Chapter 4

Text message from Emma Woodhouse to Dave Knightley:

Hey Dave!

Dad left early for another meeting.

So, wait for me to catch the bus, ok?

Don't worry, I won't be late.

Em

Text message from Emma Woodhouse to Taylor Lee:

First day of school! I wonder what the new girl will be like?

Meet me outside the hall, ok?

luv Em

Text message from Dave Knightley to Chris Weston:

footie practice this arvo.

straight after school.

let the others know.

and no, you can't miss.

BECAUSE WE

HAVE A BLOODY GAME

SUNDAY!

so reschedule your dates

with Taylor!

cheers,

knightley

Email Message from Chris Weston to Taylor Lee

Subject: Sorry change of plans

hey

sorry gotta keep this short, Ratface eyeballing me. But I've got practice

this afternoon. Satan himself told me this morning and even texted me

to make sure I don't forget. So, I'll make it up to you by taking you sailing

this weekend. Saturday. Brother taking us plus girlfriend. And you can

even ask Emma along if you want ( if you have to…joking!)

Knightley going too.

So, I'll ring you tonight or something.

Sorry.

Chris x

Emma Message from Emma Woodhouse to Taylor Lee

Subject: Shopping this afternoon? with our new French shipping heiress buddy…

Harriet Smith is from Brisbane, you dumbo. She can't even speak French and she gets seasick.

And plus, she's from HIGHBURY! hello?! HIGHBURY. Yeah, like Highbury State High. Waaay down there.

Her dad got a new job, so she's going to be at Hartfield House with us now. Much better than Highbury State High.

So ha! And she's not that pretty. Don't get me wrong, she's really nice and quiet.

And plain. Like her name. She's really shy around people.

But that's ok. I'm going to fix that. First, I'm going to get her to be more confident, talk more, you know…

Then I'll have to find a nice cute guy for her. She said she's never had a boyfriend.

I can understand that. I mean Highbury State High isn't really the place you'd go to find a boyfriend.

She's so lucky she has us to teach her how to go through a complete transformation!

And she's now one of 'us'. And not one of ' them'. ( state high part of town)

And she'll realise that it's better for her that way.

So, what about it? Shopping? Dave told me about footie practice this afternoon so no excuses!

Chris is away kicking balls ( and I mean literally) and tackling , so we're going! Along with our new pal!

Meet you in lockeroom. You'll like her, trust me. There's nothing not to like!

Emma xoxo

p.s: Who do you think she can go with?

Alex Bradford?

Oh! I know, Will Schneedy!

P.P.S: Omg, I still can't believe we're in different classes this year!

I checked and we're not in ANY lessons together! How crap is that!

Email Message from Taylor Lee to Emma Woodhouse

Subject: You're insane

Well, that's what I heard from Lucy! How was I supposed to know:p

And there was nothing to worry about in the first place, stupid.

Kicking balls?? You're sick, Em! Ok, fine, I'll come.

Meet you in lockeroom.

Mwah Taylor 

Email Message from Harriet Smith to Emma Woodhouse

Subject: none

Are sure it's ok? I mean, what if we get caught?!

This isn't against the school rules, is it?

Is it illegal?

Message from Emma Woodhouse to Harriet Smith

Subject: none

It's fine, Harriet. I've been doing this for over seven years!

TRUST ME.

You're lucky, now that you're at Hartfield. We get laptops as part of our academic program.

It's ok. You can send emails to anyone you want. Even during class. Just be discreet.

The teachers wouldn't know. Unless you show them.

Everyone sends emails all the time. Even Dave does it. And he's the "perfect role-model", at least that's what the teachers are always saying.

Message from Harriet Smith to Emma Woodhouse

Subject: none

Ok, if you're sure, Emma. Who's Dave anyway?

Message from Emma Woodhouse to Harriet Smith

Subject: this afternoon

Dave? You'll see him when you come over.

Don't forget shopping this afternoon!

My dad will pick us up and drop us off at the Mall.

He's going to bring some clothes as well. Because of the school rules.

Not being able to shop around in uniform. blah blah blah.

Don't worry, I think you'll fit in my clothes.

Taylor( the girl I've been talking about) and I have ours already.

So, we're all set. Can't wait! There goes the bell!

Luv Em

Message from Emma Woodhouse to Elizabeth Bennet

Subject: New Girl. Harmless. Feel great. Very happy.

