Chapter 35

AN: Hello all, hopefully I will be able to update more frequently for you all as I no longer have to share a computer. I really hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, and I want you all to know that I value each and every review from each of you. Also, this chapter will also follow closely to Kate Brian's, however I will diverge from her path shortly after this, as the plot lines will no longer match up, so please don't think it will end in the same way as the original. I have a very different ending intended. Please don't give up on me.

As I had anticipated, the party got out of control. Dean Marcus stood in the corner constantly looking at his watch. I was secretly hoping he would kick us out soon, because even though I was beginning to enjoy myself a little, I didn't want to risk another blowout between Josh and Gage.

"What the hell?"

A large group of people ran over to see what the commotion was just outside the Great Room was.

"What are you thinking? Do you have no self-control?" That was definitely Noelle, now I was more than a little curious. "That's it. I can't even look at you anymore!" Noelle shouted, storming back into the room. She looked over her shoulder at a shuddering, pale Taylor "I swear to God, sometimes I don't even know why we let you in."

There was an audible gasp. A Billings Girl questioning the worth of another Billings Girl was heresy to commoners. When alone, they did it all the time, already on more than one occasion, it was a question of my worth. But it was never done in public.

Noelle stormed out, and moments later, Taylor left with Ms. Ling. The other Billings girls followed shortly after and I wondered if I should go too, but a look Natasha shot me convinced me otherwise.

1

I awoke with a start, half asleep, with my heart racing like I had just run a mile. I rolled over to my clock, Noelle was still asleep, but as we didn't have class, that didn't mean much. My clock read 5:32 a.m.

I quietly tiptoed over to my window; sure I wouldn't fall back asleep now. The grounds were covered with a thick, dark fog, but through the fog, I could see a slim figure. I was sure I would never be able to tell who it was, until she stepped directly into the bright light of a streetlight. I saw a long blonde curl moving in the breeze, and when she turned to look at someone behind her, I caught a glimpse of her face. Taylor. She didn't seem to notice the person behind her, and continued walking. I recognized the face immediately as he stepped into the same light that had identified Taylor for me. Detective Hauer. He was in charge of Thomas' case, but I didn't understand why he would be following Taylor. Aside from Lily, Taylor was by far the kindest of the Billings girls, and besides, she is a bit of a pushover. If he were following Noelle, it would be a completely different matter; she never attempted to hide her animosity towards Thomas. Taylor entered a black car that had pulled up between Bradwell and Dayton, and sped down the hill to the Easton gates. I waited for Hauer to reappear, but he never did. I wondered if he got into the car with Taylor or walked off in the other direction. My curiosity would never be satisfied, however, as I was never close with Taylor, and didn't think much of it. As much as the Billings Girls weren't morning people, they would do anything to get to their vacation shopping. The only thing that bothered me was that now no one would know what really happened last night, as Noelle was completely biased, and when Taylor came back, there was no if about it; she sure as hell wouldn't be willing to talk about it.

All through breakfast I waited for someone to mention Taylor's absence, but it never happened. Apparently everyone but me was in the loop. They all knew where Taylor was, and no one bothered to let me know, even in passing. I wasn't going to say anything though, that would be too embarrassing. Not knowing the current gossip was social suicide in this circle, and I was just starting to get along with them. It would come up in conversation at some point.

One by one, my 'friends' were picked up and either driven to the airport, home or to hotels to 'meet their parents'.

In all of the drama and confusion, I had completely forgotten that reports were released yesterday. I was terrified that in all the confusion I wouldn't have the marks to maintain my scholarship, forcing me to leave Easton as soon as I began to feel welcome here. Fortunately straight B's was enough to maintain my scholarship. (AN: if you're confused why she doesn't have the A in Barber's class, it's because she never learned the secret, because she's not friends with Taylor) I vowed that next quarter I would focus less on the constant drama around the Billings Girls, and more on maintaining this precious scholarship. Granted, with their attitudes it wouldn't be easy. They all spent so much time partying, and having those ridiculous pre-parties, that they always ended up studying last minute. I really hoped I didn't pick up on their bad habits as well as their good ones.

Though I could've hunted down Josh, with my marks, I thought it best if I spent the day studying, because I well knew when Josh and I studied it was really just us making out with our books around us, hoping that, by some miracle, we absorbed the information by osmosis. So far, no such luck. My books were all out around me, but I couldn't keep my mind on my work. My thoughts continuously drifted to Josh. Was he sitting in his dorm pretending to be studying, but really thinking about me? Or was I the farthest thing from his mind? With the state he had been in lately, I wouldn't have doubted it, but I couldn't blame him. This weekend I planned on definitely having some Josh-Reed time. God knows we needed it.

AN: So, two chapters in one day! Aren't you all proud of me? You should be. I hope to get another chapter up by Wednesday afternoon, so you'll have lots to do. Merry Christmas from little-miss-twilight! (or if you prefer happy holidays, happy Hanukah, whatever) Sorry, no song for this chapter.