Longbourn High – Chapter 4

Author's Notes:

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed! This chapter took awhile to write (at least, in comparison to the others), but I think you'll see why. It's the longest yet!

I should also note that from this point on, the plot of this story will be slightly different from the novel's. Mainly, the changes will just effect the order of events and will change around a few of the minor characters. I just thought I'd let everyone know!

There were a few questions/comments this time, so I'll address those now.

As far as Wickham's expulsion goes, there's a reason why his story was a little fishy. I'm sticking to the novel's basic plot, so you should be able to guess what that reason is.

There's nothing wrong with the names Kitty and Lydia. I like both names well enough, but I've been going through and changing the original names into more modern ones, as I see fit. I've never met a Kitty or a Lydia, so it made sense to change them.

I wasn't trying to make Mr. Bennet overly "boyphobic." It just sort of came out that way at points. Also, some of it was supposed to be just the girls' opinions of their father. They think he worries more than he really does.

Anyway, reviews are great, so keep them coming!


On Thursday afternoons, Lizzie Bennet volunteered her services as a tutor at the Netherfield Center. She had started working there the previous year after being asked by her favorite teacher, Mrs. Gardiner. At first, she hadn't expected to like the job. In her mind, it was just another activity to fill her time and to put on her college applications someday. It didn't take long for Lizzie to grow to love it there though. Thanks to her position as the second oldest, she'd always been a natural with children.

After a year at the center, Lizzie had been promoted from an assistant to the leader of Netherfield's English program. Lizzie had been surprised, but flattered, when Mrs. Gardiner had offered her the job. There were thirty-five students in the English group, ages ranging from six to fourteen, and ten volunteers, from all three schools in the area. It was the largest section. Some of the other girls would have killed to be in charge of it, a fact that Lizzie realized every time.

Despite the occasional hostility from the other volunteers, Lizzie always looked forward to Thursdays. It was nice to give something back to the community and the kids really were a joy to be around.

One day in October, Lizzie stayed behind to clean up after the other volunteers had left. This wasn't anything unusual. As the boss, she felt it was her duty to make sure everything was back in its place before heading home.

After gathering up the remaining pencils and pieces of trash, Lizzie made her way back to the main room. There were still a few children waiting around for their rides, as well as a cluster of volunteers from the other groups. Lizzie was surprised to find Anna, a fourteen year old student from Pemberley, sitting alone by the window. It wasn't Anna's solitude that surprised Lizzie. Of all the kids in her program, Anna was the only one who was consistently quiet and well-behaved. That alone was enough to make her one of Lizzie's favorites.

"Hey Anna," Lizzie greeted, taking a seat next to the girl. "You're here late today."

"My brother must be running behind schedule," Anna explained with a shrug.

"Do you want to call him?" Lizzie offered her cell phone.

"I don't want to be a pain," Anna said softly. "He'll be here when he can."

"It looks like it's raining," Lizzie squinted at the foggy window. "Traffic's probably a nightmare."

"Probably," Anna agreed. "I hope he's here soon. I'm going to miss my piano lesson, if he's not."

"You play the piano?" Lizzie sat up a little straighter. "I do too. I'm not very good at it though."

"Me neither," Anna giggled, her hand covering her mouth. "I'm getting better though."

"There's a piano in the other room," Lizzie nodded to her right. "You should play for us. Something cheerful, so we can forget about this gloomy weather."

"I couldn't play here!" Anna gasped. "There are too many people around. I'd be so embarrassed if I made a mistake."

Lizzie considered her response for a moment before standing up. "I think I'll have a go at it. I really should practice more often."

Just as she had hoped, Anna was right on Lizzie's heels by the time she reached the instrument. Taking a seat on the bench, Lizzie flipped through the book until she found a piece she was familiar with. After asking Anna to turn the pages for her, Lizzie let her fingers go to work. It had been awhile since she'd played, but the notes seemed to come naturally. Before long, Lizzie stopped worrying about the pace of the song or whether the piano needed tuning and allowed her thoughts to disappear.

It wasn't until she felt a hand on her shoulder that she realized just how far her mind had wandered. Glancing up, she saw that the hand in question belonged to Anna.

"Sorry," Anna apologized lightly. "It's just, my brother's here."

Lizzie followed her gaze to the doorway where, to Lizzie's great surprise, Will Darcy was standing.

"Will," Anna said, hurrying over to her brother's side. "This is Lizzie Bennet."

There was something in Anna's eyes that made Lizzie wonder just what the other girl had been telling her brother about the program and, more specifically, herself. That look, combined with the one Will was now giving her, was enough to make Lizzie feel uncomfortable, though not in a terribly unpleasant way.

"We've met," Will said. "She's Jane's sister."

"Oh, is she?" Anna's eyes darted from Will to Lizzie. "Are you?"

"I am," Lizzie said with a faint smile. "Jane's my older sister. Do you know her?"

"I met her at Charlie's last weekend," Anna explained.

