I stealthily approached Maya's locker, looking around me cautiously. After confirming the coast was clear I approached it, bringing out my phone. I opened the group chat the consisted of me, Elijah and Cory.

🤺

I'm in position.

: Good. Proceed.

I entered the combination and frantically began stuffing her locker. Maya was the helpless romantic type, the one who loved big gestures and sappy stuff. I was stuffing various apology and love letters written on heart shaped paper, I knew she would appreciate gesture.

Mission completed.

Have you seen the target?

I backed away from her locker, standing in a hidden place to be on the lookout. Soon enough I saw Maya walking down the hallway in my direction.

Target identified. Approaching the locker.

Okay, I'm on the move.

I waited patiently, glancing down at the end of the corridor as Maya entered her combination. Elijah hadn't appeared.

Sergeant?

Guys I can't do it.

Man up, baby. Hurry up, she's about to open it!

What if the target doesn't like Gift A?

We've got your six. Go!

Why are we even talking like we're the military? We're spies...😐

On the move.

Phase 1 was simple. Maya would open the locker and too her surprise love letters would fall out. She'd look around for the culprit, and Elijah would walk by at that moment. Then he would be in her head the rest of the day. Or so Elijah claimed.

I looked up as Maya's locker opened and she gasped, stepping back. Everyone in the hallway cooed and she bowed her head sheepishly. Elijah sauntered by as planned and they made eye contact. He sent her a small nod and she stared after him.

I came out of my hiding spot, fist bumping him and approaching Maya. I gave her a small smile.

"That's quite a gesture." I said and she nodded speechlessly.

"Enough to win you back?" I asked hopefully and she nodded, smiling.

"More than enough. After really thinking I realised I was in the wrong as much as he was. I shouldn't have made such a big deal like that and embarrassed him publicly; our relationship is between us two." She explained and I grinned, hugging her.

"That's great; do you want to talk to him now?" I asked, aware that Elijah and Cory were waiting for me around the corner.

She shook her head. "Nah, I'd like to read a couple of these first."

After helping Maya pick them up I walked down the hallway to our meeting place, which was just an empty classroom. Meeting place sounded cooler, though.

I opened the door, immediately shutting it behind me and turning to my fellow spies. "Victory!" I yelled, pumping my fist in the air and they both cheered.

"What exactly does that mean? She'll take me back?" Elijah asked excitedly as I moved closer to them, sitting on a table.

"Yep. I don't even think we need Phase 2." I told him and Cory sighed in relief but Elijah pouted.

"Aw, I was looking forward to that-" Elijah started and Cory cut him off sharply.

"You shouldn't have. I don't need my mum going out with that weird smelling teacher." Cory said, unamused. I looked between them, confused.

"Sorry, what exactly is Phase 2?" They'd given me a brief outline, but I hadn't known the details of the plan.

Elijah clapped his hands. "Okay, in order for me to apologise to Maya during assembly a few strings had to be pulled."

"That included getting my mum on a date with Mr. Perv, the teacher who organised the assembly. He literally drools every time she comes for a consultation." Cory carried on, rolling his green eyes.

"Is his name actually Mr. Perv?"

"Everyone calls him Mr. P, but I'm certain it stands for Pervert." Cory shrugged. "I've said that to his face to, and he didn't react so it's probably correct."

I chuckled incredulously. "How did you convince your mum to go out with him?"

"Oh, I hadn't actually asked her. And it wouldn't be a proper date. I would simply leave them alone in a room for like five minutes while I went to the toilet. As if I would let my mum around him." Cory scoffed in disgust.

Elijah pointed at Cory. "His mum is so hot. He has to fight off men who are interested in her daily."

Cory groaned. "Dude, stop calling my mum hot!"

"She is!" Elijah defended. "She has that whole young, single but still looking to mingle thing going on for her." He explained and dodged what Cory threw at him.

I wondered where Cory's dad was but thought it would be too personal to ask. He looked at me as if hearing my thoughts.

"My dad's in jail." Cory said bluntly with a blank face. "Last thing he told me was to take care of my mum, so I do so with my life. They're not together anymore but I won't allow any of these sleazy men to get near her. She's too good for anyone. Even my dad."

My face softened. "That's really sweet, Cory."

He blushed, looking down and shrugging. "No big deal."

"I feel the same with my mum," I said and they looked up curiously. "My dad's not in the picture anymore and my sister moved out when I was eight so it's been my mum and me for most of my life. She's had bad relationships in the past, and even though she's older and wiser I gotta look out for her, you know?" Cory nodded in understanding.

We both turned to Elijah who stared at us blankly.

"Come on, your time to open up." Cory prompted, leaning back in his seat. "Spy protocol."

Elijah shrugged. "Um, I don't have much to say. I'm blessed to have both parents raising me and cool siblings. But they've had it tough to get us to the US. My dad went through so much to make a life here, and my mum was still in Mexico, pregnant with me. They remind me all the time of how blessed I am to have grown up here, and it puts a lot of pressure on me to make them proud, you know? They can't go through what they went through for me to turn out useless." He shrugged, trying to cover up his emotions.

