Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice, all right belong to Jane Austen.
Ch. 26
Friday: (Cont. Lexie)
"So you will be living with me, may I ask why?" Lexie asked Sawyer as they drove back to Anne's.
"I work for your family." He stated.
"What is it that you do and how does this apply to me? If you do not mind answering."
"I am a body guard." He replied curtly.
"Why do they think I need a body guard?"
"Do you always ask so many questions?"
"How else am I supposed to learn?" She asked curiously.
He sighed. "Your uncle was going to discuss this with you tomorrow, but they are going to let the public know about you and he is worried about the media."
"I see. So you will be following me around all day? Even if I decide to go back to school?"
He closed his eyes. "Well I would not go to class with you. I would drop you off and pick you up."
"What if I want to go with my friends, or spend time with my boyfriend?"
"I will be there."
"Like you would wait outside or…wouldn't it be easier to pretend I was going to school?"
"My job is to be with you at all times."
"Yes I understand that but it seems pointless, you will surely make things awkward. Is there a certain distance you are willing to keep?"
"You will not even notice my presence." He said frustrated.
"I am sure it is impossible not to notice you." She pointed out.
"Your family seems to have adjusted."
"Do they have bodyguards as well then?"
"Yes." He bit out.
"So you knew my mother?" She asked after several minutes of silence.
"Why are you talkative all of a sudden?" He asked a little annoyed.
"Well if you are going to live with me and insist on being around me at all times, I would like to get to know you. I do not trust people, and yet you and Edward are asking me to give it blindly."
"You trust no one?"
"Do you trust anyone? Isn't part of your job to be on guard at all times?" His jaw clenched. "To answer your question, no I do not trust anyone. It is something I am working on though. John, Mary, Anne, Hurst, and Dr. Stone are the only ones to have gotten what I am willing to give."
He sighed and a sad look crossed his face. "I have known your family a majority of my life. My father was your grandfather's guard. Your grandfather is very generous and paid for my education; I went to the same school as your mother and uncle where we became friends."
"Do you-that is-do you think that someday you can tell me about her?" He struggled to answer. She placed a comforting hand on him.
"I understand that it is too painful." She said compassionately, but a hidden pain overcame her. "It is best left in the past, it does not matter I did not know about her anyways, nor have I come to care about her. What difference would it make? She is gone." She said darkly removing her hand and sitting up straighter.
He looked at her sadly, she was like her mother. "What would you like to know?"
"Nothing," she said curtly and took a deep breath in. It was as she said, it would not matter.
"Hey Annie," Lexie said entering her studio.
"I take it things went bad?" She said knowingly.
"What makes you say that?"
"How long have we been friends?" Anne smiled.
She nodded and made her way to the loveseat. "Well it turns out that The Burton's are wealthy, I do not know what they do though. I met my Uncle Edward and my grandmother, her assistant Sarah and Mr. Sawyer was there. We spoke and got to know each other and my grandmother took me shopping."
"How very cruel of her, I hope it was short." Anne smiled.
"You have no idea Anne; I honestly do not know how people can spend hours shopping."
"You poor dear," Anne mocked.
"I know!" Lexie giggled. "We spent the first two hours shopping for clothes. I have a whole new wardrobe and then after that we went shopping for shoes and accessories for an hour!"
"Oh can you show me what you got!" Anne popped her head out from behind the easel. Her smile fell when Lexie looked sad. She wiped her hands on her apron as she walked to her. "What troubles you?" She asked sitting down.
"Their kindness did not stop at buying me the whole store Anne," she sighed she didn't want to tell her. She didn't want to hurt her. Anne placed her hands over hers. "Apparently they also found me a place to live." She said sadly looking down.
Anne dropped her hands and stood. She felt sad and angry, Lexie being here this past week was one of the happiest times she had in her own home. But she knew Lexie was not to blame. Lexie did not seem happy about it either and she knew Lexie did not want to hurt her. This is what she wanted, for Lexie to open up and she knew that was a reason Lexie shut herself in, to keep from hurting others.
"When are you moving out?" She asked trying to sound happy and excited.
"I don't know, I suppose it could be whenever. They already have the penthouse and although it is too big for my comfort, he asked that I try it out for a month."
"A penthouse?" She asked amazed.
"Yes, the view is amazing, Edward got me a piano and I wouldn't be staying alone. Sawyer would be living upstairs." She felt her blood boiling and stood up. "I wish they would have spoken to me and asked what I would have liked to do. But they feel so guilty! They have nothing to feel guilty about, nor do they need to make anything up to me! I didn't ask for this Anne! How can they not see that this is no one's fault but hers! She's the one that should be here Anne!" She sobbed, "She's the one that should be trying to make things up to me. She's the one who didn't want me! She left me with that monster! She-she-she" she fell to the floor and broke down.
Anne rushed to her side and held her in her arms. She had never seen Lexie cry like this and it broke her heart. All she could do was hold her. She did not know how much time passed but Lexie eventually fell asleep. Her phone rang and knowing it was Hurst, let it go to voicemail. Eventually her legs started to fall asleep and she tried to get up without waking Lexie, but failed.
"How long have I been asleep?" Lexie asked lifting herself up.
"I do not know, but I didn't want to wake you."
