"I must base my final decision on pure conduct. Ms. Baxter has shown great potential and she is greatly aware of it," Queen Jayla began. I was begging her silently to just get it over with, but she had to drag it out. Even though it was probably only a few minutes, it felt like hours as the seconds slowly ticked by. "The problem is that she is aware of it. She doesn't think that she can get away with anything, as her actions have shown. Must I bring up the incident of the temper tantrum?" She asked. Everyone around the table shook their head, but the subject had already surfaced.

"With all due respect, Queen Jayla, we have another trial coming up soon." Mr. Valdez kindly reminded her.

He gave nothing away, but I could tell that he was just itching to know the result. She nodded her head briefly and opened her mouth to give the final verdict before abruptly shutting it again. I heard a creak as the door behind me opened. I couldn't tell who had come in, but I wasn't going to turn around. I couldn't throw away the attention that was directed on me away. The Queen's features almost immediately softened, but I saw her cold, ice-blue eyes harden till it seemed like they were marbles. She is someone that needs someone else to love her. I thought, pity for her running through my heart. It didn't last long, though. She pursed her wrinkled, papery lips and gave her answer.

Everything went so fast. I heard the door creak open once again and I could sense people beginning to file out of the room. My heart was racing as, all around the rooms, sighs of both relief and agitation were being let out. Beside me, my teacher stood and I had never seen him look so blank. It was if he, like me, wasn't sure what emotion to be displaying. Doug and Michelle were coming closer to me. My instinct was to run, but I knew that running wasn't the answer. I, too, stood and began to shake hands with everyone. I wasn't going to lose my manners after I had gotten out of the class.

Doug and Michelle finally reached me and I braced myself. I had never liked them very much. They were always around during the worst parts of my life, excluding when my parents had died. Michelle's graying black hair was once again pulled into a pinwheel bun at the top of her head and the light was shining off of Doug's bald head. I saw sympathy in their eyes and I knew that no matter what the verdict had been, I would have had their sympathy. But to them, my fate was worst.

"Congratulations, Ms. Baxter." My teacher told me, faking a smile. "It isn't over yet, though. You may have won, but you are still going to be their puppet." I nodded because I knew he was right, but I didn't care because at that moment, I was free.

I slipped out of Mr. Valdez's teaching room unnoticed by the others. Although, I probably was noticed, just not made a big deal of. I strolled the halls of my school as I ran my hand across the walls. Just thirty minutes ago, I thought that I would be leaving and all of the sudden, I was progressing farther than I had ever dreamed possible. Of course, I had never thought of becoming a spy. It wasn't what I had planned on doing with my life, but I was good at it. It truly was what I had been born to do.

My doorknob was cold as I pushed it open and entered the room. As soon as I had closed the door, I felt someone grab my shoulders and push me up against the wall. I tried to fight back, but I stopped once I felt Kaleb's lips crash against mine. I gasped for air, but he didn't care. He kissed me until there was no more air left for either of us.

"What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear that I was done with you, permanently." I told him, my anger slowly returning. I kept my anger in check, but I am sure that he was able to tell that I was mad.

"I came here to explain. I have been waiting forever to find out what happened in there." He began, but I cut him off.

"Kaleb, we said that we were going to be friends. Only friends. I understand why you did what you did, but I do not agree with it. I agreed to be friends with you only because you told me that they were trying to split us apart. But you are just making their job easier. You are selfish and dirty. I want nothing to do with you. Jeremy was right, you aren't worth it." I said, my disappointment in him obvious.

"Cameron! Just listen to me, please! Wait, when did Jeremy and you talk about me? What did he say?" He asked me, trying to get me off topic.

"Kaleb, you always try to avoid talking about your faults. You always have an excuse for me and I always believe it. Just face it, we are continuously making the same mistakes. We started as partners and this is where the partnership ends."

"And what about you? Have I ever once made you talk about Jacob or how you are practically cheating on both of us? Have I ever actually done anything that didn't benefit you in the end? Do I ever penalize you when you do something that I don't like? No, I haven't. I would love to explain to you why I do the things that I do, but if you haven't gotten it yet, then you never will. I do everything that I can for you, but what do you do for me, other than yell at me?" He asked, on his last nerve. The veins in his neck were popping out, making his jaw look even more prominent than usual. "Exactly." He turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm and turned him around. His brilliant green eyes were hurting, making me hurt for him. He gave me a small fake smile, exposing his little dimple and shrugged his arm free from my grip.

