Chapter 26: My Girls

A/N: This entire chapter is written in Reid's POV. By the way, I apologize for making you all wait so long. I had to go with my boyfriend for another one of his races. More will come tomorrow, though, I promise. Special thanks goes out to jEaNs 'N' tEe GiRl (I know it's really dramatic, and I don't like drama in my life either, but it's fun to write about), Bookworm since birth (You will find out who is at the door! Yay!), native-kitten (Yes, I know I'm a biotch for doing that, but it made you wonder, huh :) ), jalapeno1011 (The guy that raped her helped shape who she turned out to become, but he will not make another appearance), RMGovesME (I still haven't totally decided yet, but if I told you who I was leaning towards, you might not read it anymore :P ), and a.sam (It's not Jason.) Have fun. Read and Review please!

I could not stop myself. I had yearned for her all week, and she was finally back in my arms like she was meant to be. I did not mean to say it, but it had slipped out, and I was content about it; it was honest. I finally admitted what was burning a hole in my chest the last several weeks. She on the other hand did not seem too joyful about my confession. I do not know what I expected. Maybe for her to say it back, to tell me that she felt the same, but it did not happen that way. One second we're going at it, and the next she freezes up and climbs off of me, telling me to leave.

As if that weren't bad enough, she even opened the door to usher me out, and there was a guy on the other side. After a couple moments, she basically attacked him, jumping up into his open arms and planting those luscious, bruised lips that seconds ago were mine onto his, ravaging them. Now I feel sick. When she finally came up for air, she slid down his body, hugging him tightly. She was grinning wider than I had ever seen. "Collin! What are you doing here?" The cop?

"Since you couldn't come be with us, then we decided to come to you. We couldn't leave you alone on your 18th birthday!" Birthday?

"We?" Elizabeth asked confusedly.

Collin beamed and stepped backward facing down the hall, motioning 'come here' with a nod. At that moment, two perky blondes rushed through the door, tackling her onto the floor with a tight embrace before any words could be spoken. All that were voiced were squeals. Two other guys, one brunette, and one with white blonde hair like mine strolled through with Bailey, all smiling at the scene before them. Probably because one was wearing a skirt that had decided to ride up during the struggle presenting her small ass. Nice.

Bailey noticed me as her eyes drifted upward, and her smile faltered a little. We haven't really talked to each other all week. She was with Skylar, and I could not stop thinking about Elizabeth. I know it hurt her that I cared for Elizabeth as much as I do, but she just didn't understand. Why couldn't I have both?

Finally the two girls let her come up for air, pushing themselves onto their feet, brushing off their clothes of imaginary dust, situating themselves, then pulling my baby up with them. The two parted, allowing the dark haired guy to come before her. Both he and she appeared stoic and emotionless, just gazing at each other, until a few seconds later, their faces stretched into a grin as they embraced each other roughly, and he flung her around in a circular motion. He planted a long, virtuous peck to her lips and let her slide down. She strolled behind him slowly to the other guy standing by Bailey. She mussed up his hair playfully and gave him a hug, "Hey there, Sugar. I wouldn't have expected you to come after our last encounter." She teased to the boy.

He smiled at her and pecked her cheek, "Please, E. That was the most fun I've ever had." I'll bet.

"Okay." She started to the group, hands planted on those slender hips, "What the hell is going on?"

Bailey replied, "Well, remember when I told you that Collin called a couple weeks ago?" She nodded, "Well after your conversation, he called again, and we discussed them coming up for your birthday." Bailey explained and shrugged her shoulders, "I figured you might be feeling homesick."

There was a brightness in her eyes that I had never before seen as she assaulted Bailey with the most forceful squeeze thanking her incessantly. Throughout this encounter, I noticed everyone turn their gaze toward me in question as if finally realizing I was there. When they released each other, Elizabeth noticed this as well. Two of the guys glared, while the girls seemed interested. At least I know I still got it. The other guy didn't seem to care too much. I recognized one of the girls from Elizabeth's picture. I think her name was Grace, and she was the first to speak, "Who's this?" She asked, eyeing me up and down in a pleased manner.

