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Chapter 11: Biting Panic

Sitting inside a café drinking her tea, Bianca thought mildly to herself that she missed proper Irish tea. While English tea did the job, Bianca vastly preferred her own country's version. She looked out the window, relieved that the weather, which had taken a bad turn the previous evening, had cleared up enough for her to do some shopping.

As she finished her tea, Bianca turned up the sound of her music so it was playing loudly, and left the cosy little coffee shop she had stumbled across not long after moving. Finally left alone to her own thoughts, Bianca thought about what had been going on for the last few weeks. First Joy had disappeared the same day that Nina had arrived and been assigned Joy's bed, now Mara and Amber were no longer speaking due to Mara putting her crush over her friendship, now even Mick was ignoring Mara. Nina and Fabian had been sneaking around since the incident with the attic, and now it seemed even Amber had joined them, ditching Mick for them. They were up to something, and Bianca was finding herself curious.

She was snapped from her thoughts as a familiar blond jogged up to her with a smile, looking as surprised to see her as she was him.

"Mick? I didn't know you were gonna be in town. I thought you were training," Bianca pulled out her earphones, finding that she wasn't quite as reluctant to do so anymore.

"Taking a break, I was supposed to go with Amber, but she ditched me again," he complained.

"Again?" Bianca raised an eyebrow. After everything Amber did to win him back, and now she was blowing him off to hang out with Nina and Fabian. Mick just nodded. His usual smile was gone and he looked downhearted, which was strange for the usually smiling jock. Bianca felt bad for him, not liking to see anyone upset. "Do..." Bianca hesitated. "Do you want to hang out then?" she offered. Mick's smile returned. Bianca smiled back, hoping that Amber wouldn't flip out.

"Sure," he nodded. "What are you doing in town anyway?" he asked as they began to walk.

"Need a new sketchbook, my last one is nearly full. Plus some of my pencils have seen better days," Bianca explained as they walked through town. "Do you mind stopping by the art store?" she asked.

"Sure, whatever you want," Mick nodded. "I was just here to get a change of pace anyway," he shrugged.

"Cool. Anywhere you want to go after?" Bianca asked as they turned a corner and reached the small art store that she loved.

"Oh, we could go play football in the park!" he suggested, before bursting out laughing at her expression. "I'm joking," he clapped her shoulder, letting her step into the shop first.

"Right..." Bianca shook her head, rubbing her shoulder, but smiled all the same.

"So," Bianca looked up as Amber stood in front of her as she made herself a cup of tea.

"So...?" Bianca yawned widely.

"I hear you were with Mick on Saturday," she accused. Bianca made to speak, but Amber continued on before she could. "And before you try to deny it, Fabian saw you with him," Amber stated.

"I was going to say I was with Mick on Saturday," Bianca rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Oh. Ok. Why?" Amber was taken aback by the honesty.

"I bumped into him in town after you ditched him to hang out with Nina and Fabian," Bianca replied, and bit her lip as Amber looked surprised at the harshness of her words. "Sorry. Didn't mean that to come out so mean. We just bumped into each other in town and hung out for a bit while I got more art supplies. He was lonely, Ambs," Bianca told her.

"Oh...right..." Amber blinked. "Sorry. I just...I'm a little..."

"Trust me," Bianca chuckled. "You really don't have to worry about me trying to steal your boyfriend. Like I said, he's not my type. I just...don't see the harm in being friends with him," she shrugged. "Besides, he's only got eyes for you. I doubt anyone could steal him away," the dark haired girl grinned.

"You're right," Amber nodded, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Of course I am," Bianca shot her a look like she was crazy, and walked off with her tea as Nina and Fabian walked in. The three began to whisper again, and Bianca glanced over.

"Alright, so: when daytime ends at midday, through tears of glass, the eye shall see," she heard Fabian whisper.

"Is that on the Shakespeare test?" Amber asked, and both Nina and Fabian hushed her. The three shot Bianca wary looks, to which she responded with a lazy smile before walking out, sipping her tea, only for Alfie to shoot past her.

"Hey, watch it, if I spill my morning tea I will not hesitate to rip your head from your shoulders," she warned as he laughed.

