First off, I'm barely on this site anymore, I'm afraid. :( Not because I don't like it, but because trying to catch up with my reviewing and reading is too hard when I'm in school. But I hope you'll all forgive me!

Song for this chapter: Ships In the Night by Mat Kearney

Dislciamer: I don't own House of Anubis.

Blue-grey eyes met brown ones, both silently judging each other. One mouth gave a weak smile, the other gave a frown. Finally one turned away to look at the person who had made both eyes meet in the first place.

"Mick," Amber glared at her boyfriend, "who is she?"

"Oh, this is KT, the girl I was telling you about," Mick said obliviously, and he draped an arm around KT's shoulders as they met Amber in front of her house. "My best friend, remember?"

"You never mentioned your best friend was a girl," Amber crossed her arms.

"Her name is Kara Tatiana. I thought that was enough to prove she was," Mick said.

"We are not taking her with us. This is a date." Amber snapped.

"I made her come. I'm taking her," Mick said.

"So you don't love me anymore," Amber gasped.

"Babe, don't you think you're overreacting?" Mick sighed. KT shifted from foot to foot awkwardly, wondering if she should cut in.

"You invited another girl to go to a party with you. I have a right to be angry," Amber said.

"I invited her to come with us, not me." Mick said.

"Like that's any better!" Amber shouted.

"I can go, Mick. It's not a problem." KT whispered.

"No way. You're coming." Mick protested.

"Then you're going to have to pick. Me or her?" Amber asked.

"I'm not choosing between you two," Mick said, exasperated.

"Because you like her more!"

"Amber, please."

"I can't believe you sometimes!" Amber began to cry.

"You know, I'll wait in the car," KT cut in.

"You can leave," Amber glared at her.

"Whoa. She's my friend, Amber, and I'm not going to have you speak like that to her," Mick said.

"Well, make her go with someone else to the party. But I am not going if she is." Amber said.

"Mick," KT said, "I'll drive there myself. Just text me the details."

"But this is ridiculous. Amber's just being moody today. I'm sure we can make room for you so you don't have to waste gas," Mick said. "There's no reason why I can't take both you and Amber."

"Mick!" Amber snapped.

"Come on," KT punched his shoulder awkwardly. "I'll be fine. Now do something useful and go out with your girlfriend, okay?"

"I'm going to make sure you're there. Don't think about ditching me since I'm not driving you." Mick warned, accepting the idea.

"Okay, okay. Now get a move on." KT replied. Mick walked over to Amber and KT paused. "Um, but I need a ride to my car."

"I figured," Mick laughed, and he took out his keys.

Mara couldn't feel more out of place.

"I don't like this," Mara whispered to Joy.

"Don't worry. It'll be easy," Joy assured her. "Just down it without thinking." She gave Mara the full shot glass and Mara trembled at the sight. She had never even had a beer before, and now they were offering her something so strong?

"Take Patricia for example. She's a pro," Fabian joked. Mara noticed that he didn't seem too excited at the idea, either, and he eyed his own shot glass in distaste.

"It's true," Patricia tossed back her third shot and Mara blinked in surprise.

"Hey, quit taking all my alcohol," Jerome threw an arm around Patricia's shoulder as he joined the four of them. "Alfie's been out since the last hour and I'm bored."

"He left?" Fabian asked.

"No, he's drunk," Jerome replied, and he took a shot for himself. "It's a nice place here, though. Don't you all agree?"

"It's sweet. Nice pool you got here," Patricia said. "We should all go swimming after Mara takes her first shot. And Fabian takes his, of course."

"Stutter Rutter taking a shot. This I have to see." Jerome smirked.

"Shut up, Jerome," Joy rolled her eyes. "Fabian can take a shot when he's nice and ready."

"Ooh, listen to her. Someone's smitten," Jerome teased.

"I said shut up!" Joy hit his arm, blushing madly.

Fabian quickly downed his shot, making a face after it was gone.

"Whoo," Patricia cheered flatly. "Come on Mara, you got this."

"No, really, I don't." Mara shook her head violently.

"I know you've never had a shot before, but it'll be fine," Joy prompted. "If you don't want to do this, though, forget it. We're not trying to force you into anything you don't want to do."

"You've never had a shot before?" Jerome eyed Mara with curiosity. "And you're in college? Someone's certainly been sheltered."

"I like to think I've been responsible, thank you," Mara muttered.

"Come on," Joy said, taking Mara's arm. "Let's go out for some air. Patricia, want to come?"

