The President's Daughter by David Dower (if you liked this book txt) 📕

said.

"Well okay then, I'll just open up the gates."

I held my breath, silently praying that he will let us through. I felt the car lurch forward, "Thanks!" Holly yelled.

A waited a few seconds, then pulled off the blanket I had over me. "Oh my god!" I said, breathlessly, as we pulled away from the gates. "I cannot believe I just did that! I snuck out!"

"Wow, Alice. I never thought I would ever see a goody two shoes like yourself living on the wild side." She said, proudly, "How does it feel having a taste of freedom?"

I smiled, never in a million years, would I have ever thought that I would sneak out of a house that had one of the high tech advanced security in the country. "Holls, how are high school parties like?" I asked, curiously.

"Loud, crazy and tons of fun." She replied, indicating the turn signal and turning left.

I nodded my head, keeping quiet and staring at the window as the scenery passed by in a blur. Ten minutes later I heard a faint beat of music, that’s when I knew that we were getting closer to the party. I felt nervous jitters run through my body. Thoughts consumed my brain as I began to panic.

Holly parked the car looking at me in confusion, "Don't worry, no one will recognize you, Alice. And if they do, leave it to me I'll have their heads." I nodded, my head at my cousin’s threat, managing to give her a small smile, even though I knew that Holly would not be able to live up to it.

We got out of the car as we made our way towards the party. I saw a few people passed out on the lawn, it was a typical high school party.

They are probably drunk out of their minds.

Holly pushed open the door, of the front house. It was a nice house, you could definitely tell that the host of this party was rich. Britney Spears and Will.I.Am- Scream and Shout, was blasting through the speakers. I winced at the scene displayed before me, teenagers grinding on each other, as the stench of sweat and alcohol filled my nostrils.

"Let's go dance!" Holly yelled, over the music.

I nodded, my head as I grabbed Holly’s hand as we squeezed our way through the packed bodies and towards the dance floor. Or what was left of it, the song quickly changed as I moved to the beat of the unknown song that was playing.

After a couple of more songs and a lot more dances, I had to say I was enjoying myself. "I am just going to go get a drink." I yelled, over the music to Holly.

However, I doubted she was even paying attention to me, she was too busy making flirty eyes at the guy across the room.

I rolled my eyes and made my way towards the bar. Once I was seated the boy, who was serving people came up to me.

I couldn't recognize all of his facial feaures do to the poor lighting in the room, but right away I could tell he was handsome. With brown hair that was matted to his forehead, probably due to sweat.

"So what is a pretty lady like you doing all alone?" He asked, in a flirty tone. I chuckled at the boy, but did not respond. "Well then what can I get you?" He asked again, yet I still didn't answer him. He tilted his head to examine me, propping his head on to his hands as he leaned on the table, searching my eyes for some sort of response. "Not much of a talker, are you?"

I shook my head and smiled. "I'll just get a glass of water, please."

He raised his eyebrows and moved away from me, humor evident in his eyes. "So she speaks!" He said, throwing his hands in the air.

I let out a few chuckles, I have never been a person to socialize with the opposite gender so I was a tad nervous. "The name's James, Ben James."

I held my hand out for him to shake, "Clair, Ali Clair." I blurted out, saying the first thing that came to mind. I gave him a small smile, shaking his hand. We stared at each other for a few seconds, before bursting into fits of chuckles.

Once we sobered up, he spoke up again. He smiled at me tilting his head and examining my face. "What?" I said, nervously, as I rubbed my face hoping there wasn't anything on it.  He kept staring as I looked away hoping he wouldn't recognize me.

"You're not from here, are you?" I shook my head, "Who are you here with? A boyfriend, perhaps?"

"No, I am here with Holly Richards. Do you know her?" I questioned.

Ben’s eyes seemed to have suddenly darkened, his eyes narrowing and jaw clenching. "No. I do not know her, sorry." He said, forcing a smile on his face.

I gave him a small smile, "I'll grab your glass of water." He muttered, turning around to grab my water.

I made a mental note to question Holly about Ben later on, he seemed to know her by the way he reacted.

Ben returned shortly, placing my water on the counter. I thanked him hopping off the stool I was previously sitting on and walking out of the bar area to search for Holly. Squeezing my way through all the dancing bodies, clutching the cup of water in my hand trying not to let it spill. I reached the spot that I previously left Holly to go and grab a drink, but the only difference was that Holly was no longer there. 

I took a deep breath, trying not to panic.

Okay, don't panic Alice.

