Bloom squinted her eyes at her Jujitsu and self-defense trainer. They moved slowly in a circle like a predator trying to attack their prey. A pop song was playing in the small room made for her Jujitsu classes.

She'd been doing this for years and she knew the perfect angle to tackle Helena down. She mentally gave herself a pat on the back.

"Come on, Bloom," Helena said with a mischievous smile.

She was in her middle thirties and she'd been training her for five years. She was tall and slightly muscular but she had a beautiful face with envious hair that she packed in a neat ponytail. Her black eyes stared at Bloom like they wanted to reach out to her soul.

Bloom inhaled deeply calculating her moves, she took the other side and knocked Helena down then twist her hand to her back.

"Better?" Bloom asked with a satisfied grin.

"Yes," Helena winced.

"Yes!" Bloom exclaimed and let her go.

"I think you broke my ribs," Helena groaned, curling on the floor.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. Should I call for help?" Bloom panicked.

"No Silly, I was kidding," Helena laughed.

She frowned at Helena but soon her lips pulled into a smile. She helped her to stand on her feet.

"That was a good move." Helena complemented.

"Thanks," She grinned.

"I need to stretch for a bit, go ahead and freshen up," Helena said to her as she stretched her limbs.

"Will you be okay on your own?" Bloom asked still concerned.

"It's just my back honey, not my legs. Go," she dismissed her.

"Fine." She gave her a side hug. "See you next Friday."

"Take care." She picked up her phone and AirPods and headed for the door.

Two bodyguards stood outside, one gave her a bottle of chilled water and the other gave her a face towel.

"Awwww thanks, guys, but you didn't have to, I'm a big girl now I can do things on my own."

She said opening the cap on the bottle.

"Go and shower cupcake," James told her with a smile.

"Bye James, bye Luke." She said chirpily with a wave. She knew every worker in the residence, their names, and their birthdays. To her, they were all her family.

She hummed the lyrics to a random song as she walked down the large hallway.

"Hi Clark, Hi Jared," She said with her signature smile to the bodyguards in the hallway then continued with her lyrics, this time around she danced.

She was grateful for the large hallway because she was a lousy dancer. As she got closer to her room she saw Damian giving her one of his "you look stupid" Look.

He shook his head and leaned on the door to her room. She gave a wide smile as she stopped in front of him.

"Hey, Damie," her soft voice greeted.

"Please stop with the nickname," he groaned.

"But it's nice."

"No, it's embarrassing." His forest green eyes stared at her.

"Awwww, you don't want me blowing off your chances of getting a girlfriend," She teased poking him on his solid chest.

"I don't want a girlfriend, go and bath you stink." He opened the door for her.

"I can hook you up with my math teacher, she is hot," Bloom whispered.

"No thanks." He said and ran his fingers through his raven black hair that covered his forehead.

She frowned at his rejection.

"Come on doll face you're polluting the hallway."

She tried to hit him but he grabbed her hand swiftly and held it in a firm grip as if he saw it before she even thought of hitting him.

"Have you forgotten I have more experience in this field?"

She scoffed and pulled her hand away.

"Go," He pushed her in and closed the door.

He was her personal bodyguard but he was more like a big brother to her. He was ready to put his life on the line for her, he had been with her since she was a kid.

Bloom looked around her room; a smile made a way to her face as she saw the chocolate pudding with strawberries on the table in her small make-ship living room. Her room was her small world, it was where she felt more comfortable and free.

Her dad provided everything for her, he was ready to give her whatever she wanted and she loved him for that.

She walked to her bed and stared at her mom's picture that was resting on the dresser.

"Hey, mommy."

She smiled and blew her a kiss. She no longer cried when she spoke to her picture but the sadness was still there.

"Dad is still having trouble with the Anti-sams, it's been eating him up and I wish I could help." She took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.

"I wish there is something I can do but I can't even leave the residence."

She walked to her walk-in closet to grab something to wear. She settled for black sweatpants and a grey shirt.

