4pm Saturday

"Maybe I should wear this dress instead?" Jane asked for the thousandth time this time holding up an orange dress with a strapless back and short skirt. We were in her room trying to pick a nice outfit. What should have taken five minutes was talking longer than half an hour. I groaned, getting up off her bed, finally having enough, put my hands on her shoulders and said, "Jane stop worrying about what you're going to wear! Charlie is going to love you no matter what you look like. Trust me"

She blushed shrugging me off but then took a deep breath, "Ok maybe I'm over thinking this but I prefer this blue one." She picked up my favourite of her dresses. It was a baby blue colour, (a colour that complimented Janes eyes perfectly) and had strapless shoulders. The top was covered in little blue gems and the skirt flowed down Jane's legs like a waterfall dropping to her knees. Once she had put it on she twirled for me and she looked absolutely gorgeous. I envied Jane's beauty and her personality. She was so different to me in so many ways. "You look beautiful," I told her.

"Thanks lizzy." She eyed me up and down, "Why haven't you dressed yet?"

I snorted, "I have." I was dressed in my regular shirt and shorts.

"Very funny Lizzy. Look I know you don't want to go but for my sake please wear a dress."

"You know I hate wearing dresses Jane and I don't have any apart from that stupid summer dress Mum bought for me." That summer dress was shoved right to the back of my wardrobe as soon as mum got it for me. It was an ugly yellow colour with daisies covering every inch of it and I looked like a five year old in it.

"Please Lizzie just this once and you won't have to wear one again." Another amazing thing about Jane, she can put up with me. She examined her wardrobe for a minute and then pulled out a green piece of fabric. "Try this on. Green always suited you." The dress was a strapless Taffeta dress in an I shook my head exasperatedly but nevertheless gave her a hug, "Thanks Janie." I spent almost an hour trying to tame and clip back my curls but even then, some of them fell out of place. A few of the curls sprayed out across my forehead but I thought it looked all right. And at precisely 6pm me and Jane were downstairs in the living room for our inspection from mum. I am not kidding mum would literally inspect every aspect of our faces clothes and shoes.

"Oh Jane you look absolutely beautiful!" She wasn't joking. Jane looked wonderful, she had played up her eyes with matching blue eye shadow, and had lengthened her eyelashes with black mascara. She didn't need to add any blush on, because with every compliment made, her cheeks would colour a rosy red and she already had flawless skin so she didn't need foundation.

Mum then moved onto me and shook her head lightly, "I'm glad Jane thought to give you her dress but you've really got to buy some of your own. And you could have tried a little harder with your hair and makeup." I was used to her mum's remarks and no longer felt hurt or self-conscious by them. I had learned to tune my mother out most times. Then Mum gave us a hug and said, "Ok girlies go have fun and go get them!" I legged it out the door as quickly as I could before Mum gave another lecture on grabbing boys.

ooOoo

As soon as we made it into the grand hall Charlie had rented out, we could already feel the party vibe. The music was pounding away loudly and there were luminous lights bouncing off every wall. Off course, some people were very determined on ruining that. Will Darcy just leant in a corner of the hall and stared, his mouth set in a grim line. If he didn't have such an ugly expression on his face I would have thought his very handsome on this particular night. He was wearing a black cuffed shirt and dark denim jeans.

I had been forced to encounter him when Jane dragged me along to talk to Bingley. Honestly, I didn't understand how a person like Charlie could be friends with him.

"Jane!" Charlie exclaimed giving her a light kiss on the cheek when he noticed her and then giving me a hug.

"Charlie," She said blushing lightly, "what a great party."

A particular pair of brown eyes found mine and, I noticed, was staring at me. I was forced to acknowledge him, "Hello Will."

"Hello," He replied just as stiffly. Well that was all I was going to attempt with that man today. It seemed like Jane had wanted me to suffer on this particular night because when I had turned behind me I noticed she and Bingley had walked off both of them in their own worlds. Ok then just walk off and leave me with this anti social douche bag then!

