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song used : in the dark - tiesto

emadaps : It will be, middle school was always a huge leap! But A/Michael will maintain a friendship , the summer will really bond these two

valentinebaby: Really? i'm loving my high school years! . Alex is repressing and maybe this chapter will help you guys see just how much .

xmag: It is uber difficult to stay in touch, middle schools the time where you make many discoveries .

SweetandSpicy999 : Luckily they will !


--

"Ms.Topolsky's class will be called up by alphabetical order." Mr.Adler announced on the stage, in his hands was graduation certificates for each student.

"Francine Applebottom." The crowd clapped as the girl walked on stage, shook her principals hand and grabbed her certificate. "Walk to the other side now dear" The principal whispered into the girls ear. She nodded and walked off.

"Bernard Benjamin."

"Thomas Carp."

"Maria Deluca."

The ceremony continued on and once every child had received their certificate they all were clustered into their own little groups around the gymnasium. Liz looked around, Isabel and her cronies were probably discussing how nice Isabel's dress was. She looked over at Kyle and his whole gang, which consisted of almost all the boys in the class; they were probably talking about the football game that was on during the weekend. She looked to the side; in the corner she overheard the conversations of Maria Deluca, Alex Whitman and Michael Guerin.

She walked up to them and smiled. "Hi guys. Congratulations on graduating." She spoke softly.

Maria grinned, "Thanks girlie. You too miss smarty pants! God knows how much I hated science and you made it bearable. Although I don't think I'll ever like it, it's not the coolest subject. I love English and art. Oh especially music, if I could stay in music class -."

"Michael your turn or mine?" Alex said as he rolled his eyes with a smile.

"I'll take it. Maria you're babbling again!" He yelled. The blond stopped her rant and glared at the two boys beside her, "See what I have to go through Liz Parker?"

Liz giggled; these guys were just what she expected. Fun. They weren't obligated like Isabel, they weren't macho like Kyle. They were themselves.

Who else was there to be?

"So you guys getting ready for middle school?" She asked, no need to feel as if she had to know all their inside jokes, all their moments. She just needed to be…herself.

"Yes."

"Yes."

"No." Liz looked up at the girl in front of her. No?

"Why not Maria?"

"I'm moving Parker. Today. Right after graduation, I'm moving to California." She said boldly. Alex looked down at his feet and Michael just stared at Liz defensively.

"You-You aren't coming back?"

Maria looked at the ground and whispered so softly, Liz was sure she'd breakdown crying. "No."

--

"Izzie look, Parker's hanging out with that weird Deluca girl." Michelle pointed to their group and then looked at Isabel to hear her final decision.

"So what, they aren't bothering us. Let them be." She looked around the gymnasium, maybe now, maybe now she would be able to give up this stupid throne she'd achieved for herself.

She tried imagining herself as anything besides the queen. Panic filled through her body. If she wasn't queen, what else could she be? She was nothing. No one would know her. No one would respect her, she'd have no friends.

Suddenly the room felt too small, everyone was too close and the dress she was wearing felt like it was a second skin not willing to come off. Isabel closed her eyes and took deep breaths, she needed to calm herself. She needed to relax.

She knew what to do; Isabel Evans was not giving up her throne. She was staying queen. And in order to stay on her throne she needed to remind others around her.

"Let's go." She stuck her head out in the air and walked towards Maria's group.

"-and then my mom said-."

"No one cares what your precious mommy said to you Whitman. You're still nothing." She interrupted coldly. The girls behind her giggled. Isabel was so cool.

"Who do you think you are? We haven't done anything, go paint your nails or giggle about something." Maria said stepping in.

Isabels' eyes flashed, "I'm the popular one. And you, you're nothing."

Michael scoffed, "You think you're something? Let me tell you, you girls are gross. You're popularity is stupid because it doesn't exist."

Kyles' group of guys saw the verbal exchange between the two groups. Looks like fun. He thought. He motioned for his group to get closer to the sparring.

"You think it doesn't exist 'cause you don't have any." She quipped back. Isabel was surprised; she always thought Michael Guerin had this weird crush on her.

"Pfft. if popularity means acting like you, I'd rather not have it in the first place." Maria snapped. Who did this girl think she was? They didn't even do anything to them!

