Liz grinned softly to herself, as she walked into the biology lab, pausing just inside the door, and taking a deep breath, savoring the scent of the chemicals in the room.
"Liz Parker." A voice stated in dry amusement, interrupting her moment. "It's nice to see you still have an appreciation for science."
Liz opened her eyes and studied the teacher before her. "Mr. Seligman?" She asked, her mind drifting back to the names she memorized from her schedule that morning.
He smirked briefly at her before continuing. "I hope you know that my expectations of you in this class will not be effected by your current condition. I still expect you to work hard for your grade in this class…possibly harder than normal to keep up."
"I understand." Liz replied softly. "And I intend to."
"Good…I'd expect nothing less of you. Now what have you been told about the advanced placement science program at this school?"
"Well…not too much really, except that I'm in it."
"It's a four year program, started when you're freshmen. You enroll in the program at that time, are assigned a lab partner, and you and your partner are to work together for the duration of your high school science career, as you probably would if you were actually in the science field. We placed you together back then based on grades, personalities, and who we thought might work well and support each other well."
"Okay." Liz replied easily. "So who is my partner?"
"Middle table on the left." Mr. Seligman directed. "Max Evans."
Liz's eyes widened before the name even left her teacher's mouth. Max Evans…the guy from the hallway…the guy that after once glance completely intrigued her, completely took up residence in her head…the guy who Maria already swore was no good for her. Turning around, Liz froze in her spot as for the second time that morning her eyes met Max Evans'. Their gazes locked, and he smiled shyly at her.
Liz felt her mouth go dry at the small gesture, but it also worked. Her nervousness eased, Liz summoned her courage, her heart pounding as she slowly crossed the distance between her and the mystery man who already consumed her thoughts…and she couldn't help wondering if he had any idea how strong of an effect he had on her…both physically and emotionally. Already she couldn't ignore the undeniable physical attraction she felt to Max Evans…but it was more than that.
She knew him.
It was completely ridiculous. Liz had no memory of ever knowing Max Evans…she knew absolutely nothing about him other than his name and Maria's declaration that he was scum.
But somehow, Liz knew in her heart that he wasn't scum.
Her heart knew he was better than that.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Max died when she walked into the room…he died and went to heaven, it was as simple as that.
All morning he hadn't been able to get her face out of his head…which was difficult considering that he had only seen her face once, briefly in his memory.
She was like a drug, plain and simple…the most agonizingly addictive drug in existence. Max had only had one tiny dosage, and now he wanted so much more…like some sort of Liz Parker junkie.
His eyes were glued to the back of her head the whole time she talked to the teacher. Max took advantage of the time to memorize everything he could about her…how perfectly her hair fell, how beautifully it shined…how tiny and vulnerable she looked…and how he felt this overwhelming urge to protect her in any way necessary.
And then he almost choked when she turned around and looked right at him. Their eyes locked, and he lost himself in the warmth and love he found in her beautiful dark orbs.
But then Max found himself studying her gaze, and he realized that she looked shy, nervous…and that protectiveness deep in his heart surged forward again. Desperate to set her at ease, Max softly smiled at her.
It was all he could do to keep himself from falling off his stool when she smiled brightly back at him…and then started walking towards him.
"Hi." Liz greeted him shyly as she sat down beside him, putting down her backpack and taking out her notebook, as she settled in for the period. "I'm Liz Parker." She introduced herself, before giggling nervously. "But you probably already know that…sorry."
"It's okay…Max Evans." He replied with a smile.
Max felt on the top of the world, as she licked her lips, studying him nervously, knowing that he was the center of her world for at least these few seconds.
"Listen, Max. I know you probably have heard all about my condition…everyone around here seems to know. Mr. Seligman just told me that we've been lab partners since we were freshmen…anyway, I just don't want this to be weird just because of me."
Max stared at her blankly for a moment, wondering if there was something he was supposed to know that he couldn’t remember.
Finally he shrugged shyly. "Okay, you lost me from the start there. Remind me again? What's your condition?"
"Memory loss…amnesia."
Max froze at her simple answer…and felt his head begin to spin.
"You're kidding." He mumbled, staring at her in amazement.
"I wish I was." Liz sighed. "You have no idea how frustrating and frightening it is…to see people around you and know that they know you, and you're supposed to know them, but when you try there's just nothing there."
"And to know nothing about yourself…" Max murmured sadly.
Liz's eyes widened in surprise at his response. "Yes…to lose all your life experience and to know it's up there somewhere in my head, but I just can't get to it."
Max stared at her in wonder, barely noticing as Mr. Seligman called the class to order and started lecturing.
All Max knew in that moment was that Liz Parker was the one person who understood exactly what he was going through…because she was going through it too.
Michael and Isabel were constantly putting pressure on him…if he couldn't remember the person he used to be, it just didn't matter. He still had to act like he was that person…he still had to be that person, so that no one would find out about his condition.
Neither of them ever stopped to think about what he was going through in the process…but Liz knew.
And all Max could think about was how much he wanted to sit down with her and talk to her about everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Max sighed unhappily when the bell rang, signaling the end of class. He could have sat there all day, soaking in Liz Parker's presence, sneaking glances at her…it was the first time since that day in the woods that Max had felt totally comfortable.
And now he just wasn't ready for the period to end.
He didn't have a choice in the matter though, so silently he and Liz began to pack up their backpacks.
Liz turned to head for the classroom's door, before Max stopped her with a soft: "Liz…wait."
Liz instantly paused in her path, turning back and smiling at him.
"I was just wondering if maybe I could see you later?" Max asked nervously. "Are you busy after school?"
"Yeah, actually I am." Liz replied reluctantly.
"Oh." Max's face dropped.
"I have to work." She explained carefully. "I waitress at my parent's restaurant…the Crashdown."
"Oh…right." Max sighed, turning for the door.
"Wait, Max!" Liz exclaimed. "I'd like to...but I just have to work. If you want, you could come to the Crashdown…if you sat in my section then I'd have to talk to you, you know…to take your orders and stuff."
"Yeah…of course." Max grinned. "So…maybe I'll see you later."
"Later." Liz nodded with a smile. "Bye Max."
"Bye Liz."
