House of Jara CHAPTER 6
"Don't you have homework to be getting on with?" Victor bellowed he didn't like the kid's hangings around in the living area when Trudy wasn't around with the exception of breakfast, supper and chores. Mara jumped up and scurried up to her room. Joy was there.
"Hey Mara I thought you'd already be up here doing early homework or something, where've you been?" Joy asked curiously.
"I was sitting in the living room." Mara replied she was still very preoccupied thinking about what happened with Jerome.
"It's nearly five, what were you doing down there alone for two hours?" Joy asked curiously, Mara was getting increasingly annoyed with her questions.
"It's none of your business Joy!" Mara snapped.
"Alright sorry" Joy said under her breath and went back to her Hello! Magazine; Mara just lay on her bed; she stayed there in silence until six when she went downstairs for supper. When she arrived there was no sign of Mick and only two seats free: one opposite Jerome and one beside Jerome of course she chose the one beside him. Mick didn't turn up for supper but Mara didn't really notice as her and Jerome was chatting animatedly throughout the meal. Even after everyone had left they were left at the table talking.
"Mara it's your turn to wash up and since Amber has disappeared Jerome will have to help you." Trudy announced as she put leftovers in the fridge for Mick. Jerome groaned but obeyed their house mother.
"You don't have to help you know. It's not your turn I can do it alone." Mara expressed after Trudy had left.
"No it's fine. I'm not gonna let you do it alone. I want to help." Jerome smiled and Mara returned it with a smile of her own. They did the washing up normally and maturely for about five minutes but after an accidental splash by Mara which got Jerome wet and they launched into a full out war using water and bubbles, within minutes water had spilled over the sink onto the floor. As Jerome was going to advance another attack Mara slipped on the water. She braced for the impact that never came as Jerome caught her. It was almost like an embrace and that was the precise moment Mick chose to walk in. He was completely gobsmacked at what he walked into. His girlfriend in the arms of… Jerome Clarke. The 'Slime ball' had his arms all over Mick's girlfriend. Mara was shocked and all she could do was stare at him, she was still clinging onto Jerome and this infuriated Mick. Much to Mick's surprise Jerome was the first to react, pulling Mara up but he didn't let go until she had fully regained her balance.
"Uh Mick… your supper is in the fridge Trudy put some left overs in there." Mara explained with foam dripping from her hair. Mick slowly made his way to the fridge, pushing Jerome in the process. Jerome lost his balance and his foot slipped on the water. Mara grabbed him before he could fall to the floor and helped him regain his balance. Mick got his supper and went to his room; he was too tired to argue with anyone. Two minutes after he left the room Victor came downstairs. Mara and Jerome hoped he was going out but no, with luck he came into the kitchen.
"What on Earth have you two been doing?" Victor demanded loudly looking wildly around the room.
"We… uh, we I accidently dropped one of the big bowls in the sink and it splashed everywhere." Mara stammered she was an awful liar.
"It was my fault. I made her jump." Jerome backed her lie he was much more convincing, he'd been lying his whole life.
"Well you two clean it up immediately!" Victor bellowed Mara flinched and ran to the under stair cupboard to get two mops and a bucket. Victor got a glass of water and walked, loudly, back to his office.
"I'm never doing that again. He scares me. Does he scare you?" Mara said as she and Jerome mopped up the giant puddle of bubbly they'd made on the floor beneath the sink.
"No. He doesn't scare me. I mean he's worked here since before I got here. I've known him for ten years. Blimey, I've lived here for ten years." Jerome explained as the sudden realisation hit him. Most teenagers had a family house they'd lived in for most of their lives but he had a school boarding house, his eyes glistened with sorrow.
"Jerome… I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked" Mara could see his sadness. She felt very sorry for him she rested her hand on his arm, trying to comfort him. However he pulled away from her.
"Let's just get on with cleaning up. I'm kind of tired." Jerome replied and carried on mopping the floor. Mara was about to say something but got distracted when she looked into his crystal blue eyes.
"I'll see you in the morning. Night" Jerome voiced. There was a brief pause and they just looked at each other.
"Yeah night" Was all Mara could utter as she was still caught up in his beautiful eyes. Jerome broke the eye contact abruptly and went to bed and Mara quickly followed suit as it wasn't long until 10 'O' clock.