"...fainted after her blind date?"
"Really? Oh, poor Lizzy..."
Familiar, feminine voices drifted into Elizabeth's ear as she slowly regained consciousness. How did I get here? Wasn't I at the Greenwood Fish Market just now?
As she pushed herself up to a sitting position, the two beloved people in her world quickly rushed to her side and supported her arms.
"Lizzy, are you feeling better now?"
"Liz, you are such a ditz. Imagine fainting after a blind date! How embarrassing that must have been!"
Obviously the first was said by Elizabeth's older sister, Jane. She was the epitome of sugar, spice and everything nice. On the other hand, Charlotte Lucas was a completely different story. Charlotte was Elizabeth's oldest friend (as far as she can remember) and they had met in ballet class when they were only little girls.
Back then, they became friends solely on the fact that only the two of them were unable to do a spilt in the entire class. Ever since the two of them realised that they had more in common apart from their inflexibility. Even after both of them quitted ballet together, they still remained in contact and became a very contrasting pair of best friends. Charlotte was calm, organised and responsible. She always knew what she was doing and what she wanted to do, much like a Capricorn. Whereas Lizzy was, well, always a ditz as Charlotte said. Elizabeth works on impulse and usually requires on Mama Charlotte to check on her.
Notwithstanding the fact that Charlotte loves to use her so-called maturity to scold Liz whenever she messes up, very much like in the current situation.
"Oh shut up, Charlotte. You have no idea what I went through." Elizabeth crossed her arms in defence. Actually, what did I went through? I cannot even recall what had occurred at the Greenwood Fish Market ...
"Lizzy, stop tiring your brain. You should rest first." Jane's warm hand encircled Elizabeth's and gave it a comforting squeeze. Jane already knew all her sister's expressions, whether it be annoyed, enraged, disappointed or depressed. Elizabeth wore her heart on her sleeve and Jane could easily tell that her sister was deep in thought once again.
Elizabeth smiled gratefully at Jane and asked, "Jane, do you know what had happened at the Greenwood Fish Market?"
"Greenwood Fish Market? I'm sorry I don't even know where that is, Lizzy."
"It's the place where she had her blind date and embarrassed herself in front of about a hundred people," Charlotte interjected with a smirk.
"You went on a blind date?!" Jane exclaimed as Elizabeth leaned forward to smack Charlotte on the shoulder. I regret telling Charlotte about the blind date. I regret everything.
"Yes, my dear sister. Never thought you would live to see the day right? I was forced into this by mum anyway. It was not my idea, get it?" Elizabeth said grumpily. Why is everyone making such a big fuss over that one blind date? Jane nodded understandingly and explained that she had no involvement in any of her mother's matchmaking plans.
"Enough about me, now, tell me about your life, Jane. What's going on in your life? How is Bingley?"
"Oh! Bingley is an amazing guy. You know he..." Jane's eyes lit up and she started gesticulating while describing what Bingley did for her during the recent Valentines' day in vivid detail. Guess where Elizabeth was? Watching anime at home with Charlotte! Don't worry though, love was totally in the air. They had ordered their one true love, Chinese takeout and had the entire couch to themselves. What could be a better way to spend Valentines'? When this bit of information was shared with Jane, she shook her head in mock disapproval.
"You young ladies, better go find a boyfriend soon or you will be spending every Valentines' sad and alone." Her initiation of her mum made Elizabeth and Charlotte burst out in laughter. As such, the rest of the afternoon was spent in such a happy manner that Elizabeth soon forgotten about her own faux pas. Until the day she was discharged from the hospital.
"Miss Elizabeth, here is the report of your overall body condition. Please take a look at it before I explain to you why you had fainted." A doctor, a kind-looking female elderly handed her a stapled bunch of papers after checking Elizabeth's blood pressure.
"It's fine, doctor. I don't need to know why I had fainted, I just want to leave the hospital now." Elizabeth was already fidgeting in the hospital bed when the doctor entered her ward. Charlotte, that evil friend, was hosting a party at her mansion that evening! Charlotte purposely chose the date of Elizabeth's discharge just to spite her friend. but knowing Elizabeth's stubbornness, Charlotte offered to pick her up from the hospital at 3pm.
"I'm warning you, I will drive off at 3.05pm if I don't see you at the drop-off point. So don't be late or miss the party!" Elizabeth didn't know whether to be angry or grateful after receiving Charlotte's message that morning. All she was very certain was that she must not be late. She would never miss a Lucas party! Furthermore, Charlotte said she also invited Bingley and a couple of "hot" guys so being absent was not an option at all. I can't wait to meet Bingley in person! All I know about him is from Jane's mouth and Jane never speaks ill of anyone, much less of her boyfriend. Finally, this party will allow me to judge Bingley for myself and see if he's actually worth dating my sister. But none of that is going to happen if this stupid doctor chooses to bore me with the analysis results!
