"Meet William. I hope the two of you can become friends." Mother smiled. Elisabeth knew what mother actually meant. 'He has use. Don't lose him.'
William's mother stood to the right of mother. Mother had discovered her and her family at her book reading club where she went to secure her image as a kind, caring member of the community. She scoped out families and their children for Elisabeth there. William's mother was a nice beta who was married to another nice beta and once she had brought her demure and well-behaved child to the club one day, mother had just known he would be the perfect first step for her daughter.
William gazed at Elisabeth shyly. He stood just being his mom clutching her hand tightly in his. He was rather cute.
"Go on sweetie. Say hello," his mom prompted.
"Hello." He mumbled staring at the ground and only briefly raising his eyes to Elisabeth only to immediately lower them back down.
A soft spoken, shy boy, just like mother had described.
Elisabeth understood why her mother chose him. He was malleable and afraid to voice his thoughts. The perfect target to test. He would never leave her if she played her cards right. Or even if she played them slightly wrong. All he wanted was to feel needed and Elisabeth was more than prepared to give him just enough attention.
She grinned at the boy. Her mother had already explained how to treat him so he would be her friend.
Once they were older, they could then easily build upon the foundation of their friendship. He would be in too deep at that point. Elisabeth knew how this was supposed to play out. Sunken cost fallacy. She would become an integral part of this boy's life, a boy who abhorred change and loved the consistency. He might protest certain actions, but only if he felt comfortable enough to speak out. All Elisabeth had to do was slowly raise his tolerance for her and make her happiness his top priority.
"Hi! I'm Elisabeth, but you can call me Lisa. Let's go play in the sand together!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him with her towards the sand pit. William blushed but let himself be pulled. He was excited to make a new friend and Lisa seemed nice. He was too shy to ever go and introduce himself in such a manner. His dad always told him to man up and speak his mind, but every time he tried, a paralyzing fear gripped him. But her. She wasn't afraid. He wanted to be like that.
Her mother smiled. Her daughter was already taking the first step of many. She would learn to play the game and she would learn to play it well. Even if all else failed, this boy would stay by her.
She turned towards Mrs. Belfer.
"Let's leave the kids to play. Tell me, have you read the next chapter in Pride and Prejudice?"