Ariella’s POV

Dear Journal,

Or should I say diary? No, no. Let’s keep it as journal. Agents as myself shouldn’t be writing in ‘diaries’. Continuing on, Williams and I had safely made it across the ocean into America, and I can already tell how different it is here compared to home. The young females have surrounded the hotel, and are, how can I say, nuts?

They seem to be after the same people we’re after, except they make an obvious approach. Not the best strategy if you ask me. They have already grabbed the attention of the four young men. At least what I counted. There could have been more, but I couldn’t tell as the doors to the lift had shut in front of me. I did see the ones we’re after. They are here as well. Wish I would have known ahead of time, at least giving me a moment before finding out on my own. Hope all goes better tomorrow.

I closed the leather notebook shut, sighing as I place it back in the drawer to the night stand. The bathroom door opens and out comes Ryan in sweats and bare chested. His towel is covering his head as he shakes the fluffy towel to dry his hair.

“You can go now.” He says, removing the fabric from his head and draping it onto his shoulders.

I nod and pick up the folded pyjamas at the edge of my bed and walk into the warm bathroom. Making sure the door is locked, I strip down of my clothes and start the shower. Making sure the temperature was warm enough with my toe, I step in and close the curtain behind me. The feeling of the water running down my body felt so relaxing, it makes me roll my head back. All of the thoughts of events that had happened today immediately leaving my mind. For a minute.

It’s amazing to see how much things have changed in the two years that I have been off the grid. The different location, people, society. It’s almost frightening. Then came my encounter with Louis… Could he actually have had recognized me? Would he tell Niall? The stress was returning to my head, and I need it to stop.

I lathered the soap onto me, did a good rinse, and stepped out. I dried myself off completely with one of the remaining fluffy white towels that the hotel had provided before re-dressing myself. After I brushed my teeth and removed any left over makeup that didn’t come off in the shower, I turned off the light and returned to my bed.

Ryan was already in his own bed asleep, the sound of his light snores echoing in the room. The time on the clock read 10:00 pm. It’s late for room service, could the cafe be open right now? I look over to Ryan, still snoring. I wouldn’t want to awake him. I guess I’m going on my own. I quietly step out of bed, taking my robe and putting it on. I make sure my hair is covering the majority of my face after I write a small note to Ryan in case he wakes up and questions my absence.

Stepping out as quietly as possible, I make my way to the lift, the sound of its arrival became the loudest thing I’ve ever heard as the large doors open for me. I step inside and push the glowing button for Lobby. The doors close and begins its descent, the quiet hum of the classic music giving a small sense of relaxation. The lift stops, making a ding as it opens the door. I step out, much cooler air passes as people are checking in and out for the night. I find the reception desk, finding a man who seems to be in his late 40’s typing away at a computer. I walk towards him, my presence was not noticeable for him as he did not look up.

“Excuse me?” I question. He looks up, confused by my outfit.

“Can I help you?”

“Can you point me to the cafe, if it’s open? I could go for a late night snack and I didn’t want to check if room service was still available.” I explain myself.

“Of course. It’s down the hall, your third door on your right.” He smiles. I nod.

“Thank you so much.”

I thank him before making my way to where he had instructed me. The room was large, I must admit. Many tables have been set out for the late nighters, many cooking utensils have been left out, but as I skim the counters, I find the machine that could be useful for me. I take a mug and fill it with hot water that was pre-done and select my tea.

That first sip makes me hum in satisfaction. I bring the mug back with me, hoping that they won’t mind. I pass by the man at the reception, waving at him and silently thanking him. I hop back in the lift, pressing the top button, watching it glow as the doors shut. The lift stops suddenly, making a ding noise as the doors open again, letting one person walk in. That one. I keep my head down as the door closes behind him.

“I knew it.” A voice says quietly, making me freeze. “It is you. You are alive.” We are only on the 3rd floor, and we need to get to the 16th. I see his feet slowly make his way to me, making me take a step to my left, even though I know I’m pinned. I could go through the vent through the ceiling, but he could easily stop me. You don’t know if he still remembers any of the training he had gone through.

“Ari?” He whispers, immediately taking me in an embrace, spinning us around, but was being cautious of my mug in hand.

