Yes I know this chapter is pretty short. But the idea of this popped into my head this morning, and I wanted to write it. The next one will be much longer. It'll probably be about Nina and Fabina, just because I've been focusing on Jara so much. I might even introduce in a little Eddie and Patricia. Also, I'm not doing anything canon anymore, unless it's a coincidence because I havent watched HoA in forever. I like the show, but I really don't have the time to watch it that much anymore. I do however, want to finish this story.
To say breakfast the next morning was awkward would be an understatement. Mara and Mick avoided everyone's eyes, Jerome acted unfazed but from the cold set of his shoulders, Mara knew better. Amber stared analytically at Mara, Mick, and Jerome to the point it was uncomfortable. Amber could at least pretend she wasn't trying to observe them like a bunch of lab experiments. Nina and Fabian were in their own little world talking in hushed, urgent tones about something Mara guessed was important but could really care less. Alfie and Joy were too, looking at the group wondering what the heck was going on. Patricia seemed annoyed about something. And the new kid, Eddie, was there and hardly anyone was being welcome. It was strange because, Mara felt, that the tension in the room was so intense it was tangible but Trudy didn't seem to notice a thing as she smiled, set food in front of everyone, and asked how everyone's morning was going.
"…and the weathers finally brightened up, thank goodness, and oh! Remember Mara and Jerome, you're on dish duty tonight…." Trudy said. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap! Amber raised an eyebrow. Mick glared at the corner of the wall. As soon as breakfast was over Mara cornered Amber.
"Trade dish duty with me," Mara said.
"No thanks, I just got a manicure," Amber replied.
"Well I don't want to do dishes with Jerome. I'll take your turn. We can just switch the schedule,"
"You're going to have to face him sometime. What were you going to do? Avoid him forever?"
"I was planning on it, yes," Mara shrugged.
"Mara, you're better than this. You're going to wash dishes with him. You'll hardly have to talk to each other. You'll be fine," Amber nodded reassuringly. Mara sighed.
"Why can't you just do it?" Mara tried one more time.
"Because I am already very angry with him for making you upset. I'm afraid he's going to say something, and I'm going to do something that will make all of us end up on Dateline," Amber said calmly.
"Fine," Mara sighed.
Dinnertime came way too fast. The only things that occupied Mara's mind the whole day were scenarios on how washing dishes alone with Jerome would play out. So she walked to the kitchen where Jerome already was, washing dishes. She stood stiffly next to him and grabbed.
"Hi," Mara said. Mara mentally kicked herself, she probably sounded really stupid. And then she felt worse for caring whether or not she sounded stupid in front of Jerome. But it was impossible not to care. They used to be friends. She looked over, and saw an amused smile playing on his lips. He let out a low chuckle and shook his head.
"What?" Mara demanded, turning away and grabbing a dish towel to wipe her plate.
"Hi? That's all you have to say to me?" Jerome said.
"It's a conversation starter!" Mara said defensively. Jerome rolled his eyes.
"It's a small talk starter. Are we going to start talking about the weather or the homework in bio now, Mara?" Mara ignored the pang of adrenaline she felt when he said her name, very slight exaggerating the last "a".
"Then tell me, Jerome," Mara said icily, slightly lingering on his name, wondering if it had the same effect on him as it did on her. "What do you think I should've said?"
"Something a little more interesting at least. You've been playing out scenarios on what would happen here all day, haven't you? Probably talking to Amber on how you should act and what you would say. Predicting my responses and comebacks to them. All the planning should've led up to something a little bit more scintillating then 'hi'," Jerome said.
Mara reached for the soap bottle, buying some time for her to think of a response to that. Except when her hand actually encircled the bottle, she gripped it a little too hard, and the soap squirted all over Jerome's chin and top half of his shirt, completely soaking it. Mara started laughing. Really hard, loud, and it probably looked like she was having a spaz attack. She couldn't help herself.
"Maybe… you… should….go…change…your…sh…irt," Mara said, taking breaks between words because she was laughing so hard.
"Already getting me to take my shirt off, huh?" Jerome raised an eyebrow, as he reached over to turn off the still running faucet. "Clever Mara, very clev-" Jerome's hand slipped turning the faucet upward instead of off, and the water sprayed him. The soap that was already on him turned into colorful bubbles. He had a bubble beard that ran from his chin to mid-torso. And then Jerome started laughing too. Mara suddenly became fascinated with Jerome laughing. Just because it was so…nice. It wasn't a sarcastic chuckle or obnoxious guffaw, it was genuine and sweet.
"You look like Santa Claus!" Mara exclaimed.
"Mara this was my favorite shirt. Now I'm very sad," Jerome frowned. "I think I need a hug," He said, opening his arms. Mara's eyes widened for half a second, but before she had to time to react, Jerome wrapped his arms around her, getting bubbles all over her. And because he was quite taller, it was also in her hair and her face. He let go of her, and they both started laughing again.
"Jerome. I'm mad at you remember?" Mara stopped laughing, but it was easy to see she was trying very hard not to smile.
"Then stop being mad at me," Jerome said. Mara seemed to actually consider that for a moment.
"No," Mara said softly. "No I'm still mad at you but...," Mara paused, as if deciding not to say something. Then she sighed like Oh what the heck?.
Jerome, can we be friends?" Mara asked, tentatively. Jerome was taken aback. It was an odd request. It was almost comical with all the drama that had been happening lately. Jerome looked for any sign of sarcasm in her eyes, but could only find longing. He never expected her to want that friendship anymore. He didn't expect himself to want that. But the idea of being her friend, spending time with her, and laughing with her, and just being with her was just too tempting to ignore.
"Yes, Mara," Jerome whispered. "We can be friends,"
I want to say that I have very little planned out. I know what's going to happen with Isis, but that's pretty much it. So if there's something you want to see more or less of, suggest it as a review and I might incorporate it in. Thanks for reading you guys, I know it's been a long time since I last posted and it's kind of a short chapter but I hoped you enjoyed it anyways!
Love
Monique
