Thanks for the reviews! We're getting close to the good stuff! I'm about 20 episodes in I think to the season so yay! Who's ready for Minome? (their couple name until any of you can think of anything better? Suggestions are always welcome!)
I do not own anything in this chapter or fiction, besides Mina and Max, everything else belongs to their rightful owners!
Chapter 21!
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The next day, the Anubis house hold was helping their school get ready for their and their fellow student's parent's arrivals. Nina and Fabian were back at the house helping Trudy cook some sweets. While Mina was with Jerome and Alfie in the drama room setting up there. Alfie was already in his costume for the play, which luckily neither Jerome, nor Mina, were asked to be in. They only had to watch on as Alfie tried to dance like a robot.
Mina had refused to talk to Jerome, she had made it clear to him that she was just there to support her other friend. After twenty minutes of trying to get her to talk to him, he had given up on the task. He gotten up from his spot next her to, sparing her a glance as he made his way toward his friend. "See, now this is your big chance to Amber's heart, dude. She's been dumped. She's vulnerable. She needs a sensitive guy, like you, with a big shiny shoulder to cry on." He told his friend.
He glanced back over at Mina, once again, to see her roll her eyes at him. He was still set on the whole 'Get Alfie Amber' plan. She had to began to wonder if he would ever give up helping his friend with something that was most likely never going to ever happen. "Boys, they never learn." She muttered to herself as she got up and went to go see if anyone else needed any help. Jerome watched her walk away with a longing look, one of which, Alfie did not miss to notice.
His friend had it really bad for that girl. It didn't seem like he was the only one trying to win the impossible here. "Oh, I don't know man. Jason said I can't get the costume wet." Alfie hadn't seemed to get what his friend was saying. Jerome gave him a look, he was probably the harder bloke to work with, but that was why they were friends, wasn't it?
Jerome glanced over at Mina to see her helping another guy from their class set up something across the room. He gritted his teeth. That girl could be so frustrating at times. "If you want to win a girl's heart," He started to say as he circled Alfie. ". . . you have to follow my four step plan." He told him. "Step one. Attention. Make sure she notices you." He couldn't help himself by looking over again to see that Mina was looking back at him this time. "Step two. Intention. Show her you're interested, because woman want to be swept off their feet." Jerome explained to his friend.
Alfie looked between his friends. He wasn't completely clueless. He had given up his crush on Mina because he knew how his best friend felt for her, even if he hadn't said it out loud, and most likely didn't even know himself. "Be noticed. Sweep her off her feet." Alfie said out excitedly. He couldn't wait to get Amber to notice him.
His full attention was on Jerome, waiting for him to continue on with the two other steps to come. "Step three. Longing." Jerome told him. Alfie sighed, knowing that he didn't have a problem with that one, which he told his friend as much. "No. No, she has to long, for you." Jerome had made it clear to his friend. "You have to be her hero." He told him.
Saying that, made his think to himself, made him remember. How many times had he come to Mina's rescue? There were times that she didn't even know about? How many times had he basically threatened that Robby bloke before he finally got the message to stay away from her? How many potential dates had he scared off? How many times had he simply been there for her when she needed someone? One particular time came to mind.
'At first it didn't work, but as he let go of her shoulders, she shot up with a gasp, screaming when she saw how close he was to her. She jumped back, hitting the wall to try and get as far away from him as she could. "Get away! Leave them alone!" She screamed out, still feeling as if she was in her nightmare. Jerome held up his hands in surrender, trying to show her that he wasn't going to hurt her. She had hot tears rolling down her cheeks, the tears still falling down from her eyes as she sobbed out.
He could see the terror in her eyes, and he knew that she thought that was still in her nightmare. "Mina, it's Jerome. It's just me, love. I won't hurt you." Jerome said out to her softly, trying to sound calm and gentle toward her. Mina flinched back from him as much as she could with her back against the head board, her head turning quickly to look at him in confusion.
Her expression softened when she realized who it was. "Jerome?" Her voice sounded so fragile to him, and it caused a pull on his heart. He nodded slowly to her, letting his hands slowly lower to his sides. Jerome was caught off guard when she suddenly through arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder. He froze, not knowing what to do. "It was horrible. Their screams, they were right there. I . . . I heard them." Mina sobbed out.
