Disclaimer: I don't own House of Anubis or any songs I mention!
Author: Alleycat
Story: Such Great Heights
Fabian is in his junior year at university when he meets a new transfer student, Nina. Their friendship uncovers a mystery that leads Fabian to question everything, even Nina herself. Fabina Peddie
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Chapter 4
"Drink up babydoll
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
Cause it's all going off without you
Excuse me too busy writing your tragedy
These mishaps"
-Frou Frou "Let Go"
Fabian forced himself to arrive only 5 minutes early to the dining hall.
He offered for her to come to his house for breakfast but she declined. She said she didn't want anyone to overhear. He didn't want to be interrupted either, but the way Nina said it made it seem like she had something really big to tell him.
It made him nervous.
That was the only reason he was nervous.
Not because he was hanging out with Nina or anything, he was way past that.
He also felt a little better when he spied the familiar figure, engrossed in a book. She was sitting alone, her hair falling in golden waves. He wondered if he should interrupt her or let her enjoy the book she couldn't tear her eyes away from.
An unconscious smile appeared on his face as he approached the table, a decision made before he realized it.
"You're early," She greeted with a big smile as she closed her book. "I waited for you to get food."
"Well let's go," He encouraged. "I've waited too long to hear about this."
Nina laughed and put the book in her bag. She allowed herself to be hurried and they went to order their food.
"I've never eaten here," She commented, once they sat down with toast and eggs on their plates. Nina had more fruit on her plate while Fabian picked up some bacon.
"You're not missing much," Fabian replied honestly, poking his egg with a fork.
"I think it looks good," She said cheerfully and took a bite.
Fabian smiled in amusement and followed her lead. He wasn't sure why, maybe he was too used to his roommates' cooking, but that breakfast at the dining hall was one of the best he had.
She raised her eyebrows as he chewed and he nodded grudgingly.
Nina brightened.
"So what's all the secrecy about? What happened last night?" He asked after he swallowed a bite.
"Patricia wanted me to break into the library," Nina quietly admitted.
"What?" Fabian exclaimed, inhaling and choking on a piece of bacon.
Nina leaned over and began patting his back. "Subtle," She remarked, after he calmed himself down.
"Sorry," He apologized with a red face. "Please tell me you told her off."
Nina shrugged helplessly.
"Are you serious?" He hissed.
"Yes, as you can see I am here, safe," She gestured to herself for emphasis.
Fabian nodded, not quite convinced. "How was it?"
"Terrifying," She replied immediately, her mask falling for a moment. "My hand was shaking so bad I could barely get the lock open."
"You broke in?" He said in amazement.
She nodded with a sly smile.
"Do they teach you that in America?" He teased and was rewarded with a laugh.
"Yes, it's a class in high school," She replied, mock serious, before giggling. "Patricia wanted me to get something from the attic."
Fabian smiled when she patted her bag surreptitiously.
"So it's over, then?" Fabian asked, not sure if he could take another night where he waited by the phone.
When she hesitated, Fabian realized that it had just begun. "Are you crazy?" He hissed.
"I have to return the book," Nina defended. "Plus, I have to see…"
"See what?" He prompted.
"If I really saw someone up there," She finished nervously. "I heard a voice and saw something. I'm not sure though, it's been bugging me."
"I'm going with you," Fabian added forcefully.
"You're pushy," Nina replied, her tone indiscernible.
"Sorry," He agreed with a laugh. When she chuckled with him, Fabian knew she was either okay with him going or very close to it.
XXXX
"This is somewhat exciting," Fabian commented as he held the flashlight for Nina, who used her hairpin to open the lock.
He quieted down when she gave him a look.
Fabian's nerves started when Nina texted him earlier that day to be ready at midnight. She advised him to wear dark colors.
They had started hanging out more since the breakfast. It was not uncommon for them to text each other or meet at the library and do homework at the same table. She was fast becoming one of his best friends.
Nina showed up at his house at 11:45 in dark, tight pants and a black long sleeved shirt. Her hair was in a tight bun. Even though she looked like a cat burglar, she was still beautiful.
Fabian resisted the urge to compliment or compare her to Anne Hathaway as Catwoman; it was not the type of occasion that was appropriate for such remarks.
"We can talk once we get into the library," She whispered. It was so quiet that Fabian was half convinced that he imagined she said it.
He remembered the plan that she outlined: they had gone over it many times before the actual outing. They were to enter the library through the front entrance. They were to use the left staircase, which was the main one. Nina was completely against using flashlights once they were in the building until they reached the attic.
The moon through the windows was the only light they were allowed.
