Force of Nature ▸ House of Anubis [3]

chapter four. house of rumors

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"Not everyone is here," remarks Miss Denby as history class begins. I glance around the room, noticing that Fabian's absent. That's really weird, actually. He should be here, he's not one to skip class so early in the term or at all if there's not a Sibuna thing. "Does anyone know where the others are?"

Patricia raises her hand and answers, "Fabian's at the doctor's." Well, that explains it, but what's he doing seeing a doctor? Is he sick? "It's personal. I really don't think I should say anymore."

I lean forward to look at her, brows furrowing. "Is he okay? What happened?"

"Uh, it's personal, Ashley."

"Pers—I'm his best friend."

Denby tilts her head at me, giving me the look I'm all too accustomed to receiving from adults and also my fellow housemates. "Ashley."

For the record, this makes the seventh teacher since I first started school here almost four years ago that knows my name before the first day is up. I turn to look at Jerome beside me, smiling. "Look, she knows my name."

"Not sure that's a good thing, babe," he points out.

Solely to spite him, I glance back to Denby and gesture to him with my thumb, questioning, "Do you know his name?"

Our new history/business ed teacher sighs deeply, but humors me anyway. "Yes, that's Jerome."

That's exactly the reaction I was hoping for. I raise my eyebrows at Jerome, remarking pointedly, "What kind of a thing is it now, babe?"

—

"I hate my family tree. I hate my family tree. I hate my family tree."

Jerome's voice replies, "Did you hear that? I think Ashley hates her family tree."

I pause in hitting my forehead on the desk, retorting, "Do you blame me?"

"Not really," Alfie's voice pipes up. "Hey, Ash, remind me again who your uncle is."

My eyes narrow into a glare as I lift my head to look at him. Alfie just grins at me and Jerome stifles laughter. "Well, look at this mess!" I say, motioning to the complicated family tree I've written up. "Aside from my parents and my sister, and I really miss the days when I thought it just ended there, it's Lily, and the Frobisher-Smythes who adopted her so I'm pretty sure that technically counts, then there's Rufus which I don't claim but still, and Eddie, and Sweetie, and who did I upset enough in a past life that this is my current life?"

Jerome gives up on stifling his laughter, leaning over to kiss my temple as he chuckles.

"This is so boring. Just like my birthday," remarks Amber. She speaks loudly and clearly so the rest of the house can hear her. "Have you all seen the necklace Ashley gave me? I love it. And her. Because she didn't forget."