(Frank's POV)
I've just spent the morning packing up my belongings. You would think that I'm having a tidy up in HQ, but that's not the reason.
A few weeks ago, my team and I were assigned to guard a trial witness called Tom Stone, who witnessed leader of the Four Horsemen, Julio Vargas, murder Reggie Ratburn. The Head of MI9 suggested that Tom should go into the witness protection program and sent him to St Hope's – where the team and I could keep an eye on him. To further his disguise, Tom was given the Age-Deceiving Pill – making him look like a schoolboy so the Horsemen won't recognize him. The plan seemed to go well… until the Horsemen found out via hoodie gangs where Tom was and tried to kidnap him. The plan was foiled by Jenny – until the Horsemen decided to kidnap her and have her killed, unless we gave up Tom. Tom decided to turn himself in to the Horsemen (but not without having gadgets to help him) and rescue Jen. Tom managed to save Jenny, only for Vargas to shoot her in the head – I say shoot, I mean graze. Anyway, before Vargas could finish the job, Tom stopped him with the Instant Freeze Cologne that I gave him. The SWAT team came in and took the Horsemen away, while the paramedics took Jenny to Casualty. It was there that I decided that I couldn't lie to her anymore and wanted to tell her that I'm an MI9 agent. If I do, I'll be kicked out of MI9 – which is why that after I tell Jen everything, I'm gonna quit the organization – hence me packing up my stuff.
As much as I loved working at MI9, I love Jen more than anything in the world and I'll do what I can to protect her – even if it means giving up my dream job.
SWOOSH!
I step out of the lab to greet Rose, Oscar and Carrie. I'm about to tell them the news.
"So what mission have we got today, Frank?" Carrie asks.
"Actually… you have no mission," I say.
"Huh?" The team look baffled.
"If there's no mission, why did you call us down here?" Rose asks.
"I have some news for you. I sorry to tell you that I'm… I'm leaving MI9," I quietly say.
"What?!" the team cry in unison.
"You're leaving MI9?" Oscar asks in disbelief. "Why?"
"Well… I thought I'd be in this job forever, but I feel that I have reached a plateau so I am looking for alternatives and new challenges," I lie.
"Oh, my God. What a load of bull!" Rose exclaims, putting her hands on her hips. "Out of all the lame excuses, you choose that one? We may be kids, Frank, but we're not idiots. Now how about you give us the real answer."
I sigh. There's no point in lying anymore. "All right. The reason – the real reason – I'm leaving MI9… is because of Jen."
"Jenny? Why? Did she find out about you?"
"No! No, no, she doesn't know about me… at least not yet."
"What do you mean by not yet?" Oscar asks.
"I'm planning on telling Jen that I'm an agent. After that, I'm quitting MI9."
"You're gonna tell Jen you're an agent?" says Carrie. "Why?"
"I'm sick and tired of lying to her and sneaking around. There's also the matter of putting her life in danger. After what happened with Vargas and the Horsemen a few weeks ago, I decided that enough is enough. So tonight, when everyone is enjoying their prom, I'm gonna take Jen to a quiet spot and tell her everything."
"But what if Jenny doesn't want you to quit? What if she said she'll keep what you do a secret?"
"Even if she wanted me to stay in MI9, I'll still be kicked out for telling a civilian what I do. Besides, SKUL and other criminals are always looking for weakness in MI9 to bring us down and if they use Jen, I'll never forgive myself. So, it'll be better if I left to keep her safe."
The team stand quietly, glancing at one another sadly.
"I'm really sorry, guys," I say.
Oscar breaks the silence by asking, "You really care about Jen, don't you?"
I blush. "I love her. With all my heart. I'm planning on telling her that tonight."
"Aww!" says Carrie, catching herself on Rose's arm.
"I think you should go for it," says Rose.
"Rose?" I say.
"You've been head over heels in love with Jenny since she came to St Hope's. And this is the happiest I've ever seen you. She deserves to know the truth about you. So I say… go for it."
I glance to Carrie and Oscar who nod in agreement.
"Thanks, team," I say.
The team crowd around me for a big group hug.
"We're gonna miss you, Frank," Carrie tearfully says.
"I'm gonna miss you, too," I reply.
"Do you want us to help pack the rest of your stuff?" Oscar asks.
"Yes, please."
After spending another twenty minutes packing my belongings, I take one last look at HQ and enter the elevator with Rose, Oscar and Carrie, each carrying a large cardboard box of my gadgets in their arms and we leave HQ.
Everyone squeezes out of the storage cupboard when we reach the top. I take one final glance at the door and I lead the team to my car to pile the boxes in.
