Part Twelve: So Lame

One month earlier

Ethan

I woke up with the worse headache of my life. I moaned and opened my eyes to see that I had gotten home, somehow.

"Finally. Take this." Calli handed me a glass and three pills. "Then take a shower. I'll be waiting for you." She demanded as I did what I was told. When I was done I walked back into my room. "We need to talk."

"The most deadly word combination."

"Do you remember last night at all?"

"Vaguely." I sat down captivated by her beauty. Her deep brown skin was mesmerizing, but her look showed me that she was mad about something.

I'll give you the Cliffnotes version… you got piss drunk, fought Nathan, got me on bad terms with my dad, called me a bitch, and attacked me. Your turn."

"I did all that? I'm so--"

"Don't say sorry. I know you are." Calli walked over to me and hugged me tightly. "I love you Ethan and I'm so happy that you decided to quit drinking. I'll be with you the whole time." She promised. I wanted to sigh, but keep it to myself.

"How did I ever mess up things so much? How could I have put my hands on you?" I wondered as she sat down beside me and I noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it. Just promise that it won't happen again." She grabbed my hand, resting her head on my shoulder.

"I promise."

One month later

Rainy

You could cut the tension with the knife and I loved that I was the one causing it. In walked Jason to visit poor little Elizabeth and I was attached to him. Perfect.

"Hi Jason and … Rainy." She greeted us politely, wheeling herself towards us.

"You're crippled?" I wondered bluntly.

"No. It's just this thing. I get really tired so I've been using this since I've been here." She responded, her voice sounding as peppy as usual. It was almost like nothing happened.

"So, what'd you want my help on?" Jason asked getting closer to her so I followed him, reaching for his hand and holding it. He looked back for a second and I could feel her watching us.

"Well … Miriam got this folder for me. It has everything I've ever wanted to know about--"

"Your biological parents?" I chimed in, sitting down very close next to Jason who didn't seem to mind. Too wrapped up in Lizzie.

"Yeah. Umm so ..." She flipped open the folder. The two of them scanned over the information as I watched for their reactions.

"There are a few names here so…" Jason started.

"We can find them?" Lizzie finished as he nodded. This was going to be a long day.

The seed had been planted. The only thing left for me to do was wait. All I had to do was wait. It was a little sick how much pleasure I was getting out of this, seeing that I was studying to become a doctor and all … you know the great big doctors, the saviors of our time that only want to help people …

But taking it out on Lizzie was all that I could do to keep from falling into a deep depression. Charla is the best person in the world that I've ever known and she deserves to stay here in this life with me.

I can only do so much to make sure that Charla comes back, but if she doesn't … Lizzie will have hell to pay.

"What are you doing just sitting here? Come on." Mark knocked on my car door as I realized that I had just spaced off. My mind was on the little 'additive' I just slipped into Lizzie's food. That, in addition to successfully destroying her life were the only things that concerned me.

"I'm sorry. I'm just tired." I lied.

Mark bought it. He didn't seem to know when I was being real with him or not, which made it increasingly easier just to lie.

"I know it's been a rough few weeks babe but we'll get through it." Mark promised kissing me softly as I pulled away from him rapidly.

"I'll meet you inside." I muttered, rushing to the front of the hospital.

Calli

"So you promise that I can leave you alone? It's going to be okay?" I wondered as Ethan nodded, wrapping me in his arms abruptly. I had noticed that since he had stopped drinking as much he was a lot more focused on me, in a good way. I loved the affection.

"Yeah, but I wish you didn't have to go." He answered back. I just nodded. I never thought that at seventeen years old I'd be here, living with my boyfriend in his cousin's place. It was so surreal.

"You know I have to work so that I can get my own place and you can go back to your parent's house."

"They'd take you in you know."

"They haven't even met me." I pouted as Ethan started playing with my hair.

"I'll invite them over tonight, after you get back from work--"

"That too late notic--"

"It's already done. I've been planning it for weeks now." He explained as I nodded, kissing him. I trusted Ethan and wished that things would work out fine. I would just have to wait and see.

Jason

I was in the most awkward position ever, wrapped in between my best friend who was in love with me and a girl that I was sort of into. I tried not to make anyone feel left out, looking at the folder with Lizzie, but including Rainy in the conversation.

"So do you think we can find out who my parents are tonight?"

"That's pushing it a little." Rainy jumped in.

"But it's possible if we all start searching." I lifted my eyebrows and forced my attention towards Rain.

"Fine. I'm here to help … give me a few names and we'll see."

"Yeah and we won't sleep until it's done!" Lizzie chimed in happily. I could see a little color return to her face, but she looked very pale sick. Definitely sick.

"Okay, here's your part." I gave Rainy the last few names, making sure to give myself the bulk of the work to do. It wasn't too late to make a few phone calls and do some google searches.

Rainy got up and headed towards the in-house library, leaving the two of us alone.

"Thanks for this Jason."

"No problem."

"Really, thank you. What you're doing … it means a lot."

Calli

When I arrived back at the apartment, there were tons of people waiting on me in the living room. I didn't know that that many people could fit in there but … I guess so.

"Hello everyone." I smiled hoping that I didn't look too disoriented. Things had gotten really busy at the real estate office that I worked in part time.

"Family … I want you to meet Calli." Ethan formally introduced me as the individual introductions took place. I tried to make a mental note to distinguish Mariea from Mariena, but I couldn't make any promises.

I did feel glaring coming from the corner, where Ethan's parents were standing. With a quick blink of an eye, I braced myself for the worst…

So, it took a little longer than one night to find out who Lizzie's parents were, but we finally got a lead on the Fogsworth people and apparently … they lived in the California area. Whoopie.

Somehow I had stepped right into a really bad, boring Lifetime movie and I was going to be type-casted as the bitter mulatto, "exotic" girl in the background who was going to sabotage the budding Jason-Lizzie romance.

"Eh." I rolled my eyes seeing the two of them share secret smiles and touch each other. Not cool.

"Bothered by the two of them?" The doctor's daughter approached me from the side.

"Is it that obvious? He should be with someone who understands him, not some naïve little twit." I narrowed my jaw.

"Well, he'll come around … maybe." She shrugged. "I'm Miriam by the way."

"Rain."

"Nice name."

"Yeah, unique right?" I wondered dryly. "It has more of a ring than Elizabeth Ann Fogsworth."

"Who?" Miriam asked.

"Oh, they didn't tell you … we found out what her real name is and her parents or relatives … someone that's related to her lives right here in California. Isn't that perfect?"

"Yeah." Miriam nodded, struck by the last name which belonged to her grandfather. Fogsworth… It was a common name, but she had to make sure and see if … naw.

"What's on your mind?"

"That's my grandfather's last name."

I chuckled. "So she may be related to you? Classic. I just stepped into a Disney Channel movie."

"I hope not." Miriam mumbled thinking about the mixtures she had been adding to Lizzie's food. If this girl was somehow related to her … no way.

(A/N: Almost done. I'm trying to wrap this whole thing up in another chapter or so. As far as the sequel I promised years ago … the best I can do is a one-shot about what happens after the big finale. Review if you're still with me! –NL)