Prom & Prejudice

  "Okay." Wick took a deep breath. "Here's the story. I started last year as a sophomore. Met a lot of cool people, and the fact that I was a scholarship student wasn't an issue. I knew a lot about the students at Pemberley from being a townie, and Darcy and his family's reputation preceded him. I was looking forward to meeting the infamous William Darcy and we hit it off really well. We were friends from the moment we met.

  "Darcy took me under his wing. It was only a few weeks into the semester, and he brought me into the city to meet his family. I fell in love with them. His dad is this incredible man, which is why I don't like saying anything bad about Darcy, because his father is a kind, generous person. He even arranged for me to have a summer job last year at his law firm. That would have set me up -- not only with a way to earn money, but to get experience that would have been amazing on my college transcript. Things were going well for me. And Darcy couldn't take it. He loved having me under his wing, having some sort of control over me. But he didn't like seeing me fly by myself, making things happen without his influence. He became increasingly competitive with me. And when he thought he might lose, he stabbed me in the back. Before I knew what was happening, I was being escorted off campus."

  I gasped. "Darcy got you kicked out of Pemberley?"

  Wick nodded, the color draining from his face.

  "I don't believe it. How could anybody be so awful?" A knot formed in my stomach. "Why would he do that?"

  "Maybe it was jealousy over my growing relationship with his father. That's all I could think of. I spent most of spring break with his family, and while he was his usual cold and distant self, I didn't understand the treachery he was capable of. I went home for a couple days before returning to campus, and in that time, he set his plan in motion. When I got to my dorm room, campus security was waiting for me."

  "But that's ridiculous. They can't just kick you out for no reason."

  "Oh, they had some trumped-up charges, some accusations he'd made. But what would I fight them with? My family didn't have money for an attorney. And the Darcy men had been going to Pemberley for generations. I'd been going for months."

  My mind was swirling with what Wick told me. "We can't let him get away with this."

  Wick leaned back in his seat. "Someday, Darcy will get what's coming to him, but it isn't going to be from me. I couldn't do that to Mr. Darcy. It's not his fault that his son is a liar and a scoundrel."

  "You're a far better person than I," I said.

  "Hardly. After all, I'm going to crash a party this weekend."

  That was really all I wanted to hear Wick say. But my mind kept reeling over what Darcy had done. Jane had nearly convinced me that I'd been too harsh on the guy, but apparently I hadn't been harsh enough.

  As Wick drove me back to campus, I didn't want the evening to end. I didn't want to have to go back to the taunts and bullying. I liked spending time with someone who was like me.

  He parked the car and turned off the engine. "Do you need a moment to prepare for battle?" he asked, only half joking.

  "I guess." I looked at the beautiful building that had been my home for the past five months.

  "I had a really great time tonight." "Me too."

  Wick leaned over ... and gave me a hug. "I'll see you on Saturday," he murmured. "Promise?"

  He smiled at me. "Promise."

  11.

  I CAME CLEAN TO JANE THE NEXT EVENING AT DINNER. IT should've been suspected that when I relayed Wick's story to her, she didn't share in my disgust at Darcy's actions.

  "George Wickham, Lizzie? I haven't heard good things about him." Jane looked worried.

  "There's a surprise."

  "I'm sure there has to be an explanation for all of this. First, Darcy wouldn't do something like that. Second, Charles would never have a friend who was so despicable. It's probably just a simple misunderstanding."

  "Misunderstanding?" I was astonished. "Why is it that I'm always misunderstanding something? How could someone misunderstand being expelled from school without just cause? Didn't you hear anything about it last year?"

  Jane looked thoughtful. "I do remember he got kicked out, and that Charles knew him, but it wasn't something Charles talked to me about."

  I couldn't believe that someone getting kicked out of Pemberley wouldn't be gossip du jour at Longbourn.

  Jane continued. "I'll ask Charles and see what he has to say. But, Lizzie, just be careful. And please give Darcy a chance to explain his side. You have him painted as this maniacal villain, and it couldn't be further from the truth."

