Oh my! Almost 100! Thank you all!

Enjoy!

"Please," he whispered to her, their foreheads were pressed together, and they were both panting lightly. "Please Mara…" he whispered again

"Jerome," she shook her head, small hands firm on his bare chest. He was radiating heat.

"Please,"

"I'm not ready, okay?" she said softly, pushing him further away. He relented, pushing away from her, running both hands threw his hair.

"Sorry." He murmured, picking up his grey shirt and walking out of her room.

Mara watched after him, sadly. How long could she push him around like this? And why wasn't she ready? She knew for a fact that Patricia and Eddie had…done it. She knew Amber and Alfie had as well, and Joy and Mick. It was only Nina and her that believed they should wait just a bit longer each time.

She tucked some black hair back into her bun, and walked out of the room.

"Hey Mara, everything alright?" Fabian asked brightly, he had his hand up as if he were just about to knock on her door.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"It's our turn to make dinner, remember? You did make the rota," he smiled

"Uh, sure, let's go now."

The two of them headed down to the relatively big kitchen, and started peeling some vegetables

"Fabian," Mara began awkwardly, fumbling with the carrot

"Yeah?"

"Have you…ever asked Nina for…you know," she could feel his eyes suddenly on her, but kept staring at the carrot, peeling it slowly.

"Uh, y-you mean…you know?"

"Yeah,"

"Well, I …don't know. Why?"

"Well, I guess it's because everyone else has done it but us four,"

"Oh." Fabian's voice was high pitched. He obviously felt as awkward with the matter as Mara did. She wondered whether she should have talked to Nina instead. Too late now.

"Jerome wants us to,"

"Ew." Fabian managed a nervous laugh, Mara smiled

"But I keep saying no, how do you think he feels?"

"Mara," She turned to face him, face bright red "Nina's done the same thing to me. But I don't feel bad. I understand that she needs her time. And whenever she's ready. The only thing I felt for her is love. I can't speak for Jerome, but he's not gonna be angry with you,"

Mara smiled "Yeah, but you're a lot sweeter than Jerome," she pointed out

"And you're a lot smaller than Nina," he teased lightly. They both laughed.

Line break

"Jerome," she knocked on his door, and it reminded her of Anubis again. Except Alfie wasn't down the hall and Mick wasn't playing sports outside. "Jerome? Can I come in?"

"Sure." She opened the door and Jerome was lying on his bed. Hands across his stomach.

"Dinner will be ready in about five minutes."

"What are we having?"

"Spaghetti,"

"I like Spaghetti," he stated, sitting up and looking at her "Sorry Mara," he smiled "Forgive me?"

Mara searched his eyes, seeing nothing. She threw her arms up in frustration. "Ugh! Stop it!" she yelled at him

His eyes widened and he stood slowly, hands raised in defence "What? What did I do?"

"Don't just ask for forgiveness Jerome! I want to know WHY you want forgiveness! Why can't you tell me how you feel?"

"Wow. Mara, calm down,"

"No!" she cried louder, shaking her head. "Don't tell me to calm down!"

"Okay!" Jerome shrieked slightly afraid, changing tactic quickly "What do you want me to do?"

"I just told you!"

"You want me to share my emotions with you?" he asked incredulously

"Yes," she sighed

"No." he stated boldly. Standing his ground. Mara's shock changed to confusion

"Why?"

"I shouldn't have to share every feeling I have to you Mara. I should be able to have my secrets!"

"I'm not asking for everything! But before, in my room. Why can't you tell me what you felt then?"

Jerome stopped breathing and just stared at her for a moment. Frozen "I-is this what this is about?" he asked in a low voice

Mara nodded her hand, maintaining eye contact.

"Well I…" he trailed off, unsure how to continue "Well I felt…bad."

"Why?" she asked quietly

"Rejection Mara, I don't know how many times I can ask without giving up altogether."

"Hey guys! Dinner!" Nina bounded up to the both of them. She then took in their stance "Oh," she muttered to herself "Sorry, be down soon though okay? It'll get cold and I think Fabian broke the microwave." And she wandered away, embarrassed.

"Mara-"

"Giving up? I didn't think you could just 'give up' love, Jerome." Mara shook her head at him before following Nina down the stairs

"Mara!" he called after her, but she didn't turn. He let out a frustrated sigh. Kicking the wall with his leg.

Line Break

"You told her you were giving up?" he asked in disbelief "How stupid are you?"

"I didn't call for your questions Edmon," Jerome spat into the phone. He stood just outside their house in the gardens. He was calling to see why Mara was so upset. He just wanted to make her happy.

"Don't really know why you called at all," Edmon muttered

"Come on, just tell me what to do?"

"Well it's pretty simple isn't it? Just tell her you love her, you won't ever give up on her, and that you're a stupid tall idiot that will never deserve her,"

"That'll work?" he asked doubtfully

"This is Mara. Mara's pleased with anything genuine. As long as you mean it."

"Interesting," Jerome stated "How are things with you and Mona?"

"Great! We're at the Santa Barbara Community College,"

"Have you…?"

"Yeah, why haven't you?"

Jerome just coughed

"Way! You haven't have you? Loser!"

"How am I a loser? I got the real Mara."

"Yeah yeah. If you keep treating me so badly I might not help you all the time with every single Mara problem."

"I could just ask Mick."

"Come on, we all know how much you hate him!" Edmon laughed. Jerome laughed lightly

"Thanks, I owe you one," and he closed the phone.

"Hello!" A voice called. Jerome turned to see a boy about his age and height, who looked an awful lot like Alfie "You're new here as well?" he asked hopefully. Jerome walked over to the fence, sliding the phone into his pocket

"Yeah, I live here with some friends."

"Nice. I live just down the corner. We should all meet up sometime."

"Okay. What's your name?"

"I'm Ralph," the stranger grinned

"I'm Jerome,"

"Cool to meet you. Want to see a magic trick?"

"Okaaayy.." Jerome was slightly thrown by the similarities "But first, do you by any chance have an obsession with Aliens?"

"No." Ralph scoffed

"Oh."

"I have an obsession with Doctor Who."

Jerome's eye brows raised "How about you show me that magic trick tomorrow? We could go explore the campus or something?" Now Jerome had never been one for making friends. So he didn't know what it was that had made him ask this Ralph guy. But he just did.

"Awesome bro! Catch you here about 1:00?"

"Alright. See you then Ralph,"

"Later man," and for a moment, Jerome actually believed it was Alfie talking. He watched as Ralph walked away, wondering whether he would turn around and say he was really Alfie. But he didn't.

Jerome walked back inside.

Line Break

"…So anyway, I just wanted to let you know how I feel. And why I'm sorry. I love you Mara,"

"Thank you Jerome, but I was just about to come and apologise to you," Mara smiled at him.

"Oh." He stared blankly for a moment, before smiling "Well in that case. I forgive you,"

Mara laughed loudly. Her hand unconsciously fiddling with the ring around her neck. Jerome noticed the small movement.

"You're going to have to tell them sometime," Jerome whispered. She nodded, black hair falling into her face.

"I know, I just…" she wanted to list her slight insecurities, her worries. Because she knew he would make them all disappear. But she didn't. He was happy and she didn't want to drag him down with her. "I just don't want Amber to get crazy with the planning."

"Whenever you're ready," he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, before standing and leaving. Mara watched after him.

"Jerome!" she called, but he had just closed the door. Go after him the voice in her mind called. But she didn't have then energy. "It was a sign," she whispered to herself, starting to get ready for bed "The door closed a second early as a sign. I should keep my troubles to myself,"

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