Amber XXI

It's finally Date Night for Jabian in Anubis House. Patricia and Amber reminisce about old times, Alfie gets stuck and Nina has her 100th meltdown of the year (thanks Fabes).

As happy as Amber was about her campaign going smoothly and it finally being the weekend, she couldn't help but worry about Nina. The girl had been in a foul mood all day, stomping around and snapping at her friends. Amber could not wait for the Jabian date to be over, as there would most likely not be a second date for the pairing.

Walking past Mara, Joy and Patricia's room Amber saw Joy whirling around like a hurricane trying on different outfits and throwing them aside when she didn't like them. Poor Joy, even Amber wasn't cold hearted enough to not pity the girl in this instance. The girl truly thought she was going on a date, not just an outing with a boy who didn't know how to say no. Turning away from that scene Amber headed into her own room.

Opening the door she found Nina curled up in a depressed ball on her bed. "Oh love" she crooned moving to sit on the bed. Carding her hand through Nina's hair she continued, "How are you holding up?".

The girl in question sniffled and sat up, "I saw Fabian outside the flower shop Amber!"

"Why were you even at the flower shop in the first place?". Her question caused the American girl to look down at her lap and avoid answering. "Come on Neens…"

"It's just that he never got me flowers last year or the beginning of this year, and I wanted to see if... I shouldn't even be this upset; our relationship clearly wasn't even that serious!".

"Nina you have every right to feel however you feel. Regardless of how serious or not your previous relationship was".

"We kissed at your end of term prom last May, and then we were here for another couple weeks where I guess we were exclusive, but we just never talked about it".

"Well that right there has always been the root of your problems"

"I know, we talked all summer, but I was in the states and working and he was here with his family. And I get it, I didn't come here so I can't blame him for not visiting, but it still really sucks to be on a different continent from the person your dating. I guess that's why Mickara broke up…"

Clearing her throat Amber tried to push aside the painful memories of Mick and Mara's betrayal and focused on the girl in front of her. "Well you two obviously video chatted and all," trailing off at the bashful look on Nina's face. "You didn't video chat?!"

"We just wrote each other letters. It was supposed to be romantic, but really it just made me crazier when I got back. Having his old best friend in the picture, who is making active attempts to steal my 'boyfriend', well it was and still is really hard. Then when my Gran showed up, I was distracted by her visit and Joy took advantage of that. I guess it's just the fact that I don't know why he broke up with me that is bugging me and won't let me have closure".

"Wait he broke up with you? You said that it was mutual". Nina shot her the 'Really Amber' look.

"Of course we said that, I didn't want the humiliation of everyone knowing, and I don't want to bring it up with him for the same reason. Because he clearly has moved on, even if he lied about it a week ago".

"What happened a week ago?"

"Well during our stakeout he said that he wanted to give Fabina another chance, but I pretended to be asleep because of everything I just said. Later I gave him the option to say it again, but he didn't take it".

Well that was a lot to think about, but in the meantime, Amber had a BFF to cheer up. "Well I don't know about all of that, but I believe that everything will work out as it's meant to". Amber leaned in to give the girl a big hug, "Now I know you really wanted to see that movie so if we hurry, we should be able to make the start of it".

"Amber the last thing I want to do is sit there while Fabian and Joy hold hands in the dark. I just wish we could do the next task already because this French homework is not holding my attention".

"Alright, well we can go to the matinee tomorrow then. I need you to know though that I was going to tell you about the date and how it happened by accident. Fabian has been off all year, but you know how he is".

"Yeah, I do know how he is. And because of that I know that if he really didn't want to go out with Joy tonight, he wouldn't have. He is single now, so despite my feelings he is allowed to date other people".

"Well ok then" Amber said bouncing up from the bed. "What you need is a girl's night! I just got a new pint of Mint ice cream and hid it in the back of the freezer so Alfie wouldn't eat it. I'm going to go grab that while you load a movie on your laptop". With one last hug Amber was out the door to grab the ice cream.

*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*

Entering the kitchen Amber passed Patricia on her way to the freezer. "How is she doing?" asked Patricia.

"Not good Trix" replied Amber pulling out the pint of ice cream. "How was Joy?"

"She was excited, I didn't want to crush her buzz, but I think we all know that this isn't a real date".

"Yeah, all of us but Nina. I swear that girl is such a mess over this boy. They had better work out or I'm kicking Fabian's ass".

