Ello my duckies! Sorry for the late update, I was busy and was in a bit of a jam. BUT to make it yup to all of you, I've made this chapter extra long. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, it really makes me happy to hear from all of you. I hope you love this chapter, and although some of you might not like it, it was necessary. PLEASE don't forget to give feedback and and review. I really want to hear all your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Thank you and enjoy!

The white Pomeranian bounced up and down excitedly, wagging it's tiny tail and yapping away at a very annoyed looking Great Dane. Mara watched in amusement as the little puffball nicked the larger dog's tail playfully, ran away as soon as the Dane let out a growl, and repeated the process. She had to give it to him though, that Pomeranian had spunk. Not many people, let alone dogs, could take on someone ten times their size. She giggled once more as the Great Dane tried to run away from the frisky cotton ball. It really was a funny sight.

Closing her eyes, Mara felt the cool April breeze brush past her face and breathed in the fresh scent of pine wood. The park was as welcoming as ever and after the whole Jerome ordeal, she had found herself absentmindedly walking right to it. The park was the one place where she could peacefully sort out her problems and troubles without anyone bothering her, and right now, there was a lot on her mind.

Mara sighed and looked up. Sunlight dipped through the shaded trees, illuminating the leaves a bright green and sparkling flecks of gold everywhere. It was mesmerizing. It reminded her of her long forgotten childhood memories.

When time seemed endless and everyday was hazy with laughter. Where the most important decision in life was whether you wanted to be the fair prinncess, waiting to be rescued by your prince or a fierce warrior who battled dragons and made her own rules. Where love was easy. Where pain was nonexisent.

She swallowed as a dull aching feeling slowly begun to drum in her chest. A bittersweet longing, a taste of the past. She missed that. Those blissful days, when life was simpler. When she didn't have to put up fake smiles and be criticize for who she was. When she had people who truly cared about her. When she was really happy...

A sudden jerk at her leg abruptly broke Mara out of her thoughts. Startled, she looked down and found the tiny Pomeranian tugging vigorously away at the end of her pants. She blinked. What? Why was he or she, here?

Looking around, Mara spotted the Great Dane playing with it's owner. Oh, that's why. She looked down at the pooch again. He was still trying to take a bite out of her jeans. Her new jeans. She tried to shake him off.

"Hey there, umm" she said the first thing that came to her head "Pomie. Nice doggie. Please leg go of my jeans. Good boy, now let go. Let go." The dog only snorted in response and tugged even harder if possible.

After five minutes of trying to shake the miniscule menace off her leg, Mara gave up. That darn dog wouldn't budge. She sighed again and pinched the bridge of her nose. Today was not turning out to be a good day. First the fight with Jerome and now the dog. The only good thing about today was the cooking session with Mick-.

He eyes widened. Mick! Oh god, she had totally forgotten about him. What time was it? Probably way past twelve. She felt horrible. The poor boy was left all alone to clean the mess they'd made and cook. She had to get back. Maybe if she hurried, she could help out with something. But first, she had to get the dog off of her.

"Ok, poochi," Mara said standing up "it's time to let go. If not, I'm dragging you with me all the way to Anubis." She hopped on one leg, trying to shake it off. "Oh, come on! Let go you stupid dog!"

"Mr. Fluffy-kins! What are you doing to my poor baby?"

Mara stopped hopping and look up to see a fairly large woman in a light pink suit marching her way. And she looked furious. Her face was so scrunched up, that it made her seem like a chihuahua, ironically. She stood in front of Mara, eyes narrowed and lips pursed.

"Well?" the woman demanded "what have you to say for yourself?"

Mara pointed to the dog attached to her leg. "Um, he won't let go. I tried to get him to let go, but he refused."

The woman's features turned to shock, than embarrassed. "Oh my goodness, I do apologize for my rash behavior. I tend to be a bit over protective of him. He really is precious and little. And has a bit of a temper, don't you sweetie?"

The Pomeranian finally let go and barked happily up at his owner. Mara let out a sigh of relief. Now she could head back to the house.

"Yes, he is really cute. But I really need to go. I'm late for something." Mara rushing, hoping to make a quick get away, but alas, no such luck.

