I finally saw the 2005 movie adaptation to Pride and Prejudice today- you know, the one the cover picture of this story has? It was pretty good, actually. Anyway, I'd like to say I messed up with Darcy's name- I thought it was William, but then I realized it was Fitzwilliam, and I changed some stuff around first chapter, but nothing major.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice.

Song for this chapter: Caraphernalia by Pierce the Veil

The world utterly hates me.

As I'm walking to the coffee shop for my four hour shift- in the cold winter snow, mind you- who should I fall across but two giggling idiots, both of them draped over the arms of older and probably less idiotic boys. I have two guesses about what those boys were up to: actually wanting to date the idiots, or just get in their pants.

I eliminate the first right off.

Anyway, I'm behind them, but they don't notice me. They do, however, when we reach the coffee shop, which prompts both of them to try and talk to me. The idiots, not the boys. I'm tempted to pretend I don't hear them, but I know they would tell my mother and she'd call me up and scorn me for it.

Yes, I am (unfortunately) related to these idiots. They're my sisters.

Lydia and Kitty Bennet are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. In fact, they're like spoons that aren't even in the drawer. Their world revolves around boys, shopping, makeup, and even more boys. See, they're in high school, which is the time of shallow girls and many, many griefs that I won't even get into.

"Hi, Lizzy." Lydia's eyes gleam with mischief, and her cheeks are rosy for some reason I don't try and imagine.

"Hi," I mumble, and I try not to say anything more to her, but she blocks my way inside.

"You're walking around, and it's cold," Kitty jumps in. "Why?"

I refrain from some retort that goes along the lines of: Fuck off, I work here, you bitches.

Instead I say calmly, "I have to go to work."

"That sucks," Kitty says loudly, and she and Lydia dissolve into giggles like they're hilarious.

Yes, how funny it is that I'm still outside, freezing.

"Well, let me pass," I say, irritation seeping into my voice. They think they're so funny, acting dumb for these boys, when they just sound downright pathetically stupid. Oh, right- they're not acting. Then they burst into giggles again when I say what I say. The fact that stupid girls giggle isn't a myth, you know. It happens.

Unfortunately for the rest of us.

They do move to let me pass, only to giggle once more. They enter after me, still hanging on to those boys, and I refrain from saying anything that might make them angry or upset. (Really, I'm tempted to call these boys out for trying to get with my sisters. It might even make them leave if I'm lucky).

Charlotte catches my eye as I go over to the front.

"Don't even think about it," she says while grinning, and I sigh, as she knows me too well.

Maybe it's something deep. Maybe I really do care about my sisters and their well-being. Maybe I'm tired of seeing them strung along by so many guys that are only after one thing. Maybe I want them to realize that they don't need a guy to be happy. Maybe I want to show them that they're better off without the guys they usually hang out with. Maybe I want them to be better.

Or maybe these guys just piss me off. Either works, really.

"Jane's taking the late shift," Charlotte informs me. "It's kind of sad how since the spring semester hasn't started, we're taking advantage of work and claiming all the time consuming and horribly dreadful hours on the worst days. Really, I'd take classes right about now."

"I know." I sigh. "When does your shift end?"

"When yours does. I've already been here two hours, bitch," Charlotte says. "I told you it's sad."

"Well, what do you want me to do today?" I ask.

"Dishes," Charlotte says pointedly. "Cleaning. The stuff I won't do."

"You're so generous," I say dryly.

"One day that sarcasm's going to get you in trouble." Charlotte wastes no time to retort.

I find myself okay with blending in the background, just scrubbing the machines and losing any thoughts in the soap and hot water, which I set to do after I tie on my apron. Charlotte comes in after half an hour or so, and she shoulder-nudges me over so she can start washing some of the dishes too.

"Is someone else taking their shift?" I ask.

"Yeah," Charlotte says. "New guy. Hired yesterday."

"You guys are hiring all over the place," I remark. "Just me on Saturday, and now that new guy on- what- Tuesday?"

"Yeah. Really says something, huh?" Charlotte wisecracks. "Anyway, the guy convinced me he had it handled. Besides, between you and me, he was a total crackhead and I was dying to get away. In Jane standards, she might call him boisterous. I can call him plain annoying."

