Longbourn High – Chapter 2

Author's Notes:

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm glad to see that people are reading this. I'm having fun writing it, so it's great to see that there is an audience for this. The first chapter was mainly a prologue, so the action should start picking up now. As you can see, the basic plot closely follows "Pride and Prejudice," but I think there's enough, er, for lack of a better word, other stuff to keep things interesting.


When living in a house with five teenage girls, there are certain lessons that one must learn quickly. Number 1: Never run out of chocolate, ice cream, cookies, or cake. Number 2: Mood swings are normal. Don't try to understand them. It'll just give you a splitting headache. Number 3: If you think they're hiding something, the odds are good that they are. Number 4: Cherish every moment of privacy that you can get.

For Lizzie Bennet, the last rule was crucial for maintaining her sanity. While Lizzie normally didn't mind sharing a room with Jane, there were times when she couldn't wait for her sister to leave for college. Then, and only then, would she truly have a place to call her own.

Until that day came, Lizzie would have to turn to her first great love – the outdoors – for peace. Everyday, as soon as she got home from school, Lizzie would change into a comfortable pair of sweats and go jogging. Sometimes, she would be joined by a sister or two, but, most days, the other Bennets let her go alone. They too understood the need to break away from the pack.


"Lizzie! Lizzie!" Lynn's voice shouted through the bathroom door. "Aren't you done yet?"

"Obviously, she's not," Mary's dry tone echoed from down the hall. "So, would you stop your banging? If I was Lizzie, that would just spur me on."

"I'll be just another minute," Lizzie called, her teeth clenched with concentration. One bad move now and she wouldn't be able to wear a skirt to the dance.

"Liar! You said that ten minutes ago. You do realize that there are three other people who need to get ready, don't you?"

"Why don't you use the upstairs bathroom, if you're that desperate?" Lizzie asked, wincing as her razor slipped from her grasp. Hopping on one leg, she maneuvered over to the medicine cabinet.

"Jane's already in there!" Lynn pouted, kicking the door angrily. "Why do you two get to hog the bathrooms first?"

"Because we were smart enough to start getting ready early," Lizzie replied calmly as she dug around for a box of clear bandages. Unfortunately, the only one available was an old package of band-aids with cartoon faces on them. Shrugging, she popped one out of the box and onto her battle wound.

"Mother!" Lynn's voice screamed down the stairs. "Lizzie said that I'm stupid!"

"Elizabeth Bennet!"

Her mother's anguished cry was followed immediately by the sound of thundering footsteps on the stairs.

With a roll of her eyes and a sigh, Lizzie grabbed a basket off the windowsill and began throwing everything she still needed inside. Finally, with just seconds to spare, she swung the door open and smiled innocently at her mother and Lynn. "All yours, sis," she chirped before hobbling back down the hall.


The bedroom shared by Jane and Lizzie was, by far, the neatest room in the house. At first, that might not seem like much of a compliment when compared to the other rooms, especially the disaster zone that was Katie and Lynn's bedroom, but the girls considered it a tribute to Jane's fanatic cleanliness that there was hardly ever an item out of place.

If it weren't for Jane's kind temperament, she would have had a heart attack on the night of the dance. Upon returning from the bathroom, she discovered that a tornado had hit her room. Clothes, shoes, and various cosmetics were scattered everywhere. And, from the looks of it, the storm wasn't over yet.

"What have you done?" Jane shrieked, a hand clutching her left shoulder, as she stepped into the room. Her eyes surveyed the scene, growing wider with every passing moment. "Lizzie, what on earth happened here?"

"Ask them," Lizzie nodded in the direction of their closet.

"Girls?" Jane gingerly stepped over a pile of tank tops. "What's wrong?"

"We don't have anything to wear!" Lynn moaned, her head poking out of the closet.

"What happened to the skirts you bought today?"

"We can't wear those!" Katie cried, stamping her foot impatiently. "I was just talking to Harriet Forster online and she said she's wearing a black skirt!"

"So, naturally, they can't wear their new outfits," Lizzie commented dryly. "Heaven forbid there be more than one girl wearing black tonight."