  "You're just saying that because Darcy being a vengeful loon would reflect poorly on Charles."

  Jane ignored me and cut up her salmon.

  Our silence lasted only a moment, until Lydia stormed over to our table and dropped down her overflowing tray. "Jane, I just spoke with Mommy and she said she talked to Vera about your prom dress."

  Jane looked around the dining hall. "Shh, Lydia. I haven't been asked to prom yet. Keep it down."

  Lydia grunted. "Please, Jane. Anyway, Mommy said that you have an appointment with Vera when we go home over Presidents' Day weekend, and then you'll have your fitting over spring break. Vera -- aren't you just dying?"

  I believed Jane was dying, but from embarrassment of her brash sister. Lydia shoved several French fries in her mouth and asked, "Where are you going to get your dress, Lizzie?"

  "Well, I highly doubt I'll be going to prom. I guess if I go, I'll probably just get it at Macy's or something."

  Lydia's jaw dropped open. "You can't do that! It's prom!"

  I took a deep, calming breath. "I know, but it's just one night and I really think it's silly to spend thousands of dollars on a dress you only wear once." I turned to Jane. "No offense."

  "None taken," she replied. "Lydia, you really need to learn to be more modest. Not everybody is lucky enough to have connections with designers."

  Lydia snorted. "Please! This school is all about connections. But I haven't told you everything yet. Mommy said that we can't go anywhere over spring break this year. Can you believe that? She said that since Daddy hasn't gotten a job yet, we shouldn't go galloping through Europe."

  "I'm sure she said gallivanting through Europe, and I agree with Mom, Lydia. We're going to have to start making some ... sacrifices." Jane looked uncomfortably at me. She knew that their sacrifices would be of the business-instead of first-class variety.

  "That's so not fair!" Lydia pouted. "It isn't our fault that Daddy's business was sold. Why do we have to be punished?"

  "Lydia!" Jane exclaimed. "Enough! You sound like a spoiled brat. You should feel lucky that Dad got a nice severance package or we'd be out on the street. I don't want to hear another word about this." Jane got up from the table, and I joined her. How they both came from the same family, I would never understand.

  Jane put her tray on the conveyer belt. "I'm really sorry about that, Lizzie. She was always very hyper and into materialistic things, but being here has made her worse. I don't know what I'm going to do with her." She looked behind her to make sure Lydia wasn't in earshot. "I haven't told her yet about the party on Saturday. Charles told me to invite her, but ..."

  I understood. Lydia could be a little too much at times.

  "You're still coming, right?" Jane asked. "It should be fun."

  We'd had variations of this conversation so many times before, with Jane telling me something would be fun and it turning into a headache for me.

  "Of course," I told her as I always did.

  I was, after all, excited about this party. Just not for the reasons Jane thought. I didn't want to tell her it was because there would be some unexpected guests. I should've felt some remorse, since Charles had been nothing but kind to me. But my desire to spend more time with Wick eclipsed any feeling of betrayal I had.

  12.

  JANE, BEING JANE, ENDED UP INVITING LYDIA TO CHARLES'S party. It was either because she is perhaps the greatest (and most forgiving) older s
ister on the planet, or because she was in especially good spirits, since Charles had asked her out on a date for Sunday. That would make two nights in a row they would spend together.

  Maybe Jane's mother had been right in giving her old friend Vera a call.

  Nothing could ruin Jane's mood, and because I was going to be seeing Wick, nothing could ruin my mood, either. For the first time since I'd arrived at Longbourn, I was genuinely excited to be getting ready for a party.

  I spent the majority of Saturday going through Jane's closet, trying to figure out what to wear. I didn't want to wear anything that screamed expensive, since I didn't want Wick to think I was like every other girl at Longbourn. But I did want to look nice for him.

  Jane studied herself in the mirror while I debated between which earrings to wear with the jeans and gray, fitted cashmere sweater I'd borrowed.

