*Disclaimer, I do not own House of Anubis all of that belongs to Nickelodeon, Hans Bourlon and Gert Verhulst. I, however, own Cammie and her little storyline :P I hope you enjoy!*

Series 1, Episode 43~ House of Pursuit

The moment Jerome moved off and out towards his bedroom, pausing for a second to look back at Camilla with the first real smile she had seen on his face in days before looking back to his hot chocolate shaking his head as he disappeared through the door, a scream came from the fake oven door. Instantly Camilla was at the door after a wave of her hand to the mugs on the counter causing one to disappear, with Nina, Amber and Patricia – who had been playing cards at the dining room table – all on her heels. Camila waved her hand at the spare mug on the table – it was a worry she didn't need to worry about currently and part of her hoped it went to its destined destination before she focused back to the now open oven door where Alfie and Fabian where crawling from it.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Nina muttered to the girls around her.

"Alfie," Amber rushed to the boy in worry, "speak to me. Are you okay?"

"What happened?" Patricia finally asked the question they were all asking, unlike the other two she directed it to the boy who didn't look shaken, Fabian. Alfie, however, was leaning on the counter clearly having seen something that had spooked him down in the cellar.

Alfie looked around at them all, not meeting Camilla's eye however, before saying, "I was winding Fabian up.." Camilla looked at her friend and frowned, knowing he was lying but not saying anything while the other Sibuna's where still there.

"Did you get the elixir?" Nina asked.

"I dropped the sample..." Fabian informed them causing all the girls to groan in frustration.

"We'll have to go in another night," Nina simply said. "It's too risky now." They all looked at her but couldn't help but agree. It was getting risky now.

"Okay, so we now just have to act like nothing weird happening," Camilla spoke up with a smile, "so I say we all get out of the kitchen which is a strange place for us all to be stood in doing nothing. Alfie," she paused to look at the boy, "game for a wee movie marathon before bed?"

Alfie shrugged and looked at everyone, it was clear they were taking in Camilla's point with Fabian and Nina walking into the living room together and Amber saying something about a tv show she'd been dying to watch and following them. "Sure..."

"Great!" Camilla all but grabbed the boy and dragged him from the living room sending a wave to Patricia who was laughing before headed to the fridge probably to look for snacks.

Once they were in the hallway Camilla turned to Alfie and gave him a look, "What?" the boy asked of the girl glaring at him innocently.

Camilla hit his shoulder gently, "You know what! You lied in there Alf, and I now want the truth." She demanded.

Alfie let out a sigh and looked around as if making sure no one could overhear them before speaking, "I saw a golden cloak and I got a flashback... I'm guessing from that night I was locked down in the cellar... remember you came to get me, with Jerome and Fabian." Alfie paused as Camilla nodded her head, she remembered that night well but not just because they went to get Alfie but because of the dream, she had had that night, with the teachers and Victor in cloaks and Alfie trapped in the cupboard. "Well, it wasn't much... just people in cloaked chanting and other spooky stuff. I guess I wasn't expecting it, and I might have scared Fabian with my outburst."

"It wasn't a dream," Camilla whispered, "it really happened?"

"What?" Alfie said causing Camilla to shake her head and smile at him pulling her friend into a hug.

"Nothing Alfie, I'm just glad you told me the truth," Camilla whispered to him.

"Movie marathon time?" Alfie asked as he pulled away from the hug causing Camilla to nod her head a smile, she let her friend distract her. Though on the wall back to her room after their marathon, seeing Victor in his office with the hot chocolate mug she had 'Magiced' up to him caused all her thoughts about his cult and the teachers to rush back to her brain. She knew the man wasn't evil but that didn't mean he wasn't up to something, but the question was what?

Of course, Camilla didn't mention any of this to anyone, in fact, what she decided to do instead was to fabricate her and Jerome's relationship more so it wouldn't be as much of a shock to everyone as it could be. By that, she told Amber that she and Jerome were going public, of course, this then caused Amber to demand all the details that Camilla hadn't told her until now. Camilla's reasoning for going to Amber was because she knew that the whole school would know by the morning – how? Camilla had no idea but it was one of the many things that caused Camilla to forever be in Awe of her blonde goddess of a friend. Of course, Camilla made sure to inform Jerome so he was in the loop and Camilla also made sure to pass on the message her brother to inform him the whispers about her and Jerome where all Fake she was doing the boy a favour. Camilla didn't need to deal with a protective big brother along with everything else she was dealing with.

