"Must I curl the end of my hair?"
Bloom groaned as Laura used the curling wand to create large and bouncy curls that fell down to her back in thick waves.

"It's just one night," Laura begged her.

"Just one night," She mumbled staring at herself in the mirror connected to her marble dresser. Laura helped her with her make-up and helped her to pick out an outfit.

Bloom was dressed in a black leather mini skirt and a one-shoulder crop top which she matched with a white chuck converse. She grabbed a denim jacket in case the weather decided to act funny.

Laura was wearing a black bum short on her fishnet leggings with a white bralette, her combat boots looked big for her small legs.

"Ready?" Laura asked as she brushed her fingers through her short hair to mess it up a bit.

"I'm nervous but yes."

"Stick to the plan, don't give him the impression that we are lying," Laura warned.

She couldn't promise her that, Damian could tell when she was lying even from a mile. He had known her since she was eight and pretty much knew her in and out.

Bloom nodded her head and swallowed the dryness in her throat as they walked to the door, Laura looked took a glance at her as if to say 'don't mess this up,' before she opens the door with a straight face.

Damian was standing outside the door as usual when the door swung open. He turned to look at them with a curious stare. The smell of their perfume diffused down the hallway catching every nose.

"Going somewhere?" He asked Bloom but his eyes were on Laura who kept a straight face.

"We are going to have some girl time in the garden." Bloom was surprise she didn't stutter but her palms were sweating from her little attempt to sneak out.

"That's why you're all dressed up as if there is a party?" Damian asked, eyebrows pulling together in curiosity.

"There are hot bodyguards around, you don't expect us going around looking like zombies." Bloom laughed, trying to ease her nerves.

"Just for a girl time in the garden?" Damian asked with a heavy stare that made Bloom nudge Laura for help.

"Yeah, any problem with that?" Laura asked crossing her arms, her voice bitter nad flat.

"I'm not speaking to you Laury."

"It's Laura," She corrected with a clenched jaw.

"Don't care, let's go."He said and started walking away.

"Damian, we need some privacy, you can't come with us." Bloom hissed.

"Why? I have always been around when you're both hanging out in the garden"

"Well, we don't want you eavesdropping on our conversation."
Laura said taking a step closer to him.

"What do I look like to you? Some gossip girl? Whatever shit you discuss is none of my concern unless I find it a threat."
He said close to her face, towering her small height.

Bloom stood by the door side watching, she decided to let Laura handle it.

"She will be fine Damian, no one will hurt her. For God's sake, it's just a garden, a garden outside the building." Laura scoffed as if she is trying to teach him the alphabet.

"She is my responsibility, let me do my job."

Laura rolled her smoky eyes at his statement. "Meet me in the garden when you're done speaking to this moron." She said and walked away swaying her small hips.

"Are you really going to the garden?" Damian asked, pinning her with his eyes.

"Yes and I don't need company."

"Dollface stop, I need to protect you," he grunted.

"I will be back soon, go and get some rest. Go hook up with someone or whatever you do in your free time."

"Tempting but I need to protect you." He said not planning to back out.

"I will be fine besides they're other bodyguards outside." She groaned.

"The noes you're trying to seduce?" he smiled smugly.

"Jealousy looks ugly on you," she played along.

"Fine just be careful, you know your dad will kick my ass if he finds out I left you alone."

"Thank you." She hugged him and turned to leave.

"I will tell Laura you said sorry." She teased.

"Don't you dare or else you won't be having a girl time without me."

"Just kidding." She giggled and ran down the large hallway.

"Took you forever," Laura said when she entered the basement.

"Did anyone see you coming here?"

"No, I checked twice."

"I hope the Moron didn't follow you."

"He didn't."

"Switch on the flashlight on your phone, the tunnel is dark."

"Should I be scared?" Bloom asked already terrified.

"If you want." Laura's phone flashlight brightened a small opening.
She pushed her hand in and unlocked something. Bloom watched in awe as a huge mental door opened.

"Having second thoughts again?" Laura smirked, looking at Bloom who refused to move.

"Maybe but I'm curious too. I really wanna what it is out there if everything is as you boast about."

"Come on, let's go." Laura went in and the tunnel swallowed her small figure.

"Close the door behind you."
She told her when she entered, she closed the door and followed her.

She kept flashing the light around to avoid anything harming her, her heart was racing. She was nervous and inquisitive all at once. The voices in her head kept telling her to turn back but curiosity got the best of her. For so long she'd been nowhere but the Valley House, she wanted to know if everything was as beautiful and exciting as Laura whined.

"I told you the tunnel is safe."
Laura said after four minutes of walking in silence. Her voice echoed in the enclosed space, making Bloom's heart jump. She sighed in relief when she realized it was Laura's voice.

