Chapter Twenty Five

Nina turned to see that it was Jerome, in a white button up and slacks, who said that. He even wore a matching black blazer and he looked dashing. But, no matter how dashing he is, Nina was expecting someone else but at least, she just got a compliment.

"I hope you're not planning to replace Patricia that soon," Nina joked.

"Not yet," Jerome sighed but he recovered his composure. "So, may I escort you?" He offered a hand. "You look like your shoes are killing you."

Nina glanced at the high heels and laughed. In the nearly two years she had spent with Jerome in the house, she had grown close to the mischievous boy even if the whole reason for them growing impeccably close is life endangering peril and parts in a play.

"Sure," she grinned at him. Nina glanced at Amber who was mysteriously not there anymore. She just took a deep breath before taking his hand.

Nina grew confused when she realized he was leading her outside. Jerome quickly understood.

"The public party's over, princess," Jerome explained. "This is literally a house party. Just for the House of Anubis."

"Jerome," Nina said in a venomous voice as her grip on his arm tightened. "What is going on?"

"First of all," Jerome tried to get a hold of Nina's hands. "That hurts. Long nails you've got there. Second, you know you're like my sister, Nina, but my lips are sealed." He made a gesture of zipping his lips.

"Jerome Clark," Nina said in the sternest voice she could muster.

"Nina Martin," Jerome imitated her voice while stomping his feet.

"I know that something's going on here," Nina said emphasizing each word. "What have you all done? This is not a regular party and you and I both know it. I know you know something."

"No, it really is just a regular party, Nina," Jerome held up both his hands. "I promise."

"Well then, why are you 'escorting' me?" Nina asked challenging him.

"We all have partners," Jerome explained. "Amber brought along some guy to even out the numbers. And Sweet is here to be Trudy's. If you're asking why you are my partner, well, long story short, I didn't want to end up with Trixie and so Fabian was so happy to switch for me," he winked. "In truth he didn't want to but he owed me."

"Nice story, Jerome," Nina narrowed her eyes. "You could've been convincing if I hadn't known you that well."

Jerome stared at Nina who stared back. They were on at it for a few minutes until Jerome sighed. "Oh alright, if telling you the truth would keep you going. We're behind schedule." Jerome walked faster pulling Nina with him.

Nina grinned as they near their destination. "So, what's all this about?"

Jerome shook his head. "This is why I was tasked to fetch you. The others would have told you everything before we reached this place." Jerome chuckled and glanced at the glowing gazebo. It had twinkly lights all over the place.

Nina stopped and admire the wonderfully decorated gazebo. It was her mistake to do so because when she turned back to Jerome, he was gone.

Nina gave out a exasperated sigh and proceeded to go closer but as soon as she was under the roof, all the lights turned out. Nina suffered a second of panic before a dimmer light was turned on. In the center of the pavilion, Amber stood in her graceful black dress. She was carrying a scrapbook in her dainty hands. Suddenly, a slow song started playing.

Amber gave Nina one of those one sided smiles. "Nina," she breathed. "You didn't think we'd let you leave without a goodbye, right?"

She approached Nina and held her hands. She pulled her into the center and she suddenly realized what song was playing: That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick. The song itself made Nina want to cry.

"I wouldn't let you go without a party, Nins," Amber, too, had tears in her eyes.

"I know," Nina croaked out. "I love you for that, Ambs. Thank you for all of this. Thank you for everything."

"That's what friends are for."

As soon as she finished those words, the sounds and lights went out again and Nina's hands felt empty. Nina gasped and as she did, the lights came back on revealing Patricia (in a black dress too) this time and the familiar tune of Perfect by Simple Plan came to life.

"I know that I wasn't a friend to you at first and I hope you already forgave me for that," she laughed nervously. "I know you're surprised. I mean, I'm not that of a friend, aren't I?" she smiled apologetically.

"You have," Nina smiled. "Since Sibuna. You have been a good friend, Patricia. You're not just the showy type."

"You wish I was," Patricia grinned. "Sorry, I wasn't perfect."

This time, Nina didn't flinch nor gasp. She expected it already. The lights went out and Perfect stopped playing. The next second, Mara was smiling at her and Officially Missing You was playing. By the time, Nina already realized everyone was wearing black except her. She rushed to Nina and hugged her.

"I'll miss you, Nina," she whispered. "Sorry, we're a bit behind schedule. Fabian's getting edgy though we didn't tell him anything. I'm officially gonna miss you as a friend and house mate."

The music turned off and so did the lights. Nina's arms felt empty as Mara left. Nina expected the next one but as the lights turned on and an unfamiliar song played, no one stood before her.

"You're really a true friend," Joy's voice behind Nina spoke and she turned to face her. "You should've hated me at least once or get mad at me but you didn't. Thank you, Nina."

Nina smiled, "Come here, Joy." She opened her arms and hugged Joy. "Thank you too. For Fabian. It's not hard to give him up. I know."

"He doesn't know anything yet," Joy whispered as she let go. "You're a true friend, Nina."

The lights turned off-on and the song just changed into some familiar classical piece. It was the Blue Danube, a song for dancing. Mick Campbell stood before Nina with a rose. He offered his hand and I took it. Soon, they were dancing... for a long time. Mick was quietly leading Nina into the steps.

"Remember when I thought Fabian to dance? Well, this is the memory I leave you, Nina," Mick smiled down at Nina and drifted away as the song came to an end. What A Wonderful World played.

The light didn't turn off as Nina expected, instead, she saw Alfie nearing her with a sunflower. "A sunny flower for a sunny girl," she grinned at him. "I don't know how to waltz but might as well try."

After a whole song of stepping on Nina's foot, Alfie grinned and began to waltz away on his own. A rock song played and Nina knew who it was already. It was Jerome. He grinned at the girl and offered his hand again for the night. Nina took it and they danced to the tune of Best Friend by Weezer.

"Can you tell me now what this is about?" Nina grinned.

"Well," Jerome pretended to think about it. "I guess I could tell you a bit of it."

"Thanks," Nina smiled warmly.

"We all know about you leaving," Jerome said straightforwardly. "Well, most of us know."

"What do you mean?" Nina was confused. Everyone had gone his/her way to say goodbye to her.

"We think Fabian doesn't know. We never really told him and he's next," Jerome warned. "Please don't hurt his girly feelings. We think he thinks this is sort of his proposal to you. We didn't have the heart to tell him otherwise."

Nina buried her face in Jerome's chest. "How am I gonna tell him without breaking his heart?"

"I don't think that's possible. You both want different things," Jerome smiled sadly. "The song's coming to an end," Jerome noted. "I'll miss having you around even though it's only a few weeks left."

"Fabian's here."