Ryan, Lauren, and I got into Lauren's Pontiac, Agent Will Turlin behind us on his motorcycle. We decided to head back to my house so we could talk in private. We argued the whole 10 minutes there. Lauren believed Agent Will 100%, she had always been quick to trust people. Ryan on the other hand, didn't. He thought it was some big scheme. I didn't know what I thought for sure. I mean, my parents, Secret Service? They weren't boring, or anything like that, they were really smart, strong, and protective.... But Secret Service?
" He forged the letter somehow." Ryan insisted. Lauren was so upset with him not believing it that she just ignored him.
" It was my dad's handwriting ." I sighed. I felt like we'd been over this already, and my head was starting to hurt. "Let's just hear him out, then decide from there." Ryan nodded, but I could tell he didn't like it still, and to tell the truth, I didn't either.
When we got to my house I led everyone into the kitchen. I pulled a plate of cookies out that I'd baked last night and then glasses of lemonade. Agent Will sat uncomfortably, spinning his glass of lemonade in circles. Me and Ryan sat across from him, Lauren was standing on the side of the table, not wanting to show clear support for either of us. I couldn't help but be a little annoyed at this. I mean, this guy shows up, says my parents are in the Secret Service and under attack. I don't believe him, but she does right away!
" I think its about time you start talking." Ryan stated. Agent Will looked at me.
" I think it would be best if we talked alone." He said. I shook my head.
"They're already in on all of this." I said. "And I'll just end up telling them anyways. So you might as well just spill the beans." He nodded again with an annoyed look on his face.
"Alright I'll tell you all most of the information, but there's some that I will tell you alone. If you decide after that you're OK with them knowing, then by all means tell them. I'd rather leave the choice to you after you've heard it." I nodded, knowing this is the best deal I would get.
"Okay, well as your father hopefully told you in his letter, he and your mother are in the Secret Service,as am I. There was an attack on the White House by a group of terrorists-"
"What do you mean?" Lauren asked. "How could there be a terrorist attack on the White House without us hearing about it?" That was what I had been wondering. I mean, I know Dad said they were stuck there because of terrorists, but I hadn't thought he meant a legitimate attack.
"It happened not even an hour ago. As soon as we knew what was happening your parents sent me here to protect you." He looked a little aggravated at this, like he was thinking, I'm here taking care of the boss' daughter while everyone else is fighting terrorists.
"But it should be on TV by now." Ryan argued.
"Turn it on, I bet its there. Your school probably knows about it too." Agent Will said. Ryan walked into the living room to turn the TV on.
"- this afternoon the White House was attacked by terrorists. Heads of Secret Service Mr. Jake Silven and Mrs. Linda Silven-" the TV announcer kept talking, but I didn't hear anything more. There was a single thought running through my head- Agent Will was telling the truth. Then that thought was joined by others; that means my parents ARE in the Secret Service. Have been keeping this secret from me for my whole life. They are under attack by terrorists no less!
"Amy," Agent Will said quietly. I hadn't noticed him stand up and come over to me. "I think its time for us to talk in private." I nodded and stood up, numbly, and followed him out of the kitchen.
"Where can we talk?" He asked me. I quietly took the lead and walked upstairs to my room. "Your room?" He asked, looking around at the posters on my wall. I nodded again ( I found myself doing that a lot today, just quietly nodding) and cleared my throat.
"You can sit wherever you want," I gestured at the three bean bags arranged in a circle in front of my TV. I settled in the one I always sat in, and Agent Will stiffly sat in the one Lauren always sat in.
"Okay....I have a question first." I said looking at my folded hands.
"Okay, I probably have an answer." He responded.
"Why was the president and the rest of the Secret Service OK with you coming to protect me when the White House is under attack?" He chuckled slightly, then answered.
"There are two answers to that question. One is what I need to talk to you about anyways so I'll explain that in a second. The other part is that everyone likes you ." I looked at him at that.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Your parents have told us so many stories about you, its almost like we all know you. When your parents asked, no one could really deny them, then there's the other thing..." He trailed off till he saw my questioning look.
"OK, well, these terrorists did their homework and found out that you're the daughter of the heads of the Secret Service. They threatened you personally because of that." He paused and looked up at me. For the second time today, my heart was beating so loud I could barely hear anything over it. I took a deep breath, then looked at Agent Will, who watched me with trepidation, as if not sure how I would react.
"I'll be right back." I said standing up. I walked outside my room and downstairs to the kitchen and living room where I last saw Ryan and Lauren. I needed to talk to them, or at least Ryan.
I knew Ryan would be able to calm me down and help me think. If I told Lauren on her own though she would probably freak out and not help me think at all. I found Ryan sitting alone at the kitchen table, sipping his glass of lemonade while he listened to the TV. I cleared my throat.
"Where's Lauren?" I asked. Ryan glanced up and smiled slightly.
"Her mom called, and told her she needed to go home to explain her truancy. She tried to tell her, but her mom didn't believe. I told her I'd explain it to you when you were done talking...she said she'd be back ASAP. I think she sent you a text." I pulled out my phone and seen that she had.
I'm sorry, Mom's making me come home to explain, I'll be back ASAP! Sorry!
I nodded and Ryan watched me.
"Soooo..." He prompted.
"Well he said that the terrorists threatened me personally." I said, spinning the glass of lemonade in front of me. Ryan's mouth dropped open.
"How'd, why?" He sputtered.
"I didn't finish talking to him," I admitted. "I wanted to calm down a little first. He nodded, then stood up and walked over to me.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I nodded a little , and Ryan wrapped me in a comforting hug.
"Let's go finish talking to him." He said.
