J A R E D  W I N S T I N ' S  P. O. V.

Even though Val didn't know the way, I made her walk in front of me. I wanted to gaze upon her; to inhale her image, to adore her beauty. I still can't believe Joey asked me if I would make love to Val, right in front of her. What was this kid trying to do? I told him she's hot, and he totally put me on the spot. Maybe she didn't notice though; he probably didn't tell her.

When we got to the top of the staircase, she asked me where to go. I pointed to the room at the end of the hallway. As we walked, I couldn't help but to look at her; she was beautiful, almost breathtaking. 

"I left you some clothes on the bed to change, if you want." I stated, still gazing upon her. 

"Thanks," she said, walking towards the bed. 

"I'm just down the hall, if you need me. Like the fourth door down." I said. I wanted to stay there. To watch her undress and adore every inch of her body. But I couldn't do that, and I didn't want to seem like a freak. So I walked down the hall into my bedroom. 

Compared to the other bedrooms, mine was relatively standard. It was painted in a cream white color; nothing too fancy. My bed was in the middle of the room, and a hanging television was across from it. On the right side of my room, closest to the door, was another door to my own private bathroom. 

I headed towards my bathroom and put on a pair of boxers. I took off my shirt before slipping onto my bed and turning on the television. I never slept with my shirt on; honestly, it was too hot to sleep in one.

I hoped that Valerie was okay. She probably wanted to go clubbing or hang out, but I don't want to push her. Plus, I don't want to put myself in a situation were I'm tempted to kiss her again. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, but I wanted to kiss her so badly.

Today was amazing, though; I totally saw that red-head checking out Val and used it to my advantage. Although, in my defense, Valerie didn't stop me when I kissed her so that had to mean something, right?

I flipped through the channels until I find something I was satisfied with. 

Moments later, my door flung open. Valerie had rushed into my room, dressed in one of my polo shirts and sweats. They were both extremely oversized on her, but she still looked adorable in my clothes. I looked at her to find her face completely red; was she embarrassed, frightened, or maybe...excited?

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"I just walked in on someone doing...something with someone..." She seemed out of breath as she said these words. Someone doing something? Oh, she meant Brandon.

"Oh, third room down? Yeah, that was Brandon's room," I laughed. "He has a new girl there like everyday with him."

"Gross," she uttered in disgust. I wonder what she would think if she knew I was just like that not too long ago. I told her I had a reputation, but she doesn't know how bad everything used to be.

"So what did you see?" I playfully asked her. Hoping to see her even more embarrassed. She looked lovely with blushed cheeks. I want to be the reason she blushes.

"Ew, no. I'm not talking about that." She said looking at the other side of the room. She was clearly so embarrassed.

"Come on, don't be such a prude." I laughed at her.

"Noo," she said, firmly.

"Knowing Brandon, you walking in on him probably got him going even more." I winked at her.

"Stop! Oh my gosh. I don't need to know that." She said, defensively. Her face squished in disgust, and I busted out in laughter. I loved seeing the different levels of faces she could make. She walked over and hit me on the shoulder, as she did so often when I annoyed her. I could see her pause momentarily to look at my body; was she checking me out?

"Oh sorry, I usually don't sleep with a shirt on," I told her.

"Oh, okay." Her face become even more red after I said this, but she seemed to be calming down.

"So is everything okay? Did you need me or something?" I asked, patiently. 

"I couldn't really sleep in that room, so can I hang here with you?" She said, almost in a whisper. As though she was ashamed to want to be here, with me. Or maybe she wasn't sure I'd let her stay here?

"Of course." I uncovered the blanket on the side next to me. I always slept on the right side of the bed, since I was a little kid. 

"Perfect, I always sleep on the left side of the bed," she said as she spun her way onto the bed. 

"What are you watching?" She asked. 

"'Friends,'" I answered. That shows too funny. Chandler's comedy is gold, and Rachel's body is hot as fuck.

"You know what's an awesome show? Have you ever watched 'New Girl'? It's so good." Val proclaimed.

"Really?"