They spoke throughout the rest of the walk calming her pounding heart.

"We are here!"
Laura exclaimed, Bloom gave her a questioning look as she looked up at what seemed to be a vent, she heard noises from outside.

"What was that?" She panicked clutching Laura's arm.

"Relax it was a car, we are close to the main road?"

"What?" She panicked more.

"We are safe, we just need to get out."

"What if we get hit by a car?"

"It won't happen, just follow my lead."
Their voices echoed in the tunnel. Laura pushed herself up with Bloom's help and pushed the heavy vent away. She moved up and peeped.

"Let's go, the coast is clear."
She pushed herself up and came out then helped Bloom out quickly. She closed the opening and looked around the dark alley if anyone saw them. They adjusted their clothes and crossed to the other side.

"That was crazy."
Laura laughed, she turned to look at Bloom and found her breathing in with her eyes closed like she was enjoying the warm wind on her skin.

"I miss this, the smell of a real-world," She whispered.

Laura smiled and went to hug her from behind. "I promise you won't regret this."

"I'm already enjoying it," Bloom smiled at her then looked around her at the cars and tall buildings. She didn't know why she felt like she was dreaming but it was the best feeling ever being out in the open with no label on her.

"Let's go, my car is over there." Laura grabbed her hand.

"You had all these planned out, didn't you?"

"Obviously."

"What if I never agreed?"

"I knew you would, my magic works on everyone."

||

The ride was short, Laura stopped the car in front of a three-story mansion.
Cars and motorcycles were packed everywhere. The front of the building was crowded with teens, some dancing, drinking, flirting or just observing.

You could see the inside of the building already packed. Music was blaring from different corners. The swimming pool in the backyard was packed with girls in bikinis and boys in shorts. She wondered how many people came to the party.

"Wow, is a huge party." Bloom stuttered rubbing her palms down her knees as if it could calm her wrecking nerves.

"Relax, I will be next to you. I could introduce you to some of my friends, " Laura assured her.

"Do they..."

"No, they don't, no one knows I'm best friends with the president's daughter."

They got down from the car and walked to the building packed with people. The party was in full swing and Bloom stayed close to Laura as they entered. Sweat and alcohol lingered in the air and it made Bloom nauseous.

A few eyes glued to her face and she gripped Laura's arm for support. She wasn't used to having so many eyes on her.

"Relax," Laura whispered.

Laura smiled at a few people that screamed her name, Bloom kept her face down as they passed through the crowd. The noise made her head ache, Laura took her to a corner close to the wide staircase.

"Wait here, I will go check where my friends at and change that look, you look like someone pooped on your dinner."
She wanted to stop her but the dancing bodies had swallowed her small frame.

Bloom groaned and looked around. Few guys were throwing wink her way but she just gave them an irritated look and stared at her feet.
It felt so awkward being here, she wondered what everyone's reaction would be if they knew she was the hidden treasure of the president.

She looked around the room again tired of staring at her feet, she observed what she normally saw on TV, people getting drunk, flirting, making out in dark corners, playing stupid games, dancing, and grinding like possess animals, her eyes were still observing her surrounding but she paused when she saw him.

He was standing next to the railing on the second floor. His eyes were on her and he didn't hide the fact that he'd been staring at her.
She felt her face flushed at the thought of catching the attention of a hot guy at the party, every muscle in her body was suddenly aware of everything.

His looks screamed danger but he had the face of an angel, the type of face you could stare at for eternity and never get tired of. His midnight-black curly hair suited him so well even from afar, a few strands tumbling to his forehead. His perfect lips quirked slightly in amusement, his nose ring matching his pierced ears. She saw the tattoos peeking out from his yellow hoodie. She knew she was being stupid for checking him out while his eyes were still on her. When she met his eyes, the expression on his face was hard to tell. He was staring at her as if he knew something about her. She stared back at him, hoping he would look away first.

His stare was intense and it built a sudden fear within her. She felt so exposed under his heavy stare. She needed Laura, she didn't know who he was but his stare was doing things to her, things she couldn't explain. It terrified her. She swallowed and looked away, she searched the crowd for her best friend but there was no sign of her.

'I want to leave, I want to go home. '

She could still feel his eyes on her, she turned to look at him. He was leaning on the railing keeping his eyes on her like she was an amazing piece of art on display, this time a smirk danced around his lips.

" maybe he's staring at someone else"
She looked behind her but saw nothing to convince her that he was staring at someone else.

When she returned her gaze to him, he had his left brow up as if to ask her what she was looking for.

"He is just trying to flirt with you Bloom, relax. "
But she couldn't, her heart was thumping in her chest and she wanted to disappear from the party.

