Instantly all the heat in my body rushed to my face. "I don't want to talk about Thomas anymore!" I shouted.
She didn't even flinch. "Reed, you need to calm down. You need--"
"All I need is for you and everyone else to stop telling me what I need!" I snapped.
This time when I stepped around her and stormed off, she didn't even try to stop me.
95
KIDNAPPED
I awoke with a jolt. My first thought was earthquake. Not that there were many of those in rural Connecticut. Then I heard the whispers. Saw the shadows looming against the white walls. Not an earthquake. Just the Billings Girls.
"What the hell?"
"She's awake. Get the blindfold," Noelle said.
My heart, already in my throat, started to pound there.
"What-"
Someone slipped a silk scarf around my eyes, blocking out the early morning light. The blindfold caught hair and yanked at my scalp.
"Ow!"
"Sorry. Too tight?" Ariana's voice. Sugary sweet. She didn't attempt to loosen the blindfold.
"What are you guys doing?" I asked. My hand flew to the knot at the back of my head. Someone grabbed my wrist and brought it back down.
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"Kidnapping you," Kiran replied. "Let's go."
> Kidnapping me? Kidnapping me? I had thought all the hazing was over. Why couldn't these people just leave me alone? The covers were yanked down and someone forcibly grabbed my ankles, turning me so that my legs shot out over the floor. I reached for the blindfold again. Someone slapped my hand so hard it stung.
"Don't make me get out the handcuffs," Kiran said.
Drawers opened and slammed. I could hear whispers but could make out nothing that was said.
"What are you guys doing?" I asked, my throat tightening.
"Get the blue sweatshirt," Natasha instructed. "Her socks are in there."
No one was answering me. Why was no one answering me? With the blindfold keeping me in pitch-black darkness, I wasn't even sure how many of them were in the room. My palms prickled with heat and it was getting harder to breathe.
Come on, Reed. Play it cool. Don't let them see you sweat.
"This has all been very amusing, you guys, but I'm going back to sleep," I said, reaching for the blindfold again. Another slap. I felt my adrenaline start to rush.
"Stop hitting me!" I snapped.
"Stop making me," Kiran shot back.
"Kiran--"
Suddenly my hair was yanked back from my face and I felt hot breath on my ear. I froze. "Shut it, Reed," Noelle said harshly. My
97