Title: Young but Never Beautiful
Rating: T to be safe :)
Genres: AU; drama, romance, hurt and comfort
Pairings: As of now, Peddie (more will come)
A/N: Ooh, look, a new style for author's notes :)
Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing fantastic as it is now summer time! Yay! I am super excited for summer for lots of reasons that I won't go into now, since y'all came here to read a story, not about my life :) I am also happy because this is my tenth story on the site! :)
I haven't written a story like this before, so let me explain a few things. This is not a crossover! It is a HoA story that is based off of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It will be like the novel in some ways, but I'm going to write this like it has the Gatsby effect. It won't be exactly like the book, however there shall be some reconizable quotes, themes, names, and certain scenarios used as well, but they shall be tweaked. For example: when Fabian comes to New York is like when Nick comes to New York, only their reasons for doing so are different. See? Get it? Hooray! :)
Character list as of now: Fabian Rutter as Nick Carraway (main character). Eddie Miller and Patricia Williamson are introduced in this chapter, however they DO NOT follow any characters from Fitzgerald's novel. They are some of my favorite character so I had to include them :) I'll introduce the rest when they appear.
And please, if you have read the book or seen the movie, please DO NOT spoil it for others who haven't! What you think you may know might not even happen in this story...oh yeah, I just messed with your minds hehehe :)
I am so excited to write this! The Great Gatsby is one of my all time favorite novels EVER, so I do hope you enjoy this!
Disclaimer: I don't own HoA or The Great Gatsby
Young but Never Beautiful
i.
Friday, June 21st, 2019
Honking. Endless honking. Endless, loud, annoying honking. Would it ever stop? Fabian Rutter did not know what to think but he honestly hoped traffic would ease up and this blasted honking would end. He tried to not let it damper his good mood. He was gazing out the taxicab window, feeling tired and wonderstruck as he stared amazedly at the grand New York City. He was smack dead in the Big Apple, stuck in a two-lane road in the middle of rush hour, in between building after building and surrounded by those who were smart and decided to walk to their destinations. Fabian knew when he had booked his flight here that he should have chosen an early or late arriving plane, but this flight was the only one available during the time he had scheduled off of work. At least this way it allowed him to soak in every beautiful, mysterious thing NYC had to offer before he reached his destination.
Although he was extremely glad to be here, it was already 5:30 pm and he was awfully tired. The heat sure wasn't helping his eyes from almost drooping shut and his forming migraine. It would be late night in England and cool weather would have taken over by now. The taxi driver suggested he rest since it seemed they would be parked here a while, but Fabian politely said, "thanks, but no thanks." So what if the circumstances weren't exactly ideal? He was in America—New York City of all places! Fabian had never been to this country; he was supposed to go with an old girlfriend of his when still at Anubis, but things had…changed so those plans were trashed. New York was overwhelming yet so gorgeous and even more so in NYC: the city that never sleeps, the city dramatized too often in movies and television, the city that practically made America "America." It was too good to be true. Fabian felt like he wasn't one that would blend in to this lifestyle too easily (i.e. his British accent, tourist map in hand and geek chic personality would surely give him away to the locals) but Fabian Rutter was never one to turn down a new adventure.
Though exhausted, he was more than ecstatic to be here. It was hard being all alone in England. He was ready to mingle and live with some of his old friends again. Fabian had applied to Oxford during his senior year of high school and was accepted quicker than most applicants—he was highly wanted due to his excellent academic performances. He decided to attend while most of Anubis House had gone seperate ways. Mara Jaffray was the only one to follow him to Oxford—the school snatched her up quick as well (maybe evern faster than Fabian). Still in a relationship at the time, it was wonderful for Fabian to have her with him, all to himself. They had a fun and stimulating time together, but unfortunately things went sour by their sophomore year. They had mutely chosen to break up. It was hard making time for each other after freshmen year due to their conflicting college schedules and both were frustrated they never could spend time together. It was for the best but Mara and Fabian had stayed good friends for the remaining three years of school.
Other than Mara, all of Fabian's other friends had moved to America after Anubis. Mara had, in fact, succumbed to the states after graduating Oxford and was rooming with KT Rush and Willow Jenks the last time Fabian had spoken with her. Fabian didn't really know much about his friends' current lives. He only knew what they had told him three years ago.