(Jenny's POV)
I take a break from turning the assembly hall into a party venue by heading to the library. There are not many people around as I enter the library – most of them either have class or organizing the hall, which is perfect as I wanted to call Zeke on the communicator. (My phone has zero batteries.) I head for the very back of the library and call Zeke.
"Hey, hey, hey."
"Hi, Jen," says Zeke. "You do realize that you have no mission today – I gave you the day off, remember?"
"I know. I just wanted to tell you that… I'm gonna tell Frank that I'm the Cat – tonight."
"Oh. Yes, I remember now. You asked me months ago if you could and I said yes."
I nod.
"Nervous?" he asks.
"Very," I confess.
"You know, you don't have to tell him if you don't want to."
"Yes, I do, Zeke. I have to. Because the next time you hand me a mission and I make up an excuse to Frank, he'll wanna know what why I keep cancelling on him or he'll follow me and see me transform into the Cat. It'll be better if he found out word of mouth."
"Mm. Well, all I can say is good luck."
"Thanks."
"So how's it going with prom preparations?"
"It's going great. I've been planning this party for weeks, getting everything together – music, food, decorations, the lot. I've also called in back-up in case anything goes wrong. I don't want a repeat of the last time I organized an event. I'm so glad Mr. Flatley let us go ahead with the party, despite the fact that no-one gets their exam results until August. He and Aunt Hermione were over the moon when they saw the results on everyone's homework and assignments, so they decided to let us have a prom based on those results. I just hope everyone did OK in their exams."
"Of course they did! Because you believed in them and gave them the motivation that was needed."
"I hope so."
Zeke turns to his computer and suddenly, a bewildered expression crosses his face. "What the heck?"
"Zeke, is everything OK?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, everything's… fine," he says distractedly. "No way!"
"Zeke, what's going on? Is it SKUL? Talk to me!"
"Jen, it's nothing, really," he says, though he sounds hot and bothered. "Listen, I gotta go – I'll talk to you later – bye!"
Zeke hangs up before I could ask any more questions. I stare at my communicator, mystified. Whatever Zeke saw on his computer got him taken aback. Maybe someone beat his top score on Cyber Warriors – that one-on-one fighting action game.
Shaking my head, I close my communicator and leave the library, where I bump into Frank, who's carrying a large cardboard box. "Hi!" I cry in surprise.
"Jen – hi," he says, his cheeks bright red.
"What are you up to?" I ask, motioning to the box he's carrying.
"Oh, this? Er… well… Mr. F wanted me to clear out the storage cupboard. It's loaded with junk and he wanted me to get rid of some of the things we don't need."
"Can I help?" I ask, taking a step forward and holding out my hands to hold the box.
"No!" he says fiercely, making me jump back. Then he says more calmly, "I mean you can't. You're busy with organizing the prom and I'm already finished with what I'm doing."
"Oh. OK. Well, if you're sure," I tell him.
"Very sure." He looks relieved. "I'll see you later." Then he starts down the corridor again.
What is wrong with everyone today? First Zeke. Then Frank. What are they keeping from me? I wanted to pursue Frank but I'm interrupted by Davina.
"Jen, we've finished decorating the hall," she says. "Come and see how it looks."
I look back down the corridor, but Frank has already gone. I turn back to Davina.
"All right, let's go," I say, following Davina back to the hall.
The Year Tens have done a fantastic job transformation the assembly room. The sides of the room have several round tables covered with white linen, and red and gold chairs around them, leaving room in the middle for people to dance. On the tables are red and gold star confetti, and in the middle of the tables are red and gold helium balloons held down by red foil balloon weights. In front of the stage a large trestle table, covered with white linen that will soon hold the glasses, the food and the drinks. On the stage is where the sound system will be. I hired Parker Sutton – Kenzie's friend – to DJ for us tonight. Also on stage are two seven feet columns that say 'PROM' and '2013' in shiny metallic gold placed on each side of the stage. Finally, the ceiling is draped with swags of red and gold material with a large glass mirror ball hanging in the centre.
"Wow, guys, this is amazing! Great job," I say.
Afterwards, we go back to class and spend the entire time watching DVDs and mucking about all the way up until lunchtime. And since it's the last day of school, everyone gets to go home early. Except me – I have to hang around for the caterers to arrive. When they do arrive half an hour later, I lead them to the assembly hall where they set up shop. An hour later, Parker arrives with some friends – including Kenzie – to set up the DJing equipment.
After another hour of hard work, the caterers have finished adding the finishing touches to the food and laying them out of the table and Parker has finished setting up the sound system – at last, everything is ready.
"Thanks again, everyone," I say. "I'll see you all in a couple of hours."
