I was grounded. I knew something like that would happen when I arrived home two hours past curfew with my dad sitting on the couch, his arms crossed over his chest. He knew I had been at a party by the alcohol scent in my breath and the sweat drenching my body. He told me that I could only leave the apartment for school and to eat. I was not aloud tp hang out with my friends until he decided my punishment was over. 

And as a bonus punishment, he was forcing me to go to the Star Festival which was tomorrow. I was pretty sure I would rather die in a violent fire, but oh well. I was going to the ass hat festival. Yay for me.

So, eating was pretty much the highlight of my day. It was currently lunch time, and I was seated beside Wells. Archie and Clarke were talking about one of their earth skills assignments while Wells and I ate in silence. When he had found out about the fact that I went to a party and got slightly drunk, he was not exactly thrilled.

And somehow, he found out that I went there with Bellamy. I didn't know who he got the information from, but whoever they were I was very pissed at them. I assured Wells that nothing happened and that Bellamy and I just went there to hang out as friends further proving the fact that I was indeed horrible.

From across the cafeteria, I spotted Bellamy at a table with some of the other guards. He was laughing about something. I had almost forgotten how much I loved his smile. All nice thoughts about him faded though when he caught me staring.

My cheeks inflamed with heat as he smirked quirking an eyebrow. I gave him a hard glare before looking away, completely flustered with myself.

"Are you ok?" Wells suddenly asked.

"Yeah, I'm just frustrated," I answered. "You know, with my dad and the whole grounding thing." Not about Bellamy Blake catching me staring. Nope, not at all.

Wells nodded. He kept his gaze on his food as he ate, "I heard he's forcing you to come to the Star Festival."

"Yep, can't you just see the utter excitement radiating off of my face?" I asked with sarcasm.

Wells laughed lightly, "Maybe you'll be more excited if you come as my date."

"Well, the evening would be less horrible," I answered teasingly.

A happy smile formed on his lips as we both went back to eating our lunch. My gaze may or may not have returned to Bellamy throughout the rest of lunch.

~_~_~_~_~

After a check-up with Doctor Griffin, I returned to my room. There was nothing for me to do except take a nap, so that's exactly what I did. For two straight hours, I slept very peacefully with no interruptions.

Well, until there was a loud and rude knocking on the door. I was jerked out of my peacefulness, and I was very annoyed. I stormed out of my room with my fists clenched, ready to just go off on whoever dared to mess with my nap time.

The door slid open quickly, and I opened my mouth to begin my long rant about not disturbing people when they were trying to sleep, but all the words died on my lips when I saw Bellamy Blake standing there in his guard's uniform.

"Um, hey," I said with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't show up for our lesson. I thought something was wrong."

"No, nothing's wrong. I'm actually on house arrest," I answered as I motioned to the apartment. "My dad caught me and grounded me."

Bellamy nodded, "Ok, well sorry I got you in trouble."

"It's not your fault. I chose to go with you."

"Do you regret it?" He asked.

My eyes locked with his, "No. Do you?"

"No."

I contemplated a thought. My dad wouldn't be home for at least two more hours, and I was bored. Having some company would also be nice, but inviting Bellamy in was also dangerous because of my unresolved feelings for him. Also, he looked really good in his uniform that day, and his hair was all messed up in a cute way. I was toast if he came inside.

"Ok, so do you wanna come in?" The words left my mouth before I wanted them to.

Bellamy gave me a surprised look, "I thought you were grounded."

"I am, but my dad is still at work, and I've had the most boring day ever. Besides, I still need my lesson don't I?"

A smile tugged at his lips as I motioned for him to come inside. Bellamy stepped through the doorway, and the door slid shut behind him.

Bellamy glanced around the living room taking in all of the furniture and pictures and decorations. Without warning, he took off his guard's jacket, threw it on the armrest of the couch, and plopped down on the cushions.

"Just make yourself at home."

Bellamy let out a content sigh as he laid down, "I think your couch is more comfortable than my bed, Princess."

I had forgotten for a moment that Bellamy was from Factory Station. Which the poorest station of the Ark. I knew the rumors that his mother slept around for money and different supplies, but I refused to jump to conclusions. I wanted to know more about him, but Bellamy seemed very similar to how I was about giving information about myself. We both seemed to be pretty private people.

However, my curiosity always got the better of me. So I went over to the couch and shoved Bellamy's feet off of half of it making him let out an annoyed huff. He sat up as I took the spot his feet had previously been rested on.

"Can I ask you a question?"

He nodded, "Shoot."

"Why did you become a guard?" Bellamy tensed slightly. The question seemed to make him uncomfortable. "Is it what you always wanted to do?"

