Rated T for language
Disclaimer: I don't own HOA.
CHAPTER 1
Jerome's P.O.V
It had been a year. I had waited too long. Nina and Fabian were together now, I had missed my chance. It hurt to see them every day, together. Like now. As I walked down the hallway towards our first class, I saw them up ahead of me and Alfie. Fabian had his arm around Nina's shoulders and she had her head resting lightly on his shoulder as they entered the classroom. Alfie saw the look of jealousy on my face and bumped my shoulder. "Hey Jerome! You never told me you liked Nina!" I shrugged.
"I don't. We're good friends, that's all." I lied. Alfie looked at me uncertainly.
"Jerome, you know I don't believe that. It's not true."
"It is! Just...leave me alone Alfie!" I pushed past him and went ahead into the classroom. He hurried after me. We all took our seats as Mr. Winkler began class. I wasn't paying attention. My eyes were fixed on the brown haired girl in front of me. I wished she would just look at me, even once, but she was too focused on what the teacher was saying. When the bell rang and we all stood up to leave, Fabian and Nina were together as they left class. Nina twined their fingers together and he put his arm around her shoulders. I watched them jealously, wishing that it was me, not Fabian. I hadn't even realized that Alfie had come up behind me, holding hands with Amber.
"So Jerome! What's with the look on your face. Are you jealous now?" Amber looked at Alfie in surprise.
"Jealous? Jealous of what?" I shook my head.
"It's nothing Amber, Alfie. I've told you before Alfie. It's nothing, just leave me alone." Alfie frowned.
"Okay but-" He didn't get to finish his sentence. I pushed past him and stormed off, heading back to the house and upstairs to the room we shared.
Nina's P.O.V
I heard Jerome's footsteps as he stormed upstairs and slammed the door. I exchanged a glance with Fabian.
"What was that about? I haven't seen Jerome so upset in quite a while." I said uncertainly. Fabian shrugged. "Just leave him. He'll cool down." There was an awkward silence as we also headed upstairs.
"So um, Nina..." He looked awkward. I tilted my head to one side in curiosity.
"What is it? Is everything alright?" He looked up and smiled.
"Yeah...I wanted to ask you-" He was cut off when Amber interrupted us.
"Hi guys! Oh! Am I interrupting something?" She asked. Fabian shot her an annoyed look and she backed out. He faced me again.
"I wanted to ask you if you want to go out for dinner or something?" He asked, looking cutely awkward.
"Sure Fabian! What time?" He smiled again.
"Uh...how about at eight?" I nodded.
"That'll work! I'll be ready!" We both left for our own separate rooms.
Fabian's P.O.V
I looked around my room, Mick was already in our room.
"Oh! Hey Fabian." He greeted me. I looked up in surprise.
"Hi Mick." I returned the greeting and flopped down happily on the bed.
"You seem particularity happy today. Something happen?" He asked, sitting up on his bed. I nodded.
"Yeah. I got a date with Nina!" Mick grinned.
"Awesome dude! It's been a while since you two went out on an actual date!" He exclaimed. I shrugged.
"I thought it would be nice." There was silence.
"Anyways, I suppose you should be getting ready for your date."
"Right." I said as Mick turned back to reading a sports magazine.
Jerome's P.O.V
I had found myself calming down a bit now. It was just too hard to see Nina and Fabian together like that all the time. Even when I was with Mara, I couldn't help but wish that I was with Nina instead...but I wasn't. Maybe if I'd acted sooner...no, there's no time for regrets. Sighing, I flopped down on my bed and pushed the thoughts out of my head, knowing that I was already too late.
