Days pass since the 'incident' as Lizzie referred to it as. Her younger sisters thought it was funny.

"What a joke. To think he asked you out. I didn't think he was capable of something of the that magnitude." Lydia snorted.

"Even though I don't really like him, it's pretty sad that he expected your answer to be a favorable one and you shot him down." said Mary.

"Serves him right for thinking that any of us would just go out with him just because he has money. I prefer a man who has a bad side."

"A man?" asked Lizzie, raising an eyebrow, "You are still a freshman in high school. What do you need a man for?"

"Gosh Lizzie, I thought you would've noticed that all these boys are just exactly that, boys. I need someone who's mature."

Like hell you do.

"But Lizzie, could you not have given your response without hurting his feelings?" asked Jane from her side of the room.

"Not without him interrupting me and not taking my words seriously."

"Well I think Lizzie did a good job. Now we don't have to worry about him coming over here anymore to bother us."

Just then the front door swung open and Catherine ran into the living room where the girls were seated.

"You guys will never believe what has just happened." Catherine said between breaths.

"Well we won't until you tell us." Lydia said pointedly.

"What is it Kitty?" asked Jane.

"Ricky was over Charlotte's house when I was upstairs with Maria. When I came downstairs to leave I saw them holding hands and he even kissed her."

"What?" said the girls in unison.

"There's got to be a mistake. Charlotte would never go out with a loser like him." Lizzie said trying to rationalize things.

"And Ricky can't possibly turn his affections onto another girl so quickly. Well unless he's a sleazebag like I thought he was. Gross." Lydia shuddered before turning to laughter, "What a fine joke. I thought Charlotte had more sense to go out with a sensible guy like you Lizzie. Apparently not."

Lizzie who was tired of hearing her sister's comments, and wanted to hear Charlotte confirm or deny it herself, got up and went to go see her best friend.

The whole way to the Lucas' house she wondered at what she was going to say. She was never one for beating around bushes. But a direct assault wouldn't be good either.

She hoped that her friend would just come out and tell her on her own without having to ask.

The door was opened by Mr Lucas who was as always happy and kind to everyone.

"Lizzie, what a pleasant surprise. If you're looking for Charlotte, she is up in her room."

After saying thank you, Lizzie went up stairs to find the girl in question. The door was open and inside Charlotte was on the computer typing.

Lizzie didn't know what to say yet so she knocked on the door frame to make her presence known.

Charlotte turned around.

"Lizzie. I wasn't expecting you. How's it going?"

"Good, and you."

"I'm fine."

An awkward pause and then, "Did you need something?"

Lizzie frowned. She wasn't going to bother even telling her if the rumor was true or not by herself.

Fine, if you want it to be that way then we can play that game.

"Kitty says she saw Ricky kissing you earlier today. She saw wrong right?"

"No."

Lizzie's frown deepened and she crossed her arms, "Were you planning on telling me?"

"I don't know honestly."

"You don't know!"

"Yes, because I knew you were going to react like this."

"Of course I'm going to react like this. Do you even know who Ricky is?"

"Yes, do you?"

Lizzie took a breath to calm herself down, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Lizzie, we're only dating." Lizzie's opened her mouth to speak but Charlotte continued, "It's not as if I'm marrying the guy. It's like business. Making connections. He probably already told you that he has connections."

"Wait, you knew he asked me out?"

"Yes."

"And yet." Lizzie couldn't finish. The hurt of her best friend betraying her was too much.

"Lizzie. I graduate next spring and I need to think about college. He can help me get into a good one and then I can move on to a better situation with a guy I actually like. Who knows it might even be him."

"I really don't know who I'm disgusted with more. Him for asking out my best friend after asking me out a few days ago, or you saying yes to boost your chances of a better life."

"Do you think relationships are about love anymore Lizzie. Open your eyes. It's all about business now. What you can give to the relationship."

Lizzie shook her head, "If this is what relationships are about then I don't want to be in one."

"Of course you don't. That's because you're afraid of being hurt again."