"You're far from useless, Elijah. Even if they may not say it, I'm sure your parents are proud of you," I reassured. "Your grades don't define you, don't feel down."

Elijah looked up. "I never mentioned my grades."

I pursed my lips, looking away with wide eyes. "You didn't?" I asked, my voice slightly high-pitched.

"Nah," Elijah shook his head, leaning forward threateningly. "You got something you wanna say about my grades, soldier?"

"No, Sergeant." I responded quickly, my eyes on the ground. I was trying not to laugh.

"Hm." He leaned back, but narrowed his eyes threateningly. I sarcastically made a scared face while Cory watched the exchange, amused.

"Anyway, enough of that." Cory exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Victory dance time!"

Elijah and I stood up and the three of us formed a circle. Our victory dance consisted of a chest bump (thank God I had small boobs) and a ballerina twirl.

I painfully completed my ballerina twirl from the other side of the room, where the force of Cory's chest bump made me fly to.

The door opened and we all stared at it, our arms held high and legs pointed out. A teacher who looked vaguely familiar assessed the room.

"What's going on here?" He asked, pushing his glasses up with a menacing look.

I dropped my arms. "We're doing our victory dance after a successful mission in our meeting place. Why do you ask?"

His gaze focused on me. "Because you're in an empty classroom during lesson time, dressed in all black, wearing sunglasses inside-" He gestured at Cory who shrugged. "And posing like Ballerina's!"

"You're dressed in a black too." Elijah pointed out the teacher's black suit.

"Plus, I thought our matching outfits were cool. And legal." Cory piped up.

We were all clad in black hoodies and black jeans. I'd slicked my hair up in a neat ponytail to nail home the sophisticated spy look. And Elijah had got all of us black sunglasses, claiming it raised our 'cool' factor.

"Whatever, just get to lesson, all of you. Now." The teacher demanded, stepping away from the entrance.

"Sir, if you wanted to join our spy squad you could have just asked." Elijah said teasingly, slinging his back over his shoulder. The teacher's eyes narrowed.

"You're treading on thin ice, Garcia." He said and Elijah rolled his eyes.

"We both know you won't do shit if it breaks." He retorted and Cory and I let out an 'ooh'. "Let's go."

We left the classroom with the teacher's angry muttering behind us. As we walked down the corridor the crowed split for us and we simultaneously put on our sunglasses, smirked on our faces.

"Who are they?" A girl whispered to her friend as we walked past.

"They call themselves 'The Spy Squad'." Her friend responded. A guy near up ahead of us snorted.

"What a lame name." He said, shaking his head. He was right, (Cory chose it) but we couldn't take the disrespect.

I glanced up at Cory who nodded at me, approaching the guy threateningly. All Talk immediately lowered his gaze.

"Something you wanna say?" Cory asked, staring at him through his sunglasses. All Talk shook his head and Cory leaned back.

"And that goes for all you talkers." Elijah suddenly shouted, looking around the hallway. "Talk crap on us and nosotros te golpearemos." He glanced at me. "Translate for them, Chloe."

"He said we'll beat you so hard the doctor who delivered you will feel it!" I yelled confidently and Elijah shook his head while Cory laughed. We resumed our basdass walk.

"Did I get it right?" I asked and Elijah grinned.

"Close enough, chica." He responded, amused and I smiled victoriously.

"We're so lame." Cory chortled and we laughed in agreement. "'The Spy Squad'. Why'd you guys let me choose the name?"

"Cos you insisted." Elijah retorted, taking off his sunglasses. "You said-"

Cory and I looked at him when he trailed off, to see he'd been staring at Maya who was up ahead.

I giggled. "Instead of staring like a weirdo go talk to her Casanova." I teased, nudging him. Elijah rolled his eyes and nudged me back, so naturally I ended up flying into Cory. These football players and their strength.

"How long until they get back together? I bet fourth period." Cory said confidently as he steadied me. I shook my head, watching Elijah approach Maya who shyly smiled.

"Nah, too late. At lunch they'll be all over each other." I replied and Cory and I shook hands.

"Later, alligator." Cory said, sauntering off. He had the walk down much better than me.

"Take care, teddy bear!" I shouted after him, giggling and running off. I ended up running right into someone.

"My bad..." I started, righting myself and glancing up to see Brock.

I smiled and threw my arms around him. "Hey, I haven't seen you in ages!" I exclaimed, pulling away. He smiled back but it turned to a frown.

"Why are you dressed like you're about to rob a bank?"

"That was last week; I'm robbing an arcade today." I replied dismissively and his frown deepened. "What? Do you know the amount of coins I could get?"

I giggled when he just started walking and immediately followed him. "You don't have a lesson?" Brock asked and I shook my head.

"Free period. Elijah, Cory and I just had a mission to get him and Maya back together." I informed him and his jaw dropped.

"They broke up? When and why?" Brock exclaimed and I rolled my eyes.

"I see you've been too busy in Taylor land to observe the world around you." I mocked and she shoved me slightly.

