This little one-shot was prompted by JustLieForMe. It's a bit of a downer, but I like Eddie/Mara friendship, and I needed a reason for Eddie's comfort. So, enjoy?

Mara bit her lip. No, she would not cry. Not over this. She would not cry over him. She was the one that had broken it off. She could see the way he looked at Willow. He had a good reason to. She was beautiful. Strawberry-blonde hair and sparkling green eyes, perfect pale skin and a wonderful smile—how could Jerome not like her? He would always smile and wave at her, even while they were dating. Mara wanted him to be happy, and breaking up with him, so he could be with Willow, made him happy.

"Hey, little girl, what's wrong?"

Mara raised her head and looked up at Eddie. His blonde hair was spiked today and Mara knew why. He and Patricia had talked and had worked everything out; the two were now happily dating again. It seemed to bring out Eddie's inner bad boy; he had had his hair a light brown, swept to the side, at the beginning of the new semester, now it was dirty-blonde and spiked. It gave Mara a sense of normalcy seeing him like that, she felt like everything at school was changing too much, too fast. She didn't deal well with change, it made her nervous; she didn't know if it was going to be good, or bad, or if something was going to be lost or gained. It scared her. She didn't know what to expect from it.

Mara didn't reply. She shook her head, leaning back on the side of the building, the stone digging into her back. She briefly thought over the idea of rubbing against it, but immediately pushed the self-harming thought away.

She was perched on a backless bench on the side of the school building. No one could really see her there, but she could see everything. She could see everyone that came outside for lunch. Including Willow and Jerome, who were sitting under a tree on a picnic blanket, digging into a lunch that Jerome had no doubt packed for them, just like he had done for Mara. But he had taken Willow outside; he knew how much she loved nature. Mara liked being outside as well, why hadn't he taken her outside? But then Mara remembered, it hadn't been a nice day. The sky had been cluttered with gray clouds and looked like they would release their crystal clear drops at any moment. Would he have taken her out if it had been a beautiful day like this one; the sun shining, the birds chirping?

"Why'd you break up with Jerry?" Eddie asked, sitting down next to her, green eyes watching her carefully.

"So he could be with Willow." She responded sheepishly after a moment.

Eddie let out a short, humorless laugh. "Why would you do that?"

"So he could be with Willow." Mara repeated.

"Okay, listen, Mara. In America, when a guy and a girl really love each other—"

"Eddie!"

"What? Oh, no, not that; I'm sure you've already gone through the wonderful and non-awkward world of the birds and the bees. But if you haven't, we'll talk about that later. Now, when a guy and a girl are dating and they really care about each other, and then another girl, or guy, whatever, I don't judge, they come along and try to wedge themselves between the couple. So, the first girl likes the guy, the second girl likes the guy, the guy likes the first girl, the guy develops feelings for the second girl, the second girl catches on and starts causing problems, the first girl notices this and fights for her boyfriend. Never, do they ever, give up their boyfriend so he can go out with the second girl!"

Mara stared at him in shock before sighing and crossing her arms over her chest. "This isn't America, Eddie."

"So? It happens everywhere, everyday."

"So…is that why you and Patricia had split up over the summer?"

"Don't turn this around on us." Eddie said in a monotone, copying her pose.

"Eddie…"

"Look at him! He's miserable."

Mara followed where he pointed his finger and her brown eyes once again landed on Jerome and Willow. Willow was holding a bag of something up to his face and he was making a face at the contents, shaking his head.

"I don't think he's as happy as you thought he would be. You know, he's looking for attention, right? You always get caught up in school, and trying to correct his mistakes. Why can't you focus on what he does right?"

Mara felt tears pricking at her eyes again and Eddie slid closer to her, wrapping her up in a tight, comforting hug. He ran his fingers through her long black hair and stayed silent, knowing that she just needed to let everything out. She didn't need him to say anything; she just needed to know that someone was there for her. Eddie felt that he needed to have a serious talk with Jerome, but he wasn't going anywhere until he was sure Mara was going to be okay.

Review? I know. I didn't want to break Jara up, but I had to so the story would work!

I WILL NOT BE CONTINUEING THIS!

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. -1 John 2:15-17

-Rachel