The whispers were expected the next day at school, though the smile's shared between her a Jerome at made it worth it. To Camilla, it felt they had a little secret they shared and Camilla hoped that it would work out for Jerome as she wasn't sure if she could handle the level of attention they were dealing with long term but if it made him happy she would endure it long enough to make sure he was.

The two were playing up the relationship in a realistic way for them – not a lot of PDA or cute nicknames but just spending time together and acting like they normally would just with this new rose coloured gaze everyone else had looking into their actions and movements. Camilla could see two girls 'aww' as they sat down in the student hall and Jerome's arm going behind Camilla to rest on the back of the couch – an action he always did – Camilla pulled out a notebook and started writing away in it (she wanted to keep a note of everything she had found out about Victor and the cult in along with everything she knew about the powers she was developing too) so she wasn't paying attention a little to the conversation taking place with Mick and Mara who had just walked into the room.

"Study before class?" Mara said to Mick, causing Camilla to look up to see the boy who had a Biology book out and was reading something intently in it. Camilla glanced at Jerome to see him looking down at her both of them thinking the same thing at that moment; Mick was defiantly hiding something as he would never read a Biology textbook before class.

Camilla went back to her notes but made sure to somewhat pay attention to the weird new couple – she was trying to help Jerome win Mara's attention of course.

"Okay, what have you done with my boyfriend?" Mara asked Mick. At the B-word Camilla gently placed her hand on Jerome's and gave it a small squeeze as if to remind him that she was there for him. From the small squeeze she received back she knew he appreciated it though Camilla could already see him pulling a face from her mind's eye.

"you've got to find a healthy balance, eh?" Mick joked as he got to his feet, the movement causing Camilla to look up again just in time to see something fall from Mick's book. A brown envelope.

"Millington! Millington! Millington!" a chant came from the hallway causing everyone in the study hall to look up from what they were doing.

"What is that?" Mara asked for them all.

As Mick moved away from the brown envelope Camilla dived for it, grabbing it before Jerome pulled her back through his pull was a lot stronger than either of them had expected and she landed on his lap rather than next to him, their faces uncomfortably close together.

"Oh hi," Camilla laughed.

"Hi." Jerome smiled.

"I got you something," she showed him the envelope she knew they would investigate further later, "better hide it while everyone's distracted,"

"You Rutter are becoming my favourite person by the day," Jerome whispered, as he slipped the envelope into his blazer pocket just as Mara, Mick and everyone else in the room disappeared out of it to find out what the chanting was.

It took the two a second before realising they were alone, Camilla let out a small cough and backed her face away from Jerome's as she looked around hoping her cheeks weren't flushing "I guess we better see what Ambers done," Camilla muttered, getting up from Jerome's lap and holding out her hand for him, "come on oh fake boyfriend of mine,"

Jerome rolled his eyes but took Camilla's hand and letting her help him to his feet before throwing an arm around her shoulder and pulling her to him, "our best performance yet I'd say," he teased as they wandered out of the room and to the hallway.

As the 'couple' reached Mara and Mick they finally saw what all the commotion was about. Stood at the end of the corridor was a group of the 'hot girl's' Amber knew well – all of them dressed up in cheerleader outfits handing out flyers as they chanted Ambers name. This was Amber's way of competing against Mara in the class rep elections.

"Vote Millington, you better be Willington!" Amber smirked as she saw Mara, handing Camilla a badge which Camilla instantly put on her blazer causing Mara to glower at her and Camilla happily glowered back. Amber was her friend, of course, she was going to support her.

Amber brushed past them and into the study hall with her fellow cheerleaders, Mara storming off after her causing Camilla to re-direct Jerome back into the room. She wanted to witness this confrontation.

