Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update. I had finals and my laptop broke again. Yeah sad. Hope you like. Thank you all for your wonderful feedback. It made my day. Please review! I'd love to hear all your opinions! Enjoy!

"You did WHAT?"

Mara buried her face in her hands. "Snogged Jerome."

"Mara..."

She sunk lower into the couch. "In front of Brandon."

"I repeat again, you did WHAT?" Patricia boomed, staring down at her with a scowl "Mara, how could you?"

"I don't know!" Mara cried "It just happened, alright? And he kissed me again."

"Yeah, but you let him. You could have pushed him away, but noo, you snogged even harder!"

"Patricia!" Mara's eyes darted to the door "Keep your voice down! I don't want anyone else to hear."

"Is that why you both were late to History? And looked so disheveled?" Patricia pressed "Tisk, tisk, Mara."

"Keep your voice down! I swear if someone hears-"

"Hears what?" Amber asked, waltzing into the student lounge room. "What are we talking about?"

"Nothing," Mara said quickly "We were just-"

"Mara snogged Jerome." Patricia interrupted "In front of Brandon."

Amber's eyes widened "No way!" She cried, plopping down next to Mara "I thought you said you didn't like him!"

"I don't!" Mara all but screamed, glaring daggers at Patricia "And on the record, he kissed me!"

"In front of Brandon." Amber said slowly.

"Yes." Mara confirmed.

"And you enjoyed it?"

"Uh, I never said that."

"So you did!" Amber concluded "I knew it! Alfie was right, you do like Jerome!"

"I do not!"

"Do to."

"Do not!"

"Do to."

"DO NOT!"

"OK!" Patricia cut in the two girls' argument "Enough, both of you. Now let's get to the problem."

"Agreed." Amber nodded. "The problem. What's the problem?"

"Brandon of course." Patricia rolled her eyes "Pay attention Amber, will you."

"Oh, right. Brandon." The blonde cocked her head and looked at Mara "He saw you both kissing right?"

"Yes." Mara nodded, closing her eyes. Now what? Brandon was the most popular guy in the school. And if word spread about what he saw, even as a boy's locker room joke, her reputation would be tarnished. People would think she's easy, a slut. And worse, she could be kicked off as The School Representative. No, this was very bad.

"Well, that;s really bad for you, Mara. Now Brandon will never ask you out!"

Her head snapped up. "Amber, I don't care if he doesn't ask me out! I don't want him to ask me out! I don't even like him. I'm more worried about my reputation!"

"Hey, hey, relax, girl." Patricia soothed, sitting down on her other side "We'll figure something out. No need to be stressed."

"Yeah," Amber agreed "Stress causes breakouts, which would look so bad on your complexion."

Mara rolled her eyes. "I'll take my chances, Amber. And what can I do, Patricia? Ask him nicely not to tell anyone about my moment with Jerome? I mean, I think I scarred the poor lad!"

"See, now you're just being ridiculous." Patricia commented dryly, tugging on a strand of her hair "If a guy is scarred by witnessing two people kiss, then he's not a real man. Don't guys live on that stuff? Or was that sex? Hmmm..."

"I think it's both." Amber said "Sex a bit more than kissing, but still both."

"Anyway," Mara emphasized, trying to bring her two housemates back on topic "I think I should talk to him. Tell him it was, uh, spur of the moment?"

Patricia snorted. "Yeah, good luck with that. I'd say leave it. We don't even know what type of person he is. Maybe he won't tell."

"Mick knows what type of person he is." Amber said absentmindedly "Well, I think he does. They both are on the Football team. You can ask him."

"Amber, that is a BRILLIANT idea!" Mara exclaimed springing up. "I'll just go ask Mick! Thanks!." She turned to leave. "And before I forget, no one should speaks a word about this to anyone." She stared at the both of them"Not a word."

"Yeah, yeah we get it." Patricia waved her off "Now shoo. Go talk to Mick about Brandon before he goes M.I.A."

And she did.

Tracking Mick around the school wasn't that hard to do. There were only a handful of places that he liked to hang around, and by now, Mara knew them all pretty well. After checking the Football field, cafeteria, and the second student lounge (they had two. One in each wing of the school), Mara finally found him chugging down a can of soda in front of the boy's locker room.

"Mick." She called out, walking towards the blonde boy "Can I have a word with you?"

Mick gave her an adorable smile once he saw her. "Hey, Mars. What's up? Did you need anything?"

"Yes, actually I wanted to ask-" She stopped once she spotted the can of soda in his hand. "Mick, should you really be drinking Coke before you have practice? Wouldn't that be bad?"

Mick stated down at the can in his hand. "Uh, well the vending machine was out of water?"

"Couldn't you get juice instead?"

"You are right. I should have." He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I sometimes forget you're parents are athletes, Mara, and that you know so much about sports."

Mara giggled. "It's ok. Hopefully it's a one time thing." She gave him a playful glare "Right Mr. Campbell?"

