Didn't mean to go so long without an update, but I had to say goodbye to my cat Jazz, who I've had for over 16 years, and didn't go home for almost a week. I've had literally no desire to do anything, let alone write, but I'm starting to pull back now so hopefully I'll be able to update soon.
Hope you like it!
Chapter 25: The Chilly Competition Heats Up
"Excuse me, I intend on eating my leftover dinner and you two doing...that, is really going to put me off my food, and I get cranky when I'm hungry," Bianca warned loudly as she walked into the dining room, and Mick and Mara jumped, pulling away from each other as Mara blushed furiously. Mick just grinned.
"Sorry B," he chuckled, not sounding apologetic in the slightest. Bianca took a seat at the table, eating the leftovers that Trudy had kept for her. "So where have you been B? I haven't seen you since I got back," Mick commented, but before Bianca could answer, Fabian walked in.
"Bianca, can I talk to you please?" he asked.
"Can't it wait? I'm only just back and I'm starving," Bianca frowned at him, but Fabian shook his head.
"It's kind of important," he shot Bianca a not very subtle look, and with a very audible sigh, Bianca stood up.
"Don't eat my food," she warned, pointing at Mick as she walked out of the room. She didn't put it past the sports star to steal her food. "Right, what's up?" Bianca asked, and Fabian suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her up the stairs. "You could just say you know," Bianca sighed as she stumbled up after him. They, plus Patricia, knocked on Nina's bedroom door, and Fabian peered inside.
"Hey, you're back," the three walked in when they saw Nina sitting on her bed.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Patricia asked her.
"Not exactly," Nina admitted. "But I did find this," she held out a yellowing newspaper article, and Bianca took it curiously. She scanned the headline, but it was the photo that made her eyes widen.
"Victor, and Rufus?" she looked at Nina as she handed the paper to Fabian. "In 1960?"
"So it seems," Nina shrugged as Patricia and Fabian stared at the finding.
"Rufus and Victor have hardly changed," Patricia sat on the edge of the bed as she studied it curiously.
"Yeah, and Sarah aged normally, I know," Nina nodded.
"So does this mean..." Fabian paused, smiling with excitement. "The elixir?"
"Really does exist after all? Well...yeah, looks like it does," Nina nodded as she looked over Patricia's shoulder.
"Breathe dude," Bianca warned Fabian as he struggled to do so.
"And Victor isn't the only one taking it," he managed to say.
"You know when Rufus held me in that warehouse?" Patricia remembered suddenly. "He said him, Victor and Sarah went back a long way," she told them. Bianca lifted the paper from her hands.
"One hell of a long way alright. And from this, they might have once even been friends. Or at the very least, partners," she commented.
"Sarah said something about being betrayed-"
"Guys, supper's ready!" Nina was interrupted by Alfie arriving. She snatched the newspaper article from Bianca's hands. "What's this? A little secret meeting? Wicked!" he pushed the door closed.
"Alfie, will you tell Trudy we'll be down in a minute? We just need to finish some homework," Alfie's smile fell as Nina lied to him. Bianca rolled her eyes.
"Oh...yeah, alright then. But...keep me in the loop, yeah?" he requested. Nina frowned, confused. "You know, we're like family now," Alfie punched Fabian's shoulder lightly and left.
"Okay, did I miss something?" Nina asked. The three exchanged looks, before explaining themselves. Nina's confused look turned to one of horror, before changing to anger. She pushed herself up, letting out a huff.
"We should have had a meeting to discuss this first guys!" she exclaimed. "Alfie could jeopardise the whole thing!" she complained.
"We just told him a few things, that's all. Just enough to keep him at bay!" Patricia defended.
"And besides, he had a right to know. He's already involved, or has what happened in the cellar slipped your mind?" Bianca asked. Nina frowned at her.
"Of course not! But Sarah asked me to keep this secret! And now you guys are inviting everyone in like it's nothing! What if he tells Victor?" Nina asked. Bianca pushed her glasses back up.
"He won't," she said confidently.
"How can you be sure? Even by mistake," Nina shook her head.
