A/N: Please forgive my really, really long absence. Again life got in the way and I was not able to write as much. Also I apologize for the cliffhanger. It was my intention to write more, but I really wanted to post something for everyone who reads. I do not know when I will be able to post again, but I hopefully I don't leave you waiting too long.
Thank you for everyone who reads, follows, favorites, and leaves the occasional review. Fingers crossed that you like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to P&P. They belong to Jane Austen.
Ch. 51
Lizzie drove numbly to the Darcy's, her thoughts going a million miles a minute. She did not understand why Lexie didn't want to keep in touch with her. 'If Will doesn't want to be friends with me, you expect me to believe you want my friendship?' She had to find out what Will told her.
"Lizzie, what's wrong?" Will asked as she absentmindedly walked to the door.
"Lexie hates me." She pouted and Will engulfed her in a hug.
"I am sure she doesn't hate you, why do you think that?"
"She told me that we couldn't keep in touch. That she didn't want to."
"She doesn't hate you, she's just…" He couldn't find the word. Upset would be a lie, she honestly didn't seem to care that they were no longer going to speak. She even gave him a hug and told him she harbored no ill feelings towards either of them. She just wanted their happiness.
"She just wants us to be happy, and in her mind that must mean having no contact with either of us." He said as he walked her into the living room.
"What did you tell her?" Lizzie asked.
"I told her I no longer wish to be her friend and she didn't care. She said John would be happy about it... She said I was too judgmental to be her friend." He smiled.
"Did you tell her anything about me?"
"I tried to explain that you didn't want us to be friends, but she wouldn't let me explain." He said rushed as he saw the fire in her eyes.
"So she blames me?" She asked hotly.
"No. in her mind it doesn't matter why; it doesn't change anything. The outcome is the same. She told me that she harbors no ill feelings towards us. Her only wish is for us to be happy."
Lizzie was trying to fall asleep but kept tossing and turning.
"Jane do you remember when Lexie took Lydia's doll?"
"No, Lexie never did anything like that. She wouldn't even play with our toys."
"It was a Christmas, when we were around 8 or 9?"
A sad look came upon Jane's face. "Yes, she got sick and had to go to the hospital."
"What's wrong Jane?" She hugged her.
"I don't think she was sick." She whispered.
"Me either."
She couldn't tell Jane what Lexie had told her. It would only break her heart more, and she wouldn't do that. Jane seemed to be getting back to her old self. Jane was probably blaming herself for not being able to help Lexie; she was doing the same thing. Why hadn't Lexie ever spoken to them? How had they not seen what was happening? She of course placed most of the blame on Lexie, and that thought unsettled her, but she had no idea why.
Lexie never spoke about anything concerning herself, when she did speak. The more she thought about it the more she wished she could stop thinking about it. Her dad; of course her would be the answer to everything. Lexie wouldn't say anything against him in fear of being hit again. She just couldn't believe it, but deep down she knew it was the truth, but she still spoke to her dad often. She still loved him, he was her dad. He never treated her or Jane bad. He was a good dad to them, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
Monday
Lydia and her mother had been extra giddy this morning, and Lizzie was just happy to see them acting like their normal selves. Her mother even made a buffet style breakfast.
She made her way into school she noticed that the halls were buzzing with whispers; everyone seemed to be talking about something. Jane went off to the library, Lydia ran off to find her friends and Lizzie waited in the foyer for Will like they had agreed. She didn't know how long she waited, her dreams plaguing her mind. The next thing she knew the first bell of the day rang and everyone start to walk by her.
She pulled out her phone and saw that she had a missed call and two messages, all from Will. She huffed and shoved her phone back in her pocket making her way to class. As the announcements were being read she pulled out her phone, realizing that her phone was on silent.
