House of Anubis

House of Cheats p2/House of Rumours p1

As I was getting ready for bed, finishing up with braiding my hair in our shared room. Amber was also brushing her hair, Nina was likely in the bathroom or talking with Fabian until we really had to be in our rooms for lights out. (At least until the three of us sneak out later tonight to find out what is recorded on those cylinders)

"Ooh! That's such a pretty box," I hear Amber say as I had grabbed the mirrored box out out of my school bag and placed it on my vanity, "does it have jewelry inside? Can I see? Or will you be as secretive as Nina with hers?"

I assume she's referring to the box where Nina has been keeping the things we find in the attic in regards to this slow growing mystery of ours. Rather than argue, I usher her to come foreword to take a look. The rich blonde smiled excitedly with a squeal and sat herself at the edge of my bed as I hand her the box.

"It's really pretty!" She repeats once again before opening the reflective box. "Where'd you get it?" She asks as she looks through the jewelry found inside. "Oooh these are absolutely gorgeous!" Amber gushed as she pulled out a matching set of diamond jewelry.

'The box and everything inside belonged to my mother.' I responded.

"Do you always carry it with you? I can't imagine carrying a whole box with me to school. But then again," she trails off in thought, "nothing beats a bit of a wardrobe change, even if it's something as small as jewelry." She laughed.

'No.' I responded. 'I went into town today. Found it at a pawnshop.' My father must have sold it before he was sent to prison. I realized what I was typing, quickly delegating that last bit. I did not feel like getting into that story. Editing the last bit of my reply. 'My father must have sold it after my mother passed away.'

"Oh!" She gasped, her mood dimming, putting away whatever piece of jewelry she was holding and examining at the time. "I'm so sorry... was this everything?"

I shook my head. 'There are a couple pieces missing. He either pawned them off separately or they were specifically picked out when it was in the shop.' I frowned. 'The man was kind enough to return it to me, free of charge.'

"That was nice of him." She says as she handed me back the box, I nodded in agreement. "Your mother had great taste in jewelry."

I smiled as a silent way to say 'thank you' before the door to our room opened, Nina coming inside with a towel on her head. "I feel like I missed something." She says slowly.

"Victoria was just showing me her jewelry box and the things inside, unlike some other roomies I know." Amber jokes, Nina playfully rolling her eyes as a response.

Before anyone could say anything else, we all heard the beginning of that infamous speech. I roll my eyes as well, typing out Victor's catchphrase on my laptop. The three of us had a giggle fit over how it sounded coming from the computerized voice followed by the three of us bidding each other goodnight.

~•~

Come midnight, Nina and I quietly got out of bed, being careful not to wake Amber. We didn't need her getting as nosey as Patricia. There are no other viable alternative girls to swap rooms with if things head south. We waited patiently for Fabian to arrive, being even more cautious as to not wake or alarm Victor of our sneaking about and rendezvous up in the attic.

It wasn't long before Fabian showed up, showing his excitement that then quickly morphed into confusion. "Oh wait, how are we going to get in?" He asks in a hushed whisper, remembering that we aren't in possession of the attic key anymore.

With a mischievous grin and soft giggle, Nina pulls a hairpin out of her hair and the two quietly laugh before she gets to work on picking the lock on the door. The three of us heading inside quickly after. But before she climbs the stairs, I write a message on my booklet, holding my torch to it so that they can see. 'You should probably lock it once we're inside, in case Victor wakes up or hears something and comes looking.'