A/N: Hello, sorry this chapter is unedited I'm posting this with a couple of minutes to spare for work. So I hope you enjoy it. I just wanted to post something for everyone who reads:) Thank you for all of your guy's support, it really means a lot.

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Jane Austen.

Ch. 52

Will's brain couldn't communicate with his legs. She was already out the door by the time he caught up to her. He called out to her and she faltered, taking the opportunity he caught up to her in four long strides.

He gently grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug. "Please don't leave."

She sniffled. "But I'm a horrible person."

"No, you are not. Yes you made mistakes, we all make them but that doesn't mean you are a bad person. You feel sorry for what you did?"

She nodded as she began to cry. "Yes."

"Then you are not a bad person." He held her tightly.

He wanted nothing more than to get her to understand that she wasn't a bad person, but he didn't know how. He doubted that anything he told her would help. Then it slowly hit him, this is what Lexie has been trying to tell him all along, he wasn't a bad person, nor was she a bad person. The circumstances were somewhat similar. Their siblings ended up in the hospital at hands of someone they loved. The difference was that Lizzie still loved her father; he hated Wickham, and that he knew Wickham's character and could have stopped him.

Will lead Lizzie back inside and held her. She was no longer crying, but he was so happy to be able to hold her this way.


They had agreed that it would be best to keep their relationship a secret, at least while the press was still following them. Will wished that he could speak to Lexie and ask how she was doing, but he knew it would be a fruitless effort. Gina had spoken to him, apologizing for ditching them that day. He was happy to hear from her that neither Lexie nor John was upset about it.

Much to Will's chargin he returned to school the next day. He was glad that people didn't really talk to him; he walked down the hallways and into each classroom with his head held high in his usual façade. Guys would smile at him and nod their head in approval, and girls still fawned over him. Nothing had changed. Everyone still left him alone.

The only good news was that he had never heard from his aunt. He could handle his father and uncle, but when it came to his aunt, she made him feel as if her were a small child. He was just happy that the press hadn't found out who Lizzie was, and that they hadn't gotten a good picture of her.

Lizzie was waiting for Will by his car after school. She was happy that he had forgiven her for the pictures. She found out that her mother had sold the pictures and article to the paper, with Lydia's help. She remembered that Lydia had told her that Charlotte had called. She was in such a bad mood when she got home, that she had left her things in the living room. Of course she wouldn't confront them about it without revealing to everyone that she was the one who took them.

She was just happy that the press hadn't gotten her name. Not that they ever got a good picture of her anyways. Luckily this weekend she was going to start working, so she had spent the entire week with Will. She only wished that they had lunch together, but it helped keep their relationship a secret. She could only imagine how her mother would act.


Fri:

Dear Mrs. De Bough,

Hello, how have you been? I hope you remember me, Caroline Bingley. I am a really good friend of William and Georgiana. I know you must have heard the horrible gossip concerning Alexandra Bennet and your nephew. It must have been so embarrassing for you and your family to have gone through such a false scandal. Why would anyone like William ever go after Alexandra, when she and her family are far beneath him?

However the Bennet girls are not without their charms. Otherwise I'm sure Alexandra wouldn't be with someone like Johnathan Drake. Even my own brother is infatuated with Jane, and it seems as if William has fallen into their trap as well. Although you cannot see her clearly in the pictures, I have firsthand knowledge that the girl is no other than Elizabeth Bennet.

I don't know what else to do. I have tried speaking to both of them but they refuse to see any reason or logic. I know that you are my last hope. Perhaps if you spoke to William, he could warn Charles away from Jane. I'm sure that one thing that both of us can agree on is that the last thing we want are the Bennet's as in laws.

Sincerely, Caroline Bingley.


Jane quickly ate her lunch and made her way to the library. She didn't really have many friends here, not that she even bothered to try. She saw no point in it and put all of her efforts into studying. She was thinking of just dropping out and getting her GED, but there were only two more months of school. The councilor had told her that she would qualify for financial aid, but she knew she had to have money saved for other expenses, so she also got a job; anything to spend less time at home.

Her plan was to go to community college to obtain her basics and then transfer to the state college and become a teacher. She was planning on moving out and hoping to take Lizzie with her; she didn't want to leave her with her mother. Thinking of her parents always turned her mood sour.

She was too lost in thought and she bumped into someone. She was in shock as her books and papers fell to the floor. She muttered her apology and bent to get her books and papers without looking up at the person.

"It's ok. I wasn't watching where I was going," said an all too familiar voice.

She froze and glanced up to confirm her suspicions. There was Charlie, looking as if he hadn't slept all night. His hair disheveled and he dark circles under his eyes, but he was still very attractive.

All she could do was nod and accept her things back from him, trying to contain all of her emotions. She was hoping he would just leave, or that her feet would comply with her brain and start moving for her.

"So how have you been?" He asked hesitantly.

She snapped her head to look at him. Her eyes showing her anger, with a strength she didn't know she had, she walked by him shoving him hard as her shoulder hit his.

He was too shocked to move. Of course he wasn't expecting being welcomed into open arms, but that was the last reaction he expected from her. Coming to his senses he turned to catch up with her.

"Jane please."

"Leave me alone!" She picked up her pace, trying to ignore the small attention they had drawn.

"Jane-" he pleaded.

"I have nothing to say to you!" She said with tears filling her eyes.

"I know. Please you don't have to say anything. I just really need to speak to you. Please. I will never bother you again, I just need you to hear me out."

She looked into his eyes and saw his desperation. "Fine. Hurry up! I don't want to be late to class!" She snapped.

He grabbed her arm to pull her into a janitor's closet. She yanked her arm away from him but followed him into the room.

"Well?" She snapped.

"Ok, first I am sorry, I-"

"Sorry?" She laughed incredulously. "SORRY! You tried to have sex with me and then broke up with me the next day! Through an email! And all you can say is that you're sorry?! FUCK YOU!" She yelled and walked out the door without a second glance back.

As she walked away a small smile appeared on her lips. She felt awesome, empowered and she was happy that Lexie had set her straight. Yes the pain was still there, and yes she still strongly liked him, but she felt a great to finally get it off of her chest. She didn't even feel sorry that she had lashed out, she was just happy to see that shocked look on his face. She couldn't wait to tell Lexie.


Unfortunately for her he caught up with her after school.

"Jane!" She turned at the mention of her name.

Charlie froze in his tracks as Jane glared at him and turned to continue walking. "Jane-"

"Are you following me?!"

"Yes, and I won't leave you alone until you agree to diner with me. Tonight. I'll explain everything and if you still wish to never see me again then I will respect that. Please. Have dinner with me. I promise to take you home right away after we speak if you like."

She could see the sincerity and sadness in his eyes, and her heart broke a little. The more she thought about her answer, she saw any hope in him being pushed away. It was as if he was hanging on by a thread.

"Ok," she softly spoke, and Charlie's eyes lit up as his usual smile returned to his face.

"Thank you Jane!" He was about to hug her, but she stepped away from him, causing his smile to fade a little, but not disappear completely.