Any errors or inconsistencies made here are mine solely, I don't own Spy School (wish I did though), all rights belong to Stuart Gibbs.
Thanks for the kind reviews iMgRaTeR and Ashley Sparks!
In the few days I had at home, I was hoping for a chance to unwind a bit, take my mind off the grueling summer at spy camp that was to come.
Instead, it was more like another interrogation of its own.
My parents had a myriad of questions and concerns for me when I got back, confirming that they still suspected there was more to my being labeled as a terrorist than the media had let on. At dinner, Dad eyed me warily while Mom asked if everything was okay at St. Smithen's, the dorky science school everyone thought I was attending, likely in an attempt to see if I would cough up even the slightest hint of information regarding what had actually gone down in Europe a few months ago.
The good news was, I did have a few things going for me after all. The media had done a good job of removing any and all perception the public had that I was an international terrorist, likely due to the pressuring of the CIA. In addition, my parents themselves hadn't noticed the nondescript Sedan that was parked by across the street with agents watching dutifully to ensure their safety. So, things could've been much worse.
Still, I tried to be as forthcoming as possible with them (without actually revealing the truth, of course), though that was limited to me regurgitating the same CIA approved lies and alibis for my whereabouts I had given them over the phone an inordinate amount of times in the aftermath of the situation. Fortunately, my story seemed consistent enough to the point where there were no gaping holes, so they relented on the inquiries after the first day, though I still caught them looking at me suspiciously over the next two.
Though that problem was somewhat resolved, another took its place. Apparently, there was a family reunion taking place on the weekend, and naturally we had to go. So we packed up and headed for North Carolina, where we'd be convening at a beach house by the Atlantic. I spent the time avoiding overly affectionate aunts, listening to men dodder more than Professor Crandall in Self-Preservation 101 (though unlike Crandall, I was quite sure they had actually lost their wits a while ago), witnessing my cousins get into several fistfights and disputes, and mainly keeping to myself, texting Zoe and Mike for company.
I was careful not to bring up either of them to any relatives who asked how I was doing, as they had been wanted for the same charges as me in England and France. Not to mention, I didn't want to risk potentially getting flustered by any overbearing relatives and reveal Zoe and I were sort-of-unofficially-maybe going out at the moment.
Eventually, the painstakingly dull ordeal was over, and I found myself being dropped off at the official location for the bus to pick me and everyone else in the DC area up for the trip to spy camp. A voice called my name at nearly the instant my parents headed off (this I made note of to ensure they had no intention of following the bus) and I knew it instinctively, given how uplifting it had always been when speaking to me.
The next thing I knew, Mike had an arm around me as we exchanged pleasantries and got caught up with one another. On account of me spending so much time with Zoe over the past month, we hadn't seen each other much outside of class and lunchtime. Although we had texted a lot, it wasn't quite the same, though he didn't seem to mind given his initial greeting. I assumed this was a result of him being busy with his own exams.
Sure enough, Mike was starting to vent about his results. "… that counterespionage final was totally bogus, though I'm just glad Dr. Greenwald-Smith isn't here anymore, she would've flunked me for sure."
The mention of our former counterespionage instructor brought the thought of SPYDER to the forefront of my mind again. As it turned out, they had a good deal of double agents within spy school itself, including the instructors. Harlan Kelly, who taught disguise, was also a mole, and I was sure there were more in other departments given how understaffed even the cafeteria staff seemed to be over the past month.
"How about you?" Mike was looking at me expectantly now.
"It went pretty well, all in all. You get used to it," I said with what I hoped was a casual shrug. "My parents though… that's another story."
He laughed. "Tell me about it. My folks read me the riot act so many times this weekend, I thought it was never going to end."
"You think they… know?" I asked hesitantly.
"Nah, I'm sure it's just a parental instinct type of thing. Being wanted for terrorism does tend to bring that out."
I decided to let the matter drop at that, as it'd be pointless to speculate further regarding how much our parents actually suspected. "Yeah, that can be pretty nerve-wracking."
"So, what else has been happening in the wonderful life of Ben Ripley?" Mike inquired, wiggling his eyebrows at me as additional prompting.
"Very funny," I told him, but still told him about Hank's final goodbye and the drag of a family reunion I had grinded through. I didn't tell him about Zoe though, mainly for confidentiality, as we were standing amongst a number of spies-in-training who were no doubt listening in on some capacity.
"Not bad. Oh yeah, by the way, how is she?" Mike had a tendency to do this, throw me for a curveball at the most random times during conversations.
I said the only thing I could say in that moment, "How's who?"
"Zoe, of course. You two have been joined at the hip for the past month, you think I didn't notice?"
This threw me for another loop entirely. My mind was scrambling for the correct words to get me out of this predicament, but ultimately came up empty.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I settled for plausible deniability in the end, knowing full well Mike would see right through this. It didn't help that I could feel my cheeks reddening either.
