Thank you all for the really sweet reviews! 3 I love you all!
ATTENTION! My roleplay site is up! Type in the URL: .com/ :D
I hope Jara actually happens soon… :O I have the part where he gives her flowers and she hugs him backs recorded on my phone so I can watch it forever…. :D Also, in today's episode when Mara hugged Jerome, I had a spasm and knocked over a cup of ice all over the rug…
Sorry for taking so long to update, guys! I'll try to be better!
The whole class was a blur. For the first time in my life, I was bored in AP Earth Science. As much as I tried to interest myself in our current study of salinity levels in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, I couldn't motivate myself to pay attention. My gaze would be determinedly focused on Mr. Sweet for a moment, then unknowingly drift over to the table across the room where Jerome sat. Watching him conspire with Alfie made me smile, although I felt I was miles away. Once or twice he would catch me and raise an eyebrow with a little smirk, and I would look down, feeling flushed in the face and sick- good sick- to my stomach. Why was this happening?
Finally, after an eternity, the bell rang, and I bent to collect my things, still in a tedious stupor. As conscious thought began to once again flow through my mind, I found one topic there, repeating over and over again.
Please let Jerome have gone already.
However, as soon as I straightened up, Jerome was there in front of me. I gave a little start.
"Don't do that," I smiled shyly, gently whacking his arm.
"What? It's not my fault you're not the most attentive of people. I've been standing here for a good minute."
Alfie laughed beside him, and at the sound Jerome turned to face him. He whispered something quietly to him, and Alfie's features lit up.
"Ohhh…. Right. Okay, see you in English!" He said loudly, then backed away well… "Alfie-like", raising his eyebrows suggestively at Jerome, glancing to me, then back to Jerome again with a wide grin.
"Alfie!" Jerome barked, and Alfie was gone. "Sorry about that, Jerome grimaced, handing me a textbook I had forgotten on the table. "He's such an idiot."
As I took the book, my hand brushed Jerome's, and a bolt of electricity zipped through me. I pushed the feeling down.
"Don't say that. He's your best friend." I scolded, stuffing the book into my backpack, then zipping it up and slinging it over my shoulder. I was careful to avoid Jerome's gaze the whole time.
He didn't answer, and my mind raced drastically to find a conversation starter to replace the one I had just so cleverly killed.
"So… how's your Dad?" I said eagerly and suddenly, thinking of a great topic. But as I looked up at Jerome, his face seemed to fall a little, and he stiffened slightly.
"He's… uh. Fine." He answered tautly. I sensed that I had pried into a touchy subject for him. Stupid, Mara, so stupid!
"I'm sorry…" I said as we walked through the hallways. "I know you probably don't want to talk about him…"
After all, he'd only met with his dad a couple of times, and was still slightly wary about him. And I didn't know what they talked about at their meetings, or what relationship they currently had. Maybe they hated each other. At the least, they probably weren't on the best terms yet, seeing as Jerome seemed uncomfortable.
However, after I spoke, he looked confused and startled at my apology.
"No, no, Mara! No need to apologize. It's just that…." He drifted off, obviously searching for words.
"What?" I persisted, curious.
"Nothing…" he concluded helpfully. Talk about anti- climactic. Well, at least he wasn't mad at me…
We walked in tense silence for a few more moments, when suddenly he stopped. I turned to face him, head tilted slightly to the side, wondering what he was up to.
"Mara… " My hopes fluttered high, and I felt no guilt about it. He was going to ask me something! Mick was immediately thrown from my mind.
"Do you want to help me prank Victor later? I could use your brains in this operation."
My heart flattened a little, but at the same time… he was asking me to spend time with him…
Mick fought his way back into my mind then, and that's when the real mental battle began. Jerome had become a close friend in a matter of days. So what if I spent time with a male friend? My boyfriend was gone and I was lonely. But at the same time… I felt as though I was bound to Mick in such a way that bonding with anyone other boy was strictly prohibited. I suppose that should be good; it restricted me. But at the same time… I wasn't Mick's slave, and he shouldn't make me feel like I was his property…
Apparently, my inward struggle was shown on my face, because Jerome looked pained as he stared at me.
"You okay?" he asked warily, searching my face.
"Oh… uh, yeah." I replied, trying to make my expression look pleased and calm.
There was another brief silence, and then,
"So?" Jerome asked expectantly.
"Oh, of course! Sorry… um…. pranking… well… you see, it's not really my thing, Jerome."
He didn't look too hurt; he just shrugged and nodded slightly, acknowledging the fact. I had found a good way to avoid too much Jerome time. But at the same time… a "bad girl" part of me that had been released a little last year, back when I "changed" for a while, was curious. I'd never really done anything like that before…. so disrespectful and blatantly… well… rebellious. But these things intrigued me…
I thought about last school year, when I had overheard Mick telling Jerome and Alfie that I was predictable and boring. Did I always want to be that girl in the background? Good grades, perfect attendance… what was all that worth on the scale of life satisfaction?
"I'll see you around, then." Jerome gave a little smile and turned to walk away.
I watched him for a few steps, then called out suddenly, "Jerome!"
He turned to face me smoothly, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Yes, Mara?"
"….. Count me in."
What will happen? Oh my goodness!
I apologize for the lateness; I'm back on top of things… hee hee. R E V I E W please! I love it when you do! :3
