ZACH POV
'I'm telling you I saw her open her eyes and smile!' I demanded.
'Zach, she almost died, of course she didn't smile' Macey argued.
I sighed. I knew she had smiled, at me.
After a discussion with the medical staff everyone decided it would be best to move Cammie to the Gallagher Academy hospital wing. They brought in a stretcher and I watched the girl I love get carried away. I knew I would be there when she woke up.
RACHEL POV
I walked along side my beautiful daughter as she was carried on the stretcher to the hospital. It was like a nightmare.
I watched them dab at her head with a cloth and then give her stiches. They wrapped her wrist in bandages and anger filled my body as I imagined what Cammie must have been through when she was chained to the table. They wrapped her cuts from the glass and carefully slipped off the sock of her burnt leg and wrapped it in some special bandages and topped it with a cast.
Finally they examined her throat; I prepared myself for the worst as I remembered how the smoke had engulfed me in just five minutes of being there. I left them to it as I went to check on the others.
Bex had an oxygen mask on but the doctors insisted there was no permanent damage and that they would only keep her in overnight for observation. To be honest, I don't think she was too bothered, if Cammie was here I'm sure there would be no place else she would rather be. I saw tears form in Bex's eyes as she looked over at Cammie. I engulfed her in a hug. I felt her body shake as she tried to stop her sobbing. 'It's going to be okay Bex' I soothed.
All she could manage was a nod as they'd told her not to talk. Liz was absolutely fine but the doctors said they would like to keep her in just for safety.
I glanced over to Macey and smiled as she was having a shouting match with the doctor, demanding that they stop wasting their time on her and go and look after Cammie. She also made an excellent point that the oxygen mask would totally mess up her hair. It made me smile a small smile.
I finally turned my attention to Zach who was quite clearly fighting sleep as his eye lids flickered. He had a few cuts which had been bandaged up and was also sporting an oxygen mask.
'Zach' I said and he turned to look at me, his head dropped.
'Girls' I added. 'I don't want anyone thinking for a minute this is any of your faults, you were so brave trying to save her, and I know without you Cammie wouldn't be here right now.' I whispered the last bit; it was almost too horrible to say.
I walked over to Zach and sat beside him.
'I should've been quicker' He muttered.
'No' I stated. 'You shouldn't have gone it all, but thanks to you I still have my daughter.' I smiled at Zach.
They took over an hour to examine Cammie's throat and I was getting really worked up, we all were. We all wanted answers.
They finally came over to explain.
'We've put a tube down her throat for the moment.' Dr Stewart said. 'We think she's going to be fine but obviously we will monitor her closely.'
I let out a sigh of relief.
'However…' he added as I felt my heart drop.
'She will probably suffer with long term effects. The smoke inhalation was so severe we think it will be a few months before she'll be able to talk like she used too. She will probably suffer with asthma too and so we will provide you with an inhaler.'
I nodded, just happy that the long term damage wasn't too severe.
'We suggest you keep a good eye on her though Headmistress, she had a narrow escape, any longer in that room and she would have…' He didn't finish. He didn't need too.
'Of course I'll be keeping a good eye on her' I said. 'Thank you for your help Dr Stewart'
He nodded and walked away.
I walked over to my daughter. It broke my heart to see her lying in the bed, she looked so small and venerable and tubes and bandages seemed to swamp her making her look even smaller. I tucked in the covers around her. I heard footsteps behind me and Bex's hand crept into mine. I squeezed it and gave her a small smile.
BEX POV
I was finally able to ditch the oxygen mask and join my best friend. I walked over to the bed and saw Headmistress Morgan looking so down. I slipped my hand into hers and smiled sweetly, she returned it.
'I'm going to take good care of Cammie' I said, my voice a harsh whisper from the smoke inhalation.
'I'm taking the bed next to her and I'm going to wake up every hour to check on her and…'
'No' Headmistress Morgan turned towards me. 'You will not. You've already done far more than enough for Cameron and you need your rest right now.'
