It was almost midnight when we were all in the home theatre, snuggled around the cuddle seats, watching a movie of my choosing, as the law of the house has permitted me to, given it was some minutes until my birthday, and I could ask for anything I desire.
"I had no awareness of this whole thing until Ava walked through the eagle's hills entrance door with her burnt ideas, and now I can recite every dialogue in this movie," Lilith complained, giving her typical behaviour.
She's nestled at the first row, in between both her couple friends, covered in a blanket for the air conditioning had cooled the surrounding. Sadly she had abandoned Quincy at the end of the second row, where Julian and Princeton Claire lolled on the seater. It's a shame the poor boy had to be present.
When one of my favourite thrilling scenes came up after Lady Catherine had annoyed me wholly, I leaned forward, sitting in-between Christian and his son, whose hand is intertwined with mine underneath the blanket, mom, Christian, Leigh and I were sharing at the third row.
"How many times do we have to re-watch Mr Darcy come back to the Bennet's in that ridiculous coat from the fog at early dawn? Not that I don't like the man because he's everything I enjoy. Only that his final intention made me see him a very less than I thought of him to be."
God, does she ever shut up?
"And why is that Lilith?" Barely tolerable, I asked through my teeth from the back row.
"For a man as proud as Mr. Darcy, he should have hung around until she admitted her feelings for him after what he had done for her family." She remarks so churlishly as though she knows anything about pride and prejudice.
I automatically felt defensive; I didn't care the movie was still running, and soon it will be over.
"With such imbecile thoughts of yours, how can you be a woman? Haven't you seen what Elizabeth had been through?"
"I doubt that. She's loved by her father and has an adequate home. I hope you are aware not all women in those days were blessed as she was."
What does that have to do with Elizabeth and Mr Darcy?
"You're not worth the debate. You can not ever understand what true love is. It's clear." I spat and frustratedly sat back in the seat, unfastening my hands from Leigh to cross them around my chest. I stressed my gaze to what the 4k projector was showing. However, my mind was not into the movie as Lilith had ruined my excitement for everything. But still, she wasn't quenched with the aching annoyance she had planted in me. Rather, she turned over and threw her scornful scrutiny.
"And you are? Bitch, you are the least romantic person ever to exist; I bet your vagina even work."
"Lilith," Christian warns his rude daughter.
She exhales a chuckle, along with the other girls and protests in a mock-whining tone.
"Sorry, I thought we could utter organs."
"Go back to watching." He commanded, and she surrendered her hands. Turning around, she settled back in her seat.
"Don't mind her," Leigh whispered when he carefully leaned in. "Look, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are conversing."
His closeness was as intimate as the humour in his tone, they were quick to react in me, and I found myself smiling again while Mr Darcy told Elizabeth she must know everything he did for her sisters was for her.
Those tears of euphoria I didn't know of their existence but had always escaped when watching this specific scene found their way out again, at Mr Darcy's words.
"You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before."
I could feel Leigh's intense stare; I just couldn't part my eyes from the screen while feebly stuffing popcorn in my mouth.
"If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed. But one word from you will silence me forever." Said Mr Darcy, stepping closer to Elizabeth now.
My palm came below my chin, just enough for my fingers to hover over my lips, as a joyful smile combined with my tears covered my face. I inhale shakily from the chills this particular scene always gives me.
"lf, however, your feelings have changed... ...I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love... I love... I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
I heard snorts from the first row, but I ignored them, given that I was only bound in emotions for Jane Austen's creation.
I quietly watch Elizabeth take his hand and passionately kiss it while he watches her with great admiration and emotion before they lean their heads together.
After Elizabeth's conversation with her father, which made me cry, even more, I had to lean my head upon Leigh's shoulder, the movie finally ended, and the theatre was now brightened up after two hours of dimming light.
I laugh small, confessing, "This right here is indeed the reason why despite Mr Darcy's arrogance, he still remains the fictional character who captured my heart most fervidly."
The more I think about courtship tales and then experience this terrific narration of Austen, I realise there's nothing that can ever strive to appease my admiration and fondness for her. That woman has my heart for her great works.
"Oh really?" Leigh asked, taking me by surprise.
My lips open and close while I struggle to gather up a response. Not that about him and Mr Darcy because there is no comparison; Leigh is my life, whereas Mr Darcy is just a fictitious and unreal human being from my favourite book. However, I am more worried about how he approached, asking boldly before our family and friends.
"I mean..." I swallowed, laughing nervously. "He's fantasy and unreal."
"Then he's not worth it."
"Mmm." I nodded naively, hoping I wasn't blushing as Christain and mom had their attention on us, unconsciously laughing, utterly oblivious of Leigh and I intent.
"Romantic relationships entirely are not worth it." Said, Lilith. She is now on her feet, stretching her legs in front of the screen as though she is what we came here to see.
I didn't wish to start trading insults, so I minded my business and remained in my position, freeing my arms so I could grab Leigh's hand in mine under the blanket.
When I laced our hands, he turned over and offered me a heavenly smile, revealing his paper white teeth. It induced those tiny dimples at the upper sides of his lips and his cheek dimples to sink profoundly. He looks so young and cute, I long to pull him into a deep kiss.
"They're not that bad; sometimes, you just have to try to find out." Said poor Quincy.
"Believe me; it doesn't work."
But out of pity for the poor boy, who definitely had feelings for my step-sister, I went and bought what Lilith was selling.
"Like, Quincy said, do not judge so hastily."