"Okay, Amber!" Mara started, clearly trying to control the anger in her voice, "what are your actual policies? Haircuts, short skirts, and mandatory chillax periods?" Mara tried to mock the girl but instead got a grin from Amber instead. "because, and I quote..." Mara continued looking to a poster one of the cheerleaders had posted onto the wall, "' who needs classes anyway?'" this caused Camilla to laugh and a snort to come from Jerome and another disapproving look from Mara was sent Camilla's way.

"I see my message is really getting through to you," Amber told Mara with a wink to Camilla as if she knew this was bothering Mara as much as Camilla's knew it was, "want a button?" she asked handing Mara one of her buttons with the girl look looking exasperated at this point.

"This is a chance for us to really make a difference," Mara told the whole room, "who's fed up with having textbooks that date back from 1987?"

"That's why we have the internet, on the school's laptops..." Camilla softly muttered but in the silence of the room, everyone heard her causing some chuckles.

"M.A.R.A!" Patricia chanted from the back of the room causing everyone to look round at her.

"MARA!" Mick and Patricia finished causing an eye roll from all the cheerleaders. Camilla saw Jerome about to join in but elbowed him if he was fake dating her he was supporting Amber like her.

"Who's fed up with the mirrors in the bathrooms making you look like a hot potato?" Amber asked getting a yell of approval from her cheerleaders. "And by you, I mean you, Mara." Amber made sure to add. Camilla couldn't help but grin on proudly as Amber's bitchy side shone out... she had taught the girl so much and it was nice to see it.

Mara seemed to grit her teeth before saying, "Who's fed up of listening to people who actually have nothing to say?"

"Who's fed up of living in the same house as the school's top boyfriend snatcher!" Amber countered.

With this the Anubis house lot all glanced at one another, this election had just become one huge way for the two girls who had been butting heads to finally sort out their issues... which meant they were all 100% involved.

Camilla felt Jerome pull her back to their chair from before as the two girls kept squabbling, this time he pulled her onto his lap himself so her back was against the arm of the chair and her legs stretch out along the rest of it.

"Who's only running for school rep because your jealous Mick likes me far more than he ever liked you!" Mara screamed at Amber. Camilla saw the hurt wash across Amber's face and if it wasn't for the fact Jerome had his arm around her waist she would have gotten up and punched Mara right then and there for hurting her friend.

"Careful Milly," Jerome whispered in her ear, "you don't need another detention on your report card." Camilla fully understood now why Jerome had taken her away, so she wouldn't hurt Mara – though at that moment her brain was trying to find ways to hurt Mara as much as she had hurt Amber all term.

"I'm not sure I ever said that..." Mick pipped up after a moments silence, causing Amber to smile and Mara to let out a frustrated groan as she stormed from the room. Of course, not long after this, the bell rang and Camilla climbed off Jerome's lap for the second time once again holding her hand out for him. "You coming, you stupid sentient tree?" she asked sweetly causing the boy to let out a burst of laughter at her attempt at a 'cute' nickname for him. However, he took her hand and allowed the girl to pull him from the room and to their English class.

Thankfully Camilla and Jerome had managed to establish themselves enough as a 'couple' that when Nina, Fabian and Patricia grabbed Camilla to discuss Sibuna stuff in the afternoon it wasn't odd that the two were apart. In fact, the four were on the hunt for Amber when they stumbled across a forlorn-looking Alfie clearly hiding out in one of the classrooms. Not having a friend down, Camilla was the first to charge into the classroom with her brother and friends on her heels.

"Alfie?" Nina asked softly as Camilla squatted next to her friend and took his hand trying to comfort him. "Are you okay?"

Of course, everyone gathered around him as he spoke, "It's about last night in the cellar..." Alfie started, glancing at Camilla who squeezed his hand to encourage him. "I remembered everything..."

"What did you see?" Patricia asked glancing to Fabian and Nina.

"Mr Sweet... Mrs Andrews... Mr Winkler... And some other people." He said names the twins shared an uneasy glance, they had hoped they had Mr Winkler on their side for a little longer but it appeared not the case. "They were chanting, and they mentioned The Chosen One." Camilla couldn't help but glance to Nina as Alfie said those words as if clearly Nina was who they were talking too. However, she shook her head, what was she on about? Alfie needed her she didn't need weird theory's now while they were on a breakthrough of sorts. "Victor drank from a skull and it was horrible! And one of them was in a mask... A dog mask!"

