AN: Hey there everybody. Here's the next chapter of this story. Thanks for reading and please review. I'd love to hear from you. P.S. I'm looking for a beta, if anyone is interested. Enjoy the story!

Chapter Two

After school, Jane, Mary, Kitty, Lydia, and I all piled into a Jane's small Ford Tempo. It was tight fit but it was the only car we had. Lydia and Kitty were whispering to each other while Mary sulked in the back. I stifled a sigh. Mary needed to get some more friends. All she took pleasure in was her piano and books. It made her something of a social outcast. Hopefully, she would get better with time.

"Jane, Lizzie," Lydia started, "will you take us the Fall Social with you?"

"No," I said bluntly. "Just because Dad isn't here doesn't mean you can break all of his rules."

"If you don't tell him, he would never know," she grumbled. "You're such a tattle tale, Lizzie."

"There's a difference between tattling and being responsible," I told her. "If I just wanted to get you in trouble I would be a tattle tale but when you intentionally break the rules I'm obligated to tell Dad."

"Whatever," she muttered. I really hated being the adult here. I'd have to complain to Jane about it later. Our house was only a few blocks away from the school so it took only a few minutes to get back home. This was really useful when I had soccer practice and didn't have a ride home. My phone vibrated. It was a text from Charlotte.

I found out some more about those new kids. Charles and Caroline Bingley are staying with their older sister Mrs. Hurst in the Bingley Hotel. I smiled.

Have you been stalking them? I asked her. The reply came back quickly.

Ha ha ha. Very funny Liz. Now shut up while I tell you about the Darcy dude. He's the nephew of Catherine Bourgh, CEO of Bourgh Productions. His parents are dead and he has one sister, who's going to a private school in California. He also inherited half of New York.

Did you steal his file or are you actually stalking him? I inquired. Or both? Before you answer those, isn't he only like seventeen. How's he inherited already?

He's eighteen and his sister is only like fourteen. And yes I did steal his file. Your detective skills leave me in awe.

Sarcasm doesn't suit you.

Please! Sarcasm is my main form of communication.

See you tonight, Lottie. I texted, shaking my head. I'm almost home and then I have to Skype my dad.

Ah, yes. Your business meeting. Hey be warned, Collins is coming tonight.

Thanks for the heads up.

Anytime Miss Liz, she replied. I smiled to myself as I walked in to my house. Nicknames are how Charlotte and I told each other we were friends. If I didn't like you, you didn't get a nickname and vice versa. The nicknames were constantly changing but sometimes I just couldn't think of one. Like Jane. What is a good nickname for Jane? At the moment, all I've got is "Janie".

"Mom, we're home!" Lydia shouted. We all shushed her. Our mother was so tired after work, she could barely stand whispering. She rolled her eyes at us but did quiet down. I bit back a nasty remark and walked into my dad's study. The family laptop sat on the desk. Jane and I were the only ones who knew the password and it bothered Lydia and Kitty. Then again, everything bothered them.

I quickly logged on and opened the Skype app. Every day after school, my dad and I would video chat while he was in London. Hopefully he had good news today. Those London business men really didn't want my dad's company to sell the product to the Japanese but they also seemed reluctant to buy the product themselves.

"Lizzie!" my father exclaimed when I opened the app. "How was your day, sweetie?"

"There were rumors of new students," I told him.

"Rich?"

"Very," I replied.

"Don't tell your mother," he joked.

"You'd think she wanted to marry me off with how she carries on," I said.

"Well…"

"Is she trying to marry me off?" I asked.

"Not yet," he told me. "She wants Jane to marry right out of high school and then introduce you to rich men."

"Is she crazy?" I exclaimed. "We're still so young. I really want to live my life and then marry."

"Don't worry, Lizzie," Dad said cheerfully, "Men like silly gullible women nowadays. You and Jane will be overlooked."

"Thanks," I said dryly. "Now how's the business deal going?"

"Not well," he replied. "I'll be here for another two to three weeks. How are you doing? I've been getting an earful from your mother about how you aren't cooperating with her matchmaking."

"Well…"

"Glad to hear it," he said. "I need you at home, not out trying to nab a husband."

"I shudder at the thought," I said honestly. I heard a shouting match starting in the kitchen and I gave my father a weary smile.

