Hey Guys,

I got some help writing this piece (ahem HappyKitty95 ahem), so REVIEW and let me know how it is. I put Constance and Josh in it, and they will continue to be in it more. I know Dash is blonde so in my story he got his hair dyed (hahaha) Anyway, hope my smaller paragraphs are better. Sorry about any grammar and punctuation stuff.

3, Jenny Lange

Chapter 4

Escape

I groaned and stared at the untouched Word document on my Mac Book trying to finish my French homework for tomorrow. Whoever came up with these assignments were definitely on crack.

"Noelle what is it?" Taylor Bell, the genius of Billings, asked sweetly biting her lower lip and glancing up from her Algebra textbook.

"It's this damn assignment that Monsieur Huddlestone gave us. Four pages worth of fucking questions." I replied to her exasperatedly.

"Which pages in the book?"

"Uhm 120 to 124."

I saw Taylor get up, grab her laptop, and come sit by me on the bed. She opened up something on her computer and showed me the screen. "Are these it love?" I glanced over and saw the exact questions I was working on.

"Yes those are."

"Kay check your email Noelle and calm the fuck down please!" I looked at her incredulously. There had to be a catch to this because Tay usually never just gave away free help. There was always a price to her brilliance.

"Are you serious Tay? You don't mind?"

I heard her sigh deeply and felt her hand on my arm. "Noelle this is what we're here for. I mean not all my A's come from me you know?"

"Well true I guess we do whatever we need to do to impress them Ivy's"

"Atta girl. Yale won't take you if you get a C in French this year."

I smiled and changed Taylor's name to mine and the date from last year to this year.

"Besides Noelle, Monsieur doesn't even check. As long as you do it, you get full points."

I looked over at her and saw a sparkle in her eye. Only Taylor would know the teaching style of every teacher on campus. I saved the document and told Taylor "thanks" a million times. I heard the door open and Ariana rush in face ruddy from the coolness of the air.

"Hey Ari" Taylor and I said in unison. All three of us laughed.

"Hey Taylor. Anyway Noelle what the hell happened at practice today?"

I stopped short and felt the pain in my stomach where Kiran slammed the lacrosse stick. "It's Kiran. She got pissed at me cause of what we did to Reed and will do anything to see us go down. And apparently beating the crap out of me on the field was just the start."

"Are u fucking kidding me? Why does she even care?" Ari retorted back annoyed.

"Evidently she and Reed were pretty close. Practically "sisters." And I guess she's upset that her little bestie friend is gone."

"Whoa. Wait a minute Noelle? I knew that you two had gotten rid of her for good, but Kiran had always hated her I thought and wanted her gone?" Taylor interjected.

I sighed. "That was just a façade that she put up for us. She truly loved Reed and wanted the best for her. And now she'll do anything to bring justice to us. Whatever that's supposed to mean."

I looked over at Ariana, whose eyes had turned flat black. I gave her a look that said: Later love, later. At that moment there was a knock on our door. "Come in" I said almost sing-song-ily. Constance Talbot, Reed's best friend in Premberly then here, came in.

"Noelle, I am so sorry to disturb you, but Reed hasn't called or texted me back and I'm really starting to worry about her. Do you have any idea where she is?"

I looked at Taylor then to Ariana and replied, "Constance I'm in the same boat as you I'm afraid. I've been trying to get a hold of her cause this is really unlike her to do."

"We have to find her. Josh and I are worried sick."

Of course Josh Hollis would be worried sick about Reed. They were together before Ariana had killed her. They were Easton's second hottest couple aside from Dash and I. I closed my eyes and stood up and walked over to Constance and gave her a big hug.

"Ari and I are going to dive up to her parent's house and see what's going on later tonight, if that makes you feel any better. I want her back as much as you both do."

"Thank you so much Noelle. I could never do this without you."

Aw! How cute. The girl was practically kissing the ass of a murderer. I was really going to feel bad when they find her body. Josh and Constance are going to be heartbroken beyond anything. Josh was probably going to hate me even more. Maybe even blame me for Reed "running away." He already hated me enough for ruling Easton and making Easton the best school on the East Coast. One more thing Billings related and I knew he'd go AWOL, just like Thomas had done numerous times.

"No problem Constance. So were you heading to dinner?"

"Yeah I was. U guys wanna join me?"

"Sure thing. Let me grab my coat." I walked into my closet and grabbed my Burberry coat and followed Ariana and Taylor out the door locking it behind us. We walked down the hall and down the steps where some of the other girls were waiting. We all laughed and talked on our way to the cafeteria. I looked around loving this time of the day. It was almost completely dark on campus, so the lights were turned on flooding the paths with an orange-yellow glimmer of light. The sunset had left the sky stained with a beautiful swirl of pinks and purples illuminating the dark clouds around it. I felt a hand over my mouth and a hand around my waist. I tried to turn to see who it could be. I smelled a waft of Chanel Home Sport and immediately knew who it was. Dash pulled me away from the group and around the corner of the old administration building of Hull Hall aka Hell Hall.