I whizz off home and immediately head up to the bathroom to take a blissful bath, filling the tub with hot water and relaxing aromatherapy bath oil. An hour later, after I emerge from the bathroom, Livi arrives. We go to my bedroom, where Livi starts to work her magic. First, after towel drying my hair and using volume mousse on it, she styles my hair into a simple side swept curls, using hairspray to keep the hair in place. Next, she gives me a manicure and a pedicure, painting my nails in a sizzling maraschino cherry red colour. Finally, Livi applies ruby red lipstick on my lips, making my mouth incredible. Then she goes for muted eye shadow in a soft brown and applies black eye liner and mascara. At last it's time to try on the dress I bought – a stunning navy floor-length, sleeveless dress, with gem stud embellishments to the waist and a plunging v-neckline, teamed with diamante stud earrings. On my feet I wear a pair of silver four-inch, diamante peep-toe, sling-back platform heels that make me taller.
"Frank's gonna have to carry a little collapsing ladder and clamber up it every time he wants to talk to you," says Livi, spritzing me with A Touch of Pink perfume by Lacoste. "Or kiss you. There, finished. OK, on the count of three, turn around. One, two, three."
I turn around and check myself out in the full-length mirror. I look flawless and finished. "Wow," I start. "I look… incredible."
"You look divine, darling!" Livi drawls in a Southern belle accent.
"I do, don't I?" I turn back to Livi and smile. "Thanks, Liv."
"You're welcome. Now it's my turn to get glammed up. It's only fair that I get to come to the prom with you as a favour for me doing your hair and makeup."
I can't argue with that. What she says makes sense. Besides, when she came here, she brought a large handbag that was obviously too big for just makeup and straighteners. After half an hour of straightening her hair and doing her nails and makeup, Livi dresses up in a short black party dress with pink ribbon at the waist and black platform sandals.
"Ta-dah!" she exclaims, giving a twirl.
"Very nice, Liv," I say, clapping.
Livi goes into her handbag and brings out her digital camera, where we spend the next ten minutes taking pictures of each other, striking elegant poses. At around seven o'clock, Uncle Richie calls for me.
"Jen! Your date is here!"
"Coming!" I call back. I take a deep breath. "All right. Let's do this."
"Wait!" Livi rushes up to me and adjusts a stray lock of hair and touches up my makeup. "Perfect."
"Let's rock and roll."
Grabbing our clutch bags, Livi and I head out of the room and make our way downstairs.
(Frank's POV)
It's nearly seven o'clock when the black limousine that I rented for the night pulls up outside the front of Jenny's house. Well, actually, Mrs King's. I stare at the maisonette, realising that this will be the first time I'll ever set foot in the house. I've always seen the outside of the house whenever the taxi drops Jenny off. I wonder what the inside is like.
The door to the limo opens and I step out with a beautiful arrangement of red roses. I nod to Trevor, the limousine driver, and up the path to the house and ring the doorbell. While I wait, I straighten my tuxedo and smooth my hair. The door pulls open and at the doorway stands a middle-aged man, a couple of feet taller than me, mocha-coloured skin, jet-black hair, eyebrows, thick lashes, and a pencil-thin moustache makes his features stand out. He's dressed in a basic black suit, a crisp white shirt and a black tie.
"Can I help you?" he asks.
"Oh, erm…" I stammer. "I'm, er, I'm Frank London – Jenny's boyfriend. I'm here to take her to the prom."
"Ah, yes, Frank. I've heard so much about you." He extends his right hand. "It's good to finally meet you. I'm Richard King – Jenny's uncle. You can call me Richie."
"Please to meet you."
"Come on in." Richie pulls the door open wide and steps aside to let me in.
After I shut the door, I follow Richie up the stairs to the first floor and into the living room. The place is decorated is white, cream and neutral colours that match the sofa, carpet and walls, with polished wood tables and chairs and a large widescreen TV hanging over the fireplace.
"Please, have a seat," Richie offers.
I perch myself on the cream three cushion sofa placed along the wall by the door.
"Can I offer you something to eat or drink?" Richie asks.
"I'm OK, thanks," I say. I wonder if Richie is anything like Mrs King.
Richie answers my thought by saying, "You don't have to be nervous around me, you know. I'm not like Hermione or Mrs King as you call her. I'm more calm, tolerant and relaxed, so you don't need to be anxious with me."
I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God."
Richie chuckles at my comment. "I'll let Jen know you're here." He goes to the landing and takes a few steps up the stairs that lead to the second floor. "Jen! Your date is here!"
"Coming!" she calls back.
"She won't be long," says Richie coming back into the room.
"I take it you'll be coming with us to the prom?" I say, pointing to his suit.
"Oh yes. Hermione wants me to be there to chaperone the kids and prevent any inappropriate social, sexual interactions and banned activities, e.g. drug use or underage drinking."
