Author: Cassie
Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz and WB. No infringement is intended.
Couples: Max and Liz centered, but also Maria and Michael at this stage.
Rating: Teen at the moment
Summary: Sometimes it takes more than one meeting for people to fall in love at ‘first’ sight
AN: Be aware that this story has two prologues. Feedback is much appreciated. Huge thanks to my first beta Shi, for encouraging me to actually write something of my own, and to my second beta Steph! Also thanks to ChadDude for my awesome banner! And for everyone that left me feedback when this when this was in Sneak Peeks.
Prologue
Their first encounter…
Sixteen year old Elizabeth Parker sat at an airport terminal, nervously chewing on her lower lip. This was her first time flying and she could feel the butterflies in her stomach bouncing around. It didn’t help that her plane had been delayed. She just wanted the plane ride over and done with, rather than wait around.
Frowning, she forced herself to calm down. Although she was reserved in nature, she certainly could not be considered to be timid nor weak. Letting out a breath, she forced herself to focus on her destination and what lay ahead of her, rather than on the flight itself. She had been thinking so hard, that she didn’t notice the tall young boy approach her until he spoke out loud.
“What’cha thinking about Liz,” her older brother Michael asked.
Although he had startled her, Liz couldn’t help the genuine smile that spread across her face. Michael was even quieter in nature than she, if that was possible, and a fiercely private character. With that in mind, the two siblings were remarkably close, barely needing words to converse as they understood each other so well.
“I just can’t help being amazed that it is going to only take us about 8 hours to get to Albuquerque. It’s amazing how fast planes go and….”
“It will be fine Lizzie. People fly all the time.” Michael could tell that Liz was anxious about flying.
“I know that, but what if…”
“Don’t stress over it,” Michael said, then quickly thought of something to distract his sister. “Did you know that Roswell is the dairy capital of the Southwest?”
“No way! How do you even know that?”
“I was reading this silly brochure Mom gave me. I don’t plan on spending my summer milking cows. I want to explore the desert.”
By doing that Michael was able to keep Liz’s mind occupied with talk of their plans for the upcoming summer. The two of them managed to easily pass the time until the aircraft finally arrived. They, along with their parents Jeff and Nancy, made their way to the check in counter. It was there that an airline representative explained to them that economy class had been overbooked and as a result Liz and Michael were unable to travel in economy on this particular flight.
“Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. However, we are able to upgrade both tickets to first class at no additional charge,” explained the attendant. “But the only two available seats are not together.”
Liz was excited at the prospect of traveling first class but she was a bit hesitant about being alone. The next flight wasn’t until the following morning and they needed to get to Roswell today in order to unpack before they started school tomorrow. There was only two weeks left on the school calendar and Jeff and Nancy had been adamant that Liz and Michael attend, so that they may be able to quickly settle in to their new home town.
“Would that be okay with you Lizzie? None of us is going to mind waiting, so it’s up to you.”
“I’ll be fine Dad. Don’t worry about it,” she told her father
After receiving confirmation from Liz, Jeff turned to the flight attendant, “Yeah, that’s fine. Thank you.”
Before boarding the flight, she picked up a couple of magazines to read to keep her occupied during the flight. Liz and Michael said goodbye to their parents and made their way to the first class section.
As another flight attendant pointed out Michael and Liz’s seats, she was a little disappointed to see how far away Michael was sitting from her.
“I didn’t realise you’d be so far away.”
“We can try and get someone to swap or we can…”
“No. I’ll be fine.”
Michael scrutinised her expression to make sure that she was telling the truth and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Liz walked to her seat with her head held high and quickly settled into it. Once there, she began to examine her surroundings. There weren’t very many people around; her family had been amongst the first passengers to board the plane. Satisfied that nothing looked out of place with the aircraft, Liz sat back and flipped thorough her magazines as people filled the seats around her. She was so engrossed in an article about Pluto, that she hardly even noticed when someone sat down beside her.
Sixteen year old Max Evans barely glanced at the girl sitting next to him. She was obviously busy reading something. He was very tired and was glad he needn’t have to make small talk with someone he didn’t know, and most probably would never see again. He wanted to use his time in the air to catch up on some much needed sleep.
