Maybe music can help her overcome her prejudice and his pride

Preface

It all went dark and then the music began….

(Lizzy's POV)

She focused her glistening deep brown eyes to the spot on the stage where he was performing; creating the most beautiful music she had ever heard on his battered black Fender Strat. She closed her eyes and listened to the rift she knew so well, that she had never tired of hearing thousands of times over and over, in her home, in her car, but she had never had the pleasure of hearing it live until now. She had been desperate to get tickets see this song played live, and see how this amazing sound was created but it had always been the wrong time her with exams and other commitments. It was the rift that yanked at her heart and brought tears to her eyes every time she heard it. It was so full of passion…, pain….. and longing…. The spotlight was focused on the handsome lone figure on the stage that possessed the talent to create something so incredible that moved her so much.

But it was him, him, of all people creating this most beautiful music! She couldn't believe it. She didn't have a clue that he was in one of the biggest, and her favourite band in the world. She never really paid attention to who was in the groups; it was the music that was important. When Joe had mentioned Will was in famous band she never even considered than it could be this band, Renegade the band she considered her band….. His playing was incredible not only was it note perfect but you could see the emotion on his face and feel the magic, electricity in the air. She felt breathless and realised this was actually because she had forgotten to breathe and made a conscious effort to start again before she passed out. Her admiration for his talent washed over her, not because the fame of the band, it certainly didn't make her like him as a person any more than before, but his playing made her weak at the knees.

She had been so rude to him, but then he had been so up himself that he deserved her rudeness. She felt even more anger now, did he think he could treat people badly just because he was really famous? Well she certainly didn't want to speak to him ever again. He was not worth her time! But the way he played guitar, it was so raw, full of passion and feeling. What a contrast to his behaviour to her and everyone that surrounded him. I didn't think he had any feelings but the evidence was on that stage in front of her. Her emotions were so conflicted.

(Will's POV)

She was the most incredible person he had ever met, her fire, her passion, the fact she wasn't impressed by him just because he was famous, in fact she didn't even know who he was. It was so refreshing. He didn't know how to act in front of her, he was in awe of her and she hated him he thought sadly. He was very shy really, crazy as this was as that he was the lead guitarist of a very successful band that had toured the world but he was oh so shy. But when he played his guitar it was as if no one else was there. It didn't matter if they were playing in a huge stadium, he hardly noticed the people. They were not the reason he was there, it was the music. The trouble was that everybody wanted to know him just because he was in the band and famous. They didn't care about the man inside. They just wanted to hang out with, sleep with or marry him, just because of his fame. Ok so he realised that feeling important had gone to his head a little bit and that he thought was above having to talk to the silly fans, they didn't really care about him they had no substance so he could snub them if he wanted they still loved him any way, well…. all except for her. She hates me, she makes me feel ashamed of myself and unimportant, humbled in her presence. She is different to the others, she is interesting. He would love to talk to her again, spend time with her, spend his life with her...she is the first thing that has ever taken my attention away from my music. But she didn't want to know him and didn't care who he was.

He had to get lost in the music but all he could see was her. He needed to concentrate, like nothing else mattered, like it normally was, but he didn't even need to look he could feel those beautiful brown eyes on him, their stare piercing through him with a look of hatred. Standing in the crowd all around her bodies were moving, jumping to the music, but she stood still staring at him, he had to ignore her. At last he couldn't feel her stare any more she had closed her eyes and smiled. Although she hated him at least she seemed to be enjoying the music. He hoped his playing was good enough for her.

Chapter 1

One month earlier:

(Lizzys POV)

Lizzy Bennet was very excited about tonight. She was heading out to town with her old school friend Charlotte Lucas and her sisters, okay they were being rebellious, going out on a Thursday, a school night (well uni. Night). The 21 year old Lizzy had long left school and had just started her PhD in Biochemistry at Cambridge. The girls deserved a good night out as they had been working really hard. Lizzy had travelled back down to Longbourne town for an extended weekend although she would spend tomorrow writing the first chapter of her thesis as she had already completed enough lab work to write a chapter even though she had only been at Cambridge a few months. She was one of their top students in the biochemistry department and they had high hopes of her staying on to continue her research after her PhD as not only was she a brilliant scientist but everyone loved her friendly warm nature and she was an inspirational role model to the female undergraduates in her college and in the biochemistry department.