  Lydia came barging in. "My first upperclassman party! I am so excited. Freshman boys are, like, so childish."

  Jane studied her sister with wide eyes. Lydia was wearing a very short skirt and had enough makeup on to put a circus performer to shame. Jane grabbed a tissue and started wiping Lydia's face.

  "Jane, stop it!" Lydia protested.

  Jane was not deterred. "Lydia, you shouldn't cover up your natural beauty."

  My hand paused as I was putting on another coat of mascara. Since she hadn't been talking to me, I continued. But a little more lightly than before.

  "Now, remember what we talked about." Jane sat down next to Lydia, who nodded.

  Jane had only allowed Lydia to come after Lydia agreed she wouldn't talk about money or prom dresses.

  "Are we ready?" Jane asked as she studied herself in the mirror one last time. I think she was asking herself more than us. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

  We arrived at a large private room at one of the upscale restaurants in town that catered to the faculty, students, and parents of Longbourn and Pemberley. It was a beautiful space, filled with oversize couches, a large window overlooking the river, candles, and a slightly elevated stage where some students were already dancing.

  I scanned the room for Wick, but couldn't see him anywhere.

  "Who are you looking for?" Jane asked when she caught me surveying the crowd.

  "Just having a look around. I want to make sure there aren't any traps."

  Jane grimaced.

  "Only joking!" I said. I felt my phone vibrate and saw that Wick had sent me a text. "Oh."

  "What's wrong?"

  My heart sank. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."

  Wick wasn't coming. He said that he really wanted to, but thought it would be best to avoid a certain gentleman. I glared over at Darcy, who was in a corner with Charles and Caroline.

  Any hope I had for a wonderful evening quickly dissolved. Now I was stuck in a room full of people who despised my very existence. Instead of hanging out with Wick, I would have to brace myself for whatever was going to come my way.

  "Are you sure you're okay?" Jane looked concerned.

  "Yes, fine," I lied. I didn't want to ruin her evening.

  A waiter came over with a silver tray filled with wontons and egg rolls.

  "Yum." Lydia grabbed a handful of food. "So much better than the crap they serve in the dining hall." She made a disgusted face as she shoved an entire egg roll in her mouth.

  Jane sighed.

  "Hey!" Charles approached us with a huge smile on his face. "Thanks for coming." He kissed Jane lightly on the cheek before hugging both me and Lydia.

  While Jane chose to never see the bad side of people, I sincerely believed that Charles didn't have a bad side. He even put up with Lydia's incessant questions about the party, the food, the private room -- I was surprised she didn't ask him to open up his wallet so she could see how much cash he was carrying.

  While Lydia played twenty inappropriate questions, I started looking around to see who was there. The standard cash cliques were in their respective groups, but I did catch a few of the Longbourn girls whispering and looking at us. I looked down at my outfit, but realized that I could be dressed head to toe in designer clothing and they'd still look at me with disdain. I was a reminder that there was life outside the precious little bubble they lived in. And I knew that they despised me for many things, but most of all for thriving despite their best efforts to bring me down.

  I brought my attention back to my group and could see Jane's eyes getting wider every time Lydia opened her mouth.

  "Charlotte's here," I said, nodding toward the door. "And Lydia, they just brought out something that looks like quesadillas."

  As I thought she would, Lydia homed in on the server and mercifully left us.

  I leaned in closer to Jane and whispered, "Have fun with Charles. I'll keep an eye on Lydia."

  Jane smiled gratefully and went over to a group of couches with Charles. I waved Charlotte over, but Colin, mistaking that my enthusiasm was for him, approached as well.

  "Hello, Elizabeth," he said. "It is a pleasure to see you here, and dressed in such a pleasing manner. What blend is that fabric?"

  "Yeah, uh, nice seeing you as well."

  He leaned in and put his hand on the small of my back. "Elizabeth, do you think I could persuade you to join me on the dance floor?"

