A/N: Hey! This is my first story, so thanks a bunch for reading. I was happily surprised that people actually started following my story. I honestly didn't expect that. So thank you to those who reviewed. I really do appreciate it. You guys made my day.
This story is not going to exactly match the book, some elements are different, so I hope you stick around to find out what happens.
One last thing...
I didn't say this in the first chapter because I just assumed you all knew but here it is: I'm not Jane Austen. If I was, that would be pretty impressive, since I would be over two centuries old. But I'm not. Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
Ch. 2
"Ugh! There are still so many boxes. I feel like I'm in an episode of Hoarders!" Jane exaggerated as she navigated her way to the couch with her tea in hand.
"Oh please. There are only half a dozen boxes left and they're stacked neatly in the corner, thanks to you." Elizabeth sighed as she pointed to the corner where the stack of boxes lay. Liz was used to Jane's over-exaggeration when it came to cleanliness. Her sister was always a neat-freak.
"We've been here for almost two weeks and it still isn't feeling like a home yet though." Jane responded.
"Well both of us have been really busy with work. It will get there Janie, don't worry. Speaking of work, though, how has it been? We haven't even told each other how our first week went!" Elizabeth exclaimed. They hadn't talked much since Monday. Their time had been spent at work or at home unpacking.
"My first week was ah-mazing! My boss, Tara Guilles, has really taken me under her wing. She's teaching me all these tricks and tips. I think she really likes me. The company is starting the set for this movie next week called The Adventures of Sean Riley. It's supposed to be this Rom-Com, I think. Anyway, Tara is already asking for my input on the set and we get to go to the studio next Monday to plan out the design! Ahhh, Liz this is the best thing that has ever happened to me!" Jane gushed. She was so passionate about her new job.
"That's amazing Janie. Congrats!" Liz replied, reaching out to give her sister a hug. Jane always put her heart into everything she did, so Elizabeth wasn't that surprised to hear that Jane was already doing so well in her work.
"Thanks. Enough about me though, how was your first week?"
"It was pretty good. Oh my gosh! I forgot to tell you something. Do you remember Charlotte Lucas from high school?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yea, you two used to be really good friends, but then lost touch. Why do you ask?"
"Because she works at L.A Mag. I was looking for my bosses office Thursday so I was reading all the plaques on the door and one said 'Charlotte Lucas' so I popped my head in to see if it was really her, and sure enough, there she was!" Elizabeth said triumphantly.
"Wow. Did she remember you?"
"Yea she did. As soon as she saw me her eyes lit up and she ran from behind her desk to hug me. We made plans to grab lunch tomorrow."
"How weird." Jane said while sipping her tea. "Well I hope you too still connect."
The ringing of Jane's cell phone interrupted their conversation and they both glanced over to the coffee table where her phone was laying. They noticed the caller ID, it was their mother. Jane cautiously picked up the phone and answered it. She winced when her mother's piercing voice hit her ears.
"Jane Marie Bennet! Why haven't you called? You said you would call when you settled in. It's been almost two weeks! I've been worried sick. I thought something happened to you." Franny Bennet's voice boomed through the cell phone.
"Mom, I'm so sorry. Liz and I have been really busy this past week. But we're fine." Jane replied cautiously, not wanting her mom to break her eardrums again. To her surprise, her mother was calmer the next time she spoke.
"Well as long as you're alright Janie. Is Elizabeth staying out of trouble?"
"Of course, Ma. She has been too busy with work to get into any trouble" Jane gave her sister an apologetic smile for their mothers rudeness.
"You're right. But I'll be checking up on her regularly. I don't want her making any trouble for me out there"
"Wouldn't dream of it, mom" Elizabeth shouted into Jane's phone.
"I almost forgot, Jane" Their mother quickly said to change the subject away from her least favorite daughter. "Have you found any new men out there? I'm sure you've managed to capture the eye of many wealthy young gentlemen"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. All that mattered to her mother was that her daughters were married to rich men. It was her mission.
"No, mom. Not yet. As I said, work has been taking up a lot of my time, but I'm happy where I am. No need to find a husband yet." Jane chuckled. Both of the sisters found their mothers antics to be funny and annoying and the same time.
For the next fifteen minutes, Jane sat on the couch talking to their mother on the phone. Most of the conversation was about Jane's insistence that there was no one in her life at the moment. By the time that she was done, Elizabeth was well into an episode of Covert Affairs.
When Elizabeth noticed that her sister was done talking to their mom, she spoke up, "I thought moving meant that we wouldn't have to put up with her shit anymore."
"Oh Liz, I'm so sorry. I know she can be a handful, but she means well. She just wants the best for us." Jane sympathized.
"No, she wants what's best for her." Elizabeth replied coldly.
At that, Jane cuddled up to her sister. "She's almost 3,000 miles away." Jane smiled at her sister then added, "And we don't always have to pick up the phone..."
Elizabeth smiled back. Jane really did have a good soul.
For the rest of the night, they watched re-runs of their favorite shows and talked about the city that was so new to them.
Liz could see Charlotte running down the street towards her. It was quite the sight. Hobbling in her 4-inch heels with her curly brown hair swaying back and forth. The street was busy and she attracted a lot of attention. Even more people turned to look when she started squealing "Lizzy! Lizzy!"