He cupped my chin and pressed into me against the cold wall. I looked up at him lovingly and let him have his fun. He kissed me like it was the last time he was ever going to see me. I enjoyed every single minute of it. His hand had worked its way up my shirt and was now caressing my stomach as he continued to devour me. I held onto his head and chest and kissed him back. I sighed as he stopped for a second.

"I love you Noelle. I just had to tell you that."

"I love you too Dash."

"Okay babe you know what I'll cut to the chase. I'm leaving Easton for two weeks."

All the air came rushing out of me as I stood there in shock still pressed to the wall.

"What! What do you mean leaving?" I said skeptically almost crying

"It's Yale. They want me to come up to preview the lacrosse team and the school in generally. I told them I couldn't, but they worked out something with Cromwell so I could. I really don't want to leave you here, but this is the only way we'll be guaranteed to be together at Yale in two years Noelle."

I gulped loudly. "Alright I think I can handle you being gone. Just text me and tell me what you're up to and how Yale is." I bit my lip and looked directly into his eyes.

"I know you can do it. Since when can a Lange not?"

I had to smile at him. Boy had a good point. "Thanks Dash. Just be safe. I want to have you for myself when you get back."

"I promise I will be, if you promise to keep the douches in Ketlar in line while I am gone."

I winked and put both hands on Dash's ribcage. "Oh I can do that. Easily."

Dash laughed and kissed me again sweetly and tenderly on my lips that were already slightly bruised.

"You're amazing Noelle. Now I'm starving so can we go get dinner?"

"Of course. Let's go!" I whispered seductively and nodded my head in the direction of the cafeteria.

I took his hand and we walked to the cafeteria which was buzzing inside. Dash and I got in line and picked u a big heaping plateful of Fettuccini Alfredo with garlic bread. It looked delicious, especially after that crazy hard ass practice today. I took my tray and headed over to our table where Ariana, Taylor, Trey and a bunch of others including Kiran and gage, who looked like they would rather eat each other than the pasta, were already sitting and enjoying themselves. We got to the table and everyone moved over and let Dash and I sit down.

"Noelle, Constance already told us that you are going to Mr. and Mrs. Brannan's tonight to see if they know anything. So, what time are you leaving?" Tiffany asked shoving in a bit of Caesar Salad in her mouth.

"I think at 7:30 if we can get off campus passes at such short notice."

"Noelle not being able to get off campus passes? Never." Kiran blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Your right Kiran. I can and I will. I want to know just as much as you do where the hell Reed is."

"Yeah sure you do bitch." I heard Kiran mutter under her breath.

"What was that Kiran? I couldn't quite hear you?"

"Nothing to worry your ass over Noelle." Kiran shot back. I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

"Back off Kiran okay? I know it's hard. Especially when the girl missing is your best friend." Ariana put in, obviously not afraid to pick a fight.

"No, you back off Ariana. This thing is between me and Noelle ONLY. Alright?"

"Actually hun if it has to deal with Noelle. Then it has to do with me. Simple. OK? So just settle down before this gets uglier."

Kiran shot me a look of death and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever you want Ms. Osgood."

Ariana smiled at me as I continued to eat my pasta and listen to the guys talk about the keg party they were throwing tonight in the basement of Ketlar. I rolled me eyes at them. Too bad we were going to miss that. I could really go for a nice light Coors or Heineken right about now.

The PA came on and gave the nightly announcements about play practice, sports schedules, and class changes for the next day. We all listened quietly like we were supposed to do. I finished my pasta, gulped down my Hansen Cherry-Vanilla soda, and put my tray in the slot to be taken into the kitchen and washed later by the people who had detention tonight. Totally sucks for them.

I kissed Dash goodnight as he and the other guys left to go sneak in the kegs for the party. I walked out with Ariana and sopped under a lamppost in the quad.

"Kay you get the passes and I'll be in Billings checking my email. Once you've got them we'll leave." Ariana said almost demanding.

I laughed and fixed my skirt which had gotten a bit lopsided at the table.

"Alright you got it Ari. See you in a few. I hope."

I walked toward the front office near Bradwell, the first dorm I had originally been assigned to before Billings found out I was legacy enough. I took in a deep breath and opened the door and felt a rush of warm air hit my face neutralizing the cold feeling on it. I looked around and saw that the secretary had taken off for the day and it was only Headmaster Cromwell here in the office. I walked over to his door and knocked gently.

"Come in Noelle." Crom cooed.