Jerome looked down at the girl clutching onto him as if she would die if he wasn't there to hold her. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, holding onto her as she cried. "It's alright, Mina. They won't hurt you, you're safe now." Jerome told her as he moved her over enough so that he could get onto the bed with her. She curled up into his side, fitting perfectly in his arms. Jerome's body instantly tensed up when she snuggled up to him like she did, but he had relaxed when he saw that she was calming down a little.
She was still crying silently, but it wasn't as bad as she had been when he had came in. He had to wonder though what she had dreamed about that was so bad that it caused her to react like this. He was surprised that no one else was coming down here to check on Mina, not even Nina was here yet. Surely Nina would hear her own family screaming and would want to find out if she alright? Minutes passed by, but yet? Still no one came to check in on Mina. He looked down and saw that Mina was staring blankly at the wall. He played with her hair, brushing it out of her face as he smoothed it down.
Jerome didn't know how long he was sitting in Mina's bed for when he looked down to see that Mina had fallen back a sleep. He knew that it would look bad if someone found them like this later on this morning, but he really didn't want to wake her up by moving her around so he could get up and leave. He watched as her bangs covered her eyes, her slow breathing blowing her hair as she exhaled. He chuckled softly to himself when he saw her noise twitch in annoyance. He carefully moved his arm that was wrapped around her shoulders and brushed her bangs out of her face.'
He smiled to himself as he remembered that night. He still hadn't a clue as to what she had dreamed about, but he really didn't need to know. All he wanted to remember was holding her and watching her as she slept peacefully in his arms. As corny as it sounded, he had rather enjoyed having her sleeping in his arms. He had felt important, needed. He would never tell her any of this, nor would he ever tell anyone else, but it was true.
"Hero?"
He snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Alfie's voice. "You need to be more of an, Iron man," He started as he placed Alfie's helmet on his friend's head slowly. ". . . then a Tin man." He told his friend. Alfie knew that he was right as he posed like a hero. Mina had just happened to look back at the two boys to see Alfie's pose. She couldn't help but giggle at the sight, causing the two boys to look over at her curiously.
She blushed and quickly went back to what ever she was doing. Alfie noticed his friend grinning to himself as he watched the brunette across the room. It would seem like he wasn't the only one trying to complete his own four step plan. "So which step are you on, mate?" He asked him. Jerome looked back at him confused. What in the bloody hell was he talking about?
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Mina had gone home to change really quick. She and Amber were going to be greeting the parents and showing them around the school. Mr Winkler had wanted them to look their best, and she had guessed that paint covered shorts and a tee shirt were not the best looking clothes around. She had bumped into her cousin and Fabian on her way toward her room.
They were doing something to the chandelier in the main hall. She didn't have the time to ask questions, since the parents would be showing up any minute it would seem. She had quickly gotten redressed and had hurried out the door again. She was hurrying down the hall to go find Amber when she suddenly froze. Jerome and Alfie were working on hanging up posters.
They hadn't noticed her yet. She took a deep breath and fixed her dress once again before continuing down the hall. At the sound of her heels, Jerome turned his head to see who was coming down the hall. "Hello, Miss Mina." He found himself saying as he looked her over. Alfie looked up as well and grinned to himself. She found herself blushing as paused once she had approached them both.
She had left her hair up in a messy bun, but she had changed into a silky green knee length baby doll dress with a cropped denim jacket over it. She looked away, brushing her stray pieces of hair back behind her ears. "You two boys seem to be doing a good job there." She told him as she stood in front of them.
"Men, Mina. Men." Jerome corrected her. She giggled and rolled her eyes at him. She had soon found herself locking eyes with him, her face softening as she got momentarily lost in his sea blue eyes. Jerome chuckled as he tilted his head to the side, giving her another look over. She really did look brilliant in green. It was truly her color.
Alfie coughed, trying to get rid of the awkwardness that he had found himself in the middle of. As much as he wanted his friend to get his girl, he surely didn't want front row seats to one of their 'loving looks'. Mina, upon realizing she had been staring, blushed even more and cleared her throat, quickly looking away from him. "You keep telling yourself that, Jerome. I should be off. I've got to find Amber. See you both later!" She said out to them as she took off down the hall.
The two boys looked on after her, one with longing in his eyes. The other with amusement inside of his own. "Man, why can none of the chicks around here take us seriously?" Alfie said out, unaware that his friend was paying him no attention. His eyes were clearly locked on the retreating girl's form walking away from them. It took a moment for him to realize that Jerome had not looked away from Mina. "Dude?" He asked out.