"Hey, beautiful."
A guy with a cocky grin blocked her view, the only thing good about him was his white teeth.

"Hi," She said with a fake smile.

"Mind if I get you a drink or will you dance with me?"

"No, I'm okay on my own."
She looked away and stared at a couple arguing in a dark corner, the guy was trying to explain but the girl won't stop talking.

"Just one dance."
He said trying to take her hand but she sent a blow to his gut. She did it on impulse desperate to protect herself. Her paranoia got the best of her and she had tried to defend herself.

"Wow, you hit like a guy."

He winced and laughed.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, are you hurt?"
She asked trying to touch him but stopped herself. She noticed a few people were already staring at the scene.

This is bad, I need to get out of here.

"Sorry," She told him again and rushed out of the building.

||
Zayn was tired of sitting in the room and listening to Nicole's drunk voice.
Taylor was nodding to everything she was saying and Lizzie was dancing while Tyra recorded her.

He stood up and left the room, the corridor was crowded but he found a spot not filled with people. He placed his hands on the railing and looked around the house, the cheerleaders from school gave him seductive smile but he pretended not to see them.
He kept scanning the party until he saw her.

He blinked several times to be sure it wasn't his imagination. He bit the inside of his lips and shut his eyes but she was still there when he opened them.

"Sunflower?" He called in a low tone.
He was excited and shocked just seeing her. He noticed how nervous she looked, like a deer in the midst of hungry wolves.

He knew she wasn't allowed to leave the Valley House and she couldn't go anywhere without her bodyguard. How did she make it outside under the intense security? He wanted to go downstairs and squeeze her in his arms and never let go. He fought the smile tugging at his lips, he was too excited to see her that it felt embarrassing.

It was funny that the hidden daughter of the president was in the room but no one knew.
Well, except him.

She finally looked away from her shoes and looked around, her eyes stopped moving when they met his. It felt like time stopped and everyone in the room disappeared except the both of them.

He waited to see the surprised look or the look he had been dreading to see, a look of recognition but all he saw was a slight blush mixed with fear.

She looked scared like he was going to harm her, she looked around the room like she was looking for someone but didn't find the person. He leaned on the railing not taking his eyes off her. He wondered why she was scared, did she recognize him? If she did, that was not the reaction he was expecting.

Someone approached her and it took everything in him not to jump down and pull him away from her and tell him she was already taken.

He decided he would deal with him later.

He saw the fake smile she gave, she looked away after saying something to him but the guy didn't go away, he tried to grab her hand but she hit him. He was surprised, he knew about her self-defense classes but he didn't expect her to use it unnecessarily.

She looked shocked too, she tried to touch him but stopped. She looked around and ran out of the building.
He smiled and climbed the railing then jumped down with ease.

He ignored the look he was getting and walked to the brown-haired boy, he purposely brushed his shoulder against his and walked away.

Time to meet his sunflower.

||
Bloom kept walking down the sidewalk with her phone pressed to her ear.
Laura was still not picking her calls, she groaned in frustration and kept walking not sure of where she was going but she tried not to go too far from the party.

She found a bench under a tree and sat down. She inhaled and tried to calm down, she enjoyed the breeze that caressed her skin.
It was more comfortable here but she still wanted to go home.

"It was a bad idea agreeing to come here, what was I thinking?"
She whispered softly to herself.

"Damian will be very angry if he doesn't find us in the garden, I have to get home fast."
She tried Laura again but she didn't answer.

"Where did she drop her phone?!"
She raked her dark hair with her fingers and sat there for a while feeling agitated as the seconds passed.

Zayn stood in a distance watching her, she looked cute when she was angry. He decided to walk up to her but she stood up when he was already close by.

She was staring at her phone as she walked toward him, he stopped and waited with his hands buried in the front pockets of his dark jeans and a small smile on his lips, he was the happiest person right now.
He couldn't wait to see her reaction.

She didn't know she walking straight into him, he waited for her to bump into him and she did. Her golden iPhone fell from her hand and shattered on the floor.

Bloom looked up when she bumped into a hard chest, her phone was already a mess on the floor.

She didn't realize she was holding onto his yellow hoodie till his eyes moved from her face to where her hand gripped the thick material.

He smiled making his enchanting brown eyes glisten under the moon, she didn't feel scared like she felt in the room. Warmth seeped from him, engulfing her in his heat. It scared her, how much her body was reacting to a total stranger.

"Hey, Sunflower."
He said softly with a smile to die for but she pulled away and maintained a two feet distance between them.

"What do you want? First, you were staring at me at the party like I'm some kind of criminal then you followed me here?" she faltered.
The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with something else, she couldn't tell what it was.