Amber Millington was in New York, still attending fashion school and "making the world a prettier, more Amber like place" (her words, not Fabian's). Jerome Clarke had gotten into a good school somewhere in California, but unfortunately was kicked out due to poor grades. KT and Willow went to college together in New York, KT studying journalism and Willow photography. They were planning on working together once out of university. Joy Mercer went to school in Maine for two years. She dropped out before her junior year, telling the majority of Anubis House that she was offered a great opportunity. It was perhaps a risky choice to make, she told them, but it was one she certainly couldn't pass up. She and Patricia were the only two who knew the whole truth (and there was no way anyone would get it out of them).
Eddie Miller had been accepted into the same school as Jerome, however he decided to move out of his home state of California after college. He said he wanted new opportunities, "to see more of the country" Eddie had to him, but Fabian suspected he wanted to reconnect with a certain British redhead. Yes, even Patricia Williamson, Miss "I heart England," and "America? You'll never catch me there," had moved to New York one year after she graduated from college. She had gone to a university in Liverpool and managed to find work in a law firm that ironically decided they were moving to America. So she followed her job and wound up in New York City of all places.
Yet it was for the best, Fabian thought with a smile. Eddie had heard from KT that his ex-girlfriend had moved to New York (Eddie and Patricia had called it quits at the end of senior year. Long distance relationships? Not their thing). Eddie had KT give him all the information she knew about her, booked a flight the next day, and eventually "accidentally" ran into Patricia as she was walking to work. Fabian had known all along that there were no ways those two could ever be kept apart. They had remained friends for all Fabian knew, but they just had one of those relationships. It was like fate was shoving them together, not caring if the two had a say about it.
And they hadn't been apart since. They married two months ago and they were the couple Fabian was going to stay with. Fabian had tried to keep in touch with most of his friends from school, but life kept getting in the way. Eddie was really the only one of Fabian's friends that still called, emailed, and texted him back whenever Fabian wanted to talk. They were best mates and neither one wanted to distance themselves from the other. During a phone call, Fabian had let it slip to Eddie that he had nothing planned for the summer and Eddie suggested he come to America for a semi-Anubis reunion.
"Everyone is over here," he persuaded. That made Fabian's heart drop. He loved England, it was all he had ever known, but people were what made life fun, not a place. So that was what he was doing. He, a successful Historian, specifically in the rich Ancient Egyptian history, had decided to spend the holiday with friends.
Fabian became all the more excited just thinking about them.
In fact, traffic had picked up as well as his good mood. He hadn't realized it—he was too wrapped up in his own thoughts. The taxi driver had broken his concentration.
"What's the address again?" He asked, his voice very scruffy. "We've been sitting here for so long, I can't remember."
"It's fine," Fabian said, suddenly feeling very out of place with his British accent and this man's New York one. "It's the 700 W. Egg Plaza off of Sound St."
"Oh, that's a nice area." The driver said, pressing the gas peddle.
"Really?" Fabian asked. He was intrigued. Eddie hadn't said much about where he and Patricia lived.
"Oh yeah," the driver said with a nod. "It's where the fancy shmancy people live. That area's full of people who have loads of mullah."
Fabian was surprised. He didn't know Eddie and Patricia had done so well in their careers to become "fancy shmancy" people with "loads of mullah." Once again, he realized how distant he had become from everyone.
The traffic had disappeared finally and Fabian was off. He suddenly started thinking about Nina Martin. Why he didn't know, but she still, after eight years of not seeing or hearing from her, she still managed to invade his thoughts at the most random of times.
(Fabian was absolutely fine with that).
Nina: his first love, the original Sibuna leader, his best friend…the girl who left. Where was she? This time he questioned what made him suddenly think of her. Should he feel obligated to think about Mick Campbell as well? Mick had moved to Australia before Nina had left. Those two, again for all Fabian knew, could be either living large or dead. His two former best friends…it made Fabian's heart drop again. He sighed and turned to look out the window at the rushing scene slipping by him.
It never crossed his mind that he hadn't heard, seen, or had anyone else mention the last member of Anubis House.
(What ever happened to Alfie Lewis?)
"700 W. Egg Plaza." The driver said, holding out his hand for his pay. Fabian reached in through the window and handed the driver a nice tip to say thank you for waiting in all that traffic. The driver noticed and tipped his hat at the kind Brit. He drove away and Fabian turned around to look at his new home for the next month.
