Hello, hello! Thanks for reading! Here's an update for you! Sorry it's been a little bit, but school you know... anyways, enjoy! -Tickgrey

After a very tense couple of days in Townsend's apartment which I figured he wouldn't inhabit for much longer considering so many people now knew about it, we headed back to school (accompanied by Townsend who I assumed would be staying in England.) Nothing had happened there, and the Circle didn't actually try anything (to Abby's delight and my dismay.)

When I stepped out of the car we arrived in, I sensed the glances of my classmates. I sighed; as good as I was outside my school, after sophomore year I rarely went unnoticed inside the walls of the Gallagher Academy. Of course, returning from a mysterious mission during the school year with three of the best spies around was also a little strange even for a Gallagher girl.

Professor Buckingham and Mr. Smith greeted us almost immediately and led us to SubLevel 1 where the room that I had learnt my first CoveOps lessons was once again converted into a war room. We all had a seat at the table where Madame Dabney was already busy at work.

Professor Buckingham turned to us and said, "We haven't been able to locate Rebecca, Zachary, Elizabeth, or Macey, but we do have a solid lead that they may have made their way to France. Ms. McHenry's private jet was seen landing in a private airport near Paris."

Mr. Solomon asked, "Did we get eyes on them after they landed?"

Buckingham sighed before admitting, "We didn't get their location until it was too late. We don't even know whether they are still in France or not."

"Are you sure you don't have any ideas as to where they might be?" Madame Dabney turned and asked me.

I shook my head and said, "Bex was the only one who even knew that I was leaving."

"You didn't ever mention where you were going?"

"No, I didn't even know where I was going until I bought the ticket," I assured her. Madame Dabney nodded and continued to flip through a curious-looking file. I tried to peer at it, but Abby gave me a look.

Professor Buckingham turned to me and said, "Cameron, dear, you should probably head to sleep. You will need all the rest you can get, so you can return to classes as soon as possible."

I nodded. Arguing with them would be futile. As a stood up to leave, I heard them resume talking about possible locations of Circle headquarters. I climbed into the elevator to get out of the SubLevels and stepped off into the front hall. As I stood staring out into the empty hall, I finally realized just how alone I was. Well, I was alone until I heard a voice behind me say, "Have they found them yet?"

"Preston!" I exclaimed. I couldn't tell if my excitement was from seeing him or from being scared by his voice but I managed to get out, "Did who find whom?"

He smiled, "Did the teachers find Macey, Bex, Liz, and Zach yet?"

I shook my head. "Nope. I have no idea where they are."

He sighed, "So I guess we're about on the same page then?"

"Pretty much," I admitted. I looked at the clock on the wall before turning to him and saying, "I should get going. I'm going to have a lot of make-up work to get done."

"Okay," he nodded. As I started to walk away, he called, "Oh, and I'm sorry about your mom. Macey told me, and I'm really sorry. I hope you find her."

"Thanks," I smiled and continued up the stairs.

Sleep didn't come easy that night. Finally I gave up and grabbed some books from my backpack. I tried to get as much homework done as possible. After three pages of math in Mandarin, I glanced at my watch and saw that it was four o'clock in the morning. I sighed hoping that I'd be able to sleep peacefully one night.

When I went down to the dining hall the next morning, I remembered that my usual spot was completely empty without a single person nearby. I sighed and grabbed some bacon to nibble on. Tina waved and offered me a seat next to her which I reluctantly accepted. I wasn't really listening to their conversation, but I was snapped back to reality when Tina solemnly, "Cammie, I'm really sorry about your mom."

"How did you-?" I began to ask, but I stopped myself and muttered, "Thanks."

Anna also said, "Yeah, it's really awful. I can't even imagine."

I shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to it."

They both gave me really sad glances. I didn't really want people feeling sorry for me, but I knew that they would whether I wanted them to or not. After five more awkward minutes, I turned to them and said, "Excuse me."

I found Preston in his usual classroom. He was typing away busily but looked up when he heard me hovering at the doorway. "Oh, hey, Cam!"

I smiled, "Hey. Already doing school work?"

He shook his head, "I've got to finish up this college application. They gave me an extension on the normal date being the son of- well, you know."

I gaped, "I completely forgot!"

He looked confused. "You forgot who my parents were?"

I shook my head, "I haven't even started any job applications!"

"It must be different for super spies, because for the rest of us, we normally go to college first," he joked. "To where are you applying?"

"Well…" I began, but as I was about to list where I wanted to apply, I realized that I didn't actually know. "I don't know."

"You've got time, right?" He tried to assure me.

I shrugged, "I'm actually not sure. Well, I should head to class now."

He nodded and then joked, "Me too."