She's a Goddess

Another American

Song of the chapter: American Boy by Little Mix.

Iris' P.O.V;

Last night, we had been too busy comforting Mara that Joy hadn't got the chance to grill me about what happened with Jerome. 

This morning, I am hoping that she has forgotten. 

"Did you kiss Jerome?" 

Guess not. 

"No, where would you get that from?" I avoid eye-contact, "I know our friendship hit a rough patch but I didn't think it was this bad" Joy sighs, "what do you mean?" I ask, looking up at her to see she is genuinely upset. 

"It has become your default to lie to me all the time" Joy mentions, "I'm sorry" I apologise truthfully, "it's just that I don't want you to judge me" I admit.

"Iris, you are my best friend, I will never judge you" Joy assures me. 

"Okay, yes I kissed him" I admit.

"Okay, how was it?" she smirks "amazing" I smile "which just makes it that much harder" I add. "Why's that?" Joy asks "because it means I have feelings for Jerome and Fabian" I answer "I can't handle feelings for anyone right now, let alone two different people" I sigh, falling back on the bed. 

"It was just a little kiss" Joy lays down next to me "you don't need to get married" she jokes, "it's okay to have a little fun sometimes" she adds, "it doesn't always have to mean something" she finishes. 

"What if I want it to mean something?" I question, "well that's what you have to figure out now" Joy replies. 

"Now get up, we have to get some breakfast" Joy stands up and pulls me up with her. 

"Why is everything so complicated?" I ask as we walk into the dining room, "what's complicated?" Amber chimes in making me realise that Joy and I are no longer alone and the whole house is in the dining room, all apart from Jerome. 

"Oh just Mrs Andrews homework" I lie as Joy nods, "oh yeah, I'm finding it difficult as well" Fabian agrees "maybe we can go through it together?" he suggests to me. "Like a study date?" Joy asks as I shoot her a glare, why did she have to use that word?

"Well yeah - I mean if Iris doesn't - uh - mind" he stammers, "sure I could use the help" I shrug, "good" Fabian nods, "I mean good that we can work together not good that you could use help-" he rushes to correct himself, "I get it Fabes" I interrupt, smiling, which relaxes him. "Today after school?" I suggest as he nods. 

I turn to pull Joy to the side but I notice Jerome walking towards his room with a letter in his hand. 

"I'll be right back" I tell her, "where are you going?" she asks but I ignore it and go to follow Jerome. 

I quietly knock on his door, not wanting to get the attention of the others. 

"Come in" he calls out as I do so, closing the door behind me. 

I turn to see Jerome sitting at the edge of his bed, with the letter in his hand and he looks visibly shaken. 

I sit down close to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders for comfort. 

"What does the letter say?" I ask "my dad's not a judge" Jerome answers "he is in prison!" he exclaims, "are you serious?" I question, "of course I am! Why would I lie about this?!" he yells, standing back up.