Elizabeth eyed the clock on the wall worriedly. 2.53pm. If she wanted to be downstairs in 7 minutes, she had to leave right now since she still needed time to pack up her belongings, sign out and collect her medicine.
"...blood pressure might have been too low, so it might have been because of hypertension. do you understand me, Miss Elizabeth?" The doctor tapped on Elizabeth's arm to get her attention.
"Erm, yes I understand doctor. I promise I will take care of my body from now on." Elizabeth nodded her head assertively and the doctor sighed.
"Fine, you can be discharged now."
"Yes! Thank you so much, doctor!" Elizabeth pumped her fist in the air and stood up to gather her belongings.
"Bye doctor!" To this, the doctor only chuckled and shook her head.
"Youth these days..."
ヽ( ̄д ̄;)ノ=3=3=3
"Charlotte, I'm here!" Elizabeth shouted as she waved her hands frantically at the familiar maroon Honda car. After helping Elizabeth up onto the car and dumping her belongings into the backseat, Charlotte smirked at her friend as she drove out of the drop-off point.
"I can't believe you were actually on time, Liz. I'm proud of your desperation to attend my party."
"Oh please, Charlotte, I'm only desperate because you said Bingley was going. And I'm certainly down for some new eye candy too." Elizabeth winked at Charlotte who pretended to shudder.
"Those new eye candy, as you call them, are Bingley's friends and family by the way. Try not to embarrass yourself too much. And please don't attempt beer pong after drinking too much." Charlotte shook her head. I feel like Elizabeth's second mother sometimes.
"Oh my gosh, yes, beer pong! We must play it tonight with the guys! We must!" At the mention of her wild party antics, Elizabeth only clapped her hands and squealed gleefully. Charlotte rolled her eyes and stepped hard on the accelerator.
Within 30 minutes, the beautiful white mansion came into view and Elizabeth stared in awe as she always did.
"Haven't you seen my house a billion times already? Why are you always so shocked?" Charlotte asked as the two proceeded up to the door.
"Because every time I'm reminded that I have such a rich friend whom I can always rely on for awesome parties!" Elizabeth's outburst was only foreboding to Charlotte of what would happen that night. Charlotte loves Elizabeth very much undeniably, but her friend gets overboard at parties sometimes and Charlotte has to be the one to save her. Let's hope none of that drama would happen tonight. I can't be watching out for her every single party, especially if I'm the host of this one. Looking around, Charlotte quickly found Bingley and gestured him over for introductions.
"Mr Bingley, how's the party? Hope you are having a good night so far!"
"Yes, of course, Miss Lucas. I'm very grateful that you extended the invitation to me, thank you so much. Oh! Who is this lady?"
"This is Elizabeth, Jane's younger sister and my best friend. Elizabeth, this is Mr Bingley." Charlotte turned to face Elizabeth but realised that she had disappeared! Oh gosh, Liz... already? What am I going to say to Mr Bingley?
Turning back to Bingley awkwardly, Charlotte apologised and stuttered that her friend was right beside her a moment ago.
"Oh, it's not your fault. I did see her standing by you just now, but she suddenly ran off and I lost sight of her as well." Bingley said kindly.
"My apologies, Mr Bingley. I'll go look for her now and return back to you as soon as possible."
"Alright, I'll be at the pool table with Jane. Oh and no hurries, take your time if you must!" Bingley called out as Charlotte dashed off to get her friend back.
I'm going to kill Liz when I get my hands on her! Charlotte mumbled apologies as she weaved through the throngs of people, searching for that idiot friend of hers.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth was breathing heavily with her back leaning against a door. She had seen something she could not and did not want to believe. Back then, adrenaline overruled her mind and her legs, forcing her to leave Charlotte's side and lock herself inside an empty room. Why is he here? How could he be invited to Charlotte's party? Taking deep breaths, Elizabeth managed to calm herself down and paced across the room. catching sight of herself in a long mirror, she gasped. Her hair was in a complete mess. Strictly speaking, Elizabeth has never been the type of woman to care much on her appearance but her dishevelled ponytail with loose ends sticking out everywhere appalled her. Feeling sweat droplets trickling down her back, Elizabeth cringed a second time. What is wrong with me? How did he manage to reduce me into such a mess in just a few seconds? Elizabeth quickly tidied up her hair and was about to leave the room with renewed confidence when she heard a knock on the door.
"Miss Bennet, are you inside?"
hey friends! how are you liking this story so far? any questions or feedback? feel free to leave em, i will shower you with gratitude. :D
