"Hey, sis... How are ya?" Naomi asked softly, fidgeting her hands on her lap.

"I've seen better days haha..." Ashley forced a weak laugh and squinted her eyes under the harsh hospital lights above her.

I hope she's ok, Naomi thought to herself. Her mind drifted to earlier when she had finished her meeting at the police station and ran as fast as she could to the hospital.

"How is she, doctor? Is she feeling any better?"

"We studied her, and we found that she passed out from the trauma and severe stress she went through. She also had some minor scrapes and cuts, nothing too major. But..."

There's a but... What awful thing would she disclose?

"We will need her to stay for a few weeks for further analysis."

"I understand..."

Naomi cleared her throat. "I heard you'll be staying here for a few more week."

"Yeah.. but don't worry about me. I'll be better in no time."

Her voice sounded so weak, that Naomi was not really sure about that last part. At least she was hopeful.

Young Nurse Nora stepped in accompanied by a casually dressed teenager. "Miss, it's time for you to leave now. We have to do further examinations," she addressed the patient's sister softly.

Naomi looked up and nodded. She leaned close to her sister, brushing her hair away from her face. "Bye Ash, I promise I'll keep coming to check on you."

"Aww, thanks sis," Ashley smiled.

***

"Where are we going again?" Naomi asked as she made herself comfortable in the passenger seat of a sleek red Mini Cooper.

The same girl with a black bob who had saved Naomi and Ashley from their kidnapper now sat next to Naomi dressed in casual wear. She checked the side mirror and steered right.

"The President would like to speak to you."

Naomi gasped, then lifted an eyebrow at the peculiar implication. "Wait. Why would she want to talk to me?"

"I'm actually not sure myself, but that's for you to ask her."

"I see..."

***

The young girl with the bob stepped into a lavish red office. "President Morgan, Naomi is here."

Morgan stood up from her organized and polished white desk and removed her reading glasses. "Very well. Let her enter."

The young girl nodded as Naomi entered the room hesitantly. "Uh- nice to meet you, President."

Morgan cleared her throat in a serious manner. "You too. You're probably wondering why you are here. I will explain everything to you.

Naomi noticed that she had the voice of a sophisticated upper class woman, which was not too surprising judging by her role. The older woman before her was wearing a red suit and black stilettos. Her shoulder length light blonde hair was parted exactly in the center and blow dried with the tips turned outwards.

Morgan motioned to the young girl and gave a proud grin, showing off rows of perfectly straight and glistening white teeth under ruby red lips. "Meet Amy, our secret agent."

Amy smiled and gave a gentle nod. "Pleasure to meet you."

Naomi looked at her with a new understanding. "So that's who you are. How did you know where to find us?"

"I'm a spy," Amy smirked and shook her head. "Of course I knew where to find you. But don't worry, soon you'll know more about the spy business."

Naomi tilted her head in confusion.

Morgan grinned. "What Amy means is that you are going to become one of us. As in become a secret agent."

Naomi's eyes widened. "Wait, me??"

"I noticed you have incredible courage, skill, and cleverness," Amy explained. "These are the perfect attributes for a spy Naomi, and you would make a great one! Please consider it."

Naomi bit her lip and gave it some thought. With a job like that, she'd make enough money to pay off Ashley's hospital bills. She looked up triumphantly and declared her decision. "Consider it done."

Amy cheered as Morgan clapped her hands together once in enthusiasm.

"Well that's settled then! Amy will be your mentor and show you the ropes. For now, you will do as she says. My secretary Susan will register you in the next room."

"I do have one last question..." Naomi rubbed her knuckles nervously. "What's going to happen to.. the kidnapper and her uh.. daughter?"

Morgan scoffed. "Don't worry about that, dear. The police found Annabella locked in her room. She is OK," she assured her as she sat back down and put on her reading glasses. "As for her mother, the one who kidnapped you and you sister, she is spending her time locked away in jail as she should be. Her daughter Annabella, bless her heart, is old enough to live by herself. The government is helping her get settled into a new apartment."

