Stay close to people who feel like sunshine. ~ Xan Oku

Sydney's POV

Those fuckers may have let me come home, but they've still assigned ops at least every week or so...Okay some of that is my doing since I possess certain skills or perform at a cailber that no other agent does. And yes, that is me bragging. I've also implemented myself in many long-term ops in which I'm vital to a successful outcome as insurance. They're still pricks though.

But I'd rather deal with the pricks at school than the billionaire pricks who are currently my employers. At least I can intimidate most of the school with a look. Unfortunately I can't touch either unless I want to deal with shit storm.

"Oh, girl! Yes, love the outfit!" Kalinda compliments in greeting.

I mean the outfit wasn't too different than what I usually wore, but the pants were new—burgundy leather moto leggings. I had thrown on an low cut gray sweater with a lace bralette and left my black motorcycle boots on, since I'd taken my bike today. It was an unusually cool day since it was only mid September. Still though, Kal's compliments always made my days a little brighter. Hell, her presence was like a fucking little ray of sunshine.

I smiled, "Thanks, Kal, But I should be saying the same to you. I'd totally go gay for you."

Kalinda nudged me playfully, "I do this for you, babe."

We chuckled as I walked over to the cafeteria to meet Halle, Nick and Dylan. Nick had his arm around his girlfriend—some chick named Cheyenne. Let put this as nicely as possible: Cheyenne was a fucking cunt who could kiss my ass.

"Uh, Cindy," Cheyenne spoke up, casting her eyes at me in disdain.

"It's Sydney," I deadpanned. We've only gone to school together since fourth grade.

She rolled her eyes before continuing, "Why does that guy keep looking at you?"

"Maybe because Sydney is beautiful," Kal deadass stated.

"Or you know—likable," Halle muttered.

I smiled before glancing over in the mystery boy's direction. His dark curls brush over his forehead and, his muscles are prominent even beneath his burgundy hoodie. He pushes up his sleeves to reveal his muscled forearms and some of his ink before walking over. You've gotta be fucking kidding me.

Cole approached wearing a shit eating grin, "Hey, Sydney. Surprised to see me?"

"Not so much surprised as irritated," I quip, immediately pulling an indifferent facade into place, "What'd ya finally get kicked out of your last school or lose the scholarship?"

Cole shrugged before that irritating smile returned to his face, "Maybe I missed you, Syd."

"Missed me or my ass?" I retorted, raising a brow.

He chuckled, "No comment. Besides-" he leaned over to Dylan and Halle- "She'd probably break my jaw if I answered honestly." He leaned back. "So, Syd. Don't be rude introduce me to you friends"

I flashed him a cold smile before responding, "Guys, this is Cole. Cole, that's Kalinda, Halle, Nick, and Dylan." I pointed to the respective person.

My friends politely greeted him before I came up with some bullshit excuse of needing to show Cole around. That, and I wanted to keep him as far away from my old life as possible.

As we were walking away he asked, "Who was the self righteous brunette trying burn a hole in your face?"

"Oh, Cheyenne? Well, I thought I was only supposed to introduce my friends."

"So the others are your friends?" he inquires in a tone that I know is anything but innocent. When I don't respond he drops his cocky facade, "I'm kidding, Syd. Just keep them close and away from the big five, okay? I'm not going to say anything. You know I couldn't do that to you. You're my partner and my friend above everything else that we are. Are you really still pissed at me?"

I unclenched my jaw, "Yes, Cole. When I made arrangements to come back for my senior year, I explicitly asked that you and every aspect of the agency stay out of the public eye."

He sighed, digging his hands into the pockets of his gray jeans, "I know and I'm sorry, but the big five sent me out to keep an eye on you. Especially with that stunt you pulled on our last assignment, it was...excessively gory."

"I don't know why they're complaining. We completed the op, and left a message that if anyone else wanted to follow in their footsteps, then they'll end up in multiple pieces," a low chuckle slipped past my lips, "How much you wanna bet they still haven't found all the parts?"

We continue down the hall, drawing attention of many—the new guy walking with the missing girl who isn't missing anymore and is now covered in tattoos and scars like a freak. Well, that, and he's a hot piece of ass—sun kissed skin, a jawline sculpted by the gods, tattoos (that are apparently hot on him since he's a guy), heart stopping smile, and mouthwatering body. I see you sophomore skanks mentally undressing him—don't worry, I'm doing the same.

