Isabella stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her frock for the millionth time. The dress was a light pastel shade, simple yet flattering, though she wasn't entirely sure it was "party material." She tugged at the hem nervously, trying to imagine herself blending in with the crowd.
 
Noah stepped out of the closet, looking effortlessly charming in a tailored suit and a crisp white shirt, unbuttoned just enough to give that boy-next-door charm with a touch of rebellion. She couldn't help but smile.
 
"My handsome boy," she teased, walking over and cupping his cheek. His piercing dark brown eyes looking at her. Her tiny constellation tattoo on her wrist, representing her love for starts and dreams while behind her a cresent moon tattoo looking very perfect blue.
 
"Right back at you, princess," Noah shot back, squishing her cheeks playfully. His hair fall on his face while he smiling. His teeth are arranged in row which is white and he has pink lips.
 
Isabella rolled her eyes, pulling away. "Stop! You're going to ruin my face, and this took a lot of effort, thank you very much, Noah."
 
Noah smirked. "Effort, huh? That explains the three different shoes you tried on earlier."
 
"Shut up," she muttered, laughing.
 
While Isabella fixed her hair, Noah plopped onto her bed, hands behind his head.
 
"Remember those 'missions' we used to go on?" Isabella asked, a nostalgic smile creeping onto her face. "You, me, and the grand cookie heist of 2012?"
 
Noah grinned. "Your mom almost caught us that day. You panicked and hid behind the fridge! You are always the coward."
 
"Hey! I saved us," she defended. "You're the one who tripped and dropped all the cookies. You are foodie especially when I purchase money."
 
"Details, Elle, details, when ? Date day year." Noah teased. “Oh baby I know you forget because you never purchase money...But yeah..it was always us against the world back then."
 
"Sometimes," Isabella admitted softly, "I miss how simple things were."
 
Noah turned serious for a moment. "Senior year, huh? Hard to believe it's almost over. We are in 11th Grade."
 
Isabella nodded. "Yeah, and soon you'll be off charming college girls and forgetting all about me."
 
He leaned forward, catching her gaze. "Not a chance. You're stuck with me, Elle. But I’m not sure if Vanessa start liking me."
 
Her heart warmed at his words but little bit jealous, she quickly shrugged it off. "Let's go, Mr. Sentimental, or we'll be late."
 
While going she stopped in mid way, he asked "What?"
A playful smirk appear on her face and she said "How can someone fall in love with monkey? How can I forget that." She said and laughing while he making criticism faces.
“Don’t jealous baby.” Noah said while winking and smiling which showing his teeth.
Isabella replied “jealous my enemies.”
On way, The sleek black Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat roared to life as Noah pulled out of the driveway. Isabella couldn't help but admire the car, though her nerves were starting to creep in.
 
She fidgeted with the edge of her dress. "Maybe we should just... skip this one?"
 
"Relax," Noah said, glancing at her with a grin. "It's just a party. No one's going to bite... unless you count Phillip."
 
"Who?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
 
He smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. "You'll see."
 
The mention of Phillip intrigued her. "Okay, but why do you sound like you hate him? He didn't even talk to anyone. He is hot, handsome badass."
 
Noah's jaw tightened slightly. "Let's just say Phillip Hayes isn't exactly a 'team player. He has two faces."
 
Isabella pressed. "Meaning...? like a vampire and human or like klaus mikaelson like hottyshotty Hybrid?"
 
"OH, PLEASE. ISABELLA STOP LIVING IN FINCTIONAL WORLD.”  She shouted and with rise eyebrows looking at Isabella.
Isabella’s face become sad, he knew it was her fake face. I don’t wanna become pain in her heart so I just said “Oh sorry baby. I know its your dream to become a fairy in fairy land and marry a ugly vampire.”
Isabella laught and said “You know it’s my 4th dream to become a screen writer and a great author.”  Noah looking at her and teasing then she again asked “What do you mean by he has two faces.”
“Meaning he's a spoiled rich kid who thinks the world revolves around him," Noah said, his voice tinged with annoyance.
 
She gave him a look. "Says the guy driving a Hellcat."
 
"That's different," Noah shot back. "I earned this. Phillip just... exists, and people throw themselves at him."
 
Isabella laughed. "Sounds like jealousy to me."
 
"Trust me," Noah muttered. "You'll see what I mean when you meet him, after summer this summer break.”
Noah narrowed his eyes and looking at Isabella “Btw, why are you defending him?"
 
Isabella’s POV
 
When he said that I also asked the same thing to myself. Its truth I liked him but why I felt jealous when he said those thing against him. I replied "He is alone, bro. Just chill. Forget about him."
 
As qe pulled up to the massive house, music and lights spilling onto the driveway, I couldn't shake the feeling that this party would change more than just my weekend plans.
 
The house was alive with music that pulsed through my chest. Lights flashed in different colors, bathing the crowd in a kaleidoscope of neon. Laughter, shouting, and the occasional pop of a soda can filled the air. The smell of pizza mingled with cologne, creating a strange but oddly fitting combination.
 
I felt out of place immediately. Everyone seemed so... polished. Girls in tight dresses and perfect makeup, guys with styled hair and expensive sneakers. I tugged at the hem of my frock, wishing I'd picked something else.
 
Noah noticed my nerves right away. He nudged me playfully, leaning down to whisper in my ear, "Stick with me, Elle. No one will dare mess with you."
 
I smiled, grateful for his protectiveness, even if I felt like a child in a crowd of adults.
 
