Pride & Prejudice | INCOMPLETE

I'd Pay to See You Frown

"What do you mean?" Bucky asked, although his voice was quieter than usual.

Judy was completely mortified that she was crying about this- because all along, she had really known that this was coming, one way or another. Still, the tears came, and she had to push away the bowl of ice-cream so she didn't get it all slobbery.
"I think... it..." She swallowed heavily, but the knot in her throat didn't go down.

She took a deep breath and quickly wiped away the tears, even if she knew that Bucky and Pronk would never judge her for it. (Never out-loud, anyway.) "In detention, I messed up, I broke this pottery thing- all because I had been so set on proving that I didn't need help- and..." She trailed off for a moment, until Pronk nudged her slightly.

"What happened?"

"Nick acted like he had done it." Judy said softly. "I mean- we had been getting along better, I guess... awkward stuff, like talking about our favorite colors- at least I did- but we still weren't on the best of terms. I was still angry, he still didn't like me... but he didn't even think twice, he just went right ahead."

Pronk and Bucky shared a look.
Finally Pronk scooted over and slowly put an arm around her shoulder. "What did... what'd the punk say afterwards?"

"He kept cutting me off, he- he told me he 'didn't do it for me', or whatever."

Bucky frowned. "Well, Jesus, who the hell did he do it for, then?!" But her cousin shut up after Pronk whacked him on the head. "He was lying, dimwit. Of course it was for her."

"Well, pardon me for thinking that he was being honest! God-"

"Well pardon me for having common sense when it comes to feelings!"

"Judy doesn't need us arguing right now! She's had a rough day, she probably needs to keep talking about it, so shut up!"

"You're the one who is still talking!"

"You just talked, idiot!"

Judy couldn't keep in the amused snort and the watery smile of affection.

--

"My house?"

Judy cringed. "Sorry! Is that a bad idea? I just... I'm living with my cousin right now, in his flat. I guess we could ask Sandra or someone else if we could come to their place..."

"No, my place will work. I just..." Elle's voice fumbled, which was extremely rare for her. She was always so confident. "I don't want to be that person, Judy. My parents are very successful and we are very lucky to have a big home and lots of things..."

On the other side of the phone, Judy's eyebrows went up. So Judy was embarrassed about a small place, and Elle was embarrassed about her big place. It was common knowledge that Elle was rich- Judy didn't mean to judge, but anyone with eyes could see that- but Judy would never quite know what it was like. Sure, her family had always been luckier than some, especially with so many kids. They had never run out of food. The worst she'd seen was four kids sharing one room.

Bad memories.

"Oh- it's fine, Elle! We're all different, that's what this is about! If it works, though, that'll be great."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow! Everyone who is coming can walk home with me."

"Perfect, thanks, Ellie!" Judy said, ringing out the nickname. "I'll get a group chat going so everyone knows when and where."

"Bye!"

--

From: JudeTheDude
Precipitants: Sandra11, FruitFruit, californiasunset175534, SLOW_MO, babybelldawn, GazElle, 2young2die2day