House of Truths: House of Dares
A/N: Sorry for the week-long wait. Chapter three is here! Woot! Enjoy!
Pairings: Nina/Fabian, Mara/Mick/Amber triangle, Patricia/Jerome
Genre: Humor/Romance
Nina's POV
Okay, that was, like the weirdest game of Truth or Dare I've ever played. I know Amber thinks that I should date Fabian -as she's hinted at it several times- but who knew she was cunning enough to think of using a game to try and get us together?
Not that we do like each other of course, but you know, Amber just thinks so...
Fabian and I went to the attic at 1:00 as planned, but found nothing of importance and decided to head back after fifteen minutes so that we didn't get caught and get in trouble.
I was awakened the morning after by Amber, throwing mountains of clothes on top of me.
"Nina!" She exclaimed, looking relieved to see me up. "Oh, you have to help me pick something to wear!"
I rubbed my eyes sleepily. "For what?"
"For the day, silly! When schools over I can't just go around in my uniform, duh!" She threw yet another pile of clothes on me and moved to my drawer. Confused, I fought my way through the clothes and got out of bed.
"Amber, that drawer has my clothes in it!"
Amber nodded. "Oh, I know,"
"Well then...what are you doing?"
"Oh, see I have to wear your clothes today because Fabian dared me not to wear any of mine at the game last night, remember?"
"Amber, he dared you not to wear anything pink or expensive," I said, rolling my eyes. Sometimes Amber was just too much.
"Nina, Nina, Nina! All of my clothes are pink or expensive. Duh."
I sighed. "Okay, I guess you can go ahead and wear something of mine, but next time could you please ask before you dig up everything I own?"
"Sure, sure, Nina! Thanks!"
After getting dressed, I went down to breakfast, sitting next to Fabian as always.
"Morning, sleepyhead." He grinned at me.
"Morning, Sherlock. Figured out anymore pieces to our mysterious puzzle yet?"
"No, Nancy Drew. You?"
"Not since the last one, no."
"Don't worry about it, we're getting closer I can feel it." He said excitedly.
Ah, Anubis House wouldn't be nearly as fun if I didn't have Fabian for a friend. We were quietly discussing our thoughts and ideas on the latest clue when Amber came downstairs in her uniform, looking pleased.
"Oh, Nina wait until you see what I close to wear. You have such cute little dresses! How come you never wear them?"
I shrugged. "They're not really me. My grandma bought them for me, and I brought them along to make her happy. You can have them if you want."
"Really, can I? Thanks!"
Trudy came in with the food, carefully placing the hot trays on the table.
"Enjoy dears!" She said. "And Alfie, I'll have that apple pie ready for you this afternoon." Alfie groaned. "Why, Nina?"
I smiled as I finished my breakfast.
"Ta da!" School was over for the day, and Amber and I were in our room. Amber spun around in my dress, looking proud. She chose to wear the sleeveless red one with little ruffles by the neck. I liked the dress, but not on me.
"Wow, Amber you look great!"
"I know," She came and sat down on my bed beside me. "Nina, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what?"
"Don't you have any feelings for Fabian? Romantic feelings?"
I blushed. Darn, Nina, stop blushing!
"What? Amber where did you get that idea?" I knew she was trying to set me up with him!
"You like him, I can tell. And he likes you too." She informed me.
"Amber, you have to stop gossiping about people. Fabian and I are friends and nothing more."
"But you get along so well together!"
"That's because we're a team. You and Patricia, too. We're Sibuna, remember? Now, Fabian and I were gonna go to the cellar, in a few. Wanna come?"
"Oh no, sorry," She stood up. "I can't."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Oh, you know, things to do."
"But-"
"Bye!"
She left before I could say another word. That was really weird.
I ran straight into Fabian coming out of my room. "Ow..." I held my hand to my forehead.
"Oh, Nina! I'm sorry!" Fabian moved my hand and inspected my head with concern.
