"We've got citizenship next. Yuck" Valerie sighed, slowly getting up from her home room seat with Skyler.

"First time I'm not looking forward to a lesson" Skyler rolled her eyes. "Citizenship is just REALLY boring" she sighed.

"Yeah, when you're not staring at Jerome" Valerie scoffed playfully, nudging her.

Skyler smiled sheepishly, her cheeks heating up slightly. But she wasn't shy, more so embarrassed that she wasn't able to hide her *ahem* subtle staring at Jerome.

"I don't even have my precious Ozzie or Ed to keep me company. Boo, no eye candy" Val pouted.

Sky laughed. "Hey, don't be so selfish, you get Oswald every Thursday lunch time! All to yourSELF"

"Hmph... touché. But it's not enough for me! I need moooore" Valerie said in a funny voice.

Skyler laughed, walking to lesson with her best friend.

Once they got there, as per usual they took their seats and began reluctantly taking out their equipment.

"Hello class!" Their overly perky teacher called.

There were a few mutters of response mixed with a few grunts.

"I said hello class!" She chimed, a little more forced.

Honestly, they weren't in elementary!

"Hello Ms H" everyone droned.

H was short for Harewood.

"That's better. Now today, I've got something EXTRA special--"

She was interrupted as Jerome waltzed into the lesson, late and unfazed.

He plonked down in his seat, giving Ms H a charming grin. "Sorry I'm late miss. I was uh... helping the new kid"

She raised her eyebrow, not believing a word he said but also clearly amused. "Helping, hm? If I find out that your helping had something to do with a- a whoopy cushion or shaving cream or super glue, Jerome Valeska, you are a dead man walking"

"Yes ma'am" He grinned cheekily, mock saluting her.

Gosh, that smile. He looked so incredibly cute when he smiled. Sky hated being a cliché but she couldn't help but be one! The sighs, the butterflies, the blushing.

But she'd be dammed before she tripped over with all her books, in front of him! She was not a damsel in distress, no sir! Skyler Rhodes was an independent, strong, bold--

Ohmigosh, that laugh! He was so fricking HOT! akjsdnwksk

Wait, what?

"AHEM, staring" Valerie nudged her.

"Whoops... ugh Val I can't help it! Help me. I don't wanna be whipped. Am I boy crazy?" She pouted, putting her head on the table.

Valerie waited for her best friend to snap out of her sulking before sighing when Skyler refused to lift her head off the table.

"Gurl, get yourself together! You're not boy crazy because I'm pretty sure we ALL gave crushes at one point in our lives. You can't help your feelings. And let's be honest, you were whipped about... 3 bloody years ago" she drawled, smirking playfully.

There was the brutal honesty Skyler needed and loved. Her friend was NEVER one to sugarcoat. Ever.

"You're right, thanks Val" Sky smiled, bouncing back.

"As I was saying, we're doing something special today. I want you all to get into groups of 4" Ms H instructed.

Skyler's eyes widened and she looked at Valerie.

"Oh my god, here's your chance! Let's join Jerome's group" Valerie grinned, ushering Skyler.

She nodded and smiled, hopping up excitedly. She didn't want to sprint over because that would just be embarrassing but she was having second thoughts. She didn't want people to think she liked him even though she did.

However, little did she know that practically the whole school knew about her crush on him.

Skyler stopped in her tracks though when Harley skipped up to him with Barbara and Jim.

Her heart dropped, dammit she missed her chance. And now she had to watch as Harley fawned all over him in lesson.

"Hey, Harls" she heard Jerome say, ruffling Harley's hair playfully.

She sighed and turned back to Valerie. "Every time. Whenever I get the chance to EVER talk to Jerome, stupid Quinzel screws me over every time. In gym, at break, during class, after school" Skyler ranted, dejectedly walking back to their desk.

"Aww Sky, there's always next time" Val patted her arm.

Valerie felt bad for her friend. She knew how it felt after all, she never had the chance to talk with Ed because that annoying Lee was always around.

