Love at the X Factor (on hold) :(

Chapter 2

February 28th, Bella's 17th Birthday

"Bella! Wake up! It's your birthday!" Blake was jumping on my bed, like the immature nineteen year old he is. I groaned and rolled over, checking my phone.

"It's 4AM!" I yelled. He smirked.

"You were born at 4:07 so I decided to wish you happy birthday first."

"I hate you." I grumbled, easing back into the covers.

"It's time to get up anyways. You're going to Los Angeles." I heard my mom's voice. I sat up.

"Wait what?"

"I talked to your teacher. I got your work for the next two weeks. I'm not sure how this X Factor thing works, okay?" She laughed. "We are leaving a few days early to get settled in a hotel and get some beach time." She said. I was awake and screaming.

"Oh my gosh!" I ran up and hugged her.

"You're welcome." She laughed. "John wishes he could be there, but he has work in Florida for the next week and a half." I frowned slightly.

"But I'm coming! Time to check out some beach babes." Blake wiggled his eyebrows.

"What about Jake?" I asked.

"He's going too." I smiled.

"'Now, go get showered. We leave at six to the airport. Blake pack her bag." My mom turned and went back to her room.

"Put actual clothes in my bag. No funny business." I said to Blake. He held up his right hand, giving the Boy Scouts honor. I laughed and ran off to shower quickly.

I turned on the hot water, letting the steam fill the room as I undressed. I got in the shower quickly, doing everything I need to do an quickly getting out. I wrapped myself in a towel and running to my room.

"Happy birthday, by the way Bella. This is from me and John." My mom handed me a card. I thanked her and closed my door to change before opening it. I pulled on a pair of grey sweats and a long-sleeved white shirt. I towel dried my hair and let it hang loose. I checked my bag and Blake actually did a good job, minus my bathroom necessities. I packed all that in a separate case before opening my card.

Happy birthday, Bella. Can't believe you're 17. We love you and are so proud of you.

I smiled and sat the card on my dresser. I was about to throw the envelop away when I saw something inside. I reached inside when my hand touched something cool. I grabbed it and held it up. Only to scream.

"Bella, what is it!?" Jake burst into my room, holding a plastic baseball bat in his tiny hands. I laughed.

"Nothing, Jakey. I just opened a card from Mommy and Daddy and I got a credit card." He sighed, glad I was okay. His blue eyes shone as he clasped onto my leg.

"Happy birthday, Bella!" He said in a sing-song voice.

"Thanks, buddy." He smiled and skipped down to his room.

"Thanks, Mom." I hugged her as she came by my room.

"No problem, Bells. But don't go too crazy with it." She winked, making me laugh.

"Promise." She nodded and continued downstairs.

I finished arranging my bags and putting on a little bit of makeup to hide the circles under my eyes. I grabbed my laptop and adapter and added it to my suitcase. I unplugged my iPhone from the charger and stuffed it into my pocket and put my charger with my laptop. I slide on a pair of boots and ran downstairs, lugging my suitcase downstairs. I sat it by the door with everyone else's stuff and went to the kitchen to grab some breakfast. I grabbed a cereal bar from the cabinet when I saw I only had ten minutes.

"Mom!" I yelled.

"Yes?"

"We have ten minutes." That was all it took for everything to go crazy. She was soon running around the house, making sure everything was ready to go. Me and my brothers took all the stuff to the car while she did a run through. I called shotgun as we ran out to the garage.

"You only get it because it's your birthday." Blake scoffed. I laughed and we loaded the bags into the back as Mom came running out.

"Let's get going!" My mom hopped in the car. I helped Jake with his seatbelt before climbing into the car, cranking up the radio as we pulled out and into the road

I turned to look out the window, watching the desert and cactus disappear behind us as we got into the main part of Phoenix. The buildings rushed past us as we finally reached the airport. I was bouncing in my seat as we parked. We all grabbed our bags, Blake having to help Jake, as we walked into the airport. We made our way to the front desk.

"What time does flight 216 to Los Angeles board?" My mom said with her cheesy smile that she always does while we are in public.

"Right now, ma'am." The girl at the desk smiled. My mom thanked her and we hurried through baggage check and went through security before finally getting on the plane. I was seated with Jake and Blake and my mom was directly in front of us.

"I'm going to sleep." Jake said, settling into the blanket he brought and laying his little head across Blake's lap. I looked out the window, watching the flight attendants loading up passengers baggage into the back of the plane.

"We are preparing for take off. Please buckle up. Thank you." The captain's voice echoed all around us as everyone clicked their belts in. Blake buckled Jake up as he was already out. The plane was soon taking off and we were in the air. We were allowed to remove our belts.

"Keep Jakey's on. He tends to move around in his sleep." My mom said quickly. "I'm gonna get some rest. Behave you two." Me and Blake shared a look and we laughed. She turned around and I could soon hear her soft snoring.

"Blake, I'm bored." I said, turning to face my brother.

"Order some food or stalk that boyband." He said, putting on his Beats and closing his eyes. I rolled mine and stared out the window, watching the clouds roll by as my eyes slowly closed.