Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews! Here's another lovely chapter, It's actually much longer than the other two and I would love it if you would please review. I want all the feedback I can get so I can see if it's good, bad, or needs improvement. I would also love to hear all of your opnions. So please review and enjoy!

Avoiding Jerome was easier said than done and Mara found that out the hard way. Even before she was ready to jump out of bed the next morning and make her escape plan, she ran into him on her way to the bathroom. Thank god she looked so disheveled and distorted, stumbling around in her nightwear, that he bought her little lie of not being fully awake. She had quickly gotten past him by mumbling incoherent words and swaying ever so drunkenly on her journey to the bathroom, in a desperate attempt to keep her 'sleep' facade up. It had worked, and now here she was, ten minutes later, pacing around the tiny washroom with the facet turned on; wondering if Jerome was still standing outside.

Mara pinched the bridge of her nose. This was getting ridiculous. Why was she so scared? So what if Jerome was there? She could always just shove past him and head straight for her room. And if he tried to stop her, an icy look would do the trick. Anything, anything at all, was better that what she was doing now; pacing around the bathroom at seven am on a Saturday. Yeah, defiantly better.

Turing off the water and taking a deep breath, Mara cracked open the bathroom door and peeked outside. The hallway was empty. Good. Creeping slowly out, she quietly shut the bathroom door behind her and tiptoed back to her room. It was a foolproof plan, that is, until she closed the door and turned around, only to find Jerome sitting on her bed; grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Mara jumped back. "What are you doing here?" She asked in surprise "And why are you on my bed?"

Jerome gave her a sly smile. "Why, waiting for you of course. I figured, after how you almost killed yourself trying to go to the restroom a few minutes before, I'd simply wait for you in here. I mean, you were bound to come back and change right? Unless you were planning of going downstairs in a flimsy tank top and shorts." He slowly gave her a once over "Although, I can't say that I dislike the sight."

Mara blushed at his words. "Of-of course not." she stuttered out, squirming under Jerome's intense gaze "This is only for sleeping. I'd never wear something like this out in public, it's too revealing."

"Of course not," he said, getting up and walking towards her "it's far too scandalous for our little Mara to wear, right? Still playing the good girl card. Nothing outrageous, nothing that stands out, always blending in and staying to your books." He put his hand on the door behind her head and leaned down. Mara's heart thudded in her chest.

"Although, I find it very sexy," he whispered in her ear, sending an shiver up her spine "a simple, natural looking Mara with tinted cheeks and a seductive outfit." He cupped her face with his other hand and brushed his thumb lightly across her bottom lip "Mmmm, very arousing indeed."

Mara turned her face away from his grip. "That still doesn't explain why you're here, Jerome. If you were just going to come in and corner me, couldn't this wait until after breakfast?"

He took a step back. "That is true, and as much as I would love to say that I came here to 'corner' you, I actually came to talk."

Mara crossed her arms. "So talk. And when I say talking, I mean no physical contact."

Jerome quirked an eyebrow. "No physical contact?"

"No physical contact." Mara answered firmly.

"Alright, alright," he laughed and walked back to her bed and sat down "aren't you going to sit? Surely I don't bite, unless you want me to that is." He shot her a wicked smile.

Mara sighed and walked over towards Patrica's bed that was opposite her own and sat down. She gave Jerome an expected look. "So what was so urgent that you had to barge in my room at seven am and prevent me from getting dressed and eating breakfast?"

Jerome ran a hand through his hair, a habit she noted he did when he was nervous or frustrated, and began to speak.

"Ok, I want to talk about what happened between us yesterday."

Mara closed her eyes. She was hoping to avoid this conversation. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is," he was fidgeting "that I meant every word that I said."

"Oh. You mean about mocking me about my lack of friends?"

His head snapped up. "What? No! I never meant it like that. I was just.."

Her eyes narrowed "Just what, Jerome? Making casual talk?"

"No, I just wanted to talk with you. I didn't know that it would hit a nerve."

Mara scoffed. "Talk with me? Really? And the only way you could 'talk' with me was to make fun of my lifestyle? Wouldn't a simple 'hello Mara, how are you today' have done the trick?"

