AN: I am SO sorry, but I've been distracted lately. 2 new Kate Brian books have come out, and I'm just finishing up exams. Now that it's summer break, hopefully that means I'll update more often.

Enjoy.

Chapter 26

Reed POV

In My Head

In my head, I see you all over me.
In my head, you fulfill my fantasy.
You'll be screaming out.
In my head, it's going down.
In my head, it's going down.
In my head. Yeah. In my head. Oh yeah.

Some dudes know all the right things to say.
When it comes down to it, it's all just game.
Instead of talking let me demonstrate. Yeah.
Get down to business and skip foreplay.

I couldn't believe we did that. The one thing I knew we shouldn't do. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it. I certainly did. In fact, that was probably the best night of my life. Josh admitted to me, that it was hisfirst time too. I was definitely happy. I couldn't get Josh off my mind, and Constance could tell something was up. She doesn't know yet, but it's only a matter of time. And once Constance knows, it'll slowly make its way thorough the entire campus. And of course, I'd have to put up with Noelle. Again.

My phone vibrated, breaking me out of my Josh-related stupor. I picked it up and saw a text from Noelle. Lucky me.

I know your dirty little Secret. Want it to stay that way? Come to Billings tonight to party. Come alone. Emphasis on the alone part. Tell no one.

-Noelle.

What the hell is she going on about? I guess I better go though. Better safe than sorry, especially with Noelle. Then again, what could Noelle possibly know about me?

I replied:

I'll come if you tell me what this 'Secret' is.

-Reed

Noelle replied almost as soon as I sent the message.

"That is for me to know and you to find out, maybe."

Great, I really didn't ever have a choice, did I? I guess I had to go. I really didn't want to have to be one of Noelle's little puppets, but that is just a part of life at Easton. I might as well get used to it.

I looked through my pathetic attempt at a wardrobe, if you could even call it that. I didn't exactly have many options for Noelle-style party-wear. I finally selected my favourite jeans, and a plain red shirt. If Noelle doesn't like it, well, that's her problem, isn't it? I didn't bother with anything spectacular for my hair, just simply straightened.

Half way through straightening, Josh called my cell.

"Reed, do you want to hang out tonight? Nothing spectacular, I just think we both need a stress reliever."

"Josh, I'd love to, but Constance already planned something for us for tonight. Sorry."

"Well, can I just tag along then? I really need to see you."

"Josh, I'm sorry. Constance and I need some girl time okay? I'll call you when I get back and we can hang out tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye Reed. Love you." Josh said reluctantly, and hung up before I had the chance to reply. I was tempted to call him back and apologize, but I knew, if I did, I would cave and end up telling him the whole story. Then, both he and Noelle would kill me. I was much more afraid of Noelle than I was of Josh. Josh is much too kind to really do something horrible, whereas Noelle would be willing to make my life Hell.

I resumed straightening my hair, but I had a horrible guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wished I didn't have to lie to Josh, but I wasn't given the hugest amount of choice in the matter. I finished up as quickly as possible and grabbed my coat on the way out the door.

As I walked quickly across campus I had the eerie feeling that I was being watched. I shrugged the feeling off, assuming I was just paranoid.

I reached Billings and walked in, hearing music blaring from the common room and people talking and singing along, I groaned. I did not want to be here. I wasn't given a choice, if I turned back now, Noelle would have my head served to her on a silver platter. And, In turn, Josh would find out I had lied to him. That could not happen. Ever. I walked into the party, but I was definitely not happy about it. It's not like it mattered that I was pissed off; no one even noticed I was there. I could've gone home, Noelle never would have noticed. I decided to go find Noelle, if I had to be here, she was going to at least know that I was.

"Reed! When did you get here? I thought you weren't going to show, and I'd have to spill your little secret." Noelle said

"Speaking of my secret, care to tell me which secret it is?"

"No, not really. Unless you can show us you are capable of some fun!"

I rolled my eyes at her, I'd figured she wouldn't tell me, but hey, can't blame a girl for trying. Well, I'm sure Noelle could, and would, but that's beside the point.

"Fine, but just so you know, I think this is incredibly stupid, but I'll attempt to have some fun, if only for your benefit."

Noelle nodded and handed me a drink, while simultaneously leading me to the dance floor.

On the dance floor, I gave up on trying to hold a grudge against Noelle and actually try to have fun. I knew Noelle and Ariana noticed immediately.

Noelle nodded to someone off of the dance floor, but I couldn't be bothered to put in the effort to care.

"Reed." I heard Josh's voice from behind me.

I gasped and turned around. Crap. Caught in a lie. This is exactly what I had hoped to avoid. I felt like shit when I turned around and saw the hurt look on Josh's face.

"Josh…" I couldn't come up with the right words to say to him.

"What did you lie to me Reed?" Josh asked timidly, to upset to even get angry. I wished he would just yell and scream and get angry at me. I would much rather have him this mad at me than this sad any day.

"Josh, I'm so so so so sorry. I feel horrible lying to you, but I wasn't given much of a choice."

"Did, she hold a gun to your head or something Reed?" Josh asked sarcastically, but I knew if that had happened he wouldn't be all that shocked.

"No Josh, she blackmailed me, apparently she has some secret she would spill about me if I didn't come, and not tell you where I was going. Wait a second, how did you know where I was?"

"I followed you, okay? I thought something was up, so I followed you."

"Josh, we're doing it again, letting Noelle tear us apart." I sighed, "I know you're pissed, and well, so am I. I hate that you don't trust me, but we cant keep being Noelle's little puppets."
Josh sighed and looked down, "I hate Noelle breaking my trust in you. She makes me think you're going to turn into one of them,"

I wrapped my arms around Josh's neck and we just stood there, embracing each other. I silently vowed that I would never lie to Josh again. No matter what the cost.

"I love you Josh, and I'm so sorry."

"I love you too Reed. More than you know."