Finding Yourself
Part 4

Back in Roswell, their first six weeks of school had passed by quickly. Between class, working, and hunting for the Granolith, Liz barely had any time to sleep. Tonight was no exception. She had worked a full shift after school, struggled to read for her American Literature book, then had given up and gotten dressed. Max had cornered her at lunch today and asked if they could get together that night. He had said it was important. Despite the nagging voice of warning in her head, her heart had been a bit lighter all day. Maybe things were turning around for the better.

She had changed clothes five times already, discarding outfits that didn’t fit her anymore. Sometime this summer, she had lost weight, and most of her old clothes hung off her body now. She rummaged through her closet until she pulled out a light blue T-shirt dress. She turned and twisted in the mirror to take a better look at herself. It didn’t look too bad.

She had actually been excited as she combed out her hair, thinking of all the things Max could want to talk to her about. He had had an excited gleam in his eyes and her heart leapt a little just thinking about it. She had missed him so much. Where were they going? It didn’t even matter. Nothing mattered but today. He had remembered. After all the things he had gone through, he remembered today.

She pulled out her makeup bag, dusty from misuse and set about concealing the dark circles under her eyes. She wanted everything to be perfect.

She checked her clock. Max should be here any minute. She hastily searched for her pearl drop earrings her grandmother had given her. A soft rapping on her window made her twirl around. Max stood there, waiting.

Liz smiled, the first smile she had felt in months now. She crossed to the window and opened it. Max hopped inside, a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt clothing him. Liz wondered if perhaps she had overdressed, but didn’t care.

"Good, I’m glad you’re ready. We’re running late."

Liz grabbed her sweater and when she turned back, Max was already out her window and on his way down the ladder. She pushed away the quick stab of pain in her heart. Oh well, Max would have to ease back into being the romantic boyfriend he once was. She would give him time.

She climbed out her window and down the fire escape to find Max waiting in the running Jeep. She climbed in with him, expecting some sort of smile, or kiss from him. Something. But he merely put the Jeep into gear and swung it around into the street.

Liz tried to push back the feeling that something was off. Max was just trying to surprise her. That was all. She trusted him. He would do something wonderful. Tonight was their night after all.

Max sped through the dark streets, and Liz again wondered where they were going. A minute later, he pulled into Michael’s parking lot. Liz frowned. They were coming here for their anniversary? Then her smile returned. He had probably spruced up the apartment so they could have some alone time.

Max climbed out of the Jeep and went immediately to Michael’s door. Liz scrambled behind him to keep up. Why was Max knocking on the door? Was everyone else helping? Was Max just letting them know they were here?

The door swung open and Michael stood in the door frame. "It’s about time you got here, Maxwell. You did call this meeting, didn’t you?"

Max pushed open the door and Liz felt her heart drop and crash. The entire group sat around in various chairs, looking irritated for having their evening interrupted.

There was no candlelight, no flowers, no surprise. Max hadn’t remembered. He had just called another meeting.