"No it wouldn't have." Jerome said softly.

"How would you-"

"Because I know you, Mara," he snapped "for the past four months you have been an unemotional shell, just saying a few words and going back into your own world. The only way I could get any emotion from you was to say things that would hit a nerve. And guess what, it worked."

Mara was silent for a few moments. "And crying was the emotion you wanted out of me?" she asked him quietly.

"No it wasn't. But the yelling? Yeah. At least that was a reaction better than what you have been doing for a long time. Hiding behind the walls you build up around you."

Mara shot up. "Don't you dare, give me a lecture about hiding behind walls, Jerome." she spat out "Not when you do the exact same thing."

"I don't do the 'exact same thing'." Jerome stated, getting up as well "I don't go around with a dark cloud over my head, Mara."

"Of course you don't. You just pretend everything is fine and dandy, and hold everything in. I guess I should also plaster a fake smile and prance around without a care in the world, huh?"

"At least that's better that moping around all the time!"

"I was never moping!"

"Yes you were." They were now standing face to face, glaring at each other.

"No I wasn't. And it's none of your business anyways! Stop sticking your nose into things that don't concern you!"

"It is my business because it concerns you." Jerome stated, taking a step closer to her and grabbing her face in both of his hands "Didn't I explain that to you yesterday? I. Care. About. You. How simpler do I have to make it for you to understand?"

"That's just it," she said softly, placing her hands on his " I don't. Why do you care about me? We never spent any time together. You can't just say things so lightheartedly, Jerome" She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of his fingers on her face. It was soothing, as odd as that sounded.

"You're right, Mara. I do say things lightheartedly," her heart slowed. She knew it, it was all a lie. "but this time I'm serious. I really do care about you."

Mara's heart accelerated at his words. He wasn't joking? Did he really care? No, it was too much. This was all too much. It was happening way too fast and she wasn't ready for it yet. Not after everything with Mick. It was too soon.

"Stop it." Mara said, stepping away from him "Seriously, Jerome. Stop it. It's not funny."

"Why do you always think that I'm joking?" Jerome said exasperated "Why can't you just believe me?"

"Because!" Mara yelled, whipping around to face him "It doesn't make any sense! It's illogical."

"That I care about you?"

"That you love me!" She took a deep breath and touched her forehead "Jerome, people don't fall in love at sixteen. It's a crush, more likely a phase. Nothing more."

His Jaw tightened. "Are you saying that my feelings for you aren't real?" His eyes were cold "Because I think I'm perfectly capable of deciding what's real and what's not."

"No, Jerome that's not-"

"Why are you so scared of liking another person, Mara? Or is it because it's me telling you that I'm in love with you and not Mick?"

Mara froze. "Mick has nothing to do with this. Leave him out of it."

Jerome laughed humorlessly. "And she defends him, too. Perfect. Just perfect. Guess I wasted my time for nothing, huh? Forget it, I'm leaving."

Guilt bubbled inside her and she reached out to stop him. "Jerome, wait. I'm sorry. It's just, I-I can't."

"Why?" he quietly asked "at least give me a reason other than telling me my feelings are a phase."

"I don't know. For starters, I don't fancy you." At least she thought she didn't, she was beginning to doubt that...

"I know that, Mara. But can't we at least give it a try?" He sounded so hopeful that it crushed her on the inside.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, but-"

He shook her off. "Save it. I got the hint. So sorry for wasting your time, Mara. I hope you can find it deep in your heart to ever forgive me." Jerome spat bitterly "Oh wait, that's right, it's surrounded by barbed wires."

"Jerome stop being so dramatic. It's just a silly crush. It will go away soon, like they all do." Mara said weakly, trying to cool the flame, but it did the opposite.

He spun around to face her. His eyes were livid. "It's not a silly crush, Mara, and don't you dare say it is. I have liked you for four years now. Four years. Now tell me if that's a silly 'crush'?"

She was speechless. "W-what?" Mara managed to squeak out. That was not possible.