"Yeah, this girl named Jess has to move in with three guys after her boyfriend cheats on her. The three guys are hilarious, oh my gosh. Wanna watch it?" She asked.

"Sure," I said.

I let Val turn off 'Friends' and put on 'New Girl.' Some moments go by as we watched the show. I wanted to look at her, to gaze upon her beauty, but I didn't want to be obvious. She was just suppose to be my friend. And friends don't look at each other the way I wanted to look at her.

"My clothes fit you well," I said, trying to find a reason to allow myself to glance at her.

Disbelief displayed on her face as she realized what I had said, "Are you nuts? I look like a potato." 

"A smoking potato," I added, winking at her. 

"Are you calling me a french fry?" She asked, playfully.

"You have the legs of a French model, so yeah you're a french fry." I laughed aloud, happy to be looking at her. Her face flushed again at the sound of my odd compliment. My stomach turned at the beauty before me. I wanted to place her red cheeks in my hands, to brush her jaw with my thumb, to hold her neck in my hand...

"You're crazy," Val said, with a smile on her face.

"I know," I said while biting my lower lip. As she watched the show, I couldn't help but glace over at her. She was so alluring. Even her just sitting next to me in my baggy clothes made me want to rip them off of her and show her how much I wanted her.

Trying to find another reason to continue talking to her, I said: "You never answered my question." 

"Hmm. Which question?" She asked, clearly paying more attention to the show than me.

"How did your father die?" The seriousness of the question changed the atmosphere of the room. Her gaze left the TV and went on me. 

"Oh, my father died of a stroke." She answered, quietly.

"Was he a good father?" I asked.

"I loved him, yeah. Like most children love their parents, no matter what they did or who they were. But no. He was an awful person. My mother got pregnant with me by accident, when they were just beginning to date. He practically harassed her to get an abortion, but my mother refused. When things got far along in the pregnancy that people began to notice, my grandmother got involved. My father didn't want to stay with my mom, but his mother forced him to. So, it wasn't always good at home."

"What do you mean?" I questioned. Did she also have a terrible childhood?

"I mean, a child knows when it's unwanted." she answered, bluntly.

"Yeah, that's true." I whispered. I knew when my mother didn't want me or my father. For one, my father had left us at a young age, and it wasn't long until my mother gave up on me, too. 

"Okay, now I have a question." Val muttered. She seemed nervous.

"What's up?" I blurted.

"What's your answer to Joey's question?" Once she dropped the question, Val stared at me intently, almost as though she was holding her breathe to hear my answer. 

Of course, I wanted her. That's all I desired from the moment I've started hanging out with her. Before, I wouldn't have stopped in order to get what I wanted. Not in a dangerous type of way, but women never rejected me; so I took as I pleased. But with Valerie, it's different. She doesn't want to jump my bones. She wanted a friendship with me; she yearned for someone she could trust, and I desired to be that someone. 

"I don't think you want to know." I answered, honestly. I didn't want to risk our friendship with the stupid truth now.

"I do," Val said, placing her hand on mine. 

"Okay, but don't blame me if the answer isn't what you want it to be." I warned her and she nodded.

"Well, it's definitely not a no. And that's all I'm saying!" I admitted. She smiled and looked away from me. I hope that was what she hoped to hear. 

I laid my head down and closed my eyes, trying not to excite myself. I needed to control my thoughts. Laying on the bed, I could hear Val shifting around on the bed, clearly uncomfortable. I wanted her to feel comfortable, but I felt comfortable where I was so I didn't move. Laying there, I pretended to sleep, keenly listening to Valerie's breath.

As I felt myself drifting into sleep, I suddenly felt someone's hands go through my hair, as though they were caressing it. I knew it was Valerie, but I didn't want to open my eyes, knowing she would stop. I laid there, embracing her touch, as I fell into a deep sleep.

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So, how are you guys liking Jared and Val's chemistry so far?!

Do you think something's going to happen between them?

More importantly, how are you liking Jared's roommates? xD They are a treat, lol

Don't forget to leave a vote if you enjoyed this chapter :p