Chapter 7: She's Better Than You
Cammie Pov
I had taken a seat at the back of the COW class after greeting Professor Smith. He was barely recognizable this year, after his regular plastic surgery, but he kept his signature large nose, prominent ears, and even the little mole on his temple that he has kept throughout his retirement. It's the only way I know his identity, because for gods-sake, the man even changes fingerprints! I understand him but he has always been extreme.
The rest of the girls filed in and sat down in the front desks, never noticing me hiding in the shadow but I was used to it. My new roommates walked toward the back and became the first to notice me and wave. I gave them a friendly smile as they made their way to sit around me. That's what normal spies-in-training do, right?
A little chime was heard, signaling the beginning of the first period. Mr. Smith stood up and cleared his throat and began to talk.
"Ladies, today we will be studying the coup of-," He stopped abruptly when he saw Dr. Steve and 4 sophomore boys at our doorway. "Is there any reason you are interrupting my class?"
"Sorry, sorry Professor Smith, but I would like to introduce these boys and get them guides for the day," Dr. Steve began pushing a skinny boy in front. "Introduce yourself, boy."
The boy literally resembled a twig. He was lanky, wearing glasses with huge frames that resembled a really nerdy or hipster look. I couldn't decide. His thick hair was a lighter shade of black, his longer locks styled into gelled comb-over.
He looked timid and spoke shyly, "Hey… Well I'm Jonas… I'm on the R&D Track… I'm a sophomo-"
"Yes, yes we know you are a sophomore, thus your enrollment in this class." Professor Smith exasperatedly stated and covered his face with his hands.
Dr. Steve, of course, ignored him and looked around the classroom, "Any takers?"
Liz's hand rose up after being prodded by Bex and Macey and was rewarded with an 'excellent'.
As Jonas went to sit by Liz, the next boy stepped forward and introduced himself.
"I'm Grant," He stated simply and went over to sit by Bex.
Meanwhile, Bex swooned and began to perform flirtatious actions. I couldn't blame her though, he was a sight to see. Grant was so attractive that I even thought that he loosely resembled a Greek God. His muscular arms made the whole entire room of girls stare and I even heard a few comments about him easily being "Brad Pitt's body double". I was ashamed that I could not disagree with any of that.
The second to last guy stood up, "I'm Nick."
Macey and 5 other girls rose their hands to be elected as his tour guide. He eventually sat next to Macey and as he got closer I kind of understood more of why Macey rose her hand.
He wasn't too bad looking either. This guy had blonde hair, but the type of blonde that looks as almost white. It was styled into a Zayn-type (AN: not a crazy 1D fan but this is the only way I could describe the hair) of haircut. He had it buzz cut on the sides and back, and then longer hair on the top that was combed over to one side and he looked well-groomed. He was tall and fit, but not too muscular, just lean. The thing that stuck out the most, was his bright green eyes that drew your focus right to them.
The last boy stepped forward. He had the traits of dark eyes, and dark wavy brown hair that was a medium-short length and looked attractively messy. The guy was a little shorter than Nick, with broad shoulders and an attractive build. There was a smirk plastered on his face and I automatically recognized him as Zachary Goode.
"I'm Zach Goo-," He paused for a second, "Just Zach, and I can find my own way around the school."
His last words put disappointed looks on the faces of the many girls that were raising their hands, hoping for a chance to get to bond with an attractive guy. Yes, yes, I admit he's attractive but to be clear, that never meant I liked him. I don't have any time and trust for a relationship like that.
I also noticed his little slip-up. He almost had stated the last name he shared with the devil, which is his mother. When Zach stopped to not say him last name, it gave me a spark of hope we might just be friends, despite my history with his mother and what she did to Ryker. (AN: oooh, 'Who's Ryker', you ask.)
I shuddered before shaking my thoughts and containing my body shakes (and my eye roll) when Zach came to sit in the desk that was directly to my left.
"Hey, Gallagher Girl," Zach remarked briefly before turning his head back to Mr. Smith.
"I'm no Gallagher Girl, it's too late for me," I scoffed at his ridiculous nickname.
"I can help you catch up if you want, I am top spy-in-training after all," He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows a little.