"It's a small world," Lizzie commented wryly. She couldn't believe she hadn't put the math together. Of course, Anna was Will's sister. How many Darcys were there in town?

"Are you ready?" Anna asked, her attention turning back to her brother.

"If you are," Will replied.

"I-" Anna started, but stopped as a hand flew up the side of her face. "I forgot my songbook. Hang on, one sec!"

Lizzie's mouth opened slightly as Anna left, but the words wouldn't come out. So, instead of giving in to the awkward silence, she made a show of closing the piano's songbook and dusting off the keys with her hand. She could feel Will's gaze on her, but she refused to let him know she'd noticed. Only when Anna's footsteps could be heard, did she turn around again.

"Ok, let's go," Anna pulled on her brother's arm as she started for the exit. "Bye, Lizzie! See you next week!"

Lizzie said her goodbyes and waved as the siblings departed. Despite the awkwardness of the encounter, Lizzie couldn't help but feel proud of herself for surviving it.


The following Thursday brought two more surprises for Lizzie. After class, Mrs. Gardiner had pulled Lizzie aside to tell her that the center was expecting two new volunteers that day and that both had specifically requested to be placed in the English program. At the time, Lizzie hadn't thought much of it. There were always new volunteers at the center, afterall.

Caroline Bingley and Will Darcy weren't just any new volunteers though.

Lizzie couldn't help feeling a little flustered as she showed the newcomers around the center. Her feelings concerning Will were so negative that it took all of her energy not to tell him off on George's behalf. As for Caroline, her opinion of the other girl wasn't much better. In the few short hours she'd spent in Caroline's company, Lizzie had come to believe that the girl was snobby, vain, and even sillier than Katie and Lynn combined.

Thanks to his sister, Will already knew a lot about the procedures, but he was still a very attentive listener. Caroline, on the other hand, couldn't have cared less about the center or her tasks there, but she still strived to appear as interested as Will.

"And, here we are again, back at the English room," Lizzie directed as she led the trio inside. "Today, the younger kids are making sock puppets based on their favorite fairy tales while the older ones are getting homework help."

"I'll work with the older ones," Caroline decided automatically. The very idea of getting glue on her uniform was a disturbing one. Her eyes instinctively traveled to Will as she waited for him to follow her lead.

"If you're working with the homework crowd, Jack can help set you up," Lizzie nodded at a boy chatting to a couple of volunteers across the room. With this said, she nodded in parting and returned to her spot at the six year old table.

Less than a minute later, the shadow of Will Darcy fell over her form. "Where do you need me?" He asked.

"The tutors work on that side," she said slowly.

"I'd rather do this, if there's room."

Lizzie turned to face him for a moment. "It's a little messy here."

"I think I'll live if I get glitter on my blazer," Will smirked slightly.

"Fine," Lizzie shrugged. "You can work with that table."

Will followed her gaze before nodding and heading over to his post.

Sighing, Lizzie closed her eyes for a moment before facing her table again. Even if she did hate breathing the same air as someone, that was no reason to depress a group of first graders.


"Liz? Lizzie?" Jane's shouts echoed up the stairs to their room. "Are you up there?"

"What?" Lizzie asked as she wandered onto the landing overlooking her sister.

"Do you have a sec?" Jane asked anxiously.

Lizzie studied her sister's expression for a moment before nodding silently. Lizzie followed Jane's frantic steps out onto the porch. It was a cool evening, but Lizzie tried not to let the cold bother her. Jane obviously had something urgent to report.

"I think Charlie wants to break up," Jane blurted out once they were clear of the house.

"What?" Lizzie gasped.

"I.. He hasn't called me. In three days!" Jane sunk onto the ground, her head in her hands. "Oh, Lizzie, I'm such an idiot."

"No, you're not," Lizzie sat down next to her sister. "And, what would make you think Charlie's over you? Three days – that's nothing as far as guys are concerned."

"He used to call me every night," Jane sniffed. "And, text me during class. And, I saw him practically everyday. Now.. Nothing."

"It's been over a month," Lizzie reminded her. "It's normal for things to calm down a bit at this point, isn't it?"

"I guess," Jane sighed. "I just wish he'd call me, so I could stop fretting."

"Why don't you call him?" Lizzie suggested.

"I tried. Twice. His sister said he was out, then I got the answering machine."

"I'm sure it's nothing," Lizzie patted her sister's shoulder. "Charlie's crazy about you. Anyone can see that."

"I guess," Jane sighed, though her eyes brightened a bit. "So, enough of my problems. What's going on with you and George? He hasn't called lately."

"That's because there's nothing going on there," Lizzie said. "George is more of a friend than a boyfriend."

"So, are the rumors true, then?" Jane wondered. "I heard he was dating a girl he knew at Pemberley, but I didn't want to believe it."

"It's true," Lizzie told her. "He talked to me about it on Monday. She's an old friend of his. They just hooked up last weekend."

