OK Jerome might be a LITTLE OOC in this chapter but whatever, hope you guys like it!

Xx - Smile - xX

I stared and the curly dark haired girl that sat across the room. Her legs were propped up on the couch and she was absorbed in an extremely large book that lay in her hands. I rolled my eyes. She, of course, would be one to read on a Saturday. No school, no homework. And yet, this girl wants to read.

Most of the kids in the house would use a time like this to watch some daytime TV. No one was home other then Trudy, Victor, her and myself. It would be the perfect time to curl up on the couch and watch a nice movie or television show or something.

I took a long glance at her elegant facial features. Her hair fell perfectly on her shoulders and her eyebrows were creased, as if trying to understand something. Her eyes sparkled as she read the book, completely absorbed in the words on the page. Her nose scrunched up as she read further on.

I looked at her lips finally. Pink and full…I wanted to capture them with my own and completely sweep her off her feet. But I couldn't do that.

I looked harder at her face, her features all looking confused. Probably something interesting happening in the book.

But, something was missing.

"Mara?" I asked from my spot at the table where I was currently documenting the last prank me and Alfie had successfully pulled. No one expected grape jam in the girl's pillowcases.

Mara looked up from her book, "Yes Jerome?"

"Could you do me a favor?" I asked and she looked at me wearily.

"This isn't going to be a prank or trick or something, is it?" She looked at me and asked somewhat worriedly. I shook my head.

"No, I was just wondering, could you, maybe…smile, for me?" I refused to let the heat that was burning in my cheeks show.

"Umm, why?" She questioned confused.

"Just, please, could you smile for me?" I tried not to beg. I'm Jerome Clarke; I'm not supposed to go weak in the knees trying to get a girl to smile for me. They should automatically want to do that on their own.

Slowly, the corners of her mouth lifted and she let out a shy smile, but her eyes were questioning. I, in return, just smiled back. She just continued smiling.

God, her smile was beauti-

Wait!

Pause, rewind, playback.

I am NOT supposed to have these thoughts! This is Mara we've been talking about here! Mara! The ice queen, of ice land!

Mara's smile dropped.

"Now, why are you asking me to smile?" She asked suddenly.

"I don't know, I was watching you read and-" I have got to earn to watch my mouth.

"You were watching me read? Creepy much Jerome?" She asked almost laughing. I rolled my eyes and sneered.

"Oh shut up!" I replied "Anyways, your face looked all upset and dull and depressed so I wanted to see you smile I guess,"

"Well, if you'd ever think to pick up a book Jerome, you'd know it can cause several different kinds of emotions," She said sitting up, marking her book, and placing it on the table. I shrugged and waved my hand through the air as if trying to wipe something away.

"I don't need reading to see and feel emotions Mara," I replied and she shook her head.

"I didn't say that I just said-… Oh why does it matter anyway," She replied, "It's not like you care"

I masked my face with mock hurt "I care deeply!"

"Sure you do," She laughed and leaned back into the couch a little.

"So what were you reading about that was so intense?" I asked, curious.

"Well, the main character, her parents and her true love both just died, and I found that kind of sad. I mean, why would the writer do that?" She pondered. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Good plot twist?" I suggested, she laughed.

"Yea maybe," She added "You know Jerome, for the shallow, pranking, low-life you may be-"

I glared at her and was about to make a comment but she cut me off.

"You're pretty decent to talk too," She finished standing up and grabbing her book. I heard the door open inside, but I just stared at Mara and smiled.

She smiled back.

She smiled the gorgeous smile of perfectly white teeth.

I just kept grinning until I saw Nina and Fabian walking into the room, red faced and giggling a bit, they were also holding hands.. They saw us both.

"Why are you both smiling like that?" Fabian asked.

We both just kept on smiling.

Yuppidy Duppidy.

It sucked didn't it?

Criticism is welcomed! Flames…I'd prefer not, but I can't stop you!

Review please!