The reason this night was so exciting was that it was the alternative night at the club in town and it was a rare opportunity to jump around to some decent rock and heavy metal music and forget about the stresses of the week, it was a time Lizzy could let herself go completely with the music. She knew how to work hard and play hard, science and music were what she lived for. She loved playing guitar but was not as good as she would like to be (although if she practiced a bit more she might improve to a level she could play in public). She occasionally took part in the odd open mike night, playing and singing, it did seem to entertain people and it made her feel good that people actually clapped. Her friends came along to support her and they appreciated her efforts and that was all that mattered to her.

Lizzy didn't really worry about her appearance as she rarely wore makeup and never spent long getting ready in the morning because she would much rather have a bit more time in bed and thought people should like her for who she was rather than what she looked like. She did like to get dressed up for a night though just for a bit of fun. This was completely for herself, not for anyone else or not to attract anyone else. She particularly liked to dress up on a rock night as she could be a bit more off the wall, which was in contrast to the conventional clothing she was supposed to wear at Cambridge (although she did rebel a bit sometimes but always looked respectable). Tonight Lizzy was wearing her favourite Guns n Roses skinny T, a black mini skirt, her new purple and black spider web tights and her new rocks. She wore her hair down, flowing as free as she felt tonight and a bit of black eyeliner but the rest of her makeup was subtle. When she was growing up her mother would tell Lizzy she would never get a boyfriend if she didn't wear more makeup on a night out, because of course she wasn't as pretty as her sister Jane and she would have to make more effort. Lizzy thought her mother was silly saying this as any man that was worth having wouldn't care how much makeup she wore and would look beyond her appearance. She did admit that Jane was the most beautiful of them all but that didn't worry Lizzy, Jane was one of the loveliest, selfless people in the world, and one of the kindest so Lizzy could never resent her for it.

Anyway off to the club she went with Charlotte and Jane, Kitty and Lydia Bennet (Mary didn't want to come out; she would much stay at home and read a book). On the way they stopped at a local pizza place for dinner and consumed a few glasses of Chianti.

The music was in full swing when they arrived and as they were waiting to pay the first few bars of Slipknots Duality could be heard. "Please can we go and dance straightaway as soon as we get through the doors I love this song, do you mind if we go to the bar after?" begged Lizzy.

"Of course Lizzy" exclaimed Jane who was ecstatically happy to have her sister back in Longbourne for the weekend, she missed her so much when she was away at Cambridge. At least it wasn't a long train ride, they both came back to Longbourne as much as they could to take a break from work. Jane loved her work as she had her dream job as a vet at London Zoo. She had always loved animals and her gentle sweet nature meant that the animals loved her too. Of course Lizzy loved visiting Jane's work too and encouraged as much collaboration between London Zoo and Cambridge University as possible!

Charlotte and the others cheered in agreement as they also loved Slipknot. Lydia ran off in front in her excitement and forgot to pay, so her poor sisters ended up footing her entry fee. "She will be lucky if we ever take her out again" mumbled Lizzy.

"She is just a bit excited she doesn't get to go out as much as she would like to" said Jane defending her.

"That's because dad wants her to concentrate on her studies and get more sleep. Although when she is at home she spends half the night on the phone to her friends rather than doing her homework" said Lizzy.

As soon as they had paid they raced to the dance floor to join Lydia and were jumping up and down to the music. Jane in particular was very good at head banging with her beautiful blonde hair flying out in front of her. Of course after the song finished the DJ played a load of more of their favourites as he knew the musical taste of the Bennet girls as they attended at as many alternative nights as they could manage with their busy lives and he was a good friend of the family. So of course the bar trip was delayed as they were having far too much fun.

