House of Jara CHAPTER 15
Sibuna were watching Rufus from the trees as he re-entered the building.
"That was a close one" Alfie whispered as he dramatically wiped away the non-existent sweat from his brow.
"Come on let's go we can sneak into the Frobisher Library and have a Sibuna meeting there." Nina announced as she's heard Fabian tell her once that the Library had been closed for years.
"Amazing more excitement, sneaking into a… library, ok suddenly it doesn't sound as exciting" Amber squealed but frowned by the end of her sentence, Nina giggled but everyone else shushed her.
"Come on Amber" she said and linked arms and lead Sibuna away from the warehouse. They broke into the library with ease.
"Ok then the Mask of Anubis is an Ancient Egyptian legendary mask, it's said to weep tears of gold when worn by the High Priest of Anubis at a funeral of a Pharaoh. Legend also says that if worn by the pure of heart they can gain access to the afterlife: Land of the Gods and become a God or Goddess" Fabian explained as Sibuna listened intently.
"Land of the Gods? Rufus is insane he doesn't honestly believe in that sort of this stuff?" Jerome asked he was a complete sceptic of these things.
"Jerome after last term I think it could be real" Patricia said begrudgingly she didn't want to believe in such things.
"Patricia's right we need to take this seriously I mean if Rufus becomes a God who knows what he could do" Amber explained somewhat wisely in an Amberish type way.
"Fine we'll take it seriously" Jerome gave up and looked at his watch it was half six. "We should get back to Anubis House Trudy will already have supper ready"
"But we haven't been gone long enough to have seen a whole movie" Mara said nervously she didn't want people to know they'd been lying.
"We'll just say the movie looked pretty rubbish Nina suggested, she's gotten very used to lying and very good at it.
"Come on then if we want to eat" Patricia said getting off the floor.
"Oh I want to eat let's go" Alfie said excitedly jumping up before helping Amber up, she thanked him and they walked hand in hand back to the house. Nina and Fabian did the same as Patricia conversed with them about the Mask of Anubis. Mara and Jerome were left to walk together.
"Enjoying being back at school?" she asked him attempting to start a conversation.
"It's better than being with a foster family if that's what you're trying to ask" Jerome replied icily.
"Oh no I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that I was trying to stay away from sensitive subjects but apparently I failed" Mara immediately apologised she didn't want to upset him and it made her feel really bad.
"Mara don't worry I know you didn't mean that you know how defensive I can be. I just tend to say things that will push people away" Jerome dismissed her apology, apologising himself instead, Mara smiled at him knowing he didn't want to push her away. "You enjoying being back?"
"Na don't like the school work… Yeah I am enjoying being back" Mara said with a grin Jerome gave her a 'because of school work' look. "No not just because of the work but because I'm back with friends that I care about" Mara explained with her and Jerome looking into each other's eyes.
"Mara I need to tell you something, I…" Jerome began but decided against it.
"Jerome what is it?" Mara asked when he stopped himself from telling her exactly how he felt about her.
"No never mind it's stupid" Jerome told Mara rubbing the back of his neck looking down at the floor nervously.
"I'm sure it isn't stupid, please tell me" Mara pleaded she hated being left hanging like that.
"Fine, I-I-I I… really like you Mara but I mean as more than a friend. Mara I have felt like this for at least two years at first I just denied it to myself but when I finally started listening to it you were after Mick for your boyfriend. I just kinda gave up but then we started talking properly and well, my feelings got stronger. I've never felt like this Mara and you know how terrible I am with feelings, caring for people and trusting them not to let me down but Mara I care about you and I trust you with everything" Jerome was relieved to have finally said it out loud, he had finally gotten it off his chest. They were standing in the 'gateway' of Anubis House and Mick was watching from the porch. Mara's eyes filled with tears which made Jerome frown.
"Oh Jerome that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard anyone say. I really like you too; I didn't think you felt the same. You are too bloody good at hiding your emotions" Mara replied happily. "Do you fancy finishing that movie tonight? If we don't have any Sibuna stuff, we could watch it in your room after lights out and invite Amber so Alfie doesn't feel left out" she suggested as they walked up the path they had hugged and were still being watched by Mick.
"That sounds great we'll ask them after dinner" Jerome answered.
"Hey Mara can we talk?" Mick asked when the two had reached the porch. Mara looked at him it was obvious she still liked him.