There's the sound of voices and footsteps coming down the stairs, and I stand up to greet my girlfriend, but I'm taken aback when Jenny's sister, Livi, walks into the room first.
"Hey, Frank!" she says, waving.
"Oh. Hi, Livi," I say.
"I hope you don't mind if I tag along. You know how I am when it comes to a party."
"Oh, just get on with it!" I hear Jenny say.
"All right! Geez! Anyway, I hope you got your feet nailed to the floor, Frank. Because you're about to be blown away when I present to you your date for the prom!"
I nearly fall backwards when Jenny enters the room. She looks absolutely positively stunning! She shyly smiles and walks up to me as I still stand in shock. She smells good enough to eat.
"Hi, Frank," she says. Even her voice makes me feel positively giddy.
"Hi," I stammer.
"So, how do I look?"
"You look absolutely gorgeous."
"Thanks," Jen replies with a smile. "You look absolutely handsome."
"Thanks," I mumble, my cheeks colouring.
"And thanks so much for the roses," she says, removing the arrangement from my arms.
Smelling them, her eyes, piercing my soul, are warm and watery.
Once again, I strike a chord in her heart; the right chord.
"Let me put them in water," says Richie.
Jenny gives the bouquet to Richie, who takes them into the kitchen.
"Hey, how about we take a picture of the happy couple?" Livi suggests, holding up a digital camera.
"OK," Jenny says.
Jenny and I pose in front of the windows. I put my hand on the small of her back, while she leans towards me, placing a hand on my chest.
"OK, smile!" says Livi.
We do and Livi takes the pictures.
"Aw, you guys look so cute together!" Livi coos. "It won't be long until we hear the sounds of wedding bells and the patter of tiny feet!"
Jenny and I blush furiously.
"Hey, steady on, Liv," says Richie, entering the room. "Let them enjoy each other's company first before they start talking about their future."
"Thanks, Uncle Rich," says Jenny. She goes over to Livi and playfully swats her. "Dummy," she tells her sister.
"OK, I'm ready now!" Mrs King says, entering the room and adjusting her earrings. This is the first time I've ever seen her dress in something that isn't a suit. She looks very classy in a royal blue floor-length gown with long sleeves and a wrap over front, and silver diamante ball stud earrings. Mrs King looks up and sees me. "Oh. Hello, Mr. London."
"Good evening, Mrs King," I say politely. "You're looking lovely tonight."
Her normally light skin turns bright pink. "Thank you," she mumbles. "Right, well, we better get going."
"Not until we get some pictures of you and Uncle Rich, Aunt 'Mione," says Livi. "And a group picture."
We spend the next five minutes posing for pictures. Richie and Mrs King. Myself and Jenny. Family shots and finally, the group photo.
"OK, I've got enough shots here," Livi says eventually. "Now let's get going!"
I lead the Jenny and her family outside to the limo. Trevor steps out of the car and opens the door for us. Jenny climbs in first, then me, Livi, Mrs King and Richie.
"Where to?" Trevor smiles and revs up the engine.
"St Hope's High School," I say.
As the limo takes us to our destination, Jenny snuggles against me, Livi plays a selection of her favourite tracks from the CD player, singing along at the top of her voice and Mrs King and Richie sit back for the nice, long drive.
xxoOoxx
When we get to the assembly hall, it is bursting with kids dressed in black or white formal wear and dresses and gowns either at the tables talking or dancing. The hall has also undergone a magnificent transformation – it's decorated with ceiling drapery, confetti, with hundreds of balloons, all red and gold, the colours of St Hope's. A DJ has set up on stage, and is sending out pulsating dance music with a CD player and turntable.
The hall lights are low. The lights bounces off the giant mirror ball, making the room appear to shimmer and move, as if hundreds of fireflies are floating in the air. The music echoes off the walls, making the floor vibrate and hum.
Mrs King and Richie take off to monitor the party, while Livi heads straight for the dance floor. Leaving me and Jen to weave our way through the packed crowds, trying to find a place to sit. As I pull out her chair, I tell Jen that I'm gonna get refreshments and head for the buffet table by the stage.
The table is filled with cold appetizers, such as trays of vegetables, fruit, cheese and crackers, small sandwiches, dips with chips and tortillas, bruschetta and shrimp. Hot appetizers that consists of mini egg rolls, mini quiche, stuffed mushrooms and peppers, assorted mini pizzas, fried ravioli, chicken and beef kebabs, crab cakes, Swedish and Italian meatballs and chicken quesadillas. As well as desserts such as cakes, pies, cookies, scones, squares, brownies and a chocolate fountain accompanied by strawberries, cherries, pineapple slices, pretzels, marshmallows, cheesecake. The table also holds glasses filled with punch, water, fizzy drinks fruit cocktails, smoothies and juice, along with ice.