After a long and soothing shower, she put on her clothes and sat down on the floor in front of the glass table. She grabbed her chocolate pudding and strawberries. She moaned after taking one spoon of the pudding. She was about to take her second spoon when she heard voices outside her room.

She groaned knowing what was going on. She stood up and walked to the door, her best friend was arguing with Damian. She wasn't surprised, they never got along. She waited for them to acknowledge her presence.

"Jerk." That was the last thing Laura said to him before entering her room.

Damian was laughing while Bloom glared at him.

"She refused to let me search her." He explained.

"I'm her best friend, I will never hurt her!" Laura yelled from the room.

Damian gave her a skeptical look.

"She is my best friend Damie, stop treating her like an outcast." She hit his arm and closed the door.

"How can someone that hot be so annoying?"

Laura sighed slumping on the bean bag chair.

"He is just doing his job, Laura." She told her as she feast on her pudding.

"Whatever," Laura hissed with an eye roll.

"Sorry, but you enjoy upsetting each other."

Laura didn't argue cause it was true. Her shoulder-length hair was straight and went with her dark eyeliner and glossy plump lips. Her dark eyes were her most striking feature, it was like a black crystal stone with a soft glow.

"So what happened in school today?" Bloom asked.

"Teachers and their boring lessons, P.E was so boring because the football players didn't practice today, I wore my tight shorts today you know."

Bloom enjoyed listening to what high school felt like and Laura never missed anything out.

"Can you believe Mrs. Gublin paired me up with Lucas like what the hell was she thinking?" Laura looked mortified.

"I thought Lucas was your 6th-grade crush?"

"Yeah but he got a girlfriend now and the most embarrassing part of everything is that he knows I had a crush on him in 6th grade." Laura cried while Bloom laughed.

"Maddie and Jackson broke up in front of the whole class, it was intense. I think he cheated." Laura announced reaching for one strawberry.

"No way, oh my God, " She faced her completely for the full detail.

Bloom knew almost everything about her best friend's school, it was like she was one of the students. She'd always wished she could go to a real school instead of homeschooling but her Dad insisted it was for her protection.

"I knew right from day one those two will not last." Laura scoffed.

"I feel so sad for Maddie," Bloom frowned.

"Oh please, she likes feeling like a queen. She is a big show-off," Laura snorted.

Bloom decided to keep her mouth shut. She ate the chocolate pudding slowly wishing the bowl won't go empty.

"Guess what? " Bloom asked with too much enthusiasm.

"You've finally finished Gossip girl?"

"How did you know?" She frowned.

"The only thing you talk about are movies, music, your best shows, your favorite celebrities, and your homeschool tutors." Laura listed dryly.

Bloom didn't argue.

"Don't you ever get tired of staying here like a caged animal in a zoo, aren't you curious to know what life outside these white walls feels like? The fun, the places, the people?"

"No," She gave a straightforward answer.

"Bloom, do you have any idea what you're missing? Teens our age are having a time of their life, are you telling me you're gonna wait till your dad's tenure is over?"

"Laura I'm not complaining, I like my lifestyle."

"You call this a lifestyle?" She laughed.

"I have everything I want and I don't need to leave the Valley House to know what life outside this place feels like, I watch everything on TV. There is a lot of danger out there especially those hooligans who call themselves 'The Anti-sams'."

She added air quotes with her fingers to her last word.

"Is not everything you see on TV that's real, Bloom."

She scoffed at her words and bit from the strawberry glazed in the chocolate pudding in her hand.

"You are 17, forget about what your dad wants and live your life."

"Laura, I'm cool with my life, I have people who love me and care about me, people who are ready to protect me."

"No one will hurt you, doesn't it get boring hanging around old people?"

"You're not old." She pointed out.

"Not me but them."

"They're cool, I enjoy being around them."

"This is gonna be harder than I thought," She mumbled.

She decided to change the topic and do her magic later, her greatest gift was to persuade people.

"So how is it going with the Anti-sams, what's your dad doing about it cause it just keeps getting worse?"

"Those terrorists are giving my dad a hard time, he rarely sleeps here, and have you seen him lately? He has lost some weight and he looks dead inside. I hate them, I wish I could help." She said venomously.