"Lizzy, Lizzy I really need a drink now I am so thirsty after all that jumping around and I need a little rest, I know you could jump around all night but I'm not as fit as you" exclaimed Jane.

"Sorry Jane you know I do get carried away especially when Joe plays such amazing music, I could do with a drink too" admitted Lizzy.

The girls headed to the bar and ordered some lemonade to rehydrate as it was a school night and they had drunk plenty of wine earlier. Lydia and Kitty did have a bit of a moan that Jane would not let them have an alcoholic drink since they were underage but Lizzy pointed out that they were lucky to have been allowed some wine earlier and they didn't need any more alcohol as they were silly enough as it was.

When the others went off back to the dance floor Jane asked her sister "Lizzy did you notice that while you were dancing that guy in the corner kept staring at you" Jane subtlety used her eyes to signal to Lizzy in the direction of a dark haired handsome man who looked in his mid twenties.

"What the one that looks really moody... no I didn't notice him until you pointed him out. He seems to be staring at us now do you think he is trying to intimidate us!" Lizzy huffed.

"Lizzy he can't keep his eyes off of you" exclaimed Jane.

"Well I wish he would keep his eyes off me as it's rude to stare, he doesn't look very friendly, although he would be rather attractive if he didn't scowl so much". Lizzy gave another sideways glance at the guy; he did seem to be staring at her. What was the matter with him did he think there was something wrong with her that he would keep staring! He was surrounded by people at his table and they were all cooing at him but he didn't seem to be paying them any attention at all. It was as if they were not there.

Just at that moment Joe the DJ strolled over to the bar as he was on a well deserved break. Joe was a very tall, good looking man with long blonde hair, gorgeous brown eyes and a bit of stubble covering his cheeky face. He was about the same age as Lizzy, and the girls had known him since their school days. He was of a slim build but he had broad shoulders and muscly arms as he did like to work out. "Hello lovely Bennet girls, great to see you back in town Lizzy, we all know how much Jane misses you when you are away" chirped Joe. "Lovely to see you too Joe, glad to hear you are still playing the best tunes, no one is yet to top your superior DJ ing skills in Cambridge" Lizzy teased. "I'm very glad to hear that Lizzy" Joe replied "I might have to quit if I couldn't please the Bennett girls anymore".

"You should come and have a go later Lizzy, I bet you would have a talent for it, as you seem to have for everything else" Joe laughed

"Oh no you are far too kind to me old friend, there are many things I am rubbish at" Lizzy said

"Like what then Lizzy?" said Joe

"Well I can't play the drums very well for a start" exclaimed Lizzy

"But you can keep time very well indeed, I'm sure if you had more time you would be an excellent drummer too!"

"Anyway", said Lizzy trying to change the subject as she was getting embarrassed with all the praise, "Joe do you know who that miserable man in the corner is, he keeps staring at me and I don't like it!" said Lizzy.

"He's a guitarist in a band, quite a famous band I have been told but you know me I love the music but I don't really pay much attention to who the people are in the band, he and the other band members have certainly caused a buzz in here tonight in our little club the girls are going crazy, they are not taking notice of me tonight!" said Joe sadly the corners of his mouth turned down.

"Poor Joe", Lizzy teased, "missing out on your share of the ladies tonight!"

"Well I have noticed he has been staring at you all night Lizzy and you know I only take notice because I like to keep an eye on you girls as you are like sisters to me and since I have been talking and laughing with you he has a huge scowl on his face" said Joe

"Do you think he is jealous of Joe speaking to you Lizzy?" said Jane

"Oh stop it you two, stop teasing me, he just stares because there is something about me he doesn't like, maybe I am in his view of something else!" said Lizzy

"Anyway I better get back my DJ ing, I expect to see you back on the dance floor soon" said Joe

"Of course we will be" insisted Lizzy and he then gave Jane and Lizzy a huge hug. As he wrapped his arms around them he said "I didn't believe that man could scowl anymore than he was already was but he is!" He gave Lizzy a kiss on the cheek, looked over to the scowling man, grinned at him and then ambled back to his box.

