One Word From You: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation by Natalie Penna Read Free Book Online

him. William blushed, and I felt I had a triumph over him. It was small, and petty, but it was still something. I chewed gently on my bottom lip while I waited for my drink to cool a little, and we sat in silence. For some reason, he was happy to just watch me as I curled my hair around my finger, and drummed my nails against the side of my cup.
     
    Finally, he commented, “You said you’d been reading to your friend.”
     
    “ Yes.”
     
    “ And you read a lot?”
     
    “ I prefer music, not that I’m very good at it.”
     
    “ Everyone’s good at something.”
     
    “ Is that why you’re so good at being annoying?” I asked before I was able to stop myself.
     
    “ Maybe it is.”
     
    “ Maybe it is, what?” Chantelle asked.
     
    I hadn’t noticed her or Charles arrive. They took up the remaining seats, and had no qualms with butting into our conversation. It was probably for the best. I didn’t have much to say to William that could be considered polite. Not that I often had anything that nice to say to anyone unless they were a good friend. And Chantelle definitely didn’t fit into that category.
     
    “ Jenny’s asleep,” Charlie explained, “We thought it was better to give her some peace.”
     
    “ What were you talking about?” Chantelle pressed, “Alone. Together.”
     
    “ Stuff,” I said, knowing full well that the lack of detail would drive her mad, “Nothing interesting. I should be getting back to school if she’s sleeping.”
     
    “ Well, how about we give you a lift back?” Charlie asked, “I can get the car brought around. We’re all going to the same place.”
     
    “ There won’t be any room,” Chantelle said, “Not with three of us already squashed in.”
     
    “ Jenny’s Mum said she’d drop me back. It’s fine. She’ll be around somewhere.”
     
    “ Are you sure?” Charlie looked concerned, as if I might be irrevocably offended if he came off as rude. He should have been more worried about the impression his sister was making. Not that Chantelle cared if I was upset. In fact, she liked it when I was.
     
    “ Like I said, it’s fine.”
     
    “ You were reading A Room With a View, weren’t you? I saw the book in Jenny’s room.”
     
    “ Yeah,” I shrugged, “Italy and all that. I love it.”
     
    “ Oh, yes. We go to Italy all the time,” Chantelle boasted, “We have a holiday home there. Well, we have so many.”
     
    “ Gosh, how awfully delightful for you,” I mocked, “You must be the toast of the country club!”
     
    “ There’s no need to be snide, Blake,” Chantelle snarled, “Just because you can’t afford -”
     
    “ I think I’ve had enough coffee,” I interrupted, “It’s all starting to taste a little bitter. ”
     
    Without a polite word of parting, I left the table, and stalked back through the corridors. It was at times like that I needed Jenny. She made me laugh at myself, and always put a smile on my face. I didn’t feel like there was a wall between me and my classmates when I had her, or the other girls, at my side.
     
    People like Chantelle went through their lives being proud of their conceited ways, and looking down on those they deemed less fortunate or less worthy. I didn’t think that I was either. No, I was perfectly happy being just who I was. I just wished she didn’t have to rub it in whenever she had something I wanted. And that wasn’t money, or power, or anything like that. But it was confidence, and respect.
     
    And a house in Italy.

 
     
    Chapter Six
    A failing, indeed.
     
     
     
    I leaned back against the trunk of the tree, and strummed gently on the strings of the acoustic guitar. I was a realist, and I had no idea of being some amazing musician when I was older. As much as I liked music, I didn’t practice enough to ever be that good at it.
     
    It was just fun.
     
    Softly, I sighed, and stopped the strings with my palm. It was so boring without Jenny around. I’d felt the same