A/N Kate Brian is the owner of the Private Series =]

It has officially been one week since the incident with Sawyer. And as much as I told myself no relationships this semester, this was one I just couldn't resist. Josh was avoiding me in any way possible, obviously clear of the choice I made between him and Sawyer. Ivy is as bitchy as ever. I can't believe I actually became friends with her before the Sabine incident. Gosh, that seemed so long ago, like a distant memory or a dream that never became a reality. These days, I try not to let meager things get to me. Besides, I had a new rock to lean on. One which wouldn't give out under me in my moments of need. One who sticks by me no matter what.

The masquerade ball, the one which I ignored for my own drama and the idea I pitched in but so selfishly didn't help out with, was in three days. And I had nothing to wear. Typical Reed. Luckily Noelle, my savior for all aspects of life, planned a shopping trip during the weekend before the ball. She also told me that I was off the hook for being such a sucky Billings girl since she expected me to be caught up with Sawyer. Oops. I never realized I could be a part of those lovey-dovey couples. But apparently, according to Noelle, that's exactly what me and Sawyer are being. A girl can't help it when she has the most amazing boyfriend. Although Sawyer and I are officially a "thing", him and I never stopped being best friends. That's one of the many perks of our relationship.

Today was the day. Not the masquerade ball, if it was, I was screwed. It was shopping day, one of the few times I've ever gone out with the Billings Girls since the semester began. Honestly, I kind of missed the bitchy comments, the couture, and the excessive champagne involved in these girls-day-out type of things. Not that, back in hell-hole Croton, I did anything remotely similar to this.

We were still at the hotel, since the air-head of a headmaster couldn't find any dorms to put us in after destroying our rightful home. Such. An. Idiot. Noelle's and my suite was as always, by far the best out of the other hotel rooms the Billings girls had to share. Being friends with the most powerful girl at Easton definitely had its advantages.

Noelle got it into her head that I couldn't pay for my gown and mask so she was going to buy me everything I need, which I probably couldn't, but still, being treated like a charity case all the time-not so great. I did have Sawyer though, who didn't mind shopping since all he had to do was nod his head at my choices and swipe his card. But Noelle insisted an all-girls day, so that's what Noelle's going to get.

"You know Reed, you should thank me for doing this, instead of moping" Noelle smirked at my hunched position on the couch. I was trying to protest her paying for me and not letting Sawyer accompany me, but nobody, especially Reed Brennan, could argue with Noelle Lange. She threw a set of clothes at me, which conveniently landed on my face. I held them between my fingers, examining the details of the silver wool dress and the violet cardigan. This girl had taste.

"Get up. Make yourself presentable." She snapped, but I knew it was jokingly. Hopefully.

I groaned, dragging my feet across the living room, and to my bedroom which was oh-so-greatly situated next to the bathroom. Noelle just laughed at me, to which I responded with a glare which she rolled her eyes at. Putting on the outfit, I heard a buzz on my dressing table, and looked down to see that I had gotten a text from Sawyer. My heart fluttered stupidly as I read his sweet daily message. Who knew I was so attached.

Reed

Have fun on your shopping trip. But remember, in the afternoon, you're all mine.

Love you

Sawyer

I quickly texted him back an equally sweet message and skidded across to where Noelle was standing, ready and impatiently tapping her foot.

"There. Happy?" I crossed my arms over my chest, acting as if I was mad, when in reality, I couldn't wait. I had to get Noelle back somehow.

"You act as if I'm sticking you in a blender. Come on." Of course, nothing fazes her. I sighed in defeat, and followed her out the door. The other Billings Girls were already waiting in the limousines ready for us outside the hotel lobby. I rolled my eyes at Noelle's choice of transportation. Discreetness was obviously not a Billings Girl trait.

She saw me and smirked. "When in doubt, always go with the limousine."

"When is Noelle Lange ever in doubt?" I retorted, knowing the truth in my words.

"No arguing with that logic" She said getting in the limousine, legs first. The Noelle Lange style.

The other Billings Girls were already clinking glasses of Charlemagne and laughing, on the edge of soberness. Noelle scoffed at them, but took a glass herself. I laughed and did the same.

