Chapter Eleven

"We're home," Trudy said to the quiet house as Amber, Mick, Mara, Joy and Patricia entered the house behind her. "Where are they?"

"Beats me," Mick grinned.

"I left them a note saying we'll be back before dinner," Trudy said confusedly as she walked into the kitchen holding the bags from the grocery.

"I guess they must have forgotten," Amber giggled as she remembered the text she sent them using Trudy's phone.

"I mean, we're only a bit later than we thought," Trudy said as everyone went to their rooms. "Maybe, they fell asleep."

"They fell asleep, alright," Mick came back from his room. "They fell asleep together."

"Really?" Amber squealed and nearly flew to Mick and Fabian's room.

Soon, everyone was in the doorway staring at the couple. Nina was sleeping on Fabian's chest and Fabian fell asleep holding her in his arms.

"I guess that went well," Joy grinned.

"Where are Jerome and Alfie?" Patricia had just come from their still locked room.

"I thought that they'd be home by now," Trudy frowned. "They said they were gonna go home early."

"Maybe they bought something out of a joke shop and took longer than they thought," Patricia had imagined Jerome being like that.

At that second, Jerome and Alfie came in through the front door looking wet and tired.

"Mick, get some towels please," Trudy said as the two boys came panting. "Where have you been?"

"We got lost," Alfie admitted. "We ended up in Central London!"

"All those people," Jerome looked frightened.

"I shouldn't have let you wander off on your own," Trudy had talked them into taking a shower before they get sick.

"So, what are we going to do now?"Mara asked Joy as they stared at the sleeping couple. "We didn't do much on this."

"Well, I'm assuming they're a couple," Joy grinned. "We just have to give them… situations…"

"What are you talking about Joy?" Patricia frowned.

"You'll see…" Joy skipped happily to her room.

"Jeez, I don't even know what got her," Patricia said to Mara. "It's like she's turned into some…" Lowering her voice so that Amber won't hear, "…little Amber."

"Well, she's a lot better than Amber in being matchmaker," Mara whispered back.

Patricia had let out a giggle just as Jerome was passing by done from his bath and carrying a towel.

"Trixie," he looked at his girlfriend in shock. "You giggle?"

"Oh shut up," Patricia took his ear and dragged him to the kitchen.

Mara could still hear Jerome complaining that he just took a bath.

"I absobloodylutely cannot believe it!" Mara heard Mick say as he approached her.

"What can't you believe?" Mara giggled.

"These two," he pointed at Fabian and Nina."They kiss and then remain friends then they fight and the next day, they're a couple!"

"There, there, Mick," Mara smiled. "You'll soon catch up with things."

Mara gave Mick a quick peck on the cheek before hurrying upstairs. Mick looked at the place where she was in a trance.

"Why does Mara always make the first move?" Fabian asked a shocked Mick.

"Since when were y–"Mick started but Fabian put a finger to his lips and glanced at the still sleeping Nina.

"When did you wake up?"Mick said in a hushed voice as he got in the room and closed the door.

"Since Jerome heard Patricia giggle," Fabian yawned. "I heard you complaining about our little up and down rollercoaster ride." He looked at Nina.

"It's quite annoying," Mick sighed as he flopped on his bed.

"I know," Fabian agreed. "I was such a prat."

"Might I ask why you aren't wearing a shirt?" Mick chuckled.

"I guess, I forgot," Fabian scratched the back of his head.

Nina awoke to the conversation and gave out a yawn. Both boys were silent as she sat up groggily and kissed Fabian on the cheek. "Morning," she yawned again.

"Uh, it's still night time, Nina," Fabian laughed nervously.

"Well, morning to you too, Nina," Mick chuckled.

Nina was suddenly self conscious and nearly let out a scream. She looked both shocked and embarrassed. "Uh, hi Mick," she croaked out. "Since when did you arrive?"

"About seven or so," Mick grinned. "Nice shirt, by the way."

Embarrassed, Nina had buried her face in Fabian's chest to avoid facing Mick. At the same moment, Amber had decided to go in to take some pictures. She had squealed to know that they were awake.

"This is much better!" she squealed. "Guys, guys, look at the camera!"

"Amber," both Nina and Fabian groaned.

"Excuse me," Fabian said as he stood up (Amber frowning in the process). "I'll just put on a shirt."

"Since when do you have abs?" Amber wondered aloud.

