The Girl Behind The Screen

Chapter Forty Four: Unexpected Alliances

"A long time ago I learned not to explain things to people. It misleads them into thinking they're entitled to know everything I do."
– Lisa Kleypas

Song Suggestion: Glowing in the dark – The Girl and the Dreamcatcher

*

I officially quit the team, while the boys were showering I spoke to Coach, I could tell he was disappointed, but he wished me all the best. I told Coach that I didn't want to be the one to break the news to the team and I am so grateful that he understood that. He'd tell them tomorrow.

I exited the Coach's office and grabbed my backpack from my locker. My locker was near the entrance of the school so I sat there waiting for Cody. In that time I decided to scroll through my messages. Part one was done, sever ties with the team. My deadline was tomorrow and I guess that made me nervous, I mean, who wouldn't be?

After tutoring Cody and gaining some help from Elliot, I was done with them. I decided to text Parker, I know, I never thought I'd say that either.

Me: Meet me at Daisy's ice-cream parlor at 8pm.

Parker: Okay.

At least that was settled. "Ready?" Cody asked, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder and backpack on the other.

I weakly smiled and nodded. Cody had gotten a lift with Asher this morning so we were taking my car to my house. Even though Cody was the jokester of the group, belting out lyrics in the car, I knew I had to keep my guard up. Someone in the group wanted information about our black ops, so someone was working for the enemy.

Cody and I were in my room, he was sitting on the chair at my desk and I was sitting across him on my bed. I gave him some exercises to do while I looked through the photos on my phone.

I lingered on the one of Chase and I at the stadium, Larry had sent me the digital photos too. It was the one where we kissed for the first time. The Eye is cunning, making me do their dirty work and in the end I'll have no one. Smart, but not smart enough.

"I heard you and Chase broke up," Cody said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," I coolly replied, trying not to stutter.

"That's sad, you guys were a good couple," he informed me.

"Well sometimes we don't have a choice in the things we do," I replied.

"Trust me, I know," he chuckled and I looked at him with confusion.

We're alone, this is my chance!

"What do you mean?" I asked, feigning concern. I know it wasn't a good thing to pretend that I cared, but the deadline was drawing closer and one thing I do know about The Eye is that they don't mess around.

"It's just that I understand your statement. Being forced to do things even though you feel like it isn't right, but you're just brainwashed into thinking it's good," he admitted. It felt like he was trying to hint something to me and I wished I could figure it out. This is a clue, I know it.

"What happened?" I pressed, I'm so close.

"I have to go," he said with widened eyes and hastily packed his belongings.

Before he exited my room he turned to me and shot me the most sincere look I've ever seen, it knocked the wind out of me, "I'm sorry."

And just like that Cody had vanished.

I fell back on my bed and groaned. Could people be anymore cryptic?

*

It was six 0'clock when Elliot rocked up. He had his laptop in his hand and a backpack slung on one shoulder. I welcomed him in and was even more determined to get answers.

I let him sit at my desk and he turned his laptop on. Instead of sitting like a calm, patient person, I stood behind him, hunching and staring at the screen with such focus.

"So what do you need help with?" He asked, turning around and smiling at me.

"How can you trace the identity of a username if they haven't logged onto a public network?" I asked.

Elliot looked at me with raised eyebrows and said, "That's a very specific question."

"Can I have the username?" He asked.

I looked at him warily, "I'd prefer if you showed me so I can practice myself," I suggested. He pursed his lips, obviously not happy with my answer, but complied nonetheless.

It was an hour later when I finally understood what Elliot was saying. "Thank you so much Elliot!" I gushed and attacked him with a hug in happiness.

He responded and I pulled apart. "I heard you and Chase broke up," Elliot said.

I groaned, "Why does everyone keep telling me this? Yes, we broke up," I confirmed.

"But you still like him," Elliot grinned.

"What's it to you?" I glared.

"Nothing much. I'm just amused by the fact that you think breaking up was for the best. If anything, it only makes you weaker. Think about it Kensi, don't our enemies love seeing us unhappy?"

And just like that, Elliot was gone before I knew he was there.

*

To say I was shocked about who beautyqueen114 was, would be the understatement of the year.

I drove to the ice-cream parlor and spotted Parker sitting at a secluded booth in the back with two ice-creams.

"That eager to see me?" I grinned, as I slid into the booth.

"Just curious," he smirked, sliding one of the ice-cream cups towards me.

"How did you know cookie dough was my favorite?" I asked, smiling in awe of his knowledge.

"Because I'm observant," was his simple reply.

I nodded and he asked, "Why did you want to meet?"

"Because I know you want out," I answered with confidence.

Parker's eyes instantly darkened, "How do you know that?" He warily asked, looking around.

"Your clues," I whispered.

"It's about damn time," he muttered and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"I have a plan," I announced. You might be wondering why I'm letting Parker off the hook, after everything he's done to me. But the team played him like they played me. I know he wants out, and I want all this drama to stop.

Parker nodded at my plan and even made a few smart suggestions. He wasn't actually a bad guy, he just made some bad choices. After devising a genius plan of action I grinned.

"William Grey, you're going down."