Back at the agency, I fell into a routine.
I wake up exactly 5 minutes before my 4 am alarm rings, and I start my daily training.
But in this house, the environment caught me off guard, and I woke up only 3 minute before my alarm went off. Me and my agent "parents" stayed up late last night setting up our extensive security system, just to be safe.
I get up, and walk to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and hair, and pull my hair into a swift ponytail while walking to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Agent 003."
"No need to call me by my agent number, Ellie. If we want to make our cover believable, you can just call me 'mom' or 'Tikki'."
"Okay, then, good morning Tikki. I'm just going to head into my training before we head out to the school."
"Got it. I'm sure Plagg is in there working on setting up the kick bag for you."
I nod to her and walk down the marble floor hallway, to two double doors.
Inside, an average home gym. An in place bike is seen across the left wall, next to a treadmill, and a collection of dumbbells and weight training equipment. The walls are purely mirrors, probably for dancers. I didn't mind though. Not as thorough and huge as the one back at the Agency, but this'll do.
"Good morning Plagg. Thank you for setting the kick bag up."
"No problem. Have fun!"
He walks out, and I start warming up, kicking and hitting the bag, slowly increasing in speed.
This was the best way to let off a little steam, and to warm up. I've always found hand to hand combat my favorite. I've trained in Brazilian jiu jitsu, hapkido, martial arts, karate, Krav Maga, wrestling, and kickboxing. Sure, I can handle a gun and weapons, but fighting brings a sort of exhilaration to me that shooting a gun or crossbow doesn't.
600 pounds, 120 push-ups, 300 sit-ups, and 50 miles later, I check the time on my new cover smartphone. Dr. Fu said it'll make me fit in more, but ever since I came to the agency, I never was one for social media, and also because they never let me have a phone during missions.
I didn't mind. The more normal, the better.
I grab my phone off the seat, and was about to walk out when I saw myself in the large mirrored walls.
Stopping in place, I cocked my head. I wonder if I look like a normal person. A normal teen for that matter.
I pick up my shirt, and wince at the scar trailing along the side of my stomach. A mission a few months back was the first time I've ever experienced torture. It didn't hurt thanks to my high pain tolerance, but the sight of it makes me sad. The line was faint, but even the faint presence of it reminded me of a mission I never want to go back to.
Shaking those thoughts from my head, I focused on my abdomen area. It was apparent I was extremely physically fit and the abs were out there, you could say, but I was always self conscious about my body.
Yes, I'm confident in my body, but was just a tad conscious about it, since kids my age and grade don't have unnaturally developed abs, and extremely toned legs and arms. But what do you expect from a teen spy?
I walk to my room and dress into a long-sleeved black shirt, and a red skirt that went down to the middle of my calves. To top it off, black flats, and a black belt underneath my skirt with all my throwing knives. It was the preppiest outfit I had, and the one that covers most of my body in this sweltering heat.
I grab my agency certified backpack, and walk back to the kitchen, when Plagg offered me a granola bar. I took the bar, shot him a cold glare, then threw it in the trash bin.
"I hate granola bars."
He slowly nods and puts the granola bar box away into our pantry.
After the day I found out my parents rejected me, I have always hated granola bars. That's because when they walked away from me for the last time, that's what I was eating for breakfast.
Every time I stare at a dairy product that looks remotely like milk, or a cereal near granola, I feel nauseous. It's a stupid fear, I know, but it has its reasons. At least that's the only thing I'm scared of.
"My bad. Well kid, looks like you're all set. Tikki? You ready?"
I stare at the two interacting. They were one of the only agents in the agency that were an actual married couple, and they were absolutely brilliant. Some of their missions blew me away by the amount of trust and teamwork they had for each other.
Tikki looks at me with a horrified expression.
"Oh no honey! Let's fix your hair. Come here."
"My hair is fine."
"No no no, that just will not do. I feel like a low bun would do you good. Don't you think?"
We stop in front of a mirror on the wall while she fixes my hair with a clip. She winks at me and hands me a ladybug hair comb.
"It's my lucky charm. Ladybugs have always brought me good luck, and I'm guessing you'll need it too. Also, each spot is a time bomb you can take off and throw in dire situations, and the antennas are tracking devices in case anything goes south. Oh, and also," she pulls out a black, brown, and red box which opened up to two ladybug earrings.
