A/N: So, so sorry for the long wait. It's called College. I really should be working on my research paper, but I got an alert and it was bugging me, so here's the next chapter. Please read and review. Especially the review part, they make me so happy.

LINE BREAK

Mara hesitated when she spotted Jerome sitting at the dining room table, his impromptu hug still on her mind.

"Are we going to study or not?" Jerome asked coldly.

Mara sat down next to him with a frown.

"I'm not at mad at you." he said, answering her unspoken question.

"Who are you mad at?" she asked.

He didn't respond.

"Well hello there."

Mara looked up to see an unfamiliar blond standing beside her.

"They didn't tell me that all the British girls would be so fine." the American said, leaning in.

Mara couldn't help the giggle that escaped. It was a cheesy line and she didn't buy it for a second, but he was just so charming.

"Oh please." Jerome scoffed.

"I'm Mara." she said, offering her hand.

"I'm Eddie." Eddie said, kissing her hand gallantly.

"Welcome to the Anubis House." she said, then elbowed Jerome.

"Jerome." he said, reluctantly offering his hand at Mara's insistent glare.

Eddie snickered and shook his hand.

"Your girlfriend's got you whipped." he said.

"We're not together." Mara said.

Eddie shrugged and winked.

"I'll keep that in mind." he said before leaving the room, having spotted Patricia, who did not look pleased.

"What a tool." Jerome said.

Mara flipped her book open with a laugh.

"He's funny."

Jerome rolled his eyes and scowled.

"Are you sure you're not upset with me? Is this because I- because I hugged you?"

Jerome glanced over at her.

"Of course not. Thank you for talking to Kallista." he said, changing the subject.

Mara stared at him a moment. She knew he was trying to throw her off by thanking her.

"You're going to tell me what's up eventually." she said, "But you're welcome. But someday, you know, you'll have to meet a girl's parents."

"What do you mean?" he asked, appalled.

"When you get married, of course." she said, enjoying the horror that flashed in his eyes.

"Married?" he choked out, wide-eyed.

"You are going to get married someday, aren't you?" she inquired.

"I-I don't know." he said, dumbfounded, "Can we just- just read?"

Mara laughed. It was funny to see the cool, calm, and collected Jerome Clark so flustered. Her laughter became uncontrollable when Jerome started poking her sides.

"Truce! Truce!" she gasped, pushing away his hands, "We'll read!"

Jerome just smirked in triumph.

LINE BREAK

He was wearing a tux. An uncomfortable one at that. He was pretty sure the tie around his neck was tightening by the second. Yet he was happy, a kind of happiness he had never felt before. A church sanctuary came into focus around him. Suddenly he wasn't just in the scene, he was watching it too. That's when he realized where he was. A wedding. Apparently his by the look of it, for it was him standing at the altar. The chapel was packed. Music began to play. Nina and Fabian walked down the aisle, then Alfie and Amber, followed by Patricia and Eddie. Once they settled at the front, the music changed. The Wedding March, the bride was entering. Observing Jerome gasped at the identity of his bride. What was Mara doing in his dream? As his bride? Observing Jerome felt the rapid heartbeat of his doppelganger. Mara looked amazing. He watched the ceremony in confusion. When the permission to kiss was given, Observing Jerome tried to look away but found he could not. Then he felt warm, soft lips on his. And he didn't care how girlish it sounded, it was the perfect kiss.

That's when he woke up. He sat up, breathing heavily.

"No bloody way." he whispered.

He ran his hands over his face. Mara's talk about marriage must have made its way into his subconscious. That was the only reason. It had to be.

LINE BREAK

"Good morning." Mara greeted Jerome the next morning around 10:30.

She was glad it was the weekend. She was hoping that they could go back to The Willows. She examined Jerome. His eyes were red and he looked exhausted.

"Morning." he muttered, avoiding eye contact.

He sat down on the couch beside her with a groan.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Bad dream." he answered, leaning back and closing his eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

He shook his head. He still wouldn't look at her.

"Where is everybody?" he asked.

"Let's see, Mick had and extra practice, Nina and Fabian went to some exhibit and the others went shopping." she listed off.

