THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter thirty-three: The truth about Rys Wickam)

Chapter Thirty-three

The Truth About Rys Wickam

    Mackenzie’s pool party was in full swing by midnight. Her publicist and all the paparazzi had left the premises. Paige was starting to think the Mack and Darcy relationship was fake by the time she got the tip off from Wednesday – bringing Darcy down a bit further in her estimation.  She’d noticed they only kissed or smiled when other people were looking or photographs were being taken.

    Outside, in the cooler air, the infinity pool was lit with colored lights and people were playing games and blowing whistles and dancing on the patio.

     Bingley and Shiloh, oblivious to the other joys that surrounded them, were talking between tentative dance moves. Paige was being monopolized by Rys. Darcy had noticed this in between being constantly monopolized by Mackenzie Bingley and each of the Princesses who asked him in turn if he wanted to party.

    Mackenzie finally dragged him on to the dance floor, whispering, “so uptight neighbor. I think it’s time to get your freak on Darcy,” when she was sure all the other Princesses were in full view. 

    Darcy shrugged her off when the song finished. He noticed Rys and Paige dancing on the other side of the dance floor and wondered if he should ignore them or take the high road.

    By the next song, Darcy thought, perhaps it’s time to take a moment and make her notice me.

    He had the cool factor, he definitely had the hotness. Even Paige, who looked up from her discussion with Rys, noticed it. The chandeliers and lava lamps glimmered and the party music seemed to be noticeably louder, even the lights had been softened along with the DJ’s rendition of a slow eighties lurvve ballad. Everyone was mellow as Darcy made his way through the crowd, interrupting Paige’s conversation with Coco.

      “So then he said, ‘I haven’t seen any good looking girls since I got here… Honestly if I never had to speak to him again, I’d be happy. I certainly would never boogie with him…’” Paige added. “Oops,” Coco said, gesturing behind Paige. Darcy ignored what Paige had said and took the high road – he smiled. 

     Rys noticed Darcy noticing Paige and stepped forward but Darcy reached Paige Bennet first, and spoke. “Paige, I’m wondering if you want to dance the next one… with me.”

     Paige was stunned. She’d vowed never to talk to Darcy again (she’d already broken that promise) but she never imagined this moment.

    Usually quick with a reply, Paige faltered. For once, she was stuck for words.

    “Um… I… have…” Paige looked around but Rys had been side tracked by Rebel jumping up and down and grabbing his hand. Then Coco appeared to be in deep conversation with Wednesday and Honey, suddenly.

     Paige didn’t know where to look, much less turn. She wanted to remain cool, “Sure,” Paige said, hesitantly.

     Two Princesses gave Paige mean looks, but Wednesday, Shiloh and Coco smiled at her.

      The music changed up and Paige was surprised to see that Darcy had rhythm. He even knew how to do some funky moves which made people laugh, not at him but with him. It was a revelation to Paige who, having attended so many gym classes and recitals, also had rhythm.

    But the two clashed verbally. When the music went slow and Darcy actually attempted to hold her hand, Paige was reluctant. She kept her distance and Darcy appeared to be losing both interest and patience.

      Paige hadn’t forgotten she had sworn to loathe him forever.

      “You look good in a dress,” were the next words to come out of Darcy’s mouth.

      “Thanks. Your costume suites you too,” Paige added. It was hard work, this dance of mutual compliments.

      “Are you enjoying the party?”

      “Of course, it’s fun and a lovely venue.” Paige looked straight at Mackenzie, “I feel unexpectedly welcomed.”

     “Well, we aim to be good neighbors.”

     “Really?” Paige asked sarcastically.

     “Do you always talk while you dance?” Darcy asked.

     “Only when I’m asked questions, but generally I prefer to be anti-social and intolerant,” Paige said taking a dig at Darcy’s behavior during debate class. He had hoped she’d forgotten and took the high road. 

     “I’m not used to girls like you?”