Smirking back, I retorted, "As if there is anything you could teach me. Did you learn nothing from the Cove Ops exercise?"
That shut him up and we both turned and tuned into the lecture that Professor Smith was starting up.
"Today, we will be talking about one of the most remarkable and recent feats in Cove Ops since you have finally gained enough clearance. I will go over the Coup D'etat in Buenos Aires." He started out his lecture.
I instantly perked up when I heard about the subject we were talking about. There is always more to learn and study for even though I already passed a spy's education, but recent events are harder if they happened after your schooling. Luckily for me, I knew about this like the back of my hand.
Professor Smith continued in a serious tone, "In Buenos Aires the CIA had agents stationed to take over a terrorist base that was focusing on subtle attacks in Europe. The agents were horribly out-numbered, 11 to 1, and this is why the mission is so famous. It was made up of only 8 brave agents."
"9," I interrupted, "9 agents actually." (AN: For one of my reviewers)
Everyone swiveled around to stare at me wide-eyed. Their expressions all ranged from shock to disbelief. They probably thought that Smith was right or were surprised I interrupted.
"And how would you know that?" Zach stood up, challenging me, "You are incorrect, I've studied this and it was 8."
"No, no, Zachary, she's right," Professor Smith interrupted before I could retort, "I almost forgot, almost forgot. That's something I never say. The 9th person was called in at the last moment, and this coup might never have worked without them."
I smirked at Zach as his face tinged red in a little of embarrassment and anger.
Professor Smith continued to talk about this and other recent feats but I could say I wasn't listening and Zach wasn't either. His eyes were boring into the side of my head the entire lesson and I was relieved when the bell rung, but I knew he would bombard me with questions.
Zach's POV
As soon as the bell rung I exited the class and waited for Cammie outside of the door. I couldn't chance her getting out of class first and disappearing again. As soon as she stepped foot out of the door, I set my pace with her and we walked side by side in silence.
Finally, I broke the silence, "How did you know that?"
I tried not to sound desperate, but from the amused expression on her face, I could tell I had failed. It seemed as if she knew every thought and expression I had. This girl was frustrating.
"And why should I tell you?" She inquired, quirking up one eyebrow.
"Because I know nothing about you and it 's one little question that has only to do with your knowledge and not any of your personal experiences," I reasoned with her, "Smith also said we have high enough clearance."
"Well, I'll give you this," She paused momentarily, "The second part is where you are wrong, it is personal, I was the 9th person."
My legs shut down as my brain sorted through this new information. Suddenly, all these new questions popped up into my brain and I felt about ready to explode. Why was she so damn mysterious? How did she, a 14 year old at the time, become the most important part of a mission? Even more, why was a spy in training ever even put on that mission? The CIA would never do that!
Looking up, I noticed her blonde hair swishing side to side as she made her way further down the hall. At least she didn't disappear but I was still emotionally incapable of movement so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. I needed to head to Culture & Assimilation class anyway. Can you believe it? They are making me take a Culture class!
I headed toward the classroom with a lighter weight on my shoulders as I prepared myself for Culture class the same was I did with a mission. Which it kind of was.
Cammie's POV
I was walking in the hall and heading to my next class, Culture & Assimilation, or C&A. The familiar walls weren't exactly comforting in this long hall. I knew that Gallagher had top security but I knew it wouldn't be enough to protect me. Catherine would do anything to exploit me.
Passing the Computer Class, I spotted Mr. Mosckowitz standing up in frustration. His fists were clenched and he stared at the computer... As if... As if it took his first born child... Or just any Cove Ops experience he's ever had in his life. He was really bad in the field. So that basically meant he was staring at it like it was a challenge. Both a gift and a failure.
I stepped into the classroom, "You okay, Harvey? Do you need any help or something?" Concern laced my voice as I watched him carefully.
He looked at me like I was a miracle sent from heaven, "Thank God you got here Cameron! I need a second person for this code. Agent Townsend needed this info and I can't seem to get it. There is the CPU Encryption Algorithm 5, which is hard enough, but they added some unknown configurations and I just needed a second person."
"Wait, Townsend is here?" I was shocked because he was usually really busy with the CIA and Aunt Abby was always complaining about that.
