Jump to new as of June 4, 2001
Posted on Thursday, 24 May 2001
Today was Lydia Bennet's big day. She was going to be starting grade 10 at The Bishop Strachan School. She did not want to go to an all girls' school, but it was family tradition to do so. Her two eldest sisters, Jane and Lizzy had graduated a few years before and were now at university. Her other sisters, Mary and Katie, twins, were in grade 11.
By 7:30 am, Lydia was dressed. Wearing the sailor collar blouse, grey skirt, burgundy and grey striped tie, grey knee socks and black oxfords, Lydia hopped downstairs to the kitchen where her Mary and Katie were already seated.
"Morning all" said Lydia
"Morning honey." said Mrs. Bennet "I do hope you're ready to go to school. I had a great time when I was at BSS. What a mess we made once in household arts! It's too bad they don't offer it anymore. Oh well, I guess computers are more important these days."
The Bennet girls at their cereal and was soon ready to get to school. Mrs. Bennet, who was a psychotherapist, didn't have any morning appointments and was therefore able to drive the girls to school.
The Bishop Strachan School is located in a wealthy neighbourhood in Toronto called Forest Hill, located next to Upper Canada College (UCC), probably the most prominent boys' school in Canada. The homes in Forest Hill are old, and the tree lined streets cover most of these homes. The area is beautiful most of the year, even in the winter, when the snow stays on the branches, making the streets look like a winter wonderland.
The Bennets reached BSS at approximately 8:15 am, in time for Lydia to meet with the other new girls. They were to have a meeting in the chapel before the returning students came in. But first, Lydia had to meet with her house advisor and house prefect*. Each girl in the senior school (grade 7-graduation) was put in a house. Lydia, like the other Bennet girls, was in Marling. The staff advisors for Marling were Mrs. Mitchell and Mr. Hawthorne, and the house head, a graduating student wearing a white blazer was Michelle Cohen.
"Hey Lydia! Over here! You're with me" cried Michelle
"Oh ok."
Michelle gave Lydia her name tag and led her to a seat in the back of the chapel, where all the new girls were meeting. The BSS chapel was probably the most beautiful part of the school. BSS girls had, no matter what religion they were, to go to chapel each morning. They did not have to participate in the service, but service is part of the school's Anglican tradition.
"Good morning. I'm Ms. Douglas, the head of school. Welcome to BSS.........."
Lydia was not really paying attention to Ms. Douglas. She just wanted the day to be over so she could go home and get out of her school uniform.
Soon chapel was over, and Lydia was moving on to her first class, which was math. Lydia quickly found a seat and sat down, waiting for the teacher, Miss Newton to come in.
Lydia felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around.
"Hi." said the girl "I'm Euphrasie, but people call me Cosette. What's your name?"
"I'm Lydia Bennet, and I don't want to be here."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to go to an all girls' school. My mom made me come here. Family tradition. My sisters are here too."
"You must be Katie's and Mary's sister then. They're a grade above me."
"So you're in grade 10 too then!"
"Yeah."
"How do you like it here?"
"It's all right. Daddy says it's probably better that I come here then go to a co-ed school. See, I'm an only child and I have no mom. I don't really know what happened to her. In fact, I don't know too much about my past. Daddy doesn't talk too much about himself. Sent me here as a boarder in grade 7."
"I'm sorry."
"Nah. It's ok. At least I'm comfortable, right?"
"Yeah, I guess"
"Good morning, ladies, welcome to grade 10 math. I'm Miss Newton, your math teacher....."
Lydia was glad that it was finally lunch time. She could go to The Ville, a popular hang out spot for BSS girls and UCC boys to have a coffee. Perhaps she could catch a few boys to flirt around with! Lydia's first stop was at the bakery where she bought a toasted bagel with cucumbers, tomatoes and cheese, something that her sisters love, and had asked her to try. As she was coming out of the bakery, a young man caught her eye..............
* a prefect is a student leader, in their final year (or in some schools, final two years), much like the student council in public schools.
George Wickham was walking along Spadina Road minding his own business when he heard a scream coming from the bakery. He turned around and saw a tall brunette, about fifteen years old staring at him. Being the kind of guy that he is, he went over and asked how the young girl was doing.
"Miss, are you feeling all right?", asked the UCC boy
"Yes, fine. I think I my coffee is a little too hot."
"You must be careful sometimes, you know. The coffee here can be quite hot. My name is George. I'm in grade 11 at UCC. What's your name?"
"Lydia. Lydia Bennet." Lydia gave Jonathan a big smile. "I guess you know where I'm from, huh?"
"Bennet. Hmm.....are you related to Katie and Mary?"
"Yeah. They're my sisters."
"Sisters? I didn't know that they had another. They talk of Jane and Lizzie all the time, but I don't remember them ever talking about Lydia"
"Well here I am."
George's handsome looks kept Lydia smiling throughout the lunch hour. This boy was simply irresistible. He was tall, about 6'4, which was good since Lydia is 5'10, and is having some trouble getting boys. His dark blond hair and blue-green eyes just lit up the room or, in this case, street. He was the type of boy that girls would die to have. Lydia and Jonathan continued to walk and talk until it was time for both of them to go back to their respective schools. Since BSS was on the way to UCC, Jonathan walked her back. Lydia kept a smile on her face all afternoon.
"So Lydia, who was that guy you were with this afternoon?" asked Cosette
"George Wickham. Grade 11. UCC."
"Oh him. I've heard of him. He's ok."
"OK?"
"Yeah...OK."
"So Cosette, do you have a boyfriend?"
"Uhh...not officially. Well, Daddy doesn't know about him, but I DO like this guy. Also UCC. Marius is his name."
"Oh yeah? Is he cute?"
"Yeah, can be a little geeky sometimes. He has a thing for caffeine and can be a little hyper. Does some charity stuff and politics stuff."
"Cool. Anyways, I gotta meet my sisters and go home and stuff. I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"
"Sure."
Mrs. Bennet was finishing off with a client when Lydia got home.
"How was your first day, honey?"
"Great. I met this guy. George Wickham. UCC, Grade 11."
"Already?"
"Yes. Already."
"I'm not sure I like this, honey. You're only fifteen years old!"
"MOTHER!"
Then Katie walks in.
"What's all the commotion?"
"Your sister just met a young man today over lunch hour!"
"Who?"
"George Wickham" says Lydia "REEEALLLLLLLLLLY hot!"
"He's bad news, Lydia. He's a Jockie. All he cares about is football and hockey."
"I don't care, Katie. I'm young and I wanna have all the fun I can get!"
With that, Lydia stomped out of the room. She just wasn't able to take it anymore. She felt that at fifteen, she was three years to being an adult and should be able to have more privileges. Lydia ran to her room and turned on her computer and logged on to the Internet. She just had to check her email. When she got to the email program, she typed:
lydiabrocks [tab]
********[return]
She had mail, and the mail came from George........