Chapter Six: House of Discovery/House of Hyper

Georgie was sitting at the breakfast table the following morning, feeling tired; who knew that prying up stairs in the middle of the night was this tiring? Well, Georgie did now. It was a full house this morning, as they all ate breakfast together, which was unusual seeing as people tend to get up and ready at different times.

"So when is your getting back together party?" Georgie asked Amber, eating some cereal.

"Tonight!" Amber said excitedly.

"Blimey, that was fast," Georgie joked.

"Well, why wait? We want to show our love to the world straight away," Amber said seriously. "Trudy is preparing some food today, and it starts at seven, so make sure you've had dinner by, let's say, four o'clock so we have plenty of time to get ready. Everyone who is anyone has been invited."

"Oh, so you've invited other people from different Houses then?" Georgie asked, feeling quite excited about a mini party tonight.

"Of course I have Georgie," Amber said, rolling her eyes slightly. "And this is why I am the hostess with the most-ess."

"If you say so."

"More eggs anyone?" asked Trudy, who entered holding a frying pan.

"Did you hear about Victor?" asked Patricia, laughing. "He fell down the stairs last night and broke his leg!"

They laughed, but Trudy said, "Don't exaggerate, Patricia."

"Eggs-aggerate, nice one Truds!" Alfie joked.

Jerome laughed. "Terrible yolk, Alfie."

"It's a sprained ankle, that's all," Trudy clarified, rolling her eyes at their attempts at jokes.

"A very painful sprained ankle," came the voice of Victor himself, making Trudy jump slightly as he entered the room.

"Victor, how do you do that?" asked Trudy, smiling slightly. "And with a limp too!"

"Someone sabotaged that floorboard on purpose," he said angrily. Georgie looked at the other two worriedly.

"Oh no, that floorboard's been like that for ages!" exclaimed Trudy. "I remember telling you about it last year."

As she went back into the kitchen, Fabian said quickly, "Yeah that's right! I've tripped over it myself a few times."

"Someone is up to something! And I intend to find out what it is. And who."

Georgie had a bad feeling about it all. Victor knew that someone had the spare attic key. They definitely need to be more careful from now on, and she decided to tell Nina and Fabian.

Once they were alone at school, walking down a hallway, Fabian said it first, beating Georgie to it. "Victor is on to us, and I don't think we should go up to the attic again for awhile."

"We have to!" Nina said. "That key opens something Fabian. I don't know what it is but I wanna' know." She was smiling slyly.

Fabian smiled. "You know, for someone so sweet and polite, you're quite the risk-taker."

"Only when it's worth the risk."

Georgie sighed: this is getting us nowhere other than them flirting. "Listen, Fabian, Victor knows that the key is missing, we heard him talking to Trudy last night, so—"

"—that means we don't have much time to use it," Nina finished.

"No, that's not what I was going to say," Georgie said, frustrated. "We should do what Fabian said, and leave it for a good while."

The look on Nina's face told Georgie she was not going to do anything of the sort. But Jerome had come up behind them up now, asking for Georgie. "I'll speak to you guys later," she said, as they nodded and walked off.

"Hey Jerome."

"Hey Georgie," he said, playing with his hair as he always does, albeit nervously this time. "Listen, are you going to Amber and Mick's party later?"

"Of course I am," she grinned. "Amber will probably attack me with her hair straighteners if I don't. Are you?"

"Yep," he replied. "But I was just wondering if...if you—"

"RAWR!" Georgie frowned as Alfie ran around them with this weird mask on, making extremely weird noises. It was like this monster mask you would get at Halloween. If Alfie thinks that Amber would be impressed by that then he really had no chance at all. Not even Jerome could help him there.

"Alfie!" Jerome commanded, glaring at him. "Can't you see I'm trying to—?" He gestured between himself and Georgie, causing Alfie to go "Oh!" and run off down the corridor.

Jerome shook his head. He really did look nervous. This was unusual. Georgie smiled at his cute vulnerability. "Anyway...did you want to go to Amber and Mick's party together?"

