Chapter one “So, have you found anything?” I say to Drew, the HQ’s main techie. He looks at me from his desk. “Well, last night I intercepted a message from that burner phone we’ve been trying to track.” I take a step closer, hope moving through me. This might finally be the answer for finding this con group. “Though... I do want to warn you, none of the department knows what it means.” Drew hesitates, then clicks a few buttons on a tablet before turning it toward me. ‘Activate Ayumi’ Almost six hours after learning that information, and I still can’t stop thinking about that phrase. What was Ayumi? I tried thinking of places, like Big Ben, or maybe it’s a codename, like mission Stargold, yet nothing fit. Why, just why can’t I even make the tiniest of progress!? This mission had been going on for months, four, to be precise. I couldn’t go back home yet; my mind was too riled up to even get ready for bed. So, I decided to stop by a bakery for something warm. As I open the door, a soft twinkle rings out, ring-a-ding. “I’ll be right with you!” A voice behind the counter yells. I take a deep breath, letting the sweet scent wafting through the air calm my brain. I order a hot chocolate and a bagel, then set my eyes on a small table in the back, and start walking toward it. As I’m doing so, my mind wanders back to that message; Activate Ayumi… I don’t realize that there’s a person in front of me until it’s too late. “Oh… Sorry!” I say, but then notice I splashed a bit of my drink on him. I quickly place my food on a nearby table, and grab some napkins to help. “I am so, so, so sorry! I didn’t see you there.” I say sheepishly, trying to hide behind my waves of hair. “You are totally fine,” He says with a small laugh, “Things aren’t what they seem sometimes. Maybe you meant to target me.” I look up at him, a smile forming across my face. “I still feel bad, is there anything I could do?” He thinks for a moment, then smiles, “Any chance I could get your name?” Should I do it? I mean, it couldn’t hurt. “I’m Ella, nice to meet you.” He sticks his hand out, “Theo, nice to meet you too.” Maybe this day isn’t so bad after all. After getting home, I replay what happened at the bakery. I still feel embarrassed, but at least he didn’t overreact. Honestly, he was pretty cute. No. I can’t grow attachments. He could probably jeopardize my mission! But… if I wanted to fit in, I guess it would be fine, right? I didn’t know how to feel. I was supposed to keep everyone who posed a risk… away. But I was lonely. I could keep a secret, so it should be okay. I crawl into bed; half satisfied with how the day went. As I drift off to sleep, I remember something he said, "Things aren’t what they seem sometimes.” It struck me as an odd thing to say, but I brushed it off. Everyone is quirky in their own way, right?
First: This one! <3 Next: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1369367209 Blurb: Evelyn knows to keep people at arms reach. As a spy, she’s trained to keep secrets, draw conclusions, and never let her guard down. But when she meets Theo, a kind, funny guy who makes her feel happy, keeping her distance becomes harder than any mission she’s ever encountered. And with a dangerous con group still at large and secrets hiding everywhere, Evelyn has to decide how much she’s willing to reveal. Because falling in love is scary. Falling in love when her entire life is a lie could cost her everything.