"What are you going to do today?" he asked.

"I don't know." she said, "How about you?"

Jerome finally looked over at her. She fidgeted excitedly. He sighed.

"Okay, what do you want us to do?" he conceded.

"Lunch in town, then swimming?" she suggested immediately, "The water won't be warm much longer. Please?"

Jerome sighed again and nodded.

"For some reason, I find I can deny you nothing." he found himself admitting.

Mara let out a laugh. Jerome felt his pulse speed up like it did in his dream. He stood up quickly.

"Let's just get ready." he said, heading up the stairs.

Jerome locked himself in the boy's bathroom frantically, then splashed water on his face. The dream kept playing over and over in his head. Mara's smile, Mara's laugh, Mara's kiss, over and over and over…

"Shut up, shut up, shut up." he chanted, combing his hair harshly, wishing he could just comb the images from his mind.

"Jerome?" Mara's voice floated through the door, startling him out of his thoughts, "I'll be downstairs."

"Okay." he forced his voice to stay even.

He stared at his reflection. He needed to refocus. Something. Anything. He glanced over on the counter and saw a bottle of cologne. Mick's cologne. He felt a rush of anger. He could work with that. With that, he finished getting ready quickly, resolving to think of how much he wanted to deck Mick when he thought of the dream.

"Ready to go?" he asked Mara at the bottom of the stairs.

"Yes. I already called Ross. He should be there."

Jerome really should have minded that this girl was taking over his life, but he was too tired to feel his usual disdain. He flinched when Mara looped his arm through his, the image of her taking his arm at the alter flashing through his mind. How was he going to get through this day?

LINE BREAK

Mara didn't know what was wrong with Jerome, but he seemed to relax a little once they reached the café. They ordered their drinks and chatted. Mara enjoyed it when they just talked. Even though he loathed to admit it, he was very intelligent and could hold a scholarly conversation, which she appreciated.

"Why didn't you want to go shopping?" he asked, slouching in his chair, "You know, 'hang with the girls.'"

"I've never been very close with any of them." she admitted.

Mara's closest friends had always been her books. She struggled to get close to anyone. The girls at the Anubis House were her friends, but not that 'best girlfriends' type of relationship. She liked to think she was getting that way with Nina though. Jerome was the first person she had felt a true friendship connection with.

"But you're close to me?" Jerome smirked.

"Surprisingly, yes." she answered honestly.

His smirk faltered and he stared at her. She could tell he didn't know how to respond to that. She inwardly cursed herself. She was going to drive him away if she kept up this line of talk.

"Mara…"her name came out as a cautious warning, "We've just become friends…"

"You deny that we're close?" Mara blurted out without thinking.

"No." Jerome was surprised by the answer that flew out of his mouth.

It was the truth. As much as Jerome wished to deny it, Mara knew more about him than anyone else, including Alfie, ever. The two sat in silence for a few moments, not sure how to overcome the heaviness of their words.

"Hey you two."

Jerome bit back a growl at the sudden appearance of the bane of his existence.

"Mick!" Mara said happily, "How was practice?"

Jerome watched as Mara lit up at the sight of the blond athlete.

"Good. Am I interrupting something?" Mick asked.

Jerome opened his mouth to tell him to get lost when Mara spoke before he could.

"No, no, sit." Mara said, smiling brilliantly.

Mick grabbed a chair from the next table and sat as close as he possibly could to Mara.

"You look nice today Mara." Mick said.

Jerome bristled while Mara blushed. Mick wasn't wrong. Mara's white jean shorts and light blue halter top looked exquisite against her tan sk- what the hell was he thinking!

"Thanks Mick." Mara said.

"Where's Amber?" Jerome asked pointedly.

Mick didn't even look at him, instead smiled at Mara.

"I don't know." he answered.

"Such a good boyfriend." Jerome sneered.

It was then that Mara felt the tension. Mick snapped his head around to face Jerome.

"I do not need to know where she is at all times." he said coolly, "Where's yours?"

"Out with friends." Jerome answered smoothly.

"Right." Mick responded.

At this point the boys were nearly nose to nose. This was going to come to blows if Mara didn't do something.

