Author's Note: I really liked this chapter. But quick question, what would my readers like to see happen?
"Mick and I are back together," Amber announced before breakfast. I looked up from my book seeing the couple, I smiled,"congratulations."
"And we're having a party to celebrate, tomorrow!" Amber smiled. I chuckled and went back to my book. It was good to see my best friend happy again.
"Hey Rose, I was wondering...um...," Jerome started, who had been sitting across from me.
"Yes?" I smiled trying to get him to finish his sentence.
"Nothing, never mind," he quickly covered.
"Um, alright," I said entirely confused, I went back to my book.
"Did you hear what Victor did last night?" Patricia asked us sitting at the head of the table," slipped on a stair and broke his leg."
"Don't exaggerate, Patricia," Trudy said.
"Egg-agerate, good one Trudy," Alfie laughed.
"What a terrible yoke Alfie," Jerome teased. I grinned, and put down my book. Good thing I wasn't trying to finish it.
"Victor slipped and twisted his ankle," Trudy seemed to ignore the two.
"It's a very painful twisted ankle," Victor walked in, making the room quiet, "one of you sabotaged that step."
"I remember telling you last year to fix that step," Trudy inquired. I admired her bravery. The room was filled with small comments agreeing with her, even shy Fabian spoke out.
"One of you is up to something and I will figure it out and you will be punished," Victor said, and then limped out of the room.
(Later that day)
"Rose!" Amber pulled me into the bathroom. She looked panicked and a little bit angry.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"I was right! Mara likes Mick!" she practically screamed.
"Well, they have been spending time together and you really can't stop feelings from happening. It was only a matter of time before someone started liking your boyfriend, you should be glad it is a friend who won't act on those feelings," I tried to make better of the situation though it was hard.
"But I think she will, she said that she doesn't think Mick and I are a good couple and that we don't have anything in common," Amber said all in one breath. I was surprised I had caught all of that.
"Amber, breath. Mick and you will be fine," I reassured her.
"If Mara tries anything I swear I will...I will...," Amber was livid.
"Do nothing, because this is Mara you are talking about," I reminded her, "the most rational minded person you and I know, I don't think she'd try to take Mick from you."
"But you don't know," Amber sighed.
"I don't know a lot of things, Amber, but I have a feeling that she isn't out to steal your boyfriend," I said. At least I hoped Mara wasn't, the world would be upside down if she started stealing boyfriends.
(Getting ready for the party)
I had let Amber straighten my hair, and but a nice bejeweled headband in. It looked nice, along with my grey silk shirt, black jeans, and Amber's blue flats with the funky little bow on the strap. I looked good which made Amber happy because she actually approved of my outfit. She did my makeup as well, natural with glossy red lips.
"There, now Jerome won't be able to resist you," Amber said in a proud sort of way.
"Excuse me?" I said. Did she just say Jerome?
"It's totally obvious that you two have something, I'm not sure what but I definitely think he has a little crush on you," Amber smiled, looking in the mirror and applying mascara.
"Are we talking about the same Jerome?" I asked,"you know dirty blond hair, mischievous smile, about this tall?"
She laughed," of course we are!"
"Yeah, I think you're wrong. Jerome Clarke does not have a crush on me," I said plainly.
"Test it, when he is busy flirting with another girl walk up and ask to dance," Amber proposed, "if he declines then he doesn't like you but if he accepts..."
"I get it, I get it," I sighed, "I just think it's dumb."
"Then maybe you should figure it out, got a better plan?"
No, of course I didn't because when I saw Jerome trying to flirt with girls I walked right over and asked him to dance. Guess what? He said no. It was settled Jerome didn't like me. Well I thought that up until he walked up to me later that night.
"Can I have this dance?" he asked.
"Did the other girl blow you off?" I teased.
"Actually no, I just would much rather dance with you," he smiled, still offering his hand. I took it. There were no sparks when we touched, no romance novel connection. It was just us, Rose and Jerome, two very good friends.
"Stop that music!" Victor yelled. Jerome and I broke apart as the music stopped.
"Anyone who doesn't live here, get out now!" Victor instructed, people filed out fast.
"One of you has the key to the attic and I plan to find out who!" he said, and looked at Alfie wearing a dear head on his head,"get that thing off your head!"
"I can't its stuck," Alfie said.
"Then we'll have to saw it off!" Victor said grabbing Alfie by the arm, "nobody moves."
While Victor and Trudy dealt with Alfie, Nina snuck upstairs.
"You just left it by the door?" Jerome asked,"why should I take the fall for something I didn't even do?"
"It's your fault that she even had the key in the first place," I crossed my arms.
"Please just-" Nina was cut off by Victor.
"Who just left the key by the door, which of you vermin had it?" Victor asked. He asked all of us and we all said no.
Nina broke, "it was me."
"NO!" Fabian yelled, "She's just covering for me."
"No, he's lying," Nina said.
"Who took this?" Victor held up the key.
"I did, I'm a key enthusiast," I said.
"No, I did," Trey said.
"It was me, total thievery," Mick smirked.
"No, I took it," Mara said.
"Oh yes," Amber said, "I mean no, I took it. I love stealing keys."
"No, I took it," Patricia said, giving Nina a small smile. We all looked towards Jerome who looked at us unsure.
"Come on Jerome, I know I can count on you," Victor said.
I gave Jerome a pleading look. Come on, do the right thing.
"Yes," he grinded his teeth,"I did it."
"Fine!" Victor yelled, "You're all grounded for the entire weekend!"
I sighed, so much for my date with Marcus. I didn't mind though, didn't care for him much. If he really wanted to date me, he could wait a week. I looked over a Jerome who looked utterly defeated. I walked over.
"You did the right thing," I told him.
"Sure I did," he grunted and pushed past me and headed to his room. So much for Amber's intuition.