"Well it seems that Joe is still your number one fan Lizzy. I believe that he will always hope that you could be more than just friends" Jane teased. "Oh no Jane he's just being friendly, he gets plenty of female attention, he enjoys being a ladies man and knows we will only ever be friends, I do really care about him but I think of him more like a brother" said Lizzy fondly.

Changing the subject quickly Lizzy said "What is that scowling man's problem, oh well we shall enjoy the evening and forget about him" said Lizzy. She glanced over to him one more time. He was very good looking, long dark hair, deep brown eyes, but that scowl, that miserable look didn't make Lizzy want to talk to him at all!

All of a sudden the sulky man appeared to stir from the trance he was in and he waved over a guy from the group to him, and they spoke for a few minutes and now that guy was walking over to Lizzy and Jane. He was strawberry blonde, blue eyed and quite sweet looking and he had the most amazing smile, in complete contrast to his friend (if they were friends). "Hi", he said as he approached them, "I'm Charlie" he said in a bright and friendly manner. Lizzy and Jane introduced themselves. He seemed to have a very big smile for Jane and I am sure her cheeks looked a bit redder than normal after his introduction. "My friend Will would like you to come and speak with him Lizzy, and it would be lovely if you would come and join our party too Jane as I would like to get to know you a little better if that is ok?" he said shyly. His cheeks went a little bit red when he said the second bit but Lizzy hardly noticed as she was fuming about the first part of the conversation.

"Your friend Will is summoning me to his table?" said Lizzy raising her voice. "If he wants to talk to me he can come and talk to me, the cheek of it! I will not go!".

"Lizzy I'm sure he is not summoning you, maybe he is too shy to come and talk to you" said Jane defending the guy as usual, always thinking the best of people.

"No I think he just likes bossing people around" hissed Lizzy.

"I'm afraid he can be a bit bossy sometimes it's just he is used to getting what he wants, he means well Lizzy", said Charlie. At that moment Charlotte and the other girls joined the group and introductions were made. Charlotte thought it was encouraging that such a good looking guy with lots of people around him was singling her out to talk, especially since she had heard that he was rich and in a famous rock band.

Lizzy just said "I don't want to talk to him, he doesn't look very friendly. I'm sorry Charlie I don't mean to be rude but I don't like the way your friend does things. Will you let him know that he will have to come here if he wants to speak to me, not that I really want to talk to him".

"Okay I will, but he will not be happy. It has been lovely to talk to you ladies, do you mind if I come and join you for a dance later" said Charlie

"Of course it would be lovely see you later Charlie" said Lizzy.

When Charlie had gone back to Will, Lizzy grinned and exclaimed "he likes you Jane".

"No he doesn't Lizzy stop teasing me he was just being polite" whispered Jane.

"I could tell by your blushes that you liked his advances too".

"He did seem nice" Jane shyly said to Lizzy with a small smile forming on her angelic face.

Charlie approached Will and pulled up the chair beside him. "Her name is Lizzy Bennet and she doesn't want to come and talk to you, she didn't like being summoned to you. She said if he wants you talk to me he can come and talk to me, she wasn't happy at all". Will looked shocked at this.

"Oh so she thinks she is too good to come and talk to me, well I'm not going to go over and speak to her. I don't need to go and speak to people" exclaimed Will grumpily.

"Will Darcy, I don't understand you sometimes!" said Charlie sternly "I am going to go and dance with the girls. I would really like to spend some time with Lizzy's sister Jane, isn't she beautiful. Come and join us and make your peace with Lizzy" said Charlie despairing of his stubborn friend.

"No Charles you go and have fun with Jane and the others I will be fine here" Will muttered.

Charlie went and joined the girls rocking out to Bon Jovi to the secret delight of Jane.

