Chapter 14
When Will got home from school on Friday, he felt emotionally drained. It had been a long week with a great deal of negative energy focused on him. The hate-filled venom sent his way was taking its toll on his psyche.
He had taken a swim to release his tension and even that didn't fully calm him. He still felt restless afterwards and decided to take a walk. He dressed in jeans and a sweater, on his way out the door he grabbed his winter jacket. He just walked without giving a thought to direction or destination. The air was cold and crisp and he began to feel reinvigorated.
When he finally freed his mind from internal self-reflection, he realized he was only a few blocks from the Bennet's house. He heard a car door open and a girlish giggle, he turned his attention in the direction of the sound. He saw the girl was Lydia Bennet and she was getting into a car with George Wickham. As soon as the car door slammed, he saw the pair kissing on the front seat. Soon the car jerked to life with a roar and squealed the tires on takeoff.
Will was furious, he was horrified that Wickham was free to victimize a 13 year old girl who was Elizabeth's little sister especially after..." He wrestled with his conscience, I should warn Elizabeth and her family. No, I promised Georgie I wouldn't tell anyone. I have to tell Elizabeth about Lydia without risking Georgie's secret.
When he arrived at the Bennet's and rang the doorbell, Elizabeth answered the door, she arched her eyebrows, "Haven't you received enough abuse at school this week without having me join the party."
"Elizabeth, can I come in, I have something very urgent to talk to you about." Will pleaded.
"Okay," She agreed, "you can say what you have to say and leave."
Will got straight to the point, "I just saw your sister Lydia get into a car with George Wickham, the two were making out and then they drove off together." He finished quickly, "I think your sister may be in danger."
When he said Wickham's name, he saw a wall come down behind Elizabeth's eyes as she shutdown. She shook her head, "Do not bring my family into your vendetta with George Wickham."
"What I've told you is the truth." Will stared into her eyes, "Whether you choose to believe me is up to you."
"Mama," Elizabeth called into the other room, "could you come in here for a moment."
"Why are you interrupting me?" Mrs. Bennet demanded.
"Will Darcy claims he saw Lydia drive away in a car with George Wickham and thinks Lydia might be in danger from him." Elizabeth stated before asking, "Do you know where Lydia is right now?"
"Don't be silly," Mrs Bennet waived her hands in dismissal, "Lydia is spending the night at her friend Celeste's house. She is perfectly safe." With that, she turned on her heals and left the room.
Elizabeth pondered for a moment, "Let me call Celeste and check that Lydia is there." She called a number on her cell and had a conversation that Will could not hear.
"Celeste confirmed Lydia is staying the night with her." Elizabeth told him.
"Did you speak to Lydia?" Will queried.
"No," Elizabeth admitted, "Celeste said she was in the shower."
"Did you talk to Celeste's parents?"
"No, her mother was at the store and her father hadn't arrived home yet." Elizabeth responded.
"And you believe that?" Will asked skeptically.
Elizabeth bristled and countered defensively, "I have no reason not to believe it."
"Except what I told you." Will added with a frown, "Which is obviously unbelievable to you."
Elizabeth sighed, "Let us conjecture that I believe what you told me is the absolute truth…"
"That would be a first." Will said sarcastically.
"What is the worst thing you saw?" Elizabeth ignored his comment and continued, "Did George Wickham force my sister into his car?"
Will shook his head, "No, she was got in the car of her own volition." He looked at Elizabeth sharply, "Doesn't it bother you that Wickham is dating your much younger sister after he dated you?"
"Of course, it would bother me," Elizabeth responded, "But if she chooses to date him, what can I do, I am not my sisters keeper."
"It appears we are done here," Will said wearily, "I won't trouble you any further."
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders, "What am I supposed to do?" She studied Will's face and sensed something more in his demeanor, "If you know something damning about Wickham that I don't know, tell me and I will go check on Lydia."
"Everything I know about Wickham is damning." His eyes were filled with conflict and his voice emotional. "I can't tell you any more, I promised."
"I guess there is no more to say."
"I guess not." Will agreed, " I will see you on Monday."
As the door closed behind him, Elizabeth called, "Wait…"
He didn't hear her and walked slowly down the street away from the girl who kept breaking his heart.
Elizabeth wasn't sure why she felt uneasy about Lydia but she did. She made a decision that she would walk over to Celeste's and check on her sister. She grabbed her coat and bag and walked quickly to Celeste's house.
Celeste answered the door when Elizabeth knocked and showed her to her bedroom where Lydia was lounging on Celeste's bed listening to music. She sat up when she saw her sister. "Lizzie, what are you doing here?"
Elizabeth laughed, "It is my right as a big sister to worry about my baby sister and now that I have verified your whereabouts, I will leave you girls to your fun night."
Elizabeth closed the front door behind her and walked home. The feeling of unease was not quite gone and she didn't understand it. Lydia was obviously safe and there was nothing to worry about.
Once Elizabeth left Celeste's room, the window opened and Wickham appeared outside.
Lydia hugged her friend, "Thanks for the alert when Elizabeth called. I appreciate the save."
"Come on babe, I've got big plans for us tonight?" Wickham called.
Lydia giggled and slipped through the window and disappeared with Wickham into the night.
*
At school on Monday, Will was having his lunch in a secluded part of quad when his attention was caught by a loud argument. As he listened, he heard Elizabeth's raised voice. "You might be able to fool Mama with your innocent routine but it won't work with me Lydia." What the hell! "First of all, you don't come home on time and so Mama sends me to Celeste's to get you, I find you passed out in Celeste's room smelling of alcohol and I had to practically drag you home. Second you were texting someone all weekend and never received a response. Last but not least, I caught you trying to ditch school today." Elizabeth voice grew louder, "What the hell is going on with you?"
