Last chapter folks, hope you enjoy it!

A Beautiful Affair 12

Mara & Jerome decided to just end everything and not talk to each other so no one would get hurt but in the end both of them did get hurt so they just decided to kill themselves but jumping off a cliff.

Joy watched this happen and she smiled as she screamed "FINALLY, MICK IS ALL MINE!"

pATRICIA and eddie got back together but when she found out about eddie and Mara sleeping together, she got really mad and suddenly shot him with a gun, she then realized what she just did and overshadowed with guilt decided to kill herself too.

When Mick found out what EJrome & mara did, he was sad so he killed himself too.

Joy findin mick's body screams and crys so she kills herself too.

And the others, well.

I think they killed themsefs too.

The end.

Okay, that really wasn't the really story but I just decided to troll people because I'm kinda crazy at the moment.

I'm sorry for those who actually thought that, that was the real chapter ((I hope none of you did because... honestly?!))

Anyways, it was actually agonizingly painful to write this story and I didn't enjoy it but as long as you did, I'm fine with that~!

Okay, on to the REAL story~!

Enjoy~!

As Alfie knocked on the door of the room that Mara shared with Patricia and Joy, he felt his stomach do back flips, he was beyond feeling guilty now. He couldn't help it, he somehow felt responsible for everything, ever since he sent the photos to Mara, everything turned chaotic. He just wanted Mara to think about what she was doing and end it so no one would get hurt but it ended with the complete opposite of his intention.

Mara was now in trouble with Mr. Sweet, the other students constantly called Mara a slut or a whore–which was not true in any sense and his best friend had a major bruise on his face from the fight between him and Mick.

As the door open to reveal a very distressed Mara, her eyes red and puffy from crying, dried tears stained her cheeks. Alfie felt his throat dry up when he took in her full appearance.

"What do you want, Alfie?" Came a very hoarse greeting from the girl in front of him.

"Hey Mara," He greeted as he looked down at her "can we talk?"

She nodded after a moment of hesitation and made way into the room.

Alfie could see the trash bin near Mara's bed full with soiled tissues. She sat on her bed, taking another piece of tissue and wiping her tear stained cheeks. He decided to take a sit on the edge of Mara's bed, taking precaution to give her space, a little bit of him was terrified to receive the possible reaction he would get from Mara after this.

"How are you?" He asked and she looked up to meet his eyes and he couldn't read the emotions behind them. They looked so cold and yet glazed with a drop of sadness and hurt.

"Never been better" She choked out, it was a lie, Alfie knew that but he wished for it to be true.

He wished that everything would just return to how it was so all of them could be happy, but he knew it was impossible and even if it was, he knew that not all of them were going to be happy. Jerome wouldn't be happy. He wouldn't be happy to see the girl he loved with someone else and hide the fact that he was in an agonizingly pain from it. And Alfie couldn't see his best friend like that.

"You're an awful liar, Mara" He replied and he received a glare and a groan of annoyance from her.

"What do you want, Alfie?" She repeated her earlier question.

She was beyond drained; she just wanted to go lock the door of her room and not talk to anyone, cry and possibly cry some more. She wanted to escape for a little and forget everything before she goes out and confront everything and try her best to do damage control. She wanted to take control of her life and steer it to a direction where she didn't feel like she wanted to jump off a cliff every five seconds.

"I need to tell you something," Alfie said and he took a moment before speaking again. Mara watched him with curious eyes. "or better yet, show you something."

He took out his camera phone from his back pocket and placed it on the bed.

Mara was confused as she looked down at the item in front of her.

"What?"

It wasn't the response she wanted to say but her mind was in a abyss of turmoil and coherent sentences weren't forming in her head. But somehow Alfie understood her and picked up the phone.

He pressed a few buttons until it was in the gallery, he sighed before placing it back down for Mara to see.

Mara took the phone in her hands and her eyes widened in shock.

She saw a collection of photos of her and Jerome in the library that day that she prayed she would forget. She clicked on one of the photos and continued to go through the gallery. Suddenly her confusion was washed away and it was starting to click into place. The photos she had received a few weeks ago were from Alfie. Alfie was the one who saw her and Jerome together in the library.

