Enjoy

Behind the bike shed after class

That was the note that had been passed to Mara early in the morning. And she was anxious, who would send her a note like that? She was Mara for crying out loud! She did not go and meet people behind bike sheds.

So after class, she swung her purple bag over her shoulder and made her way outside. There was no one else to be seen, so when she turned the corner, she almost jumped when she saw Eddie, wearing a black leather jacket, a white t-shirt and dark jeans leaning against the wall, smirking at her. Almost as if he had been waiting for her, almost as if…

"You sent me the letter?" she asked incredulously. Eddie kicked off the wall, walking towards her

"Mara, we have to talk about what happened."

"Nothing happened." Mara said quickly, firmly.

"Mara, come on," he reached forward and brushed her shoulder slightly "You're not seeing Mick anymore, Patricia dumped me. Why can't we at least…give it a shot?"

"What about Jerome?"

"You're not with him," he whispered, blonde hair spiked up in that all too familiar style. His eyes were piercing her, and she wanted to run, yet stay at the same time.

"He's waited so long…"

Eddie didn't wait any longer, he leaned down swiftly, capturing her soft pink lips with his own. Mara tilted her head up, kissing back, arms finding their way to his shoulders, keeping him close to her.

Eddie brought a hand up to her cheek, and stroked it softly with his thumb, as if she were delicate, fragile. As if he only had a few moments with her. They pulled back, watching each other, checking their reactions.

"I love you, Mara." He confessed, speaking from the heart, and his words were so filled with truth, that Mara grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him to her again.

Line Break

"Just take it," he grinned, Mara relented, and allowed him to fasten the silver bracelet to her wrist. It was a beautiful gift, and obviously far too expensive, but the more she resisted, the more he insisted.

"It's amazing, Eddie, thank you," she leaned up and kissed him, slowly, softly on the lips

"Eww!" Joy complained, walking to her locker "Can't you do that somewhere more private?"

The pair broke away smiling, and Eddie shot a smirk at her "Jealous Joy?" he asked grinning. Joy rolled her eyes, but smiled, stuffing her books inside.

"Not jealous," Joy teased "More…pleased that you're already taken." And with that she walked off

"Hey!" Eddie called after her, Mara's tinkling laughter interrupted her "Oh, did that make you laugh?" he asked, pretending to be angry "I'll make you laugh," and then he began tickling her sides.

"No!" Mara tried to protest, but it was too late, she was already laughing, squealing with delight, "Eddie!" she cried "Please!"

And all of a sudden it stopped. Mara opened her eyes to see Jerome standing there. Eddie had stopped, but he had wrapped his arms almost protectively around her, as if to prove to Jerome. Hey, she's mine. Not yours.

Jerome watched them for a moment, and couldn't keep the sadness out of his eyes, despite how much he tried. He watched them, and knew, if he had been better, it would have been him that had his arm around Mara.

"Jerome," Mara watched him, eyes worried, a slight frown on her face.

"Jaffray." He nodded, trying to keep all emotion out of his voice, but it was obvious to the pair, that he was sad.

"Jerry," Eddie began "We're sor-"

"It's fine." Jerome growled "You have her now, Eddie. But in the end, the princess always finds her true prince." And with that he stalked off.

"I love you Mara, remember that, okay?" Eddie whispered, looking down at her. Mara looked up at him

"I'll never forget."