May It Be

Chapter 5

They All Fall Down

"Who are you?"

"My name is Elizabeth Swan. My mother was Isabella Marie Swan."

*****

Edward sat in shocked silence as he processed her words. My mother was Isabella Marie Swan. He looked at Elizabeth, taking in her heart-shaped face and wide eyes that were identical to Bella's in size and shape. Only their color was different. They were a piercing emerald green. In fact, if it wasn't for the hair and eye color, she could have passed as Bella's twin. In fact the hair looked to be about the same color as-Cut it out Edward he chastised himself you know it's not possible.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Elizabeth's voice had lost some of its edge.

"You said 'was'…"

"I'm sorry?"

"You said she was your mother." Edward couldn't stop the pain from creeping into his voice. "Is she…" He couldn't finish the question.

"She's not dead. Well, not exactly."

"What do you mean 'not exactly'?"

Elizabeth raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at him. "Are you really this dense? I mean she is a vampire. What else would I mean?"

"Okay. So why did you say 'was'?"

"Because I haven't seen or heard from her in over 50 years."

"Oh." He didn't know how to respond.

"Yea. Look, I know that you have questions, and I'm guessing that your family does as well. However, I have to get to class, so we will have to continue this little chat at some other time."

"How about you come over to our house after school and you can meet the family and maybe tell us about Bella?" His voice became slightly excited as he said her name. Elizabeth, however, became stiff in her seat and glared at him once more.

"I don't know if I should." She said, standing and pulling her backpack over her shoulder, her lips a thin line. "I'll have to see." With that she stormed out of the room, leaving a very perplexed Edward seated at the piano.

******

Elizabeth walked into Trig and was immediately accosted by the pixie-like vampire with the short black hair. "Hi! I'm Alice. You're Elizabeth right? It's so nice to meet you. We're going to be such great friends, trust me. I know these things. Oh my goodness, your sweater is the exact same color as your eyes. That's such a good choice, it really makes them pop! But what are you doing with your hair in a braid like that? It's much too pretty to be hidden in a braid. You're coming to our house after school right? What am I saying? Of course you are! It's going to be so much fun! We can do makeovers and--"

"Alice, slow down." Elizabeth couldn't believe that someone could talk so much or be so excited about anything. She was practically vibrating in her seat.

"Sorry. I'm just so excited. You know, Esme and Carlisle are going to be so excited to have you over. They are my mother and father for all intents and purposes. And Emmett and Rosalie, my brother and sister, want to get to know you also. Rosalie thinks you're great because you put Edward in his place and Emmett likes everybody. And Jasper, he's my husband, already likes you. Wow, Edward does the same thing when he's annoyed with something."

Elizabeth was sitting with her eyes closed, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and pointer finger. To Alice, it looked like she was slowly counting to ten.

"I'm sorry if I'm being annoying. I'm just so excited. We're going to be great friends, I just know it!"

"That's nice, Alice." Alice's face fell at the tone of Elizabeth's voice. Elizabeth sighed and looked at Alice. "I'm sorry Alice, it's just been a very overwhelming day. I shouldn't have snapped at you. Friends?" She held out her hand to Alice who took it eagerly. "Friends!"

"Alright class, settle down." Mr. Andrews had entered the room. "As many of you know, we have a new student joining us today. Miss Swan, would you please come up here and introduce yourself to the class?" Elizabeth groaned and walked to the front of the room.

"Hi. I'm Elizabeth." She started back toward her seat.

"Just a minute Miss Swan!" Mr. Andrews stopped her, "why don't you tell us where you're from?"

"Maine."

Mr. Andrews looked at her, waiting for her to divulge more about herself. When she looked back at him, clearly not saying anything more, he said, "well…okay. Please take your seat then."

She was halfway to her seat when she tripped and fell, knocking the books off of a boy's desk. The class erupted in laughter and Elizabeth felt the heat creep across her face as she flushed from embarrassment. She made her way to her seat without further incident and sat down, wishing her hair was down so she could hide.

"Are you alright?" Alice seemed concerned.

"Yea, it happens a lot. I can be quite clumsy at times, especially when I have a lot on my mind." She shrugged and turned to listen to the lecture being given at the front of the room. She could feel Alice's gaze on her during the entire period.

After Trig, Elizabeth had Gym and Study Hall. Luckily, they were both Cullen-free, so none of them witnessed her accidentally hit Nathan, her tennis partner, in the back of the head with her racket. She really despised Gym. As she left Study Hall, anxious to get home, she ran into a brick wall. Or at least that's what she thought it was until the wall started laughing. She looked up from the floor, where she had so gracefully landed, and saw Emmett's smiling face. Eyes twinkling and dimples flashing, he reached down to help her up. "Come on BJ, we need to get you home before you hurt someone." As they walked to the parking lot, they saw Edward, Alice, Jasper and Rosalie all waiting beside a black Mercedes sedan. Edward was avoiding Elizabeth's eyes, but Alice came bounding toward her. "I'm riding with you." She announced. "I'll show you where to go."

Elizabeth looked over Alice's shoulder and asked, "There's no point in arguing with her is there?" Jasper smiled at her and shook his head and Emmett said, "Give it up BJ. You're coming home with us."

"Okay Alice, let's go." They made their way across the lot and Alice stopped short when she saw Elizabeth's truck. "Umm…this is your car?"

"Yea. Is something wrong Alice?"

"It's old. Does it even go over 55?"

"Hey, don't hate the truck." Elizabeth laughed, "Come on Alice, you have to show me where to go." Alice reluctantly climbed into the truck and the headed off to the Cullen house.