Entry: 8

Entry: 8
    - A new look…oh dear

   “Mom. Mom, look I’m fine.”
Finnley embraced her teary-eyed mother.
   “I’m fine. I’m fine.”
Her mom cried into her daughter’s shoulder.

Mrs. Leavenworth had gotten home several hours before Finnley got home.
Jayson had dropped her off, and was staying in his apartment just down the road.
Finn’s mom went crazy, and pelted Jay with question. Thankfully she didn’t yell at him, in fact she took everything quiet calmly.
Until he left that is.

   “I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep you away.” Her mom muttered as she pulled away, and looked Finnley in the eye.
   “You’re too much like your father. I just thank God that I’ve had you for sixteen years.”
Finnley smiled.
   “And you’ll have me many more. It’ll be fine mom.”
Her mom sighed and wiped her face.
   “Just be safe, ok? I know I won’t be able to change your mind. However I’m going to have a word with Martha.”
Finn chuckled when there was a knock on the door.
Her mom walked over and when she opened it, she made an exasperated sigh.
   “Darling, I’d say by the look on this poor kid’s face, an alien is probably rampaging through L.A.”
Finnley nodded.
    “Ok-”
   “But, why don’t you go change quickly.”
Finn nodded slowly, and turned to run up the stairs to her bedroom.

Mrs. Leavenworth turned to Jayson with a stern look, and he knew he was going to get a talking-to. (Not that he’s ever had one before, however.)
   “Promise me, you’ll keep her safe.”
Jayson nodded.
   “Promise me, you’ll make sure she doesn’t over do it.”
   “I promise Mrs. Leavenworth. I’ll do all I can to keep her safe.”
   “I know you’ll keep that promise.” She chuckled, ad gazed off at some point in the distance.
   “How do you know?”
She smiled, and looked down at him.
   “Because, I see the way you look at her. I knew from the first time you walked through my door, you two would be irrespirable. Though I will give you credit for trying.
That first week. Haha. You put yourself and her through a whole lot of troubles. But I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away.”
   “How?”
   “Because, you’re just like her father. Exactly like her father.
I knew who you worked for when I saw how you looked at Finnley. You stare at her like you’re trying to figure out if she’s one of those dreaded Hyven . But no matter how hard you look, you just see Finnley. Her dad use to look at me the same way.” Mrs. Leavenworth seemed to know the exact thoughts running through Jay’s mind, and he figured this was what Finn kept saying was a little freaky.

   “Why?” He piped up. “Why would you let me into her life when you knew I would only put her in more danger?”
Finnley’s mom smiled at him sympathetically.
   “Because I knew that God had a plan in bringing you into our lives. And I’m glad in away, that you weren’t able to stay away. She needs someone like you.”
She paused then turned serious.
   “But I swear, if you even think  about touching her in an none-honoring way, I will slit your throat.”
Never before had Jayson ever had a mom threaten him.
   “Trust me,” He said. “she’d kill me before I had the chance!”
Her mom seemed satisfied. A little.
   “Besides our relationship is more of a…brother-sister kind of love. Which is completely fine with the both of us.”

Finnley came down the stairs in rain boots, and an old rain jacket. Her hair was in a messy bun.
   “Why are you dressed like that?” Jay asked when she came into view.
Finnley pointed outside.
   “You never know when it’s going to rain on you.” She replied poetically.
Jayson looked up at the sky. Sure it was over cast, but it wasn’t raining.
   “Uh-huh. Well come on. Martha wants you in. Something about a new mission and a new look.”
   “A new look?!” She and her mother exclaimed. Jay nodded.
   “Don’t know what that means, but we had better get going.”
   “Oh wait!” Her mom cried. Running back into the house, she left Finnley studying Jayson like a painting, trying to see if he knew more then he was letting on.
A few moments latter she came back with a camera.
   “Take pictures of that ‘new look’ and send htem to me.” She ordered, handing over the camera.
Finnley chuckled and shoved it into her pocket.
   “I’ll see what I can do mom. See you latter.” She reached over and gave her mom a hug.
Giving Jayson a look, he nodded and led Finn to a cherry red convertible mustang.
Sliding into the passenger’s seat, she realized she felt more at home in it.
   “Where did you get this one?” She asked as he pulled up the roof and locked it in place.
   “This one is actually mine.” He said as he turned it on.
A grin crossed her face when she heard the familiar rumble.
   “Then who’s is the other one?”
A boyish grin crossed his face.
   “Not mine.”
Finnley scoffed and waved bye to her mom.
   “1968 Shelby GT500KR. Not a bad choice.” She remarked. “And I imagine it has a Cobra Jet engine?”
Jay was taken aback by her knowledge of his car.
   “Yeah…how did you know?”
   “My dad had the exact same one when I was growing up.” She turned in her seat and looked at the back.
   “Though not so good if you’re trying to carry surf boards.”
That slipped out of her, and she immediately bit her tongue.
   “Surf boards?” Jay asked as he braked for a red light.
Finn just nodded and turned to look out the window.
Jayson got the feeling that he wasn’t going to get anything else out of her, and he didn’t want to push her.

