A modern Pride and Prejudice: Darcy's view
Chapter 2
I was lounged in the armchair while Bingley took a shower. I was brooding over the party from two days ago. It was so boring and it sucked. I kept myself busy with observing Bingley and his new crush Jane and came to the conclusion that Jane indeed feels indifferent towards him.
After a few minutes, Bingley came out of the bathroom and dried his red hair with a towel.
„What's up?", he asked good-humored, „Are you still thinking of Elisabeth?"
What the hell? Why is he teasing me so early in the morning?! And I'm definitely not thinking of this girl!
„Why should I?", I asked bored and examined my fingernails.
„I just thought...ah forget it. I know that you don't want to talk about the party."
„Wise decision...", I murmured and Bingley grinned. Why is he always happy?! Or...is he still teasing me...
„Okay, let's drop the subject...tonight we are invited to the Lucas's, you already know Charlotte, Elisabeth's best friend. And the Bennetts will come to!", the last sentence made his eyes shine.
Oh no, not again! I wanted to avoid the Bennetts, especially Elisabeth with her teasing eyes! I will have fun again...
Before we arrived at the Lucas's, Caroline and her sister Louisa were talking about Jane and unfortunately they encouraged Bingley to fancy the Bennet sister. I said nothing, but I intended to observe Jane closely.
It wasn't really a party - thank God- it was rather a convivial evening, without dancing and loud music. For now.
The house of the Lucas's was small but comfortable and the furniture was quite modern. We went to the living room, the largest room of the house. There were red sofas that looked quite cheap. Not the ones I'm used too. I noticed a piano on the left of the living room and it instantly reminded me of Georgiana, my little sister.
Georgiana often plays the piano and she's the best pianist I know. I don't see her often, because I'm too busy with my studies. I can't wait to see her again and listen to her music.
The Bennets entered the room about 15 minutes after us. To my frustration, I spotted Elisabeth in the group. Oh no. Not again. But this time, I will be more careful with what I'm saying. I will not make a fool of myself in front of her again. Never.
Elisabeth briefly looked at me and quickly lowered her gaze. What does that mean? Well, I don't care, I said to myself and walked through the room to get away from her.
It was boring as always and I caught myself watching Elisabeth several times. She wore black jeans and a yellow sweater, that perfectly accentuated her brown hair. Why do I even look at her? Well, to criticize her of course!
When I looked closely, I realized,that her eyes were remarkably beautiful and there was an intelligent and interesting expression in them whenever she talked.
Somehow, I wanted to know her a little better, so I started to listen to her conversations with Mr. Forster.
„Mr. Forster, I heard you want to have a party pretty soon?", Elisabeth asked slyly
and I wondered how someone can like parties anyway.
I didn't hear Mr. Forster's answer, because I was too fascinated by the sparkle in her eyes.
I definitely drank too much.
After several minutes I still observed her when she whispered with Charlotte. They glanced at me several times, as if they were gossiping about me. Do I look that bad?
I totally forgot to observe Bingley and Jane and I realized, that I approached Elisabeth by a few steps. Wait! What the hell am I doing?
Before I could go away, Elisabeth suddenly turned around.
„ Hey Darcy, don't you think, that I was so smart when I asked Mr. Forster to have a party?", she asked boldly and looked straight into my eyes.
Why does she have to be so provocative every time she speaks to me?
I felt a little ashamed, being catched by listening to other people's conversations.
But I picked up my courage – I couldn't let my embarrassment be shown - and rose one brow.
„Every girl likes to party, am I right? No wonder you tried so hard to persuade him to have a party."
Ha, that was a repartee.
But Elisabeth just smiled at my answer.
„You're very prejudiced, you know that?", she said and smirked.
I don't think so, but if she says so...I don't care about her opinion of me anyway, do I?
Suddenly, Charlotte grinned at Elisabeth evilly and I wondered, what that was about.
She turned towards me.