Shocked laughter burst out of Patricia at Amber's statement. "Oh I would pay to see that!"

"What?" asked Amber walking closer to the other girl stopping just a hairs breadth apart, "You don't think I could take him?".

"Oh I know you could take him!" laughed the other girl pushing a strand of hair behind Amber's ear, "You took me to your jujitsu classes that one summer I stayed with you".

"Oh yeah, that was a fun summer. I miss us sometimes" Amber admitted looking up into Patricia's eyes.

"Yeah, me too, but we just didn't work. Then you were with Mick, and Joy and I…" Patricia stopped sadly. "Well I thought we had something".

"Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I'm pretty sure it wasn't just one sided with you and Joy" Amber said laying a comforting hand on Patricia's shoulder. "Anyways now you have a new target and a mighty fine one too" laughed Amber as she eyed the American boy on the couch.

Pushing her away lightly Patricia laughingly warned her, "Oh bug off, this one's mine".

"Well go get him then Trix. You deserve to be happy. And we both know waiting around to see if this thing with Joy is going to work out or not isn't what is going to make you happy".

"Thanks Ambs, I'll think about it"

Smiling Amber stepped back to grab the ice cream and two spoons, "Well I'm off to try and calm down the other American. I'll talk to you later Trix" blowing the girl a mocking kiss Amber turned on her heel and headed back upstairs to comfort her depressed roommate.

*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*

Nina had picked The Fellowship of the Ring to watch. Amber didn't know if it was a good sign or not that they weren't watching The Notebook or Titanic. Deciding to stay out of it, Amber handed Nina one of the spoons and the tub of ice cream. Snagging her pink throw off her bed, Amber made herself comfortable as she settled in for 3 hours of sword fights and walking.

About two hours into the movie, the door to the girl's room flew open and a screaming Alfie appeared. Jumping to her feet, Amber grabbed the nearest book and began to beat the creature which was attacking Alfie.

"Ow! Amber! Can you please stop?" Alfie yelled. The task spider tumbled out of his hands and hit the floor as Alfie cradled his arm where Amber accidentally hit him rather than the spider.

"What the hell Alfie! What were you thinking? I thought you were being attacked!"

"Jeez Ambs, I'm sorry! Just please put down the dictionary!"

"Look you guys!" interjected Nina getting off the bed and pointing at the fallen spider which now had a crack and pieces sticking out.

"Ambs relax! It was just a joke baby".

"Hilarious. And now you've broken it. I seriously thought you were dying"

"Knock it off you two" called Nina from her spot on the floor pulling out little spiders.

"Ew, so gross! They are like freaky little spider babies".

"Wait is this?" started Alfie

"This is the answer to the riddle! It says that we have to 'lay her daughters in their home'. So if the big spider is the mom, then these three little baby spiders must be her daughters" explained Nina.

Picking one up Amber was surprised at how heavy they were: "Wow. These are really heavy".

"The spider's home is it's web" pondered Alfie sitting down next Amber and taking the spider she offered him. "Do these three spiders go on the hooks in the task chamber then?".

An excited grin spread its way across Nina's face. "Let's go down there right now and try it!" she yelled jumping to her feet.

Ok, that is an awful idea! Shooting Alfie a worried look, Amber tried to convey what an awful idea this was. Looking worried as well Alfie argued "Fabian is our best web-walker. Shouldn't we wait for him to get back from his date?".

Amber groaned internally in defeat. Alfie had just sealed all of their fates by mentioning the taboo date. Nina's hardened look confirmed Amber's suspicions, "There is enough of us to do this without Fabian. Lets show these spiders what Sibuna are made of". With that the American spun on her heel and marched out of the room, most likely in search of Patricia. Eyeing the laptop and nail polish still on Nina's bed mournfully, Amber snagged Alfie's hand and pulled him with her as she chased after Nina.

The pair caught up with Nina on the stairs. "Nina just think about what you're doing" called Amber from the landing.

"I know exactly what I'm doing Amber!" snapped the upset brunet at the bottom of the stairs.

"Just wait there and we can talk this out Neens" placated Alfie as he crept down the stairs trying not to scare her into bolting.

Following her boyfriend down the stairs Amber kept talking hoping it would be enough to stop Nina from running for the bread oven. "We don't have enough people anyways. Lili and Jerome are out getting ice cream in town with Poppy and Patricia isn't around anyways".

