"How was it? Did you find your targets? What's school like? Are your teachers mean or nice? Any friends? Speak Eris!" Gabe demanded as he pulled the car up to the curb.

"Tell you later. Just drive!" I hissed, glancing at a group of boys laughing and gasping at Gabe's sport car. Of course, Gabe didn't listen and waved to the guys. He refused to go over the speed limit all the way home, even though just hours before we'd be going nearly seventy MPH.

We finally got to the cabin and I jumped out, storming inside. "What'd I do?" Gabe asked, following me.

"Do you not understand the point of being a spy? You practically turned me into a joke! Everyone tomorrow is going to know I'm the girl with the weird older brother that drives a strange car."

"Sweetheart, I did you a favor. I'm a guy; I know how they think. Everyone will want to know more about you so they might just get a ride. What's-his-name...Atticus! He might come ask you on a date. You're finally out of the Institute girl! You can do practically anything you want. You're living the life I always wanted. This is a huge opportunity!"

"A date?" I sputtered. "This is my mission! He's my target! Of course I'm not going on date with him! He doesn't even speak anymore!" I exploded, turning on my heel and stomping to my room. Ok, now looking back at it, I have to admit I acted like a five-year old.

Gabe leaned against the door and watched me. "Look...I'm sorry. I just want to help you! We're partners, right?" He asked. I nodded my head slowly as I sank onto the bed. "So, are you going to tell me what your day was like?"

"Pretty boring...I found each of my targets though..." I trailed of, unsure if I should tell him I failed one of the biggest rules.
"That's fantastic! Have you approached any yet?"

"Not exactly, they came up to me."

"So you talked to them?" Gabe asked, sounding like a three year old going to Disney Land. He was taking this remarkably well.

"Um, yeah. Just a little, and I backed out so we didn't really talk except for introductions."

"You're better at this than I thought! In a few weeks we might be able to finish this mission. How cool would that be? Finishing your first mission and in record time! 'Course, they'd probably want you to coach all the new recuiters when you're done in twenty years, but that's ages away."

"Gabe? When I turn eighteen, is it possible to leave the Institute, or will I still be...you know...?"

"What are you saying Eristina?" Gabe asked sharply.

"Nothing! I was just wondering if I'm always just going to be Eris, the spy, or if one day I'll be Eris, the doctor, or maybe, Eris, the dog trainer. I don't know, sometimes I wish we were given choices."

"I feel ya kid. And it's ok, you aren't too valuable to the program right now, so you'll probably be given part-time work when you're older," he decided, seating himself on the bed beside me.

"Why weren't you given part-time work?" I asked, leaning against him.

"Long story Sweetheart, and you need to work on your homework."

"They didn't give us any, it's only the first day!" I protested.

"They didn't, but the Institute did. You have to write your first report and let them know how it's going, start on some papers our old place gave you for your classes, and as your trainer, I'm telling you to do your workout routine and go for a run. Go!" he ordered, and pushed me off my bed. "I'll make dinner in a few minutes, and if you need anything, just let me know Sweetheart." he called as I began my report.

"I didn't know you could cook!" I shouted back.

"'Lotta things you don't know about me. Now shut up and work on your paper!" he demanded. Sighing, I took up the pen.

A few hours later I flexed my hand to keep it from cramping. It was dark, even though it was only seven in the evening. Gabe was almost done with dinner, and I still hadn't gone for a run. I peeked through my room and was pleased to find running shoes, my size too, in the closet. There were clothes, but I didn't bother going through them yet.

After yelling to Gabe to tell him I'd be back in a few minutes, I slipped my shoes and opened the front door.

"Atticus?" I asked, staring at the boy in a blue sweatshirt. He nodded his head quickly, almost like he was scared. "Can I help you?" Another nod. "Ok, I'm about to go running. Do you want to come?"

I didn't wait for an answer, just staring jogging so he could keep up. I glanced sideways at him as he ran next to me, keeping up surprisingly well.

"How did you know where I lived?" I questioned. He shrugged. "What'd you want to talk about?"

He didn't answer. I sighed through my nose, wondering how I was ever going to become friends with this boy if he didn't even speak.

About twenty minutes later, Atticus starting falling behind, so I slowed, then stopped to jog in place while he panted beside me.

"What's it like...never talking?" I asked curiously. He smiled, not the half smile he'd given me earlier, but a full, toothy grin. Atticus had perfect white teeth. He pointed to himself, then his ear. "You like to listen," I realized. "To what?"

He pointed to the trees, the ground, then me. I laughed, knowing I had found a friend in this boy.

"I'm not that chatty, but I understand the other two. At my old home, in...Wisconsin, I used to love listening to the birds in the morning. That's usually when I go for my runs. And the ground too, have you ever laid in the grass and put your ear to the dirt? If you listen closely, you can almost hear the earth beating, like a heart," I sighed. He nodded, smiling. "Have you heard it too?" I questioned.

He pointed to me, tapped his head, then pointed to himself.

"I understand you? I guess I'm like that. I'm a listener, like you. Why'd you come find me?"

He opened his mouth, then stopped and considered me, shaking his head, almost to himself. He traced a finger down his cheek, then gestured back and forth between us.
"We've both cried. About...our parents," I realized. Atticus nodded solemnly. I turned my head away quickly so he wouldn't see the tears pooling in the corners of my eyes. I forced myself to believe that I was only crying for show, and I was angry that I was lying to my friend.

My emotions were fighting each other and I was breathing hard as my shoulders dropped. This was for the job, only for the job. I was crying to make Atticus believe me that I was still mourning my "parent's death." Don't think about it...no. I couldn't...this was my mission.

Why was I crying? I'd been trained to sob convincingly on cue, so why couldn't I slow the sniffles and tears streaming down my face? Stop it!

I dried my face with my sleeve as fast as I could and began jogging back to the cabin. What just happened? Atticus ran to catch up with me and put his hand on my shoulder. I quickly shrugged him off and marched inside my new home, slamming the door behind me.

This was just fantastic. Atticus probably thought I was the biggest cry-baby ever, and then I just shut him out, so I wouldn't blame him if he hated me forever.

I hurried to the bathroom to wash my face and hands as I heard game whistling in the kitchen. "You back kiddo? Set the table when you're done and I'll serve up. Alison called and she might be coming later for dessert. Hey, you ok?" He asked, leaning against the door of the bathroom.

"Fine, just really hungry. I can't wait to talk to Alison about my mission and see if she has any pointers."

Hi! Thanks for still reading this pathetic story! If you notice any mistakes or even if something seems weird to you, just let me know. I don't edit, so it will be a HUGE help.

(Picture is of Atticus)