Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of December 2, 2000
Liz yelped and for the first time in ages looked frightened at the sight of her father sitting on her bed.
"Uh... I... no... I mean..."
Her father raised his hand and she automatically stopped speaking. She could see the look of disappointment on his face and it killed her. She couldn't bear to think that she had disgraced him. He spoke softly and slowly.
"I don't know where you were. But I have a pretty good idea who you were with. I have always trusted you, Elizabeth. I have always defended you against your mother's criticisms... I have not forgotten that. Just tell me the truth of what you did tonight. I will know if you are lying."
Liz took a deep breath. She knew her father would listen to her. "I was worried about Lydia. I couldn't sleep, so I called Will and he came to get me. We went to the park and watched the stars and then we fell asleep..." she explained as the tears began to fall.
"I believe you, as I said I would, but Elizabeth, you were worried about your sister, I can't imagine why. She is certainly a silly girl, but do not make yourself uneasy, I am sure she has sense enough to know when something is seriously wrong."
"I can promise you that this is not so. She is totally senseless. George Wickham isn't someone to trust with her and I've been worried since she told me that he was her prom date."
"You must try to think that she will have much better judgment. She will never learn any better if we don't let her face her own problems."
"I can't agree. I can't think that she will think in this case. If you knew of the dangers of sending her into this situation. Of the embarrassment she could cause, and of the further damage she could create for herself."
"Dangers? Lizzy, I'm sure you're making this out to be much worse than it really is."
"No, father. You may know your daughter, but I know Wickham. Even if Lydia has the sense to listen to her better judgment, provided she has any, I fear it will not be before it is too late for her to get away from him."
"You and your sister will be there along with a great number of chaperones. I'm sure that all will turn out well. You need not concern yourself. Your sister will be well guarded and there will be no peace in this house of she is detained."
"I... well. Very well sir." Liz retreated, there was no convincing her father other wise. He was right. He left her room after giving her a kiss on the forehead and she flopped down on her bed before realizing she had to go to school in an hour.
Elizabeth tried to cheer herself up on her way to school, telling herself that maybe her father was right and Lydia would be under enough supervision to keep her safe. She didn't really believe it, but she forced herself to pretend to be all right. There no use in depressing all of her friends with her problem. She walked into the school and didn't make her usual stop in the cafeteria. She went straight to her locker to get her books. She didn't feel like talking to anyone right now.
Her efforts were in vain however. Not only was she shortly accompanied, but it had to be in the company that would least improve her standing.
"Hey Liz," Lydia's high pitched tone echoed in her ears.
"Hey Lydie," I'm not gonna look, I'm not gonna look. Liz couldn't resist and as she turned her head she saw her baby sister in serious lip lock with George.
She slammed her locker shut and stared at him. As the kiss ended she took the physics book that rested in her hand. The smack could be heard down the hall.
"WHAT THE ^$#% IS WRONG WITH YOU , *!*#@!?" George yelled.
"I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER!"
With that she turned and walked towards the cafeteria. She could hear George yelling and cursing, and Lydia in a fit of hysterics, but she didn't care. Spotting Will, she walked over to his table and sat down without saying a word. Will smiled at her.
"Did you get caught?" he asked quietly.
"Huh?" Liz had almost forgotten about what had happened that morning. Her recent action had seemed to make everything else a blur. "Uh, yeah but it's ok..."
Will raised a brow. "What's wrong? You look really pale, are you feeling all right?"
"Yes I'm fine..."
"No you're not, you look really sick. Is there anything I can get you? A soda or something?"
"I'm fine," her frustration was evident as she spoke.
"What happened?"
"I hate George, and I expressed it in the only way that I could manage to. It was all very stress relieving until I realized that I've signed my dignity to him."
"What did you do...?"
"I hit him. In the head. With my Physics book." Liz spoke flatly, as if she were describing something that happened in a dream. Will's eyes widened and Liz put her head down on the table. Closing her eyes, she sat there for a minute before she heard a series of gasps from people around her. She didn't have to look up to know Wickham had just entered the cafeteria and was most likely walking towards her. There was a little blood stain on his shirt.
"WHERE IS SHE?" George growled not noticing Liz at the table. "WHERE'S YOUR LITTLE %$#^% OF A GIRLFRIEND!?"
Will stood up and stood face to face with George. Liz sat up straight.
With a chilling seriousness in his voice he said "You'd better watch yourself and stay away from Liz or what you got today will be nothing compared to what I do to you. And if I ever hear you talking trash about her again, the book is gonna be planted firmly into your head. Got it?"
Wickham backed up with a look of defeat on his face.
"It's all over. There isn't anyway to get around what's going to happen now." Liz sounded apathetic. Her emotions extremely present, terror, misery, regret, but if she had expressed them the tears that George Wickham would never be allowed to see would have been unavoidable.
Will could provide no comfort aside from the embrace that he held her in.
Liz sat in the guidance office, awaiting her sentence. Ms. Perky appeared to be quite distracted with something on her computer but she turned her attention to Liz at last and shook her head.
"Ms. Bennet, it is quite a shock to have you in for office for this reason. However, because this is your first offense, I will let it slide. I assume you had a good reason for what you did."
"Yes in fact, I--"
"I don't want to hear it, Ms. Bennet," Ms. Perky interrupted. "But if this behavior is repeated, you will not be attending the senior prom, is that clear?"
Liz took a deep breath. "Crystal."
"All right then, that is all. Get out of my office," Ms. Perky said, turning back to her computer, she glanced up, "Scoot!".
Liz turned and exited. She held her head and tried to clear it of thoughts. As George Wickham began to walk towards her, she turned around and started to walk in the other direction.
"Hey Liz!" He called to her.
"Go away. Go away. Stay away from me." She spoke in a slightly nervous though more angry tone.
"I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. You being a temperamental freak and loosing it like that. Me and Lydia will miss you at the prom!"
He's just trying to bother you... it isn't a problem.... calm down. "No such luck, Sparky. You're not going to get the satisfaction of making me loose it again."
"I don't need to."
Liz rolled her eyes and kept walking. Prom was in less than a week and Liz was determined not to loose her temper with Wickham before that. There was no way she was going to miss her own prom because of him. Turning down the hall to her locker, she saw Will sitting on the floor. He stood up when he saw her.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, she just said if it happens again I can't go to prom... but don't worry," she added, seeing the look of fear forming on his face, "it won't happen again. It's what he wants. And unlike my sister, I refuse to let him have what he wants."
The next day held little charm for Liz.
"Would the following students please report to the guidance office: George Wickham, Elizabeth Bennet, Colin Williams, and Carolyn Bingley. To the guidance office please."
"Oh no." Liz walked into Miss Perky's office.
"Elizabeth, I'm surprised that my warning wasn't taken seriously, especially with it being given yesterday."
"What?! Miss Perky, I--"
"What on Earth possessed you to push George Wickham into a set of lockers? I understand that people have flaring tempers Liz, but you were warned yesterday morning. I expected you to think."
"Lockers? What are you talking about?"
"Elizabeth, you won't be attending the prom."
"But I--"
"That will be all, Ms. Bennet."
Liz stormed out of her office and looked at the others who were sitting there waiting. Wickham had a smirk on his face. Carolyn looked confused. Colin was looking at Liz with the most apologetic expression. She turned in a huff and stormed into the hallway, only to be followed by one of the last people she wanted to talk to right now.
"Liz?"
"I don't have the patience for you right now, Colin."
"I know. You never do. But I wanted to say that I had nothing to do with it."
Liz turned to him. "You didn't have anything to do with what?"
"With... with... I mean..." Colin paused and became nervous, as he often was when he spoke to Liz. "You're obviously upset with Wickham... I mean to have hit him with a book and pushed him into the lockers. I just wanted to say I had nothing to do with him going to the prom with your fair sister."