"Oh, so sorry for that, but I think he likes you. Do you want to dog sit him for me?"

Mara blinked. "Um, I really don't think that will work out, Ma'am-"

"I'll pay you. I know you youngsters need all the cash you can get and it's rare for my baby to actually like someone besides me."

"With all do respect, I already have a Job." Mara said a bit impatiently "And I also have school, so it's impossible for me to look after your dog."

The woman scooped up her dog, and gave Mara a head to toe look. "And do you perhaps work at a restaurant?"

"I work at a Cafe. The Java Bean."

"Well, from the looks of it, their employes can't cook right."

Mara gave her a surprised look. "Excuse me?"

The woman motioned to her attire. "Your covered in flour, dear. What happened?"

"Oh." Mara felt herself flush. She forgot that she still had bits of flour in her hair and clothes. "This was not at work. I had a mishap happen back at my house."

"Oh, but still. Will you reconsider dog sitting?"

This woman was relentless. "But I have-"

"I'll double your wages." She broke in.

"That's flattering but-" Mara started.

"I'll triple it." She cut in.

"I-" That was a lot of money, but Mara still had a ton of work. "I have to go now. But I'll think about your offer, Ma'am."

"Excellent!" The woman boomed and pulled out a business card from her pink purse. "My card. Please feel free to call. I would love it if you could do it on the weekends."

Mara took the card. Margret Donna. "Thank you, Ms. Donna. Ill think about it." With that, Mara promptly jogged off before the Ms. Donna could stop her for something else.

When Mara skidded into the kitchen, Mick was taking the last of the cookies out of the oven. He gave her a half smile when she saw her huffing by the door.

"Hey, Mars, why are you all out of breath?"

"Mick!" Mara wheezed, trying to catch her breath "I-I am so sorry. I lost track of time. W-with the f-fight and then a tiny dog chewed up my p-pants and then a lady in a p-pink suit and and..."

"Mara!" Mick said, placing the try of cookies on the counter and coming over to her "it's alright. Here, sit down first. I'll get you a glass of water."

She nodded and plopped down on the near by stool. She watched as Mick got a glass from the dishwasher, opened the fridge, and pulled out the pitcher of water. Her eyes wandered to the counter. Four trays of freshly baked cookies sat upon it, two chocolate chip from what she could tell, and they other two, oatmeal and raisin?

"Mick," she asked when he brought her the glass of water "how many cookies did you bake? Thank you."

He shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I guess I got a bit carried away. I mean, we did make too much batter so I improvised."

"Oh? And what about the pizza? Did you make that too or can I still help chef Campbell whip another master piece up?" She teased.

"Actually, I already started on kneading and flatting the dough, and you can't do that um, because of the whole knife thing." Mick motioned to her bandaged hand "but you can always chop the tomatoes and vegetables if you can manage while I finish up."

Mara nodded and got up. "Sure no problem. Let me wash up and I'll get right on it. By the way, can I steal an oatmeal cookie, if you don't mind? I'm starving!"

Mick nodded. "Sure, but um, it's my first time actually making them. So don't laugh if they're not good, Mars."

Mara laughed and wiped her hands on the towel. "Fine, fine, but I'm not making any promises. I take my cookies very seriously. Here we go." She picked up a hot oatmeal cookie, blew on it, and took a bite. She chewed.

"Oh my god, Mick, its delicious!" She muffled out, surprised at how good it really was "No joke. How on earth did you manage to make this? And on your first time? I don't believe it!"

She could see him blush, it reached the tips of his ears. It was adorable. "Aw, thanks Mara," he mumbled out, still plainly embarrassed at the compliment "I don't really know. It just happened."

"God, where was your awesome skills four months back? I could have used this during my all nighters."

"Well, I guess they were still hidden then." Mick smiled "But I guess some cookies would have helped when you were studying for that Chemistry midterm last semester. You looked so tired that everyone thought you'd fall asleep during the exam. How you managed to make an A is still a mystery."

Mara wrinkled her nose and picked up the knife. "Don't remind me. It was horrible." She began to chop the tomatoes, glad for the happy atmosphere in the kitchen.

