A/N

Hey guys! So I'm new to fanfiction, I've been reading fanfics for a while now, but have never written one. I love the private series, so I decided to try to write for it as well. I hope you like it! Constructive criticism is most definitely loved, but please don't be outright rude, I'm new to this =) I'm not exactly leaning to any side with this story, since I'm a fan of both Josh and Reed, and Sawyer and Reed, so I'll just let the story take its own path. Enjoy!

Previously in Suspicion:

...Sawyer lifted his hand in a wave. Josh looked back at me, the curiosity blatant on his face. For a moment I couldn't think of what to do, where to go, who to turn to, how to begin. So I just closed my eyes. Closed my eyes to all of it and breathed.

My life had just gotten very interesting.


I opened my eyes to the fresh start at Easton I was plunging myself into. I had so many emotions running through me and so many decisions I had to make, that I couldn't handle it. I didn't know whether I was upset that my home, everything I had strived for had been destroyed, or whether I was happy that the cause of most of the unbearable drama in my life was gone. I didn't know how to talk to Josh, and frankly, I didn't know whether I even wanted to. That part of my life was over, right? I had a long distance relationship with a guy worthy of my heart, and with whom I heard cheesy love songs and felt sparks flying off inside of me whenever we kissed. Yet, I didn't know whether the hole in my chest, which had been so unnoticeable until I saw Josh Hollis, would ever fully close. So when I saw Sawyer walking up to my place next to the two people I least wanted to see, I exhaled a breath I didn't know that I was holding.

"Hey Sawyer, how's Easton suiting you?" I smiled at him and saw his eyes light up. Now this was one person I did want to see. I didn't know what it was, but I felt a connection with Sawyer, not exactly the romantic kind, but still, a connection and I couldn't help thinking that he felt the same way ever since he saved me in St. Barths. Then I realized that it would be rude to just talk to Sawyer like Ivy and Josh didn't exist, which would've been my first choice. So I introduced the three strangers to each other, seeing already that Sawyer and Josh were looking at each other with slightly slanted eyes.

"Oh and this is Ivy, my...uhh old roommate and friend, and this is Josh." Josh, my ex-boyfriend, the guy who broke my heart. The guy I cheated on inadvertently, the guy I loved. The guy who didn't even bother to call, not once, and the guy I'm over. Maybe. Although all these thoughts were running through my head, I knew there was only one answer with which I could respond since Josh was not my-anything anymore. He was practically a stranger.

"Hey Reed. Honestly, I have no idea what's going on. Nice to meet you Ivy and...Josh, I'm new here at Easton. Reed and I met on St. Barths" He hesitated an unnoticeable second before saying Josh's name to look over Josh. I couldn't help but feel the tension between the two guys, and couldn't wait to get out of there.

"Nice to meet you Sawyer, I heard you saved Reed's life, that was such a brave thing to do. I bet Reed appreciates having you as a friend." She smiled a heartwarming smile and I was genuinely convinced that she was a changed girl. Or maybe more like defrosted from her icy bitch stage.

"Yeah, I guess it was. Thanks." Sawyer smiled sheepishly and maybe even blushed. I swear I even saw some dimples forming.

"I'm Josh. You know what dorm you're rooming in?" His voice was clipped and forcefully polite and I wondered where this new Josh had come from.

"Actually no. Mind showing me around?"

"Sure, maybe later." Somehow I knew he wasn't going to keep that promise.

"Sawyer, want to go get some coffee? A minute longer in this weather, and I might just freeze." My tension breaker seemed to work as both guys turned to me. As long as I get out of here, I'll be fine.

"Definitely, would'nt want an ice cube as friend" he winked at me, and from the corner of my eye I saw Josh stiffen. Whatever, I was done with that chapter of my life.

"See you later Ivy, Josh." I said as Sawyer and I started walking away and Sawyer waved back at them.

"See ya Reed, talk to you later!" As I saw them retreating from the rubble that once used to be Billings, I sighed a sigh of relief which Sawyer seemed to notice.

"Mind telling me what's going on in this school? First I see a building destroyed, and then I feel all this tension between strangers I don't even know." He laughed genuinely, and I knew he didn't mean it in a harsh way.

I sighed as I looked back on what used to be Billings. "It's a long story, I don't think you would be interested in all of it."

"I got time. Plus we can talk about it over coffee. Come, you know you can't refuse" He made an innocent face which made me break out in a grin.

"Fine, but you're buying."

"Deal."

We headed across the ice-covered quad, joking around and pushing each other into the snow and throwing slush at each other, a game I was pathetically defeated in. So while Sawyer was barely wet, I was soaked with snow.

"Well you're a mess." He laughed looking at me, I looked like wet dog, no doubt.

"Thanks, you don't look too peachy yourself. I suggest a facial and a manicure." I smiled sarcastically but couldn't help but laugh at his disheveled outfit.

He made a mock hurt face, and out of nowhere picked me up in his arms and ran to Coffee Carma.

"Can't let you get frostbite and another trip to the hospital" He winked and smiled crookedly. I froze at his action but then warmed up to it since we were technically just friends and enjoyed the dry ride. We were halfway there, and I could already sense the wafting smell of the coffee, when Sawyer tripped on a snow ball and we went tumbling into a huge pile of dirty snow. I was soaked, cold, and definitely not happy but Sawyer couldn't stop laughing so I joined in too. People passed by, giving us quizzical looks and sneers, but I didn't care. I was happy and laughing wholeheartedly.

We got up from the snow after a couple of minutes and ran as quickly as possible to warmth. When we got there, all heads turned to us and I inwardly groaned since I didn't even want to imagine what we looked like. Sawyer just grinned stupidly that I started laughing again as we settled into a corner couch.

"So, story time? Plus, I'm not leaving your side until I know that I can walk around this school without getting lost" He said as he settled in on the couch with me. He brought me a caramel macchiato, my absolute favorite. Though how he knew that, I had no idea.

"Guess so, try not to get confused. Okay, but I'm not exactly the best person to hang around if you want to stick to being incognito" I laughed, remembering how Sawyer was always the shy, brooding one in St. Barths and realized that this was the longest time I've seen Sawyer without a book.

"Well, actually, you got me wondering and I think I'll try to be more like my friends this time. Nothing like starting new right?" He asked with a smile that I came to love.

"Really?! That's great Sawyer! Ooh this'll be so much fun!" I squealed like I never thought possible, out of excitement and was officially happy that Sawyer was at Easton.

"Well that made you happy. But now, let's get down to business" He chuckled and seriously made a serious face that got me laughing again.

"Sure, sure" I couldn't help but smile at this new Sawyer, and knew that this would turn out to be a great friendship. Maybe even more.

As these thoughts were running through my head, the one person I least wanted to see stepped into Coffee Carma, Josh. I turned my attention back Sawyer, keeping my promise of making a refreshing start and turned away from my past.

"Hey Reed!" Josh shouted in my direction. Oh god, not again. "I need to talk to you, got a minute?" This was the tone of the Josh I used to love, not the stiff Josh I had just seen. I sighed, somehow my past just doesn't want to let go.

I know this was kind of short, but I want to know what you guys think, please review or I'll be discouraged! If enough people like this story, I'll update every few days, depending on school. So review review review! Thanks for reading =)

-Maks