"What?" She asked, tipping her glass towards mine as I shook my head. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" she smirked and turned back to the conversation about what stores to visit. I tuned out the laughter, checking my phone for new messages from Sawyer. There were none, so I put my phone back into my coat pocket, returning to the conversation. The girls already had a plan set out for the day while I was busy obsessing over Sawyer, and I couldn't say I protested.

We pulled up to the first store on the girls "list", Barneys. As I got out of the limousine, locking elbows with Noelle, I saw that everyone else was quickly dispersing over the store, tripping at some points because of the champagne effect. Noelle covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, and I just smiled. The Billings Girls in their natural habitat. Then a realization hit me. We weren't just attending a party; we were going to a masquerade ball. So what's with the regular clothes?

"Noelle, aren't we supposed to be shopping for gowns and masks?"I asked hesitantly.

"Oh please, I have a personal designer coming in to our hotel suite for a fitting. Masks and gowns galore." I gaped at her; I thought this shopping trip was all about that. Well, who wouldn't mind a few extra outfits? I definitely didn't. So I shut my mouth and continue walking, my heels clicking soundly on the marble floor.

"So what exactly are we doing here then?" I knew the answer already, but still felt the need to ask.

"Call this...foreplay." She laughed at my shocked expression and turned away from me back to the racks.

Noelle walked through the store with her chin up, expressing her superiority, as she piled clothes onto my arms. My knees bent under the weight, and I was thankful when I saw a fitting room in sight.

"Go try those one" Noelle ordered.

"Yes ma'am" I raised my hand in a salute and she just rolled her eyes at me. I laughed, fast-walking to the fitting room before she could hand me more stuff to try on.

After several approving nods made by Noelle and the rest of the girls, I quickly dressed and waited while Noelle paid. I still felt guilty but there was no convincing Noelle anyways. She bought me a few blouses and sweaters, some skirts and two pairs of jeans. Shoes, she insisted will be provided by her stylist.

When we arrived at the hotel, the girls left momentarily to their own suites to drop off the shopping bags before returning to our suite. I saw that Noelle's stylist was already setting up the racks of gowns and mask displays she brought with her. Paying no attention to us, and the other girls piling into our suite, she finished organizing her materials with her back to us. Suddenly she spun around and stopped, facing us.

"Okay girls, who's first?" She asked in a clipped tone and clapped her hands. She had a fading British accent and wore her hair in a neat bun, not a hair out of place. I smiled at Noelle in amusement, and she just smirked, encouraging me to look on.

Missy raised her hand quickly, letting out some "ooh oohs" like a kid who badly needed to go potty. We all stifled our laughter as she stumbled up the steps to the podium set up in front of the room. The look of distaste the stylist gave her was priceless.

After several of the girls had chosen their gowns and matching masks to go with them, the stylist disappeared behind the doorway leading into Noelle's kitchen, and came back momentarily with another rack of gowns and masks trailing behind her. I gave Noelle a puzzled look but she just urged me to follow her to the podium.

"Exclusively for Miss. Lange and Miss. Brennan" The stylist answered my unspoken question. My mouth gaped open. Gowns and masks just for me and Noelle? No. Freaking. Way.

"But that's not fair..."Missy whined in her nasally voice and Noelle sent her a glare that shut her up. Once again, everyone was trying desperately not to break into a fit of laughter. It didn't work, and Missy slinked away into kitchen in embarrassment.

"Now that's settled, go on Glass Licker," Noelle gestured with her hands toward the rack while the stylist stood to the side, waiting for her cue. Noelle nodded her head to the stylist who immediately rushed over to me and began taking my measurements. There was not one inch of my body that her measuring tape had not grazed. She held my face in between her hands, turning my head from side to side like a Barbie doll. Weaving her fingers through my hair, she took down some notes in a yellow leather-bound notepad. Finally, after what seemed like a prolonged invasion of privacy, she rushed over to the rack, pulling out a gorgeous ruby red sweetheart neckline ball gown, with a fully beaded bodice and a pick-up bubble skirt detailed by multiple layers. (A/N Pictures of gowns on profile) I gasped, unable to realize that this work of art was for me.

"Noelle-I...this is amazing. Thank you so much!" I squealed, running up to Noelle and catching her in grateful hug.

