Hey everyone. I know I haven't updated in forever, but I was busy. I had a wedding come up and also moved to a new place. So you can imagine all the stuff I had to do. Anyway, hope you all enjoy and like this chapter and remember to review! I wanna hear all your thoughts! Enjoy!
"Welcome to Java Bean, may I take your order?"
"Yes. I would like a cup of Coffee please."
"Sure, one cup of coffee. Would you like anything else with that?'
"No, that would be all."
"Alright sir, that would be £1.99. Your order will be ready in a few minutes." Mara said, handing the man his receipt and heading to the back of the cafe to make the coffee.
It was six pm sharp, and finally the afternoon rush in the small cafe was dying down. Mara sighed as she put a fresh batch on the machine and leaned against the wall for a moment's rest. It had been a long and Mara was both physically and mentally exhausted. For the past five hours she had been on her feet,, running back and forth from the cash register to take the orders and make the orders. Her feet were killing her and all she wanted to do was go home, take a long hot bath, and curl up in bed. But then...how would she turn off her thoughts? About Jerome? About Brandon? About everything that happened?
She sagged lower. This was going to be a long stressful week, and if she was this tired on Monday, Mara didn't even want to think about how the rest of the six days would play out. She closed her eyes. She needed a vacation. Some place far, far away, with a nice tropical beach, and the sound of the sea lulling her to sleep. Yeah, that would be nice...
"You know, we still have a customer waiting for his coffee."
Mara's eyes snapped open at the sound of Lucy's voice. She turned and found the red head holding up the coffee container and staring her. Mara ave her sheepish smile.
"Sorry, Luce. It's been a long day and I didn't even take my break yet."
"Well, you should. I gave the guy his coffee and after the next customer, you should take a break, kid. You look exhausted."
"I am." Mara nodded and fixed her cap "I've been here since one. So glad the rush is finally over."
"Yup," Lucy nodded "bu it looks like the new Cafe down the block is getting more people. Stupid snooty, new high class businesses. Stealing our customers away. Who the hell do they think they are? Flashing their goods? Humph."
"Well, guess they are our competition." Mara shrugged "At least now we would be more motivated to work harder. And by us, I mean Larry, who is on the phone with his girlfriend again."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Again? I swear if those two don't get past their honey moon stage, I will ship the girlfriend off to Africa. LARRY GET OFF THE PHONE!"
Mara laughed and shook her head. Tired or not, she really did love working here. There was never a dull moment. And with Co-workers like Lucy and Larry (who were actually siblings) even the yucky days seemed less yucky. She smiled and walked back out to the front.
"Welcome to Java Bean, may I take your order?"
"Mara?"
Her smile faltered. "Oh, hi Brandon. May I take you order?"
"No Mara, I'm not here to order something. I need to talk-" Brandon started, but Mara cut him off.
"Look Brandon," She said hotly " if you're not going to order anything, please step aside. I have other customers waiting in line."
"But Mara-"
"Excuse me sir, may I take your order?" She asked the man behind him, ignoring Brandon completely. She really did not have time for this nonsense now.
The man looked from Brandon to her and then answered "I'd like to have a slice of Pecan Pie, please."
"Sure thing, Sir. Would you like anything else with that?"
"No, thank you."
"Alright. That would be £2.99. Is that to stay or to go?"
"To Stay."
"Sure. Give me a moment please." Mara said, picking up the glass cabinet and taking a slice out. She was perfectly aware that Brandon was still watching her, but she ignored him nonetheless.
"Here you go, sir." She said, handing the man his slice and receipt "And have a nice day."
"Mara," Brandon pleaded as soon as the man walked away "can we please talk?"
"I don't know Brandon, I am really busy now." Mara answered, waving on the next customer " Maybe later."
"But-"
"Mara, Lucy say's it's your break now." Larry interrupted, coming in from the back and standing next to her "And I''m suppose to cover for you. So go on before Lucy gets on my back for being lazy and not giving you a break."