"Oh, that's good." Naomi breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll take you to the secretary now, Miss Naomi," Amy motioned.

"Oh, haha, just Naomi is fine," she chuckled as they walked through a nicely polished wooden door.

"Or shall we say, Agent Naomi?" A woman's voice sounded from within the room. "I can help you here."

Whoa.. Naomi thought as she surveyed the colorful room. The velvet purple curtains were open to reveal the tips of skyscrapers just outside the building. This room seemed a lot more cluttered? No, decorated compared to Morgan's clean white and red office. Her mohagony desk was definitely cluttered with papers and different blue and black pens. She must be a very busy woman, Naomi observed.

Secretary Susan wore her dark brown hair in a bouncy cascade of beautiful shoulder length curls above a business casual daffodil pink blouse with a bow. Her style put together with her demeanor and her office gave off a warm, friendly atmosphere.

"Hi there, we'd like to register a new recruit," Amy spoke.

"Oh yes, Naomi," her face brightened. "I heard of you. Welcome to the team!"

"Thank you!" Naomi beamed. Ooh, she couldn't wait to tell Britney and the others about her new gig!

"Remember to keep this a secret. No one must know, unless it is absolutely necessary," Susan warned.

"Oh right, of course," Naomi snapped out of her excited daydream. I guess to them I'll still be their normal every day gal.

***

Later that night, Naomi decided to give her friends a visit at the Harlequin Restaurant. She hadn't seen them since she went looking for Ashley.

"Helloo?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Britney abruptly dropped the pillows she'd been arranging in the waiting room.

"Naomi!!"

Britney ran and pulled her friend into a tight embrace, wiping some secret tears away with her arm.

"I'm so glad you're ok," she smiled as she let Naomi go. "I got really worried. Jack told me about your sister. I hope she feels better."

"Tha-"

Britney's eyes went wide and her voice went frantic. "How did you even get out of there? Was it true you were chained above a tank of sharks?!"

"WHOA, whoa, whoa, slow down." Naomi smirked. "Who made up this rumor of being chained up above a tank of sharks? That would have been more exciting."

Britney let out a laugh, surprised at Naomi's nonchalance.

"Oh by the way," she narrowed her eyes dubiously while nudging her friend. "You never told me you used to go out with Jack!"

"Yeah, that was in highschool," Britney evaded her gaze. "But the cool thing is we're back together again!"

Naomi's eyes lit up as she clapped cheerfully. "Wow, good for you!" She knew they made a good couple.

"OH MY GOSH! It's actually you!" A high pitched voice came from behind them. Without warning, Naomi was pulled into another tight hug and got a bit of blonde hair in her mouth.

"Aww.. Lena. I was ok, don't worry."

"We should celebrate!" She let go and did a little dance.

Naomi laughed somewhat nervously. "Isn't that a little too much?" But it was too late, Lena had already ran to give the others the good news.

"Girl, nothing's too much for a girl who's just been kidnapped," Britney inputted.

"Hm, you're right!" Naomi tossed some of her long brown hair back. Not even Ted will ruin this for me. I am SO over him.

***

The group arranged to meet up the next day. The weather was exceptionally perfect for a picnic at the park. A light breeze shuffled pink and yellow daisies in the garden as pale sunlight provided warmth through clear spaces between arrays of branches.

A happy Annabella and blushing Kei walked along a trail holding hands for the first time, passing shy glances and soft giggles carried in the wind.

Not too far sat Naomi, Britney, and Lena dressed in light spring outfits.

"Ooh would you look who's here. Hey Jack!" Lena waved.

"Jack? Jack's here?!" Britney jumped up from the picnic blanket and sprinted towards her lover boy, leaving Naomi and Lena to giggle amongst themselves at her passionate outburst.

"Hey babe." Jack greeted his girlfriend with a soft kiss.

"Woww.. they're really going to make out in front of us huh," Naomi teased. "Guys!! No PDA!"

"Oh shut up," Britney laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, Jack!" Lena laughed.

"Oh boo hoo, you're just jealous!" Jack jumped in. Lena stuck out her tongue and shook her head teasingly.

