Force of Nature ▸ House of Anubis [3]

chapter sixty-seven. house of suspicion

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            The lodge's heights are hot indeed. The lodge's heights are hot indeed... What does that even mean? What lodge? Why are the heights hot? And since when does a Clarke make things easy and a Lewis makes things hard? Ugh, maybe the Williamson and Mercer lines will be easier than the Lewis one.

            "Ashley?"

            I snap out of my Sibuna thoughts, blinking to regain my focus as I look at Jerome beside me. "Uh, sorry. What'd you say?"

            "Are you okay?" he asks me bluntly.

            "Yeah, fine."

            "That's funny, because I don't believe you."

            "I didn't expect you to."

            Jerome tilts his head at me, sighing as he hands across a soda can to me. Our lunch date is occurring on the stage in the lounge, a kind of indoor picnic, maybe. "Just put the Egyptian mystery stuff out of your head, all right? I had to promise Trudy I'd be on dish duty for the next two weeks for this feast, so I hope you're planning on eating something."

            "'Feast,'" I repeat with a raised eyebrow, reaching for the plastic-wrapped peanut butter and fluff sandwich between us. "It takes five minutes to make these. I think Trudy was playing you."

            "Don't be ridiculous. Trudy doesn't know how to play me."

            "It's the same way everyone plays you. By mentioning me," I tease him. "Just admit it, you're a mess whenever someone mentions my name."

            He scoffs. "Please. If anything, I think you're the one who becomes a mess whenever my name is mentioned. 'Cause, remember, when you declared your undying love for me, I think you specifically used the phrase 'blushing mess' about yourself."

            "Did I?"

            "I'm pretty sure, yeah."

            I smile lightly, hitting him on the arm. "So, how goes the play? Still understand nothing?"

            "Not a word," Jerome answers with a wide, foolish grin. "And you better tell Eddie I can't keep standing in for Jo's brother. It's getting frustrating trying to recite lines I don't get."

            "What exactly don't you understand?"

            "Who leaves it open-ended whether or not two people are in a relationship in fiction?"

            "Mara and Joy. Look, just let them live, all right?" I suggest. "Mara's had a hard year and Joy's been with her every step of the way. All you have to do is call action and cut."