After settling in we took a couple naps, awakening and dozing off from time to time, at least getting what we could get since the building was surrounded by screaming teenagers in all areas. There was no escape route out of here, unless you want to fly off of the top of the building, but I left that stuff back at Cove, thinking that I wouldn’t have the necessity to do that.

It made me feel more alert however, sensing that they could easily climb the high walls and break in, but they would know better, right? I didn’t want to look outside, as the sunlight kept peeking in through the curtains. I removed myself from the comfort of my own bed to the window and draw the shades shut any tighter, making it more darker in the room.

Climbing back into bed, I reach underneath the mattress to take out my bag, packed with the essential needs, and the folder with my instructions on this assignment. I look to the side of me to see Ryan fast asleep, so I know I won’t be bothered by him as I take hold of the folder. It’s currently 12:30 in the afternoon, neither of us ever leaving the room for food.

Taking in one last breath, I open the folder to see all of the same information that I have skimmed on my way here. At the end however, a sealed envelope was tucked in the back, labeled: TO BE OPENED BY ELIZABETH ROGERS. I rip open the white envelope as quietly as possible and take out the sheets of paper inside.

Dear Ariella,

Congratulations on making it to America safe and sound, I hope all is well. Your first assignment is to obviously not make yourself stand out. You will need to blend with the people around you. I have attached hopefully what would be enough money for you to spend on what is necessary there, including Mr. Williams’ as well. I would not recommend you purchasing any devices that would be capable of tracking your location, but I am sure you are already aware of that. If you are to purchase said items, you are to report to me as soon as possible. On the front page of this packet you will find my contact information, but do not let it get out.

I am also requiring you to keep a journal as the days go by, write down any events that occur. This may be our best thing yet, and I want it recorded. I am putting all of my trust in you Ariella. You will receive further information when the time is ready. For now, just blend with your surroundings, by any means necessary. I will check in from time to time. I wish you the best.

Walter

“What’s that?” I hear Ryan ask me from behind, making me jump and yell out, quickly swinging my arm out to make a direct hit with his head. He takes a couple steps back, obviously surprised at my action as he holds his head for a moment.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that. You should know better.” I quietly scold him, not meeting his gaze.

“It was just a joke.” He says, rubbing his face.

“My apologies.” I mutter. He sighs, scanning the paperwork scattered around me, taking them all and placing them in a pile by the foot of the bed before returning to me.

“You alright there, Ariel?” He asks me. Whenever I would appear to be in a sad or depressing mood he would constantly call me Ariel until I would at least smile.

“Yes.”

“Ariel.”

“I’m fine.” I get up from the bed, and take the paperwork and setting it on the night-stand on top of the discarded folder. I can feel his gaze burning a hole in my back, knowing that he isn’t buying it.

“Tell me what’s on your mind.” He quietly pleads behind me, taking me by the wrist and making me sit down on the edge of the bed. He sits by my side and pulls me in an embrace. I sigh, knowing that if I don’t say something he won’t stop this nonsense, even though secretly I really do appreciate it.

“I saw him.” I whispered. The side to side motion comes to an abrupt halt as I feel his arms go around me tighter.

“Who?” He asks.

“Him. Them. It was them. I think...” I’m not even sure if it was actually them. They looked different, if anything, more mature, it couldn’t have been them. Them, mature?

“You know… Names would be helpful.” He releases me slightly to get a better look of my face.

“Niall and Louis.” His face scrunches up.

“Here?” He asks, making me feel frustrated at the ridiculous question.

“Yes!” I stand and begin to pace beside the bed, my right hand constantly running through my hair. “The people that the large crowd were after. He was in that group. The people that the Directioners were after.”

“Are they staying here at the hotel?”

“I don’t know. If I were to guess it would seem so.” Self knowledge, you would know that if they came here they would be staying at the hotel. Right? I’m just in denial. Denial. Niall. Niall… Ugh. Did I really just think that?

“Do you want to go out and check?” He suddenly asks after a moment of silence. I breath in and out heavily, stopping in front of him.

“Even though I really don’t want to, we have to. We need to go out and do some shopping.”

“Whoa, we?” He says, standing as well. “That’s usually a girl thing. Guys don’t get involved with that.” He shakes his head, proving his point.

“But, because you are my best friend you would come with me. Right?” I plead. I know that if I go alone, there would be consequences, whether it was for me, or the other citizens of the area.

“I don’t know, Ari.”

“There’s money for you too, to spend.” I remember, thinking out loud.

“Really?”

“Really.” He ponders for a moment. “Will you come with me? Please?” I ask, clasping my hands together while pouting my lip.

“Even though I’m going to regret this…” He mutters. I tilt my head to the side slightly. “Fine.” I squeal and grab any of the street clothes that have been provided for me and heading to the bathroom for a quick shower.

---

Taking that first step out of the hotel room was much more difficult than I thought. Well, the thought of him being in the same building as me after all this time, it was hard to take in. If anything, he could be in any of these rooms that are right by ours.

“Will you come out already? I am pretty sure we do not have all day.” Ryan says from outside the room, impatiently tapping his foot against the carpet floor. I move one foot in front of the other, slowly crawling out of the safety of my room. He shuts the door behind me and guides me to the elevator.