"I'm sorry, Liz."

"Please," Lizzie waved her hand dismissively. "I don't care. I have enough to worry about now without throwing a boyfriend into the mix. Besides, George.. It just wasn't what I wanted."

"So, this is a good thing?"

"Definitely."

Jane smiled in response and the girls went back inside for dinner.


The noise level at the Bennets' house was nearly twice as high as usual on the night before Halloween. Katie's and Lynn's voices, especially, could be heard from every point in the house.

"Has anyone seen my blue mascara?"

"Does this skirt make me look like a pink sausage?"

"I hate my thighs!"

"I hate my hair!"

"This costume's lame. I'm starting over."

"But, then we won't be matching."

"My point, exactly."

It was Katie's frustrated scream that finally made Lizzie decide to close the door to her bedroom. She knew that wouldn't stop them from coming and going as they pleased, but it would drown out some of the noise.

"How do I look, honestly?" Jane asked as she returned from the bathroom. Her costume was relatively simple. She was wearing a black turtleneck and sweatpants with a fuzzy black tail attached. Her hair was piled on top of her head in two sections, to resemble a cat's ears.

"It needs something," Lizzie suggested. "Whiskers should do the trick."

Jane sorted through their junk drawer until she found a black marker. She lifted it up to her face and began to draw. "I love your costume, by the way."

"Thanks," Lizzie grinned as she stood up and spun around. The gypsy ensemble was one of her better ideas. She had already owned the blouse, skirt, and jewelry. Jane had lent her the sandals and Charlotte had given her a scarf as a surprise gift. "This will keep your hair under control, if you tie it correctly," Charlotte had instructed.

Lizzie padded across the room and joined Jane at the mirror just as the doorbell rang below them. Judging from their mother's excited squeals, the girls decided it was best to stay put as long as possible. Unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be very long at all.

"Jane! Lizzie!" Lynn's voice sounded from the hallway mere moments before the youngest Bennet soared into the room. "Mother wants us downstairs." She froze in mid-stride to face Lizzie. "She seemed particularly interested in seeing you, Liz. Don't know why, but I'd worry, if it was me."

Silently, the three girls crept down the stairs and into the living room. Mary and Katie were sitting together in the far corner of the room, their arms crossed firmly over their chests. This was not unusual for Mary, but Lizzie had to wonder about Katie's mood. Both of their parents were also there, standing by the fireplace with two men. Lizzie recognized one of the guests from the annual family day at Mr. Bennet's work, but she couldn't place where she'd seen the younger man.

Before she had much time to worry, though, Mrs. Bennet noticed their arrival. "Girls, girls! Come here! Don't be shy!" She turned to their guests, laughter twinkling in her eyes. "These are our other daughters – Jane and Elizabeth."

Lynn gave her sisters a triumphant glance before hurrying over to the couch. She was far too amused, Lizzie thought, and there didn't seem to be a cause, as far as she could see.

"Girls," Mrs. Bennet continued. "This is Fred Collins, from your father's firm, and his son, Bill. Bill goes to Norland. He's on the honor roll there. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Absolutely," Jane and Lizzie said together. Their eyes darted down to their feet instinctively. One glance at the other and they'd both lose it.

"I was just telling Bill about your party," Mrs. Bennet said.

"Oh?" Jane glanced up slowly.

"It would be my honor to escort you," Bill spoke up, his eyes moving from Jane to Lizzie and back again.

"That's very kind of you," Jane said, her elbow subtly nudging Lizzie.

"We don't really need an escort, though," Lizzie said softly. "It's in a very safe neighborhood."

"And, we'd hate to keep you from your plans," Jane finished.

"But, he doesn't have any plans!" Mrs. Bennet persisted. "If he doesn't go with you, he'll be stuck here all night, listening to us old people go on about the weather and other fascinating subjects."

"Well, Charlie won't mind if we bring one more guest, I suppose," Jane relented.

"Charlie?" Bill's eyes bulged slightly.

"My boyfriend," Jane explained.

"Ah, yes, of course," Bill nodded. His eyes turned towards the floor for a moment before glancing up at Lizzie. "Elizabeth, do you have a boyfriend as well?"

Lizzie bit her lip as she considered her options. Something about the boy's stare made her think it might be worth it to lie, just this once. But, with her mother breathing down her neck, she didn't expect to get away with it. "No, no, I don't," she finally said.

"Then, you must promise me a dance," Bill's eyes brightened considerably.

"I don't see how I could say no," Lizzie's eyes locked with her mother's.

"Enough of this," Mrs. Bennet nearly shrieked. "Don't let us hold you back. You better go before you miss the party!"

After saying their goodbyes and receiving the latest curfew information (an hour later than usual tonight, for the special occasion), the girls and Bill headed outside. Since the sisters' car could only seat five people, it was decided that Bill would follow in his car.

"Come on, Elizabeth," Bill took her arm as they started down the driveway. "You must go with me, in case I get lost."