"I'm sorry Anne, it's just that James-" she took a deep breath, she had to relearn to control her emotions, she couldn't break, she couldn't show weakness to the outside world.
"You know you do not have to tell me if it is too painful Lexie."
She exhaled sharply. "He gave me the letters she sent him. She didn't want me Anne; she didn't want anything to do with me because I would have reminded her of him. It seems like no one wanted me. I keep singing Mother over and over in my head. The last letter she sent was not so different from her journal entry. She just let him know that she was taking her own life because of him. Why would he give me those letters? Well I know why, I know how cruel people are. But I-I'm a part of him Anne, why couldn't he love me? Why is he so cruel to me?" She said sounding empty.
"You said that she felt guilty Lexie that it was eating at her, you know she loved you."
"She did not love me enough to get me back. She was too worried what her family would think and I can't help but hate the fact that they are being kind to me. Is it only because they feel guilty or because they truly want to know me and care?"
"Only time will tell Lexie, just go with the flow. Things happen for a reason."
Lexie looked at her sharply. "You-do you really believe that Anne?"
"I believe our experiences make us stronger and only the strong overcome the obstacles and hard ships that they are faced with. You Lexie are strong, don't ever forget that."
"If I do you'll always be there to remind me right?"
"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried."
"Get rid of The Great Anne De Bough! Never!" She giggled, pulling Anne in for a hug, her breath hitching from crying.
"I'm going to miss you Lexie." She stated.
"Anne, I'm not going anywhere, the hotel is in the city, there are four rooms. I can come over all the time, I will still be here, but I guess I'll live there. Just a warning like I said Mr. Sawyer or Sawyer will be-well he is a body guard and he'll be watching me but he said it will be like he's not there."
"Why do you need a body guard?"
"Apparently all of the family has one and they are going to make my presence known to the public. I suppose that we will discuss it on Sunday when I meet the rest of them. Speaking of which they would like to get to know you, Mary, Hurst and John, will you please come with me?"
"You know you do not have to ask."
"I know. I need to call Hurst and John. Do you think you can call Mary? I know I will see her tomorrow, but I want to give her time to decide. I wish I could call her or go see her but-" she looked away and sighed.
"I will inform Mary and if you like I will tell Hurst. He called me and I was going to call him back."
"Thank you." She smiled.
On Monday Will noticed that both Lizzie and Jane were absent for lunch. He and Charlie sat down at their table and he was annoyed when Charlotte and Bill still joined them. The only good thing about that was that Charlie asked where the girls were. Charlotte said that Lizzie said they had some family business to attend to and Charlie said Jane said the same. He looked around the lunchroom, following the sound of laughter and giggles, and saw that Kitty and Lydia were there.
He wondered how the hearing had gone and hoped that Lexie was emancipated, he knew how little Mr. Bennet cared about her. He wanted to text Anne but knew she wouldn't tell him anything and he would have liked to email Lexie but she was probably really busy. He wanted to go to Anne's after school but that would mean seeing his aunt and he had already seen her and he could hardly stand the 45 minutes in her class. At dinner time he noticed Charlie was in a low mood and that was unlike him. He asked what was wrong, knowing he might get information about what happened, and he was right. Jane was really upset because Lexie was emancipated and that she left without telling her goodbye.
On Tuesday, Lizzie woke up to find the other side of the room empty. There was this big empty space, it looked odd and she knew she had to do something quick. When she saw Jane in the morning, she seemed upset but when they walked into school, she put on her happy face and it was like nothing was wrong.
At lunchtime as they were sitting down, she couldn't help but notice Darcy had his signature scowl on his face but instead of staring at her, he would alternate between her and Jane. She began to wonder if Jane told Charlie anything about Lexie and she really hoped she hadn't. It wouldn't be good if people knew, especially Darcy and Caroline. It was bad enough what happened with Lydia and Kitty.
She heard an all too familiar sound coming from behind her and turned to see Kitty, Maria and Lydia walking up to them.
"Hi guys!" They all said in unison and burst out laughing, finding it amusing.
"Hey what's up?" Lizzie said in hopes of making them go away quickly.
"Hi," everyone but Darcy said.
"May I just say how lovely all of you look?" Billy smiled.
Lizzie rolled her eyes and Charlotte snorted.
"So Charlie, a little birdy told us this Friday was your birthday!" Lydia exclaimed.
"Yes, well mine and Caroline's. May I ask who this little bird was?" He glanced at Jane smiling.
"Oh well, like Maria works in the office and she was like helping out with some boring stuff, and she saw it on your report card." Kitty said.
Charlie's smile faltered a little but only Will noticed.
"So we were like wondering if you were going to throw a party." Maria smiled.
"Oh well I don't think so, we usually go out to eat and celebrate it at home with family." Charlie said politely.
"That's strange cuz Dylan told us, that he heard from Christy, who heard from Sammy, who was told by Terry who overheard Caroline mention to Laura that she was planning on throwing a big Halloween party next Friday." Kitty explained.
"And we were wondering who you guys were going to invite!" Maria asked.
"Well obviously Jane, but we were wondering if we could go too!" Lydia said.
"Oh can we bring dates or are you inviting lower classmen?" Kitty said.
