Force of Nature ▸ House of Anubis [3]

chapter eighteen. house of betrayal

            "Oh my God," I mutter.

            Mr. Millington looks at him weirdly and Jerome sticks the stuffed animal back behind the project. "There's also Alfido aftershave." This time it's a small bottle and he sprays some of it in the direction of Millington's face. You've got to be kidding me.

            "Because women like a bit of ruff-ruff," Alfie adds. I purse my lips, trying not to say anything.

            "All building up to Alfido: The Movie."

            Imitating the voice of the main character in a cop movie from the '70s, Alfie says, "I'm a dog who's also a cop laying down the law with a big, furry paw." He touches Millington's nose with his costume-covered hand.

            Jerome laughs, almost nervously, and asks, "So what do you think?"

            "Boys, girl..." Millington says. "I'm not sure. But the sauce, very good."

            "Really?" I ask with raised eyebrows. Jerome elbows me. "I mean... really, it is. Doesn't taste at all like new socks. Or old ones."

            Millington slowly nods. "Right." He clears his throat, looking to Denby and Sweet. "Let's move on, shall we?"

            Once his back is turned, Alfie and Jerome high-five each other. They both turn to me, holding their hands up and expecting me to high-five them as well. I just have my arms crossed, glaring at them. Jerome and Alfie glance at each other and slowly lower their hands.

            Jerome quickly grabs the stuffed animal from behind our project, holding it out for me to take. "For you, my angel."

            "Stop calling me your angel, it freaks me out," I retort. He smiles, holding it out further. I narrow my eyes and grab it. Admittedly it is sort of cute. "Fine, I'll take it."

            Alfie looks between us, turning around and going back onto the stage, grabbing Willow's arm while at it. Jerome steps closer to me, remarking, "Well, that turned out better than expected."

            "Maybe," I agree. "Or maybe we failed even more than we thought we were."

            "Do you always have to be so pessimistic?"

            "Uh, hello, it's me. Must I remind you about the whole genetic thing I have going on?"

            Jerome pauses. "No. Please don't. I forgot about that."

            "How?"

            "I don't know."

—

            As Mr. Millington goes around trying everyone else's snacks—Eddie's American snacks, Joy and Fabian's Egyptian ones, Patricia and KT's misfortune cookies, Mara and Willow's fruit/vegetable bars—Alfie disappears onto the stage while Jerome and I watch the adults, arms crossed.

            "Who do you think's going to win?" I ask.

            "Joy and Fabian," Jerome answers. "Maybe Mara and Willow."

            "I would've thought you'd be into Patricia and KT's misfortune cookies. You know, fake secrets stuffed into cookies."

            "I did, until I stole one and it said I took secret ballet lessons."

            I can't help the loud laugh that comes out of my mouth, nearly doubling over with laughter. Jerome glares at me as I calm down. "Sorry. Sorry, I just started imagining you dancing in The Nutcracker or something. Just swaying to the music—"