     “What, American?”

     “No… smart. I mean, of course, I’ve met smart girls before, I just, never had to mix with girls… I went to an all boys’ school and this is the first co-ed one I’ve ever attended.”

    “Oh,” the music softened.

     Darcy smiled as they moved closer to one another.

     “I’m getting used to it.”

     “That’s good. Practice makes perfect,” Paige said snarkily. “I’m sure Mackenzie will benefit from your practice.”

     Paige pulled back. Darcy frowned. “About that…” but Paige turned her head. He was tempted to explain everything – she was just doing him a friendly favor but Paige clearly wasn’t interested.

     She went to sample the punch when the song ended and Darcy tagged along.

     “I… I saw your sisters, your younger sisters in Century City the other morning.”

     “That must have been thrilling. They were at a casting for some new music show that Rys and his dad are producing.”

     “Oh.”

     “Don’t tell me you’re jealous you’re not in it.”

      “No, not at all… It’s just that…”

   “He’s popular for a reason, Darcy. He’s helpful. He makes an effort. People like him and not just because his family have money. My sisters think of him as an older brother.”

    The music changed pace but Darcy stopped dancing.

   “You don’t need to elaborate…”

    “You need to get over yourself, Darcy.”

    “Oh, you can talk,” Darcy retorted.

    The music stopped. The dancers jumped up and down and clapped, things started getting wilder.

    “Excuse me,” Darcy said as he left Paige standing alone with her drink and walked purposefully over to Mackenzie, who looked stunning in her red velvet dress and blonde hair under the light. She glanced over at Paige as if she were not a rival worth having.

    Mackenzie then laughed when Darcy spoke to her as if he had had just told her the funniest joke in the world.

    Typical, Paige thought.

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter thirty-two: conversations & considerations )

Chapter Thirty-two

Conversations & considerations

    Rys whined, “Honestly? I considered not coming once I realized Darcy was going to be here.” Paige looked at Darcy then and Darcy glared back.

    “Well, it’s kind of close to where he lives…” Paige added with a look of disbelief on her face.

      Meanwhile, as Mackenzie tweaked Darcy’s collar, Darcy couldn’t believe Paige was “so into” Rys Wickam.

     “Don’t worry about that little climber, Darcy. (*Mackenzie called the Bennets ‘climbers’ - as in 'social climbers' - but Darcy knew differently).

      If Paige and Shiloh were really social climbers, surely they’d be into him?!

    If only she knew the truth, Darcy thought as he changed into his suit in his room which overlooked the barbeque being served outside the Bingley mansion. If only she knew that in a few weeks he’d need a fake girlfriend to secure his future and with that security he intended to not just help himself, but others as well.

    It had been bugging him; every time he’d gone to a certain part of his neighborhood, he’d met the same old, homeless guy. He’d instructed the housekeeper to take him a box of food but he knew there had to be more he could do for him. But, of course, he’d never tell other people about his sudden sense of community obligation.

     But of course, Paige would never believe him anyway. She always seemed to think the worst of him now that they were in competition with each other and he was supposedly dating Mackenzie.

     Oh, Mackenzie! What was he thinking? What had he been on when he agreed to this sham?

     Just a moment ago, she’d tried to follow him up the stairs and smother him with kisses when there was no one around. He’d had to use all his strength to pry her pink fingernails off of him.

    What was the point of really getting with Mackenzie? Even her own brother didn’t know that she was nowhere near as together as she pretended to be.

    Just a day ago, they’d made an appearance at a club organized by his manager. Sure, they’d ended up with their photo on the web, but it was pretty embarrassing to have to hold her hair back afterwards, after she’d drank too much or taken too much of something he’d been unaware of – until she later vomited in the bathroom. It was all his fault – he should never have agreed to this. Surely a stranger would have been a better idea?

    As he pulled on a fresh shirt, he could still feel her lips on his skin and had to wipe her pink lipstick from his neck.

