Hello there! I am updating this story, slowly but surely. I haven't touched this story in a long while, so it's going to take a little bit. But I'd rather update the story first before I continue on with the plot. My writing has gotten a WHOLE lot better so hopefully the story will make more sense and be a better read. So here's the updated version of Chapter One! Hope you like it :)

Nina Martin at in the living room of Anubis House while working on a paper for her history class. Things had been quiet around the house that day, so she'd been able to work outside of the comfort of her bedroom for a change. As of normal, things had been a lot more quieter than usual. It had been several weeks since their encounter with Senkhara and so far, nothing out of the ordinary had popped up. Victor didn't seem like he was up to anything either, which was a good sign. As for the members of Anubis house, Amber and Alfie had been spending more time together. It seemed that the lack of an evil spirit was doing wonders for their relationship. It was doing wonders for Eddie and Patricia as well.

Some others weren't as lucky as it turned out. Jerome and Mara seemed to have grown apart after the entire ordeal. No one was able to really figure it out, but they figured it must have had something to do with Mara being too busy with her studies. They didn't end badly per say, but they didn't speak for a while. However, Nina and Fabian had been doing better than ever. It was a nice change to be able to go on dates without a ticking time bomb engraved on their wrists, or to be constantly thinking of another clue to be solved.

Just as Nina finished off another paragraph in her essay, her phone started to vibrate. She placed her laptop on the side of the couch before answering it.

"Hello?"

"Nina?" a voice on the other end answered. "It's Cleo."

Cleo was Nina's cousin from Australia. They had been so close when they were younger. Nina's family would visit the Sertori's on their summer vacations and then they would spend weeks down by the beach, swimming, eating ice cream on the boardwalk; some of Nina's best summers were spent with Cleo.

"Oh my gosh, Cleo! It's been what, three years? How are you?"

"I've been good." Cleo answered. "Sorry for net keeping in touch. Things have just been so crazy here that I've just lost track of time."

"That's okay. It only matters that you're calling now." Nina responded. "So, how's everyone?"

"Things have been a bit weird here. Mum and Dad actually split up a few months ago."

"Oh, god Cleo. That's awful. I'm so sorry. How's everyone handling it? Kim?"

"It's not to bad anymore. Dad was kind of sat after mum split but he's been doing better. Kim is, well you know Kim. Always trying to get her end of the bargain."

"Of course."

"Emma's doing great. She says hi by the way. So does Rikki."

"Rikki?"

"Oh, sorry I must have forgotten to mention her. Rikki is this girl from my school, me and Emma met back a few years ago. We all got super close. You'd love her. She's a fireball."

"I'm sure I'd love her!" Nina chuckled. She sprawled out across the couch.

"So, how's Lewis doing?"

"He's… he's good. We actually started dating a few months ago." Cleo answered softly.

"Well, it's about time!" Nina exclaimed with a laugh. "He's had eyes for you since we were twelve, Cleo. I'm so happy for you!"

"Aw, thanks! Yeah, we're doing good I think. It's just really nice. He's really nice."

"I'm sure."

"Well, as lovely as this all is, there is an actual reason I decided to call." Cleo piped in. "You see, there's this amazing opportunity to go to a boarding school in Britain. Top notch school, with just about the best biology program you could have. My school is doing an exchange with the other school. I had to write a five page essay on why I should get to go, and then send in my grades and a whole bunch of others things…"

"And..?" Nina said.

"I got it!"

"That' amazing Cleo! Congratulations!"

"Thanks! Now, the reason I wanted to tell you was that the school I'm going to be coming to is actually your school."

"You're coming here? To the UK?" Nina exclaimed before sitting up.

"Yep! I fly out tomorrow and should be there sometime around wo in the afternoon."

Just then, Amber wandered into the room and plopped herself down on a chair across from Nina.

"Nina, you will not believe what Alfie just left in my room-" Nina cut Amber off mid sentence; motioning that she was on the phone. Amber looked confused before crossing her arms and waiting for Nina to finish on the phone.

"Cleo, I'm so excited for you to come here! It'll be so much fun!" she gushed. "Unfortunately, I have to go and finish up some homework. But I'll see you tomorrow, alright? Bye!"

Nine hung up the phone before happily picking her computer back up. She couldn't wait until Cleo got there. It would be just like when they were kids; hanging out, working on homework together, talking about boys. Just like old times.

"Yoohoo, anyone in there?" Amber waved her hand in front of Nina's face.

"Yeah, sorry." Nina shook her head. "Just thinking, that's all."

"What's got you so excited?" Amber asked. "Is it Fabian? Because, you know I always knew you two would end up together. You two were way too perfect for eachother not to! And after he saved you from falling to your death and begged you not to put on the mask! It was all so romantic! You guys kind of remind me of myself and Alfie! Maybe one day we can double date! It will be so awesome! We can watch movies together, go on picnics, and then maybe we can-"

"Amber!" Nina shouted. "It's not about Fabian!"

"Oh." Amber looked down trodden. "I don't really care then."

"Amber!" Nina smacked her arm. "My cousin Cleo is coming from Australia on an exchange program with her school. She's going to be with us for the next school year."

"She's from Australia?" Amber asked. "Ew, they have huge bugs and it's always so hot there! I don't know how anyone could live there."

"You really need to learn not to judge people from the get-co." Nina chuckled before continuing to type on her computer.

"As long as she doesn't bring any big spiders here, I don't care." Amber exclaimed before getting up and leaving the room. Nina chuckled softly before shaking her head. Cleo would have a lot to get used to when she came here.