"Sorry B!" he grinned.

"And don't call me B!" Bianca shouted as he ran out the door.

"Oh, is Frosty a little cranky in the mornings?" Jerome asked as he walked out, adjusting his tie.

"I'm always cranky," Bianca retorted.

"I doubt that," Mick, who had just walked out of the bathroom, having showered after his morning run, smiled.

"Mick, I'm called the Ice Queen for a reason, and it's not because of my bubbly personality," Bianca rolled her eyes.

"I still doubt it," Mick just shrugged, disappearing into the lounge.

"I bet Amber is loving you two getting all close," Jerome commented idly as he walked over and poked her nose. "Is there going to be a round 2?" he smirked.

"First of all, ew. Second of all, don't touch my nose," she caught his hand as he made to do it again. "Third, you wish there was going to be a round 2," Bianca frowned up at him.

"Watching you in a cat-fight? I'd love it," Jerome winked as he leaned close. Bianca stood her ground, raising an eyebrow.

"Dream on Crazy Hair," she replied in a flat voice.

"Oh I will," he smiled back at her in an overly sweet way. "I do have to ask though," he suddenly turned a little more serious. "Why were you hanging out with another girl's boyfriend? The same girl who tried to kill her so-called best friend over the whole thing," he asked curiously.

"You're being overdramatic again," Bianca rolled her eyes. "And I hung out with him because Amber ditched him and I know what that's like. Why, have you got a problem with me hanging out with him?" she suddenly smirked deviously.

"What?" Jerome straightened up, suddenly very away of Bianca's grip on his hand. "Of course not. I'm just loving the potential drama it could cause," he cleared his throat.

"Uhuh. Sure thing," Bianca turned and walked up the stairs with a laugh, but as soon as she was out of sight her smile faded, her heart thumping against her chest as she flexed her hand. "Sure thing..." she muttered again.

"Babes, why are you in such a mood?" Amber asked as she caught up with Mick.

"Well maybe it's because I don't like being ignored," he replied in an irritated tone as they walked into history class.

"I don't Mick," Amber wrapped her arms around one of his. "You're pretty hard to ignore," she flashed her most charming smile at him.

"Well, make time for me Ambs, lunchtime, yeah?" he asked, but her smile faded and she looked away. "What else is there that's so important?" he demanded.

"Uh oh, trouble in paradise," Jerome leaned forward to whisper in Bianca's ear.

"You take great delight in drama, don't you?" she turned to frown at him.

"Only since it annoys you so much," he smiled back.

"You're right," Amber nodded.

"Right then. You and me, we'll go for a...I don't know..."

"A picnic!" Amber decided as they sat at the table in front of Bianca. "I love picnics!" she smiled brightly.

"A picnic, yeah, okay," he nodded. Bianca shook her head, and resumed drawing.

"Poor Alfie," she heard Jerome's amused voice as Alfie scowled. "Operation Alfie and Amber is definitely no picnic," he snickered, and Alfie let his head hit the desk with a thud.

"Ok, settle down everyone, please," Mr. Winkler called as he walked in. "Right, let's talk Prospective Parents Day. Seeing as there's been a poor show of volunteers, I've decided to allocate you tasks myself," everyone moaned in irritation, which made him smile slightly. "I think you'll all find I've catered to your academic strengths," he announced.

"Is Mick doing nothing then?" Jerome asked with a smirk. Everyone in class began to laugh as Amber glared at him and Mick turned to frown. Bianca just rolled her eyes. "I have also decided on making a change to the Ancient History projects," everyone groaned again as Mr. Winkler spoke again. "They will be done in pairs, and starting tomorrow, you will sit in your pairs. And before you ask," he raised his hand as multiple people tried to speak. "I will be deciding your pairs. It will be on the board tomorrow," he announced. Bianca dropped her head with a groan of her own. She hated working in pairs. Someone always ended up doing more of the work, and more often than not, it was her.

