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Alfie laughed, the two 19 year olds trotted along on their horses through the dense forest. Mara was due to be arriving tomorrow "Remember when she threw you in the pond?" he laughed. Jerome glared at him
"She didn't throw me, she just pushed me a little."
"Pfft," Alfie rolled his eyes "Are you gonna try and get her back?"
"I doubt it," he sighed "Mother says she's gonna be watching me this summer, I'm not allowed to do anything that might offend her,"
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"You could get your ultimate revenge," Amber offered, brushing through Mara's long smooth hair "I mean, you are now the most beautiful girl in the kingdom, you could make him fall in love with you, and then break his heart?"
Mara smiled at her friend "As lovely as that sounds Amber, I don't think I have the heart to do that."
"Well…is he good looking?"
"Unfortunately."
"Well then maybe the two of you will…see eye to eye this time? I mean two years ago, you told me that there was a small part of summer where you two were almost friends?"
"Maybe there was once such a time," Mara sighed "But now, I want absolutely nothing to do with him,"
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She was stunning.
Jerome Clarke watched in awe as she stepped out of carriage, never in his life had he seen anyone so beautiful. Is that what two years could do? Mara Jaffray stepped out of the carriage, her black glossy hair was straightened and came down to her elbows, her fringe was clipped back, and she wore a body hugging dark blue gown that swished around her knees, with a lighter blue cloak. Her small heels made her legs look even longer. She was…breathtaking. He found it difficult to breath. Her brown eyes sparkled and her face was flawless. She looked like perfection.
Mara watched the 19 year old worriedly, before curtseying "Pleasure to be here,"
Jerome bowed, for the first time in his life, out of respect "I-it's a pleasure to have you," he whispered truthfully, his voice cracking. He kissed her hand, lingering for a moment, before he straightened. Mara pulled her hand away with a frown
"Well…I'm going up to my room."
"Do you need any help with your bags?" Jerome offered, almost pleaded. Mara watched him, a little concerned
"I'm fine, thanks,"
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"She's beautiful," Jerome whispered to Alfie, shaking his head "She's…the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life,"
"Really?" Alfie frowned "What, little Mara?"
Jerome nodded weakly, falling back onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling "I don't know how…she's beautiful Alfie,"
Alfie fought his smile "You like her?"
Jerome swallowed. Could he like her? After all the years they'd dreaded summer because they hated each other so much, did he really like her? He guessed he must. No other girl had made him feel that way.
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"Hey, Mara," Jerome greeted kindly, walking into the library. Mara looked up from her book and arched a delicate eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"I was…" he ran a hand through his hair nervously, swallowing. He had no reason to be nervous, he was the most handsome man in any Kingdom. Dressed in spectacular clothing, and a new silk cloak-
"Where's your sword?" Mara asked suddenly. Jerome blinked once, then understood her question
"Um…I-I don't like wearing it," Mara pursed her lips thoughtfully, before raising her eyebrows
"Is there something you wanted?"
"Yes actually," Jerome cleared his throat "W-would you like to play a game of chess?"
"Do our parents want us too?" Mara asked, confused. Jerome shook his head, and Mara frowned "Then of course not. Why would I?" Jerome's heart broke a little at the blatant rejection, but really, what could he blame her? He nodded, leaving the room, letting Mara return to her book.
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"Hey Mara," Jerome tried again the next day "Would you like to go horse riding with me?"
"No," she sighed, not bothering to look up from her book, Jerome sighed
"Why not?"
Mara looked up at him, almost in shock "Jerome- the last time we went horse riding, you pushed me off my horse and into the lake," her eyes widened, as if this was something he really should remember
"I was a child," he said quietly
"You still are," Mara scoffed returning to her book. Jerome glared at her, stalking from the library, his cloak billowing out beside him.
Fine. If she wasn't willing to forget then why should he? He wouldn't forget what an insufferable nuisance she was. How many summers she had ruined. He'd go back to treating her the way that he use to.
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"You've got to be kidding me," Queen Clara sighed, looking into the small room. The fire burnt cosily, and Jerome was lying on his stomach in front of the fire, reading on the floor. While Mara was curled up in the red chair, reading. They were both reading the same book, but refused to speak a word to each other. King Jock shrugged
"Clara, maybe they will never love one another, and they may never marry,"
"No," she whispered "Don't say that! You saw the way Jerome looked at her when you arrived, he's noticed she's become a beautiful young woman!"
"I fear that Mara will never forgive him for the childhood torment," he whispered, looking in on the room again "Wait…they're talking…" the two parents listened
"Where are you up too?" Jerome asked, looking up at her. Mara sighed, before deciding to humour him
"The part where Jess just got in the car,"
Jerome nodded interestedly "She's going to die," he shrugged, casually looking back down at his book. Mara's mouth dropped open in shock.
"You didn't." she spat in anger. Jerome grinned like a cat at her
"Oh but I did,"
Mara hurled her book at him and it caught his shoulder "Why would you do that?" she cried "I loved that book!"
He picked up her book, that had fallen to the floor "Really?" he tossed it into the fire, and she gasped. Her eyes watered slightly, and she blinked back furious tears. She hissed at him, in a more of a pleaded whisper
"My mother gave me that book, you…you…." She trailed off, not knowing how to continue, and fled from the room. Jerome's face took on a dark look, plagued with guilt, and he collapsed in the chair she had been sitting in.
He was a jerk.
Line Break
King Jack took the photo quickly, the two were facing away from each other, and he quickly dismissed them, understanding that contact between the two may not be what they both needed right now.
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"Pleasure to be here," Mara said quickly, ready to leave. Jerome bowed, unable to make eye contact
"Pleasure's all mine," he whispered, wanting to say sorry but not quite knowing how to form the words in his mouth "Just so you know," he whispered "This is not my idea of fun,"
Mara didn't meet his eyes, and for that he was grateful
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