"I refer to my four step plan, Alfie. Heroics." He said to his friend as he watched Amber and Mina talking to some of the parents together at the end of the hall. "What do you need to become a hero?" Alfie shrugged, not having a clue as his friend turned to look at him. "A damsel in distress." He said as he looked back over at the girls. Alfie had seemed to catch on now. Jerome turned back to his friend and whispered his plan into his ear. Alfie grinned, not wasting a moment before liking the idea. The two soon took off to go get what they needed for their up-coming plan.
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Amber and Mina had just finished greeting another set of parents. They were currently sitting on the floor against the lockers and having some of Trudy's home made cookies. "Mina, you and I have to talk." Amber said to her, quite seriously. Mina looked at her confused. "Since Mick's . . . broken up with me, I've realized that you can't just take love for gran it. Now, I had thought that Nina and Fabian were going to be a problem, but it would seem that you and Jerome are fighting your love for each other." Amber didn't even blink when she had said that.
Mina, on the other hand, had almost choked on her cookie. She quickly wiped her mouth and looked at Amber with shock. Where had that come all from? She knew that Jerome didn't love her, and she certainly didn't love him much at all either. "I'm sorry, Amber, but you've got to be mistaken. I don't love, let alone very much like, Jerome, and I'm thinking the feelings are the same for him." She tried her best to explain to the blond, but it was hard to get her to understand when she had her mind set on something.
Amber just flipped her hair and sighed. Some times Mina could be so blind when it came to boys. She did seem to have a pretty bad record with the gender in the past though. "Dear, misguided, blind, Mina. This is why we're friends. You just haven't realized that you're both in love with the other. Haven't you been reading your horoscope? You both are destined to be together." Amber explained to her. Mina had opened her mouth to say something, but no words had come out in time. "Oh, look more parents to greet." She said out happily as she pulled Mina to her feet and dragged her along.
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Jerome and Alfie noticed that Amber and Min were coming back from their last tour around campus. Jerome carefully placed a container down on the table, trying not to be seen, before motioning Alfie to follow him. Amber and Mina were coming down the hall opposite of the two boys. They had walked by Mick and Mara slowly, Amber giving Mick a longing look as she did. Mina looped her arm through the blond's and continued on to explain something to the two people following them.
Amber gave her a grateful smile as she went on to explain one of the table. She trailed off when she realized that something else had caught to people's attention and they had taken off. Mina noticed Mick coming over to them and quickly excused herself before she could be stuck in the middle. She was walking away when suddenly she was grabbed around the waste. "What? Jerome! Let me go!" She called out to him as he practically dragged her outside of the school.
He dragged her over to Miss Roberson and a group of a few others. He explained to them about the smoke installations. Miss Roberson simply rolled her eyes, grabbing the books from Jerome and leading the way out of the room. Jerome put on his fireman helmet before pulling Mina along with him out of the school. She rolled her eyes at his ridiculous costume, but let him drag her behind him. She had no doubt that he was behind this.
Though, much to his displeasure, she had left his side once she was out of the school and had gone in search of Mara. It hadn't worsened his mood, though. If anything, it had only made it better when she had smiled before taking her leave. He was certain she had known that he had done this somehow, but it hadn't upset her, instead, it had made her smile. Which, was what he had wanted in the first place. "Instantly, she saw how maturely I handled the situation." Jerome whispered to Alfie as he watched Mara and Mina talking to each other about something. "I promise you, ten seconds and mission accomplished." He told his friend beside him.
He couldn't help but grin when she looked over at him. Her smile hadn't faded when she saw him looking back at her. She simply raised an eye brow at him and cocked her head to the side, as if asking him what he had done. He merely just chuckled and shook his head. Behind them, Victor had come out with their contraption, catching Sweet's attention as he waved it around.
The man in charge clapped his hands together, trying to get the attention of the large group before him. "Everyone, back inside, please." He called out to the students and parents. He went on to apologize to the visitors for the day. He turned his attention to the two guilty pranksters. "Clarke. Lewis, my office. Now." He said to them before taking off back to the school.
Their smiles had fallen from their faces. How had he even known it was them? They didn't have time to recover before Mina and Mara came up to them. "I must say, it's a grade up from the food fights during dinner." Mina laughed out. "Boys." She gave Jerome a wink before the two girls left. Jerome stared after her, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her retreating form.