"Who cares, there are plenty of hot older guys to dance with!" Piped in Lydia.
Jane was blushing and she imagined Charlotte looked as angry as she did. Darcy was still angry.
"Oh a party? Will you be extending the invitation to me? I mean we sit together for lunch." Billy asked making Charlie uncomfortable.
"Well Caroline hasn't mentioned anything, but of course all off you would be invited if there is going to be a party." He said chuckling.
The three of them squealed so loud, the cafeteria fell silent and turned to look at them jumping up and down, still giggling.
"Oh thank you so much Charlie! Oh my God, we have to find dates and awesome costumes! And we have to go get our hair done! Oh and our nails-" They all spoke over each other walking away.
"I'm so sorry Charlie; you really don't have to invite them." Jane apologized.
The rest of lunch, they were approached by lowerclassmen. Apparently Kitty and them bragged to everyone that they were going to the party, and they were trying to get invited. Darcy's intimidating glare managed to scare them off, which Lizzie found amusing.
Will was in a bad mood, Jane and Lizzie seemed as if nothing was wrong. They just lost their sister and their youngest sisters were a great embarrassment. This only added to the list of reasons he couldn't be with Lizzie. Her family. It angered him more that people they didn't even know were coming up to them and asking for an invitation. As a group of guys walked away he heard them say, 'Lydia was right, he's a big pushover.'
Friday:
The whole school was talking about Caroline's and Charlie's party, next week. Charlie was upset because this was going to count as a gift for the both of them but it was what Caroline wanted and she always got what she wanted. All the seniors were invited, along with the juniors and sophomores Charlie already allowed to go. Lydia was beyond ecstatic and rubbing it in people's faces that she was the only freshmen invited along with Kitty and Maria who were the only sophomore girls invited.
Their mom was very happy and took them all to buy costumes when they got home from school but she and Jane didn't find anything they liked. There dad still wasn't home and she hadn't seen much of him since Monday. He would get home after dinner or later and she was starting to worry about him.
"Lizzie. Lizzie…..LIZZIE!" Kitty screamed at her, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"What did you say Kitty?" She asked uninterested.
"I asked what is up with Jane, she seems weird, mom is super happy, she bought my costume without looking at the price and why didn't Debbie D come with us to get costumes? Didn't Charlie invite her?"
"Kitty haven't you noticed De-Lexie isn't home anymore? Haven't you thought about where she is?"
"No, why would I? It's not like I care. So what's up with her is she sulking more than usual now? Did she get a 98 on her homework or something?" She sneered.
"No, she doesn't live with us anymore."
"What! Why? Since when?" Kitty looked shocked.
Lizzie looked at her in disbelief, had neither she nor Lydia noticed Lexie wasn't home? "She got emancipated on Monday and moved out that day, no doubt staying with the great Mrs. De Bough." She said sardonically.
"What's emancipated?"
"She divorced mom and dad."
"Why would Lexie choose to live with that old hag instead of here?"
"Kitty you don't even have her for a class, how would you know?"
"Believe me Lizzie I know a lot of juniors and seniors." Kitty smiled.
"Well either way, Anne is her best friend. Wait a minute I just thought of something." She said and walked away.
It was late when she walked up to her dads study, but she had been waiting for him and she knew that he ust got home. She knocked excitedly and he opened the door for her.
"Hey dad, how are you holding up?" She asked giving him a big hug.
"I'm fine Lizzie, just overworked. There is a huge project I'm working on." He smiled at his own joke.
"Trying to keep your mind busy?" She teased and he smiled nodding.
"Yes and luckily for me my new project keeps my mind off a lot of things. So did you want to talk about something, or did you come to escape your mom?"
She laughed, "No, even though we spent hours shopping, she was in a good mood."
"So not as terrible?" He teased.
"No not as terrible," they both laughed. "So I was speaking with Kitty and I figured a way to get Lexie back!" She smiled.
"Lizzie, I don't think there is a way to get her back, we just have to accept the fact that she is gone from our lives."
"Well you see, I have a hunch that she is staying at her friend Anne's and if that's the case she isn't supporting herself, like she is supposed to. I'm sure if you went to a judge then he might overrule the other judge's verdict!"
"I am sure she is only staying there for a while and besides if he does overrule the other verdict that does not mean she would come back. She doesn't want or love us, so we just have to accept it." He said trying to sound caring.
Truth was he accepted that he lost Ashley all over again and found it liberating. He was able to enjoy 'working' with his coworker. Luckily Collins believed that Lizzie would accept Billy as a boyfriend but Billy had to be the one to ask her. He was already working on a plan to get him fired he just needed a little more time.
"Your right dad, she would have told us something when she left. Can you believe that she didn't even say bye?"
"Yes I can my Lizzie Bear, but not to worry we still have each other."
Saturday:
"Lizzie wake up!" Someone was shaking her.
"What? What is it?" She asked sleepily, she went to sleep late last night and her plan was to sleep in today.
"Well we came up with an idea to cheer Jane up!" Kitty said.
"Plus celebrate her birthday early." Lydia smiled.
"What did you guys have in mind?" She said sitting up.