Just as my lips closed, Lilith got on the warpath, the rage in her eyes imprisoned me, clearing reflecting how much my words had vexed her.
Do I care? Not a tiny bit.
"Why not the two of you rehearsal, and when the outcomes show up good, it might change my opinion for romance." She exasperatedly bites on each word.
"I could if I was sleeping with him and leading him on, but of course, I tend to keep my vagina intact as you claimed." I spitefully winked at her, stirring her impatience.
She could only fume at the front of the room and have no comeback to defend herself.
Now, who's laughing?
"Ava, for goodness sake." Mom heaves while Christian keeps a surveying eye on his unnerve daughter.
Maybe I could take the opportunity of this moment and shatter her as she stood defenceless, trying to avoid her father's scrutiny.
We all know if there is one thing Lilith is afraid of, it is her father finding out those hidden dark sides of her that she made sure to consign to the grave around him.
"You know Quincy; you deserve better. I mean, after those intimate relationships you two had together the past year." I thoughtfully drew, taunting the two sex mates with a reminiscing smile on my face, while Lilith flickered her pleading eyes at me, begging me not to sell her out.
So it hurt?
"He paid a lot of visits, didn't he?" I sneered and slipped out my hand from Leigh's to attack his mean, now vulnerable younger sister.
And I swear if not for the anxious boy shrinking from the second row, I could have crushed her down and laughed while Christian broiled her alive.
How I wish he isn't here. But earlier after dinner, the boys and their girlfriends decided to stay. Well, not decided, since here's how it happened.
"Thank you, Mr and Mrs Boyce, for this wonderful dinner. We should be on our way." Jordan had said, getting on his feet along with his friends and Suri to call it a day.
But Christian worriedly offered for them to stay and drive back in the morning since it was already dark and the road was empty.
"We don't want to intrude." Harry had said.
"Nonsense." Mom had uttered. "You are welcome to stay with us. There are enough rooms in the house. And I am sure Leigh and his sisters enjoy your company."
As if those boys weren't Leigh's juniors that he barely even talked to.
Me? Those aren't the kind of squad I hang with. So, however, the companies were all for Lilith's.
"Thank you, ma'am." The boys, Quinn and Suri, excitedly show their gratitude. As every kid from school enjoys coming over here to the mountain house, particularly to stay the night, it was always an opportunity.
"Honestly, I don't really want to go home. I don't want to face my sister. I stole her shoes." Suri had complained, and her friends freely laughed.
"Those she won from this specific Netflix movie for Thanksgiving last year?" Quinn had asked Suri in the dining room.
"Accurate." She acknowledged.
"Wasn't it charity?"
"It was a giveaway after the wrap of the movie." Slightly annoyed, Suri had muttered through her teeth.
"You must feel like a thief." Giggled Lilith, filling salad in her big mouth.
"It is better than wearing cheap shoes from rainbow. Likewise, I enjoy the excitement of torturing my sister, of course." Suri added.
"If you meant my footwear, darling, it's Alexander McQueen. Brand new, not third hand." Lilith had smirked at her friend, causing her to feel embarrassed around the table.
So instead to stay out of it and to let karma bite them as they all deserve, I went and borrowed their conversation.
Goodness, what is wrong with me?
"It doesn't change the fact that in the next couple of months, both shoes will be worn and thrown out." I had hinted, hoping to relieve Suri from Lilith's humiliation just to have her striking back at me. "I can't believe she had been here in Vegas for two years, and still she is like that." Suri laughed, flipping her curls.
Yes, she's a bloody bitch.
"That? Believe me; it's little among what you will have to endure. I've seen and heard worst." Lilith yawned, pretending to be knackered at my behaviour.
"It is the right thing," I mumbled, feeling a little disconcerted.
Yes, I also learned to mind my business and stop trying to please or help anyone else.
"The right thing? Are you kidding me? Says the girl who stripped in her underwear in the middle of the cafeteria last semester." Lilith had called out on me in front of everyone at the table. Causing heat to burn my face as I avoided mom and Christian disappointing gaze, but mostly Leigh, who noisily dropped his spoon against the plate, attracting everyone's attention.
Bitch.
"If there is anyone you haven't kissed yet in school, it will be the new intake for next semester, not to mention you were awarded the number one party animal of the year. So stop the pretence." She had added afterwards, trying to put me in dip shit.
"You don't have to talk about it now." I was brassed up while I spoke, blinking away the burning tears I sensed in the back of my eyes.
I hated that I felt so exposed in front of Christian and Leigh. They are all that mattered to me.
"Why?" She had taunt further, having no sympathy for my poor nerves. "Is there someone who shouldn't hear how naughty you've been? I mean, look around. It's either the boys and girls from school who knows every inch of your skin or Leigh and me, your dear siblings. Then our parents who shouldn't be left out, they should know what we truly are, Ava."
"Fuck you." I had bitterly spat, slamming the table harshly.
"Ava!" Mom and Christian had to exclaim in unison.
Well, enough of the dinner rewind. Now back to the present, in the quiet home theatre where the end credits of pride and prejudice are showing, and Lilith is about to fall on her knees and beg for forgiveness.
Then mom interferes, coming for Lilith's rescue.
"Please just stop it." She cautioned me when she had not done the same earlier at dinner when Lilith insulted me willingly.
"She had been criticising me since the day started. She's always doing it, even on my birthday when it should be all about me. She keeps trying to scar me and destroy everything planned for me, and I can't have my moment? Is not fair." I angrily throw at mom, whose sitting by the other side of Christian.
"Don't be too arrogant; my dad paid for everything."
How great.