"Because it's Alfie, he's not stupid. He won't go running his mouth to Victor," Nina's frown only grew, even as Patricia and Fabian agreed with Bianca.
"And what about Jerome? You think he won't say something to his partner in crime?" Bianca folded her arms as something about the way Nina spoke rubbed her the wrong way.
"We told Alfie because he tackled Ms. Andrews in class earlier. He was hospitalised because of something that's going on here," Bianca pointed out. "His safety is important too you know," she stated.
"This search, finding out what's going on, is important!" Nina insisted. Bianca shook her head.
"What is your problem, Nina? You say this needs to be kept secret, yet you have us here helping you with god know what," she challenged. Nina's eyes narrowed as the two seemed to face off.
"Bianca!" Fabian hissed.
"Says you? The one who blackmailed her way into finding out everything," Nina retorted as they ignored Fabian. Bianca blinked rapidly at her accusation. "Maybe you're right, it isn't Alfie we need to worry about, but you, considering you're on the fence with just about everything," Nina paused after saying this, realising just how harsh her words had been. Bianca's expression was deceptively blank as Fabian and Patricia inhaled sharply.
"Right. Well," Bianca shrugged, letting her hands fall to her sides. Her voice was as calm as her face. "I guess you won't need to worry about me anymore. I'm out," she turned, opening the door, and slammed it behind her.
"Nina, stop her!" Fabian hissed, but Nina shook her head.
"She's right. This way we have one less thing to worry about. We need to focus on this," the blonde lifted the newspaper article, and Patricia and Fabian exchanged worried looks.
Focusing on finishing the work in front of her, Bianca let her music blare in her ears as she inked the final touches of the wolves drawn on the paper. So focused on it, she didn't pick up on someone approaching, until they pulled one of the earphones free.
"What's with you going frosty again?" Jerome arched an eyebrow as he sat beside her.
"I'm just focusing on finishing my coursework, you know, this decade?" Bianca shrugged, glancing at him before turning her attention back to her coursework. However, before she could, he'd grabbed her pen and pulled it from her grasp. "Hey! Give that back!" Bianca followed as Jerome moved away, dodging her attempts to grab it.
"Nope," he held it just out of her reach as he smirked down at the frustrated girl. "How about instead, you tell me why you're reverting?" Bianca blushed, still trying to grab for her pen, before stopping as she saw Nina, Patricia and Fabian walk in, calling Amber. Nina glanced at her before looking away just as quickly, and both Fabian and Patricia still looked worried. "Ah, more secrets with the geek club?" Jerome guessed. Bianca rolled her eyes and sat down again.
"No," she shook her head as Amber, though confused as to why neither Bianca nor Alfie were invited to join them, left with the others. "All that needs to be said is that I don't intend on gathering more secrets with the geek brigade. And that they won't miss me much," Bianca watched as Alfie stormed off, and her irritated look faded as she grew worried for her friend.
"Okay...and that's a bad thing?" Jerome asked with an arched eyebrow. Bianca snorted, shaking her head.
"God no. I've dodged a bullet there, right?" she glanced up at him.
"Oh, you've finally seen the light," Jerome gave a mocking sigh of relief, and she punched him.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're not funny?" Bianca asked. Jerome, rubbing his arm, looked insulted.
"How dare you, I'm hysterical," he told her, offended. She just smirked and gathered her supplies.
"Well, come on. Movie night," Bianca called over her shoulder, and he followed, watching her. While she said she was no longer helping the others, he couldn't help but still wonder just what was going on with them, and why Alfie was now involved.
"Hey, B?" Bianca looked up from her essay that she'd been proof reading, to see Mick. "Can I borrow your notes for English?" he asked hopefully. She rolled her eyes.
"Too busy having a romantic meal with Mara, huh?" she asked, and he had the decency to blush and look sheepish. Bianca then grinned, and pulled her book from her bag. "Don't make a habit of it, eh Campbell?" she teased.
"Me?" Mick feigned innocence. "Never. Thanks B, you're the best," he took the notes, and she rolled her eyes again.
"Yeah yeah, you don't have to suck up after I've already given you the notes," Bianca dismissed it, and Mick's grin widened.