"I heard they are just some group of teenagers."

"Where are their parents when they're doing all those awful things?"

"I don't know, probably supporting them." She shrugged. "You know any teenager out there could be an Anti-sam, I could be one you will never know. Their spooky mask hides their identity, you can even be talking to one and you won't know the person is one of them," Laura told her.

"That's the problem, they're so smart!" Bloom exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.

"And cool, I imagine all the boys to be hot. Do you know people are creating the mask? It's turning into a trend, my brother bought it. You should've seen the way my mom freaked out thinking he was one of them."

She said and chuckled but Bloom was glaring at her.

"What?"

"You like them?"

"I didn't say that; I said they're cool. They are mysterious and that makes them cool."

"So if you're given a chance to join them, you..."

"No, I'm better than that, you should see the way my brother worships them."

"Speak some sense into him."

"Trust me we've all tried, he is looking for a way to join."

"He is just getting himself a death wish. When the cops finally catch up with them, they won't stand a chance."

"But the Anti-sams aren't that bad, come to think of it, ever since they became popular there is no news about anyone dying because of them. They only scare people and cause trouble, they don't want blood. "

"Be honest with me Laura, are you one of them?" Bloom asked with a scrutinizing stare slicing through her best friend.

"No Bloom, I'm just trying to make a point."

"Who cares if they don't kill people? The trouble they cause and the fear they plant in people is enough to land their sorry ass in jail."

"Maybe they want something."

"Or maybe they're just some group of senseless teenagers having fun," Bloom added.

"With the president?" Laura laughed.

Bloom shrugged and licked the chocolate off her finger.

"I don't think they created a group to just have fun with the President."

"Whatever, I just feel bad for my dad, I lost my mom because of this stupid presidential post and the last thing I want is to lose my dad too."

"Hey, relax. Your dad is a strong man."

Bloom smiled at her best friend's words.

"Have you ever thought of sneaking out of here?" Laura suddenly asked.

"Never."

She couldn't remember the last time she left the Valley House.

'Let the magic begin '

"Well, there's a party tonight at Cole's place. Remember Cole, the quarterback of the football team?"

"Yeah?" She replied wondering where the conversation was going.

"All the football players and basketball players will be there and other schools are coming."

"Cool, have fun," She said plainly.

"You're going with me."

Bloom did a double-take and looked around the small living room.

"Yes, you," Laura said with a serious tone.

"You know that's not possible and no thanks, I'm not interested ."

"Are you kidding me right now? Bloom this party is going to be a blast and the biggest party someone from Gregson High has ever thrown."

"Still not interested."

"Come on Bloom, I really want you to experience the party of a lifetime with me, high school will soon be over and I might never see you again."

She said with a sad tone, the look on Bloom's face told her her plan was working.

"I don't know if your dad will ever let you out. I miss us hanging out, not just sitting here and talking. I want us to have the time of our lives tonight as best friends. I will be graduating from high school in two months and then leave for New York."

"I'm sorry Laura, I can't. My dad will be very angry and is not safe out there."

"Bloom is a party filled with teenagers, no one will hurt you I promise and if you get uncomfortable we can leave and I will show you all the new places in the city. Just one night Bloom, a night with my best friend is all I ask for."

Bloom gave her a sad smile, maybe she should think more about her best friend and not just herself. She was right, once high school was over Laura would leave for college and she won't have anyone her age to talk to.

It was just one night, one night with her best friend. What could go wrong?

"What if someone recognizes me?"

Laura smiled knowing she had agreed.

"No one, believe me, no one will recognize you. There are no pictures of you on the Internet. Do you have any idea how people are trying to get your picture?"

Bloom shook her head indicating a 'no'.

"Hackers have tried but didn't get it, people started posting different pictures claiming it was you and they called you 'the hidden treasure of the president' "

"Wow, that explains why my dad told me not to be on any social media."

"Sucks huh?"

"Yeah," she replied with a laugh.

"So was that a yes?"