Hey Liz,

Oh my god! Just came back from shopping with the new girl ( Harriet)

& Taylor!

Fantastic. Well, not really, because some clothes Harriet picked were kind of

….bleh….not good.

But oh well! We had fun! She's really nice but shy.

Nothing like what Taylor had said. French pretty Shipping Heiress?

Puh-leez.

She used to go to Highbury! And we saw this group of people from there that knew her,

at the mall.

And..oh god…..the clothes…the hair….the attitudes!

A guy actually said, " Sup, sister. Whatcha doing tonight, babe?

Wanna hang? Movie of your choice plus bite. Even if pricey." to me.

Those were weirdest and most hilarious words anyone has ever said to me!

And he had that feral look…ew.

I was looking at him and my look probably replied for me,

' Yeah, but not with you, feral-boy.'

And this other guy was totally looking at Harriet. And it was kind of sickening.

Since one, he wasn't that...flash. And Two, we shouldn't be mixing with people like them.

And Harriet was as red as her hair and totally clammed up.

So, I just said, " Sorry, guys. Would love to chat. But, we've got some shopping to do?"

thinking, ' and you have some drug deals to make and cocaine to sell.'

Harriet told me the guy who was looking at her was named Robert Martin.

Hm…I think I've heard of him before.

But not sure where. I mean, it's not like I'm friends with him or anything!

Those nuts must be on bail from jail.

We all had a good time shopping though!

How are you? Jane still gaga over Charlie? Hah. Well, miss you loads!

Luv Em xox

Message from Elizabeth Bennet to Emma Woodhouse

Subject: Re:

Emma, you're too critical sometimes! There's nothing wrong with public schools.

Even if it's Highbury! But, yeah, ' wanna hang even if pricey'?! That is really funny! What a

pickup line!

This'll have to be a quick message, since I'm getting ready to go to Charlie's party!

Jane and Charlie are going GREAT! She's soo in love with him!

Totally ga-ga Actually more gag-gag! Kinda sickening watching them make out!

Robert Martin? hm…I'm not sure. Don't know any Martins. I'll ask!

Sorry, gotta go, Jane's practically pushing me off the chair! Arghh!

Luv Liz 

Email Message from Harriet Smith to Emma Woodhouse:

Subject: Hi

Hi Emma,

Thanks for taking me shopping. That was really fun.

I'm glad you got to meet my friends from my Highbury.

I actually miss them a lot.

But Hartfield's great. Really.

The people are a bit different to what I'm used to though…

Harriet

Email Message from Emma Woodhouse to Harriet Smith:

Subject: It's okay.

I'm glad you like the shopping trip!

Taylor and I used to do them all the time. But now she's got a boyfriend.

Your friends were interesting.

They are certainly not what I'm used to.

Don't worry, you'll fit into Hartfield soon.

Most of us are pretty nice. Except for a select few like Augusta Hawkins. You have to watch out for her.

I'll let you in on a little fact, though.

There's a reason Hartfield feels different.

It's the people.

At Highbury, they probably don't you know, always speak properly. It's not to say, they aren't nice. They're just different from us.

Some people there don't really dress properly, act properly etc…you know.

Trust me, you'll like Hartfield much better.

The whole girls-only school might to take a while to get used to. But don' worry, we can still have a social life. Because Donwell Grammar is our brother school and RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

Remember, I took you there today, before we went shopping.

You met Dave. Isn't he sweet? Even though he can be such a kill-joy and loser sometimes. And disgusting. You wouldn't believe the amount of food he can eat. But he's still great. One of my best friends. After Taylor.

And then there's John. His twin brother. Goes out with Izzie, my sister. She's always really busy with school stuff, so she's not home often. But you'll meet her some other time.

And then there's Christ Weston. Love of Taylor's life. But I guess you already realised from their passionate greeting.

And then, there's John Elton. Quite good looking, don't you think, Harriet. And very friendly

Write back soon,

Emma.

Email Message from Emma Woodhouse to Taylor Lee:

Subject: I am a genius

yes, that's right. I am.

John Elton is the PERFECT guy for Harriet.

Don't you think?

He's been single for so long.

Yeah, the last girl he dated was Augusta. That was a bad choice.

Good thing they broke up at the end of grade 9.

Now he's single and Harriet's here. They definitely will get together!

Well, I'll make sure they do!

See, I am a genius!