Mike looked at me with a triumphant look on his face. "So, you two are dating then!" He said this loud enough for everyone within our general vicinity to hear, and it took everything I had to not run away in the moment. A good amount of murmurs and hushed whispers had already begun, no doubt speculation about me.
Mike was either oblivious to this, or too focused on my own distressed expression. "Oh, don't worry, I kind of had a feeling just based off the way you two were looking at each other during lunch. There was definitely something going on."
"Okay, but can we—"
"Plus, I was the one who noticed her crush on you in the first place, so it really wasn't hard for me to put two and two together after that. Ben, own this, you might be becoming a ladies' man, because she's cute."
"Yeah, she is," I said, now resigned to the fact that Zoe and I would be the talk of spy camp for the next month or so. "Can we, um, talk about this later?" I motioned to the people around us, hoping he would get the hint.
His eyes widened, aware of the damage he had done. "Oh, crud."
The ride to spy camp, or Happy Trails as the official name given to the public, was not exactly a pleasant one. I had cooped myself up in the back of the bus containing everyone's bags with Mike, trying my best to let go of my annoyance at him. He ended up apologized profusely, over and over, long after I had said it was okay and forgave him.
Even in such a position, I could still sense a buzz in the air as people discussed the "new, hot couple" in school. In the end, I decided it'd be better to take some rest; I'd need it if I was going to get another drill sergeant like Hank as my camp counselor this summer. Anyhow, sleep was still a better alternative than having to listen to another catcall from the rowdier kids on the bus no matter how you put it, so that made my decision a no-brainer.
I woke up to Mike shaking me awake as we approached the Happy Trails grounds. His eyes lit up at the sight of it, much like how mine did last year.
"Don't get too excited," I cautioned, before frowning internally. I didn't want to crush Mike's optimism before it could even begin, so I flailed around for something to say that would heighten it instead. "There's much more here than what initially meets the eye."
I winced, having realized I told Mike the exact same thing Alexander said to me when I first came to spy school, but luckily it seemed to have increased his excitement, nonetheless.
Mike and I waited until everyone else got off the bus and headed to their own cabins before dismounting, hoping to avoid any further chatter about me. Despite my somewhat diminished optimism for spy camp, my spirits were instantly raised as I saw Zoe discreetly waiting for us by a clutter of trees, luckily having not caught anyone else's eye. She perked up in a similar fashion, though I noticed she toned down the wattage of her smile slightly once she saw that Mike was with me.
It took me a while to make my way off the bus and over to her, as carrying my bag was a huge hinderance. It was relieving in many ways to drop it once we came into contact.
"Ben! You made it!" she said, throwing her arms around me in a hug. I hugged back and smiled, that warm feeling inside me returning with Zoe's beaming optimism and affection.
Beside us, Mike cleared his throat uncomfortably, our hug having gone on a bit longer than normal ones. Zoe immediately turned red with embarrassment as she tried to explain. "Oh, uh, hey Mike, glad to see you too. We were just happy to—"
"It's fine, he knows," I reassured her, before lowering my voice to a whisper. "Along with half the school by now."
Zoe's face registered momentary shock, but she quickly concealed any hint of it, acting as if nothing had happened. "Oh, well okay then. Yeah, we are kind of going out, but we shouldn't talk about that now. We need to get you two to your cabins!"
"Let me guess, our bus was late again," I said with a grimace.
"Yep, I guess this is going to be a tradition from now on. Anyway, what cabin are you guys?" she asked.
"I'm a Beaver this year," I informed her.
"Muskrat," was Mike's reply.
"Ooh, tough luck, Muskrats always have it rough," Zoe said, genuine sympathy in her voice. "Do you need a guide?"
"Nah, I'm okay, I can find my way around," he replied casually. "I heard Ben got lost beyond belief last year, he could use a hand, I'm sure."
I shot him a glare. "That is not true."
"Ben, directions aren't exactly your forte. Besides, it can't hurt."
"I never did finish giving you the tour last year," Zoe mused as she set off. "Alright then, Beaver Barracks, here we come!"
As soon as we had put some distance between us and Mike, Zoe spun toward me frantically while we walked, a good amount of fury in her eyes. "What do you mean, 'half the school knows?'" she whisper-hissed.
I sighed. "Well, that's kind of a long story…"
"It was Mike, wasn't it?" she looked to me for confirmation, not that she needed it. "I swear, when it comes to girls, that guy is nothing but bad news."
"Hey, Mike means well. Usually at least," I conceded. "Anyway, you know how much of a talker he is. This was going to happen sooner or later."
"Yeah, I know," Zoe's face softened, her anger somewhat defused. "Honestly, I would've put my money on Chip though, even after what he said the other day."
"With the way Professor Simon hates my guts, I'm surprised she didn't call us out in front of the class," I replied jokingly.
