Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Don't sue,
I'll cry. ;p
Summary: Liz notices Michael before the
secret comes out.
Rating: G
Classification: Liz POV
Spoilers: What's been established since the
beginning of the show comes into play, and there's a little bitty spoiler from
'River Dog'.
Dedication: For Cathy.
Author's Note: Yep, it is short, but I hope
you can enjoy it anyway.
- - -
It was the last day of ninth grade.
The last day of freshman year, and the last day that I would be considered the
most innocent girl in school. I know everyone saw Kyle Valenti pull me into the
janitor's closet after last period. It was something to remember, no doubt - -
not every girl gets to have their first kiss be shared with the school hunk.
But it is what happened after that, something that I had all but forgotten up
until recently when I took the time to sit back and think about it, that I am
now remembering vividly. If not for the events that have happened recently in my
life, I don't know that I'd ever recall what happened that day. Not that
anything *did* happen; I stood from afar and made an observation. But
considering the crowd I now spend a great deal of my time with, it's odd that I
chose him to look at that day.
All my life people have been telling me how remarkably intellegent and observant
I am for my age. And yet it took me years of schooling right alongside him to
take the time to really notice him. Sure, I knew who he was, and I was aware of
his attendance record, as was everyone else in the freshman class. But that day
I saw something more; I realized that though I knew nothing about him, there was
something about him, something mysterious that I never thought I would find out.
I walked out of the highschool in a daze, still seeing stars from the kiss Kyle
had given me. I'm amazed I was able to notice anything, what with the millions
of random images of Kyle flashing through my head. I was the typical teenage
girl that was falling a mile-a-minute for the sports jock.
I happened to look up as I crossed the football field. And amid the small crowds
of highschoolers relishing their newfound summer freedom, he stood isolated,
leaning lazily against the cement wall beside the bleachers. There he stood,
lean body, weird, dark clothes, spiky hair, wearing the customary scowl. The
afternoon sun served to highlight his body, giving him some sort of unreal
quality that for a moment held me entranced, and I stopped walking to just
stare.
Frankly, it was surprising to see him at school. Why would he show up, of all
days, on the last day of the school year? Although, come to think of it, this
was the first time I'd seen him all day. He was probably just there waiting for
someone. I suppose I stared for a bit too long, because at one point he turned
to look my way, and upon seeing my attention focused on him, he narrowed his
eyes into a glare.
I raised my eyebrows, caught off-guard, and a bit insulted. I wasn't doing
anything, I was just looking at him. Michael Guerin was strange and standoffish,
I knew that, but now I realized it was for a reason. Who could come near him
when he could shoot daggers like that? I bit the inside of my cheek, refusing to
back down from his angry expression, although nervously I tugged at the loose
straps of the backpack that was slung over my shoulders.
Perhaps he would have confronted me, but Max and Isabel Evans showed up just
then, and so instantly his attention turned to them, and his face visibly
brightened. I tilted my head to the side, perplexed. Strange the way he was so
comfortable around those two, but only those two. Never anyone else.
The three started to walk toward the parking lot, but Michael shot another angry
glance my way, and that got the attention of Max Evans, who turned to smile
warmly at me. I merely sighed, and walked away.
The end.