I just nodded, knowing that even if she'd yelled at me I still wouldn't listen to her instruction. Headmistress Morgan seemed to realise too and she let out a small laugh and stroked my hair. 'You're a good friend Rebecca' she said smiling. 'I'm going to bed; I'll be back in the morning. First thing.'
I nodded as she walked away.
We all changed into our Pj's and sat on my bed, next to Cammie. Even Zach who was meant to be sleeping in the room next door came and joined us.
'Today made me realise how much we need to look after Cammie from now on' I stated.
Everyone nodded their agreement. 'I'm going to create a new watch' Liz said. 'I'll make sure that it's got a more advanced tracker so that we know EXACTLY where she is at all times.'
'Agreed' said Macey. 'I'm planning on putting something in her make up that has some kind of bullet proof quality.'
'It's okay, at Blackthorne we have bullet proof vests, I'm sure I could persuade her to…' Zach started.
'No.'
The voice was so quiet, so timid I wondered if I had imagined it, but the look on everyone else's faces seemed to confirm I hadn't gone mad. We all glanced at Cammie's bed where her eye lids were fluttering.
'Oh my gosh!' I shrieked. I'm always the one to act first!
We all ran over to her bed and watched as she slowly woke up.
CAMMIE POV
I guess all the talk about me linked with bullet proof vests was all it took to wake me up. No way in hell would I wear one of those! I tried to speak, to say 'No' but it seemed to come out more as a groan, I even wondered if maybe they hadn't heard me. But they're spies, and spies hear everything. The sound of thundering feet confirmed this.
'Cammie! How are you?'
'Do you feel better?'
'Can you hear me?'
'Please speak!'
The voices merged into one as I struggled to distinguish them, but one rose out above the rest.
'Give her some space, she's only just woken up and quite frankly probably feeling like shit, she probably just wants to get used to being awake first before she speaks'
The voice made me smile and it was like Zach had seen right through me and read my mind.
'Oh my gosh she's smiling!' I heard Bex yell.
I drowned out their voices for a moment and like Zach said I tried to 'Get used to being awake'. My leg felt stiff but not too painful, it felt cushioned and it had obviously been well wrapped up. My cuts seemed to have all been bandaged up and I only felt a little light headed as I touched the bandages coating my head. The only thing hurting was my throat and as I touched it I felt a mass of swollen skin. A pipe seemed to reach right down through my throat and it made it so hard to speak but I finally managed to say 'Macey, back me up, a bullet proof vest is totally not my best look.'
'Okay, so maybe we could customise it with some accessories but you gotta admit Cam, it's a good idea!'
I shook my head, still smiling.
'So how are you feeling?' I felt Zach's hand slip into mine and his voice sounded so genuinely concerned that I had to lie.
'I feel fine'
He shook his head with a frown on his face. 'Don't you dare say that Cam' He gestured to all the beeping machines and wires that seemed to swamp me.
'Okay so, I'm not feeling my best, but honestly apart from a sore throat and a little soreness I feel good.'
Zach just nodded his head with a look on his face showing me he totally didn't believe me.
'How are all of you?' I asked worriedly.
'Not a scratch on us really' Bex said, her voice sounded hoarse and rough.
I raised my eyebrows sarcastically at the sound of her voice.
'Okay so maybe we aren't our best either, but we are nowhere near as bad as you Cam'. Bex's lip stuck out like it always does when she's arguing a point.
I nodded. 'Long term damage?' I asked.
'Well you'll have to have an inhaler for the rest of your life and you're going to sound like a frog for a couple of months, but apart from that nothing' Macey's clear voice rang out.
I nodded again, It could have been worse.
'I mean you almost…' Macey stopped suddenly as if she'd just been smacked in the face.
'I almost what…?' I said.
'Died.' Macey whispered, almost too afraid to say it as if it would make the words come true.
'Well I didn't, and I'm fine now' I stated, my voice confident.
Everyone nodded happily, smiling, except Zach. And then I wondered if Zach knew, if Zach knew that inside I was really crying.
Slowly everyone started to leave me alone as the doctors came and went, examining me what felt like every ten minutes and constantly questioning me when all I really wanted was to sleep.
