Chapter Four
Nina went to the kitchen after dressing up. She sat on her usual seat as Trudy gave her a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
"Thanks, Trudy," she said as she took a slurp of the soup.
Trudy smiled at the American and excused herself. "I've got to finish the laundry." Trudy left Nina alone in the dining room.
"'Morning," Nina heard Joy enter the room and sit beside her. "Hey, Nina."
"Morning," Nina greeted back at the brunette.
After the whole Cup of Ankh incident, Victor left the house leaving an extra room which made it possible for Joy to stay in the house. Joy is extremely nice to Nina though she did have a crush on Fabian not so long ago.
"Alright?" Joy asked Nina. "Fabes told us that you were awfully sick last night."
Nina flinched at the word 'Fabes'. She still hasn't gotten used to the fact that Joy and Fabian used to be best friends. "I'm fine, really. Fabian's probably just overreacting about it."
"Am not," Fabian entered the dining area. "Well, this is a surprise!" Fabian noticed Joy in the room. "Joy, you're up early." He said sarcastically.
Joy groaned in reply. "Don't even remind me. I had to finish Jason's special assignment! It still sucks that I am a year late!"
"Well, that's what you get for being a chosen one, Joy," Jerome entered the kitchen and grabbed a piece of toast on the table.
"Aren't you supposed to be helping Patricia?" Joy snarled at Jerome and stalked off the room.
"What about breakfast?" Jerome followed after her. "Joy?"
Nina thought she heard Joy faintly reply "not hungry anymore" from the hallway.
"So, how're you feeling?" Fabian broke the silence.
"I'm fine, Fabian," Nina took a sip of soup. "Anyway, thanks for bringing me up. I must have been heavy."
"Yeah, you are," Fabian said jokingly. "You should cut off eating ice cream after dinner."
Nina stuck her tongue out playfully. "I'm not that fat, Fabian."
Fabian just chuckled. "Just go finish your soup before it gets cold."
"It's already cold," Nina pointed out. "It's because you entered the room."
"No, don't go blaming it on me," Fabian grinned and joined the argument playfully.
"I will," Nina said as she swallowed. "You are to blame anyway."
"If you weren't just sick…" Fabian trailed off.
Little did the two know, all their housemates were by the door eavesdropping.
"How can they just talk about… soup?" Amber's pretty face scrunched up as she felt upset about the slow progress of her favorite couple.
"I still don't get it," Joy looked confused herself. "They kissed at prom. How could they not end up together?"
"Well, you see –"Mick started.
"Guys," Mara said suddenly whispered. "Why don't we talk somewhere…else?" She looked at the kitchen where Nina was already finished eating and she and Fabian were heading in their direction.
"I say my room!" Alfie said as the gang rushed into his and Jerome's room.
In Alfie and Jerome's extremely messy room, the group of seven tried to settle themselves in the mess. The girls sat on Jerome's bed which was much… neater than Alfie's while the boys sat on the carpeted floor.
"If they ask," Jerome said as they settled themselves, "say you're helping me and Trixie finish the diorama." He motioned proudly on the finished diorama on the floor.
They all agreed with Jerome's suggestion.
"So…" Joy said when they were all settled. "Is anyone gonna explain anything to me?"
"Which side do you want to know first?" Alfie smirked.
"I want to hear..." Joy trailed off. "Fabes' side. He's much longer of a friend."
"Well, then," Jerome patted Mick's shoulder. "Mick, mate, I leave the storytelling to you."
"Well," Mick grinned. "It all started after prom…"
A/N: R&R. Rate and Review. The next chapter 'House of Flashbacks' will take a wee bit longer to make. :)