Thanks for all the reviews! This chapter was hard to write so I hope you like!

Chapter 7 The Second Blow

September 2, 5:55 P.M.

Nina's P.O.V.

"I thought dinners at Odin could be tense." Michael whispered into my ear. Despite the uncomfortable atmosphere that Joy had created I giggled in agreement softly. Fabian looked at me and I gave him a small smile. He looked at both of us, smiled himself, and returned to his food.

Joy had definitely screwed things up. Her presence radiated an awkward atmosphere that left almost everybody not quite sure what to say. The weirdest thing was Joy herself. Since we had sat down she had been acting… out of character. She hadn't made any rude comments and she hadn't made any moves towards Fabian.

Finally Amber, growing restless of the quite air, decided to move things forward. "So Michael, where are you from?" Michael looked up from his food, swallowing some mashed potatoes and putting down his fork.

'He must be thankful for some actual food for dinner.' I thought, remembering Debbie's lack of cooking skills.

"Well, I'm obviously from the US, but to be specific I'm from California. I lived just a little bit away from LA." Michael answered politely.

"Here that guys!" Amber squealed, "He's from LA! Hollywood's near there!" I noticed that Mara slipped a little bit further into her seat and Patricia looked at Amber, her face twitching a bit. I smiled, finally realizing what Amber was trying to do.

"Um, yes. Yes I'm." Michael answered shakily, unsure what to make of Amber yet. I laughed a little bit at Michael discomfort. He still had no idea what was going on. "The actual city is-"

"Are you rich?" Amber asked. Michael did a double take with Amber, clearly shocked by the question being so blunt.

"Um, I'm not. But my parents are, and I'm just lucky to receive some of the benefits. I like to earn my own money, so during the summer I work at some local stores."

"What?" Amber said, clearly shocked at the fact of anybody working for money. "If you're rich, then your parents like, have to pay for everything!" Michael sighed, shaking his head at Amber. "Well anyways, the point is that you are connected to a rich family. Hear that guys?" Amber said, smiling at Patricia and Mara. Patricia seemed like she was about ready to crush her fork and poor Mara had sunken so low into her chair that it looked like she was going to fall out any second.

"So Michael." Jerome began, "You're an ok looking guy. Any ladies just waiting to jump into your arms?" Michael inhaled a little bit and went a little red in the face. Everybody was looking at him expectantly.

"Um… ha, well no nobodies about to jump into my arms." Michal said, no willing to make eye contact with anybody. "And beyond that, I don't think it's any of your business."

"Oh please!" Amber said, joining Jerome in his crusade. "Tell us something interesting! Oh! How about what type of girls do you like?"

"Once again, I don't think that's any of your business." Michael said, his face now redder, though his tone suggested that he was getting annoyed with the questions.

"Oh come on Michael, tell us! We all want to hear!" Fabian said. I spun around towards my boyfriend to find him starring directly at Michael. There was something off about Fabian, there had been since we got here. I decided that this had gone on long enough, and to come to aid of my new friend.

"I think that's enough guys." I said casually, though Michael looked at me like I was sent from Heaven to save him. "Don't worry about this Michael; I received a worse welcome when I got here." Luckily, Amber forgot everything that she was talking about before and starting rambling on how evil Patricia was. Eventually everybody was contributing something to the conversation, though Joy and Michael stayed out of it mostly along with Fabian, who seemed to have little to say that night.

Amber's P.O.V.

6:10 P.M.

After mentally grading Michael on my VBC4GG (Victoria Beckham's Chart 4 Grading Guys), I've decided Michael is perfect for Mara! He's so sensitive, smart, and has an ok sense of humor, perfect for Mara!

Unfortunately, I can't work my couple making magic since I'm stuck washing the plates. Don't you think Trudy could at least do this for me tonight? I mean, what else does she do? I just see her walk around and smile. Not that hard! But Trudy had decided to leave the house to us for the night, so she could go… where ever Trudy goes to have fun.