"These are earpieces, but disguised as earrings. They also have tracking devices, and are our form of communication in case anything happens. Just click the middle spot on the right one and the mic will turn on. Got it?"
I give her a nod, and a small smile. She pushes us out the door, and into the driveway. We hop into a Tesla model 3, and head towards the school.
"Remember Ellie, keep your cover believable. You read the intro to your cover right?"
"Of course, Plagg."
"Good. Keep it simple, be a little shy, and don't be afraid to make friends. Just don't get to close, since this is only for one school year."
"Got it."
"Oh, and you're going to have to choose a language class. I understand you're already fluent in all the ones offered here, but you'll have to choose one. Remember the cover."
I let out a fake aggravated groan, and in my highest pitched voice possible, "oh my goddddddd. Do I have to?" I chuckle at myself while Plagg laughs, and Tikki looks at me surprised.
"Great acting, but maybe you can act less cocky, and more sweet." We all laugh together, and I simply can't remember the last time I've had this much fun on a mission.
We drive up to the school, and get out, walking to the main administrative building.
"Alright Ellie, this is the building. Once we step inside, take note of any exits and identify as many staff members as you can. We're here to gather intel."
"Affirmative."
Walking towards the door, I notice a ton of students walking with their own friends groups around the campus, a few turning their heads at me. I can see why, since my genes are definitely not the norm here. So far the darkest hair color I've seen was light brown, and I haven't seen one diverse person. All white people. Well that's to be expected.
Me on the other hand, am I a sight to see. I'm actually half Chinese, half French. My dark hair stands out, which is probably why I see some people whispering to their friends.
Once inside, we enter an office with my guidance counselor.
"Well hello there! My names Sharlene, and I'm going to be your guidance counselor this year! We're excited you decided to join Francois DuPont Highschool, only the best school for the best people! Am I right?"
Her overly cheery tone had me gagging internally.
"Hello Sharlene. This is my daughter, Ellie Graham, and I'm her mother, Tikki, and this is my husband Plagg. A pleasure to meet you."
They all shook hands.
"Why don't you have a seat? Let's discuss your classes."
I sit down and a paper and pencil is brought in front of me.
"You see here, you have some electives to fill out. You've got your core classes chosen, but you need at least one Physical education class, and one language class. It's all part of the curriculum."
I take the pencil and go through my choices.
Weight training, beginning PE, Advanced weight training, Ballet, Secular dance. Advanced weight training is the closest to a challenge I guess, why not?
I look up to the woman in front of me. I've read her file beforehand. She had nothing shady going on. The only weird thing is that she had a creepy obsession with the color maroon. That's not in her file, it's just obvious by her stuffy office.
"Is it possible to move right into Advanced Weight training?"
She looks at me and laughs. "Are you sure about that honey? I'm sure you'd like something more delicate, like ballet for example?"
"I'd like to go into Advanced Weight training if that's okay."
She gives me a smirk and says, "Go right on ahead, but if you ever need to change a class, you know where to find me."
I give her a quaint smile, and turn back to my paper, now judging my language options.
Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Russian, ASL. I'm fluent in all of these. Which one requires the least amount of work? French it is.
I hand her the paper and she looks over and smiles at me. "Thank you very much. Here is your schedule, a map of the school, and a list of all the events going on around here. Good luck this year!"
"Thank you!"
As soon as we leave the office, I tug the map into my backpack, having memorized it the night before.
Tikki stops in front of me, looking at me like a proud mother.
Putting her hands on my shoulders, she starts tearing up, and pulls me close. "It's all for the cover. This place is swarming with cameras so just in case, I added a static transmitter on your left earring button. You click that, and the cameras in your immediate vicinity turn off for 30 seconds." She pulls back wiping a tear away.
"Look at my baby all grown up!"
"Ah, mom, no need to be so emotional. Goodbye mom, bye dad, see you after school."
"See you sweetie! Have fun!"
The car pulls away, and I look at my schedule, my first class being Weight training. How great. Weight training first thing in the morning. Who would've thought?
Glancing at the time on my watch, it read 8:30.The first class starts in 10 minutes. I immediately walk towards the gym, staring at the school around me. There was bright green grass, fountains every now and then, and pillars. What kind of school has pillars? Everything here was Bougie and I didn't mind. I forgot what it was like being in a school.
Walking up to the girls locker room, I peer inside and find no one there. I spot a girl teacher in her office. Walking up, she stares at me with confusion.
