But...it's different for me, and I wish he'd see this, too.

I grew up with Jamieson.

I've known him for years.

And I've seen the side of him that no one else sees.

When people look at Jamieson, all they see is the swag.

The party-boy image he's cultivated for the reality TV show he's been a part of since his college years.

They see him without really knowing him, whereas I...

When I look at Jamieson, I still see the teenage boy who secretly funded the retirement party of his old football coach.

I still see the guy who never misses a call from his grandpa, no matter where he is or what he's doing.

And even though it's been years since I last saw the boy I first fell in love with—-

"He's not evil," I hear myself say.

I can't bear to think that Jamieson is beyond redemption.

"No," Mr. Special Ops stuns me by agreeing. "He's not evil. But the past you share with him has blinded you."

"He can still change back—-"

"Yes, Alysse."

The way he says my name doesn't feel right.

"Hecanchange," he acknowledges. "So why hasn't he?"

Chapter Four

"YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOURname."

"You never asked for it."

I nearly trip over my own feet at his words.

He asked me earlier to change back into my clothes, and I did.

He told me to come with him if I wanted the truth, and I did.

He's been high-handed from the start, and nowthis?

"You could've just told me."

"Perhaps I wanted you to care enough to ask."

This time, Idotrip over my own feet in my shock, but Mr. Special Ops cups my elbow in time and pulls me back like a natural-born knight in camouflage.

And who says he isn't, really?

I've already lost count of the number of impossible things that have happened, and I still haven't had breakfast.

When it rains, it pours, and today is obviously one of those days that things will get crazier by the minute.