I DON'T OWN PRIVATE, KATE BRIAN DOES. Teehee.
Previously in Scandal Like Never Before:
"Sure," I said, snuggling up to his side and he put a hand over my shoulder, warming it instantly. It wasn't awkward in any way. Sawyer and I just clicked. I needed somebody to vent to anyways. And that person just happened to be him. I was glad that it was.
The first week back at Easton went by at such a sluggish pace, that I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the weekend came. I had thought that being back at Easton would restore normality in my life. Boy, was I wrong. The first day had been the only highlight of my week, since I got to know Sawyer better and discovered a new friend in him as well as being praised for coming up with a plan to restore Billings. Other than that, the week has been hell. I was the most drama-ridden, talked about girl at Easton. I was so caught up in drama that I was practically drowning in it. Everywhere I went, I received stares, heard whispers and never ending snickers directed towards me. Why couldn't people just leave me alone? Apparently, everybody, somehow, had found out about the incident on St. Barths. No, make that two incidents on St. Barths. The fact that I was dating Upton, the most sought after guy on St. Barths, and probably all of England, didn't really help either. The only thing that kept me from going crazy was Sawyer, who was always at my side, and Noelle, who has me running circles for the masquerade. She was definitely doing it on purpose, to make me keep my mind off things. It was thoughtful, in a Noelle kind of way. Josh hadn't talked to me all week since I did everything I could to avoid him so we wouldn't have another awkward conversation. He seemed to be doing the same, and I was glad that he understood.
So as the weekend emerged, I was grateful as ever. Noelle had planned some day out thing of which everyone knew, except me. I was kept in the dark about it.
"Noelle, can you please tell me what we're doing? It's already the weekend, you can't keep this up any longer," I whined. Even my own voice was getting on my nerves. We were still staying at the Marriot until the headmaster could make the arrangements to stay at another dorm. Honestly, I liked the hotel idea a lot more. But of course, he was completely against it. Not only does he take away our rightful and respected home, he's going to make us suffer in a craptastic dorm like Pemberly. No offense to Sawyer, but his dad was a pain in the ass.
"I can, and I will. Now be patient," she snapped at me. She was packing up her luggage which had been brought conveniently to the hotel. Two more days, and we're back to those crap-hole singles they call rooms.
I crossed my arms over my chest and faked being mad so that she would finally tell me. It was really starting to bother me.
"Oh please, save the act. You'll find out in a couple of hours," she smirked and I laughed.
"Okay, but it better be good" I said, smiling.
"When are my surprises ever not good?" She had a point, so I just shut it on that subject. "But since we're already on topic, what's up with you and Sawyer? Been hanging out a lot lately," she winked at me and I inwardly groaned. This again? First Josh, now Noelle.
"That's way off topic and you know it. And absolutely nothing, we're just friends," I said trying to be convincing. I realized was trying to convince myself more than I was trying to sway Noelle.
"Yeah, uhuh. Please, tell that to your Bumblefuck scout girls. Don't think you can pass that off on me." I laughed, slightly offended by the hometown insult, but shook it off. Of course Noelle would know something was off. She is after all, Noelle Lange.
"It's just that..." I started, not knowing how to continue. But Noelle just nodded so I knew I had her full support on this. That reassured me so I continued to pour out what was bugging me this whole week.
"My emotions are absolutely confusing me. I have no idea what to do. When Josh talked to me the other day-"
"Wait, Josh talked to you? Why did I not know about this?" She interrupted. I looked at her confusedly because I though that I had told her but it dawned on me that I haven't been spending much time with my friends at all. I haven't even told my best friend the talk Josh and I had during the week which has been taking all the space in my thoughts.
"You mean I didn't tell you? Oh god, I'm a terrible friend. I'm sorry" I looked at her apologetically.
"It's fine, now spill," she ordered me and I couldn't help but laugh. She was so demanding.
"Okay, well on the first day we came back to Easton, Sawyer and I went to get coffee at Coffee Carma after a totally awkward chat with Josh and Ivy. Then just as Sawyer was bringing us coffee, Josh stepped into the cafe and called me over and said that he wanted to talk to me. He told me he was really sorry that he didn't call and that he still had feelings for me. I told him we needed an official break to think stuff over and so we decided on staying friends for now." I pretty much summarized everything that had happened during the talk. No need to tell her about the 'I love you' he had said to me. Though by the time I was done talking, Noelle looked officially pissed.
"I can't believe he would do that to you! The nerve of that bastard to come barging into your life like he belongs there," she was seething with anger and I kind of felt proud to see her care for me so much.
"Noelle, calm down. He was just apologizing." I couldn't believe I was defending him. Just a few days ago I was beyond mad.
"You're defending him? Reed what happened to letting go of the past?"
"I can't help it if I still have feelings for him Noelle!" And with that I started tearing up. At first the tears were barely there, and then they just started rolling down like rain.
Noelle suddenly looked apologetic, and leaned down next the wall I was situated at. She sat down with me on the hardwood floor and put her hand on my shoulder while I cried for no reason. I didn't know what had come over me. This mix of emotions was going to deteriorate me.
"Shh it's okay. You'll figure it out, you always do," she smiled at me and I was happy for these moments when she let her guard down and let me see her true colors.
"Thanks Noelle. I just don't know what to do. I think I'm over Upton, I don't think I ever had real feelings for him. I was just trying to conceal what I felt about Josh." And it was working until Josh had to go and ruin it all.
