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."
Jane lifted her head up and let Charles see the tear trickling down her face. "Of course I forgive you."
I quietly walked away, not wanting to intrude any further on their moment.
As I headed back inside, I started to think about Darcy and what he'd said. In his e-mail he'd said he was going to fix things between Charles and Jane. It seemed as if he had.
Later that night, I saw Caroline with bloodshot eyes. It seemed as if he may have corrected her as well.
Darcy was starting to put everything back together.
So much so, that Jane's trip to Vera for a prom dress was not in vain.