Mara cursed under her breath. Great, just great. Now that she was given her break, she had no excuse not to talk to Brandon. There went her avoidance plan. Life really did suck at times.
Sighing, Mara gave Larry a quick nod and scurried to the back. There she found Lucy flipping through a magazine and stomped toward her. "You really do have crappy timings at times, you know that?"
The red haired girl looked up and popped her gum. "What? What did I do now?"
Mara sighed and plopped down in the seat next to her. "Nothing, nothing."
"It can't be nothing, nothing when you just stomped toward me, looking like an angry Koala bear. What's up?
"It's just- Wait, did you just call me an angry Koala bear?"
"Indeed I did. Go on, tell Luce-Luce what's bugging you."
Mara blinked. "Luce-Luce? "
Lucy rolled her eyes. "It's an old nickname, but enough of that! Tell meeeeeee."
"Ok, ok. Jesus, relax will you." Mara laughed "It's just that I was trying to avoid/ignore a person who is trying to talk with me. And now that I'm on break, he will be relentless."
"Ohhh, you mean that fit boy with gorgeous green eyes and dark hair?
Mara started at her. "How do you know?"
"Well, because he's standing right behind you." Lucy said, looking past her shoulder.
"What?" Mara jumped up and spun around. And sure enough, there was Brandon, standing a foot away and staring at her with pleading eyes.
"How did you even get in here?" She asked "It's for employes only."
"The guy out in the front let me in. Can we please talk, Mara?" Brandon stressed once more "I swear it will be quick."
"But-"
"Oh for crying out loud, just go with him!" Lucy burst out before Mara could protest further "It's not like he's going to eat you. And if you do," She turned to Brandon "I have cameras outside, so I will know. And then I'll report you to the police, or better yet, get the job done myself." She oped her gum and gave him a sweet smile. "Now off you go kids, and remember, I'm watching you. Bye!" With that, she promptly dug her nose back in to her magazine, leaving Mara and Brandon to stare.
Mara recovered first. "Ok, let's go out side and talk. And keep you hands and lips and whatever else you have, to yourself. Got it?"
Brandon put his hands up. "Got it. No touching Mara."
"Good. Let's go."
She led the way out through the side door and out to the front yard. It had gotten dark and the cold night air chilled Mara through her thin cotton uniform. She groaned inwardly. Why did she always end up outside on cold nights without a jacket? She would surely catch pneumonia if this continued.
Mara rubbed her arms. "Ok, so what was the thing you had to tell me that was so important?"
"I wanted to say," Brandon cleared his throat " I wanted to say sorry for what happened earlier today. I shouldn't have done that and I apologize for my actions."
A strong gust of wind tore through the trees, whipping Mara's cap off and causing her dark hair to spill down her shoulders. She stared at him, confused.
"You wanted to apologize to me?" She asked. He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Couldn't you have waited till tomorrow to tell me?"
Brandon shook his head. "No, it couldn't have. I was a total Jack to you and I needed to apologize as soon as I could. When I replayed the conversation in my head in the locker rooms, I realized how much of a prick I sounded. And I wanted to apologize. So I came here after practice."
Mara blinked at his words. He wanted to apologize? He couldn't have waited till tomorrow? Was he really that upset about what had happened?
"Uh, wow. No one has ever done this for me before." She said awkwardly "I mean, you were a bit of a prick and cocky..."
"Yes, I know." Brandon said "I just, I don't know, got mad? I was just saying things from experience and didn't think that you might not have the same intention. And when you laughed in my face, well, I lost my cool and did something stupid. And so, I wanted to say sorry."
Mara swallowed. "And all that stuff you said about 'making me eat my words'? What about that?"
His head snapped up. "Like I said, I was mad. So I didn't really mean any of it."
"Any of it?"
Brandon opened his mouth to speak, when suddenly a new voice screamed his name.
"Brandon Micheal Conroy, get your stupid little arse over here. Now!"