Will: *I hope you are having a better morning than me. I will not be attending school today*
Will: *I hope you have a good day, love you. Can you come over after school?*
*I hope everything is ok. I have to drop off Jane and Lydia, but yes:) Love you too*
Caroline walked into the building with her nose in the air as usual. She made her way to the restroom to make sure she looked flawless. She knew she didn't need it, unlike her friends who were still working on getting there makeup right. The room fell silent as she made her way to the mirror, all of them looking at her apprehensively except for Kelley.
"Hey Caro, how was your vaca?"
"It was soo fantastic. The first day there I met this totally hot guy named Robert. Let's just say he couldn't get enough of me." She winked. Not bothering to ask them about their vacation as she applied a fresh coat of lipstick. "Too bad you guys were stuck here."
"I wouldn't have missed this Friday for the world." Kelley smiled.
"Please, nothing happens here." Caroline sneered at her.
"You missed the week when something finally did happen. Did you know that the Darcy's joined the country club this past week?" Kelley smirked at her.
"No! Charlie refuses to talk to William. He doesn't even want to be in the same room as him." Caroline pouted.
"Oh! Then you don't know about William and his new girlfriend?" Kelley smiled, knowing that Caroline in fact didn't know anything.
"What?!" Caroline all but shouted.
"Don't you check Facebook?" Kelley giggled.
She quickly pulled out her phone and tapped her app. It was all over Facebook, everyone was talking about it. 'Who knew Will had it in him!' Someone commented and posted the article. 'Fitzwilliam Darcy caught in a love triangle.' She scrolled down to look at the picture. Her scream could be heard down the hall. She threw the phone at the wall not bothering to read the article.
"AAAGGGHHHH! THAT SLUT!"
"Looks like you missed a great week to be away." Susan laughed at her.
"What's going on?" Hailey asked walking into the restroom.
"Didn't you see that page I shared?" Kelley asked.
"Please don't tell me you believe that stupid article?"
"A picture is worth a thousand words." Susan said.
"If it was true then why did William take a different girl to the dinner on Friday? Plus he paid $1,700 just to dance with her. She wasn't even that pretty." Hailey said matter-of-factly.
"WHAT!" Caroline shouted in confusion.
"I know, did you see her dress. Where does she shop, Dillard's?" Kelley laughed.
"Have you how she dresses? And her hair! Hasn't she ever heard of makeup?" Hailey asked, all ignoring Caroline.
"I have her for gym. She actually likes to run and get all sweaty… Gross!" Susan shuddered.
"WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Caroline seethed.
"That new girl, Elizabeth Bennet. Jeez Caroline we all knew you had a thing for him, but obsessed much?" Kelley laughed.
Caroline didn't say anything she just walked out the restroom, out the building and towards her car. Once inside she screamed her head off and drove home. How the hell did they cross paths? She made sure she did everything in her power to keep their existence at school away from Charlie and Will, who hardly showed his face. They had different teachers, lunches, how did this happen?! Worst was that all of those stupid bitches she hung out with were all laughing at her. She had to think of what her next move was.
Lizzie walked up to Carla and her friends at lunch. "Hey Carla, Sam, Kate." Sam and Kate told her hi and carried on their previous conversation.
"Hey Lizzie! How was the rest of your Spring Break?"
"It was great. Thank you for getting me the job. How about yours?"
"No problem. It was pretty great, put in a lot of hours. Oh Mr. Greyson would like to know if you wanted to work as an official. Someone gave their two weeks' notice."
"Yes, that would be really cool. Thank you." She smiled as she looked at the food on the tray.
"Great! I'll let him know. Ssoooo, have you heard the latest gossip?"
"No. To be honest my mind isn't even here today. I have no idea what happened last period, or how I even got here." She giggled.
"Ok!" Carla jumped. "So according to the whole world your si-Alexandra Burton and William Darcy are having an affair!"
"What?" She almost whispered, her spoon suspended in the air. She slowly lowered the spoon and stared at the tray having lost her appetite.
"So I guess you didn't see the paper this morning. It's all over Facebook." She stated. "Here look, check it out." She passed her phone to Lizzie. It was the same article Caroline had seen. She scrolled down to the pictures and she almost dropped the phone.