"Oh, yeah? Who is he?" I ask absentmindedly.

"I don't know. He calls himself Collins, because he thinks it sounds hip or something, but his real name's William."

"No." The name rings a bell right away. "No freaking way."

"What?" Charlotte's green eyes flicker to my face and she studies me closely.

"He was a customer here...I think. Let me check." I peer out just when he's turning to give another employee the coffee order, and accidentally catch his eye. Because he is who he is, he smiles. "Shit. Shit, shit, shit. He saw me."

"So?" Charlotte asks.

"So he's weird. I think he tried hitting on me when he came last time," I recall.

"Clearly he's blind, too." Charlotte cracks up and I splash soapy water at her.

"Never let me in a room with him alone." I shiver. "He's creepy."

"First thinking Charles was gay, now this. Jane's right. You are pretty quick to judge." Charlotte laughs.

Ignoring her, I decide that maybe my thought is a little rash. I mean, the guy just seemed to talk nonstop, and based on Charlotte's definition of "crackhead", I assume he's just strange. I decide that if I ever do have to end up in a room with him, I'll try and be nice. I mean, it's not like he'll be rude, like Darcy.

Ugh, Darcy.

Everything I do keeps making me think back to him. Not in a good way, either. The only thing it does for me is boil my blood at the thought of that arrogant asshole, claiming how I wasn't pretty enough for him and that he thought I was an idiot. The only thing I can hope is that I won't ever see Darcy again. This makes me feel slightly better. I mean, what are the odds a guy like that would ever come back here? He'd probably sneer at the door and have to be threatened or something to come in to ever come inside. I just hope, for Jane's sake, that Charles comes. Without Darcy, of course.

"Hello again, Charlotte. May I interest you in taking over at the register? I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your friend here, and she hasn't had the pleasure of meeting me. Of course, I know my skills are hard to follow, so if by chance you require any assistance over at said register..."

"I got it, Collin. But, eh, thanks." Charlotte shoots me a look as the guy from earlier then comes right into my face, sticking out his hand to my soapy one. I wash my hand off and shake his hand hesitantly. His palm is sweaty and sticky, and I immediately want to wipe my hand on my apron, but I refrain from doing that.

Collins- or Collin, as Charlotte called him- isn't particularly handsome. He has clean cut brown hair, and his eyes resemble a plain mud color. He has glasses on, too, and they're the thin wire kind that make someone look older than they really are. Besides that, he's decked out in an evening suit that seems two sizes too small, because his chest is puffed up so much it looks like he's about to faint. He's a little on the pudgy side, too, so that doesn't help much.

"Hello," Collins says. "I'm William Collins. You may call me Collins, or even Mr. Collins if you'd like. That's what my employer calls me, and I take pride in it. However, as dear Charlotte has demonstrated, Collin will suffice. It sounds rather cool, doesn't it? Oh, I almost forgot: your name?"

I snatch a quick look at Charlotte. She shrugs and leaves.

"Elizabeth," I finally say. "Some people call me that, but I mainly go by either Lizzy or Eliza."

"A beautiful name." Collin smiles widely, and I notice his teeth are crooked. "Miss Elizabeth-"

"Please, don't call me miss," I interrupt.

"My employer says that women always love to be called miss," Collin says surely as if I haven't said anything. "In fact, she herself takes pride in it. I am, of course, referring to the wonderful Catherine de Bourgh. She is such an interesting woman. I've been working for her as part of an internship. She owns a grand law company. It's a great honor for someone of my youth, seeing how I am only twenty-two, but she's ever so kind. In fact-"

"She sounds lovely, Collin," I cut him off. "Listen, I really need to wash these..."

"Oh, don't. Allow me." Colllin then moves over and takes the coffee machine part I've been scrubbing at, brushing my hands far too long for my liking. He smiles his crooked smile at me as if this is enough to woo me. "May I ask your last name?"

It's strangely the weirdest request I've gotten, but I don't say so.

"Bennet."

"Oh, Bennet! I believe I worked for your father for a while. He used to be a lawyer. Oh, I worked under him for months..."