She looked up to meet his gaze, he looked to nervous and she realized to took great courage for him to come to her and admit to her what he did. And the anger that was building up in her a few seconds back was crashed into the ground.

She dropped the phone onto the bed and hugged Alfie.

Alfie's eyes widened as Mara hugged him; it wasn't the reaction he had expected.

He had expected her to yell, scream, swear at him, get angry, maybe throw stuff at his direction or cry but he never expected her to hug him. It took a moment to register in his mind before hugging Mara back.

"I'm so sorry" He managed to say when she pulled back "I just saw you two by accident and I didn't know what to do. I never wanted anyone to get hurt–"

"Alfie." She cut him off, her voice still slightly hoarse but she tried her best to continue "I don't blame you, it's not your fault. It was all mine."

" But Mara, I shouldn't have took the photos and maybe no one would have known or something…" He said

"It was bound to be known sooner or later, Alfie" She replied "and yeah, this way is somewhat painful but I still don't blame you, no one does."

"I'm still sorry, Mara" He told her.

"I told you, its fine, Alfie" Mara told him but there was a part of her inside that pushed the next words out of mouth before she could filter it. "You should talk to Jerome though; I'm not sure how he's going to react to this"

"Yeah… about that" He said "I'm not sure if I can."

It was true, he decided to tell Mara first because he knew she wouldn't react as badly as Jerome would've if he told him that he was the one took photos of them in the library kissing.

"What do you mean?" She asked

"He's gonna hate me, Mara." He explained "He's my best friend and I don't want him to hate me."

"Alfie, he's not going to hate you" She countered but she knew that Jerome wouldn't take the news lightly "You're his best friend; he's not going to hate you."

She placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"But what if he does?"

Their eyes met and Mara could feel nothing but sympathy for him, he was really scared that Jerome would hate him and she didn't want that either.

"Want me to talk to him for you?"

Alfie suddenly perked up and hugged Mara.

"Please, thank you. Thanks a million Mara. You're the best" He said after they pulled apart and Mara couldn't help the smile that was now plastered on her face.

"No problem" She said but something else was pocking her at the back of her mind. "Alfie, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, of course. What is it?"

"The photos, I just want to know…" She tried to gulped but her throat was too dry and it hurt to even try "If there are any other copies of the photos"

"Oh." Her words dropped Alfie back into reality "The photos I gave you were the only copies," He took the phone and clicked to select all the photos of her and Jerome "and I'm going to delete these," He clicked on delete "now."

"Thanks, Alfie" She said, she felt a certain amount of weight lifted from her shoulders when he said that there weren't any other copies and when she saw that he deleted them.

Two problems crossed from her very, very long list.

After an hour or two, Mara still didn't leave her room and no one else besides Alfie came so it was safe to say, it was either everyone hated her and didn't want to talk to her or everyone decided to give her some space. She wasn't sure what to believe, both seemed possible enough. But she leaned more on the "everyone hated her" it was more believable.

She looked up from her position on the bed when she heard the door open. She saw Patricia, she hoped that Joy would be with her but it was just her.

"Mara" She said her name with a certain authority that only Patricia Williamson had.

"Where's Joy?" She said straightforward, not wanting to take any curves on the road of this situation.

"Down stairs in the living room" Patricia replied, "it's time for dinner"

She sat next to Mara on her bed, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulders.

"I'm not hungry" Was Mara's simple reply.

"Come on, Mara. I haven't seen you eat anything all day!" Patricia said her voice filled with concern "You need to eat something."

"How would you know if I ate something or not?" She shrugged Patricia's arm away from her and stood up to sit on the chair next to her bed. "It's not like you actually care enough to even come and ask how I've been after of this ordeal."

Her voice was empty, no emotion was detectable but it wasn't so surprising. She was all drained out of every emotion possible.

"Hey now, you don't have to be such a bitch about it" Patricia said upset by her accusations. But something tug on her mind that it was true, she never did go and see how Mara was. She instantly regretted her words.

Neither of them said anything and an awkward yet painful silence lingered between them.

"Everyone hates me" Mara finally said, she knew it wasn't true. Not everyone hated her but most of them did and it made her heart ache.

