Bex's POV

I tried not to feel disheartened by the text Lauren received by Kelly. Tried. I tried to look on the bright side of things, Cammie and Zach were good enough spies not to be seen for months on end and at least the hadn't been caught by the Circle, yet. Again, I said tried.

"Hey, Bex. I'm really sorry about your friends," Lauren said with a sympathetic smile at breakfast.

"Not your fault."

"I know. I'm just trying to cheer you up; you look like a four year old who got told they're not allowed a lollypop." I smiled at her.

First lesson was P&E. I could use with some physical way to let my anger, worry and depression out, preferably at one of those Circle members but since none of those were around, Macey or Lauren would do.

"So, how're you and Will?" I asked Lauren while aiming a perfect round-house kick at her.

"None of your bloody business!" She went red and dodged the kick. "How're you and Grant?" She wiggled her eyebrows and went for a right hook.

"There is nothing going on with me and Grant! Nothing!" I hissed and knocked her off her feet.

"But you wish there was." She smirked from the floor. I didn't answer. "Ha! I knew it!" Lauren pointed an accusing finger at me, "Bex has got a crush, Bex has got a crush!" She sang and did a funny little jig.

"What? No I haven't!" I said in a believable voice, I was a spy after all. Lauren didn't buy it.

Thankfully, the bell went so we all traipsed off to CoveOps and Lauren dropped the subject.

I love CoveOps, it's really interesting, but today I couldn't focus. Something kept distracting me. Sorry, someone. Grant and his annoyingly captivating face. It was like he'd invaded my mind and wiped it clean of everything else that was going on. It wasn't until he nudged me, I realised Mr Solomon had asked me a question.

"Um..." I began, trying to buy some time as Macey mouthed behind Mr Solomon. Unfortunately, Mr Solomon caught me glancing at her for help.

"Miss McHenry, though admirable it is that you feel the need to help Miss Baxter, don't." He said sharply without turning. Macey flushed and looked at her hands. "Now, Miss Baxter, I would appreciate it if you could turn your attention to my class instead of daydreaming." His eyes seemed to burn into my brain – it was as if he knew what (or who) I was thinking about.

The rest of class dragged on slowly.

"So, what were you dreaming about, then?" Grant bumped my shoulder playfully as we made our way to COW.

"I have no blinking idea of what you are on about." I retorted.

"Before, what were you dreaming about, in class? Was it me?"

"Don't flatter yourself." I lied. He smirked and caught up with Will, Jonas and Liz were being disgustingly lovey-dovey, in fact, watching them made me feel physically sick.

"Just admit it, you fancy his socks off." Lauren said very matter-of-factly.

"Why on earth would she fancy his socks?" Macey appeared at Lauren's side.

"It's an expression, Macey." She sighed.

"I know! But she has a point, you know. Just ask him out!" I raised my eyebrows at her. "I see the way he looks at you. It's like the way Zach used to look at Cammie."

"Don't talk about her in the past tense. It sounds like she's dead." I muttered miserably.

Feeling worse than ever, I trudged into the classroom. Again, my mind drifted uncontrollably to a certain person who sat in front of me. My slight crush on him was supposed to be my guilty pleasure. Actually, it was more like torture watching him every day without expressing how I feel about him and having to act like just friends. It felt like every single bloody day was a CoveOps assignment trying to keep it a secret.

The rest of the day was a blur. Everything melted into one. I didn't even know half the things I was writing in class, it was as if my hand was on automatic.

As we left our last class, Grant stopped me. "Hey, what's up? You're acting really weird." There was real concern in his eyes.

"Nothing, I'm...fine. I'm fine." I turned to leave but he followed me.

"You don't look fine. You've been distant all day."

"Grant, seriously, I'm fine now please leave me alone!" I hissed in frustration and stormed off leaving him stood in the corridor.

At dinner, I didn't say a word to anyone about anything. I just felt so crappy. "Oh come on Bex, cheer up." Macey said when I wouldn't touch my food. I didn't reply.

"Pull yourself together, girl! You're a spy for crying out loud!" Lauren snapped. Her brilliant green eyes pierced into mine. "Now, stop moping around and eat some bloody-" She stopped when her phone made a bleeping noise. She jumped from her seat and tottered out of the Hall in her stupidly high heels. Macey, Liz and eye stared after her for a minute then hurried after her.

"Ok, bye." Lauren hung up.

"What's going on, Lauren?" Macey asked.

"They've found your friends. They're following them for the moment now because they wouldn't trust Kelly or Annabelle."

"Where are they?" I asked in shock.

"Bristol."

We heard footsteps behind us. "What's going on?" Grant asked when he saw the look of shock and amazement on our faces – not to mention Liz crying with happiness. Will and Jonas were with him.

"They've found Cammie and Zach." I met his beautiful eyes.

"We have to go!" Liz cried.

"I agree with Liz on this one." Macey said.

"How are we going to get out of the building?"

"I have an idea." Lauren said with a grin on her face. "Change, pack some stuff and come to our room when you're ready." Lauren addressed the three boys. They ran up the stairs.

"What's going on here?" A stern voice said behind us. "I hope you're not planning on sneaking out again." He crossed his arms.

"No." I lied. He stared at me for a minute, decided I was telling the truth then headed back toward the Hall. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

"Ok, let's get ready."