As I fill my tray up with various refreshments, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn and come face to face with Oscar, Carrie and Rose. Oscar looks very dapper in a smart black tuxedo, complete with a white satin shawl collar and pink boutonniere. He slicked his hair back to complete the look. Carrie looks very pretty in her knee-length, strapless purple flare skirt dress that has lighter layers peeping out from the hem, teamed with strappy black heels and a purple choker around her neck, with her hair styled into a quiff. But I do admire what Rose is wearing – a green halter neck dress that reaches her ankles with a matching bag slung over her arm and strappy black sandals. Her hair is tucked into a tidy updo and she's also swapped her glasses for contacts.
"Hey, Frank," says Oscar.
"Hi, Oscar, how's it going?" I say.
"We're having the most amazing time!" says Carrie. "This party is off the hook!"
"Where's Jen?" Rose asks.
"At the tables," I say. "I'm just getting some snacks."
"Looks like you might need some help."
I take the tray of snacks back to the table, while Rose, Carrie and Oscar carry the drinks, being extra careful not to spill any on the floor, the party-goers or themselves. The team join me and Jenny at the table, where we eat, talk and watch everyone have a good time. Then half an hour later, Livi comes over and pulls Jenny to her feet.
"Come on, sis, you're not spending the whole night watching people dance from the sidelines," says Livi. "Let's show everyone what we can do."
"Fine. But only if Frank comes, too," says Jenny.
"But I don't –" I start to protest, but it's too late. Jenny grabs my wrist and drags me to the dance floor, where Rihanna's 'Don't Stop the Music' starts playing.
"Just pretend there's no-one around. It's just you and me," Jenny says, moving her body to the beat.
The music is earsplitting and bodies are pressed so close together that it's hard to stay with one partner, but I do what's said and start dancing.
It's like being inside a dark thunderstorm. Or maybe a tornado. Lightning flashing all around. The sound whirling on all sides.
Jenny is a dark figure, moving in rhythm a few yards in front of me, one of several dark figures, shaking and moving inside the whirling storm.
It's so dark. And it feels so good.
I feel far away. Far away from everyone. Even though I'm here in this crowd in the middle of this vibrating, spinning storm.
Loud voices and laughter rise up over the steady, insistent pulsing of the music.
For a while, I lose myself in the music. As Jenny and the other dark figures continue to bend and move around me, I close my eyes and float happily, dreamily, thinking about nothing at all.
When Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin' replaces Rihanna's track, I open my eyes to see Jenny hovering in front of me.
"Having a good time?" she asks.
"The best!" I say. I grab Jenny and we whirl around on the dance floor.
By the time five more songs are over, we go back to our table and we sit down.
"God, I'm so hot," says Jenny, fanning herself with her hand. I push a glass of water towards her and she sips it gratefully. "Thanks – I totally needed that! You OK?"
"I'm good," I say, giving her a thumbs-up. I lean back in my chair, allowing myself a long, luxurious stretch, letting my eyes wander lazily over the dancing shadows on the floor. My phone vibrates. I bring it out to read the text from Rose.
Have you told her yet?
I frown at the text but then remember. I was gonna tell Jenny that I was a spy, but I've been having such a good time, I completely forgot.
I turn to Jenny and open my mouth to speak, when the music stops and I hear a horrible screeching, whining sound. Everyone in the hall covers their ears until the noise stops.
"Sorry about that, everyone," says Mr. Flatley, who's standing on stage with a white envelope in his hand. "Now before I let you go back to your dancing, I wanted to announce the results of who you voted for Prom King and Queen."
Excited chatter fills the room.
"And the winners are…" Mr. Flatley opens the envelope and pulls out the card inside. "…Jenny Brownstone and Frank London!"
The hall erupts with cheers and whoops, while me and Jenny's mouths drop open. There's something I didn't see coming. We make our way to the stage where we're given a crown and sashes.
"Speech! Speech! Speech!" everyone chants.
Jenny approaches the microphone, clearing her throat so everyone settles down.
"Well, this is a surprise. I'd be lying if I didn't say Frank and I were preparing for this… but it's still a huge shock. We'd like to thank the entire student body for choosing us for prom king and queen. It is such an honour to be elected."
Jenny motions me over to the mike. I adjust my glasses.
"Um, yes. Jenny and I are very humbled that you selected us. We would like to thank any candidates for running for the status of school royalty. But most of all, thank you to the student body for voting for us. Thank you."
There's a storm of applause.
"All right, everyone, settle down," says Mr. Flatley. "Now, Your Majesties, for your first duty of elected Prom King and Queen is to take the first dance. So everyone, if you could make some room…"
Everyone clears the floor as I lead Jenny by the hand to the dance floor. Spandau Ballet's 'True' comes on.
