I have recently become obsessed with Jane Austen (and Pride and Prejudice) once more. So, of course, this made a story bubble up. It's a modern take on them, naturally, and I hope you enjoy. Also, I'm trying as best as I can to get all the British terms right. Since I'm American, it's a little difficult. If I get something wrong, please don't hesitate to correct me. I hope you like my new story!

Disclaimer: The only thing I can sort of claim as my own is this plot line. And maybe a few OC that may crop up. Other than that, everything belongs to the genius of Jane Austen.

1

Elizabeth Bennett was the only sensible girl in her family next to her older sister, Jane. So, naturally, she was telling off her youngest sister, Lydia, for flaunting everything she had in front of the boys at school.

"Oh, Lizzie, you're too serious sometimes," Lydia replied with a roll of her eyes as she teased her mahogany hair with Kitty next to her, mirroring her. "You're too modest, too. You need to loosen up, sis, or else you will forever be alone."

Kitty snickered while Elizabeth tried to keep her cool.

She had been hearing rumours that Lydia had already been with nearly the whole of the boys in her class. She sincerely hoped they were false, though something inside her told her they were true. She only hoped Kitty, who was two years older than Lydia, was not half so bad as that.

"Kitty, do you see anything wrong with your boobs and arse hanging out?" Elizabeth asked.

Kitty glanced between her two sisters, biting her lower lip anxiously then shook her head. "Not really, Lizzie. I agree with Lydia. You're too modest."

With an exasperated sigh, Elizabeth threw her hands up in the air and turned on her heel, stalking away from the bathroom to go the bedroom she and Jane shared. She flung herself onto her bed and lay like that, facedown, and let the irritation she felt for her two younger sisters' ebb away slowly.

"What is it this time, Lizzie?" Jane asked.

Without raising her head, Elizabeth replied, "Our two sisters are absolute fools and it makes me cringe."

Her response came out muffled, making Jane chuckle.

"I didn't hear a word of that, Eliza."

Raising her head slightly, she repeated her words. Jane nodded in fervent agreement and added, "If they don't behave, then we'll soon have a little Lydia and little Kitty running around here. Imagine Mum if that were to happen! And Dad! Oh, Lord, this house would be turned upside down and flung sideways."

Elizabeth smirked at her sisters words. "But even you have to see that it wouldn't be much of a surprise."

"It wouldn't be, no," Jane agreed just as their other sister, Mary, knocked lightly on their door.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked as she climbed off her bed, straightening her shirt as she did so.

"Mother wants to see you, Jane," Mary said as she pushed her glasses farther up her nose.

Jane left with Mary, leaving Elizabeth alone with her thoughts.

It surprised her still to know that Jane was still single. She could hardly walk a block through Hertfordshire without being admired by at least two men.

Jane had fair hair that curled delicately around her heart shaped face. Her eyes were a beautiful blue and were always sparkling with amusement. Her complexion was fair and clear. Elizabeth was always jealous that Jane hardly ever broke out. Her sister was, in her rather biased opinion, the most beautiful girl she had ever seen.

Of course, Lydia and Kitty were rather beautiful as well, though, with their youthful ways, it threw boys off. Mary, however, was the plain one of the family and made up with it by excelling excellently in school and extracurriculars such as music and art. She couldn't sing very well, however, but played the piano extremely well. Mrs. Bennett swore Mary was a prodigy while everyone else laughed at the idea of Mary being anything close to one.

Sighing, Elizabeth walked to the window and looked out of her bedroom window that overlooked a rather quiet street. Trees shaded the street full of cars and the very person Elizabeth really wanted to talk to: Her best friend, Charlotte Lucas.

Elizabeth raced downstairs, nearly running her father over the process, and reached the door just as Charlotte raised her hand to knock.

"Goodness, Lizzie!" Charlotte exclaimed as she was ushered inside. "Have you got news on something I have no knowledge of?"

Elizabeth laughed and said, "Of course not, Charlotte! Can't I be excited to see my best friend?"

Charlotte eyed Elizabeth suspiciously, but said nothing as they made their way to the drawing room where Mary was currently seated, playing quietly on the piano. The TV was on in the background, but muted. It showed images of some soap opera that made Elizabeth roll her eyes. TV these days. What happened to good old fashioned cartoons?

"So, have you got any news for me?" Elizabeth asked as Mary, who seemed to notice she was no longer alone, got up and left pointedly, leaving the two friends alone with the silent TV.

Charlotte beamed. "I have!"

"Ooh! Do tell!" Elizabeth pressed.

Charlotte leaned in and said, "There's a new boy here. His name is Charles Bingley. He has two sisters, one older, one younger. The oldest girl is married to some man named Hurst. He also has a friend who happens to be visiting. I believe his name is William Darcy. I don't know why they're here, but I believe they're rather rich."

Elizabeth's eyes widened greatly and she said, "Well, summer does tend to bring rich people from London here. Where are they staying?"

"You know that great place about three miles away?" Elizabeth nodded. "There."

"This Charles Bingley is currently staying at Netherfield?" Elizabeth was astounded. She knew that Netherfield was the sort of place one could rent, not live. She also knew that it was not exactly cheap to stay there. This Bingley must be very rich indeed. He was probably the son of some successful lawyer or something.

"Anyways," Charlotte went on, "it's said that they'll be going to the party Alice King is holding at her house while her parents are away on holiday."

"Well, we're definitely going now, aren't we?" Elizabeth asked eagerly. "I must tell Jane!"

Very few people who were of some interest stayed in Hertfordshire. This Charles seemed to be one of them. And besides, they were going to Alice's party anyways. Why not give her sisters something to look forward to?

Please review! I love them dearly and read every single one! And again, if I get something wrong, let me know. Thanks!