Pride and Prejudice, the High School Version.

Chapter 27

When she arrived home she found it strange to see her father seated in the living room, reading something. She was used to not seeing him at home so much that she sometimes forgot that the store could run without him.

At a closer look, Liz realized that her dad was reading her the copy of Emma that Bill had gifted her on Christmas.

"Dad? Why are you reading my book? Did you go through my things?"

He turned a page before looking up, "Of course not. Lydia fetched it for me. She also told me you got sent to the principal's office?"

"Damn it Lydia," Liz cursed her sister. She had no idea how Lydia had known it, but she wasn't surprised, her sister made it her business to know everyone's business.

"Did you?"

"Yes, but it wasn't for something bad."

"Was it anything to do with that ridiculous story in the tabloids about you dating Bill Darcy?"

Liz flopped on the couch with a sigh, "I didn't know you read tabloids."

"I don't. Jimmy told me."

"Jimmy?"

"Yeah. He called and told me to advise you to let go of Bill Darcy because it displeases his employer."

"Jimmy is full of crap."

"I know. I don't even know where these tabloids get these ideas. You and Bill Darcy? How stupid is that? You hate him, right?"

"Er..."

"And I don't blame you, he is a stuck up little brat. Can you believe he has never said a word to me despite the fact that we have met so often? Not even a greeting."

"He is just naturally not good at conversation I guess."

"Really? I don't think so. I think he believes he is above us all."

"Dad, I don't want to talk about him."

"Okay. You have never told me who gifted you with this book by the way? Is there a young man in your life that you haven't told me about?"

"No, there isn't."

"So the book..."

"Was a gift, from someone who used to like me, he doesn't anymore."

"If you tell me it was from Wickham, I am going to burn it this instant."

"No it's wasn't. Leave it alone dad, I really don't want to talk about it."

He left it alone, leaving Liz to her troubles and her thoughts.

Bill Darcy came back to school on Wednesday. There was a flutter of excitement about his coming back because the principal announced that Spring Valley Prom was to be filmed by several news stations, and would be shown on the news. Everyone knew it was because of Bill and Charlie, and since Charlie was taken, the other girls were hoping to go with Bill just so they could appear on TV.

Liz had just heard the rumors that he was back in school, but she didn't get a chance to see him until that afternoon. She was just heading for lunch when she spotted him at the basketball court talking to...Lydia?

She squinted her eyes to get a better look and confirmed that it was indeed Lydia. Lydia was waving her arms from side to side, as if in a serious argument.

Out of curiosity, Liz moved closer.

"I would do whatever I please. What gives you the right to go around dictating my life? You know what? My mom was right about you, you always have a 32 inch nail up your ass."

"Lydia!" Liz shouted at her sister.  Lydia might not know it, but Bill saved her life,and that was no way to talk to someone who spent two million dollars on you.

Lydia turned to Liz, scrunched up her nose in annoyance and walked past her with a huff.

"I am really sorry about her. She is just..."

"Stupid?" He suggested with a grin.

"I would say immature but yeah, that too."

They were silent for a second or so, then Liz realized that this might be her only chance to talk to him and gathered up her courage, "So I was just heading for lunch and was wondering if you would like to join me?"

He scrunched up his nose, exactly like Lydia had done before, "The cafeteria is a gossip hub right now, I really don't want to be there."

Liz laughed, "What about we go out? I don't have any afternoon classes. There is this place in town near my aunt's house, they have really good pizza."

"I am tempted, but Charlie gave me a ride to school, I didn't bring my car."

"We will just take mine," Liz said as she started heading towards the parking lot.

The ride to town was silent, neither willing to tell the other what was on their mind. Liz had chosen the pizza place to have lunch because it was always empty in the afternoon, and it was out of the way, so they couldn't be spotted by any snooping eyes.

Once they were seated with their pizza slices before them, Liz took in a deep breath and said, "What were you talking to Lydia about?"

"Her priorities," came back the cryptic reply.

"What about her priorities?"

"She needs to sort them, ASAP."

"Is it something I should know?"

"Probably, but you are not going to hear it from me."

Liz studied him as he took a bite of his pizza, looking very much at home in the small shop.

"I wanted to say thank you for all you did for her. She might not know it and might never say thank you, but just know that I really appreciate it."

He looked a bit startled that she knew, he looked down in embarrassment, "I am so sorry. I thought your uncle and aunt could be trusted to keep it a secret. I never wanted you to feel like you owed me."

"It was not my uncle and aunt's fault, Lydia herself informed me of your involvement and I pressed my aunt to tell me all. What you did for Lydia, it was so...noble."

"You should as well know that I did it entirely for selfish reasons. I wanted you to be happy. I only thought of you and you alone when I was doing all that."

Liz's heart soared as she looked at him and saw his eyes shining as he looked at her.

"My feelings for you are still as they were last Christmas. I would like to know if yours..."

"Yes," Liz whispered and leaned down to prove it with a peck on his lips, "I would very much like to go out with you."

He closed his eyes and pulled her closer to him, connecting their lips. It wasn't a long kiss, but it spoke volumes about his feelings for her.