"More like exam land." Brock sighed. "I've been stressed cos I did bad last time. Coach said if my grades didn't improve he had to kick me off the team."

I frowned. "Aw, I'm sorry Brock. I'm sure you'll do great. If not, there's always the swim team." I giggled at my joke and Brock shook his head. "Damn, tough crowd."

"So, how's you and my good friend Benjamin?" Brock asked suggestively as we entered the library. I immediately blushed, looking away and Brock gasped, pulling me to a table.

"What happened?" He demanded as we sat down. I sighed but told him everything. Which wasn't much so only took five minutes.

"You guys kissed yesterday? And you haven't spoken to the poor guy?" Brock exclaimed and I frowned.

"Yeah? What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong with-" Brock cut himself off and lowered his voice, staring into my eyes. "He's probably freaking out and thinks you're not interested. Whenever you take a big step in a relationship, like kissing for the first time, immediate communication is mandatory."

I leaned back, amused. "When did you become the relationship expert?"

Brock shrugged sheepishly. "Dating Taylor has taught me a few things."

"What, like how to torture puppies?" I mumbled under my breath, raising my hands in apology when Brock glared at me. His gaze shifted behind me and his expression turned mischievous.

"Here he comes." Brock sang and I panicked.

"What? Benji?" I whispered and he nodded.

"Calm down. Look, do you like him?" I nodded. "Do you want to be with him?" Another nod. "Tell him that and there's no problem. Good luck."

Brock got up and I heard him greeting Benji behind me. I hurriedly applied Carmex on my lips and smoothed down my ponytail just as Benji appeared where Brock had been.

Benji sat down with a smile, showing his dimples. "Hey, Chloe."

"Hey..." I answered back with a wide smile, trying to calm my nerves. We started at each other for a moment before I looked down at my hands which were shaking.

"You okay?" He asked hesitantly and I nodded.

"Yep?" I answered but it sounded more like a question. "You?"

"More than okay." He responded in a low voice and I looked up to see him watching me knowingly. My face felt hot and I hoped I didn't resemble a tomato.

"Uh... that's cool." I said awkwardly, looking away again. I internally slapped myself. What was wrong with me?

After an uncomfortable silence Benji cleared his throat. I glanced at him to see his expression disappointed and hurt.

"If I made you uncomfortable last night, I apologise." He started. "I dunno, I just got the idea that you liked me back but if you don't its ok-"

"Shut up." I interrupted sharply and Benji did so, looking surprised and more hurt. I groaned in frustration.

"Sorry, sorry. I meant to interrupt you cos you're talking nonsense. Kissing you was amazing and you did not make me uncomfortable, I don't know why I'm acting so awkward right now." I rambled. "I do like you too, more than I thought I would and–"

I was cut off when soft lips pressed to mine. I was in such a panicked state I hadn't realised Benji leaned forward. I melted into the kiss but pulled away when I remembered where we were.

"Benji!" I exclaimed when he sat in his seat. He raised his eyebrow with a lazy grin, crossing his arms.

I mimicked his position. "We're in the library!"

Benji looked around with a bewildered expression. "What? I thought we were on a romantic getaway in Hawaii!"

I rolled my eyes and he chuckled. "Chill, we're in the corner where literally no-one can see us. And I had to shut you up somehow." He teased and I fake gagged.

"You've been watching too many romance movies. Don't use that line on me again." I stated seriously and he laughed, reaching across to hold my hand.

"You had me scared for a second, Chloe." Benji told me after he sobered up. His brown eyes peered into mine earnestly.

"I'm sorry. I kinda freaked out; I've never felt this way for someone before." I explained. "I do want to be with you though, but could we take it slow?" I asked quietly.

Benji nodded, looking at me with fond eyes. "Of course."

*****

After school I was on my way to the grocery store. I had to whip up something for dinner since my mum would be working late.

It was quite chilly so I put my jacket hood up, glancing around me cautiously. I was a couple streets away, and the streets were empty but cars were passing me every second.

I squinted up ahead when I saw a figure. I hurried my steps to get closer, trying to make them out. For some reason, they looked familiar...

I gasped when I realised. It was John.

I started to jog, wanting to catch up with him but stopped myself when I saw him glance around in a frantic manner. I frowned. He had been avoiding me, so he could just run away if I approached him.

I had to follow him.

I felt uneasy; I knew it was a bad idea. Especially because of the company he kept. But I knew he wouldn't go somewhere where his life would be in danger. At least, I hoped.

We were far away enough from each other that I could follow him without being suspicious. I crossed the road, frowning at our surroundings.

We were approaching Lenevo Avenue. The most dangerous neighbourhood in my area. The gang activity and crime rate was high here, so it meant John was meeting his friends.

I sighed, slowing my walk. If I was smart, I would turn around and go home. Only God knew what John was up to.

But the less rational part of me said this was my only opportunity. I hadn't seen him in weeks, no one could track him. When next would I be able to speak to him?

Mind made up, I resumed my walk. It was time to confront him.

****

🚢🚢

🤚🏽