Two is Company (House of Anubis)

Chapter 51: Identity Crisis (Part II)

They had a few periods to go before their scheduled Sibuna meeting, and already the day was off to an interesting start. It was nice to see everyone in various states of dress-up or dress-down. It was also nice to see people put forth what their authentic self supposedly was, and even with Mr. Sweet's rather lax uniform policy, that uniqueness wasn't something that really translated well through blazers and button-ups.

Even so, some people didn't really opt for unique.

"You know, I had a really weird dream where a polar bear was chasing me," said Patricia conversationally as she pulled a few of her notebooks out of her locker.

"That's the second time!" Mara laughed, throwing KT and Kira into a fit of giggles.

"The second time?" exclaimed KT. "What polar bear traumatized you?"

"I wish I knew," Patricia lamented.

Kira shook her head fondly. "Of all the bears to be scared of, you don't choose the brown bear? Now, those guys will fuck you up."

"Um, so will polar bears!"

"Yeah, if you happen to be exploring the Arctic tundra."

They were so wrapped up in their chatter that the girls only noticed Joy once she was right in front of them, standing awkwardly in what was very clearly an ensemble pulled straight from Amber's closet. Kira pursed her lips. It wasn't that she didn't look pretty— Joy always did— but she seemed immensely uncomfortable. The pearl-collared polka dot dress looked more like a costume than a casual outfit like it had on Amber.

What is it that you're looking for, Joy? wondered Kira, readjusting her grip on her textbooks.

Mara found her voice first. "Wow," she gasped, but it sounded a little forced. "You look incredible!"

As new as she was, even KT could tell this wasn't Joy. "Yeah! Really great!" she chirped awkwardly. "Not that you didn't before, I just mean..." She coughed. "Really great."

Joy smiled tensely. "You don't think it's too—"

"Amber?" Patricia finished, tactful as ever; Kira visibly winced.

"W-Well, I know it's Amber inspired, but," she paused hesitantly, "well, Amber turned heads, and for once I want to as well."

"Well, I think you achieved that," Kira said warmly. Hey, she wasn't blind.

KT nodded emphatically. "Yes! Mission accomplished."

"Total head-turn success," added Patricia, trying to make up for her bluntness earlier.

"Oh, hey, Joy!" greeted Fabian, coming down the hall, and Joy immediately adjusted her posture. Even though Joy had for the most part hurdled her impossible crush on the taken man, much like Kira herself had hurdled her own crush, she still wasn't going to be totally over it. "Or Amber, maybe."

Kira watched Mara's eyes bug wide, while Patricia couldn't hide an awkward laugh in time. "Doesn't she look amazing?" Mara prompted, gesturing at her former roommate. "It's like she took Amber's old clothes and made them her own!"

Fabian blinked, perplexed by the situation, and Kira fought the urged to brain herself against the lockers. She'd long since put her one-sided rivalry with Fabian to bed— in fact, they were quite friendly nowadays, and with the new ancient Egyptian magical secret club hullabaloo, she was certain they'd only become closer— but it was hard not to remain exasperated by how socially brainless the boy could be.

"Yeah," he stuttered dumbly. "Yeah, it, erm, really suits you?"

"Um, thanks!" Joy said. "I added the, um, belt with this one. Amber didn't wear one with this particular dress, so..." The girls had the good sense to nod along in agreement at that.