When In Doubt, Spy It Out

part nine

chameleon pov

11:52 a.m.

gallagher academy for exceptional young women

roseville, virginia

archery lawn

"As you can see, the archery lawn has been set up into a shooting range."

Suddenly, I was sent back. I remembered being afraid, watching the man lift his gun and point it at Zach. Zach's mom saving him. Zach mouthing 'good bye' and aiming the gun at the explosives. Zach and Solomon somehow surviving.

"You okay, Gallagher Girl?" I looked up to see Zach shaking my shoulder.

"Yeah. Fine. Just remembering the last time I saw a gun used."

"Come on, Cam, this will be fun." Bex said, receiving her gun and cocking it with a smile. "Face it, you've seen your Aunt get shot, you've seen Zach shoot a gun, you've been around plenty of guns and you need to freaking get over it."

I scowled at her. "Thanks for the fucking newsflash. I remembered that all, thanks." I stalked away, grabbing a gun from Solomon who eyed me with worry.

"I'm fine!" I yelled before he could ask.

I stalked to the farthest target and cocked my gun.

"You alright?" I turned, holding my gun downward. I sighed when I saw who it was.

I put the safety back on and tucked the gun into the back of my skirt.

"I'm sorry, it's just-" tears welled in my eyes. Tears I had been holding in for a long time.

"I know, I know." Grant said, enveloping me in a hug. "It's going to be okay. Remember, I was trained to be an assassin? I know what its like. It's going to be okay." He let go of me and smiled. "Your bro's got your back."

I smiled, feeling re-newed and ready to shoot something (in the good school-like sense, not like Circle of Cavan sense)

I took the gun out of the back of my skirt and cocked it, aiming at the target. Grant walked a couple feet away from me, taking use of the second to last target.

Memories flashed before my eyes and I shot. The bullet made a hole two stripes to the left of the center.

I tried two more times, always coming close but missing the center of the target.

"Need some help, Gallagher Girl?"

"No thanks, Zach, I've seen you shoot a gun before, I don't think I need a demonstration." I said rather rudely.

"Okay," he said, waiting for me to take my next shot.

I did. And I missed. Again.

I huffed angrily and reloaded my gun hastily.

"Relax," Zach's voice said, and I could tell it was closer than before. I lifted the gun with two hands and pointed it at the target.

Suddenly I could feel Zach's chest against my back and he wrapped his arms around mine and I could've sworn I stopped breathing for a few seconds.

"Relax this hand," He said, gently tugging at the fingers I was holding next to the trigger. He put his left hand on my left shoulder and breathed in my ear. "Now, focus,"

Did he really expect me to focus when he was this close?

His left hand tantalizingly crept up my shoulder toward my neck and I just wanted to close my eyes at that point.

"Focus and shoot."

His finger pressed over mine, and the gunshot.

There was a bullet hole in the dead center of the target.

"See? Easy." He whispered.

But all I was focused on was his thumb, which was rubbing slow circles below my neck and the hand that was dangerously close to my face, and the hand that was still covering mine.

"Easy..." I murmured, loving the feeling of his hands on me.

His mouth got closer to my ear. "Happy birthday, Gallagher Girl." I felt his hand slip into the pocket of my skirt and I swear I almost had a heart attack before he slipped away, leaving me in a daze.

"Good birthday, huh?" Macey's voice interrupted my illicit thoughts of Zach minutes later.

"Um, uh, yeah?" I answered, obviously caught.

Macey raised her gun and cocked it.

"You know the last time I saw a gun it was shot at me. And then your Aunt saved my life. I owe her my life. I know what its like," she said.

"What?" I said confused.

"To feel like you owe someone your life because they saved yours." She shot the gun. "He's saved your life before Cam, and yeah that's big, but you obviously like him, maybe even love him, think about it." She said, before slinking off.

I thought about her words while I shot a couple more times (always getting it in the center now) before I realized Zach had left something in my pocket.

I dug it out and nearly gasped at what I found.

It was a delicate golden chain with six charms. They were all hearts.

Each one was engraved.

Best Friends For Life

-B

Sisters Are Forever

-M

Sisters Love and Stick Together For As Long As They Live

-L

Always Remember To Stay Strong, And It'll Work Out

-J

You'll Always Be My Little Sister.

Love, G

You Promised. Be Careful.

-Z

Six charms. From Bex, Macey, Liz, Jonas, Grant, and Zach.

It was the best present I could've asked for. I slipped it on and vowed to never take it off.

Once I had finished putting on the clasp I went to return my gun since CoveOps was almost over.

"Squirt," Abby motioned for me to talk to her off to the side.

"Yeah?"

"Seeing as it's a trend, here, happy eighteenth birthday." She surprised my by kissing the top of my head and leaving a box in my hand before heading off.

A bit flabbergasted, I opened up the box to reveal an identical heart charm with an inscription on it also.

Remember That Love Lasts A Lifetime.

-A

I wasn't too sure what the hidden meaning behind her engraving was but I was happy that I had received a present from her anyways.

I was going for the fact that she loved me?

I entered the building and attended the rest of my classes.

After I sighed and walked to my Mom's office.

It was my birthday after-all. I had to go.

I walked in and saw Grant sitting on the couch next to Solomon and Mom stepping around her desk holding out a bowl of Mac 'N Cheese for me.

I took it without a second thought and scarfed it down.

"You're gonna get fat, Cam," Grant teased.

"Shut up you loser." I retorted. "And thanks, for everything." I said, referring the earlier talk and he charm.

He nodded in understanding.

Mom cleared her throat. "We already gave Grant his present-"

"I GOT A GUN!" Grant yelled, pumping his fist.

"You would." I rolled my eyes and Mom continued.

"Besides the Uggs you wanted-" I smiled in joy, "we both got you a charm also."

Mom handed me a box.

"I know you probably want to join your friends, so go have fun, and happy eighteenth birthday." She gave Grant and I a hug.

"Thanks," I said, looking at Mom, I looked at Solomon, "Really, thanks."

He nodded and I turned to follow Grant out the door.

As we walked up the stairs I opened the box.

"What do they say?" Grant asked curiously and I swatted his hand away from my present.

I read them to him.

No Matter What Happens, I'll Always Love You.

Love, Mom

I took a deep breath as I read Solomon's.

You'll Always Be My Daughter.

Love, S

"You got more presents than me!" Grant whined.

"Oh suck it up!" I laughed as I attached the last of my charms.