Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice.
Author's Note: This is a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I hope you enjoy, and please review!
Elizabeth Bennet slipped out of her small apartment and headed for the street. Running always helped clear her mind. She had been a track star in high school, before she decided she loved acting. Her mother had nearly had a heart attack when she decided to pack up from her small town in Iowa and move to the big city.
Jane, her best friend and a sophomore at the local community college, had decided to join her, and had scored a need based scholarship to Columbia. Academics had never been Lizzie's strong suit, and she was paying her way through NYU, waitressing at a small diner that had a retro feel, and auditioning for parts whenever she could.
Unfortunately, most casting directors were unimpressed with her 5'2 height, shoulder length brown hair, and green eyes. The smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks weren't helping matters. Jane had gotten the good looks, with long blonde curls, tan skin, and big brown eyes. Columbia had been good to her; she was in the top of her class, and she had an amazing internship at a business near their apartment.
Lizzie shook her head and ran a little faster down the street. New York was bustling, as always, and she was startled from her thoughts when she heard her name being called. She smiled as her friend, Carly, jogged toward her. "Hey Lizzie! Did you hear about the party tomorrow?"
Lizzie shook her head. "Sorry, Carly, but I think I'll pass anyway."
"It's not a party party, it's hosted by the drama department! Apparently there will be a bunch of directors and playwrights. This could be a huge opportunity!"
"I think I can live without meeting a lot of people with inflated egos and fat paychecks."
"Lizzie! Please come! I promise you can leave if you get too bored."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. What time, and what do I have to wear?"
William Darcy sat hunched over his computer, frantically typing. His face was furrowed in concentration. Surrounding him were several cups of coffee, stacks of jumbled papers, and a plate that may have once held pizza.
"Will!" a voice broke into his thoughts, along with a pounding on the door. "It's Charlie, Will. Open up!"
William cracked his back as he stood slowly, making his way over to the door. "What is it, Bingley?"
Charles Bingley, longtime friend of Will's, pushed his way into the messy apartment. "Will, you have the party in thirty minutes!"
Will groaned blearily. "What party?"
"The one at NYU… that my father sponsored… the one that you promised you'd attend! Come'on, Darce, get dressed!"
"I'm in the middle of something!"
"Is it important?" Darcy didn't answer. "I thought not. Let's go!"
Elizabeth, Jane, and Carly walked into the ballroom together. The party was being held in a posh hotel in Manhattan, and it was clearly a formal affair. The room was stunning; it sported marble floors and glittering chandeliers. The windows were draped in rich brocade curtains, and the towering columns gleamed in the soft lighting.
Perhaps even more entrancing were the people themselves. People in the acting profession generally make a point of looking their best, and tonight, the students from New York University had outdone themselves. Men in tuxedos danced with young ladies in floor length dresses, and faculty lined the walls, each dressed to the nines.
Jane had helped Elizabeth choose her dress, a classy black number, while Jane herself wore a deep red gown. Carly had picked a plum strapless concoction, which showed off her olive complexion and dark hair. Each girl was soon asked to dance, and they parted ways.
Darcy and Charlie entered at least forty minutes late, Darcy oblivious, and Charles self conscious as they walked inside. Darcy was immediately pulled into conversation with one of his colleagues, while Charlie decided to dance.
"… but I've been keeping you too long, Darcy. I'm sure you wanted to dance with one of the wannabes." Caroline Woods sneered.
"Not hardly." Darcy replied, glancing at the girls nearest him. Wary of the "wannabes," but still desperate to get away from Caroline, he offered to get punch, and walked quickly away before she had a chance to respond. Caroline, a semi-famous actress, had been trying to get a part in one of his plays for months. Darcy knew many playwrights bowed out after writing the play, but Darcy was involved with every step of his plays, from casting to costumes, at least with the premiere performance.
At the dessert table, he found Charlie talking animatedly with a tall, blonde in a crimson gown. "Charlie, it's ten o'clock. Can I go now?"
Charlie looked up, smiling. "Darcy, this is Jane Everret. Jane, this stick in the mud is my best friend, Will Darcy."
Darcy nodded quickly at Jane before turning back to Charlie. "Really, Charles, I'm leaving."
"But you haven't danced at all!"
"Who hasn't danced?" Lizzie asked, skipping up to Jane and the two men she was talking to. The tall, dark-haired one turned around and gave her a disdainful stare.
"Who are you?"
"Darcy!" Bingley exclaimed.
"Elizabeth Bennet, at your service. Who are you?"
"Lizzie!" Jane looked shocked. "Don't be rude!"
"He was rude first!"
Darcy rolled his eyes. "This is why I want to leave, Bingley. If you don't care about wallowing in a room full of has-beens and wannabes, that is fine with me. I'm calling a cab."
"Wait - Darcy!" Will turned on his heel and left the ballroom.
"What a little pick!" Lizzie laughed in the cab with Jane and Carly.
"I know! I can hardly believe he's friends with Charlie. But maybe he was just nervous?"
Carly giggled, "You just want to see the best in everyone, Jane. You're too nice for your own good."
"I think that we should make a toast to Mr. Darcy!"
"We don't have drinks, and none of us drink anyway, Liz."
"I have a water bottle. To Mr. Darcy, may be stay stuck up and miserable for the rest of his life if it so pleases him!"
"To Mr. Darcy!"
"To Darcy!"