After a while, especially after a few glasses of wine earlier Lizzy realised that a visit to the bathroom was necessary. She didn't want to leave the dance floor as she was having so much fun, but needs must! And Jane was happily enjoying Charlie's attentions, it was lovely watching them.

On the way back from the bathroom Lizzy was very eager to get back to the dance floor but in her haste she met with an obstacle in the form of a man. "I'm so sorry" Lizzy gasped before looking up to see that it was the arrogant Will Darcy she had knocked into who was now holding an empty glass rather than a full one he had just purchased from the bar. The Guinness was dripping down his black leather trousers. He was fuming!

"You should watch where you are going", he huffed, the annoyance evident in his eyes.

"Oh it's you" Lizzy exclaimed.

"What is that supposed to mean" he snapped.

"You are the rude guy that got his friend to summon me over instead of having the courtesy of coming and talking to me yourself. I will not be summoned by anyone!" Lizzy exclaimed angrily. "But I am sorry I knocked you and spilled your drink, let me buy you another one" said Lizzy in a softer tone as she knew it had been her own clumsy fault and she had been brought up to do the right thing when she was in the wrong even though she didn't want to spend even five more minutes with this man.

"I didn't see the problem with getting my friend to ask you over, other girls don't seem to mind" Will stated.

"Well I'm not like other girls" Lizzy spat the words out.

"I am starting to realise that already and I have only just met you" said Will.

" Do you want another drink or not?" questioned Lizzy rather sternly, she was rapidly losing patience but trying to stay polite and wanting to pay her debt and get away from this rude handsome man as fast as possible before she slapped him. Lizzy wasn't a violent person but she did get cross and passionate about important issues but there was something about this man that got to her, annoyed and made her have this strong reaction. There was a certain arrogance about him that made her want to slap him. Why did he think he was so special?

"Don't worry about it someone will get me another" he said in a softer voice as if he was resigned to the fact rather than being happy about it.

Just at that moment a group of girls came over. "Will are you okay?" "Will I'll get you a drink", "Will come and sit with us" Lizzy was nudged away from Will as the girls clambered for his attention. Lizzie was disgusted by these simpering pathetic women, swooning over Will. She stomped her foot, gave Will a hard stare and stormed off back to her friends in disgust. She didn't notice Will following her with his eyes back to her friends or the fact that he was taking no notice of the girls surrounding him.

(Wills POV)

Will was too busy thinking about Lizzy to notice the girls. There's something about that woman that gets to me, her fire, her independent spirit the fact that she is willing to stand up to me which is rare. Well she certainly doesn't think much of me and usually I wouldn't care what people think, but for some unknown reason I care what she thinks. Maybe if I could get the chance to talk to her again, we could start off again on a better footing, I doubt we will get a chance though. I'm sure she will avoid me if she can although Charlie seems to be getting on with her sister very well. Oh why did I have to snap at her?, I was just surprised and actually a bit nervous speaking to her, Will thought sadly.

(Lizzys POV)

Lizzy was cross but puzzled at the nature of Wills last comment about the drink and the tone of his voice. She just had to get away from him; he puzzled and confused her greatly.

At the end of the night Charlie asked for Jane's phone number and she shyly gave it to him after a tender kiss goodnight.

"Oh Jane I am so happy for you, he really is charming and he knows how to rock which is an important quality in a man!" Lizzy said when they were back in the privacy of Jane's room. "I have to admit I really like him Lizzy he's so handsome, fun to be with and for some crazy reason he wants to see me again! Such a gentleman as well, he didn't try and come home with me or take me back to his place. Although I would be tempted just to spend more time with him".

Lizzys eyes opened wide in shock at Jane's statement. "Just to talk to him Lizzy! You know I'm not the kind of girl to sleep with someone on a first date. Not unless I am in love, would I give myself to someone".

I know Jane I was just teasing you, I have never known you give your number out to anyone let alone want to go home with someone.

"Oh Lizzy I could have talked to him all night and watched the sun rise with Charles Bingley".