Sorry that I wasn't able to reply to the reviews. Fanfiction wouldn't let me log onto my account for some reason. Did anybody else have that problem? Anyways, this chapter is kind of short, but hey! I think you'll like it!

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Chapter 6 Stale Introductions

September 2, 12:30 P.M.

Nina's P.O.V.

'You can do this Nina! He's your boyfriend! It isn't this hard to talk to him like this!' I thought to myself for the thousandth time in the past two days. After Alan had walked in on Michael and me hugging I realized the downside to inviting Michael to dinner at Anubis. I can't believe I didn't think of it before, it seems so obvious now!

Fabian didn't like Michael.

I can't blame him though. Fabian is my boyfriend, and if Michael is another "guy friend" then he may feel threatened by him. Plus those vicious rumors that Joy and her posse have been spreading about Michael and I don't help the situation much. But I felt like it was childish, Michael and I were just friends, and it was time for Fabian to see that. So with Fabian alone, and relatively few people around to hear the arguing that was about to ensue, I made my move.

"Hey Fabes! Whatcha studying?" I said, kissing him as I did so. Best to approach the subject slowly instead of being blunt about it. 'GOD! I feel like Joy wrapping her twisted fingers around Fabian's sweet geeky brain.' I thought to myself.

"Physics AP, we have a major test already and I'm kind of unprepared." I gave him a surprised look and he laughed, "I know, right? Me, unprepared!"

"Well, I hope you're prepared for tonight. I can't wait to see all of you again, and it's good to get out of Odin for a while. I think I might go insane if I say there forever!" I responded. Time to begin approaching the subject. "Though as you so bluntly forced out, I do have one friend there, and I'd like to introduce him to everyone. Especially you!" I said, poking Fabian on the nose in a playful way. He looked at me, half smiling though the majority of his face showed his shocked nature. He knows exactly who my 'friend' is.

"Nina, I didn't mean anything by what I said earlier. I just… well you know, overacted because I don't want to lose you!" Fabian admitted defeated. I smiled.

"You will never lose me Fabian."

"Never?" He asked.

"Never." I responded, kissing him again. "So it's ok if I bring Michael over for dinner tonight?" Fabian shrugged and muttered a 'sure'. "Good, I think it's good for you two to meet. Now, how can I help you with studying?"

5:47 P.M.

Fabian's P.O.V.

After Nina texted me that she'd be over in a couple of minutes I began freaking out. I made sure my hair was positioned right, that my breath smelled good, and that everybody was doing ok. I was wearing something a little fancier that would hopefully catch Nina's eye, and also Michael's eye.

I know that Nina would never cheat on me, but every time that I hear, his, name I just fill with jealously. Everybody told me that I had nothing to worry about with Nina, but Joy made sure at to bug me about it at every chance she got. She would mention his name whenever she got the chance, and it seemed like she had a lot of chances. The other night she was doing some English homework that required her to make up names, which is where I learned Joy's ability to make up names beyond 'Michael' and 'Davidson' is rather low. After about ten minutes of this, I flashed an angry look at her, but she put on the doe eyes and acted innocent.

Besides Michael tonight, Joy was the only other problem. Amber told me that she was leaving for the night, but so far I hadn't seen her come out of her room. I was starting to get worried and so was Amber, who was pacing right next to me with everybody else there. Despite that it was only Nina coming over; everybody was wearing something a little bit nicer than usual. Amber especially seemed to have put on all of her jewelry, and was wearing some of her best clothes.

"Joy still hasn't left Fabian!" Amber whined, "If she doesn't leave soon she can ruin everything! My perfect couple! Destroyed!"

"I don't think you need to mention that out loud Ams." Mick whispered into his girlfriend's ear. Amber pouted and Mick gave her a quick peck on the cheek. I saw Alfie practically shake in his place.

"I wouldn't worry about Joy if I were you." Jerome piped up, "Michael seems like a shifty guy. I mean, who names their kid Michael anymore?"

"How names there kid Jerome, Jerome?" Patricia asked. She too looked a little on edge, clearly also unhappy with Joy's non-departure.

"Unloving parents." Jerome spat with venom. Mara's face softened and she grabbed Jerome's arm, giving it a reassuring grasped. Part of me just wished that Mara and Jerome would just confess their feelings for each other. But something was holding both of them back. I'm not sure what though; I'm not very good at that sort of stuff. I mean heck, it took me an entire year to admit to Nina I loved her, and even when I did it wasn't under the best circumstances.

Meanwhile, Amber returned to her normal composure and looked at all of us. "Well Michael isn't interfering with our Fabina's relationship!" She exclaimed, everybody looked at her confused.

"Fabina?" I questioned.

"Ya! It's a combination of names that signify a relationship. Every couple has one!" Amber said as if this is common knowledge. "But anyways, Mara and Patricia are on the market. Maybe I could set him up with either of you two!" Amber said, giving a devious smile towards both of them.

