Set somewhere after Eclipse. Bella and Edward aren't married yet, but she has the ring. Just a new idea I had, give it a chance! Elise is Bella's cousin, coming to live with her in Forks. Elise knows that Bella's going to college soon but doesn't know Edward's a vampire (obviously). Hope you enjoy! R&R.

Disclaimer: If I owned Twilight, it wouldn't be turning into a movie.

"Ma, I can do this," I insisted again and again. My mother smiled weakly at me, but I could see the worry crease her eyebrows. The slightly frenzied look stayed in her eyes, but I couldn't back down. Not when I had gotten this far.

"I know you can, Elise," Ma said softly. She pulled me into a fierce hug before I could protest, right in the middle of the airport. I could only pat her back awkwardly, pretending to look around for any familiar faces behind her back. Not that I would find any that were very friendly.

It would be official, once I loosened Ma's iron grip and repeated my calming procedure for the final time: I was going to move to Forks, to be with my cousin Bella and Uncle Charlie. I fought off the anxiety that had been lingering in the back of my mind for some time. No need to get myself worked up while I wasn't even in Forks yet, with Ma still close. If I showed even the slightest bit of regret or fear, Ma would surely convince me to stay. She was a good persuader, but I couldn't let her guilt me out of this.

Even though Forks, Washington, was not my place at all, with all the rain and potential flooding, I was going. To Ma, Bella, and my uncle, I would be going because Ma had fallen in love yet again and I was tired of being the third wheel. That part was partly true—for as long as I could remember, my mom always had a boyfriend attached to her hip. However, she went through guys like a box of tissues, so they only stuck around for about two months, tops. I had been sick of getting crammed into my room, not being able to communicate with Ma, and living with a stranger for a brief period of time before returning one day and finding the house empty, with crumpled tissues covering Ma's bed and Ma eating her heart out of a pint of Ben and Jerry's.

But there was another reason as well...a reason I'd kept secret. If anyone found out, it'd be way too embarrassing. Even for me, it was a silly reason. No one knew about it, and I intended to keep it that way.

"Joe says bye," Ma sniffled, finally pulling away from the massive hug. I forced a smile, but I think she saw through me. I picked up my bags—well, bag, since I'd weeded out my T-shirts quite some time ago and stuffed in a few coats—and started walking toward my destination. I turned around to wave a final farewell, but Ma was already gone. Gone to Joe, to our house in Florida. I sighed and boarded the plane, saying my final goodbyes to the hot summers, to my family, mostly Ma, and to my nonexistent life.

Maybe I would finally be able to start over in Forks.

I guess I slept most of the ride, because when I woke up it was raining outside, (unpleasant, but something I'd have to get used to) and we were near Forks. Uncle Charlie and Bella were supposed to be waiting in the airport. I realized I was eager to see them because the last time I'd visited, Bella had been in the hospital, all bandaged up, and Charlie has been horribly edgy.

And here I was, three years later, coming to live with them. I knew from the moment I suggested it that Bella and Charlie had been confused about me living with them, since their house isn't as big as ours, but I waved the negative thoughts off. It wasn't the space I was worried about—for all I cared, they could live on a farm—I was just so excited to start a new life, in a place where no one knew me, no one could judge me. I wouldn't come home every day to a perfect stranger closing the door to my mom's bedroom, or eating the entire contents of our refrigerator.

From the little information Ma had gotten from Charlie, Bella was still with her boyfriend of three years. I think he was in the hospital when Ma and I had visited, when Bella was in the accident, but I never saw him. Ma had, and she said he was absolutely dreamy, but I shrugged it off. He was Bella's boyfriend, after all. I could only fantasize how lucky she could be to have a boyfriend who loved her. Three years, after all, was insanely long for a high-school relationship. She must really love him.

No one, not one single boy, ever asked me out, ever looked twice at me in Florida. I clucked my tongue at the memory. No boy had thought "oh my god, there's Elise" as I walked down the hall. No boy had taken me, even asked me, to the eighth grade dance. And there was a chance in hell that any boy had ever loved me. Maybe Forks would be different. Maybe I'd actually have the chance to be someone here.

I picked up my bag up on the security wheel as it first spun—that was good, now I didn't have to wait an extra hour—and headed to an empty seat in the corner of the airport. I scanned the crowd for Charlie or Bella, careful to look for a handsome guy as well, since it might've been Bella's boyfriend. I couldn't see them anywhere, and the halls weren't very busy. What if they had forgotten about me? What if they hadn't even wanted me, I'd just been too busy preparing to look at the hints? Maybe Bella had decided I wasn't good enough since she now had a boyfriend.

