(a Lost Episode set after Two for Tea)
By Kara
The First Day of School Pow-wow was always followed by the First Day of School Dinner at the Crashdown, where the DeLucas and the Parkers all had a family meal together. This was a long-standing tradition, dating back to the early days of Maria-Liz friendship, in first grade.
Maria was just happy to be away from Michael. "I can't believe he's sitting behind me this year. It was bad enough that I had to look at him all year last year, and you weren't even in my class, Lizzie, but now he's right behind me, and he's gonna pull my hair and call me names until one of us dies."
Liz only grinned.
"That's my baby," Maria's mom said with pride, kissing the top of her daughter's golden head with a smile. "She's the only one who can outtalk me."
"But your teacher, Maria. How's your teacher?" Nancy Parker asked, trying to hide a smile.
Maria rolled her eyes. "He's got this big round red head that looks exactly like a--"
Liz came to her teacher's defense. "Mr. Raddish is a very impressive teacher, Mom. Y'know, he's very interested in science, and said he was going to take us on very educational fieldtrips."
And her parents exchanged secret smiles. She hated when they did that.
"So, who else is in your class this year, Lizzie?" Her dad gave her that special smile. "Besides Michael Guerin?"
Maria snorted, her hazel eyes burning.
"Kyle Valenti, Alex Whitman, Max Evans and his sister..."
"And she got boobs this year too!" Maria cut in, curls flying. Liz shot her best friend a "Shut Up" look.
"--and Gracie Cohen, and Maggie Sherman, and Nora Wells, and Tommy and Paulie, Kyle's goons, and Mr. Raddish said that we're gonna do a science fair this year! And a school play..."
"And Kyle almost tripped Mr. Raddish when he was sitting next to Lizzie, so he made Kyle switch with Max, and all he does is give Liz dovey looks all day long!" Maria fluttered her eyelashes, sighing and giggling.
"Maria!" Liz began to tickle her best friend.
"Stop, Lizzie! Stop it!" the blond shrieked. And all around the Crashdown, faces turned to smile at the two little girls in the last booth by the door, including a young dark haired boy who would later become one of the Three Musketeers, and dark-eyed orphan staring in the window on his way elsewhere, longing for a family and a dinner-date.
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