Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!!!
Long time no see, my readers-slash-reviewers~! I'm SO VERY, VERY Sorry for the excruciatingly long wait!!! More than a freaking week!!!
I'm sorry, the science fair (that's required) was taking up most of my time. Also having many tests next week with choir rehearsal and concerts don't help either. Then I had to help my best friend with her boyfriend drama. So things have been going pretty nuts~ (sorry for lame excuses but they're true!)
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS, I LOVE READING THEM AND HEARING YOUR OPINIONS AND ADVICE!! :D They encourage me to continue this story! Even though I'm starting to get bored with it so I'm trying to use up my imagination so I can start on the sequel! :]
I dedicate Chapter 26 to the following reviewers:
-Kidron Brook-
-dead girl forever-
-zammie4ever-
OH YEAH!!! Before I forget I want to give out BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS!!!
Hey CZ sorry for the extremely late shout out but…better late then never!! Her b-day was on the 4th and I seriously wanted to make this shout out sooner but couldn't so here it is!!! Thanks for the awesome reviews, awesome chapter in your new story, and being you! XD HAPPY BELATED B-DAY!
This is for J. Adams125, your b-day was on Thursday! Happy slightly belated b-day! You're awesome for reviewing~! Thanks again!
This is for Thalia! I know, I know, your b-day was in October, but I hadn't even thought to put b-days back then so I thought "why not put Thalia's b-day here?" So here it is! HAPPY *MEGA* BELATED B-DAY!!! Sorry for the lateness!! Thanks for the reviews!
ENJOY!!!
SSF of Chapter 25:
In the last Chapter of "What Happens When You Fall Hard," the mysteries of Dana Amelia Jordon had beginning to unravel themselves and the chapter also acted as a "recovery" and "retreat" moment for the gang (Hey, even SPIES need a break to regroup). The death-stimulating patches had done their trick on the spies, luckily the "stimulator" part took away the downer that the "death" part had provided.
So is Dana really on their side? Or is that just part of whatever her plan is? The spies are beginning to recover (barely) from their attack that was wiped from their memories (courtesy of the new Napotine Patch). The more they try and think about that dreadful event the more terrible the headaches get (again...courtesy of the patch). Until Professor Gomez sheds some light on the situation by telling everyone of his and Dr. Fib's new creation! But was that enough? Doubt it. Did it help? Barely. But the one question that truly matters the most is...Will they survive? Read on to find out!
Chapter 26: A Reminder, A Review, and A Reunion
Time: 12:38 p.m.
Location: Culture & Assimilation Classroom, East Wing
P.O.V: Zachary Goode
"Today we will be learning about the Tanzanian etiquette at a meal. An important tip is to never be early to dinner, it is considered very rude. Instead be 15 to 30 minutes later than expected," Madame Dabney advised.
Her silver-gray hair was pinned up into a classic bun today, not a single sliver of hair was out of place. She delicately ripped the Chapati (that looked oddly like a tortilla) rolled it up into a cone and scooped some vegetables; taking an equally delicate bite. It shocked me to see her without "proper silverware" and that she was eating finger food that wasn't a dinner roll. The girls in the room immediately mimicked her.
"No, it is very ostentatious to use either a fork or knife when eating Chapati or Ugali," Madame Dabney pointed out towards Cole, who rolled his Tanzanian styled-tortilla up and stuck a fork in it. I had to admit that this class didn't seem all that important to me at first (I even remember teasing Cammie about it) but I started understanding it more in the past few weeks…sort of.
"Very good Richard," she complimented Rich. His dark eyes lit up and he continued enjoying his food. It went on like that for a while, the whole class period devoted to learning about the Tanzanian etiquette (to be completely honest, I never knew there was such a thing).
It was pretty annoying to learn this. Even as a kid when Mom taught me about basic table manners I thought it was a drag. I preferred to stuffing my face with chips on the couch, watching NFL. But being the gentleman that I am (sometimes) I listened and learned.