"Oh Colin, Lydia is anything but fair," Liz sighed and for the first time in her life, she looked at Colin with an expression other than disgust. She looked at him with pleading eyes ready to overflow with tears of anger. "I didn't push him into any lockers, Colin. You have to believe me."
"I... uh..." Colin had never seen her this way and he didn't know how to respond. Something else seemed to be plaguing him, but he couldn't say anything about it to her. "I believe you, Liz," he said finally. "But I'm afraid no one else will."
"You know something that I don't...," she spoke with a knowledge of the expression that I wore.
"What? I... I have to go see Miss Perky."
Liz rolled her eyes. She walked down the hall trying to hold back the angry tears that were still ready to fall. She stopped at the water fountain to get a drink. As she stood she saw her sister walking down the hall. She walked as quickly as she could from Lydia.
"Liz what the hell is wrong with you? I know you're jealous or whatever but there is NO reason for you to be going completely PSYCHO at every corner!" Her sister had snagged her arm and was speaking in an overwhelmingly stupid tone of annoyance.
Liz closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes once again, she looked at her sister. "I know you are angry with me. And I accept that. But do NOT think for one minute that I am as thoughtless as you. I had a reason for doing what I did, a reason that you can never understand because your head is too thick." She pulled her arm away from Lydia. "But if you have any type of friendly regard for me in your body, you will believe me when I say that I have not touched Wickham, let alone shoved him into any locker." Turning away, she walked down the hall, not really caring if Lydia believed her or not.
Ring. Ring. Ring. "Hello?"
"Is Liz there please?"
"Who's calling?"
"Will."
"Can she call you back, I'm on the phone?"
"Lydia, it's sort of important."
Lydia huffed, "Fine, hold on," she said in a temperamental tone.
"Hello?"
"Hey... she was in a great mood. Seems to be going around. Where were you all day?" Will asked with concern.
"I uhm... I was sitting in my car... I suppose you heard about...?" Liz asked quietly.
"Yes... Carolyn made sure to tell me as soon as she could... but Liz, you told me that it wasn't gonna happen again."
"It wasn't... it didn't... Will, I didn't do anything to Wickham... I swear on our relationship that I didn't shove him into any lockers. But there's no way the administration will believe me. I don't have any proof. It's his word against mine and since they know I hit him in the head with my book, of course they're going to believe him..."
"Don't worry Liz, I'll find some way to get you out of this." He paused. "You're sure you didn't do it?"
Liz blinked. He was doubting her and that made her even more upset and defensive. "I said I didn't do it. I wouldn't lie to you, Will, you should have more faith in me than that. You should also have more faith in me to know that I wouldn't do anything more to jeopardize my going to prom. Do you think I'm that stupid? Who do you think i am to be questioning me after I have sworn on our relationship?"
"Liz, I'm really sorry, I just know how you can be around George."
"Yeah you know lots about me. I can't talk to you right now, cause I'm gonna regret going any farther with the things on my mind. Bye."
She hung up.
What is it with you Will... do you just confine thinking to when you screw yourself over? He slowly hung up the phone and stared off into space. He hadn't meant to upset her that much. He hadn't meant to upset her at all. Now she was more than a little angry at him and he hated it when she felt that way. He knew he had to make it up to her and the only way to do that was to get to the bottom of this situation. He picked up the phone and began dialing, but then slammed the phone down. He had no idea what to do. Then suddenly he had an idea and ran out to his car. It wasn't a very long drive to where he was going and when he parked, he slowly walked up the steps to the house. He took a deep breath as he rang the doorbell and hoped this trip wasn't made for nothing.
"Who's there?" called a voice from behind the door.
"It's me, Will."
"Oh..." Colin opened the door slowly. Will had remembered the look Colin had given Liz at the restaurant and he was certain that Colin knew all of Wickham's plans... yet the last person he wanted to hurt was Liz.
Will pushed his way past Colin and sat down on his couch. "We need to talk, Colin."
"I... um... about what?" Colin asked as he sat down in the chair opposite Will.
"About the prom. And why Liz isn't going."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Clear her name, you know how to do it. And you know what happens if she doesn't go."
Colin looked at him with a mix of fear and understanding. There were a lot of things that would happen if Liz didn't go. George's plan would go flawlessly, and Colin would get himself turned in a bloody little pile of worthless human parts.
The next day at school, Liz walked quietly to her morning classes. She didn't say much to anyone, and she avoided Will. She knew she'd over-reacted a little, but she still had a right to be angry at him for doubting her. Lunch was a different story, however.
Liz sat at her table without getting anything to eat. She wasn't very hungry. Will walked towards her but was stopped by Colin. Liz's head shot up at this. It was unlikely the two had become friends which meant one of them was up to something. And she wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to know which one.
"Elizabeth Bennet to the guidance office, please."
Elizabeth glared at the speakers with annoyance. "Do they wanna ban me from graduation too?"
Liz got up and walked quickly to the guidance office. She walked into Miss Perky's office.
"It's like a second home.... What have I done now, stolen a car, held up a bank perhaps?"
"You're in the clear Liz. Someone came in and explained your situation with George Wickham." Miss Perky handed her a prom ticket. "I'm sorry for worrying you."
"Oh, anytime," Liz said. She gave the guidance counselor a weak smile and walked out of the office. "What do ya know, I didn't push him into the lockers after all." She rolled her eyes and returned to the cafeteria.
Upon seeing Will she sat next to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Somebody knows how to get himself out of trouble. What are you gonna do next time you screw up?"
Colin looked at Liz. He seized his opportunity. "Liz, I was the one who went to the office to clear your name of George's harsh attempt to ruin it. Perhaps you are feeling indebted to me, in which case you may repay me by consenting to be my date to the prom."
"Thanks for ratting out George, Colin." Liz pointed to Mary, " I don't think she'd appreciate it too much, and," Liz clinged on to Will's arm, "I already have a date."
Colin forced a smile. "Well then. I suppose you're right, I'll see you two later," he said, then walked away muttering to himself.
Will laughed. "Poor guy."
Liz looked at him with astonishment. "'Poor guy'?? He's nothing but a sleezy, underhanded, back-stabbing--"
"Reason you're going to the prom," Will pointed out.
Liz stopped mid-sentence. "Well I... but... that is to say..." She sighed. "Yeah I guess so."
She stood up and walked over to Colin. "Thank you so much for clearing my name, even if you're annoying and clueless, it was really really sweet of you and it means a lot." Liz smiled at him and gave him a quick hug. She walked away before he had a chance to answer, not that he was going to. He lost the ability to speak coherently and just stood there watching her walk away. What he couldn't see was the awful face she was making. She had touched him and that disgusted her.
Will laughed at her as she sat down. "That was real nice of you, Liz."
"If you ever speak of me hugging him I will smack you."
"Sunshine oh the window, makes me happy, like I should be. Outside, all around me, really sleazy, then it hits me...*" Liz sang along, the music blaring. This was not an accident.
Will smiled at her. He loved it when she did that. The music was turned so he wouldn't hear her singing. It was a cute though ineffective habit.
"You know, you're a good singer, you don't need to do that."
"I am not a good singer. And how would you know? You can't possibly hear me over the radio."
Will just laughed. "Whatever you say." He smiled as he looked out the window.
Liz stuck her tongue out at him and then continued singing. They were on their way to Charlotte's house to finalize plans for the prom. Jeff sat in the back seat observing and as she turned into the driveway he sat up.
The three got out of the car and Jeff said, "You're a much better singer than you think you are, Liz, and by the way, the radio isn't fooling anyone."
Liz huffed and walked up the steps to ring Charlotte's bell. Her sister Mariah opened the door and let them in. Charlotte came down the stairs and smiled when she saw them. She walked over and hugged Liz. "What's up guys?"
Jeff sat down on the couch and looked at Charlotte. For a moment their eyes locked before Charlotte looked away and blushed. Liz shot a glance at Will and smiled. He laughed and shook his head.
