Paradise Lost (Private 9)

"What?" I asked, feeling hollow.

Taylor glanced at Noelle, who shrugged.

"You guys . .. what?" I said again.

With a sigh, Taylor pushed up her sunglasses into her hair, and then blinked a few times against the onslaught of light. She sat up straight for the first time all morning and took a deep breath before speaking.

"It's just . . . maybe you're being a tad paranoid, Reed," Taylor said.

My face was scalded by embarrassment. "What are you, Paige?"

"We're not saying she was right per se," Noelle put in delicately. "It's just... Ariana and Sabine really messed with your head. It's not

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totally out of the realm of possibility. The psycho sisters basically tortured you, Reed. It would be perfectly natural for you to be a bit on the paranoid side right now."

"You might want to think about therapy when you get home," Kiran added.

"Therapy?" I blurted, earning irritated looks from the table of adults to my left. I lowered my voice. "You think I need therapy?'

"Who wouldn't, after everything that's happened to you?" Amberly put in.

Like I really relished her opinion.

"Just try to relax," Tiffany said. "Don't assume that, just because you've encountered a couple of wolves in sheep's clothing, that everyone has some dark past to hide. Poppy is just wacky, not insane."

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. These girls had known Poppy a lot longer than I had. It would be stupid of me not to trust their judgment. I could do that. I could. At least, I could when I was around them.

"You're right," I said, pushing myself up straight in my chair, but only half believing my words. "I should get over myself already."

"Reed? Can I talk to you?"

I practically jumped out of my skin. Upton somehow had snuck up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. Of course he looked utterly perfect. Not hungover in the slightest. He wore a light-yellow shirt, distressed jeans, and leather sandals. The word "delectable" came to mind.

Then, I remembered I was pissed at him.

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"Here?" I asked.

"Perhaps we should go for a walk," he replied.

As I got up, I looked at my friends. "Actually, I think I will eat. When the waiter comes back, will you guys order me a waffle and fruit?"

"Amberly. Do that," Noelle ordered.

Amberly's mouth fell open slightly. "But you said--"

"Are you really going to argue with me right now?" Noelle asked.

Amberly glared at me. "Fine."

Score one for Reed.

I followed Upton down the steps to the ocean. It was sunny and hot, with a balmy breeze coming in off the water. A perfect day for lazing around in the sand and swimming in the warm ocean. Too bad I was feeling so cloudy and gray about Upton.

"What happened to you last night?" he said as we walked toward the water. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving? I would have come along."