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"Okay..." Poppy shook her head in amazement, laughing slightly "This is getting weird,"

Jerome looked up from his position on the sofa. Where he was half heartedly attempting a piece of homework that was due last week. He wouldn't be doing it, of course, but Mara worried so much about his final grade. He smiled when he saw the package in her hands, wrapped in the familiar dark green wrapping "Tell me about it, Mr Osborne sends gifts. When he first met me, he sent me an x-box and like a thousand games. Don't worry, they'll slow down when he realises that you actually like his son,"

Poppy sat on the sofa beside her brother, and carefully unwrapped the green covering, to reveal a white silk dress, the material ran through her fingers like a calm breeze and she shook her head "Is he...is he paying me, to like Harry?"

"Yup," Jerome sighed, shaking his head "He doesn't really think anyone can like Harry, but I do, he's my brother," he smirked at Poppy "And you like him too-"

She threw the wrapping at his head.

Line Break

"Harry," Mara frowned, clutching her books to her chest as they walked down the hall. Jerome was in maths right now, but she and Harry had a free period. "I don't mean to pry, but...but how-"

"Did I defeat you in the trig test?" he guessed confidently, before laughing and half hugging her, his smile was wide, he was nearly always smiling now, it made Mara smile slightly. "I think I've got a slight edge over you in maths," he tapped his head "Took me a while, but I got it," he held the door open for her as they waltzed into the empty drama studio, and took seats opposite each other on the cushy chairs.

"No," she laughed, stroking her long dark hair back, her brown eyes shining as she placed down her books "I was actually wondering, how much do you know about your mother?"

Harry's eyebrows rose but he didn't look sad "Not much," he whispered, shaking his head "I mean, obviously, I've seen the pictures. She's beautiful. But...I mean, I only saw her once and I was a couple of minutes old. She's just uh..." his smile faltered slightly "She's just a memory, a very very old memory, that I know is in here-" he tapped his brain "But I'll never be able to get too."

Mara nodded, looking down at her knees. She was dressed all in dark purple today, a lovely summer dress with a pink belt. "I can't imagine what that's like." She reached forward and held his hands. He frowned at her "Do you ever wonder?"

"Mara..." he leaned back, still holding her hands, his green eyes searching hers "What's this about?"

She shook her head "Lately Harry, I've started thinking about..." her voice dropped into a whisper "That after life," Harry simply arched an eyebrow and he didn't laugh at her. That was something Mara had always loved about Harry. He never laughed at you, he was so understanding. But people who came from such complicated lives, were always very understanding. She loved Jerome, a different type of love to Harry, but Jerome was...he wasn't as serious. And sometimes, she needed someone who could have a conversation with her without smirking or rolling their eyes. "I mean...about ghosts, and what happens to us. I've never been a religious person, but I've always...believed. And I was wondering..."

"What's wrong, Mara?" He persisted, his voice low, and inviting. Another similarity between Harry and Jerome. They could both be very persuasive when they wanted too. "What's happening?"

"My mum's really ill," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "They think it might be..." she tipped her head, eyes watering slightly "T-they don't know, though. I-it might not be and..." Harry was kneeling in front of her in a flash, holding her elbows and looking up at her worriedly "Oh gosh Harry, I don't know what I'd do I-"

"Mara," he whispered, his cool breath cooling her tears, his curly hair fell slightly into his forehead "You've gotta hope, never dare lose your hope. Everything's gonna be okay. Shhh, I promise, everything." She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "I've the only one you've told?" She sniffled a yes, and he wrapped his arms around her back, holding her tightly.

Jerome came in then, and paused in the doorway. He could hear Mara crying, and he frowned worriedly at Harry who mouthed at him "Give us some time,"

Jerome nodded stiffly, it was hard for him, it had always been harm for him to leave Mara, especially when she was upset. But now that Harry had Poppy, he was a little less jealous of every moment his best friend spent with his girlfriend. "Take care of her," he whispered, Harry nodded, and the two boys couldn't help but smile at each other for a moment. There was a great deal of trust in his silent words. And Jerome turned and left, and he knew he needed to talk to Mara.