"What about me?" Fabian complained.

"This is girl stuff, Fabes," Joy scolded. "Honestly."

"I'll catch up," Patricia called, and she continued to down shots.

"Maybe I should go." Mara confided as Joy dragged her outside where the pool was.

"Are you kidding? No way, this is going to be fun," Joy said. "I know it seems like a sticky party right now, but it'll get better. Jerome's parties always do. We just have to wait around until the inevitable fight comes."

"Fight?"

"Yeah! I don't know why, but every party Jerome and Alfie throw ends up with someone getting hurt. Fight over a poker game, fight over a cheating girlfriend, that kind of stuff. And it's hilarious because once Jerome was in one fight where his girlfriend was cheating on him. He got punched so hard he blacked out."

"His girlfriend cheated on him? That's awful," Mara said. "Did she and Jerome break up afterwards?"

"Duh," Joy said. "No respectable person stays with someone who cheats on them."

"Right." Mara said.

"Now come on," Joy smiled. "Let's have some fun."

"Um, how-?"

The words had barely left Mara's lips when Joy, fully clothed, did a perfect dive into the pool. She swam to the edge before coming up, and once she did, she gave Mara a sheepish look as she saw Mara's shocked expression.

"Sorry," Joy called, "I forgot to tell you what I was going to do."

"T-That was insane," Mara sputtered. "Why are you...you aren't even dressed for...how aren't you cold?"

"I'm never cold when it comes to a pool," Joy sighed contentedly. "I'm part of the swim team; maybe you've seen some of the other girls around?"

"Some," Mara said. "But why with all your clothes?"

"I'm not going in naked!" Joy laughed, and it made Mara uncomfortable at her words, even joking as they were. "I didn't bring a swimsuit, that's all. And I'll be damned if I ever strip down to my underclothes in a party full of perverts."

"You're insane." Mara managed to say.

"Thank you," Joy smiled. "Want to come in?"

"Oh, no, I like to stay dry," Mara said. "And sane."

"Last one in has to make out with Jerome!" Patricia hollered and she suddenly jumped into the pool out of seemingly nowhere.

"Hey, you'd all be honored to make out with me!" Jerome called as he jumped in next. Fabian came in after them, wincing at the chill of the pool. Mara took a step back, blushing at how both Fabian and Jerome were only wearing boxers and Patricia in her underclothes.

"Mara, come on!" Patricia yelled. "It's nice!"

"No, thank you," Mara took another step back.

"Jerome, carry her in," Patricia ordered teasingly.

"What? No," Jerome said.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know her."

"You don't know half the sluts you date. Mara's better."

"Patricia," Fabian sighed. "Mara doesn't have to do anything. It's awkward enough for her to even be at this party."

"Listen to this guy. Are you in love, Rutter?" Jerome grinned.

"I am not," Fabian blushed. "I'm trying to be logical. We barely know Mara and it'd be rude to make her join us."

"Oh come on Mara, I thought we were friends." Joy whined.

"I-I'd really rather not." Mara backed up and she collided straight into a boy that was walking by the pool.

"Hey, watch where you're going," the blond beside him snapped.

"Amber," the boy sighed. "You're being too clingy."

"Mick!" Amber gasped. "I hate you!"

"She's probably on her period," another girl beside the guy coughed.

"KT!" Mick turned red. "D-Don't even mention that!"

"He's reeeeed," KT drawled, laughing brightly. "It's nature, Mick. Accept it like we accept guys having w-"

"Okay, that's enough." Mick clamped a hand over her mouth. "Uh, sorry." He directed the last part to Mara before he started to drag Amber away.

"I can't believe you sometimes," Amber glared at him. "You didn't even make eye contact when you apologized."

"You're the one who was rude to her," KT cut in.

"Was I asking you?!" Amber glared at KT.

"Amber, please," Mick sighed. He turned, gripped Mara by the shoulders, and solemnly said, "Sorry." Mara swallowed hard. She hadn't seen a boy that handsome before. Staring into his blue eyes, his gaze never leaving hers, it was...nice.

"It's alright." Mara smiled weakly, and she pushed up her glasses.

"If you're sure," Mick removed his hands. "Let me get you a drink. It's the least I can do."

"No, no, it's fine." Mara assured him.

"Let me do something to make it up to you, then." Mick said.

"Mick," Amber snapped her fingers. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm being nice," Mick said. "Do I need your permission for that?"

"Don't patronize me!" Amber gasped. "I am not that kind of girlfriend and you know it." She grabbed his hand in a futile attempt to get him away from Mara.

