Listen to Death From Above
Time stopped, I think. Everything was rushed into slow motion. I couldn't seem to remember anything. All I remembered was standing shock still, my brain somehow managing not to function. The lights of the truck came closer, closer, almost there . . .
Someone pulled me from the side, and I gave a startled cry. I could feel the truck move past me, the gust of wind large enough to knock me over. In that split second, my body collided with someone and the hardness of the concrete road. The person was underneath me, their arms covering me protectively.
There was honking going on, and I could feel the cars whip past me. The blindfold I managed to remove before was back in place, covering my eyes. All I knew that I was safe. A broken sob escaped me, and the person who saved me wrapped their arms tighter around me.
"Shh, Reed, it's alright," the person coaxed over and over again. My tears kept falling down, and I felt embarrassed.
But not for long.
"J-Josh," I cried out. "Josh," I said with more conviction and more sadness.
"I'm here, baby."
More waterfalls appeared from my eyes, and now, I was sitting upright, Josh hugging me from behind and slowly removing the blindfold. The drama between us was momentarily forgotten. All I could think was wondering who the hell tried to kill me yet again, and feeling Josh comfort me.
The little safe haven we created was gone after I heard some shouts coming. Josh had dragged us to the sidewalk so we wouldn't get run over by the cars. The click clacks of the stilettos could be heard, and Noelle's voice was the loudest among all. I sat there, not wanting to get up and beyond scared.
"Reed! Oh God, what just happened?" Noelle came closer, her nostrils flaring, her lips in a thin line, but her eyes told me she was just as scared. Almost all of the Billings girls were there, including Sawyer and the Ketlar boys.
"Someone tried to kill her," Josh calmly said. "I got in time."
My head was tucked on Josh's shoulder, and he held onto me tight. I was shaking and cold, but I couldn't seem to move. This was perfect, just sitting here with Josh.
"What the fuck? Again?" Tiff called out. Murmurs began to follow; I knew I was going to be major gossip for the next few days.
"How?" Constance asked.
"I don't know, I was just hanging out here, and then I saw Reed in the middle of the street blindfolded and her wrists closed," explained Josh. The crowd went silent, and I cowered even more.
"All right then, let's get her out of here. Move over, Hollis," Noelle said. Sounds of protest came out of Josh's mouth, and if possible, he wrapped his arms around me even more. In the end, however, his fight was futile. I felt his arms loosen, and suddenly, Noelle's cool hand grabbed my arm and lifted me up.
As I looked around the curious onlookers, sick dread filled my stomach and I wanted to leave. I tried to grab anything to hold me still. My hands formed iron cages on Noelle's arm, but she didn't seem to mind. Worried faces surround me, each person trying to comfort me.
What I really wanted was Josh. But I had messed everything up between us, so it was not possible. I just needed a reassuring shoulder.
Noelle called for the limo driver to come around and take me home. The party was supposed to be over, but it seemed like all the people wanted to hang around some more for the booze and drugs. Everything was getting out of control.
Just like my life.
Eventually, the car came over, and I was quickly rushed inside. The jacket Trey had given me slipped off, and as I went to retrieve it, Josh's broken face appeared from the group onlookers. Noelle's strong arm pulled me away from Josh, and I reluctantly went inside. I was still trying to grasp the idea of almost getting killed again, not to mention I was all over confused towards my feelings for Josh.
The car was warm for me. Only Noelle and Sawyer filed inside the car after me. Upon seeing Sawyer, a weird form of guilt consumed me. I don't know why, but I felt the overwhelming urge just to forget everything. Forget that there was a rift between Josh and I, forget that I had some type of attraction for Sawyer, forget that someone was – yet again – wanting to kill me.
I inhaled and exhaled slowly, rolling my head to the side and resting it on the cool window.
"Reed, are you OK?" Noelle asked.
I closed my eyes shut, but answered with a dim, "Yes."
"Bullshit," Sawyer's voice rang out. My head snapped up and I looked straight at him. He seemed really pissed off. His brows were in a thick, hard line as was his lips.
Noelle snorted and said, "For once, I might agree with you."
"We need to do something. For starters, I don't think we should have the parties anymore," Sawyer said thoughtfully.