She shook her head in wonder, but still managed to crack a smile. "That lady had it in for you."
"Maybe," I played off the truth of the statement. "But not as much as the principal."
"Hey, cut the guy some slack," she told me a fake scolding manner. "It must've been hard on the bones getting wheeled in from the Smithsonian."
"I dunno, I feel like the time he spent in the parapet might've taken a worse toll on him."
"True…" Zoe pursed her lips, trying to hold back a laugh. "But in all fairness, he could've turned out worse. He could've ended up being the type of spy who doesn't take no for an answer and goes on missions unauthorized while being fully aware that she could get booted from the Agency in an instant. All because she was crushing on one of the main agents."
"Hmm, she sounds like quite the daredevil," I said, amused by the turn the conversation had taken. Not that this was unusual; given the amount of time we spent together over the last month, it was only natural for us to develop this type of playful banter. "Any idea where I could meet this talented agent?"
Zoe stopped in her tracks, turning to face me. As she did, I realized that sometime in the midst of our conversation, we had ended up in the woods. Deep in the woods. "I'm not sure," she said carefully. "I think she's a bit lost right now."
"That's a shame. Maybe she just needs a guide," I replied, extending my hand to her. The weight of my bag became a lot more magnified in that moment, but I didn't mind.
She took it gracefully, entwining her fingers with mine. "Be my guest."
Mike watched his two best-friends-turned-couple head off, shaking his head wistfully. It was hard for him to believe this was the same Ben that couldn't even so much as get a girl to look at him a year and a half ago. He wondered when the change first began to take root. Was it after his first successful mission, the inkling that convinced him he could be a spy, or had it just come naturally once he was immersed in spy school, where his skills were being recognized and used for more practical problems?
Either way (not that he'd ever tell him), it was startling for him to witness how his best friend had transformed firsthand. Sure, he caught glimpses of it, like at the arcade when he chased after Murray Hill with a surprising amount of agility and savvy, almost instinctively, and the one day he came back to middle school to pound Dirk Dennett and his friends into the ground, but to see him handle himself perfectly and remain composed on a full-fledged mission was something else entirely.
Though Mike didn't envy the situations Ben had been in, a small part of him couldn't help but feel just the slightest bit of jealousy at his friend's unorthodox success as a spy. No wonder Zoe and seemingly every other girl he got to know had fallen for him.
A voice startled him out of his thoughts. "Are you going to get moving or just stand here all day?" Mike whirled around to find himself standing face to face with one of the girls who had kind of fallen for Ben, he knew that ever since he saw the way she glowered subtly at other girls who showed Ben any remote amount of affection. Though of course, she'd never admit to that.
For once, words eluded him. "Um, Erica, why are you—"
"I'm looking for Ben, and seeing as you two are best friends, I figured he'd be with you," she said simply.
"Well, Ben just went off to his cabin about five, ten minutes ago so… Wait, why are you looking for him?"
"He's supposed to get a debriefing."
"On a new mission?"
"That's classified."
"Of course, it is," Mike did everything in his power to not roll his eyes then and there. "Anyway, Ben headed off in that direction with Zoe, you can go chase after them if you want."
She frowned. "With Zoe? Why?"
Mike shrugged. "He needed a guide, apparently."
"That doesn't make sense. Ben knows the property well enough on his own," Erica said, looking as if she was putting together the pieces of a puzzle in slow motion mentally.
"Well, I'm sure that wasn't his only reason."
Erica simply raised a perturbed eyebrow in response, though Mike knew that was her way of indicating for him to continue. He hesitated, not wanting to be the one to break the news to her, especially after his screwup earlier.
"They're good friends and just want to hang out," he replied, maintaining his voice to the best of his abilities so as not to hint to something more going on.
Erica didn't buy this for one second. "They're dating, aren't they?" she asked flatly, though it wasn't a question, just confirmation of something she was likely already well aware of.
Mike frowned, but still verified her statement anyhow. "Yes."
"I knew they had a thing together, but I didn't think Ben would be that short-sighted," Erica said with a sigh.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that they're happy right now, but what happens if they end up in the field someday, attacked by SPYDER or another organization? How're they gonna work together, or with whoever else is with them?"
"SPYDER's gone, and no other organization's gonna go after Ben," Mike told her, though he was trying to convince himself as much as her. "Besides, he doesn't let emotions cloud his judgment on missions."
"Then you haven't been with him on enough missions. Ben constantly gets sidetracked by romance. Me, Zoe, Ashley Sparks for Pete's sake, Jessica Shang…"
"For Jessica, it was his mission to get close to her," Mike pointed out feebly, to no avail.
Erica continued ranting as if he hadn't even spoke. "He's like a moth being drawn to a lamp. And that's just him. Zoe wears her emotions for everyone to see, she's like an open book for crying out loud. Not to forget, what happens when they break up? It'll throw them off even more as spies."