Before the awkwardness got even more awkward, I noticed Caroline had started walking towards Will with a seductive look on her face. There was no way I was going to endure that devil. I quickly made my escape and was relieved to find Charlotte embracing me.

"Charlotte! I am so glad you're here. You just saved me from Will Darcy and Caroline."

"Oh that bitch. Where are they?"Charlotte asked.

I looked behind me and pointed them out, amused, when I saw Will standing in the very far corner of the hall trying to get away from Caroline.

"Eeek. My favourite song!" Charlotte shrieked in my ear as she dragged me along to the dance floor and started punching her fist in the air, dancing wildly. Now this is why I loved my best friend. She was crazy on the dance floor and soon enough I found myself joining her.

Now you could say that my likeness for Will Darcy was quite low on the meter but after a particular incident it went off the scale. It happened while I was going up to the table to grab a snack. I had practically bounced up and down when I realised he had bought Pringles! (I have a bit of an obsession for them.) While I was grabbing a few, I heard Charlie talking to Will with a persuading tone and I was sure I heard my sister's name being mentioned. Off course, the polite thing to do here is to walk away and pretend you hadn't heard anything but off course at this point politeness was thrown out the window and with my curiosity burning I decided to lean in slightly and eavesdrop.

"Oh yes Jane is an absolute angel isn't she?" Charlie was saying adoration filling his voice. I smiled to myself. "But her sister Lizzie is also really pretty, I'm sure you've realised. Why don't you dance with her?"

I heard a loud snort, "You have got to be kidding me Charlie. She's barely bearable! She is merely tolerable, nothing special, and look at her hair. It's wild and all over the place. She's not pretty enough for me."

I couldn't hear the rest because without thinking I had turned to face both of them. It was slightly amusing to see the arrogant Will Darcy embarrassed. He stiffened when he recognised me and shoved his hands in his pockets, awkwardly, before walking away leaving a red faced Bingley who smiled sheepishly and hurried away.

I was fuming. He could have just said a simple no couldn't he! But no he had to make some comments on my hair as well? Douche bag. He clearly thought it was a privilege for someone to dance with him. Well Mister I would never dance with you even if you were the last man on earth! Heck if that happened I'd probably turn into a lesbian instead.

I found my way back to Charlotte again and she instantly knew something was wrong. After a few pointless "I'm fine," I told her.

I began to relay what happened and was only stopped twice with a,"That prick,"

However, I just laughed, "I don't really care. In fact, now I just find it funny. He really deserves the word prick. "

Charlotte laughed as well but I could tell she was still concerned, "Well come on then don't let him ruin your night. Let's have fun! " And she immediately pulled me back to the dance floor. Pretty soon Will Darcy's comments were long forgotten.

ooOoo

I felt embarrassed, ashamed and annoyed. Why did my stupid friend have to come and ask me that question. Why did Lizzie have to come to this party tonight. Why does the world hate me?

My friend had found me 'staring' at Lizzie. I wasn't really staring. I was just…looking. She looked quite beautiful tonight with her hair in a sophisticated up do and her apple green dress. I noticed that some of the curls in her hair had fallen out and I had this ridiculous impulse to tuck them back. Darcy! She's just a plain girl…not that pretty. But soon I found himself looking back to those beautiful shining eyes filled with excitement.

Bingley had walked over to me, while I was looking, with a grin on his face, "Looks like it's not just me then."

I glanced at my friend irritated. What on earth was he talking about?

His grin became wider, "You're staring at Lizzie Bennet."

I immediately tried to deny it, "No I'm not." And when I saw Bingley raise his eyebrows I snapped, "Look why don't you get back to the love of your life and leave me alone."

"Oh yes Jane is an absolute angel isn't she?" Charlie was saying adoration filling his voice. I groaned. "But her sister Lizzie is also really pretty, I'm sure you've realised." He wiggled his eyebrows at me stating that he had recognised my staring and then continued, "Why don't you dance with her?"