*Calypso by Spiderbait
It seemed as if one minute they were talking about the prom and limo, flowers, and finishing touches and the next minute they were all in front of her. Mrs. Bennet was chasing Lydia and Kat around the house with a camera. Kat had found a date in a one of her junior class admirers.
Will knocked on the door with Jeff and Charlotte standing behind him. As Liz let them in Will drew in a breath. She looked amazing. The dress fit her perfectly and made all of her features seem more flawless than ever. Jeff and Charlotte hardly noticed that they were in the company of anyone besides each other.
"Oh Lizzy! You and Will stand together!" Her mother said in her all too excited tone.
Click. Rewind. Liz felt all the compliments that the end of the roll of film is meant to feel. Her mother rushed into the kitchen to get another roll of film for George's arrival. Her father insisted that she stay for another 15 pictures by herself, with Will, and with their friends. She kissed her father good bye and the couples retreated.
As Liz walked arm in arm with Will towards the limo, she shook her head in embarrassment. Will kissed her forehead and smiled. "They're really not that bad, Liz..."
"Oh you don't know my mother well enough yet. My only consolation is that she will embarrass Lydia and Kat in the same way when George and what's his name show up."
"What's his name?"
"Whoever it was that Kat is going to prom with. I don't remember his name. I don't really care. I just hope Lydia doesn't do anything stupid tonight."
"KATHERINE, STOP COUGHING SO, WOULD YOU TEAR MY NERVES INTO SHREDS!?!?" could be heard from the house as they showed their ladies into the car.
"See what I mean?" Liz smiled weakly and Will gave her a smile of acknowledgment.
When they arrived at the prom Liz stopped at the door. She spoke to Mrs. Foster, a young teacher who had a tendency to be a little on the absent-minded side.
"Mrs. Foster, Would you please make sure that my sisters don't leave with anyone besides Will, Charlotte, Jeff, or myself. We're giving them a ride home with us in the limo. It's extremely important, no one besides us, especially if she tried to leave with George Wickham."
Mrs. Foster assured her that she'd keep an eye out and the couples entered the banquet room. It was so beautiful, Liz could scarce believe her eyes. It was everything she'd anticipated it to be and more. And all her classmates looked wonderful, but as a slow song began to play, the only person that mattered to Liz was Will. He held her close and she closed her eyes, getting lost in his arms. So lost that neither of them noticed when the song stopped. Even when a few people began to snicker. They didn't care. However when the next song started and it was very fast-paced, Liz and Will snapped out of their trance and smiled as they walked over to sit down at a table with Jeff and Charlotte.
Lydia and George walked in with Kat and her date, who's name was Josh (we think). They sat at the table next to Liz's and within moments they were on the dance floor grinding as few have ventured to grind before. A short while later Carolyn entered in a rather horrifying green and gold dress. Her hair was well styled, but also decorated with tall peacock feathers that, with her dress, made her resemble the bird.
Will looked up towards the door and almost spit out his soda. He began to sink in his seat as Carolyn spotted him and walked over. She smiled slightly at Liz and then looked at Will.
"Dance with me, Will? Just once, for old times' sake?"
Will sighed and rolled his eyes. He really hated it when she played on his sympathy like that. But the two of them had been pretty good friends in the past and in grade school they used to dance all the time. So when Liz looked at him with a look that asked if she wanted to get him out of it, he shook his head slightly. As he stood, another slow song began and he silently cursed it, but he smiled politely and led Carolyn onto the dance floor. He led her to a spot where he could see Lydia and George as they danced. He figured he might as well make the most of the situation.
Liz stood up quickly when the song ended and grabbed Will away from Carolyn, who looked like she was about to proclaim her love to him. Will laughed but his expression turned serious when he saw the look on Liz's face.
"What--"
Liz put up her hand to silence him.
"Don't. They'll be fine. I just wanna have fun now," she said with a smile as she began to move with the music and get lost in the whole prom experience.
After 10 minutes of dancing, her calmness began to fade. She hoped to regain it, but looking up she found that neither Wickham or Lydia were anywhere in sight.
Posted on Saturday, 12 August 2000
A wave of nausea fell over her as she looked around for Mrs. Foster. Any shred of hope she was holding on to was torn away when she saw Mrs. Foster deep in conversation with Mrs. Young. Without any explanation to Will, she ran over to them and asked as calmly as she possibly could, "Mrs. Foster, where is my sister???"
Mrs. Foster blinked and looked toward the dance floor. "She was there a few minutes ago... I was watching her. You know, they way you kids dance these days in just... well we'd never have done that in my day--"
"Mrs. Foster will you please focus? Did you see them go anywhere, do anything?"
"I think they were on their way out, Miss Bennet, please clam down," said Mrs. Young.
Liz responded in quite an opposite manner. She ran out of the room, unable to control her tears. She wouldn't allow herself to hide in the ladies room, where there would obviously be a crowd of insecure females. Will ran into the lobby followed closely by Charlotte and Jeff.
They all looked fearful and could supply no consolation. They had all received consent to stay at Will's home that evening, so they prepared to leave. The prom had lost the entirety of its luster within the hour and a half that they had been there.
"I have to bring Kat home," Liz spoke absently, she refused to look at any of them. She had cried too much over this, and she knew that her tears were still quite visible, but she would not beg for sympathy on the subject. She walked over to where Kat was dancing, grabbed her arm, and began dragging her towards the door.
"Lizzy, what are you doing??" Kat cried as she squirmed out of Liz's grasp. When Liz turned and glared at her with tears in her eyes, Kat's wall of defense dropped and she knew fighting was useless.
"At least let me go say goodbye first." She ran and kissed her date goodbye, promising to call him the next day, and then quietly accompanied Liz to the limo. The others were waiting inside and Liz still wouldn't look at any of them. After a few minutes of silence, Kat spoke up.
"Why did we leave so early?" she asked quietly.
"Because something came up. Don't worry about it--" Charlotte began.
"Oh she should worry about it as much as she wishes," Liz interrupted. "Lydia and George left the prom together and God only knows where they are now. He could be doing everything in his power to hurt her."
Kat shook her head. "Not George. He'd never hurt anyone. I don't see why you dislike him so much, Lizzy, really."
Liz reached her breaking point. "WILL YOU ALL PLEASE STOP DEFENDING HIM!?"
She took a deep breath. Kat looked shocked at her outburst, Liz was always under much more control than this.
"I--I mean... he's harmless..." Kat stammered.
"He's not harmless. He tried to get me in bed with him when we went out, and I mean it. He would have had me if I hadn't..." She trailed off with a look of hurt in her eyes.
Kat's mouth dropped and she looked at the others. Charlotte looked out the window sadly, avoiding eye contact. Jeff's eyes had widened, he knew George had done something to Liz, but he wasn't aware of THAT. A look of anger slowly fell over his features. But it was nothing compared to the look of murder that flared in Will's eyes. He hadn't known the whole truth until now either. Kat had to look away from him, he was scaring her. She put her hand over her sister's and when Liz jerked away from her, she sighed.
"I didn't know that... why didn't you ever tell us?" Kat asked cautiously.
"How could I? I just wanted to forget it ever happened. But now... it's too late. And to think I could have prevented this... I, who knew what he was..."
"It is no more your fault than anyone else who George has tried to ruin. Don't take the responsibility for his actions, Liz." Will said, trying to console her. His temper was ready to flare, but not at her.
The drive to the Bennet home was silent until they reached the house.
"You weren't feeling well, that's why you came home early. Don't say a thing about Lydia until you can't keep it secret anymore." Liz instructed.
Lies were floating around in Kat's head. She walked towards the house nervously and the limo drove off.
She opened the door and as soon as she had set foot in the house her mother's screech filled the air. "KAT!!! What are you doing home, it is so early!!!"
