Cammie POV

"Today class we will be taking a trip to Los Angeles, California," Joe announced.

We all stood outside, the temperature was just now hitting sixty-three degrees. I pressed myself against Zach and he slid his arm around me, giving me a tiny bit of warmth.

"In California you will be given an assignment. You will have a partner and you will have three hours to complete your assignment. I will pass your assignments out in the van but for now I will tell you your partners."

He pulled out a folded piece of paper and started to read.

"Courtney, you are with Tina. Jonas you are with Liz. Mick you are with Kim. Eva you are with Anna."

Eva didn't look very happy but she linked arms with Anna anyway.

"Baxter you're with Newman."

"Macey you're with Jennifer."

That wasn't a very smart choice.

Grant and Zach had to practically drag those two girls away before they tried to kill each other the other day. They had a fight over none other than Preston Winters. Jennifer kept trying to diss Preston and Macey said a couple words in French that were none too friendly.

I knew Zach was thinking the same thing because he chuckled under his breath which got death glares from both Jennifer and Macey.

I giggled.

"Zachary you are of course with Cameron."

"Again with the first name," I mumbled but only Zach heard me.

"Everyone wants to say your name Cam, it's beautiful," Zach whispered.

I felt my cheeks getting hot and I muttered "Thanks Zach."

After about five more minutes Joe said "Everyone please get in the vans. We are heading to the airport to take the private jet. We will be leaving today even with the time difference."

Zach squeezed my hand and then pulled me over to the van. We climbed into the back and I leaned against him.

His arms slid around me and pulled me to him.

As the rest of the class got into the van (some people getting into the second van) he said in a low voice "I wonder why their letting us go."

I looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, the Circle wants us…badly….and meanwhile we're going somewhere where they have one of the biggest Circle headquarters in the United States. Why are they letting us go?"

I frowned, my eyebrows scrunching together.

"Maybe their using us as bait. You know the Trustees wouldn't let us leave with proper protection. The CIA and FBI might be there waiting. We'll have helicopters flying over head, tails following us, and agents watching our every move. We'll be safe….that's what they did when they took us to the Roseville fair…when they used me to get Joe to come to us."

I remembered that day clearly.

I remembered following the maintenance guy.

I remember slapping Joe over and over because the pain and hatred I held for him.

I remember Zach showing up at the last moment…kissing my forehead and leaving.

"I was safe the entire time," I said finally.

"Joe would never think of hurting you Cam, regardless if he was part of the Circle or not. These are Circle members we're talking about. This is my mother we're talking about. She will hurt you. Even if it means getting through hundreds of CIA operatives."

"I know Zach," I said, slipping my fingers in between his, "trust me."

"But you still act so…relaxed about it," he mumbled.

"Well, do you want me to be stressed? Because under this calm demeanor is a girl waiting for my permission to scream, cry, and yell because there are people out there who want to kill me," I raised my eyebrow pointedly, "because I can be."

He chuckled.

"No Cam. I don't."

"Okay then," I settled into his chest.

"You know, it's kind of scary."

"What's scary?"

"How you handle all this."

"How so," I turned to look at him.

"You make it seem like you're going through hell…like you're going through this alone. I don't see how you keep yourself this calm." "Zach…what I'm going through is nowhere close to hell. It's hard, yeah, but I can make it…as long as your mom doesn't kill me first," I breathed.

Zach reached forward and grabbed our folder with our assignment but didn't open it.

"You make me sound like demon spawn," he grumbled.

"Oh but you are. You're just an extremely hot, egotistical, protective, loving demon spawn," I smiled sweetly and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Well when you put it that way," he said sarcastically.

I laughed and opened our folder.


Assignment: Tail Mr. Alexander Amize

Name: Abigail Catura

Name: Jason Smith

You are to steal Mr. Amize keys and make prints of all twenty of them. Mr. Amize is a janitor who was fired from being a CIA operative. He has secrets and you need the keys to figure them out. You have three hours. This man is good. You must be better.

You are to meet on the beach in five hours.

Do not be late.


"That seems pretty easy," Zach said.

"Don't say that Z," I warned, "never underestimate anything or anyone. We don't know what this guy has been doing in the past year. We don't know why he was fired," I rambled on and on.

"Cameron," he interrupted, "I'm sure the teachers wouldn't have assigned us someone who would put us in danger."

I sighed and leaned against him.

"I know."

He slid his finger under my chin and whispered "No matter what happens, I'm going to keep you safe babe. Los Angeles can be a dangerous place."

I smirked. "I'm a dangerous girl."

He chuckled.

"Do you know how hot you look with my smirk?"

"Aww thanks baby," I smiled.

"But I do know you are dangerous. I also know you like to put your life in danger. Los Angeles is very dangerous Cam."

"Zachary, don't you start underestimating me."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

He pressed his lips to mine softly and slid his arm around my waist. Then the van came to an abrupt stop.

Zach and I went flying into the seats in front of us. Joe turned around and smiled at the grumbling class.

"Class, we're here."