Hide & Spy (a.k.a. Gallagher Girls NG)

Chapter 12

Apparently, after talking with Mom, I had fallen asleep on the leather couch in Grandma's office. In my defense I was beyond exhausted and the couch was pretty comfortable. I was shaken awake by Grandpa Joe who was also sitting on the couch, next to me, lounging. At first, I still thought I was sleeping, but eventually I wiped the sleep from my eyes and sat up.

It was strange seeing Grandpa Joe relaxing. I mean, I had known Grandpa Joe as Joe Solomon: Living Legend, so I've never seen him relaxed. Even if he never showed it he was always on his guard, or, at least, when I was around.

I love my grandparents, very much. Truly, honestly, and whole heartedly, I do. They were like my second set of parents, their main concern, most of the time, was that I was safe, sound, fed, and healthy. So, yeah, I love my grandparents.

"How are you Morgan?" Grandpa Joe asked. He wasn't referring to the cuts and bruises on my aching body, or just trying to casually break the ice, it was a genuine question. I wasn't surprised, Grandpa Joe was never one for small talk.

A lot of different answers same flooding into my mind. The massive weight of anxiety was one. Not to mention my unwavering curiosity. But, there were also a lot of questions like: am I in trouble? or is this the part when I drink the memory altering tea? Mostly I was just trying to figure out what happened between my grandparents and Mr. Hobbes. Or more specifically, Grandpa Joe and Mr. Hobbes.

But, I was a spy. Spies have covers, so that night my cover was a granddaughter who was not worried about her grandparents. So, instead of blurting any of the things I was thinking, I lied and said, "Tired. Just tired."

Grandpa Joe had a knowing look on his face. He always did. He always knew when someone was keeping something from him, and had a way of getting answers. He had an ice pack in his hand and rested it on my arm. "I can see that," he said. "Hobbes did that to you. He's not supposed to be here, near you. "

"Morgan," Grandma started, "say goodnight to your grandfather and head up to bed. It's late." She was interrupting a very dangerous, and highly classified, conversation.

Grandpa shifted his gaze to Grandma and glared at her, she glared back. Yet again, another battle taking place that I couldn't interpret. In order to end the glaring stalemate that grew in the room I said, "Goodnight, Grandma. Goodnight, Grandpa." I hugged them both and then made my way to the swirling staircase.

I slid my hand against the cool metal and glanced at the darkened chandelier that hung above my head. I felt my fingers run along the coarse surface of the rock walls.

I felt at ease. I didn't have to think or act or make an instant decision. It felt as if time was frozen. It was just me. I had forgotten what it felt like to be an only child over the past few months, not that I would've preferred being an only child, but it still had its moments.

When I made it back to the suite, my roommates were still sound asleep, completely unaware of what was about to happen. Gabs, as usual, was sprawled out on her bed. Cassie was drooling a bit from her mouth. Leah was asleep with her arm grazing the floor and an open book next to it. Not wanting to wake them, I left the light off, slipped into my pajamas, and fell asleep.

Word to the wise, when an all-girls spy school partners up with an all-boys spy school be sure to expect massive changes in the spies, and more importantly, in the girls. Why? Well, after my accidental discovery last night I entirely expected Grandma to have memory wiped, covertly, but she didn't. She did something I didn't expect , she revealed the secret herself that morning at breakfast in the Grand Hall. She not only welcomed the 10th, 11th and 12th graders, but also 7th, 8th and 9th graders.

How did the boys handle the Gallagher Academy schedule? Very well. I'll admit, there were some pretty good looking guys at Blackthorne. Yup, the Blackthorne Preparatory Academy for Gifted Young Men. Which, according to Uncle Matt, is a total military school that prep school. Most of the girls were phased by the boy, I wasn't.

Uncle Matt and his questionable tastes in food and hygiene helped make me immune to the boys, or whatever spell they placed on most of my sisters. Thankfully, my roommates were as well.

"I can't wait for P&E tomorrow so that I can finally wipe that cocky grin off of Eliot's face," Cassie said as she cracked both her knuckles. Eliot Roberts managed to beat Cassie in a round of Judo. Cassie didn't take it well.

"Times like this are when I'm grateful that Dean stayed in the U.K. for school," Gabs said as she was writing up her report for Dr. Fibbs. "It would've been a never ending brawl between the two of us, with a lot of collateral damage."

"Although, Matthew seems to be occupying quite the attention," Leah said.

I turned my notebook page over as I wrote my extra credit essay for Mr. Nolan on the ways of differentiating the Chinese and the Japanese. "Believe me, I've noticed. Three seniors, five juniors, and two sophomores have asked me about my uncle's current relationship status. Less then a month ago they would've brushed me off, now...ugh."

"I know, everything's changed, but some things, thankfully, have never changed. Like C&A If we don't hurry Mag we're going to be late," Gabs said. She was right, despite the many things that had changed in the girls, Madame Boden would not have approved tardiness. So, we grabbed our bags and made our way to class.

"Culture class?" asked one of the boys Gabs and I had to escort to C&A. "Did they really just say that they're taking us to a culture class?"

"We're training to be spies, not royals," said the other.

"Well, Dumb and Dumber, as spies , you may meet with one of the many royal families," Gabs said.

"And if you so happen to go undercover as a member of their society it helps to know what fork to use, or how to bow properly," I said.

"Okay, first off, I'm Alexei. And this is Jay. Secondly, what could possibly go wrong from using the wrong fork?" Alexei said.

"It could be the difference between a successful op and a failed one." I said. "Culture and Assimilation isn't just balancing books on your head and setting placemats, it's the difference between life and death."

We took the regular route to C&A. With Gallagher Academy suffering form the Blackthorne Boy invasion meant me not revealing any of the secret passageways I discovered.

We made it to Madame Boden's tea room where we had C&A. There was no hiding the fact that it was different than the rest of the mansion. It had ornate ceiling fixtures and windows that stretched all the way up the wall. Today was different. The desks were up against the wall and there were gentle strands of music flowing through the room. I heard Madame Boden say, "Today ladies and gentlemen, we will be studying the art of...dance."

"Oh yeah, super dangerous," Alexei said.

I stepped into the tea room and saw that the silk curtains had been drawn away from the tall windows, that there were dozens of fresh orchids sitting upon each linen covered chair. Madame Boden stood underneath a crystal chandelier.

"Alright, now everyone find a partner," she instructed. "Ladies, you will firmly place your right hand in your partner's palm." I ended up with Alexei and Gabs got stuck with Jay. Before I knew it we were dancing.