They sat in silence for awhile and neither of them felt the need to break it.
However, Finnley got the feeling that Jay was trying to figure out how to start a conversation.
   “So what was my mom scolding you for?” She asked with a teasing grin.
Jay chuckled.
   “For being a lot like your dad.”
Finnley nodded and almost laughed.
   “Yeah, I agree. You are a lot like my dad.”
   “I spent most of my time trying to grow up to be like him. Guess I succeeded huh?”
Finnley smiled.
   “Yeah. And in more ways then one.”
Jay nodded.
   “So, I was thinking-”
   “Oh dear we’re in trouble now.” Finn interrupted sarcastically. Jay rolled his eyes and continued.
   “Sense you are now officially an agent. That deserves some kind of celebration.”
   “A celebration?” Finnley repeated slowly. “I’m not really one for parties.”
   “I was thinking of ice cream, sense I don’t do parties either.”
   “Oh.” She wasn’t quiet sure what to say to that. “Where?”
Jay drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel.
   “There’s a place I always go down at the beach. It’s not really ice cream, but it’s as good as.”
That’s when it all came crashing down on her.
   “The beach?”
   “Yeah. I mean you only live five minutes away from the beach.”
   “I don’t want to go to the beach.” Finn said quietly as she sunk lower into the seat.
   “What do you mean you don’t want to go to the beach>“
Jay was confused. (obviously)
   “Exactly that. I-I can’t.”
Finnley turned to the window again and wiped away a stray tear.
Jay wanted to know why. She lived five minutes away from an amazing beach, yet she claimed she couldn’t go. (Who can’t go to the beach?!)
But he decided not to say anything. She would tell him if she felt like it.
But at the moment, she wasn’t ready.

For the rest of the ride, they talked about possible different “looks”, and each one was funnier then the last. They decided that the only way to really know, was to wait and see.
   Arriving at the abandoned bank building, Finnley couldn’t get to Martha’s office fast enough.
Martha was talking to someone on her cell phone. She held up a finger and turned away from the two of them.
Kaden came in with a tablet in his hand and a mic piece on his ear.
   “Oh, hey.” He said as he came up on the other side of Finn.
   “Hello, what are you doing?” She asked as she looked down at his tablet.
   “Oh, just designing some gadgets.”
   “You design gadgets?” She asked in subtle surprise.
   “Yup. I’m the head of the experimenting class. So I design most of the gadgets, yes.”
She raised her eyebrows and looked Kaden up and down.
Today he had on skinny jeans with converse and a button up grey shirt with the sleeves pushed up.
He looked a little more “normal” then the last time she saw him. (Though she wasn’t to hip on the skinny jeans.)
But she still thought Jay looked better of the two.
   “So I hear you’re getting a new look.”
Kaden remarked.
Finnley nodded.
   “So I’ve heard.” She remarked.
   “I hope it’ll be a little more…”
Finn turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
   “Uh…feminine.” He decided finally.
Jayson chuckled.
   “Finn? Feminine?! Yeah right.” He remarked.
Kaden shrugged.
   “It could happen. You never know. Anyways, good luck Finnley. Enjoy it.”
He patted her shoulder and left.
Martha hung up and turned to Jayson and Finnley.
   “Sorry about that, had to fix some last minute tweaks. Now I’m going to jump right in here, and I need you to try and keep up alright?”
Both kids nodded.
   “Right. Now Finnley, I am not assigning you to a specific agent. Instead I am going to assign you to a team. This team is only filled with agents your age. The team is made up with you, Jayson, Kaden, Maxxie, and another filed agent that has been working under cover for several years.
She is actually from the British branch, and has been State side for several years. Here is her file.”
The kids stepped forward and took the handed files.
Finnley flipped it open and saw a picture of girl with icy blue eyes and raven black hair.
She didn’t look exactly friendly, but Finn kept an open mind.

