Jerome knew.
Oh, how Jerome knew.
Of course, Jerome knows everything.
He wasn't the first to know, given. Third, at the least. But, of course, he's Jerome Clarke, extraordinaire , he has to be one of the first.
He realized at the masquerade. He's always found those pretty useless. Dances, that is. He can't stand seeing all those happy couples when he can't be with the one girl he's ever wanted to be with since as long as he can remember.
But, yes, that's when he realized. He didn't figure out at Donkey Day, he was a tad too distracted with the fact that he had to pay the fine for the crummy P.I. he hired.
"Wait..." he had said to Alfie after he saw Eddie and Patricia talking almost normally across the room. "Since when do Eddie and Patricia even tolerate each other?"
Alfie shrugged indifferently. "They don't. Who cares if they do or not, anyway?"
"Do they like each other or something?"
"I don't think so." Alfie glances over at them. "Maybe. I really don't care, man."
"No, no, Alfie, my friend." Jerome smirks and wags a finger. This is what he does, to divert others' attention away from him. Point them towards others. "This is a perfect blackmail opportunity."
"What?" at that moment, Eddie saunters over to the best friends, and Jerome acts casual, turning towards the snack table. Alfie follows suit. Eddie reaches over them to pour himself a cup of punch, bobbing to the beat. Jerome glances over to see Patricia and the new American practically shagging with their eyes.
Oh god.
So he started the bet, along with Alfie. He's not sure if it made or ruined Peddie, but it happened, and everything happens for a reason, right? Or at least that's what he tries to convince himself.
Except he recognized the way Eddie looked at Patricia while the two were dancing (quite terribly, actually). He looked at Mara that way. He knew he does, he's been doing so since 5th grade. And he really, really like Mara. So Eddie really, really likes Patricia. It's common sense, people.
Even though he had never been a fantastic friend with Eddie, he did make a speech on Eddie and Patricia's wedding day. Hey, Patricia was one of his best friends, he can do it!
"Trixie!" he had said. "You got married! You've beaten the odds! Go you!" Patricia sneered at him, and he snickered. "And Eddie! You've been a douche since the day I've met you, but a tolerable douche. Tolerable enough that Patricia is willing to spend the rest of her life with you." he tippex his glass slightly. "So kudos." he pointed towards the blond. "And hurt her and you die." he raises his flute of champagne above his head. "So to Peddie!"
"To Peddie!" chorused through the room as everyone raised their glass, Eddie pecking Patricia on the lips.
Funny how things work out. he thought to himself as he sits down to plant a kiss on his girlfriend, Mara's, lips, the engagement ring calling out from his pocket.
A/N: okay I know I said next was Mara but I really wanted to post this so
Ldlahdoahxoa we'd better get a Peddie kiss tonight
Next up is Mara. Promise.
review?