Georgie felt surprised, and she must have looked it too, as her immediate response apparently made Jerome look even more nervous. "Oh—I mean, yes, I'd love to go with you." She smiled, feeling nervous to look him in the eye...which was weird as they were practically best friends now.

"Great!" he said, sounding relieved. "Well...I'll see you later then." He couldn't stop grinning as he walked away, and Georgie stood there, feeling butterflies in her belly. Yep, she definitely fancied him. Biting her lip to try and stop herself from looking like an idiot (by smiling away to herself in public) she turned to her locker, taking her books.

"Hey Georgie," came the voice of her best friend Mara.

"Hey."

"My God, wasn't Amber just a little bit annoying last night?" she sighed, leaning against the lockers.

Georgie laughed. "Yeah, a little. I'm sorry that they're back together, Mara. I know how much you like him. Are you going to be alright tonight, going to their party?"

She shrugged. "I'll be okay. I'm glad they are back together in a weird way, you know, as Amber is my best friend and all. But I just don't think she's right for him..."

"Only time will tell," Georgie said wisely, shutting her locker door. "But I have news...Jerome asked me to go to Amber and Mick's party with him!"

Mara suddenly perked up, gasping and linking Georgie's arm. "See? I told you he would ask you out! That's so cute. You changing Jerome Clarke for the better..." Mara trailed off, sighing wistfully.

"Ha, maybe," Georgie said, grinning. "Let's not speak too soon."

"The question is, what are you going to wear?" Mara asked her as they made their way to Maths.

"Blimey, this must be a big deal," Georgie joked. "Mara Jaffray is asking me about fashion."

Mara laughed. "I know, I know. But we shall have to ask Amber to find your best outfit—"

But Georgie was suddenly deafened by a squeal behind her. Honestly, Georgie would swear down that Amber can hear the words 'outfit' and 'fashion' from a mile away. "I would love too!" she said. "Although no showing me up on my night."

"It's a special night for Georgie too Amber," Mara said happily as they sat down. "Jerome has asked her to be his date!"

Amber clapped her hands together, smiling broadly. "Oh, Cupid is throwing his arrows at us all, and it's all thanks to me."

Georgie raised her eyebrows at this. "How?"

"Because if I hadn't of arranged this party, then he would never have asked you out. Duh."

Georgie was about to protest, hoping Jerome might have said something at some point anyway, but the teacher walked into the room. Amber wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to the topic of fractions; it would have to take a backseat for now as they whispered excitedly about the upcoming party.

The day passed agonisingly slowly for Georgie, and it was all because she had something to look forward to that night. Finally the school bell rang signalling the end of the day and she spotted Amber walking back the House, so she quickly caught up with her.

"Hey Ambs—oh my God are you alright?" Georgie looked alarmed at Amber who was dabbing a few tears with her tissue.

She shook her head as Georgie put an arm around her. "I overheard Mara and Patricia talking about me and Mick in the toilets."

"What were they saying?" she asked, feeling anger boiling inside her thinking of Patricia.

"Mara admitted that she liked Mick," Amber said quietly. "But it didn't stop there. She was also "a little bit pleased" when we broke up, and that they were getting on "so well" when they were studying together. And do Mick and I really have nothing in common?"

Oh no! This could be it: the end of our friendship. "Oh Amber," Georgie muttered, squeezing her gently. "I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," Amber said sharply. "But it does mean that Mara and Nina will have to swap rooms."

"Wait, what? Can't you talk to her and sort this whole thing out?" Georgie reasoned.

"No, it's too far gone Georgie," Amber said defiantly.

"But...we've all been roomies since forever!" said Georgie, feeling a little bit heartbroken. It was like the end of an era.

"Things change," Amber muttered as they approached Anubis House. She suddenly brightened up. "Anyway, we need to find our perfect outfits!"

Georgie rolled her eyes slightly, smiling despite everything. "Alright, then. I know it'll cheer you up."

"You know me so well," Amber sighed contentedly.

