Mara's Diary.

I can't believe my eyes and ears. I just saw Jerome with Willow. He said he loves her, that we'd broken up, then kissed her! He kissed my roommate! Fiat justitia ruat caelum. And I will make sure that justice is done, though the heavens may fall. Jerome kissed my roommate! My boyfriend and my roommate! Patricia was no help. She just said that all boys are cheating weasels and I should steer clear. Joy said that I should have seen it coming when Willow appeared. I did ask K.T. but she took no notice and she just mumbled 'Tell Trudy, or Jerome that you saw him kiss her.' I tried to corner Jerome, but he ran away from me when I yelled his name from across the living room. He's a faster runner than Mick! I had no hope of catching him. The only one I haven't spoken to (besides Willow) is Trudy. I can't talk to her, because she's too busy with trying to sort out her own life. Fabian told me that Jasper's coming to stay for the weekend. That sent Trudy into the laundry room immediately. I don't want to bother her with my life.

"Mara, Trudy says supper's ready and wants to know if she should bring you something or if you're coming down?"

That's Jerome. The two-timing, back-stabbing little cockroach. I'm going nowhere near.

"No, Clarke, I am not going down. And tell her I do not want anything to eat tonight. Now go away and do not come back."

"OK, what's the matter?"

"Go away, Jerome."

"OK, fine."

You see? I'm not even going to speak to him again after what he did to me. Can you believe that he kissed Willow? He's heartless.

"Mara?"

"What?"

"Can I come in?"

That's Trudy, who must be worried. Well, I rarely skip meals, unless I'm so sick that I can't keep anything down.

"Whatever."

She sat on the edge of my bed while I hid my diary under my pillow.

"What's the matter, Mara?"

"Jerome."

"What did he do?"

"He-" I started sobbing "He- he- he- he kissed- he kissed Willow!"

Trudy gasped in surprise. "Willow? He kissed her? Oh, Mara, sweetie. You poor thing. He's been telling everyone that you two broke up."

"He- he- he told- he told Willow- he told her that, t- too."

"Oh, sweetheart. That's awful. Did he treat you like you'd broken up?"

"N- No. H- He was r- really nice t- to me. Then I- I saw him k- kiss her a- and I- I want- wanted to- to scream."

At that point, Jerome came in.

"Oh, God, no."

Trudy said "Jerome, do you have something to say?"

"Oh, no."

"Did you kiss Willow Jenks?"

"No!"

"Then why is Mara crying and saying that she saw you tell Willow that you love her and that you and Mara had broken up?"

"Oh, my God. I don't know, Trudy."

"Because you did do that, didn't you?"

"OK, you caught me out. But I have been trying to put her off."

"Jerome, what you've done is wrong. Now, you tell Willow everything. And I do mean everything."

"I can't!"

"Oh, yes, you can. And you are. Come on. I'll be back in a second, Mara, sweetie."

I just spoke to Trudy. She's making Jerome confess everything to Willow. He doesn't want to. I said that justice would be done. I want to just go away from this school, this house, everything. I can't stand living here with them now. I'll be back tomorrow. Mara.

Trudy came back, without Jerome.

"He told her everything, then I sent him to his room."

"Trudy, I want to go home."

"I knew this was coming. I understand."

"I just don't want to live near him now."

"I know. But just because of one boy. Why leave the school over one boy? Why don't you try to surprise him, show that you've moved on?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, I plan to do the exact same thing. We could change our image together."

"Why do you want to change your image? You're fantastic the way you are."

"It's just for the weekend. For me, at least."

"Oh, is it because of Jasper?"

"Hole in one, Mara. So, why don't we go to the shops tomorrow? I'll say you're sick and then slip you out to get to the shops. We'll get new clothes and makeup, then we'll do proper makeovers."

"That sounds like fun. OK, then." So, we're going shopping tomorrow.

OK, chapter one. R&R! Until next time, Random Dizzy. :D