I decide to just ignore him. How much longer can this guy talk, anyway?

Of course, after an hour, it's clear he can talk way too much.

"Collin," I finally interrupt him. "I'm going to see if Charlotte needs my help."

"But of course! After all, she seems a little accident prone, and in this business, that's not very good..."

Okay, so he's not an asshole. But he's pretty close.

I join Charlotte, sighing a little loudly. She shoots me an amused look.

"You're a terrible best friend," I declare.

"Hey, who was it that agreed to getting tattoos last year? I'm an amazing best friend to go through that much pain."

"It was your idea." I roll my eyes at Charlotte's weak retort. "I didn't even want a tattoo."

"I didn't see that stop you."

"Whatever. The point is, please never leave me with him again," I plead. "He's about as interesting as soap."

"Soap everywhere shall hate you," Charlotte announces, but her tone softens afterwards. "Come on, he's not even a jerk. He kept asking about you, too. Of course, after I told him Jane was taken- Charles gave her his number, by the way- but Collin thought you were a good second choice!"

"That does wonders for my self-esteem, Char, thanks."

"Hey, he said it, not me."

After Charlotte's comment, we stand in relative silence, since people still mull about the coffee shop. I see Lydia and Kitty at a table with those boys, both of them giggling and shooting looks my way. It doesn't take a genius to notice that they're talking about me.

"Honestly, those two are horrible," Charlotte sighs.

I know.

"Yeah," I mutter halfheartedly. I don't feel like telling her all the latest horrible things they had done.

Charlotte seems to give up on me, and she leaves me there, probably to go to the bathroom. I don't tell her she's a bitch as she leaves me with a line of customers that begin to form. I'm kind of getting used to working here, and talking to people seems like nothing now. It's still annoying, but it's no trouble to me. I'm scribbling orders down when someone comes up in line, red hair shining and grey eyes sparking.

"Hi," Charles Bingley greets me. "Elizabeth, right?"

Was it so hard to say Lizzy, Jane? Or Eliza?

"Right," I say. "You can call me Eliza or Lizzy."

"Two nicknames?" Charles laughs a little, but kindly. He's far too friendly. No wonder he's perfect for Jane.

"Charlotte likes to call me Eliza, but my family likes Lizzy." I shrug. "What can I get for your today?"

"Oh, nothing, please," Charles says. "I was just wondering if Jane was here."

Of course.

"Sorry, she's taking the late shift. She'll be here at six until ten." Inwardly, I'm sighing to myself. He isn't the first boy to come calling for Jane, of course. He's just the first that I've seen Jane into equally, and I don't want to mess this up for her.

"I guess we can wait. Thanks, Elizab- I mean, Lizzy." Charles smiles as he goes and sits down.

We?

My eye catches his. Of course, Darcy's here. Why didn't I see that one coming? I remind myself that I don't care about Darcy. He can insult me as much as he wants, and remind me that no boy's ever going to find me attractive, but I won't concern myself over it. Caroline's here, too, but I don't pay her much mind.

After Charles, there's no one left in line. I'm relieved.

"Ah, Elizabeth!"

Relief gone.

"Hi, Collin." I greet him as he joins me at the register. "Finished already?"

"Of course. I'm really good at any job. It's one of my best qualities." He then puffs out his chest like he expects that to impress me. I find it kind of amusing, how he considers himself. It's like he thinks he's some sort of prince, waiting for me- or someone better looking than me- to be his princess.

I never liked fairytales.

"I can see that," I say politely. "You don't mind if I take my break now, do you?"

"No, please go ahead," Collin says. "I handle this job so well already." He's grinning again, thinking himself smooth, maybe. I decide he's not too bad as far as guys go, but he's still got this quality to him that I can't help but be repulsed by. It's mean of me to think so, so I try and imagine he's actually nice, not egotistical.

After all, at least he's not a jerk about it; he just brags about it in the wrong ways.

I take off my apron and decide to retire to my car. It's where I usually spend my break, reading off my phone or a book. As I pass the table where Charles, Darcy, and Caroline are at, Caroline looks at me. She's smirking at the corner of her mouth, and I try and get out as fast as I can. No luck.