"Hello, Mrs, Browns, right? My name is Ellie and I'm a new student here. My first class is Advanced Weight training and I need to know if there's some sort of dress code I need to follow.
"Uh that's your first class? I-uhm, no there's no dress code. You just need to wear appropriate sports attire."
"Thank you."
I always brought an extra pair of clothes with me in my bag just in case I need it for a last minute mission. Today I had a sports tank top, and shorts.
Sh*. I can't wear this around the class. Calm down Ellie. It's just a cover. Just a cover. Just a cover. You got this. It's just for today. Tomorrow, I'll bring leggings and a t shirt. Just for today.
I put on the shorts and tank top, and come up to the teacher with my backpack.
"Will I need a locker?"
She motions her head toward the side of the room. "I'll get your locker set up. You can set your bag over there for today." Scoffing, she looks at me and says, "Good luck."
I give her a smile and say, "Thank you."
I walk across the gym and enter a door that says, "Weight Training, Mr. Jackson"
Taking a deep breath, I enter the room and my nostrils are enveloped in a smell of sweat, must, and tires. I couldn't help but cough a little at the sudden burst of air.
Composing myself, I look around the room of Weight training equipment, searching for the teacher. I read his file, and he just went through a divorce. Tough.
I notice that not one single girl is in this class. Throughout the room, loud boisterous boys are yelling with each other, throwing water bottles at each others heads, and being stupid. But everyone hushed down a few octaves once I stepped inside. I walk up to a boy in a red sweatshirt and black sweatpants.
He gained a few whistles from his friends, and I simply ignore it asking him, "Hello, I'm new here and I'm wondering if you know where Mr. Jackson is?"
"You're new here? Well hello there! My name is Kim! What's yours?"
I give him a tight lipped smile. "My names Ellie. Can you please show me where Mr. Jackson is?"
"Well, Ellie, I think you're in the wrong class. This class is for big boys, doing big boy stuff. Ballet is the classroom over." The class erupts into laughter.
I breath in and out, calming myself, and I just walk away, looking for some sort of authoritative figure.
He trails behind me, then grabbed ahold of my shoulder. I tense up at his touch. "Hey don't ignore me! That's awfully rude, sweet cheeks."
I forgot how idiotic boys can be. Especially preppy boys.
Calm down Ellie. Don't over react.
I realize that everyone in the room is now eagerly watching to see what I was going to do next. With a extremely sarcastic smile, I slowly turn around and give him the coldest glare I've ever given someone. I knew I shouldn't have tried to be nice. Stupid cover is going to let people get an advantage over me. Calm down Ellie. Remember what happened last time you over reacted.
He jumped at the cold edge in my stare, but his ugly smirk returned. I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and said, "Don't touch me." My sweet smile returned. "Thanks!" I turn around, but he grips my shoulder again. Act innocent. Remember the cover!
For annoyingly impulsive guys like this, I usually grab their hand and pull them over my head, throwing them on the ground. I couldn't do that here.
Just as I was about to do something, a boy with golden blonde hair came into the locker room with Mr. Jackson, and Kim immediately let go of my shoulder. I roll my eyes and walk towards the teacher. "Mr. Jackson? I'm Ellie, and I'm new here."
"So you're the new student Sharlene sent me an email about? Definitely not what I expected. Uhh, welcome to Advanced Weight training. Just follow along, and you'll be fine."
I nod to him, and he claps his hands together.
"Alright class, settle down. We have a new student with us here today. Uhm, why don't you introduce yourself, Uh–," I cut him off, standing up.
"My names Ellie Graham. I'm 15 years old, and I'm a sophomore. Just moved here from Washington D.C." I hear a few snark comments, but I just shut them out while find a place to sit on a bench in the back of the class.
"Thanks Ellie. Now let's get to announcements. Our swimming unit is coming up, and then we are going to focus on underwater exercises. Our main goal is building upper body strength. But for now, let's get into pairs for stretching.
Everyone pairs up, while I just scan the crowd of boys, each one looking like they'd rather lose a match in fortnite than pair up with me.
I sit on the bench, re-tying my shoe, when the blonde boy who came in earlier walked up to me.
"Hey My names Adrien. Do you have a partner?" A scoffing and glaring Kim was pouting behind him.
I look up from my shoe and give him a sweet innocent smile. "No, no partner yet."
"Do you wanna be partners?"
"Sure!"