    Besides, Mackenzie was so needy. He had to tell her she looked pretty all the time. He still couldn’t believe he’d been so quick to agree to her offer. He’d kind of been joking. Well, this is where a joke got you.

    “Darcy? Where’s my little smexy Darcy…”

    Oh, no, Mackenzie had followed him with her little slurring baby voice…

    “Mackenzie,” Darcy began… “I don’t think…”

     Mackenzie reached up and put her finger on Darcy’s lips.

    “Don’t say another word. If you say another word there’s gonna be tears, Darcy and you don’t want to ruin my party do you?”

     Darcy just shook his head. They only had one week left of this sham.

Since his grandfather was emailing him (a lot) about a possible summer vacay, he was feeling pretty stressed. She’d have to put on a better act when his grandfather was around, maybe set aside all of this sham relationship rubbish. He’d have to speak to Mackenzie when she was sober about the terms of their contract.

     Meanwhile, he couldn’t get Paige out of his mind, but he knew she’d never have agreed to a sham arrangement.

    Of course, it was up to him to take the high road. He could always call a truce about debate club.

     Darcy thought back over the week as Mackenzie fussed over his jacket.

    Sharing detention with Paige the previous afternoon hadn’t been as bad as he thought it would be. Paige had walked so near him and been told to take a seat beside him – even though she clearly wanted to be in the opposite corner of the room. She chewed her pencil when she studied and always seemed to be thinking truly, interesting thoughts. Paige really was an outstanding debater. He had to admit to even slightly… admiring her.

    The girl wouldn’t look or even speak to him but he got a chance to study her in repose and hated to admit to anyone just how taken he was with her pert nose, creamy skin and intelligent blue eyes. Her hair was draped high in a ponytail and he couldn’t help but wonder just how annoyed she’d be if he pulled on it as he left, just to get her attention. He didn’t because it was probably harassment at his advanced teen age. Besides, he knew she’d be even madder with him than usual.

     …And so, the afternoon had worn on, but it was the best (only) detention he’d ever had.

    As Darcy combed his hair that night of the party, after changing into the clothes Mackenzie the control freak had picked for him, Paige’s face played over in his mind, like a film reel that never ended. He was glad he’d taken photography as an elective. He dreamed of being a film director and in that moment saw Paige’s face in the final reel. Snap out of it, he thought, as he hurried down the stairs. He could never tell his father he wanted to be a film maker. His father was sure he’d study to be a lawyer, like him, then run take over the companies and buy some of his own. Still, Los Angeles would be the perfect place to get creative.

     Mackenzie tugged on his hand.

    “I have a surprise for you,” she said in her little girl voice… “I hired my own publicist.”

    A camera flash went off in his face.

    Darcy put his thoughts aside as Bingley’s sister looked up at him adoringly and fake smiled.   

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter thirty-one)

Chapter Thirty-one

Another hottie

    Paige smiled, determined to enjoy herself as Rys Wickam arrived and walked straight over to her. By this time, Shiloh had been offered a drink by the host himself.

   Ryan Bingley smiled widely when he noticed Shiloh arrive. This was his chance to ask her out properly, but he wanted to play it cool. He knew it was important to get it right.

    Mackenzie rapped on her glass with a spoon. “Attention guests, it’s time to change into your formal attire.”

    Paige looked exasperated but relieved as she went into the bathroom to put her new shimmery ice blue summer dress on. All of these costume changes were ridiculous but she’d promised her sister she’d enjoy herself and she had to admit the Bingley mansion was some kind of fun.