Although Jane tried to act like herself, everyone knew she wasn't. Her smile didn't reach her eyes and she wasn't as bubbly as she used to be. Last night when she set the table, she set an extra plate for Lexie and left it there, which Lizzie found weird because Lexie hadn't been home for dinner for the last two weeks but no one said anything. She hardly ate dinner and went straight to her room afterwards.
"Ok tonight we're gonna take Jane dancing!" They looked excitingly waiting for her to tell them what a great idea it was.
"Well I don't think she'd be up for dancing."
"Of course she would, she likes to dance, we just heard of this club-"
"For kids, well in high school-"
"And it doesn't serve any alcohol!"
"And we can invite Charlie to celebrate his birthday too!"
"It can be on us! This time!"
"Where did you guys get money? And how are we supposed to get there?"
"Mom." Kitty said.
"It was her idea"
"Plus he is her boyfriend!"
"Ok, I'll try and talk to her."
One thing Lexie missed about the Bennet house was being able to walk for miles alone in different directions. The view, the pond, the stars at night and riding Aries; these were all things that kept her sane and she wondered how she would adjust in an apartment. Walking around the De Bough's was already limiting. She would walk around in circles, alternating directions, not wanting to go into the forest again.
When she entered the house she was surprised to see Mrs. De Bough already at the table, reading the paper; she barely acknowledged Lexie.
"Good morning Mrs. De Bough." She putting food on her plate and sitting down.
"Anne tells me you will be moving out." She stated.
"Yes, Mrs. De Bough. My birth mother's family has found a place for me to stay. I would like to take this time to thank you for your generous hospitality." Lexie smiled.
"You are always welcome in my home."
"Thank you Mrs. De Bough, Anne means the world to me and it means a lot to hear you say that."
Mrs. De Bough kept her superior demeanor but she smiled with her eyes at Lexie. "You will come to visit." She stated.
Though Mrs. De Bough would not admit it aloud, she liked Alexa. Anne always seems different when she was around; happy. This past week had proven it, though Anne kept her façade around her, she could see the light in Anne's eyes. Alexa was a good friend, not at all like Caroline and Louisiana Bingley. Not to mention the other girls that went to her school. Anne did not need friends like that, who were fake and would use her. Friends like she used to have when she was younger.
"Yes." She smiled brightly.
They ate in silence which Lexie found odd. She had never seen this side of Mrs. De Bough but knew a lot about hiding behind a mask.
Anne came downstairs and was surprised to see her mother there, but not hear her voice. She piled food on her plate and sat next to her mother across from Lexie. More to her surprise, her father came down to eat with them and he was smiling. Not to say she had never seen him smile, but he was usually aloof and serious around his wife. She looked at Lexie, who was looking back at her with the same questioning glance.
"What are you girls planning to do today?" Asked Mr. De Bough
"It's Stanley's birthday today is it not?" Asked Mrs. De Bough.
"Yes mother we had plans this evening to attend dinner and a movie with him. Lexie and me-that is." She added a bit nervously. Lexie cast a slide glace at Mrs. De Bough, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Along with Mary and Mr. Drake," added Lexie.
"I invited Mary to come with us to the spa." Lexie slowly looked at Anne, her eyes showing how mad she was.
"Great, well you have my card, also why not go buy a new dress for Alexa and Mary as well." Mr. De Bough piped in.
Mrs. De Bough smiled at the attempt to get rid of the girls. Though the house was big enough to allow them the privacy they wanted. Another thing Alexa did was help her appreciate her marriage. It is true neither she nor her husband married each other for love, but over the years they had come to love each other. When Anne told her about Alexa, she was grateful that her husband never broke his vows. It made her appreciate him more and Anne. Though they never had other children he was happy and she knew how much he loved and adored Anne.
Lexie was going to protest, she didn't need any more clothes but Anne thanked her father and she followed suit.
"Anne I do not need a new dress. I brought a couple of the new ones from yesterday and why are we having a spa day?"
"I thought it would be a nice treat and a chance for the three of us to spend some time together."
"Fine you win."
"I always do."
Lexie was lying down in the back seat when they went to pick up Mary. They had no doubt that Grace was looking out the window making sure Lexie wasn't going with them. As far as Grace knew Mary didn't know who Lexie was staying with. Lexie waited a few minutes as Anne drove away before she sat up and hugged Mary from behind the seat.
Anne had already told Mary, everything pertaining to Lexie so they spoke and laughed as if they hadn't seen each other all week. Today was supposed to be fun, they were going to spend time together and celebrate Hurst's birthday with the people she loved and cared for the most in the world, and she couldn't wait to see John.
The first thing they did was shop for Anne and Mary's dress and Mary still needed to buy Hurst a gift. Next was the spa where they got facials, waxed, manicures and pedicures, heading to Anne's to finish getting ready.
Anne wore a dark blue strapless knee high chiffon dress, her curly black hair was straightened again and loose. Mary wore a black tea dress, with yellow roses throughout the pattern and her black hair was loose as well. Lexie wanting to hide the fading scars on her calf and those three horrible stitches and cuts on her thigh wore a white chiffon A-Line floor-length Bohemian dress with a round collar and short sleeves. She straightened her hair and put it in a half ponytail.