"Amber," Mick rolled his eyes, "don't. I'll take care of this and catch up with you later."

"Fine," Amber spat. "I hope you're happy breaking the hearts of those you love!" She stomped off, but even her words weren't enough to make Mick go after her. KT just stood there awkwardly, wondering what to do.

"Don't worry about me," Mara told Mick. "I'm with my friends right now, anyway."

"Swimming." KT nudged Mick, staring down at the pool with interest. "That would be a good workout."

"That," Mick grinned, "sounds like a challenge." He tore off his shirt and pants and dove right in.

"Mick!" KT called. "Wait!"

"What?" Mick popped his head up.

"Uh-" KT paused, flustered by his lack of clothing. Years of training had been really good to him... "What about Amber?"

"She'll be fine," Mick said obliviously. "Now are you getting in?"

KT sighed. Mick had been her best friend for years. She knew how many girlfriends he'd had. She knew how often his relationships ended. She knew that his lack of being romantic often did the trick. He was sweet, but he was oblivious. He didn't understand girls and their minds. He didn't even try.

"Duh." KT smiled, and she jumped in. Because when it came to her best friend, sometimes she had to accept that was who he was.

Amber stomped off, away from Mick and his best friend. She hated this feeling- this feeling of jealousy. KT Rush wasn't anything special. She didn't have Amber's grace and, in Amber's opinion, wasn't nearly as pretty. But what Amber hated the most was how KT knew Mick all these years and Amber barely met him a year ago, making the two close.

"Amber," Erin walked over to her. "Poppy, Willow, and I have been looking for you. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," Amber tried to smile. "I was just fighting with...someone, but, uh, it's okay now. Let's go get to know each other, shall we?" She started to walk after Erin, but she barely walked two steps before a guy exiting the kitchen spilled his drink down the front of her shirt.

"Whoa!" The guy exclaimed.

"Ew!" Amber shrieked as the cold alcohol touched her skin. "That is so gross!"

"My baad," the guy laughed. It was clear he was drunk. Amber gave him a once over, clearly unimpressed. He was skinny, lanky, and sort of tall. He was dark skinned and his hair was close cut. His eyes were dark brown, but right now his uncontrollable laughing was making it hard to tell.

"Get away from me!" Amber shoved him backwards.

"Ouch," the guy mumbled as he stumbled back into a wall. "Hey, you're pretty." His hand reached out and touched Amber's cheek gently.

"Erin!" Amber yelled, horrified. "Get this rapist off of me!"

"Um, he's not really raping you." Erin pointed out. One look from Amber told her she said the wrong thing, so Erin quickly grabbed Amber's wrist and pulled her out of there.

"That was just so creepy," Amber wailed. "I need Mick!"

"We'll find your Mick," Erin said, sighing. Weren't college girls supposed to be sophisticated?

"What? No way. He blew me off," Amber waved that idea away. "Now where are Willow and Poppy?"

"They're waiting for us over in the living room." Erin gave up trying to soothe the girl and she just led her over to where the others were.

"Hey." Amber gave them a smile once she greeted them. Willow was looking around wearily and Poppy seemed to be trying to sink herself deep into the couch they sat on.

"Hi, Amber," Poppy said. "Did you come late?"

"Oh no, I was with my boyfriend and his...uh, friend," Amber said. "Sorry."

"You have a boyfriend?" Willow perked up slightly.

"You have to tell us about him." Erin said, interested herself.

"What? Why?" Amber asked, baffled.

"Well- because- we want to know how to talk to a guy." Poppy admitted.

"You mean you three don't have boyfriends?" Amber gasped. "That's going to be my mission, I promise. Now let me talk to you about the three stages of getting a guy: the hints, the tease, and the kiss."

"You mean there's only three?" Erin asked.

"If done well," Amber warned. "First off, drop hints you're interested. With Mick, I liked to pass by his locker every day with this." She flipped her hair and gave a flirty smile.

"That's demeaning." Poppy deadpanned.

"Well, you don't have to do that exactly," Amber said. "Just look attractive to them and make them interested. You catch my drift, right?"

"You're sure that'll work?" Erin looked doubtful.

"Maybe," Amber shrugged. "It all depends on the person." She reached over and touched one of Poppy's two braids. "Do you always wear your hair like that?"

"Uh...yes?"

"I've got my work cut out for me," Amber sighed. "What about makeup? Do you guys wear any?"

"Sometimes?" Erin offered.

