Jerome POV
It was strange how you could hope for something to happen for weeks, yet when it does you don't feel quite how you thought you would. When I heard Mara and Mick fighting, and heard Mara utter those fateful words, I was obviously ecstatic. Finally, she'd realised she was unhappy, and she'd actually listened to my advice about their relationship. I was honestly proud of her for doing that. But what surprised me was that I was also slightly sad, because she was sad.
Jerome Clarke, you're in love. Who the hell would have thought that?
Yeah, it was all wrong. Jerome Clarke didn't fall in love. And what's more, I never expected to feel so bad when Mara and Mick broke up. But it almost broke my heart when I was holding her in my arms, just to see her so torn up and confused. Though at least she broke up with him. I suspect it would have been a whole lot worse if it had been the other way around.
Patricia had appeared and dragged Mara away, giving me a fowl look on the way. Charming. I headed back to my room.
"So, they really broke up?" Alfie asked, having heard most of the argument as well.
"Yeah, she's pretty beat up about it."
"Man, it's a shame relationships never work in this house. Guess you got it right, mate...going for someone from a different house!"
I'd almost forgotten Katrina even existed, let alone that she probably thought we were actually a couple. I would have to sort that out at some point...
Mara POV
"So, tell me everything." Patricia said, and I did.
I told her about the work, how Jerome had told me not to do it, how Mick had made me feel guilty enough to consider doing that essay for him...and how Jerome had given me the push to finally end it.
"I told you Mick wasn't for you, didn't I Mara?"
I just had to nod my head in agreement.
"Yeah," she continued. "I'd give him a slap if I were you! You're totally right to break up with him over that, it was way out of order!"
"Thanks Patricia, though I don't want to slap him...just stay out of his way."
"Though I have to say, you and a certain Mr. Clarke were looking mighty cosy down there..."
"What? Don't be ridiculous Patricia, he's just helping me with some stuff, he's just a friend."
"Quite a good friend if you ask me..."
"What? Patricia, it's Jerome! I'm not interested in him like that! No way! Just...no!"
"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."
I just shrugged her off, though I had to admit I was slightly impressed at her Shakespeare knowledge. But I didn't like Jerome! I couldn't, I only just broke up with Mick! I thought about how comfortable I'd felt earlier when Jerome had his arm around me, or when he hugged me after Mick and I argued...but I shrugged it off. It was Jerome, don't be stupid.
But nevertheless, I went to sleep that night with Patricia's words ringing in my ears.
Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.
The next morning, I was determined to look like I wasn't fazed by mine and Mick's breakup. I was though, though mainly angry at him rather than upset. But instead of letting it get to me, I marched downstairs and sat at the breakfast table like nothing had happened. Though obviously, the news had already spread.
"Guys, how weird is it, that like...we're all single now!" said Amber excitedly.
"How on earth is that exciting?" said Patricia with a scowl.
"Because, that means I can start setting people up again!"
She flicked a glance to Mick, and I wondered if she would try to get him back now that I was out of the picture. She was welcome to him. And at least she wouldn't have the whole work problem, his grades wouldn't be likely to improve if Amber was the one helping him...
"Actually," Amber continued. "We're not all single...I forgot about Jerome's secret girlfriend."
Jerome, who was sitting next to me, visibly tensed up, and flicked a slight glare to Amber.
"For the last time. She is not my girlfriend!"
I found myself relaxing slightly, though I didn't quite know why. Amber just rolled her eyes at him, and Alfie looked as if he were about to protest, but thought better of it when he took a look at Jerome's face.
For a second, Jerome turned to face me and shot me a quick smile, which was reassuring, given that the mood had gotten slightly more awkward since I'd joined the table. At least he wasn't feeling awkward about the situation...
Jerome POV
Why? Why with all the Katrina comments all of a sudden? I hated it, and I hated that Mara would think I had a girlfriend. I knew I had no hope anyway, but I at least wanted to remain single in the tiny possibility she may see me as more than a friend. Fat chance, Jerome, fat chance. But no, someone always mentioned my apparent 'secret' girlfriend...
I had planned to walk to school with Mara, seeing as she looked a little bit lost without Mick pulling her around everywhere with him...but that meathead got to me first.
"Clarke. I need to talk to you."
"What do you want, Campbell?"
"Not here. I'll tell you on the way to class."
"Why?" I sneered. "Need someone to show you the way?"
"Shut up. Just come on."
So begrudgingly I walked with him out the door, loathing every second that I had to spend within a two metre radius of him.
"Well, what is it?"
"It's about Mara."
"Haven't you done enough to her, Campbell?"
He looked truly loathsome. My sentiments exactly...
"It's your fault you know."
"My fault about what?"
"That she broke up with me?"
"What? How can you even suggest that? She broke up with you because she finally realised you were a no good, using scumbag."
"Watch it Clarke..." he snarled. "But I know she's been talking to you recently. And it sounds right up your street, persuading her to break it off with me!"
"You really have that big an ego, don't you? You honestly think that the only reason she'd break up with you was because of me? She was miserable with you! And she made a good decision...you just need to accept that."
"She was only miserable because you made her think that she was! She was happy! We were happy until you came along."
"She was not happy! I only made her realise that. So just leave it Campbell, and go bother someone else!"
I walked at a faster pace, and although he could have run to catch up with me if he'd wanted, he didn't bother thankfully. There was only so much of Mick Campbell that I could stomach in a day, and that conversation was more than I needed.
Yes, today had definitely gotten off to a bad start. I found myself glaring at everything and everyone, just a permanent frown fixed on my face.
"Whoah, angry much?" said Mara, after I'd slammed the door of my locker so hard the others shuddered. I couldn't help but smile when I saw her.
"Yeah...just been a bad day that's all."
"Is this to do with Mick? I saw you two talking earlier..."
"Well, it wasn't exactly civilised, that's for sure..."
"What did he want?"
"He had the cheek to suggest that it was entirely my fault that you and him were no longer together, and that it was my fault that you were unhappy with the whole work thing!"
I almost expected her to agree with him, to tell me it was all my fault...but she didn't.
"He's just not a nice person...I wish I could have seen it before."
Mara POV
I didn't expect to hear myself say those words, especially not so soon, but I felt relieved having spoken them out loud. He wasn't a nice person, and I was glad I could finally admit it. Why the hell had I been putting up with it for too long?
"Seriously Mara? A week ago you were practically his groupie!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah, well someone helped me to realise what he's like..."
"Oh yeah?" he said, giving me a quick nudge. "Wonder who that could be then..."
We both laughed, and for the rest of the day, I wasn't too bothered by the recent breakup. It was just nice to relax, to not feel guilty for talking and laughing with Jerome, and the difference in stress levels was phenomenal. I just felt like myself again.
When we'd gotten back to the house, I settled into my usual routine. Go up to my room, and do homework before dinner. Though it never worked out to be the peaceful activity it could have been. Today, I was interrupted by Jerome, who didn't even knock, and came and sat next to me in my room.
"Um...hi?"
"Oh, don't mind me, I just have a job to do."
"Which is?"
"Making sure you don't overdo it."
I smiled, and he smiled back, a genuine caring smile.
"Well, I think I have it covered..."
"I'll believe that when I see it."
So he stayed with me for the next hour or so, stopping me from working too much on a particular homework. He was good company, and made the process of doing homework much more enjoyable.
And I have to admit, I was sad to see him go.