I was in the middle of drying when Joy came in, putting down her dirty plates right in front of me. "More for you." She said giving her devious smile. My face went red with anger; I heard that you can kill witches with throwing some water on them. With the sink full of water right beside me, it was tempting to try. But with Michael and Nina over, it would be best not to make a scene.

"I couldn't help but notice that you were quite during dinner. What's the matter Joy? Finally realized that it's a lost cause? That Fabian will never have a devil like you?" I said mockingly, proud of myself for each insult. Joy raised her eyebrows, unharmed by my insults.

"I wouldn't say a lost cause Amber, Fabian's side romance will probably be over soon enough." I clenched my fists, her confidence that Fabina would end was so irritating. And not like 'I broke a nail' irritating, I'm talking about 'my daddy cut off my credit car cuz I went over my limit' irritating.

"They will never break up, nothing will come between them." I announced confidently, Joy just laughed.

"I don't think 'something' will come between them, but 'someone'." I looked at her questioningly, which she took as a sign to continue. "Have you noticed how Michael has a tendency to stare at our fair Nina?"

I felt my body stiffen a little bit. I had notice some glances, but I didn't make much of them. "So?" I answered, my voice as confident as I could make it.

"He likes her." Joy whispered, stepping towards me. "He likes Fabian's girl. You best friend if I'm not mistaken." I remained silent; Michael couldn't like Nina, could he? "He must realize how much trouble it was to get those two together, he's not heartless." I replied, "He wouldn't try to break those two apart."

"Well, perhaps. You are very good at understanding people Amber, are you not?" Joy said.

I scoffed at her, offended by her doubts. "Of course I am. I read all the magazines on couple matching. I am an expert." Joy smiled sweetly, it was… actually kind of pleasing to have her compliment me.

"Then tell me, why did Michael seem so uninterested in Mara and Patricia? He's not dating anybody, and you know how things are around here. Everybody wants to date somebody." Joy said.

"I… I don't know." I answered. Joy gave a sympathetic smile.

"You did such a great job with presenting those two. I bet they were appreciative of what you did. Don't you think?" I nodded as Joy continued talking, "And after all that, I can't help but think that Michael only has eyes for one girl."

"Nina." I said, finishing her sentence. Joy nodded glumly, stepping forward and grabbing my shaking hands. "How could he!"

"I don't know. Men do stupid things Ams." Joy stated, "But you need to help Nina. You need to save her from Michael." I looked at Joy questioningly.

"How?"

"Expose him for the man he is. Show how he desires Nina and after you do that, Fabian will no doubt do the rest." I sighed, bringing my body back under control.

"And what about Nina?" I asked. I had no idea how she would react, I needed somebody to tell me it would be ok. Joy looked me in the eye, smiling not like the evil witch I thought her to be, but almost… friendly.

"She'll understand. I mean, won't you do anything to help your best friend?" Joy said. I smiled myself, and nodded vigorously. Joy winked at me, and then left the kitchen. I heard her move up the stairs as I thought about what she said.

After a couple of minutes of thinking, I knew what I had to do. Without another word I moved towards the living room where everybody was. I didn't see Nina in the room, which might have been for the best. Michael was sitting in one of the armchairs relaxing, completely calm. I stormed towards him, looking at him with as much anger as I could muster. Michael looked up at me, smiling at first, which then disappeared when I slapped him across the face and then began shouting at him.

"YOU NO GOOD, ROTTEN, GIRLFRIEND STEALER!"

Nina's P.O.V.

6:13 P.M., 3 minutes earlier

I sighed as I stood in my old room, with all the memories rushing back to me. I had hoped for this experience on the first day of school, but better late than never I guess.

As I exited my old room, I moved past the attic door. I looked at it, remembering all the good and bad the door brought. I moved towards it and tried to open it, only to find it locked. I sighed, contemplating whether or not to pick the lock. I decided against, content with not going back up to the attic.

"Breaking and entering is a crime you know." A voice said behind. I turned around to find none other than Joy, leaning against the wall. I clenched my jaw, ready for anything. I wasn't going to back down this time. I wasn't about to let her come out on top.