Val didn't even have many classes with Ed, just science and calculus. And even in those subjects, he kept to himself.

Of course she still had Oswald who was much easier to talk to and also a good friend of hers. She was lucky in that sense, like Skyler ALWAYS told her. At least she could talk to Oswald freely.

"Don't lie to me Val, you know that every next time will be destroyed by Harleen" She scoffed, sighing softly.

Skyler WAS happy she was with Val and she wanted to believe that she didn't care. She wanted to believe that she'd have a great time. But she knew it wasn't true.

She loved her best friend but she knew that even when she was having fun, the thought of Jerome would weigh heavy on her mind. She'd still think about him and she couldn't just stop caring like those strong feminine characters in the books. (She's tried).

Now it was her, Valerie, Lucius and Strange in one group. Great.

They were all okay except for Strange. There was something really... well, STRANGE about him.

Rumour has it that he could bring dead rats back to life with electricity. Some kind of science prodigy or something.

Suddenly there was a gentle knock at the door.

"Come in" the whole class shouted while Ms H gave them a disapproving look.

Oswald appeared, cane in hand. Valerie's heart jumped.

"Good morning, Miss. I've been sent to your classroom because I need to catch up on some work. Can I join?" He asked politely.

He looked around the classroom and his face lit up as he saw Valerie. She grinned and waved, her heart jumping at the sight of him.

"Of course, Oswald. Join a group" Ms H smiled, already being acquainted with Oswald.

Oswald immediately made a beeline towards our table. "Hello Valerie, Skyler" he greeted politely, nodding at us both.

"Hi" Skyler attempted to smile, giving a half hearted wave.

"Hey Oz" Val smiled brightly.

"I'm gonna go get the equipment" Skyler sighed, feeling even worse.

The 'equipment' was an A3 piece of paper with marker pens for the brainstorming activity.

She walked to the back where the things were kept, suddenly gasping as she heard a yelp from behind her and saw books flying everywhere.

She didn't know what happened but she bent down and picked up the book anyway, being the caring person she was.

As she straightened up, she turned around only to be face to face with Jerome.

Her stomach jumped and she smiled nervously.

"Whoops... sorry about that. Accidentally tripped" Jerome muttered, smiling sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Skyler couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped, shaking her head. "It's fine. Are you okay?" She asked.

He looked slightly surprised as she asked, nobody really bothered with him anymore since he was always pranking everyone but he didn't care.

"Yeah, I'll survive. Just barely, mind you. However you might wanna get the ambulance on speed dial, just in case you know?" He grinned cheekily.

Sky felt so HAPPY that he was actually talking to her, and when she was talking to him it felt natural! Of course her heart was thundering but she wasn't stuttering or nervous at all!

"Oh of course, it's only standard after all. We wouldn't want you to die... right?" She grinned back.

"Of course not, I'm the only reason we're not all grey right now" he scoffed cockily.

"Mhm, vain much" she laughed.

"Honesty is the best--"

"J!" Harley called from across the classroom.

Jerome pulled a funny face, his back towards Harley and facing Skyler. She laughed hard at the face, shaking her head.

"I should go, or Harls is gonna do my head in" he rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh that's mine by the way, thanks" he smiled as Skyler handed him the book quickly.

"You are... NOT welcome" Sky grinned.

"I'm not?"

"Nope" she smirked, popping the 'P'.

"Well why not? I deserve to be welcome"

"No you dont"

"The right to be welcome is RIGHTFULLY mine" Jerome proclaimed.

"N-" she started.

"Jerry!" Harley groaned again.

"Okay now I really have to go. To be continued..." he grinned plaufully, walking off. "Nice talking to you by the way"

"You too!" She called out but he was gone, she smiled to herself.

Oh my god, she can't believe that just happened.

She couldn't keep the smile off her face, replaying the whole conversation in her head as she collected their things.

Best. Day. Ever!