    Ryan contemplated how to speak to Shiloh, again. He’d considered taking notes from his much cooler friend, Darcy, who always had girls ringing him at all hours of the day and night.  But Darcy had jumped the fence to go and get changed at Mackenzie’s insistence. He seemed to be under the thumb there. Ryan knew Darcy and Mackenzie would never be a real couple. He just hoped Mackenzie realized that. Of course Mackenzie was getting fame (being attached to Darcy on the web had doubled her Twitter followers in just a few days) in return but Ryan was concerned Mackenzie had deeper reasons for offering to be Darcy’s pretend girlfriend for a month – the month that would incorporate the school debate class trip to Oxford for an entire week. Of course, only those rich enough or smart enough could go. Just the winners of the district competition would be paid for outright, the rest would have to raise the funds. 

    Still, he wanted to enjoy himself tonight. If he could just convince Shiloh to dance with him to his favorite rap song, that would be a start. Then he noticed Amadeus was jumping up and down, out of time to the music, very enthusiastically.

    Paige was left to smile and chat and even dance with Rys, who’d arrived with two girls on his arms but only had eyes for one – Paige.

    Come to think of it, Rys’s entrance was when Darcy had left.

    Wednesday and I were decorating cupcakes in between dancing when we noticed this.  I think Wednesday is going to re-claim being the narrator of this story soon, although she says I’ve done such a good job she’ll only take over when I’m ready… We stood in a corner like freshman wallflowers but at least our feet tapped in time to the music.

    We noticed everything as Mackenzie brought us over a plate of food and told us how good we were being (like pets!) Wednesday giggled after she left when I told her all about her ‘arrangement’ with Darcy.

    “I’m not surprised,” Wednesday said. “All along he’s been into Paige but she won’t give him the time of day. Hello. Strategy. Men are so clueless.”

    “Agreed,” I replied tapping those words into my cell under the glittery rhinestone shimmer that stated my name: HONEY WOODHOUSE. The ‘grown up’ conversation continued…

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter thirty: Get your party on)

Chapter Thirty

Get your party on

    Other juniors and some seniors had started to arrive in groups and began walking up the pathway. Paige and Shiloh were not the first girls to arrive, which was a relief to both of them. Everyone was dressed to party. Some of the boys were dressed as football players and mascots, others wore sunglasses and beach towels.

   There was a long trestle table in the middle of the mansion, so long in fact that it lead from the kitchen all the way up to the pool area, covered in food of every type.   People stared when the girls entered the room, a few people said “Hi” but everyone was pretending to be cool. At the end of the food table was Darcy, wearing board shorts and a shirt and sunglasses. The table ended in a grill and Darcy was helping with the barbeque. It was pretty surprising. He looked very casual. His sunglasses pushed up his hair and for the first time in ages, Paige could see his face which was warm and handsome. Darcy obviously wasn’t into the whole dress up scene which Mackenzie had insisted upon but he’d made an effort. Clearly, Paige and Shiloh had too.

   Nobody expected this.

   “He looks so…”

   “What?”

   “Down to earth,” Shiloh said.

   Paige turned her head, her pride getting the better of her.   

   Darcy certainly looked hot with his shirt hanging loose and his apparent ability to cook all manner of food on the barbeque. The food just kept on coming, even though there was a chef and a dozen waiters to take care of it.

    Paige stood in a corner and sipped her drink while the band started up and a few of the dance majors hit the dance floor, lit up in the dark with lights. This was quite tempting to Shiloh, who stood next to her sister playing with her hair and tapping her feet.

   Mackenzie, who was acting like the perfect hostess, kissed Darcy on the cheek as she took her drink then, dressed in a red satin mini cheerleading skirt and black spikey pumps walked over and hugged Shiloh. “You guys look amazing. Don’t you just love the decorations?”

    Shiloh nodded. The other Princesses had turned up dressed in matching pink cheerleading outfits and were dotted all over the room, “like candy floss” according to Paige. Paige wasn’t really into fancy dress but she’d barely had a choice.

      “Oh Shiloh, your skin looks amazing. I told you Miss Sara’s Salon for Sumptuous Complexions is the place to go. We should be BFFs forever. You are like a sister to me”

    Shiloh smiled, she wasn’t sure if Mackenzie had just given her a compliment or an insult but Shiloh, who always looked on the bright side of everything, couldn’t help but agree that Mackenzie had exceptional taste in beauty salons. Shiloh had only managed to walk by this particular one as she couldn’t afford to go in.