"Are you kidding me? All of these parties are to rebuild Billings!"
"Yeah? Do even pause to think about how many drugs there were tonight, and the amount of alcohol? These parties have nothing to do with Billings. It's all about you girls being on top," Sawyer explained. He had a point.
"Look what it's doing," he added softly. "Reed almost died! Maybe the person was really out to get her, or maybe someone was strung out on coke; either way, these parties are over."
Noelle huffed, but didn't say anything. In a rare occurrence, she had nothing to say. Finally, Noelle asked, "Reed, what exactly happened?"
I sighed. I had a feeling I would have to repeat this over and over again.
"Just . . . People dragged me; a boy and a girl. They tied me up, a-and threw me out on the street." I could tell Noelle wanted to implore me even more, but then I said, "Look, I'm really tired and all I want to do is sleep. We can talk tomorrow."
"OK," Noelle said quietly.
"As far as I can tell, these parties are over. I am held responsible for these students, yet these kids are coming home drunk and high," Mr. Hathaway said sternly.
"Spencer, we had no alcohol at the party. Other kids brought it over, and–"
"And nothing. We, the board, already told you girls that we wouldn't condone this type of behavior. At first, your intentions did seem pure, but I am afraid the circumstances call for this fundraiser to be halted." Mr. Hathaway's handsome face was still and stoic, his thick, black glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose.
"Besides, Reed almost died."
Noelle and I were at the headmaster's office, trying to make sure our fundraiser was still alive. I didn't say anything; Noelle was doing all the talking. As I looked around the office, I saw the Billings folder which once intrigued me. It was tucked away in a little corner, its papers ready to fall out. My dislike for Headmaster Hathaway deepened. He was a sinister sort of fellow.
"But–"
"Sorry ladies, but that is my final answer. No more parties, no more Billings fundraiser." Spencer glared at us for a moment before saying, "I don't think either one of you want to jeopardize your time at Easton."
Did he just go there? I warily glanced at Noelle, and she seemed completely shocked and scared. After all, Noelle barely got another chance to come back here and redo her education. She was already at least a year behind, and she simply couldn't risk this. I was momentarily afraid, hoping Noelle wasn't going to give up all of a sudden.
"Of course," Noelle responded back.
I had yet to say something, but Noelle's lack of response was very telling. It told me she was fearful of losing another year, and it told me she was most likely going to back out of the fundraiser.
That simply. Could. Not. Happen.
"You may leave now," Spencer said. He sighed and leaned back against the chair, rubbing his temple as he did so.
Noelle and I got up and left. When the door shut behind us, Noelle practically ran off.
"Noelle, wait!"
She halted in her tracks. By the time I came around, Noelle was fuming. She was tapping her foot impatiently, and I had I feeling if I said anything, she would bite my head off.
"What?" she snapped.
I was slightly taken aback, but I quickly recovered. "So, what are we going to do?"
Noelle was silent for a very long time. Come on, say something, please . . .
"I don't know. I-I guess we can do the weekend party, but . . . Reed, Hathaway is right; I don't want to risk school again." Noelle looked defeated and like a little school girl.
I had to do something. I had to occupy myself with this fundraiser, or I would die (figuratively). I had to do this so I could forget my attempted murder, my impending nightmares, and the emotional heartaches. So I did the only thing I could do: drop a major bomb shell.
"Noelle, look, in Hathaway's office, there is a folder with Billings written on it. It's jam packed with papers, and I saw once before; it was in his briefcase. I asked him about it, and he was so shady about it." I could sense Noelle rapidly paying attention, so I continued.
"Something is wrong, Noelle."
My hoped were raised to the highest bar, and I silently prayed that Noelle would see something in this. Perhaps she would see reason to continue the Billings mission.
"Hmph. Well, you got me there, Glass-Licker. So tell me, how exactly did you find out?"
I fought the urge to jump up and down from happiness.
"So I was going to the library . . ."
Thank you guys for reviewing. Goodness, I'm such a whiny bitch.
Sorry about the length, and please forgive me for any mistakes. I honestly did this in one day, so it's obviously not the best work. I just realized Fanfiction doesn't allow this *** anymore to indicate that time has passed, so, sorry. I know it can be confusing because a lot of my chapters included those.
