●Some years back●

"Eat up, Santiago."
Zayn's mom said as she walked past him to the dining, he frowned forcing the cereals and milk into his mouth.

His mom hummed from the kitchen as she washed the dishes, her brown hair danced behind her back, he always saw his mom as a Goddess. Her beauty was rare and the way she cared selflessly for everyone was the sweetest thing ever.

Her baby bump was now very visible, he couldn't wait for his little sister to be born. He was going to be so protective of her, he smiled at the thought of being a big brother.

"Santi?"
His mom called when she noticed he had stopped eating.

Zayn gave her a scowl and forced himself to finish his breakfast. He looked around their old apartment, his mom worked as a housekeeper while his dad was a delivery man.

They weren't poor and they weren't rich either as far as they could afford three meals a day and pay the bills.

"Hurry up, the President will be here any minute."
His mom screamed from the kitchen.

"Must I come with you? I'm not interested."
He grumbled.

"The whole neighborhood is going, you must come."

"I'm just twelve, mom. It's for old people, I won't understand anything the dude is going to say."

"The dude is the President of your country and it's an honor to have him here."

He snorted, he gave up on trying to convince his mom. His parents were in love with the President, he remembered the way they danced around the living room when he was announced the winner of the election.

He wished his mom won't take her with him, he wanted to join his friends and play with the new push Scooter.

His mom left to change her dress, he wanted to sneak out but he knew she would get very angry, he didn't want her in a sour mood as she was pregnant.

He used the opportunity to throw the remaining milk and cereal away, he rinsed the bowl and went to the living room to wait for her.

He looked down at his old jeans that had a stain on the left thigh, he looked away not concerned.

His mom came out on a red floral dress, her brown hair was packed in a neat ponytail and her makeup wasn't that noticeable.

"How do I look?"
She asked with a pose.

"Pregnant."
He grunted, she spanked his head and grabbed her purse.

"Let's go, your dad will meet us there."
He followed with a scowl.

The neighborhood ground was already crowded, people holding the tiny American flag or President Sam Nolan's posters.

"Darse prisa," his mom's Spanish accent whispered and grabbed his hand, she forced her way to the front, his dad joined some minutes later on his work uniform.

Zayn was trapped between them, he cringed when they shared a kiss. It was moments like this he hated being the only child.
He looked around for his friends but didn't find them, he was probably the only kid here.

His mom squealed like a teenage girl when four flashy cars pulled into the neighborhood. He rolled his eyes wishing the President won't take long in whatever he was here for.

His security team surveyed the area for the President's safety, a guard opened the car in the middle, a slim leg came into view. His shiny shoe glistened under the sun, catching every eye.

"Oh my..."
His mom whispered as the President came out. He was tall, slim, and too good-looking for his age.

He flashed a wide smile and waved, everyone screamed. His grey two-piece suit fitted him so well, he was escorted by four guards to the podium prepared for him.

A guard opened the door to the car at the back, a tiny leg stepped out, black flats with glitters caught Zayn's eyes.

His eyes widened as she stepped out, she was beautiful, everything about her was captivating.
He couldn't take his eyes off her, his eyes followed her every move.

Her dark hair fell straight down her back, her grey Champagne tulle dress made her look like a princess.
She took a glance at the crowd and smiled, her smile got him.

It reminded him of sunflowers and sunshine. She walked with a guard to join her father.
He kept staring at her, mesmerized.

Someone tapped Zayn from behind, he looked back and saw Taylor, his best friend.

"We are going to the playground, are you coming?"
Taylor whispered. Zayn took a glance at the President's daughter and back at his best friend, weighing his options.

He couldn't leave, he wanted to stare at her forever.

"Umm...yeah but later."
Zayn mumbled.

"Okay."
Taylor smiled at him and left.

"Poor girl, I heard her mom was assassinated during the election."
His mom said in a low tone.

Zayn stared at her with a strong urge to protect her, his heart skipped when she turned to look at him, their eyes locked for a moment.

Zayn raised his hand half-way and waved at her but she looked away like she didn't see him.
He dropped his hand disappointed, she turned back to look at him a few minutes later and smiled at him. Her little gesture knocked the air out of him, he smiled back.

He was glad his mom forced him to come and also for the front space. He didn't care about what the president was saying, he heard everyone grumbling and the place was in a fuss.

The President didn't seem to care, he was escorted back to the car. He watched her as she was escorted to the car, he wished he could go and speak to her.

He was surprised when she turned around and waved at him with that magnetic smile. He blushed and went home smiling, forgetting about his friends at the playground.

His parents kept complaining about the President's speech when they got home. He decided to listen to what they were talking about.

"A year to vacate this neighborhood? That's cruel!"
His mom threw her hands up in exasperation.

"Why does he want us to leave?"
His Parents shared a surprised look when he asked.

"He wants to build a Hotel here, he gave us a year to leave here and he promised five thousand dollars to help support us."
His mom explained.

"Did you guys beg him?" Zayn asked quietly.

"He won't even listen. If I knew the kind of person he was I would have never voted him. Estupido!"

His mom sounded more upset, he wondered if it was the pregnancy hormone.

