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Jerome Clarke had liked Mara Jaffray since day 1. Since the very moment she had walked into the house. Why? He could never be sure of it. But he guessed it was because she was pretty. I mean, what other reasons are there for him to like a girl like her? So he was surprised that when the rest of the boys filed into the house, that their eyes seen to be swept towards the other girls, barely giving Mara a second look. But then, he supposed, Mara seemed fine with it. She smiled politely and at once made friends with the blonde with heels, who Jerome already disliked.

Alfie, the tall tanned boy who he was sharing a room with had said he liked Amber. Jerome had arched an eye brow at him, thinking Well I already know who I don't like

"Why?" he had asked, leaning against the door as Alfie opened his suitcase, fiddling with the stiff zips.

"Why? She's pretty and sweet, and her eyes have this never ending sparkly gleam to them," he sighed contentedly

"All this from four seconds within meeting her?" Jerome had laughed. Alfie frowned at him, but managed to open his suitcase, and something caught Jerome's eyes. Zombie Masks. And Walkie Talkies. "Excuse me," he asked seriously, walking towards Alfie "What is that?"

"Oh, I got these a while ago, everyone loves a practical joke," Jerome gave out a small laugh

"Oh Alfie…I think we may have just become best friends,"

"Really?" Alfie asked hopefully. Jerome nodded, opening his suitcase to reveal Zombie DVD's and a book about pranking. Alfie nodded "OH yeah…we are going to rule this house!"

And like a sucker Jerome had believed him. But in all fairness, Alfie was right up to a certain extent. They had ruled the house together…up until a point. A point where Alfie decided he wanted to do more in his life than prank with Jerome…and Jerome would suppose that they have drifted apart, when in fact, Alfie was pulled away.

Line Break

2 weeks they had been here. Well everyone else, Jerome had been here for years, unbeknownst to the rest of the house. He was sat down at the dinner table, when everyone else walked in, beaming. This was it, this was Jerome's moment to finally get something on these people, all from their dress sense. Amber, the blonde, one glance at her and he knew she was a beauty queen, flicking her hair back every two seconds. Fabian…Fabian was normal. In every single way, smart, Jerome knew that, from the way he kept speaking up and stating facts that no one cared about. Joy, the small mouse like girl, she seemed like she knew a thing or two about fashion, but she let Patricia do the talking. Patricia…ah that girl made him laugh. The cross over between a goth and a rockstar. Anyway, he liked her. Mick…Jerome made a face. He didn't know why…but there was something about Mick that he didn't like. Something off putting, and he couldn't for the life of him put his finger on it. Mick was wearing a black and white sports jersey, an open book really.

Alfie came and sat opposite him, dressed in a 1940's shirt and dark jeans….nothing special, but the goofy smile on his face made everyone else's day brighten. Whether he knew it or not. Mara came in last, closely following, in a white dress with a yellow cardigan, and she took the only seat left, in-between Jerome and Mick.

Jerome's heart seemed to do something weird, and he coughed, taking a sip of water. Yes…this girl was pretty. But pretty enough to get under his skin? Jerome didn't think so.

"Hello my dearies!" Trudy called, walking in a plateful of muffins to add to the table full of food. Everyone smiled at her, including Jerome. Everyone dug in.

Jerome looked down at the spaghetti on his plate, and didn't like the awkward silence that was filling the room. Only the scraping of knives and forks against plates. He took his spoon and started dragging the spaghetti onto it with his fork.

Mara looked up suspiciously, noticing what he was doing. She nudged her knee against his, and he turned to look down at her. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, Jerome gave her a small smile, so she too was smart? He didn't listen to her advice, turning the spoon around and flicking it straight into Alfie's face. Everyone burst out laughing, including Mara. And it gave Jerome a nice feeling.

"Oh you've had it now," Alfie shook his head, using his hands to pick up his food and throwing it madly at Jerome, unfortunately half of it landed on Mara, who laughed loudly. Jerome couldn't stop himself from being surprised, he thought she was a goody two shoes…but apparently she knew her way around a sense of humour. Patricia laughed and decided to get in on this, picking up her plate and tipping it over Fabians head.

"Oh nice one, thanks Patricia!" he scowled sarcastically, but he used his spoon to flick some right in Joy's face.

"Fabes!" she screamed and he laughed loudly.

Line Break

Joy and Mara were on kitchen duty that night, unfortunately for them. Jerome was on his way up to give his parents check to Victor, when he overheard their voices, and naturally, he hid behind the door to hear more. He was wearing a hot pink shirt and a dark grey waistcoat, his hair brushed forward, giving him a small fringe, the dark streak of almond in his dark honey blonde hair clear, giving his already glittering blue eyes a haunting effect.

"So," Joy laughed, elbowing Mara slightly as they cleaned "Dish,"

"Another one?" Mara asked frowning "I thought you were doing bowls," Joy sighed and rolled her eyes

"I meant, dish, as in, who do you fancy?" she giggled excitedly as Mara rolled her eyes.

"Joy," she scolded "We're going to be living with these people for the rest of our school life, do you really want to mess it up with liking them? Then someone's heart getting broken? Do you want that sort of atmosphere?"

"Stop coming up with excuses," Joy laughed, placing down the bowls on the counter "Just dish,"

Mara pursed her pink lips doubtfully "You first."

Joy edged closer towards her, as if she were afraid someone was listening, she was right of course "Promise you won't tell,"

"Promise,"

"Fabian," she squealed. Mara laughed

"I could have guessed that," she said. Joy smiled nodding

"And you know what the best part is? I think he likes me back!"

"After 2 weeks?"

"Two weeks is a long time, Mara," Joy nodded and then she continued on about how perfect Fabian was. Giving Mara the perfect excuse not to talk. And that was when Jerome realised Mara had played Joy. From the outside it would have looked like Joy had gotten distracted on her own…but no…it was Mara, Mara had distracted her to avoid answering questions…and all she had gained was information. Jerome was impressed now…but slightly disappointed. Who would Mara like?

Fabian? No. She seemed too happy that Joy liked him.

Alfie? She had laughed at his prank at dinner…maybe…maybe. But Alfie was hung up over Amber. And he had a feeling that if you liked Amber, maybe Mara wasn't your type.

Mick? Nah…too sporty and idiotic for someone like Mara. No his type of girl would be someone like Joy or…Amber.

Jerome felt a smile spreading across his face, Mick and Alfie both competing for Ambers affection…oh…he could have some fun with this.

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