"Wow," he muttered to himself. The driver was right: this area was beautiful. He stared at a huge, historical brick building. It looked like an old Victorian creation, something he would find in his history textbook back when he was in college. It looked more modern though: it had old black fire escapes, a few iron balconies, and new and improved windows. There were ten stories total and Fabian was very impressed. He walked towards the revolving doors and went inside.
There were old gas lamps and Victorian looking furniture throughout the large lobby. He went to the old, wooden front desk and asked for the room of Eddie and Patricia Miller. (He couldn't help but smile once again as he said the newlywed's last name. He truly was happy for them).
"Room 36, on the third floor." The lobbyist said. "You'll want to take the elevator. The stairs have become a little too untrustworthy as this building has continued to age."
Fabian gave a small laugh and thanked the woman. He rolled his suitcase and entered the one elevator (which much have been a new edition).
It was a smooth ride up and when the doors slid open, Fabian started to feel a little nervous. He hadn't spoken or seen his two former Sibuna members since high school. Did they still look the same? Did they still like the same things? Were they still into their old hobbies, such as listening to super loud, hardcore metal music and pulling pranks?
Fabian snickered at the last one. It was Eddie and Patricia: some things never change. Still, his stomach was flip-flopping as he walked down the hallway to Room 36. He stopped in front of the oak door and took a breath. He knew he shouldn't feel this way; after all, they were the ones who invited him to stay with them.
Fabian let out the breath he had been holding and knocked on the door. First he thought no one was home, but eventually footsteps were heard and the door swung open to reveal the newly made Mrs. Miller.
"Fabian!" Patricia said happily, a smile spreading across her lips. "It's nearly seven o'clock! I thought you had gotten lost or something of the sort. This city is too large for it's own good."
Fabian laughed and stepped through the doorway to give his friend a hug. He was making fun of himself now: what did he have to worry about? These were his friends, friends who had shared more memories and had gone through more than one life-threatening situation together than most other so called "friends" had. Of course everything would be fine.
"It's so good to see you," He said, patting her back. He let go of her and looked at her. Patricia's hair looked longer than what he remembered, although it was hard to tell. It was up in a ponytail. She had slightly less eye make-up on, but her eyelashes were still rich with mascara. She wore dark colors still, but instead of wearing longer sleeved shirts or a jacket, like she normally would, she wore a black tank top that made her pale skin all the more noticeable. She was also wearing blue jean shorts and black flip-flops.
That's when Fabian felt the heat scorching throughout the apartment.
"You too," she said, her accent thick as ever. It seemed like she had just moved from England, rather than living here for two or three years. She turned to walk into her hot apartment. "Sorry about the heat. Of all the times the air conditioner could go out, it decided to die the day before you got here. I told Eddie he needed to call building management but the man's too proud and cheap and insisted he could fix it himself. I'm positive he just made it worse."
Fabian laughed loudly again. Yep, Patricia hadn't changed at all. They had walked past their small kitchen into the living room. Well, it wasn't exactly much of a living room: there was a long, black couch on the right wall, one coffee table and a TV on the left wall. Other than that, boxes were stacked in each corner, labeled with all sorts of names. They must have just moved here, Fabian thought. It was a rather nice place. Hardwood floors covered the whole apartment. This room was very big from what he anticipated a NYC apartment to look like, and there were new appliances in the kitchen. Maybe living in the "fancy shmancy" part of town had its perks.
Fabian put his suitcase by the coffee table and sat on the black couch. There was a slight breeze coming in from the wide-open windows, but it wasn't enough to cool him down. He didn't want Patricia to make a fuss over it. It wasn't too bad of a problem, but he hadn't stopped sweating.
"Speaking of Eddie, where is he?" Fabian asked. As if on cue, a loud crash and an even louder curse word was heard from the hallway across from the couch. Patricia groaned.
"I told you to stop messing with the air conditioner an hour ago, Edison Miller!" Patricia yelled heatedly (no pun intended, Fabian thought). Eddie popped out from the hall and walked into the room to meet them, rubbing his left wrist.
"You're compassion overwhelms me, Yacker." He said with a smirk. Ignoring his wife's eye roll, he immediately brightened up when Fabian stood up to see him.