Without thinking I snapped back, "You have got to be kidding me Charlie. She's barely bearable! She is merely tolerable, nothing special, and look at her hair. It's wild and all over the place. She's not pretty enough for me. Now go and get back to your 'angel'." Lies Lies Lies. However, I had to get Charlie off my back. Charlie was just about to reply when suddenly the very object of my thoughts turned to face me. I immediately stiffened and embarrassment and many other emotions crossed over me. I watched Lizzie Bennet's face turn into amusement, obviously noticing how uncomfortable I was and not wanting to cause further humiliation turned and walked away.

Darcy you idiot! I screamed to myself. I had to make it up to her somehow…but how?

ooOoo

The night was actually going pretty well after that incident but off course things don't always go as you want. I was now dancing with Collins, (If you could call it dancing.) The guy clearly didn't know how to dance to pop songs. He was constantly stepping on my toes then apologising profusely holding my hands. I was glad we weren't dancing to a romantic ballad. For if, we had been then this night would have been a lot worse.

Thank goodness someone had stepped in after the tenth time of having my foot squashed and the hundredth apology because my patience was wearing thin. I jumped lightly at the tap on my shoulder but also thanked the lord for the distraction. I spun around to face an extremely handsome guy. He had light blue shining eyes and short dark blonde hair. I found myself smiling for no particular reason.

His lips were set in a playful smile as he said, "I'm sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if I could have this dance." His words contradicted his expression and I knew he was making fun of Collins and I found myself laughing. "Off course." I said taking his hand. Normally I would have been embarrassed to be taken to the centre of the stage but this time I didn't care. The hairs on my back rose as the mysterious guy rested his hand on it and I hoped to god my hands weren't sweaty as I took his hand. I was so glad that a romantic ballad had been put on and noticed the way the room had changed. Couples were splayed out across the dance floor slowly swaying and I found myself doing the same. Those that didn't have a partner, obviously Will Darcy who had probably cruelly rejected every girl who had asked, were standing at the sides of the rooms either eating drinking or in his case scowling. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Charlotte dancing with Collins. Poor girl. I almost laughed at her uncomfortable expression as he stepped on her toes.

The mysterious person noticed this and asked again in the playful tone, "What is so funny? I hope it's not my awful dancing."

I laughed, "No don't worry it isn't. I'm just very glad that I'm not in the company of certain people," I gestured my head towards Collins. "You've done me a very big favour and I am eternally grateful."

He laughed as well. I loved his laugh, " But I hope that's not the only reason you agreed to dance with me tonight."

I smiled, "Trust me it isn't." He returned the smile and after a few seconds I asked, "I haven't seen you around. Are you in the year above?"

He shook his head, "No I'm new here. Just started Monday."

"Oh well I'm sorry I didn't have the pleasure of meeting you then. What did you say your name was?"

He smirked, "I didn't. But It's George…George Wickham."

"Pleased to meet you George Wickham. I'm Lizzie Bennet."

He tilted his head towards me until our heads were almost touching and in a silky seductive voice he replied, "Very pleased to meet you Lizzie."

ooOoo

George Wickham had never had the opportunity to take his revenge on his former best friend…until now. As soon as he was out of youth detention he quickly enrolled himself at school. He didn't have to think too hard on which school to pick. His initial plan to get back at Darcy was to spread rumours about him and eventually have the whole school against him but as he watched his friend at the party, he saw an even better way to take revenge. It didn't take long for George to realise that the jackass clearly had feelings for this one girl whom he constantly stared at. It was because he was so consumed with this girl that Darcy didn't realise he was there. After pointing her out to someone, he soon found out that her name was Elizabeth Bennet. He watched her carefully as she danced. She was quite pretty. She was slender with a pale complexion and bright eyes. Perhaps this time I will keep her, he thought.