Before she could stop her hand it flew at Charlotte's face and struck her cheek.

Charlotte backed away. Her hand holding her face looking at Lizzie in disbelief.

Lizzie backed away still shocked at what she had done. She turned and ran out the room. Out of the house and all the way to the park.

What had she done?

All of this happened because a boy got in between her relationship with her best friend. Sh had hit her best friend.

Lizzie slumped down into a swing and just stared down at her hand which had done the crime.

How did everything turn bad so fast?

She thought of Jane and when she saw her crying in her room.

That day Jane found out that Charles didn't want to be with her anymore because she couldn't commit and long distance relationships never really worked.

Guys are all the same. Frivolous with their love. They say they love you but are ready to leave you in a heartbeat.

It didn't matter to Lizzie. She wasn't looking to be in a relationship. She still had lots of time and she was still a junior. She had school to worry about. The ACT and SAT were in the spring and she still had clubs that she was apart of after school.

With a sigh she got up and walked over to the big slide and laid down at the base.

"Boo!"

Lizzie sat up and turned to see who it was. Her eyes landed on George who was rested up against the slide above her.

"What are you doing here? You seem to pop up a lot."

"I do live in this area you know."

"Yeah I guess that's right."

"You seem a bit down. Something wrong?"

"Why are guys such jerks?"

"Why are you asking me like I'm a jerk?"

Lizzie laughed, "Sorry, I wasn't really calling you one. I was just asking in general."

"Why, what's wrong? Has some guy been messing with you?"

"Not me. This guy who was sort of dating my sister just broke up with her. And over text."

"Which sister?"

"Jane."

"Then the dirtbag doesn't deserve her."

"Yeah I thought that too, but it doesn't really fit Charles's behavior. He was-"

"Charles, as in Charles Bingley?"

"You know him?"

"I know who he hangs out with. Darcy."

Lizzie looked away.

"Lizzie, if you really don't think it was Charles because it isn't like him, then it was obviously Darcy influencing him to break up with your sister."

"But why would he do that?"

"Why wouldn't anyone try and keep their friends from being in a relationship that they think is wrong."

Lizzie thought back to what she had done to Charlotte.

"He obviously thinks his friend is too good for her and probably broke it off. Darcy is good at influencing people. Especially those who are under him. You should be glad he didn't threaten your family or anything."

"Threaten us?"

"Yeah. If he thinks you're going to make a scene then he will threaten you with blackmail. He's done that to me before. And to my friend."

"You're just making that up."

"No I'm not. Why do you think I'm here?" He sent me away to live in the city. I didn't choose this life. I was thrown into it. I'm just lucky I was able to make friends who support me."

"My suspicions were always on the sister."

"I'd be surprised if she held any influence over her brother."

The cheer Christmas usually brought was not in the Bennet household. Lydia and Catherine had enough sense not to bring up the subject of Charles or Charlotte in any of their conversations, but it was still on everyone's mind.

George became an occasional visitor and would bring laughter wherever he went.

Mr Bennet noticed his attention to his second daughter and hoped that he wouldn't have to tell her not to be careless in entering a relationship that she wasn't prepared for.

He liked George, but not enough to give up his favorite daughter. The boy was too clever and had a bad streak in him that he wouldn't let any of his girls be apart of. As friends he saw no harm in it, but that was where he would draw his line.

Mrs Bennet's brother and family were also visiting for the holidays.

The Gardiners were a family of six. Two girls of ten and eight and two boys of seven and four.

The children loved playing with their eldest cousin, Jane who would sing and entertain them.

Mrs Gardiner sat with her niece, Lizzie and George at a table playing uno. Lydia had lost interest a while ago and had left the table to go look for something to eat.

"So I heard from Mr Bennet, Mrs Gardiner that you grew up in Lambton."

"Yes."

"I grew up at Pemberly which is near there if my memory serves me right."

"Indeed it is. I was unaware that you were a Darcy."

"No, I'm just a friend of the family. When my parents died Mr Darcy took me in."

