Nina walked up to Anubis House with her carry on smiling happily. She was back and even though she had only been gone for two weeks, it felt like it had been forever. School had let out for the summer and Nina had gone back to the states with her Gran to make sure she was completely okay after everything that had happened last term.
In August, the whole House of Anubis boarders would begin their last two terms of school before going off to college. Nina, Fabian, Amber, Alfie, Mara, Joy, Patricia, and Eddie were all going to use the summer to do internships for their college applications. Fabian was going to work with Jasper in the library. He had talked Nina into doing it with him. She had been hesitant but if it meant that they could spend more time together, she was happy to do it. Joy had talked Patricia into doing a journalism internship with Mrs. Andrews, who had decided to return to the school. Mara couldn't decide if she wanted to pursue French or Journalism, so she was going to do both. Eddie, who had stayed in England with his dad was going to be helping him at the school. Alfie, who was still trying to live up to his dad's expectations was going to do an internship in accounting with the math teacher, Miss Whitely. Amber was going to work in the drama department with Miss Valentine. Mick had come back from Australia to do a sports internship with Miss Robinson. But he also wanted to try and win Mara back. He was somewhat in luck. Jerome was the only one not returning for the summer. Due to the fact that his dad was now out of prison, he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.
Nina entered Anubis house feeling more at home than ever. Every time she returned, she had this feeling as though the house was happy she was back. Maybe she was just being silly.
Trudy was standing inside the door waiting. The students were glad she was back after Victor dismissed Vera. She was still going to work at the library, but she also liked her job as a housemother. Trudy gave Nina a hug.
"Welcome Back," she smiled. "Did you have a good flight? How's your Gran doing?"
"Oh, she's doing great!" Nina said. "I miss her already."
"Well, I missed you too. Its good to have you back. Things just don't seem normal when you and the others aren't here."
"Is anyone else back?" Nina asked noticing how quiet the house was.
"You're the second one to get here. Amber is already in your room. She's been waiting for you." Nina rushed upstairs barely making it inside before being bombarded by Amber.
"Yay!" she squealed. "Nina, I am so happy to see you!"
"I can tell," Nina said rubbing her arms where Amber had squeezed them really hard.
"I've been waiting for you for hours!" Amber said. "Well, only two hours but still, that is a really long time!"
"Why have you been waiting for so long?" Nina asked. "Were you just so excited to be back at this creepy place?" Amber frowned not getting her joke. Then laughed.
"Ha ha ha ha, um no!" Amber said. "I need to talk to you about something." They heard the front door close and Trudy welcoming Fabian.
"Fabian's here," Nina exclaimed and rushed out of the room.
"No wait..." Amber said. She sighed then followed Nina downstairs. They welcomed Fabian excitedly.
"How's your Gran doing?" Fabian asked Nina.
"Really good, she is completely back to normal." Nina said. There were more hugs and welcomes as Alfie, Patricia, Joy, Mick, Eddie, and Mara arrived.
"Hello Mara," Mick said to his ex-girlfriend. She gave him a small smile.
"Anybody seen Jerome?" Alfie asked looking around for his best friend.
"He's not coming," Mara explained. "He's staying with his dad now that he is out of prison. Didn't he tell you?"
"No, Alfie" frowned. "And he told you before me? His best friend?" Mara shrugged. Mick put his arm around Alfe's shoulders.
"No worries," Mick said. "I know how you feel. You lost your best friend. I lost my girlfriend." Mara glared at him.
"Look..." she started to say but Trudy interrupted her.
"Now, now," she said. "None of that now, you all just got here. Why don't you go to your rooms and unpack while I get dinner ready?" They did as she said. Nina, Amber, Patricia, Mara, and Joy made their way upstairs. They were at the top of the stairs when Nina looked over to see the empty office.
"Where's Victor?" she asked Amber? The others shrugged. They went to their rooms and started to unpack.
"So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Nina asked Amber.
"Oh right," Amber remembered. "Well, when I was at home..." NIna's phone started to ring.
"It's Gran," she said. "I was supposed to call her when I got here. Do you mind if i..."
"Go ahead," Amber said though she sounded slightly upset. "Tell her I said hi."
Outside the House, a taxi pulled up and out came Jerome and his dad. He helped Jerome get his bags from the trunk.
"Now are you sure you don't want me to stay with you this summer?" Jerome asked hesitantly. As much as he wanted to see Mara, He also wanted to spend time with his dad.
"I am certain," John Clarke said. "I have made many mistakes but keeping you from your future will not be one of them."