"Hey," she calls, "Elizabeth!"

I turn and try to look interested.

"Yeah?"

"I don't think we've all met," Charles interrupts. "Lizzy, meet Darcy and Caroline."

"Lizzy?" Caroline seems to hold back a sneer. "That sounds so juvenile. How old are you?"

"That's not really your concern," I say calmly.

"Well," Charles hurries to say, "was there something you wanted to ask her, Carol?" It's clear by his too-tight smile that he doesn't want to start anything. It's actually kind of nice of him to do that, mainly because that means I won't have to give them my age.

"Don't call me that," Caroline snaps, "or I'll start calling you Charlie. Anyway, Elizabeth-"

"She goes by Lizzy or Eliza." Charles says firmly.

"Elizabeth," Caroline stresses my name defiantly, "can I ask if you're in school? If you are, studying what?"

"I am," I say. "I study criminal justice."

"Criminal justice," Caroline repeats. "Interesting."

She turns and smirks a little at Darcy, who in turn seems to try and avoid eye contact.

"Well, I'm going on my break now," I say quickly. "Bye."

Once alone, I'm content to go to my car, turn on my phone, and play stupid iPhone games. I have a box of granola bars in the car, too, so I sit and eat one while I play. Really, this is the most eventful of my breaks so far, and that's because my phone is actually charged. After a few of said games, I hear a knock at my car window. I look up to see Jane's pure, smiling face. I unlock my car and she gets in.

"You don't look lonely at all." Jane's words are slightly teasing, which she rarely does. Tease, I mean.

"I happen to like being alone," I remind her, but I can't help but smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come early," Jane says casually.

"As if." I smirk.

"Alright, Charles texted me." Jane blushes. "He's really nice, Lizzy. It feels good to just know him, you know?"

"And he's not bad looking," I tease, "which is a bonus."

"Oh, you know looks don't matter to me." Jane says it, and she means it. She's literally the nicest person ever.

"I know," I say, "but I'm just pointing it out."

Jane smiles before she falls a little somber.

"Charlotte mentioned Darcy was rude to you when you spilled coffee on him," Jane blurts out suddenly. "Lizzy, I just want to make sure that you're not taking it hard. Charles told me a little about him, and I've heard about him, seeing how successful he is. Anyway, I've heard Darcy is very protective of his pride."

"Obviously," I huff. "He's a downright jerk."

"Oh come on, one rude encounter doesn't mean-"

"He insulted me more. I didn't tell you or Charlotte." My words hang in the air. I'm hoping Jane won't press for details, which is a risky thought, considering how I've opened up to her. However, I don't want Jane thinking I'm that rude to assume the guy was a jerk right off- even if I did.

"Tell me about it," Jane says softly, and I know she won't give me peace until I do.

So, I tell her about what Darcy said. Honestly, I've been told worse- and to my face- but by the way Jane reacts, it's like he's called me some sort of whore. Her hands go to her mouth and she gasps loudly, like one of those bad actresses trying to act surprised.

"Oh, Lizzy, that's horrible." Jane gasps. "But are you sure you didn't mishear him?"

Had to see that one coming- she's Jane, which means she won't assume the worst.

"Relax. He was just a jerk." I roll my eyes. "He doesn't matter."

"It's still so mean." Jane pauses as if to think. "Lizzy, you're very beautiful. Don't ever doubt that."

"Jane," I say gently, "I'm over it. Just because Darcy doesn't find me as pretty enough-"

"It's fine, right?" Jane's ever-kind face is like noon on a horribly hot day- unnecessary. "Just because he doesn't find you pretty- well, it doesn't mean anything! There's plenty of other guys who will see that you're as beautiful as any girl they'll ever come across. And forget the part about you being an idiot. You're brilliant, not an idiot at all-"

"Jane," I say loudly, "it's okay. I am not looking for any guy to think I'm pretty, much less Darcy."

"Then you're okay? You're sure?" Jane peers at me with her ever kind blue eyes.

"Absolutely," I assure her. "I mean, compared to you, what else was the guy supposed to say? You're gorgeous."

"Stop." Jane blushes, of course. "You are far more stunning than I am."