Jenny drapes her hands on my shoulders while I hold my hands against the sides of her hips, and we start to sway back and forth to the music. We don't say anything through the song; we just cling onto each other and dance.
Everything seems to be in slow motion. The music. The dancing. The blink and shimmer of lights on the mirror ball.
I feel like it's only me and Jenny in the room, no-one else. I imagine that as we dance, our surroundings transform into clouds, while small, star-like creatures cavort around us, reflecting our happiness together. It's like a Disney fairytale.
When the song ends, Jenny leans into me, pressing her body into mine and meets my mouth with her lips, kissing me gently.
I slowly come back to reality as the crowd applaud our dance and 'Forever' by Chris Brown fills the air. We make our way off the dance floor where Mrs King swoops down on us and sweeps us to the playground as we pose for photos as Prom King and Queen – a few shots for the school newsletter and a few more shots for us to keep.
After taking the final photo, Jenny and I return our crowns and sashes to Mrs King. She goes back into the school while Jenny and I take a sit on a bench by the entrance doors to the school. I slip my arm around Jenny's waist and pull her against me as she cosies up against my shoulder.
It's very dark now. The purples and greys of the night sky have darkened to black, broken only by tiny pinpoints of white starlight.
"It's a nice night," I say.
"Yeah. Look at the moon," says Jenny, her head looking up to the full moon. "It's so beautiful. So romantic. I wish it could be like this forever."
"Me too."
As we cuddle and snuggle, I realise that Jenny's right. There's practically nothing more romantic than watching the stars on a nice night, so consider the mood set – all I have to is pull the trigger.
"Jenny, there's something I have to tell you," I say.
Jenny pulls back and looks at me with those beautiful brown eyes. "What is it?" she asks.
I take hold of her hands and take a deep breath. Here goes…
"Jen, from I moment I saw you, you took my breath away and I knew there and then that I wanted to be with you. You're not like other girls – you're beautiful, brave, nice, generous and very special. I feel lucky to have you in my life. I just want to tell you that you mean so much to me and I, I…" I swallow, my heart going thump thump thump. "I love you."
Jenny's eyes widen, her mouth slightly gaping. Then her eyes darken with lust and she leans forward and kisses me.
I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her too. Her lips are so soft and warm.
After an endless kiss, she looks up at me and smiles.
"I love you too," Jenny whispers.
My heart shines scarlet like a Valentine.
Jenny leans against me, feeling very happy, and I have my arm securely around her waist. Five minutes pass when Jenny asks if she could get a drink. The gentleman that I am, I tell her that I'll get it. I give her a peck on the lips and head to the assembly hall to get drinks. But not before I find a secluded spot and do a little dance.
"I'm so h-a-p-p-y, hippy hoppy happy," I sing as I dance. "I do need the love of a good girl, though I don't need the love of a bad girl, I do need the love of MY girl Jen-ny – cause I'm so h-a-p-p-y, hippy hoppy happy…"
I stop dancing and singing when I see a couple who look like they're about to make out stare at me like I'm a madman. I adjust my bow tie and straighten my tuxedo jacket and waltz to the hall.
I can't wait to tell Oscar, Rose and Carrie what Jenny's just said! If I can find them that is. I can't believe the girl of my dreams said she loves me back! It's like a dream come true. And I know nothing can spoil this magical moment.
Nothing!
(Jenny's POV)
"He loves me, he loves, he told me he loves me!" I sing. I do a little dance on the bench, being careful not to ruin my hair.
I can't believe he said the three magic words: I love you.
I have to tell someone. I'll call Livi. No, she won't be able to hear her phone because of the loud music. I could tell Aunt Hermio… no way! I know! I'll tell Zeke. I hitch up my dress and take out my phone from the strap on my thigh. But before I can dial the number, Zeke's name flashes on screen – and it's a video call. Perfect. I wanna see his reaction when I tell him the news.
"Hi Zeke! How are you? I'm having a great time. The party is by far the biggest, best and most awesome end-of-term event everyone will remember. It'll be the talked about every term for years to come! Everyone is having such a spectacular time. The most amazing about tonight is Frank and I being crowned Prom King and Queen. Even more amazing than that, he just told me he loved me! Can you believe it?"
His expression is bland.
"OK," I say slowly. "Either someone's overdone the Botox treatment or they're not pleased with the news that I just preached."
His expression doesn't change.
"Zeke, are you OK?" I ask. "Zeke?"
"Jen, there's something I have to tell you," he says. "It's about Frank."
I study him a moment, the grim lines that have formed suddenly around his mouth, the flash of seriousness in his eyes. This must be urgent.
