Being the sister of an almost star had some advantages. She got to share the suite with The Meryton Assembly, which was nicer than the rooms the techs usually slept in, even if on this tour, the staff was pretty well treated. She knocked on the door. A young brow haired girl opened. Her huge, panicked brown eyes made her look like a doe caught in a car's headlights.
- Relax Maria, it's only me, Elizabeth teased as she greeted Maria Lucas, Charlotte's sister and the third member of The Meryton Assembly.
The young girl breathed out, visibly relieved.
- I thought it was Charles coming to see Jane, she explained.
- You know, you should get used to being around rock stars. You're practically one yourself, she said as she entered the room, smiling fondly to that girl she had known practically her whole life.
Maria blushed. Lizzie always wondered how such a shy girl, who had a hard time looking people in the eye could play the bass guitar on stage in front of an audience. Human nature is surprising. Jane was in her room, the door wide open, laying down on her bed, humming softly while Charlotte was watching TV, slumped on the sofa. Lizzie was about to relate to them what happened when they heard a knock on the door. Her head turned to Maria.
- Now you can panic, she said with a smile, while turning back to open the door.
Maria's eyes went wide again, and she hid herself on the couch near her sister. Jane sat up straight on her bed, her cheeks lightly coloured. It was no surprise to find a tall blond good-looking and smiling man behind the door. Charles Bingley was the definition of charming. Despite being famous and talented, he was genuine and open in his manners. One could not not like him. That explained why Darcy and him were friends, even though Lizzie still couldn't figure out why Bingley liked Darcy. Bingley could have befriended a log. And the log would have been happy.
- Hi Charles, how are you doing ? Lizzie asked with a nod towards his plaster cast.
He smiled and looked at his bandaged wrist.
- Hi Lizzie, I feel quite stupid truth be told, but my wrist is better now, thank you.
As he entered the room, his eyes immediately searched for Jane. His smile widened when he saw her. Her blush deepened. Those two were like magnets. His eyes went back to Lizzie.
- Thank you for filling in for me, you're doing us a huge favour, he added.
- No problem, she answered a little embarrassed with a slight wave of the hand. Now that Charles was talking about it, things were starting to look more real, and she felt a little anxious.
All heads turned to them in one movement. She would have preferred to break the news to the girls herself, but that would not happen. A small awkward smile appeared on her lips.
- What was that about ? asked Jane in one breath.
Charles's eyes traveled from Jane to Lizzie and back again.
- Oh I'm sorry, he said, confused, I thought they already knew.
- It's ok. I just got back here, I had some work to finish first, she answered.
Who could be angry with Charles when he made that cute sorry face, she wondered. Well, perhaps Darcy could, was that guy ever not angry ? Then, she remembered the smile he cast her when they were talking. She shivered. Wait, why was she even thinking about him anyway ? Charles voice brought her back to reality.
- Lizzie accepted to be my hands until I can play again, Charles explained to a clearly astonished audience.
So that was how Darcy had brought the news to his bandmates. She supposed she should be glad he didn't say she begged him to let her play. Charlotte and Maria were happy about the news. They have been playing music together for so long, they were delighted to share this side of the music with their friend. Jane didn't say a word, but the look in her eyes told Lizzie this conversation wasn't over.
- Mrs Reynolds would like to see you tomorrow morning, he added, to go through some details.
Mrs Reynolds was Pemberley's manager. More like a mother figure actually. She was really fond of the boys and had a way of making them do what they didn't want with a smile but a firm hand.
- I think you're going to like it, said Charlotte with a wink.
Trust Charlotte to make all conversations sound salacious, even the more innocent one. Lizzie laughed.
- I doubt it, but hey, if I can help, I'm happy to do it.
Charles send Lizzie a thank you smile and was about to add something when Lizzie interrupted :
- Anyways, I'm sure you didn't come her to discuss that, so we (she gathered Maria and Charlotte) are going to migrate to the other side of this impossibly huge suite.
The three girls turned and left to join Maria's bedroom. As they closed the door, Jane carefully took Charles's plaster in her hands and asked him how he felt.