"If," Mike corrected, Erica shooting him a look. He reiterated, "If they break up."
"Mike, they're thirteen. Teenagers," Erica pointed out. "Breaking up is inevitable at that age."
"Look, I totally get it, you don't think spies and relationships mix well together," Mike said, trying to find a proper analogy for the situation. "But that's not always true. Think of it like pickles in your peanut butter sandwich; it either works for you or it just doesn't."
"I heard a similar argument from Ben, and I still have yet to see evidence pointing to the contrary."
"Even the pickles in a peanut butter sandwich part?"
"No, he said eggs with ketchup," Erica replied briskly, and before Mike could even begin to deduce whether she was being sarcastic or not, she moved to her next point. "We've wasted enough time debating this, let's go find Ben so I can debrief him."
With that, she slung his forty-pound duffel bag over her shoulder like it was a purse and started heading away.
Guess I don't have much of a choice, Mike thought as he moved to catch up with her.
Still, he attempted to protest anyway. "Uh, Erica? Why'd you grab my bag?"
"Your cabin's on the way to Ben's, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and save you from the wrath of your camp counselor as well."
"Oh. Thanks," was all he could say in response.
Despite Erica's impatience as evidenced by her patented icy glares when Mike hesitated for even a fraction of a second, Mike couldn't help but do so every now and then, taking in the scenery bit by bit. Eventually, Erica seemed to have decided her silent reprimands weren't enough and voiced her annoyance out loud.
"You'll have all summer to check out the property, keep moving," she groused, still trekking straight ahead. "Haven't you read the brochure about this place?"
"There's a brochure on that?" Mike repeated quizzically.
"Actually, I think it was only available in the latest edition of the student handbook, but you still should've come prepared, not marvel at every last tree in sight."
"Ben did give me a bit of a rundown…" Mike tried to say with conviction, though his voice might as well have been a thousand miles away. Now he experienced firsthand the reason as to why ninety-nine percent of the school was intimidated by Erica.
Without warning, Erica shoved Mike's duffel bag back into his hands. He nearly buckled from the extra weight, before noticing the cabin. He had been so engrossed in the conversation that he wasn't even paying attention to his surroundings.
"Get situated. Lunch'll be on in the mess in ten minutes."
With that, she darted off, melting into a line of trees while leaving behind a very flustered and somewhat confused Mike. He wasn't sure what to make of the exchange initially, but as he set up his bedding sheets in the currently empty cabin, something clicked into place for him.
Erica seemed to be talking a bit more vehemently after she learned (or simply confirmed her suspicions) of Ben and Zoe's ongoing relationship. Almost as if her words came from personal experience, from her heart rather than a set of rules she set for spying. Then Mike thought back to Erica's own parents on the mission. It had been quite the spectacle seeing them argue the way they did (when his life wasn't in danger, at least), but in reality, that was likely another deterrent for her to pursue any relationship in of itself. Still though, it felt like there was something more there, a fresh wound Mike may have inadvertently opened.
Click. Mike shot up in realization, the conclusion he came to made sense. Maybe Erica wasn't jealous of Ben dating Zoe in particular, but instead it could be that she envied the idea of what they had together. Trust, stability, that unwavering loyalty to one another, a grounding presence so to keep each other afloat; all those things, Erica may have had with someone else before. In the end, her heart must've been broken, perhaps shattered, thus resulting in the Ice Queen coming out in full force.
As Mike wandered aimlessly around the property (he really wished he had a map), he wondered if Ben knew about this, and whether it impacted his choice to go out with Zoe, considering he had previously been completely smitten over Erica. It was difficult for him to tell. Sure, Mike had gone out with a few girls, but they were mostly airheads aside from Elizabeth Pasternak and Jemma Stern. Ben and Zoe were another case entirely.
Whatever the circumstances were that led to it, them being together would certainly change things between the four of them. In what way was yet to be seen, though he could safely assume Erica would be as cold as ever, just as Ben described her to be off missions. In the grand scheme of things, Mike did know one thing for sure.
Everything was about to get a lot more complicated.
Whew, this was a pretty fun chapter to write. Threw in some headcanons and theories as to what'll happen next in the series. Not sure how this happened, but I guess this is now a cohesive multi-chapter fic as opposed to the one-shot I had planned initially. Oh well.
So yeah, turns out Mike and Erica knew all along, or at least had a feeling. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise. I figured Erica would display just the tiniest bit of jealousy in her own Erica way, and that of course Mike would be grandstanding and praising Ben for his success, only to accidentally announce it to the entire student body. I tried to make the dialogue witty, perhaps a bit too witty, but I'm satisfied with how it turned out.
Next chapter: Ben and Erica talk, and whatever else I can think of to write.
See ya then,
-BasketballIsFun
