Pride and Prejudice and Teenagers.

Chapter 14.

After weeks of Charlie outright ignoring Jane, she's slightly recovered from her heartbreak, but it's obvious the sting is still there.

It's a friday night, and we're all at Beth's house for a movie night. Our old friends that moved to the grammar school, Margo and her boyfriend Edward, are visiting. After catching up for a few hours, Margo offers to help me make dinner in the kitchen.

"What's up with Jane?" She asks as soon as we enter the room.

I proceed to fill her in on everything that happened between Charlie and Jane.

"Oh the poor thing." She sighs. "I don't understand why he'd just cut her off like that?"

"I think it was all Caroline's doing. Charlie wouldn't do that to Jane by choice. There's something definitely off going on there."

"Maybe." Margo sighs, stirring the pot of sauce on the stove absentmindedly. "There's a party tomorrow, you know? Edward and I were invited, we could bring Jane along."

"Your point being?"

"Oh, I mean Charlie will be there. It's being thrown by someone from my school but Charlie and Will are undoubtedly invited. They're still popular in our school and they don't even go there anymore. Not like George."

"That sounds like a good idea, maybe Jane will finally muster up the courage to ask Charlie what happened face-to-face if there's alcohol in her system." I joke. "Wait, did you say George? You mean George Wickham?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I thought George would have been popular. He's really nice and charming." I say. Margo's face falters slightly.

"You like George?"

"Hey! I didn't say that!" I feel my cheeks heat suddenly and I turn away from her, pretending to search for something in the fridge. Maybe the cold air will take the colour from my cheeks.

"Really? George Wickham? Huh." She says nonchalantly.

"Honestly, Margo, it's nothing. He's just sweet is all. I'm not in love with him or anything. Not like Jane is with Charlie."

"Good. I'm not saying he's a bad guy, because when I spoke with him he was nothing but kind, but there are rumours, you know."

"Oh?"

"Look, it's all a bit confusing really, you can't be sure what's fact and what's fiction - or should I say gossip. I won't worry you with the details, I just want you to take things slow with him, alright?"

I guess that she's on about what Caroline told me at that party. "I'll be careful." I say, and we soon call everyone in the kitchen to grab a bowl of food. Jane hesitantly agrees to Margo's offer of going to the party after being persuaded to go and seek Charlie.

The next night, I receive a series of texts from my friends.

Firstly, there's one from a bubbly Jane. I see that it was sent early in the evening and therefore at the start of the party. She tells me of her seeing Caroline and having a short but sweet catch up.

Haven't had a chance to speak to Charlie yet, he's very busy with Will! Will update you later. x Jane. Is how the message ends.

Shortly after reading this, I'm texted by Charlotte.

Hey Lizzie. So you know we have study leave (aka teacher training week masked as independent study time hahaha) next week? Colin's been invited to a summer house thing that Cathy owns. We're allowed to bring a few friends because there's a whole group going. I know Colin isn't your favourite guy but please come? I need a friendly face to keep me company since Colin's gonna be off with all of his other pals. Dating Colin may not be the best experience of my life but there's definitely perks - I'm being invited to spend a week at Cathy Bourgh's! If this isn't living the high life then I don't know what is! Plus Colin is an excellent tutor and my grades are finally improving! Anyway, please come, I'll have a crap time without my best friend.