You guys rule! You know that? YOU RULE! Anyway, this was prompted by 'theboyandthegirlwhowaited' awesome username by the way!

'I hate you.'

Beginning

"She's such a loser," Jerome sighed, running a hand though his hair as he leaned against the locker, watching Mara frown at her homework diary and shuffling books around. Mara paused, struggling with her bag, and Jerome smiled at her, holding it open so she could put the books inside.

"Thanks," she smiled, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, and Jerome wondered whether she would be able to take his help without blushing. He hoped not, he liked the faint spread of rosy red. "But you really shouldn't call her a loser Jerome, it was kinda mean of him."

"What? It was just a sentence! And she totally flipped out," he shook his head, stuffing his hand into his trouser pockets as she took her bag back and closed her locker. The school was empty now, he had stayed behind with her so she could go to book club. Book club. If it was anyone else, he would have laughed his head off, but with her, it was strangely adorable.

"Jerome, Derek said he hated her. It's horrible!"

"He said 'I hate you' and Cindy totally flipped out! I mean- It's not like he threatened to tell everyone about her fake hair extensions."

Mara paused, turning to him and frowned "Cindy has fake hair extensions?" Jerome smiled at her, ruffling her hair.

"But you didn't hear it from me,"

Mara rolled her eyes, not bothering to ask. Jerome seemed to know everything about everyone, and as much as it unnerved her, she was quite proud of the fact he didn't go around yelling it at the top of his lungs.

"I would have reacted the same way," Mara shrugged "If you told me you hated me, I would get angry, cry and probably run away," Jerome shook his head, wrapping an arm around her.

"No you wouldn't. You're sensible. Jeez Mara, they're just words. Three simple little words. He didn't mean them, so they don't matter," he held the door open for her, and she ducked out under his arm, holding out her hand, which he took eagerly, and they strolled down the grass.

"You wouldn't like it either," Mara sang. Jerome scoffed, and so she turned on the spot and looked up at him. "I hate you." She stated, shrugging. Jerome's eyebrows raised, and he looked…stunned. Mara Jaffray? It just didn't look right, and it made him feel terrible inside, to hear those words coming from her. He turned away, rubbing his face with the flat of his hand. Mara gasped quietly. "Jerome?"

"I'm fine." He lied through gritted teeth, still facing away from her. He was reeling, his mind was aching, his heart…he couldn't even hear it. Had it stopped working? He thumped himself in the chest slightly.

"Jerome!" Mara gripped his shirt ,and spun him around, his eyes were red. "Oh Jerome!" she cried sympathetically, tiptoeing and wrapping her arms tightly around him, bringing his tall figure down to her. He stood limply. "Jerome I don't hate you! I love you! For goodness sake! I love you!" Jerome let out a relieved sort of shudder, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"God," he whispered, burying his face into the warm crook in her neck, as she rubbed his back soothingly. "I'm gonna have to beat Derek up tomorrow aren't I?"

Mara laughed, pulling away from him, to press her lips gently to his.

Prompts or a review! x