DISCLAIMER: I don't own House of Anubis.

Patricia found herself smiling as she left Eddie's house after dinner. Things had gone a lot better than she initially thought they would- after all the drama of the night, Eddie and she had stayed in the bathroom and listened to their favorite Sick Puppies songs. When they got called out to dinner, Piper was already seated in between the mothers, which prevented her from whispering questions. Patricia had mostly kept her head down unless she was asked something, and even then, it was a short, clipped answer. Eddie was the same.

But now Patricia was back in her bedroom, trying her best to fake that she was asleep so that Piper wouldn't confront her.

"Patricia, I know you're awake."

Shoot.

"Why didn't you tell me? We- we're sisters! And I know you're mad about me telling Eddie that he was your first kiss, but you guys seemed fine afterwards! And I get it now! Why you never liked Eddie…I get it now!" Piper paused, looking hurt and softening her tone. She wasn't angry, just upset. "We could've talked about it. You know I would've listened."

Patricia rolled her eyes and turned around so that she was facing Piper, "Okay, I didn't tell you. Maybe I should've. Maybe you would've been a good listener. But there are just some things…that we need to keep to ourselves, you know? It was my problem and I dealt with it."

"…how? What did Eddie say to you in the washroom?" Piper raised an eyebrow, slightly calming down. At least everything was all better now.

Patricia took a deep breath, reliving the moment, "I uh, I forgave him."

Piper's jaw dropped and she stared at her sister, unblinking. She rubbed her eyes, "Y-you forgave someone?" But there was a teasing smile playing on her lips, and she looked almost proud as she sat at the edge of Patricia's bed. Patricia gently whacked her shoulder, but she was happy too. Happy that they could do this once more- no tension in between them, just sisterly bonding.

"Yes," Patricia confirmed, rolling her eyes again. "But," she warned, seeing the glint in Piper's eyes. "This does not mean I like him like that." Piper nodded.

"I suppose it was kind of mean of me to push you under that mistletoe."

"And I thought I was the bad one," Patricia joked, and Piper pushed her away, giggling before leaving to her own bed.

That night, Patricia fell asleep with a little smile lighting her features. She had made a new friend and reconciled with Piper- it was like a burden being lifted off her shoulders.

Eddie grinned, thinking about everything that had just happened. Finally. He was forgiven- he wouldn't have to follow Patricia just thinking about how many ways he could say sorry. No more awkward silences because they were 'casual acquaintances' with a long, uncomfortable, history. They were friends, and though it was a bit weird being so open to the other, Eddie liked it. They hadn't done much in the bathroom, just listened to Sick Puppies songs over and over again, occasionally making commentary about the lyrics or instruments. He had to admit- Patricia wasn't joking when she had said Sick Puppies was her favorite band. She seemed to know every song that came up. It was kind of refreshing actually, to talk to someone who liked them. No one else really appreciated his music the way he and Patricia did.

Eddie looked out his window- it was okay now, because they were friends, and if they occasionally wanted to look into each other's rooms, they could. Eddie winced- that sounded less creepy in his head.

Patricia had already fallen asleep, it seemed- the room was dark but there was moonlight hitting her face. Her features stood out, and she looked almost innocent asleep. Untroubled. Eddie grinned softly at the image- he wanted to see that face more often. The Patricia he knew was almost always glaring and scowling at everybody, but when she slept, that all washed away. As if…her force field went down.

And it was that night that Eddie made up his mind: he was going to make it his mission to see that look more often on Patricia. He was going to make it his mission to see that face during the day.

He was going to be the one to lower her force field once and for all.

…because that's what friends do, right?

December 23rd.

Eddie scowled- today he was going to his father's house. They had all finally worked out an arrangement: he would spend today and tomorrow and half of the 25th at his dad's house, and the rest back at his mother's. He was still kind of holding a grudge against his father for hitting the intercom button that day in the office. Eddie knew it wasn't on purpose, but still. It was enough to make him a bit more resentful.

But he also didn't feel like talking to his mother: she had tried to push him under the mistletoe with Patricia. His own mother, believing Piper over him! It was betrayal! After the Williamsons had gone home, he had told his mom that he didn't like Patricia, not even mentioning that the girl was now his friend. He didn't want her to jump to any conclusions, and maybe he had put her under the impression that he and Patricia were enemies.

But Eddie softened as he thought about his mother- what would she do for the next couple days? The holidays weren't a time to spend alone, and he felt bad leaving her. Maybe she and Mrs. Williamson could do something. Eddie bit his lip as he zipped up his suitcase and went downstairs- he'd just have to ask, right?

"Are you sure you're going to be okay, mom?" he asked cautiously, placing his bag by the door. He wasn't due at Eric's house until after lunch, and he had just woken up.

Ms. Miller looked up from a magazine, distracted, "What?"

"Being alone for the next couple days," Eddie clarified. "Are you going to be okay?"

Ms. Miller laughed at her son's concern, closing her magazine and washing away his worry. "I'll be fine, Eddie. I'll have David anyways."

