(Frank's POV)
"Oh, what a beau-ti-ful morn-in', oh, what a beau-ti-ful day-y, I've got a won-der-ful feel-ing, eve-ry-thing's go-ing my way-y," I sing, while mopping the corridor floor, feeling excited and happy.
I'm very aware of the amount of looks and stares that I'm getting from the kids and teachers but frankly, I don't care. I'm on cloud nine. In fact, I'm beyond cloud nine. I'm in my own little world, and it's whirling me all the way into outer space… that is until I suddenly hear my name.
"Frank!"
I whirl and face the eyes that stare back at me. "Mr. F! Good morning," I stammer.
"Good morning, Frank," says Mr. Flatley, giving me his normal cheery smile. "You seem to be in a good mood this morning. I heard you singing the opening song from Oklahoma!."
"Well, what can I say, Mr. F? The sun's out, the birds are singing and I'm just happy that my life is going right."
"Good for you, Frank. I'm glad." Mr. Flatley strolls off down the corridor and I go back to mopping.
Yes, everything in my life is going just right. After six months of dreaming about it and fantasizing about it, I finally got my kiss with Jenny. It was even better than I'd expected – it was on the lips! I spent the whole weekend reliving that Friday evening, kissing Jenny after the charity fashion show in the assembly hall. I can still taste her; still feel her arms and legs wrapped tightly around me. Absolute bliss. Then we had to part ways, but I was promised that we'll pick up where we left off on Monday (that's today!) in the stationery cupboard – after her PE lesson. I sigh happily at the thought of slipping my arms around her waist once again and pulling her against me, then feeling her mouth on mine.
"Hey, you."
I look up to find Jenny's eyes meeting mine. She's wearing a black tracksuit with two white stripes on the sides and a black sports bra, her hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail. She's carrying a purple sports bag that contain her other clothes.
I set the mop against the wall and I blushingly smile. "Hi."
"Well, aren't you forgetting something?"
At my questioning look, Jenny drops her sports bag, grabs my hand and pulls my arm around her waist. "Kiss, kiss," she demands.
I lean towards Jenny, intending to give her a quick peck on the cheek, but just at that moment Jenny turns her head and I find her mouth instead. Her lips are warm on mine; I can taste her saliva and I can smell the body fragrance she's using. I can hear people around me and Jenny catcalling and wolf-whistling at us, but we pay no attention. She slides her hands around the back of my neck. She parts my lips and I feel her tongue slide between them. Her tongue seems to do somersaults in my mouth. Her kiss is making me feel dizzy.
"Wowsers!" I say, when we eventually draw breath.
Jenny giggles mischievously, her eyes gleaming as they stare into mine. "I've missed you," she says.
"So I gathered," I tease. I glance around to make sure that Mrs King isn't around.
"Aunt Hermione is in the foyer putting up the charity fashion show newspaper article on the noticeboard," says Jenny. "We're on pages six and seven."
"Oh. Oh, OK," I say, feeling relieved.
"Frank, she will find out about us."
"Yeah. And I'd hate to think how she'll take the news once she does find out."
"True. But to be honest with you, I really couldn't care less. Aunt H knows that we have been pining for each other for some time, so she better get used to this. We're a couple, whether she likes it or not."
A couple. Music to my ears. I bend my head and kiss Jenny. It's just a little kiss, our lips gently bumping. But we break away when the bell rings.
"Well, I better get going." I let go of her waist and Jenny steps back to pick up her bag. "See you later, OK? Don't forget" – She leans in towards me and whispers in my ear – "stationery cupboard."
I swallow. "Yeah. OK."
My heart is pounding as I watch her turn the corner of the corridor. As soon as she was out of sight, I lean against the wall, grinning like a Cheshire cat. I can't believe how good it feels to be together with Jenny. Pushing myself off the wall, I grab the mop and I continue to wipe the floor with it while humming 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning' under my breath.
(Jenny's POV)
"Good morning, class!" I chirp as I enter the gym.
"Morning, Jen!" the class chorus.
"I've got something for you," I say in a singsong voice. I drop my sports bag on a pile of blue gym mats and I take off my tracksuit jacket. I reach into the bag and pull out a newspaper, unfolding it and turning to pages six and seven. "Ta-dah!" I show them the article.
The class crowd around the article in excited chatter. Avril pushes through the crowd to the front and reads the story.
"'Charity Fashion Show a Big Success – St Hope's High School has celebrated the latest trends in their charity fashion show, raising money for Orphans in Need. Orphans in Need are a local charity which provides food, medicine and clothes for orphans in poor countries.
