False Alarm
Today is the first day of school after winter break. Today is the day I'm going to get a whole lot of stares and whispers behind my back. I simply cannot wait for the day to end.
I woke up at around five in the morning after a very uneasy sleep. My dream consisted of Josh and how he didn't want me anymore, and Mrs. Ryan shoving my head in the bathtub. That was the part where I woke up, panting for some air and sweating.
It was all quiet in Pemberly, and I tiptoed my way over to the bathrooms. I took a ridiculously long shower, feeling the warm water droplets soothe my aching muscles. Not only that, I had a killer headache, a result from my stupid drinking last night. I eventually got out and proceeded to get ready.
Now that I thought about it, I wondered if I was going to see Josh today. I probably would because you can't really ignore a person for that long, right? Or maybe you can… A lump began to form in my throat recalling the month and a half Josh ignored me. I looked over to my clock and it read 5:45. Maybe I should go for a walk, soak up the sun…
I slipped on jeans and a sweat shirt and proceeded outside. It was chilly; I wish I brought my jacket out. It was all quiet, and I knew I would get busted for being out here so early. I went towards the soccer field and sat down on a bench.
My thoughts instantly went to depressing ones. What did I just do yesterday? Was my family going to forgive me? I couldn't help but feel disgusted with myself. Sure, I always disliked my mom for popping pills, but I should've known better than just blow up.
And then Josh. Josh, Josh, Josh. What was I going to do? The little kiss with Sawyer was obviously the wrong thing to do. But I had every reason to! Josh is with Ivy, and I am…single. Well, not really. There is Upton, always looming over my shoulder. Upton, the extremely sexy, hot player who stopped being a player for me. Ugh, this was getting out of hand.
I made little mud circles with my feet; it was all muddy due to the melted snow. I dug my foot deeper and deeper inside the ground. Stupid, stupid drama. I hated drama. Why couldn't they reserve it for Jon & Kate Plus 8? Or the cast of The Hills?
"Reed."
Fuck. Why was he here now? Reluctantly, I looked up. His soft, blonde hair was all messy and it looked like he didn't have any sleep. He too, slipped on a lazy sweatshirt and some jeans. Josh looked concerned and upset, but you could barely detect it behind his cool demeanor.
"Hey," I whispered. My heart was beating like crazy. I didn't know what to do. Was it ok to talk now, or what?
"Can I…?" he asked while his hand gestured towards the empty spot next to me.
"Oh sure," I mumbled while I scooted over to give him maximum comfort. He seemed to notice the huge amount of space that was between us. I had no intention on touching him in any way. If I did, I would probably jump onto his lap and kiss him like crazy.
We were quite for several minutes. We watched the sun rise slowly, but the pestering questions lingered in our heads. Finally, I spoke up.
"How…how was winter break?" What did I just say? I couldn't believe I just asked him how his winter break went. God, I'm so stupid.
Josh swallowed. "It…was fine. We ended up staying the States," he added. By we, he meant Ivy and him. This sucked.
I nodded and another few minutes of silence came through. I barely looked at him, and he did the same. I focused my eyes on my feet. You can do this Reed, I thought. It's not that hard to make small talk.
"How was your winter break?" Instantly, Josh looked horrified by what he asked. I happened to crack a small smile. "I mean, anything else…how was it besides the…bad stuff?" Did he honestly not know by now? Or was he trying to get it out from me?
I folded my hands in between my legs. "Uh…I met a guy. A great guy, actually." I zoned out, recalling how perfect I was in Upton's arms. "He was…yeah," I looked up at Josh and let out a small laugh. I blushed, remembering how close I was to sleeping with Upton.
Josh seemed to notice my reaction, and I saw him tense up a bit. He swallowed and pursed his lips. He then softened up. "I…I'm happy for you, Reed. I really am."
Those were not the words I expected to hear. A part of me wanted him to tell me that no guy was good enough for me, and that Josh was the one. I finally peered into his eyes, and they really looked sincere. I wanted to cry. It really was over. He was letting me move on, and he wasn't going to stop me.
A part of me wished for anything but this. Really. I was willing to trade in anything; my heart, my soul…everything.
***
"You seem happy," I noted. Noelle was eating her food in such a bubbly, happy manner it was getting kind of weird. After the little talk with Josh, I left right after that, not wanting to cry and say something stupid. I was then greeted with a very pissed of Noelle. She was already mad that she had to sleep in Ivy's room, and she was even more angry that I had disappeared.
"I…you know what? You'll find out soon enough," stated Noelle. She resumed eating her healthy breakfast, smirking at me while doing so. I gave a weird look to Constance. She shrugged her shoulders.
I looked up from my table and saw Josh sitting with Ivy. A pang of sorrow hit me. Josh seemed more…open and free with his movements around Ivy. I saw him grab her hand a couple of times, and their heads were bent close together. I felt like…I felt numb.
In addition, I had received a considerable amount of points and stares from people. It was last year all over again, and I hated it. Noelle had already barked at a few people, but it obviously didn't register to the others.
"Reed! Reed! Are you even listening?" It was Constance.
"Wha…oh, sorry. What were you saying?"
"I was asking you if you wanted to move back in Bradwell. There's like no room in Pemberly, and honestly, that place sucks. They have a room opening. We can room together, just like we did last year!" squealed Constance.
I thought about it for a second. Maybe it would be good to move to Bradwell. After all, my room in Pemberly was used as a way to isolate me, and Sabine stalked me using my room. But…
"Um…I kind of don't want to." Constance gave a protested look. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but…I like having my own privacy. And, I'm totally fine with it. It's not a big deal," I added. Constance's face fell.
"Ok," she said. She resumed picking at her cereal.