Bianca read the slip of paper in her hand that Mr. Winkler had handed her when he was giving out everyone their assigned duties. Due to her prowess in art, she was to be helping design the set for the performance Alfie was putting on, and to her surprise, Mick would be helping build it, as well as helping out with the sports stalls.

"Bianca, it is me, your great-great-grandfather, come from the grave to warn you about the dangers of computers!" she heard a poor attempt at her accent, and looked around. She jumped as she came face-to-face with a skeleton.

"Alfie, I've warned you about scaring me," Bianca punched the boy in the shoulder as he and Jerome laughed.

"Hey, it was Jerome's idea," Alfie defended, and Jerome received a punch as well.

"Why have you got the science lab skeleton? You finally manage to get a date?" Bianca asked Jerome, who gave a mocking laugh.

"Hysterical," he told her as they walked along the corridor towards the drama studio that was also used as the common room.

"You've got it!" they heard Nina declare.

"Got what?" Jerome asked curiously.

"Looks, brains, charms," Fabian shrugged. "You know, all those things you don't have, Jerome," he told the taller boy. Bianca laughed.

"Looks like someone's getting snark from the American," she commented as she walked past, taking a seat.

"Or from Ireland's most sarcastic girl," Nina smiled back.

"Your girlfriend was missing you Rutter," Jerome stated, looking to the skeleton he carried.

"Hello," Alfie lifted its hand and made it wave as he spoke in a high-pitched voice, making them laugh.

"Kiss me, kiss me darling!" Jerome shoved the skeleton's face down to Fabian's, and he shoved it back. Bianca laughed, before noticing the mp3 player on the desk. She cleared her throat, and indicated to it as Jerome glanced at her. His eyes widened, and he nudged Alfie. "Well, as stimulating as your non-conversation may be to each other, it's a little bit dull for the likes of us. So, we're going to kick up a storm somewhere else," they decided, rushing off.

"Any idea what that was about?" Fabian looked to Amber and Nina, who shrugged. "What about you? You've been spending a lot of time with them lately," he accused, glancing to Bianca.

"I may talk to them but that doesn't not mean in any way that I understand their...eccentricities," Bianca shrugged, getting to her feet as well.

"And where are you going now?" Amber asked her suspiciously.

"Outside. It's a nice day and I need to get some coursework done for art class. Laters," she waved over her shoulder as she left, but a small smirk was on her face at the thought of them listening to the recording.

As she walked away, her phone buzzed in her pocket, making her frown. She pulled it out and opened the text, her smirk fading quickly. "No...no..." she groaned, leaning against the lockers.

"You look as happy as me," she opened her eyes and found Mick standing beside her.

"Oh, this is not even the real depth. What's up?" she asked the blond boy. He held up the picnic basket, and Bianca groaned. "Man, this day really is lousy," she commented.

"You're telling me," he grumbled.

"Come on, we have stuff to do for Prospective Parent's Day. Best way to get your mind off it," Bianca gave a small smile, and indicated for him to follow her to the art room.

"Hey!" Bianca heard multiple thuds and Alfie's cry of protest as she and Mick walked into Anubis House later that day. "These are the costumes for Prospective Parent's Day!" he complained.

"I better get uh, washed up," Mick said to Bianca, who nodded and walked into the lounge as he went to the bathroom.

"Muhahaha! Suck it up Alfie," Jerome lifted one of the fallen costumes. "What is this?" he looked disgusted at it, laughing.

"You're just jealous, because Jason asked me to perform instead of you," Alfie accused.

"I don't know about you but I'd rather help out with the sports teams than wear something like that," Bianca looked disgusted as she walked in.

"And a bunch of boring parents with no taste whatsoever is really my idea of a great audience," Jerome spoke sarcastically, glancing to Bianca. He did a double-take, staring at her. "Uh, what happened to you?" he asked, laughing at the sight of Bianca. Her clothes were covered in paint – she was very relieved she had changed into her P.E kit before starting - and there were multiple brush strokes across her face.

"I got into a fight with the paint section of a DIY store, what do you think happened?" Bianca rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah, you were asked to paint the set for my show," Alfie smiled widely.

"It's not just your show Alfie," Bianca chuckled, shaking her head.

