Chapter 41.

12:08 PM 12/18/2024
Chapter 41.
A/N: Happy New Year! I'm glad to be back and as this is a new year, I decided to enter uncharted territory. POVs! I've never tried this before so I will really need your feedback. Once again, Happy New Year!
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Allison's POV.
That exam wasn't an exam at all. It was torture in its highest form.
I get that an exam shouldn't be all that easy but it wouldn't hurt to tone it down a little. Despite it all, Rian, Helen and myself passed (I wouldn't fail it even if someone offered me the whole world. I and Alexander's reputation were on the line here). It didn't really surprise me though when Chris, Everett and Courtney failed. None of them were serious so, it was an expected result.
Unfortunately for them, there was a very scary rule in Shadow regarding those that failed. Fail the first exam and end up training for another two years and retake the exam. Fail the second exam and train for another three. It is normally expected that after five years of studying, the person should be the best agent out there. If you happened to fail again, you would end up as an ST, cafeteria cook or you leave Shadow completely. Though you would still be under surveillance until Shadow is sure you wouldn't divulge any secrets. This surveillance part is not usually told to the SS but being under the wing of great Agent Walters, I get to know most things that isn't usually broadcasted except it is classified.
I know it is weird to be laughing in the face of my boyfriend’s failure but I can't help it. Yes, Everett's my boyfriend. Even I can't believe it. But what can you do when a guy's so romantic and looking at you like you were his lifeline and without you, he'll die. I had no choice but to accept and two years later I haven't regretted my decision made in that cafeteria.
I, Helen and Rian became SAs and we were rarely seen in the base. I missed my boyfriend but what can I do I love these missions more. Even when I came to the base, Everett was always studying but anytime we managed to be together I treasured it. Within two years, Helen, Rian and I were among the top ten SAs while Chris, Everett and Courtney were about to write their second exam.

"Allie!", Everett called out, waving to me. I squealed and jumped into his arms. I could swear I felt him stumble from my weight.

"Ev, have you been skipping your meals?"
He didn't reply but instead claimed my lips. My hands moved on its own accord and wrapped around his neck. We were separated from each other for three weeks and we poured it all into the kiss. When we finally pulled away, we were breathless. He brushed a strand of her hair away from my face.

"You've grown more beautiful than the last time I saw you. I was going shit crazy when I didn't see you for three weeks. Are you hurt anywhere?"

I smiled. "Missing me? Pass the exam".
He pulled me closer until our foreheads were touching ang our breaths mingled. "I will try my best to pass it. For you".
I was talking about a serious matter but this guy just had to make me blush. I pinched his cheeks and we both smiled.

"I should have known that I'd find you here".
We both turned to see the owner of the voice. Of course, I should've known, it was Helen and her boyfriend, Chris. They just stood there with their arms linked. "You're back Helen".
We ran and hugged each other in the middle. I was so happy to see her. At 19yrs, our friendship was still as strong as the day we met. "Where's Rian?"
She pulled away and shook her head. "I haven't seen him since I came back five minutes ago. My operation was supposed end next week but they called me in early".

"Same here".
At that moment, an announcement came over the PA. "Agents Harper and Jackson, you are to report in CovOps now".
"That's us".
We gave our shocked boyfriends a quick kiss and sprinted all the way to CovOps. CovOps was reserved for the top 10 SAs and the location was only known to us. Being in CovOps was a privilege and a very big one.
We got there just in time only for us to meet Rian and I thought we were early. "When did you come back?"

He smiled. "I've been here since I came back. How you doing Lis?"
I smiled in response. My relationship with Rian took off on a rocky start but we got along better now. His relationship with Helen was not as bad as it was the day they met but they tolerated each other now. What more could a girl ask for?

"SAs!"
Everyone snapped to attention. Alex surveyed us like a commander surveying the soldiers under him. We were only four out of the last two years batch of recruits: myself, Helen, Rian and a girl by name of Colette. The remaining six SAs in attendance were Alex, SA Daphne, SA
Madeline, SA Calvin, SA Jake who was Courtney's father. That girl is an embarrassment.

Alexander cleared his throat. "I'm sure you all are wondering why your missions were cut short. Your old missions were taken over by other SAs. There are new threats and we need the best of the best. I think it’s time to tell you guys the real meaning of SSAs".

Chapter end