I Can't Believe I Wrote These :)

Modern Pride & Prejudice

IT IS A FACT universally accepted, that a single person in possession of gossip, must be kidding themselves if they believe that it wouldn't be heard all over the school by the end of the day. Regardless of where they might stand in the pecking order, this fact has been in circulation since time immemorial, that there seems to be no end in sight for it.

Elizabeth was surrounded the instant she stepped into the high school parking lot. Everyone was there, the whole crowd she hadn't seen since late July, plus four or five hangers-on who hoped to gain popularity by association. One by one she accepted the welcoming hugs of her own group.

Lydia had grown at least an inch and was slinkier and more like a Vogue model than ever. She greeted Elizabeth coolly and stepped back again with her green eyes narrowed like a cat's.

Bonnie hadn't grown at all, and her curly red head barely came up to Elizabeth's chin as she flung her arms a round Elizabeth.

Wait a minute-curls? thought Elizabeth.

She pushed the smaller girl back."Bonnie! What did you do to your hair?"

"Do you like it? I think it makes me look taller." Bonnie fluffed up the already fluffy bangs and smiled, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement, her little heart-shaped face alight.

Elizabeth moved on. "Jane. You haven't changed at all."

This hug was equally warm on both sides. She had missed Jane more than anyone, Elizabeth thought, looking at the tall girl. Jane never wore any makeup; but then, with perfect olive skin and heavy black lashes, she didn't need any. Right now she had one elegant eyebrow raised as she studied Elizabeth.

"Well, your hair is two shades lighter from the sun... But where's your tan? I thought you were living it upon the French Riviera."

"You know I never tan." Elizabeth held up her hands for her own inspection. The skin was flawless, likeporcelain, but almost as fair and translucent as Bonnie's.

"Just a minute; that reminds me," Bonnie interjected, snatching one of Elizabeth's hands. "Guess what I learned from my cousin this summer?" Before anyone could speak, she informed them adopting a seriousness to the tone of her voice "Breaking News!"

There were groans, and some laughter.

"Laugh while you can," said Bonnie, not at all disturbed. "My cousin told me that his school and ours will be merging with each other this year."

"Which one?" Lydia questioned with a familiar excited glint to her eyes.

"Netherfield Park."

"Netherfield?" Jane asked. "that large private school close to Meryton?"

"Yup!" Bonnie answered triumphantly whilst bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Isn't that cool."

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and was about to voice her opinion but was soon interrupted by the voice of Jane's brother James from behind her. "Talking about me again, BonBon."

There was a flurry of giggles from the rest of the group.

"Don't flatter yourself Bryant, you're not that good looking." The girl in question criticized rolling her eyes.

"Whatever you say sweet cheeks, I know that you're in love with me."

All at once, Bonnie's face went blank, as if she were startled. Her brown eyes widened, as if she was like a deer caught in headlights.

"Okay, show's over. Let's go," Elizabeth told the others, vaguely aware that there was some kind of truth to his statement.

The girls started toward the school building, but the roar of a finely tuned motor stopped them all in their tracks.

"Well, now," Lydia said, staring. "Quite a car."

"Quite a Porsche," James corrected dryly.

The sleek black 911 Turbo purred through the parking lot, searching for a space, moving as lazily as a panther stalking prey. When the car came to a stop, the doors opened, and they glimpsed the driver and his group.

"Oh, my God," Jane whispered.

"You can say that again," breathed Bonnie.

From where she stood, Elizabeth could see that the group consisted of three people, two very handsome boys and a gorgeous barbie look-alike.

The driver had a lean, slender build with short light hair and forest green eyes. He wore faded jeans that he probably had to peel off at night, tight T-shirt, and a leather jacket of unusual cut. He wasn't tall, though. Just average height.

The female of the group had a similar build as the first, although more feminine in appearance. With ironed straight hair was fair and forest green eyes. Her outfit screamed designer fashion.

His friend appeared fairly tall and handsome, he had a lean, flat-muscled body. His hair was wavy-and dark. His eyes were chestnut in colour. He wore an outfit that would have been more suited to a company's boardroom than a simple public high school; charcoal trousers, crispy white shirt, and a tailored jacket.

Elizabeth let out her breath.

"Who are they?" Jane inquired the group.

"Do you see that jacket? That's Italian, as in Roma." Lydia babbled.

"How would you know? You've never been farther than Rome, New York, in your life!"

"Uh-oh. Bonnie's got that look again." drawled James, and the group dissolved into laughter, causing Elizabeth to frown. She knew all to well the look James had described, it was her 'hunting' look whenever she was about to begin her pursuit of matchmaking with her friends.

Through the laughter, Bonnie's voice suddenly rang out. "Oh, come on, James. I helped you set up with Meredith in year 9, didn't I?"

James faux shivered. "Urghh, don't remind me!"

"Alright, I might have been wrong there, but this time it will be good at least for one of them"

"Oh, really, how?"

"Don't act so stupid James, it doesn't suit you. But for your information, I intend to set him up with one of our friends."

"And you think that's what he wants?"

"Uh, Duh! Of course he does. He's bound to like one of them, but first i need you to go talk to him."

"Why?"

"Because i said so, that's why?"

"Hmm.. Let me see... Nope!" James replied popping the 'p'

"Alright, I'll bite, why not?"

"Because i said so, that's why!"

"Touché."

By now, the driver had locked his car and was walking with his group toward school. Casually, Elizabeth started after the dark haired stranger, the other girls right behind her in a close-knit pack. For an instant, annoyance bubbled up inside her.
Couldn't she go anywhere without a parade on her heels? But Jane caught her eye, and she smiled in spite of herself.