Kat smiled weakly. "I wasn't feeling well, mother, my stomach is turning, I think it was too much excitement for me."
That seemed to appease her mother. "Of course child! You are so young and prom is such a big overwhelming experience!" She smiled and sent Kat up to her room to get some rest.
Once Kat closed her bedroom door, she walked over to the window and looked out into the night sky, hoping her sisters would be all right. She silently cursed herself for helping Lydia and Wickham leave without being seen. Tears began to fall as she began to blame herself for anything that happened to Lydia that night.
Author's Note: I believe that the villain-in-question of Mosylu's story Longbourn Academy was named Jason Wickham. This story isn't related, and I needed a name... please don't sue me. Enjoy the newest installment.
The four remaining occupants of the limo arrived at Will's home. The expressions that were slated to each person's face dismissed Mr. and Mrs. Darcy's questions. The four of them arrived in a large vacant guest room of the Darcy home.
Liz had never noticed how large their home was until now, but she dismissed the thought and returned to the topic that she could hardly stray from.
"I thank you all for being such wonderful friends, I'd understand if you didn't want to be seen with me after this. I couldn't stand to see any of you ruined the way I'm going to be on Tuesday."
Will walked over and put his arms around her. "The only thing that's going to be ruined on Tuesday is Wickham's face..."
"And the rest of his body," Jeff added, pounding his fist into his palm.
Charlotte smiled at Liz. "We're always going to be on your side, Liz, no matter what. And I'm sure that Lydia will be fine, she's always been a fighter, if she says no to something and he tries to force himself on her, you know she'll kick him in the head and get herself away from him."
Liz smiled slightly at the image. "Yes... I suppose you're right..."
The image faded all too quickly, as did her smile. She knew that Lydia saying no wouldn't be an issue. At least I'll have the people that matter. Lydia would be easy enough to persuade. If she thought she was in love, then there would be no difference, and all George had to say were three meaningless words. Liz rested her head on Will's shoulder.
"We need to find her. You'll help me look for her right?"
All of them agreed to help find her in the morning, and for Liz, morning couldn't come soon enough.
Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Kat rolled over and glared at the phone. She'd hardly slept at all and this ringing was pounding in her head. Finally it stopped and a small smile crossed her face and she rolled back over and covered her head with her blanket.
"KATHERINE!" Her mother's voice made her brain rattle. "PHONE!!!"
Kat groaned and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Kat, it's Liz. Listen, we're going to look for Lydia. You wouldn't have any idea where she is, would you?"
"N-no. I don't know where she could have gone." Kat spoke nervously, but Liz was so jumpy that she hardly noticed.
"Dammit. No idea at all?"
"No. Let me talk to Will or Charlotte, I need to tell them something. Dad had a message for them."
"What? Whatever. Here's Will"
"Kat? What's going on?"
"Listen. I'm so, so sorry. I helped them sneak out. Please don't tell Liz, she'll kill me! I'm not sure where they went. He told her that they'd go some place special... I- I don't know where. Maybe the city... he had a friend there, Melanie Jacobs or something."
Will covered up the mouthpiece and moved away from the others slightly. They were too busy tending to Liz to notice his action. He spoke softly and understandingly.
"Thank you, Kat, and I won't tell Liz you helped them. Look, don't worry, we'll find Lydia."
Kat began to cry again, and the tears only made her more angry at herself. "It's all my fault, Will... what if something happens to her, I'll never be able to forgive myself..."
"Kat, don't blame yourself for this. There was no way you could have known the dangers she was walking into. I promise I won't let him hurt her, ok?"
"But I--"
"I promise. Just trust me, Kat."
"But what if he's already hurt her??" she cried, her sobs becoming louder.
"He'll pay. I can promise that too. He'll pay for any damage he's done to Lydia, Liz, and even you emotionally. Now please try to calm down, and don't let your parents know what's going on, all right? Can you do that for me, Kat?"
Kat sniffled and took some deep breaths to compose herself. "Yes. Thanks, Will."
"Bye, Kat," Will said softly as he hung up and turned back to the others.
"We're going to the city. Kat said she wasn't sure, but she thought if he were to take Lydia anywhere, it would be there. "
He went to Charlotte and whispered something to her and then turned and took Liz's hand as they piled into his car. The name Melanie Jacobs rang over and over in his head.
"Will, we're going to stay with his friend Melanie. She lives in the city. It'll be fine!"
"No. I don't trust him and while mom and dad are away, I'm in charge. You can't go."
"Jason wouldn't do a thing to me, besides its only for the night!"
"Jason! Oh my gosh, they're related!"
Liz looked at him strangely. "Who's Jason?"
"He's... well he's... nevermind that, Jeff, can I use your cell?"
Jeff reached into his pocket and handed Will his phone. The name Jason did not seem to please him as he looked at Will questioningly. Will got out of the car and began to dial.
"Where are you going? I thought we were going to--"
"We will, Liz, but I must speak to my sister first."
The conversation between Will and his sister was a very informative though unhappy one. Jeff could practically read every word of the conversation. He knew that Jason Wickham had been had tried the same thing with his cousin, Ana. She wouldn't contradict her brother or himself, but Jeff had the feeling that Lydia was much easier to persuade.
"I think I know where to find her," Will said quietly, "Liz, Charlotte, I don't know if you should go."
"Excuse me? Look, Will, it's sweet of you to wanna play the hero, but Lydia is MY sister. I won't have you telling me I shouldn't go. Why on earth shouldn't I go?" Liz asked angrily.
Will looked her in the eyes with a cold stare of pure seriousness. "No, Liz, I'm not trying to play the hero. I really don't think you should go."
This was a look that she had never seen from him. It was a protective seriousness that was nothing anyone had ever had for her. She looked at him with a cross of fear and worry.
"I-- I guess we'll stay at your house then. You need to call as soon as you get to the city."
Liz and Charlotte got out of the car and Jeff hopped into the front seat. "We will," he said as Will stepped on the gas and the two drove off quickly. "Will, what's going on??"
"I fear the worst, Jeff. I just hope he hasn't done too much damage. Had I known George and Jason were related I would have put a stop to this much earlier somehow."
The two drove in fearful silence, with little more conversation than, "I hope it isn't too late" and "I'm gonna hit him so hard..." to break the uneasy silence.
They reached the city limits and Will called Liz as he had promised. When they had reached the designated area, Will found himself extremely glad he has put a stop to his sister's trip, but was also intensely disappointed with himself for not doing the same with Lydia.
They approached a little rundown apartment building and entered with pure anger running through them. They could hear the sounds of sirens and angry screaming over the loud bass of car stereos.
They ran up the stairs and Will listened carefully to his surroundings. He halted suddenly and put his hand up to stop Jeff.
"Shhhh..." As they listened, they could hear a loud annoying laugh that could only come from Lydia Bennet. Following it, they broke down a door to find Lydia sitting in a chair laughing hysterically as Wickham looked like he was desperately trying to sleep.
George stood up with a bolt. He glared at Jeff and George with hatred.
"You just had to be the superhero didn't you. Take her, she was the worst lay I've ever had."
Jeff grabbed his collar and punched him hard. Will grabbed his leg causing him to fall and then kicked him in the stomach. Lydia had stopped laughing and was staring blankly at them, still trying to process George's comment about her. George tried to stand up to fight back, but Will proceeded to kick him, for Liz, Lydia, Ana, and Kat. Jeff walked over to Lydia and took her by the hand. She still looked shocked as he led her down the stairs and out to Will's car.
Lydia smelled of alcohol and looked dazed. She was completely out of it and again began giggling.
"I dunno what Liz was all worried about. He loves me, he told me so..."
Will got into the car with a look of pure disgust and hatred. He didn't dare look at Lydia or he might have hit her too. He wanted to talk to Liz, but couldn't even think straight enough to know what to say.
"To think I have done what none of my sisters has! What a good joke!"