"Right Ms. Jaffray. Now what is the real reason you're here? I doubt it's to give me advice on what beverages an athletes should drink." He took a sip of his soda and waited for her reply.

"Oh, yes. Umm, do you know Brandon Conroy?" She asked timidly "Like, his personality and sorts?"

Mick thought for a second. "Brandon. Yeah, I know him. He's the center on the team. Good mate. Why do you wanna know-" he froze as a sudden realization lit his face. "Oh no Mara, not you too."

Mara gave him a puzzled look. "Excuse me?"

"You fancy him, don't you? Just like half the school's female population. I thought you wouldn't fall for his type."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Mara said, sticking out her hands for more empathizes " hold on a minute there, Mick. I do not, I repeat, do not, fancy Brandon."

"Oh, then how do you know him and why do you wanna know more about him?" He took another sip of his coke.

"Well, he's in my advance physics class and-"

Mick did a spit take.

Mara jumped back.

"He's what?" He coughed, wiping the off his mouth with the back of his hand "You're joking right?"

"Mick! You just sprayed soda all over me!"

"Sorry, it's just, hes in advance physics? Brandon? Really?" Mick still sounded dumbstruck.

Mara made a face and tugged on her now sticky skirt. "Yes he is. Is that really so hard to believe?"

"I guess. I mean, I don't know any players who are both athletes and..." He trailed off, looking very sheepish

Mara rolled her eyes. "You can say it, Mick. Nerds. Who are both Nerds. It's not crime."

"Well, yeah... So what was the reason you needed to find out more about him if you don't fancy him?"

"Umm, well, he kinda saw something that he wasn't suppose to see..." Mara started awkwardly "And I was hoping he wasn't the kind of person who would spread unnecessary gossip and rumors."

"Well, I don't think he will." Mick paused "But then again, I didn't even know he was a closet nerd, so I don't know. What did he see?"

"Uh, something personal." Mara said, not wanting to tell him about the whole Jerome make out experience "It's nothing bad, just personal."

Mick shrugged. "Alright, it's cool. Sorry I couldn't be much of a help, but from what I've seen, he's not that bad of a guy. And he's a really great Center."

Mara laughed. "Of course you'd remember that out of all the other things."

"Whaaat? He is. But anyways, I should really go change and gear up for practice." Mick paused "You could come watch you know. And than you can talk to Brandon yourself. Get everything sorted out."

"That's really sweet, Mick, but I have work right after school. And today is Monday, meaning it will be super busy at the Bean."

"That's true," He tossed the can in the trash "People need a cup off coffee to wake them up from the weekend. Anyway, later Mars."

"See you." Mara replied, watching Mick's form retreat down n into the locker rooms. Well,that was completely useless. And her problem was yet to be resolved. Maybe she should just leave it alone. Yeah, leave it alone and let life take its course, even if it would mean her whole school reputation would crumble and she would be kicked off as the school Rep, but life was life. It always got worse before it got better and at least she wouldn't have to confront Brandon about-

"Mara?"

She closed her eyes. Why, oh, WHY, did this always happen too her? Was this some sort of sick joke that God was pulling on her? 'Mess with Mara day and see how she handles it!' Ugh! She opened her eyes and turned around, plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Hi Brandon, fancy seeing you here."

Brandon shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. "Actually, I should be the one saying that, seeing that you're standing in front of the locker rooms and I need to get to practice."

Oh. He did have a point. "Well, yeah, guess you are right." She muttered.

"Yeah..." An awkward tension suddenly drifted in between them. Brandon shifted sightly before clearing his throat.

"Well, I should get going." He said, carefully walking around her and heading for the locker rooms. But before he could, Mara's hand shot out and latched on to the sleeve shirt; tugging him to a stop. He twisted around to look at her.

"Wait. Can we talk?" She asked meekly, not believing that she actually had the nerve to stop him. What was the world coming too?

"I have to get to practice." Brandon answered flatly, trying to yank his arm free, but she held on.

"I know you do, but it will only take a second."

"Mara, I need to go."

"Just hear me out," She stressed " it's about what you saw earlier with Jerome and I. It's not-"

"Oh, please," Brandon said yanking his arm free and sounding very irritated "I don't care about what you and Clarke were doing today, Mara. So you don't really need to explain it to me. I've heard it all before, alright?"

"What?" Mara asked, not understanding where he was coming from "Heard all what before? Why are you getting mad?"

He spun around to face her. "All the girls snogging other boys and then coming up to me and explaining themselves, telling me that it was 'nothing' and still hoping I'd ask them out. Ok? I've seen all than and I'm done with it. So please, don't try to explain yourself to me, because I don't care."

Mara was taken back. "Excuse me?" She asked incredulously "You think I'm trying to explain myself to you because I want you to ask me out? Because I fancy you? Are you mad?"

Brandon narrowed his eyes. "No Mara I'm not Mad. I'm just sick and tired of the same cycle. And worse of all, I didn't pin you for that sort of girl. Guess I was mistaken."