"It's okay-"
"No really, it was all my fault."
"Relax Fabian, it's alright. Now I'm ready for a little sleuthing. To the cellar?"
"To the cellar," He agreed. "But let me go grab a flashlight. Make sure you've got everything."
With excitement surging through me, I went back into my room and grabbed my satchel, which I slid around my shoulder and I put on my necklace, the Eye of Horus, and then tucked the front down my shirt.
"Nina, Nina!" Amber met us at the door to the common room. We had a long day in the cellar and we accomplished nothing. Nothing of value anyway. I had the idea that we look for some sort of trap door with the Eye of Horus. You know, see if it will open anything if I move it inch by inch over the wall. We were going to try later on tonight after everyone had gone to bed.
"Guess what?" Amber shook my shoulders.
"What?"
"Guess!"
I exchanged a glance with Fabian. "Um, I don't know. You bought a new pair of high heels online?"
"No -good guess though- Mick's back!"
"Oh!" Fabian and I gave her fake smiles. "That's...um, great!"
"Yeah, I'll bet you, by this time tomorrow we'll be back together again!" She skipped away happily. Fabian started to go after her, but I put out my arm to stop him.
"What are you doing?"
"Stopping her from getting hurt!"
"You can't crush her dreams, Fabian. Let her figure it out for herself," I felt really sorry for Amber, too, but telling her that there was no way that Mick would get back with her by tomorrow when he was currently dating Mara wouldn't help anything.
I sighed, tired."It's almost eight o'clock, did you know," Fabian said. "We've been in the cellar for hours. I want so bad to ditch the game tonight if only we didn't promise Patricia."
Just then, Patricia entered the room, dragging Mara by the arm. "Patricia-" Mara started.
"Mick's back, isn't he? There's nothing to be depressed about. Go on and join the game with us!"
"Oh, alright! But only if he plays too."
"Fine. Mick!" She shouted.
"What?" He came into the room, covered in sweat.
"Oh, gross! Go shower so that we can play the game!"
"What game?"
"Truth or Dare! Go!" She pushed him out the door. "In the meantime, we'll establish the new rules," She cast a nasty look at Jerome. "And get into a circle."
"Amber, you're in between Fabian and Mara. Mara, you sit beside Mick who sits beside Nina. Then there's me and I'll be next to Alfie," Here she looked at Alfie and Jerome to makes sure they understood. "And then Jerome, then back to Fabian to complete it, okay?"
Everyone got into their places, Jerome looking sulky.
I took my seat next to Patricia feeling a little out of place.
"Now, for the new rules. You can forfeit without ending the game for everyone. You don't have to do any dangerous dares, and you ask questions to the person on you left, those rules can stay. Oh, and you can't switch spots."
"Those are the dumbest rules I ever heard,"Jerome grumbled.
"And," She continued as if she hadn't heard him. "I start first. Got it?"
Mick joined us ten minutes later, squeaky clean and Patricia ordered him to sit on my other side.
"Alright now let's begin!" Patricia turned to me. "Nina, truth or dare?"
"Um...truth. No! Um...dare! Wait, I changed my mind! Truth!"
Patricia rolled her eyes. "Final answer?"
"Um...no?"
"Nina!" Amber groaned. "Make up your mind!"
"Fine, truth!"
"Do you have romantic feelings for Fabian?" Patricia asked excitedly.
"R-Romantic feelings? Uh...of course not! We're just-just friends!"
"Patricia!" Amber folded her arms. "You need to enforce a new rule. No lying!"
"I'm not lying!" I snapped. "I wish you guys would just stop trying to set me up with Fabian. Yes, I know what you were up to," I said when everyone looked shocked. "And I wish you would just cut it out."
It was quiet for a minute and I was careful not to look at Fabian. Uh oh, what if I hurt his feelings? I must have sounded like a real jerk just now. I wished I could take it all back, but it was too late, so mostly to get everybody to stop staring at me, I turned to Mick.