"Yes Mara, I have had my 'silly' crush on you for that long. But I guess I was naive enough to believe that if I actually told you my feelings, that you might actually think it over. Silly me. If I'd known that you were going to be this cold and difficult, I would have never made a fool of myself. But guess what, I did anyways. God, I was so stupid!." He slammed his fist again the wall making her jump "So fucking stupid!"

She could see it. The snares slowly closing back around him, coiling and weaving until every ounce of his vulnerability was hidden yet again. And it was her fault. He had opened up to her and she had hurt him, deeply. She had basically mocked his feelings, told him that what he felt was a lie, a figment of his imagination. She had crushed him.

Mara felt sick as she watched him walk out the room. As soon as the door shut slammed shut, She crumbled to the floor, replaying the last of his words over and over again in her mind. "If I'd known that you were going to be this cold and difficult, I would have never made a fool of myself." She closed her eyes. "If I'd known that you were going to be this cold and difficult..." "...difficult..."

There was that word again. Difficult. It was the same word that Mick had called her when they broke up. Difficult. Then the memories started to come up. One by one, all the forgotten fragments of her past, the ones that she desperately tried to lock away, started to emerge.

"Mara, why are you being so difficult? I told you there is nothing going on between Amber and me!"

"I never said that there was! I am just mad that you forgot our date, again!"

Mara screwed her eyes shut. "Stop it, stop it. Go away." She whispered.

"Oh is that's what it's about? It was just a stupid date, Mara. We can have loads of them later. I had something important to do."

Mara froze. "A stupid date? You don't understand do you? It wasn't a stupid date, Mick..."

"Mara, it was one date I missed. I told you I had something important to do." Mick groaned.

"You always have something important to do, Mick!" she screamed, throwing her purse on the kitchen counter "And I understand that, but today was very important to me. What was so urgent that you had to miss it?"

"Amber-"

"I knew it!" Mara exploded, probably waking the whole house up "It always has something to do with Amber! News flash Mick, you're dating me NOT Amber!"

"Maybe I should be!" He shouted "Dating you was a mistake!"

"Mara?" Patricia's voiced Jolted her out of trip down memory lane "Are you alright in there? You kinda missed breakfast."

"Yeah," she called back, scrambling up to go change "I'll be down in a minute. Changing. Save some toast for me!"

"Ok, I'll tell Trudy. Hurry up!"

Mara pulled the her top over her head. This was going to be a long day...

Surprisingly enough, Mara didn't run into Jerome for the whole day and when she did (twice), he would give her a chilling smile and walk past her, not even bothering to say a word. Needless to say that he was dead set on avoiding her. Ironic wasn't it? The guy who she desperately wanted to avoid, was now avoiding her. Even at dinner, when her hand lightly brushed his when passing the peas to Nina, he jerked it away as if she had burned him. He even switched his chore time with Alfie to avoid her. Had she really hurt him that bad? Mara felt awful. Maybe tomorrow would be better.

Sunday was worse than Saturday. As soon as Mara had walked into the dining hall for breakfast in the morning, Jerome had gotten up to leave, brushing past her with out a glance back. She stiffened, feeling an unexpected wave of hurt pass through her. Did he hate her that much now?

"What was all that about?" Nina asked, sipping her orange juice "I've never seen Jerome eat that fast or that little for that matter. Something must be up with him."

"More like someone." Alfie winked at Mara's direction "So, Mara. Trouble in paradise?"

She glared at him. "Shut up Alfie. There's nothing going on with Jerome and me."

"Wait, what?" Fabian asked, confused "Jerome asked you out? When?"

"He did no such thing, Fabian." Patricia stated flatly, walking in "Jerome's a prick. A manipulative, annoying prick. That's just it. Oooo toast! Hand me a slice, Nina."

"He didn't?" Amber asked "But then why was he kissing her yesterday? You just don't kiss random, people you know."

"Who was kissing who?" Mick asked, coming in the room and grabbing an orange "What did I miss?"

"Oh, nothing much," Amber started "we were just discussing Mar-"

"Martin Luther king." Mara quickly injected, not wanting Mick to hear the gossip about her and Jerome "A really good bloke, he is."

