Disclaimer: I do Cheer4life4 does NOT own ANY part of House of Anubis.

Chapter 2

Mara's POV

I waited for Mick to show that night by the staircase. We were going to go to dinner together at six.

Although his jock-like ways and occasional snappy attitude did annoy me a little sometimes, Mick was my boyfriend. He was sweet, funny, and totally attractive.

So, I waited by the staircase for over an hour, but Mick never showed. I was almost positive he would, so I stood there for another entire hour, my legs getting stiff from standing too long.

Eventually, I had to except the fact that he wasn't coming. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I dashed back to my room, hoping Patricia hadn't gotten there yet.

I found the room empty and threw myself across my bed, burying my face into my pillow, wishing I could just disappear for a while. It was one of those feelings where everything seemed out of place and completely wrong, yet at the same time, my mind was relieved. How could that possibly be?

Hot and wet tears streamed down my red cheeks as I let go. I was praying inside that I was alone in the house.

"Mara?"

Of course that wasn't true. I turned from my now mascara-stained pillow to squint out of my puffy eyes and see Jerome standing in the doorway.

"What happened?"

"Jerome, I'm really not in the mood to talk."

"I thought you were going out tonight…with Mick?"

"I was. I guess he had better plans-" my voice cracked as I spoke the tear-jerking words.

"Oh Mara, I'm so sorry. Can I come in?"

I shook my head yes. I mean, Jerome was the prankster of the house, but he could be really sweet and funny, and after all, we were working together on our English project.

He came in and plopped down on my bed as I sat up. Jerome draped his shoulder over my back and rubbed my shoulder gently. I leaned into him for support. The tears just kept coming.

"Mara, don't cry. You're too pretty to cry. Mick doesn't know what he's missing."

I actually smiled a bit. "Thanks."

He nodded softly. See? He could be sweet.

I sighed deeply, wishing I could stay there forever. Jerome's presence just…warmed everything up I guess. Even if he was a little cocky and arrogant.

"Jerome, Mick…he stood me up. I waited for two whole hours and-and-" I just broke into a sob and he hugged me tighter.

"You don't have to explain, I understand."

I shrugged my shoulders and let them fall…just as there was a knock on the door.

I heard his voice before I saw his face. The doorknob turned as he said, "Mara, I'm-" Mick took note of our positions and Jerome's arm tensed. "What's going on here?"

I turned away, not looking at him. "Why do you care?" my voice was a whisper.

"Because you're my girlfriend. I-I'm dating you."

"You stood me up, Mick. That kind of sends an entirely different message." I got up from Jerome's grasp and walked out the door, tired of facing the boy who broke my heart only an hour ago.