Author's Note: Okay, so this is my first fanfiction story. Tell me what you think. Advice is much appreciated. I hope to be writing more soon.

Disclaimer: I wish I could write like Jane Austen, but I can't.

CHAPTER THREE---THE PARTY

"Liz, I don't think I can wear this dress. It's way too short."

"Well, you ARE wearing that dress, and it's not too short. It's absolutely perfect. It shows off your lovely legs."

"Liz! I don't want my legs to be shown off!"

"Well, too bad, Jane! I am NOT driving back to my house in order for you to change! So, you'll just have to go in with that dress on or walk around naked. Those are your only choices. Personally, I'd pick number one."

Jane gave a deep sigh and stretched her dress, hoping that it would cover more flesh. At the same time, she and Liz walked up the driveway belonging to the house they found themselves facing.

"Wow. I wish I had a house like that," said Jane.

"Don't we all? Come on, let's go inside."

Jane followed Liz to the beautiful entrance. "Whose house is this?"

"Caroline Wickham. She's a real snob, and general pain in the ass, but she throws great parties." Liz gave a wicked smile.

"Liz! I can't believe you can say that about somebody!" Jane sounded outraged.

Liz laughed. "I speak the truth! Hurry up, though. The party's already started."

Liz rang the doorbell, and the door was immediately opened by a petite woman that looked to be in her early twenties. She seemed very eager to meet her visitors. She reminded Liz of an overly excited puppy.

"Hi! Are you some of Caroline's friends? Come on in! I'm so happy to meet you! I'm Lydia, by the way. Lydia Wickham." She giggled. "That name still sounds so funny to me. Even after three months of marriage I'm still not quite used to it. I'm Caroline's stepmother, in case you didn't know. And you are...?"

Lydia's enthusiasm stunned both Liz and Jane for a moment and prevented them from answering her question. Just as Liz was about to introduce herself, a voice from behind Lydia asked, "Who are you talking to, Lydia?"

Lydia giggled. "I was just about to find out."

The owner of the voice stepped forward. There stood a tall man with a hint of gray in his hair. He smiled at Jane and Liz. "Hello. I'm Mr. Wickham, Caroline's father. Who might you be?"

Liz was the first to speak up. "I'm Liz, and this is my friend Jane."

Jane smiled politely. "How do you do?"

Mr. Wickham gave a warm smile. "It's a pleasure meeting you both."

Right as his words were spoken, a shrill voice yelled, "Daddy! What are you doing?"

"I was saying hello to some of your friends."

"Don't talk to my friends! You'll ruin EVERYTHING! Don't you want me to have a good party?" The question had a ring of false innocence to it.

"Of course, sweetheart. Lydia and I were just about to leave. Come on, Lydia, let's go." Mr. Wickham grabbed his wife and then turned toward his daughter. "Have fun, darling." He and Lydia proceeded out the doorway.

"Well they took their time, didn't they? They were supposed to have left half an hour ago! But, LYDIA had to do her hair... Anyway, how are you Liz?"

It was obvious to Liz that Caroline didn't care one way or the other. "I'm fine, thanks. This is Jane."

Caroline looked at Jane. "Nice to meet you. I'm Caroline."

Jane gave a genuine smile and a nod.

"Well, go on and join the party. Everybody's already here." The last statement was a clear insult that Liz did not miss.

Liz simply replied by saying, "Oh, you know how I love to be fashionably late." She then turned away from Caroline and went into the first room on her right.

The place was packed. For such a huge house, there was very limited space available. Liz made her way across the room to the other side while Jane followed behind her. The music was blasting from large speakers.

Liz turned around. "I'm going to go find Charlie."

Jane frowned. "What?"

Liz spoke louder than the first time. "I'm going to try to find Charlie, okay?"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Dance around, talk to people, have fun..." Liz started to walk away. She heard Jane yell her name, but Liz just ignored her. She kept walking, searching for Charlie's face. Instead she found...

