A/N: Not sure if the disclaimer is necessary. If you don't know which characters I don't own, please slap yourself repeatedly. Xx Ella
P.S. And another huge thank you to my reviewers, YES it's PLURAL. So thank you to princessoffndrknes06, SinisterShadows, Arinna Black, not-so-average-07, and TragicCure!
Thank you all mucho!!

Chapter 3

"Sorry," I said looking at my hands, "I thought you were someone else."

He looked at me with caution. His expression was unreadable. I hated that about Bordy. I could never guess at what he was thinking. He was too mysterious, if that ever existed. He was too mysterious for his own good.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" He tilted his head to the right when he asked me. It was a habit of his, tilting his head to the right. When he was studying, when he was kissing, even when he was staring off into space, he would tilt his head to the right. It was cute at first, but now it annoyed the hell out of me.

"Cee's sleeping, if we're going to talk it has to be out here." I was very aware of my lack of clothing. I was wearing a very short pair of juicy couture shorts and a wife beater with the word fabulous sprinkled on with sequins. I was also very aware of how lame that shirt is, but what can I say, I've got a think for sparkles.

"Okay, well umm…" he ran a hand through his short brown hair. "I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry for everything that has happened and I was wondering if we could still be friends?"

He just wanted to be friends. There it was. Out in the open. Bordy didn't want me back. No, he had Ashley now. Instead, he just wanted to be my friend. AKA he wants to get into my pants without anyone knowing. A friend with benefits. How very Reid Garwin of him!

Was Ashley not putting out? Or was Bordy really missing my presence? I don't think I'll ever know the answer to that question and I really don't think I want to. Instead, I shrugged and pulled him into a hug. A friendly hug. God, I missed this so much.

"Of course Bordy. But if you'll excuse me," I pulled away from him, "I'm freezing out here and I'm very tired." I smiled the fakest smile I could muster. I didn't want to be his friend. I wanted to be his girlfriend, again! What God have I pissed off?

"Sure, I'll let you go. I'll see you around then." He smiled and my heart nearly melted. I missed him desperately.

"Of course." I answered him and made my way back into my dorm room without glancing back.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to die. But I mostly wanted Bordy to love me again.

I crawled back into bed and pulled the covers over me. A few moments later, a loud knock at my door sounded. I threw my covers over my feet and nearly ran to the door. This better be something good or I'll kill someone. Bordy better be on the other side of that door with a bouquet of white roses and a boom box playing Savage Garden or I WILL kill someone.

I opened the door a little too quickly, because it slammed against the wall and bounced back, slamming in my face. I sighed and opened the door again, slowly. "Bordy, look it's really late and I just want to sleep-" My eyes adjusted and I saw that it was Reid who was standing there, looking like he just got out of bed. With Justine.

"Bordy?" he started walking into the dorm room but I pushed him back. Cee was sleeping. I walked outside and lightly shut the door behind me.

"Sorry, he was just here a few minutes ago and I thought you were him." I was tired, and I could feel the sleep in my eyes. "Do you have my smokes?" I handed out my hand and was surprised when Reid, forcefully slammed a fresh pack of Camel Lights into the palm of my right hand. "What the fuck is that for?" Words of advice: Don't mess with me when I'm tired.

"Why was Bordy here?" His voice was rising. Was Reid angry?

"He came by to say he was sorry." I really didn't have the energy to argue. All I wanted was a smoke and a night full of sleep.

"So what, that's it then?"

What was he talking about. "What's what then?" I was confused. I had never seen Reid get so angry after delivering my smokes.

His eyes were a darker shade of blue. His brows were set very low and his jaw was tight. He looked at me, in the creepiest way you could imagine, before turning around and stomping away. Yes, stomping. He was acting like a five year old. I watched as he opened his dorm room door and looked over at me again. "Get your cigarette's from someone else from now on." He said harshly before slamming his door shut.

I stood there shocked for a few seconds before grabbing a hoodie and throwing it on as I made my way outside to smoke.

One cigarette turned into two. Two turned into three before I made my way back inside. I still had no idea what that whole incident with Reid was about. But more importantly, who was I going to get to buy me cigarette's from now on?

xx

"So what are you guys doing for Valentine's day?" Naveed asked us during our lab in science class. We were supposed to be adding sodium to some other element but I never liked chemistry enough to pay attention. Thankfully, Naveed was as smart as she looked and did all the work for us.

"We're grabbing a large pizza and watching movies in our dorm room. Want to join us?" Cee answered while pushing up her plastic goggles.

