My Spy

Good Morning Sunshine

I scoot my body the best I can towards the wall, feeling like an inchworm gliding across the floor and the chair drags its legs behind me. If Frank walks back in, it's going to be obvious that I have moved but I have to grasp this opportunity. When I get up against the wall, I shimmy myself so the side of my hip is flat against the wall under the fire alarm. I look above me and see the picture hanging about two feet higher than my head. I quickly try and memorize the fire escape route, trying to remember where the nearest stairwell or exit is. If I am to bust out of here, I need to know where I am going instead of running around aimlessly.

I glance around the classroom again, panicking that the beast will pop back in here at any second. I see a broken bulletin board leaning against the same wall I just dragged myself too so I scoot myself back a few inches. With my hands behind my back, I pull a broken piece of the wooden border from the frame and give myself a mental high five for moving so quickly.

I scoot back under the alarm and glance to the door, right before I roll over onto my knees. My hands are shaking and every muscle aches, but I use the broken piece of frame as a stick. I slide it up and down the wall, hoping to knock the frame off.

After a few failed attempts, I finally manage to free the picture from the small nail on the wall and it comes tumbling down and hits the floor with a crack. I release a relieved sigh and turn back around so I am back on my butt. I feel around on the ground for the broken frame and once I have my fingertips on it, I slide it so I have a good grip on it and haul ass over to my original spot.

I hear the doorknob jiggling again, so I immediately lay back down on my side and hide the broken frame under the curve of my torso. I feel Frank's presence near me so I remain still with my eyes shut. I try and control my breathing, hoping to get away with my getaway plan. I hear his feet move back to the front of the room and once again, the plastic creaks under him as he sits. I panic that he won't leave the room again and I'll have to lay here until Simon gets back. And once Simon gets back, I am not even sure what his plan is with me. Is he going to let me go? That wouldn't make much sense, seeing as I know their entire plan and can easily run off and tell the Hemmings. Does Ryan or Austin know his plan yet?

The thought of Ryan crushes my heart and there are so many things I had wanted to ask him. I let him silently live next to my room this week, being too mad at Austin to take control of my feelings and now it might be too late to tell him how I feel. I don't want to run away to Philly, or to be on my best behavior for Tate in hopes of becoming his wife, just to make my mother happy. I'm realizing I don't even care about making my mother happy. I just want to get out of this hell hole, run right to Ryan and tell him that we are being stupid. I want to tell him that he makes me feel good enough, that I don't have to be a perfect southern belle for him. That he makes me laugh and keeps me on my toes. That he lets me be myself and I don't have to change who I am to fit into his world. That there is a way for this to work.

But there's no way I can run away or pick apart this broken frame to grab a sliver of glass without movement or noise. And if I want to have my epic romantic moment and be able to tell Ryan everything I want to, I need to break out of here. I can't be a sitting duck.

My heart is thundering in my chest again but I am trying to keep my breathing slow and steady. I would love nothing more than to have Ryan come busting in here to save the day, but I'm panicking that they haven't found me yet. I need to save myself.

I hear the tick of a clock coming from somewhere in the room and I begin counting the ticks as they pass. With every tick, I think of Ryan and my courageous confession and it helps me be brave. I have a plan. I tell myself. I have a plan.

I count the ticks for over six minutes and I know Frank will grow suspicious if I don't stir awake soon. I decide to make the slightest noise but not move too much to reveal my glass. I take in a sharp breath and he immediately pops up off the chair and strides over to me. I hardly open my eyes and I see him staring down at me.