Oh, you're wondering about the 'talk' me and Cammie had with the others? Yes, we told them. At first it didn't work out so well…you'd know what I mean if you were there, two months ago:
~Flash Back~
"I can't believe it," Liz whispered softly. Her light blue eyes were looking from Cammie and me, but landed straight on her pavement artist friend.
"You can't be serious! Ms. Jordon wouldn't do something like that," Bex stated. Her voice held the defiance of a rebel, showing that she wasn't going down without a fight to prove that she was right.
"Have you checked any of the CIA databases?" Jonas questioned after contemplating everything. I nodded. It was true. Before even telling these guys, Cammie and I hacked into the base. There was Jordon's file, everything, black-and-white, right in our faces.
But there wasn't a line that said, "Actually a double-agent working for an unknown organization that tried to kill four Gallagher Girls and three Blackthorne Boys" so we went into further research. No information at all was helpful. Though I learned some things….Her mom had died a few years back and after that there was a rapid increase on different missions she volunteered for. Her father was MIA for many, many years and still is today.
"Yeah, there wasn't any information on it--" I started but got interrupted.
"See, you have no proof," Bex pointed out. Her face was in a smug smile as she looked at both of us. I couldn't help but glare a little at her which earned me a "Watch-it-or-I'll-hurt-you" glance from Grant.
"But anyone could change a file, a lot of agents have, it's as reliable as Wikipedia," I said, looking pointedly at Cammie when I said the bit about "changing a file" she ignored me.
"But…" Macey commented. This was the first time she talked after listening to us. She sat there with her ordinary bored expression, she didn't give me a glance. Her eyes met Cammie's as she spoke the words that even made my feelings about Ms. Jordon being a double agent waver for a bit.
"If she was really against us, why let us live? Why use a death-simulator instead of just killing us off?…" her gaze left Cammie's and she faced everyone in general. "If she really was bad, why did she save us?"…
I looked back at the memory of about nine weeks ago (well…it was eight weeks, six days, seventeen hours, forty-seven minutes and twelve seconds…but who really cares at this point?) (A/N: I'm speeding up the story, sorry! But I want to get this story done before I get bored with it). A lot of time past and the finals were drawing closer and closer. Solomon and Jordon had been hinting about it for the last three weeks every time they got to. I even remember Jordon saying that there might be a pilot exam. I still had no idea of what to think of Jordon, on one hand she didn't help us fight, on the other she (somewhat) saved us.
"Quiet down now, I have an announcement to make," Madame Dabney called politely. We all settled down except for the occasional whispers and listened to the small women in the middle of the room.
"As many of you know, the final exams were moved up on their schedules," she started. "What you do not know is the format of the test. It is my job to inform you," All murmuring had come to an abrupt stop, all of us wanting to hear about the exam that would decide whether we stepped into the Labs that Professor Franklin taught or into the elevator that dropped down to Sublevel Two.
"These will be the all-school exams. I have taught you all the proper etiquette to achieve your goal," this means-- "This Friday evening all students in grades eight through twelve will be invited to a formal examination!" she said cheerfully. Madame Dabney stopped, either waiting for some of us to stand and clap or just a dramatic pause.
"A ball!" she tried. But everyone remained silent, all of us just stared at her as if she just sprouted two wings and started flying.
I heard a few gasps escape from the Gallagher Girls (except for Cammie and Bex). Many went wide-eyed like an owl, making me wonder if they'd ever blink again. I saw from beside me that Jonas made a hard gulp and was beginning to go red (again). Grant just seemed to smile a bit, a ball translated, to him, was the closest thing to a party around here. Me? I smirked. The worries of Jordon washed away momentarily as I thought about our (basically) mission.
"Tomorrow during this time, you will each be fitted for a gown." She beamed at the group of girls who were still awestruck, stuck in their own little world of shock. "And tuxedos," she said as she turned to us. I suppressed a groan. Send me to a communistic country to disable a bomb, sure, I can do that. But being fitted for a tuxedo? Just send me to the other side of the globe! But nope, she wasn't done yet.
