Pride and Prejudice

a festival to remember

Lizzy's POV

In the few days leading up to the Meryton Festival, Jane and Charles did something together every day. They Facetimed when the paparazzi were still outside of Netherfield. After the pictures of Darcy, Caroline, and Charles at the restaurant and the paparazzi deciding that nothing was happening between Mr. Darcy and the mystery woman, they departed from their stakeout. With the paparazzi gone, Charles brought Jane's car over.

Jane contemplated inviting Charles to our Tuesday family lunch, but I convinced her not to since they weren't an official couple. There was no reason for Charles to face our mother and sisters more than needed. He would be scared.

Mom was full of news on Tuesday at lunch. Over our homemade meal, she shared about a new moneymaking scheme she was starting to help lower her and dad's debt. She was turning my and Jane's old room into an Airbnb and was in the process of listing it. She had already taken all of our memorabilia out of it, repainted the accent wall, and bought new decorations. She planned on renting it out for stays over two weeks long. Her reasoning? So she wasn't constantly having to wash the sheets and clean the room.

Mom also wanted to know about our visit to Netherfield. Surprisingly, she didn't say a word about the tabloids. I obviously didn't bring it up. Lydia didn't mention anything about it, and neither did Katie. I was confused but thankful, which made the lunch pass without much injury.

Charles and Jane volunteered at a dog shelter for a few hours. The next day, Charles drove Jane to one of Merytown's parks and unloaded canvases, paint, brushes, and a variety of snacks out of the back of the vehicle. They then had a grand time painting the scenery and snacking. From the pictures Jane showed me, Charles was an accomplished artist. As soon as Jane had arrived home, and Charles, like a gentleman, walked her to the door, she immediately grabbed a hammer and nail and hung up her canvas in her room.

Me? I just listened to Jane gush about her great dates.

I glanced at my chair, where Jane was sitting on the phone with Charles, and continued to get ready for my volunteer two-hour shift at the ticket booth. I could only hear Jane's side of the conversation, but I knew Charles was just as interested as she was. The memory of Jane's glowing face from Wednesday when Charles asked her if she would go with him tonight, Friday night, as a date to the festival was imprinted on my mind. Jane requested that I come along as a third wheel, and I agreed. They planned to get downtown when my shift ended at seven, and I would meet up with them.

My car had been fixed. Thankfully insurance covered most of the damages, and I drove to the festival. Right on time, at the end of my shift, Charles and Jane appeared to get tickets. Once I finished, I found them enjoying supper from one of the local organization's food booths. Jane rocked her high-waisted pants with her floral shirt tucked in. I glanced down at my skinny jeans and fitted white top making sure everything was in order.

"Where to?" Charles questioned after I had eaten a hamburger from the Methodist Church's food booth.

Jane grinned, "Do you like scary rides?"

He cringed, "As much as I would like to say yes and seem like a macho man, the answer is no. I hope that isn't a problem?"

She shook her head, "Not at all, neither one of us like them."

I nodded most emphatically in agreement.

Charles sighed, "Well, that is a relief. I do have good aim if I have to throw any darts..."

She gave him another small smile, and I felt like an intruder. "I might just have to watch that later."

Charles looked away, scanning the options, then his face lit up, and he turned back to us, "I know! Follow me."