"Clearly your vision's impaired." I smile. "Want to head inside now? I think my break's been over for a while now."

"Sure." Jane looks relieved now, but I can tell she's still iffy about my feelings. However fucked up I may be, Jane genuinely cares about me and what I feel. She's a pure saint. Charlotte likes to say she got all the good genetics and fucked me over with the rest. I always agree with her.

We walk in silence. There's nothing else to talk about. It's kind of sad, actually.

"Jane!" Of course, Charles lights up and crosses over to greet her right away when we enter. "I'm so glad you came."

"Me too," Jane says dreamily. "I-I mean, I'm glad you came..." She turns red, and Charles laughs shyly.

If this was a movie, "Glad You Came" by the Wanted would be playing by now.

"Jane, I never introduced you to Darcy and Caroline," Charles is quick to say. "At least not formally. You know Darcy- he's my best friend- but this is Caroline, my sister. She's younger than I am, and clearly not as attractive." His teasing is sort of sweet, in that brother-sister way, but it's clear Caroline doesn't care about any brother-sister moments.

"Shut up, Charles," Caroline rolls her eyes before she turns on Jane. "Jane, how delightful to finally meet you. I've been wondering who the girl is that has gotten little Charlie so awestruck. I have to say, you're far prettier than he keeps saying."

"Oh, you're too nice." Jane waves that idea away. "But- Charlie?"

"It's a nickname." Charles looks embarrased. "I went by it for years, but I think Charles is better now."

"I think it's cute." Jane just smiles. "I could get used to calling you Charlie."

"Please don't." Charlie smiles too. Jane's smile is just contagious.

"Eliza!" Charlotte calls, and I tear my eyes away from the others to see my best friend waving her hand frantically. Collin is, of course, next to her, and he's smiling as he stares at me. I want to pretend I haven't seen them, but I decide to join them.

"See you later, Jane." I say as I push back a strand of my wavy dark brown hair that just likes to escape my ponytail. "Bye, Charles. Caroline. Darcy." My eyes linger longest on Darcy, and I'm just waiting for some nasty comment on his part. Surprisingly, he doesn't take the bait. Instead he just nods my way, those cool blue eyes still and unwavering.

Charlotte stares at me longer then she intends when I join her.

"What?" I ask in exasperation.

"Nothing," Charlotte says innocently. "Anyway, Collin wanted to ask you something."

"Huh?" I turn and stare at Collin, barely remembering he's here too. "Oh. What's up?"

"As I was telling Charlotte," Collin beams, "my involvment with your father was minimal, but still important. In fact, she tells me that your father is retired. I am always looking to visit my old friends, and I'd love to come by your house and have dinner with your family. It'd be perfect for us to get to know each other as well."

Charlotte is shaking her head from where she is, and I refrain from a nasty comment towards her.

"I don't know," I say awkwardly. "I'd have to ask my parents. I don't live with them anymore, and I rarely have dinner with my family myself. Not to mention that your schedule might not work out. It's really too much of a hassle, and I don't think my parents particularly, um, like visitors."

"Then maybe you and I can meet up for lunch sometime," Collin suggests. "Just the two of us."

"Maybe." I try and smile weakly, but I suspect it looks more like a grimace.

Charlotte, of course, can't hide back a laugh.

"Customers are coming." Charlotte quickly compensates for her laugh. "I'll take 'em."

"I'll make their orders," I say quickly, and I pray Collin won't join me.

"Ah, both of you are so hardworking." Collin winks sloppily. "My shift is over, I'm afraid, so I'll leave you two to it."

"Sadly," Charlotte mocks quietly. "Well, bye, Collin!"

"Goodbye, Charlotte. Goodbye, Elizabeth." Then he smiles my way.

Shit. Charlotte owes me for this.

"Bitch," I mutter after he's gone.

"Whaaat?" Charlotte feigns innocence. "He was blabbing about your dad, and how he wanted to take you out to dinner, so I suggested he go over with your parents. I figured that would be less painful for you, since he's so boring, and your mom would adore him."

"But instead you got me a lunch date," I say dryly. "Thanks."

"Whatever. You could use a date." Charlotte turns to the customers, and they tell her their order.