“Is there any other elevators that we could take, it seems to obvious to go through here. General, even. We could easily bump into him.” I say a tad nervously as the elevator dings, signaling its arrival on our floor. The doors open to show an empty room, letting me breathe out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. We hop in and Ryan pushes the button for Lobby as I put on my dark sunglasses. The doors began to close until a voice was shouted out.

“Hold the elevator!” A familiar voice says. Ryan, who now became the biggest idiot on my list holds the door for him, letting the familiar brunette man take up the space we were in.

“Thank you, good man. I appreciate it. Going to Lobby as well.” He casually says, standing between Ryan and I as the doors shut, soon beginning its descent to the lobby. And we were on the top floor. The 16th floor.

We keep our distance from each other, praying inside that he wouldn’t look at me. Then again, this gave me a better look at him. My old friend. My new target. He has peach fuzz on his chin, and has become much taller and more toned since the last time I saw him. Even the way he dresses, I'll admit, he’s grown.

Ding. We passed a floor. Ding. We passed another one. On the third ding, the elevator stops, opening its doors to more patrons, a small family. The two parents, and two young children that don’t look more than 6. All of them were dressed in light clothing, no doubt heading to the pool right now. A couple excuse me’s every now and then from the parents as they make their way to the control panel and pressing one of the floors just above the lobby.

"Lovely day, isn't it? Great to go swimming." Louis broke the silence. The parents and Ryan murmured in agreement before silence came in again. I couldn't dare speak in his presence. Would he even recognize it? I wouldn't test the theory.

We reached the floor for the family, and once they left, we were all alone for the journey to the last floor. Inside, it felt a little bit comfortable bringing around him after so long. My only fear was if he was to recognize me, would he tell Niall? His head turns, the baby blue eyes meeting with my shaded browns. Good thing I brought them and had put them on.

"You know, you seem familiar to me. Have we met before?" Guess we are going to find out. I open my mouth, but nothing was said. Come on, Ari. You can do this.

"Are you alright, love?" He asks, concerned.

"I'm sure she is fine." Ryan answers his question as the door opens to the lobby. He yanks on my arm and gets us out of there. I turn back to see Louis staring at us, confused. My sunglasses fall and immediately his eyes widen, as if realization had slapped him across the face. He was about to shout out to us but we safely made it out. Oh no.

"You okay there?" Ryan asks as he pushes us through the crowd.

“I think he recognized me.” I said quickly. The girls make a gap for us to walk through, quickly closing it behind us.

“I didn’t hear him say otherwise.” He started, but was cut off with the sudden shriek of the girls, screaming as they tighten their gathering to the main entrance.

“Get a cab we need to leave!” I push him forward to the sidewalk and further down as he searches for a cab. One pulls over and I followed him inside the vehicle. I shut the door behind me, immediately turning to see if he saw me.

"Where to?" The cab driver asks. His name tag read Carl.

"Any of the shops, please." Ryan said.

"What store?" He further asks.

"Ari?" He asks me.

"Uh…” What shops are there?

“JC Penney?" The driver asks. I nod my head quickly.

"Alright." He stares at me in confusion, but driving either way. He pulls back onto the main road, just as I see Louis with the girls behind him jogging towards us, but missing us by a heartbeat as we get away.

---

"Your total is $89.45. Do you have a JCPenney card with us today?" The incredibly sassy woman at the counter says in a weird accent.

“No.”

“Would you like one?” She smiles.

“No, thank you.” I mutter.

“Hmm. You’re probably going to need it…” She whispers, as she pushes more buttons on the register.

“I beg your pardon?” I question, furrowing my eyebrows.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just thought that this is a lot for someone as young as you. I don’t think you can pay for it.” She shrugs casually. I raise my eyebrows, is this what the service turned into these days?

“I can pay for it, thank you.”

“Then hand the money over, hun.” She challenges me by leaning against the counter, sticking her hand out. I reach into my pocket blindly to take some of the money and pull out 90 dollars in cash, handing it to her with a smirk.

“Keep the change.” I smirk, as I take the bags and walk away from the counter furiously, meeting up with Ryan outside the store.

“Wow, you are already getting into the hang of things, aren’t you.?” He questions me as we walked down the sidewalks, seeing what store we can enter next. He takes one of the bags from my hands, loosening the weight on my hands. Ryan also had bought some stuff for himself, but at a much lighter expense.

“I rather want to go back to the Cove and head to my fencing class.” I sigh as we enter the next store. I really just want to keep this going until I know that they aren’t at the hotel.

“Come on, I think we are done for today. We have plenty and I’m getting hungry.” He tugs at my arm, stopping me from fully walking inside. My stomach tightens and I tense up.

“I just need some other stuff.”

“That you can get tomorrow?” I turn my lips into a thin line, knowing that it can.

“Yes.” He smiles and walks to the sidewalk, happily walking down to the small diner that we had passed not too long ago. I follow in suit, knowing that I don’t want to be alone. I catch up to him and just smiles at me more. I look down at my feet, maybe some food can calm me down. Some sweets probably. Stressed backwards is desserts, after all.

Notes

I hope you are enjoying this so far, I have already typed up and edited the next two chapters, thanks to my new subscribers:) I will post them soon enough!

Please comment/vote/subscribe to let me know what you think, it would be lovely:) xx