Alfie L
Summary: Alfie does a little laundry and the dollhouse has a new clue for Sibuna.
Evie's Notes: Hey y'all I'm so sorry for going MIA lately. Real life has just been a lot recently. My depression/anxiety has been all over the place as well so I haven't really wanted to write. I really appreciate you comments though, I went back and read through them all again and they really helped to motivate me to write this chapter 3. I hope you all enjoy this latest installment!
As much as Alfie enjoyed the winter holidays, he was happy to settle back into a more normal routine. Unfortunately, a normal weekly routine involved lots of boring Sibuna research. Alfie sighed despondently from his place sprawled on Amber's bed flipping through yet another of Robert Frobisher-Smythe's many journals, looking for a clue to the missing reflectors.
"This is so annoying. I spend a very long time making sure that each of the little figurines have a job to do while we are in school. But then when I open it up, it's moved!" complained Amber to Fabian and Nina as she rearranged her dolls. "I know you have something to do with this" she accused Alfie while shooting an angry look his way.
"It isn't me" protested Alfie throwing his hands up in the universal symbol of surrender.
The sudden glow of the doll house cut off Amber's response. Sitting up Alfie scooted closer to the end of the bed as Amber whispered "I don't think it's Alfie anymore" drawing the other couple's attention.
"Vindication" shouted Alfie jokingly falling backwards on the bed.
"It must be Sarah" deduced Nina. "She's trying tell us something".
"Victor's office?" asked Fabian, "Why would they be in there?"
"Remember yesterday morning? When you asked Sarah for a clue as to where the objects might be, well this must be her response!"
"Well, Sibuna it's time to do what we do best" chirped Amber sharing a secretive smile with Alfie.
"Ransack his office" declared Alfie hopping to his feet and bounding out the door.
Amber laughed at his antics and Alfie could hear her urging the other two to follow him to the caretaker's office.
Cracking the door open Alfie watched as Victor walked down the stairs calling for Vera. Giving the signal to the others he led the group into the office.
"Just try to grab anything shiny" ordered Nina as Fabian, Alfie and her tore through Victor's belongings.
"Hurry up guys! He could be back any minute" urged Amber.
"I don't see any shiny things with bird symbols" replied Fabian.
"Well, the dollhouse says it's in here" snapped back Nina.
"I hear someone!" warns Amber waving the trio out of the room and over to the notice board.
Picking up on Amber's distraction plan Alfie called out "See I told you that it's your turn to do the washing up Fabian".
"Ah! Why yes, it is!" played along the other boy.
Luckily Victor seemed to buy their ruse as he passed the four Sibunas gathered at the top of the staircase without any argument and stomped back into his office.
Seeing that their chance to search the office was gone for the time being the group split up and Alfie decided to do some laundry.
*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*
Walking into the laundry room lugging his laundry bag behind him Alfie was startled to see that the room was already in use. As Anubis housemother, Vera would wash the students' laundry on Mondays, so it was rare to find anyone in the laundry room the other days of the week. On his latest trip to the tunnels Alfie had fallen into a wet puddle and stained his jeans and shirt, in washing the clothes separately he hoped to avoid tipping Vera off about any of their tunnel related activities.
"Hey Trixie!" he greeted cheerfully. It was always nice to see his pranking buddy.
"Oh… Hey". Alfie wasn't sure what it was, but something seemed off about her response.
Deciding to try and make her laugh, Alfie teased "Guess there's no point in asking if I can do my clothes with yours?".
Instead of laughing the girl unexpectedly replied, "Yeah! Give them here".
"No, wait. Hold on. What?" stuttered Alfie confused.
"I said that it's no problem" she smiled while tugging his laundry into her arms, before depositing it into the washing machine.
Yeah, something was definitely up with his goth pixie. This had to be a prank, decided Alfie as he spun around looking for hidden cameras.
"What are you doing?" giggled Patricia. Curiouser and curiouser…
"Just checking that I'm not on one of those weird hidden camera shows" he joked.
"Trust me. You're not" she assured him adding the soap to the machine
"Well then, thanks, Patricia. That's really sweet of you, which is insanely out of character".
"Hey, everyone is entitled to a day off" she sassed pushing his shoulder jokingly.
"Guess you're getting used to doing things in twos now" commented Alfie leaning back against the laundry room cabinets.
Strangely enough Patricia's face fell, "What do you mean?".
"Well yeah, because of Eddie 'The American'".
"Oh. That guy. Yeah, I'm trying to stay away from him. Kid can't control himself" revealed Patricia.
What? "Aren't you two dating?" checked Alfie. The two had been basically inseparable over the last couple weeks.
"Oh! Yeah, that makes sense" muttered Patricia.
"So, you're not?" asked Alfie. "Because you guys have been super close lately"
"I need to… I've got to… I'll see you later" stuttered Patricia before she dashed out of the room and past Nina and Fabian who were goofing off while doing the dishes.
"Weird" whispered Alfie following after her.
"Hey Patricia" greeted Nina from her spot leaning against the counter. Patricia blew right by her friends, not even stopping long enough to say hello.
"What's up with Patricia? Why's she acting weird?" Nina asked Alfie.
"I don't know" muttered Alfie concerned, "And I don't like it".
Unfortunately, Alfie turned the corner into the atrium too quickly and in his haste ran smack into Victor. "Sorry Victor!" he apologized.
The caretaker was clearly furious so when the man ordered him to go to his room, Alfie did so without argument planning to check on his friend later.
*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*
"So, then I talked to Lili and she said that we can launch our newest products next month. I'm super excited to… Alfie you're not listening to me!" snapped Amber.
"What? Oh! Sorry Amber" apologized Alfie turning his focus back to his lovely friend and their card game.
"Well…" prodded the blonde.
"Well, what?" asked Alfie confused
"What is so important that you zoned me out during our hang out?" Amber demanded.
"Oh, nothing for you to worry about Amby. Please tell me more about what Lili said" waved off Alfie hoping that she would get the hint just drop it.
"Alfie, if something is bothering you, I want to help. I hate to see you upset" argued Amber, her forehead crinkling into the adorable little wrinkle she hated, but always got when she was serious about something. Amber's concern for her friends was one of the things Alfie loved most about her.
Knowing that she wasn't going to let this go anytime soon, Alfie admitted "I was just thinking about Patricia".
"Oh?!" squeaked Amber clearly jumping to conclusions. "And what did Trix do to warrant this concern during the one time a week we get to hang out without the others?"
"She was just acting strangely nice to me Amby. I just can't stop thinking about her".
"Is that so…"
"Yeah, it was just so out of character. I'm worried about her…"
Amber seemed to relax after his last point "Do you want me to bring it up with her? If something is truly bothering her, she might talk to me about it".
Alfie considered her offer before ultimately deciding, "No, it was only a one-time thing, if her behavior continues, I'll bring it up to her myself. Thanks for offering though"
"Of course! I'm here for you no matter what Alfie" assured Amber. "But don't think that means I'll let you win though" she smirked smacking down a 'Draw Four' card to the pile between them.
Alfie groaned theatrically as he took the required cards, but deep down he was thrilled at how well their conversation had gone. Looking at the brilliant blonde beauty before him, he swore to pay better attention her. Amber was one of the most important people to him in the world and he never wanted to lose her as a friend.
Evie's Notes 2: Alfie is getting worried, Amber is jealous and Piper just wants to do her laundry in peace!
Next Week: Nina celebrates an important day.
Question of the week: How do you view the Alfie/Piper/Amber love triangle going in this verse? I'm eager to see your theories :)
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! Have a great week and stay safe! - Xo Evie