I only saw Bella six times in my lifetime, two of which I don't remember, and one in which she was heavily bandaged. But the times before that, Bella was the nicest, down-to-earth person I knew. She was so comfortable anywhere and seemed to understand me. If I had a best friend, it would be her, even though I haven't seen her in three years. But maybe Bella had changed after she got her boyfriend? I wouldn't know because Ma hardly keep tabs on them, and the only way I get useful information is if I actually talk to her on the phone or something. I knew far too well that Ma changed often for a guy, so maybe Bella...

"Elise!" I heard Bella's voice right behind me. She pulled me into a hug before I could react, and right behind her was Charlie. I felt tears well up in my eyes, happy tears, followed by tears of shame. How could I have thought that Charlie or Bella had forgotten me, hadn't wanted me? I was so negative sometimes. Charlie grinned at my lack of luggage and took the bag from me. He insisted on carrying it.

"Oh, no, it's fine," I smiled, wiping my eyes. But Uncle Charlie was just as stubborn as I, so I finally agreed. Bella was grinning at me, and I was grinning back. And then my jaw fell open. I must've looked like such an idiot, but I couldn't help myself.

Right behind Bella was the most stunning, beautiful, flawless guy I could ever imagine. His skin was so pale it almost sparkled, and his hair was breathtaking. It had a reddish tint to it, and suddenly Ma's statement made sense. He was dreamy. But what really captured me were his eyes. They were interesting, almost the color of honey, but with a dark touch. I couldn't quite place it, but something was hidden deep within them.

"Hello, I assume you must be Elise Swan," the gorgeous boy said, and it took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. His voice articulated perfect English, like he was from the nineteenth century or something. Somehow, that made him more appealing.

"Uh...yeah, hi," I stammered, blushing. I saw Bella's cheeks grow soft pink as well. Oh no, was I embarrassing her? I quickly pulled myself together. I couldn't thank Bella's generosity of letting my live with her by making a fool out of myself in front of her boyfriend.

A twang of jealousy hit me, and I expected it. Bella had always been the beautiful one, the gracious one, and the smart and sophisticated one. No wonder Ma always compared us when I got a bad grade or forgot to brush my teeth. Although Bella and I were alike, she was so much better at everything than me. While Bella and I both blush, Bella's face looks sweet and innocent while mine looks like a squashed tomato.

"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen," the boy held out a hand. I shook it immediately, but was startled when I found his hands as cold as ice. Edward quickly pulled back and apologized. Bella looked a bit amused but also worried at the same time. Worried about what?

Before my thoughts could gather together, Charlie grunted, probably to remind us that he was still here, and started walking away with my bag. I followed, smiling at Bella, and sped-walked to catch up with Charlie. I was aware that Bella and Edward were lingering behind, but I didn't let it get to me. They're probably just talking, I told myself. I hated myself for suspecting things, overanalyzing everything, when really something was much more simple than I brought it. I would change that in Forks.

I risked a quick glance at Bella and her boyfriend, trying to be sneaky. I was surprised that her head was on his shoulder, his lips moving swiftly as he whispered soothing words in her ear. I saw her smile at something he said. Edward brushed the hair out of her eyes and started walking.

That was when I noticed the most beautiful crystal glistening on her finger.

Oh my god. It couldn't be...she was only eighteen, not even out of high school...

But my vision didn't lie. There, on Bella's finger, was a wedding ring. I gaped at it even longer than I had gaped at Edward.

I turned back around, suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to cry. The way he looked at her! I would die to have a boy look at me like that. He looked sad almost, but in a loving way. I couldn't understand it, but I didn't want to over think things like usual. I was going to create a new image in Forks.

Bella and Edward were the last in the car. I couldn't help but notice the ring again as she climbed in the back seat, as if it were calling out to me. I knew my eyes would keep darting to it until I got the courage to ask Bella, so I promised myself when we got home that I'd ask.

Edward held the car door open for her before getting in on the other side. They sat in the back, I in the passenger seat, and Charlie obviously driving. Charlie had an annoyed look on his face as he waited for them to come, but even he looked happy as Bella came in, flushed, her eyes sparkling like a thousand candles. Edward held the car door open for her before getting in on the other side. I stifled a sigh. He was so perfect, and I was happy for Bella, I truly was. She had found her happy ending.

Now it was my turn.

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THE GAME: How do you want Jacob to imprint on Elise?