“I’m sorry sir, but I think you have the wrong person… My name is Elizabeth.” I finally say. He releases me quickly, holding me out at arms length. I look up at him for what would have been the first time in years. He looks taken back, but stays nearby.

“Oh really?” He says, crossing his arms in front of him.

“I’m pretty sure.” I half smile. He looks at me, obviously not buying it.

“So, these wouldn’t happen to be yours?” He reaches behind him and pulls out a pair of sunglasses. My sunglasses.

“Nope.” I shake my head, pressing my lips into a thin line.

“Hmm, then I really do have the wrong person. Sorry.” He apologizes. I nod as a response. “You should keep these, though. They will look nice on you.” He hands me the glasses, and I accept them. Just as I thought. “Also…” He pulls out a slip of paper, scribbles something quickly on it, and hands it to me, just as we make it to the top level.

The doors open, and with one more smile, he walks out with his hands in his pockets. I watch him pass my door, stopping at one at the very end of the hall before disappearing inside. I step out of the lift, slowly walking to the door, unlocking it and stepping inside. Ryan was pacing back and forth in front of his bed, stopping when he saw me enter.

“Ari, where have you been? If you weren’t here a minute later I was about to go out and search for you!” He scolds me as he approaches me, but I stand my ground.

“I left you a note by your nightstand, did you not read it?” I question. He looks confused, as his arms and shoulders drop.

“What note?” I sigh and walk over to where I was earlier, and take the sheet while setting down my tea.

“‘Ryan-
Went downstairs to get some tea. Shouldn’t be long.
Ari.’”

I crinkle it up and throw it at him, reclaiming my mug and getting on top of my own bed. He catches it and reads it to himself before sighing.

“Sorry. I just got a bit worried that you weren’t here. I didn’t even check for a note.” He joins me on my bed, resting his head on my lap. I run my fingers through his messy hair.

“It’s okay.” I finished my tea and set down, giving sleepy Ryan my full attention.

“Are you okay now?” He asks me.

"Only if you are.” I respond, letting my back hit the headboard, the drowsiness is already kicking in.

“It shouldn’t be if I am, only you.” He mutters, looking up at me.

“I got stuck in the lift--”

“You what?!” He cuts me off.

“Will you let me finish?” I ask calmly. He stays silent, motioning for me to continue. “I got stuck in the lift with Louis. And we talked.”

“About?”

“Nothing much really, I tried telling him that he has the wrong person, but he didn’t buy it.”

“Did he give you something?” He points to the sunglasses that hang on my collar. I nod.

“He had my sunglasses that I dropped earlier today.” He nods as well, his eyes drooping before sleep takes over him. Remembering the other slip of paper that he had given me, I unravel the slip of paper, I read what he has written down:

Ariella, I know that it is you. You and I both know that you can’t lie to me. I have told Niall of you here, but it’s up to you to prove it to him. We are so happy that you're here, and I can say for both Niall and I if you would like to come by our room tomorrow morning, to join us for breakfast. Please come. We miss you greatly and I really miss my Care Bear.

Below was his room number, and a time that I would have to show up. 9:00 am.

My heart flutters at his words, making me shed a small tear. I wipe my hands to remove the tears on my cheeks before closing it again and setting it by the mug. I let Ryan sleep on me, as this isn’t the first time we had done this. When we first became friends, the other guys were still mocking me, and it was like starting my whole life over. I know that not everyone was going to like me, I already figured that out in Oak Hills with Brittney, but this is a bigger population of them.

Having him as a friend really helped me out on getting used to the school, feeling like I belong without having to change myself so much. He keeps me at peace whenever I feel as if I am missing Niall again, even though majority of the time I was mad that he didn’t keep a promise. Ryan and I have gone to the comfort stage where we can act and dress normally, and even sleep in the same bed, but not committing adultery, that’s not right. He’s my rock.

Notes

Guys...

WHO'S EXCITED FOR FOUR TOMORROW? Also, did anyone else get feels for the 5 Days To Go for Night Changes? <3 Five days is so far away... God help me...

Anyways, hope you enjoy and pls comment/vote/subscribe, especially your thoughts on Four!!! Much love! xxx