Elizabeth Bennet - 'Lizzy' to her friends - is not having a good morning. Firstly, her mother wakes her up at quarter to five am ranting and screeching nonsensically about some new, young, successful doctor moving into the neighbourhood, which somehow means that Lizzy has to be ready for school early, her favourite shampoo is all gone and the only clean underwear left in her drawer are some ill-flattering large grandma knickers.

Lizzy calls out as she clambers down the stairs, half asleep and hastily pulling her hoodie over her head as she adjusts her rather uncomfortable underwear.
'Mum, I swear, if you don't have a very good reason as to why I was required to wake up at this ungodly hour, there will be serious consequences; involving the removal of your limbs in a slow and agonising way.'

Franny Bennett stands in the door way, mouth agape, and looks at her daughter. Despite her recollection of giving birth to this girl, after seventeen years together, Franny still sometimes struggles to believe this is her daughter.

'Lizzy, dear, do be quiet. The girls have to take the day off today, I'm taking them shopping,' she smiles happily, before looking back at Lizzy with an expression of distaste. 'So, your sister has kindly offered to take you to school on her way to work. Right, Jane.' She smiles warmly at Jane; the flaxen haired, red lipped, creamy skinned beauty standing close by.

Jane smiles conspiratorially at her sister before replying, 'Absolutely, mum. I'll see you and Dad tomorrow; my shift at the hospital doesn't end until late.' Jane kisses her mother on the cheek, picks up Lizzy's school bag and drags her asleep-on-her-feet sister to the door.

'So, Lizzy-bear, what's on the agenda this morning? My shift doesn't technically start until eight, so we've got some time to kill before I drop you at school.' Jane smiles at her sister in the passenger seat as she pulls out of the drive way.

Lizzy peels her eyes open to look at the dashboard clock. Harsh neon green numbers read 6:15. Lizzy groans before speaking,

'Jane,' Lizzy looks beseechingly at her angelic sister, 'if you love me at all... please, I need caffeine.' She finishes, falling dramatically back into her seat. She sighs, 'What I don't understand if why Mum had to wake me up this early if you aren't starting until eight.'

Jane looks over sheepishly before pulling her eyes back onto the road. 'Sorry, Lizzy, that's completely my fault. I've, uh, been telling mum that I start at six-thirty so I can leave while everyone's still asleep.' She apologetically smiles and sighs quietly.

At this admission Lizzy pauses for a moment, before bursting into raucous laughter. 'Oh, Jane.' She gasps between laughs, 'I knew it! No one - not even someone as angelic as you - can put up with our family for extended periods of time. God, we're all nutters!'

Jane smiles fondly, before joining her sister in laughter.

'Jane, I just want you to know... if I don't make it home, I love you.' Lizzy stares straight ahead, at the looming buildings that comprise her school, Xavier Senior College.

Jane follows her sister's glance and mock shudders, 'Gods speed, dear sister, and may the force be with you.' The two girls look at each other, take in the other's fake-serious expression and burst into laughter.

Lizzy climbs out of the car, jean clad legs stretching, and slings her bag over her shoulder. 'See you later, Janey. Love you!' She calls as she walks up the path and approaches the front doors. She waves as Jane pulls away, and then enters. The hallways are deserted. No sane students show up before they absolutely have to.
Lizzy sighs and sets off towards her locker, resolved to get some work done for the next hour and a half.

Upon reaching her locker, Lizzy abandons her resolve, ditches her bag and pulls a novel out.

Lizzy waltzes through the halls, relishing the feel of isolation; as if she is the last person in the world. She seeks out a quiet place to read; a quiet alcove nestled on the stairway between floors and opens her book.

Lost in the pages, Lizzy neglects to notice the sound of any footsteps until they are upon her. She looks up from her book to see a rather tall, rather hot male smiling down at her. Lizzy takes in the long jean clad legs, and muscular arms and chest beneath a casual t-shirt. She flashes an answering grin before enquiring flirtatiously, 'You lost? As I don't recognise you, I'm assuming you're new?'

The man nods and replies, 'I am indeed new, and quite lost. I need to find 118b; do you think you could be persuaded to assist me?'

Lizzy smiles and extends and arm, indicating for him to help her up, 'Sure thing, I'm Lizzy. You are?'

He grasps her hand and pulls her up, holding on longer than necessary and staring into her eyes as he replies, 'Will.'

Lizzy falters, lost in his alluring stare, he draws his hand away and speaks again, 'Lead the way, Lizzy.'

Lizzy laughs unconvincingly and turns, gesturing for him to follow. She cannot seem to shake the effect his contact had put on her.

Will smiles from his position behind Lizzy, he can't believe his luck. First day on the job, wandering the halls lost and alone and he encounters the most gorgeous women nestled on the stairs with her head in a book; and not just any book, one of his favourites; Animal Farm by George Orwell. He honestly didn't think that any of the other teachers would bother showing up this early; an hour before the bell, and was surprised - and pleased - to find a likeminded colleague.

After a while walking, Lizzy halts and gestures to the classroom. 'We have reached your destination, Will.' She says, before chastising herself for saying something so embarrassing.

Will smiles before reaching for the door knob. Lizzy opens her mouth, about to tell him it's not likely to be open because none of the teachers have arrived yet, when the door knob gives way under his hand. He swings the door open. Lizzy stands outside as he walks in and sits on the teacher's desk, surveying the room. She feels conflicted between not breaking the rules and hanging out with this hot new guy... Oh, who was she kidding? She smiles as she enters behind him and sits at one of the desks in the front row.

Will looks over at Lizzy and laughs. She's seated at one of the student's desks, elbows on desk, and head in her hands, looking like a real high school student. Lizzy grins back at him. She could listen to that laugh for hours. She inwardly sighs.

'So, what do you have first lesson?' She asks; eager to strike up conversation.

Will looks down at the notes written on his hand, 'Um, year 12 English Studies, room 118b.'

Lizzy smiles, she's in that class. She's about to tell him, when she is interrupted by the clanging of the bell signalling the start of lesson 1. She can hear the doors open, and the wave of weary students pile in. She has to get her books from her locker and get back before the lesson starts, she says a quick farewell to Will neglecting to mention that she'll be right back and departs.

Will frowns, disappointed at her hastened departure but reminds himself she probably has a class to get to and besides, he can see her at recess and lunch in the staff room for the remainder of the school term. He puts on a brave face, and takes a deep breath as his first students trudge in and find their seats.

'Mr Darcy' He writes on the whiteboard. He sits at his desk and waits patiently for his class to take their seats, looking over at the computer as he pulls up the electronic roll - complete with pictures.

Lizzy bustles back into the classroom, relieved to see that teacher hasn't arrived yet, but curious as to why Will is standing at the front of the room. Perhaps he is waiting to introduce himself to the teacher, she wonders. She takes her seat, the same seat she occupied when she was in here previously with Will. She smiles as she pulls out her books, opening a fresh page and doodling a cartoon love heart with the words Lizzy and Will written inside.

Will looks at the roll, in shock. Elizabeth Bennett, it reads along with a picture of "Lizzy". The class quietens as he looks over at them , pale faced, as he observes one particular student with their head in a book.

'Shit.' He thinks.

Lizzy becomes aware of the extreme silence in the room. Surely they wouldn't have stopped talking until the teacher had arrived, she thinks. She looks first at her fellow students, staring ahead at the person occupying the teacher's seat. She follows their gaze, and meets a very familiar, shocked stare.

'Shit.' She says.