"Truth or dare?"
"What? Oh...truth."
"Okay...what do you really do when you're not playing sports?"
He blushed. "Oh, well...actually I kind of like to reframashing..."
"What?" I put my finger to my ear.
"I said I like to read fashion magazines..."
My outburst was forgotten now that everyone was laughing at Mick. Alfie and Jerome were laughing the loudest.
"I knew it! I knew all along he was a poof!"
"Watch it, Lewis!" Mick grumbled.
"Aw, is Campbell sad that he can't go read his girly magazines?" Jerome teased.
"Nina!" He glared at me and I shrugged.
"Sorry, how was I supposed to know you liked that kind of stuff?"
"Mara truth or dare?" He said over the noise.
"Ooh, that's a tough one. Um... I'll try truth."
"Okay. Do you want to kiss me as much as I want to kiss you?"
Mara bit her lip, suppressing a grin. "Oh, Mick..."
They leaned in to kiss, and everyone, including me, as much as I love romances, groaned and looked away. I noticed that Amber was looking particularly upset. I really wish that Mara and Mick wouldn't act this way in front of her.
When the love fest was over, Mara faced Amber. "Truth or Dare, Amber?"
"Oh, what does it matter!" She snapped. "I'm going to bed."
"No!" Patricia gasped. "If you forfeit, you end the game for everyone!"
"That's not a real rule anymore, now, is it?" Jerome mocked.
"Well...it is now! Come on Amber, we need you!"
Okay, I think Patricia likes playing this game a little too much.
"Patricia, I think you're being a little over-dramatic.." Fabian muttered.
"No!" Amber said, sitting down again. "She's right. I need to follow the rules. Besides," She looked at Fabian. "It's my turn next."
I knew what that meant. She was going to ask Fabian if he had 'romantic feelings' for me, too. Everyone was so intent on Amber's turn that they forgot all about the fact that it was really Mara's turn. Fabian seemed to be thinking the same thing as me about the whole 'romantic feelings' thing and he chose dare instead.
"Oh, yes!" Patricia pumped her fist in the air. I looked at her strangely. Oh no...was this part of their plan? What could they possibly dare Fabian to do that involves me? What will Amber say to him? I dare you to...?
"I dare you to kiss Nina!" Amber said dramatically. "It has to be at least three seconds long. Go on!"
I felt the blood rush to my face. Oh, I knew this would happen! Why would Fabian fall into their trap!
"Amber!" Fabian was red as a tomato. "You can't make us kiss! That has to be against the rules or something!"
He looked at Patricia who shook her head. "Sorry, but no." I noticed that Jerome sulky look had vanished and he was now grinning, whispering excitedly to Alfie. Nobody else seemed to notice though, they were all staring at Fabian and I.
"Kiss her!" Amber urged.
Fabian looked at me, searching my face for approval. He was under enough pressure already. I didn't want him to feel worse by acting weirded out by having to kiss him.
"It's okay," I whispered to him, squeezing his hand comfortingly. "You can kiss me. I won't be upset." He drew in his breath.
"Really?" He smiled.
"Really. It's alright."
"You sure?"
"Kiss already!" Alfie shouted.
Fabian and I locked eyes just seconds before he leaned in. It was as if the world were moving in slow motion. His face moved closer to mine, inch by inch so slowly as if hours were passing instead of seconds. He was about to kiss me. Fabian was about to kiss me! Would this ruin our friendship? How will it feel? Nice? Strange? Good? What if, I felt a surge of horror. What if I end up falling in love with him?
When we were just centimeters away, he hesitated. His eyes revealed the same fears that I had been feeling. How would this affect our friendship? But despite all, I nodded. Telling him silently once again that it was okay to kiss me. He smiled then and I smiled back right before our lips touched.
Amber had said three seconds and three seconds they were precisely. Yes, I counted. But it felt like longer. Our lips fit together perfectly. Fabians were soft and gentle, reflecting how he feeling. Kind and careful.