"No, I don't really like being a guard," He answered keeping his eyes away from mine. "People like me; people from Factory Station, we don't have very many opportunities. Everyone looks down on us, so we have to take what we get."

"I don't look down on you," I replied. I really couldn't imagine anyone looking down on Bellamy Blake. He was the kind of man that grabbed everyone's attention when he entered the room. "I honestly think the people from Factory Station are the kindest people to be around on the Ark."

Bellamy furrowed his eyebrows, "Why?"

"Because people who don't have much usually are more content than people who have everything," I replied. Bellamy's eyes finally met mine. His gaze was mesmerizing and deep and filled with something that seemed like longing. I must have been mistaken. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you amaze me," He answered without looking away.

My heart did about fifty backflips at once in my chest, "I thought I was a pain in your ass."

"You are," He replied with a smirk. "Well, your sassy attitude is."

"I wouldn't have to have an attitude if you weren't so annoying all the time."

"I wouldn't have to be annoying if you weren't so stubborn all the time."

I shoved his shoulder playfully, "Well, at least your lessons are paying off. I'm number three in the class now, and next week I plan on becoming number one."

"What happens when you do?" He asked. "When you get the training spot, you won't need lessons anymore."

I wouldn't have an excuse to spend time with Bellamy. We would have to go back to not seeing one another. The thought made me realize how much I enjoyed hanging out with him. Even if I pretended to hate his guts at times.

"No, I guess I won't," I replied. "I guess after I get the training spot we'll have to think of another clever way to hang out."

His serious look turned into an amused smile, "I knew it."

"Knew what?"

"I knew the only reason you agreed to take training lessons was because you like me."

I scoffed, "I never said that."

"You didn't have to, Princess," he said as he grinned widely. "Like I said, you're an open book."

I rolled my eyes, "I think your own desires are clouding your ability to see reality."

Bellamy raised one eyebrow. He slowly scooted closer to me on the couch, and I moved away until my side was pressed against the armrest. Once again, Bellamy was up in my personal space.

"Tell me, Princess," He said in a low voice that sent shivers raking down my spine. "What exactly are my desires?"

His proximity had left me speechless. I just stared into those chestnut brown eyes as my heart hammered inside of my chest, "Um, I-I...."

"Have I made the great Harley Winters speechless?" His voice was laced with pride. "I bet that's a first." I glared at him, extremely annoyed with how cocky and bold he was being. I was also angry at myself for having feelings for that annoying asshole. Completely flustered, I quickly tried to slap him in the face, but Bellamy caught my hand with ease. "Now that was just rude."

"I hate you."

"No you don't," He said barely above a whisper, still holding my hand in his. "You may want to, but you don't. You never have."

I swallowed, unable to look away from his gaze, "I have a boyfriend."

"Then why did you invite me inside?" He asked barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," I answered honestly as his face began to inch even closer to mine.

"I think you know why, but you're just afraid to admit it."

His lips were only inches away from mine. I spoke in a whisper, "Well, I think you're full of shit." He smirked, and right before he closed the gap between us there was the sound of footsteps outside the door. My eyes widened, and I shoved Bellamy away from me. "Shit, shit, shit!"

"What's wrong?"

"My dad's home!" I pulled Bellamy up with me as I stood up. Then, I pointed to a small closet to his left. "Get in the closet."

"What? I'm not going to-"

"Just do it!"

"No, do you see how tiny that thing is?"

The sound of someone rustling around in their bag for a key card caused me to start shoving Bellamy towards the slim door, "Just get in the damn closet!" He let out a frustrated sigh as he opened the door and stepped into the small area. 'I'm going to distract him long enough for you to get out ok?"

Bellamy nodded, 'Whatever you say Princess, but I will get you back for this."

I gave him a small glare as I shut the door. Right then, my dad walked into the living room with a tired look on his face. There must have been another stressful Council meeting. He was always in a bad mood after ones of those.

"Hey Dad," I said casually as he set his bag down on the couch.

"Hey kiddo," He gave me a half-smile.

Then, I remembered that Bellamy was in the closet, and I needed to distract my dad so he could get away without being seen, "I am really confused on some of my history homework, and I know you aced history so I was just wondering if you could help me on it."

And oh yeah, Bellamy Blake is in our closet.

My dad nodded, "Sure, I'd be happy to help."

Then, I led him into my room. As I glanced behind my shoulder, I saw Bellamy exiting the apartment silently. He stopped at the door before leaving turning around to catch my eye. A smirk formed on his lips, and he gave me a cheeky wink.

And then, he was gone.