"I bet." Mick answered, then after a moment asked "So the fight with Jerome. Did everything go ok? I mean you ran out, so I'm guessing no. And what did he mean it was all my fault?"

The happy atmosphere dimmed and her grip on the knife tightened. "Yeah, everything went fine. Don't listen to him. He was just rambling on about nothing."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Mick," Mara stated looking up at him "Please, don't start."

Seeing the dark look on her face, he nodded and went back to the dough. They fell into a silence, only the sounds of kitchen work were heard. Suddenly, Jerome's words floated in back in her head. Get to the blasted root of the bloody problem.

Mara sucked in a breath. Maybe he was right, maybe she really did need to go to the root of her problem. She closed her eyes. It was now or never.

"Mick," she asked, her voice low "what happened to us?" She could hear him stop working but she didn't dare turn around. "What do you mean." he asked quietly, but she knew he knew.

"What happened to us. What went wrong?"

She heard him sigh. "I don't know Mara, I don't. It was all going perfectly, but then, I don't know."

"When did it start to go down the hill?" Mara asked, putting down the knife and turning to face him "This, what we're doing now, why couldn't it just be like that. Before the fights started, before we just got tired. I miss it. And I can't figure out when it all got messed up, Mick."

He gave her a sad smile. "Neither can I. I guess when we both got busy, we just sorta drifted apart. We just didn't have time for one another."

"Or maybe we just got past the honeymoon phase." She said, making him give her a questioning look "Maybe we were never meant to be and third time was the charm." She gave him a wry smile "We clashed Mick, we didn't work. You never had time for me and as hard as I tried, I was never good enough." Her voice quivered at the end.

Mick turned fully toward her, his brows furred in confusion. "What do you mean 'wasn't good enough', Mara? Why would you ever think that?"

"Because, I was no Amber!" Mara cried out, remembering how he and Amber would laugh together while she sat there, watched, and pretended that she was ok with them. Remembered how he would comfort her with soothing words and soft touches and warm hugs, while she stood there and wished to be in Amber's place. Remembered that whenever Amber called to him, he would drop everything and go to her, while she had to practically force him to spend any amount of time with her. No it wasn't the same. She was no Amber, she could never take her place. "Because I was no Amber."

"Of course you weren't her, Mara, you both were very different, still are. There was no comparison. I liked you both the same."

Mara shook her head. "No Mick, you don't understand. You might have like us both, but you always put her first. It was always Amber than me, Mick, and it hurt!"

"I never put her first-" He started but she cut him off.

"Yes you did did. You would drop everything, everything, when she had a problem and with me, you couldn't even get a lousy night off. What do you call that Mick? Huh?" She was getting angry. She would finally spill all her feelings today, and no one would stop her.

Mick's jaw tightened. "Mara, she was my friend. I hope you would understand that. Why are you still bringing this up? There was nothing going on between us."

"I wished you'd stop saying that too. I never said there was anything going on between the two of you." Mara exasperated "I'm just pointing out the fact that you picked your female friend over spending time with your girlfriend. That was the problem. You picked her over me, always. I know you didn't mean too, but you did."

"What? No I didn't. Sure I spent time with Amber, but she needed my help. Why were you always jealous? It wasn't like I was cheating on you." Mick snapped "I hated knowing that my own girlfriend, didn't trust me."

"Well, what else was I suppose to feel?" Mara exploded, throwing her hands up "if my boyfriend was spending time with his ex girlfriend more than me? How would you feel if I spend time with another boy?"

He was quiet for a moment. "It wasn't just that, Mara. I felt that I wasn't up to your standards. That I wasn't smart enough."

This time it was Mara who gave him a quizzical look. "What? What do you mean?"

"I mean, that when I saw you with your advance classes and the people you hung out with, I felt that I was an outsider. So I.." He looked away.

"So you avoided me." Mara stated flatly "And spent time with Amber, hurting me even more."

His head snapped up. "I never meant to hurt you, Mara, and spending time with Amber was not on purpose. It just felt easier with Amber, like she could accept me for myself."

"And you think I wouldn't?" Mara asked horrified "I never judged you based on your grades Mick, I genuinely liked you. But I guess my affection wasn't enough, was it?"