    “Oh, look,” Shiloh whispered to Paige after Mackenzie had socialized onto another group of guests. “Darcy is leaving.”

   “Well, of course Darcy is leaving,” Paige said. “I thought his grilling skills were being over-extended. He’s reverting and being completely anti-social as usual. Don’t look, he just wants fans.” Darcy was actually climbing over the fence taking the easy route to his house, “besides, he was so obnoxious in debate class a few days ago we both got detention and I never want to speak to him again.” 

    Shiloh smiled.

    “It’s not funny Shiloh. I can’t afford to get a single demerit if I’m going to win that debate scholarship. Remember, they only give it to two students.”

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter twenty-nine: Party Planning)

Chapter Twenty-nine

Party Planning

   

     That night, the night of the pre-summer pool party, Shiloh repeated the story to Paige as their younger sisters ran up and down the stairs throwing popcorn at each other, supposedly getting ready in the process.  

    Shiloh was trying a new look and thread hundreds of little diamantes into Paige’s dark curls, draping some behind her ear to one side. The light offset the dark perfectly. Their skirts were hot pink and baby blue but they suited the girls more than they knew. Paige looked amazing, so did Shiloh. Neither knew it as they were not wild about their designated ‘cheerleader’ costumes but the invite said: cheerleaders, jocks and beachpartybongo. It had to be fun, right?

   

Rebel and Sia, who had finished arguing about dessert and flinging their shattered meringues through the hall, stood in awe of their older sisters as they stood in the doorway.

     “I wish we could come,” Rebel said.

     “Well, you can’t, the party is just for juniors and seniors.”

     “I never get invited anywhere interesting,” Sia complained.

     “Well, when you are as old as us, I’m sure you’ll be invited everywhere,” Paige assured her. 

     “Oh, please,” Rebel said, “I am so over being a freshman. Do you know any movie stars who even finished high school?”

    Paige and Shiloh looked at each other and smiled, “Plenty,” they said in unison.

    That night, their father offered to drive them to the Bingley mansion.

    “I insist, girls, and… put on your coats. It’s cold out.” The girls giggled.

     Mr Bennet wanted to have a word with his oldest sisters. Paige sat up front with her father. They’d always had a good relationship and could talk about everything, especially things her mother and younger sisters were rarely interested in discussing. Topics such as politics and current news affairs and the economic crisis were all things that Paige and Mr Bennet had discussed on their frequent drives to school.

    Shiloh turned some music on as Mr Bennet made sure both his girls had cab fare home, “just in case.”

    Paige thanked her father, she knew extra money was scarce and Mr Bennet had to take a second mortgage on the house. Mrs Bennet had to work longer hours. Yet both of their parents were always so generous with what they had. 

    “You both look so lovely tonight. I am so proud of my girls.” He turned to Paige, “I’m worried about Rebel though and Sia just follows everything she does. They are such frivolous girls…”

    “What do you mean Dad?”

    “Well, your mom, whom I adore, seems to think it’s okay for the girls to get into this music business and I’m worried about how shallow Rebel and Sia are already.”

    “Oh mom isn’t taking them to the Maximum Sound casting call at century city, is she?”

   There had been casting agents stalking the school halls looking for freshman to star as dancers for some new music channel.

    “Yes, don’t you agree it’s a bad idea?”

   Mr Bennet was pulling into Sunrise Drive at that moment. The entire road was lit up with fairy lights and the Bingley mansion looked like a palace of light in the dark.

    “Yes, but… Wow,” Shiloh said. Paige and her father just stared.