"How are you, man?" Eddie asked excitedly as they hugged. Fabian clapped his back and broke the hug.
"Great now that I'm out of that bloody traffic." He said with a chuckle. He looked over at Eddie, taking in his new appearance. He was wearing a t-shirt and khaki shorts that went to his knees. He seemed bigger than before, Fabian thought. His arms looked more muscular and he had gotten much taller. He hadn't changed too much, appearance wise. He had the tiniest bit of scruff on his face, but other than that, he still looked like old high school Eddie. Both he and Patricia had stayed quite the same and it comforted Fabian knowing that.
"I don't know if Yacker told you about the air but—" Eddie began, but Patricia quickly interrupted.
"I did. And Fabian agrees with me that we should have a professional come here and fix it." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Eddie looked over at his friend and saw that Fabian had raised his hands in the air. "I'm innocent here!" He said with a smile. "I didn't say anything."
Eddie gave her a victorious smirk and she threw her head back against the couch and groaned. It was hot and she was so not happy about it. Both Eddie and Fabian laughed.
"Are you thirsty?" He asked Fabian. He was already walking to their small kitchen to grab some drinks.
"I'll have water if that's okay." Fabian said, retaking his spot next to the cranky Patricia.
"Get me one too." Patricia called out, looking over to the kitchen. There was a cut out in the wall that allowed her to see right inside.
"No." Eddie replied, shutting the refrigerator as he said so.
"Rude." Patricia said right back, extending her hand up to Eddie. He walked back in the room and handed her and Fabian a bottle of water. He took a seat on one of the barstools underneath the kitchen bar. Fabian laughed again.
"You two are too much," he said and took a sip of water. Patricia and Eddie looked at each other and shrugged.
"We are pretty awesome," Eddie said, smiling happily at her. Patricia winked and sipped from her water bottle. It was wonderful being married to his best friend, Eddie thought. Patricia was great in too many ways to list and when they had gone to separate colleges, it had been hard being away from her. He had missed her terribly, and though she never told him straight-forward, he could tell from when they had Skyped and called on the phone that she missed him too. So when KT told him about Patricia being in New York, he knew it was his chance to make things right again, and boy was he glad he did.
"Love had found a way," he remembered telling her the night they had gotten back together. His voice was dripping in happiness and cheer and she had rolled her eyes because he was such a dork. She still kissed him nevertheless.
(Patricia was super glad things worked out too, but was too proud to admit it).
"So how was the wedding?" Fabian questioned. He turned towards them, feeling more awake now that he had water and the sun was going down. The heat was slowly fading and lights were popping on throughout the city.
Patricia smiled at the memory of her and Eddie's day. "It was nice and low key, nothing too fancy. It was normal—or at least our kind of normal. Joy and Piper were both my maids of honor since if I had picked only one, the other would have killed me. I had a hard time getting all my bridesmaids to stop ogling over me in my dress and messing with me when I was getting ready, which was just ridiculous behavior, in my opinion. Then Eddie went and lost the rings—"
"We agreed we'd never talk about that again! We found them eventually and the wedding still happened. You're wearing your ring now, aren't you?"
"…Anyways. Mr. Sweet cried through the whole ceremony, Trudy catered the whole dinner, Jerome and KT scared our families on the dance floor with their "alternative" moves, Willow thought the wine was apple juice and got a wee bit tipsy. You know, the usual." She said with a shrug and Eddie nodded along with her.
"And Yacker cried. Twice. She was just so happy." Eddie teased. He wiped away a pretend tear which earned a pillow flung at his face from his said bride.
"I did not!" Patricia countered, but she, Eddie and Fabian were laughing anyway. Fabian could not stop laughing because that was exactly how he had pictured their wedding going.
"We were sorry that you couldn't make it." Patricia told him when they all settled down.
"I am too. I really wanted to be there." Fabian said apologetically. He hadn't had the money to fly out then and couldn't get time off of work. His boss wasn't the most compassionate woman alive to say the least. It pained Fabian's heart when the day they said, "I do" came around. He looked up at Eddie. "I'm assuming you found another best man?"
"Alfie took the job," Eddie said sheepishly, not meeting him in the eyes. He felt awful for telling him. When he thought of "best man," Fabian was the first guy to pop in his mind. He fit the job perfectly. However, Alfie was also another dear friend of his, and they all still had a good time.
