Lizzie loved the feel of the grass beneath her bare feet. She looked out across the lake that stretched before her. She had long since stopped thinking the place a palace, but it was pretty darn close. Plus, her friend, although wonderful and fun in his own way, was certainly no prince.
"Will Georgiana be sent away for school when she's older?" The boy, well man nearly she supposed, didn't stir as he lay looking up at the stars.
"I can't be sure. But I rather doubt it. Father wants her home so we can all be together as long as possible. Since mother died, well he always appreciated family, but he's even more focused now" He stopped seemingly lost in thought. A habit of his which Lizzie had grown quite use too. Will was the introspective type, she'd come to find his silence rather calming. She knew from him that others found it dull or snobbish, but not her, he was just Will being Will. I was growing up with him she presumed. It gave her an appreication for him and his peaceful ways.
"Although there's Georgiana herself to consider too. She's so quiet, shy. Not all that good in groups of people. Too much like me I suppose"
"There's nothing wrong with who you are Will!" She violently defended. "You are kind, loyal and have the best of characters" He looked at her alarmed at the tinge of anger in her voice. He went to speak. "No Will, I don't know where this idea has come from. But you've taken to truly believing that you are somehow not good enough, Yes you are quiet, but that's just because you take the time to think. Yes you find groups hard, but that's because some people just want to be close to you because you are rich. You would be silly not to take the time to learn others true natures and agenders. And you aren't silly Will, you're one of the most clever people I know!" She'd finally run out of steam. All he could go was stare at her in shock, but this soon gave way to mirth. A low rumble which fast became a deep guffaw.
"Are you laughing at me?!" she demanded. But he couldn't help it, his laughter continued. Jovial tears filling his eyes. Lizzie couldn't help it either and soon, for reasons she didn't understand she too started to laugh. The empty world around them filled to the brim with the sound of youthful joyous souls.
All too soon it died down. And slight chuckling was all that was left. Will at last found the strength to speak.
"No Lizzie, I'm not laughing at you. You just make me laugh. My friend, your defence of me is heart warming. Its nice to know that someone sees the best in me. Even if I am held back by my own terrible social skills" He grew serious " I worry I won't see you any more Lizzie. You came when I just started school. When my mother had died. I was a child, scared and alone" He turned his attention from her. The lake really was one of his favourite places. "I'm leaving for university, I'm a man now, no longer a child. I fear I will now stop seeing you here. Then I worry about that fear. Why would I want to dream of an 11 year old girl?" He had long since stopped speaking TO his companion but was simply giving his inner monologue voice. "But you're my friend. Been with me through so much. I don't want our nightly chats to end. I don't want this friendship to cease. I may not be truly real, but its real enough to me"
"Will, I don't know what this place is. To be honest I've not really thought much on it. I was only 6 when we met so its my normal. When I see you I see my friend. And so that's what you are, my friend. Simple and uncomplicated. Don't let anything else worry you. We have seen each other every single night these past 5 years. I don't see why that ought to stop just because you are changing school"
"I'm not a boy any more Lizzie"
"And I won't be a girl for much longer. And what of it. Boy, girl? Man, woman? I look at you and I see my friend. There is no one I am as open with. Not even Jane" She grasped at his hand, surprising him. "You are my very dearest friend, and I hope you still will be when I am wrinkly and old. So go off to Cambridge, and for all that is good separate yourself from George Wickham once and for all. He's a bad egg. Become the man you are meant to be, learn all there is to learn. But remember, never forget, I'll be here waiting for you every night. Ready to hear about your day, or play hide and seek" She allowed a gentle laugh to escape her. "I'm not going anywhere Will. I'm awfully afraid you are stuck with me"