"Laura my dad will go crazy if he found out, but I want to hang out with my best friend cause I don't know when we will do it."

"He won't, you'll be back before ten."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, you have my word."

She was still contemplating. She was relieved no one would know she was the president's daughter but at the same time she was freaking out.

"Are you having second thoughts?"

"No, what time is the party?" she masked her fear with a smile.

"Eight, we have plenty of time to get ready."

"But how are we getting out? The security is pretty tight and I'm not allowed to leave the residence unless I'm going to use the secret exit to the garden."

She sounded nervous. Laura smirked and reached for her shoulder bag, she brought out a rolled paper and gave her.

"Ohh my God, where did you get this?" Bloom gasped.

"In your dad's study, remember you took me there last week?"

"Yeah but Laura you shouldn't have, what if he finds out is missing?"

"There were two blueprints there, I just took one"

She said with her normal 'I don't care' attitude. Bloom stared at her wondering if she had gone crazy.

"Well forgive me for trying to look for a way I can sneak my best friend out, so we could spend some time together like normal teenage girls. I was desperate okay? "

She sounded upset.

"I'm sorry, I'm just scared."

"Is all your dad's fault, he has convinced your young mind that anyone can hurt you cause you're his daughter."

It was the truth, the worst-case scenario played in her head as she thought of what could go wrong sneaking out. She ignored the thought and focused on the blueprint. She wanted to make it up to her best friend.

"So where exactly is the way out?"

"The basement, there's a tunnel down there that leads to a street close by but it's like 7 minutes walk from here."

"So we are going to be walking for 7 minutes in a tunnel? Is it safe?"

"Yes, Bloom."

"Are you sure? Cause I have a thing for rats, I faint just hearing the sound it makes."

"I know."

"Okay."

"But how are we going to get to the basement? It's on the first floor."

"We'll use the secret exit, then we'll sneak into the basement. The secret door will lead us to this hallway which luckily for us is unguarded."

She showed her the spot on the blueprint.

"Wow," She mumbled.

"You can return the blueprint," Laura told her.

"What are we going to do about Damian?"

"We will tell him we are going to the garden to have some girl time and we need privacy."

"Sounds good."

"Now let's see what you can wear."

"I'm not wearing a dress, so don't make me."

Bloom told as she trailed behind her to her walk-in closet.

"Fine, pick whatever you want but you must steal a hot guy's attention tonight."

Bloom giggled.

"Have you ever thought of your first kiss?"

"Laura please not that."

"Well if you want I know someone..."

"Laura!" she groaned.

"Fine, I guess you're saving your v-card for that boring senator's son."

She said and Bloom laughed.

♤

Zayn was hanging out with his friends at a small diner packed with teenagers, it was as if the diner was built with a magnet for attracting teenagers.

Five girls sitting at the booth next to them kept staring at him and offering their best smiles. He ignored them and kept sipping his drink.

Lizzie and Tyra arrived with their fries, burgers, and milkshake.

"Thanks, you should both apply for a waitress job here."

Taylor said to them, Lizzie shot him a glare and threatened to eat his burger.

Nicole was resting her head on Taylor's shoulder while he played with her large hoops earrings. Their relationship was so complicated, somedays they looked like a cute couple and other days they looked like arch enemies.

Zayn observed his surroundings doing calculations in his head. It was a habit he couldn't control and he enjoyed doing it.

"Zayn" Lizzie poked him.

"What?" He grunted with a scowl.

"There's a big party tonight, are you coming?"

Taylor asked and they all stared at him waiting for his reply.

"There will be free drinks," Taylor added.

"Free music and dance floor," Lizzie said swaying her head to the sound she was making with her fingers. She could dance to any sound.

"Hot guys," Nicole said making Taylor frown at her but she didn't care. He looked upset all of a sudden.

"Yeah sure but I will leave by..."

"Then to see your Sunflower? Yeah we know"

They all said in Unison.

"Glad you do."

He said and picked one burger.

Meaning of Anti-sam...
Anti-sam...against Sam.

I made it up, don't look it up😅😅😅