|
|
|
Finding
the Truth By
Kazza
PART 2 The bright morning sun streamed in through his window, waking Max from his slumbers. His head was bounding, his eyes felt they were out on sticks. For a moment he couldn’t remember why he felt so rough, and then the images came flooding back. Burying his head back under his duvet, Max wished he had the power to wipe his brain of its thoughts. The sound of music drifting in from Isabelle’s room, prevented Max from wallowing in self pity. Her voice imitated Bon Jovi’s 'Livin' on a Prayer', and he was sure his sister was tidying up. It was like a Saturday morning ritual to her, get up, put on loud music and tidy her room. Normally it never bothered Max, he was often out of the house by then anyway, but today was one day he wished his sister would just leave him alone. Finally emerging from his bed, Max headed to the bathroom for a shower. Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, Max knew he couldn’t go out looking like he did. His hair was all over the place caused by tossing and turning most of the night and his face was bright red and blotchy due to all the tears he had shed.
When he eventually emerged from the bathroom, and the hazy steam that spread into his bedroom had cleared, Max found Isabelle sitting on his bed. “I thought you’d taken up residence in there.” She joked. “Sorry.” He mumbled, scurrying through his drawer for a t-shirt. Finding one to suit his present mood, Max pulled the black top over his head. “What’s wrong Max?” She asked bluntly. “Wrong? What makes you think something’s wrong?” He countered. The last thing he wanted to do was relive the previous night with his sister. “Well
you look like shit, you are dressed all in black, and mum said you were unhappy
last night.” “Yeah,
this is the morning and you still look unhappy.
Talk to me Max, what is it?” “Max, I’m your sister, and I care about you. Maybe I can help.” “You can’t help me Isabelle, no one can. No one can take away the pain I’m feeling right now. No one can wipe my brain of the images it keeps repeating. You can’t help me.” He snapped. “What do you mean Max? You’re not making any sense. Has it got something to do with the Skins?” She asked, trying to fathom out what her brother was withering on about. “No Isabelle, I can assure you it has nothing to do with Skins, Aliens or anything remotely non-human.” “Liz?” She queried, realising he’d said non-human and that had to refer to only one person. “Drop it.” He insisted. “It
is Liz isn’t it?” “Fine Max, forgive me for being concerned about you!” She snapped indignantly before storming out of his room. Pushing the swing door, Liz stepped out into the dining area of the Crashdown. Maria had already started her shift a few minutes earlier, and was busy serving a elderly couple in the corner. Sighing to herself, Liz placed the shiny silver antennas on her head and grabbed a cloth to wipe down the counter. It was Sunday morning and the restaurant was very quiet. It was Liz’s most hated shift, it was known by all staff as the ‘graveyard’ shift. Hardly anyone came in, and if they did it was normally cake to take away for Sunday lunch. Yet today was even worse. She felt awful, her night’s sleep had been pretty much non existent, and no matter what she did she couldn’t rid her mind of the image of Max’s face when he’d caught her the night before.
“Hi
yah Chica.” Maria said cheerily,
passing an order through to the chief before returning to her friend’s side. “You ok Liz?” Maria enquired, noticing her friend lacked her normal ‘bounce’. “Sure, no problem ……..” Liz said, trailing off as she heard the familiar bell above the door signal a new customer. “I’ll go.” Liz said enthusiastically, heading in the direction of Kyle. “Hi yah Kyle, what can I get you?” “Nothing
for me thanks Liz. Actually I just
came in to check you were ok, you know, after last night?” “Sure,
ok, orange would be great.” While her back was turned, the bell to the Crashdown rang once more. “Oh Liz, deep and soulful is here to see you.” Maria whispered to her friend. “Huh?” “What? Where?” Liz panicked. “Here.”
Maria informed. “What’s
wrong? Normally you go weak at the
knees over him.” She queried. “Ok, sure, no problem. Just relax babe.” Maria replied, noticing her friend’s distress. She didn’t know what was going on between Liz and Max, but hers was not to reason why. Liz was a good friend and Maria knew she’d do anything for her. Looking up, he caught Liz’s glance just before she bolted out of the restaurant. Cursing himself, he wished he’d listened to the voice inside his head. He’d known it was a bad idea to come to the Crashdown, the risk of bumping into her was too great. But, Isabelle had insisted, she’d forced him up and out of his room, and practically dragged him down for some food. “Hi Max, Is.” Maria said, greeting them. “Hi Maria, could we get a couple of breakfast specials.” Isabelle ordered for them. “I’m not hungry Is.” Max informed. “Tough!” She snapped back. “Look
Max, I don’t want to be rude or anything, but Liz really doesn’t want you to
be here right now. Actually she
asked me to ask you to leave.” “Relax Is. She doesn’t want me here? That sounds about right!” He snorted. “Ok,
look, I don’t know what’s going on here, Liz won’t tell me anything.
But she’s my best friend Max, and I have to do what I feel is right for
her. She freaked when I told her you were here, I’ve never seen
her do that before.” “Huh?” Isabelle and Maria indicated together. “A long story I really have no desire to relive right now.” Max replied, his eyes glancing round the few patrons in the restaurant and noticing one other so called friend.
“Take it easy! Is that what you thought last night?” Max yelled. “Max!” Isabelle said, taking hold of her brother’s arm. “Leave it Is, it’s none of your business.” Max snapped, brushing her hand from his arm. “Just cool it Evans ………..” Kyle started, standing up so he was the same height as Max. “Why? You didn’t cool it last night!” “There is so much about that you don’t know.” “How about you tell me then?” “Look,
to be honest, I don’t know much either. Liz
told me not to say anything to you.” “Ok, that’s enough buddie! Take your hands off a paying customer, time to leave!” Maria yelled, trying to separate them. “It’s ok Maria. Max, let go of me and we’ll talk like adults ……… please.” Kyle said, trying to calm the situation. Reluctantly, Max relinquished his grip on Kyle and sat down opposite him, venom for the guy still searing through his veins. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what logical explanation there could be for Liz and Kyle in bed together, other than the obvious. “How about giving us a few minutes guys, and perhaps another soda each?” Kyle asked, wanting to speak to Max on his own. “Erm ……… sure, no problem.” Maria replied, not wanting to leave them, but knowing she had very little choice. “Start talking. Max insisted, once Maria and Isabelle had left them. “Ok,
like I said, I don’t know very much, but I’ll tell you all Liz told me,
ok?” “Right,
she came over to my place yesterday afternoon, said she needed a really big
favour from me.” ”I
guess so.” Max said, starting to
get up. “Oh, and I’m sorry
about earlier, I guess I lost it for a moment there.” “Maria, where’s Liz?” Max asked, heading up to the counter. “Out the back, but Max I don’t think she ………….” Maria said, but her words were lost as he disappeared through the swing doors. Turing to face Isabelle, both their faces registered the same shocked and confused expression, both knowing they were completely in the dark over what was going on. As if their minds registered the same thought, they looked at Kyle before descending on his booth. Pushing open the door and allowing it to swing shut, Max looked around for Liz. In his mind, Max was determined not to leave the Crashdown until he had answer from Liz. He had to know why would she deliberately hurt him like that.
TBC …………………….
Click here to return to the Story Index Page
|