"'Held on the 8th March, the Year Ten students along with their teacher, Jenny Brownstone, organised and co-ordinated all aspects of the event. The afternoon proved to be a brilliant success with a packed audience of students, teachers and the workers of Orphans in Need.
"'Students modelled a range of garments from independent fashion house, Chix. The girls strutted down the catwalk in unique and glamorous dresses, tops and skirts, while the boys wore smart and sophisticated suits.
"'Celebrating the Best of British, further donations were made through a cake sale and sponsored walks. The afternoon was accompanied by hip-hop beats provided by St Hope's student, Timothy Hinklebottom (Scoop Doggy) and DJ of the Red Cube nightclub, Parker Sutton (Bling P).
"'The workers of Orphans in Need have thanked Miss Brownstone and the Year Tens involved in the organisation of the event for raising money for the charity and donating the proceeds'."
When Avril finishes reading the story, we all clap and cheer.
"Aunt Hermione has put the article up on the noticeboard in the foyer," I say, closing the newspaper and folding it. "Or if you prefer, I can give each of you a copy of the newspaper with the article that I bought from three different newsagents for you to have as a souvenir."
I receive a positive response.
"Listen, guys, I just wanna say congratulations for a majorly successful fashion show, despite the odd disaster," I say. "I've never felt so proud of you. You were brilliant. And you got first-hand experience of leadership, co-operation and organisation – as well as responsibility."
The class nod and murmur in agreement.
"I mean, who knows? If the fashion show was a triumph, think of what prom night would be," I say, raising my eyebrows.
Davina gives a loud squeal that makes Donovan wince.
"No way! Jenny, are you serious?" she asks.
"Providing that everyone in class does really well in their mock exams as well as their school work. So, if you want to show off that new dress you purchased from Topshop…" I smile at Davina. "…or play that mix CD you put together…" I glance at Scoop. "…I suggest you start putting your heads in the books and start revising."
The sounds of excited chattering fill the room.
"Also, there something else you should know," I add. "Frank and I… we're a couple!"
Davina squeals in excitement, and Carrie gives a whoop and the rest of the class cheer and congratulates me. The majority of the well-wishers ask me when Frank and I got together, but I tell them that we've already wasted time talking and we should start the lesson. I toss the newspaper by my bag and I begin the lesson.
xxoOoxx
"Here you go, guys," I say, handing two copies of the Fulham Chronicle to Scoop and Homie at the end of the lesson.
"Thank, Miss B," they say.
"And, er, congrats on you and Frank," says Scoop. "I always knew that you two would get together."
Scoop's words touch me. "Aw. Thanks, Scoop," I say.
"When Scoop and Homie leave the gym, I hand the last three copies of the Fulham Chronicle to Rose, Oscar and Carrie.
"Thanks, Jen," they say.
"So, er…" Carrie starts, "so what's it like kissing Frank?"
"Carrie!" Rose and Oscar exclaim in unison – but I smile.
"That's for me to know and you to never find out," I say. "Now, go on, off to your next lesson."
Rose, Oscar and Carrie make their way out through the gym door and I head to the changing room to take a shower. I relax under the warm water, feeling the tension seep from my muscles. I reach for my special supply of aromatherapy bath gel and lather up, soaping myself under the streaming water. But once I towel dry and stuff my damp body into underwear, my wristwatch communicator starts to beep.
"Oh, man!" I mutter under my breath. Wrapping a towel around my body, I reach into the side pockets of my bag and pull out my communicator and answer. "Hey, Zeke," I say. "Glad that you're feeling better."
"I am better. It'll take more than a common cold to stop the Zekeinator," says Zeke. "Oh, by the way, congrats on that fashion show you and the kids did – Kenzie told me about it."
"Thanks. Despite the few black spots we encountered, we still came through in the end."
"Also, congratulations on finally getting it together with Frank."
"Zeke!" My face is red hot.
"What? I saw you two this morning sharing a kiss – or should I say snog – in the corridor via CCTV."
"OK," I say, swiftly changing the subject, "so other than congratulating me on things I did in the last week, what did you really call me for?"
"This." A picture of a modern-looking building appears on the screen. The exterior of the building is constructed in cube architecture using larch facade and the square windows are placed sequentially on all sides. "Britannia High – a school located in Chiswick, West London that specializes in the performing arts. Since last Monday, a number of students have gone missing. They are the most progressive students in the school. Your mission is to go undercover as a student, find out who's behind the disappearances and stop them."
"What… you mean today?"
"Well, yeah, of course today. Unless… you have other plans, say… with your new boyfriend."
