Cloudy skies, a restless classroom and a bad-hair day. All aspects of an average Monday morning.

I stared idly around the classroom, chewing my pencil and taking in my familiar surroundings. My best friend Stewart sat next to me, reading up on alien conspiracies, as per-usual. Fifty Pence was nodding his head with his headphones clamped on at the back of the classroom. Rose Gupta, one of my fellow spies, was sat at the front scribbling in her exercise book. She had the look of your classic nerd, with her uniform worn perfectly and a bag that could hold several cathedrals.

The other M.I.9 teenage recruit sat nearer the back. Daisy Millar was the complete opposite of Rose. Fashionable, popular, and with the most annoying friends ever. Still, she can be pretty amazing at times, when she's not being infatuated by good-looking airheads (*cough* Chad Turner *cough) and she's not making a sarcastic remark or complaint. And she's gorgeous.

Keep dreaming Whittaker.

'Good morning, class,' said their harassed-looking teacher Ms Templeman as she entered the room. The class responded by positively doubling the noise level. Only Rose replied with a polite 'Good Morning, miss' that was lost in the hubbub.

I was just taking out my exercise book when something vibrated urgently against my thigh. Looking down, I saw the red eraser which topped my pencil flashing. I needed to get to M.I.9 HQ.

Sticking my hand in the air, I watched Daisy do the same, whilst hastily shoving her pencil out of sight of Zara and Kaleigh.

'Blane?' Ms Templeman sighed.

'Miss, I left my textbook in my locker,' I explained, thinking fast.

'Alright, run and get it. Daisy?'

I heard Daisy voicing some well-rehearsed excuse as I left the classroom and headed to the Caretaker's Storeroom. Once joined by Daisy and Rose, we all stepped inside the tiny closet and were soon walking out into HQ, fully-kitted in our M.I.9 outfits.

'Good morning, team,' said Lenny Bicknall as he span around to face them.

'Morning,' sighed Daisy. She was staring down at herself with a disheartened expression.

'What's up with you?' I asked her.

'Oh, just my diet doesn't seem to be working,' she informed him, pulling at the fabric of her top.

Rose rolled her eyes. 'Daisy, the only thing that's gonna get thin is my patience. You could be a super-model for Goodness' sake!'

Daisy shook her head but I could tell she was pleased.

'Back at the mission,' said Lenny with raised eyebrows. We all turned quickly to face him, knowing his temper was not to be tested. 'A popular new make-up brand has been selling off products containing some kind of dangerous ingredient, which leaves the wearer fit to do their bidding for 24 hours. The people who are wearing it are encouraging others to do the same as well as buying even more. It's the perfect scam and now everyone's getting into it.'

'Ooh, is it called Jinx by any chance?' demanded Daisy, her large blue eyes alight.

Lenny turned to her with a slightly taut smile. 'Yes.'

'Oh yeah, Zara's just bought some foundation from it last night! It's really expensive but she reckons it's worth it...'

'A perfect example of its effects,' said Lenny, gesturing to Daisy.

'Have you got a sample to analyse?' asked Rose, stepping forwards.

'It just so happens M.I.9 sent one in.' Lenny reached behind him before preferring a lipstick tube to Rose. It had handsome golden letters down one side spelling 'JINX.' Rose wound it up to reveal a rich scarlet colour.

'Nice shade!' commented Daisy.

I rolled my eyes.

'Where did you disappear to all lesson?' demanded Stewart as he hurried up to my side.

Thinking fast, I cast him a reassuring smile. 'Oh, only Lenny wanted me to help him with some caretaker-y stuff.'

It was more or less the truth.

'I got their new eyeshadow, it's awesome!'

I looked round to see Daisy, Zara and Kaleigh heading in our direction. Kaleigh was showing the other two a brightly-coloured eyeshadow palette, with Zara looking enthusiastic and Daisy smiling awkwardly.

'You got some Jinx yet?' Zara confronted Daisy.

I could see Daisy fighting for a reply, her teeth worrying her lower lip. Determined to spare her, I hurried into the gang and grabbed Daisy's arm, inventing wildly on the spot.

'Hey Daisy, Ms Templeman wants us to catch up on that work we missed last lesson!'

I saw her eyes searching me before she shot the others a brief smile and followed me out of earshot.

'Sorry, thought I should help you out there.'

She seemed to be struggling with what to say. Then she said, 'Thanks, Blane.'

And she walked away.

A/N: My new story. Opinions? Good? Bad? Interesting? Cute? Weird? ...I can't think of anymore. Anywhoo, I would LOVE if anyone commented... *coughcough* but yeah hahaa. Just tell me what you thought & if I should bother continuing.

-Saffy x