Pride's Prejudice Read Online Free PDF Page B

into the invitation.  And Beth didn't
believe in leading people on.
    "Well,"
Beth grumbled, "at least you didn't ask Les to bring a friend for
me.  That's progress."
    "True. 
I did consider it though…….briefly," she added hastily, noting Beth's
expression.
    The
girls made quesadillas and tomato soup for dinner, then joined in the bathroom
to get ready for the stomp.  When Jenna suggested an outfit this time,
Beth agreed.  The last time she'd refused Jenna, the consequences had been
disastrous.
    Thirty
minutes later, Beth followed Jenna down two flights of stairs into the
Longbourn commons area.  The florescent lights that spanned the ceiling
had been extinguished and hung with strobe lights and miniature disco
balls.  The shabby couches that usually sat in the center of the room had
been pushed against the walls to make room for dancing.  A refreshment
table against the far wall beckoned dancers with popcorn, pretzels, punch, and
cookies.  The music was loud but not deafening.  The girls had only
touched down from the bottom step when Les materialized and swept Jenna into a
twirling hug.  Beth watched them, unable to stop a smile spreading across
her face.  At the same time, a ghostly sadness tugged at her heart. 
She and Jenna had been friends long before either of them thought about boys,
and Beth couldn't help feeling a bit empty over the whole thing.  As if he
sensed her thoughts, Les set Jenna down carefully and squeezed Beth in a
crushing (if less affectionate) hug of her own.
    "Beth,
you look amazing!" he said jovially.
    "Thanks,
Les.  You're kind of obligated to say that, though - being the best
friend's boyfriend and all."
    "Yeah,"
he agreed simply, "but I mean it.  And it will probably get me
some brownie points, too." He spoke only to Beth, and she smiled in
response, noting that he hadn't refuted the 'boyfriend' appellation.  Beth
patted him affectionately on the cheek and shooed him away when a slow song
began and he looked longingly toward Jenna.
    Beth
strolled the parameter of the commons, coming up short when she saw William
Darcy staring at her from the far side of the room.  The redhead from the
quad was dripping off his arm again, and once again, he seemed oblivious to her
attentions.  What was he doing here?  Jenna said she hadn't invited him.  Beth turned away, angry, and saw Colton descending the
stairs.  Was he actually wearing a plaid western shirt and a belt buckle
bigger than his face?  As he entered the room his hat was knocked off by
the low ceiling that bordered the commons.  When he bent to pick it up,
Beth seized the opportunity, ducking onto the sidelined couch next to Leah from
201.
    "Hey,
Leah!"  Beth hissed in greeting as she tried to disappear into the
couch.
    "Playing
hard to get?" Leah inquired slyly.
    "More
like keep away."
    Leah
laughed softly.  Beth had met her freshman year when they'd ended up in
the same Courtship and Marriage class.  Leah was twenty-six and a senior,
with muted blue eyes that bulged slightly behind her glasses, and slack,
mouse-colored hair.  Leah was generally considered to be an overage
eternal college student who had lost her bloom, but Beth loved her sense of
humor - dry and understated.  She'd often wished she had more time to
spend with Leah, and from the looks of Jenna swaying in Les's arms, she was
about to get it.
    "Well,
I hope you're stocked with evasive maneuvers, because I don't think Colton's
giving up."
    Beth
sighed.  "Where did he find determination like that?  He could
bottle it and make a killing off the profit.  Seriously!"
    Leah
smiled.  "I don't think he's that bad," she said
contemplatively.  "I know he comes on a little strong, but I'm sure
he means well."
    "Leah. 
He told me that I have good birthing hips."
    Leah
snorted.  "It could've been worse.  He could've said you had
good breasts for milking."
    Leave
it to Leah to spin the positive.  The girls laughed together, then took turns
dissecting the