Liz turned the combination lock on her locker as she waited for everyone to show up at school. It was Wednesday morning and the last two days Maria had seemed to improve a little. She was still unusually quiet which Liz could tell Michael noticed but neither of them had mentioned it to each other or asked any more questions of Maria. Liz had watched Maria carefully the last two days but as the last days of school approached she found herself focusing more on finals. After removing the appropriate books, Liz shut her locker and turned on her heels as she walked down the hallway. She had told Max she would meet him outside before their first class. She pushed open the doors and to her right, saw Max leaning against the wall. When Max saw Liz had opened the door, he stood straight and they kissed quickly, not ones to put on a display for the entire school. Michael appeared suddenly beside Max. Liz could see Kyle and Isabel in the distance. "Where's Maria?" Liz asked Michael. "No clue. I thought she was with you. She wasn't at her locker," Michael answered. Liz grew slightly nervous. "Has anyone seen her this morning?" Michael and Max shook their heads as Liz glanced around furiously. Looking back at Max and Michael, she suggested they take a walk around the parking lot. They did and noticed that Maria's car was not among the parked cars of their fellow students. "You think she's sick or something?" Michael asked Liz. Liz's eyes darted quickly around her surroundings, carefully avoiding eye contact with Michael or Max. "No, she would have called me or something. She's in trouble. Michael did a double take. "Whoa, what? What are you talking about? How do you know?" "I'm guessing. It's not like Maria to not show up without telling me." "Do you know something else?" Michael asked looking at Liz suspiciously. He was almost yelling. "Let's just find her!," Liz exclaimed "Look, I've got the Jeep. Liz and I can go check Maria's house. Michael, you go find Kyle and ask him to take you around town, check your apartment too. Take Isabel with you," Max said thinking quickly. "If we don't find her soon, let's all meet at the Crashdown. If we do, well Is and I have cell phones so we can communicate that way." Before Michael or Liz had a chance to argue or protest Max had jumped into his Jeep. Liz jumped in next to him and they drove off. Liz stared out the window while Max drove to Maria's. Max glanced over at her a few times before asking," What's going on?" "I don't know," Liz answered simply. "Come on Liz, you said Maria was acting weird this weekend. You know something don't you?" "I know just what you've already said," Liz answered looking back at Max. "Let's just see if she's home. For all I know, I'm overreacting." Max glanced at Liz one last time before pulling up to Maria's house. The Jetta was nowhere in sight Liz noted aloud. Knowing that in such a small town Maria usually didn't lock her doors, Liz turned the doorknob on the front door and stepped inside. Not noticing anything unusual, she walked back to Maria's bedroom with Max trailing at her heels. She slowly pushed the door open revealing Maria's unmade bed and dresser. Her room smelled sweet, the result of all her oils and incense. However, as Liz stepped inside she didn't notice anything unusual. Nothing unusual and no Maria. Liz turned to look towards Max who looked back at her. They didn't need words usually, they could always read each others eyes. Liz's eyes looked worried and although Max didn't know the whole story he stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulders. Then he checked his cell phone but there had been no calls. Max led Liz out of the house and they climbed in the Jeep to drive to the Crashdown. TBC

Part 3