thank you cstwys and sincerelymalum for the amazing book covers! I love the 4 of them and since it's only one book I'm changing it with time!

*Luke's P.O.V*

"Remember, if you need anything, I'm only one call away" I hug Laurel tight, and I feel her nodding.

"I love you. Thanks for being understanding" She tells me, letting go. I force a smile and help her carry the bag to the cab. I kiss her lips once again and close the car door for her.

"I love you, too. Have fun in San Francisco!"

"I will. Call you when I get there!" She waves at me and I wave back, watching the car vanish down my street. Instantly I turn back and run back home to take my phone and make a call.

"Jeff? I just bought your ticket." I tell my bodyguard.

"Sir, I don't think I understand what you want me to do in San Francisco." Jeff says, confused.

I shake my head.

"Laurel has never been there and I want you to look after her, but she must not know it."

"So basically... I'm stalking her?"

"If you want to put it that way, yeah. She's going to think I don't trust her if she sees you, and when I told her I would come along she tried avoiding it at all costs. Laurel is hiding something, find out what it is. She's staying at Le Meridien, I helped her book yesterday. I booked you a room as well, away from hers so she doesn't see you."

"Mr. Hemmings, I really don't know why--"

"Jeff, just, do me this little favor, okay? Please, I've got a bad feeling, and I trust you. Whatever she does, where she goes, I want you to tell me everything. I promise that when you get back we're going to that Lakers game you wanted to go, what do you say?"

Jeff sighs.

"You're the boss, sir."

I smile, relieved.

"Thanks man."

I hang up and take a shower, trying to calm down. Nothing is going to happen Luke, chill. Your girlfriend is just visiting her ex's sister when she should be with you at Calum's birthday. That's okay.

I take a deep breath and call my friend.

"Eeey, happy birthday Cal pal!" I greet him. "I'm gonna show up later with lots of beer!"

"Thanks, man! And yeah, please do it" He chuckles. "I'm not throwing a paaarty party, just a few people. Is Laurel coming?"

"Um, not really... She apologized but she needed to go to San Francisco with a friend. It was an emergency." I explain. "However, she said she's gonna call you."

"I'll be waiting! At least you're coming, then. See you!"

"See ya, bro" I turn off my phone, heading to Amanda's. She texted me saying I should stop by, and there I go.

I park in front of her house and ring the bell. A couple minutes later she opens, with a bright smile on her face. I roll my eyes, coming inside.

"You better have interesting news about H" I say.

"Actually, I--"

"Hello, Luke" A familiar voice calls me. I turn back to face the red haired woman.

"Speaking of the devil" I laugh, sarcastically.

"You should be politer, since I'm helping you."

"You wouldn't need to help me if you haven't fucked up in the first place" I hum, sitting on the couch.

Gosh, Amanda's friends are as despicable as she is.

"Tell Luke, Hannah" Amanda demands. Hannah rolls her eyes and sighs.

"A asked me to leak information about you guys and I did because I'm one stupid bitch"

"Not this part" Amanda censors. "The other one."

"Oh, right. So, Perez Hilton contacted the website I spoke with trying to reach me, but apparently H came after him; turns out, I didn't. And nobody except me and Amanda knew about it."

"Then it could be Amanda talking shit again" I chuckle, annoyed.

Amanda huffs.

"Stop being a douche, Luke, I said I was sorry."

"Then why am I here? Did you guys find out who's H?"

"No" Hannah says. "But I might have a clue"

I stare at her, waiting for her to say. Once I realize she's not going to, I roll my eyes.

"Which is...?"

"I've discovered the person who identified themselves as H actually got the information from someone who's friends with Laurel."

Things just got a little more complicated now.

I decide to leave after I realize she's got nothing else to say. Then I immediately find out it's going to be a lot harder to know who H is without telling Laurel, because turns out, it's one of her friends. I wonder if she'd ever believe me if I told her.

What if it's the guy? And she's freaking there with him while I'm standing right here talking with two...

"Oh, and Luke" Amanda calls from the front when I'm already in the car. "Wait for us at Calum's later today."

I take a deep breath.

"Calum wouldn't invite you"

"He wouldn't. But you would"

Oh God, I didn't need any more drama in my life.

*Laurel's P.O.V*

San Francisco is so beautiful I'm out of words to describe! I'm having plenty of time to admire the city if I get the scholarship, so I run to Le Meridien to take a shower and get ready for the meeting. I'm really nervous. I tie my hair in a ponytail and do my make up. I put on a social skirt and a white shirt. Oh, and the heels, we shouldn't forget them.

Stumbling across the hallway, I call for a cab. Getting in the lobby I bump into a big guy reading the newspaper.

"Sorry, sir! I'm in a hurry" I apologize, not looking back.

The cab is waiting for me outside.

"To UCSF, please."

He nods and pulls out.

Getting there I run to find out which room I should get into, and once I do I relax a little, walking normally again. My hands are sweating and my breathing is unsteady. I feel like I'm passing out. I open the doors to meet two women and a man wearing white coats. They must be the coordinators. Next to them there's a man, not much older than Luke. Once he sees me, he cracks a huge smile.

"You must be Laurel!" The guy comes towards me to shake hands. I recognize his voice.

"And you must be Jim" I smile politely at him.

Jim's got blue eyes and dark hair. His smile is very beautiful, and I can see the edge of a tattoo on his arm under his shirt.

"It's good that you're here early, this way I can personally introduce you to my bosses" Jim smiles.

He introduces me to Professors Evans, Abel and Cartwright. We shake hands and I sit down, discreetly drumming on my own lap to let go of the tension.

After the meeting Austin calls me asking what I am doing.

"I was just thinking about getting some sleep, staying at the hotel and stuff." I tell him, trying to avoid any troubled situation.

"Oh, you must be tired, that's okay. I'm just going out for a tour and I was wondering if you wouldn't like to go with me..." He explains.

"I appreciate it, Austin, but I'd rather staying at the hotel."

"Um, sure... Hey, I was wondering, do you like Maroon 5?"

I frown. What kind of question is this?

"Uh... yes, I do. Why?"

Austin chuckles.

"There's this song, it's called I Can't Lie, from Hands All Over. Have you ever listened to it?"

I shake my head.

"Then you should, definitely. When you're doing nothing, just play it, okay? Pay attention to the lyrics."

I roll my eyes, just wanting to finish the conversation. He is just trying too hard.

"All right, I will. Goodnight, Austin."

"Goodnight, Rel."

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I love it when people get exactly the reaction I wanted haha I know Laurel is making terrible choices!

Anyway, that is where I want to take this, so... vote and share if you like it, and don't forget to comment.

There's a double update later today! Stay beautiful 💗 xo