"Shut up, Lydia," Will and Jeff said in unison. Her face turned serious and she glared out the window. Every so often she began giggling again but a stern look through the rear view mirror from Will silenced her each time. The car was filled with tension as they drove back to Will's house.
Kat tried to busy herself with housework to keep her mind off of Lydia. Her mother was in a huff about something, though that wasn't unusual for Mrs. Bennet. While Kat was dusting the den, she burst into the room and screeched.
"Oh where are those sisters of yours??"
Kat almost dropped her duster. "What? How would I know?" She began dusting faster.
"They should have been home by now. I long to hear how prom went for them. And for you as well but I wish to hear the stories all together... where could they be??"
Kat dusted faster and faster, becoming more and more nervous, but the dust flying all around caused her to cough. A lot.
"Oh Kat, stop coughing so! Have some compassion for my poor nerves!"
Kat turned to her mother and snapped, "I don't cough for my own amusement!" She then ran upstairs to her room and slammed the door. Mrs. Bennet looked after her with shock and confusion written on her face.
"Kat must have the whole house clean by now. She always cleans when she's nervous. Poor thing must be having a terrible allergy attack," said Liz as she scrubbed the Darcy's kitchen counters.
Ana walked into the kitchen and looked at the girls shyly.
"Hey Ana, how are you today?" Liz had been introduced to Will's sister but hadn't really talked to her. Liz gave her the best smile she could manage.
"I'm all right, and you?"
"Oh I could be better. I'm just worrying about my sister Lydia..."
Ana nodded and looked at the ground. "I know. Will told me. I'm sure Lydia will be all right. I don't know her that well but I do know she can defend herself."
"I don't know that she'd want to..." replied Liz softly.
"Did you ever meet Jason Wickham?" asked Ana quietly.
"No, I head about him, but I wasn't going out with George long enough to meet him."
"I went out with him earlier this year. He was trying to get me to... well... and my brother wouldn't let me go away with him. That's how he knew how to find your sister, I think."
Liz looked at her sadly. "I just wish I knew what happened. It's killing me. I still don't understand why he wouldn't let me go with them."
"My brother is just trying to protect you, Liz. He's never cared about anyone as much as he cares about you." The phone rang and interrupted her. She walked over and picked it up. "Hello?" she asked quietly. "Oh, hi, Charles."
Liz almost screeched. Jane!!!
"No he's not here." Ana replied.
"That was Liz." The phone conversation went on.
"Sure." she said. "Liz, Charles wants to talk to you."
"Hey Liz, its Charles. I thought you'd want to talk to your sister."
"You met with her? That's the BEST thing I've heard all day!"
He laughed softly and put Jane on the phone. "Lizzy?!"
"Janie, how's London?? How's everything, when did you meet with Charles?"
"London is fabulous, everything is wonderful, and we were next to each other on the plane. You got the message on the machine I guess, no one was home whenever I tried to call."
"Yes. Oh, I'm SO glad that you and Charles met. Jane, I was right about George. He and Lydia left about an hour after we got to the prom. Will and his cousin Jeff are looking for her. I'm so worried, Janie."
Jane was quiet for a moment. "I'm sure everything will be fine, Lizzy. They'll find her."
"Oh Jane, I didn't mean to make you worried on your trip. It's just that so much has happened and I've been so upset and I had no Jane to comfort me. Oh how I wanted you these past few days... I'm beginning to feel like mother with my nerves all in an uproar. It's not a good feeling, Jane, believe me."
Jane giggled softly. "I will be back on Friday, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine, Lizzy."
"Thank you Jane, you always could get me calmed down. I'd better go, the Darcy's have another call, and this must be costing you a fortune."
"Okay, I love you Lizzy."
"I love you too Jane. Bye."
Liz handed the phone to Ana, who clicked over and said, "Hello."
"Ana, it's Will. Can I talk to Liz please?"
"Of course." She handed the phone back to Liz. "It's Will."
Liz grabbed the phone. "Will? Did you find her??"
"Yes, she's right here. We found George too. But... I don't think he'll follow us."
"Why not?"
"Heh... 'Cause I think we broke his legs."
"Oh God. How's Lydia?"
"Drunk... but she's fine. She'll have plenty to explain to your parents."
"Oh yeah. Yeah she will. My father isn't going to know what to do. I don't want to be in the house when my mother finds out. Are you going to be here soon?"
"In a few minutes. I should warn you though--" Lydia's burst of laughter interrupted him and Liz could hear the anger in his voice as he silenced her. "SHUT UP, LYDIA. How do you put up with her, Liz?"
"With a lot of patience. Understand that she's worse now though since she's drunk. Can I talk to her?"
"Uh... I don't think that would be such a good idea right now. But we'll be there in a minute and you can yell at her all you like," Will said with a hint of anticipation in his voice. At this point he wanted nothing more than to see Lydia get in trouble. She was so annoying and he found it hard to believe she was even related to Liz. They were complete opposites.
"Okay. And Will, I can't thank you enough for going to get her."
"Bye Liz."
"Bye Will."
Liz hung up the phone. She hadn't said the words that were lingering around her lips, but he'd be there in a few minutes anyhow. Charlotte snapped her out of her thoughts.
"I take it they found her?"
"What? Oh, yes, they did."
"Then perhaps you should inform your sister before she starts dusting your parents... you remember what happened when she did that last time she was worried about failing English last semester..."
"Oh, Lord, yes, you're right. Ana, may I use your phone again?"
Ana smiled and handed her the phone. "Of course. I'm glad your sister is all right."
Liz smiled slightly. "She's with Will... on her way here... and then home to our parents... trust me, she's NOT all right..."
Author's Note: this chapter is a on the offensive side...if language offends you then this isn't the chapter for you, if this is the case then I'll e-mail you a cleaned up version. it may also not be entirely accurate due to the fact that i have never had a hang over nor have i spent a vast deal of time with any one who has been significantly hung over.Kat dove on the phone as it rang. Rummaging could be heard clearly from her end of the phone as she went through her drawers cleaning out each one, and categorizing her clothes by color and article.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Liz."
"How's Lydia, did you find her, is she okay, Liz, are you really mad at me, I can never ever be sorry enough, Hello?" Kat spoke rapidly and Liz's head spun trying to arrange her sister's questions.
"Kat, slow down. Yes, Will and Jeff found her. She's okay for now as far as I know and why would I be mad at you, Kat? It's not as if you helped them or anything like that."
Kat's eyes widened and she froze. "Uh... yeah I know but I'm still sorry I didn't stop them..."
"Kat, this isn't your fault. Look, just stop cleaning and tell mom and dad we'll be home shortly, ok?"
"Liz, I... Okay. I will. See you in a little while."
They hung up and a few moments later Will, Jeff and Lydia arrived. As they dragged her suddenly miserable looking sister into the house, Liz looked at her with disgust. She thought of the wonderful timing the hangover had. She looked at her sister with a smirk and practically dragged her by the hair into a small guest bathroom on the other side of the house.
Once the door was closed Will, Jeff and Charlotte knew that it was safe to take a little walk to that part of the house. They only heard the horrible retching noises coming from Lydia for a few moments. After that, all they could hear was Liz.
"What were you thinking?? How could have been so careless?? After all the times I warned you!! What did you do with him, Lydia??"
Lydia looked up at her sister from her position on the floor next to the toilet. "You warned me but you had nothing to warn me about. We're in love, Lizzy. And yes, we did it, if that's what you're asking. And I'm glad we did. He'd never do anything to--" She was cut off by herself as she began to throw up again.
"No he'd never do anything to hurt you, that's why you're hung over and retching your brains out. That's beautiful. That is the kind of love that I wish I could find. The completely uncommitted cheap kind of love. Meaningless and you don't even realize that you're only his whore, you're amazing. You are absolutely AMAZING, LYDIA."
"Shut up, Liz. You don't know what you're talking about."