No, no, no, no. NO! I deleted these. These aren't real. Oh my God! I think I'm going to be sick! She quickly read the article. "It's not true. Alexa is in love with her fiancée. I saw her last week; she got a phone call from him, and she lit up as if it were Christmas. I can tell you I have never seen her so happy." She said sincerely with assertiveness.
"So it's true that she was all depressed and hurt herself?" Carla asked absentmindedly. "Oh! My. Gosh. Lizzie, I'm sorry I didn't mean that! It's none of my business."
"It's ok Carla." I used to believe it myself. "No, she never hurt herself. In fact she loathes going to the hospital. She would always get these anxiety attacks." She frowned. She was always going to the hospital when we were younger. The trial came to mind again. "But she was um. She has a personality disorder, and she's a recluse. She's only ever had thr-a handful of friends her whole life... but she loves them." She said sadly. "She doesn't really like people. Does that sound like someone who would sleep around?"
She internally cringed. She was so unsure. She found herself double guessing everything she thought she knew about Alexa. "I mean that would cheat?"
"Right, she would have to be insane to cheat on Johnathan with Will."
"Whatever happened to Team Will?" Lizzie teased.
"Who?" Carla joked. "I would have to see him shirtless. If he looks anywhere as good as Johnathan Drake… No I would still choose Johnathan. There's this picture…. OMG his smile! Not to mention he's way more loaded than Will."
"Carla!" She feigned shock. "Are you waiting for marriage?" Lizzie asked changing the topic.
Carla giggled. "Yes. I would like to think I would wait. But love makes people do foolish things. You never know, you know? My sister tried waiting, but she thought that her ex was going to be the one. She was head over heels in love with him."
"That makes sense. I'm waiting until I get married."
"That's good. There aren't a lot of people who would wait now and days." She giggled.
Lizzie gave a small chuckle, her mind trying to comprehend how everything just blew up in her face. She had to tell Will about the pictures. She tried to wrack her brain around how these pictures got out. She deleted them the same day she took them.
Lydia: *Hey Lis! Wanna go to the mall? My mom gave me money to buy new clothes!*
*Wrong person*
Lydia: *Sorry Liz:)*
She rolled her eyes, and giggled to herself. But something unsettled her. The mall?
*Mom gave you money to go shopping? On a Moday?*
Lydia: *She got it from Jane* She replied after several minutes.
*Jane did you give mom money?* Lizzie texted Jane, hoping she would reply.
Jane: *No, I just started last week. I haven't gotten paid yet*
*Ok. Have you heard anything? About Lexie or Will?*
Jane: *No. Is everything ok? Did something happen to her?*
Lizzie sent Jane a copy of the link.
Jane: *I don't believe it, and neither should you. You don't believe it do you?*
*No. I know it's all made up*
Jane: *We can talk about it after school*
*Tonight? I'm going to go over to Will's. He didn't come to school today*
Jane: *Ok*
Something didn't feel right. She tried to remember that day, had she left her phone out? There were only three people who could have done this. Her mother, Lydia, or Kitty; she was going to have to keep an eye on her mom. She saw she had a few minutes left until lunch ended and texted Will with a heavy heart. He was going to hate her.
*Hey, I am sorry. I didn't have a chance to see the paper this morning. How has your day been?*
Will: *It has been a rather trying day. I spent all morning on the phone with my father and uncle. I am only happy that somehow my aunt has not called yet. The reporters have been at the entrance all day. I am just happy that we live in a gated community. How is your day? I am sorry about this. I can assure you it is not true*
*I know it isn't. Would you still like me to go over? It would be better to speak in person*
Will: *Of course I would like to see you today. Nothing would make me happier. I will let the guard know that I will be expecting you. Just show them your I.D.*
*Ok. I will see you later. I'm going to go over some last minute homework*
*I love you*
Will: *I love you too*
Will: *Hello Charlie, I know that you do not wish to speak to me at the moment. But I thought I should let you know that Jane and Elizabeth live in North Park and attend Jefferson*
Will waited impatiently for a reply. He had been contemplating on telling Charlie anything at all, but he thought about what Lexie would have done. He knew Charlie had stopped his womanizing ways when he found out the truth. But he was also aware that sooner rather than later the school was going to find out about him and Elizabeth. He knew he had to at least let him know that Jane was back in their lives. What Charlie chose to do with this information would be up to him.
