Fall For You [The Jane Austen Academy Series #1] Read Online Free Page B

at this school, we still want to honor its traditions.” She turned to smile sweetly at Bergie. “What makes the Jane Austen Academy special is its legacy. To that end, Anne and I have decided that the Welcome Back dance will be in traditional Regency style. So brush up on your reel skills and raid the costume department!”
    She took a quick bow to a few catcalls and cheers from the girls and a few horrified looks from the boys. She jumped down to her seat—but not before taking a quick glance around the room.
    To Bergie’s tight smile.
    To Ellie’s confused expression.
    To Emma’s gleeful grin.
    To Dante’s judgmental glare.
    And to Anne, who she could swear was looking at her with satisfaction.

Chapter Three
     
    “What was that all about?” Ellie asked, linking arms with Lizzie as they made their way up the theater aisle. “Since when are you helping organize the dance?”
    “Well, Anne is, but I thought I’d help, since we’re supposed to do a welcome feature for the new students in conjunction with the Welcome Back dance,” Lizzie said cautiously.
    “So not only did you cave on us rooming together, you also got talked into co-chairing the dance?”
    “Not exactly,” Lizzie said. “I’m just helping. Besides, we’re using the dance as a way to get to Bergie.”
    “We? You and Anne?”
    Before Lizzie could answer, Emma latched onto Ellie’s other arm having finally caught up to them while tottering along in her heels.
    “That was genius!” Emma linked elbows with Ellie so the three of them walked side by side like a mismatched posse. Emma was the shortest of them all – even her heels barely put her at Lizzie’s height – so Lizzie took great pleasure in looking down at Emma over the bridge of her nose. She couldn’t help her distaste at Emma’s hijacking of their dynamic duo. And yet…there was no doubt Emma was very influential. Having her side with Lizzie against Bergie would be an advantage.
    “Bergie’s trying to get Jasta renamed,” Lizzie explained as she tried to break through the crowd. It was impossible with the three of them across, but she wasn’t going to be the one to break her hold on Ellie. Absolutely not. Ellie was her friend. “I overheard her on the phone.”
    “She wouldn’t dare change the name,” Ellie said. “There would be a rebellion.”
    “Who was she on the phone with?” Emma asked, clearly delighting in gossip.
    “We don’t know,” Lizzie admitted, but she quickly explained the call. “I’m not going let it slide, of course. I’m going to do a story expos é on it.”
    “You’ll have to get it approved,” Ellie said.
    “No, she doesn’t,” Emma said. “Lizzie is the Gazette’s new managing editor.”
    Lizzie felt herself flush as Ellie’s head whipped back and forth between her and Emma.
    Ugh, she could kill Emma right now—how did she manage to know everything?
    “So you and Anne are roommates, are chairing the dance, and you’re managing the paper…as a junior?” Ellie asked.
    “It’s all part of the plan,” Lizzie explained, brushing the accusatory undercurrent under the proverbial rug. “To expose Bergie. I mean, we have to do some things to distract her—like a feature with interviews of the new male students whose parents were large donors.”
    “Ooooh, can I come?” Emma asked.
    Lizzie frowned. “Come where?”
    “To the interviews, of course!”
    Lizzie pinned her with a look of exasperation—had Emma’s only takeaway been that? Was she going to bring popcorn and soda, too? Lizzie still intended to treat the assignment with professionalism, however ludicrous the subject. Print was forever, after all.
    “No, you’re right,” Emma said—somehow interpreting more into Lizzie’s expression. “With the dance coming up on Friday, I’m more needed here. The girls will need costumes—hair, oh, and makeup! We should all get ready together. You should come to our room, Lizzie.”
    “You mean you should get ready with