"On Friday evening you will be asked to participate in a cumulative examination--a night that will encompass everything we teach. And you will be expected to dance." At that point, I saw most of the girls perk up immediately at the word "dance."
My brooding about the tuxedo floated out of my head and I smirked even more. I looked over at Cammie who seemed to be worrying a bit about her daydreaming sisterhood. She felt my gaze on her and caught my eyes. I smirked at her and winked flirtatiously. My Gallagher Girl and I have been even more of a couple since the past weeks, and I don't know when I've been so happy since my parents died.
She rolled her deep blue eyes at me but the heartwarming smile was still there. By then, Bex had drawn Cammie into a conversation. And I heard the room erupt into different conversations, some were about others calling dibs on someone else (apparently Rich Sharma wants to take Mick Morrison to the dance-slash-ball-slash-exam while Kim Lee and John Takahashi want to go together).
I heard Tim asking Tina if she wanted to go, and a high pitched shriek of joy followed shortly after that. I even heard Tina telling Tim that they should do a color-coordination thing but I lost interest quickly. Those two were as together as Cammie and I were.
I looked back at my Gallagher Girl, I did kind of realize I was staring at her, but it was a habit I picked up somewhere during the nine weeks. Her cinnamon and aureate hair was a bit longer now. It was getting a bit more light, I was guessing because of the weather warming up.
Her skin was still that smooth, healthy, light-bronze tan. The dark blue of her eyes were the same too. Always sparkling and beautiful to look at (and yes, I know there was not one masculine word in that last sentence).
My eyes wanted to tug down to stare at her pink and soft looking lips. I guess I made a habit of kissing (or making out with) her too. I could also feel my vision want to tug down even lower to look at the curves that showed through the government-approved uniform…but I stopped myself from looking any further. I was not going to turn into Logan.
The bell rang, the tones fading away to alert the other classes. I got up and exited the room that needed perfect posture, perfect manners, and perfect eating utensils to ace a test instead of back-up ammunition, a gun, and a bag of nice Napotine Patches…speaking of which…the effects of the patches worn off, I think we were all lucky that it was a prototype. But I'd be lying if I said that there weren't scenes in my memory that I didn't want to keep. You know the saying, "Ignorance is Bliss?" well in the world of espionage it's, "Ignore is bliss…until you get killed."
Time: 8:49 p.m.
Location: Room 252, West Wing
P.O.V: Cameron Ann Morgan
I stayed calm. I stayed concentrated. I took deep breaths (or more accurately, I tried to). But being stuck in small room with 19 of my sisters could make anyone feel a little claustrophobic. Dinner was done and the second me and my roommates hit our room, all hell broke loose. Well, if you think of extreme makeovers, push-up bras, and the most uncomfortable heels in all of mankind as hell. If yes, Satan himself had just swept through our doors and into our lives.
"Do these go with this?" Eva Alvarez asked frantically to Macey. She was holding up a mint green dress that went above the knees with a pair of black Stilettos boots. I sensed a case of déjà vu at the scene in front of me.
This happened back at Gallagher last semester, when I only thought of Macey (who is now my best friend) as a rich fashion queen. And all the girls came into our room (which by they way, isn't that big) to prep up because it was one of those days where Joe subbed for Dana. There was a whole commotion with Macey and me. Macey for the fashion advice and others asking me what his favorite color was or if he liked it if a girl wore perfume.
"Lose the boots and get a pair of white strappies," Macey advised to Eva. She then moved onto the next girl which was Courtney Bauer and talking to her about how much gel you should use in your hair. I stayed back in the background, wishing that this would be over soon.
It was only this afternoon that Madame Dabney gave us the announcement for the exam, and we already had every Gallagher Girl in our room. What frightened me the most was to think of what would happen on the actual day of the test.
I looked over at Bex who was talking to Liz on their beds. They didn't seem as disturbed by the commotion as I was ,which is a good thing for them. Liz's thin fingers were switching off from typing on her little laptop and making the flashcards that she loved so much.