"Isabel, what are you guys doing? Leave them alone! They haven't done anything." Liz exclaimed.

"Shut up Liz. You're just a loser like them." Michelle added smugly. No one messed with these girls, no one.

"I am not. And you're just a follower Michelle." She added and crossed her arms, no more Ms. nice Liz Parker. She knew when to be fair and when to be just. Her parents taught her well.

"Leave us alone!" Alex added. He looked up to the crowed and gulped, the crowed had gotten bigger. Bigger means more people, more people means more people to tell him he wasn't good enough. Oh no.

"Shut up Whitman. You're the biggest loser here!" Kyle sneered.

"Oh because you're so cool. You're pathetic Valenti. Your last name's probably Valentine, 'cause you're so damn soft." Michael said coldly. He knew Alex; he couldn't take talking a loud. He had the worst self esteem in the group. Him and Maria made a vow they'd always protect him. No matter what.

"Shut up Guerin. You don't have a dad or mom!" He yelled.

"Yeah well at least he turned out better then you! Besides, when did you come in this Valentine? You Isabels' guard or something? Cause boy does she need it." Maria smirked.

Liz looked around as the groups kept on battling back and forth, she turned around and saw Alex run out the gymnasium doors. Oh no! "Michael, Maria ! Alex just ran out of the gym!" The two looked at Liz then at one another and ran out to find their friend.

Their best friend.

--

Alex wiped tears from his eyes and ran into the boy bathroom. Why? Was he not good enough? Was he ugly? Was he that big of a loser that he couldn't speak up?

Yes. Yes you are.

He was worthless, he was stupid, he hated himself. The tears flew down freely, soft but soon they were hard and painful. He went into one of the stalls and bangs his hands on the door. Why?

WHY?

He hated being him, why did people hate him so much? Why? He banged his hands harder, feeling the pain go through his hands and enter his body.

"Alex! Alex its Michael and Maria! We're coming!" Michaels' voice was heard outside of the bathroom, oh no. Alex cried softly and massaged his hands. When he heard the door opening he wiped his face and put on a smile.

Who said he was crying?

"Alex, you ok? Maria's worried about you." He mumbled. Michael looked at him protectively. Alex was like a little brother and well, he cared for him.

"I'm fine! Just had to piss Michael. Why's she worried?" He asked as he washed his hands in the sink.

"Whatever, go talk to her." He was getting angry, Alex wasn't cooperating. Maria would deal with him. If that didn't work then Michael would just give him his stone cold look.

It always worked.

"Alright, you like the ceremony?" Alex said as he threw out the paper towel.

"No." He answered as they walked out.

"You ok?" Alex questioned looking at his friend.

"Yeah. C'mon there she is, she's gonna start babbling about girly things if we don't hurry."

Alex chuckled and the two walked towards Maria, she ran up to Alex and hugged him. "You ok?"

"I-I'm f-fine -i-if you c-could j-ust-."

"Maria let go of the kid! He can't breathe! You loony." Michael rolled his eyes. Maria glared at the spikey haired boy and released Alex from his hug.

"You're the looney, you numbskull."

"Goldi-sucks!"

"Elector dumb head!"

"Oh my god," Alex muttered.

--

"I hope you folks had a wonderful time and we would like to congratulate you all on your success!" Principal Adler clapped and walked off the stage.

Amy Deluca got up from her chair and sighed, they had to go now. The drive to California wasn't short and Maria would complain the whole way.

As she was walking out of the gymnasium she heard arguing. Bantering of children, she rolled here eyes knowing who it was.

"Poop tard."

"Ugly Snake girl."

"Ugly ape boy!"

"Michael, Maria shush! And Maria, let's go." Amy said exasperatedly.

Alex groaned, "Thank you Ms. Deluca. They wouldn't shut up!"

"I know, poor boy. Ok Maria, you have five minutes to say your goodbyes. Then meet me in the car. Michael do you need a ride?"

"No, I've got Alex, er um. Thank you."

"Ok." Ms Deluca said as she walked out of the school building.

"So you're going? Tomorrow?" Alex said softly.

"Yeah, but don't worry, here! I've got an idea." She took out two pieces of paper from her bag. "I've made an email for all three of us. So we can talk on msn!" She giggled

Alex looked at the paper and smiled, "Ok!"