"Since he spent every morning with me," Mick answered Amber.

"And how long have you known this?" Amber asked Nina who was still blushing furiously.

"Ever since you pointed it out," Nina admitted.

Interrupting the conversation, Trudy had come in to wake the two only to find them already awake.

"Well, I was just to wake you both for dinner," Trudy smiled.

"Yeah, dinner," Fabian had repeated. "I'm hungry."

"Yeah," Nina said. "We haven't eaten anything since…lunch."

"Yeah," Fabian repeated.

Mick and Amber looked at them suspiciously as they quickly exited the room with Trudy.

"You don't think…" Mick trailed off.

"…they did something weird?" Amber finished.

"Nah," they laughed in unison and headed to the kitchen where everyone else is.

"So," Amber said as soon as got on her seat. "Tell us, are you guys a couple now?"

"Ahahaha," Nina looked at Fabian for answers. "That's completely…." She trailed of not knowing what to say next.

"Completely true," Fabian smiled at Nina who gave a smile in return.

Everyone noticed the awkward and fleeting look they momentarily shared. Everyone gave different reactions. Mick and Mara gave out a sigh. Amber frowned. Patricia furrowed her brows. Joy shook her head. Alfie and Jerome were… sneezing. They had gotten sick from the heavy rain.

"That reminds me," Nina had tried to change the topic as Trudy put the Sunday roast on the table. "When did the power go back on?"

"About probably five," Alfie said.

"Yeah…" Jerome agreed. "We were still in that joke shop, right mate?" He looked at Alfie rather intently.

"Uh-huh," Alfie took a helping of roast beef. "Hey, Trudy, did you just reheat this?"

Trudy gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I did it early in the morning thinking that we would leave afternoon and have this for lunch."

"That's why it tasted funny," Alfie concluded as he gave Jerome a meaningful glance.

"Why are you guys looking at each other suspiciously?" Nina asked the pair. "Have you done anything… well, suspicious?"

"Nina," Patricia laughed. "You're talking about Jerome and Alfie! Since, when do they not do anything suspicious?" She cast an annoyed glance at Jerome. "They're probably just planning another prank."

"Well, you got me, Trixie," Jerome winked at his girlfriend.

"Blech," Joy exclaimed. "It's worst enough that I am the only person here without a boyfriend. You don't have to show off, guys."

"But Joy," Alfie grinned. "You're not the only one who has no boyfriend."

"Yeah," Jerome gave a smirk. "I don't have a boyfriend at all and who's complaining?"

Mick gave a laugh but immediately stopped when he was glared at by both Mara and Joy.

"I lost my appetite," Joy pushed her plate away from her. "Excuse me." She pushed her chair backwards before standing up and leaving the kitchen."

"What had happened here?" Trudy came bustling about in the room.

"Nothing" Alfie said. "Joy's just being overdramatic. Just go on and watch that drama, Trudy."

"Guys," Patricia said angrily when Trudy had left. "Lay off Joy! She's already upset that she is a year late."

"Yes," Mara also defended Joy. "To top it all off, she's the odd one out. So, please don't tease her so much."

"Oh alright," Alfie had surrendered to the glares of all the girls including his girlfriend, Amber.

"Now, c'mon," Patricia said after Jerome finished dinner. "Quickly apologize to Joy!"

"That goes the same for you, Alfie," Amber rolled her eyes.

"And Mick," Mara looked sternly at him.

"For what?" Mick asked Mara.

"For laughing," Mara glared at him and he immediately admitted defeat.

All three boys followed their girlfriends up the stairs to apologize to Joy leaving Fabian and Nina to clean up the dishes.

"I have a feeling they purposely left us alone," Nina said to Fabian as the stacked all the plates.

"They would have left us alone anyway," Fabian helped carry the plates to the sink. "We're on duty, remember?"

Nina laughed and agreed with Fabian.

"So, are we really a couple?" Nina asked Fabian shyly.

"Well, if that's what you want," Fabian scratched the back of his head.

"It's a good thing that they aren't here," Nina gave a smile.

"Why?" Fabian looked confused.

"So, they wouldn't see me doing this…" She planted a kiss on Fabian's lips before going back to the dining hall to get the rest of the dishes.

Both were unaware of the audience watching them…


A/N: Again, rushed :( I'm doing my best to give atleast a Chapter per day so please bear with me :) R&R.