"Zeke, what's wrong?"
"Jen, I'm sorry to tell you this but… Frank works for the government – he's a spy."
I sit perfectly still for a moment.
Then I toss back my head and laugh.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA… Oh, my God! Zeke, man, you are too funny! You are just too funny! Oh, my God, this is too much for me! Frank a spy?! Hahahaha!" When I calm down from laughing, I notice that Zeke isn't laughing. "Er, Zeke? You're not laughing. Zeke? Zeke?"
His expression remains the same.
"Oh, my God. You're serious."
Zeke nods. "I am so sorry, Jen. Frank is a secret agent – he works for MI9."
I can't take it in. It's not happening. It's some crazy dream. All I need to do is blink and I'll wake up in bed and I'll tell Frank.
Frank Frank Frank Frank Frank
I shake my head, trying to deny what Zeke told me. "No, no, he can't be. Frank's a caretaker, not a spy."
"The caretaker job is just a cover. He's actually an agent." He lets out a sigh. "Here's his dossier."
My eyes grow wide with shock as a file appears on the screen, showing a headshot of… Frank. His hair is hanging loose and he's not wearing his glasses. He's wearing a dark blue suit and a hideous black and white stripy shirt. I fix my eyes on the clothes and frown. Where have I seen that outfit…?
I suddenly remember a few months ago when we were dealing with Randolph Miller – the magician thief, who stole King Athelstan's chalice at the British Museum and we thought the person who stole a fake chalice was the Magician, but it turned out to be an innocent, hypnotized civilian. I remember when the MI9 agents arrested the fake Magician; two other agents came onto the scene, one of which is wearing the same clothes I'm seeing in the headshot – Frank London!
Oh, my God.
I can't believe it.
I can't believe Frank's a spy.
"When, um…" I shake my head and swallow back the tears. "When did you find this out?"
"This morning – when you called me from the library," says Zeke.
"The… the library?" I repeat, suddenly remembering Zeke's awkwardness. "How did you find out?"
"Take a look at this footage."
CCTV of the school corridor appears on the screen, it shows the door to the caretaker's storage cupboard. After thirty seconds, Rose, Oscar and Carrie arrive at the door. The next bit takes me by surprise. Rose goes to light switch nest to the door and… slides it open?! What the hell? She places her thumb on the panel, granting her and her friends access to the cupboard. Oscar opens the door and the three enter the cupboard.
"What the hell…?" I put a hand on my chest to keep my heart from failing me. "Rose, Oscar and Carrie are spies, too?"
"I'm afraid so. They're part of a project called MI High. MI9 are using schoolkids as undercover spies."
"What?!"
"After I saw the footage, I ran an architectural structure of the school and on the blueprint, it shows that there's a secret base under St Hope's – two hundred and thirty feet underground."
This is just some crazy dream. Any minute now I'll wake up.
Wake up, Jenny.
Wake up, Jen, and find you're dreaming. No, rewind. Back a minute, two minutes, that's all. Back to Frank kissing me and then – and then and then and then…
…and then I kiss him back and we'll cuddle under the stars.
"Here's footage of the team coming out of the cupboard twenty minutes later," says Zeke.
He fast-forwards the tape to the point where Oscar, Rose and Carrie come out of the storage cupboard carrying large boxes full of junk and after them comes out… Frank! He too is carrying a box of junk – the same box I wanted to help him carry. Now I realise why he was acting so hostile – that box is full of MI9 equipment!
"Oh, my God." My voice is shaky despite my efforts to control it. "There are spies in St Hope's – and I'm dating one of them!"
Zeke sadly nods. "Jen, honey, I am so so so sorry. I know how much you like Frank…"
His lips are still moving, but I don't hear any words. All I can hear is my heart breaking and shattering into a million pieces. I can't believe that my boyfriend – the person who I just told I loved – is a spy. Not just any spy – an MI9 spy. It all makes sense now. All those times he told me that he had chores to do around the school by orders of Mr. Flatley, when in reality, he was working in his underground base – with three of my students! To think I was gonna tell him that I'm the Cat. Oh, my God, I can't believe I was gonna tell Frank that I'm the Cat…
"Jenny!"
Zeke's voice breaks into my thoughts.
"Huh? What?" I mumble.
"I said what are you going to do?"
"That… that is a good question. What am I going to do?"
What am I going to do indeed?
(Frank's POV)
I exit the hall with two glasses of fruit cocktails, happily humming. As I head to the playground. I hear someone call my name.
"Frank!"
I turn to find Rose, Oscar and Carrie coming up to me.
"Looks like someone's having a good time," says Carrie.
"You bet I am!" I smile. "One minute I'm crowned Prom King, the next minute I hear my dream girl tells me she loves me…"
Carrie gasps. "No way! You serious?"
