Chapter 2

I open my eyes.

Blurry. Blink. Cold. Blink. Bright.

I try to get up. Can't. My body feels numb.

"Shhh, it's okay honey, I'm here."

Oh no, he's here. He's here.

I can't breathe.

***

I jerked up. Looking around me, I realized I'm already on the airplane.

It's just a nightmare.

"Hey sleeping beauty," someone says.

I jumped slightly and turn my head to my right. It's Johan—one of the AD guys escorting me to the base. He has sharp cheekbones and green eyes, but his skill is not better than half of the AD's agents.

After Kelly's message, I kept my guard up till we all settled on the airplane. With the 5 agents surrounded me the whole time—even when I have to go to the restroom, I feel safe. So I fell asleep 4 hours ago.

"So you think I'm beautiful?"

"Well, whoever doesn't see that, is either dumb or blind"

"Finally! Somebody else who thinks Scout is dumb!" I said, beaming.

He chuckles.

A comfortable silence fell between us, before Johan speak again, "You know he has a crush on you, right?"

"Hmm? Who? Scout?! Yeah right," I said rolling my eyes. I gaze out of the window.

"I'm serious! He always looks out for you. He looks at you like you're a fucking treasure."

I kept silent. Letting the words sink in.

He looks at you like you're a fucking treasure.

For a second, my mind went back to when Scout, Kelly, and I were training, 4 years ago.

***

I tried to stand up, but I had no energy left. I fell halfway.

Kelly was standing in front of me with a training stick. She's the best at it. I stand no chance against her.

"Kat!" someone said.

It's Scout. He's been watching us train and giving me some advice. He ran to me the second I hit the ground for the hundredth time. Kelly did the same too.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" he asks, worries on his face. He crouches beside me and takes my injured leg on his lap.

"I'm okay," My voice crack.

"You don't look okay, sweetheart."

"Let's take you to the medical center," Kelly said.

"Nah, I got this. Just clean this and tell Mrs. Saxe Kat can't train for a few days."

"Scout, I'm fine–,"

"Shush. You are not fine." He uses his serious tone, "now let me take care of you, sweetheart."

***

He looks at you like you're a fucking treasure.

"It's just a friends thing," I argue.

"Yeah, that is not a friend's thing. The way he looks at you it's just different from the way he looks at Kelly. You're one of SD's best agents, how could you not see that?"

"Don't bring my career into this. And how would you know it's not a friend's thing? You don't even know him."

He sighs, "you really gotta see it for yourself to believe it, don't you?"

I didn't reply.

I spent the rest of the flight admiring the view from up here and recalling memories of me and Scout. And the more I do so, the more convinced I am that Johan was right.

When an announcement ring out, I put my seatbelt back on and go back to gazing outside. I watch as the ground getting closer and closer until we finally land.

***

Half an hour later, I'm in a black limo with the other 5 AD agents escorting me to my hotel. I will meet Scout there, he arrived yesterday. And tomorrow we have to report our arrival and wait for permission to enter the base.

We pull up to a 5-star hotel in the center of the city. It's one of La Reu's properties. The whole staff is from the organization, most of them are ATD's agents. They guard the organization's property when they're not training.

After a quick chat with one of the SD agents assigned here and check-in, one of the staff escorted me to my room.

I quickly took a shower. Put on a white t-shirt, ripped jeans, and a leather jacket with SD's symbol on its back (a red eagle with golden eyes).

"Hey, where you going?" ask someone. Oh yeah, I'm in the same room as Kelly, the first reason is for my protection, and the rest is just nostalgia.

"Scout's room," I replied.

"Can I come?"

"Duuhh, come on." I rolled my eyes.

Chuckling, "Hold on a sec," she said.

We chat the whole way until we're standing in front of Scout's room. Just as I lift my fist to knock, the door was opened from the inside.

He was wearing a blue shirt with the SD's leather jacket too. His hair was tousled and he looks like he just woke up.

"Hey stranger," I teased.

His eyes went wide when he saw me, his jaw dropped for a second before it turns to a huge grin.

"Kat!" He launched at me, squeezing me. "Oh, I missed you so much!"

"C-can't breathe," I said gasping for air.

"Oh sorry." pulling away, he doesn't look sorry at all.

"Hi Kelly," he said, looking behind my shoulder.

"Hey, Scoutieee," shriek Kelly. She tried to hug Scout too, but he stopped her by pushing her forehead away.

"Don't give Kat any ideas please," groaned Scout.

"Hah! too late, ... Scoutie."

He groans in response. "I blame you, Kelsy," He said glaring at her playfully, while Kelly glares back at him, rubbing her forehead.

"I love you, Kelsy." I look at her with wide innocent eyes.

"Okay, sooo... who wants my famous hot chocolate?"

"MEEE!!" I yelled.

And so, we spent the whole day watching movies, drinking hot chocolates, catching up, and pillow fights.

***

"Let's take you to the medical center," Kelly said.

"Nah, I got this. Just clean this and tell Mrs. Saxe Kat can't train for a few days."

"Scout, I'm fine–,"

"Shush. You are not fine." He uses his serious tone, "now let me take care of you, sweetheart."

***