"I see."

"Do you know the family?"

"Not really. I've only heard of them. I've never had the chance to meet them and then it was too late when they died in that car accident."

"Yeah it was pretty sudden and tragic."

"Do you know anything about it George since you were living with the family?" Lizzie asked with sudden interest.

"Drunken driver. Hit and run. Culprit was never convicted."

"Really? I would think that the family would leave no expense to find the murder."

"Yeah, they found 'em but didn't charge anything. They wanted to keep it as quiet as possible."

"Why?"

Did they know who the killer was and didn't want the news finding out?

"Why indeed. I was surprised myself."

When the card game ended and Lydia took over George's attention, Lizzie was left with her aunt to reflect what they heard.

"What do you know of what happened aunt?"

"Not much. Only that it was a drunken driver that hit their car."

"I feel like there's something that he isn't saying about the accident."

"Well if the family wanted to keep some things a secret then I think he is just helping to protect it."

"But really is that necessary?"

"We cannot judge others for wanting to keep their lives private, Lizzie."

"Yeah you're right."

"Changing the subject. Your father seems a little worried about your relationship with this boy."

"How do you mean? There isn't a relationship."

"That will bring relief to your father and I."

"Why do you two think that there's something going on?"

"Well he has been paying special attention to you you know."

"That's the last thing I need right now." Lizzie laid her head down on the table and groaned.

"Don't worry, my dear. Your father and I will not allow just any boy to have you and your sister Jane."

"Yeah and look where that got Jane. She's heart broken over some flake that is easily manipulated by his friend."

"Can you really blame his friend is his love for your sister wasn't that strong. It isn't just his friends fault but his own."

"But Darcy is a-" Lizzie stopped too late.

"Was Darcy the boy that Jane liked."

"What, no. It was his friend Charles. Darcy is the reason that they broke up because he thinks we're inferior."

"Why would he decide on his friend's happiness?"

"Because he's a control freak and needs to control everything and everyone who he thinks is below him. He even blackmailed George you know. Kicked him out on the streets after his own parents died and had him sent to the city to fend for himself."

"Are you sure of this?"

"George told me and the chances that I've had to watch Will's behavior has done nothing but make me believe him."

"If you say so."

Standing up, the pair went off to get drinks from the kitchen.

"I don't see your friend here. Where's Charlotte?"

"She and I had a fight. Or rather I fought her. Point is we aren't talking."

"That's too bad. You two were always together."

"Yeah."

"Will you listen to a piece of advice?"

"What? Apologize, yeah I know I should."

"Yes, do you know why?"

"Because we're friends."

"Yes and because whatever you two argued about is not losing your relationship over, or am I wrong?"

"No. Thanks, I needed that."

Mrs Gardiner gave her niece a long squeeze, "Anything for you dearest."

"Why not turn this into a group hug." laughed Mr Gardiner as he walked into the room.

Lizzie laughed, "Too late. Your timing was off."

"Well maybe I can get more hugs come this spring."

"Oh really?"

"Your aunt are headed to visit the countryside and bask in nature for the weekend. Would you be interested in tagging along? It will be during Prom and I know how you young people are about your dance events."

"What are expensive dresses and loud music to the beauties of nature. I'd love to go, but is it ok with my dad?"

"I already asked and he said it was up to you."

"Then I guess we're headed to the countryside come this spring."

The rest of Christmas was better for the Bennet family.

Lizzie began to talk to Charlotte again, but things had not gone back to normal yet. That felt impossible.

Lizzie saw little of George when he started to hang out with one of Lydia's friends named Mary.

"She isn't my friend!" Lydia corrected.

"Then why do you hang out with her."

"I wouldn't really call it that. We're like rivals and so help me if I loss to that skank. I don't see why George hangs out with her. She has nothing to recommend her to even Collins."

"Except she has money and you don't." said Catherine.

Lydia glared at Catherine before slumping into her chair in defeat.

"Does it matter who he hangs out with. You guys are too young to be hanging out with him anyway."

