"What do you mean I can't come with you to save Preston? This isn't fair Mom. When I was alone he saved me. Why can't you let me return the favor?", I said raising my voice slightly. It really wasn't fair. Zach, Bex, Macey, Liz, and me had been planning this since winter break. Now the week before school resumes my mom and Abby say ok everyone pack your bags but wait Cammie we need to talk. "Sweetie the risk of you entering the circle's territory is too big. They'll be plenty to do here, you'll be with Liz running comms and you do still have some school work to catch up on.", replied my Mom, calm as ever. "But it is-", I started but my mom cut me off, "Cameron Ann this conversation is over."
I stormed out definitely more teenage girl than spy at that point. I ducked into the nearest passageway and made my way to my room. The atmosphere in my room just made me feel worse. All my friends were so happy so excited to actually be allowed to go. Bex noticed me first, "Come on Cam we have to start packing." "Umm, guys about that….", I started. "Oh Cammie I almost forgot Zach is looking for you.", said Macey, the only one who looked worried about who her sorta boyfriend might actually be. " Guys, I'm not going to Rome with you.", I blurted. My friends' heads turned but Bex was the first to react, " What? You can't be serious. We need you in Rome. We can't leave you. This isn't fair. Wait and see we'll change your mom's mind, Cam." " Yeah Bex is right they'll change their minds.", assured Macey. "So you'd be staying with me?", asked Liz. " Yeah I guess unless you want to go and run comms in Rome instead.", I told her. "No I'll stay with you it will be better if I stay here anyway to make sure you don't do anything stupid.", she replied looking relieved to be staying inside the safe walls of our school. "Well, I guess I better go tell Zach.", I said and left wondering how Zach would react to my dilemma.
Finding Zach was not hard at all. After only about five minutes of walking I saw him or rather ran into him. He seemed like he was coming to find me. " You look upset Gallagher Girl. What's up?", he said giving me the Zachary Goode smile. I decided to just blurt it out there, " Zach I'm not allowed to go to Rome with everyone." Was Zach relived that I was not going? His face sure looked like it. Then again, Zach has been acting all you need to stay safe and not get yourself killed lately. " Gallagher Girl they're right you know, you need to stay here. Once you set a foot into Rome you will have almost no chance of coming out alive again.", he told me brushing the hair that had fallen over my eyes behind my ear. ' Zach I need to go.", I said. I was stubborn I knew it but Preston helped me and I should return the favor. "Gallagher girl, no.", was all he said before kissing me. When we broke apart, he put his lips on my forehead and said, "Promise me something Gallagher girl…. Promise that you won't do anything stupid." I was silent because I honestly was planning on something really stupid. Zach kissed me again and walked me back to my room his arm never leaving my shoulders. I fell asleep immediately, there was no point in staying up. They would be leaving in the morning and probably wouldn't say goodbye.
" Cammie! Gallagher Girl! Wake up I need to say goodbye.", I woke to the sound of Zach's voice. " What?", I said sleepily, sitting up. Zach was there sitting on the edge of my bed dressed in jeans and a polo shirt his duffel drape over his shoulder. He put his arms around me, Bex and Macey were already gone so it was just us. "I'll miss you Zach.", I said. " I'll miss you more", he replied holding me tighter. Then he put my face in his hands, " Gallagher Girl you need to promise me you will be careful." "I promise Zach, I promise.", I said staring into his green eyes. Then he kissed me, he touched my cheek one last time then got up and left. And just like that for the first time in months, I was alone.