"So!" Mara said loudly, causing the boys to look at her, "What are you up to this afternoon Mick?"

Mick turned back to her and smiled.

"Amber and I are going to see a film; I just wanted to get something to drink. Then I saw you."

Mara blushed. Mick glanced at his watch.

"I better be going." he said, patting Mara's shoulder, "I'll see you later."

Mara waited until Mick had left to speak to Jerome.

"Why on earth do you have to be so nasty to him?" she scolded.

Jerome leaned back in his chair; arms crossed and rolled his eyes.

"Because he- bloody hell!"

Mara gasped in surprise as Jerome dove under the table.

"Jerome!"

"Shhh!" he hissed.

"What are you-"

"Excuse me, miss?"

Mara turned to see a blond girl standing next to her.

"Did you say 'Jerome'?" the girl inquired.

"Y-NO!" Mara practically yelped as Jerome gripped her ankle painfully.

The girl gave her a weird look before thanking her and walking out of the shop. Mara gave a kick under the table.

"Ow, bloody hell woman." Jerome groused, rubbing his head as he surfaced.

"What was that all about?" Mara demanded, "Who was that?"

"Did you really have to kick me?" Jerome moaned.

Mara just glared at him.

"That was my cousin, Poppy." he said, rubbing his forehead.

"Why did you avoid her?" Mara asked.

Jerome scowled and narrowed his eyes.

"That girl is nothing but trouble." he said, sipping his coffee.

"It must run in the family." Mara snickered.

"Ha, ha. So funny." Jerome snarked, "What the hell is she doing here?"

Mara shrugged.

"Was she coming for a family visit?" Mara asked as their waitress approached with their food.

Jerome waited until the waitress had left to respond.

"My family does not do 'visiting'." he said, "The Clark's lie in wait to backstab one another. There is an underlying meaning to Poppy showing up, and not a good one."

Mara scrunched up her nose in distaste.

"That's awful." she said.

Jerome shrugged. It was all he'd ever known.

"Eat up." he said, "I want to get to the lake before it gets too late."

LINE BREAK

When they got to The Willows, Jerome stripped down to his swimming trunks and got into the water. Mara stood at the shore awkwardly, putting her hair in a ponytail.

"You're the one that wanted to go swimming." he said.

Mara let out a breath. That was true, but she hadn't thought it through. She had on her bathing suit under her clothes and she was nervous about Jerome seeing it. It wasn't a bikini or anything, it was more like a halter top and shorts, but it still seemed like she was going to be naked.

"Mouse?"

Mara squeezed her eyes shut and took off her shorts and shirt. She hurried into the water. Jerome smirked at her. She felt her face heat up. She shoved him.

"Hey! I didn't say anything." he laughed, playfully grabbing her in his arms.

Mara paused. For once Jerome didn't look like he was in pain. He was smiling, his wet hair plastered attractively across his eyes. He looked, well, amazing.

"Mouse?" Jerome lightly rapped her forehead, "You in there?"

Mara turned and swam ahead to the falls to hide her burning face. Jerome joined her behind it and sat on the bench beside her. She let out a sigh.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Mick." she responded.

There was that twisting in his gut that appeared every time that certain syllable was uttered.

"He likes you." Jerome said bluntly.

Mara winced. She had been dying to hear someone say those words. But it wasn't the same anymore.

"He told me he was thinking about breaking up with Amber." Mara said quietly.

"For you."

It wasn't a question. Mara nodded.

"I think so."

They sat there in silence for a minute.

"Why don't we forget about the outside world while we're here?" Mara proposed.

"Please." Jerome said through gritted teeth.

They enjoyed the rest of their afternoon talking and splashing around. It was by silent agreement that they not speak of Mick. Something about that subject made the peace that they felt together disappear.

LINE BREAK

But the peace was not meant to last. Because on the front porch when Mara and Jerome returned was Mick and Amber in a fierce make-out session. Mara took one look and ran into the house, tears forming in her eyes. Jerome took one look at his friends hurt face and lost it.

"Campbell!" he shouted, "We need to talk."

Mick didn't get a chance to seeing as Jerome's clenched fist met with Mick's stomach.