"Mary said we can't borrow anything of hers," Lynn said, rushing over to the girls' mirror, a floral skirt in hand. "Not that we'd want to, but still.. What are sisters for if you can't share?"

"Hey!" Katie joined her at the mirror. "I wanted to wear that! You stole it from me!"

"Did not!" Lynn slipped the skirt on over her pajamas and spun around to get a better look at herself. "You put it down."

"Just while I looked at Jane's shoes!"

"This is cute, in a sort of retro way, don't you think?" Lynn twirled around a few times for her sisters' benefit.

"It would look better on me," Katie sniffed.

"Can I borrow it, Lizzie?" Lynn glanced at her sister's reflection in the mirror.

"You can have it," Lizzie said between brush strokes. Her hair was being even more stubborn than usual tonight. "I don't know why Mom got it for me. She knows I never wear that sort of thing."

"What am I going to wear then?" Katie moaned as Lynn scurried off towards their bedroom.

"How about this?" Jane suggested, holding up a light blue dress. "I think it would look great with your eyes."

"Definitely," Lizzie agreed.

"Really?" Katie beamed. "You don't think it would make them look too dull?"

"Not at all," Lizzie assured her. "They'll sparkle more than ever."

Katie, seemingly satisfied with this response, flashed a grin at each of her sisters before dashing back down the hallway. As soon as she had rounded the corner, Jane dropped onto her hands and knees and began picking up the mess.

"Let it be, Jane," Lizzie ordered lightly. "It'll still be there when we get home."

"I know, but it'll be bothering me all night if I leave it like this," Jane sighed.

"One of these days, I'm going to take you to a therapist about this obsession of yours," Lizzie said with a roll of her eyes. "But, I guess it won't hurt if I help you now."


"When do you think the girls will be ready?" Mrs. Bennet asked her husband, for the tenth time in as many minutes.

"Any second now, I'd guess," Mr. Bennet replied neutrally.

"I certainly hope so. At this rate, half the guests will be gone by the time they get there!"

"I don't know about that," Mr. Bennet's eyes twinkled. "Isn't it fashionable for young girls to be-"

"Oh, they're coming!" Mrs. Bennet leapt to her feet as the sounds of a stampede reached her ears. "Where's the camera?"

Without a word, Mr. Bingley handed over the object in question and joined his wife at the foot of the stairs. Moments later, the living room was filled with a cluster of giggling girls, their mother being the loudest of all.

"Oh, you all look wonderful!" Mrs. Bennet beamed as she circled her daughters. "Lynn – so grown up! I can hardly believe my eyes! And, Katie, that color's perfect for you! Lizzie, Jane, splendid choices, as usual! Though, Lizzie, dear, couldn't you have managed to tame your hair for once?"

"I tried, Mom," Lizzie reached instinctively for one of her curls. "I think this is the best it'll ever look."

"I don't know about that," Mrs. Bennet frowned slightly. "We'll try something different next-" Her voice cut off as her eyes landed on her middle child. "Mary, what are you doing? Your sisters are ready to leave!"

"So am I, Mom," Mary nodded briskly.

"In that?" Mrs. Bennet gasped, a hand flying to her chest. "Oh, Mary, why do you torment me so? Can't you wear something with a bit more color? And, a more stylish cut wouldn't hurt anything!"

"I think Mary looks nice," Jane politely said.

"As do I," Mr. Bennet agreed. "I'm glad to see one of my daughters knows how to dress sensibly."

"Oh, hush," Mrs. Bennet shoved her husband's shoulder. "Now, come on, Mary. There has to be something you can borr-"

"No time for that, Mom!" Lynn cut in impatiently. "If we wait for Mary to look fashionable, we'll be here all night."

"Oh-"

With a toss of her head, Lynn strode straight for the door. "Aren't you coming?"

After muttering their good-byes, the other girls hurried after her.


The dance was being held in a large gymnasium at the local community center and, as such, was not the most formal event of the year. Due to the sponsors' limited funds, as well as a general lack of interest from the planning committee, the decorations were anything but spectacular. A few rolls of streamers had been tossed haphazardly around the room, a couple dozen balloons hovered around near the ceiling, and four snack tables (bearing sugary punch and cookies) were situated in each corner.