Mick gave her a weird look. "Ok...guess I'll see you guys later. Football practice."

"We have a football team?" Nina asked as soon as Mick left the dining room "Do they even play football in this country?"

Fabian laughed. "No, Nina. Not that kind of football. He meant the sport that you Americans call 'soccer'."

"Oh," Nina blinked "Wow. I feel stupid now."

"Hey, wait! Since when were we talking about Martin Luther King, who ever he is? I thought we were talking about Mara and Jerome?"

"No, we were talking about football." Patricia said, buttering her toast "Keep up Amber."

"Well! Sorry to be misinformed." Amber stated getting up "Come on Alfie, I have a hair appointment and after that, shopping. I would love to have a someone help me with the bags."

"Right behind you." Alfie muffled out, stuffing the last of his toast in his mouth and gulping down his orange juice "Later mates. Oh, and Mara?"

"Hmm?" Mara asked, taking a sip of her juice.

"Good luck with Jerome. I'm sure you both will make wonderful babies."

Mara choked on her Juice. "Alfie!" She coughed "Not funny!"

"Oh yes it is!" He laughed, running after Amber down the hall.

"Are you alright?" Nina asked her tentatively "I'm surprised that juice didn't squirt out of your nose."

Mara coughed. "I'm grateful for that, Nina. So what are you guys planning to do today?"

"Oh, well we found this really cool Museum exhibit in London, on the different Egyptian gods. And I mean, like all of the pieces and relics are flown in from Egypt." Nina said excitedly "And Patricia, Fabian, and I were going to check it out right after breakfast."

"Oh, well that sounds exciting." Mara said a bit dejected. Everyone had something to do besides her. Well, something exciting anyways. Homework on a Sunday? How thrilling.

She watched as the three of them exchanged a look. "Well, you can come with us if you want Mara. The more the merrier." Nina asked.

Mara shook her head. She didn't want to have a pity invite. "No, it's ok. You guys have fun. I have a ton of stuff to do here anyways."

Patricia raised an eyebrow "Quantum physics?"

"Among, other things." Mara answered ominously.

"Ok, good." Fabian started getting up "Then we should be going as well. Nina?" He reached a hand for her.

She giggled and accepted. "Why, yes. That would be lovely."

"Oh please." Patricia rolled her eyes "If you both are going to go all lovey dovey on me at the Museum, then I'm ditching you. No one likes to feel as a third wheel."

"Don't worry, Patricia. Of course we'll include you in our lovey doveyness, right Fabian?"

"Of course," The brunette boy answered "you can even go and buy heart shaped chocolate and we'll all share."

"Yuck. I think I'll pass. Later Mara. We'll see you at lunch." Patricia waved, following the other two out, leaving Mara to sit alone at the empty table to ponder what to do for the rest of the day. She sighed and started to clean up. Today was going to be a long boring day.

It was promptly eleven when Mara finished the last of her homework. Closing her calculus book, she stretched back on her seat and stared up at the ceiling. Now what? She had absolutely nothing to do. Suddenly, she heard her stomach growl; rather loudly too. Mara blinked. Well, that answered that question. To the kitchen it was!

"Trudy," She called once she was downstairs "I'm hungry, can I make something? Trudy?"

She poked her head into the Kitchen. Empty. That was odd. Trudy never left the kitchen, especially when lunch time was just around the corner. Where could she be? Then she saw it, stuck on the refrigerator, in Trudy's cursive hand writing it said 'Out to the fish market. Be back soon! -Trudy'

"Well, that's just great. What are we suppose to do now?" A voice said behind her, nearing causing Mara to have heart failure.

"Mick!" She cried, placing a hand on her fast beating heart "Don't do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Mick gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry Mara, I forgot that you are skittish as a kitten."

Mara huffed. "Am not."

"Are too."

"Am Not."

"Are too."

"Am not!" Mara said, stamping her foot "And this argument ends now."

Mick laughed "You are so childish, Mara."

In response to that, she stuck her tongue out. "Am not."