Bex had her white earphones stuck in her ears as she flipped through different books that taught about maneuvers. I vaguely wondered if there was a "kick-nineteen-girl-spy-sophomores-out-of-your-room maneuver" in that book somewhere.
Before I could hear more about "how much lipstick you should apply to look sexy and not trampy" I slipped through the crowd of my sisters and out the door. I knew that I had to give most of my credit of slipping out silently to my roommates.
Bex with her glowing skin made most of the girls go to her for what kind of face-wash they should use. Liz with her skinny body made some come to her to ask how much they should eat a day to fit into their dress for Friday. And Macey for make-up and clothes advice. So you can see that being a chameleon with friends like that can be really simple and easy.
I just started walking along an old brick wall; just feeling free of the "Salon from Hell" I had just escaped. I was keeping an eye out for any loose tiles or bricks. After taking a closer look, Blackthorne was a little like Gallagher, only it looked more modern and like a school. Unlike Gallagher Academy's mansion-slash-castle-like features.
But it was still a spy school nonetheless, and like everyone (sometimes even civilians) knew, spies always have a back-up exit. Sort of like a magician keeping something up his sleeve…it's just spies keeping something in their walls.
I passed many different walls and walked on different floors. Everything was intact as I wandered around aimlessly in the institute. I've been feeling a bit homesick for Gallagher. All its passageways that I've discovered and some more that were still unfound, but known to me. I thought back to Mom, wondering what she's up to.
I fingered the 'C' charm on my bracelet, flicking the small pearl back and forth gently. I let out a small sigh that wanted to break free from my worried body. She could've told me a little of what she was doing, I wouldn't be worrying like this, I thought. But, she's an agent. It's part of her job to keep secrets. I knew and understood that. But I could feel a shadow of doubt telling me that she could be keeping more from me than necessary.
It just annoys me even more to have people (mostly Tina) think that since I'm the headmistresses' daughter I know everything she knows. WRONG. I was just like them. But I remember both Dana and Joe telling me this. Ignorance is bliss, but for us it's "Ignorance is bliss…until you get killed." After hearing that, I wasn't sure if I wanted to thank my mom or scream at her.
* * * * *
The Pros and Cons of Having Rachel Morgan as Your Mother:
A List made by Cameron Ann Morgan
PRO: She is the best mom I could ask for, I would never want anyone else in her place.
CON: I cannot spend much time with said "Best mom I could ask for" because of (spy) school and (spy) business.
PRO: She has an almost infinite amount of knowledge of espionage that I will learn. Covering from how to act your legend to concocting either a toxin or antidote.
CON: You would think that since she is a complete genius with a DNA scanner, she would make a decent dinner using a microwave (which she can't).
PRO: Having a beautiful mother like Mom reinforces the idea of me becoming beautiful one day (that by the way, I'm still highly doubting).
CON: Whenever in public with gorgeous Mom I must put up with men drooling over her.
PRO: She is one of the best agents around / I'm proud to be related to her.
CON: She is one of the best agents around which means she's excellent at lying
PRO: I get to carry on the family name.
CON: I must carry and uphold the family name.
I'll do it even if it kills me.
* * * * *
All these thoughts were filing into my mind and I didn't even notice where my feet were taking me until I heard the soft melody of music. I recognized immediately that it was R&B. Dana had gotten pretty strict about me knowing the differences between music genres. She's been teaching me like I was in a performing arts school instead of a spy school. The music then came to an immediate stop.
On the subject of Dana…I really don't know what to believe, my gut-feeling wasn't giving me any hints either. I knew what I wanted to believe though. I was hoping that she was still my favorite teacher and not a homicidal double agent. Everything was normal. And that's what got me even more suspicious. The only thing that was different was that she was gone yesterday and today.
I wanted to laugh when I barely caught a small sound of feet hitting the ground. Zach. He had followed me. I've been expecting it. I figured out that Zach was the type of guy that liked to sneak up on someone (mainly and only me).
