Thin Line
By sweet like chocolate

Disclaimer: Really don't own them!

Rating: PG (for now!) Summary: Liz Parker has hated Max Evans since the first time she saw him. But feelings change, and some things are undeniable. Soon sparks will fly... AU No Aliens M/L CC

A/N I am right in the middle of my GCSE's, and I really shouldn't be starting this! But the idea wouldn't go away until I wrote it down, so here it is. I'm halfway through the next chapter so it shouldn't be long till I update! Oh, and a warning, the title is temporary and will probably change.

Prologue- 1990

"We should have told her Jeff!"

"For God's sake Nancy, Amy hasn't even really told Maria yet. She still thinks it's just a big adventure and that he'll come back and make everything right."

"Have you thought about what she's going to feel like? When she goes next door and finds her best friend gone."

"They're just moving across town Nancy, it's not the end of the world. They're only seven years old."

There was a muffled sound and Liz bent forward closer to the door, so she could hear what was happening. It sounded like her mum was crying. Strange muffled sobs that wracked at her heart. She didn't understand. Her mum never cried.

"I hate him so much Jeff. I hate what he's done to Amy and Maria. God, that little girl worshipped him. Why did he leave?"

Liz knew what they were talking about now. Maria's dad. Everybody acted like she was stupid and didn't realise what was going on. She wasn't stupid though. She knew he had left, and probably wasn't coming back. She remembered him going. He had taken Maria out for an ice cream. She had gone too, because they were best friends and they always got ice creams together. Maria was strawberry, she was vanilla. When he had brought them home she had stood to the side as he hugged Maria and told her he loved her. Then he had told her he was going away for a little while and not to worry. Then he had left.

Liz had sat with Maria in her house and watched as she leapt up onto the sofa every time a car had passed by. That had lasted two weeks. All the while Maria would tell Liz about all the adventures her dad was having, and all the presents she'd be getting when he came home.

She'd noticed the grown-ups look worried then, and whisper amongst themselves. She'd known something was wrong, so she began listening at doors. It hadn't taken long to find out he probably wasn't coming back. She hadn't told Maria. It was the first time she'd ever kept a secret from her best friend, but every time she saw her jump up to watch a car go by, every time she saw hope rise in her friend's eyes just to fall again, every time that happened she just couldn't get the words out.

Maria stopped jumping up to check every time a car drove by. She still raced to the door when it rang though, and she always looked just a tiny bit disappointed that it was Liz standing there.

She had tried to take Maria's mind off it. She had pulled funny faces and she always let Maria be the princess when they played. Something had changed though. As the months wore on she grew just a bit quieter. You wouldn't have noticed it unless you really knew Maria, but Liz knew her better than she knew herself. A spark of the life that was so obvious in Maria had died and Liz didn't know how to make it better.

Three months passed and the adults started whispering again. Liz had tried to ignore that Maria's clothes got more worn and patched. She lent her money for an ice cream when she didn't have any and shared her school lunch with her when Maria brought homemade sandwiches.

She had started listening at doors again, but this time she didn't understand. What weren't they telling her? What was that about moving?

With dread filling her heart she lent forward, eager to catch the next words.

"The Evanses are coming tomorrow to make a final decision. If they decide to, then we'll tell her."

The Evans. The name sounded familiar. Of course, Isabel. The shy girl who watched cautiously from the street as she and Maria played on the lawn outside her house. She hadn't questioned why Isabel's parents were visiting Amy, but now she knew.

Maria was moving.

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"I won't go."

"Liz, please. They're out neighbours."

"Maria's my neighbour. Maria's my best friend. I don't want them to be my neighbours. I don't want to meet them EVER."

"You're acting like a baby now Liz. The Evanses are our new neighbours and you will meet them and you will act politely."

"I hate them. I hate everybody." With that Liz burst into tears. Nancy held her close and bent down to look into her eyes.

"Honey, I'm sorry it had to be this way. I really am. But you know you can phone Maria whenever you want and you'll still see her at school." Liz sniffled, her sobs subsiding. "Please do this for me sweetie. Just come meet them, say hello, then you can go, I promise."

Liz looked at her suspiciously. "I don't have to like them?"

Nancy laughed. "You don't have to like them, but you will be polite. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Look on the bright side. They have twins your age. Maybe you'll make some new friends"

Liz knew better than that though. She'd never be friends with the people who stole her best friend's home. NEVER..

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She couldn't hate Isabel.

It was a shock, but she couldn't. She was just so nervous. Liz had overheard Mrs. Evans telling her mum that Isabel was afraid of starting a new school with no friends. Liz had taken one look at a scared Isabel and had known instantly that they would be friends. Not forever friends like she was with Maria, but she could show her round Roswell, and it wouldn't be to horrible living next door to her. Maybe Maria could come round and they could all play together.

So she decided not to hate Isabel. It was okay though; she could still hate Mr and Mrs Evans. And the other twin. She hadn't met him yet.

She would be fine just hating them.

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Mr. and Mrs. Evans reminded her of her mum and dad. They were really warm and friendly. Mrs. Evans found her some vanilla ice cream when she learnt it was her favourite. Mr. Evans had talked about building a tree house, and had listened when she had made suggestions, not just dismissed her.

She wasn't sure she could hate them either.

Isabel's twin hadn't made an appearance yet, but Liz would definitely hate him. She had to. She couldn't just not hate anybody.

It was this decision that led, when she was introduced to a dark-haired amber-eyed boy, to her whispered statement.

"I hate you."

She rushed off in the other direction; she wouldn't soften to him as well. She hated him.

And the dark-haired amber-eyed boy, also known as Max Evans; he smiled.

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So, what do you think? Feedback is my lifeline, please stop me drowning. Please review!

-Kat