He flew frequently and was quite accustomed to sleeping during flights. Making him self as comfortable as he could in the seat, he closed his eyes and quickly succumbed to the sleep he needed so badly.
Liz anxiously sat through the safety speech, listening attentively, trying not to let her mind focus on horrible scenarios.
She tightly gripped her chair as the plane took off. But once it reached a cruising altitude, she was feeling much better and continued reading her magazines.
Some time later, when the plane hit some rather nasty turbulence, Max was jolted out of his world of dreams abruptly. Max was jolted out of his world of dreams abruptly when the plane shook suddenly. It took him a while to realize where he was and why he was sleeping upright. Looking around he realised that it couldn’t have been anything serious, as all the other passengers were acting as though nothing had happened and there had been no announcements from the pilot.
Just as he was trying to resettle in his seat, intent on continuing his nap, he noticed the petrified look on the girl beside him. Liz’s entire body had become ridged and she was holding on to her armrest as if her life depended upon it.
Max was unsure of what to do. He had no idea what he could say to put her at ease. She looked just like his sister when she saw even a hint of blood. He didn’t even know how to calm an irrational Isabel, let alone a stranger.
In her mind Liz knew that they had probably just experienced some wind turbulence but she couldn’t stop her body’s reaction. Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure everyone could hear it, her palms were sweaty and her knees were shaking. She was much too young to die.
She thought of all the things she had yet to experience; her first kiss, first car, first job, kids. She had no doubts that she was in no immediate danger of dying just yet but she was unable to stop her overactive mind and the thoughts running around in her head. She looked up to find the boy next to her cautiously studying her.
She felt his hand softly touch her lower arm before he spoke. “Breathe deeply. You’ll be fine.”
She loved to analyse people and began to study him. He looked a bit older than her but not much. He had dark brown hair with soulful amber eyes. She didn’t know what it was about him, but he was very reassuring. Realizing that he was waiting for a response, she tried to clear her head.
“I’m okay, thank you…Just a nervous flyer.”
“Everything will be okay,” he soothingly told her. He held out his hand, introducing himself. “Max Evans.”
Liz shook his hand, “Liz Parker.”
She was curious to find out what he was doing traveling first class by himself and wasted no time trying to find out. “Umm, Max. I hope you don’t mind me asking but where are you headed?” she asked.
“I’ve just been to visit my grandfather who lives in New York for the weekend. He’s been quite sick. I’m now heading back home to Roswell,” Max said. He was normally quiet and to himself when he flew, but he felt comfortable talking to Liz. This was most likely because he had already seen her when she was vulnerable.
“So you live in Roswell?” Liz asked.
Max nodded, “Lived there my whole life. Where are you from?”
“New York originally, but my parents just bought a café in Roswell. I guess you and I are going to be neighbours.”
Max smiled, “Does that mean that you’ll be going to West Roswell High?”
They soon discovered that not only would they be attending the same high school, but they even had Chemistry class together. Liz showed Max the article she had been reading earlier and they began to discuss why Pluto had been downgraded to a dwarf planet. Liz found his insight delightful and funny. She knew that they would become good friends.
After what felt like only minutes later, a stewardess voice sounded over the airplane’s P.A system, “Please remain seated and fasten your belts. We will be landing shortly.”
Both Liz and Max were amazed that they were already at their destination. When the airplane landed smoothly, Liz let out a relieved breath. Michael made his way over to her, once it was safe to walk about the cabin. Liz introduced him to Max, hoping that they too would become friends. Her brother didn’t have very many back in New York.
“Max, this is my brother Michael,” Liz said. “And Michael this is Max Evans. He lives in Roswell and goes to the same school that we’re going too.”
“Hi,” Michael mumbled, holding out a hand.
Max shook it smiling, “Glad to meet you.”
Noticing a few passengers giving them annoyed looks for blocking the aisle, Liz quickly led the way off the plane. Jeff and Nancy were waiting for them at the baggage claim.
“Alright guys lets get a move on it,” Jeff said, once they reached them.
Max shook Michael’s hand again and waved goodbye to Liz before they followed their parents out of the airport.