"It will be when I'm done!" he declared. "But who were you painting with that got you like that?" he asked curiously.

"Oh I know!" Jerome spoke loudly, looking to Mara, who sat on one of the armchairs reading. "You were paired with Mick! You know, a big strong man to help build the sets when you're done making them pretty," he smirked, and Mara stiffened. "Though it doesn't look like you were working for very long," he commented, looking back at Bianca as Mara looked up to see Bianca covered in paint. She looked back down quickly, hiding her jealous look – albeit very badly.

"You're such a jerk," Bianca shook her head.

"Just having some fun Frosty - ow!" Jerome suddenly cried out, more in alarm than pain, as Amber slapped his arm.

"That is for going through my stuff!" she yelled, before turning to Alfie. "That's for recording over my file!" she slapped him before whirling and slapping Bianca's arm, making her squeak. "And that's for letting them!" she shouted, before punching Jerome in the arm, right where she had slapped him.

"What was that for?" he demanded.

"Just for fun," Amber shrugged. Nina and Fabian laughed quietly.

"So...how much did you hear or...understand?" Nina asked slowly.

"Well if you must know, we only heard that one bit," Jerome shrugged.

"Why?" Bianca asked, raising an eyebrow at Nina. "It was just a book, wasn't it?" she challenged, and Nina hesitated, exchanging looks with Fabian. "And why are you asking when it was Amber's?" Bianca asked.

"Because..." Nina started.

"Because we're reading it too," Fabian spoke quickly. "And we don't want it ruined," he explained. Bianca had to admit, that was fast thinking. She just shrugged, smirking, but didn't believe them for a second. She knew they were up to something. Mick chose that moment to walk in, his face clean of paint.

"Hi Boo! I-" Amber froze as she realised what she had done. "I'm so sorry, something came up-"

"We're done, Amber!" Mick snapped before she could make an excuse. "And I hate it when you call me Boo!" he added as he stormed out again. Everyone went deathly silent.

"Did he just dump me?" Amber asked quietly.

"You bet he did!" Jerome laughed, and Bianca elbowed him.

"B? What do I do?" Amber turned to the girl, tears in her eyes. Bianca hesitated as everyone looked at her. It made her nervous, especially when she was covered in paint.

"Give him some time to cool off. He's pretty mad right now, he'll say stuff he doesn't mean," she told the blonde girl.

"Doesn't mean? He already made his feelings pretty clear, in front of everyone," Amber looked over to Mara, who turned her head away to try and hide her smile. Amber rushed off, and Nina and Fabian hurried after her.

"That was amazing," Jerome laughed.

"Yeah it was," Alfie grinned too, and the two left as Alfie lifted the costumes up.

"I'm not trying to start anything Mara, but you could stand to look a little less happy about what just happened," Bianca told the girl.

"What? I'm not-" before Mara could argue her case, Bianca walked off to get cleaned up before supper.

"Good morning everyone," Mr. Winkler greeted as he walked into class. "Don't forget, you're to be sitting with your project partners now," he reminded the class. Bianca, who was sitting at her desk on her own, tapped her pencil nervously as she didn't listen to a word he said. She barely even registered someone sitting beside her.

"I get that it must be a little overwhelming that you get to be my partner, but you don't have to look so nervous," Jerome commented with a grin.

"You say something?" Bianca glanced at him, and he frowned. She hadn't zoned out like that in weeks.

"Is everything alright, Frosty?" he asked curiously.

"Y-yeah," Bianca looked back down at the desk, drumming her pencil even more rapidly. "Fine," she muttered.

"Okay, as I'm sure you're all aware," Mr. Winkler spoke up as he shooed Patricia back to her desk. "Today is Prospective Parents Day. Is everyone clear on their individual tasks?" he asked. Bianca's tapping increased until Jerome caught her pencil, stopping her.

"What is going on with you?" he asked in a low hiss.

"Excuse me, Mr. Winkler," they looked up as Mr. Sweet walked into the room.

"It's quite alright, how can I help?" Mr. Winkler smiled back.

"It's Miss. Winters I'm here for," Bianca stiffened. "There's someone to see you in my office," he announced.