  "Oh, um. Have you met Charlotte Lucas?"

  Charlotte and Colin exchanged pleasantries. I was hoping this distraction would keep me from dancing with Colin.

  "So, shall we?" Colin motioned toward the platform where a few couples were moving to a slightly slow song.

  I couldn't think of a good excuse, so I decided that I may as well get it over with. I walked with Colin to the dance floor and, once there, he awkwardly grabbed my waist and I cautiously lowered my arms around his shoulders. I didn't realize until we were standing there that he was a couple inches shorter than me.

  He started to move and stepped on my foot. "Oh, I'm so sorry," he said, staring at our steps as if they were a math problem he could solve.

  "That's okay." I started to move back and forth, trying to not make my movements too sudden.

  "Well, you certainly are a good dancer."

  "Thanks."

  "You know, Elizabeth, you can play the piano, dance, are smart enough to get a scholarship and, might I add, make a mean latte. Is there anything you can't do?"

  I forced out a laugh. "Oh, you know ..."

  "Know what?"

  "Sorry?"

  "You were saying, you know. What am I supposed to know?" Colin looked at me expectantly. I didn't have anything to say. And I wasn't one hundred percent sure, but I think Colin was under the horrible impression that I was flirting with him.

  My back stiffened. "No, nothing. Sorry."

  He nodded. "No, no, it should be me who apologizes. I simply misunderstood. It is something that can happen easily, especially when the music is playing at such high decibels."

  "That's okay."

  "Once again, Elizabeth, you are too gracious."

  "Uh, thanks."

  "You are more than welcome."

  I tried to avoid any more awkward exchanges by pretending I was enthralled by a painting that hung on the wall behind Colin until the song thankfully ended, allowing me an escape from my misery.

  "Having fun?" Charlotte laughed as I approached.

  "Tons. You?"

  She shrugged. "These things have gotten easier for me --" Charlotte bit her lip. She had always felt guilty that the torture she endured became less severe when I'd arrived on campus. I was fresh meat.

  She tried to smile. "Plus, the food's good." She held up a miniburger.

  "That does look good. I --"

  Darcy was suddenly in front of us. "Hello."

  "Uh, hi."

  "I was hoping that you could join me for a dance."

  I was completely shocked by his invitation. When I didn't respond, he said, "I'll see you in a moment." And with that, he walked away.

  "Wait a second." I looked at Charlot
te. "Did Will Darcy just ask me to dance?"

  Charlotte's mouth dropped open. "That's Will Darcy? Lizzie, he's hot." "What?"

  "That guy" -- she motioned her head in his direction -- "is hot."

  "Are you crazy?"

  "He really must have made a bad impression on you if you can't see that not only is he gorgeous, but that he obviously has a thing for you."

  "Oh, please ..."

  Charlotte paused. "And I think you have a thing for him."

  "What?"

  She laughed. "If you don't have any feelings for Will Darcy, why are you blushing and fixing your hair?"

  I pulled my hands away from my hair. "Okay, you've clearly lost your mind. There is nothing going on between me and Darcy. Obviously, he's setting me up for something."

  "Lizzie!"

  "I'm serious. Plus, he asked and then just disappeared. He's planning something."

  "Yeah, well, he's heading over here again."

  Darcy stared intently at me and nodded toward the dance floor before walking over there.

  I looked at Charlotte. "Am I supposed to follow him?"

  Charlotte pushed me. "Will you just go already?!"

  I was in a daze as I got on the dance floor. It was like having an out-of-body experience. I found myself going through the motions, but also looking around trying to figure out where the ambush was coming from. Darcy slipped his arms around me, with much more ease than Colin had, and before I knew it, we were in something approximating an embrace. Darcy was several inches taller than me, and he leaned his head down so our eyes locked.

  I was face-to-face with the enemy.

  "I see you made it home safe the other night," he said.

  "Yes. I'm touched by your concern for my safety."