Pride and Prejudice and Teenagers.

Chapter 2.

"Elizabeth! I was just telling Jane and Charlotte what that William said about you on Friday night!" Beth said as soon as I walked through the school gates on Monday.

"Did he really say you weren't hot enough for him?" Charlotte laughs and I join in.

"Of course he did! Haven't you heard? He's full of pride and thinks he's too good for this school." I say. "But I got my own back on him later." As I proceed to discuss the events that took place in the kitchen, Nick joins our group beside the entrance to the science building we meet by each school morning.

"Charlie seems very taken by you, Jane." Nick comments, making her blush. Beth links her arm with Nick's and as they walk away we can hear them discussing Charlie's sweetness and Will's rudeness.

Charlotte heads into the science building and Jane and I start our walk to the maths department.

"He's everything I look for in a guy." Jane admits quietly, her words barely reaching my ears through the wind. "He's funny, charming, sweet..."

"Not to mention how handsome he is, huh?" I mention, elbowing Jane gently and waggling my eyebrows. We both laugh and head into the building.

"He barely left my side all night! I can't believe it!" She says.

"What's not to believe? Every guy in school wants you! You need some more confidence, and you're too modest." I tell her, and wave goodbye as she enters her class. I head to mine and linger outside of it for a few moments whilst retrieving my books from my backpack when I overhear a conversation that occurs between people who are once again unaware that I can hear them.

"What should I say to her if I see her? What if she's in my class?" I recognise Charlie's voice ask frantically.

"Come on, Bingley, you've barely known her for more than a day." Will replies coolly. I frown.

"But I really think I like her. I mean, I like everyone here, they're all really nice. But Jane - she's amazing."

"You're talking about Jane? She's a sweet girl." I hear Caroline Bingley say. "Don't you agree, Will?"

"Sure she's got a pretty face, but she smiles too much. She's either up to something or she's an airhead." Will's words cause my blood to boil. Does he not find it conceivable that Jane is just a nice girl who likes to smile? Who is he to judge her?

With anger coursing through my veins, I head into my class and pray to never see Will Darcy ever again.

By break time, the topic of discussion is still surrounding the events of Friday night.

"If I was you, Lizzy, I wouldn't give him the time of day the next time you're together." Beth says.

"I can promise you now, I won't!" I return casually before taking a bite out of my sandwich.

"It's shocking how different he is to Charlie." Beth speaks. "From what you've said, it sounds like William get's angry when someone even asks him a question."

"Louisa told me this morning that he never really speaks to anyone if he isn't well acquainted with them already." Jane adds. "She said he's very friendly with their group."

"He's full of pride by the sound of things." Charlotte begins to say. I'm sitting today at the perfect angle to glance at the Bingley table from here. "But I can forgive him for it. He's attractive and rich and intelligent, so it's kinda excusable for him to think highly of himself. He has the right to be full of pride."

And I could easily forgive his pride if he hadn't mortified mine. I think to myself secretly, staring at him from across the canteen. I refuse to let him know from now on that he has the power to wound my pride.