"You're just jealous." Lydia taunted her sister.
"What am I supposed to be jealous of? Elizabeth asked.
"You're jealous because you wanted George but he dumped you and I got him instead." Lydia gloated, "You wish it was you who spent the night with him, you wish it was you he loved." Lydia was triumphant, "But it's not you, it's me he wants."
Elizabeth's voice was steady, "You are mistaken in all your assumptions. I dumped George Wickham because he is a two-timing cheater." She laughed wickedly, "And since he won't return your texts, it would appear he doesn't want you anymore."
Lydia growled, "You don't know what you are talking about, George was just busy and didn't have time to answer."
"Yeah, he was too busy wooing and screwing another girl."
Will chuckled Elizabeth is clever with a good insult. Hesaw Lydia stomp away from her sister in a huff. At least Elizabeth had Wickham's number now.
He noticed Elizabeth appeared to be upset and he walked up to her.
"You didn't hear that did you?" Elizabeth groaned.
"I'm afraid I did," Will couldn't stop the small smile on his lips, "It would appear I was correct in my assessment of the situation."
"Yes, you were right," Elizabeth admits, "Does that make you feel better."
"Actually…. No.". Will said, "I take it you are not happy with this turn of events."
"Of course I'm not happy, Wickham is a sleezy douchbag, so why would I want him dating my sister." Elizabeth expressed her frustration, "Don't gloat, it is not becoming."
"I'm sorry," Will bit his lip but couldn't stop the grin, "It's just nice that we are on the same side for once."
"We are not on the same side," Elizabeth countered, "I personally think George Wickham is a dick and you have implied he is dangerous so we really don't see eye to eye."
Will's face became serious, "He is dangerous, I can't tell you how I know but I wish you could just trust me."
"Me too," Elizabeth said, "But where George Wickham is concerned, you can't be reasonable."
Will felt his frustration rise, "I am reasonable but you can't see beyond your prejudice of me to see the truth."
Elizabeth's eyes turned steely, "Screw you, Will Darcy." She turned on her heals and walked away without a backward glance.
Why can't I keep my temper in check with Elizabeth? I must have struck a nerve with her as my comment about her prejudice was right on the money.
The bell rang for class and Will started for his classroom. Elizabeth avoided him for the rest of the day and he knew she was still mad at him.
*
After school, he was at the piano when Georgie came in to see him. "How was your day?"
"I made Elizabeth even more angry with me today."
"I wouldn't have thought that was possible." Georgie laughed., "What did you do this time?"
"I told her the truth." Will explained, "That she's prejudiced when it comes to me."
Georgie shook her head and groaned, "I bet she didn't like that very much."
"You would win that bet."
"I just came to check with you as to whether you are going on the ski trip this weekend with the rest of the junior and seniors?"
"Yes, you know I love to ski." Will brightened with the thought, "Elizabeth's going too, I made the arrangements when we were together. I promised to teach her how to ski."
Georgie smiled, "Hopefully it will give you an opportunity to get back into Elizabeth's good graces… Again."
"I've done this so many times, I've lost my amateur status." Will quipped.
"I would agree and this is the last time I will help you with a plan to reconcile with Elizabeth." Georgie returned his joke, "After this I will consider you a lost cause."
Georgie looked into her brother's face and knew there was something he hadn't told her about this argument and she felt compelled to ask, "Will, what's really bothering you?"
Will straightened up, looked in his sisters face and sighed when he realized that she had become a different person in the last few months, mostly because of her friendship with Elizabeth. He decided she could handle the truth.
Georgie's face paled as he explained everything that happened Friday and the argument he had overhead today.
He watched as Georgie closed her eyes to calm her emotions, "Will, I understand why this would upset you but Lydia isn't me and obviously the circumstances are not the same."
"I know," her brother agreed, "But its still painful and I hate the fact that Elizabeth doesn't trust me."
"Will, have you shown Elizabeth the lab report on the beer from the party." She asked with a gentle reminder, "You know that would go a long way toward gaining Elizabeth's trust."
"No, the timing never seemed right." Will admitted with a wry deprecating smile, "I guess the truth is I want Elizabeth to have faith that she can always trust me without me needing to prove my worthiness."
"We all need the people we love to have faith in us." Georgie said thoughtfully and advised, "It would seem like the timing is right now. She'll be hurt by Wickham's betrayal and by you keeping this from her but it's better than the alternative."
"If things go well on the ski weekend," Will vowed, "I will tell her everything."
"Everything?" Georgie queried.
Will looked deep into his sisters eyes to determine if she was strong enough for the truth to be revealed. His eyes with bright with emotion as he answered, "With your blessing, I would like to tell Elizabeth everything."
Georgie took a deep breath, "You have my blessing, I always knew I would have to deal with my demons someday."
Will's voice cracked, "I am proud of you. You have become a very strong woman."
Will hugged his sister to him in a warm embrace and he held her until the tears were dry and the sobs that had ran through her body were gone.
*
Later that night, after they had both gone to bed, Will heard a soft knock on his door, "Come in." He said and waited as Georgie came in and sat on the edge of his bed, "What's up?"
"I thought of one more truth you need tell Elizabeth." Georgie looked at her brother, "You need to tell her about the hospital when you were six and about about your experience with 'Beth'. After that show her your drawings."
"I will think about it." Will said sincerely, "Now it is time for you to go to sleep."
Georgie nodded and crossed to the door, "Sleep well." She opened the door, "Goodnight Will." He heard the door close quietly.
Knowing that soon, he would be able to tell Elizabeth everything, Will felt a sense of relief mixed with dread in the anticipation of her reaction. He finally fell into a restless sleep.