Hey guylets! Read on…

"No, because you're Ew…" she trailed off, swaying to the music in her head. Mara Jaffray was beyond drunk, she was ploughed, as Joy was too.

"I am not Ew," the stranger whispered in her ear "And you are certainly not Ew…" he moved towards her, but she took a wobbly step back.

"I'm going to find my friend," she said, trying very hard not to slur her voice. She made her way over to where Joy was seated on the sofa, with a couple of other people. "Joy!" she called over the loud music, it was so warm. "Joy!"

"Yeah?" asked Joy, looking up, eyes glazed

"I think we should leave!"

"Me too," Joy nodded, before someone leaned over and whispered something into her ear "Oh wait!" Joy added, "Try this!" she handed Mara a silver metal flask. Mara didn't even hesitate to put it to her lips, it burnt her throat but it made her feel all fuzzy. She thanked Joy and walked away.

Mara made her way out of the crowded house and onto the street. It was cold, but dry as she made her way back home. Well, she tried to make her way home. The world seemed to merge together before her eyes, and suddenly things were spinning. She found a bench and sat on it, bringing the flask to her lips once more. How much easier was life with a drink?

Pulling her mobile out of her purse, she dialled the Anubis house number, hoping Trudy would pick up and take her home.

"Hello?" came the all too familiar voice

"Jerome! You shoul- Should- Shouldn- Shouldn't be answer-answering the-the phone," she managed

"Mara?" he asked in surprise "Where are you? And Joy? It's really late, and why do you sound all weird?"

"Jerry, I don't h-have time for this okay?" she took another drink from the flash, relishing in the burn "Just send someone for me."

"Mara, are- are you…drunk?" he asked,

"Nooooooo," she shook her head despite the fact he couldn't see.

"Hang up." He stated shortly, and she did just that. Mara swiped her hair out of her eyes and patted down her dress, taking another swig. And she almost jumped out of her skin when her mobile started ring. "Mara?" he asked

"Jerome!" she called "I was just talking to you in the house!"

"Yeah, yeah," he waved off. There was rustling on his side of the phone "Now, where are you?"

"That's a bit personal," she stated dumbly.

"Mara…" he warned

"I'm on a bench,"

"Riveting." He answered sarcastically "Where?"

Mara looked around, before spotting a sign, she squinted at the words and read them shakily "Ridgdon street," she said slowly.

"Where's Joy?"

"Iushg," she managed

"She left you?" he asked in disbelief, by now Jerome was sprinting down the road. He knew where Ridgdon street was, not too far from here, only about a fifteen minute walk. And hopefully just a five minute run.

"Not really," she answered, taking another sip.

"What are you drinking?" he asked quizzically

"Iushg," she said again

"Mara, I wouldn't drink anymore-" But Mara had hung up. She leaned back on the bench and took another sip. Thoughts were whirling around her head so fast that she struggled to catch them. Who was she just talking on the phone with? Where was she? What was this delicious drink? Who and where was Joy? Why was she so cold?

Another sip.

Mick. She could remember a Mick, and there were absolutely no good thoughts connected with him. She could remember a Poppy. She felt sympathy and empathy and respect. And there was someone else…

"Mara!" cried a relieved voice, she turned slowly to see a tall blond boy running towards her. "Are you alright?" Jerome kneeled in front of her on the bench, inspecting her arms and face.

"Iushg," she shook her head, taking another sip.

"None of that," Jerome said in a low voice, swiping it easily from her grasp

"Hey!" she cried out "Give it back!" she reached forward, but her arm went far to the left, she was beginning to see double.

"You are really drunk aren't you, Jaffrey?" laughed Jerome, amusement layered in his voice. "Of all the people…" he shook his head, laughing

"Jeroome, give me back the thingy," she reached forward again, this time her hand landing on his head. He arched an eye brow at her, and she let her hand slide down the side of his head, until it rested on his shoulder, she tangled her slim fingers in his wind ruffled hair.

Jerome's expression became more serious, as he noticed how close she was. He found himself leaning forward, but Mara leaned away quickly, smiling. She took another swig of the flask she had taken off of him.