"Excuse me? I do not need a date."

"Please," Charlotte shakes her head as she turns to me, "you're kind pathetic. I mean, living with your sister is bad enough, and living in a tiny apartment, basically living off instant noodles, but seriously? I bet you haven't gotten laid in months. When was the last time you had a guy over?"

"Not since I was, like, nineteen," I grumble. "And that was mainly because I was so excited to be living on my own with my older sister, working and going to college, and being free from my parents. I don't even remember the guy's name."

"Exactly," Charlotte says surely. "Now you're twenty-one and still the most sad person I've ever met."

"Hey, I don't see guys lining up to sleep with you, much less take you on dates."

"But I get out," Charlotte argues, and she goes to the back room. I follow. "I have fun."

"Waking up with no memory of the night before doesn't sound like fun to me."

"Vodka is a beautiful thing. I don't know what you're talking about." Charlotte sets to work, making the customers their coffee, even though I said I'd do it. A single piece of hair falls from her bun, and she's as concentrated as I've ever seen her, seeing how she doesn't even flick the hair back. I sigh to myself. Crazy as Charlotte is, she really does care.

"I appreciate it," I say despite my better judgment. "I just don't want Collin, or any other guy for that matter."

"Yet." Charlotte doesn't even look up when she says it.

"What?"

"That guy- the tall, dark, brooding one that's with Charles- can't stop looking at you."

"You mean Darcy?" I give a hollow laugh.

"Duh." Charlotte winks.

"That's not going to happen." I shake my head violently. "Never in a million years would I go out with him."

"Way to be nice." Charlotte looks amused, but she doesn't press for details. "Listen, I need a favor."

"Great, you throw that in after doing so much trouble for me already," I mumble. "What is it?"

"I need you to take my Friday shift." At least she gets straight to the point.

"No."

"Oh, come on, Eliza! Please! It's just from six to eight. Two hours."

"Which means one hundred and twenty minutes in utter hell. No way! Friday is my day off."

"My parents are coming in," Charlotte pleads. "Please tell me you wouldn't do this to me."

"Of course I would...you got me a date with Collin."

"My parents, Lizzy. If I don't meet up with them on Friday, my mom might decide to stay longer. And if she stays longer, then I won't get any peace, or more importantly, any cute guys over to my place. Not to mention she'll take all my alcohol- the lady's paranoid I'll get poisoned. You know her. Please, please, please, do this for me."

"You said so yourself; it's just two hours..."

"She wants to meet by five for dinner, and then she'll probably feel good enough not to come by again for at least another month. You of all people know I can't deal with her more than a month. Please." Charlotte's begging is so pitiful that I cave.

"Fine," I sigh, "but I can't believe I'm helping you get away from your mother. Next time you're helping me escape mine."

"You're amazing." Charlotte hugs me.

"Hey, you still owe me for this," I warn her as I hug back. "Maybe you should go on a date with Collins."

"As if. I think he's just interested in the Bennet family, since you all have such amazing genetics," Charlotte teases. "Honestly, I don't even think he finds me attractive. He strikes me as the type of guy who thinks he can get supermodels or something, which is probably why he was interested in Jane, and now you."

"Oh, come on, you've always been the more attractive one," I poke her shoulder affectionately.

I really do think Charlotte's prettier than me.

She's not pretty in a supermodel way, but in her own way. She has this long, reddish-blond hair that falls a little too perfectly, if you ask me. Her eyes are green, like mine, but hers are infused with brown that makes her eyes look hazel. I tell her they're hazel, too, but she insist they're green. Her most prominent feature is her nose, which is slim and long and gives her this sly, mysterious look. Of course, she's convinced she's not sly at all, just sexy. My mom likes to say she's plain and not pretty at all, but I disagree.

Joking or not, she has this ability to always make you smile. Not in a Jane way, of course.

Kind of...better, if you need a laugh.

"I know." Charlotte humors me, and she flips her imaginary loose hair since it's up in a bun, her hazel (not green) eyes sparkling in sheer amusement. They darken, however, as she looks past me. "Uh-oh, don't look now, but Thing One and Thing Two are going over to Charles and your eye candy."

