Better Than Revenge
Chapter 1: You Again
Disclaimer: All rights to Ally Carter
The sweet smell of coffee overwhelmed Cameron Morgan. Yet, it couldn't solve her problem. There she was, in her flat in Manhattan, somewhere around in the east side. The noise from the city wasn't enough for her. She needed some excitement; something to waste time with.
Her legs dangled from the gray couch. She was laying on it horizontally, her Uggs swaying like swings. Her hair was all over the place. She didn't even bother combing it. Who would she dress up for? Zach and the boys were over at a bar, watching some football game. The girls were busy buying extra early Christmas gifts. They wouldn't let her come.
She entertained herself for awhile using her phone. Yet, the battery died and she didn't like what was on T.V. All she thought of was lying down and waiting. It was her idea, but it didn't mean she liked it.
Cammie glanced at the digital clock on the rectangular, glass coffee table. Three on the dot, it read. She sighed.
Where are they? I'm hungry. Cammie thought.
She lazily stood up and walked out to the balcony. The chilly October air made her cling to her sweater more. She wrapped it tighter around her. Cars and people passed below her. She could make out the Freedom Tower from here. Its magnificent structure amazed her. She leaned forward on the railing and closed her eyes.
Once again, she imagined herself falling. Ever since the Circle fell, she wanted to fall, too. Everyone was safe and sound, so why couldn't she be calm like everyone else? Cammie took a deep breath, and right before she could release, someone hugged her behind.
Cammie jumped, ready to beat up the person behind her. She turned her head, facing Zachary Goode. He smirked at her. "Gotcha,"
Cammie relaxed into his arms. "I wasn't scared, you know."
He laughed. "Sure,"
Cammie rolled her eyes and asked, "Where's everyone else?"
"Waiting," He replied.
"Waiting for what?"
"For you,"
Cammie pushed his arms away from himself. Lately, she was feeling too tired to be with Zach. She was too tired to be with anyone, really. "I should go get my better sweater then." She had a feeling there were going out somewhere.
His face fell, but just for a second. He grinned. "We'll be waiting downstairs."
Cammie nodded and walked towards their room. Their flat consisted of five rooms, one for each couple, and a guest one. The kitchen and living room were part of the package. Their check covered the whole flat, making it easier to live in. Due to the fact that they're official spies/assassins, their check is grand.
Cammie brushed her hair and put on her favorite brown sweater. She looked in the mirror once, seeing two people. She saw herself, the average twenty-one year old. Then, for a moment, she saw the tattered girl with the short hair, the one running from the Circle.
Stop it! She told herself. Cammie forced a smile and walked out, grabbing her phone (now charged) and keys.
Line Break
"So, Italian restaurant?" Zach asked Cammie as the gang walked down the busy streets. She was about to reply when Bex spoke up.
"I don't think so. They take way too long to serve you." She explained.
Grant grabbed her hand. "Come on, it wasn't that bad." He hoped she forgot about the 'waitress' thing.
"Easy for you to say. You were busy flirting with the waitress. I didn't forget." Bex pulled her hand away and walked faster, Grant catching up to her.
"Kids," Macey muttered behind Cammie. She laughed, Zach's attention turning back towards her.
"So?"
"Yeah, that would be great." Cammie dozed off as Zach told the rest their choice of where to eat. Cammie looked at her surroundings, the Italian restaurant coming into sights. An old lady was crossing the street, her hands entwined with a little boy, probably her grandson. In front of the restaurant, a young woman in a black coat was coming out her car, clumsily. Her black hair was being whipped around by the wind. She held her phone in her hand, keys dangling from her fingertips.
Cammie saw him before he stole the woman's keys. She was about to interrupt when the woman yelled out. The woman grabbed his arm and judo-flipped him. Cammie and her friends stopped as police officers approached the scene.
Words were said but Cammie wasn't paying attention. No, she was looking closely at Zach. His eyes lit up in recognition, a dangerous fire being created in them. The green of his eyes were brightened, as if someone put them on fire. Cammie noticed the hint of a smile coming on.
She felt protective all of a sudden. Before she realized it, the case was solved and the woman was entering the restaurant.
"That was weird." Liz said, walking towards the restaurant.
"Yeah, it was." Zach muttered, frozen in his place.
Cammie tugged him along, wanting to know more about this mysterious woman.
Line Break
"And I'll have a coffee."Macey stated as the waitress took they menus away. They were seated around a rectangular table. The velvet curtains gave a calm atmosphere. The seats were cushioned, ready to keep them warm.
Cammie started becoming worried as Zach looked around the room. He seemed desperate. She touched his knee under the table. He jumped. "Are you okay, Zach?"
Zach nodded a forced smile on his face. "What? Yeah, totally," Cammie wasn't convinced. She crossed her arms and leaned back. Macey noticed her discomfort and asked,
"Hey, Cam, what did you do while we were gone?" They were trying to make her more outgoing. Since the Circle's fall, they were even more worried about her.