'Does your head feel okay?'
'Do you feel dizzy?'
'Does it hurt?'
'Yes, yes, yes!' I replied starting to get annoyed. Of course I was hurting, what did they expect. They finally agreed I could go to sleep and told the girls to get to sleep and they had to drag Zach back to his room.
I finally got a little sleep, but when I woke up it was around two in the morning. I just lay in my bed thinking.
Where was Demi? Do The Circle know I'm alive? Is my mom okay? And of course, what happened? I thought back to the day when I'd attacked Dr Fibs and so many questions swamped my brain.
An hour later I was still awake when I heard footsteps. I looked over and saw Zach framed in the light of the window. He looked so amazing. He walked up to me. He didn't say anything, he didn't need to. He lay next to me, his arms around my waist, my head on his chest. It felt perfect. We lay in silence for about 30 minutes, just staring into each other's eyes. Until I finally broke the silence and voiced my questions to him.
At first he tried to avoid my questions, typical Zach. But after some whining and crying he finally told me.
I was shocked to hear about Demi. When Zach told me I broke down but he was totally there for me and although I felt so much guilt and sadness about it I'm happy that I'm being allowed to help plan her funeral, I'm going to make it so beautiful. Apparently The Circle think I'm dead. For the moment.
The next few days were some of the best, but also worst moments of my life. For many reasons.
My mom came to visit in the morning, hardly able to speak as tears poured down her face. Although then and again it may have something to do with the fact I couldn't speak either as they'd removed the tube and my throat was so sore. Everything I said seemed to come out as a croak and my mum ended up saying 'Sorry darling, what are you trying to say?' more than anything else. It kind of made me realise that maybe me and my mom weren't as close as I would have though…
Zach understood me. When my mom finally left he was straight back in and was next to me, lying on the bed. We hardly ever spoke, it was like we didn't need to, we just wanted each other there.
After a couple of days I started finally to get a little better, I still couldn't talk in anything more than a croak and I was still stuck in the boring hospital wing. Now that my mother had forced all my friends and Zach back into having lessons I was on my own most of the time. Bit ironic when you think how much I would have loved this feeling a few days ago, but now it just felt like I was totally alone.
After a week I was finally allowed to leave the hospital. I got out of bed, totally ready to finally get back to my school work; I could only imagine how much homework would be piled up on my bed when I got back to the dorm.
I pulled on my school blouse and put on my skirt whilst glancing in the mirror. I looked awful. I grabbed the bag of makeup that Macey had kindly left by the side of my bed and plastered on foundation over my pale face adding half a container of blusher, trying to get some colour back into my cheeks. I highlighted my eyes with the eyeliner and smiled. Everything about me seemed to have changed, except my eyes. It was good to finally see a part of me that wasn't totally messed up.
I glanced down my body, noticing the scratches and the bandage that covered my wrist. I grabbed the jumper off the bottom of my bed and threw it on. It hung off me and made me look like I was wearing a tent and as I cast my eyes to the window which showed a beautiful view of the sunny grounds I realised how out of place I would look. I sighed as I glanced down further to the burns on my leg, still covered with plasters. I reached down to the bed again and grabbed some thick black tights, pulling them on and crying out in pain as it brushed against the burns. I pulled them back off roughly, feeling them drag harshly against my skin and threw them to the floor. I limped over to the bed and sat on it, my head in my hands.
'Cammie?'
I stood up quickly, too ashamed of my appearance to meet Zach's eyes.
'Cammie, tell me what's up now.'
I wasn't digging for compliments as I replied 'Look at me Zach. How can I go out there like this?' I said gesturing to the burns on my leg, my pale face and finally the now baggy jumper that had been a perfect fit which was covering all my scars.
Zach just pulled me closer and reached for a makeup wipe on the bedside table, once again courtesy of Macey McHenry. He gently wiped my face, removing every last trace of makeup. He finished and gently tilted my head up towards him, kissing me gently on the lips. 'Now' he said 'you look beautiful and perfect.'
