Chapter 2
Ending Is Beginning
If it weren't for the blinding white light peeking in from the curtains in the main hall, I would have slept through chapel, breakfast, and first period U.S. History with Mr. Barber. But like I'd actually mind that. I yawned and got up from bed and went to shower. I could already hear morning practices and students bustling around outside. I sighed. This is how it is supposed to be. "Noelle, where the freaking hell are you?" Ariana yelled to me from our room. I rinsed out the Paul Mitchell conditioner from my hair and dried off quickly. "Coming Ari, just give me fifteen." "Uhm I'll give you about ten until Cromwell settles the fuck down." She replied obviously annoyed. Damn that is totally like him to be freaking out where everyone is. I dressed in the maroon and gold uniform skirt and ruffled white blouse with the EA (Easton Academy) embroidered insignia. I hurriedly swiped Lancôme Definicils on my lashes and applied some lip gloss, because there was make-up already left thee from last night. I grabbed my Dooney & Burke bag and my paper from the printer about the Revolutionary War. I walked downstairs and out into the brisk air immediately surrounded with my friends; Ariana, Kiran, Taylor, Natasha Crenshaw, Cheyenne Martin, and Rose last name. Among them was the ever so immature Amberly Carmichael, the daughter of the Carmichaels', my parents long time friends. Even though our parental units went way back, apparently to her we did too. Girl was dead wrong. We briskly walked to the cafeteria for breakfast before the meeting with the Billings Alumni Board and Headmaster Cromwell. As we crossed the quad Dash and I eyes met, it seemed as the world stood still in place. His dark shaggy hair was hanging sexily over his piercing, crystal blue eyes. His clean Ralph Lauren polo with the EA insignia matched and complemented the adorable khaki Dockers style slacks he was wearing. He looked absolutely delicious. No wonder all the girls would hook up with him behind my back. Dash walked to my side putting his strong man hands around my waist and leaned in giving me a kiss that any girl who die for. I was just used to his amazing-ness, but it still was special every single time. I heard a couple of snickers from two freshman girls and glared at them with eyes that could have killed something. Reed. I had to come up with a way to explain to the girls why she suddenly disappeared from Easton. I thought about Ariana taking her in to town and leaving her there in the ghetto. If we don't know where she is, neither will anyone else. I smiled and just hoped that no one would catch on quickly. I looked up as we stepped into the cafeteria suddenly feeling warmth rush to my face. I saw the girls lining up to get their egg muffin sandwiches, yogurt and granola cups, and Kiran's favorite, fruit bowl. Enough said there. I grabbed some cereal and sat down at table 18. Obviously reserved since day one when I got here for the Billings Girls. Ariana came and sat next to me flashing me a knowing smile as she opened her milk carton. I smiled back. As Kiran approached our table she looked around and faced me and asked, "Where is Reed?" Fuck. "What do you mean where is she? You guys are supposed to wake her up and make sure she gets her ass down here." "Well I went to get her this morning and she wasn't there and her bed was already made like she left or something." "Oh well maybe she did, you never know with her these days Kiran with her mother's drug problems." I sounded faker than a faux mink fur coat, but only to me did I sound that way. I gave Kiran an eye raise at the part about drugs because she personally should know about that topic. "But Noelle I tried calling and texting her and she never responded which is totally unlike her." I could sense that there was something off with Kiran. Ariana stepped in and shot back: "Kiran relax and give the girl a break. It's not like you haven't disappeared without telling us before." "Osgood stay the fuck out of this alright. This is between me and Noelle okay?" I sighed for the millionth time this morning. "Kiran Ari's right you shouldn't be worried about her unless I am. Now I'd like to eat and have a peaceful morning without you all up in my ass about Reed, if you don't mind." My composure was supercilious and as I glanced up cursorily at her face, it read on it, despite the layers of makeup from M.A.C., that she was on to something. I knew, that she knew, that there was something I wasn't telling her. There was venom in her eyes that I had never seen before in my life here at Easton with her. Maybe there was something about those two's relationship that hadn't occurred to me before. I knew Reed needed help with her wardrobe malfunctions and all, but maybe Kiran and reed did more than exchange fashion tips. I'm Noelle fucking Lange. I know everything and what I don't I find out. Reed may be gone, but I guess although it sounds cliché; that ending is truly just the beginning.