"Anubis..." Fabian and Camilla muttered softly though no one but the other heard as Alfie continued.

"That's what I dream about," Alfie spoke his grip on Camilla's hand becoming painful but she refused to say anything, Alfie needed to get this out of his system, "that face! Just staring at me! Coming for me!"

"Alfie..." Patricia put a hand on him as he hid his face in his hands, "it's okay..."

"I bet I know what he was drinking out of that skull..." Nina spoke up looking to Fabian.

"The elixir..."

"What elixir?" Alfie asked glancing at the two who were stood in front of him.

"It's a potion they make," Fabian started, "it keeps you young."

"Ank?" Alfie asked. "That was another word."

"The cup of Ank..." Nina whispered in realisation glancing to the twins, "that's the cup that gives you immortality, right?"

Before either twin could answer Nina a voice came from the door, "Well hello," they all turned round to see a determined-looking Amber strut into the room, "we have very important stuff to discuss here." She informed them all. She took in their shock at the sudden change of topic as their unwavering attention and kept talking, "so I've only got 24 hours to make sure I win an election. Hands up who's going to help me blow mara out of the race."

If it wasn't for the fact Amber had walked in on a serious Sibuna meeting Camilla would be down for helping her out, but they had bigger things to worry about – like this cup of Ank.

"Some club!" Amber groaned, "You people are so unsupportive! Running around after Cup of Mink when you could be helping with my one chance to shine! Thanks." This rant causes the twins to look at amber with equal looks of disapproval, she clearly was missing the seriousness of the issue at hand. "Oh, and by the way Alfie... you're fired!" Amber added before strutting from the room causing the boy to drop his head into his hands with a groan.

Camilla finally caught up with Amber as they walked into class and informed her she was happy to help her dominate against Mara but she simply arrived at a bad time due to Alfie's break down. This seemed to get her back in the blonde's good books once again.

"Where is everybody?" Mrs Andrews said causing Camilla to look up from her phone and everyone to rush to their seats, "let's open our books to page 62 please."

Just as the teacher stopped talking Jerome rushed in looking slightly out of breath, "sorry I'm late miss... Campaign business..." the smirk on his face had Camilla worried and she couldn't help but sent him a look that read 'what have you done?'. Of course, he didn't look her in the eye, settling in his chair behind herself and Amber, both girls not knowing they would find out what he had done sooner rather than later. Of course, Mrs Andrews missed the exchange and started the class as normal.

As the bell rang to indicate the end of lessons laughter could be heard filling the corridors, causing a confused look to be shared by everyone in Mrs Andrews English class. Amber made sure to stuff Camilla's arms full of things to go into the goodie bags she was making – Fabian and Nina to being forced to carry stuff – as they along with their class went to investigate the sound of the noise. The moment Camilla got into the hallway she knew Jerome had taken things a bit too far. Plastered on every wall you could see was a poster that showed Amber from their primary school years – a photo Camilla knew she hated. To make things worse everyone was laughing at it. Camilla turned to her friend and saw her lip quiver as she tried to fight the tears that were forming in her eyes – this was a cruel thing to do and they all knew it.

"What's the matter, Amber? Don't like everyone seeing you before the acne medicine and braces were taken off? What was your policy on always looking good?" Jerome asked innocently as he leaned on Camilla's locker.

Amber turned to Jerome who was laughing loudly along with everyone else and screamed, "I hate you, Jerome, I absolutely hate you!" she sobbed before running off down the corridor.

Camilla quickly found her arms to be free of all Ambers stuff – thanks to a quick-thinking Fabian who could see his sisters vision turning red – and she narrowed in on Jerome who suddenly gulped as if scared what was going to happen next. As Camilla stalked towards him the lights in the hallway started to flicker, the ring on Camilla's hand glowing (though only Fabian saw this knowing to look for it). "You weak pathetic little boy!" Camilla screamed at Jerome causing the laughter to fall silent instantly, "you really would stoop so low as to bully someone to get votes for Mara? A smear campaign that's how Mara works with you on her side is it? Wow, I never knew someone to be so heartless and pathetic!" Camilla knew her words would do enough damage for now, but when she heard the soft...