After trying on many outfits after dinner, Georgie felt shattered—and the party hadn't even started yet. Her limbs ached. But they had both settled on a dark red, lacy, belted skater dress, with black tights and a pair of black boots with a heel. According to Amber her dress "complimented her brunette hair" and she even looked a little bit impressed too. Georgie had Amber put her hair into a fishtail plait again, especially as Jerome had noticed it the first time around, but she refused Amber's many offers at some make-up to finish—it irritated her skin too much. She did however do Georgie's nails though, and, after putting on a simple necklace that her parents had got her, she was finally ready.

"Now you are ready for the ball!" Amber said, laughing. Georgie chuckled too, as Amber finished putting her mascara on. "You look really pretty."

"Thanks Ambs," Georgie said sincerely. "You look stunning, as always."

"I know," Amber said, grinning. She had a short, pink dress on with her blonde wavy hair down naturally, rather than straightened. She looked like the ultimate girly-girl. They then heard Mara's voice outside; she was getting ready in Patricia's room for some reason, after spending an hour helping Trudy with the food in the kitchen. Not that Georgie minded, it would have been awkward if Mara was here now, even though she doesn't know that Amber knows yet.

"Right!" Amber announced, standing up and twirling. "I must go down early, as the host of the party. I will see you down there!"

"See ya Amber." She left, and the door shut, leaving only silence.

Georgie sat down on her bed, thinking about everything. Amber was going to tell Mara to swap rooms with Nina later on, and Georgie had seen Mara and Patricia hanging out earlier. Well, it technically wasn't that weird, seeing as Patricia had no-one else since Joy left. But they were being all "buddy-buddy", as Amber would say, with Patricia not mentioning Joy once. It seems that the group is breaking up...Georgie supposed that nothing did last forever, but she would miss how things used to be.

She suddenly grinned though, as she thought of the night ahead—she would be with Jerome. She had been waiting for an opportunity like this for ages. She really, really liked him and she wrung her hands in front of her nervously. All of the common fears ran through her mind: what if it's a boring date? What if there other, prettier girls down there? What if we don't know what to say, or do? She really needed to stop thinking about it as it was making her even more nervous. This was Jerome, so she could totally relax. Right?

At seven o'clock on the dot, Georgie heard a knock on the door. She headed over and opened it, revealing Jerome to be standing there. He looked...hot. He was wearing a white top, which was tucked in casually behind his belt, with a waistcoat over the top. He knew how to dress his slim and tall figure; Georgie could imagine a toned body underneath.

"Oh, Georgie..." he stammered, looking slightly startled. "You look...you look really nice. Amazing, actually..."

Georgie laughed nervously. "Thank you, Jerome. You don't look too bad yourself."

"Shall we?" he asked, holding his arm out for her. She nodded, shutting her bedroom door and linking her arm through his. They made their way downstairs, coming across a decorated living room, with a big banner hanging across the window that read "Congratulations Amber and Mick." There were balloons, ribbons, party poppers, nibbles, and pop music; all in all a standard party. Georgie was surprised at how many people there were, many already dancing, or sitting around talking and eating the food.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Jerome asked her.

"Sure. You know what I like, don't you?" He nodded. "Just get me anything, then. Thanks."

He left to go the dining table, and she started to laugh at Mick, who was dancing with Amber...well, dancing isn't what Georgie would call it, but bless him he was trying. Mara caught her eye and winked; she looked pretty with a floral dress on. Alfie had come, for some reason, as Dracula, Patricia was looking pretty miserable, and Nina and Fabian were sitting on the sofa, talking. Everybody else looked familiar to Georgie, she had noticed a few of Dean's friends, but nobody she knew well enough to say hello too.

"Here you go," said Jerome, who returned with two plastic cups of coke.

"Ah thanks, my favourite," said Georgie, as Jerome looked pleased with his decision.

"So, Alfie is hoping to impress some girls tonight," Jerome said, smirking, nodding in his direction.

"Does he really think dressing up will do the trick?" Georgie asked incredulously.