"That's not true" Patricia countered, leaning forward and taking Mara's hand "No one hates you, I don't hate you."

"Oh yeah?" Mara looked at Patricia and before she could stop herself the words were already pouring out of her "Even if you found out that I slept with Eddie?"

Shock was obvious on Patricia's face, she suddenly had the urge to pull her hand away and scream but she forced herself to stay civil and decided to take a deep breath before speaking.

"W-when?" She was dreading to hear her answer but Mara's next words soothed her, a little.

"It was when you two were already broken up" Mara answered "He didn't cheat on you, don't worry."

Patricia released a sigh of relief and she looked at Mara again

"I'm sorry about calling you a bitch"

"Its fine, it's true anyway"

"Mara–"

"Look me in the eye and tell me it isn't true, Patricia!" She looked Patricia in the eyes, almost egging her own to tell her it wasn't true.

Patricia rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Mara, you need to stop feeling so sorry for yourself!" She exclaimed "You need to stop hating on yourself; you made a mistake, who doesn't?" She sighed and breathed in after that and decided it was time for her to leave. "I'm going to go down stairs for dinner, you can either come with me or not, it's fine. But stop feeling so sorry for yourself and stop hating yourself. It's sickening to look at, it doesn't suit you. Self-pity isn't your style"

By the end of her speech, Mara knew Patricia was kidding now and everything was fine between them.

She couldn't help but smile at Patricia as she walked towards the door.

"Thank you, Patricia" She said

"Anytime," She replied with a smile before walking out of the room.

A few minutes after her and Patricia's conversation, Mara decided that it was about time to confront everyone and get everything straight. As she descended down the stairs, she could feel her heart beat faster and faster per step she took.

Once Mara entered the dining room, everyone was silent. They all just looked at her for a second before looking down onto their plates. She noticed the bruise that was below Jerome's eye and she felt her stomach dropped.

She hasn't talked to him ever since his fight with Mick.

"Well…" Amber stretched out the word making everyone turn their attention to her "This is awkward" Everyone scoffed but Amber wasn't done yet "Hey, I'm not judging. So Mick and Mara how are you two?"

"We're fine Ambs" It was Mick who replied "And no, we're not a couple anymore, if anyone wants to know."

He sounded bored as he talked but Mara knew better, he was just trying to cover up his pain and she had a feeling that Joy knew it as well.

"Why is that?"Amber asked

"It's not something you should really know, Amber" Mara said and Jerome, who sat across from her looked up to, met her gaze.

"Fine" Amber muttered and continued to eat her meal.

"Well, I think it's just brilliant that everyone is here" Patricia piped up and raised a glass of orange juice "To being complete and utter freaks and mentals" She said before taking a big swig of the juice.

"Speak for yourself, Yacker" Eddie said but smiled and everyone knew what was about to happen.

Patricia replied an insult back at Eddie with a smile on her face and with that everything seemed to be back to normal.

Eddie and Patricia going off at each other with insult and yet not meaning one of them to heart.

Amber going on about fashion and gossip.

Fabian and Nina whispering to each other.

Mick eating like there's no tomorrow.

But one thing was different.

And Mara knew it would never be exactly the same.

After dinner everyone decided to stay in the living room and watch a movie together, it has been a while since everyone bonded but Mara declined, saying that she had a major headache.

She knew that they didn't believe her but it was better that they didn't push her or pursue her and just decided to say their wishes that she'd feel better.

"Hey Mara" Mara turned to see Joy following her when she was at the first step of the old wooden staircase. "C-can we talk?"

"Sure" She said

"I just want to apologies for what I said" Joy said "You're not a bitch and I know you probably hate me, but please just listen to me. I'm so sorry–"

She was cut off by Mara engulfing her in a tight embrace.

"You're one of my best friend, Joy" Mara said when she pulled away. "I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you too, Mara" She told Mara with pure honesty "And I'm so sorry for what I did. "

"Don't be" She replied "You can't undo the past and even if you can, I don't want you to change anything."

"Why?"

