Thomas was halfway through 'War and Peace' when the door finally opened. The unmistakeable scent wafting in was enough to identify who had just entered the house.

"You're late, Marie."

The fiery teen slipped off her coat and bag, skipping lightly to the spot besides Thomas, who caved and finally looked up from his book.

"You've been waiting? For how long?" she asked playfully, peering over at the page he was on.

"Just a short while," Thomas said, quickly shutting the book. He decided not to tell her he had gotten halfway through the book since he had started waiting and opted to change the subject.

"So, how was Pierre?"

"It went great! We got so much of the project done-"

"No no," Thomas interrupted. "How was Pierre?"

"Oh, he was lovely," Marie said brightly. "He's handsome, and so refined and educated. His hair was perfect... oh, and his accent..." She began to stare, almost dreamily, in the air.

"You've mentioned it," Thomas said flatly. "What I mean is... did he touch you -" his hand tickles her side - "did he tease you -" he poked her cheek - "did he kiss you?" He leaned forward...

Marie swatted him away. "Stop that!" she giggled. "You know we didn't do any of those things. It was just a project."

Thomas feigned disappointment. "Well do you know if he liked you at least?"

Marie scoffed. "C'mon, Tom, I think I'd know if someone liked me."

Thomas snorted.

"I got it," Marie said suddenly. "You're jealous."

Thomas raised an eyebrow. "Jealous?"

"Yeah, it totally makes sense! Usually you're the guy I spend the most time with-"

"Marie-"

"And now that I'm spending all this time with Pierre, your position as my best guy friend is under threat-"

"Marie-!"

"Well cheer up, Tom," Marie said soothingly. "The big mean French guy is gone now, because we've finished the project. You don't have to be jealous any more."

Thomas sighed. "Well, you'd be jealous too if I hung out with other girls. In fact," he added slyly, a grin creeping on his face, "there is this girl I hang out with these days. Quite a lot, actually."

"Really?" Marie asked in disbelief. "I thought I was the only girl you hung out with?"

"Oh yes, we hang out after classes mostly," Thomas said. "We have a lot of fun together."

"Is that so," Marie said, leaning back against the sofa and crossing her arms. "You've never told me about her before,"

Marie's behaviour did not escape Thomas's notice. "Yes, she's particularly intelligent, and quite beautiful," he continued. "She loves music, and she's extremely creative. In fact, I think you two would really get along."

"I'm sure," Marie said, almost icily.

Thomas clicked his fingers in inspiration. "We should all grab a bite to eat one day. Wouldn't that be lovely?"

"Peachy."

"Yes," Thomas said, casually laying a hand on the pillow beside him. "I think you'll really like Jasmine."

"You-!"

Within a second, Marie was upon him, trying to hit as many parts of Thomas as possible through the pillow he had snatched up. "Making - me - think - there - was - a - real - girl -"

"I'll tell Jasmine she's not real then," Thomas smirked, from behind the pillow. "She'll be devastated."

"Argh-!" Marie clenched her fists, while unable to suppress the grin on her face. "Thomas Fletcher, you are so...!" She let her hands fall, breathing hard and still smiling as she slumped back into the sofa.

"You were so jealous," Thomas smiled, lowering the pillow and say at ease again. "I could see it in your eyes."

"Stoppp," she insisted, holding her head in shame. "I can't believe I got all flustered like that..."

"I guess we're both as bad as each other after all."

They shared a quiet moment. Thomas glanced over at Marie, who seemed to be glowing in the room's dim light.

"Tommy?"

"Yeah?"

"Promise me that no other girl will take you away? That you'll always be here?"

Thomas smiled and took her hand in his. "Always."