I shook my head as I looked into the full length mirror at the end of the bed again, seeing a girl who looked far too skinny and frail, a girl who seriously needed one of Macey McHenry's famous makeovers.
'Cammie look at me.' Zach said as he pulled me in towards him again. 'You're beautiful Cammie, don't ever forget it.'
I managed to give a small smile as my eyes looked into Zach's finally and I saw how much those words meant to him.
'Are you ready to go?' Zach asked
I nodded as I pulled the jumper further down my wrists.
'Wait' Zach said. 'It's boiling out there; you'll fry in a jumper!'
I took a deep breath as I lifted the jumper over my head, the scars and cuts standing out even more against my pale skin.
I felt Zach recoil in shock and I sat down and buried my face in my hands again.
'I can't go out like this Zach!' I cried.
'Hold on' Zach said 'I'll be right back.'
As he left I grabbed the tights again, ready to make an attempt at pulling them back on again.
I'd managed to get them halfway up my leg, my face a picture of someone who is in agony as Zach walked through the door, a cute three quarter length cardigan over his arm.
He ran over as soon as he saw me, yelling 'CAM, what the hell are you doing! You'll make it worse if you put them on!' he gently eased them off my leg slowly while I winced as it caught and pulled on the bandages. He finally got them off me.
'Look, I don't think you need to wear this, it's not even that bad, but here…' He handed me the black cardigan that was just long enough to cover up all the marks on my arm but thin enough that I wouldn't boil in it.
'It's Macey's' he said 'I asked her if you could borrow it, she said she wouldn't of even noticed if I'd taken it without asking her!' He let out a small laugh.
I smiled as I glanced back down at the mass of bandages covering my leg.
Zach noticed and said 'Cammie, trust me, you look fine.'
He pulled me up off the bed and put his arm tightly around my waist, supporting me as I limped to the door.
'Cammie, maybe you're not ready for this, I don't think your mom would let you out if she saw the state of the cuts on your body' He paused, obviously hurting as he remembered the memory.
'Zach, I'm tired of being stuck in this room like a prisoner, I need to get out of here.' I said.
He nodded, obviously still not happy, but he helped me down the corridor anyway.
As we walked my uneven footsteps echoed out as I limped down the hall. It was silent.
'Where is everyone?' I asked?
'At breakfast, we're a little late' Zach said.
We carried on walking until we got to the corner and we heard sobbing. We both looked at each other in wonder and turned the corner.
On the floor crying her eyes out was Hannah, I remembered her as Demi's best friend. Tears pricked at my eyes as I remembered the short time I'd known her.
I motioned Zach to carry on without me.
'I'll be round the corner waiting for you' he whispered in my ear.
I rolled my eyes, but smiled slightly, I was lucky to have someone that cared as much as Zach.
As Zach turned the corner I limped over to Hannah and sat next to her on the floor, she looked up at me and gave me a sweet smile, tears still leaking down her face.
She leant over and hugged me, I just stared at her in shock, what was it with the junior year and hugging? I was totally not a hugging kind of girl. However, I hugged her back, realising I didn't know what it was like to lose a friend, and hopefully I never would.
'It was my fault' she whispered.
I just stared at her in shock for a few seconds. How could it be anyone's fault but mine? 'What?' I asked. 'It's my fault of course'.
It was her turn to stare blankly at me.
'What are you talking about?' she asked. 'How is it YOUR fault?'
'She could have got out sooner, I was in pain because of my head but if I'd fought Catherine she could have had a chance, she wouldn't be dead'.
Hannah violently shook her head. 'No way' she argued. 'If you hadn't been there Demi would have died alone, she wouldn't have stood a chance, she would have stayed with you and died sooner if you hadn't told her to go and get help. No, it's totally my fault, we couldn't remember where the passageway was, if we'd have found it earlier then we could have got to you sooner'.
'You know what, I don't think Demi would want us to be having this conversation, she wouldn't want anyone to take the blame.' I smiled as I remembered something. 'She told me lots about you; she really did think you were a great friend.'
'She really said that?' Hannah said, her face lighting up.