We hadn't been inside for five minutes before Chloe Monroe, the queen bee of the Fab 5, spotted me. Her glossy lips curled into a smirk as she looked me up and down. She was coming towards me, I gave her a fake smile and said "Hey..Pretty dress."
 
"Is that a frock?" she said, her tone dripping with disdain. "How... retro."
 
I clenched my jaw, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction but my face exactly show the emotions, that’s the problem. I gave her a  compliament besides she saying this. Meanwhile, Noah glared at her, but I placed a hand on his arm, silently telling him to let it go.
 
Chloe laughed softly, flipping her hair as she turned away. "Good luck tonight, darling. You'll need it."
 
I ignored her, but her words stung.
 
Just as I was trying to disappear into the background, Phillip Hayes walked in. Or maybe I should say he made an entrance because that's what it felt like.
 
He didn't look around for attention, but everyone's eyes found him anyway. He was all sharp edges-jawline, cheekbones, and confidence that oozed from every step. A compass tattoo snaked up his arm, disappearing under the rolled-up sleeves of his black shirt. The top buttons were undone, revealing a hint of his chest and a Latin tattoo etched along his collarbone. Written "Dum Spiro Spero." He always wore a leather bracelet on his left wrist and a silver chain necklace with a tiny charm shaped like bolt. In clear words he is my damon salvatore and I’m his Lexi. The girl who wants attention but never got but I’ll become katherine pierce and make him fall for me again..again and again. In my finctional world. Hehe…
 
Chloe lit up like a Christmas tree, stepping forward to greet him. "Phillip!" she chirped, her voice higher than usual. I feel too much hate when she got closer to him like if I have magical powers I’ll dissapeared her from the world but unfortunately I don’t even have a motor bike.
Meanwhile phillip, as usual, barely glanced at her, muttering something under his breath before brushing past. His piercing grey eyes with silver sparks looking forward. Chloe froze for a second, her face falling as she quickly tried to recover.
 
I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my face. Serves her right. Personally, I wanna laugh with my while heart like HA..HA..HA… But what public think about me. I’m introverted girl even my instagram is private. When people ask my account I say its private I don’t share my personal things my hot pics and other things are uploaded on it. But in reality I don’t have any boyfriend and pics besides a good boy posture. I couldn’t even walk perfectly on hills.
I tried to ignore Phillip after that like I do. I want he look at me then I ignore him and feel lightly that I ignored phillip Hayes but it’s always be my dream cause he doesn’t even look at me.
 
I don’t wanna look at him but it was impossible. My eyes kept wandering back to him. His black shirt clung to his broad shoulders,and that tattoo on his collarbone... I couldn't read it, but I hated how my thoughts kept drifting. If I got a chance to kissed him I'll definitely do it. His masculine body and tight forearms paying my attaintion and almost every girls here, I bit my lower lip round my eyes like.. you know what I wanna say. My fuckin thoughts will kill me one day or I’ll die single. Fuckk…!
 
BUUUTT...What is wrong with me? He didn't even looking at me and why would he do? He already ignored Chloe the bee queen and most richest man’s daughter in California L.A. So who I'm in front of him? Just a lower middle class girl. Whose parents never gives her privacy and see her as a bank account. But why I’m thinking about it? If Rose fall in love with Jack so why he didn’t? I’ve to talk to him.
 
I shook my head, lifting my chin and thinking I've to talk to him perhaps he will talk to me. Maybe a quick "hello" would snap me out of whatever spell he seemed to have on me.
 
As I weaved through the crowd, I silently prayed, Please don't embarrass yourself, Bella. Not this time like in last years.
 
But Of course, the universe had other plans.
 
Just as I was a few steps away, someone bumped into me from behind. My drink tipped forward, spilling all over the person in front of me.
 
Phillip Hayes.
My hazel brown eyes widen and my mouth is open. I don’t know what will he gonna do with me? It was really embarrassing and become very embarrassed when everyone looking at him and music stopped. I maintain fake smile and shook my head that God never supported me so why he do now? I was thinking I’ve to run..much like Cinderella and left my sharp hill sendle on stairs but unfortunately I wore boots, or sport shoes if he found it he will die as he sniffs the smell inside from it.
 
Meanwhile Phillip, He looked down at his now-stained shirt, then back up at me. His piercing eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. My heart beating and I eating my nails because I'm scared of him. Like he is not a damon salvatore but klaus mikaelson.
 
"Seriously?" he said, his voice low and cutting. "Do you not know how to hold a drink?"
 
I fumbled, trying to explain. "I-I didn't mean to. Someone pushed me from behind."
 
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Maybe next time, watch where you're going, little princess."
 
The way he usually calls me "princess" wasn't charming-it was as always mocking. His tone pierced straight through my chest.
 
He smirked and looking with narrow eyes and he clinched his jaw.
 
Noah appeared out of nowhere, stepping between us. "Relax, Hayes," he said, his voice sharp. "It was an accident."
 
Phillip smirked, stepping back and crossing his arms. "Relax, Reed. Your little friend's safe with me."
 
"Little friend?" I repeated under my breath, my face heating with embarrassment and anger. The nerve of this guy.
 
Noah grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door. "We're leaving."
Everyone looking at me as I do a bad job like I steal the diamond from ring or a diamond crown or in my tongue I damon, stole Elena Gilbert from Stefan Salvatore .
 
I didn't argue. My face burned with humiliation, and all I wanted was to be anywhere but there. As we walked out, I glanced back briefly, catching Phillip's gaze one last time. His expression was unreadable, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this wouldn't be our last encounter.