The sight just made Elizabeth laugh. Charlotte hadn't changed a bit. She was still the same bubbly person she was in high school. When Charlotte finally reached Liz she said, "Char! So good to see you again! We have so much to catch up on."
They both embraced each other like the long-lost friends they were. After they finally released each other, Charlotte exclaimed "I know! I'm so happy to see you. Let's go get some food. I'm starving!"
Elizabeth and Charlotte walked over to a café nearby. After they settled down in their seats, Charlotte spoke up enthusiastically, "Oh my gosh! I'm so glad we're working together! What are the odds that two girls from Philly woulds both move to L.A and work for L.A Mag?!"
Liz laughed. She forgot how much energy Charlotte had. "I don't know, but it's a small world." Elizabeth replied in a sing-song voice.
The two girls burst out in laughter, gaining a few angry stares in reply. The phrase reminded them both of elementary school where they had to perform It's a Small World and Elizabeth tripped on her dress and fell to the floor, sending poor Charlotte along with her. Most of their middle school and high school jokes had to do with that instance. If one girl went down, they both did.
When their hysterical hyena laughs died down, Charlotte asked seriously, "So how do you like L.A Mag?"
"Oh it's great!" Elizabeth responded. "But I haven't gotten anything big yet since I'm new. I just want to have the chance to write an amazing piece to show everyone what I can do."
"Well I'll put in a good word for you. You always were a great writer. Hell, you were better than me! You'll have the respect you deserve in no time."
"Thanks, Char." Elizabeth gave her friend a smile.
"How is Jane doing?" Charlotte asked.
"She's great. We're both out here together. Do you remember how she wanted to be a set designer? Well, she finally is one and she loves it. But I haven't talked to her too much lately since we've both been caught up in our work. I think we just need something to take our mind off of our jobs...and our nagging mother."
"Hah. I won't even ask how Mrs. Bennet is 'cause I can guess. Hey, you know what you and Jane need?" Charlotte asked.
"A hit-man to take out my mom?" Liz joked
Charlotte let out a loud bubbly laugh. "No! Well, I mean I probably know where you could find one but that wasn't what I was talking about! I think you and Jane just need a night out. We could go to a club!"
"I guess so. We haven't really been out much. You could show us around L.A."
"Yes! Alright, so it's settled. Tonight, we go clubbing!" Charlotte said triumphantly while holding up her hand in a fist as if she had just conquered their Saturday night.
The old friends sat for the rest of their lunch sharing laughs and reminiscing about their childhood. Hell, they still were children when they were together. At one point in their lunch, Charlotte flicked a carrot from her salad at Liz when she made fun of her old Backstreet Boys fetish.
After their lunch was over and the bill was payed, Liz gave Charlotte her address and they planned to meet at 8:00. The two girls said their goodbyes, promising to meet later to spend a night out on the town.
"I don't know about this, Liz." Jane said skeptically, leaning against the door frame to Liz's room.
"Yea, me neither. But it could do us some good. We've been under so much pressure at work to do well." Jane's sister responded while holding up potential dresses in front of her mirror.
Neither sister was big on partying, but Elizabeth was just glad that she would be spending time with Charlotte. She didn't even know what to wear to a club.
As she held out an out-of-date black velvet dress, Elizabeth grimaced. She really needed help with her wardrobe. Just as Jane was about to comment on the sad excuse for a dress, the doorbell rang. Jane rushed out of the room to get the door.
From her room, Liz could hear the bright voice of Charlotte yelling "Jane! How are you? It's been ages! You look great!"
After a few minutes of catching up, Jane lead Charlotte to Liz's room where there were clothes strewn across the floor and a distraught Elizabeth laying face down on her bed.
"Oh, honey." Jane said sweetly to her sister. "I was gone for only a couple of minutes and it looks like your closet threw up."
"I can't go. I have nothing to wear." Elizabeth groaned as she sat up on her bed, clutching a pillow.
"You can, and you will." Charlotte responded. She began picking up clothes on the floor to find an outfit for her friend. "This one will do."
Charlotte was holding up a green dress that used to stop just above her knees. Elizabeth groaned.
"No. The last time I wore that I was in high school. I think someone threw up on me the last time I wore it. Besides it doesn't even fit. I'm not sure why I still have it..."
"Hah. I think I remember you wearing this! You looked hot! Well, at least until Larry Stillinski barfed on you. Come on, Liz. Get up and put on the dress."
Reluctantly, Elizabeth grabbed the dress. She would wear the damn dress if it meant spending time with her sister and old friend.
Liz went into the bathroom and emerged a few minutes later wearing the dress Charlotte picked out.
"I look like a whore, Char. Jane tell Char that I look like a whore. My boobs have definitely grown out of this dress and I've grown at least three inches since high school." Complained Elizabeth.
Jane held up her hands to her sister as if to say 'Yea right, I'm not getting into this.'
"Come on Liz, you're not going to know anyone there. It'll be fun. And if you think you look like a whore now, just wait 'till we get to the club. Some of these L.A girls have very lenient rules on what can be called clothes" Charlotte grabbed her friends hand and lead her out of the room and towards the front door.
Soon, the three girls were in the elevator. Charlotte was jumping up and down with excitement. Even Jane's subtle smile told Elizabeth that her sister was looking forward to their evening out.
Elizabeth grinned at the sight. She didn't want to ruin their evening by complaining about her dress. She would forget about the dress and just have a good time.