"Will!" She was so surprised to see him that she'd accidentally said his name. He looked up at the sound of his name. Now what do I do, Liz asked herself. "Uhh... what are you doing here?"

"Charlie brought me."

"Oh." Liz looked around the room, not knowing what to say. Then, she remembered what she'd been doing in the first place. "Do you know where Charlie is?"

"No. He said he was going to go look for you."

Figures, thought Liz. She was just about to leave when Will stopped her. "I see him. He's right over there, dancing with... somebody."

Liz looked in the direction of the dancing couple and exclaimed, with some surprise, "That's Jane!"

After a few moments of confusion, Will finally recognized the name. "She's your friend, right?"

"Yeah... she is." Liz seemed a little distracted. She started to make her way toward Charlie and Jane. Will followed.

As they got closer to the two, Will was finally able to get a good look at Jane. "Wow. She is pretty."

Liz turned around. "What?"

Will decided not to repeat what he'd said. "Never mind."

When they finally reached Jane and Charlie, Liz loudly said, "Charlie! There you are! I've been looking all over for you."

Charlie turned to look at Liz. His expression turned to one of guilt. "Hey! Have you been having fun so far?"

Liz's smile had an evident layer of anger beneath it. "Oh yeah, it's been a blast."

Will looked from Charlie to Liz to Jane, who seemed to be completely confused. What was going on finally dawned on him. Oh no, he thought, somebody's jealous.

The tension was mounting, and Will knew he had to do something. Quickly, he turned and faced Jane. "Hi. I don't think we've met. My name is Will."

Jane seemed grateful for the distraction. "Hi. I'm Jane."

"Jane?" asked a surprised Charlie.

"Yes. Jane. My friend." Liz spoke each word individually. Charlie paled as he began to understand the situation he'd put himself in. Liz looked at Jane as she said, "And this is my BOYFRIEND, Charlie."

Jane's look of confusion began to disappear and was replaced by a deep blush. "Oh."

Liz continued to speak. "So, what I'd like to know is why the two of you were dancing together!"

"Well..." said Jane.

"You see..." said Charlie.

Liz walked away angrily before any more explanations could be given. Charlie went after her. "Liz! Come back! You're overreacting!"

If it hadn't been for the looks on Charlie and Jane's faces, Will would have agreed with Charlie. However, he'd seen what he'd seen. He almost laughed. And he'd thought Liz would be the one breaking Charlie's heart.

Jane remained frozen, tears just waiting to be shed.

Will cleared his throat. "Are you okay?"

She looked over at him. "Oh my gosh, I've just made a mess of things."

"It wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself."

"But it is my fault. If I hadn't come, none of this would have happened." She then started to cry.

Will tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. It's not that bad. After all, all you did with him was dance, right?" They both knew it had been more than a dance.

Charlie started to walk back toward them. Jane quickly wiped away her tears. Charlie looked nothing like himself; he seemed worn out. "Well, Liz left. She wouldn't listen to me." He paused. Without looking directly at Jane, he asked, "Do you need a ride home?"

"Yes. I came with Liz."

"Where do you live?"

"Maple Street. Number 327."

"Okay. I guess we might as well go now."

All three left the party and piled into Charlie's car. Awkward silence filled the air. Charlie finally spoke and asked Jane, "Did you leave anything at Liz's house?"

Jane sighed. "Just a few things. Nothing very important... except for my papers. Oh no!"

Charlie frowned. "Are they important?"

"Yes. If I don't finish them and turn them in by Monday, I could get fired!" Jane looked very distressed. "After tonight, I doubt Liz will talk to me, much less let me go into her house to get my papers back."

"I don't think she wants to talk to me, either."

Suddenly, both Charlie and Jane glanced at Will.

"What?" asked Will.

Well, I hope you all liked this chapter. Thank you for all reviews. I'll try to update as soon as I can.