Chapter Ten

Week Nine

Alfie

Alright everyone has heard the recordings. It's time to put Operation: Jara into action. Joy failed with the initial plan. So now it is time to activate Plan B. Hopefully this plan will bring them together and we won't have to worry about any of the back up plans.

Plan B: Distribute the CDs through an audio scavenger hunt. Mara will hear clues on a head set based on one of the events Poppy, me or one of the other Anubis residence recorded. When she goes to the location she will hear the full recording unabridged, unedited, and in full.

It is set up so that Mara will meet Jerome in the living room of Anubis House, where they will hopefully kiss and live happily ever after. That's the plan. However, sometimes my plans don't work out. We have the Back Up plan standing by if this one fails.

Mara will begin her scavenger Hunt soon. Joy and Poppy gave her a headset with her audio clues we recorded of Jerome. Mara's first stop is the library.

Mara

The voice on the clue is Alfie. I would recognize that voice anywhere.

Clue: "A seat of learning among the stacks, dusty volumes of knowledge are at your back."

Too easy, that's the library. I am supposed to go there first. This is so exciting. The library is empty of people, which is odd for four in the afternoon. A CD player is on the table next to a sign.

Here You Are Among the Stacks; Press the Play Button on my Back

This is really weird. I press play. It's Alfie's voice again. He's talking about Jerome watching some girl in the library.

"There is a girl sitting at a table nearby with her boyfriend, Subject 1 seems to be watching them like a hawk on its prey. Do I detect a hint of envy?" says Alfie's voice on the recording.

Is Subject 1 supposed to be Jerome? Why would he give me this clue to follow unless I was the girl with her boyfriend in the library that day?

I listen to rest of the recording.

"What's up buddy?" Alfie's voice said.

"Just studying," Jerome said.

"I bet you were. Studying Mara," Alfie said.

"Calm down," Jerome said.

"You're blushing," Alfie said.

"Am not," Jerome said.

Jerome does not blush. I put my ear buds back in and wait for my next clue. Why was Jerome watching me in the library that day?

Joy

Good Mara has heard her first clue. Alfie and Poppy are following Mara around on her scavenger hunt. I am with Eddie and Jerome. We just finished re-playing all of Mara's recordings for him. Eddie has given him a much needed pep talk.

I picked out something cute for Jerome to wear. He is going to wear a tux with blue accents to match his eyes. Eddie and Jerome went to the market to buy a fresh bouquet of white and red roses, and to a book store to buy her a book.

Jerome will be waiting in the living room for Mara. The trail of clues will lead her back here. Hopefully it doesn't take too long. I don't want Jerome to eat something and get his tux dirty, and then we won't be able to return it.

Jerome

My part of the plan is to wait in the living room of Anubis House for Mara to show up. I am dressed like a penguin with a bouquet of really expensive roses, and a book the Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe. Not exactly a romance novel, but it's a great read.

I have no idea how far Mara is into her scavenger Hunt right now, I am very nervous. What if she doesn't come?

Mara

My latest clue was one of Eddie's. It was very difficult to riddle out.

Clue: "Clad in style he's in denial."

The word "clad" usually meant dressed, so dressed in style could mean being sharply dressed. It could be the tux shop around the corner. I head there. The girl at the desk seemed to be expecting me. She pointed to the dressing room in the back.

I found the CD player and pressed play. This is my fifth clue; I should be almost done soon, shouldn't I?

"So, Jerry, did you ask anyone to the ball?" That's Eddie's voice.

"I was too busy and forgot," said Jerome.

"I heard a lot of guys asked Mara. I figured you were one of them," said Eddie.

"Why is that?" Jerome asked.

"You two spend a lot of time together," said recording Eddie.

"I was going to ask her, but I couldn't get the words out," said recording Jerome.

I sighed an involuntary 'aw' and kept listening. Jerome's monologue about me made me feel really bad. I didn't mean to ditch him; I was just really into Mick. I never meant it to hurt Jerome. I feel terrible for abandoning him.

