Chapter 9

AN: I would LOVE if you would give me some constructive criticism, I got one that I LOVED "When are you going to let Reed and Josh be boyfriend and girlfriend. But let Josh tell Reed that he loves her. Don't let Reed go to Billings. Apart from that your story is very interesting." Just so you know Rose, I will take your ideas into consideration (even though 2 of the three are for sure going to happen) I hope I get lots of these!

Josh and I talked for two hours. Josh HATED Billings. I didn't know why. He just kept telling me that they weren't good people. I wasn't sure anymore if Billings was all it's cracked up to be.

I was nervous about telling Noelle no, but I knew I had to do it, for Josh. I knew it was what I wanted to do, but I couldn't. I didn't tell Noelle until she confronted me one day in the library while I was studying alone, for once.

"So Reed, I'm waiting. Time's up. When are you moving in?" It was like she expected nothing but a yes. Now I was really nervous about saying no. oh well. Now or never "I'm sorry Noelle, but I can't."

She sat there in front of me, mouth gaping. Luckily Josh walked in then. I smiled.

"This is because of HIM isn't it?" She turned to Josh "Thanks a lot. I just lost a new Billings girl." She huffed as she walked away.

Josh walked up and stood right next to me, and said "It's okay Reed. Noelle won't do anything." I still felt like crap about it. Now that I'd actually said no, I wondered if I made the right choice.

"Josh." I said "Did I do the right thing? I think I just ruined the rest of my life here."

"REED!" He yelled "Those stupid Billings Girls aren't the only people at Easton!"

Wow. I'd never seen this side of Josh before. He just sort of exploded.

"Josh. Calm Down. What's wrong with you? I may worry about my decision, but I made it for you. I trusted you." I didn't give him a chance to explain, I just left.

Josh POV

Reed left. If I thought I was screwed before (AN: see chapter 6 [7 on fan fiction] cafeteria scene) I was completely and utterly DEAD now. I hated myself for the things I'd said to Reed. I had to do SOMETHING to make it up to her. I sat in my room, alone, for hours on end. I had no idea what I would do but I couldn't just sit by and do NOTHING.

Thomas tried to talk to me, but I never left my trance-like state. I HAD to get Reed back, even though I hadn't exactly lost her yet.

"Josh! Dude, what's wrong with you?" I snapped out of my trance, long enough to notice that a crowd had gathered in our room. Dash, Trey, Gage, they had all joined Thomas in our room. Apparently news spreads faster than ever this year. I should be used to it by now though, this is Easton after all. Bad news travels especially fast. Thomas had probably said I'd snapped. Well in reality, I kind of had. Still it wasn't his job to go tell EVERYONE.

I was NOT in the mood for this shit. I got up to leave but Dash blocked my way. "SIT DOWN JOSH!" Gage wasn't happy. I had no choice. So I turned around and sat down. I still had no idea what was going on. I just sat there quietly, waiting for something to happen.

An intervention, I didn't need that. I just didn't want to lose Reed. It's not a crime. According to Thomas, I'd gone obsessive. I couldn't help it. I really cared about her. And now because of my stupid explosive emotions, I may have lost her forever. When I tried to explain, they just didn't get it. They'd never felt this way before.

I knew that though he wouldn't admit it, Thomas wanted to steal Reed away from me. Not because he cared about her, but because he wanted to 'possess' her. I couldn't let that happen, not to Reed.

I couldn't say anything though. It would prove his point, even if it is true. Then again, I might be wrong. Maybe Thomas really had given up on stealing Reed. Somehow, I didn't think the latter would happen.

"Josh, we worried about you. I have no idea what's going on." Thomas said for the umpteenth time that night.

"For the LAST time Thomas, there's nothing wrong! I'm worried about losing a REALLY important person." I said for the umpteenth time that night.

For once, Thomas said something different. "How much do you love Reed Josh?"

It took me by surprise. I didn't know what to say. "Ummm… Well Thomas, I feel amazing around her, but I don't know."