Wanting to avoid Mrs. De Bough, Anne told Stanley that they would drive to his house and they got there early. As soon as Lexie saw Hurst she ran up to him and gave him a big hug, telling him how much she missed him. They waited for John and they waited a while before he called Lexie, telling him that something came up but he would try to make it to the movie. Lexie was sad and upset, but did her best not to show it, it was Hurst's day. Thinking of John would be enough to get her through the day and he did say that he would try to make it.
After taking them to a nice restaurant, they arrived at the theater but Hurst wasn't in the mood to watch anything and they couldn't decide what to watch. Lexie noticed that they weren't too far from the club they went to and suggested they go there. She wouldn't enjoy herself, but she knew that they would, of course they knew her to well and were skeptical but followed after her when she started walking down the street.
As they waited in the back of the line Lexie could have sworn she heard an all too familiar laugh but brushed it aside and focused on her friends, who she hadn't seen in a week. Entering they noticed that there were more people than last time and they couldn't find a booth or table. Mary and Lexie went to stand along the wall while Anne and Hurst went to get some drinks.
Lexie was telling Mary about the Burton's and she could see Mary's sad smile.
"Mary, we will always be best friends you must know that."
"Anne is your best friend Lexie." Lexie was about to say something. "I know I am as well, but there is no denying that you and she are closer. I never minded because I was your cousin, we were blood, so I thought and now I am not even blood related to you." She said sadly.
"Mary I never saw you as just my cousin, yes Anne and I are closer but I love you just as much as I love her. I know we are not blood related but you will always be my younger sister and will always be a part of my life. I hope once Grace lets you off the hook we may openly spend more time together. You can always stay at my apartment." She smiled.
Two guys approached them and she recognized one of them from her party, but didn't know his name. The stranger was taller than her, but not as tall as Hurst, with sandy blond hair. He was attractive and cute but was nowhere near as handsome as John. He had ocean blue eyes and seemed charming but she didn't like him. His smile unsettled her and she felt this dark cold feeling and wanted nothing more than to leave.
"Hey, you're Mary and Alex right?" the shorter of the two asked. "I'm Rick Denny, I go to school with Kitty and Lydia? This is my older cousin George Wickham."
"It's a pleasure to meet both of you." He smiled charmingly.
George saw Lexie and Mary from across the room and he could tell by how they were dressed and stood that they came from money. It was after all the only reason he agreed to come here, hoping to find a nice rich girlfriend. From what Rick told him about the people who come here, he felt confident he would get lucky. He watched how they spoke with little emotion on their face, he could always tell which ones were the pushover and broken ones.
He was irritated that these girls were oblivious to his and Rick's flirting. They looked bored and uninterested as they threw compliments their way and tried several times to get them to say more than a couple of words, especially the girl with green eyes. She was rather plain and usually girls like her loved to be flattered. After a couple minutes of awkward conversation they gave up and went to look for other girls.
Lexie felt relieved as they left and she could tell that Mary felt the same way. They kept talking until Frank came up to them and asked Mary to dance. Mary really wanted to but didn't want to leave her alone and Lexie told her that she was going to text John until Anne and Hurst returned.
Lexie: *Hi, what are you doing? We decided to come to that club you brought us too instead of the movies.
Looking at her message, he couldn't help but get angry. He was supposed to see her tonight but Jenny got a date at the last minute and asked him to babysit. He really wanted to see Lexie, but he knew how much Jenny needed this. She was a beautiful woman but her spirits were down since the divorce. He could have left them with his grandma but it wouldn't have felt right. Once the kids were asleep his grandma told him it wasn't too late to go out, it was Saturday. He was reluctant but knew a maid would be here if she needed help. He got ready as quickly as he could and drove straight to the club, wanting to surprise Lexie.
Lizzie was watching Kitty and Lydia dancing with each other from the table. She cringed as she watched them grind on each other in short tight dresses, trying to get some attention. It wasn't long until a couple of guys came up to them and she could have sworn she heard them giggle through the loud music. She really wanted to dance, but didn't recognize anyone and she decided to wait until Charlie got there so she wouldn't leave Jane alone.
Glancing around the room she stopped and did a double take. Even in the dim lighting she could see Lexie and Mary were standing along the wall looking bored to death and snobbish. She felt her blood boil at the sight of her half-sister. Lexie had caused their dad and Jane so much grief. She noticed Denny was there as he walked up to them with another guy. She couldn't help but wonder what they saw in them especially when they continued to act like snobs towards them. The guys eventually left and she couldn't help but feel bad for them, as they turned to leave she caught a good glimpse at the really cute tall boy, only baffling her more as to why he was trying to get Lexie's attention.
She realized that if she spotted her so quickly, chances were that Jane might too so she turned to Jane to speak to her and keep her distracted. After two songs passed, Lydia and Kitty came back to the table bringing Denny and the cute stranger with them.
"Lizzie! Jane! You guys remember Denny?" Kitty beamed.
"Hi," they said politely.
"And this is his cousin George." Lydia smiled.
"Hello, George Wickham it is nice to meet you." He said with a dazzling smile.
"Hi, I'm Elizabeth and this is my sister Jane." He is cuter up close. She smiled.
"Would you like to dance Elizabeth?" He asked still smiling.
"Call me Lizzie, all my friends do and yes." They smiled at each other as he led her to the dance floor.