"Kaleb, I am sorry that you feel that way. I am not used to this life, yet. I am not used to being protected or lied to. I used to be doing the protecting, not the other way around. You had no right to ask about Jacob or Brandon, that is why you didn't ask. If you had, I wouldn't have answered. I never once said that I was your girlfriend. Everything that happened, I was not prepared for. I seem to remember telling you that I didn't want a relationship. I remember specifying that it was going to be a business relationship only. I am not saying that I didn't mess up, a lot. Every time I did, you were there to help me. That was what we agreed on. We kept each other safe. But we hurt each other as much as we help each other. I am tired of always wondering what kind of mess I will have to deal with next. Don't you get it? I've tried, but I'm tired." I replied, hoping he would get the message. I kept my voice steady. I didn't want to show sympathy, but I didn't want to seem like I was overreacting. In reality, we both had a right to be mad at each other.

"No! I had every right to mention him. You know how much we both care about you. Yet, you continue to string each of us along like your little dogs. Well, here is some news for you. He is done with you. After everything that happened today, he can't handle it anymore." He smirked as if he knew how much that would hurt. His green eyes were sparkling as if he were enjoying himself. I felt like I had just been punched in the gut, but been unable to fight back.

"You have no right. Kaleb, this just proves everything that I just said. You are a selfish brat!" I told him, ready to hit him.

"We both know that you could never actually go back to him. You couldn't lie to him everyday. Think of how much we could help each other. I am so much better for you, I understand you." He said with another smirk. He did not just say that! I walked over to him and punched him in his dancing green eye.

"Get. Out." I said through gritted teeth. He stood motionless by shock. "Did you not hear me, or are you still in shock from the fact that I actually struck you? I said Get. Out." I repeated once more. I walked over to the door and opened it. I pointed out to the hallway and he stormed out angrily.

Five minutes later, I followed Kaleb and left my room. The school was so much more empty when you didn't hear gossip all throughout the girls' wing. I rushed through the hall, trying to keep the memories at bay. I was looking for Ms. Lily. She was the only one that I knew would definitely sympathize with me and tell me what I wanted to know.

I found her in her office going through papers. Every time I saw her, she always had so much work. It was apparent that it took its toll on her, but when I knocked, she smiled and invited me in joyfully.

"Congratulations." She told me with fake happiness.

"I seem to be getting that a lot lately. Although, I am not sure that it is truly a celebratory matter." I replied. She simply nodded her head in understanding before gesturing for me to sit down.

"Cameron, what is on your mind?" She asked, reading my face like a book.

"I want to know where Jacob is." I said, deciding on the direct approach.

"Cameron," She said sadly.

"Ms. Lily, I know that I am not supposed to talk to him, but he deserves at least a good-bye. Please." I begged.

I hadn't realized until I had said it, but I was looking for him to tell good-bye. Kaleb, as much as I hated it, was right. There wasn't anyway that I could lie to Jacob everyday. I wouldn't be able to put him in danger. He didn't deserved that.

"I will arrange a visit." She promised with a smile of understanding. Ms. Lily understood me more than most of the people here. Even if she was Kaleb's mom and Queen Jayla's daughter, she was nothing like either of them. All of her motives were purely good.

"What will happen to him?" I heard myself wonder aloud. I hadn't actually planned on saying that, but it had slipped out.

"I don't know. At the moment, he is being interrogated to see if he has to be brain-wiped. We need to see if he can be trusted." She said, almost robotic.

Her blond hair began to slip from the intricate braid that it had been placed in and I saw her in a much younger state. She was insanely pretty, but she hid it. She was modest, but she had the most amazing heart and she wasn't afraid to put herself in harm's way for others.

"I will call you when he is ready." She told me, dismissing me politely. I thanked her and left the room.

I was trying at all costs to avoid Kaleb because he was not my favorite person at that particular point in time. I went to the library and read a whole book before I went back to my room. Once in my room, I tried to flip through channels, to find something that would occupy me, with little success. I gave up and began to draw. I wasn't very good at it, but it kept me busy.

When, finally, the private phone in my room rang, I jumped to answer it. It was Ms. Lily 'inviting' me to talk with Jacob in the dining room in five minutes. As I was power walking through the halls, I realized that I had no clue what to say. Why didn't you think about that while you had so much spare time? I patronized myself. And Kaleb thinks that he doesn't patronize me. I do enough of that to myself. I walked through the beautiful French doors that led to the dining room.