Above the girl’s picture was her name and age.
   “Rabekah Harrison. A.K.A The Silence.” (Silence was her code name. Just as Assassin was Finnley’s.)
   “Is seventeen years old and excels at martial arts, marksmanship, she’s an amazing sniper. But anyways, she is very capable of handling herself, that was all I meant.”
   “What has she been doing?” Jay asked.
   “She has been at a school sense her freshman year. And though she has refused help time and time again, she has now agreed. Though rather reluctantly. So you five will now be a special field team.”
   “Do we have a name?” Finnley asked out of pure curiosity.
Jayson shot her a look.
   “Of all the questions you could have asked, you asked if we had a name.” He shook his head and laughed. “You are such a girl!”
Finnley placed her hands on her hips and gave him a cold stair.
   “Yes I am Jayson Stone! Deal with it!” Just to show that she was teasing, she stuck out her tongue before turning away.
Martha chuckled at their little argument.
   “Yes, as a matter of fact you do. The Phantom Team.”
Finn exchanged glances with Jay and they both agreed they liked it.
   “Now what am I here for?” She asked.
   “Right. Rabekah is in an all girls boarding school, close to Orlando. It’s called Majestic Academy for Young Women.”
Finn couldn’t control her expression at that moment.
   “I see you’ve heard of it.” Martha remarked.
   “Heard of it?! Who hasn’t?! Their full of snobby rich girls who are obsessed with the ‘next big thing’, who’s going out with who, yadeyadeya. It’s annoying.” Finn tried to control her tone but wasn’t sure she succeeded.
   “Well yes. That is true, but moving on. You are enrolling in the Academy to help Rabekah out. Seeing as Jayson can’t go in there for obvious reasons, you are an answer to our prayers. Now come, you need to have a full examination and a tracking device.”
Martha noticed the fear in Finnley’s eyes as they moved through H.Q.
   “Don’t worry, the tracker will only give us G.P.S coordinates. And the examination is for the school paperwork. Mandatory. Maxxie will take care of it so no worries. And then you’ll head over to make-up, where you’ll have your transformation.”
Martha stopped walking and Finnley peered around her.
Maxxie was standing in a blue nurse uniform, complete with gloves.
   “Hey Finnley!” She cried excitedly as she walked over and gave Finn a hug. Finnley did notice, however, that she was still wearing her platform shoes.
   “Hey Maxxie. Why are you wearing gloves?”
She was a little alarmed.
   “Huh? Oh. These are just standard procedure. Makes one look more like a doctor.” Maxxie cried with glee as she walked back into a white room with extremely foggy glass.
   “I hate doctors.” Finn stated through unmoving lips.
Jay gripped her shoulder tightly.
   “It’ll be fine. Just like a check-up. And those are never too painful. I’ll see you after your ’transformation’ what ever that means. You’ll do fine.”
She nodded dumbly and squeezed his arm.
Then remembering what Christ had told her only a few days before, she bravely walked into the room.

++++

An hour found her sitting on an examination table in a hospital gown after a full physical and complete x-rays.
Now Maxxie was having her look into a contraption and recite the letters back to her.
   “Z…M…W…C…And that’s it.”
Maxxie made a note on her clip board and nodded.
   “Ok you’re sight is spick and span.”
   “I could have told you that.” She remarked with a smile.
   “True. Alrighty then, I’m done here. Now you get to head over to Wanda! She’ll be doing your transformation. ‘kay?”
   “Do I get to put some clothes back on?” Finn asked. Glancing down at her gown.
Maxxie laughed. “Nope. Wanda will take care of that. She’s in the next room over on the right.’
   “Okey dokey. See ya!” Finn hopped down and made for the door.
   “Yup. Oh hey!”
Finn turned around.
   “Welcome to the Phantom Team.”
Finnley laughed.
   “Thanks Maxxie!”