Both their head snapped towards the new voice. It was a girl, possibly in her early twentys, with long dark hair and a slim figure, marching right toward them. And she looked murderous. Behind her, Mara heard Brandon swear. Who ever this woman was, she was somehow connected to Brandon.
The Woman stomped toward them and in one quick motion, grabbed Brandon in a head lock, never mid the fact that she was about three inches shorter than him. Mara just blinked at the sight. What was going on?
"Did you apologize to her?" The mysterious woman asked, squeezing him harder "Were you really sorry?"
"Yes, yes. God Aisling, let go of me, she's standing right there!" Brandon yelled, trying to get out of the woman's vise grip.
The woman known as Aisling, turned and blinked as if noticing Mara "Oh, oops?" She giggled and let go of Brandon "So sorry about that. Hello, I'm Aisling, nice to meet you!" She stuck out her hand, which Mara shook hesitantly.
"Hello, I am Mara. Nice to meet you Aisling."
"Oh, Brandon is this her?" Aisling asked, and Mara noted that she also had the same shade of green eyes as Brandon "she's so cute!"
"Ignore her, Mara," Brandon said, fixing his shirt collar "My sister has problems."
"Your, sister?" Mara asked stupidly.
"Yes, I'm his older sister. Did he apologize to you about acting like an arse yet?" Aisling asked.
"Aisling!" Brandon cried "Shut up!"
"No! You are an idiot! Didn't I tell you to not let your looks get to your head? Arrogant idiot!" She pinched his cheek "Next time listen to your big sis, and nothing like this will happen."
"Get off me! You're only three years older." Brandon pushed her away.
"But I have three years of wisdom. Wisdom!"
Mara stared at the two siblings with awe. They really did look almost alike. Both were equally stunning, and both had rather...unique personalities. Mara coughed. "Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to get back to work soon."
Aisling pushed her brother off and turned to her. "Oh, I'm sorry you had to see that. But some times my brother can be a total meat head. Men. Can't live with them, can't live with out them. So, did he apologize sincerely for running his motor mouth?"
"Aisling!"
"Quiet, you." Aisling told Brandon without a glance "So, did he Mara?"
Mara tugged on the apron of her uniform. "Yes," She mumbled, looking down "Yes he did."
"And do you forgive him?"
Mara looked up. Aisling's expression was serious. She blinked. Did she forgive him? He really did sound and look sincere. Plus he came all the way to her work from practice. Maybe, just maybe...
"Yes," Mara answered at last "I do forgive him."
"Really?" Brandon asked surprised "You do?"
Mara smiled at his baffled expression "Really, I do."
"Great!" Aisling burst out "Well then, my work here is done." She picked up Mara's cap and handed it back to her "It was nice meting you, Mara. If you ever need anything, just call me. Here's my number." She pulled out a pen from her back pocket and scribbled it across Mara's palm "And before you ask how I knew about this little incident, I wormed it out of my little brother on the phone. Keep in touch, and you." She pointed to Brandon "Walk her back home tonight. It's getting late. Well then, toodles!" With that she walk back off in the direction she came minutes before.
Mara stared after her in shock and then looked down at her had where Aisling's number was scribbled across in bright blue ink, and then finally stared at Brandon. "Well, that was...interesting."
Brandon rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, sorry about that. My sister is, my sister is...well, she's something."
Mara nodded. "Well, I should be heading back to work. My break is almost up. Guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Nope. I'm walking you back, remember? So I'll wait till your shift is done. When do you finish?"
"You really don't have to, you know. It's no big deal."
Brandon snorted. "Aisling is visiting back from her Uni and if I tell her I didn't walk you back, she'd skin me. Plus, I want to. So I'll wait."
Mara pinched the bridge of her nose. Boys, couldn't even take no for an answer. "Alright fine. I can ask Lucy if you can wait in the back while I work. I bet she wont mind."
Brandon gave her a hundred watt smile. "Awesome. Let's go ask Lucy then."
"Ask Lucy what?" Asked the said girl, poking her head out of the door way. "I hope you're not asking me to be your witness if you both plan to elope."