"No!" Mick exclaimed, frustrated "It was never like that Mara. I cared about you, a lot. I did. And with Amber it was the same. I never chose either one of you over another, so I-I don't know what you mean."

Mara was quiet for a moment. "Mick, when is Amber's birthday?"

"What? June 25th. Why are you asking?" He asked, confused.

"Mick," she asked softly "when is my birthday?"

He froze for a second then answered "December 15th."

Mara shook her head. "Wrong. Its December 28th. Do you see now what I mean? You know Amber's birthday, but failed to remember mine. And I also was your girlfriend."

His brows furrowed again. "That doesn't make sense. We all celebrated your birthday last year on December 15th. I remember it clearly."

She shook her head. "It was an early birthday celebration because everyone would be leaving for Christmas and some wouldn't be back until the first week of January. It wasn't my actual date. My actual date was when..." She trailed off. It was when we broke up.

A sudden realization lit Mick's face. "It was when, It was when we broke up, wasn't it?" He whispered, shock etching in his features.

Mara nodded numbly. Finally. He finally knew what that day was. Maybe now he'd know how much his words hurt her that day. How much his actions did.

"Oh god, Mara, I'm so sorry. I was such an arse to you that day." He stepped forward and grasped Mara's left hand in between his own. "And you even skipped your Yale meeting for our date, and I blew you off. In truth, I wanted to apologize to you for what I did the very next day. All those mean things I said, I didn't mean half of them. I guess I was just tired and angry and really wanted to say sorry, but just didn't know how." He looked into her eyes "I'm sorry Mara, for everything. For hurting you, for forgetting your birthday, for the Amber thing, I'm really sorry. Will you forgive me?"

She stared at him. He was telling the truth, she could tell by the look in his eyes. Those deep blue, sincere eyes that wanted nothing more than her forgiveness. She smiled. He really was sweet. She squeezed his hand.

"I forgive you, Mick." Mara smiled "And I am also sorry for how I acted. For being jealous and making you feel uncomfortable. Friends?" As soon as she said that, Mara felt a a tight knot unwind in her chest. She could breathe again, like a heavy weight had just been lifted off of her. It felt good. Really good.

Mick smiled. "Friends."

The both grinned at each other, until..."Ok, we should really get back too cooking. Unless you want six hungry teenagers turning the kitchen upside down." Mara joked.

Mick nodded and went back to his pizza station. "You're right, Mars, I can just see Alfie throwing food everywhere."

"Oh, Amber won't like that one bit," She commented, chopping up her third tomato "especially when she just came back from shopping and getting her hair done."

"Nahh, I don't think so. Amber has a soft side for Alfie, since they are going out and all."

Mara nearly dropped the knife. "What?" she exclaimed, whipping around to face Mick "Amber's going out with Alfie? Are you serious?"

Mick gave her a puzzled look. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure. Why? Is it really that surprising?"

"Yes! I thought Alfie was going out with Patricia and Amber was going out with you."

His eyes widened. "What? No! I'm not going out with Amber. I'm not going out with anyone. Why would you think that?"

Jerome she thought, rolling her eyes. But if she thought about it, it really was funny. Her being jealous over Mick dating Amber who, in fact was dating Alfie who wasn't dating Patricia, who would kill her for even suggesting that she date Alfie. It really was hilarious. Mara burst out laughing.

"What?" Mick asked, giving her one of his adorable confused faces, which caused her to laugh harder. "Why are you laughing?"

"B-because," Mara choked out between laughs "it's so funny, all of it! Alfie and Amber? Patricia and Alfie? You? The whole mishap is too funny!"

"I guess, " Mick said laughing "Yeah, it really is."

"Oh yum!" A voice called out from the kitchen entrance "Cookies! Are you guys making pizza? Please don't add a lot of cheese, I want to be able to fit into my new clothes."

They both turned to find Amber standing there, holding a ton of colorful bangs and eyeing the cookies. " What flavor did you guys make?"

"Actually,-" Mara began, but was cut off when Alfie jogged up next to Amber, holding the same number of bags and wearing a...suit? What?

"Amber," He said, lifting up the shopping bags "I don't think I need this many clothes and- ooo cookies!" He reached for one, only to be stopped by Amber.