Cee and I agreed, because we were single, Valentine's day was a day of binge eating and sappy Meg Ryan movies. We also changed Valentine's day to ValenDOOM's day and decided only to wear the color black for the entire day.

"Sure, it sounds like it will be fun."

My attention wasn't focused on the chemistry lab or the conversation going on before me. It was turned to the stupid blonde that had been ignoring me for the past week and a half. He was sitting at his lab table, with the ugly Justine sitting in his lap. I had the biggest urge to throw the sodium Naveed was holding into Justine's face. I laughed as I pictured her melting like the Wicked Witch did at the end of the Wizard of Oz after being doused with water.

"What's so funny?" Naveed asked. Clearly my attention span was limited because I didn't answer her. Instead I focused on the way she scrunched her nose while Reid kissed her cheek.

"What a fucking dumbass." Reid and Justine turned around and faced me. I guess I hadn't realized I had said that out loud.

I met their perturbed gazes and smiled.

"Miss Brennan!" Mrs. Howard's treacherous voice greeted my ears. "That language is unacceptable. Apologize to Miss Baker and I'll see you after school for detention."

Justine snickered. I hated her with a passion.

"No."

Oh my God, I can't believe I just said that. What the hell was I thinking?

"No?" Mrs. Howard questioned. "What do you mean 'no'?" She crossed her arms and stared at me.

"I'm not sorry." I looked over at Justine and noted the shocked expression on her face. "You are a fucking dumbass." Reid looked livid. Justine looked clueless. I don't think anyone has ever said anything like that to her before.

"Eliza Brennan! The Provost's office! RIGHT NOW!" Mrs. Howard's face had turned a deep shade of red.

I looked over at Reid and smirked at him, avoiding everyone's else shocked stares. I picked up my Louis Vuitton purse, threw the plastic goggles at the blackboard, and made my way to Provost Higgins's office.

xx

I looked over the rack of newest addition to Addison's clothing line. No one, not even the richest of New York City's elite, had been able to browse this collection. My mother, as evil as she could be, had gone to school with Addison. They weren't friends like Cee and I were but they knew each other well enough for Addison to let my mother have first dibs on her chic new collection.

I pulled out the yellow mini-dress I had my eye on. Size two. Perfect. I checked the tag. 1140. Beautiful and expensive. My kind of mini-dress.

I kept pulling items out from their hangers. I was determined to shop until I felt better. Being suspended from campus for three days could have its perks, right?

"Eliza, darling, look at this." My mother pulled out a white tank top, with lacy chiffon detail and a gold pleated tie around the middle. It looked fantastic.

"I'll take it." I didn't hesitate to answer. Shopping always made me feel better. Until now. I couldn't stop thinking about Justine and Reid. The way she scrunched her nose, as if in disgust, when Reid kissed her. Why would he waste his time with trash like her?

Addison emerged from behind the counter. She was a striking blonde. Tall, beautiful, big breasts, huge grey eyes. She was divorced with two young daughters, but I had a feeling she had no trouble pulling dates. She looked like she stepped off the cover of a Vogue magazine.

"How is everything coming along?" She sounded like Samantha from Sex and the City. Thankfully she didn't dress like her.

"Wonderfully, right Eliza?" My mother nudged me in the back with her index finger.

"Yes" I answered fakely. Addison had great fashion taste. However, her new fashion line wasn't as good as her previous ones. But I could never mention that.

"You're eyes are striking, do you know that my dear?" Addison brought her hand to my chin and lifted my head.

"Thank you." I smiled. I was uncomfortable.

"Have you ever thought of botox?" She raised an eyebrow.

Botox? I'm only seventeen! "No, I haven't." I tried to hide the annoyance in my voice. Figures, she'd find some flaw with me. I looked over at my mom who was conveniently browsing through the rack of clothing.

"Well, when you do, just let me know. I know a fabulous doctor that owes me a favor." She winked. I didn't want to know what kind of favor he owed her.

"Stop it, those are mine!" I couldn't stop crying even if I wanted to. Those were my Disney crayons and stupid Kate stole them from me. "Don't break them." I pleaded with her. Even at the age of eight, Kate was an asshole.

"They're mine now and I'll do whatever I want with them." And to emphasize her point, she took the Princess Jasmine Olive Green crayon and broke it in half. I cried louder.

"No!" I screamed but Miss Hart didn't seem to hear me. She was too busy tending to Aaron, who was crying over a bruised knee.

"What will you give me if I stop?" Kate taunted, and brought out the Ariel Red crayon and snapped it in half.

