In a little red Jetta Michael and Maria sped down the roads of Roswell New Mexico. "You looked like you could use a day off from school that's all." Michael answered when Maria asked him why they were driving down highways when they should be in school. Maria nodded her head. "You're right Michael, my life is big hole of stress right now. I mean my grades aren't doing exceptionally well, my mom is seeing Sheriff Valenti, which creeps me out beyond belief, and I just don't feel relaxed at any part of my day...maybe when I sleep but that's about it. Ok, I'm sorry I'm talking your ear off." Maria apologized and stared out the window. Michael who was driving Maria's car slowed down a bit so he could turn his head to her. "No, It's ok, I mean it's the least I could do for you after what you did for me the other night. Letting me crash at your house and all. Think of this as me saying 'thank you' to you. We both know how upset you got last time when I didn't thank you." Michael gave Maria a smile hoping it would cheer her up a bit. She really looked like she was in a slump. She turned to Michael and tilted her head towards him. "Yes I remember. All I meant by that was that you could have said a little thank you, that's all. But it's all water under the bridge now." "Mmm Hmm" Was the only response Michael gave to her. "Oh can I borrow your phone, I just want to leave a message for Max at home so he knows where I was and you, he can tell Liz where we were. You know, so they don't worry. Max has this thing where he worries more than he should sometimes about me." He motioned to Maria's bag, which she flopped on the floor of the car when they got in. Maria gave Michael a questioning look. "I didn't picture you as the type who would check in... hmm...oh well. I don't think I brought my phone with me though. I might have hold on." She reached down to dig through her purse. Michael kept glancing from the road to Maria then back to the road then to Maria. "I'm not checking in with Max, when he gets home from school I know he will want to know where I was seeing now that I'm on my own, I just don't want him to send out a search party for us, that's all. And you did bring your phone I think I remember seeing it when you practically threw your bag on the floor. Maybe it wasn't a phone but it looked like one. You girls keep everything but the kitchen sink in those bags of yours." Michael forced the smile back that was starting to creep on his mouth. He didn't want Maria to think he was enjoying this as much as he was. "That's because we're always organized and men aren't. If men would get some kind of a contraption holder like a purse or a bag then you wouldn't be so disorganized. You know I really don't think I brought it, Oh! Here it is! I found it." Maria proudly held up the phone. Grabbing the phone Michael readjusted his hold on the steering wheel. "Well it's about time." He dialed the numbers to Max's house. With his shoulder holding the phone he heard. "Hi, this is the Evan's residence, we're not home at the moment so leave your name and number and we'll call you back as soon as possible, thank you." Michael gave a quick smile to Maria, taking his eyes away from the road for a minute. "Hi, Max it's Michael I just wanted to tell you that me and Maria went for a drive today and we'll--" Michael was cut off by a sudden scream and lots of flying glass. "MICHAEL LOOK OUT!" It was Maria's voice. ::SMASH:: A Car had come out from an intersection where his light was red, and Michael had the right of way. The driver must not have been thinking clearly. The car came and hit on Maria's side. Michael slowly started to wake up, shaking himself off. "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit." He kept saying to himself as he looked at Maria. She was lying there lifeless. Michael looked past the broken glass that was once a window to see that the other car had gotten away. "Great." He muttered to himself. "Oh my God, Maria." Was all he said as he looked at her. Finally mustering up enough courage he touched neck to check for a pulse. "Oh my God" He said to himself again. TBC

Part 1