Here is the next chapter. Enjoy. Please R&R!

Mara P.o.v.

One minute I'm in here crying my eyes out, the next minute I'm lip locked in a passionate kiss with Jerome. But, sigh, all good things have to come to an end, considering one second he was here and then he just took off out of my room. I felt like crying again, but I didn't. I don't blame him for leaving, I mean he opened up to me about his past and how do I respond? By abandoning him to be with Mick. I didn't even tell him the truth of why I got slapped. Mick thought I liked Jerome, which I did but wouldn't admit it, so he called me a cheating, lying bitch, then slapped me across my face. So I told him I hated him and stormed out and he did the same. I have to talk to Jerome in the morning. I have to tell him the truth, I thought as I slowly fell asleep.

Jerome P.o.v.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. The once sunlight filled room was now nearly pitch black save for the small stream of light that came from the other side of the door. I took off my headphones and looked at my now dead iPod. I guess I fell asleep with it. I sat up and stretched. I then glanced at the clock by the side of my bed and gasped. It was 9:23 at night. Why didn't anyone wake me? I was asleep for almost five hours! I jumped up and walked over to my door. When I opened it, I saw Mara with her hand raised ready to knock.

"Oh, Jerome. I was just seeing if you were awake yet," she said smiling.

"You knew I was asleep so why didn't you wake me?" I said slightly annoyed. Her smile vanished as she replied.

"Sorry, but you just looked so peaceful. I didn't want to disturb you," she said looking down. "I hope you're not mad."

"No, Mara, I'm not mad, I just wish you woke me up. Next time this happens will you please wake me? "I said with a small smile. She looked up at me.

"Yes." She said softly. I turned to go back into my room when she caught my wrist.

"Why did you leave?" She asked with tears in her eyes. I looked at her slightly shaking form and sighed.

"Mara, I left because I had to. Yes I fancy you. A lot actually, but I know that I do not deserve you. I am rotten and a complete jerk. And If I'm not careful I will fall completely in love with you. And I-"she cut me off.

"You know," she said her eyes looking straight into mine."I think I love you too."

She presses her lips against mine. It was amazing and unexplainable, until I heard a loud buzzing. My eyes shot open and I looked at the clock beside me. It read 7:03. Well, that explains that. It was just a dream. Why in my right mind did I believe for even a moment that she could possibly love me? I am an Idiot. I slid out of bed and walked to my closet. I tossed off the clothes I slept in, and then I put on my uniform. I was just looking in the mirror fixing my tie when I heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I said still trying to fix the stupid tie. I heard the door open and close, followed by small footsteps nearing me. I looked up in the mirror and saw, who else, but Mara. Today is not my day.

"Hey, Jerome. I just came to see if you were alright. You missed dinner last night," she said.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I fell asleep listening to my iPod," I glanced over at my bed where it still sat untouched.

"Here let me do that," she said motioning to my tie, which I still was having trouble with. Her hand brushed mine and I slightly blushed at the contact. She tied it rather quickly, but still none the less it looked perfect.

"Uh, Jerome?

"Yeah, Mara."

"Why did you run?"

I gulped nervously. I couldn't tell her the real reason. She would hate me. "I, uh. I ran because I heard Alfie calling me. He needed help with a prank. I was going to go back to your room, but I fell asleep before I got the chance," I lied quickly."Also, I didn't want you to think I was using you or anything, because of the recent breakup." Please believe it. Please believe it.

"Alright, I believe you," she said as she started to walk out. "Oh, and I never thought you trying to use me, Jerome," she said truthfully. "I just thought you might have actually liked me." When she finished, I saw a small tear leak down her face.

I stood there stunned. She thought I liked her. So that means she likes me, or liked me anyway. I ran after her. I reached the kitchen and looked around. I didn't see her.

"Uh, Patricia, did you see Mara?" I asked praying she did.

"Yeah, she told me she was heading to school early. She seemed upset about something."

"Thanks, Trixie," I said grabbing my school bag as I ran out the door

"Wait," she said cautiously. "Why did you want to know?"

"No reason. Bye," I yelled as I hurried out of Anubis. I ran down the familiar pathway, but as I neared the school, I heard soft cries. As I started to see where the noise came from a loud clap out thunder erupted. I looked up. I hadn't noticed the dark skies with everything going on. I heard a loud shriek as the thunder rolled. I followed the noise to a small group of bushes. It was pouring heavily now. I pushed through the shrubs, to see Mara, with tears dripping down her face, and huddled into a ball. I sat down next to her. She looked up.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with obvious terror in her voice.

"I am seeing if you are o.k.," I replied wrapping my arms around her as another clap of thunder passed.

"I'm fine, besides why would you care anyway? You don't like me the way I like you," she said tears still pouring down her face. "And let go of me," she cried as she pushed herself free of my embrace.

I actually chuckled a bit. I can't believe she would think that I didn't like her. It was raining so hard I could barely see in front of me. My hair was plastered to face and my clothes were soaked through. Same goes for Mara.

"Why are you laughing at me? Are you so coldhearted that you think my pain is funny? I hate you, you relentless, selfish bastard!" she screamed at me.

Yes those words stung but I wasn't going to be fazed. "Mara, I laughed because I think it's funny that you think that I don't like you. I like you a lot, no more than that. I think I love you," I replied.

Her eyes shot open as she turned toward me. "What did you say," she asked quietly.

"I said I love you, Mara."

She leaned into me and pressed her lips onto mine. Suddenly, nothing mattered. All that mattered was the girl in from of me. I could taste the sorrow and desperation on her lips. I wrapped my arms around her pulling her closer. I could feel how she placed her arms around my neck. She pushed into me harder and I could feel her heart beating fast in time to my own. I placed kisses up her neck occasionally dragging my tongue or biting down. I then brought my lips back down on hers. We eventually had to stop to breathe. All we could say was wow.

"Mara, would you be my girlfriend?" I asked smiling.

"Yes of course I will," she replied blushing.

We stood up in the constant downpour. And I placed a single kiss on her lips. "Come on, we have to get to class," I said looking at her.

"Alright let's go," she said.

When we reached the building we walked inside then wrung out our clothes. Even though we were out there for awhile, we were still here fairly early considering how early we left the house. I placed my arm around her shoulders as we walked down the hall.

"Clarke!" A male voice yelled. I turned around to come face to face with Mick.

"So, she was cheating on me. That little slut!" Mick practically yelled, then smacked Mara's arm harshly.

"Hey! Leave her alone, Mick, or should I say meathead," I said taunting him. His response was a punch in my stomach. I almost doubled over.

"That's it! Mara stay back," I called over to her. She immediately backed up to the lockers. "It's just you and me now, Campbell." After many punches thrown back and forth we were both baldly hurt. Black started to creep up on my vision. I kicked Mick in the stomach and he fell backward. I thought for sure he would get up, but to my surprise he didn't.

"Jerome, you did it. You won," Mara cheered. However, as she ran over I started seeing spots and I collapsed. The last thing I heard before succumbing to the black was Mara screaming my name.

Well, that's it until next time. Have a good day!