"Nah, I'm buttering you up for next time," Bianca couldn't stop herself from laughing at his words, and swatted him with her essay.
"That," they looked up to see Jerome approach, his blue eyes on Bianca. She fought to keep an innocent expression. "Was unnecessary," he told her, pointing at her.
"What was?" she asked as Mick focused on the notes. Jerome threw a crumpled up piece of paper at her, and Bianca caught it.
"How do you keep getting into my locker?" he demanded, taking a seat beside her as he dropped his bag to the ground beside hers.
"Yeah, like I'm telling you that," she scoffed, tossing the ball back at him. "That was to get you back for dropping water balloons on me and Amber last weekend," Bianca elbowed him lightly, and Jerome's expression brightened at the memory.
"Classic," he sighed.
"Yeah, for you and Alfie," Bianca complained.
"Oh, like you didn't enjoy throwing the rest at Alfie," Jerome retorted. Bianca didn't respond, but a small smirk worked its way onto her face. "Hypocrite," he nudged her back, before swiping her essary and starting to look through it. In his distraction, he didn't notice Mick's eyes light up in realisation. He coughed to hide his laughter, and Bianca shot a glare at him, aware her face was starting to go very red. Mick just winked at her.
"Study before classes?" he glanced up at Mara as she approached him. "Okay, what have you done with my boyfriend?" she asked teasingly.
"I might be sick if this continues," Jerome warned in Bianca's ear. She hummed her agreement.
"You've got to find a healthy balance eh?" Mick stood up and flashed her a smile, unaware of the envelope that had fallen from his own book. Before Bianca could point it out to him, they heard cheers coming down the hall.
"What is that?" Mara frowned, confused. She and Mick walked over to the door as everyone looked around, and nobody noticed Jerome lift the letter. The cheering grew louder, before Amber flipped into view, landing in front of Mara. Bianca arched an eyebrow as she took in the blonde's appearance.
"Vote Millington, you better be Willington," she winked at Mara, who gaped at her. She wore a purple and white cheerleading outfit, with a sparkling band in her hair.
"Oh good grief," Bianca put a hand to her face.
"This is going to be fun," Jerome smirked.
"Oh yeah? You're still Mara's campaign manager remember?" Bianca challenged him. His smirk immediately fell.
"You're really not letting me out of that, are you?" he complained.
"Not me, Mara," Bianca smirked back.
"Okay, Amber, what are your actual policies? Haircuts, short skirts, and mandatory 'chillax' periods?" Mara listed in disbelief. Amber smiled back at her pleasantly. "Because, and I quote..." Mara glanced to one of Amber's campaign posters. "'Who needs classes anyway'?" Mara deadpanned. Bianca snorted, very glad that she'd 'offered' Alfie to be Amber's campaign manager the previous night.
"I see my message is really getting through to you. Button?" Amber offered.
"This is a chance for us to really make a difference!" Mara called to the people around watching. "Who's fed up having textbooks that date back from 1987?" she asked.
"M-A-R-A!" Patricia called from where she was sitting.
"Mara!" Bianca glanced at Jerome as he chanted along with Mick and Patricia. "What? You said it, I'm still her campaign manager and I'm not in the business of losing," he told his girlfriend, who was trying not to laugh.
"Who's fed up with the mirrors in the bathroom making you look like a horror show?" Amber asked in a quieter voice. Most of the girls in the room cheered loudly. "And by you, I mean you, Mara," Amber told the shorter girl. The girls cheered again.
"Who's fed up of listening to people, who actually have nothing to say?" Mara glared at her, hurt by her comment.
"Who's fed up of living in the same house as the school's chief boyfriend snatcher?" Mick looked away awkwardly, and a girl behind Amber raised her hand.
"Who's fed up that you're only running for school rep cause you're jealous Mick likes me far more than he ever liked you," Amber's eyes widened a little at the harsh words coming from Mara. Bianca put a hand to her face as Amber glanced away, not quite knowing what to say.
"I'm not sure I ever said that," Mick spoke softly, and Mara looked at him quickly, her cheeks flushing read as Amber shot her a smug look, recovering quickly. Without a word, Mara rushed off, and Mick sighed.