Michael looked at the paper, "Whatever."

"I'll be online and, you'll know my name and everything. If you get suspicious, the secret word is playground." She whispered the last word.

"Ok. Bye Maria." Alex said as he gave her a hug.

"Bye Cleopatra." She giggled and he smiled remembering the first time she had come over.

"I hate you." Michael said as she expected to get a hug from him. She crossed her arms.

"I hate you more. Tapeworm."

"Squid food!"

"Doorknob!"

"Fish Breath!"

"Booger eater!"

"Ear wax!"

"Tentacle face!"

"Potato Head!"

"Tomato paste!"

"Fart girl."

"Stupid boy."

"MARIA, MICHAEL SHUT UP!" Alex exclaimed.

The two looked at him then continued arguing, "Firehose nose!"

"Glue eater!"

"It's paste you dumbhead!"

"You're a dumbhead stupid frilly girl."

"Moron!"

"Jerk!"

Suddenly the car honked outside, Maria looked at Michael then Alex. "See you online dorkbutts! Bye!"

As she ran out of the school doors Michael and Alex looked at their friend.

Their best friend.

"You gonna miss her?" Alex asked softly.

Michael gave him a look and didn't say a word. "Let's go home Whitman."

The summer of the beginning of 6^th grade had just begun.

--

Cause if it's coming for you
Then it's coming for me
Cause I will be there
Cause we need each other in the dark
And if it terrifies you
Then it terrifies me
Cause I will be there
So we've got each other in the dark

emadaps : Sadly there's no alien-ness in the fic besides this small stuff about the crash. But Michael will take an interest to it . And i loved the quote too, isn't it remarkable?


valentinebaby: The popularity is sometimes the only thing the kids have. It sucks, and I have really no hope of changing that due to the theme of the fic sorry! Maria's stability after this year will change for the better

luluzita : thanks love!

April: I'm glad you've caught up Welcome back!

--

"Ha ha. Alex look at this!" Michael fell off his chair in laughter. Alex entered his friends' trailer and sipped on his cream soda.

"What? Ha ha ha!" He saw what was on the screen and guffawed with Michael. America's funniest home videos were hilarious.

The month of July was over and there was 1 week until the 6^th grade began. Today at 11 was their orientation. Alex and Michael decided to go to Michael's an hour before they were expected at school. They had done a lot together over the summer, sometimes just the two of them or sometimes with Liz. They'd gotten really close over the summer.

Maria never came online; they had no way of contacting her. It started off with Alex going online everyday to see if she was there, Michael had no access to a computer so he relied on Alex. But she never came. Never emailed, nothing.

After a while the boys gave up on her. It was painful at first, especially Alex, she was his best friend. Why did she leave them?

They moved on however, Maria now only a good memory and Liz their new companion. She remained friends with Isabel but mostly hung out with them. Michael didn't accept her at first but he didn't seem to care much after wards.

"Michael, its 10:30. Wanna go? Liz is meeting us there and after wards we're going to go out to the park. "Alex said looking at his watch.

Michael looked back from the couch and nodded, "Alright. Let's go. Who's giving us a ride?"

"My mom, she said she'd be here soon. Want to wait outside?"

"Sure."

-

When they arrived at the school Alex couldn't believe his eyes, this was HUGE. His elementary school seemed like an apartment while this was a mansion!

"Hello! Welcome to East Roswell Middle School. Home of the Sharks! Please walk this way and sit in the gym. Refreshments are on the table." A red haired lady said sweetly.

Alex and Michael nodded and Alex turned back to his mom, "You going in the gym?"

Mrs.Whitman nodded, "Yes. You two go explore the school." The boys grinned and raced off. The walked down the halls, Alex's eyes widened, "Michael, we have lockers! Can you believe it?"

"Nope."

"Hey guys!" Liz saw them down the hall and ran. This was all so exciting! "You guys came now?"

"Yeah. Liz this school is HUGE. We have lockers, and periods and lunch. We have different teachers and a homeroom teacher, we have guidance teachers. Oh this is so exciting!"

"Yeah, yeah it's great Whitman." Michael muttered and rolled his eyes. Liz giggled, being used to Michaels' sarcasm.

