A/N: Please review. Usual disclaimer. I got a little stuck in this chapter, but I hope you like it.

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Jerome watched Mara almost skip into their 1st hour biology. Ugh. Happiness in the morning. Not something a normal human being should partake in.

"Hey Mara." Mick greeted her as she sat in the desk next to him.

"H-hi Mick." she stammered, giving him as small wave.

She heard a snicker. She assumed it was Jerome. It was weird that only he had noticed her massive crush.

"We'll meet in the library ok?" Mara asked Mick, taking out things for class.

"Sure Thing Mars." Mick answered, then spotted his girlfriend, "Hey Babes."

Amber flipped her blond hair and rushed over to give him a kiss.

"Hey sweetie. Mara." she greeted.

Amber sat down on the other side of Mara.

"Isn't he dreamy?" Amber whispered to her.

"Uh-huh." Mara answered, looking straight ahead, trying to slow her heart rate.

"Oh yes, Mick is so dreamy." Jerome said loudly in a high pitched voice.

"Shut up Jerome!" Amber snapped.

Mara was laughing with the rest of the class. She felt more relaxed. She glanced his way. He gave her his smart-assed smile and a wink.

"Alright!" the teacher said, "That's enough."

Jerome turned back around, but he wasn't smiling. He recognized that he had just done something nice for someone. Without expecting anything in return. He needed to snap out of it.

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Mara tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Mick. He was fifteen minutes late. She heard a noise behind her, but saw no one.

"Hey Mouse."

"Eeeeek!" Mara screamed.

Jerome had come out of nowhere in front of her.

"Oh my gosh!" Mara panted, hand over her heart, "Jerome! You scared me!"

Jerome sat down in front of her.

"I told you that you were squeaky."

"Why are you here?" she asked angrily, "I would have thought that you were one who would rather die than set foot in a library."

Jerome stared at her a moment, then laughed.

"And what, pray tell, is so funny?" Mara snapped, slamming shut the book she had before her.

"You do have spunk."

"What?" Mara said, feeling as though her head was spinning.

"I said…" Jerome dragged out, "You do have a little spunk in you."

Jerome relaxed in his chair with a smile.

"I- Well- Uh." Mara couldn't find any words.

Jerome leaned forward as if telling a secret.

"So tell me, Mara," he began, his blue eyes sparkling, "how long have you fancied Dream Boy?"

"Jerome." Mara said tiredly, "Why are you here?"

Jerome shrugged, leaning back.

"He's late." Jerome pointed out, ignoring the repeated question.

"You're one to talk." Mara spat.

"How long?" he probed.

"The day I met him." Mara said quietly, not meeting Jerome's gaze, "I don't know why I'm telling you this."

"Maybe I'm just an easy person to talk to." Jerome said.

"If so, why do you never speak of your parents." Mara asked.

The sparkle left Jerome's eyes. Instead, they darkened. It was so intense, it frightened Mara.

Jerome stood up quickly, almost knocking his chair over.

"You also know how to pull punches Mouse." He said in a low, dangerous tone.

Mick chose that moment to show up.

"What are you doing here Clark?" Mick asked, taking the seat Jerome had vacated.

"You're late." was all Jerome said, stalking off.

Mara knew what she had done was uncalled for. But Jerome just pushed her until she snapped.

"Mara?"

Mara jumped out of her thoughts.

"Sorry, let's begin."

"Thanks for the help Mara." Mick said, opening his biology book.

"Anything for you Mick." she blushed at her words.

"You're a great mate." Mick answered.

The words were bittersweet. She was thrilled to be his mate, but wanted so much more.

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Mara had a headache as she walked back to the house. Mick was incredibly cute, but wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. She had gone over the homework with him several times and she still wasn't sure if he had understood it. And now she had to explain Pride and Prejudice to a cocky prankster who insisted on calling her Mouse.

Entering the house was like entering a war zone. Amber was chasing Alfie. Mick was demanding that someone help him practice, and trying to persuade Patricia to do so. They were arguing loudly. Jerome and Nina were also fighting over something at the chess board. Fabian's guitar was like background music to the chaos.

Mara's head throbbed.

"Hey!" she tried, turning not one head.

"HEY!" she finally shouted.

Everyone froze. Mara did not yell. Ever.

"Please. Just-just quiet down." Mara said, feeling uncomfortable under her roommate's gazes.

Nina rushed over. "I'm sorry Mara."

Nina glared at the others. They all offered apologies as well, minus Jerome. Nina then gave Mara a big hug.

"It's alright." Mara responded, returning the hug, "I just-well, Jerome it's time to study."

Jerome made a face, but kept his promise and sat down at the table with Mara. She pulled out the novel, then handed Jerome one of his own.

"You ok Mouse?" Jerome asked, hoping to stall the studying with an argument.

"I am fine Jerome." Mara answered, no emotion on her face, "Let's read the first chapter aloud. You start."

Jerome stared at her.

"Now please."

Jerome reluctantly began reading. He was about a quarter of the way through when he heard a 'thud' noise.

Mara had collapsed.

"Mara!"