„Darcy, aren't you curious about Lizzy's amazing musical talent?"
Well, yes I am!
Elisabeth turned pale and I had sympathy for her, instantly. I could understand her completely, because I didn't like attention from too many people either.
„Char! Are you kidding me? Why are you so mean?! I will definitely not sing in front of everyone! Are you trying to kill me or something?"
But despite her friend's claims, Charlotte took a champagne glass and a spoon to call the attention of all the guests.
„Elisabeth Bennet wishes to sing some lovely songs for us. Well, lets see how great she is!", she announced and pushed the poor Elisabeth to the Wii station, I noticed but now.
„What the fuck, Charlotte?! … Payback is a bitch.", Elisabeth whispered with a killing glare at her best friend.
I smiled. She was so cute, when she was angry or embarrassed. Wait - what was I thinking right now?!
What the hell did they put in this strange wine?
Elisabeth started the game „Guitar Hero", took the guitar and suddenly I was very curious to hear her voice and playing.
When she started to sing, I lost all the feeling of time and I forgot everything around me.
She had such a beautiful voice...- But why the fuck was I the only one, who was so impressed by her performance? They were pleased, but not very thrilled and I guess, her performance wasn't great, but pleasing.
They definitely put some drugs in that wine.
When she finished, Mary quickly pushed her way to Elisabeth and relieved her - to my disappointment - so she could play herself.
It was a terrible performance and I somehow was ashamed of her. The other guests pretended to be pleased, you could tell it by their forced smiles.
When Mary finished her first song, Lydia and Kitty suddenly ran up to Mary and bit her agitatedly to play something else.
„Mary, play something where we can dance sexily on!", Lydia cried out and Mary frowned.
„But-", she began, but was interrupted by Kitty.
„Oh Mary, do you always have to be so boring? We want to have fun!", she rolled her eyes.
My God, Elisabeth's sisters are so embarrassing...I couldn't bear to be around them for a long time. Poor Elisabeth...
Finally Mary played a party song and Kitty and Lydia grabbed some boys and began to dance and flirt with them.
How can someone prefer dancing to talking? I don't understand these people...
Then Mr. Lucas popped up next to me.
„It's wonderful to see young people dance, isn't it?", he said happily and watched them.
Well...no?
„Errr, yeah...I guess..."
„Why don't you dance? I think, you should have fun too!", he looked around and suddenly his face brightened, as if he had an amazing idea.
Oh no, what's he up to?
„Elisabeth, my dear! Come here, why don't you two dance together? I think you would look wonderful together."
What the hell did he just say?
Omg, she's coming our way. I screwed up my courage and I offered her my hand.
„Shall we dance?"
Please don't do not refu-
Elisabeth shook her head.
Fuck.
„No thanks. I'm not in the mood.", she looked at me and I was blushing with embarrassment.
How could she? How could she refuse someone like me?
I asked her again- I don't know why, maybe it was the alcohol- but she didn't change her mind.
Omg, it was so humiliating.
But somehow, I admired her for her impertinence. She was the first girl who ever dared to refuse me.
She's special, somehow...I had to think of her beautiful brown eyes and daydreamed a little bit.
But Caroline had to interrupt my thoughts – again.
„I know exactly what you're thinking about."
„I bet you don't.", I answered and arched an eyebrow.
Caroline smiled knowingly.
„You're wishing to go home again. I understand you completely, these people are so dull and rude! They are so full of themselves!"
And you aren't, Caroline?
I shook my head and smiled.
„No, I was thinking about some striking beautiful eyes in the face of a pretty girl."
She grinned.
„And who do you mean?
Not you.
„Elisabeth Bennet,", I answered confidently and almost laughed at Caroline's face.
She was very surprised that it wasn't her who I meant.
„Elisabeth?!", she cried out, „Well, I wish you luck with her great family. Just think of her mother..."
I didn't listen to her anymore and my thoughts returned to Elisabeth again.