DISCLAIMER: I don't own House of Anubis.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and feedback! This chapter took me a long time to write, especially since Patricia's opening up carefully and Eddie's kind of hesitant on what to do. It still doesn't feel right to me, but I would love to see your opinions.

It was during dinner that night that his mom finally told him. The two were having Chinese take-out because Ms. Miller didn't feel like cooking. Eddie didn't mind really- his mother wasn't the best cook, so this was actually a pretty good dinner.

His mum cleared her throat and he looked up, "Eddie?"

"Yeah, mom?" Eddie asked, trying to use his chopsticks but failing. He finally gave up and gave his mother his undivided attention.

"I, uh, have a date tonight," Ms. Miller announced, eyeing him carefully for a reaction. Eddie raised his eyebrow- his mother often did have dates, ever since she joined a matchmaking website. She never brought any of the guys home to meet Eddie, so he figured it wasn't that serious. Still, the way she told him the news made him nervous and uneasy. Usually, whenever his mum went on dates, she just left him home alone. This night shouldn't be any different, even if it was a Monday.

"So?" Eddie finally asked.

"Is it okay if I drop you off at the Williamsons'?" She asked it suddenly, and for a minute, Eddie couldn't even register what she had said. But the moment he did, questions arose. The Williamsons weren't his babysitters- Eddie was his own babysitter, and his mom often realized that. She wasn't usually hesitant to leave him home alone, even on the strangest nights.

"What?"

"I'll be back by 9:00," she promised. "It's just…"

"You don't trust me to stay at home," Eddie finished, hurt in his eyes. His mother's trust had been broken that night he didn't visit Eric, but to drop him off at the neighbor's house was just plain low.

"It's not that," Ms. Miller reassured frantically, but Eddie was smart enough to see through her lies.

"Whatever," he said, looking down at his food again. If he could just avoid Patricia, he'd be fine. Piper was nice, maybe she and Eddie could talk the whole time.

"Eddie?" his mom whispered softly, looking almost fragile. Eddie's eyes filled with concern- sure, he was a bit resentful right now, but his mother had never sounded like this before and he was worried too. She gave him a weak smile, "I think I really like this guy I'm going out with."

Eddie's eyes widened- was she trying to tell him something, that some guy from a dating website might be his stepfather? His mom chuckled, almost as if she had read his thoughts, "I'm not…in love with him or anything. I just, uh, wanted you to know that I could really use your support right now." She had tears glistening in her eyes and Eddie found himself nodding- he couldn't upset his mother right now, even if he was still questionable about this new guy. "He makes me happy, Eddie."

And in the end, Eddie ended up begrudgingly going to the Williamsons' house. His mom covered ground rules as they left: he was to behave politely and express his gratitude to Mrs. Williamson.

It seemed simple enough.

"Patricia, Piper!" Patricia groaned as she heard her name be called- she had just finished her homework and all she was looking forward to was relaxing with her headphones. She certainly didn't want to be lectured by her mother- because that's what it had to be, right? A lecture? That's what it always was.

Nevertheless, Patricia rushed downstairs after Piper. Mrs. Williamson was definitely short-tempered, and it had been a good day for Patricia overall. She didn't feel like ruining it.

"Yeah, mum?" Piper asked, Patricia right beside her.

"Eddie will be coming over," their mum announced, breathless.

"Eddie?" Patricia sneered. No, he couldn't be coming here- she already dealt with him enough in school.

"This late?" Piper asked, obviously having different concerns.

"Yes," Mrs. Williamson sighed. "I was talking to his mother and she had a date tonight and was wondering what to do with Eddie. It didn't sound like she wanted to leave him alone, so I offered to look after him."

"Why would you do that?" Patricia shook her head in dismay, and her mother turned to glare at her.

"Ms. Miller has been nothing but nice to us, feeding us dinner that night. She's my friend, Patricia. So, for my sake, could you please try and get along with her kid?"

Patricia wrinkled her nose, deciding to be blunt. "No." Eddie was awful and there was no way she would ever 'get along' with him.

Her mother sighed, but the doorbell rang before she could say much more than, "He'll be gone by nine." Patricia watched as her mum put on a smile and opened the door for Eddie. Peeking over at him, he looked just like Patricia, bored and not wanting to be here.

"Welcome," Mrs. Williamson grinned, and Piper beamed slightly from beside her. Patricia rolled her eyes until Piper nudged her to be nice. It was only then that she offered a sarcastic little smile to Eddie, who rolled his eyes at the gesture but sent her a pleading look. Patricia froze- was he asking for forgiveness or something? "Patricia and Piper can give you a tour of our house."

"I never agreed to this," Patricia muttered, following behind Piper, who was already walking up to Eddie and chatting as if they were old friends. Her mum gave her a warning glance before leaving the room.

"Hi, Eddie," Piper beamed. "How are you?"

He looked somewhat confused with the question, and Patricia snickered. None of his friends asked that- Piper was just overly friendly. "I'm good," he responded. "Er…you?"

"Never better," Piper grinned, and Patricia rolled her eyes once more. (She had a feeling she'd be doing that a lot today.) "And Patricia's overjoyed that you're here as well." Eddie gave a laugh of disbelief before his eyes landed on her.