There were also several rows of plastic chairs lined up along the border of the dance floor. Mary Bennet seized one for herself as soon as she arrived, thereby silently agreeing to guard her sisters' purses for the rest of the night.

Despite the pathetic decorations, the majority of the students were in a good mood. The music, while too upbeat for many of their tastes, was being played loudly enough to scare their chaperones away from the dance floor. The youngest Bennet sisters quickly took advantage of this opportunity and were neither seen nor heard from until it was time to go.

In their rush to leave the house, Jane and Lizzie hadn't had time to eat dinner, so their first task that evening was to find a snack. While cookies and punch didn't exactly form an ideal meal, it was better than not eating anything at all.

"Lizzie! Jane!" Charlotte Lucas's voice called out from behind them. "Where have you two been? I've been looking everywhere! I saw Katie and she said you were heading that way-" She nodded to their left. "But, you weren't there and.. Well, that doesn't matter. I found you!"

"I'm glad you did," Lizzie smiled at her friend. "Are you having a good time so far?"

"I am," Charlotte nodded excitedly. "Come on, I want to show you something."

With their cups in hand, Lizzie and Jane darted through the crowd, following Charlotte as closely as possible.

"There, he is." Charlotte came to such an abrupt stop that the Bennets barely had enough time to slow down.

"Who?" Lizzie peered over her friend's shoulder.

"Charlie Bingley," Charlotte nodded at a boy lingering near the dance floor. "He's an old friend of my family's. Mom said to keep an eye out for him tonight."

"Oh," Lizzie nodded. "Have you spoken to him?"

"Of course not!" Charlotte gasped. "I couldn't.. I mean, we used to play together when we were really little, but I haven't seen him in ten years – at least!"

"Is that why you were looking for us?" Lizzie realized. "So, you wouldn't have to go over alone?"

"Well, while you're here.." Charlotte smiled sheepishly. Upon receiving smiles in return, she slowly led the way over to her old friend. "Charlie! Charlie Bingley, is that you?"

The boy spun around at the sound of his name. His eyes appraised the trio for a moment before his mouth twisted into a grin. "I see you have an unfair advantage. You know my name and I don't know yours."

"It's Charlotte, Charlotte Lucas," she said quickly, her cheeks growing darker. "We used to-"

"Oh, of course!" Charlie's hand reached up to slap his forehead. "My mother said to look around for you." His eyes moved past Charlotte for a moment to study the Bennets. "She didn't mention that your sisters would be here though."

"My-" Charlotte started, but stopped with a shake of her head. "Oh, no, they're too young still. These are my friends, Jane and Lizzie Bennet."

The Bennets nodded in turn, one more eagerly than the other.

"I hear you're at Longbourn now," Charlie said amicably.

"And, you're at Pemberley," Charlotte nodded. "How is it there?"

"Let me be the first to assure you that everything you've heard is a hundred percent true," Charlie replied with a grin.

"Everything?" Jane spoke up with alarm. "I mean, there have been so many rumors and.." She looked uncertainly towards Lizzie.

"We hear about it all of the time," Lizzie filled in. "Two of ours sisters have a mild obsession with Pemberley."

"Really?" Charlie's eyes widened slightly. "I can't say I've heard anything like that before."

"Well, if you stick around us long enough, you're bound to," Lizzie joked. "Katie and Lynn would be happy to tell you all about their interest. In great detail."

"I might take you up on that some time," Charlie smiled, his eyes flickering ever so briefly towards Jane. "But, for now, you'll have to excuse me. A friend of mine has just arrived and I think I better go grab him before he decides my inattention is a reason for him to leave."

"He seems nice," Jane said softly as soon Charlie was out of earshot.

"Not at all like your typical Pemberley snob," Lizzie agreed.

"At least, I can tell Mom I spoke to him," Charlotte stated bluntly.

Lizzie's head turned to survey her friend for a moment before speaking. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's nothing," Charlotte said with a shake of her head "Jane, would you mind tossing my cup out?"