"Because, now I realize that I wasn't really in love with Mick" She saw someone in the corner of her eyes and saw Jerome leaning against the frame of the entrance towards the living room. "I love someone else." Jerome's face was neutral as she continued to talk "And I can see it in your eyes that you really do love Mick."

"I-I really do Mara," Joy's eyes started to cloud with tears that were threatening to spill. "And I didn't mean to, I just–"

"Joy, stop please" Mara hugged Joy again and this time Joy hugged back "All I want now is for you to be happy and if Mick makes you happy, go for it! You have my support."

"R-really?" She asked uncertain.

"Positive" Mara smiled and Joy hugged her.

It was the best feeling in the world.

They missed each other.

It was good to be friends again.

And as Jerome watched the two, he smiled. Happy for both of them.

Once in her room Mara heard a knock on the door and she already knew who it was before she even opened it.

Jerome Clarke stood in front of her in all of his glory.

Even with a bruise cut on his upper cheek he still looked beautiful. And just the slight of him made Mara want to melt.

They simple gazed at each other for a few stray seconds before Jerome said,

"Can I come in?" She nodded and once the door was closed Mara dropped to sit on her bed. "Why did you and Mick break up?" He asked as he sat on the chair besides her bed.

"I don't love him" She answered simply "I always thought that I loved him and he was the one" She laughed bitterly at her own words "Its sounds silly now, but now I think that he really wasn't the one I love." She paused for a moment with slight hesitation and then she realized that everything happens for a reason and she knew now what the reason was. "I love you."

"W-what?" It caught him off guard but he recovered quickly by clearing his throat. "You love me?"

All she managed was a simple nodded and Jerome's heart fluttered. It was a girly thing to say but it was true.

He looked at Mara for a moment, his Mara.

Beautiful, smart, funny, sweet, caring and just what he ever wanted and dreamed of.

The girl he loved so much it hurt but he was willing to endure all the pain because she was worth it.

She was worth everything.

"Yes, I love you." She said and before Jerome could control himself, he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Jerome maneuvered his way to sit next to Mara on the bed and deepened the kiss.

He gently pushed Mara onto the bed and their kisses continued to grow with heat and passion. Jerome ran his hands down Mara's sides, making her shiver in the process. When breathing was starting to become a probably Jerome trailed down her jaw and onto her neck, placing fleeting kisses on his trail.

"I love you too," He said breathlessly and he could feel Mara's breathe hitch by his words and he returned to kiss her again.

It wasn't long before moans escaped the both of them and clothes were quickly shed.

Both were shaking with need when he finally entered her.

Their movements were slow and smooth, but soon began to pick up speed.

Mara's hands explored the expanse of his muscled back as he thrust into her.

She started making high pitched sounds that sounded like a whimper but had the essence of a moan and he kept chanting her name over and over again.

They continued to kiss with each thrust and soon both of them began to feel their climax approaching.

"Faster, please" Mara moaned and Jerome was happy to oblige and a few more thrust both were moaning each other's name as they came together.

Both laid in bed together in pure and utter silence, except for their now steady breathing.

Jerome ran his fingers through her hair as his other arm wrapped around her shoulders, he felt like everything was just as it should be. Both were both happy and content. In each other's arms–as it should be.

"I guess we don't have to sneak around any longer" Mara mentioned breaking the content silence.

"Oh, don't say that" Jerome teased "I rather enjoyed the sneaking around and secrecy, didn't you think it was kind of hot?" Mara looked at him before punching him lightly on the arm with a laugh. "Okay, I'm sorry but I guess you're right. It would be nice to kiss you in public and actually call you my girlfriend."

Mara smiled and leaned up to kiss her boyfriend.

"I love you" She smiled at him.

"I love you too" He kissed her again.

And as they continued to relish each the love they had for one another, Mara realized something.

This secret affair that they had wasn't just a simple secret affair, but a beautiful affair.

A beautiful affair that lead to something just as beautiful as their love.

Okay, oh wow, I need to stop saying okay.

Okay?

Oh well, this story is finally complete and finish.

I hope you enjoyed it~!

READ: I'm thinking about writing a somewhat spin-off or sequel to this but it's going to focus on Mick and Joy's relationship. Would you people be interested in reading it~?

Leave your thoughts on the review~!

BYE~!