Escape the Nest

I spent another day in the hospital. The same doctor that helped me when I first appeared in the St. Barth's hospital was reluctant to let me go, but agreed in the end. I really was getting sick and tired of going to the hospital. Not only that, Sawyer and I were supposed to leave St. Barth's in about a week or so, finally returning to school. I was extremely happy, but that meant that my stalkers were still out there. And no way in hell were they going to be left alone.

"So, you told no one, right?" I asked Sawyer in the parking lot. I secretly prayed that he didn't, knowing all too well that they were going to scream and come to St. Barth's.

"No" he said, while opening the door for me. I sat down on the cool, comfortable seats waiting for Sawyer to get in also. "I figured they would go all psycho on me. Besides, you were fine- sort of." He smiled sheepishly in my direction. I smiled back at our little inside joke and we headed off.

The car ride was silent; I was thankful for that, for I had a lot of things to think about. For an example, what did my stalker have against me? And who were the two girls? My best guess were either Poppy and Paige, or Poppy and Sienna (see how Poppy is in both of them?). All three of them hated me for dating Upton, so it was only natural. But I had broken up with Upton a long time ago. If the two girls really did hate me because of Upton, I'm sure they knew by now that he was no longer mine. So why the vendetta?

Girls. Such complicated little creatures…

I heard a little beeping coming from my pockets. Why…oh. It was my cell phone. As I looked in my inbox, I saw that I had fifteen text messages (mostly from Noelle, Constance, and shockingly my brother Scott) and one voicemail. I looked at the number that called me, but I couldn't identify it. Who was it? I saw that they called twice, but apparently either Sawyer picked it up or the person stopped calling the first time they called.

"Hey, did someone call?" I asked. I frowned, wondering who this person was. I hoped that it wasn't my stalker. If it was…

"Um…" his brow furrowed. "Yeah. This girl…her name was Ivy. She said she wanted to talk to you. She also said she knows you from school" explained Sawyer. He stole a quick glance at me. "Hey, are you ok?"

No, I wasn't. That bitch was the one who tore Josh and I apart. Well, it really wasn't her fault, but she was a factor. And why would she want to talk to me? After I found the video or her and Josh kissing, all my nice little feelings for her vanished. So no, I wasn't going to talk to her, even if she called.

But why was I mad at Ivy? I mean, Josh was the one who picked her. He was the one who went out with her right after we broke up. So…

Ugh, this wasn't making any sense. Maybe I should call her. Just to find out. Just to be sure; I didn't know why I wanted to make sure of something, but I had an aching feeling to do so. So, putting all prejudices aside, I was going to call her back.

I forgot that Sawyer asked how I was, and was probably wondering why I was looking a certain way. I faced him and gave my most genuine smile and said "I'm fine." Satisfied, he faced the road again and continued driving.

We got to his house about ten minutes later. Right when we pulled onto the driveway, Maria burst through the big wood doors and came sprinting towards me. "Senorita Reed! Carumba! I so worried! Oh, I hope you ok!" exclaimed Maria. She gave me a motherly hug; it felt extremely nice. I was touched. I barely talked to her, and yet, she was so worried for me. I was definitely going to get her a present before I left.

I pulled back and said "Thank you, Maria. Trust me when I say this, I'm fine. No need to be worried." It was true. This lady had a special place in my heart. She hugged me again, sheer joy apparent on her expression.

"I muy, muy glad you back, Reed" said Maria truthfully.

I smiled and said "I'm starving" knowing all too well that was going to make Maria very happy. Maria's eyes got all wide and she started to jump up and down all over again.

She laughed. "Claro que si! Come in, come in" she said, while gesturing for Sawyer and I to get inside. I glanced at Sawyer and smiled. I really couldn't wait to eat what Maria made for us. We got inside Sawyer's gigantic house, eager to relax and let loose. I breathed in the air, glad that I was back.

As all three of us adjusted, I said "I'm gonna go to my room and take a quick shower." The two nodded and headed towards the kitchen, while I went up the stairs to clean off and maybe, just maybe, talk to Ivy. I walked into my room oh so glad I was no longer at the dreaded hospital room. I sat down on my bed, taking a deep breath. What should I do? Should I call her? Why was I even bothering in the first place?

Whatever. I wasn't friends with her or something like that, so it didn't really matter. It was just going to be a quick chat. A quick hello, how are you, why did you call, and that's it. I took a deep breath, and called back on the number Ivy had called me on.