"But..."

"Come along Miss. Winters," Mr. Sweet smiled at her. Closing her eyes, Bianca waited for a split second before standing up.

"Careful B, the last one to go like this never came back," Alfie teased, and almost everyone in the class laughed. Mr. Sweet glared at him, as did Patricia and Mara.

"Unfortunately for you Alfie, I'll be back soon," Bianca replied, but there was a weariness in her voice like she was resigned to her fate. She followed Mr. Sweet out, and Jerome watched with a frown, wondering what was just so terrible.

After watching Alfie moving about like a robot, Jerome got to his feet.

"You see, this is your best chance to win Amber's heart dude," he explained. "She's been dumped. She's vulnerable; she needs a sensitive guy like you with a big, shiny shoulder to cry on," Jerome patted his silver robot costume.

"I don't know man, Jason said I can't get the costume wet," Alfie shook his head.

"If you want to win the girl's heart, you have to follow my four step plan. Step One: Attention. Make sure she notices you," Jerome told him. "Step Two: Intention. Show her your interested, because women want to be swept off their feet," he instructed.

"Be noticed; sweep her off her feet," Alfie repeated as he memorised it.

"Step Three: Longing," Jerome grinned.

"Ah, I've already got that one covered," his best friend smiled dreamily as he thought about his long-time crush.

"No, she has to long for you. You have to be her hero," Jerome clarified with a small grin.

"Hero?" Alfie frowned.

"Look, try to be more of an Iron Man," he started, putting the helmet on for Alfie. "Than a Tin Man," he smirked as Alfie posed.

"So is this how you're getting B?" he asked, making Jerome frown.

"What?" he asked blankly.

"Oh come on, you and the Ice Queen totally have the hots for each other," Alfie smirked at him. "I've seen you getting jealous over her hanging out with Mick," he teased.

"Yes well, we'll get to that later," Jerome cleared his throat. "You and Amber are the main focus here," he instructed. They left the drama studio to start doing what Mr. Winkler had assigned them, when they heard a voice.

"Just leave it out!" they heard Bianca groan, and peeked around the corner to see her standing with two adults who were undeniably her parents. Her father was tall and well built after many hours at the gym, and her mother was tall as well, but petite, and she looked young in the blue dress she wore.

"Calm down Bianca, there is no need to get riled up," Mr. Winters frowned at her. "I'm just asking you where you plan on taking your art, since you've been focusing on it so much," he stated.

"Whoa, Bianca's parents are so..."

"Stiff," Jerome finished for Alfie as they watched.

"I don't know," Bianca replied. "Besides, I focus on my computer studies equally as much," she replied.

"That may be Bianca, but all of your reports show you flourishing in art more," Mrs. Winters told her. Bianca scowled.

"Look, can we just drop it? You're not here to see me, you're here to see how well the school is doing with you investing money into it. I have stuff to do for the art stall and you have teachers to kiss your asses for you," Jerome and Alfie snorted.

"Bianca Cassiopeia Winters, don't push it," Mr. Winters warned her.

"Look, Noel didn't know what he wanted to do with his life when he was my age, so why can't I have a little more time to figure it out? I'm..." Bianca paused. "I'm actually enjoying myself here for once," she admitted.

"Oh dude, you're so in there," Alfie whispered, and Jerome elbowed him.

"This isn't over Bianca, we'll talk later," Mrs. Winters told her, and he and Bianca's dad walked off as Bianca rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah it is," Bianca muttered, turning and starting to walk. She froze as she spotted the two eavesdroppers, and narrowed her eyes. "I would have thought eavesdropping was below you idiots," she frowned as she walked over to them.

"Of course it is. Tell me, is Cassiopeia a family name or...?" Jerome smirked, and she punched his arm.

Amber led Bianca's parents through the halls as she explained everything to them, and Bianca made herself very busy as she noticed them.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Winters!" Mr. Sweet called them away, and Bianca sighed in relief.

"Bianca, you didn't tell me that your parents were so..."

"Stuck up? Weird? Rude?" Bianca tried.