"I'm ok Amber." Mara said, getting closer to Jerome. Amber just rolled her eyes and looked at Patricia, who just scowled at Amber. There was a knock on the door and everybody was still. After a couple of seconds, Amber moved towards the door in a strangely unAmber fashion. Not excitedly. She breathed slowly for a couple of times, and then opened the door, which is when she returned to excited Amber, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"NINA!" She shouted and hugged her hard, pulling my girlfriend in.

"Amber! You don't have to hug me so hard!" Nina said laughing. Amber let go of her, her face turning placid.

"Yes I do BBF, because this is the first time back in Anubis this year, and I will not let this go without celebration."

"Well, we're celebrating now." Nina said smiling, who hugged Amber again. However, Amber was looking behind Nina and smiled.

"And you must Michael! Come on in!" Amber said, waving him in. The second Michael stepped inside, waves of envy pulsated through my body. His tan skin seemed to add a whole new edge to him, like someone who had lived. His hair wasn't exactly combed, but it wasn't messy either. And his smile was pure white. I felt… insignificant. I guess Mick must have realized this, as he came up behind me and winked. I don't know why, but I'm pretty sure he has some sort of plan.

I remember once that somebody told me to look for flaws in people when your jealous of their appearance, and even though I felt like a girl doing it I decided to try it out. I noticed that he was somewhat muscular, though not a lot, and had really big eyebrows. He also had a little bit more hair on his legs and arms, though I guess that can be attributed to him being Italian.

"It's um, nice to meet you." Michael said, stretching out his hand to shake hers. But instead, she grabbed it and pulled him closer to the group.

"Allow me to introduce you to everybody!" Amber said, "These are the boys! You already know Nina! And here are the girls!" Amber said, pushing him closer to Patricia and Mara. "This is Mara, and this is Patricia!" Amber said, smiling like she had accomplished something major. Michael gave an awkward wave at both of them, who returned it. He moved to introduce himself to us the boys, but Amber grabbed him arm, pulling him back towards the girls. We then heard a laugh at the top of the stairs, a laugh that I wished would have just stayed in her room for the night.

"Amber, you allow our guest the same amount of breathing room that you do our room when you perfume yourself up." Joy said, descending the stairs.

"I'm hoping you'll die from inhaling the perfume. Be happy, because I'm using expansive stuff on you." Amber muttered. Ordinarily I would have found it funny, but right now I was wrapped up in what Joy was wearing. She shed the more conservative dress code for a more, promiscuous look. I looked at Michael, who stood stoic, and then to Nina whose face was bright red with rage. She turned to me, her rage echoing across towards me.

"I'm always worth the best Amber." Joy said, unfazed be the last remark. She walked toward Michael and smiled. "Hi I'm Joy." She said holding out her. Michael held out his hand, shaking Joy's, who squealed. "So strong!" she exclaimed laughing. Michael continued staring at Joy, who merely returned the glance with innoncence, everybody else was projecting negative emotions onto her, hoping that she'll just melt away.

"So, when's dinner?" Joy asked innocently. I gritted my teeth and spoke in the most controlled voice I could muster.

"What are you doing here Joy, I thought you were going out with your friends."

"Oh Fabes," Joy leered, "When I heard you mention that Nina was coming over for dinner, I just had to stay here and give her a proper greeting." Nina's body went ridged and I remembered my outburst the other day.

"You told Joy I was coming?" Nina asked me, her voice unable to control itself. I shrugged and mouthed sorry, but Nina wouldn't have it. I'm pretty sure the incident would have come to blows if Trudy hadn't come in, her happy manner defusing the situation.

"Hello Nina! So good to see you again!" She said, hugging Nina as she greeted her. Nina returned the hug, still staring at Joy. Trudy didn't seem to notice and turned towards Michael. "And you must be Michael! I'm Trudy, the house mother here, Welcome to Anubis House! Have you been introduced to everybody yet?"

"Um, about half the group really." Michael said, tearing his eyes away from Joy, who seemed to be moving her body slowly in a seductive manner. After Trudy introduced him to everybody she turned to all of us.

"Now I have dinner ready on the table so enjoy! And Jerome, Alfie, no food fights tonight. Ok?" Jerome and Alfie muttered something and I saw Michael lean towards Nina. He muttered something and I saw Nina's manner relax. Jealously boiled up inside of at how easily he could calm Nina, but that quickly turned to rage when I saw Joy giving me a knowing look. Michael scoffed at whatever Nina's answer had been and rolled his eyes, causing to Nina laugh. Laugh! 'He is making my girlfriend laugh!' I screamed through my head. My fists were all balled up and every muscle in my body was ready to tackle this new 'friend' of Nina.

This was going to be a long dinner.

Once again, sorry for the short chapter. But it go to the point where I thought 'it's probably a good idea to split up the chapter'. So the next one will be coming out soon (if FF allows me to post). Anyways, post your ideas and comments (Review) and this time I will get back to you! I'm still working out where I want the dinner scene to go. Like I've said before, I have a point A to point B kindof thing going on, but how the characters get between those points is challenging for me to write.

Thanks for you dedication to reading my story!

Dante Alighieri1308