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"So what's up with you and the word 'love'" he asked her, legs stretched out in front of him, as he leaned against a tree. Mara sat crossed legged opposite him, and popped a grape into her mouth. She was beautiful in her new dress, the sun hitting her perfectly.

"Nothing's up," she smiled "It's just…not quite right."

"Mara come on," Jerome pushed, slightly offended "You know you can tell me everything, I tell you everything."

"Do you?" Mara questioned, starring him in the eyes, as if searching for something. He let her stare for a moment, before she sighed, not finding anything. "It's just, before I came here, I had this boy friend. Edmon."

"Bad break up?"

"Yeah," she nodded "Everyday he said he loved me, and I said it right back, we threw the word around like it meant nothing. And then I was on my way home, when I saw him, standing there and kissing this girl. At first I didn't believe it was him, so I went closer, and I could hear him whispering the word again and again. Now, I'm never going to use that word until I'm absolutely sure." She looked back at him "Sorry," she added.

"Don't worry Mara, I'm nothing like Edmon," he promised, eyes widening in disbelief as he saw her slight frown "What?" he pressed "What?"

"Well…" Mara began uncertainly "He was a prankster too, which was just a cover story, he had problems with his family,"

"So?"

"Well…" Mara really didn't want to continue, she knew this wouldn't end well, but she saw the realization come to him, it was written all over his face.

"You-You think…I would do that to you?"

"No Jerome I do-"

"I can't believe you." He stood up, angry now. Mara stood too, her hands up defensively "After all this time how can you still not-"

"Jerome!" Mara cried, outraged "I don't think you would do that! Okay!" Jerome stopped his ranting and paused, shocked at seeing her angry "I don't! I'm just having a bad time! Edmon left, cheating on me! Mick left, cheating on me! Third time lucky doesn't just always work!" she took a deep breath in, tucking her black hair behind her ear "I loved them! And I told them I loved them so often, then when they leave! I can't Jerome, I just-" her voice fell quiet "Can't. I'm sorry," it was barely a whisper "I shouldn't have yelled, I have to g-"

"Mara," Jerome's strong voice cut in and gripped her wrist as she turned to leave, pulling her to him "You needed to yell, you've had that inside for way too long. Go on,"

Mara hugged him back tightly, burying her face into his chest "Go on what?"

"Cry," he urged "Sometimes it's better to just cry,"

Line Break

They were dancing together in the empty park. It was early evening now, and the sky was a light purple with streaks of orange. He had a hand on her waist and was holding her other one. While she had a hand on his shoulder, they jumped about on the grass. Shoes by their picnic remains.

"Woo!" Mara laughed as they skipped about

"You're adorable," he chuckled, moving both hands to her waist and lifting her high into the air, spinning her around, she squealed in delight. Head tilting back with laughter. "I've never seen someone laugh so much,"

"Then stop being so funny," she squealed, giving him a tight hug when he sat her down. "Jerome?" she asked quietly, moving her hands to hold his head softly,

"Yeah?" he pressed him forehead to hers gently, the remains of a smile still on his face

"Would you do something for me?"

"Anything," he breathed

"Kiss me," she said, eyes fluttering closed, as if she didn't want to hear the response. And this was the first time he had heard her ask that. When she was sober. He smiled, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers, they fit so perfectly it almost hurt him. His heart was pounding against his rib cage due to only a simple kiss.

Line Break

"So, you and Jerome!" Amber was literally jumping with delight "Finally! I've already started you're scrap book, so no worries there…"

"Amber!" Mara laughed, she had been in a good mood ever since she got back "We don't need a scrap book-"

"Hey Mara," Alfie popped his head around the door. Mara wanted to point out that he shouldn't just barge in without knocking, but she was too pleased. "Can I talk to you for a mo?"

Mara nodded, standing and following him down the hall "Well, since you and Jerome are dating, I want you to know that I'm very protective of him, and you better treat him right."

"What?" Mara laughed, bemused

"Jerome doesn't give his heart away easily Mara, and I just think you should remember th-"

"Hey Alfie," Mick smiled, walking down the corridor "Hey Mara, you look nice,"

"Thanks," Mara blushed despite herself, not use to compliments

"What are you two talking about?" he asked, eyes bright

"Jara!" Alfie exclaimed "Just making sure Mara knows the boundaries," to this Mara rolled her eyes

"Wait, so you and Clarke?" Mick looked stunned "I thought you two were just friends,"

"We are, we just decided to give it go," Mara nodded

"Really? I thought he went for a more Patricia type girl, you know? Just someone less predictable-"

"Shut up." Alfie murmured in a low voice. Mick looked at him, confused

"Wha-"

"I'm predictable?" Mara repeated, hurt.

"No!" he exclaimed, now seeing what Alfie had been trying to tell him "I was just saying that you're not exactly…the most, you know…bold, sort of-"

"Very bad." Alfie coughed, not so subtly

"Well." Mara growled "Good to know you feel that way Mick." And with that she turned on her heel and began to walk away

"Oh come on Mars, what are you gonna to this time? Dress up like Amber instead of Patricia?" Mick called down the corridor. Mara stopped cold in her tracks. And Alfie backed away slightly, shaking his head like a maniac

"Big mistake," he whispered. Mara turned back around, walked right up to Mick and slapped him hard across the face. Mick starred at her stunned, but Alfie looked like he had expected it

"Do not call me Mars." She hissed, walking away.

"Yikes," Alfie said, turning to expect Mick's bright red cheek "Had a feeling she'd do that, you can only push a nice girl so far Mick. And after what you did to her…" Alfie raised his hand and slapped Mick across the other cheek, before huffing and waltzing away.

Jerome watched from behind the wall, he had never been happier.

He had a best friend to stand up for him

A girl friend to hold him

And an enemy to get crushed.

Yup. Life was good.

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