I don't own House of Anubis or any characters in the series. Original characters of Nunc Et Semper © TheAwesomeArielle & Participating FanFiction Authors

1 The New Students

Witch
Patricia Williamson

I stare blankly into space not paying attention to the world around me.

Absently, I stoke Amber's hair as she lays her head down on my lap. I'm not sure if she's still crying. She's all quiet now. The news about Mick has been a shock to all of us. Especially Amber. She's not really into him anymore, but they have this bond that goes beyond hair and good looks. A deeper understanding about how the other works. They will always be a part of each other's lives.

I know Joy's speaking. Something about her dad and what he's been doing lately. But I don't listen. Everyone's been talking about Mick for a long time now and I'm not really good with words. After awhile they just blend together and all I would hear are sounds. I admire people's conversations. How they flow and make a song. I can always tell the underlying context by the tones and accents and speed. I understand more of what people mean in the notes they sing rather than the words they say.

I hear her pause, probably waiting on a response. "Uh huh. Really?" I answer automatically. Amber makes a sound of response.

"Are you two even listening to me?" Joy's voice cuts through and I look at her.

"What? Oh yeah, of course I was. So your dad...?" I try, but Joy just sighs and rolls her eyes giving up.

"Where in the clouds are you today, Yakker?" I see Eddie, hair blonde and spiky as ever, walk in and sit next to me. I light up. He smiles and kisses me on the cheek.

"You're back! How's the great Uncle Sam?" I ask in the best American accent I can muster.

He laughs, "Same old. I went to see my mom and all that. Dad suggested I should come live with him this year but I decided to stay here" He lowers his voice, "You know, with the whole I-have-to-protect-Nina thing," He explains.

I playfully punch him in the arm. "Please. You just can't stay away form me."

"HELL-OOOO!" A shrill loud voice rings around the house from the front door. "I'm looking for a Trudy!" In enters Barbie's trashy older sister, complete with giant sunglasses and slutty outfit.

Trudy comes rushing from the kitchen, "What? Yes yes. I am Trudy. How may I help you, sweetie?"

"Hi. I'm Mikaela. I'm a new student here." She speaks her words slowly, as if she's talking to a five-year old who cannot comprehend.

Eyebrows raised, Trudy responds. "Oh, well," I can clearly read the disappointment in her voice. "Welcome to Anubis house. I will be your house mother."

"Great!" She hands Trudy her purse, "I have bags outside." Trudy stares at her disbelievingly, shakes her head and leaves. She walks in the room and scrutinizes the place, nose wrinkled in disgust. I notice I am doing the same as I study her features. Her blindingly bleached platinum pin-straight blonde hair falls to her waist. I wonder how her face is not bleeding from the full bangs that go to her eyes. She takes off her sunglasses and I see heavy makeup and blue contacts. She is dangerously skinny with her bones threatening to cut through her extremely pale skin. A shiny red plastic-y material she calls a dress wraps her small frame tightly. The deadly high heels she's wearing makes her even much taller than she already is. And she's pretty tall. She could be one of those high fashion models straight from the runway who are attractive but in a more scary than pretty way. "Hmmm..."

Joy breaks the silence, "Hi there!" We all look to her. "My name's Joy." She introduces with a huge smile.

"Mikaela." She looks Joy over, and I might have seen her slightly raise her sharp brows in approval. We all take turns introducing ourselves. Nina and Alfie helping out in the kitchen, Amber and Eddie next to me. She absolutely adored Amber, expensive clothes and all. She mused over Nina's and Eddie's accents. Somehow I say my name with a sneer.

That captures her attention, a wicked smile on her face. It flits away instantly, masked by her 'cheerful personality.' "Ooh, goth? I definitely feel for you goth folks' style. Great excuse to wear tattered and disgusting clothes. And your makeup! Goodness, the whole attempt to look like a sexy clown? I just... no words."

I glare at her. Oh, she is good. If you didn't hear her words, you would assume she was ogling over you and showering you with compliments. I can't sense any underlaying context in her tone and volume.

"And I love your colored extension's by the way," She continues. "If I don't look close enough, I would never assume it was cheap." The whole room was dead silent, eyes on me waiting for my retort. This isn't Patricia. The real Patricia gives the blows and burns, not the one taking them. The real Patricia is a witch.

I see Nina. She watches me with sad eyes. I know she believes I grew out of that. I am no longer the witch that welcomed her during her first days in Anubis. I really want to believe that I have matured.

I smile. "Thanks! You know, I like your look too." I stand up and dramatically survey her ensemble. "Your hair, your dress, your eyes. And oh my god, your shoes!" I gush. "It's just so... I can't describe it. You just look... You remind me of Barbie." She gazes at me questioningly. "Oh!" I start. I search her body, turning and twisting her arms, going around her.

"What the hell are you doing?" She asks.

I step away from her. "I was just looking for your stamp that says 'Made in China,'" I explain innocently.

I can see her trying to keep the smile on her face, fighting the urge to tear my throat to pieces. I get back to my seat and smile in victory. You can take the girl out of the witch, but you can't take the witch out of the girl.

Review new housemate Mikaela Quinn.