They didn't say much as they danced, but he wouldn't stop looking at her with that smile making her blush. They danced for three more songs before they headed back to the table for something to drink.
Someone was calling Jane's name, making her look around. She saw Charlie being followed by Darcy and Caroline. Charlie got to the table first and greeted them all excitedly but when Darcy got to the table he stopped dead in his tracks and if looks could kill she was sure she and George would cease to exist. His glare alternated between her and George and she could feel the coldness and anger radiating off of Darcy. Jane introduced everyone to George but Darcy never took his eyes off George. Lizzie turned to see George and she could tell that he was intimidated.
George's eyes never left Darcy's. Not wanting to let him know he got to him, he smiled cockily and draped an arm around Lizzie, asking her if she liked the song that was playing. He could tell his old friend got more upset if even possible and saw how jealous he was, he could tell that he liked Lizzie, the next thing he knew Darcy was storming off.
Lizzie couldn't believe how rude Darcy was, but then she remembered it was Darcy, but even Caroline was nice to him. She wondered how they knew each other and what happened between them.
Mary was still dancing with Frank and Lexie was standing along the wall with Anne and Hurst. A new song began and she was getting worried, John hadn't texted her back and she assumed he must have fallen asleep. She wanted to call him, to hear his voicemail to see what he was doing.
"Hey I'm going to go call John, outside." She told Anne and Hurst.
She called him twice but it went to voice mail and as she turned to go inside she was Will. Looking really angry and distraught, she didn't know if she should go up to him or not.
Will was fuming, beyond angry, at a loss for words and he hated feeling as if he had no control over anything. He couldn't believe out of all the places in the world he ran into Wickham. Worst, Lizzie seemed to like him; couldn't she see what kind of guy he was? No he couldn't be mad at her. No one knew what kind of man he was, unless they were his victims. He needed some air, he couldn't breathe.
"Will are you ok? What happened?" Charlie asked walking up to him.
"I'm fine Charles I just need some air," he said in a clipped tone. Charlie was going to say something but was staring at something.
"Lexie?! Hey! How are you? Jane didn't tell me you were here." Charlie said loudly causing Will to look around, there was Lexie all alone and he worried if she was ok.
Lexie gave him a small smile; Jane had obviously not told him anything but she knew better than to care. "Hello Charles, Will. Jane does not know I am here, to be honest I did not know she was here. I am celebrating Hurst's birthday with Anne and Mary. How are you?"
Will gave a small smile; she still avoided answering the question.
"I'm great! We are actually celebrating my birthday and Jane's."
"Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, speaking of which I am throwing a Halloween party, you and your friends are invited of course."
"Thank you I will inform them. I do not know what our plans are but Anne will let Will know."
"Of course he will give her an invitation with all the details. Are you going to head back inside? I am sure Jane would love it if you joined us."
"No, I was actually going to make a call, but I thank you. I will go say hi once I go back in though."
Charlie nodded and Lexie turned away to call John again. "Just give me a couple of minutes Charlie; I will go back in a while." Will said, Charlie patted his back and went back in.
"How long have you been out here?" Will asked Lexie once she put her phone down.
"Not too long, I was actually calling John."
"I'm surprised he is not here."
"He was going to be but something came up."
"How are you doing?" He asked.
"The weather is nice, not too cold or hot. How about you?"
"I am fine," he said forgetting about Wickham. "Must you always avoid the question?"
"I will answer yours if you tell me why you are upset."
"I am not upset!" He said angrily.
She nodded. "I am sad that John is not here. I have not seen him since Monday. Though I know I will see him tomorrow it does not change my mood. If you were asking about my wounds, as you can see my left hand is almost healed. My right is better than the left, the scars are scabbing on my calf and-and my thigh is, well I would not like to talk about it."
He sighed, she told him even though he refused to open up. Maybe it would be good for him. "I am angry because I saw someone I wished to never see again."
She smiled at him. "Thank you for sharing, though it was not necessary." She shrugged.
"You were open with me it was the least I could do."
"I find it is easy to speak with you. Will you be heading back inside now?"
"To be honest I think I will leave." He sighed.
"Where will you go?"
He looked around. Anywhere to get away. "I will just walk around until Charlie is ready."
"There is a diner a block that way, they are open until two."
"Thank you; I will most likely go there, have a good night." He said reluctantly.
Lexie could see through his mask. Whoever he saw must have really unnerved him. "Would you mind if I accompanied you?"
He had to think about it. He really would have liked to be alone but he wouldn't mind her company. "I do not want to ruin your night."
"It is not possible but I understand the need to be alone." She softly smiled.
"I do not want to be alone." He said softly.
"Then I shall join you. Let me just go tell Anne that I will be leaving and get my sweater."
After speaking to Anne and explaining what was happening, she glanced around the room and saw Jane and Charlie dancing. She looked happy and she didn't want to interrupt them.
"Ready?" She asked and began walking, leading the way.
"Do you often go to this diner?" He asked as they walked.
"Yes, James would bring me with him early so he could go to work and I would wait here and catch a bus to school sometimes."
"Have you spoken to your family since the hearing?"
She was quiet for a moment. "No the last person I spoke to was James."
