Enchanted n.h. au

Chapter Three

Running with giddy, we dove into the back of the Addison Lee. Squished in the middle, I adjusted my dress. Looking up, I caught the drivers reflection---it was the Stan guy! He smirked slightly, "That dress looks nice on you," he hummed. "Those jackets don't look to shabby either."

The twins ran hands through their hair, with identical smiles of delight. "Thanks," they chirped. "You'd bring the goods?" Alex asked.

Caught off guard, I snapped my head quickly  in his direction. As long as we lived together, they weren't going to do drugs. I saw myself like an older sister, and there was no way on this Earth that they would be permitted to do that.

Andrew coughed, muttering something about perfume and my hair. Alex chuckled, taking the burlap bag that was being passed back. "Relax, I'm not stupid," I snorted. "Okay, I'm not that stupid." I shrugged at this.

"It's a masquerade," Stan said, glancing back at me while lighting a cigarette. That took some serious skill.

"You shouldn't do that," I mumbled quietly; I knew what the cancer sticks could do.

"Yeah, yeah, don't nag me. Just put on the mask." I reached in to find one that was the same color as my dress, but contained sprinkles of glitter, and lined with pearls.

"Here," Andrew offered, taking the mask from me. He licked his thumb, and dabbed my cheek. "Just a spot, don't worry," he assured me. He gently slid it over my head, and pulled my curls, so it was no longer in my face. "You look good."

I awkwardly leaned into Alex's lap to see my face fully in the rear view mirror.

Again, I was met with that feeling of not knowing who stared back at me. I loved the way the mask framed my eyes, gold looked good on me. Scanning down, I stared at my locket. It wasn't the average heart, it was shaped like a door and what was hid inside, was hid inside me.

"What about you guys?" I asked before the memories came back. Once, I opened that door, there was no going back.

The boys turned away momentarily, and reappeared. Alex wore a black sparkly mask, while Andrew wore a matching white one. "Cute," I mused.

As we pulled closer to a swanky looking hotel with a circus of cars parked in front, a valet opened our door, and we hopped out. Nerves hit me like a truck as we walked through under the awning and into the hotel. An artsy sign that matched the invitation, advertised the party.

"Walk in like you belong here," Alex whispered in my ear as we approached the bouncer. He was really intimidating. His biceps had to be bigger than my head. I really hoped that the twins were good at forgery.

The bouncer merely grunted and let us in. I gasped at how beautiful it was. There was plenty of gold, black, and turquoise. The air was sweet with arrogance. You could taste the millions of dollars in the room.

"We'll"

"met"

"up"

"at"

"the"

"buffet"

"at 11," they said after another.

Before I could protest against them leaving me alone, they had disappeared into the giant crowd of people. I hated crowds ever since I was little. When I was 7, I had been at Maggie's two years, and we went to the zoo. I was obsessed with flamingos. I started to talk to some little boy about why they were pink, and the next thing I knew, everyone was gone.

I shuddered at the memory and made my way to the buffet. While I was faking the high life, why not enjoy all it has to offer?

Niall's P.O.V.

There I was again tonight, forcing laughter, faking smiles. Same old tired lonely place. Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy, vanished when I saw your face.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets, and forced a laugh. Some executive was telling a golf story, that shamed comedy. Excusing myself, I flattened my back against the wall away from the conceited and arrogant executive. I hated this. Whenever crowds became too big, and the pushing too much, I would panick.

As I began to have a mental breakdown, a group of giggling girls, walked by and smiled. I offered a fake smile in return. I hated everything about this party---except Perrie and Zayn's engangement, of course. Me wearing a mask was pointless, you could identify me by my hair. I stuck out horribly.

Every girl that I'd talked to tonight had built up a wall on insincerity, and all it caused was me to shift my eyes to the next group of girls. Breathing in and out---I'd forgotten my inhaler--- a blonde girl caught my eye. She was propped up against the buffet, her legs crossed over each other. She was in mid-bite of those delicious bacon wrapped hot dogs. She was actually eating! She was the only girl in her color dress---I should know, I'd seen every color that could be created.

Whoever she was, she was different. I couldn't see all her face, but I just knew she had to be beautiful. I found myself leaving the comfort of the shore, and entered the sea of people. I grabbed two champagnes off a waiter that was sputtering around.

I was within feet of her, when a hand grabbed me and pulled me away. I was met by Harry. "This better be good.," I gritted, clutching the flutes tighter.

Harry laughed, before saying, "Lux wants a dance."

I sighed and dared a glance over my shoulder. Please, don't let anyone go near here, I thought downing the champagne in one swig.

This is why I've never met my princess. I'm constantly interupted.