"My parents don't like me to wear makeup," Willow said.

"You're eighteen, Willow! They can't tell you what to do," Amber said.

"They're still my legal guardians if I live with them," Willow pouted childishly.

"For now," Amber winked. "Why don't you move out?"

"I don't have the money to, and my parents wouldn't want to give me the money for it. They like having me there, anyway." Willow said.

"It sounds like they're smothering you," Poppy mentioned.

"Yeah," Erin agreed.

"They're not," Willow defended them. "I'm fine, okay? Just fine."

"You poor, poor high schooler," Amber sighed. "They brainwashed you to think that. Come on, are you going to complain about your parents all night, or are you going to have fun?"

"I'm not complaining. I love my parents."

"Everyone has to love their parents. Unless they're drunks. Or bastards that leave their children at a young age only to never come back. Or if they're dead. Because if they're dead you can't love them. Unless you got to know them before they died. Then-"

"Amber, we get it. You can love most parents," Poppy cut her off. "The question is, what now? Aren't we supposed to be bonding or something?"

"Oh yes. Let's go bond over some drinks," Amber said. "Mick would usually get me one, but he doesn't love me anymore, so I won't ask him. Hey, you." She poked a passing guy, who happened to be Eddie. Nina was walking beside him.

"Yeah?" Eddie turned to look at her sideways.

"Can you get me a drink?"

"What, I don't even get a name first?" Eddie grinned. "Sure pretty girl, I'll get you a drink."

"Oh, right. I'm Amber," Amber said. "Is that your sister?"

"No, I'm Nina. His best friend and self-appointed babysitter," Nina said.

"Well, hi. I like your hair. Can I see it?" Amber asked.

"Um...sure?"

"This, Poppy," Amber caught a handful of Nina's hair and she shook it. "This is what your hair should be. Loose, wavy, and totally chic."

"So, any preference on that drink?" Eddie asked.

"Anything strong," Amber said.

"And is there a reason you asked me to get you this drink?" Eddie looked amused.

"Why are you questioning me? I'm blond and hot." Amber stated.

"Fair enough. As long as I get to know you better, Amber," Eddie said. "My name's Eddie, just so you know."

"Eddie. A cute American boy, huh? I like it," Amber grinned.

"Is that part of the three steps?" Willow wondered aloud.

"Patience, young child."

"I'm only a few years younger than you!"

"Whatever. Let's just go have fun." Amber said.

"I hate having fun," Patricia muttered.

"Come on, Patricia! You usually love diving," Joy nudged her. "This diving board is the highest I've ever seen! It's bound to be amazing!"

"You are on the swim team and can make these jumps everyday. I am normal and am not a fish." Patricia crossed her arms.

"Hey, what are you implying?"

"I'm not doing this."

"Too late. You're already up here." Joy said, amused.

"That doesn't mean I can't go down," Patricia challenged.

"Okay, then go down." Joy then pushed Patricia off the diving board. After Patricia came up, sputtering and swearing, Joy did a perfect dive after her. When she surfaced she was greeted with a splash of water her way.

"I hate you." Patricia snapped.

"You did it," Joy grinned, but Patricia just exited the pool, angry.

"You sure know how to make a splash." Eddie mentioned as Patricia stalked past him. He'd been walking past the pool to take Amber her drink, but when Patricia fell into the water, she'd splashed him and intrigued him somewhat.

"Fuck off." Patricia gave him the middle finger as she grabbed a towel from a stack nearby, not bothering to even look his way.

"Harsh words, Yacker. And here I'm just trying to be friendly," Eddie teased as he emptied the drink he'd been carrying for Amber, seeing how it now had pool water in it.

"You." Patricia gasped, turning to glare at Eddie.

"In the flesh," Eddie said teasingly. "Did you request Nicki Minaj from the DJ here, sweetheart?"

"Goddamnit, why the hell are you here?" Patricia glowered.

"I was invited," Eddie huffed.

"Yeah, right. And who invited you?"

"Jerome did. He's a good friend of mine."

"I have to talk to that Slimeball," Patricia grumbled to himself. "So you showed up anyway? You don't even know anyone here."

"You don't know me," Eddie winked, "so I wouldn't be so sure. See you around, Hermione."

"Oh great, just what we need. Another patronizing American whose only reference to the UK is Harry Potter," Patricia said. "Do us all a favor and go die in a hole, why don't you?"

"Charming," Eddie said dryly, but he just turned and left to get a new drink.