Down the hall, Finnley was welcomed by a thiry year old woman from Kenya, Africa.
Wanda had her sitting in a salon chair and had quickly washed her long hair.
   “My goodness!” She exclaimed in a thick accent Finnley understood perfectly.
   “You have beautiful hair!”
   “Thank you.”
   “Now, I’m just going to bring your hair back to it’s orginal color and just give it a strait trim alright?”
Finnley nodded, and Wanda went to work.
Finnley had blond highlights in her hair that had begun to fade awhile back. Now it just didn’t look good at all.
So after Wanda had let the paste sit for an hour or so, she was glad to see it all just gone.
Wanda then put a little shape to the bottom of her hair by cutting it just a little, then went to work blow drying it.
To Finn’s request, she didn’t cut any bangs, and took no length from her long hair.
So two hours latter, Finnley was looking at her childhood self, grown up.
She had thick glossy dark brown hair that fell close to her waist.
   “Beautiful. Now on to a fun part.” Wanda pulled out a rolling table from against the wall and Finnley was shocked to see all of the make-up.

   “I understand you have never warn make-up before. Correct?”
Finn nodded.
   “Then I show you how.” Wanda set out dozens of little cases and arranged them neatly.
   “Now, you are a natural beauty. So, all I am going to do is highlight that beauty the Lord has already blessed you with.”
So, she then hit the brushes.
   As Wanda worked magic on Finnley’s face, she showed her how to do it all. She even had Finn wash her face, and do it herself.
Once Finn was confidant that she knew what she was doing, and all she needed was more practice, Wanda fixed up the make-up and stepped back so Finnley could gape at herself.
She only wore a light foundation with a little blush on her cheeks. Black eyeliner and mascara made her eyes really pop. Though she didn’t wear any eye shadow. (Wanda claimed she didn’t need any)
   “Wow. I never thought I could look this good.” Finn remarked.
   “Of course you can. Now sense you are so young, make sure you wash your face every night and morning and don’t apply to much on or it will ruin your completion. Here.”
She handed Finnley a cosmetics bag with everything she had just used inside.
   “I also added lip gloss. Stay away from lip-stick.”
Finnley nodded in understanding.
   “Now. To the clothes. My favorite part!” Wanda exclaimed.

Finnley placed the bag on the counter and followed Wanda over to the opposite wall of the fuchsia colored room.
Taking out a tablet, Wanda pressed a button and Finn gasped.
In front of her stood…her!
A holographic her, but her none the less.
And the holographic Finnley looked exactly like the real Finnley did now, same amount of make-up, same hair cut, everything!
Even down to her french tipped manicure.
(which Wanda had down while they were waiting for the paste to set in.)

   “Cool huh?” Wanda asked.
All Finnley could do was nod.
    “Alright. Majestic Academy has a uniform. Here is yours.” Wanda pressed a button, and the holographic Finnley now wore a blue and grey plaid, pleated skirt with a white button down shirt and knitted vest that had the Majestic seal on it.
   “Now, you can have it in different colors as well. Pink, teal, purple, and then navy blue. You will have one of each color. But that’s just your school uniform.
These are very highly educated girls, so they will dress rich yes?”
Finn nodded.
   “Well that means in order to blend in, you do as well. You will have to dress this way too. Most of these clothes are tailored just for you and are of the highest quality. Now there are thousands of outfits, but you will go through and pick out what you like.”
Wanda handed over the tablet and Finnley scrolled through dozens of outfits, plus accessories!
They both had a lot of fun and Finnley was finally able to find some outfits she liked.
Choosing an outfit she wanted to wear that day was a little difficult.

