Disclaimer: The Private series belongs to Kate Brian.
_____________________________________________________________"I leaned against the railing and sighed. An odd sort of musky sent filled my nostrils. Before I even could think about where it might have come from, I felt a tug on my necklace and, for a moment lost the ability to breathe. Then a pair of hands hit me squarely in the back and shoved. Hard. The necklace cut into my skin as it was torn from my neck. I let out a surprised shout and felt my shoes slip on the slick deck. My heart jumped into my throat as my stomach swooped up into my chest. I grabbed for the railing, but it was no good. I was already falling. A scream escaped my throat, but it was drowned out by the grinding engines and churning water.
One thought wildly repeated itself in my mind during the two seconds it took me to plunge into the ocean. Someone had pushed me. Someone had pushed me. Someone was trying to kill me.
The last thing I heard before I hit the cold, dark water was the sound of gleeful squealing and cheering, as someone at the tables won big." Paradise Lost (by Kate Brian).
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The water hit me like a thousand knives- the icy cold stabbing me all over. I fought against the current that was threatening to pull me under. "Help!" I screamed, but I knew my attempts were futile. Everyone else was inside, enjoying casino night. The way I should have been.
I should have been inside, winning as much money as I could- gambling with Upton, teaming up with Noelle. I should have been drinking and enjoying my happiest night on this island.
The blue couture dress Kiran had given me pooled with water and started to drag me under. I struggled out of it- there was no way I could stay afloat with that thing on. I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore the cold.
I continued to thrash about, desperate to stay afloat. Before long, my arms started to tire and I let myself go limp. What was the point of even trying? Ever since I had started at Easton, I had been in unfamiliar waters- surrounded by girls that fed off my insecurities like sharks. Staying alive had taken my all and maybe now there was nothing I could do. Maybe it was finally time to give up.
Would anyone even care? Josh had Ivy now. Upton had ditched me for Poppy. That skank would probably rejoice in my death and throw a party. Noelle might care, but she had the Billings girls to help her get over it. Besides, living without me had been almost easy for her before.
My life flashed before my eyes. Josh. Upton. Noelle. Thomas. Constance. Natasha. Kiran. Taylor. Dash. Scott. My parents. Even my dog. This was it. I would never see them again. This was the end of it all.
Then I was no longer being pulled under. Instead I was being held in a pair of arms that were stronger than I could imagine. I clung to them and looked up, desperate to see my savior.
I could recognize the curly blonde hair and dark brooding looks anywhere. It was Sawyer. His deep blue eyes were heavy with concern. Those deep blue eyes were the last things I saw before I drifted off into a black oblivion.
Please, please, please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you. And who do you think Reed should end up with? Josh, Upton, Sawyer or someone else? Please review and let me know! If you guys like this story I'll try to update by tomorrow.
-ehtsuperstar :]
