Not Exactly Fireproof

Chapter 1

Beep, beep, beep, beep.

My alarm clock annoyingly sounded at 5:30 this morning. The repetitive noise played over and over in my head until I gathered the strength to flip my body over and hit the snooze button. I knew I had to get out of bed.

Today was the day.

But, let me back up a little bit. My name is Lara Jennings, a 19 year old college dropout who moved to The Big Apple to persue her dreams to become a professional hair and makeup artist. I was offered an oppertunity to join Lou Teasdale, One Direction's hair and makeup artist, on the "Where We Are" tour. And yes, I did just say I was going on tour with One Direction. I don't really love their music (despite their attractive looks) and I'm dreading working with the guys because I hate the whole snooty, male-diva thing... but I know I can't pass up this amazing oppertunity to train with such a talented person as Lou.

So, fastforwarding to today, I am going to meet up with Lou at the airport in New York to go to our first city. Los Angeles.

When I finally pull myself out of the warm covers surrounding me in my bed, I head strait for the shower. I turn the water on as hot as it could go. The hot water always seems to calm my nerves. As I let the warm liquid wash all over my body, I think about what is to come for the next few months and the adventures I am going to have travelling the world.

"Lara, I hope you're awake! Today is the big day!!" says my best friend and roomate, Kylie. We live in a little apartment in SoHo that we both absolutely love. We spent the last year renovating it to be the perfect home for us... it made me really sad knowing that I would have to leave it soon.

Not only was I going on the trip of a lifetime with Lou, learning about hair and makeup, but Kylie would be coming as well. She was recruited to work in wardrobe for the tour. I don't think I would have been able to leave the apartment to go to the airport if it weren't for her.

"Yeah, Kylie, I'm in the shower! Get your ass ready," I joked.

I finished up my shower and got my outfit ready for the day. I chose to go with a pair of black jeans, a white and baggy sweater, some gold accented jewlery, and white low-top converse. It wasn't exactly the most stylish outfit for first impressions but I really wanted to be comfy but cute on my flight. I wanted to come across as professional but chic at the same time. I blowdried my deep brown hair and curled it before going into my makeup routine. Makeup has always been my passion and I love experimenting and trying out new products. Today, I wanted to keep it classy with a bronzed, smokey eye and red, glossy lips.

Once I completely finished getting ready, I grabbed my suitcases and Prada purse and headed out to the kitchen to grab a quick bite before Kylie and I left. When I got out there, Kylie was already dressed and ready to go. Her hair was long, blonde, and wavy that framed her beautiful blue eyes and huge smile. She was wearing high waisted army-green pants with a white shirt and some tan combat boots with a huge puffy green coat. She looked amazing. We both looked ready to take on any adventure that came our way.

We walked confidently out of our apartment building and greeted our doorman, "Good morning, Charlie," we said in perfect harmony.

Charlie had been working at the building since we moved there and always made a point to say hi to us and to be cheerful. "Well, good morning, ladies! Where you might be going this early in the morning and all dressed up?"

I smirked at Kylie and said, "Oh, no biggie... Just work." Before Charlie had the oppertunity to answer, we hailed a taxi and asked the driver to go to JFK. We were on our way.

The taxi ride was long, the stop and go traffic made it so we had plenty of time for thinking about our lives and the future. As we got closer to the noise of jet planes taking off, I knew we were close.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into the airport parking lot and then I saw them.

I saw them.

Waiting in a black SUV witht the windows down, I saw the boys of One Direction. They all seemed so much more attractive in person but that thought quickly left my mind when I saw Lou sitting in the front seat. "Lara! Kylie!" Lou waved to us as she aggresivly whispered, "Boys, say hello..!"

"Hey there."
"Hello."
"Hey guys."
"How's it going."

But there was one voice that stuck in my brain more than any other, "Hello, love. You are quite gorgous, if I may point out." I knew instantly that this was Harry, the flirtatious one that every teen girl is in love with but honestly, I was just annoyed by his snarky remark. I knew he would be troublesome all tour long but I ignored that thought and grabbed Kylies arm and dragged her to Lou who was getting out of the car to give us welcoming hugs.

"We are so excited to have you guys join our team! I know the guys are pumped to have some fresh faces around here, God knows I could use a couple more hands to tame the beasts that are One Direction." Lou's subtle humor made both Kylie and I laugh. "Well," Lou continued, "should we be on our way then?"

With that, we climbed into the black car to be driven to the tarmac where the private jets took off. There were 2 seats available for me and Kylie.

Harry looked at me and then looked down to the cramped seat that was inbetween him and the door of the car and said, "I believe this seat is for you, love?" he asked.

I didn't want to get involved with his flirtatious ways so I urged Kylie to sit there and I went to the row behind him and sat between Zayn and Liam... Niether of them made condescending or rude comments to me which made them my favorites so far.

The car weaved in and out of incoming airport traffic to get onto the gated road that led to the private runway. I had never been on a private jet so my heart was pounding with excitement and nerves to board the incredibly expensive plane.

The car pulled up just meters away from the loud jet that was ready for take off. The driver unloaded our luggage and put it into the bottom of the jet as the rest of us boarded the plane. I was the first one to walk on so it took me a minute to gather my surroundings and realize how nice of a plane we were in. I felt like I was in a move until Harry ruined my moment but coming up behind me and saying, "Never been on one of these? Huh. Interesting," and with that, he pushed passed me with a wink and sat in the seat closest to the front.

I took that as a sign to move to the seat closest to the back of the plane. I waved at Kylie to come and sit next to me but she went strait for the seat next to Niall. That's weird, I thought. I ignored all of this and braced myself as the plane took off into what would become the adventure of a lifetime. All I could do is sit back, relax, and watch the world go by below me.