I was careful too, so as not to do anything wrong. Can you do things wrong when you kiss? I didn't know. I had my eyes open for the majority of the quick kiss, watching Fabian, who's eyes were tight shut. His face was crimson. I could still feel the smile that he had on before we kissed. I was still smiling too, I realized. We broke the kiss at exactly the same moment and I figured he must have been counting too.
The room broke out into loud cheering.
"Oh, you guys!" Amber pounced on us in a hug. "That was so romantic! Did you like it?" She squeezed us until I could hardly breathe.
"Ow! Amber!" Fabian cried. "You're hurting us!"
"I knew you guys would realize it sooner or later, didn't I, Patricia?"
"No way, all of this was my idea." She looked happy even as she rolled her eyes at Amber.
"You guys," I interrupted them. "Fabian and I aren't together." I looked at him for help and he nodded.
"Yeah, we only kissed like you asked for the dare. We're still just mates."
"No!" Amber exclaimed with a terrified gasp. "You have to be in love! That kiss was magical!"
"Amber, Fabian's my friend. My best friend. I don't feel that way about him." I thought I saw a look of hurt on his face, but maybe I was just imagining it because he hurriedly agreed with me.
"But I was so sure you guys were in love..."Amber broke off, looking defeated. Fabian and I exchanged guilty glances. We didn't want to upset Amber,but there was no way I was going to tell Fabian I liked him. Uh... you know. If I liked him, that is...
Amber sighed. "I'm tired. I'm ready to go to bed." She announced sullenly.
"Okay," I was surprised at Patricia's casual tone. "Then we can all be in bed early. How about we play again tomorrow? Eight o'clock again, yeah?"
Everyone agreed. Patricia guided Amber out of the common room, whispering something to her. Amber's depressed look faded into something hopeful. I left the room with Fabian. Both of us quiet.
We stopped in front of mine and Amber's room.
"Goodnight," He said tenderly, kissing me softly on the cheek.
I blushed, but smiled at him.
"Goodnight." I replied, kissing his cheek also. "See you later. Cellar? Around two-ish?"
"Sure!"
We smiled at each other and he left.
Amber was watching from the doorway looking sad as he walked away.
"Are you sure you only want to be friends with Fabian? He's really cute and sweet and nice. How can you not love him?"
"I do love Fabian, Amber. Just not the way that you want. Now let's go to bed."
"Then why did you guys kiss each other just now?"
"It was just a friendly gesture." I sighed.
"Fabian and I have been friends longer than you and him have and he's never kissed me goodnight." She countered.
"Yeah, well..." I sighed. "I just like being only friends with Fabian. I like him a lot, but that's really it. Nothing more."
"I don't believe you."
Amber didn't say another word to me for the rest of the night. I tried to convince myself that I did nothing wrong. She was mad at me for no reason really. It wasn't my fault for not loving Fabian. Because I don't love him...right?
I pressed my finger to my lips, still feeling, and tasting Fabian on me. I found myself blushing again. Stupid, stupid, Nina! Stop blushing! You don't love Fabian! And even if you did, he doesn't love you back.
That thought made me feel a little depressed. I slept pretty badly that night. I wouldn't really call it sleeping at all. I dozed off occasionally as I thought of kissing Fabian. Ugh, why did I let him go through with that stupid dare?
Why would I let him kiss me? To him we're "just mates" anyway. I felt tears spring into my eyes.
Oh, why am I crying? Just because Fabian doesn't love me? Why should that bother me? Unless...
Is it possible? Do I like Fabian?
A/N: Hm...is somebody starting to realize that they like a certain someone? Don't worry! Just because Nina and Fabian kissed already by no means does it mean that this story is anywhere near over! More truth or dare to come! And maybe a few more kisses, 'friendly' and romantic from Nina and Fabian?
Review! Tell me what you want and what you think!