Seven:

Leah

Jesse's constant winces did become really annoyance as I tried to disinfect the cuts on his knuckles from him punching the wall the other day like an idiot, but every time the cotton touched the bruised skin he cried out and I honestly kind of felt like slapping him round the head. That'll give the guy something to cry about. As we sat on his bed, I could hear the voices of people downstairs and it was oddly comforting to know that no matter how hard things were on Earth right now… humans still had hope. Jesse had become more distant since the Host had arrived and kept to his bedroom, but only came out to ask for my help with his soon to be infected hand. I knew first-aid, Mum had taught me the basics when I was younger and although I wasn't some kick-ass doctor I was glad I knew a lot.

"How's Todd?" Jesse asked and I looked up to see a hint of concern in his green eyes.

"Fine," I assured him, smiling when I saw Jesse look genuinely relieved "Jake's with him now."

"Cool- Ow!" Jesse hissed, grimacing as I wrapped a bandage around his knuckles "you're not very Mother Theresa are you?"

"Not really," I answered lightly with sarcasm in my voice now "I lack sympathy for guys who punch walls and have anger issues."

Okay, that was below the belt… a lot. Jesse pulled his hand away from mine with a look of hurt in his eyes and I instantly regretted saying that. He stood up and crossed the room, leaning his back on the wall and frowning at me.

"Is that what you think of me?" Jesse demanded and I shook my head, but he scoffed "whatever, you don't even know me."

"Likewise," I answered shortly, standing up and crossing my arms over my chest and wished that one stupid comment hadn't escaped my mouth as I frowned at him "look, I'm sorry but I was right. We hardly know each other and I'm sure you're not just the hot bad boy you pretend to be, you care about Rat like a big brother and you looked out for me…"

I stopped as I saw the smirk on Jesse's face and I realised what I had just said with a queasy feeling in my stomach, why did I call him hot? Because he kind of was, as much as I hated to admit it. He was cute in that rugged kind of way and he had well defined muscles, but seeing that smirk widen as I struggled to find something to say as he walked closer to me. This wasn't like me, usually I had a smart comment for any situation and yet the smouldering look in Jesse's green eyes made me stop what I was thinking of saying.

He looked down at me with a soft smile, a smile that was so boyish and innocent that I actually couldn't believe he had a smile like that in him.

"Good to know you think I'm hot, so do you wanna know what I think of you?" Jesse's voice went from playful to seductive in a matter of minutes "you're smart, feisty, sweet, caring and the most gorgeous girl I'd laid eyes on in a long time."

As Jesse's lips moved closer to mine, my brain suddenly kicked into gear and I realised that this was so not me. I didn't give a flying monkey's sweaty behind if the human race was dying out, I wasn't going to let a guy I'd only known for several weeks kiss me! I'm not THAT kind of girl. I placed a hand on his chest and stopped him before his testosterone ass could get any inappropriate ideas.

"What the hell?" I asked as I glared at him, shoving against his chest and ignoring the surprised look on his face "I don't know what girls you've been with in the past, don't try and make a move on me when I've known you five minutes!"

"You said I was hot?" Jesse asked, dumfounded and my anger intensified. Just because a girl thinks a guy is cute, it doesn't mean she's going to drop her panties for him! I respected myself and I was still a virgin, so I wanted my first time to be special. I wasn't going to give it up and let some guy make out with me, especially not Jesse.

"That doesn't give you a free pass to kiss me!" I snapped, turning and storming out the room with my whole body shaking with anger. That can't happen again and if it does, I might have to use my head butting skills on him again.

I needed to get out of this place and go for a walk or something, I needed air.

Christa

Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the door and entered the cell with the tray of food and water in my hands. Ember sat on the small bed, her bright blue eyes fixed on mine and a smirk appeared on the mouth I used to be so captivated by. Elle was still in there, but everything about Ember made my skin crwal and I never thought I could hate someone as much as I did now. I placed the tray on the end of the bed and turned to leave, but Ember's voice made me halt in my tracks.

"Do you think that Elle's life would have been better if she never met you?" Ember asked dryly and I turned to see the smug smile that was so infuriating, just ignore her "I mean, you've done nothing but hurt her."