"What?" Jane asked, blinking uncertainly for a moment. "Oh, er, sure." She held out her hand to accept the other girl's trash before hurrying across the room to the trashcan.

"There," Charlotte smiled slightly. "I've done my good deed of the day." Based on Lizzie's confused expression, she decided it would be best if she explained herself. "Jane obviously liked Charlie. And, he her. One of us should be allowed to dance tonight." Her eyes lingered on Jane's back as Charlie approached her. "Besides, they'll make such a cute couple. All sweetness and good looks."

"Charlotte-" Lizzie started.

"Don't bother," Charlotte shrugged. "I know that I can't compare with a girl like Jane. I know what I look like, I know my personality isn't as pleasing as some boys would like. And, really, I'd rather Jane have him than some Pemberley tramp."

"If you liked him-" Lizzie began.

"I didn't, not really, not in that way, I think," Charlotte sighed. "I mean.. Well, you're my best friend, you know what I mean."

"I do, I think," Lizzie nodded.

"Good," Charlotte laughed. "At least, one of us does."

The girls continued their stroll around the dance floor in a thoughtful silence. From time to time, Lizzie would speak up with an observation about the decorations or the music, but she was always greeted with silence. Finally, to the relief of both, they reached the exit.

"I think I'm going to call it a night," Charlotte decided.

"Oh, Char," Lizzie gave her friend a small hug. "Are you ok?"

"I will be," Charlotte assured her. "I just need sleep."

"Want me to go with you? We can stay up and watch girlie movies."

"Nah, you stay," Charlotte smiled weakly. "Go keep Mary company. No one should sit around reading on a Saturday night."

After a quick good-bye and a promise to call the following day, Lizzie parted ways with Charlotte and set out to find her sister. It turned out to be an incredibly easy task because Mary was in the same spot as before.

"Hey, Mary," Lizzie greeted, taking a seat next to her sister.

Without a word, Mary automatically held up Lizzie's purse and flipped another page in her book.

"Thanks," Lizzie smiled slightly. "But, I actually came over to chat and-" Biting her lip, Lizzie stood back up. "Right, well, I'll just let you be. I guess it's a good book, then?"

Mary simply nodded and, so, Lizzie decided to do another lap around the room.

A half hour later, her legs were beginning to get tired, so she took a seat by one of the refreshment tables. She had just sat down when she spotted Charlie wandering in her direction with a friend in tow. Lizzie had never been one for eavesdropping. She had always felt that it was an invasion of privacy, but she was willing to forget that tonight. If she could find out something to help Jane, then it would be worth it.

"Why are you being such a prat?" Charlie asked his friend. "Just because this isn't your idea of a good time, it doesn't mean you have to make me feel bad about it."

"I wasn't trying to make you feel bad."

"Well, stop moping about then," Charlie smacked his friend's arm. "Really, Will, there are loads of pretty girls here. Why don't you dance with one of them?"

Will turned around to face his friend for a moment, a befuddled expression on his face. "I don't dance."

"Oh, come on, it's easy!"

"Do I have to make it any clearer?"

"Come on," Charlie glanced around the room for a moment. "I'm sure we can find a girl that'll change your mind. Jane has a sister who's pretty cute. Why don't you ask her?"

"Is she the one you were talking to when I arrived?"

"Yeah," Charlie grinned. "You remember her then?"

"How could I forget? That hair will haunt my nightmares for months."

"Her hair?" Charlie's forehead furrowed with confusion. "What about it?"

"I don't think I've ever seen anything so disorderly." Will's head shook in disgust.

"I thought it was refreshing," Charlie disagreed. "So many girls go to great lengths to straighten theirs. It takes all of the life out of it."

"It wasn't just her hair," Will continued. "She was wearing a band-aid with Muppets on her ankle. Anyone who would do that can't be worth my time."

"Don't you think you're being a little harsh? You've never met the girl!"

"Does it matter?" Will shrugged. "I know her type."

"Her type?" Charlie chuckled. "I don't know what you're going on about. Lizzie seemed like a perfectly sweet girl. One dance won't kill you."

"Not physically, no," Will relented. "But, I told you, I don't dance. End of story."