"Hey Ambs," Bianca got up and caught Amber's arm, pulling her to a quiet spot. "What was that all about?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the stage as Amber smiled at her.
"Oh, that? That was my introduction to the campaign," Amber smiled. Bianca sighed.
"Okay...just be careful Amber, I don't want anyone getting hurt even more than they already have," she requested. Amber's smile fell as Bianca adjusted her glasses.
"You mean Mara?"
"Well, yeah," Bianca nodded at Amber's soft question.
"Why would you be worried about her? I thought you were on my side B!" Amber exclaimed, upset by the idea.
"Amber, I'm not taking her side!" Bianca insisted quickly, raising her hands. Amber stared at her, still looking betrayed. "I just don't want to see anyone crushed because of this stupid popularity contest. You're not a mean person Amber. You've got a good heart and I don't want to see you change because of Mara dating Mick," she explained gently. Amber deflated at her words.
"I guess..." she shrugged, before meeting Bianca's eyes. "Does that mean you'll vote for me?" Amber asked hopefully, and Bianca laughed.
"Sure, as long as you behave and don't go off like that again," the black haired girl warned with a smile. Amber's own smile returned, and she handed Bianca a button.
"I see you figured out you'd never win in a 'popularity contest', Winters," Bianca's smile fell at the familiar voice. "So you decided to plant your allegiance with someone who's already popular, oh, and surprise, surprise," the two looked at the red haired student who approached. "She's also with Anubis House," Garnet rolled her eyes.
"What do you want?" Amber arched a defined eyebrow at her.
"Seriously? I told you I don't have an interest in winning, so you're not having a go at me for supporting my friend?" Bianca gave a tired sigh. The slender student facing them folded her arms, frowning back.
"I've told you already, you aren't winning this. Anubis House got the play, and everything else. Someone else deserves the spotlight," Garnet told them. Bianca gave another sigh, rolling her eyes.
"All the best for it then, I couldn't care less," Bianca told her.
"If that's the case, why did you let your friend volunteer you?" Garnet challenged. "And why did you not pull out? This little charade of not caring is frankly a pathetic way to gain votes," Bianca frowned at her. "Or did you think your parents would have enough pull that a student vote wouldn't matter? After all, the famous Winters power couple have a heavy influence over the school," Bianca's heart thudded against her chest.
"Now hold on, that's enough," Amber snapped at Garnet, before looking around as Bianca stood up. "B?" she called, but Bianca didn't respond, leaving the common room quickly. With a glare at Garnet, Amber hurried to find her friend.
Sighing heavily, Bianca irritably brushed her tears from her eyes, knocking her glasses up as she tried to disguise it from the other students around. She bit her lip, stubbornly fighting more tears over the harsh words from the other student.
The black haired girl furiously berated herself for letting Garnet's words have any effect on her. She prided herself on her – though she couldn't take the word seriously now – frosty attitude. Before, she wouldn't have reacted in any way. But now, with so much changing, Bianca's walls were starting to crumble, and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
Sighing as she walked through the corridor, she stopped as she spotted Alfie sitting in the classroom, his head in his hand as he stared into space.
"Alfie?" he jumped as Bianca called his name, stepping into the classroom.
"I..." he stared her with wide, haunted eyes as she took a seat beside him. "I was in the cellar last night," he admitted.
"The cellar? Alfie..." Bianca breathed, leaning on the table as she tried to get him to look at her. "You remembered something, didn't you, about that night?" she asked him. He nodded slowly, the haunted look growing. "Why were you down there?" she asked, unable to believe he'd go back down into the place where he'd suffered a terrible trauma.
"The others...they needed to get something from there, I volunteered to go back down. I just wanted to..." he closed his eyes and shuddered.
"Hey, it's okay," Bianca put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"How can it be okay? I'm terrified!" Alfie exclaimed.
"Give it time Alfie," Bianca insisted, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Give it time, and it'll fade. The memories will be just that. You'll be okay," she soothed, squeezing his shoulder.