Charlie: *Thanks*
After the text from Will, Charlie decided to ask around to see if anyone knew about Jane and Lizzie. He tried texting Caroline, knowing she would be privy to the latest gossip, but she never responded. How had he not known about this? He had missed Jane very much after they moved, even thinking she just liked him for his money at the time.
He couldn't believe he fell for Caroline's lies. He felt horrible and was miserable; especially after how Alexa had treated him. He felt so low, he must have made Jane feel bad enough for Alexa to lash out at him. It was a gut wrenching feeling to be at the end of her hatred, but he knew he deserved it.
Once Will confirmed that she did in fact love him, he was so angry for allowing Caroline to mess with his mind. He misunderstood the signs and looked towards Will for guidance, but Will was also preoccupied with another Benet girl. He knew that Caroline was behind it all, but severing ties with Will was the only way he knew to take out his anger. Will wasn't to blame, he asked Will his honest opinionand Will gave it to him. He should have known, deep down he did know Jane was different; she was the only girl to ever get him a gift for his birthday, she listened to what he said and actually spoke her mind in her own special way. He admired that she was so optimistic.
"Got your eyes set on her huh? Yea, I know who she is. Total babe; this one is going to be a challenge. She said no to me and I'm the best looking guy here." Gabe said seriously.
Charlie scoffed.
"I bet you 100 bucks that you couldn't get her to go on one date with you!" Gabe challenged.
Charlie laughed, "No I don't want to risk it. Besides, I'm no one special to her." He said feigning indifference.
Gabe just laughed agreeing and both headed off to class.
Lizzie was happy to have a regular average-joe car. The reporters were trying to see who was in the 2015 Bentley Mulsanne. They glanced at her car and backed away, knowing she was nobody. She took a deep breath and pulled up to the little guard station. The guard asked if she knew where she was going and she nodded. The drive to his house seemed to drag on. Maybe she was going below the speed limit in order to calm her nerves. Maybe she was dreading this. The end.
Before she knew it, she was getting closer. She could see his road, then his gate. She entered the code Will gave her and drove up the drive way. She could see him waiting anxiously at the door. She got off the car and slowly made her way up to him. Both of their eyes trained on the others.
"Hey," Will smiled and pulled her in for a hug. "I missed you. I hope you had a good day." He said kissing the top of her head.
Her arms wrapped tightly around him, this small gesture made her heart swell. "I missed you. There is something I need to tell you." She said avoiding his gaze.
"Is something wrong?" He asked worryingly, pulling her into the living room. All she could do was nod to keep the tears falling from her eyes. "What is it? How can I help?" He asked sincerely, only adding to her heart ache.
"If you could try not to hate me forever, I would be ok with that. All I can hope for is that someday you'll forgive me." She answered looking down.
"Why would I hate you? Aren't you mad at me?"
"No! Of course not! Why would you think that?"
"Well… the article and your suspicions about Lexie and me, but I swear-"
"Will," she interrupted, "I know it's not true. I believed you when you told me that nothing has ever happened with her…. I know that the pictures aren't true because." She inhaled softly. "Because I'm the one who took them." She softly spoke.
"What?" He shot up from his seat, his voice angry.
"I-I'm. I went to the coffee shop and I saw the two of you together. All I could think of was how happy you two seemed... like a couple. Then I saw her in his jacket and that she had her ring… I was so mad. I couldn't believe that she would cheat. I let my emotions get the better of me and I took some pictures."