It rang about four times before she picked up. "Hello?" her voice sounded a little breathless. Oh no, was she doing very naughty things with…someone? A lump formed around my throat, but I pushed it aside.

"Hey Ivy, it's me, Reed. Um…I think you called, but I wasn't able to call back. I was doing something…" Crap. I was jabbering; I stopped myself before I said anything stupid. "Was I bothering you?" I asked. Like I cared. I was still mad at her, but not as much.

"Oh no, no you're fine" she said politely. Thankfully, I didn't hear anyone in the background. Or maybe the person (or Josh) was doing a good job at being silent. A couple of seconds of silence swept through us. I really had no idea as to why I called her.

"So…" I started off, trying to break the awkward silence.

"Reed?" asked Ivy quietly.

"Yes Ivy?" Please don't spend another three minutes getting your thoughts straight, I prayed.

She took a deep breath. Here goes…"I…look, Josh-I mean, I heard about the video that was sent to you. And I'm so sorry. I really am. It's just…where do I begin…when he came back from St. Barth's he was…acting weird; but still normal. I thought we were still together, and when he came back, he didn't even say a word about his trip. I went along with it. And then one day, he came to me all upset. Josh told me everything. He told me that you and he got together in St. Barth's. He begged to be forgiven. He said…he said he loved us both. God, he was really screwed, and the only thing I could do was be there for him. I was really upset. How could he, you know? But I…

"But Reed? Don't get mad at me, ok? I need you to understand. I…really, really care about Josh, despite all he did in desperation. And I know you aren't together…and he never really broke up with me. So we kind of continued our relationship? But this…was so wrong. I wanted-needed- to ask you permission if I could…be with him? Like really, really be with him with no drama? Would it be ok with you? I know I ruined your relationship with Josh, and I'm sorry. But you're like a friend to me, and I can't be with Josh without getting your consent."

The whole time, my heart wasn't moving and I was certain that I wasn't breathing. In a span of two minutes, Ivy told me that she loved Josh, Josh apparently was a confused, cheating asshole, and she wanted to ask if it was ok if she and Josh could still be together. I didn't know what to say. I didn't expect to hear whatever Ivy just said. And I certainly didn't expect a wave of crazy emotions to come forward my way.

But you know what? It was ok. I had Sawyer, and Ivy had Josh. Josh was no longer my problem, right? He was totally Ivy's. And I'm sure that when I would come back to school, I wouldn't tremble and be weak at the sight of Josh. Yes. It was official. No Josh.

"Ivy…it's ok. Really. It was extremely caring of you to call me, but he's all yours." My voice sounded flat. Why though?

"Really?" I could practically see her smiling through the phone. "Thank you so much Reed. This means a lot. I don't know what to say…" she trailed off.

"You don't have to say anything." I quickly realized it sounded pretty mean. "Seriously, it's ok and just…just be happy."

"Thanks" said Ivy breathlessly. "Hey, I gotta go. Um…I guess I'll see you at school?" I was pretty sure I heard the door open; she was probably running back to Josh right now.

"Yeah. See ya Ivy" I said. When was this conversation going to be over?

"Bye Reed" she said sweetly. Sweetly. Crap, Ivy was growing on me. I shut the phone after that, trying to sink it in. So it was over. Really over. I just told Ivy she was allowed to date Josh. And apparently, Josh loved us both but he obviously couldn't take care of those feelings. Not only that, when I was waiting for Josh to get this thoughts straight, he still hadn't broken up with Ivy yet. What a messy, messy love triangle… But like I mentioned before, none of that mattered. I had Sawyer. He was perfect, caring, sweet, and he understood a lot about me. Everything was alright.

So why did I feel like a whole was just punched through my chest?

so yeah...i decided to go bold this time. i'm not sure why though...

anywho guys, new chapter. what do you think? thanks for the reviews everyone...no one...lol. anyway, i'll be ending soon and i finally got my own copy of suspicion. it was good, despite the fact that i spoiled the surprise all by myself. but i still cant believe how close i was! like how sawyer's sister killed herself, and i think i've mentioned some of this stuff before? whatever. you get the idea.

i plan to do scandal next but i gotta get this done first. again, tell me what you think. not just the chapter, but the story as a whole? i have some ideas, but i need to fill in the gaps. they would be greatly appreciated.

reviews please! :)