Line Break

"Hey man," Jerome grinned, his mouth half full of a sandwich, he had just opened the door to reveal Harry, "Wanna play Grand The-"

"Actually," Harry looked a little flustered, and rubbed the back of his neck "I'm here to see Poppy,"

Jerome was baffled for a moment, and maybe there was a flash of hurt on his face? But It was gone too quickly for anyone to notice. "Oh right sure," he opened the door wider and Harry stepped in "That's uh...that's gonna take some getting used too,"

"Sorry," Harry murmured quickly "How about...when I'm coming to see Poppy I come in the back? And when I'm here to see you, the front?"

Jerome smiled "Sure man, go," he pressed his hands into his pockets awkwardly "Just promise, you'll..." he shook his head, feeling stupid for a moment. "Promise you'll...you'll still come through the front, every now and then, right?" He was afraid of looking weak, but he needn't worry, Harry patted his shoulder

"You're my brother," he shrugged "And, this weekend my father's hosting a huge party at the mansion, all the big names, real fancy. I'm expected to be there, meant to make a speech or something," he shrugged "Uh, my father's gonna want you there, obviously bring Mara, I was just gonna ask Poppy,"

Jerome laughed "I'm gonna have to wear a suit for this aren't I?" he chuckled, but sobered slightly "It might be good for Mara..." He wondered aloud "She needs to have a rest, she's going through a lot,"

"Is she here?" Harry asked curiously, looking around

"Nah, she's coming over in about an hour," he nodded, and shoved Harry's shoulder slightly "Don't start spending so much time with Poppy you forget who your brother is." Harry smiled

"It's nice," he admitted, heading for the stairs "To hear you so openly saying you need me as a friend," he smiled down at Jerome "Because I felt the exact same way when you and Mara started dating,"

Jerome seemed stumped for a moment, again. And his eyes widened in realisation "Oh." He whispered, and then he chuckled "Yeah I guess...I never really gave much thought to how it would affect you,"

"But you didn't ditch me," Harry reminded, disappearing up the stairs "So there's no way I'm gonna ditch you,"

Jerome smiled fondly, collapsing on the sofa. He replayed the last few years in his mind. This time, instead of thinking of himself, or Mara. He thought of Harry.

Line Break

"I've never been to a big party before,"

Harry laughed, lying on her bed and staring up at the ceiling "You'll be fine, my father loved you. It couldn't have gone better." His hands were tucked under his head and he groaned "Why aren't you beside me?"

"Because I'm doing my homework," she laughed setting down her pencil and jumping onto the bed beside him "But I can take a break," she straddled him easily and he smiled wildly

"You make me so happy," he whispered, reaching a hand up to trace from her eyebrows to her chin "I always seem to be smiling when you're around,"

"I'm glad," she grinned kissing his nose. "Jenna's jealous," she smirked, as trademark as her brother and he laughed. "She thought we'd broken up for good."

"Ah, you're just using me as a play thing," he teased, leaning up on his elbows, and kissing the hollow arch of her throat. And Harry just loved everything about her. Her skin smelt of roses and her hair was so smooth. Poppy shivered, and she couldn't believe it. A small part of her felt so embarrassed, he was just so hot. And here he was kissing her, and he was rich, and he was kind, and he was smart, and there was no way she was good enough for him. "And Jenna scares the life out of me,"

"I noticed," she laughed lightly "At the gym,"

He leaned back in surprise "You were there?" He asked, and then he fell back on the bed with a laugh "Of course you were," he rubbed his forehead "You are a Clarke. Why didn't you save me from her?" she leaned down and kissed his lips lightly, before sighing. "You've got homework," he teased "You know, if you wanted, I could hire a top scientist or an Oxford graduate to do all your homework for you,"

"That is so tempting," she whispered into his ear, standing up "And one day, I'll take you up on that offer,"

"No matter what happens, it will always stand," he got comfortable on her bed "And while you work that pretty brain of yours, I'll wait here for you,"

"Nothing better to do?" she guessed, sitting at her desk

"Please," he said honestly "What's better than this?"

It made Poppy smile, even though she didn't believe him.

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