Boyfriend. I feel giddy inside just hearing that word. I go into a happy little daze knowing that Frank is now my boyfriend. Before I can reply to Zeke, my mobile beeps. I take the phone out of my bag and slide it open, reading a text from Frank.
I'm so so so extra sorry but I CAN'T meet up with you. Mr F has me doing a list of jobs as long as my arm and I don't know when I'll finish. I do hope you understand and don't feel too mad at me.
I groan after I read the text.
"Trouble in paradise already?" says Zeke.
"No," I say, as I close the phone. "Apparently, Frank has got his hands full, meaning that we can't meet up. And since we can't meet up, I'm all yours."
"Yay! For a second there, I thought I had to get someone else for the mission, but I knew my favourite and only crime-fighter would pull through in the end."
"Oh, Zeke, you charming charmer, you."
"I aim to please. Anyway, good luck! Oh, and before I go, I suggest activating your cloaking device – your Aunt Hermione has entered the gym and let's just say she's not looking like a happy bunny."
Zeke switches off. I quickly strap the communicator onto my wrist and activate the cloaking device, becoming invisible.
"Jenny? You in here?" says Aunt Hermione, entering the changing room.
I stay silent as she comes to me. She picks up my sports bag and goes into the showers. I wait anxiously while she tinkers around in the showers. She comes out a moment later, still carrying my sports bag. Aunt Hermione places my sports bag in its original spot and shrugging her shoulders, she concedes defeat – at least for now. With a final glance around the changing room, she turns and walks out.
I heave a sigh of relief when Aunt Hermione exits the gym. It's obvious why she wants to see me. She's found out about me and Frank – via note-passing and gossiping students in her class. I feel a bit terrible for using the cloaking device on her, but now I can understand what Frank was saying about how she'll take the news, especially since I had a whole weekend to tell her. And now Frank will have his head bitten off by my aunt. Oh Frank, I'm sorry. I feel so mean, but it's only because I've got my hands full otherwise I'd would have told her. I hope he won't be cross with me when I get back.
I pick up my sports bag and place it under a bench in the corner of the room and whilst in invisible mode; I press the blue button on my communicator and change into my catsuit. It feels good to back in the catsuit. I leave the changing room and the gym and out into the playground. When I reach the middle of the playground, I press the green button on my communicator, activating the Rocket Go-go Boots. I launch myself in the air and I make my way to the Britannia High.
(Frank's POV)
I'm trying to think of an excuse to use on Jenny about why I can't meet up with her when the elevator doors part open and Rose, Oscar and Carrie enter HQ. Before I can start to brief them, I notice that the three spies are grinning from ear to ear.
"What's going on?" I ask slowly.
"I've got three syllables for you, Frank," says Rose. "Fi-na-lly."
I stare at her, puzzled.
"Jenny told us the good news," says Oscar. "You and she are together."
I blush. "Ah… yeah. Yes, it's true. Jenny and I are officially a couple."
"Well, it's about time," says Carrie. "But congratulations, nonetheless. You two make a really cute couple."
I blush even darker. "Thanks," I mutter shyly. "Right, well, anyway, team, take a look at this." I turn on the middle computer screen. "This is Britannia High. An all-round performing arts and entertainment school, based in Chiswick, West London. During the last week, a number of students have disappeared. They are the school's most talented students. Your mission is to go to the school and find out who's behind the disappearances."
"Cool! An undercover mission. Gadgets?"
"Just this." I pick up a small hand held bazooka by the computers. "The Soap Bubble Prison Gun – used to trap targets in a virtually inescapable bubble."
"Sweet." Carrie takes the gun.
"I'll stay here and pull up a list of the missing students and their talents," Rose suggests.
"Right. Come on, Carrie. Let's go," says Oscar, turning on his heel and heading for the elevator.
Carrie follows behind and they leave HQ. As Rose settles by the computers, I take out my phone and I start to type.
"Texting to your new girlfriend?" says Rose.
"Hm?" I glance at Rose. "Oh, yeah. I was supposed to meet up with Jenny but I can't because of… you know," I say as I text. "So I'm just making up an excuse about why we can't meet up."
There is a little silence.
"You know she can't find out who you are," Rose says suddenly.
I look up at her.
"I mean who you really are. She can't find out," she says. "If she does, you'll get relocated. You'll never see her again."
There's a long pause.
Eventually, I nod and say, "I know." And resume back to typing. I can't bear the thought of losing Jenny if she found out who I really am and what I really do. I care too much about her to let that happen.
Once I finish typing the text, I send the message. I pocket my phone and I join Rose at the computers.