Cole sighs but can't help the smile from tugging at his lips, "Look, I'm not saying they didn't deserve it, but-" he shakes his head "-nevermind."

"So, why'd the big five send you?"

"I know you the best, and you trust me. They thought a raise and a taste of freedom could buy my loyalty," he shrugs.

"Were they right?" I question.

"What'd you think, Syd?"

01110100

The little shit had four fucking classes with me, plus lunch. Lunch was the time I got to spend with my friends, just like old times. The tattooed fucker sitting next to me, smiling like an idiot kinda ruined that effect. But Goddamnit, he had the whole table laughing.

My gaze landed on Tony. He and Maria together were like a king and queen among their combined kingdoms of friend groups. Maria was good friends with, arguably, three of the prettiest girls in the grade consisting of the girl's soccer captain, homecoming queen, and president of the drama club. And Tony had his connections with the quarterback, class president, and homecoming king among his closest friends. The power couple of the grade. I didn't bother to read their lips. Maria said something that made the whole table laugh and Tony looked at her like they were the only people in the room. He looked at her like she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever laid his eyes. Like he'd won the lottery to have landed a girl like her.

My heart squeezed, but I kept an indifferent mask on my face.

"What would it take to peel off those leather pants?" Cole whispered into my ear.

I turned to face him, rolling my eyes, "Depends."

01110010

Friday night, I had my friends over since I won't have many chances. I figured I might as well invite Cole. There's no avoiding him. Anything he'd learn from tonight is either something the big five already know or information that would be inconsequential. Cole arrived first so I could properly introduce him to my parents.

"Mom, Dad, this is Cole. He's my partner back at the agency," I explained.

My parents looked at his inked limbs and seemed to nod in understanding.

"So you guys are just partners?" my father questioned with suspicion coating his voice.

"No, sir," Cole responded and if I wasn't used to keeping my emotions in check I'm sure my eyes would be bugging out of my head. I'm not sure if it was the polite tone he pulled out of his ass or the fear of what he might spill to my father.

"We're also friends," Cole continued, "We always have each other's back."

"Always?" My father pressed.

Cole nodded before swallowing nervously under my Dad's intense gaze, "We've gone to hell and back."

My mother eyed him with a lack of her usual warmth, "You harm my daughter, and I don't care what kind of training you have, I'll kill you myself."

Cole nodded, looking like he was about to shit a brick. God, my parents are awesome.

01100001

The others arrived and I built a bonfire. While most of them were roasting marshmallows or making hobo pies, Dylan was lecturing about the combustion of marshmallows while he demonstrated. Hal knocked the stick out his hand while the rest of us laughed at the look of pure horror displayed on Dylan's face.

"Jesus, Syd. You're gonna set the whole house on fire," Aaron greeted.

I ran over, throwing my arms around him, "What're you doing home? You didn't get kicked out already, did you?"

He chuckled, "No, I'm on fall break. Yo, is the gang all here?"

"Aaron!" the guys jogged over and did their bro-handshake shit while Halle and Kalinda greeted my brother like he was their own.

We caught up until my parents came out to the backyard.

"Aaron, glad you made it home safely," Mom greeted with a hug, "Hope the traffic wasn't too bad."

"Good to have you home," Dad agreed, "We thought we saw you pull in. You've grown up before our eyes."

Aaron grinned at our parents' coddling before turning to my friends and me, "Just wanted to catch up with Syd and her friends." And then his gaze zeroed in on Cole, who was returning from the bathroom.

"Who're you?" Aaron asked, squaring his shoulders and dropping his voice an octave.

"I'm a friend of Sydney's. We used to go to school together when she was staying with her aunt," Cole replied, "I'm assuming you're Aaron her brother."

"Damn straight," Aaron clipped, taking a step closer to Cole. Though Cole had at least three inches on my brother and twenty pounds of muscle, Aaron could be intimidating when he wanted to be.

Cole was trying to catch my eye, but I pretended to busy myself with adding more wood to the fire.

My parents flanked Aaron, and the rest of us laughed at the scene before us. My stomach churned and heart twisted as I thought about the end of the year. I don't want this to end.