I picked up my pace in front of Jackson feeling a little self-conscious because I can feel his eyes piercing in the back of my head. Maybe I should've taken my mom's advice and wear my grey laced prada dress, but no I had to look crappy to prove to myself i'm free. It doesn't seem like Jackson cares though, since he's just wearing brown shorts and a white wife beater. I noticed he had a few tattoos going up his neck and wondered if his entire chest was covered with ink. He didn't seem to care too much about showing off not only his tattoos, but his Diego —as in Dora's cousin— socks in his slides.

Apparently, it was a gift from his nephew.

"Here we are". I said turning my car alarm off and pressing the button to open the trunk.

"You shouldn't do that,". He stopped me from putting my hair in a ponytail, after taking out my three suitcases and a box. "I like your hair when it's down".

"Okay...". I said reluctantly and went to grab a box.

"Why don't you just let me do this, it'll be much quicker". He stopped me again. "You just wait here".

I watched in awe as he somehow managed to drag three suitcases and a box over to building three. Not wanting to stand around and do nothing, I decided to go back to the main office and ask that crazy lady about something that has been on my mind for a long time, although it doesn't bother me anymore.

"Hi Ms. sunshine". The woman, Mrs. Eldridge —as said on her nametag— greeted.

Butt kisser.

" Yeah, I have a question, um...why exactly do I have a special circumstance?, and why is it the fact that I have a guy as my roommate". I admit, I was a little disappointed. I mean in college your roommate —a girl— would become your best friend and you'd go on crazy adventures together.

" I don't really understand what you mean, dear,". Mrs. Eldridge frowned. "Special circumstance is having a guy as your roommate, but I don't know why you're confused, you sign up for it when you apply".

"But that's the thing,". I sighed becoming frustrated. " I didn't sign up for it".

"Huh?,". The woman knitted her brows together typing furiously on the computer. "It says here that a parent signed you up...but that's weird because I can't seem to take you off".

"What?". I asked, new information buzzing through my brain. A parent? Why would my mom do that? she's been overprotective about me for years and now she's going to let me live with some guy she dosen't know?

Unless...No that's dumb too.

" It seems to me whoever put you here doesn't want you off,". Mrs. Eldridge looked up, worried. "I'm sorry honey but maybe it isn't a parent, you could be in serious da—".

"There you are vanilla bean!,". Jackson exclaimed. "I've been looking everywhere for you".

He looked a little pale as he grabbed my hand, said thank you to the lady —like he knew what we were talking about— and dragged me outside. " What is your problem?!". I asked, mad that he never let the lady finish her sentence, but didn't pull my hand away. Neither did he.

" Rule number one, don't ask questions around here,". He looked me directly in the eyes Hazel to Green. " Talking to the wrong people can get you in some serious trouble".

"What?". I asked taken back. What is he talking about?

"When I say stay, I mean stay,". He pulled me closer, lifting my chin so he could study my face better. " I can't protect you if I don't know where you are, at all times".

" Protect me?, from what?". I Whispered feeling like he's literally taking my breath away. Our sudden closeness is starting to make me light headed. My eyes wandered down to his lips and I bit mine. He took a deep breath and stepped back from me.

Why did that hurt my feelings?

That small grin i'm starting to get used to came back. " And lastly, what happens in our dorm, stays in our dorm meaning the conversation you overheard earlier goes to nobody,". He stepped closer to me and made eye contact again. " Did I make myself clear?".

My eyes traveled to his lips again. "Uh...what?".

He leaned in to my ear and whispered. "Not now, vanilla bean". Then moved away and cleared his throat. " I said, did I make myself clear?".

" Y-Yes...". I answered unsure.

"Good". He sighed and turned his back to me. I noticed he just hung up on someone and asked,

" Was someone listening to our conversation just now?,". He turned back to face me and shrugged. " don't worry about it".

I knew he was hiding something, he knew he was hiding something, but he looked uncomfortable so I decided to change the subject as we made our way back to our dorm. "So what does that tattoo mean?". I questioned pointing to the second tattoo that caught my eye earlier. It was another heart but this one was tiny and it spiraled down and connected to a cross, below it was his initials J.M.

He sighed. "It means loyalty, I'm apart of a...group, and in this group we all get the same tattoos to prove we are bounded together and forever loyal to the leader".

" Who's your leader?". I asked.

He gave me a sideward glance as if to say,

We both know I won't tell you that.

"Okay,". I tried again. " What about the door?, how did you get in my room, I could've sworn I locked the door".

"Simple". He said as we came to a stop in front of the elevator, he waited until we were inside and he pressed floor three before pulling out a paperclip and smirking.

Smh, figures.

"Ugh". I groaned and plopped down on the couch when we got to our room, face first.

" Wow,". Jackson said sarcastically. " Very attractive".

I lift my head up, ignoring his comment and asked. "can you order pizza? I haven't eaten all day".

" Sure". He said and pulled his phone out. After a few minutes I got up and decided to make my bed with the green sheets Jackson, oh so kindly threw on the floor.

" It'll be here in 20-30 minutes". He popped his head in my room with a high pitch voice mocking the Pizza lady —i'm guessing— on the phone. A giggle escaped my lips and he smiled.

" I have a question". I said shyly looking down.

"Shoot". He jumped on my freshly made bed and turned facing me.

" You can't laugh, and you have to be honest,". I stated and he silently agreed nodding his head. "Why do you call me vanilla bean?".

" You don't like it?". He grabbed his chest mockingly.

I blushed. " Actually I do...".

Now he was really shocked. " Well, I call you that because it's sweet and innocent...like you". he shot me a sheepish grin and my cheeks burned from embarrassment.

What do I even say to that? "Thank you?...".

He lifted my chin again. " Today, when you kept asking me to kiss you with your eyes...you know I can't do that right?".

I frowned. " Okay...I won't deny what I did but what makes you think I want to kiss you now?".

He smirked. " I never said that, you just did".

I froze. "Fudge".

He laughed. "Fudge? You're really cute you know that".

I gave a shy smile. why is he being so nice, I thought he'd always just be a jerk face. I kind of like this Jackson. "Not saying I want you to, but why can't you kiss me?".

"Because,". He leaned in. " You're off limits".

What? "Says who?". I don't know why I actually got upset.

" Shh,". He chuckled. " It's okay".

I sighed frustrated. What the heck? I don't understand my predicament. I just met Jackson literally a few hours ago, yeah I admit he's pretty hot but...a wicked case of deja vu swept over me. Feeling confused I shrugged it off and continued my little rant to myself. Argh! I still don't know why I like him. Maybe I just like bad boys, or guys with tattoos, or guys that call me vanilla bean, or—

" Penny for your thoughts?". He asked.

"Just...hungry". I lied. I have a feeling he knew I was lying.

He was going to say something but just then a knock sounded from our door and he went to go pay the Pizza man leaving me alone, once again to think about my predicament but it wasn't long before he yelled,

" Vanilla bean!, can I borrow a twenty?".

" Yeah,". I smiled to myself, grabbing a twenty dollar bill from my wallet and yelling back. " I'm coming!".

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