Lizzie glanced over her shoulder briefly, her eyes lingering on her sisters. Katie was the nearest one, so she grabbed onto her. "Katie, why don't you come with us?" Lizzie asked lightly, despite her pleading stare.

Whether it was out of sympathy for her sister's plight or out of anger towards Lynn, Lizzie wasn't sure, but Katie merely shrugged at the suggestion and climbed into Bill's backseat.

Bill looked mildly disappointed by this, but, to Lizzie's relief, didn't protest. "May I just say that your costumes are both brilliant?" He asked as they pulled out onto the street.

"Thank you," the sisters said in unison.

"I would've looked better in Lynn's though," Katie added.

"Is that what this is about?" Lizzie turned slightly to face her sister.

"We had everything planned!" Katie moaned. "We were going as Barbie and Skipper. She was going to be Barbie. I thought that was unfair. I mean, I am older! But, I went along with it since she's taller. Then, she had the nerve to change her mind tonight."

"I think you're costume's perfect," Bill spoke up. "Angels are such magnificent beings. They-"

"I look better in red though!" Katie interrupted. "Why couldn't I have been the devil?"

"Oh, you wouldn't want to be that," Bill sounded horrified by the very idea. "What a sin! Could you imagine?" He paused for a moment as he considered the situation. "Is that what your sister was dressed as? I thought she was a ballerina."

"A red ballerina," Katie smirked. "With fishnet stockings and horns."

"Well, I did wonder about it," Bill confessed. "But, I could hardly imagine that your parents, being such respectable people, would allow their daughter to go out dressed as Satan."

"I don't think they thought about it that way," Lizzie said delicately. "It's just a costume and a relatively conservative one, at that. Lynn's worn worse outfits to school."

"I didn't mean it was revealing," Bill commented, his voice growing more flustered with each word. "Though, it was that. I've always felt that shorts should fall below the knees."

"Then, they wouldn't be shorts," Katie said with a roll of her eyes. "God, he's worse than Mary!"

"Mary," Bill repeated. "That was your other sister, yes?"

"She was the one in normal clothes," Lizzie replied.

"Mary thinks it's immature to wear a costume," Katie scoffed. "I think it's just because she isn't creative enough to come up with anything."

"You take a left up there," Lizzie directed a few minutes later. "It's the second house on the right."

The trio remained silent until Bill had successfully found and pulled into a parking spot. The others were already inside when they arrived, so Lizzie led the way. Caroline Bingley was lingering by the door, greeting the guests, so Lizzie was forced to exchange a few pleasantries with her before being dragged to the dance floor by Bill.

The first dance was a fast one, which proved to be fairly painless. Lizzie had never cared much for dancing, but anything she did looked graceful in comparison to Bill's moves. He had obviously watched enough MTV to have some idea of what to do, but his body didn't want to cooperate.

A slow, romantic ballad was next on the playlist. Lizzie tried to excuse herself, but Bill stammered so much that she felt obligated to stay a bit longer. Five dances later, she wasn't lying when she told Bill that she needed to rest her feet for a few minutes.

Charlotte Lucas was sitting near the dance floor as Lizzie abandoned it. Judging from the pile of napkins in her lap and the expression in her eyes, it was obvious that she had been there awhile.

"Who was that?" Charlotte asked as soon as Lizzie had sat down.

"The son of a friend of my father's," Lizzie explained, lifting her feet up slightly. "Remind me never to borrow shoes from Jane again. Her feet are tiny!"

"So, are you two going out?" Charlotte asked anxiously. "The boy, I mean. Not Jane."

"No, no, definitely not," Lizzie stammered, her eyes landing on the spot Bill was still occupying. 'Music moves me in a way that nothing, besides the Almighty, can,' he had told her. Lizzie guessed that meant he didn't mind dancing alone.

"You're lucky, you know," Charlotte said quietly. "You have enough boys in your life that you can afford to get rid of one or two."

"True," Lizzie agreed. "But, I still haven't found one worth keeping." Lizzie leaned back slightly in her seat as she scanned the crowd. "Oh, goodness."

"What?" Charlotte looked more than a little startled by her friend's moan.

"Why is he staring at me?" Lizzie turned her head suddenly.

"Who?"

"Don't look!"

"I can't tell you anything, if I don't look!"

"Will Darcy," Lizzie hissed. "He's staring at me. It's bad enough that he does that at the center, but does he have to do it here?"

"He stares at you at the center?"

"Sometimes," Lizzie said with a brief glance over her shoulder. "It must be my 'unruly hair.' He probably wants to sic his hairdresser on me."

"Or, maybe, he wants to do it himself. He's coming this way."

Lizzie had just enough time to collect herself before Will was standing in front of her. "Hello, Will," she greeted politely.

"Hello, Lizzie." His tone was equally polite. "How are you tonight?"

"I'm fine," Lizzie forced a small smile onto her face. "And, yourself?"

"Fine, good even."