"Hey chicas! I brought some Maraschino cherries for the picnic," Maya grinned as she opened up a fresh basket of the glossy little fruits.

"Ooh yum!" Naomi and Lena drooled.

"Thanks hehe. By the way have you guys seen Mary? She came right?" Maya took a bite out of one of the ham sandwiches Lena brought as she looked around.

"Mm yea, she went walking somewhere with Ted not too long ago," Lena responded, wiping some sugary juice from her lips.

Naomi looked away in mild annoyance as she sucked on a cherry. Ugh whatever.. at least he won't be in my sight right now.

"Oh ok. Too bad Mary's missing out right now~" Maya shrugged as she cut a slice of apple pie. "Mm, oh my gosh who brought this? This apple pie is DELICIOUS!"

"Yours truly," Naomi flicked her hand with a dash of sass.

"I know right? It is absolutely divine~" Lena sang as the girls laughed.

"Why thank you, thank you."

***

"Okay, close your eyes." Ted directed softly, walking behind Mary as he gently laid his hands over her eyes.

"Ted!" Mary laughed, holding onto his strong arms. "I swear if you walk me into a tree-"

"Noo," Ted chuckled. "Relax. What I'm going to show you will take your breath away. In a nice way, of course."

"Mhmm," Mary hummed in caution. As they walked, she couldn't help but blush over the feeling of his strong muscles flexing in his bare forearms. I'm actually holding on to him! Mary held back a smile.

"Open your eyes."

Mary felt Ted remove his hands off her eyes. She opened them slowly, bright light slowly adjusting to reveal flat lush green grass in front of a picturesque lake.

"Oh my..." Mary sighed in wonder at the sight before her. "Ted.. this view is amazing."

"Breathtaking, I'll say," Ted smiled as he took her hand in his.

Mary smiled as they walked closer to the ledge, admiring the way the sunlight reflected on the blue green waves.

"You look really nice today," Ted commented, liking the way her summery green dress flowed around her.

"Thank you," Mary looked down and up shyly. "It's nice seeing you in clothes other than your cafe uniform," she giggled.

Ted laughed. "You look good regardless of what you're wearing," he mused, staring romantically into her dark brown eyes.

"Aha.. well, you do too, if I'm being honest," she tilted her head sweetly, locking her gaze in his.

"Is it safe to say, 'I think there's something between us?'"

Mary took his other hand in hers. "I think so too."

"Mary.. I want us to be more than friends." Ted stepped closer, not worrying if Mary heard his heart beating loudly.

"I was hoping you would say that," Mary blushed, closing the space between them.

The two looked into each other's eyes lovingly, their eyes confessing a new connection between them. They embraced each other happily; and knowing that they both felt the same, leaned into each other for a kiss.

***

"What's taking that girl so long? We're almost done with these cherries and apple pie!" Maya motioned towards the almost empty basket and tray with crumbs.

"You wanna know what else is long?" A seductively deep voice behind Maya joked.

"Who the?!" Maya turned around angrily as Lena's mouth dropped and Naomi stifled a laugh.

"The time that's passed since I've seen you."

Maya looked up to see a young, daunting guy about her age looking back down at her with his hands in his pockets. He had light tan skin, an undercut on one side and short dark black hair falling on the other over his ear, a black rocker shirt with a faded skull on it, black denim jeans and a belt with chains hanging off them.

"Do I.. know you?" Maya spoke hesitantly.

"I should hope so, otherwise this would be really awkward. It's me, Edward? From elementary?"

Maya almost choked on her saliva. "You?! Wh-What are you doing here?"

"A hello would be nice," he smirked.

Naomi raised her eyebrows and passed an intrigued side glance with Lena.

Maya scrambled up. Almost slipping in her hurry, Edward caught her hand and helped her up.

"Thanks. Do you, maybe, wanna talk somewhere else?" Maya stammered.

"If that's ok with your friends," he looked behind Maya and waved at the girls.

"Sure, go ahead!" Lena nodded happily and motioned them to walk forth.

"Thank you," Edward smiled.