"Look at you, very impressive," he praised her. "Give it back," he yanked the bottle out of her grasp. Hiding it behind his back and standing up "Now come on Mara, back to the house,"

"No." Mara crossed her arms stubbornly

"Mara…"

"No." she said again. Jerome sighed, before waving the flask in front of her

"Come with me and I'll give this back," he offered. It was a lie, as soon as they got back to the house he planned on tipping everything onto the floor.

Mara stood up greedily, and swayed, Jerome put out his arm to steady her. And they began the walk home. She leaned her head on his shoulder and her breathing was quiet. "You're very pretty," she said after a while, looking up at him. He starred down at her, bemused.

"I'm pretty?"

"No." she shook her head, as if thinking of the word "You're….hansome."

"Handsome?"

"Ya,"

"Thank you," he laughed, as they neared the park "You're very pretty yourself." It was a light joke, not that he didn't mean it. But Mara stood suddenly, looking up at him

"Am I?" she whispered, eyes wide with wonder. He frowned

"Of course you are," he promised "Who doesn't think that?"

"Mick," her eyes lowered to the ground.

"Oh Mara," he swooped in to hug her. He rested his chin on her head, and rubbed up and down her bare back. The dress was a low cut, and he found it very distracting. "Just because Mick didn't think that…"

"You've always been there," Mara smiled, holding him tightly "That's why I love you,"

Jerome stopped breathing at the statement. Never before had he heard her utter the words 'I love you' and certainly never at him. But she just had. And his heart was soaring.

Mara pushed Jerome suddenly and watched with a small satisfaction as he fell backwards onto his back on the ground.

"Mara, what?"

Mara didn't say anything, and she straddled him, placing her hands flat against his chest. Jerome's eyes widened as he looked up at the beauty before him. Mara's done up face, hair falling around her, the starry night sky as the background.

"Hey," she whispered quietly down at him. Before leaning down and capturing his lips softly with her own. Jerome could taste the alcohol on her lips, but it wasn't repelling, it had an addictive fruity kick, and he could see why she'd liked it.

A large part of him knew this was wrong, that he was taking advantage of her when she was drunk. That she would kill him when she found out. But this felt too good.

It was when she moved her hands to fiddle with the top button of his white striped shirt that he pulled away from her

"Mara," he warned, but she ignored him, placing kisses down his throat, and opening the next button "Mara." He said more forcefully, she stopped, leaning back up to look at him

"Yeah?"

"Stop." He ordered, Mara simply smiled and kissed his cheeks, before capturing his lips again, they were so soft and warm, and surprised her every time she made contact with him "Mara," he growled "Stop!" Mara hovered her face above him in surprise

"What?" she asked softly "Isn't this what you wanted? For me to want you?"

"If you don't stop now, I won't be in charge of my actions."

"So?" Mara giggled, running her hands up and down his chest under his shirt.

"Mara," he growled "I won't be able to stop." It was taking everything he had not to visibly shudder at her hands.

"What if I don't want you to stop?"

"Mara," he half moaned, kissing her again. To his relief, she removed her hands from his stomach and moved them to his neck, holding her flush against him.

LINE BREAK

She was asleep, they had pulled away from each other, panting, and in less than five seconds she had fallen asleep.

He held her bridal style and carried her off to her room. Kicking it open he noticed that Patricia was snoring loudly, and he placed Mara gently onto her bed. Jerome watched her for a moment, running his hand through his hair . His lips were swollen, and oh, how guilty he felt.

He placed a bucket beside her bed, as well as a hangover tablet with a glass of water. It hurt him slightly, to know that she most likely wouldn't remember this in the morning, she had been so drunk.

And he had taken complete advantage.

"Oh god, what have I done?" he whispered to himself. He knew he was low, just like Mara had said he was You're so low Jerome, how many points did you think this would get you? Her words chimed in his mind, and he scolded himself. She deserved so much better, yet he didn't have the self resolve to stay away.

Jerome leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, before walking out.

More to come!