It was a beautiful lazy afternoon. The usual overbearing gray clouds that were always looming above England had miraculously cleared, letting the warm rays of the sun brighten everything they fell on. The whole countryside was calm and peaceful; the wonderful sounds of birds singing and children laughing drifted up through the window of Gilbert Beilschmidt's bedroom. But, unfortunately, all of this wonderment was lost on Gilbert; he was currently in bed, snoring loud enough to raise the dead. Even though it was late in the day, he was out like a snuffed candle with no signs of waking up anytime soon. It wasn't too surprising actually. He had been out with his two best friends Antonio and Francis until the wee hours of the morning. He had stumbled back home at about four o' clock, half delusional from lack of sleep and ready to collapse right on the doorstep. But this was a normal occurrence, the servants were quite used to carrying their near-unconscious employer to bed after a long night of partying. Gilbert was also a lazy bum, so he slept past noon most days anyway. But on this day, instead of being left in peace to sleep the day away, a rude voice was yelling in his ear, dragging him reluctantly back to the land of the living.
Ugh who's being so loud this early in the morning!
My tired eyes fluttered open the tiniest degree and I noticed the way too bright sunlight streaming in through my window.
...Ok maybe it's not morning...but that's still no reason to disturb my awesome nap!
I closed my eyes again and gave a slight groan. I really didn't want to get up. Maybe this annoying person would leave soon. I was skirting the edge between dreaming and wakefulness, just about to fall into the dark inviting chasm of sleep, when that damn voice penetrated my ear again. I inwardly sighed.
Go away, go away, go away, go awaaaay! Just leave me alone verdammt! But no, the stupid person kept on yelling, determined to wake me up. Who was this person anyway?
My thoughts were still fuzzy and befuddled. I frowned in confusion as I tried to figure out who the mystery person was.
Is it one of the servants? No, it doesn't sound like any of them...but why does that voice sound so familiar?
"...I swear Gilbert, if your don't get up in the next five seconds I'm going to go down to the kitchen and get a big old cast iron frying pan-"
"I'M UP I'M UP!" I screamed, jolting up and clawing at the bedsheets, still half asleep.
All I heard was 'frying pan,' oh god don't hit me Lizzy I'm too awesome to die! - whoa, wait a minute, LIZZY?
A little more awake after my moment of terror, I looked up. I was amazed to see the slightly annoyed but still smiling face of my childhood friend, unsure if she was really here or if I was still dreaming. I wouldn't be surprised, she looked totally different than the last time I saw her. Instead of one of those fancy expensive dresses that were all the rage in France, she wore a simple white and green peasants dress. Instead of an elaborate bun, her hair was down and looked slightly disheveled. There wasn't a trace of makeup on her face and a real smile graced her features, not that carefully calculated polite smile that she normally put on. I don't think she ever looked more beautiful.
When did she get here? Isn't she supposed to be at the Edelstein estate?
A sharp pain stabbed my heart at that thought, but Lizzy didn't notice, she just smirked at me.
"Wow Gil, it took me a full ten minutes to wake you up. Feli wasn't kidding when he said you sleep like a log."
Ignoring her comment, I stared up at her incredulously. "Why are you here? I thought you had to go to that big tea party thing?" I tried my best to keep the bitterness out of my voice. I hope it worked.
"Oh, I ditched it," she replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.
"...huh?"
"I said I ditched it."
"...really?"
She sighed and turned to walk out the door.
"Yes Gil, really. It was boring. Now get dressed and come downstairs, Feli made some food for you."
I could only stare and gape at her like a fish out of water. Countless questions swam around in my head.
I thought the whole party was so that pansy aristocrat could propose to her! Did he not have the guts to do it? And what happened to little ms. prim and proper?
I finally found my voice again as she reached the doorway. "Wait, Lizzy," I said desperately, my hand reached out as if to grab her arm. She paused on the threshold and looked back at me curiously.
"Hmm?"
"What happened to being a lady?"
She shot me a devilish smile and there was a mischievous look in her emerald eyes.
"Screw being a lady!" she shouted vehemently, her hair and dress flying out behind her as she flounced out of my room. I just sat there on my bed, gazing vacantly at the now empty space she had previously occupied, completely dumbstruck.