"Kate!" Came a whiney voice from behind me. "Give it back to her." It was Pogue Parry, or Pogo as the kids liked to call him. He was wearing a Spiderman t-shirt and matching Velcro shoes. The poor boy, even in the second grade, still couldn't tie his shoes, so his parents made him wear Velcro instead.

"Shut up Pogo." She screamed and pulled out the Sleeping Beauty Magenta crayon. My eyes grew wide. Sleeping Beauty was my favorite Disney character. And magenta was my favorite color.

"DON'T!" I screamed as she held the crayon above her head dramatically with both hands.

Before she could snap the crayon in two, a blonde boy wearing overalls and a black stocking cap snatched the crayon out of her hand.

Kate turned around in surprised and ran off towards Miss Hart. "Miss Hart! Reid stole my crayons!" I heard her crying.

Reid walked over, the package of broken Crayolas in one hand and the Sleeping Beauty crayon in the other. "Here." He threw the crayons at me and stormed off towards Miss Hart who was now calling after him.

I waited outside of Addison's boutique while my mom paid for our stuff and Addison boxed it up. I pulled out a cigarette, and walked towards the back alley. Spending an entire day with my mother was bearable. Spending three days, back to back, shopping with my mother was not so bearable. Shopping was amazing. But for the past three days I couldn't stop thinking about Reid. Reid was making shopping miserable for me. Why the hell was I thinking about him?

I pulled out my cell phone and checked my text messages. I had three unread messages, all from Bordy. I opened the first one and it was a stupid chain message. The second, was the same text message as the first one. Bordy wasn't very bright. The third and last message asked when I was coming back to school. I replied and told him that I'd be back tomorrow and put my phone back into my purse. I couldn't focus on Bordy anymore. He just wanted to be friends. And I couldn't focus on Reid anymore. He didn't even want to be friends. So instead, I focused on my cigarette until I heard my mother's voice calling out for me.

In a panic, I quickly dropped my cigarette, popped an altoid into my mouth, and sprayed on perfume, all while running out from behind the alley to meet her. I was getting too good at this.

"I have assigned you partners for this project. You will work together to raise your egg baby for the entire week." Mr. Stearns, the freshman science teacher began. School had started three weeks ago and he was already throwing a week-long assignment at us. They didn't call Spencer's a prep school for nothing.

Our project was to haul along an emptied eggshell all weeklong. To classes, swim meets, cheerleading practice, and so forth. It was supposed to teach us the responsibilities of being a parent. Yes, we were supposed to learn all of that by carrying around an empty egg shell.

"Naveed, you will be working with Pogue." I heard Mr. Stearns call out. I knew Naveed had a thing for Pogue. She'd always blush like crazy when he was around. I looked down at his feet and laughed. Velcro shoes! Hah.

"Cecile, you will be working with Caleb." It was weird hearing Cee being called by her full-name. For a minute I was wondering who Cecile was. It was a blonde moment. Even if I'm a red-head.

"Kate you will be paired with Tyler." Kate was the biggest bitch Spencer's had the privilege of knowing. Poor Tyler. The shy kids always get screwed.

"Kira you will be working with Bordy." Kira sat in front of me. I hated her with a passion. And I hated her even more when it was announced that she was getting to work with Bordy. The Bordy Becklin. My future husband.

"Eliza you will be working with Reid." Fuck! Out of all people, why did he have to pair me with Reid? I'll get stuck with all the work!

xx

"It's Penelope not Reid Jr." I rolled my eyes.

"NO! It's a boy, look!" Reid flipped the egg over and pointed to a fresh pair of tiny balls, newly inked onto the egg.

"Reid!" It was kind of funny. "We're going to get in trouble!"

Reid wiped the marker off with his thumb, smearing the ink all over. "Look, it just shit itself." He laughed. God, he was so immature.

"Go get the white out." Leave it to me to fix it. That's what I was. Reid's 'fix it' person. He forgot to take notes in Algebra. Guess who he came to? He forgot to have his mother sign his swim meet permission form. Guess who he came to? And leave it to Reid to throw the bottle of white out (that I had very nicely asked him to get), at the back of my head. "Why do you have to be so mean?" Truth is, Reid wasn't mean. Quite the opposite really. Sure, throwing things at the back of my head isn't nice. But it's Reid. It's what he does.

"How is this mean?" He picked up the white out and threw at the back of my head, again.

I sighed and picked the bottle up which was laying at my feet. I shook it a few times before unscrewing the lid and painting the bottom of the egg with the white substance. "God help the woman you end up marrying." He smirked. I blew on the bottom of the egg to help aid the white out in drying. I touched it a few times to make sure it was fully dry before putting on the paper diaper I made out of a paper napkin and a bobby pin.