"Guys, this is my best friend, Reid." Grace gave her a 'yeah right' look. "We grew up together. He lives right next to me." She explained to answer her question. Grace still didn't seem as if she bought it, but the guys appeared at ease somewhat. She finally introduced me to her friends as she motioned to each, "Reid, the loudmouth is Grace, and the other blonde is Annabel. Then there is Beau, Jason, and Collin. They were my friends from back home."

We exchanged awkward pleasantries as Bailey left the room in a hurry. I decided to follow, making up some excuse about homework. I caught her in the hall gabbing on her cell phone. I strolled up to her, but she put a finger in the air signaling for me to wait a minute while she continued chatting with who I figured out was Skylar. Great. She finally hung up the phone and placed it in her back pocket turning her attention to me. "What?" She asked shortly staring into my blue eyes with those brilliant green ones coldly.

It pained me to hear the disdain in her voice. I knew she was upset. She just found me alone with Elizabeth in their room. It did not take a rocket scientist to put two and two together. She knew why I was there and what would have happened. My mouth opened to speak, but I was interrupted by Elizabeth coming out of her room with the giggling and laughing stampede following. "Hey, B. We're going to head to my house. I think I am going to skip tomorrow. It is my birthday after all." She smiled to her, but it fell somewhat when she noticed the look on our faces. "My car is not big enough for all of them, do you mind taking some?"

Bailey paused for a moment to take a look at me. Obviously, she did not want to be in this situation. "Yeah." She nodded, slowly, putting on a smile I could tell was fake, "Not a problem. Just let me get my keys." She walked away briskly into the room. Collin turned to admire her ass as she passed by. Asshole.

"I'll go, too." I informed, not allowing for either of the girls to say 'no' as we walked out of the dormitory to the vehicles stationed in the parking lot.

I helped put the bags into the trunks then cut in front of Collin to seat myself in the passenger seat of Elizabeth's RX8. Grace and the guy I found out to be Jason, climbed into the backseat. Beau, Annabel, and a bothered Collin strode off to ride with Bailey. He better not touch her.

Jason's firm hands planted atop Elizabeth's shoulders squeezing slightly as I put on my seatbelt, "So, baby, how about that satisfying experience? I've missed those."

Grace giggled at the statement. Elizabeth smirked into the rearview mirror at the guy, turning the ignition then quickly shifting into first, "You asked for it."

I was not prepared for the sharp jerk back into my seat as she slammed her foot onto the accelerator, weaving out of the parking spot then drifting onto the road. Another tally. I grabbed onto whatever I could, and I heard the snickers from the backseat. "Don't tell me you haven't had the pleasure of riding with Elizabeth?" Grace questioned in disbelief.

She took a sharp turn through a thankfully empty intersection. "Can't say that I have," I uttered as I closed my eyes tightly as she drifted onto another road directly into the path of an oncoming car. "Shiiiiiiiiiit!"

She barely missed the other vehicle, and the two behind us hollered joyfully. They were fucking crazy as was the girl beside me. Her eyes were lit up, and she laughed in a way I have never heard. She was insane. Continuing down the luckily straight highway that led to our houses, a new color flooded the car, red and blue. She pulled over onto the shoulder, smile still intact. The two in the back were still giggling. Do they not realize how serious this is? Oh, God. I sound like Caleb.

She pressed a button on her door to roll down the window. The officer came up to us bending over slightly to peer into the car, flashing his light in the process. "Good evening, officer." Elizabeth drawled in her accent, laying it on pretty thick.

The officer seemed to soften somewhat once he gazed at the beauty. "Good evening, Miss…."

"Worthington." She finished.

His eyebrow lifted. Obviously he knew the name. "May I please see your license and proof of insurance?"

She batted her eyelashes to him, and he smiled at her, "You see officer, I do not happen to have any of those things on me. I just moved back. My daddy just bought me this new car to use to drive back and forth to school." What?

"You do realize that you were driving 105 miles per hour, correct?"

She grinned widely, "Is that it? I thought it was somewhat faster than that." She joked, chuckling somewhat. Who the hell jokes with a police officer?

He laughed. He laughed? "Well, Miss. Worthington, please lower your speed. You don't want to hurt anyone. Just consider this a warning." A warning!

"Of course, sir. Thank you." She nodded, smile never fading.

"And get those documents. The next time you get pulled over, they might not be so forgiving." He warned.

"Will do. Have a good night, Officer…" She leaned forward to glance at his nametag, "Sanders."