Lizzie exchanged a brief look with Charlotte. If she didn't know better, she would've thought Will almost sounded awkward.

"I was wondering if you'd like to dance," he continued.

Lizzie would have sat there blinking for an hour, if Charlotte hadn't discreetly sent an elbow into her ribs. "Maybe, later," she decided. "My feet are pretty sore now."

"Ten minutes, then?"

"Sure," Lizzie agreed before she realized what she was agreeing to.

"Great," Will said before darting back through the crowd.

"Why couldn't I have just said 'no'?" Lizzie shook her head slowly. "Of all the.. Don't look at me like that, Char. If I could bottle my ability to attract the worst sort of boys, I'd give it to you."

"Now, you're just exaggerating," Charlotte pointed an accusatory finger. "George wasn't bad, was he?"

"No, but he wasn't really attracted to me either," Lizzie shrugged. "But, then, neither is Will, I suppose. Charlie probably talked him into this."

"You should be flattered," Charlotte told her. "I've been here all night and he only danced once when Caroline Bingley forced him."

"I feel so honored," Lizzie said sarcastically. "Hey, have you seen George? I thought he was going to be here."

"I don't think he is. I heard Denny and some of the guys talking earlier. They said there was someone he was afraid of running into."

Lizzie shook her head in annoyance. "Poor George. He must've decided it wasn't worth the risk of bumping into Will."

"I-" Charlotte started, but found herself cut off as her friend spotted something that made her freeze.

"Can you do me a favor, Char?" Lizzie asked quickly, her eyes following Bill's path as he wove through the crowd towards them. "Keep him busy for awhile, ok? I don't think my feet will forgive me if I let him trample on them again."

Charlotte considered her plea for a moment before nodding and hurrying over to cut Bill off. Lizzie watched as the pair chatted briefly and, to her relief, went back to the dance floor. Lizzie made a mental note to buy her friend an ice cream on Monday.

Five minutes later, Lizzie began to wish she hadn't been so quick to send Charlotte away. She could have used her friend's assistance to get rid of Will as he made his way over. Unfortunately, Charlotte was still busy with her previous assignment, so Lizzie was forced to fulfill her promise of a dance.

The current song was almost over by the time they reached the dance floor, so they decided to wait a minute for the next one to begin. This one had a fast pace and, judging from the sudden burst of noise, was very popular among the partygoers. Lizzie didn't particularly like the tune, but she was thankful for the volume – it saved her from the agony of trying to come up with an appropriate topic to chat about.

The following song, a slow ballad, began immediately after the fast one. This left Lizzie with no time to escape gracefully. And, so, she allowed Will's hands to awkwardly find her shoulders before settling her own just above his waist. The song had barely begun when Lizzie started to feel uncomfortable. It seemed strange to be so close to someone without saying anything, especially when that person wouldn't stop staring.

"So, how has your weekend been?" She asked suddenly.

"My weekend?" Will repeated.

"Mine has been pretty boring," Lizzie babbled. "Jane and I rented a few movies last night. That was fun, I guess. We haven't had a movie night in weeks, not since Charlie came into the picture. Not that I'm complaining. Jane's happy and I have enough on my plate that I barely notice when she isn't around."

"Do you always talk this much when you're dancing?" Will wondered.

"What else should I do with myself?" Lizzie retorted. "It would be awful to stand here for five minutes in silence."

"I didn't realize my company was that terrible," Will commented wryly.

"It would be better if you actually talked," Lizzie said with a roll of her eyes.

"I thought that's what I was doing."

"You're talking about talking. That doesn't count."

"Words are coming out of my mouth. That doesn't count?"

"No, it doesn't."

"All right, then. What would you have me talk about?"

"Anything! You could give your opinion of the music or the costumes or the weather, even."

"It's starting to get chilly outside."

"There! That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"I still don't see why that's a worthwhile observation when my previous ones weren't."

"Because that tells me something about you. It shows that you noticed the cold."

"I see."

"No, you don't."

"No, I don't," he agreed.

Lizzie bit her lip for a moment as she considered what to say next. "I met an old acquaintance of yours recently."

"Did you?"

"Yes," she nodded. "George Wickham."

Lizzie's eyes traveled to his face to see his reaction. If he had one, it was lost on her.

"How is George?"

"He's fine." Lizzie fought the urge to add 'no thanks to you.'

"Good."

"He's doing very well at Longbourn. He's already a starter for the basketball team and has more friends than he could possibly know what to do with."

"Good for him," Will said neutrally.

"That's what I thought. It must've been very difficult for him, having to start over in his senior year."

"Apparently, it wasn't that difficult."

"No, I guess not. But, then, the students at Longbourn tend to be very accepting."

Will glanced down for a moment. It was the first time his eyes had left Lizzie since the song had begun. She couldn't help but feel a bit triumphant about her revenge.

"So, have you read any good books lately?" Will asked suddenly, his eyes not quite meeting hers.

"Books?"

