After thirty minutes of searching, Max couldn't help but be irritated. Isabel was nowhere to be found, and Sarah was keeping herself scarce. She obviously knew something he didn't and wasn't willing to tell him.

But from what he could tell, everything at school was the same. He checked his watch and smiled, remembering a favorite haunt that he hoped hadn't changed at all.

As he turned the corner, that familiar warmth came stealing over him as he saw Liz walking his way. She was wearing a simple black dress, looking beautiful, as always, and happy. She was holding onto Kyle's arm as they headed toward her locker.

Max smiled. Kyle posed no threat to him now.

As Liz opened her locker, Max leaned against the wall and watched her, as he had always done. Her graceful hand distractedly pushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she turned to lecture Kyle on his lackadaisical approach to his schoolwork. Rolling his eyes but smiling, Kyle leaned in to whisper in her ear.

Suddenly Max realized that Liz was looking at him, taken aback by the warmth of his glance.

Max smiled briefly, then ducked his head, and went to his class.

He had plenty of time.

********

Coming out of his third period class, Max caught a glimpse of Michael in the parking lot.

"Michael!"

Max almost knocked over several gossipy girls in his rush to get to him.

As Max got closer, he realized Michael was not alone. He appeared to be arguing with a tall, slouchy girl wearing all black. She was glowering at Michael as he lectured her, her white make-up and black eyeliner sullen against her bottle-red hair.

Michael grabbed her by the arm. "You're not going and that's final."

The girl yanked her arm out of his and shoved him back against a nearby car, more than a match for him in strength.

"Who the hell died and made you God, huh?" The girl was almost in tears, and the sound of her voice made Max freeze in his tracks.

"Shut up, Is. We'll talk later," Michael had finally noticed Max approaching. "What do you want, Evans?"

Max had lost all power of speech. The girl...with the shapeless clothes and "pissed-off attitude" was...

"Isabel," he finally managed.

"What?" She stared at his stunned face for a moment. "What's up your ass?" she said rudely.

As Max worked on saying something, Michael moved to stand between Max and Isabel. "You got a problem with my sister?"

Max just stood there, dumbfounded. "Sister?"

She sighed loudly. "Duh. I'm going to class."

"Wait, Isabel-" Max started to follow her but Michael grabbed his arm and jerked him back. "Hey, she's got enough guys all over her. You stay away." he pointed at Max.

"But-"

Stay away? From Isabel? How could he?

As Max watched the two walk away, he overheard Michael say, "Guys just want one thing from you, Isabel. Better learn that now."

Max felt like he had been punched in the stomach.

*How is this possible?*

He heard a tiny, hesitant voice beside him. "Umm, Max, when they hatched, you weren't there. You were already a six-year-old born to the Evans. Another family found the two of them and turned them in to an adoption agency."

Max had to sit down.

"Oh, God..."

"Yes, He knows."

Max stared at the beautifully serious face beside him.

"So where do they live?" A sudden thought struck him. "Not with..."

Sarah looked at him sorrowfully. "Hank. Yes."

Max buried his face in his hands. "No. Just tell me she's alright. Tell me that he's left her alone, please."

Sarah placed a tentative hand on his head. "Michael takes very good care of her. He wouldn't leave her alone with Hank. He never has. She's fine. She just...changed. Her life is very different now."

Max finally looked away with hooded eyes. "And I wished this... This world sucks."

Sarah took her hand away and slowly disappeared. "I'm sorry...." she whispered.

*********

Fourth period Biology with Ms. Hardy...and Liz.

Max sat in his chair restlessly. The object of his greatest passion was about to walk through the door and he felt... distracted. The knowledge of where Isabel was and what had happened to her was completely unnerving to him. How could he be happy when she was so...so...

Liz Parker opened the door and waved to her best friend, Maria.

"You go, girl," Maria's voice carried through the hallway.

Liz shushed her and turned to see Max staring at her.

Her face slid into an embarrassed smile. "Hi," she managed.

Max couldn't help but smile back. If she only knew what hopes lay behind his grin...she'd have a lot more to be embarrassed about.

His eyes followed her as she sat beside him and got out her books.

He sensed that she was getting nervous at his gaze, so he finally looked back at his books.

No secrets, no lies this time. If they really were soul mates, nothing would stand in their way. Not this time....

Max heard a tinkling giggle.