"They have different wings; the wing we're in is the Languages and such. Like French and Spanish! The wing I was in was for Science and downstairs there's art and English. Then we have a huge gym for lunch." Liz said animatedly.

"Art? Let's check it out. Come on." Michael looked back at Liz as they began walking. "Take front, I don't know where it is."

She nodded and took them down the stairs and towards the Art department. Michaels' eyes widened when he saw the huge art rooms. It was going to be so fun.

"Hey, aren't you kids supposed to be in the gym?" A small fat man walked towards the group of three. He was old, they could tell by all the white hairs on his head that made it seem as if he had a cloud permanently stuck above him. He had a pot belly, it was unnoticeable. He wore cream coloured shorts and a blue and white striped t-shirt, "What are you guys doing here?"

Michael stared at him as Liz answered, "We wanted to get a tour of the school. It's huge!"

The man chuckled, "You really think that? Wait until you get into the 8^th grade. This place will look smaller then your rooms. Anyway, just make sure you guys don't get in trouble or let trouble find you. If you need anything my name is Mr. Jones. Have fun!"

Liz and Alex watched him walk down the hallway and whistle; they grinned and gave one another high fives. Michael rolled his eyes, "Come on nerds. Let's check out the basketball area."

"This is crazy!" Alex yelled as he ran around the tarmac. They had six basketball nets. Six! Michael stood on top of the field and stared down, pondering off in his own world.

Liz ran up to Alex and said a loud, "Maria would've loved this!"

Alex stopped running. He stopped moving. Tears pricked his eyes, Maria, Maria. Why did she break contact, she said she'd keep her promise. She always kept her promises.

Michael glanced back and saw Liz waving her hand in front of Alex but him not responding. Damn, Maria. He ran towards the two and went in front of Alex. "Alex. Alex, come on you wanna play I don't know, tag or something?"

Alex wiped his eyes and nodded. "Ok," Michael said, "I'm it. You and Liz go hide." The brunette boy looked his friend in the eye and smiled softly as he went to hide.

"Parker," Michael said before Liz could go anywhere. "Don't say that name, ever again."

Liz nodded, "Sorry." And ran to hide.

--

"Isn't this place amazing? We get to have lockers, wow." Michelle exclaimed looking at the row of lockers near every class.

Isabel smiled and nodded. If only Max could see this, he would've loved it. "Yeah it's great." Michelle's excitement wore down at an instant when she heard Isabels' tone.

If Isabel wasn't overexcited about something, it wasn't something to be over excited about. "Where are the other girls?"

"Don't know. They all said they sent their parents." Isabel said as she and her friend walked around the school.

"What losers." Michelle scoffed.

"No actually they're smart. They didn't have to come." Isabel explained.

"Oh uh, yeah. That's what I meant." Michelle rolled her eyes at her lousy rebuttal. Great this is not the way to suck up to the Queen. "Hey you want to check out the tarmac and stuff?"

"Sure. Must be better then the dull looking school inside." The two girls silently exited the school, when they got outside on the tarmac Isabel frowned when she heard laughter. There were other people here too? She turned to her friend. "Michelle, there's other people here. You think they're from our grade?"

"I hope not. Oh, maybe they're from the 8^th grade or 7^th grade. And they're really cute!" The two girls giggled and fixed their hair before following the sound of the voices.

"Oh…my…god. It's Whitman and his dorky crew. ew." Michelle said as she saw Alex and Liz hiding and giggling.

"Ok guys, ready or not here I -." Michael stopped when he saw Isabel and Michelle stare at him.

"Are we interrupting your little game?" Michelle snapped.

"Yeah. I'd ask you to move but you both are so fat it wouldn't make a difference." Michael chided.

Isabel glared at him, "Since when did cowards grow backbones?"

Michael took a step forward, 'Just about the time you got your first brain cell."

Michelle stayed behind Isabel and Alex and Liz crowded around the pair. "There's enough space down on the field. Go take your clone there. We're playing, leave."

"Why don't you take your loser crew instead? That's where you guys belong anyway. At the bottom." She glared.

"I'd take them there, but they said for the orientation we'd also get a show from two idiots. I must say, it wasn't enjoyable." He looked at Alex and Liz, 'Let's go. The company here really sucks."

Isabel glared at the group as all three of them left. "Argh, I hate them!"

