Chapter 2

Finally it was Friday. Due to the fact that I worked 10 am to 12 pm on Saturdays, I always took Fridays off. As I got into my car after school, my phone was ringing. Recognizing the ringtone to be Jane's I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lizzy, are you coming to the party tonight?"

"Oh. Hi, Charlotte. Yeah, I'm coming. Why?"

"Jane is coming early to help me prep since Mom's gone. You want to do homework here? Our internet is back up and running."

"Sure, I'll come right now. Tell Jane to bring me cloths."

"Will do. See ya."

"Bye."

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"So, who all is coming, Charlotte?" I asked my friend several hours later as we washed dishes and baked brownies.

"The usual people: John Hamington; Philip General and his sister, Joy; Jane Newcumm and her Aunt; Bessy Schmit; my sister, of course, and two of my brothers. I also have several new people to add to our party list: a Charles Bingley and his sisters Louisa and Caroline. I think he is bringing a friend tonight as well.

"Charles?" asked Jane

"What's he like?" I questioned.

"He is really quite nice. He is blond, likes people, and majors in Bible. He seems nice but he is only in one of my classes. He's not creepy or anything anyway."

"That is nice," I said seriously.

"Been having problems with men lately?" teased Charlotte.

"No, I am getting tired of the boys we know. None of them are interested in marrying and I want to get Jane settled." Charlotte broke into peals of hearty laughter. That was usually how we ended up: laugh loudly over nothing. A ring at the door called back our attention. The next hour consisted of playing games, greeting friends, and for me at least, imagining Mr. Bingley. I was not interested in men. I had never had a crush on someone else, I rarely thought about what it would be like to be married. My main thoughts on boys consisted of pairing them up with Jane or criticizing their bad character's qualities. I was very interested when the door opened and a new person stepped in. The marry face which glanced around and the friendly hand that immediately went out to the nearest person, made even me smile. As soon as this first man stepped off the front mat two more ladies and another man stepped in. I took my time observing the ladies. They looked almost identical. Both wore designer jeans and low tops; both took off high-heeled boots and leather jackets; and both sported faces of disgust and absolute distain. I took all this in, together with the heavy make-up, the gaudy jewelry, and the air of superciliousness, before turning to study the second man. He stood out as handsome; carefully groomed and dressed; and observant. I watched him hand his coat to Charlotte as he glanced sharply around the room.

"So which of our new acquaintances is your Mr. Bingley?" I asked Charlotte in a faux British accent as we pulled more brownies from the oven.

"The first man. What do you think?"

"I- "

"Tomorrow? Sure," a strong voice came from the window. I glanced out into the dark and saw the shape of a man hanging up his phone. As he walked back onto the porch, into the light, I saw it was Bingley's side-kick. The door suddenly opened as he reached for the knob and Bingley stepped out.

"Come on, Darcy, why don't you play Janga?"

"Bingley, I hate that game. I hate being out at night. I hate mixing with people I don't know. I can't believe you talked me into coming."

"Fitzwilliam Darcy, there are so many neat people here, some uncommonly nice."

"That blonde you have been monopolizing is the only pretty girl, if that is what you mean."

"Darcy, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen – "

"Please, Bingley – "

"But she said her sister is here as well? I have heard she is pretty, though apparently of a different make. I dare say she is very agreeable. Why don't you find her?"

"Bingley, have you heard nothing I have been saying. I am in no mood to tolerate, as you put it, giggly, flighty girls."

"She is hardly a girl, Darcy."

"She will not be handsome enough to tempt me."

"But – "

"End of story, Bingley," and his voice held a warning note. I suddenly came to myself and realized I was eavesdropping. I spun around and body slammed Charlotte.

"Oopah!" I gasped.

"Sorry."

"No problem. Didn't see you – "

"No, I mean sorry about what he said." Charlotte held my shoulders and looked deep into my eyes. Awkward.

"Well," I whispered in a forced giggle, "you know my opinions of men. Apparently he is one of the ego centered ones." Charlotte giggles too and let go of her death grip. We moved back t serving refreshments. I pushed the incident back in my mind but not out completely. Of course not. I was simply waiting for leisure time to consider it not forgive and forget. I am sure you will be able to figure out my character quickly – quicker than I did when thinking back over these events – but to help you along let me tell you several things. Firstly, although I enjoy company I am by no means dependent on such things for pleasant past times. Second, my favorite hobby is to meet new people, sketch their characters, then move on. And lastly, in all my classes for my counseling major I had never met a man who was not either a creep or a dumbbell. To this day I still have no idea how most of my classmates even considered counseling. I can't imagine anyone going to say Jeffery Hoodel for life advice; or Brian Chatsey; or Brony Jerid.

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"So," Jane whispered, "What did you think about the party?" The two of us were sitting toe to toe on the closet floor. Due to my regular night work schedule and Jane's convenient lack of work on Saturdays we were in no rush to get to bed.

"What did you think?" I returned brilliantly.

"Hey. I asked you first!"

"Well, I can't make up my mind until I know how you feel. I am utterly dependent – "

"Right." snorted Jane. "Ok, ok. I thought Charles and Caroline were really nice."

"Caroline?"

"Charles' sister, oh and Louisa, too. She is nice, just quieter." Jane smiled

"Charles seemed to like you a good deal," I snickered.

"Not like that, Lizzy. Honestly!" Jane exasperated, but she also bloomed and put great whispered emphasis into her last word. I felt my shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter and my eyes were taunting my older sister.

"He and I just liked talking and playing the same games," her face was getting redder but the moment. If you have never seen Jane blush you are missing out. I have never seen someone get quite the shade she does.

"Well, I give you leave to like him. After all he boots most of your other interests clear out the window. No offense, but you have liked many stupider people."

"Dear Lizzy –"

"No, no, Jane, you like people too well in general. All the world is agreeable in your eyes – even creepy stalkers are given second chances. And you are all to forgiving of me."

"Lizzy, I –"

"Jane! You are all sweetness and beauty, which is why you will have a wonderful husband, while I am an old maid."

"You, Lizzy, have plenty of abilities, of which you are fully aware," scolded Jane.

"Yes, however, there are few other people in the world whom I love and even less of whom I think well. The more I learn of people; the more I see of the world; the more I am displeased with it. Good thing we are not made to stay here below."With this comment our talk strayed to spiritual grounds and on to plans for the morrow. Finally after much procrastination we pulled each other up and went to bed.