It was of course at that moment that the universe decided to have Patricia storm out of the living room and into the atrium with the Sibuna club members.

"Patricia!" called Nina.

"What!" snapped the upset girl, clearly her talk with Eddie hadn't gone well.

Startled by her outburst Nina replied, "Um, we're going down to the tunnels now. We figured out what the clue means so this is our best shot to complete the task".

Best shot, Ha! "Nina doesn't want to wait for Fabian to get back from his date" Amber explained to Patricia. "Which I totally understand and support her feelings, but Please tell her she's crazy!"

"It's too risky with just the four of us. Right Trixie?" backed Alfie.

Patricia's face went through several emotions, but as she looked back into the sitting room where Eddie was it hardened. They were so screwed. "No. I'm not chicken! Let's do it!" she yelled loud enough to be heard by Eddie on the couch. As Nina smiled, Amber couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong.

*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*

According to the Sibuna bylaws, which Amber was really regretting writing right now, in the event of a tie Nina, as the leader of Sibuna, would be the deciding vote. This occasion meant that her vote led to the four Sibunas finding themselves back in the dusty cellar five minutes after the vote.

"Did everyone grab an amulet?" asked Nina preparing to trigger the bookcase. Holding hers up Amber hoped that the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach was just that rather than a sign of what was to come. Staring down the beam of light she vowed that they would all make it back to their room's alive tonight.

*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*

Even with the extra practice, the web in the task chamber still terrified her. Amber considered this to be a healthy thing and apparently so did Alfie. "Is anyone else worried about the part of the riddle which says that the red thread will spell our doom?" he asked. Raising her hand Amber deflated as Nina grabbed it and placed the red spider in it for her to hang. Patricia hadn't had enough time to practice, so Nina decided to give Alfie the big spider and the little yellow one. Patricia would instead act as their look out as the trio made their way across the room.

Keeping one ear open, Amber let her mind focus on the treacherous task in front of her. Slowly but surely, she worked her way over to the red hook. "Silver thread Alfie!" called out Patricia. The boy jolted to the side trying to avoid the silver thread and instead hit a yellow.

The world around her disappeared as Amber's vision tunneled and all she could do was focus on getting to Alfie as quick as possible.

"Guys calm down!" laughed Alfie, "The yellow threads they don't…" and slowly trailed off. Horrified Amber doubled her speed as Alfie began to shake, "I feel… I feel weird". He suddenly began to claw at the wires in terror and scream as he hit the silver wires around him. "Help me, please help me. It's coming you guys! HELP ME!".

Amber brushed against a silver wire but didn't care as she heard Nina scream "He's going to hit a red one" in warning.

"Move faster Amber" Patricia unhelpfully screamed. Amber knew that she was talking but couldn't quite understand what the stream of comforting words she was saying were. She just hoped that the sound of her voice would help to calm him down.

Finally she was in reach, shooting her arm out she grabbed him just as his head was going to hit the fatal string. Slipping between the final strings separating them Amber wrapped her arms around the hallucinating boy holding him firmly in place. "I've got you Alfie. You are going to be ok… deep breaths Alfie you are ok" not for the first time that night Amber cursed herself for not following her gut. Now Alfie was hurt, and they hadn't passed the task. Best friend or not, if Nina suggested that they continue on tonight Amber would not be held responsible for her actions.

"I am so sorry Alfie" apologized Nina as tears ran down her face. Patricia nodded, agreeing silently clearly shaken by the events of the last few minutes.

The pounding of feet from further down the tunnel revealed Fabian's arrival on scene far to late. "Alfie are you ok! Don't move!" he yelled bursting into the task chamber. Fabian quickly dove into the web making his way over to the couple. Knowing that Fabian was a better web walker than her Amber carefully passed over the shaken Alfie.

"Come on buddy, let's get you out of here. Nice and slow, ok?". Cautiously holding Alfie Fabian began to weave their way back out of the web with Amber following.

Once they were all safely back on the same side Nina ran over to Alfie pulling him into a massive hug. "I am so, so, sorry Alfie!".

"Why don't we get Alfie upstairs Nina?" suggested Patricia placing the baby spiders back in the official Sibuna backpack with the spare Amulet and offering it to Amber. Sliding the bag onto her shoulders Amber and the other Sibunas headed back to their rooms for the night.

I love hearing from y'all! Let me know what you think of the chapter and the story so far in the comments or my Tumblr House-of-Secrets! Xo Evie