He'd been doing it the past few weeks. But I interrogated Jonas (which was surprisingly hard, I had to use the "Liz" card on him) and found out that he's been doing it way longer before the few weeks when I caught him. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't impressed. But all of that was forgotten for the time being.
I looked up and saw that I was outside of the place that I hadn't come by since nine weeks ago…the reason for my headaches and suspicions…the place where I had my first (and hopefully last) near-death experience…
I was right outside of the West Wing Library.
* * * * *
You'd think as a spy-in-training that I'd be used to things like cracking NSA codes in less than 10 minutes. You'd think I'd be used to taking down a man twice my size by getting a good shot at his right earlobe (which took me a whole month to learn). And you'd think that I'd be used to speaking to my superiors in Hindu with an accent that sounded as if I were born in India (which isn't anywhere near Nebraska). Well, you guessed right. I am used to that.
What I didn't expect and what I wasn't used to was to walk into a library to see a bloodbath that involved three Blackthorne teachers. All of them were lying motionless and pale on the ground. The red liquid that held their lives were seeping out of them. The white background of the carpet didn't cease the darkness of blood at all and you'd think I'd scream, right? I mean, what girl in her right mind wouldn't? But you're forgetting, I'm a spy girl. So I did the first thing I should do. I surveyed for possible enemies.
That's when I found them...right behind me.
Time: 8:57 p.m.
Location: CIA Private Jet
P.O.V: Dana Amelia Jordon
The small heater blasted subtle waves of warmth to my left and my right. The soft royal blue of the first class seat was nice and comfortable. My long black trench coat made a dark contrast against the velvety chair. I was inside none other than the private jet the CIA had…let's say, "messed with." I started looking around at the empty seats behind and in front of me.
I thought back to yesterday as I slid back into my chair (which was equipped with a gun) creating a light thump. I had just enough with emails. First the article that he sent me. Then the one concerning Gallagher's newest problem. Then there was that very last email…that one message was enough to make me demolish my advanced laptop.
But if I had any luck at all, it would just be a fluke to catch me off guard. I was ashamed to admit that if it was a fluke, it definitely worked. The six men and women in black back in the library had proved my thoughts. That could only prove one thing…they're catching onto my act. And when I say that, I mean both sides of this issue. I rattled out of my thoughts when I heard the pilot's voice call to me.
I stood up from the seat and strode down the bare aisle. I was heading towards the supply closet, passing rows and rows of empty seats. As I passed the first two closets I made my way to the third. The door was black but as I stepped in front of it a skinny, slit appeared before me, a neon green light spilled out of it.
The lens was staring at me as if it were an actual human eye, moving around and focusing on me like it was part eyeball and part camera. The mechanical voice that sounded like it was a women spoke to me.
"Agent Number," the robotic voice said. I couldn't help but wondered if the CIA had let an android near an estrogen tank or something. Even though I found this annoying at times I knew this was protocol.
"Agent Number 2048" I spoke, matching the emotionless tone, knowing that the machine was recording and deciphering my voice.
"Password," it said simply. At that moment a panel at the height of my shoulder slid open to reveal an equally black keypad. The white numbers were blazing against the dark background. 159753. I pressed 'enter' and stared straight ahead into the green light. I could almost feel the heated light scanning my retinas.
"Access granted. Welcome Agent Jordon," the voice said. The door slid open right after that. I walked into the small space and snatched the nearest backpack that was there. I groped through a box and grabbed a pair of high quality goggles that had built-in night vision. I was almost done when I picked up a charcoal colored suit, slinging the strap over my shoulder I headed towards the middle of the plane.
* * * * *
"Thanks again, Annie," I smiled at the petite and pretty women on my right, her real name was Anandini but I got into the habit of calling her "Annie". She just grinned again with her bubble of happiness still un-popped, her name definitely suit her (Anandini means "Joyful"). I looked down at myself, the charcoal suit was almost skintight besides the clothes under it. The protective lenses of the goggles were securely over my caramel eyes as I gave one last wave at the kind Annie.
