Disclaimer: Private is not mine.
His hand molded to my cheek and he looked at me with pain in his eyes. After this long afternoon spending time being Sawyer's rock and shoulder to lean on, I felt drained.
I needed a rock, now. So I shut off my mind and let my body take over. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Josh's waist, pressing my cheek against his chest. I sighed, finally feeling complete when his arms went around my shoulders, holding my body to his.
"It's going to be okay," he whispered. "Everything's going to be okay. I promise."
I nodded and wound my arms tighter, begging him to never let go. I needed this, I needed him.
It has been 4 days since the long day with Sawyer. The party was in two days and all the Billings girls were scrambling to get stuff done. We had the dresses, venue, invites, flowers, caterers, band, etc. But still, everyone was freaking out.
Honestly, I had had enough of 'Oh My God! My lipstick is the wrong shade! My outfit is ruined!!' Annoying; I called it. But I kept my mouth shut and I did my jobs, plus all the extra stuff that was handed to me.
I had four new messages from my stalker. They were small but still threatening. The words 'be careful what you say, I'm listening', 'watch your back', and the newest/scariest one 'I feel like something's going to happen to you…..soon. Watch out, I'm coming for you."
All of them echo through my head. This person was going to confront me and most likely, hurt me. I couldn't let that happen.
So here I was, hiding in my room. I've been doing this a lot lately. I only came out for class, meals, and preparations for the party. I finished all my homework so the only thing I had to occupy my time was to read.
Reading was sometimes my escape. When I read, it felt like all the problems I had melt away and I'm just Reed Brennan. The girl who had nothing to worry about. It helped me go into a different world and let someone else have all the problems…..But the world always vanishes and reality sets in again.
"Reed! Hello! Earth to Reed!" Noelle said while walking into our room, making me jump because I didn't hear her coming. "You know you can't hide in here forever."
"I not going to hide forever," I told her. I closed my book and sat up. "I only going to hide until everything in my life isn't hell. I'm sick of all this drama. Why does it always follow me?"
Noelle sighed, not knowing how to answer that question. She was totally a different person to me lately. It showed me that she actually cared about me and she was trying to make me feel better. God, I hate being such a party pooper.
"Well, I think all the preparations for the party are done. Now we just have to relax and watch Hathaway rebuild Billings," Noelle said changing the subject while sitting down on her pillow covered bed. "I think this is going to be a hit! I had Tiff go down to Smack Melon to take pictures of the decorations and they are amazing."
"Great!" I say, trying to fake enthusiasm. "I think everything is going to be perfect. Let's just hope this party doesn't end like the last one we went to."
I thought back to Kiran's party and me getting on the stupid boat to leave. I pushed those memories back and looked Noelle in the eye.
"Reed, you better not leave my side at this party. With this person following you, I not taking any chances. If I have to tie a leash to your wrist, I will," Noelle joked half-heartedly. "Don't leave my side."
I nodded. I didn't want to listen to her but it was true, if I stayed with her, maybe I wouldn't get hurt. Maybe.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I sat down at the table in the cafeteria with Noelle by my side. Unfortunately I had to leave my room for dinner and try to actually communicate with people that weren't in books. I planted a fake smile on my face as I listened to Constance talk on and on about getting ready for the party.
Noelle made reservations for Sebastian's salon for us to get our makeup and hair done before the party so I didn't have to suffer through hours of being stuck in Constance's room while she did whose knows what to my head.
I mean, I loved Constance but sometimes she got a little out of control.
I focused my eyes on my food and spoke when I was spoken to. Everyone knew I was out of it. Hell, I even knew I was out of it. I wasn't scared or wallowing in fear. I just had the urge to be alone. I wanted to have time when my life wasn't in danger and I could do the things I wanted. But life doesn't always follow your wishes.
I sighed and lifted my head to meet the eyes I knew were staring at me. They were blue-green and concerned as ever. I was use to this now because his eyes were on me every time I sat down at this table.
That night when I had gone to get food for Sawyer, I gave in and let him be my rock. I didn't want to leave his embrace but I knew I had to. Sawyer, my surrogate brother needed me. When I pulled away from Josh, he asked me what was wrong but I said I would tell him later.
He watched me walk away from him and now was waiting until I came and talked to him. I wanted to talk to him but shut all the thoughts out while hid in my room.
My eyes locked with Josh's and I let the surge go through my body as they connected. I broke eye contact when all the feelings came pouring into me. I couldn't deal with this now. I had to focus on keeping myself alive.
I lifted my head again when I saw movement at the guy table next to ours. Gage and Graham sat down while Sawyer sent me a small smile when my eyes landed on him. I smiled a real smile back and started thinking.
I couldn't let this stalker get to me and hurt me. People here needed me and I couldn't leave them. I had to keep myself and all the people I loved safe. This stalker was not going to win. They couldn't because I wouldn't let them.
A/N: Ugh, wow. I really hate this chapter. Nothing really happened so it's just a filler. I think I will have the getting ready for the party in the next chapter and then the actual party in the one after that.
Okay, I have a new favorite book!! Perfect Chemistry. Oh my God. I am in love like no before. I read it in one afternoon because I could not put it down.
Alex is my favorite :) He is amazing!!
If you haven't read Perfect Chemistry, you HAVE to. I swear you won't regret it. Love story that touches your heart. So if anybody wants to talk about this book, I'm ready :)
Review. If you have read Perfect Chemistry, what was your favorite part? ~Nicole
