"Amber…" muttered Hex. "We should get out of here, it doesn't feel right…"

Amber scoffed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hex," Amber replied. "It's not the place that doesn't feels right, it's you."

Hex blinked, an innocent frown plastered on his face. "What do you mean me?"

Amber gazed around her, spreading her arms out as if exasperated. "Hex, this is a mall! It's a place where you go to buy stuff. Something called shopping and having fun code boy"

Hex grunted. "Yeah, I know what it is, you don't need to tell me"

Amber looked around. She spotted Alex first, wandering around the shops, taking glances but never really interested. She could see Paulo and Li off in a nearby store, looking at cameras.

She sighed. Hex was a nice guy and all, but sort of clueless at times despite his high IQ level.


Li bounded beside Paulo. "What are you doing?"

"Mmmm?"

Paulo looked at Li and smiled. Li, an Anglo-Chinese girl, was part of the team that formed Alpha Force. After the death of her parents, Amber had found out that they were more reckless and foolhardy than they appeared to be. Discreetly, they were using their prosperity to aid others who weren't as fortunate as themselves. With the downfall of Amber's parents, Alpha Force was developed. Now Amber, Hex, Paulo, Li and Alex frequently found themselves exposed to danger. But despite everything, they had all survived.

Li frowned. "You okay Paulo?"

"Yes, fine. Just looking at cameras…See."

He pointed at a rack of cameras shelved in front of them.

"What's so interesting about them?"

"Nothing, come, lets go find Amber and the others."

"'Kay."

Peering around, Li spotted Amber first.

"There she is. By the fountain. I think that's Hex who's with her."

Paulo nodded, then set off towards the two Alpha Force members.

Amber noticed Paulo and Li before Hex did. "Hi guys," she smiled, "Where were you?"

Li smirked. "As if you didn't know," she giggled, "Over by the cameras actually. Paulo was looking at them."

"Paulo? You fancy them or something?"

Li laughed. "Amber, that's so right. Paulo will probably dancing with them next time you see him in that store."

Paulo rolled his eyes, but his mouth was shaped into a grin. "Please."


Later that night, they all sat in the girl's bedroom. They were in New Zealand, on holiday after their mission in Australia. Amber and Li were both sprawled on top of their beds, watching a late movie. Paulo and Alex were also watching the movie, but they were on beanbags. Hex, the fifth member of Alpha Force, was seated in front of the desk with his palmtop placed before him.

"What are you up to Hex?" asked Li, who had noticed a focused expression come over his face.

"Nothing."

"No. Let's see."

Li sprang off the bed and effortlessly snatched Hex's palmtop from his hands.

"Oooh…"

"What is it Li?" said a voice with a slight formality. Li grinned.

"Hex's sending an email to a friend - A girlfriend."

Amber stiffened. The hairs on the back of her neck pricked up.

A tiny voice came into her head, it sounded shock and unbelieving. Hex has a girlfriend!

So what? She thought silently. It's none of my business that Hex has a girlfriend. I mean, it's not like I like him or anything.

The voice came back and stung her like a wasp. Hex has a girlfriend! You know you like him, so go start pestering him for answers…NOW!

Amber gasped at the aggressive tone that was in the voice. Luckily, the others where all looking at Hex, their mouths opened in skepticism.

Hex noticed the expressions of utter doubt on his friend's faces. "What?"

Li was the first to break the silence. She giggled uncontrollably. "Well, I never thought you knew anyone well enough to want to date them," Li quickly added. "No offense or anything"

Hex's facial features were so queer that Amber would have laughed out loud right there and then, but her mind was in turmoil and confusion…did she or didn't she like Hex?


That's the first chapter of Happily Ever After,folks. More to come when I've thought of a plot.Those who review are hugged, those who don't will live the rest of their lives in guilt and regret. x)