Liz's eyes widened in shock, as the last words she ever expected to hear flew straight out of Max Evan's mouth.
"You…you what?" Liz stammered, staring at him like he had grown a second head. "That's impossible…you have to be kidding me."
"I…I didn't want anyone to know." Max admitted sheepishly. "It's the exact opposite of you. I didn't tell the school…or anyone really. At school, only Michael knows. But…ever since talking to you in class today, I've been wanting to tell you, because I know that we're probably the only two people who understand each other right now."
"I can't believe this." Liz mumbled faintly. "I never thought that anyone else would ever…" Liz hesitated, her mind reeling with what he was saying. Max understood…Max knew…Max was going through it too. "How did it happen to you?" She asked faintly, trying to figure out exactly how this was possible.
"Well…that's the really weird part, Liz." Max explained. "It's exactly like you. On July 22nd I was out in Frazier Woods, and I woke up the next morning like this…my sister Isabel found me."
"July 22nd…that was the same day that it happened to me." Liz suddenly realized. "You don't think…could it be possible that we were out there together, Max?"
"I don't know." Max groaned, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "I have no idea, and it drives me crazy. I would love to be able to figure out what happened that night…but it's like a total blank to me. And what's killing me the most now is that Isabel and I didn't even think to look around and see if there was anyone else there too…I'll bet you were nearby. We've wasted so much time…"
"So you think…whatever is happening to us has to be connected, Max. What could have possibly caused this?"
"I don’t know." Max sighed. "I have no idea…but hopefully we'll be able to figure it out."
"We?" Liz smiled.
"Yeah…together." Max replied, searching her eyes nervously. "We have to look into this together, Liz…just you and me, no one else."
Liz nodded in agreement. "I'm okay with that."
"Good."
"So where are we going to start?" Liz asked curiously.
"I have no idea." Max laughed. "I hadn't gotten that far in the plan yet. I was still stuck on the idea of spending a lot of time working with you."
Liz blushed shyly, studying her feet awkwardly. She knew it was possible that this kind of thing had happened between them before, but she couldn't help feeling a little bashful every time he said the amazing things that he said. He made her feel special in a way that she just wasn't used to…but she had a feeling she could get used to it…as long as it was from him.
"Maybe we should talk about it at lunch tomorrow?" Liz shyly suggested. "We could meet on the bleachers…talk about it more then."
"Sure." Max grinned. "That sounds great."
They walked back to the Crashdown in a comfortable silence, content with their newfound connection, and each other's presence.
It wasn't long before they found themselves standing in front of the Crashdown, their night coming to an end, much too soon for either of them.
"Well…" Liz sighed regretfully. "I guess this is goodnight."
"Yeah…I guess."
Liz paused briefly waiting for anything more from Max…so when he didn’t say anything, she reluctantly turned towards the door of the restaurant.
"Liz…wait!" He stopped her, an urgent tone in his voice.
Liz turned back to him, her eyes glowing happily. "Yes?"
"I just…I wanted to say thank you…for tonight. I haven't felt this good…well…ever in my memory. It was really, really nice. I wish it didn't have to end."
"Me too." Liz agreed sincerely.
Max crossed the distance to her in a single short stride, and wrapped his arms around her in a warm, tight hug.
Liz sighed, melting against him as he enveloped her completely in his embrace…it felt so familiar, so wonderful. Unable to resist, she breathed in the scent of him, where her face was buried in the crook of his neck, and felt herself getting lightheaded.
And that was when it happened…her mind slipped back to a time before, when she and Max had stood just like this, beneath the flashing lights of the Crashdown, wrapped up completely in each other. Max had been comforting her that night…holding her close, stroking her head comfortingly…she was crying…but even through her grief, she could feel how right it felt to be in his arms.
Liz blinked her eyes in shock, pulling away from Max quickly and staring up at him in confusion, before turning and rushing inside without another word to him.
Max watched her departure, his own eyes wide, as he tried desperately to regain control of his emotions…it was a memory flash…the first one he had experienced in over a month. And as he watched Liz disappear inside, he wondered if she had felt it too…the warmth and familiarity of their embrace…the incredible connection between them…and they were both obviously much younger in his flash. He wondered how much younger…how long he and Liz had been involved with each other? And if it had been a long while…then why the incredible effort to keep them apart?