"How is Alfie?" Fabian piped up. "I haven't really heard from much of everyone since school, but Alfie out of you all I don't know anything about."
"Funny you say that because we don't know much about him either," Eddie said. He had gotten off the bar stool to take Patricia's water from her. There were only two cold bottles left, so he didn't have one. "When I went back to California for school, I had assumed Alfie would be attending school with Jerome and me, since there really isn't an Alfie without a Jerome."
"True." Fabian agreed.
Eddie continued. "But he never showed up. Jerome had said that Alfie hadn't gotten accepted there and he had no idea where he was going. In fact, he didn't let anyone know."
"Not even Willow," Patricia added. Fabian's eyes grew wide.
"What?" he practically shouted. Eddie nodded his head.
"Yep. Turned out when I called her to ask if he was alright, she told me they had broken up. He said he would always love her, but never the same way he did before. She did say that he was somewhere here in New York City, but that's all she would say. She was really upset, but KT was with her to look out for her. They're fine now; they live up in Ash Valley County."
"That was all I had heard about him until Patricia and I decided to track him down and send him a wedding invitation. We sent one to where we thought he would be in Liverpool, but we also asked a worker at the local post office here if he would just hold on to this if an Alfie Lewis came around. Sure enough he did. He wrote back saying he would love to be…well you know, the best man and all and that he'd be there for sure. He attended the ceremony, but skipped out on the party."
"Which is so unlike Alfie," Patricia commented. She let Eddie finish the remainder of her water. "He has never turned down a good party, especially with all kinds of good food. After that, we haven't heard from him and we've been married for two months."
Huh, Fabian thought. How odd of Alfie Lewis to just drop everyone like that. Alfie out of them all was the most attached to everyone. He was the one who was always by Jerome's side, super loyal to Sibuna, and loved Willow like no other. Well, except for Amber, but that was another story. How could Alfie just do that?
Then again, Fabian had a hard time staying in touch with everyone too. He could understand if Alfie had a job or family issues to work out, but the difference between him and Alfie was that Fabian was here with Eddie and Patricia right now. The Millers knew where Fabian was currently living, which was back in Liverpool, his address, phone number and even where he worked. They knew nothing about Alfie's current situation. So what if Fabian wasn't in the states? If Alfie was still in NYC, where most of Anubis House was today, then the whole thing sounded very suspicious. Like, Sibuna suspicious.
That was saying something.
"That's so weird," Fabian muttered, more to himself rather than the Patricia and Eddie. They sat in silence for a few moments until music suddenly blasted throughout the building. Eddie and Patricia groaned at the same time.
"What is that?" Fabian asked, bewildered. The music was loud—loud enough to where he could hear every word being sung and every note being strummed. Who would play their music like that, especially when living in an apartment complex with so many other people?
"It's the person in the penthouse," Eddie told him. He stood up and looked out the window, his head facing up. "Yep, it's that guy again, Yacker. I can see the lights flashing and people moving around."
"I swear, I'll go straight upstairs and tell whoever it is myself to shut up!" Patricia snapped.
"Wait, that's coming from the penthouse?" Fabian asked incredulously. "We're on the third floor. How can music even be that loud or travel that far?"
"I have no idea, but this has been occuring every Friday night since we moved in," Eddie said with a sigh.
"What?" Fabian asked, not hearing him.
"I said this happens every Friday night!" Eddie yelled at Fabian.
"Why?" Fabian yelled back.
"Whoever lives there throws ridiculous parties every Saturday night," Patricia said loudly, looking at Fabian. "He or she tests the music on Fridays and there is constant deliveries of food and decorations made on Fridays too. Delivery guys are always going up and down the stairs and using the elevator, so it's hard for us actual residents to enter or leave the building."
"So I guess we're stuck here tonight?" Fabian asked her and Patricia nodded. He was really bummed: he was hoping they would take him out to see some night sights tonight. However, this made him realize how tired he actually was. He yawned loudly and could practically feel the bags underneath his eyes.
But with the music blaring, it was unlikely that he'd be going to bed any time soon.
Patricia stood up from the couch. "I'm going up there right now to tell him or her to shut it off." She yelled over at her husband who still stood by the window. She began to walk to the door, but Eddie went and grabbed her arm before she reached the knob.
