Clarissa Jenkins is an 18-year old high school dropout, but she isn't just a dropout. She's a spy recruited to work for the Ethereal Code Agency (EC). The Agency saw her skills and she was professionally trained and became the #1 field agent at th...
I stared at his outstretched arm. I looked up at his face to see that his light smile had been replaced with an intense look that sent a shiver up my spine. I found myself smiling and linking my arm with his. Wait Clarissa stop!! Isn't this your last day here? You're supposed to find your mom remember?! The little voice inside my head screeched at me.
I hesitated. "Um Edmund I don't think I can go with you." My voice cracked mid sentence and I winced at my bluntness. He looked confused as he raised an eyebrow at me. I rushed on, "Are you sure you want to be seen with someone like me? I - I don't want to be any trouble you know, but I don't want you to feel bad for me. I'm perfectly fine, I was just running some errands. Besides-" my rambling was cut off as Edmund laughed. "Clarissa I know you're scared that'll I treat you differently because of your skin color, but you're great company and okay I do admit that I felt bad for you," he said sheepishly.
I sighed and rolled my eyes in mock exasperation. "Alright let's just go." His face lit up and he took my hand, leading me across the street. His warm hand had a firm grasp over my small hand and I couldn't help but notice the tingles that raced up my arm. "So where are you taking us?" I murmured curiously, making sure I kept my head down as we walked. "It's a surprise," he answered, grinning at me. "Fine fine," I grumbled. We walked down the bustling streets of London and I realized I didn't have time to appreciate it before.
Children run around laughing, while some ran errands for their parents. Couples, arm in arm, strolled casually across the roads. Horses neighed as they dragged carriages. Their hooves created a clomp clomp clomp sound that echoed throughout the street. The buildings were made of concrete and brick, and each contained ten to fifteen tiny shops crammed together. It made it feel cozy. I almost wish I could stay forever.
I looked back over at Edmund and his face, with an excited expression, the corners of his lips were turned up and he looked like he genuinely couldn't contain his excitement. Just looking at him caused my cheeks to warm and I felt like the happiest person in the world. As we crossed the street, I spotted a familiar blue parasol. Where have I seen that before? Blonde hair appeared under the parasol and its owner smiled brightly in my direction.
Isn't that Elizabeth?! I realized she spotted Edmund and was making her way over towards us. She was wearing a frilly white lace dress with pearls adorning the collar. Edmund realized I stopped and looked at me questioningly. I was about to say an excuse before Elizabeth appeared. "Edmund! How good to see you!" she giggled and she rested her delicate gloved hand on his forearm. "Hello Elizabeth," I greeted her, attempting to be nice to her. She widened her eyes as if she just noticed me. She immediately stiffened and a scared look passed over her face before being replaced with a tight smile.
"Her again Edmund? I think this girl can handle herself now," Elizabeth said disapprovingly. "Elizabeth please understand. Miss Jenkins is just a little lost here," he smiled at me before continuing,"I'm just helping her." Elizabeth frowned, "But Edmund aren't you going help me with my piano lessons like you always do?"
"I'm afraid not this time Elizabeth. I have to show Miss Jenkins something," Edmund answered apologetically. I feel a little bad for Elizabeth when her face fell, but she immediately sneered at me and walked off. "Bye Edmund. I shall see you later then," she promised. Once again I felt that familiar annoying and anger bubbling inside of me. They probably see each other everyday I thought miserably.
"I get the sense you two don't like each other," Edmund stated teasingly. I was embarrassed, but I answered honestly," Yes she's not the nicest person...."
"Elizabeth is nice when you get to know her. She used to slap me with her dolls when were children. You know her parents aren't often home so she's lonely most of the time," Edmund said, walking alongside me. He smiled a little at the memory. Soon we began to walk farther from the busy streets, leaving us on a small street leading to where? I don't know.
Since there weren't many people nearby, I slowly took off my hood. I caught Edmund watching me and he smiled appreciatively,"You should keep your hood down more." I laughed, "Yes and have people faint at the sight of me."
His face grew serious as he bit his lip thoughtfully. I ended up staring at his lips and they looked so soft. I caught myself and awkwardly looked away. I pretended to be studying the stray kitten in front of a bakery. "Why do you have to hide Clarissa? Are we that judgmental?" he asked. "Uh," I paused, unsure of how to answer without offending him. "People fear things that are different and that includes people," I said and in my heart, I knew that was true. He stayed silent as we walked, both of us deep in thought.
I was suddenly caught off guard when Edmund lightly touched my arm. "We're here," he smiled and I stopped at the gorgeous view in front of me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We are so sorry for the very long update!! Suffering writer's block sucks ;-; We hope you guys liked this chapter, hopefully it wasn't too serious?
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