Waiting for Tonight

Chapter One

Elizabeth was lost in the adventures of Jem and Scout when the door to the room she shared with her twin suddenly burst open, only to be hastily closed a moment later. Startled by the disturbance but grateful for the distraction from her English essay, she looked up from her laptop. Her usually composed sister was leaning against the door as if attempting to stop an assailant bursting through at any moment. She raised a brow.

'Mum?'

Jane nodded, pushing herself off the door and sitting heavily on her bed. 'She wants to know who's going to be there.'

'Again? I don't know why she's so obsessed with who's going to be at this party. It's an open invitation; it's not like there's a guest list.'

'I'm sure she just wants us to make new friends. We've not been here very long and it can't hurt to get involved. By the way, how is it you're up here when Mum thinks you're out picking up some milk?'

'Because she's not looked in the fridge. I got back an hour ago.'

Elizabeth set down her laptop and carefully extricated herself from the sea of papers and open text books fanning out from her seated position on the floor. She stretched, massaging an ache in her neck. Bending down, she began to clear away the evidence of her studious behaviour.

Jane, after a moment's consideration, jumped off the bed and opened the wardrobe. She scanned its contents, briefly fingering the soft material of a deep purple dress.

'Oh Jane. I thought you'd decided on the blue one?' Elizabeth cried from behind, gesturing to the purple dress hanging on the front of the wardrobe. Jane blushed and quickly closed the doors.

'I had, it's just…' she faltered, fidgeting with the string of beads she wore. Elizabeth grinned.

'It's just that Charlie's going to be there, and you're not sure which colour he might prefer?' she teased.

Jane pressed her lips together to control the smile threatening at the corners of her mouth, but her eyes shone with pleasurable anticipation. Elizabeth sighed in mock-exasperation as she scooped up the rest of her papers and sat on her bed. 'Let's go through them again!' she said with a grin. At that moment the door burst open once more as their younger sister stormed in, wailing at the top of her lungs.

'Why can't I go? You get to go and it's not fair – she gets to go-' the young girl pointed dramatically at Elizabeth, '- and she doesn't – even - want to!' Exhausted by her emotional drama, the young girl collapsed, wailing incoherently, upon Jane's bed. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and reclined on her bed, book once more in hand.

'Now, now,' Jane soothed, gently brushing the hair out of her sister's face. 'Don't cry, Lydia.'

'It's not fair!' wailed Lydia, squeezing out a tear.

'But it's an eighteenth birthday party; you're only fourteen, and Mum and Dad don't think you should go.'

At this Lydia sat bolt upright, thumping her fists on the mattress. 'But it's Ash Newman's party! The biggest social event of the year and my parents are too stupid to see that they're ruining my life!'

Elizabeth snapped, looking sharply at her sister over the top of her book. 'Don't be so ridiculous, Lydia – you're acting like a two year old. Mum and Dad say no – end of! You're fourteen; you'd never get past the door never mind reach the bar.'

'Yeah like you'd have much more luck; you don't look any older than me!'

'Luckily for me I am, and I have a driver's licence to prove it.'

Lydia pouted but didn't reply as she noticed the dresses Jane had hung back on the wardrobe door. A smirk twitched the corner of her mouth. 'Who's dressing to impress this evening?'

Elizabeth, knowing her twin's preference for privacy when it came to boys, was quick to respond. 'Well, as you say, it's the biggest social event of the year -' her sarcasm was biting, '- we can't risk ruining our lives. Best to make an effort, don't you think?' She added, sweetly.

Lydia scowled at Elizabeth and got up to leave. 'If you ask me, I wouldn't wear either of them,' she said over her shoulder as she left the room.

'Didn't ask your opinion, but thanks,' replied Elizabeth curtly, knowing all too well Lydia's opinions on what one should wear to attract a boy.

'I'm just saying, Jane,' Lydia continued, pointedly ignoring her other sister as she returned to leaning against the doorframe, 'is all you need is high heels, a short skirt and a low top and – bam – that boy's taking a bite. Listen to her' she nodded at Elizabeth, 'and you'll be going in flats, jeans and a polo-neck jumper and crying in the toilets when your mystery boy is making out with someone who wasn't too chicken to show some skin on the dance floor!'

'And with that, you're done.' Elizabeth said furiously, jumping up from her bed and pushing Lydia back through the doorway as Jane blushed. 'Don't be a jerk just because Mum and Dad won't let you go. It's not our fault.'

Lydia clung to edge of the frame, resisting her expulsion. 'Yeah, well maybe I'll go anyway. You can't stop me!'

Elizabeth laughed incredulously at her sister's immaturity. 'You're fourteen! Go hang out with people your own age!' With one final push Lydia's fingers released the door frame and Elizabeth closed the door in her face.

Elizabeth looked to her twin, ignoring the muffled retort from the other side of the door. Smiling meekly, Jane held up the two dresses once more. 'So… thoughts?'

Elizabeth laughed. 'Which one are you more comfortable in?'

'Well, I can wear pumps with the purple,' began Jane hesitantly.

'Go with the purple, then; it'll make dancing easier.'

Jane beamed and put the blue dress away. Elizabeth returned to her bed, picking up her book once more.

'What are you going to wear?' Jane asked, looking into the wardrobe.

'Probably my good jeans with pumps.' Seeing her sister's look of reproach she added with a grin; 'now, now Jane; we've not all got a good-looking guy waiting for us. Some of us can only look forward to swatting Colin Willies off all night.'

'It's Colin Wylies as you know full well, Lizzie.' Elizabeth rolled her eyes. 'Besides, you never know,' Jane continued, smiling; 'Charlie's best friend Will is coming tonight.'

'Best friend? This is the first I'm hearing of him.'

'Apparently he's been living with his aunt for the past year. She owns half of Derbyshire or something and he's been learning the business he's set to inherit.'

'Wow, posh boy then.' Elizabeth laughed, looking back to her book. 'Coming back to lil' ole Meryton must feel like a bit of a step down.'

'Don't be mean, Lizzie,' Jane chastised. 'Charlie's so excited to see Will again. They were in the same class all the way through school till he went away. I think Charlie's really missed him.'

'Lucky you were there to fill the empty seat, then.' Elizabeth teased. She couldn't help but grin as Jane's attempt at indifference was rendered completely useless as a deep blush stole across her cheeks.

Something clicked in Elizabeth's mind. 'Hang on, Will? Will Darcy?' she asked. Jane nodded, surprised that her sister knew the name.

'It's all I've heard all week; Will Darcy this, Will Darcy that. I was beginning to think it was a new fad or something I'd not heard of.'

Jane laughed. 'He and Charlie have been friends since they were little. Apparently Charlie's cousin, Caroline, is practically beside herself that he's come back. She's coming over just to see him. He's Charlie's best friend so I'm sure he's lovely.'

'Popular, too, lucky chap!' Elizabeth lifted her hands in mock defeat as Jane shot her a warning look.

'I'll be nice, I promise.' Jane looked sceptical. 'I promise!' Elizabeth repeated, grinning widely.