Darkness. All I can see is Darkness. It envelops me. It consumes me. It controls me. Darkness.

The day began as it normally would. I caught the number 12 bus that stops just 2 streets from the school's entrance. I walked the rest of the way, and just before walking through the rusty, metal gates, I see Preston. He jogs up to me, and when he comes up shortly, is in a panic. He starts speaking rapidly about another global-warming conspiracy. I interrupt and calm him down. He takes a deep breath and smiles sweetly.

"Thanks Keri, I think I needed that," I smile back. "It's just… I've been so wound up lately, I think I might need to relax just a little."

I nod and reply that he definitely has seemed a little over tired, based on the black rings under his eyes. He lights up, like he has just thought of a way to save the rainforest!

"Say, Keri, would you be interested for joining me for lunch tomorrow?" I do a double-take. Is he asking me out?

"Are you asking me out?" He grins sheepishly.

"Yes, sort of. So, would you?" I'm at lost for words. Just as I was about to come up with an excuse and sneak away swiftly, I see a certain blue-eyed boy from the corner of my eye. A sharp pang hits my chest suddenly and I feel out of breath. I shift my eyes back to Preston, only to see them filled with curiosity as to what I might say.

He's staring from across the courtyard now, watching my every move. I rub my neck uncomfortably. But then I wonder, what's it to him. He hasn't made a move. I set my jaw. Why shouldn't I have some fun? I'm not going to let a silly little feeling get in the way of me having a good time. I stand up a little taller and smile dazzlingly at Preston. I wait until a certain boy is in ear-shot. When he is, I reply,

"Actually, I think… I'm all free tomorrow! I'd love to go out with you" And who knows? Maybe Preston won't be so bad.

Darkness. It's closing in on me. I'm sinking in to nothingness. A black empty pit of pain. Darkness.

Tap. Tap. Tap. I strum my pencil on my desk in time with the clock. Mrs King's voice draining out of earshot and getting quieter and quieter as I chew my tongue thoughtfully. I wonder where Preston is taking me tomorrow. I am so deep in my own thoughts, that I barely notice when Tom is tugging at my shirt sleeve desperately. I shake my head clear of my daydreams and turn to him. He points to the door then shows me his communicator. It's flashing. We have a mission. And I was not going to daydream through it.

As we all hurried to the Store Cupboard, Aneisha starts to question me about my conversation with Preston.

"Is it true he asked you out?" She exclaims. I nod.

"Yeah, at the gates. He was really sweet about it." I can see Dan's fists clench as he runs faster. I sigh. If only what I saw was real. That look I think I see when he looks at me. But, I think now, and realise that all he sees is a reminder of Zoe. Except more annoying as he has put it before. I shake my head again. I thought there was supposed to be no more daydreams. Get your head in the game Keri.

We reach the door and I slide the hatch aside. I press my thumb on the cool surface of the pad and wait for a click. When it does, I push the cover back, and open the door. When we have all stepped inside, it feels slightly more cramped. So cramped, in fact, that I feel every movement of the one that stands beside me, shoulder to shoulder. And just my luck, it's Dan. Every rustle of our clothes brushing against each other sends millions of shocks and shivers up my spine. I take a deep breath and pull the handle.

Exiting the lift first, I run out into the cool air and spaced area of HQ. Happy to be able to breathe again, I sit down at the table and put all my focus on Frank as he greets us and begins to explain our new mission.

"Team, you have a new mission. And I have a feeling you're not going to like it."