'Of course, and it was obvious she thought you were a great friend!'
Hannah smiled up at me as she wiped the tears from her face.
'I'm glad it was you with her Cammie, and I'm glad you're helping with her funeral.' Hannah said.
I nodded, a lump in my throat that had nothing to do with my recent injuries.
Hannah gave me a final hug before standing up and walking away. 'Thanks Cammie, see you around.'
I smiled back, still sat on the floor thinking, dreading the funeral.
I stood up, ready to plaster the fake smile on my face. I turned the corner and took Zach's hand, ready to face breakfast in the Grand Hall.
I stood outside with Zach, listening to the loud noises of my sisters chatting away happily.
'Ready?' Zach asked, his arm now tightly around my waist again.
I nodded, totally not ready.
I stepped through the door, wishing I really was invisible.
The room turned silent instantly, like the volume had been turned right down. I couldn't hear one noise and as I looked around I saw the stares of hundreds of girls. A lump formed again in my throat as I took a step inside and made my way to the table. I glanced up at the teachers who were also staring, I saw my mom looking on worriedly, obviously unsure how I was going to handle all the attention. I'd never felt less invisible in my life. As I limped over to the table, the room was still silent and it was only Zach's hand on my back that prevented me from turning and running away. I felt heads turn my way as I passed but I tried to keep my eyes from crying, my body from collapsing on the floor and most of all myself from running. As I reached the table Macey was the first to talk to me. 'Nice cardigan Cam' she winked, obviously oblivious to what I was using it for. Bex's smile beamed out to me from behind Macey and Liz's studious and cautious face studied me like she thought I was going to pass out any minute.
I quickly sat myself at the table, grateful for when the chatter finally started up again, except I couldn't help noticing most of it was about me.
'I think It was great that she tried to help Demi' I heard a junior on the table next to me say.
'Do you think that limp she's putting on is for the attention?' I heard another one ask.
'How come she's allowed to wear that cardigan? That's not uniform!' I heard one obstinate voice say.
'Her mom's probably covering for her'
'If she couldn't handle being a spy she shouldn't have come here'
It was all I could do to at least try to engage in the conversation taking place on my own table.
'So Cammie, what do you think?' I heard Macey ask.
'Huh?' I asked, tuning myself back into the conversation.
'About the new Twilight movie' Liz asked, casting a worried expression over me.
'Oh… Urm… Er…' I replied trying to remember, I was pretty sure it had been awful, but I couldn't remember anything other than that.
'Do you think it's Cameron's fault Demi's dead?' I heard a girl to the far left of me say.
'I can't do this.' I said, as I stood up and ran out as fast as is possible when you've got your leg wrapped up in bandages.
I heard the whole silence replay over again as girls hushed up as they saw me running down the aisle.
I heard cries of people calling me back as I ran but I carried on, preying they wouldn't follow me.
I felt a hand touch my shoulder, Zach's hand but I shrugged it off. I couldn't look at him right now.
'Gallagher Girl…' he started, but the name brought tears to my eyes, I'd never felt less like a Gallagher Girl in my life, I'd practically killed one of my sisters.
'Zach' I heard Macey say. 'Cammie needs some time alone, let's go back to breakfast.'
'Is that what you want Cammie?' I heard Zach ask.
I didn't reply. I heard his and Macey's footsteps fade away.
I couldn't bring myself to go in any secret passageways like I usually would, too many memories. So I went to my dorm to collect my stuff for class, knowing that was one thing I couldn't avoid, even if Culture Class was the last thing I wanted to do right now.
I got to the dorm, feeling grateful for the silence as I closed the door behind me. I found my books neatly laid out on my bed thanks to Liz. I also noticed a pile almost as tall as me of homework. I decided to ignore that pile. I put all my books into my bag and walked to the bathroom, brushing my hair through and tying it up into a high ponytail. I allowed myself to add a little foundation to my face and some of Macey's amazing bronzer.
I repositioned my cardigan, checking it was covering all of my cuts.
I took a deep breath as I heard the door open. I walked out of the bathroom to face the music.