     Paige turned to her Dad, “Um, yes, I do think it’s a bad idea because both of my youngest sisters are a nightmare. But I’ll ask Rys to keep an eye on them. He’s my debate partner and his mom is the casting agent for that music show. I think he’s going to be at the auditions too.”

    “Well, they won’t listen to me and your mother seems to think I’m holding them back… so, I’d never want to stop them having fun.”

    “Don’t worry dad,” Shiloh said, “Paige will sort everything out.”

    “Do you want me to walk you to the door?”

    Shiloh and Paige laughed.

    “It’s not the nineteenth century, Dad.”

    “You never stop worrying about your children.”

    “Thanks Dad,” Shiloh and Paige smiled in unison as their dad drove off. 

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter twenty-eight: Girl Talk)

Chapter Twenty-eight

Girl Talk

The adjoining houses at the top of Sunrise Drive looked out across the sweep and glitter of Los Angeles. Mackenzie, who had spent at least two weeks by now preparing for her welcome to summer pool party (and hiring all of the people needed to cater, design and micro manage it). Mackenzie herself, spent the morning of the party lying in the Day Spa in Sunrise Village contemplating her fate.

    Sure she’d signed that stupid confidentiality contract Darcy’s lawyer had sent her. After all, it wasn’t Darcy’s fault his family owned him. He’d see the error of his ways, Mackenzie was certain and fall in love with her – his childhood friend. They were meant to be. If only it wasn’t for his annoying interest in those Bennet girls. Even her brother liked the blonde one who Mackenzie grudgingly admitted was “a sweet girl.”

   That same day, Paige had been working in the snack bar at Sunrise Village Gym nearby (her second job apart from babysitting) and had noticed Darcy not noticing her behind her counter. Paige decided to text her sister to meet her for lunch.

   “I’m not speaking to Darcy first if he’s there,” she told Shiloh, who nodded understandingly. “He‘s been anti-social for weeks at school. Plus, I keep winning in debate class. Now he’s infiltrated the gym – so it’s good I’m only filling in there for another week. Besides, he hates Rys even though Rys has every reason to dislike him more. Anyway, we disagree on just about everything – but since I’m part of the Princesses – in name only, I believe I’m required to attend the party at Mackenzie’s tonight and why should I miss it just because he’s going to be there? I can’t believe those two are dating.”

    “I wouldn’t miss the Bring It On summer party for the world,” Shiloh advised. “Mackenzie’s last party was wicked. This time, I helped Mackenzie devise the costumes and decorations. It’s gonna be amazing.”

     Shiloh sipped on her tea as Paige spoke.

     A pair of hands reached around and covered Shiloh’s eyes as Mackenzie squealed.

    “Hi friends!”

    “Hi Mackenzie,” Paige said looking so over it. “I was just going to get…” Paige excused herself to order some more tea, not waiting for the waitress.

    “Oh, she must need to work off her anger issues over Darcy and me,” Mackenzie whispered when she was sure Shiloh wasn’t listening. “I’ll pray for her,” Mackenzie added, not realizing Paige had forgotten her purse and was standing right behind her. 

    “Thanks Mackenzie,” Paige said, now alongside her, “and while you’re doing that maybe you should ask Jesus to give me the strength not to blank you the next time we meet. Oh, that’s right, you’re always nice to me when other people are around. So, that would just make me look like the girl with the bad attitude.”

    “Oh, Paige. You should use your anger for good, not… this,” Mackenzie added.  “Darcy and I are meant to be. Besides, we’re all friends here. I was just telling Mackenzie how great it’s been for me to have been so welcomed into the group this semester.”

    Paige couldn’t help but wonder at Mackenzie’s amazing self-belief.

    “I’ve gotta get back to work,” Paige said.

    “Jesus gives me strength,” Mackenzie added under her breath as Paige walked off.  “Honestly,” she said, “I have no idea what’s gotten into Paige. I tried to warn her about Rys Wickam but she just won’t listen…”

    “Huh? What about Rys?” Shiloh asked.