He could tell that she didn't want to talk about it and they walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. They quickly got to the diner which was named 'The Diner' and he couldn't help but roll his eyes thinking it was a modern coffee shop trying to be cool but walking in he noticed it was just a regular place, nothing fancy at all, it was almost antique and it had a warm atmosphere.
They sat at a table and the waitress, Diana began speaking to Lexie as if they were old friends. She must have spent a lot of time here.
"Where have you been young lady? I haven't seen you. Your boyfriend is really handsome by the way, just like you said." She winked.
He looked up and saw that she was looking at him.
"Oh no, he isn't my boyfriend, we're just friends. But I promise I will bring him by to meet you. I've told him so much about you." Lexie smiled and Will couldn't help but blush.
Diana took their order and left.
"I assume you haven't been back to school?"
"I wanted to wait for my wounds to heal. My legs can be covered with the uniform but there is no way to cover up my hands."
"Will you be going back soon?"
"I am still not sure. I can graduate if I wish too, but I would like to spend time with my friends before the school year is over."
He nodded and they were quiet for a while. He was looking at her but he was busy lost in his thoughts.
"Would it be too much to ask you for that favor now?" He asked after several minutes of silence.
"No." She smiled.
"Do you wish to know what it is?"
"It doesn't matter, does it? I promised I would do it."
"I want to tell you something and I can only hope that your opinion of me will not change." She nodded for him to continue. "This person I saw today he was my best friend growing up, his father used to work for mine but passed away when we were young. We used to be inseparable, but he changed. I subtly noticed when we were in middle school and when we reached high school we went our separate ways. He started associating with the wrong people. My father-my father was like a father to him, more so than to me. I didn't want my father to be upset so I would help hide his behavior. Things started disappearing and he was always asking me for money but never too much. One day I refused and he stopped bothering me and I put all of my efforts into school and work."
"This summer we were both working for my father; I got home early and I saw him coming out of my father's room. The next day my father accused me of stealing my mother's jewelry. I told him I did no such thing and that I saw G-my friend coming out of his room. He didn't believe me. He said my friend told him about my drug and womanizing problems and I told him to give me a drug test to which he did but he still didn't believe me. With the help of my cousin, who is a genius with electronics, we set up a camera in his room and mine. I blackmailed my friend, telling him that I had a video of him stealing. He asked me for money one last time; he said to help him out of debt. I complied still wishing to help him and he left us alone after that. I told him I would go to the cops if he bothered us again. I don't know what he told my father about him leaving, but he was heartbroken."
He paused to look at her as she sat impassively listening.
"I thought he was gone, but he came back and asked for more money and I agreed. I guess I could never keep the threat, a part of me remembered when we were younger. He was all I had growing up, he was there for me. I wanted things to be the way they were. I don't know how he went through it all so quickly, well I can guess." He let out a long sigh. "What I didn't know was that he still kept in contact with Georgie." A pained look came over his face. "By the time I found out I was too late to help her. She had given him all of her allowance and even jewelry. My father cut her off because she kept asking for more and-" he couldn't continue, it was too painful.
She placed her hand over his and he turned his to softly hold it. He looked at her palm, bringing back memories of Georgie in the hospital.
"He hurt her." She quietly spoke. He nodded causing her to become sad.
"When she could not give him more money, or anything of value, she told him she was going to come to me for help. Apparently he was her boyfriend and they were...together. I don't know what exactly happened; she hasn't spoken to anyone about it. I figured that he panicked knowing I would go to the police and he beat her with the intent to cause permanent damage." Anger came upon his steel façade. "I came home early that day and I heard her screaming…I saw her lying there and I rushed over to her forgetting about him. I only thought of her and he escaped. The only reason that bastard didn't go to jail was because she refused to press charges, she believed herself to be in love. I went to my father and we paid him off in exchange for pictures he had of her. We have not heard from him since. She was heartbroken when we informed her, but she still refused to press charges."
*"The actor is not who claims." She said quietly.
"Yes. It is my entire fault; I failed to inform Georgie and my father knowing what I knew, what kind of a man he was. He hurt her all because I did nothing."
"I fail to see how any of this is your fault Will, you cannot be held accountable for others actions."
"My father seems to blame me. He sent me away." He said sadly.
"I am sure he is blaming himself as well." She said nonchalantly, still sitting there emotionlessly even after everything he told her.
"Do you have no compassion?! I live with the guilt every day. Georgie was hurt, in more ways than one! I could have prevented it; I failed her and my father." He said angrily.
"It doesn't seem like Gina blames you for anything, I am sure she blames herself. If she did blame you or resent you, I doubt she would've been so adamant that I forgive you over harsh words. She loves you to the moon and holds you in the highest regards. She speaks highly of you, did you know that? I would say the two of you are very close. I cannot speak for your father, I do not know his perspective but I believe he blames himself as much as you do." She paused and he looked at her, she seemed to struggle with something.
"Guilt will eat you alive, it is best for you to change your perspective. Nothing can change the past Will, we can only learn from our mistakes and grow from them. There is no point on dwelling about the, what ifs in life. Yes you could have warned them, would it have made a difference? Would your old friend not have found a way to achieve his goal? What if you had told your father and your friend twisted it to his advantage? What if you had warned Gina, and she like you, only wanting to help him? The questions and possibilities are endless."