"Whatever Lizzie. You're secretly disappointed that George isn't paying you any attention anymore."

"The day I think that is the day I give up dad's love."

Lydia was cut off from what she was about to say when Jane's cellphone rang.

Everyone quieted so they could hear who it was. All hoping it was him.

"It's Charlotte. Here Lizzie." she handed the phone to Lizzie and walked out the room to hide her disappointment.

Lizzie waited till her sister was out of the room before answering the phone.

"Hey Charlotte."

"Lizzie. So I got some crazy news that I'm hoping you will say yes to."

"Depends, what am I saying yes to?"

"So Ricky asked me to go with him and his family to Rosings and he said I could bring a friend along and I was hoping you will go with me. I would bring Maria but I really want you to come."

"When is this?"

"Spring break."

"For the whole break?"

"Yeah."

Lizzie thought about it. She really didn't want to spend a whole week with the Collins, but she also wanted to repair her relationship with her friend. That also meant she had to suffer through some things in order to achieve that."

"I'd love to. I just need to make sure it's ok with my dad first."

Pushing the end call button, she looked up to expectant faces.

"What?"

"Where are you off to?" asked Catherine suspiciously.

"Just to some place with Charlotte and the Collins clan for Spring break."

"Ew Lizzie, you would give up your break to spend it with him?"

"No, I'm going to go to spend it with Charlotte. I'm sure I'll hardly see Ricky at all. He probably hates me."

The day of their journey arrived and the Collins family plus Charlotte and Lizzie piled into the small van with their belongings.

Lizzie sat in the back with Charlotte and Ricky in the middle. Mr and Mrs Collins sat in the front with Mr Collins driving.

He was one of those slow and careful drivers and the trip took an extra hour before they started and his driving set them back another twenty minutes.

Lizzie didn't mind since she had her Ipod with her for a distraction.

Sometimes she'd overhear what Charlotte and Ricky were talking about in front of her.

He was now talking about Rosings Park and how many acres were on its property. How many rooms it had and that it even had a lake.

The garden held twenty different roses and was kept in perfect condition all year around.

He went off talking about something else but Lizzie returned her attention back to her audio.

The van pulled up to a gate and they waited for the security to arrive to let them in.

"Are you freaking kidding me. Who needs a security guard on top of having gated property." Muttered Lizzie as she looked out her window to get of the place.

As the van drove on Lizzie was able to see that the grass was well-kept and there wasn't a single thing out of place. They parked the car near the front entrance and got out to look around before the butler came to greet them.

"She has her own Butler. She has way too much money."

"I wonder if she lives alone."

"What do you know of the lady who we are staying with?" Lizzie had asked Charlotte but it was Ricky who answered.

"This illustrious property belongs to Mrs deBourge. She is the dean at my school and is a benefactor to many honor students."

Basically poor students so the school won't be seen as a place only for rich students.

The groups was ushered into the main waiting area while the owner of the house was told of their arrival.

He soon returned and told them that she would see them in the front room.

Lizzie took the opportunity as she walked to look at all the decorations in the house. Most were unnecessary pieces that were there for show. She definitely didn't think the owner had any taste for art, or at least home decor. It felt more like a museum the way it was set up. The furniture didn't even look as if it was supposed to be used.

Spring break should be interesting.

Apparently it was unnecessary for the 'children' to join the adults and so Ricky, Charlotte and Lizzie were left to wait outside.

When the door was opened and Mr and Mrs Collins were ushered into a big room, Lizzie was able to catch a glimpse of a fairly big woman sitting by herself as if she were posing for a picture.

How long was she holding that pose for them to enter the room?

Lizzie thought it was comical, but she didn't allow it to show on her face. Instead she gave a friendly smile.

Mr Collins began to go about expressing his gratitude towards the lady which were just as long as Ricky's if not longer.

I now see where he gets it from.

"Shall I take you ladies to see a tour of the house while the grown-ups are .

"Sure that'll be great." said Charlotte.