That was a lie! I loved Elle… I mean, I love her. She was everything to me and I wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

"I never…" I started, but Ember's next words felt like a stab in my chest.

"She cried for you, she wanted you to help her. But you left her…" Ember smirked, tossing her black her over her shoulder as she surveyed me with a look of pure hatred "you know she probably hates you!"

My whole world was spinning as I heard those spiteful words coming from Elle's and it was like Elle was confirming my worst fears. What if Elle did hate me? I'd run out on her when she needed me and now she was possessed by an evil bitch that made me despise looking at the girl I was in love with. I couldn't let her see me cry and I quickly left the room, but as soon as I locked the door… the tears poured down my face and my body was shaking with sobs.

The subtle laugh from inside the cell made me kick the door in anger, wanting nothing more than to see Elle's soul lying lifeless on the floor.

Rat

I sprinted up the country lane, following the retreating back of Leah and cursing Jesse for being such a damn idiot. As soon as Jesse told me about his dick move to kiss Leah and her getting upset, plus everyone shitting themselves when it turned out she left the Boarding House - it was obvious shit had shit the fan… big time.

"Leah!" I yelled and was relieved when she stopped, allowing me to catch up to her as she turned to face me "what the hell are you playing at?"

"Needed to think." Leah mumbled, shrugging her shoulders and tucked her hair behind her ear. Clearly Leah wasn't used to guys making a move on her if she was that fucked off, but I could actually see her point with this one. I cast a look around and was shocked to realise we were possibly miles from the Boarding House, I had no idea how far I had been running but it was far enough that we were absolutely surrounded by nothing but green English fields on a dirt track.

"Come on, Wally was having a bitch fit when he found out you went missing," I sighed as I turned and began walking up the dirt track, Leah following silently beside me "you can do that thinking at home."

Wait, that was weird. I actually referred to the Boarding House as home and it felt normal to say it. For the last two years I had been moving from place to place with Jesse, not settling down or building emotional attachments with places or people. Now I had a safe haven and people who were looking out for me and as much as they annoyed the shit out of me, I had to admit they were all right.

"Boys suck!" Leah suddenly burst out, looking royally pissed off and I knew which boy she was referring to.

"Are we talking about Jesse trying to play tonsil tennis with you?" I asked coyly, smirking as Leah frowned "or are we talking about what Todd and Jake get up to in their bedroom?"

"Funny," Leah muttered with a reluctant smile, but soon went back to scowling "what boy does that?"

To be honest, all boys that were horny and that was pretty much most of the male population that was still human. Jesse had a girlfriend before the Hosts came and I assumed she was either dead or a Host herself, but I learned quickly not to ask about her. Although to be honest, I had noticed to way Jesse looked at Leah and I could tell he liked her… but even I knew she wasn't a hoe, so him trying to make out with her after a month of knowing each other and I'm surprised he didn't get kicked in the nuts.

I turned to Leah and gave a small smile, shrugging casually.

"Most boys, but Jesse isn't always like that." I said in my adopted brother's defence, but from the scoff from Leah mixed with a look of disbelief it was obvious Jesse was really going to have his work cut out for him.


Hey guys, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I really wanted to play around with the potential storylines of the survivors before the other hosts are brought in and the darker plots begin to unfold. So what do you guys think of a Leah/Jesse romance? Do you want to see them together? Was Leah right to reject him and can Jesse make amends with her.

Christa has not been showcased that much, but her character development will show her going into some dark places and one moment of weakness could cost her Elle's love and trust. Meanwhile, Rose will be revealing her secret to Ian, but how will he take the news?

Is there any characters that you'd like me to write a POV from or a flashback of a character's history? Let me know and I'll try and fit it into the next few chapters. :)

Also, I'm starting another few fanfics, so keep your eyes open for two new stories (one a Vampire Diaries AH/AU fic and another a The 100 SYOC - where I'll be accepting four girls and four guys, so the first chapter with the submission form will be uploaded later this week).

Thanks again for reading and I look forward to hearing from you guys in your reviews :)