George called fairly frequently over the next week, and though Lizzie was very suspicious, she found she liked the attention. It was a nice diversion from Mr. Collins who was trying, rather unsuccessfully, for her to like him. George even had business on Cape Cod once that week and popped in to say hello. He stayed for dinner and Mrs. Bennet quickly became infatuated.

That night Lizzie decided to take a walk with him before the sun went down and they discussed many things. Lizzie was surprised to find that they both had similar tastes in music and several other things. He mentioned before he had to go that he would be down in Cotuit again next weekend.

"My best friend's birthday party is next Saturday, but I'm sure you can come over before then, since it starts at four." In double history the next morning, Lizzie mentioned her meeting up with Wickham again.

"You know, he can come if he wants to right? I'm inviting your whole family," Charlotte remarked. She was a little jealous over the attention that her friend was getting by the member of the opposite gender, but decided to overlook it and be happy for her friend. "Unfortunately your mother had me on speaker when I told her and that annoying man that you keep on telling me about overheard. He's going to come too."

Lizzie made a face. "Ew. All I wanted was an entirely full day away from Mr. Collins." Charlotte laughed.

"Don't worry, you can sleep over for a day and leave whenever you want. You're always invited."

Lizzie sighed in relief. "You're a godsend Charlotte."

"I try," Charlotte grinned.

The celebration of her friend's adulthood was a small but nice party. Charlotte felt uncomfortable inviting Bingley and Darcy so it was even smaller, having only the Bennet's, Wickham, and a few other friends and relatives. It was indoors since it wasn't all that hot out yet but they all had fun.

It wasn't long before Elizabeth had introduced both herself and George to everyone and they found themselves on a couch with a drink.

"Is Darcy showing up?" Wickham asked conversationally. "I thought he and his friend were part of your little group."

Elizabeth shrugged. "Not really, I mean we talk to them and stuff but Charlotte didn't feel too comfortable about inviting them to her party so she didn't." George brightened considerably, so much that Lizzie got curious. "Why are you always asking about Will?"

His mood darkened again. "Oh. Well, we used to be friends back when he first started acting. My father needed money so he started me off really young as a child actor. Darcy and I are both the same age and we met on Sesame Street, shared crayons and such. He invited me over to his house a lot, and our fathers had cookouts and went golfing together and all. Or families were really close for a good ten years, but then his dad died. He left me some money, which I guess Darcy was jealous of. He only gave me less than half of what Mr. Darcy left me. But then, when my dad died I... started my own, er, small business and I needed what was left of the money. But Darcy refused to give it to me." He was quiet for a moment. "I was bankrupt and my business floundered. So I joined the military, and here I am," he ended bitterly.

Lizzie thought over everything that George had said, and since she got good vibes from Wickham she decided that he was telling the truth. "Oh George, I'm so sorry! I never thought Will could be that mean. I know he's mean now, but that's terrible!"

"I know," George replied sarcastically. "I guess it would be truthful to say that we're not friends anymore. That's why he so rudely ignored me. He's just like his godmother."

"Who's his godmother?"

"Mrs. Catherine Bourgh, the ex- fashion designer. Do you know of her?"

"Yes, yes I do," Lizzie replied, startled. "Mr. Collins is a renter of one of her homes!"

"Ugh, she's a tyrant. The meanest lady I've ever met, just like Darcy only he knows how to be quiet. She never shuts up. She'll criticize your eyelashes if you let her get close enough. I hope, for your sake, you never meet her." His eyes were narrowed into slits and his fists were clenched so Lizzie rested her head against his shoulder George took a deep breath and relaxed himself. His face turned into a lopsided smile and Elizabeth took her head off his shoulder.

"What?"

"You know what we should do?" he said in a teasing voice.

Lizzie was a tad surprised at his sudden change in manner, but played along. "What?"

"You should go to prom with me," he asked confidently. Lizzie was shocked.

"Uh, sure! Will you be around?" Lizzie was stunned, she hadn't thought she'd even be going, let alone with an actual date.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure. When is it?" he asked carelessly.

Lizzie thought for a moment before responding. "Near the end of May, I think."

"Hmm, yeah I'm pretty sure I'll be down." He grinned at her and she smiled a little back. It had happened so fast Lizzie wasn't sure if she was excited about it or not. They still barely knew each other, and suddenly they were going to prom together. Lizzie trusted Wickham so she decided to go along with it. This was when Lizzie decided to take the time to look around. Her sisters were arguing about something, Jane was talking to Mr and Mrs Lucas along with her parents, but what really startled her was that Charlotte Lucas herself was laughing at something William Collins had said.

Besides this disturbance, the rest of the evening went along fairly well, they ate cake and had food and Charlotte opened up her presents. Before they all knew it it was time to leave. Elizabeth said goodbye to Wickham and her family and then she went up into Charlotte's room.

Charlotte was quiet through most of the movie they were watching, and Lizzie got suspicious. "What's wrong Charlotte? You're being very quiet. And you look kind of pale."

Charlottes bottom lip trembled a little and she paused the film. "Oh you'll never guess what happened to us!"

"What?! Who, us?"

"My parents! Both of them got fired. They wanted to have this party for me, but after this I... I don't know what's going to happen. We've always been lower middle class... they told me that even with scholarships they won't be able to send me to college!"

Lizzie pulled her friend into a hug and handed her a tissue. "I'm sure they can, can't they get new jobs?"

Charlotte pulled back and replied bitterly. "It turns out they've been fired for months and months and they didn't tell me or any of my siblings. They've been going out for interviews but nobody's hiring since the economy's so bad!"

"Not even Dunkin Donuts or Stop and Shop?" Lizzie asked desperately.

Charlotte shook her head violently. "The closest Dunkin Donuts that's hiring is in Fair Haven. We'd have to move!"

"You can't move, senior year is next year!"

"I know! Lizzie, they have to find something, they've just got to!"

"I know, I know..." Elizabeth pulled Charlotte to her again and listened to her best friend's sobs.

***

"I don't believe it," Jane protested stubbornly. "Who could possibly be that mean to someone?"

"I'll bet Darcy can," Elizabeth negatively pondered out loud. "You know, he doesn't talk very much but I feel as if he's always judging me."

"Has he ever actually said anything negative towards you?"

"Well, that's typically Caroline's job," Lizzie admitted. "He stands up for me sometimes. But he's just such a snob!" she ended venomously. "I wouldn't doubt if he did all that to George and more!"

"You've known Will longer, and George for only a short time," Jane added reasonably. "Maybe you've got your facts mixed up."

"I don't think so," she disagreed. "Anyway, I'm just excited for the prom."

"I'm not!" Jane exclaimed. "I have exams before then! Ugh."

"Did Bingley ask you to go with him yet?" Elizabeth asked slyly, provoking a blush out of her sister.

"No! Besides, who says he wants to go with me anyway?"

"I'll bet he does, just you wait."