Mick gave her a look. "We are not starting that argument over again, Mara."

She nodded. "Agreed. So now what? I guess we should make something to eat right?"

"Yeah, I was thinking cookies."

"Um, Mick?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't eat cookies for lunch..."

"Well, you could." He said seriously "There is no rule against it, you know."

Mara burst out laughing at his expression. "What?" He asked defensively "It's true."

"Ok, ok," Mara giggled out "we can make cookies too. But, we also have to make something that's not high in sugar and that can be considered a meal."

He thought for a moment. "What about pizza?"

"Well, do we have all the ingredients for it?"

"Yup!" Mick answered cheerfully.

"Alright then, lets get cooking."

"Mara, why do I have to wear the pink apron?" Mick whined, tugging on the flowery magenta apron "Can't you switch with me?" They had just finished making the pizza dough and while they waited for it to rise, they were working on the cookies.

"Because," Mara answered, waving her spoon "I like the color purple. And ladies get to choose first. Now stop your whining and sprinkle some more flour in."

"Fine, I'll sprinkle some flour for you." Mick answered, before grabbing a fist full of flour and tossing it at her direction.

"Mick!" Mara cried, laughing "What are you doing?"

He gave her an adorable smile. "Well, you never really specified where you wanted me to sprinkle the flour in, so I was a bit confused."

"Oh yeah?" Mara said mischievously "Well, then I think you missed a spot."

"Really? Where?"

"Right, there!" She answered, hurling the flour back at him.

Mick blinked. "Why you!"

Soon they were both caught up in a flour war. Mara laughed, ducking under the counter as Mick lunged for her; armed with flour. It was nice. Laughing again, enjoying herself. How long had it really been? Since she had fun? Laughter seemed foreign to her. Foreign yet familiar, like a long forgotten memory. It felt...relaxing.

Mick grabbed her leg. "Gotcha!" He exclaimed pulling her out from under the counter and covering her with flour. "I win."

"Noooooo!" Mara said dramatically "I have been captured by the flour king! Now I have to spent rest of my days slaving away making pizza and cookies!"

"My, my, what have we here?" A voice called out, interrupting them "two ex lovers rolling around on the kitchen floor. How lovely."

Mara froze. She knew that voice. She had forgotten that Jerome was even in the house. Pushing Mick off of her, Mara quickly scrambled up and ran a hand through her now white hair. She met Jerome's icy glare.

"We were just cooking." She said meekly, trying to dust the flour off her clothes "Nothing wrong with that."

"Yeah, mate," Mick said backing her up "Wanna help?"

"Oh really?" Jerome said, uncrossing his arms and walking into the kitchen "Could have fooled me." He swiped a finger across Mara's cheek , rubbing the flour between his thumb and index finger "Look's more like you're the main course."

She took a step back. "We got a little distracted..."

"I'll say. But who am I to comment on your foreplay. Please, do continue rolling around on the floor like sex crazed animals. I thought you were better than that Mara, guess I was wrong."

Mara cringed at his words. He had basically called her slut. And it stung. Bad.

"Back off, Clarke." Mick hissed, seeing Mara's expression "She didn't do anything wrong."

Jerome gave a scornful laugh. "Oh, that's rich. The guy who crushed her is defending her. Tell me Mick, how's Amber doing?" His cold eyes were on her, seeing through her walls.

No, stop it. The memories were coming back up up. "Stop it," She whispered out, barley audible, backing up to the counter "Jerome, stop it, please." She squeezed the first thing she felt on the counter behind her.

"Amber has nothing to do with this, leave her out of it." Mick growled, glaring at Jerome "And what are you talking about?"

"Oh? Doesn't this conversation seem familiar, eh Mara?" Jerome taunted, turning to her "Like the one we had on Saturday? Except as I recall, you defended him and now he's defending Amber. How quaint."

"What is he talking about Mara?" Mick asked "What conversation?"

She squeezed the object harder, feeling a faint pain in her palm. "Nothing, Mick. It was nothing."

