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 SIX---THE MEETING

Liz heard a knock at her door.

"Come in."

"Hi, honey. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"I'm fine, Mom."

Mrs. Darcy sat down next to her daughter. "Liz, you've been depressed for over a week now. Tell me what happened."

Liz sighed. "Jane and I went to Caroline Wickham's party. I was going to meet Charlie there, and we were all going to hang out. But, things didn't quite end up that way. To make a long story short, Jane and Charlie ended up together. So, I'm now no longer speaking to my two best friends. Well, they were my two best friends..."

Georgiana frowned. "What do you mean, they ended up together?"

"I saw them dancing together."

"Is that all that happened?" Georgiana asked, perplexed.

"Well, yeah, but if you'd seen the way they were looking at each other..."

"Well honey, you did give Jane and Charlie a chance to explain themselves, right?" From Liz's expression, Georgiana knew that wasn't the case. "Alright, look, I wasn't there, so I don't know what you saw. But, it sounds to me like a big misunderstanding. Have you talked to either Jane or Charlie since the party?"

"I talked to Charlie briefly. That conversation didn't really go very well."

"And Jane?"

A lump of guilt stuck in Liz's throat. "No, I haven't talked to her since."

Georgiana looked at her daughter. "You've been friends with Charlie and Jane both for a long time. Don't let that crumble now just because of a ridiculous dance."

"Thanks for the advice, Mom."

"Sure thing." With that, her mother left the room.

Thoughts began to crowd her mind. What have I done? Did I really imagine what happened between Jane and Charlie? No, there was a definite connection there. Still I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. But Charlie was MY boyfriend. He wasn't supposed to have a connection with anybody else... especially not Jane. So, yeah, I got jealous. What can I say?

These thoughts had all plagued Liz for so long; she had to escape from them. She grabbed her jacket and left her room.

"I'm going for a walk!" she yelled as she made her way to the door.

"Alright," responded her mother.

The moment Liz went outside, she immediately felt better. There was just something so relaxing and peaceful about being outdoors. All ties and obligations seemed far away.

Liz walked past her neighbors' houses to the public park. Anytime she'd had troubles, she had always come to the park. It was her refuge. Nowhere else did she feel so safe and comfortable.

Small children played and laughed around her. She almost wished she was their age again. To be so young and innocent and carefree.

She sat on a swing. The swings had always been her favorite. Going back and forth and back and forth. Though she had come here to leave her thoughts behind, they still remained firmly in her mind.

Liz sighed. She looked around, hoping something would distract her. And something did.

Opposite from her, sitting on a bench, was Will. He seemed to be concentrating intensely on a book.

Liz considered making a quick getaway and avoiding Will completely. She decided against it, however. After all, she'd behaved terribly at their last meeting; she should apologize (again). Though she wouldn't admit it, she was also lonely. Talking to Will was better than not talking to anybody.

She rose from her seat and walked in Will's direction.

"Hey, Will. What are you up to?"

"Reading." He didn't even look up as he answered.

Liz didn't know if that was a hint for her to leave him alone or if he was just answering honestly. "Look... could I talk to you for a second?"

Will seemed to sense the direction Liz's thoughts were going. He put down his book. "Sure."

She took a deep breath. "The last time we talked... things didn't go well. I was angry and upset, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry. God, I'm apologizing a lot these days..."

"It's okay. No hard feelings." He returned to his book.

Liz became a little disappointed that the conversation ended so abruptly. She decided to make it a little longer. "So, what are you reading?"

"Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell."

Liz laughed.

Will looked at her, bewildered. "What?"

"Nothing." She continued to smile.

"Don't give me that. There was obviously something that struck you as funny. What is it?"

"It's just that I didn't peg you as that kind of person."

Will looked interested. "What kind of person did you think I was exactly?"

Liz faltered. "I don't know."

That statement seemed to fill the air around them. The moment was frozen. Will broke the spell and looked at the darkening sky. "Well, I've got to go. Nice talking to you."

Liz smiled. "Yeah, same here."

She watched as Will walked away.

I must admit, Liz is not quite like Elizabeth. She is a little more... unstable. lol Also, I SHOULD have had something more drastic happen at the dance. Sorry. I hope you'll forgive all of my failings as a writer. By the way, Sarah Vowell is an awesome writer. She writes quirky, many times political, short stories. I highly recommend reading some of her books. Anyway, keep those reviews coming!