I FINALLY GOT THIS IN! Jeez, I am SUCH a procrastinator...

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HOUSE OF ANUBIS.

One Simple Conversation Discussed Over Bagels and Coffee

**Joy's POV**

When I went downstairs in the morning, I saw Mara and Jerome snogging at the foot of the stairs. What a lovely sight to wake up to when one is single; seeing a couple head-over-heels for each other, bragging about how much happiness they had while everyone else was sad and alone.

Jerome's arms were around Mara's shoulders, holding her tightly, and anyone could tell that he took her by surprise. The science book in her hand clattered to the floor as Mara tangled her fingers in his blonde hair, her lips curling into a smile.

The front door opened, but the snogging couple did not care, and seemed to hold each other even tighter. I backed away from them, towards the front door to go out on the porch and get some fresh air when I bumped into Mick, who had come back from his early morning run.

He stood as as still as a stone, a statue frozen in the center of the hall, his eyes fixated on the two in front of him. Mick's jaw had been set, as if he was grinding his teeth. I would not have blamed him, seeing his ex with the guy he hated the most would frustrate any person.

Mara and Jerome finally pulled apart, gazing at each other with so much love I wanted to vomit. They gave each other one more peck before moving toward the kitchen, not noticing me or Mick at all. Of course they would be oblivious to everyone but each other.

I put a hand on Mick's shoulder, and he seemed to relax a bit from my touch. In the corner of my eye, I saw his hands clench into fists: he was losing his temper. It was easy to see that he wanted to run into the room and punch Jerome in the jaw. There was no legitimate reason really, it was only because he had kissed Mara; which meant that he still loved his ex-girlfriend.

"Mick," I whispered to him. "C'mon, let's go out for brunch before you go in there and kill Jerome."

His eyes were still locked at the place where he had seen them snogging, probably trying to absorb the fact that Mara was not with him any more. He could not stay mad at Jerome for being with her for long, as long as she was happy, he should be happy.

"Mick. C'mon," I coaxed.

He nodded, and, through clenched teeth, said, "I'll go get cleaned up before we leave. Tell Truds we will be gone for breakfast." And then he trudged to his room, slamming the door closed.

I walked into the kitchen, finding Trudy cooking scrambled eggs. She smiled when she saw me, saying, "Breakfast'll be ready in a few minutes. I just have to finish cooking the sausages."

"Uh, no, Trudy. Me and Mick are going to go to that café a couple miles away from school for brunch. Is that okay?" I asked.

"Sure, that's fine. Just make sure you're back soon, I don't want you out too late."

"We won't be out too late. Thanks, Trudy!" I walked back to the hallway and went to sign me and Mick out. Once that was done, I sat on the bottom step of the staircase, waiting for Mick and playing with a lock of my hair.

As I waited, I played with a thread on my light gray jacket. Then, I straightened my white shirt, brushing off some pieces of lint left on it from the dryer. What is taking so long? I asked myself.

I went up to Mick and Fabian's door and knocked. When no answer came, I yelled, "Mick! What is taking so long?"

Suddenly, he opened the door and I stumbled forward, into Mick. He grasped my shoulders, holding me up, and chuckled. "Nice going, Mercer. Since when did you become such a klutz?"

I gave him a look, removed his hands from my shoulders and said, "Since I left, Campbell." Though I tried to look serious, I could not keep a tiny smile from my face.

"Oh yeah. Where did you go, anyways?"

I remembered Mick did not really know about the society and the mystery, just the barest details that made a little bit of sense. I decided to just ignore the question.

"Um, er, let's just go. I'll hail a taxi." I rushed out the door, hailed a taxi which took us to the café.

At a coffee shop a few miles from school, Mick Campbell and I sat, sipping coffee and making light conversation.

"Are you hungry?" asked Mick, taking one last drink of his black coffee.

"Mick, you're always hungry!" I said, laughing.

"That is very true, Miss Mercer. But seriously, are you hungry? I'll pay." He stood up, grabbing his coffee cup to throw away. I stood up with him and got out my wallet.

"I am a bit hungry, and but I will pay for myself. Thank you anyways."

Together, we walked to the counter and chose what to order. We both decided on bagels to eat. All that was left was to figure out what type of cream cheese to buy.

"That onion spread is gross. I tried it once, on a dare, and it was disgusting. Tasted like dirt." I laughed out loud. People turned to stare at me weirdly.

I ignored the looks and continued talking to Mick about all of the choices we had. I pointed out two that were my all-time favorites.

"My favorites are strawberry and regular cream cheese. What about you?"

Mick smiled. "Those are my favorites, too. Weird, huh?"

"Yeah. That's interesting." My stomach started to rumble and I half-laughed. "Sorry!"

He just chuckled and said we should order. I agreed, and we ordered for our food and paid. Then, we sat down at our table from before and began to eat. We fell into a nice, comfortable silence.

Once I finished my food, I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. I turned to the window, letting myself stare into space.

"It hurts, you know." Mick's voice snapped me out of my reverie. I looked at his current position: his empty plate had a few crumbs left on it, a silver knife still slathered with cream cheese. His eyes were down, his chin propped in one hand, the other hand tapping softly on the table.

Our eyes locked, and the same sadness I felt was reflected there. He continued, "First, I lose Mara, to Jerome Clark" -he spoke Jerome's name in a voice full of disdain- "and then, Amber, my first love, to Alife Lewis." He said Alfie's voice as if in shock, like he could not believe he lost his first love to an amateur prankster.

I nodded. "Yeah, I know how you feel. Nina took Fabian away. But I don't want to step in and break them up, they look and seem so happy." I turned my gaze toward the floor, blinking away the sudden teardrops in the corner of my eyes.

"Joy-" Mick started. I interrupted him,

"No! Please, let me finish. I can't' break them up. I want him to be happy, but if I take her away . . ." I took a breath. "As long as he is happy, I don't care who he is with."

"Well, since we're both the only loners in the house, maybe we can hang out together to avoid seeing everyone snogging every day."

I smiled. "I'd like that."

Maybe Mick and I will become close friends after hanging out together. Maybe that will turn into more. Maybe we'll get back with our exes after school ends. No one knows.

I reached across the table, grasping his hand and squeezed it gently. He beamed at me in reply. All I know is that I will never know until I try, so why not?

Hope you liked it! I personally thought it was decent... but I'd prefer a few second, or third, opinions! (:

I love this couple. Not many are out there, and since these guys are the loners (Patricia apparently starts dating a new character) of the house, it makes sense for them to get together.

Please R&R!
~Ary