"Finally deciding to show your true colors in private, Joy? I know you're a lot of things, but a coward was never one of them." Joy let out a low laugh, staring at her nails as if bored with the whole scene.

"Oh Nina. Don't you know that most wars are not won on the battle field, but in fact behind the scenes."

"And is that what this is to you? A war for Fabian's love?" I asked questioning. "Because if it is, then let me tell you that this is a war you will never win." Joy rolled her eyes and pushed herself off the wall. "Why does everybody say that? He realized his true feelings for me before, and he will again." Joy said in a bored tone, as if it was obvious that it was going to happen.

"I doubt it." I responded. Joy smiled, "Everybody has a breaking point Nina. The trick is finding it and rupturing it." Joy said.

"What are you talking about Joy?" I asked. But before Joy had a chance to answer, Amber screamed from downstairs.

"YOU NO GOOD, ROTTEN, GIRLFRIEND STEALER!"

I gasped before starring at Joy accusingly. "What have you done?" I asked in a low voice. Joy just smiled and pointed towards the stairs.

"I found your breaking point."

I moved quickly towards them, pushing Joy out of the way. Now Fabian was yelling, and I could tell Michael was also. When I reached the stairs I saw Michael backing out of the living room, with Fabian and everybody else hot on his heels.

"Stay away from her! You hear me!" Fabian yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Michael. Michael held up his hands, trying to calm Fabian down.

"You're going to believe the words of this air head?" Michael said, pointing towards Amber. "She probably can't even spell her name."

"Hey that's my girlfriend you're talking about!" Mick said, stepping forward and adopting an aggressive stance. Michael adopted one too, refused to back down.

"Ya! Nobody talks to her like that!" Alfie said. Mick turned to Alfie, showing signs of disgust towards him. He focused his attention back on Michael who had now been backed into the front door.

"HEY!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, running down the stairs. "What the hell do you guys think you're doing?" Everybody turned towards me, but nobody's expressions softened. Fabian stepped towards me.

"Michael's trying to get you to cheat on me! He likes you, and I can't have him trying to tempt you!" Fabian said. I raised my eyebrows, unable to believe that this was Fabian, my Fabian!

"And how do you know this?" I asked, crossing my arms. He had better have good proof of this!

"Can't you see it Nina?" Amber responded, "It's written all over his face! He's been starring at you all night! And he didn't even act interested towards Mara or Patricia!"

"That's because I've just met them!" Michael protested, "And I don't like to date people who have other people portray them as whores!" Jerome burst through the crowd and pushed Michael into the door, grabbing his shirt.

"You take that back!" He shouted.

"Which part?"Michael questioned, as Jerome rammed him into the front door again. I pushed forward yelling 'Stop it!', trying to force the two apart. Michael pushed Jerome off him, and straightened out his shirt before turning towards me.

"Lovely people you got here Nina!" Michael said sarcastically, "Hey! Do you want to go hook up? Because obviously if I so much as blink at you, then it means that I want to get it on!" He shouted. He grabbed the door knob and opened the door violently.

"Michael! Wait!" I shouted, but Michael had already slammed the door. The atmosphere suddenly got very cold as nobody knew exactly what to say. Finally, Fabian stepped forward, arms outreached.

"Nina-" he began, but I wouldn't let him finish. I spun around and slapped him across the face. He backed up, shocked.

"Don't." I said in a threatening voice. "Don't any of you!" I shouted. I opened the front door but not before noticing someone at the top of the stairs. Joy stood there, leaning against the banister with a placid face. Then she smiled and winked at me, before turning around to head back to her room.

Rage pulsated through me as I slammed the door, cursing everybody and everything in Anubis House.

Jealously makes us do strange things. Doesn't it?

Thanks for reading! This was probably the hardest chapter I've ever written. Trying to get everybodys emotions to a resonable place without making it sound silly was tough. I rewrote the part with Amber and Joy at least three times! Also I might as well admit it, but I'm growing through a bit of writters block. I guess it's because the shows not on anymore, because that motivation I felt to write while the show was going on is almost gone. Please Review! I rely on you guys for my motivation!

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