Tears of Gold: House of Anubis

Patricia XI

Trigger Warning: for a panic attack at the end of the chapter.

When Joy had first signed them up for the new school newspaper Patricia had just been going along to spend more time with her friend. She hadn't expected it to be this entertaining. True she had to deal with the human slimeball that was Miller but having a front row seat to the growing tension between Joy and Mara was more than worth it. It was clear that Joy was trying to use the paper to reestablish herself at the school after the trauma of last year. While she wanted Joy to put down roots again, she had been on edge with Nina around, Patricia couldn't help but celebrate the fact that Mara would hopefully get knocked down a few pegs.

Patricia had never claimed to be a person who didn't hold grudges. The way that Mara had treated her last year with the whole Rufus and Joy thing still stung. When they had first become roommates Patricia had relied a lot on Mara for support over loosing Joy. It hurt her when Mara kept brushing her off as crazy, she got enough of that from her parents. She had needed someone to lean on and believe in her, but instead she was ditched in favor of chasing Mick.

Anyway, breakfast that morning was tense to say the least. Today was the day Mrs. Andrews would be choosing the editor for the school paper. Joy had spent most of the morning glaring at Mara as she prattled on about what she would do once Mrs. Andrews named her editor. Mara seemed oblivious to the tension coming from Joy, which Patricia figured had a lot to do with her blooming rivalry with Liliana.

While she didn't know the girl that well Patricia had to admit that she liked Lili. She had spunk and was quite conniving. Like Jerome and herself it seemed like Lili wasn't the type of person who would worry about getting her hands dirty to get what she wanted. Alfie and Jerome obviously thought the world of her, and Amber had quickly found a shared love of fashion. According to Nina, the blonds would sometimes stay up late into the night working on designs and sewing.

Patricia had found herself developing a soft spot for the fashionable new girl despite her efforts to remain impartial. Watching as she set out to destroy Mara had been a much-needed source of entertainment. Liliana wasn't the type of girl to just roll over and let people walk all over her. It was obvious how much she loved her family and would do anything to help them, which was why she was surprised that the girl wasn't a Sibuna yet.

She came back to the present when Joy's hand slid into her own. "What'cha thinking about Peppermint?". She couldn't help but pull a face at the nickname.

"Nothing much. Is it time to go already?"

"Yeah, I'm not surprised you missed the bell though, with your music blasting like that". Turning off her music Patricia packed up her things and let Joy pull her to their next meeting. Settling down next to Joy she waited for Mrs. Andrews' big announcement.

"Ok Joy," started the teacher "Much as I was impressed buy your article on the Genius of Mrs. Andrews". Joy perked up beside her. "I have decided to award the editorship to Mara" 'and cue the anger' thought Patricia. "Mara's shocking expose on price fixing in the school canteen is after all what Journalism is really about". 'that definitely was not going to go over well'.

Making her way to the front to claim her victory Mara began the prepared speech she had heard her writing the night before. "Thank you, I promise that I will be a good boss. I might go easy on creative punctuation and hyperbole, but I will be a bear when it comes to deadlines" she joked. "The deadline is sacred".