"You think bumping into me and calling me a stupid name will make me fall for you? Who flirts with girls calling them that? Seriously Sunflower? How ridiculous," she scoffed.

He was clenching his fists but she didn't notice; if only she could see the sword she was piercing through his chest with each word.

"Was it your plan to destroy my phone? I only have one you know."
She went on, her voice almost breaking.

"I need to get home and I need my phone to call my best friend, so fix it or you could give me yours to make a call."
She folded her arms and waited, she was frustrated and the handsome stranger wasn't helping, she kept seeing hurt flicker in his eyes.

"Was he expecting me to fall for that?"

"Could you please fix it?"
She tried to sound polite and desperate but he was still giving her that weird look she couldn't quite read.

Zayn sneered and shook his head, he tried to put on that mask he always wore to hide his sensitive side. He didn't want her to see how much her words hurt him.

"Why do you need me to fix it? I'm sure daddy dearest can get you as many as you want."
He saw the fear flicker in her eyes and pure shock plastered on her lovely face. He had almost forgotten how unreal her beauty was, the light brown of her eyes that glimmered under the moon and streetlights with golden flecks, and the sensual shape of her small lips he couldn't wait to kiss one day.

"What?" She tried to act confused but failed.

"You're the president's daughter, you can't fool me. You can get anything you want right?" his voice was cold and face seething.

"I don't know what you're talking about," She said with a nervous laugh and shook her head in denial.

"It's ok, Bloom, your secret is safe with me," he whispered close to her ear, her scent almost made him draw closer.

"I still don't know what you're talking about, just fix my phone." She stuttered avoiding his eyes, he made her feel so insecure.

He shot her a cold glare and stepped on her phone, he smashed everything to pieces with his long leg and walked away. She gasped and stared at what was left of her phone. She picked the pieces and threw it at him.

He stopped in his track but didn't turn to look at her.

"You know nothing about me!" She yelled.

He turned to look at her with a smug smile stretching across his pretty face, he walked to where she was standing.

"Really Bloom?" his jaw was clenched showing off his sharp jaws and high cheek bones.

"You destroyed my phone." She said trying to change the topic about her identity.

"So? I don't care."

He tried to walk away again but she screamed, "You're an asshole!"

"I still don't care," he smiled and turned to walk away, she tried to hit him but he caught her hand and pressed it to her back.

"I'm not the dude you tried to use your stupid self-defense skills on," he whispered close to her ear pulling her hand more and twisting it, she winced.

She tried to brush his leg with hers so she could knock him down just like she'd been taught but he caught her leg and brushed her feet instead.
She ended up falling hard on the cold floor, the pain erupted throughout her body. She winced and arched her back in pain, she saw him from the corner of her eyes staring at her with no emotion.

She waited for him to help her, her waist and back were in so much pain. She whimpered, tears formed in the corner of her eyes. He was still staring at her with hands fisted and eyes looked angry.

"It was nice meeting you, Bloom Nolan," he smiled and walked away.

She laid on the floor helplessly, she writhed in pain. After a while, she forced herself up and walked to the bench clutching the left side of her ribs. It was hard to sit but she forced herself to the bench. She cried, not because of what he did but because she was far from home. She was far from her safe zone.

After resting for a while, she stood up and walked down the street. An old man was kind enough to help her, she was scared at first; she had watched enough crime documentaries to know not to trust strangers but he was so nice and when she saw she had no choice, she accepted.

"You sure you don't want me to take you to the hospital dear?" the old man asked.

"No, I'm okay."

"You're bleeding and you seem to be in pain," he pointed out.

"It's just a cut, I will be fine."
She was holding a tissue to the cut at her temple.

She asked him to stop when she recognized the street the tunnel was located.

"Thanks" she mumbled still clutching her waist as she stood outside the car.

"Are you sure this is where you wanna stop?"

"Yes."

"Take care dear and avoid getting into trouble."
She nodded with a smile. He drove off leaving her at the sidewalk.

She wondered what the time was since she barely saw six people and only a few cars drove by. She walked to the tunnel entrance at the alleyway and pushed the cover with the little strength she had left.

She jumped in and covered the opening. She was welcomed into the thick darkness, she was scared but she focused on getting home. She held the wall and kept moving, her head was throbbing and her body wasn't cooperating to move faster. She stopped once in a while to rest, she was panting when she got to the basement and her head was spinning. She kept moving, she held the wall for support.

The place was quiet as she walked up to the stairs in the secret door, she climbed slowly ignoring the pain in her head. Everything was spinning and the images around her became blurry.  She groaned holding her head as she opened the door.

"Bloom!!!"
That was the last thing she heard before collapsing on the floor.