"You must read. I can't imagine that they'd put you in charge of the English program, if you didn't."

"Of course, I read," Lizzie said defensively. "I just don't normally talk about it at parties."

"Well, you can come up with a topic then."

Lizzie studied his face for a moment before blurting out the first question to pop into her head. "Do you consider yourself an honest person?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I was just wondering."

"Does it matter what I think? If I was a dishonest person, I wouldn't admit it. If I was, in fact, honest, then it should be evident in my behavior."

"But, it isn't."

"Then, there's nothing left for me to say," Will shrugged.

"It would seem that way." Lizzie's arms fell from his waist as the song ended. It took another moment or two for him to release his hold on her.

"Thanks for the dance. I'll see you on Thursday," Will said before disappearing into the crowd.

Lizzie remained in her spot for nearly a minute after he'd gone. All around her, friends and strangers were thrashing to the beat of a heavy metal song, but Lizzie couldn't be bothered. Finally, after nearly having her eye poked out by a stray elbow, she abandoned the spot.


The party was being held in three rooms. The largest one was being used for the dance floor, leaving the medium one for food and the smallest for serious conversations or, rather, ones that people actually wanted to hear. Lizzie's feet were very sore after her dances with Will, so she decided to find something to eat and settle down in the quiet room for awhile.

After piling up a plate with cookies and cheese cubes, she wandered into the small room. To her surprise, Charlotte was sitting in the far corner with Bill. Lizzie tried to make eye contact with her friend, to see if she needed saving, but their conversation seemed to be very engrossing. Will was sitting with Charlie and Caroline by the fireplace. The two boys looked up when Lizzie entered the room and Charlie patted to the spot next to him. Lizzie shook her head slightly though and headed over to the couch being occupied by Jane and Mary.

Lizzie wasn't surprised to see that Mary looked miserable – parties would never be among her favorite things, but she hadn't expected to be greeted by Jane's long face.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Lizzie asked, wrapping an arm around her older sister's shoulders.

"Nothing's wrong," Jane said sadly. "I'm fine. Really."

"Then, why do you sound like you're about to cry?"

"Charlie's ignoring her," Mary explained as she flipped another page.

"He is not," Jane sniffed. "He's just busy with his other guests."

"I thought I saw you dancing earlier." Lizzie reached over and pushed a strand of hair out of Jane's face.

"We did," Jane sighed. "Just twice though. Normally, I have to drag him away from the dance floor."

"You've never been to a party at his house before though. He probably didn't want to let you monopolize too much of his time."

"It's not just that," Jane glanced sideways, towards the fireplace, before continuing. "Caroline pulled me aside earlier to chat. She.. She told me she was sorry to hear about what happened between her brother and me. She said that she hoped the two of us could still be friends."

"Still be friends? Wouldn't that require you to be friends in the first place?" Lizzie shook her head slightly. "Honestly, Jane. Caroline Bingley may be a lot of things, but she isn't known for her friendly behavior. She must have some ulterior motive for telling you this."

"Oh, Lizzie," Jane sighed. "I wish that was true, but I don't see how it can be. Caroline has always been perfectly nice to me. I don't know why she'd want to.. No, she was just trying to give me a heads up. She even hinted that Charlie had.. He had.. He found someone else."

"Now, I know she was lying! Charlie would never cheat on you, Jane. Never."

"I didn't say he had," Jane said. "It is plausible that he could've found someone else who held his interest though. He just hasn't acted on it yet. Maybe, I should spare us both the pain and break up with him."

"That's just what she wants you to do, I bet," Lizzie snapped her fingers triumphantly. "I don't know why, but Caroline must have her reasons for wanting you to stay away from her brother."

"I wish that was so, but I can't see it that way."

"Well, I can. And, I say that you will not break up with him, not unless you have a real reason. Don't be scared off by some snobby, little twig!"

"Lizzie!" Jane gasped. "How can you be so cruel?"

"I'm not cruel, Jane. Not really. Caroline Bingley has been called far worse, I'm sure. It just seems horrible to you. You don't have one bitter bone in your body."

Jane glanced down briefly as her cheeks began to redden. "You really don't think Charlie wants to break up?"

"I really don't."

Jane smiled faintly as she settled back into the cushions. "You really think I should stop worrying?"

"I really do," Lizzie said as she started to stand up. "There is something we should be worrying about though."

"What?" Jane asked, alarmed.

"When was the last time you saw Katie or Lynn?"


After helping Jane stop the youngest Bennets from tarnishing the family name on the dance floor, Lizzie went to refill her cup of punch. Charlotte entered the room seconds later and immediately looked for her friend.

"Lizzie!" Charlotte called out loudly, despite the fact that the room was only sparsely populated. "Do you have a moment? We have to talk."

Lizzie followed her friend's lead as they walked through the lobby and onto the Bingleys' front lawn. There were a few other guests mingling out there, mainly with cigarettes in hand, but Charlotte steered them away from the crowd.