"You don't know who that is. It could be some psychopath." He told her seriously. She raised an eyebrow, doubting his reasoning.
"A psychopath with really bad taste in music," Patricia said cleverly. She wiggled her arm free from his grasp. He just continued to look at her, concern in his eyes. She sighed. There were times when she liked how protective he was and days when she didn't.
Today was one of those days.
"Eddie, imagine what tomorrow will be like, the actual party night. I want peace while I can get it." She lowered her voice now, pulling him a little closer so he could hear over the music. "Besides, Fabian's here. He shouldn't have to put up with it and neither should we."
"I get it," Eddie said, nodding once. He looked back over at Fabian who had wandered over to the open window. "But there's no use. I've talked to the building manager about it, asking if he tried to do anything. He said he has gone up there multiple times to complain only to be met with a butler stating his employer "wasn't there" or "couldn't be bothered." It's like he or she doesn't want to be seen or heard of."
"Well he or she isn't doing a good job of being inconspicuous."
"Yacker, I'm serious."
"So am I, Weasel."
They stood there for a while, waiting for the other to give in. It was hard loving someone equally, if not more stubborn than the other was (but nevertheless worth it). Patricia's hands were on her hips and Eddie's arms were crossed. Eddie really didn't want her going up there. There was no use: this guy or girl wasn't going to be home or would be busy. Even Eddie had tried, right before his and Patricia's honeymoon, he had gone up to complain only to be met with the butler. What if the guy or girl decided to open the door when Patricia was there? Eddie didn't like thinking about the worst possibilities, but being the former Osirian and Sibuna leader, his mind always traveled there first, bringing back the memory of Patricia losing her soul…
Realizing that Patricia had no intentions of giving in and Eddie being the wonderful husband that he was broke down first.
"I'll take you out tomorrow night so you don't have to listen to this awful music," he offered, letting his arms fall to his sides. He agreed with her, it was quite atrocious music. It was no Sick Puppies that was for sure.
"And?" Patricia finally asked, cocking her head to one side, hands still on her hips.
"And you can pick where we go."
"And?"
"And yes, I'll pay, just like always."
"And?"
"…and I love you?"
Patricia smiled victoriously and lowered her arms too. "That's what I was waiting for, but I'll gladly accept your invitation to take me out."
She raised her head up and pecked him on the lips. Eddie, again being the wonderful husband he was, kissed her right back. He grabbed her waist and deepened their kiss, fully loving that fact that he was married to this sly, manipulating, amazing woman, when Patricia stopped him.
"Fabian's in the room." She said, looking around Eddie. He turned around too and saw that Fabian was still looking out the window.
"He seems entertained," Eddie said quickly, leaning back in to kiss her. Patricia leaned away and escaped his embrace. She was never one to show personal affection in front of other people. She didn't care if Fabian wasn't looking: he was still in the vicinity and that was good enough for her. She stuck her tongue out playfully at Eddie and walked over to her friend.
"What are you looking at?" She asked him loudly. She came to stand beside him, leaning her arms against the windowsill.
"That green light across the street," Fabian said. There, at the very top of the large building across from them, was the most vibrant light Fabian had ever seen. It was the exact shade of emerald and it was glowing full blast. It was beautiful but it hurt his eyes yet he couldn't tear his gaze away from it. It was too enticing.
"Yeah. It comes on every night." Patricia said. "At least it's a pretty color or else I would go over and complain to them as well."
"You just like to complain," Eddie told her lightly. He stood behind her, resting his hands on her hips. She leaned back in to him.
"I can't deny that." She agreed. Fabian snickered. The loud music finally stopped and it left a horrible ringing in Fabian's ears. How did Eddie and Patricia survive that every Friday? He could not imagine what it would be like tomorrow on the actual night of the party. However he did like that music; it was classic, 1920s style jazz. It made him think of Nina. She loved jazz…
"Do you know anything about Nina?" He turned to look at his friends. Patricia looked up at Eddie, both looking surprised.
"She never contacted you?" Eddie questioned. Fabian shook his head no. "She's in the city. She moved here from Miami when Amber got married—"
"Amber is married?" Fabian asked, this time yelling in surprise. How much did he not know? How could he not have known? Amber would have made her wedding day a huge deal, so big, all of America would have known, as well as England.