I could have sworn I saw her wink and him blush as he walked back to his patrol car. Sometimes I wish I had boobs. The world would be a lot easier. She silenced one of Spencer's finest with that smile and twang as if he were some giddy, virginal freshman. She got out of one hell of a speeding ticket, no proof of insurance, and not supplying a driver's license. Wait a minute…

"Elizabeth?"

She looked in her mirrors before pulling back onto the highway submitting her hand to Jason in a high five, "Hmm?"

"Why did you not just give him your ID and the insurance?" I inquired bewildered.

"Because I don't have a license." She shrugged, stating it matter-of-factly as she continued driving the speed limit.

"Oh…wait...what!?" I snapped my head back to her as the occupants in the vehicle snickered, "How do you not have a driver's license?"

"I got into some trouble, and they would not let me get it until my 18th birthday, so tomorrow I will be able to get one." She explained, acting as if it were not a big deal. I sat there trying to figure out how she was not in jail yet. "Can you hand me my phone, please? It's in my purse."

A woman's purse is not something a man chooses to delve into. It is uncharted territory full of their secrets and things guys wish to never know about. She could sense my hesitation and scoffed, thrusting her right hand into it, sifting around, and coming up with her cell. She phoned Samuel and asked for him to make sure that there were three rooms set up for some guests.

We pulled into her gate several minutes later, typing in the pass code, and then driving to the door. I stepped out, never having been so jovial about setting foot on ground again. I thought my driving was horrendous, but she scared the shit out of me. About ten minutes later, Bailey followed, turning off her engine as she parked.

Samuel met us at the door, opening it to greet us. She introduced the new members and he strolled upstairs, asking us to follow. He instructed the group to the three rooms that were set up for them. Jason and Grace took the room directly across from her room, Collin set up shop in the one next to her, though by the exchanged glances, I could predict that he would not be spending all of his time there. Annabel and Beau shrugged and placed their bags into a room a little further down the hall. After everything was situated, Elizabeth said that she felt like crashing, and they all should get some sleep. While she was speaking to us, Collin walked out of his room and into hers, closing the door behind him. Prick.

Once outside, Bailey seemed to notice that I would have to ride back to Spencer with her. She huffed as she threw herself into the driver's seat. I did not mind Bailey's driving, unlike Elizabeth's. She drove like a granny though, which was my only major complaint. I have no problem with having a sense of adventure. I just choose to get there in one piece.

We were close to half-way back to the dorms, and Bailey remained silent, her eyes focused on the road before her. I missed her. She was my best friend, and of course I messed it up…again. Why can't anything be simple?

"Bailey." I broke the quiet.

She did not answer. She rolled her eyes as she glanced at me, telling me to continue.

"I'm sorry." I continued to stare at her as I spoke.

I finally heard her sweet voice, but in a cold manner, "What for?"

I breathed heavily. I hate it when chicks ask that. "I'm sorry for what happened last weekend even though I enjoyed it and don't regret it, what I said that upset you even though it was honest, not talking to you all week, even though you were doing the majority of the ignoring, and that you saw me tonight in your room with her though it shouldn't bother you since you have a boyfriend!" I said it so fast, and I continued to rack my brain to see if I had missed anything. I didn't think I had, but girls had ways of coming up with more shit.

"You call that an apology? You know what? Let's just stay not talking to each other." She informed as she increased her speed somewhat.

"Bailey." I reached for her hand, but she snatched it away. I was really becoming aggravated, "Damn it, Bailey, will you please quit acting like a bitch? I'm trying to talk to you, and you are not making it easy. Now give me your hand." She did so hesitantly. "Thank you." I laced my fingers with hers, "Now listen. You are my best friend, and I do not want to lose you. I have no idea what is going on between us, but I do know that you are one of the few things in my life that is right." She smiled slightly, trying to hide it from me. I smirked at her. Damn, I'm good.

"I'm sorry I got jealous and for ignoring you." She surrendered dryly. She snickered and I laughed. "Since when have you become such a sap?"

"Watch it, B. I have a reputation to uphold. If you tell anyone, I'll deny it." She slapped me playfully in the back of the head with the hand that I was holding with my gloved one. Finally back to normal.

Well that is all for today. Tune in next time to see what happens! Please submit your thoughts!