"Go break up the fight," he smiled. "I'll be here tomorrow. I love you, Lizzie." He kissed his fingers and held it up to the screen. I did the same.

"I love you too, Dad," I told him. "I promise everything's okay here. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," he replied and cut the connection. I sighed but closed the computer and moved to stop the fight in the kitchen.

"Those are my shoes!" Kitty yelled. "You can't have them!"

"They're mine and you know it!" Lydia shouted back. "Besides they don't match with any of your outfits." Jane was trying to calm them down, but they just ignored her quiet protests. They argued for a few more minutes but then I calmly stepped in and took the shoes.

"First of all, these are my shoes," I said. "Second, you two are old enough to know that shouting will just lead to more shouting. So next time you have a problem, try making sure the shoes are actually yours before you start screaming." Jane threw me a grateful glance and I smiled back briefly. Then I turned back to glare at Kitty and Lydia.

"Jane and I have to get ready," I told them. "If you have a problem, go to Mary, not Mom. Got it?" They nodded and mutely walked out of the room.

"Lizzie," Jane started on our way to the dance, "thanks for helping me with Lydia and Kitty. I don't know how you do it." I chuckled slightly.

"You just have to show them who's boss," I said. "Usually it works. You need to be a little louder and a lot meaner to get through to them."

"I'm not a mean person," Jane mumbled.

"I know you aren't," I smiled, "which is why I deal with Lydia and Kitty. It's also why you will get married right out of high school and I will be an old spinster who will teach your nine children how to get on your nerves." This got Jane laughing. Then we arrived. We walked into the gym, which had been decorated with everything autumn.

"What's that guy doing?" Jane whispered and nodded toward the punch bowl. A young man was trying to discretely pour some clear liquid into bowl. I covered my mouth to cover a laugh.

"Jane, don't drink the punch," I told her with a half-smile.

"Okay," she said slightly confused. "Why not?"

"Um…let's just say that clear liquid wasn't water," I snickered.

"You saw it too?" a good looking guy said from behind us. "I was worried I was crazy." He grinned easily at us, ginger hair shining in the low light.

"Not crazy," I disagreed. "Although maybe drunk if you go anywhere near the refreshments." I stuck my hand out and introduced myself. "I'm Elizabeth but my friends call me Lizzie. This is my older sister Jane."

"Charles Bingley," he smiled. "My sister and friend are around here somewhere, but while we're waiting," he turned to Jane, "do you want to dance?" She blushed and looked down. Wow even before he asked about her money. I was beginning to like this guy.

"I'd love to," she murmured shyly. As Charles led her onto the dance floor, I smiled after them.

"Is your diabolic plan working?" Charlotte asked as she walked up to me.

"Perfectly," I grinned. "Within the first two minutes, he got her dancing. He didn't even ask whether she was a scholarship or not."

"Have you met the others yet?" I shook my head.

"Are they even here?" I inquired. She gestured over to one corner of the room. A tall dark guy stood in the shadows with a red headed slender girl.

"They look like they want to be anywhere but here," I commented and Charlotte stifled a snicker. Suddenly the guy looked toward us. Charlotte looked down but I smile mischievously at him. He's not even that intimidating. The song ended and Charles returned with Jane. He motioned for his friend and sister to join us. As they came toward us, Charlotte smiled politely and I hid a smirk behind my hand.

"Everyone this is my sister Caroline," Charles said, "and my best friend, Darcy."

"Does Mr. Darcy have a first name?" I asked archly.

"Not that I'd like anyone to know about," Darcy said gruffly.

I smirked. "Really? I had heard rumors of a Fitzwilliam Darcy coming to Meryton." Jane subtly elbowed me but I just grinned wider when a muscle in his jaw twitched. I really shouldn't take so much enjoyment in other people's discomfort.

"I'm Jane Bennett, this is my sister Lizzie, and our friend Charlotte Lucas," Jane told them, trying to change the subject.

"Are you related to the principal?" Caroline asked. Her voice was shrill and I wanted to wince when I heard it. I could already tell I was going to like Charles more than his sister.

"He's my dad," Charlotte replied. Caroline arched a perfectly shaped and blatantly false eyebrow. I swear she must have penciled the heck out that thing. What ginger has black eyebrows?

"That's interesting," Caroline said and turned to me. "And you? Are you a scholarship student or do you enjoy dressing in rags?" I felt an angry blush rush to my cheeks.