Cammie shrugged. "Nothing really,"
Macey launched into a conversation about something funny happening while they were shopping. Cammie, like usual, zoned out.
Soon, someone different approached them. She was another waitress. "Hello," She greeted with a smiled while setting their drinks on the table. It was the woman from the car. Her hair was better arranged and phone in pocket, as well as her keys. She had large, brown eyes. Her smile was white and just perfect. Even though she had few make up on, she was pretty.
Upon hearing her voice, Zach spoke up, "Excuse me, miss…?"
Cammie almost choked on her coke. The waitress raised an eyebrow. She was pretty, not as drop dead gorgeous, but enough to attract attention. "My name is Cassandra, my friends call me Cassie."
Zach smiled. "Do you have any idea where I could get some real food around here?"
Cassie frowned, and then smiled real big. The girls except Cammie shared a look. The guys smirked knowingly, making Cammie wanting to explode. Zach stood up from his seat as Cassandra practically threw herself on him.
"Zachary!" She exclaimed with an accent. They hugged for a good while. Bex kicked Cammie under the table and made a face. Cammie nodded and stood up.
"Why don't you introduce us, Zach?"
They parted and Zach, ignoring Cammie's tone, nodded. "Guys, this is Cassandra, an old friend of mine."
Old friend. Those words ringed in Cammie's ears.
Line Break
Cassandra Brooks was ready to kill her puppy. Her day started bad. Not only was she was running late, her plane was delayed from Los Angeles to New York. There was horrible traffic through the streets and bridges. She ended up walking through Eighth Avenue, going through Times Square, and even having to walk all the way up to her apartment (top one), just because the elevator wasn't working.
Yep, her luck was bad.
Oh, and to make it worse, her puppy ate her papers. Her papers from her stay in Los Angeles. The papers that qualified her to become manager at the Italian restaurant she works at. She was so ready to kill Bob, her puppy.
Cassandra walked over to her bathroom, not caring anymore. If she was late for work, fine, she could work the night shift. As the water from the shower landed on her, all her troubles disappeared. After half an hour, she was dressed and ready to get fired.
On her way downstairs, she glared at her puppy. "Bob, I am not happy." Bob stared at her, his eyes wide. She chuckled and leaned down. "I love you, Bobby." She kissed him and locked her door.
Line Break
I swear one day I'm going to explode, Cassandra thought as she exited her car. With her hair being hit by the wind and keys in hand, she kept repeating that over and over. Suddenly, she sensed someone coming close. She turned around and saw a middle aged guy ready to snatch her keys away. Out of habit, Cassandra judo flipped him.
Once realizing what she had done, she started apologizing. "Oh my god, I am so sorry!"
The officers intervened and let Cassandra go. She sighed and entered the restaurant. "Hey, Miss Late," Marlene, Cassie's best friend, said.
Cassie rolled her eyes and hugged her as she stepped behind the counter. The restaurant was big, able to hold more than fifty people. The velvet curtains and low lights gave you a homey feeling. Cassie took off her jacket, reaching for her black apron hanging behind her.
As soon as she put it on, a group of young men and women walked in. She ignored them and walked into the kitchen. The sweet aroma lifted her spirits. Maybe her day would get better!
"Hello, Kyle," Cassie said as she walked inside. She lifted some dishes and put them away, soon to be served for some special people.
Kyle, a young teenage guy, replied. "Sup' Cassie, how's life?"
Cassie shrugged, passing him by to go outside. "All right, kiddo, just fine."
Kyle nodded, continuing to cook some Italian soup. Cassandra walked out and asked Marlene who the prepared drinks were for. "Table seven, chica,"
Cassie nodded and hurried, not knowing her luck was about to change.
Line Break
"So, how'd you end up here?" Zach asked Cassie after introducing everyone.
Cassandra glanced at the counter, Marlene not noticing how long she was at Table 7. "Well, after high school, I decided to come and live in New York, to live my dream of opening my own business. At first, I wanted to go to college here, and then I met Carlos, the owner of this restaurant. Turns out he and my father go way back. So, he hired me, and now I am so close to head manager."
Zach smiled. "That's great!"
"Yeah it is." Cammie commented, slowly drinking her coke. Macey and Bex shared a look.
Cassandra nodded. "Thanks,"
"So," Bex said. "How did you guys meet?"
Cassandra and Zach looked at each other. "In London," Cassandra admitted, a secretive smile being formed.
Hell, no, Macey thought.
Line Break
Hi! So, I already wrote this story but I realized it sucked. The grammar was worse than it might be now and the story was not organized. I hope this first chapter is okay. I haven't read United We Spy yet, so if there is something I need to know please review or PM me. Thank you.
Reviews are appreciated :)
~WeirdButCool