"Good luck Dana," she said warmly, her black eyes nothing like the women that tried to kill Jonas. I simply nodded, knowing I was going to need much more than "luck" to accomplish the task at hand. My mind tried to wander back to the whole reason I was even getting ready to jump out of this plane…back to that shocking email I got yesterday…but I focused. Losing your concentrating is extremely bad when it comes to skydiving. Believe me.
I looked down (which is probably pretty bad if you're way up in the air and just remembered that you have a tiny fear of heights) and saw night had almost fallen over the city. I saw small specks down below, thinking that they were people when to my astonishment I saw that they were stores.
That's probably when the adrenaline was released in my bloodstream, the feeling bursting through my veins. The emotion never got old after all these years. I could see through the dark to watch the beautiful lights of buildings below right next to them was a deep forest, or how I saw it, my destination. With one last supportive squeeze of the shoulder from Annie I jumped.
I felt like I was flying. When I was really plummeting to the ground. I felt…happy. But as I pulled the string and reeled out of my fantasy I was really…sad. I felt free. When I was really trapped…
…This is only the beginning…
Time: 9:06 p.m.
Location: West Wing Library, Blackthorne Institute
P.O.V: Zachary Goode
"Cammie!" I shouted as I fended off one of them, barely managing to duck from a black-gloved fist. I heard the loud bang of metal and skin and turned around enough to see Cammie with one of the barstools slamming at the tall man in front of her.
But the slight turn of my head was just enough for the guy I was fighting to deck me right in the face. I almost lost my balance but before I hit the ground I dragged the man with me, turning it into a wrestling match. Instincts had taken full control.
I was on top of him, one of my hands were punching hard against the masked face as my other was trying to hold his struggling form. The familiar blazing blue-ice eyes were staring at me in a mixture of hatred and frustration. He was the man from before.
I saw at the edge of my vision that he was pulling something out of his pocket. I saw glint and wanted to slap myself for my stupidity. Of course they'd come back with weapons. But from how the light was reflecting it oddly I could see that a coat of something was added to that blade. It was poisoned. I leaped off of him and before he could get up himself I kicked him in the neck.
At that exact moment the man that was attacking Cammie was in front of me. But as the head lolled over to the side, he collapsed onto blue-eyed guy I just knocked out. And standing where one of the men was just standing was Cammie. Her cheek was cut and part of her forehead bruised which made the anger boiling in my blood erupt. As I was about to reach Cammie I kicked the guy that was against her in the head. She just looks at me with her cute puzzled face. I smirked but then sobered as I saw the bruise.
"We make a good team," she smiled. I could feel a half-grin pull at my lips, I reached out to trail my finger gingerly on her bruised forehead. I brushed the silky strands of hair out of the way to feel the injury. Cammie hid it pretty well but I paid enough attention to see her wince from my touch. I guess my instincts were still in control since the next thing I know my arms are wrapped around her and I pressed my lips gently on the bruise.
"We sure do Gallagher Girl," I said. My composure was coming back to me and my smile filled my face. I saw her smile a little too. I decided to ease the tension. My arms are around her waist as I pulled her closer. I leaned close to her ear like I do almost all the time now. "And I'm not just talking about the fight," I whispered. To my surprise, my voice was rough. It shocked me even more when I felt a wave of lustful desire sweep through me, but I ignored it.
"Well done, excellent, just excellent!" I heard from behind me, efficiently bursting the little intimate bubble I made for Cammie and me. I turned around, not realizing that I still had a hold on Cammie until it was too late.
"You two just passed the review," Dr. Steve clarified, his voice was enthusiastic as he made his way towards us. We both just stared at him, dumbfounded…that was the review. The "pilot exam" that Jordon mentioned from before. As if reading our minds Dr. Steve opened his mouth to speak but was beat to it by another voice.