"Izzy, I have a plan." Michelle said after a moment of silence. This was why Michelle hung out with Isabel. She schemed, and she was good at it.

"What?"

"Use Parker. They lost Deluca and she was never really friends with us but Parker is."

"What do you mean?" Isabel said staring at the brunette.

"I mean, we show Liz how great it really is to be popular, give her a taste of the good life. Pin her against Michael and Alex."

"How?"

"Bring her into our circle. Give or take two week and Parker will be destroying everything." Michelle grinned. Her mom had schemed a lot. It was practically in her DNA to come up with these plans.

"Well then, let's get started. What are we waiting for?" Isabel grinned.

--

"Don't mind those guys. They're just rude." Liz consoled the fuming boys. Alex looked up and smiled. Michael looked at her with intense eyes.

"You think we care what they think Parker? We don't." Michael put his arm around Alex and walked towards the gym. Liz stood there and watched the two boys enter the gym tears pricked her eyes.

"I was just trying to help." She whispered. She sighed and rubbed her eyes, it seemed like no matter what she did she couldn't fit into the group. Alex was always the kind one so he never made her feel left out. It was always Michael. He was never gentle with her. Never kind to her. No matter what she did.

Stupid Michael, I hope he gets' what he deserves one day. She glared at the gym doors, maybe she could teach him a lesson? Maybe she could make his life hell. She could, she had the smartness to do so.

Laughter from behind knocked her out of her senses, "Hey Parker, nice ass!" Liz's eyes widened, her cheeks burned. This was horrifying! Who would say such a rude and nasty comment? She didn't want to turn around but her feet thought ahead of time. It was Kyle and some of his clones. Kyle winked at her and she glared back.

"You're gross Kyle y'know that?" She turned on her heel and walked into the gym.

Whatever and however Michael Guerin was, he wasn't disrespectful. And just the mere thought of him being some what kind, made her forget all her previous thoughts.

--

"Welcome to Amy's Natural Herb shop. Here to suit any and every need! How may I help you?" Amy smiled as customers in black suits arrived.

"Ma'am, we have reason to believe that you're using marijuana within your products." One man said showing her his search warrant. Amy came out from the back and analyzed the warrant.

"What would give you this reason?" She asked her eyes on the paper. The mans' partner continued to search around the store.

"One of your customers came in and bought some of your incense packets. He then went to a club and distributed at least 8 grams of marijuana. In the state of California, this is illegal. Trafficking has severe penalties in the eyes of the law you do know that ma'am? Especially in the business world. Since it's your first offense your penalty would be a $2 million dollar fine and jail time for up to 5 years. That's a minimum." Amy placed the warrant on the counter and gripped onto the ledge tight. This was too much. Marijuana?

"Sir I can assure you, I've been doing business for a long time and none of my products have come any drugs. I make sure of it. Back in Roswell I made my own products but because of the increase of demand here I didn't have time to make it and my daughter's been busy with her friends and usually she helps out."

"Ma'am we'd like to accompany you the next time you go and order a shipment of incense packets." The man said his partner now behind him.

Amy gulped, "I order them through the phone, but the truck that comes in with the shipments you can check can't you?"

"We'd like you to go specifically to the place and see how they handle their items." The man suggested. Amy nodded in agreement.

"The next order is in three weeks. I'll let them know my two employees and I are coming with." They nodded and left and Amy went to the back counter and sat in her office.

This wasn't good.

A/N: sorry about the late-ness, there was a death in the family. My uncle passed away so I was kinda in a shock. Sorry you guys , however I'm still continuing this in order to get everything back to normal. Thanks for everyones' love and support

Valentinebaby: Yeah, Maria's actions are better explained in this chapter
Emadaps: haha the drugs, we'll you'll just have to see
Eva: I'm glad the story has caught the strings of your heart, hopefully it'll continue to grow on you
Luluzita: Thanks love, and me too! They're so darned fun to write.
April : Yeah, not really foreboding more like a surprise twist .

--

"John, Its' getting worse. I'm worried about Alex. He's repressing more concealing more of the pain he feels. He's masking!" Mrs.Whitman ranted on the phone to her husband. School had begun for them and it was mid-September. The kids had their P.D. day today and were spending it at Liz's house.

