Spy School: Royal Flush (Fan-Made)

Chapter 16 (Final Part)

Washington DC
Academy of Espionage
May 17th
11oo Hours

At last, Operation Migrating Monarch had come to a close. But not in the way anyone expected.
After the defeat of Prince Quincy and his guards, Murray willingly turned himself in along with Rem and Tess. (Since they technically broke into a private facility)
Murray got put in the holding cell in the school, while Rem and Tess got transferred to a juvenile detention center.
The virus and the research was all brought in by the CIA and destroyed.
However, Joshua got away. Again.
But, for the most part, everyone is relieved that Murray is finally in custody.
Speaking of Murray, I was on my way to his holding cell with a bowl of chocolate pudding I promised to bring him.
"Hey! Over here!" He stuck his arm out of the bars and waved.
"Gimme, gimme!" His hands snatched the chocolate pudding and the spoon.
He wolfed it down with a satisfied smile.
"Oh sweet pudding... How I missed you..." He said wistfully.
"You've only been here for a couple hours." I said.
"I know, but CIA already got me eating healthy slop and exercising!" He huffed dramatically.
"What a tragedy." I rolled my eyes.
"But I'm willing do it for your sake..." He sighed.
"As long as you give me plenty of sugar!"
"But, won't that defeat the purpose of-" I started.
Then I realized what kind of sugar he was talking about.
I burst in laughter. "You're terrible...!"
"Come on...! Just a little peck? No one will notice!" He whined.
"Yeah, no one except the entire school!" I protested.
"Please...?" He begged.
I sighed and decided to give in.
He pressed his face to the bars and I pecked his cheek.
His face flushed redder than a tomato. He was smiling like he just won the lottery.
"Thank you, you're the best~!" He called out as I started walking away.
"Tell Rem and Tess I said hi!"
I chuckled as I went back to my room.
I opened the door to find Zoe, Chip, Mike, and Jawa all crowded in.
"You owe us an explanation." Mike said.
I was hoping I could avoid this.
"Yeah, come on! Spill the tea!" Zoe bounced with anticipation.
"Wait, what tea? You didn't tell me to bring tea!" Chip cried.
Jawa elbowed him.
"Right..."
I told them everything. From when he danced with me, when he saved me from drowning myself, to when he kissed me.
Zoe was hanging onto my every word.
Mike and Chip looked mildly concerned.
Jawa was listening respectfully, nodding occasionally.
"So...any questions...?" I asked reluctantly.
"Did you really let Murray, the biggest slob we know, kiss you? On the mouth?" Chip asked.
"Yes... We've been over that..." I replied.
"How good of a dancer is he?" Mike raised an eyebrow.
"Better than you'd think..."
"Is Murray really gay?" Jawa asked.
"Probably...? He might be bisexual or pansexual..."
"Do you feel the same way?"
That one question from Zoe left me hesitant.
Do I really...?
I mean, I know that kiss was heat-of-the-moment, but do I really love him back?
But after remembering all that had happened afterward, all the doubts in my mind were cleared.
"Yes, yes I do."
"But I thought Erica was your number one crush..." Zoe couldn't keep the scoff out of her voice.
"Maybe...it's for the best that we don't get together..." I hesitantly said.
"I mean, it's clear that Erica believes that relationships are an obstacle to spy work... And sometimes she's right, and sometimes she's wrong... But what matters is that she doesn't want a relationship. At least not a romantic one."
Mike came over and patted my shoulder.
"I'm sorry about that, dude. I know how much you liked her." He attempted to comfort me.
"But Ben's right. Erica's first priority, for better or for worse, will always be to her work. Maybe it's time for them to move on." Zoe said.
Despite our past differences, I couldn't agree more with Zoe.
I should respect Erica's wishes.
If she doesn't want a relationship, then I won't force it.
It's time for me to be with someone who loves me the same way I love them.
I never expected that person to be my arch-nemesis, but life is crazy like that sometimes.
And all I can do is embrace it.
"That's all well and good, but I'm starting to question your taste in men." Mike said.
"Just like your taste in women?" I crossed my arms.
Chip stifled a laugh.
Before Mike could protest, I went on.
"How many girls have you broken up with this year alone? And you're talking to me about my taste in men?"
He looked like he was about to say something, but he closed his mouth and stayed quiet.
"Well, if we're done here, I have to go visit Rem and Tess." I got up and left my room.
I took the bus to the correctional facility.
I presented my ID to security and let them search me.
After I was cleared, I signed in and sat down in one of the chairs on the visitation table.
"Ben!"
Tess ran up to me with Rem behind her.
"I missed you so much! I wish I could hug you!" She said with a grin on her face.
I returned the smile.
"So, how are you? Are they treating you decently?" I asked.
"Yeah, we're fine! We've dealt with way worse places!" Tess said.
Rem nodded in agreement.
"How is Murray holding up? I bet he's whining about the gross food and the exercise." Rem rolled her eyes.
"He'll live. He's been in prison before." I shrugged.
"Why am I not surprised."
"I'm sorry you guys had to turn yourselves in because of me..." I apologized.
"We'll be fine! It's just a year or two! And hey, maybe we can get out early for good behavior!" Tess smiled.
"But bailing us out is also an option." Rem made a small smile.
"I'll try my best! Bail is expensive..." I laughed nervously.
"Don't worry about us! Being here isn't so bad! Just remember to visit when you can!" Tess reminded.
"I know, I will!" I laughed.
A security guard entered the room.
"Visiting hours are over." He said coldly.
"Bye! I'll see you next week!" I waved goodbye as the guard escorted me out.
Well, this was the craziest 3 days of my life...
But I'm glad I got some new friends out of it!
I doubt anything could top this!
...right?