Chapter 1: Welcome Back

A/N Hey everyone! I'm Ava. This is my first fanfiction that I'm posting so thank you for clicking on it! I'm sorry for any typos, I need to get a new computer. At the moment I'm using a tablet. Anyway, I think that's all so enjoy chapter one!

P.S. this is all in Cammie's pov

I love move-in day at Gallagher Academy. The sun beats down on everyone with an Orange-y yellow glow only an evening in late August can provide and the air smells like freshly mowed grass. It seems as if the mansion itself is ready for another school year as light slices through its ancient windows,waking the building up.

I'm walking the halls alone for the last time this year and I savour the quiet.

"Cammie!" I hear quick footsteps behind me and turn to face the voice. It's Bex. "Oh my god Cammie it's so good to see you again!" She grabs me in a hug.

Smiling, I say, "You too, Bex." Then I look around her. "Where's your luggage? And how did you find me?"

"I already dropped my bags off in our suite. And for your other question, you're kind of... umm... predictable." Bex turns on her heel the way she came and hurries off.

Huh. Predictable. That's not a good thing for a spy to hear.

I shake it off and head to my suite.

As soon as I open the door leading to my room, I am attacked.

Just kidding, but I WAS really loud.

Macey run up to me. "Big news!" She says the same time Bex shouts, "oh my god listen!" And Liz actually greets me like a good person with, "Hey, Cam."

"Hold on!" I tell over everyone and they get quiet. "On person. Macey. Talk."

She seems pleased that I chose her. Macey tucks a glossy, black lock of hair behind her ear and begins. "Do you remember when a few boys from Blackthorne came here for a semester last year?"

I nod and motion for her to keep going.

"Well, your mom just told us that in order to keep close bonds with our 'brother school'" she makes air quotes,"they're coming again. Like, this semester."

Oh my gosh. A memory of Zach Goode kissing me in the foyer before he left last year floods my mind. We haven't spoken since then and that makes me all the more nervous.

Macey clears her throat and claps her perfectly manicured hands cheerleader-style, snapping me out of my thoughts. "So. I have to get you all ready for the Welcome Back dinner in t minus 120 minutes. Get your uniforms on, ladies," she tells us. "It's going to be a fun night."

- 2 HOURS LATER -

I have to hand it to her, Macey knows her stuff. With makeup and hair being the stuff. We look great as Liz, Bex, Macey, and I walk into the dining hall.

Liz's blonde bob is slightly curled to frame her face. Bex's hair is pulled into a sleek sock bun. Macey's hair is glossy and straight and long. Then there's me. Macey pulled my hair into a simple side Fishtail and pulled pieces out around my face. We all have the basics of makeup on so we look fresh but with defined features.

We get to our seats just a few seconds before the Gallagher Pledge starts and everyone rises. My headmistress mother begins.

"Women of the Gallagher Academy, who comes here?"

-"We are the sisters of Gillian."

"Why do you come?"

-"To learn her skills. Honor her sword. And keep her secrets."

"To what end do you work?"

-"To the cause of justice and light."

"How long will you strive?"

-"For all the days of our lives."

We take our seats one again. My mother is talking, but I'm not really listening. It's the usual "I'm happy to see all these smiling faces" stuff all headmistresses have to say at the beginning of a school year. It's like a law. All I can think about is that Zach is coming back. I'm going to see him again. What if he doesn't recognize me? Or worse, remember me? Maybe he doesn't even like me anymore and that's why he never contacted me after he left Gallagher. Oh gosh. Snap out of it, Cammie.

"-Ladies please welcome the boys of Blackthorne that will be joining us!" My mother concludes her speech and I clap along with everyone else. Twenty-some boys make their way onto the stage and line up next to the podium. One by one they introduce themselves but my eyes are searching the line of boys until they lock with a set of bright green eyes. A smirk crosses the boy's face as he makes his way to the podium.

"I'm Zachary Goode. Call me Zach. I'm a junior."

I have to smile at him because there's a chance that he might still like me. A big chance. Grant Hart and Jonas White introduce themselves as well.

After all of the introductions, Zach, Grant, and Jonas make a b-line for our table. Grant sits down next to Bex, Jonas next to Liz, and Zach next to me, leaving Macey to ask Grant to find her a guy so she isn't 7th wheeling.

"I missed you, Gallagher Girl," Zach says softly in my ear. I turn to look at him and he gives me a smirk. "How was your summer?"

"The best!" I say with sarcastic enthusiasm. "I mean, a cabin in Nebraska with my grandparents and no internet. Turn up!"

He laughs. It's a great sound. "Anyway, what's your schedule like this semester? I have CoveOps 1st period and P&E 7th."

"I'm in both with you," I tell him. "But beware of P&E. It's Gallagher Girls are pretty kick-ass at sparring."

30 minutes later, the bell chimes, signaling the end of dinner. As we're all clearing our trays, Bex speaks up. "If you guys want to come by out suite later, we can hang out."

There are nods and murmurs of agreement and it is settled.

A/N I hoped you liked it! Sorry for the abrupt end and for not a lot of Zammie but it just seemed out of place for them to make out when they're just seeing each other again. I'm on summer break so I will be updating at least one a week, hopefully. Also, so I can get to know you guys, can you answer these questions? 1. Your country (I live in the USA) 2. What book are you currently reading? (I just finished the Burn for Burn trilogy) Don't forget RFRF!

XO -Ava