Jacob was sitting in Lauren's old seat, as relaxed as if he were at home. His dirty blond hair was falling perfectly on his head and the reflection of the light made it look as if he had a halo. Though everything about his demeanor showed casualness, his big brown eyes were surprisingly alert and focused. He looked me over twice, unused to seeing me in my school uniform, whereas I had grown accustomed to it. Why does this have to be so hard?

"Cammie." He said my name so smoothly, yet I could tell that he lost and confused.

"Jacob, I am so sorry that I got you wrapped up in all of this." I apologized briefly. I didn't want to spend what little time we had together apologizing for things that we couldn't change. "I know that you are probably confused and I am going to explain."

I recounted everything that Queen Jayla had told Jessica, Kaleb, and I at the beginning. I then continued to explain the spy training and my tantrum. I told him all about Jessica, Lauren, and Grace. Jacob didn't ask questions the whole time. His brown eyes followed everything I said and I knew that he was truly listening. "I just got back from trial. They are going to let me continue with my spy training. I don't have to get sold like the others did." I finished.

"I... Is that a good thing?" Jacob questioned.

"I don't know." I told him honestly. "Jacob, you know that you can't tell ANYBODY about this, right? Please tell me that you understand." I begged. For a moment I saw the same look in his eye that he got when he thought someone was being abused and I was afraid he was going to demand that someone know. Then, he looked into my pleading eyes and his gaze softened.

"No, I won't tell anyone. Even though, I think it is wrong, I won't tell anyone. For you." He promised. I let out a sigh and got up to give him a hug. Now comes the hard part.

"Jacob, now that you know everything, you have to understand how hard it is for me to do this. We can't stay together anymore. I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt because of my, um, career. It wouldn't be a healthy relationship. As much as I love you, I can't do that to you." I dropped my voice down to a whisper in order to keep from cracking. I felt a tear slip down my face and Jacob leaned forward to wipe it away.

"Cammie - don't say that. Please, don't." He pleaded. I shook my head over and over.

"No. This is hard enough already. We just have to accept it. I will find a new place for Brandon. I am so sorry. I love you."

I stood and walked out of the room as fast as I could. Tears began to stream down my face, but I wiped them away as fast as they came. Jacob would always hold a place in my heart with him, but I would get over him. I would move on and be happy knowing that he was safe.

I closed the door to my room just as the phone was ringing. I cleared my throat before I answered, not wanting whoever was on the other line knowing that I had been crying.

"Hello?" I asked, unsure of who it was.

"Ms. Baxter, I need to speak with you in the ballroom. Immediately." I jumped with surprise as the I heard the Queen's old voice on the other side of the phone.

"Yes, ma'am." I assured her that I was on my way as I hung up the phone. I rushed to the mirror and cleaned myself up before running back down to the ballroom.

The Queen was sitting on a chair that I had never seen before, probably brought in just for her. It was red velvet with mahogany arms, legs, and backing. She motioned for me to sit in a chair very similar, but it was just a bit shorter.

"As your Leader, I must discuss your future with you." She paused and I nodded. She was still lost in thought, but I didn't push her. I already felt uncomfortable sitting with her alone as I remembered the last time that I had been alone with her. "You basically have two options, sort of. I have had an offer, from a country that I won't name, for you to come work for them. You would still be using your spy training, but in a less... moral way, shall I say? If you do choose this option, you would be able to bring your little boyfriend with you, but he, too, would be forced to work." She stopped again, letting me consider it. "Might I continue? Good. Your second option is to stay here and continue your training with my daughter and Mr. Valdez. And, since my daughter became the headmistress of the school instead of the future Leader, you will need to train to become a future Leader, also. Of course, if you choose the second option, you must get married right away." She added quickly.

"But I am only fifteen!" I exclaimed without thinking.

"That hasn't stopped anyone else. You have exactly two minutes to make up your mind." She told me. Great, I have two minutes to choose my future. I thought about everything that I had just told Jacob and how I had felt afterward. Suddenly, I knew that I had to choose the second option. It only made sense.

"I choose the latter." I said dully.

"In that case, we must get started planning the wedding so that we can finish up your training as soon as possible." She said in a hurry. I waved my hands in the air, trying to get her to slow down.

"Who, exactly, am I going to be marrying?" I demanded to know.

"That would be me." Kaleb said from the doorway, a smirk on his face.

So what did you guys think? I just thought that I would give you a heads-up that I think that this story only has a few more chapters left. :) I am not sure about an epilogue, I think that I will let you guys decide after the last chapter.

I have an optional question that I thought about for you: If someone finds the cure for cancer, but doesn't tell anybody, is it still murder?