'Cammie!' I heard Liz shout, as she ran over and embraced me in a tight hug. I winced as my body was crushed under her weight.
'Oopsie Daisy!' I heard her say as she let go of me. I smiled at her, it was impossible to feel down when Liz was around!
'Cammie' I heard Bex say 'You need to tell us what's wrong…'
I nodded, knowing that if my best friends couldn't fix it then no one could. 'I guess I'm just upset about Demi, I just heard people saying stuff in the hall that just kinda got to me…'
Macey spoke. 'Well you don't need to worry about that anymore Cam, Dr Fibs told them off!'
'What?' I asked, remembering what I had done to him in the hallway the other day, but then I also remembered the pill Zach had given him and realised that he most likely didn't know.
'It's true' Liz's voice rang out. 'He stood at the front of the hall and told everyone that one Gallagher Girl was already gone and we should be thankful it wasn't two.'
'Wow' I said, trying to imagine the timid Dr Fib's saying that.
'I know right' said Bex, loving the drama a bit too much if you ask me.
'Well, I don't feel like a Gallagher Girl now' I said.
My friends all let out cries of protests. It made me feel a little better.
'I know what you need' said Macey, her face serious.
I looked at her in confusion.
'A make-over!' they all cried.
I sighed; wishing that the hour until class started would turn into five minutes. Still, I guessed it might make me feel a little better.
'Right' Macey said, going all serious as usual when makeup's involved.
Macey carefully applied some foundation to my pale and pasty face. She had a little moan about how I'd wasted some of her bronzer but as she got more involved in my makeup she seemed to forget about it. I actually enjoyed it, not that I would ever let Macey know that. But it was nice to finally feel like I was doing something normal again, and have a girly talk with my best friends.
'So…' Bex started 'You and Zach? How's it going with him?'
'Okay…' I replied thoughtfully. 'I think he might be a bit pissed off about me walking off earlier'
'Oh, he'll get over that' Macey, the boy expert stated.
She finally finished my makeup.
'Hmm, not my best work but what more can you do when you have less than an hour to work? Anyway it's a definite improvement Cam, you look more like you now!' Macey said.
I looked into the mirror holding my breath.
'Wow' I said in awe as I looked in the mirror. I still saw a girl with a leg covered in bandages and in clothes that hung off her suggesting that she was a junior who had to grow into her uniform, but she also had makeup done by Macey McHenry that made her look more… alive.
'That's great, thanks Macey!' I cried.
'No problem' she smiled.
'We should be getting to class now' Liz's worried voice called out.
'Oh wait, first Cam you need to change into this.'
She threw me one of her skirts and a blouse, obviously made with some of the best fabric money can buy.
'What's this for?' I asked, fingering the smooth fabric.
'Just look at that uniform' Macey stated gesturing to me. 'It's hanging off of you!'
'Oh…' I replied.
It wasn't that I wasn't thankful, I really was, because how many people can say they've worn a Macey McHenry skirt, let alone been able to fit into one. But I knew that it meant getting changed, and getting changed in here meant my friends seeing just how bad my injuries were and that meant a lot of unnecessary fuss. It had been hard enough to get into my uniform this morning without dying of pain; I didn't want to have to go through it again.
I sighed as I laid the uniform down carefully and turned my back to my friends, bracing myself for the gasps.
I changed in record time, wiping my tearing eyes as I pulled on the uniform over my cuts and bruises, and then topping it off with the trusty cardigan.
'Much better' I heard Macey say, but I could defiantly hear a shake in her voice.
I turned around and saw them all staring at me, eyes wide, mouths open in shock.
'Cammie, you should be in the hospital' I heard Liz state.
'Cammie, come with me, you need to show your mother this…'
'No' I said, too quickly. 'I don't want to worry her, besides the doctors let me out, so that means I'm fine'.
'But they didn't see this' Bex argued.
Macey was the only one who didn't moan at me, but then I remembered a time not so long ago when she had been the one in this condition with cuts covering her body, and I had kept it a secret for her.