"Look at little Penny, she'll all better now." Reid picked up the egg and cradled it like he would a real baby.

"I thought it was a boy." I sat back and watched him intently.

"I'm not mean all the time, you know." His eyes focused on the hollowed out eggshell in his arms.

I smiled at the pain in my ass sitting across from me. "I know."

The gossip was all over school. Even the freshman boys, who were always the last to know where talking about it. Whispers filled the halls, the tables in the cafeteria, even the seats in Chemistry class. Kira Snyder had broken up Aaron Abbot for Bordy Becklin, Talk about a giant rift in their friendship.

It was hard not to want to cry. I'm sure I looked like I wanted to cry, walking the halls to first period so early in the morning. Truth is, if I was alone, I probably would have. But I was with Naveed and Cee, and they of all people wouldn't let me cry over Bordy. Not again.

I walked into first period and sat down in my regular seat. There was no seating chart but it was just a habit of mine to pick out the middle desk in the middle of the classroom at the beginning of every semester, and call it mine. I was carrying my Gucci bag when I heard my phone vibrate. I quickly pulled it out and automatically recognized the number. I hit the 'end' button, letting the call go straight to voice mail, while taking my seat. If Reid wanted to be an asshole then fine, he could be one, but I was in no mood to hear him brag about it.

Twenty minutes into class and all I could do was focus on Kira. She was busy texting someone, probably Bordy, all during the lecture. The way she smiled when she would check her phone annoyed the hell out of me. I wanted to hit her. Like really, physically hurt her. But I couldn't do that. I had just been suspended for three days. Brown was not going to like that one bit.

I felt something hard hit the back of my head and I turned around. Reid was staring at me and smirking as usual. He used his index finger to point me in the direction of the foreign object that happened to have casually hit my head. It was an English book. Edgar Allen Poe's Greatest. Figures, Reid would toss that one to me.

"What the hell?" I mouthed to Reid.

"Open it." He mouthed back.

I did as I was told and found that the book was hollowed out. Inside, was a pack of Camel Lights and a post-it note saying, I thought you might need these.

I looked back at Reid, who was still watching me. The way Reid stared at people was generally creepy and not at all normal. But that was Reid. He was observant. "I thought you might need these" was Reid's way of apologizing. He could never say the three simplest words ever invented. I. Am. Sorry. He wasn't capable of something so simple. He was way too complicated.

I slipped the fresh pack of cigarette's into my purse. I took out my phone to send a text message to Reid thank him, when I noticed that he had sent me a message. Reid never sends text messages, he just usually calls because he thinks texting is a waste of time. I don't think so. I text message like crazy. But that's beside the point.

I opened up the text message to read, "Meet you outside after class."

xx

"Thanks for the cigs." Reid and I were standing against the walls of Spencer's, ditching second period to chain smoke.

I watched as a few girls, not unrecognizable like the freshman, but certainly not seniors ran towards the dorm rooms, obviously cutting class. Truth is, the security around here is shit. We've got a few rent-a-cops that wander about aimlessly and if they catch you sneaking into the dorms during class they don't care. As long as you're not firing a gun they could care less. It wasn't very reassuring, to say the least.

"So, why don't you like Justine?" Reid threw his free hand into his pocket, the other was holding onto his cigarette. It was freezing outside. Just a few days before ValenDOOM's day, the rain had let up but the fog had rolled in.

"I just don't." I know it was short but it did answer his question. I had no reason to not like Justine. I just couldn't help it. She had lice for Christ's sake. I shivered as a breeze fluttered through. "It's cold." Yeah, I was stating the obvious... but I also wanted to change the subject.

"Here." Reid began taking off his jacket.

I put my hand up to stop him. "Don't, you'll freeze too. Just sit down next to me, for body warmth." He obliged.

Instead of scooting closer and huddling against him, I pulled the flap of his jacket over me and wrapped my arms around him. I could feel him tense up. I could also smell that damned perfume he wore. Cologne. It was cologne not perfume. But it did smell like flowers and lavendar. "Is this bothering you?" I tossed the butt of my cigarette away and looked up at him.

Reid never answered my question. Instead he just stared at me weirdly. It was as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. He kept looking at my eyes, then at my lips, and then back up to my eyes. My stomach flipped and for the first time since I can ever remember, Reid was giving me butterflies.