Mara rolled her eyes. "No Lucy, we wanted to ask if Brandon could sit in the back and wait until I was finished with work. He's walking me home."
"Aw, how sweet. Sure he ca-" Her phone went off, blaring "Lucy in the sky with diamonds" by the Beatles. Mara raised an eyebrow a the song choice, while Lucy quickly had a mini convo.
"Ok, kiddo," She said, shutting her phone off "quick change of plans. Arnold says he can make it tonight, and will cover your shift through midnight. Soooo, you're free to go home."
"What? But I still have an hour to go!." Mara protested, but Lucy wouldn't hear any of it.
"Just think of it as a break. You need one anyways. I don't want my workers falling asleep on me every time they fetch a cup of coffee, now do I?" She gave Mara a knowing look and Mara sighed in defeat.
"Fine, I'll go change."
"Excellent! " Lucy chimed, grabbing Brandon's arm "You go do that, while I show your gentleman friend here, around the old place." With that, Lucy tugged Brandon into the cafe.
Mara sighed and looked up at the shadowing sky. Fat gray clouds had slowly began to roll in, indicating that it would rain soon. Maybe it was good that she would be getting off early. Getting caught in a rain shower on a cold night would totally end in a disaster. With one final look at the clouds, Mara followed the other two in.
Oddly enough, Mara didn't actually end up going home right after she changed. Instead, she and Brandon had decided to take a little detour to the park. It was still a pretty night out for a mini stroll, since it still hadn't rained yet. Maybe those clouds were just there for show. But spending time with Brandon was actually kind of...fun.
She had learned various random little things about him, like his favorite food (tacos), favorite color (green), and favorite ice cream flavor (cookie dough). He had also told her what he planned to do in the future, more about his sister (which was quit amusing and a bit disturbing), and his favorite childhood experiences.
And in exchange, Mara too had told him random facts about her uninteresting life, which surprisingly, he found interesting. Especially about her parents being athletes and about how she had an older sister. It was actually a very nice experience. Both walked slowly through the park, laughing and joking about their life, school, and yes, physics.
It was all nice until Brandon casually asked. "So, what's up with you and Clarke?"
Mara stiffened. "Nothing. Nothing's up with us."
"Oh," she could feel Brandon glancing at her as they walked "well I thought, you both were, I don't know, had a thing?"
"No," Mara answered "We didn't, we don't." She didn't want to talk about Jerome now, and especially not with Brandon. As of right now, it was a restricted topic, and with her revelation today, she was afraid to even touch on it until she did further thinking.
"So, you aren't going out? And it's for certain?"
Thunder suddenly grumbled above them. "No, we are not going out. And it's about to rain soon so I should be heading home. You should too if you don't want to get wet."
Brandon looked up. "Yeah, you're right. It's about to rain. I'll walk you back to the dorm. And don't worry, my car's parked in front of the school so I won't get caught in the rain."
Mara nodded. "Ah, that makes sense."
They both fell into a peaceful silence. Another grumble of thunder boomed and a flash of lightning zipped across the sky. They both continued to walk silently, until they spotted the tips of the emerging school building. Brandon paused.
"Well, here's the school. Which way is your dorm?"
Mara giggled. "You don't know the way to the Anubis house?" She asked playfully "My, that's a shocker."
Brandon gave her a playful grin. "Well, seeing as I have never actually gotten a chance to go to your dorm, I wouldn't know."
Mara laughed. "Fair enough. This way, and hurry, it's going to rain soon. I don't want you getting soaked when you go to your car on my behalf."
"A little rain doesn't hurt anyone, you know." Brandon said, walking along side her on the gravel path "Why are you so worried?"
"Well, that is true. But getting wet on a cold night like this can lead you to getting sick, which is bad. Seeing that we have a test on Wednesday." Mara replied "Which you can not miss."
