"Ah, Mara Jaffray," Jerome said silkily, emphasising the last syllable of her name. "Just the person I've been meaning to talk to!"
Just the person to whom I've been meaning to talk, Mara corrected in her head before realising she hadn't said anything yet.
"Why d'you want to talk to me?" she blurted out.
"As student representative, I trust you have a more reputable standing with the teachers," he said.
"Jerome, where are you going with this?"
"It's very simple. If they talk to you about anything going astray and mention my name, do be helpful and tell them it wasn't me, would you?" he simpered.
Mara raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"What are you and Alfie planning to do?" she asked.
"What makes you think we're planning anything at all, Mara dear? It's a precaution I've decided to take early on this term. Generally I don't get caught, but on the occasions my parents have been notified of my…" here he hesitated.
"Wrongdoings?"
"Let's call them extracurricular activities and leave it at that, shall we? On the occasions my parents have found out what I'm doing with the educational services they've grudgingly paid for…well, let's just say they haven't exactly been supportive."
Mara rolled her eyes, smiling. Knowing Jerome, he was understating everything, but she didn't want to press him for any details he wasn't comfortable sharing.
"So can I trust you to shift any blame put on my shoulders, Miss Perfect Student Rep?" he asked, offering a sweet smile.
Mara sighed. "Three times I'll save your arse, but no more, comprende?"
"Mara, you're an angel!" he said grasping her into a quick hug. "As a form of short-term repayment, I'll give you fair warning: the maths corridor toilets are not an advisable place to visit."
"What have you – never mind. I won't ask," she said, surrendering her arms. Jerome laughed softly as he put his hands in his pockets. Mara met his dancing crystalline eyes and laughed, breaking the silence – it had been too long since either of them had spoken, and her laugh was out of place. Jerome coughed, and twisted a few degrees to the left as if making out to leave.
"I should, um, go," he said, jabbing his thumb behind him. "Places to go, people to confuse, you know."
"Yeah. Well, not the confusing people part, but, um…" Mara trailed off.
"Well, bye," Jerome said, "and thanks."
Mara raised a hand farewell, then turned around. She walked a few steps before she realised she was headed in the wrong direction. She pivoted, pointing her finger towards the common room, as if reminding herself of her destination. Jerome seemed to have done the same thing; they passed each other on the staircase.
"Wrong direction," he mumbled.
"Likewise."
They each gave the other a fleeting smile, and then continued on their respective paths. Mara closed her eyes once she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Way to go, awkward," she muttered to herself.