After a while, a door was closed and Jane joined them in Maria's room.
- Oh Charles, let me check your wrist even though I have no qualification whatsoever in medicine, Lizzie exclaimed, standing on her bed when Jane entered.
All of them laughed out loud at her impersonation. Jane, blushing bright red, managed to find a pillow and thew it at her sister as hard as she could. Lizzie got hit right in the face, lost balance and collapsed on the bed, initiating more laughs.
- It's not like that, the blond beauty said, her cheeks still coloured.
- No, more like that, said Charlotte who blew kisses in the air.
Jane laughed again. She was a great target for teasing, her sweet nature prevented her from getting angry.
- I do like him, she admitted while worrying the edge of her shorts. The other three girls pretended to be surprised by her confession.
- I am shocked, I didn't notice anything ! Lizzie cried out, one hand on her heart. She then threw a loving gaze at her sister and her tone turned more serious. He seems like a nice guy. I tolerate him, she added with a smirk.
- Now that is a confession, Charlotte answered, chuckling.
Lizzie reached out for Jane's hand.
- Just be careful ok ? I'm happy for you, we all are, she said looking at Maria and Charlotte who nodded. We don't want you to get hurt.
From what she had witnessed, love and career were not miscible. Lizzie had never witnessed a couple in the industry who lasted for real and not only for the tabloids. Schedules would tear them apart, or one would get jealous of the other's success. Those affairs always seem to end badly. She hoped her sister and Charles would prove her wrong.
- I know, Jane answered, a sweet smile on her lips. But what about you ?
For a moment, Lizzie was puzzled, she hadn't met any men, well except Darcy, which technically she hadn't just met. And they're surely was nothing between her and Darcy. Except mutual contempt. Her cluelessness showed on her face and Jane added.
- You're going to play with them, her beautiful face worried.
- Oh that !
It had already slipped her mind. She shrugged.
- It appears so. That is, if mister Giant Asshole finds me good enough.
Charlotte chuckled again. Let's focus the conversation on him, so she wouldn't have to worry about the reality of her being on a stage in front of people who would watch her play music.
- I think that's awesome, you're going to be on stage with us. Well, almost. It's going to be fun ! said Maria.
Jane made a face.
- He is not that bad. I spoke to him a few times, he's quite nice.
Trust Jane to take the bate.
- You find everybody nice, Jane, Lizzie reminded her.
A serene smile graced her features.
- Are you going to be ok ? You've never done this before, and we know that stage is not your goal. She was worried, like a mother for her child's first day of school. Lizzie waved her hand.
- Yeah sure. I'm just going to be on the back of the stage, invisible, and play for them for a few weeks and then everything will be back to the way they are now.
She was trying to persuade herself. Jane kept her eyes locked on hers and Lizzie tried her best not to show that she was anxious. She was right, Lizzie had never done that before. She was always hiding in the studio or behind the curtain of the stage, always in the shadows where she could play her music and no-one was really listening to her or looking at her. Who cared about technicians anyway ? But that was going to be different. She was going to be exposed. No hiding. Some lyrics popped in her head :
You made a deal and now it seems you have to offer up
Here I am, a rabbit hearted girl
Frozen in the headlights
It seems I've made the final sacrifice *
She fell on her back, staring at the ceiling. While they were talking, Darcy had made her so angry, she hadn't really ponder the reality of what he was asking. And it was not only one show, she had committed herself for a few weeks. She closed her eyes. At least, she could make a song out of this.
I must become a lion hearted girl
Ready for a fight before I make
The final sacrifice *
- Or maybe I'm going to suck at the first concert and they're going to fire me, she laughed.
- No you're not, Charlotte said with a piercing glance. You're very gifted. And besides, the more Darcy gets on your nerves, the better you're going to be. Just to prove him wrong, she added with a wink.
- Charlotte Lucas ! Lizzie exclaimed, pretending to be offended. You do know me well. The four of them giggled again.
* The lyrics are from the song "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" by Florence and The Machine.