"How'd it go in there?" Lizzie asked as they walked. "You seemed to be hitting it off with Bill."

"If you call thinking someone's an insufferable, pompous jerk hitting it off, then that's your issue."

Lizzie froze for a moment as relief spread through her body. She had been wondering how her best friend could tolerate being in the same room as Bill, let alone in a deep conversation. "That bad?"

"The very fact that I called him an insufferable, pompous jerk would suggest it wasn't pleasant, I'd think," Charlotte quivered slightly. "I hope I don't have to use more colorful language than that."

"No, no, I get the picture," Lizzie assured her. "I was just a little surprised. First of all, you seemed to be really into the conversation. And, secondly, I don't think I've ever heard you refer to someone that way."

"He's worth it though, don't you think?" Charlotte laughed shortly. "Sorry. He wasn't that bad, really. I'm just.. You should try spending a half hour chatting to some guy about how wonderful your best friend is."

"What?"

"You're the only thing on his mind, Liz. 'Lizzie's such a wonderful dancer... She really cares about her sisters... She would make a great girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Lizzie practically choked.

"He plans on asking you tonight. Best of luck with that. I'm sure you'll be an adorable couple."

"Oh, God. What am I going to say, Char? I can't go out with him. Even if I thought we could get along well, I barely know the guy."

"Well, you certainly left an impression on him."

"It was unintentional. Really!"

"I'm sure it was," Charlotte shrugged. "I just thought you should know that your charm had worked yet again."

"Charlotte-"

"I think I'll head home. Mom should be asleep by now, so I won't have to worry about her questions."

Lizzie started to ask if she could go with Charlotte – the thought of running into Bill was a disturbing one, but she decided that was the last thing her friend needed tonight. So, Lizzie walked Charlotte to her car, said goodbye, and slowly made her way back to the house.

The party was beginning to unravel by the time Lizzie reached it. Their curfew was in thirty minutes, so Lizzie set out to find her sisters. Halfway to the dance floor, she was grabbed by Bill Collins on his way back up.

"I was just looking for you, Elizabeth!" He exclaimed. "Are you ready to go?"

"Oh, that's sweet of you, Bill," Lizzie kindly said. "But, I'll just go with my sisters this time. There's no need for you to go out of your way."

"It isn't a problem," Bill said dismissively. "Besides, I told Jane to go ahead without you. I wasn't sure when you'd get back from your walk with Charlotte."

"My-" Lizzie started. Shaking her head slowly, she realized what had just taken place. She couldn't, or, rather, refused to believe that her friend had been a willing participant. "Very well. We can go then."

Grinning, Bill led the way to his car. Lizzie had to admit that he was, if nothing else, a gentleman. He held the door open for her, he complimented her in every way imaginable, and he chatted nonstop, saving her from the trouble of replying to any of his inane observations.

By the time they reached the Bennets' house, Lizzie had barely spoken two words. She hardly minded though. She was so close to her home that it seemed impossible for anything bad to happen now. Of course, that thought was her downfall.

Bill insisted on walking her to the door. He kept up a running commentary all the way. The party had been lovely, but he couldn't imagine what his teachers, especially the nuns, would have thought if they'd seen the way some of the teens were dancing. The costumes were bright and colorful, but some of them were far too revealing. The music was very easy to dance to, but it had been too loud. His favorite teacher, Sister de Bourgh, would have disapproved of the entire party, so he dearly hoped that Lizzie would not mention it to her, if their paths ever crossed.

Lizzie promised that she would not, thanked him for the ride, and quickly tried to slip inside. She got as far as opening the door when Bill's arm found hers.

"Please, Elizabeth," he begged. "You must wait a minute longer. There's something I must tell you."

Lizzie's eyes closed for a moment as she tried to find the words to get herself out of this dilemma, but they would not come. As much as she hated to admit it, she felt that she owed the boy the chance to hear him out, if only to calmly turn down all of his offers.

"I have known, since the moment your mother described you, that you were the girl I wanted to be with," Bill declared. "Sister de Bourgh has been telling me for years that I must find a nice girl to date. She thinks that I should show a proper example for my classmates and display how to maintain a healthy, ethical relationship. You are everything I could want in a girlfriend and so much more. You are kind, generous, and patient. I have been looking for a girl like you for so long. Sister de Bourgh will be delighted!"

"I'm very flattered, but-"

"Our union would be beneficial for all involved, don't you see? I would have you, which is more than I need. You would have a loyal, morally sound boyfriend to take care of you. Your family would be benefited from the opportunity to spend more time mine. Your sisters could use a strong example of how to behave. And, your father's career could only flourish upon close examination by my father."

Lizzie glanced up briefly, her eyes twinkling. So, that was why her mother had encouraged the match.

"So, please, Elizabeth, would you do me the great honor of being my girlfriend?" Bill's head lowered in what he hoped was a humble manner.

"I'm sorry, Bill, but no," Lizzie said softly.

