Liz walked back up the stairs and backstage. Brian was talking to Elisa and Nick. Liz stopped and watched Brian for a minute before walking over with a cookie.
"Hi everyone." Liz said, walking over.
Brian and everyone else looked at her and Brian's eyes lit up for a minute. "Hi Liz."
Elisa looked at her, "Where were you?"
Liz shrugged, "I went to get something to eat. They're giving away some cookies and pop over by the front doors."
Nick nodded, "They usually do. I think they're great cookies!"
Elisa smiled and playfully slapped his arm. "Nicky, you're crazy."
He looked at her and they started kissing. Liz looked at Brian in confusion. Brian shrugged and mouthed 'They're going out'. Liz felt jealousy. Nick and Elisa could show everyone in the world that they were going out because Nick was only two and a half years older than Eli. Brian was seven years older than she was and no one would approve, least of all her family. She longed to be able to hug and kiss Brian in public without worrying what people would think. Liz felt Brian's eyes on her and she mouthed to him. 'can we please tell them about us so we can be together when they're around?'. Brian smiled and nodded and Liz felt her heart jump for joy.
Elisa and Nick finally pulled apart and Liz and Brian nodded to each other. "So," Brian started, "Before you girls go home, would you care for some coffee or something?"
Liz nodded, looking at Elisa, "Yes we would."
Elisa shrugged and took Nick's hand. "Ok, where too?"
Nick shrugged, "Bri, you pick."
Brian nodded, "Ok, lets go and get in the limo." He smiled at Liz and lead the way. Once they were all in the limo, he put the privacy window up, separating them from the driver. Then he sat back and took Liz's hand. She leaned her head on his shoulder. Elisa smiled.
"And what is this, may I ask?"
"A secret." Brian said, putting his arm around Liz.
"What?" Nick asked.
"If anyone finds out, my family will break Brian and I up." Liz said softly.
Elisa nodded, "Her family is way protective of her. It's ridiculous. I mean, you'd think they thought Liz was out having sex."
At the mention of 'sex', Brian and Liz looked at each other and smiled. Liz had loved every minute of their love making. Elisa and Nick looked at each other before Elisa grabbed Liz's arm.
"Lisa Ann Booze, I KNOW that look. My parents give it too each other every morning after they've just had sex. Now, do you wanna tell me why you and Brian have the same look." Elisa demanded, her eyes not joking.
Liz tried to pull her arm away. "Nothing. God, let go of me."
Elisa looked at Brian and then at Liz, squeezing her arms. "Liz…"
Liz let out a yelp, "Ow!"
Brian frowned and held Liz closer, "Hey, let her go."
Elisa shut him up with a look. "No, not until you tell me."
Liz was whimpering. "El's, you're hurting me!"
Elisa shook her, "I don't care!! TELL ME!!"
Liz whimpered some more, "Fine! We made love!!"
Elisa threw Liz back into Brian and glared at them both, Nick stared, speechless. "Dammit, Liz! What the hell were you thinking?!"
Liz shrunk away, she had always been shy when it came to fighting. She never fought back. Brian's arms tightened around her. "We were thinking that we love each other, that's what!"
Elisa snorted, "Brian, she's an innocent seventeen year old girl!"
Brian glared at her, "Yeah, but she's MY innocent seventeen year old! I love her, I really do!"
Liz just cuddled into Brian and closed her eyes. Elisa snorted again, "Sure, whatever. Look, man, just keep you're hands off of her. She's too good for you."
"What do you mean?"
"You said you loved her, true, I grant you that. But if you love her so much then you wouldn't have slept with her when she was still innocent and pure!"
Brian frowned, "Look, you don't understand."
Elisa smirked, "All I can say is, break up with her now, before she gets hurt worse."
Liz looked up. "No."
Elisa and everyone looked at her, "What?"
"I said no. I love him and it was MY idea to make love, not his. He was nervous about it. Elisa, if you try to do anything to ruin us, I will never speak to you again."
Elisa threw her hands up, "Lizzie! You're only seventeen! You're too young!"
The limo stopped and Liz reached over and opened the door. "Whatever, good bye, Elisa." With that she climbed from the car, Brian reached after her. "No, Brian, I want to be alone. I'll call you, alright?"
Brian nodded and Liz took of running. Elisa called after her but Liz never answered.
Nick stared. Elisa was leaning out the open door, calling after Liz. Not one of them heard an answer. Brian was looking down at his hands. Eli sat back down. "Brian, don't even talk to me ever again."
Brian glared at her, "Elisa, you can't control Liz's life! She's her own person!"
Elisa looked at him, fire in her eyes.
Brian looked out the window and said nothing. Nick sighed, what was he expected to do? He was falling in love with Elisa but Brian was his best friend! He didn't want either person to be mad at him or each other but there was nothing he could do about it.
"Um, let's take Elisa home…" Nick said softly.
Elisa nodded, "Get me home now, I can't stand the thought of Brian, not even the smallest thought of him!"
Nick knew that everyone's relationship was in danger, but he also didn't know what to do about it.