I took a sip of my water trying to calm my nerves, it was probably best if I go and search for her rather than wait here all alone. I walked down the hall where it led to all the downstairs rooms. I opened each one of them, but most of them were occupied if you know what I mean.

"Come on, Holly. Where did you go?" I muttered, heading towards the stairs, ignoring all the couples making out.

Once I reached the top I looked down both sides of the hallway, it looked to be about six rooms. The first three rooms I checked were empty. I continued walking down the hall as I noticed a couple making out at the end of the hall, I felt puke rising up in my mouth. I saw enough, kissing and grinding to last me a lifetime.

I glanced at the couple one more time, the girl had light brown hair. The same color as Holly, she also had the same clothes Holly was wearing earlier today. And that’s when I realized that was Holly.

"Holly!" I screamed, running over to her and the boy she was previously making out with. Holly pulled away from the boy, as she looked down the hall in search of the person who just called her name.

"Alice?" She called out, her eyes widening. "Oh my lord, I am so sorry I left you." She said, hugging me, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She asked, worried.

I shook my head, "No I am fine, Holls. Besides the fact that you left me alone. I am fine, I just think it is time to go. It's passed midnight." I said, pulling out the phone from my dress and showing her the time on my phone.

The person who she was making out with a couple of minutes ago, let out a groan. "Really, Holly?" Don’t be a party pooper, just stay for a couple of minutes and I promise to show you a good time." The person said, smirking swaying back and forth he seemed drunk and confused out of his mind.

I rolled my eyes at Holly's taste in guys, she then turned to me, smiling sheepishly. "I'll be in the car," I mumbled, grabbing the keys out of her hand walking down the hall. I stopped in my tracks when I realized something, I turned back to Holly and the guy, “You have three minutes!" I yelled, out to Holly, who was already making out with the drunken guy.

I rolled my eyes, as I walked towards the stairs, I didn't want to watch my own cousin lip lock with some stranger I doubt she even knew. Once I made it safely downstairs I began to push through sweaty bodies as I tried to make it to the front door. Once I made it outside safely, I walked towards Holly’s car, ignoring the people who were still passed out on the lawn, and others who were outside giggling to each other.

I opened Holly’s car pulling open the door and buckling myself in the passenger's seat. Besides all the grinding, making out and watching Holly make out with some random stranger. It was a pretty fun party, but I did kind of feel guilty for sneaking out.

A few minutes later the car door opened to reveal a frazzle looking Holly. "What's wrong?"

She let out a forced laugh as she shook her head. "Nothing's wrong, don’t worry about it."

I looked at her curiously but nevertheless dropped it. I really had no more strength to fight with Holly. I just sat quietly in the car, the only sound of the radio that was filling the silence.

Once we pulled up my street, I turned to Holly, "So what's the plan this time?" I said, speaking the first time during the entire car ride.

"Well I guess, I can just say I forgot something and they will let me through. Just cover yourself with the blanket again," I nodded, and did what I was told, as I felt the car move forward towards the gates.

"Hi." I heard Holly speak.

"Um, hello? May I help you?" The guard said, unsure.

"Yes, can you just do me a favor and open up these gates. I kind of forgot something in my cousin Alice's room and my mother told me I had to go back and get it." She said, in a pouty voice.

"Well I am sorry Miss, but no one is allowed back through the gates. Especially at this time," The guard replied, he obviously wasn't the same guard as before.

I muttered a few curse words. How does Holly expect me to get back into my own house, now?

"Please. How about we kind of talk this through, after all she is my cousin and the President is my uncle. You wouldn't want me to tell him that a guard won't let me in? Would you?"

"Um, of course not, Miss." The guard said, his voice sounding scared. "I'll open the gates up right now.”

If Holly could get through, we definitely needed to tighten up security around here.

I felt the car stop once more, as I uncovered myself from under the blanket. "Thanks cuz," I said, to Holly unbuckling my seatbelt and hopping out of the car.

She smirked. "No problem,” She said, before as I closed the door. I walked over towards the tree that led up to my room as I noticed as her car began to back away from the driveway making her way towards the gate for the third time today.

I began to climb the tree that led to my room, knowing that Holly was probably already out of the gates and heading home by now. I pulled open my window as I pushed myself inside, thanking God that I didn’t fall as I climbed up the tree.

I shut my window turning around to find my parents sitting on my bed. Worry and disappointment etched on their faces, once they realized my presence my dad stood up from my bed, he looked tired.

Well how could he not be, he must have been worried sick. "Alice, Where were you?" He asked, rather calmly.

I looked at my mom her expression looked neutral, "I went out with Holly." I said, quietly looking down at my feet.

"Without any