Nicole was NOT a morning person.  She was glad of the academy's odd schedual for odd students.  They let you pick 2-3 class days and 2-3 home/out-on-the-field/homework days.  Of course, they also had 5 day a week programs and even 6 days!  But Nicole had chosen to have class Tues/Thurs.  Because of work the other days, she did all her homework when she got home.  This wasn't normal school.  Homework was for a full day...but Nicole was used to odd schools. 

Classes didn't start until 9, but that didn't mean our detective wasn't already out of bed at 6:30.  She had work to do.  Tripping out of bed, she proceeded with all the normal teenage-girl cleanliness and beauty right-of-passage (don't worry, we all did!) until, by 7:24, she was out the door with her backpack. 

"Good," she thought.  "I'll have just about an hour for work."

You see, Alex's comments had gotten Nicole thinking.  And later that had been followed with a message from the chief letting her and ALex know they had the job.  So now, research.  Nicole used to say it the only time she wasn't lethargic in the early mornings is when she was getting up to go sing somewhere, but as it turned out, Carmen turned out to be a pretty good motivater too. 

Nicole giggled as she realized her job was pretty much to be a stalker!  But oh well...it was quite interesting.  And where Carmen Sandiego is concerned...well! 

Nicole was surrprised as she took out her red laptop in the computer room to see she was not alone.  A guy from her class named Garrett  was there too.  He lived pretty near to Nicole's aunt's home where her family stayed, and Nicole had gotten to know and love Garrett's little sisters, Bailey (8) and Amanda (6).  She burried herself down, as he seemed absorbed with his work.  But then he turned towards her.  Swoopy (almost) black, wavy hair and big brown eyes...it got her every time.  His skin was tanned and he was a little more thin than trim!  But then again, so was Nicole.  His smile was bright and perfect.

"Hey Nissa!" he called her by the nickname Nicole's friends called her--unless they forgot and Heaven forbid they called her Niki! 

"Nissa" as she has been refered to smiled and replied, "Hello Garrett!  You're up early."

"Well, I had...school.  I kinda need a good grade in history right now.  And that's beside all the detective classes!  What about you?"

"Me, I had research to do," Nissa smiled.

"Must have been someone special to have gotten you up at this hour!  One would think you had to catch and early flight to Macedonia!"

Nicole laughed!  They had a running joke when they both joined ACME about being double agents--Nicole for Macedonia (she had a friend in a high place there) and Garrett as a spy trying to restore Czechoslovakia!  It's a long story, and that joke had caused a few raised eyebrows around ACME. 

"It's Carmen, actually.  I...got lucky."

"Haha, Nissa!  Good for you!"  He smiled that perfect smile again.

"Thanks, but Alex--she just joined too--helped me out a ton.  But I should let you get back to work."

"Okey dokey.  Have fun!" Garrett teased.

Nissa made a face, and clicked on a website.  The day had started well.