"Ooh, who was the hottie?" Joy came over to Patricia, wringing her hair out and dabbing it with a towel.

"I don't know and I don't care," Patricia said. "He was so ugh."

"But hot, right?" Joy grinned.

"Joy!" Patricia explained.

"What?" Joy raised her palms up in a way to show innocence.

"Come on, let's get back to the others." Patricia said, exasperated.

"Um, guys?" Fabian exited the water, dripping wet. "Can we go back inside? It's getting cold and Jerome's already making out with some girl."

"Jerome is such a whore," Joy remarked. "I can't believe you ever dated him." She gave a pointed look towards Patricia. Patricia scowled as her jade eyes reflected her annoyance towards Joy's remark.

"I dated him for like a month. Don't get excited," Patricia huffed.

"Then you cheated on him and gave him a taste of his own medicine," Joy gave her a high five which Patricia weakly returned. Because Patricia hadn't meant to give Jerome a taste of his own medicine; she had merely been too drunk and Jerome too distant. Even so, they broke it off because they realized it wouldn't work.

But Patricia had really wanted it work.

"I'm going to find Alfie," Fabian said. "I'll be right back." Joy and Patricia didn't reply; instead, they talked on about boys. Fabian went on without them.

He entered the living room where he found people just sitting around. Amber and Eddie were talking to each other, and Erin, Willow, and Poppy watched them intensely. Nina sat aside from everyone, just sighing and drinking from her cup.

"Hey, you're that one guy!" Nina perked up when she saw Fabian. "The one from the store earlier, right?"

"Yeah. You're the employee at Anubis Records, right?" Fabian eyed her cautiously. "The one who was lying to my friend?"

"In all fairness, I think every employee lies to their customers." Nina said, not looking troubled by how he'd remembered her.

"And your name is Nina?" Fabian couldn't hide the grin on his face. He stood by her, leaning against the wall comfortably.

"Yup. What's your name?"

"Fabian."

"So you're not Fabes. Gotcha." Nina said.

"That's just, um, what my friend calls me," Fabian bushed red. "She likes to give me nicknames."

"Cute," Nina said. "How long have you two been dating?"

"We're not dating." Fabian was quick to say. "She and I have been best friends since grade school, that's all. Along with my other friend, Patricia."

"The one clashing with Eddie, right?" Nina asked, and Fabian nodded. "Well he's like that, so I'm sorry about him. Is this your friend's birthday party?"

"No, my other friend Jerome is just having this party," Fabian shrugged.

"Eddie knows him." Nina nodded, and they fell into awkward silence.

"W-Well," Fabian coughed, "how are you liking this party so far?"

"It's good. Definitely fun." Nina fidgeted, playing with the hem of her shirt. Fabian looked away shyly, wondering what else he could say.

"Um," Fabian blurted, "I have to go now."

"Have fun." Nina gave him a shy smile before she turned to see if Eddie was done talking to Amber. He wasn't; instead, he was now kissing her. Nina rolled her eyes.

Fabian walked away, unsure why he'd stopped to talk to her in the first place. He remembered to go find Alfie and he entered the kitchen to find Alfie splayed out over the kitchen table.

"Alfie," Fabian nudged his friend. "Alfie!"

"Hmmm? Whatizzit?" Alfie asked, rolling over.

"Are you okay?" Fabian questioned.

"Yep...I feel *hiccup* fiiiine." Alfie began to chuckle.

"Alfie, let's get you to a bed." Fabian sighed.

"NO!" Alfie panicked. "I can't go to bed with anyone!"

"What? No. No! That's...that's gross!" Fabian shrieked. "I meant to take you so you can sleep by yourself! Not me...with you!"

"Ohhh," Alfie drawled. "Fabian?"

"Yeah?"

"So you're Fabian?"

"Uh...yeah."

"I met a girl, Fabian," Alfie grinned. "She was pretty."

"That's great, Alfie," Fabian said tiredly. "Just go upstairs."

"But you don't get it," Alfie pleaded. "She was like a model."

"Goodbye Alfie," Fabian shoved his friend up the stairs.

"Bye." Alfie chuckled to himself as he swayed back and forth, going up the stairs. He passed out when he reached the top, and Fabian sighed to himself.

Jerome entered one of the many rooms of the house, trying to find a bathroom. He liked the place, but it was really hard to find things since it wasn't his own house.

"I'm sorry!" Mara gasped, and she jumped when Jerome opened the door. Jerome stumbled backwards.

"What are you doing up here?" Jerome asked, recognizing her as one of Joy's friends.