"Alfie," she scolded, reaching up and fixing his bow tie "look, your tie is crooked." Making Mick and Mara burst into another fit of laughter.

The rest of the day went surprisingly well. After the whole heart to heart with Mick and Alfie and Amber's random dropping in, all four of them worked together to finish making the pizza (they actually ended up making three, due to Alfie's protest that two would not be enough to fulfill 'man's hunger') and even made a fruit salad (Amber's decision to 'balance out' all the unhealthy intake of food).

Then after that, when the rest of the lot arrived from their little trip downtown, everyone had a wonderful meal; even Trudy joined in and they gave Victor a slice. It was a wonderful meal, that for once, did not result in a food fight. Maybe Alfie dating Amber wasn't such a bad thing after all. It certainly made him have manners.

Finally the day ended with a movie night. Now that did have a food fight, well more like a popcorn toss up. Everybody joined in, even Nina and Fabian. But the best part of the day was that Jerome didn't bother her, at all. Sure he was around, but for the most part, Mara ignored him. She was still high on the warm fuzzy feeling inside her chest and she wasn't going to let Jerome or anyone else for that matter, ruin it.

Sunday was fairly calm too. It wasn't as fun, since everyone had a ton of home work to do, but it wasn't bad either. Since Mara, as usual, had finished her work the day before, she offered to help the girls with theirs. Which then resulted in a pillow fight, or as Mara liked to call it, a demonstration on how force affects an object. Needless to say, that it took longer to get the work done.

By the time dinner rolled around, she still hadn't seen any signs of Jerome. And it made her feel a bit guilty. Sure he said some harsh things that hurt her deeply, but she had also returned the favor back. Except...she had crossed the line. That parent comment was really uncalled for, and the more she thought about it, the more awful she felt. Maybe she should apologize to him, but...she didn't know. Maybe, she was just a bit uneasy about facing him. After all, he had lied to her about liking her, kissed her, and called her pathetic, whiny, over sensitive, little brat. Oh, and also an eyesore.

Even thinking back on what he said, made her insides feel cold. She really shouldn't apologize, that was what the logical thing to do was and probably what the majority of people would say. If he didn't apologize to her, why should she, right? He had hurt her so deeply, but... But there was something...something inside her, nagging her, guilting her into going up to him and apologize for crossing that invisible line. She sighed and plopped her head down on the dining table. Was was her conscience so strong? Sometimes she hated it.

"Mara," Trudy's voice called her back to the present "What's wrong, dear?"

"Nothing," Mara mumbled out, not bothering to pick up her head "I'm just having a fight with my conscience."

"Oh, cool. A one person chick fight." She heard Alfie say "This will be intrest-OW! Geez Amber, I was joking! No need to get violent!"

Mara suppressed a giggle. As much as she hated to admit it, Alfie and Amber were a cute couple, all jokes aside. She heard Trudy call out her name again. She lifted her head to look back at the house mother.

"Yes, Trudy?"

"I was asking if you can go and get Jerome for me. It's almost dinner time and everybody's almost here."

"Oh." Why was it her who always ended up playing pick up for Jerome?

As if reading her mind, Alfie said "Sorry, Mars, I'd go get lover boy, but as you can see, Amber and I have Dinner duty and the rest of the lot are MIA at the moment. Sooo, you're all that we've got. And I think Jerome might like it if you got him." He smirked.

Mara rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt it," she muttered under her breath, but got up none the less. "I'll go get him. Where is is anyways? Up in his room?"

"I think he's out in the front." Trudy answered, taking a platter out of the microwave "I saw him leave a few minutes ago."

Mara blinked. Outside? What the heck would he be doing out side at eight at night? Especially since the temperature was below 10 degrees? Boys were such weirdos. Sighing and debating against not taking her jacket (she was only going to be outside for less than two minutes anyway), Mara went outside.

As soon as she opened the front door, the cold air hit her full blast. She could feel the goosebumps already start to rise on her bare arms. Shivering, Mara stepped out and peered around for any signs of Jerome. She spotted the said boy sitting on the stone fence, staring up at the sky. She was surprised to find that he only wore a thin shirt.

