Chapter Text
He sat in the big airy kitchen, a piece of toast in one hand, bent over his AP Physics textbook. The click of high heels announced his mother’s arrival. “William, remember, your father and I have meetings in L.A. this afternoon, so you’ll have to pick Gigi up after her swimming practice. She’ll be done at six.” His mother gave him a kiss, and ran her fingers through his hair. He nodded without looking up from his textbook and smoothed his hair back down.
“You’ve only reminded me a hundred times.”
“There’s leftover chicken in the fridge for dinner,” she picked up her briefcase and put on her coat. “I was thinking we could go to Italy for your and Gigi’s spring break, and I confirmed with the caterer for the graduation party. Good luck on your test today. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you. Take care of your sister.” She clicked away.
“Love you too, Mom.” He called after her, listening as she and Gigi left the house and drove off down the long gravel driveway. When the house had faded into silence again, he finished his toast, packed his bag, and set off for school.
He strolled up to the the stone building distractedly, still running through the formulas for his physics test in his head. “Hey, William! Anybody there?” George Wickham burst onto his consciousness, snapping his fingers in front of William’s eyes.
“Hey, George.”
“What’s up, man? I missed you at my lacrosse game last night. I had a hat-trick. It was totally awesome. You should have seen it.” George mimed taking a shot.
William rolled his eyes. “Sorry, George, I have a physics test today. I had to study.”
“Oh.” George pouted. “I see how it is. Physics is more important than your friends.”
“It’s not like that George. And you know that’s not fair.” George’s attention was already elsewhere though. He winked and then waved at a pretty girl seated on a bench. She blushed and giggled and waved back. “George!” Darcy called his friend back to their conversation. “She’s in ninth grade!”
“You’re too uptight. Last time I checked, flirting was legal.” George shrugged the reprimand off.
“Pardon me for being uncomfortable with you flirting with girls who are barely older than my sister.” William pulled his notebooks from his locker. “I’ve got to go to class.” George grimaced. “You should try it sometime George. It might help your grades.” He slammed the locker shut and walked off, leaving George standing in the hallway behind him.
Later, sitting in class, he would regret that remark. But lately George’s immaturity had been trying his patience. George was being recruited for swimming in college, and he was content to coast on his athletic ability and natural charm. Because God forbid he ever do a day of hard work in his life. William thought sarcastically.
He heard his mother’s voice, William, that’s uncharitable.
I don’t care, he responded. I can’t afford to be immature. Dad won’t let me. I have to be valedictorian. I have to go to Harvard. I have to be everything he was and be it even better, and he’s still not satisfied. All George has to do is smile and crack a few jokes and he has Dad eating out of his palm. It’s not fair.
His father’s voice answered, Life isn’t fair, William. Business isn’t fair. Anything you want in life or business you need to be prepared to earn twice over. Some people whine about this fact, and some people deal with it. My son is going to be one of the latter.
His reverie was interrupted by the crackling of the PA system. William Darcy please come to the Dean of Students office. William Darcy to the Dean of Students office. Sixty eyes turned to stare at him. He could feel the gazes burning into his face. Tony, sitting two rows behind him hooted, “Oooh, looks like golden boy’s in trouble!” He blushed and rolled his eyes as the rest of the class snickered. He felt a flash of anger, and tried to remember what his mother had told him about managing his temper. Grabbing his backpack, he heard Mr. Davies calling for order as the door clicked shut behind him. He walked the halls swiftly, wondering what the main office could want from him. His mouth twitched as he wondered if this was George’s idea of a prank.
Mrs. Hooper gave him a pitying look when he came up to her desk. “Go on, then, William, Mr. Thompson is waiting for you.” He began to worry that he might actually be in trouble, but couldn’t think why.
“Mr. Thompson-” He began, but then he saw the man’s expression. The usual cheery grin was absent, and he had a drawn, very serious look on his face. He was speaking into the phone.
“So you’ll meet him at there then? Are you sure that’s a good idea? Oh. Well. If you’re decided.” He hung up, and looked up at William. “You’re going to want to sit down, William.”
William smoothed his jacket and tie nervously and sat down on the hard leather chair. “What’s this about?” He asked, getting more frightened with every second that Mr. Thompson hemmed and hawed.
“William, I’ve had a phone call from your Aunt Catherine. I’m afraid there’s bad news. Your parents, there was an accident on their way back from Los Angeles. They’ve been transported to St. Francis hospital. Your Aunt wants you to pick your sister up at the Middle School Campus and meet her there, but if you’re not able to drive-”
“I can drive,” he insisted. He needed to get out of this room. Out of the building. His muscles itched. He stood up and walked to the door, checking to make sure he had his car keys and his phone. Everything else could wait. “Will Gigi be waiting for me?”
“Yes. I’ve phoned the Head of the Middle School and explained the situation. Gigi will be on the front steps. I’ll explain to your teachers and coaches what has happened. The thoughts and prayers of all of us are with you and your family.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m sure everything will be fine.” William stood up and went to the door.
“William,” Dean Thompson shook his head and gave him that same pitying look that Mrs. Hooper had given him when he’d arrived. “It didn’t sound good. ” William banished that possibility from his mind as soon as Dean Thompson spoke the words. He was going to pick up Gigi from school, meet Aunt Catherine at the hospital and hold his parents hands while they got better. They were going to get better, and one day the four of them would laugh about the time he’d gotten called to the office and he’d thought he was going to be in trouble.
He barely knew how he got from his school to Gigi’s. She was sitting on the front steps when he pulled up, and hopped into the car without any hesitation. She gave him a hug. “Is everything going to be okay?” She asked him earnestly, scrutinizing his face for clues.
He opened his mouth to lie. To say that everything was going to be just like before in no time, that this was an anomaly. But he was only eighteen, and he was scared, and he couldn’t do it. “I don’t know.” Her face crumpled and her eyes filled with tears. He felt the crushing pressure of responsibility descend on his chest. It was suffocating. “We’re going to meet Aunt Catherine at the hospital. She’ll know more. For now, remember what Dad always said to us. Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet, or things you can’t change. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of time to worry when we know more.”
“Aunt Catherine?” Gigi squeaked. He gave her hand a squeeze and drove away. Gigi looked back at the brick building until it disappeared behind the trees.