219 The Fourth of July party 4 (1/2)
Brianna and Sabrina hit it off well. They are both interested in fashion, girly pampering, and the finer things in life, and they found that they have a lot in common. Mia and Liz were included in the lively chat as well and Sabrina said that they must go on a girl-only outing before Brianna returns to New York.
Hunter, Quentin, and Ashton observed the girls from the side.
Quentin didn't like that Sabrina is trying to take his fiery Goddess on a girly outing. That means he will not be there! But on the other side, if Bri makes more friends in Seattle, she will be coming more often, and maybe even decides to move to the West Coast (Seattle to be more precise), like Mia. Of course, Quentin is not aware that Bri is planning to move to San Francisco soon.
Quentin was looking around and he nudged Hunter and gestured toward the stage where the band is.
Max was there, with an acoustic guitar in his hand and adjusting the height of the microphone.
Hunter poked Mia and told her to check the stage and Mia poked Liz and soon Bri and Rina and Ashton were looking at the stage as well.
”What is he doing?”, Mia asked Liz.
Liz shook her head helplessly. ”I really don't know…”
”Elizabeth?”, Max's husky voice boomed from the speakers, making the guests stop their chatter and look around while trying to figure out what is going on.
A few seconds later, they realized that it's Max on the stage, holding the guitar while adjusting the microphone, and they looked in that direction wondering if Max will perform for them. That would be an unusual treat.
Most of the guests (especially young females) know that Max does not come to these parties often, and when he does, he makes an appearance for a short time after which he leaves with one girl in tow. For him, these parties were more like a girl-picking event. That is why many of the girls had sour expressions when he showed up with Liz; it meant that he made his pick for the day.
Of course, all of them heard the rumor that Max has a girlfriend (aka a steady relationship), but they refused to believe that Max is taken. In the last few weeks, there were many girly gatherings where they tried guessing if the rumor is true, but none of them knew who the mystery-girlfriend is, so they dismissed it as a false rumor.
Max's eyes met Liz's and he smiled. ”This is for the best girlfriend in the world. Happy birthday, Elizabeth…”
Max's fingers strummed the strings of the guitar and a light melody sounded from the speakers and filled the air.
”Since when is your birthday on July fourth?”, Brianna asked Liz in a whisper.
”I don't know…”, Liz said in disbelief. She was still wrapping her head around the fact that Max is on the stage with a guitar and he called out to her. And she was a bit embarrassed (but mostly proud) that he said how she is the best girlfriend, for everyone to hear.
Liz realized that she is being pushed toward the stage. It was Sabrina.
”Go there. He is performing for you.”, Sabrina whispered with urgency.
They were already standing near the stage, but Sabrina's push made Liz take few more steps closer.
It was like a front row at a concert. And this was personalized for Elizabeth, from Max.
Max leaned closer to the microphone, and his eyes didn't leave Liz when his deep voice sounded:
”I stayed up all night as I woke up in a dream
My thoughts went toward you in a stream…”
Liz stared a Max and wondered, is he serenading her? It looks like it. Her heart was beating wildly, and she was not sure if she was breathing. Everything faded in the background… the party, decorations, guests, the jealous looks, and sour expressions… it was just the two of them, Max and Liz, gazing at each other.
”From the moment your sun mixed with my rain,
The rainbow made me wonder: Did I lose my mind, or am I finally sane?…”