"Thanks B...I just don't really feel that way right now," he sighed.
"Like I said, give it time," Bianca told him.
"Alfie?" they looked up as Nina, Patricia and Fabian walked in, looking concerned. "Are you okay?" Bianca resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Nina's stupid question.
"This is about last night, isn't it?" Patricia asked. He nodded.
"I remembered. I remembered everything," they were all silent at his words.
"What did you see?" Patricia sat down on his other side.
"Mr. Sweet, Ms. Andrews, Mr. Winkler!" he exclaimed, staring at the table. "And some other people. They were chanting...and they mentioned...the Chosen One," the four listening frowned, not knowing what that meant. "Victor drank from this skull and then...it was horrible!" he shivered. "One of them was in a mask, a dog mask! It's what I dream about, that face, staring at me, coming for me!" he inhaled sharply.
"Alfie!" Patricia and Bianca called gently, trying to divert his attention from the memory. "It's okay," Patricia rubbed his arm.
"They can't hurt you any more Alfie, you're safe," Bianca told him, but he was still shaking in fear.
"Bet I know what Victor was drinking out of that cup," Nina muttered.
"The Elixir," Fabian confirmed his similar thinkings.
"What Elixir?" Alfie looked up at the pair.
"It's a potion they make," Fabian explained. "It keeps you young," he clarified.
"Ankh?" they frowned at the word. "That was another word," Alfie told them.
"The Cup of Ankh, that was the chalice in the book, right Fabian?" Bianca remembered.
"Yeah! It's the cup that gives you immortality, right?" Nina nodded. Bianca bit her lip, and stood up.
"Well, I've got coursework to do. See you in class," she stood up and headed for the door.
"Bianca..." Alfie frowned, watching her make a quick escape. Nina didn't react, but kept her gaze firmly on the back wall.
"B!" Bianca bumped into Amber on her way out the door. "Are you-"
"I'm fine Ambs, nothing keeps me down for long," Bianca winked at her. "But you best get in there, secret meetings and the likes," she walked off, waving a hand over her shoulder as Amber gasped.
Sitting down in class, Bianca was still trying to take her mind off Garnet's words. She stared at drawing she had started, but she had no motivation to return to it. If she wasn't thinking of Garnet, she was worrying about Alfie, and his insistence of helping Sibuna with something dangerous that had already landed him in hospital once.
"Sketchbook away, Miss. Winters, this isn't art class," Ms. Andrews called as she walked into the room and set down her bag.
"Yes Miss," Bianca closed it over and slid it back into her bag, wondering why the French teacher was covering English again.
"Where is everybody?" the teacher wondered as everyone quickly hurried to their seats. "Let's open our books, page 62 please," Ms. Andrews requested.
"Sorry I'm late, Miss," Jerome slipped in the door. "Campaign business," he took a seat beside Bianca, who raised an eyebrow. She wondered just what business he was up to now, but he just squeezed her hand under the table and winked at her. This only heightened her suspicions, but she was forced to focus on the class instead as the teacher began talking.
"Hey B," Bianca glanced around as Alfie approached her.
"What's up?" she smiled as she slid her books back into her bag. "Feeling any better?" she asked.
"A little, yeah," he nodded, but still looked worried. "Why'd you leave earlier? I thought you were part of the group," Alfie accused. Bianca's smile fell and she looked away.
"Not really. I just, well, pushed my way in to be nosy," Bianca shook her head.
"But...Amber said you were," Alfie frowned as they walked out of the classroom.
"Nope. I'm not part of the group. And Nina made that very clear," Bianca muttered, before hearing laughter and pausing. Her eyes widened as she saw one of the posters stuck to the lockers that everyone was pointing and and laughing.
"Whoa..." Alfie burst out laughing as they saw a picture of Garnet several years younger, smiling a bright, gap-toothed smile with braces shining in the light. Her red hair was even lighter, tied up in pigtails that stuck out the sides of her head.
"What is this..." Garnet stormed over and grabbed one, her breathing uneven. She ripped it down from the locker, and rushed to grab another.
"What's wrong Garnet? Not like what you see?" Jerome called as she ripped down the posters, tears in her eyes.