As Fabian followed Nina, he realized it was a lot harder than he thought.
His heart was beating so loudly that he was just waiting for Nina to comment on it.
Fabian yearned for the light but once they had the moon, he felt even more vulnerable. It was like a beacon then, highlighting their position.
The stairs ran out and they had to cross through the stacks to get to the door that led to the attic.
A floor that Fabian knew well was completely foreign in the darkness. The small amount of light they were afforded only lengthened the shadows and increased his dread. He focused on the blurry outline of Nina as they walked.
She seemed strangely confident.
Fabian wondered if she had really been up here the one time. Was she being completely honest with him?
Fabian stopped that train of thought immediately. Nina had no reason to lie to him. She could have not even allowed him to join her.
He was just being paranoid.
She stopped suddenly.
"We're here," She announced in a whisper and squeezed him arm.
Fabian smiled nervously, his stomach turning.
He turned on the flashlight and she pulled out new a hairpin. She said that they were only good for a few times forcing locks.
This one took longer. She told him it would but it was still nerve-wracking. The clicking noise sounded ear-splitting in the deserted library.
"Got it," She exclaimed quietly and opened the door.
He could only see the brown steps as she turned on her flashlight. He followed her up, his curiosity distracting him from his fear. Once they were finished climbing the stairs, she turned it back off, in case someone was up there.
After five minutes of creeping around and listening, it was obvious that they were alone. Fabian knew he should have been disappointed, but relief was the only thing he could feel.
"I'm sorry," He told Nina as he turned on his flashlight.
She gave him a small smile and he resisted the urge to comfort her. He knew she was looking forward to solving the mystery.
The mission had its purpose: they spent their time exploring the attic. There were old paintings covered in dust and bookcases full of tomes. One area was surprisingly clean. It was toward the back of the attic, not visible from the stairs. It had a desk but there was nothing in it or near it.
It struck Fabian as very odd.
"These all look Egyptian," She commented, her finger running over the spines. Sometimes she had to rub for the title to appear.
Fabian tried to think of a reason why these books were upstairs.
"Maybe there's not enough room," Nina suggested, after he expressed his confusion.
"Maybe," He shrugged.
"Are you about ready?" She asked, about five minutes later. They hadn't found anything to suggest who the visitor was and it was getting late.
He nodded and they began their descent back into the dark library. Even though they had successfully made it, Fabian was still nervous. He wasn't able to hold his breath until they were walking down the path from the library.
"I'm sorry I dragged you out for nothing," Nina spoke as the Isis house came into view.
"Hey," He said, stopping and touching her arm slightly so she would look at him. "I wanted to go and there's something very suspicious about the setup of the attic anyway."
"You think so?" She asked, hopefully.
He nodded.
"So you believe me?" She wondered, as she walked up the stairs to her door.
"I do," He answered and she leaned on her door in thought.
Fabian stayed on the path, too nervous to follow to her to the door. It would feel like a date. He needed to keep the boundaries clear.
He told her good night and turned to leave, when her sweet voice stopped him.
"I'm really glad you approached me at the library," Nina said, a smile so bright that his face burned.
"Me too," He agreed and watched as she waved and went into the dark house.
The rest of the walk home was spent in a euphoric state. Throughout their short friendship, he was very unsure about how she felt. She wasn't like most girls at the university. He had to guess what she was thinking.
He felt like he was the one constantly contacting her or initiating a hang out.
Now, Fabian knew she valued him as well, probably not to the same extent, but it was still something.
"Good date, Romeo," Jerome asked jokingly, once he witnessed the happy countenance of his friend as he walked in the kitchen.
"When are we going to meet this fair Juliet?" Alfie said and offered a drink to Fabian, who declined.
"Fabian, you have a girlfriend?" The petite red head interrupted, leaning forward to catch his reaction. She was sitting next to Alfie on the bar stool. "Is she a goth? Is that why you're wearing black?"
Fabian stared at her for a second. He wasn't sure how she knew his name; he didn't even know who she was.
"I just had a good night," Fabian replied with a grin and left the kitchen.
"Is that what the kids are calling it?" Jerome called after him.
His chuckles from the stairway filled the quiet kitchen. Jerome sent an intrigued glance to Alfie who returned it.
This was not over.
What are Jerome and Alfie thinking?
What's this whole thing with the attic?
I actually have the next chapter written! Woo! SO I have a wager for you dear readers: if I can get 10 reviews by Monday, then I will update then! If not see you in a week!
Thanks to those who left me a note:
houseofanubisfan2, Guest (lol), artsoccer, Jam, Drank, and Eric N.