Moskowitz grimaced, and muttered, "Just don't go looking for him in Abby's quarters."
I'm a tough girl. What can I say, I'm a spy. But when it comes to that, and thinking of those horrible images that will forever be seared into your mind, that's when I shatter. I've walked in on them before, not pretty. I even got a lock for them for Christmas, yet they could never stop for long enough to use it.
"Yeah sounds good. I'm going to go talk to Madame Dabney really quickly and I'll be back."
With the nod of his head, I was out of the classroom and into a secret passage that was behind the picture advertising colorful invisible ink pens. I followed the dark passage and quickly found my way through as I knew each turn, curve, and passage as well as I knew myself.
Finally, I arrived at a dead end and my arm snaked out to tap a triangle pattern on the cold stone wall. I made contact at each corner and the wall slid open to reveal the hall outside of C&A. My pace sped up and I stepped inside just as a little chime rung, bouncing vibrations off the walls of the school.
"Cameron, I almost thought you'd be late." Madame Dabney sat in the front with a straight posture, daintily holding a cup of tea.
"My utmost apologies, Mr. Mosckowitz stopped me to ask for my help," My voice carried on its most regal tone. "Would you mind terribly if I left this period to help him?"
"Always the most polite, Cameron," She complimented my choice of words, "Yes, that will be fine. After all, I don't think there is anything you could be taught!"
I smiled warmly at her little gesture of comedy, "Don't be daft! There will always be more to learn."
"Well, go ahead and help Harvey," She suddenly took on a serious tone, "You are the best one for the job, after all, you have a lot of experience with them."
The last part was said quietly, almost a whisper. Her jovial tone turned solemn and sympathetic. But she didn't know the half of it.
"Thank you, I'll be heading off now," I hurried out of the classroom for it had turned silent after her last comment. God knows I could live without another mention of that particularly... Uncomfortable experience.
I went back to the Computer Classroom and was greeted by the sight of Mr. Moskowitz furiously typing on a computer. His students (which included Jonas and Liz) were seated in front of each of the desks, that was decorated with their own computer and dark blue textbooks. Everyone in that classroom varies by age and they all sat quietly, waiting for their teacher to call them to attention. The younger ones started to get squirmy so I interrupted.
"Mr. Mosckowitz?" I asked.
His head kind of bobbed, but he was stuck in computer world.
I tried again, a little louder, "Mosckowitz?!"
Again, his head bobbed but he never brought his eyes away from the screen. His fingers were still flying across the keyboard and all of his students were staring at me.
"Guys, I apologize in advance," I talked to the whole class before bellowing out. "HARVEY EVAN MOSCKOWITZ! LOOK UP BEFORE I HURT YOU!"
His head flew up and he fell off the chair after his legs spasmed and kicked off of his desk. I smirked at him and all the students that were in similar positions. The little seventh graders had horrified looks and I almost felt bad for traumatizing them.
Mr. Mosckowitz managed to stand up and he glared at me. I quirked my eyebrow and shot a look towards the computer. His head followed the direction I was gesturing to and he remembered the code and what he had asked of me.
"Alright Cameron, just up here. This won't take long, probably just till' the end of next period," He began to sit down in front of the computer again, "Let's get started."
"Wait, not so fast. You have to teach your class." I pointed out.
"I suppose you're right," He was crestfallen by this realization.
I looked over the class again and spotted Liz, "Do you mind if Liz helps me?"
She sat up, surprised, with a dazed expression. Anybody could tell that she had no idea that I would ever ask for her. Maybe I just wanted a little roommate bonding, after all, I would be living with her for awhile.
"Yes, she's my best student. You guys can go ahead. After all, I have a class to teach."
Liz walked up, still shell-shocked that I chose her. She seated herself and he computer right next to the one that Harvey was working on. I passed her the information packet without a word and watched as her eyes rapidly scanned the contents. She put down the packet.
"Ready?"
"Yeah, let's do this."
AN: This chapter is more of just people understanding her level of skill and based off of one of the anonymous comments (Cameron Matthew Goode). I also just figured out how I want to end this story so yeah. Hope you like this! If you have any ideas let me know :)
- S.L.