"You're sick," she snapped at him, her voice quivering as he smiled back pleasantly at her. She ran off, grabbing the posters as she ran, and Bianca exchanged looks with Alfie.
"You're a really nasty piece of work sometimes, aren't you?" Mick challenged the taller boy.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Campbell," Jerome challenged. "People in glass houses," Mick frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mick didn't appreciate the challenge.
"Well in my book, it's pretty nasty to keep secrets from your girlfriend," he glanced to Mara as she looked at the pair. She frowned, and Jerome walked off without another word. Mick scowled after him, before storming off.
"What was that all about?" Mara asked Bianca, who ran a hand through her hair.
"No clue," she admitted with a shrug.
Looking up from his magazine as there was a knock on the door, Jerome found Bianca peering in.
"Hey," she greeted softly.
"Come to tell me what a piece of work I am too?" he asked, dropping the magazine beside him.
"No. I just want to know why you did it," Bianca took a seat beside him, tilting her head. He stared at her for a moment, before turning and getting to his feet. "Was it for Mara's campaign?" she asked.
"What makes you think that? Maybe I did it for yours," Jerome didn't face her, and she sighed.
"Because you know that I don't have any interest in politics, and despite Alfie not getting it, you do," Bianca got up and took his hand. "Why'd you do it?" she repeated her question. Jerome sighed, still not looking at her.
"Because she made you cry," he muttered, and her eyes widened.
"What..."
"I was right there, Bianca, I'm not stupid, or deaf," Jerome muttered. "I heard what she said to you. So I thought..."
"You'd get her back," Bianca summed up. He just nodded. "But...why that?" she asked, unable to understand it.
"Because it was what my twisted mind came up with," Jerome finally turned to her. "I can't do the right thing and ignore her," Bianca was silent as she watched him. "You remember how you told me, about how your parents dropped you off at school, that it was like they were putting you on a shelf, to collect dust while they continued with their lives?" Jerome asked.
"Yeah..." she frowned, her stomach clenching uncomfortably at the memory.
"Well, I'm different. I was left here to be gotten rid of. They left me here to rot," he told her, and shrugged. "And I guess that's what I did," he glanced away.
"You idiot," Bianca sighed, taking his hand. "You're not rotten. Far from it," she told him firmly. "Despite you denying it, you're sweet, and kind. You did that because she made me cry," Bianca couldn't help but smile. "While I don't exactly agree with the method...the gesture was nice?" she shrugged, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"I still maintain that you're delusional," Jerome muttered, and Bianca laughed, pushing up and resting her hands on his chest as he leaned down to meet her in a gentle kiss.
"And you're an idiot," she murmured as he pulled her closer, letting the kiss grow stronger.
"Hey, Jerome?" the door suddenly opened and the pair separated quickly as Mara froze, her eyes going wide as Bianca lowered her head to try and hide the blush that spread across her cheeks. "Sorry, I should have..." Mara murmured, her own face burning as she avoided their gaze.
"What's uh...what's up Mara?" Jerome greeted weakly.
"I was wondering...about what you said to Mick, about people in glass houses and keeping secrets," Mara stepped in, shutting the door behind her. "Is he...was he seeing someone whilst he was away?" the girl asked nervously, playing with her hands. Jerome sighed and turned, lifting the envelope from his bag from before.
"That's the letter Mick dropped," Bianca remembered as he handed it over to Mara.
"It's from California," Mara opened the letter and Bianca arched an eyebrow. She couldn't help but question why Mara would do so, but kept quiet. "He didn't get the scholarship," she realised. "But why wouldn't he tell me?" Mara asked as Jerome sat down.
"Maybe some people like keeping secrets?" Jerome suggested.
"Or maybe he's afraid of letting you down," Bianca elbowed him, but his words echoed in her head and she couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Thanks..." with a frown, Mara left, and Bianca turned to Jerome. "Some people like keeping secrets?" she repeated, and he smiled at her.
"Well, some people do," he defended, catching her hand and pulling her into him. Before she could comment, he kissed her again, and Bianca sighed, unable to fight it.
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