   “So…you made your move yet?”
   “What?!”
   “Oh come on. Any guy would have made a move ages ago!”
Jayson felt like punching his annoying half-brother.
Instead he crossed his hands over his chest and leaned against the wall of the lounge room where everyone was gathered. Well, everyone but Finnley.
Who hadn’t showed up yet.
   “No I haven’t. And you make it sound like a chess move!” He growled.
Kaden scoffed and rolled his eyes as he crossed his ankles that rested on the coffee table.
   “Of course you haven’t. Jeez you are so slow Jayson! It’s so easy! All you do is give her a smooch, and she’s yours!”
Jay tried hard not to laugh. Same as everyone else in the room.
   “A ‘smooch’?! Really?!”
Kaden scowled.
   “I sure hope neither of you are thinking about doing that to me. Or I swear you’ll both be on the floor with almost every bone in your body unusable.”
Everyone turned around and gasps ran through the room as they all caught a glimpse of the “transformation.”

Finnley was wearing loose skinny jeans, (yes there is such a thing) with bright teal high top converse.
Under the Nancy Drew styled trench coat, she wore a pink blouse that was made from a sheen material. (she wore a white camisole under it) It buttoned up in the front and tied loosely in the back. From the square neckline, ruffles ran along each side of the buttons.
Her chocolate brown hair was let down, and parted to the left. Wanda had braided the right side, near her forehead. Then it was held in place by a small white bow.
All in all, she was stunning.

