DISCLAIMER: I don't own House of Anubis.

"Patricia! Hey, wait up!" Eddie held his hand up and waved from behind her. Patricia froze and stiffened- he had seen her, great. Finding out they were neighbors had practically guaranteed they'd run into each other on the way to school. Naturally, Patricia had left earlier in hopes she could get to school before he'd even start walking.

He rushed up next to her, and she sighed, narrowing her eyes at him. Eddie Miller was not the first person she needed to see on a Monday morning.

"So, you have a twin," Eddie nodded nervously. Why was he nervous? "That's cool." Patricia rolled her eyes- billions of people all around the world had a twin, it wasn't anything special or cool, and she hated it when anyone said it was. Deciding to remain unresponsive to his words, she kept walking, opting to stare straight ahead.

"And she said you talk a lot," Eddie continued, watching for some spark of reaction. After her blowup on Friday though, he wasn't exactly sure if he wanted one. He cautiously touched Patricia's shoulder and wheeled her around to face him. She glared and swatted his hand away but realized trying to avoid him was stupid. Eddie wasn't used to being ignored, he was persistent for attention. Maybe that's why she didn't like to be next to him, didn't like to hang out with him- he contradicted the one rule she had set for herself. "But you know, you never talk at school." He raised an eyebrow, and for once, he actually looked pretty interested, pretty curious about her. "Care to explain?"

Not to you, Patricia thought rudely, rolling her eyes and kicking at a stone. She didn't need to answer his questions, she didn't even need to be here.

So she left, despite her protests. Running away from him, because he was a problem, and Patricia Williamson ran away from her problems until she had no choice than to confront. He didn't try to chase after her, knowing she wouldn't even talk to him if he did finally catch up to her.

Things were not looking up for him, he needed help with this. Jerome wouldn't help him, just taunt and tease. Mick would do the same, and even if he did want to help, Jerome would probably stop him. Amber didn't know, and besides, even if she wasn't his girlfriend and was totally for getting the two together, she wouldn't even help that much, just go on about the importance of love. Joy and KT were off limits simply because they'd run straight to Amber once they found out. His whole group in general was full of backstabbing bitches.

Eddie dug his phone out of his bag, scrolling down the list to see if he had any other possible friends.

Fabian Rutter.

He was a smart guy, Eddie and he used to be really close, until Amber had told Eddie that he had to choose. Fabian or the popular crowd. Intoxicated by the wonders of school fame, he chose the latter. And they didn't talk again.

To be honest, Fabian was not the best with girls- to Eddie's knowledge, he had had one girlfriend in his whole life, a girl named Nina Martin. They had apparently broken up over some big misunderstanding, but Fabian still stayed with her longer than Eddie had with any girlfriend. He was a master of cheesy gestures as well- did Patricia like those? And he was the only guy that seemed as if he would even remotely help him.

Today. Eddie would track down Fabian today. They would meet up somewhere, Eddie would get his advice, and then they'd part ways as if the meeting had never happened.

Because, c'mon, Eddie's reputation would be down the drain if anyone learned he got love advice from a nerd.

The library, wasn't that cliché? Eddie ran a hand through his hair and sighed as he pushed open the heavy door of the school library- he couldn't believe he was actually coming here voluntarily. Knowing Fabian though, this was where he would be.

And yes, there he was, the brunette was settled comfortably in a huge plush armchair, reading a book thicker than his muscles. He was concentrating hard, forgoing lunch to lose himself in the world of books. The librarian looked at him fondly and turned to shoot Eddie a quizzical look, holding a finger to her lip, reaching oh-so-subtly for a detention slip just in case.

"Hey, buddy," Eddie said, settling down on a couch across from the boy, who looked up in surprise. It wasn't everyday Eddie Miller sat with you and regarded you in such a friendly manner, especially Fabian, who resented him in some way for ditching him years ago.

"Eddie," Fabian said, almost coldly, stiffly, regarding the boy that used to be his best friend as if he was a stranger. Just like Eddie usually regarded him. The blonde cringed at the treatment, but figured he deserved it and decided not to make a scene.

"So," Eddie tapped his foot impatiently and peeked at the title of Fabian's book. "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Cool."

Fabian clutched his book tightly as his knuckles turned white- Eddie wanted something, Eddie always wanted something, and Fabian hated that. Hated that the only reason they conversed was at sake of doing favors. It used to be so different, they would talk just to talk, battle each other in the virtual world of video games, and eat a delicacy that Eddie fondly called 'hoagies.'

"What do you need, Eddie?" Fabian asked tiredly, sighing and laying his book down. Many people believed that the popular people had to be treated with a certain kind of respect, but Fabian never really got that. Weren't they all people, all the same age? Why should one person be valued over the other?

"Well," Eddie started before looking around and lowering his voice. None of his friends would be here, but still. "I need some help."

"I am not doing your math homework," Fabian said firmly.

"No, not like that. Like…girl help."

Fabian looked up at him, eyes flashing with curiosity, "Girl help? I'm not good with girls. Especially not ones like Amber."

"But this isn't about Amber," Eddie clarified, and Fabian's eyes widened. Was Eddie…cheating on her? Eddie was a lot of things, and Fabian knew it, but he was not a cheater. He believed in treating girls how they were supposed to be treated- underneath that 'bad boy' cover up was an actual human being that cared.

"What?" Fabian breathed out.

"Yeah," Eddie said nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "You know the new girl, Patricia Williamson, right?"

"She's in my science class," Fabian nodded before it hit him. He gasped, "You like her?"

"It's not like that," Eddie whispered, waving his hands. "No, it's just…there's this thing…this bet…"

"And you're using her," Fabian finished. He frowned and shook his head in disapproval, "That is a terrible thing to do. Play with a girl's feelings like that."

"No, Fabian-"

"I get that you have your new friends and you want to fit in, Eddie. But this is not the way to do it. She has feelings too."

Eddie spat back his counter-argument, not in the mood and feeling snappy because nothing was working out for him right now. "Then why doesn't she ever show them?"

Fabian just shook his head once more, tucking his book under his arm and standing up to leave. "I thought you were better than this."

For once, Eddie didn't have the last word.

For once, Eddie almost regret going on with this bet.

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it had come.