I nod.
"Oh, Frank, I'm so happy for you guys!" she exclaims.
"Thanks," I reply.
"So that's one part of the news over and done with," says Rose. "The second part is telling her you're a spy… or were a spy. Are you nervous?"
"Very. But I'll be glad when I tell her."
"Well, we just wanna wish you the best of luck," says Oscar, patting me on the shoulder.
"Thanks, guys," I reply.
The team go back into the hall and I head for the playground.
"Milady, I present to you your cranberry and pineapple cocktail…" I trail off when I find the bench empty. I blink, stunned. "Eh? Where did she go?" My question is soon answered when I see her walking towards the school gates. "Hey, Jen?" I call. She doesn't hear me. "Jenny?"
I place the cocktails on the ground by the bench and I jog across the playground towards her.
"Hey, Jen – whoa!" I call.
She doesn't stop; she still keeps going her steady pace. It's as if she's pretending not to hear me.
I catch up to her easily and grab her arm. "Jen, didn't you hear me call you? What are you doing heading out of the playground?"
Jenny stays quiet.
"Listen, why don't we go back in the school? It's getting a bit chilly out here." I try and wrap my arm around her shoulder, but she shrugs it off. "Jenny. Jen – are you OK?"
She doesn't reply.
"Jen?"
"How could you do this to me?" she says quietly.
"Huh? What did I do to you?"
"How could you lie to me? I thought I could trust you, but all this time you've been lying to me."
My face twists in confusion. "Lying to you?" I repeat.
"Yes," Jenny replies. "You've been lying to me for months and months, thinking that I wouldn't find out – but I have."
"Jen, what are you talking about?"
A car horn honks behind us. I turn to find a maroon car is parked at the kerb.
"I have to go. My cab's here," says Jenny, continuing to walk, only for me to block her path. "Move, Frank."
"No."
"Frank, get out of my way," Jenny says, not bothering to hide her annoyance.
"Not until you tell me what's wrong," I insist, standing my ground.
"Ohh." Jenny tilts her head back, letting out a frustrated sigh. When she looks back, I see tears brim in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were a spy?"
My eyes open wide with shock. She knows? I haven't even told her, yet she knows. How did she even find out? "A spy?" I can hardly get the words out. "W-who told you?"
"So it is true? You really work for MI9?"
I don't say anything. I stare at the concrete ground.
"Oh, my God!" Jenny cries, her voice trembling. "So, all this time, in the months we've been going out – even before we became a couple – you were working as a secret agent."
"Jen, I was gonna tell you –" I start, stepping closer.
She raises a hand to stop me. "All this time, I thought I knew you. I thought you were just a humble school caretaker. But it turns out you're nothing but a fake and a liar!" She pushes me out of the way and starts walking to the cab again.
"Jenny. Jenny, please. Give me a chance to explain," I plead. "Please, Jen!" I grab her arm, but she spins around and slaps me really hard across the face. She slapped me with such great force that my glasses fly off my face and fall to the ground.
"You are a bastard – a lying, faking bastard, Frank London. If that is your real name. I never want to speak to you again," Jenny growls. With tears spilling down her face, she climbs into the cab and it takes off, leaving me standing in the playground with a stunned look on my face.
I can't believe it. I can't believe any of it.
She's broken up with me.
Jenny has broken up with me.
I heard footsteps behind me, but I don't turn around. I can sense the team's presence a mile away.
"So, Prom King, how did it go?" says Carrie.
"Horrible," I mumble.
Then she sees my face. "Frank? Oh no. What happened?"
I mumble something even less intelligible to Carrie.
"What? Frank, we can't hear you," says Rose. "Tell us about Jenny. What happened?"
"She… she broke up with me," I say numbly. "She found out I was a spy and s-she broke up with me."
"Oh no," says Carrie, covering her hands over her mouth. She puts her arm round my waist and Rose puts her arm round my neck and they both pat me sympathetically.
"Oh, Frank, we're so sorry," says Rose. "We know how much you love her."
"And we know how much you were willing to sacrifice to be with her," says Carrie.
I'm so dazed, I don't say a word. I simply sniff. Tears threaten to fall at any moment, but I don't want them to see me cry.
"Come on, let's get you down to HQ," says Oscar, holding my glasses.
Nodding in agreement, the team take me back into school and down to HQ where I spend the rest of the night staring at the ceiling, feeling numb.
Less than ten minutes ago, Jen and I were the perfect couple. We were crowned Prom King and Queen, and we declared our love for each other…
now she's finished with me.
She's left me.
I feel so lost…
So lonely…
And completely heartbroken.
What was the most magical evening of my life is now ruined.