What Lies Beneath ▸ House of Anubis [1]

chapter thirty-three. house of thieves

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            Our crew/cast after party is in full swing in the drama studio, and I don't see Patricia anywhere around. I did see her wandering the halls, likely looking for Joy, but I haven't seen her since—nor have I seen Rufus, Joy, or Victor. Here's hoping Patricia's found Joy and they're having a long chat about what exactly happened that day in school, the day she disappeared without a trace. Maybe they're just catching up.

            As Alfie passes by me, suspiciously wearing his uniform, I question, "Why are you in your uniform? It's ten o'clock at night."

            "My parents are here," Alfie replies. I still don't get it. "I need to look smart."

            "Yeah, well, you look like an idiot," I state. "Again, it's 10PM."

            Alfie suddenly gets a thoughtful, knowing look on his face. "Funny," he remarks, "Jerome said almost the same thing. It's almost as though you two were made for each other."

            "Or literally everyone in this room is thinking the same thing," I retort, reaching forward to punch his arm. "Alfie, I've told you a million times about this. I only just started calling him by his first name. I feel like by now you shouldn't need me to remind you that I don't like him like that. I don't like him at all."

            "You know, I can sense when you're lying."

            "I'm not lying. I seriously don't like him. Okay, think of it this way: there's a line," I hold out my arm straight to demonstrate. By my wrist, I say, "This is enemies. This is him and me from the moment we met to about... when Nina came. 'Kay?" I move my finger a little ways down my arm as Alfie watches doubtfully. "Here's frenemies. This is him and me from when Nina came to when you were in, uh, hospital," quickly I move on, "and here's friends. This part's only just begun and I think we may just be friends in name only."

            Alfie blinks. "That doesn't make any sense."

            "Look, point is—there's nothing even remotely romantic or non-platonic-hatred between us. Do you understand now?"

            He stares. "Not really. But whatever. See, I know the truth. Anubis House knows the truth. And when you figure out the truth, I'll be over here saying I told you so. I might make t-shirts."

            As he walks away, likely to go off and find his parents, I call after him, frowning, "What do you mean Anubis House knows the truth? It's a house, it doesn't have a brain!" I chuckle to myself as I walk across the room to Amber, sitting beside her on the edge of the stage. "Alfie's being an idiot. In his uniform because he thinks it'll make him look smarter and at the same time insisting I have a crush on Jerome. Not a very smart thing to do."

            "He's right, you know," Amber comments with a shrug.

            I look at her. "Et tu, Amber?"