something from the archives: after vegas - part 6

hey look, more from the past. this is another multi-character section, these were the hardest parts to write because i had a hard time capturing each character's distinct voice. i think there is some of that here, but perhaps not enough.

oh well. you can judge for yourself after the jump. if you need a refresher parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are linked for your convenience.

Part 6

*Alex’s journal*

So I’ve always been good about being a friend.

Really good.

Comforting. Generous. You know, being the no-questions-asked-I’ll-help-you-out kind of guy that I am.

So Maria broke up with Michael. This time for real. And she’s crying outside the Eraser Room and she just looks so beautiful. Her green eyes bright with the sheen of tears, her cheeks flushed with emotion, and streaked with tears. So I couldn't help myself and I touched her skin to wipe those tears away.

And when I did our gaze caught…all of a sudden we were in the Eraser Room, tearing each other’s clothes off, I mean this literally.

But I didn’t want to be the rebound guy. I feel like I’m always the rebound guy. So I stopped things.

And then it was really weird between us. I went out of my way to avoid her. She did the same for me. Not that we really could, since we still had rehearsals and school. We spent a ton of time together without speaking. It was just the eeriest thing you can imagine.

But we had our first gig. And we rocked. Everything was tight. The vocals, the sound, it’s like we finally figured out who we were and the audience totally dug it. We were so excited about everything. We partied way into the wee hours. I went to take Maria home, thinking her mom was going to be so pissed…as it was Maria still couldn’t drive the Jetta anywhere. But Amy wasn’t home. So I walked her in. No big deal.

Right.

Next thing I know she’s lying in my arms.

And we’re naked.

Neither one of us is as pure as the white snow.

Hell no. I’m no longer a virgin.

And I can’t believe I had sex with my best friend. I can’t believe it was so amazing. Mind-blowing.

Only. What I’m not clear on was that a one-time thing or are we something serious.

I really think the guys might be on to something when they call her Yoko…I’m her John.

For the first time I’m not on the shelf. At least I don’t think I am.

I think I’m in love with her. Only I don’t know how to tell her. I don’t know how we’ll make this work.

*Max’s journal*

Liz refuses to speak to me. I know she saw me with Tess the other day. I want to explain but she won't let me. And I have no right to ask her for anything anymore.

Tess—she adores me. She makes me feel good about myself.

She believes in me.

No one else does. Not even Liz, not the way she used to.

I still love Liz. I really do. But I’m starting to think she really doesn’t love me.

Tess does.

So I’ve decided that maybe there is such a thing as destiny. It doesn’t seem to suck.

I’ll let Michael and Isabel make their own mistakes.

I can’t believe my sister is dating Valenti.

I know Maria dumped Michael, but he didn’t seem to care. I kind of wonder if he’s got his eye on someone else. That would be typical.

I’m really going to try and make things work with Tess. She’s my wife. I owe it to her.

*Kyle’s journal*

Have you ever dated an alien? It’s awesome.

Isabel’s the world’s perfect girlfriend.

Man, the things she can do…she often leaves me speechless.

*Maria’s journal*

Oh my God.

Alex and I kissed.

Well, actually we did more than kiss. We made love.

And it was better than I’d ever dreamed. My best friend in the whole world was right there with me as we changed our relationship irrevocably. I love him. More than I ever thought possible. Alex has been my rock for more years than I can count. He’s been the person I’ve been able to turn to at every moment. Without him I don’t know where I’d be.

He’s given me so much.

And when we made love he made everything right. From the moment his lips touched mine that night I knew that he wouldn’t be leaving. That I couldn’t let him leave. And I had never expected to feel that way.

I’d been looking for a kind of love I didn’t really think existed. I’d been looking for perfection in all the wrong places. But now I’ve found it. And I am never letting him leave me. I know he would never leave me.

I’m in love with my best friend.

I know he loves me.

My dreams are coming true.

And for the first time in my life I’m lucky. I’ve found love. I’m doing something I love. With the man I love.

Life couldn’t possibly be more perfect.

*Isabel’s journal*

Do you know that after years of hiding myself from everyone I’m finally free?

Kyle has this way about him. He makes me laugh.

He does all these crazy guy things that piss me off and then turns around and is the sweetest most amazing boyfriend.

All of a sudden I’m in love with him. And I’m not sure how on earth that happened.

But my life is finally making sense. Buddha boy makes me happy.

I have to admit I get a total kick out of freaking him out with alien stuff. Only lately I think he’s pretending to freak out. I think he actually likes it. I’m pretty sure he actually likes me.

We have fun. Isn’t that the most important thing?

*Tess’s journal*

I think Max might finally be remembering our past. We’ve been spending a lot of time together.

We went on a date and he wore the sweater I bought him. He took me to the movies and then we walked in the park beneath the stars. I stopped and pointed the stars that might lead us home to him. And it was as if he knew exactly what I was talking about.

I think the stars have finally lined up the right way.

When Max looks at me, for the first time I think it is me he sees.

I don’t know if I’ll always be his second choice. But I do know that right now he chosen me. And that is enough.

The rest can come later.