He was soon brought out of his trance like state by Alfie elbowing him in the gut to get his attention. He winced, giving his friend a sharp look. He nudged him to look a head of them. It was Amber and Mick, whom didn't look happy and like a reunited couple. ". . . we're mates. Not dates. You know what I'm saying?" He told her. Alfie seemed to shine with happiness as he watched on.
Amber looked completely heartbroken, but at least that meant that Alfie could be her shoulder cry on when she needed it. "Yeah, I know what you're saying." She told him, trying to be strong and not to cry in front of him. She really did truly love him, and she did really want him back. It didn't seem like he wanted her back as well though. Mick didn't say anything more as he left. She had finally noticed Alfie and Jerome as she approached them both. "Thanks a bunch for ruinin' everything!" She yelled at Alfie. "Again." She said as she stormed off, leaving the two boys speechless, and in Alfie's case? Heartbroken as well.
Jerome had tried to hide his laughter, but it was harder said then done. Alfie let his head drop as he went to follow her lead inside of the school. Jerome did feel bad for his friend, though, he did find it comical. It was Amber they were talking about, some of the things she said could just make you laugh without her even meaning it to.
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Mina was alone, for once, in the living room doing her home work that she'd been putting off for a while. Nina and Fabian were locked away in her and Amber's room, doing who knows what. Amber was with them as well, so that kind of shortened the list of possibilities. Mick had gone out for a run to cool off after he told Amber it was completely over, and Mara and Patricia were off doing their own things.
And as far as she knew? Jerome and Alfie were still in Mr Sweet's office getting their punishment for today's smoke stunt. She had to admit, she was thankful for it. She did not want to do another tour around the school. They had wasted enough time with their prank to make it so there wasn't enough time for another tour, so therefore, she was grateful.
She was too caught up in her thoughts and her homework to hear the front door closing, with chatter following in after it. Jerome and Alfie were back, and they weren't exactly happy as they had been the last time she had seen them. Jerome glanced inside of the room to see a familiar head of brown hair. He motioned to Alfie that he'd be parting from him. Alfie glanced inside of the room to see the brunette alone and nodded, understanding completely as he continued on to their room.
Jerome turned and headed inside of the room soundlessly, not that it mattered. She had her headphones in, and he could practically hear the song she was listening to perfectly from where he stood. He leaned over her shoulder to see that she was doing english homework. He slid the ear piece out of her ear slowly. "Why are you doing homework from two weeks ago?" She asked her.
She screamed, falling forward out of the seat. She would have hit the floor is he hadn't grabbed onto her arm and pull her back. She twisted around from the tug on her arm, and was now facing him as she sat on her knees in the seat. " Jerome, that was so not funny." She glared at him, causing him just to chuckle.
He shrugged as he now hovered over her. She had to crane her neck up to keep her eyes locked with his. He grinned upon seeing her flushed cheeks and cocked his head to the side. "Yeah," He whispered softly to her. "It kind of was." He chuckled to her. She rolled her eyes at him, but she did manage to give him a small smile.
She was lost at words for a moment before slowly sat down in her seat again, picking up her work up from the floor. "So, how much trouble are you and Alfie in for the stunt you two pulled today?" She asked him. He moved around the chair and sat down on the edge of the table in front of her.
He could see that she wasn't really paying much of her attention to him now. He then decided to fix that as he pulled her notebook and papers from her to make sure all of her attention was on him. "We've gotten worse." He told her with a shrug. "So, let me ask you something, Mina. What do you think of going . . ." He was cut off by the sound of her phone.
She picked up her bag and searched for her phone. She pulled it out and looked at the caller id. Jerome watched as she seemed to brighten up upon seeing who was calling her. "Sorry, Jerome, but I have to take this. Just ask me later, okay?" She said as she got up from the seat and answered her phone. "Hey Max. You're just who I wanted to talk to right now." She said out happily into the phone. "I'll see you at dinner Jerome. You can just ask me then." She said back to the blond boy watching her as she left the room.
Jerome stared after her with a hurt expression. He had been so close to just asking her out, but then that Max character had called her and blown his moment. He certainly was not going to ask her during supper in front of everyone. "Max is her best friend from home. They tried dating, but it didn't work. Don't worry, Jerome." He looked up to see Mara in the door way. Instead of thanking her, he just rolled his eyes and left the room. He did not need to look like a love sick fool in front of the others.