    Mackenzie repeated… “Well, I don’t know everything but I do know Darcy and his Dad were extremely good to Wickam’s family, loaned them a ton of money to invest in their new business. The Wickams just took the money and ran. Honestly, the only reason they avoided prosecution is that Darcy’s father knew Rys and didn't want him to suffer. So, Darcy Senior just wrote off the debt. There was more to it than that, but that’s all I heard.”

    Shiloh took it all in. Sure, it would be useful information to share with Paige when she got a chance.

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter twenty-seven: Virtual Girlfriends)

Chapter Twenty-seven

Virtual Girlfriends

Meanwhile, at his mansion high on Sunrise Hill, Darcy was so over everything. He was no closer to finding a suitable fake girlfriend to impress his grandfather and his school profile always matched with Paige’s, no matter how many interests he deleted. He was starting to contemplate the idea of a virtual girlfriend. When he toyed with the idea of internet dating only the most unsuitable girls came up – the pressure was on. His grandparents had emailed him recently and he’d had no ‘interesting’ news to relay.  He was totally bored with himself and knew he had to find a more productive life.

    He’d tried going to the gym because his body was like a temple to him. Instead of concentrating on his weights he over analyzed everything and thought too much about Paige Bennet.

    The need for a virtual girlfriend was an issue. He didn’t really believe in casual hook ups. He’d tried dating and discarding different girls more than once in the past, but he just ended up feeling used – used for his good looks, his money and his family’s social position.

    Darcy played virtual tennis in front of a screen while he considered the pressure upon him and the worrying email he’d received from his grandfather only moments ago.

    His grandfather was pressuring him to get his life in order and apply to go to university in England or Australia. Also, he wrote, he was keen to meet Darcy’s new girlfriend… and this one better be a keeper.

    

    Darcy kicked his shoes off and slouched over his chair. He was so over everything. He’d actually said “Hi” to that weird new exchange student, Amadeus, then invited him to the pool party. He’d told Mackenzie to stop being so racist when she mocked Amadeus’s accent. He was so over it that he let his rival, Paige and that tool Rys, win in debate club again. Plus, he’d let Paige completely psych him out by returning her smile and her polite greeting at recess before she ignored him at lunch. Oh, and he missed an easy goal at soccer practice. The whole week was embarrassing from start to finish. Now it was Friday night and he began to consider how to present himself on sunriseteenmatch.com. It was embarrassing.

    Just then, he got a text from his sister. She was with their mom in New York but would be home soon. Blair was doing well and his parents were back together after their ‘temporary separation’ so everything was running smoothly now, except him.

    He knew who to blame for this.

    Paige Bennet had really crawled under his skin. Ever since he’d been nice to her at Mackenzie’s she’d practically ignored him, messing with his mind. The sooner he was back on home turf, back in Australia, the better. He could hang out in the baking sun and visit his extended family. He had his sights set higher than some lame high school competition.

    He flicked on  the intra-debate club score sheet Mrs Tartt had given them during class today. The winning team of the national championships got to spend a week over summer in Oxford, England for the International Schools finals. He wanted to win that scholarship. He wanted to prove to Paige, apart from anything else, that he was better than Rys.  

    He’d need Mackenzie on board to help him do this. And while they were there he could always pretend Mackenzie was his girlfriend. As long as she hid her true colors, his grandfather would like her. He was pretty sure she was a good actress and possibly up to the task. His grandfather would be thrilled. The Bingleys were almost as rich as the Donovans. He’d probably have to write Mackenzie’s lines but confidentiality wouldn’t be a problem. He’d also have to write their debate speeches, but he enjoyed writing. On the up side, Mackenzie was a good debater – perhaps even a great one – when she deigned to skip her hair appointments and show up to class.   

    Still, he wanted to win.  