"I think he's taking his mind off the fact that he's at Amber and Mick's getting back together party," Jerome told her. "He still fancies her."

"Has he asked for your twenty back?" Georgie asked, grinning.

"I've told him I need more time," Jerome said, winking.

"What have you got up your sleeve next then, Maestro?" she asked him, sighing.

"I don't know yet, I am waiting for the opportunity to come along," he said.

"Well I don't think you can make things any worse between our group," Georgie sighed.

Jerome frowned. "Why?"

"Amber overheard Mara telling Patricia she likes Mick..."

Jerome's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. "No way...seriously?"

"Yep," Georgie confirmed. "I think some shit will go down later when Amber has a word with her."

"I'm sorry," he murmured quietly. "You're always in the middle of it all."

She shrugged. "I'm used to it, but this will be the worst it's ever been...and I couldn't possibly take sides."

"You'll always have me...and Alfie, of course, to hang out with," Jerome said, smiling. "If you want to, I mean."

"Thank you, that's good to know," Georgie admitted, staring back at him. Jerome cleared his throat, his cheeks showing a tinge of red. "Shall we get something to eat? It looks good."

"Trudy's food is to die for," Jerome agreed, so she followed him to the table, eyeing up the Nachos and the homemade dips. She took a Nacho, dipping it into the guacamole. "Georgie, what is that dip? It looks disgusting."

She laughed. "It's just guacamole. Come on, try some." She fed him her Nacho; he leaned down slightly to take a bite.

"Mm!" he agreed, looking surprised. "Not bad." They took a few Nachos and some dips, sat on the sofa, cross-legged facing each other, with their nibbles in front for them to share.

Jerome then noticed Mick's really bad dance moves; he and Georgie stifled a few laughs as Amber tried to calm his erratic moves down. "How did he woo Amber?" Jerome asked, shaking his head.

"Amber is easily pleased," Georgie reminded him. "Mick is 'good-looking', athletic, buys her things and does as he's told. Perfect for her."

He nodded. "So do you not think he's good-looking then?"

"Well, I'm not saying he's ugly, but I don't find him attractive, no," Georgie admitted. "He's not my type."

"And what is your type?"

Georgie suddenly felt confident. "Well, he would have to be tall, slim, make me laugh, somebody who pulls pranks a lot...have wild hair." She winked at him as he perked up at her answer. Jerome looked at her in an affectionate kind of way, even leaning a hand on her leg, so she rested her hand on his outstretched arm.

For the next half 'n hour they stayed in that same spot: talking, laughing, eating, ignoring their surroundings. They got to know each other even better than before; she even found out he had a little sister (how he kept that from her she'll never know). He whispered it, and she had to promise him that she won't tell anybody that.

"Hey, Georgie!" Nina bounded up to them, with Fabian in tow. "Can we borrow you for a second?"

"Now?" she looked at Fabian, who shot her an apologetic glance. Nina nodded enthusiastically. Sighing, she nodded. "Jerome, I'm really sorry, I won't be a minute."

"I'll go and get us another drink," he offered, leaving the three of them.

Nina was completely oblivious to everything as she held up the attic key. "Look what I got!"

"You want to go up there...now?" Georgie asked uncertainly. "But we're supposed to be choosing our moments more carefully!"

"That's what Fabian said. But like I said, Victor won't be prowling; he'll be avoiding the party right now."

"Look Nina...I'm having a nice time so I'm going to stay," Georgie said quietly, glancing over to Jerome who was pouring them another cup of coke.

Nina's mouth formed an 'O' shape in understanding. "I'm sorry, Georgie, I didn't realise—"

"It's okay, seriously," Georgie reassured her. "Just be careful up there and let me know what you find."

"Of course we will," she beamed, before turning away. But Fabian stayed behind, smiling.

"What are you smiling at?" Georgie asked him, smiling too.

"So Jerome asked you out then, huh?" he asked smugly.

"Yes," Georgie said serenely. "I'm having a great time."