Lizzie fell behind as the two went ahead with Ricky talking about the different pieces lining the hallway. It all seemed unnecessary to Lizzie, the art work, but she understood that some wealthy people use it only to show off their wealth to those who came to visit. She understood that she was now to be one of those people who where to find this impressive but she was not to be one of those people. Instead she looked at the small pieces that were self-portrait of family members.

"This right here is a picture of the late Mr. deBourge. He was the headmaster of my school for quite sometime, but before I went there."

"I thought your school goes from kindergarten to high school?" Lizzie asked already knowing what his response was going to be.

"Yes well I haven't been going to the school since kindergarten as you know. I transferred in as a freshman in high school four years back and have since made quite the name for myself."

"How did you end up going to the school in the first place. I know it's pretty expensive."

"Mrs deBourge is a benefactress to those of superior intellect who sometimes do not have the financial help to attend."

So you yourself are a charity case.

"Since my father's promotion at work, I've been able to go there without the need of her money, but I always like to show my gratitude."

How is crashing her house over spring break not a punishment in her eyes and not seen as you trying to express your gratitude?

Out loud Lizzie asked, "She must get lonely this time of year as Easter is during spring break. Does she not have other relatives to celebrate the holidays with her?"

"Her nephews come down and spend it with her every year."

"That's sweet." Charlotte smiled.

"But just her nephews. Is there no one else?"

"Her sister died a couple years ago so not really."

"Are the nephews lurking about the house somewhere. They must be like some big businessmen."

"Not really. I'm not sure they've arrived yet. They are both still in high school."

"That's real sweet for two high school boys to visit their aunt."

"Mrs deBourge speaks highly of her nephews, especially Will."

Is Will the only name for a boy nowadays or something?

Ricky went on about the building and showed them many of the expensive pieces of art and quoting facts about them.

When Ricky's parents came back they all went to the cottage that they were going to be staying at. It was plainly decorated with floor wall paper and the walls were covered in stranger's pictures.

Lizzie found it creepy that she had a portrait of a woman and her husband and son hanging across the room from her bed. She knew sleeping would be difficult on this trip. Exploring the outside of the property where it felt less stuffy, she found a hedge maze that held a little garden bench in the middle with a little pond.

This would be the place she would go when she needed to escape from Ricky if necessary. There were other places and paths that she found and was sure she'd get familiar with before the end of break.

Rosings did offer her something different than what she was used to even though it wasn't to her particular taste.

The next day Ricky informed the girls that he was going over to see the nephews which had apparently arrived that morning.

"It is important to show your gratitude to your hostess by being amiable to all of the family. Would you girls like to accompany me?"

"Not right now Rick, I'm still not awake and my hair is a mess still." yawned Charlotte, holding her head from falling into her cereal bowl.

"I'll take a pass too, Ricky. Say hi for me though. I want to go for a run before the heat sets in."

"That I will do! Exercise is always critical to one's health."

Lizzie gave a no teeth smile and went back to eating her breakfast.

Ricky soon got the hint and left the house to go and attack the nephews.

"I've heard of morning people and night people, but he's an all day person. If he was so enthusiastic about stopping world hunger than I'd like him better."

"Maybe you should tell him." Charlotte said as she stuffed her mouth full of cheerios.

"No thanks I'm good."

Clearing up her area from the table and putting her dishes in the sink, Lizzie slipped on her tennis shoes and went outside to stretch a bit before starting.

It was still cool out since winter was lingering a bit, but being able to see the new buds on the trees and the green grass beginning to show was a refreshing sight to see after seeing nothing but white and dead trees for months, and in the city the snow turned black from the roads and made it even more depressing.

Checking the watch on her wrist she began to run. She started with a light jog and began a faster. The scenery was picturesque and was nice to look at during her run.

She saw the main house and could see that a car was pulled up near the door with the trunk open and some people were unloading. The nephews.

The path that she was on didn't take her closer to the house and turned her to the rose garden.

Charlotte greeted her at the door in a bit of a panic.

