Chapter 18

Previously:

REED,IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE SEEN YOU,DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE BACK SOON. I REALLY HAVE MISSED YOU.IT CAN BE JUST LIKE OLD TIMESSDL

Josh read the card over my shoulder. His face hardened. It was all happening again.

REED POV

I'd been out of the hospital for two days now. I was never left alone for a second. There was always a police officer, or a Billings girl present. Of course, Josh refused to leave my side, even when I told him I needed time on my own. Noelle had called in extra security for Easton, hoping that would keep Sabine and anyone else away from me. She had thrown a huge fit when she found out about the flowers, screaming down the phone at the police not doing their jobs properly and that she would be getting some of them sacked. It took a lot to calm her down.

I had no privacy and it was driving me crazy. My phone calls were checked, in case it was Sabine, the same with my texts. I wasn't allowed to use my laptop without someone else with me. It wasn't as if I wanted Sabine to try and kill me again, yet they were treating me like the criminal.

The Billings girls were their usual selves, loud and bubbly. London and Vienna had stopped by at my room for hours, chatting away like nothing had ever happened. They brought chocolate and champagne with them, wanting a fat Phoebe party. I politely refused the champagne, vowing to never drink again, it only caused damage.

I knew the girls were planning something, every time I walked into a room they all stopped talking and quickly hid what they were working on. I knew it was some sort of party, probably for my birthday next month. I was dreading having to act as if everything was alright again, when it clearly wasn't. My parents were dead, Sabine was out of prison and after me again and there was the St Barts stalker to deal with as well.

A knock on my door alerted me that Josh was back from the dining hall. I was surprised when he'd left, even for 20 minutes.

"Reed, you in there?" He pushed the door open slightly, poking his head in. I smiled and beckoned him in. He walked in, plate in hand. He always brought me food back from the dining hall, thinking it was too much drama at the moment. I agreed with him, not wanting to be the centre of attention.

"What we got today Josh?"

He handed me a chicken sandwich and some orange juice. "That alright for you?"

I ripped open the packet, "It's great, thanks."

He came and sat down next to me, kissing my cheek as he did so. His face turned nervous and he looked at me, "Will you go out with me Reed?"

I looked at him confused,"I thought... I thought we were already?"

His face broke out in a smile, "I meant on a date Reed. Do you want to go out to dinner with me tonight?"

I smiled, "I would love to"

A FEW HOURS LATER

"Constance, go make sure the dress is alright. Missy, Lorna- do her nails. Portia, the hair. Shelby, you start on her make up." Noelle was dictating the others on how to get me ready. I noticed she did this while lying on her bed texting. She didn't miss the dirty look that Missy threw at her and glared back. She caught my eye and raised her eyebrow as if to say, "She's next to go". I gave a smile and a nod. At the slight movement, Shelby tutted and held my face still, trying to apply the eye shadow without poking me in the eye.

As soon as Josh had left my room, Noelle had burst in, all business like, saying we needed to start on my makeup. The other girls had slowly drifted in, when they were needed. Noelle knew about this date, I was certain of it. How else did she have everyone organised to be in the right place at the right time?

The work continued for another hour, until they finally allowed me to look in the mirror. I was shocked to see I actually liked what they put me in; a red above the knee dress that flowed out at the bottom. I smiled at my reflection and all the girls giggled.

"Another job well done girls." The younger girls beamed at Noelle's praise, while the older girls merely smirked.

Rose called "Reed? Josh is here, you ready?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but Noelle beat me to it. "She'll be down in two minutes Rose."

I looked at her and she shrugged, "Finishing touches." I accepted it, knowing that I couldn't get past Noelle. She ordered the girls to get my clutch and heels, which perfectly matched the dress. I slipped the heels on and slowly stood up. Astrid sighed, looking at me in jealousy, "You look so beautiful Reed"

I blushed, but in my mind I was shocked. Astrid, one of the prettiest girls I had ever seen was jealous of me? I wasn't anything special. Noelle coughed and I turned towards her. The moment I did, I felt perfume being squirted on me. I coughed, some of it getting in my mouth.

She shooed all of the other girls out of the room and grabbed my wrist. "Reed, I got you a present and I don't want you to complain about it." I nodded, not finding the words to reply. She turned to her desk and pulled out a dark blue box. Inside it was a gold necklace with a heart pendant on it. She clasped it round my neck and pointed at the inscription. "Read it."

I turned over the heart and saw the words "Reed and Noelle-Sisters Forever"

I felt a tear come to my eye and pulled Noelle into a hug. After a minute she pulled back, and quickly covered her face. I couldn't tell if she had been crying, but I guessed so. She turned back and smiled, "It's almost official Reed, my parents want to adopt you and they just need you to sign the forms. We're going to be sisters."

This time, I could feel tears running down my face. She immediately frowned and looked upset, "You don't want to be my sister do you?"

I frantically shook my head, "Of course I do Noelle, these are happy tears."

She smiled again and laughed, "Well come on then sappy, can't keep prince charming waiting too long."

She pushed me out in front of her and shut the door. We walked down the stairs together and into the parlour. All the girls were in there surrounding Josh. He stood up as soon as he saw me and headed over. In his hands were a dozen red roses, which he passed to me. I thanked him and kissed him on the cheek. "You look absolutely stunning Reed"

I blushed and replied, "You don't look to bad yourself"

The girls all laughed and Josh chuckled. London bustled over and took the roses out of my arms, I looked at her questioningly. "I'm going to put them in a vase", she explained, as if it was totally obvious.

"I guess I'll see you all later then"

I heard the chorus of "Bye Reed" as Josh took my arm and led me out the door. I looked down at my necklace and smiled. Everything was going well, but knowing me, it wouldn't last long.


I am officially the worst author ever.

I do have the excuse that I've been in hospital for the last month after surgery, but I am still really sorry.

I got a review today from HappyKitty95, which really made me want to write again, so all thanks go to her!

Hope you enjoyed it

Loren Sebastian X