Mara let out a humorless laugh. "Really Brandon? 'That sort of girl'? Are you honestly kidding me, or are you really that arrogant to think that every girl you encounter will fall for you? Because I honestly don't care what you think about me at the moment nor was I here to change your opinion so you'd ask me out."

"Oh? If that's the case, then why did you try to explain yourself?" He asked, arms crossed and jaw set.

"Because I didn't want you spreading false rumors about me."

"Rumors about you? Is that the kind of person you think I am, Mara?" Brandon hissed "Wow, my opinion of you keeps getting lower and lower, which of course you don't care about."

"Well, how am I suppose to know what kind of person you are, Brandon?" Mara shot back "I only knew of you're existence today and was just being careful that word doesn't spread around the school, accidentally or on purpose! I never said that you would intentionally start a rumor!"

"Oh, so you don't care about what I think of you, you take me as a prick, and you never heard of me. Keep talking, Mara, what else do you indent to tell me? Afraid that I'll accidentally ruin your reputation from a 'good girl' to a 'slut'?"

Mara clenched her fist. "Go ahead, tell them." She spat out, anger slowly building up at his words "A slut? What proof do you have? What proof does anyone have besides the words of the famous Brandon Conroy? I've only ever dated Mick and the whole school knows it. And not once had I even looked at other guys when I was with him. So you can try."

Brandon locked eyes with her. "Then why were you so concerned about the rumor if you're that positive no one will believe what I might say?"

"Because I didn't want my position as school Representative getting jeopardized if word got to the teachers that I was skipping class with a boy." Mare hissed.

"Oh? But you were. With Clarke. Right in the middle of the hallway."

"I was not. If I were trying to skip class, do you honestly think I'd stand in a place where I'd easily get caught? Please."

She could see the wheels in his head turning and so she continued. "That was the only reason I confronted you, Brandon. It was for my position, not for your 'forgiveness', not for my 'good girl' reputation, and certainly not for any hopes of you asking me out. Because let me say this once, Brandon, loud and clear. I do not fancy you, Never have, and thanks to today, I never will."

She turned to leave, but stopped when he said "Oh, so you just fancy kissing every bloke you like?"

Mare looked over her shoulder. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. What's it to you? Maybe I only like kissing guys that I do like."

"I find you fancying Clarke really hard to believe." He mocked "seeing as you have a great dislike of him."

Mara fully turned back. "Oh? And who told you that? I think you're just mad that I prefer snogging Jerome over you, Conroy. Your ego must be crushed to hear that a girl chose another guy over the popular, athletic, smart, attractive Brandon Conroy. And what's worse? That girl was the plain old me."

She could see the anger flash in his green eyes, and she gave him a bitter smile. "I am right aren't I? What did you expect? Me to come begging back to you? Please."

That did it, and before she knew it, Mara was pressed into the wall, with Brandon glaring down at her. "You know what? You really are not what I expected, Mara. You got a mouth on you that needs shutting."

Mara smiled. "What? Did I disappoint you? Did you expect me to be the little, shy nerd that would be flustered by your presence, blush and take your words nicely? Reality check, I'm not. I'm not the perfect little girl that everyone clams I am. You said it yourself, self-acclaimed title holds no meaning, well, neither do assumed ones. And I'm tired of it."

To her surprise, Brandon smirked. "Well," he whispered "you did before. You were before. For as long as I remember, you were. So I ask, dear little Mara, what changed? What finally made you snap?"

She stared up at him, speechless. He was right. What had made her change? Jerome. The name popped into her head before she could stop it. It was Jerome. Jerome made her change. The harsh words that he said to her two nights ago, the ugly truth, that was the catalyst that she needed to stop being a whiny brat and start doing something about her problems. It was him.

The sheer shock of the revelation sent Mara's whole head reeling and she almost forgot about where she was and with who. It was only when Brandon lifted her chin up, she remembered. She blinked at the curiosity in his green eyes.

"At least one thing stayed the same, you still wear your emotions on your face." He cocked his head and stared into her eyes. "You figured it out did you? What changed?"

Mara nodded mutely, still numb from her realization.

"Hmm, you're one interesting girl, Mara" Brandon said, brushing his fingers down the side of her face "Far more interesting that I could have imagined. Clarke really does know how to pick 'em."

He leaned down, and in one swift motion kissed her. Mara jerked up in surprised and he bit her lower lip, running his tongue over his mark and pulled away. He stepped back, and giving her an insidious smile. "A very interesting girl, Mara. And I'm certain that you've got plenty more surprises in you that I will find interesting as well."

"What the hell was that for?" Mara hissed, rubbing her lips with the back of her hand.

"That was a promise." Brandon said, heading towards the locker rooms.

"A promise?"

"A promise that I will make you eat your words, Mara. That you will fall for me and will be mine. And don't you worry, I won't say a word about what happened today." With that he went in the locker rooms, leaving Mara to reply his words in her head.

"I'll never fall for you," Mara called out to the empty hall "Nor will I ever be yours Conroy. That is my promise. Because..." Because there was already someone else on her mind.

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