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Disclaimer: I do not own HOA.

Changing Colors

"Come on, Jaffrey, you're going to make us late!" Jerome whined as he pulled on Mara's hand, dragging her toward the main streets, passed the cobblestone roads.

"Jerome, where are we going?" Mara asked, half amused with her boyfriend's childish excitement. Receiving no answer, she struggled to keep up with the blonde as he ran through pedestrians, forcing a path where there was none. Pigeons flew up in confusion and pedestrians gave them looks, but Jerome didn't seem to notice.

"Jerome, would you slow down?" Either he didn't hear her, or didn't like the idea of a casual stroll, because he picked up speed, his scarf flailing behind him. Finally, he decided to rest at a nearby park bench.

"Jerome, do you mind telling me where you are taking me?" Mara panted, collapsing against the bench. He smiled at her, shifting a strand of hair from her face.

"It's a surprise." He said with a smirk.

"But I don't like surprises." Mara whined. He just laughed and took off again.

"Jerome!" Mara cried after him. Sighing, she hoisted herself off the bench and pursued the boy. Jerome looked completely reckless, ignoring all traffic signs and passing cars. He was in a world of his own, his own bubble of excitement. Whenever he was like this, Mara felt on top of the world. He was practically glowing, which made every fiber in her body come alive. The blast of a horn brought Mara back to reality, and she realized she was standing in the middle of the road. She became aware to the autumn chill and rubbed her arms, wishing she had brought a jacket. Jerome had dragged her out of the house so fast, she didn't have the chance. Wait, where was Jerome? Mara picked up speed as she realized she had lost sight of him. Running over the cobblestones in her furry, black boots, Mara looked in every direction. She had no idea where she was and no idea where she was going. At last, she caught sight of blonde tufts in a crowd of pedestrians, but she knew those tufts very well.

"Jerome!" She called out. He whirled around, just realizing that they weren't together. She ran toward him, hugged him, and then slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"I told you slow down." She whined, now completely out of breath. He looked sorry, but there was still excitement in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but I'm excited."

"I can see that." She laughed. He beckoned for her to follow him, slower this time. He was almost walking. Once again, he started pushing past pedestrians, on a mission to an unknown destination. He kept his finger entwined with Mara's, determined not to lose her again. At an intersection, he turned around to face his girlfriend.

"We're almost there." He said, bouncing on his heels.

"Are you going to tell me now?" Mara asked, hopeful. Her hopes were shattered when he laughed at her question.

"No, I was going to tell you to close your eyes."

"Why?" She asked, half-frightened. He flashed a bright smile.

"Surprise." He closed her eyes for her, and then covered them. On instinct, she put her arms out, and Jerome put them back down.

"I suggest you don't walk around with your arms out. People may think you're a zombie." She swatted at the space where she heard his voice from, but missed, resulting in Jerome's laughter.

After leading her around for a while, Jerome seemed to be growing impatient. He couldn't go as fast as before. Therefore, he lifted Mara off the ground and ran with her, piggyback style, through what Mara assumed was the city. At some point, Jerome had given her his jacket, because suddenly Mara wasn't cold anymore. She wished she could see, but she promised Jerome she wouldn't look. Suddenly, Jerome came to a stop and let her down.

"Mara," He said slowly. "Open your eyes."

When Mara looked, she did not expect what she saw. She expected some type of arcade. She got an explosion of autumn colors. An orchard of deep reds and bright yellows, fiery oranges and soothing browns, colors everywhere you looked. Leaves littered the ground in a magical pattern, and the trees stretched higher than the sky. To the left was a path leading to a grove of pink-leaved trees. To the right were endless piles of colorful leaves, waiting to be jumped into. Behind her was a smiling Jerome, soaking everything in with bright blue eyes. They had a certain look to them, a peaceful look. Jerome was at peace. Seeing this put Mara at peace also.

"Jerome, I take it back. I love surprises." His grin widened as she said this, and he hugged her from behind. He fell back into the leaves, bringing Mara down with him. Amongst the leaves, against the cool orchard soil, Mara felt relaxed. She didn't need Jerome to explain why he brought her here; she could see it in his eyes. He loved this scenery. Who wouldn't? She felt Jerome kiss the top of her head and hug her tighter. As she melted into him, they both seemed to melt into the colors, blending with the peace, souls at absolute tranquility. One with the beauty.

I hope it was as much fun reading as it was writing. Please review, thanks!