"Rich!" Amber finished. "Your mum is the Ivy Winters, the famous fashion designer! And your dad is-"

"Mather Winters, the CEO of one of the biggest tech corporations in Europe," Bianca sighed heavily. "I know. I didn't say because I don't care," she shook her head, before spotting Mick walking over. "Uh...I gotta go do...something..." Bianca spoke awkwardly, walking away and leaving them to talk. Spotting Jerome and Alfie whispering, she walked over to them. "Okay, what are you planning?" she asked.

"Whatever makes you think we're planning something?" Jerome asked, looking insulted. Alfie darted off suddenly, and Bianca frowned.

"Because you have those little grins you always have when you're about to pull a massive prank," she accused.

"Oh Frosty, you really know how to wound us," Jerome put a hand to his heart.

"Oh shut up," Bianca rolled her eyes, before smoke suddenly began to fill the room rapidly from multiple areas. "Wh-what?" she gasped.

"Fire!" someone yelled as Alfie tackled Amber nearby.

"Fire?" Bianca whimpered, and began to cough on the smoke. "No, no no, no no," she backed away, breathing heavily and inhaling more smoke, which only made her cough more.

"Frosty? What's the matter with you?" Jerome frowned as she seemed to start hyperventilating. "Bianca! Calm down, it's fine," he caught her arms, before looking around as everyone evacuated. "Come on, let's go," he pulled her along, out of the building and into the fresh air.

As soon as they were away from the building and in a quiet spot, Bianca sank to her knees, gasping for breath. "Just – just take it easy, you're safe," Jerome breathed as he crouched in front of her. He was alarmed to see tears running down her face. "There was no fire, just a smoke bomb, you're okay," he insisted carefully.

"You...you asshole," Bianca choked as she put her hands to her face. Soot had covered both of their faces, leaving them a mess. "You absolute prick, you...you..." she suddenly pressed her face to his shirt, shaking violently as she continued to cry.

"Bianca I'm...I'm sorry, I had no idea," Jerome was stunned by not only how guilty he felt, but how worried he was for her. Bianca normally had three emotions: bored, playful, or angry. She never showed any other. He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close.

"This is why you let me in on your pranks," she mumbled against his chest as her shaking subsided. She breathed out, a little wheezy from the smoke inhalation.

"Why Frosty, is this your way of saying that you want to be friends with me and Alfie?" Jerome couldn't help himself as neither pulled away.

"You idiot," Bianca finally looked up, tears still lingering in her eyes. "We were already friends. I'm saying I want to be a partner in crime," she grinned, already seeming to recover from the fright.

"I think we can manage that," Jerome's voice was quiet as he watched her.

"Clarke, Lewis, my office, now!" Mr. Sweet barked, and Jerome let Bianca go quickly.

"Busted," Bianca smirked back at him.

"As always," he sighed as Alfie walked over.

"What were you saying?" Amber walked over to Mick, and the three looked around. Bianca looked away quickly, feeling uncomfortable.

"I love you Ambs," Mick admitted. "But we don't match," Amber's face fell. "We're mates, not dates. You know what I'm saying?" he asked.

"Mick Campbell, Poetic Genius," Jerome muttered, and Bianca elbowed him.

"Yeah, I know what you're saying," Amber mumbled. Mick walked off, and Amber turned, glaring at Alfie. "Thanks a bunch for ruining everything. Again!" she yelled at Alfie, before storming off.

"Wow...hard luck dude," Bianca chuckled as Jerome laughed outright.

"Come on, we'll watch Redneck Zombies again," he put his arm around his best friend, who immediately brightened up.

"Aw what? That movie is so stupid!" Bianca laughed as they walked back to the school together.

"That's the whole appeal!" Alfie exclaimed.

"Bianca! A word?" Bianca looked around at her parents.

"Sure," she nodded, sighing. "Good luck with Sweetie," Bianca glanced to the two, who grinned.

"You need the luck more than we do. Have fun!" Jerome elbowed her before they walked off to Mr. Sweet's office, and Bianca turned to her parents, ready for another lecture.

Looks like things are heating up a little...I'll show myself out...

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