"Good, I'm happy for you," he said sincerely. "I know you really like him, and I can tell he likes you, so...have a good evening, I guess!"

"Thanks Fabian." He followed Nina out of the living room, and Jerome returned with their drinks.

"Everything alright?" he asked her, as she took her cup from him.

"Yeah, fine, nothing important after all," she said, laughing slightly.

Jerome noticed Alfie in the corner and, taking Georgie's hand, he led her over to him. He was looking at these two girls who were dancing near him. Jerome winked at Georgie before tapping Alfie on the shoulder. "So, which one do you like?"

"Both of them," Alfie replied. "Shall I ask them to dance?"

Georgie groaned slightly whilst Jerome said, "Dance?" They watched Alfie pull off some cheesy dance moves. "No, no, no, stop it, stop dancing—Alfie! You're not going to ask them to dance."

"Ok, no sweet moves. What do I do?"

Jerome contemplated this for a second. "I want you to come up with an irresistible pick up line." Georgie frowned at Jerome—that was never going to work.

"Such as...?"

"If I could re-arrange the alphabet I'd put you and I together!" Georgie giggled at its corniness; Alfie however looked impressed.

"Hey man, you are good!" Alfie said. "That's like poetry!"

"Oh God," Georgie muttered.

"Go on then," said Jerome, motioning to the two girls. Alfie put in his vampire fangs and Jerome laughed, "Good luck."

"He's going to need it...I mean, seriously?" Georgie asked him.

"Just watch and enjoy," he said, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Don't suppose you know those two girls, do you?"

"Nope."

They watched as Alfie whispered into one girls' ear; he pulled back to look at a disgusted face. She then full on slapped him so his fangs flew out onto Patricia's lap. Jerome, Georgie and everybody else burst into laughter. Alfie walked back over as Jerome, recovered from laughing, asked him, "What was your line?"

Alfie held his fangs up, smirking. "Fancy a bite?" Jerome and Georgie cracked up again; she almost choked on her drink.

"Come on, let's dance," Georgie suggested when they had calmed down, as an old-school tune had started; people jumped up and more people than ever were now dancing. So, for a few songs, she was dancing with Jerome and Alfie—Alfie was doing some incredible "pop and lock" moves, and they were just generally having a laugh together. Jerome took Georgie's hands in his and they began dancing together for awhile, until she turned her head and saw Mara on the verge of tears in the kitchen. Jerome followed her gaze too.

"Jerome, I'd better go and see if she's okay," Georgie said quietly. "I'll be back."

He nodded. "Sure."

Georgie quickly entered the kitchen to find Patricia comforting Mara. "Mara, are you okay? What happened?" She gave her tearful best friend a hug and Mara squeezed her gratefully.

"Amber knows," she cried."And I have to swap rooms with Nina!"

"Hey, it's okay," Georgie soothed, rubbing her back. "Look, you can't turn back time, so we'll just have to let it blow over."

"Things won't be the same anymore," Mara said sadly. "She was really horrible, Georgie." She had to admit, she hated seeing Mara this vulnerable; she was the nicest person Georgie knew and she hated confrontation of any sort.

After a few minutes, Amber and Mick announced they were cutting the cake, so Mara said, "Go on Georgie, you go. It looks like you're having a nice time."

Georgie smiled. "Are you sure?"

Mara nodded and Patricia said, "I'll look after her, Carrington."

"Thanks," Georgie said, nodding, and she re-joined Jerome as they gathered around the table, watching Amber and Mick cut their chocolate cake.

"What's up with Mara?" he asked her.

"Just more drama," she sighed. "Amber told Mara to keep her hands off Mick, basically."

"Ouch."

"I just really need some of that chocolate cake now," Georgie said, her mouth almost watering as they cut up slices for the party guests.

Jerome laughed. "Oh don't worry, we'll get some."

After eating a slice of Trudy's gorgeous cake, Georgie was standing by the stereo, as Jerome was changing the music, when Victor entered Anubis House, untying his coat. Jerome immediately stopped the music as Victor looked around in disgust, hobbling as he was using a walking stick. After one last sneer he proceeded to climb the stairs so Jerome turned the music back on.