"Of course it was nothing. Why are you so afraid of telling him, Mara? Or are you still scared that what happened with him will repeat again?" Jerome asked "Answer me, Mara."

"What are you talking about?" Mick asked looking between the two of them "Are you talking about the break up? It happened four months ago. Shes over it."

Jerome's eyes snapped at Mick's direction. "Really Mick? She's over it? Look at her! Just look. Does she look fine to you? How fucking stupid can you be?"

Mara flinched at his tone. "It's ok, Jerome. I'm fine with it. Please, just stop."

Jerome was quiet for a moment. "You never told him, did you?" He whispered "You never told him what that day was, did you, Mara?"

Mara squeezed the object harder. The flashbacks were coming back faster.

She stopped, shock flooding her whole body. "A mistake?" She whispered out, her body going numb.

"Yes, Mara A mistake. I don't know why we even dated! You're always asking me questions and always being so difficult! Can't you try to be less clingy? It was just a stupid date that I missed, no big deal!"

She squeezed harder, a throbbing pain began to hammer in her palm. "So that's how you think of me? Clingy and difficult?"

"That's not it. We're not compatible. I can't have you always hounding me about pointless dates and Amber when I have actual important things to do."

"You always have important things to do Mick! I only asked for this one date, just today. That's all I asked for, why couldn't you have done it for me?"

"Mara, we can reschedule. "Mick sighed "I told you-"

"No we can't! It was special, Mick, really special." She whimpered "I made reservations and everything. One day, Mick, I just wanted one day with you, was that too much to ask?"

"Oh, quit being so dramatic, Mara. You make it sound like I'm never around."

"That's because you never are!" She yelled "You're always busy with sports, or mates, or Amber!"

"Here we go again, bringing Amber up again. I don't see you breaking your back into spending any time with me. You and all your extra curricular activities."

"I do! I'm sorry if I have advance classes, but I try to finish all my work so I can spend time with you? Do you know how hard I tried to get this day free? I had to miss my Yale scholarship meeting. Yale! And you couldn't miss one event?"

"I'm sorry!" Mick boomed "I never asked you to miss your Yale meeting. Nor did I stop you from going, don't put the blame on me Mara. I'm sick and tired of always having to bare the blame."

"What are you talking about, Jerome?" she heard Mick ask "What day?" She squeezed harder.

"You bloody fool." Jerome growled "You stupid, imbecilic twit. You still don't know do you?"

"I never blame you." Mara protested.

"Yes you do! And I'm sick of it, Mara."

"Are you, are you breaking up with me?" She could feel the tears slowly trail down her cheeks.

"Yes Mara, I am. Your just too different from me. Sure you knew your sports well, but let's face it. Your book smart, quiet, and naive. Not right for me."

She swallowed. "I'm boring?"

"No, not always. But at times yes. We are not right for each other. Sorry Mara." Mick said, walking away to his room.

"Wait," She called out to him "don't you wanna know why today was so special to me?"

He half turned her way. "Why? Probably because you won another award or got into another school right? It's all the same. Good night, Mara." And he walked away.

"No," Mara whispered through her trembling tears. Pain. Her heart was in pain. "No, mick that wasn't it." She called out to the darkness.

"Shut up Jerome! Don't you call me a fool when you're the coldhearted bastard."

"Really? I think we can debate on that, right Mara?" He turned toward her and his eyes widened in alarm "Mara! Your hand. What the hell did you do? You're bleeding!"

Mara started down at her right hand numbly. Blood slowly oozed out from her palm, painting the knife she held a bright crimson. She started at it, not breathing, not blinking. Stared as the blood silently pooled on the counter, soaking the white flour red.

Then suddenly the knife was ripped out of her hand and she was yanked roughly to the sink. Jerome's hand held her own blood soaked one under the cold tap water. She could hear him swear, telling her that she might need stitches and how inattentive could she be.

She ignored him, ignored the pain and turned toward the frozen Mick. She shook her head at him.

"No, you never got it, did you?" She whispered, remembering the last of her memory.

"It was my birthday..."

Hope you like it. Please review and I will post more chapters up. Thank You!