FINAL CHAPTER! DUN DUN DUUUUUUUNNNN! XD Sorry it took so long to update! Please see a special note at the end regarding the end of the story! I had to put it at the end so that I didn't ruin the end for you guys! So make sure to read it after! Whoa… do you even know how many times I just wrote "end"? O.o

Thank you guys for the amazing reviews and responses! I wuv you all! # Oh, wow. Fail.

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Dear Mick,

This is so hard for me to write. You and I have been so close for so long, and I feel as if you are my brother. But you see, that's just the problem. You're a brother to me, and I just don't think we were meant to be together. It's not because you moved, it's just that I'm not feeling a spark anymore. Please, I hope we can still be friends. I love you, but not like that. Please try to understand.

K.I.T. and write back soon!

- Mara

Mara placed the paper down gently on the table, tears welling in her eyes at the thought of Mick's feelings and facial expression as he read it. She let her head fall limply into her hands. Her heart felt as if it was torn in two. How could she choose between them? How was she supposed to? A day ago, it had become clear that Jerome was the one she wanted to be with, but after she had written this, the battle had begun all over again.

Her shoulders shook slightly as she wept into her hands, feeling all messed up inside. She had never imagined that she would ever be in this position. She didn't know what to do, and felt an unresolved panic clutching her heart. Why did everything always have to be so hard?

Mara lifted her head and wiped at her cheeks, picking up her pen again and drawing out a new sheet of paper.

No, she wasn't confused. Because amongst all the chaos in her mind, Jerome was there, making it better. He was the one, and she knew it, because no one else had ever given her so much reassurance; just the thought of him calmed her mind.

She controlled her breathing and began to write.

Jerome opened the door to his room, prepared to wearily collapse on his bed. However, no sooner than he had entered the cozy bedroom then a paper was thrust forcefully in his face.

From behind the flapping paper came Alfie's excited yelps. "Dude! I've been waiting forever for you to get home! There was this paper on your bed, and it said, 'For Jerome', so I read it…. READ IT! READ IT!"

"ALFIE!" Jerome exclaimed, annoyed, and attempted to get around the obstacle so he could officially enter the room. But Alfie would have none of that.

"Read it, man! I had no idea you were so good with the ladies!"

"Alfie!" Jerome repeated in annoyance, snatching the letter from his friend's hand.

Dear Jerome,

I'm so sorry. I hope you have completely forgiven me for what I did. Or rather, what I didn't do. I realized something the other day. Please meet me in my room when you get this. I told Alfie not to open it, but he probably did anyway, so I'm sorry for that invasion of privacy.

Love, Mara.

Jerome smiled at the page and at Mara's correct prediction of Alfie's actions. He stood up, letter still in hand, and opened the door.

"Where are you going, man?" Alfie asked stupidly. Jerome turned around with an incredulous look on his face.

"Did you read it, Alfie? Or are you just stupid?"

He giddily jogged upstairs to Mara's door, then stood outside it for a while. He could feel his breathing quicken and his heart began to pound, but it soon became apparent that he would not be able to get his fluttering heart under control, so he knocked lightly on the door.

"Oh!" came a muffled voice. "Come… come in!"

Jerome opened the door cautiously. The voice was undoubtedly Mara's, but it sounded… pained… Mara sat on her bed, smiling. Her eyes were red and she was obviously pretending she was fine. She was far from it.

"Hey, now…" Jerome said at the sight of her, immediately advancing to her and sitting beside her on the bed. Someone so beautiful shouldn't have to ever go through anything to make them cry. Still, the tears almost made her look prettier.

"I'm fine," she said unconvincingly, biting her lip as tears shone in her chocolate eyes.

"Mara?"

She looked up at Jerome for a moment, then fell into him, sobbing. He wrapped his arms around her shaking form, completely at a loss for what to do. She was clutching him tightly, crying into his chest.

"Do you want me to come back later?" he asked uncertainly. He didn't want to say the wrong thing, but he felt as if he should say something.

"No!" she replied quickly. "I'm… it's… I didn't mean to cry. It's just…I've been going through a hard time, choosing between you and Mick…"

Jerome frowned. So she had made a choice? As hard as he tried to calm himself, butterflies rose in his chest.

"Yes?"

"And… and I feel so bad…" she stuttered, wiping her eyes and looking up at him.

Jerome's heart suddenly deflated. No, no, no, no! She couldn't be serious. She had chosen Mick. Mick! The meathead, the one on the other side of the world! How could she have done this to him? Why would she call him over to her room just so she could break his heart? But he still remained, determined to be there for her. As always.

"… I feel so bad for Mick."

It took a moment for what Mara had said to sink in. When it did, Jerome tried so hard to restrain it, but a smile lightened up his face. Mara looked up, then smiled as well, to his relief. She had wiped away the last of the tears, but her makeup was still smudged.

"Me?" Jerome asked incredulously, suddenly feeling very giddy. "Me? You like… me?"

Mara smiled wider and nodded.

"I love you, Jerome."

She had said it before, but there was something different this time. This time, it made his heart leap and his stomach churn in excitement, and his whole body felt light and joyous at her words. He couldn't think of anything to say.

Mara laughed lightly, looking him in the eyes. He felt then, for the first time, that someone had seen through him with one glance, and seen everything he was. She was the only one who could do that.

"Why are you so tall?"

Jerome frowned in confusion, eyes smiling.

"I'm… sorry?"

"Scrunch down a little," she continued, giggling.

Jerome tried to make himself lower on the bed, leaning down uncomfortably.

"Good for you?" he smirked, still curious at what she was playing at.

"Perfect," she smiled, and leaned in toward him slowly. Her eyes flickered down to his lips, and he suddenly understood, heart pounding. He had wanted this for so long… but now he felt like he was going to die from anxiety. She seemed to move so slowly. Mara, usually so innocent, was taking the initiative. She scooted towards him more, lightly touching his hand. He helped her, leaning in as well, until their lips were practically brushing.

Mara pressed forward, and Jerome's senses sprang to life. Her lips gently pressed against his, and she gripped his hand firmly. He kissed her back, and they gently swayed on the bed, locked together sweetly. The kiss had a definitive rhythm, and they followed it softly, barely stopping to take a breath before moving back in again.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, but which was realistically only a few minutes, they broke apart.

"I love you, Mara." Jerome smiled, gazing into her beautiful, soft, brown eyes. "I've loved you for a long time."

"I know."

She added with a little smile before pulling him into another kiss; "I should have known a long time ago. I don't know how I could have been so stupid..."

Thank you to TrinityFlower of Memories for the idea of Mara sending the letter to Jerome! You gave me a perfect way to end the story! :D I hope you guys enjoyed! R E V I E W!