It had been a freezing winter morning, the sun just barely peeking through the treetops of the nearby forest. The drive up to Headquarters had been long and dark, as I had been commanded to arrive by five am and the drive itself was nearly two hours.

“Why does Headquarters have to be in the middle of nowhere?” I complained to Michael, who had been the one to drive us.

“Because,” he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation to have to explain this to me again. “It would be easy to find and infiltrate if it was out in the middle of the city, where just anybody could observe us.”

I remain silent, staring down at the large building that would be my new home for the next two years, during my training. Michael had parked on a small cliff that looked down onto the WSA grounds, claiming that I should get a look at it before I went inside.

I studied the layout, trying to commit it to memory in hopes it would help me not get lost on my first day. The biggest building, which Mikey had pointed out as the Main Office, stood in the middle of the cluster of buildings. There was a field near the Main Office, which appeared to be both a football and a soccer field, with a track lining it. A smaller building sat near the field, and Mikey told me that was the workout room, as well as the showers. A few buildings that looked like apartments were nearby the showers, which I assumed was where my room was. Michael pointed out a few other buildings, like the classrooms, infirmary, and cafeteria.

I stood in silence, trying to fight the overwhelming anxiety that was starting to sweep in. Michael glanced up at me and placed a hand on my back, leading me back to the car.

“C’mon, kid, we’re gonna be late.” When I didn’t respond, he chuckled, saying, “Don’t worry, I was nervous the first day, too. You’ll love it here,” he winks, and I manage to give him a smile.

We drove down the road, finally coming to a stop in the parking lot outside of the Main Office. I glanced up at the large building, and before I could lose my nerve I got out of the car and made my way to the front.

We walked down the halls, Mikey pointing out a few rooms as we headed towards the orientation room. We had been a little early, but still the room was already filling up. Mike led me to a seat near the front, and we sat down, waiting for the orientation to begin.

“Didn’t you already listen to this last year?” I whisper to him.

He pats my shoulder, giving me a lopsided grin. “What, you want me to leave? I thought the whole point of driving you here was to stay with you and make sure no one threw you in a trash can!” He had said this last part a little too loudly, in my opinion, but instead of commenting I simply shrug, putting my attention back on the stage.

A woman walks up the stairs leading up the stage, coming at a stop in front of the microphone.

Despite my excitement and nerves for this very orientation, I never was great at paying attention. I had immediately zoned out as soon as she opened her mouth, and had fallen asleep sometime after the first hour.

Michael had elbowed me at the end of it, waking me from an intense dream about ice cream, giant hamsters, and Brittany Spears. Don't ask.

After a long lecture from Mike about how I should take this opportunity that I have been given seriously, he caught me up on the basics: I will be trained on everything there is to know to being a spy, from physical training to learning the top ten most used languages in the world. I would go on small missions here or there, but wouldn’t truly be considered a member of the WSA until I completed my training. After my two years of training, I would go on a real mission to determine whether or not I was good enough.

I remember the excitement I had felt that day. Who knew I would end up like this two years later.

The memory of the day faded with each step I took toward Head Supervisor Deanne’s office. Nostalgia was replaced by irritation. Could I not get a single week of peace around here?