I shut off the CD player. Oh Jerome, I'm so sorry. I pulled my knees up to my chest, rested my head on them and cried.

Alfie

Mara wasn't supposed to cry. What if she gives up the quest because of her tears? Then Jerome would be broken hearted again and we'll have to use the Back Up Plan. Okay, who am I kidding, I almost cried when I heard the tux shop story, and Joy did cry.

Mara's almost done with the scavenger hunt. She has four clues left. I hope she doesn't give up. I hope Jerome is doing okay in the living room. This has taken a lot longer than I thought it would because we had to drive all over the country side to find that stupid donkey sanctuary.

If this actually works I will actually get to call myself the Amazing Alfredo. I hope it does work for Jerome's sake. He deserves to be happy.

Joy

I put a dress in Mara's room with her last clue. I picked out the dress myself. Its sapphire in color to match Jerome's eyes, and the material is silk. She will look radiant in it. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds.

Eddie set up a video camera in the living room so we could watch the ending. We will be hiding out in Eddie's room watching the live coverage. Right now, Jerome is reading the book he bought Mara.

Mara

Joy was right about Jerome. He does like me. I was too blind to see it. I hope he will forgive me for breaking his heart all those times. My final clue is beside a dress in my bedroom.

Clue: "Go downstairs to find your prince and press a kiss upon his lips."

I quickly pull the beautiful dress over my head and run downstairs as fast as I can. My heart is beating rapidly like machine gun fire. I feel like I can't get there fast enough.

Jerome is taking a nap when I walk in. I smile. I kneel beside the couch and kiss his lips. He wakes up startled.

"Mara," Jerome says, wiping his eyes.

He stands up, gives me the flowers and a book. I toss them aside and throw myself into his arms. I press my lips against his with force.

Jerome

Mara is kissing me. This is unbelievable. She wraps her legs around my waist and kisses me more fiercely than ever. As much as I want to continue kissing her, I fight against myself to stop. I have something I want to say that she needs to hear.

"Mara, I love you."

"I know, it was on the tapes," Mara said, trying to kiss me again.

"No. You don't know. Please let me speak. Mara, I love you. I loved you from the moment you saw through my invisibility, and you cared about me when no one else did. I love the curves of your face and the little flecks of gold in your irises. I love the warm chocolate color of your hair, and the way it shines when the light hits it. I love the way you look at me as if I am an actual human being. I love the way you gave me a chance when others shut me out. I love the way you reached out to me with these tiny hands to touch me when others feared to come near. Most of all, I love you for just being you. Now if you'll have me, I will be only yours."

I kissed her hands, her forehead, and her eye lids.

"Of course I'll have you, Jerome!" Mara shouted before jumping in my arms again. I allowed the kissing to resume. I have been waiting a long time to say all of that to Mara. I am glad I was finally able to.

Poppy with Eddie, Alfie, and Joy

We are in Eddie's room watching Jerome and Mara make out. Alfie is sobbing harder than Joy. What Jerome told Mara was beautiful. I am glad everything worked out for them. I am glad our recordings helped.

"What is Jerome doing?" Eddie asked, pointing to Jerome, who stopped kissing Mara.

"Is he going to propose?" Alfie asked.

"He's sixteen, dofus," Joy said.

Suddenly the door swung open and Jerome stood there. He stared at us with his arms crossed. Mara was behind him scowling.

"Don't get mad it was Alfie's idea," I said.

"Why would we be mad? We've come to thank you," said Mara.

Jerome nodded.

"Without you, I'd still be pining after Mara," Jerome said.

Mara poked Jerome in the nose and snuggled against him. He picked her up and kissed her passionately. I sighed and took a picture to show Dad. Jerome got embarrassed and chased me around Anubis House.

Some things never change.

The End!

I hope you enjoyed "I Spy Love" I am currently working on my next Anubis fanfiction. I might scrap it and start over. I am sorry this ended so abruptly, I really suck at ending stories. I could never quite figure out a good ending. Anyways, you have been great. I hope you continue to support this ship. Thank you!