"Ahh physics, the killer of all fun. Well here you are. The stone gates of Anubis. Do you want me to walk you straight to the door or is this ok?" Brandon asked as they stopped in front of the stone fence. Mara smiled.
"No this is fine. I think I can handle the evil bush monsters that might come at me while I make my perilous two minute journey to my home." She teased him playfully.
"But you may never know." Brandon said , giving her a shifty eye look."The gravel monsters might get you before the bush monsters do."
Mara laughed at his expression. "I think I can handle them. But thanks for walking me home and for the stroll in the park. It was nice."
Brandon shoved his hands in is pockets and gave her a cute smile. "No problem. It was the least I could do for acting the way I did today. So I'll see you tomorrow,, then?"
She nodded. "Definitely."
"Great." He said, leaning over and giving her a small peck on the cheek. "I'll see you then."
Mara watched as Brandon's figure disappeared into the shadows ad she lightly touched the place his lips had once been. Warm. His lips were warm against her cold cheek. Suddenly, a fat rain drop landed on top of her nose, snapping Mara out of her thoughts.
She looked up, only to be hit in the eye with yet another rain drop. Great, just great. Now it had decided to rain, when she was only three yards away from Anubis. She sighed and quickly started to walk toward the house; knowing perfectly well that if she paused , even for a second, she would get drenched.
She was half a yard away from the door when a voice stopped her in her tracks. "I see that you and Conroy seem to be getting cozy."
Mara froze, her heart thudding loudly in her chest as Jerome stepped out from the darkness and into the porch light. As usual he was without a coat, trading for a black tee shirts and slacks. Another roll of thunder crackled above.
"What are you talking about, Jerome?" Mara asked, trying to keep of her voice steady. What was wrong with her? Why on earth was she suddenly feeling so nervous around Jerome?
"Oh? Was it not Conroy that just walked you home?" Jerome asked, stepping down from the porch and slowly walking towards her "And didn't he just give you a kiss?"
Mara swallowed and took a step back. "Yes so? That doesn't mean that I'm getting cozy with him, Jerome."
He took another step forward. "I think it does." Another crack of lighting.
She took a step back. "No it doesn't."
"Yes it does." He stepped forward.
"No it doesn't." She stepped back.
"So are you saying, little Mara," Jerome said, taking another step forward, standing inches away from her face " that you go around kissing every bloke that makes a move? Are you really that desperate for a boyfriend?"
Mara clenched her fist, her nervousness quickly being replaced by anger. "I don't think I'm desperate." She said coolly, refusing to back down.
"Oh, and why is that?" Jerome asked, his eyes locked with her's.
"Because then that would mean that I was desperate enough to date you, and for that to happen, well, let's be honest here,it never would." She leaned up and whispered in his ear "So, Mr. Clarke, your accusations are false. Next time, try to let your ego deflate before you start pointing fingers."
She took a step back, watching as a spark of anger glimmered in his eyes. He smirked. "Well done, little Mara, well done. Looks likes your tongue keeps getting sharper by the minute. But be careful, or I might just have to bite it out of your mouth."
Mara smirked. "I'd like to see you try, Jerome. But as for right now, I'm tired, cold, and hungry. Plus it's about to rain. So, I'm going inside, but you can still stand out here and contemplate my motives for spending time with Brandon."
She started to walk past him, until a firm grip on her arm yanked her back to her previous spot. She glared up at Jerome, who in turn, gave her one of his wicked smile. It didn't reach his eyes. "Fine. I will."
"Will what?" Mara asked annoyed, trying to break free from his grip.
"I'll contemplate as to why you were spending time with Conroy. Let's start shall we? Did you two meet to discuss something regarding your physics class?"
Mara struggled. "No."
"No? Well, maybe he had something to say to you, something important. Was it about what he saw today?"
"Wrong again." She hissed "You really are quiet terrible at this game, Jerome."
He smiled, and pulled her closer. "Oh really? Then I'll keep guessing. He came and found you at work."
