every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.
November 20th
It seems like a long time has passed since the ill-fated dance. Classes have since returned to normal and people have gotten used to us (minus some). Mom says it is because we are the first new people in a small town; that it will take more than a month and a half for the mystery to wear off, to just wait it off. Georgie is really indifferent to it and doesn't really see it. Caroline laps up the attention like a dog that seems to be starved of attention. In a way she reminds me of that cat on one of Georgie's Disney movies. Charlie has slipped easily into his role of poster child for everything and only, really wants the attention of one girl- no matter how much he denies it. I, being me, feel uncomfortable with it all.
I do not like the attention or the praise- I don't like being around people I do not know and I don't want them to know me. Well, except for one but I think I have pissed her off. Then again why would I want her attention at all? Her mother is a nuisance from what I have heard from some. Her 2 younger sisters are impossible and will most likely end up pregnant or something. Mary is alright but a bit bland. Their father I could probably carry on a good conversation with.
But Lizzie, she is something. Something I really do not mind. Jane is quite lovely- for Bingley. But hey, what do I care? I am only a guy who she seems like she could, and if she had the chance, would, do away with. Especially since I sit next to her in English. I take notes as the teacher goes through the important points of TKaM.
"Now, people, please quiet down as I explain our next adventure!" Mr. Douglas is one for enthusiastic. I look out the corner of my eye toward Bingley, who looks back at me and we both quietly chuckle. "I will assign you partners as to how you are seated. Let's start in the back, yes? Caroline, you shall be with Steven Gold. And Mellissa shall be wit Chr-" He starts to assign the rest, when an explosion in the back comes to light. Should have known.
"That is not fair!" Caroline explodes as who she is working with sinks in.
"Care, show some class." I say across the room and receive the stink eye in return. I hold up my hands in defense as I turn back around. The teacher goes on to ask why and she explains that it is because we should choose our own partners and on and on. But what really catches my eye is the Lizzie has stayed zoned out through it all. She has her head in her hand with her elbow resting against the desk-top. Her pencil draws idly around and around, deep in thought.
I snap out of it as the teacher was finally allowed to move on. "Will and Lizzie." My mouth turns up and I continue to write down the things about TKaM that are still on the board, but it turns down as Lizzie snaps out of whatever reverie she was in and blurts out: "Wait, what?" The whole class erupts in snickers but she seems as unfazed as ever.
"Looks like the daydreams have taken over, no? Are you sure you should really be in this high of a class?" I looked over my shoulder shooting a glare toward a sneering Caroline, then back at Lizzie who is still watching the teacher but the bit of annoyance that was flashing through her eyes gave her away. Her eyes . . . they have gotten to me- even if I didn't want to admit. The icy blue, it just pierces through you really and you just kind of freeze- I shake my head minimally so no one notices as I shake off the thoughts.
"Shut it, Caroline." I jested over my shoulder earning a sneer in my direction. I focused back on the teacher who is still assessing Lizzie in his eyes.
"As I was saying if you would so kindly pay attention next time, Miss Bennet, is that I am going to give you all a partner and a topic. As I have pared off the rest of the class by who is next to whom decrees partnership and yes Miss Bingley it is fair, and just because you think you run the school does not mean you run my room. So, William and Elizabeth, you are partners now." He gives her this teach-knows-best-look, and then turns to the blond girl- Jane. I mentally snap. That's it. "Now, Miss Jane, is Alice here today?" I bend back over my notebook, hiding my smile behind my hand...
I quickly put all my stuff in my bag as Lizzie and Jane rush out of the classroom, I pass by Bingley who tries to catch up with me and call out as I enter the hall. She was halfway to the rounding to get to the freshman hallway. Her sister and she were walking down the hall like they were connected at the hip, which it seems that they are. "Lizzie! Wait up!"
She turns as my voice catches her at the corner and takes her sister with her. I walk around her so I am facing her head on. Bingley catches up with me seconds later breathing hard. I spare him an awkward-are-you-serious?-look and in return I get a get-the-hell-over-it-look before moving on to Jane and getting caught up in whatever they could possibly be talking about.
I worry about him. The last girl he dated abused her power of girlfriend with his naivety and I had to pick up the pieces. It's not that I mind doing the big brother protective act, it's just that I don't want to see him hurt again and I don't know what kind of girl this Jane Bennet is. At least she isn't a cheerleader. I see Lizzie become agitated and snap out of my protective-brother-thoughts. "Yes, our topic project. I was wondering if you wanted to work on it later. I mean after tomorrow, of course, but later tomorrow?" I stumble over my words and see Bingley raise his eyebrows at me, but I keep my eyes focused on Lizzie. I wait for her answer as I see Caroline come down the hallway with her lackeys.
"I'll see." Is all that she supplies me which makes me agitated. I mean would it really be hard to comply with a simple answer? Or is she one of those girls that make men chase them? A yes or no would have done equally fine.
"Oh will you two make out or something so I can go home already?" Caroline's biting voice comes into focus as I come out from my thoughts, "You too, Darcy." Caroline snaps and everyone kinds of separates from each other.
"God Care." Bingley says before joining me at the front of our trio.
"Nice going." I supply as she just glares at our backs, Georgie joins us, breaking away from her gaggle of friends. I see Lizzie and Jane laughing as two brown-mouse-haired girls join them on the trek to the car, on waves and trails away while the other stays.
As we walk in the front doors, I feel instant relief, something about the safety of home and all. It's way better that when we are at school. At school people always want to talk about what it is like to live in the main part of the country: London. I want to glare them all, tell them to pocket some money, take a tube there, and spend the day in London. Although Georgie and I grew up further south, near Wales on the coast, well, sort of. It was a larger town than Meryton with few large estates, one of which that would become mine when I turned 20. Though I do not advertise that.
But at school, more so at lunch, it's annoying. Girl's crowd around us in the line, only leaving us alone when we go to our table and I think that is more so because of Caroline. "You know, with you inviting Lizzi-" I didn't even let him finish that sentence.
"I never said I was inviting her over." I stated as I flopped down into the comfy couch, Bingley following suit, and sitting down next to me- a tad more gracefully.
"You do realize that you will have to work together, right?" He teases me with that annoying smirk that I want to hit him, but never do because it truly isn't that bad.
"Yes." I reluctantly agreed, giving him a sideways glance.
"Then how about a study date?" Bingley stared at him until I rolled my head lazily to meet his eyes.
I glared hard. "No."