I opened the door. Last time I had come to ask for a favor of him, I ended up doing more of a "favor" for him. This included me making out with him. I hope I wasn't going to have to do that again. I mean I liked it. A lot. Like fucking a lot. But he wasn't Dash. And it would never work out between us. I just needed to get the passes and go.

I turned around after closing the door and almost gasped. Cromwell looked somehow hotter. He was over 30, but looked about 21. He had his sport coat off and lying on his mahogany desk and his red tie loosely tied around his neck. The crinkled white collared shirt was to die for. I suddenly didn't feel so bad about having Dash leave to tour Yale. I shook that thought away.

"So Noelle love, what can I do for you?" Crom said with lust in his tone.

I smiled and responded with: "Just two off campus passes."

"Ah for you and your little boyfriend Dash?"

"No Crom, for Ariana and I. We're going to see Reed's parents."

"Gotcha hun. U know I'm not gonna give them to you that easily."

"I figured I'd have to work for them." I said a little too sexually.

I felt him come up face to face with me and my breath hitch in my throat. I wanted to do this, but I knew it was so wrong. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I felt his hand around me pulling me towards the back room. I looked around and saw a table with chairs around it, a mini kitchen, and lastly my eyes fell on the bed which was completely made. I knew the only way I'd get those passes is if I gave Cromwell what he wanted. I felt my coat come off and my weight fall down on the bed. Crom's lips were on mine and I felt an electric shock all through my body as it went limp in his arms. I sighed and let Crom work my Easton polo off. I felt the cool rush of air and a tinkling sensation across my exposed chest. I took it all in like I had hours to live. I lost track of time, but was easily awakened back to reality when my phone went off. I struggled up.

"I have to take this Cromwell, I'm sorry."

I reached for my iPhone and answered, "Hey Rose what is it?"

"Noelle, is Kiran going with you to Reed's place?"

"No she should be staying with you guys planning for Ariana's surprise party next week."

"Oh cause she just left and said she already got a pass and was going to meet you there."

"What do you mean just left Rose?"

"Like literally two minutes ago."

"Alright I'll figure this out. Thanks."

"Okay Noelle perfect. By the way turquoise or a royal purple for Ariana?"

"Turquoise," I said right before hanging up.

I turned to Cromwell who was eyeing me suspiciously.

"I have to go but before I do I need to know where Kiran Hayes went."

"One more kiss Noelle and I'll make you a key to my office. Then you won't have to ask me."

I smiled and leaned into him. I gave him a pleasing kiss judging by his groan and enthusiasm.

"Kay Noelle check my off-campus list in the side drawer of my desk. You'll find what you are looking for."

I stood up and buttoned up my shirt and tossed my jacket over my arm.

"Thank you Cromwell for everything. How can I ever repay you?"

"By doing exactly what you did tonight whenever."

"You got it hun."

I saw his sensual smile and look in his eye as I left the back room. I fixed my hair which was probably completely ruffled and messed up. I cannot let anyone know what happened in there. I found the passes and signed Ariana and I out for the night and stuck them into my Kelly bag. I flipped over the page on the clipboard and looked for Kiran's name. Josh Hollis out to lunch with parents. Trey Prescott out for an interview for an internship at a law firm in town. Kiran Hayes. Finally. Out to visit a friend at 4046 South Stafford Avenue. I was about to pull out my school planner to write the address down when a feeling of dread came over me. I froze solid, chills crawling down my spine. I heard the door open and I looked up and saw Ariana.

"Okay Noelle what is it that I hear Kiran's off campus right now?"

I bit my lower lip and gulped. How could she? She wasn't getting away this. I didn't answer back and Ariana caught on to my shocked face.

"Noelle what is it? I know that look?" Ari practically demanded.

"Ari," I said closing my eyes and handing her the clipboard of logouts. "She's not just anywhere off campus. She's headed to my house Ariana. That's MY address"

"Holy. Shit. BITCH. What does she want with your parents?" Ariana spewed back angrily. I regained slight composure.

"Ari, think about it. My dad is head of the criminal justice and police system in this STATE! Why else would she go there?"

Ariana looked up at me and threw the clipboard across the desk. I picked it u and grabbed the passes and put tonight's date on them. While I was doing that my phone beeped. Ariana grabbed it from the chair in front of the desk and slowly passed it to me.

"Wait. What the hell is this Noelle?"

I looked down hard at the screen and saw a picture text from Kiran. There was a picture of Crom and me on his bed my shirt undone, obviously taken just a few minutes ago. I froze in trepidation all over again! The text read:

Noelle Noelle Noelle,

While ure having fun screwing around w/ r HEADMASTER, I'll B off ure house talking to daddy about how naughty uve been. The Reed thing. & The Crom thing. Tsk! Tsk! I thought you were above all of that. Oh and let the pix be a reminder of what I am capable of doing to u. I can't wait 2 c u try to escape this one. I really can't! ;)

Lots of 3, Kiran