"Yes, this was the review that Ms. Jordon and I had orchestrated for the final exams that are coming up. Madame Dabney had told you both," Mr. Solomon said. He was leaning on the doorway looking at both of us with keen eyes, his expression was unreadable.
"But what about the teachers---" Cammie started but was cut off. We both looked at the spot where we saw the bleeding-to-death teachers, they were all standing up. One of them I recognized as Professor Gomez (Advance Organic Chemistry) the others were Mr. Nguyen (COW) and Mr. Campbell (P&E).
"All of it was fake. This whole thing was meant to draw out what you learned, we did tell you about the review," Mr. Solomon said, his eyes lingered on Cammie for a second longer and went down to where my arms were. I could see the faint resentment in his body language but if I wasn't completely focusing and my instincts weren't on overtime I doubt I would've seen it.
"It was planned out for one-one-one but we found you each in a pair. If I'm correct, Rebecca Baxter and Grant Newman were together too. Speaking of which, they should be done by now," Dr. Steve said, scurrying out of the room with the teachers in tow. All who were left were Solomon and the two unconscious men in masks. This just aroused my suspicions. So I said casually,
"Mr. Solomon, where exactly is Ms. Jordon?"
Time: 9:19 p.m.
Location: 6703 Carlton Street North, Florida
P.O.V: Dana Amelia Jordon
I never I thought I'd see this place ever again…hell, I never thought I'd see her ever again. But here I was. I was the women who just jumped out of a private jet into the woods, glided down the streets on a motorcycle to find this large house.
It almost gave me sense of home, but I knew that this place changed. I parked the motorcycle at the side of the wide and spacious driveway. The house, or maybe mansion was made up of multi-colored bricks and with beautifully crafted windows. You could see the bright crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling through the windows.
I took off the helmet and ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to get it to settle down. I pulled at my clothes, trying to hide any traces of wrinkles I might have gotten on the way here. Even now as an adult I still wanted to look my best for her. I guess the small and naïve girl in me hadn't truly grown up yet. I shook the nerves out of me. If she didn't like my company and was irritated, that would be her fault. She was the one who invited me with that email.
I walked up the driveway, standing tall and confident. Hoping that my legs wouldn't start wobbling like when shy kids get in front of a class for a presentation. As I neared the house I cleared my throat a bit, wanting to sound strong and not the weakling that she remembered. I finally made it to the doorbell, pressing it gently and waiting.
The intricately made door popped open with the familiar creak. And my childhood memories flooded through my mind daring to wash away my confidence with it. The remembrance of the hot sun beating down on my head and the hopeful wishes of my parents taking me on a mission with them instead of leaving me here at her doorsteps.
"Hello Dana," the shadow of the person said to me. The familiar hair was longer than I last saw it. My height and hers were almost exactly that same. The voice was quiet and demanding at the same time. It shot something in my core so I surprised myself by my confident and strong response. How I looked up into her dark eyes and stood my ground was beyond me. But I held onto it for dear life. Only hesitating slightly.
"Hello…Cecile,"
Time: 9:56 p.m.
Location: West Wing Hallway
P.O.V: Zachary Goode
"Do you think CIA operatives can take a 'personal vacation' just like that?" Cammie asked me, we were walking back to her room. You'd think in our soon-to-be career we'd know if spies could take days off, it's more complicated and confusing than people would expect. Solomon had told us that Jordon was gone for "personal business." I had strained my ears trying to see if Solomon was telling the truth. But as I expected he was as readable as a rock.
"I don't see why she can't take a day off," I said, not wanting to say the underlying truth of "I don't know." The way she was looking at me told me that she saw through my words, but was kind enough not to say anything about it.
"How'd you think of the review?" she asked next, changing the subject. Cammie stopped walking and pointed at my jaw line, concern were in her eyes.
"That looks bad," she stated. I immediately rose my hand to touch the discolored patch of skin on my face. The swelling had gone down a lot and it was on its way to recovery, I honestly didn't care much. I cracked a small half grin at Cammie, hoping it would take the worry out of her dark eyes.