"No?" His head snapped up quickly.

"I'm afraid so."

"Surely, you jest."

"I do not. We are two very different people. It would never work out."

Bill stared at her for a moment before letting out a short, barking laugh. "I know what's going on. You're playing hard-to-get."

"I am not!"

"Of course, you're not," Bill said with a wink. He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket. "Here's my phone number. You can give me a call when you feel I've suffered long enough. I should be home in twenty minutes and will be awaiting your call all night."

"Bill-"

"Good night, Elizabeth. I look forward to hearing from you."

"Bill, I will not be calling you tonight, tomorrow, or anytime in the foreseeable future," She hurried to catch up with his strides. "I have no interest in dating you. I don't mean to be rude. I just feel like there isn't another way of putting it that will make you see. I sincerely hope that you find a girl who will meet your needs, but I am not that girl. We would make each other miserable, don't you see that?"

"I do not see that at all."

"Now, you don't. But, someday you would. It's for the best that we just part now as friends and save the inevitable heartache."

"You are too quick to judge. I know that we are a perfect match, an ideal pair. Together, we would make so many people so very happy."

"That is not a reason or an excuse for this to happen. Please, just go before we say something we regret."

"I will not go until you stop this game," Bill insisted stubbornly.

"Then, I guess you'll never leave," Lizzie said exasperatedly. With as much dignity as she could manage, she turned and stormed back towards the house, slamming the door behind.

Mrs. Bennet, Katie, and Lynn had just thrown themselves onto the couch when Lizzie entered the living room. She raised an eyebrow at the trio and started for the stairs when her sisters' burst out laughing.

"Bill is a joke, isn't he, Liz?" Lynn howled. "I hope I never attract such a nuisance."

"Oh, hush, Lynn," Mrs. Bennet hissed. "Bill is a respectable, young gentleman. Lizzie could do much worse than him."

"I can't see how," Lynn snickered.

"So, tell me, dear, when should we expect to see Bill again?" Mrs. Bennet cooed.

"Hopefully, never," Lizzie replied.

"What?" Mrs. Bennet choked. "But.. Didn't he ask you.. He said he wanted to ask one of you girls to go with him?"

"He did," Lizzie said calmly. "I said no."

"Elizabeth Bennet!" Mrs. Bennet shrieked. "You selfish girl! Are you trying to ruin your father's career? Do you have a financial plan to save us when your father gets fired for your treachery?"

"Mom-" Lizzie started.

"Oh, no, you don't. There is no way you can justify this. Follow me, young lady. Your father will be happy to take care of your punishment."

Lizzie reluctantly followed her mother to her father's study. Katie and Lynn silently followed the pair as far as they dared go. They each gave Lizzie a supportive pat on the back and scurried off to a safe observation point.

Mr. Bennet was sitting at his desk, reading the newspaper, when his wife burst inside, followed closely by Lizzie.

"John!" She screeched. "You will not believe what your daughter has done. Bill was kind enough to ask Lizzie to be his girlfriend and the ungrateful child turned him down!"

"Bill, that's Mr. Collins' son, yes?" Mr. Bennet wondered.

"Of course, it's Mr. Collins' son. I hinted to him that it might be wise if he took up with one of our girls."

"Why on earth did you do that?"

"Oh, John!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "If he dated one of your girls, then his father would be very likely to hand over that promotion, at long last."

"Bill could have his way with all of my girls and his father would still turn me down. That miser wouldn't pay his own mother a spare penny, if he didn't have to," Mr. Bennet calmly commented. "So, that only leaves one issue to be resolved. Lizzie, my dear, how do you feel about Bill?"

"I would be miserable, if I dated him," Lizzie confessed.

"There, you have it!" Mr. Bennet smiled at his wife.

"Oh, you two!" Mrs. Bennet stomped her foot angrily. "You think you're so clever, forming your little club without me. Well, I won't have it. Lizzie, you're sixteen. That's far too old to be without a boyfriend. The neighbors talk about it all of the time. It's such an embarrassment. I only tolerated it with Jane because I was afraid that my criticism would traumatize the poor dear. But, you, Lizzie, you've turned down two boys in as many weeks. It's a disgrace. You have to stop this behavior!"

"Ah, but I will not have my Lizzie settle for someone she can't stand, just to pacify her mother," Mr. Bennet said.

"John!" Mrs. Bennet cried. "Lizzie, believe me when I say that if you do not see that boy, I will never let you live this down."

"And, Lizzie, dear, believe me when I say that I will not let you live it down if you do see that boy," Mr. Bennet said with twinkling eyes.

Lizzie glanced from one parent to the other. Her mother was on the verge of a temper tantrum. Her father was on the verge of laughter.

After giving her father a kiss on the cheek, Lizzie wove past her mother and sprinted up the stairs to her bedroom. Before she was halfway there, the shouts erupted from the study.


Next Time On Longbourn High:

Jane's worries increase, as does Lizzie's confusion.