Elizabeth bit her lip as she watched Will Turner trot away. Frowning, she moved her eyes back down to the book she had been reading, though none of the words registered. She stared blankly at the page and her thoughts wandered back to her old friend. Will hadn't stopped by to visit in so long and Elizabeth knew why. She knew he had seen her just then. She had noticed the way Will watched her every time she saw him in town. She knew how he felt about her. And something she was not willing to admit to anyone was that it was Will's face that crossed her mind before drifting off into sleep. It was Will who constantly entered her thoughts. Out of all the young men in Port Royal who offered their attentions, the one she most often thought of was the one who seemingly ignored her. And this frustrated Elizabeth beyond anything else.
Elizabeth shook her head angrily, trying to get Will out of her mind for the umpteenth time. Her eyes focused on the page yet again, she barely got through a few sentences when Will's kind dark brown eyes appeared in her mind. Breathing a sigh, she slammed the book closed and threw it on her bed. Her eyes again drifted out the window towards his small retreating figure. Abruptly, she stood, walked to the window, and pulled the curtains shut. She then spun on her heel and began to walk towards the stairs.
William Turner was so concerned with class and with status and pride the he never dared utter a word other than, "Hello Miss Swann." Well hello Will and please, call me Elizabeth. We have been friends long enough that you may safely get away with using my first name. "Lovely weather is it not?" Yes Will, what an observation. We are in the Caribbean, the weather is always lovely. However, I'm so glad you've told me because today I have strangely failed to notice. "I trust that your father is well?" Of course you can trust that he is well. He is the Governor. I'm sure if he was unwell, all of Port Royal would know it, even the blacksmiths. "And may I inquire after you health?" No, you may not. You may inquire after my dreams, my thoughts, after me. "Well it was good to see you Miss Swann." Elizabeth! My name is Elizabeth!
Now of course she only thought these bitter sarcastic replies while he propered her to tears and she naturally only responded with equally polite statements. He felt she was above him, that he was a simply lowly blacksmith's apprentice, that she would grant her company only to deserving young men. And Elizabeth at seventeen had in no way been overlook by young men, yet these men were just like Will. Elizabeth felt hot tears welling in her eyes. Not one asked her of her convictions, he hopes, her dreams, her secret fascinations. They all inquired a good deal after her health and her father and then went on to try to impress her with their own triumphs and successes, never bothering to ask her to share her own.
Will was a quiet young man. He never drew attention to himself. He hadn't befriended the boys his age because he spent his time reading and working. She saw in Will a genuine kindness and concern that no other man possessed. Elizabeth knew Will was different... she knew Will cared about her in a different way than other young men. Yet he was too afraid to show it for fear of being out of place.
A stubborn tear spilled over her cheek and she angrily wiped it away. "Just TALK to me Will. Is it really that hard? Just talk to me." She ran down the stairs and entered the study, ignoring her father's concerned look as she passed.
