Mission Impossible

Chapter 10~ Blacked Out Lines

CLARA'S POV

  The car ride back to Greywood was pretty silent, but this time we had the radio playing. I found myself playing with the ring more and more the closer we were to the school, knowing I would have to give it back to the C.I.A. once we got back. At least I could keep some of the clothes...

  "That looks good on you," Harry said, nodding towards the ring on my finger. I tucked my fingers into my palm, hidding it, slightly embarrased that I had been caught playing with it. I couldn't find it in myself to respond, so the rest of the way home was filled only with the sound of the radio. The next time we spoke, we were both seated in a debriefing room, facing General Carter and Director Rain.

  "Good work, you two," the Director said after we had given her the details of the mission, leaving out specific parts like sleeping in the same bed on the first night and the kiss we had shared on the second.

  "And in two and a half days? Record time," the General added, pleased with our work. "We've already sent the information you learned from Mrs. Thompson to intel, and we will regroup when we hear back from them. Good work," he informed us, and we both stood up, about to exit the room together. "Ah, and one more thing, Agent Walker. Since Mrs. Thompson knew you're name, it's safe to say she is the one who hacked into our server, and when we asked them who else in Ivy knew about your true identity, Enrique said only him and Jane, since they never got the chance to pass it on. You're safe again. Or, as safe as a spy could be." I smiled and thanked him, then left the room along with Hary. I rubbed my finger over the area where my ring used to be, already missing the cool metal around my finger. It made me feel...normal.

  "I'll lead you out," Harry told me, even though I could probably find my way out on my own by now. I told him this and he chuckled. "I know, but I'm afraid you'll run into Marcus, or worse, Bryce," he confessed, and I had found it strange how I hadn't thought once about either of them since talking with Harry about it on our first day in the house.

  "Didn't you hear? I'm safe now," I joked, happy that no one else out there knew my true identity. Harry was about to speak when we both heard a voice.

  "I heard you were back, which could only mean the beautiful Clara is as well," Bryce's voice sounded out and Harry clenched his jaw.

  "Apparently not," Harry mumbled, pushing me into a corner so Bryce couldn't see me once he made his way to Harry.

  "Well? Where is she? We were so rudely interrupted last time," he said once he reached my partner and I could practically hear Harry balling his fists.

  "She just left. Said something about not wanting to run into Marcus...or was it you?" Harry snapped. Bryce just laughed.

  "Probably Marcus, I remember her being quite fond of me," Bryce responded, and I had to restrain myself from scoffing, even though it wasn't a lie..

  "Go away, Bryce," Harry ordered, and although most people listened to him, I felt as if Bryce was not one of those.

  "What happened, man?" Bryce suddenly asked. "We used to just hang out and talk about girls, hell we even shared girls." I cringed, feeling bad for the girls being used like that. "Why won't you share Clara?" he asked.

  "She's not mine to share, and I don't want you with her because she's my partner. I'm supposed to protect her," Harry said and I smiled slightly.

  "Harry Styles, do you like Clara?" Bryce suddenly asked, and I waited for Harry's response, though he gave none.

  "Agent Styles, where's Agent Walker?" Director Rain suddenly burst out of no where, her usual calm facade gone. Since Bryce was still there, Harry lied.