".So you're partnered with Mara." the small brunette stated blankly.
" That I am." Jerome replied shortly, raising his hand to brush his fringe out of his eyes. The two awkwardly sat together, both not touching their lunches.
"Just, uh, go easy on her, yeah? You did put her through...a lot." Joy's piercing brown eyes quickly scanning his face for any signs of emotion. There was only more silence. She grabbed his hand forcing him to look her in the eyes," Promise me, Jerome."
" I know, I know." Jerome assured her," It's not that big of a deal. Knowing her she'll probably do all the work herself." Joy at first smiled at this, but then smacked him in the arm. He smiled back, but then instantly felt a pang of guilt, for it was the first time he had ever directed any of his jokes and sarcasm towards Mara. She was the only one that never got that side of him. She had always brought out the best in him, he smiled, thinking back of all the things they did together last term, his blue eyes sparkling, but that was all over now. It was all his fault and now he was beginning to feel immense regret.
" Hello," Joy said in a sing-song voice waving her hand in his face," Earth to Jerome."
" Oh, yeah, uh I totally agree." Jerome lied snapping out of his reverie.
" Oh really, then what did I say?" she asked him. He laughed and gave her his signature smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. She did not notice this and smiled back, wrapping her arms around his lean form.
Jerome waltzed into Joy's room without knocking expecting to find Joy. but instead he finging Mara.
" Mara! What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice raising an octave. Mara was kneeling beside her bookcase carefully stacking her books into a box.
" This is my room," she stated as she turned to the door to glare and him before turning back.
" Riiight.." he trailed off, nervously rubbing the back of his neck," What are you doing with those boxes?" She sighed looking up again, hastily tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear, though it kept falling back. He smiled, remembering how she'd constantly do that whilst studying until he properly pushed it back for her himself. He resisted the urge to reach over and do it again.
" I'm trading rooms with Patricia."
" Oh..." he said not bothering to ask why, for he very well already knew," Well since I'm here..when do you want to start the project?"
" I suppose we can start it tomorrow, then." Silence.
" Great..well I guess I'll be, uh, leaving now.."
" You do that." He swiftly exited the room. She fell onto her bed, slightly aggravated at the desperate longing she still felt for him in the pit of her stomach. Getting over him is going to be very, very difficult, she thought.
Mara had been waiting for Jerome in the common room for at least 20 minutes and he still hadn't arrived.
" Who are you waiting for?" a voice came from behind. Startled, she jumped up to find Fabian leaning against the sofa,
" Oh, Fabian, it's just you. I'm just waiting for Jerome-for the project. And he's still not here. Typical.." she muttered the last bit to herself though he still heard and laughed aloud.
" Him and Joy are dating now aren't they." he stated shoving his hands into his pockets and moving across the sofa to face her," It's good though, I can't imagine you being with a boy who doesn't know Pi to at least five decimal places."
" Well it's hard to find a guy who even knows what Pi is," she laughed," Let alone its..3.14159" they both said in unison. Both of them blushed a bright tomato red. Mara smiled and laughed looking at the ground and Fabian smiled back, awkwardly glancing around the room until their eyes met again, causing for another eruption of laughter. Only then did they realize just how close they were when,
" What are you lot laughing about?" Jerome questioned, leaning against the common room doorway. Embarrassed, Mara and Fabian inched away from each other. Mara then angrily turned to Jerome,
" You're late." she stated.
" Well I guess I'll just leave you to it then." Fabian said, backing out of the common room before turning around and flashing Mara another awkward smile" I'll see you later then, yeah?"
" Yeah," she grinned back and their eyes met, causing them both to blush once again before Fabian finally left.
" Is there something going on between you and Rutter?" Jerome inquired with a hint of jealousy, snapping Mara out of her reverie.
" And it matters to you, why?" Silence," Yes, that's what I thought. Now, on with the project..."
" And this specimen of Staphylococcus aureus was found on the Anubis house kitchen telephone. Commonly found in.." Mara typed and read aloud," I think that's enough for today. It's almost time for supper." she said turning to Jerome who was examining another specimen under Mara's microscope.
" Hold on a second, Mara, take a look at this one. I think I know what it is!" he declared happily, scooting the microscope to Mara," Streptococcus lactis, right?" he asked hopefully. She put the laptop aside and peered through the eyepiece.
" Only you would have your own microscope.." he remarked as he waited.
" Shut up," she said," Yes, Jerome, you're actually right." she turned to him," Who knew Jerome Clark was good at science? I think I've actually rubbed off on you, you're turning into nerd!" she added with fake surprise.
" Me? A nerd? No way, Jaffray." he laughed. Her smiled soon faded. That had been the first time he had called her Jaffray in ages. He caught this and his smirk disappeared. They were beginning to act just as the had used to when they were dating.
" Time for supper!" Trudy announced from the kitchen and the other students soon piled in.
" We should uh, work on this tomorrow then." Jerome said standing up and taking his place at the table as did Mara.
Uhh so I'm contemplating what to do with this story. Which couples would YOU the reader prefer? Jara? or Mabian? Fabina? or Jeroy? REVIEW which couples you'd like this to be :) its really up to you.