   “Oh…my…gosh.” Kaden muttered.
Maxxie let out a squeal and ran forward.
   “Oh! You look amazing!! I would hug you but I don’t want to mess anything up.”
Finnley laughed and hugged Maxxie anyway.
Martha gave her a generous complement, and Kaden couldn’t keep his eyes off her. (Yet neither could Jayson.)
   “Keep your mouth open any longer, and you’re going to catch flies.” She said with a sly grin, as she passed Kaden.
   “You…look beautiful.” He muttered.
I hate him. Jay decided.
   “Yeah well, they say beauty can kill.”
Finn said with a shrug all innocent like. But Jay caught the subtle, evil grin.
She finally met Jay’s intensive stair again, and gave him a sweet smile with pearly pink lips.
   “What do you think?” She asked.
Jay took a sweeping glance and chewed his bottom lip.
   “I think…you can forget shopping in the boy’s department.” He said finally.
Finnley laughed and nodded in agreement. Sending her hair into a ripple.
   “Definitely.” She agreed. “Oh!” She dug into the pocket of her trench coat.
Pulling out a camera, she handed it to Maxxie.
   “My mom want’s pictures.” Maxxie laughed and turned the camera on.
Finnley posed with the same sweet smile.
Click!
   “Thank you.” Finn then seemed nervous when she saw that everyone was still starring at her.
   “Ok. Can you stop now?” She asked. That snapped most everyone out of it.
   “Alright. Take a seat everyone.” Marthat instructed.
They all ended up sitting in pairs. Kaden and Maxxie, Jayson and Finnley.
   “So as you all know. Finnley is enrolled in Majestic Academy as of right now. WE only have a few hours before Jayson has to take her to school.
Finnley, you’ll find all of your school supplies and books in locker 108. Here’s the combination.” Martha handed over a sticky note with a string of numbers on it.
Finnley nodded, and then raised her hand. Not sure how to ask a question.
   “Yes?” Martha asked.
   “I’m…not boarding there am I?”
Martha shook her head.
   “No. It’s only a few blocks from your house, you can walk, or Jayson will drive you. Either way, no. You don’t have to board.”
Finn nodded and Martha continued.
   “Rabekah is one grade ahead of you, but you’ll have some classes together so you’ll be together a good while.
Kaden.”
Martha sat down as Kaden stepped forward. He laid a whole bunch of knick-knacks on the table. Finn saw a charm bracelet, a round blush pallet with a mirror, a cell phone decorated with rhinestones, and a lip gloss.
   “Alright, now the fun stuff.” He said as he picked up the charm bracelet.
   “Oh hey,” Finn looked up at him. “Say ’hi’ to Miranda for me.”
Sighs and chuckles ran through the room.
   “Who’s Miranda?” Finn asked. The only one outside the loop.
   “Kaden’s dream girl.” Jay jumped in. “He’s never talked to her, however.”
   “No instead he just watches from a distance.” Maxxie said with a laugh.
Kaden rolled his eyes.
   “Ok, ok. Whatever. Moving on!”
Everyone’s attention went back to the bracelet.
   “Alright. Ordinary Italian charm bracelet right?”
Finn shook her head.
   “Wrong. You wouldn’t bother showing it if it was ordinary, so what does it do?”
Kaden groaned and shot her a look.
   “Oh! Sorry. Didn’t know I wasn’t suppose to contradict you. My apologize Kaden, please continue.”
She gave him a smile that she knew would make him forget it.
   “Ok, so Mickey Mouse charm,” He pointed to Mickey’s head made out of blue stones.
   “That sends out an electric shock to who ever you point it at. I’m not going to demonstrait because that would just be dumb. But you just have to squeeze his ears together.”
Finn nodded in understanding and Kaden moved on.
   “Next, this charm,” He pointed to a charm that said “Angel” with a halo above the ’A’.
   “Is…a seduction charm.”
   “A…seduction charm?!” Finnley repeated. “Are you serious?! Why on Earth would I need that?!”
   “You never know. And it’s my job to make sure you’re prepared for anything.”
Finnley sighed.
   “Ok, but what do you mean by ’seduction’? how does it work?” She asked.
   “All you have to do is run your finger over it, it’ll give out a strong perfume like…stuff, that will give you control over who ever it hits for exactly two minutes.”
Everyone’s eyebrows rose and jaws slacked.
   “You’re kidding.” Finnley gapped.
   “Nope. I’m serious. And get this, it’ll only work with your finger. See,” He ran his finger over the charm. Nothing happened. “I programmed it for you alone. So, moving on.” He pointed to the last charm, a dangling sand dollar.
   “This one can pick locks using a small exsplosive. But there’s only one, so use it only when you really need it.”
Kaden handed over the charm bracelet, and Finn slid it on to her wrist.
   “Cell phone!” He picked it up and held it out.
   “Yeah who decorated that?” Maxxie asked. Pausing her gum chewing momentarily.
   “Because they did a horrific job.”
The girls chuckled and Kaden looked hurt.
   “Well sorry if you don’t like my design. Deal with it.”
That’s when everyone burst out laughing uncontrollably.
   “You-you did that?” Finnley asked in between laughing fits.
   “Well I thought you were always a little too in touch with your feminine side.”
Maxxie muttered out of breath.
   “Ok, can we just get back to the point?” He asked with obvious annoyance.
   “Finnley,”
She took deep breaths to calm herself down as he got her attention.
   “This is an alien scanner. Press 8-0-1 and the scanner will activate. Point the end of the phone in a person’s general direction, and it will tell you if that person has human genes or alien genes. Pretty simple.”
He handed it over and picked up the travel blush pallet.
   “This is a camera. Press this button here,” He turned it and showed a small button near the mirror. He pressed it and the reflective coating on the mirror disappeared, and Finnley could see the beanie bag chairs that were behind Kaden.
   “Press the button on the side to take a picture, press and hold the one on the top and the mirror will come back. I also programmed it to send Jayson all the pictures you take.”
Finnley nodded again as she took the pallet from Kaden.
   “And last, but not least, the lip gloss. Which isn’t lip gloss at all. Duh. But anyway,” He twisted the lid and pulled out the brush.
He pressed the top down and aimed the brush at the wall behind him.
A blue beam shot out of it, and when it hit the wall, it made a hole in it that singed.
   “Your own mini gun. It’ll cut through thing cement and up to five inches of steel. And…that’s it.”
Finnley stared down at all of these amazing gadgets.
   “I have to say Kaden,” She said slowly. “You are a genius. Even if you are a little weird.”
Kaden nodded and reached down to give her a side ways hug.
   “Jayson.” Martha said, giving him a head nod.
   “Alright.” He moved forward. “Everyone link hands.”
Finnley emptied her hands and took a hold of Jayson’s with her left, and Kaden’s with her right. Martha and Maxxie linked hands with each other and the boys.
Bowing their heads, Jayson prayed for everyone’s safty and for a successful mission.
When everyone muttered “amen’s” Finnley looked around and knew that they would be spending a lot of time together.