She watched as the wind played with his hair and ruffled his shirt, giving him an eerie illusion of an eighteenth century washed out painting. She walked toward him, the gravel crunching steadily beneath her feet. When she was a foot away from him, Mara called out.

"Trudy, wants you inside for dinner."

If he was surprised at her arrival, he didn't show it. Instead, he turned his head toward her, gave a brisk nod, and turned back at looking at the sky. Mara stood there, watching him. After a couple of minutes he spoke.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to stare? Why are you still here? Did Trudy want anything else, if not, just leave."

"Why did you kiss me?" Mara suddenly asked, surprising herself. Where did that come from? But it was too late to take it back.

Jerome looked at her, the darkening sky made his eyes look like a pools of sapphire. "Is that why your still here, Mara? Still trying to wrap your brain why I did what I did? Well, don't you worry. There were no feeling behind that kiss. I just wanted to see how the perfect little Mara would respond to kissing someone other than her beloved Mick," He licked his lips and gave her a chilling smile "Not bad, little Mara, not bad at all."

Mara didn't falter. "And all that nonsense of saying you loved me, was that too part of your game?"

"But of course. What did you think, that I actually meant all that? That I actually loved you? Please Mara, I thought you were smarter than that." He tugged the collar of his shirt "Is that all, or do you have something else to ask?"

Mara clenched her fist and stood her ground. She wasn't going to let him get to her. "Actually, there was something else I wanted to say." She took a deep breath "I wanted to apologize."

That caught his attention. "Oh?" he mused, quirking an eyebrow "Well this is interesting. Can't say that I'm surprised, knowing you." He turned back to the sky and closed his eyes "Well, get on with it. Are you going apologize for calling me cruel, heartless, manipu-"

"No I'm not." Mara in cut in, taking a step toward him. The wind rushed past her, whipping her hair back. "I'm not sorry for saying those things to you, Jerome. I meant ever single word I said. You are cold, you are cruel, and your ego needs to be knocked a peg down if you think I'm going to stand here and say sorry for telling you the truth."

He glanced back at her. She could see that he was a bit surprised by her words from the slight flicker of shock that passed through his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came. He smirked.

"Oh really? If not that, then what are you here to apologize for?"

Mara held his gaze. "I wanted to apologize about the family comment I made. It was out of line."

She watched as his expression darkened a bit, but he smiled despite that. "Oh please, it didn't mean that much to me anyways. You were angry, it was nothing."

"Your lying." she stated flatly "I can tell that comment hit a sore spot, Jerome. Don't tell me it didn't. I saw it. And it's not 'nothing'. No matter how mad I was, that was out of line. It was something personal. And I had no right to bring it up." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, shivering from the cold "I'm sorry Jerome," Mara said sincerely "I'm really sorry for saying that."

There was instant silence. Both just stared at one another, neither speaking. Then finally, after what seemed like an eternity Jerome broke the silence.

"I hope you don't expect me to apologize for what I said to you, Mara" Jerome said quietly "Because unlike you, I don't have a guilty conscience holding me down."

Mara released a breath that she didn't know she was holding. "I know. I wasn't expecting an apology back anyways. I just came here to say that I was out of line." She turned to leave "Oh, and you were right. I did get to 'the root' of my problem. I talked with Mick and we made up. So thank you for that push that I needed." She smiled "And on that final note, you should also get back inside. It's freezing out here. You might catch a cold." With that, Mara slowly started to walk back to the house.

Mara was nearly at the house when a pair of arms wrapped suddenly around her and yanked her back into a warm body. She let out a surprised squeak before realizing that it was Jerome who was hugging her. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest and warm tingles exploded through her. What was going on? Why was he hugging her?

"So stupid," She heard him whisper "Your so stupid, Mara. I play with your feelings, you apologize. I hurt you, you thank me. I tell you that I'm not sorry for anything I did, and you tell me that I'll catch a cold if I don't go inside. What am I going to do with you?" His arms tightened around even more and he buried his face in the nook of her neck. "What am I going to do with you?"

They both stood still, under the cold night sky, under the blinking stars, they stood unmoving.

Mara closed her eyes and slowly breathed out. "I don't know," she uttered into the silence "I don't know..."

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