Liz watched Lydia throw up again before smacking her in the head. "Lydia, I hope that you find your brain someday. I really do. What makes you think he loves you at all? He called you a whore, the worst he ever had... It sounds to me like you'll never even hear from him again."
Lydia rolled her eyes. "You know nothing about guys, do you?"
It was all Liz could do to stop herself from shoving Lydia's face into the toilet. "I guess I don't. But I'm sure dad will. After all, he is one."
"Liz, you are NOT telling him!"
"Oh yes I am. Just you wait... you'll be sorry... And you'll be even sorrier when you're sober enough to realize your stupidity."
"LIZZY NO!"
"Oh don't worry, I'll tell your mother first. While yer nice and hung over. I can't wait to hear her! Aren't you just thrilled?"
Lydia looked at her with hatred in her eyes. She closed her eyes and Liz left her to get sick alone after washing her hands. As Liz left the bathroom she saw Will, Jeff and Charlotte in the hall. She held her head and sunk down the wall opposite from them. Will walked over and knelt down beside her. When he went to put his arms around her she pushed him away at first but looking up at him she let him hold her when he tried it a second time.
"Ya know, Liz," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head," the important thing is that she's ok. And he's not..."
Liz shook her head and spoke between sniffles. "No, the important thing is that my sister is a slut. And a stupid one at that. She has no idea of the damages she has caused not only to herself but to the rest of our family."
"You don't care what people think. What do other's opinions of you matter, especially when they're based on someone so completely opposite. Liz you are beautiful and completely respectable. No one who knows you can deny that."
She silently curled herself closer to him and let herself, again, cry to him. She wondered what she'd done to be so deserving of a perfect guy like William Darcy. He had been there for her though everything and for the few days she was without him, she felt more lonely than she ever had.
After an hour, Lydia emerged, looking as if she had an awful headache. Will and Liz dragged her back to the car after being certain that she was over her vomiting fit. They sat silently in the front and as Lydia complained in the back.
Finally when her patience had been pushed to it's breaking point, Elizabeth turned to her younger sister.
"IF YOU DON'T SHUT UP, YOUR LIFE WILL BE MORE THE LIVING HELL THAN YOU'VE ALREADY MADE IT."
Lydia went silent. She feared anymore action from her older sister.
Liz gave Will a particularly meaningful kiss goodbye. She then dragged Lydia out of the car and to the front porch where she knocked on the door. Her mother answered and with a look at Lydia went almost immediately into hysterics.
"Elizabeth how could you dare let your sister become so ill?!"
"Ask Lydia who she left the prom with, who got her drunk, and what they did after..."
"ELIZABETH!"
"I'm going upstairs, I've watched this ungrateful slut long enough and I won't hear about how I'm responsible for her mistakes." With that she stormed up the stairs and into her room.
As she turned into her room she looked towards her dresser to see Kat rearranging her clothes. She couldn't help but smile a little. "How many times have you done that today?" she asked softly.
Kat jumped and nearly screamed. "Oh Lizzy, you scared me half to death... I've already cleaned every other room in the house, including Jane's but hers was tidy to begin with... where's Lydia?"
"Downstairs." Kat began to walk towards the door. "But I wouldn't advise going down there. I would bet that mom and dad are very displeased with her and I wouldn't risk walking into the line of fire. It would best if you stay upstairs. You may stay in here if you like."
Kat looked questioningly at Liz. They'd never been very close as sisters ought to be. Kat and Lydia had always been close, and so had Liz and Jane. Why was Liz being so nice to her now? Kat drew in a deep breath. Could she know? Oh Lord, the trouble I will be in... no, she can't know... unless Will told her, he tells her everything I bet... oh how could I have been so stupid?
"Kat? Are you all right?"
"Liz, I'm so sorry. Please, please don't hate me. I didn't think that George was so bad, and you never told me, you were just always so mean about him, so I... I'm so sorry!"
"What are you talking about, Kat?" Elizabeth was watching her sister with concern.
"I... was the one who helped distract Mrs. Foster, I told her that Mrs. Young was looking for her, because everyone knows that they never stop gossiping, and then Lydia saw that you weren't looking either, and then they left."
"Oh, Kat," Liz closed her eyes and tried to even think of what to say.
"I couldn't tell you what had happened, so I told Will when you gave him the phone. Liz, please, please forgive me, I'm so sorry!" Kat began to cry and Liz opened her eyes. Normally she would have been furious with her, but it was obvious Kat had punished herself for her actions.
"Come here, Kat."
Kat looked at her with fear and slowly walked towards her. She was sure Liz was going to smack her or something equally painful. Instead, Liz put her arms around her sister and hugged her, which surprised Kat. She couldn't remember the last time the two had hugged.
"If you hadn't aided in their escape, they would have found another way out. It's not your fault. Now, stop worrying and for heaven's sake stop cleaning!"
"Thank you, Lizzy. I guess it's a nervous habit."
"Yeah, but mom's going to be thrilled with you. The house is sparkling."
The two were quiet for a moment and could hear the continuing hysterics from downstairs. Liz looked at her sister with quiet thought. She wondered how long Kat had been exposed to her mother's screeches in the past 24 hours.
"Hey Kat, would you like to go get some coffee?"
"Yes, more than anything right now," Kat said, smiling for the first time since she was at the prom. The two of them locked arms, looked at each other, took a deep breath, and walked down the stairs. The screeches were coming from both Lydia and their mother, while her father sat in his chair holding his head in his hands. Liz had been worried that Lydia would try to lie about her evening, but her worries were gone now. Lydia had been far too afraid that Liz would tell them the truth anyway, and everyone knew her father would believe Liz over anyone. The screeching paused for a moment when Kat and Liz came down the stairs, which caused their father to look up.
"And just where do you two think YOU'RE going??" Mrs. Bennet shrieked. "I'm sure you both had something to do with this whole matter!"
A look of horror crossed Kat's face as Lydia began to explain that Kat had helped her leave the prom. But Liz interrupted her. There was no use blowing this out of proportion. "I assure you, mother, that I tried my best to keep them at the prom. Kat had next to nothing to do with their escape, she had no idea the severity of the situation." Mrs. Bennet looked at her, trying her best to keep the upper hand even though she didn't know what the word severity meant. Mr. Bennet shook his head at his wife and turned his attentions to Liz and Kat.
"Where are you off to, my dears?"
"We were going to the mall to have some coffee and maybe something to eat, if that's all right," Liz said.
"Fine, if you will be with your sister. When you get home, you and I shall have a long talk, Elizabeth."
She nodded and the two exited to Liz's car. Once they were safely out of the driveway, Liz turned up the Offspring CD that had been playing. Kat mouthed along with the lyrics and Liz sang softly.
"You know, Lizzy, you're a good singer."
Liz laughed. "So I've heard." She glanced at her sister and sighed. "You know, Kat... dad's always saying that you and Lydia are two of the silliest girls in the country. And I'll admit, when you're together that's very true... but when you're not with Lydia you're actually a very sweet and sensible girl. I wonder if he realizes that."
Kat stared out the window so Liz wouldn't see the small look of pain that was growing on her face. "No I... I don't think he does. You and Jane are the sensible ones and Lydia and I are the stupid ones. It's always been that way and it always will be," she sighed.
"Only until you pull yourself out of Lydia's shadow."
"I guess."
Liz pulled into the parking lot and the two walked to the small chapter of the trendy-international-coffee-corporation-with-addictive-caffinated-beverages-in-trendy-looking-bottles. Liz ordered a freshly-blended-mocha-drink-in-a-trendy-looking-environmentally-safe-cup, and Kat ordered a caramel-mocha-coffee-in-a-similar-environmentally-safe-cup. They sat at a small table.
"Poor Will. I don't think he's had any caffeine today," said Liz.
"Doesn't look like it," replied Kat.
"Huh?"
