A/N: This is something I did in my spare time of writing my own stories. There are some gender swaps but you'll figure it out.

Advice and criticism is welcome, please review.

disclaimer: I don't own the original story.

Beth sat up in the tree house. Looking out the window she could see the next street over. A moving van was parked in a driveway to a nice house. A car was parked on the street and there were two people getting out. Beth couldn't see well enough, but could tell it was a man and a woman. A new couple perhaps. Beth climbed down from the tree house and went inside. The twins, Caleb and Lydia were fighting again and there mother was complaining of the noise. Her older brother James would go around trying to pacify them. Beth headed to her room upstairs. She passed the window that viewed the garage. Her father would hide in there for most of the day reading. He had turned it into his man cave and no one was allowed in except for Beth. The light was on which meant her father was still inside reading. When she reached her room she closed the door behind her and picked up the book beside her bed. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She had read the book cover to cover and fell in love with Mr Darcy. Her friends would tease her about it and said it was too girly. Beth was a strong child who participated in sports when growing up. She was now twenty four and about to enter her first year in grad school this coming fall. School was used as an escape from her younger siblings and her mother. Beth loved them, but couldn't stand their foolishness. Summer was only two months long, but Beth could tell it was going to be a long summer break.

The next day, Beth heard her mother talk of new neighbors, "I hear she came from New York."

"No," said Lydia, losing some of the food as she spewed out the words "I heard she's from Boston."

"I heard California." Caleb said from the kitchen.

Beth rolled her eyes from the early gossip. Not a day in the neighborhood and her family was already making a fuss about them. Probably the same discussion was making its way through the whole neighborhood. She cleared her area at the table and left the house. Today she planned the afternoon with her friend Charles Luca. They had been friends since kindergarten. They would take walks around the neighborhood together and sometimes head downtown.

"I'm guessing you already know about the new neighbor?"

"No I hadn't." Beth teased. Charles gave a gurgle of laughter before Beth asked him what he knew.

"My father went over yesterday to drop off cookies as a welcome gift with my mother. I had to stay home and watch my siblings so I didn't meet her. But I heard good things about her personality."

"What about the guy?"

"What guy?" asked Charles, turning towards Beth. Beth was too embarrassed with her mistake to continue.

The city, Hartford was holding its annual summer bash celebration to begin summer break. Families would come, bringing their children in wagons and picnic baskets. Beth's younger siblings rushed off to enter themselves in the competitions which would be starting in an half an hour. James, Beth and her other brother Mark, helped their mother set up the blankets. No sooner did they finish, did Mrs. Long, Mrs Luca and several other mothers come flocking over. They talked about the new resident who was supposed to be arriving shortly. Beth didn't wait to listen. She ran over to where Charles and some of the other young adults her age were playing beach volleyball. The heat was a good feeling after a cold winter and rainy spring. Beth was happy to be able to sport her cut off t-shirt and running shorts. The younger children ran around in their swimming clothes through the sprinklers that were set up for them. Beth felt this was a bliss until she heard murmurs that the new neighbor had shown up. Beth, out of curiosity, turned to see. There was a couple who were being introduced around by the tent. Her mother waved in her direction and she complied and went over to her. Beth watched as she was introduced.

"Hello, you must be Beth. I'm Charlotte Bentley."

"Yes, it's nice to finally meet you." Beth eyed the man who stood stiffly behind her. He couldn't look more out of place with his black t t-shirt and jeans.

"This is my good friend, William Darson."

So he was her friend, thought Beth. Charlotte was pretty, her curly red hair blew into her face. She wore a tank top and jean shorts.

Charlotte was good humored and kind. She was eager to join in some of the friendly competitions and asked James if he would be her partner. William hung off to the side where some of the older men hung out to escape their children. Some attempted conversation but were turned down. He eventually went to stand under a tree by himself. How Charlotte found any of this fun is beyond me.

Beth took part in the tug of war, balloon toss, and the water balloon fight. She was happy to see Charlotte and James participate in the three legged race together and even a dance after. Beth, now soaked through, decided to rest and go find Charles. She passed William who was on his phone speaking in a hushed voice. She slowed down but not enough to be noticed, and made a big loop and hid behind the other side of his tree to eavesdrop.

"It was a bad idea to stick around. No, these people clearly have nothing to share but idol gossip. I had several people come up to me to ask about what I do for a living, probably to feed to other gossipers."

Beth drew in her breath. Who was he to think himself so important? Beth wanted to say something, but didn't want to reveal that she had been spying on him and confirm what he had just said. Suddenly she heard her name called and could tell from the movement from the other side of the tree, that William must have turned around. Beth ducked behind her side of the tree, wishing to be anywhere else. Suddenly there was a cry of hoops and hollers and she was able to duck pass him as he turned his head towards the noise.

Apparently she had Lydia and Caleb to thank. They had been in the eating contest and Lydia was evidently the winner. The rest of the afternoon was spent bathing in the sun. James had joined Charlotte's picnic with William, who had picked up a book and had been reading. Who reads at a social event, thought Beth as she sat with the rest of her family and Charles.

"So what do you think?"

"What?" Asked Beth turning towards Charles. She had been distracted watching watching James and Charlotte.

"About James and Charlotte, I think they make a good pair."

"She seems nice, to be sure," Agreed Beth, "but her friend is such a prick."

"Really? I found nothing wrong with him."

Beth related what she overheard. "Well can you disagree? We did just that."

"Yeah but it's different."

"Why does his opinion matter to you."

"It doesn't. Its just that he's being a little prejudice is all."

"And you aren't?"

"I hate you."

When the event was over and everyone was in their homes, Beth decided to write in her journal about what happened.

So I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting a total prick. He rated us off as lowlife gossipers- like who does he think he is!

Well its safe to say that I hope I never have to be around him. William Darson a.k.a. The total douchebag.