"It isn't. He--" I started but she interrupted.
"Hits like a girl?" she teased. I felt my lips pull up into a complete smile now, my usual smile which I hear girls saying that it was "mysterious." But I wasn't trying to be mysterious right then, my mask wasn't on when I was with her. I couldn't tell whether I should be relieved or cautious. I thought about what she said and grinned at her.
"Not the girls I know," at this Cammie smiled at me and nodded. At this point we were already outside of the mahogany door of Room 252.
"See you tomorrow Zach," She smiled. I grinned and gripped her hand, holding it up to my lips to kiss. Cammie honestly looked surprised as she stared at me. But I think it was in a good way.
"I'll make sure of that Gallagher Girl," I declared confidently to her and walked away. Something wanted me to run back to her and have a simple flood of words to come out of my mouth. Something simple to say but could start complications immediately…I could speak 14 fluent languages, I could say those words to her anytime or any day in those languages…so why did those three small words have to be so hard to say?
* * * * *
I sank into my bed and stared up at the ceiling in silence. Like every night shadows consumed me, Grant and Jonas. Thankfully neither one of my roommates snored (usually) so I could run through my thoughts without an annoying snort or wheeze to interrupt. I thought back to the day that seemed to start the suspicions up from nine weeks ago.
Jordon was gone on a 'day-off.' Cammie and I had passed our finals review (so did Grant and Bex). Liz and Jonas had passed some type of R&D review. The exams were on Friday. The weird feelings I've been having for Cammie.
I mean, I really like her, maybe even love her. But I wasn't going to tell her that, I'd go from perfect boyfriend to creepy stalker. And that strange desire to start a long and hot make-out session with her wasn't completely new but it's been growing for a few weeks and has been getting harder to control (even for someone like me). I sighed and turned on my side, looking for a comfortable position.
But setting aside my thoughts of Cammie, I thought back to the fight. I've had intense fights before, almost every CoveOp and a few R&D guys have. But I had to admit that, that fight back in the library was pretty new to me. The only time I've been in such a rough round like that was almost two months ago…you know, the time I was used as a guinea pig for the new death-simulating Napotine Patch (which I'm still pissed about).
And there were those eyes. The blazing pieces of blue-ice I had looked at from beneath the black ski-mask. They were burning with hatred…I haven't seen that in a fight or a mission or anything else the institute had to teach us.
I knew it was real, I could feel it in my gut. But that didn't mean it made it any better, it made it worse. And the fact that they were the same eyes I've seen from before didn't help the paranoia that was swirling around in my head. A thought infiltrated the jumbled mess that I called my mind.
…It wasn't just a review, it was real…
Again, SO sorry for extreme late updating! I will take the blame I was helping my best friend to see if her boyfriend was cheating on her and that took up all my personal time. But I won't apologize for that, it's in my book. Friends before Fanfic. Just how I am! Sorry~
How was the chapter?
What did you think was surprising? Did one of your predictions come true?
What do you think of Dana now? What's with Zach's new weird feelings?
What's your favorite line and/or part?! When will I write about the finals? ULTIMATE QUESTION:
~When the hell is this story going to end?!?!?~ I can't really tell right now but if I were to guess I'd say…3-4 more chapters?? And maybe I'll do an epilogue for the sequel (which is yet to be named).
***Please Read***
Please Review, I've gotten many story alerts and favorites and such (WHICH I'M TOTALLY GRATEFUL FOR!!!!) but most of them didn't tell me what parts of the chapter they liked or disliked, I just want to see other people's opinion on my story so that my sequel will be bigger and better! So Please REVIEW!!!
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REVIEW~ REVIEW~ REVIEW~ REVIEW~ Please? It'll make the story go faster and then I can get to the more exciting parts and then to the action and romance-filled sequel!! Pretty please?
The FirstEIGHTreviewers get the sneak peek!!
~A Sneaky Diva~
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