He stood up and went to his room, he laid on his bed staring at the ceiling.
He was going to miss his friends and the neighborhood if they leave, his thoughts were interrupted by a smile.

He closed his eyes and went to sleep with her face in his head.

Monday during recess, he sat alone on the bench drawing a sunflower. It wasn't so good but at least someone could tell it was a flower.

Tuesday night, he abandoned his homework to write a love letter. He addressed her as sunflower in the letter, he told her what he liked about her.
He knew he was never going to give the letter to her but he kept writing.

His parents have been working their ass off to find a new place, he wished he could help.

He grew sudden hatred for the President but not his daughter, he wished he could see her again and if possible give her the letter.

His mom's pregnancy was due at any moment. He couldn't wait to see his little sister.

Saturday morning when he heard the President was visiting the neighborhood again, he was excited.

His parents didn't look happy about the President's second visit, they decided not to go. He was forced to stay home and finish his homework.

He snuck out immediately his mom dozed off on the couch, his dad was off to work.

The crowd wasn't big like last time, he pushed his way to the front. A big smile broke on his lips when he saw her, she had a red dress on and her silky hair was left down.

He waited for her to see him and when she did, she gave him her trademark smile.
He had made sure to comb his hair and wear his favorite jeans before coming.

The letter was tucked in his pocket with the drawing, he wondered how he would give it to her.

An idea popped in his head, he pulled out the rubber band around his wrist and folded the letter till it could fit between the rubber band.

He was glad to find her side of the window open, everyone was too busy complaining to notice what he was about to do, the President didn't stay in the same car with his daughter which was a relief.

He was a pro in shooting with rubber bands, he used it to annoy his teachers.
He aimed for the window, he released the letter and watched it fly into the car and hit her on the head.

He winced in her place and stared at her feeling awful for hitting her, she looked outside the window rubbing the spot he hit her.

Zayn said sorry to her and she smiled at him with a nod. She looked down and picked the letter, she hid it immediately her bodyguard entered the car.

She waved at him as the car moved, he waved back.

When he got home he found his mom still sleeping. He tiptoed to his room trying not to wake her.

The next day during breakfast there was a knock on the door.

"Santi, check who is at the door!"
His mom screamed from the hallway.

"On it!" he yelled from the couch where he was watching his favorite show.

He took a big gulp from his juice before running to the door. A young lady dressed in a maroon dress greeted him when he opened the door.

"Hi," she said sweetly, her Auburn hair was neatly packed behind.

"Hey, " Zayn smiled at her.

"I'm looking for someone called Zayn, I have knocked on almost every door but no one...."

"I'm Zayn."
He said quickly.

"Finally," she exhaled in relief.

"I believe you know Bloom, Bloom Nolan."
She said bringing out an envelope from her bag.

He didn't know her name but hearing her last name, he knew she was the one.

"Yes," he said stepping out of the room.

"She sent me to give you this, " she gave him the envelope.

"If you have something you want me to give her you can bring it." She told him

"Umm...not today."

"Okay, I will drop by tomorrow and pick it up."

"Okay, thank you."
She gave him a soft smile and walked away.

He ran to his room not caring about his breakfast getting cold. He locked the door to his room and sat on his bed.

He smiled throughout the letter, she told him she loved the name Sunflower, she told him she loved his hair and went on to tell him a few things about herself, she made fun of his drawing which made him laugh.

||
They kept sending letters through the lady whose name was Martha.
They shared a lot with each other over the years, he told her about his baby sister and how happy he was to be a big brother.

They grew closer through their letters, they shared their secrets and feelings and sent each other's picture.

She told him about her mom and how much she misses her, she told him about her home-school and how she wasn't allowed to leave the Valley House.

She sent him a silver chain that had a shiny owl head on his birthday.
Zayn stole his mom's bracelet and sent it to her on her birthday.

His parents always asked about the Lady that delivered their letters but he only told them she was delivering something from a friend.

His kid sister Tumika was adorable, she took after his mom. Her brown hair and the eyes while he took after his dad, tanned-skinned and had unruly curly hair.

||
It's been a week and Martha never showed up to pick his letters that were piling up.

Two weeks past and he still didn't see her, he wondered what happened.

A month and no one came to get his letters or deliver his sunflower's letters.
He didn't have a phone, so he couldn't communicate with her. He was worried about her and also missed her but there was nothing he could do.

He gave up after three months but he kept reading her old letters.

He was occupied with homework and babysitting his little sister since his parents were working two jobs to earn enough money for the house they wanted to buy.

People were already moving out, some of his friends were gone too, he only saw them at school.

The President was pressuring the remaining people to hurry and leave so he could start building his Hotel.

His parents told him they were moving out the coming week and that they finally found a house.

Tuesday, he told his friends during lunch at school.
There was an announcement from the Principal's office, telling everyone not to leave the school grounds.

They could hear Sirens from a distance, they all looked outside at cloud of dust from afar.

"I heard one of the teachers saying Creekview is being demolished and few people were still in the building."
A girl that just entered the cafeteria told her friends that were sitting next to Zayn and his friends.

He went pale, his parents didn't go to work today, they were busy packing.