    They were offering a scholarship and one of the reasons he was so disinterested in student activities was that he needed every spare minute to study if he was going to spend the summer in Oxford. He flicked on a picture of the ancient university as his screensaver. Oxford would be the perfect place to spend the week and get the better of Paige Bennet, finally. Besides, his grandparents owned an estate there.    

*Note from Honey Woodhouse (Wednesday’s bestie): I am filling in the blanks for Wednesday until she returns from her hectic filming schedule in Wilmington.

   We noticed Darcy studying like a fiend before Wednesday left to film her show in Wilmington. Even during final rehearsals for Spring Awakening (I reluctantly took Wednesday’s part – we Skyped any changes - assuring her both my ‘job’ with Mackenzie and her role would safely be delivered back to her when she returned in under a fortnight).

     Meanwhile, Darcy hid his debate notes under the play script. He hated that play but I had to agree with Wednesday – something about the stage lights made him look way cuter as winter became Spring, Wednesday arrived back and Spring finally  headed towards  Summer.

      By the way, Wednesday is too modest to admit it, but her performance in the rewritten version of our school’s Spring Awakening was a big success. Now we’re just waiting to hear whether her television pilot is going to be turned into a series! Ahhhhhh. I’m so excited for her. That’s how true besties are, dontcha think? Happy for the success of their friends.

      By the time Wednesday returned to school, well, everyone was talking about the new romance by then – the one between Mackenzie and Darcy.  I could have told all those  juniors and seniors the course of true love never did run smooth but I doubt they’d have listened… now, returning to the story… when I’m a junior, I hope to have one of my own.

    For now, the story of Darcy and Paige must suffice…

THE HOTNESS: A Modern Teen Pride and Prejudice (chapter twenty-six: Amadeus)

Chapter Twenty-six

Amadeus

   That weekend, more bizarre news confronted Paige Bennet in the form of a beautifully wrapped, European chocolate bar left on the kitchen table. The wrapper said Toblerone.

   Amadeus Bright was an Austrian exchange student. His homestay family had been given the wrong dates but Mrs Bennet had agreed to host him until his original family returned from their vacation. Even though the Bennet house was not overly large, it was always welcoming.

    The more the merrier was the Bennet motto, but Mrs Bennet hadn’t expected to find Amadeus sunbathing on the roof or playing Euro pop music at two in the morning or asking for wine at dinner.

    That morning, Amadeus was sitting on their doorstep waiting for someone – anyone – to let him into the house. Rebel, Sia and Mrs Bennet had gone to Third Street Promenade and completely forgotten about his imminent arrival. Senta was at the library (as usual) and Amadeus waited patiently, dropped off by the group bus that picked him up from LAX, asleep in the sun. He woke mid-afternoon and was waiting on the porch of the ramshackle looking Bennet family home, glasses on top of his nose, playing a computer game on his phone and waiting for his ‘host family’ to arrive. When he saw the eldest Bennet sisters his face lit up. And perhaps simply because he saw Shiloh first (she walked in front of Paige), he liked her best.

    “We’re so sorry we are late,” Shiloh apologized. Paige was finalizing her debate strategy over lunch and they’d somehow managed to forget about Amadeus.

    Now, it’s not that Amadeus was not good looking – although he wasn’t in the traditional sense – he was very skinny with red hair and wore glasses. He gravitated towards Shiloh from that first day until Mrs Bennet told him about the pool party and suggested he take Paige as Shiloh, “already had a partner.” This was news to Shiloh but Mrs Bennet had a feeling Shiloh wouldn’t be alone at the party for long.

    Amadeus smiled at Paige who reluctantly introduced herself.  
    The exchanged student responded with, “hello” and looked very grateful. 
    Paige realized Senta would have to bunk in with Rebel and Sia (sure to cause chaos) but she quickly arranged everything.

   When she was finished, she found a large Swiss box of chocolates on her bed.

   “Thank you,” Paige said.

   “You are welcome,” Wolfgang smiled. He had a very high pitch laugh and snorted simultaneously but he meant well enough.