Prom and Prejudice

"Here you go," I said, handing them their order and ringing it up.

Lydia was clawing through the chocolate snacks near the register. "I don't even want to deal with my exams, ya know? I mean, like, how can anybody concentrate when the weather is getting better? And I'm, like, so ready for break. Even though we're going to be stuck in the city. Hey!" She grabbed Wick's arm. "You should totally come visit me in New York. I'm so going to need you to save me."

Wick raised his eyebrow at me, and for a brief moment I smiled. Despite my better judgment.

"What are you doing for the break?" he asked me.

"I'm going to be home with my parents."

Lydia, bored by the conversation, went over to add even more sugar to her chocolate drink.

"I'll be sure to let you know if I'm in the city."

I didn't respond.

"You know, I tried to stop by here the last couple of weeks, but a certain person was always here."

"You mean Will?"

"Ick." Lydia scrunched her face up in disgust. "That guy is, like, always so serious. What's his problem?"

Wick laughed. "Where do you want us to start? Right, Lizzie?"

I paused for a moment before asking, "Did you know his parents' house was robbed last year?"

I studied Wick's reaction. His face held still, but it seemed like it was forced, as if he had to control himself from revealing something. The truth, perhaps.

"So, you two are becoming close?" he finally replied.

I shrugged. "Not really. We've just been talking. It's been ... illuminating."

"I'm sure it has." He turned to Lydia. "Let's get out of here."

Lydia grabbed Wick's arm and started heading toward the door.

"Uh, Lydia, can you give Jane a message for me?" I called out to her.

Wick remained at the door while Lydia approached the counter. "Can't you just call her?"

"My cell phone is broken," I lied.

"Not surprising. That thing is, like, so old."

Lydia looked at me with bored eyes, so I plunged right in. "Um, why are you hanging out with Wick?" I whispered.

"I called him."

"How did you get his number?"

"The day you introduced me. I've been talking to him, and then when I found out he's single again --"

"What?"

"Yeah." Lydia played with her straw and started looking around. Her attention span was sporadic at best. "I don't know, he dumped Sylvia, whatever. He could never have feelings for someone as vile as her."

"I think you should be careful -- he's three years older than you."

"I know, right? How cool is that?"

"Lydia ..."

"Do you have a message for Jane or not?"

"No, it's okay. I'll use the phone in the back."

Once Lydia and Wick were gone, I called Jane from my perfectly fine (and only two years old) cell phone and left a message. As soon as my shift was over, I hurried to our room and found her waiting for me at her desk.

I let it all out. I told her everything -- Caroline's interference, Darcy's proposal, the things I said to him, his e-mail. I didn't tell her exactly what had happened with Wick. I assumed it wasn't my place to give out those horrific details.

After a few moments in silence, absorbing everything, Jane came over and sat down next to me.

"I had no idea, Lizzie," she said. "I thought you were just really stressed from exams."

"I'm sorry -- I should have told you about Charles before, but I didn't know if it was going to make you feel any better."

She sighed. "There's really nothing I can do about Charles. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about Caroline's behavior. She's so manipulative and has always liked bossing Charles around. I've always been nice to her, even though she is a total snob. I'll still be nice, but we're not friends."

"Jane, that is the worst thing I've ever heard you say about somebody else. Nicely done!"

Jane tried to smile, but she looked tired. "I have to do something about Lydia. I talked to my mom about it, and she just said that Lydia's going through her wild stage. To be honest, I think my parents are happy to have some peace and quiet in the house with her gone."

"Lucky them."

Jane drifted off then, at least for a moment. It wasn't hard to imagine what she was thinking about.

"What are you going to do about Charles?" I asked. "I mean, now that you know."

She shrugged.

"Nothing," she told me. "Regardless of his sister's interference, this is his doing, his mistake. If he doesn't see that, he really isn't worth it in the first place." I nodded in agreement.

While Jane seemed strong, I could sense that she was still hurt. The lies, the fighting, the manipulation ... it was all so tiring. But there were still some things worth fighting for. And Jane's happiness was one of them.

Twenty-One

JANE TRIED TO KEEP A TIGHT LEASH ON LYDIA THAT WEEKEND.

Lydia kept slipping out and wouldn't answer her phone. Saturday evening, Jane and I decided to take a walk around campus to clear our heads.

"I have this huge desire to out Wick for the opportunistic gold digger he is," I admitted.

"I would have to agree with you, but I'm not sure that's what Darcy would want."

Yes, there was Darcy to consider. Darcy, who'd gone missing this past week.

Darcy, who I'd been thinking about a lot lately.

"I know it isn't any of my business, but ... and I can't believe I'm about ready to say this, but I think Darcy has gotten a bad rap."

Jane burst out laughing. "Lizzie! The only person who has really given him grief is YOU. Everybody here already knew him. He can be pretty serious, yes, but he's a great guy. I can't be sure, but I bet I've told you this a million times before."

I didn't want to be reminded of what a close-minded person I'd been. I kept trying to reconcile everything in my mind.

We started to climb up the steep hill toward our dorm. The sun was setting and the lights outside the large residence hall had been turned on. Someone was silhouetted beneath one of the lights.

As we got closer, we realized it was Charles, holding a bouquet of roses.

Jane stopped short as Charles turned around. His face beamed when he saw her.

"Lizzie ..." she said softly to me.

Charles approached us slowly.

"Jane, would it be okay if I talked to you alone?" he asked apprehensively.

I smiled at them both and started heading inside.

"No, wait," Jane called out after me. "There isn't anything you can say to me that you can't say in front of Lizzie."

I stood awkwardly next to them. It seemed that Jane wanted to make this as uncomfortable as possible for Charles. I couldn't blame her.

Charles gently grabbed Jane's hand. "I'm so sorry for everything, Jane. I truly am. I have been distant, cold, a total fool. I'm an idiot. A complete and total idiot."

"Charles ..." Jane blushed slightly.

"The entire semester in London, all I could think of was you. I couldn't wait to get back here and see you. And what do I do? I completely mess everything up. I know you have such a kind heart, Jane. That is the only reason I have an ounce of hope that you can forgive me."

Jane looked down at the ground. I could tell that she was fighting back tears.

Charles leaned in closer to her. "There's no point in me going to prom, unless it's with you. There's no point in me doing anything, unless it's with you."