"What would you know about making mistakes or feelings of guilt?" He didn't mean to be rude, but how could she not see that it was his fault. Nothing would change his mind otherwise, even though a small part in the back of his mind agreed with her.
"Guilt like I said will eat you alive. In living with guilt, you always ponder and think about what you believe you did wrong, on what could have been and not what is now. You live in the past and not the present. You are only torturing yourself, which you may feel is just but-"
"Lexie?" She turned around at her name.
"JOHN!" She yanked her hand from Will's and went running up to him, hugging him tightly. He broke the hug to give her a deep kiss. "I missed you so much." She said shielding herself from the view of others from their PDA.
"I missed you too. My grandmother relieved me of babysitting duties so I could come. I went to the club but Hurst told me you came here." He looked up at Will and they began to walk back to the table.
"Hello Darcy," he said stiffly.
When he got to the club he looked at his phone only to see she had called him three times. The third time he was on the phone with his grandma. Walking in he immediately spotted Hurst and got pissed off when he found out that Lexie was with Darcy. Darcy of all people! Only to walk in on them holding hands as she leaned into him, he felt betrayed; Lexie knew how jealous he was.
"Johnathan." He replied curtly.
"I am sorry I ruined your surprise." She kissed him again. "Will you excuse me?" She asked and left when they both nodded.
He pulled up the chair next to Lexie's. He didn't know what came over him, maybe it was the look he gave him, but couldn't hold his tongue; "May I ask what your infatuation with my girlfriend is?"
"For your information she is the one who invited me here." Will said with a sly smile, but then he saw how hurt John became.
He sighed, "I was out with Charlie and I ran into her outside while she was calling you. I needed to get away and being the great friend she is, she suggested this place and accompanied me." John nodded but still looked like someone died. "You are very lucky Johnathan. Lexie loves you for you and not your status or wealth. It would take a blind man not to notice how she looks at you, or the look in her eyes when she speaks about you. You make her happy."
"She speaks of me often?" He smiled a little.
"On the several occasions we have spoken."
John nodded and smiled softly; now he was ashamed for his comment. "I am sorry Darcy; it is just that I am very possessive over her and last Friday…I thought you had feelings for her and you kissed."
Will was stunned. "Do you think it's a good idea for you to be with her then?"
John glared at him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Though I do not know the details about her relationship with her father, I heard what he told her on Friday, the way he spoke to her."
"Are you saying this because you have feelings for her or out of concern for a friend?"
"Both." Will stated as a look of pure shock crossed his face.
He couldn't believe her just said that, when he knew he did not nor could not like her. Looking at John he knew he had struck a nerve. John would surely keep Lexie away from him now, he wondered whether it was a good thing or not.
"What I meant was that I have come to care about her as a person. It is hard not to like her once you get to know her. All of you hold her in the highest regards, knowing how she is." He winced and glanced at John. "She has a unique view of life and seems level headed. She is different than any person I have ever met; there is something about her that I cannot place." He said the last part more to himself.
"Her aura," John simply stated. "Or soul if you wish, she is a unique enigma. You don't know her like I do." He stated with a hint of smugness.
"You have no reason to be jealous of me Johnathan. It's like I said, only a blind person wouldn't be able to see how much she loves you. All I can ever hope to be is a friend, I am glad she has given me a second chance. I do not have many friends." He admitted.
He saw Lexie walking up to them. She was smiling with her eyes, looking only at John. She sat down reaching for his hand.
"Sorry I got caught by Diana on the way back." She smiled brightly and blushed giggling.
"What's so funny?" John asked placing his arm around her possessively.
"She asked me if you guys had any older brothers."
"Why would she ask you that?"
She started to giggle again. "So that I may introduce her to them, she thought you were bothers and very handsome. Sorry I don't mean to laugh; though you look nothing alike you do have striking similarities." She took a drink and took out her phone as it went off.
John found nothing amusing about what she just said; he looked at Darcy who was in his own world. He could see why the lady would think that, apart from their different hair and eye color, they were both big and tall, sat perfectly postured; had strong square jaws and their noses were long. He began to question if Lexie was dating him because he was similar to Darcy.
"They are on their way." She said putting her phone on the table breaking him from his thoughts.
"Please tell me Anne does not want to leave? I want to talk to you about something." John said softly as Will looked up at him.
"If she would like to leave we can go somewhere and talk. Oh I can show you where I will be staying, I don't think that-" she glanced at Will, realizing she revealed something to him. "Anyone will mind."
John just wanted to yell.
Seeing that Anne still owed him a favor, Will decided to ask her for a ride home instead of waiting for Charlie. He stayed quiet as Lexie and John spoke about his niece and nephew. He couldn't stop thinking about if he made the right choice in telling Lexie everything. He never thought about the fact that she could tell John, thus breaking her promise. John would surely want to know what they were talking about. He was too busy worrying, he didn't notice Anne and them walk in, until Anne waved her hand in front of her face.
"Hello Anne, Hurst, Mary. Anne may I ask you for a favor and trouble you for a ride home."
"We will need to stop by Stanley's to pick up my car first."
*The Chariot-Teach