"Reading," Mara said sheepishly, and she held out a book.

"You came upstairs in the middle of a party...to read?" Jerome said slowly.

"I'll go," Mara said quickly.

"No, that's not what I..." Jerome trailed off. "You can stay."

"Thank you," Mara thanked him, but Jerome had already left the room, bothered about how the weird girl had snuck off to read.

"Gerbil!" Poppy almost crashed into her brother as she and a boy holding her hand were about to enter a room. Jerome had continued trying to find a bathroom and instead had found his sister.

"Poopy?" Jerome eyed her and the boy. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Poppy dropped the boy's hand. "Amber gave me some tips."

"Amber?"

"Look, it's nothing bad. Go back to the party." Poppy said.

"You're drunk?" Jerome directed this question to the boy.

"No," the boy said.

"Then why are you with my sister? Can't you do better?" Jerome examined him critically. "Alright, you have a STD, don't you?"

"Jerome!" Poppy gasped. The boy looked horrified at Jerome's guess.

"I'm asking," Jerome shrugged. "What individual with self-respect would go for you?"

"You're horrible," Poppy spat.

"Well, I try." Jerome smirked.

"Y-You know, I think I should go," the boy coughed. "See you around, Poppy."

"You don't have to go so soon." Poppy insisted.

"No, see, I have something that I forgot about...I need to go."

After the boy had hurriedly left, Poppy turned towards a smirking Jerome with anger evident in her eyes.

"You rat! That was the first time a boy's been interested in me. An older, cute, nice boy!" Poppy cried, shoving her brother hard. He stumbled backwards, but kept a cool, level face on.

"Oh come on," Jerome made a face. "That bloke was only interested in you so he could get into your pants. What was he, eighteen? Trust me, I know boys at that age."

"We weren't going to do anything! Just get to know each other!" Poppy defended herself. "Amber said the best place to get to know a boy was someplace secluded and quiet. That way they're not only already interested and can pay full attention to you, but they'll link the environment to something romantic."

"I'm sorry, Amber? Who is this, another one of your little imaginary friends?"

"No. For your information she's a college student I invited here," Poppy said. "I can have older friends, you know."

"Ha! You, have friends? That alone is a laugh." Jerome said.

"I hate you," Poppy murmured as she shoved past him. Jerome watched her go, smirking like nothing had happened.

"Victor, honestly, you'll drive yourself to your death, acting like this," Trudy scolded as she entered his room to find him working like he always was.

"Don't trifle yourself with me, Trudy. I'm fine." Victor said.

"It's midnight and you're working away." Trudy said stubbornly.

"Yes, well, so are you." Victor said childishly.

"I'm your maid; I have specific hours I work." Trudy said.

"I'll get to sleep soon enough. Go clean someplace else," Victor waved his hand to show for her to leave as he continued to pore over a book on his desk.

"I've cleaned everywhere else but your study," Trudy said.

"Well, get to it tomorrow."

"Victor, I'm worried about you."

"You aren't supposed to be worried about me," Victor snapped harshly. "You're just the help." He went back to his book, but Trudy turned and left, feeling unusually sad.

She did worry too much about her grumpy employer, but it wasn't anything unusual. Trudy was a naturally motherly person and a natural worrier.

Victor, in turn, watched as Trudy left. He hated to hurt her that way, but he had to do it. She was so like someone else he'd known, a long time ago. He couldn't get tied up with her again, at least not emotionally.

"There, Corbierre," Victor whispered as he pointed to something in his book. "This can end our suffering. This can make sure that we won't be tangled with the children's fate. This can make sure we'll be free."

Thanks for reading! It may seem confusing and random, but I promise, everything is there for a reason. Even some of the most weird moments you see. :)

A big thanks to my reviewers:

stuckbeingrachel

Just Juice

cruzguadalupe6

bondlikesuperglue

Tinydancer973- No you're not implying anything! I'm still a diehard Jabian shipper. I'm sorry if I've been looking like I neglected it. Thank you for making me realize that my own ship should be more important than others.

Guest

hbhs12

Samantha

HOAluver13

fanficsrule2019

FloraIrmaTylee- YOU HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO A JABIAN FAN? I CAN LOVE YOU AGAIN!

koryandrs

I'd like to thank Tinydancer973 because he/she made me realize something. I have been neglecting my love for Jabian because so many people prefer Fabina over Jabian and I like to please my reviewers. For that I'd like for you guys to vote: Fabina or Jabian?