"Martha, are you sure? Maybe he just hasn't been talking or maybe he's alright?" John knew it was a lame excuse, but what else could he have said to help his wife remain calm?

"No, no. Trust me. It's gotten worse, ever since Maria left he's been randomly asking me how many promises I've broken to him and he always asks, with a smile. A smile John. It's not right. Michael's helping. He's making Alex more blunt but I just don't know." Tears pricked her eyes as she took a seat in her kitchen table.

"What do you want to do? Send him to a psychologist?" John asked wearily.

"If that's what it takes to get our son to come back to us then yes, I want to take him to see one." She said determinedly.

John Whitman shook his head in agreement on the other line, so be it. His son was going to come back to him. Whatever he seems to hide or whatever seems to scare him, will be out in the open.

"Ok, I'll ask Brenda to look up some of the best psychologists we have in Roswell. I'll let you know by the end of the week honey. Ok? Just keep an eye on him, see if his behaviour changes by then. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye." Mrs.Whitman hung up and covered her hand with her mouth as she cried.

Oh Alex.

--

"Are we moving again?" Maria asked as she entered the kitchen to see her mom sitting on the table continuously rubbing her face with her hands.

"No honey. I'm just tired and stressed." Amy said as she smiled weakly at her daughter. Maria nodded and took out milk from the fridge and a spoon.

"'Cause if we move, I won't come. Mom we can't move from here. I love it here, more then Roswell! Tracy, Kim and Fran are so nice and cool. I'm liked much more here then I was in Roswell mom." She poured milk into her cereal bowl and set it down on the table.

"I thought you didn't care what people thought honey?" Amy said shocked to see how her daughter had changed within two months.

She chewed and gulped, "Tracy says there's no other way to live if you don't care what people think. She's our Queen."

"Honey," Amy said more seriously this time, "don't you miss Alex or Michael or Liz?"

Maria swallowed. "No. They're probably having more fun without me. Besides I was unpopular back there, Tracy said being unpopular was like, totally wrong."

Amy's eyes widened. "If Tracy asked you to jump over a bridge, would you do it?"

Maria thought about this for a moment. "Depends, do those big boards at the pool count as bridges?" Amy groaned. This was not her daughter. This was a plastic, this was fake. This wasn't Maria.

"Maria Deluca, I raised you to be how? Can you tell me that? I raised you to be realistic, honest and loyal. Do you think you're any of those things right now? Alex, Michael and Liz were your best friends. And you promised Alex you'd go online in the summer so you wouldn't lose touch. Why did you break that promise? What's so great about this popularity? It's summer. You think people are going to care whether or not you're popular in middle school? "

Maria stared at her mother and looked down at her hands. She spoke so softly Amy thanked God she hadn't lost her hearing to old age yet. "Tracy says popularity is everything."

"Does Tracy decide everything for you? Do you not think for yourself? Listen to me Maria Deluca, if you are becoming this "popular girl" think about what you're losing. Think hard about this because I am not letting my daughter be controlled by someone. Anyone." She stared her daughter right in the eye, picked up her files and walked into her room to work.

Maria stared at the door until it shut. Parents, just don't understand us. Tracy had once told this to Maria. She thought she was wrong but today her mother proved how she didn't understand.

Tracy isn't wrong. She's perfect. She's pretty, popular and everyone, especially the guys like her. Maria thought as she finished her cereal. Alex, Michael and Liz. Well they obviously wouldn't understand the popularity, they were never popular.

She took her dishes and put them into the sink and walked out of the kitchen. It wasn't as if she had changed, she just was…growing up. Yeah, that was it, she was growing up. Becoming mature. That's all.

Maria entered her living room and lied down on her couch and turned on early morning-mid afternoon cartoons. Bugs bunny was dressed up as an Egyptian and was trying to con Yosemite Sam. She giggled; she and Alex were nicknamed Egyptians.

Alex.. She did miss him. Him, Michael and Liz. They could've been doing something really fun right now. But you moved, so how could you do something fun with them?

Yeah, she had moved. All of this was happening because she moved, not because she lost in contact with them. Right?

Yeah that's right. How else was she to explain the distance between her and her old friends?

Now she had to start thinking about Tracy, her mother was going to wait for an answer and it wouldn't hurt to think of how nice Tracy is.

It wouldn't hurt a bit.