"Constance, it's not that I don't want you as my roommate, I'm just comfortable there. Please don't take it personally. Pretty please?" I begged. I felt horrible now.
Constance smiled. "Reed, I understand. It's fine- I get it. Now don't worry about hurting my feelings. Hell, even I would want a room by myself in this overcrowded…shit hole."
The whole table gasped. "Constance! Did you just say 'shit hole'?" asked Astrid. She was trying to hold back her laughter.
Constance blushed. "Did you not just hear her? What are you, deaf?" remarked Missy. All of our eyes met up with Missy's. Sometimes, I wished I could strangle her. She looked all innocent. "What? I was just saying…"
"Yeah right," commented Tiffany. The whole table nodded in agreement, and we resumed eating our food. Now that I thought about it, I wondered where everyone else was staying at. Pemberly was too crowded, and a few people were bound to move out.
"Hey, are any of you guys planning to move out?" I asked.
"I'm going back to my freshmen dorm," said Amberly all gloomily. Well, didn't that suck for her.
"Rose and I are probably going to stay in Pemberly," said Portia. Rose nodded in agreement. I looked over at Astrid, and Tiffany.
"I think I'll room with Constance," said Astrid. Instantly, Constance's face lit up. She let out a squeal of delight and high fived Astrid.
Tiffany smiled, and looked down at her plate for a second. "I guess I'll stay in Pemberly. My roommate's are pretty cool," she added.
Noelle scoffed. "Yeah right." Tiffany only rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Sophomore or freshmen dorms for me," piped up London. "Pemberly sucks ass! It's so gross. Don't you agree, Vienna?" questioned London.
"I agree with that bitch," said Vienna. We all laughed. Now that left Missy and Lorna, but I didn't really care about them. Well, Missy at least.
"Hey, I think we should go to chapel. We're gonna be late," said Constance. We all agreed, and proceeded to get up. As we dumped our trays, I went over to Noelle.
"Something is definitely up. I want to know!" I whined. Noelle laughed her devious laugh.
"Don't worry my friend! Everything is alright," assured Noelle. We were already outside, and the cold air blasted in my face. As I looked around, people gave me weird looks. I instantly cringed and cowered behind Noelle. "Jesus, what is up with people?" said Noelle. She gave a scathing look to a nearby group of freshmen, and they scattered away.
I smiled up at her. "Thanks." Noelle only patted my back, and led me forward. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sawyer with Gage and Graham laughing at something. I stiffened and started to heat from embarrassment. Oh God, did I say anything stupid last night? I certainly hope not.
The student piled inside the chapel halls, and we all sat down in our respected places. I sat down next to Constance and Astrid, and instantly the room quieted down. An old man in his sixties came up to the podium; I remembered him from the meeting earlier this year. He was one of the board members who wanted to close Billings down. Or maybe…
"Hello and welcome students! I am sure that many of you are curious of the recent events that have taken place. I cannot speak of them, but let me assure you, everything will work for the better."
"Bullshit," muttered Astrid. Constance and I nodded in agreement.
"On a happier note, let me introduce to you the new Headmaster of Easton Academy. Say hello to Mr. Hathaway!" Everyone's eyes went over to Mr. Hathaway's. He lifted up a hand and waved at the students. A few giggled.
"Please students, give him your utmost respect and undivided attention," said the wrinkly old man. "I will now give this to Headmaster Hathaway, if he wishes to say anything…" trailed off the old man. Mr. Hathaway slowly got up; the old man started to clap, joined in by the students.
"He's a looker, that one," remarked Astrid. Constance and I gaped at Astrid. "What, I'm just saying…honestly, he's not that bad!"
"Shh!" we heard someone say. It was Portia; she then slapped Astrid's head from behind. We giggled.
"Good morning, students. I am honored to be taking this new position as headmaster at Easton. I am here to listen to your needs and concerns. So please, if you have anything, don't hesitate. Now if I…" Headmaster Hathaway looked up and narrowed his eyes. "May I help you, Miss Lange?"
I could practically feel the whole room suck in some air. I turned around and saw Noelle standing up to her full height, standing tall and proud.
"Yes, there is something you can help me with," said Noelle.
I rested my chin on my arm as I watched Noelle from behind. From the corner of my eye, I saw Sawyer staring at Noelle, then at me. He caught my eye and smiled. I smiled back, forgetting the incident from yesterday.
"And that would be, Miss Lange?" asked Headmaster Hathaway.
"Well, you stated that you would listen to our needs and concerns. And on behalf of all the former Billings residences', I'd like to say that's a load of crap." Everyone gasped. Noelle caught my eye. She smirked and continued.
"Hear this, Headmaster Hathaway. We want Billings back. I don't care what it takes, but I-we will get it back," she said as she looked at all of the Billings girls.
"I'm afraid that is not possible, Miss Lange," retorted Headmaster Hathaway. Everyone was quiet, waiting for the showdown to continue.
Noelle smirked. "Are you sure about that? Are you sure that it's not possible to have fifty-seven former Billings alumni standing out in the front gates right now, ready to build it back again?"
I looked up at Noelle. This girl was a piece of work.
here you go folks. i know the last chapter sucked, so i wanted to thank privateseries for being the only one reviewing :)
what do you think? i know this is similar to a lot of people's ideas, but come on, do you seriously think they won't try to build billings back up in the next novel? so, no copyright infringement intended, or whatever. in addition, there will be a lot more josh and reed interaction. IT'S NOT OVER YET! DO NOT WORRY ALL YOU ROSH FANS! THE DRAMA IS NOT DONE! *enough screaming already.
reviews please! pretty please? they are always appreciated.
