Val's POV

Parker and I walk up hand-in-tingly-hand to the crowd surrounding one of the leaders for the... third? time this month. We truly are a problematic group.

"New announcement! We have found a replacement for Jack just in the nick of time. He will, again, be Crystal Ruby's new partner. We have done a full background check, head-to-toe and childhood to teenage years, to make sure that he is nothing like those other boys. Let's just hope nothing bad happens. So don't provoke him, got it?" she asks in a happy voice laced with threats. She walks away rubbing her head in her hands. I feel bad for her. She must be the first ever leader to have to conceal a student's real name away for legal reasons.

I look up at the sky, trying to brace myself for what I'm about to see. Who knows? He might just be the third part to the trio of the badly behaving brothers. I'm so afraid I'll look at him just to see a face identical to the psychos.

I look down slowly, finally focusing my attention on the boy walking towards Crystal. His dark skin, black hair, and all around more handsome face make a huge difference from the white, brown-haired brothers. Thank God.

I watch as he walks towards Crystal. He swiftly walks right past her, quite awkwardly might I say because she was holding her hand out to shake his. As she turns around to say something, he comes up close to her face from behind, taking her abandoned hand and filling its void by kissing it. Smooth.

Feeling intrigued and wanting to know just what type of guy he is, I decide to eavesdrop on the conversation. Parker seems to do the same.

"Hello there. I'm assuming your beautiful self will be my roommate?" he says in a wonderful British accent, not letting go of her hand, but rather placing it down by her side. Slowly.

"Crystal Ruby."

"Jeremiah Leckley."

Different last name. And British. Whew. It seems like he could not be any more different than Drake and Connor.

"So," he continues, "what was she going on about? What has been going on around here before I got here?"

"Oh. Nothing you need to worry about. The last two guys that were here before you were brothers who were so into that girl over there that they assaulted and kidnapped her," Crystal says casually while pointing a finger towards me. 

He looks behind at me for a moment before scowling and saying, "Her?"

Crystal nods her head, "Really? Why? Why not you?"

Hey! I don't necessarily want you to like me but I don't appreciate the insult!

"Don't worry. He's talking nonsense," Parker whispers behind me in a snobby British accent.

"That's what I've been saying!" she puts a haughty hand on her hip and a prideful one on her chest. "I really don't understand all the hype around her."

"I don't understand either. If I were them, I'd be all over you," he says with a smirk on his face.

Crystal gets a slightly evil smile on her face, "Well, that's why you're my roommate. Why don't we go back and watch a movie. 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'? I love that one. We can do all the sciency stuff later."

"I'd love to. I've seen that movie tons of times and I love it every time. Why don't we head back?" he asks, taking her hand by the fingertips like a princess and leading her over to our hallway.

Parker and I watch them walk away with jaws dropped.

"Wow. The nerve of that guy," I say after managing to get control of my jaw again.

"Hey, don't worry about him. He doesn't know what he's talking about. You're cute. Also, he's the perfect distraction for Crystal. He likes her 'style' and he likes chick flicks? Astounding," he says the last word in a British accent.

Getting over the part where he called me cute, I respond, "Yeah. Maybe she'll finally get off your back or something. Anyways, we should go work on the project."

The next morning I wake up expecting the sun to be blinding me, but it's thankfully not. I look around and hear Parker already in the shower. I see that he drew the curtains for me so I wouldn't wake up. What a cutie!

After he's done, I get ready and we head over to the actual breakfast bar to grab some food other than froyo. As soon as we walk in, Parker heads up to the ordering station to get us both something and I notice Jeremiah and Crystal eating breakfast together and holding hands.

Yay! Yes yes yes yes yes! Parker's finally all mine!

That was a lot more possessive than I meant for it be.

I sit down at a table across the room from them so I won't bother them. While Parker orders our food, I watch them. I'm bored.

They both laugh about something probably unfunny and then Crystal stands up to walk out. Jeremiah watches her leave and once she's out the door, he walks over to me.

Oh goodness.

"Hello there," he says, the British accent really standing out.

"Um. Hi."

"We haven't properly been introduced yet. I'm Jeremiah Leckley," he says, holding out his hand.

I ignore his hand and reply, "Val."

He puts his lonely hand down awkwardly and smiles a charming smile, "That's a cute name."

I try my hardest to do at least a half genuine smile but I feel like I just made my mouth into a straight line.

"Anyways," he continues, "we should hang out sometime, maybe today? You know, to get to know each other better."

"Sorry," I say, not really meaning it, "I have other plans."

"Some other day then?"

"I don't really feel like spending a day with Crystal."

"Without her then."

"Parker doesn't really feel like hanging out with you."

"Without him."

"I don't really feel like hanging out with you."

He pauses awkwardly, "And why is that?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you were literally insulting me yesterday throughout the whole day?" I say sarcastically.

"I was only doing that to impress Crystal-"

"Speaking of her, shouldn't you be catching up with her right about now?" I say, noticing that Crystal's standing outside the room waiting for him.

"Oh for goodness sake, who cares about her? I'm sure once you get to know me, you'll be very pleased," he pauses, "especially after a night."

Ew. 

"I will never ever be interested in you," I spit, glancing over at Parker, hoping he comes over soon. Jeremiah follows my gaze and scoffs.

"That guy? Really? Your loss," he lifts up his hands in surrender and starts walking towards the bathroom. Before he walks far, he turns around, "But don't mention this to Crystal, will you? You were always my first choice but if I don't get you, there's always the backup right?"

I glare and seethe my teeth, "Of course. I hate her. Being with you will be the best revenge I could ever enact on her."

"Perfect."

Parker walks over, looking confused, "What was that all about?"

"Excuse me for a second," I get up from the table and jog out into the hallway where Crystal is waiting. I tap her on the shoulder. She smiles and then realizes it's me.

"What?" she asks harshly.

"Listen. Jeremiah is bad news and-"

"And what? Jealous? Do you like him? Or is this some kind of revenge. You're just trying to break us up so you can have both boys all to yours-"

"Are you kidding me? That is the stupidest logic I've ever heard."

"Stupidest l- How dare you! I'm right aren't I? I finally get off of your boy's back but you just don't want me to be happ-"

"Exactly. You finally got off of Parker's back. Why would I lie and try to break you two up?"

She reels back for second and thinks. Then she looks at me.

"Ok. So what did he 'supposedly' do?"