His face inched closer to me. I tilted my head to the side and closed my eyes. I could feel his breathe above me. It was only seconds away. I pursed my lips in anticipation.

But it never came. Instead, an instant wave of cold air had hit me and I had realized that Reid had stood up. Before I could say anything at all, he stalked away. I touched my fingers to my lips. Reid had almost kissed me.

And I think I wanted him to.

xx

They say Valentine's day started way before the 19th century. It's a day to express your feelings for your significant other. But why should the act of love be limited to one day? Is it to remind the loveless how pathetic their lives really are? Naveed, Cee, and I have planned an entire evening in, watching the Saw movies and eating our little hearts out. Valentine's Day is overrated. ValenDOOM's Day is the shit.

My life is pathetic. It's February 14th, just eleven days after Reid attempted to kiss me, and that's all I could think about. Sadly, he hasn't talked to me since. I knew he was avoiding me, I mean, he wasn't exactly subtle about it. He'd slouch down in his chair in US History, so I wasn't able to lean forward and patronize him. He'd get up and leave when he saw me enter the cafeteria. And he avoided any type of eye contact whatsoever. I missed him.

"Oh my gawsh, have you guys even seen these?" Naveed was holding up the first Saw movie, excitement in her eyes. She was wearing the school uniform, even though it was after hours and she technically didn't have to wear it. I don't really think Naveed owns any type of clothing, other than the Spencer uniform. Pleated grey skirts, knee high socks, a white button down blouse, a tie, and a school jacket. The school's dress code resembled what you would find in the Senior section of Gottschalk's. Naveed dressed like an eighty year old woman heading to Perko's before church.

It was time to change that.

I looked over at Cee, who I knew was thinking the same thing I was, because I saw her eyeing Naveed's Birkenstocks. She made eye contact and we smiled.

Twenty minutes later, with a blue Zac Posen dress, Cee's Marc Jacobs light orange handbag, curled hair and a dash of mascara, Naveed was twirling around our dorm room looking magnificent. Despite the fact that she couldn't wear contacts (she'd freak out if anything got that close to her eyes), Naveed looked charming in the tiny blue dress with her black framed glasses. She resembled an Indian Tina Fey. Sort of.

Giving Naveed that mini-makeover, Cee and I were on a high. We decided that the three of us should get dressed up and paint the town red. Or at least... all the way to Nicky's. And we did just that.

"Promise me you won't be mad at me." Reid looked guilty. He was up to something.

"What'd you do?" I raised one eyebrow. The Secret Life of Alex Mack was on and I did NOT want to miss another episode because of my stupid blonde friend.

"You have to promise me you won't be mad." He was now standing in front of me, blocking my view of the television set.

"No, I don't know what you did." I pushed him out of my way.

"Then I can't tell you." He huffed and sat dangerously close to me.

"No, now you have to tell me." I crossed my arms against my chest. Why does he have to do during the middle of the show?! I hate when he does this. 'Oh I have a secret but I can't tell you.' It's so second grade of him.

"But you have to promise first." He was so stubborn.

"Fine, I promise." I didn't really mean it, I just wanted to know what he was hiding from me.

"I sold your bike for ten dollars." "WHAT!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. My pink bike with matching tassels on the handle and pink and white straw basket on the front handlebars! It was my pride and joy. I couldn't help but sob uncontrollably.

xx

"Okay, keep walking," Reid was guiding me towards the alley of Nicky's. It was the first time I had ever been to a bar, let alone Nicky's. Freshman weren't really allowed to hang out at the cool spots like Nicky's, but since I was a friend of a Son of Ipswich, I was invited. "Slower… watch your step there… okay, here we go." We stopped. It was the first week of my freshman year at Spencer's. I had a cool new roommate named Cee, who liked to shop just as much as I did, my best friend, Reid Garwin had made the swim team, and my tan from Hawaii still hadn't faded. "Open your eyes now."

Reid's hand dropped from my eyes and I waited a few moments before opening them. I squinted, letting my eyes adjust to the light. My mouth dropped open in awe. I stepped closer in disbelief. Was this really it? Could it really be?

"My bike." I laughed out. It had been at least five or six good years since Reid had sold it for money to buy Pop Rocks. I looked over it, and noted how it looked identical to the one I used to have. It had the pink tassels and the pink and white basket. It even had the scratch on the side, from where the tires got stuck in the gutter of the street when I accidentally flipped it the very first day I got it. "Reid, how'd you find it?"

"That's a secret I'll never tell." He smiled and wrapped his arms around me while resting his chin on my shoulder. "You're my best friend. I'd do anything for you."