Lizzy found Will in what had become his customary position. The high backed chair he insisted on sitting on hardly looked comfortable, but the now 16 year old boy, did insist on punishing his rear by sitting on it. The tomb of a book was balanced precariously upon his knee. Lizzie watched him. Although she herself was a month shy of her tenth birthday (a day she hoped Will would remember to ignore once again) she felt confident in her natural ability to read others easily. Will sat still, staring down at the book, an intense look on his face. Others would not be mocked for assuming the lad absorbed in his activity. But Lizzie could tell he wasn't reading a word of it, his mind was a million miles away. It was a look she was getting more use to seeing. She waited and watched a while longer.

"What did George do this time?" She'd had enough of waiting for him to notice her. He gave a start, for truly he had been unaware of her presence. Lizzie came to lean on the wall beside him. "That look on your face, you only wear it when George has done something to seriously disappoint" He looked at her somewhat lost. "You've been looking like this more and more of late. And there's always a story about George behind it. So, lets have it. What has he done this time?"

"I often find myself wondering where my friend has gone. When we were young we were inseparable. Now though... now. If I could I would spend no time with him at all. Sever all connection. Ever since Father sent us to school he has changed. And all for the worst. We are both 16 years old Lizzie! He is half wild already, I fear what he'll become as he grows older still. He's intelligent, so, so clever. But he prefers to lie and cheat rather than put in any real effort. And he smiles his way through it all. Of course no one believes such behavior is possible from him, even when the evidence to the contrary is overwhelming" He stopped a moment, forcing back the emotions threatening to overtake. "Father has even said he has hopes that George will go into the church. The Church Lizzie! Can you fathom it? Gods house! Gods work!" He lost the battle, the emotions he struggled to hold back overwhelmed him during the uncharacteristic outburst. He stood and began to pace the room in an attempt to regain control. However the visual effect was more of an animal caged.

Lizzie kept quiet, holding her position at the side of the room. Over the years she'd heard a great deal about George. And the older he got the more she grew to dislike him

"Its not on you to be his keeper. If he chooses to behave thus maybe you should focus on distancing yourself from him" Her friend finally stilled. "In just two more years you'll be off at university and away from him. Focus instead on exceeding in your work and let him dig his own hole. He's not your responsibility"

"You're... How on earth are you so wise?" his words filled with genuine wonder.

She laughed her carefree laugh "Its not wise Will, its just common sense!"

He knew the instant she arrived, and oh boy was she in a mood! Stomping and crashing her way around the room, he knew he was in for a long night. He'd noticed her temper getting hotter as she grew older. Part of him wondered if he was to blame, if it was his influence. He didn't often let his anger get the better of him, but when it did it was spectacular. And Lizzie had seen it more than anyone else. She'd seen so much of who he was, things he usually kept so closely guarded. At least in his dreams he allowed himself to be who he truly was. Lizzie helped give him that freedom. She was his true friend. His truest really.

Attention was pulled back to the room to the room as a book flew perilously close to his head. " Lizzie, what on earth" He barked in surprise. A second, already airborne book, collided painfully with his gut. He doubled over a resounding "OMPH" escaped his lips.

"Oh my goodness Will! I'm so sorry" She ran to him, all traces of anger gone, replaced with intense concern. "I wasn't trying for you, if anything I was actively avoiding you... I guess my aim is pretty poor"

"Just a little" Will was able to gasp out.

She dropped heavily to the floor by his feet and rested her head in her hands. She was clearly still upset so Will did the only thing he could. He dropped down beside her coaxing her face from her hands.

"What has you so worked up this evening?"

"I don't want to talk about it!" was her firm response

"You've just redistributed my bookshelf. Don't you think I deserve to know why" His tone was light but she knew he would hold firm to his words.

"I... Its..." she looked up at him, a look of embarrassment clouded her eyes. It was one of those rare moments when Will was reminded of just how young she was. He had become so use to her presence over the years that he had long ago stopped seeing her age.

"Come on Lizzie" he bumped his shoulder against hers. "Friends talk to friends"

"You won't make fun? Or call me a silly girl or a baby?"

"Why ever would I say any of that?"

"Michael Lucas" She all but growled "The brother of my friend Charlotte, she's about your age, and the nicest person I ever met. Well, besides Jane. Michael is a little younger than her and they are nothing alike. He loves to mock and tease us girls. The horrid beast dared to take Janeys bonnet. She'd trimmed it herself and was so proud of the work she'd done. Then when we were out walking with Charlotte he took it and threw it in a mud puddle!" Will looked at her in shock, to do such to a girl, a child, it was unthinkable. "Well, I told him he could jolly well get the hat. He refused. So..." She faltered slightly. "So I shoved him. He landed face first in the mud!" Will couldn't help. The laughter exploded out of him. He could so easily picture this little whisp of a girl, in full fury, half hurling a boy into a puddle. "When papa found out he had the front to tell ME off! He said I had hurt the boys pride. How the other boys would laugh at him" Her heckles started to raise again "What was I supposed to do? He is a menace, its not my fault the boy has no manners" She was glaring at him now.

"I absolutely agree" He spoke up, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "You understandably lost your temper, and yes the lads pride will have been hurt. But I'm sure he also learnt a valuable life lesson. Never get on the wrong side with Lizzie!" He didn't even try to hold back the chuckle. Catching her eye he fixed her with a kindly look before poking his tongue at her, this managed to entice a small smile from her.

"How are you so wise?" She asked, the smile fixing itself with more permanence on her face.

"Its not wise, its just common sense" He echoed back.