Eddie sighed in relief, "Good, that's- wait, who's David?" The name was unfamiliar, but he was pretty sure he knew exactly who 'David' was. A new boyfriend, maybe? His mother joined a lot of internet dating websites, so Eddie was used to having several unknown men pop up in conversations.

But this was different. His mother was inviting this guy over for the holidays, and as much as Eddie didn't want to think it, that was kind of serious. As far as he knew, none of her mother's boyfriends had ever even been brought home to meet him, and now she was spending the holidays with him? Exactly who was this guy?

Eddie mentally groaned- when had the tables turned? When had he been the one confronting his mom about her boyfriends? When had she become the teenager and he the parent?

"David," Ms. Miller said slowly. "Remember, I've talked about him a couple times. I went on a date with him that night I sent you to the Williamsons."

Eddie's eyes widened- that night was months ago! "You've been dating this long?" Usually, he never worried about his mom marrying because she and her boyfriend only stayed together a month at the most. But this was obviously a longer relationship, and he wasn't so sure how he was reacting. What if the guy popped the question or something? Holidays were a perfect time to do those kind of things.

"Yeah," Ms. Miller nodded, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you knew?"

"A-are you guys…going to," Eddie gulped. "Get married or something?" He searched his mother's eyes for a denial, because no, he did not want a second father. He did not want someone in his house acting like he was there all along. He did not want some replacement.

But to his surprise, his mother blushed, "Not yet. I mean, he hasn't-"

"Not yet?" Eddie fumed. "Wait, so you were just going to wait until this guy proposed and then tell me?"

"I was actually going to have you meet him the day after Christmas," Ms. Miller said, oblivious to her son's anger. Eddie was seething- he was her son, didn't he get some say so? When was his mother even going to tell him about this guy? They made it a point to not talk about love lives, but if it was something this serious, to the contemplation of marriage, Eddie thought he deserved to know. Ms. Miller saw his reaction, "Eddie, we're not getting married. But…we have talked about it."

"So what, you're just going to replace my father?" Eddie asked, turning red. "Is that it, mom?" She opened her mouth to speak but he didn't give her a chance, grabbing his luggage and opening the door. He was leaving early and he was going to get there on his own- he didn't need to be stuck in a car with her.

But as soon as he got outside, Eddie realized his choices are terribly limited. He couldn't take his mom's car because there would be no way to bring it back from his dad's house. Besides, he was making a point- he didn't need her, and it would be controversial if he took her car. Eddie wasn't sure where to go now- usually, he sat on the porch when he was upset, but his mom would probably come out soon enough.

He needed to go somewhere she wouldn't expect.

Such as…a supposed enemy's house.

Patricia waited for somebody to open the door, but when nobody did, she went and opened it herself. It was probably somebody trying to sell something- those people always made her angry and she didn't feel like having her good mood wrecked.

But to her surprise, it was Eddie.

"Hey," he smiled at her, looking breathless. Patricia looked down- was that a suitcase? "Could I stay here for like, twenty minutes?"

"Um…" Patricia raised an eyebrow, thoroughly confused. But what could she do- tell him to go away? Besides, they were friends now. "Sure, come in." He gave her a grateful smile and rolled his suitcase in.

Patricia raised an eyebrow, following him to the couch, "Were you, uh, planning on going somewhere?"

"My dad's- Mr. Sweet, I mean," Eddie shrugged, looking all too comfortable in her house. Patricia nodded slightly, looking down. She wasn't sure what to say, but Eddie seemed to know. He was quick to start a conversation. It was only a minute after that he quietly said it. "You…you ever feel like you're coming second?"

All the time, Patricia thought, but on the outside, she looked up, acting confused. Of course she knew. With Piper as a sister, how could she not?

"My…my mom…she was talking about," he paused, looking down, as if this was hard to say. Patricia needed to do something, so she placed a hesitant hand on his back in comfort and slightly smiled in encouragement. He looked up in surprise, and Patricia retracted her hand quickly. That obviously wasn't the right thing to do. But Eddie shocked her by taking her hand in his own again, and squeezing it hard, closing his eyes tightly. "Getting married again."

Oh.

What was she supposed to say- Patricia wasn't good at comforting people!

But Eddie was still talking, "And it's like this new boyfriend of hers is like…you know- ugh, I don't know how to say this." His grip on her hand loosened.

And Patricia found herself talking too, "Is like taking your place in your mum's life?" Eddie looked up, and it was clear that was what he meant. He felt as if he wasn't as important anymore- his mom hadn't even consulted him about all this. Eddie understood that it was her life, but still. He was a part of that, and while David hadn't popped the question, it would've been nice to know that they were talking about this kind of stuff.

"Yeah," he nodded, connecting the dots. "You and Piper…"

"Yeah," Patricia looked down slightly, and Eddie gave her hand a squeeze. Patricia looked over to where their two hands were connected, and then up at Eddie, who sheepishly let go.

She didn't know why she frowned at the loss of contact.