He didn't say anything. He couldn't, all he wanted to do was yell. 'Feelings push and drive you. They often make you do things you wouldn't normally do.' Lexie's voice rang in his head.
"So the first thing you automatically think is that she is cheating?" He asked calmly, his demeanor cold.
"The day she apologized to Caroline-I saw when you tried to kiss her; how easy and happy you too seemed. That's all I could think about. I didn't think." She said as her voice broke.
"You were that jealous." He stated.
"I am really sorry. You will never know how sorry I am. I have no idea why I took them. It's just every time I see the two of you together… I can't help but think of how perfect she is and all of my flaws that you pointed out. I wasn't going to keep them, I deleted them that very night. I was just so angry with her… It was evidence that she isn't so perfect." She said above a whisper.
Will turned his back to her and took a step forward as to walk away, but stopped. "Lexie believes she is unworthy of love." He softly spoke. "She can't see the great person she is and she hates to see others suffering, but she is resentful. Though she has many appealing qualities, she knows all of her faults. The last thing she would call herself is perfect." He said tersely.
It was quiet for what seemed like a minute. Lizzie knew this was true. "Do you hate her?" He asked.
She took a deep breath in. "I use to, when she was emancipated, I blamed her for so much. I believed the lies my dad told me. In reality it exposed me to the type of family I actually have. Something you also conveniently pointed out." She gave a sad smile.
"All of my life I could never understand why she was so… There are many words I can use. She never could see how good she was at anything. Nothing was ever good enough for her; she always wanted to be the best. Now I realize that it was all because of my dad. I never understood what she meant when she spoke to me all of those years ago." She said softly to herself.
Will turned around and saw that Lizzie was deep in thought. "I found her outside crying. She was shaking and her face was so red but she wasn't sobbing. Her hand was over her mouth but tears were raining down her face, I've never seen anyone cry so much. I asked her what was wrong… 'I hate my life Lizzie. I don't want to be here anymore.' She didn't want to live. She wished she could just die. We were only eight, and she told me those things. We were only kids and those were her thoughts. She kept asking why God hated her so much. Why we hated her so much. Why was she so different; over and over 'Why does he hate me?' I thought she was still talking about God."
"Your father." Will sat next to her; all she could do was nod in shame.
"At the trial, they said-they said that Lexie had to go to the hospital because he used to beat her so badly. I didn't remember at the time; she did have to go to the hospital often but we never knew why. Even then I still couldn't believe that it was his doing, all because of what she had said to me." She said wiping tears away and Will wrapped an arm around her.
"I spoke to him Will. I told him everything she told me and he still hurt her. He was supposed to help her. I thought he did. I remember going to the store," she took a deep breath to stop herself from crying. "She got lost. I let go of her hand-" she sobbed. "I didn't mean to. It was only for a second-" she cried. "We all forgot about her. We left her in the store."
"It's my fault that she's the way she is. I told my mom and dad that she let go of my hand. I was so scared that I was going to get into trouble, and I knew that they wouldn't get mad at her. She must have been scared-" She stopped as tears escaped and held onto Will.
Will called a maid to bring some tea to help calm her down. He figured this was the first time she was telling anyone this. He could understand what she meant that she could never see her family for what they were. He doubted Jane would be the same way if she too saw the truth. It wasn't until his mother died that he truly grasped how his family was.
"Thank you." She told him as he handed her a cup.
"Do you wish to continue?"
She nodded as she gulped a big sip of tea. "After that day, she changed. She became more closed off; she would avoid conversing with us. It only helped reassure my feelings towards her. He finally took her to her doctor. The pills helped, she eventually started speaking to us, not often but it helped. I always loved her. I do love her."
"I'm sorry Lizzie."
"Don't be. Please. I don't deserve it. I had a good life growing up." She cleared her throat and stood up. "Thank you for listening Will. I guess I'll see you around school." She quickly made her way to the door, fresh tears falling from her face.