"But I really don't think..." Jerome argued.
"No buts! Jerome listen to me," his dad instructed. "Look at me. I ruined my life from the choices I made. I don't want to see you ruin the future I never had. I want you to take this opportunity to decided what you want to do with you life. Do it for me." Jerome thought for a minute.
"Ok," he agreed.
"Good," John was relieved. "But hey, the good thing about this is you can come visit me and Poppy anytime. And make sure you brink Mara with you."
"I will." They hugged and Jerome watched his dad leave. When he went inside, the others were already at dinner.
"Did you start the party without me?" he joked.
"Jerome!" they all exclaimed. The only one who didn't seem happy was Mick. He sat back in his seat while the rest of the group welcomed him.
"I thought you weren't coming?" he asked. The room got quiet. Jerome saw the look Mick was giving him.
"Well, my dad wants me to focus on my education," he said.
"And since when have you ever wanted to focus on just your education?" Mick asked knowing Jerome.
"Mick!" Mara was shocked. "Why are you acting like such a jerk?" Mick was quiet.
"You know what Mara," Jerome said. "Don't worry about it. Just a friendly disagreement. Right, Mick?"
"Right," Mick said somewhat sarcastically. "A little too friendly," Alfie, noticing an argument coming, intervened.
"Sit down, buddy," he told Jerome. "I'll get another seat and..."
"No need," Jerome pulled a chair up next to Mara. "I'll sit here." Alfie sat back down glaring at Mara.
"Why didn't you say you were coming after all?" Mara asked.
"I guess I just wanted to surprise you," he said.
"Yeah, you're just full of surprises," Mick snapped.
"You guys!" Fabian intervened. "Stop it, okay? It's our first day back and you don't need to be acting like this."
"Fabian's right,"Nina said. "Can't we just try and enjoy our summer without any problems?"
"I'm willing to put it behind me," Jerome said. "What about you Mick?" Mick rolled his eyes and left the room.
"Wow, first day back and there is already a lot of drama," Eddie said jokingly. Patricia elbowed him and gave him a 'be quiet' look. Trudy walked in from the kitchen and noticed the tension.
"Is everything ok?" she asked bringing out dessert.
"It is now!" Alfie said noticing the pie and digging in. Trudy smiled and headed back for the kitchen.
"Oh Trudy!" Nina said remembering something. "Have you seen Victor? We noticed he's not in his office."
"Oh, he's in the basement," Trudy said. "He said something about cleaning it up and doesn't want to be bothered."
"Cleaning?" Fabian mouthed to the others. They shrugged. After dinner Nina and Amber went back to their room.
"Finally," Amber said. "We can talk."
"Oh yeah, about that," Nina said. "It might have to wait." The next moment, the door opened and in walked Alfie, Patricia, and Fabian. "I called a Sibuna meeting. Sibuna!" She made the sign. The others copied her.
"You know," Patricia said. "I'm actually hoping for a break this summer, no quests, or riddles."
"Me too," Alfie said. "It will give me time to work on my Amfie time!" He put his arm around Amber.
"Its Alber," Amber corrected him.
"I agree," Nina said. "A break would be nice. We have been through a lot. And it will give us time to focus on our last year."
"I plan to make the most of my summer," Fabian said smiling at Nina. She smiled back.
"And I need to fix things with Eddie," Patricia said. "Especially after what happened last term. I mean, what if he starts asking questions." They all now knew Eddie was the Osirian and even though they had no idea what that meant, they knew he was supposed to be on their side.
"Right, its best to keep him out of it," Nina agreed.
"But if he is good," Fabian said. "Shouldn't we include him..."
"No," Patricia said. "If we are going to take a break from Sibuna, why should we? Its best he doesn't know."
"Agreed," Nina said. "its best we keep everything that's happened completely to ourselves. Sibuna?"
"Sibuna!" the others replied.
"Now before we end our last meeting I have a question..." Nina said.
"Oh no," Alfie said jokingly.
"Aren't you guys just a little curious as to what Victor is doing in the cellar?" The others smiled
Author's Note: Hey guys! For those that don't know, I have been posting this HOA story on , but since I know a few people who have an account on Fanfiction, I will also be updating it on here! :) You can read it on both websites.
So Chapter 1, what did you guys think? Still learning how to work this website. haha Would love for you guys to review :) Let me know what you think! You can PM or tweet me kayla_danee2011. Follow me on twitter! I'm trying to reach 600 followers.