Kat smiled and pointed to the counter behind Liz. Turning, she smiled also to see Will ordering the same freshly-blended-mocha-drink-in-a-trendy-looking-environmentally-safe-cup that she had ordered. After he paid, he saw them and walked over to their table. Liz stood up to hug him and motioned for him to sit down with them.
"Of course I will but first..." Will took Kat's hand and pulled her to a standing position so he could hug her as well. "Are you both feeling better?"
Kat couldn't help but laugh. She could see why Liz had fallen for Will. He was being sweet to her when he should probably despise her for helping Lydia and Wickham and for causing Liz so much pain and stress.
"Thank you, Will. I feel much better," said Kat.
Liz gave him a kiss on the cheek, "much, much better."
He smiled and the three of them were seated at the table. They chatted a while, carefully avoiding subjects that would bring the ladies pain. All three knew that Tuesday would bring quite enough pain for them.
"At least there's a teacher's meeting on Monday. That way we'll at least have some time to let this die down," said Liz quietly.
They nodded in agreement and the subject was put to rest. They continued conversations covering several topics. Will had mentioned that Jeff and Charlotte had been together all afternoon, and he had decided to take a walk with her and they had been gone the entire afternoon. This made Liz extremely happy and Kat laughed.
"So, Kat, is there anyone in your life at the moment?" Will asked.
Kat blinked. No one ever cared about that before except Lydia, and even then she thought Lydia was only making conversation. "Well... actually yes... and no... I don't know... I really like this boy named Sanderson. And I wanted to go to prom with him but... he had to go somewhere with parents this weekend so he couldn't go and then Joey asked me to prom (ah yes... it was Joey, not Josh... forgive the authoresses but up until this point no one really cared about Kat's life...) so I agreed to go with him but when Sanderson found out he got mad at me... I don't understand it really, it's not like we're going out or anything... I hate boys."
Liz laughed. "You sound like me."
Will raised a brow. "Does she?"
"Well I mean, before I met you of course... look at what I had to work with... George and Colin... I hated boys too for a very long time," she said with a smile.
"Then it's understandable," he replied, "as long as that isn't still the case. I would feel horribly used."
"Quite the opposite, I assure you."
The two hasn't realized that they had been talking in the coffee shop for about two hours. She sighed, not wanting to go home. The three decided to get a quick food court supper. Perhaps McDonald's wasn't the most elegant place in the world, but loading up on junk food was a good way for Liz to relieve the stress from the past few days. Will laughed as Liz practically inhaled her supersized Big Mac and fries... and Kat glared. Liz was one of those people who could eat everything and not gain a pound. Kat hated that and Liz smiled, knowing what her sister was glaring at. After "supper," Liz was still in no mood to go home, so she decided to take a chance.
"Will, what are you doing for the rest of the night?" she asked.
"Nothing, why?"
"Kat, feel like seeing a movie?" Liz asked with a smile.
"Dad's never gonna let us..."
"Oh yes he will, just watch." Liz walked over to a nearby payphone and dialed while Will and Kat watched.
"Hello Daddy... yeah we're at the mall........ oh wow, really?..... Well I was wondering if me and Kat could go see a movie before coming home....... uh huh..... Ok, thanks, Daddy.... I love you too.... Bye!" She turned around, smiling. "Lydia has locked herself in her room so Kat I think you'll be sleeping in my room tonight. Oh and he said we could go to the movies."
Kat stared at her. "How do you DO that??"
Liz laughed. "I'm not sure, but let's go find the longest movie playing."
They sat through 'Gladiator' after some sweet talking with the ticket sales boy to allow Kat to see it. Feeling that they could no longer delay their trip home, Liz kissed Will good bye, still unable to voice her feelings, and the two girls walked to Liz's car.
They talked all the way home about the weekend's events, about Kat's life, Liz and Will, and things that they should have discussed all along. Elizabeth felt almost as if she were talking to a younger Jane. It was so different now that the two had begun talking as friends, and not just residents of the same household.
"I hope that you have had a better day than I have, my dear Elizabeth," said her father.
"I confess I've had a rather good day, but the previous week has been a nightmare," she responded softly. She walked over to him and put her hand on top of his. He put his other hand on top of hers and sat in silence for a moment.
"I'm not quite sure I understand the story, except for the fact that Lydia is grounded until forever and she thinks we are all being unreasonable. What have you to say on the subject, my dear?" he asked.
"Only that I tried not to let it happen, father. I didn't want to distress you so I tried to handle it myself. I knew what a jerk George was from the start. I tried to warn her but as you know, Lydia doesn't listen to me."
"Lydia doesn't listen to anyone. She is one of the silliest girls in the country and she thinks she has a right to do whatever she pleases. I'm just surprised Kat hasn't run off to do the same thing Lydia has."
Liz looked her father in the eyes. "I think you underestimate her, father. Although they are twins, they are anything but identical." She was going to explain when her mother burst into the room.
"Lizzy, oh Lizzy, we are all ruined! Where have you been?? You have no compassion for my poor nerves, staying out like that! Oh I don't know what will become of us all!" With that she left.
Liz shook her head at her mother. Her thoughts were all jumbled together and she was babbling nonsense. Not that she ever babbles anything that isn't nonsense, but that's besides the point.
"She has been doing that all day, you know. You left me here to listen to the woman, and she's completely mad," her father began, "you have learned very well, Elizabeth."
Liz laughed softly and shook her head.
"What is it that you were saying about Katherine, my dear?"
"That she is nothing like Lydia. She is a very sweet girl, but we've always allowed her to be in Lydia's shadow, and none of us really set the two apart. It's always been the two of them, those two silly girls. Lydia has always over-shadowed Kat, so none of us saw how truly different they were."
Mr. Bennet was quiet for a moment, saddened by the fact that Liz was right and that he'd never really gotten to know Kat, he'd just watched her follow Lydia. "Perhaps I haven't done my job as a father..."
"Daddy--"
"No, Liz, hear me out. Now you and Jane have turned out considerably well. But my two youngest girls... One I don't even know, I've put a stamp of silliness on her without even letting her be herself, away from her thoughtless sister... and the other... I don't where I went wrong. I never had this problem with you or Jane and I don't understand how she turned out so wild."
Before Liz could answer, they stopped to listen to Mrs. Bennet, who was running around upstairs, screaming that they were all ruined. Liz looked at her father.
"It's not your fault Lydia turned out wild, papa. It may be--" Liz paused as her mother let out a loud screech followed by what sounded like sobbing. "It may be genetic."
"I am still in the wrong my dear, but I assume that your sister is waiting, and probably nervous, and I don't think there is anything else in the house for her to clean."
"You see, you know more than you thought. I love you daddy."
"I love you too, Lizzy. Good Night."
"Good night."
With that Liz turned and ran up the stairs. She reached her room to find Kat completing the reorganizing task in her room. Liz shut and locked the door to keep her mother from returning with another panicking fit. Seeing Liz, Kat stopped what she was doing and sat down on the bed.
"Lydia must despise me... I don't know how I'm going to make this up to her..." Kat said sadly.
"Make it up to her?? She used you to get her out of there so she could go and be Wickham's plaything... you don't owe her a thing, if anything she owes YOU an apology," Liz said, shaking her head. "You don't always have to do what she wants you to do, ya know."
"I'm not, but I happen to like being adored. When I'm around Lydia, I'm popular, because I'm like her, and everyone has a good time around her."
"It isn't worth changing who you are to be popular. Acting like her will only get you in trouble, and you need to be able to watch yourself and decide how you want to be seen."
"Like you?"
"Like I was, and how I still am, pardoning the last few weeks when I've devoted my time to becoming Lydia's baby-sitter and stressing myself to the point of tears at every corner. I knew what was going to happen, the whole thing was a huge waste of time."
