AND chapter 4!
Chapter 4: Healing Scars, Making Memories
(Joy's POV)
Nina and I were paired up for the big Science project. Good going, Sweetie. Now I was stuck working with the girl who had unintentionally made my life hard the year before. It's not that I didn't like Nina, I really did, I just didn't like how I reacted to all of the Nina stuff going on, and how everyone hated me. She didn't know how incredibly difficult it was to have all of your friends turn their backs on you, when you did nothing wrong at all. I know it wasn't kind of me to do poisonous things to her, but I just wanted my life back, and she had never been a part of it. Either way, I was keen on becoming friends with her, so when we had to work together, I made sure to be extra nice.
"Uh, Joy, we need to talk." Nina said when our silence became awkward.
"Okay. About what?" I asked kindly. I already knew what she wanted to talk about. Fabian.
"I think you know what we need to talk about."
"Yeah. Nina, I'm not going to lie. I like Fabian, and I want to date him, but as much as I do, I'm not going to protest your relationship," I started, "Fabian and I have always been close, and yeah, I don't love that he doesn't spend as much time with me anymore, but I do love how happy he is. Nina, I hope you know how much he loves you, and I hope you love him that much too." I couldn't believe I was spilling my heart to Nina Martin.
"I do. I really, really do. I just feel bad because I know how close you and Fabian were before I came here. But Joy, I love him more than anything." Nina whispered.
"Nina, don't feel bad. Fabes and I were never meant to be," I smiled, "can we just put all of this behind us now?"
"Of course." she said happily. I smiled back, weakly.
Nina and I got on with our project, finally picking a topic and setting to work. It felt more comfortable, as we had finally cleared the heavy air between us.
LINE BREAK
Morning came with a beam of sunshine peeping through my curtains. I woke up to a small package on my bedside table: a little tiny box wrapped in silky pink ribbon. I carefully pulled off the ribbon and opened the box. A little note typed on a card in fancy writing read, "Shining like your eyes". Cliche, but cute. Under the card was another card, holding a pair of diamond earrings.
"Patricia!" I squealed, hitting my friend on her shoulder.
"What do you want Joy?" she muttered groggily.
"Look what I got!" I whispered, shoving the earrings in her face.
"Pretty. Who gave 'em to you?" Patricia asked, a bit more awake.
"I don't know. A secret admirer, I guess." I said thoughtfully. As much as I hated to admit it, I loved the idea of having a secret admirer.
"That's cool. I'm going to take a shower." my friend decided, getting up and sleepily trudging to the bathroom. I hugged the earrings to my chest. A secret admirer.
Down at breakfast, I grabbed a slice of toast and a mug of coffee and started to head out the door. I was running late, but Amber stopped me before I could turn the knob and head to school.
"Where did you get those earrings? They're to die for!" the perky blonde squealed.
"Aw, thanks Amber. I actually don't know where they're from though, someone left them in a box next to my bed for me." I told her.
"Eep! Joy, you have a secret admirer!" Amber screamed.
"Get to school now! Both of you!" Victor's sharp voice boomed from the landing above.
"Yes sir." Amber and I said simultaneously.
LINE BREAK
"So, who do you think it is?" Amber asked me quietly as she rushed up to where I stood by my locker.
"I don't know yet. It can't be Fabian, he's with Nina. Jerome's with Mara, Alfie's with you, and Eddie's with Patricia. Mick's the only one in the house that isn't dating someone, but I'm pretty sure he just came back from a date with that cheerleader, Taylor." I told her.
"I don't know if Taylor's the kind of girl Mick would want to date, Joy. She's just like me except more obnoxious and obsessive." my blonde friend decided.
"Yeah, but Mick liked you." I offered.
"Liked, Joy. Past tense."
"True. But what about Mara? He really liked Mara, and I'm nothing like her."
"Maybe that's a good thing. Mick probably needs a breath of fresh air, and you're the perfect balance between Mara and I." Amber said happily.
"It's possible, I guess." I smiled. I sorta liked the idea of Mick and I.
"Ooh, you could be Moy!" the perky blonde squealed, quickly coming up with a name for Mick and I.
"It might not be Mick, Amber!" I laughed, walking away.
LINE BREAK
(Nina's POV)
"Alright dearies, I have some news!" Trudy exclaimed upon entering the common room, where the whole house was scattered about the room.
"Did my new dress come in?" Amber asked excitedly.
"Did I get that new book?" Fabian wondered as soon as Amber finished.
"Did I get my sports team letter?" Mick yelled, topping Fabian's cut off.
"No, no, none of those things, sorry loves." Trudy said.
"Ooh! Was there an alien sighting in London?" Alfie nearly shouted.
"No, Alfie!" the entire house said simulataneously.
"Again, not that, but I think you may like it," our housemother smiled, "even if it is a little bit rude."
"What is it?" I asked excitedly.
"Victor will away this weekend!" Trudy announced.
"Aw, yes!" Patricia yelled triumphantly.
"CAN WE HAVE A SLEEPOVER?" Amber squealed. Trudy nodded.
"All of you can have a sleepover tomorrow night, if you'd like." she told us.
"YES!" my blonde friend screamed in delight. This weekend would be very interesting.
Sorry it was so short! I ran out of ideas until the sleepover, oops. As for Joy's little love scene there, she's my favorite character, I wanted her to have a bit of happiness and her own little plot line kind of etched into the background of the story. So it won't be too up front and in there, but it will happen throughout the story. Next chapter is the sleepover and will be posted next week, I PROMISE. Next Wednesday, okay? I think I'm going to try and update every Wednesday. Take note of the fact that I said TRY. I'm busy. HoA was brilliant last night by the way! :) - Sydney