…Nina didn't contact him?
"I told her you were coming here for the summer," Patricia said, looking concerned for her friend. "She lives across the street in the same building as Amber. Amber lives in the penthouse—where the green light is coming from. Nina lives on the floor below her. Amber bought her the apartment."
Fabian felt really empty now and very, very tired once more. His head hurt from the loud music and the ringing was still there. He was in desperate need of an Advil.
"Are you alright?" Patricia asked him. She put a hand on his shoulder. He gave her a small smile.
"The jet lag is catching up to me," He told her, which wasn't a total lie. She seemed to believe it. She told Eddie to go get Fabian's suitcase and show him his room so he could rest.
"Get some sleep," she told her friend with a little smile. "It cools down more at night, I promise. Hopefully tomorrow won't be as bad."
"Good night, Patricia." Fabian said, this time with a genuine smile. She said good night too and walked down the hallway adjacent from the living room into a large bedroom on the left. It was directly across from Fabian's room, where he and Eddie were currently walking into.
"The bathroom's at the end of the hall," Eddie told him. "Do you need anything else?"
Fabian shook his head. "You and Patricia are really kind to let me stay here. I don't know of too many recently married couples that would let a friend stay with them so soon. Most want their space."
Eddie laughed. "Hey, what are friends for?" He told him and bid him good night. He really wanted to ask Fabian if he was okay—he had gone pale when Patricia said Nina hadn't contacted him. He had always thought that his buddy had still harbored feelings for the original Chosen One. However he left him alone because Fabian did look very tired and he should get some sleep. Eddie went into his own bedroom after that.
Fabian settled into his room, which was very nice. The bed faced the window and there was a closet on the left side of the wall. A small end table sat by his bed's right side and that was about it. More boxes were piled up high in the corners of the room. It was nothing fancy, much like Eddie and Patricia's style. That made him wonder why they were living in the "fancy shmancy" building when they both were not into that kind of lifestyle at all. Not like Amber was…
…Amber. How was she? Where was she in her life? When had she married? Who was she married to? Amber was another one of his friends that he hadn't spent much time with, which was odd, because out of everyone he and Amber had bonded like no other. He still considered Nina to be his forever best friend, but Amber was a very close second—maybe even tied with Eddie. She brought Sibuna to life and he loved her brainless comments and unexpected intelligent suggestions and insights. He chuckled to himself at his last thought, but it was true. No one could ever predict her next move. Like how she never bothered to inform her "geek chic" pal about her marriage. He really wanted to know how she was.
Alfie too. Where was he and why had he left everyone behind? Patricia and Eddie seemed sad when talking about the jokester; they missed him, as did Fabian. Alfie was one of his friends that he was really looking forward to seeing again. Alfie could make the grumpiest soul smile simply by smiling himself. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was one of the most loyal people Fabian had ever met. Apparently the real Alfie Lewis was nothing like the boy he had been in high school. Fabian wanted him back and it made him feel sad again.
He didn't even want to think about Nina or he wouldn't be able to fall asleep. His best friend didn't even want to reach out and say hello?
Fabian shook his head and crawled into bed. He needed to get some sleep, stop his mind from rambling thought after thought. He settled into the covers and made himself comfy. The green light from Amber's apartment penthouse shined through the bare window. There were no blinds or curtains to block it out. It cast a lovely shade of green on the white walls and Fabian's eyes adjusted to it.
Oh well, Fabian thought, at least Patricia was right. It was a pretty color.
He fell asleep instantly, giving in to his body's state of pure exhaustion. However, his mind was not at all ready to sleep with the rest of him. Fabian fell asleep thinking about his lost best friend, the two lovers in the other room, the missing comedian that hadn't left a trail behind, the married fashionista who lived a private life, and the green light that never flickered once.
Needless to say, he didn't sleep well at all.
A/N: All right, that was one LONG introduction! :)
There are already so many things that need to be answered: where's Alfie? Who is Amber married to? Will Fabian and Nina reconnect somehow? How are all the former residents of Anubis House doing and how shall their paths intertwine? All shall be revealed soon!
I have the first two chapters written and half of the third. I'll try and update once a week or maybe every two weeks :) It will just depend on when I have time to write. Next chapter will be up on June 28th, I promise! :)
Let me know what you thought, pretty please! Have a great day! :)