"Yes I am a scholarship student," I told her proudly. "Jane and I both are: Jane for her ballet and me for my singing. Is that a problem?" Caroline didn't say anything. She just pursed her lips and engaged Jane in conversation, obviously, deeming Charlotte and me beneath her notice. I shook my head at her vanity.

"Are you enjoying the dance?" I asked Charles who was looking mournfully at Jane. My goodness, the boy was already trapped.

"It's very entertaining," he answered. "It'd be better if I was dancing. Would you like to dance, Lizzie?" I smiled and nodded. The perfect moment to hint at Jane's single status and push him in her direction. So I'm something a matchmaker. Don't judge! It's in the genetics. Charles and I had a nice long talk about Jane and her ballet. I think he realized I approved of him and was eager to pump me for information. I was only too happy to oblige.

After that song, he escorted me back to my friends, like a true gentlemen. Then he asked Jane to dance. Charlotte and I exchanged a glance and a grin. This was going better than I hoped.

"What about you Darcy?" I asked. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"No," he replied bluntly. "I don't like to dance. Or small towns."

"You call this small?" I inquired.

"Comparatively to where I usually live," he answered and turned away. I muttered some unladylike things under my breath. Then Charlotte abandoned me when Jeffery Hansen asked her to dance. I pushed away my irritation and waved at her as she happily followed him.

"Hello Lizzie," a horrible voice said from behind me. I stifled a groan.

"Hey Collins," I greeted him, unenthused. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? One date! My mom set us up on one date and now he follows me around like a lost puppy.

"Call me Bill," he grinned at me, making my skin crawl. "Would you like to dance?" I had a harder time stifling a groan this time. My sense of politeness and duty made me answer "yes" through gritted teeth. He smiled his sickly smile again and I shuddered when he put his hand on my waist. He tried to engage me in conversation but I mutely stared over his shoulder. I ignored his gabber about some video game. How was this guy a senior? He had the intellect and hygiene of a twelve year old. The song finally ended and I couldn't get away fast enough.

When I got back to where I had left my friends, I noticed they were all gone. Except Fitzwilliam Darcy. I took a detour in the other direction where I could still see the spot where my friends gather but far enough away I didn't have engage in the conversation with the guy. Suddenly, Charles showed up without Jane. I scanned the crowd and found her dancing with Charlotte in the middle of the floor. Actually it was more jumping than actual dancing. I shook my head and started to walk over to them.

"Come on Darce," Charles said. "You look stupid, glowering in the corner. If you're not careful, the girls will think you're a vampire and then they'll never leave you alone.

"They don't leave me alone anyways. Besides, I don't want to dance, Charles," Darcy said.

"We'll be here for the rest of the school year, or at least I will be, and you need to make friends," Charles said sternly. Good for you, Charlie.

Darcy snorted. "Right. That'll out me in a better mood. Your new…friend is the only pretty girl in the room."

"Isn't she beautiful?" Charles practically sighed. Lizzie's plan equals success. "But her sister, Lizzie, is really pretty too. And smart. Just your type."

"Really Charles?" Darcy said incredulously and shook his head. "Her? Why would I want to dance with a girl no one else wants to ask? Go back to your friend and let me sulk in peace." Charles made a sound of frustration and walked back over to Jane. As he walked away, I imagined beating the snot out of Darcy. Of all the pompous, arrogant, self-centered, chauvinistic…Gah! Who did this guy think he was? I don't care who his aunt is, it doesn't mean he's above the rest of us. I growled under my breath and stalked away. Sure it was obvious I wasn't as pretty as Jane with her blond hair and green eyes but I wasn't ugly either. As I thought about it further, I started laughing. It was simply ridiculous. He was just an arrogant jerk who obviously didn't want to be here. As long as he left me alone I was okay with him being as cold and aloof as he wanted to be.

As it turns out, I was standing right next to the spiked punch bowl. Darcy moved toward the bowl and grabbed a cup to fill it up. I fought the urge to not inform him just how spiked it was.

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you," I warned, duty rising above revenge. He raised a dark eyebrow in question. "It's spiked," I explained. "I've seen five different people pour stuff into it. If you want to be stone, cold drunk in a matter of minutes, by all means, drink up." Then it was my turn to walk away. I have to admit it felt pretty good.