"Milly..." and Jerome tried to grab her arm she snapped.

The sound of her hand slapping him could be heard for all, and she knew the red hand mark forming on his face would be enough. Camilla looked at him, her own tears threatening to fall. She never thought Jerome would ever stoop so low, she defended him in the past for stuff but she wouldn't tolerate this. Not to Amber. Not after everything she had learned about the girl's insecurities. "Don't." Camilla warned him softly, "Right now, I don't want anything to do with you." With that she stormed off, she had to find Amber and try to make this alright... if she could.

The moment Camilla burst into their room at the house Amber launched herself into her arms and started sobbing, Camilla knew there wasn't much she could do for her except be there and let her express her feelings. Thankfully by the time the other's got back by the end of the day Amber had sobbed all her makeup off and had re-applied it. After a chat with Camilla – where she was told about the slapping incident – she felt Jerome got what was deserved and he didn't need to see him affecting her anymore. Of course, Camilla didn't want to leave Amber alone so when they all wandered into the house it took one look between the twins for Fabian to understand she wasn't going to go to the attic with them.

Which is how Camilla found herself sat in the girl's hallway next to Patricia, she was waiting for Amber and Patricia was waiting for Nina and Fabian.

"I don't know what the hell he was thinking," Patricia spoke up after a moments silence, the two had had a lengthy chat about the incidents that had happened that day.

Camilla let out a sigh, "He's not a bad person. He's just... has just a boy who made some bad choices. His heart is good." Patricia gave Camilla a look she couldn't quite read but let the girl continued, "obviously he was thinking he was going to get away with it and not have to explain it." she knew Jerome well enough to know he wasn't truly mean, sometimes he just got carried away and didn't think the consequences through.

"Exactly."

The voice surprised both girls and caused them to turn towards the door to the landing, standing in the doorway was a sheepish looking Jerome.

"An apology tour is it?" Camilla asked sharply, causing Jerome to pull a face before running a hand through his hair.

"Sort of..." He paused, "can we talk, please."

Camilla looked to Patricia then to her bedroom door.

"I'll stay here with Amber," Patricia told Camilla, knowing the two needed to hash out what had happened before it affected the whole house.

"Thanks," Camilla muttered appreciatively before getting to her feet and walking to Jerome who stood to one side to let her past. Camilla didn't stop walking until they were outside the house where she promptly sat down on the front doorsteps and looked to Jerome expectantly.

The boy paused at the front door for a second before settling down next to her. It was clear that Camilla wasn't going to talk first if Jerome was going to apologise it was going to be on him.

"So Mara spoke to me..." he started and from the raised eyebrows of Camilla, he knew he was slowly going into a dangerous territory quickly. "She didn't seem to appreciate my efforts either... though your reaction did hurt a lot more."

Camilla saw him rub at his face and couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her own, "I won't apologise for that.

"I figured you wouldn't."

"You deserved it."

"That I did..." Jerome looked over at her and the two shared a smile, there was hope in the smile. Both of them knew that no matter how angry Camilla got she would never truly hate Jerome. "I would go into the monologue about my folks making me the way I am, dumping me here at the age of 5, but I know that will never work on you. Seeing as your folks did the same for you and your brother."

This caused Camilla to snort, as she couldn't help but agree with him there. Both their family's had fucked them over in different ways but that didn't mean he had to be an asshole, "We are both as fucked up as the other J, doesn't excuse your actions."

"I am sorry, Milly," Jerome sincerely said, "and I will say that to Amber too when she lets me. But right now, what I am most worried about is that I have ruined what we have, our friendship"

Camilla paused and got to her feet so she was on the bottom step looking at him, "well, I guess I might just let you off the hook this time." with a small smile, she walked up the steps to the house, making sure to mess up his hair as she passed just to annoy him before walking into the house. Leaving a Jerome sat on the steps with his first genuine smile on his face all day.

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