--

"Alex, Michael! Shut up you two, trying to watch!" She giggled as they attacked her with pillows on both sides. They were at her house watching cartoons since 8 in the morning. Her parents had the café opened so they had the best breakfast ever. Pancakes with whipped cream and icing sugar.

"Never! Attack Batman!" Alex shouted superman like. Michael hit Liz with the pillow once more grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Ok, ok!" Liz said between hysterics, "I give in! Mercy, whatever truce!" She laughed and breathed in deeply. She calmed down as the boys threw the pillows away and jumped off the couch. Liz straightened up and fixed her hair.

"What a chick thing to do." Michael scoffed. She glared at him and Alex smirked. "Seriously."

"Whatever Michael, let's do something guys." Alex suggested.

"Like what? We live in Roswell. The most exciting thing here is if tumbleweed passes by." Michael added dryly.

"I know! Museum?" Liz grinned. Michael rolled his eyes and Alex stared at her blankly. "No." they replied. She huffed and crossed her arms, typical. "So then what do you guys want to do?"

"My dad hasn't invaded Amy's store, we can go there! I know a secret way in too!" He smiled. Michael shrugged and Liz smiled in agreement.

"Let's do it." As they informed Liz's parents and walked out of the café it suddenly hit them. This was the closest to anything Maria related they had done all year round.

It was a quiet and quick walk tha lasted 15 minutes, usually they would've taken half an hour but there was a certain rush to get to the store. It was as if they took any longer, any trace of what they had left of their friend would vanish.

When they arrived they were all lined up staring at the doors and the signs for a new company taking over. Liz sighed, "Alex, where's the way in?"

"Should we even be here? I mean the hell. What are we gonna find here? Amy probably cleaned the place out." Michael scoffed.

Alex just smiled, "There's hope Michael, always hope. She did give us that much to hold on to. Come on, I stole the keys this morning." They walked behind the store and through the back doors.

Everything was…exactly how Amy had had it before. Nothing was re-arranged, it was as if the store was awaiting Amy's return to restock the shelves.

Liz sniffed, "Smells just like Maria." She chuckled.

Michael sniffed, "Smells like crap." Liz narrowed her eyes at him and walked around the store. Alex stood behind the cashier, admiring its' every curve, every button.

These were the traces of his ex-best friend. These were traces of a friendship so deep, nothing could've replaced it. His thoughts were interrupted when Michael cleared his throat. "Check it out. There's something in the cabinet."

Alex and Liz looked at one another and followed their friend; Michael opened up the cupboards and saw a book. A diary.

"It's loserfaces' diary." He blew some dust off of it and threw it to Liz. "Read it."

"Why didn't you?"

"I'd rather be told the story. Now read." They went in the back room and sat on the couch as Liz read the diary.

"These are songs. Lyrics to them. I don't recognize them; they're not anything we hear on the radio." She frowned and handed the book over to Alex. "Maybe you know."

Alex opened up the diary and flipped through the pages, "These are some songs she wrote herself…we were going to have our own band one day." Tears pricked his eyes. "We made all these plans."

Liz put an arm around Alex's shoulder, "I'm sorry Alex." Tears fell freely down their faces. Michael breathed out a gust of air.

"I'm going. Don't wait up for me."

--

Stupid Maria. Stupid Alex for crying. Stupid Liz for crying.

She had to leave so she left, she didn't keep her promise SO WHAT? Who cares?! No one kept their promises, no one.

He didn't know why that was so surprising to people. Especially Alex and Liz. They have it all good; they don't know how tough reality is.

But he knew, Michael knew exactly how bad life was, it wasn't a happy ending in the end. It was a sucky one. Like a bad movie that never stopped playing.

He walked to the park and sat on his park bench. He lied down on the bench and stared up at the clear blue sky. Grade 6 was whatever. Just like the 5^th grade but more snobbier. Well that was only Isabel's stupid group.

Things were going well, he, Liz and Alex managed to keep up their grades and just have fun. Maria left a void but, they would get over it. Nothing too big. Wasn't like they knew each other for a long time. It was only one month. 30 days. Plus and minus the weekend they hung out.

His eyes slowly drifted shut as his nap in the park began. No need to feel scared, this was Roswell.

The place that had the most unreliable people ever.