"Fine," Charlie's hands flew up in surrender. "Go over there and mope, then. I don't feel like looking at your long face while Jane and I are tearing up the dance floor."

By the time the boys had parted ways, there were fingernail marks on both of Lizzie's arms. It took her nearly a minute before she could force herself to stop hugging her chest. With as much dignity as she could manage, Lizzie stood back up and started back towards Mary's location. Maybe, if she was feeling nice, Mary would be able to part with one of her spare books.

Knowing her luck though, Lizzie wasn't counting on it.


Weekend days always started late for the Bennet girls and the morning after the dance wasn't an exception. Mary was the first one up at just past eleven. Shortly afterwards, she was joined at the breakfast by Jane and Lizzie. As for Katie and Lynn, they weren't heard from until well past one.

"Wasn't last night wonderful?" Jane sighed happily as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.

"For you, yes," Lizzie smiled wryly at her sister.

"Oh, Lizzie," Jane's hand landed gently on top of her sister's. "You're not still upset about what that boy said, are you?"

"I wasn't upset," Lizzie sniffed indignantly.

"Well, I would be," Jane said sympathetically. "I'd be in tears. How anyone can be so cruel is beyond me!"

"That's because you're you, Jane," Lizzie couldn't help smiling at her sister's naivety.

"I'll have to ask Charlie about it when he calls," Jane decided. "There must've been a mix-up. I don't see how anyone as sweet and kind as Charlie can be friends with such a.. a.."

"Jerk," Lizzie suggested.

Jane nodded sheepishly.

"I'd love to hear what kind of mix-up you think could've taken place," Lizzie said.

"Well, I don't know," Jane blushed furiously.

"It's ok, Jane," Lizzie leaned back slightly in her seat. "I know that there will always be people who don't like me. I just thought it was ridiculous for someone to dislike me because of my hair."

"And, your band-aid," Mary glanced up from her book long enough to remind her sister.

"Right," Lizzie nodded. "It's laughable. I've heard that the students at Pemberley have snobbish tendencies, but this is insane."

The girls would have continued on in this manner if it hadn't been for their mother's entrance at that moment. Despite the fact that she had already talked, in great length, to the girls about the dance, Mrs. Bennet was eager to hear if any details had slipped their minds the night before. After hearing that there really wasn't much else to say about it, she insisted on hearing their stories again. And, so, the rest of the morning went by in flash of cries of delight (for Jane) and despair (for Lizzie).


After breakfast, Jane and Lizzie went back upstairs to change. It was one of their favorite rituals. Every Sunday, the sisters would go for a walk together before starting on their homework. Normally, their walks only led them around the neighborhood a few times. Today was different though. Jane was in need of a chance to think without her mother or sisters begging for details about Charlie and Lizzie was in need of a chance to blow off some steam.

"Was that a raindrop?" Jane asked suddenly.

Lizzie started slightly at her sister's voice. She had been enjoying the peace. It was nice to get lost in her thoughts sometimes. "What?"

"Oh, no," Jane stared up at the sky. "Was it like that when we left?"

Lizzie's eyes fluttered up to the masses of gray. "I don't-" Her voice cut off as a roar of thunder exploded above their heads. "Run!"

Grabbing Jane's arm, Lizzie set off down the hill at full speed. They were halfway down when the clouds opened up.

"We need to find shelter!" Lizzie's eyes darted around frantically.

"There's a tree over there," Jane nodded to their left.

"A tree?" Lizzie stared at her sister in astonishment. "That's the last place we should go now."

"Where are we anyway?" Jane's eyes widened as she glanced around at their surroundings.

Lizzie felt a lump form in her throat as she turned on Jane. "Where are we? Don't you know?"

"No! I thought you were leading the way."

"You thought.." Lizzie's head shook sadly. "Come on, there has to be a store somewhere nearby. We can wait out the storm th-"

Lizzie's voice was cut off suddenly as a limousine pulled up next to them. Instinctively, the girls moved closer together when a window in the back rolled down.

"Jane, Lizzie!" The voice of Charlie Bingley floated through the tinted window. "What brings you here?"