"Lizzie, hurry up and take a shower. Rick is bringing over the nephews."

Lizzie jogged up the stairs to her room with Charlotte tailing her.

"Did he say why he was bringing them?"

"They wanted to come apparently." said Charlotte as she plopped onto Lizzie's bed as the other girl got undressed to hop into the shower.

"Why on earth would they want to come here?" muttered Lizzie to herself.

In a few minutes Lizzie had showered and dressed. Charlotte had done the same and put her hair up in a bun. Lizzie's hair was still wet so she left hers down.

"You're not putting your hair up?" asked her friend in disbelief.

"Charlotte, you're acting like these guys are idols or celebrities right now. I don't have to look completely together. Besides I need my hair to dry."

Before Charlotte could get another word in the sound of people entered the house.

Two boys appeared into the room accompanied in last by Ricky. Lizzie was surprised to see that they were both familiar to her, but not so much as she was when she recognized Will Darcy.

She mentally cursed herself by not seeing it earlier. Ricky said one of the nephews was Will, but she had dismissed it as just another Will.

Of course Will isn't THAT popular of a name.

Even though it was a surprise, Lizzie wasn't going to let it affect her. She gave a challenging smile and said hi to him and was rewarded with him scurrying off to a window.

Lizzie: 1 Will: 0

She didn't know why it felt like a competition to make the other feel awkward, but she was too good at making him awkward to stop.

The other cousin however approached her with a friendly smile and greeted her.

"Don't mind him, Will is usually awkward. I'm Richard, I was at the Bingley's party, but I guess you were busy with others to notice. Will is my cousin if you can believe it."

"Yeah I remember seeing you there. Nice to meet you I'm Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie. Even though there are some similarities in facial features, your personalities greatly differ."

"I shall take that as a compliment." said Richard with a grin.

Lizzie offered him a seat and they all sat down. Charlotte sat with Ricky and Lizzie with Richard.

"How's your trip so far? Enjoying the country?"

Can he be any more agreeable? Lizzie inwardly blushed.

"Yes, I like the city, but it can never beat the natural beauty of the country. I've had several walks so far and have been pleased with the view."

"Did you go swimming too?" he gestured to her wet hair.

"No," laughed Lizzie, "I went on a run this morning before you arrived and just got out of the shower."

"Well I'm glad. I usually take a walk through the park each year, maybe you would like to come with me?"

Lizzie smiled, "I'd like that."

There was a pause in the conversation while they were drinking some juice that Mrs Collins had brought out when Will walked up to them and addressed her.

"I hope your family is well, and all your sisters."

Oh so we're going to talk now are we?

"They're fine. My sister Jane however seems a little depressed. Apparently something happened between her and Charles. Would you know?"

She watched his face to betray any knowledge.

"No I don't."

She wasn't sure if he was lying or not, but the way he said it so smoothly. If he was lying then it must come naturally to him.

"What have you seen here so far, Lizzie. I can show you some of the secret places that I go and hide at tomorrow if you'd like." said Richard, pulling her attention away from Will.

"That be great. I think I heard that there was a pond in the middle of the hedge maze."

"Oh yeah, but it's a pain to try and get in there without getting lost, and then you have to worry about getting out. I was stuck in there for hours one time."

Lizzie laughed, "I got in and out pretty easy. Only took a few wrong turns, but it never took me hours to get out."

"Well I guess it wouldn't be so bad if it I got stuck in there with you."

Lizzie chose to ignore the flirty comment for what it was.

"Maybe."

"We should probably head back. We only stopped by to say hello. Our aunt will probably send search parties after us if we stay too long."

This made them both laugh and they stood up together.

"See ya around?"

"That be great."

The two left with Ricky accompanying them to the door.

Charlotte leaned over and whispered to Lizzie, "I think you have an admirer."

A/N: Here is another chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. I was surprised how long it actually was. I put a lot of scenes in this chapter. Happy 4th of July! Will Lizzie fall for Richard. Will Will stop being a wuss and talk? Till next time. Leave comments.