"Darcy is not my- hold on, why are they doing that?" I look over to where Lydia and Kitty are already seemingly teasing Jane and meeting Charles. Caroline, I notice, is smugly looking at Darcy. Darcy, however, is looking at me. He looks away when I catch his eye, and I feel a slight frown come on.

It's strange how he keeps looking at me. Is my hair messed up or something?

"Hello, earth to Eliza," Charlotte breaks into my thoughts. "I just asked you if we should intervene."

"Nah." I shrug. "Jane can handle them."

"Clearly you don't understand, young one," Charlotte quips. "They're basically undressing Charles with their eyes. Those naïve high schoolers just want to throw their virginity away, don't they? Or have they already? No, don't tell me. They have."

"I don't ask those sort of things," I say defensively.

"But you think they have, too." Charlotte smirks.

"...I have, but that's not the point. I don't ask because then I might actually get answers."

"Prude." Charlotte coughs the word to mock me. "So, what do you think the odds are that he'll faint or run away? I bet you right now they're talking dirty to him. Oh Charles, your hair is so sexy. Take me now!" She laughs, convinced she's hilarious when I'm about to groan and rub my temples to forget she said any of that.

"They wouldn't talk dirty to him. It's like you think they're sluts." I say.

Charlotte looks away hesitantly.

"...You think they're sluts."

"They dress so provocatively!" Charlotte defends herself.

"Your point being?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Just take a hint and go over there for me," Charlotte says. "I'm dying to know what they're saying. Jane will only give me a nice, watered-down version. You, on the other hand, I can count to give me a blunt version. Plus, I bet Lydia and Kitty are embarrassing Jane right now, and she needs your help."

"Then maybe you should go over there," I argue.

"They're not my sisters," she reminds me.

"I hate you." I leave, and I hear Charlotte's laugh as I do. Jane, I notice, is flushing pink by the time I arrive. Lydia and Kitty are both clinging onto Charles. Yes, actually clinging. Hanging on to his arms and everything. Caroline is pressed up against Darcy and talking to him, but Darcy's stiff and looking ahead.

"Lizzy," Jane says, relieved. "Hi."

"Hi," I say somewhat begrudgingly. "I came to get Lydia and Kitty. I, uh, need them for something."

"Can't it wait?" Kitty pouts. "Charles is telling us something so interesting."

"Uh, I'm not so sure I'm that interesting," Charles jokes, but I can see the panic in his eyes. He's practically begging for someone to save him, but of course he's too nice to say anything, Jane's too nice, and Caroline and Darcy probably don't care.

"Oh, but you haven't told us about the party yet," Lydia quickly adds.

"Party? What party?" I echo, and Jane makes a little sound at my side; of course, I've said the wrong thing.

"I'm having a party this weekend." The panic that infused Charles's eyes is now calm, and by Jane's blush, I can tell he's invited Jane to the party and somehow my nosy sisters got into the plans. "I'd love if you could come, Lizzy. I can text Jane the details, and you all can come."

"That's so nice of you, Charlie," Caroline finally says something, and it's clear she's patronizing him. "You're much too nice when it comes to people, you know. After all, only some people should be invited to your parties...and some shouldn't." She stares at me, but then her eyes flicker to Lydia and Kitty before finally settling on Jane.

"It's his own choice." Darcy's words are the first I've heard him speak. He's staring at Caroline now, maybe in agreement, but as I look at him closely he looks a little annoyed. Then his eyes leave her and meet mine again. He quickly looks away, and as he does, I look down to check if my fly is down or something.

Why does he keep staring at me?

"Anyway," Jane breaks in, "you were going to take Lydia and Kitty-?"

"Oh, yeah," I say, even though I planned no such thing. "Hey, where are the guys you were with?"

Cue the giggles.

"Come on, Lizzy," Lydia laughs, "they wouldn't be interested in you!"

"Exactly!" Kitty bursts into laughter herself as they both assume the wrong things.

I roll my eyes, silently cursing them and their first born children.

"Just follow me," I finally say, and I refrain from adding "idiots". The two girls depart from their dear Charles after making him promise the party will be on, and then they walk after me, both of them speaking to the other in hushed words and- you guessed it- giggling.