'If she says she's fine then she's fine' Macey simply said.
'Well okay, but you need to let us know if it hurts Cam' Liz said.
'Of course' I lied 'It doesn't hurt'.
They nodded and we walked out to go to Culture Class, Liz holding my arm as I limped out the door. What did I do to deserve such great friends?
When we got there I realised I'd much rather endure another makeover than sit with Tina and endure questions about whether I'd really had to backflip over a wall to get out of the room.
The class got off to a pretty boring start. Madame Dabney welcomed me back but she was proper stressed about the Gallagher Academy trustee's visiting us or something.
'Now I know they probably won't be here until later as they're observing Covert Operations this morning but we still need to be on top form just encase.'
'Girls, is my scarf correctly positioned?'
'No Tina! Do not drop that tea cup, it's my favourite one!'
I sighed and checked my internal clock. 45 minutes left. I yawned.
'Cameron dear, please can you remove that cardigan, it's not school uniform and we can't get the Gallagher Trustee's angry about ANYTHING' Madame Dabney shouted across the table, which was really bad manners, but I didn't say so.
My heart dropped. 'Urm, what was that you just said Madame Dabney?' I croaked, trying to get a little sympathy by adding a dash more of harshness to my voice than was necessary.
'Your cardigan dear, please remove it' she said louder as if having a sore throat had affected my hearing.
Everyone was staring at me now. I had to take it off. I took a deep breath as I dropped the cardigan down my arms and shrugged it off.
I looked down unable to meet anyone's eyes as I felt their stares.
'Oh my…' Tina started to say.
'GIRLS, we don't have much time, carry on setting the table please' Madame Dabney instructed, clearly trying to distract everyone.
It didn't work. I still felt everyone's eyes looking at me, Zach looked like he was going to throw something, I couldn't stand it so I did the thing I'd promised I wouldn't do. I ran.
Dropping my head I pushed everyone out the way ignoring the gasps from my class mates and the cries of 'Cammie!' from my friends.
'Let's just get back to setting the table, I'll go get her mother' I heard Madame Dabney's voice fade into the distance as I walked further and further away, breaking into a sprint as I heard her mention my mom.
I didn't know where to go, passing all of my favourite passageways was like torture, but as I passed I couldn't help but visualise Catherine in every one. I found myself stopping in front of the Gallagher Academy Tapestry and before I knew what I was doing I was stepping through the door. It felt good as I stood in the silence of the passageway; I knew I couldn't stay here. It would be the first place they would look, so I found myself carrying on down the corridor, finally feeling the fresh air whip at my face, I didn't think I'd ever felt so good before in my life.
Before I knew what I was doing I found myself limping into Roseville, treasuring the fact that it wasn't busy, not realising and seeing the kids around that were my age.
People were looking at me, at first I found myself wondering why, then I remembered my uniform, and my cover. I was a spy after all; I would never stop being one. So when I found myself thinking 'Private school girl on a trip into town to get some…'
'Excuse me dear' I heard an old woman's voice carry across the silence.
I turned around to face her.
'Are you okay?' she asked, her face showing genuine concern.
I frowned at her for a moment, what was she talking about? That was until I caught sight of myself in the shop window opposite, I gasped as I saw the scratches covering my arms and caught sight of the cardigan that wasn't on me, but that I was carrying in my arms instead. Realisation dawned on me as I thought back to all the strange stares I had got earlier.
'Yes, fine' I lied. 'Just tripped and fell in a bush' I laughed a clearly fake laugh and mentally kicked myself for forgetting all of Mr Solomon's teaching on telling good lies.
I ran off leaving the poor woman staring after me. I ran into the first shop I saw not even looking at the sign and preyed there was a bathroom I could use to put my cardigan back on properly.
As soon as I got in the shop I felt my heart sink. 'No, please no' I thought as I saw the back of a boy, the pristine quality of the boy's hair that could only belong to one person. Josh.
He turned at the sound of the bell. He didn't pause and stare like everyone else had. He ran straight over with his phone in his hand looking like he was ready to dial 911.