Georgie noticed that Jerome had put a slower song on, compared to the others anyway, and he asked her, holding out a hand, "Would you like to dance, Miss Carrington?"

"I would love to Mr Clarke," she grinned, taking his hand and he led her away from the stereo, to where other couples were dancing. She put her hands around his neck as he rested his on her waist and they swayed gently to the music. But, the dance floor was suddenly invaded by a certain Alfie Lewis running around with a deer head on. Georgie recognised it as the one that's usually mounted on the wall. Everyone started laughing, and Georgie and Jerome continued to hold onto one another.

"ENOUGH!" the room fell silent as Victor entered the room, looking furious. "Turn that racket off!" Fabian quickly dived for the stereo, switching it off. "Anyone who doesn't live here: OUT! The party is over."

Georgie looked sharply at Nina and Fabian, who had returned a short while ago, and wondered whether they had done something foolish to catch Victor's attention.

"And you," Victor said menacingly, pointing his stick at Alfie, who in turn pointed to himself, being blind and all. "How dare you mess about with that. Take it off your head immediately!" Alfie began to pull the thing off but it wouldn't budge. "Did you hear what I said?"

"I can't!" came Alfie's panicked voice. "It's stuck!"

"STOP LAUGHING!" boomed Victor, pacing the room around the amused residents. "I have had enough of you vermin. Who has got the spare key to the attic? HMM?" Jerome had dropped his arms from Georgie's waist but still held her protectively as she rung her hands in front of her nervously. "I know somebody's been up there...tonight as a matter of fact, oh yes! You think you're all so clever but you are not as clever as me! NOW WHO HAS IT?" He slammed his stick down, making them all jump.

"It's really hot in here," Alfie moaned. "I can't breathe!"

"Well then," Victor continued. "We shall just have to saw it off, shan't we?" He grabbed Alfie's neck with the rounded end of his walking stick, dragging a protesting Alfie out of the room. "The rest of you, wait there!"

Jerome looked really concerned for his friend as he stared after them; Georgie didn't blame him, she had never seen Victor this angry before.

"Where is the attic key?" Jerome asked Georgie quietly. "I thought Patricia told me she threw it into the bushes the night of Nina's initiation."

Georgie shrugged, "I think Nina or Fabian found it the day after," she said nonchalantly.

And lo and behold, Nina sneaked out after whispering desperately to Fabian. Georgie bit her lip as she and Jerome let go of each other, suddenly back to formalities; Jerome frowned as Nina returned a few minutes later breathlessly. Georgie admired her as she quickly told the housemates that she did in fact possess the key, and she decided to put it on the floor in Victor's office, so he might think he dropped it.

"You left it on the floor?" Jerome asked her, sounding annoyed.

"I know it's not the best idea in the world, but if he has it then he can't search us for it," Nina reasoned. "Trust me guys."

"And why should we take the rap for you?" asked Jerome.

"'Why'?" Fabian hit back. "Because you guys were the ones who asked Nina to steal the key in the first place!"

Jerome almost glared at Fabian, and Georgie hated this arguing. The night had begun so well...

"Ah yes, very clever!" They looked up, sighing, as Victor walked back into the room, holding up the attic key. "Very clever indeed! Who put this on the floor outside my office, hmm? Who?" He asked everyone in turn; Nina was last. "Was it you?"

"No...yes!" Georgie, stunned at Nina's admitting guilt, glanced at Fabian, who looked almost outraged at the verdict.

"No!" he declared. "She's covering for me. I did it."

"You?" Victor asked, as Nina mouthed frantically, "What are you doing?"

"Yeah," Fabian replied. "Guilty as charged."

"No, he's lying!" said Nina. "It was me."

"Make your minds up!" Victor ordered. "Who was it?"

Georgie sighed. "Me." Fabian and Nina smiled at her, as Victor growled. Jerome touched her arm so she looked at him, as his face told her to take that back immediately. She looked away.