Kat sighed. "I just... I guess I don't know how to be my own person. I need Lydia, she's my sister and my best friend. If I try to be different, she and all of her... our... her... friends won't wanna hang out with me anymore... look, Liz, thank you for trying to help me but I can't change who I am now..."
"Yes you can. And do you know why you can? Because it's about time you showed them the real Kat. The Kat that's a lot more reasonable yet just as fun as Lydia. They don't know that because they've never seen that Kat. And if they don't like her, she'll have a lot of friends who are seniors who will like her better that way. And I think a certain junior will as well..." Liz said with a smile.
Kat blushed and gave a little sigh, "Thanks Liz."
The two feel asleep about 4 hours later, and woke up in a sleepy 7 o'clock haze. They had agreed to get Kat into her room, which had once been Liz's. The chances of being let in were so slim that they had decided to not even attempt that method.
Liz took a small diary key with her as the two walked down the hall. She twisted the little key in the weak lock and the door opened. Kat crept in to grab a change of clothes, careful not to wake Lydia. Lord knows she was already mad, and waking her up wouldn't help the situation at all. Before leaving with her clothes, Kat walked over to Lydia's bed slowly.
"What are you doing??" Liz whispered.
"I just want to see her. It's probably the last time she'll ever be peaceful around me again," Kat whispered back. She pulled the sheets back and gasped to find a pillow and blanket rolled up and Lydia gone.
They ran to the open window and looked out wondering how she managed to get down. They saw Lydia lying on the ground under a little pile of sheets and could hear her quietly groaning.
Both girls bolted downstairs and to the side of their house. Lydia began to scream.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? DIDN'T YOU IDIOTS HEAR ME, I'VE BEEN OUT HERE ALL MORNING!"
The urge to kick Lydia while she was in such a position was almost overwhelming to Liz, but she suppressed it with a great deal of difficulty.
"Kat, go get dad."
Kat smirked and went inside to fetch their father. The two came back outside and Mr. Bennet had a look of extreme anger on his face. He grabbed his silliest daughter by her hair and dragged her to feet.
"Ow! But daddy! You don't understand! I was leaning out to see the birds in the oak tree and I fell!"
"Quiet, girl. While I do believe you stupid enough to do that, I was not born yesterday. I know very well where you were trying to go and I can see now that we are going to have to make a more drastic punishment for you," he said calmly. Then he looked as his other two daughters. "I doubt you want to be here for this. I suggest you go for a walk or something."
That afternoon the girls returned to find a screeching Mrs. Bennet as well as a hysterical Lydia. Mr. Bennet was in his study reading his newspaper. Liz knocked on the door softly, ignoring her mother's incoherent shrieks.
"Who is it?" he called from behind the door.
"Liz, daddy."
"Come in, Elizabeth."
She opened the door slowly and looked at her father sadly. He looked so tired and it looked as if he had been busy with something all day.
"Do you want me to make you some tea, daddy?"
"No, have a seat my dear."
Liz sat down the a chair that was placed at the other side of the small study.
"What's going to happen to Lydia?"
"Lydia. Whatever she has happen to her. But it won't happen here. I called an old friend of mine, your sister is going to an all girls boarding school in the north of the country. She is leaving Wednesday."
Liz looked at the ground. She didn't like her sister, but she could only imagine the fears running through her head at this moment. Her sympathy was short-lived, as she realized that Lydia's only actual fear was probably the fact that there wouldn't be any boys at the boarding school. Liz looked up at the light knock on the door that almost went unheard by her father.
"Who is it?" Mr. Bennet asked curiously. Usually when he asked that, he knew it was Lizzy, she was the only one who ever sat and talked with him. Well, she was the only one who knocked anyway. Mrs. Bennet would come in now and then but she would burst in without knocking. Not that Mr. Bennet couldn't hear his wife coming from a mile away...
"It's me, daddy..." Kat said shyly. She had received the dirtiest look from Lydia and wanted nothing more than to sit with Liz. And since she happened to be with their father at the moment, Kat hoped to take the opportunity to speak with him, have an actual conversation with him about things concerning her, for the first time in.. well... her life.
"Come in Katherine," he said with a bit of surprise.
She entered quietly shutting the door behind her. She stood by Liz staring at the closed door. She expected any second that her mother or Lydia would come in and start yelling.
"Lydia told me about..." Kat trailed off glancing reluctantly at her father.
"And what do you think about it?" Mr. Bennet asked with curiosity apparent in his voice.
Kat gave her father a weak smile, "I think that it's exactly what she needs. She never thinks about anything but boys, so now we'll find out how she functions with out them."
Mr. Bennet looked at Kat for a minute and then looked at Liz. She nodded slightly with a look that said 'See?'
"Have a seat, my dear," Mr. Bennet said with a smile. Kat sat down in the chair next to Liz and the three of them were quiet for a moment before Liz spoke up again.
"What does mama think of sending Lydia away?"
"Your mother is as upset with Lydia as I am, and she wants to punish her severely. However, the thought of parting with one of her youngest daughters is still upsetting. As you may or may not have been able to tell from her constant screeching. I don't believe she knows how to act at this moment and as I understood it before you girls came home, your mother had agreed to buy her new clothes before she leaves."
Liz shook her head and laughed. "Oh mama... Lydia deserves none of the gifts you plan on buying for her..." she said, looking at the door as if she was speaking to her mother directly.
Angry footsteps were heard heading towards the kitchen. Unlike Katherine and Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet did not clean when she was upset and anxious, instead she would cook. All three occupants of the library could hear as pots and pans began to slam around the kitchen.
Mrs. Bennet made a cake for Lydia, and it must have been a particularly upsetting day for her, because it was elaborately decorated. It read "We will miss you dearest girl". Lydia and their mother were the only people in the house who would eat any of it.
The day went on, and then the night. They had learned that when Lydia was about 5 feet from the ground her sheets gave out and she landed with an unprepared thud. Kat again spent it in Liz's room, leaving Lydia to cope with her now excessively sore body with no one to complain to.
Kat drove Liz to school, and Lydia stayed home making her final preparations to leave. They dreaded their return to school and Liz would not go into the building until she saw Will pull into the parking lot. Getting out of his car, he walked over to them. He offered his arm to her and she took it, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. Kat stood next to then, appearing just as nervous.
"Are you ready?" Will asked them softly. His response was a slight nod from both of them and he smiled. Though he had failed to see how Lydia and Liz were related, there was no trouble seeing that Kat and Liz were.
"Is it too late to transfer?" Liz asked as they began walking towards the door.
Will laughed slightly. "It won't be that bad, Liz. And if anyone says anything to either of you... I'll make sure they regret the day they were born."
The day went by with little venom. Everyone knew what kind of temper Liz was likely to have that day, and they also knew that crossing her would mean crossing Will as well. There was of course, some encounters, mostly being told that the group was missed at the dance.
There was one worth noting however. Carolyn saw the three enter and could not possibly hold her tongue at the opportunity to shame the Bennet girls.
"Liz, I heard about your sister. I must say, I thought you would have been a bit more classy in your exit. Everyone was talking about it."
Will could no longer stand her. He clutched his hands around her neck. He watched as her face turned a brilliant scarlet and then to a sickening purple colour. She could no longer struggle, her eyes began to roll back and the choking noises stopped. He felt her body fall limp in his hands and then--
Liz elbowed him lightly, shaking him out of his thoughts.
"I heard you and my sister could compare prom stories, Carolyn," Liz spoke every syllable in the icy tone that reflected her collective feelings for both Carolyn and Lydia. "Forgive me if I can't live up to such a classy display as that."
Carolyn's eyes widened as she searched for a comeback. Not finding one in time, she glared as Liz brushed her way past her and Will shook his head, giving Carolyn a glare that made her own look pitiful. Seeing the look she was being given by the only person in the whole school who's good opinion she desired, Carolyn turned and walked quickly outside. Will watched her leave and then ran to catch up with Liz.