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Here you go, only two chapters left (one chapter and one epilogue). Thanks for sticking with me this long. I really appreciate it!
Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Patricia POV
I made my way towards the common room after class. I was looking for either Eddie or Joy. I was going to push everything with Jerome out of my mind for right now and focus my energy on getting Eddie and Joy together.
When I got to the common room I could see Joy talking to someone through the open door. One step closer and I could see it was Jerome. I stopped in my tracks. I could tell Joy was keeping her promise and talking to Jerome like she'd said she's do.
Almost every fiber of my being wanted to stay and listen to figure out how this played out but I resisted. Instead I took a step back from the door and turned to head to Eddie's room. I might as well go do what I'd planned on doing
I couldn't fight the smile that had formed at the thought of Joy getting through to Jerome. I missed him and wanted him to stop ignoring me. At this point I didn't care if Jerome would ever want a relationship or not, I'd settle for just friends if that's what it came down to.
When I reached Eddie's room I knocked. "Come in," Eddie's voice came.
"Hey, can we talk for a second?" I ask as I enter the room.
"Sure," Eddie nods, looking up from his computer.
I take a seat on Fabian's empty bed and begin. "So, I believe I owe you," I say as I look across the room at Eddie.
"And why is that?" Eddie asks looking over at me.
"The deal was you help me make Jerome jealous and I set you up with Joy. I believe it's time I do so," I smile at Eddie. It's not going to be hard to get Joy and Eddie together, they both what it as much as the other.
"So you're here to set me up with Joy?" Eddie asks with a smile.
"Yep," I nod.
"Well I believe you've already accomplished that Yacker," Eddie smiles as me.
"I did?" I ask in confusion. The last thing I knew I was too wrapped up in everything with Jerome to set them up.
"Yeah," Eddie nods. "We're going out Friday night," he smiles.
"That's great," I smile, happy that everything's working out for Eddie and Joy. I wonder why Joy didn't tell me herself though. It's probably because I've been too caught up in my own Jerome related problems.
"You and Jerome kind of sealed the deal for us during Truth or Dare on Saturday," Eddie adds. "By the way, sorry about what happened between you and Jerome," he sends me a sad smile. I think he could tell how much I liked Jerome just like I could currently tell how much he liked Joy.
"It's okay," I shrug. It really wasn't okay, but what else could I say. "Joy's working on it," I add with a small smile. I was trying to look on the bright side of things. If I didn't, I'd end up breaking down. I knew I'd royally screwed up everything with Jerome, but I was trying to find hope that maybe things were fixable.
"He'll come to his sense Patricia," Eddie tries to reassure me and for some reason it works.
I just nod and stand. I need to see if Joy's done talking to Jerome yet. "Thanks Eddie," I smile.
"For what?" Eddie asks as he looks up at me.
"For everything," I answer sincerely. Without Eddie, I never would have gotten Jerome in the first place, no matter how screwed up everything turned out.
"No problem," Eddie smiles and I start to make my way to the door. "Hey Yacker," Eddie's voice stops me at the door.
"Yeah?" I ask as I turn back to face him.
"Just talk to him. He'll hear you out," Eddie says, his face sincere.
I nod and leave the room, something inside me is telling me Eddie's right. Joy already talked to Jerome, there was nothing to lose anymore because I'd already lost it all.
I make my way back to the common room in search of Joy. When I got there, Joy's gone, but Jerome's not. He's sitting there on the couch with his head in his hands. He looks exactly how I feel.
"Hey," I say quietly as I step into the room.
Jerome's head snaps up and his blue eyes meet mine, I think I see a hint of happiness in them, but a second later it's gone. Jerome stares at me for a second as if he's trying to decide how to responds before he says, "Hey."
"Have you seen Joy?" I ask tentatively. I'm taking baby steps because I don't want to screw things up even more, if that's even possible.
"She just left," Jerome answers, his blue eyes searching my face. "I think she's up in your room," he adds after a second.
"Thanks," I nod with a tentative smile.
I start to make my way back out the door when Jerome's voice stops me. "Trix?"
"Yeah?" I ask as I look back at him. My heart soars at the use of my nickname. He can't be too pissed if he's still calling me Trix. I have a feeling Eddie was right, Jerome will hear me out.
"I think we need to talk," Jerome says quietly, his blue eyes on mine.
"Then let's talk," I answer, trying to hide my excitement.
"My room after dinner," Jerome says, his eyes questioning.
"Perfect," I nod and turn around before he can see the huge smile that's spreading across my face. I quickly make my way out of the room and up the steps to find Joy. I owe her a huge thank you and an apology.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you," I burst into the room and hug Joy.
She hugs me back before pulling away laughing. "I assume Jerome talked to you then."
"We're talking tonight after dinner," I smile, unable to hide my excitement.
"Good," Joy smiles. "And you're welcome. What are friends for?" she laughs.
"Speaking of that," I smile tentatively. "I haven't been the best friend in the last week and I'm sorry for that," I apologize.
"Oh don't worry about it," Joy brushes me off.
"I hear you've got a date this Friday," I smile, dropping the previous subject. I know it doesn't bother Joy that it was all about me the last few days, just like it doesn't bother me when it's all about Joy. That's why we're best friends.
"I can't wait," Joy smiles in excitement and I can't help but laugh. We spend the time before dinner focused on Eddie and Joy, which is a great way to stop my brain from working overtime on ways that my conversation with Jerome can play out.
All I have to do now is get through dinner and I'll know once and for all if Jerome will give me a second chance or not. I'm really hoping he does because there's no question about it, I love Jerome Clake.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to know what you think!
