michael�s head. Michael followed the couple to the ice cream pallor, completely oblivious to the people who knew him. My plan is working! No one knows who I am! Michael did a half-smiled at the thought. When the three reached the pallor, Michael took a seat near the door in case he had to make a quick getaway. �What do you want Maria?� Brian asked, pulling out his wallet. �Pistachio and I�ll pay,� Maria told him, pulling out some money. �One pistachio, and I�m paying,� Brian told her. Maria smiled, but she smiled harder when she remembered her past �dates� with Michael. She would always pay. Not that she minded, but it would have been nice if he would have paid every now and then. Michael smiled at Maria�s choice of ice cream. Pistachio was Michael�s favorite and that Maria hated it. He wanted to go over to Maria and kiss her for all she was worth right then. But he couldn�t. He didn�t want to be arrested for stalking or molesting her. His vengeance would have to wait. But it would be so sweet. Michael smiled again. A few girls smiled and winked at Michael. Maybe I�ll have be this guy more often, he thought as he flashed the girls a smile. The girls giggled and turned away to talk about this �mystery man�. But his attention changed back to Maria as she and Brian walked over to a table and sat down. Brian gave Maria a spoon and they dug into the ice cream. His temper began to boil as Brian reached over and took Maria�s hand. Michael knew that he would do something he would regret if he didn�t get out of there soon. Michael got up and stormed out the door. The last thing he heard before he left the pallor was Maria asking Brian what his problem was. Michael ran back to his apartment and punched a hole through his kitchen table. But with one swipe of his hand, the hole was gone. He laid down on his couch and fell asleep with visions of Maria and Brian holding hands and eating ice cream. Brian walked Maria home and gave her a kiss on the cheek, but Maria wanted more. �What are you doing Maria?� Brian asked when Maria didn�t let go of his hand. �I want you to kiss me,� Maria told him. �Maria,� Brian started. He never got to finish before Maria brought his lips to hers. Brian deepened the kiss by putting his tongue through Maria�s lips and began to wrestle with Maria�s tongue. They stayed like this until Maria�s mom came through the door. �Maria!� Amy Deluca screamed at her daughter. Maria just realized that she her hands around Brian�s neck and Brian had his hands one Maria�s hips. �Hi mom,� Maria said as she pulled her arms down from around Brian�s neck. �Hi Ms. Deluca,� Brian managed to get out as he took his hands from Maria�s hips. �Who are you?� Amy asked. �I�m Brian Bratt,� he said, extending his hand. �Hello, as you know, I�m Maria�s mom, Amy,� she said. �Hello, Ms. Deluca,� Brian said. �Please, call me Amy,� she said, taking his hand. �Okay, Amy. Maria, I�ll see you tomorrow,� Brian told them, taking Maria�s hand and kissing it lightly. �Okay, bye,� Maria said �Who was that Maria?� Amy asked, shutting the door behind Maria. �Brian,� Maria said, dreamily. �Oh, really? Well, what about Michael? I thought you two were dating?� �Mom, what happened to the �Don�t ask, don�t tell� policy?� Maria asked, eyeing her mother. �Sorry, I just thought he was cute and I was wondering what his name was,� Amy told her daughter. �Yeah, he is cute, isn�t he?� Maria asked smiling. �Yeah, well you better get to bed. You have school tomorrow. And don�t let me catch you with Brian in your bed!� Amy called to Maria with a smile. Maria�s smile faded with her mother�s reference to the morning she found her and Michael in Maria�s bed. Maria walked up to her room and when she shut the door, she got a strange feeling that someone was watching her. She turned her light on and walked over to her window and her eyes got huge when she realized what was outside her window. �Michael?� Maria said as she opened her window. �Hey,� he said as he climbed through her window. He had gotten Max to change his looks back before he came over so Maria wouldn�t be scared half to death. �What are you doing here?� Maria asked, annoyed. �I wanted to see you. When Brian wasn�t here,� Michael said, not looking at her. �So? Your point being? I told you to stay away from me Michael,� Maria told him. �Maria, just here me out, please?� Michael kindly asked her. He asked her in a tone Maria didn�t think he was capable of using. He was finally letting his guard down. For her! Maria couldn�t believe it! �I�m listening,� Maria said, putting her arms across her chest. She was happy that Michael was finally letting his guard down, but she wasn�t going to let him know that�just yet. �Look, seeing you with Brian, made me think. About us,� Michael began. �Us? What us? You broke up with me and now I�ve moved on and you can�t deal! Well, buddy, you�re just going to have to! Because I like Brian, I like him a lot,� Maria sternly told him. �Just shut up Maria!� Michael said. But before Maria could respond, Michael pulled Maria in for a kiss. When his lips touched hers, she didn�t feel the spark like she had with Brian. She pushed Michael away and slapped him. Hard. When Michael turned his face back towards her, she saw the handprint she had left on his face. �What the hell has gotten into you Maria! I thought that this is what you wanted!� Michael yelled, rubbing his face. �No what I wanted was a normal relationship with a normal guy! And you Michael, are no normal guy! You�re self-centered and all you care about is finding your past! Not me! So when I finally get a boyfriend who treats me like a person, you go all ballistic!� Maria yelled, her arms flying widely around her. �I know that Maria, it�s just that I can�t stand seeing you with someone else! You belong to me!� Michael yelled, getting in Maria�s face. �No I don�t belong to you Michael! You�re not my boyfriend, you�re not my fianc�, and you�re not my father or my brother, so you have no right to say that I belong to you!� Maria screamed. �Fine! If that�s the way you want it, Maria, I�ll leave! You�ll never have to see me again, because I won�t be around! You know what Maria? You were the only reason I ever stayed in Roswell!� Michael yelled. �What do you mean that I was the reason?� Maria asked. �I was this close to leaving Roswell for good, but then I thought of you and I couldn�t stay away from Roswell and it was because of you, but now, you�ve moved on and so should I,� Michael said, climbing out her window. �Good bye Maria,� Michael said, before he took off. �Michael wait!� Maria called after him. But he didn�t turn around. Maria ran to her phone and dialed Max�s number. �Hello?� Max asked sleepily. �Max, I need your help. It�s Michael,� Maria said into the phone. TBC . . . |