She rolled her eyes and patted my back in a half-hug. "Close your mouth, might catch flies." She winked at me, always with the comments. I looked around the room, seeing that every Billings girls had their mouths gaping open and some were eying my gown with jealousy. I smiled inwardly; proud that Noelle had chosen me for the exclusive gowns.

Noelle went last and for her, the stylist took extra time to examine her measurements and do all her professional business. In the end, she pulled out of the rack and amazing strapless ball gown which featured a fully beaded and embroidered bodice that led to a full skirt with coordinating embroidery. It also had a lace up back which exposed her skin up until the dip leading to the bottom part of the body. I covered my mouth with my hands to prevent unnecessary drooling. Glass Licker was bad enough of a nickname. Didn't need Dribble Mouth too.

After the gowns were all chosen for the girls, the stylist pulled out a large variety of Venetian masks from behind the racks and exposed the shoes laid out neatly under them. When the squealing and laughing and constant toasts to an awesome night subsided, each girl chose a mask that corresponded with the dresses, as well as the shoes. Everything had labels so it was impossible to choose the wrong mask or the wrong pair of shoes. It was so indescribably perfect for words.

Then as soon as we were done, and the stylist was all packed up and ready to go, the girls disbanded to their own private suites and Noelle and I were left alone. The stylist had told us that the gowns would be ready in 2 days, just before the ball. To say I was excited was an understatement. This was going to be the party of the year, possibly the party that would always be remembered in Easton's history. And I was going to be a part of it. I dropped down onto the leather sofa, taking a magazine off the side table with me. Flinging my feet up into the air so that they could land gracefully onto the other side of the couch, I looked over to the magazine I picked up. I scoffed and my randomized choice. Forbes. The charity case reading how rich people got richer. Oh the irony. But I didn't consider myself as a charity case anymore. Noelle and the Billings Girls and now Sawyer made me feel like I truly belonged here. That I wasn't some outcast that somehow managed to be the center of attention in a drama-ridden way. My attention was turned away from my thoughts to the feel of my phone vibrating on the side table. I expected to see Sawyer's name across the screen but when I saw the real sender, I froze in suspense.

Ivy.

That bitch had the nerve to text me now? After ignoring me for something that wasn't my fault in any way, and sending me the cold shoulder as if I was some enemy, she decides to text me? Yet in my hateful thoughts, curiosity washed over me, but I was still hesitant to check it. I was so tempted to just delete the message but resisted the urge. What if it was important? But who cares, she's a cold hearted bitch. Still... After several minutes of internal debating and feeling stupid for talking to myself, I picked up the phone and looked at the message sprawled out across the screen.

Meet me behind Ketlar at 2 tomorrow. It's important.

Just when I thought I was free of everything restraining me from enjoying myself, I was wrong. I decided that I needed a breath of fresh air after a long day of shopping, so I grabbed my coat off the coat rack, throwing it over my shoulders and putting my phone in the side pocket.

"I'm going out." I called over my shoulder, my foot already holding the door, even though I knew I didn't need to. This wasn't home.

"Where to?" Noelle responded from her bedroom. Her voice sounded muffled, so I figured her door was closed. But since when did she express curiosity?

I didn't feel like explaining everything that went through my head just moments before and the text from Ivy so I just responded with an "out." She didn't question me further and I was grateful for that. At least she knew when to leave me be.

As I was heading out the brightly lit lobby due to the oversize chandelier hanging overhead, the doorman bowed his hat to me and opened the tall glass doors. I was met with the cool evening breeze and stuffed my hands into my coat pockets, remembering that I forgot my gloves. I started walking towards the only place I knew in this unfamiliar area. The place which was always both the cause of my despair, and my joy, my problems, and my resolutions. This time it was going to be my place to think and my place for solitude.

Easton here I come. Again.

A/N Okay so I'm terribly sorry for not having updated in absolutely forever, but I had a major case of writer's block. A think called school got in the way as well. BUT at least I have a new chapter up, and no matter how terribly uneventful it was, review? Thanks guys for the number of reviews for the previous chapter, it felt so awesome! So keep it up please =) Oh and I would love to get some ideas on what to write next, I'm sort of, kind of stumped.

Maks