"I promise I won't be long," Maya looked back, realizing she was still holding onto his hand and let go.

"We'll be here," Naomi assured her.

When the two were out of earshot, Lena leaned in and whispered, "Man, all our friends are getting picked up by their lovers." Staring up hopelessly and shaking her head, she wondered out loud, "When will our cute guys come pick us up?"

Naomi forced a laugh and shrugged. "Who needs guys? We're strong and satisfied just the way we are."

"Haha, that's the right mindset Naomi," Lena agreed.

***

Maya and Edward strolled side by side through a row of rose bushes, reminiscing old memories.

"I almost thought you'd forgotten me," Edward chuckled.

"No, of course not! How could I forget you? I was just nervous," Maya curled a strand of hair around her finger.

"Is that one of your nervous tweaks?"

"What is?"

Edward motioned at her hand. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were flirting with me."

Maya looked down at her hand and blinked. She sighed and tucked it behind her ear. "Ugh you wish."

Maya failed to hide her amused smile and Edward smirked.

"Remember that promise we made to each other on the swings when we were kids?"

"Oh yeah," Maya laughed. "It was rainy that day, but we wanted to be cool daredevils and swing in the thunderstorm."

"Heck lotta good that did. We both got sick the next day and the teachers told us to stay home."

"Haha that's true. Well Edward," she bumped into him playfully. "Have you kept your promise?"

"Hmm maybe," he bumped back into her. "Have you?"

"I have," Maya smiled mischievously. "I haven't told anyone that we're secretly-"

"Shh..." he stopped her in her tracks and held a finger to her lips, his other circling around her waist. "So it's still true?"

"For me it is," she smiled sadly and moved his hand away. "But you left. You didn't even tell me anything."

She walked away from him, her curly long brown hair swaying behind her.

"I'm sorry, Maya. My parents had us move away last minute, and I had no way of contacting you. If I could, I would have. Honest," he jogged up to her.

"I could have used a friend like you," Maya crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him.

"I wish I hadn't left. I was sad without you too, you know. You were on my mind every night."

"Really?" Maya asked dubiously.

"Yes," he finally grabbed hold of her hand. "Maya.. we both know what we had was more than a friendship."

"We were kids."

"It was real. You said so yourself," Edward looked into her eyes, willing her to give him a chance.

"Yeah, I guess I did," she shifted her shoe over some loose dirt begrudgingly and finally looked up. She still couldn't believe he was back in town. Her childhood friend. The boy she promised to keep a secret with.

"Will you stay?" She looked into his eyes earnestly, hope brimming.

"I will, I will. Now that I'm here with you, I don't ever want to leave," his hands ran up her shoulders.

Maya melted into him, hugging him tightly. She didn't want to let go. Edward's arms wrapped around her back, holding her close to him.

"Then prove it," she looked up again, a sad pout on her lips.

"I hope you know we'll have to break our promise after this," he smiled down at her.

"I don't care. Let the whole world know! We are secretly in love with eachother, and we always have bee-"

She closed her eyes at the touch of his lips on hers and melted all over again. Holding her hands around his waist, she felt him press her closer to him. Before he separated, she pulled him back for a deeper kiss, her hand warming the back of his neck.

***

Naomi felt a buzzing in her pocket and pulled out her phone. "Ah, sorry Lena. I have to take this."

"It's ok! I think I see Britney coming back anyway."

"Cool, I'll join in a bit." Naomi got up and walked to a grove under some trees where no one would overhear her conversation.

"Hello?"

"Is this Naomi?"

"Yes."

"Hello Agent Naomi. This is Susan the Secretary. Morgan wanted me to inform you that she has some urgent matters to discuss with you."

"What type of matters? Is something wrong?"

"She feels there's something suspicious, like a conspiracy."

Worry creased over Naomi's face. If Amy's mission to save her and Ash from the kidnapper was that risky, then she already had a good feeling this would get dangerous.

"Morgan wants Amy and you to collect information on these individuals and..."

Silence fell on the other end. Naomi waited a bit before asking, "Well?"

"Possibly..." Susan sounded hesitant. "Eliminate them."