"No," said Mick, smiling at Georgie. "I did it."

"What?"

"I did it. Total key thief." Fabian winked at Georgie and Nina; he had a plan, Georgie suspected, and it was working.

"Actually, he's lying," said Mara. "It was me, Victor."

Amber at first looked outraged that Mara stood up for her boyfriend but then clicked on. Thankfully. "Oh yeah! I mean, no. It wasn't her. It was me. I love to steal keys so much."

"Actually...it was me." Georgie smiled at Patricia, respecting her for the first time in...probably since they first met. Nina and Patricia even shared a small smile.

"Stop playing me for a fool," Victor said quietly. "Jerome, I know I can rely on you. Who was it?"

Jerome first looked at Nina, who mouthed "Please?" He then turned to Georgie, who had entwined his fingers with hers, praying silently he wouldn't turn Nina in. He looked down at their hands and turned to Victor, with gritted teeth, and said, "It was me."

Georgie sighed in relief, as they all shared triumphant smiles. "Right. That is it! You are all GROUNDED for the entire weekend." He stormed out of the room. Georgie sighed as Jerome let go of her hand, patting Fabian on the back, and leaning onto a table, seriously annoyed. But everybody else burst into laughter at their little victory.

"Thanks guys," Nina said sincerely.

"Anything to get one over on Victor!" Georgie grinned, as Nina hugged her gratefully. Alfie then entered the room, holding a really dirty-looking toothbrush. "Alfie, why on earth have you got that?"

"It's my punishment," he said sadly. "To scrub all of the toilet bowls."

"Gross," Georgie muttered. Eventually, they began to tidy the living room and kitchen, so Georgie went to talk to a cross-looking Jerome. "Hey."

"Hey," he muttered.

"Thanks...for doing that," she said awkwardly. "I know it sucks to be grounded."

He shrugged. "I did it for you."

"I—really?"

"Yeah," he admitted quietly, continuing to clear up.

"Oh..." she answered lamely. "Jerome, I had a really nice time tonight...by the way." She laughed nervously, but Jerome looked up at her.

"I did, too." They smiled shyly at each other.

"Come on you lot," said Trudy, clapping her hands. "It's time to go to bed, I'll do the rest."

They thanked her, and began to make their way out and to their rooms. Georgie hung back from everyone else, pleased that Jerome was doing the same. She met him at the bottom of the stairs. "I just wanted to say...I really do like your hair like that."

Georgie beamed, glad he noticed it again. "Thank you."

"So, did you want to do something this weekend?" he asked her hopefully. "I know we're grounded but we could do something here..."

"I'd love too," she replied happily.

"Cool," he said, grinning. "Well...see you tomorrow then."

"See ya." Georgie made her way up the stairs, feeling Jerome's gaze follow her up, and she disappeared from his view, heading to her bedroom.

She was greeted with Mara and Nina swapping rooms, which required a lot of effort with all the stuff they had. Georgie joined in, trying to comfort Mara; Nina on the other hand was very excited about becoming roomies with her and Amber.

Once they were alone, Nina whispered, "Guess what Fabian and I found in the attic!"

"Oooh, what?"

"The key opened a chest in the attic, and we found some odd cylinders and a possibly a piece of the treasure!"

"No way!" Georgie replied excitedly. "I can't wait to see it."

Mara then returned so they could no longer talk about it; instead they bugged her for a while about how her evening with Jerome went. Eventually though Nina and Mara had swapped and Georgie gave Mara a big hug. "Miss you," she muttered.

Bidding each other goodnight, Georgie finally got into bed, Amber droning on about how successful her party was. She opened up her laptop, logged into Facebook and smiled at the first thing that she saw at the top of her news feed: Jerome had uploaded a picture of them at the party. She looked at her smiling self, arm wrapped around Jerome as he took a picture of them.

Georgie went to sleep that night with a smile on her face, despite Mara moving out and Nina and Fabian almost getting them busted.

Author's Note:

I hope you enjoyed :) please review!