"Yes, that is correct." Mara answered, staring up at him. They were really close. Close enough so that she could see the the irises in his blue eyes. So close, that only the fabric of her jacket separated their two bodies. Her heart beat sped up.
"Really? How very interesting. Now why would the mighty Brandon Conroy, the golden boy of our school, go out of his way to visit you? Hmm?" He tilted her chin up"Unless...unless he wanted something or...did something that he had to make right."
Mara froze. "No," she lied, trying to back away from him "nothing happened. He just showed up at the cafe for a treat and then decided to walk me back. That's all."
Jerome grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "You're lying."
Thunder crackled. "No, I'm not."
It started to rain. Heavy, cold droplets drenched them both. "Yes you are. I can see it in your eyes, on your face. You are lying, Mara, lying to my face. What happened with Conroy?"
Mara squirmed, trying to pulling away. "Jerome, Jerome it's raining. We should go inside. Let's go inside."
But he grabbed on to her other arm and kept her steady. "I don't care. Tell me what happened with Conroy, Mara. What did he do?"
"Nothing!" The rain was getting harder. "He did nothing."
"You're lying." Jerome's voice was like steel "Stop lying. What happened between the two of you?"
Her clothes were soaked, from her jacket ,to her shirt, to her skirt, all wet. "Why do you care?" She cried "It has nothing to do with you!"
It was getting harder to see. Blurry images danced in front of her and Mara had to constantly blink to see. Jerome looked hazy, hair plastered down from the rain, clothes clinging tightly to his body; he looked so misty. But his eyes, his eyes looked livid. Like two orbs of burning sapphire.
He yanked her closer."It has everything to do with me, Mara." He hissed in her ear "Because you are mine."
"What?" Mara asked, truly shocked from his statement. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me, Mara" Jerome mused, bringing his lips to her neck. "I didn't studder."
Mara shivered, not from the cold, but from how Jerome's lips felt on her neck. Cold. Cold, chilling lips on her cold wet skin, but despite that, she was getting warm. Very warm. She squirmed.
"Stop it. Stop it Jerome. Stop saying such outrageous and stupid things. I'm not yours. I don't belong to anyone."
"Mmm, I disagree." He mumbled, trailing his lips down her neck and up her throat "I say you're mine, and I don't like sharing."
"But-," Mara protested, feeling his hot tongue flicker across her throat "but you said you didn't love me."
"So?" He said, kissing her jawline "What's love got to do with wanting something? I want you, you're mine, that doesn't necessarily mean that I love you."
She was speechless, her heart thudding loudly "W-what? That's, that's-"
Jerome cut her off by placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "That's what, Mara?" He kissed her again.
She broke away. "That's so heinous!"
"Really? Is it?" Jerome answered, leaning his forehead against her's. "You seem to like it when I kiss you."
"I-I don't." Mara stammered, trying to get away from him. "I-"
"Isn't that want you wanted, Mara? To be wanted by someone? Anyone? Even if they don't have any fondness toward you? Any love? So your boring excuse of an existence can have a meaning? So what's the matter now? Aren't you happy to be wanted by me?"
Every word was like a slap in the face. It stung. Bad. Angry and hurt, Mara shoved Jerome back with all her might. Caught off guard, he stumbled a few steps back. She clenched her fists.
"You are an ass." Mara said, blinking away rain and tears "A horrible, twisted, manipulative ass. You think I'm happy to be wanted by you? Happy? I am disgusted that someone like you would even look at me!"
Jerome smirked. "So what? You want to be with someone like Conroy? Mr. Popular? Please."
"Not want." She hissed "Am."
The smirk slipped from his face. "What?"
Mara smirked, rain slid off her hair. "What's wrong, Jerome? Surprised? Well don't be. I don't need you. I don't need your kisses, I don't need your pity, and I don't certainly need your tongue. You are nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. So do me a favor and never speak to me ever again."
With that said, Mara walked past him. He didn't try to stop her. He didn't say a word. He only stood in the rain, a shadow in the night.
Hope you like it. Please review and I will post more chapters up. Thank You!