The entire Parker family was exhausted by the time the reached their new home. Lucky for them, Mrs. Parker had set up the furnishings a few weeks before the big move, so they all had soft beds to sleep on tonight instead of hard floors. The unpacking could begin in the morning.
When Liz woke the next morning, the butterflies she had at the airport were back. It didn’t help that she wasn’t settled in yet, and couldn’t find any of her belongings.
As their dad drove them to school both she and Michael were very quiet in the car. They had never changed schools before, but they both knew how hard it can be for new kids to try and fit in, especially since they were starting just before the end of the school year.
The two of them knew their schedules, so that was a relief. The only problem was neither knew where their homerooms were. After a few minutes of searching though, Michael found Liz’s and dropped her off at the door.
“See ya at lunch time,” he said, before walking off to continue his search for his own homeroom.
Liz glanced into the classroom and noticed that it was almost full with students. She knocked quietly on the door jam, gaining the Teacher’s attention.
“Ah, you must be Elizabeth Parker,” Mr. Raddish said, coming over to her.
Liz gave a nod and allowed him to usher her into the classroom, “Class, please welcome our new student, Miss Elizabeth Parker.”
What seemed like a thousand pairs of curious eyes examined Liz, so she quickly sat down in the first empty desk she spotted.
On her right was a bubbly blonde girl, who immediately turned towards her.
“Maria. Who did you kill to end up here?”
“Sorry?” Liz replied.
“My name’s Maria. You new to town? Why did ya move?”
“Oh,” Liz said, understanding now what the girl was talking about. “My Mom used to live around here when she was younger and they wanted out of the hustle and bustle of New York. So here we are.”
“You’re from New York?”
After Liz nodded, Maria let out a squeal. “Chica, you have to tell me everything. Now. Spill.”
Maria seemed nice, if not a bit quirky, and Liz found her nerves disappearing and being replaced enthusiasm. Maria was infectious; it was hard not to get excited around her.
When the first period bell ranged, Liz smiled with anticipation. Not only was her first class of the day her favorite, but Max was in it too. Last night she had trouble falling asleep even though she was exhausted because she was excited about seeing him again. But when she walked into her Chemistry class, she was disappointed to see that Max wasn’t there. Her disappointment grew as time passed. Ten minutes into the class, Max still hadn’t turned up. Liz figured that he was probably jet lagged and too tired to come to school.
At lunch time, she waited by the stairs near the cafeteria for Maria who said she would meet her there. However, Maria was no longer in the good mood she had been in earlier. She hurtled passed Liz mumbling something about an arrogant prick and motioned for Liz to follow.
They sat down at a small table already occupied by a boy with blackish hair. Maria seemed too preoccupied to make introductions, so Liz extended her hand, “Hi. I’m Liz.”
“Alex. Nice to meet you,” he replied. “It’s best to lay low when she’s in one of these moods,” he added in a whisper so Maria couldn’t hear. Liz giggled.
“They don’t call her Hurricane Deluca for no reason, you know.”
The reason for Maria’s anger became evident soon. After some ranting and raving she began explaining how some jock, Kyle Valenti, had bumped in to her in the halls without stopping to apologize. She had been thrown against some guy she had never seen before. What he did to make Maria so angry was not discovered because Michael chose that unfortunate moment to walk towards Liz, only to have Maria throw her lunch at him.
Michael stood there looking confused and then headed off, probably towards a bathroom to wash off the remains of Maria’s food.
After she stalked off, Liz and Alex quickly dissolved into laughter. Liz couldn’t help but think to herself, 'Only Michael.' They had only been in Roswell for a day and already Michael had managed to infuriate one of her new friends.
It wasn’t until the next day that Liz thought of Max again. She made a point of mentioning him to Maria, hoping her friend would know him.
“Sure. I’m friends with his twin sister Isabel. Their grandfather hasn’t been doing so well so their parents have decided to move to New York to be closer to him. I think they’re leaving some time today.”
Liz tried not to let the disappointment show on her face as the two of them headed for the cafeteria. She really thought that she could become good friends with Max as they had similar interests and got along so well. Liz thought she would never see Max again…