Patricia furrowed her eyebrows at Piper's behavior, and looked to Eddie, who seemed curious as to what she'd do next. She fumed- just looking at him brought back the memories of that night, and with that came back the attitude she had possessed. "Patricia can speak, you know," the redhead pitched in, and Piper just turned to glare at her.

Eddie gave a nervous chuckle as the two interacted, and Patricia caused her arms. It was times like this she'd wished she'd told Piper about the bet- if she had, then Piper would be on her side and glaring at him.

"Here, let's sit," her twin suggested, heading into the common room and taking a seat in the armchair. Patricia scowled as she looked at the sofa- there was only one, which meant she had to sit next to Eddie. Eddie didn't look too thrilled at the idea either, but obligingly sat down next to her. Their sides were almost touching and it had to be the most awkward position Patricia had gotten herself into.

Piper had already started talking, mindless chatter about everyday things. It was easy to tell Eddie wasn't interested- to be honest, neither was Patricia.

At one point, midway through Piper's unprompted discussion of the violin, Eddie leaned in closer to Patricia to whisper in her ear. She stiffened at their near proximity as he spoke, "And, just for the record, I made some new friends today. Thanks for the concern though." He pulled back and had the audacity to send her a little smirk, as if making friends was some impossible feat.

It was times like these when she realized who she was up against: arrogant, mouthy people with big egos. Eddie might've been kicked out of the popular club, but right now, he wasn't acting like it. He was being self-centered and stupid and challenging and her mind flashed back to the boy who put the pin in her hair and told her she looked good. Where had he gone?

She shook her head- he was never there in the first.

Eddie didn't know what made him whisper that in her ear- he just needed to tell her. He couldn't keep let Patricia thinking he was miserable- that would give her the satisfaction she needed.

By this point, Eddie had completely brainwashed himself into thinking this whole thing should be over and done with. It was Jerome that had made the bet and besides, Eddie had already kind of apologized to Patricia on the porch the other day. How could she make his life worse than it already was? If they both just forgot about the whole thing, they would never have to interact again save meetings like this. They could live their individual lives peacefully.

But Eddie knew the truth that was gnawing at him. There was a difference in between saying sorry and receiving forgiveness. He hadn't gotten his yet, because there was no way Patricia would forgive him.

And she sure as hell wouldn't forget either.

"So, why are you here, Eddie?" Piper asked, pulling Eddie out of his thoughts. "If you don't mind telling."

"No, it's fine," Eddie reassured. "My mom's on a date."

"On a Monday night? What, you can't stay home by yourself?" Patricia snorted rudely. Eddie knew he shouldn't be surprised he was getting this treatment, but every time she made a snarky comment, he found himself going back to that night all over again. The threats, the anger blazing in her eyes...

"Guess not," Eddie shrugged slightly- he was treading carefully, not wanting to upset Patricia more than he had already. Right now, the objective was just to continue on as if nothing had happened. He wasn't sure if Piper knew what had happened, but he was leaning towards the fact that she was oblivious.

And suddenly, the words slipped out before he could even know he was saying them. Piper was just easy to talk to- maybe that's why he said it. "She really likes this guy she's on a date with."

But Patricia just had to but in and make him feel worse, mocking a baby's voice as she talked. "Aw, is Eddie getting a new daddy?"

Ouch.

Eddie stiffened beside her- family was a sensitive topic for him. Patricia should've understood- her father was in the damn military, she should've known not to overstep those boundaries. Social life and family life were two very different things, not to be intertwined.

He looked over her, seeing the silent challenge in her eyes. She was determined to make him feel like she did that night- worthless, friendless, and unwanted. Eddie gulped- this had hurt though in ways unimaginable. He had been pushing the obvious thought back all evening- what if his mom eventually married this guy?

Eddie should've had a comeback as usual, but when people mentioned anything paternal, he froze up like he was now. "I, uh, need to go and use the bathroom."

Piper nodded slightly before directing him down the hall.

He could stay in that bathroom until his mom came.

"Patricia," Piper gasped after he left, and her twin rolled her eyes. Patricia didn't think she had said anything bad- she had done what she had promised herself she'd do, open up, be feistier. This was actually good in her mind- she wasn't being pushed around anymore. Maybe it was her house that had fueled her to say it- this was where she was at her sassiest, this was the place she was really herself- around her family. Because they had to love her, even if she snapped and rolled her eyes constantly. Besides, if Piper knew what Eddie had done to her, she wouldn't be so quick to judge. "That was very mean."

Patricia crossed her arms and leaned back- sure, it was mean, but it was needed.

"You have to apologize," Piper stated.

"What? No way!" If she apologized, it would defeat the whole purpose.

"Patricia," Piper reprimanded before lowering his voice. "We know more than anyone what it's like." Patricia sighed; that much was true. With their father gone on duty, both girls felt the impact of no father there. Eddie might be the same story, and if he was, she had seriously hurt him by making that comment. Piper continued in a soft voice, "Think about how you felt when he left."

And she remembers biting back tears every time he leaves; she remembers hugging her father while he promised them he would come back. Did Eddie feel the same when his father left him, when his parents divorced?

Patricia had a heart, and right now, it was consumed with some kind of guilt as she bit her lip and lowered his head.

"Fine. I'll apologize."