"What are you trying to show us?" Lydia finally has the brain to ask.

"Nothing," I reply. "I need you guys to, uh...help me hand out some coffees."

"Work?" Lydia's expression can only reflect one thing: disgust.

"Why can't you do it?" Kitty whines more than asks.

"Because..." I try and find a reason, and then I see it in two boys who look like they're in high school, ordering coffee from Charlotte. "Because those two guys were asking about you earlier, and it'd make their day if you guys would give them their coffees."

"Really?" Kitty squeals. "They're kind of cute..."

"Okay, we'll do it." Lydia's looking them over, and I can tell she's satisfied.

In my head I apologize to those boys.

I join Charlotte inside the back room, where she's making the coffees.

"Hey, let me take those when you're done," I say, but I don't explain.

"M'kay," Charlotte says calmly. "So, how'd it go?"

"Charles invited Jane to a party, and somehow Lydia and Kitty got involved, so they were invited, and then I came along, so of course he invited me. Just so we're clear, I'm dragging you along, too." I take her one of the coffees that has been brewed so I can top it with the whipped cream.

"To be fair," Charlotte says, "Jane would've invited us anyway."

"True." I take the other coffee. "I'll be back."

After I give the coffees to Lydia and Kitty, I rejoin Charlotte, who's cleaning up.

"The place is closing early," Charlotte says cheerfully. "Our boss texted; he rented it out to some couple who apparently wanted to get married in a coffee shop. Talk about being awkward and weird- who would get married in a coffee shop?"

"Hopeless romantics," I remind her. "Okay, so what should I do?"

"Help me clean this up. The other employees will probably get everyone out."

"This is so unfair," I sigh. "Jane didn't even have to work today."

"Lucky bitch," Charlotte grumbles in agreement as we set everything in order.

When we're done, we exit the back room and step into the relatively empty coffee shop. Charlotte and I grab our bags and such to go. Charlotte locks the place behind us and pockets the key. Jane is entering her car with Lydia and Kitty when we step into the parking lot. Lydia and Kitty, I note, are both waving goodbye to Charles and his two followers. Charlotte laughs when she sees them.

"Good luck with that, Eliza," she says, shooting a quick glance at my two idiotic sisters. "See you?"

"I'll text you," I say, and Charlotte says a quick positive reply before she rushes off to get to her car.

Once I'm alone, I stop and get in my car. I sit with my hands on the steering wheel for a few seconds before I decide that I don't feel like driving just yet. I turn on my phone and decide to go online quickly. After checking my email, I decide to log onto my Facebook. Now don't get me wrong. I really don't like Facebook. It's stupid, but Jane likes it, so I got an account just to humor her.

When I log in, I realize that I have a new friend request. I click on it, unsure, since my only friends on Facebook are Charlotte, Jane, and a few other close friends I have. I can't think of anyone else who would send me a friend request. I read the name, and I just have to reinstate the fact that the universe hates me, because the name of the person sending me a friend request is none other than Fitzwilliam Darcy. Honestly, is he looking for a new way to hurt my pride even more than he has? Is he thinking that he can make a laughingstock out of me? Well, I won't give him the chance.

Without further thought, I quickly deny the friend request.

I'd really like to thank you guys for the awesome reviews you left- it's really nice to know that this fandom is so nice! I'm sorry my pathetic writing is ruining that, haha. So, shoutout to my reviewers:

katarina97

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Kate

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FloraIrmaTylee

Dizzy Lizzy.60

cutelilmochi- Hi! Since you don't have your private messaging on, I never got to contact you to thank you for your review, or to answer it. Sorry this chapter didn't include her family life, but I will give insights on what her family life is and how it works out in later chapters.

kmart92

Honestly, over 500 hits for the first chapter?! That's amazing for me, considering my writing is awful! You better writers probably get that in like a few hours, but it's pretty good for me. :)

Sorry for the long author's note- I tend to write long notes. Anyway, if you guys can, I would be so excited to get more reviews, telling me how you think it's going, or how I can improve. Also, thanks for the fic recommendations. I'll probably get around to checking them out soon. Bye!