"And then there's Sawyer. He's pretty much a best friend for me and I can't help but feel something more. But I can't...I can't go through another relationship. I'm not over Josh," I said as realization of the truth of my words hit me like a hurricane. I have feelings for Josh, my ex. And I have feelings for Sawyer, my best friend. God my life was screwed up.
"Then you know the first thing you have to do to sort things out," she winked. I raised my eyebrows in question. She just handed me my I-Phone and I knew what she wanted me to do. She wanted me to break up with Upton.
I sighed, "You're right. I just can't stand to hurt him."
"If he cares about you, he'll understand. Or he'll bitch about it. Either way." She laughed and I glared at her.
"Fine fine, but go ahead." I nodded and pressed number 5 on my speed dial. Time to get this over with. I couldn't believe that my feelings had changed so drastically in one week. I just hoped he wouldn't take it too badly. Another heartache on my hands just won't do.
After three rings, a groggy voice picked up the phone and I realized I had waked him up.
"Hello? Reed?" He mumbled and I instantly felt guilty.
"Yeah, Upton, it's me. But if I woke you up, I could just call you back later" I bit my lip. I hoped he would choose the latter.
At that he seemed to shake off the sleep and said happily into the phone "No, no. I'm glad that you called. How's Easton for you? Enjoying the biting wind?" He laughed and I dreaded what I was about to do.
"Haha, yeah. It's been great. But actually, Upton, I wanted to talk to you about something else," my voice probably gave away my emotions and I heard him clear his throat.
"What's up Reed? Is something wrong?" He said in a grave voice and I already didn't like where this was going.
"W-Well, the thing is..." I stuttered and had no idea how to continue. How to tell him that I had gotten over him in merely a week, even a day.
While I was thinking of how to say it without sounding too harsh, I heard a female voice in the background, sounding as groggy as Upton. "Sweetie, who's on the phone?" I heard him compose himself and heard a door slam. He probably stepped out of the room, the bastard. As soon as I heard those five words, anger boiled up inside me even though I was planning to break up with him. The concept of being cheated on was just so humiliating that I snapped.
"Once a player, always a player, right?" I said as bitterly as I could as my voice turned to ice. I sounded like the old Ivy for a moment, and was proud of it.
"No Reed, listen. It's not like that. It's just that after you left St. Barths and I returned to England, I knew that this whole long-distance relationship wouldn't work. I tried to call you to break up, but couldn't find the words. I'm sorry, I fell for someone else." He didn't sound sincere in the least bit and I laughed coldly.
"You know what's funny though Upton? I was about to do the exact same thing. But at least I had the humility to call. You cheating ass. I can't believe you got over us that quickly. Proves just to what extent all those 'I love you's' were true. Empty words, weren't they?" I was sounding like a hypocrite, but I didn't care. I needed to get my point across. At least I had the decency to stay loyal.
"You know it wasn't like that Reed. I meant what I said. Unfortunately, it proved to be just a fling. And how could you blame me if you were going to do the same thing?" His voice was pleading and I was as angry as ever. Though what he said was true. Damn it. Damn him.
"Whatever Upton. Have fun womanizing. Oh and by the way, you're dead to me. Consider this our official breakup." I said with as much venom as I could. It felt nice to let it out.
"Wait Re-" I hung up before he could finish. His crap excuses didn't deserve my attention. Just then, as I hung up, I saw Noelle grinning at me and groaned. She had heard the whole thing. I had totally forgotten that she was standing right there, listening to every word I said, and every word he said.
"So you're a free woman. Congrats." She smirked. She was enjoying this.
"Yeah, yeah. I just can't believe he had the nerve to cheat on me." I was still stuck on that fact. But I guess that I was so blinded by his words that I didn't see his true nature. A lying, cheating, player.
"I warned you on St. Barths." She said sitting down next to me on the queen size bed I found myself on. But I realized I didn't need comfort or anything like that. I was perfectly fine, just pissed.
"Please. None of that 'I told you so'" I glared at her and she laughed.
"Fine. Anyways, now that you are officially single, I can reveal my surprise." She smirked and I could see that she was excited. This must be good.
"It was based on me being single?" I raised my eyebrows. I didn't like where this was going.
"Nope. Just felt like this is the best time."
"You got that right" I sighed. When is the real weekend starting?
And like she read my thoughts, Noelle yelled "SPA DAY!" and all the Billings Girls rushed into our suite from their various rooms and started squealing and talking all at once. I was overwhelmed at first by the flood of girls, but as Astrid and Constance walked-more like waddled- up to me, pulling my arms into the knot of Billings in the center of the room, I began to enjoy myself. Kiki brought her I-pod dock and put the music level up at the highest. We cracked open the mini-bar and ordered buffet room service. Somebody, as always, found some champagne and some glasses stored in the cabinets we never used. The bubbly was poured all around the room, and the party had started before the actual spa day that I was looking forward to.
I laughed, looking around the luxurious, fully furnished hotel suite, taking in the crowd of not-so sober girls I called my friends and smiled inwardly. This was going to be a good weekend to de-stress, I could feel it.
A/N You guys, 277 hits and 127 visitors all together and just a few reviews for the last chapter? I know you can do better. I love this story, and want to continue it, but don't want to feel like I'm writing it for nobody. Or just a few people. Thanks to all of you who reviewed and answered my questions, loves for you =]]
So I hope you like this chapter, things are slowly progressing. I'm sorry if the drama/action didn't come right away, but I'll get there. Don't worry ;)
Tell me what you think, I would love some feedback =P Don't be afraid to comment on my writing skills, I would love to improve. Oh and tell me if you like where this is going, like the whole Upton breakup thing. And Sawyer/Josh?
Thankss, 3
Maks
