Meant to clarify something in the last chapter but in my rush to post I forgot:

ShadowAmunet - Will knows his way around New York, he just hasn't been there in awhile so he doesn't know where the good places to hang out are. There are some cities that I know like the back of my hand but when I've been away at school for a year, I don't know where the current hangouts are, even in my hometown. Does that make more sense?

And from the last chapter:

KarmenCorn - you're right. The way I've been writing has grammatically been correct, however since you are finding it a bit difficult to read without pausing, I'm sure there are others that feel the same. I've tried to make it easier in this chapter - let me know if this is better - and will continue to try, but no promises since I may accidentally fall into old habits now and again (particularly with chapters I'm eager to write)

Chapter 6

At around 7 we took a break from studying to grab a bite to eat. As we walked to the nearest fast food place, I turned to Charlotte.

"Is it just me? I've had this odd feeling since about 3 o'clock that we were being watched and now I feel like somebody is following us."

"Are you kidding?"

I shook my head no.

"Bill Collins was hiding behind the stacks all afternoon, watching you . . . again. I wouldn't be surprised if that's why you feel like someone is following us now."

Bill Collins was a third year student, though he was scheduled to graduate in December rather than in May like most of his classmates. Although I have heard that his grades were about average and therefore he had a job at a big firm (most students from Columbia do) he lacked all social skills whatsoever and had taken to watching me from afar and then occasionally working up the guts to ask me out. No matter how many times, or how many different ways, I tell him I'm not interested, he keeps coming back for more. He was the epitome of my definition of a 'creepy stalker person'.

"Elizabeth." A breathy voice said behind me, and I nearly jumped a foot. It was Collins. "You should really look where you're going so you don't trip like that."

"I didn't trip Bill, you snuck up behind me and called my name in a 'Darth Vader' kind of voice and scared the hell out of me."

"You should really learn to anticipate when your man is approaching Elizabeth, so that you can prepare for his arrival."

Charlotte coughed, but it sounded more like a stifled laugh.

"I'm sorry. Your man?! And I'm probably going to kill myself for actually asking this, but how pray tell would I be preparing for 'my man's' arrival?"

Collins raised his eyes to the sky as if he was at the end of his patience.

"Your appearance Elizabeth. I'm sure you didn't mean to appear all disheveled when you were finally honored with my presence. I'm sure that you would like the opportunity to fix your hair and put some make-up on before I spend some time with you and tell you where we are going to dinner Wednesday night so why don't you meet me in front of the library in thirty minutes?"

I think I may have growled.

"Look Collins. I've told you once, I've told you a million times, I will not go out with you. I've been really nice about it but apparently the point didn't get across to you. I'm not interested."

"Elizabeth, playing coy and hard to get are not positive attributes, in a lady. Perhaps –"

"COLLINS!!!! I am not playing coy and I am not playing hard to get. I have no interest in going out with you, whatsoever. The sky could fall on this earth and somehow you and I are the only two to survive and I still would not go out with you. You are not 'my man'. I don't want you to be. Nor am I 'your woman'. I don't give a damn how I look around you. I've been studying for the past 7 or so hours and so you could be the King of England for all I care, my hair is still going to be in a ponytail and I'm not going to care if my jeans are pressed or if I'm wearing make-up."

"Perhaps Elizabeth, if you knew where we are going Wednesday night you would reconsider your harlot-like reaction."

"I don't care where you're going Wednesday night, all I know is that I won't be with you."

"DeBourgh & Co.'s annual Fall Bash."

"Not interested."

"There you are, playing hard to get again."

"No, I'm really not Bill. I have other plans Wednesday night. Plans that certainly don't involve you."

"You never informed me of your plans."

"I have no obligation to, because WE ARE NOT DATING!!!!!!!!" I was really starting to lose my temper at this point.

Finally, Charlotte interjected.

"Bill, she really does have plans. She has a date Wednesday night."

Oh, Lord. Now she's done it. Collins face turned bright red.

"A date?! So you've been cheating on me?!"

"Well, that's what it would be called if we had been seeing each other, but since we haven't been, no I haven't."

"Elizabeth if you think that I'm going to put up with this kind of behavior from you then certainly you are mistaken."

"Oh you really don't have to put up with this at all, because this doesn't involve you."

"I'm willing to be gracious and give you one more chance –"

"Really, I don't want it."

"Then Elizabeth I guess our relationship is over." He then turned to Charlotte "Madam, do you have any plans for Wednesday night? Of course you don't. Would you like to accompany me to DeBourgh & Co.'s Fall Bash."

Charlotte looked at Bill, then at me, then back at Bill.

"I'd love to."

I think I'm in some kind of alternative universe.

"Wonderful. What did you say your name was again?"

"Charlotte Lucas."

Collins walked forward and air kissed Charlotte.

"My lovely Charlotte, please meet me in front of the library's main entrance at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. It is a black-tie affair so please don't disappoint." With that Collins walked off.

I turned to Charlotte.

"What the hell was that?!"

"You saw it Liz, so why are you asking?"

"Why the hell are you agreeing to go out with that slime ball?"

"Liz, it isn't about who I'm going with, but where. DeBourgh & Co.'s Fall Bash is one of the biggest networking events of the year. I'd never get in otherwise."

"What happened to spying on my date?"

"As much fun as that sounds, I need to think of my future first. I need to go to this party."

"I think you fell and bumped your head when I wasn't looking. Maybe you need some time to recover. Anyway, I'm not really hungry anymore so I think I'll just head home. I'll see you in class tomorrow afternoon." I turned around to head back to the library so that I could gather up my books, head home and puke after what I just witnessed.

And now you have all met Collins. Just a little over the top, don't you think?

Haven't decided yet whether or not to add Wickham in, am leaning towards yes cause there is this particular scene I want to use for Liz and Will and . . . . WHOOPS! almost gave it away!

Best thing is that the next two chapters are the ones I've been dying to get up to for the longest time - and it's a holiday weekend in the States, which means more time to write. So click that little review button and make sure I don't spend too much time lying out in the sun instead of writing the next chapter!