Chapter 12-

"Josh, for the tenth time, I'm fine. You don't have to come here," I said, again. It was Christmas Eve, and Josh had been calling every hour ever since two nights ago. He started to get really worried in the messages and threatened that if I didn't call him that he was going to come here. I knew it was time to call him and I was ready to talk to him-at least I hoped...

"Are you sure? I could go down there and then we could leave after Christmas and fly up to New York. It's not that big of a deal," he asked. He was so sweet, always doing whatever he needed to do to protect me. I didn't deserve him at all.

I had told him that Noelle did in fact know about Sabine, and he didn't take it too well. I quote 'that psycho bitch isn't going to even be able to look at you once I get done with her. I knew she was screwed up, but to know something like this and know that Sabine was out to get you, is not just screwed up, but fucked up!' I felt the same way he did, but I had told Noelle that I would stay with her right now and be there for her. I hadn't really gotten into any real conversation with her, I was trying to avoid it.

I also didn't tell Josh about me kissing Dash. I couldn't. I wouldn't. As long as I lived, that would be my dirty, little slutty, secret. I just had to confirm things with Dash first that he would keep his mouth shut.

"I'm fine Josh. It's only five more days and then we have New Years. Don't worry, I want you to have a good Christmas with your family," I said, trying to reassure him that I was totally and completely fine. Even though, I wasn't. I was far from it. But I couldn't be selfish and ruin his christmas.

"What about you? What are you going to do for Christmas? Sit around with someone who's a psycho and her boyfriend?"

"Don't worry Josh. I've been avoiding her and it's been working. I'm fine, so please go and have a great Christmas Eve," I said.

"Fine. You can be so stubborn," he joked.

"I know," I laughed. "I've gotta go. Love you."

"Love you to," he said and with that he was gone.

--

I walked out of the bathroom and saw Kiran sitting on her twin bed, flipping through Vogue. "Hey," she said looking up from her magazine.

"Hey. I'm going to go in town and pick up a few things, I'll be back later," I said as I put my cell in my Chloe bag and put it over my shoulder.

"Okay. I would come but I don't want Noelle being alone. Remember we have dinner plans tonight at seven here, so don't be late," she said, looking back at her magazine.

"I'll only be gone for two hours. See ya," I waved and walked out of the room, through the hallway to the front door and left.

--

I didn't have to pick anything up, I just needed to get out of the house. I had already gotten Noelle a Gucci necklace pendant that she thought was adorable. I personally didn't like Gucci jewelry, but we were shopping in New York a few weeks ago and stopped at the Gucci store, and Noelle fell in love with the necklace. I told her not to buy it, so I did instead.

I ended up getting Kiran a new Chanel clutch -with help from Noelle- that I knew she would think is adorable and her style. And I had gotten Josh a full paint set, filled with fifteen different brushes and thirty different paint colors. I also had gotten him a book that featured the best paintings through out history that I knew he would love. Noelle gave me one of her gifts that she was going to give Dash since I didn't know he was coming. It was a personally signed Jason Witten football jersey, who played for the Dallas Cowboys. I guess Dash was a fan, personally I hated the cowboys.

I walked around main street then stopped at the small coffee shop that sold delicious pastries. I walked inside and shivered some, it was somewhat cold. I loved the mellow style that the made up in the shop, warm browns and pinks. Comfy chairs and tables. I had spent most of my time here throughout the trip.

I walked up to the counter and ordered an iced black tea and a cheese danish.

I found a loney table by the window that sat two and went to sit. I brought out Beowolf that was on the reading list for school and started to read while I ate.

I as only on page thirty-three when I felt a preasence hovering over me. I looked up only to see Dash staring at me intently.

"Can I sit?" he asked-more like demanded-in a hard voice.

"Sure," I said but he already had sat across from me. "So...."

"Listen Reed, I'm an idiot. I've been crushing over you and forgot about Noelle. Everything I felt about you was just a stupid crush, and the feelings are gone," he said harshly. I was somewhat hurt in a way. Just a few days ago he had said that he had true feelings for me, and now he made it all a mockery. But it was done with. I no longer had to worry about him.

"Good," I said even more harshly and went back to reading my book. I could only stare at the words, they weren't getting into my head.

"Fine. It was great having this little chat," he said through his teeth and started to get up.

"Wait," I said suddenly. I needed to confirm this with him. I couldn't let him ruin my life, again. "You won't tell anyone what happened will you? Because if you do, I'll tell what you did also."

"Don't worry, your dirty little slutty secret is safe with me. Your little boyfriend Josh won't be hurt. But if you dare tell Noelle, I'll hurt you and your little boyfriend, much worse," he said and stormed out of the coffee shop.

Dirty little slutty secret, is exactly what Josh said to me, when I tried to apologize to him about what happened at Legacy, which hurt. I couldn't believe Dash had threatened me. That if I said anything to Noelle, he would hurt me AND Josh even worse. That sent a shiver up my spine.

Oh. My. God. Could it have been Dash who shot Noelle? He wouldn't. He couldn't, well yes he could. Very easliy actually. All he needed was a gun. And a motive. And with the feeling my gut had, I think he had both...

--

So..what do you think? I told you I would update again this weekend. The next update will be a little longer, and so will the chapter. Sorry if this one is short, it's my shortest so far, behind my first chapter. I didn't get to incorporate Josh into this chapter, only the phone conversation, but he will be in it more starting the next chapter. I decided to go for a change in the story. At first I wanted Dash to be good, but I don't see it happening. Thanks for the reviews also! So, please read and review some more (their so helpful), and I'm planning on updating again Wednesday! Hope you liked!

xoxo Marie