Caroline vs. Elizabeth

Caroline Bingley and her sister Louisa arrived in Longbourn around noon. Both used to living the high life in New York City, Los Angeles, and Paris, they were not thrilled that their brother and Caroline's boyfriend had moved to the middle of nowhere for any length of time. Therefore, they felt it their responsibility to come and try to talk them out of it. And of course, Caroline didn't need an excuse to be with Will, who she was sure would soon ask her to marry him. They had been dating for over two years and were photographed going to movie premiers, fine restaurants, and nightclubs together.

Ostentatiously dressed in the latest fashions and driving around town in a showy silver convertible, Caroline and Louisa attracted many stares. Tired and hungry (although neither would ever admit it), they stopped at a small café where they first met the Bennets. They looked scornfully at the loud group sitting at a table near the door. A mother and father, two teenage girls, and a baby girl. All laughing and calling out. Louisa was appalled at their manners. Absolutely deplorable. And the two girls were wearing aprons. Waitresses. Ugh. Caroline was in complete agreement. Their shock, when learning that the Bennets would be their neighbors, and later that their brother was in love with Jane Bennet, was understandable. Furthermore, their brother announced that Mrs. Bennet had called earlier and invited them to another party.

Now, one might wonder why Will, or any man in his right mind for that matter, would date Caroline. No, he had not completely lost his mind. First, let it be known that Caroline and Louisa in no way resembled the ugly stepsisters in Cinderella. They were not ugly or awkward or excessively flattering, and they never criticized or made fun of people until they were alone. They were amazing actresses and, when they wanted to, they could act perfectly pleasant and polite. It didn't hurt that they looked like models, with their size two designer clothes, flawless skin, and perfectly styled strawberry blond hair. Will wasn't shallow or stupid. He just never really had a chance to see Caroline for who she was.

Will and Charles had been best friends since high school, while Caroline and Louisa were living in Europe with their mother. Caroline and Will first met at a highly publicized charity auction in New York. Will was, of course, a business major in his junior year of college, and on his way to success in the company that had been in his family for generations, and Caroline was studying fashion. Long story short, they met, they talked, a photographer from a famous newspaper snapped their picture, and the next day, all of New York knew they were dating. Because of all the publicity, and because Charles was his best friend, Will felt he owed it to Caroline to call and set up a real date. It went smoothly, and he found that she was interesting and intelligent (at least, compared to the other girls he knew, which wasn't saying much), and the relationship continued. It wasn't until after they had been together for a few months and certain expectations had been raised that Will began to see Caroline's true colors, and he realized that it was all just a façade. Sadly, Will felt they had passed the point of no return, and it would take something major to change things.

A week later, it was time for the party. As he was getting ready, Will realized he was nervous. But why should he be? By now, the whole neighborhood knew he was with Caroline. Elizabeth… Why was he thinking about her? He had never even talked to her. Still, he worried that someone, namely Caroline, would see that he was distracted and guess the reason. Therefore, he was determined to ignore her all night. He realized he was also nervous about what they would think of each other. Elizabeth was so…different.

When they arrived at the party, Charles immediately went to find Jane. Louisa stayed for about ten minutes before she claimed she had a migraine and went home. Will and Caroline sat down at one of the tables that had been set up and talked. Well, Caroline talked. After half an hour, she felt she had to say something.

"Oh, Will, what are we doing here? This place is so…" She looked around the yard, taking in the decorations, the out-of-style clothes, and the bad dancing to country music, which Caroline absolutely hated. She couldn't find the right word to express her utter disgust for the whole thing.

"Different?" Will offered. Will you please shut up?

"Exactly." She continued for half an hour, finding fault with everything, too exasperated to continue the charade of niceness any longer. Will noted the change and found himself looking for Elizabeth. Where was she? She had to be there. She lived there. Finally, she came outside. Tonight she was dressed casually in a short-sleeved light green dress that fell just below her knees. Caroline, on the other hand, was wearing a bright red dress that would have been more appropriate for a night on the town. The neckline was too low and the skirt was too high and it was just a bit too tight. After another fifteen minutes, Caroline followed her sister's example and went home, but not before Charles came over and introduced Jane and Elizabeth. By now, almost everyone was dancing, so after a few moments of semi-awkward silence, Charles asked Jane to dance, and after a pause, Will asked Elizabeth.

"So," Elizabeth began. "How long are you planning to stay?"

"A few more weeks, maybe."

"Oh." Come on, say something. Anything. Something on the news, maybe? "So, what do you think about the conviction in that trial everyone's been talking about? The one with that celebrity or CEO, or something?" Well, at least it's a start.

Will looked a bit confused but replied, "He got what he deserved." Wow. She's different.

"But that doesn't help the people he stole from. They should be able to go to his home, take as much as they want, and then have a huge party and trash the place. Or turn it into something everyone could use. Whatever." Quit staring at me.

Will laughed. After that, they discussed school and work, books, music, and TV, family, goals, the state of the economy, and everything in between. Things were going pretty well, considering their start. Then, after an hour or two…

"Looks like your girlfriend wants you." Caroline was waving at him from the window. Yeah, that doesn't look desperate at all.

"Oh…yeah. Well, bye." She's so clingy sometimes.

"See you around."

He confused her. She fascinated him. This was about to get interesting.