"Charlie?" Jane stepped forward cautiously, her shoulders shaking with a mixture of cold and fright. "Is that you?"

"You're shivering!" The door flew open as Charlie stepped out. "Get in, you can come to my house until the rain's let up some."

Jane automatically climbed inside, but Lizzie was a little more reluctant. Charlie seemed like a nice guy, but she would rather be safe than sorry.

"What's your address?" She asked. "I should call our mother and have her pick us up there."

"My driver can take you home later," Charlie offered.

"Don't be silly," Lizzie said good-naturedly. "We would hate to impose on you any more than necessary."

"Well, all right," Charlie relented, handing over a small card.

Lizzie studied the card for a moment before glancing up at him. She couldn't begin to imagine why a seventeen year old boy would need a business card, but it did help her feel better about the situation. Before climbing into the limo, Lizzie pulled out her cell phone and dialed home though. Charlie wouldn't dare do anything with their mother listening.

"Lizzie, dear, I don't see how I can possibly leave here before five, at the earliest," Mrs. Bennet said after being filled in on the dilemma.

"I can go get them now," Mr. Bennet's voice said in the background.

"Oh, hush," Mrs. Bennet hissed at her husband. "Why don't you ask Charlie if you can stay for dinner? I'm sure I'll have a moment to spare after that."

"Mom!" Lizzie whispered, turning her face away from the others. "I can't do that!"

"Well, I don't see why not," Mrs. Bennet sounded highly affronted. "Surely, they have enough food to spare."

"It's not that and you know it," Lizzie sighed. "Look, one way or another, Jane and I are leaving there when the storm's over. We'd prefer it if you got us, so we won't be home sick with colds all week. But, if you won't, then I guess I'll just have to miss my Calculus quiz tomorrow."

"Hmm," Mrs. Bennet considered her options for a moment. "You know, if I ask Lynn or Katie to start on dinner for me, I might be able to leave here by four."

"We'll expect you by half past then," Lizzie said before snapping her phone shut. "Why did we stop?" She glanced around in surprise, her alarm only growing when she saw Jane's expression.

"We're picking up my friend, Will," Charlie explained.

"What?" Lizzie coughed as the door flew open.

"Can you believe this rain?" Will asked as he poked his head inside, his eyes widening as he saw the car's occupants.

"Will, these are the girls I was raving about last night," Charlie grinned at his friend. "Allow me to introduce Jane and Lizzie Bennet."

"If this is a bad time, we can work on the project tomorrow," Will suggested.

"Oh, no, you don't," Charlie tried to pull his friend inside. "That's what you said last week. It's due on Wednesday, you know."

"Why don't you give me a call when your guests have gone?" Will tried again.

"I think I speak for the girls when I say we'd be highly insulted if you duck out now," Charlie said. "You know what they say, two's company, three's a crowd, four's a party."

Will studied his hands for a moment before sliding in next to Lizzie.

"Good boy," Charlie reached over to punch his friend's arm. "Caroline would've been so disappointed if you hadn't shown. She spent hours getting dressed today."

"Who's Caroline?" Jane wondered.

"My sister," Charlie said with a chuckle. "She's madly in love with Will. But, don't tell her that. She still thinks it's a secret."

Lizzie's eyes instinctively shifted to Will as she took in this bit of information. It brought her some pleasure to see that he looked more than a little uncomfortable.

"So, tell me," Lizzie spoke up, her eyes still on Will. "Does Caroline have straight hair? I hear it's a fashionable look for girls this year."

"Wh-what makes you ask that?" Charlie sputtered, his eyes also landing on Will.

"I-" Lizzie started, but stopped as Jane's pleading glance hit her. "If she spends that much time getting ready, then she must pay some attention to what's in style."

"Ah," Charlie nodded with relief. "Yes, you read her correctly. Her hair's as straight as can be."

"I can't believe this rain," Jane commented softly. "Do you think a hurricane's coming our way?"

As the conversation shifted to the weather and other topics of interest, both Lizzie and Will fell silent. For one, the silence was out of triumph. For the other, it was out of wonder.


Next time on Longbourn High:

The Bennet sisters meet a new transfer student named George Wickham.